Tia and Aidan stood quietly as Professor Oak examined the data on the Pokedex. He spent more than the usual amount of time on the entries for Mew and Celebi, then pressed a button to flip the last page. The words “Data Collection Complete” flashed on the screen.
Professor Oak sighed, and a warm smile crossed his face. “To make a complete guide of all the Pokemon in the world,” he said softly. “That was my greatest dream. And to think, today I’ve finally seen it happen with my own eyes…” He looked up, glancing between Tia and Aidan. “Thank you. For all of your hard work, and the blood, sweat and tears you both put in. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
Tia smiled. “You’re very welcome. We’re glad that we were able to help.”
“It’s a cause for celebration, don’t you think?” Mira spoke up, “History’s being made as we speak!”
“We couldn’t have done it without your help,” Aidan said, “Your programming for the Pokedex tracker really helped us a lot!”
Mira beamed. “Thank you!”
“So now that the Pokedex is completed, what are you planning to do next?” Tia asked Professor Oak.
The professor laughed. “Well, now, that’s a bit too soon to ask. Give me some time to enjoy the accomplishment!”
Tia giggled. “Well, whatever you decide to do, I’m sure it will be interesting!”
Weeks later, Tia found herself standing in front of Silph’s Board of Directors. After delivering her latest and final progress report on Project Infinity, she waited quietly as the board deliberated on the information.
Tia thought back on the progress report she just made. The Legend Ball had passed all of its benchmark tests when used against all of the Legendary Pokemon. In all of those scenarios, it never failed to capture a single Pokemon. If the Board of Directors realized that, hopefully they would consider...
“Professor Cade,” one of the board members spoke up.
Tia looked up. “Yes, sir?”
He stared at Tia with a shrewd look on his face. “How familiar are you with the marketing and retail process, as it pertains to Poke Balls?”
Tia looked confused. “Um… Not very familiar, I’m afraid. My focus is on developing the Poke Balls, and not so much with selling them.”
The board member nodded, chuckling. “I see. Well, we ought to hire an exceptional marketing team this time around.”
“Perhaps we could use the same marketing team we used for the Master Ball,” another board member said.
“We’ll need to act quickly if we want the product to be in stores by the holiday season!” a third board member exclaimed.
Tia blinked. “Wait…” she began, “You mean…?”
“We’ve decided to bring the Legend Ball to market within the next six months,” the first board member explained. “It will be priced as a high-end capture tool for both Pokemon Trainers and researchers alike – those of which who need more from their equipment than the Master Ball can offer.”
Tia was speechless for a long moment. “I…” she said softly, “Thank you…”
“Congratulations, Professor,” the board member said, “We’re looking forward to seeing more innovative projects from you in the future.”
Standing on the peak of Navel Rock, Tia and Aidan looked out at the sprawling forests and grasslands of the island below them. The sky was streaked with red as the sun began to slip below the treetops. It was a beautiful paradise, and the perfect place for what they were about to do.
They had spent the last week traveling to each of the Legendary Pokemon’s natural habitats, giving each of them a choice: to stay with them, or to live free.
Except for Mew and Celebi, who had already decided to stay, Mewtwo, who was kept under guard in Professor Oak’s lab, and Suicune, who remained with Eusine, only Lugia had decided to remain with them. The others, given the choice to stay or go, decided to live free again.
Now, Tia and Aidan were about to give the same choice to Ho-Oh.
Aidan stood waiting as Tia pulled Ho-Oh’s Legend Ball from her pocket and tossed it into the air. With a flash of red light, Ho-Oh emerged. They both stared in awe at Ho-Oh’s magnificent form, then Tia slowly approached it.
“Ho-Oh,” she said, “I wanted to say thank you. For the epic battles we had, and for your healing tears. I hope you’ve seen us as Trainers worthy of your presence.” She took a deep breath, then continued. “I want to offer you a choice. To continue traveling with us, learning and growing with us at your side. Or freedom.”
Ho-Oh listened carefully, looking as if it were weighing its options.
“It’s your decision,” Tia said softly. “Will you stay with us, or will you fly free again?”
Ho-Oh looked back at them for a moment with an unreadable expression, then gave a majestic cry and flapped its wings. As it hovered in the air, the sunlight reflected off of its beautiful iridescent wings, forming rainbows in its wake.
Tia and Aidan watched as Ho-Oh circled the peak, then flew further and further away.
Tia sighed as the warm breeze blew through her hair, and smiled a bittersweet smile. “I guess that’s the end,” she murmured. The end of the Legend Ball project, the end of the Pokedex project, the end of their journey. She enjoyed the feeling of a job well done, but also felt sad that a large part of her life had ended.
“Tia…” Aidan said suddenly.
Tia turned to him and was surprised by the serious look on his face. “…Yes?”
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” Aidan said, taking both of her hands in his.
Tia looked down at their joined hands, then back up to Aidan. “Okay…?” she said, confused.
Aidan took a deep breath. “Tia… You’re the love of my life. My soulmate. The other half of myself. I could describe it so many other ways, but the thought remains the same. I love you so much, and I want us to spend the rest of our lives together.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a Love Ball. He got down on one knee and opened the Love Ball.
Tia gasped and her hands covered her mouth.
Nestled inside the Love Ball was a sparkling diamond ring.
“Tia Cade,” Aidan said, “Will you marry me?”
Tia’s eyes filled with tears, and she nodded. “Yes…” she whispered.
Aidan’s eyes widened. “You… will?”
“Yes!” Tia said, laughing through her tears. Her smile was brighter than any star.
Aidan got up and gently slipped the ring onto Tia’s finger. They looked at each other tenderly, and came together for a kiss.
A loud cry echoed through the sky, causing them to reluctantly pull away. They opened their eyes to see a single, rainbow-streaked feather fall to the ground, then looked up at the sky.
“Ho-Oh!” Tia exclaimed.
“It came back!” Aidan said.
Sure enough, Ho-Oh hovered in the sky, slowly lowering itself until it faced the young couple. It stared into Tia’s eyes and gave a gentle creel.
“You… want to stay?” Tia asked softly. She reached out a hand, and gently stroked Ho-Oh’s head. She pulled the Legend Ball from her pocket, and Ho-Oh nudged it with its beak. With a flash of light, it was nestled inside once again.
Tia carefully placed the Legend Ball back into her pocket, and looked up at Aidan. Smiling, they took each other’s hands and looked out across the land one more time, as the sun set and evening turned into twilight.
It may have been the end of many things, but the rest of their lives was only beginning.
So that's the end! A calm, quiet ending as opposed to something loud and bombastic. I hope everyone liked it, and that the whole experience was enjoyable! So far, this is all I've planned for these characters, so until other ideas come to me, we can consider this the end!