A Mightyena Named Wolf

Thanks to all who read, reviewed, alerted and PMed me about the story!

I've been asked if there's going to be a sequel, and unfortunately, the answer is most likely no. There's a chance, yes, but I don't see how I can continue this any further. I'm not good at adventure fics, and if I did one with Will and Wolf, I'm afraid it would be boring.

This story is actually complete already, but since there is a bit of confusion with the ending (I think), here's an epilogue. Take it as a bonus chapter.

Disclaimer : I do not own Pokémon and all the characters, plot, etc. in it.

This chapter has been edited in 2009. Didn't change much.

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Epilogue : The Meaning of Life

It was a very happy day for the Bronxs. It started with a lot of despair and tears. Ed, Linda and Alf were all at the mansion, grieving over their loss. Uncertain about what Wolf meant when he said that Will was in a happier place, Alf had rushed over to the mansion and was informed about the tragedy.

With him followed the two Mightyenas; the Alpha and Wolf's mother. They could do nothing but listen to the humans' laments. Espeon joined the Mightyenas and chatted.

But it was Wolf who felt the full blast of Will's death. He was there and he could have prevented it. Just like how he could have prevented Alpha's capture. Just like how he could have prevented his mother's capture. Just like how he could have prevented his father's death…

He felt that he was not strong enough. Just an outcast…

Earlier that day, Wolf had been gazing at the setting sun from the cliffs. He was angry with everyone. Most of all, he was angry with himself. How could he have let the same thing happen over and over again? Is it too much to ask for a happy life?

To live is to go through so many sufferings… to have everything you love, everything that made you happy taken away from you. To live is to watch the same thing happen again and again, wishing you could do something to change it. You never could.

He had earned the Rustboro Badge as a tribute to his latest loss. Will did say he wanted to collect badges… Wolf had been reluctant, but is now determined to fulfill Will's dream even if Will won't be there to see it…

"Wolf!"

The single cry that have changed everything. No, it can't be. Must be the wind. But the cry came again, this time accompanied by a strange sight indeed…

It could only mean one thing. A miracle. A dream come true…

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They looked as though a ghost had walked through the grand doors of the mansion. Looks of surprise quickly turned to joy and they rushed forward to greet the boy they thought they have lost.

The three perplexed Pokémon in the mansion went to Wolf for information. Wolf's mother licked her son and nuzzled him lovingly. The Alpha sat by him and waited for his story, as did Espeon.

"(So, Wolf, I take it my powers worked after all?)" Espeon asked.

"(Yeah, they did. Thanks, Espeon.)" Wolf bowed his head.

She blushed. "(Don't thank me, I did not save Will. I only let you see that he is safe.)"

"(Well… thanks all the same.)"

"(But what happened? How?)" Alpha asked. "(We all saw the factory explode… there's no way…)"

"(Roland said his factory was full of secret pathways… he had them built in case he needed to escape from the police. Will must have used one of them to escape… escape from death…)"

"(But that's… a miracle,)" Espeon said in wonder.

"(Yes. A miracle. Just like how I found Alpha and my mother when I thought they were gone forever.)"

"(See, Wolf? Life isn't always unfair,)" the Alpha said kindly.

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It was evening, and Wolf and Will were in the latter's room. Some people from the press were downstairs, getting the latest news on the story. Tired of all the attention, Will had motioned Wolf to go with him to rest upstairs.

"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Will asked. Wolf remained silent. Will continued, "I was so sure I'd die in there."

"So was I," Wolf replied.

"Funny how life is, isn't it?" Will chuckled.

"You might have found it hilarious. I did not," Wolf said bitterly. "I thought I lost… another part of my life."

"Yeah, well… I thought I'd lose the whole of my life. Even if I'm dead, Wolf, you still have your mother and Alpha. You would still be alive."

"That's what I thought when my father died. I thought that my life would still go on like normal; just… just someone would be missing. But no, I still dwell on the past. Especially since it is partially my fault."

"But it wouldn't be your fault if I died. Roland kidnapped me. In fact, you tried to save me."

Wolf scoffed. "Would he have kidnapped you if I did not fall asleep at Alf's place?"

"He would have kidnapped me anyway, somehow."

"I let my life get destroyed a few times already. I wasn't about to let it happen again."

Both of them stared out the window for a while. The day has almost ended.

"By the way, what's that little thingy you got over there?" Will pointed to a little shiny object covered in dirt next to Wolf's paws.

"This? Oh, it's nothing," Wolf said, trying to cover it with his paws.

"C'mon, it's definitely anything but nothing!" Will stood up, trying to get a glimpse of it.

"No, no, it's nothing important!" Wolf insisted.

"Come on, let me see! Please?"

Wolf reluctantly pushed the item out with his muzzle. "Just a little token I got for you. I thought I would collect all the badges, since it was what you wanted, isn't it? I buried it for you, but dug it up again when I found out you're alive."

"Oh, Wolf… badges don't really mean a thing to me. What's important is that we're happy. We've got a whole life ahead of us, you know? We are free. So… Wolf, are you ready to step out? Are you ready to leave the past behind?"

Will held out his hand. Wolf continued staring out the window.

Mom… Dad… Alpha… and now, Will… I will make you all proud yet…

To live is to go through so many sufferings… but with the strength, hope and determination, everything will turn out fine. Life is exactly what you think it is. That's the one and true meaning of life.

Wolf placed his paw on Will's hand.

"I'm ready."

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AUTHOR'S NOTES

2009 Note:

Looking back, this story contained many spelling and grammar errors. I fixed most of them. Also, it felt lacking somehow; there were too much dialogue and not enough details. Several phrases are overused.

Still, this was one of my earliest pieces of fanfiction, and in a way, a stepping stone for me. I'm happy with the way it turned out. To the readers of this story, thanks for stopping by! At time of writing, I'm currently working on another Pokémon fanfiction, featuring a Lucario. If you have any critique/suggestions based on this story, feel free to drop a review.