Hello to all my readers. If you are seeing this, then you must have read the rest of the story. I hope you have, at least. Skipping to the end is not really the way to go. Anyway, thank you to all those who have been with this story since the beginning, when I still didn't know if I would even finish this. Thank you to those who recently found this story for opting to give me a chance. It's been a crazy ride, but we're finally done with the story that took me a year and a half to write.

I want to thank Hyperjade and Pigeoncracker for proof-reading the earliest chapters. If it weren't for them, this story would not have been finished. Go check out their profiles. Thank you everyone for putting up with my long absences, but at long last we are done.

Kinda. I am not done with these characters. I care about them too much. I am going to write a sequel. I'm not sure when, but I will. I have other stories I am working on as well. Writing has become my passion, and has saved me from the stress that used to drive me to tears. Thank you for reading my passion project. I appreciate it more than any of you know, and Merrcy Christmas or any toher holiday you celebrate to everyone! Here is my present to you! Without further ado, I present the final chapter of The Pokémon Virus: Changed Within.

Chapter 20: Anew

The group was back at the village. They would be leaving soon. Michael left his dad's Pokéball with Verto, who promised to help his father. Michael wasn't in the mood to get along with him currently. He walked to the field in which he had spent so much time. Michael couldn't tell if the moon was out, but the shimmering aura of the grass and trees was pleasant to look up and calmed him.

He quietly sat, deep in thought. His thoughts were interrupted only when Noctus slowly walked in, no emotions showing. He wordlessly sat down next to Michael; his head tipped towards the sky. They sat in a content silence for several minutes.

"My mate will have her kits soon. This is likely my last amount of free time for a long while," Noctus started, his voice soft, while excitement made itself known.

"I'll be going back home, and to school. I don't know how I plan on doing it, but I'll figure something out."

"What of your father?"

"I- I don't know. He caused so much pain, and for such a… I don't know, petty reason."

"Such as?"

"Well, I read his journal. I always knew he became single-minded and adopted tunnel-vision when it came to work, but I don't understand," Michael began slowly. "It's about my mom. He told me she died when I was young due to a disease."

"And she didn't?"

"They were at a boardwalk. I was left with a babysitter. He found her shoes on the deck, but not her. He ran to the shore to see a Feraligatr holding her in his jaws. She was bleeding, and dad thought the Feraligatr attacked her, knocked her into the water, and killed her. But I don't know if that's the full story! Maybe it was an accident, and the pokémon was trying to save her! Maybe it was even… suicide. I don't know, and I hate it! My dad thinks pokémon are the cancer of the earth thanks to that one experience! It's so petty!" Michael clenched the grass in his fist, and his eyes squeezed shut while tears streamed down his face. He broke into a fit of coughing from the overuse of his tired and damaged voice.

"Why does it matter?" Noctus asked.

"Excuse me?"

"Everybody reacts to something differently. I don't react as emotionally as most. You look at things logically. Danny prefers to deflect with humor. Your father reacts emotionally. Sure, his judgment is clouded, and he made a mistake. Why does it matter, though? What's done is done."

"I just wish I could understand! I don't know how to forgive him like this! I want to! I want to make up with him! I wish I could see why he feels like he does so that I can make up with him and things can return to how they were!" Michael once more began to cough, thanks to his damaged vocal chords. When he was finished coughing, Noctus spoke.

"It won't. It can't," he bluntly stated.

"But why? Why can't it!" Michael shouted to the sky angrily.

"You are still human. He is now pokémon. You will still be connected, but not as before. You will return home. He will live here. He trapped you and tormented you. He knows this. He is going to spend the rest of his life trying to make up for this."

"I'm not a human."

"Just because you're half pokémon doesn't mean you're not still human."

"But it's true! I'm not a human now! Everything is falling apart! I can't see; I'm half Pokémon, and I don't know what to do!"

"Everything will be okay. It won't be easy, but you'll adjust," Noctus continued in his calm, flat voice.

"How do you know that?" Michael demanded after another fit of coughs.

"You made it this far. Now stop talking. You'll strain your voice."

"Still, it's terrifying. Because of Bella, we're now pretty general news. Everyone will know, and I'll never be normal again. It's hard," Michael quieted, lying back on the grass.

"If it were easy, it wouldn't be worthwhile."

"Heh, I guess that's true. Thanks, Noctus."

"Anything for a friend."

...

Hannah and Bella were finally back home. Michael went with Danny to retrieve his items in preparation to move in with him for the time being since his dad was still "missing." Her little siblings had tried to maintain the garden in the front, but that mostly involved many well-watered weeds. Hannah would pull them out later.

Her parents were less than thrilled to still have Bella being part Eevee, and it only took a few hours for the news reporters to find their way to their home, but Hannah was glad to be home. After finally chasing the reporters off, Bella retreated to the backyard to play with her siblings once more.

Hannah took the time to sneak out and drive to Rachael's house. She needed to deliver a gift. Amidst all the chaos, she hadn't had the chance to deliver it to her privately. Hannah gave the formula for both viruses to Snowfire for safe keeping, in case they needed it again, but they left right after that. In the village, Rachael was flying with Amicus ahead of them to return home quicker. Now would be the best time to deliver Lolektrik's gift.

The drive was brief and peaceful. Her house was the same as it was the last time Hannah was here, except there were no cars in the driveway. The door was unlocked thanks to having earlier told Rachael she was coming. Hannah let herself in and made her way to Rachael's room.

"Wow! These homes are so big and comfy!" Hannah heard Amicus' hyperactive voice echo through the house, coming from Rachael's open door.

"Hey, Rachael. How have you been doing?" Hannah greeted from the doorway. The room was very tidy: it was no different from before they left for the village, minus a small pokémon bed on the window sill that Amicus was sitting in contently.

"Hey!" Rachael returned the greeting, her voice pleased but still hoarse. "What brings you here, anyway?"

"Well, when I went to the Electric Zone, I met Lolektrik, and he told me he called in some favors to get this for you." Hannah gave her the heavy pouch. Warily, she accepted it. She untied the string holding it closed, and pulled out a metal sphere.

Hannah watched her hold the orb with a puzzled expression. It was silver and perfectly smooth.

"It's warm," Rachael muttered. "W-whoa!" The orb began to vibrate intensely as a purple glow consumed it.

"Like I said, not boring!" Amicus commented, watching the sphere in fascination.

"Ow! Hot!" Rachael recoiled, letting go of the item. Surprisingly, it stayed in the air. Rachael gave a Hannah a raised eyebrow and a wry grin. "Lolektrik has weird taste in gifts!"

Then the orb melted into a silver glob, as though it were made of dough. It then lurched towards Rachael's leg. Rachael gasped in pain as the glob attached itself to her leg where her foot once was. She continued to gasp, grabbing her bed in an attempt to avoid screaming. Hannah watched in both fear and fascination as it molded and shifted itself.

Suddenly, Rachael began to breathe normally, as she slowly lifted her head and stared at the wall in a stunned silence. Slowly she turned around, sat properly on her bed, and looked down her leg. The metal glob was now shaped like the Staravia talons, melded to her leg smoothly. "Huh..." Rachael murmured. "Interesting way to make a prosthetic limb."

"Can you move it?" Hannah asked, excited. Sure enough, it moved in the same manner as her foot did as a Staravia.

"Not exactly subtle, but I'll take it!" Rachael proclaimed with a laugh. Amicus began giggling like a small child being tickled.

"I'm glad you're doing better; I was worried sick," Hannah admitted. Rachael stopped laughing and glanced down.

"Hey, Amicus, why don't you go flying for a bit? I need to have a private talk with Hannah," she explained in an attempt to keep what happened away from the child.

"Aw… Okay…" Amicus barreled out the open window and flew away, spinning midair while enjoying the beautiful weather.

"Rachael…"

"I'm doing better," she admitted, lying back on the bed. "It just hurts to think about. I still have nightmares, and confined spaces like cars make me feel like I'm being suffocated."

"I can imagine…" Hannah added, sitting down next to her. "Please. I'm begging you. Just… talk to me about it," Hannah pleaded.

"I already told you what happened there."

"Yeah, but not how you felt. Not how you feel. Please, just let me help you."

"I will, just not yet. I'm not ready to talk about it. I need some time just to heal on my own. But I will."

Hannah nodded. "That's all I ask."

Outside the window, neither were aware of the Fletchling listening in on their conversation.

…

"Feel free to stay here for as long as you need! As far as I'm concerned, this is your home!" Danny's mom assured Michael, who was standing in the living room with two suitcases and a backpack.

"Thank you, ma'am," he quietly murmured.

"Danny, go show Michael to his room, please. I'll start dinner."

"'Kay, Mom!" Danny took one of Michael's suitcase and heaved it up the stairs. "So!" Danny began between heavy breaths. "Mom took the 'hybrid' thing well!"

Michael nodded in agreement. She had mostly been happy just to see them. She was incredibly understanding when Danny requested for Michael to be allowed to move in. When they reached the top of the staircase, Danny was panting, but Michael looked unfazed despite carrying twice the load.

"It's good your dad paid off the house beforehand. The money from his life insurance can keep the power going too."

Michael nodded again, and followed Danny to a room down the carpeted hallway, dragging his luggage behind him. The duo passed through the open door. The guest room was freshly vacuumed, and the bed was newly made. The covered were a pale brown with a chocolate-colored frame. Several empty shelves were nailed to the walls. There was a nightstand with a digital clock and a lamp, along with a dresser and television. The walls were white and an open window let in a cool breeze.

"Why don't you talk much anymore?" Danny asked slowly, propping the suitcase up against the wall. Michael collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Michael gestured to his throat and quietly whispered his response.

"My throat hurts, along with the previous issues with speaking. It's difficult for me to do," Michael admitted, gingerly rubbing his throat, which still bore an angry red scar.

"That's not the only reason," Danny demanded, leaning back against the wall.

"Maybe not," Michael didn't elaborate. Danny sighed.

"Are you okay?" Michael gave a thumbs up and forced a smile. Danny laughed. "Come on; my mom is making Macaroni and Cheese. I'm starving."

"Same."

…

The next day, the group returned to school. Danny and Michael traveled together whenever possible, while Rachael tried to be inconspicuous when walking in between classes. Hannah socialized with the other students as though nothing had changed.

Michael usually kept a blank expression, walking straight ahead without acknowledging anybody staring at him. He didn't always use his aura vision, though, and this caused him to be clumsy at times. Most of their peers didn't know about his blindness, so this had him met with animosity. It was just tiring and overwhelming to use aura vision to see so many people for so long.

Michael still couldn't read, so Danny helped him with most of his assignments, despite not being the best worker. Michael's penmanship was at an all-time low, due to needed to write with his left hand thanks to his right now being a paw, and not being able to see what he was writing. Sometimes he could see the tiny, lifeless marks he made, but his ability was nowhere near strong enough yet. Michael rarely spoke to anyone except Danny and their friends, even when addressed by a teacher.

Danny soaked up the attention like a sponge. One of his favorite things to do was to use his illusion abilities to abruptly turn invisible, only to appear a second later in front of someone, giving them a good scare. He would wave like a celebrity at someone who stared or gaped at them. It was funny.

Rachael was another story altogether. She kept her wings pinned by her shirt and backpack, and usually tried to keep the attention off her odd metal talon. It was fairly common knowledge that something had happened to her as well, but she refused to show anyone, instead opting to ignore anyone else altogether between her classes. When school ended, she was often cornered by many of the students constantly asking her questions. She would always flee.

The weekend after their first week back at school, they all met up at Danny's house to work on their missed assignments.

"Arceus, I don't know how we're supposed to do this all!" Danny whined, alternating between answering questions on his paper and Michael's, who sat back, staring at an alphabet book made for small children. The letters were large and bright.

"We had it coming, we'll get it finished," Rachael responded with a laugh. A small stack of papers was already forming beside her as she finished each assignment.

"How is that book working for you, Michael?" Hannah asked suddenly, looking up from her paper.

"I've read better. Not a very compelling narrative." Hannah laughed.

"Need some help?"

Michael put his hand to his eyes. "Maybe."

"No need to be ashamed. Here, let me see the book." Michael passed the small book to Hannah. "Wow, none of these letters are in order. I'll never understand what little kids see in books like this. You could always skip to the end when the letters have rearranged themselves."

Michael grinned wryly. "Then I'm not really reading, am I?"

"Heh, I guess not. Let's see… what's this letter?" Hannah flipped to a page in the book and held it up to Michael, who rubbed his temples in concentration.

"Um… is it an 'M?'" he asked, his eyebrows knit together.

"Close, it's an 'N,'" Hannah admitted, looking at the book. "How do you see these, anyway?"

"Feel the material. The ink is a little different from the paper, which is more organic, relatively speaking. So the ink is a bit grayer than the paper, but it's very hard to tell for sure right now." Suddenly, Michael broke into a coughing fit. The others watched him, worried. He noticed them staring at him after he was finished. "Don't worry, I'm fine, just overdoing it."

"Well, what's this letter?" Hannah held another page of the book up to Michael. He rubbed his temples again.

"I think it's a 'T' this time," he guessed slowly.

"Yeah! You're getting it!" She happily commented. Rachael smiled and returned to working on her paper while Michael and Hannah continued the process of reading the letters.

"What about this one?" Hannah asked after several other answers from Michael, some more accurate than others.

"'V?"

"Nope."

"Um… is it a 'U?'"

"Close."

"I don't know! I feel like a preschooler here… what is it?" Michael whined as he leaned backward, smothering a cough.

"I don't think they teach aura vision reading skills in preschool," Danny commented, trying not to laugh.

"Hey! No comments from the peanut gallery! Fine then! Pokémon preschool!"

"No comments from the what?" Rachael asked, not looking up from her papers.

"What letter was it?" Michael asked without answering Rachael's question.

"It was a 'W.' I can see why you confused that one," Hannah comforted, relieved that Michael was finally talking more. "I'm just impressed you're doing so well after such a short time."

"Whatever, don't patronize me. Just give me the next letter." Michael retorted with a laugh, being sure to throw a pillow at her face for good measure.

"Hey, it's a long weekend two weeks from now. We should go to the village then," Rachael suggested after several more minutes of practice and work.

"Sure, why not?" Danny agreed, with his fist to his cheek in boredom. "Beats doing school work all weekend."

Michael gave a thumbs up, still focused on trying to read the large letters. Hannah just nodded.

…

When they arrived, Hannah and Rachael took Bella to play with Amicus and some of the children pokémon in the field. Danny spent his time hanging out and practicing illusions with Verto.

Michael went and spoke with his father. It was a quiet, awkward conversation. There was a lot of apologizing. There was no mention of Michael's mother. It was a brief conversation. Neither of them spoke of the lab.

Michael hoped that one day they would be able to talk about these things together, but until then, being able to speak to him at all was progress. Michael wasn't ready to forgive him yet, but he may someday. Someday, Michael and his father would one day be a family again.

Until then, a conversation was progress.