Thanks to IanAlphaAxel for reviewing the previous chapter. This is the last one - next in line will be the first chapter of Spirit of Champions coming sometime this week! This is the sequel of both Divine Destiny and Ravaged World.

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Epilogue

Dawn had never thought she'd return to Stark Island so soon, but here she was basking beneath the sun's rays, watching her friends Lucas and Barry learn how to break dance from Flint's younger brother. They looked ridiculous, but she laughed, glad to know they were at least having a fun time in the wake of tragedy.

Today was supposed to be a day of celebration – her parents were finally getting married after several weeks of debate and wishful thinking. The ceremony was scheduled to begin around the time the sun set down on the shoreline. A large group of Sinnoh locals [those that could afford it] had come along. This would be the first time a wedding had taken place on the island, and the first one in a few years.

All the gym leaders and elite four members who had taken part in the battle against Regigigas were present – no human lives had been lost, but some trainers had lost their beloved Pokemon. They were the type of wounds that would never heal no matter how much time passed. To their credit however, the gym leaders who had experienced a loss, managed to keep their tears at bay for the joyful ceremony.

Barry walked away from Lucas and Buck, and approached her with a smile on his face. In the background, she could see the sun beginning its descent, meaning the official ceremony would soon begin. A few people from her hometown were there too, invited by her mother. She spotted Mike and some of the other kids sitting on the beach watching Buck's teaching lessons, their raucous laughter filling the air.

Her mother was on a different part of Stark Island - it was tradition for the bride and groom not to see each other until the ceremony began. Her father was present, and he looked a little anxious, spending a little too much time near the food table, helping himself to many glasses of water. Professor Rowan was also absent, but it was believed he was with Johanna.

"It's hard to believe we're actually here," Barry said.

She turned her attention away from the gathering and looked at Barry. "What do you mean?"

"A couple of years ago, you and I both started our journey to become the greatest trainers of Sinnoh! Did you ever think it would end like this? I mean, we've had to deal with Galactic, hospitalizations, Regigigas… But here we are on Stark Island attending the wedding of your parents So much has happened over the past two years. Sometimes it feels like none of it was even real." He paused for a couple of moments, then carried on speaking, now looking at her. "What do you think the future will hold?"

She shrugged. "My parents are going to purchase a villa here – mum wants to run a local resort from home, and dad is planning on starting up something called 'Battle Frontier'. I'll be carrying out league business six months a year until I lose my title, but I'm going to live here and not at the league."

Barry raised a brow. "You'll have to travel back and forth a lot."

"I'd rather be here at home with my family and friends, than stay cooped up in an office all day long." She smiled. "You should ask your parents to move here too. My mum would really like that."

"How is she, anyway? I haven't seen her since the ceremony."

"She's the happiest I've seen her in a long time," Dawn said. "After the battle with Regigigas, I headed towards Sunyshore, only to be informed of the destruction that had taken place there. Locals say a woman with a dragon attacked the Seven Stars resort with some funny-looking men in spacesuits."

"Team Galactic?"

She nodded. "They found a few causalities – a few grunts and Mars, but the police never located the body of the dragon or its trainer. Paul had strangely gone missing too, and she assumed the boy had left the region, after he had failed to bring her in. She wondered what had happened to Saturn – he had said he was going to turn himself in, but the police hadn't said a work, and Looker never said anything either. It was a mystery. She hoped he was safe; he was the only commander who was truly disgusted by his actions. "You don't mind if we change the topic, do you? I'd rather not think of the past when today is supposed to be about the future."

"Let's get something to eat!" Barry blurted. "Uh, what I meant to say was, would you like to get something to eat from the snacks area before the adults get there first?"

She chuckled. "Can't sit through a ceremony on an empty belly can we?" She followed Barry towards the snack zone area before stopping at a guarded archway decorated with white flowers. The ceremony was taking place in a courtyard, just a couple of metres away from the beach. An adjoining area, marked by another archway with no flowers, led to the luxurious dining hall.

"Sorry Dawn, but you're not allowed to enter yet," said Tom, beaming a smile at her.

Pete, the other of the league guards, smiled. "Even the Champion doesn't have power here."

Barry grabbed her arm and guided her towards the outside eating area where she found Cynthia and Steven in deep conversation. It was the first time Dawn had ever seen Cynthia wear something other than black clothing – she had traded in her usual black clothes at Johanna's request for a pale pink. Johanna had asked Cynthia to be the Maid of Honor, and Cynthia couldn't refuse. Barry's mother, Cynthia's neighbour, Linda, and Marina, made up the remainder of Johanna's bridesmaids, and had opted to wear pale green dresses.

Cynthia caught her eye and gave her a relieved smile. The woman had been moving back and forth all morning, rushing around making sure everything was going according to plan. "Dawn, I'm so glad you're here!"

"I've tried to tell her to relax, but she won't listen," Steven said. Jade, Cynthia's younger sister was standing nearby, clutching the ends of Steven's black suit.

"Jupiter and Saturn are both here," she said. "Your father doesn't know yet, but Steven and I caught them about an hour ago, hiding in amongst the trees. I was going to tell them to leave, but they did work for your father at one stage, so I'm leaving the decision up to you. We can tell them to leave and have them locked up, or we can go and tell your father."

Jupiter had been the one who had informed them where her father was when they first visited Stark Island. As for Saturn, she hadn't seen him again since the bombing incident so he can't have been part of Charon's plans. "We should let my father know – he was their boss."

Steven nodded. "Dawn raises a fair point. I think Cyrus could do with some familiar faces as company – he's looking stressed right now. I think he's already had three mugs of coffee in a space of thirty minutes. I'll go and find him – you ladies can wait here." Steven walked away making brisk steps.

"How's my mother?"

Cynthia smiled. "She's nervous as expected, but happy. You know she spent half of yesterday finding the perfect dress, while you and your father were looking at villas to purchase." Her expression faltered. "My grandmother would've been her Maid of Honor if she was still alive…" She trailed off, pushing back strands of blonde hair away from her face. "Ah, here comes Steven and your father. It's good to see he hasn't spilled any coffee on himself, with all the pacing back and forth he's been doing."

Her father had chosen to go for a classic black suit look rather than something too formal, after having complained about it last time at the Champion's ceremony. He looked relieved to spot a familiar face. Never had she seen him look so nervous before. In the background, she spotted his grandparents talking to every guest they could in loud voices. No wonder Cyrus looked so nervous. She could've sworn she saw beads of sweat on his forehead, but that could've been because it was warmer than usual here.

"My grandmother will not stop talking." He then noticed Cynthia, frowned, and said, "Aren't you supposed to be with Johanna?"

"Saturn and Jupiter are here. Steven and I caught them hiding in the nearby trees about an hour ago. They are still there waiting for a response," Cynthia said.

His eyes widened. "Saturn? Jupiter?"

"Jupiter gave us your location when we were searching for you," Cynthia said.

"Jupiter must've been in contact with Saturn, or stumbled across him somehow," Steven added. "We figured it was best for you to decide what happens with them. You can choose to send them away, or invite them. Arceus knows you need a familiar face other than us around."

He did look slightly more relaxed upon hearing the news. "Bring them here."

Steven nodded. "Will do." He walked off again, this time in the opposite direction. He wasn't gone for long, returning several moments later with Saturn and Jupiter at his sides. Saturn had eye bags under his eyes, and Jupiter looked like she had spent a few nights sleeping in the bush, which wouldn't be surprising considering she no longer had a place to call home.

"It's good to see you again, Cyrus," Saturn said weakly. He looked thin, way too thin, that his bones were showing through his skin. It was as if he hadn't a good meal in months – either that or he was sick. "I can't believe you're actually getting hitched."

"Where have you been?"

Jupiter stepped forward, offering an explanation. "A couple of trainers had taken him under their care and nursed him back to health," she said softly, looking at Saturn with a tender expression one would interpret as affection. "Saturn wanted to turn himself in to the police, but the trainers advised against it. Saturn left them after awhile and tried to make contact with us, but no one would respond. He considered us dead – then heard about the ceremony."

Saturn turned to Dawn. "I'm glad you helped him."

Jupiter takes in a deep breath. "It was awful, Cyrus. I know what they did to you… I heard what they planned… But I took no part in it. I wanted you to know that. I know we haven't always agreed on things, but I hope… Things can be different."

"Let's not talk about what happened," Steven said. "Today is supposed to be about joy and celebration." He glanced down at the time on his PokeNav then lifted his gaze again. "We should be starting in less than hour. Cynthia, you should probably head back over to Johanna now. We'll see you all inside." Cynthia nodded, said her farewells, and turned to leave.

Cyrus looked nervous again. Dawn chuckled, unable to suppress a giggle. "This is no laughing matter," he said.

"Just relax, dad!"

"Yeah, what's the worst that can happen?" said Barry. "What happens at a wedding anyway?"

"Barry!"

"I'm serious! I've never been to one before. I've seen previews on television, but that was just an advertisement for a new movie filmed in Unova."

Candice walked by at that exact moment and grinned. "The bride comes in looking all pretty and walks up the aisle with the veil down, then the priest says the vows for the groom and bride to say 'I do' to then the groom gets to kiss the bride!" she gushed. "I'm so excited for this! I've read so many romance novels before, but to actually see a wedding happening! Thank you so much for inviting me!"

She turned on her heel and skipped away. Once she was gone, Cyrus said, "But I didn't even invite her."

"She invited herself, and your grandparents said yes," Steven said. He looked towards Saturn and Jupiter – somehow, they knew there was wedding going on, and had dressed in appropriate clothing. "Will you two stay then?"

"We wouldn't miss out on our former boss's wedding," Jupiter said.

Saturn also nodded. "We'll stay if he lets us."

Cyrus looked thoughtful for a few moments, then nodded. "You may stay, but do not cause trouble, and don't tell anyone you were once a part of Team Galactic. That would create problems." The two former commanders nodded, and exchanged smiles.

"Enjoy your last few minutes as a bachelor, bo-er Cyrus," Saturn said, correcting himself in the last few seconds.

"Come on, I'll show you the way," Steven said.

Steven led the party away, leaving only Dawn alone with her father. A few years ago, he had been a stranger to her, and now here he was, dressed in formal attire, about to marry her mother. It was a story that didn't look to end on a positive note, but here they were. "Don't break a leg," she said. She wished she could've said something a little more meaningful, but her mind had come up with a blank. "Stop fidgeting – you look fine," she added, noticing how he kept running a hand through his hair.

"I never said it before, but thank you."

She glanced up at him, an eyebrow arched. "For what?"

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you and Cynthia interfering with my plans back at the Distortion World. Despite everything I had done, you still wanted to save me when most others would've let me die. I never thanked you for that."

"You don't need to. What matters is that you're here now." She grabbed his arm and led him towards the courtyard where there ceremony was taking place. Other guests were beginning to line up. "Just remember, relax and stay calm. Mum isn't that scary," Dawn added, followed by a light-hearted laugh.

He responded with a smirk, but said nothing more, as he turned to enter through a different archway. Dawn joined the back of the queue, feeling a surge of excitement within. Today marked the end of an era, but also marked the beginning of a one.

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Dawn was glad they had opted for an outdoors wedding. Being forced to have it inside a stuffy building while the sun was out and shining, seemed too cruel. Barry was seated to her right and Lucas to her left. Rows of white chairs with matching ribbons were positioned on both sides of the aisle, which had a few white petals on the ground to mark it. The archway decorated with white flowers marked the beginning of the aisle while the two twin columns, with matching pots of white roses on top, marked the area where the vows would be exchanged.

Standing behind the columns was a man Dawn hadn't seen before. He was tall, around the same height as her father, and dressed in red robes which matched his orange hair. His name was Lysandre, and apparently he came from a region called Kalos, the region of love according to teenage girls. He was wiping his eyes with the back of his hands, seeming moved by the entire scene, despite having no affiliation with her family at all.

Her mother, dressed in the traditional white gown and veil, stood opposite to her father. Cynthia, her Maid of Honor, lifted the veil then moved to the side, holding the bouquet of flowers.

"Dear friends and family members, we gather here today to witness and celebrate the wedding of Cyrus and Johanna. Marriage is the promise of hope between two people who love each other sincerely, who honor each other as individuals, and who wish to unite their lives and share the future together. In this ceremony, they dedicate themselves to the happiness and well-being of each other, in unison of mutual caring and responsibility.

"Taught by our own joys, by our own sorrows, even by our own failures, that in marriage, as in all life, whosoever insists upon saving their lesser goods and their little self, shall miss what is greater, but whosoever forgets themselves in devotion to their beloved and in consecration to their common enterprise, is surest to find a full and happy life".

Lysandre then turned to face Cyrus' grandparents and Professor Rowan, who were nearby. "The values, traditions and hopes this couple represent have been nurtured by their family and friends standing here today. As our Sons and Daughters find partners and found homes for the next generation, each family is enriched and enlarged. Do you, who have nurtured these two, bestow your blessing on their union and their new life together as a family?"

They nodded, and Lysandre faced Dawn's parents again.

"Cyrus and Johanna please face each other and join hands." There was a brief pause as her parents turned to face each other and linked hands together. Lysandre smiled. "No other human ties are more tender and no other vows more important than those you are about to take. Both of you come to this day with deep realization that the contract of marriage is sacred as are all of its obligations and responsibilities. Cyrus, do you take Johanna to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

Lysandre faced Johanna. "Johanna, do you take Cyrus to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

Lysandre's smiled widened. Several people in the crowd were also smiling, and some were wiping tears form their eyes, moved by the powerful words. Gardenia and Candice were close by, and Dawn leaned forward just a little, to catch their expressions. "It is customary to exchange rings as a symbol of love. As the rings have no end, so your love shall have no end. A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth, and of the universe. It is a symbol of wholeness, and perfection, and of peace. The rings you give and receive this day, are symbols of the union you enter together as husband and wife."

"This is so beautiful," Candice murmured, pulling out a tissue to wipe her eyes.

Gardena placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't cry, Candice."

"It's like a dream come true! Only… I'm not the one who is getting married."

Lysandre gestured to the ring, and said, "Cyrus, place the ring upon Johanna's hand and repeat after me: Johanna this ring I give to you, in token and pledge, of my constant faith, and abiding love."

He picked up the ring and placed it on her hand, and repeated the words Lysandre has asked him to.

Lysandre then turned to face Johanna, gesturing to the ring, and said, "Johanna, place the ring upon Cyrus's hand and repeat after me: Cyrus this ring I give to you, in token and pledge, of my constant faith, and abiding love."

She did as asked and repeated the words.

"May every blessing and grace be yours; May your love grow stronger with each passing year. May the sun, bring you new energies by day; May the moon softly restore you by night. May the rain wash away any worries you may have and the breeze blow new strength into your being. And all the days of your life, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty."

"So romantic… I have ideas for novel of my own…" Candice murmured. Gardenia leaned in and brought a finger to her lips, signalling for her to be silent.

"Now you will not feel the rain, for each of you will shelter the other. Now you will feel not cold, for each of you will warm the other. Now you will feel not solitude, for each will accompany the other. Now you are two persons, but both will lead one life. Go now to your dwelling to enter into the days of your life, and may your days be good and long upon the earth."

There was a pause once more. "Come on, the kiss should be coming soon," Candice whispered.

"For as much as Cyrus and Johanna have consented together to join their lives in the bonds of matrimony, and have witnessed the same before this company of family and friends, and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, I therefore, by the authority granted by the creator of the universe pronounce that they are husband and wife." His smile widened, as he faced Cyrus.

Dawn smiled as well. After so much drama, her parents were finally tying the knot and making it official. She would no longer be a Dixon; she'd now be a Berlitz. "This must be the most difficult thing your father has ever had to face," Barry whispered. Dawn chuckled. Fighting Giratina probably paled to this in Cyrus's mind. She was going to tease him about it later.

"Cyrus, you may now kiss your beautiful bride!" Lysandre exclaimed, taking a step back, and motioned for the camera men to take a photo. Dawn watched as her father placed his arms around her waist, pulling her in close, while she wrapped her hands around his neck, resting them on his shoulders. She tilted her head to the right, and he did the same, to avoid the awkwardness of bumping heads. Her lips met his, and they held each other for a few moments, before pulling away.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is now my honour and pleasure to present to you Cyrus and Johanna, as husband and wife!" Lysandre exclaimed, urging the camera man to take another photo. A cheer rose up from the crowd, and Candice rose to her feet, jumping up and down, squealing. Dawn caught Saturn and Jupiter trading smiles, while Cyrus' grandparents made a lot of noise.

"Can we eat now?" someone called out.

"Throw the flowers! Throw the flowers!" some of the girls chanted.

Gardenia, Candice and even Maylene all rushed over to catch the bouquet. Fantina just shook her head, while Barry sprinted over to join in the fun. "Don't tell me he's actually going to try and catch it," Lucas said.

"Do the honour, Cynthia," Johanna said.

Cynthia walked over to the edge of the altar, turned around then threw the bouquet of roses high into the air. The girls all screamed, and tried to catch it, but it was Barry who caught them all by surprise, by catching it himself. He clutched the roses to his chest and grinned. "Sorry everyone, but these flowers are for someone else."

"But I like flowers!"

"Come on, Barry! I'm the romantic one here!"

"My gym needs redecorating!"

Barry ignored them, chuckling to himself, and sauntered over to Dawn. He stopped in front of her then held out the flowers. "These are for you, Dawn."

Dawn accepted them, feeling her cheeks burn red. Why was she even blushing like a schoolgirl with a crush? Barry was her friend! "Barry, you didn't have to!"

"Of course I had to," he replied, frowning. "You're my closest friend, Dawn." He grabbed her arm. "Now come on, Lysandre is taking photos of everyone! You don't want to miss out!" A lot of things had changed, but one thing remained the same – Barry still moved quickly. Lucas gave her a mocking sympathetic look, while Dawn allowed Barry to drag her off Arceus-knows-where. Mike and the other neighboured kids also followed. With the official part of the ceremony over, the guests stood up and left their seats, moving towards the dining area. Dawn noticed her parents not moving from their positions, exchanging a couple of words with Lysandre. The man nodded. Her parents exited through a different archway, and Dawn was half-tempted to follow them, but Jupiter came over and shook her head.

"Not the best of ideas, Dawn."

Saturn shared his input. "They'll be back later, but for now, just let them be."

"Come on, Dawn! Take a photo with us!" Barry called, motioning for her to come over. Steven and Cynthia were currently getting their photo taken, as others joined the line to have their pictures taken as well by a professional photographer. Dawn turned her attention away, and hoped her parents wouldn't take too long doing what they were doing (viewing the sunset?), and hurried over to Barry.

She took Barry's hand, and together they stood on the altar, as Lysandre took their photo. The end of an era had come, but a new era would begin, and would be filled with many memories to share.