Greetings, everyone, to the epilogue of Seasons of the Sun. It's been a long trip (honestly, longer than it really should have been), but the end is now in sight. I hope this wraps things up fairly well, and enjoy!
"And that's the end of the story!"
Two pairs of eyes stare back at me, before a voice sounds from the next room. "Honey, you can't just leave it like that!"
"Why not?" I call back. "I mean, not much of note really happens after that. First year, I wandered around, looking for someplace to call home. Second year, I ran into you and we ended up courting. And then three years later, we had them. Compared to the first ten years, there's really nothing worth speaking of."
Her head pokes around the door opening as she gives me a sly look. "Why not tell them of how we met, then?"
I turn away, trying to hide my blush from her and the children. "I…don't think they want to hear about that 'mushy stuff', right?"
As expected, my son reacts the same way I am right now, blanching at the thought. However, my daughter actually looks intrigued, which has me worried. Thankfully, he decides to interject before she can ask any awkward questions. "What about Auntie Eve and Uncle Kevin?"
Recovering, I give him a subtle nod of thanks before answering. "Shortly after I made my decision, the two of them went back to their HQ to report back. We agreed to keep most of the situation private, but Kevin had to tell them something to explain why he was AWOL for a time. After some debate, he came up with the half-truth that he was helping a wild ninetales find his way home. Due to his mistrust of humans, Kevin was forced to have Eve escort the ninetales solo, which resulted in her accidental release."
I pause, weighing my words carefully. "As for Eve personally…well, your mom knows this as well, but I actually had a crush on Eve that first year. However, I could see she had her sights set on someone else, so I never told her the truth. Besides, it would have never worked out; we were too different."
"What about that jerk trainer, Joshua?" he continues.
"Well…" I chuckle. "Kevin also kept tabs on him for me; I didn't want to ruin any reactions from the curse. Sure enough, shortly after he was released, he tried to 'punish' his manectric for losing to Eve and I. Keyword being tried; before he could even raise his hand to the electric dog, it turned on him and shocked the ball out of his hand, crushing it in their jaws and running off. His most loyal Pokémon being the first to fall to the curse seems like a delicious form of revenge. One by one, all of his Pokémon left him, either after disobeying him and giving him an excuse to attack, or simply taking their leave."
"However, it was the final attack which finally brought him up short. According to Kevin, a Rhydon he was attempting to train almost cost him a leg. As he recovered, he got his head on straight and decided to start fresh. He went to a breeder's range and bought an eevee, which he raised with love and care until it happened to evolve into a sylveon like Eve. Last I heard, he's amassed an amazing team, and may challenge the Champion in the near future."
"And what happened to Ms. Mystia?" my daughter asks.
"I haven't seen her at all," I admit. "If she was so willing to part with her very life force, I suspect she didn't have long to live. However, Kevin did mention something he found out recently: all evidence of Henry Johnson has disappeared from the archives. I suspect she wanted to ensure I can enjoy my new life as Sol…"
"Dad?" my son interrupts. "When are you gonna give me the crystal?"
"Not until you're older," I chide him. "But don't worry; it's in a safe place, and as my eldest, it shall go to you."
"But we're the same age!" my daughter pouts. "We were born at the same time!"
"Technically, he was a few seconds before you," I hedge, glancing at their mom in a silent plead for help. She nods and clears her throat to get their attention.
"Enough, children," she raises her voice. "Dinner is almost done; go wash up."
They grumble but obey. I take a moment to breathe, before joining my mate in the kitchen. She is already heavy with child again, and hopefully it won't be twins again. I give her a quick nuzzle, and she returns the gesture.
"Do you…ever regret your decision?" she whispers to me. Despite the hint of worry in her voice, I can't help but smile.
"Not for anything in the world," I reply confidently. "Even if we never met, I would still remain a ninetales. This is the life that Mystia and Nana gave me, and I shall cherish it always."
Through the ancestral memory, Mystia looks at Sol and his mate cuddling together in their den and smiles. Blinking away the vision, she stretches and prepares to retire for the night as well. Meanwhile, a certain xatu stands at the ready, awaiting their next request. Mystia looks at him, then sighs. "All right, you can change back."
The xatu visibly relaxes before transforming into a floating pink cat with a long tail. "Finally! You have no idea how hard it is to be serious for that long!" the mew says.
"You could have changed back once Sol made his decision, you know?" Mystia deadpans.
"Well, who knows what would happen next?" it replies. "I'm actually surprised he didn't go looking for you after deciding his fate; he has to know you're still alive."
"I've been 'cloaking' myself in the ancestral memory recently," she replies. "So he's in the dark about my whereabouts." She pauses, then says, "I do have to thank you for making all this possible. You've been a great friend."
The mew giggles. "Think nothing of it; we've had our share of fun in the past, so I don't mind doing you a favor. Don't be a stranger, now!" With a muted pop, the legendary disappears, probably off to cause some mischief elsewhere. Mystia sighs again, but with a small smile on her muzzle.
At last, it is done! I know, I still have the bonus chapter to do, but the main story is finished. Part of me wanted to cheat and make him a hybrid like me, but that wouldn't be fair to you readers. Anyway, once the bonus is finished, it's off to the next project!
Take care, everyone. And may your Ember never fade!
