Chapter Forty Two – A Happy Ending
The sun was beginning to set over the oceanic scenery, as the sky took on a romantic orange tint. A brown police boat made its way out of the harbour, while Keith, Barlow, Hastings and the Thorndyke family watched it disappearing into the distance.
"That takes care of him," Barlow said proudly.
"Doesn't it just. Well, I think we'll make our way back to the village now," Hayden said, somewhat eagerly.
"Are you sure? You and your family would be more than welcome to spend the night at the Ranger Union," Hastings offered.
"Thanks, but it won't be necessary," Hayden smiled. "I know a shortcut through the forest, so we'll be there before nightfall."
"If you insist. Take care."
"I'll make sure of that, Professor," Alexa said kindly. She looked towards Keith, bearing a warm smile. "Thanks for everything you've done today."
"Heh. I don't think it would've been possible had it not been for your Pokémon," Keith smiled. "You and Hayden sure have a strong group of Pokémon."
"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Definitely," Keith nodded. Alexa smiled again.
"Great. See you then." She and her family started to make their way out of the docks. On her way, however, Keith, grabbed Alexa's arm gently and pulled her in close for a sneaky peck on her lips. Alexa ruffled his hair a little before catching up with her parents and little brother. Barlow laughed.
"Didn't take you for such a Casanova, Keith!" Keith laughed nervously.
"I believe we can all rest easy, knowing that Cain is finally being dealt with by the authorities," Hastings said happily. "I have been informed that I will have further information regarding his fate tomorrow."
"That soon?" Barlow questioned.
"I've been given their word that they will deal with him immediately," Hastings explained. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they're beginning to deal with him as we speak."
"That's not surprising, given everything he's done," Keith mused. "I mean, it all happened rather quickly, and I guess they wanted him to be punished for his crimes as soon as the opportunity came along."
"Precisely," Hastings nodded.
"Will there be anything else, professor?" Barlow asked.
"No, no, Keith and I can return to the Ranger Union on our own from here, you're free to return to Vien Town," Hastings replied. "I will inform you on the details about Cain as soon as I hear them."
"Thanks; Luana's been having kittens since Buneary got attacked. I'll tell her and Crawford it's all over," Barlow said before running off. Keith was left confused.
"Having kittens...?"
"It's a figure of speech," Hastings explained. "He means Luana's lost her composure."
"Oh. Can't say I blame her. I almost lost mine when Buizel was hurt."
"Bui..."
"At any rate, shall we?" Keith and Hastings walked away from the pier, destined for the Ranger Union.
Elsewhere...
"Honey, are you sure you're all right?" Lily asked with concern, noticing Hayden's slight limp.
"Yes, I'm fine," Hayden replied. "It's just a scratch, that's all. Aagh...!"
"But it's clearly giving you grief," Lily said worriedly.
"Are you sure you don't want Darcy to give you a lift?" Keenan asked.
"Thanks, but, no, I'm fine," Hayden insisted.
"How about if I find a crutch or something for you tomorrow?" Alexa suggested. "It might help ease the pain."
"Hm. That might work. Okay, I'll agree to that," Hayden smiled. "Thanks, Lexie."
The Thorndykes finally made it to the peaceful Chicole Village. As Hayden had predicted, the night was beginning to loom over the region, as the orange glow faded to allow the night sky to sink in. Keenan ran, as careful as he could, to the front door of the house, but noticed a gold coloured envelope sitting perfectly on the door handle. Hayden, Lily and Alexa caught up with him.
"What's that, sweetie?" Lily asked as Keenan took the envelope in one hand. He turned it around to look at the back; a red rose sticker kept the envelope sealed.
"Beats me."
The next day...
Hastings and Erma, in the Conference Room, stood in front of Keith, Sven and Wendy. Wendy had a sling on one arm and Sven had a bandage around his head, mostly hiding under his hat. Keith's injuries healed beautifully.
"I've received word from the International Police," Hastings began. "Cain's trial will take place at the Sinnoh Crown Court."
"I didn't know Sinnoh had a court," Sven queried, raising an eyebrow.
"It's in Veilstone City," Hastings explained. "It was formerly Team Galactic's main base of operation. After Team Galactic activity suddenly stopped in the region three years ago, the International Police took over the headquarters and converted it into the Sinnoh Crown Court." Keith's eyes widened ever so slightly; the small detail, 'three years ago', made him instantly think about Alexa and her past involvement with the criminal group.
"Does Alexa know about that?" Keith asked.
"About what?" Hastings asked.
"Cain."
"I informed her of the details personally, dear, but I haven't seen her since before you, her, and Mr Thorndyke left for the Hippowdon Temple," Erma replied.
"Okay, I'll go and find her then," Keith said as he ran out of the room. Buizel clung to his shoulder, clearly not wanting to fall off. Erma looked at him worriedly as the doors closed.
"Was there something else?" Hastings asked.
"Yes, but I promised I wouldn't say a word," Erma nodded. "She specifically requested that nobody tells him; she wants him to know about it from her directly."
"Oh, shoot! I forgot to tell Keith about the wedding invite we've received on his behalf!" Hastings exclaimed.
"Don't worry, Prof, he'll find out one way or another," Sven laughed.
Elsewhere...
"So, there's gonna be a wedding?" Crawford asked with intrigue. Barlow folded his arms as he looked towards the interested Ranger.
"I've just finished reporting what Professor Hastings told me, and the thing that interests you the most is the wedding?"
"I'm glad that little twerp's gone down an' all, boss, I'm just more focused on the positive, that's all." Barlow smiled.
"Can't argue with that."
"Do we know who's getting married?" Luana asked. She held her now fully recovered Buneary in her arms.
"Strangely, no, we don't; the invite didn't say a thing about it," Barlow replied. "I just know that it's gonna take place tomorrow," he added as Keith and Buizel entered the base.
"What's gonna take place tomorrow?" he asked. All three Area Rangers smiled at him.
"Oh, there's gonna be a wedding tomorrow," Luana replied.
"Is it yours?" Crawford asked playfully. "The invite didn't say."
"No, and, if it was, you'd know," Keith said, laughing nervously. "Speaking of which, you haven't seen Alexa anywhere, have you? Her mobile's off and I can't find her anywhere."
"Nope, haven't seen her since yesterday," Barlow replied.
"I haven't seen her in, like, forever," Luana added. "Hope she's okay; I heard she go hurt the other day."
"Isn't that why she's leaving the day after tomorrow?" Crawford questioned. Keith suddenly felt as though he had been stabbed in the back.
"What...?"
"Crawford, shut up...!"
"Yeah, the Thorndyke's are going back to Johto after the wedding, and Alexa's going with them," Crawford explained just as Alexa herself, with a crutch in one hand, entered the base.
"Crawford!" All four Rangers spotted her by the door. "I told you not to say anything!" Keith confronted her.
"You told them not to say anything?!" he asked accusingly.
"I wanted you to find out from me!" Alexa explained desperately. "I've been trying to find you after I left the hospital for Dad's-"
"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?! Why did you let me find out from someone else?!" Keith asked with distraught.
"How was I supposed to know Crawford was gonna grass me up?! Like I said, I wanted you to-"
BUMP!
"Keith!" Alexa exclaimed, but the devastated Top Ranger had already ran out of the base, bumping into Alexa's shoulder along the way. As Buizel gave chase, Alexa glared at Crawford.
"Thanks a lot," she said spitefully before leaving the base. Barlow and Luana glared at Crawford as well.
"What?"
"You know what."
Alexa returned to the house and closed the door once Phoenix had entered the living room. She approached Hayden and handed the crutch over to him.
"Here."
"What's wrong?" Hayden asked worriedly.
"Keith knows," Alexa sighed.
Oh, good!
"Not from me. From Crawford."
Oh, bad...
"I don't think he meant to say anything, sweetie, it probably just slipped out," Lily said reassuringly as Alexa slumped down on one of the sofas. Phoenix sat next to her, concerned for his oldest friend.
"I don't doubt that. But Keith didn't take it too well," Alexa said. "Oh, who am I kidding..? He was devastated! He's really upset right now. I just don't know if it's with me or with the fact that we're all going back to Johto after this mystery wedding tomorrow."
"I don't think he's upset with you, sis; I just think it's because of the fact that it came from Crawford that upset him," Keenan suggested. Worried about Alexa, Ryder closed his eyes. His aura sensors raised a little.
"I wish I hadn't said anything to Barlow now. I'm not even sure if Keith wants to see me again..!"
"Now you're just exaggerating," Lily sighed as she approached Alexa. She sat on one armrest and smiled at her. "Listen, I just think that Keith needs to hear the full story, that's all; that you're coming home with us for some rest."
"Away from him, he might assume," Alexa sighed.
"Lexie, if you tell him what you told us, I'm sure he'll understand," Hayden smiled. Alexa smiled feebly at her father.
"Thanks, Dad."
Alex? Keith's on a hill next to the beach, Ryder said, opening his eyes.
"Breeze Hill. Right, I need to talk to him," Alexa said as she shot up from the sofa. "Thanks!"
"Rhrrgh!" Phoenix stood up quickly and followed Alexa out of the house.
Keith stood on the Breeze Hill, overlooking the beautiful scenery beneath him; it was a tranquil view of the ocean and cliff sides, with various mountains in the distance, presumably near the Hia Valley. Buizel looked up at Keith worriedly; he hadn't said a single word since they arrived. He just stared at the horizon, not saying a thing. Buizel, knowing he could do very little to cheer Keith up, slowly walked away from him, leaving him in peace. Buizel didn't go very far; he only went as far as the Breeze Hill signpost. As Keith stared at the scene, thoughts and memories of him and Alexa flooded his mind. He remembered the times he shared with the Johto-born girl, both good and bad. The more he thought about those memories, the sadder he became. Eventually, he covered his eyes with one hand...and began to cry.
"Keith!"
"Huh?" Keith heard Alexa's voice, but he refused to turn around. Phoenix touched down on the hill and allowed Alexa to climb down from his back.
"Thanks, Phoenix. Keep Buizel company, will you?"
"Rhrrgh," Phoenix complied as he walked back down the steps. Alexa cautiously walked towards Keith.
"Keith, please! Let me explain," Alexa pleaded.
"What's to explain? You're leaving!" Keith exclaimed sadly. Alexa was overwhelmed by his sadness.
"It's not what you think!"
"So Crawford was lying?" Keith asked sarcastically.
"No, he just doesn't know the full story," Alexa said timidly.
"So what IS the full story?!" Keith shouted. Alexa sighed.
"I'm not suspended anymore," she began. "Because of what Dad and I did in the desert, the Professor's cut my suspension short...but he's also given me sick leave. I...I told him how I felt during the confrontation and he doesn't believe me coming back on duty would be a good idea yet, hence the sick leave. Mum and Dad are going to go back to Violet City the day after tomorrow, and...I asked them if I could join them for a few weeks..."
"Why...?"
"Because I need the time away from this place," Alexa continued. "Almia hasn't been kind to me...the Hippowdon Temple especially. I-I mean...the first time I went there, I found out you were Dim Sun's hostage...and then there's Palkia... Dialga... Cain..! On top of what Team Dim Sun and Kincaid have done, it's been too much for me as of late..." Keith turned around slightly to face Alexa. She felt even more guilty, having spotted Keith's tears.
"Why didn't you say anything to me..? I could've helped you..!"
"...I don't know why I didn't..."
"So you're just going to abandon me? Just like that?"
"No! I'm not abandoning you! I did want you to find out from me rather than from someone else, but I'd never abandon you!" Alexa cried. She walked over to Keith and looked at him straight in the eyes. "I just need to get away from Almia for a while. But as soon as I feel better, I'll come back. I promise."
"Do you mean that...?" Alexa smiled warmly.
"Sincerely." Keith looked away from her slightly as his tears fell down his face. "Come here..." Alexa walked closer to him and pulled him gently into a sweet embrace. Keith held onto her. He tried not to cry, but his tears wouldn't stop flowing.
"I'm sorry..." he apologised.
"It's my fault; I shouldn't have said anything to anyone other than you," Alexa said sweetly. "But no matter how cruel Almia's been to me, you're the best thing about this place. I love you so much..." Keith found it very hard not to cry after Alexa's loving words. They released their cuddle delicately and looked at one another eye to eye. Keith managed to give Alexa a small sweet smile.
"Hey!"
"Huh?" Keith and Alexa looked towards Barlow in confusion as he approached them. Keith, not wanting Barlow to see him upset, looked away from him.
"You all right? I found Buizel with a Charizard down there and-"
"It's fine, honest. The Charizard's with me," Alexa smiled.
"Oh. There's been an update about the wedding; it's going to be at Altru Park."
"Thanks, Barlow," Alexa said kindly.
"I'll just...I'll leave you alone." With that, Barlow walked away from the hill, passing Phoenix and Buizel along the way.
"He's gone," Alexa said softly. Keith faced her again; his tears were still in his eyes, and he looked somewhat ashamed of himself.
"Sorry..."
"Hey, you didn't want Barlow to see you so upset. That's fine. But you have to remember that Barlow had a few of those after Operation Brighton," Alexa laughed as she gently wiped Keith's tears from his eyes.
"But he was happy when he-"
"Hey. Listen to me, mister, crying doesn't make you any less of a man. It shows that you have feelings," Alexa said kindly. "Not everyone can be brave all the time." Keith smiled at her.
"Yeah. Sorry about that."
"No worries. And about me leaving Almia? It's just for R&R, that's all. I'm only a phone call away if you need me."
"Yeah. I'm sorry, Kitten. I assumed the worst when I heard that you were leaving, I didn't even begin to think that you needed to. That's why I-" Keith was cut off by a sneaky peck on the lips from Alexa, who smiled warmly at him.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it, okay?"
"I'll try," Keith laughed.
"Today and tomorrow are my last days here. Want to spend them together?"
"As if you needed to ask," Keith smiled. He and Alexa walked towards their Pokémon, hand in hand.
24 hours later...
Keith and Buizel approached the centre of Altru Park. There was a red carpet leading to the centre stage, which was decorated to resemble that of a church alter. Barlow, Crawford, Luana, Hastings, Lily, Hayden, Keenan and Ollie's mother were there, and he was surprised to see that the wedding was for Elaine and Ollie himself. Elaine was dressed in a beautiful pink wedding dress and held a vividly fresh bouquet. Ollie was dressed in a simple, yet smart, blue tuxedo. Keith spotted Lily and Luana having a conversation between them.
"Aw, that's so sweet!" Luana said happily.
"I know I didn't see it coming," Lily laughed. "We had our wedding outside, in front of the Bell Tower in Mahogany Town. It was so beautiful, the autumn foliage made the whole thing picture perfect." Keith approached Barlow, who was talking to Keenan.
"Have you seen Alexa anywhere? I thought she'd be here by now."
"You know that she was going to meet us here, right?" Keenan questioned.
"Yeah, but I thought she'd be here before me."
"She'll be here, don't fret," Barlow smiled.
Hastings looked around; all of Hayden, Lily and Keenan's Pokémon were out of their Poké Balls for the day, each of them doing their own thing. He looked back at Hayden, Lily and Keenan themselves. Hayden was dressed in a lavender shirt and teal jeans, but Hastings noticed the crutch Alexa had found for him the day before. Lily was dressed in her usual blouse and skirt combo, and Keenan was dressed in his T-shirt and shorts, which made his shin bandage clearly visible. He smiled; he was impressed at the recovery everyone made after Cain's path of destruction.
"RHRRRRGH!"
Everyone turned their attention to the incoming Phoenix; more specifically, the waving Ryder on his back.
Hello!
Phoenix touched down on the carpet and Ryder jumped off. Alexa released Layla, Kadia, Ronan and Nando from their Poké Balls before she hopped off of Phoenix's back. As she and Ryder approached her, while the other Pokémon scattered, Keith instantly noticed Alexa's attire; a pale red tunic, black leggings, white socks and black pumps. He also noticed the turquoise bow headband on her head.
"Sorry I'm late, everyone, I wanted to look presentable. Had a bit of a bed-head this morning." Barlow laughed.
"Alex, Almia weddings are casual! You don't need to dress fancy!"
"So I was told, yeah, I just wanted to make an effort." Keith smiled at her.
"You look beautiful." Alexa smiled back at him.
"Thanks."
"All right, now that everyone's here, I think we can begin," Barlow said, somewhat enthusiastically. Keith gently took Alexa's hand and escorted her to the audience. Ryder followed Alexa, while the Pokémon around the outside watched from their comfortable positions. Ruby was floating next to her father, Malik, with a little flower in her hair.
"Er...a-hem...L-Laddies and generals...no, wait..."
Ryder suddenly broke out in hysterical laughter. He was laughing so hard, he fell to the floor and tears began to form in his eyes. Alexa sighed, despite her smile, and bent down to the extremely amused Lucario.
"Take it easy, Ryder."
A-and I thought the Capture Loopy-Looper was hilarious...!
"Deep breaths, baby..." Ryder tried to breathe deeply, but couldn't stop laughing so easily. "Listen, why don't you sit with Layla, okay?"
Y-yeah, I-I'll do that, Ryder agreed breathlessly as he approached the shiny white and blue Zangoose. Alexa stood up and looked at Barlow.
"Sorry about that."
"It's fine," Barlow smiled. "Right, from the top; ladies, gentlemen and Pokémon..."
Thank you.
"Please allow me to introduce today's bride and groom. The bride; Almia's greatest mechanic, Elaine! And the groom; Ollie, a nice guy who knows the meaning of gratitude! Now, if you can all remain quiet for a moment; it's my understanding that both the bride and groom wish to say something. First, Ollie, the groom."
"T-thanks. I-I'm Ollie, a-as you know...gosh this is awkward... T-Thank you for coming to our wedding. We're also sorry for keeping it a secret from you; we wanted it to be a surprise," Ollie said.
"I'll say it was a surprise; I didn't even know you two were even dating to begin with!" Keith laughed.
"Yeah, you kept that one quiet!" Alexa smiled. "Even though I had an inkling." Ollie laughed, but then sighed.
"There's something I've realised. If I hadn't met everyone in the forest that day, I would have followed the same path as the Dim Sun goons. So I'm..." Ollie looked at Elaine briefly before facing his audience again. "I'm grateful to everyone at the Ranger Base...to Alex, who believed that I wasn't a criminal from the start...to Keith, for helping me with my wish to repair the forest...and...I'm especially grateful to Elaine, the love of my life, for being there for me when I was unsure about what to do with myself."
"Ollie's not the type to knowingly become a criminal," Elaine began. "He only took the job he did because someone took advantage of his insecurity."
And we know who that was, don't we, Alex? Ryder whispered. Alexa nodded in response.
"After that, Ollie's helped me and the Ranger Base in so many ways. I'm..." Elaine looked at Ollie briefly before facing her audience again. "I'm sincerely grateful for what he's done...and I'm most grateful to him for being such and amazing person to be with. I don't know where I'd be without him."
"I concur," Barlow smiled. "Two people who are grateful of each other...they're an ideal couple." Ryder grinned; he knew of another couple who were grateful of each other.
"Oh?!" Elaine suddenly felt her bouquet moving, much to everyone's astonishment and or confusion.
"SHAYMIIII!"
The little hedgehog Pokémon hopped out of Elaine's arms and landed in front of her feet on the stage.
"Shaymiiii!"
"What in the-?"
"Awwwwwww, it's so cute!" Alexa almost squealed. "It's a Shaymin!"
Rrrrrrrrrrr! Ryder looked towards the bridge, growling angrily. Keith looked towards him, confused.
"What're you doing?" he asked. Ryder stopped growling and looked at Keith.
What? I thought some Team Dim Sun clowns were gonna arrive to try and take Shaymin, he explained. Layla, although smiling, rolled her eyes.
"What kind of stupid plan is that?" Alexa asked mockingly. "Even by Dim Sun stantards it's stupid; Shaymin's main power is restoring polluted land to their former glories and better."
"In addition, Shaymin is the Gratitude Pokémon," Hastings added. "And, as that would suggest, Shaymin senses the gratitude in others." Hayden smiled at Ollie and Elaine.
"And the little guy has its eyes on you two."
"Shaymii!" Shaymin happily ran around the soon-to-be-married couple.
"Awwwwwww, I can't get over how adorable it is!" Alexa exclaimed happily.
"So you know Shaymin's legend?" Keith questioned.
"I wouldn't call Shaymin a legendary Pokémon; it's been spoken of mainly in Floaroma Town's history, but it's actually one of the rarest Pokémon out there. But it's just so cute!"
"Shaymiiiii!" As Shaymin ran around Ollie and Elaine, it released a burst of flower petals from its tiny little body.
"What in the-?"
"Oh wow! A flower shower!" Crawford exclaimed happily.
FLASH!
A flash of blinding white light struck the entire park. As soon as it faded, the whole area was covered in vividly coloured and fresh flowers as far as the eye could see. One of those flowers ended up on Nando's nose. Ronan laughed as Nando took the flower off of his nose and looked at it. Ronan stopped laughing and smiled at the content Nidoking, who was admiring the flower.
"Oh, wow...! Look at them all!" Elaine said with overwhelming joy.
"It's so beautiful," Ollie agreed.
"This must be Shaymin's gift for the two of you," Crawford assumed. Luana looked around.
"Huh? Shaymin's gone."
"Perhaps another new outbreak of gratitude has emerged in Almia? Gratitude that would make Shaymin act," Hastings mused.
"...thank you, Shaymin," Ollie said quietly.
"I'll never forget this day," Elaine said happily.
"Trust me, sweetheart, you won't," Lily smiled, holding onto her husband's free arm.
"Oh, Lily, I hope they'll be as happy as you and Hayden are!" Luana said joyously.
"They can be." Lily looked at the newly-weds. "Keep treasuring each other and you'll be fine."
"Thanks, Mrs Thorndyke," Ollie smiled.
"Okay, then, there's only one thing to say right now," Barlow smiled. He looked towards Ollie. "Ollie? You may kiss the bride; congratulations."
Everyone, bar Keith and Alexa but including the Pokemon, cheered joyously as the bride and groom shared a romantic kiss at the alter. The female Pokémon were all dangerously close to tears, so the male Pokémon had to help them keep their bearings. Keith and Alexa watched Ollie and Elaine.
"They do look great together," Keith smiled.
"Yeah," Alexa agreed. She and Keith faced each other, eye to eye.
"...I am going to miss you, you know. It's going to be hard to say goodbye," Keith said sadly.
"Same here. But I'll be back; after everything we've been through together, just try keeping me away from you." Keith smiled.
"Thanks."
"No...thank YOU. For making yourself heard in school," Alexa said quietly.
"...thank you...for giving me the chance. To be your friend." Alexa laughed.
"Like I was going to pass it up?" Keith laughed.
"Guess not." Keith lost his smile. "But it's going to be so hard to say goodbye...!"
"Then don't."
"Huh?" Alexa gave Keith a truly loving smile.
"It's not goodbye...it's...see you later..."
Keith gently pulled Alexa close to him as they began to share a tender kiss. Ryder and Layla smiled at their trainer and her love. Ryder, however, spotted Shaymin looking up happily at the pair from next to Keith's ankle. Ryder smiled warmly.
To be concluded...