EPILOGUE

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Professor Rowan, the esteemed Pokémon Professor of Sinnoh, scanned the résumés his assistant faxed him for the third time that day. His brows furrowed and his mustache shifted on his lip as he silently read the words aloud. The applicants had been accepted, of course, but he wanted one last glance over before they arrived.

The first résumé showed a beaming face of a freckled young lady. Professor Sycamore had written a letter of recommendation for her, emphasizing her ability to connect with Pokémon quickly. Despite being several years his junior and flamboyant in nature as many Kalosians are, Rowan respected his associate's word. It was why he gifted her a Chimchar and grinned upon seeing him taking down rivals live on television as an Infernape.

He moved to the next paper and met the stare of an indifferent blond he'd come across a dozen years ago. The Celestic Town native was the only Trainer who'd ever turned down a starter in favor of completing his journey with the Pokémon his parents gave him. His letter of recommendation came from Cynthia; how he had connections to the region's Champion, Rowan had no idea. He made a mental note to ask the next time he saw her.

Abrupt phone ringing yanked him out of his browsing, and he cleared his throat as he answered, "This is Professor Rowan speaking."

The laboratory's front desk operator cheerily informed, "Professor, Alice Bristow and Ken Amachi have arrived."

"Thank you, Adah; I'll be there momentarily."

"Okay!" Adah hung up the phone and smiled at the couple standing in front of her. "Professor Rowan will be right with you."

The duo nodded and watched her exit the front room. Once the door shut behind her, 22-year-old Alice clasped her hands together and bounced on her heels. Ken, whose features had matured as much as his will, breathed a laugh and half-smiled.

"Calm down," he advised, unwilling to fight off the smirk etching onto his face — he'd learned long ago not to resist it.

"I am calm," she promised. No nerves made her stomach birth Butterfree nor sweat gather on her temples. Her bright and enthusiastic grin practically radiated sunshine. "It's just I can't believe we're actually here about to meet Professor Rowan and work for him. It feels like a dream."

He rested a palm on her shoulder, and she stopped swaying foot to foot. "It's no dream. We fought vigorously for this moment, Alice."

"I know, I know." She removed his hand from her shoulder to intertwine his fingers with hers. "It's still amazing that this is finally happening."

"We deserve it."

"You got that right. I didn't take calculus and spend days of my life suffering for nothing."

Alice cringed at the memory of pulling allnighters due to math classes. The worst part wasn't even staying up late; no, it was attempting to keep Ken up past eleven o'clock. He'd doze off in the middle of a problem then bristle when she awakened him because sticky notes full of doodles would be sticking to his cheeks.

The door reopened, and they spun heel to face the incomer. A tall, intimidating man with heavy eyelids and droopy wrinkles greeted them with a curt nod. He donned no labcoat unlike the others in the facility, choosing to wear a plain suit instead. The professor wheeled in a cart, but his frame covered what laid atop it.

"Good morning," he said, his voice deep and modulated. "It's very nice to meet you two again. It's been quite some time since I've last seen you as young trainers venturing the Sinnoh League."

"Yeah, it's great seeing Sinnoh again." Alice chirped. "We just moved into the apartment complex down by the beach."

Ken didn't miss a beat as she paused to breathe and added, "We're extremely thankful that you selected us to work in your lab."

Rowan waved them off. "There's no need to thank me. Not yet, that is. You two need to undertake a task for me before I allow you to come any further into this facility."

Alice and Ken trailed after Rowan to the cart that had been hidden behind the professor. A large, clear cylinder device sat on the top. Within the case was a mostly yellow Pokémon egg with a dark brown, jagged line leading to more of the chocolate color at the bottom.

"There's currently an Alolan scientist sent by Professor Kukui in Jubilife City," Rowan stated. "As you may recall, Alolan variants differ from Pokémon found in other regions. He's studying when normal Pichu's and Alolan Pichu's move-sets splinter into separate directions."

He carefully picked up the container and handed it to Ken. Alice pressed her fingers against the glass and felt the warmth emanating from it.

Rowan crossed his arms. "His name is Koa, and he's staying at the Pokémon Center. Once you've given it to him, come back and I'll issue you your job IDs. Any questions?"

They chorused, "No."

"Take care now."

* * *

Choosing to walk from Sandgem Town to Jubilife City seemed like a good idea when Ken first suggested it. Two hours into traveling through a rundown path plagued by ten-year-olds wielding weak Shinx and Bidoof made him curse at his irrational thoughts two, three times over. Alice wouldn't speak aloud about the matter, though the tired look in her gaze said, 'I told you we should've driven the car'.

Worn out by the onslaught of bug catchers and lasses, they released Infernape and Lucario. The Fighting-types' harsh glares repelled the Trainers who gawked from a distance. No one dared to pester the graduates.

Finally, Alice and Ken arrived in Jubilife City and were reminded of Lumiose. Skyscrapers towered high above with dozens of citizens standing on the broad sidewalks outside them. Rather having cafés, technology hubs advertising the newest devices were on every corner. Clowns juggling Poké Balls and giving out tickets with their Mr. Mime attracted children of all ages.

Alice had begun to veer off towards the show in curiosity, but Ken dragged her back, scolding, "We have to deliver this egg before we sightsee."

"Then where's the PokéCenter?" she asked, scanning the vicinity. "I thought there was one on the main street."

"It must've been relocated," he said, unable to spot the fluorescent red building as well. "Here, take this."

Alice more than happily took the Egg off his hands as Ken surfed the internet on his upgraded Pokétch for a map. He stuck to her side as she navigated their way through the streets on the lookout for a Pokémon Center or a café. They caught the attention of various Sinnohvians, and one of which smirked.

Neither scientist noticed a man tracking their footsteps, whistling under his breath as he shadowed them. He blended into the crowd save for his tall height that put him a good half a head atop everyone else. His brows quirked as Alice took a left in a forked path, going towards the suspicious side of town.

He called out to her, "I wouldn't go that way if I were you."

Alice jerked to a halt and turned around only to see a gargantuan stranger in a charcoal mantle cape coat. Sunglasses and stubble dressed his face, and she almost expected him to brandish a fedora to complete the look.

She instinctively reached for her Poké Balls. "Why not?"

"Jubilife's a nice city and all, but you're gonna meet its bad people further down the street," he warned, his easygoing smile contrasting his message.

Ken scrutinized him with narrowed eyes and frowned. "I see. Where's the Pokémon Center?"

"It's next to the remodeled Pokétch headquarters. You can't miss it, it's huge." The man snickered and rubbed the nape of his neck. "Man, did I change that much?" They blinked in confusion, and he snorted. "Dude, I thought I was the dumb one."

He pushed his sunglasses up and revealed gleaming, mossy green eyes. Ken's mouth parted into an 'o' shape, and Alice gasped.

"Oh my gosh, Jay?" she exclaimed, rushing to him. "I didn't recognize you! Since when did you have a beard? Why would you have a beard? You look like those old hiker men in the mountains, but in detective clothes."

"Damn, Shortcake," Jay said, chuckling at her surprised expression. "No wonder you were about to fight me here in the middle of the street. Also, don't shout my name; I'm part of the you-know-what now. Call me Seeker, 'kay?"

She laughed and leaned in for a one-armed hug. Ken extended his palm for a handshake then grunted as Jay pulled him into his opposite side in a crushing hold. His nose scrunched up as the overpowering scent of layered cologne assaulted his senses.

"Your cologne's appalling," Ken commented. His lips quirked skyward. "Does the International—" Jay emitted a disturbing choking noise "—er, your organization not have regulations?"

Jay loosened his grip and crossed his arms behind his head. "You're nose-blind, Kenny Boy. They think I smell like a daisy." He gestured to the egg. "I see you guys have kept busy over the years."

Alice propped the container on her hip and explained, "Yeah, we're actually working for Professor Rowan now as lab assistants since he focuses so much on mythology. We're supposed to give this Pichu egg to an Alolan guy at the Pokémon Center."

"I've had enough experiences dealing with Arceus and other legendaries." Jay snorted. He straightened up and shoved his hands in his jacket's pockets. "How 'bout we get the egg to the dude then have our serious 'grown-up talk' at a kickass sushi place?"

The trio engaged in casual small talk as they traversed in the concrete jungle. All those years spent apart faded into nothingness; it was as if they'd been in contact the entire time. For a fleeting moment, they were once again a daycare worker, trainer, and spelunker discussing the latest science fiction novel's movie adaptation.

The Pokémon Center's poppy theme song greeted them as they passed the glass doors. Clusters of teenagers lounged at tables in the lobby with their respective Pokémon lying at their feet. Nurse Joys and Chansey spared the newest visitors mere glances, opting to warn new trainers not to allow their Budew and Starly to run rampant in the entryway.

Ken identified the Alolan first; his bronze complexion contrasted the pale Sinnohvians around him. He was reading a book to a silvery blue Meowth near the miniature store. The feline's ears twitched as the party approached its trainer.

He looked away from the pages and chirped, "Alola! My name's Koa. That's my egg, yeah?"

"Alola," Ken half-heartedly mimicked, tainted memories of annoying battling competition rivals playing in his mind. "Yes, this is for Professor Kukui."

Koa beamed as he took the egg and replied, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of it. Tell Rowan Alola appreciates his cooperation. We've had our hands busy back on the island trying to pick interns for our new program."

Alice cocked her head. "Have you had any luck?"

"Yeah!" he bubbled. "One's from Snowbelle Academy in Kalos, and the other's Kantonese. They're flying in any day now."

Ken nodded. "Well, we hope your research fares well. We have business to attend to."

Jay and Alice exchanged an amused look. He raised his brows, and she shrugged in reply. As they exited the facility, he smirked and asked, "Who calls eating sushi 'business'?"

* * *

The aroma of fish and rice dishes wafted through the air of Jay's selected restaurant. Unsaturated Johtonese paintings of Milotic resting in ponds and Goldeen swimming in rivers hung on the olive green walls. Bamboo dividers separated customers' booths from each other, obscuring people from laughing at strangers who couldn't use chopsticks properly.

Ken sighed as the Goldenrod Roll slipped from his chopsticks and returned to sipping his soup. "Using sticks thinner than your fingers to eat food is ridiculous."

"Want some help?" Alice offered, her napkin covering her smile as she wiped her lips. "It's not that hard."

"I can't believe your biggest weakness is sushi," Jay chimed in from his spot parallel to the couple on the opposite bench, his mouth full as he easily shoveled down rolls.

Ken retorted, "Don't talk with your mouth full."

Jay cracked a grin then downed the rest of his beer. The glass bottle thunked against the wooden table, and he leaned forward. "Since you've been begging me to tell you what I've been up to—"

"No, we weren't."

"—I'll come out and say it—" Jay paused for dramatic effect; Alice perked up in anticipation, and Ken simply blew the steam off his hot tea. "—I completed my mission."

The brunette praised, "That's great, Ja— I mean, Seeker! You found them out really quickly."

"Everyone says I'm a natural," Jay bragged, popping his coat's collar.

Ken finished nursing his drink and questioned, "Where are the criminals now?"

The smugness in the detective's expression faltered, but the distance in his gaze was gone in the blink of an eye. "They're locked up in Unova for good. You won't see them ever again. I've had the past few months off duty to relax, but Looker hit me up last week for a new assignment."

"And that is...?"

"I dunno." Jay laughed at Ken shaking his head and Alice withholding a face-palm. "I have to go to Hoenn for intel. I'm thinking of battling Steven Stone while I'm over there."

Alice gulped the beer Jay insisted she should order and winced at its bitterness. The harsh drink worked in distracting her from his outlandish news. "I don't think you can go and walk up to Steven Stone and ask him for a battle."

He stroked his bearded jawline, his hairs itching his skin. "Nobody can say no to this face, Shortcake."

Ken replied, "You need to shave for that claim to ring true."

Four sushi rolls later, the three paid for their meals and walked outside. The damp breeze of Sinnoh's evening weather brought the scent of rain. Stormy gray clouds rolled in above, hiding the sun from Jubilife City. Most of the citizens who'd been wandering around before were nowhere to be found.

"We need to leave," Ken noted, eying the sky.

Jay sucked in air through his teeth. "Yeah, I definitely don't wanna get caught in that." He spread out his arms. "C'mere, guys. Bring it in. Group hug."

Alice made the mistake of accepting Jay's offer ahead of Ken. She squeaked as she was sandwiched between the two much taller men and gasped for air as they snickered at her misfortune. Ken released his hold first, and she stumbled into his side.

"Arceus, I couldn't breathe!" she griped, half-chuckling-half-wheezing.

"I told you my beauty takes people's breaths away~" Jay teased.

Ken opened his mouth to continue on, but the sensation of a liquid splattering atop his head stopped him. Small droplets of water descended from the clouds at a steadily increasing pace. The asphalt darkened, and he pursed his lips.

"We live in Sandgem Town," he informed Jay. "Whenever you have the time, you can visit us there."

"Try not to take over four years to see us again," Alice added with a joking grin.

He smirked. "Will do." He began walking away from the couple, but he paused to call over his shoulder, "Hey, hit up Cynthia if you ever need me. I better be a best man at the wedding!"

Ken reddened to the shade of a Tomato Berry, and Alice laughed it off. She tugged on his elbow and hummed, "Let's go home."

* * *

"Meowstic, no!"

Alice leaped across the little apartment's living room at her Pokémon trying to push over a moving box labeled 'fragile'. The brunette yelped as she narrowly managed to save the cardboard bearing her mirrors and groaned. The furry, white creature had moved onto another box to wriggle itself into.

"You can't hide inside every single box," she chided. "Ken already made you a box fort to play with, isn't that enough?"

Meowstic's eyes turned neon blue as it used Psychic to dump the box, spilling books onto the wooden floor. She climbed into the box and stared blankly at her distressed trainer. "Meow."

Ken heard Alice's trouble and came into the room with a Poké Ball. He returned the spunky Psychic-type then held his hand out to his girlfriend splayed out on the floor preventing a box from tipping over.

She carefully set down the mirror and took his offer. "Thanks," she grunted, rising to her feet. "Meowstic usually isn't this naughty."

"They say Pokémon mimic their trainers' behavior," he murmured. She pouted at his comment, and he kissed her temple then moved on to gather the fallen novels. "Meowstic disproves logic much like her trainer."

Alice puffed out her cheeks and helped him, creating a book stack between them. "I don't agree with that theory."

Ken only smiled. He grabbed a thick work with a lime green cover and opened it. Leafing through the pages, hundreds of pictures appeared. Alice pressed to his side to observe as well.

One photo was of him glaring at the camera while standing outside of Parfum Palace, his brows drawn together and lips parted as he scolded.

Another displayed him, Alice, and Jay posing on the Tower of Mastery — his skin was terribly burnt at the time.

The third, his personal favorite although he'd never admit it, was a candid shot a hyper redhead took of the trio. Glowing flecks decorated the backdrop, illuminating the surprised and innocent expressions of the trainers glimpsing the camera.

"The tour was a pain, but I liked it," Alice said, resting her head on his shoulder.

He handed the scrapbook to her and watched her search for specific moments she'd captured. The blond replied, "It was memorable, I'll give it that."

She tore her gaze away from the pictures to look at him, their faces inches apart. No ice laced his features, nor did uncertainty shine in her eyes. Instead, admiration softened their posture as they leaned on one another.

"You know what else would be memorable?" she asked. His brows lifted. "If we went to Alola."

Distraught immediately weighed him down. "Do tell me you're kidding."

"It'll be fun!"

"Alice."

"Don't you want to see their Pokémon?"

"If they're similar to their Exeggutor, then no."

She batted her eyelashes. "Please?"

Ken should've possessed greater strength to resist her Lillipup-eyes, but he found himself agreeing, "One time only, and that's it."

Alice cheered and kissed his cheek. Ken rolled his eyes, but he found himself smiling and lifting her chin for a proper kiss. It didn't matter where they were or who they faced. As long as they had each other, they could take on anything.

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Author's Note

Aaaaaand that's a wrap! It's been a long time coming, but the end is finally here~ I'll see you in the next chapter for a final farewell to Bonds  >.<

Question of the Chapter: What was your favorite part of the story?