That evening, the group ate very well, then quickly all fell asleep. As the next morning arrived, they quickly set out for the port on the north side of Cinnabar Island, where they would take a ferry to Pallabar, Rodney's home.
****
"So, you're family will be waiting for us when we arrive, Rodney?" Jared asked, standing aboard the deck of the ferry as it glided through the water.
"Yeah... You'll be able to see my Mom right when we get there..." Rodney explained. "She's Pallabar's Nurse Joy. My Aunt should be there too, she's one of Pallabar's police officers... My dad's sister, Jenny."
"Wha..." Magnus was awestruck for a moment. "You mean, that you're related to both all the Jennies and all the Joys? Sweet Arceus... How many cousins do you have?"
"Way too many." Rodney joked.
****
As the ferry docked on the small island south of Pallet Town, Rodney, Magnus, and the rest of the group stepped carefully onto the pier. At the end, Rodney's mother was standing next to his father, a man with dark-green hair and goatee that were slightly graying. Rodney's mother ran out to meet her son, and gave him a huge bear-hug.
"Oh Rodney..." The Nurse Joy said her eyes slightly tearing. "I've missed my little boy so much."
She kissed Rodney's cheeks and then grabbed one of his ears.
"You've had your father and I worried absolutely sick!" She yelled, tugging with a strength only mothers possess.
"Ow! Mom, stop it! Ow, that hurts! Let go! OW!" Rodney cried in pain. Jeffrey merely laughed at his companion's misfortune.
"Hahaha... Poor Rodney. It sucks to be you, right now." Jeffrey said meanly.
****
"Thank you for helping take care of my son." Rodney's father thanked the group as they relaxed in the family's living room. "From what I've heard, Magnus. I owe you the most thanks. You've helped Rodney through a lot, he really admires you."
"I... Thank you." Magnus accepted the man's gratitude. "I must thank you for letting us stay here."
"Of course. Take your time and recuperate... You've all been through so much in the last few months. You all deserve a rest... Once you leave, though... Rodney won't be joining you."
"He won't?" Dani asked plainly. "Why not?"
"Simply put... He's grounded."
****
Four days later, the group of Trainers was one person short, as all but Rodney headed towards Pallet Town. Another ferry ride later, the group of Trainers was in Pallet Town, and headed towards Professor Oak's lab.
When they arrived, and when the Professor saw them, he nearly had a heart attack.
"My goodness..." He exclaimed when he saw Magnus, Jared, and Jeffrey. "You're back. My, you three look so much older than when I first met you."
"Indeed we have, Professor." Magnus said flatly. "I see you haven't changed much."
"Yes, but I'm an old man. Change comes slowly for me..." He said, and then greeted those he had not met. "Hello... It's nice to meet you all. Please step inside. We have much to discuss."
****
"Well then... I guess this is where I say goodbye to you all." Magnus said to the group. "I don't know if I'll see any of you again, but it was wonderful traveling with you all."
"You're leaving?" Jared asked. "That's crazy. If you go off by yourself, you'll get killed."
"He's right, Magnus." Jeffrey agreed. "This may seem strange coming from me, but don't do something so stupid."
"I've thought this out very well." Magnus explained. "There are things that I have to do, places that I need to go. I can't ask any of you to come with me, nor would I if I could. I'm sorry... But I must do this alone."
"But... You can't leave us." Dani said sadly. "What will happen when you're gone?"
"You'll all get along fine without me. Don't worry..." Magnus reassured her.
"It seems that we can't convince you otherwise about this." Alan said critically. "How long have you been planning this?"
"Since we left Cinnabar, maybe even longer." Magnus admitted. "I wanted to stay with you to see you guys safely here."
The sound of a helicopter approaching the laboratory were heard. It grew faintly louder, until eventually the spinning of the reverberated throughout the building. Outside, Pokemon stared at the sky, watching as it landed in a clearing just outside. The trees shook from the force of the air around them being rapidly moved. Flying-Pokemon landed, unable to keep from being knocked down by the gusts. A single boy stepped out of the helicopter once it had touched ground, his blue hair slightly covering his yellow eyes.
A knock on the door was heard, and the Professor opened it.
"Howdy, folks..." The boy, Magnus' brother Maddox, said as the door was opened for him. "Magnus, the chopper is waiting outside for you."
"I'll be right out, Maddox. Just give me a minute."
"Hurry it up... We don't have all day." Maddox responded. "I'll be outside."
Magnus turned to his friends and said goodbye to them.
"Dani, be brave... Your Pokemon will keep you safe. I'll miss you." They hugged, Dani's eyes forming tears. "Jared. Try not to drink too much. Jeffrey... Um... Good luck. Alan, keep everyone safe. Brandon, keep your spirits up. Goodbye, I'll miss you all."
Magnus left the building, a single tear falling from his face. He boarded the helicopter, and watched as his friends watched him leave from the ground.
****
What does the future have in store for our heroes? Who sent the helicopter for Magnus? What will happen of Dani, Alan, Brandon, Jared, and Jeffrey? Will Team Rocket succeed? What happened to the Assassin? Find out the answers next time, in Pokemon!
[HEADING=1]To be continued...[/HEADING]
