Author's Note: sighs why did I choose writing as a hobby

Also, I managed to get a sunburn, and now it's going to rain for a few weeks. And this is the last Ranger School chapter.

And thank you to pikachu0311 and SuperHoundoom for reviewing!

As Keith and I were discussing how cool it would be to surf on a Mantine's back, Ms. April quietly placed envelopes on our desks. It was the Graduation Day, and when I saw the somber look on her face, I realized that these would be telling us where we're assigned to work.

"Class, as you know, today is Graduation. Today is the day you all move forward in your lives, and become the Rangers, Operators, Mechanics and Scientists you have been striving to become!" Her somber look was quickly replaced with happiness and a tinge of excitement. "Now isn't a time to be sad, but proud of yourselves! I am so proud of you all, and I'm proud to have called you all my pupils!" I beamed at her. I was excited, yet incredibly nervous. My family had told me they planned to move out of Fiore and be in Almia by the time I graduate, and as I picked up the envelope sitting before me, I stopped to think for a moment. Wouldn't it be funny if I happened to be assigned to a Ranger Base in Fiore?

I glanced to either side of myself. Across the wider walkway, Rhythmi was pretty dissolved in her conversation. To my right, closer to me, Keith was inspecting his Ranger Base assignment paper. I figured I may as well open my own.

As I slipped the paper out of the envelope, I glanced to my right again. Keith was either using his paper as a distraction tool or kept reading it. I wondered what was bothering him.

Mine, on the other hand, was simple and kind of happy news.

"Congratulations on finishing your education to become a Pokémon Ranger! We're happy to inform you that out of the several bases that wished for your company, we've chosen for you to be placed in Vientown!

Good Luck, and may you befriend the best Pokémon!

- The Ranger Union"

"So, where'd you get assigned to?" I leaned over to the right, trying to see Keith's letter clearly.

"Ringtown, Fiore." He responded, tone somewhat monotone. "Where are you going?"

"Vientown, actually." My heart dropped. While I'd get to be close to family, I'd be losing close contact with someone I'd grown quite fond of.

"It won't be too bad… My grandparents live in Summerland, actually. And I think my cousins still live in Fall City." I smiled. "Fall City's where I used to live, in fact!" I brought a small smile to Keith's face, but he sighed. I could understand where he was coming from.

"… At least we'll be able to write, right? I might not care for reading, but I'd read it if it meant I could talk to you." I didn't really mean to, but I laughed a lot louder than I should have. Rhythmi even turned around and gave me a look, whereas Keith was startled. I knew he meant it as a sentimental thing, but it just seemed funny to me…

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" I said, wiping my eye of its nonexistent tear.

"You're fine… Just… startled me, is all." Rhythmi appeared between the both of us.

"Where are you two headed? I'm off to Fall City in Fiore."

"That's where I used to live." I said. "I mean, I'm assigned to Vientown, but … I have family there, and in Summerland."

"I'll be in Ringtown." Keith said. "Also in Fiore." Rhythmi looked at Keith, then to me. She put her hand on either one of our backs and brought us a little closer to each other. I leaned back some, moving a little to actually get out of the chair I was sitting in. Keith stayed in his, and I threw my arms around their shoulders.

"While I'll actually get to boss around Rangers like my slaves, it's not going to be the same without you." Rhythmi said, quietly. "Either of you, really. I mean, Keith won't be that far away, but…" She sighed.

"Hey now, we'll write." I said. "I'll be sure to send them as often as I can. Maybe we'll all find some off time and meet up somewhere."

"That would be nice." Keith commented. He left our circle of arms only to get out of his chair and join it again. We all moved a little closer, putting our arms around each other's shoulders, and we brought our heads together. I closed my eyes – I don't know about the others, but I found it comforting.

We stood there for awhile. No one cared to bother us.

:lll:

Eventually, we all made it out to the main hall in time for the ceremony. Isaac prepared a lovely speech – having been picked up by Altru Inc., it was no surprise. I nudged Rhythmi every time he'd give a glance in her direction. She didn't appreciate it, but the smile that decorated her face was evident that she liked it as well.

Ms. April moved to declare the name of the Class Representative. Everyone had voted on this, and I was sure the vote was cast in favor of Keith. Rhythmi had said she'd voted that way, and I had as well.

"Now, I'd like to call upon one special student as a Representative of this graduating class…" I looked to Keith, wanting to see the look on his face when he was called. "… Kate, you please step forward?" He turned to me, and I stood there, incredibly surprised.

"Look at that, Katie. You're the Representative."

As soon as he said that, a huge crash came from Kincaid's lab in the basement. Kincaid left the stage in frenzy, and before long, Tangrowth emerged from the lab. The immediate reaction was to run away, though Keith and I stopped halfway and turned to face each other.

"Wanna enter Fiore with "saving my Ranger School Graduates from rampaging Tangrowth" to your Ranger record?" I yelled.

"We won't get to if you keep talking!" I turned toward the angry Tangrowth, and stopped to take a breath. Within a flash, I entered a zone. Everything quieted down, slowed down, and I was calm and composed. This was it.

"Capture on!" I said, the capture disc looping faster and faster around the Tangrowth.

It didn't take too long to capture and release the angry thing. When we were done, the class cheered for us, and my certificate was conferred. After that, well, there was nothing. We had gone through Ranger School together, all of us as comrades, and we spent our final moments together.

The only thing left was to go to my new home, in a place called Chicole Village. I'd said my goodbyes that morning, and as I turned in my School Styler and walked out of the building, it took all that I had to not cry. I'd grown attached enough to the people and the Pokémon that I hadn't realized how little of the outside I'd actually seen since moving to Almia. It all hit me right then, as I began descending the steps-.

"Kate, wait up!" Again, Keith's voice disrupted me from my thoughts. There's another thing I would miss, his voice. He ran towards me, and the only thing I focused on was suppressing the urge to cry. Don't do it, Kate. Don't even think about it. Don't do it. Don't do it-. Nope, you've failed. There goes the dam.

"Oh, Katie, don't cry…" Keith had caught up to me by now, and pulled me in for a hug. "I haven't seen you cry at all, it's a shame to see it now…"

"I'm being emotional over something silly…" I said into his jacket.

"You're not being emotional over something silly…" I sniffled. "In fact, I'm pretty sure you and I could have been twins this morning…" Keith admitted.

"That doesn't make me feel any better…" Tears were streaming down my face, and this was really something I didn't want to happen. Here we were, on the stairs leading up to the Ranger School, and I'm sobbing. Get a grip on yourself, Kate.

He rubbed my back, and dragged me down to the bottom of the stairs. No one was there when we got there, but I sat on the ground and tried to compose myself, continually wiping my face off with my sleeves. This plan didn't quite work out, but after some deep breathing, I managed to get a hold of myself.

"Say, didn't you say your family was moving out here? To Chicole Village, I think?" I nodded, and he helped me up. "Well, then, I'll walk you home."

He kept through his promise, and we walked to Chicole Village rather slowly – mainly because I'd never seen anything outside of the Ranger School Island, and because spending my final moments with Keith would be nice before he left for Fiore. Though, once we entered the actual village, I had no idea where the house was. Keith, on the other hand, had an idea, and he walked me to the side of the house without windows.

"Katie, I'd love to stay, but…" his voice wavered only slightly. "I should probably get going, and go see my own parents…" He looked at me, and the tears I'd just gotten rid of were threatening to make their reappearance. Keith himself didn't look as sturdy and unshakeable as he once did.

I grabbed him, and pulled him a little closer, and just held onto him. I wrapped my arms around him. There was a lump in my throat, and I was afraid if I said anything, I'd burst into tears. He didn't seem to object, and we kind of just held each other for a few moments. Then, he pulled back, and I assumed he was going to walk away.

Instead, he put his face really close to mine. His voice was shaking, but he made it clear that there are some things he wished he could have mustered up the courage to say or do while we were still enjoying school life instead of choosing just as we've left Ranger School.

I'd already figured out what he was hinting at, and at the hot mess state I was in, I was surprised more than anything.

He gently stroked my cheekbone before leaning in further, gently placing his lips on mine. It was nothing spectacular, but I felt my hand search for his, and I clasped my fingers with his. Then, when he pulled back, I let them slip away from me. Watching him have to walk away was absolutely painful, and I didn't think to stop the dam that was soon to overflow.

As soon as I walked into my house and saw my family for the first time since moving to Almia, I knew we'd all do the same.