Author's Note: So, true confessions, part of my anxiety is my irrational inability to finish any kind of project that has sat for a long time (like, hey, this thing has timed out, you're a horrible person who hasn't gotten it done, let's pretend it hasn't happened...). Coming back to do the final chapter has seemed like a monumental task for me even though it shouldn't have been. Still, how could I not persevere with all the positive feedback this story has gotten? I had to do it for you guys! This might be of a bit lower standard, but I hope it gives you closure. The important part was me just finally doing it. Enjoy!

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He could have easily missed her, little more than a silhouette standing silent and motionless in the dark just off of Route 1. Her slender form leaned against the guardrail, and her back was turned from the path so she could look out over the sea. Alondra, he'd come to realize, had a talent for making herself disappear. Why, just that afternoon she'd slipped away unnoticed as Plumeria's battle had drawn to a close. Guzma had simply turned to make a comment to Kukui only to find her gone when he'd turned around. The only reason he'd noticed her at all this time around was because he'd been thinking of standing in that same spot as he had done many years ago, only to find it already occupied by another.

Guzma's brow furrowed. This was a complication. Now what? It would be easiest to just keep walking, as it didn't seem that she'd heard his approach. It would certainly spare him the awkwardness of trying to be sociable. If he were being honest, he'd felt some relief to find she'd vanished that afternoon so he didn't have to make small talk. They may have come to know some deep secrets about each other, but it wasn't like they were really friends. Or did that somehow make them friends by default?

He almost took a step to keep going along the path, leaving her in her contemplation, but at that moment, he saw more than heard her sigh, accompanied by the hanging of her head. That looked all too familiar to pass up.

"Hey, ain't it kinda dangerous to be out here at night?"

She jumped and gave a startled gasp as she whipped around to find Guzma with his one hand shoved in his pocket. "I…what are you…?"

The ex-Skull leader shrugged with a smirk, amused by her reaction. "Just clearin' my head."

"So, isn't it dangerous for you too?"

"Nah, I'm Big Bad Guzma." At that, he cocked his head with an air of confidence that came as a practiced habit, even though they both knew now what an act it truly was.

She couldn't help it. A hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a small giggle. "I'm sorry, I know it's not funny, but you standing there like that with the cast on your arm…you'll hardly be able to shoo away the Pikipeks!"

If pretty much any other human being had made that comment, he would have put on a sour expression and said something snarky in retort. However, the very idea that Alondra was teasing him! And for whatever reason, he could feel his ears grow hot. Thank Arceus that it was so dark! His eyes darted down to look at the cast in question, and when he noticed the cutesy signature on it his blush only intensified. "So, what are ya doin' out here anyways?" he demanded, doing his best to brush off whatever…THAT was.

Her fragile smile disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. "I thought maybe the fresh air would help me think clearly." She left it there, but his pointed glance prompted her to continue. "I have to figure out what I'm going to do, and I still don't know."

"What, now that you're done with the Island Challenge?" Guzma took a cautious step closer, and when she didn't seem to flinch or draw away, he took yet another long stride until he was peering down at her conflicted face.

Alondra nodded somberly. "I'm an adult now, but I just can't tell where I'm going with the rest of my life. Kukui sent a message last night that he got word back from the Pokemon Daycare on Akala, and he's going to meet with me in the morning to discuss the details."

"So, you DO have a plan," Guzma stated, sounding a bit confused.

"Why am I not excited?!" Alondra turned back towards the bay and resumed her position of leaning on the guardrail, as if hoping the waves would send her the answer.

"Well, it's better than doin' nothin', right? Unless you have a different idea and you're tryin' to decide between 'em…" Guzma came up next to her and moved to brace himself on the railing, only to remember that he couldn't in his condition. He huffed in frustration.

There was a long moment of silence, where only the gentle crashing of the waves on the shore could be heard. "There is something," she finally admitted quietly. "But no one is going think it's a good idea. They'll say I'm being ridiculous for even thinking about it."

"Well, screw 'em! If they get between you and the thing ya need to do to give yourself a reason to get up in the morning, then they don't matter."

Alondra looked up wistfully into his face, and he could suddenly feel his stomach twist. "It must be nice to always know what you want. You're lucky that way, Guzma."

He scratched his undercut nervously. "Or just obsessed. People have told me that."

"But by your logic, we don't really care what they say." He was rewarded again with that small smile.

"Nah." They fell into silence again, though this time the tension seemed to dissipate.

"So, why did you come out here?"

Damn. He had been hoping she'd forget to ask… "Nanu's comin' tomorrow. I'm off to Po Town in the morning. Gotta get my head on straight is all."

"I see. The grunts will be happy to see you! They've been working hard to start picking up the place."

"Hope I can still recognize the place. Shit, I can't wait to go home." He froze, realizing in horror the vulnerable statement he had just made.

"I can attest to the fact that your throne is still waiting for its rightful owner. I know you'll feel much better as soon as you get there." That serene expression on her face put him at ease even more than the lull of the ocean.

"Right. Well, speaking of home, it's time ya got going. Yer ma will worry if ya stay out too late."

"You're probably right. I…thank you, Guzma. For stopping and…listening." Alondra brushed past him quickly to hide her embarrassment. "I'll see you in the morning. He's coming up to Iki Town, right?"

"Oh no." Guzma marched back to her side, towering over her. "First, I've gotta make sure ya get home. Come on." And he took off in the direction of her house, not daring to look back at her flustered face.

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It had taken her an hour or so to make sure everything was in order. She was used to living out of a bag during the Island Challenge, so it wasn't a huge deal. Also, if she needed something she could always page a Charizard to bring her back home. Now, the only thing she had to bring was her guts. Already she could feel her stomach churning with nervousness.

Zipping up the final pocket, she slung the bag over her shoulder and exited her room. Who knew when she would be back? Then again, what did it even matter? This wasn't home to her; Fuschia was her home and she had yet to find a new one. Maybe on this journey she would.

Her mother sat at the kitchen table skimming through a Pokemon contest magazine. When she looked up to see her daughter, she blinked in surprise. "Alondra, are you going away for a while?" Alondra couldn't believe the ease with which she asked this question. Given her latest episode, she expected a far more worried approach.

"Mom, will you walk with me to Iki Town? I want to explain it to everyone."

"Wait, so this isn't about going to Akala?" Ah, that was why she hadn't been concerned at first. That might change pretty soon.

"Like I said, please walk with me?"

"Of course. Let me get my shoes on." Her mother rose from the table and hurried to where her shoes lay on the rug next to the door. All the while, she kept her eyes fixed on her daughter. "Am I going to be okay with this announcement? You're not running off to elope with some guy from the internet or anything, right?"

Alondra had to snort at that. "No, mother, it's nothing that drastic. Lets go."

And so the mother and daughter hiked the trail to Iki Town, sharing few words. There wasn't much to say besides what she planned on telling everyone else, and she felt bad for withholding it from her mother until then. Still, that would make the final declaration much easier, and she needed it to be easier.

When they arrived, there was the predicted mob outside of Hala's lodge. Nanu and Hala were standing off to the side, Hala's cheery grin contrasted by Nanu's serious frown as they discussed some matter of business. Plumeria was standing with Guzma and Kukui, giving her version of farewell: a slap on the back and a rough tousle of his mop of hair. Perhaps it was just her anxiety, but it sure seemed as if both groups stopped what they were doing as soon as they saw her approach. To be fair, they probably weren't expecting her to give a farewell to Guzma.

"Alola, cousin. Did you come to talk about your internship? We were just seeing off Guzma, and then we can head back to my lab to look at the paperwork," Kukui supplied, stepping forward.

Alondra swallowed. She took a deep breath. She shook her head. "Professor, I am grateful for your help in lining up the internship, but…I'm afraid I'm going to have to back out."

Everyone looked at her in stunned silence, save for one. Guzma grinned and flashed a thumbs up. This both encouraged her and caught her off guard. Was he pleased that she was taking his advice, or was he pleased that the timid girl was rebelling? Either way, he wouldn't be prepared for the next part.

"Perhaps I'll pursue it in another year or so, but right now I feel called to do something else. I haven't felt this drawn to anything since I first held Popplio in my arms. I made a promise, and I intend to stand by it." With those words, realization dawned on both Plumeria and Nanu, lessening the impact of the final words. "I'm going to Po Town to help them rebuild." Alondra exhaled deeply. "That's all I needed to say."

"But Alondra-" Kukui started to protest, only for Guzma to step on his foot. The warning look he gave the professor silenced him. Alondra wondered what he himself was thinking, but he was always so hard to read… At the moment, his expression was blank.

It was her mother who articulated her thoughts first. "Alondra sweetie, are you sure this is what you want to do?"

Alondra turned to face her mother sheepishly. "I'm sure I'm sure. It's kind of a weird feeling…"

Mrs. Santos sighed, then reached over to wrap her daughter in an embrace. "Then that is what you should do. Just…make sure you call me a few times a week? Take care of yourself, stay out of trouble, let me know if you need ANYTHING…"

"Thanks, mom. For everything." Alondra squeezed back, then broke away, nervously gripping the straps of her backpack. "So, is it time to go?"

"Hell yeah!" Guzma's exclamation broke the gravity of the moment, bringing the smiles back to everyone's faces (even stoic Nanu quirked the corners of his mouth, and that counted for something). He sauntered over to Alondra. "Ya sure ya packed everything? We ain't stoppin' at Malie to go shopping! Toothbrush, bunny slippers…"

Alondra dug into her heavy pocket and pulled out her treasure, holding it out towards him. "Lucky Dawnstone…"

That shut him up real quickly. "Yeah, okay, guess ya thought of everything then." And he slunk behind Plumeria, who rolled her eyes. Then, it was her turn to approach Alondra.

Roughly, she folded the girl's hands over the stone. "You'd better take good care of that. As long as you do, I've got no issue with you."

Alondra swallowed. "Okay."

Plumeria quirked an eyebrow. "And you know that's a metaphor, right?"

"Yep."

Finally, the trainer burst out laughing. "Cripes, Alondra, you look like you're standing in front of the firing squad! It's all good, got it?"

Finally, Alondra seemed to relax. "Got it. Are you coming with us?"

"For a few days, just to make sure those slouches pull their weight."

"Umm, how's that gonna work exactly with a cast on one arm and stitches in the other?" Guzma interjected in protest.

"Don't worry, Guzma, we'll find work for you to do." This time, Nanu's smile was prominent, albeit tinged with mischief.

"Most importantly my boy, take care of yourself." Hala grabbed him and pulled him into a bear hug before he could protest, though still being careful of his arms. Then, Alondra was next. "And you, take care of yourself too. Sometimes you need to put yourself first, do you understand?"

"Yessir." She ducked her head like a scolded child.

"I'll make sure she does, Old Man." Guzma made the promise with such ease, she could hardly believe her ears, or still the flutter of her heart

"That's what I like to hear. Now, go. The winds are in your favor. Safe travels!"

It took a few minutes to get poor Guzma loaded onto the Charizard, but before long they were soaring in the sky above Melemele. The winds of Alola had brought change all those weeks ago on the Hau'oli Beachfront, so who was to say that they wouldn't bring more change now as they lifted the quartet in the air? On they went, towards Po Town. Maybe, just maybe, towards home.

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So, again, I'd like to thank everyone who has supported this. It started out as me trying to establish a headcannon for Guzma looking at all the evidence provided and assembling it into a coherent backstory, but it's become so much more. It was also the riskiest thing I've ever written for the topics it dealt with (depression, attempted suicide, self-harm, etc.), and I'm so relieved it has gone over well with you, the readers. THANK YOU for your kind words and favs.

In the future, I'd like to do one more linking piece showing how Guzma became kahuna, but we'll see how it goes!