Chapter 39: Finally

The overwhelming scent of flowers surrounded the area. White stargazer lilies, soft pink orchids, and white chrysanthemums were everywhere, giving the look of a meadow. I held a light pink carnation in my hands.

It was a brisk afternoon with a chilling breeze. The sun was warm and kept by back heated. For such a sad day, it was pleasant. I wore a black suit with a black tie, similar to what many other people wore.

Lucario and I stood solemnly in line. Soft chatter was all that could be heard. Everyone was here, minus Keith. He was still caught up in Haruba Desert. He did send his condolences even though he was in a temple.

I still can't believe we were just finding out about this.

"Well, we were on a boat when it happened," I responded.

It could have been mentioned, at least.

"They probably didn't want me to worry. I knew something was up, but this?"

A few days passed since we returned from being saved by Rhythmi. I didn't even get a chance to thank her. She hid away as fast as she could. This would be my first time talk to her since before I left.

Chantal was loved by the entire town of Pueltown. It was easy to say that the entire town came together to celebrate the life of their beloved florist. The line led all the way back to Pueltown.

I first reached Reed. The usually jolly man looked tired and defeated. His eyes lacked the positive sparkle they usually had. His eyes were swollen. His scruffy face turned to a weak smile and he enveloped me in a bone-crushing hug. He didn't speak. I'm not sure he had anything to say. Reed had lost his wife and now his eldest daughter.

Aria's blue eyes were bloodshot. Fresh tears dripped down her face as her trembling lips tried to smile at me.

"Thank you for coming," she said in a cracked voice.

I nodded and gave her my most reassuring smile. I truth was that I felt that I owed my reputation to Chantal. She talked me up and got me a headline. She was the one that spread my name. She was the one who was always rooting for me.

Finally, I reached Rhythmi. All of her spunk, which I valued dearly, was gone. Her head was down. I tapped her shoulder and got no response. I tipped her cold chin up and raised her eyes to meet mine.

Usually, Rhythmi's eyes reminded me of the sun, and when she was fired up they reminded me of lightning. Currently, they looked void and lifeless. It didn't even look like she had been crying.

"Hey," I whispered ever so softly.

"Hey," she said at the same volume.

"I'm so sorry. I know how much your sister meant to you. Chantal was truly a great person. I owe a lot to her."

Rhythmi looked at me blankly. Chantal passed while I was underwater. I had seen her so recently. Rhythmi must have been destroyed. I can't believe that I wasn't there for her. Rhythmi even came back to work to save me. She earned a headline for her heroics.

Rhythmi grabbed me and held me in a tight hug. I placed my arms loosely around her and rested my head on her's. She let go and looked at me with a sweet smile. Rhythmi had some actual sign of life for the first time in a while. She even turned and gave Lucario a hug and a scratch behind the ears.

Lucario and I reached the the oak casket. It hung over a deep hole in the ground. Flowers surrounded the casket and gave it the appearance of a flower garden. The casket was covered in single flowers left by loved ones. Lucario and I placed our carnations on top of the pile.

Pink carnations were the perfect flowers to represent Chantal. Rhythmi once told me that pink carnations stood for being unforgettable. Chantal will truly be unforgettable. It also stands for a mother's undying love. Chantal told me that when their mother died, she had to take the role at eighteen years old.

Once everyone got through the line, the minister said his final words before the casket was lowered. I stood next to Rhythmi. I took her hand and squeezed it lightly. As the casket was lowered, I felt myself get a pang of sadness. My throat got tight and my eyes watered.

I turned to Rhythmi and quiet tears ran down her face. I reached and wiped them away. Her glossy eyes looked at me and a soft sob escaped her mouth. Rhythmi clutched my arm and cried.

The flowers slowly disappeared into the earth. Everyone around me was in tears. Even Lucario let a few tears out. Tears leaked from my eyes, but I couldn't make a sound.

Rhythmi wasn't up for work the next day. I wouldn't blame her. She was an emotional wreck after the funeral. She locked herself in her room. Reed let me in the house because I decided that she needed some cheering up. I talked to Billy and got some tickets to the Go Rock Quad's concert.

Rhythmi lived with her dad and sisters. The house was cute. It was light pink and smelled of flowers, probably because the flower shop was underneath it. Several pictures of Rhythmi, Chantal, and Aria hung everywhere.

I stopped to look at a certain picture of Rhythmi. She was holding an ice cream cone in one hand and a doll in the other. A woman, that I assumed was her mother, hugged her from behind. Rhythmi looked a lot like her mother in the face. She didn't have the sandy hair that her mother had, though.

Before I knocked on her bedroom door, I fixed my hair. It was a little too wild for my taste today. Lucario made fun of me because of my hair, so I was nervous. That jerk was definitely abusing the fact that I cared about my appearance today.

I knocked the door and a muffled groan came from the other side. "Who is it?"

"Uh… It's Kellyn…"

There was no response. I played with the collar of my orange button down shirt. The door opened slowly and a yellow eye poked out. The door closed quickly as scrambling could be heard from the other side.

I stood there quietly, holding the daisies in one hand. I wished that Lucario had come with me, but he said that it wasn't his place to be with us.

In time, Rhythmi opened the door and stepped out. I felt my heart jump out of my chest once my eyes met with hers. She was beautiful, sad or not. She wore a simple collared shirt and a skirt, but I was entranced.

I handed her the flowers without saying a word. Rhythmi gently felt the tips of the petals and smiled. "You sure like to give flowers. Is that something you picked up in Ranger School?"

"Well, maybe, but you deserve all the flowers. If only I could give you them," I responded smoothly.

"Thank you," Rhythmi responded with composure. "Now, what brings you here? Of course, I don't mind!"

I held up the tickets and said, "I got my hands on these. The show starts in an hour. I was wondering if you'd like to go with me."

Rhythmi blushed a little and responded in a small voice, "L-Like a date?"

"Yes… Like a date," I told her with the most confidence I could give her.

I saw several emotions run through her eyes. Rhythmi was confused, but finally, she softened up. A spunky smile formed on her face. She grabbed my hand and led me out the door.

The warm night's air was gentle. The cloudless sky let the moon take control. Rhythmi was dragging me at this point. She was laughing like she had heard the funniest joke. Once we reached the center of Pueltown, Rhythmi stopped.

"Where are we going, Kellyn?"

I gripped her hand and pulled her closer to me, "Altru Park."

"We have time, right?" asked Rhythmi.

"Yeah, why don't we just walk for now?"

We walked hand-in-hand for what seemed like an eternity. Her eyes were looking around in excitement. I could feel her racing pulse through her hand.

"It was very nice of you to try to cheer me up," Rhythmi told me.

"I didn't want you to be sad anymore. It makes me sad to watch you cry."

"Oh, aren't you supposed to be tough?" Rhythmi teased. She stopped in her tracks. "Why are you so kind to me?"

"Isn't it obvious? Rhythmi, you're important to me. You mean the world to me."

Rhythmi was the most important person to me. It didn't take long for me to figure it out. Rhythmi doesn't have to love me back to make me happy. She might be spunky and aggressive sometimes, but most of the time she's kind. The fact that she's beautiful isn't a bad thing at all.

Rhythmi turned to look at me. Her face had a certain look. She didn't respond for a little. Her eyes were glued to the surroundings. She looked at all the people walking around. I had probably made her nervous. She turned to look at me with an irritated look and then dashed away into the forest, taking me with her.

"Rhythmi?!" I shouted as I ran with her.

We stopped in the middle of the woods, panting. Her flushed face was much more apparent. The moonshine shined on her hair much like the time we snuck around Ranger School together. Rhythmi had a plan because her face twisted with an evil grin.

"Sorry, I wanted us to be alone," Rhythmi told me, grin still holding.

"Why didn't you say so? It's a little weird to be hiding in the woods."

She snorted and took a step forward. Her eyes were set on a prize. I got a little nervous at her change in behavior and backed up. Once my back hit a tree, I noticed the trap. She placed one hand on my shoulder and another played with the tips of my hair.

"Kellyn, I've never felt the way I feel towards you before. Is that corny?" Rhythmi asked as her body got closer.

I placed a hand on her waist and a hand on her cheek as I said, "Yeah, it's pretty corny, but I don't mind."

This was the time. I understood Rhythmi's reasoning. No one was here to bother us. She didn't want to do this in front of all those people. Our faces got dangerously close. I could almost die from the tension.

I don't know who moved, but our lips finally met in a soft embrace. It wasn't my first kiss, but I had never felt an explosion of lust like this. Fireworks went off in my head. Her lips were more desirable than I had ever imagined. It lasted for a short moment as Rhythmi pulled away first with glazed eyes.

"You don't know how long I wanted to do that," Rhythmi whispered.

This time, Rhythmi crashed her lips on mine with a passion. This wasn't a sweet kiss like the first one. This kiss was feverish and wild like we would never see each other again. My hands roamed her body as she pulled at my hair with both hands. I had never had a kiss like this before, and I quite liked it.

She pushed hard on my body to lock me in place. It was really hot. It was almost like a fight for dominance. I flipped our positions so she would be against the tree. She gasped a little at my aggression. Rhythmi tried to push back, but I grabbed her wrists and pushed them back. A quiet moan came from her throat as I pinned her.

I was pretty sure that I had splinters in my skin, but I didn't care. I was pretty sure I had scratches along my neck, but I didn't care. I was pretty sure that we weren't going to the concert after all, but I didn't care.

All I cared about was Rhythmi.

We ended up making it to the concert. It was wild. Bodies were packed like sardines. I guess we weren't the only fans. Rhythmi was too short to see, so I put her on my shoulders. The people behind us were mad, but Rhythmi turned around and gave them one of her super glares.

"Kellyn? Are you listening?" grumbled Kate.

"Sorry, what?"

"I said that Chairperson Erma called us into the Meeting Room because Lanie arrived. Isn't that terrible?" Kate spat.

"There are worse things," I said simply.

"There are two possibilities right now according to my sources. The first one is that she actually shaped up and became a good person. I heard that she donated money to an orphanage outside the Oblivia Region. The other is that she hasn't changed a bit. Sources tell me that she hardly left her house," Kate explained with a serious voice.

"I see the Gossip Queen hasn't changed a bit."

"I wouldn't say gossip. I would say research. Those are two completely different words."

Not really if you think about it.

We walked into the meeting room. Erma, Hastings, Sven, Wendy, Aria, Isaac, and Jasmine all stood around a single person.

"Ah, you two arrived," said Hastings.

Everyone turned to look at Kate and Kellyn, but the focus of attention was the girl in the middle. Her vibrant red hair was cut in a bob. Sharp eyes looked at them with no malice. If anything, they were curious. Those were unfamiliar eyes.

"Hello," said the girl. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Just about two years?"

"Lanie, how are you?" said Kate in a slow manner.

"I'm glad to be home. Oblivia is nice, but Almia is my place," she said with a big smile.

The door opened behind us. Molly and Ricky walked in with some sort of machine. The machine was about the size of a Sealeo. It was plain-looking with a box shape.

"I finished the sonar!" said a blackened Molly.

Hastings rushed over and looked at the sonar. "That won't do. We need it to be chip-sized, so we can put it in a styler."

Molly took off her goggles and let them dangle from her neck. The area around her eyes was clean which made her look silly.

"Chip… Sized… You wanted chip-sized?" Molly dragged on. I could feel her anger rising. "Why didn't you mention that before?"

"Sorry, that was my fault," said Hastings in an attempt to calm Molly.

She grabbed a wrench from her belt and took a step forward. Before she could give Hastings a piece of her mind, the red-head caught her attention. Molly's eyes narrowed.

"You! What are you doing here?" Molly spat as she lunged for Lanie.

Ricky ran to stop her. He grabbed her by the waist, but she kept trucking. I ran and grabbed her wrist right before the wrench made contact with her face. Lanie didn't move an inch. She was still daring as ever.

"Molly, I'd like to tell you that I'm sorry for teasing you," Lanie told her sincerely.

I struggled to keep Molly from bashing Lanie's brains in. Ricky rested his head on her bare back, whispering something I couldn't hear. Molly relaxed but kept her position.

"Oh really? And what sparked your personal growth?" she mocked.

"Oblivia was paradise, but hardly anything happened. I spent my days either inside by myself or outside with a bunch of people who didn't like me. Being solitude for a year and a half definitely messes up your mind. I didn't talk to many people except the Ranger I was in charge of, so I talked to pokémon. All the sudden I started doing things I wouldn't normally do like cut my hair and donate. Now I just want another chance," Lanie explained.

Molly ceased her aggression. "Okay… I'm sorry for attacking you."

Ricky nervously laughed, "We'll just leave now!"

Before Ricky and Molly could escape, Lanie shouted, "Ricky, take care of her!"

He didn't turn around, but his ears turned bright red.

"Now, Lanie please tell us what you know about Lavana," asked Erma after a period of silence.

Lanie looked distressed by the question. "Is that why I'm here? Heh, she always has to outdo me."

"So, you do know her," stated Aria.

"Know her? Heh, Lavana's my big sister."

I see the resemblance, but what?!

"Your sister…? Could you tell us more?" asked Hastings.

"Are you sure you saw Lavana? She ran away from home when she was fifteen. She would be twenty now. Plus, I can't see her being a bad guy."

Jasmine showed her a headline that had a picture of Lavana striking a pose. Lanie furrowed her eyes and then sadly smiled.

"You found my sister. Lavana's still gorgeous as ever…"

"Why did she run away from home?" I asked.

"I don't know the exact reason, but I'm sure my mom had something to do with it. Lavana was locked away at home for years. My mom told me never to speak of it to anyone. You see, my mom hated Lavana for some reason. I thought it was because Lavana looked like my dad. My dad cheated on my mom several times, but they never divorced. I think my mom took out her anger on my sister."

"That's terrible…" whispered Kate.

"I'll never forget the day she ran away. I heard screaming as I walked into the door. Lavana was in the kitchen which wasn't allowed. Lavana punched my mom in the face and ran. She didn't even say bye. She was so kind to me, and she didn't say bye."

Lanie had started to cry at that point. Kate, of all people, went up and hugged her.

Erma shuffled towards me and whispered, "I need you to go find Keith. Go to Haruba Desert and find the Hippowdon Temple. We lost his signal completely."

"We're on it."

Haruba Village is the second most populated town in Almia. While Pueltown is a large port and Boyle Island is tropical vacation location next to a volcano, Haruba Village is the party hub in the middle of a desert.

Due to its distance from the Ranger Union, Haruba Village is home to several suspicious actions. The town is full of clubs, casinos, and performers. The bright neon lights were famous in Haruba Village.

I stepped onto the dock and covered my face. Haruba was in the middle of a sandstorm. A bad one at that. I bumped into what looked like a showgirl.

"Welcome to Haru- peh, peh. Sorry, I got sand in my mouth. Welcome to Haruba Village, home of the best casinos in Almia!" she said with gusto.

"How do you handle a sandstorm like this?" I said in a muffled gasp for air.

"Sandstorms aren't rare, but this one is especially horrible."

Lucario had to lead the way. The loose sand under my feet was more than annoying. The pelting sand and wind burned my face. I quickly learned that I hate sand.

I noticed that Haruba Village was close to the port. The bright lights gave it away. The familiar heavy aura of a gigiremo could be felt. As Lucario walked forward, I bumped into another person.

"Would you like some special espresso with a hint of grit?" asked a man.

"No thank you. Do you know where the Ranger Union is?"

"Yes, it is next to the Sandy Hills Casino and The Crescent Moon Club."

Kellyn, I think that man thinks a gigiremo is a coffee machine. May I destroy it?

"I don't see a gigiremo."

"A gigiremo?" asked the man that I couldn't see.

I can see it. Don't you feel it?

"Excuse me, where did you get that machine?"

"Ah, I found it in the desert," he said happily. "It must be a gift for living here my whole life and dealing with the crazy gamblers. There is something odd about the machine. Every time I turn it on, the Hippopotas become crazy."

"Sir, that machine is dangerous. Lucario and I need to destroy it," I told him.

"What gives you the authority?"

Lucario smashed the gigiremo to pieces. The sand and wind started to cease. Finally, I could see normally. Haruba Village really was pretty cool looking. Nothing was small about the gambler's village.

"Y-You're Top Ranger Kellyn!" shouted the man. "I'm so sorry for not listening to you!"

"You know me?"

"Of course! My son, Hank, and I love reading about you! My name's Henry by the way."

Henry was tanner than Molly with thick black hair under a white turban. He was a burly man with several packs on his back. He made me look small.

"Nice to meet you."

"Noooooo!" Henry shouted. "I caused those poor Hippopotas to suffer!"

"Vicemail! Vicemail! It's me Hea-... Keith! Hurry, come to Haruba Desert and find the Yellow Gem with me. This is an important Mash-Up!"

"That couldn't have been Keith. Keith would never ask for my help so easily."

"It sounds like your friend needs you. Quick, come to my house right here and I'll give you supplies to travel in Haruba Desert. I'll show you the way to Hippowdon Temple. They say that the Temple holds treasures, so that must the place," begged Henry.

"You don't have to do that…"

"Please, the desert is dangerous. I know it like the back of my hand! Plus, you shouldn't travel in the desert when the sun sets. I have room at my house."

"O-Okay…"

We walked into the stone house. It was very plain. It smelled like powerful spices. Henry dug around a chest of some sort. I heard footsteps behind me.

It was a little boy that was about thirteen. His wavy hair was black like Henry's. His peculiar light gray eyes contrasted with his tan skin. The boy looked scrawny and dirty. His clothes were in rags.

"That's my boy, Hank," said a proud Henry.

They looked alike, but the eyes were completely different. Hank stood there without moving. His eyes looked between Lucario and me.

"Kellyn and Lucario? I'm a huge fan! I can't believe you are in my house!" he exclaimed. He asked so many questions that I couldn't answer all of them.

"Now," Henry said in a loud voice to catch our attention. "Drink a bottle of water before we head out. The sun is ruthless and will dehydrate you fast. I have headscarves for you to wear. It will keep the sand from getting in your nose and the sun from beating on your head. We will need to take more water for our trip. Do you have a sturdy knife?"

I pulled out my black knife. "Yes."

"Good. I'll explain the rest tomorrow. Get lots of rest because travel is tiring."

Hello

I'm alive! Sorry, about not updating in a long while. I tore my ACL right after school ended, so that threw a wrench in my updating schedule. I was also working on one of my other fanfictions.

I promise I'll get working for real. Don't forget to review and favorite because that makes me so so happy.

Peace ᘳᗒДᗕᘰ