Love in the Time of Teamwork

Chapter 22: An Ending

Here we are at last: the final chapter of our journey together. I put a lot of work into the whole story and this part in particular. Please enjoy, and I'll see you at the bottom. Final chapter 22!

Chapter 22

An Ending

"Did you read the newspaper this morning? They finally published an article on that attack a week ago!"

"About time! You'd think in this modern age there'd be more communication and less issues. We've been working our butts off fixing the castle for tonight's Ball and they just gave us the last order of shipments we need to do it!"

"Hey, quit slacking off you two. Machoke, Throh, put the beam up there. We don't got much time left!"

"Like you're one to talk boss, you've done nothin' but read that article all day!"

"What can I say? I'm a fan. Besides, did you guys know that Ariana of Team Performer was actually Kalos Queen Aria?"

"No way! My daughter loves her. Says she wants to be a Performer when she's old enough to-Hey, you can't come in here!" The man stopped walking, staring down at the rather diminutive construction worker near him. A Machop was at his side, carrying a couple pieces of stone with one hand. Somehow, AZ found it both a comforting and heart-wrenching sight. "Sorry, no one's allowed while we finish up construction on the castle, or during the Ball tonight."

"My apologies," AZ rumbled in return. The man before him just scratched his head, looking apologetic. "I'll be leaving then."

"Okay...Machop, let's get back to work! I'm looking forward to some hot cocoa while we watch the Victory Ball tonight!"

"Machop!" the Superpower Pokémon responded with. AZ sighed, adjusted the bag on his shoulders and continued on towards the edge of Ancien City, where a forest awaited him. Maybe he could rest there in peace for the night.

Truthfully, he had only ventured into the town to see the result of that girl's, Zinnia's, plan. To some extent, he felt responsible. He had been the one to guide her down that path. Was it because he saw his own pain within her? Or was it penance of some sort? He had let the Draconids die, and to find one alive, now that his rage had subsided, served as a cold reminder of who he was...and how far he still had to go for redemption.

Had Zinnia succeeded? Had she found peace? It was obvious that she had failed, or else far too many people would have been hurt and Ancien City would not have been thriving. The real question, the one thing he had wanted to ask her, was if she could live with what she'd done. Live with the pain and despair. Because he understood it all too well. Yet, no matter how much he searched, the girl seemed to have vanished. That alone was saddening for AZ.

"No matter how many years pass...no matter the number of eras, it all stays the same..." the large man lamented as he reached the edge of the forest. That was when a burbling met his ears and he looked down on a rock outside the forest. A small green thing was upon the rock, basking in the sunlight while it stared at him. AZ grunted and made his way over to it, kneeling down to look at it. "So...after all these years, after my mistakes...are you here to deliver judgment?"

"Blrb," the strange creature sounded out. AZ heaved his shoulders and then reached over to touch the green thing. No, I'm not...

"Then I guess I'm to live with my sins, no?" AZ asked. The green creature appeared to straighten itself, though neither one lost contact.

Zinnia failed, but in the end, she was able to let go, it responded. Have you not let go after all these years?

"I've never found anyone capable of freeing me." The creature blinked and sagged a little, like it was disappointed in that answer. AZ could admit that perhaps it wasn't the best answer, but the creature he was touching didn't despair at his response.