Authors Note: Aaaand we are finally here, the last chapter and end of an era. It seems like forever when I wrote Collateral Damage, and now its sequel is finished too. So enjoy the ending, and leave a little review! Bye folks!

Chapter Twenty: My Last Goodbye

Everything seemed so surreal when Green ushered me into his car. Nothing seemed to register any more. My eyes hazily gazed at the scenery as he drove, not paying enough attention to figure out where we were going, or how fast he was driving. None of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was that Gold was leaving, and he had no choice.

He was being ripped away from me again, and it was all my fault.

Pressing my forehead to the window I gazed at my reflection, hating what I saw. I looked even worse than I did before. The dark circles around my eyes had gotten worse, and my skin looked so translucent, it was like I hadn't seen sunlight in years. My hair was all frizzy and untamed, and my lips were pale and colourless. Wow, I made death look appealing.

"...I will give you two some alone time when we get there." Green murmured absent-mindedly, even though right now I didn't care. I wished this was like my vision, a horrible twisted dream which I could simply awaken from. But, no matter how many times I pinched myself I didn't wake up.

"I don't care any more..." I managed to utter weakly, my eyes still gazing into my solemn reflection.

Why did it all go so wrong?

Was it something I did?

What if...I didn't become close to Cyan, and I completely banished him from my life, would this have been prevented?

All I ever wanted...was to be with Gold. For us to be happy, and so much in love. To forget about all the bad things that happened in my past, the abuse from my monster of a Father, the misery of childhood, and to just finally be happy for once.

But, no, that was just too good for some-one like me. I was destined to be alone, that was it.

I closed my eyes weakly, feeling tears start to fall down my face as we drove. No mattered how many tears I shed over this, nothing would make it better. The pain wouldn't just miraculously go away, no matter how many times I prayed.

Gold, he was leaving...and I had to say goodbye.

Goodbye was always the hardest word to say, because it meant the end, and...to me...it wasn't the end...ne-never....

Before I knew it we had arrived at our destination, which so happened to be Olivine Harbour. Everything seemed so peaceful here, the Wingulls were singing to each other overhead, and the weather was beautiful. And, I felt like everything was mocking my misfortunes, and I hated it.

No, correction- I loathed it!

"We are here." Green informed me, pulling to a stop. I frowned, hating the fact that it was the time already. I wanted time to just freeze, and never move forward. It was too soon!

"I can't..." I muttered, refusing to move from my seat.

"Silver, please...the boat leaves in twenty minutes. The more time you waste in here, the less you spend with Gold..." My whole body tensed at his words.

Twenty minutes?!

Was that it?!

That was the only amount of time I had to spend with the love of my life before he had to leave me forever?!

"I said...no!" Green sighed lightly, and gently rubbed my arm, trying so hard to be supportive, but I didn't want it. The only thing I wanted was Gold. That was all I ever wanted.

"Silver...this is killing me...please, just...come on."

His voice sounded desperate, like he was just as upset as I was, only he couldn't be!

There was no way he could be feeling the pain and anguish I was feeling right now!

I felt like my whole world was crashing down around me, and I couldn't do anything to prevent it.

"...Gold...he is waiting for you." Weakly I opened my eyes, and stared out of the windscreen. When I did I beheld something dangerously beautiful. Standing a few feet away from the car, standing on the pathway was Gold, and he was smiling at me.

His hair was wafting in the breeze, and he seemed so...full of life.

Without thinking I quickly got out of the car, and before I knew it I was running to him. I collided with him, gripping him tightly with my arms, terrified to let go. He held me close, his nose gently nuzzling into my neck as I clung to him.

Arceus...I loved him so fucking much...it was killing me.

"G-Gold..." I choked out, tears welling in my eyes, as my whole body trembled. His fingers ghosted over my back gently, trying to calm me down.

"I'm sorry I worried you like that..."

"YOU ASSHOLE!" I cried in sadness, weakly punching his back as more tears fell down my face "I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD! I HATE YOU SO MUCH!" His grip on me intensified, and before I knew it I had broken down. I cried loudly, and I didn't care.

I needed him...so much...and I was losing him...and I couldn't stop it.

"I know...I know..." He soothed, never letting go of me.

"You can't...you fucking can't leave me...!" I cried, gripping the back of his t-shirt with all my strength. A part of me hoped if I did that then it might somehow stop him from leaving.

"Silver..." I heard a crack in his voice, before he had to cough and compose himself. "...I don't want to leave."

"Then don't! Please...I...I can't live without you...I...can't!" His hands rubbed my back softly, as my whole body trembled with fear.

I couldn't lose him...I just couldn't!

"I don't...have a choice, Silv. If I stay...I could be in danger." I shook my head desperately.

"No! I...I won't let them!"

"Silver..." He pulled away from me so his hands cupped my face gently. Our eyes met, sparkling pools of gold, melting into rivulets of silver. "...you have to do something for me."

"Wh-what...?" I stuttered. His thumbs gently caressed my face lovingly, and it just made this so much harder to deal with.

"...you can't tell the other's I'm alive..."

"I...I don't understand..."

"If they know I am alive, then it might influence Cyan's cronies to come after me. Especially if they know where I am. I can't risk it."

So...I had to lie to my friends?

I had to make them feel the exact same excruciating pain that was ripping me apart right now?!

How could I do that?!

"I can't...!"

"Silver...I love you so much...and this...t-this is killing me...but, please...do this for me." Then he pulled me into another hug, and my fingers gripped his t-shirt tightly. My whole body heaved in pain, as more tears flooded down my face.

I couldn't lose him...not again...not when I thought he was dead!

Desperately I clung to him, refusing to let go.

Why did things have to be this way?

Why did Arceus hate me so fucking much?!

Couldn't I just have my happy ending, just once?!

Closing my eyes tightly I felt Gold's body tremble in sadness as we embraced for what seemed like forever, and I didn't want it to end.

"Come on...the boat is pulling in." Green called, pulling me out of my reverie, and instantly my ears were assaulted by the loud noise of the boat horn.

No...it was too soon!

I needed more time!

"No...it's too soon...!" I cried desperately, and then something very strange happened. Something that resembled de ja vu, only being completely the other way around. Gold muttered words that I vaguely remembered from somewhere, and it sent chills down my spine.

"It will always be too soon..." At that moment my heart literally stopped in my chest.

That was it!

The vision! I said those exact words when I was going to give myself up to the Police!

And now...Gold...he was saying the same things. No, I had to change this!

"...let me come with you...!" Everything went silent for a moment, before Gold pulled me away and stared deeply into my eyes. I felt myself melt inside, but it wasn't a bad feeling. Gold always made me feel like this, every time he looked at me. His hands gripped my shoulder's firmly.

"W-what?"

"Let me come with you! Gold...please!" I watched as he stole a glance at Green, who was observing from behind.

It was like he was asking for his damn permission! What the actual fuck?!

"I can't...watch you leave me...not again..." Gold's hands cupped my face gently once again, caressing my cheeks. He smiled lovingly, and it awoke a hurricane of emotions inside of me. I felt happy, seeing his smile, but also sad at the same time.

"Silver...if you come with me, you might be in danger..."

"I don't care!" I cried helplessly, feeling like I was losing every last shred of my mind right now. All I wanted was to be with the one person who I loved more than life itself. Without him nothing made sense any more, and I couldn't imagine a life without him in it. I didn't WANT to imagine that, it was my version of a nightmare.

"You ARE my life, Gold. Without you...its just not worth it..." Then his arms cradled me gently, pulling me close against his chest, as I exhaled shakily. Wherever Gold went then I would follow.

What did I have to keep me here after all?

"You guys need to stop. It's going to make me puke." Green joked, smiling softly, as we both stared at him.

"So...it's okay if I go with Gold?" I asked hopeful. I had no idea why I was asking Green's permission, but it was his whole plan that had saved us all from Cyan's demonic actions. He nodded weakly.

"Yes, I won't try to stop you. However, Gold is right. You could be putting yourself in danger."

"I don't care." I said defiantly, my hand reaching for the amber-eyed boy's, and holding it tightly. "We can handle anything together." He smiled warmly, and I swear I saw a glimmer in his eyes as if he were going to cry.

"Then follow your heart, Silver. I'll make sure things are okay back here." My heart somersaulted in my chest at the realisation that finally my story wasn't going to have an unhappy ending. I finally would get to be with the one person I loved more than life itself.

"Come on..." Gold ushered me, still gripping my hand. "Let's get outta here."

"Yes...and Green?" The older male turned to face me, a small smile scarring his features. "Thank you for everything."

"Anytime. Now get going! I might get all emotional and change my mind."

I knew he was joking, and I couldn't help but smile.

Gold and I bid our farewells to the Gym Leader, and walked towards the docked boat.

I inhaled deeply, realising that the sense of dread I once felt was now nothing more than a distant memory.

But if the story is over, and this chapter is my last then let it be my best one; and let it be my own~

Fin~