Auroria Town – A Few Days Later
The air over Auroria was crisp, touched with the promise of winter.
Skylar and Serena had spent the last few days together—simple days.
They trained side by side.
Skylar helped sharpen Sylveon's precision and timing.
Serena watched Skylar and his team rebuild their strength.
At night, they sat by the fire, sharing old stories, laughter, and a quiet comfort that filled the holes left by pain.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Skylar smiled without forcing it.
He still worried for Misty—every call he made to her family went unanswered—but with Serena by his side, he found the strength to breathe again.
One afternoon, as the sun dipped low, Serena approached him quietly.
He knew from the way she moved.
From the slight tremble in her fingers.
Today was different.
Skylar turned to her, smiling faintly.
"You're leaving soon, aren't you?"
Serena nodded.
"This is my last night."
She sat beside him, hands folded tightly in her lap.
"I have to go back. Your mom's waiting. My next competition is only a few weeks away."
Skylar felt a pang—but he swallowed it down.
He had no right to hold her back.
She had her dreams too.
Just like he did.
They sat in silence for a while.
Watching the sunset bleed across the sky.
Then Serena reached for his hand.
"I'll be cheering for you," she whispered.
Skylar squeezed her hand gently.
"And I'll be cheering for you."
They both smiled.
And without words, they promised:
Wherever life led them, they would never stop believing in each other.
That night was tender.
Quiet.
No desperation this time.
Only warmth.
Only love.
They fell asleep in each other's arms beneath the stars—hearts lighter, wounds healing.
The Next Morning – Auroria Airfield
The air was cold as they stood at the small airfield.
Serena wore a jacket and a pink scarf, Sylveon perched proudly by her side.
Skylar stood opposite her, hands deep in his pockets.
Neither wanted to say goodbye.
Finally, Serena stepped forward.
She kissed him lightly.
"Don't forget what we promised."
"I won't," Skylar said hoarsely.
"I'll be watching you."
She turned, boarding the small transport plane.
Skylar stood there, watching until the plane became nothing more than a glimmer in the morning sky.
And he stayed even after that.
Long after.
Until the cold wind finally pushed him to move again.
Back in town, Skylar sat by the cliffs and pulled out his PokéGear.
One name stared at him on the call list.
Cynthia.
He smiled to himself.
Now that he was stronger again, he wanted to hear her voice.
He pressed the call button.
The screen rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
No answer.
Skylar frowned.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
A knot of worry twisted in his chest.
But this time—he didn't let fear drag him down.
He stood.
Looked out toward the north.
Where, just beyond the hills, the town holding his final Gym Challenge waited.
Skylar clenched his fists.
There was still so much to do.
So much left to fight for.
And he wouldn't waste another second.
The fire inside him roared to life.
"Time to finish this," he whispered.
He turned his steps toward the future—
Toward the final badge.
Toward destiny.