"Well, class, this is it. This will be the last time I speak to you like this in our classroom… Yes, today is the Ranger School's graduation day. I imagine you all have lots to talk about before the ceremony, so this is free time. Feel free to visit other rooms and say your good-byes. But remember, when you hear the bell, be sure to gather in the main hall."

"We will!"

Keith and Lianna immediately turned in their chairs so that they faced each other. Lianna had a smile on her face, while Keith was frowning.

"Lianna, don't hate me for what I'm about to say. But, I've been assigned to Fiore, and you're going to Vientown. We're gonna be so far away from each other, and I don't think our relationship should go any farther until we see each other again.

Lianna's face dropped and Keith winced at her expression. He hated it when Lianna was sad.

"You're…going to Fiore?"

Keith sighed and nodded. He kept his eyes away from Lianna's face, to keep from seeing her depressed expression. He felt Lianna's arms around his neck and immediately wrapped her in a hug. He felt awful when he felt his shoulder become wet with Lianna's tears.

"I'm gonna miss you, Keith."

"I'll miss you, too, Lianna. But, I promise that when we see each other again-"

"What if we don't?"

Keith kissed her cheek.

"Lianna, I promise you that we will see each other again. Okay?"

She moved so she could see his face and nodded. He smiled at her and she managed to return one. Footsteps were approaching and Keith moved away from Lianna. She stood and turned, seeing Rhythmi behind her.

"Hey, Rhyth."

"Lianna, I have something to tell you… For the next while, I'm going to be stationed in Fiore, too. That's where I'll be in training as an Operator."

Lianna's expression fell once more. Rhythmi immediately hugged her. Lianna returned it.

"I'm gonna miss you, Rhyth."

"Me, too, Lianna."

Rhythmi noticed that Lianna had stopped crying, which made her feel a bit better. Keith walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her back was pressed against his chest and he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Hey, Lianna, I'm gonna go say bye to Kasey." Rhythmi said.

Lianna nodded and Rhythmi left the room. Keith turned her around and kissed her forehead.

"Hey, I'm gonna go walk around. You wanna come with?

"Actually, I think I'm gonna head to Ascension Square. I need to think."

Keith nodded and left the room. Lianna followed soon after and went outside. She went to Ascension Square and sat by the Pledge Stone.

"I can't believe they're leaving…"

She looked around and sighed.

"I wonder if I could get to the beach and back before the bell."

She stood up and walked to Nabiki Beach. On the beach, she saw an Aggron and a Tyranitar. The two large Pokemon turned around and saw her. The Aggron started walking over. Lianna pulled out her Styler and captured it. The Tyranitar walked over next. She captured it as well. When she tried to release them, they wouldn't leave.

"Elita said this happened when she captured her Skarmory… Maybe these Pokemon got attached to me."

She looked up at them and saw them both looking at her with adoring eyes.

"They're actually kinda cute…"

Both Pokemon hugged her, squeezing all the air out of her.

"Okay, guys! Can't breathe!"

They let her go and smiled apologetically.

"Guys, I hate to say this, but I can't let you stay with me. At least, not yet. I'm only a student. I'm not allowed to have a Partner Pokemon, and Rangers can't have two Partner Pokemon with them. I'm sorry. But I promise that when I become a Ranger, I'll come find you two, and I'll make you my Partner Pokemon."

The two nodded and walked away. Lianna looked at her watch and went back to the School. She saw Keith standing at the front door. Once he saw her, he rushed over.

"Come on! The bell just rang! We gotta get to the ceremony!"

~Graduation Ceremony~

Lianna was sitting between Keith and Isaac. Keith had his arm around Lianna and was listening intently to Principal Lamont.

"Congratulations, graduates! I am truly delighted that I can be here to greet this day with all of you. Rangers, Operators, and Mechanics. Though these paths may take you in different directions, what I hope for all of you is but the same. Don't worry, I'm not going to say something impossibly difficult or challenging. 'Please don't forget to smile.' That is all I wish of you. With these words, I wish you the very best of luck."

Principal Lamont stepped back and Mr. Kincaid took his place.

"Thank you, Principal Lamont. Next, let me call upon this graduating class's valedictorian. That would be our best student, Isaac."

Lianna turned to Isaac and smiled. He blushed slightly when he felt her hand on his shoulder.

"Congratulations, Isaac!"

"Thanks, Lianna."

Isaac stepped forward, looking slightly nervous.

"Today, we leave the shelter of this place of learning and nurturing. It is a giant step for us in our pursuits of our long-held dreams. To the teachers who inspired us… To Janice, who was mother to us all… To all the Pokemon that loved us… And to all the books of the library…! We will never forget. Thank you so very, very much from all of us!"

Isaac took his seat next to Lianna and let out a relieved sigh.

"Isaac, thank you for those most moving words. Next, the conferring of the graduation certificates." Mr. Kincaid said.

Ms. April stepped forward with a giant smile on her face.

"I would like to call upon one student as the representative of the graduating class. Lianna. Step forward, please."

Lianna's eyes widened at the announcement. Keith's arm squeezed her shoulders in a hug. Lianna stood up and walked to Principal Lamont. Just as she reached him, an explosion rocked the school.

"What was that? An explosion?" Keith yelled.

"That noise came from the basement!" Rhythmi said.

"Everyone, keep calm!" Ms. April commanded.

Mr. Kincaid walked over to Principal Lamont.

"I…I'll go see what that was!"

He walked down to his lab in the basement and yelled shortly after.

"Waah! Stop! Stop that!

Two Tangrowth rushed up the stairs. Lianna squeezed between them and ran over to Keith. As the two Tangrowth moved toward the students, everyone moved back. Keith turned to Lianna with a determined look on his face.

"Lianna, let's capture these things!"

Lianna nodded and ran forward.

"Take the one on the left, Lianna! I'll get the one on the right!"

The two students captured the two Tangrowth and calmed them down, releasing them after. Rhythmi walked over to them with a smile on her face.

"You two are awesome!"

Lianna and Keith grinned at each other. All of the students went back and took their seats. Mr. Kincaid came up from the basement and went over to Principal Lamont.

"Mr. Kincaid! You're not hurt, are you?"

"I…I think… Yes, yes. I'm fine. I must admit, even I couldn't tell what on earth was happening…"

"Ah, so even Mr. Kincaid is at a loss to why those Tangrowth rampaged… That is a shame. Still, everyone seems to be safe. That certainly is a great relief. Well, shall we continue with our graduation ceremony?"

Mr. Kincaid went back to his seat, still looking slightly scared. Ms. April stepped forward with a tiny smile on her face.

"Well, um, allow me to call on the representative of the graduating class. Lianna, let's try again. Step forward, please."

Lianna walked over to Principal Lamont and he smiled at her.

"Elita was also the representative. I know she'd be proud of you." Principal Lamont whispered.

He stood straight up and looked at her and Keith.

"Lianna and Keith. Thank you for coming to the protection of everyone! It was very impressive to see you calmly go about your captures with no panic. You've provided everyone with a good example of taking charge in a crisis. Now, as representative of the graduating class, I confer you this certificate."

Principal Lamont handed her the certificate and she went back to her seat. Keith's arm took its place around her shoulders and she leaned against him. Principal Lamont began speaking once more.

"And finally… The time has come for all of you to set sail into the vast horizon that is your future. In closing, I will say this once again: 'Please don't forget to smile.' Congratulations, grads!"

All of the students cheered and stood out of their chairs. All of their families went over to them and hugged them. Lianna looked around and saw her parents and little sister. She ran over to them and hugged all three of them.

"Hi, Momma! Hi, Daddy! Hi, Reyna!"

She released all of them and smiled.

"I'm so glad you guys could make it!"

"Lianna, we moved to our new house in Chicole Village! You don't have to write any more letters to me!"

Lianna's smile grew as Reyna hugged her again.

"I've missed you, Big Sister!"

"I've missed you, too, Reyna."

Lianna heard gasps and she turned around to see what the cause was. What she saw made her gasp.

"Elita?"

Elita smiled, letting emotion show on her usually un-emotional face. Lianna rushed forward and hugged her older sister. When she released her, she stepped back with a confused expression.

"I thought you couldn't make it?"

"I wanted to surprise you! I stayed the night with Mom and Dad."

"Is Chris here?"

Lianna was talking about Silent Chris. Chris was basically Elita's second in command. He never talked, and he only told Lianna why he was so silent. The two knew everything about each other. He was her walking diary, and vice versa.

"Yeah, he's other there."

Lianna saw him and smiled, running over. She hugged him and her smile grew.

"Chris, I haven't seen you in so long! How are things?"

"Better than ever."

"Have you told Elita yet?"

Chris blushed and looked down, shaking his head.

"Why not?"

"Too shy…"

Lianna sighed.

"Chris, I told you, she feels the same way about you! Trust me! Now, go tell her!"

She pushed Chris toward Elita and smiled when she saw the two talking. She looked away from the two when someone's arms wrapped around her waist.

"Hey, Keith."

She turned around and hugged him. Someone grabbed her leg and she looked down.

"Reyna!"

Keith let go of her and looked down as well. He smiled when he saw Lianna's little sister. He kneeled down so that he was eye level with Reyna.

"Hey there. My name's Keith."

"I'm Reyna! Are you Big Sister's boyfriend?"

Lianna blushed fiercely. Keith just laughed.

"Reyna!"

"It's just a question, Big Sister."

Her parents walked over and saw Keith.

"Hi. I'm Lianna's mother, Amanda. This is my husband, Oliver."

Keith stood back and shook Lianna's father's hand.

"I'm Keith."

Keith pulled Lianna closer to him and her mother smiled.

"You two are so cute."

Lianna's face turned bright red.

"Mo-om!"

"What? It's true!"

Keith laughed and looked out the window. His face fell and he looked back at Lianna.

"The Staraptor taking me to Fiore is here. I gotta go."

Lianna nodded and hugged him.

"Can I walk out with you?"

"Of course."

The two walked outside and stopped beside the Staraptor.

"Don't worry, Lianna. I swear to you that we'll see each other again."

"I know."

He kissed her cheek and climbed on the back of the Staraptor. The flying-type flew away and Lianna sat on the ground.

"I'll miss you, Keith."