(Sorry, just love this OP)

(3rd POV)

The room was silent, no one daring to speak as soon as those words left Megan's mouth. No one was sure if they heard her correctly or not, nor did they no what to feel about it. However the ice had to break eventually, and Lillie was going to be the one to do it.

"You're leaving...?" She asked them, voice barely above a whisper as she gripped the fabric of her shirt. Her brother turned to her with a sad expression, giving her a silent nod. She took a shaky breath "Why...?"

The couple exchanged glances. They were visibly nervous about giving their reasons. What if their friends thought they were abandoning them. Taking a deep breath Gladion turned to the group again, squeezing his fiance's hand and clearing his throat.

"We... Figured it would be best for us to leave for a while, for us to travel and unwind. Alola, even though it's our home, is also the home to a lot of bad memories to us." He bowed his head "It may sound selfish, but I don't want to be in a place that has caused Megan and I so much misery. Don't get me wrong, we'll miss you guys more than anything, and leaving you is the absolute last thing we want to do. But..."

"But we feel it's time to take a break..." Megan added, her tone soft.

Luke and Laura stared directly at their little sister, watching as her expression saddened further during hers and Gladion's explanation. It was clear she was feeling guilty, because she thought this was extremely selfish for them to just leave. Yeah, it was a little sudden. But it was understandable why they felt that way. Gladion and Megan had been through way more shit than anyone else in the room.

Honestly, this would be good for them.

And to be honest, the Artemus siblings weren't the only ones who felt that way.

"We understand." Lusamine nodded with a sad smile, stepping towards the couple "You need this, don't you?"

They slowly nodded, surprised the woman was so okay with this.

"Then who are we to stop you?" Ashley told them with a shrug, Emilee seeming to agree by the way she clapped her tiny little hands.

"I agree," Guzma stepped forward "You kids have been strong for far too long, I think it's about time you took a breather."

"Yeah!" Rose jumped up slightly "You don't need to look so sad, we don't blame you for wanting to leave for a bit."

"I mean..." Hau rubbed the back of his neck "It's not like you're going to forget about us, right?"

Megan shook her head instantly "Of course not! We love you guys, and would never forget any of you!"

"In that case, Megan, Gladion," Sun stepped through the crowd and placed a hand on each of their shoulders "As champion and as your friend, on behalf of everyone here I give you my blessing."

Everyone nodded behind him, a few giving thumbs up to the couple as they were hugged by the champion. They hugged back, unable to hold back their huge smiles. One by one their friends and family joined the hug, with Lillie pressing her face into Gladion's back, and Luke and Laura crushing Megan into a sibling sandwich while the others had to make do with squishing up to each other. It was tight, and it was sweaty. But Megan and Gladion didn't care.

Because this was exactly where they wanted to be before they left; amongst the people they loved.

There's no place they'd rather be.

(A week later)

Megan zipped shut her backpack after checking she had everything she needed for her journey. She and Gladion had decided to make this trip an actual Pokemon journey, meaning they were only going to take one Pokemon each with them. Prince and Silvally. It was a tough decision, but the choice felt right as those two were their very first Pokemon. Megan blew a strand of hair from her face and glanced to the clock, only to realise it was broken. Eyes widening, she called to her fiance.

"GLADION!"

"What?!"

"WHAT TIME IS IT?!"

"Uhh... half one! Why?!"

...Shit...

"IDIOT! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE DOCKS! IN LIKE, FIVE MINUTES!"

*Thump*

*Thump*

*Thump*

*SLAM*

"WHAT?! OH MAN WE GOTTA MOVE!"

Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, and shaking of her feeling of deja vu, Megan grabbed the blonde's hand and dashed out the room "Then c'mon, Edgelord!"

They dashed through the house and outside, where Megan desperately asked Draco to give her one last ride before they left for Sinnoh. The dragon agreed, happy he was able to spend a few extra minutes with his trainer, and as soon as the couple climbed on he flew as fast as his wings could take, hoping he could get there in time. Of course, this didn't do Gladion's fear of flying much good, as he clung onto Megan like there was no tomorrow. But, Megan no longer felt annoyed by this, and instead held his hand reassuringly until they landed.

And they did, with a minute to spare.

Megan slid off Draco and helped Gladion to the same, before giving her Dragon one final praise before he flew off back to Aether paradise. She watched him leave, trying to hold back tears as she held Gladion's hand tightly. Finally averting her gaze, they made their way to the docks, where everyone was waiting for them. Not a minute too soon either, as their ferry was almost about to dock.

Megan was approached by her mother, Luke, Laura, Ashley and Emilee, who all enveloped her into a large hug. While Gladion was tackled into one by his mother, Lillie, Guzma and Plumeria. They laughed, hugging their family with tears in their eyes before letting go and turning to their friends. Sun, Hau, Rose, Avory and Ein ran to them, pulling them into a death grip and telling them how much they'll miss them. To be honest, Megan and Gladion didn't want to let go. But they knew that their friends would always be with them, even if they were in a whole other region.

"May all passengers heading to Sinnoh please board."

They sighed, letting go of their friends and stepping away with sad smile.

"Well..." Gladion chuckled quietly "This is us."

"We'll write to you everyday!" Hau blurted, wiping his eyes with his arm. This made the couple laugh.

"Oh! Before I forget..." Megan took a piece of paper out her pocket and handed it to Avory, who unfolded it with a quizzical expression. His eyes widened, and so did Ein's who was reading from the over the other man's shoulder.

"Assistant branch chiefs Avory Aesen and Ein Irving?" They whispered in unison.

"Yep." Gladion nodded, grinning "Faba recently retired, meaning Wicke was elected new branch chief. We figured she'd appreciate a duo of amazingly skilled scientists to help her out. Don't worry though, I'm sure she'll show you the ropes."

Avory smiled down at the application, while Avory was trying his best to stay neutral. Failing, of course "Thank you both... we promise not to disappoint you."

Megan held a thumbs up "We're counting on you!"

"Last call for all passengers for Sinnoh."

"Well..." Gladion turned to Megan, who nodded as they intertwined fingers "I suppose this is goodbye... For now."

"Until we meet again." Luke smiled.

Gladion and Megan waved at their Alolan family before boarding the ferry, just before they lifted the platform. They made their way to the front and stood by the railings, calling out Prince and Silvally so they could 'wave' goodbye to Alola.

The ferry began to move, and four of them began furiously waving to those watching them from the docks. They waved back, yelling words of encouragement and reassurance as the vessel moved farther and farther away.

And then, they were gone.

"I hope they'll come back stronger than ever." Sun said determinedly, holding a fist out in front of him.

"So do I, Sun..." Lillie smiled softly, patting a wailing Rose on the back "So do I..."

Megan and Gladion were leaning on the railing, watching as the region they grew up in disappeared over the horizon. They would miss the journeys they took over there, but now they had an opportunity to go on new journeys in a brand new region.

*Sniffle...*

"Gladion?" Megan turned to the blonde, who was clenching his jaw with tears in his eyes. She smiled "Are you crying?"

"N-No!" The boy turned away from the ocean, wiping his eyes with his arm and sniffling again. Megan giggled, reaching over and placing a hand on his arm.

"We'll be back." She whispered "This isn't the end."

"You're right." He agreed, turning again to pull his fiance against him.

"This is only the beginning."

~~~

The end (Well. Bonus first, then it's the end)

~~~