Chapter 697: Forever Love (Finale)

Chapter 697: Forever Love (Finale)



Shizuru was truly gone...

As the Pokemon at the ranch realized what had happened, it felt like an eternity had passed.

The world evolved rapidly, and everything was constantly changing.

The Ride Goats had become a new legend, and people followed their trails, witnessing the Ride Goats' ability to make a hundred flowers bloom.

Most of the time, the Ride Goats stayed in the World Tree, guarding that place.

Occasionally, someone would catch a glimpse of a Rayquaza or a Glaceon riding on a Ride Goat, galloping through the ruins of Shizuru's ranch, leaving no trace of their mysterious presence. Whenever people approached, the King of Bounty and his steed would disappear without a trace.

After the sadness, the Hero Exploration Team embarked on a new journey, traveling through various worlds, helping the Pokemon there, and spreading their fame.

Pupitar also joined the Hero Exploration Team, becoming a hero. It wore a cape and held Thor's Hammer, saving humans and Pokemon in danger.

However, its red cape had long since faded, and no one helped it clean it anymore.

The Swift Dragon returned to Dragon Island and stayed there, but it often came back to the ranch, spending entire days there.

Its gaze often turned towards the direction of the ranch's entrance.

It hoped that one day it would see a familiar figure walking through that entrance, just like any other ordinary day. Shizuru would return from the town with groceries, smile at it, and pat its head, promising to make it a delicious meal later.

Ayumi and Yuki, the siblings, did not go to the World Tree. Instead, they went to Little Tree's home to help care for her children.

As Little Tree approached the end of her life, she still sent Ayumi and Yuki to the World Tree, where they departed peacefully, accompanied by Raikou, Entei, and Suicune.

All the Pokemon continued their lives.

But their hearts remained forever in the autumn of the 275th year of the Union Calendar.

The 276th year would never come to Shizuru's Ranch.

Because Shizuru would never return.

Just like the departed humans, life eventually fades away, leaving only memories behind.

What does death feel like?

The consciousness becomes hazy, and the body feels light, as if controlled by a Psychic-type Pokemon's telekinesis...

Shizuru only felt himself enveloped by a warm force.

In the previous moment, he was bidding farewell to the Pokemon, and in the next, he found himself in an ancient forest filled with primeval energy.

And not far ahead, stood a figure that Shizuru felt incredibly familiar!

Gazing at that figure, Shizuru's heart raced, and he murmured:

"Moto-Lizard, I've found you..."

Shizuru immediately ran towards the Moto-Lizard, now a Gogoat, and tried to call out to it.

But no matter how he tried to speak, the Moto-Lizard seemed not to hear him.

Shizuru paused.

The next moment, he saw the Moto-Lizard move and run towards him.

Shizuru's gaze wavered slightly. Did the Moto-Lizard sense him?

But then, the Moto-Lizard's figure passed right through him and engaged in a fight with a wild Noivern.

Shizuru was stunned.

He looked down at his almost illusory hands.

In that instant, Shizuru understood everything!

The regretful emotions he had felt at the end of his life resonated with Totten Turtle's energy, and his soul, drawn by the Moto-Lizard's longing, crossed time and space, reaching the other side of the continuum.

Here, was the beginning and end of everything!

"Is that so?" Shizuru muttered.

He watched as the Moto-Lizard defeated the Noivern and retreated into a cave, its body bruised and battered.

He saw how the Moto-Lizard learned to dig to avoid the dangerous Paradox Pokemon.

He witnessed the Moto-Lizard's countless battles with other Paradox Pokemon.

Yet, he could do nothing but silently accompany the Moto-Lizard, watching it endure one event after another, being beaten to near death by other powerful Paradox Pokemon.

Tears flowed unconsciously.

Moto-Lizard... no, Gogoat, had experienced such things in the past...

But all he could do was accompany it; he was powerless to do more.

Time passed, and after a long, long while, Shizuru couldn't remember how many years had gone by since he arrived here.

During those years, he had accompanied the Moto-Lizard as they explored every corner of the continent.

Gradually, he also figured out how to use the power of his soul.

Indeed, the soul had its own weight.

Shizuru began trying to communicate with the Moto-Lizard in his dreams, offering it guidance and help, directing it towards the location of the Paldea Giant Pit.

In a state of drowsiness, the Moto-Lizard seemed to sense that someone was helping it.

But when it looked around, there was no one in sight.

The Moto-Lizard was utterly confused.

"Ah, gah!"

Was it Shizuru?

No, it couldn't be Shizuru; he couldn't possibly be here now.

The Moto-Lizard hung its head, its spirits low.

Shizuru sat quietly by its side, even though he couldn't touch the Moto-Lizard's body, he tried his best to hug it and stroke its head.

From that day on, the Moto-Lizard seemed to have a purpose.

It remembered the Paldea Giant Pit and Area Zero, places it could cross through.

To return to Shizuru's side, it began its journey home.

Time passed, and more time passed.

Until one day, the Moto-Lizard encountered FlapWing.

Shizuru, by the Moto-Lizard's side, immediately recognized that FlapWing.

He had intended to communicate with FlapWing, but it glared at him with hostility.

This surprised Shizuru.

Because he suddenly remembered that FlapWing didn't know him yet!

The Moto-Lizard seemed to recognize FlapWing too, but it didn't stop; it continued on its way.

However, this move exhausted a significant portion of Shizuru's soul power, leaving him too weak to open his eyes.

The depletion of soul power left Shizuru's soul incredibly weak.

But his soul was so weak that even FlapWing couldn't sense his presence.

Faintly, Shizuru felt that he was holding on, driven by the last shred of determination in his heart.

Time passed slowly, and Shizuru suddenly felt a familiar power.

At that moment, the Totten Turtles seemed to sense something and turned their attention to Shizuru, who was about to fade away.

The Totten Turtles were shocked.

The kind-hearted Totten Turtles quickly channeled their Tera Energy and infused it into Shizuru's soul.

In an instant, Shizuru's soul underwent Tera Evolution.

The fusion of soul power and Tera Energy transformed him into a Ghost-type Pokemon-like existence, capable of freely shifting between the Ghost and Tera forms!

When Shizuru opened his eyes again, he saw a group of curious Totten Turtles floating before him, tilting their heads and observing him curiously.

"Totten?" one of the Totten Turtles asked curiously.

"I..." Shizuru was startled by his transformation and couldn't help but exclaim.

But he quickly understood everything.

The kind and pure-hearted Totten Turtles had used their Tera Energy to save him from fading away!

In that moment, Shizuru's heart was filled with complex emotions.

Looking at the dozens of familiar Totten Turtles before him, he opened his mouth and replied, "I'm Shizuru."

The Totten Turtles widened their eyes.

"Totten?" Hearing this, the Totten Turtles became anxious.

Shizuru? Wasn't he the Pokemon that FlapWing was looking for?

Hearing the Totten Turtles' confusion, Shizuru bitterly nodded and proceeded to tell them a story.

After listening, the Totten Turtles were deeply moved.

Some Totten Turtles jumped up and exclaimed, "Totten Totten!"

But Shizuru declined their offer.

He knew he still had things he must do.

The remaining cycles must be completed by him.

According to Shizuru's knowledge, Totten Turtles were Pokemon that faced extinction due to massive earthquakes caused by tectonic shifts.

His current mission was to save these Totten Turtles, ensuring their survival through the impending earthquake.

From that day on, Shizuru began living with the Totten Turtles.

He led dozens of Totten Turtles away from the Pantier Giant Pit, foraging for fruit, defeating villainous Pokemon, and playing games together.

Days passed, and an incredibly terrifying earthquake struck the land.

This catastrophe, comparable to the Jurassic extinction event, nearly led to the demise of Paradox Pokemon.

Disaster enveloped the land, turning the sky red and bringing fierce winds and torrential rain.

Shizuru and the Tera-evolved Totten Turtles witnessed this apocalypse from mid-air.

The end lasted for days, and when it was over, the entire continent lay in ruins.

Looking at the devastation, Shizuru knew the old world had perished. From that day forward, a new order would emerge on this land.

Paradox Pokemon in the Pokemon world were like the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods on Earth.

FlapWing would evolve into Mismagius, Howl Tail into Jigglypuff, and Howl Moon into Salamence...

After everything ended, Shizuru and the Totten Turtles returned to the Greatbyss after the earthquake.

"I have to go," he said to the Totten Turtles.

Hearing this, the Totten Turtles became anxious.

"Totten?"

"Be good and take a good nap here! When you wake up, you'll see me again." Shizuru said, stroking the Totten Turtle's head.

"Totten..."

Though anxious, the Totten Turtles chose to sleep peacefully, knowing they would see Shizuru again in the future.

Before they fell asleep, Shizuru borrowed their power one last time, using his thoughts of the Pokemon to return to his own space-time.

But when he arrived at the ranch, he discovered something.

The Totten Turtles... seemed to have sent him to the wrong time...

Weeds had overgrown the ranch, and their home was now dilapidated, eroded by time.

The fields once tilled by three Digletts were now overgrown with weeds, and the Pokemon Tavern, the Pokemon House where Dairy Cows lived, and the Chicken House, all dilapidated and in ruins, leaving only traces of their former glory.

The familiar figures he knew were nowhere to be seen, and at this moment, the entire ranch was deserted!

Shizuru's heart sank.

What... had happened here?

Shizuru hurried through the ranch, searching for any traces of the familiar things he knew.

But those things had long since vanished with the wind, and no matter how hard he looked, he found no traces of them.

His home, where he had lived with his Pokemon for decades, was now empty, leaving only an old house.

Everyone... was gone...

Judging by the traces of time, it was clear that many years had passed since the day of his death.

Where was Gogoat? Where was Little Tree? Where was Yuki? Where had everyone... gone?

Wait! Regidrago!

Legendary Pokemon are known to have near-infinite lifespans. Shizuru stood up and ran towards the lake.

But when he arrived, he was horrified to find that the entrance to the Reversed World was sealed!

Who did this?

What had happened?

Shizuru stood still, his eyes welling up with tears for no apparent reason.

At that moment, he thought of many things.

Had a hundred years passed since he left? Had he gone to the wrong world, ending up in a parallel space-time?

But without the Totten Turtles by his side, he had no way to travel through time again!

Thinking of this, Shizuru felt utterly hopeless.

He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions as he looked at the book.

And just then, he heard a familiar voice in his ear.

The voice trembled, as if filled with countless emotions.

Hearing this voice, Shizuru snapped out of his thoughts, and the next moment, he saw a figure behind him that was all too familiar.

The setting sun cast a bloody hue, and in that instant, tears welled up in their eyes like a gushing spring.

Just as Gogoat had longed for Shizuru, Shizuru had also yearned for Gogoat all these years!

"Ah gah!"

Gogoat sprinted towards Shizuru with all its might.

"Gogoat... Gogoat!"

Tears streamed down Shizuru's face as he ran forward and tightly hugged Gogoat.

"Ah gah?"

Even now, Gogoat still couldn't quite believe what was happening before its eyes.

Was this real? Was it dreaming again?

It didn't matter if it was a dream... as long as it could see Shizuru again...

"No, Gogoat, this isn't a dream," Shizuru instantly sensed Gogoat's thoughts. He hugged its head and pressed his forehead against it, saying, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Gogoat. I came back late."

"Ah gah..."

Gogoat's eyes widened.

At this moment, it finally confirmed that this wasn't a dream!

The once-mighty God of the Past now seemed like a vulnerable child, burying its head in Shizuru's embrace and sobbing uncontrollably.

The crying echoed into the distance.

After a long while, Gogoat's emotions gradually calmed down.

But it still didn't want to leave Shizuru's side, clinging tightly to him.

"Ah gah?" Gogoat asked, its voice filled with grievance, inquiring about Shizuru's whereabouts over the years.

"I..." Shizuru wiped Gogoat's tears and replied, "I went back to the past."

"Ah gah!" Gogoat's eyes widened in surprise.

"I saw you there. I was always by your side. I saw you fight the Distorted Pokemon, I saw you encounter FlapWing, I saw you being sent back by the Totten Turtles to the day we first met..."

Hearing these words, Gogoat was completely stunned.

Shizuru... had always been by its side?!

"That's right. I was always there," Shizuru said, filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, Gogoat. I couldn't come back immediately because the Totten Turtles needed my help."

Gogoat, of course, knew about the Totten Turtles.

"Ah gah?"

Shizuru nodded, "Yes, they're fine now, and I'm back. Gogoat, from now on, we'll never be apart again."

"Ah gah!"

Gogoat, with tears in its eyes, nestled into Shizuru's embrace.

"So, can you tell me what happened to the ranch?" Shizuru asked.

Gogoat nodded and then proceeded to tell Shizuru everything that had happened since his death.

This included Little Tree and Yuki, and occasionally, the Lucario and Dragonite would return to the ranch to reminisce about Shizuru...

"Dragonite..." Hearing this, Shizuru wiped away his tears and stood up again.

"Ah gah?" Gogoat looked at him, puzzled.

"Gogoat, we should go back to everyone."

World Tree.

After an adventure, Pupitar returned to this place once more.

It sat alone atop a tall tree, holding a faded cape in its arms, and its mind conjured the image of Shizuru bestowing this cape upon it.

They were so happy and carefree back then! As Pupitar thought about it, its eyes began to moisten.

It tried to control its emotions, but the harder it tried, the more tears welled up.

In the end, Pupitar couldn't hold back anymore. It hugged the cape and burst into tears.

"Bamo..."

It missed Shizuru so much!

And just then, a familiar scent wafted through the air.

Soon after, it seemed as if someone had appeared before it.

That person spoke in a voice Pupitar knew all too well, "Crying your eyes out isn't something a great hero should do!"

"Bamo?"

"Huh?"

Pupitar suddenly looked up, and when it saw the person in front of it clearly, it froze in place.

Straight approached it with a smile, stroking Pupitar's head and saying softly, "Sorry to keep you waiting, little Pupitar, I'm back."

Swift Dragon Island.

Today, Swift Dragon had become the pillar of the Dragon Island.

It watched as each Minin Dragon was born and each Hakuryu evolved into a Swift Dragon.

Young Minin Dragons often played on its body, trying to make it laugh.

But ever since Straight left, Swift Dragon's face had never shown a smile again.

It set the Minin Dragons aside and flapped its wings, preparing to visit the farm once more.

Because it missed Straight.

Just then, Swift Dragon suddenly saw Gogoat and Pupitar flying towards it.

And on Gogoat's back was a figure it knew all too well!

It was...

Swift Dragon's eyes widened in an instant.

Until Gogoat flew right in front of it, the figure jumped off Gogoat's back and gave the stunned Swift Dragon a big hug.

"Long time no see, Swift Dragon, I'm back."

Swift Dragon's slightly gaunt face showed no expression for a second, but the next second, it became distorted and exaggerated.

In an instant, Swift Dragon started crying hysterically.

"Roar!"

It tightly hugged Straight with its large claws, almost squeezing his body to the point of breaking.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Straight pushed Swift Dragon away, "Alright, alright!"

Swift Dragon didn't listen.

"You're going to squeeze me to death!" Straight shouted.

Swift Dragon's grip finally loosened, and it looked at Straight with a mix of sadness and grievance.

Straight slowly exhaled and smiled, stroking Swift Dragon's head and saying to it, "Yeah, that's it, I'm back, and I'll never leave you again."

Explorers' Guild.

Combee, Seaking, Ayumi and Yuki, Riding Mountain Goat, Frost L сказать, and the Eevee family gathered here, among other Pokemon.

Since Straight left, they had come to live in this place.

But without Straight, their lives seemed to have lost their color.

However, on this day, the outside suddenly became bustling with activity.

"Ponyta?" (What's happening outside?) A group of Pokemon were drawn to the sound, but when they saw the figure surrounded by everyone, they froze in place.

It was... Straight!

At that moment, Straight seemed to sense something and looked towards them.

There, Straight saw Combee, Seaking, FlapWing, Frost L сказать, Riding Mountain Goat, and every Pokemon in the farm.

A smile appeared on his face, and he nodded to them from afar, saying,

"Everyone, I'm back."

The next second, a group of Pokemon rushed towards him, surrounding Straight tightly, afraid he would disappear again.

The shadow of a Leafeon King also quietly appeared.

Its gaze fell upon Straight, and their eyes met in mid-air.

Straight nodded to it, and no words were needed.

Straight found all the Pokemon in the farm and then sought out Regidrago, asking it to help open the entrance to the Spirit World.

After a search, Straight successfully found Ki Shu in the Spirit World.

"Let's go home!" Straight looked at the girl across from him, the one he had stayed with for life, his heart filled with apology and guilt.

This time, he had not only made the Pokemon wait for him for so long but also made Ki Shu wait for him for many years in the Spirit World.

Ki Shu's eyes welled up with tears of reunion, just like the first time they met, and she said in a lively tone, "Hey, you guy, you made me wait too long!"

Straight: "..."

"Forget it!" Ki Shu sighed in exasperation, her gaze constantly scanning Straight, "Looking at you now, it seems like you've been through a lot too, so I'll forgive you!"

Straight didn't speak. He walked forward and hugged Ki Shu.

After a long time, the two separated.

"What about Little Tree and the others?" Straight asked.

"I saw Little Tree before," Ki Shu said, a little sadly. "I wanted Little Tree and Yuki to wait for you with me here, but my daughter said they have their own lives, and meeting you and Mom was enough."

Straight suddenly felt very sad.

"By the way, Little Tree left a message for you!" Ki Shu suddenly said.

"What?" Straight asked, not paying attention to his inner sadness.

Ki Shu: "She said, 'This life as your daughter has been very happy, and if there's a next life, I want to be your daughter again.'"

Hearing this, Straight's heart was suddenly filled with a sadness he couldn't describe.

His mind flashed back to when Little Tree first learned to walk, clumsily following behind him, holding his big hand as she learned to walk, and when Little Tree first learned to speak, calling him 'Dad' for the first time.

Straight's expression became forlorn, and a tear rolled down his cheek.

Ki Shu silently held his hand.

Straight sighed softly.

"Ah!"

He closed his eyes and didn't open them for a long time.

Oh well! Children have their own blessings, and they should live their own lives!

"Let's go." Straight took Ki Shu's hand and walked towards the waiting Pokemon.

They left the Spirit World and returned to the World Tree, settling down in the house the Pokemon had built for them.

Gogoat, Swift Dragon, Pupitar, Electabuzz, Magby, and every Pokemon from the farm returned here.

It was as if nothing had changed.

In the 375th year of the Union League, the Pokemon world underwent a dramatic transformation.

And finally, Straight's farm welcomed its own 276th year.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end