Epilogue

The green haired man wearing a backpack stood under the dense foliage and trees on the edge of a large clearing. Next to him was a tall humanoid bird with red, yellow and beige plumage. Behind them both was a stag with branch like antlers covered in orange and red leaves. The deer seemed a perfectly at easy, human and Blaziken where both a bit nervous about stepping out of the cover and out to where the other birds would see them. It had been about 3 and a half years since either last saw this place.

Owen had finally decided it was time to return to the mountains, for a few reasons. The biggest being Amo. He could tell the Blaziken was happy to be with him, but at times it was obvious to him how much she missed her home. So once he was able to, Owen took off to do his own research as a newly named Professor. His chosen field of study being behavior of wild pokemon and most importantly, the study of how wild pokemon communicate and interact in the wild.

It was partly thanks to Tom that he'd was here today as a Professor. The slightly older man had found what he'd ended up prying from Owen about the flock to be fascinating. So he'd helped Owen advance a little more quickly then he may have done on his own though the university. All he'd required as thanks was for Owen to send him back a lot of fascinating research to go over once he was qualified to do field research on his own. How the quiet man knew that was just what he was wanting to do was beyond him, but he wasn't about to pass up the chance to make it happen faster.

"We probably should keep going." Owen said quietly as he pulled his thoughts back to the present. But still didn't move from where he stood looking out at the clearing and the few birds he could see outside. Amo made a noise of agreement, but only shifted where she stood. Elking, the Sawsbuck, just looked at the two like he didn't get why where making a big deal out of entering the clearing. Eventually the deer decided to wonder off. Owen let him go as he wasn't too worried about the way the Flock would react to him, and anyway it was he and Amo they really need to enter the clearing.

Even so, the two remained like that for a few more minutes till their presence was finally made know. Though Owen had the feeling most of the Blaziken know about them, and where just letting them take the time they needed. It was a Combusken running hap hazardly threw the tree's that gave them away to everyone. With a startled squawk the bird had all but ran head first into the pair. Only Amo's quick reflexes prevented it. She'd slipped her arms around Own and jumped out of the way, which happened to bring them out into the open.

Still holding onto Owen Amo bawked at the younger bird, telling him to watch where he was going. The Combusken, like the others that where in the clearing or just heard Amo's scolding, just staring at the two of them.

" 'En!" TheCombusken that had nearly hit them suddenly yelled and the next thing Owen know he was being squished between Amo and a happy Combusken clucking and squawking so fast that he had no clue as to what was being said.

"Settle down!" Came a shrill call from somewhere behind them, and the Combusken, seeming a little embarrassed, let go and backed away. Amo loosened her hold on Owen a little as well and the both of them turned to see a darker plumaged Blaziken making her way down the mountain trail towards them. Amos sister.

She sent the Combusken a stern look and all of a sudden Owen knew who the bird was. "Quark?" He asked looking over at the now evolved bird.

The Combusken beamed and nodded, but keep quiet as his mother was close.

She and Amo studied each other for a few long moments before Amo broke the silence. "You're the wise one now?" Amo asked both happy and sad, as she looked at shell and feather necklace her sister wore. Owen didn't remember seeing it on the old bird, but maybe he'd just forgotten about it.

"I am." She nodded, and then looked around at the gathered flock. There were both new and old faces. Most seemed happy to see them though. Turning her eyes back on Amo and Owen, the new Matriarch said, "Welcome back." This was said loudly so the whole flock could hear and know she thought they were part of the flock. Those that remembered them and had liked Owen, repeated the welcome. Those that hadn't been around when Owen was with the flock last time just looked around confused or with a little interest.

Owen opened his mouth to say something, maybe a thanks, but he found he was at a loose of words to explain how much he was glad to be back. His feeling must have shown though as the Dark Blaziken gave him an understanding look and patted his should. She also seemed to be taking in her sisters around his around his waist. She hardly seemed bothered or surprised by it though.

"Come. Let's go up to your nest." The Matriarch gestured and headed towards the trail. As they went a few of the Combusken and Blaziken called out a few more greetings, like it was good to see Amo again. A few even where directed at Owen, saying they hoped things would be interesting now he was back again.

[i]"I've had my chick keep the cave clean for you while you've been gone."[/i] The Blaziken told them as they made their way up the trail. Amo had let go of Owen so they could walk easier, but still the two keep close. When they got the cave Owen saw it had been upkeep, and hardly looked any different from what he could remember. He could even see the mat he'd made and given Amo so long ago. The only real thing he could pin point that was different was the bedding for the nest. It was fresh and lacked the feathers that all over from use.

"Thanks." Amo clucked, tilting her head around to look at the Combusken that thought he'd been sneaky and snuck after them unknown. Now it was obvious they knew he was there, Quark came out and ruffled his feathers sheepishly.

"It was no problem. I was happy to keep it ready for when you guys came back." He said happily. A thought crossed his mind and he happy look in his eyes dimed a little. "You are back to stay right?"

Amo looked over to Owen for the answer to that.

"I'll need to leave sometimes." He told Quark, not wanting to lie. "I still have things I need to do with other humans, and I don't want to completely abandon my friends. But I am planning on spending a lot of time here."

Quarks reaction to hearing that was a testament to how much the hyper bird had grown in three years. Unlike when he was a chick, he didn't get upset and not want to talk to Owen or Amo anymore. Instead he seemed sad, but nodded in understanding. "Next time you go it won't be so long before you come back will it?"

"I hope not." Owen said, and really meant it. He'd missed being here more then he'd thought possible these past few years.

"You have things you're supposed to be doing" The darker bird suddenly reminded her son. He looked up at here with a pleading look, but after a few moments gave up.

"I'll see you later." He clucked and ran off down the trail.

His mother let out an exasperated sound as she watched him go, and clucked something low that sounded like 'brake his neck someday', before she looked back at Amo and Owen. [i]"It's good to have you back."[/i] She told her sister and pulled her into a huge. Owen almost felt like he should step out for a moment so they could catch up, but the dark Blaziken reach out and gripped his shoulder before he did more than shift his foot. "I'm glad you're back as well."

This time Owen found the words that didn't come before. "I'm glad we could finally come back. I think I miss the flock almost as much as Amo." He said and then looked over at his beloved Blaziken. "I know you were happy most of the time, but don't deny you'd not missed being here and at times wanted to come back."

"Alright, I wont." Amo agreed.

"I'll leave you two to get settled back in then." The Matriarch said, and left them at the mouth of the cave.

Owen turned to look back in the cave, and next to him Amo did the same. After a few minutes had passed she entered and he followed. Pulling off the backpack he was wearing (it was mostly full of clothes, though he did have a number of note books as well as pencils and pens too) Owen dropped it next to a stick along one wall. The stick Amo had once given to him to use as a crutch. Running his hand over the smooth surface the lost himself in memories for a few moments.

Dropping his hand he turned and headed over to where Amo was inspecting the nest. Wrapping his arms around his feathery waist he asked in a low voice. "Is it good enough to use tonight?"

"I think so." She responded, and twisted around to look down at Owen. "Only one way to find out though." She coo'd at him, before she pulled him onto said nest.

Laughing a little Owen looked up at his Amo. His love. Pulling her close whispered, "I'm glad we came back. Things are some much simpler here." He didn't need to worry about showing too much affection to Amo here. Unlike humans, he very much doubted pokemon thought there was such a thing as improper love.

Closing his eyes Owen pressed up close to Amo's warm and feathery body and pressed his check against the warm feathers of crock of her neck. The Blaziken responded by cooing into his ear a happy and soothing melody. It reminded him a lot of the first few days he'd spent laying with her in a nest. He might not be scared and in pain anymore, but that didn't mean he didn't need her to coo for him anymore.

No he needed everything she'd give him. And he hoped she need all he had to offer too. For they now had a long time to make each other happy.

...

AN- Sadly this really is the end of the story. I hope it's good. Part of me isn't sure that it is, but I just feel ending is hard lol Way harder then starting a story. This is what I'd had planed from the start though. So in that way I'm happy with it.

Also for those that might have been wanting to read something more adult oriented between Amo and Owen I've got something for you. I've posted a One-shot on AdultFanFiction or on Archive Of our Own. You can find the links to the different accounts on my profile.