The final days of our time in Unova were spent in Aspertia City with Robert. After everything concerning Clarity, Team Plasma, and the shocking reveal that I had a sister, we all decided that the best way to spend our last few days together would be living the slow life. We hung out at the local park, went shopping, trained our Pokemon together, and spent hours just talking. About our journeys thus far and where we thought the future might take us.
Then the time had come.
"This is it," Robert spoke softly as he stood on the edge of the pier, staring out over the ocean. He glanced at the lab coat he was gripping in his hand. "I wish... I wish it didn't have to end."
"You're getting sappy on us, Robert," Alex remarked as she came to stand on his right. But tears shone at the edges of her emerald eyes. She smiled sadly as the three of us stared at the sunset. "You've made up your mind then?"
"Yeah," He nodded slowly, still staring at his coat. "It took a while to figure out. I wanted to be the strongest Pokemon trainer there was. Then I wanted to be a great Pokemon researcher. Then an archeologist."
"Robert, only you could have so many career opportunities available and struggle with it," I joked, but that was only to cover the stabbing I felt in my heart.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Robert laughed softly. His grip tightened. "But after looking back at everything we've been through, what we've done, and discovered, I couldn't just throw all of that experience away." He raised his gaze, eyes blazing with clarity. "I'll become a stronger trainer, but I'll also continue researching. Not just about Pokemon and archeology, but into the occult. We've tangoed with a living shadow, a cult, and beings beyond our understanding. There's more out there, count on that. So I'll be the first to figure out what they are. And maybe, just maybe..." He produced a smooth gray stone from his lab pocket. "I'll be able to find a way to bring him back."
He took a breath as he pocketed it. "But for this to work, I need to learn more, and get official backing. I wish I could just go out there, and begin a new journey by myself into discovering the unknown, but if I really want to become a Professor, then I..." He trailed off, tears forming as he shut his eyes.
"It's alright, Robert," I said, gripping his left shoulder. "It was supposed to end back in Kalos. We only just managed to extend our time together. And I wouldn't replace a single moment we spent with you."
"Same here," Alex took his right shoulder. "You have your own future to consider. We support you all the way. Even if..." She paused, wiping at her eyes. "Even if it means saying goodbye."
"And it's not even a forever goodbye," I told him, doing my best to hold back my own tears. "We're all just a call away. So go out there and become the greatest Professor there ever was."
Robert was silent for a long moment before he opened his eyes. "I will." He stepped back so he could look at the two of us. "And you two better stick together, you hear? No breaking up on me, alright? Those types of story arcs always piss me off."
At our scoffs, he said, "I'm serious. You two are perfect for one another. You may have fights, you may endure struggles, but I truly believe that together, you two can overcome any obstacle in your way. So please-" He gave us a wide smile. "Make me best man at the wedding."
"Just get going before I knock you to the ground," Alex tried to say evenly, but her face was turning red.
Robert laughed. "There's the Alex we know and love. No need to be sad at my parting. As you said, Zeno, this isn't a true goodbye. Just a parting of ways. We'll see one another again, I'm sure of it. We each have our own destinies to fulfill. So then-" he held out his fist. "Onward to our own futures."
"Onwards," I agreed, bumping my fist to his.
Alex joined her fist with ours. "To whatever may lie before us."
Robert nodded, took another deep breath, then whirled around, his lab coat swinging up before settling back down around him. "Then I must be off. Whatever trouble you two find yourself in, just make sure you aren't in it alone. And live through whatever life throws at you. But above all else-" he turned his head, grinning as the wind gently blew against his dirty blonde hair. "Make sure to enjoy yourselves." And with that, he strode off, leaving the sunset, and his two best friends, behind as he walked along the path meant for him, his hand raised in parting.
"Farewell, Robert," I whispered as he strode off, his lab coat fluttering behind him. "And to your own future, Professor Aspen."
"Let's go," Alex said softly after a minute, and upon my nod, we boarded the ship bound for parts unknown. I didn't know what lay ahead of us, I never knew, but as I remembered the words of my parting friend, and felt the presence of my girlfriend beside me, I knew we would be just fine. I had a lot of questions for Marana, provided I was able to find her again.
I stopped on the top of the gangplank, just shy of stepping aboard the ship. Alex's hand never left mine as she met my eyes, waiting for me to say whatever was on my mind. After a deep breath, I asked, "Are you still sure about this?
"Of course," she answered without hesitation before smiling. "Zeno, you mean the world to me. And I can tell I mean the same to you. There's no other place I'd want to be than beside you."
With the last of my doubts erased, I returned her smile. "Then let's go. To our own future."
"To our own future," she repeated, and together we took the last step onto the boat, and the first on our new journey.
AND THAT'S A WRAP! Phew, I finally managed to finish this story after so long. I just hope that despite some struggles I had with it, it was entertaining to you all. After years in the making, I was able to write a lot of the really cool scenes I had eagerly looked forward to.
Also, here's a little tidbit of information for you folks that many of you may not have caught. Pokemon Professors are named after trees. Robert is one of the few characters where I actually bothered coming up with a surname for. Just a little hint originating all the way back in HBoD as to who he will eventually become.
And now for what I'm sure many of you have been waiting for. The question of where does this story go from here? Where will our heroes go to next? I am happy to confirm that the HBoD series does not end here. The adventure shall continue. Usually I would cap this off with a blurb and the title reveal of the next story, but to keep some sort of air of mystery, I shall refrain from doing so at this time. Just know that the next story is actually already in production, with a prologue and first chapter written, edited, and revised. But I won't publish those for a bit, as I want more time to iron out some details and maybe write another chapter or two. Not to mention that I'm changing my overall writing style a bit for the next book, so it's taking some time to adjust to.
HOWEVER! I won't leave you all with nothing, cause that's just not how I roll. So my dear, faithful readers, I sincerely hope you have enjoyed the journey thus far and will continue alongside me for years to come. Now here's a haiku to tease the next book. Enjoy~
When the Priestess wakes
And the heavens burst aflame
We lament those lost
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.
.
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Zeno and Alex will return...
