This...this isn't...this isn't over...
Mewtwo's entire body shook violently, as if he had just suffered a seizure. He tried to conjure the energy to unleash another attack, but his hands dropped along with another clump of the goop that made up much of his existence. He sought to utilize Recover to restore his strength, but another clump fell from him, rendering his attempts at healing worthless. He was standing, but only barely. All energy he had remaining inside of him needed to be used to allow his basic functions to flow. He would not be able to conjure even a weak telekinetic attack now.
Upon realizing this, Addison lowered her scepter and looked to Michael to help her approach the exhausted and beaten enemy of man and Pokemon alike. Michael gently and gingerly brought her up until she was a few feet in front of Mewtwo. He tried to show her hatred and avarice, but the pain of even standing was too much for him and he nearly collapsed onto his knees.
"You'd better believe this is over, Mewtwo" Addison declared, her voice hoarse from all of the shouting and drained of much of it's tenacity. "You lost!"
Ergh! No! This cannot...cannot be...be the end...
Michael shook his head. "Even now, you're letting hate control you."
Mewtwo glared at the two of them. WHAT DO YOU KNOW?! WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF WHAT I'VE ENDURED?!
"Plenty" Addison declared, slowly taking another step towards him and away from her protector. "I saw you. In your time in the pod. You didn't hate anyone or anything. You just wanted to know things and experience things. And Professor Wong nurtured these feelings inside of you. He saw good in you and knew you were destined to do great things. Do you feel like you let him down?"
Mewtwo's eyes widened. You dare to-
"Because you did" a voice called from behind them. Addison did not need to know it was Helen Wong making her way up to the scene. "My father always put his heart into everything he ever worked on. I wondered, while you kept me a prisoner on this island, why he would have created something as vile and cruel as you and for you to be what his legacy will be known for. But I was wrong. On both ends. My father's legacy is within me. I will carry on his name, now and forever. While you? You may have been nurtured by him, but many others had a hand in your upbringing, Mewtwo."
Mewtwo did not answer, only holding his stubby hands against his wound as if to prevent more loss of fluids.
"Giovanni financed your creation" Addison went on. "That Professor Urbine also had a hand in your creation."
How did you-
"Countess Rosemary wanted me to understand you before I faced you. I think I do know you a bit better, now. Of all the people who were responsible for your upbringing, only Tyrus Wong cared about your well being. Urbine only wanted to make money for the sciences and Giovanni wanted a biological super weapon. You didn't know better than those two extremes, which is why you were so determined to hate mankind." She clenched her fists in anger. "But why? Why set your sights on Arcana? What did Balthazar Aced or James Kingston have to do with how you ended up? Those two wanted to make the world a better place for Pokemon and humans alike. Yet they were two of your earliest victims!"
Mewtwo grunted. A human would never understand, child. You are born into a world where you receive love and affection. People who are so eager to help in your youth. Mothers, fathers, friends, family. Even your Pokemon get involved. They make you...better...than you ever were or could have been without them. Tell me, what a being like me could expect? I am DNA borrowed from one Pokemon, financed by a lunatic, created by a money obsessed fool and nurtured by the only being in this world who ever cared for me. He staggered as more goop fell from his body. Everything I am is owed to others. Literally. And in one fell swoop, the only two who remained to me...were a Pokemon I never met and a crime lord obsessed with his own power. I trust...ergh...I trust no human. Because no human deserves it. Not even...Balthazar. Or James.
"Those two did not deserve to die" Michael insisted.
We do not get to decide when our ends come, Lord Kingston. Clearly, mine wouldn't be here. Surely you would understand that. Mewtwo lowered his head. I did not mean for your Espeon to be caught in the crossfire.
"He was and he's gone. Same as my Grandfather. Same as Balthazar. Same as Tyrus Wong."
Balthazar chose his fate. As did your Grandfather. Tyrus Wong and...ugh...Icarus as you call him, were murdered by humans.
"Humans under your employ" Michael hissed.
Addison sighed. "Mewtwo. Have you ever considered the possibility that you were never able to understand humans, because besides a few outside examples, all your life you've surrounded yourself with the worst our species has to offer?"
Mewtwo cocked his head up. What?
"Tyrus Wong, James Kingston and Balthazar Aced were the only decent humans you ever knew personally. Beyond that, you had Urbine and his cruelty. But it expanded beyond that. Instead of helping James or Balthazar make a difference, you chose to align yourself with others. People worse than Urbine. Cassius Sinclair, Hunter Bastion, Claude Jacques, Courtney, Elezar. People who did not care for Pokemon outside of being tools to gain power with. Hell, Hunter literally killed Pokemon for sport and you added him into your Singularity. You've never known human kindness. Human empathy. Those people wouldn't let you see it. And by the time we could have helped you, it was too late. You had already made your path and walked it blindly."
Humans cannot fool me into thinking they care about their Pokemon.
"You're greatly mistaken, Mewtwo" Julia's voice chimed in. She walked over and put a hand on Addison's shoulder, never breaking eye contact with the Pokemon. "James taught his grandchildren that Pokemon are living beings and should be treated as equals to humans. You claim to have seen how strong the bond was between Icarus and Michael. Surely, you realize more trainers are capable of loving Pokemon, right?"
You...you are wrong.
"James passed his kindness towards Pokemon onto his grandchildren before he died. It's why Michael, Christopher, Cameron, Victoria, Daniel and all the others became such good Pokemon Trainers. Not because they selected strong teams, but because they love their Pokemon. Adore them, even. I could not tell you how many nights Michael would be out training with his Pokemon when he was Champion." She squeezed Addison's shoulder endearingly. "And I taught Addy, Ryan, Matthew and the Queensbury kids the same things. These are creatures with the same compassion and loving abilities as us. They just show love in different ways, that's all."
You honestly expect me to...
"And even then" Julia kept going, "some needed to relearn their lessons. Some, had their worldviews changed. Some for the better, some for the worst. But they all realize how much Pokemon mean to them and what they mean to those Pokemon." She pointed an accusatory finger at Mewtwo. "But now, thanks to your vendetta against mankind and the Pokemon that take part in it, we have a world in complete ruin. Lives torn apart, Pokemon and trainers to never be reunited again! If you felt bad for Icarus dying all those years ago, how do you explain separating more trainers and Pokemon?!"
Mewtwo shook his head. You don't understand, Lady Kingston. Pokemon and humans are-incompatible! The Pokemon need to see it. If they blind themselves with emotion, they will eventually be hurt again! It is a ceaseless cycle. Pokemon learn to love humans, only to be cast aside when the use no longer exists. I intended to lead them to a place where they would never be forgotten. To lead them against the humans who would hurt them! To be...to be...urgh...to be free!
Addison stared Mewtwo down. "Pokemon do need leadership, sometimes. To help be steered in the right direction that suits their needs. But that is entirely the Pokemon's choice. You would take that right from them, not only depriving them of true, honest relationships they might have, but also causing them to be hurt or harmed in the process. If Pokemon do need leadership, it's not you, Mewtwo! How can you be a leader of Pokemon, when you don't care about their well being?!"
Mewtwo seemed eager to speak more of his mind, but grunted. You...you make me think of...of Balthazar with your words.
"A man you betrayed" Michael growled.
A man I thought could be a friend. A man who tested my knowledge. A man who would have helped me see with more open eyes, had my scars from the past not haunted me so. We only turned on one another...ergh...when we realized we didn't want the same thing. The Crimson Fury could have achieved my dream of wiping mankind out, but he believed...like you...that humanity was worth a fighting chance. A large clump of goop, the size of a watermelon, fell from Mewtwo's dying body and forced him onto all fours in front of the group. I'll admit...ugh...that I only wanted to hear what I thought to be true, which is why Elezar and Cassius became such dutiful followers of mine. I ignored the experiments they undertook for the greater good of my goal. I ignored Claude's corruption, Hunter's ambition and so many other slights, just to get to the world I longed to be a part of.
"You could have been" Addison told him gently. "We would have welcomed you."
It is too late for that, now.
"It's never too late."
"You understand all of the suffering your actions have caused?" Professor Wong asked.
Mewtwo stared blankly at Wong before nodding. I thought it necessary...but I was only...ergh...fooling myself.
"Power can do that to people" Julia explained. "It reveals what our true intentions are. It makes us realize that no one can stop us, thereby corrupting us along the way. I'm sure you might have once thought that humans and Pokemon could coexist. But the more you surrounded yourself with people who selfishly fed your worst impulses, the more dark your desires became."
Mewtwo eyed his own body for the first time since being horrifically wounded in the titanic struggle with Addison. He looked at it as if he were only now realizing just what he was, studying each part of his body. What...what will happen to me?
"I'm sorry?"
All Pokemon and man enter the Realm of Arceus upon their deaths, correct?
"Ye-yes."
It is there that they shall receive his excellency's judgment. Those who were good and pure can remain in the realm or enter his service. Those who were cruel and vindictive are banished to the Dark Realm, where Giratina waits to punish wayward souls for all eternity. And those souls who have still more to do in the eyes of Arceus came to Mirage Island. It is why Avery Frost and Ryan were brought here. He looked at his hands and frowned. But what can one without a soul expect? One who was not created organically, but in a lab? One who has truly no idea what will become of him when he meets his fate?
Addison thought for a moment. "Well, I like to think that all beings have souls. Even those made in labs, like you."
Mewtwo chuckled at this. Perhaps...if I had seen this side of humanity long ago...we might never have come to blows, Miss Tenton.
A beacon of light shined down from the skies above. The rays surrounded Mewtwo, who did not seem to understand what was going on. Addison couldn't figure it out much herself, but noticed a series of small, spherical balls of light floating their way down towards the exhausted and dying genetic clone. The first spoke in the voice of a man Addison had only heard in her vision.
"Well of course you have a soul" it said. "You bonded with me long ago, right?"
Professor Wong was in awe. "Fa-father?!"
The ball did not acknowledge Helen immediately, instead focusing on the Pokemon before him. "You will be brought before The Great One to receive his judgment as all other living beings are. You understand that the judgment may not be favorable, my friend?"
Mewtwo took a long look at Addison and her group of friends before nodding. Such is the nature of life, Tyrus.
Two more balls began to float around Mewtwo, as if sizing him up for the judgment that would come from Arceus. "Well, I don't see any reason for you to linger here any longer, my old corporeal friend. It is good to see that you have broken through the fog of your past to see that the world is more than just cruel."
The other ball seemed to agree. "You were always capable, Mewtwo. You just...needed a bit more time than others did."
Michael blinked. "Grandpa?"
So? I need not be afraid?
"To be afraid" Tyrus's voice echoed, "is to truly be soulful."
Mewtwo nodded. Very well. I await his judgment.
The three lead spheres floated past Mewtwo and addressed the group in front of them. The one with the voice of Balthazar Aced was the first to speak. "Thank you. All of you. A nightmare nearly engulfed our world and cast it into a ceaseless abyss. But you all found a way to navigate through the darkness and into the light. And for that, I shall be eternally grateful. See to it that my Granddaughter knows her sacrifice was not in vain." With that, his sphere went back towards Mewtwo to carry him to the heavens. Addison noticed the rest of their group slowly making their way over to the area.
"Helen" the sphere with Wong's father's voice spoke to her. "Do not be afraid to carry on our legacy. Our work in the sciences had many breakthroughs. Mewtwo was not a failure of cloning, but a new breakthrough. Perhaps, if you gave your work the same love and affection you give my grandson, it could help you to see more clearly."
Wong was dumbfounded by this challenge of her faith, but she nevertheless shook herself out of it and nodded. "I won't let you down, father."
"You never have" Tyrus responded kindly before following Balthazar's sphere.
The third sphere lingered for a moment, as if mustering the courage to say his words. "I am so, so sorry Michael." Addison's eyes looked up to the King, who was shaking violently. "I'm sorry for the burdens we laid at your feet. And I'm especially sorry for all the pain and suffering you endured. For all of it. Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive an old, foolish man?"
Michael fell onto his knees, sobbing. "I never held it against you, Grandpa."
"You children were the light of my life" James assured him. "How I wish I could tell each and every one of you, but I assume you three will have to do for now."
"Grandpa?" Chris inquired.
"You boys have become two of the most astounding young men I could have ever hoped you'd be" their grandfather admonished. "Your Grandmother and I are so proud of you. So too...is your mother."
"Can I ask-"
"I believe Cameron is enjoying some...quality mother-daughter time" he joked. "She will be well cared for here. As you both cared for her on earth."
Limping badly, his arm still uselessly flailing about on his side thanks to the nerve damage he'd sustained, Matthew took his opportunity to speak to a man whom he had never known. "You said, the three of us, right Grandpa?"
"Of course I did. Just because I never got to hold you, Matthew, doesn't mean I wasn't watching you. You and your siblings, shall always have my love and gratitude. One day, this world will be in your generation's hands. And seeing all of the young, capable people before me, I am sure that future will be in good hands." The sphere then rose a few inches to speak directly to one last member of the group. "Lastly, I ask you Julia."
"Anything, Sir" Julia beamed.
"I cannot help but feel shame for what Michael endured" James explained, almost tearfully. "Despite my objections, I knew Rosie's prophecy had to come to pass. But to my everlasting dishonor, I fear I shall never see that boyish smile or hear that cheerful voice from him ever again. Please, Julia. Take care of him for us. For all of us. For myself, for Bonnie, for Jane, for his father."
Julia helped her husband back to his feet and grasped his hand tenderly. "You can count on me, Sir."
James's sphere went back towards the others, beginning to encircle the exhausted and broken body of Mewtwo. The celestial lights began to move faster and faster, until the spirit of this Pokemon flew out of the broken body, which finally began to collapse in on itself. Mewtwo looks down at the now disheveled piled of goop his body was in and nodded happily to the spherical spirits of those who had always looked after him.
This is your world now, Miss Tenton. There is no being that will surpass your power. Farewell!
As her friends gathered around her, Addison could only watch as Mewtwo departed from the Realm of Dreams with three of the only friends he had truly ever known escorting him there. The light became almost too blinding for her, prompting her to shield her eyes, but in a flash, they were gone. When she opened her eyes once more, she glanced around at the ruined Temple of Dreams. Her friends surrounded her, awaiting what the next step in their journey would be.
"So...that's it, then?" Mark asked.
"Mewtwo's gone, his minions are gone too" Lizzie pointed out.
"Then it would seem our work here is done" Professor Wong responded, almost sadly.
"We've got a lot of work to do in Arcana to fix things" Michael warned. "But knowing that this end has been tied up so pleasantly, I think we take a bit of time to be at ease for once, right?"
Matthew's mood only dampened upon seeing that, despite Mewtwo being gone, Jocelyn remained frozen as a statue. Addison noticed he tried to lift the arm with nerve damage, but switched to his other hand, clenching his fist angrily. "Even now, the world keeps crapping on me! Why is she still like that?!" He tried to make it past the group to go after the pile of goop that had been Mewtwo. Addison grabbed his arm.
"It's not worth it, Matt" she said soothingly. "He won't be able to fix this. We'll have to find a way, ourselves."
"How do we even know there is a way?"
She eyed him sincerely. "All this time since you've been back, you've been fighting so hard to get us all to trust you again. And we do. Now, it's your turn to trust me, Matt. We will find a way to get her back. And Danny. And my father." She looked to the others. "But we can't do much more here. I think it's time we all headed home." She reached her hand for where she had placed the Spirit Key. But as she had been Bonded to Galatea, she realized that she still had it when she came up empty. "Galatea, give me the Spirit Key."
Her Gardevoir eyed her in confusion. I thought you had it.
Addison's face paled. "What do you mean? We had it when we Bonded! How do-"
"Hold on" Piper exclaimed. "Mine's gone, too!"
"So is mine!" Chris revealed.
After a quick check of his own pockets, Michael came up empty as well. "Well, this is certainly a predicament."
"Of the highest degree" Lucas panicked. "How can we get home now?"
"We may have dropped them somewhere on the island?" Addison theorized.
"But how could all four of you drop them and not notice?" Giselle pointed out. "Something is going on around here."
"Do you mean to say we're stuck here?" Dawn gasped.
"Not quite" a voice called to the group. From where Mewtwo and the other spheres had vanished, two more floated down to address them personally. The orbs floated around the group before appearing in front of them. "There is a way for you to get home, but the ways you've known how to get here before have been blocked, and we suspect for good this time."
"Avery?" Lucas cried out.
"The Spirit Keys were created by Mewtwo and the Syndicate as a means of luring you all here for The Pokemon World Tournament" the orb explained in Avery's voice. "With Mewtwo gone, traversing the Realm of Dreams is only going to be possible again through sleep or death. Which means, Mirage Island will become Mystic Island again. Things will return to how they were before those villains found this place. Darkrai and Cresselia will go back to shepherding Pokemon and people here. And finally, you all will be able to never have to worry about the Realm of Dreams again."
"What is this way for us to get home?" Chris inquired.
"The Mythical Pokemon will help you" the second orb spoke in a voice that made everyone gasp.
"Ryan?!" they all cried at once.
"The Mythical Pokemon serve as guardians of the elements" Avery continued, "but they also serve as beacons that can show the way between our realm, your realm and the Realms of Arceus and Giratina. They will be more than capable of bringing you home."
Michael unhooked the Poke Ball containing Celebi and called his old friend out. Mark did the same with Mew, Lizzie following soon after with Jirachi and Chris with Manaphy. Matthew struggled in vain to get to the Ball containing Shaymin, but got some help from Annette, who helped unhook it and called out their old friend. The five Mythical Pokemon all bounced around the area and yipped and barked as playfully as ever.
"Wait" Julia sighed. "We can't. Victini isn't here."
"Where's Victini?" Avery's sphere asked.
"Cameron is gone" Michael sadly told them. "She had Victini on her when she died."
"Oh, is that all? Then there's nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about?!" Chris hissed.
Avery's sphere bounced up and down nervously. "NO NO NO NO! Not like that! That's not what I meant. I mean that Victini can come here of his own volition to help. All the others need to do is call out to him."
As if understanding Avery's words, the Mythical Pokemon gathered around in an attempt to form a circle with enough power to call Victini to their location. But only four did so. Shaymin was sniffing around at the area, as if looking for something. He stopped when his nose pointed towards the sphere that had spoken in Ryan's voice.
"Hey, Shaymin" Ryan's voice called out. Shaymin recoiled at the sight of the sphere, but Ryan's voice seemed to calm him. "I know this isn't how you remember me, but it's still me. I wish I could show you."
Avery's sphere flew over to Ryan's and merged with his sphere. Everyone shielded their eyes for a few seconds before everyone's jaws dropped. Ryan stood before them, no longer Bonded to his own Pokemon and looking every bit the young man they remembered him being. Shaymin barked in excitement and knocked his former protector over, licking his face and nuzzling him for all of the love and affection he could. Ryan laughed and pet his old friend.
"Oh, I missed you too, buddy."
Shaymin, having been reunited with his trainer, leaped up into the air and joined the other Mythical Pokemon in a circle. As they floated and chanted in the languages only Pokemon could communicate with, the others looked on in awe as the sheer power they were channeling was colossal.
Lizzie, while studying the dance the Pokemon were performing, let out a few words of inner reflection. "You know, any one of us could become a Mewtwo."
"Huh?" Michael asked.
"Think about it. Born out of a desire to have replicate DNA, raised dreaming of wanting more out of life and allowing fear and trust to cloud his judgment and dominate his life? If anything, Mewtwo was just as much human as the rest of us. He just chose the wrong paths in life, which is why it ended here." She eyed her friend curiously. "Imagine if you had chosen a darker path? What if you never went to look for a cure for the Crimson Fury, Michael? None of us would be here, that's for sure."
The King nodded. "I would have probably lost my way more than I already did."
"All of us are here right now" she continued, "specifically because of choices we made in life. Giselle could have chosen never to reform herself. Julia could have never gone out looking for Michael. Matthew could still be out there hunting down absolute power. The point is, we all made decisions that brought this to the surface. Even Addy and Ryan."
Addison looked to Ryan, who was so focused on the Pokemon above them that he hardly noticed her. She slowly made her way to his side and stood in silence with him as the Mythical Pokemon called forth to Victini. She had so many things she wanted to say, to do, to admit, to think of doing. But right now, even at this late stage, just standing in silence with him was immeasurably better than not having him at all.
"What happens after all of this?" she asked him nervously.
Ryan's face darkened. "I don't know. Avery thinks that Mirage Island is going to collapse out of existence and be reborn as Mystic Island. A place without Mewtwo's influence."
Addison gulped. "Then what will happen to-"
"You guys will make it out of here fine" he promised her. "You've got a whole life ahead of you Addy."
"I'd rather be here with you" she sniffled.
Ryan finally turned to face her and gave her his best smile. "I'd like that, too. But you've got people in Arcana who need you. And after what I've done..."
"Oh stop it!" Addison snapped. "Mewtwo did that to you."
"I accepted it" he answered solemnly. "I did feel those things, Addy. I let my heart cloud itself with anger and hate. I thought you did love Matt. I really did."
"Well that was stupid of you" Matthew interjected, slowly making his way over to their conversation.
"Why's that?"
"Of course I'll always love Addy" his brother told him. "But the same way Mike and Julia love us. We're family. We fight, we're dysfunctional and we can get on each other's nerves from time to time. But she's my best friend, Ry. Someone I can always lean on. Kinda like what Holly was to you during the war."
Ryan looked down at his brother's arm. "I'm sorry."
"Unless you were the one to do it, don't be" Matthew joked, wincing in pain. "I barely feel anything. I mean, I can't even move that's how little pain there is in my arm."
"I hope there's a way to fix your arm, Matty" Addy nervously pointed out.
"Me too. But then again, Tommy having one eye and me only having one arm could make for an interesting adventure in of itself."
For the first time in what had to have been three or four years, the trio laughed together. Addison almost felt herself weeping as she recalled the endless nights and days they would have playing together as kids. Before it all got so complicated. Before destiny came calling. Before emotions were riled up. But she would never turn away from the path they had walked. Because, even though Ryan was doubtful of himself, they were all better people because of it. Matthew was no longer so obsessed with power, Ryan had become a leader they all looked up to and she had become a hero perhaps even greater than Ryan. And yet, they needed each other. Which was why she was finding it so hard to conceptualize a world where Ryan wouldn't be in it.
Addison looked up and sighed as the Pokemon continued to channel Victini. "And now we wait."
{}
After several moments, Ryan noticed a singular ray of light shine down on the group of Mythical Pokemon. "Hey, look!"
The group caught wind of this new development and saw in time Victini descending from the heavens, his big bright blue eyes flashing almost as wonderfully as the flames that emitted from his body. Though he appeared to be in good spirits being surrounded by the other five Mythical Pokemon, Ryan could tell that something was off. It was as if Victini knew that Cameron was gone.
Ryan frowned. With Cameron dead and Danny still fossilized, the Pokemon League now was in the hands of Chris and Giselle. Both were surely capable trainers, but they would have to completely revamp the League soon. So many trainers had fallen in battle for their home region, not to mention the death of his and Matt's father. The whole cycle would need to be redrawn and refitted. So much work for so many people and he couldn't do a thing to help. Not with him gone as well.
The six Mythical Pokemon glowed with intriguing power, before all six launched a Rainbow Bridge of their own that ripped through the heart of Mirage Island and led to a celestial gate way just to the slight left of the Temple of Dreams. Before anyone could wonder how it may work, the fossilized form of Jocelyn levitated and went through the portal to end up wherever the portal would spit them out in Arcana.
Everyone stared in awe at the light show and the bridge that resulted of it. So much so that none of them noticed the ground beginning to shake beneath their feet until several seconds later. In quick succession, everyone recalled their tired or fatigued Pokemon and tried to keep each other balanced.
"There isn't a lot of time!" Ryan warned them. "You guys have to go beyond the gate! It will lead you back to Arcana!"
"What do you mean 'you guys'?" Dawn asked. "You're not coming with us?"
Ryan shook his head. "I can't."
"But Mewtwo gave you life, didn't he?" Holly insisted, hiding her fears effectively. "You can come home with us."
"I used that life force he gave me to save Addy" Ryan reminded her.
"So this means..." Jeremy frowned.
Realizing there was no true way to hide it, he nodded. "This is goodbye. For real, this time."
"There's no way we're-" Annette began, but Ryan waved her off.
"Listen to me, everyone." He eyed each and every person who stood before him with as genuine and earnest a look as he could. "I love you all. You are all going to remain in my heart, long after this place disappears. I just hope I remain the same to you. Though this is goodbye, at the same time, it won't be." He eyed Michael and recalled words he had told him long ago. "Though goodbye may seem forever and farewell may seem like the end, our hearts will be connected, until we meet again."
Michael nodded, though Ryan could tell his elder cousin and idol was shaken by those words. The others were just flabbergasted that the end was coming for them so soon. But they didn't have a choice. Arcana still needed them.
Professor Wong was the first to say her farewell. "Ryan. You are a brave soul. Not just for facing an oblivion like this, but for all of the things you've endured. It has been an honor to know you."
Ryan smiled. "Likewise, Professor. And I'd like to thank you."
"What for?"
"When I was being turned into that monster that served Mewtwo, one of the few things I grasped onto and held onto of my humanity was seeing how deeply you cared for your family. I hoped that it would be through that, there might be a chance for me to not be completely warped by his evil. And thanks to Addy, we saw that it was correct. So, thank you."
Wong nodded and seemed eager to say more, but walked up the rainbow bridge and disappeared out of sight.
"Does the Champion have any final orders?" Giselle asked as she came up to him, half-jokingly and half-intentionally.
Ryan shrugged. "I'm not the Champion, anymore."
"You only get to say that for a few more minutes" she winked. "Last chance?"
He bit his lip as he decided to answer. "You always did a great job, Giselle. Whatever life has in store for you after this, be it here in Arcana or back home, I wish you nothing but the best."
Giselle was taken aback by this answer, but nodded, showing him a sad smile. "As you wish." She then followed Professor Wong through the portal.
Mark and Lizzie made their way to him next. Two of what Ryan had once thought to be an invincible Elite Four underneath Michael now looked to him like any other friends he had always known. "It's a shame we never got to see the Champion Ryan in action" Mark chuckled.
"I would have loved to see it" Lizzie admitted. "Shadows of Michael, no doubt."
Ryan took a hand from each of them and shook it, before bringing them into an embrace. "If it weren't for you guys, I'd be half the trainer I became. So thank you for showing me the ropes. And for sticking around this time."
"Well, Arcana may as well be a second home to us" Lizzie told him gently. "We have our reasons not to leave, at least for now."
"As long as my friends need me" Mark assured him, "I won't leave."
The trio gave each other a thumbs up in approval before both had vanished beyond the lights. Ryan looked to the others and wondered who was going to say their farewell next. He was expecting Holly, as she looked like she was leaking an entire dam's worth of tears from her eyes realizing this was in fact the end. But he was unable to console her immediately as he was nearly bowled over by Dawn, who rushed at him and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Dawn?!"
"This isn't fair!" she cried, sounding almost incensed. "We never got our rematch!"
"Come on, Dawn" Ryan replied, patting her back. "There are hundreds of trainers out there for you to face off with."
"But none of them are you" she cried, muffling her words into Ryan's shirt.
"Well, since you beat me the first time, how about we say I won this one?"
"How'd you do it?"
Ryan grinned. "Well, it started out well for you. Your Staraptor beat Achilles fair and square, but then it got slammed down by my Walrein's Ice attacks. You sent out your Luxray, which managed to edge out my Walrein, but my Kingdra took you out with an Outrage. Then your Garchomp and Kingdra clashed for several rounds, but Garchomp lost out thanks to Cora's speed."
Dawn stepped away sadly. "But who will win the next match? The deciding one? You can't leave it on such an ending."
Ryan took her hand. "The important thing is you get to have future battles against so many trainers. And considering how strong I know you are, you'll definitely be a Champion like me one day." He gestured for Lucas to come over and the trio embraced. "You two were there for me in some of my darkest moments. You kept my head straight as long as possible on Mirage Island. And somehow, you guys always found a way to make me smile despite all of the darkness surrounding me. Thank you guys. For everything."
Lucas nodded. "Of course, Ryan. Friends til the bitter end."
"Til the bitter end?" Dawn replied, nervously.
Ryan affirmed. "Til the bitter end." Dawn made to leave, but Ryan held back Lucas for a minute. "She's a keeper, Lucas. I know you two will be great together."
Lucas's face flushed with color, but he quickly smiled and followed Dawn up the Rainbow Bridge and out of sight.
Once the two Sinnoh Trainers were gone, Ryan welcomed Annette as the next one coming up to him. He held out his arms for her. "Ride buddies?"
"Ride buddies" she repeated, before flinging herself at him and hugging him.
"Can you do me a favor, Annette?"
"Sure, Ryan! Anything!"
"Can you keep an eye on my brother for me?"
Annette blushed brightly. "What? Matt?!"
Ryan gave her a wry smile. "I get the feeling he might want to be your friend. Maybe more. And he needs someone to look out for him."
The redheaded maiden looked from Ryan to Matthew, her face almost as red as her hair. But she shook herself out of it and nodded. "I promise I will. I mean, I'll look after him. I don't know about being my boyfriend or-ugh! I just mean that he's really sweet and-NO! UGH! You know what I mean. Bye, Ryan! I'll miss you!" She pecked him on the cheek before rushing off after the others to avoid letting anyone else see the color on her face.
"Dawn's crying about never getting a rematch with you" Jeremy mentioned as he made it up to Ryan's side. "I just wish you and I got a match at all."
Ryan chuckled sadly. "You guys and your battling."
"I just...wanted to prove to you I am a good trainer."
"I wouldn't have brought you onto our team for the World Tournament if I didn't think you were good enough, Jeremy." He patted his friend's arm. "Besides, if I didn't trust you, do I think I'd have approved of you going after one of my best friends romantically?" He gestured towards Holly, who was trying her best to smile despite her deep sorrow for the coming goodbye.
"And I'm grateful for that, Ryan. And your friendship."
"I took one from Dawn, so let's say that you beat me this time. Do you need the match details?
Jeremy smiled sadly. "No. I'll try to imagine it."
The two shook hands, before Ryan brought him into a hug. "You belong with us, Jeremy. Don't ever think otherwise." Jeremy, touched by his words, kept himself composed to the best of his ability before running along after Annette, but pausing to wait for his girlfriend to catch up.
Holly looked dreadful. She was crying, as many of the others that remained were, but almost an ugly kind of crying. Her face was puffed out and red and only a quick blow into a handkerchief removed any residue tears and mucus that might have come from it. Realizing just how much she needed him, he threw aside a cheeky joke he might have told her and took her into his arms. She hugged him tightly, shaking in his arms and dousing his shirt in tears. Realizing he himself was also feeling sad at this parting in particular, he hugged her as equally tight.
"You were the only person who always understood me" Ryan whispered to her. "The only one who always stuck by me. I cannot tell you how much your friendship has meant to me, Holly. And not just the last few months. All of my life. Thank you. You really are my best friend."
She nodded into his chest. "And you're mine. Which is why it's so hard to say goodbye right now."
"You and Addy saved me from my darkest moments. But if you hadn't saved me first, I don't think she would have been able to at all." He bent down and kissed her head. "I love you, Holly. Never forget that."
She finally let go of his body, but held his hands for a long moment. "And I will always love you, Ryan." She stepped up on the tips of her toes before kissing him on the cheek and running to the warm embrace of Jeremy. Ryan could only tearfully watch as the two slowly walked out of his life for what he could only imagine was forever. When they were gone, he took a deep breath and turned to say the last six farewells. And despite how much he cared for Holly, these six would undoubtedly be the hardest.
Piper made her way up to him next, herself shaken by the previous few farewells. "Whenever I look at you, I keep seeing that little boy who had no idea where his own Aunt's chateau was, yet was proud enough to be my escort there." She put her hand to his cheek. "I think it's because...well...people change when they grow up. But you never did. You always held onto that boyish optimism and that childhood kindness. Your heart always welcomed and trusted and I always admired that about you. You got to live the life we always wish Michael could." She squeezed her eyes shut. "And yet, you still had to suffer. You went through absolute hell, and yet you still keep that smile on your face."
"It's been hard to, Your Majesty" Ryan admitted. "Honestly, I just try to think of you guys."
Piper beamed. "You were never out of our thoughts, Ryan."
Ryan looked behind her at his cousin. "And you were never out of his."
She took the boy into a much more gentle embrace than he had with Holly, before kissing him on the cheek and stepping aside to let Chris say his farewells.
"I'm sorry, kid" Chris admitted. "But after everything we've endured, I don't think I have any tears left."
Ryan took a deep breath. "The League is yours now, Chris. With Cam gone, I cannot imagine someone else I'd trust it with more than you."
Even though Ryan took this as a formality, Chris seemed to be stunned by the news. "What? But-"
"I know I kinda neglected it and all" he sadly informed his cousin. "But I know you won't. Rebuild it. Make it better than it ever was. And then, host the biggest and baddest tournament ever. And when you come out on top then, Chris, you'll know what you should always have known. You and Cameron were always on equal footing to me. And I love the both of you the same." Ryan leaped at Chris and hugged him, Chris finally finding some leftover tears to shed on his cousin's behalf before lowering him to the ground and tussling his hair. He then took his wife's arm and led her onto the Rainbow Bridge and out of the Realm of Dreams.
Julia, herself already a mess, stepped forward next and stood in front of the boy she had mentored for much of his life. She seemed to be trying to come up with words, but only then would lose them as sorrow gripped her every thought. Ryan, sensing the turmoil inside, reached for and took his old mentor's hands.
"It's okay, Julia. I'm scared too."
"I don't take my children for granted, Ryan" Julia informed him. "Because of the Fury and what Michael and I went through to contain it, part of me always worried about having children. I feared it may never happen." She smiled as she realized he was truly consoling her. "And before Arya, the only reason I thought I'd be okay with it, was because we think of you as our son. You three, as our children. And you kept the sun shining, even in my darkest moments. And for that, I can't even begin to imagine a way I could repay you."
"Keep being a Mom to those kids of yours" he offered. "And to Addy and Matt if they need it. Do that, and we're even." He then hugged the woman who had indeed been a second mother to him. He found himself crying again as Julia tenderly patted his back, before she took a moment to straighten out his clothing and kissed him on the forehead. She then stepped aside.
Michael fell onto his knee in front of Ryan. His cousin was as much a wreck as Holly and Julia combined. Neither had the kinds of words they wanted to say, which prompted Ryan to finally break down and run for Michael, nearly bowling him over and hugging him as tight as his arms could. Michael reciprocated in every meaning of the word.
"I wish I could have saved you" Michael wept. "I failed you when you needed me."
"You would have died to save me" Ryan replied. "There are more people out there that need you than just me."
"But you needed me then."
Ryan sighed. "You were always there when I needed you. Including at Waypoint Island. Including when I needed a good whack in the head while serving Mewtwo." He clung to Michael as he used to whenever his older cousin would have to leave during visits when he was younger. "But you never, ever failed me. Are you kidding me with that talk? Michael, you are my hero. You always will be. Not just for everything I thought you were. But for everything you truly are. I wouldn't be half the person I am now without you. I always used to want Mom and Dad to adopt you, especially after I learned what happened to you. Just so I could always remind you how much you meant to me."
Michael tried to compose himself. "You will always mean everything to me, kiddo. Julia was exactly right. We still look at you like you're our son. And we will always love you."
Ryan nodded as he sniffled his nose. "Your people are waiting, Your Majesty."
The King of Arcana rose to his feet, patted Ryan on the back one last time, before Julia led him across the bridge and back to their Kingdom, finally leaving the once indomitable trio of friends from Parlor Town.
Ryan gulped. "I don't know which of these is going to be harder."
"Really?" Matthew teased. "You think you and I are going to be-" He paused when he realized Ryan meant it. Arcana's former Champion grabbed his brother and brought him into a hug. Matthew, for all his bluster about being the stronger twin, broke down as he hugged his brother with his only functioning arm.
"Matt, no matter how many times we butted heads or argued, we were always brothers" Ryan told him gently. "I wish we had realized it back then, otherwise so much of what's happened might not have." He patted his brother's back. "Matt, Mom and Kayleigh are going to need you. Hell, everyone's going to need you. Not to try and replace me. But to be the good son. big brother and friend I know you're capable of being." As the brothers came apart, he took his brother's hand and shook it to reaffirm their brotherhood. "But most important of all, someone here is going to need you. Please, Matt. Take care of her."
Matthew eyed Addison for a moment, before turning to his brother and nodding. "You know it."
"Brothers in battle" Ryan replied sadly. "Brothers in blood. Brothers in everything!"
"Dad..." Matthew realized as both brothers came in for one last embrace.
The two finally came apart as Matthew slowly and gingerly made his way towards the bridge, but paused and waited for the White Mage.
Ryan and Addison came together, cradling the other in their arms as all of the tears flowed around them. Even as the ground began to quake and Matthew nervously hoped the two would wrap it up, the two took in this long moment to say farewell to one another. Both realizing this might be the last time they ever see each other. Realizing they may have some unfinished business or feelings. Realizing that each kiss might be their last.
Ryan put his head on top of hers as he held her. "You were right. You were always right."
"About what?"
"About everything. But most importantly, about me."
"I tend to be right about a lot of things" she cheekily replied.
"And you kept your promise to me" Ryan assured her, grasping her hands. "You went into the deepest darkness and saved me. If only we had more time..."
"We will" Addison affirmed.
"I think Mirage Island may-"
"NO!" Addison snapped, almost causing Ryan to jump. She held onto his hands and looked him deeply in the eyes. "I don't care if it takes me a day, three days, a month, or a thousand years! I am going to find you and I am going to bring you home after this! Do you hear me, Ryan? I am coming back for you." She held up her hand to Ryan, showing off the promise ring he had given her. "Because until this promise becomes what it's intended to be, you still owe me, Ryan James Kingston!"
Ryan, realizing he would never be able to convince her of the mathematical improbability of them seeing each other again until they reunited in the Realm of Arceus, just smiled down on Addison. "I know you will."
Addison cupped his cheeks in her hands. "I love you. With all of my heart!"
"And I love you with mine" he proclaimed. He pulled Addison into what may very well be the final kiss of their lives. He held her there, for what felt like an eternity, not ever wanting to let her go, but knowing she had far more life to live. When the two came apart, he cupped her cheek with his own hand before she walked away to help Matthew get back home. As the two were about to walk through the portal, Addison turned backwards, took her hands and formed the shape of a heart with them. Ryan did the same, prompting her to smile warmly before they vanished. With Addison and Matthew gone, the portal began to fade away.
The quaking only became worse, but Ryan simply embraced it. If this was indeed the end, he was happy to have closure with so many people.
"You do realize they'll be fine, right?" Avery's voice inquired aloud.
"I know" he confirmed. "They made it back home. Now, we just have ourselves to worry about."
"What do you think is going to happen? Because I have no idea."
"Neither do I. Will we be brought back here when it becomes Mystic Island? Or will we disappear alongside Mirage Island? I guess there's only one way to find out." Ryan held his hand close to his heart. "You still in there?"
"Yup" she promised him. "We're in this together."
"Good." Ryan then felt something nuzzle up against his leg. He looked down and saw Sparks the Jolteon, having descended from the Realm of Arceus to be with him. He was soon joined by Tusker the Walrein, Terra the Sandslash and Simba the Pyroar. All of his Pokemon came up beside him and nuzzled him, barked happily or simply stood beside him. Lastly, came Achilles the Gallade, whom he had been forcibly bonded with by Mewtwo, but remained a steadfast friend with.
We're not leaving you, my friend.
"Then we all find out together, I guess." Ryan took his Pokemon into his arms and braced for the end as the shaking became like that of an explosive volcanic eruption. Everything went white around them, with Ryan's final thoughts on Addy and Matthew, hoping they were taken care of for as long as needed.
"Addy...Matt...take care..."