(A/N) Kaijuu/pokemon aren't my creations, and I'm not getting any money for it. Paws off my original ideas and characters!

The Adamant Key

Epilogue: Grey Eyes

By Trivnar Silversword

Those who perished fighting Thinien were laid to rest two days later, in a quiet place near the Temple where the Ancients were buried. The entire population of the Temple came out to do them homage, each offering their support in their own way. The entei Dace in particular, offered a touching lament.

To Rowan, however, their farewells fell on deaf ears; she had spent the previous day trekking through the mountains alone, and had laid her personal ghosts to rest there. She stood away from the crowd, watching from a distance with Kepa at her side.

"He asked me to marry him a couple of times," she said softly.

"What! Kepa looked down at her in surprise. "But... so young?"

"It's not unusual among traders. I expect it has something to do with our life expectancy."

Kepa shook his head, at a loss for words. "He was... very fond of you."

"Yeah..." Rowan sighed. "I loved him too, although I considered him more like an older brother than anything else. I'm sorry that it had to end like this."

"I know it's not much, but I'd like to offer my thanks for your help. You certainly did much more than I expected of you and more than you should have."

"You couldn't have know," Rowan smiled slightly, "no one could have known that my job of kaijuu-human relations would have finished this way. I... I don't regret any of it, and wouldn't trade the time we had together for anything. Even if... even if we lost Thavron."

"What are you going to do now, Rowan?"

She shrugged. "I don't know... I have no intention of continuing as a Trader, although Healing still interests me. Ismitta said I was welcome to stay at the Temple for as long as I wished, so I'll stay here awhile and see. It's very peaceful and quiet here, I could learn to love it. What about you?"

"I'm not really sure... it's hard to remember a time when I wasn't on the run. Perhaps... it doesn't really matter, as long as I can stay around you."

She turned away and faced Kepa, noticing for the first time the gash on his arm. "Hey, how did you do that?"

"Oh, when Thinien swept us off Ismitta's back his talon snagged me. I had it washed but forgot to mention it to the Temple healers. It's nothing serious."

Rowan shook her head. "Let me heal that, it will only take a second." She took his hand and sent the healing energy through it, knitting the torn flesh together easily.

She started to withdraw when the void suddenly reached up and gathered her in. This time Scucca wasn't there to pull her back. It pulled at her life force, taking more and more. As it pulled, the edges of the void started to pull together. But it was too little for too much. Rowan screamed soundlessly, trying to pull back. It was like being stuck in a whirlpool and trying to swim to shore.

As she struggled she could see the energy draining from her, going to the molecular level, replacing the broken pieces of Kepa's life-code. Rowan screamed, this time in frustration and pulled back with all her strength. The world flashed white, then was no more.

Rowan regained her senses slowly. Every bit of her tingled, as if she had been pulled from every angle. She twitched her arms and legs and found she could move. The healer groaned then slowly opened her eyes and sat up. She couldn't remember what she had been doing. Rowan looked down and saw a stranger lying beside her.

She studied his face curiously, trying to place it. He had spiky red hair that stuck out at every angle, even when lying down, and a thin scar crossed his right cheek. He stirred, and his eyes opened to meet hers. Rowan gasped, for those grey eyes were painfully familiar. "Kepa?"

"I have a headache," he complained. "Who else would it be?"

"Look at yourself."

He raised a hand to his face and gasped, seeing five pink digits. Ever so slowly he stood and looked himself over. "Good, "he said suddenly, voice laden with self-satisfaction," I've been wanting to do this for a while."

He reached down, pulled Rowan to her feet and kissed the still-dazed healer, leaving her breathless. "You're mine," he whispered in her ear, "and no one can contest it now!"

"Rowan, could I have a– oh. Sorry to interrupt you." Scucca flushed furiously, his empathic talents picking up their combined embarrassment and adding it to his own. "Who...?" The empath blinked as it dawned on him. In three steps he had reached them and grabbed Rowan's shoulders, giving her a little shake. "What were you playing at? I told you not to try to heal him!"

"I didn't do it on purpose!" she protested. "I pulled back before I was completely engulfed."

He released her, puzzled. "Then he should still have some blaziken programmed into him. You're lucky you didn't mutate him!"

"Blaziken..." Kepa muttered. "Yes... I can do that." And right before their amazed eyes, he transformed into a kaijuu. "Now back again." He shifted, and stood as a human once more.

Scucca's jaw seemed about to drop through the ground and Rowan's wasn't much further. "What did I... what did..." She couldn't finish her sentence and could only stand and gape.

"This is certainly an improvement from before," said Kepa smugly.

Rowan smiled. "I think even Thavron would approve." Her eyes closed momentarily, before reopening and fixing Scucca. "You had a message for me?"

He nodded, sensing her grief like a tangible presence. Time would ease it, however, as it does all things. "Yeah. The articuno chicks are hatching, and I thought you might want to go watch."

Rowan smiled and grabbed Kepa's hand, locking her fingers with his. "What are we waiting for, then!"

Laughing, the three ran back towards the temple.

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(A/N) Well, that's it! First I'd like to thank all those who reviewed; your encouragement kept me going! Thank you also to all you people who took the time to read TAK; even if you didn't leave a message, your presence was apretiated!

I had a great time writing this, and learnt alot. Thanks to those who supplied ideas / suggestions, and for all the lovely fanart!

I was also thinking of writing a short story (one or two chapters - although knowing me, it might get longer - ) about the sealing of Thinien. What do you think?

Lots of love from Kepa, Rowan, Scucca and Triv!