A/N: All Pokémon speech is translated, unless otherwise indicated. Review thank-yous at the end of the chapter.

Light of a Dark Black Night

Epilogue: Freedom

The Gyarados and the Golduck were sparring in the lake, just out from the edge of Mewtwo's island. The sky was dim and darkening - the sun had just set.

"Yes!" cried Shadowgleam. "That's it!"

Golduck's screech carried across the water, and Shadowgleam winced. "Go on," she called, and turned away.

Glimmer was standing there. "He's watching," she commented. Shadowgleam inadvertently glanced up, although she was at the wrong angle to see the observation tower of Mewtwo's stronghold.

The Raichu looked back down, and smiled at what she saw. Some - not all - of Mewtwo's Pokémon were learning to fight.

"What do you think he sees?" she asked her friend, who lived here now, on the forested rim of the lake.

"What do you think he should see?" Glimmer countered, turning the question around.

"Not violence," said Shadowgleam. "They're having fun. And if they learn to fight, they won't feel so dependent on Mewtwo. Not that his clones will leave him, though. And if he's afraid for them, he shouldn't be."

She flicked her tail. "He doesn't have to worry. It's time for me to go, anyway."

"By yourself?" asked Glimmer.

Shadowgleam smiled at her. "Yes. Touchwood wouldn't come with me when I set out this time. He spends all his time working on Gavin's garden. Except that Gavin calls it 'Touchwood's garden' now."

Touchwood and Gavin had come to trust each other quite quickly.

"Shall we see you back this time next year?"

"Of course."

It had become tradition, because Shadowgleam still loved to travel. With the route between Mt Cayna and Gavin's lair established in her mind, she set out each year, spending some time at Mt Cayna, and returning to Gavin in two months or so.

She always set out, and always returned.

It was nothing to do with Gavin, really. It was to do with her.

This was the second such pilgrimage she had made since her abandonment quest. In that time, Gavin had become used to living in the wild, Touchwood had come to live near Gavin, and Glimmer had returned to Mt Cayna, where, occasionally, other Ampharos paid a visit.

Shadowgleam had begun training Mewtwo's Pokémon.

The Pikachu, who had named himself Strike, was the most adept of them, and probably the one who most wanted to learn. The most restless one.

He came up to her as she turned away from Glimmer. "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

"I've been here long enough."

"But I haven't finished learning Swift!"

"I have to go," Shadowgleam told him firmly. His cheek-sacs buzzed a little. She had to grin.

"You could come with me," she suggested, amused. "You could travel with me for a little while."

Strike stared at her, and considered this. "I will!" he said.

She grinned again, caught up in his enthusiasm. "We can go tonight," she said. "I like to start my journeys at night. It's fun, travelling in the dark, relying on your own light..."

The Pikachu nodded.

They said their goodbyes quickly, and quick goodbyes were all that were needed, because everyone knew they'd be back. They took the gradual path down through Mt Cayna, and once out into the forest, took turns to lead and to provide light.

Shadowgleam thought, I've got a friend to travel with again. And mock-fight with.

Just the same as last time.

She loved her life of travelling and staying with Gavin and travelling again. Home and the journey, well mixed. She stayed 'home' for most of the time, but when she wanted to, she could wander.

All her friends were fine and so was she. She was free.

She and Strike set off through their own light, in the intensely black night.

And for the reviewers…

Lightning-Strike: F I N A L L Y !!

Miss Black Dragon: I don't think I'll set Mewtwo's reasons out, because I'm not entirely sure about them myself. Remember he's a rather mixed-up legendary. But he takes the status of 'Legendary' seriously.

Pikacar/Marle: CS-ing is quite fun. Are you going to be posting any more Beginning's End any time soon?

Carter Tachikawa: There you go, lots of happy endings. :) I think everyone's provided for nicely.

Book Worm: Oh, thank you! Well, here you go. I'd better check out what you've been doing lately.