An epilogue: what next?

"We started with the restoration of the damaged towns and villages. Everywhere that was attacked by the spectres or damaged during the war is being repaired, with priority given to the Pokémon's homes," Ariala reported, walking a little behind Rune. "The restoration is going pretty smoothly. It's like the areas where we would normally harvest materials have restocked themselves, so we have plenty to work with."

Rune couldn't help but snicker, keeping his hands tucked behind his head. His head fur was messier than before, but all of it was flung back and went down to shoulder length. "That's the Tapu's reprieve for you. Gifts and blessings galore, all without a lousy devout in sight."

"Rune, don't say something like that," she complained. "There are many Pokémon who would still prefer to keep their faith in the Tapu. They taught us many respectable values and ideals to live by. We can't just change that way of life."

"I know I know. It's no different here," he replied. He habitually scratched a tree as he passed it. Woodland surrounded them on all sides and the suns rays shone through the leaves overhead to keep the forest floor well lit. Even that was rather soft and pleasant, as if well curated by a gardener – some plants and mushrooms were growing here and there amongst the roots of the trees. Everything was colourful and natural. "Any news on you know who?"

"We haven't heard from Master Lin, if that is who you mean. He returned to the Stardust Treasury, but activity there has gone… quiet, to put it simply. I wish to believe he won't try anything again, but I'm yet to visit and investigate for myself," she confessed. She slumped forward a bit and her stomach growled, making her partner giggle again. "Is there a particular reason you asked me to come out like this? I haven't eaten breakfast."

"Because it's pretty bad that we haven't ever had breakfast together or anything. I think so, anyway. You becoming queen just pushed me all the more to organize the occasion."

"That's- Queen Magearna is still the one giving the orders, you know. She has stepped down, but she's still to guide my activity. And if you wanted us to eat together, why bring me to… wherever we're going?"

"Because I wanted to surprise you. Ah, here we are," he announced. He came to a stop just as they breached the woodland. A short hill overlooked a large facility built of pretty white metal, similar to the buildings of Faernia. A colourful field of corn and berries was fenced in around the facility, and not a Pokémon was in sight. "There. That down there. You wouldn't believe what that is."

"It's a field. We have those all over Faernia," she glanced at him.

"… I should've said you wouldn't believe what that used to be. That was once one of our breeding grounds. It's now a farm where Pokémon are paid to grow and harvest berries, which they then get to sell to all the nearby habitats," he put his hands on his hips.

"Wait, when did we get on an airship? We're on Eris right now?" Ariala glanced back at the forest. There were a few Pidgey, Spearow, Foongus, Caterpie, and other shy, forested Pokémon spying on them. Many hid when she looked back at them.

"We're on Eris right now. That's right: in the span of three months, we've got farms, forests, sunlight, wind, the whole mess. So er, let's hurry up and go take our pick, huh? What do you fancy?" he proposed.

"That's- Rune, I appreciate it, I really do, but please do not neglect to tell me all the details. How did we get here? And how in the world are you coping?" she said.

"We got here via a makeshift bridge that was built to go between the two planets. It uses Magnagate technology, warping Pokémon to and fro with ease. That way we can get carriages and stuff through. It's so seamless that you didn't even notice we'd gone through it," Rune explained, and tucked his arms behind his head. "As for how we're coping with all the changes… the same way the Faernians cope? There really isn't much else to it."

"Rune!"

"Alright alright. Don't take your hunger out on me. Yeah we're in the process of getting rid of our breeding grounds and stuff. Breeding Pokémon and slaughtering them for their meat is our biggest sin right now. But not everyone's on board with the sudden erasure of meat dishes. Some Pokémon just need to eat meat, after all. Myself included," he said. His tone went lower as he spoke.

"That isn't something that can just be gotten rid of, though," she looked away.

"I know I know. We're thinking of maintaining a law in which the feral Pokémon outside of towns and locales can be hunted. That way Pokémon can work for their own food. It's complicated. But hey, on a more positive note, that forest we just passed through – we're looking to name it. The council are in favour of calling it Aska Forest."

"You're so positive. Alright then, what about Leos? I haven't heard from him since he visited you a while ago," Ariala sighed, finally making her way down the hill. Rune raised his fist and jogged after her.

"He went to the Second Country with Prem and Mirror. Something about trying to find a way to link the two planets to the core. I admit I didn't understand that one bit. But Nier and that lot went with him, so he's in good paws. From what I could tell he seemed really happy, too. Nothing I should get involved in."

Ariala opened her mouth to reply, but out came breath of dismay. She slowed down her walking until her stomach growled again, making her blush.

"That's the other thing I wanted to talk about, actually," he said, not looking back.

"… My stomach?" she squeaked.

"Good one. But I mean like, yeah we've got a lot of work to do. And I know we promised the Tapu that we'd see it through. But now that things are calming down a lot I… I miss my friends," he said, and looked away. "I see Diantha run off every morning, sunny as a Charmander in a children's park, and I realise I never got the chance to do all that. Leos almost didn't get the chance do that. I know we're royalty, but I don't want it to just be work work work, you know? There has to be time for love, too."

"… So you feel it too, huh?" she replied, looking away as well. "Married for sixteen years, and knowing each other for far longer than that, yet I don't know a thing about you. Wait, is that really why you wanted us to have breakfast together?"

"Just to get to know each other. Yeah I know, not very masculine, huh?" he rolled his eyes.

Ariala stopped dead in her tracks, letting him take the lead for a moment. He didn't stop for her, so she took a deep breath and walked quickly to catch up. "So, what's your favourite colour?"

"H-huh? What?" he replied. She smiled at him and held his hand, forcing him to walk at the same pace as her. "E-er, red, to be honest. But not like lava or fire, sort of like that uh… wow, I don't know how to explain that."

"You sure it's not pink?" she giggled. He made sure he held her hand properly, unable to hide a light blush. "Pink is mine. Known that for a long time."

"Ew no. Nothing against your fur, but pink makes me think of fairies too much," he said.

"Ew? I daren't invite you to my room, then. There's pink everywhere, and I wouldn't have it any other way," she smiled.

"No no, I don't hate the colour, it's just… why do all fairies have to be pink?" he said.

"They aren't all pink! There's Gardevoir and Azumarill, they aren't even close. And just then, I thought you were bothered by stereotype."

"Okay, you got me there. Well now it's my turn: what're we eating? Tomato salad? Custap soup? I'm still new to this fruit thing, so tell me your favourite."

"Don't let it bother you, but simple food. Apple pie's an unhealthy favourite."

"Wait, you guys have apple pie, too?"

"Of course we do! Not eating meat doesn't mean everything's green. Mince pies, ice cream, chocolate cake – I'm rarely allowed the sweets, but they became my favourite anyway. You wouldn't believe how many times I've been told off for getting Nier to sneak them into my room."

"Ahaha, trust that old Meowstic to do that. I used to do the same with Diantha before I started my training, actually. She had so much trouble losing weight when I started training. She'd get all the sweets to herself then, so she really piled it on."

"Wait really? You'd never guess, looking at her now."

"Yeah! We snuck all kinds of sweets. Though we were a little more naughty and er… look I don't drink, but Father's wine cellar, let's just say that was our little secret."

"Oh goodness, alcohol. I'm afraid you lose me on that one. Priestesses weren't allowed to drink."

"Oh no I regret every moment, haha. The odd glass of fine drink never hurts, but that's become rarer than a luxury for me. Even so, I was always more of a juice kind of guy."

"Juice and not water? You really aren't masculine."

"Hey! Who's the one generalising now, huh?"

"I kid I kid! I'm the same, though. I'm fine with water, but with no taste around, I just get so bored of drinking. If Eris gets to grow any exclusive berries, you'll have to let me try them."

"The feeling's mutual. I missed my chance to try all the Faernian cuisine after all!"

…

…

…Fin…