By the time Rose touches down before the Snowpoint Temple, Aden feels like he's more or less gotten the hang of flying. By now the sun has fully risen. Although the concerned public has moved on, there's a small crowd still at the temple: the police and Gym Leader.
Candice rushes to Aden as he slides off the Flygon's back. She doesn't say anything, just holds her breath. He gives her an Ultra Ball. "Here's Regigigas. Safe and sound."
"What happened?" she asks. "Were you in a battle? You look terrible."
"Mm," is all he replies. "You were right, by the way. I'll admit it now. Haruba Jones was a great man."
Candice touches his arm with sympathy. "So he was the one who took Regigigas? Where is he?"
Aden looks up at the cops coming up behind her. "He… he's gone. He sacrificed himself to spare someone who doesn't deserve it. Just like that. He was a hero… and my father."
"What's this then?" asks another, slightly familiar voice. Coming to stand beside Candice is an elderly gentleman in a long brown coat: Professor Rowan. "Aden, you're caught up in this Regigigas business as well?"
"I—" The professor is the last person Aden expected to see out here in Snowpoint.
"You'd better come with us to the station and tell us everything," a policewoman says.
"No, let him get some rest first," says Candice.
"I have to take Regice back to its temple," Aden announces over them. "The others— the Canalave Gym Leader and his family, they're going to take care of the other two. Let me do this first."
"I'll do it!" Candice insists. "You've been through enough, and you're clearly freezing. I can't let you go to the Iceberg Ruins like this."
"I want to," he says somberly. "I feel like it should be me, since..."
"I'll go with you, then. You need an ice specialist in a place like that. Just let me put Regigigas back where it belongs first." She holds up the Ultra Ball.
"I would like to see that for myself," says Professor Rowan. "But my curiosity about the legendary Regigigas is overshadowed only by wanting to hear your tale, Aden. Come along."
"But—" the policewoman starts to argue until the professor shoots her a look.
Inside the museum-like temple, Aden summarizes for Candice and Professor Rowan how Haruba Jones took Regigigas to Spear Pillar in order to battle Arceus, and how it was all a plot to double-cross Darius Herrera. He shows them the Coronet Ball, and doesn't miss the covetous look in Candice's eyes as he lets her hold it. And he tells them about the battle, about how Arceus's mere touch healed his wound and Riley's even deadlier ones, and how Khaled — and Fadia — went with Giratina in Herrera's place.
"Incredible," Professor Rowan whispers when he's through. "All of those legendary Pokemon in one place... I wish I could have seen that. And to see for myself the special magnetic field that supposedly has evolutionary effects."
"Oh yeah. My dad's Nosepass evolved in the middle of battle," Aden says. "So did Byron's Magneton. And Pikki's Snorunt. I don't know if those were all because of that magnetic field, or whatever..."
Professor Rowan's eyes are wide, his bushy eyebrows raised high. "Fascinating..."
"You think that's fascinating," says Candice, "get a load of this." She presses the Ultra Ball's button to release Regigigas, right there in the room they're in. Aden tenses, instinctively reaching for any of the balls on his belt. But the battle-weary Regigigas has eyes only for its resting place carved into the wall. It sits down there, as if on a throne. The lights on its body slowly fade. It appears, for all intents and purposes, as a mundane statue.
Like an eager schoolkid, Professor Rowan scribbles notes. As the three of them head upstairs to the main floor, he thanks Candice profusely for letting him witness this once-in-a-lifetime sight, calling her Sinnoh's most gracious and professional Gym Leader for her young age. She laughs it off.
While Candice exits the temple to the authorities waiting outside, Professor Rowan seizes Aden's shoulder to make him pause. "Just a moment, young man."
He gulps. Now that they're alone inside the temple, maybe the professor will show his true colors. "I know what you're going to say," Aden begins.
"Do you, now?"
"I'm sorry for what happened at Lake Verity, and I'm even more sorry I ran away like a coward. I'll take whatever punishment you see fit, sir." He turns to the old man and bows. "I'm already banished from Fiore, so if you want to kick me out of Sinnoh, I understand."
"My word." Professor Rowan looks taken aback. "Even if I wanted to banish you from Sinnoh, I haven't the authority. There was no lasting harm at all to Lake Verity. Fleeing the scene wasn't the best course of action, but I understand what made you do it. Don't trouble yourself any further with the matter. Everything's fine."
Aden nods, standing back upright. What, then, could the professor want to tell him?
"Truth is, I want to apologize to you," he continues. "I was so caught up in thinking about those evolutions and then seeing Regigigas live right before my eyes, I didn't want you to think I'd ignored the parts of your tale about Haruba Jones. Those were awfully heroic things your father did. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Him and your Absol companion."
Eyes stinging at the mention of Fadia, Aden mumbles, "Thanks."
Professor Rowan pats his shoulder. "Banished from Fiore, you say? Can't imagine why. If you still want to be a Ranger, Sinnoh would welcome you. And likely be the better for it. You're a hero in your own right, Aden Lawley."
After everything he's been through, after what Joel said the night before... Aden's tears spill over.
"Oh dear." The professor pats him gently. "Alright now?"
Aden gulps down breaths and wipes his eyes, pulling himself together before stepping out into the public eye. "Yeah," he answers, "it's alright."
Candice accompanies him to the police station, where he answers as best as he can their questions about Regigigas, the fate of its thief, and the mining company CEO behind it all. They give him all the coffee and donuts he likes. It's nearly lunchtime, and he should be starving, but oddly, he isn't, so donuts suit him just fine.
That doesn't take nearly as long as returning Regigigas and talking with Professor Rowan did. "What will you do now?" Candice asks him as they reach the bottom of the police headquarters steps. "You probably should get some sleep."
"I still want to take Regice back," he answers. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep until that's settled. Besides, I just drank all that coffee."
With a yawn, Candice nods. "You're right. And I wouldn't be Sinnoh's most professional Gym Leader if I didn't oversee the return of a legendary ice Pokemon. Let's go."
She sits close behind Aden on Desert Rose's back as they take flight for the Iceberg Ruins. Holding onto his waist, her body provides some warmth in the cold mountain air. He can even feel her full breasts pressed against his back, between their two coats. Under any other circumstances, he might have enjoyed it.
The way to the Iceberg Ruins is full of fallen rocks and landslides, the origin of what happened to Eterna. Candice's strong Abomasnow punches a path for them. Aden shivers, and slips a little on the icy floor of the abandoned temple, but Candice holds his arm, steadying him. When they reach Regice's separate chamber, Aden releases it from the Ultra Ball. Robotically, it walks to and leans backward into the specially carved place for its body. Much like Regigigas, the lights on its dots go out, and it resumes the appearance of a statue.
Candice hasn't picked a fight or made fun of him once. In fact, their flight back to Snowpoint is largely silent, and she holds onto him just as tightly as before. And once they land back in town, and Rose is safe and warm inside her ball, Candice escorts him to the Pokemon Center all the way to the room where he was staying. The female attendants, with whom Aden so happily flirted just days ago, are shocked to see him looking worse for wear. They all ask if he's okay, and are a little taken aback that their Gym Leader is personally attached to his arm.
"You get plenty of rest, okay?" Candice says, sounding uncharacteristically concerned.
"I will." Aden tosses his ripped coat over the desk chair. "I hope I don't wake up til tomorrow morning."
She steps closer, taking hold of his hand. "I hope you know I'm sorry about your losses. And I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time before. If I'd known Haruba Jones was your father and that you had such complicated feelings about him, I wouldn't have teased you so much."
"S'alright," Aden mumbles.
She twirls a strand of thick, unbraided hair around a finger on her free hand. "Such a shame he's gone. I always had kind of a thing for him..."
Whatever thoughts Aden had about her loose hair looking much sexier vanish into thin air. "That's not something I ever needed to hear."
Candice laughs airily, shaking her head. "Oh, Aden. Get some sleep. Stay in town as long as you like. And if you need anything, let me know." She leans in and kisses his cheek, close to his ear. Her warm breath tickles as she whispers into it, "Anything at all."
He's left frozen on the spot as she leaves and closes the door behind her. Too drained to decide if that was a serious proposition or if she was just kidding, he kicks off his boots and crawls into the clean, warm bed, passing out as soon as he hits the pillow.
}{}{}{}{}{
Pikki lays awake on Byron's couch, staring at the ceiling.
It's the middle of the afternoon, but they've all decided to sleep a little, given everything that happened. Byron took Riley to his bedroom without pretense this time. Roark gave Pikki a pillow and blanket for the sofa. She hasn't fallen asleep at all. Often she raises her right arm to gaze at the bracelet from her father.
Tired of tossing about the couch and turning the same questions over and over in her mind, she gets up and tiptoes to Roark's bedroom. She closes the door quietly behind her and climbs into his bed. It's narrow, and he's asleep, but she curls up against him as best as she can.
He stirs. Opening his eyes to see her, he shifts to his side to make room for her. "Hey," he whispers.
"Sorry," she whispers back. "Go back to sleep. I didn't want to be alone out there, that's all."
He pulls her close, kissing the top of her head. "You okay?"
"Not really."
He makes a concerned sound, hugging her.
"I barely knew him," she goes on. "And he left my mom alone. He left Aden's mom too, and really messed him up. So I don't know why I'm so upset that he's gone."
"Just... because," Roark says. "Because he was your dad, and he was a good guy in the end. He at least cared enough to track you down and explain himself last night. That's more than my mom ever did, or ever will do."
Pikki sniffles, burying her head in his chest. He's right. "He said he wanted to be with Aden and me. That he wanted to see my mom. But... he took Mr. Herrera's place in the afterlife instead... Did the idea of settling down scare him off that badly?"
Roark rubs her back. "I don't think that was it. I think he was just trying to do the right thing. Something about redeeming himself?"
"Couldn't he have done that with us?"
"Maybe that's the next step."
"But he's gone."
Roark continues petting her back. "It's not like he died. He just... went somewhere else for awhile."
Pikki chokes, almost a laugh. "What are you talking about? Giratina itself opened the gateway to hell and dragged him in. Which was meant to be Mr. Herrera's eternal punishment."
"Do you know that for sure?" Roark counters. "Look, I spent a lot of time in the Canalave Library as a kid. I read just about every Sinnoh mythology book, and then every book that analyzed where those myths came from. I didn't quite understand them all at that age, but I don't think Giratina rules over hell. I don't even think there is such a thing. And I'm pretty sure some researchers have studied Giratina since then, maybe even found a way into its dimension. Or whatever it is."
Slowly, Pikki raises her head to stare at her boyfriend. "You really think so?"
He smiles reassuringly. "Yeah. We humans don't have all the answers, you know."
She hugs him. "You're so smart. I don't know how I could handle all this without you. You're my rock."
He strokes her hair. "I'm glad I can be."
They share a long kiss, then try to sleep a little more. This time Pikki manages to drift off, warm and safe in Roark's arms.
}{}{}{}{}{
Byron is physically exhausted but mentally wide awake, which is the worst feeling. Riley lays with his head on his chest, and he's not sleeping anytime soon, either. They haven't said much at all since leaving Spear Pillar, saving their energy for the long Pokemon ride back to Canalave. So it surprises Byron when, just as he thinks he's drifting off, Riley asks, "Are we still through?"
Byron tightens his arms around him, though not too tight. Healed divinely or not, his body still went through hell. "I don't wanna be. But it's not fair if you're in love with someone else."
"I'm not. I've always been in love with you. But I shan't lie. I was attracted to Khaled from day one, and that led to developing feelings for him over time. I always hoped I could sway him. And we were such good friends and partners in crime, I thought it would be perfect if we were a couple. I knew it would never happen, but that didn't stop me from dreaming."
"This ain't makin' me feel better."
"Haven't you ever been torn between two options? And felt nearly equally for each one? Because I seem to recall you telling me a story like that from your Black Luxray days."
"Hmph." Byron hasn't thought about that in a long time, how he was torn between a fellow biker and a red-haired wild child. As far as his heart was concerned, he made the wrong choice — but as far as the rest of his life went, it was the right one, else Roark would never have been born. Then he never would have started working at the Iron Island Mine, met Riley, or become a Gym Leader. His life would be unimaginably different.
"I'm sorry, dear," Riley says, nestling closer. "I'm just telling the truth. You do know how much I love you, right?"
"Mm... yeah."
Riley's arms tighten back. "And you love me too, right? Why else would you come to Spear Pillar?"
Byron sighs. "Your message said you needed help to fight, an' I'll always help in a fight. 'Specially against your father. Besides, I kept havin' this naggin' feelin' that I should go. Like somethin' tellin' me to do it."
Riley lifts his head to look at him. "You didn't meet any telepathic Absol, did you?"
"Uhh... no. Mostly I was wanderin' around the Underground alone."
He smiles. "Found somewhere to hole up?"
"I just like it there. My dad and Aunt Bertha made it, y'know."
"Oh, hmm. Maybe I should have called her to join the fight. She's an Elite, after all. Much stronger."
"Hey..."
With a soft laugh, Riley lays his head back down. Stroking his hair, mindful of his injuries, Byron quietly says, "'Course I love you too."
"You should say it more often," Riley murmurs into his chest.
"I will. Every day, for the rest of my life."
"Oh my..."
That evening, Byron tries to talk Riley out of making dinner. He knows, however, that his grieving partner would rather stay preoccupied doing something he enjoys. And Pikki volunteers her assistance. Byron doesn't keep a lot of food in his apartment, but Riley and Pikki cook some spaghetti and whip up a sauce out of what they find in the fridge. He can walk freely now, albeit slowly and stiffly, and his head is properly bandaged, even though his head wounds were also healed by Arceus's touch. Byron was just worried and insisted he keep them wrapped.
For as tired and starved as everyone is, it tastes like a feast. No one says much of anything. Byron doesn't think much of his son's girlfriend sitting at the table with them. It feels like she belongs there. And he's pretty certain she crept into Roark's room during naptime, though clearly nothing inappropriate happened. They're discussing when the best time to go retrieve his truck in Snowpoint would be, and how she'd like to visit the Canalave Library to do some extensive research. They're carrying on like the close friends they've been this entire time — and Byron will always welcome anyone who treats his son, who grew up nerdy and lonely, like a friend. It doesn't even matter anymore that she's Haruba Jones's daughter.
"Oh, Roark, I have to tell you," Riley suddenly says. "You handled Tyranitar expertly. Of course, I trained him, but he was always rather capricious. You're a natural Trainer, very commanding."
Roark chuckles. "Heh... I haven't had any trouble with him, honestly. I'd been training him during my hiatus. The way to Snowpoint is pretty remote, good place to practice with super-dangerous Pokemon. He seemed to listen to me well enough."
"It's true," Pikki chimes in. "He's got a knack for training. And fighting. So strong." She smiles up at him.
He twirls the last of his pasta slowly with his fork, looking embarrassed. "I was thinking, actually..." he begins. "Having all that time off to train, and then that insane battle... it was terrifying, don't get me wrong. I actually thought we weren't going to survive. But it made me realize how much I enjoy Pokemon battles. I had forgotten about watching Aunt Bertha in the Gym when I was little, wishing I could do what she did... and now I am. I'm the Leader of her Gym."
"That just now sinkin' in?" asks Byron.
"Well, no... it just has me thinking. I love battles, and I'm good at them, apparently. It's in my blood, right?" He grins at his father. "And all this time, I've been stressing myself out trying to balance leading the Gym and supervising the mine. I kind of thought I should quit the Gym to focus more on the mine. Mr. Herrera was trying to talk me into it, too. But now I think... I should step down from the mine, and focus more on my Gym."
Byron has to catch his breath as he feels the pride swell in his chest. He kind of wants to hug his son for proclaiming his intent on following in the family tradition — but that's the three hours of sleep making him emotional. Besides, there are far more generations of miners than there are Gym Leaders. Still, it does his heart good. He doesn't dare say anything for fear he'll blurt out something foolishly sentimental, so he manages a nod.
"You're going to quit the mine?" Pikki asks. "But you were so proud of all the safety measures you implemented."
"Not quit, just step down from the foreman position," Roark says. "If I have any say in it — and I should, as the current foreman — I'll trade places with Colin. Have him be in charge, and I'll be his safety supervisor. He was worried about being out of work with his broken arm, but a lot of my job is reviewing paperwork and standing around inspecting things. He can totally do all that until he's fully healed."
"That's a great idea!" Pikki exclaims. "It'll be so good for him!"
"That's very considerate, mijo," says Riley. Byron does a double take, wondering if the term means what he thinks it means. Of course, Riley is exhausted and probably twice as emotional, so maybe it just slipped out.
"Yeah," Roark agrees. "Maybe I'll call him about it tomorrow."
Riley starts gathering the empty dishes. "What're you doin'?" Byron asks, finally finding his voice. "Bad enough you made dinner. Roark, you start doin' dishes."
"Since when do we do dishes immediately after dinner?" he counters. "They gotta sit around for at least a week."
"Since I said so."
"A week?" Pikki's tone indicates she hopes he's joking. "That's gross. C'mon, I'll dry." She gets up and pulls on his arm.
"But I'm tired, I don't wanna."
"You didn't complain when we did dishes at your place." She tugs harder. "Let's go."
As they take their places at the sink, filling it with soapy water, Riley grins at Byron. "They're so cute together," he remarks softly.
"Mm… I guess."
"You can't possibly still be against the idea."
Byron makes another low grunt and pushes back his chair to get up. "Stay there," he orders Riley a little too tersely.
"Yes, dear." Riley smirks.
When Byron returns to the kitchen, he leans against the wall for a minute, observing the happy couple. Whatever Pikki was saying to Roark makes him fling soapy water in her direction. She laughs and retaliates by smacking him with the dish towel, which also makes Riley laugh.
Byron clears his throat. They both look over their shoulders at him, startled. "Pirika," he says, "I got somethin' to tell you, c'mere."
She shares an apprehensive look with Roark, sets the towel on the counter, and approaches Byron. She really is tiny, he realizes, towering at least a foot over her. "I—" he begins, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh…"
"You want to talk to me alone?" she suggests, as Riley and Roark are both watching with bated breath.
"Naw, it's okay. I… I just never got to tell you… thank you for saving my son's life."
She blinks. "I— I didn't really."
"Yes, you did. There was a blast headed straight for him. I woulda jumped in there and taken it if Riley hadn't held me back. Wouldn'a made it in time anyway. But then you shielded that attack at the last second. Perfect timin'."
"I… well, it was Oran's Protect, really. He's the real hero."
"And you're his Trainer. You're a damn good Trainer, Pirika. Your defenses are some of the best I've ever seen in my decade of runnin' a Gym, and you've only been at it for a few months. I'm impressed."
She blushes. "Thanks. That means a lot, coming from you."
Byron shifts his weight from one foot to another. "And, uh…" he continues. "I wanted t'say also… sorry for turnin' down your challenge before. So here." He holds out a closed fist. "Because you displayed a strong understandin' of defense, and command over your team durin' a dangerous fight, you've earned this." Into her outstretched palm he drops a Mine Badge.
Pikki draws in a breath, staring at it. "Are you sure? Is that allowed?"
"'Course it is! I'm the Gym Leader, I can give a Badge to whoever I want!" he boasts.
"Are you still the Leader?" Roark asks. "That's not what the League said when they called me a dozen times asking where you went."
"Shut up, boy."
Pikki's lip quivers, and she bows swiftly. "Thank you so much! But if it's all the same to you, I'd still like to have a battle with you, in your Gym."
He breaks out into a grin. "You got it, kiddo. A good battle is just what we need! Tomorrow?"
"Well, I had planned to go to the library and do some research tomorrow. Would the day after be okay? I can go stay at the Pokemon Center if… if you'd rather." The eagerness in her voice disappears rapidly.
"You don't hafta do that. Stay here as long as you need, alright?" He claps her small shoulder. "We'll have our battle whenever you feel up to it."
She finally looks back up at him. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. An' lemme just say…" Byron glances over at his son. "Welcome to the family."
Pikki's bottom lip quivers even more. She throws her arms around his waist, hugging him. Roark and Riley both smile. As Byron hugs her back, he considers how she lost the father she barely knew, how torn up she is about it — and decides he will try to be one for her, somehow.
