PMD: Fateful Saviors

Epilogue: Thunderstorm

Outside of Team Lazulian's base, six years later, a thunderstorm was raging. Lightning and thunder crackled through the stormy sky in a brilliant display of sparks and ambience. To most Pokemon, this would be a frightful time and reminiscence of when Kyogre nearly awoken. Yet to the lone woman inside the base, this couldn't have been a better day to finish her work. A chronicle of the so-called "Meteor Crisis", starting from the day Alfrin awoke inside the Tiny Woods.

"Whomever is reading this, enjoy and keep the world at peace for your own sake. Signed, Erdalla and…" The team leader, now a grown up Raichu sighed as she was about to pen down her dead lover's name. Six years it was since he left this world on the Hill of the Ancients and Erdalla still couldn't erase the image of him fading away, particle by particle and ascending to the sky. His look of absolute adoration and happiness as he asked her to smile again, one more time, just for him. Her heart burned with the memory every time.

"He always loved that smile. The one filled with gentleness, love and adoration. The side of me he always wanted to see," Erdalla repeated the Mudkip's last words as she stroked her pen over the page, slowly writing his name. Without her noticing, a tear rolled down her cheek and splashed against the page, smearing the ink slightly, "Ah, curses"

The Raichu frowned, refusing to fix the mistake. She was already numb with pain and guilt, both from resurfacing the memory of Alfrin and her physical condition. Dropping the pen, Erdalla stared at her hands. They were a map of scars and stitches at this point, wounds that even Erina couldn't permanently fix. Years of fighting after the crisis have left her crippled and unable to rescue or explore dungeons any longer. She couldn't even muster a spark from her drained cheeks.

"Heh, I guess I pushed myself too hard on that day. Look at me now, broken and good for nothing," Erdalla told herself as she picked at one of her battle wounds on the back of her hand, "As I grew, the toll of battle has gotten worse on me. Now Erina can't even fix me up properly. Heh… heh…"

"Mother! Are you feeling alright?" Suddenly, her son's voice rang out from the door and Erdalla turned, seeing the small Pichu bouncing up to her. Erdalla smiled warmly, opening her arms to embrace the Pichu in a hug. She might have been barred from battle, but she could still raise her son. Her and Alfrin's child, "You're crying. What happened?"

"It's nothing, Albert. Don't worry about it," Erdalla replied soothingly as she let the Pichu down, getting off her chair, "What are you doing here anyways? Shouldn't you be playing with your friends and Lowen?"

"They all got scared off by the thunderstorm," Albert huffed, clearly frustrated, "And Lowen said his mom and dad were going to leave town soon"

"... Huh? Howard and Erina are-"

"He's right. We're heading back home now," Howard appeared by the door, with a little Shroomish at his feet. Upon seeing Albert, the Shroomish immediately grinned and the two of them ran into the hallway, playing in the empty team base. That was Lowen, Howard and Erina's son, "The world seems to be stable now, fully free of the disasters. As such, the amount of Pokemon needing to be rescued is down a ton"

"Now it's just the occasional rogue harassing people. Not much cause to be a rescuer anymore," Erina laughed lightly, "Because of that, I don't believe our talents are needed here anymore"

"Very well. I kept you two here far longer than I should have," Erdalla nodded before reaching to her desk, picking up the leather-bound journal, "Take this with you as you go home"

"This is…?"

"A chronicle of the Meteor Crisis, from beginning to end," Erdalla nodded slowly, "Tell the story to as many Pokemon as you can. I want the true events immortalized in history and Alfrin to be remembered"

"Is it really right for us to take your only account of the adventure?"

"Don't worry, Erina. I know it all by heart," Erdalla pressed her hand against her chest, "I can easily write it again"

"Alright well… we accept," Howard took the journal, carefully sliding it into his toolbox, "I guess this is goodbye"

"Yes. Thank you two for everything," Erdalla embraced the two Pokemon tightly, "I know we had our ups and downs, but you two were integral to the success of Team Lazulian. I hope to be able to see you again soon"

"Oh, we will. We'll visit as often as we can," Erina reassured, smiling warmly, "Now that I'm leaving, please monitor your health, Erdalla. You're worse off than you think"

"I know, Erina. I know," Erdalla replied solemnly, "I won't push myself. I promise"

"Then in that case, farewell. We will never forget our time with the team," Howard nodded, making his way towards the door, "Lowen! It's time to go!"

"Aww!" The Shroomish whined as he emerged from an empty bedroom with Albert in tow, "But I don't wanna go! I want to stay with Albert and my friends!"

"We'll be back here before you know it. We just have to return to our roots," Erina replied soothingly, calming down the Shroomish, "Now come on, we should hit the road now"

"Byee Lowen! I'll see you soon!"

"You too, Albert!"

With that, the trio left the base. Albert decided to take a nap to wait out the thunderstorm, leaving Erdalla alone again in her study.

"It always comes back to this, huh…? Me, alone in here," Erdalla remarked as she watched the rainfall from outside her window, "First Fiona and then Salazar and Zeplin… all our friends are returning home"

"Except for me. I'm still here," Natalie said, draping a blanket over Erdalla's body, "You're shivering. Are you sure you're alright, Erdalla?"

"Yeah. Just a little winded from finishing my book," Erdalla replied, smiling down at the hardworking Mawile, "You know, I never had the chance to properly thank you. You've-"

"Prepped all your meals, encouraged you to rest and have generally been taking care of you this whole time," Natalie replied quickly, "Don't worry about it. It's what friends do"

"I must be getting old if my friends take care of me like I'm some senior," Erdalla remarked, pacing the room, "I'm only 26 years old and yet…"

"Let's take a walk in Tiny Woods. That should clear your head," Natalie decided, "You've spent too long inside"

"What about this thunderstorm? Wouldn't you…"

"This isn't about me, Erdalla. This is about you," Natalie insisted, "You said the storm calms you down, right? So we're going outside and getting you some air. Now come on!"

"... Alright. I'm coming," Stepping outside with the energetic Mawile, the duo headed off into Tiny Woods nearby, reveling in the downpour washing the forest in beautiful rain. They made their way to a cliffside overlooking the sea before Erdalla stopped, staring into the distance.

"What is it?" Natalie asked.

"Somewhere out there, another story is beginning. I can feel it," Erdalla replied in almost a whisper, "And mine is coming to an end…"

"Erdalla, don't say that. You still have Albert and me here. That's enough to live, right?" The Mawile shook the Raichu's shoulders, "Come on, you're growing hollow"

"You're right. I feel so empty, yet complete. Like, my life is finally… fading away…"

"Erdalla?"

"Alfrin… I'll see you on the other side, right? Please…"

"ERDALLA!"

"She was a true hero. Someone who stepped forward bravely and devoted their life to stopping the disasters," Natalie said hollowly at the funeral a few days later. The thunderstorm didn't stop, but it didn't faze anyone in the crowd. From Team Lazulian to all of Pokemon Square, everyone was mourning, "She was an irreplaceable friend to me. Someone who reached out and brought me into a place where I could find acceptance and a home. Yet the grief from losing her beloved and her battles these past few years finally put her down…"

Nobody spoke up. All of them stared at the coffin that contained Erdalla's body. The body of the most legendary rescuer in history and a true hero. Someone twisted by fate's cruel hand and perished so young.

"Please pay your respects. In memory of both Erdalla, Team Lazulian's leader and Alfrin, her betrothed and co-leader. May their souls rest in peace," Natalie said decisively and stepped down, letting the funeral procession take place. Immediately, the Mawile went over to Albert, sitting against a tree close to the ceremony grounds. He was sobbing into his arms, crying his mother's name over and over again.

"Albert…?'

"Mother… is gone…" The Pichu said slowly, bringing himself to the ground, "Just like that… she's…"

"Albert…" Natalie scooped the Pichu up her arms, hugging him tightly, "It'll be okay. It'll be okay... I'm here for you"

"Mother… why…?" Albert sobbed, "Why, why, why…?"

"I know. I know…" Natalie closed her eyes, finally letting the tears run free. The two stayed the way they were, mourning for the entire procession until finally, the coffin was lowered into the ground.

"Erdalla, please hear this," Natalie thought to herself as she walked up to Raichu's gravesite, with Albert clutching onto her hand, "I will not abandon your son. I will raise him to be an explorer and rescuer even better than you were. I will make you proud, my dear irreplaceable friend. It's the least I could do, because you were my savior"

"M-mother…" Albert sniffled and Natalie tucked his head into her leg, letting him cry freely again.

"Goodbye, Erdalla. I hope you found Alfrin on the other side," Natalie thought as she stared into the stormy skies, letting the rain fall onto her face, "Wherever you are, I hope you are happy"

In the black skies, she saw a lightning bolt streak past once and in that moment, she swore she saw Erdalla watching down on her, with a smile on her face.

"Erdalla, good… bye…" Natalie whispered and a sob built up in her throat again. She led Albert away from the funeral as the greatest rescuer in the world finally laid to rest.

My eyes snapped awake as I got up in my bed. I brought my hands up to my face. I was human again. Outside the window of my house was a pleasant snowfall as people and Pokemon alike roamed the streets, carrying many gifts big and small. It was… Christmas now? How long was I out? Was the whole experience a dream?

"It wasn't a dream, Alfrin. Indeed, you saved the world of Pokemon," Gardevoir flickered into existence beside me, surprising me, "And thanks to your efforts, the timeline proceeded as it should and the two worlds merged. Now human and Pokemon co-exist side by side peacefully"

"If that's the case, then-"

"Alfrin! Come down for breakfast!"

"You should answer that. Your human life begins anew," Gardevoir told me, smiling lightly.

"Will I ever be able to see Erdalla and the others again? You said the worlds merged so…"

"Sadly no, that event happened eons after the Meteor Crisis. After many adventures unfolded and the world was saved many times again," Gardevoir winced, "Your friends all passed many years ago…"

"Oh…" I frowned before realizing what that meant, "Wait, does that mean I'm in the future now? Why?"

"We thought it best for you to see the fruits of your labor properly. We pulled in a favor and sent you into the distant future," Gardevoir explained, "In addition, it'll allow you to reunite with your friends, one way or another"

"What do you mean?" I asked, my head spinning.

"It's a silver of a connection, but your friends are still there with you," Gardevoir said soothingly, "Now go, don't keep your mother waiting"

"I don't unde-"

"Alfrin!"

"Coming!" I shouted and Gardevoir faded away. I opened my bedroom door and headed downstairs where my mom was making pancakes in the kitchen for breakfast while my sister played nearby the Christmas tree.

"Thought you'd be down sooner, sleepyhead," My sister teased, "You're getting your first Pokemon today, remember?"

"My first Pokemon…? From who…?" I asked and my sister stared at me like I was stupid.

"Dad obviously! He's on his way home right now!" She exclaimed, "He said he found one that was a descendant of some legendary heroes. Sounds like bull to me but…"

Legendary heroes? No… it couldn't be…

"I'm home everyone!" My dad's voice suddenly boomed from the front door. My sister cried out in joy as she ran into her dad, tackling him in a hug, "Whoa ho! You're excited!"

"Well yeah! I want to see Alfrin's Pokemon! Where is it?" His sister babbled excitingly, "Come on, come on! Where did you hide it?"

"Patience, sweetie. Let's give the man his Pokemon first," My dad approached me, reaching into the folds of his coat to produce a Poke Ball, "Here Alfrin. This is yours"

"This is…?"

"A Mudkip. The breeder told me he's descended from two legendary explorers in ancient times. His name is Alfini," My dad explained, "Funny how his name is almost like yours…"

"Alfini…" I stared into the Mudkip's eyes from the Poke Ball. For the briefest of moments, I saw myself and Erdalla in those eyes, both of them smiling at me, "My Pokemon…"

"Well? Send him out already!" My sister cried and I obliged, tossing the Poke Ball like I would an orb. The Poke Ball clattered and opened, releasing Alfini the Mudkip. It stared at me and yapped happily.

"Take care of that one. He's your partner now," My dad said and I nodded, crushing him in a hug.

"Thanks Dad," I said before thinking to myself, "Thank you, for reuniting us"

Playing with my own descendant was weird and my heart still aches over Erdalla, but I was happy knowing even the slightest connection was still there between me and her. Even when we were worlds apart, we were still together, in one way or another.

"It's you and me now, Alfini," I whispered to the Mudkip, "Let's start this life anew"

I'm so sorry for having two sad deaths back to back. I myself was sobbing like nuts when I wrote it and I just couldn't stop. In any case, thank you all for being on the long journey with me through PMD1's story. I am aware that there is postgame story content, but I haven't done it yet, so that will be covered in a separate story (Similar to The Sky Chronicles. The Rescue Chronicles?). I want to thank Otatumode, Damariobros and Duplecian in particular for their frequent reviews on this story. You all motivated me to keep this going and I'm so glad it paid off. Coming up next (once I finish it) is a Super Mystery Dungeon novelization: Dawn of Life! I hope to see you all there! Until then!