- Here we are. This is the last time I will talk to you as a teacher. Graduation day...!...Please excuse me, I'm always very emotional during this time of the year....Today is free time. Take the opportunity to gather your things, and chat one last time with your classmates. Just gather in the hallway when the bell rings, okay?

The entire class was silent throughout Miss April's monologue. The atmosphere was also...Strange. A mixture of joy, sadness, excitement and fear...Clearly not the one of an ordinary day. When the red-haired woman finished her mini-speech, the students started to disperse and Kellyn went directly to see his two friends.

- Hey Kell, Rhy....This is the end, huh? We're going to graduate and start our lives as official Rangers and Operators....It feels weird.

- You said it, tomato...! I thought I was going to be excited but...I have like...

- A bitter taste?

- Exactly! I'm both happy and sad...I guess it's because we have to say goodbye to what has been our home for almost a year...

- Most likely...

The brunet was pained by seeing the sad state of the other two teenagers. He then decided to take them in his arms and give them a big hug, making them freeze. Rhythmi was the first to react by hugging her classmates back, then Keith quickly imitated her. The trio formed a kind of warm and intimate cocoon that no one would dare to break. The voice of the youngest rose slowly.

-...Say, where are you sent?

-...Wintown, Fiore.

- Oh? You're going to Fiore too, Rhy? As for me, it's Summerland. How about you Kell?

The teen smiled sadly.

-....Vientown, Almia.

The redhead straightened up, taking his friends with him.

- W-What?! T-Tell me it's a joke, Kell!

His complaint sounded desperate.

- I wish it was, Scarlet....But it's not. Sorry...

The older biy sighed as he gently rubbed his head against those of the brunet and the blonde.

-...It's nothing. It's not your fault. It's just that...

- You're going to miss us?

- Huh huh....

- Aw...~ That's nice of you tomato...I'll miss you too.

- And me as well.

The three remained in this position, enjoying their common warmth and their last moments before the inevitable separation. Kellyn therefore closed his eyes, settling even more against his classmates who returned the embrace with force. So time passed, until the bell rang, announcing the end of the day.

- Already...? Don't wanna go...!

- We know Scarlet, we know...

It was therefore with regret that their cocoon broke, the almost Rangers and Operators were already missing the warmth and the feeling of safety. The trio then headed into the hall, the place where the ceremony was to take place.

It was Mr. Kincaid who started with a speech that sounded half moved and half detached. The students listened to him with more or less attention being more concerned about the next hours than anything else.

-...And thus concludes this speech. But, I want to remind you of something very important...Don't run in the hallways!

Everyone barely suppressed a mocking laugh, avoiding to mess with the adult. Then it was Principal Lamont's turn.

- Thank you for your very inspiring speech, Mr Kincaid. First of all, I want to congratulate all of you for making it to the end. I hope you will continue this momentum during your professional career....Come on, enough chatter. It's time to graduate. Please come to the stage when you hear your name!

As each one of them were called, one after the other, Kellyn couldn't help but feel uneasy. He looked around, as if seeking the object of his discomfort. The redhead quickly noticed his behavior, and leaned towards him.

- Hey, Kell! You're okay? You're kind of agitated!

- <....Something is wrong.>

- Huh? Are you saying that because you're nervous?

The brunet slowly shook his head, frowning.

- < No. I...I don't know why, but something bad is about to happen. I can feel it...>

Keith said nothing upon seeing his friend's serious expression. He knew him well enough to trust his 6th sense... And this situation smelled kind of fishy to him.

- Kellyn Gungnir!

The brunet jumped at the mention of his name, and hastily walked toward the stage while glancing at his two classmates who smiled at him.

- Kellyn. You and Keith are by far the Rangers students with the greatest potential. With Rhythmi, you have understood what it is to be a team. I sincerely hope that you will continue to work hand in hand for our beautiful planet.

- /....That's quite a fail, but hey.../

- This is how I have the honor to-

- GROOOOWWWWWW!!!!!

Suddenly, a violent animalistic cry echoed followed closely by a somewhat brutal earthquake. The students automatically started to panic while the adults tried somehow to calm them down.

- It seems to come from the basement!

Miss April's voice barely managed to rise above the cacophonous hubbub, but she still got a response from the hairspray madman anyway.

- I'll go see what's going on! Stay here!

Annddd he's no longer there.

Our trio quickly regrouped, trying to protect each other.

- Is that what you felt all along, Kell?!

- < Looks like it....! Aaahhhh!!!>

A new earthquake destabilized the teenagers' balance, who then clung to each other.

- It sounded like the cry of a Pokemon! But which one...? A Tangrowth, maybe?

Arceus agreed with the blonde when not 1 but 2 Tangrowth emerged, completely enraged, from the basement.

-....I should have kept my mouth shut.

The 2 Grass type Pokemons were unleashed with such synchronization that the brunet couldn't help but think of the accident that had taken place at Nabiki Beach, a few months ago.

- <...I have a terrible feeling of deja vu. Don't you think so Keith?>

- Oh, you too?

The only female of the trio stared at them in confusion for a brief moment before pulling herself together.

- We'll discuss it later! For now, the imperative is one: to calm these Pokemons down, and two: get everyone to safety! I can trust you for the first part?

-Roger!>

The two boys answered her in unison, signaling the start of their improvised mission. While Rhythmi guided both the students and the adults to safety, her friends stood in the way of the raging creatures.

- I take the one on the right, you take the left?

- < Leave it to me.>

As the redhead was about to charge towards his opponent, Kellyn added in a low voice:

- Keith....Be careful, okay?

The older teen paused for a few seconds before turning toward the brunet and giving him one of his dazzling big smiles.

- Don't worry Kell! I'll manage! But...be careful too, okay?

The younger boy simply gave him a gentle headbutt and a soft smile in response. But that was enough for him. They nodded to each other before rushing towards their respective targets.

This fight was... Complicated. Between the brambles, the tackles and the clouds made of poison, the brownhead certainly got it! More than once the boy thought he was going to die because of an attack passing a tad too close to him or his capture line.

- / Come on Kellyn...! You can do it!/

When the capture finally ended, the teenager was out of breath and tired as hell. Contrasting completely with the energetic figure of the redhead.

- It's finally over!...Kell? You're good?

- <...I want to sleep. Or die. Don't know.>

Keith chuckled lightly as he wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulders. Said friend who completely fell on him, his head resting against his collarbone. The brunet purred out of serenity, feeling safe and warm.

- Keith! Kellyn! Everything's good?!

The teenagers looked up and saw the only girl of the group running towards them. She had a worried look on her face.

- More fear than harm Rhy! Even if this one seems his way to take a nap!

- <...Shut up, Scarlet....>

The blonde burst out laughing at the childish quarrel of her classmates.

- You two are impossible, you know that...!

The boys stuck their tongues out at her.

- Kellyn, Rhythmi, Keith. Congratulations!

The three turned to the newcomer that was Miss April. She slowly approached them while clapping her hands.

- You were able to manage an unforeseen crisis not by bickering, but by acting as a team. I can guarantee that you will make excellent Rangers and Operators! I am very proud of you three.

The teenagers all blushed a light pink, but they also smiled like kids.

- May this serve as a final lesson to everyone! You will never be alone during your missions, so quickly learn how to cooperate with each other.

- Yes Miss April!

The rest followed rather quickly. The graduation ceremony was somewhat rushed to give students time to pack their things so they could leave the next day.

That same evening, an unexpected party was organized, allowing everyone to have fun together one last time. Music from small speakers, stolen from Mr. Kaplan, echoed loudly throughout the dining hall.

Some students were swaying their hips on the dance floor, which wasn't really one to be honest, while others preferred to stuff themselves with food....And then there was Kellyn.

He stood there, frozen in a corner, begging Arceus that no would one find him. His gaze went from one place to another very hastily, looking for some way out.

- / Damn it! I lived here for about a year and I'm dumb enough to not be able to find my dorm door!/

As the boy was panicking and insulting himself internally, an unknown mass entered his field of vision bringing him back to reality.

- Would you grant me this dance?

It was Keith, one hand reaching for the brunet while the other one was hidden behind his back. He was bowing in a light but elegant bow. This posture combined with the fact that the teenager had finally noticed that the pop music had been replaced by a softer, slower one made his face just as crimson as the redhead's eyes.

His teal pupils darted back and forth between his friend's face and his outstretched hand, trying to figure out if it was a joke or not. The older one only chuckled softly upon seeing his younger friend's reaction.

- Hey. I'm not trying to humiliate you...I just wanna dance with you. I understand that you are not very comfortable, and to be honest, I would have preferred a calmer atmosphere myself. So if you don't want to, don't force yourself. There is no problem!

Kellyn felt his cheeks heat up even more as a shy and tender smile appeared on his lips. Finally, he delicately placed his hand on top of the redhead's, who squeezed it gently while giving him a big smile.

- <...I...I accept. Just...not in broad daylight, okay?>

- It was planned, don't worry.

Keith straightened to his full height before pulling the brunet's body against his. He cupped the younger boy's back with the help of his free hand, while the youngest rested his on the crimson-eyed one's shoulder, then took slow but oddly rhythmic steps.

The youngest being somewhat tense, made silly mistakes one after the other, and tried somehow to keep up with his friend.

- Eh eh...! Take it easy Kell, take it easy....Don't rush into things, just breathe. No one is watching, they're too busy drinking juice to notice us anyway.

Kellyn giggled, making him visibly relax. He hesitated for a moment before completely snuggling up against his classmate and letting his head rest just below his neck. His hands followed the movement as they went to curl up in the redhead's back.

The latter froze, not expecting this at all but... It didn't bother him. He just adjusted his position by bending slightly until his chin touched the top of the brunet's head, while wrapping his arms around his younger boy's body.

And so they danced, to the beat of the music, their steps synchronizing as they relaxed and let go of their stress. The youngest even went as far as to hum the melody.

Even when the song ended, the two did not let go. Keith then took them inside their dorm so they could enjoy some quiet time together. It was only then that they separated.

The brunet then sat down on his bed, then invited the red-haired teen, who was quick to sat down by his side.

-...I-I....Thank you for being patient with me Keith...

- No problem Kell!

The teen gave him a pretty smile as he tilted his head slightly, a stunned look on his face.

- I didn't know you were such a good dancer, by the way.

The other boy blushed in surprise as he scratched the back of his head, completely embarrassed.

- My parents kind of forced me to learn this kind of thing...I didn't think it would be useful to me one day!

Kellyn laughed frankly, imagining a younger Keith struggling to learn how to dance. It was both quite funny and cute.

- Oh! I almost forgot!

Suddenly the one with crimson eyes rushed to his suitcase, under the dumbfounded eyes of a confused brunet. He seemed to be looking for something.

- Give me 2 minutes! Where did I put it...? Not there.......Haha! Found it!

He came back to the youngest, hiding his find behind his back, his eyes shining with excitement.

-...K-Keith...?

- Hold out your arm. Any of them works, but hold out your arm, please!

The one with teal eyes, upon observing his comrade's imploring expression, complied without hesitation. He extended his right arm in the direction of the redhead who took his hand gently.

-...Can you close your eyes, too?

The brunet therefore closed his eyes, wondering what Keith wanted to do. He then felt a slight weight on his wrist, making him wonder.

- Aaaaannnnddd it's done! You can open them now!

The moment he opened his eyes, his gaze was immediately caught by a purple glow coming from his wrist.

-...Is...Is it a bracelet?

- Yup! It's a traditional accessory from where I live. We call it a "Cosmic Ring". Consider it as a lucky charm, okay?

Kellyn stared at his friend, who was grinning, for a moment before taking a close look at his new accessory. A silver stem fig whose two ends ended in magnificent wings, forming the base of the jewelry. At the junction of these famous wings was a magnificent hexagonal gem which was shining brightly: an amethyst, of the purest violet on Earth.

The bracelet was hugely contrasting with the boy, but not in a bad way. It was even accentuating his charm as well as his naturally sweet appearance.

The brunet looked away from his contemplation and gave the redhead a beautiful smile.

- It's so pretty...! Thank you. Thank you so much Keith!

The crimson-eyed teen found himself petrified, subjugated by the euphoric aura of the youngest. The latter had cradled his new lucky charm against his heart, his eyes closed and an angelic smile on his lips. After a long time, the oldest finally recovered the use of speech.

- A-Ah huh...Y-You're welcome...!

Keith settled again next to Kellyn who immediately leaned onto him.

-...Hey? Can you promise me something?

- What, Kell?

-...After your departure for Fiore....We won't see each other again, huh?

-...Not as much as before, yes.

- Well....just...don't forget me, okay?

- Eh?

- It's just that....You're going to make new friends....Start a new life. And that....*sigh*...I know, I'm selfish but....I don't want you to forget me. I...I don't want to be alone again....!

The brunet was seized with sniffles and light sobs, making him stop for a moment. He caught his breath after a few seconds, seeming a little more lucid.

-...No, forget it. It's selfish to ask you to stay in the past. I...I must be happy that you have such luck! After all, Fiore is known for it's excellent Rangers. I'm sure you'll even become one of the best-

The redhead stopped him in his monologue by hugging him tightly. This surprised the youngest who immediately fell silent.

-...Kellyn. Listen to me. It's not selfish of you not wanting to feel lonely again. I know how hard you have it with human relationships, and I don't blame you. So the fact that you ask me not to forget you is not a problem. Anyway...I don't wanna let you down anyway. I will contact you. I don't know how, but I'll manage. Trust me.>>

The one with teal eyes began to cry at the very end of his friend's tirade, moved and relieved. Said friend who cradled him against his chest, and shed his own tears which had already started to accumulate since Kellyn's request.

And so the night passed. Turning the page on this chapter of their life and opening the door to a new one.

End Part I, The Ranger School

To be continued....

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

And so, we part ways with our usual words at the end of the usual night

Us who fought side by side, now have to go back to back

But, do not fret, this is not a farewell

Time will come when we will reunite once again

And our hearts shall become one