Author's note: I want to warn people that in my mind, for this story to be a tragedy, someone has to die. I'm not saying who, but somebody has to. So please be prepared. Yeah, and I hope you have a fabulous new year, (sorry it's a little late.) Anyway, thank you to anyone who took the time to review. Of course, thank you to everyone reading this as well. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own pokémon, the character, the game's storyline, or whatever else I forgot. Thank you.

Chapter 8: Goodbye Is the Beginning

(Kate's P.O.V, 3:38 am, graduation day)

I just can't sleep. No matter how hard I try, I just can't. Maybe it's because I overheard Miss April talking to Mrs. Claire. She was saying that I would be in a separate region from Keith and Rythmi. I wasn't sure how I would manage without my two best friends, and especially without them translating. I even overheard her say that it might be too difficult for me to be a ranger with my past, and that she wasn't sure why Principle Lamont was willing to admit me knowing that. I haven't told Rythmi and Keith everything yet, it's just too difficult to talk about. Even before the fire, even before my brother left me, I was still an orphan. I could never forgive those people for what they did.

As I thought about that, I quickly found myself crying. I rarely cried, as I usually tried to keep all of my emotions hidden, even from myself. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes, but they just reappeared. I flung myself back down on my bunk, and I cried myself asleep.

(8:30 am, graduation day)

"Okay class, it's time for graduation. If you have friends in other classes, now would be the time to see them," Miss April said. She smiled at us, then added, "But make sure to come back before the bell rings." We nodded, and got up out of our seats. I went over to talk to one of the girls in my class, Gina.

"Is it just me, or are the boys like, totally more emotional," Gina said with a laugh. I grinned, it was totally true. In fact, just earlier today, I heard Keith crying about having to leave everybody. Not like I can really say anything after last night though. I must have been crying for at least half an hour before finally succumbing to sleep.

"Hey Kate, come over here. Oh yeah, and gather up Rythmi while you're at it." Keith rapidly gestured for me to come over. I dragged Rythmi along, and we went upstairs to a small quiet table. For a moment, we were all quiet, caught up in the painful reality that this might be the last we see of each other. I think we were all struggling to fight back tears. We had become so close, it was like we'd known each other our entire lives. I personally felt like I was breaking in two. I had never felt like there were people who cared about, or understood me, not other than Keith or Rythmi. They are my two best friends, and I think I might even have a crush on Keith, even though I know it only hurts to care. My past has taught me that.

Rythmi finally spoke, "We wanted to thank you Kate." I stared at her. If anyone should be thanking anyone, it was I who should be thanking them. They translated for me, helped me with studying, and cared more than anyone I'd ever met.

"I should be thanking you," I signed. They both shook their heads.

"We figured you'd say that," Keith said, "But we just wanted to say this. You are the most incredible, kind person we've ever met. Everyone here was so secluded before you came. You brought us together, and you made life better for everyone. Especially Rythmi and I, the two of us hated each other before you came. But you, you…" Keith gulped, at a loss for words.

"You made us realize something, Kate. You made us realize that life is too limited to be hateful. You made us realize the importance of friends, and that friends are family. You taught us such selflessness and compassion. You are truly amazing, and we wanted to say that no matter what, we will never forget you, and everything you've taught us. This is for you." Rythmi handed me a pretty box.

I tentatively lifted the lid, and stood shocked at what was inside. There was a photo album. I flipped open the lid and found myself crying at the pictures. They were of me and all my school friends. We were smiling and laughing, and I could feel the difference between this and pictures of me before I came here. In my old photos I was frail, sickly and shy. I never smiled, and you could tell I had no friends. I was a mess, no lies.

I flung myself into their arms. When we finally pulled away, I managed to sign one thing before bursting into tears again, "Thank you. This means more than you'll ever know. Thank you so much."

` I was able to spend only a few more minutes crying before the bell rang. Its loud chime jolted me out of my emotional reverie. The three of us rushed downstairs to end up just in time for graduation. We lined up in the pre-selected order, and waited for Principle Lamont to begin the speech.

"We are gathered here today not just for celebrating graduating your rigorous training here, but also for acknowledging the friendships and kindness each of you have shown each other. Now Mr. Kincaid, if you please." Principle Lamont wiped a tear from his eye. I guess this wasn't just an emotional day for students, but staff too.

"Thank you Principle Lamont. Now for this class's valedictorian, Isaac."

Isaac gave a long speech about thanking pretty much everyone and everything, including the library books. Well, whatever.

Miss April came over and began to speak, "And finally, let us present the certificate to our class representative, Katlyne!"

I began to take tentative steps over. This had to be a dream. It had to. Pretty much every kid wanted to be class representative, there was even a legend that every class representative went on to become an incredible ranger. I finally managed to get my legs to move me over there, when two tangrowth burst out of the basement. Everybody jumped and ran away. Poor Miss April was panicking, apparently she really didn't like seeing this much of a jumbled-up overgrowth of anything.

I nodded to Keith, and we began our captures. I could hear people holding their breath behind us, and I knew I couldn't fail now. It took a lot of energy, but I managed to capture the tangrowth. Afterwards, everyone cheered for us. The ceremony continued, but I just didn't feel right. I had had the same dizzy, confused feeling I'd felt when I was in the basement that time.

(3:45, goodbye)

I waved goodbye to my two best friends. I fought the tears back, and smiled as I watched their boat become distant on the horizon. I went back inside to pack my bags, and I was willing to start a new chapter in my life. Goodbye is the beginning, the beginning of a new journey. Good, bad, it didn't matter. Goodbye isn't always bad, and in this case, it's until we meet again…

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed this. Sorry it took me a while to update, I've been kind-of busy. I hope this wasn't too bad, and please review. Thanks for reading, and have a great day.