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Touko was the first to go.
Though it was inevitable, it felt way too soon. And it was the least expected as well, considering that Touko’s overall health was the best one out of all of them. They were fit, they ate healthy, but most importantly they were happy— until N had passed on. Then suddenly, it was like everything they did to maintain their well being didn’t matter anymore.
The rest of the group knew about her chest pains, shortness of breath, and check ups to doctors about her irregular heartbeats. They thought of different possibilities, theories, solutions to those what if’s. Was it a doormat cancer that was surfacing now? Was she not as healthy as they initially thought?
No one was able to figure it out, there wasn’t an answer to be found.
Months past. The group had decided to take it easy on her, and so did her family. She was constantly surrounded by love and comfort. It was hard for her, but she managed to pull one more song out into the universe, dedicated to him.
Summer came, Touko’s family and best friends had plans for her, but when her child came to visit at the castle, they found her laying down in their old toy room— their father’s old toy room, and she wasn’t breathing. The Harmonia Family had later put out an official statement. Touko Yin was pronounced deceased at the age of 79.
She died of a broken heart.
Dawn specifically chose not to see May and Serena until their funeral, because she wanted a moment to feel her own pain and not to be plagued by a magnifying amount of sadness if she could help it. And they didn’t even blame her. In the span of six months, they lost a dear friend of theirs, and then someone who was like a sibling to them.
Serena noticed that she’d been barred from reaping N and Touko’s souls when they died. It was probably for the best, maybe Arceus took pity on her and got another reaper to do it. It was nice to have a day off, but it was going to be spent crying, and living with the uneasy pain of knowing that forever didn’t apply to her best friends.
The funeral was held at the Harmonia Palace Cathedral. Violinists took their seats, and the new generation of the Seven Sages stood in front of their Queen’s coffin. At the wall of the center stage, the kaleidoscope glass art of Zekrom and Reshiram shone down on Touko’s body, it’s light caressed her face softly, as if to not interrupt her rest while admiring her.
May was the only one who sat up front, and interacted with the other guests, while Dawn and Serena were far away in the pillar closest to a corner of the palace halls, both for different reasons. May was bawling her eyes out as Touko’s grand-daughter sang a reimagined version of one of their greatest hits.
The sound of violins spun magically with her voice. Some of the Team Plasma members couldn’t prevent themselves from crying. There was nothing in this world that was more achingly beautiful than this moment.
“She’s singing the song you guys wrote together.” Serena said to Dawn, her black hat hovering over her eyes.
Even at such a dreadful time, Touko’s talents transcended throughout their legacy.
“They’d be so proud of her, but it’s just too soon for me.” Dawn shook her head, her words were barely hanging on to each other, drowning in the midst of the brokenness that was her sobs.
Eventually, May had caught up with the two, putting her arms around them, she softly said, “At least we can find comfort in knowing that right now, they’re with N in the Hall Of Origins.”
Years passed, and thanks to Arceus the rest of the group made it to their eighties. Sweet Veil and Touko Yin’s music proved to be timeless, especially with the skyrocketing rates their songs charted after their death. After giving over fifty years of their life to this industry, BW Entertainment was left under the care and leadership of their child. It was strange, really, how music changed because of Touko, but yet, it could never go back to the way it was during their era. It was the same way outside of music as well. But Serena, Dawn, and May knew this was the kind of future they and N strived for, even in a world without those two in it.
On occasion, the girls would recount the performances they all had together, the romances, the retelling of their Pokemon journeys. They laughed at all the good times they had until it was time for them to go to bed. It was never the same with just the three of them, but Serena tried to be at peace with the fact that Touko was with their soulmate, just as May said.
And of course, it did work. Serena was okay for the most part.
Until the day she wasn’t again.
Hikari Yukimura died in her sleep at the age of 86. And even in death, she had the most silky, beautiful hair that laid perfectly against her satin pillow. Her husband said that he remembered being in awe of her beauty when he woke up next to her, moments before realizing she was gone.
The funeral didn’t need to be planned, because as it turned out, Dawn already did it herself. Apparently she’d been planning her funeral for the last twenty years at least. It wasn’t so much that she planned on dying, that it was that she wanted to be remembered a certain way, in both life and in death.
“That woman is fucking crazy.” Serena blurted out, surrounded by strippers, dollar bills and champagne as the song “Pound The Alarm” blasts from the speakers. It was difficult to see how exasperated she was behind her shades.
The entire venue was drenched in rose gold pink and glitter. There was a huge monitor playing an audio recording of Dawn’s voice at the center of a high fashion runway, where various models would strut in Dawn Berlitz’s designs, old and new. In the background, Dawn would describe what the models were wearing, what year it was from, and honestly— it was kind of scary how well thought out this was.
“Now now, Yvette, you know it’s not good to speak ill of the dead.” May chuckled, taking one last sip from her glass of champagne before switching to water for the rest of the funeral.
“I think I’m just getting a little too old for this.” Serena passed May a glass of water, and swiftly took her empty champagne glass to set it aside.
“Well, you’re only 84. Wait until you’re 88.” May winked at her, raising up her glass of water.
At the podium, Moon, Dawn’s younger half sister, tapped on the microphone to get everyone’s attention.
“To be honest, I’m not even sure how ethical all of this is.” She said bluntly. It was good to know that even at the age of 78, Moon still had an edge to her voice. “But we’re here now, and I wanted to say that for Arceus knows WHAT reason— this is what Dawn truly wanted, to be celebrated, not mourned. I know it’s strange, but let’s all do our best to respect that.”
Serena almost felt as if Moon was speaking to her, and decided to generously pick up a glass of champagne from a silver tray the waiter was holding. She raised it up, clinking it against May’s glass of water.
“That’s the spirit.” May smiled, and gave her a side hug.
And though the two had followed Dawn’s apparent guidelines for the rest of the funeral, afterwards, they took the opportunity to cry like hell again. But this time, when they cried, it was a perfect balance of joy and sadness. They found comfort in how prepared she was for her own death, and though none of them ever said it out loud— it was sort of obvious that Dawn was Arceus’s favorite. She was definitely getting pampered up there.
Later that night, Moon had sought out Serena, and asked her if she could be privy to any last words Dawn had said to her.
“There were no final words of significance that pertained to her dying. We all just hung out together, and didn’t know it’d be the last time.” Serena said honestly, it was sad to disappoint her little sister, but it was the truth. There was no goodbye.
“No, I meant… when you reaped her.” Moon emphasized a little more quietly.
It was then that Serena understood, and took a beat before finding her words.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t the one that took her soul. And I don’t know the reaper who did.” She hated to say, and told herself there was a good reason why.
“That’s okay, it’s probably for the best. I know I’ll eventually reunite with her someday. Thank you for your time, though.” Moon composed herself, giving Serena a hug before leaving.
Her last words replayed on a loop in her mind. It was always a known fact that the heroes Serena befriended would all wind up in the Hall Of Origins someday. It was the very thing that made their deaths just a little bit more comfortable to deal with. But lurking within her thoughts, was the heartbroken, in despair feeling that she would never get to see them again. It was something she knew, deep inside, but as decades passed, the truth became much harder to toss aside to the back of her mind, it was no longer a sound that could be drowned out.
And right now, she knew she didn’t have a choice but to face the music.
Seventeen years was nothing to her. The name and legacy of her friends lived everywhere. At this point, May and their other friends even had grandkids that were older than Serena. The descendants of May, Dawn, and Touko, were the only living people that knew her secret.
“You look exhausted.” The winds of Cherrygrove blew in May’s hair as she spoke softly, she took a moment to inhale the scent of the flowers and the sea.
“Yvetal and Giratina have had me working overtime lately. I’m used to the reaping, but it’d be nice to see some sunlight. So, this is a nice change for once. Nice work on the flowers, by the way, they’re growing really nice.” Serena noted the small little garden at the front of May’s house, taking a seat next to her on the bench, watching the waves of the sea crashing on the sand. “What did you need to talk to me about?”
Serena had shadow traveled here as fast as she could. May had insisted on a meeting in Johto, an old home region of hers. In their late twenties, May had opened up to Serena and the girls about how she always wanted to live in Cherrygrove. She wanted to have a cute little house by the cherry blossoms and the ocean, to have a family here. And for the next seventy years, that’s exactly what she did.
“Serena, I don’t have much time left.” May said finally, “I can feel it.”
The words that should’ve been sharp like knives, were dulled by the softness in her voice. She didn’t speak with regret, or sadness. It was acceptance.
“I see.” Serena breathed in, already shaking.
May took her hand, and placed something in her palms: it was a Mega Bracelet, with her old Blaziken’s megastone in it. The wear and tear of time has chipped away its color and design. But it was well put together enough, considering how much May swam with it back in her younger days.
“I want you to have this. And then when it’s your time, you come and give it back to me, okay?” May squeezed her shaking hand, giving her a faint smile.
And she says it like she’s so sure. She says it like it’s a fact.
As if someday, Serena will be able to break this curse.
“What if my time never comes?” Serena asks, brokenly.
“It will. And we’re going to see each other again.” May doesn’t hesitate, she doesn’t stutter, she just speaks as if it's obvious, in the same way that the sky is blue.
So Serena lets her have it, because she doesn’t have it in her heart to fight with an elderly woman. And she didn’t want May to exert any more energy in disagreements or high stakes conversations. Instead, they reminisce about the past, recalling how they met, how they became friends, the loves that came and went, and the memories they made performing with their Pokemon, all the way until the sun was about to set.
“This is going to be our last conversation.” There was a sad twinkle in May’s eyes, “I want to spend my last days with my family, I hope you understand. I just wanted to give you a proper goodbye, since we never got one from Dawn and Touko.”
Serena hugged her, and May seemed so small in her embrace, that she was afraid to crush her.
“Of course I understand.”
They pull away from each other, and Serena walks her to her home. The sky turns into a dark orange as the sun hides behind the trees towering over May’s house. May then leaves her with some parting words at the front of the door:
“Goodbye, Serena. You were a wonderful friend in this life, and I know you will be again in the next life.”
The funeral came with what felt like a blink of an eye. The sun rose, shining like there was something to be happy about. Serena felt like it was mocking her, even though she had been through enough loss to know that this was the natural course of life.
But the feeling would cease when she heard the triumph of Olivine waves crashing onto the sand. The smell of shells and seashore soothed her a little. She liked to think this was Earth’s little mirror alignment to May singing in the Hall Of Origins right now.
May’s first born child held her ashes close as they cried at the edge of the sea with her grandchildren. Everyone made their own declarations on the life she led, the love she shared. It didn’t quite feel like the end, until the lid of the urn was opened, and May’s ashes were scattered across the sea.
This was what she wanted. For her last moments to be spent with family, and her essence to be one with the ocean.
And when the sea breeze blew softly against her cheek, she swore that it was a reassuring whisper from May, a message in the wind: you’ll see us again.
It was practically a family tradition at this point, Serena passing down her secret to her friends' descendants. It was a loose thread that kept her connected to them. Sometimes, she swore that she could see Dawn walking across the street, but it would just be one of her great-granddaughters-- the doppelganger gene was very prominent in the Yukimura family.
Time no longer felt real to her. Serena felt out of place in this world, for once feeling too old to keep up with the new and nifty technology, and the trendy words that felt like an entirely different language. Once upon a lifetime, she was known as the influencer, the youngest Sweet Veil member, the expert on all things youth and modernity.
And now, Serena had to admit to herself that even she could no longer keep up with this ever changing world.
Sometimes, just to get a grasp of the life she used to have, Serena would take a walk on the outskirts of Lumiose City. Take in its pristine air, the homey smell of beautifully decorated latte art, and every now and then, a handsome musician would try to sweep her off her feet, but Serena would always settle for listening to the songs they decided to perform.
“That’s a nice bracelet.” The guitarist said to her.
“Thank you.” Serena’s thumb pressed against the armor of the mega bracelet, rolling over to Blaziken’s megastone-- it had never left its slot, “It belonged to a friend of mine.”
She arrives at Spear Pillar, where the descendants of the Yukimura family had built up a shrine for Arceus. It was the little things that she was glad to have lived this long for, the beauty she would’ve missed out on if she’d died in the lifetime that she was supposed to. That’s what she told herself, at least.
Serena kneels, placing three offerings in front of Arceus’s statue.
A pendant, chain made of platinum, with a rose quartz stone. Dawn gave this to her on her 22nd Birthday. She was trying to get her to warm up to the color pink, and it was really beautiful, but this was the only item of that color she really liked.
A pair of Yin and Yang earrings. From Touko, who was informed that symbolism was trending again, and thought Serena would appreciate it. And she did.
And finally, a sapphire crystal. May shared this hobby with her, where they would collect healing crystals from all over the world and share their findings with each other. This was traded to her, in exchange for a red garnet.
Serena pulled out the Azure Flute from her cloak, courtesy of a descendant from Dawn’s family line. When she began to play the song, it felt as if this was the only sound Spear Pillar had heard in centuries, like absolutely anything could make this place crack into shambles. But instead, there was hopeless, dead silence when she pulled the flute away from her lips.
For a moment, she teeters with the idea of just leaving and getting up, but a blinding burst of light gleams from the statue-- and takes the shape of Arceus, in its real form.
“Please, Lord Arceus.” Serena said calmly, with pleading eyes, “I know why eternal life was forced on me, I learned that a long time ago. I know that I was meant to live for so much more, and my immortality helped me to see that. It helped me to live out the moments I would have missed out on.”
Arceus bores their eyes into hers, as if urging her to keep going.
“But I have to be honest, it’s also robbed me of a life I also could have had. And I’m not asking for mortality-- I’ve quite literally outgrown this world. It’s just not the same without them in it…” A single tear falls to the ground, with more that follow suit. “I just miss my friends.”
Levitating towards her in all their Godly glory, Arceus gives a single nod, and lets out a powerful cry. Spheres of light were directed at Serena, revolving around her at lightning speed, moving her up from the ground. This was Arceus’s Judgment.
A strong gust of wind throws off her cloak, revealing May’s mega bracelet around her wrist as she attempts to cover her eyes from the flash of light that was burning through her skin-- the feeling was similar to what happened to her with the Ultimate Weapon in Geosenge Town. Only this time, there was no anxiety, no anger, no rush to leave this world.
Here at Spear Pillar
I release this Reaper
From life to death
We no longer keep her
Drawing her last breath, Serena had come to the same conclusion the other girls faced on the brink of their deaths-- acceptance.
At the end of the long white hall, was a familiar golden light-- the entrance to the Hall Of Origins. Serena had taken many souls here before, but never had access to entry. It was a relief to know that Arceus deemed her worthy to lead her here.
With a deep breath, she stepped through the threshold, and found herself in what appeared to be a castle. But it wasn’t just any castle, no, this had to belong to--
“Touko!” a voice came down from the marble halls, “I told you Serena was gonna be late as hell, now I have to reheat the food and everything!”
High heels clacked against the hard floors, a long, rose gold gown came into view-- it was Dawn, and she was... young again.
“Dawn, I know you’re not complaining when you were literally the embodiment of the ‘fashionably late’ slogan!” May followed behind Dawn in a short blue dress with long sleeves and cute floral designs.
“May’s right, don’t be so dramatic. Besides, you have those neat little powers Arceus gave you, it can be reheated in no time!” Touko spun around cheerfully in her grey off the shoulder dress.
Serena noticed that May and Touko were also reverted to what looked like their twenties.
“Literally Arceus’s favorite,” playfully, May rolled her eyes, “Just like Serena would say.”
“Uh, hey guys.” Serena took some steps towards them, grabbing their attention away from their lighthearted banter.
“Serena!” Dawn rushed over to her, pulling her in for a hug.
And it didn't take long for Touko and May to pile on as well.
“It sure took you long enough.” Dawn wasn’t actually mad, but she couldn’t help but to poke at her, “Even AZ got here before you.”
“AZ?!”
“Oh, nevermind that!” Touko swayed the girls from side to side with their strength, “All that matters is that you’re here now, no matter how look it took you.”
“Okay, what in Arceus' name are you wearing?” Dawn said when they all pulled away.
“Hey, this outfit was super trendy down there!” Serena laughed.
“Great to know mega-bracelets never go out of style then.” Touko chimed in, pointing out the accessory on her wrist, “Personally, I liked it better when fashion is tied to art and personality, and not mindless trends.”
“Amen to that!” Dawn blurted out.
“Speaking of mega-bracelets.” Serena walks over to May, undoing the cuff from her wrist, and handing it over to her, “I think I have something that belongs to you.”
“What did I tell you, Serena?” May took the bracelet, and cuffed it onto her own wrist, “I knew we’d see each other again.”
“You told me, twice, I think.” Serena pulls May in for another hug, and this time, it’s a tighter one.
“I was hoping you heard me at my funeral.” May smiled.
“Okay, so.” Serena pulls away from the embrace, and gives everyone a suspicious look, “Is someone going to explain to me why you guys are all young again?”
“Basically,” Dawn started, “We’re all the age we were from when you got hit by the Ultimate Machine.”
“We saw how much you struggled on Earth with immortality when we were alive, and even watched it happen when we weren’t there for you anymore. And we thought it wasn’t fair to you. You lost a life you never got to have.” Touko said, their voice dropping an octave.
“So, we had our own wish that we wanted Arceus to grant.” May breathed in, “For all of us to grow old together in the afterlife.”
Serena’s mouth gaped, but she couldn’t make the words come out. What they were saying… she’d finally get to be in a world where she could age, make different memories, but most importantly, be free. A concept that felt like a fairy tale until now.
“You guys… I couldn’t thank you enough.” She pushed herself to speak.
“Well, don’t thank us yet, the partys just getting started, and you’re definitely not going to be wearing that while we’re there.” Dawn winked, and snapped her fingers.
Serena felt different, and looked down at her feet-- high heels, in a red halter gown. And it feels like her hair and makeup has been done, too. She batted her eyelashes to confirm. Yeah, these were definitely fake.
“Okay, how--”
“We will catch you up on that later--” May couldn’t help but to smile, “Now come on, everyone’s been waiting for your arrival!”
“Everyone?” Serena picks up the hem of her dress as she walks through the corridor with them.
“Oh, just the usual.” May said sneakily, linking their arms together.
Passing through the light was a lively dining area, and at the head of the table, N Harmonia stood humbly with a smile, along with Calem, Shauna, her mother, and many other familiar faces. Touko returned to her husband's side, raising a glass of wine.
“To Serena Gabena,” Touko projected her voice out loud, “The literal embodiment of life and death. You were a beautiful human being, inside and out, and I know the universe knew that too, because it did everything it could to keep you no matter what. I just wish it didn’t make you so miserable in the process-- but that’s what the afterlife is for, Serena. And I can’t wait to relive our friendship again.”
“To Serena.” May and Dawn raised their glasses.
“To Serena!” Everyone else said in unicent, clinking their drinks with each other.
After dinner, everyone headed towards the ballroom, the song 7/11 was blasting throughout the castle.
“So, this is the afterlife, huh?” Serena’s eyes wandered to the dance floor, where everyone spun with joy.
“Only in the Hall Of Origins.” Dawn grinned.
“Hey Dawn, is the stage set up yet?” May asked.
“What do we need a stage set up for?” Serena looked over to them curiously.
“For our comeback in Heaven!” Touko pumped up their fist, “With Sweet Veil as four again, there’s nothing stopping us from performing together again, right?”
It had been… literal centuries since she was able to sing with her friends again. The Hall Of Origins truly felt like a manifestation of her daydreams.
“You... have no idea how much I missed you guys.” Serena was almost on the verge of tears.
“Then, it’s a good thing we have infinity, right?” Dawn snapped her fingers, and just like that, the girls were in costume with mics set up in their outfits, waiting as a grand stage began to slowly materialize into existence.
“You still remember the routine, right?” May placed her hand on Serena’s shoulder.
“Oh, don’t insult me.” Serena let out a laugh as she ran with the three towards the stage.
With the four at the center of the spotlight, alongside each of their partner Pokemon, the music began to play. The heavens, mesmerized by their presence, turned their heads at the sound of their voices. Up until now, it felt like her life had been put on an indefinite pause.
And this moment right here, was when the universe finally pressed play again.