Epilogue
Rain was sitting on a wheelchair with a cast on her hand waiting for Frost to finish up packing.
The room had a sort of gloomy silence and none of the two occupants decides to address it as Frost zipped one of the bags.
Her injuries weren't permanent as Leaf had told her she shouldn't be up on her feet just yet and allow her wounds to heal, she wasn't surprised with this outcome being reduced a wheelchair for the time being but what did intrigue her was this sudden call from Frost asking her to meet with him in his room. Two days had passed since the urban district raid and the rangers were taking it easy enjoying Lumious's ambience and scenic beauty while the Champions, on the other hand, were stuck in dealing with the sudden media attention regarding the "Ranger/Police Operation" that happened "coincidently" with the meeting of Champions. She prayed for them as they were getting grilled by reporters from all over the region, thankfully for them, Goodshow and Diantha had done most of the talking.
Frost hadn't spoken a word yet and only helped settle beside the couch when she entered. She was definitely curious as to what led to this as they had spoken after the night but only in crowds, she figured it must be something related to their personal agenda and that was the only reason she tolerated his silence and not use her powers to pry a response.
"Do you want something to drink?" he asked her as he kept his bags down by the door.
"Water would be nice."
Pouring water in two glasses he kept one for himself and handed her the other, which she accepted using her only free hand.
"How are you holding up?" he asked her and considering all that had happened it was an obvious ice breaker.
Sighing the woman rested the glass on her lap.
"I am... getting better," she replied in a small voice.
"Rain... that humanoid," he spoke grimly as he sat opposite to her.
"I know it wasn't a mimicry if that was what you are getting at." she spoke rather quickly "I only lied because I couldn't let you get distracted." she justified.
He was right and this was one time he felt he shouldn't have been correct. Taking a sip of water he continued.
"I was broken when mentor and the others died more than that I was angry at myself."
"Huh?" that came out of the blue.
"I thought that forming a new team and getting back into work would help me recover but it wasn't enough and I needed some time alone, at least that is what I thought at the time."
"I was wrong." his words echoed in her head as he looked at her apologetically.
"For the first two years I tried to stay involved with the team and even ran few missions with Stone but I was so angry at myself that I couldn't just stay put knowing the person responsible was still out there."
Rain's gaze narrowed as she added
"So you left without saying anything... that was your great idea."
"I felt I had no choice, you were still not the same after all we had just buried Mist and the others." he winced as he could see her expression get sour.
"Yeah..."
"I am sorry I didn't say anything but I was sad for you too and didn't want you to remember bad memories so once things settled with the team I left."
"Is this a confession for your sins," she spoke rather calmly.
"No... Yes, yes it is."
"Then go on, it is better for you let it out." she urged as she adjusted her sling.
"I kept myself busy for the past two years." he began as he poured them some water more water.
"I targetted pokemon smugglers that targetted exotic Pokemon's exclusively when I was in Santalune I was just tying off some loose ends.
"Why Smugglers?" she asked while lifted the glass filled with the clear liquid.
"Six years ago when the mission went to absolute shit and we needed to get out of that godforsaken rock... they were only research papers that were left intact all mentioned..."
"Pseudo legendaries, guardians of nature and even legendaries." Rain completed.
"Yeah and from what we saw back then they needed a lot of them readily available."
The demand for exotics was high both white and black markets and they were sold and extremely high prices. Rain remembered reading an article about a shiny pseudo legendary being "traded" for a six-figure price.
"So all this time you were trying to find the supplier."
"Bingo I practically scoured Hoenn, Johto and Kalos for this "supplier" and still could not find him."
"Two years and no supplier, fucking hell, Frost what sort of hole did you jump into."
"I know but once I tried to get him through the smaller hunters the trail always led to a dead end there were so many links and his network was much bigger than I expected."
"No shit."
"So I changed my approach and looked for the consumer instead and that is where I found our lead."
Now he was getting into what she needed to hear and he bent forward and handed her his phone with a list of names inside.
"What's this for?" she asked as she read through the document.
"Its a list of every person in Johto, Hoenn and Kalos who got his/her hands on an exotic Pokemon- businessmen, millionaires, spoilt brats and even some top dogs from the underground network."
Her eyes widened as she observed the attention to detail listed in the document.
"You certainly did your homework, but what do these guys have anything to do with our problem," she commented as she scrolled through the list once again just for good measure.
"He smiled as he stared at her teasingly."
It was an invitation to read him and she definitely wasn't going to let that slide. Focusing her eyes onto his she concentrated and after few seconds yelled in astonishment.
"The fuck! Are you sure?"
"All of them visited that place one way or another during the past 3 years."
"You're telling me tha.." she stopped abruptly when she heard a knock on the door and Frost stood to answer it.
"Leader I couldn't find big sis have you seen her?" Leaf asked in concern.
"She's with me, here come on in." he offered as he realised the crowd behind her.
Ember, Stone and even Spark were waiting behind the cheery medic as Frost spoke bluntly.
"You guys should be resting."
"We came to check on you and also find Big sis," Ember spoke rather shyly as Frost's hand touched the bridge of his nose.
"Come on in," he said accepting his defeat as the crowd of rangers trickled in the room.
While he Ember and Spark took the couch Leaf and Stone sat on the lower bed. They were a bunch of eccentric personalities that is for sure but Frost never took that as an offence it was one of their important social quality.
"You've been skipping your medicines, Big Sis." Leaf began as she handed her few tablets and the sniper reluctantly gulped them down with the water Frost gave her before.
As the two-woman indulged themselves in a verbal argument Ember who sat next to Frost ran her hand through her red hair.
"Leader? What were the two of you talking before we walked in."
Her statement came as a low blow as Spark facepalmed and Stone gulped in uncertainty.
"Ember you were supposed to ask that later." Leaf hissed as Frost prepared an answer.
He didn't blame their curiosity but this wasn't the time for a grand reveal.
"We were talking about what our next move is going to be." he decided to leave it at that.
"Seriously? You guys are talking business and you tell us to relax." Leaf pouted as Spark added, "To be honest this is nothing new Leader hasn't changed at all in the past four years that is for sure."
"Frost there is also the matter of Ash." Stone reminded him.
"I know don't worry," he assured the Auran user.
"What's this about now?" Spark asked confused with such a serious reminder from their team's aura user.
"I am hearing this for the first time." Rain joined after stopping her argument with Leaf abruptly.
"Me too!" Leaf added seeming offended.
"Leader, what have you and Stone keeping to yourselves?" Ember said in a chilling tone as four pair of eyes bore into Frost who simply cleared his throat.
"I kinda struck a deal with the kid before the mission."
"What were the terms?" Rain asked while sipping water.
"That he'll spy on the Champions for us and in return... in return we'll help him find someone."
"I see... that is why you told me to keep an eye on them the kid was in on it the whole time."
"Kid's smarter than he looks," Spark added as Stone smirked.
"That was it seriously and here I was expecting something more serious." Leaf's excitement died as she plopped back down on the couch.
Ember who was the only one who thought something seemed off asked a follow-up question.
"Oh? Then who is 'someone' he needs our help to find I am sure the police would be glad to help him, why us."
Frost laughed nervously as Rain's eyes narrowed.
"Five seconds or I'll scoop the answer out of you." she threatened as Frost waved his hands in defence.
"He asked us to help him find a girl..." he continued calmly.
"What's the catch?" Spark questioned and Leaf's excitement had visibly returned.
"The catch? Hehe." Frost rubbed the back of his neck as Ember who was sitting next to him looked at him with a scowl and Rain sipped water intimidating him further.
He gulped as he looked at Stone for support.
"Why don't you tell them Stone after all you were the one who convinced me to take it."
All eyes fell onto the tall man who felt his spine chill at the sudden attention he got from a certain redhead.
"Ah... he needs help finding a girl... she was in a plane crash and is ever since missing."
Eyes were widened and mouths were left open as Stone nervously asked for a glass of water that Frost provided.
Leaf who recovered first asked
"How do we even know she is alive?"
"That is another wild story in itself... the kid says he can sense her." Frost decided to bail Stone out as he spoke.
"WHAT?" Ember yelled as she initially thought Frost was joking but seeing his expression she second-guessed herself.
"Boss are you serious?" Spark asked dumbfounded.
"Yes I am," he spoke without hesitation.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Leaf's laugh erupted as she wiped a fake tear from her eyes.
"Leaf it to Leader and your life will never get boring," she spoke with her cheery tone as the room's mood lightened.
Rain sighed "Wow... I don't even know what to say but I'll go with it."
"So what's our next move... Leader?" Ember asked the dark-haired ranger.
"Nothing," Frost spoke as everyone's facepalmed.
"But..." Stone began to object as Frost interrupted.
"We need to train... I am not going to sugar coat but we narrowly avoided tragedy two days ago so we'll train and get back into full working form and after we'll worry about the rest. Rain will take a month to recover and after that, we'll need another two to work on our weaknesses."
Rain smiled as she linked herself to everyone.
[There is a possibility that there is a mole in the Kalos branch so we won't discuss anything else while we are here.]
Everyone nodded as Frost continued.
"That is all for right now also everyone go check on the travel arrangement for the Champions while we won't be accompanying them to the airport we still need to make sure they reach home safe."
Ember was the only one who huffed in annoyance but agreed in the end and as they dispersed Rain looked back at Frost one more time and they conversed silently before she asked Leaf to take her to see Diantha.
Alone Frost looked out of the window of his room and stared at the bright sky the questions in his mind still unanswered he sighed as worrying about them right now would do no good and he resumed his packing.
Cynthia was tired when she reached her room in the afternoon and the reminder that she still needed to start packing made her want to collapse on the bed.
"Today's the day." she thought as she forced herself to start packing
All things considered, the past week was a great learning experience for the Champions. They were forced out of their comfort zone and it really helped open their eyes but it was over now, she sighed as she threw another pair of clothes into the suitcase. She wasn't sure whether it was the feeling of rush she'll miss or the person responsible for it.
Glaceon helped herself out of her Pokeball as she sat on the nearest chair watching her trainer struggle in zipping one of the bags. In her angry rant with the suitcase, she missed the knocking on her door. The pokemon helped herself to the door as she jumped and somehow manage to open the door.
"Cynthia one of your shopping bags got left behind in my room.." the voice began but stopped as he saw the eeveelution staring at him.
"Oh can I speak with her?" he asked politely as the jovial Pokemon nodded and allowed Frost inside.
Once Frost closed the door behind him Glaceon true to nature hopped onto his shoulder and just like back in Prism tower used her ears to point at Cynthia who still struggled to close her suitcase.
He stared at the mess of clothes lying here and there and chuckled drawing her attention onto him.
"Frost! Wh... what are you doing here." she shrieked in surprise then stared at the mess in the room she grew embarrassed.
"I am here to return a shopping that got left in my room..." he said while showing her the bag. " and also say goodbye," he added.
Cynthia's hands stopped as she turned towards the Ranger.
"Oh... I thought you'll be accompanying me to the airport."
"That was the plan but something came up..." he said as he set Glaceon on the bed and helped himself to few of the scattered clothes as he began to fold them neatly into piles.
Glaceon observed his swiftness in awe as Frost patted her on the head causing her to coo.
"You don't have to do that I can manage," Cynthia spoke with a little less spirit in her voice.
"Yes Champion I can tell you can." he joked while pointing at the room.
She huffed "And here I was sad that you were saying goodbye." she immediately covered her mouth and hoped he missed her saying that but it was already late the other party had already heard it.
She blushed but soon realised that even the usually calm Ranger had a tinge of red on his cheeks while he sorted the clothes for her convenience.
"I... I am flattered Champion," he spoke softly as even more blood rushed to Cynthia's cheeks seeing Frost like that.
The two of them continued to work in silence as neither had a response to what had just happened. Cynthia had to agree that with Frost's help her luggage was ready to be sent down to the lobby much quicker than what it would have taken if she was alone, she thanked him for his help.
"Don't mention it," he spoke and she felt it was such a Frost answer.
"No I mean it... you helped me a lot since the beginning and I really am grateful."
He smiled and thanked her with a slight bow.
"So... this is goodbye then?" she spoke awkwardly as she walked slowly towards him.
"I am afraid for the time being it is," he responded with a solemn smile.
[He is really leaving...] her mind wandered. Both of them had revealed a lot of their insecurities
to one another during a span of a few days and had a weird relationship it was a mix of respect and care of each other.
"You should take it easy for a few months now, I don't expect Goodshow will ask you guys to do anything of this level anytime soon plus even we need time to recover. Also.." he spoke while he turned around getting ready to leave.
"Also since the Rangers and Champions partners, you can expect to see us around."
[Partners.. that's right.]
She smiled at the thought as even thou this parting was sudden she felt strangely warm knowing she'll get to see him later.
Frost unlocked the door slowly.
"Hey! Frost."
He turned around only for the blonde Champion to approach him and as the distance between them shortened his heartbeat raced, she closed in on him and softly whispered a telephone number in his ear.
"It is my personal landline number stay in touch and..." she finished with a small peck on his cheek causing the ranger's heart to skip a beat.
"And that is for all your help." she finished as she turned around to hide her flushed face.
"S...s..see you around Champion. Have a safe trip." he stuttered he really was weak to such surprise attacks.
"Th...thank you, same to you stay safe." she finished as she tried to occupy her mind with some other work anything she could find to hide her true emotions.
Once she heard the door shut she took a deep breath as she stared at Glaceon
"Glaceon-Glaceon~" the Pokemon teased devilishly as Cynthia threw a small pillow at the Pokemon.
Her heart felt relieved that she actually made it through all that without him objecting and she silently prayed for his well being.
Meanwhile, Frost who immediately jotted the number he got from the Cynthia onto a small diary he carried in his coat, calmed his heart as he walked towards the elevator. Still not believing the boldness that Cynthia expressed in her goodbye he felt a strong desire to meet her again.
As the doors began to shut he stared at her room once more as he thought.
[Until Next time.]
End Credits: Medii - Be Somebody (Lyrics) feat. Heather Sommer
Author's Notes:
As the year ends so does this instalment of Champion and Ranger Alike. Writing a story was always something that I wanted to do and I thank everyone that has supported me throughout this I really really appreciate it. Throughout the last two years, many of you have shown your support through the reviews (TTT1050, dexdoru13,ghostlinger15 are a few of them :D ) and I want to thank all of you. I have learned a lot by reading your reviews and will be sure to implement them to improve the quality of the next instalment. This has been a hell of a ride and is one journey I intend to see till the end. So as always leave a review or ask questions in the PM section. Follow me as a writer to not miss updates on the next part.
Until Part Two
Wishing all of you a prosperous and a Happy 2021, best of luck and stay safe everyone.
-SURVIVOR1605