Hands of Fate-Epilogue

Epilogue

'Penny for your thoughts, N?'

N looked up and saw Zoroark standing in the doorway, a black bow tie around his neck and his normally wild fur neatly combed out and tamed. Seeing his best friend look so formal made the greenette chuckle lightly. Heck, just seeing his best friend, knowing that he was alive and well, was enough for him to smile. "Have I ever told you," N said as he approached the Illusion Fox Pokémon and petted the top of his head. "How grateful I am to you?"

Zoroark blinked a few times before smiling and rolling his eyes. 'You're not just saying this because of the whole "different lifetime where I was never in your life so you became a jerk" thing, are you?'

"Maybe a little," He admitted, scratching the back of his head in abash.

Zoroark tilted his head to one side, giving N a curious look. 'By the way, how's it going with remembering that life?'

A frown replacing his smile, a sigh breathed through N's lips. "It's no good. Try as I might, it seems that all I can remember about that life is how cold, bitter, and resentful I was," His hands clenched into fists. "And it truly scares me to realize that I could've become that person, had things been different for me..."

An air of tense silence filled the small room. 'Aw man, N!' Zoroark suddenly exclaimed. 'You're tie's all crooked!'

Confused, N looked down. He wore a jet black tailcoat and matching black pants, his white button-up shirt and vest tucked neatly beneath the coat. A fresh white rose rested in his front chest pocket. As Zoroark had pointed out, the ebony bow tie around his neck appeared to be just an inch off balance. 'Here, lemme fix that for you.' Zoroark insisted, sitting N down onto a chair. 'Gotta look your best for your big day, after all!'

He knew that his friend was like this because he wanted to change the subject, but N couldn't help but roll his eyes at the Pokémon's fussing. "Really though," He said in a humble tone, placing his hand on top of his head again. "Thank you for being my friend, Zoroark."

'D-don't mention it,' The Illusion Fox Pokémon said, his cheeks coloring a light pink as he adjusted the young man's tie. 'I still can't believe it, though,' He muttered to himself under his breath. 'All that could've happened if I'd never met Touko when I was younger...'

The mention of her name made N look towards the door. Just through that doorway, down the hall and in the villa's piano room, she was making her own final preparations for this day. Noticing what he was staring at with such longing, Zoroark pursed his lips in a small frown. 'You're still worried about her, huh?'

"Yeah," N quietly breathed, once again feeling a bit fearful. Ever since he found her on Mount Coronet, Touko had been acting distant and hollow, like she wasn't even there most of the time. She'd put off finalizing decisions about this day as well, not that he could blame her, though. Most of her time and energy was spent coping with returning from the other life.

Especially with the nightmares.

They didn't plague her sleep every night, thank goodness, but many a moon had the sound of Touko's screams woken N up in the dead of night since they returned from Sinnoh. The young man remembered these nights very well, remembering how he would find his beloved Touko in tears. "Forgive me, please forgive me!" She would wail before desperately clinging to him and he would patiently soothe her back to sleep. When morning came, he dared not ask about what she had dreamed about, but he was positive that it had to do with the other life. It was during these times that Touko openly questioned whether or not it was right for the two of them to go through with their plans.

Now that this day was finally upon them, would Touko still think it wasn't right for she and N to go through with this?

Having finished the adjustments to N's tie, Zoroark stepped back and flashed a grin. 'How about I go check on her for you?'

N looked at his friend, intrigued. "You'd do that for me?"

'Of course I would!' Zoroark insisted, his grin becoming more devious by the second. 'I'll just transform into Bianca, slip into her room and-'

'Don't even think about it.'

The feminine voice sent a few shivers down Zoroark's spine. 'H-hey, Mien,' He addressed his girlfriend, turning around and nervously scratching the back of his head. 'Nice flower!'

'Flattery won't get you anywhere, mister.' Touko's Mienshao huffed, adjusting the white lily tucked behind her ear. 'You're not going anywhere near Touko so you can come back here and let N see what she looks like in her dress.'

'I wasn't going to do anything like that!' Zoroark argued. 'I only wanted to see how she was doing because N's worried about her, that's all!'

'Uh-huh.' The Martial Arts Pokémon mumbled, unconvinced. She then looked up at N. 'Touko's doing fine and is almost ready. You'd best be ready, too. We'll be starting soon. C'mon, fox boy,' She took hold of Zoroark's arm. 'Let's get you in place and away from temptation.'

Grumbling, Zoroark waved once to N as Mien dragged him out of the room with her. All the while, Touko's Serperior had been quietly watching from just outside the door as the scene between the two Pokémon took place. After they descended the stairs, a sigh escaped his mouth. 'I sometimes wonder how they managed to hold down their relationship so well.'

"Hmm..." N mumbled, not really seeing anything wrong with the relationship his Zoroark had with Touko's Mienshao. A moment of silence past where N and the bowtied grass starter just stared at each other before N asked, "Really though, how is she?"

'Compared to the last couple of weeks: Better. Compared to the last few years...' Looking down, a small smile curved the Serperior's lips. 'Phenomenal.'

A smile played on N's lips. "U-umm..."

An eyebrow was raised at the young man. 'If you have something to say, spit it out already.'

Steeling his nerves, N took a deep breath and looked directly at the Regal Pokémon. "I know that we didn't get off on the right foot when I returned, and that we haven't really seen eye-to-eye since that time either. But, I hope that you also feel like we've come to understand each other better since then. I don't want you to feel like I'm stealing Touko away from you, and since I'll be family soon," Becoming flustered, he looked down and practically shouted, "I-I know I've asked this before, but do I still have your blessing, Serperior?!"

More silence filled the room, on the verge of becoming awkward as N waited for something, anything, to happen.

'...Sirius.'

The greenette snapped his head up, confused with what he heard. "Pardon?"

'My name's Sirius,' The grass starter emphasized with a smile. 'And you'll always have my blessing.'

A joyous grin spread across N's face. "Thank you...Sirius."

Sirius's smile broadened. 'You'd better get going, N. A groom shouldn't be late for his own wedding.'

------------

The locket closed shut for what felt like the thousandth time that day. Her fingers continued to pluck at the black and white piano keys before her instead of moving to turn the tiny knob on the piece of jewelry again. Her playing skills had developed enough over the past few weeks that she could almost perfectly play the music box melody her locket played note for note.

Of course, her new-found boost in skill may have been thanks to the years of practice she'd acquired...

"What did I tell you about slouching?!"

Jumping a little, Touko looked up to see a certain blonde in a strapless spring-green dress holding her hips and pouting at her. "Honestly, Touko, do you want your dress to be wrinkled on the biggest and most important day of your life?"

"Sorry, Bianca," Touko quietly apologized, leaning away from the keyboard and smoothing out the wrinkles. "I just...have a lot on my mind today."

Concern overpowering her petty irritation, Bianca sighed and sat down next to the brunette. "It seems to me like you've had a lot on your mind for a while now, not just today." She lightly squeezed her best friend's hand. "In fact, you've been acting different ever since you two got back from that Champion's meet in Sinnoh a few months ago. Did something happen, Touko?"

Though their Pokémon knew via Zekrom and Reshiram, Touko and N decided it was best not to tell anyone about what happened to her in Sinnoh. "Nothing really," Touko replied lightly, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "Let's just say...Sinnoh gave me a whole new perspective on life."

"Ohh..." The blonde mused, then suddenly stood up. "Oh yeah!" She quickly dashed over to the garment bag Touko's dress had been stored in and pulled out a long piece of clear white gossamer. "Almost forgot the veil my mom lent you!"

Not wanting to argue anymore about Bianca's constant insisting to follow the standard something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue 'rule', Touko stood up and allowed her friend to securely set the veil atop her head, letting its long trail flow down her back and end at her waist. Beaming, Bianca led Touko to stand in front of a full length mirror. "Look at you," She sighed in awe. "You've got to be the most beautiful bride I've ever seen!"

Touko remained silent as she examined her image on the smooth, flat surface. The dress she wore was a floor-length silk bridal gown. The pure white fabric snugly hugged her waist and bust while leaving enough freedom in the skirt to make walking easier. The dress was designed in a way that covered her back to hide her scars. Its sleeves were long and billowed out just below the elbows, giving the appearance that the young woman had her dragon's beautiful ivory wings. She wore no makeup, letting her natural beauty show. Sapphire earrings dangled from her earlobes, her silver pendant hanging securely on its chain and resting just beneath the hollow of her collar bone. Her long side bangs had been pulled back in a half ponytail, the rest of her hair flowing freely down the back of her neck in loose ringlettes.

Needless to say, the young bride was certainly a glorious sight to behold. "Yeah..."

Bianca's face scrunched up in an annoyed pout. "What's with that unenthusiastic attitude?" She demanded. "It's your wedding day, for Arceus's sake! You should feel so incredibly excited there are Beautifly's in your stomach!"

The corner of Touko's mouth twitched up in a small smile. Seeing how enthusiastic her friend was about her wedding was enjoyable, yet on the verge of being too overbearing. "Speaking of weddings," She raised an eyebrow at the blonde. "When are you and Cheren gonna tie the knot?"

The question was enough to make Bianca's face turn redder than a Cheri berry. "I-I don't know what you're talking about!" She hastily rebutted. "W-we've only officially been going out for only a few weeks now! Besides, I'm very busy with my work with Professor Juniper, a-and Cheren's thinking about taking the Gym Leader's exam, and... T-this isn't something you just bring up out of the blue! I'll admit that I've thought about asking him about it..."

Bianca's face was becoming redder by the second, and the suggestive stare Touko was giving her wasn't helping at all. "I'm gonna go check on everything again." With those quickly spoken words, the crimson-faced blonde quietly stomped out of the room, nearly ramming into the door frame on the way out. "And remember where I put my new glasses, too!"

Touko smiled slightly, entertained with how easy it was for her to make her friend so flustered. Her eyes rested once again on the mirror, the smile on her pink lips dissolving away. This was it. The day had finally arrived. The weather was just right. The backyard had been transformed into an outdoor chapel. The small number of invited guests were all in attendance. Every little detail had been addressed and taken care of. Everything was ready and, in the words of her blonde maid of honor, perfect.

Even still, Touko found herself unable to focus on her upcoming wedding because her thoughts still stayed on the dream she had last night...

------------

The sound of waves filled her ears. The sun shone high in the sky above. It was close to impossible to tell where the clear blue sky ended and the vast ocean began. The ground beneath her feet was made of fine white sand, cool water lapping at her toes with each wave that hit the shoreline.

"This place again," Touko quietly breathed, recognizing the unknown beach she visited once before. "Then this must be..."

"A dream."

Touko flinched, the voice sparking a faint memory. C-could it be...?

The boy stood ankle-deep in the water to her left. His body was clad in light gray garments. His arms rested at his sides, his body facing where the sky and ocean met in the distance. His short brown hair was free from any hat. Slowly, he turned his head and stared at Touko with big chocolate brown eyes, a warm, boyish smile on his face. "Of course, it would be a dream if I was here, right?"

Touko found it difficult to find her voice. "T-Touya...?"

"Yeah," His smile widened a bit. "It's me."

Her feet made loud splashing sounds as she dashed through the shallow water, her eyes stinging as she closed the distance between them. She slammed into him full force, nearly knocking them off their feet, smiling as she tightly wrapped her arms around him. "Touya," A few tears squeezed out from her closed eyes as she hugged the boy closer to her body. "My Touya..."

His head resting over her heart, Touya lightly patted Touko's back. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Feeling the warmth of his small body in her arms once again made her knees weak. "I'm sorry," She muttered, holding his arms as she dropped to her knees and hid her face in his chest. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me..."

Tears staining his shirt, the boy's head tilted to the side. "For what?"

His light, casual tone hurt her a little. "For...for choosing the life where you never exist."

"Ah," He sighed in understanding, but then let out a small chuckle. "There's no need to be sorry for that!"

She cringed to hear such words come from him. "How can you say that?" She asked, only having to turn her head up a little because they were close to the same height when she was kneeling to give him an incredulous stare. "Do you not blame me for...for your murder?"

His smile remaining intact, Touya lightly shook his head. "No, I don't. None of us do. You're only thinking that because of that nightmare; the one you kept having ever since you left, right?"

Just like he said, the same nightmare she had after her banishment had followed her into this life, plaguing her sleep every few nights. Touko blinked slowly, then nodded once. "But, it's still my fault, and I still chose the life where you died before you were even born." Her lower lip quivering, she looked down and rested her forehead on his chin. "How can you not be angry with me, Touya?!"

Instead of turning into a frown, the young boy's smile grew warmer. "You're seriously making me question who was supposed to be the older sibling." He chuckled lightly. Her body stiffening at the remark, gently, soothingly, he stroked her long brown hair. "All jokes aside, you can't blame yourself for what happened. Though you may find it hard to accept, you really did do the right thing by choosing this life over the other."

Stunned, she looked back up at him. "A-are you sure?"

"Course I'm sure. Even if it means that we won't be around, all Mom, Dad, and I want for you is to be happy. You need to understand that, and also understand that it's not wrong to have N in your life instead of us. Everyone deserves to be happy, and you and N are no exception. But, if it'll make you feel any better," Touya's kind smile widened. "Even if there's really nothing to forgive, I'll always forgive you, Sis."

Touko felt a heavy burden being lifted away. "It's still not fair," She whispered, holding back her tears. "You're so precious and important to me; you deserve to live."

A small, knowing sigh escaped his mouth. "Y'know, there's an old myth that says that people who are fated to be in each other's life are connected by an invisible thread. Though this thread can be stretched or tangled, it will never break and will lead the pair to each other, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The myth usually refers to soul mates, but it can be applied to all kinds of relationships built on love. Romantic, friendly, platonic, familial..."

Touko gasped a little. "Do you mean...?"

"I may not have been born as your little brother in this life, but that doesn't mean I can't be born at all. Remember, regardless of time and circumstance, the thread that connects us can never be broken. You may not be able to recognize me at first, but if it's truly meant to be, I'm sure you'll definitely see me again."

Smiling meekly, she hugged the boy closer to her body. "I love you, Touya."

His smile remaining glued to his face, Touya wrapped his arms around her as well. "I love you, too. Now, you have a big day to prepare for." He placed a small, love-filled kiss on her forehead. "Time to wake up."

------------

Knock knock knock.

The sound of someone's knuckles lightly rapping on wood stirred Touko from her thoughts. She turned her head up and rested her cerulean eyes on her black-haired friend standing in the doorway. He wore a crisp black tuxedo, his clear blue eyes free from his glasses so he could get used to wearing contact lenses. In his hand he held a bouquet of pure white roses. "Hey," He said, smiling softly. "It's time."

Touko nodded once and, with a gulp of air, went to Cheren's side and took her bouquet, stepping slowly and cautiously as he led her through the villa.

"Am I wearing this right?" He asked, nervously fiddling with his white neck tie. "I'm not used to dressing so formally."

Having reached the foot of the stairs, Touko giggled lightly and helped Cheren with his accessory dilemma. "You know," She said thoughtlessly. "You look really handsome and mature in a tie, Cheren."

His cheeks flushed pink from the compliment. "T-thanks,"

Both young adults fell silent, the only sound heard the click of her heels against the tiled floors and distant music which became steadily louder with each step. "Cheren, can I ask you something?"

"Anything." He replied, the pair only a few feet away from their destination.

She inhaled a deep breath. "Have you ever been in love with me?"

The dark brunette nearly tripped on his own feet he was so astounded. He cleared his throat before attempting to answer. "I-is this really something to be asking on a day like today? On your wedding day?"

His cheeks now a bright red, he looked back to the brunette, hoping - praying - that she was messing with him. Much to his dismay, the look in her eyes told him that she was serious and not going to be satisfied until she got a truthful answer out of him. Sighing in defeat, he looked away and scratched the back of his head in abash. "...Yes."

Touko felt her heart drop a little. So, even in this life, a part of him was in love with her. "Oh."

Silently cursing that the subject had been brought up, he placed his hands on her shoulders. "You have to understand, Touko. I got over my little crush for you years ago. It wasn't even that much of a crush at all; just a lot of silent admiration from a distance. Besides," A rueful sigh breezed through his lips. "I knew you'd never feel that way toward me the moment you started calling me 'big brother' again."

And, once again, her acknowledgement of him being an older brother figure in her life crushed all chances of ever having a romantic relationship with him. "Ohh..."

"Hey," His finger hooked under her chin, turning the rest of her head up so they were looking eye-to-eye. "I'm perfectly alright with being your big brother; I always have been. And you know what? I'm glad I got over you so early. I have Bianca now, and you have N; It all balances out. Even though I never really approved of him before, I can see now that he's a changed man, and I also see that you two share a special bond that I could never get in the way of. Don't worry about me," His lips curved up into a kind, loving smile. "And allow me the honor of walking you down the aisle to give you to your groom."

With a grateful smile, Touko pulled Cheren into a hug, both being careful not to mess up her dress. Finally, her doubts about her relationship with Cheren had been put to rest. "Thank you, big brother."

He squeezed her one last time before releasing the hug. The pair walked the rest of the distance between them and the open double glass doors that led outside before pausing again. The beautiful, elegant melodies of a string quartet could be heard nearby. The scents of various flowers filled their nostrils, each fragrance powerful yet not too overwhelming. Recently dropped flower petals outlined a path that led through a small tunnel made of wisteria, their light purple blossoms dangling just over their heads.

And, waiting at the end of the aisle, the beginning of her future with the man she loved with all her heart.

Cheren offered his arm to her. "Ready?"

The quartet could be heard beginning the wedding march. Her hold on her bouquet tightened. With a deep breath, Touko straightened her posture and linked her arm through Cheren's. "As I'll ever be."

------------

"If you asked me five years ago if there was something missing in my life, I would have said 'no'. I believed I had everything figured out - my dreams, my goals, my future - right down to the very last insignificant detail. When you came into my life, that was when my world was turned upside down and inside out. It was thanks to you and your guidance that I was able to learn what I've got, what I'm not, and who I truly am. I could have never even dreamed about how unexpectedly, incredibly happy I am today. You and I have been through so much, both together and alone, and I fully intend on making the difference that I can make to make us work, because we are undeniably worth it. I never knew I needed you...but now I know that I will always need you with me. Now, always, and forever."

Multiple hushed 'aww's rippled through the small crowd the moment after N finished proclaiming his self-written wedding vows. Breathing calmly though he was a little out of breath, he softly squeezed his bride's hand, beaming at the beautiful young woman beside him.

"Well spoken, N." Alder, who was their preacher for this day, commented before turning to the bride. "Touko?"

The brunette could feel everyone's eyes on her, making her feel even more nervous. She gulped, silently cursing the fact that she hadn't spent more time memorizing and practicing her own vows before this moment. N's eyes continued staring into her own, shining with confidence, pride, and love. Everyone was patiently waiting on her, ready to know her own level of love and commitment she was willing to give her groom. Better not keep them waiting, Touko thought as she inhaled a deep breath. Well, here goes everything.

"I've often heard it said...that bad things happen for a reason, and that that reason will become clear in time. I knew and understood this lesson, yet often found it hard to accept. Throughout my life, I often asked, 'Why? Why are all these things happening to me? What did I ever do to deserve this?' With everything I'd been through, I had it in my mind that I was forever doomed to live a life full of darkness and misery." Her eyes broke away from his, her head turning down ever so slightly. "I found myself thinking that way again during the last few weeks, too."

She felt his grip on her hand slacken and a tense silence fill the air. She also felt ashamed to have admitted her uncertainties so openly not only to him, but to everyone else as well. To her horror she found herself unable to remember what she was going to say next and began to panic.

It was at this time that she peeked at the crowd out of the corner of her eye and saw something that instantly assuaged her anxieties. It may have been her eyes playing tricks on her, but she could've sworn that, on the three seats in the front row left empty per her request, sat the ghosts of her mother, father, and little brother. Smiles occupied their spectral faces, each one expressing love, joy, and encouragement. Touya winked, giving her the widest of smiles, urging her to go on.

"But then," She continued, much to everyone's relief. "Someone very special and precious to me helped me realize something: Everyone deserves to find true happiness, even if it meant having some personal loss. I've also realized the reason why so many bad things have happened to me: All this time, fate has been steadily leading me straight to you, and to the true, immeasurable happiness I feel whenever I am with you. Many people wish that there were moments in the past that could be altered, and I admit that I'm no exception. But, if I were ever given the chance to live my life over again..."

Her grip around his hand tightening, Touko looked N straight in the eye and, with a warm, loving smile, proclaimed to him, to the guests, and to the world: "I wouldn't change a thing."

N's smile practically stretched ear-to-ear. If there was a word to describe the exuberant feeling he felt at that moment, he certainly couldn't think of it.

"Then, by the power vested in me," Alder himself was beaming as he looked to the two lovers. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Barely able to hold back anymore, Touko and N closed the minimal distance between each other in a kiss. A kiss that made the rest of the world fade away. A kiss that easily trumped all the other kisses they shared before. A kiss that united their souls for the rest of eternity.

Yes. They were just two souls...suffered through trial and tribulation, finally brought together by the hands of fate.

The End.