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Luna and Thief Chapter 21: The Upcoming Battle!

Their dinner went by slowly, tediously or at least that's how it felt to Griffin. The sirens felt like they'd grow closer, all sorts of lights flickered in this slow burning sunset that hovered over the ocean nearby them. He fe lt small and powerless as everything happened. Yet Natasha, Brad and even Melody just continued to chat.

“I guess the Gym is closed then…" Melody mentioned and nodded, it was strange watching Natasha's Leafeon study her now, even more so then Griffin. Yet from time to time he'd glance at Moonlight whom was still staring pointlessly at some old, discolored fabric.

Where did he get that!? Griffin went to reach a hand down to him, and the Espeon flinched. Hardly any of his Pokemon were eating, in fact he knew there was some tense, underlying air that slithered between them. Luna gave him a studious glance and Griffin returned the look. A hand reached up as though to inspect the bandages on his neck, but he held his hand, hovered it over the table and went for his utensils.

“L – Let's eat, everyone! You're all starving you must be by now! So, eat!" It was abnormal watching all of them stare at him. Griffin only tried to swallow.

They have leverage on you Griffin. He'd watch them back, then stand up out of his chair. “Look!" He seemed to pull off an unexciting and commanding voice, one that made Natasha, Brad and Melody stare at him, nearly stunned. “All of you are going to eat! We're not leaving here until all of you do!"

I'm getting worked up again? What's with this feeling? They're all just… either staring at me or away from one another… It feels like some big fight has gone on…

His Vulpix stared at him, Bandit gave him a little snarl and Griffin gave her a glance. “Stop and eat!"

“Jesus… he went all rank on them…" Natasha giggled

“They're just… it feels too tense for a family dinner!"

Brad, Melody and Natasha gave each other looks.

“What…?" Griffin shook his head

Why am I getting mad?

“It's too tense for a friendly dinner…" He'd correct himself and talk quickly in reply, making it seem like the two words were easy to mistake… making it seem like his accent was playing on them. Natasha's Leafeon shot a Vinewhip at Griffin, it tapped him on the stomach. This time, it wasn't a firm annoying tap, but more like a curious poke. Griffin looked at them “Yeah… that's right, We're all hungry! Even Leafeon is telling us to eat, so let's eat!" Griffin mentioned in his surprisingly firm tone and that just left everyone to stare at him again. He just sat down and began to eat his food. “… Maybe later I can cook instead… alright? So, bear with this all for now." Griffin muttered under his breath and continued to eat. For whatever reason, he only gave them a partial glance as if to stare at Bandit and Marill. They were all divided away from one another. Absol split up Shadow and Bandit with Moonlight on her left. Marill split up Bandit and Luna and Scarf split Luna and Moonlight apart. They were all just eating in a circle quietly to themselves. On Natasha's side was her Pokemon, it was this complete contrast. They were all happily eating, yipping and talking. The only one that really didn't was Yuny and Griffin caught Tsurara give her a growl. It was like Sephiran was there mediator, his ribbons tapped the Glaceon against her side to stop her. Akamaru just ate and it almost appeared like he was talking with the little Eevee now. Now that Yuny was tired out from earlier that day.

Leafeon, on the other hand, simply stared up at Griffin. He looked down at the cream colored Leafeon curiously.

“…"

They both just exchanged glances. “Did… you want to try some?" Natasha gave Griffin a roll of her eyes.

“Clearly he does, Pokemon mooch… but you wouldn't know that. I never would have thought a move like Baby-Doll eyes worked THAT well on you." Griffin sighed and simply stared at Leafeon.

“I… don't get it, but…" They both tilted their heads at one another. “I just… feel like I've promised to." The Leafeon now tilted his head the opposite way and made a noise, Griffin looked at his plate, found some parts that he thought the Leafeon would eat and brought it down to him. “It's Salmon… lemon, and some other fruits. It also has oregano; parsley and I think a hint of pepper." Griffin mentioned “My guess is that it was rubbed and cooked directly over a fire…" Leafeon gave it a hesitant sniff, and then nipped the piece of salmon from his hand. “I also asked for light seasoning… just in case…" Natasha's forehead hit an empty spot on the table.

“I swear Griffin… if they, in any way, start mooching for human food, I'll throw you into the port here…" Griffin nervously chuckled and looked at her as Brad and Melody laughed together. It was weird, watching them both laugh and exchange glances before staring the opposite way from one another. Yet with everyone finally giving more laughs, talking about some of their travels and the sunset still burning strongly, Griffin finally found himself to smile. He went to open his mouth… That Leafeon stared at him. As though trying to say…

That he could trust them too, that he didn't need to lie to himself… That he could accept it.

But Griffin gave a ragged sigh and went back to eating. Just listening to these great adventures they've all had.

“I've won several beauty contest ribbons in Johto!" Melody said with a laugh “Smokey is wonderful with them!" She'd mention and give a wry grin “Even though I can't see it too well…" Natasha giggled

“We should get you contacts! I bet if we all find a way to get the money together, we can all make it work!" She'd mention, and Brad nodded too.

“Worst comes to worst, we can have a look at glasses! Since you're from Kalos Natasha, I bet you know of the best fashions that'll work with her!" Melody went a little quiet and muttered something. Griffin furred a brow.

She just said that she doesn't like doctors. Griffin stared for a second.

“What? Melody what did you say?" Melody perked up her head

“Oh? It's nothing, I just think I'd look like a big geek!" Brad laughed and snickered

“The geek look is cute!" She then gave Houndoom a look and the Houndoom huffed a thick cloud of smoke. He felt like Brad's praise was distasteful, but it left Melody to smile nervously.

“I really… don't know, I've haven't really put them on for years…" Melody mentioned.

“I…" Brad started up. “I… actually need glasses too, or at least in school I wore them. I had troubles seeing the paper on my desk from my seat." Brad mentioned and went through his pouch with a smile. “I actually have the biggest and nerdiest pair out there. Like Wizard glasses if anything! But I mean at least those had some class to them." Natasha, Griffin and Melody gave him a look as he pulled out a glasses case. “I'm far sighted myself, but…" Brad pulled out the pair. They were this candy colored set of glasses, like those cheap reading glasses. All in all it almost looked like a 'discount bin' pair, the kind some cartoon character wore. Natasha slowly opened her mouth and Griffin swallowed.

I… would not have liked to wear THOSE in school

“It's been years since I had my prescription checked, and since I can see things far away just fine, I never had much of a problem. My eyes may have gotten better over the years too." Brad mentioned “I guess they're like muscles, right? You stay in a tight room for too long, eventually they get weak right? Well at least my doctor said these were like weights for them. I never understood it." But… He honestly put them on without delay.

Brad evolved into the biggest, nerdiest lanky person Griffin ever saw in his life. Natasha covered her mouth and breathed through her nose and Griffin simply left his jaw open.

Brad had thick, light brown hair – nearly like the inside of an oak tree. He also had a slate blue eye color, stood just under six feet with a defined chin. If anything, he could have been described as a jock. Tamely attractive, kind and smart. If it weren't for his lankier build… Griffin could have seen him as a sports player.

“Did… you play sports in school? Brad's eyes lit up

“Actually I did, Soccer and Hockey!" He mentioned and smiled before blinking firmly and fiercely. Those glasses on the other hand, looked like something out of a bad indie start up on the internet. They contrasted everything. “God… okay no, this prescription is WAY out now… everything feels like it's spinning." Melody took a much closer look at him, as if seeing him more clearly from head to toe and then started laughing.

“Oh my god… anything but those glasses!" She'd say and then eat some more of her food.

Melody had this wonderfully blonde hair for a Japanese teenager, the kind that Griffin would see in markets on the cover of magazines. She had these wonderfully dark eyes that gave off a bluish hue from certain angles. In fact, Melody caught him staring a little. She swallowed, politely covered her mouth. “Are you okay?"

Griffin's face went red and he turned over to his Pokemon for a moment.

“A – Absolutely fine…" Natasha made a little sound and rolled her eyes. They both seemed to give each other looks then.

Unlike Melody, whom grew her hair out and gently bundled it up there was Natasha. She instead had this fiery short hair, the kind that a wannabe tomboy would crave for. The wild dark brown-red hair flickered in the sunsets light. A dark, thick and glossy hair which was accented from her brown eyes that hinted a touch of grey around the inner ring. Natasha shot him a sneer and Griffin immediately looked the other way.

“While you're staring, you mind directing yourself to the closest mirror? It'll make you laugh…" Natasha recoiled from his gazes and Griffin swallowed while he stared down at his plate. He went back to eating his food and from time to time, broke off a piece for Leafeon. Unlike them, Griffin had this sandy blonde hair with bright green eyes which, for him, contrasted terribly with his darker skin tone. He had a naturally tanned color but unlike his brothers and cousins, he was the one stuck with thick sandy hair and this eye color from his great, great grandfather…

They always told him it meant good luck. Griffin kept eating slowly and finally went to look out at the sea.

It's… Griffin swallowed nervously at his own thoughts. It's like eating lunch at school again… for me at least… But this time I have friends to talk to and nothing to say.

“H…" He drank some water. “I mean… so what kind of movies do you all like?" Griffin asked “I mean… I know it's sort of weird… or… well…" Brad started to laugh

“What's got you so nervous? This is a crazy time! The whole city is out, I mean look at the view…" Brad sighed “That right there, that's almost a once in a lifetime deal. City is blacked out and the sunset is here…" He'd laugh and give Aura a bite of his food. In fact, she ate it off from his fork… slowly.

It nearly seemed uncomfortable to watch, so Griffin gave his Pokemon another glance.

They were eating as slowly as he was.

“Just… stupid stuff I guess." Griffin expressed quietly, and Melody continued eating quietly. “But, seriously I mean… I know we're all doing this huge travel thing, but we could all watch a movie. I mean there's bound to be one out or coming out that looks exciting!" Melody tossed Griffin a look.

“Are… you okay? Griffin?" He felt his back quiver. There was something in her tone as though she could easily read through him. He just swallowed, made a sound that could have been a whimper and glanced at her.

“Of course he's fine, it's how he always acts." Melody looked at Natasha.

“Yes… I know." Griffin continued to eat his food with a look that made him think

That's the problem… and Brad looked at him now before slowly putting down his fork. There was this dividing line between them, one that Brad seemed to recognize suddenly, it's as though Melody brought it up right away… Griffin felt his heart pick up…

N… Not yet… I can't… at all. Don't push me. Griffin felt the thoughts race against his skull and he just focused on eating, swallowing nervously as Brad looked at him… he stared at him for a while and then smiled.

“Yeah, Griffin, that actually sounds like a fun idea. I doubt Aura has ever seen one, maybe we can find a decent movie and sneak our Pokemon in!" Griffin stopped eating for a second and Natasha huffed.

“That sounds like the stupidest idea I've ever heard." She commented and as she was, thinking to herself and chatting about how they'd get caught, and how they'd explain getting caught over something that dumb, Brad was busy on his phone, typing away. Eventually as Griffin was eating Natasha checked her phone too and he glanced at them both. Natasha made a face at the screen.

“Are you both texting each other about me?" Griffin asked, and Brad gave a guilty look.

“You know… When I was a kid I remember having these huge birthday parties… you know? The kind where you have all of these friends around you, some that you don't even know…" Brad mentioned and went for his glass of water… It left Griffin uncomfortable, he'd shift in his chair restlessly.

I really don't get what you mean. The only friends that ever came to my birthdays were my brother and my cousin. Griffin felt as though his own mind was betraying him.

“Right… Well they're wonderful! You have your family and friends there after all!" Griffin mentioned and swallowed… if things kept going this way, his food would go cold. He'd take a glance back at him to see his Pokemon.

Luna had already finished her food and with plenty of sass, turned the other way to look at the water.

Scarf had already happily eaten everything and talked to Marill whom was groggy but had finished too.

Bandit and Shadow both exchanged glances from time to time but didn't make a peep. They were halfway done.

Absol was finished and curiously stared at Luna, in fact she walked up to the Vulpix and gently put a paw on her. Luna spun around to face her, but it felt as though this cold, sassy and ignorant look melted away when Absol began licking her tails and running her paws through them. Griffin watched them for a minute and then glanced Moonlight.

He hadn't taken a bite and only stared at that scarf… The colors were faded, but it was still clearly light and dark purple with black streaks running through it, speckled with tiny black dots throughout the colors. The Espeon just pointlessly stared at it. Griffin pushed his chair back. “Give me a second… Brad." He'd say and walk past the white, wooden frame of the porch. The kind that was well polished and gave off that old timely feel, something authentic and real which carefully held its vigil against a calm and beautiful sea of ocean water. Griffin stepped over to the Espeon, it didn't even turn to face him. He'd first crouch down, then sit with his legs curled to get lower.

He felt the looks on his back and yet Griffin felt as though this was more important. Slowly he chased a hand, his fingers through Moonlights fur. That scarf was simply sitting in his paws as though he were cradling it intently… Griffin simply and gently went to touch it and Moonlight snarled violently.

A blood wrenching snarl, a vicious, dangerous kind that made Bandit twitch and stare at him closely. Leafeon flinched too and glanced their way with more intensity then before.

“You can't carry it…" Griffin mentioned and gently pushed his hands forward, Moonlight snarled that way again.

“Griff!" Natasha commented, and Melody stared at the blobs away from her, trying to read the situation. “Don't be an idiot! Clearly he doesn't want anything near it." Griffin didn't even swallow.

“You don't want to lose it right?" Griffin said, and Moonlight turned to look at him. His sharp purple-pink eyes felt flooded… weak… Griffin couldn't ignore it any longer and slowly put his hand out. “I won't take it away… I'll put it on you." He said without a smile but just with a friendly voice. “I promise… Moonlight."

His fingers barely grazed it, grazed a tassel with a caress that made Moonlight stare at his hand. The kind of look that made him feel lost; scared and every desire to tear Griffin's hand apart. Griffin slowly, lovingly, took it out of Moonlights paws and Moonlight turned to face him. In seconds Griffin slowly tied the long scarf around Moonlight neck, first by folding it in half and feeding it through an open loop. A simple Parisian knot. It snuggly fit around Moonlights neck, leaving the two ends to rest against his chest where the tufts from its round bobbles danced in the spring air. A life filled dance which left Moonlight to glare down at the tassels… Griffin gave a happy grin. “See, now come eat." He'd say with a warm voice… a voice that didn't even feel fake to himself. “You'll need to be well fed." Griffin mentioned, and Moonlight just stared…

Stared at a young boy that foolishly hated Pokemon... Stared at a title that Griffin could only disagree with, the kind that told Moonlight Griffin proudly saw Pokemon as every bit human as himself.

• Logan

It was the burning and slowly dying sunlight which told him that it would surely became freezing. He closely pulled his jacket together and partially tilted his hat with a smile. The burning sun was ahead of them, slowly rolling down the mountain as though to greet them. They had made wonderful time and pace, hardly taking a break throughout the whole day except for the rare snack and drink. Here everyone was experienced and still well rested.

“Shadow has been gone for a while Logan." He turned to Trevor and smiled

“I'm sure he's with Bandit, I've already explained the software." He'd mention “I just… almost wish Ayumu and I could make it this real for them" Trevor gave a laugh

“They'd never leave if that were the case." He'd mention, and Logan optimistically laughed.

“That level of detail, Ayumu and I are planning to use it for sick Pokemon. Those that are restless, that can't be out here." Logan let on. “And… with Hermano testing it all, a new enough trainer. I just know it'll change everything." Logan was grinning, this stupid childish and confident grin now. As though all his worries were like the breeze around them, as if he were that fluid. Charmander gave a sneeze and it left Rebecca to giggle.

“Practicing again?" She'd ask playfully and Charmander gave a huge smile. Logan laughed too.

“Allergies?" Logan asked, and Rebecca shrugged

“I'm assuming, but yes. He's always done this outside… except during winter, so I'm guessing it's from the heat and the pollen." Rebecca explained “And he's been checked out at many centers too. His basic checkups are absolutely fine!" She said again with a happy grin. “Not bad for an egg I hatched!"

Trevor and Logan gave each other a look.

“Hey, why don't you let your spirit out?" Logan chuckled

“Still going on with that?" Trevor noted

“As long as you don't start singing some Bryan Adams, I'll be fine." Trevor gently tapped Logan's arm with his fist

“Shuddup, that movie was awesome, and you know it!" Logan giggled

“Get a Rapidash then, or even a Blitzle!" He'd chuckle, and Rebecca gave a giggle.

“What movie?" They both looked at each other and just began to laugh.

“It's a dumb American cartoon movie!" Logan commented, and Trevor nervously glanced at him.

“It was good! I remember you talking about it WAY too much!" They both laughed and kidded about their childhood…

“All this talk… I want to call Griffin." Logan casted his head down and shoved his hands into his pockets, but his smile didn't fade. Trevor gave a slow nod.

“He just still needs time… maybe… next year you should all go back home." Trevor mentioned “Hell, Rebecca and I will come with! Hey Rebecca!" Trevor turned his head to her

“I'm right here you, doofus!" Rebecca recoiled playfully

“You wanna come with all of us to Mexico?" Trevor mentioned with a grin and Logan tapped his shoulder, as if giving Trevor a shove. For two adults, now they acted like rowdy children.

“If she wants, I don't mind at all! Everyone there would love to meet her!" Rebecca idly laughed

“Before we get lost, check the map again you too! Let's get a little serious!" She'd express, and Logan took the map out.

_There's no way we can get lost. This is like fate… everything on Griffin's end is somehow connected, so I'll do everything I can to protect him _

Logan double checked the map and bearing, this time checking his math with Rebecca overlooking his shoulder.

“Wrong."

“What?"

“Subtract Seventeen degrees, the mountain we passed by has a magnetic field that runs all through Hoenn. I remember reading that." Trevor gave her a look

“Wait… when?" Trevor asked with a sneaky grin.

“Oh… Uhm…" They both gave each other looks “Well… It's boring sometimes okay! I have a computer! So I thought some studying would be a good thing…" Rebecca mentioned.

“What kind of doctor are you?" Trevor stuck out his tongue and Rebecca gave him a firm look.

“The kind that might just work with Search and Rescue! Or even Pokemon! Who knows when I'd need to know how to read a damn map!" Rebecca recoiled firmly, and Trevor laughed

“I didn't realize I paid you for extra reading!" He stuck out his tongue and she rolled her eyes

“Oh stop… without me you wouldn't have the building!" Logan saw Trevors shoulders drop and he playfully grabbed his hair, like they always did.

“Right… Well the whole cheque book thing is really hard." Trevor laughed “And I mean investing? Making my money make money?" Trevor tossed up his hands and fitted them behind his head. Walking down the trail with his elbows pointed forward “I just don't get it." Rebecca giggled

“Look at you, acting so cute!" He stopped, mid-step; foot hardly touching the ground.

“Oh? Well… I have to say the sunset really brings out your hair. It's like a gentle tree, something unique and beautiful. Like a Sakura tree that always blooms… Or a maple tree in the fall…" Rebecca tossed her look away.

“Stop… I meant to say nerdy…" Logan scoffed and laughed with delight

“They'd absolutely LOVE to meet her Trevor!" Trevor sheepishly smiled to Logan's reply and watched Logan as he went back to the map.

“We're off a bit… let's head…" He read the Compass again with his new bearing. “We're nearly heading north west north now. We must be getting much closer!" Logan mentioned. Rebecca was a rich ginger, hair that was thick, warm – the kind that looked like a beautiful tree, so Trevor was nowhere near being off. As for Trevor, the guy with thinner sandy hair. It was longer unlike Griffin's and since they were related on their mother's side; the Japanese side of the family, he looked much different than them both. Not only that, but he had black eyes, or near black eyes and was the kind of guy that could push a train around. If there was a part of his body that wannabe professional boxer could build, he'd do it.

“Your starry eye'd Logan?" Trevor asked and laughed, and then flexed his pecs as a joke, one after another. It left Logan to laugh like hell.

“No, no, GOD NO." He couldn't stop laughing, it was always something that did. That near hulk like grin and the way he just posed…

If there was a word to explain it, that word had to be like 'cringe' and 'comedy' in the same sentence. They both just laughed with Rebecca howling in the background.

“You both are just… God…" She couldn't stop giggling and Trevor sheepishly grinned again. He was this easily expressible fellow.

“I'd say, hit nightfall we should find the wall dividing the Forbidden Forest with this one." Logan mentioned and had a glance at his Pokeballs. On his belt, he had four of them that were normal Pokeballs and two that were his special ones.

“You do need a name for them… The Pokeballs I mean." Trevor mentioned “It could be simple, like a Software Ball?" Logan gave him a look and grinned

“Not bad for a start! I mean, Pokeworld is still a trial name, so calling it a Software Ball isn't a bad idea for now." Logan noted “Especially when we're putting so much into it."

“Anything wrong so far?" Trevor asked

“The Safety Program has some errors still. I think it has something to do with not having Admin control… but we don't want a Hal three thousand for Pokemon." Logan started laughing to himself. “But we don't really know one hundred percent. All it does is regulate the biomes, like temperature and alert the user to things it finds, like Pokemon hunger, dehydration… emotion soon enough." Logan thought to himself “In fact, I think reading emotion is another very tough error for it too." He'd mention “But it doesn't do anything beyond that so far."

“That's neat! How?"

“SD cards. The Pokeballs have a moisture collector, a water-cooled fan and a huge collection of space thanks to external storage. I put the newest SDUC cards in them, each one has… two terabytes." Logan mentioned

“Holy shit Logan? What are you storing on that!?" Trevor asked, “That must cost a fortune!"

“The software, backups, it nearly has its own computer OS loaded onto them and all the SDUC's are designed to work together – that's the firmware we loaded onto them, plus it's designed to use data from the Leagues Transmissions. I announced it last year at a technology convention in Kalos. They LOVED it. In fact, they're helping out too." Logan mentioned and nodded “The only issue… is heating. Trainers can't use them in frigid conditions or below zero conditions. Even with the snowy biome inside the Pokeball, that can be regulated easily, but outside cold? The Pokeball is useless, in fact it'll pop the safety."

“A digital safety?"

“A manual, it swells, like a gland almost." Trevor mentioned “It immediately pops a very easy manual safety for the Pokeballs. It also has a digital safety too and works like an open gate. A pokemon wants to leave it, it can… unlike these ones" He held up a normal Pokeball from his belt “That said… you shouldn't try to catch wild Pokemon with the Software Ball." Logan grinned “Name pending."

“You're like a walking advertisement Logan…" Rebecca quipped, and Logan laughed loudly, cheerfully

“Great! Did I make a sale!?" It left both Rebecca and Trevor to laugh. “Well… we only have made twenty so far. Griffin has ten, I believe, and I have his other two, Ayumu has the rest of them." Logan said.

“That's… crazy. A full year and only twenty Pokeballs?" Logan nodded after Rebecca chatted

“We're covering as much as possible, even Pokemon Breeding. The Pokeballs can hold food, items and even eggs safely along with Pokemon."

“What… about all the safety there?" Trevor asked, “I mean… what's the WORST thing?"

“Well, it's a grey area there still. But the Pokemon's safety is completely guaranteed. Everything living is." Logan mentioned. “The rest, I'm guessing get's stuck somewhere. It could be inside of a deactivated ball or end up at the fastest connection possible or back at Ayumu's lab." Logan mentioned “Pokemon are the top priority, it's not like they're made out of digital code and can be brought back…" Logan shook his head. “There's also multiple safeties, so everything is one hundred percent safe. That was what we spent the entire year working on… non-stop too." Logan nodded while they walked. “It'll be amazing when it's done, we're going to literally change the default Pokeball with it." Logan said confidently. “Just as soon as we figure out what's going on…"

They walked along the path, joking and kidding; pushing themselves around. Logan chuckled and smiled too.

So long as we play everything cautiously, we'll be fine. We can't do anything completely brash and reckless. Logan thought to himself I'll be sure of that, we'll all get out of this completely fine!

Something buzzed in his Pocket and after a second of hesitating, Logan checked his Pokedex.

*By the way… Logan, your “Father" called. He's curious about the digsite again… I really don't get why you call him that, given the circumstances. Either way, he mentioned that he bought something for a certain friend. That said… it took me a while to get this up, but the lab got spiked. Every computer is down… It disrupted the software for the Pokeballs. Shadow and Marill aren't with you now, they're with Griffin…* Logan glanced at the message for a moment and swallowed. He felt the hairs perch on his back, before his Pokedex buzzed again. *He's taking a vehicle out to Hoenn… he knows where you're headed… somehow, I don't get what's with you two, last time I checked, you were at each other's throats so that doesn't make sense to me… I guess some members of Team Rocket or Magma catch your attention? That's a dangerous game Logan…* Logan gave a nervous swallow and kept walking down the road… his finger anxiously tapped his Software ball. Another buzz came to his Pokedex after it wiped itself clean. *I don't trust him… He has that look about him, that smell about him. I don't even think he's a Team member but more like a real terrifying human… if you can even call him that. Just… don't trust him, Logan… but he's overlooking something in Hoenn suddenly. Chasing ghosts maybe?*

Logan pocketed his Pokedex.

“That's like the seventh time you've done that over the past couple of days, Logan." Trevor mentioned, and Logan shot him a glance “What are you doing?" He gave a grin, this odd and surprisingly calm one at that. “You ARE a Pokedex…"

“Nothing… we might just have a little back up. Ayumu has been using my Pokedex to contact me." Logan admitted. “So, we'll all be fine for sure now!"

“Were we not before? Logan?" Trevor asked firmly now. “I know you're dig site was attacked, you told us that earlier… Exactly WHAT happened? In detail, Logan." Logan swallowed when he asked that. They both looked at each other in a very tense standoff that made him shake.

“It's… my problem." Logan mentioned, chilled and frigid. “I can't… just tell you everything Trevor."

“You're kidding, right?" Trevor said. “Look man, I get the whole Team Magma and Aqua thing, I've dealt with them too, but what… or who…?" Logan flinched when Trevor said 'Who' and only studied his face. “This IS still a Criminal Team, right? My gym was attacked by some lunatic that tried to attack me not my Pokemon. Team Magma does that… but not trying to poison a human with a Pokemon." Logan swallowed again and sighed.

“ Again… it's why I wanted to leave you both at Little Root. I really only plan to check out this one thing, and get the hell out… get home after our loop… But…. Okay, here we go." Logan sighed and started at the beginning of that day, how his team found something, and how he called a friend about it to inform him. How he barely got off the phone when he heard the first gunshot… And how this unknown group targeted them for that fossil. He described to them the drawing, mentioning that Trevor had already seen it, then mentioned the conversation with Corey he had before he went downstairs. “Worst of all… somehow Griffin got involved. It seems to be the case – he was attacked by a trainer… Ayumu told me earlier today about their phone call, he sent some of his researchers down there and they brought back DNA from a Pokemon they've never seen…"

Along with Mew… but that's not important… right?

“What… the… Logan?" Trevor asked with a nervous swallow and glanced at Rebecca.

“It's a Pokemon that… if it's what they think it is… Akiyama was in the middle of checking over what they brought back when his server got tagged with something… he's just got everything up and running on his end… but his lab…." Trevor cautiously sighed

“What do they think it is Logan? I mean… you just told me these guys running around are acting like they're waging a war for these… things? I thought this was some small team?"

“Ayumu… he believes it's a Foreign type of Ditto, or maybe something similar." Trevor gave a sigh and paced in a circle for a minute. “There's a ton of details that even I don't understand, the genome profiling and the data now is lost. All I know, from Akiyama, is that Griffin had a run in with it."

“Rebecca you… need to go back." Trevor commented while he glanced at her, and she gave him a look.

“What? Fuck no!" She'd recoil “Your cousin is in danger! Or he could be, I'm not backing down from that!" Trevor put his foot down

“These people have machine guns?! How the hell do they have them? Here!? It's Nihojin! We can barely get an air rifle! We shouldn't even be out here considering that! I thought Charles was shot with a handgun…" Rebecca swallowed with worry as Logan pulled out a gold plated lighter.

“They threw me this… it says Underworld. They're part of some American made team."

“What team?" Trevor tilted his head and studied the lighter. It was made in the USA, a Zippo model.

“Cerberus, according to Corey. He's been following this for too long… crazy old man." Logan breathed slowly, and Trevor tilted his head again, made a face where his eyebrows furled.

“Yeah… I've heard of them, it's like a bunch of young punks that read some stupid story about a Pokemon that can bring the dead back." Trevor mentioned “They started some team devoted to them, acted up, and the police shut them down within a year. All of the leaders got arrested. They only brought in small guns, like cheap pistols and drugs. I remember reading that on a chat forum recently actually, I remember laughing my ass off over a coffee. They plastered themselves on social media like… well like a bunch of new generation idiots! And this was years ago, when we were young kids... Griffin would have been less than a year." Trevor said while giving Logan a firm look. “And you're telling me… that they suddenly have some huge territorial takeover in the background of the other criminals? That they're some… terrorist group?"

“I nearly think it's all connected. I mean, imagine if a Pokemon could do THAT? If that is the case anybody would want one. Team Rocket, Magma, Aqua… all of them if there are more." Rebecca frowned a bit.

“That doesn't make sense…" She'd say

“What part of it? I mean it barely does to me either…" Logan mentioned and swallowed

There's still something missing, something more to all of this… Plus there's the Miasma, or the gas Ayumu keeps talking about, I remember that… and the body count, it doesn't make sense at all… These people could've killed my entire team… We…

“The name. I mean if they're talking about bringing dead Pokémon back… why would they name themselves over a creature that guarded the gates of the underworld? It's basic Greek Mythology… Cerberus only let in one living soul and let one dead soul leave with them, and even then, the man still failed only proving it's impossible to bring the dead back." Logan snapped out of his thoughts and Trevor shot him a glance.

“I think… you're reading too much into it, Rebecca." Logan mentioned, and she huffed a little.

“And I think you both are ludicrous, running in here like this anyways!" She'd comment. “And I must be crazy because I'm going with you. If it's just this ONE thing that we're looking at, and then we're hoofing it out of here, great. I'll head back to Kalos after, see my parents for a bit. Keep quiet… Anyways" She'd say “I can't just back down when there's a child involved, Griffin just turned sixteen… he's basically a kid!" Trevor nodded.

“If it's that insane, then it makes sense… Logan and I should make our way to Kanto. Check up on Griffin after." Trevor expressed “Anyways, I bet you need to check on the Software Balls he has."

“He'll hate that…" Trevor shrugged

“So what? Anyways, you're the Champion of Hoenn!"

“Not really… I tried to keep up with the status but… The old champion is still filling in for me."

“The International Trainers Event is going on… You can be a guest of honor! It'll get you in and close to Griffin and I can just be there to show support. It makes sense to me!" Trevor mentioned quickly. “So let's get there, get this done and get the hell out. In fact, I bet there is nothing there but some old notes we can hand over to Ayumu or the authorities and they can deal with this." Trevor said, and Logan nodded with him.

“Let's just play this safe, find his cabin and anything in it. He LOVES to hide stuff, so check the floorboards if there are any." Logan mentioned “But we still have some ways to go." Logan said again, and they started walking again, this time with his hands deep into his pockets.

That's exactly right, we'll find this thing, whatever it is… if there is anything and get out. It's that easy. If not, you're welcome Corey… we'll clean the place up for you.

• Luna.

You understand… that he can't come with you, right?

It rang through her mind on repeat, over and over again. It had been that way for hours.

He can't, because he left unwillingly. He is not a normal Growlithe, Maiden. There is no place for him there…There never was… all that's left for him is pain beyond his own understanding. Pain… that he forgot and will always continue to forget.

She tsked to herself and stared down at the ground bitterly, caught within hundreds of thoughts as Absol slowly ran her paws against those tails again.

He… He's completely normal, just quirky… weird. Naïve. Luna thought to herself and glanced out at the sea. Even there, she couldn't remember anything from home, only the bare minimum she was shown. It left the Vulpix to bitterly sigh and glance at the burning sun with anger in her eyes. The little Vulpix bite her lip and felt her tails flare outward. What kind of entitled ass gets to choose that!?

“Stop growling to yourself, it'll ruin your composure." Absol mentioned and Luna sighed.

“I'm… just…" Absol suddenly and gently ran her claws against Luna's back, untangling all sorts of knots and tied ends. Luna felt her back go rigid and stiff.

“You need to vent about something." Absol studiously mentioned while crossing through Luna's straightened tails.

“L – Let's say… you can go somewhere. Wonderful… maybe even perfect."

“There's no such place, especially if those you love aren't with you." Absol quietly smiled “That's what it's about right? You really are a pup, no different than the one back in Lilycove… no different than the one back in Cerulean City." Absol softly expressed and ran her claws throughout Luna's red-wood fur. She took a glance over at Leafeon. That Leafeon only stared at her intently and eventually she just mouthed a

Change your perspective slowly. The Leafeon somberly shook his head no to her and it left Luna to slump.

“Don't slouch. You want to show off exactly how strong you are." Absol said and Luna went to look at her, they met gazes and she sighed.

“Alright… since this makes you happy right?" Absol nodded and passed a warm, tiny smile as Luna straightened out her back and shoulders.

“Very much so. Someone of my age needs something to do, it keeps the thought of death away." Absol mentioned “I really only have a few good years left." She'd comment with a smile “I want them to be wonderful, and with that young… foolish…. Stupid and Naïve human, I might just have that." She mentioned and smiled. “And this? This just makes me feel like I'm home again." The Absol obsessively cleaned her and eventually gave a shy gaze. “C… May I?" Luna tilted her head

“Do what?" Absol placed a firm lick over her hair and it left Luna to flinch. Absol gently put a paw on her shoulder and just kept licking Luna's hair. Running her paws through and over it, obsessively cleaning her like a mother would do to her kit. The Vulpix glanced up at her with those amber-brown eyes and eventually just looked out to sea. Leafeon just didn't stop staring at her. There was something… odd, very odd with the way he constantly stared at her. It was surprisingly warm, happy and uplifting. As though…

As though he knew her and watched her grow throughout her life.

Luna felt Absols firm tongue cross against her hair, that wavy thick and straight fur which slowly got slicked up from every strong lick of her tongue.

“You… honestly did this to a human?" Absol made a noise, stopped and nodded

“His parents were never there, they were always too busy, and no one could take care of him. So, I did. I did everything I could for him." She'd mention “He loved me… I was his mother." Absol said and gave a cheery, and utterly sad smile.

“It really made up for the fact that I can't have any of my own… I've tried countless times."

Luna felt her eyes go wide and swallowed to herself.

“W – What about Maiden's Peak? We were both there! The Dragonair healed me, surely she healed you too, and not just those current injuries!" Luna mentioned “Y – You can have cubs of your own! I know you can! Even Nurse Joy has a full scan she was doing on us! All of us! The answer would be there right!?" Luna's tails flickered madly. “You'd make a wonderful mother, Absol!" Luna smiled… And Absol gave her a glance. This… sad, broken glance.

“Even… It's too late. I'm… old. No one wants some old Absol that has nearly a decade left."

“That's nearly a full ten years to raise your own cubs!" Luna expressed and realized that she was holding her breath between every sentence. She huffed in air slowly and swallowed. “You can! …" The Vulpix stuck her paws together. “H – have faith in it… You can have a family!" Absol smiled warmly.

“I may have found one, Luna." Luna just gave her a look.

“What? No! Of course not! We're all friends… Well… Why not both!? You can have one big family instead!" Luna said and stuck her nose to her paws.

Why do I act so… stupid around her. Am I hearing myself? I sound like a dumb confused cub…

“L – Look… I'm just telling you that something like this? You can't pass that up! You could leave at any time with someone you love." Absol quietly looked at her.

“I'm a little too brittle for traveling alone, Luna… Finding a male like that…"

A Pikachu in the background perked an ear for a moment. “That's one in a million, finding one that can make someone like me feel younger. To make someone like me feel… wanted, beautiful. Griffin makes me feel wanted. You make me feel beautiful, Luna… but a male that can make me feel younger? I don't have hope for that…" Luna opened her mouth… and closed it

“Just… a bit of faith wouldn't hurt." She'd comment and Absol giggled

“There's always just a bit… it's the one thing that can't leave you…

That, and the memories of being loved, wanted and strong.

“Quite the cute talk." Bandit mentioned from behind them. She passed a little roll of her eyes, as though all of that was making her sick. The Mightyena rolled her shoulders a little “Even though I can't personally disagree with you, Absol, about your look on faith… I can't agree with it either… Yet, Luna is right."

“Of course I am." Luna replied “If it's what you want, then there's no reason not to have a little bit of faith… I – in fact…" Luna swallowed and tugged at Absols arm “Thief told me that Scarf has been training really hard to impress you… I'm not lying about that. He's been training since he's first seen you. Non-stop too"

“Re… him?" Absol whispered back at her “He's…" She'd swallow nervously now, and Luna started to giggle. “Really?" Bandit gave off her cackle

“It looks like it… this black out could be a real good time to get lost… talk one on one." Bandit hinted and shrugged “But what would I know about cheap tricks like that? It's not like Shadow and I always had to sneak around behind our own trainers back just to bump noses." She'd comment, and Luna giggled

“Now listen to you! I think you might be mushier then I am!" Bandit gave her a snarl

“Shut it! You're still just a little runt and until you can even move me back a millimeter… or from that idiot boyfriend you have… really, he makes a good chair and a better chew toy… I don't think you deserve the right to call me dumb names."

“Mushiest Hermana" Bandit rolled her eyes and growled

“I swear to god, being with Shadow sometimes makes me all… Maybe I shouldn't have told you that at all…"

“You mean like it's supposed to feel right?" Luna giggled “Except… he's…"

“Except now… I'm just timid. You're obviously submissive to him." Bandit noted, and Luna felt her fur rile up “It's what he gets angry about. Mightyena's are pack animals Luna, the males tend to bottle up most of their emotions and explode after, the Females…" She gave a thick fanged toothy grin. “Well, let's say we have all the control over them. Males are always smaller than us…" Bandit expressed and nodded. “Now how about we get Absol and Pikachu alone? It wouldn't hurt for them just to talk, right?" Bandit jaw lowered and Absol gave a giggle

“N – Now wait you both, he is… way too young!" Bandit rolled her eyes

“And what? You don't believe you're some… side piece, do you?" Absol tossed her a growl.

“Hey!" It snarled at Bandit firmly and the Mightyena gave a firm grin and this snarl of her own. “Talk about ruining a happy moment with your foul tongue…"

“I'm telling you, Absol… who cares about your age? You said so yourself, you want yourself to be happy right? Shadow chased his dream, enough that even I eventually said yes. Why don't you?" Bandit gave her infamous little grin. That savage looking kind. “So rather than being some side piece for whatever male peaks your interest, chase one! Anyways he's at least as old as Moonlight, maybe older." Absol growled lowly and Luna looked at them both as the Mightyena walked away…

“I… I'm sure she walked into the conversation mid-way…" Luna swallowed nervously and Absol bitterly stared out at the sea.

“What are you staring at Moss log?" Luna turned to see Bandit bark at Leafeon, the Leafeon simply shrugged and turned back to Natasha, where he sat by her side for now. At that point, they had all finished eating… everyone but Griffin who stared her way… or seemed to. Luna glanced over too, noticing that Leafeon was watching closely.

It was only an Espeon that pointlessly stared up at the sky away from them all. As if he failed to do something so simple, so easy… and that was the only motivation and drive Luna could feel from his heart. Soon, Leafeon moved past her and shot her this eerie glance, that eerie happy smile that left her silent. Luna went to open her mouth and couldn't find the words to say…

_“You mean there's all sorts of Pokemon there!?"

“Even Jirachi tends to flutter there and hide amongst the mountains in its sleep. Every Mythical being has been there, Every Legendary… Every Pokemon. It's what we can call… our own Cradle of life. Our own land between rivers… much like the humans have."

“humans?"

“Yes… they're confusing creatures, lost to themselves… but every now and then there are a very small handful that see past their humanity… or at least are willing to share that humanity with things beyond their comprehension… You should head back now; your mother and father will be worried sick if I keep you too long. I'm only here often on a request for Suicune… he's quite attached to Xerneas and Xerneas to Arceus. It's my life to help them… as is my duty to purify all that which needs it."_

The voices stabbed into her skull unwillingly and she only watched Leafeon sit next to Moonlight, hardly say a word… sniff against that tiny fabric tied around his neck and release a scent… a passionate, wonderful scent. The kind that made Moonlight quiver, shudder and swallow to himself.

“M – Moonlight." Luna felt her own lips move, her legs pass by Absol… Walking up to them both. They just gave her a glance, Moonlight appeared blind to the world… lost towards this never-ending feeling that fluttered around her.

This guilt that stabbed even at her own heart. The kind that made her wonder what she had done wrong in her past. The kind that made her wonder if she was ever so cowardly… that she could barely stand up for a friend…

That she knew absolutely nothing about.

Luna took a gentle step forward as a bright flicker shocked her eyes.

“Hey! The lights are back on!" Griffin mentioned, and Natasha replied

“See you idiot! It's all fine! Anyways… what's with your Espeon? I thought they were supposed to be happy"

“Well… maybe Moonlight has his own issues? Smokey was like that a long time ago, after his mother passed away." Melody mentioned quietly…

“I'm sure he's okay… I don't know what you did Griffin, or why even… I would have taken it away myself, it just looks like some rag to be honest… it could make him sick." Brad perked up

“I don't think so… There's a lot about Pokemon we all don't understand!" Griffin replied in the background

“Yeah but it's all just behaviors… idiot, Pokemon are Pokemon. They don't do anything but BE Pokemon." Natasha expressed, and Luna just stared at Moonlight…

What… aren't you telling us? There's something more… so much more. Luna swallowed and went to take a step forward, but a large fluffy paw cut in front of her. Something that made her freeze…

“He's not ready yet… not for a conversation you want to start with him, Luna." Shadow loomed over her and she felt her whole-body shiver… Luna's eyes went wide and bright as she stared up at the larger, thin and sleek Mightyena “I already tried earlier today… I just know he's lost someone very important to him… and can't let it go." Shadow mentioned and gave a look at Griffin for a second. “Let him be, Luna."

“That Leafeon keeps pushing him" Shadow swallowed and sniffed the air. There was this wonderfully nutty and sweet scent that flickered over his nose. “In some way… I think Leafeon is trying to help him by hurting him." Shadow mentioned “Moonlight does all sorts of things to hurt himself… He's done that since he was with Logan for a while… He is a wonderful Espeon, strange and overly-protective." Shadow said, “He's a wonderful friend, Luna… more so then most might recognize him to be… unlike myself." The Mightyena expressed “So… for what I did… scaring you like that, I'm sorry. There are times where I can't control myself, believe it or not…

Thief is sort of the same way… in fact he's a little bit like all of us in a way. It takes time to learn that and see that past his Naivety."

Luna sighed to herself and watched the two of them stare pointlessly into the sunset sky. Where the clouds were a glowing color of amber and pink… of Autumn and Passion.

“I… need to apologize to him too. I… said some things…"

“What did you remember? Moonlight mentioned that you said you remembered something? What was it?" Luna swallowed to herself.

“A trainer… before Griffin." Luna mentioned. “He used to do all sorts of terrible things to me… I guess Pikachu's Thundershock the other night jolted my memory… so to speak."

“that pun…" Shadow laughed to himself and went stoic. “How much of it do you remember?"

“Enough that whenever I think about it… I feel sick." Shadow glanced at her… “Your thunder fang… pushed me too fast…" And the Mightyena swallowed after.

“Like what?" Luna went silent and simply glanced at him worryingly.

“Like… how I should've evolved by now, but I don't want to." Luna explained. “Like how every time the thought of getting stronger crosses my mind… I can't change myself to do it."

“Evolution just happens sometimes… it's like a reserve of power the harder you train yourself in that state… when the time comes, Luna. Bandit will make sure you're ready to protect everyone you want to."

To protect the things I hold dear to myself, right? Is that why I didn't just leave? Is it that simple? Luna swallowed and glanced at Moonlight…

He… used to be that way, right? Now he… it's like he can't really protect anything dear to him anymore.

• Thief

If there was anything he hated the most… it was not being able to move his mouth. By now, Thief was shoved into another scanner of some sort and stared at some funny vest on the table across from him where a wheel-chaired man swirled a vial of sickly black fluids. He'd mutter to himself about the shelf life and open a container of vials. There was twelve in total, all of them filled with the same mixture of sick looking spray. He'd mention something about the temperature for a moment and then, as though feeling eyes on the back of his head, he'd stare at the Growlithe. On his desk was a picture where this bright daylight fifty-five hundred-watt LED lights flashed out… But Thief saw a folded piece of fabric on that desk…

One that was embed with a moon, a poorly frayed and hand knitted scarf was folded in front of the picture frame. The picture he couldn't see, but it was standing upright proudly as though the first thing in this room, would be that picture. The man had just finished from a phone call… his grizzled grey, five o clock shadow glanced at the Growlithe curiously.

“You kept using ember… sorry for the muzzle" He'd look at a list in his hands “Thief. Five years old, blood type… DEA Five Negative? Hm… That'll need to be checked with other ones if needed..." The man had drawn a little speck of blood from Thief using a tiny and very thin needle after the Growlithe had calmed down. “And with this report… Nurse Joy tells me that you have some interesting components too… and a higher blood count over all." The salt and pepper haired man turned his wheelchair by dropping a single hand to the left wheel and turning the wheel backwards. “I'll have to investigate the DNA sequencing later on…" He'd mention to himself and Thief noticed this little recorder in his other hand. “We haven't formally met… Thief, I am Griffin's Professor, Ayumu."

The room they stood in wasn't like any laboratory that Thief had seen before. Unlike the clean white walls and laminate floors of the Pokemon center, here it was more like a renovated basement, in fact he could tell because of this tiny slit window that outlooked an entire back yard surrounded with trees of all sorts. The floor was some sort of hard-wood or tile-like flooring. Dark in color and reflective and the walls, those were like clean and well-lit concrete. Not only that the room was chilly as though the walls had no insulation.

“Welcome to Alola… Thief." The Growlithe tilted his head. “I know from your look, it's a place you haven't heard of before. I used to have a laboratory between Sinnoh and Hoenn… that's long gone now. I'm Akiyama Ayumu… Sorry to say but the Pokeball's had something happen to them, so for now you're here but everyone is safe with Griffin." The human explained and rolled his chair to overlook the scanner. “That said, other than confused… angry and depressed… you're exceptionally healthy and fit for a Growlithe." Akiyama mentioned with a smile. “This is a small private land away from the cities and the league, other than you now… Logan is the only person who knows I actually live here. I'm “in" a lab I overlook in Kanto… granted the servers are down… takes me time to get the team to work around it over the phone." The man mentioned. He appeared to be in his late fifties and overall a charming man. The kind that could sell a business proposal to anyone.

“Sorry to say, but there isn't any other Pokemon here… Lycanroc and Blaziken are gone for now. So other than wild types, which I'd advise you to steer clear from, I'm you're only company... Possibly"

Ayumu mentioned and nodded. “… since we're so close to Hau' oli… between Route one and three we can go see the city for a bit." Ayumu mentioned and smiled. “The beachside goes around almost every part of the island too… getting up from here is a pain in this wheelchair however… I feel like Joel Schumacher should direct a movie about me!" Ayumu chuckled “Ever since this wheelchair I guess you could say Richard became quite an inspiration!" Thief tilted his head with confusion and Akiyama chuckled to himself, lifted back the screen of the scanner and slowly picked him up.

The man smelled like old cigarettes and alcohol, Thief scrunched his nose and snorted. It was a subtle smell, as though he hadn't smoked since that morning and drank since the last couple of nights before hand. “alright… I'm going to take off that muzzle I put on you and let you out back. It's a huge beach, there should be plenty to explore. After, we'll head to Hau'oli. Everything rests on the main servers back in Kanto…" Ayumu mentioned and slowly put the Growlithe onto his lap. Thief been waiting in that scanner for nearly an hour and now that he was free… he only wanted to go back to Griffin. Ayumu slowly untied the hard-plastic muzzle, the top and the interior was made with leather, firm and uncomfortable leather that clung to his face and annoyed him. The exterior was extremely tough plastic that covered all around his mouth and was air-rated, leaving tiny holes that frankly, didn't make it easier to breathe in. The very second that muzzle was off Thief took a big breath in. The basement wasn't much for fresh air. “See, now I'll let you outside, come along."

Good… I don't want to be here right now… just send me back to Griffin… Thief thought to himself and gave a bitter sigh. I'm not happy… I'll feel happier with him around, he's always so happy. It was watching Ayumu push his wheelchair onto a low inclined ramp that made the Growlithe tilt his head. He only noticed it after Akiyama opened a door on the other side of the large and spacious basement which was filled with all sorts of machinery. Scanners and data receivers… everything a normal laboratory would have but just condensed into one room. To his right appeared to be another room, like a broom closet filled with all sorts of computer-esque machines that Thief couldn't recognize at all. That room was freezing cold and very well organized. Every cable was folded and tied together, labeled and connected to each one of these small boxes.

Ayumu put his hand on a rail and another on the wheel of his wheelchair. It seemed on a good day it took the man at least a minute to go up that ramp. From there it was just the foyer of a wonderfully open concept single story home. The floor was a light hardwood with a kitchen in his view from the living room. The appliances were shiny, new, stainless and furnished with a wood trim – a darker wood trim. The tile on the walls alternated between white, blue and green stone and were divided by this black strip of slate just to accent the kitchens wall. There was an island with two bar stools on the other side as if Ayumu could expect company one day. From there, the top cabinets held what appeared to be a liquor cooler… they were much too high for a wheel-chaired man to reach them.

“Uncle Marcus!" A voice slithered from the now open front door “Just got back from Kukui's lab…" A sun-tanned young man walked into the home wearing a lab coat. He looked like a new laboratory hand. Thief stared at him for a second and blinked. They both made the same look…

For Thief, it was because the man looked astonishingly like Ayumu… a younger version of him at least. With Raven black hair that appeared bluish in nature…

For the man, it was just looking at a Growlithe.

“Oh my god!? I – Is that!? Up close!?"

“It's some professors, trainers, Growlithe, I'm watching him for a bit Makani." Ayumu… or Uncle Marcus? Said and the young man dropped to his legs… as if daring to sit down on his rear end in a crouch. They betted against each other's eyes… Thief slowly huffed a plume of smoke at him and Makani reared his head back.

“D – Does he have a temper?" Ayumu laughed loudly.

“Only if you stare at him like THAT, you do that to the Litten at Kukui's too! It makes them uncomfortable…"

“Well… he looks upset about something." Makani's “Uncle Marcus" chuckled

“He isn't much in the mood for being here… I was planning on showing him the city, but maybe you can…"

“The soon to be, Professor Makani."

Makani gave a shy chuckle

“I'll never be as good as my dad…" He'd mention with an uneasy laugh. “A – Anyways… You know that!"

“Well, I'm just saying but having a title like that, people will recognize it!" Ayumu mentioned and Thief stared at a picture on the wall away from them. It was more like a collection of photos on one huge frame…

One of which was of a wiry and messy Eevee and a golden eye'd Vulpix, with Ayumu kneeling above them. It was as though he asked a stranger to take a picture of them all, and between them… as though a lock brought them together was a beautiful snowy white scarf that lazily clung over the Eevee and the Vulpix. That Vulpix's eyes were sunlit and bright golden…

That… looks like the program? The Growlithe walked over to the off-white couches and over a carpet that was placed on the ground, taking a closer look at this huge unfurling collection of scrap-book like pictures. The forest was one he couldn't recognize. Where every tree was a large maple or a pine tree. The two looked very, very young. Nearly to be kits… in fact that Vulpix only had one pure white tail. That told Thief they were under half a year old.

“It's like he can recognize the Pokemon!" 'Uncle Marcus' Hit his hand against his head.

“He's not blind…" 'Marcus' mentioned and laughed “Well, let him run around a bit; you're Rockruff can take care of him, right? He doesn't know anything about this region." Makani nodded in reply

“that sounds like a great idea! In fact, I could take him down to Kukai's lab! It'll be great for them to see one!" 'Marcus' held up his hands

“Now don't get too ahead of yourself, let the poor little one adjusts first!" Akiyama 'Marcus' Ayumu mentioned “Just let Thief run around in the yard, collect his bearings and get used to the environment, then we'll consider checking out Kukai's when we go to Hau'oli."

“Thief? That's an awesome name!" The Growlithe nervously smiled at Makani. Makani was older then Griffin by far but utterly happy and glowing. “Alright! How about you meet Wuffles!" Thief… went silent.

Dead quiet and stared at Makani with a turn of his head. Makani nervously laughed

“I – It's… her name…. Wuffles" Makani nodded and went with that friendly crouch again. Where his hands were perched on his knees and Ayumu pointed to the door

“Outside first!" He'd mention and mutter “Why not just CALL her Woof Rock? You didn't even spell her name right when you named her…" Makani didn't hear Ayumu's mutters and nearly hopped out of the door “Come on Thief! I'll show you around!" At first, the Growlithe peered out the open door and felt blinded by the sunlight. The heat washed over him and he felt every desire to pant rapidly, here on a golden sandy beach covered in pebbles and shells of all color he took his first step into a place that dared to jog his memories. That Growlithe bit his tongue

It's a dumb dream… Stop thinking about it. His own voice cut into the thoughts of a place similar… a place lost, and he stared up at the cloudless and blue sky. Unlike Kanto and even Hoenn… here the water was a beautiful rich sapphire which flickered its proud colors as though it held a wavering flag. He only stared at the gemstone clear and opulent water while a small collection of Islands in the furthest distance was caught in Thief's view. His breath… he held it while glancing up at tree's that were so alien to him. A kind that was tall and kept broad blades of green as though to reach the highest point of the skies. Its bark was a sun-lit wheat white color, engraved with lines that richly expressed how healthy of a tree it was if the bright large green leaves hadn't told anyone that. Thief stared for a while, up at the sky… at the water as the chilly air fluttered over his pelt… He'd turn to Makani, lost in his own thoughts and meet the bright azure eyes of a wonderfully happy Pokemon.

“Hi! HI!" She'd give this playful yipping scree and her tail flickered like crazy. “I've hardly seen a Pokemon like you before!! You're really like a Litten but a dog!" She was… uncomfortably close to his face. “I'm Wuffles! I'm three and a half years old!" She'd smile and bob her whole body to the left and the right. “Who are you!?"

“T – Thief… I'm a Growlithe." Wuffles stared at him with her big bright eyes… they were face to face.

I…I guess I know where she gets it from… He took a moment to glance at Makani…

“Oh… My god! Your eyes are like completely orange! They make me think of Mangos! Do you like Mangos?" She'd skid around for a second with her big wagging tail going all over the place. Thief watched her nearly prance around the sand as though it hardly stopped her paws… unlike her, he felt like he was slowly sinking into the beach. The sand here was hot and loose… instead of the chilly-warm tight kind that he…

That he kept on remembering… just an image here and there. Of a face or two or three… Of a Vulpix, a Ninetales and an Arcanine curled around a fire together. That alien feeling in his chest always came back to him whenever he saw it.

“You're a Growly!?"

“A Growlithe" Thief commented again before she could talk more and it felt oddly shelled… as though he wanted to run around with her but couldn't get his paws to move at all. Thief stared at the RockRuff, her sharp mane-like fur glimmered in the sunlight…

“Right…" She'd stop in the sand, plant her rear into the hot ground and tilt her head… those ears tended to flop with her skull. “Are you okay? You're not playful… Every Pokemon I meet is Playful! Especially a Growlithe!" Thief swallowed firmly…

If it were a day ago, he really would have already made a wonderful friend, the kind that he could run around with for hours on end… He put a paw into the sand.

You should understand your own mortality. It rang through his mind for a moment… and it felt like nothing came to his thoughts after that. Thief stared down at the sand at first… looking at a savanna of golden grains and gave her a firm look.

“I… don't want to play. I don't have time for that." Thief said and huffed. “I should find a place to train…" The Rockruff gave him a little sound

“I can help you train!" She'd giggle “I'm the fastest Rockruff ever!" Thief scoffed

“I doubt that…" It… all around felt painfully soothing for him… saying that, saying all of that. The Growlithe simply felt the need to grow up…

You should understand your own mortality.

Again the Espeon's words stuck in his head… Everything that Thief and Griffin traveled for in Hoenn was pointless, it had to have been. It was all a lie, everything was just some foolish lie – that ran through his mind too.

“I am the fastest RockRuff! Litten can't even catch up with me! And he's the fastest Litten I've seen!" Wuffles said again and Makani?

He was busy staring at some shell in the sand… he was a professor? Thief swallowed to himself.

“I feel like" He said it out loud and went silent…

“Feel like what?" Muffles asked and went all wide eyed, her ears flickered to hear his next words.

I feel like no matter what I do, I'm lost between two lies… both to me and from me. I feel like all this pressure is pushing down on me…But… Luna plays too… am I not allowed to? Am I not supposed to? Thief wasn't paying enough attention and that RockRuff stared at his eyes again… firmly. It's as though she was just captivated by the color of them and Thief plumed out a huge cloud of smoke at her. She'd jump back. They were face to face and suddenly she happened to be feet away from him.

“Have you always had orange-y eyes?" She'd ask and tilt her head. “I've heard stories of some Pokemon with eyes like that!" Thief swallowed and stared at her.

“Stories are dumb…" Thief felt like he was lying to himself all over again…

“They found treasure!? Do they always do?"

_“Sometimes… Sometimes they help others that need it."

“I wanna be an explorer too!"_ There was a gentle laugh in his head, he could hear it.

“Maybe… one day you can be. Maybe one day you'll leave this island and find a place that makes you happy… a place where you can understand the worth of your mortality… of your life."

“A place where people won't hate you for your quirks… your differences, young one. So be a strong explorer for the both of us!"

“I… just feel sick…" RockRuff tilted her head from what he said.

“I know! Try a Coconut!" Thief seemed to scoff and giggle madly, that made him feel much better.

“T – That's a funny name!" Wuffles giggled too

“I guess it is! I'll find you one! Makani is the best at opening them! They have milk and everything inside, you can even eat what's inside it too!" She nearly bolted off as fast as he'd seen her finish talking. Thief felt himself laugh and trudge along the sand, his heavier foot prints were stuck in the warm grain here… It wasn't cold at all. It felt as if it never could be cold…

I think you're wrong… Moonlight… It's not that I'm weak… It's that I can get stronger! Thief smiled to himself and stared out at the sea. I can become an Explorer! Whatever that is… But… I know I want to… Just hearing the word makes me want to and I think that's better than being some hero…

• Griffin.

The lights around the city were back on already, it was this astonishingly bright and fantastic view. Especially with the sun just beginning to set over the water… Now Moonlight was ravenously eating his food with that weird scarf around his neck. Whatever Leafeon had done… it made him feel better eventually. Griffin just stared at the Espeon, whom eventually gave a weak smile in return. It was this sober small smile that made Griffin warmly grin. Eventually he sighed and looked back at the roof above them. It only partially covered the sky and yet Griffin just stared at the wood from his seat… Even his Vulpix stared at him now with a happier yip, her tails looking cleaner, straighter… and her hair almost curled and spiked all over. It left him to laugh and drop a hand to her.

“Now don't bite again." He'd smile and watch her cheekily nip his finger… this time… That's what someone could call a little love bite. Shadow had spent so much time talking to her and eventually Bandit got into the conversation too while Moonlight and Leafeon were doing… whatever that was. Somehow Griffin felt like he was missing everything important, he felt like he was nearly blind to all of it going on.

“Hey… it's almost six… We should get going to the Vermilion Gym." Brad mentioned with a smirk. “We'll need to figure out what to do with you Griffin." Griffin thought to himself for a moment

“I still have my old Pokeballs in my bag. I have enough for everyone! But…"

“What?" Natasha asked, and Griffin gave a swallow

“It's… more about them NOT getting transferred around or put in a PC box… I mean my Professor did say something weird happened. I could watch all of you face off with him instead! Just… drag out the time and wait until Ayumu gets everything fixed up…" Griffin brought up. “Anyways, I think it'll be the best to watch Surge fight first and how he handles it." He'd say and nervously pass them a chuckle “I can't really have ALL of my Pokemon out during a gym match after all…" Natasha nodded

“Obviously… So, let's head over there! I call dibs!" She'd say with a laugh and got out of her seat, stretched and held out a Pokeball. “Leafeon, let's go!"

The Leafeon tossed her a glance and then gave Moonlight a regal and friendly nod before letting itself get trapped around a collection of bright red lines… The Espeon simply watched him flutter inside of Natasha's capsule… Soon after he brought his paw upward, lifting the scarf with it, and pressing it to his nose. Griffin watched Moonlight closely.

It felt as though something was burning inside of Moonlight's gaze, as though now he still had the chance to get beyond it. Griffin gave him a playful grin when they both looked at one another.

“You ready to go?" Griffin said, and Moonlight nodded in reply… after all…

There wasn't much left for the two of them to do, now that they've eaten everything they had. Griffin looked down at him, his Vulpix was just sitting at his feet and staring. She had eaten all her food too, along with everyone else now. With the lights back on… maybe he'd be able to pay after all… Griffin got up and went inside of the restaurant. It was homely, small… more like one of those small town private places that rested nearby the port and on top of it all, still thoroughly packed. It appeared that the staff… or…

All Griffin saw was Francis running around and helping the best he could, there wasn't a single other server around. He'd just go from one end to another, one conversation to the next and he did it all with a friendly smile and a happy voice. Every table had a candle, all different kinds as though in a panic he lit them all and still apologized for a blackout that he couldn't control.

“I'll be right with you!" He'd mention happily and run around another couple of tables, Griffin stood, awkwardly… apologized to someone next to him and watched the young waiter run all over the place. At least, that's how it felt to him.

Jeaz…. Well I'll need to give him a big tip! He thought to himself and glanced at a man behind the kitchen, it was one of the kitchen staff, the back of house members or maybe a supervisor was working with a system… it looked like the blackout had knocked down everything for them. Griffin just glanced as Francis tiredly smiled at him.

“The bill right? I have it right here!" He'd say happily and get a paper out “We should have everything more or less back now… in the least I think you can pay." Griffin took out his Pokenav… and double checked his income.

His mother deposited nearly two grand… it made him stare at the number… two thousand nine hundred and twenty five… When it came to the league, Poké was an interchangeable currency, much like a digital currency, but it usually came out to a value no greater then a single euro. Usually coming in at one for one. Here, in Kanto it meant that one Pokédollar was just about one hundred and thirty-two Yen… not that it did much good, especially when most places kept that one to one value between Euro and Pokédollars. The man handed him his bill… including the fact that Griffin was a trainer, like all bills it was written in two ways. One way, in Pokédollars and another way, in Yen… It came out towards two hundred and thirty Poké… He checked his bank account on his phone quickly… He had the better part of half a million Yen… it really wasn't much considering things… but he paid the amount with his bank card, rather then the currency on his Pokenav and Pokedex.

I might need that amount later on… Griffin thought to himself and paid his full bill… thirty-six thousand, one hundred and fifty-two Yen exactly. That was including the tip. Francis gave him a friendly smile after

“Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed your time here! We hope to see you again!" The young waiter said, Natasha, Brad and Melody walked in after… it appeared that everybody got all of their things together and Griffin gave them a passing wave while grabbing his bag.

“I'm going to check up on them, it looks like everything is working. Natasha. So you DON'T owe me one… but it's the thought that counts" He gave her a cheesy grin and she immediately huffed

“Get lost and check on your depressed Espeon." She quipped firmly yet she was chuckling to herself, Griffin could see that and hear that in her tone. Melody and Brad talked to one another as he walked out the door and had a look at everyone out front.

Aura actually stood with her head tilted at the window, glancing aimlessly before looking in that little weird pack she kept around her waist. Seeing a Lucario wearing something like that… it took Griffin a long time to just accept it, and he still found it weird… The Lucario seemed to be able to unzip the pouch with her two paws pushed together and stare at something inside of it… His curiosity got the better of him and he took a second to look…

Th… Those are the mittens that Brad gave her… at Maiden's Peak. They were a pair of oversized pink mittens, they seemed to have been so large that the Lucario's spikes on her paws wouldn't ruin them right away… each of them could be tied at the ends to hold the mittens around her wrists… As Griffin stared at her, he realized that Aura wasn't one to make much noise.

Unlike some of his Pokemon, save for Scarf… they all were rowdy and noisy.

I guess he's just that good of a trainer. They glanced at each other for a moment and Griffin felt this thing surround him. Something that made him feel uneasy… They can read aura's right? Is that why Brad nicknamed her that? Just because she can… or because she always does? Aura tilted her head at Griffin and then finally made this happy little bark…

He smiled nervously and went over to Moonlight. Bandit and Shadow glanced at him from the sidewalk, they already knew the direction of the gym, it looked like a shortcut through a glade of lined trees, a park across the portside. Luna and Marill seemed to be chatting with one another, Griffin stared at Marill for a second too.

At least Logan didn't tear him apart and rebuild him… I was expecting THAT to happen. He sighed and glanced at Moonlight whom soberly looked back.

“You ready Moonlight?" Griffin asked with a grin and the Espeon tilted his head. “Without Thief being my go to starter for a gym right now… I'll start with you when the time comes." Griffin smiled “I just… hope you're feeling better…" The Espeon tilted his head the other way and made a sound at him. It made Griffin chuckle… “I just wish I could understand all of you… I don't get… everything is going strangely. Like that trainer from Maiden's peak… the two of them. And that… thing."

Just don't do anything brash Griffin. A voice made his vision hazy and his head started to sting… naturally he just stared up and closed his eyes. I know it hurts when I do this… I can't and don't have much to say. Just trust us… you're Pokemon… Trust me, Griffin. He swallowed cautiously and raggedly began breathing. Every time Moonlight did that, use Psychic on him in that way it made his head feel as though he'd walk through a solid wall – head first. And… thank you, for not taking this away. Moonlight proudly showed off the Scarf around his neck To be honest, the connection between you and I seems stronger now… perhaps you need to pull off that mask of yours after all. Moonlight made a chuckling sound and Griffin swallowed nervously You and I aren't ready for that… Right Griffin? The two of us are very similar… as you are to Thief, to Bandit, To Shadow… Even to Luna. But you're still more alike I then the rest of them… Griffin felt his head sting harder now and he gently clenched his fist… the pain made tears sting his eyes. Unlike you… however… I can't let go…

Because guilt, will never let me forget.

“Hey Griff!" Natasha waved at him and Brad swung his arm over in the air, it snapped Griffin's attention.

“Let's get going bro!" Brad mentioned, and Melody nodded

“Let's take on Surge… alright! I'm excited for the badge…" Melody's voice was so much quieter than the rest and Griffin gave a warm grin and looked at Moonlight with a small smile.

“Maybe… you and I can both tell of it all." Griffin stuck his hands into his pockets shyly and kicked a pebble out of the way. “I just… hope whatever Leafeon is doing is actually helping you. You seem so tired and weak after… I worry about you all…" Griffin said.

Quite strange… hearing that from you, Griffin. I mean the sincerity in that. Moonlight nodded For now… Trainer, let's keep going on… Oh. Try not to jump in the way next time, you've done that for me twice so far… as thankful as I am, you're still a human; Griffin. He'd cautiously nod and swallowed to himself as Bandit, Shadow, Luna and Marill all gave him a look…

“Wait…" He'd look all over the porch he was sitting at and then around him. “Wait… where's Absol and Pikachu?" Moonlight simply gave a coy shrug and walked off… Luna sassily huffed her smoky ember into the air, something that made… well Smokey follow suite. The Houndoom gave her a snort and a glance before following beside Melody's side. Marill happily hopped by Luna without a care in the world it seemed… in fact that Marill was more ignorant of everything… as though on purpose to capture Griff's attention. Bandit gave her cackle and followed Shadow side-by-side as though they were both leading the front and… Moonlight?

Moonlight regally stuck out his chest, dawning this old, tattered and unkempt scarf that kept him smiling… kept his eyes wide and made it seem

like accepting guilt may very well be the harshest battle… but the greatest strength he could ever achieve.

Yet the Espeon still stared into the clouds pointlessly after, the near dark plumes of pink passion and a fiery, chilly Autumn orange hummed over him as if to say, nestled in the stars… were to be a little fox looking over him in the night.

Griffin glanced up too, watching the air, the skies… the clouds and only wonder…

Wonder of the strength a little naïve Growlithe could have… what kind of personality he can see in him… whether he was brave… kind… or just plain quirky like always. In fact, Griffin hoped he was a little bit of all of it… and he simply wondered what kind of adventure they were really having. Himself and his own fire. Brad, Melody and Natasha waved at him from up the road and he felt his legs pick up the pace, going from a walk to a jog with his hand casted to the skies and a warm smile still painted on his face… somewhere in the distance there was Absol and Pikachu, the two were talking in depth… laughing and smiling with one another that left Griffin to smile again… this time it felt like a small shard broke off of him…

Yeah… an amazing adventure… That's what we're on.

• Thief

He'd never tasted anything that was so cold…but grew in a place that was as hot and humid as here. He couldn't stop drinking out of the weird hairy nut-like thing that Makani had cracked almost cleanly in half. The man was so good at it that hardly a single drop came out of it and hit the ground when he did. Wuffles had jumped in too and lapped away at the milk right beside the Growlithe. Wuffles called it milk… but it just tasted like funny water. The inside was also a wonderful bright white color and it nearly looked like he could claw around the rubbery-like surface to peel off parts of the nut. Whatever that was called, it tasted wonderful and sweet to him.

“Do you have this in Kanto? You said you're from somewhere much different!" Wuffles said with this cheery and bright smile and Thief tilted his head.

“No… but we do have loads of berries!" He'd say “Like Cheri and… Oh I guess there are lots of plums too, and apples! Pears… We have something funny called Persimmon that grows on tree's… and I guess an orange too!" Thief mentioned and continued to chat about all kinds of funny sounding things that made Wuffles giggle.

“I wanna try all of them!" She'd say, and Thief giggled

“What about here? What kind of fruits do you have?" Thief asked and Wuffles tilted her head

“Well… we have Pitaya… Rambutan, Papaya and Starfruit. We have a whole bunch!" She'd say with a laugh “They can be found almost anywhere on one of the many islands." Wuffles mentioned and flickered her tail “Oh! We also have Lilikoi! It's my favorite!" She'd giggle, and Thief tilted his head

“I don't know that one…" He'd say and glance out at the sea. “Why is the water so different?" Wuffles eyes went big and bright blue, as though challenging the size of the huge ocean before them.

“Oh oh! The stars will be different too! You come from far away so there will be a different night sky! It's amazing! We NEED to stay up tonight!" The Growlithe nervously laughed

“Uhm… well"

“Pleeeaaaaassssseeeeeeeeee" She went on like that for at least a minute

“Alright… alright!" Thief laughed and snickered after looking at her

“What?"

“N – Nothing…" He'd say and quietly swallow “You… just remind me of a friend… kind of." Thief mentioned and wondered…

Luna… doesn't act anything like her… who am I talking about?

“At night, if you're really quiet you can hear a melody over the water! It's like a song that unites every piece of the world!" She'd say “And sometimes on the brightest of days, you can see a Pokemon fly across the sky… one that I've only seen once! It's the most amazing Pokemon I've ever seen! OH HEY!" She turned to face him with her tail going wild.

“W – What?" Thief couldn't keep up… from looking at the ocean, then at the bright, cloudless blue sky and now back at her… his mind was going everywhere.

“I know a special place! It's like a bunch of clean water stuck between some rocks… I think it's rain water! I've always wanted to heat up the rocks and bath in the hot water… but the water only gets hot during the day…" Wuffles started to say “You think tonight you can heat it up!? It'll be super amazing!" She'd happily sing and bob her head left and right again… her tail going right to left as though that RockRuff was about to start dancing. “You can do lots of neat things because you breathe fire right?"

“… I… Guess so? I mean…" Thief looked out at the water and took in a firm breath through his nose before letting out his FireBlast. It struck the surface of the water – making it sizzle and then exploded like a star, with currents of small fireballs striking the water's surface and sizzling into nothing but steam. Wuffles stared at it.

“THAT'S SO COOL! Litten can do that too! He's really amazing! But yours looks even BIGGER!" Thief shyly looked at the water.

“I – It's not THAT great… A friend of mine has this powerful flamethrower. I don't even think she knows how strong it is!" Thief giggled “She nearly took out an entire trail a few days ago… it makes no sense how someone smaller then me can give off that much fire…" Thief nodded and gave Wuffels a look. “So… I wanna look around! You wanna show me things!?" The RockRuff hopped to her feet

“I told ya Coconut would make you feel better!" She just bolted around the sand in circles and yipped. This was a Pokemon, almost his age… that he couldn't keep up with. Wuffles was foolishly happy and shining with sunlight which left Thief unable to keep up his grown-up façade for long. His pom pom of a fluffy orange cream-sickle tail flickered with excitement while he bolted after her.

“You're running wrong!" She giggled and put her hind legs in front of her forward paws. “You need to use your back legs to push yourself forward!" Wuffles happily flicked her main around and bolted across the sand… Like a wolf darting through a forests glade, running after prey or to the front of a pack.

“I don't… think I can run like that!" He'd say and Wuffles bumped his nose with her entire paw.

“You're like a Litten… thingy right?" She'd tilt her head.

“I – I'm a Growlithe" Thief mentioned again and Wuffles giggled… she meant to ask, more accurately… he's more like part Dog, part Tiger and ultimately similar to a Lion.

“I've seen pictures of these ancient statues, Makani looks over boring stuff like that! But they're said to be guardians of sacred temples and shrines!" Wuffles mentioned with a snicker “So I bet you can run just like me!" Wuffles darted around the sand again and Thief tried to put his hind legs in front of his forward paws like her. He simply teetered down to his face and shoved his nose in the sand while he stayed rigid the entire time, his tail in the air.

“Am I running yet?" Thief asked with his face shoved in the hot sand and only heard Wuffles laughing her tail off. She was on the ground – on her back. She squirmed and kicked her legs out during her furious giggling.

“N – No!" The RockRuff laughed more “You're funny!" Thief pulled his head out of the sand and started to laugh himself. They both spent their time giggling together and the RockRuff bolted around again, Thief chased her aimlessly, she'd lead him from one side of the beach to another, where the cliffside casted over sections of shade that left Thief to pant under it.

I feel like the sun is burning my fur… it really doesn't help that I'm a fire type… It ran through his head and he'd casually let out a plume of fire. It appeared as though he flipped on a lighter and was pointlessly burning fuel. RockRuff stared at the hot flame and flickered her ears.

“What are you doing?" She'd ask and stare at tat flame change from a red to a cool white before Thief stopped and began panting frantically.

“I'm trying to use most of my fire… it's way too hot here…" Wuffles flicked her tail

“Go into the water!" Thief laughed

“I don't really swim much…" Wuffles tugged the nape of his neck and his ears playfully, those rocks around her neck brushed and scratched at his thick wiry fur.

“Come on! I'll show you! The water is really cold! It'll cool you down right away!" Wuffles said and pushed him to the water “I can swim really good too! So, you don't need to worry about that!" She'd snicker “Anyways! Swimming is the best training ever!" Thief felt like she was dragging him around

“Alright… okay just don't push… What's with you?" She'd stop and fold her ears down.

“M – Makani is usually super busy… so other than Litten and a few other Pokemon, you're the only one I've played with for weeks!" She'd say, still excited but oddly nervous and shy now. Her emotions bounced all over the place but all in all Wuffles seemed to be always happy and cheery. Her grey fur flickered against the hot wind and she gave him a liberal push in the side towards the water.

“Okay!" Thief giggled and ran over to the edge of the beach, Wuffles scampered past him and even with his head start, she STILL beat him there. Thief only watched her at the end of the water and cautiously dip her paw in. That water must've been freezing… and he had a playful and rude idea.

He'd fire a tiny move from his muzzle, the kind of ember that cracked loudly behind her… she didn't do what he'd expect.

Thief expected her to jump into the water in fright but Wuffles just looked at him and stuck out her tongue before flicking her paw at him. Freezing cold salt water struck him in the face. Thief gave a cough as though all the fire in him extinguished thanks to the frigid liquid. Wuffles giggled frantically

“Your fur goes EVERYWHERE when it's wet!" The RockRuff rolled on the ground again. “You're really silly! Litten tries to scare me all the time!"

Well… I did try… His firecracker of a move was something Thief had still been working on… he was hoping that the loud noises and flashes could be enough to disorientate an opponent, if he needed to run. Thief just got splashed again while he was zoned out and he shook his head wildly while Wuffles giggled. She jumped into the water and coldly sighed over the surface… Thief stared at the ocean first…

It even smells different He sniffed it as Wuffles simply splashed at him again and he growled before jumping in after her. The water felt ice cold as it swirled around his pelt leaving the Growlithe to first quake stiffly before settling inside of the cool and soothing liquid. He'd sink his head to the surface and felt like steam was pulling itself out of his fur. The blazing sunlight flickered over the water and among his scalp as he soothingly sank himself into the water while RockRuff flicked her paws through it in order to swim about. There was an utterly gentle tide that sometimes pressed against Thief but all of it felt wonderful.

Even eerily familiar.

There was the white wash of water surrounding his whole furred body as his head slumped under the frosty water and a gentle song carried onward through his ears. Thief felt every urge to open his eyes as a small curl of frost licked around his body. That song resonated in his heart and gently lulled his pounding heart as a voice licked against his ears…

There are things to remember, young one. It spoke softly, regally. A powerful male voice that made his heart throb. Beyond that of the sky and depths of these seas, there is a home that you've lost… One that they believe you are not a part of. Young one, I admire your aspiration to remember a friend that you know nothing of. Thief tried to open his eyes but just let the song lull over him… the waves take him under the breathless water… he'd feel his legs touch the surface. There are those that can help you find your strength, your fire… no different than the one I've chosen. You've both been sent to understand the next best choice. You and that of a phoenix fire. There is no gift I can give but my hope and prayers are with you… to discover and believe in all that is precious to you… Little Thief.

Thief felt his lungs sting at him… he needed air and felt his paws push upward against the water. He'd watch the flickering sun above him and kept his push towards it. Go… and find what is precious to you. Protect all that is precious, just like she has decided to.

His head broke past the surface and Thief panted, staring at the water below him… at the surface that was directly below him. His feet touched the wet sandy surface underneath the water… it was enough for him to stand and he'd stare curiously at it.

What… how? That little Growlithe shivered and glanced at his reflection in the sunny water. Wuffles paddled her way over to him

“Feeling better!?" She'd ask with a giggle and Thief stared at her in reply… he'd open his mouth and tilt his head before giving a smile.

“I… actually do! A lot better!" He'd say with a laugh “In fact I feel great! I want to see the city next!" That Growlithe happily chimed and bobbed his head left and right, no different than how she did before “Let's go see Makani!" He'd mention and paddled back to the shore which wasn't much trouble for him. Granted that he safely stayed a few meters away from the shoreline it took no time at all. Thief playfully shook off his pelt and flicked his legs – the sand clumped around his paws and frankly it now felt wonderful.

“Yeah!" She'd say happily, swim to the shore and then soak the Growlithe again by shaking out her own pelt… they both had a battle of some kind for a while with that before both were soaked from each other and laughed frantically between themselves. Thief lost track of time as they both ran around the beach leaving him to laugh and holler and stare at a golden beach that could only have a word within his mind to describe it.

Luminescence.

There was that throb in his chest as he'd chase after that RockRuff all over the sandy grains. A picture… a painting unfurled in front of his eyes. Of two running around a beach called home. Where they both could laugh and play, and he felt as though that little picture in his mind, of a smile, of gentle eyes were all he needed.

It was the afterglow of knowing that a family took him in. Knowing that they had become his family and that there was one other friend who rarely joined them as though afraid of those around her. As though all they both could be… were friends that knew nothing about one another.

Thief stopped in the sand and watched her run around and yip and holler while being chased by memories… the smallest and most precious were those that were filled with friends… honest ones that knew nothing of one another. Honest ones that would… or should have been the greatest of friends…

The best of companions… the kind that could explore together.

“You mean they all have teams? Of friends!?" There was that gentle laugh again and Thief felt something on his head, as though a paw scratched his hair.

“Of course! Every team has a name and they all travel together, compete together and help others together. They share their weaknesses, their differences. They become strong when they all stand side by side. That's what they are, friends that explore the darkest of dungeons. They even pull those that turn bad back to the light… no matter what. They understand all and help to purify things in their own ways." A voice fluttered into his head. “I know that a little thief like you…" He'd stop, and Thief felt something against his cheek, like a cold nose or a wonderful airy breeze “No… That a wonderful brother like you would be the greatest… you could become the greatest explorer. There's only one other I know like you… He's just as wonderful, but he has his own journey. You could be just like that Eevee… Little Brother."

“Thief! Come on! Makani wants us." He'd shake his head and glance at the taller tanned man wave at them from across the beach, he called out the RockRuff's name and Wuffles bolted across the beach to see him, Thief followed her slowly and watched that Pokemon run to her owner. He felt like…

He was staring at himself chase after Griffin. Ayumu had eventually gotten out of the house himself. His steel wheelchair glimmered in the bright sunlight and he tossed Thief a very small wave and a smile. He felt as though Ayumu was watching them from the window based on his look… it seemed that way in the least. Makani gave his supposed Uncle a nod and a smile

“I think they'll be great friends!" Ayumu nodded in reply while glancing at his phone and it appeared as though he was waiting for a very important message.

“It seems that way, surprising granted that Thief was very rambunctious when he first came over. Crazy Growlithe could have destroyed my whole server room…" Makani laughed

“You sure it wasn't from the way you treated him?" Ayumu chuckled to his reply

“Of course it was, no body enjoys getting stuck with a needle… It's just needed for the checkup."

“I still can't believe you were a doctor… I thought you drove a truck?" Makani expressed as Wuffles jumped up against his leg and grinded the stones around her neck against his bare leg. Thief stared at them and noticed all of the scratches all along Makani's ankles. They weren't deep, but it must've felt like grinding sharp stones against skin… Makani simply winced and patted her head. He grinned happily and stared at Thief before he handed the Growlithe a wave. “Come on Growlithe! We'll go see Hau'oli!" Thief felt as though he was cautiously nodding and began to walk towards them, further and further away from the sea. All sorts of voices called out his name, or a name they called him. There were all sorts of faces that flickered in front of him… all sorts of calls that snuck themselves in from the depths of his mind.

It is… all just a dream… right? Thief felt his legs pick up against the sand and he began to bolt across the ground to catch up in his playful and gallop like way. Where his front paws lazily carried him forward and his hind legs just pushed him onward to them. He'd feel this guilt free smile cross his face and that felt powerful for that Growlithe.

We'll all be explorers! All of my friends! And I'll have the strength I need to help them all… no matter how weak I am now… I'm just as strong as Moonlight is!

• Moonlight

He felt lazy now as the Espeon lost himself in the back of the group and studiously watched everyone ahead of him. There was a now restful beat that throbbed at his heart which constantly stabbed at him. Leafeon barely said a word… except for one thing during the entire time.

“It's your guilt that drives you… that's the emotion pushing you forward."

Moonlight clenched his teeth… that Leafeon's way of reading him was already making him bitter. He couldn't believe he called him a friend back in Saffron. Moonlight let out a gentle sigh to himself and glanced towards the sea. A gentle spring breeze bellowed throughout his thin-tipped fur as he'd stare at the sunset burn onward. The night was going to be a beautiful one again and he simply felt himself stupidly smile.

It was raining last night. It's like even nature let's out some feelings… and there it is, looking beautiful... Moonlight felt as though it taunted him in this cold shouldered like way. Yet he'd only stop and push that scarf up to his nose with the back of his paw… sniffing in as deeply as he could.

“You want to play!? … I bet you LOVE campfires! You curled up next to it last night! … I'm glad you're happy now! Akiyama and I are both happy! … You're my friend…" The sporadic voices of all sorts of memories gently pushed against his eyes and ears.

_“You're my best friend! Hey! You need a name! …"

“I don't even have one yet… How about we name each other!? … I know! Moonlight! You love staring at it! I bet you'll be an Umbreon! … Autumn? I love that name! November is the best month! …"

“Hey best friend! … Here's the meadow! It's amazing right!? I love our new home! It's so pretty here! I can't believe we moved so far! … My tails grew out! See Moon! I'll be a Ninetales after all! …"

“You'll always be my best friend Moonlight …"

“I love you too… Moonlight… I've… always… loved you…" _

“Moonlight?" He'd stare in front of him and just for a second stare at a wonderfully groomed Vulpix which studiously and happily smiled at him while he held up small maple leaves and all sorts of flowers. Just pointless Dandelions and Buttercups… as if trying to give a little Eevee a gift. Yet his vision faded away and he only stared at Luna… Her wild long tails which were constantly straightened out… her hair that dropped across her eyes as if to betray her own visions… and a tilt of her head that narrowly stared at the ground. “Are you okay?"

“Hm?" Moonlight brought his head back and barely noticed that he was slumping into the scarf, drawing in an ancient and wonderful scent… lost permanently in his own memories.

“L – Look… I get… I mean" Luna scoffed. “Fine, I'm sorry… for what happened earlier. I just, don't know what came over me but I got mad… and I feel terrible about it now." She'd just study the Espeon… “But… now you're worrying us, all of us. You've constantly gotten distant compared to how you were in Pewter… when I met you I mean... You feel even more distant now." Moonlight slowly dropped his paw and that scarf rested around his neck, dangling low as though to entwine his heart. “… I really don't know what to say. I mean you've all been making me angry in some way. Everyone has been." She'd express and lower her head again. “Maybe I've just been spoiled in some way or another…" Moonlight just stared at her, tilted his head and shook it in a small way.

“It's… absolutely fine. I completely deserved it anyways. I'm sorry for taking away your nightmares… invading your mind like that… It was wrong of me, just a habit. As for that Leafeon… if I could I'd burn his tail off with you!" They both chuckled and laughed before she gave him a look.

“Do… you want to talk." Moonlight swallowed at her question.

“About all this? I do… but I'm not ready for that yet. I haven't been for the past five years. I'm nearly ten." He'd say “I… just can't. Maybe I'm the weak one, all of this is just… weakness."

Moonlight gave a nervous laugh and gently pushed her ahead. “I'll be absolutely fine… November is coming up, so I'll be happier in no time at all." The Espeon said and Luna gave him a perplexed look and went to catch up. Bandit immediately hovered over her, he remembered watching the two of them training on Sunday. That Vulpix still looked tired from it.

I guess… with her nightmares she's going to be waking up mid-nights for a while. Moonlight guiltily thought to himself and something bumped into him. The Espeon turned just to meet the gentle sap colored eyes mixed with this wonderful mossy glow. A tail flickered across the air and that Leafeon gave him a stare. They were nearly face to face and it left Moonlight to turn his head. Luna simply scoffed and walked ahead of them, far ahead. It felt as though Leafeon left a bad taste in her mouth.

“What do you want?" Moonlight asked while his voice wavered, it betrayed him brutally… fatally. Leafeon simply and proudly showed out his chest. Compared to Moonlight, Leafeon was a little larger, better built. Stronger… even smarter in ways.

“Just looking over you, friend." Moonlight seemed to scoff.

“I – I doubt we're really friends…" He'd comment and Leafeon tilted his head curiously. When did he leave Natasha's Pokeball? Moonlight simply glanced out at the sea. From here the port appeared to have a wonderful trail that was engraved with gentle polished cobblestone. The kind that let Moonlight's paws rest and curl against the almost cold trail. If it weren't for the sunlight that trail may have felt like ice. There was a gentle glade of swaying trees as though there were a large park ahead of them. “C – Can you leave?" Moonlight gave him a backward glance, by now they were both staring out at the ocean and Leafeon gave him a warm-hearted laugh.

“Missing home again?" Moonlight felt his fur curl.

“Stop it…" He'd give the Leafeon a firm glance and the Leafeon's tail flickered. His air was always so clean and inviting… just his presence felt that way. His fur was thicker then Moonlights, if Moonlight ever had fur that heavy, it would have been if he was caked with warm mud. The color was rich, glowing with a light sage as his paws showed off the earthly and wonderful soil of a freshly tended garden. This Leafeon… must've been one of the healthiest Moonlight ever really saw…

“You're staring." Moonlight went to talk and Leafeon chuckled at him before pushing a paw against the Espeon's side. Moonlight quaked against his calming touch. That Espeon couldn't find a single word to say… “Really, you should catch that Liepard one day. It constantly ties your tongue together." He'd comment, and Moonlight swallowed before he took a glance out at the sea. There appeared an opening through the glades up ahead and the entire walk… Felt suspiciously like home for Moonlight. A trail lost between rows of emerald tips which didn't block out the sky but cradled it gently. An airy wind fluttered across his fur again as Moonlight shivered… Leafeon simply tightened against the Espeon and it felt like the wind itself dared to bump them together. His face was flushed through already.

Idiot… Idiot… Idiot… stop it… Moonlight swallowed and picked up his pace… but Leafeon kept pace with him.

“I find your view on weakness… human like." Leafeon expressed and Moonlight shot him another firm glance… A firm as gently whipped cream could be. Moonlight tried to flick his tail viciously and yet his whole body betrayed him and left his tail to wiggle and dance in the wet air between them. It felt as though at any time the rain could, like a spring shower dared to come over them both. Moonlight stared at his forked tail behind him.

You fucking traitor… Moonlight sighed to himself and Leafeon flicked his tail with a paw when it got too close. The Espeon nearly froze… a shiver ran all over his pelt. Leafeon only laughed in return and sighed contently.

“You should stop trying to be so much like a human. Their emotions are so complex and confusing… Having a smile on your face would suite you better. Weaker one" Leafeon stuck out his tongue with his jesting and Moonlight gave a snarl… if a little whine counted as one.

Will I please stop? What kind of cheap nomadic feeling is this? It ran through his head as his entire pelt quaked unwillingly and he only nervously smiled… He's just using cheap tricks to make me warm up to him It ran through his mind and Moonlight huffed.

“Why not go talk to Tsurara? I'm sure she'll love your company." Leafeon tossed him a curious glance.

“No… Anyways she's much too busy trying to avoid Yuny." Leafeon laughed “That young Eevee is determined for sure… more so then I think they realize… And Sephiran… curious…" He'd say with this smile. “Yuny sees her emotions as a strength, she's unafraid to show them." Leafeon expressed and Moonlight scoffed.

“She's a doll anyways… especially with how Natasha treats her." Leafeon gave him a look again and Moonlight felt this quake run through his body. He had no control over himself and felt like he was lazily staggering during their walk through that gentle glade of bright emerald leaves and strong branches. Moonlight stared up at the sky…

“I watch you stare at the stars sometimes. There's a constellation I noticed… your body rests whenever you see it." Leafeon expressed and Moonlight growled at him.

“It's just…" Leafeon interrupted him and smiled in his casual friendly way.

“You are being weak?" Leafeon gave him a grin. “Showing that amount of care and love to one you've lost… That's anything but weakness, Moonlight. The only thing that's weak about you is the guilt you hold over yourself." Moonlight shook his shoulders and rolled his eyes.

“Go talk to Luna. Like I told you to." Leafeon shrugged.

“I'm not going to talk to anyone solely because you ask of it, Moonlight. Anyways… I'm simply looking out for her. Like you are." He'd give him that friendly smile once again. “You should understand the value of your life Moonlight. Like you, they're all worth more than their passing… So, there is no fear or weakness in that. Not when you've done everything for someone you still love dearly. Yet that doesn't mean that you should stay in that past. Letting go, no matter how long it takes you, will be the strongest thing you can do Moonlight." The Espeon simply replied with a laugh.

“What kind of corn have you been eating?" Leafeon happily smiled in reply.

“It's absolutely true, Moonlight… Even you know that." He'd say, “So until that time, I'll still be here for it." Leafeon expressed as they came into that clearing. There was a beautiful small park as though it used to be part of a nature trail. A bench overlooked the ocean, and felt, at one point two stared out at the sea in a wonderful tender way. Like two could speak their minds, their hearts, to one another. Nearby, to shield them from the sun, was a wonderfully strong tree with the smallest plumes of pink flowers which glimmered in Moonlight's eyes. The bark was an over-powering dark which sought to seal away every bit of sunshine into it's flowers that now were faded amongst the sea air. Every other tree stood casually but none was as simple and regal as one of dazzling light, passionate pink and strong earth-wood as the one he observed. Leafeon simply closed his eyes and nodded as he walked by that tree while Moonlight glanced at the bench as though to see the ghosts of two people hold one another.

It wasn't uncommon to name a bench after someone, to have one in loving memory… yet here underneath that tree it felt as though that one place was sacred…

“I've heard of a tale, where a tree like that grows all year round. It's always in bloom thanks to those that care and live underneath it." Leafeon commented “It's a strong tree and seeing it's flowers this late in June, I can call that a blessing. Perhaps, instead of looking at what's bloomed before, look at what it'll become the next time it's buds unfurl."

“You really are…" Leafeon pressed a paw against Moonlights nose. Although they were similar heights, that Leafeon had a couple more inches over the Espeon… Moonlight froze in place.

“I'm no more less than a brother lost and a garden of red, black and gold which ties them together amongst a flower as vigil as snow." Leafeon passed him a curious glance, one that left Moonlight blank. “It's called being Poetic, Moonlight." He stared away from Leafeon, that paw still pressed against his cold nose… his smell, a gentle soft spring air filled with life… of growth. Moonlight shook his head and yet his whole body shook with him. That unwillingly nervousness… the fumbling of his paws and the flicker of his tail. Leafeon simply dropped his paw and continued to walk past him… leaving Moonlight to be caught within a strong breeze that casted that scarf Leafeon's way.

Poetic… what a Leafeon… How does he know that? Leafeon gave a little flick of his tail the second Moonlight thought it.

“Gladiolus murielae is native to Africa, Moonlight... And a Poppy? Well… you do smell faintly of Maple, Ironic." Leafeon expressed as if he just read Moonlights thoughts from his body. “So, know of its vigil, a sword like that… because that, in itself, is not weakness. Not when you have the strength to remember and the courage to move past it." He'd say with a nod. “You were much more expressive to everyone when you broke down before… perhaps you owe Luna a conversation yourself."

Moonlight gave him a scoff and stared out at the sea again. That bench just sat proudly against the salty air and let small droplets of pink flowers rest amongst it's polished wooden seats as though to say those whom used to sit there are still staring out to the sea themselves. He just stared until something vine-felt tangled over his paws and he'd land on his back with his face staring pointlessly at the soft rolling clouds which slowly became darker. There, his paws just rested upwards to his chest and rolled that scarf of his up. Leafeon looked over him after Moonlight gave glossy eyes at the sky. “You really have a habit of hanging in the back. Let's catch up."

Why won't my heart stop? Why… His soft pink eyes sheepishly stared up at Leafeon's soft sap-like ones and that Leafeon only curiously looked Moonlight over. The Espeon felt as though he were panting frantically, embarrassed… flushed. There was… nothing safe about that feeling surrounding Moonlight. Nothing tame. Just his eyes stared at his gentle face… as though attract was natural for Leafeon to express to him. That wet air stilled across both…

It…

“Moonlight?" Leafeon said and tilted his head. “Are you okay?"

It's… just… The Espeon's face was burning red as though every mixture and emotion ran through him. A frigid cast slumped over his entire chest as he only weakly glanced up at the Leafeon standing above him.

"Your awake right!? Look outside! It's white!" That voice slithered into his head… “I can make the warmest fire too! I can get the fireplace going!" A gentle cough… a small sneeze and the happiest ever-glowing look in his eyes.

Why… can't it stop? Moonlight just took his paw into his jaws and bit down… hard. Leafeon winced immediately…

“Moonlight!?" The Leafeon passed a gentle whine and Moonlight couldn't stop himself from crying all over again… his fangs drew blood.

It's… just like… Why again?

“Why?" His voice cracked against the wind and hotly across his bleeding paw as the pain there was nothing compared to his chest. “Why… are you pushing me this hard? Why are you trying this hard?" The quiver cut through his voice and he'd only stare at him firmly… the small stains stung across his cheeks. “Stop… I can't… anymore…" Moonlight bit down harder and Leafeon slowly brought his head back and concerningly tilted his nose.

“Let's go outside! I wanna see all the falling white sparkles!" The voice slithered through his head… no different than seeing two ghosts stare out of a frost filled window. Moonlight knew this… he knew this first winter day together. It only made him wonder… if they knew sooner, Autumn… would be here. If Moonlight knew sooner… then maybe he'd had played with him, one last time.

“Moonlight…" Leafeon pulled back entirely and those life-filled sap eyes blinked tenderly as though giving off a gentle flutter of a butterfree's wings. His tail curled against the polished stones and the Leafeon for once held his head low. “I…" He'd swallow. “I'm trying to help you…. I didn't know… you were… that's…" Moonlight felt his jaws unhook from his paw… and as though to not ruin it, he'd keep his paws away from that scarf around his neck. He didn't want a single thing to happen to it.

Not again, in the least.

“If… I had a choice…" Moonlight swallowed and Leafeon's fur riled.

“Don't…" He'd say and just…

Leafeon only pushed the Espeon down and held him to the ground without Moonlight having a chance of fighting him back. Both held against one another in this entwined collection of thin and thick fur. “If you're biting anyone…" That Leafeon showed off his paw, the same one Moonlight bit before and every guilty shock stabbed at him no different than a bullet. “Bite me… because I'm not letting you give up like that. Never like that. No one deserves to be that alone. That… That is weakness, Moonlight." Leafeon shuddered and just pushed that paw obnoxiously against Moonlight's muzzle. “So, bite me, Espeon. Bite me…" Moonlight tossed his gaze guiltily aside to stare at the cobblestone and…

“Luna?" Moonlight's voice cut the chilly air while she riled up her own fur.

“V – Vulpix?" She only growled at Leafeon viciously, there was no telling when she walked in.

“Get… The HELL off him!" Her tails spiked outward and she flicked off an ember. “I don't get any of this but get the HELL OFF OF HIM!" Leafeon pulled back from Moonlight. Everyone else was already ahead and eventually they stopped to turn around. By then Luna was already getting the Espeon to his feet by pushing against his side with her whole smaller body. “AND STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" Luna snarled… somehow, this time, she didn't sound too much like a squeaky toy. Moonlight sunk his head and glanced out at the water

“L – Luna…"

“Shut up." She'd retort at Moonlight and angrily hiss at Leafeon. “Get lost Leafeon… Go home or something…" They both just met gazes, the Leafeon with his concerned tilt of his head and Luna whom looked like she was seconds from tearing anything to ribbons. “Let's go, Moonlight." The Vulpix said and pushed his side with her two paws, she stood up on her hind legs just to reach his side.

“I'm not hurting Moonlight…" Leafeon said quietly and Luna recoiled with her Flamethrower which left Leafeon to jump far back.

Just his hind legs were strong enough to push him that far away. He got out of the hot zone in a second…

“He's… not." Moonlight replied to her and she gave him a growl.

“Just go… Whatever is going on, it's not helping you." Luna recoiled “Anyways, we have things to do right?" Leafeon gave her a look.

“I'm sorry… Luna" She shot another current of hot flame his way.

“Go to your owner or get lost… I'm sick of your crap." The little Vulpix gave Moonlight another shove again and even though she could barely move him, Moonlight began to move on his own.

“…" His eyes stared down at the cobblestone first… “Go…" Moonlight swallowed to himself.

“What?"

“It's nothing…" The Espeon replied… yet he wanted and desired to say…

Go get Shadow, I want to tell you both everything…

A building was slowly making its way into view. How long were they walking now? Moonlight felt as though it took forever… the entire thing felt eternal to him and the images of Leafeon's face just kept appearing in his mind as that park was farther and farther away.

_I… don't want to forget… Why?

Why am I replacing him? Why does it feel that way? _

There was a gentle wind that pushed against him as he'd glance up at a gym in front of his way… the sun was still just burning over the horizon and let it glimmer against the sea behind him…. He felt as though the walk with Luna across a major road in the city was all just a blur. The Espeon only wanted to go back to the park, back to that moment… The entire city felt as though it were mulled over with blurry lights of every shape and color. Stars of every style flickered around the Espeon like snow which licked against his fur. One last thing bumped him, and he'd shyly turn to the grandest air he could feel. Like pure mountain air, the kind found on forgotten peaks in lands lost to most while two small mossy eyes passed him a look. They both exchanged glances before Leafeon returned himself to Natasha's side.

“…" Luna quietly stared at him and then gave his side another one of her little shoves. “Beat the gym first, I just want to get out of this city…" Moonlight playfully gave this small sheepish laugh.

“So that's your game?" He'd chuckle and for whatever reason all of feelings just slumbered in him… his heart slowly began to rest again, as peaceful as the solace of falling snow. The gym glowed under the sunset, arcs of thunder bolts rested in the front as though to presume that the weather were willing to strike the building itself. The sidewalk was paved and eerily empty, rows of small hedges lined parts of the sidewalk and there appeared to be a small garden of trees with flowers surrounding rich soil. Someone tended to them daily, someone from the gym. As Griffin began to talk a step forward, his Pokenav began to ring.

“I'll see you all inside, try not to start without me watching." He'd say and glance at the number. It only said, after Moonlight used psychic to see it… as though to desperately distract himself with anything

The Celadon City Gym was calling Griffin on his Pokenav.

“Hello? Oh, Hey again! …" Griffin made a face and swallowed “Uh… right… Yes that was Bandit back then, you just checked the League? I just got cleared with…. Oh you know that too. Right Lily… Uhm… wait your?" Griffin gave Bandit a look and she tilted her head innocently at him. “Nope, that's entirely fair… I just need to backtrack from Vermilion City… You've already contacted them? Should I expect a phone call? No? That's sort of odd… Oh it's not needed? Well even with? …" Griffin nervously swallowed, and Moonlight checked him over. His aura appeared like a sickly orange and yellow. He was anxious, sweating… “Of course, I didn't know about that, I was just informed – usually Bandit doesn't care much for Gym Battles, you're the only gym she fought at… So, my badge is void? Yeah… I can go back and re-challenge the gym without her… Well I mean she'll be there but spectating… I mean, 'control' is a strong word, I'd say she's calmed down a little."

Griffin kept talking as Bandit playfully teased him with a growl. Or maybe she just actually growled at him? Moonlight couldn't tell. It was always tough, the aura of a dark type was nearly impossible to read, same thing as their thoughts. “I'll be there as soon as I can… Thank you Lily." Griffin told her and ended the conversation on his Pokenav. Their trainer gave them a glance, passed his painted smile and nodded.

“Alright! Let's cheer them on!" Griffin said with a grin and turned to the gym its doors slid back automatically, the lights brightly shone in front of him with the dim burning light of the sunset. With it being spring that sun would be up until at least eight, Moonlight knew that and slowly adjusted that scarf with his paws. The two purple colors accented one another, and he'd give it a small gentle smile…

A sword… right? Then Autumn… this is where we'll both start to fight together… With that Leafeon to help I guess. Even then, I still feel like I ruined everything for you. The promises we gave one another. Everyone was passing by him now and Moonlight pushed his paws against the concrete below him. You can still give me your fire, right? Some of your courage… right? Autumn?

Luna gave Moonlight her glance and made a sound.

“Come on Moonlight! Let's get this gym over with and keep going." Moonlight smiled and nodded… his small sweet smile touched his lips as a picture hung in his mind…

The beautiful painting of an Eevee and a Vulpix anxiously staring out a fire-lit window pane which was frosted with everlasting snow while they wondered what the upcoming spring could bring them both… and only a scarf to really hold them against one another

• Thief

They had walked for over an hour along the bright sunlit trail. The tree's, the scents… Thief constantly ran to the corners of every nook and cranny to smell all sorts of new things. This new-found excitement constantly beat against his heart and his pom pom of a tail went wild. Wuffles, that curious RockRuff sometimes bit his tail and that led the Growlithe to always spin around and give her a laugh.

“Stop nipping at me!" He'd say but giggle frantically while she bobbed and danced her head around.

“It looks like ice cream!" Thief squiggled his nose

“No it doesn't! And it doesn't taste like it either!" He'd giggle frantically. The entire route was empty except for Ayumu, Makani, Wuffles and himself. Second passed for him as the Growlithe followed along a long wooden gate that seemed to split the trail and the forest apart… if he could even call it one. The trees were wonderfully tall and glimmered in the sunlight and every single bush and plant was rich with gold, amber, green and he swore there were shades of blue further in. Sounds filled his ears and the flap of small wings made him stare, wide-eyed at a black plumed avian. It stretched and ruffled it's feathers before it tapped frantically at a tree. For a second it stopped and stared at him on the trail and these large sky-blue eyes stared at him. It tilted his head and he returned it. The small bird flicked it's wings again and chirped.

“I've never seen you!" It firmly called out and RockRuff popped by his side.

“Let's go, Thief! You don't want to get lost back here, some Pokemon don't like us getting too close to them." Thief stared at it again… It's white face with a single regal strip of red which touched the base of a grey, pointed beak to the tip of the tufts on it's scalp. The wings were like a midnight sky until it stretched them out, where the snowy color exposed itself.

“What is it?" The Pokemon pecked at the tree again, rapidly and looked at him.

“I could ask you that too!" It replied “I thought Growlithe's were only in the northern most fields… Why are you here?" Thief tilted his head

“There's other Growlithe's here?" It nodded in reply, annoyed.

“Obviously! They just love to hide from us! Some big Arcanine keeps them from going out…" Thief looked at Wuffles

“I thought I was the only one here…" She shook her head no to him.

“Makani almost never sees them, most hide in the fields, there's a den there. All of them are born there!" She'd say “It's sad… they get really hot like you do, but the Ninetales and Vulpix's at Mount Lanakila don't let them go anywhere near them. In fact, they usually try to chase them away…" Wuffles said “It's really weird…" Wuffles giggled “I don't get why a fire type gets that hot from the sun!" Growlithe rolled his eyes

“It's our fur, it's like a big winter pelt all year round!" He'd say and the Pokemon flapped its wings.

“Leave! I don't want you here! You're bugging me!" Thief looked at it again and the RockRuff bumped him.

“Let's go! It's a Pikipek Thief! You've never seen one?" He shook his head no…

“I guess I've seen… well actually I don't know where they're from." He'd start to say and RockRuff tilted her head.

“What?"

“A Lycanroc." Wuffles eyes began to sparkle.

“They're where you come from too!?" Thief nervously shook his head no, she was getting close to him all over again.

“N – No… it hangs around my trainer, or it did… she's at a Pokemon Center now I think!" The Growlithe said with a smile and it slowly led to a frown… “She wants to bite me, she told me that…" Rockruff hummed a little

“Well they do get mean when they're a Lycanroc!" She'd giggle “But I'll be the nicest one ever!" Thief tilted his head

“What do you mean?" She giggled and pushed him as they walked before nipping at his tail.

“It's not icecream!" He'd bark, and she laughed in reply

“I evolve into a Lycanroc! There's three types too! It depends on when we evolve…" She'd say and paw at the ground “I want to be the prettiest one too!" Thief laughed and giggled

“You want to be the fastest… nicest and prettiest one?" He'd talk between giggles “That's a weird dream to have!" RockRuff gave him a huff.

“At least I can beat you in a race! What's your dream?" Thief went open jawed and then flicked his tail before he gave her a big smile.

“I want to be an explorer! The very best one! With all of my friends with me!" He'd say with a smile “And I'll do everything to help them!" Wuffles tilted her head

“What's an explorer? That sounds like fun!" She'd reply as her own tail flickered all over and Thief shrugged at her.

“I don't know! But just saying the word feels awesome!!" Thief mentioned as they turned around a bend, they were heading south down this route where, from time to time, it opened into large grassy plains with the ocean far away from them. The sun flickered everything it had from the mirror of the sea which made the entire forest glow with powerful lights. Colors flashed, and the cloudless sky happily and honorably made way for the bright yellow light. It was like he stared at a giant happy smile… or a pair of friendly eyes that studied him.

Makani was ahead of them and helped Ayumu in his chair by softly pushing him. Luckily the route was flat making it easy enough to go through.

“I told you Makani… it's just the hill I need help with…" Ayumu said and Makani gave him a grin

“But this'll get us there faster right!?" He'd say and point to the sea “We're so close now! You can basically see the city!" Thief heard the words and excitedly ran up to them, he wanted to see this place now. He wanted to explore all of it – his heart raced as he'd come over the bend and stare at a glimmering smaller city… where it appeared in a spectacle of white buildings with all sorts of garnished ornaments. Where the moss gently accented some of them against the harbor where a small ferry laid in wait, as though ready to cross the calm seas to other lands that the Growlithe only desired to jump into the water and swim across to. A large paved highway appeared to run through the city and frankly, Thief was happy that they walked instead – even with the blistering heat.

Here it felt like the wind got colder with the intention that he was naturally adjusting to the unforgiving sun with the help of the island breeze. The rich salty air fluttered into his nostrils as he'd sniff the air anxiously and stare at this beautiful little diamond city surrounded by a small mountain that cradled the opulent and iridescent stone inside of its canyon. The paved road had all sorts of people walking down it, trainers, those that lived there. Thief's tail flicked and flashed at the air with a loud swoosh… he wanted to run around in circles, to yip and howl and somehow, this time, he held himself back.

Instead he let himself get taken back from a view of gentle swaying trees that sang a beautiful song which was as fiery and calm as a beachside bonfire. They danced and swirled in the breeze while he studied two humans run down the road in the city as though calling to one another. A pokemon he'd never seen before flew between them and let out calls that slithered from the water and towards his ears. A friendly outdoor market surrounded smaller buildings and lined an entire small stretch of road in the city as people of all sorts handed out wares, talked to one another and shared stories.

All while they laughed and waved to friends of all kinds, Thief felt his heart race as Wingulls called out a song of their own. Wingbeats licked against the sky in scores of glorious white and blue feathers that sparkled against the glorious sky and while Thief just kept his stare this small shadow darted over him, as though others joined in with the melody. A melody that sounded so like that of the sea. No warning came to his mind when another tough nip drove against his pom pom of a tail and tugged it high to the air behind him.

“H – Hey!" Thief made a noise and felt his tail get dragged ahead of him.

“Come onnnnnnn! You're going to fall behind!" Wuffles commented and giggled “It's really pretty but it's even better when you get there!" Thief felt his claws scratch against the earth as the RockRuff dragged him along the ground. Thief made all sorts of noises in protest, but it all felt like his voice was hitting a wall. He squirmed and just sighed.

She's like my exact size…. Thief seemed to sit and that stopped her from dragging him across the rocky trail.

Thief used Dead Weight! … That's not a move? … Really? (Well maybe it should be!)

He just felt her tug at his tail while trying to strain past his now flattened rear against the trail. It almost felt like she was able to budge him until Wuffles gave up in a pant.

“Come on!" She'd say and laugh “You're too fat for me to carry around…" Thief felt his face scrunch up.

“I – I'm not fat!" He'd recoil, and she giggled frantically

“Pudgy then!" She'd jest and giggle all over again “The pudgiest Growlithe in Alola!" Thief felt his face go red and his fur riled up from embarrassment.

“I am not!" He'd recoil “I'm just bulked up because I'm strong!" She'd hum and ha.

“I don't think so! All the other Growly's on the island are really skinny! When you get the chance to even see them! You're the first one I've seen up close!" She'd snicker “You must love snacking on everything!"

“Oh yeah?" He'd hop at her and give her a push. It was a playful one “So much for being the nicest Lycanroc!" Wuffles gave him a little tongue, it sat delicately past her muzzle as she just laughed

“I am going to be the nicest! I'm the nicest RockRuff after all! I make friends with everyone!"

Thief just tapped his paws against the earth as they wandered to that glimmering gem, Makani simply waved at them again while talking to Ayumu about whatever in the world all of his studies were about. At times, Ayumu just nodded and corrected Makani over a collection of things that seemed so basic and Thief only listened in on a conversation that made no sense to him. One thing made him tilt his head…

“No, they can't get cancer, Makani… Not naturally at least." That comment clung in his head for only a moment and Thief thought back to himself.

I've seen that word before… I think in a book. It's a human disease I think… Moonlight told me it's because human's can't evolve like Pokemon. He got closer and closer to listen in on all of them when Ayumu tossed the Growlithe a look.

“We're just talking nonsense, Thief." Ayumu replied and dropped his hand, Thief recoiled by scrunching up his nose and bouncing behind his chair. There was something around him… a smell that made Thief just desire to run but it seemed harmless too. As though a gentle lullaby fluttered against Ayumu's fingers. He'd simply give him a glance and look at his hands. “Maybe I spilled something on them… either that or you're more skittish then I first took you for." The man gave a small, insignificant laugh and that made Thief feel uneasy.

That smell… it… was like being in a Pokemon center. Like sanitizers. I haven't smelled anything like it before… Thief scrunched his nose again. Why… didn't I smell it before? I only caught onto smoke and whatever that weird smell was before… Ayumu and Makani went back to talking to one another, but this time Thief kept himself at bay, they were just talking about scientific things about Pokemon, even things Thief knew about. He only tried to envision that book in his mind, one that he read back in Hoenn with Moonlight. All of the words didn't appear in his mind again, regardless of how much he tried to remember them… he was too distracted with newer ancient memories. Every tiny snippit stuck in his mind from time to time as they finally found themselves within the clean paved slate of a wonderful lined highway. The towers surrounded that Growlithe as he'd sniff everything he could come around to… it was like Vermilion city all over again, but this time everything was brand new.

A new chart in his mind led the young Growlithe to sniff at the drapes which overlapped a small stand that sold some kind of food, all he knew was that it smelled wonderful. His pompous tail flickered all over as the owner looked over at something tugging the table and noticed him. Then Wuffles bumped against him again which made him laugh and Makani gave him a friendly wave. The two humans chatted for a while as though they knew one another, and he ended up buying something from the man. Three separate skewers of all sorts of fruits and foreign meats. It was clearly fish, Thief caught onto the scent immediately but there were all sorts of seasoning which charred against the well-cooked flesh. A smell that he never knew of. Makani dropped a skewer to the Growlithe and he happily nibbled on the fruits, meats, and everything else he could…

Except the stick, the stick didn't taste THAT great… but he could have if he REALLY wanted to.

“Oh… right! I forgot about Kukui's!" Makani laughed a little and Ayumu nodded at him

“I'm more then confident they've seen a Growlithe, all of them are in the northern fields along the route. They can see those ones." Ayumu brought up and rolled the two wheels of his chair forward, some people shot him a glance, smiled and waved at him. They also waved at Makani, whom spent so much of his time talking to all of them. Thief just kept on the road behind him and observed a Wingull above him. They both mixed glances and it made a little noise as if to say hello while the Growlithe replied with a 'hi!' of his own. Somehow, now, the sunlight didn't feel as harsh against his fur and he even felt a wonderfully chilly air slither through his thick fur; those orange lantern eyes stared up at all sorts of people, trainers that made a noise and went to pet him – Thief just sniffed their hands and made a noise.

Almost all of them commented that Makani's Growlithe was different from the ones that usually growled and bit. Thief tilted his head at them

Why would I bite you? You're just as happy as I am running around here! He'd wonder to himself and keep to the sidewalk while staring at a port now. It was so close to them, small warehouses littered the first small stretch of that port and, unlike the huge one in Vermilion City, that tinier wooden port seemed so much more tame and quiet. There were a few homes, flat roofed with windows that glanced out to the sea. Thief noticed them immediately, a Pokemon or two that casually rested in the hot sunlight or under the shade of an awning. Every building appeared as though the beautifully white sand were used to create stones of pure snowy colors to build every home, the only exceptions were the skyscrapers… but here it felt more like the market they walked through was part of some suburban sprawl with the forest daring to take that part of the city away from the people.

The tree's loomed over here where they hung low with all sorts of different leaves and another scent flicked against his nose. It was fur, for sure…. But that smell with it, like fire and fruit. It made him pause and stare all over just to see the smallest glint, as though a pair of eyes saw him in the open road. The tiger stripes licked against his mind, a wonderful and awe-inspiring gold and black. All it held was what looked like a plastic bag of some sort… before it just disappeared into the woods. Thief just stared at this large bright golden and black Pokemon run off… That smell still lingered around him, like that of salt and a wonderful campfire.

That was an Arcanine! I've never seen fur like that either!? His tail played its little flicker as he stared into the opening that rested in the middle of two trees. Just the forest glanced back at him before something gave him another push and a tug of his tail.

“My tail isn't cream!" He'd retort at…

It was a pitch black Rattata. It just glance at him with a tilt of it's head and tugged his tail again. Wuffles gave him a bark, at the both of them. The Rattata just squeaked and bolted off… it shoved a shell in Thief's tail. A shiny little shell of mystical sapphire and purple. It glimmered aimlessly in the light as though that Rattata just handed him a little welcoming gift. It made Thief giggle as he'd look at that, in fact he stared at it intently.

A gift! I should find a whole bunch! I can give them to everyone!

“Come on Thief! We'll all get something proper to eat! Rather then snacking on everything pudgy, let's have some actual food!" Thief flicked his tail and lit that lighter again, burning heat.

“I'm not pudgy!" He'd say at her, feebly and Wuffles went into a fit of laughs and snickers. He sighed and just looked back at the shell.

It was a pretty little shell, the kind that would have rested on a beachside surrounded by pointless Sand dollars and wonderful gold-white sand. A shell that reflected all sorts of colors, as though a rainbow were trapped underneath it's blue-purple skin.

Wuffles gave it a poke and Thief turned at her.

“H – Hey!" She'd giggle

“It clings to your fur! It's like it's stuck! That Rattata is so weird! I've seen her around before she LOVES to steal fruits from all the funny stands!" The RockRuff explained “Maybe she thinks your special! I haven't seen a shell that pretty before... it doesn't even look like one from this island!" Thief tilted his head at her.

“How do you know?" Wuffles stuck out her tongue

“Because Makani found me on Ula'ula!" She'd nod happily “It's where all the pretty Vulpix's are! There's this little forest there where I was born on that Island!" Thief tilted his head at her.

“I don't get it… so the other islands across the port are part of Alola?" Wuffles nodded

“Yep! It's that easy! We're on Melemele!" She'd flick her own tail and give this little hop that made Thief think of Yuny. But Wuffles didn't bounce everywhere like she did, just in one little spot. “That's this island! Because it's always bright and sunshiny! It's a yellow gem!" She happily bounced again and tugged at his tail… somehow Thief was dragged down the road with humans of all sorts staring at both of them. Some laughed and giggled. One commented

“Yep, that's Makani's alright! It's impossible not to know that!" Thief just sighed and wondered about using his new move… (It's seriously not one? It NEEDS to be added!)

His front and hind paws scratched against the pavement as he'd shoot one of the humans laughing a look… he just kept laughing and held his sides. It must've been funny, seeing a RockRuff determined enough to literally drag another Pokemon around. Is she really this strong? There's no way! Thief planted his rear on the pavement again and it stopped her in her tracks. She slid against the ground now, trying to tug him forward.

“I can walk you know…" Thief mentioned and there was her snickering again.

“And get lost! Anyways it's funny! It makes everyone laugh!" Thief huffed as she tugged his tail repeatedly.

“Well… I don't like getting laughed at…" He'd reply, and she let go of his tail.

“They're not laughing AT us, they're laughing WITH us. Pudgy!" She'd stick out her tongue and he growled in reply at her. Wuffles seemed to flinch and dropped her shoulders. Those ears of hers flickered wildly.

“Fine…" She said and flicked her tail at his face “Why don't you drag me?" His face went red from the tail in front of his nose.

“S – Seriously!? Let's just stop dragging things!" Thief commented and felt like he was being put on the spot. “Anyways, I could pull your tail off…" He'd mention with worry and she laughed

“You're too pudgy for that! ~" Wuffles made a sing-song retort and Thief huffed at her, his face was red…

“O – Oh yeah!? Fine!" Thief took her tail in his mouth and ran… She was almost taken off of her feet.

“H -Hey! That's cheating!" The RockRuff, now dragged on the cement across the sidewalk replied and Thief just held her wildly bouncy tail. In fact, it nearly felt like his own tail. He just ran with her skidding on the ground behind him… she was heavy, and Thief smirked

“I think YOU'RE the chubby one! You're like super heavy!" He'd comment, and she just giggled… she was on her back

“Oh yeah? Well you're really slow!" She'd comment “You really can't keep up with me! You're like an old pudgy!" Thief held her tail firmly and picked up the pace as if he tried to scamper down the road while dragging her behind him.

“I'm not old either!" He'd say as she just casually glided against the ground while stuck in a fit of giggles.

“Well at least I don't have to walk! My fur is super slippery, so I just slide around! Unlike your pudgy fluff!" They both laughed, Thief just carried her around by her fluffy tail until he passed by Makani and Ayumu… they were both just waiting at a smaller place… Thief was starving, he didn't have dinner! Or… was it lunch here? He couldn't tell, the sun was still burning in the sky, but it felt as though it were settling quickly. Wuffles flicked around and wiggled

“Oh! We can see the sunset soon! We should watch it! It's amazing because after the sun disappears it's like all the stars appear instantly!" She'd snicker “Anyways, with all your pudge I won't be that cold tonight!" Thief's face went red again…

Wh… the? He shook his head and dropped her tail from his mouth.

“We're like roomies! I guess… until you go back…" Wuffles just folded her bent ears and gave him this look that made him feel uneasy. All over again her emotions just played with his head, as though, almost like Griffin…

“Yeah… I guess we are like roomies? I mean I don't know how long I'll be staying anyways" He'd mention and nod “But it's great to have a new friend!" He'd say with a smile, his tail flickered as Makani talked to another person and then they were met with two bowls of food. It had been long enough since Thief ate Pokemon Food, personally he never enjoyed the dry taste of it. Dry food was never anything that got his attention but the mix here… the light accents of spices and fruits. It was nowhere as good as that little skewer he had earlier, and it left him to glance at Makani.

He's just as weird as Griffin is… Thief snickered to himself and kept eating. Unlike him, Wuffles devoured everything as though she were intent on playing more and bugging him. It left Thief to wonder to himself…

She said she's the friendliest RockRuff… but she's acting like I'm her only friend. Thief swallowed some kibble, there was that utterly annoying dryness that touched his throat because of it… and he just gave her a look. She was entirely ignorant of him when she was around her food, eating loudly as though to tell everyone around her that she was right there. _It… She makes me think of Yuny… but this is a whole island. An entire island… Where, I guess she really doesn't have anyone else to play with. _

Thief stopped eating and stared at his food, the bowl in front of him changed into… a collection of berries, these odd little frosted cakes, and seeds of all kinds. Even a bright shiny apple sat in front of him. All of them nestled in a bed of green long leaves that were tied together… The knot was so intricate, something he could never do with just his paws and teeth. Yet Thief just stared at them and a wonderfully bright slate eyed Vulpix whose fur was so delicately groomed and shone like stars. It glowed so beautifully… illuminated by moonlight and those golden burning lanterns that hung in a woven quilt of midnight. She just looked at him and the fear in his heart slowly quelled in the silence of twilight. She should have been sleeping, but as usual she stared at him like that Vulpix always did.

“I'll protect you! You're my baby brother!" Her voice just touched his ears and he glanced at her six flickering tails with this delayed fright. “I know all the best places to play! No body will bug you when I'm around! You like collecting things, right? We'll go find some at the beach tomorrow!" He never did eat anything there… not when everyone was awake… but with her looking at him, smiling and giggling about the idea of finding all sorts of neat trinkets. Of exploring… it made that little Growlithe eat… and look ahead at the next day. Thief just stared at the bowl of food, aimlessly without direction or guidance as the wind just fluttered through his fur… He just kept picturing her.

I… It's a dumb dream. I'm just… I'm Griffin's Growlithe. I'm normal.

“Are you going to eat? If you're not I can eat it for you!" The Rockruff said with a giggle and Thief snapped out of his thoughts before his tail darted to all sides.

“Oh and YOU'RE not the pudgy one?" She'd make a noise at him

“Well we can't let it go to waste!" Wuffles giggled and Thief rolled his eyes and started eating… after a while she butted her head into the bowl too. Thief just watched her, and she gave a sneaky grin and kept stealing his food from time to time… He just watched until looking back at the shell that was entwined in his tail. He felt like it found a home there, the way his fur latched onto the edges and knotted around it. Somehow that Rattata was able to get it stuck in there… but Thief didn't mind, he liked it. The way it gently tugged against his tail… it felt like it was something that just belonged there in its own way. Unlike Wuffles, Luna and even the way Tsurara tugged at his tail. All the names ran through his head and then his face started to grow rosy.

W – Why do they keep tugging my tail? He'd swallow to himself and nervously tap his paws and grind them against one another. Moonlight did something so close to being similar… in fact Thief remembered looking at him do that from time to time… Especially when he's looking up at the stars… he's so weird, like he's stupidly serious all the time. He'd suddenly think about Moonlight and his face went bright pink W – What the hell am I thinking of!? Thief swallowed and went to frantically eat his food. He couldn't believe, that even for a second… he nearly saw that Espeon as handsome! Thief stuck his tongue out at his food. Why would I think that? He's weird! He's such a weirdo! Thief thought to himself and Wuffles devoured his food and looked at him.

“What's with the funny face?" Thief went red and held up his back and turned his head away from the RockRuff that looked at him studiously.

“I – I – It's nothing!" The Growlithe replied while he looked away from her sudden giggles.

“You're weird, funny and pudgy!" His face went deep red while he glanced out to the sea. The Wingulls had pushed their way across the ocean, a few lost over the gentle rolling waves.

I…. His own voice skittered across his thoughts before he took a second to glance at her. The burning cheeks made her tilt her head… there was a silent moment of staring between them both. Wuffles gave him a smile

“You like me~" She'd call it out with a giggle “We'll be great friends!" She'd comment while she gave a rich cute giggle that left Thief flushed through.

“I… guess so…" He'd say and start to laugh to himself, it made Wuffles tilt her head once more. In seconds she made a funny face of her own. Those floppy ears dropped, and she tilted her entire head to one side with her tongue that lazily hung out of her mouth, It made Thief snicker

“I can do it too" She spoke with her tongue out that made that RockRuff sound as though she had a lisp, Thief just nodded at her in reply before giving a playful smirk

“I thought you always were!" He'd say, and it made her fur rile up

“Hey!" She'd recoil “At least I'm not a creamsicle!" Thief laughed, they both did as Makani and Ayumu got their things together. Over… whatever they were having, Thief thought it was dinner now, given that the sun had finally began to turn into a glorious golden-orange burn across the city. It made the land sparkle with colors, more then he thought was possible. It was as though the sunlight here made the forest shimmer with all sorts of shades, but with the sunset light there was only the everglow of sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and rubies.

Every plant began to breathe the most beautiful and potent colors he'd ever seen; that led the Growlithe to glare open-eyed at the new forest that surrounded the city as they began to walk back through the big open highway while that trail opened to them at the boundary that divided the forest and the pavement. Here with the burning sunlight every tree became embezzled with small trinkets of shimmering ruby-amber that felt as though every tree was peppered with beautiful November gems. Thief glanced at all of them, every tree shone in its own special way… this time Wuffles hung close to him and barely moved from his side. Her ears looked flatter then normal. Thief tilted his head at her while Makani and Ayumu chatted from behind them…. They had walked like that for over an hour in the entirely empty and beautiful trail. Not a single wild Pokemon was around.

“Are you okay?" Thief asked a little more quietly then he meant to and tilted his head a little. After a second he looked at Makani and Ayumu. They still talked between one another but this time it…

was like their voices were removed from his ears. All he could hear was the trees rustle and the wind pick up around them. Thief felt a non-too friendly shiver run through his pelt… “What's wrong?"

“T – There's something here…" Thief tilted his head at her.

“It's just the wind." He'd say and smile before his blood ran cold from a voice.

“I find this cute! Is that what it is? A fat little Growlithe running around with his friend… as if he's important!" Thief took a moment to turn to a tree in the distance as something casually lounged about and then swung upside down much like a Mankey or a bat while it looked at them both. It's tails, three of them hung low against the tree and coiled around the branch like snakes.

“I'm rather hungry! Starving actually! He get's all the food… but he's not here, I am!" Thief swallowed and felt his tail still. The way it looked at them both, it's two eyes opened against a coil of black swirling fur, pitch black like the night but hung over it like sickly tendrils that constantly squeezed and squirmed around it. Its legs were oddly bent, as though it could stand on them both but it's paws were out-reached and straight… and on top of it, the thing was smaller then Thief was and larger than Wuffles. It made a sickly sound that racked against the Growlithe's ears.

“Shi, Shira… Ches…" Makani and Ayumu froze. They said something, and Makani went for his Pokedex but Ayumu held his hand and called out something. Thief turned to look at his lips move.

Not a single sound came out of his mouth. Just the howl of the wind and a pair of eyes that eventually opened to more of them. All over it's body. The smile was the most terrifying thing he had seen, and his heart began to race.

“W- Wuffles… W-We should go back."

Now now… I can't let you leave THAT easily. You smell like someone I met before! She was a real meanie! Shot fire right at my face! I didn't get the chance to eat her either… But she was in pain…" It curled into itself with some shiver that made Thief swallow uncomfortably as it's voice dug into his skull.

“Pain… Pain, it's lonely…" It just kept whispering the same words to itself, hidden in those tendrils… sickly horrid tendrils that surrounded the tree branch and devoured leaves… it left the branch scrapped and barren in it's wake. “Would you like to be in that pain? Lonely pain… terrible pain. You'll enjoy it!" It muttered to itself and Thief took a paw back

“W- Wuffles… W – What is that?" Thief felt his fur rise over his body.

“I – I – I don't know…" She replied in a hushed whisper and started to step further then he did. That thing made another creepy call… a hissing sound that made them both stare aimlessly… scared.

Why… do I feel… like everything around me is being devoured of life? Thief froze as it suddenly stared into his eyes.

Pretty eyes… special eyes… creepy eyes… violent eyes… It sung in his head and eventually dropped two tails from the tree branch and stared at him with its own.

They were a disgusting mix of rolling purple, red, blue, yellow… everything clearly rounded from the iris outward. It spent it's time traveling from the center black pupil all the way to the whites of it. We don't have eyes… we're born with white eyes… you can't see with white eyes. You just evolve and when you see everything you're hungry. Everything around you is going to be devoured… I'll have your strength. I'll eat you both. The last tail dropped, and it hit the trail in front of them, less then thirty meters away. Tone deaf… tone deaf. They all get that way… Trainers can't help you, they won't see you soon. But I'll see you. Forever and forever. We'll both be so lonely together…

Thief felt his eye's go wider as it took a step forward. It stood on it's hind legs, the tails dragged against the ground before it malformed and began to change. It was a slow process, something that took a while… before a loud crack cut the silent and stilled air. It was deafening but whatever hit the thing in front of him stunned and stopped it. It arched itself low for a moment and then racked its skull back up. Thief gave a second look back. Makani was frozen still and said a name, Thief couldn't hear it at all… But he did look at Ayumu. His jacket was open, Thief found it weird that he wore one all the time, but he stared at a glint of silver, wood and grey. Another crack filled the air as he stared at him. The blinding flash made him shut his eyes. The sound drove Wuffles against the ground with her paws over her ears… Thief found it in him to look ahead and down at the trail. That thing moved again, and Thief swallowed, his ears were ringing… now he felt entirely deaf.

That's loud… is… that what Bandit talks about? That thing Ayumu's holding? What about Makani… it made him jolt? The Pokemon started to move again and let out a breath. It's as though the groan slithered into the air, a frigid like mist or frost slipped from it's maw.

It's like the other one… There were four… now there's three. She hasn't woken up yet… they can't find her. But it's like the other one. Mightyena's chase in circles all over the forest… he didn't get to eat them either… just this… the loud noises. Stop the noises… stop it.

Another deafening crack entered into the air and it struck the Pokemon again. Thief felt his eyes go wide and water… There was something wrong about all of this. Something terrible. The Growlithe couldn't even see what was hitting him so hard and yet it just looked at him…

It's eyes weren't like before now. They were just blue and green and white.

“Stop taking my friends away… they don't talk… or move… or breathe… but they're mine. All mine…" It jolted and moved, there was another crack and Thief saw wood from a tree pepper outward, sparks of bark crossed from the point of impact.

His paws were frozen… another one cracked out and took down a branch. One more crack struck against it as the thing passed by him. It was faster then he was but nowhere as fast as Bandit… then a click touched the air and a loud crash. A fearful roar sliced the frozen air and Thief saw the RockRuff move.

“Marcus!" He froze again… and again… Just watching Ayumu's wheelchair that was toppled over while Makani covered himself with an arm, stunned… at a loss. Wondering why? How? When? As though every question ran through his head. The thing opened its jaws at the human as though about to strike

Have you ever killed anything before? Moonlight's voice punctured into his head Get your head together kid... because a fight like the one between Shadow and Bandit was nothing. His paw hit the ground and he swallowed before letting out a move.

The flickers of embers and smoke struck against the side of the creature and exploded in a flurry of cracks… Ayumu didn't take his eyes away from it… Thief panicked, that Pokemon was trying to bite that human and Thief made this sudden connection that Ayumu's legs actually couldn't move... Wuffles gave him a stare and Thief couldn't take his eyes away from the Pokemon.

“G- get off him!" His voice cracked, and he bit his tongue while taking a pose. Ayumu was human… whatever he did before Thief didn't really understand it. But the thing, a curved piece of metal with the tip smoking and a cylinder that rested in the center. It was tiny, small… but it made that loud of a sound? He growled at himself.

I ran away… When Shadow was angry… It crossed his mind, but he let out a loud roar. One that flicked against the trees and the wind. The creature just glared at him with those big un-moving eyes.

“Yes… yessss… you're right! I can't eat a human… I just hurt a human, just hurt them until they stop. But you, I can eat you. I can..." Makani called out to Wuffles but she didn't even acknowledge him.

She can't hear either? Thief swallowed dryly… it was like that roar cut into his throat after it and he cleared it. It laughed again and spoke in it's sing-song like voice. “Eat you… eat you… devour you… bite you… crack you in half…" It spoke in a manner that was happy and then sadistically dark afterwards. The Growlithe felt his heart pick up again. Whenever this thing stared at him it felt worse then Bandit's way of looking at him. She always stared at him in some weird and bitter way… but now this looked at him in a way where Thief only saw himself dying here.

It picked itself a shape and malformed it's body… And Thief stared, wide eyed at a massive shape. It's long snake like body… fangs larger then his whole form and a ravenous snarl surrounded by constantly churning slithering black reflective worms. Or at least it looked that way… Thief stared at the shape with his wide lantern eyes.

A Gyarados stared back at him and it left his tail to drop flat onto the earth. First it lowered its head until it was almost in front of him.

“Just like that… stay there… let me eat you whole." It's mouth slowly went to encircle him and he froze with fear… a pair of dim dark, glowing eyes stared back at him from it's throat and the tendrils licked against him. They felt like they were stinging his fur… But it stopped and made a snarl, one that left his ears flat. It should've eaten him by now… but it just didn't. “Dead first… dead first… I need you to be dead first…" Thief felt his eyes go wide and out of all instinct he let out a move.

Thief used FireBlast and struck it clean down the Gyarados's throat. Something howled at him, a sickly horrific sound that made him bolt out of the way. He jumped onto the Gyarados, those tendrils gripped and slid all over his paws as he jumped off and gave a rough, sloppy landing onto the trail. The thing whipped around it's whole body and screamed loudly.

“Don't fight me, it's painful… painful… painful!" Thief bounced as far away as he could before it turned to face him entirely.

“Just let me kill you…"

-Logan

There was something in the distance along the horizon ahead of them. The sun had just set on their end which left a collection of stars to flicker quietly in the sky above them. There was, far away, what looked like a wooden wall. For whatever reason everyone had stalled for a moment when they heard it behind him.

“That's… an engine? This far out?" Logan glanced at Trevor for a moment and he tried to envision the sound. It felt as though it was coming from behind them and Logan went for the tree line and adjusted his hat. Rebecca went for the side he was on and Trevor went across into the bushes away from them. He was on that side. The large man went a little further into the woods and laid down. Rebecca was crouched behind a berry bush of some kind and Logan was standing with a Pokeball in his hand.

Whatever the hell is going on here… It can't be good. It was dark enough that they could see the headlights of the vehicle that rolled up on them. It stopped for a moment and two people got out. One man went for Trevor's side.

“Yeah… just give me a minute. Anyways I don't want to go back yet, do you blame me?" One person spoke rather loudly, and someone replied to him, much more quietly.

“We have to keep checking the sensors anyways. This research equipment is sensitive stuff." The one man groaned, he sounded annoyed.

“I didn't go through the frigging army to deal with equipment, they don't even tell us shit…" He'd comment, it looked as though he was using the washroom. A quick stop for the two of them. “Anyways… there's nobody out here. There hasn't been for weeks. I mean the occasional poacher or two, but hey. Who needs them? They're just making a quick buck anyways." One guy nodded, and Logan took a daring glance. Luckily the stranger wasn't looking his way.

“Can we stop chatting in this language? English is better anyways." The guy shrugged, did something on his end and sighed

“Right, and tell everyone we see that we're not from around here while we're at it?" Logan could tell from their bad accent right away. The one standing next to the jeep had a quick glance around again. “What? Think you'll see that thing again? It barely bothers us anyways… too busy with that psycho kid." There was a chuckle and Logan took another daring look again. They both wore camouflage, head to toe. Only one of them had what looked like a firearm. A pistol of some kind, Logan couldn't tell but he knew there was a holster.

“Psycho? Try Sociopathic. Jesus that kid is messed up…"

“Like the man that hired us? Absolutely nuts! But they pay well anyways… for whatever they want at least? A bunch of rocks? I shouldn't have left the army." He'd reply “Better then dealing with a bunch of regimented bull I guess…"

“Left the army? More like discharged." The man rolled his eyes, or at least it seemed that way.

“Because what? I took some shrapnel and now they barely cover my funds? If they weren't dealing with everyone else's problems, you and I wouldn't even be here. This stuff is shady as hell." A voice commented and one of them laughed.

“Retired by now? In a perfect world sure. Anyways, we get to sit on our ass, smoke and drink and look over some sensors and crap. Keep the locals out." He seemed to glance at his belt. “I don't even get the whole gun part… but…" He sighed and zipped up his pants

“I get the feeling… but you want as many as you can in case this shit goes wrong." He'd say “These guys don't bother us… that's the problem. We're completely expendable to them…" One of them sighed

“Ain't that different from before… Either way let's get back all this stuff checked out right, I got no clue what could've triggered it." Something flapped up above them and Logan took a glance up.

Poppo? What the hell Trevor? What are you doing? He'd swallow to himself and the two men looked up and laughed to themselves.

“Hey, a Pidgey. My kids got one of those back home"

“You got a kid?"

“Yeah… wife's gone though." He'd sigh and went for a section in his vest and pulled out a small carton. “Hell, they gave one pretty damn good offer for a myth." There was that chuckle again

“Don't tell me you believe that crap?" He sighed

“Hey… if I could even have a second to talk with her again… well there's a lot I'd say. Let's say I just hope this thing is true." He'd explain “Anyways… it'd be worth telling her how she's growing." He lent a smoke to the man that came up to him.

“I guess so… Seems like a stupid risk to me." The man mentioned and took the cigarette. Logan watched them both with this somber glance… he swallowed a little. “Anyways… I got a few people that didn't make it home. I gotta apologize for being the idiot to step on an IED, get tackled by my Sargent and be the only survivor. But the whole thing is bullshit. A Pokemon that can bring the dead back? No… even let you see them and talk to them? Sounds like a bad drug trip to me."

“Now you believe that crap?"

“Hell no, I just need the payment. I'd be a cop if they let me, but I got more metal in my leg then the ass end of this car." They both chuckled to one another “Let's just enjoy this and make our way back. They keep talking about needing to find all of them." One rolled his eyes to another.

“Right right, let's get this done. We'll talk to that business looking guy again or whatever, try to cut this short and get paid. Won't even tell us his name… The prick… He's got one of those things too."

“Psychotic Pokemon for a Psychotic Trainer." There was a laugh

“More like the trainer just makes them crazy. They must be, I see that kid and that trainer talk to those things… Only one hundred fossils, right? They got like what? Ninety?"

“Still stupid honestly… they let those lunatics run around like they got a death wish but hire the actual guns to hang around? We should both just grab some automatics and get the hell out of dodge. I feel that way at least but a payment like this? Can't let it up... Anyways, one hundred fossils? What kind of direction is that? There's millions of fossils out there!" They both went through their cigarette when something sneezed. Logan felt his heart grow cold. They both heard it and turned to the bushes in the forest.

“What was that?" One of them looked over closely. “Is that… fire?"

She didn't return him!? Logan swallowed and watched one of them get closer to him, He tugged behind the tree and looked at the small lick of fire that moved away from them. “A Charmander?" One of them laughed

“What? You think some wild Pokemon is going to tell the authorities." Logan saw his hand go down to his holster. There was something chilly in the way he did it.

“Alright, I know you're there. Behind the bush I can see your legs. Either you come out here quietly or I must come get you. You're in a restricted area."

Yeah because that line of bullshit anyone would believe after THAT conversation… great. Logan stared at the Pokeball again, his Dragonite was there… but a gun? Only a Tyranitar… or?

He went for his belt and froze… his fingertips licked against the ball. Griffin's Haxorus… but…

I can't do that… I can't just… He swallowed again and suddenly something beeped at him. Logan froze in place, silent as the wind. “Alright… it isn't the bush, over there. Come out." The man was holding some device in his hand… and Logan swallowed dryly.

He… pinged the Pokedex? It's not impossible… but… they? He swallowed. No matter what I do, there's no way they won't recognize me. The sound beeped again, search and rescue use things like that when finding a trainer… Logan glanced at something move.

“Sorry! Sorry… I was looking for my Pokedex!" She stepped out of the woods from the bushes

What the fuck? Rebecca!? What are you doing? Logan saw her step out into the open and the one man with a gun on his belt took out a flashlight and shone it on her. “I didn't think search and rescue was running around! Is… everything alright?" One looked at the other one and then the man with the holster passed her a firm glare.

“Who are you?"

“I'm a trainer" She said with a friendly smile… the kind that hardly looked fake at all until he made a noise.

“You're old to be one… Too old." He'd sigh and walk over to her. She seemed to jolt or flinch.

Damnit… Logan looked at the Pokeball again, he couldn't just attack someone with his Dragonite… he was one of the only trainers out in Hoenn with one. It… I can't run the risk; the League would take Bandit away… Put her down. The man took another glance at the other one. They were both fairly built but now, rather than that clear army like stature they both looked worn down. At least in their late thirties. “Look…" He gave his buddy another look, that man had weight behind him and this scruffy beard. The kind that made them seem like drinking pals or at least, new found ones. “We… have to take you with us." There was something Logan didn't like about the look. The whole thing he didn't like but the way the man looked at Rebecca made him scared. “I don't like being lied to, and frankly, you're lying to me." He got in closer “We ain't going to hurt you at all."

There was an emphasis on the word 'we' and it made Logan swallow.

Damnit… I should have left them both in Littleroot… As the man got in closer to her, went for a pair of handcuffs with the other watching, Logan saw it. Somehow Trevor got behind that chubbier mand and Logan hardly made a peep. He had to stay silent and wide eyed.

It was like watching something out of some over the top spy flick. Where the hero takes a guard in a sleeper hold and drags him around the corner. It's like the wind, by luck helped them out by blowing past Rebecca. Rebecca just froze again and looked at the man in front of her.

“W- Wait I didn't do anything wrong, I just got lost and dropped my Pokedex. I don't get why you'd need to take me in." He sighed

“Jesus… I thought only blondes…" He swallowed to himself “Look, I'm a cop and my buddy behind me is one too. We help out with Search and Rescue, like you said. That's pretty smart you could recognize us." Luckily the man didn't turn around to see buddy… Somehow Trevor got him down on the ground without a sound while Logan almost breathed out raggedly.

God… what are you? Rambo? You idiot… We should've… Logan felt some amount of guilt stab at him mercilessly. A name randomly popped into his head and he partially stepped out of the tree line with his hat covering him. He went a way out as fast as he could until finding an opening. It was the first thing he could think of.

“Jessie! Where'd you go!?" He called out and felt himself go cold when a flashlight shone on him… luckily it was from the trail where the jeep was. It's as though in that moment he pictured there to be more than one jeep… or team running around the silent woods.

“Jessie? Wait… Like?" He went for his holster and Rebecca slowly lifted her hands he looked… surprisingly worried. “You DO fit the description." He took a step back to the jeep while looking at her. “What's Team Rocket doing out here!?" He had his hand on his holster and Rebecca swallowed fearfully.

Shit… Right… Their names were Jessie and James… of course I have THAT pop into my head, just working I the background of everything… Logan partially turned to the flashlight as the man went and reached for a radio that sat in the center console, he didn't take his eyes off of them. As he did something tugged him forward violently and quickly. There was a weird ptang sound. Like a pan hitting the ground in a kitchen. Logan just watched and swallowed. Trevor took the man's hand and head and hit him with the roll cage on the jeep. It was an open top jeep with a metal frame that hung above the driver and the passenger side. Luckily it knocked the man out, at least that's what Logan had hoped. He went over there and couldn't stop his heart from racing.

“Well" Trevor was panting and swallowed while he passed a pale look “Don't you dare tell a soul…" He began to laugh to himself to cut the tension “Jesus… I can't believe any of that worked, I just moved when Rebecca walked out into the open." Trevor mentioned and swallowed “I guess… we're on the right track right but…" They looked at the one man he hit on the head. He was breathing, just unconscious.

“God… you could've given him a concussion… we can't leave him. What about the other guy?" Rebecca asked, and Trevor swallowed while he looked at the bed of the jeep.

“We'll tie them up?" He mentioned after he noticed a length of rope in the back

“What are we kidnappers!?" Rebecca recoiled “I mean you just… this? What the hell!?" Trevor gave a nervous look.

“I – I didn't want to, he had a gun and you were there and I just panicked!" He said back, and she just huffed… Logan looked at them both. The one man slumped over the driver's seat with his legs dangling out of the vehicle and the other which he could see on the ground around the jeep. Both were breathing, just unconscious…

“Yeah… We can't leave either of them, if he has a concussion… we'll just need to lie our way into a hospital… I mean you heard them, right? I think we caught a lucky break of some kind."

“I think our luck is going to run out Logan… You…" Trevor sighed “Damnit… fine, we can take this jeep I guess… it'll get us to the cabin faster. We bring them, tie them up and drop them off around CrossGate or Treefort. Anyways it's not like we'd be leaving them for dead…" He'd say nervously “I mean… they can't get THAT pissed about that right? We'll take the gun and ditch it, having that is just going to get us into more trouble than we bargained for…" He'd comment, and Logan nodded and looked at Rebecca.

“Alright, that's what we'll do… this plan isn't really thought through at all." He'd sigh and give Trevor a nod. “Hell, I bet we can get rid of their clothes at the cabin, Corey left a whole bunch of stuff there, they can look like normal people walking into town. And this Jeep is just some outback model, pitch black. Anyone could have that…" Logan swallowed nervously… they couldn't just back down now, not with going this far… His voice slipped away from him.

“We'll just get there, do that and leave. Never talk about this again… That makes sense to me. It's not like we can go to the police now…" Nervously Logan took a bundle of his hair, like they always did, and he only wondered moments later if Griffin was running into the same problems. His heart started to race frantically as Trevor gave him this terrified look and they both just somberly glanced at something that sneezed. Rebecca's Charmander looked at them both, those allergies were going to get them killed if they weren't careful. Poppo began a little descent and landed on Trevor's shoulder.

“Alright… Logan get the rope, I'll clear space in the back of the truck and pick them both up… they can't be that heavy right?" Trevor gave a little laugh it looked like he was trying to calm himself down with laughter. It really didn't sit well with anybody as they began preparing the jeep to leave. Logan tied them up, back to back with their arms and hands restrained and after a moment they stared at the two of them in the back of the open Jeep bed. There was a nervous look between everyone as they climbed into the seats. There was just enough room for Rebecca in the middle.

“What if they wake up?" Logan checked the knot for the second time. It was tight against them.

“I guess just hope they can't hurt us?" Logan replied with a swallow and went for the radio in the Jeep. He basically tried to pull it out and then Trevor reached over and ripped it out of the console of the vehicle and tossed it into the woods.

“Alright, that deals with the radio they had. Let's just go, this thing is burning fuel." Trevor said and put edged the gas pedal. Logan took a glance at the two behind them.

Any more tension and I would've pissed myself… Trevor looks terrible and Rebecca? She looks just as pale. Thank god these two didn't just shoot first, like those back at the camp. Logan clenched his fingers into one another, entwining them firmly. Please god… just… let us get out of this alive. We shouldn't even be out here, I should've cut my losses but… with Charlie and… Griffin now… I can't just go back. He suddenly noticed Trevor whom gave him a glance. “Sorry… I'm just…"

“I know, I'd be right there with you." Poppo clung into Trevors shoulder. “I just… in a ring yeah, but you never… not for that." He shook his head and focused on the road. “You got the map? We should check to see if there is a GPS on this thing and toss it." Trevor handed Logan his small pocket light. Logan turned it on and looked around the center dash.

“There, it looks like a phone." He'd mention, and Trevor just unclipped it and tossed it.

“What about those two?" Logan swallowed and reached behind him, save for their handgun that was now on Logan's lap, something they grabbed, they didn't even have radios of their own on themselves. In fact, it was just their camouflage and a map. Logan took that. “Check again, Logan." Trevor mentioned, and he had a closer look.

“Right… the chubbier guy has a pocket knife." If Logan could even call it that. It was at least a five-inch folding knife with a partially serrated blade.

“They did say they were army guys… of some country. Who knows what they have hiding on them… the guy who hit his head could wake up in five minutes or twenty… the other guy should wake up any second. I mean I didn't really knock him out that badly…" Trevor swallowed as they followed down the trail and Logan handed the map to Rebecca. Her Charmander sneezed and hung his tail up as though to let her see it.

“Take a left… this thing has a bunch of marks on it. Those sensors, whatever they are, I guess." Logan swallowed to himself and looked behind him.

“My guess is that they're research traps. They are like field camera's, but you stick them in the ground and make a boundary. They have all sorts of sensors and other things on them, it's to track migratory patterns for Pokemon." He'd swallow “They catch onto any kind of movement at a certain angle, send a message to a computer and take a picture. The radio was probably the thing telling them it went off… but since they only sent two, I guess they thought it was a Pokemon." Logan looked behind him again, he was half expecting the chubbier, built fellow to wake up and break out of the knot he tied. “Either way… you need a permit to get them. This must be League related for sure… but they wouldn't hire mercenaries or any security. Like my camp it had none. We WERE the security." Something stirred behind him.

“Jesus… what hit me?" Rebecca made a sound and Charmander turned to look at the man who met the lizard face to face. “Oh… shit really?" He sighed and looked around. “What? Hogtying too? Great…" He changed to English suddenly and moved again. Talking to the guy behind him before making a rough sound. “What the hell did you do? Hey, he's bleeding." The chubbier guy moved again, and Trevor stopped the car.

“Not left you both for dead, that's what we did. Now shut up and let us drive." The chubby guy chuckled in reply and that made Logan shiver.

“Man you all look like a sorry bunch… do you know who the hell you're dealing with?" Trevor made a little look back.

“We don't give a damn, you messed with us so now we're dealing with it." There was this tough guy façade thing going on between them and the chubby man howled after a moment.

“God… you're like what? Twenty-three? Twenty-five? Maybe older? Drop the act, you look pale as hell. I'm surprised you all got the drop on us… Guess we should get the hell out of here after all." Logan swallowed

“yeah, we overheard you… we need some answers, if you can help out?" The man smirked again.

“What am I? A plot device for your movie?" His sense of humor made Logan look down at the gun in his lap.

“Not really… I guess… It's just I…" He looked over at Logan closely now.

“Wait a second. You're Logan? Champion Fletching?" He scoffed “Of for Christ's sake, the lot of you are going to kill yourselves out here." He mentioned, and Logan felt a shiver cut through his back.

“Oh yeah? What about yourself? Mr. Expendable?" Rebecca mentioned and her Charmander made a little growl at him.

“Get your lighter out of my face… Unless you all got a cigarette for me to have?"

“No." They all said it in unison and he sighed as Trevor started to move the jeep again. The man just kicked back his legs, or at least tried to.

“This is one hell of a knot you tied…" Logan swallowed and kept his eye on him now as the Jeep crossed down a path, rolling silently through the woods towards a silhouette in the distance. “The Forbidden Forest? Planning on torture out there? Or just leaving us to the Pokemon?"

“Neither…" Logan mentioned and looked at him still. Being turned like this was getting uncomfortable for him and it wasn't because he was staring at this hard looking and tough man. “If anything, we're going to leave you both at CrossGate and get the hell out of here. There should be a hospital."

“Uh huh. Not really the kind to just drop us on the spot?" He seemed delighted and Logan swallowed.

“Look, we can't just do that…" The man made a look

“No I get it, I get it entirely. But you're lucky it was us and not someone else."

“We know…." They all said it in unison again and the made laughed.

“You're not dealing with some classic Team Magma and Aqua crap… these guys I'm working with. They got more guns then some little criminal enterprise. They're looking at some all-out war."

“I know that already, they shot a friend of mine." Logan mentioned, and the Jeep seemed quiet again. They were coming up to a gate to the forest quickly and it felt as though eyes were staring at them. Without that Jeep, they easily had a few hours walking, but here it was less than twenty minutes with it.

“They wanted that fossil to the point that they put a friend of mine in the hospital." He scoffed and sighed.

“Yeah, Yeah I get it. Now you're trying to play the hero."

“Hardly…" Logan said, “I'm just trying to be a good enough brother, that's all." He tilted his head

“Your family is involved too… That's not… good." He'd say and look out at the rolling trees. Trevor tapped his shoulder and silently asked what Logan was doing.

It's give and take right? I guess… he doesn't know where we're headed exactly. There's probably nothing even there to begin with.

“Those guys."

“Underworld." Logan commented, and the man made a sound

“Done your homework kid? Yeah… Underworld, they're committing full on terrorist acts."

“For fossils?"

“Yes. Some crazy myth about a Pokemon that can get powerful enough to bring back the dead. They need the fossils for some weird reason. All I know is that everyone who helps them can see them again. So… well I guess you heard my reasoning."

It's like he knows that I know this much already… that Myth seems like a good thing to ask about.

“Money."

“Damn right kid." Logan sighed, and the man made a sound. “Don't judge me over that, I got a gimped leg. I served my country and they never paid me for it."

“You don't want to be here anyways… how much are they paying you?"

“Oh about a million over the year. Some collector invested in us, talked about mythical birds or some stuff months ago… that's on top of some company."

“The Pokemon BioMedical Research Company?"

“God no, that's government sector. This is private." He said in reply. Logan wasn't getting anything out of him. Mythical birds? What the hell would Logan need with that information.

“So Psychotic trainers?"

“Just the two of them and some lackey." He'd mention, and Logan gave him a look. It was hard to figure out if he was telling the truth or not. “The rest run around like it's some over-fueled eighties time warp."

“What's this myth about?" The man sighed.

“There's a few dozen stories about it, the newest one was during the first world war and the rest go back even further. All I know is that this thing can bring back the dead, so can liquor if you drink enough..."

“What happened there?"

“Oh, well you know. History. Probably Shellshock. A small group in the trenches spotted something that brought forward the 'Light of God' sort of crap and saw their fallen comrades right before artillery shelled and killed all but one of them. He just rambled on like a lunatic about a Pokemon. Became one of the forgotten ones, the kind the government barely acknowledged at the time. Everyone knows that whole thing scared off all of them. None of them came back – hell they still don't… not to those fields."

“Seems loose for one million dollars over a year." Trevor idly commented.

“Hey, it pays more than a minimum wage job, gets me back out here anyways." He said “Where I belong. I can't just sit on my ass and do nothing but worry about bills and my next breakdown." The man mentioned, and Logan sighed. “Look… kid. You're easily ten years too young to be out here, thirty to be throwing your life away." He began this line that made Logan's brow furrow.

“It's my family I'm worried about" He made a scoff

“Then get the hell out of dodge!" Logan swallowed again.

“We're planning on it, just grabbing something." Trevor commented “Probably nothing but we're seeing it through. We've decided on that, you both just gave us more of a motivation to leave as soon as possible… and a jeep." He chuckled

“Keep the damn thing, I didn't pay for it." Logan gave a sigh…

“So, hypothetically, say I have access to some very good funds." Logan started to say, and the man seemed to quip.

“Oh?"

“And say I could hire a 'Security Advisor' for my research team." The man gave a shrug.

“Well…"

“Maybe the job is simple, easy. Helps us out a bit, since I doubt that your 'expendable' employer isn't too interested in you or your friend. You mentioned these people are crazy."

“Yeah, but it would take a lot to sway me. Kid, they paid me half in advance."

“Depends, how about seven?"

“Seven?" He'd say, “Seven what?"

“Seven hundred thousand. You'd have over that million right there."

“No way you got that kid, at your age?"

“I don't know about you… but a League Champion gets paid well. Goes through endorsements and with my Research team too, all the grants. Jesus, I get paid a lot actually. More than I've taken into account." The stranger made a sound again

“That is bullshit, complete bullshit kid."

“Right… because a young researcher with grants from the Pokemon League whom has the ownership with a large production team for a new kind of Pokeball and a further update to the International Pokedex, along with his scientific research – which is paid and covered BY the League and the attack would very much persuade them to allow me to hire a security officer or two, possibly with their own expenses covering it… and then there's some other saving during my champion run – smart investing. I could probably buy myself a Ferrari for all I know. Yet I care more about family then that flashy crap." He went silent and smirked.

“Alright kid, you got proof of that?"

“It'll take a bit with the proof part, at least Crossgate town to check it. Everything I have is dark for… 'safety' purposes." The man made a small, strict smile and nodded

“Smart kid, they're pulling tabs on plenty of trainers. Logan nodded

So if not the League itself, then the Employees. He got upset with Team Rocket, but they have resources same as Aqua and Magma. I feel like they're no different than an underqualified kid whose parents know an owner or a CEO… That's what this feels like now, to me at least. A Collector? Maybe for Legendary types? Sounds like those shady Pokemon Auctions I've heard about.

“Wouldn't be much to lose on a business proposal… especially if a research security advisor may get paid plenty by the Pokemon League. All legal, because I doubt that advance means anything it hasn't been washed properly, not to mention digital currency? Right, because they'd pay you with that and not leave a back door open to take or dip into it if they wanted. That's not the hardest thing to do unless it's sitting in a proper bank and not some offshore little account with some weak unknown firm in whatever country you've chosen." The man gave him a small flurry of laughs and Logan cautiously looked at Trevor who gave him this weird shrug in reply.

“That's funny kid, Hollywood funny. What? You think this is some cheap action flick? Some good ol'fashioned mafia movie? I am legally paid."

So… that means the company is actually hiring people, maybe on an alias of some kind? Say they're workers but send them elsewhere? Or maybe they work in both… “And digital currency? I'm basically on a contract with them. Like I said, what you're talking about is a line, kid. Goes to my bank and I assist with their research developments." Logan bit his tongue as they slowed the jeep down, he glanced at the other man who stirred himself.

“My head…" He muttered and groggily looked around. “Wait… Oh for god's sake…" The man glanced down at the ropes and then bumped into the man tied up behind him. “Great… what did I miss?"

“Other than myself needing another smoke, getting jumped and shoved into the back of a jeep; we got a couple of young adrenaline junkies trying to buy us." They both laughed to themselves as Trevor stepped out of the jeep.

“I need to open the front, see the large gate? Just give me a moment." Logan just stared at them both and the one fellow, his head still bleeding looked at him.

“Wait... you're Logan?" Logan sighed and swallowed to himself.

Everyone knows, I've never even properly defended my title… I guess Bandit sent everyone into a frenzy, anyone could see that. What the hell do we do with these two?

“Yeah, I'm Logan." He sighed a little and the man furrowed his brow, what was with these two doing that?

“You're all crazy… I heard you helped with Team Magma and Aqua in Hoenn." He'd mention, and Logan gave him a look.

“They… hurt my Pokemon. They hurt me, they did a bunch of bad things." The guy shrugged and the other one turned his head to him.

“Dumbass here somehow has his family involved in this stuff…" The other guy muttered something and looked at Logan. “Also wants to buy us for some weird reason and they're running to the Forbidden Forest for some reason. I've been telling them to get the hell out of here, but they're not listening to me." The guy scoffed and moved his arms. They weren't getting out of that easily, it was like staring at a giant Caterpie wiggle around on the ground.

“Heh… well we must be getting old; falling for a trick like that." He seemed to close his eyes. “Jesus, I'm guessing that big guy took me down; my head hurts like hell." Rebecca took a little glance at him. “Here I figured it was Team Rocket, guess we'd both be dead by now if that were the case."

Logan swallowed again and nodded

“Yeah… probably, we also couldn't leave you after. We all panicked." He made a face

“that'll get you killed." They just stared at one another.

“And you got a kid." Logan mentioned, and he nodded

“Yeah, She wants to be a trainer; I'm telling her it's crazy." Logan gave him a look.

“It isn't if these groups aren't around, but I guess with you helping them… I'm just saying but my offer stands."

“Oh right, kid here says he can pay us seven hundred thousand, like he's throwing numbers out. Talked a bunch about his endorsements and crap. Says we can work with the Pokemon League." There was a wry smile between them.

So they are working with something connected to the League, directly connected. How many private companies are out there with that? Too many… but with the level of funding… The grants to use science and research equipment, if it is the same sensors I've used. This Collector has me worried however, if they have larger single named people with money to burn from god knows where… I can't even read them, it's all in the air and there's something off about them both… I can't put my finger on it at all.

“Yeah, I bet I can get the League to accept you both as security advisors." Logan mentioned

“You bet? That doesn't sound pretty solid to me." Something leaned the jeep.

“Let's go." Trevor mentioned and glanced at the two of them. “Thank… nevermind, at least you're not convulsing or something." He chuckled

“Luckily not!" He'd comment “Takes more than that to take me out. Anyways… well I guess you all didn't leave us there in case I did."

Maybe giving them information on our side isn't the best idea… but this guy said he stepped on and IED but his leg isn't that horrible. I mean, he would've lost the thing right? And he looks fine save for maybe a scar but I can't see that. The other guy says he has a kid, unless he doesn't give a damn he wouldn't be here; yet he clearly does because he had some sincerity, I can hear that in his voice. Both of them here wouldn't make sense for a myth and a small million. There's something fishy going on… did we screw up? Are these guys government? Logan gave a gentle sigh as the Jeep began to move again They keep talking about falling for it… I feel as though they wanted to be.

Logan gave Trevor a concerned look and he returned the look. It's as though Logan was trying to tell him something particular and Trevor gave a small look behind him. Logan used his hands on his lap and then made a little diagram with his fingers. Just his hand tracing out his other palm showing the car moving to his pointer finger, stopping before it, his finger tapping his palm to their destination at the tip of his pointer finger. Trevor didn't nod but it looked like he got it. Logan could see that in his eyes. They kept going as Logan checked the map, made a subtle point down another road – some overgrown trail where eyes just kept following them. Logan could hear wings touch the air, wild Pokemon making sounds and something that followed them in the dark night. It felt that way in the least, just past dusk where the sun had fallen past the mountains and all they could see was the road through the dimly lit headlights of the jeep.

The two stayed quiet and just stared out at the forest around them… Eventually the car stopped, and Logan nodded.

“Stay here, both of you." He'd say, swallow and grace his fingers against the handgun. His heart was pounding out of his chest. “J – Just in case, I'll get rid of it after." Trevor gave him a look and Rebecca just stared as Logan put it behind him, hiding the firearm in the lip of his jeans and the small of his back. His jacket casually rested over it – the metal felt uncomfortable, sickly. He lit the flashlight and began to walk down the road as his fingers went for a Pokeball.

The little LED light was a yellow pocket light, stainless steel or something similar but Logan didn't care much – it was bright – a crisp cool blue light swallowed the darkness and as he skimmed behind him he could see the two orange dim headlights that stared back at him. They weren't too far away, according to the map and he could see that mountain in its full glory. It was like staring at a giant silhouette which loomed mercilessly and devilishly over him. A sound slipped into the wind and he searched to the left with the light. There the bushes moved and a small Pichu stuck it's head out and stared at him – it made him freeze with the light shone on it. He could tell right away it was wild and it only tilted it's head as though it had never seen a human before. Logan moved his legs…

Just don't acknowledge them. If a Raichu comes out… I can't risk a battle – it would make too much noise. He went for a section of his belt and froze. The handle brushed against his hand and he cautiously took his hand away from it before feeling for a spray. He always had repellant, it was a given for any trainer. After a liberal spray, Logan picked up the pace. There was this eerie way how the forest came to life and slithered away from him. Exactly how many Pokemon were in here? Enough to make the whole forest move like a nest of entangled routes and overgrown bushes. In the day he'd be fine but now? Alone in the dark?

Great… now I'm remembering those dumb horror stories online… I should stop reading them but now it just won't get out of my head. He swallowed, there were a few that freaked him out. Like the Mimikyu that has no sheet. It sniffs out trainers and devours them, marks its territory with their body parts… Jesus that was a scary urban legend. He saw a shadow dart in front of him and shone the torch down the pathway. Something stared at him for a second.

An Eevee? God… I'm getting skittish. His shoulders slumped, and he slowly began to trudge along until the bushes moved nearby it. Logan froze as something with bright feral eyes glared at him. They both just stared at one another for a moment until it brought it's paws out, picked up the Eevee by the scruff and disappeared. And mommy Umbreon… great. He closed his eyes for a moment I shouldn't be this freaked out and uneasy… but I mean can I blame myself? His eyes squinted at a square in the distance and Logan picked up his stride, that Cabin was there… or it looked more like a broken in shack nearly. Rustic, unsteady – the kind of thing that could fall over at any second. It made Logan think of some other terrifying internet stories. There was his heart rate again as if reminding him all of this was a horrible idea and eventually he got to the door and lightly pushed on it. It creaked open and the noise just fluttered through the woods. It made him quake and he looked at his Pokeball before holding it to his forehead. His Dragonite was there and he just breathed and calmed himself as the forest stirred again.

“I'm alright… I'm alright, just find it. Logan… find it…" Great now I'm doing Griffin's thing, talking to myself. I wouldn't be this bad if Shadow was here. The door cracked open slowly and he felt like it really was something out of an old-style slasher flick. All he did was lean and shine the light inside to have a look. Other than the cracked walls, what looked like a bedroom that was caved in and the rustic kitchen – it did look like a very nice Cabin. Wooden walls like logs set up against one another as though it was something out of a big camp site. Now all that's missing is the jump scares and the crazy machete guy. Logan grinned a little and slowly pushed his weight against the door while it creaked more same thing as the floorboards. There didn't seem to be any place to get water from, in fact he tried the tap and all it did was groan. As if the house itself was alive and breathing while he glanced around at the ancient sounds. There were old pictures, a table with a completely expelled candle and papers everywhere. It looked as though Pokemon had rummaged all through the house and only left cans of food – all expired by now.

Something caught his eye and he turned to the door as a pair of eyes just stared at him. He swallowed again; it was that Umbreon that stared at him from outside. Naturally he tried to smile but it felt as though it could just read his body language, read how uneasy he was… The hairs on his arms stood still as he opened a cabinet which let a puff of dust flutter out. It was empty and web-ridden, and he took a second to think. Corey is smart, very smart… there must be a part of the wall or the floor that he hollowed out. Logan shone the light against the wooden ground and only noticed all sorts of scratches and claw marks. He recognized one and it made him bend down. A Raticate? I haven't seen the rest of these before… it's nearly like talons of some sort? Or hooked claws? A dragon type? It's too subtle though, hardly large enough to be one Something creaked and Logan looked behind him. That Umbreon was getting a little too curious with him…

Don't acknowledge it… stop acknowledging it. He kept glancing around the floor – other than being worn and scratched and clawed at, as if some big battle happened inside of the cabin there wasn't much to look at. Those look like worn in spots? Blood? Yes… it's blood. His fingers nearly traced it out Great now I feel like some detective, the floor is completely solid. The Bedroom is out of the question and if I try going over there the entire thing might come down on me. Great ending! Not… Logan swallowed and looked at a bookshelf and then a picture frame. He moved that, and it was just a wall or part of it. Nothing appeared like it could be removed… and then he turned again.

The Umbreon was inside with him and sat, tilted its head and Logan just froze before swallowing. Just as he was going to turn again the Umbreon – like some flashlight, just turned on the markings around it's body and it left the cabin to glimmer.

Is it going to attack? They do that when they attack. Glow like that His back stiffened and he heard it sniff around… the clacking of its claws hit against the hard-wooden floor and Logan shut his eyes for a moment. There has to be something out of place. There's no fridge but Corey wouldn't just use canned goods, not for the entire time. He must've dug something out to preserve things… but it isn't cold enough here for that to work. The floor is completely solid, there's nothing behind the picture frames… the walls are a solid block of wood – I can't see a line that shows a compartment. The bookshelf here has nothing on it but a few herb related things. Wildlife survival for dummies? Logan just glanced at the book and questioned himself for a minute as that Umbreon just sniffed around and bumped into a cabinet. Logan turned to the sink.

He had no running water so he would have boiled water but he also had no gas… so why is that…? Logan took a second to look at the stove, there was a certain thing about it that made him double check it. There are a number of panels and space in the back of a stove Logan had a look and swallowed to himself it was tilted out and he glanced over at the Umbreon that looked at him. Corey couldn't move that whole thing himself, anyways it's slanted from the vent… it nearly looks like he just picked up something that was being thrown out. Logan glanced around again and stared at a desk. He went over and checked underneath it, behind the drawers and then checked the legs. These can be hollow right? He went along and picked it up and reached a hand down. He broke off the most annoying one – the one stuck in the far-right back end where that bookshelf was. It was solid… through and through and left the desk to slant. He checked all of them by breaking them off as the Umbreon just glowed in the dark room.

All of them are solid? The walls are too… damnit He went for the bookshelf and took out the drawers from that. He checked behind them, removed them and looked inside it. The drawers just sat on the ground pointlessly filled with crap like books and other pointless things. Logan emptied them on the ground as Umbreon just tilted his head. Logan looked underneath – nothing was fake or replaced at all. He went through the entire cabin and found two pairs of clothes – older clothes but that would work fine… There was a washroom too and he checked everywhere he could think – even underneath and behind the sink, underneath the cabinet. Nothing was taped or hidden anywhere.

He took a second and removed the shower head, again there was nothing. Then there was the ceiling fan as if at one point this whole place had electricity – nothing in there, even after he took it out with his multitool. Nothing was behind it or in the vent. The medical cabinet was empty and dusty. Logan coughed as the Umbreon just pointlessly glowed and looked around at a world unlike the forest. Eventually he sat down on a chair and then checked that.

Right… nothing under the cushions, in them… the legs are solid – nothing underneath it. Where the hell did Corey hide it? Is there even anything here? Logan swallowed to himself and stared at the stove again, he went for the bottom drawer, a heavy thing that was filled with pans. Old, dusty and untouched rusty cast iron pans. He then checked the other cabinets in the kitchen and froze…

Every coffee tin is open? In fact some of these things… He shone a light at the dusty bookshelf… there was a handprint or maybe the mark from a finger, it must've been weeks old. He could tell because the dust wasn't as dark there. All the tins are open? They've been cut open… I can't even see anything in them. He checked the space above the cabinets on the walls. Other than canned food, there were plates – a few of them broken. Someone had been in here before and looked for something too. Those two at the jeep? No… Maybe? His back quivered and he looked at the oven again. It's been touched too… but… He went to remove the oven's bottom compartment, nobody ever checked or cleaned that at all right?

The only person who ever did was Martha and his own mother when she could. He went to tug it out, the thing creaked and groaned at him as that weird Umbreon kept glowing in the golden-lit room. It was wild, feral. Unkempt, messy – filthy and wiry. It had no ill bearing to Logan which was something that made him swallow as he pulled out the heavy oven's compartment, the one underneath it. It's got to be somewhere, Corey wouldn't have put it in the bedroom… the whole cabin was made poorly, he'd know that too. He got it out and pushed it aside before crouching again and running his open palm along the filthy bottom of it. The oven was gross to touch, it felt like old oil and other dust – cobwebs... until he got to the upper back of it.

It's slanted? A space?

Logan lied down on his side and got his whole arm inside it, feeling around the upper back slope until his fingers brushed against something sharp. A rock? Wait… really Corey? You found one of those things!? Logan froze and brushed his fingers against it again before giving it a tug. It came undone and he held it in his palm. It wasn't heavy… in fact it felt lighter than normal – less heavy and morbid unlike when he was sketching out the other one. He pulled it into Umbreon's glowing light and it gave him a tilt of his head before something made a sound… it just went for the door as two little Eevee's stared back at him. Logan just watched it leave and he took that pocket light and shone it on the fossil…

What… the hell is this? This isn't… what in the world did you find Corey? This whole place is destroyed – it's like a massive Pokemon came in here… but I've never seen anything at all like this before.

The rock just stared at him as though two little eyes watched him past it's casing. Two wiry and long tails were attached to some little feline, or at least it looked like one. It makes me think… of a ghost type nearly… it's something. These ears are huge? Larger than most of the body really… it's a dark type? This is… fantastic! I've never seen anything like it at all! But what's… what's with these fossils then? None of them look like this! I want to say it's like an Eevee and a Persian and a Liepard… Maybe even similar to a haunter in some ways… The fur is spiked sort of, and the ears are huge… two tails too. Those paws are tinier then I thought a Pokemon could have… Almost like it grows up in small caves naturally. It's also really tiny as well, just larger than a Caterpie. I feel like they belong in desert biomes.

_ Logan touched his Pokeball instinctively, the Software ball and he gave a little excited nod. _I'll put it in there when I can… somehow. From my first glance it looks like it has nearly no hairs at all, or very short hair… I just need to figure out how to wake it up? I need the tech for fossil revitalization… Something stirred in his hands as he held it and all Logan did was watch it crack. His whole body went still. What… the hell? Did it just break down the middle? Did I break it!? His eyes went wide and slowly he gave a little exhale as a tiny head came out of the rock… it…

wasn't a rock.

“Esi?" A pure white eyed thing stared at him with a big bright look. Logan felt his body quake as it tilted it's tiny sparsely quilled and furred head and those huge ears just flopped pointlessly against his hands. “Si, Si, Es!"

“Uhm…" Logan made a sound and it nearly chirped at him.

“Esi!" The voice was happy, cheery and the tails quaked and quipped all over the place while he stared at the rock, or what he thought was a rock just hit the ground. No wonder why it was so light…

It… made a cocoon? Wait… are they even fossils then!? His eyes gently went big and the pure colorless and glowing eyes made another sound at him. It was like a frantic chitter of Esi, Si and Essss, all while the little black, purple and white furred head looked all around the room. Logan just saw it bundle up in his arms and yawn… It uses Echolocation to see? This is utterly amazing… Wait, I have a spare Pokeball… I know I do. Logan took a hand and gently brushed against its fur and naturally the Pokemon just snuggled into itself and purred while it sniffed his jacket and his hand before making that little chittering sound. A wingless zubat maybe? There's something weird about the sound it makes when it chitters… I think I've heard it before, but I can't think about the Pokemon it belongs to… Logan took out a Pokeball and it immediately sent its tails over it. Feeling it, poking it… just straight up investigating it as Logan froze…

First, I'm taking out the battery in my Pokedex. I'm going completely dark as of now. I can't risk anyone knowing I have this… thing? An Esi? It has to be it… it's the sound it makes. Esi… it makes me kind of chuckle saying 'Si' all the time… whatever Logan, let's take out that battery and go completely silent… and then we're onto Crossgate immediately. If they need all the fossils, well I have one of them, I guess… and no one is going to know that.

Corey… you… crazy son of a gun… I just hope that Griffin is okay.