Kellyn stared up at the large god pokemon. His mind racing a mile a minute trying to process what was happening to him. Kate moved her hand over, under his gaping mouth and closed it for him with a slightly sheepish look. He had to same reaction anyone would really.
"Katherine," at the sound of her name Kate took a step forward. She released Kellyns' mouth, which proceeded to drop open again as she moved. Keith smirked slightly, supressing a chuckle and shaking his head a little.
"Keith," the red head looked at the large god pokemon with a small smile on his face before looking at Kellyn, who continued to gape.
Keith took a step forward, standing beside Kate as he did so. The brunette smiled at her partner as he nodded his head once to her.
"Kellyn," the brunette blinked in confusion. His mind started to race, wondering why Arceus would even consider speaking his name. Kate and Keith watched Kellyn with an expectant look.
The brunette shook his head slightly and took a shaky step forwards. Kate and Keith quickly put their arms out, wrapping Kellyns' arms around their shoulders, keeping him on his feet.
Together, the three faced the extremely large pokemon.
"Do I bow or something?" Kellyn whispered to Keith, who slapped his free hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. Kate rolled her eyes, looking at Arceus, who seemed to be chuckling.
"No need to bow. The three of you and your Ranger friends, you are all heroes to the world," Arceus began as Keith looked around, every legendary from every region had gathered around the three of them.
"I feel so intimidated right now," Kellyn muttered as Kate smirked slightly at the brunette.
"Katherine, Keith, Kellyn we thank you for what you have done with Cyrus," Arceus spoke as Keith nodded his head. Kellyn finally stopped his gaping and grinned widely at the pokemon.
"You're very welcome!" Kellyn replied with a cheerful voice.
"What happens now, with Cyrus that is?" Kate asked as she looked at the large pokemon. Arceus looked down at her and thought for a moment.
"We will send him to a realm where there are no pokemon and there is no power. Cresselia and Dyoxis will see to this," the god pokemon replied as the two said pokemon disappeared from the area.
"And you're sure this time he won't get a hold of anything?" Keith asked, his voice seemingly snarky as Arceus stared directly at him.
"Yes, I am sure," the god spoke with a nod of his head. Kate took another step forward, moving from under Kellyn, who had managed to stop his legs feeling like jelly.
"What happens now?" she asked. She looked over her shoulder at Keith, who gave her a reassuring smile, she was most worried about him, simply because he had the darkness in him once more.
"The Regions are safe now. They have fully reformed. Your friends are on their way back to regroup at the Union. I will send Mew to the couple you refer to as Wendy and Sven to teleport them back. I shall return the three of you to the Union and life shall carry on as it once was," Arceus explained.
"Sounds good to me," Keith shrugged, Kellyn nodded his head in agreement with the boy.
"What about the people who were in the darkness?" Kellyn asked.
"As Giratina stated, only those who were aware that it was the darkness taking over the world are the ones who will remember it," Arceus confirmed.
"So, the professors, possibly, the Union and us?" Kate asked. Arceus nodded his head once at the young girl. "What about Keith?" she continued. Arceus looked from Kate to Keith, who gave a slightly sad smile.
"The boy has consumed the darkness once more," Arceus stated.
"What?" Kellyn asked, looking at Keith in confusion. Arceus looked over Keith for a moment before he hummed slightly.
"Giratina said he can't get the remainder of the darkness out of him because it's too small. You're the god of pokemon… can you do something?" Kate asked as she looked up at Arceus.
"Kate… it's fine," Keith whispered lowly to the brunette, who gritted her teeth.
"No it's not! You shouldn't have to live with something like the darkness! I was in it! I know how bad it was, it was painful and I… I couldn't stand it so having it in you-,"
"Kate, calm down," Arceus spoke as he looked down at the young girl, whose head shot up. Her sapphire eyes clouded over with tears that threatened to spill. "I can take the darkness from Keith. Of course, that is if you want me to," he added. Kate turned to Keith, who nodded his head without hesitation.
While the red head accepted the darker side of himself and knew what he was capable of, he wouldn't dare live with the darkness in him. If it proved to be unpredictable it would prove to be a problem for all of them.
"I'm so confused," Kellyn muttered as he looked between Kate and Keith before looking at Arceus, who seemed to smile down at the three.
"Katherine," Kate turned back to the god behind her. "I will need to take your abilities away from you once more," the brunette nodded her head without a second thought. "This time… I will not be able to return them. While you don't feel it this power has taken an immense toll on your body. It will not be able to handle anything as strenuous as this again," Arceus explained. Kate took a moment to register what Arceus had said to her.
"That's fine," she nodded. Kate had lived with her abilities and being Summerlands' Gift for so long that she very much wanted to close that chapter on her life and start writing a new one.
"Very well. Whenever you are ready, return the power to me," Arceus ordered. Kellyn watched as Kate nodded her head once and held her hands out, closing her eyes in the process. She smiled as memories she had while having the Gift inside of her came flooding to her mind.
The time she helped Celebi, when she saved Remi from Sharpedo, when she saved Keith from the curse, when they saved Almia and stopped Phantom. They were memories she cherished and memories she wouldn't forget.
Kate breathed out slowly, willing herself to let go of the ability inside of her. She opened her eyes a moment later and, for the last time, her eyes glew white, matching the glow of her entire body.
Keith watched as the glow gathered together in one ball of light and travelled to her hands, which she was holding together. The red head smiled gently, Kate had done so much with her Gift… but there was so much she could still do.
The white ball of light floated upwards towards Arceus, who blew on it slightly. The semi-large ball shrank smaller and smaller until it started to float down in the air.
Keith stood in place, watching as the ball entered him through his chest. His entire body shone white for but a moment. As quickly as the glow started it stopped. From the same spot in his chest emerged a multi-coloured black and white ball.
"Yin and Yang," Keith whispered as he looked at the small ball that floated towards Arceus. The pokemon moved his head and, in an instant, the ball exploded, leaving no trace of the darkness or the light.
"The Gift has purified you. There are no longer any traces of darkness within your body," Arceus spoke as Kate looked at Keith with a gentle smile, the red head gave a relieved sigh and Kellyn couldn't help but look confused as he looked between Keith and Arceus.
"Thank you," Keith breathed as he placed a hand over his chest. Finally, the darkest chapter of his life was over.
"You are welcome. Katherine," Kate once again turned to Arceus, who was looking at the stone protruding from her pocket. Kate pulled it out and held it in the air.
The stone floated where it was for a moment before floating back to its rightful owner. Giratina. The pokemon opened his mouth and took the stone in it. A loud crunch was heard before the pokemon smiled.
"I will be able to keep this stone safe from now on," Giratina spoke as he floated in the air.
"I should hope so," Keith muttered.
"Did he just… eat it?" Kellyn asked, feeling like he was going to faint but not sure why. The legendries, Kate and Keith all laughed at the brunette haired boy, who was stood in complete shock.
"Katherine, Keith, Kellyn. I believe it is time to send you all home," Arceus spoke one final time as something started to glow near the three. Turning, they looked at a white portal that led back to their world with small smiles on their faces. "If any of you are ever in need of anything, please do call," the god pokemon requested as Kate rushed over to the large pokemon and hugged his extremely large leg.
Keith and Kellyn both looked at each other before following the brunettes' lead. All three clung to the pokemons' leg with large smiles on their faces. It was strange, hugging a god pokemon that could kill them at any minute but none of them seemed to mind.
The legendry pokemon laughed at the awkward expression Arceus had on his face before the three Rangers pulled away from him.
"Are we ready?" Keith asked as he slung an arm around Kate and Kellyn, both looked at the red head before all three looked around at the legendry pokemon surrounding them.
"I kind of like it here. I'm not feeling as intimidated anymore," Kellyn chuckled as Kate rolled her eyes at the brunette.
"Let's go home," she spoke with a small smile. Both boys looked at their female friend and smiled.
"Home sounds nice," Keith confirmed.
"Yeah," Kellyn agreed as they walked towards the portal, arms slung around one another. With one final looked at the legendry pokemon, each one giving their own goodbye in a certain way, be it flying through the air or merely waving, the three Rangers turned and walked through the portal.
The sight that greeted them was one they would never tire of.
Seren flew through the air, a small determined smile on her face. That small smile turned into a large grin as she looked at the Ranger Union, standing tall and proud, once again looking over all of Almia.
Taking a deep breath, the black her girl did something rather Kellyn-like. She opened her arms wide, leaned back slightly until her back was straight, her hair flew behind her as the wind rushed through it and then, after taking a deep breath she let out a loud scream.
"Wahoo!" she exclaimed as the Staraptor circled the Union for a moment before slowly descending to the ground. From below Isaac, Crawford and Luana looked up at the scream. They were quite surprised to see Seren land on the ground, having been expecting Kellyn.
"Seren!" Isaac yelled as he rushed forward to the black haired girl. Seren, who was petting her Staraptor, quickly turned on her heel and enveloped the boy in a hug.
"Oh, Ryhtmi how I have missed you!" the black haired girl practically screamed as Isaac turned a slightly red colour. He had forgotten how close Rythmi was to the girls and how they always hugged.
"Welcome back," the blonde smiled, returning the hug gently. Once Seren pulled away the blonde managed to get a good look at her wounds. They weren't as severe as they once were, in fact most had healed but the blonde couldn't help noticing quite a few would scar.
"Good to be home. Heard anything from anyone else?" Seren asked as Crawford and Luana walked over, hand in hand. Seren said nothing as she looked at the two, though a large smile did plaster itself on her face.
"Haven't heard anything from the others. Isaac might know a little more," Luana answered as she motioned to the Union.
"Yeah, he should have contacted everyone by now," Crawford agreed as Isaac took Seren by her wrist.
"Let's go get you bandaged up," the blonde ordered as he quickly entered the Union with Seren, Crawford and Luana followed behind.
"Isaac! I need some assistance!" Isaac yelled, looking towards where Rythmi was. The other blonde turned and gasped once she saw Seren.
"Seren! Welcome home!" the Operator grinned as she hugged Seren gently. The black haired girl gave a confused look, but didn't question the hug. Looking around, Seren noticed most of the Rangers and workers from the Union were clearing up the mess on the floor.
"Ben and Summer are back in the infirmary, come on," Rythmi ordered as she dragged Seren towards said room. Isaac followed behind while Luana and Crawford quickly got to work assisting with clean up.
"Seren, welcome back!" Summer smiled as she waved at the black haired girl. Seren looked over both Ben and Summer, completely shocked by the extent of their injuries.
"Sit, now," Rythmi ordered as she walked over to grab some bandages. Isaac walked over to Ben, taking a seat next to the brunette. Seren gave a slightly confused look, normally it would be Rythmi who patched up the wounds, not Isaac… then again Seren didn't know they had switched bodies. Nevertheless, the black haired girl said nothing and let the blonde continue.
"Anything from Kate and the others?" Seren asked. Mainly she wanted to hear about Kellyn, while she was worried about the others as well, it was obvious she cared more for Kellyn.
"I got through to Kate," Rythmi confirmed as she smiled. "They'll be home soon enough. Sven and Wendy too," the blonde added with a small nod of her head. Seren sighed in relief, watching as Rythmi continued to bandage up her wounds.
"Do you know how Kellyn is?" the black haired girl asked, chewing on her lip slightly. The others in the room smiled gently at the black haired girl and her concern.
"Kate said they were all fine. Don't worry yourself," Rythmi answered as Seren nodded her head once.
Luana hummed as she moved a large piece of debris from the escalators leading to the roof. A low grunt came from her as she moved it towards one of the smashed windows.
She sighed, wiping her head of the sweat she was emitting. Moving large piles of debris really took it out of you, but it needed to be done. Casting a glance outside the black haired woman stilled for a moment as two portals seemed to open up outside the Union.
She stared at them, one white, one pink. Luana cocked her head to the side, not entirely sure what was going on.
"Hey, Luana, Barlow needs some help and – what is that?" Crawford asked as he walked over to the black haired woman but stopped once he also noticed the portals.
Turning on his heel, Crawford shouted the first thing that came to his mind.
"Everyone outside, now!" he ordered. Quickly people started to flee out of the building towards the entrance. Isaac, Rythmi, Ben, Summer and Seren were also pulled from the infirmary and back outside.
Casually everyone gathered, Rangers, Operators and Civilians gathering in one large group looking at the portals. Caden wandered over to Seren, who picked her brother up gently in her bandaged arms.
Anticipation filled everyone who was waiting. The air was thick with tension. They wanted to know what was going on and what these portals were and why they were in front of the Union.
Though everyone prayed they were something good.
"Something's happening!" Barlow shouted as he looked at the pink portal. Small, none-threatening pink lightning emitted from the portal as two, very familiar faces stepped through it, arms around the other.
"Sven! Wendy!" Crawford yelled as Luana squealed in delight. Following the two Top Rangers was Mew, a smile formed on her face as she floated around the air.
"Hey, guys," Wendy grinned as she walked over to her friends and hugged them tightly. Sven followed her, tilting his hat to the group of ladies and shaking hands with the boys.
"What did we miss?" the dark haired man asked as he looked around the group. Conversation and catch up was emitted through the group before the white portal started to activate.
Similar to the pink one, lightning started to emit from it, but this time three figures stepped through. Three figures that everyone had been anticipating the return of.
"Kellyn!" Seren yelled as she quickly placed Caden down and ran to the brunette. Kellyn grinned, opening his arms as his partner jumped into them. Keith couldn't stop the smile that emitted onto his face as the black haired girl fell to the ground with Kellyn.
Kate giggled at the two as she turned her head, watching the portal close up behind her with a small smile on her face. Mew flew over to her, whispering something in her ears. Kate smirked, nodding her head in agreement before the pink legendary flew in circles in the air before disappearing.
"Katie!" Adir and Freya yelled as they rushed over to their daughter. Kate laughed as her mother and father showered her with hugs and kisses. Remi quickly ran over a moment later, hugging her tightly around the waist.
Adir turned to Keith, clipping him on the back and nodding his head in approval. Freya quickly turned to him a moment later and kissed both of his cheeks as a loving mother would.
"Kate!" Rythmi yelled as she hugged the brunette tightly once her sister was finished. Kates' eyes widened slightly as she looked at the blonde.
"Isaac? You okay?" Kate asked as she hugged him back. The blonde inwardly groaned, wanting to be back in her own body. Rythmi released Kate as Isaac gave her a small hug.
"Big sister, get off him!" Caden yelled as she pulled Seren off of Kellyn, who was grinning like an idiot. Caden hugged the black haired girl tightly and then hugged Kellyn as well with a large smile on his face.
"Now," Erma spoke as everyone turned their attention to her. Those on the floor stood to their feet and those on their feet took a step forward. "The Union needs a good clean and then, we shall celebrate our victory," the old woman spoke. The rangers blinked, looking at one another but said nothing as they nodded their heads.
"Let's go, shall we?" Kate asked as she motioned towards the Union. Keith smiled gently, draping an arm around the brunette, leading her inside.
Seren picked Caden up in her arms as Kellyn wrapped an arm around her waist and lead the two inside. Rythmi and Isaac followed behind them, Luana and Crawford quickly rushed ahead of everyone else, wanting to clean up quickly while Sven and Wendy remained outside the Union for a few more minutes as everyone entered the building.
"We actually did it," Wendy muttered in disbelief as she looked at the Union. Sven nodded his head, gently moving his hat as he did so.
"That we did," the cowboy agreed as Wendy turned around slightly. A smile fell on both Rangers' faces as they quickly started back into the Union.
Finally, the world was at peace once more.
Two more chapters to go until this story is finally complete.
Rythmi: For those wondering, Sky is completely fine.
Yes, my little writing buddy is doing amazing. She is in school and doing very well. I don't know if she still checks this as much as she used to. But for those who are worried she is doing great!
Keith: Review the story and HTF will update the final two chapters in the next couple of days.
Happy New Year everyone! Hope everything goes well for you all next year!
Kate: Please review and we'll see you soon!
