3000 years ago, there was a man. His beloved Pokemon was sent to fight a war in which it would never return. Upon receiving the tiny coffin of his dear friend, he was lost in grief and rage. This man built a machine that brought his Pokemon back to life. But his anger at those causing the war couldn't be satisfied. He turned a machine that created life into one that rained down death. The Ultimate Weapon, a device that brought an end to the war, but at a terrible price. His Pokemon, having seen what was done, left the man. With the deaths of so many upon his shoulders, he wanders the Earth, searching endlessly for his Pokemon...
3000 years ago, there was a man. His beloved Pokemon was sent to fight a war in which it would never return. Upon receiving the tiny coffin of his dear friend, he was lost in grief and rage. This man sought out someone to help build a machine that could bring back his dearest friend. He met a woman who would one day become his wife and together they created the Life-Giving machine. His Pokemon was brought back to life and he could have been happy then, both with his wife and beloved Pokemon. But his anger at those causing the war couldn't be satisfied. He turned a machine that created life into one that rained down death. The Ultimate Weapon, a device that brought an end to the war, but at a terrible price. His Pokemon, having seen what was done, left the man. His wife, having lost the man she thought she knew, left for the farthest unknown regions of the world. With the deaths of so many upon his shoulders and the sorrow for those he lost, the man wanders the Earth, searching endlessly for his Pokemon...
...
"I am that woman," Sandra revealed. "The one who helped construct the Ultimate Weapon many, many generations ago. I was this fool of a King's wife."
AZ let out a rumble, which I realized was a laugh. "A fool I was. Now I hope I am more than that."
"You're still a fool," Sandra snorted, crossing her arms. She looked back at us. "Congratulations on defeating Chaos. I'm sure it must have been difficult."
I glanced at Arcaneis. "It could have been a lot worse."
She nodded, stepping forwards to stand in front of Arcaneis, who stood just 2 feet shorter than AZ. "So this is the one Kalos was waiting for."
Robert clasped his hands. "OH! He was the Foreign Legend!"
"It would seem so," Sandra murmured as I blinked in shock at my Pokemon. "I did not foresee his destiny, and even now, much is hidden." She stepped back. "It was a pleasure to have met all of you. But I'm afraid we shall not part on a happy note."
"What downer do you have for us now?" Robert groaned.
Sandra stayed solemn faced. "Much still lies ahead of you all. Destiny may arrive sooner than you would hope and tragedy will threaten your hearts. I only pray the darkness won't be too much to bear."
"Downer indeed," Alex sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, after everything," she smiled. "I think we can handle ourselves."
I nodded in agreement. "Whatever comes, we'll be ready."
...
"Thanks for dropping by," Looker held the door open for us as we stepped into his office. Emma was at Looker's desk, writing something down as Mimi slept curled up on her lap. "I hear you're leaving, Robert."
"What, did you use your position in Interpol to check my payments?" Robert raised an eyebrow. "But yes, I'm leaving. Aren't you?"
"Not for a couple more days," Looker straightened his trench. "I still have some last things I need to wrap up here."
"So you are leaving?" Emma set down the pen, blinking at Looker.
His face softened. "Yes, Emma. This office isn't for me to run, it was only part of my job."
"Then what'll happen to it?" Emma stood, making Mimi hover in the air before settling on the ground. "You've helped so many people. What if they need you?" She looked on the verge of tears.
Looker stepped towards her, hesitating, then placed a hand on her shoulder. "I wouldn't leave unless I knew I was leaving it in good hands."
"Huh?" Emma's eyes sparkled with tears.
A soft smile spread across Looker's features. "I'm officially leaving you in charge of this office and its legal owner. I know I can trust you to handle the business well."
"I-I'll do my best!" Emma squeaked, then grew red. She hurried over to the desk, shuffling through the papers. "I'm going to have a lot to do when you're gone! Augh! Where did those papers go!?"
Looker chuckled as I asked him, "So, I heard the tests went well for Emma. What exactly was the purpose of them?"
Looker glanced over at Emma, who was now rifling through the drawers. "I needed to know how Emma was created and what made her the perfect sacrifice."
"And?"
"She was grown in a growth tank," Looker started. "At a much faster rate than normal humans. But the only thing we could find that they modified was her brain. More specifically, her cerebrum. I've spent a lot of time with Emma and I've seen her qualities. Her greatest are her being able to see the good in anyone and being trusting. However, I think that is also her greatest weakness."
"So she was created to be good and trusting," Alex said, catching my eye. "Then, she's a pure soul. That's why she was the perfect sacrifice."
"Exactly," Looker nodded sadly. "But that isn't her destiny anymore. I don't know what is, but the fact that she was created specifically to be sacrificed, we don't entirely know what effects will happen to her body in the long term. Nothing suspicious was found, but that doesn't mean nothing won't happen." He watched as Emma accidently knocked over a cup full of pens and pencils. She chuckled as Mimi caught it with her psychic powers and put it back on the desk.
Looker took a breath. "I do have to leave still, but I've asked a colleague I know well in this city to keep an eye on her and give her regular check-ups."
"You think she'll be okay?" Alex asked, sympathy for Emma clear in her eyes.
"I have to hope," Looker said, with maybe a slight tone of regret. "She has a ton of room to grow and I hope giving her some responsibility will help." He shook his head. "You scheduled a ship over in Coumarine, right? I could get a helicopter to fly you three over if you want. It's the least I can do for what you've all done."
"Ah, and here I was thinking I would just fly a Pokemon over there," Robert rubbed his head. "Helicopter might be comfier now that I think about it."
Alex pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. "You wanted us to ride Pokemon all the way over there just to say goodbye? Robert, let me tell you something..."
As they talked, I headed over to where Emma was now standing in front of a closet. She only gazed at it, not moving.
"You alright?" I asked.
She stirred. "What?"
I snapped my fingers. "You're just staring at the closet. What's in there?"
"Oh, sorry," she looked apologetic. "It's my suit." She pulled it open to reveal the Essentia suit. "Looker decided to let me keep it. Though, it was only used for evil purposes. I wonder if I should just throw it out..."
"Why'd you keep it in the first place?" I raised an eyebrow. "What's making you hesitate?"
She looked sheepish. "Well..." Mimi tugged on her leg, giving her a look with her wide eyes. Emma smiled softly. "I guess, well, I'm more powerful with it on. Maybe it would allow me to protect others instead of harming them."
"What, you mean be a hero?" I smiled. "Like Blaziken Mask?"
She turned crimson. "I, uh... I guess." She trailed off, turning her head away slightly. "It's a stupid idea."
"No," I shook my head, making her turn in surprise. "I don't think it is. I actually think it's a brilliant idea."
"Really?" she blinked at me.
"Really," I nodded. "Maybe that's why you're here today. To be someone who can help others."
"Protect all you love," Emma whispered, staring at the suit. "That's what Xerosic said before he died. You know, he seemed cold at first, all business-like. But once I had gotten to know him better, he was nice and caring." She looked at me. "In the short time since I've been created, I've grown to love this city. And Xerosic said he gave me the power to protect." She took a shuddering breath. "I'll do it. I'll protect Lumiose from any future disasters."
"It's in good hands," I said, knowing that it would be with someone as caring as her.
...
"Thanks again, Looker!" The three of us waved as the helicopter lifted off with him standing in the open doorway. I cracked a grin. "I'm sure we'll meet again!"
"With your track records, I can count on it!" Looker yelled back, grinning as he closed the door and the helicopter lifted off back into the sky.
"So you said you contacted other people to meet us here?" Alex asked Robert as we headed through Coumarine City to the docks.
"Yep," he nodded. "Wouldn't be a proper send-off for me otherwise."
"Glad to know you're thinking of yourself," Alex snorted with laughter.
The cool ocean breeze hit us as we walked onto the open docks. A huge ship was waiting with its side to us, the wooden rams lowered to the ground. People and Pokemon were already filing onto the ship, but a small crowd drew our attention. Diantha seemed to be in deep conversation with Piers as he leaned on his mic as Jessie, James, and Meowth faced Clara and Preston, who had their backs to us. Eve had two Radiance grunts with her as she showed something to Professor Sycamore on a tablet. Then-
"Oh Zeno dear!" Princess Allie cried out, rushing towards me.
"You didn't!" I croaked as I shot a glare at Robert.
He smirked. "Better watch out."
Princess Allie hit me head-on, wrapping her arms around me and rubbing her head against my chest. I shot a "help me" look to Alex. She sighed, grasping the back of Allie's dress and hauled her off me. She then gripped the Princess' wrist. "How about you hang out with me, Princess." It wasn't a question Allie could easily refuse, especially not with the look Alex had on her face.
"It's good to see you three all safe," Diantha said as everyone walked over. "It doesn't seem like words will ever be enough to thank you all for what you've done for my region."
"I share that sentiment," Sycamore nodded, smiling. "But we're here for you, Robert. It seems one of Kalos' heroes is about to take his leave." He held out his hand and Robert shook it. "I hope you'll give Juniper my regards. She's a wonderful woman. You'll learn all you need to know from her."
"I will," Robert promised.
"Now," Sycamore turned to me, looking hopeful. "May I see him?"
I chuckled. "Alright alright. Everyone, stand back." When they all took several paces back, I threw my pokeball into the air. "Arcaneis, come on out!" My Fire and Electric Pokemon appeared and he roared majestically.
"Merveilleux!" Sycamore exclaimed, hands outstretched. He ran his hands through Arcaneis' mane, grinning at the electric shock. "He is beautiful. Truly unique! Parfait!"
"He is certainly powerful," Diantha murmured. "One of a kind. I wonder how he would fare against Gardevoir..."
"Bloody big 'Mon," Piers noted. "You might just be able to blaze through Galar with a Pokemon like that."
"I guess my rival just got stronger," Clara shook her head, smiling. "I'm going to need to train a lot harder from now on."
"Unfortunate Kamake isn't here," Eve said, stroking the side of Arcaneis' face. "She would have loved to get data on him."
A rumbling came from Arcaneis' throat, enjoying all the attention he was getting.
"You know," Princess Allie seemed calm now, gazing at Arcanine as she rubbed the top of his nose. "He looks like the hedge maze now. I wonder if that's what they would call destiny?"
I shared a glance with Alex and Robert. They seemed to have come to realize the meaning behind her words.
"However, even with Beast X gone, it didn't erase the atrocities committed here, so the son grew a large hedge garden here, one in the shape of a Pyroar, one a Chandelure, and one a Solrock. It is said the son was given a prophecy that day. That the last hedge maze would one day be modeled into a fourth Pokemon, one that would represent the coming of Chaos. So he left that one alone and to this day it remains untouched, overgrown, waiting for one of the lineage of the Parfums to finish it."
"I wonder if she even knows what part she played in all this," I mused, watching as Princess Allie giggled at Arcaneis licking her.
Jessie, James, and Meowth stepped to face the three of us. Jessie hugged Robert as James patted him on the back. "Thank you for looking out for Zeno," Jessie thanked him. "Good luck on the next part of your journey," James nodded to him.
"Remember," Jessie looked at me, smiling. "Whenever you need somewhere to just rest, you know where to find us."
"Yeah kid," Meowth leaped atop my shoulder, resting his elbow on my head. "You and the blonde."
Alex blushed a little, which prompted Jessie to hug her. "Oh, you two make the perfect couple! You'll always have a place to stay with us as well."
"You too," James told Robert. "If you're ever around."
"Will do," Robert saluted.
"You know," Piers said, resting his mic in front of him as he leaned on it. "If you ever want to try your hand in Galar's gym challenge, I reckon you would perform quite well. Leon is currently tryin to get folks riled up for the upcoming season and I'm sure he'd be pleased with challengers like you."
"Perhaps," I shrugged, turning to Alex.
"Might be an interesting challenge," Alex murmured, catching my eye with a knowing look.
Professor Sycamore and Diantha took Piers' place next. "It's truly a wonderful thing to witness the beginning and end of a journey," Sycamore said softly. "You have struggled through so much at such a young age. Wherever your journeys lead you, know that the blessings of Kalos go with you."
"If any of you need help with trouble, I will do what I can to help," Diantha bowed her head. "Without you three and your amazing Pokemon, I don't even wish to think of what would have become of my beloved region."
"We're pretty good at what we do," Robert said without a hint of modesty, which Alex smacked him for.
"I'm just worried we didn't do all we could," I said sadly, thinking of all the deaths that had been caused. Mira's death most of all.
Diantha's expression softened. "Zeno, no matter what tragedies have befallen Kalos, you did your best and asking of anymore would be selfish. You did all you could. Don't fault yourself for any deaths you couldn't have stopped."
I nodded, still thinking of the little girl who I was never going to forget, no matter where I went.
"Stay on the straight and narrow," I saw Alex telling Eve. "Arceus knows you don't want us coming back after you."
A hint of a smile twitched at the corners of the leader of Team Radiance. "It wouldn't do to have a couple of kids come and dismantle my organization, now would it," she agreed. "But you don't have to worry. We've learned from our mistakes."
"Zeno," I turned to see Clara standing beside Preston. With the smile she was wearing, she never looked more different than from the first time we met. "I never properly thanked you for saving me from the Cult. So, thank you. I'm glad you were able to change me."
"And thank you for giving me a chance to become someone better," Preston said to me. "I didn't think I could be allowed this kind of happiness."
I smiled at the both of them. I held out my arms. "Come here, both of you." We hugged and I remembered my journey through Kalos. Full of laughs, dangers, a pissed off rival, amazing Pokemon, and so much more. And especially one person.
We parted and I turned my head to see Alex standing a few feet away, nodding to Clara with a slight smile. I remembered the time we spent in Alola and Kalos. I didn't know what was possible between us, but maybe now...
I turned back to Clara and Preston. "We'll see each other again."
"We'd better," Clara said. "Our rematch is destined to happen, I can feel it." She sighed, smiling softly as she took Preston's hand. "Take care, all of you. Till we meet again."
...
Looker finished packing a box, then glanced over at the closet that housed the Essentia suit. The door to it was slightly ajar. He smiled, knowing that whatever would happen after he left, all would be okay.
...
Night had fallen over Lumiose City, with the night life still proceeding as it usually did. A dark figure leaped across the rooftops, a small Psychic type flying next to her. She ran with inhuman speed, Prism Tower shining in the background. Through the helmet she could smell the sweet air, an aroma she loved. She skidded to a halt at the edge of a building as she heard a cry of distress from the alley below. She nodded to her Pokemon before leaping off the side and into the darkness below.
...
A dark skinned boy lounged in the shade of a tree on the edge of a cliff overlooking Hau'oli City with the Alolan sun shining brightly from overhead. His Electric type slept beside him, tail curled around his body. Both opened their eyes at the sound of a plane coming into the airport. The boy sat up and stretched, yawning widely. He clasped his knees as he grinned, watching as people began disembarking the plane, wondering if this new batch of tourists would bring a strong trainer to challenge him.
...
"It's time," Robert said, hugging both Alex and I as the sun drew closer and closer to sunset. "The boat will be leaving soon." His grip tightened. "You know, I'll really miss the two of you. And our adventures together. It's been a blast." He stepped back, breathing in. "But I know I'll see you guys again one day," Robert smiled warmly. "I just know it." He turned and began walking up the gangplank, as the setting sun's rays shined against him. He wondered just where exactly the next part of his journey would lead him, but he knew that he would face his unknown destiny with a smile on his face-
The sound of footsteps made him turn around in surprise to see both Alex and I at each shoulder. "What are you two doing?"
"You're kidding me, right?" I cocked an eyebrow.
"Robert," Alex shook her head, holding back laughter. "Did you seriously think we were going to stay behind?"
"I mean, come on," I gripped his shoulder lightly. "Unova will be a new experience for Alex and I."
"And who better to guide us through it than you." Alex touched his other shoulder, beaming warmly.
"You guys," Robert smiled brightly at his two closest friends. He felt a tear coming on, so he quickly dried his eyes. "Well then. I hope you're ready. Unova is not a force to be reckoned with. The gyms are tougher and the League is something to marvel at. But there's one thing you must remember above all else." He took a breath, clasped both our shoulders, and said, "Remember, it won't always be black and white."
As their journey in Kalos wraps up, their next one begins as they make a course for Unova. Stay tuned for the Epilogue as well as a preview of what is to come for our dynamic trio. Till the final update for LDOC. Toodles
