A/N: Augh. Stupid, stupid me! I'm sorry for the terribly long update time... And I'm sorry if the ending doesn't seem quite complete. It just finished itself; there was really nothing else for me to write! Ugh... Well, this chapter's sad. Very sad. And I believe even the ending isn't quite happy, either. I'll do responses up here, as I hate to ruin endings by my babbling.

Orangen- Thanks. I'm really bad at that sort of stuff... Uhm.. Yeah. I liked writing Torchic, too. Torchic's fun to mess with, because it's darn cute! EEEEEEE, Torchic! I'm sorry if it was confusing. I really cannot go over my own work very well, and miss mistakes and problems with plots and scenes that I understand because I'm writing them, but nobody else does. Anyways, thank you! For lots of stuff! Thank you sooooo much for reviewing and supporting me throughout my story! It's really kept me going!

Parrot-san- It's okay: I got a late chapter posted (looking at calender, which I never flip the pages of, which still rests on February. GAAAHHHH, so long!). He's callling her a ditz because he believes she is one, until she gets distressed from her family's disappearance. It's because she's naturally hyper and crazy, and he's naturally sarcastic and cool. So he calls her that. Mostly just because he feels like it. Deo got possessed. Emma's... Er... Well, it's hard to describe. Hopefully I explained it better in this chapter. She's not in control of her body, so I guess the answer's yes. But Rayquaza hasn't possessed her, it's just that he's given her tons of power. ?? Does that explain it...? Anyway, thank you so much for reviewing!

Ana- Well, here it is. I'm REALLYYYY sorry for the horridly long wait. I just couldn't get myself depressed enough to write the chapter, plus we have computer issues here at my house. Thank you for caring and reviewing!

Yes, it is the last chapter! WAAHHHH... But if you have any more questions at the end of it, I'll probably answer them in another chapter. It won't be a story chapter, just an explaining sort of thing. Is that legal on this site? Anyways, thank you so much for supporting me, everyone. I never would have written this without so much positive kindness and help! Please enjoy this chapter, and I apologize for the wait. And no, I really have no idea what "fin" means.

Emerald

8

He was angry. There was no doubt. That rage that filled him... That made him do this. He could hear the voices of those he used to care for chiding him.

"Brother, hurting people is wrong!!" That light, childish voice.

And the deeper, more commanding one. "Deoxys, my dear son..."

It hurt, too. But not nearly as much as the burning desire that was overtaking him did.

Take Rayquaza's power.

Do that, and you can rule the universe. You can be regarded as a God of Pokemon once more. You won't have to be an outcast, a pokemon from outer space that is treated more like an animal than a pokemon. Mere Caterpies laughed at him...!

This boy... This boy he held a connection with since the boy was born long ago. Other God Pokemon treated their Lakine like their children, their equals. This boy, whom he still did not know the name of, was just a tool to him. A stairway that could lead to being a God. But he was tired, and getting up the millions of steps without help could not be done. Borrowing another God's power was forbidden; but then again, so was he.

He made the decision. The boy, his Likane, his personal way of taking Rayquaza's powers... How did he feel?

Angry?

No.

Sad?

Very.

Pity. Anger from his Likane would result in beating Rayquaza's Likane more soundly, assuring his power.

For the first time in a long time, he wondered why the boy felt the way he did. He had no sense of right and wrong. He had been raised by those soulless people, the ones who worshipped Deoxys, the followers of an outcast. They wanted his power, the power he would have once he stole Rayquaza's.

Ah. The boy liked Rayquaza's Blessed. How ironic. The two mortal enemies, always hating each other, were contrasted by their Likanes, the humans connected to their souls (and in Rayquaza's case, his heart as well), who instead loved one another.

If he had been able to, he would have laughed. Instead, his emotionless face, a shadow of what it had once been, turned to where the boy lay on the ground, in his sister's arms as she shook him, attempting to wake him, fighting the urge to cry. She had always been weak.

Hopefully, Jirachi would not interfere in this battle because of that. If Jirachi got involved, there was no telling what his brother would do. He had promised to kill Deoxys if he ever was "bad", but would he-could he?- actually do it? Deoxys seriously doubted it... But still.

"Brother, you killed all those people and pokemon. Why?"

"They liked Rayquaza."

Jirachi's lower lip trembled. "That's not a good reason."

"They hate me, Jirachi. You're lucky. Nobody hates you, just because you're cute. Because you've got big eyes and a welcoming exterior. Because I don't look nice, they hate me. Because I can't smile, because I don't have any mouth."

"Oxy..." He murmured, his pet name for his older brother. "They'd like you if they saw who you were. Killing them is not going to help them see the real you."

"Maybe the murderer is really me."

"If that's so, brother, then I'll have to stop you."

"By doing what, kiddo?" He was giving Jirachi an affectionate glance, though anybody normal could never tell.

"I'll kill you," he said cutely. "Because that's what I'm supposed to do."

"You've never killed anyone, Chi."

He frowned. "I know. But I'll have to do so with you. It's a promise, if you be bad."

"You mean that."

"Yep!"

"Then likewise to you, little brother. Likewise to you."

But in that annoying prophecy, the one repeated by all the pokemon, all the time, chanted at him like words from the human's Bible, he did die.

Killed by his brother's hand. Or, to be more exact, "his" sister's hand. To protect Rayquaza, to protect the world. For all good, in the prophecy, Deoxys died.

Last time, when they had tried to kill him, they had made the simple mistake of letting his Likane live.

Funny. A Likane holds a certain amount of a God Pokemon's soul. Eventually, if left to live and prosper, that soul will regrow into the old one. His soul was almost there... But not quite. Several hundred more years, and it would all be there, back again, dark as ever. If he got Rayquaza's power, it would come back much faster.

This time, he was sure, Jirachi would not be so foolish as to let his brother grow back again. He'd kill him properly, if he did it at all. He'd kill both Deoxys and Deo.

He smirked. Jirachi would never do such a thing. Jirachi was a weakling, just like his Likane. She loved her brother, Deoxys' Likane, and to kill him would kill a part of her.

Not to mention that girl, that Emma child, the Blessed child of Rayquaza. Not a Likane, but a human picked out of all the rest to receive Rayquaza's soul and heart together. She was a lucky little brat. But such power might drive a human crazy.

He couldn't let her gain more power, or get rid of him. He'd have to kill her first.

Deoxys' thoughts stopped whirling as he fully descended into his Likane's body.

Deo's eyes opened slowly, and for a second, Jira felt hope. He didn't look crazy, or possessed, or anything.

But as he stared up at Jira, emotionless, eyes looking right at her soul, plotting and planning, she could tell this was not Deo at all.

He had not just taken over Deo's body. Deo was not fighting, here. Deo was practically gone. All this boy was was Deoxys.

She was filled with rage at first.

Deoxys, using her brother. HER brother, her precious family member, the only one left dear to her heart. He had no respect for Jira's love for her brother, for his well-being and his life. Deo was just an option he could use.

"Don't hate him because he can't help himself." The tiny, terrified whisper filled not her ears, but her mind. "He just wants to be what he used to be. He used to be a God, Jira. Now he's nothing, because Rayquaza hated him and exiled him to space. Rayquaza abused his power of authority, and brother payed for it. Can you imagine, Jira? Losing something that trademarked you. Losing the powers of a GOD. Losing the confidence of billions of people and pokemon, love transforming into hate. He can't even think straight anymore. He's bitter and resentful and can't help but want his power back. And his own brother is required by the other God pokemon to kill him. I understand why, and I want to do it, Jira, because I think it's best for him. He needs to stop suffering."

A presence unlike ever before filled her mind.

"Let me put him down. Let me kill him. Please. For his sake."

It delighted and terrified her. Kill Deoxys and her brother would be free at last. Her Deo, the boy who had protected her and been her hero for all the years she had been alive. It was better than making him leave the planet, because it was getting rid of him FOREVER.

Yes, her mind said. Yes, do it, do it.

Jirachi heard.

"This might hurt a little," he warned in the quiet voice of an all-knowing child.

And then Jira felt a glowing white.

In the temple of Rayquaza sat a woman with dark, plaited hair and green eyes. Her hands were clasped in front of her as she let out a desperate whisper, and it echoed through the empty chamber, reverberating until it disappeared into silence.

"I don't care what you must do, Rayquaza. But save her. Save my daughter. Put your power into her tonight, allow her to resist that of the evil Deoxys. Let his blows not harm her- let his attacks not pierce your everlasting protection. Let your heirloom, passed down through the generations, the necklace of your original child, Seliya, be her light and her guidance to you. Let your strength be hers alone, and not that of his."

The smell of ozone filled the air.

'All you ask for will be done.'

A hand rested on the woman's shoulder. Human.

"My daughter, he's already passed powers to her."

"What?"

"He sensed the coming of The Other, and therefore gave her some of his powers."

"Has he got her?!" Her green eyes flashed with a mother's worry.

"No, not yet."

"Has... Will he be killed tonight?"

"Yes. Jirachi's energy has grown; he's readying himself and his Likane to kill Deoxys." His voice was calm and soothing.

"Is Deoxys using his Likane?"

"Yes. He's completely taken over the boy's body." The older man slumped a little.

"Father, what's wrong?"

"Emma isn't going to be the same after tonight. Emma will never be the same ever again. She's hurt and devastated right now... The death of the boy she likes will only aggravate her more... She still thinks we're dead, and even after Deoxys is gone, we won't be able to go back to her. She's going to live most of her life believing that she's alone."

"My little girl. My little girl." The woman began rocking back and forth, hand over her mouth, suppressing her labored breaths. "Emma..."

Anyone watching the small Route that night would have been in for a surprise.

A girl, with black hair and wild green eyes, the ones that matched the glow surrounding her, who had just appeared in front of the other two. A boy, a look on his face that suggested murder of the worst kind and a shadow that stretched larger than the boy did. Another girl, blonde hair flowing and blue eyes filled with tears of a God pokemon.

Deo made the first move.

A sudden black ball of energy burst from his outstretched palm. Emma made no move to dodge, simply letting it hit her. The green glow faltered for only a second before coming back, as strong as ever.

The white light around Jira expanded as Deo stumbled back from an unseen blow; Psychic. But he continued on, sure as ever.

None of them had raged into a true battle yet- they were testing the limits, getting to know what their opponent would do. They tread carefully, and the silence of the world around them seemed to match their moods.

Then, Deo disappeared.

But only for a second. Emma was knocked back ten feet. She didn't cry out, didn't scream. There was only the motion of her hand, raised high above her head.

The lake beside them gave a resounding noise: low and ancient, as if responding to unspoken words. Waves upon waves smashed against the shore, rising higher and higher, until the ground no longer provided enough resistance. A wave fifty feet high, foaming and spraying, came crashing down; and Emma floated above water that covered the treetops.

A flashing of white gave way to Jira, rising above the surf. From behind Emma, there was a soundless ripple as Deo let loose another Shadowball, bigger than Emma herself. It smashed against the green light, battling for entrance. A dark shadow- him, underwater- made its way under her, waiting. Jira sprang into action. The clouds rumbled, and there was a clap of thunder as a lightning bolt hit the water.

It went through the water like fire upon grass. The shadow, trembling, broke the water's surface, electric dancing over its body. The Shadowball disappeared as Emma flew at Deo, landing a hit on his paralyzed body with dragon claws that weren't there. He was struck back, breathing hard, the water swirling beneath them as the green light grouped together at the front of Emma's head.

Fire lit the night, a glorious red and blue color, and when it faded away, Deo had already tumbled into the churning water.

Jira dove after him, white glow disappearing into the dark surf.

'It's over. I'll do it now.'

It was cool. Silence filled his ears, and he felt peace. The dark cover that usually overshadowed his heart was gone, and as he opened his eyes, the face of his sister swam before him, blue eyes upon his own, blond hair floating about her head, her salty tears merging into the water around them.

She wrapped him in a fierce hug, and suddenly he could hear a voice. Childish, yet with more sadness than any human could bear.

'It's time to let him go, Jira.'

She clutched at him tighter. '...What?' A silent whisper.

'I have to kill him.'

She froze, and behind her swaying mass of hair, he could see Emma's body descending into the deep as well.

'You didn't say-!'

'I have to do it to get rid of Deoxys.'

'He's my brother!'

'As he is mine.' Water pounded in his ears. 'Rayquaza is watching. I must. Now.'

'I won't let you, I won't let you, you can't do-'

Jira slumped against him, head pressing into his neck, burying deeper and deeper.

Deo looked up. Green eyes pierced him. She didn't recognize him, somehow. They were Rayquaza's eyes, not Emma's. Her head cocked, almost curiously, and then she gave a soft smile.

The water began to lower, and he heard the voice again.

'The wish fulfilled, the challenge done. Happy voices, smiles for everyone. Bless the world with wishes, let them all come true. I will grant wishes, whatever I must do.' In the underwater world, it seemed to echo to the ends of the earth. 'Rayquaza, your wish of full death upon Deoxys will be done.'

The head of his sister, pressed against his neck, gave a sharp jerk, the glow around her growing to a blinding white.

His eyelids grew heavy, chasing out the light.

And then they closed, never to open again.

Her feet touched the ground, the surf receding, as Jira stared blankly ahead of her.

'Bye, Jira. I'm allowed to go to sleep now. Rayquaza will allow me to go free from this... Wish. And my personal promise to my brother is fulfilled. You might hear from me again. But I doubt it.' His voice softened. 'Your brother. He was... Always supposed to be this way. Born to die with Deoxys.'

Silence.

'I'm sorry.'

She felt something leaving her; a part of her own self going in a different direction, then... Fading to a gentle memory.

Behind her, there was a whisper.

"Jira? Where are we?" A pause. "What's wrong with Deo? Why is he... Slumped over like that?"

She couldn't say it.

'Because I killed him, Emma. Because I killed my only brother, my only light and hope in this world. My closest friend, the dearest person to my heart.'

The light was gone from Emma, the only green about her in her eyes. She was standing in front of the two of them in a second, breathing hard, staring at Deo's body like it was some sort of mystery. An unbelievable trick.

"Is he..."

"Dead." Jira fell upon her knees, cradling his lifeless head in her arms, her eyes squeezed tight, breathing hard, wanting it to all be just a dream.

"...No. No. No, no, no." Her green eyes filled with tears. It wasn't possible... Nobody would curse her with all of this. It was her family's disappearance all over again...!

She too dropped upon her knees, reaching out one trembling hand to touch his face. It was cold, water dripping down from his limp hair, droplets running over her now numb hand.

"He's really, truly dead." Blue met green, and Jira unconsciously slipped her hand into Deo's dead one. "He was killed... No, we killed him... I-I killed him!"

"...What?"

"Emma, you and I. We did it. We killed him. You're... You've got powers just like I do! And with them we killed him... Jirachi and I, you and Rayquaza, so we could kill Deoxys!!" Her shoulders gave a shake. "Jirachi had to because Rayquaza wished for it to be so... That means that YOU!!"

Emma stumbled up from her kneeling position. "I didn't do anything! I just now found myself here; last I knew I was in my bed!!"

Jira just laid her head on top of her only brother's, and the tiny area was filled with silence except for breathing... Coming from two of them. And two only. That was what was so wrong.

"Please go. Both of us killed him. I would like to be alone with him. In fact, I..." Her voice gave a tremor. "I never want to see you again. Please leave. And when I'm gone in the morning, don't search for me. I'm going home."

"But he said you didn't want to go home!"

"I didn't. But I must, now. I can't bear... I just want to go home and die mentally, like my brother did physically. Anything to get rid of this pain!"

"No, Jira, you can't! We have to stay together... That way neither of us are alone..."

"You're not alone, Emma. You've got Professor Birch, and Brendan, and your family..."

"No, Jira, that's just it!! I don't!! My family is DEAD!"

It was the first time anyone had acknowledged that out loud. The two girls stared at each other, Jira suddenly aware that they were both soaking wet.

"Let's get you home, Emma. You'll catch something."

"Will you promise to stay?"

Silence met her question, and Jira refused to look at her.

"Help me carry him."

Emma's hands clutched at her pajamas, her eyes terrified. One tear rolled down her cheek- and then there were millions more.

Jira gently lay her brother's head on the ground, placing one hand on Emma's shoulder.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying. You have to be strong too, I'm just making it worse. But... Did I really kill him?! How is that possible?! I love him! He can't be dead! He just can't be-"

"I loved him, too. In a different way from you, perhaps. But I loved him so much." A dreary smile came to her face. "He always protected me and cared for me. And now..." She glanced down. "I will do the same for him in death. I need to give him a proper burial, so his soul... No, his spirit... Can be at peace." Jira wiped one hand across her eyes, rubbing away the last traces of tears.

Both girls put their shoulders under Deo's limp arms, and together began the painful journey back to Emma's home.

When Emma woke, the sun was shining brightly. The bird pokemon were singing, mocking her. The leaves on the tree outside her bedroom window glistened brightly, wet with dew.

The world was at peace. Rayquaza was happy. The God Pokemon were probably rejoicing at the death of Deoxys.

Emma had squeezed her eyes shut tight, but could not go back to sleep. She couldn't erase the memories that flooded her mind.

The first sight of Deo's face when he was dead. Jira's pain last night, when they returned home. When she laid Deo on the couch, then sat down beside him, stroking his face and whispering to herself.

Even Emma had not wanted to interrupt her. And she had been so, so tired. She had wanted to fall asleep and never wake up... No. No, she couldn't do that.

She thumped down the stairs, her hair a frizzy black mess around her face. "Jira?"

Her heart gave a painful wrench.

The couch was empty, the only traces of anyone a wet spot where Deo had been laying.

"Jira?" Panic rose in her. Still in her pajamas, she raced over to the Birch's house.

No, they hadn't seen her. Was she alright after that strange storm near Oldale town? It had missed their town, but they could hear the lightning and feel the humid air.

The whole time, Emma felt numb.

Jira was gone, she had gone home. She wasn't coming back. Never. She had probably taken Deo with her. They had never told her where they lived, exactly. Somewhere near Verdanturf town.

Professor Birch's wife looked worriedly at Emma from inside their house's doorway, where she had been talking to Emma.

"Honey, would you like to come inside? You look troubled. I'll fix you a nice cup of tea to clear your head."

"No. I have to go to Verdanturf town."

"Right now?"

"As fast as possible."

"But the fastest way to get there has been closed off by rocks... Hmmm..."

The cave. Where she had first met Jira and Deo. Her head pounded and Emma winced. Mrs. Birch gently put her hand to Emma's forehead.

"You're very cold. Come in, warm up. I'll get you a blanket."

"No! I need to go!"

The woman chuckled. "Is this for the pokemon challenge?"

Emma looked up at her, wide-eyed. Her dreams... Of becoming the champion of Hoenn. Those had been long forgotten since she returned home.

"Brendan is always talking about that, too. But you can't just run off. Prepare. The next Gym is in Dewford. Go there." She quieted. "...Your family wouldn't want you to stay here, suffering quietly while waiting for them. They'd want you to find your dreams, make them come true. I think it's good that you want to leave."

Emma's whole world felt shattered. The dream of becoming the Champion was so... SMALL now... So insignificant, compared to finding Jira and Deo's... grave. But it was true.

Her family would want her to become the Champion. Fulfill her childhood dream, make everything okay again. Yes. Childhood. An innocent Emma had that dream, one who was not a murderer of the person she loved. Someone who did not feel connected with Rayquaza. And on that count, Emma still didn't have all the answers. But she would get them, somehow. Jira knew things, and if she found Jira...

Everything would be okay if she just stuck with her original plan from long ago. It would give her an excuse to travel with her pokemon, to search rock crevices, plains, mountains, and other places for Jira's family and connections. She'd find them. She'd find Deo, and she'd find answers.

Emma looked up at Mrs. Birch. "Yes... I think I'll go there."

Mrs. Birch smiled.

"And then I'll become the Champion!"

Emma smiled back. It was a quiet, lonely, slightly scared smile... But a smile all the same.

Her search in Verdanturf had been fruitless. Apparently, nobody named Jira or Deo had ever lived there. So she continued her pokemon journey, searching for them. Beating Gym Leaders. Getting interviewed by millions of reporters, all proclaiming her to be an amazing pokemon trainer with a clear mind and wonderful tactics. At such a young age.

In fact, she was headed to Sootopolis to beat Wallace, the Ice and Water Gym Leader. And that's where she met Latia, a mute girl with red hair and amber eyes.

Emma's adventure was never going to be over. She'd find Jira some day. She'd find Deo's grave and pay the proper respects. Her family, if they were alive, would return. She'd be the Champion. She would find out what her connection to Rayquaza could do. Someday, too, when she died like all humans did, she'd be with Deo. Forever. And they'd be together where death was something that didn't happen, where spirits lived beyond the end of time, thriving.

Emma's life had purpose. She could shape it however she wanted. She could do whatever she pleased. Everything would be all right someday, she had faith that it would.

Rayquaza sighed, and the clouds rolled, the white spreading between them as their shared their steady supply. Wind fanned the green God Pokemon.

'My precious child. For the first time in many generations, she is happy.'

Fin