Pokémon Heroes of Hoenn

Epilogue

(12 years later)

(Petalburgh City, Hoenn)

...

(Ruby's POV)

"Train a little harder and then come back and challenge me whenever you can. Practice makes perfect. After all, even the best of the best can falter and fall because they fell behind in training." I stated calmly to the challenger before me as I returned Zeo to his Pokéball.
"Thanks, I'll be sure to do that, Mr. Ruby. Oh, and one more thing. How do you balance three huge jobs the way you do? Isn't it a bit much for you to handle?" the young, enthusiastic challenger asked. I contemplated this, but soon smiled genuinely at the young boy.
"Well, compared to what I have to deal with outside of work, this is a peace of cake." I stated teasingly, earning a chuckle from the young boy. With that, he waved goodbye and raced for the Pokémon Center to heal his Pokémon. I watched him go for a moment before heading back into the Gym with a sigh. I placed my Gym Pokémon in a special hidden slot in the wall and removed my normal Pokémon​ from the one beside it. Dad has long since retired his position as Gym Leader, thus passing it down to me, his son. Considering I am still the reigning Hoenn Champion and the Gym Leader of Petalburgh City, as well as a top manager at the Devon Corporation, well let's just say I've got my work cut out for me. If I remember correctly, Green is also still the Gym Leader of Viridian City. I wonder how much easier it would be to just be either the Champion, a Gym Leader, or a manager, but I don't think I'll ever give up either one of those positions​. It's a handful, sure, but it's a part of what makes me who I am today.
As for everyone else, life's been busy for them too. Sapphire and I are an item now, much like Fire and Silver, so she stays home and watched our two kids, Brendan and May. While she's got the time, Sapphire writes stories for younger children, often shipping some out to Fire to read to the classes she teaches. Leaf is now a high ranking manager and advertiser of the Battle Frontier, as well as, surprising as it may be, a mailman. Yep. On the back of the Rapidash he received on the job, who he called Olivier, Leaf races throughout Western Hoenn, delivering important mail wherever he goes. Emerald is now what she's always dreamed of being: a full fledged Pokémon Ranger. She's been formally assigned to guard Petalburgh Woods from poachers and protect wildlife as well as trainers who travel through the area. All of our dreams have been on the move for quite sometime now, and best of all, we all stay pretty close by, so we can all get together really easily, especially since Leaf and Emerald are roomates in a small home in Petalburgh City, much like my family and I.
As I thought about Emerald and Leaf for a while, I decided I would head to go check up on Emerald since I don't have any other challengers that I know of for today. I placed my Pokéballs on my belt in the usual fashion and made my way out the door, asking one of the Gym trainers to tell any possible challengers that I'd be out for the day. I strolled over to Petalburgh Woods, looking through the trees to find a particular raven haired friend of mine.
"Oi, Emerald, you up there?" I called casually, stopping by a specific tree to wait for her. It was noticeably thicker than the rest, and usually the go-to spot to find Emerald on duty.
"There's our Champ Gym Leader!" Emerald exclaimed teasingly as she leaped out of the tree and landed a few feet away from me. "How's it going?" Emerald asked cheerfully.
"Great, actually. Just wanted to see if you maybe wanted to get a cup of coffee with me or something." I stated in an offering​ tone.
"Sure. I was just about to head out anyway." Emerald stated casually as she strolled to my side. We were about to head back to Petalburgh City when we heard a clattering of a Rapidash's hooves beating the ground in the distance.
"Hey, is that...?" I murmured as we stared off at the figure in the distance.
"Leaf!" Emerald exclaimed joyfully.
"Hiya, Emerald! Ruby! I'm back!" Leaf called back as he waved his hand, being sure to quickly grab the rope and pull back, bringing Olivier to a stop right beside me. "Didn't think I'd find you two here. How's it going?" Leaf asked cheerfully, adjusting the mailbag on his shoulder.
"Good. We were just thinking about getting a cup of coffee. Wanna join?" Emerald asked casually.
"Sure, I don't see why not." Leaf agreed as he got off the Rapidash's back and gently pet its head to show his gratitude.
Just then, my Pokénav began to ring.
"Hold that thought." I called back to Emerald and Leaf as I stepped aside to answer the call. "Hello? What's up, Steven?" I asked casually.
"Hey, do you have a minute? I'm working on a new project that I think you're gonna love. Come over to Devon real quick." Steven said enthusiastically from the other end of the line.
"Uh, sure. Yeah, I'll be right there. See ya." I said casually in response as Steven and I made quick conversation before hanging up. I turned to Emerald and Leaf with a sheepish grin before pocketing my Pokénav. "I think I'll have to hold off on that cup of coffee." I stated shyly.
"Never a moment for you to breathe, huh, Ruby?" Emerald teased as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, you know how it goes. Duty calls." I said with a nervous chuckle.
"And I just got back too. Ah well. Do your thing." Leaf stated with an encouraging grin.
"Yeah, thanks. Bye!" I called back as I ran off for Rustboro City. I made my way to the Devon Corporation and into Steven's office. I remembered when Steven's father, Joseph Stone, owned this company. He passed away a couple years ago. Steven was devastated, but he still took over the family company as his father would've wished. It took a lot to get him back to his normal self, and every now and again he falters and gets depressed. I worry for him, honestly, but I know he's strong enough to prevail in the end. I'm sure he knows that too. "Hey, Steven. What was it that you wanted to show me?" I asked casually as I strolled into his top floor office.
"Ruby! You really do get here fast, don't you? Or maybe I'm just slower as a thirty seven year old man." Steven teased as he turned to face me with a grin.
"Yeah, you're so old. Twenty three is my prime year." I stated sarcastically, smirking at the ever so kind and high-class Steven Stone.
"My, my, I must be a fossil." Steven pretended to gasp, slapping his hand to his chest in an exaggeration.
"Steven Daigo Stone, I thought you called me here because you wanted to show me something." I demanded with a sigh, using his middle name to express how serious I was.
Sometimes for a thirty seven year old man, Steven can act like such a kid with a brand new toy. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Steven cleared his throat, regaining his usual 'straight man' composure.
"Ah, yes, right, right. Here, right away. This... is the latest model of the Pokénav; the Pokénav Plus." Steven stated proudly as he held up the relatively large yellow tablet-like machine.
"Wow. It's... Big." I pointed out, completely thrown off by its size.
"Oh, well, it is just a prototype. It's a work in progress." Steven stated reassuringly. He explained the new futures he added, as well as the old ones he included as well. I basically did my job and offered advice on what to keep, add, or change from it. Eventually we winded down the conversation until we hadn't much left to say about it.
"Though it's a work in progress as you called it, I think it's pretty neat. I'm sure Mr. Stone would've been proud." I concluded, biting back a gasp as I realized that I slipped the last sentence I spoke. Steven took the picture of him and his father when he was just a boy off of his desk and stared at it with a sad smile.
"Yeah... he would've, wouldn't he?" Steven murmured.
"Steven, I..." I called softly, feeling guilty about being so careless with my words. Steven looked up at me with a genuine smile, causing me to keep silent as he spoke up again.
"No, I'm okay. Really." Steven assured me. I eyed him out of the corner of my eye, not at all convinced by his words. I was taken aback when Steven suddenly began chuckling to himself. "Hey, Ruby, remember that time my father was convinced that Sapphire wanted to marry me?" Steven asked with a laugh. I sneered in response.
"Ugh, please don't remind me. Those were long, painful moments for us." I muttered, recalling the events of around five years ago. Mr. Stone misunderstood a hint Sapphire gave of wanting to marry me and thought it was directed at Steven somehow. The explanations that followed were just as ridiculous as they were embarrassing. Steven just laughed softly at my response, suddenly going quiet again while keeping the soft smile on his face.
"Steven...?" I called softly, wondering what made him appear to be lost in thought.
"I've had a recent feeling come up over and over again. I think your journeying days aren't over just yet." Steven stated softly.
"What? That's crazy, Steven. I stopped traveling after we went to Kalos. I'm done moving about." I stated in disagreement, staring at the man in bewilderment as I tried to find the sense in his words.
"Maybe..." Steven paused to look back up at me as he leaned against his desk, "but in my thirty seven years of living, not a one of my predictions have been wrong." Steven stated in a matter of fact. I was taken aback for a moment as I realized how true that was, but I didn't want to agree with him so easily either.
"Well, there's a first time for everything, right? Maybe you're wrong this time around-" I was cut off by the sound of my Pokénav ringing. Surprised, I pulled out and checked the caller, a bit shocked and happy by the name I read.
"What's wrong?" Steven asked curiously.
"It's Fire. Hold that thought, Steven." I stated as I went to the large, wall-sized window behind Steven's desk and answered the phone. "Hey, Fire. Did you need something?" I asked casually. "Red told you about a tree? What's he been doing with his life recently?" I asked with a dumbfounded look on my face as I jokingly made fun of Red. "Uh-huh... ok. Wait, are you asking me to...?" I paused, taking the Pokénav away from my face and slowly turning my head to face Steven with a look of annoyance. "Yeah, of course. I'll meet you in the skies." I stated distantly into the phone before hanging up and continuing to glare mildly at Steven.
"...So...?" Steven asked hesitantly. He fought back a smile.
"Stupid psychic." I muttered as I made my way to the door.
"Where are you going?" Steven asked as he struggled not to laugh.
"To meet up with Fire. Unfortunately, your predictions never prove to be wrong." I pointed out vaguely as I gave Steven a fake solute and made my way out of his office. "Yo, Mikey! I'm taking a leave. Clear my schedule and give me a couple months off, will ya?" I called out to one of my coworkers, who smiled up at me in response.
"Sure thing, Ruby!" Mikey called back cheerfully as I made my way towards the stairs.
"You're the man, Mikey!" I called back with a friendly wink as I jogged down the stairs.
Mikey and I were so informal at work to the point that we might as well be brothers. Not that anyone cared. Everyone just went along with it or smiled in response.
I quickly made my way back to Petalburgh City, flipping through my keys and strolling into my house after unlocking the door.
"Daddy!!" Brendan and May exclaimed in unison.
"Hey! Where's your mother?" I asked as I ruffled the four year old kids' hair.
"You're back." Sapphire pointed out cheerfully as she walked out of the kitchen.
"Hey there, Beautifly." I said sweetly as I hugged her close, reminding myself of the feeling of my favorite four letter word.
Home.
"Listen, Sapphire. I've got a little trip to go on. It may be quite sometime before I come home." I pointed out as I pulled away from our embrace.
"Where are you going?" Sapphire asked curiously.
"Some far off region to check out something with Fire. She said Red's rambling about it and she didn't think it would be fun if she wasn't with a friend." I explained, earning a slightly saddened yet understanding look from Sapphire.
"Okay... Steven told me he figured you'd be on a trip soon anyways, so I packed a bag for you just in case." Sapphire stated as she handed me a book bag filled with essentials.
"Of course he did." I muttered swiftly under my breath as I looked down at the bag.
"What?" Sapphire asked.
"Nothing. Bye, love. Brendan, May, be good for your mother." I ordered as I gently pat their little heads.
"Okay!" Brendan and May chorused cheerfully. I waved goodbye as I walked out the door. Brendan and May looked remorseful, but I was more worried about Sapphire. I could only hope she'd be able to handle them until I get back.
Then again, most of the time she was the one who actually could handle them on her own. Parenting is hard for people like me.
I blew into my Eon Flute as I got out into the open and waited a few seconds for Latios to show up in front of me. "Hey, Latios. You up for a long distance flight?" I asked casually as I hopped onto his back.
"Long distance? Where to?" Latios asked curiously.
"Well, how do tropical islands sound to you?" I asked teasingly.
"Like a one way ticket to paradise." Latios stated with a teasing smirk.
"Alrighty then. Let's go!" I cheered as Latios took off. We flew swiftly through the sky, Latios using his Psychic abilities to eventually find Fire and our junior Pokémon Heroes. Once again, after quite some time, a new adventure was beginning for us. One that we would surely keep in our hearts for the days ahead. And as I left behind my family and friends with much remorse, an old lesson that I had learned on my very first journey came to mind.

Home is the place where you belong. It's a place that you're always lead to no matter how far you stray away. It's where everyone's hopes and dreams began. It's very scent that you recall can give you security in hard times, and it comes to mind whenever you leave it a little too far behind. We experienced the feeling of being at home for a specific reason.

Because home...

Home is where your heart is.