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Luna and Thief Chapter 24: Challenge of the Cerulean Gym!

The sun was just peering into the forest for Logan, Rebecca and Trevor. They knew that it was early in the morning…

What they didn't know, was that Griffin would still be asleep by that time. The brush was thick and covered with overturn sticks, rocks… bushes with all sorts of thorns which snagged and tugged on Logan's clothes. Rebecca's Salazzle crossed against the rocks and stretched out it's wonderful tail as it looked around the foliage. A stretch of tight and gnarled greenery sparked with just the sharp cuts of sunlight.

“Can we finally… stop?" Rebecca asked with a sigh, her Charmander's tail flicked and trilled in the wind. By the end of it, Logan had to let it out… Eventually the night got much too cold to keep moving through it. “We've been walking for hours… all night… guys?" Rebecca asked and coughed. Trevor had his Sandslash against his stomach, he ended up carrying Sandslash to keep himself warm…

Logan just wondered how tough Trevor had to have been granted that Sandslash had such strong spines against it's back that it should have easily shredded Trevors chest… but he didn't have a single scratch on him. Logan adjusted his shirt and rubbed his arms frantically.

He gave Trevor his coat… and the cold was beginning to catch up to him.

“N – N – No we can't, just keep moving… for now." Logan commented “If Spirit knows the way to Crossgate… we'll get there, it'll take n- n -no time at all…" He shivered out his words and rubbed his arms frantically. Logan's fingers… toes, everything was starting to burn. “A – A – At this rate… I'll…"

“You're still shivering, Logan… when you stop shivering…? You need to get warm." Trevor said “Take your damn jacket back…"

“N – no… you have nothing underneath your jacket. Anyways, it'll warm up s – soon enough." He began to say “T – the sun is coming up, s - so I'll be fine." He mentioned with his violent shivering “I've been through worse…" Trevor coughed, and Logan replied to the sound with his own sniffles. A rub of his nose with the back of his hand made him shake in the spot.

It's freaking freezing… There's frost out here on all the plants. Now that there's sunlight Logan swallowed, he was parched, but frankly all that came to his mind to drink was either coffee or boiled water. The bushes curled around them as Logan fought past another set of gnarled branches below him.

“How far do we have?" Logan asked as they crossed into a glade of trees. It was tightly knit, shaded… the sun pierced through the trunks and left a glimmer of white-gold which shone at him.

“A few more hours hiking, I'd say" Rebecca commented “Probably around lunch time… maybe. We made great time thanks to Salazzle and Spirit." She said, “Without them for us to follow, we'd be more then a few hours behind." Rebecca expressed

“Yeah, they deserve a good meal when we finally get into town." Logan smiled a little and snugged past another set of bushes. His foot got caught and he went to hit the ground.

What stalled him in the dirt was the loud crack that tore sections of a trunk in front of him away. Logan held his breath and looked ahead of him. Everyone had already moved, all a second between one another. There was a voice in the distance, one that Logan couldn't recognize and that left him to scamper behind the tree trunk. What was that? He froze against the bark.

“Did you get em?" That's all Logan heard against the wind as his heart raced and pounded against his chest.

Was… I really just shot at? I tripped… and I was… If I didn't? No… how far out are they? It was… I don't know, I heard the shot and hardly… it was almost immediate? Two hundred meters? I have no clue. I can't think? I can't think!? Logan took in a breath and softly, raggedly exhaled. That sounded like… similar to… the dig site? They have a Kalashnikov? Logan darted his eyes around him, the brush was thick with a hilly incline, where they were walking towards. There wasn't another gunshot… yet. But it left Logan to worringly glance around. Where did everyone go? I can't see them? His Pokeball made a chitter, the red and white one in his back. He held it gently. Calm down… calm down… any noise and I'm dead… How am I not dead? Am I? That bullet ripped out bark – the tree… saved my life? The one ahead of me? They only saw a part of me in the woods and took a shot? So, they're to my north, north west. Logan started to go onto a tangent in his head, his hand gently brushed the Pokeball.

“Quiet… quiet, Esi… this is bad, you need to be quiet now." Logan silently muttered down to it and the chittering slowly ceased to me it's loud… to it… that must sound like a bomb going off, point blank. Logan swallowed gently and nervously fumbled out his phone. Then he took it from the very bottom and angled it around the tree.

“The two further out said they're cops, watch yourself." A voice barely hinted on the wind

They lied? Is… no, that's not to save our ass, it's to give them a reason to pull out a bigger gun… Logan shook bitterly. At least now his shivers weren't from the cold. He glared at the mirror of a black screen he used and in a second… the top of the phone exploded in his hand. Another gunshot cracked out which left Esi's Pokeball to frantically chitter and whine. A bush shook and quivered around Logan, yet he couldn't tell if that was the wind… or not.

“We know where one is…" The wind cut off the rest of what it said and that left Logan to hold his breath and tap his head against the bark of the tree.

Alright… there's two voices… His heart was pounding out of his chest and left him to suck down air More then one gun, probably… Dense forestry and scrubs – we could hear them move… but they don't need to. Logan closed his eyes for a moment Alright… a Kalashnikov… All Logan could picture was Charlie in front of him. On the ground, a round to the shoulder – the look of shock setting in… Why am I thinking of… this now? Stop… That's not happening here. Logan swallowed nervously and tapped the back of his skull against the tree.

That's when his Pokeball beeped. Two, short, audible beeps. There was a chitter of noises… but Logan knew that wasn't from Esi.

Did… they just reconnect? Wait… Shadow? No, no way in hell. Logan shook his head I can't figure out what the hell I should do!

“Hey… if these people are cops…?" The voice seemed a little louder now, but the wind suddenly cut it off

Why haven't we announced ourselves? Either they think we're some kind of… Special ops crap or… they just figured there's no reason for them to stay back… Logan swallowed We can't try to bullshit them, any one of us steps out into the open… they have at least thirty rounds… right? Twenty-nine? No… you can get more then just thirty round magazines, right? They could… both? Logan started to panic again and tried to hold his breath. His mind raced frantically as he forced himself to close his lungs. He just waited until his heartrate slowed down before he finally got his breath again. Something cracked nearby, a twig that left him to flinch. The frost clung to the bushes beside him They're moving… Logan slowly hit the ground and began to crawl directly ahead of him, towards another grove of trees and bushes. Logan didn't stop moving, just clung to the earth and frost before sneaking towards a tree further away. His hands dug into the ground and pulled him ahead, behind a row of tight bushes and over felled branches. In moment's something cracked behind him, that left him frozen in place for just a moment before Logan continued

It was just another branch that cracked and stilled… these people were cautious, and that made Logan worry more. He grabbed the trunk of the tree and got behind it, there was a dip – like a grove where its roots hung out of the earth and dug down into the earth below him. The dirt crunched softly as he moved his legs against the frosted soil as he'd barely glance over the near trench barrier he was dug into now. It was a quick corner glance, back and forth.

He blinked a few times. That worked? Logan thought to himself as something crunched and clicked nearby.

“He's gone…" Something clicked, as though the stranger were checking the breach on his firearm. “Hey man! Come on out" He called out to the woods “It'll make it easy for everyone."

He wasn't yelling… His voice was rough but calm.

How old is he? He sounds… late twenties? Logan swallowed painfully and breathed in through his mouth

He knew his nose was running from the cold, and he gently rubbed it with the back of his hand. Luckily… there wasn't any fog from his breath – the temperature was increasing with the sun rising above them.

“Hey man, we got all day. Now I bet it's bloody cold out here for you. We got food, water. So, make it easy… you don't seem like a cop, that's a good thing. Listen!" There was the same clicking sound like before, Logan caught onto it.

It is the chamber of the gun, it's too loud for a safety. Even though he… is trying to do it so quietly.

“See, I even turned the safety on." He'd explain, confidently… smugly. That's what it was shaded with… in the background of his tone. That left Logan to shiver with fear. “Just come on out or we're going to have to find you out here, and you don't have far to go. There isn't anywhere to go."

There's… more then just them? Maybe they're searching a whole perimeter? Logan felt his stomach churn and he'd swallow saliva pointlessly _I feel like I have heartburn… vomiting. It's like poison? The heat is rushing to my face… I can't… I don't know what to do, I'm just getting lucky?

Is this luck?_ Logan let out a very soft sigh as the man tapped a tree with the barrel of his gun… with the stock? It was a loud weird sound that Logan couldn't pinpoint.

“Alright, Go, Pokeball." There was a familiar click and crack of a sound which left Logan's hair to stand on edge, that was the other stranger – they sounded younger, male… then cocked something.

That's… a shotgun right? The clicking… it's like some nostalgic sound, like something from a film but… just the sound now is terrifying. Logan ran his finger tips against the frosted ground below him and gently took a handful. I'm screwed. A shotgun and a machine gun? Logan softly held his breath again What the… hell… no, There has to be something. I have Pokemon… right? I can… I… Logan shut his eyes and pulled out a Pokeball. There has been no return beam or sound, so… We still have Salazzle… Spirit… even Charmander. I can make a move with Aggron. Even… Haxorus could… Logan took out both of their Pokeballs. “This is the worst thing, to make you both do… and I… just finished trying to tell myself I won't… not against a gun. I'm sorry." Logan muttered to them softly and went to look across the tree-trunk… but…

This sickly, starved and ill-treated Zigzagoon stared at him with horrible, soulless eyes. Logan just glanced back at it, wide eyed. “Sh… Shhh. Don't say anything, I can help you. Just… stay quiet. I can get you help." That's when it made this shrill, horrifying sound that left Logan's skin to crawl. One that left him to swallow and shake.

Logan never knew that a Pokemon could make a sound so blood-curling, it made seven, loud horrifying screams that left Logan to bite his tongue and make a vicious sound

It took him a moment to realize exactly how much that one Zigzagoon made his blood boil… just a few short laughs came to his ears as the hairs on his back stayed on edge.

“Oh? He's got Pokemon with him, what does he have? Something cute? This is great!" The voice said… it sounded right next to him… Logan's eyes contracted and shrunk and the Zigzagoon simply backed away, ears folded… its tail looked like a shredded rag – like it had gone through a meat grinder. Logan flinched and twitched his hand. The Zigzagoon just stared at him…

_A Pokemon… that… hates humans. So much that it's giving me that look. My face is red, it feels hot… I'm… mortified. I'm crying, I know I am. It's only been one… fucking… night. I can't even keep a promise.

Not… to myself… or…_ Logan bitterly stared at the two Pokeballs in his hands. Why the hell should I care about the law? Not… when… it's just like that look. I know that look. His hands gripped the two capsules and he clicked them to full size. I'll break my promise… I don't care, because… this Zigzagoon… Logan shut his eyes as he heard a twig snap. Logan turned his head to the tree and called out.

“Alright… you're right." Something clacked, the man shouldered his firearm. “All I got is cute Pokemon. Just… adorable Pokemon. Let's go, Silvy and Hazel." Logan tossed the two Pokeballs around each side of the tree. The gun clicked… the shotgun followed with a much quieter 'clock' like sound, the safety turning off. “Kill them both" The voice called out as they aimed at the two capsules…

Which pointlessly sat on the ground. Logan felt his blood go cold.

Are they scared too? Aggron… You're… literally made of iron, a bullet won't hurt you. Christ… Are you telling me that… Logan took a moment to breathe.

“So… I like your Pokemon." The voice said, they were basically around the bend… it left Logan to laugh

“Cute right?" He'd say and clear his throat Buy time for Trevor and Rebecca… “Too scared to even pop out and say hi."

“Big shame on that." One of them kicked the Pokeball, Logan heard it clack against a tree. “At least ours is smart enough to come out when asked. It might just have a meal for once." The voice said. “Now come out here, because we'll go over there, and make you come out here. Make it easy… you won't like it any harder…" Logan swallowed and checked another Pokeball of his. I can't use… anyone else. Logan pulled out Shadow's Pokeball. “Anytime… I'd love to run into a bandit by now…" Logan muttered to the Pokeball.

“A bandit huh? We're a little… cooler then that." He'd say. “In fact, see that Zigzagoon that's just… staring at you?" Logan felt his heart hold. “I mean, look long enough at it, because after this, you'll look worse than it." Logan swallowed

My legs want to move but I… can't. I'm hesitating. Move, Zigzagoon. For the love of god, move. Please. It ran through Logan's head and he shut his eyes at the sound of a loud crack. Logan felt his breath fade… Something hit his chest.

He had to open his eyes.

“What the hell!?" The man called out and the other snugged up his shotgun.

“Was that an Umbreon!? That was! Where the hell did it come from?" Logan turned his head around the tree trunk.

That's from… no way... Logan swallowed nervously and dryly as the Umbreon took up a stance against the two of them.

“Whatever, this'll be easier then skeet shooting!" The younger man mentioned and aimed down his sights… a menacing shotgun aimed at the Umbreon closely.

It has cubs… Logan pushed himself and froze at the sound of a gunshot… he'd hit the ground and tap his chest frantically the round didn't hit me… right? I don't think so.

“Don't think I forgot about you punk!" A voice called out and he snugged up the Kalashnikov and aimed it at the trunk Logan hid behind. “hey kid, unload the shotgun on it! It screwed my shot up." Logan felt his eyes flicker on.

The round didn't hit the Zigzagoon either. It just stared at him. And… it just pee'd itself. Great… I'm going to probably die, and I'm covered in Pokemon urine to boot.

“Hey shoot the damn Umbreon, it's right in fr-" There was a row of silence. “Hey…" He snugged up the Kalashnikov and Logan had to look over somehow, he could hear the shuffle. He found a spot where he could barely see past the trench line. All he knew was that his own head was covered… and a body laid in the grass further away.

What the hell? Logan swallowed and stared until he saw a boot cut off his view. He just cautiously and slowly put his hands up.

“Who the fuck is out here?" Logan felt his eyes flicker again. “Where the…" The man went silent, just some man with a face-cover and a pair of goggles, like firearm or safety goggles – tinted. Logan couldn't see his face entirely, but that was the point. “WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?" Logan flinched and felt the man take him by the shirt.

The twenty-five-year-old was strong, it was like how Trevor could pick him up… but instead it was an enraged man who picked Logan up and over the trench single-handedly. Logan couldn't catch his footing when the man threw him against the body. The shotgun was in front of him and his hand went for it.

Logan felt himself go blank and cold when a frigid piece of steel pushed against the back of his head. Logan looked ahead of him. He had to look at the body.

A dead body. He swallowed and felt his stomach spin… his heart racing and pounding out of his chest

“N – Now wait a minute, seriously I'm just some trainer! S – see my belt man? I just train Pokemon, I'm a local from Crossgate." Logan panicked and started to talk as the man scoffed.

“Shut up, SHUT THE FUCK UP" Logan felt the steel push him down to the earth. “I'LL PUT A GOD DAMN ROUND THROUGH YOUR SKULL" The man snapped

In the movies, it sounded cheesy… but when someone was screaming… and with a gun to the back of his head. Logan felt his hot face get hotter. “Where..." He checked and locked the gun against Logan's head. “The hell…" He played with the chamber, as though to ensure the gun was loaded

What do I do? Aggron… Anyone? Everyone is terrified. “Is your friend with the bow?" Logan froze and looked at the body. He looked at it closely.

There's a bolt in his left temple… about west. So…. I don't know who this… who? What? Where? This is real… This is real. Logan swallowed “Left… My left, the guy demanded that I followed him, dragged out some of my friends at gunpoint. I didn't know this was the shit he was getting us into. He's to the left, a Crossbow." Logan was hyper-ventilating, he couldn't find the air to push into his lungs

He couldn't find air, there wasn't anyway he could control his breathing here… The man took a moment to check to the left. “The guy is… he's fucking insane, alright. I was just going with some friends out in the woods and this crazy sonova bitch tells us to get into his car. Tells us all this weird shit about dig-sites and crap, says he needs us. He's a bloody loony, alright. Just… please, man I'm"

“Can it you sniveling shit." The man snapped “You're still fucking dead either way." The man mentioned in this calm, horrifying manner and looked to the left. He studied the forest as though to see anything out of pattern. “I don't see anything."

“He just told me to make noise… I… My girlfriend" Logan was grasping at straws “This camping trip has gone to shit…" Logan expressed, he was just trying to make himself believable in the least.

If he didn't shoot to kill right away, then I have a chance… a slim… slim chance. Something rustled, the wind just picked up again and left all of the bushes to come to life.

“Hey man, if you dropped my pal, I'm guessing this guy means something to you." Logan cleared his throat as the man talked. “You can't really be some lunatic, you wouldn't care about dropping my guy, not before we killed them. So, unless you want your friend here to flatline in the next second, you better show up, now." He'd say… wait about a short moment and shrug. “Alright, screw you dude, you're dead." He'd say, and Logan froze and hesitated. He shut his eyes.

I'm dead… I'm dead… I'm really… I'm going to die. That's all that ran through his head… When something snap-shot swung toward the man from the tree-line. Logan just flicked an eye to the right…

Trevor's Pidgey? Out of everyone? It was Poppo that slashed through the air and struck the man clean across the cheek with its talons. It sent him to the left and Logan jolted and pushed the barrel of the gun away… right when it fired. Logan went deaf and yelled…

The barrel went from cold to hot the moment the gunshot rang out of it. Logan hit the earth… and grabbed the shotgun from the ground instinctively. Logan swung around from his side to his back – the earth against it and pointed the barrel at the man.

Poppo was still on him, either slashing or pecking at the man frantically… until he finally whacked the small Pidgey with the butt of his rifle. Logan held the shotgun to his shoulder

“Drop the gun." He'd say and exhale sharply. “I'm already aiming, so drop the gun. Just drop it, no bullshit." Logan said again as Poppo hit the ground as the man turned his head to face Logan. “I'll squeeze this damn trigger and drop you. I don't need to hit you in the chest, I'll take your twisted head off with it." Logan said.

He just said what came to mind, regardless of how meek it came out to be.

“Heh… kid, drop the damn gun." The man said, and Logan barely glanced at the safety.

“Red means dead." Logan read and knew that much. The shotgun? He couldn't tell exactly what it was, or the make or model, but it looked like a normal hunting shotgun – modern. A pump action. The gauge? Logan wouldn't know, it could be loaded with a slug even. Logan had no clue at all. The dark-brown haired and blue eye'd young man just held the shotgun, a simple shotgun with a ball foresight and no rear-sight, like any other one. “Drop the Kalashnikov" Logan demanded, and the man gave him a look… and then started to laugh.

“Kalashnikov?" He chuckled a bit more and Logan hung his finger right in front of the trigger. He couldn't hesitate, the world was sharp and clear. The adrenaline had long kicked in and now it was more-so of an enjoyable high…

One where his heart still broke past one eighty. Yet Logan forced himself to control his breaths as the man dropped the 'Kalashnikov' rifle. The man simply shrugged and held his hands behind his head. “Hey! Hands where I can see them, I've watched those movies, who knows what else you have! So, keep them in sight." He slowly pulled his empty hands back out so that Logan could see them clearly. Pidgey simply shook its head, chirped oddly, and flapped it's wings away from the man. He simply kept his hands in place.

“That one of your cute Pokemon?" He'd ask “What say we have a battle? Pokemon battle, one on one. I win, I leave, you w-" Logan cut him off

“Yeah, I'm going to stop you right there." Logan mentioned “I stalled you, now you tell me. Where the hell are the others? You said I had nowhere to go or run, that means there's more then two of you looking for us. Where are they?" Logan had to stop and stare at something.

Did… a bush move? No, it did. It moved. Logan just blinked – wide eye'd…

As an Umbreon snuck out from behind the 'bush' That left Logan to point the shotgun to the left of the man… and the strange bandana worn man simply dropped his hands to his back, and pulled out a handgun which left Logan to freeze, he whipped it up but....

Not that it did much… following these near dead-silent clacks that put the man down, the bush moved again… Slowly showed off the handgun with an elongated barrel.

It was suppressed? How was it THAT silent? Logan's hand twitched and the shotgun wavered. It left him to stay wide eyed as Poppo flicked its wings and called out. The Umbreon stared at it and tilted its head.

“N – now wait a minute, hold up." Their hand froze where Logan could clearly see the entire firearm. It was a smaller handgun… but not so small that it reminded him of some super spy movie, more like something that yelled 'police' or Special Forces.

Pitch black gloves… a suit like a weird fuzzy bush and an Umbreon? Who was this? It looked like some semper fi style get up.

“…" They stayed silent at first… then pointed the gun down at the newly-shot man and shot again. They hit the man directly… in the… Logan had to turn his head and that's when he felt the weight of the gun disappear from his arms. The man disarmed him, with one hand? He just dug in where the shells were loaded and went from the lower left to the upper right. It was such a quick movement that left the man to casually hold the shotgun from the middle as he tossed it down on the grass. “By now… you should start vomiting, right? When all this sinks in, finally." Logan nodded shortly after, it felt as though he had just undergone an intensive blood test without eating anything for days before hand. “You look absolutely pale, I'd suggest the bushes over there… also, that Zigzagoon stuck around." The strange bush worn man explained. “Oh… right." The man nodded to himself and watched Logan walk off. Luckily for him, Logan didn't feel a round touch him… this… murderer was helping them.

Naturally, he did exactly what the man had said of it. Everything finally caught up to Logan… all of it.

He couldn't get the image out of his head and all he did was stare away from the two bodies… He wasn't expecting anything like that.

Or if he was, he definitely wasn't prepared for it.

The man simply flicked back the hood of his suit. At least, that's what Logan thought it was when he turned around to this weird shuffle of a sound

The man had black hair and black eyes to boot, He was Japanese, old enough to know all these things and young enough that he could continue to do them. “I'm surprised that he asked me to come down here ahead of time. I was passing by when he gave me a call… told me to give you this." The man held out a small phone.

It was some older model phone, the kind that people would argue was bullet proof. It wasn't even a flip phone, just a phone that resembled a smaller version of a wireless home phone. “I don't get why he has any interest… told me to pick you all up." Logan blinked a little and adjusted his eyes, they were watering.

“W – where's the Zigzagoon?" The man shrugged and pointed

“Over there, I'll take care of it." He'd say “After all, Logan Fletching…" He said his name and that made him flinch, but the man cut that conversation short. “Trevor and Rebecca, it should be more then safe to come out now, I have a vehicle. I'll take you to wherever you need to go." The man said and got closer to Logan after they hesitantly came out of the woods, and then their Pokemon followed suite. Trevor and Rebecca avoided their stares at the two in the dirt and the strange man got closer to Logan, so close to whisper something. First, he talked about a laptop in the truck, one Logan should be able to use if he needed to as he collected Aggron's and Haxorus's Pokeballs… then the man said as Logan glanced at him, his mouth was right next to his ear and he talked in a low, low voice. Not like a whisper at all… this was next to silent.

“After all, Logan Fletching, Team Rocket is always happy to take Pokemon off of people's hands."

-Thief

They were nose deep in a berry hunt, or… in the least that plump, orange eye'd Growlithe had ecstatically sniffed against the shade as they crossed deeper and deeper into a forest that Thief knew absolutely nothing about. It was beautiful, every where he casted his gaze all Thief saw was ever single shade of emerald. Every color of green just existed here, in Alola. A gentle hold of his breath left them to come towards a clearing in the forest – one which showed them a mountain waterfall from the distance. It wasn't too large or wide, but Thief was shocked that there wasn't a single bit of stone or rock exposed… the temperament in this forest was so different then any other that it left him to endlessly marvel, to the point that the Arcanine, annoyed with Thief's behavior, picked him up as though he were just a pup! At that point, the Growlithe had no desire to fight against the ultimately larger Arcanine and spent his time to sniff the air with delight.

“I think I found something" Thief commented “It… smells like a berry at least? Or is it a fruit again?" He'd comment and the Rattata just giggled from a top of the Arcanine's back. “No… Wait" Thief sniffed more and more. “That smells… just like a Tamato berry." The Arcanine sighed

“Unless it's ANOTHER Pinap…" The Arcanine commented subtly as though to undermine his logic. “The most common here are Pinap and Bluk. Thief kicked out his legs and hopped around against the Arcanine's jaws.

“Wait, wait, seriously… I know that smell." The Arcanine put Thief down and he sniffed the air. He then followed his nose

That… has to be one. It's a Lansat, I know it is. Thief scampered over to the scent, he jolted into a glade of tree's that made the Arcanine hesitate and then growl and follow in after him. Thief just bolted down a tight grove, one where the tree's surrounded over top them as though it were sacred and untouched… as though it were the start of a massive den… or the belly of a beast.

Either way, Thief just curiously followed his nose when an aroma of scents washed over him.

That's not just Lansat… There must be hundreds of berries this way! We'll have plenty to trade! Thief ran as fast as his legs would carry him now, he just crossed around a grove and went further and further until he reached… a dead end. His tail flicked and quivered against an aroma that filled the entire grove from right here and yet there wasn't a single Pokemon in sight. Just this massive pot-like horde of berries… Thief curiously looked around now. Just a dead end of mud and rock where his paws tapped against the ground…

and his collar jungled obnoxiously. Thief went to a side of the grove and hopped up to the tree line. I just need a big leaf, a few sticks and… something to tie it together, I could use more leaves! It just needs to be enough to carry or drag, like before. Thief went around and got the largest sticks he could find and then curiously found what looked to be vines or loose long strands of sticks that clung around some low trees. He used his claws and his teeth to tie it all together, to make a little sturdy stretcher for all the berries. Then Thief carefully dragged it back down the oddly muddy slope

It didn't take him long to make it, there must've been dozens of them all around Kanto and Hoenn that he made, so here wouldn't make much of a difference. Thief just dragged it back to the base of the berry pot. Or at least it looked like a pot, Thief didn't know what else to call it.

“Thief!" Rattata called out at him as Arcanine finally caught up “When it's about food… I swear he's faster then he thinks…" The Arcanine stiffened up and huffed out a plume of fire.

“Thief…" He began to say

“I found like ALL the berries! In fact, we don't even need THIS many!" Thief commented with his tail flickering “We only need a small amount honestly! That way you can help feed all the Growlithes! It'll be super easy when we trade them in the city for the Can Opener you need!"

“Thief…" The Arcanine said again and took a stance, it made the Growlithe tilt his head

“It's so weird that you're calling me by name now…" Thief commented and then tried to glare at the Arcanine's eyes.

He couldn't tell the color from the distance between them. “Well(Thief), the(I) Lansat(Think), Oran(You```) and Pecha(Uhhhhhh) should(Thief Listen) be(Umm) perfect(Can you look)! It wouldn't(Right still talking) hurt adding(Thief could) some Cheri(I know ) berries(Already please) too! Oooh(Thief you), I think(need to look) there's(behind you) Sitrus(please already)!" Thief aimlessly sniffed the air “It's so strong it's like perfume!" Thief mentioned as Rattata dug into the Arcanine's fur

“Thief, Gumshoos!" Thief tilted his head at her as she just clung to Arcanine and buried herself against it.

“Gum shoes? You mean like Gum Boots? I guess we could collect some extra berries, but I don't get it?" Thief laughed a little “Honestly, what do you need rain boots for? It's like so hot out… you all need a little rain here!" Thief commented and huffed a little with his tongue out, it was unbearably hot for him, but he did have and stood in this wonderful shade. That made him excited and happy now that the temperature was lower here.

“Thief…" The Rattata muttered and sighed “Gumshoos…"

“You already said that!" Thief commented “Look I made a stretcher!" He'd say and casually planted his rear down “I mean, Gum shoes is something you can buy I guess, we just need the can opener first!" The Arcanine took a stance as the Rattata squeaked into his fur.

She muttered something to the Arcanine that made him chuckle.

“Yeah, it's a great stretcher Thief, you might need it." Thief snickered and nodded

“Of course I'll need it! We need to carry everything! Well… maybe not everything… Gosh we need at least… thirty? Forty?" Thief explained as the Arcanine nodded at him and sat down.

“That's a lot of berries." He'd start to say as Thief smiled in reply. He anxiously tapped his paws against the ground and flicked his tail happily

“Yeah! So, are you going to help me? I mean this is supposed to help you right?" The Rattata and Arcanine shrugged bit by bit… but the Rattata hid herself closely against the Arcanines pelt, behind the nape of its large neck. The Arcanine shook its head no.

“Sorry, I don't know how that thing works." He'd say, and Thief tilted his head and huffed, they muttered something about him being overly excited or annoying and the Rattata commented something about the temperature, it was colder in this grove. Much colder. “How about you show us? You know, turn around and collect some berries, from the pile of berries. Behind you." The massive Arcanine stated and Thief bobbed his head left and right before he flicked his ears around.

“I guess I can?" Thief mentioned and turned around.

He finally turned around just to notice that there was a Pokemon behind him.

A Pokemon that was twelve feet of solid brown fur and a curious tilt of its head. One that left Thief to lose all the color in his pelt… In comparison, Thief needed six of him stacked on top of each other just to face it, eye to eye. It left his ears to fold against his skull and pin while his head went to the ground and his tail dragged underneath him. In fact, Thief fought to try and shove his tail between his legs while stumbling backwards against the trail. All the Gumshoos did was stare at him and then it began to laugh loudly. That's when two other Gumshoos appeared from the little grove of rocks and mud ahead of Thief. It was a nest?

“W – w – what? T – th… that Gumshoos is HUGE!?" Thief stumbled and ended up on his back, he tripped over his own tail.

That just left all three of them to laugh and howl. That's when Arcanine cackled along with Rattata “What is a Gumshoos!? That's a Gumshoos!?" The Arcanine smiled and Thief just rolled his head back. All he saw was the Arcanine from upside down.

“That Gumshoos is a Totem Pokemon." The Arcanine said “They do many things, including protect the forest here if needed." He mentioned “However… I haven't even come this far down this grove… most Pokemon who do come in to challenge them, and most have their trainer." The Arcanine mentioned “I've yet to see a trainer that can really beat them. So… Thief? Were you planning on just stealing the berries?"

Thief began to stutter

“W – Well I actually… thought it was like a pile, like one that fell from trees…. I've read that before, there's some regions where berries grow on tall trees." Thief explained nervously “I – I mean, well I guess… It's just… I… I don't know." The Growlithe commented and held his paws to his chest, his face burned red from the embarrassment “I just got excited…" The Gumshoos nodded in reply, a large huff from the twelve-foot-tall one made Thief flinch. “I mean… there's so many berries here and we're having trouble finding them out there… that and… well I mean I guess I got all chatty anyways too… I can, sometimes…" Thief mentioned nervously. “I'm definitely NOT here to battle… but… I mean we don't even have anything to trade. Would you be willing to share some of your berries with us?" Thief asked and watched the large Gumshoos drop down a claw, it curiously poked Thief in the stomach with it, the blunt side of the claw. It made him blush red

“I – It's not for me to eat! I just need to find a friend of mine… I guess. I mean I don't even know them… really." Thief commented quietly “I'm just worried, it's dumb… but I'm worried. They left for no reason, it feels that way." The Gumshoos then curiously poked him in the chest with his claw, it wasn't a rough poke or a mean one. Just a curious poke, and then it touched the bell around Thief's neck. The claw barely grazed the collar shortly after and it left Thief to nervously smile. “M – my trainer gave it to me." The Gumshoos tilted its head. “I'm a very, very far way from home… Do… you know of any forests with Rockruffs near Lanakila Mountain? Is there a forest filled with them? I think that's where she's headed…"

A Gumshoos twitched

“Mount Hokulani has a vast forest, along with the Lake of the Moone, not to mention there's many sporadic and smaller forests going up Mount Lanakila" A smaller Gumshoos spoke. “Our leader can tell you're from across the sea…" The largest Gumshoos huffed again and gently poked a spot that made Thief jolt

“O – ow! W – what was that?" Thief just stared at his upper middle torso, right behind his stomach. “T – that hurt a lot!" The Gumshoos just titled his head and went to poke it once more; it made Thief snarl at him. The Gumshoos didn't flinch but it stopped him from poking Thief like that again. “I – I said that hurt! Stop please…" Arcanine made a noise

“What's wrong, Thief?" Thief just glanced at his side curiously… there was this weird burning pain that came from there. Thief didn't know what it was, but it wasn't his stomach.

“I don't know… it just, really hurts when he pokes there… I didn't even know that could hurt? Not like that…" Thief commented “It sort of makes me feel sick too… when he does" Thief mentioned and glanced closely at his paw.

Is… this some kind of… after affect? Luna doesn't… seem that way. Did she just change the injury? Is that even possible? What about Luna? Luna is in trouble then… who knows what it did to her. Thief swallowed shyly But if I leave… He'd rub his paws on his head and scrubbed it thoroughly What do I do!? Wuffles needs my help right away…. I think at least? Anyways, they can just go to a Pokemon Center. Everyone is there to help her… I'm all alone. Thief shook his head and fought it against the dirt.

“It would help if we could please have a batch of your berries" Thief mentioned after he got to his four paws and stood firmly, he'd glance up at the massive Gumshoos and lowered his head with a respectful nod. “Can you please help us with that?" The smaller Gumshoos nodded and gave Thief a smile

“He believes that he can… but he's worried about something, the forest has spreading a lot of chitter and chatter about some rogue Meowstic?" Thief tilted his head at the Gumshoos

“Meowstic? What's a Meowstic?" Thief asked as the Arcanine shook out his mane-like fur. The Rattata just clung on tight. They'd mutter something to one another once again. “I've never heard of a Meowstic" Thief asked and then the larger Gumshoos huffed and made all sorts of noises – he talked solely to the smaller one.

“It was the Pokemon that attacked… a Salandit?" The Arcanine plumed and cleared his throat.

“A Salazzle, she's back at our beach, her injuries are getting much better." The Arcanine said “As for the Pokemon, it's not a Meowstic, regardless of how similar it may appear. A Meowstic has two tails of plump fur, this Pokemon has three, slender tails… it can nearly hang from tree's and other things. On top of that, I can't distinguish its type. I've seen every type used so far… and it doesn't make sense." The Arcanine explained as Thief tilted its head “But I've only seen it for very rare moments at a time… it harasses weaker Pokemon." The Arcanine continued to explain “I don't know what it is myself." Thief swallowed

“W – well… since I fought it…" Thief brought up and it seemed to shock the two Gumshoos, the smaller ones. Thief went red “I – I – I didn't beat it or anything… I was just…"

“Worried about a friend that you know nothing about, right… Little Thief?" The other small Gumshoos finally spoke and that left him silent… until a different small Gumshoos perked up.

“What is it?" They'd ask, and Thief swallowed shortly after.

“I heard it say… Cheshira. It also made a weird chitter that… I've never heard of it before. I – Is it a Ghost?" Thief asked and the Larger Gumshoos shook its head no. “If it's not… then what is it?" The three gave him a look.

“We don't know… but those humans are doing weird things." He'd start to say. “Some of the Wingulls have told us that the humans have started to use strange tubes to spray the forest. It's been hurting a lot of Pokemon…" They started to say

“T – then what if… well, they have a shortage of berries, the city I mean. It can't be their fault, that Cheshira has a trainer… A weird trainer, he's scary" Thief stalled as his fur just spiked from his feet paws to the tips of his little mane on the very top of his head. “There's even some people that… live around the beach who could be in lots and lots of trouble!" Thief started to say “One of them is the trainer of my friend! Or… well I guess her owner, I don't know what to call him… but… they're both very kind and there's no Pokemon around that could help them. If they need it." Thief said “If at most… they're just troubled, I can tell! But they may need help, somehow." Thief muttered the last little bit as he nervously dug his paws into the ground “There was this nice Pikipek that came to visit me, maybe he could help keep an eye on them? Since I'm going out to find Wuffles after all!" The Arcanine nodded… but the two smaller Gumshoos began to laugh

“Wuffles!? What kind of name is Wuffles?" The larger Gumshoo just tilted his head in silence as the two giggled behind him.

“The Rockruff… I've seen her before. Her trainer is in trouble?" The largest Gumshoo's finally began to say, “That trainer wandered in here months ago… he spent at least… five minutes trying to figure out what we were and why I was larger then everyone." The Gumshoos sighed. “It was scary… considering how…" Thief cut in

“Eccentric?" the larger Gumshoos nodded at Thief kindly. After all, it was a kinder term then calling Makani an idiot.

“Yes… Eccentric. I'll see if a Wingull passing by may be kind enough to give that Pikipek a friendly request. As for the berries… Young one, you may have what you need. We have more than plenty for now… and if the city nearby is low on them, we may be able to find more… human, help through trade." Thief flicked his ears and his tail

“R – really?" The Gumshoos replied and crossed it's large arms and gave a liberal huff.

“Wuffles is a Pokemon of Melemele, I can't not help. It's only natural for a Totem." The Arcanine tapped his large paws against the earth.

“Alright mutt, take what you need and let's get that… can opener thing." The Gumshoos tilted its head and then glanced at the Arcanine. That's when a curious Yungoos popped it's head up from the back.

Three Gumshoos and a Yungoos lived within that grove of trees…

Thief glanced at the Yungoos that looked down at him from their little den.

“Can? Wait… that's the Arcanine who's been stealing food from the market!" The Yungoos called out and the Arcanine took a stance after it was said. Thief just nervously smiled

“W – well they… didn't know they could trade things, honestly." The larger Gumshoos huffed and kept his paws crossed

“Actually… he does. I already know that." Thief flinched and shot a look behind him.

“W – well… I mean, if he goes to trade in the berries, himself… and we all go with him wouldn't that be like an apology? I don't get what a Totem… Pokemon is but don't all the people in the city know you're important in some way? So… I mean, he can apologize with you there." The Arcanine huffed out a plume of smoke and ember.

“I'm not doing that" The Arcanine remarked as the Gumshoos gave him a firm look with his arms crossed. “I won't get dragged around to apologize to humans, I'm not some decrepit whipped puppy." The Arcanine growled “You want to bring me through that city, you better be more then willing to drag me." The Gumshoos tapped his large, tri clawed paws on the ground and dug it into the earth.

“Then how about a fair battle?" The massive Gumshoos stated “I win, you come willingly to the city with this… thing filled with berries that your Growlithe acquaintance has made. You win, you can do what you wish with the berries you need." The large Gumshoos said and then delicately tapped Thief back. “You should step back, unless you'll join in?" Thief just folded his ears when the Gumshoos said that

“N – No, I'm fine, I'd rather not. Thanks for the offer!" Thief expressed and bolted back towards the Arcanine. It stopped him with his paw and casually stepped in front of the Growlithe – Rattata snuck onto Thief's pelt and nervously whispered at him.

“Gumshoos hunt Rattata's… so hide me? They get rude when they see Rattata's…" She'd say quietly “So just… let me hide in your pelt for a while… or your tail? Whatever I can hide in… If he see's me, he'll go wild" The Rattata mentioned “It's one of the reasons why Rattata's stay so far away from these woods…" The Rattata told him while she tugged Thief's fur. “Get out of the way." She'd say calmly

“Move, Growlithe." The Arcanine said and took a stance “Fine… Totem, I'll take on your offer. But I'm not backing down easily." He'd say and the massive Gumshoos nodded.

“You may have the first move, Arcanine. I've heard that you're also in favor with the Totem Raticate." He noted “It's strange that you'd select him of all things." The Arcanine grinned and snickered

“I didn't select anyone, all I did was beat him. I won't let my friend go back to them…" The Arcanine expressed and held his stance before he let out a massive current of flame that curled around the corners of the sloped glade. Thief pinned his ears back.

I – isn't that a bit excessive!? But the Gumshoos had already called up a move, Sand-tomb. Its massive foot collided against the earth below him and sent a massive stone to cover itself. The flames licked and sprawled across the rock that blocked the Gumshoos. Thief backed right up.

T – that fire is hot… Really hot, hotter then mine. The stone is getting scorched? Thief swallowed a little and went towards the edges of the slope.

A curious Gumshoos joined him. Then the Yungoos jumped over and they began to distract him from the battle… at least audibly. Thief couldn't take his eyes away from the golden furred Arcanine and the massive Gumshoos that launched a massive paw against the scorched red stone – it cracked it and sent the stones right at the Arcanine. A flash of smoke bellowed against the blow from dozens of sharp stones as sand flicked everywhere. Thief pulled his head back.

It used… Sandstorm offensively? The Yungoos muttered something at Thief and he just watched the fight. It's not an area of affect, it's like Smokescreen… but using rocks? His blow turned the big rock into sand? Thief felt himself shiver from the thought Imagine getting hit with that… The Arcanine plumed a row of flames around itself last minute…

That's why everything exploded into smoke and the Yungoos glanced up at the sun… It was getting hot and bright here. Thief let his tongue roll out as he began to pant. The Arcanine didn't move, but it certainly looked like it charged and gathered in Sunlight. The Mongoo's Slammed it's paws down onto the earth hard enough that it quaked… and in the shake it launched a collection of hot mud-like balls at the Arcanine. It took the blow, but he didn't wince from it.

“It's Sunny day?" The Yungoos tilted its head as Thief rolled out his tongue and huffed

“It's always a sunny day here…" Thief mentioned as his pelt furled out, naturally it did, as though static ran through it. The Yungoos tilted its head at him.

“You sound rough about it…?" Thief nodded a little as the Arcanine let out a massive flash of bright sunlight.

Solar beam? Thief watched the bright endless light flash against the Gumshoos which retaliated with another collection of mud-like orbs to block itself and it's paws to take the blow.

The Gumshoos wasn't affected that badly from the move, But the Arcanine must've taken plenty from the Gumshoos earlier attack.

“Yeah…" Thief replied “The heat… I feel even angry when it gets too hot." He folded his ears a touch and huffed.

When he huffed, it was as though he naturally used Ember. It made the Yungoos snicker.

“What's with you fire types and the heat? You're a fire type anyways." Thief watched the Arcanine flash and…

It looked like it disappeared and the Gumshoos followed up with a massive paw forward, much like a solid straight punch. Thief had to look around.

The Arcanine used Aerial Ace, he was above! But the moment it connected the blow, the Gumshoos followed up with Paypack and flat out punched the Arcanine against the chest. It sent the Arcanine back, at least several feet back. But he got his claws against the earth and with this loud screech of claws against rock it slid back and held it's feet into the ground.

“W – well… I mean, imagine it's a cold day, like a human! They wear a big puffy jacket. Now imagine you can't take the jacket off… ever. And then it gets really, really hot. Plus, you're already hot, like me! I have fire inside myself… I don't know how to explain it." The Growlithe commented “It's like all over, it feels that way." The Arcanine let out a snarl and grinned at the Gumshoos, its tail flickered, and it curiously commented about the Gumshoos ingenuity. Then it slammed it's paws against the earth and curled his tongue. A roar of flames slipped past its muzzle with a crackle

Firespin? Thief blinked as the flames licked up against the slope-like barrier up to them. Following the Firespin, the Arcanine skidded around and pulled off another move. It's as though all he did was blow down a huge flush of scalded and hot wind.

Heat Wave. The Arcanine was guaranteeing a burn on the Gumshoos. However, it stayed idle and held it's ground against a current of spinning fire which crackled its way to the nestle of tree branches high above them. The flames furiously spun around the Gumshoos as the Arcanine charged a move.

FireSpin, Heatwave and the Solar Beam? The Solarbeam shot off quickly, much more quickly then Thief ever expected… Sunny day was still in effect and it struck the Gumshoos once more. It didn't flinch, but that brought the Arcanine and the Gumshoos to an even level. Then, the Arcanine went for a final move to top it off, a crackle of fire and flame that struck against the Gumshoo's straight on and exploded in a way that left Thief to duck his head. The Rattata squeaked gently against his ear.

“Don't move like that!?" She'd whisper harshly against his ears “They see me, they're attack both of us…" Thief hid his paws over his neck and head to cover her from view.

“t – that Fireblast was massive!" Thief commented and watched the Arcanine draw in Sunlight. He just furiously launched three moves in rapid succession while the Gumshoos took every single blow. Then Thief watched his eyes go wide.

“Hehe…" The Yungoos made a noise “He's using bide." The Arcanine gave him a glance and tilted his weight around.

The Arcanine went to move as the Gumshoos slammed his large legs against the earth. It shook and waved the ground below him as the Gumshoos let out a strong and dominant roar. A massive ice-white beam shot out, and the Arcanine followed up with Solar beam. They both connected and warped against one another before it bellowed out with a massive expulsion of white and grey smoke… when the rest of Bide shot through and left the Arcanine to stall and try to jolt out of the way.

The blow struck the Arcanine in one massive blow that left him to grimace and unexpectedly fling backward. The Arcanine crumpled on the ground much, much further out. Thief gave a little swallow and felt his pelt flicker and stall as Sunny Day faded. That massive Gumshoos simply snorted and huffed before his huge arms folded once more and then dropped behind his back. It curiously padded towards the Arcanine.

The blow took the Arcanine out in one go… and after a moment he went to stand on his feet. That Gumshoos let down his paw and the Arcanine seemed to shake it. Like a puppy would with its owner after it said a command. The Gumshoos helped him up to his four feet.

“The Growlithe is right, as I was before… I'm happy you evolved." The Gumshoos mentioned

“Hazy! I know you've been hiding… again." The Gumshoos mentioned and Thief felt his fur still… or she at least tugged on his fur firmly. “You keep squeaking that loudly, any of us could hear us." The Arcanine gave the Gumshoos a liberal huff. “What a troublesome little Growlithe…" He'd say with a smile and that left Thief to tilt his head. “Well, you require what we asked of you. I'm confident you believed you'd beat me, this time around." He smiled and curiously scrapped against the Arcanine's head.

That just left the Arcanine to give a scruffy bark and growl at him. The Gumshoos simply smiled and laughed. “It's great to know you haven't changed too much either… you should have come back earlier, but you've dragged a curious little Growlithe with you this time." He began to say “He almost acts like you used to… Now come along. There's a few berries that we need to sort out for the city." The Gumshoos mentioned with a nod and the Arcanine just gruffly snorted at him. It made the Gumshoos nod…

“I am ashamed that you're the one stealing from the humans… however." He'd start to say and the Arcanine just furrowed his muzzle with a low growl. “You should listen to your little acquaintance, there's no Alolan Vulpix's here. Not on Melemele, so regardless of how much you're helping those other Growlithes, there's no reason to steal for them, especially when there's humans such as Hala." He began to say, “No different than I, will he help those he can." The large Gumshoos said and smiled warmly. “You know… this is the first time you took my paw, to help you up." He mentioned “Perhaps you've grown more than I expected." He'd say with a nod “That makes me proud of you. Now let's both help those younger ones, I'm certain the humans even will." He began to say and the Arcanine huffed at him

“That won't teach them to fend for themselves when they need to. Depending on humans… a lot of them can't anymore. Like Marina." The Arcanine said “There are humans that have abandoned them. Hated them. Starved them… They need to learn that they don't need to depend on any human." He began to say but the Gumshoos gave a gentle nod

“But humans will always be something they need to learn about, as do I. So aside from a fight between them all, perhaps it'll be better to teach them which humans are good and which ones are bad." He'd begin to say, “Perhaps we should bring them all instead, even the Salazzle… it'll be better if that one human that works at that medical center should look over her." Thief flicked his tail and wiggled it as he slid down the slope down to them.

It was a short, but explosive battle. Many were like that, Thief knew it for a fact.

After all, it wasn't like a Pokemon battle pushed Pokemon to the point of death… Thief bounced down onto the earth and unexpectedly lifted his paw. The floor was hot, the earth felt as though all the explosive fire had turned it to smolders… until it began to quickly cool down. Thief gently dug his paws against the cooling dirt and gently buried his paws underneath the soil. It was cold and that made his tail flatten against the earth.

“Not used to the temperature? How long have you been here?" The Yungoos asked and Thief gave him a look

“Since last night, more or less." He commented to the Yungoos.

“That's not a long time at all…" Thief nodded at him after he said that.

“I know… It's not even my business… but I can't go back home now, that thing is scary… and with Wuffles just running off, she could be in SO much trouble!" Thief said and explained everything that had happened so far. At least from the start of his trip to Alola and the new problem here. Thief just explained it openly and honestly.

Naïvely.

Thief didn't flinch when he explained it all and as he explained it to them, the largest Gumshoos collected a whole armful of berries. He'd occasionally nod and agree with everything… then Thief started to talk about home, and how he got on a big tangent about the last few days there. “There is also this Lycanroc… it's fur color changes, I've seen it! I never knew that a Lycanroc changes fur color! It's really neat!" He'd explain and that left the Gumshoos to give him a glance. “Either way, I bet Wuffles is her daughter! She'd have to be!" The Gumshoos gave a hearty laugh and nodded from the Growlithe's happy tone

“I doubt it, and even if she were; most Lycanroc's tend to abandon their own cubs when they get old enough. Usually… Lycanrocs take care of other Rockruff cubs." It explained shortly after. “It's quite natural for Lycanroc's to not only abandon, but also fight their own young whenever they see them. So even if it is… Wuffles mother, I doubt it'll be an affectionate welcome between them both." The Gumshoos mentioned and Thief tilted his head

“That's weird." He'd say and the Gumshoos nodded after checking out the weird stretcher.

“Not as odd as this, you made this? That's unique, I've never seen a Pokemon, much lest a Growlithe that's been able to make something like this!" He'd say and then curiously shot a claw across Thief's head to tail. “Also, I can see the Rattata hiding in your tail" Thief stiffened

“N – Now wait…" He'd say and took a stance as the Gumshoos nodded back at him. Thief just wobbly held his four paws against the ground.

D – do I need to fight him now? There's no way… he's huge, he even beat Arcanine. It ran through Thief's head as the Gumshoos tugged the shell in Thief's tail.

“Hmm…?" It made a curious noise as it's claw barely pushed against the little purple-blue shell. It didn't move it or take it away. It just poked it aimlessly as Thief stared at the massive Gumshoos. “Well, she's hiding very well… won't even make a peep. However, let's go, I'm certain we can't stay out here all day… aimlessly talking." The Gumshoos explained and Thief nodded. All of them followed him, with the Arcanine whom reluctantly followed and trailed behind him. They wandered through the forest, with Thief who stopped at anything that made him stare. The Rattata squeaked against his tail, where exactly was she hiding? Thief couldn't figure out where she was, but he didn't spend too much time to look at his tail as the Yungoos sniffed at him. He sniffed at it and Thief curled his tail around to his side. They just curiously exchanged glances before the Yungoos scampered ahead and stared up at the largest Gumshoos. He carried the stretcher, rather then dragged it. Thief followed them closely until the Arcanine bumped against him. There was a shift of weight from his tail and Thief watched Hazy scamper onto his back. Curiously, she went along to clean and brush the Arcanine's fur… all while hiding in his mane whenever she needed to. Thief just watched the two from the back. He lied to me? Why… How does the Gumshoos know him? And what's with Hazy? What's with that name… why didn't she tell her name to me in the beginning? Thief flicked his tail Well, I guess it's not like it matters… right? It's just their name. Thief's tail continued to flicker as he followed along… and then upwards. They were going an entirely different way then when they came. The Larger Gumshoos chatted to the smaller ones and Yungoos before he turned to talk to the Arcanine. There was some small reluctant chatter between them as Thief followed along. Eventually they came into a large clearing.

The city glimmered before them as though it were a collection of bright diamonds and stone. The sun gently slipped through the sky, another reminder that it was past midday – barely. Thief just glanced at the entire city from a far, in the distance he could barely see the park from where he stood. There were many buildings that littered all around the city – from tall ones to shorter ones. The sea glimmered and shone beyond it which showed off a beautiful collection of Islands in the sun lit distance… and from the furthest point Thief could see a glimmer of white. Like a beacon on the water.

“That would be Mount Lanakila." A Yungoos mentioned to Thief and sniffed his tail once more, it made the Growlithe fold it back and around himself.

“S – stop sniffing my tail." Thief commented idly “I don't like anything going near it…" He'd say again and plumed out ember. The Yungoos wasn't threatened by it… even when it crackled and exploded like a collection of small firecrackers. Yet, the Yungoos went to catch up and Thief followed them all the way towards the beachside. That wander through the woods was long and tiring… and Thief was thankful that nothing showed up to intercept them. It was just a quiet walk where Pokemon made all kinds of calls from the trees and bushes. A Cubone gave them a curious look as a Marowak walked by them…

They were from the other night, but the Marowak paid them no mind. Thief was solely astonished by the lack of trainers this time around, or… at all. It was supposed to be a major route for trainers, but it was as though all of them were distracted elsewhere. Thief found his paws against the beachside, finally… in the scorched sun where the sands shifted. A Yungoos gave the sand a glare as Thief stepped off the sand.

There was a Shovel which twitched in the sand.

“Don't touch those, they're control you…" Thief coughed

“What? I bit one before." The Yungoos stalled and giggled

“That's impossible! They can control anything that the shovel touches." The Yungoos said again as the largest Gumshoos twitched its ears.

“I'm telling you, I ripped the shovel right out of one of those Sandygast thingys…" Thief commented again as the Yungoos tilted it's head… and then grinned deviously

“Then this must be some kind of hallucination! All while you're building it larger… and then it'll eat you!" It mentioned and the Gumshoos slammed its foot against the ground – it left Thief to jolt and flinch.

“W – what!?" Thief yelped and the Gumshoos nodded.

“Somehow you're fine. I can attest for that easily. There is no dream that happens when one touches the shovel. I've heard of rumors that dark type moves could possibly protect a user against it… Or, perhaps… Justified protected you from it." Thief tilted his head

“Justified?" Thief asked and the Gumshoos nodded

“Many Pokemon have unique abilities. I've heard that some have an ability that the humans call, Justified. It strengthens a Pokemon's resolve against dark types." The Gumshoos commented and gave a grin “It's known that commonly dark moves and even effects can't harm them as much as others. If anything, it may have caused some confusion…" It began to say “Either way, you're very lucky. I'd suggest never touching one of their shovels again… you may never wake up again – even humans could end up that way… if they're maleficent enough…" The Gumshoos mentioned. “Either way, this Arcanine wouldn't leave you to die, I know that much." The Gumshoos stated as the shovel twitched and slid away from them as though they knew it would be a battle they couldn't win. All Thief did was get in closer to them and listen to a bunch of pointless conversation and questions the Arcanine refused to answer.

They ended up going back to the den with all of the berries first, where that curious Growlithe with bright pink eyes made plenty of squeaks and barks.

That was Marina, and she happily and ecstatically made all sorts of noise. She yipped and barked at the Arcanine and that just left him to gently push his large paw to move her out of the way. She told him that the Salazzle woke up. Thief just flicked and flashed his tail and watched the massive Gumshoos stand outside in the sunlight – his whole back stopped the berries from getting hot. Thief partially stood in the Gumshoos shade as he waited… and watched a tall, slender lizard slither its way towards the entrance of the small cavern. She flicked and tossed her tail around before she finally approached out into the sunlight with a devious grin, one that left the Gumshoos to tilt his head. The Salazzle made a gentle movement and stumbled ever so slightly. The little Growlithe, Marina pushed against her and the Salazzle gently scrapped her head with its paws.

That Salazzle looked terrible, all in all. She was covered with all sorts of leaves, much like herbs and strings to tie it all together. Thief had to stare at a collection of jagged cuts that were slowly forming scars… as though something furiously clawed all over her skin. Sections of her flesh were still healing, gashes that made Thief wince and a few terrible cuts on top of it all. The Arcanine took a little Growlithe in his mouth. The rest just piled against him and playfully knocked him over with all sorts of excited little yelps.

Thief figured that he told them they were all going to the city… it even made Marina's eyes glimmer and shine. Thief wondered if this was something each and every single one of them had asked for before.

It made Thief smile… and then he began to giggle before laughing loudly with his ears twitching. It was a playful and happy little laugh that made Marina look at him. She smiled back and flicked her tail which made him tilt his head…

And lift from the ground. It made him scamper his legs until she winced painfully, and Thief hit the ground. Hard. Everyone just stared at her as she would sheepishly snicker.

“Sorry, sorry… I haven't seen that Growlithe smile yet!" She commented “Not like that at least!" Thief nervously giggled in reply

She really… can use Psychic? I've never heard of any Growlithe… that could do anything like that… Where is she from then? Maybe it has something to do with her parents? It could…? But that much of… Psychic? It doesn't make sense. She just lifted me off my feet! Thief huffed as she tilted her head and giggled.

“My daddy was an Espeon." She commented and frowned a little “I was the only egg to hatch!" Thief flinched

Did she just… read my thoughts? Like Moonlight? The Growlithe giggled and smiled

“I kinda did! Maybe… It's hard to understand it all." She commented idly and grinned at him as the Arcanine stood over top of her.

Thief just watched her fur still and rise on its tips. Just a little growl told her to stop… And Marina spun around with her tail stiffened. “N – N – Now I only forgot for a second…" She explained “It's not my fault… I swear!" The Arcanine huffed at her and sighed

“It hurts you, so… stop doing it." He commented and put a paw on her back “Does anything else hurt?" She shook her head no, even as the Arcanine poked and prodded her all over. They all stepped out of the cavern as the Salazzle touched Thief's collar

He just reared back and pawed at the bell around his neck.

“D – don't touch that…" He commented and the Salazzle gave him this little smirk and wandered next to the Arcanine. She muttered something at him and the Arcanine laughed. Thief tilted his head nervously.

“W – what did she say?" Thief asked as the Salazzle plumed fire, it partially licked against his nose and he took a stance that made her narrow her eyes. The Arcanine giggled and shook his head.

“She says that you remind her of a Salandit. It's not a good thing…" He started to say “Basically, she's saying your whipped and weak." The Arcanine commented and Thief felt his face grow red, and then he snarled

“Well she's quite unpleasant… I had to fight that thing that turned into a Salazzle." The Growlithe commented and snarled. “At least I got out of the battle without getting taken down like her" The Salazzle curiously tilted its head and narrowed its eyes at him. Thief held his ground, but his hind legs shook

That look makes me uneasy… It's a fire type, but what else is it? It reminds me of a Seviper and that already freaks me out. Thief thought to himself and the Growlithe, Marina, giggled

“It's a poison type!" She said and the Arcanine huffed flames at her, not a lot but it was enough to make her flinch. “Sorry…" she commented and the Salazzle gently crossed it's claws against the little Growlithes chin. It muttered something to her that made her giggle and the Arcanine growl. Naturally, a Salazzle hated any male in control. It barely mattered the nature of the Pokemon at all it seemed… The Salazzle just shot Thief a glance that made him part his muzzle and show off his small short fangs.

She kind of reminds me of Tsurara… At least Tsurara talks to you, rather then mutters stuff as though she's THAT important Thief huffed and the Salazzle casually sparked fire his way

Thief took the blow and was astonished that he felt nothing more than heat which crossed along his fur. He stuck out his tongue, turned and hiked his tail up… which left the Salazzle to make a hiss of a sound.

She's toxic alright… Thief thought to himself as Marina playfully shoved against him

“I wanna see the city! It's been so long since I've been down there!" Marina brought up. “Arcanine found me there! By the boats!" She commented idly, and Thief nodded

“At least he found you in a safe place!" Thief commented, and Marina nodded back

“Yep! I'm very lucky! Arcanine does so much to help everyone here!" She mentioned “He's the best Pokemon on the island!" The Gumshoos made a sound that left Marina to flinch then turn at him and make her face puff out. “Well it's completely true! You weren't the hero that helped me!" The Gumshoos just gave her a glance and then gave off a hearty laugh, it just made her look nervous.

“That is true, I certainly was not the one to come to your rescue! Salandit's right?" The Salazzle perked up her head and made a weird sound at the Gumshoos. That Gumshoos just crossed his arms and stood over the Salazzle. “Salandits are naturally a problem without a Salazzle to direct them, you of all Pokemon should know that!" The Salazzle made this weird shrug, and as she did – her tail whipped Thief across the cheek. The Growlithe growled back at her and she gave of this look…

She really was reminding him like Tsurara… but more of a…

There's a word for it right? Thief went a little blank I don't know the word… He thought to himself as Marina sneezed

“Hey!" She commented “You hit me!" Marina stated at the Salazzle gave her an apologetic look…

Not like she gave Thief one. That just left him to plume ember next to the Salazzle

One that was extra loud and crackled repeatedly.

That made her flinch and left Thief to laugh until the Arcanine picked him up and off his feet. Thief flicked around and squirmed as all the Growlithes – at least five more giggled at him.

“H – hey! She started it!" And the Arcanine gave a rough growl back at him.

“Well I'm ending it, so behave… I don't care how hot it is out here for you." The Arcanine commented and Thief sighed “I get the temperature makes you unruly… it happens to all of us." He commented as the Salazzle chortled and flicked her chin with her claws, a plume of tender fire followed suite. Thief just silently growled under his breath while Marina looked up at Thief.

“You look like a bright orange trashbag!" She said with a big playful grin “It's the same way Arcanine carries all the food!" Marina mentioned, and Thief sagged his body.

“Thanks…" Thief commented as the Salazzle began to giggle to herself

Another fat joke? Am I really that chubby? He aimlessly flicked out his paws and left his tail to dangle as the Arcanine carried Thief, the Salazzle curiously went for a berry from the Gumshoos, but all he did was lift the stretcher above his head. She'd give him a pout and brush her smooth skin against him, but the large Gumshoos just grunted at her, displeased. It left the Salazzle to huff and tap her foot against the ground, but the Gumshoos didn't budge for her. She flicked her tail in distaste – a flick that swatted Thief on the nose again and left him to scrunch it up. Marina just giggled on and on about it before they all followed everyone down into the city, with a massive Totem Pokemon to bring them there. They never stuck to the route… this time they cut across the beachside where Thief trudged his paws into the sand where a gentle sea-salty wind criss-crossed along his pelt with a wonderful chilly frost that left him to suck air inward. His body still burned up under the sun, but the sea air was always as soothing as it could be.

Yet Thief couldn't shake away this weird feeling, one that left his back to crawl… as though something were dreadfully wrong. All he knew was that he had this feeling under his fur and in the back of his mind all morning.

He figured it was just nerves, and Thief gave the Arcanine a glance. It did stare at him for a while… but the moment Thief looked his way the Arcanine turned away and gently chittered to Hazy. It really just looked like the Arcanine was talking to his fur as it twitched and gently squeaked back at him. It made Thief giggle to himself, even though the Arcanine gave him a look in reply.

It's really cute… actually. I want to know what they mutter about… They must be really good friends! I couldn't picture myself having a friend as small as a Rattata. But I've never really talked to one either… until now I guess. The Growlithe pushed against the sand and dug his paws in… it was compacted here, turning into a gentle slope of dirt and earth where Marina bumped against him.

“You shouldn't be so obvious with your thoughts!" She'd say and stuck her tongue out. It made Thief tilt his head and flick his tail.

“M – maybe you should turn off that… psychic thing, it's a little scary…" Thief mentioned and tried to think as silently as he could…

“Who's Moonlight?" Marina asked and giggled “They're an Espeon too? Maybe he knows how to turn it off! Well, obviously he would, right? He IS a Psychic type" A plume of fire made them both flinch as the Arcanine let out a huff. In fact, all the Growlithes flinched from that plume of small fire.

“Stop, Marina. You're going to hurt yourself again." The Arcanine commented and she folded her ears with an apologetic whine as her paws gently crusaded across a collection of tall stalky grass. One that shimmered with emerald swirls of all hues. The Sunlight chased the shadows behind every row of them away and left them to sparkle. It sparkled in a way that left Thief's eyes twinkle against the sage ocean they slowly crossed… one which flowed gentle waves of wind towards a school of tall trees and thick bark. Marina didn't say a word from there and it left Thief to fold his ears.

I'd say… Moonlight can and would know how to. As of late… I just… I'm thinking obviously, right? About all of them? Thief thought aloud, in his own mind… it left Marina to twitch her ears in response. _Is it… so wrong for me to want to think that simply? Homely? … Humbly? They're all different, and I know they treat me like a cub… and I know…

That… not even she can accept me as a true friend. Not until I give something up, right? _

Marina just flickered her ears again as Thief sucked in a cool breeze that gently danced against the fluff under his nose – a smell and swirl of dust and concrete touched it. Smoke and sun crossed into his nostrils as that plump Growlithe flicked his tail out against the sun while he gave the blistering star a long and defiant pant. As he did, he just met a sneer of a glance from the Salazzle… she was making it quite known that she wanted some of the berries Gumshoos had – in that little stretcher now basket, Thief made. It just made him stare at it closely and intently.

If I layer it with more leaves… maybe around the bottom – really keep it folded like a triangle – maybe it could carry water too. It would need something to support it… the leaves would furl outwards, like a bendy stick? Yes, exactly like one! Thief smiled to himself and looked at his paws.

He'd need some very small and nimble fingers to make something that intricate. All his gaze could copy onto was that little woven basket like thing, a thing that made him think…

Of a beachside with fine grains as white as moonlit snow. The kind that glowed in the day and the night… one that was kept alive with soft plumes of fires that lined every little dugout foxhole. The kind where they didn't need to be underground but just surrounded with warm sand… and a lovely family fire. Thief just continued to stare at it as though all the world became slowly meaningless to him… like a void grew as quickly as it wasn't.

As though Thief knew it was always there in one way or another… Just a gentle void of ocean wind… sunny clouds…

And two friends, that comforted him whenever he cried about a family that he knew absolutely nothing about.

It was a gentle, honest mistake, one that left Thief to nearly hit the trail, chin and head first. An outgrown root caught his paw, but his nose and muzzle caught a tail. A tail as rich and sunlit as gold.

Like the very edges of a roving fire, or the bright lights of a constantly growing night flower. Thief simply stumbled to his paws and bowed his head to apologize…

The Arcanine didn't acknowledge him at all with a reply, in fact… he only stalled his paw when he felt Thief bump against his tail and that didn't last very long. He just continued to pointlessly talk to his fur with this silent gentle whisper. The kind which left a soft tremor in the air, just enough that the wind was pushed by their voices. The sort of voices… That made Thief hear his own.

Voices that slowly chilled and warmed his heart.

“ __How about tonight?" A voice gently chittered from the bushes around him it was like looking at nothing more but a white void… with a curious bush in the way. A bush that grew cute little berries of sapphire-blue, one of Thief's favorite berries. His Favorite berry. “I mean… isn't there a pretty cavern nearby the center of the island!? We can all go exploring there right? I wanna be an Explorer too! So you have to let me come!" There wasn't anyway Thief couldn't recognize that voice.

Just a voice that slipped out of a bush at the edge of a forest with sporadic trees… one that slowly and tenderly grew more and more dense within the island.

An Island with nothing but foxes and their guardians to protect them. “Please PLEASE let me come too! Mommy wants me to practice dancing… I don't want to again tonight… Anyways you're the only one that dances Luminescence!" The single tailed Vulpix huffed and puffed out her cheeks, Thief remembered that…

He remembered how cute… silly… and how much it made him giggle when she did. Just angrily… or in this weird, captivating and attention demanding way to hold her breath. “I wanna be an Explorer too! Please! I wanna see the Island across the sea! Can we see it? When can we see it!?" She'd ask ecstatically… with her head poked out of a bush, her bright ember eyes would flicker against the early morning sunlight with Luminescence giving a giggle and a tilt of her head. Where she'd say and express that they all could be.

That they all can be and become the best explorers… whatever they really were. That they'd explore every inch of their island and someday cross the sea to other lands. To places they never knew about.

It was the cement that made Thief snap out of it… just some happy laughs between them – the way they'd run around on the beach with smiles and collecting the most pointless of things as though they were treasures from times gone and lands beyond them. From even worlds across the skies. The cement hurt his paws from its out worldly heat which left his fur to shrivel and flare against the wind… His fur would puff out and make him appear no different then that of a big ball of puff. It made Marina giggle when she saw it… and the Arcanine stifled a laugh… then the Salazzle snickered and covered her maw, even the Yungoos and the two smaller Gumshoos stifled their laughter.

Great… Thief shook his fur wildly as though he were soaked to the bone, but that only made it puff out further and that left everyone in a collection of loud laughs and giggles which made him fold his ears and pin them to the side of his skull. It didn't feel funny to him at all, in fact the heat just rushed to his face and left him to pout. I didn't even know I could puff out like this… I'm like a fluffy biscuit… Marina stifled her laugh

“Don't you dare…" Thief started to say, and she playfully zipped her mouth shut. It was odd watching her sit down and make the motion with her bent and curved paw – in fact it looked like she was swatting something away, like a small bug type. It left Thief to flatten his tail against the hot stone below him

That's not all too re-assuring… It made her wink as she flicked her large pom-pom of a tail as she walked off, by now Thief had to clue in to the eye's that curiously stared at them. All sorts of mutters and whispers – some people walked off nervously as all the smaller Growlithes curiously stared or barked – some were excited to see them… others bitterly snarled and growled when they got anywhere closer then ten feet. It left Thief to delicately push one that began to bark all sorts of terrible things at a Trainer that walked by with it's Noibat… a Noibat that made a curious and nervous sound as Thief gave the younger Growlithe a liberal shove to convince him to stop. It just folded his ears, bitterly looked at him and called him a big bully.

Thief didn't really feel the comment hit him… in fact, he was more worried about all the terrible human words it used, all because the trainer came within literally ten feet of him. The Arcanine just gave a stare back at Thief as he cautiously and nervously puppy-guarded the rather bitter and solemn little Growlithe. He looked grim… angry, like he didn't want anyone around him but his own kind. Thief gave a roll of his eyes and picked up the other Growlithe by the nape of its neck.

It was smaller then himself, younger, and surprisingly not as heavy as he looked, in fact the smaller Growlithe didn't even fight against Thief…

That made him feel frigid and cold all the way down to his core. Marina just gave a small giggle

“He looks like your cub! The way you're carrying him!" It left Thief to roll his eyes and try to mutter, with a mouth full of fur and hot skin.

“Don't say that…" Thief commented blatantly “I don't even know what I'm doing… I've never picked up anything like this before." He'd express as Marina just looked at him and snickered

“Well you're a natural! Just like Arcanine!" He tilted his head and looked at her closely.

“You don't know his name?" Marina shook her head no.

“Hazy does! They talk ALL the time, but it's a secret between them both!" Marina commented and nodded “She's been with him since forever! Never left his side! Well, maybe at some point… She used to be one of the Rattata's for the Totem Raticate! But Arcanine beat him a long time ago! Maybe a couple of years at least…" Marina expressed and happily danced her front two paws against the cement “It's exciting to think about! He beat a Totem! Like… a wild Pokemon beat one!" Thief just tilted his head in confusion…

Marina spoke as though it were some stunning achievement, but as Thief just glanced at the Arcanine with a smaller, younger Growlithe's nape in his jaw…

There was a difference between an achievement and simply what had to be done. Thief could see it in the way he walked… The way that Arcanine held himself firm, even as they barely glanced his way or towards the world around themselves.

A stunning achievement? Thief couldn't agree with her, not in the way she smiled so brightly and talked about that particular golden furred Arcanine as though he were someone of great heroics… It's not what Thief wanted to see it as. It wasn't… in his eyes.

**_It was solely something that had to be done, no different then what he was doing now. Thief had to find her, he couldn't leave… knowing that he didn't even try, and, not knowing if she could be hurt or well. As stupid as it sounded, even to himself that this weird guilt got to him…

It was solely something that was built on empty, broken, promises that crossed paths with non-existent bridges._**

• Moonlight

It was the little patter on the pavement which left him to aimlessly stare at the sky – where his paws clacked against the soothing-warm concrete. Where Moonlight, with his warm, folded, and tied scarf just aimlessly glanced up at every plume of sunny-white gold clouds that rolled over him. It made all sorts of shapes in the sky above them.

Like Origami which turned and folded against the skyline… He just wandered next to the young red-headed lady. She just glanced away from him, it felt like some odd, curious firm glance… that eventually led itself towards an exasperated huff. She made this sound which led Moonlight to tilt his head.

“Oh! Why did I get stuck with this!?" She'd say, annoyed and partially crossed her arms as her eyes glanced at the list. “First this… and now… you?" She commented, and Moonlight partially huffed back at her, just a simple little mew.

“Espeon…" He expressed back, at least that's what it sounded like to her. He really said, “I don't like it either." The only thing that made that Espeon tilt his head… was her eye color.

It appeared so strikingly familiar… Viridian. A haze of bluish-green, like a beautiful aqua-marine stone in shallow… golden glimmered water. He took a moment to glance at her as she partially put her hands up at him.

“Can you stop with the creepy glare!?" She said and sighed to herself “Great… I'm already…" She made this annoyed groan of a sound and commented something about her friends. It just left Moonlight to nod back at the orange-haired trainer as he continued down the road. Just a simple paved road where tree's and mountains and this wonderful smell of fresh river-water hinted against his nose. Farther behind him was the gym, a beacon of silver -like lake water in sunlight – glanced back at him. It was a massive gym of glass and steel… As they walked Moonlight noted the shapes in the clouds.

They ranged from all sorts of things and now… finally lost to his own thoughts he couldn't think of anything to meditate on. It was a blank draw for him, as though everything that overwhelmed him before had now suddenly washed away. His soft and gentle sigh left him to follow her towards a small market, where he sat on the sidewalk with all sorts of people who stared and commented. His purple-pink eyes just studied Misty as she went through the store and picked up all sorts of things.

It looks like a grocery run… I'm literally stuck on a grocery run? It didn't sound as fascist as he thought, the voice in his head was more calm, gentle… as though to honestly ask a question. A question that made him think ever harder. Haven't I always been? It's honestly as… stupidly simple as a run to the store… right? Why am I thinking about anything like this now? It wasn't what Moonlight could think of or fight away or bury.

It was just… this wonderful… small town surrounded by crisp clean air and cone-like tree's that smelled of rich pine, maple… aspen and fir which came to his mind.

Just a day shortly after winter, where the green tree's sprung to life and the snow slowly seeped into the ground and revealed all sorts of bushes and berries over time.

It healed… over time.

He just remembered a wonderful walk on a day no different than one in early November. Just a short wander to the store but this time he didn't have this wonderfully sly and slender muzzle – a gentle reddish-brown nose to poke him in the shoulder and ask him what he thought about. Moonlight didn't have a gentle, snowy scarf that contrasted so perfectly with red-wood fur as though it were the perfect walls around a cabin.

A small… gentle cabin where a single tailed Vulpix ran around with him in the crisp cold air. It was this perfect little day-dream that constantly ticked at his heart like some morbid clock… one that just left him to stare aimlessly at the clouds and the sunshine around him.

“It's so chilly! It gets even colder when you look so serious all the time!" Just his voice and the playful stance he'd take “You don't… talk about your mommy or daddy at all… I don't even know mine… do you… know yours? Are you homesick? Can we take you home?"

That was always a funny word for Moonlight. Home. The kind of word which made him shrivel up and feel colder… yet brought this warmth to beat against his chest.

He knew this day… It was one of the last days they spent in some small backwoods' town, where they had this beautiful little cabin where his owner did his research… With a little Vulpix he purchased in Africa. A peculiar little Vulpix he kept for half a year… and now was up to eight months. The same day he saw a beautiful black purple and light purple scarf in a window…

He wasn't lying anymore. Moonlight hadn't felt this close to home in a while… all because of some young girl on a quick run to a shop… while he was lost alone in his own thoughts?

He shook his head frantically. He knew that town of his memory so vividly… just… a place he couldn't face. A place where people smiled, went to pet him – as scared and frantic as he was. Where his owner had to talk to many officers in the town when Moonlight foolishly let out a move in a panic…

Where the weakest little Vulpix was the only thing to calm him down. Where the strongest little Vulpix would share his scarf. A place where they saw their first fireworks together.

A town that was so small… insignificant… and was gone within a year.

A small, back-roads town where a Vulpix was almost never outside… where he never really saw the snow fall. Where he only knew it was cold and bitter and his… friend… An Eevee more skittish then the rest was the only thing he could fall back onto all while following their owner on a pointless little trip to a market. A pointless little trip where they both could laugh, smile, and talk about all sorts of things until the had to wait outside in the cold together.

Where Autumn asked him all sorts of questions. He'd ask him all sorts of things, which Moonlight spent all of his time to try and teach him all he knew, which wasn't much.

Just knowledge of the world that was built solely upon empty promises.

Moonlight slowly stretched and kneaded his paw-pads into the pavement, his eyes just glanced towards the mountains in the distance with a little, pointless thought.

Small towns… and cities…. like this, never really change, do they? It came to his mind, the absolute forefront of it yet a gentle swirl of amber and dark-brown leaves caught his eye as though they carried amongst an upcoming frosty wind. A cold wind…

A warm, gentle… soulful wind. That mix of emotions just sat with him for a moment, only a single moment as it was just another symbol that Fall would soon catch up to them. I haven't seen Thief for a while… He's with Ayumu so… I know where he is, but the Pokeballs are fine too. Moonlight softly pressed against the concrete as though he tried to slip through the stone. So why aren't you back yet? Griffin… I can… I know he just can't find any confidence without… you. Damn it, Akiyama hurry up and send him back. It's slowly getting more morbid and colder for him… and I don't know if I can help. I don't think I ever knew if I could. The Espeon heard a door chime and jingle open as that Ginger-haired young girl stepped out. She had this tom-boyish look but… lacked the style Natasha had. Misty had these small jean-shorts – a curious color that nearly matched her eyes, but Moonlight felt as though a color other then a pale-yellow would suit her better. The shirt she wore barely complimented her hair, yet she didn't seem to care too much about that. He wondered if a cream jacket and a black shirt would suit her better… Yet the Espeon didn't spend too much time worrying about that in the slightest. She just rummaged through the bags and double checked the list.

“It's bad enough that the Inspection Agency came along… I feel like I've just finished with all this and I can't even find everything I need…" The young girl raggedly sighed and gripped a little fist, a thoughtful one. That made Moonlight tilt his head curiously... and then he got closer to her, sat down and made a little noise. “Hm? What?" Moonlight mewled again at her and then sighed, his gemstone glowed as the little note was taken right out of her hands. “W – wait, hey!" Moonlight glanced at it for a moment…

This was hurriedly written down. She still needs Bio-cleaner for the pools, or at least she needs more to restock. She can't find something… it looks like Kabocha? Odd… that's so common place. I don't see it in her bag. Then there's… chain oil? This list is everywhere… Moonlight took a quick glance around as Misty snatched the list from the air. It just floated there pointlessly after Moonlight had finished with it. Griffin basically just passed through here… Hell, I can still see where the fire broke out around the forest. It's not as bad as it looks, I hardly had the chance to see the entire city here. He just began to wander as Misty made a little noise

“H – hey! Where are you going?" She began to say and watched the Espeon pointlessly stare around at buildings, shops and other places. Her legs softly picked up as Moonlight took a moment to stall.

A man across the road barely gave the Espeon a look, one that wore a long coat – beige, with a pair of dress-like slacks and a tie. It was this subtle exchange of glances which left Moonlight to see his belt which pressed against the inside of that man's jacket.

It's the way he holds himself and barely glances around…. He's studying everything in the city. It looks like the Global Police actually sent in someone who knows what they're doing. That was the Zoroark trainer back in the motel, curious. They must be keeping tabs on Griffin? But why? The human partially shot his eyes Moonlight's way as Misty caught up to him… and the Espeon curiously stole the list from her using Psychic. The younger trainer watched it float aimlessly towards a window.

It was this smaller shop of knick knacks and pointless equipment and that just left her to huff.

“I know where I'm going!" She'd comment and make a look “But… what? You can't…" It left her to sigh and just wander into the shop as Moonlight looked back down the road where that man walked.

He was already gone, but there were plenty of places to disappear into. All Moonlight knew was that it not only emptied his mind, but it made all sorts of new things get into his head.

There's always more then one person following us… So where's the other? They won't be police… it could be a man in a coffee shop. Someone in a car even that just loops around the city aimlessly. A tourist… The Espeon's paws dug into the ground as he'd gently sigh and took another glance up into the crisp blue air – where clouds hung and crawled over the mountain tops. _Then there's that other young trainer, in that sweater. A mimikyu right? It's been a while since I've seen one and it had to be some strange child's outfit? Is life really that simple, for me to wonder if he simply desires to be something anyone likes?

To simply be normal?_ Moonlight looked at the window behind him as someone began to chat with Misty in the shop. It made his tail flicker curiously and his nose to sniff against the air. There they are. He looks foreign – north American; Polish descent. I can see that in the style and color of his hair… Young, but not a teenager. He's asking her for directions but he's facing away from the window… so they recognize me. Other then Pokemon… he doesn't look armed.

It looked like, on top of that he held up Misty with questions about the gym, if it were open or not… that made Moonlight listen softly and then step away from the shop and across the street. They're holding me here with their banter, but I know they won't touch her. Too many people in the town know her and she wouldn't have a clue of what's going on… but that Agent… They might even know he's following us. He began to walk on the other side of the street when a curious thing stopped him.

“Ahhh! You!" It made him stop and listen to the voice that touched his ears, he knew that voice… and he turned around to see some man with torn jackets on jackets, ripped pants – completely filthy.

And a Vulpix that poked its head past his leg. That was the curious Pokemon Namer, or Nicknamer or whatever. He was this older man, native to Japan but had this near white-black hair as though it were graying; he'd make this abnormal twitch with his arms and cross them – fingerless gloves and all the like. “You, you're that Espeon! Has he removed that Vulpix?" Moonlight tilted his head and sharpened his eyes against the man as the Vulpix gave him a firm look.

It was male as well… The Espeon stared down the smaller Pokemon with a flare in his eyes, but the Vulpix did the same. The man stepped towards Moonlight. “You must make them understand, she cannot continue. She must return! Return!" The way his hands twitched, and spasm'd made Moonlight subtly wonder if the elderly man had a disease similar to Parkinson's. That human appeared entirely homeless, but oddly harmless even though he was so abnormally frontal – it made people stare at the 'crazy old man' that made all sorts of nonsense at the Espeon on the sidewalk. Yet Moonlight just sat down and stared at the Vulpix with curious eyes. It took a stance, but the elderly man had sent a strong – stiff palm down as though to stop the small fox. “There is nothing here for her, bring her to me! That Vulpix must return home!" His muscle twitched – the bicep, and that left Moonlight's eyes to curiously narrow.

He's in his late fifties, my initial assumptions are proving correct, and if they are, this man needs to be in a hospital – not wandering around outside… but that Vulpix is curious… He's larger then the normal ones, and looks nearly bent out of shape, like someone took a whip or a baton to it. Moonlight glanced at it again and the Pokemon responded with a snarl which made that strange man just pet against its tails – the Vulpix refutably huffed Ember back at the strange elderly man whom was dressed in ripped garbs and messy clothes. It held him up, the two of them did as Misty called out at him – she was already done with the store… there was the chain oil… she didn't buy a lot – It must've been for a bike. Moonlight pushed past the weird man that just wandered aimlessly past him with that strange, peculiar Vulpix which studied and stared at the Espeon closely as he wondered towards Misty.

“Hm? Who's that?" She'd say, and Moonlight simply tugged the bag she carried, that snapped her out of staring.

Moonlight really didn't want that strange man to spark up a conversation with her. He tugged the plastic bag again as she tugged back. “Hey! You'll rip the bag open…" Misty stated blunty and sighed before she partially followed the Espeon. “I can't believe I'm stuck with an Espeon that knows how to shop…"

“Espeon" Moonlight replied and flicked his forked tail at her, he used it like a radar and pointed at random stores that he knew would have anything she needed, and every time Misty would make a face and say “I already know that!" Yet she didn't sound anything like a broken record… not to Moonlight. It was the way how she changed her tone, said things similar to that… and utterly held this small feeling of loneliness in her voice. Like she hadn't wanted to be there, in Cerulean…

That Misty had friends that she wanted to be there for, instead. It just left Moonlight to sit down amongst the pavement and tilt his head curiously. Just the soft tremor of wind came between the Espeon and Misty as he tilted his head while watching her collect everything she needed…

Just a pointless run to a store… in a town he barely stepped foot in. It made a gentle persuading sound touch his ears…

Like a heartsong. Something he had never heard of before. Just the wonderful sounds of autumn filled his ears like a serenade which gently touched his soul for only a moment. The kind of thing that made him want to open his mouth and tell her, that she didn't need to be here; that she could still be there, instead.

But all that came out of his muzzle, was that familiar sound for any human. A gentle mewl, a soft sound that got caught in the wind as he'd glance up at the sunny clouds.

“Espeon."

It was his legs that followed her from the city – or as far as she needed to go with a collection of bags in her hands. Moonlight made another sound, as though to offer to carry one politely… but she didn't get it.

“A smart Espeon… great it's like he almost talks like him – of course the first REAL trainer I go up against is just like him…" Misty sagged her shoulders and took a glance up at the sky before she shook her head. “He's just some idiot that trashed my bike anyways!" Moonlight just tilted his head, utterly confused but, he knew that…

When it came to an ear to listen… humans found comfort in things that didn't understand them, or in the least… things they believed, couldn't. It just left Moonlight to look at her and then focus on the road as he'd wander along the sidewalk, lost in this eerie and wonderful thought. Yet it was this smile she made and a little laugh that made him tilt his head. “I'll see them all again soon enough! There's no way I won't!" She'd express, and Moonlight simply nodded.

“Espeon…" was all that Misty would hear from him, yet his words were as clear as his own thoughts. Of course, we both will… Someday. Moonlight smiled and gave her a nod, one that made her roll her eyes…

“It's like you actually understand everything I say, I get Pokemon plenty… but…" she'd shake her head a little “Well maybe you can! Pikachu understands everything Ash says, maybe you just connect with your trainer that well too!" Misty confidently said with a nod as she carried all of the bags, they rustled against her shirt and against the wind that slithered through the tight and narrow roads further into Cerulean City. Just a city surrounded by tree's and mountains as though it resembled a small town but grew and breathed like any other city… but here it was surrounded with water – far to Moonlight's right side where beautiful flowers bloomed against the water-bed. Their colors were a rich and vibrant blue and yellow. A small city where the trees were unafraid to grow amongst the homes and overlook the streets… Misty partially waved to someone that she seemed to recognize, and they'd wave back with a casual and wonderful hello. It made Moonlight put more spring in his step as he'd have a slow and tame look around.

The man in the Trench Coat was gone, long gone… and the other? He went a completely different way, as though he had no interest in Misty. Moonlight just flickered his forked tail and partially bounced down the road, maybe, just maybe, it was Misty's aura… a change that Moonlight could sense; this wonderful feeling of both accomplishment and pride came from her. With only hints of loneliness which she could face with ease. It was as though he didn't see some stereotype…

But someone who changed themselves in the subtlest ways, because of someone else. The kind of person whom had an open personality - one that could lead in abnormal but wonderful ways. Moonlight could pick up on that from the ginger haired trainer that followed behind him now as he'd make his way down the same road they took before… towards a glimmering gem of silver-blue glass. Where the sunlight flickered and danced against it, where his trainer was, it just left Moonlight to give a small little smile.

_Yeah… Leafeon, you have a point about how it still grows… and changes. So... why, in the back of my mind… am I stuck thinking about you… still?

Why… so soon like this?_

• Thief.

It was that glass sliding door around that park which left him to glance up at the doorway… just with the Gumshoos – the massive one which put down the berries for the Arcanine to take, where he'd hesitantly take hold of the stem… the door slid open as Thief felt his hind legs move as the older shop-keep stepped out.

“I'll be right there." He'd say as he held a clipboard… and dropped it the moment he watched the large Arcanine walk in with Hazy, whom poked her head out of his fur. It left him to flinch instantly as the clipboard pointlessly clattered against the floor. At first, he froze… stared… at all of them whom waited outside – Thief had long put the younger Growlithe down as Marina gave him a push on the tail.

“They need to know what they're trading… right?" She'd say, and Thief somberly stepped in as his heart pounded against his chest – a little nervous sneeze…

Or was someone talking about him? He couldn't tell… but he wandered around the small racks as Hazy gave him a curious look and hopped off of the Arcanine with the utterly confused shop keep… the man just stared at the Arcanine as it sat on the ground and looked back.

“That box… on top Hazy." Thief mentioned and put a paw up as though to point at it. “That's the Can Opener you need… Since berries expire so quickly for all of you…" She'd give him a nod and suddenly scampered up the shelves… and just swatted down the box with her tail – Thief caught it in his jaws and made his way back around the small market… Hazy went around the counter as though to stay as far away from the door as possible. Thief simply put his paws on the counter as the Rattata tugged the box up against it. The Shopkeep only blinked, harshly… a few times. Then gave a cough and looked at the Rattata whom held the box up to him.

Pokemon walking into a human market… with a little stretcher made from leaves and filled with berries, that was beyond outworldly, Thief gave him a little bark.

All the human would hear was “Growlithe!" It made him flinch at first but the Arcanine then put his paws on the counter and the man backed up.

“W – what?" he strained out in confusion… as the Arcanine seemed to huff, annoyed and trailed off from the counter and around the berries. He had to blink again… a few times.

It's as though he was completely stuck processing that Pokemon were actually trying to buy stuff from a Pokemart… and that a Totem Pokemon was there on top of it all. Trainers seemed to gather outside – one got close enough to take a video… Thief could barely hear the trainer.

“Holy crap, check this out! I'm down in Alola and there's Pokemon trying to buy things with berries!? I'm being legit, look!" The human had his device out – the camera made Thief stare at it for a while “The Growlithe is like acting like a human! This is nuts!" Thief tilted his head nervously as the Shop-keep just glanced at all of them and nervously laughed…

“It's like that Pokemon… from Unova that tried to buy things with leaves…" He'd blink and look at Thief. “Y – you were in my shop earlier today… wha… How?" He stuttered out words as Hazy seemed to give the box his way.

Just some… pointless little side-quest, and they found themselves in a little shop too. The owner had to look at the berries and then swallowed… cleared his throat as he realized he was being recorded by a trainer out front… one where that little Growlithe gave a few barks at – but the human didn't budge.

If only he understood exactly what that Growlithe said… Those were terrible words to say to anything. Thief knew that much. Yet there was nothing for him to do but stare at the owner. He'd try to compose himself and cleared his throat again.

“W – well… I could… easily part with the box, that's a lot of berries to trade…" He began to say and gave this rather, scared nod. “L – let me get a proper basket." The human mentioned and went into the backroom, muttering about how crazy all of this was before he finally came back with a proper basket – it was more like a perforated one, inside of another one. It looked as though he was going to clean all of them before he sold the berries. Thief felt his tail flicker and turned his head towards the trainer with the phone commenting something about 'only in Alola' and the rest of that. It left the Growlithe to nervously tap his feet against the linoleum floor below them as the man tediously made his way back around, the Arcanine moved and that left him to still… All it did was push a paw against the top berry in the pile. A small, simple, Lanset berry which pointlessly rolled down to the edge of Thief's little leaf like basket. The older man just shook his head a little and gently scoffed…

“You all got these… to buy a can opener?" The merchant made a little laugh and gently shook his head. “So my guess…" He looked out at the front door, just to count the amount of Growlithe's out front. He had to have counted at least eight of them, without including Thief. “Yeah, you're the one that's been sneaking into my storage room, right?" The Arcanine huffed back at him as Thief flickered his tail in response. Just a happy little flicker from the puffy pom-pom he head, that made the Merchant smile and look at his collar. The man simply collected all of them into a basket and put them on the counter as the Arcanine stared at him. It made him tap his finger against it, as though to consider everything. The Rattata just held the box out to him and he looked at it closely. “Berries… expire in hot heat, this time of year it gets very hot down here…" He muttered and the Rattata nodded back at him – that made him bring his head back… and then he laughed.

It was this wonderful, hearty laugh which left him to nod and put his hands against his apron. “So you stole cans, to try and feed them, right?" He'd say as the Arcanine gave him another huff and said something out loud. For the human, he'd only hear what they all always heard.

What they wanted to hear, and as that man lifted his head up a little more confidently, he'd say with this entertained tone in his voice “Wait until Hala hears about this…" He expressed with delight and crossed his arms… “You can have the can opener… but you know, it might be better if I give you Pokemon food instead. That won't expire, not for a long time. Especially if it's to help feed them; I'll gladly give you a bag." The man mentioned and kneeled down, the Arcanine partially flinched and held his ground. The human just knelt on one knee and gave the Arcanine a curious smirk.

“You come back here, whenever you need to and I'll be more then happy to. That's what our islands are about, after all." He mentioned with a warm smile which made the Arcanine huff back again, as he'd turn and leave the Pokemart. Hazy scampered after him; single pawed, she climbed up his fur and hid in his mane. Thief was about to follow when the man blocked his path with his hand. He touched his collar and curiously looked at the number. “This is in… Japanese? Where are you from?" He'd start to say, but Thief wrangled out of his grip and bolted out of the shop after all of them. The man in question stared at the Growlithe for a moment, went for his clipboard and wrote something down… right as Thief bumped into that Totem Pokemon whom stood out front of the shop. The Gumshoos looked down at his feet as Thief flicked his tail left and right.

“See, that was easy enough, right?" He'd say and tossed his tail around as the massive Gumshoos gave him a laugh.

“Like I stated beforehand, humans are willing to help more then you expect… now, we'll be taking our leave back home." He'd comment as the Yungoos and the two other Gumshoos followed him, Thief called out a goodbye and he raised a paw as if to wave back to him without turning around. He felt a small, happy sigh come up as his eyes found its way to the trainer's phone. It was a strange, young trainer whom mentioned a name he thought or swore he heard before.

Samuel… Perhaps a friend of his… Thief puffed out his fur and turned, only to find that he was stuck in the back with the Arcanine as all the smaller Growlithes followed down the road; some whined that they were already leaving… It made Thief tilt his head as he'd look around for the Salazzle…

She went with the Gumshoos, they were already headed off in the direction of a Pokemon Center anyways. The Arcanine partially huffed again and flicked his massive tail.

“Keep up… you've bothered me enough." Was all he said along with… “Stealing food was the best choice, now we'll have those humans around…" Thief gave him a little huff back and stayed quiet

But what's so wrong about that? The people here are wonderful. This place feels more like a real home then any other. It's happy and filled with kind humans, even the Pokemon aren't terrible… I… almost wish I could stay…

• Logan

There wasn't much else to say, except for a long car ride; one which looped around Fortree and simply left Logan, Trevor and Rebecca in a shaken silence. All he did was stare at the laptop he was on for the morning… just so he could safely place Esi there. It even cut down on the chittering as he'd glance at his Pokeball, away from the military-esque laptop.

He put a capsule into a capsule and it left him to stare at the black-based Pokeball with a golden rim around the middle and a bright white button. Two red strips – like rings ran through the center as though to border the button… it was perforated thinly for the air and moisture collection. The only thing they didn't do was completely lock – it would stop at the golden border in between them.

Griffin's has a single larger red strip going down the middle… I'm happy I gave him the market model, rather then the prototype.

“Hey kid… you've been silent all morning. He told me you were generally more talkative." The driver was that man in the bush-like suit… but now he just wore a simple suit and tie like an everyday business man. It just left Logan to tighten his grip on the capsule he designed and made.

“I'm just…" Confused? Sick? Worried? Terrified? A mix of everything now. “I want some truth… All of this their doing is for some… Pokemon?" The man gave a nod and sighed as they went down some dusty old paved road. They had done a decent little loop around Crossgate, rather then going directly to it. Rebecca and Trevor sat in the back of some little hatchback car… They now knew that the trunk had a removable bottom carpet – that's where the man put the guns from the two in the woods… but there was a lot more then just those…

“You already know that much… So how about I give you a little more, unprecedented information." He'd express, and Logan gave him a look. “That Pokemon is known to every single government body, thanks to the Global Police. It was discovered long before this… shit started up. Fossils were at least." The black haired and black-eyed man expressed. He was at least in his mid thirties. “You scan one with your Pokedex, it doesn't come back with 'No Data' it comes back with the largest string of error codes you've ever seen. It locks the Pokedex and pings it to the Global Police." The man noted “Thanks to you turning off your Pokedex before-hand, your Pokeball never registered it." Trevor shifted in the back seat and that made the man turn to see him. “He has it, I know he does. My Umbreon made plenty of signs to tell me that." He'd mention as they came around to Crossgate – the entrance. The festival would have been halfway done by then, all of the people… the way they rolled in – if anything they'd look like a couple of people who went to see it. “The details on it are… unknown, entirely. There's just rumors on them… it's classified as an Illegal Pokemon currently." He'd comment and gave a sigh “That's all we got until our… 'information officer' had his apartment stormed by borderline SAT." Logan swallowed dryly

“Anti… Terrorism?" Logan asked, and the man nodded in reply.

“Naturally, if there was ever a Pokemon they were more worried about, it would be that… tiny thing you have now. There is no knowledge of their temperament, other then it's biological notes. There's nothing about evolved forms, how they evolve… not even their type. At least from what we know." Logan nodded a little.

“It seems similar to a Noibat, in my eyes. Like a wingless Noibat but… more feline like." It made the man turn his head to Logan.

“You think it might be a dragon type?" Logan tapped his finger against the windowsill.

“Maybe a ground or rock type with a subclass of dragon… Maybe…" Logan mentioned and ran his fingers through his hair, Trevor did the same as Rebecca tapped her thigh in a worrisome fashion. “The problem is… I'd need to train it to see." The man let out a little laugh as they rolled past the center – where everyone had gathered… he took a moment to look out the window as though something caught his eye.

“I know those… two." He'd comment and look out the driver's side window more intently now. There were just this peculiar red and blue haired couple whom talked to two different trainers. “I'll have to give the boss a call, tell them where their top members are." Logan seemed to shrug a little in response to the man… but he didn't take his eyes away

“Top… members?" The man tilted his head at him.

“Jessie and James." The names made Logan swallow to himself.

Well… I sort of… screwed them both in some way? Last night?

“James is a technological genius, He can crack any computer system or security program wide open, even your work. Jessie, she even beats me at covert operations…" He said openly and continued to talk through Logan's thoughts. “Most people have heard the rumors." He expressed as Logan swallowed.

“W – wait so they…" He held his hand up to Logan.

“They don't use guns, or any kind of weapon really. It's one of the most important reasons why Giovanni has them as the top… even though, recently they've just dropped off the map and began following some young trainer. Him, I think." He pointed a finger out and Logan looked over.

It was just some kid in a red hat who was getting put into a hustle… over a massage-like offer for Pokemon. His Pikachu just made an odd flick of its tail as though it questioned the offer more then its trainer did. It made Logan shake his head a little. “They are the best agents we have, Giovanni wants all of us to act more like they do. Almost no one gets hurt, we get the Pokemon – that simple. There was this huge shift in how he operated after that… Red went against him." He'd mention, and Logan gave him a look.

I know what he's doing… he's trying to see if Akiyama is a leak. He's using known information and rumors to try and coax it out of me

“Red? That's the kid… from Pallet Town, right? He must be basically done his run by now." Logan brought up

“Unova, he's wrapped up that. Just leaving now." Logan tapped his finger against the windowsill of the door. “I'm telling you this for conversation, but more importantly we want everything kept quiet, about what you got… The Global Police have already jumped into this… they've kept things under scrutiny, but god knows what the Government is willing to do to keep it that way." Logan seemed to nod and began to reply…

“I believe that some section of either the Pokemon League are involved or the research community… There must be someone there, either a stand in or not whom is attending most of the research events. Those aren't broadcasted, they're private and happen at the International Events."

“Intelligent, as expected. You'd make one hell of a member, Logan." Logan shook his head no it made the man look at him and give a smirk.

“I don't want to be. Pokemon are for everyone. They aren't objects to be sold or bought." He gave a little nod.

“We know that. We work more towards a neutral peace then you'd expect. But you need bad people to do good things sometimes… Logan. Now tell me your next plan of action, I've been looping around these damn towns for a while."

• Griffin.

He couldn't tell if he was doing any of this right or wrong… All he knew was that he was busy cleaning floors and tiles, he didn't touch the water at all and that made him feel as though he broke a promise. He was confused when he stepped in the storage room before, where there were bottles of chlorine – for at least a public swimming area for people, and a bio-organic cleaner he'd never even heard of. That must've been for Pokemon. All of this just made him freakishly rub his head; rack his brain for an answer on any of it as he finished sweeping the floors and mopping them. At least the floors in the front and towards what he assumed was the battleground.

That was just two rooms… this place really needed a full crew, and even with some of his Pokemon helping out, there was no way it could get clean in time; in the least it looked as though some people had helped out, but to give it as thorough of a cleaning as Misty might have wanted… That was impossible to do alone. Griffin gave a tired sigh, already he felt exhausted with all of this and spent just a moment to look up at the glass above him.

I almost wonder if they've had an aquarium show or something here before. I mean, that would be kind of neat… or if the battlefield was under ground and the aquarium above the battlefield. In fact, the battleground is just some dirt- chalklined field… I got no clue where the water went from before for it… Or even the pool… And the back room? That's a mess too. The badges are just tossed in a bin… I could've stolen like, half of them and resold them… Griffin gave a weird laugh and a sigh. That was weird to think about… I must be tired of this…

Something nudged the mop he was leaning on… hard enough that it clattered to the floor and he almost went right over.

Bandit… Who else could it be? That large Mightyena just kicked the mop right over with her powerful hind leg. Griffin caught himself with his legs – which were crossed at the time on top of it while he was lost in thought. “Didn't get me that time." Griffin replied with a grin and went down to pet her head.

The Mightyena simply snorted back at him roughly while her head went the other way. She flicked her tail against his arm and wandered off… all over the floor he just cleaned…

It made him sag his head and shoulders with a sigh as Griffin's Absol tilted her head at him. He tapped his hand against the mop.

aside from Moonlight… I only have four Pokemon with me now. I should use Pikachu for this gym battle. I wonder if Misty is going to use Dewgong, like her sister did. Griffin heard the door slip open for a moment, the front door. His Vulpix tilted her head towards it… “Sorry Misty, I can't seem to figure out the pool filters after all." He mentioned as he turned around.

There was a man there, a nice suit vest and dress shirt. Black on white with black slacks. It made Griffin lax his shoulders as he stiffened his back. “Sorry, the… building is closed at the moment." Griffin said, but the man just glanced at him and lifted a brow.

“Sorry, I work with the Pokemon Center; you left Vermillion so quickly that I didn't get the chance to inform you about your Lycanroc." Griffin gave his Absol a small curious look, her ears flickered the moment he said it.

“Oh… I thought she-" The man held up his free hand, it took Griffin just then to notice he held his jacket over his shoulder and back. He stepped a little more into the room and that left Bandit to growl at him… The man didn't flinch from it.

“The initial check up indicates minor internal bleeding… I won't state where, there's… reasons why." He commented, rather humbly. “Aside from that, Nurse Joy is more then capable of helping out your Lycanroc… Although she does have one of her cousins in Alola on the phone." Griffin cleared his throat and nodded, it made him feel off in some way… but the man hardly seemed threatening.

“W -well, thank you for the update… that's a lot sooner then I expected." He mentioned

“No worries, just… try not to run off too far, or in the least check in with a Pokemon Center at every town. It would be upsetting to miss anything about your Blaziken. Joseph has her being checked in a major hospital in Saffron, currently. You might be able to see her if your going that way." He began to say “The… Pokemon Emergency Clinic, not Saffron General."

“I'll keep that in mind… sir." Griffin said and the strange man simply nodded and smiled.

“You do that… and by the way, the ground recedes in the battleground. The pool is underneath the floor and the filter is back in the mechanical room. All of the pumps are there. Along with that, you have another filter right before the pool." He mentioned and curiously showed off this badge. Griffin got in closer to see it. It was a black and gold badge, rectangular but the top and bottom of the logo made it look like a Pokeball. There were three engraved letters.

PIA.

“I know because I work as an inspector, just doing a follow up – I was down in Vermillion to have a look at the gym there too… Then Joseph called me for a favor, that was filling you in about your Pokemon. This place is a mess… well, at least the walls and windows. The floor looks decent though." Griffin partially hid the mop behind him.

“Well, you know… Misty does a great job." Griffin mentioned and scratched his hair, like he always did. “But, she might appreciate some help?" The man gave a nod and held his smile

“I don't doubt that, there's plenty of water specialists in this city; I'm more then certain Misty has everything handled. Well Griffin, it was nice meeting you in person." He commented and gave Bandit a look… Luna had made her way past Griffin and over to the Mightyena.

The Vulpix stared at the man as though she recognized them as Bandit simply huffed the strangers way. “We might see each other again, there are plenty of us around to inspect for the upcoming event… It's being held soon. Before the League in the least." He mentioned and nodded to him “You have all eight badges in Hoenn, it might not be the worst idea to check it out." The man said and gave a wave behind him. His tan or beige jacket just hung against his back. “Have a good day, Griffin." Griffin just blinked a little and shrugged after the man left; he gave Bandit a look who sharply glanced back at him.

“Weird guy…" Was all Griffin mentioned and the Mightyena rolled her eyes as though to tell him, that he should be one to talk… Luna just flicked her tail and stilled them as she looked back at her trainer. It was the way how she tapped and dug her paws into the tile below her that made him furrow his brow and nervously tap his foot against the ground. Griffin just swallowed and sheepishly smiled with his hand against the back of his head. “Well we need to check out the mechanical room again." Griffin shrugged partially and took the mop with its bucket…

Right as the door opened again, that made him turn around. He didn't even get the chance to put the mop bucket away as Misty and Moonlight walked into the front door next. It left the Espeon to glance around the room for only a moment and then huffed out a sound. Misty just sagged her shoulders and walked further into the gym.

“I guess cleaning the gym is too much of a job for one trainer alone" She said and gave a small laugh “My guess is that you don't know how the filters work either." Griffin replied to Misty with a small nod.

“I was just about to check again actually, I thought I saw a hose in the mechanical room." Misty nodded back

“Well at least you noticed THAT… Let's go, we'll at least get the battlegrounds cleaned and start!" She'd say with this determined stance, Griffin bluntly nodded back.

She might be a kid… but she's still a gym leader, and that fire in her eyes? It's this passion or… feeling I've never seen in a kid before, or any trainer except… Griffin felt his fist clench

“Yeah, let's get it cleaned and start right away!" He mentioned and playfully tossed it in the air as though it were some declaration of victory which left Misty to laugh…. It felt like Bandit joined in which left Griffin's arm to slowly sag. “What?"

“It's nothing…" Misty said through her laughter “Just…" Moonlight seemed to perk up and look at her in some way. “You very… faintly remind me of a friend."

“R – remind you?" She nodded and smiled

“Yes! But… you're missing this, determination or… something." Misty commented “You figure that out and I bet you'll be able to become a great trainer!" She commented as Griffin followed her to the mechanical room. It just left him to think to himself for a moment. What she said, wasn't that different to what his brother had told him long ago… _Determination… drive right? A dream, right? That was the look in her eyes, it was so similar… If Logan never won the League in Hoenn… He would have gone all over trying. That was his dream.

So… if I have one, why is mine so much more simple, humble… impossible? _

Griffin anxiously fumbled with his fingers as all sorts of nonsense ran through his head; he already began to second guess this Gym Battle. Moonlight made a little mewl of a sound that made him look down at him.

“You'll be my support for this one… I know who I'm starting with." Griffin mentioned as he helped out Misty in the mechanical room; watched her clean anything that he missed and eventually followed her to the battlefield. The chalk line which divided them left Griffin to gently swallow as he'd glance at the field and left him to tap his foot gently against the ground.. a monitor flickered on softly as someone else came into the room.

“Misty! You gotta… give me… some notice ahead of time…" It looked like a gym hand, she was sweating after running all this way to get to the gym. “You know that… isn't all that fair…" Misty sheepishly nodded and waved her hand

“Sorry, sorry… Today has been weird enough, and I gave you a little bit of time…" They seemed to huff back at her and blew their hair away from their face. “Thank you for running, however!" She sighed… as Griffin stiffened his back.

“I'm Griffin Fletching from…" No… I'll save my family's hometown for the league… “Littleroot in Hoenn. I'm here to re-challenge the Cerulean Gym and win this Cascade Badge!" Griffin took out his badge case and showed it, before he tossed it over to Misty. She scrambled to catch the badge and laughed a little. I threw that… a little harder then I thought. I feel angry… why? Griffin took a breath and checked his belt. I have five Pokemon with me… One that I can't even use for any of these gym battles, thanks Logan… Griffin let out a little sigh as Misty started with a nod. The other girl who ran in tossed up her hand

“This will be a three on three battle! The challenger is allowed to substitute out Pokemon during, and if they win they shall receive the Cascade badge!" She'd say as Griffin checked his group… they were all out of their Pokeballs. That didn't really help.

“Sounds great to me! Let's go Pikachu!" Griffin commented and all it did was tilt it's head… that left him to sigh and Misty just laughed.

“A Pikachu huh? I've got plenty of practice against those!" Misty commented swiftly and held out a Pokeball of her own “Let's go Psyduck!" She'd call out as a peculiar, near chubby and dark yellow duck with a cream bill tilted it's head at the Pikachu. Scarf tilted his head back as it made a classic sound and flicked his tail before he took a firm and grounded stance.

“Alright We'll lead the charge!" Griffin said with a chuckle “Use Tackle!" The large Pikachu nodded and bolted towards the Psyduck

“Alright Psyduck! Take the blow!" Misty called out “And follow up with Body Slam!" Griffin flinched

Take the blow? Why? Griffin gripped a fist “Scarf! Cancel and follow up with Static!" The Pikachu simply got in close for the tackle, skidded to a grinded halt right in front of the Psyduck which simply tilted it's head, as if it were confused… it made Scarf tilt his own head, until the Psyduck reacted by throwing his small claws up in a panic. It made Griffin sag his shoulders and scratch his head as his Pikachu charged up a move and let out a small… insignificant amount of static that fluttered around him. Misty took note of that right away.

“Huh, that's weird… You're Pikachu doesn't have much spark to it…" Griffin seemed to chuckle and shyly nodded in reply.

“W – well your Psyduck… seems a little… off?" Griffin said back to her as he'd watch his Pikachu spark and release a small burst of static. The Psyduck just tilted it's head at him again and made a sound… did… it forget it's move already!? Griffin scratched his head again and looked back at his Pokemon. Bandit was busy with this gentle cackle under her breath as Luna just continued to stare at him in this weird way that made the hairs on his arm crawl. “Alright Pikachu! Try Thundershock!" He'd call out and Scarf tilted his head at him… it made Griffin sigh as Misty began to laugh

“Your Pikachu is off too you know!" Misty commented back as Griffin's Pikachu huffed back and slammed his hind legs against the earth… he tried again with Thundershock. All Psyduck felt would be a spark that touched him on the bill – made him tilt his head… wait at least a few seconds and then react.

“Alright Psyduck! Use Body Slam!"

…

Again it tilted his head, and Griffin felt like he hit the floor the moment he heard Bandit cackle on endlessly. It just left a wash of embarrassment flood over him as Griffin tapped his foot against the ground.

“Scarf! Quick attack!" He'd say and his Pikachu made a sound and bolted around the Psyduck as it aimlessly looked around itself, still oddly confused with everything…. And then the Pikachu slammed against Psyduck, the dust and dirt from the chalklined field kicked up and left Misty to nod in surprise.

“That's… fast? Very fast." She'd comment and smirk “Alright Psyduck! Use Fury Swipes!"

He just tilted his head once more and made a noise while he held his head… “Really? Not now…" She'd comment after as Griffin gave a shrug.

“Alright! Scarf, Tackle!" he commanded and the Pikachu relentlessly charged and tackled the Psyduck straight against it's stomach... the yellow Pokemon took the blow again… “Now! Use Fury Swipes!" The Psyduck didn't react… until suddenly it just dropped on Scarf, completely out of the blue and pinned the Pikachu to the ground.

Psyduck finally used Body Slam! And it took Griffin back in surprise. Misty just gave a nod and yelled.

“Finally! We need to train even more with you!" She'd retort loudly as Scarf simply writhed underneath the larger Psyduck.

“Scarf! Use Discharge!" The Pikachu sparked up… but it did barely anything at all. He's having troubles again… I don't get why he can't use electric moves at all. He's healthy, so what am I missing? Am I missing anything? They checked all of them out but… I didn't get too much information on Pikachu or Absol, I was… distracted with everyone else… Griffin bit his lip gently. “Alright… Scarf! I know you can do this! You've been practicing so… try Iron Tail! Hit Psyduck in the side with it!"

Griffin just watched Pikachu whip his tail and strike the Psyduck on the side… If anything, Scarf Used Tail-Whip and pointlessly hit Misty's Psyduck with no affect. It made Misty giggle

“Maybe you need more training… Alright Psyduck! Use Water Gun!" That Psyduck just pointlessly stood up, off of the Pikachu in confusion.

“Psy?" It went again and Griffin found that he chortled to it… even as Misty passionately berated him after.

“No! Don't get off of Pikachu! Use Water Gun!" That Psyduck wasn't listening at all and endlessly held it's head, it made Griffin tap his foot on the ground…

“Scarf! Headbutt! Let's wrap this up!!" His Pikachu had already bounced off of the dirt the moment that peculiar Psyduck shifted his weight off of him… and went for a full on charge towards Misty's Pokemon… a vicious tackle later… right on the head after a strong bolt-like jump left Pikachu to shake his head and the Psyduck to make a noise. The Psyduck held it's head, in pain and then ran around in circles as Misty huffed at him

It was comedic to watch and Scarf just parted his legs and dug his claws into the dirt… “Alright Scarf! Use Quick Attack again!" Griffin said but watched his Pikachu suddenly lift from the air and he lost track of him… until it launched right back against his chest. It put Griffin on the ground and only made Bandit's loud cackle worsen. This was all just too funny to watch. The Announcer – that young Gym Hand held up a small flag on Misty's side.

“Pikachu is unable to battle! Psyduck is the winner!" Griffin had the air knocked out of him and coughed…

That blow took his Pikachu out in one shot! Griffin was lost, he never thought a Psychic move could be THAT powerful. Griffin just held Scarf close after a moment.

“You did great! Take a rest…" He'd say and pull out his Pokeball, it made Misty tilt her head – that ginger strands of hair just fell to one side… His Pokeball was different than any other.

A black base with a gold strand which divided the top and the bottom – a center white button and a horizontal thick red line… it looked edgy, like some wannabe 'cool' pre-teen kid made it. The line was porous, pelted with thin tiny holes…

“I've never seen a Pokeball like that before!" Misty commented as Griffin returned Scarf.

“Yeah… well my Brother designed it, he's working to become a Professor." Griffin commented “He beat the League in Hoenn a while back but left… after I did – well I only got the badges, I never decided to face against him. I wanted to travel… I guess…" Griffin trailed off and turned to Moonlight “Alright Moonlight! Let's get in there!" He called out and got to his feet as the Espeon jolted into the field regally… a drift of a breeze knocked that Parisian tied scarf to flutter against his pink-purple chest and around his shoulders. “Alright Moonlight! Let's pick up the heat and use Psybeam!" He heard Luna give a whine and shift her paws… but Moonlight used Psychic instead and gently, or without any effort, tossed the Psyduck back a little. It was as though an invisible hand pushed the Psyduck back with a shove.

That Psyduck just fell over and waddled his four limbs before it tilted his head curiously at Misty.

“Use Psychic again, come on Psyduck! I know you can do it!" The Psyduck simply repeated what it did over and over again, and that left Misty to sag her shoulders…

“Alright… Moonlight use Psychic again!" The Espeon didn't budge to Griffin's command, as though he hesitated for whatever reason. It left Griffin to idly cough and suspiciously swallow to himself…

Joseph… said he had a brain tumor… but… Griffin lifted his shoulders a little and defiantly huffed. “Alright, Moonlight use Swift!" The Espeon mew'd back at him with an approving nod and took a stance, his tail hiked from high to low, like a brush that touched the wind which surrounded them before he'd take a charge and leapt into the air, where a collection of golden shimmers encircled Moonlight and struck down against the Psyduck.

It took the blow professionally, or so it seemed. It's as though that Psyduck was… slow. Griffin didn't want to express that it oddly seemed a little…

Special, that's the word which came to Griffin's mind and yet he just held a fist and called out to Moonlight

“Hyperbeam!" Griffin stated and the Espeon nodded again before he charged power against his chest… the Espeon gently furled his chest out as though to suck in air – the fluff gently caressed the scarf which hung around his chest and Moonlight unleashed the move which sent Psyduck into a panic. The kind of panic which conveniently made him run about. A completely abnormal… and suitable tactic as the move missed Psyduck regardless of how often Moonlight changed the Hyperbeams direction.

For whatever reason, Bandit continued to cackle at the whole thing before she made these low, growlike yips from her throat… followed up with a collection of snorts from her mouth and a sound.

Griffin heard her growl it out gleefully.

“Yeena!" It made the Espeon respond with just a hiss of 'Esssss…' Which made Griffin dart an eye back at her.

“Pooch…" He'd comment back at her, as though to further reply with Moonlight. It left her to roll her eyes and snort once more – one which licked flames from her fangs. It was the way she ignited any of her fire, afterall.

Like a flint to a matchstick – her muzzle would spark up in flames as though to challenge Griffin in some oddly affectionate way. At least that's how Griffin recognized it.

“Moonlight! Try get in close and shotgun the move!" Griffin stated “Blast Psyduck out of the field with it!" Moonlight curiously looked his way, twitched his large pointed ears – hiked his tail and grinned at his trainer. It… was a look that made Griffin flinch as Moonlight's image flickered…

“What speed…" Misty commented, all Griffin caught onto was that dark and light purple stripped scarf which hung around his pink-purple chest and Moonlight was swiftly upon Misty's panicked Psyduck…

When Moonlight was unexpectedly able to touch the ground with his paws and was ruthlessly tossed back! Griffin gripped his jean pocket and fumbled it uncomfortably… Psyduck used Psychic! And it caught Moonlight by surprise… but the Espeon was quick enough to recover himself yet it left Misty to happily cheer.

“Awesome Psyduck! Try it again!" She'd call out and Griffin made his next command.

“Moonlight! Hidden Power!" He'd say as Moonlight caught himself, all four paws to the earth, he was mid-air as he heard the command… since Psychic type moves were clearly not very affective, the Espeon could easily catch himself from the move. The move made the Espeon to furrow his brow, that Psyduck was odd… it left him to wonder exactly why it was the way it acted to be. Moonlight simply dug his paws into the ground and slammed them into the earth before he'd gently shut his eyes. A soft, tender… gentle wash over his eyelids from the stillness of his breath left Griffin to slowly release his clenched fist as he'd curiously glare at the Espeon… a sharp twitch of his eye left him to shiver as he held his head.

Why do I have a sudden headache? It's like before… he said something to me, right? What did… you tell me, Moonlight? Why can't I remember? Griffin sharply exhaled and felt his hand twitch next. What are you doing? Is this a move? What is this? In the next few seconds, or hardly a second – Griffin couldn't tell – the Psyduck unexpectedly fainted.

Moonlight used…

It confused Griffin, but he wanted to call it something; he did this before too. It had to have been a move, something he couldn't understand simply which left him to scratch his head and let out a straggled gasp of breath.

Moonlight… used… Reader? Mind Reader? Dream Eater? What did he do? Is it Psychic…? Calm Mind? A mix? Griffin shook his head feverishly and clenched his fist.

“You did great Moonlight! Come back!" The Espeon didn't budge… The announcer tossed her hand up and commented

“Psyduck is unable(Moonlight)-" Griffin's voice cut her off as he watched the Espeon crumple out of nowhere. He cut past the line and ran up to him after a moment of hesitation. He ran up to him aimlessly and slid to his knees.

“Moonlight! Moonlight!!" Griffin pointlessly yelled and picked him up. “I'm sorry, I'll… I need to head to the center right away." Griffin called out as Misty stood there aimlessly for a moment and watched Griffin run out of the room, half-hazardly tackled the door open with his shoulder…

God damnit!? What the hell happened?!? Griffin roared to himself in his own mind. For the love of god be okay… That's not like you… out of the blue? How? He half turned his head behind him as he'd noticed the sound of paws which struck against the cement… His Pokemon followed him with intent, speed… Griffin ran as fast and as hard as his legs could carry him, towards the center and in the distance behind him; he'd spot Misty with a bike… she followed him too.

Why… Why!? What's wrong? Did I miss something? What did I do?

He reached the doors of the center, a pair of slow doors which he almost bolted through , as though he forgot they were glass. Nurse Joy just stood there with a shocked look on her face as Griffin inexplicitly begged to be moved to the front of the line. When… is… He wasn't moving at all, I don't understand… It's like he fainted but… it felt different? Why did it feel so… different? It was all a blur as the vertigo swept over him while he glanced closely at the nurse which brought his Espeon to the back room. He half stumbled back. He's completely… What… Griffin clenched his teeth. I… why am I so… Helpless? Now… Right now? Why can't I help? Griffin took out a Pokeball and promptly returned everyone, even Luna whom scampered back for a moment, it left him in a complete row of silence as he'd touch the wall for a moment. I can't calm down? Why can't I calm down? My heart is pounding out of my chest… is this my fault?

• Logan

Rebecca had expressed that she planned to leave for Kalos and the mysterious man had dropped her off at Hoenn international a few hours away… She said a short and hushed goodbye to Trevor and Logan before she went towards a booth; the man had already purchased tickets for her online – somehow, he was able to do that with the computer Logan used earlier… Now they were stuck in some small tavern-like place filled with smoke and people whom talked loudly from behind them. It was as though they sat in some private booth, secluded from the rest of the world as that strange black-haired and black-eyed man put a cup to his lips.

Hardly that late in the day and the man already had enough drinks to knock Logan out, granted that was next to nothing.

“Not much of a drinker, that's a good thing." He'd state, completely uninhibited by the amount he had. “Neither a smoker either, right?" Logan nodded and swallowed as Trevor just nervously sat.

As Logan just watched Trevor flinch and uncomfortably move, it made him feel much the same way. “ He told me plenty about you both… you really do remind me of someone, so does your brother." Logan went to open his mouth, but the man hushed him. “I get this feeling, that you both hate it when you can't help someone." He'd state, openly and touch the cup to his lips. “I'd say that you both are ludicrous to think it would be a good idea to leave for Kanto, Hoenn is bad enough… in the background to say the least. You've witnessed that first hand already." He shot them a gaze and took another firm drink which left Logan to quake… he couldn't calm his nerves, and Trevor; with his tail between his legs so to speak, wasn't much help. Logan shifted like Trevor did and gripped his pants… his arms trembled as he'd run through everything that went through his mind.

“I knew they were…dangerous… yet I… didn't think they'd be flat out THAT…" The man scoffed, it was this funny and peculiar scoff… one which made Logan jolt.

“These… people are not simple people. Unlike Team Rocket, Team Magma, Aqua… the others which I barely know are real or not… This rag-tag mosh pit of people are flat out insane. He began to say “Let's say… my friends and I have been keeping tabs for a long… long time." Logan cleared his throat.

“What do you know? Anything that you can tell us?" He made a scoff and then passed this short hearty chuckle.

“You are stupidly curious… The first is that they believe in some… Pokemon, a Pseudo-legendary of types I'd say. Like I mentioned before, the details… are virtually unknown." He'd comment and slightly tossed his hand up, two fingers but put together as though he were some… gladiator in an arena whom passed the sign of 'mercy' It made Logan partially look behind him.

“They made it, the big guy crap himself yet?" Logan flinched.

He knew that voice… it was hard not to call it out as a man sat in the booth… a big, chubby American looking man with a grizzled beard and a limp leg. The other, more slender; Asian in descent and a little more silent. It made Logan twitch and the Japanese man, the one in that 'bush' like suit held his hand out as though to hold a gun with his fingers.

“If we were them, we would have killed you both already and taken it." The American man gave Logan a look

“Hey, we used them to put the fear of god in you both, obviously we had out guy follow you… You can thank your Grandfather for that." He'd say, and Logan partially flinched.

My Grandfather? He worked with… Police. Government… Logan began to chuckle. “You guys are… GP?"

“Fuck no." The Japanese man said. “We aren't GP kid, if we were we wouldn't have shot the two that were going to kill you… or the other twelve I dealt with." He commented and that shut Logan up. It left him dead silent much like that man's voice was. He was so quiet as though to keep his voice away from prying ears.

“These two… Pooch's want to know more about it. What do you both got?" The grizzled American looking man with that beer-like belly simply nodded back at him.

“I told you I wouldn't be that character in your story… kid. It's not a Hollywood action flick, I hope you get that now." He'd mentioned firmly “But if you want to know… thanks to the boss telling me to tell you… Fine." He mentioned and pulled up a chair, they talked quietly – there was so much noise in the place, even though they were in the back and that it left Logan to strain to hear him. “All of us are ex-military." He stated in a short sentence “You should know that much… That team" He gave this huff of a sigh “Is bloody messed. They think this… Pokemon is some harbinger of death, a Pokemon that treads between our world and the one beyond it; like a… gatekeeper between the living and the dead. Hence their name; Underworld." He began to state, and that made Logan tilt his head, confused.

“I'm lost… you said Underworld, I thought it was originally team Cerberus…" The man smiled back and nodded. “Your grandfather stated there were some rather… prestigious officers in the region." He began to say. “Have you ever watched that… god awful movie… fuck what was it called…" The man tapped his finger and the other man, he looked perhaps Korean or Chinese – Logan couldn't place it.

“The Expendables…" He commented, and the man laughed in reply as the Japanese man continued to drink.

“Yes, yes… that stupid film…" The big man expressed “We're like that… Anti-terrorism… well, Ex – Military. We're the bad guys, that royally screw up the other bad guys. Here's your sign." He'd say casually, and Logan nervously narrowed his eyes

“I don't… was that a joke or?" The man held up his hand while he shook his head.

“Never mind." He'd comment “Dumb as a brick shit house… and his cousin is built like one… This is really like he sp-" The Japanese man cut him off.

“The thing, that Pokemon, cut the bullshit and tell him already." He'd mention, and he gave a nod.

“Well I know this much, the thing is… evil. It was found in an excavation in Africa, at least an actual fossil. Some rich shit forced a collection of… indigenous people to work for him. Slave labor; private contractor; off the books. He hired some Professor to go with him, in case there was something of interest, and there was." He began to say “That guy got distracted with something and when he learned that it wasn't some normal excavation for research but a diamond and drug smuggling operation with forced commitment at gunpoint, that Professor left. Got the hell out of dodge. That man would know the most, but lord knows where his body is now – last I checked he's been long dead." Logan cleared his throat.

“A professor? Who?"

“Montgomery Aspen. The great Grandson of Marcus Aspen; in other words-"

“I know… Marcus, he died back in the early nineteen hundreds… he was credited with Ward in discovering the disease their named after." The man nodded in reply.

“Yes, Montgomery had no kid, no immediate known family… He's been dead for god… maybe a couple decades... That's what happens when you're dead at twenty-three" Logan tapped his finger against the table in front of him from the man's comment.

“I know that…" Logan replied as he recalled all of the things he studied on a disease that captivated him. It talked about Montgomery in plenty of the reading, even the suspicious death of him.

“The body was so charred they couldn't identify it, save for dental records… signs of torture, the whole thing… terrible." He brought up and that made Logan swallow “As for that Pokemon… I know that those people are purposely killing people, Pokemon and collecting these… fossils for it. I have no clue where they'd be found, they're found all over the world." Logan coughed

“W – well… I believe they date beyond Pangea; the Pokemon I mean." It made him laugh

“You really are the science nut, aren't you? To believe that the world was so flawlessly connected, what of the legends… of Arceus… all of them?" It made Logan snicker

“Sorry… I'm quite the Atheist… especially with... uhm… Pokemon religion" Logan began to say, and the man lifted his brow.

“Not in that jeep you weren't…" He commented quietly back and that made the other Asian man snicker before he busted out in healthy laughter. Their conversation was dead silent with that Japanese man constantly looking about and checking everything around them, to ensure no one listened. “All I know is that this… thing eats dead Pokemon, like all Pokemon which hunt their prey… but this one is more… ravenous or… violent. It desires the idea to eat humans I bet. It talks… somehow – I've even seen it open it's mouth while it's communicating to humans, like it's some… weird bridge of evolution." Logan chortled

“What… a human made Pokemon? A Pokemon made human? God this is starting to sound like a book I know. Homo Novus." Logan partially held his hands up when he said the title. “What's next? We live underground for the rest of our days?" The man shook his head no.

“Unless you're interested in a casket…" He'd express and that left Logan to hush himself; he solely attempted to ease his nerves. “This Pokemon devours things and takes the shape of what it eats… as though it's… gathering DNA from them. Which makes no sense in my eyes.

“Bacteria Type… Virus Type." Logan threw out “No… It isn't some new type of Pokemon, it has a clear type and a sub-type. I know by its physiology off of first glance, it's a desert and cavern dweller. Fine short fur; blind, huge ears for sound – it chitters to use echolocation. Oddly wingless… perhaps felid in nature but it lives in habitats where Chiropteran would commonly dwell. Bats. I believe that the obscure nature which you speak of could categorize it as an Evolution Pokemon, such as an Eevee. A temporary, ditto like change in appearance to help it survive in a harsh world beyond that we know. Hell, this thing formed a cocoon that looked like a fossil when I found it."

They all stayed curiously silent and listened, even with that Japanese man still pressed his drink to his lips; the only one that did currently.

“So a prehistoric Evolution Pokemon." Logan shrugged to the Japanese man's comment

“I need to somehow train and care for it, have it evolve naturally before I can give a valid assessment." Logan expressed in English and quietly. “Until then, I have no information… if only I could send it to Ayumu, my Professor, then I'd have a chance to scan it. Until then, I'm sold that it's a dragon type; based on its cross of appearances between both a bat and a feline. I know nothing of the moves it could learn, in fact it may know some we haven't seen." The Korean man tapped his finger on the table, like a metronome and shifted into a casual, near imposing and yet laid-back position.

“Why tell us this so openly? I mean you were sold we are part of… them last night." Logan down casted his eyes for a moment and then gave the Japanese man a glance.

“Because this man, and… that man knew my father."

It was those words that made Trevor gently cease his shivers and give Logan a stare, one which looked him right in the eyes and saw nothing more then a glimpse of small hope.

A glimmer of insignificant, shattered hope that was built upon nothing but pointless, and empty, promises…

• Luna

She couldn't just stay confined aimlessly to the Pokeball and angrily let out a flamethrower around the clean and well-kept beachside – the last biome she was within. Her heart gently screamed and roared about how she didn't want to be chained inside some cage of a capsule. Her flames screeched against the sky as the ground below her jostled… violently. It left her to scorch the sky… to heat up the biome even as that odd Vulpix appeared once more.

A Vulpix with bright golden eyes which she barely paid attention to.

Break out… It ran through her head as her fire continued to scorch the tips of the trees and the cloudless sky above her. Her strong and regal voice constantly called out a 'Vul' as she did before her fire flickered out and she took a moment to pant… before she sucked in air and sparked the sky again. Constantly she marked the top of the Pokeball… the sky… with hot and golden fire until it finally turned white from the temperature… enough that her world cracked like glass and suddenly a bright ripped light flickered across the air and she laid out in a moss of shaded grass… Where a louder crack made her jolt. She turned her head for a moment in fright and half expected to see that… Human from her nightmares. A human whom she couldn't place a face on. The crack echoed again… flesh on stone.

Griffin had constantly and bitterly punched the side of a wall as though to feebly hold in some… uncontrollable rage. A rage which left his knuckles bloodied and bruised. The hot stream of tears just made Luna flicker her tail… and to split him apart from his clearly superior opponent she'd spark a collection of scalded flames past his nose which left him to aimlessly jolt and land harshly against his rear end.

“Stop acting like some stupid ASS!" She'd roar at him… but knew that all the human would hear was growls and a cruel 'Vulpix!' which pressed past her maw. It just left Griffin to look up at the wall where splotches of red-brown liquid clung to it. A flat stone wall of beige which only sparked him to raggedly sigh and hold his head down to his knees.

“It's my fault…" Griffin said, and it left the Vulpix to twitch her ear frantically.

He's not… talking about Moonlight… is he? Luna cautiously put a paw closer and barked back at her trainer.

“You just… didn't even think about us! Did you!?" She attempted to scold again but knew her voice was nothing more then the Pokemon she was. It left Griffin to gently cast an eye her way, this weird… watery eye. “I didn't… know, or… I didn't even see it; hear it." He'd simply said through pointless sobs and a ragged choke for air. “I never should've… I fucked it up, I've ALWAYS…" Luna flinched when Griffin raised his voice and it just left him to twitch from the way she did.

It was this mixture of shame and loss which Luna stared at. That was the look in his eyes. “It's always… my fault. He wasn't moving… He wasn't even… I don't even know if he was breathing… What happened?" He asked her… just asked a small Vulpix that partially stood in the sunlight with her ragged, messy and straight fur. A Vulpix that simply planted her rear on the ground and looked at him with a mix of worry… a flicker of her ears and a small sigh which plumed out smoke. “I don't… even know why I'm out here… Away from home? A way from everything… Thief is missing… Moonlight is… What is going on? Why is it falling apart? Why can't…" Griffin took a second to breathe but Luna felt her fur rise on ends. Her ears twitched and fell against the back of her neck gently.

Thief… what? Where? When was…? Griffin just looked at her… a half gaze, a shameful gaze.

“I'm not a trainer… I've never been a trainer. I can't even tell when my own Pokemon are sick… I can't even tell if I am…" Griffin began to say to her, aimlessly. “They were right… I should've just… Because it's my fault. It's all my fault, I did this to myself right? All of it?" Griffin began to suck in air again. “I should've…" Luna stepped back a little, her hind legs touched against the soil as she'd glance at Griffin's knuckles.

He did a number on them, in fact… she wondered if they were broken by then. “It doesn't matter what I do… it's always my fault… It's my fault…"

I don't know what to do… why is he… like this suddenly? This… is about his dad, right? Is it? Is it all about it? It cautiously wracked through Luna's head as Griffin's Pokeball unexpectedly cracked open…

Luna had to still her fur as it rose… She had to glance up at her stature. The small Vulpix just glanced at her sleek jet-black and silver-grey fur, a look her way made Luna feel smaller then the dirt she stood on. The firm look in her eyes left Luna to step towards her but the Mightyena flicked her tail at the small Vulpix.

“D – don't… H – he's sad enough." Luna spoke out of turn and that made Bandit glance at her.

“This time… we're not divided by a video phone." Bandit expressed and gently padded her way up to Griffin, in between his knee's – up to his face which made him soullessly glance at her. “He get's like this… around November. Like I told you before… Luna. The only family I knew, was a family with two sons and their disheveled mother. A woman… a female I'd strive to be, dream to be. A female strong enough to carry a burden like that alone." Bandit tossed Luna a look “And like a son, both Griffin and Logan are that to me." She'd express and gently touched her nose against Griffin's cheek and placed a tiny lick… over his cheek and along his eye. It made him shut it, like instinct. “Griffin never had any friends in his school, because he hated Pokemon… he hated all of it. The fact that we fight, the fact that humans, in some way, make us fight. As though we are… gladiators or slaves…" She'd express. “Griffin is much, much different from that." Bandit nudged his cheek with her nose in some, symbolic way. As though to tell him to stay focused and keep his head up. “I don't blame him for breaking down… this is the longest he's stayed away from home, for one… and he's taken up much more responsibility then he realizes. Hardly ready to grow up yet because he had to at a younger age… why else do you think he's so good at cooking?" Luna kept her ears folded tight against her scalp and slowly padded her way up to Griffin. A curious slow wander towards him. “I met them both… when Griffin was at his lowest. He ran into the woods and… found me. Immediately Griffin collected all of the berries he could find, he didn't flinch when he knew I was in trouble… that I needed help. He's constantly broken hearted… you can hear it in his voice no matter what you do." Bandit expressed softly and smiled.

It was just this gentle tear that made Luna flinch and stare at the ground where it landed. “He would hug me… I hated it… until I knew what it all meant… to humans. Until I knew why he would hug me and cry constantly into my fur. A boy that hated all Pokemon… but the only friend he could turn to was one." She'd express and gently nudge against Griffin… nudged her broad chest against his nose… He reluctantly and slowly hugged the Mightyena and pushed his eyes into her pelt. “It took me… a long time to learn why. It took me until a trip to a world I've never seen, where the sky was painted with fireworks… the faces had all sorts of beautiful artwork upon them… candles were lit in a graveyard with everyone there. All sorts of blessings placed upon stones to mark the rested… Griffin and Logan both talked to their aunt that day, about everything. They introduced me to her… and even I talked to her too. Just… a stone and dirt. It was the most…." Bandit trailed off and gently sucked in air. It made Luna's tail flinch.

“Beautiful… kind… wonderful thing. I learned, truly what a family was then, and I learned how important and needed one is. I stood up for Griffin against that… horrid school he went to with those terrible other children. The kind that would hide their deeds behind smiles." Bandit nudged her jaw against Griffin's shoulder as he gently respired against her fur… a soft reluctant hug, one that would in every sense show him as weak.

Yet Luna felt it was stronger than anything she'd yet laid her eyes upon… it made her push closer to Griffin and instinctively she placed a small lick against one of his knuckles… one that he had which laid closer to the ground then the other. “I whined and begged to be there when he was like this and I was stuck in LittleRoot with Logan… I push him and act the way I do because I love him… I… we won my first Pokemon battle together, in a schoolyard of all places… I took on another child's little ZigZagoon years ago. Griffin was never so… scared… worried, and delighted, and… happy. He stupidly made me… snacks, went on some dumb computer site to try and learn how to make Pokepuffs for me. He could never get them right, they were disgusting but I ate them anyways…" Bandit softly blinked with this warm and inviting smile and Luna felt something hit her forehead, it made Luna flicker her tail and still at the frosted and yet hot feeling of a tear... A soft gasp found its way past her muzzle and all she could do was look up at Bandit. Look up at her messy muzzle as though that moment of weakness unexpectedly made her softer… gentler… tamer.

Griffin… needs… us. It slowly came into her mind without any second chance of fleeted thought. He needs us because… of that reason… right? Because of what it all revolves around. Moonlight… that was his fault, he's been stupidly pushing himself blind. He's hurting himself like… Griffin is. Why do they both… connect that way? Luna felt her paws uncomfortably dig into the shade which crossed beyond the side of the Pokemon center. Why… did he break down now? Was he just waiting to be alone? He wants to be alone right? Luna pressed her nose against his knuckles, the strong scent of blood and ripped flesh touched her nose and she spent her time to stare at it with newfound intent. There's… scars? He's done this before… It's like bruises that never healed right, I can see it more clearly when… I'm this close to it. Griffin just waited to be alone… and I stupidly bit him for… no reason at all. I lit him on fire but couldn't bring myself to hurt him until he picked me up. Until he… hugged me? That's a human thing? I thought he was just asserting some sign of dominance… it's why I bit him… I think? Luna didn't feel her eyes swell, it was more of a tiny little weight of guilt which left her fur to simmer down against the wind and that fire in her breast to slowly dim to a gentle warm candle-light. A tiny lantern in a sea of feelings and lost thoughts which she couldn't begin to venture through…

“He holds more on his shoulders then I even realize because he can't let it go. I think… Melody may have gotten to him with what she said. I overheard it, even though she whispered it so quietly." Bandit began to say and drew in a firm breath as a gentle wind crusaded its path between all of them. It rustled a small pointless patch of weeds which curled around Luna's forepaw. The grass tickled her paw gently… Out of all the dry and pointless dirt without any sunlight that one pointless weed just rested and grew within a constant grown in darkness. Luna felt her tail flicker as Griffin tilted his head up, just a touch and put a hand on Bandit's cheek.

“I'm… fine. I… shouldn't have left the gym battle. Another thing I screwed up I guess." Griffin said cautiously and gave a gentle cough. He was sure to turn his head away from Bandit for that moment. “I'm just… being stupid I guess. As per usual." He'd mention and gave this little painted smile “But you already know that, right Bandit?" He'd say and moved his hand away from her shoulders… ran his fingers through her pelt again “I don't know if I… should even show up this year. I don't think I can handle it again…" Griffin admitted as though to swallow some non-existent pride “I don't think I can handle it…" He'd mention with a ragged sigh and slowly moved from his rear end in the dirt, to his knee and picked himself up from the ground, just to stare at the wall. It wasn't covered in blood, just gently trickled against without a single thing out of place with it. A pointless beige wall made of stone where his knuckles had bruised and split themselves over. Luna had to take a moment to glance at Griffin firmly, closely. To study this emotion on his face which made her wonder exactly how often he did that.

How he stared pointlessly at the wall of an elementary school as though to get stronger and act stronger around those he hated without a Pokemon to talk to. How he stared at the wall of a middle school which made him only angrier over all of it… a time when Bandit wasn't there in person. How he stared at the wall of a high school where he questioned exactly why he kept doing it, only to know that he couldn't stop as though it were some foolish vice which calmed him by then. And… how he stared at the wall of his home in between it all whenever he couldn't handle being there anymore.

That was the look on Griffin's face which made Luna roll her shoulders and drop her ears as though she stared at nothing more than a white backdrop of a child which gently grew into a young teen whom constantly screamed at himself… and blamed himself for all of it.

“We… should all check up on Moonlight, right away." Griffin mentioned and looked down at Luna with his warm and sculptured smile…

“Thank you… for… stopping me, I guess. I was… I don't know anymore… But you all can show me something better, I believe that in the least… or maybe the most?" Griffin gently muttered and gave a hand out to Luna whom flinched at first, and that made him retract it. “I'm… sorry for scaring you." It was the last thing he said before he walked into the sunlight after a quick rub of his eyes and a short breath. Griffin just wandered to the center as Luna hesitated to follow, until Bandit nudged her.

“He didn't mean to scare you, at all. He just needed time alone but… what you did was a little bit better." Bandit began to say, “I saw you spitting fire from the mountain side to break out of the Pokeball." She noted and smiled gently before her paw cut around Luna and drew her across the dirt. “I thought I could help too. Even though you unwillingly did… like Griffin did… once." Bandit warmly stated and that left Luna to glance up at her. Just stare at something which proposed herself as ravenous and violent… but met it with a smile which made her smile too. “Now let's go check up on the Prettyeon." Luna gave a dry chuckle

“What?" Bandit gave a tiny shrug in reply.

“Hey, at least he's pretty; right?" Bandit mentioned with a little laugh which left Luna to smile

“Yeah… let's go check up on Moonlight" Luna expressed and followed Bandit into the Pokemon center, Misty already stood there and tapped her foot on the floor… her bike next to her inside the Pokemon center.

That wasn't really the time to have that out there… Nurse Joy already stood past the counter with a curious grin on her face as Griffin nervously shook his hair with his hand. It was a little over the top.

“S – sorry… what?" Misty got up to him with his bike

“All it did was faint you idiot!" Misty quipped quickly, and it left Griffin to flinch and smile shyly

“W – well I… mean it didn't look or feel normal…" Griffin started to say, and Nurse Joy nodded.

“It's over-exertion. I took a quick look at the charts and compared them to the ones from Vermillion, your Espeon is abusing Future Sight." Griffin gave a little shy nod in reply.

“W – well I haven't SEEN him use the move yet. I mean… Future sight is to foresee an attack, right?" Nurse Joy nodded

“Yes, it is. But to use this much energy into a move like that… what exactly is he collecting all that power for? By now any Pokemon would have unleashed ALL of it… and I fear what would become of the Pokemon he uses it on… along with himself." She began to note “Future Sight, unlike what it says isn't quite for predicting the future, it's a Pokemon move. The attack takes time but it's as though your Espeon is using too much of his efforts to check and hold it. It's why he passed out in the middle of the battle." Griffin sagged his shoulders gently as Misty, annoyed with the interruption, frantically tapped her foot on the ground.

“I… never… told him to use it? I don't… understand why he'd…" Griffin blinked a few times and glanced around aimlessly. “I don't… know. I'm sorry." Nurse Joy nodded and gave a smile

“Well, aside from plenty of rest and a proper diet." Nurse Joy mentioned the last of her sentence sternly, it made Griffin defensively hold his palms out. “I'd suggest finding a way for your… Espeon to stop abusing the move, who knows what could happen if he continued to." Griffin nodded as Misty gave him this liberal shove on the arm.

“See, he's fine, you idiot!" She commented, and Griffin remarked with a 'hey' which left her to pout and hold up her hands with a sigh.

“Sorry… you really do remind me of a friend of mine. At least you didn't trash my bike…" She commented idly in a way which made Griffin frown his eyebrows with every expression of confusion upon his cheek.

“I… interrupted the match over… well worry, I guess." Griffin expressed gently and shortened of breath. “I'm… sorry about that." He began to say and drew in air as Nurse Joy interjected

“It may be out of place, but you both could continue your match. Your Espeon will do fine here, Griffin. I can look over him personally, do some further tests since you're that concerned." Nurse Joy said with a warm and confident smile “You must be a very good trainer, if you're willing to interrupt a gym battle all because of your Pokemon." She started to say “I've seen a lot of trainers bring them in after they've gone through too much. Trainers that get too excited and jump for a challenge that they're not ready for…" She'd express and gave him a confident nod which left Griffin to smile back. His eye's fell up from his hands and towards Misty.

“Maybe we… can continue our battle… immediately?" Griffin mentioned with a kind tone “I… hope to catch up with some friends and can't stay for long, but if I miss a badge…" He'd say and fumbled his fingers with a nervous and sloppily put together pitch. “Can we… Can I challenge you, our last Pokemon of three; a one on one battle?" Misty tapped her shoe against the laminate floor of the center and rolled her eyes. It was this annoyed look… a gentle call of silence from her as Misty began to tap her finger against the final Pokeball on her belt.

“Fine…" She'd say after a while of anxious wait. “We'll have a one on one battle, but don't think for even a second that you'll get that badge so easily!" Her voice brimmed with confidence as Griffin felt his straight face break into a small smile.

“I wouldn't have it any other way!" Griffin replied with this gentle flare of competition which left Luna to turn her head… just somberly.

Why are you… still painting on a smile? It came to Luna's thoughts Why are you forcing yourself this much just to… smile? What drives you to? Luna felt her pelt gently quiver and still on it's tips as though she puffed out from the burn that touched her breast. Is… that… why you? Her paws gently pressed against one another, rolled over each other and kneaded into the laminate below her You… care that much for Thief? Is that why Thief is always… at your side? It ran through her mind without any chance for her to argue with herself as Bandit followed Griffin closely out of the door. He followed Misty with this nearly sure step, along with Bandit that couldn't falter in hers.

Is… it because Thief doesn't paint his smiles? It's because when he does they're… real smiles? When he laughs it's something… Luna shook her head feverishly and tried to chase away her thoughts from her mind. Her tail hovered low behind her as she felt it hapless when she tried to. All she could do was stare at a backdrop of white as she followed Griffin down the road…

Down a rich and bright sidewalk covered in sunlight as though to see a boy and a Poochyena by his side. One that he petted… talked to with some backpack on his shoulders which felt like all the weight of the world upon him. Gently she treaded across the pavement with a swallow in her throat as her white-washed world changed with the dilation of her amber eyes. A shimmer of white gold sands and a flicker of warm sunlight washed over her body for just a moment as she'd leave her muzzle a jar.

Like a little window into the past unfurled before her as though hidden behind the weakest of veils… which she had no strength to lift it from.

Just a pointless memory she stared into… where a little, starved and lithe cub of a Growlithe stood beside a proud and broad chested Vulpix whom held a single white tail as though the hottest of flames rested within her very spirit… and then there was herself. All of them just stared out at the ocean where only the gentle tide of waves slipped and graced the sand with it's cool and guided touches.

It took her the moment of her memory to lose her breath… to find it all a blur as she sat beside Bandit as Misty came back to the other side of the arena. It was just Griffin and Misty now… the only two people in a large gym where thick sunlit glass hovered above them… trailed in dust light and speckles which fell from the ceiling. It took her a glance at Bandit to firmly grasp this emptiness inside of her heart.

Something she shared with Griffin… With Bandit… With Absol and Moonlight. Something which guided all of them, but never…

Something that never chased away the smile in her mind, of a Growlithe she knew absolutely nothing about. Griffin made a silent turn as though to open his mouth and no sound came to her ears…

But this silence was welcoming… warm and filled with heat that touched a fine parchment of fur that she barely remembered and longed for. As though a gentle paw grazed across her tail… a nose touched against her shoulder and the softest of words breached her ear with a voice that lost her own.

“I know you long to be beyond the sands of our stay." It gently spoke against her ears and filled her eyes with something so hot and unexpected “Never fret away from that, my gentle little tinderbox. My flame that rivals even that of a Phoenix… that of a Dragon. Do not fret… worry… or become at a loss of whatever you dream. My light… my moon amongst the sea." It was a voice that swelled her heart as she felt her legs jolt and jump into the battlefield, a voice that gently pushed her with fur…

Fur that was white as snow, as though frigid… frozen and in need of eternal warmth. A voice that she longed to hear for any reason. One that made fears quell and froze all of hell in its wakes against her soul. The kind that ripped away horrid memories of a trainer she couldn't get out of the back of her mind for just a moment. “He's absolutely right… my Lighthouse."

The other voice was the only assurance that found her in a field where Griffin yelped out her name in surprise… one that left Bandit to snap her back to reality with a growl.

“What are you doing!? She's a water-type Trainer! Absol… would be a better choice!" Bandit called out and pulled her back from some fever dream where she swore she…

Where Luna swore that she saw the face of her Father and Mother together with her… where two Vulpix's of different regions stared out to sea next to a gentle pyre in the tenderest of moonlight. Luna found her legs to twitch, all four of her paws dug into the dirt with a firm and heated stance.

“I…" She began to say and turned to Bandit. It was a look that left her to raise her head. “I just want you both to remember what that day was like!" Luna spewed out nonsense which made Bandit dig her claws into the dirt behind the chalkline “If you can't fight because of some stupid rules…" Luna's leg trembled in this odd way, where tears struck down at the dirt with every intention of fight “Then let me fight for you instead!" Luna called out as though to try and howl like Bandit would “Let me take your desire to battle until you can" She'd express in this non-sensical fit which left the massive Mightyena to take a step back “Let… me fight. I'll prove to all of you that I'm more than just some other Vulpix!" She'd roar out of this mixture of emotions with a sound that felt more defeated then victorious. “I'M NOT SOME STUPID MAIDEN!" Bandit just tilted her head with confusion as Luna flared out her straightened tails and flicked over a collection of blue crackled embers which resonated the sound in-between all six of them it made Misty smirk and look at Griffin

“Your Vulpix seems driven!" She'd express “But that's a heavy type disadvantage!" Misty explained as the field rumbled and cracked open before Misty held up her hand “This will be a One on One battle between Gym Leader Misty, and Trainer Griffin from Hoenn over the Cerulean City badge. There are no switches or use of revives." Griffin looked down at Luna and she met his gaze with a turn of his head. The look in her eyes made the hairs on his arm stand on edge… as though an eerie chill ran over him. The field erupted apart, and Luna jumped onto a rocky terrain which arched it's way only halfway around a pool of massive water… the sight brought this odd smile to Luna's face as Bandit made a firm whine in protest and pushed her feet around… and that's when Misty's Pokeball cracked open.

“I choose you! Gyarados!" The serpent, massive with a neck which could nearly touch the glass high above them gave a resonating roar which spewed air and dust to swirl past Luna's fuzzy face… but… it made her smile… grin in a way Bandit did.

“Luna!" Bandit called out “A Gyarados!? You can't be series it's thousands of times your weight!" It left her to growl and snarl lowly… “Damnit… No te dejes atrapar por el aire o esa cosa te atravesará la puta pared del gimnasio…" Bandit expressed in a way that made Luna's ear twitch… She didn't understand the odd way Bandit was able to twist her voice to make it appear so… humanlike, but the Mightyena did… even then… Somehow Luna picked something up out of it.

Avoid… risky jumps… I think is what she means? Luna shook it from thought and took her stance with red-eyes from this passion unbeknownst to herself and a firm plant of her legs. Her Will-O-Wisp was already called into the fight… she simply held it close to warm her as though a ghost gently slithered through her tails. A voice of longing in her ears and the look on Bandit's face which rivaled that of a wonderful and caring Poochyena…

“Win it Luna!" Bandit called out in her firm voice as Griffin nervously fumbled his fingers over Absol's Pokeball… and looked at his Mightyena feverishly. Luna didn't keep her eyes fixed on them and focused on the massive blue and yellow scaled titan in front of her.

It's intimidation hardly made her flinch Griffin at a loss for words as Misty made a little pose and winked

“Alright Gyarados! Let's start this with Hurricane!" She commanded, and Luna braced herself close into the stone below her as Bandit barked out a command that overtook Griffin's voice…

Because using something like Flamethrower… especially when he feebly commanded it wasn't going to help her much…

• Moonlight

I passed out? It came to his thoughts as he woke up, tired… exhausted in the intensive care wing in the Cerulean's Pokemon Center. That… dumb Psyduck remembers… everything about his trainer, his core IS his trainer… No wonder why I couldn't break him, we matched… somehow. Moonlight stirred his paws and looked gently around the quiet and empty room… his eyes were on the clock for just a moment. I was… out for maybe seven minutes? That can't be good for my health… It echoed to mind as he gently closed his eyes with a soft sigh. I'll sleep a little more… maybe I can have a dream, a wonderful dream… which doesn't make me feel so guilty… for once.

• Luna

It was Bandit's quick thought and her command which found Luna still in the fight; barely able to skim down the side of the rock as a vicious swirl of wind struck against her back and her claws sharply dug into stone. A vicious snarl slithered from Luna's muzzle as the roar of this faux sea pushed and prodded against her as Griffin anxiously tried to make a command… he grew oddly impatient with it, nervous… helpless. It made Luna give him a glance as Bandit roared past a whirlpool of screeching and wretched wet wind.

“Hold on! Use Extra Sensory and your Will-O-Wisp together!" She'd call out firmly “We haven't… trained enough yet!! You should've just…" Luna flicked her eye's past the howl of the wind as she found a light which flicked through the dark veil… A pair of rich yellow-red eyes that were met with a stare that left her to grin.

A confident grin… a proud grin. A mouth of a word which Luna rarely heard made her claws rip into the stone and even slash down at the rocks. Her eye's shut as a firm and cold wind slipped from her muzzle – something which surprised even her.

A combination move… both together, Using Will-O-Wisp to burn and Extrasensory to strike unseen… that's smart, Bandit… Luna firmly grasped the rock as Misty called out to Griffin

“I don't see your Vulpix! Looks like she already got swept away from the tide!" Misty chuckled as Griffin gripped a fist and softly released it when Bandit touched his hand with her nose. Luna clung into the rock and the final roar of wind as she unleashed her attack… as though to see it within her mind's eye it swept underneath the high arches of rock and skidded over the surface of water… swirled around the Gyarados and struck it clean against the side of the cheek… a move it took expertly but left Misty stunned for just a second as Luna grimaced to herself. I can't combine them… She thought bitterly and pulled herself up to the arches and took her pose before she unleashed a torrent of flame from her muzzle and bolted around the strongest base of the arch.

Thanks to her small size… she had more then enough room to play with. Misty passed a small smile as Griffin checked the health board out of the corner of his eye. The large screen already showed that Luna lost health…

But she was unfazed from the storm of wind and rain entirely… she didn't care much for what a screen told him at that point.

The Gyarados whipped it's powerful neck around to avoid the current of flames as her resounding 'Vul' echoed across the space between them and the small Vulpix simply whipped her muzzle across it's neck to lick fire against the ultimately larger foe.

“Gyarados use Rain Dance!" Upon Misty's command there was a massive roar from the Gyarados as Bandit snapped a command at Luna

“Use Sunny Day to counter it!"

I've never used that Bandit! Luna thought firmly and felt a patter of rain shriek against her nose and face

“Now Hydro Pump!" Misty called out and Luna twitched her tail… and firmly snarled to herself to collect heat as the six ambers of white flame behind her diminished. A massive current struck clean for Luna and all she did was unleash a current of scalded and volcanic white-blue fire… a wave of flame which competed against the Gyarados's Hydro Pump; much to Misty's surprise and left the entire field in an explosion of hot steam… mist and rain. “What power…" Misty muttered, absolutely stunned.

There was no way that any Vulpix would have enough fire and heat to cancel an attack like that… It made Griffin fight past the mixture of environments; a chaotic and sudden break of nature which left his body in chills. The steam slithered past and faded…

Luna wasn't on the arch and that left Griffin to cough and look all around. Misty had to do the same and instinctively she looked up…

But Luna jumped into the water during the mass confusion and quickly made her way from one side of the pool to another… eerily in the fashion much like a Buizel in a fast-moving stream. Griffin roared out a command; something that surprised Bandit

“Luna! DOUBLE TEAM!" That was a command which made sense to her and she conjured up images of herself, an after-image of at least four or five… including herself. They swirled through the water as Misty shockingly looked to the pool below and called out a command

“Whirlpool!" She commanded at the Gyarados as one of Luna's copies flicked her hind paws against the real one…

It naturally connected, as though they were all one… all part of the same entity and that left her to break the surface of the water.

“Flamethrower!!" Griffin called out but Bandit barked and roared at the same time

“Energy Ball!" That was a move Luna knew and she shot out a strong and rich orb of white-yellow light… solar… the color of sunlight which struck the Gyarados and launched her back as though she fired a cannon… She took in a massive breath and breached the surface of the water; away from the Gyarados's Whirlpool. The move made it curl over as Luna writhed through the water and clamped her jaws against the arch of the rock… stuck under water as the tide dared to drag her underneath it.

Like HELL I'm losing like THAT! She screamed to herself and dug her forepaws into the stone… her claws slashed into it with enough intent that they bled from the wet rocks and she forced herself from the water and made a gallant bolt around the edge of the stone arches. Misty made a laugh and barked out a command

“Aqual Tail! Take out her way of escape!" Luna conjured up her fire again as her six flames of blue-white pyre roared between her tails. That Gyarados made a massive spin in the water and struck the stone nearby her which sent rocks and boulders of all sized her way… yet she unleashed her move at the Gyarados's tail as soon as it got close! It made Bandit howl and yip before she called out

“Use Energy Ball! Repeat it and make time for Hex!" Luna was beating Gyarados in speed… Luna charged up Energy Ball, even as a large stone struck her in the side and left Griffin to yell out her name. There wasn't any pain from it, even though it hurled at her with malicious intent, all she did was force her paws into the ground and take the blow before she launched another Energy Ball as Misty's Gyarados was busy recovering. Griffin checked the board…

Luna's health indicated a low orange… and Gyarados… a low Green until that Energy Ball struck him in the center once more and made its head real down. Misty called out for the move Crunch and it used the moment to dart its massive neck at Luna.

That little Vulpix wasn't ready to bend or fold yet and repeated her last move just as Bandit instructed – it struck the Gyarados right in the mouth and cheek which left it to wince. Griffin yelled out with a mixture of excitement and fear

“Hex!" Luna felt her eyes flicker and glow with a dark purple-blue… before she created the move as though to speak in a cursed fit of snarls while she stared down her opponent. The Gyarados took damage from it… enough that they were now on equal ground. Bandit made a sound

“Luna ENDURE!" Luna went for a quick brace and flared out a roar of flames, as though to encircle herself with it as the Gyarados quickly whipped it's tail past the steam of pyre and rain which surrounded her – it used Aqua Tail and struck Luna clean in the air… where all she did was slice her claws along it's scales as she got struck… it must've left a cut of some kind but now she was exactly where she didn't want to be…

Her health on the board went to red… and Griffin flinched and called out her name as Bandit dared to move closer.

“I know you never get to see me… I'm your father, and the Arcanine… your dad." The voice slipped into her mind… right amongst the brink of unconsciousness “But the wonderful thing of it, is that every single moment I see you… I see how you've become stronger, kinder… more loving with every step you take. Perhaps one day I can teach you the virtue that I have been taught. The greatest kind… but until that day. I'll teach you things beyond your measure and hold you ever closer to my heart. I will teach you something we of the island are capable of… Elements beyond our own nature. Luna." Luna flicked her eyes in the daze and sharpened her chest until her flames stilled, like a cold gasp of wind, mixed within a calling sound of frost touched her lungs to the point that it defected them. Luna couldn't find air to draw breath, but power flicked inside of her chest as she screeched out a move which left Griffin, Bandit and Misty in silence. The sharpened curls of bright and wonderful colors screeched from her muzzle as it painted it with simple signs of frost. A bitterly painful frost which quelled the endless torch in her chest into a whirlwind of blizzard and frigid intent.

Luna… Used… Aurora Beam.

Bandit felt chills run through her back as she'd watch a current of every mineral worth of light flicker past her eyes to strike down at the Gyarados… until her flame came back and created a spectacle of frost… color… and passion which rivaled even the strongest of wild-fires. A combination of two different types casted from a Pokemon that couldn't naturally break past any element aside from fire.

Yet there Luna was, using a move that only Alolan types of her kind could…. As a Fire Variant. The move struck Gyarados into the low red… along with Luna from his previous attack until she hit the water and felt her fire swell. Misty made a comment and Griffin looked to the board…

As though her fire reignited, so did the tiniest fraction of her health on the screen. It placed her in the high red out of nowhere. The frigid water swirled around her…. This environment she loved and flicked her tails and hind legs through the water without much to greet her with resistance until a muffled sound touched her ear and Gyarados dove in after her. Luna swirled around the arch of stone with Griffin and Bandit as they anxiously glared at the surface of the water which she narrowly swam under. It made Griffin laugh just ever so silently and Bandit to make a muffled comment.

“How… the hell…?" Luna simply swam in a way that left them all silent as Misty gave out a command Bandit barked in reply to it “Fire Spin!" Luna didn't question it and called forth the flames and forced herself to extinguish as much as she had… enough to stay lit…. barely… under the water “Now use it to get higher ground!" Luna forced it underneath her and shot out a current of flame to launch herself high into the air while the Gyarados shot out of the water, no different then that of a serpent to catch her. Luna used Energy Ball!

Gyarados used Hydro Pump.

The move seemed to collide with them both at first, but Bandit and Griffin had to pause in silence. They waited for a long time as Misty called out Gyarados's name… and eventually Luna hoisted herself back up and over the stone arch with bloodied paws, an entirely unkempt pelt and this wash over her muzzle.

The smallest of grins and she was on her four legs, battered… beaten and in every way ignited with a flare of passion that silently stoked the whirlwind of frost around the fire in her very soul.

That tiny… pointless little flame embalmed with silly and fruitless dreams called hope. Misty had to stare for a moment before her legs shook in a way that almost made her fall down; a way that dared for her to slump to her knees.

The screen overlooked their values for health and only read the simplest of numerical values by showing it visually… with Misty's Gyarados grey'd out and Luna's bar almost extinguished.

She won… solely because in the last second she spun and used her ExtraSensory to push her out of the way of Gyarados's HydroPump. During the drop all she had to do was turn her head and launch the Energy Ball Bandit asked of her. Luna felt her legs quake little by little as she slumped to the stone but held on at the very edge of consciousness, like a small thread and a taste of what Bandit's battles were truly like.

It made her feel… as though it was the way she wanted to be… The way a name lost in her memories acted, no matter the burden. Bandit made a liberal hop over to the arch and gently picked Luna up by the scruff and lent her on her back with a wonderful laugh.

“You… crazy bitch." She said in a fit of giggles and laughs before she shook her head at the Vulpix. “You had… us both worry so much…." Luna found it natural to smile brightly… warmly; the look on Bandit's face was one that made her picture that Poochyena, one that didn't need her claws sharpened to the point of diamonds. One that didn't need to bear her fangs as though it were a forgotten blade which held meaning beyond her own beliefs.

A normal Pokemon was all she saw, not the one that Bandit showed her in the start. It made her lose thought for a moment and warmly smile more as Misty gave a nod and laughed to herself.

“I… can't… believe that your Vulpix beat me in my own element." Misty began to say “And she hardly needed a command from you. It's like you… trained your Mightyena so well that SHE can throw out commands you're thinking of." Misty expressed, and Bandit gave Luna a 'Who… me?' kind of look that made Luna giggle and wince as though she just recognized this all too specter of pain in her ribs. That made the Mightyena glance at her with worry in those naturally harsh eyes. Griffin looked at Bandit and Luna and swallowed

“W – well… I just." Griffin swallowed and shut his eyes “I just trust them. I might be the trainer but… I trust them, because they're friends of mine." Griffin explained and smiled after he opened his eyes “I worry about these Pokemon battles, I don't want them getting hurt, at all… and even then, I'm excited and… I don't know." Griffin expressed “I feel even undeserving." Griffin tapped his hand against his Pokeball. “Thank you for… letting me still continue the battle after that interruption." Misty lifted a brow and giggled, like any young girl would.

“I get it, I trust my Pokemon too, even though some get on my nerves." As if on cue her Psyduck popped out of it's Pokeball and gave this confused look as to how it got there, or why it was there. It made Griffin laugh silently to himself as Misty made this groan and returned it to it's Pokeball. Bandit carried Luna on her back and hopped back over to Griffin as Misty returned her Gyarados and talked to the Pokeball in praise. As Luna and Bandit came over… Luna would watch Griffin's palm gently touch against her head and then he nudged her on the cheek with his finger… it just left her to lick his bruised knuckle in reply. Something which left his leg to flinch.

“You did absolutely awesome, Luna!" He'd say and pet her more and then petted Bandit too, even though she went back to her demeanor of rolling her eyes at him and snarling. “Thank you too, Pooch." Griffin expressed, and she stuck out her tongue at him rudely. That left Luna to laugh and giggle, even with the pain.

In some weird way, in this setting, the pain was all too soothing for her. Griffin looked up at Misty “I'll be at the Pokemon Center! I need to get everyone checked; if you'd like to chat more there, Misty! I can't disagree on one thing though." Misty gave a tilt of her head.

“What's that?" Griffin made a friendly smile and had to recall the way she handled all of her Pokemon.

“You'll become a better gym leader, just like you said! I know I'll want to have another battle one day with you! Water Master Misty!" Griffin mentioned with a nod and a chuckle, something which made her grip a fist and tap her foot to the ground

“And don't you forget it! I'll become even better then Ash!" Griffin paused at the name for a moment and smiled

“He's THAT good of a trainer?" Griffin asked, and that made Misty shake her head no and hold up her arms, as though flustered

“H – hardy! He's just an idiot that trashed my bike!" She'd explain with this mixture of emotions that left Griffin to laugh

“I bet all of your friends would love to see you again, Misty! Even for a day or two! I know I'll be making my way to Celadon after to challenge the gym leader!" He'd express, and Misty nodded

“I'll see you at the Pokemon Center with your Badge Griffin!" Misty explained and held up the badge he tossed her way before the battle. “I won't be long at all!" Griffin gave her a nod, gently tapped his finger against his side and looked to his Mightyena “I can carry her." Bandit just growled in reply and began to walk ahead of him, which left Griffin to sag his shoulders a little and adjust the straps on his bag.

“Luna." She fought to open her eyes as Bandit talked to her in the bright sunlight. “How… did you use an ice type move?" The Vulpix made a sound and partially yawned.

“I… don't really understand it" Luna expressed “I think… my dad may have taught me, maybe? I don't really know. It's all fuzzy… voices." She'd say and gently buried her nose into Bandits fur. “When I saw you and Griffin like that I just had a whole… bunch of voices run through my head. I heard my mother…" Luna began to say gently and nudged into Bandits fur. It left the Mightyena to look at the Vulpix on her back; inbetween her shoulders as they prowled down the sidewalk. “And then I heard a voice that sounded like my father… and then I just felt cold… like the fire inside me extinguished for a few seconds." Luna spoke without quarrel to her questions, or just spoke in general within her haze. “I keep remembering this beach now. It has beautiful moon-colored sand and water that is without rival. Like silver against sunlight. A veil of blue silver… and there are these open dug hovels, like circular holes in the ground and a fire of wood in each one. I remember all of these faces… of other Vulpix's and Growlithes. I barely remember by dad's face or my father's face…" Bandit turned to her

“Dad or Father? You have two dads?" Luna shifted and shrugged against Bandits large and powerful back and glanced at Griffin who followed them endearingly. An odd smile on his face, a glance to the mountains in the distance and a river before them left her fur to slowly mat down against the water amongst her back.

“I don't… know. I've been remembering all sorts of little snippits, but I can't get the whole picture in my head." Bandit gave her this small smile in reply and looked to the pavement.

“I'm happy to know my Hermana remembers her family. I don't… they left me when I was barely a cub. All I remember was voices… food. They abandoned me because of food, I was blind for a few days because… I was left behind before they opened." Bandit expressed gently and that made Luna's ears fold down “When I finally opened them, I was pacing the woods around LittleRoot and Griffin found me then. By a little cove near the water." She mentioned and smiled “He's a… big… dumb and loveable idiot." Luna flicked her eyes a little.

“He told me… Thief is missing. When he was… hitting the wall." Bandit stopped mid-step and partially growled to herself. It was as though she intended to curse. “We have to find him… Bandit. Please?" The Mightyena tapped her paw on the pavement and continued to wander.

“Moonlight…" She spoke the name in growing silence. “Logan made the Pokeball, but Moonlight's owner helped him. Thief was with Akiyama so somehow the Pokeball sent Thief there. Moonlight must know how it works." She brought up as Luna gently pressed her nose against her back. Her eyes gently flickered against the cold inside of her chest; this swirl of frigid grasps and silken veils which brought her to an abyss within herself which Luna couldn't have the strength to venture through.

Not yet in the least, but with a mutter as silent as Bandit's she brought words past her muzzle. Ones that let Bandit's ears twitch endearingly and smirk.

Just pointless, empty words that Luna herself didn't understand. Words which Luna couldn't place as she spoke to Bandit that Luna remembered Thief in her mind. How she remembered a Growlithe that did nothing more but collect sand dollars on the beach with herself and her sister on a bright chilly day during a month that held no meaning to herself.

**_Just a month before a coming winter and found her world change forevermore beyond it. A change which scared her… enlightened her… and now, in knowledge of only the smallest bit of Griffin's past… Luna felt that stoke of flames and flickers of frost within her spirit.

One that barely began to understand her purpose and that funny, pointless word called hope._**

• Griffin.

It was Moonlights return which left him to warmly greet the exhausted looking Espeon to his arms. To hold up the Espeon with a gentle smile and a laugh which left Nurse Joy to stare at him.

“Thank you for leaving him with us. He's beyond healthy, if anything I'd say a proper diet will help." Griffin furred his brow and laughed a little

“You've mentioned that before…" He'd express, and Nurse Joy gave him this scolded look

“Because you feed them human food… We all know that now." She'd state, and it left Griffin a little open jawed before he'd clear his throat; face red and embarrassed from her comment, especially with other ears in the center. The door opened which left him to turn towards Misty. The tightness of his breath left himself to nod as she gave him this stare and then looked down towards Luna and Bandit.

Luna was fast asleep.

“I've never seen a Fire Type swim like that." She brought up after a moment of silence… “And it used an ice type move? How did you train it… like that?" Misty asked, and Griffin nervously twitched his leg.

“W – well…. I didn't. I caught her out by Pewter. Well not exactly, Bandit caught her… my…" He went silent and looked down at the Mightyena with this small nod. “The first…" Griffin shook his head “No sorry." He began more confidently as Misty shrugged her shoulders with a sag.

“My second, caught Pokemon; a Growlithe tried to give her food. Bandit caught them." Griffin expressed “Then you know what? I let Luna follow us, I brought her to a Pokemon Center in Pewter, challenged the Gym where SHE fought there too all without me properly catching her." Griffin explained and gave a smile “She's… constantly confusing me" A gentle sincere laugh passed by his lips and he could feel Bandit's eyes on him, but the look of her face was something he couldn't tell of. All he knew was that it lost its edge… barely. “I'm not the greatest trainer, or even a trainer… really. I simply… want to travel with friends, make friends and…" Griffin trailed off for a moment, much to Misty's confusion but it left him to nod and laugh. “I might remind you of a friend… But you remind me of someone too, Misty. Someone I want to remember by becoming a Trainer." It was a flicker of silence which left Griffin to breathe in air through his nostrils, something which left his chest to gently heave as though dramatically. Misty simply scoffed a little, laughed to herself and gave Griffin the badge; his badge.

“You won, there's no doubt about that. Griffin." Misty said with a nod “I hope you get the chance to remember everything you want to… by becoming a trainer." Griffin nodded

“And I hope you get the chance to see your friends again, and soon. You miss them too." Griffin expressed and took the badge before waving to Misty and setting his Pokemon into the center. He'd wait with Moonlight, only to find that Misty hadn't left yet, something which made him swallow gently and clear his throat. “I thought you… left already." Misty simply shook her head left and right

“I will be. To Hoenn soon enough. You're right, I want to remember them too. To see them" Misty explained and smirked “I've already passed your winnings through the Pokedex." She'd explain and nod before she muttered something. Something that left Griffin a little silent. “Best of luck… Remembering, Griffin." She'd explain and leave as something stirred in his lap.

Moonlight rolled from his stomach to his back to show off his belly; something which Griffin met with a praise of pets as he waited for the sound of the bell from the center.

Griffin would make the loop back around to Celadon shortly after, curtesy of the transit link. Yet it was this swirl of memories that surrounded him in his mind. Memories which, like that of Moonlights, left that familiar sting of guilt and pain. Memories, that like Luna, drove him to feel even the slightest flame of hope… And memories, like Bandit and Thief, which made them stronger and able to break out in the truest of smiles.

One that let him take off a mask as he'd do nothing but stare at a camera on a tripod with strangers and shadows around him. One that left him to stare at the lens and the countdown of a red blinking light accompanied by a voice which was… alien to him by now. One that left him to smile to the sound of their voice and do nothing more but leave a faded tear to fall from his eye.

Just one, which he knew meant he'd need to shed more of them.

If only to have the strength to say, nothing more then three simple words and one little name again… to say if filled with hope and the truest of honest promises. Griffin solely saw the flash in his eyes that blinded him; the shutter of the camera, the flicker of the forest – a forest of the finest of details where a cove enriched with forgotten treasures to the mind of a child forever lay in his memories.