Thank you so much for reading!
This project originally started as a small side experiment, something to help me break through a bout of writer's block on another story entirely. But once I went back and finished Lenora's half-written sequence, the ideas started rolling faster than I could keep up with... and the whole thing spiraled out of control in the best possible way.
I chose to end this book here, on a cliffhanger, because throughout the entire writing process, the Elite Four, and especially Atrea's eventual battle against Cynthia, always felt like this distant, towering landmark. Even while I was deep into writing Drayden's arc, that final climb still felt far away... and I believe that it deserves its own space, buildup, and story.
And speaking of that story, don't worry. I already have the sequel planned out (and, uh... I may or may not have started writing parts of it in the middle of fine-tuning Marlon's arc. Whoops.)
It is currently three in the morning as I type this, and I'm exhausted in the warm, satisfying way you only feel after finishing something that meant a lot to you. Especially that grudge match you just read, that one took everything out of me, in the best way. Big thanks to the author of the Book of Otto (you know who you are) for inspiration on fleshing out Atrea and Dakashi's relationship.
So with that, I hope you enjoyed Pokémon: Solemn Light – A Journey Begins.
And I'll see you on Victory Road!
This story is a fan interpretation and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company.