Pokémon XYZ: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos (book 2 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 82: The Parting of Ways

3000 years ago, there was a man. His beloved Pokemon was sent to fight a war in which it would never return. Upon receiving the tiny coffin of his dear friend, he was lost in grief and rage. This man built a machine that brought his Pokemon back to life. But his anger at those causing the war couldn't be satisfied. He turned a machine that created life into one that rained down death. The Ultimate Weapon, a device that brought an end to the war, but at a terrible price. His Pokemon, having seen what was done, left the man. With the deaths of so many upon his shoulders, he wanders the Earth, searching endlessly for his Pokemon...

3000 years ago, there was a man. His beloved Pokemon was sent to fight a war in which it would never return. Upon receiving the tiny coffin of his dear friend, he was lost in grief and rage. This man sought out someone to help build a machine that could bring back his dearest friend. He met a woman who would one day become his wife and together they created the Life-Giving machine. His Pokemon was brought back to life and he could have been happy then, both with his wife and beloved Pokemon. But his anger at those causing the war couldn't be satisfied. He turned a machine that created life into one that rained down death. The Ultimate Weapon, a device that brought an end to the war, but at a terrible price. His Pokemon, having seen what was done, left the man. His wife, having lost the man she thought she knew, left for the farthest unknown regions of the world. With the deaths of so many upon his shoulders and the sorrow for those he lost, the man wanders the Earth, searching endlessly for his Pokemon...

...

"I am that woman," Sandra revealed. "The one who helped construct the Ultimate Weapon many, many generations ago. I was this fool of a King's wife."

AZ let out a rumble, which I realized was a laugh. "A fool I was. Now I hope I am more than that."

"You're still a fool," Sandra snorted, crossing her arms. She looked back at us. "Congratulations on defeating Chaos. I'm sure it must have been difficult."

I glanced at Arcaneis. "It could have been a lot worse."

She nodded, stepping forwards to stand in front of Arcaneis, who stood just 2 feet shorter than AZ. "So this is the one Kalos was waiting for."

Robert clasped his hands. "OH! He was the Foreign Legend!"

"It would seem so," Sandra murmured as I blinked in shock at my Pokemon. "I did not foresee his destiny, and even now, much is hidden." She stepped back. "It was a pleasure to have met all of you. But I'm afraid we shall not part on a happy note."

"What downer do you have for us now?" Robert groaned.

Sandra stayed solemn faced. "Much still lies ahead of you all. Destiny may arrive sooner than you would hope and tragedy will threaten your hearts. I only pray the darkness won't be too much to bear."

"Downer indeed," Alex sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, after everything," she smiled. "I think we can handle ourselves."

I nodded in agreement. "Whatever comes, we'll be ready."

...

"Thanks for dropping by," Looker held the door open for us as we stepped into his office. Emma was at Looker's desk, writing something down as Mimi slept curled up on her lap. "I hear you're leaving, Robert."

"What, did you use your position in Interpol to check my payments?" Robert raised an eyebrow. "But yes, I'm leaving. Aren't you?"

"Not for a couple more days," Looker straightened his trench. "I still have some last things I need to wrap up here."

"So you are leaving?" Emma set down the pen, blinking at Looker.

His face softened. "Yes, Emma. This office isn't for me to run, it was only part of my job."