Chapter 66: Time Went by...
In the free world, the months passed by. Life went on, somehow the same as before and yet completely different at the same time. Aurora had already been back in Kira Town on the very day of her loss, thanks to my help in the last moments. And as much as she was hurting, Aurora was aware of her duty. When she found herself at the lake, she immediately returned to the League Tower, where she had to find Elementareon. The league's leader had to find out what had happened. After all, not only Marshadow had sacrificed herself for this victory, but also her loyal companion Darkrai.

Moreover, as much as the hatred still boiled within her, she wanted to see Epsilon. Less out of pity rather than out of simple curiosity. The remaining Team Polarna vatra should also know. The team had lost friends and fighters, but the Plot Warrior had already sworn in the star arena that she would not give up on the team. For Kel. Aurora was of course also interested in whether or not she could actually find Hail, even if she somehow felt like there was no chance. After her return, she was greeted happily at the League Tower, but Elementareon quickly noticed how dejected the Ninetales was. And only a short time later, she herself joined in the mourning, now with the knowledge of her own loss.

Three months had passed since that day. Now, at this sunset, Aurora was sitting on the cliff where Aurorus had once betrayed her. Team Polarna vatra still existed, but without Kel and Marshadow, it had never been able to repeat the heights of the first King's League season. 14th place in the first season since then, 22nd place in the second, and just a few days before, the team's weakest season by far ended in 47th place. Aurora still had her team partners and some friends. And yet she felt lonely. Since that day, she had resolved to live her life. She wanted to do what Kel had wanted her to do. And she had made progress. The story of redemption had spread in the meantime and had increased her fame, which had already grown with Epsilon's fall.

Footsteps sounded behind Aurora, footsteps of a teammate. Her relationships with Tyrantrum and Zeraora had not really changed since the loss of her loved ones. They were teammates and friends, but not really close either. Nevertheless, it was Zeraora who now joined her. Without asking, he sat down next to the Plot Warrior, looking into the sunset.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"

Even though they never actually talked about it, everyone around Aurora knew what was really wrong with her.

"Why are you even asking? You know the answer! I used to have so many wishes and dreams. I wanted to fight in the King's League. I wanted to become a heroine. Known all over the world. I wanted to defeat Epsilon, bring true peace! And as crazy as all these dreams were... I was able to fulfill them! Every single one! And now I see why people say "Be careful what you wish for!" Because it is only on the journey to such huge goals that you learn what is really important in the end. And now I fulfilled my dreams from back then... and lost the only thing I found really mattered."

For a moment, Zeraora considered whether he even wanted to discuss the topic any further, since he knew that Aurora was quite sensitive when it came to Kel. Usually, he decided against it, but on this day he had had enough of staying quiet.

"Aurora, we really know how you feel by now. And I'm definitely not saying that you shouldn't be sad, but... ultimately it was fate. You couldn't have changed anything anyway and, if you ask me, that should show once again that you didn't make any mistakes that could drag you down like you are doing to yourself."
"Maybe you would be right if I really wasn't to blame!"

Irrational as the statement seemed to him, Zeraora restrained himself to remain calm.

"I wasn't there, but we know the story from the Mind of the World. And you couldn't have changed his disappearance, no matter what you did!"

The Plot Warrior just seemed annoyed by these words.

"I know that. It's about beforehand! If only I had told him what I really thought, then..."

Only now did Zeraora really understand where all the sadness truly came from. Not only because Kel had to leave this world, but because he had to do so without Aurora ever confessing her love. But he still tried to allay Aurora's guilt.

"Yes... yes, that's bad. But on the other hand... it's understandable that you couldn't. It's hard to tell someone how you feel when you don't know when you are scared of rejection."

And again the fighter had made a fat mistake.

"But I knew he wouldn't! Because I already knew that he loved me too!"
"Oh... but if you didn't feel the same way then, then you can't blame yourself for it."

One thing hadn't changed about Zeraora over the months stayed true... Sometimes he didn't know when it would be better to just stop talking.

"You have no idea what happened, damn it! It wasn't like that, I... I just didn't dare. Because I thought... if something happened to him or me during the war, it would be easier for us. What a great call that was, I know!"

At this point, even the usually talkative Zeraora didn't really have anything left to say.

"Oh... that... is bad, of course."

Aurora snapped at him irritably.

"Oh, you don't say! Are you finally finished then? Or do you want to "help" me further?"
"It's not his fault you are pissed!"

Another Pokemon had arrived the cliff, head raised and looking down disparagingly. Although the last few months had at least managed to ensure that the Plot Warrior no longer felt any deep hatred towards her mother, the relationship was still far from neutral. And Zeraora knew that.

"You better go. I'm very sure that Aurora really doesn't need you here right now."

The bond between the former team partners of Team Slash was also obviously badly damaged by everything that had happened.

"Perhaps she does exactly need me! Cause Aurroa knows that I'm not just going to pity her, unlike you!"

At first Zeraora wanted to object, but when he considered how useless his own attempts had been, if not counterproductive, he decided that he probably had no right to continue judging and let Epsilon take his place, which Aurora did not seem happy about.

"Leave me alone! I don't want to see you!"
"Then look the other way and listen!"

Annoyed, Aurora turned away, not to obey Epsilon's words, but simply for emotional distance. Zeraora was still watching the events from a distance when Epsilon continued, her voice taking on a gentle tone that he had not heard ever since her revelation.

"Please, Aurora. I just want you to answer a question..."

No reaction followed.

"So, do you actually think that Kel was a fucking idiot?"

Epsilon backed away calmly, narrowly avoiding a claw strike. She didn't seem impressed, though.

"Are you kidding me? Piss off! Now!"
"I'm not leaving without an answer!"

The Plot Warrior wavered between the options. But she decided that it wasn't worth a fight.

"Of course not. What do you expect?"

Satisfied with this answer, Epsilon stood up again.

"See? Then what's the problem?"

Confused, the Ninetales looked at her mother.

"Ask whoever you want, girl. Tyrantrum, Zeraora, Elementareon, Latias, hell, you can probably even ask Grimmsnarl! Maybe you never confessed to him, but he can't be that dense! You two were my enemies, but even under the mask I could see that you like him! And believe me, that thing was not made to be see-through!"
"What are you trying to tell me?"
"It's simple. Kel knew anyway. Just because you could never confess your love to him, he didn't leave the world without knowing. Well, either that or he really is a fucking idiot. You choose."

As much as Aurora wanted to doubt, she too saw truth in these words. And the resulting awareness managed to calm her racing thoughts at least a little.

"Besides, he promised you that he would never really leave. He's probably here right now, listening to us."

A new voice rang out, speaking these words. A voice that Epsilon recognized without having to turn around. And no, it was not Kel.

"Wanna join us too, Hail? Then come over, maybe you can help calm your daughter. Or maybe not, who knows."

A second Ninetales, a little bigger than Aurora and still with a full mane, unlike Aurora after the last duel against Epsilon, approached the two. After the liberation of the world, the Plot Warrior had honestly not expected that her deceased father would truly return and after a few days she had given up hope. Until the end of the first season since meeting me. Because Hail was truly back, but he returned to where he once died. So he had to find his way first, over sea and land, until he could find his family.

The reunion at that time was a wonderful surprise for Aurora, but it was also quite strange. The family could no longer stand by each other as they once did. Hail had missed how his daughter grew from a young Vulpix into an adult warrior. He had missed the entire journey, an adventure that had changed everything. And when Aurora met her father again like that... she didn't know exactly what Epsilon was planning to do in the face of her former partner, but Aurora knew that she couldn't let her father be lied to! No matter how much it would hurt. And that's exactly what it did.

For weeks, the situation in the now almost complete family was very tense. Not only because of what had happened but also because it became very clear how Epsilon had changed during the war. She herself had said to her former partner:

"After all the years of pain and everything I've done, do you really think I'm still the Pokemon that you once loved?"

And this was exactly what would shape the two's ongoing relationship. In these two months or so, it became clear that things would never be the same for either of Aurora's parents. But, despite all the negative thoughts that remained... somehow the Plot Warrior was happy that the two were at least becoming friends again. At least somewhat, however little it was, she felt like she actually had a family again. And yet... even with both of them here now, the loss was still noticeable. Kel and Marshadow were both gone. And after the great adventure, they had been the Pokemon closest to Aurora. However, all the thoughts and doubts were interrupted once again when another Pokemon entered the clearing. Once again, it was a familiar Pokemon, obviously specifically searching for Polarna vatra's leader. Latias.

"Aurora, Zeraora, can you please come? Elementareon sent me, she needs you for something."

Regaining some constraint, Team Polarna vatra's leader turned to the messenger. Despite everything, she was still determined to properly represent her team.

"What is it about? Is Tyrantrum involved too?"
"If I knew why Elementareon needs you, I would tell you. But she just told me to call you. Tyrantrum was at home so he's already waiting."

Aurora quickly glanced at her team partner, who had now approached again after his failed attempts at encouragement, before nodding.

"Very well. Then come on, Zeraora, let's hear what she wants. Epsilon, Hail, if you want to talk we'll have to do so later."

And so the remnants of the once glorious team set off for a meeting of the utmost importance...