Until We Meet Again: Epilogue

Hilbert found himself unable to enter Dragonspiral Tower.

Physically, there was nothing preventing him from doing so. The building had been more or less 'open to the public,' although it was still a place where powerful Pokemon resided. Only Trainers with the proper clearance could explore the Tower. That wasn't an issue for Hilbert, given his accomplishments. Even if the circumstances were unique, they didn't take away from the fact that he defeated the Elite Four and Team Plasma.

He couldn't make sense of what was keeping him from entering, but at the same time he could. Not only did he lose a close friend here, but he was killed in such a brutal way. The image of Jude lying in a puddle of blood would flash in his mind and prevent him from taking a step closer to the Tower. The only movement that he seemed to be allowed was to walk away...which is what he did every time.

This wasn't any different from the previous attempts. Every step from Dragonspiral Tower should be comforting to him, but he hated himself more and more with each step. All of the other Pokemon he lost had been laid to rest in some fashion...it felt like a disservice to everyone that he couldn't bring himself to do the same for the one Pokemon that made all the difference.

His mother had suggested therapy to help him with that; trauma was a bitch to deal with alone. She had brought the subject up more than once actually, but Hilbert declined every time. Not because he thought she was wrong, but because it's always hard to admit when you need help...doubly so when you've had the entire weight of a whole region's hopes and dreams on your shoulders.

Reshiram seemed willing to stay by Hilbert's side (so to speak), but still...some Hero of Truth he turned out to be.

Hilbert's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a soft coo not far from where he was. Looking at the window, he saw a Tranquill approaching him. Which struck him as strange, since Turtle had become an Unfezant the other day. The little bag on its back and the letter in its mouth piqued the Trainer's curiosity even more, and he stopped in order to allow the bird Pokemon to land on a branch close to him.

Tranquill took a moment to examine Hilbert's face before it inclined its head towards the bag on its back, letting out a soft coo. Curious, Hilbert took the envelope. The only thing written on the envelope was his name, written in oddly familiar handwriting. No return address, no initial indication as to who it might be from.

So he opened the letter, and was shocked by what he found.

Hilbert,

Where do I even begin?

I've tried and failed several times to write this letter. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't think of the words that could properly convey how sorry I am for everything I put you and your Pokemon through. The fact that I was the king of Team Plasma and yet had no idea of their actions in my name...I have no excuse for it. With that said, it's probably better that I get to the point.

Do you remember when we first met in Accumula Town? I told you that I could hear what Samurott Michelle had said back then, but I don't think I ever told you what it was she said. She said that she liked you; she said that you were nice, and funny, and that she wanted to stay with you. She said that while it was only you and Stout Roger in the party at that time, she was certain that you would make new friends in no time. (Speaking of which; could you give Michelle my apologies that it took so long to relay that message to you? She did ask me to tell you all of that, back then.)

I never understood why humans said that they were 'shocked' when they meant they were surprised, until that moment. Because, I was shocked. I couldn't believe that there were Pokemon out there that actually liked humans. Up until then, I had only ever spoken with Pokemon that were hurt by humans in some way. As my journey continued, I became more and more uncertain. I kept meeting humans and Pokemon that worked together and communicated with each other. Meeting Carmen and talking with Dodger only amplified my doubt.

That's why I encouraged you to find and awaken Reshiram; I wanted to confirm my beliefs by arranging a confrontation between Heroes. I needed that more than anything.

That was wrong of me. I hurt you by placing that expectation on you, didn't I? Not just you, but your Pokemon as well. I'm so, so sorry for all of that.

It's strange; my whole life I could hear Pokemon's voices. I thought that because I could hear them, I could understand them better than any other human...but now I know that's not the case at all. I don't think I ever truly understood Pokemon.

I suppose it's just as well that you beat me without Reshiram's guidance. Even with Zekrom's help, there was no way I could measure up to you (especially since you had so many people and Pokemon who loved you by your side).

Speaking of Zekrom and Reshiram; I wondered how it was possible that the two dragons could choose two completely different heroes. Perhaps it's more accurate to say that I understood it right away, but I didn't want to admit it back then. Perhaps neither of us were completely correct. Perhaps they were both right in their respective choices.

Since I left, I've been thinking. For so long I just forged ahead and tried to reject anything that clashed with my belief, believing that was the formula for changing the world. That was the wrong approach. If we only clung blindly to our beliefs, the world remains in stasis. Accepting different ideas is the catalyst needed for the world to change. You and the Champion taught me that. Thank you.

The Champion may have forgiven me, and I can only hope that the same can be said for you...but I can't return to Unova. Not yet. I need time to heal, and to figure out what I should do from now on.

Hilbert, you told me that you didn't have a dream back in Chargestone Cave. At first I pitied you for that, but now I realize that you simply hadn't found it at that point. I wonder if that's changed since then?

If it has changed, and you've found a dream that's precious to you - make it come true! Make that dream a reality, and it will become your truth! I believe that if anyone can do it, it's you.

Until we meet again,
N

Hilbert hadn't realized that tears were welling in his eyes until he felt warmth trickle down his face. As he wiped the tears from his eyes, he couldn't help chuckling.

"N, you dumbass," he muttered. "This is the kinda stuff you say before you run off to Arceus knows where."

Then again...he really should have expected something like that from N, shouldn't he? He always was good at keeping Hilbert on his toes, and this wasn't an exception. Although, something within the letter did make him think. If N wanted to move on from everything that happened...

"Thanks for handing this to me, Tranquill. Here," he said, looking into his bag. After some rummaging, he pulled out a small pastry to offer the Flying-type. Tranquill's eyes seemed to sparkle as it practically devoured the treat. When it was all gone, the Flying-type chirped happily before taking off.

As he watched the bird Pokemon take off, Hilbert pushed a few buttons on his XTranseiver. He let it ring a few times before he heard his mother's voice on the other line; "Hilbert? What's goin' on?"

"Hey, Mum," Hilbert responded. He took one shaky breath, then another. "Uh...listen. About your therapist idea..."

Hilbert wasn't completely certain if this would help him completely heal from everything that had happened...but if it meant being able to finally put Jude to rest, he wanted to try.

Author's Note: So that's the end of the fic! To everyone who took the time to read this fic (be it on here or on Ao3): thank you so, so much!