The sun rose slowly over the campgrounds, casting a golden light on the cabins, the lake, and the practice fields that had become home over the last few weeks.
There was no lecture this morning. No battles. No research missions.
Just the quiet buzz of preparation and farewells.
Trainers packed their bags, some laughing, some exchanging gifts, others making last-minute trades or capturing group photos with their Pokémon. A few even cried softly as they hugged new friends they'd grown close to.
Skylar stood in the center of it all, a quiet smile on his face, watching the people he had once only known from another life now become part of his real one.
Cynthia stood next to him, arms crossed, trying to hide the emotion behind her usual proud posture.
"Hard to believe it's over," Skylar murmured.
"Feels like we've lived years in just a few weeks," she said, glancing at him with a smirk. "But… I'm glad we came."
They were soon surrounded by familiar faces—Serena, Misty, Red, Blue, and Goh—all laughing and trading contact codes through their PokéGear.
"We have to meet again," Serena insisted, gently holding Skylar's hand a bit longer than necessary.
Cynthia's eyebrow twitched.
Misty grinned. "If you ever come to Cerulean, bring a swimsuit. Or don't. Your loss."
Skylar laughed nervously as Cynthia took his other arm.
"He'll be busy in Sinnoh," she said sweetly. "Very busy."
Everyone shared one last laugh as the shuttles began to arrive.
As the crowd began to thin, Gary approached Skylar, arms crossed and eyes thoughtful.
"You've grown fast, kid. And not just in aura—your instincts are sharper. You're thinking like a real Trainer now."
Skylar nodded. "Thanks to you."
Gary smirked. "Darn right. But don't think you're done."
He handed Skylar a small chip—an encrypted League contact card.
"This is direct line to me. I'll be checking in constantly. Consider me your unofficial battle advisor."
Skylar accepted it gratefully. "Thanks, Gary."
"And hey," Gary added with a grin, "just don't let your fan club get too big. You're gonna have trouble choosing who rides with you when the League starts."
Skylar flushed slightly as Cynthia shot Gary a glare.
Just as Skylar turned toward the final departing group, Professor Oak approached, his usual lively energy dimmed with nostalgia.
"Skylar," he said warmly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You've impressed me more than you know."
Skylar nodded, a little emotional. "I've learned more here than I ever expected."
Oak's eyes twinkled. "Then let me make a promise."
He reached into his coat and handed Skylar a sealed envelope.
"Don't open this yet. But when you turn fifteen… and you're ready to begin your journey as a full Trainer—start in Kanto."
Skylar blinked. "Why?"
"Because I'll be waiting for you," Oak said, smiling. "And I'll have a very special surprise."
Skylar stared at the envelope, then at Oak, and nodded. "I promise."
Hours later, the airship touched down in Sinnoh.
Skylar and Cynthia disembarked together, their eyes filled with memories.
Waiting at the platform were their families—Flint, with his intense gaze and fiery hair, and Elena, Skylar's gentle mother. Cynthia's grandmother and younger siblings waited nearby, waving eagerly.
Cynthia squeezed Skylar's hand once before walking toward her family.
"We'll meet again soon."
"We always do."
They smiled at each other, no longer just campmates, or even just allies. Something deeper had formed between them.
As Skylar embraced his parents and Ralts floated up to nuzzle Elena's cheek, he looked back at the ship as it lifted off—carrying friendships, lessons, and the first chapter of a much bigger story.
Far in the distance, behind the clouds…Time itself stirred.
And though the camp had ended, fate had only just begun.