Farewell, Serene Village

"Nuzleaf,

by the time you'll be reading this I would have left already. It pains me to do this but I see no other option but to take my leave. I cannot afford to get you or any of the villagers in danger for my problem.

Thank you, for taking me in when I had nowhere else to go. I'll never forget the kindness you and the other villagers have shown me.

The next time you'll see me, I'll probably be in Lively Town, joining up with the Expedition Society.

Until then, farewell, and I'll see you again some day.

Ian"

Ian tore the paper from his notebook and placed it on the bed he wouldn't be using anymore. He checked his bag for the fifth time. Food, wands, seeds, orbs, medical supplies. Everything was accounted for. He and Patience had spend the entire day packing up and getting ready, they had pooled their Poké to purchase all the items they needed for the long road ahead. Thankfully, they still had an adequate amount of Poké remaining.

Ian lifted the bag, and nearly tripped from how heavy it was and slung it on his body. He went to the window and pulled at the grate once more, coming off much easier this time. Ian climbed through the window while holding grate, when he was outside he fixed the grate back where it was for the last time.

I'm going to miss this place. Ian thought, frowning at the fact that he was leaving the village he had considered his home. He also realized the Patience's case was just as bad, she will be leaving her father Carracosta as well, who may never know the reason Patience was gone. Ian shook the thoughts from his head and decided to head for the front of the house, where he had asked Patience to meet. No surprise, she was already waiting for him there, her heavy bag slung over her body as well.

"All set?" Ian asked.

"Before we leave, could we stop by the hill? I want to see it one more time." Patience said.

"Alright then, lead the way."

Patience went ahead and Ian followed after her. They walked in silence throughout the way, the both of them didn't have anything to say to lighten the mood, the intensity of the situation didn't make it any better.

When they arrived at the hill, Patience down and enjoy the view, Ian followed and sat next to her. He looked up at the dark sky and was greeted with the twinkling lights of countless stars. Ian was speechless at the magnificent sight, he was surprised that only now, when he was about to leave Serene Village that he got to appreciate the beauty of this place. It was sad, knowing he might never experience this again. He heard Patience sigh, and turned to face her.

"You know, it's funny." She said.

"What is?"

"I always come up here whenever I felt down, the view of the village would always cheer me up. But now, it's the complete opposite." Ian saw Patience frowned, she still wasn't prepared for the fact that she's leaving her home, where she had grew, learned and played in. It wasn't easy for a child like Patience.

"You can still drop this if you want." Ian said. "You don't have to-"

"No." She quickly replied. "I've made my decision. I'm going to Lively Town with you, and join the Expedition Society."

Ian chuckled, confusing the fire fox Pokemon.

"You really are stubborn, you know that? Come on, we should go, I don't think Gadget likes waiting."

Where is that kid? Gadget thought, getting more impatient by the second. She had already packed up and left as soon as dusk came, she had always preferred being early to something. She never was a Pokemon to sit still, even when she was just a young Shinx.

Shinx...

She shook the thought out of her head and tried keeping herself occupied, she took out a puzzle cube she had gotten from a Pokemon when travelling through the Mist Continent during her six month travel. She couldn't remember the name of the Pokemon, only remembering how he looked, distinctively yellow and holding spoons in each of his hands.

"This cube teaches one to be patient and diligent." His words echoed. "If you manage to solve it, you'll be rewarded with the contents inside the cube."

Gadget shook the cube, and heard something move in the hollow cube. She fiddled with it, trying to get all 9 symbols, a different one for each 6 six sides to match up. She didn't know how long she was playing with the cube, but it was long enough that Ian had finally arrived. The gleam eyes Pokemon sighed in annoyance and placed the cube back into her bag.

One day, I'll solve your puzzle and reap the reward that laid inside.

"Took you long enough, I was about to leave without-" It was then that Gadget noticed that the mudfish Pokemon wasn't alone, behind him was her Fennekin friend, Patience. "You said you weren't going to bring her."

"Change of plans." Ian replied. "She's coming with me."

Gadget looked at the two Pokemon for a few seconds before shrugging.

"If you insist." She said.

"Well, looks like this is goodbye to Serene Village then." Patience said, almost a whisper.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

The voice, Ian and Patience were sure of it but turned around to confirm their suspicions. It was Deerling, along with the rest the children of Serene Village. She was holding in her hands.

"G-guys...?!" Patience said in shock. "B-but how did you-"

"Espurr told us." Pancham said. "Well more specifically she told EVERYONE in the village of your departure."

Ian and Patience looked at Espurr in surprise, who only returned a cheeky smile.

"You two were acting suspicious two days ago, so I followed Ian and found out he had to leave the village, and Patience was going as well." Espurr said.

"I envy you." Shelmet said. "Having a dream and going after it."

Ian felt a flood of emotions flooding into him with the sudden appearance of his friends. He didn't know what to feel. Happy that he gets to wish a proper farewell? Or sad? Looking over at Patience, he assumed she also felt the same way as well.

"The adults left you these letters too." Goomy said.

"The adults planned on showing up, but they wanted to, as they call it 'save face'" Pancham explained.

Deerling walked over and handed Ian a stack of letters from everyone in Serene Village, all with their names written on the envelope. Patience got closer wanting to read the letters as well, Ian was reluctant on opening it, but forced himself to open the first letter and started reading.

"When I heard that you two were going to leave the village, I was shocked. I thought to myself, how are kids going to survive out there by themselves.

But after what you two have accomplished with me at Ancient Barrow, I have no doubts that you will do just fine.

Go for it! Ian and Patience!

Farfetch'd"

"Farfetch'd...?!" Ian said to himself in surprise, as he reached for another letter.

"Dear me, leaving without even saying a proper goodbye? What I expected from troublesome kids. With the skills I have given you through countless lessons in school, I hope you'll put it to good use.

Farewell, Ian and Patience! And enjoy life!

Watchog."

Ian and Patience continued opening the letters, getting more and more frantic with each letter.

"Children's dreams can never be destroyed by adults.

Don't look back on the past, but instead look ahead towards the future!

Principal Simipour."

"It is sad to see you leave, but never forget: 'An Apple a day keeps the Audino away!' So stay safe, stay healthy and have fun!

Audino."

"Although it hurts me that you never visited my store, there's another one in Lively Town if you ever do plan on visiting it

Stay strong, my Hawluchamaniacs!

Hawlucha."

Confused, Ian wanted to ask who was Hawlucha, but decided not to because it felt like it'll ruin the moment.

"Goodbye Ian and Patience! Do not worry, I'll make sure to inform the Keckleon store over at Lively Town about your arrival, so that you won't have to worry about supplies!

Keckleon."

"No matter what happens, never forget your roots and the people who supported you!

Kangaskhan."

Ian turned and noticed that Patience had tears streaming down her face, he couldn't blame her, it was hitting him just as hard.

"I-its as if everyone already knew that eventually this day would come!" Patience said. "It wasn't because they didn't understand, it was because they cared for us!" It was then she noticed two more letters left. The names Nuzleaf and Carracosta written on it. Ian, having the feeling he knew what was coming, gave Patience's Nuzleaf's letter, and he took Carracosta's.

"I cannot count the numbers of times you have constantly told me about your dream of joining the Expedition Society. When you told me that you were going to leave the village, I got angry. But I knew that this day would come, if I really love something, I should let it go. That is why, as a father, I want you to follow what your heart desires.

Carracosta.

PS: Ian, please take care of my Patience. Ever since you came here, she has never been so happy before, I wish for you to continue doing so, she may not be flesh and blood, but she is still my daughter, and I'm leaving her to you."

Ian, who could feel his heart getting heavier by the second, passed the letter to Patience and taking Nuzleaf's letter to read it.

"I knew right from the start that you weren't going to stay, which saddens me, but I understand. You doing this for the sake of the village, and for that, I am proud of you.

Take care of yourself out there sport.

Nuzleaf."

PS: Patience, if you're reading this. Then please look after Ian. You two stick together like an Ariados's web, the most important thing to have in the outside world is someone that you can rely on. With trust, anything is possible!"

Ian placed the letter down, it was only then, he noticed water dripping from his face and hitting the ground.

He was crying, for the first time, Ian was crying, and he wasn't stopping anytime soon.

"Wow, this is the first time we've seen you cry." Deerling said.

"Well, life is full of surprises isn't it?" He said, wiping his tears.

"There's one more thing we want to give you." Goomy said. He walked up to Patience and handed her another piece of paper. It was a drawing, of all the Pokemon in the village lined up together, smiling. Ian and Patience were placed at the most front of the group, Ian placing his shoulder over Patience. The words 'Together Forever' were written in black at the very bottom.

Patience could no longer hold back anymore. She broke down into tears, crying uncontrollably.

"I won't let you guys down!" She managed to say. "I won't let the village down! When we return, we'll be come as Pokemon that Serene Village can be proud of!"

The children went up and gave Ian and Patience a group hug, wishing them good luck before they leave.

"It's time to go." Gadget said, who had been standing behind watching the entire time without making a comment.

Ian and Patience nodded as their tears finally dried up. They waved at the children one final time before finally heading off from the village gates.

"Take care of yourselves!" Deerling said.

"Have lots of fun!" Goomy said.

"And don't disappoint us!" Pancham said.

Ian and Patience took their first steps into a brave new world, both filled with new adventures and dangers.

There was no turning back now. Their real journey,

Starts now.