"Glad to see you back on your feet." Robert slapped me in the back, grinning like the fool he was. "Again."
"Yeah yeah," I smiled warmly as the three of us exited the Lumiose hospital. "So, any updates?"
"Let's see," Alex tapped her chin with a finger. "Interpol is still hanging around in case any remnants of Team Flare and the Cult are hanging about. Rebuilding Lumiose from everything that's happened is going fast. Even that hole is nearly fixed."
"What about Xerneas and Yveltal?" I asked.
"I can answer that," Robert said, pushing imaginary glasses up his nose. "Sycamore took charge over them while they're in their dormant state. He's even accepted Team Radiance's offer to help."
"Really?" I folded my hands behind my head as we walked down a street, people and Pokemon going about their daily lives as if previous incidents never occurred. The only difference was that we would get the occasional stare as people recognized us as the ones who helped save Kalos and the world. "Wow, I guess they really have changed under Eve's leadership."
"Yep," Robert pulled out his Holo Caster and brought up an article page. "This just came up yesterday at the same time Sycamore made his decision. It seems Team Radiance will be recognized as Nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the environment and those in need, both people and Pokemon."
"I would still keep an eye on that Kamake," Alex snorted as we turned a corner. "I don't trust a single blue hair of hers." She tilted her head slightly, then went, "Oh yeah! The testing done on Emma has all come back positive and she's still under Looker's care at his office. Then there's Ash and Serena, but they've already come to see you about that, right?"
I nodded. "Yeah, just two days ago." I thought back to then, as Ash revealed what was next in his journey to become a Pokemon Master.
...
"So you'll be discharged in a couple days?" Serena asked.
"Uh huh," I sat up in the hospital bed as Ash and Serena stood at the side. Both our Greninjas stood at our sides. "That'll teach me to take on a cult."
"I don't think it will," Ash chuckled.
"No," I said seriously. "I don't think it will either."
"So," I smiled brightly. "What brings you two lovebirds here?"
Serena blushed pink as Ash smiled sheepishly. He coughed into his fist. "Well, I take it Alex and Robert told you the news."
I shrugged. "They said you were dating now, which isn't much of a surprise. But they said you also had something else you wanted to say in person."
"Right," Ash nodded. "I'm going to start training for the Kalos Champion's League. I intend to defeat Diantha using the full power of the bond Greninja and I share." He held out his hand to me. "Zeno, I want to thank you again. You and Greninja really pushed us beyond our limits. I also think you helped us see that there is more to this bond potential than we could have imagined."
I grasped his hand as our Greninja's embraced. "Ash, once you become Champion, I hope you'll do Greninja and I the honor of battling you at full strength."
Ash grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"So," I looked at the both of them. "I did hear the Champion's League will be postponed for a while. Why not take a vacation first?"
"I mean," Ash glanced at Serena. "Why not both?"
"Ash Ketchum," Serena tutted, smiling. "I agree with Zeno. We should take some time to relax after everything."
"Actually," I stroked my chin. "I think I have the perfect place for you two. It's nice and tropical and I think it would prove quite a challenge to you and your Pokemon..."
...
"So they booked a flight to Alola?" Alex raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you have warned Hau?"
"Now," I smirked. "That would be assuming Hau would need a warning. If anything, I should have warned Ash." I glanced at Alex. "Where are we going anyway?"
"A park that's been mostly untouched," she responded, leading us down another street. "I figured we might relax a bit before going to Looker's office."
"Plus," Robert held up his modified Pokedex. "I got some information I want to share."
Alex rolled her eyes. "Oh Arceus. He's been wanting to talk so badly for days that he just wouldn't shut up about it. And he wouldn't even tell me."
"You mean..." I raised an eyebrow.
Robert grinned and held up Arcanine's pokeball, which I had given to him so he could run some tests before anyone else. He was practically bouncing with excitement. "C'mon! Let's hurry!" He took off at a run, but Alex and I continued walking at a leisurely stroll.
"What are your plans now?" Alex asked suddenly.
"Huh?" I blinked. "I... I don't really know." I held up Greninja's pokeball. "This journey, the whole reason I decided to take on the Kalos League, it was for him. His life was a thin spool of thread, destined to run out soon. And now since that's all changed..."
"You don't know whether to rest or continue onwards," Alex guessed, smiling gently.
"Something like that, yeah," I said softly, tucking the pokeball away. We walked in silence for another minute before Alex spoke again.
"Zeno," She stopped in front of me, our gazes meeting. "Whatever you decide to do, wherever you decide to go, I want to come with you. I don't want this to be like Alola. Where you go, I wish to go as well."
I felt a smile spread across my face. "Is that you asking or you telling me how things are just going to be?"
She smirked, one hand resting on her hip. "As if I would give you a choice this time." She took a step closer, smirk fading. "Zeno, I-"
"Hey, you two!"
Alex spun around with a start as Robert waved to us from the next corner. He wore grin that said he planned this. "You coming or what?"
"Ohhhh," Alex growled, marching over to him, tightening both fists. The grin disappeared from Robert's face and he turned and ran. He didn't make it very far.
...
"Alright then," Robert announced as Alex and I took our seat on the bench. He rubbed the back of his head where Alex had hit him, but he looked as cheerful as ever. "I thank you again, Zeno, my friend, buddy, pal. For letting me be the first to research Arcanine."
"Yeah yeah," I waved my hand dismissively. "Get to the goods."
Robert bowed dramatically and let out Arcanine. My partner Pokemon shook himself, amber tail wagging as he spotted me. He nuzzled me with his massive head and I could feel a small jolt shoot up my body.
"That will definitely take some getting used to," I laughed, rubbing his mane of amber fur. "It does feel nice to pet though." Arcanine barked happily and began bounding around the park.
Robert cleared his throat. "Anyway, this is clearly another evolution of Arcanine's. I-"
"But how is that even possible?" Alex interrupted. "I mean, Arcanine's evolution line has been just Growlithe and Arcanine ever since they were first documented."
"I was actually assuming Arcanine was stuck in a Mega Form," I grinned sheepishly. "That or a bond form similar to Greninja's."
"But you're both wrong," Robert wagged a finger. "I thought of those as well, but mega evolution has a pretty unique signature. And so does bond energy. But this is evolution energy. It's different from most other evolution energies however. Not only did it use the combined power from Xerneas and Yveltal, but the only other time I got a reading like this was when Nebby evolved."
"When Nebby..." I looked at Arcanine, who had appeared behind us and towered over us. He licked my head, spiking it with electricity. "You mean, Arcanine is now a Legendary Pokemon?"
"I mean, he's already been designated as one," Robert pointed out. "I doubt this is a new thing either. Very early documentations of Arcanine state that they were not only a Legendary Pokemon in a specific region, but that they were capable of running 6,200 miles in just 24 hours. But there has been no proof of any Arcanine going that fast or being able to go for that long. But," Robert gave a small, satisfied smile. "I believe an Arcaneis could."
"Arcaneis?" Alex and I both looked questioningly at Robert.
"I mean," Robert rubbed his hands together in glee. "I am the one who researched him first. So obviously I get to name the species. The name Arcaneis is a play off of two words. The first being Arcane, which is the same with Arcanine. The second word I used was Galvanism. Some of the testing I did on Arcaneis showed that he generates electricity through chemical means, which makes Galvanism the perfect word to use. The original idea for his name was Arcaneism, but I decided to drop the "m"."
"I'll take your word for it," I scratched the underside of my Pokemon's chin. "Arcaneis, eh? How about it? Do you like it?" My Pokemon howled to the sky, a sound that blasted our eardrums and assaulted anyone's hearing that were at the park.
"I THINK HE LIKES IT!" Robert held his ears, which were likely ringing like mine.
After a couple minutes, I asked, "So, is he an Electric type as well now?"
"Fire and Electric," Robert nodded. "That right there is a highly unique dual typing not seen in many Pokemon. I've also taken the liberty of testing his stats. His attacks are more powerful now. And his speed is leagues better now! If you thought he was fast as an Arcanine, just wait until you get into an open field." He scrolled through his device's screen. "Now, about his ability. Justified is no more. He has what I've dubbed, Lightning Speed!"
Alex opened her mouth to say something, but Robert held up a finger. "Nuh uh. I speak. You don't." He held his finger higher. "Any attack involving his body as the weapon seems to carry both fire and electricity with it. That will include, but not only, Flame Wheel, Flare Blitz, and Extreme Speed."
"Okay," Robert took a breath. "I got two other things about Arcanine that needs explaining. One being his new move. You saw him use it against Zanarchggon. He seems to pull heat and electricity from outside sources to add to this move's power and condenses into clouds of energy. It can either be used physically or specially. And I call it... Burning Tempest!"
"You're really enjoying this," Alex commented.
"Like you wouldn't believe," Robert sighed and sat in-between us on the bench. "The second thing about Arcaneis is that the power you saw him display against Chaos, he's lost most of that since the battle."
"What does that mean?" I asked.
Robert ruffled his hair with one hand. "It means... I think he got a temporary power buff from Xerneas and Yveltal when he evolved. His power and energy levels have leveled out at this point, so all should be good." He chuckled. "Man, I can't wait to report my findings to Professor Juniper. It'll be great to be at the Lab again."
I leaned forwards, glancing at him. "You're going back to Unova?"
"It's always been the plan," Robert smiled sadly. "This journey, this was unexpected, but totally worth every minute. Well, maybe not all the death and chaos, but I like to look on the positive side of life." He glanced at both of us. "You two will see me off later, right?"
"Later?" Alex's eyebrows shot up. "You mean to say you're leaving today?"
"The early Pidove catches the Sewaddle," Robert joked. "I'm catching an ocean liner later to Unova. It's time I headed home."
I shared a glance with Alex and nodded. "Yeah, of course we'll see you off. The least we can do for our friend."
"Well," Robert smiled as he clasped his knees and stood. "I have a couple hours left before I need to go. Enough time to say my goodbyes I think."
"We should go to Looker and Emma first," Alex stood as well. I rose beside them, only to stop as I spotted two familiar people walking towards us. One a dark skinned woman and the other a freakishly tall aged homeless man with a dark colored Floette hovered between them
"I was wondering if you were ever going to show up again," Alex remarked.
"We're here now," Sandra said with a glance to AZ, then back to the three of us and Arcaneis. "Both of us."
One chapter left to go... Oh boy, this doesn't feel real. I hope you guys like what I did with Arcaneis. Pronounced either Are-cane-ee-es or Are-cane-es. Till the last chapter folks. Toodles
