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Luna and Thief Kanto Special: An International Frontier!

“There you are.” He waited patiently while a collection of gold-yellow tails fanned out high, and like seeing any childish toy. The space between the fan erupted into a static cobweb of colors.

Moving images illuminated the early morning while the arcs vibrated soundlessly to move them. His hand softened against a leather satchel until he felt the urge to tighten it. “Not quite a gasmask, Tazer.” The man mentioned and nodded, “But if that’s how it happened in Fuschia, I’ll keep that in mind. The Superintendent is waiting, let’s go.” His paws had been a hue of white gold, his short fur puffy. With a nod, he began to walk down a hallway. The window rested beside him and let him view out to a stadium.

The top had been open, it revealed the early morning sky, and while he watched every single piece below. The thought of a vast, circular gladiator arena came to his thoughts. The stadium had been massive, and in the upper rim, there had been a collection of charging camera drones near the roof. Little green lights rimmed underneath it.

Little things that were controlled by a program, they all had been; but he glanced closer to the wall furthest from the control decks. Below him had all been seating until a hundred meters or so. The chairs were a smoke grey fabric.

Tazer sparked up the dark hallway, it left Jean to follow the Pokemon. It seemed he had comments of his own about the human’s tardiness.

I feel uneasy either way. It made him exhale as he glanced at the Vulpix next to him.

Ahead of him now, until his head turned to a room nearby, crystalline liquid silver splayed a wall inside it.

Jean could see that from the ‘flooding’ against the further wall, the window which let them see past the hallway and to the main component of the arena, told him that.

“Look, I’ve run it. Everything is a big green light.” One voice came up, the other made Jean slow his pace.

“I’m just concerned about the static from a week ago. I wondered if it was in correlation to”

“Corporal.” Officer Jean mentioned, it left the blond-haired man partially stiff. “I hadn’t realized you accompanied the Superintendent here.” The man nodded

“I had Sir.” He said back “When she came down earlier to have a look, I asked permission to arrive with her.” Jean nodded.

“Carry on.” He said, yet Jean kept an ear out.

It had been the second time that tech expert had been present around him.

He simply passed down the hallway, gritted his teeth while his lower side stung. There hadn’t been any way the fragment should’ve cut in

It had anyway, it simply made him focus on the arena. The entire inner side after a fair drop in had been where the Pokemon would battle. The platform would change to hardwood for the other events – lifting the stage to match the height of the viewers. A reminder

A reminder that the event had been only two days away.

It took him till the end of the hall, focused on the large stadium – the cushioned seats, lights of all types, and colors. The open top and the wall ahead showed where the entire thing could open. Two days and he gave two polite and firm knocks on the door.

“Yes? Come in.” Jean turned the handle and opened the door to meet her on the other side. She wore her uniform and looked over the preparations for the events. “Jean.”

“Superintendent. I received a call on the way to Saffron City.”

“Considering the event in Fuschia, I received a call while in Sinnoh.” She leaned against the desk, partially scoffed.

“First there is a report of a fire in Cerulean, a gas leak in Celadon, major theft of Rare Candy; Fuschia city… and now here, you had your firearm checked; explain.”

“Yes sir. The fire in Cerulean had been caused by natural factors. There had been no evidence pointing towards human interaction for its cause. The gas leak in Celadon had been caused by underground interference, but the Pokemon found on the scene is out of region. The significant theft of Rare Candy in Celadon happened on time with the gas leak, two have been arrested already. The presence of gas in Fuschia and the break in protocol had been due to prior briefings concerning the gas.” Jean mentioned, “It’s a Pokemon Anesthetic, too much is toxic for them.” Jean nodded and placed the satchel against the desk. “Granted, the Anesthetic has never been circulated for use, save for a minor run in Canada. As for the Firearm, the Pokemon that I discharged my weapon on had already attacked not only a Pokemon Police Unit, that being Officer Jenny, but also attempted to attack a teenager. As filed in the report. I also have my cam video.” The Superintendent sighed

“I haven’t been in favor of bringing in the GPD, I found it odd when Nurse Joy made mention of her medical record to us. Something that was added peculiarly to your reports. Yet she came forward of her own will. I dislike some of what you do, as for anything related to a potential gas attack. I’m requesting the Global Police to follow our protocols.” She mentioned back. “I assume that Satchel is what you’ve costed to be late.” Jean nodded

“I requested additional information on the Anesthetic for you, being made back in my home.”

“Good.” She mentioned in turn. Jean nodded

“As for the event, I’m concerned with the inconsistencies of police inventory. Although internals is researching it, I’d like to voice a concern.” The Superintendent nodded in turn.

“If this group has a collection of breaching tools and gear, then I believe during the event, they could stage a break-in.” Jean mentioned, “It’s just a matter of where. If they required more gear then what they have, they could attempt a station – such as Saffron PD. Not only that, most of the units there will be here to assist.” Jean mentioned. “Would you be willing to replace your two SWAT teams in Saffron, with my one team on field here?”

“I’ll give it consideration, till then, back to your post. Lieutenant.” He nodded in turn, and it was merely the walk back, his satchel empty.

He took the time to adjust his vest, the added weight left him focused on the event side of things.

Two days, and over a few thousand, if not more, people. A considerable percentage of those people wouldn’t even be adults. Tazer caught his attention again, the tails splayed like a light-up fan in a summer night. He made an image that resembled fireworks, the kind that left Jean to nod back. Tazer always had a knack with his ‘electric and eccentric’ side, but he’d rarely make a noise. In many ways, Jean had been happy about that.

“You think you have a way to catch that thing?” Tazer shook his head no, the Vulpix simply tread forward, looking to the window the best he could.

It had been the lights of the city past the dome currently, Jean could easily picture the angle that the fox looked at. “So, you think you have an idea of who can?” Jean commented quietly, the lights sparkled around again.

It resembled the symbol for a hostile. The glow of Crystalline touched a window by an open door room.

“See, that’s why you’re having a problem with that one. You got too many on one connected piece, but you got all this room on this processing power on this one. It’s the second server for them.”

“Oh… God, right – I’ve been up for a bit. I just want this thing to work.” The voice laughed, Jean could pick out the Corporal’s sound in a moment.

“I totally get that, this is huge. At least it’s the simple issues – not a bunch of faults and bugs.”

“There’s still one or two.” He said in turn. “If too many Pokeballs are connected to our servers and active… the same problem happened the other year with a smaller event.” They said as Jean walked past the room. “At least we had a few additions to it, but the big event in Sinnoh? I’ve never seen anything like it before.” The Corporal laughed a little, but hadn’t mentioned a word save for “I should check-in, glad to have helped out.” He said in return, but by then – Jean had already been facing the other direction and closing the door behind him.

“Let’s get an officer to keep an eye out for Griffin. He seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time often.” Tazer nodded, it had been the first thing the officer had said when they had a moment together. “Considering what I’ve seen, I’m concerned for his well being regardless.”

Luna:

Her bones ached, cracked, and rested low to the ground while a huff and cough came from her muzzle; the soft pink tongue that rested between her lips softly pressed against the chilly air that caressed the wind around her like a creepy fall blanket.

“Move Runt!" Bandit called out as Luna's heart jostled and throbbed against her chest as the Mightyena's coarse voice shot through her otherwise soft fur as she studied the Mightyena's lips move in pure silence, her heart pounded so roughly that she swore the world went tone deaf. “You said you wanted to go harder! I gave you harder! Now push yourself up!" Bandit barked firmly enough to shake the ground – her snarl fell onto Luna's sense of deafness as the Vulpix read her muzzle. The little constant throb against her chest told her that she sucked air down her lungs.

I… can't get it out of my head. It came to her thoughts and bit viciously around her throat. I was… I could've; I can still feel it pull at the fur around my neck. She watched Bandit dart at her like a bullet and made a risky jump and tumble to the left; Bandit had just snapped her jaws down as Luna hardly saw the fur around her neck shift. It's how she knew the Mightyena would strike her left side – she could barely see it, but it left the adrenaline through her body to shock her. The world was a crisp, purely clear place; one she barely really felt that before yet wondered why it wasn't suddenly dead silent; as though some strange pressure pushed against the sides of her scalp as her entire body throbbed and ached from her racing heart. The grass around her feet twisted and tore out from the ground as tree's surrounded them with gentle waves from the wind. Here… Luna could suddenly hear everything as though a pressure built in her ear drums artificially. Chirping of birds, wind swaying… the honk from automobiles further away and the sound of tires which tracked on the road. Her thoughts twitched as a ripple shocked her back and drew her from that daze of near silent rings that illuminated her deaf world with sound.

bad landing!? That fear sparked in her head as she kept frightfully remembered that side of the Pokemon Gym in Virdian a week earlier. The smoke that fluttered out of the wall; the tree's that had nearly buckled from the explosion from that damned Arcanine… That Feline-like tri-tailed raptor thing that swung its claws at her with a gleam of delight. Why…? Why did the Arcanine look… like that? Mortified in some way, I could see it in his eyes but… but why? How far into… that has it gone? The cross of blades swung over her as the sunlight pierced her eyes and she rolled to push back onto her feet. _Why do I… I picture Thief's eyes like that too…? Moonlights…?

Absol…_

…

Griffin…

“Good! Recovery breath Pull Rope! You finally caught onto your exhales!" Bandit snapped her jaws once more and showed off her saliva drenched teeth as Luna forced her body back up; covered in dirt and mud, grass stuck to her fur as though to keep her down. The scent of fresh earth filtered into her nose as she braced her legs and took a stance once more. “You've beaten a personal best so far Squeaky Toy. You've got some fire in those eyes of yours… Ember sparked up finally? Time your breaths! On blows, exhale fully or your lungs with rupture and follow every little movement with a sharper, shorter exhale" Luna went for a growl but coughed and panted in reply. Bandit's tongue isn't even out yet. She's not even panting or if she is… it's subtle. Luna went to move for a counterattack, but all the traction slipped from her legs; she couldn't stand up straight and she hit the ground on what would've been a full-fledged bolt towards Bandit while skidding across the soil below her.

The Trainers Village was where they were at, for Griffin, it felt the safest place to be; considering the sight of police officers from time to time. Only one had stopped to watch; a Japanese Officer that enveloped all attention in the startling 'mock' battle before him. Griffin had been busy talking and expressed that they were training. Talked about his brother – she could see his lips from where she laid in the muddy grass. All she did was push her legs again and looked up for just a moment as her eyes dilated

It was the flash from her left and the expulsion of wind that crossed ahead of her; the loud sound and this gore wrenching tear of flesh and bone that barely clung onto the Chesshira's face and skull. That sickly… strangely pink and grey matter that sparked against the tree beside her. All that didn't happen was the light that faded from its bloodshot eyes and its absurdly agile neck;

a hatred she'd never seen before left her body in an eruption of shivers and quakes. All she did was open her muzzle and wretch from every little spiteful image that crammed into her skull.

Overexertion… and the constant fright up to that point put her over her edge.

How can it not be dead… That's what a gun does? That's the kind of move that humans have? All she did was widen her eyes as Bandit had already bolted over to her; plopped her tummy to the soil and met right up to Luna's nose in a way that left her breath to stagger and slow.

“Hey, Runt hey… hey." Bandit began to say as Luna looked up and around the blurry world; one where all the shapes and colors became blobs.

This is what Melody see's… right? The sudden afterthought came to her mind as she'd blink; it stung her eyes as she shook her head wildly. The constant silent world left her to frantically spin her head around; although the only heartbeat she heard was her own as Bandit silently talked. Luna stared at her lips and flicked out her tails. My head… I'm numb all over, I can't… recover from this. Why can I hear when I get paranoid, but not hear now? Why is this happening to me now? It didn't do this before…

“That's the third time in one week. I told you to stop and rest before you got to that point."

Luna only coughed and sucked back air, that sickly scent of vomit came to her nostrils. “You need a water break."

“I…" Luna's mouth moved, even though her voice deafly slipped from her lips. The eerie silence left her to shudder and tremble to the memories of a face and a silent mouth that told her secrets.

“No, I appreciate the enthusiasm; believe me, I do. Pushing yourself is important, but if you go too hard, you're just hurting yourself; then what do you do?" Luna blinked through a flurry wavery surfaces.

_I don't know! I don't know what to do? I don't even know what I'm doing! What am I even doing!? I'm terrified! I'm terrified… so I need to… do all of this like you do.

I have to…_ The wide-eyed disposition she showed left Bandit to silently scoff as Luna felt her skull slam and throb between her ears.

“I didn't mean for you to hurt your head while you thought about it." Bandit remarked and scoffed before she tugged the Vulpix in close and licked her forehead. Luna forced her head to look at Bandit's rather-firm jawline “I hate this stuff…" Bandit replied with her usual sharp tone and rough disposition “Take a break, we'll have breakfast and then we're all going to check up on Thief… again." Luna's fur lightly shimmered and trembled as she took in a breath of recovery; this chilly air surrounded her pelt – a subtle one whisked around her like little streams of air.

One that let her hear the world around her by the vibrations along her pelt and let her listen to strange voices that filled in the silence for her; like a young girl that could only dream what every sound was like.

“He got hurt during the… whole thing, right?" Luna commented idly.

“It was just his hind leg, you're worrying… it wasn't even that bad, just a bruise – a little stone must've hit him. Come along Luna, let's eat!" Bandit replied and gently tugged her along.

“Huh, that's supposed to be Bandit? It looks like she's not as bad as they say, or just in a place like this she's just tame."

“It's a major misconception, the media didn't help with it either; she's the… the best. She might seem wiry at times, but she wouldn't harm anyone. Not a person, and she certainly wouldn't harm a Pokemon either." The odd voice reverberated around Luna's pelt and ears – her paws… as she watched the human's mouths move left and right. A strange gloss touched the air, like fine webbed oil that pushed down around her…

A bubble…?

I know what you want to say, it's in your voice Griffin. She wouldn't harm a Pokemon unless she had to. She wouldn't do it for fun.

“If it makes you feel any better… what the Arcanine said; he was looking at me." Bandit commented softly as Luna staggered into her and looked her way. “That Arcanine barely acknowledges that your alive, that you exist - like Smokey. They might both be of the same 'breed'." Bandit expressed. “Ever since your little talk with him, he's given you a glance now and again."

“You… knew? About what I said…?"

“I know everything, I simply asked him in my 'professional and calm' manner." Bandit retorted. “Surprisingly, he took it as a joke and calmed himself. I believe it's because Melody looks better. She doesn't seem so pale now."

“I don't understand her much..." Luna started as Bandit gruffly huffed in reply with a sway of her large tail.

“She smells weird, from time to time. I can't put my nose on it." Bandit expressed back. “So, if it's the Arcanine you're worried about, he's challenging me; I can see it in your eyes that you're worried. It's easy to tell – you make it easy. Unlike Smokey." Bandit expressed softly. “We'd never know about that, save for something rare like this." Luna coughed gently.

“H – How's… Shadow doing?"

“He says Logan is being good old Logan. Being smart and safe as he can be." Bandit said but didn't look Luna's way; she simply caught onto the corner of the Mightyena's lips. “They're in Johto currently. He decided to talk to a professor there." Bandit expressed and sighed. “As for Shadow, he's acting all 'motherly'" Bandit remarked and giggled under her whiskers. “When we're alone, you'll never believe the things he'll do. He groomed, yes groomed – like a human would – an entire patch of grass just so we had a more comfortable spot to lay on and watch a sunset back home. He got wild Pokemon to help him – he's always been like that. Strange… it's like he has this entire misguided perception about love… Human type corny, sure."

“I wonder how you reacted…" Luna commented idly, the conversation was distracting her – she focused all of her attention on that as her paws slid against the mud while her legs shook wildly. Luna could barely hold herself upright

“As you'd expect, I commented on it; laughed and laid down to watch the sunset." Bandit sassily rolled her eyes; it left the spots over her body to quiver with her pelt as this hint of a gentle giggle came to her grin. “I only did because it was on the day he was born. Strange how he wanted to do something special like a human would… but he's been around so many over the years that it's only natural he'd act like them." Bandit expressed and nodded while showing off her teeth to Luna, it made the Vulpix snicker a little to the sight of her rather pure-white fangs. “At least I kept a little bit of my wild side." The fang-bearing smirk came along her face, as Bandit flickered her tail in a way that left Absol to perk her head up from the grass.

How long has she been watching us…? I don't even remember seeing her come out of her Pokeball; her tail is whipping around… I think…? It's hard to explain. It's like it just appears in a different spot… is it because it's… It's skinned down the way it is? It looks like a whip with a blade at the end… It's unlike any I've seen before.

“Bandit come over here!" Griffin expressed and laughed a little as the police officer continued to talk to him. This cop was the kind that just held this beaming smile on his face; The 'community's heart' style of officer. Bandit only rolled her eyes and trotted down the way towards him. It took Luna a moment to look and tilt her head as she saw it.

Her tail wagged… just a half wag. Luna blinked and let out a little sigh as she got closer to them and nearly crumpled onto a patch of warm and half bent grass. Moonlight was just here; I can smell him? Where did he go? Luna just huffed gently and pushed her head against the earth as Absol's shadow partially looked her over, then laid down beside her. She could smell this soul in the earth, a life that thrived and wiggled around her as her nose caught the rays of sunshine that touched down on it. That brown-redwood fur simply rolled half into Absol's bare-skinned stomach as she stared up at the sky in silence. The voice of the officer slowly faded as Griffin spoke to them, and even laughed at their jokes; this officer was different from that other one. I could sleep, but I can't yet. Everything is spinning, it's going quiet again...? I feel suddenly off balance… Dizzy.

“Hm? Oh." Luna only felt a muffled voice against her fur and the unzipping of a bag, then the interlocks of a zip from a smaller one. The sun, overtaken by a large shadow that gently knelt to her, blinded her vision for a moment before she looked up at a face. It didn't look like Griffin's at all, but the moment her eyes adjusted, she looked on the light caramel like skin, the green sharp eyes that glowed at her like embers and his messy pale blond like hair. A wiry thick hair; one that needed a desperate trim. That left her to blink just a little. Griffin had little care of his appearance, save for his lighter stocky build. He had these fair arms, the kind that told her that he had been outside and a lot. She wondered how he appeared at the start of it all… but judging by the light slack, it told her that he weighed more.

“Here you go." Griffin naturally fed Absol Oran Berries and adjusted her Bandana with a smile on his face, the Absol partially stared him in the eye and looked back at Bandit softly. Then Griffin had cupped water in his paws and held them down low to Luna's muzzle. All she could do was graciously drink as she stared at Absol, in which the strange; near frightening appearing Absol had gently smiled in return.

Unblinking as always; as though she looked at 'Baba Yaga' in its' own twisted way.

She always has such big pupils, it's funny in a way! She has since I met her; I thought it was fright but… they've always been dilated. Luna's eyes simply fell to the Bandana around her neck. Thief wore that too, when I first met him – it covered his collar. I thought we lost… lost it before the Magnet train, before we fell into the water… It left her to press against Absol's fur once more and wait as Absol explained pure sweet nothings in her ears.

Curiously talked about Pokemon types, and that Luna should focus on training each one she can use until it was time to leave.

Luna followed beside Griffin, looked to Bandit and then Pokeballs on his belt… she could smell the rich smog in the chilly and sunny weather as they wandered through the city. As of late, Griffin hadn't any time to cook save for where they stayed – some 'Trainer's Loft.' He had gotten quite popular there with his cooking already; very popular… so for lunch, she expected kibble, but Luna couldn't care one bit about that. She barely felt hungry even though she had been running around all morning.

I'm going to make Bandit pant, one way or another. I have a lot of training to do still. Luna shook her head wildly with determination and felt a gust of wind shoot above her.

Aura…? I thought she went with… Brad had gone off for the day to look at supplies and talk to attendees while Natasha and Melody went shopping; Natasha commented something about finding an outfit that suited Melody for the outdoors - something better than the outfits she usually wore which were 'primmer' and 'lady' like. Luna only lagged further and further behind them in exhaustion and stared at the street they wandered on. There were these occasional spots where small trees sprouted from the around the corners of buildings, bushes even as they came closer and closer to a center strip of the city.

Mountains – a massive endless sprawl of them had just come into view after they climbed a gentle hill. It left Luna breathless; they had been down that road every day for nearly a week and every time, she couldn't catch her eyes away from the splendor of the mountainside or this wash of light snowy wind that fluttered in the distance.

It gave her mind a silence from all the bad thoughts for just a moment. The number of humans took her thoughts away and she hugged remarkably close to Griffin as the crowd naturally parted to avoid the massive Mightyena they watched walk by. Some even shot looks as though they recognized Bandit immediately.

“Stay close to us Luna." Bandit commented to her as she turned her head and looked around. “It's busier today then it usually is." Luna couldn't take her eyes away from the lush green trees before them. It felt like a swerving center strip of green during a concrete jungle and ahead of her was this beautiful older building, as though to be a traditional landmark. The Hospital was nearby, this tall circular building that expressed itself as a medical research facility for Pokemon. Luna watched Griffin's shoulders brace, he rose them lightly and straightened his back, cleared his throat. A sign of nervousness; but she was too.

Joseph couldn't allow any form of the treatment Thief needed without any evolution, but he still allowed the Growlithe into the hospital; considering the burns and other injuries. The only ultimatum Griffin was given, was to evolve Thief and it left Luna to blink cautiously; exhale as her tail flicked left and right.

The hospital was going to force the Growlithe to evolve, by using the stone and putting him into a machine of unknown intentions.

It wasn't Griffin's decision, he hated every single bit of the idea with a passion; but Joseph convinced him otherwise after a long, long conversation between one another earlier in the week. The research grant was what it came down to and the chance that it could be cruel to leave Thief in the state he was in. Luna only brushed her nose against Griffin's jean leg as they walked in. Unlike the hospital in Fuchsia City, this one catered only to Pokemon, those that got into awfully bad situations and had diseases that required constant attention and research. The small beep from a machine made her jolt as someone printed out papers and gave Griffin a quick glance. By then, they recognized him instantly with the amount he came in. The checks were quick and orderly, signing in took him nothing to do. It felt like a luxurious kennel, save for that sterile scent that clung to the walls around her – it felt overpowered and strangled the air. All she could do was wince as swirl of sickly intent curled in her stomach like a ball of lead.

It's always dreadful… being here. It doesn't matter if the Pokemon are treated so well, or when they're not in the kennels. She had to learn that word and looked at smaller Pokemon that were placed in glass like hovels – one on top of another as though they were petri dishes. Organized, kept in place and tidy… even though they could all see the trainers walk by. For Griffin, he could hear little sounds here and there, but for Luna… she could hear how frightened they were. How they panicked in hushed voices as though afraid to make a peep louder than that while she could see a human in this white lab coat and blue gloves over his hands in a separate room made of glass. Camera's covered every blind spot; even though she'd stare at the black little dome on the roof in wonder.

She didn't get how humans could have eyes everywhere, but they did… until she seemed to need them… Her nose almost bumped against the glass that thin veil that told her there was no way through, and then there was this curious, strange pair of yellow eyes on her. Its thin green skin left her to tilt her head as the Pokemon partially moved and looked her way. Captivated by the human that held another 'out of region' Pokemon in their arms, prepping needles and looking over sheets; Luna simply studied it closely and curiously.

She'd never seen a Pokemon like it before or at least she believed she hadn't. Luna just looked at it until it finally poked at her nose but stopped from the glass before them. Then it was the blue one to the right and Griffin that laughed lightly which caught her attention; it was strange how every single Pokemon in those Cubicles looked at her intensely as though she put them on edge the second she walked in the room.

“Treeko and Mudkip…? I guess there are some Hoenn trainers here too." Griffin had a look around the set of glass kennels. It was like looking at a wall with a bunch of cubby holes, it left Griffin to lightly giggle in wonder. Luna even touched one that felt cold the moment her fur grazed it. “There's a Bunnelby in this one." Griffin commented and Luna looked up at the Bunnelby that sluggishly looked her way and lightly sagged its head lazily.

It looks like it's… poisoned? No… It's weird, I don't know the word for it. 'Out of mind' I guess…

“Lillipup… Scraggy… I know that one too…" Griffin got a closer look as Bandit huffed; Luna tossed a glance toward the Mightyena – she simply looked bored. “I… think it's a Scatterbug. I've never seen one." Griffin partially went for his Pokedex before he stalled, as though to wonder if it would disturb the Pokemon that were already asleep or… drugged it seemed. “Excuse me… this is all…? New, I guess. I haven't seen them before"

“Hm? It's just the checkups for the internationals, set up today. Some Pokemon react to their required medication differently. Our region IS different from a lot of them – you won't see Kanto Pokemon inside of those cubicles. This is all for the foreign groups that arrived earlier this week, these Pokemon are those that can go outside and play."

“Isn't… drugging them… wrong?" Griffin commented as the man laughed lightly and began to talk him through the process.

It all ultimately came down to vaccines and the known medication some Pokemon required to take, since most live with their trainers or with humans, they miss out on a lot they need. Some already even came in sick.

It made Luna flicker out her fur and puff it in this way

I don't get why the humans don't just know what we need… isn't... Isn't that the whole reason for a place like this? Why is it so difficult for them? Shouldn't they just… know with all they've built? Luna thought to herself, a soft little naïve thought that left her to shake her head and stick close to Griffin, he didn't keep the passing nurse long at all. Another ghost just passed by her and wandered through the hall while it inspected everything closely and caringly. Griffin only had to look at the cubicles once more and take in this rare sight where Pokemon, all smaller ones, from every region he knew was there.

There was only one that really caught his eye, this near gecko-like frog with blue skin and these wide eyes. It only made an even stranger sound that left him awestruck and Luna in a fit of confusion.

Sobble…? What is that? I've never heard that before.

Griffin had already taken a parted glance to the strange, near gecko creature that he looked at; Luna went wide eyed as it suddenly disappeared before them, appearing no different than the glass that surrounded it. She just stared at the Cubicle and blinked furiously before Griffin continued to walk by and wander towards an elevator. She barely had the chance to wonder and think about how badly she wanted to do that; disappear whenever she needed to or desired. The sounds around those strange chrome walls made her ears twitch and fold. Music played and yet it bounced all around the walls like rubber. She hated the elevator, hated the buttons that sat in front of her, hated the occasional ding that overpowered her false sense of hearing and then Bandit that would huff as though to hold the Vulpix's anxiety back.

“Your jumpy." Luna just twitched her ear once more and sat at the floor and glanced at the chrome doors as Bandit flicked her tail. The dark, smoky black flickered with moonlit silver-grey… the splotches caught a shimmer of pure daylight from the potholes above them as she'd comment. “It's strange for you to be like this. Well… overkill like this." It made Luna scrunch her nose, but she didn't turn her head.

“I'm just… focusing." Luna replied silently and sagged her head gently. Why… She blinked constantly as the image stuck in her head once more; the silence had gotten to her again. _How… could I be inside his… his stomach? That makes no sense; it had to… be…?

No… it felt like Zoroark; an Illusion but… the cub was real and alive?_

I can't…

_ I already can't get the sight of blood out of my head. _

“Luna…" Bandit made a snap of her jaws; this subtle but rough vibration left her tails to twitch and nearly smacked the Mightyena along the jaw.

“O… oh, sorry." Luna replied idly and stared at the distorted mirage that flooded her vision. It was just a picture of herself within the brush nickel wall before her – that strange rough and coarse finish on the chrome door left her to nervously stare as though some absurd mechanical monster would jump out to get her. Luna only stared at the Vulpix in front of her, hidden behind a mirror of drowned water.

“Did you hear me?"

“H – huh? No… uhm… I didn't." She turned her head for just a moment, a half turn to meet with the Mightyena's rolled eye. Her sharp, blood moon iris' left Luna to widen her brown-black pupils for a moment before she'd gently blink through the strands of wiry fluff that usually blocked her vision. Without even the chance to speak, Bandit only, barely, tilted her head and twitched an ear. Her left ear with that gloss shone from the splotch on her right eye.

She gave me that look back in Cinnibar. Luna shook her head furiously and swallowed to herself. “… I… Can't get it out of my head." Luna explained back to her in silent murmurs. “I really can't… d – did you see the… place?" Luna explained frantically but shook her head. “It was so… sudden but…"

“I saw it too." Luna twitched an ear.

“Did you hear the cub?"

“A cub…?"

“Yes, I heard something call out at me or… away from me – I don't know." Luna expressed back “I can't get that weird smell out of my nose; I don't even WANT to try and clean myself. I jumped into a fountain the other day BECAUSE of it!"

“It was rotting flesh. I've barely smelled it before myself, fish markets, you'll find that smell the most there." Bandit explained back as Luna's spine stiffened and her nose twitched – tails froze rigid like ice. “It was… something – it wasn't a Psychic move; it affected me after all." Bandit expressed to her in this matter-of-factly tone. “The Pokeball was what concerned me… Logan locked it before; remember? Why would he lock it again…? To the point that Griffin would use the manual safety?" Bandit shook her head “Something could have happened…"

“What about… Moonlights Owner? Couldn't he lock them too?" Bandit tilted her head

“He… could. Do you think something might have happened to him?" Bandit mentioned in silence. “If that's the case… if he isn't… hurt, we can keep it between us." She's express, and solemnly lowered her jaw. “Same as this… remind me the name you told him before. The one that got him angry." The Mightyena expressed. “He never told me about what he was doing before Cinnibar. He still owes Shadow and I an explanation." Bandit mentioned firmly as Luna rested her head back.

“… Autumn… Bandit, why is the elevator taking so long? It never takes this long…"

“Don't act all scared." Bandit commented “You're… nearly unbearably worried as of late." She'd express “If all you can do is that, then you're not getting stronger."

“…"

“To answer your question, we're not headed towards the research room – we're headed to a Surgical Theatre."

“A what?"

“Humans put other humans there to fix up their insides." Bandit explained. “Logan has been in one."

“What? Why?"

“It was before I was there. He was hardly… ten at the time." Bandit explained and flicked her tail. “It's scary for people too. Look at Griffin – his head is in the clouds again." Bandit commented and sighed as this loud ding rang through Luna's perked ears. It left her to fold them, and rather than the long hallway with those larger beds – healing decks – from the Pokemon Center… the kind that just seemed plus sized and had more buttons and lights.

Luna couldn't figure out what any of them did… and even then; she only stared at this strange theatre after a moment of wandering down the hall. A man had stood in front of a door that led to a smaller staircase; one with brown hair and this classy Labcoat that made Luna flinch.

“Joseph." Griffin commented, partially bowed, and gave a smile “Uhm… is ever-“

“I told you, I'd review it myself young man." Joseph Ward expressed “I investigated all I needed to, your Growlithe requires a forced evolution; too many injuries can tax a Pokemon's lifespan, regardless of how well they heal. Introducing it to the stone naturally hasn't worked so; we need to use local anesthetics. It could be a thing of will, but I'd wish the Growlithe would spare me his semantics" Joseph explained softly “Some Pokemon are like that; constantly noisy when they're here. Last I checked, Bandit was the only calm one."

“You explained it quite clearly. I'm still sorry for interrupting your work like this… and I'm still thankful that you helped her."

“Your part of my work, Griffin – that research grant tells me that. All you're Pokemon are doing as well as they can be, with the diet you feed them? I haven't seen healthier ones; however, I haven't personally seen your Absol yet, but I've heard you've taken wonderful care of her." Ward explained back to him and shook his head “I hope you've been catching more Pokemon and testing the Pokeballs; your brother's invention has a lot riding on it – especially since we can't get a hold of him. In fact, there's search parties in Hoenn still."

“W… What?" Griffin coughed lightly before he found a moment to catch a breath

“Y- yes…? The police found fragments of a phone found in the woods where a report of several shots had come from – just outside of Fortree City and Crossgate. After checking the simcard; it was your brothers." Luna twitched her tails as Griffin went blank, white as a sheet. “The… police have to deal with something grim. I'm a little stunned that they haven't personally told you."

“W – When… was this?" Griffin asked as Ward batted and eye.

“Nearly… two and a half weeks ago." Ward explained “I-"

“I was walking in Vermillion at the time…" Griffin commented and blinked before he went silent.

“I was under the impression that the police had already informed you, I do apologize…" Joseph expressed silently and sighed roughly “The phone had… taken a… round." He mentioned and shook his head. “Have you had any contact with him? Anything? Have you had contact with your Professor as of late?" Luna had looked up at Griffin who shook his head no, she knew that was a lie… and all she did was look over at Bandit who softly narrowed her eyes. “There's no telling where he went, the police had already spoken to his grandfather and grandmother. They haven't either, haven't seen him in… over a year." Griffin made this indiscernible face that left Luna to tilt her head drastically.

Why… is my heart… racing? No… it's not mine. There's something about him – panic. It's sheer panic. It's making me terrified too, but my heart is slowing down… bit by bit.

“Griffin knows he can't call them." Bandit mentioned back to her quietly, it sounded like a huff with a lick of her lip.

“How can you say that?" Luna smacked her lip in a gentle reply; the silent grunt of a sound came out of her in the midst Human's conversation.

“Shadow has told me everything already; you already know that Logan is alive. Griffin… just didn't know about the guns. He didn't know the situation – he wasn't supposed to. We're just letting him get out what he needs out and then we're all going home. That's the plan, whatever he's trying to do or prove." Bandit said and lowered her head before she wandered up to him… and tugged at his pant leg with her jaw gently. It made him look down in shock, for just a fraction of a second.

“R – Right, we should begin first… I – I'll figure out what to do next; how long will this take again? I'm… sorry I-" Griffin asked as Joseph calmly held up a hand to hush him.

“Without any issues, about half an hour. If there are any – which I'll be attending to; it could take about an hour. It depends on how he responds to the anesthetics but considering the sutures in his paw; I believe there won't be any issue."

“Sutures? Why?" Griffin made a little yelp as Ward nodded and held his palm up.

“I don't know. It's strange" He'd express “In fact, they look freshly placed – and very professionally done; I couldn't do better. It doesn't make sense as I don't see anything wrong with his paw, but the suture were made for a massive split and break. Judging by the gauge of surgical wiring and the type of sutures used… I'd say his paw snapped in half internally; or whoever did this, believed that." Griffin only stayed silent as Luna flicked her tail in a thrash of emotion. “An injury like that could have left him to bleed out and die. I suspect multiple major arteries were sliced in the break; the angle tells me that. I went through a full line of scans and found nothing serious but… strangely enough I found a clamp shortly after we talked last and reopened the paw to remove it, it was a simple, quick check. Luckily it didn't clot or cut off circulation at all, it's like someone dropped it, or missed the last closing check. With his medication, he didn't even know it was in there, that cut has healed already."

_That weird guy from Cinnibar mentioned something about his paw… It was broken. How…

No, there was the Dragonair from Maiden's Peak…? Is it following us? Why? Why help us then but not now?_ You can't just selectively help us!

“L – Luna get your…" Bandit nearly pushed her paws down on the base of her tail “Stop hitting my jaw with those!"

“S – Sorry…" Luna commented meekly as Bandit gave an agitated and annoyed sigh. “Let's go see Thief. I don't think he's asleep yet."

“They put him to sleep?"

“… Yeah, he falls unconscious. They make you breathe something weird – it's scentless. With the bullet in my ass – or close enough to it – they had to do that for me too and then realized they realized they couldn't remove it without crippling me. Logan actually explained it all to me."

“That's the mark? It looks like some weird gross scar…" Bandit nodded and gently laughed.

“If I could live forty or fifty more years, my body would naturally push it out."

Naturally push it out…? That's something the body could do?

“Well, maybe I'm exaggerating the time…" Bandit mentioned with this studious eye of thought; she didn't know the answer to it and followed Griffin as he muttered rarely to Ward whom professionally answered any of his questions. “It co-"

“The Chesshira… could it be like that?" Luna interrupted as Bandit shot her a look. “I mean… it has those weird squiggly things that come out of its fur. It makes no sense… but could it be pushing something out of itself?"

“That's a gross thought; especially if those things come from inside of it – it honestly looks like - like fleas or worms – those are hell…" Bandit commented and laughed

“I mean the bullet. It definitely hit… It should have died right? But that… it turned into those things – the worm things. Maybe… Maybe it's smaller than it looks?" Luna commented “I mean the spines around its neck protect it? Why the neck and not the head?"

“You think it's like a Tangela? That's a theory, dumb, but a theory." Bandit commented back

“Or maybe it protects itself with them? Maybe it doesn't even eat things it just feeds the -"

“Luna… It's something way simpler than that, it's gotta be. We all haven't done much damage to it; it could be a Ghost type for all we know!" Bandit commented back agitated “Your overthinking it. The throat is a weak point for any Pokemon, even an Aggron; if you're willing to bite hard enough." Bandit mentioned with an irritated sigh. “If it has some coat, we can burn it." She'd explain and flicked out her fur – it shimmered in this white pure light as they wandered into the theatre. Ward showed them seats and this fairly open space.

“Forced evolution is a simplistic procedure, Griffin. It has a near perfect success rate – save for those with Aspen-Ward naturally. Any Pokemon that can still evolve, can go through this procedure; it's not even surgical but it does involve minor risk. Too much exposure to a stone for too long can cause sickness - death. We scientists believe it's something radioactive – a very minor, minor, amount. We can't explain it fully, it still has its own mysteries; An hour is the max time, then a Pokemon can rest for a day and try again." Ward explained one last time for Griffin. “Now, I'm going to scrub in to ensure he's prepped, and I'll begin the procedure."

“This will… fix his ribs and all?" Ward softly sighed, as though he were tired of explaining it all.

“Evolution fixes everything for a Pokemon, it's a mysterious event. Major injuries reverse during the change. Only rare things – like a bullet." He gave a gesture to Bandit that let her to huff and snort “Can change that fact. When Thief wakes up next; he'll be an Arcanine." Ward expressed and nodded before he wandered off with this partially agitated sigh. It left Luna to flick her ears as he muttered something about having his time wasted…

Griffin just shyly and nervously leaned forward; right elbow and then left. It nearly looked like he hid within a veil of scolded cowardice and never took his eye's away from the window or the table ahead of him as Ward stepped into the room below. Luna had to get closer to the glass in front of her, something that left Griffin to give a look down towards her. She naturally half flicked her tails before they stilled as she watched, placed her paws against the cold, clammy sheen. It left her to swallow as her eyes skimmed over a stainless trolley that sat beside this larger sheeted table – the kind that had a light green glow and gently pulsed red, as though to follow a heartbeat or scan constantly.

A cool blue glow shimmered down into a room surrounded by clean linoleum floors as Thief stirred on that strange platform as some obtuse device was in front of Thief - Luna had never seen anything like it before while Griffin had the mind to mutter something about 'Overcharging' the evolution stone using a turbine of sorts. He just stared from behind her in worry. Luna saw that in his brow, how the strange squiggles of fur over his eyes would scrunch together and left marks in his slightly rounded forehead.

_He hasn't eaten much again. Why does he…? Is… he that terrified?

Does he love him that much? Is that the look I see in his face when he looks at all of us? It's like a cold-shouldered parent type love. It's what I think of._ Luna couldn't stray her gaze away from him, not until the machine hummed and buzzed softly while Thief jolted again as this other person gently took a strange white-blue hand to his ribs. It looked like the most uncomfortable pet in the world… how his fingers coursed through the Growlithes ruggedly soft fur; then his hand cautiously fell to Thief's paw – the one that had those stitches.

It made Luna's tail stiffen as the adrenaline inducing rumble left her ears perked to the sudden screech from the machine – it got louder, like a buzz saw in a shop. As Thief had moved with his ears pelted to the sides of his skull, the doctor has pushed a small syringe into Thief's arm. It was moments before the machine roared this guttural and metallic sound; one so loud that even Bandit pinned her ears down to silence it, that hum was enough to shake the room as the buzz saw sounded more like a jet engine. Thief only twitched for a passed second before his body went limp. Luna had nearly pushed her paws further, but Bandit's simple snort left her body to shock rigid; she had put them down and stared, wide eyed. Thief was already out cold and all she could do was watch the humans push back a shutter; both wore these heavier suits in the front of them and let the turbine hum while little flakes of flame or other elements jostled around Thief's body. It looked like a wind tunnel of fiery pyre that licked around him in a splendor of orange-like ribbons. Luna just looked at it as though Thief were caught in a vicious red-hot sandstorm.

Please… Thief. Evolve. It's just… everything has beaten down on you. It…

It always has.

Moonlight:

Grass; freshly cut grass filled his nostrils with a light dew scent as the earth hovered a gentle and welcoming invitation towards him as though to outreach a ghastly hand which clutched onto the scarf around his throat. He brought his paw towards it – pushed it into his muzzle and sucked in air.

It still smells like you thankfully; I put the veil back up, I'll never… never forget again… Moonlight gently blinked and shuddered. This mixture of guilt and fright shocked over him. I couldn't go… to the hospital. I couldn't go that time… I'm weak, and I'm still… He gently swallowed as this paw graced the edges of his wet pink nose.

“You're giving that look, Moonlight." The Espeon blinked as the voice left his back to crawl – the fine hairs rolled down his spine to his tail. “It leaves me no choice but to talk with you."

“I don't feel much for talk." Moonlight expressed back to the Leafeon, that sly thing had nearly laid around Moonlight's head, with his stomach exposed. He was close enough to push his scalp into the Leafeon's side. “You're in the shade, you know?" Moonlight began as the Leafeon smiled, his sap-like eyes had focused on Natasha, Melody and Brad for only a moment. This fountain had gently splashed water nearby as Natasha gave him this rolled-eyed look; one that filled his day with all the sass he needed.

“And you're in the sun." Leafeon stated with a roll of his tongue that led to a yawn. “You appeared much happier… when you came back."

“Alola has a hot, sunny temperature." The Leafeon grinned.

“I thought you more fancied milk?"

“hm…?" Moonlight narrowed his eye for a moment. You really caught onto that…? And you… why would you care about something so pointless? Why would you even remember?

“It was easy enough to smell it. I think you even tried to hide it from me. You just… just shone I guess; it makes me want to find that milk you had." Moonlight scoffed and rolled his eyes, the Leafeon's voice held this protectiveness in his tone, the kind of a soft one which left Moonlight's paw to stretch into the air.

So he could clamp it firmly without that Leafeon knowing of it.

“What does that even mean?" the Espeon replied and only met with the Leafeon's sudden silence.

“…" A twitch of his nose left Moonlight to flicker his forked tail before tugging at the Leafeon's ear using Psychic. “H – Hey!" Leafeon remarked back at him sharply as the Espeon took the challenge with a look of his own. A gentle clash of looks came between them.

“You have been quiet, all morning and now you want to talk; what have you been watching for the last hou…?" Moonlight took a moment to blink and twitched an ear of his own Yuny…? and Akamaru? You've been watching them both the entire time? “Worried?"

“Not in the slightest." Leafeon responded as though he knew Moonlight had picked up on it. “It makes me feel at peace, that's all. It's no different than walking amongst petals, it's soothing – gentle. I watch Yuny dance with Luna during dinner and lunch, I spend much of my time talking to Akamaru then."

“Don't give me the sap again…" Moonlight commented back with a gentle sneer. “Hit a Pokemon while he's already down why don't you." The Espeon mentioned and rolled his shoulders till they cracked.

“I live in a place with many of them, petals I mean. I know you would love to see it. It's like an ocean of color." Moonlight went quiet and rolled onto his side – away from the Leafeon and glanced up at the sun filled sky yet a single cloud had drifted off into the air as the smog from the city filled his nose with a blast of wind. Leafeon had clasped his paws over his muzzle hard enough that it slapped. “I can't stand that scent. It's driving me nuts…" Moonlight chuckled in reply and gently sighed into the wind that hovered around him. His pink-purple fur touched and kneaded into the earth in this way that left the Leafeon to slap his green-near orange tipped tail against the ground. Moonlight stilled his paw and Leafeon only pushed his paw into the earth. The Espeon could hear it and with a loss of near consciousness; all he did was knead his paw into the earth tenderly. He rolled the soil between the small lightly pink-rose pads under his feet and Leafeon responded with another knead of his own. The two of them only, gently graced the ground and it left Moonlight to exhale softly – a gasp from the wind that twirled and danced around them. That golden ray flickered and flashed down against his pelt as all he could do was silently tremble his rolled paw across the grass.

_It… feels like a dance. This faint wonderful soul below me…? Without any burden… soft.

It's soft, like rich textured furs and it… It's waving all over._

Is that… what you mean by reading me…? Leafeon?

“Leafeon!?" Moonlight shocked and stiffened his back as that Leafeon chased a claw down his back; Leafeon had been clawing and rubbing into him - chasing through the wild and lazy patches of fur on Moonlight's pelt. Those were hard to notice, and it left the Espeon red from cheek to cheek in an instant “L – Leafeon? What the he-"

“Sand."

“Huh…? What I still have sand in my fur?" Leafeon softly returned a smile as Moonlight frantically jumped to inspect his pelt; Leafeon caught that on about him, that Moonlight always seemed to keep himself clean. Sanitized and sterile in his own way.

“I've noticed this dry clump around this tangle in your pelt. I've never seen sand quite like it… It's ocean sand but from where?" Leafeon expressed and smiled, it left Moonlight's cheeks to burn red.

It's a sun. It's what it looks like… It's not a cloudy sky either, why…? Why do I…? Moonlight clenched his paws against the grass and exhaled. This swirl of gentle scents came from the grass below him. “Moonlight…?" Leafeon had pushed to his feet as Moonlight only laid down and faced away from him. I don't love him. It's this cheap feeling that's… washed over me; I'm going crazy, it's no different than with Shadow.

“Do you think the sun goes away? I mean when the moon comes out." Moonlight had to still his ears as the sound came into them. “Because it can feel that way… sometimes. Do you think the sun is scared?" His eyes only had a moment to blink before his nose erupted with this scent of northern-winter air and its water. All he could do was look at this well-groomed and soft-rounded muzzle of a Vulpix. One where just the layer under his nose had this flicker of white fur. A tiny patch that just surrounded the tip of his mouth. A soft yellow orange burned at the edges as though it were some strange mark as Moonlight fell onto their eyes. They had a color much like it. This color of autumn flared and curled its way between them. These gentle fluffy ears flickered and swayed in the wind and followed a flurry of rainbow-like leaves towards this small town amidst mountains. Pine was the only wash of green and glowed in the cheery sunset light. Moonlight's muzzle opened ever so slightly.

“I don't think the sun is afraid. I think it just… lets the moon have a chance to shine, Vulpix."

Moonlight gently quaked his head left and right; blinked towards the bright mid-day sun before Leafeon and himself. It ran through his head as fast as it came to him, that quick little memory of two before a lake. One of splendor and near ice had graced his thoughts.

It feels like…

Moonlight gently hissed as Leafeon twitched his ear in response to the sudden turn around. “Sorry… my head just..." Moonlight expressed and blinked once more, huffed out in silence. A headache…? Really? I'm sitting in the sun. It left Moonlight to sigh and tiredly blink. His tail thrashed for a moment as Leafeon laid down to avoid it.

“Are you okay?" Leafeon stated softly as it left Moonlight to take a glance over at Yuny and Akamaru. The small Eevee just stared at him with wide open eyes from atop the Flareon's chest. They were a near hazel in color and it left Akamaru to pop his head up to after a moment; that poufy Flareon simply looked at Moonlight with his sparkling red-orange eyes before Moonlight winced from a sudden shock that rang through his skull and down his spine.

It's the sunlight…? Why does this hurt so much? Moonlight pushed to his feet and gave Natasha a small glance. Water. I just need a little water. He'd stop and sit a little way away from Natasha and looked at her. She was busy talking to Melody and after a moment of tilting his head… Brad caught on instead.

“Water, right?" Moonlight only mew'd in silent return towards the now speckled brown- and blonde-haired young man. It left the Espeon to twitch his pelt and suffocate himself before he laughed outright. Brad did look ridiculous, in the state that Natasha left him in with that tinted hair.

No wonder Aura is so cautious with being near him, he looks utterly embarrassing with his hair like that… She must feel it too. But it's hard not to see his confidence from here. I can even see in the way he holds himself up.

_ It's utterly different from the way that Griffin does. _

“Here." Brad commented as Moonlight felt a flicker of sunlight touch his eye; a water bottle was in front of him; one with a white cap. Moonlight fought past the harsh light, where the only shade came from rolling clouds and a frosted wind. It left Moonlight to only grace the somber and near hidden fog that slipped out from his muzzle when he exhaled. “Alright…" Brad had knelt down and opened the bottle “How about now?" Brad asked and Moonlight twitched an ear and then let his gemstone glow bright.

He simply showed Natasha, Melody and Brad a Pokemon that was capable of tuning how accurate his Psychic could manipulate an object. They only stared, because of how naturally fluid the motion could be.

“He's drinking it like a person would…" Natasha commented and simply rolled her eyes and shook her head. It was strange; not seeing a Pokemon like him lap at the water, but more take a swig from the bottle. Moonlight knew that that's what they thought, but he simply didn't think, and it left Natasha to tap her foot on the ground lightly.

“Natasha?"

“I've seen that before. He's been with humans before he had enough time with his mother or father." Natasha commented and it left Moonlight's tail to thrash starkly. “They do things like that, it's a mimic behavior."

“Why… bring this up? Is this a problem?" Brad expressed to her and curled his arms together; as though to write down that he was cold in a way. “I've heard of plenty of things like that." Brad mentioned as Natasha shook her head.

“It's something they do when they're born in the wild and only have a few months with their mothers usually. All Eevee's do that, it stays throughout their life. It's just rare to find one; Eevee's hide their cubs in their dens or so close to them that the young are gone before you can catch them." Natasha explained and huffed “It's just… if this is Griffin's Professor's Espeon… Then I just really question this more." Natasha commented and Brad lifted his brow gently.

“I still don't get it." Brad commented “It could have been a stray."

“It means his professor went into the den to grab him. There's no way that a cub would stray that far from their nest." Natasha commented… and Moonlight responded by splashing her with the rest of the water bottle. It took everyone in utter shock as Aura twitched her head to them upon hearing the sudden splash.

“Are you okay?" Melody commented softly as Natasha wiped the water from her face, she had cheeks that went near red from anger.

“I'm fine, luckily I didn't wear any makeup today." Natasha commented back to her and huffed. “Freaking thing has an attitude. Griffin is a shit trainer; he hardly knows what he's doing!" Natasha commented again as Brad sighed softly. Moonlight twitched his ear as Natasha talked.

“I know." Brad commented back, subtly and calmly. “I have more experience than he does and with the kind of Pokemon he has… they're out of his league. He hasn't needed to push as much as other trainers do – I get that. So frankly, rather than have him getting hurt by them; I want to try and help him out." Natasha shook her head to Brad's words. “He's… an utterly kind guy, awkward but kind."

“I don't like any of it." Natasha expressed back “That whole… whole thing that happened was… screwed up; okay?" She'd say and shook her head. “Whatever that Pokemon was… how it changed shape…"

“We agreed not to talk about it." Brad commented back, luckily Natasha hadn't raised her voice. “I know, it sucks. But we agreed we wouldn't talk about any of it. Even I'm planning on high tailing it out when I think I need to. I just don't get how we're in the middle of it. When I first met Griffin in Pewter; it was nothing like this – like it all came unexpectedly. It's like it's following us; but it must be coincidence. The police are everywhere dealing with it, we just have to keep our heads down and keep subtle." Brad expressed back to her “And that police officer back there, that day; he's working just as hard as everyone else to figure all of it out." Brad gently sighed again and kept his tone soft and respectful. “It'll be fine. Judging by that one, I think there may be some of the best helping out." Brad expressed and nodded to her.

“It's still stupid. I'll probably head off when I feel the chance to." Natasha explained “There's no way I'd stick around if it risked getting Yuny or anyone else hurt." Melody nodded in reply.

“That is a promising idea, in case things look bleak." Melody interjected into the conversation as Smokey snorted and plumed flames from the shadow behind the three of them. Moonlight only listened and stared. “I'd do the same thing."

“I would too. But there's no real guarantee that this is following us directly. There have been many trainers targeted all over the place, but because all the trainers either loss or won; no one got hurt. I just think all of this has been a 'wrong place, wrong time' scenario; we're not that important." Brad mentioned “That whole thing could have been to target the gym leader. It would make sense and the officer… Nevermind." Brad scratched his head lightly.

“Hypocrite." Natasha quipped and laughed lightly. Brad had just finished idly sagging his shoulders. “And we agreed not to talk about it…" Natasha expressed gently and exhaled in a way that made her seem tired. “It's tough to not just worry about it, by the end of it all I mean." Natasha continued to say and stretched out her arms. As she did, Moonlight could hear something pop in her shoulder.

… That's a strange sound. It's the way it moved and creaked; like it's been set before. I've heard that sound before. If it's that noticeable… how young were you when it broke? It's set well, but… I can see a subtle bend in your left arm.

Moonlight uncomfortably flicked his forked tail out, this familiar weight twitched in his stomach as Natasha continued to talk to all of them. It formed this little… pointless and endlessly heavy ball to collect with others in the pit of his stomach. So much for a little euphoria… but for her to outright say that…

_ It pisses me off, and I can't even begin to explain why. _

Moonlight huffed and trembled towards the wind; the soil had lost its grace of touch from earlier and as a paw scouted out the grass below him… he felt a thump in the earth. Moonlight darted a look over to Leafeon, he was already staring at the soil below himself. It's gone. I felt it – if Leafeon is like that, he felt it. The Espeon made his way across the grass, quickly and quietly while he kneaded his paws into the earth. “Leafeon."

“I felt it. It wasn't a tremor; not one of any danger. Strange though." Leafeon expressed as he stared at the ground “Everything is still in place; not a single patch was moved."

“Y – you can see that?" Moonlight twitched his ear “Forget it; do you know what it could be?"

“Perhaps a Pokemon, there are many types all around here; reminds me of home nearly." Leafeon mentioned and laughed lightly. “You seem overly cautious today… and hotheaded." Moonlight tossed his view into the dirt. “Is it about the Growlithe?"

“No, it's not about him." Moonlight replied back and twitched his tail

“Gumshoos." Leafeon commented “I smelt that on your fur when you got back too. What happened in Alola?" Moonlight sighed and quickly realized that he had no way past Leafeon's nose.

“Quite simply… Thief acted like a little hero." Moonlight expressed back to him. “That Arcanine went to find Crescent and left the Growlithe's in my owners care. Thief was the one who talked to the Gumshoo's the entire time. I've never seen him so suddenly outspoken and determined before. He only did one thing I hated."

“What was that?"

“He promised to that Arcanine, that he'd kill Chesshira." The Espeon expressed back to Leafeon. “That Arcanine gave this strange, strange look at him. Even saying the name left him blank or serious. I don't like it at all." Moonlight commented “I feel like that Arcanine is going to take him up one day." The Espeon expressed and went back to the grass to lounge once more.

“How much longer until Griffin is back?"

“About an hour from…" Moonlight looked up to the sky, clouds and sun. “Perhaps less now." Moonlight commented. “I'd say it began hardly ten minutes ago; but I left early in the morning."

“Why aren't you there?" Leafeon expressed and Moonlight nodded

“I think it's a battle he can fight on his own." Moonlight commented back “This one at least." Leafeon gave a little smirk and pushed his paw against the Espeon's side.

“See, let go a little and lighten up – it'll help with those headaches of yours." Leafeon expressed and smiled “And then after you can go picture frozen water." Moonlight stirred and stalled.

“What?" The Espeon brought up as Leafeon grinned softly and humbly.

“It's scent, it has a funny way of creeping up when no one suspects it." Leafeon mentioned and twitched and wiggled his bladed ears. “You carry it everywhere with you, no matter how well you clean. It's easiest to read with Eevee's and their respective evolutions."

“No wonder why you like Natasha."

“Pardon?" Leafeon began to say, he appeared a mixture of blank and caught red-pawed.

“You're another self-proclaimed 'Eevee' Expert." It left Leafeon to giggle and laugh out loud. It was this euphoric wash that slipped over Moonlight. Is that… a real smile? A real laugh…?

“I guess you could call me that." Leafeon mentioned with a warm, affectionate smile and then suddenly went down like a ton of bricks to the sound of an ecstatic and humorous voice. Moonlight just watched as Yuny had 'tackled' Leafeon to the ground.

“Natasha knows a lot about Eevee's too!" Yuny barged into the conversation boldly, “I bet she knows more then you!" Leafeon made a playful groan of pain “My trainer knows everything!"

“Ack! Well, you have me!" Leafeon called out in Moonlight's sudden shock. “Your trainer must be super strong if she trained an Eevee like you!" It left Yuny in a fit of giggles as Akamaru had ran up to them in a pant.

“S – sorry…" Akamaru mentioned with a half laugh and a sing-song voice. “She got away from… me."

“I see that! She's a wiry young one!" Leafeon expressed back with a gentle voice of praise. “With feet like hers, she could be the fastest Eevee ever!"

Is that… a… real smile? A real laugh…? It left Moonlight to sag his shoulders down after a few moments as another feeling washed down his back.

_“I got a new game!"

“Hmm? A new one?"

“Yeah huh! We get to ask each other questions about things!"

“Don't… we already do that?"

“Well… yeah… but we can vote who gets a point!"

“That's just asking questions with points involved… Isn't it late?"

“I'm not tired! See! I bet I can even jump on the couch!"

“Vulpix… wait, wait… You know you're not allowed, it's too high."_

“I want to try…"

Moonlight knew that he did, he knew that he made it… that time.

“Yeah, if she tries hard she could be the fastest Eevee ever." Moonlight commented after a moment of hesitation. They were amid chatting amongst themselves as Moonlight felt something tremble in his mind.

Yeah… I can't love him. Not when he has a face like that; open… Exposed for all to see it and proud. I can't love anyone open minded and hearted like that.

_ They… couldn't accept me, and I certainly don't deserve it. _

“Moonlight?" Akamaru began to say, “You've been here for hours with us. Shouldn't you check up on Griffin?"

“He'll be fine." Moonlight commented back “She's energetic."

“I know… I don't get where she gets that from." Akamaru explained “I'm the least energetic person out there; I'll sleep for hours if I got the chance. She barely takes anything from me."

“Maybe because she's trying to impress you." Moonlight commented and sighed. “She reminds me of someone." He'd explain to the Flareon. “She reminds me of family, honestly." Moonlight commented quietly as Yuny ran all over Leafeon. It left Moonlight to laugh louder than he expected from it. “It's peaceful; serene over here. I don't want to head back yet." Moonlight mentioned “I think I need a little quiet before going back...."

“I can… call… Yuny back."

“No, no. It's fine Akamaru." Moonlight mentioned and smiled at him. “It's completely quiet here."

“You're very weird." Akamaru mentioned and chuckled as Moonlight winced “Alright not… very, very… more like enough to notice."

“That doesn't reassure me." Moonlight expressed back to him in a way that left Akamaru to nervously stiffen his back. “I'm sorry about Saffron, by the way; I think I said that before, I can't recall."

“Hm?" The Flareon tilted his scalp in reply.

“I took things too far, but I'm not the kind that likes to be poked or prodded at. I don't even like watching it." Moonlight expressed calmly. “But I took it too far. I didn't even register the situation. I just saw red I guess…"

“W – well considering whatever that thing was, I can see why you… did that now." Akamaru commented idly “I just don't want Yuny near it, ever."

“I understood that the moment she called you 'big bro'." Moonlight commented back, quietly and softly. “If she has a big brother like you, I'd say she'd do fine." Moonlight gently expressed and it made Akamaru chuckle.

Wild types may have cubs at early stages of their lives; they're not guaranteed to survive past a few years. It's just the cycle of things… so why do I feel like you're still a touch too young to take on a responsibility like that? Is it the look in your face; the way how your hold yourself up with pride?

I can see that… you're endlessly proud of her and I feel that's just a hint of naivety you show… the benefits of living longer than the meal behind you. “Keep focused and train." Moonlight mentioned back to him and that made Akamaru twitch his ears. “… If… that thing comes back, you may need to be at the ready. I'd suggest staying as close to Natasha as you can." Akamaru gently grit his teeth.

“I already do that; when it comes down to it… Espeon. I only care about her. When it really comes down to it…"

Yuny is worth more than Natasha is to you? It left Moonlight to tilt his head at the Flareon

“I'm her big bro after all." Akamaru chuckled lightly “You shouldn't make every conversation you have so serious and… and well 'work' related, I guess. You need to relax, and I mean a lot." Akamaru expressed with a soft rounded tone. “I can see that pelt of yours twitch even. You seem anxious."

“It's been too quiet… and… and well… as of late I just…" Moonlight replied back, and it left Akamaru to sigh. The gentle plumes of white vapors slipped from his otherwise stout and slender muzzle. He naturally held this softer toned; young faced kind of look – the kind that showed that he was easily a few years younger than Moonlight. He had to take notice of those short thick hairs against Akamaru's pelt. Moonlight drew in a thought that instant, one that left him to pass a hopeful and small smile.

Your fur is shorter because your fire burns inside you constantly. It's what a healthy Flareon does. You have age on your side, but give it a few more years… I'm going to near that point soon too.

“Even your tone seems all 'matter of factly' to me…" Akamaru expressed to showed off his tongue “You should learn about something called a 'nap' it might help you unwind a little more." The Flareon commented and gave a gentle grin in reply. Yuny had only stared at him from on top of Leafeon's chest – her four paws dug into the Leafeon's otherwise soft-wheat fur; every single one of them pushed down as though she victoriously stood above him. A proud, strong statue of a young Eevee that held every intention to prove herself one way or another. The Espeon solely huffed back at the Flareon.

“I require a little more sunlight then this to nap properly." Moonlight expressed as the Flareon rolled his eyes

“You… require?" Akamaru shook his head like nuts “You're like one of those…" The Flareon strangely tilted his head in a way that left Moonlight to silently reserve himself. “Were you one of those… 'isolated' Pokemon? You remind me of some human researcher. I've noticed it in the way you look at things… but I feel like you're cocky because you actually know them or understand them. Have… Have you studied medical books? Herbs too?"

Damnit, he's a little more observant then I thought. Natasha did train them well – exceptionally well. It's not the initial fight…. Moonlight felt it crawl down his back as he looked over at her from a distance. She partially glanced over and met his gaze which left Moonlight to nod his head down to her… a near apologetic look on his face. That's your combat style… you train your Pokemon for the long fight, for endurance and tactic. It's why Akamaru is so observant… They are going to be okay.

“A nap you say? Is that part of your training regime?" Moonlight asked him after a moment “You're very attentive." Moonlight added and it left Akamaru to lightly smile

“I have my eyes on everything, you never know where Yuny could run off to." Akamaru expressed with a laugh “That and Natasha trains all of us to pay attention. She always told each of us to never look our opponent in the eye." Moonlight batted an eye back at him. “She's not just some weird anime freak, she actually studies the culture too. She loves to study all sorts of cultures. She read about it not too long ago, about how Samurai have these laws or codes. One of which is facing your opponent with your 'soul' so to say." Akamaru mentioned back to him and it left Moonlight to nod.

Even though Akiyama was more for Greek and Roman history… what he told me verbally about it still sounds the same. With a trainer like her… Luna and… everyone who doesn't know it could benefit from it. I need Griffin to battle her, I need him to see it without Shadow and Bandit in the fray.

_ “Because Griffin looks with his eyes and let's others peer into his soul." _

Moonlight shook his head wildly for a moment. It was the last words that ran through his head which left it to sting lightly.

That wasn't my voice… that sounded like Autumn's voice? It gently rang through his head as Moonlight flicked his tail and thrashed it gently. There's not enough sunlight here, Alola… Am I hallucinating because of it?

“Are you okay?" Akamaru asked and Moonlight nodded

“I'm fine, it's just these headaches, I'm prone to them but as of late…" He'd explain back and tiredly smiled. “Thank you for the concern, but I'll be fine; it could be Psychic from another type." Moonlight expressed politely and solely nodded “It's coming down to it, I bet my trainer is nearly finished. I should begin to head out."

“Alone?" Akamaru expressed once more and the Espeon nodded.

“Yes, how do you think I got here? Griffin was on the other side of the park." Espeon expressed and nodded once more before he took a glance in that direction. “I'm sure they're nearly done."

Thief:

“Don't leave the cave."

The words had reached his mind, peered into his foggy and crystalline memory. That feeling of emptiness and weightlessness surrounded his form, lifted him upward; the silence statically rang between his ears as he felt them fold. The sound entered his mind once again – these joyful gentle voices that kept themselves hushed as though to hide themselves from the world. These tender orange eyes looked up to him, a wondrous and curiosity filled world in her eyes. It took a moment for the creeping words to statically flicker into his vision – like a letter that filled his entire world with speckled black and white. Something horrid touched his tongue – like a foul taste that burned down his throat and left his entire pelt to sit on stilts; his eyes to dilate.

“Don't leave the cave…" His silent words slipped from his mouth as it played through his head

_“I'll be back."

“Bring ALL the food!"

“Find mommy…"

“Make it warm too…"

“I want a family… like everyone else has."_

It all played through his head no different than it did in Fuchsia. It only left himself breathless – a cold frigid air cut through those lungs as he inhaled with a shaken raspy throat.

Who are you? It came to his thoughts as that same letter shocked and tingled his back, where nothing more but static crackled in front of his eyes.

Who are… you?

I know you…

Thief couldn't find the strength in his legs to push himself up as the voices continued to say.

“If big bro can escape then we can too!" One of them mentioned “I'm the fastest! I can sneak in and get food!" The happy tone sparkled within her voice as she frantically whipped her tail with a gentle, tame excitement_.

“I can find a mommy and daddy too!"_ She continued to say but one of the other cubs said

“No, I'll get the food – I'm just as big as brother!" He'd explain boldly… outspokenly. “Getting food is tough and you need someone strong to carry all of it!" They continued to express with soft excited chitters. “There's all sorts of berries nearby the woods! It's not that far away." He'd say “You should grab sticks! We can all try to make a fire with those! I saw an Arcanine do it once" His voice resonated in Thief's mind as his paws pushed against the soaked, dripping cavern floor below him – the kind that smelled like mildew and all sorts of gross things; even the ground was slimy from the salt water as the ocean spray always found a way to splash into it. Thief only found his eyes follow the trickle of water that collected around his snout, it made him huff water as his voice silently spoke once more, and only was ignored. Another letter splashed before his eyes, one different from before with nothing but the static that fell onto it. Only an ' A' painfully shocked his thoughts as he stared at the Growlithe that spoke to the younger one, if it was only by a day or two.

What horrified him the most was that the image in front of him only appeared like a static silhouette.

You've just opened your eyes… don't leave the cave. Never leave the cave.

Never…

Never ever…

It only took a smile for Thief's pelt to crawl as he went out of the cavern and into a sunlight that was harsh and bright – like a golden wall of color which left his feet to shakenly push himself upright. Every moment he moved it felt as though the sun and moon shot past him; echoes of gentle whispers and laughs surrounded his very soul. There was no words he could make out past the dizzied and frayed hairs that faintly blurred past his eyes.

His orange; richly orange eyes only sparkled in the sunlight, as bright flickers showed a cavern where only ghosts now lay.

“…. …? You look sick! You can't move, they all bit at you…" The voice had crackled and sparked in his ears right at the start. As though reception was morbid, twisted. Echoed. “We can do it! Let us all help!" Thief continued to force himself upright and staggered before he rolled out his tongue and stumbled towards the entrance of the cavern. All sorts of strange things pushed and stabbed into his thoughts as though they all tried to force their way into them. The world was this white wall of bright sunshine, too bright to see past as Thief followed aimless tracks for miles… at least it felt that way. His head ducked into bushes as he constantly snuffed and sniffled at the air around him.

Never leave the cave.

It came to his thoughts idly as though to be a moonlit prayer.

“I'm the big brother… the largest pyre; the biggest. Let me do it all, let me be strong enough to carry all of you… Please, Arceus… please."

The soil below him parted as he firmly dug his paws into the earth and rolled them gently into the mud. Sparse trees surrounded him and when he looked to his right – it only showed this old, cracked land-bridge that covered the ocean and between the crevice of one side of the island, to another. Thief knew that when the tide was low, one could walk across the sea as the sand bank exposed itself to the morning light. In fact, he could even see the remnants of the sandbank from where he stood, but he followed his nose – followed it with every intention as though to follow a teasing ribbon of a soul that searched for freedom.

The woods felt wider now; these nearly grown shrubs had delicately spent their years to grow between the leftovers of rotted wood and flaky ash… now…

Little flowers grew, brightly… strongly. Some that Thief never even had seen.

They looked planted, as though something had put them there; like some secret memorial honored that place nearby his home. Every flower only swayed against a calm wind, it left them to tenderly wiggle in the sunlight with a wave of color. His vision blurred – wet as he wandered further and further in wood. A haze had erupted over him as though youthful paranoia and adrenaline pushed him forward; the scent that he picked up on…

It was a frightening scent… one that left another letter to appear in front of his eyes. An ' M' just silently hung before him in a backdrop of static – morphed to the trees around it as the world became a silent crackle. Thief staggered through this gathering of flowers that rested in front of him as scents and winds jostled him about. No sense of time… but he knew it had been a while since he left the cave and longer just to wander around there aimlessly. Injured. Thief followed the ghastly thick scent that tenderly blew through the wilds; an eruption of beautiful and endless water sparkled with a silvery veil as the colorful ribbons of familiar smells hung in his memory – his heart raced and pounded, but he couldn't move.

He felt too hot; dizzy… thirsty… Wild…

It left Thief through a stupor a high of bright colors rang against his head. The sparkled reflection felt sensitive on his otherwise light-colored and cream orange eyes. Another paw forward… and another letter broke into his thoughts. Another ' A' burned into his vision, he stepped into a much larger footprint where the static buried and crackled around his paws; that letter clung to it as a horrific realization came to mind.

Wake up… it's a dream. Wake up…? Why can't I? I can't control anything…? I'm moving on my own.

Thief forced himself to stop and stared at the speckled black static that slowly filled in the gaps where the sunlight would be. It felt as though he could see the grains, like through a window; one that he couldn't reach. He panted from the exertion as even the walk forced a tax on him… a toll to hold him back.

Endurance was what he lacked… Endurance held him behind. Thief stumbled and dragged his paws behind for only a moment and felt a rush of strange air that coiled and churned his world like tender cream. Then it felt hot; burning hot as though it encapsulated him, an aurora of color slithered over him and left him dilated as something sparked across his vision; all within the sunlight glow in the sky.

Lightning…? It came to Thief's chest and body before he stared at the sea once more while his legs carried him forward. His heart raced and slammed harder against his chest, against a closet that locked him in. The trees slowly became more dense as another letter forced its way down his thoughts – in front of his eyes.

An ' L' crammed itself into his every thought, just that eerie – silent black and white speckled backdrop; the letter was static but it felt as though Thief only followed the letter through the thicker brush. A world of those colors speckled around him while his breath slowly eased while the fright and fear slowly faded away. It felt like the scent of another Pokemon in the strange wood – one that Thief couldn't place; he had to look back at the flower bed with curious eyes,

It was from a Pokemon he had never smelled before. One that utterly shocked him with a now sudden rush of familiarity.

Two scents were there, and as his nose got closer to them… a full name came into his mind.

Luna… but who's this…? Whos scent is that…?

It left Thief to freeze, it wasn't her scent at all – neither of them; at once reminded him of her and Thief of someone else. There was this odd comparison; something that clicked in his mind while the Growlithe pushed past them.

Just past two ghosts that stared out into a sea with longing, one made out of age old friendships and adventures…

While his tail was just able to touch the tall grass that now grew higher towards the sunlight – Thief caught onto this rush of a trail. Another letter…

' M'

Thief could see that letter on the backdrop and only stepped further and further into the denser woods – the darker woods with these island-like trees and shrubs that were untouched by flame. One more letter… A ' B' sat in front of him while the entire forest erupted into a heart of salty, cold winds and sunless light that barely touched the ground around him. The soil was incredibly wet and clung to the Growlithes pads like glue. All Thief managed to do was push through the thicket and endlessly scan the horizon that narrowly encircled him. A feral sense overtook him – every instinct to stay alive focused on the forest. It was the feeling that overcame him as he pushed further inland. Thief only traced out a path in his thoughts; the one before his eyes continued to churn and spire as he wandered further and further into the now dense wood. The kind that finally blocked out the light entirely. A shadow illuminated all around him and left panes of white gold in-between the exceedingly rare opening in the trees. By then, even in sunlight, the sky above him had blotted out with delicate mossy grey. A gentle shimmer of near orange beads sparkled with the illumination of glamorous rays which fought through the thicket. Then… a head popped out from a nearby bush.

“Bro? What's wrong, you should be at home resting! See! I found all sorts of yummy berries! Some of them are … …. …'s favorites!" Their voice was delightfully calm and cheerful. Naïve towards the entire world around them. They were only around half the size a normal Growlithe should be…

At that age, it had been expected for all of them to be much larger.

Thief went to say an empty name into the wind, but no sound came passed his lips.

You can't be out here ……..! Follow me, we need to go home now. You did great, but we're far, far away from the cave. We can't leave the cave, only I can. That's what came to Thief's mind as all he could do was silently stare at him; the infectious small smile on his lips and this dazzle of a glowed light behind his eyes. His fur seemed sunny, bleached – even a mark or two on his pelt was like that. Cream, soft; vanilla-like cream. A tail flicked left and right while Thief just stared with this ever-lasted gaze. Another letter replaced him from view as Thief only studied every little contour and detail. An ' E' covered his heart.

His face was black but held gentle blonde-like vanilla fur, he'd give this soft playful laugh as Thief pinned his ear down lightly as his voice touched them.

“The sunshine is the best! Can't we all come out and play? It's so warm, it makes my whole pelt heat up. I could sleep here for hours! Can't we make a normal den? Please big bro?" Thief couldn't explain it there, all he did was mutter 'back at the cave, I'll tell you.' And left it at that. The Growlithe would pin down his little chip-like ears and give off a pouty look. Thief only ignored it and asked him to follow, and closely. As he wandered back into the thicket; into the brush with the smaller Growlithe that flared out his back and walked carefully as though not to let the berries roll off his fur; another letter blinded Thief's view of it all. A silent static-like jump only brought him to the edge of the thicket.

That letter was ' R' and it left Thief's heart to race as the flowers came into view – where they overlooked the broken land-bridge and the endless ocean. Chutes of sunlight fluttered into the path and as Thief got closer to the flower patch – his blood went frigid. His eye's dilated ever so lightly.

Every flower had gotten trampled down by something large and Thief had pushed his younger brother into the thickest bush around them in natural fright. Leaves and little branches covered them as Thief pushed his brothers scalp to the earth and hushed.

“Smell that Lucius? Smell it?"

Lucius…? Thief fought to give an eye from the bristle of leaves that surrounded him, but as always his body moved when it wanted to.

“Never forget it! It's the scent of those bastard pups who betrayed us!" The Arcanine took a huge step forward, it was this strange somber and empty look; a morbid one that Thief caught onto first. “It's very easy… find one and stare it down; if those cubs do anything out of place, rip them apart." Even the voice seemed shaken as this sudden tinge of laughter touched his ear – it made it twitch… words came from the bush behind them.

“That's right! You shouldn't try feeling compassion to those things. Why would you? Isn't that right ………? The only one of worth is the female and she doesn't have much of a future past youth."

The name cut off as the words slipped into his ears.

“C – Cuz…" Thief could see him it left his eyes to dilate wide with wonder and dare to pin down his ears. It was Lucius! Complete with his glistening golden fur – a Growlithe with those strange purple-like gemstone eyes. This regal color in them; a perfect color in them. It made Thief try to lift his scalp even higher. _“They aren't doing anything that bad, they're little cubs after all. They don't hurt anyone, they're too small and… and hungry."

He's… on the verge of crying? I can see it…_ Thief's heart had slowed intensely in those instances.

Lucius… Their last conversation before he left to some strange place called Almia, near Galar; some tale about a Lapras or some other sea beast that brought desperate Pokemon across the sea there filled Thief's thoughts.

“Never talk like that!" The Arcanine snapped it's jaw down at him after a second, and Thief caught onto Lucius's wince. Everything felt double paned or taken… even their words seemed to copy one another with different results.

Only the terrible, the most terrible things came to his head. “They're no different than those monsters behind the glass. Anything can happen, it doesn't matter what it is. They should've been killed off with their bitch of a mother!" The voice left Thief rigid and silent as his younger brother clung close to him. Thief had to swallow down his haunches in that moment, the memory…? “The shrine-keeper doesn't favor them or care 'respect her wishes' that's crap; he already outlined that anything they do wrong is a capital offence. It's not my fault he left the law so open ended." The Arcanine continued to say; and then A Ninetails came next to him – it left Thief's heart to quiver in absolute fear as the strangely near white Ninetails came out, but unlike Luna; it's tails seemed different from any other one Thief knew and the stranger necklace around it's throat made his head tilt.

“Exceptionally well said friend. It's like you heard it from the best." The Ninetails continued to say, his icy blue-white fur fought chillingly against the hot sunlight. It partially stuck to the shade of the Arcanine and grinned. It felt ghastly to Thief; the slender Ninetails had grey – slate eyes, like pavement in sunlight. “You should listen to your cousin Lucius, after all… they're little rebellion costed you your brothers. It's their fault that they're all dead. I don't care what the oath says, just them breathing is a violation of it." Something stirred, but Thief had his paw planted down on his younger brothers scalp and deafly whispered to him. The Ninetails, Growlithe and Arcanine all passed by the bush. Thief waited and waited. He waited until he knew they were long gone and then let his little brother lift his scalp up. It left them to both cautiously leave the bush and continue towards they're side of the cliff.

At least they were protected there. Thief just watched the vanilla, orange and black Growlithe beside him. He looked back and proudly puffed out his chest and fur, showed off the berries he collected.

Showed off that he was walking beside his big brother. He showed off his delicate and naïve pride. The kind that let him smile and say all sorts of things he learned from him; it was simply the one that made it with Thief to their view of the ocean.

He dropped the berries from his back and gave off a little smile… wagged his tail. Thief only lightly smiled in return… then his eyes began to dilate; they went wide and still with shock. The Arcanine broke their vows and wandered to their tiny; isolated section of the island – one stripped of life, save for a few burned scrubs here and there. His heart only stilled and dropped as his little brother had come to rip right off the balls of his feet by the tail.

“There you are you little wretch!" The voice left Thief to frantically shudder, to shut down at once. “Look at all the berries! Where'd you steal these from!? I don't see a single bush here. Where'd you get them?" Thief's little brother only stilled and stared with these eyes that only showed off his pure dilated pupils. Thief had only felt a sudden shock of two voices that tore into his head. Both of which came from the Arcanine. It left Thief horrifically shocked and left to tremble as the Arcanine made one single face and then threw his brother straight into the dirt. “Gross… the little thing pissed itself. What!? You're scared right?" The Arcanine dropped his muzzle down low “Yeah, I was really scared too." He just stared at Thief with these fully contracted eyes; this small pupil let Thief hold his breath. Entirely paralyzed.

He was paralyzed as the Arcanine continued to speak “I was really scared when your father showed up and began to rip apart my siblings. You think you're scared? You think you're terrified!?" It took a hold of his younger brothers paw and showed Thief a look; this shudder, a wave of hatred washed over Thief just as quickly as the other voice behind it caught on. This oily feeling surrounded him for a moment; a ghastly thing just left him to shudder. Were his own thoughts trying to betray him… It's all that came to his head as the voice suddenly played like a frantic, teary argument had just finished. The memory blurred, and only showed Thief the absolute worst.

“ __Redacted_ … Redacted"_

Stop… Please…

The Arcanine tightened his muzzle around his little brothers' forearm, it left him to give off a horrified shriek.

“………? He's hurting me! Brother! Please, it hurts! Let me go!" The fragility and shock left Thief frozen, the Arcanine only slowly crushed down into his younger brothers' paw, to the point that tears stung his eyes and blood began to pour out from the wound. The Growlithe screamed even louder then; screamed… and screamed, it was all adrenaline to Thief.

“Hey! You found the disgusting things." The Ninetales entered the frame from the bushes which surrounded them as Thief felt petrified between them both. _“Caught them stealing food? Wonderful! Is the little filthy Rattata screaming like a real 'victim' yet? Does it finally understand what so many of our brethren felt?"

“Not yet!"_ The Arcanine expressed as blood tricked down his jaw and tapped grossly against the stone below his massive paws. All Thief's brother could do as squeal and kick drastically; feebly.

Screaming. Endlessly screaming and crying.

Thief couldn't take his eyes away; he couldn't even move, the other pleaded voice in the back of his ears had devolved into sobs of fear. The Adrenaline pumped through his entire body by then – however it felt so numb to Thief now, it left him coherent enough to watch it all. The rampant line of tears poured down his face as another shock of static ran through Thief's body.

More fright… as all he could do was stand there and watch until his vision got blurry. Light little tears fell down his cheeks, the world became a static hum, it sounded as though all the sounds surrounded him as the letter came into clarity.

A ' T' stood in front of him as his body rippled from ear to tail.

Stop…

The Growlithe kept feebly screaming, kicking… squirming in front of him… all while the Arcanine clamped down into his paw; back to the rocky ground below them. There was this sudden mix of sights that Thief could see. One where he had gotten left to cry too and another that looked like something born out hell. Blood trickled out onto the ground below him, against stone and the sporadic dry patches that sprouted in between the sun-covered rock. Haunches rose as he rolled his shoulder very gently; his eyes remained solid and open. Unraveled to the horror. The sound of choked sobs entered the air. Toxically, they cornered every section of mute noise – even the now silent cubs in the den barely a few feet away.

“Where did you steal them from!?" The Arcanine snarled with his mouth full of blood and his paw in his jaws. He clenched down harder and that left this guttural and rampant shriek to fill the open air. All Thief felt the entire time was this shock that rippled down his spine, like it followed his heartbeat. The words the Arcanine said… they were curse words; Thief knew they had to be, but it still felt like he heard two different voices. One of rich, accursed hatred; and another of somber and fright – dreadful fright.

“Stop!" His voice sobbed desperately “Please! Please! It hurts! It hurts!! Please…" He feebly sobbed and bawled – tears mixed with the blood that dripped onto the stone. “I went berry picking! All I did was go berry picking! My brother is feeling sick… please… Please don't hurt me anymore… Please… I'm home; just let me go into the cave – I'll never leave it. Please… Please…" He broke down into worthless sobs as Thief left his mouth ajar. “…. …..! Help me… please, please please pleaseplease… don't… please brother. Please…"

_Stop…

“Please stop it…"_ Thief lowered his head, pinned his ears to the sides; a wild shake of his frightened skull all while every voice had apologized or begged dearly for one. “He's being honest, he only left the cave to pick berries; I'm feeling sick. He went to help me today… All he did was help today… It's true. Don't hurt him. Hurt me if you're going to hurt… any of them. Hurt me!" Thief didn't take his eyes away from him. _“Don't…"

“So you just THOUGHT you could walk over to MY side of the forest and pick MY berries!?"_ The Arcanine growled at him, but there was some stall at the end as the Ninetales tilted his near stuck up nose even higher. Lucius had finally looked his way again – there were just tears pouring down his face; the same look of shock.

_“C – Cuz, you… you'll kill"

“Shut the hell up, Lucius. Shut the hell up right now."_ The Arcanine snarled and crushed down onto that Growlithe's paw – Thief went silent to the sounds of crackling and this blood curling wail which left his whole pelt to turn to stone. His heart slammed out of his chest as roughly as it could as Lucius made this soft sob which left the Ninetales to tilt his head.

“Shut the fuck up Lucius." The Ninetales expressed and sadistically smiled, enough that it left Thief's blood to finally broil and seethe. “I'm. Enjoying. My. Private. Play. I don't need you looking all teary eyed, they're not worth shedding tears over."

“Stop it!" Thief yelled loudly, firmly… desperately and even shot the Arcanine in the face with a plume of smoke. “We're telling the truth! I'm sorry, I didn't know they belonged to you! You can have all of them! Take them all!" The Arcanine went to speak, but the Ninetales cut in.

_“No."

“What?"

“Your filthy, disgusting, and tainted paws touched them. The best way to clean away old blood is with new blood."_ The Arcanine continued to growl as Thief's brother desperately panted into sobs. His paw was mangled and crushed in by the Arcanines massive teeth – he screamed and kicked more; endlessly fought. The wound wasn't even that deep but now the Arcanine was intent on shattering the bone.

The cub fought and refused to give in; he fought even as his paw was slick with blood and Thief hoped, prayed… that it would set him free.

That they could run after.

His hind leg kicked the Arcanine over the eye, it even slashed it and all it did was leave the Arcanine to pick up the months old Growlithe and slam it into the stone rough enough that this horrific yelp and a splatter came oozing from his mouth; the spray of red touched at Thief's feet while his entire pelt sparked.

“Amalbert!" Thief yelled out desperately and squirmed before he snarled and bit onto the larger Arcanine's paw rough enough that it spilt blood of its own; it flicked Thief back and nearly knocked the Growlithe off the cliffside. “Let him go now!" He'd say, scream with tears in his eyes “You've punished him enough! Let him go! LET HIM GO!" Thief roared louder and bolted as fast as his little paws could take him, but all it took was that Icy-blue Ninetales to slam his paws down against the Growlithe's back to pin him down, a frost shocked his spine in a way that it left Thief breathless. “AMALBERT!" The Growlithe still managed to roar; he strained his throat to roar as loud as he could make it.

He Begged for help like any 'coward' would.

“Hush your filthy tongue!" The Ninetales happily expressed – this smile on his face. “I mean you DID bring this on YOURSELVES. We're only obeying the rules; the laws set by the Shrine Keeper." The Frosted Ninetales continued to say “Now… since HE was the one to pick the berries… well, we find it appropriate to make sure he never touches another one." The Ninetales nodded with this devious and snobby grin as Thief saw the golden-furred Growlithe behind him. This horrified look on Lucius's face, the one that shut itself down and inward; looked away in silence. Thief squirmed in reply and even tried to twist and bite back, all while he kept his eyes on Amalbert. The vanilla cream, black striped and orange pelted Growltihe only squealed and screeched louder, tears ran down their face as they broke out in nonsensical sobbing. A voice begged endlessly… constantly. Silently.

Please…

The Arcanine cracked into the Growlithes paw – by that point it was horrifically disfigured. Blood just splashed everywhere in little trickles as Amalbert cried hysterically now; hardly able to form words or screams from shock alone.

Please stop…

The Arcanine gave one vicious pull and tongue, Thief could see the flesh pull and give; the sound of ripping came to his ears and left him to scream out that name, left him to beg for his brother to keep his eyes on him. They looked… strange under the pressure of it all.

He's not even… he hasn't even lived past his first season…

None of us have even seen snow…

Shock… It struck Thief as the Arcanine tore Amalbert's front left paw off. It left blood to pool out from the mangled and distorted flesh and fur. He spat it out at the ground to the point that Thief only looked at it dead eyed; the sickly scent of blood left him to feel a repulsive churn in his stomach. Thief rang out his voice, his feeble – sob infused voice. The silent ringing aside from the distorted laughter that dug into Thief's skull in ways that tainted his very soul. The second the Ninetales moved from him, Thief had already scampered over - covered in blood, saliva from his panting… vomit…

It was the first thing he did when he found the strength to move.

“Amalbert!" He roared desperately throughout it.

Screamed…

And bawled hysterically when he was over top of him. Amalbert only shook and twitched spasmodically; his eyes were stuck open – wide; the pupils dilated slowly. The Arcanine laughed lightly and huffed

“Just burn it closed rodent!" Yet the second voice overlapped everything the Arcanine said.

“Oh Arceus … … … Why did you make me? Why… Burn it closed. Please…"

“I can't!" Thief yelled back and made this horrible whine of a sound “I can't use fire! I've never used it… I can't… Please help him! PLEASE! Anything; I'll do ANYTHING!!!" The Arcanine only gave a gruff smile and a huff before his paws left for the woods as the Ninetales sat and watched with glee. “Don't leave! I'm not old enough to use… I can't…" Thief broke down into horrible and desperate pleads, screamed into the woods for help – puffed out aimless smoke as he'd stare, face first into an injury where the bone protruded out – fragments of white stabbed into his flesh all while he twitched…

He twitched until he was still while Thief could only plume and left a choked sob during every waking second.

Amalbert breathed and looked his way in utter calmness after as the Ninetales that sat there and watched; simply snorted as Thief pushed his head against his younger brothers chest, and towards his neck; to nuzzle him.

“We'll… have a… happy place too… right? All of us…?" Amalbert began to say and lightly… weakly lifted his tail to tap it onto the stone as Thief only watched with red-stained eyes.

“Yes…" Thief sobbed gently and felt his whole-body shiver in utter weakness. He pushed his head against his chest. We'll… always have a happy place too. No matter where we go, it'll be a place where we're all… all… together." Thief only held his head to his chest, his tears matted down with the blood which pooled between them both. The sunlight refracted the glossy sheen of brown-like red over dry and dead grass. “No matter what, we're… family, that's our happy place."

That was the day, Thief unknowingly learned what a heartbeat was… and how terrifying it could be when it stopped.

Something continued to hum louder now, a gentle hum that left the entire world to change into a hue of sunlit-blue. A hazy voice came to his thoughts after a moment of complete silence.

“Cut the test, it didn't work… We can't risk running it longer." The hums died down as Thief waited in a bright foggy light and shadows that overlooked him. “Take him to the cubicle. I want a full report on the readings – let's see if the machine is defective." The voice continued as Thief felt the world turn into a sludge-like haze around him. The lights changed and flickered around – everything was bright and this crisp; eye hurting blue. Light tears stung and stabbed into his thoughts.

It… must be a… bad dream. Please… The entire world blurred around him in utter stillness. _Please let it be a bad dream…

But why won't the name leave my mind…?

Amalbert? What kind of name is that…? I've never heard of any name like it before._ Thief shivered from the sudden rush of cool air that changed when he was carried into another room. Out of the entire stupor, these terribly clammy hands held him close to his chest and eventually he was free from them. The strange window; a weird black and hazy window left him to stare into it like some leashed dog.

A pet… to the world that passed him by, his whole body felt suddenly heavy, weighted a guilt which surrounded his entire form. Thief only felt himself become numb all over, all the pain rushed in with a crushing weight.

It's just… a bad dream. It preached to him as Thief looked out at the trees nearby a window.

“We'll have a happy place too…" The voice left his eyes to open more as the dark rushed in on all sides… until unconsciousness overtook him.

A happy place…? I couldn't do that… I can't provide that…

I never… ever could.

I…

lied…

I'm so sorry… that you died because of me.

You all did.

A 'pting' resonated through the empty room for a moment as Thief, dreary and dehydrated opened his eyes after a black out. Another sound slapped the window as the light pulled him into this rich layer of golden sunlight.

There it was, the sound again. A soft gentle slap on the window and it left Thief to crack his back and search towards the sunlight before him. This time, he saw the strange little pebble that hit the window. He, along with many other Pokemon in the rehabilitation section, all were on the ground floor. The same place where Griffin passed by all those funny cubicles. This time, Thief was in one that looked out to a small cornerstone around the hospital. Those tired hind legs of his – weighted to the floor by pounds he never thought he carried before – shakenly pushed him just high enough so that he could see the grass a few feet below him.

If Thief could open windows, he could easily have made the jump outside. Thief, for just a moment in a morbid mind, at once thought if that was why they were on the ground floor. His strained gaze and this little headache pounded at his skull as this lick of heat nearly sparked the glass in front of him. It was fire…?

“Smokey! Get away from the building…"

Melody… Smokey…? It took Thief a moment to watch in utter shock and silence. Melody of all people had run and twirled around as her Houndoom jumped around with her. Melody tossed up this stick in a light roll of her wrist and as it went high into the air, Smokey made this jump and flipped in the air towards it – flame ignited from his muzzle and swallowed him whole. He'd lightly roll his jaw mid flip; shot flames out the side of his mouth. The explosion immediately took Thief's attention as he watched it in a perfect slow motion.

Smokey used firewheel to launch himself into the air, spun madly forward like some ball… turned his muzzle and rotated before slowing to a landing through a backflip.

It made Thief's eyes light up with wonder. A sudden ripple of thought came through his mind, this strange elderly woman with grayed hair spoke utter gibberish to him. Read… to him...? It made his mind jostle and jolt.

_It's the initial explosion of fire… thermo – something. There's propulsion in explosions; that's why I use them up close, I toss my foes away from me. I never thought about tossing myself.

I need him to teach me fire, to use fire. He's compensating his weight through multiple charged attacks to move mid-air. He's… amazing._

As Smokey made this near soft landing, like a beautiful dance or leaf… Thief couldn't define how it looked or felt, the Houndoom simply made a soft bark of a sound and went right for Melody – stick in mouth and all. Thief's eyes went wide. He's not amazing… Bandit is amazing… He's… better than even her at it. The stick doesn't even have…

“You did great!" Melody expressed happily “Third time and it barely caught fire!" Thief went entirely wide – he dilated his pupils as much as it let him to.

Read a book about it, Moonlight said something like that – about Pokemon battles. I can study Houndoom and practice… train with Shadow.

I have to.

I… don't… can't… even.

Thief only watched the huge Houndoom twirl, stance – evade with passion and grace behind every step of his. It looked much, to Thief, as a thin-set, suited man and a Sunday dressed woman dancing. Thief knew that from some weird old video on Griffin's phone. Some old song or something dated years before his time. Another perfect spin, jump and rotate. Thief noticed the pebbles spark out on his landing – he watched how the Houndoom braced himself. Thief watched and stared at the stances while he solely studied with this strange guardian-like eye. Thief could see it all, the way he sat in silence; the short little parkways just beyond them had all sorts of ill and hurt Pokemon with their trainers. It left his heart to steady. There were all sorts of humans there too. Old and young alike and each one had a Pokemon with them or took care of them.

It left his heart to slow as he finally exhaled softly.

I won't… I can't… because I have all of them depending on me too. Even if it's for some… some little thing. I can't, because I'm scared of what I'll do when I don't.

It ran through Thief's mind as he watched with intention while Smokey continued to do this strange play 'training' that left Thief occasionally to flop his tail onto the bedded cubicle he was in. The Growlithe only rested his head down after a while and listened to the ticks on the clock as Melody waved to Smokey and everyone else had followed in. Some with nervous laughs and concerned looks from time to time. They went to eat… It left Thief to gently sigh to himself while he glanced at Griffin's belt and as he did, all that came around his leg was a pair of sap-amber eye's which looked back up. Her tails twitched and lightly ruffled at the tips the moment she saw him. It left her to nearly nip and tug at Griffin's pant leg; yip at him with words that made Thief giggle.

The weight… became forgettable again…

Thief didn't have a way to explain it, not when she came around his waist with her six tails. They glowed in the sunlight in such a way that left Thief to numb all over. By then Griffin finally looked ahead and laughed.

“Hey buddy! Are you feeling better?" Griffin commented with a small laugh “I'm going to cook something good tonight, alright?" He explained and showed off a few bags of anything that wouldn't perish at once. It left Thief to gently stick out his tongue at him, and that left Luna to happily laugh in reply.

“Alright you idiot…" Natasha commented and lightly tugged at his ear in a way that made Griffin wince. “Now before I pull this through the door – can we finally sit down and eat? It's bad enough that you wouldn't let us EAT there." Griffin idly shrugged.

“Hey, I was thinking about Melody too ya know!" Griffin said back to her and gently sighed – it left Natasha to pull his ear on reflex. “Alright, alright, I give!" It left Natasha to roll her eyes and let go.

“I barely pulled it, come on you, wuss…" Natasha explained and rolled her eyes at him. Brad had already stepped in before the argument could start.

“You know… your posture looks off Griffin." It left Griffin blank and white slated as Natasha snapshotted in a way that looked like a drill sergeant. Then all he saw was Aura doing this shoulder like stretches – almost like a boxer that was about to walk into a fight.

“W – Why me…?" Griffin commented and Thief winced as he heard the light, gentle cracks… but after a second, he began to laugh.

It's just like the hotel room It left him into a fit of giggles which left Luna to look up and only chuckle – sighed partway through Griffin's surprise exam in posture.

Needless to say, they didn't dawdle long afterward. In fact, Thief was out of that cubicle faster than he could blink – the world was slow… and fast. The lights above him was still just as sensitive as they were before he felt the outside world around him. Every trainers voice felt warbled and strange. Thief had to stare at Griffin as he talked, watched the expressions on his face – the laughs, smiles and all that; it left Thief to tilt his head at him. Natasha asked him something, and Griffin spoke back. There was nothing sensible he could pull from it, just warbled… near static… silence.

“Thief?" A voice left his back to jolt, it was in this absurd clarity – every Pokemon was. “Are you okay…? Your eyes look really… really big… Are you hurt? They're like Absol's eyes now."

“H – huh…? N – no." Thief shook his head lightly and drastically in a way that left Luna to look at him strangely. “I – I'm fine." He'd say with this nervous smile while his heart gently picked up. Then this strange warbled noise came to him – a few snaps of a finger left him to turn his head. Griffin had tried to catch onto his attention… and then fed him berries; berries that tasted so good – he swore he'd try to chew Griffin's finger with them. All Griffin could do was nervously laugh from every nip and talked in a warbled voice.

“Are… you sure you're okay?" Thief nodded yes to… no-one and shook his head after the fact. Luna just oddly smiled and rolled her eyes gently.

“Right… I'm over here… not…"

“He's high." The muzzle had made Luna look over and then stare back at Thief, before she jolted and fell over – his eyes solely followed her, absolutely focused on her every move.

“He's huh?" Luna had to double take it as Aura gave a little giggle, waved at Thief as he'd tiredly droop forward when he tried to lift his paw to wave back. The Lucario only stretched out her paws gently and showed off the spikes on the back of them.

“It's something that happens sometimes when humans give strange things to Pokemon… I've been like that once – Brad had to carry me home. He can barely understand his trainer right now. I remember it; it's from those strange medications that make you feel less… hurt I guess." The Lucario lightly commented and flicked her rather-wild – thick canine tail. Thief stared at it very closely, close enough that Aura was able to walk up to him and flick her tail against his nose.

It left him to sneeze in response, and make a face that left Luna to burst out with a gentle hum of laughter.

It felt like music in Thief's ears.

“It's not surprising he'd be like this – they did ask for us to stay for the afternoon basically." Aura continued to say through Luna's laughter. “After that… he'll probably be drained terribly." Aura mentioned once more – it was this playful matter of fact like tone. Absolutely nothing like Moonlights sarcasm, this had more feeling into it – honesty. The Lucario whisked her tail once more and Thief only followed it, nose and all.

“He looks weirdly obsessed with that…" Luna mentioned with concern as Aura lightly laughed; her soft shrill like giggle left Brad to half turn his head her way.

“I spent my entire time staring at a Slaking's stomach; not as weird as me…" The Lucario gave a snort “I made him uncomfortable enough to move – I think it was honey. I could see honey stuck on his stomach." Thief had nearly flopped to the ground as he tried to catch up to with the conversation.

“My seashell…" Lucario looked back at him as Luna tilted her head with sudden interest. Thief continued to say “I don't know… where it is, it should be in my tail. Can you… see it? Is it there?"

“Griffin should have it." Thief blew out his tongue in a way that made Luna tilt her head.

“Well… I find him all sorts of cool things, but I think he empties it out." Thief continued to say and lightly weighed his eyes down with a shock. _Why… do I do that…? Griffin is my first… human really.

Even with her I would look for things… but… what started it…?_

The sudden thoughts left him to curl into his paws and drastically throw himself onto his back; the clouds rolled past him in the sky. The universe felt like it turned repeatedly; a vertigo in which Thief had never really felt.

A peace… he'd never felt before suddenly touched and graced his paws. Because I couldn't… see you right? The sunlight just flickered above him as a warble of voice overtook his ears. _I couldn't see you…

I couldn't hear you…

It's all I wanted… but…_ Thief just firmly blinked as the world erupted into this strange rainbow of color. Every little gemstone sparkled and glowed before his eyes while a small shadow came over him.

“Thief… Are you sure you're okay?" Luna commented as Aura lightly tapped her side.

“Don't say that, you'll make him panic."

“I'm sorry…" Luna lightly scratched her ribs with her hind leg and that left Thief to look at her intensely. To watch her in the sunlight… it took her a moment of back and forth with Aura and himself for her to realize it.

“W – What… Thief?" He partially tilted his head and that left an ear to go awry, Luna lightly scoffed – a playful one left him to twitch his ear.

Wag his tail…

It made for one strange, and a one sided conversation where all Thief could do was listen to her, follow her… without a word to be spoken in return.

Thief couldn't figure out where or when the haze slowly began to fade away into nothing. Thief barely recognized that he didn't feel hungry, in fact – he blinked with dry eyes and had to ask her; the first words he had spoken for a long while.

“Uhm… yeah… we just finished…?" Luna got in a little closer to his face; it left his muzzle to beam red as he pulled back gently. “Your pupils are still really big…" Luna commented idly, dryly and cleared her throat. “Are you sure… it doesn't hurt." Thief went to open his mouth as this ring of static sound filled his ears and suddenly blocked out the sky in front of him with a strange… strange letter.

' G' It's all that happened and for only a second too as his entire pelt had fallen flat. It made Luna twitch, along with him. His heart began to pound out of his chest so fast that he took a ragged deep gasp inward; it left his lungs in pain.

“Thief…?"

“I…" He blinked lightly and coughed – coughed as an all too familiar Espeon came into the frame. His slender pink-purple fur finely rustled against the chilly wind as sunlight aimlessly beat down on his pelt. A tired eye, with that scarf and tassels all awry; only dilated slightly the second he saw Thief.

“Holy… He's high as a kite! How many sedatives did they give you? No… that's not right." Moonlight began to explain but Thief shut down.

“Something's weird… not the 'sedi…?' whatever that is. His eyes weren't that bad… before." Moonlight rolled his eyes gently and began to wander past them both… Thief only tinged his fur up. His eyes dilated again as an all too strange form – like a little wisp had peered it's head out of the corner Moonlight had come from and looked at him with bright-golden eyes. It was gone by the time he blinked. Just faded into nothing at all.

As though it was never there, just a ghost that wandered… followed and spoke in silent tongues.

Thief had a sudden loss for words as Moonlight glanced at him with a close eye, a remarkably close eye.

“He appears fine to me currently, just a little heavy on it. Because he's moving around it'll hit him a little harder." Moonlight commented after a moment and flicked his tail out.

“Was it true about Marina…?" Moonlight stalled and stirred for a moment. “What you said in Alola… is that true?"

“…" Moonlight gently tweaked his tail. “My grandfather got around a lot; a long… long time ago. I don't know how many cousins I actually have." Thief only cracked a smile; one that felt even empty to him. “I guess he's still alive and doing what he does best, humping whatever he sees."

“Then that's wonderful… having a big family like that." Moonlight batted an eye as Luna twitched her head in utter confusion.

“No, the family you have here… that's wonderful – Thief." The Growlithe lightly lifted his head back as the Espeon only glared at him with these near… predatorial cat-like eyes. “That's… this is more of a family then anything."

“Then…" Luna began to say as Moonlight twitched and thrashed his tail sporadically at her.

“Then I'm the sibling, uncle… or whatever; the one that likes to be left alone." Moonlight commented back and gingerly sighed “Have water you oaf." The Espeon expressed as he continued to wander past Thief. All he could do was gently match Moonlight's gaze. He could see every single etch in that gemstone of his.

Like a glorious pattern of pink purple which lightly dilated with this studious intent.

“What about Lucius?" Thief commented and that left Moonlight to stall.

“What…?"

“His eyes are like yours." Thief expressed as Moonlight laughed a little

“Now that's nuts. My Grandfather might be a serious tramp; but that's a bit too… 'rugged and raw' even for him." Moonlight mentioned and sighed “Enough about that crap, I don't want to talk about him of all people. I met him once, and right away I knew he was a flake."

Moonlight let out another sigh and took his glance towards the clouds. “Come along you two, I bet Griffin's moving very soon."

“Thief is still high…? Whatever that is."

“Eat a poison berry." Moonlight explained “That's the closest you'll probably get to it."

“God no." Luna immediately repulsed, and to Thief's surprised stupor, Moonlight had laughed lightly to himself. “I have nightmares of Celadon…"

“I already accounted the time for it." Moonlight had expressed “I know how long he'll stay like that to a tee."

“Where did you go?" Thief had obnoxiously changed the subject, having forgotten where the conversation started and ended.

“Payphone." The Espeon replied idly as Thief half followed him.

“Paywhat?" Moonlight didn't say another word and Thief only looked at Luna, in which she shrugged in even more confusion.

“What is a payphone?"

“They have phones you pay?" Thief commented and looked back to Moonlight; but the rather, snarky… loyal and witted Espeon had already left them behind. He went straight for Griffin, something that Natasha looked at with hawk-like eyes as the Espeon sat down in front of him. Thief only heard the warbled and weird voices of the trainers once more. Moonlight entirely ignored them, until Leafeon made a little comment his way – the accursed, rich and proud meadow-colored Leafeon only said a few short words, and that left Moonlight to half turn his head towards Thief.

The world was still… just as clear and crystal as before; yet all Thief could feel was a void that filled his lungs; one that came out of nowhere as though this sudden sense of dread overcame him. It left him to pant in worry – and left Luna wide eyed and shocked. Thief had to overcome it, and all he managed to do was pant at a ridiculous pace.

_There's something… I didn't like about the look he gave me. Something… cold. I can't put my paw on it.

It scares me… Like I've seen it before… whatever is underneath that shell of… of happier memories, or even darker ones. It's ugly._ Thief wondered where the shock and tingle in his lower back would go as he swallowed down air narrowly and walked over to Moonlight. The Espeon still had a partial eye on him.

“Yes Thief, what do you want?" Thief just partially sat down and stared back. Moonlight just kept this poker face on the entire time. Subtle – studious… focused. Like some eerie contest, they both just stared at each other for a while. After a moment of this tense silence, even with Leafeon confused and looked to Luna for answers… Thief finally muttered something quietly.

Something simple.

“Why aren't your eyes bright, like they used to be…? Like Hoenn…" It left Moonlight to narrow his gaze as he'd shake his head and huffed; partly with a laugh – a friendly, liberal laugh.

It felt strangely… antagonistic to him.

“You're high out of your mind, little Growlithe – those painkillers must've done a number on you." Moonlight said back to him. “Lay down with the grass, you'll feel better with some more air in you." Thief continued to mutter aimless nonsense at him, which left the Espeon to shake his head repetitiously as Leafeon gave this curious and light-hearted smirk. Moonlight partially hissed and Thief could only wonder what kind of situation led to that crossing of the eyes as Moonlight gruffly groaned and pushed Thief out of the way. He didn't do much to fight it, the Growlithe couldn't; eventually it only led him on his back as Moonlight sat next to him.

The ever lasted silence left the Espeon uneasy, it only made Thief look at his scarf as he fought past the sunshine that blinded his eyes.

The sea shell… He half kicked his leg out and swatted his tail against the grass below him. It's not in my tail. I need it… I need to hold it.

Listen… to it. Thief eventually, finally tilted his head at Moonlight. “Huh…? Did you say something?" Moonlight only went half shocked and lightly cackled; a gentle mew cut past his lips.

“Nothing at all, this whole ordeal just… reminds me is all." Moonlight commented once more – it was this strangely soft toned voice; one that left Thief's heart to slow back down. “Close your eyes." Once his heart slowed, in all truth; Thief couldn't find any strength to keep them open. They slowly closed shut yet as he tried to rest… even with Moonlight whom loomed over him in a way; this voice just touched his ears. A gentle one… a simple one.

One that only asked, in this voice alien and unknown to him, if he could simply accept it.

Luna:

The return call of a Pokeball cracked and flicked against her ears and eyes. Griffin had just returned Thief after a moment and all it did was leave Moonlight to narrow his vision, as though confused.

“Moonlight!" Luna called out and it left him to turn his head.

“Sorry… Luna, he shouldn't have been that out of it – not by now. It's like he had too much or something." The Espeon had commented and it left Luna's heart to pick up as she half started at his own.

“W – What is it?" And why are your eyes dilated… Are you using Future Sight again?

“Probably Firocoxib or Meloxicam. He is a Growlithe afterall. It takes a lot to get a high from it though; more then he should take. For example, humans use Acetaminophen for pain an-" Luna shook her head wildly

“I have zero clue what any of that is… Moonlight; if he took too much… is he sick?" It made the Espeon flinch.

“If he had more… then yes. It's like an amateur read the needle or… someone screwed up along the way, I'm surprised he's not dead." Moonlight continued to say and heightened his brow. “What did the doctors do in the operating theater?"

Luna did her best to explain every detail to him, something that was difficult – considering how Moonlight filled in the gaps or used this… 'formal' terminology that left Luna even more confused with each step. Eventually she expressed that the doctors talked quietly amongst themselves for the entire time, and that one constantly checked this wire.

Moonlight called it an IV drip with a material that kept Thief hydrated… or something like that. Luna was lost in Moonlights vivid explanations and all the like before he quieted down and shook his head.

“Sorry… I've had a terrible headache all day – I'm not thinking all too straight either." The Espeon gently swallowed to himself as Luna twitched her nose. “Hey – no. I'm fine Luna, so don't go asking."

“You seem… different too…" Luna commented as Moonlight shook his head side to side. Luna had to play it back through her head while the Espeon stretched and cracked his shoulders and back.

“It's the sunlight, a lack of it. Alola basically… was perfect for me. Nothing like Column." Moonlight expressed as Luna gave a little frown and looked at him closely. It's as though he meant to say home, but the word slipped out.

“Column…?" Moonlight went white in response to her gentle words and it left him to shut inward. “Moonlight?"

“Yeah… I said Column." He held his words with this gentle or guard-full tone, he protected the word with a gentle emphasis that left Luna to twitch her tails.

She had already put the connection together, that Moonlight came from the same place Tazer did. It explained why he wasn't so shocked to see that Vulpix or the Luxray. Luna continued to twitch her tails, as though to hold onto every word as Moonlight nervously beamed a grin. “It's not all that important." Luna only watched the slight bend of his eyebrow as Leafeon rolled his head over to him.

“Well it looks important to me." The Leafeon commented in reply and Moonlight… he stood still and silently replied

“It really isn't that important. I just come from a place where there's a lot of rain and snow. With the perfect weather in Alola… it – it's entirely… well… sunny." Moonlight expressed back and shook his head rampantly. “It'll take me a minute to get used to this." Luna blinked lightly

“You weren't even there long."

“I know… it just clicks with me. I need a little more sunlight… like Leafeon said." Moonlight diverted the entire conversation with his light tone and cheerful smile, yet Luna felt something uneasy which burrowed beneath his words.

Something… strange; as though his mind wandered anywhere else but where they stood.

“Luna, Moonlight!" Griffin gave them both a little call out with his voice. “Come on, we don't want to be late for registrations." Natasha half gave a slump arm towards Leafeon.

“Come on… let's go." She'd mention and rolled her eyes as Griffin gave her a look. “What? We can't be IN the competition… well, except you Mr 'I actually finished Hoenn.'" Natasha quipped and with a snarky tone expressed “It's pretty dumb. I won't even look at the event list honestly – I don't care; it's not like all that dance practice, even with your Vulpix means anything now."

“Didn't you start with your hometown?" Griffin said and Natasha said back, in this defensive way before Griffin could finish.

“Kalos. I spent my time in my hometown studying Pokemon. Studying Japanese and French." Natasha explained “I didn't have time to go scouring around MY hometown for badges. I didn't even want to stay in Kalos for long either when I actually started. I wanted to come here! But my father already had the apartment."

“Right… Brad, aren't you in too? Didn't you finish Sinnoh?" Brad gave a little white look.

“W – Well…" It left Griffin to shake his head and sigh. “I'm… halfway done it. More or less. I spent most of my time on my blog and researching Bug Types." Brad continued to say, “It was my passion back home – even when I started my Pokemon journey. In fact, I've cared more about checking out the blog as of late then… the event."

“O – Okay… Melody?" She shook her head no, immediately.

“I was more of a house girl. I didn't actually go out much. These are my first badges… and with my eyes – there's this medical check." Griffin lightly sagged his shoulders and sighed before it came into a laugh.

“I guess I did jump into battle after battle… I didn't really stray much from the path… I just used Logan's method. It got… tiring after a while – it wasn't me. I came here so I could 'avoid' that I guess."

“So you used his method AND Pokemon?" Natasha brought up with a quirk of her eyebrow. “He really is the most qualified and entirely over-estimated trainer for it." Natasha commented to Brad and it made him laugh out loud. Griffin just nervously twiddled his fingers as Melody suddenly took to the front.

“Come on! It's sunny today; let's stop moping about and being… well, being boring! Let's go to the event! Who cares about who is in or not!" Melody mentioned, it felt like a little outburst. “Smokey is all wound up, we need to do something." She continued to say as Luna followed the long strands of her wonderful blond hair. It's… as though Natasha helped her out with it. Luna only followed her eyes for a second and flicked her tail in this small delight.

She doesn't look pale. She sometimes looks like that but today she's full of life. She's always so quiet but. Melody looks happy. A paw partially cut her view and Luna had to look up. Smokey loomed over her, but… he only watched her closely – cautiously…

At least he had the courtesy to let Luna watch Melody jolt with energy.

It wasn't until the hospital was behind them – the front doors held these large words which said

'Pokemon Emergency and Research Center.' had left Luna to look back.

Luna only stared at the shapes and puzzles that made absolutely no sense to her as she followed her nose – that was easy enough to do as she already remembered… and knew Griffin by scent alone. It took her until then to truly realize that. Melody had rushed out of the center after a moment of time, they waited for her – as a front desk worker held her back. It didn't bother anyone at all, but Luna felt perplexed and confused as Melody adjusted her bag as though she just tossed it around her shoulder. Luna only looked closely, obediently in a way that left Smokey to toss her a glance. Luna half folded her ears and tossed her eyes to the side.

I feel like such an idiot… I need to apologize properly. “S – Smokey"

“What?" The large Houndoom partially plumed his nose as she lightly held her head low, sighed… and began to say.

“I was out of line, back at Cinnabar. I was just concerned and worried, that's the truth of it… angry or… with everything." Luna continued to say as the massive Houndoom twitched his ear “I never should have said anything about it, but I… I worry about the trainers too. I worry about… everyone, I guess. You're not wrong that I'm weak and hopeless, but… I still worry too and I want to help."

Smokey only stared at her for a moment as she apologized once again and commented that she felt like she needed to. Smokey didn't reply to her, in fact – all he did was stoically nod and continued to walk by Melody's side. Luna idly followed in pace with them, looked at Moonlight for a moment and finally fell her eyes to Griffin's belt. The glossy sheen of that Pokeball of hers just glowed back while a flight of solitude emotions went through her back as she stared at that ball. Each step along the way, all she could do was look at it; even through the crowd of people that started to build and grow around her. Even when Pokemon gave them strange glances as though they had never seen anything like it before.

A Vulpix…

Or an Espeon…

They were just as Alien to them, as they were to themselves. Eventually a light gloss came over a trainers shoulder – Griffin had to ask them what kind of Pokemon it was; he took a guess or two… but eventually they smiled and explained – it was that Sobble.

Luna had to look at the near oily color where it's eyes were, a being that cloaked and concealed itself from the world, but stayed close to something it loved.

Luna's tails twitched and flared outwards as she looked up at Griffin more… and more. I feel… peaceful. It's because he does – it's been so quiet as of late that I barely even noticed. I haven't been able to take my mind of it… but now I just know that he's there by Griffin's side and it's all flooded in. Luna shook her head wildly I think I know how Bandit feels with all this 'sappy crap' It left Luna to vividly paw at the tufts in front of her face – the unkempt hairs just tangled in the way and left her world this haze of sunshine and red-wood orange. A world unfurled before them as Luna stared and eyed at a stadium, a huge… endless stadium left her in shock and awe. She nearly lost sight of Griffin, but somehow, he always seemed to know when to check.

“Come on, I want to get signed in."

“What are you even going for?" Brad brought up

“Well… there's a few – even one of those weird… dance things; I want Luna in that." Natasha burst out laughing

“You don't know anything ab-"

“You do. I'm allowed a friend to help onstage – well… not out in the open, before you confuse it or… whatever…" Griffin explained “I'm allowed help I guess."

“And you want mine?"

“Obviously, I want to try, have fun and the like. It's a team sport – there's even… even a brother and their younger sister in the event – I talked to them the other day." Griffin explained and lightly chuckled, a gentle sigh at the end. “So yeah; I'd appreciate some help." Natasha partially rolled her eyes

“You're telling me this now?"

“I honestly didn't think you wanted to attend the event, with all that's gone on." Natasha gave him a sharp-eyed look.

“Yeah… Well, obviously I want to be in it. If Yuny could be in it too; that would make it perfect… not till Kalos though I guess." Natasha partially folded her hands into her jacket pockets. She wore this… strange outfit that still made Griffin wonder if she was cosplaying or making up outfits that seemed that way.

Luna could see and read it on his face.

“Maybe… you can – we could surprise the judges… I guess; I mean we're only doing this for fun. I'm skipping the Pokemon Battles personally." Griffin mentioned “I've seen some of the other teams… but there is a race. It goes out far though; I don't like that."

“Where to?"

“All the way to Lavender town… whatever that is. There are patrol cars up and down the road – it's a massive run but… any Pokemon can enter. I want to put Bandit in since she's used to runs like that; Logan used to ride her to towns when he was younger." Griffin mentioned “See that notice? It says that the level 'cap' or whatever is nonexistent – apparently, some regions don't use it. It's international rules and not regional ones, from what I got. I even asked the staff, had to talk to another cop." Griffin grinned a little

“And lastly… there is a talent show. I was going to see if Thief was well enough to help me cook, but… I wanted to use Aura, Brad." Griffin explained and it left him in a row of shock.

“What? This is an event only you can go to Griffin." Brad shrugged and that left Griffin to laugh, right before he actually pulled out some paper.

“Remember when I ran around yesterday?"

“Kinda…" Brad said

“I do, but I was shopping and looking at supplies."

“I was with Smokey…"

“Well… I was here, at the stadium. I talked to every staff member up front; there's an entry fee for anyone who 'CAN'T' go into the events. The event they said that I could go to or apply to? That was the ACTUAL internationals; the Pokemon BATTLE. These are just quirky little pre-events for everyone; in front of an actual live audience. So…" Griffin handed out some of the papers and checked his phone. Everyone looked over them. “I know you've all been practicing, you especially Natasha, with how you train your Pokemon to dance."

“You put me down for the… the…?"

“The dance competition thing; or the coordinator thing. Yeah."

“And you put Melody and I in the talent show?" Griffin nodded

“All I did was ask if there was any other way into the event, aside from the badges. It's… not as official, or… or advertised – but you're allowed to. A cop was even there when I asked." Griffin mentioned once more “In fact… they're kinda everywhere – especially today."

“And you're in the race." Natasha commented and chuckled “How much did this cost!?"

“Very little… after I explained that you all come from all over, they basically told me One Hundred per person. Excluding myself… yeah, I spent a little but, that's hardly the payout from a gym. I figured you could use Luna for the dance, with Yuny. I know you've been using her to practice with Yuny when Tsurara is tired." Natasha's eyes lightly perked up. “They play together all the time now!"

“Yeah… YEAH!" Natasha commented, gleefully; much to Griffin's surprise. “This is great! I can show off exactly how we compete in Kalos! You remember some of Yuny's dance, right Luna!" The Vulpix just stared at her blankly.

Wait, I remember; I've danced with her plenty. It's one of the games she plays. Luna softly huffed I've been so worried that I've barely thought much of it, she's been bugging me with that since Vermillion.

“I can show off some tricks with Smokey!" Griffin nodded at Melody.

“You could use Nidoran with him." Griffin mentioned again and it left Brad to tilt a brow.

“Poke…"

“Pokepuffs." Brad sighed in response to Griffin's words.

“Damnit Griffin… It's like the first time you planned for – for anything."

“Well… I tried; now we can just watch the first rounds of the Pokemon battles. No hassle; nothing." Griffin laughed lightly and held his sides “Just don't lose the paper. The events start tomorrow – these ones; the dance thing and the race. The first match is to grab headlines." Griffin explained to them as Brad folded the paper and put it inside his black and white jacket – it was this kind where the white was mesh on the inside. It looked like a skin to Luna; one for rain… or wind?

Natasha simply folded it and placed it into her satchel, where Yuny promptly stuck her head out of as though finally aware of all the noise. Natasha simply scratched her head and said

“You're going to dance tomorrow!" It left Yuny's tail to wiggle and wag like mad – Luna saw the bag jostle whenever she did. “You're even going to dance with Luna." Yuny stalled and lightly brought her head back, tilted it and then stuck her tongue out at the Vulpix.

“I'm a better dancer…" Yuny mentioned with a pout and it left Luna to laugh to herself, ever so lightly. Yuny looked like this near spoiled brat, but in all the best ways. Ways that left Luna to gently laugh and giggle more as Yuny only made this puffed up face. “I'm a totally awesome dancer! You know that silly!" The little Eevee said and that left Luna to nod and giggle. All the times Natasha practiced with Yuny, Yuny always included Luna in – ever since Maidens peak, but Natasha never knew Luna's remote talent until Fuchsia. “And I'm only there to help, it's your spotlight afterall." Luna commented with a playful and kind tone, she copied Natasha's little catchphrase; and that only made the Eevee grin happily.

“It really will be! It's always been Tsurara on stage! Natasha and Tsuara have one of the bestest dances! Oh… we have to practice! We have to practice the dance right away!" Yuny commented immediately as Luna felt her stomach lightly churn.

“P – Practice?"

“Of course! Natasha made this fun dance for me, with Tsurara in the back! Tsurara makes all these colorful ribbons! All sorts of colors while I do the routine!" The young Eevee said proudly, as though to boast but it felt playful and naïve. It only made Luna gingerly grin and flicker her tails

“I think you're already too excited" Luna commented and Yuny only… playfully, and with a way that left Luna to twitch her ears replied with a bountiful pout. “Can't we dance like we usually do? When you train with Natasha."

“You can't be too excited, there's no such thing! And NO, you can't just do a practice dance on stage!"

Didn't… Thief say something like that about… about spicy food? Luna gave a moment to blink before she nodded in rapid succession “I guess you're right about that." The Vulpix replied back to her and that only left the Eevee with those big, star-crossed like eyes to glance back. Luna felt the distinct impression that Yuny had studied her closely…

It felt like she studied everyone closely, even the uneasiness could be seen in her eyes. Luna twitched her ear as Natasha began to walk; all she could do was hang around that trainers feet until she finally looked down, annoyed.

“Y – Yuny" Luna half stepped past a stranger as they wandered through the crowd as Luna only followed Natasha's legs and half tangled around unfamiliar Pokemon. “Why do you call Moonlight Uncle?"

“Huh…? It's like super obvious! He's just like an uncle – everything he does is like one. He's annoyed with everything; never talks about himself… Oh, Oh! He watches everything like super closely – even flowers and stuff; he's always sad all the time, and he gets all super angry with things or moody and that makes him creepy! A creepy uncle!" Luna had to double take everything as she continued to label off the aspects of Moonlight's personality. “It's just like that bad guy Shadow!"

“W – wait, he's sad… all the time?" Yuny nodded in reply to her and continued to look at Luna struggle through the crowd – even Griffin half moved out of the way of people.

“Yeah! He's always super upset, just like your trainer!"

_Just like…? What is she paying attention to exactly? Moonlight's gloom, sure… but he's not ALWAYS upset…

I mean, I don't think so; he's…

He's…

totally the type to be..._ Luna shook her head a little. He's silver-tongued… remotely obsessive, focused and cautious. I don't know if sad fits in his description… I don't know. Luna felt her heartbeat against her chest, something loud; a fear that slithered over her back and spine – it sent a chill through her. It sent every kind of emotion through her body; a surge of some kind. She never felt anything like it before; it even left her in a moment of shock, something she quickly recovered from. I still feel panicky… or was that something under the ground…? Luna only looked at the concrete below her in sheer wonder and confusion. A tremor? It was strange to feel it and as she glanced down this growl overtook her ears. A Torracat sat on a younger trainer's shoulder; his ginger hair had glanced down in a flight of shock… this blue jeaned and white shirt young teen.

“Is there something wrong?" That trainer spoke differently than Luna had been familiar to. His English accent caught in her ears as the Torracat only yowled and hissed at the concrete below its trainer's feet. She was more in shock from the Pokemon, but that slowly tapered down for her. Luna partially yelped at Griffin as the stranger said. “Should we tell someone?" It took them a moment to look around, before he saw Luna and that led him to Griffin. The Vulpix only became startled and ran back towards Griffin while the young teen had run up to him and mentioned about the ground. It made Griffin chuckle, uneasy in some way as Luna looked up at him.

I've seen you make that face before… I think it's the 'what would Logan do' kind of face.

“W – Well, I didn't feel anything while I walked." Griffin mentioned back “But if you're worried, just talk to the service till up front." He continued to say, politely to the young trainer as he gave this particular look and nodded

“Right! I didn't think of that; I was a little spooked when Torracat yowled. Cheers!" he explained in English; it's what they spoke in. Griffin spoke in it too and only waved with a weird expression.

“Awkward for you?" Natasha commented back and lightly laughed at him.

“K – kinda, I wasn't expecting someone from Galar; I've never even heard an accent that strongly before. I know it's international, but I never thought it would be this huge. It was nothing like this yesterday – packed sure but…"

“I know what you mean, luckily I've yet to hear anyone from MY country." Natasha commented “They're bound to be here somewhere though; just try not to insult them… which is easy." Natasha sighed “They're always looking for a Pokemon battle, but their rules are a little more… bad." Natasha continued to say.

“How so?" Brad had mentioned as he got in closer.

“Well it's no limits. You've never seen a championship fight recorded out of there… their fights are to death normally. It's gotten better, yeah; with the new rules and laws. When I was a kid, those national fights got bloody, it had been that way since… forever."

“That's horrible." Griffin expressed with shock. Brad didn't really make much of a reaction.

“But it's never… all the time, right?"

“Usually the Pokemon just stop fighting when one gives in. It's hard to see them be that cruel. The ones you do see, the Pokemon just stop; it comes down to that, I think. It's to push their nature maybe, I don't know." Natasha continued to say “I don't really like to think about it; but they also have warnings about the national events when signing up and it's for select ages only. I've never been to one." She finished and sighed lightly “I don't… I don't even think something like that would be as bad if people respected it. Honored it in a way with humility. It's one of the reasons I wanted to come here." Natasha explained and lightly nodded “But people just… don't. It's when they'd talk about it sometimes. Like it was enjoyable for them to watch and do nothing – I don't like that." She only sighed “I'm getting all moody or whatever; I miss someone a little…" Natasha finished there, finally as Griffin replied while they followed the crowd into the large arena, even though his voice was lightly drowned out by the crowd.

“That's alright, I know that feeling." Griffin expressed with a softer grin “You're just being honest is all, there's no need to worry about that; you already told me how you feel about hanging around. I get it entirely; anyways whatever is going on, the police will nip it – and you can come back." Griffin mentioned with a happy smile, one that made her roll her eyes in her usual fashion, but this time she added a scoffed-laugh like sound.

“That sounded and felt… terribly corny." Natasha mentioned and it left Griffin to lightly laugh. Luna only hugged close to him before she finally had enough with the crowd; it left her to nip at Griffin's pant leg and half climb up him. In fact; she did without Griffin having any chance to stop her, by the time he could… she was already on his shoulders; and then she hesitated.

It's Bandits spot. It came to her mind as Luna nestled into his shoulder and shoulder strap – she barely found enough space to sit comfortably, but it left her to look over the crowd and her heart began to beat faster.

The stadium on the outside… looked absolutely nothing like it did on the inside and that left Luna in awe. These lights flicked and turned as she just followed the rays of the sunset just beginning to peer inward to her. The seats sprawled around her from ground to roof and these strange solar-like colored panels rested in the sky above; that left her to only stare at these even brighter, colorful lights sparkle in front of her eyes – shades she had never seen before; some blended with grays… but the blues, greens… yellows. She could see those. Every detail of them and it left her… lonely in a way. Thief is missing this… I don't want him to. Luna loudly yapped against Griffin's ear after a moment and it left him to jolt.

“Gah… god – ow… Thanks pal, bump into a Pokémon and don't even apologize… jerk…" Griffin lightly muttered the rest of it under his breath as Luna huffed at his ear this time. “It's okay Luna, I know it's a lot of people." She lightly huffed into a groan and Griffin paused for a moment. “It's… not that?"

Huh…? Luna went blank and looked up at him; the human gave her a little look in return, before he cracked a grin.

“I think he's still asleep… if that's it." Griffin pulled out his Pokenav and went down to that funny little button that said 'Pokemon' Someone had looked over his shoulder and blankly stared as Griffin's box came up on his Navigator. The detail of the environments… everything. It made them double take. “See… he's still asleep – right there." Griffin lightly pointed to it. “He'll be out for a while." Luna just looked at him with this confused shock and Griffin only awkwardly smiled in return. “And now I'm showing my Pokemon their… inj…" It made Griffin sigh from his brazen foolishness, the kind that left crawls to go over his back. It made Luna's paw drop around the top of his neck and push; or rub against it.

“Hey dude… that's cool!" The person looking over said as Griffin had felt a warm tinge in his ear. “What is that?"

“Huh…? Oh, it's some software my brother is making. It's to join your PC box, that digitalized world inside it, to your Pokeball." Griffin mentioned and showed off his belt. “It's registered to every trainer, the digitalized box I mean. I know professors and things like that take care of them for you, or parents and such. But… my bro just wanted time with all of them I guess." Griffin commented back and shook his head wildly “He's addicted to training his Pokemon."

“I'd be able to spend more time with… Can you buy it?"

“Huh? No, not yet – it's still in development. Knowing my brother, he's typing furiously on a keyboard somewhere." Griffin mentioned as a hand went over to Luna, she half sighed, and half growled silently. “Sorry, she's a little timid with strangers." They laughed, even though Griffin couldn't turn to see them – Luna couldn't get an angle on them with the huge crowd still piling in.

“I thought like… all Vulpix's were." They mentioned, as though to poke at some assumption of her. It left Luna to thrash her tails next before they went still with this strange realization.

It's… Bandit's spot. Griffin spent so much time… noticing her there then… His shoulder here is my spot. He just… understands me more here. It came to her mind as something shocked her toes. There is again. Griffin… can't feel that? She gave a light huff and a growl while she slumped her head over his shoulder. Griffin gave a toss down to the floor

“It's just all the people shuffling Luna. It's fine." He'd comment and half petted her with his open palm. The way how he casually rolled his shoulder left her chest to just be prodded by it… straighten out her back. One good breath in left her body ragged.

Something is out of place… in my chest…? I think it's just the memory. Luna took a deeper breath in and felt her back tenderly crawl. Deep breaths, I got so used to shallow ones… I haven't even gotten past that.

Luna took another deep, long breath into her lungs as Griffin's finger scratched the side of her neck. It was just the right kind of pressure, it even made a little click in the small of her back… then the rumble came once more; the noise picked up through the coliseum right as Griffin had gotten through the crowd, checked his paper and went to a higher row. Brad, Natasha and Melody had all followed in with him eventually, but his eyes fell to the officer that sat on the chair closest to the isle. Luna felt herself spike and spark as the Officer gave a shocked and confused look, one that was too believable to not be, before he gingerly laughed.

“It's nice to see you again!" The Officer expressed “I checked the entries for the race; after some consideration, they permitted Bandit in."

“T – That's great!" Griffin commented “It'll be just what she needs to burn off some energy" Griffin expressed “Having her not in Pokemon Battles, she spends her time training my Pokemon." Griffin lightly laughed “She won't even let me cut in half the time." The Officer laughed and smiled

“Reminds me about this Arcanine from the department years ago. It trained every single Growlithe outside of training hours. It did much the same thing!" The officer laughed lightly before his smile lightly dimmed. “It's been years since I've seen any Pokemon train another like that, and able to hold back that much? She is exceptionally well disciplined." Luna twitched her ear and nervously laughed

If only you could hear what she says half the time. It made Luna giggle lightly as her tails just wagged and flickered left and right; the lights flashed and flicked behind her.

“You better get seated; it's about to start." He'd say and got out of the way for all of them… Griffin sat furthest away from the officer; not that he seemed to mind. Luna saw his brow tighten as he went to focus on the large screen in front of them and the live battle that felt so far away to Luna; it made her eyes widen lightly as she looked down at Griffin's jacket… his Pocket.

Moonlight said something about the Pokenav… they can see everything outside… but it's in his pocket. Luna quickly scampered down to Griffin's lap as he went into a light tumble to catch her.

“L – Luna, settle down." Griffin mentioned calmly and continued to talk as she dug her nose into his jacket; by then he was trying to stop her from squirming by lightly putting his hand on her back. A little tender push left her to slide her muzzle out of his jacket, with the Pokenav in her muzzle. Before Griffin could do much; she snorted – plumed a clear smoke and went to stick it into this mesh around his shoulders. All he did was look at her by then, lost in what she was trying to say to him.

But eventually the Pokenav made its way to this mesh like pouch that as on his shoulder straps.

“Is… she okay?" Brad commented and stifled a laugh.

“I…" Griffin just looked at Luna climb back up his side to take her spot back… the one on his shoulder. “Guess so? Getting comfy maybe?" Griffin snorted “Even though she shoved this thing in backwards! It'll scratch up the screen." Griffin pulled it out and rotated the screen. Luna narrowed her eyes; it was hard to see in that light. But this little indent, maybe a smaller screen on the back made her wonder if it was more like a window.

A little shutter that could let them see the fight too… and anything else.

I won't need to worry about anything if they can see something ahead of time. Luna narrowed her head down and watched the big flickering screen in front of her. It felt like it spasmodically went black; like a video out of pace before it focused into one that looked crisp and clear as a loud, flashy introduction played – called out by a man on this levitating platform; one that changed color to the beat of music. Griffin only watched the match that was about to unfold; shocked to see a certain trainer with their Torracat on the field… and then a man which Luna looked at closely.

They weren't anything special to look at – not at first glance. Luna only thought of Trevor; and how that human was larger and stronger… not like the man on the field across the way. One that stood by a Buizel and sent out a Pokemon that Luna wasn't familiar with.

In the end, the battle looked so close, but the Buizel suddenly spun water around the ground, as though to roll his lips and curl the water beneath its opponent to tumble it to the earth. It was a much larger opponent too, and Luna narrowed her eyes to see the move.

It's like he congealed the water…? Like he changed something in it. Luna just stared closely to the 'would be dirty but affective' trick that danced in front of her; the Buizel ended the battle with a focus punch. The whole arena roared and cheered as Luna only stared at the battered and tired Buizel and noticed something.

It's not even panting. At all. What kind of endurance is that? It's faking it, acting…?

Luna only saw that on the screen, but she wondered if any other humans could yet before the sun had finally set on such a long match; three on three… Griffin and everyone else was already packing out of the coliseum; just an introduction to the events ahead of them.

A battle like that made Luna's heart race, and she felt thankful that Griffin had sat out the idea of battling at the event. It's like he read her, all of them, like an open book in a way.

A chilly afternoon wind touched her nose while they found themselves back around the trainer's village for the rest of the afternoon. The city; albeit… massive wasn't what any of them had really investigated. There was this feeling which lingered in the air around her, this tenseness or stress which lightly knitted everything together as she ate. Stared at Griffin's Pokeball in that silence. The silence had driven her nuts, until everyone popped out of their Pokeballs… and finally, after a delay of silence…

Thief did too.

That night hadn't been much of anything special, the stadium just glowed before them while they sat down in that trainers village and chatted amongst one another in these quiet voices as lights flickered from the stadium, as though they announced the events and called out names of whom had attended; or would be later on. Luna couldn't tell.

She couldn't care. Not while the sun had just set on Viridian City and the lights from the stadium had erupted into the shadowed sky… the city simply came alive in a pearlescent shock of twilight – a wave of stars which left her breathless; there, in that center strip of the city; she only stared with bright wide eyes and muttered.

“You see the lights right?" And it made Thief look over at her.

“Yeah…" He'd say back with some tired tone.

“Isn't it beautiful? I – I mean it was like water when you move a rock out of the way." Luna continued to say and giggled as Thief went back to eating. The silence left her to twitch her ear. He went… back to eating? It came to her mind as she half turned around; this expectation to remark back at him for being rude just withered away. Thief only looked at his food bowl with an empty gaze, and that left Luna to wander over to him. “You haven't touched anything." Luna commented as Thief partially bobbed his tail.

“Are you hungry? You can have all of it if you want." Thief commented back and chuckled – these rings under his eyes left Luna to lower her head slowly.

“You look exhausted." Luna replied after a moment “You look absolutely… hurt and…"

“I don't need you worrying about me." Thief said back, and Luna half-cocked her nose back.

“Well it's kinda hard not to when you look like that." Luna replied back to him and it left the Growlithe to growl from irritation.

“Look, I'm just not feeling good; can you get off my back, please? Honestly… I feel like I can throw up." Luna put a paw down and half stepped towards him

“I… haven't been on…" Luna trailed off as Thief partially huffed before he caught his breath.

“I'm… sorry, I'm just not… not feeling uppity. The view looks beautiful… sure." Thief started to say “But it just… it just doesn't look that way to me. It looks dirty… the road, the lights. All of it – you can't even see the stars; look." Luna partially looked up at the sky and huffed

“I see the lights from the stadium." Luna mentioned once more and sat down next to him, Thief only half tossed his head away and stared at the bowl. Luna only felt uneasy, nervous – she even dug her paws against one another; rolled the pads roughly against the back of them. Thief gingerly and tired swallowed air back in.

“Yeah… those do look beautiful. It's like… like flowers I guess; when they cross paths. If you look right on the center… it just reminds me of a rainbow of them. L – Like… a garden maybe." Thief began to stutter as he slowed his breath and just continued to stare out at all the colors which unfurled before them.

“It looks nice, I just don't like all the people." Luna mentioned “It's tough for even me to breathe; and those that have been out there for weeks in the woods…. Ew. Ew… EW…."

“I don't like all the Pokemon." Thief mentioned and Luna twitched her ear. “There's just distinct types, and they all seem monstrous. Some don't smile or… or… anything; they stare like Moonlight does." Thief expressed gently and with this shaken breath. Luna just gave him a little glance.

“S – Suck in less." Luna mentioned as Thief gave her a look. “Breathe slowly through your lungs but make short breaths. It's your chest… and burns right?" Luna said as Thief nodded.

“I don't need all the strange stuff thanks to that center. I just didn't like one of the workers much." Luna gave him a look.

“Why? Was he bad?" Luna asked and Thief shook his head.

“He was more… focused on his job. 'by the book' I guess." The Growlithe mentioned and finally began to eat as he talked. Luna waited patiently for him; she was focused on listening to what he had to say. “He just seemed… distant. Always wore gloves – not like Joseph, or if he did; he had gel or something on them. His hands were always warm." Thief expressed and nodded. “They talked a lot too, mainly about me and other Pokemon. Ward said he was worried it was too much." Thief gently sighed and wiggled out his fluff for a moment. The burns had healed over nicely, they'd leave some scars… but his fur had already begun to grow thinly where the injury was. That made Luna gently smile as Thief continued to eat.

He… couldn't stay mad at me, at all. He offers his food as always. Luna twitched her tails for a moment before her eyes fell to the ground once more. But why are you quiet until I ask you a question now…?

It was the last time she felt that, and before she knew it, the moon had just sparkled over the city and they retired to their usual room at this capsule hotel nearby. The center had been occupied since they got into the city; both the local, and the research clinic. Griffin had been lucky enough to find the little thing – it was in a strange alley way. The kind that went narrow and wide at the turn into it just to have the building there, he figured it was kept out of the way because of trainers. It held this business-esque feel there, the kind that highly disliked Pokemon.

Luna had to spend each night in her Pokeball; the first night felt wonderful to her… it was like a perfectly spacious den with a firm-plush floor, but the management told them that they'd kick them out if she left fur, or caused property damage. Griffin couldn't afford it if there was a chance… and Luna feared that their might. Eventually, she had been drawn back into that hexagonal honeycomb like world. That usual tree amid a beautifully asymmetrical field – it looked more natural that way. A wind jostled and rocked through the air, and the sky above her had rotated to night – the stars were here and in this splendor of millions. Yet she knew it was fake… Falsified.

Fantasy

“T – Thief!" Luna called out his name as he partially pulled his head up from the meadow, desperately sprawled out on the ground with his tinier breaths and the clear swollen sections all along his ribs – a bruise had still been fading from where he was crushed.

“Huh? What…?"

“Come to the volcano biome with me." Luna mentioned as he groaned and rolled over.

“Some other night."

“No, tonight – remember when I got all angry with… Shadow and… you weren't there. Right." Luna shook her head “It'll help you breathe; I was… using it to… to rest my muscles after training with Bandit; I didn't want them to know." Luna began to whisper; dead silently in his ear. “So, come along, I know of a way to help with your burns too, so it's not touching the hot rocks. It'll help, I promise." Luna mentioned as Thief rolled to his side and pushed himself up slowly. He half staggered and bumped into her. They just had an awkward, silent fit of apologizing between one another; before Luna led the way. By the time they reached that hot and molten pit, all she did was find this one boulder, it was smoothed on the inside – lightly concave; but jagged on the outside. “See, it's rounded just perfectly enough that it doesn't hurt to lay on; it's the perfect height for me." Luna mentioned and nodded “I found all sorts of moss from the other biomes; they stay around for a while, sometimes it's shorter; but during the night it stays for nearly the entire night." Luna continued to say as Thief tilted his head and lightly stuck out his tongue

“You… made me a bed?" The Growlithe said as Luna went red

“N – Now don't misunderstand it; I'm not sleeping there." Luna commented in this soft toned, but firm voice which left Thief to turn his head

“I didn't mean it like that, sorry." Thief shook it for a moment, Luna had turned to see it. “I think it's just… being tired." He continued to say as Luna shot her eyes up to the fake night sky above them, here this near haze leveled across the sky; the air full of this calming warm soot. For her, the air just felt natural – better. “Thank you, Luna. I'm going to rest… and just have a good dream." Thief mentioned with an awkward nod and shook his head lightly. It felt oddly cold between them; Luna had to shake off the feeling.

Why does… his voice does not hold this - this usual; him behind it. It did before, but now it feels all gloomy, like his fire just dimmed. Luna lightly huffed and nodded “Rest." She explained “Just… rest. You'll need it." Thief only smiled and twitched his tail before he crawled over the rock and rested low to the mossy and wet rock. Light steam curled around him. Luna knew that if he had any question, it would be about how it was constantly… just warm enough and never really dried out. It gave this texture of silk and heat. Luna didn't tell her little secret to anyone, but she had a feeling someone had already known or figured it out themselves. By the time she took her mind off it; the wall shimmered and gently turned solid; like glass gel.

“Esi…?" Luna said quietly – she had been so intent on talking to it; she had been every night out of sheer curiosity.

“Hi hi!" It mentioned and ran up as close as it could; the distance didn't seem so far away now. It felt… closer and condensed. All Luna could see was it scratch or pull at the quills around its neck as though it just got that one itch scratched. Those strangely massive ears on its little head left Luna to tilt hers. She put her nose right against the malleable glass and stared as close as she could to it. “It's super quiet outside!" Luna twitched an ear of hers

“For me too… but Esi? Are you wearing… something?" It tilted it's head.

“Hm? No… are my scales out of place?" It had wandered around itself quickly, as though to chase its own tail; and Luna got an even better look.

No… It's… It's clothing!? Like a human? Luna felt her eyes sparkle and twitch.

“You are wearing something!" Luna mentioned and flicked out her tails “It's spiky and… can you take that off? It's all over you…"

“Huh? I can't take off my hide! I'd get eaten!" Esi commented as Luna just looked at it.

“Why?" Luna looked for little gaps and… anything! Is it a bug…? Like a cocoon then?

“My quills grow back after a while." Esi mentioned again “I prune it and fix up my head." Luna twitched her head

“Your head?"

“Yeah! When you find the right one, you take the ears and the jaw and put it on!" Esi commented back “And then it grows all the time. You get bigger when you have it and being bigger is better than being smaller." The Esi explained “It's from these really old scales – see mine? I have five!" Esi half turned her body as Luna studied her as closely as she could. The strange hexagonal plates had covered her rather odd-hard flesh of quills and black purple fur. “They'll grow out one day, we can't eat the scales but… they grow on us overtime. We need them if we're ever going to evolve."

Like a Cubone…? No, Cubone could still evolve without its mother's skull – I've heard of tales. Luna shook her head wildly

“What is your home like? Are there any… forests?" Esi cautiously nodded her head

“It's super dangerous, most of us stay by the dry sea." Luna flicked her tail outward.

“So… there's only Esi's?" Esi nodded her head

“Only… Esi's? Sorta. All I know is that you eat and get bigger. You need the scales to grow bigger though. The others hide far away from the sand."

They eat one another…? And she's digging… little hovels by the hundreds. I see her do it every night. She even burrows underground, it's in case another scale falls into the pit… right? Or do you look for Esi's underground? Hide together…?

“I've never eaten meat though, bones sure – that's just natural. Meat looks gross and makes my stomach hurt just by looking…" Esi expressed “I try to grind bones down into meal, makes it easier for me." Esi flicked out her tails and shook them at the end; low to the ground. “I like berries though, a lot." Esi mentioned and thrashed them once more; it left Luna to partially lower her head. “They're like super yummy and squishy; and the fluid always rolls down my chin. I've never tasted anything so good, ever. It's weird to eat them, and all the water makes me feel good too!"

“It's still nice to share them, have you tried?" Luna softly said as all Esi did was chitter back at her. The quills rustled in that instant; Luna could see it.

“…" Esi went quiet and lowered her head down, as though to go flat.

“Hello." Luna went limp and rigid; it was the strangest jolt ever ran down her spine; she tossed a cautious eye rearward.

“H…" Luna had just caught her breath as the massive shadow had towered behind her, it left her to slowly turn her head to face it as the Esi gently chimed with its tender lull of 'Si' and 'Es'

“Haxy!" Esi flicked out her tails and shot up her head happily. “Are you okay?" Luna only swallowed lightly as the Haxorus only nodded in silence.

“I could hear you talking from inside." The Haxorus pointed to the base of the Volcano before them – or something that Luna pictured was one. “Your little friend is already fast asleep."

“I – I'm s – sorry I didn't-"

“It's fine." The Haxorus mentioned “I've heard you talking to her for this whole week; nonstop." Haxorus explained “Have you taken as much of an interest as I have?"

“W – well… it… it's a Pokemon I've never seen before a – and it hasn't hurt me. I thought it was only fair to get to know it." Luna continued to say as the Haxorus nodded.

“Hm… I thought the same thing when I first saw it. It's nothing like the Chesshira." Haxorus said the name in a noticeably quiet and tame tone. It left Luna to twitch her tails.

“H – How does it fight?"

“It's like a full-frontal assault, where it can defend from any angle. It's ruthless, charges it's opponent and doesn't stop." It explained “Esi, can you come out of your jacket? Chesshira says he wears one but can't take it off." The Esi simply tilted its head at him and gave a shy huff as the dragon lightly used the name of that… thing.

“I never have… W – What if something gets me when I do?" It commented back and Haxorus expressed

“Well I'm right here, and I haven't tried to get you yet. You know that I'm big and scary, but you feel safe." The Esi confusingly twitched and turned its head.

“I… think I do." It began to say and turned around; Luna went wide eyed as the thing she was so used to seeing – that strange undead thing with shedding rock and fur had suddenly fallen to the floor and a creature squirmed out of its near second skin by the neck line. It looked like the strangest dual tailed – feathered like cat-raptor with a wonderful regally quilled headdress – like before. Yet this time, it's near skin-like paneled fur had thin short hairs which resembled metallic quills all down its pelt. They flowed like endless silk that could pick up the slightest sound, wind… and vibration.

It's neck when it wears the jacket… is its head – the sharp quills are from the headdress, both on the outside and her own. I can't tell if it's like a Liepard or a Furret or a Linoone… Its face looks strangely boxy – ro…botic? Maybe? There are so many things that look like it, but it still seems so alien. It kept its eyes closed tight.

“O – Okay… S – see; it looks the same, but now I'm just a little smaller" Esi explained and flicked her two tails – this time, these thin rows of colorful quills swished behind her. It was like looking at a feathered-furred beast; it's entire back was an array of purples and beige; like stone colors … but from thinly quilled fur and flesh. Her form took this slender and feminine sheen; a beautiful feline-snake like shape had looked back at her.

A desert creature through and through. Its ears were still massive and tweaked in ways that left Luna to assume and know Esi couldn't see the bright light.

“W – wow, Esi!" Luna twitched her tails with a soft voice “You look… I've never seen anything like you at all before! Your fur is bright… feathers? I don't know!" Luna just looked at the strange feline-snake as it lowered itself onto all fours.

There's no scale stone things on it now – its fur is colorful. You should grow like that Esi… not with that… that hide. I really don't know you why look so thin. Like you're… You're starving. Luna twitched her body at the thought of that. _I need to help you somehow. I don't know what to do though. I feel like… I need to right away. How…?

It's… wearing its own kind's skin…?_ The thought shocked through Luna's mind as she stared at the hollowed-out corpse next to Esi's feet. _Their skin… bone. It still grows and… sticks to the one that are alive?

The only difference between… Esi and the… Chesshira is how it stands? Or does the Chesshira look different underneath – Esi has such a subtle change.

It's not all dark and purple black gloss, she has no worms either. It's colorful; beautiful. Even the quills on her look so soft that I could pounce on her and snuggle without fear of getting cut…_

Luna only shook her ears as Esi chittered more and eventually went right back into its skin – it looked paranoid when it wasn't wearing its jacket. It scampered back in after a while, but Luna had a good long look. Its eyes were beautifully pearlescent, yet the color she couldn't catch onto it from the one moment she opened them. They were a solid color

It's the same, but the height is different. We can beat it if we aim for the quills where it's head would be. Or its upper chest, that's the neck. I must tell Bandit. I think I just found a weakness. Luna flicked out her tails once more and wiggled them lightly “You look great without your jacket!" Luna mentioned happily “You should show Logan!"

“A Logan? Why would I show one of those?" It asked, fully suited in its strange protective shell once more… looking only vaguely taller and that one color of glossy purple. Luna had to blink at it, she seemed… swelled in a way.

“He'll know what it is!" Luna said again “And I'm sure he'll give you plenty of berries because you did!" Luna expressed happily as the Haxorus loomed over her after a moment.

“You should get some rest; your legs are shaking."

“Huh? Oh… I guess all the training today…" Haxorus nodded

“What exactly will you do when you find it?" It asked and Luna went still. She just stared at the Haxorus closely.

“I… Don't know." Luna said back “I really don't, I don't know if I could… could you know. I don't want to say with Esi here." Luna said once more as the Esi turned its head and chittered like it always did. Luna knew that somewhere behind that mask of quills was its eyes; wide open… watching. “I just hope I can do something. Help… somehow." Luna said once more and trailed off as the Haxorus stretched out his large torso.

“Get some sleep." It explained and began to leave for the cavern.

“W – wait… you're not mad… at all are you? I mean about…" It stalled and stopped.

“I would have preferred if we stopped it at the gym, little Vulpix." The Dragon said calmly, and humbly. “That would have been the best possible option."

“What about…. What does it really want?" Luna asked him and the Haxorus sighed endearingly for a moment. It made her tilt her head as her memory flashed to Maiden's peak

“I can't tell for sure, it's like it has the idea to do everything. It's wants to make a territory, many Pokemon are like that. It's only natural." The Haxorus mentioned and looked out to the desert biome that spanned before them “Esi is just following her instinct – you can tell from how much she digs." The Haxorus simply waved off for the night. “Go to bed." He'd simply say and left it at that as Luna watched the massive and broken scythed Haxorus leave. She simply stared at all the claw marks against his body and back as he wandered past the stone where Thief was and retired for the night.

Needless to say, Luna's choice to sleep was near this patch of dry grass surrounding this strange rock – she could nestle her entire side against it. Something warm to push up against. It nestled right into her stomach and let her curling against it.

It felt much… much better then rubbing against something frozen when she slept. That feeling refused to leave her even as she lulled into a dream where some strange young voice called out to her in the cold and dark of some mysterious dream before another strange and alien voice whispered for her to be safe. Places flickered in her mind, like strange jumbled memories, and before she knew it – her eyes were open once more but now to the bright sunlight above her. A fake sunny day in her capsule, and it left her to yawn and stretch out her body. She had been sleeping so close to Esi's little maze of hovels – the desert for nights now, but today… she wasn't in that Biome at all. Luna only stared with a light singe of fear and worry, but she couldn't stay for long and went to check up on a certain Growlithe that had slept the whole night through.

In fact he looked so comfortable and at ease that Luna couldn't bear to wake him. She only studied the look on his slender, soft face – the rounded muzzle had twitched and just showed off his whiskers.

Your… dreaming about something… something wonderful or terrible. I can't tell. You look like you're about to run but I can see you shiver and steady.

I'm just terrified that you didn't evolve. One… wrong move. She shook her head like mad and began to gently pant. I can't let that happen. I don't want it to.

I need Bandit to push me harder… Even harder. I'll figure it out.

I must, I learned I can breathe even deeper; I'll be able to focus and fight more. Who would've thought that… the Dragonair… and then it turned around to this? Luna shuddered at the thought of her chest once again, but her lungs filled solely with air and she let out a little huff and gasp? She had stared at him sleep, in the sunlight where his fur had glimmered with a beautiful array of hues. Every little sparkle had left his pelt to flicker into colors; like little stars in the day. It nearly left her face red and dark the moment she realized it; and all she could do was shake her head wildly as her heart picked up pace. He looked peaceful, as though the dream became something different. Something… wonderful. His legs partially kicked for only a moment and Luna only watched his low breath escape his lips.

“Hey." The voice left Luna to nearly jolt and she had spun around defensively, stared down at Bandit with large dilated eyes. “You're up early! Let's train." The Mightyena mentioned as Luna blinked away any worry that doubted her. The entire morning, inside of the Pokeball was all about theory. Bandit had always been decent with how she explained it, even Moonlight had joined in. That morning, all she focused on was listening to them both. She didn't even ask questions when Haxorus began to talk, some of it felt like a blur to her; but what stuck in her head the most – something that Moonlight showed in full example by using the move on her…

Was the effects of confusion.

It was the only memorable thing, as she had stood up and shown it, full force. The way how they taught was a mix of rudimentary training and words that she constantly needed explained to her. Luna felt no shame in it, and only asked any and every question she could. There was still a lot about the human world around her that she didn't understand. Although Bandit was a strange teacher, knowing only half of the terminology that Moonlight used; she filled in the blanks very quickly. Some that felt like it pressed against her in ways she couldn't explain. Until a cough found its way up her throat, and it interrupted them all.

“No, I'm fine, fine." Luna mentioned and cleared her throat while she realized that Absol had been sitting in the background, watching them.

It was silent like that, all through breakfast until they made it to the amphitheater. Natasha had spent the few hours, during breakfast to show Luna the dance one last time; it was as though Natasha half expected her to fail… But most of it had kept in toe with Yuny. Luna could easily follow the little Eevee's footsteps and movements, as unexpectedly quick as they were. It was all there was to it, it was Yuny's spotlight after-all and Luna kept it in the forefront of her mind as they began all the preparations. Natasha knew the exact costumes she wanted to use, but in some way… it made Luna feel uneasy or unsure as the sun had crept into the afternoon.

“I read about it in a legend. About a strange warrior that ran into a spirit. A Ninetales generations ago helped that warrior protect people without them killing a single human or Pokemon. I want to show it using paint for Yuny's dance! I don't have much time to knit a whole outfit, so I have to show what I can do with this." Natasha explained and nodded; it was what she told Griffin before she began to paint Luna's fur white and etched it with markings or runes. Natasha was surprisingly meticulous and eventually it led towards this stage with lights that dazed and dazzled her. Yet her eyes didn't feel strained, at all.

It's like daylight; the sky closed above me. It's the same place but now I feel like I'm in the belly of a large beast. It came to Luna's mind as she watched this beautiful dance just finish. A rabbit with white and orange fur had created blazed symbols in the air – as though it created art mid dance. Its partner was this beautiful Swanna. The praise and cheer – laughter was loud enough to leave Luna to swallow. The announcer had begun to speak as the stage began to roll over.

As though to change to a scene or a setting. “Griffin check it out! They have a list of scenes they can use!" Natasha's voice came into her mind, the backdrop appeared like this near digitalized scene; with minor props. Luna only gave a dry laugh

This is what the humans do for entertainment? Luna awkwardly smiled – the slight part of her lips made Yuny look up at her

“I know it's scary, but you have so much fun!" The smaller Eevee explained and donned this well painted, but strange looking armor. It made Luna blink – she was so caught up in all the lights that she hadn't even noticed Yuny in that moment. “Believe me, it's the most fun ever if you love to dance!" There was some long and flashy introduction which left Luna stunned as the announcer said Natasha's name and it brought them onto the stage where she could only really see the lights in front of her; shadows of where the seats would be. It left her utterly wide eyed as she ran it through her mind.

Follow the routine, the routine. I was shown it plenty – we've been doing it all morning. It's just for fun… Luna felt her heart slow down as she took in a deep breath and faced the light ahead of her. It's just a dance. Breathe… A sound began to resonate in her ears – music of some sorts; soft, and all she did was watch Yuny slowly twist her tail and began this beautiful routine as Luna followed in step. Her heart began to race and pound against her chest from the fright. There was nothing utterly impressive about the dance at all and Luna slowly brushed fire in the air above and around Yuny, mimicked her in a way. Luna only watched the flames twirl and twist; her eyes narrowed from the sight of it. Something partially moved the fire – something unconscious to her; natural. Luna could only fit in toe with Yuny's direction in an utterly simple but beautiful dance which resembled a butterfly that chased a river of fiery color.

Until a flame had licked to close to Yuny, Luna had overstepped in her daze and it left the Eevee to half jolt; it left the judges to look closer. Luna didn't have to think and it left her four paws to twist slenderly and lick the fire around her tails as though to create Will-o-Wisp from her light embers.

Keep in step the little Eevee had jolted as Luna half caught and held Yuny with her side. The weight had felt weird against her hips; small yet preciously caught in Luna's pelt – all paws off the ground “Keep in step, improvise!" Luna had called out with a playful tone and gently bounced the Eevee into the air. A gently swirl of flame crossed into the shape of a crescent on the ground. As Luna gently caught Yuny with a slide down her back; those slender tails were useful for something.

“Yuny, use swift! Make the stars! We're going to make your spotlight!" The Vulpix called out with this strange sense of glee and wonder; the Eevee had shot out a sparse flurry of stars that hovered and clicked in the air.

She used that move back in Cinnibar. The new move that other Eevee taught her; she talked about it all that morning and the Vulpix had flowed her tail along the ground to make a charcoal haze of smoke. As she landed, the lights had slightly dimmed down as though to keep in pace with the flames around her. These calm and cool flickers of ember had come around as she anxiously paced around the Eevee. It left Natasha in silent shock when she saw the screen, yet Luna had continued to say

“We're in costumes right? The humans watch those weird shows, it's like a play, right? So, let's make one! I'm the scary ghost spirit and you're the brave warrior looking for guidance!" Luna had gleefully laughed as Yuny wagged her tail in excitement and stage fright; yet Luna kept a pace around her as the smoke lightly settled.

Everyone had been confused; even the announcer until they saw it on a birds eye view camera.

Luna and Yuny had made the nights sky on the ground below their feet, complete with little clouds. They drew in the middle of a dance as though they collected their creativity together.

Luna figured it out, the whirring drones were like little eyes and they let all the humans see through them. A twirl and a spin around the smaller Eevee came from her as Yuny boldly took this stance and began to follow Luna around. Yuny had already seemed like a natural born actor, her personality had said plenty.

It felt as though they painted the scene, and now Yuny acted the part of a warrior that wandered into a forbidden shrine

A little spoiled and pampered, it made Luna remember something as light flames of red created ribbons out of her tail, and she began to twist them around Yuny. They changed from red… to purple… to blue as the singe touched her lungs and her tails sprawled out like a fan – colder flame shocked outward.

Focus, I can breathe. So, focus and keep in step with her. The words had felt all too familiar as they graced her tongue. With every little swish and brush of her tail; Yuny had followed in step; even a playful twist or two. As though that wielder of steel and wood had to chase and follow her. Yuny had even let her eyes glow as she sprung out another swift; they tangled and shocked every ember until it left the darkened lights to show off the floorboards below then – it was much like a path or a trail.

What else could they create… as the lights slowly turned down so the image could be seen better on the screen. Naturally, Luna had fallen back in step and let Yuny take the spotlight again.

That image was a night sky full of stars and lanterns.

Although they had fallen back into the usual routine dance that Natasha had taught Yuny and Tsurara; that mistake had led Luna to take the lead, for even a second. She learned that about Yuny

That Yuny cooperated if it meant having fun. The Eevee learned from that. That strange realization left Luna to lightly cross and spin around the Eevee… The lights stayed low. Luna wanted to take the lead once more, and the Eevee tilted her head as the Vulpix curled over. With the lights off, her six tails grew a blue – wispy hue; one that flicked embers that slowly rose into the air.

“Swift once more, the humans think we're drawing! I've seen you sketch in the sand, like Natasha does right?" Yuny went wide eyed with her little pants of exhaustion “And they like our drawings because of your dance!" Another night sky, one of flames and little sparklet gold stars could be seen on one of the camera drones – a birds eye view; then Luna began to brush the stage with her tails… right before Yuny went wide and shot her swift through the panel of hazy blue flame. She called it right, Luna simply helped her set up.

They made a purple aurora that rested amongst the lanterns as the stars slowly began to fade.

In a strange way, they seemed very much like the sun and the moon competing for a place in the sky.

Luna felt something crawl up her back for only a moment as a small sparkle touched her eyes.

No… it's the dance… Lumine and I used to… We made pictures? we always asked what the wingulls thought of them when we could. They usually nodded and squawked at us.

Luna continued to brush and flick fire all about, as though to make a little shower of flame as sparkles lit up the air. A second had passed right before a clap of thunder left her rigid. It nearly left her heart to leap out of chest as she froze, stumbled and then tried a regal pose.

She screwed up twice, once at the beginning, and again at the end. Yuny had panted furiously, her tail wagged like crazy as Luna had curiously looked above her head and around her.

I was so busy just making ribbons… that Yuny used… rain dance and… she…

Luna blinked again. She used thunder shock. My will-o-Wisp changed color mid dance? It did… It's like black orange fire now; like embers are… stuck inside? Like I froze them… Luna had glanced at the image above her; where that night sky had erupted with distant thunder and rain; according to the strange flat wall above her. Yuny had taken a stance in front of her and lightly giggled. You catch on quick. You used thunder shock properly for the first time…? The whole world just saw it; the picture of red, white and blue stars complete with gold and… purple; hints of amber and your thundershock was the hint it needed.

The scores had touched up on the screen as the dance had finished, the strong pant rolled out of her tongue as she stared behind her.

The highest they received was a nine point two and it put them in the top ten; Barely. Natasha hadn't even expected that with their overall lower than average scores.

Then she found herself lost in the gaze of the audience, where Thief held his voice as though he praised everything about it. He thought they both were amazing, even though the judges didn't think too highly of it; it was unexpected.

If we wrote a dance for it, it would be beautiful to dance to – I can see it in my mind. A story like that sounds amazing. Every human could see the sky that they're missing.

_ The… Starry Night Dance? _

Luna flicked out her tail as Natasha had ran out onto the stage and scooped Yuny into a hug, she had half squealed. There wasn't any way Natasha had expected it – her plan was to simply blame Luna for the failure and try again with a different team another year.

Luna could see that right off the bat… Yet as she panted there, and the crowd lightly laughed – Natasha had scooped Luna up too; much to the now lightly painted fox's surprise. The Embers had ruined some of the costume; something she sheepishly hid from those strange domes around the arena. Yuny had just panted and panted as Natasha praised her and even nuzzled her nose with her own. It left Luna to blink.

That's the kind of thing you do? Do all humans do something like that with their Pokemon…? Luna had gently nuzzled against Natasha as she gave off a small smile; one that seemed genuine.

If not a hint cocky. Yet for Yuny to keep up with her, Natasha had trained her very well, the Eevee's stamina was impressive on its own. As Natasha had brought them towards the stage; showed the staff that she only used paint they provided… they let her go back to her seat as a huge rumble and that strange shock touched the ground. An even stranger aroma hardly pressed against her nose for a fraction of a second. Then… one of the Growlithes with a police officer sniffed and growled. It made Luna blink as the ground rumbled and she turned her head. The entire stadium opened up from the ground; and the wall had opened with it to reveal a massive highway of sorts.

They're tying right into a race next!? Luna felt her heart slowly taper, the fear had passed and reminded her of the strain she just ran through. It left a little tingle through her body as a sigh followed her wagging tail. I feel… off. Bandit's right. I'm overdoing it. Luna looked up at the screen as the announcer had slid across the colorful screen – he half said words that didn't mean much to her; but eventually it fell on Bandit and Griffin – he was dressed in some strange protective gear and he gave this strange and near skeptical look. It looked as though, what he did, felt like the best choice for Bandit.

She did seem rather wiry as of late.

Luna felt as though there was this ice or layer of respect he had aimed for, she could see it on her face as her eyes widened.

It's… It's… It's a mounted Pokemon race? It's not just some triathlon, there's all sorts of massive Pokemon out there. Luna pushed her head upwards from Natasha's lap, the human gave this sigh and eventually something ran through Luna's fur. It sent tingles down her spine. She turned to partially see this thinly spiked brush. It ran through her fur again and that took her breath away. As though every strange tangle and stray hair ran through her; that sensation of gentle scratches ran underneath – aired out her skin.

By… Arceus that feels, wonderful. Luna just went quiet and felt her paws softly push against Natasha's thigh; the brush instantly sapped her of her shock as the human muttered about being their babysitter for the night. Then something cracked; something so loud that it left Luna to tremble and she looked up at the sky where this sudden trail of smoke sparked into the now open roof above them. The color exploded and left a smoky ribbon of sage high into the clouds. Every Pokemon was off; their trainer in toe and on backs. Right off the bat, Bandit didn't lead the pack; but she dug her paws into the soil and earth and bolted. These cameras followed them and as Luna caught a closer look, one had skimmed over Griffin. A strange little box that flew around and buzzed.

She could see that he had three Pokeballs on his belt; all the trainers did. Luna could see this cornerstone of a map and her heart partially dropped as a camera had pulled off for a wider view of the near cyan-blue yellow road. She could see the color perfectly compared to the sky.

The…. The… Distance is HUGE. Luna went limp and numb as the largest endurance like jog or race had begun.

The estimate was for the race to be a three-hour event and with wide eyes of wonder, Luna only glared at these strange panels that made their route from time to time. The entire track had been shown on the huge screen. How can… those things float? That's magic! Her tail began to flicker like mad. They float from magic and make a road? Luna only saw the race start and all she could do was look at Bandit as she held her pace in the back. The one most ahead was a Dragonite and another dragon type she wasn't aware of. It looked as though they could only win if the Pokemon and Trainer cross at the same time.

Dragonite couldn't risk going as fast as it could, and Luna only watched the big dazzling screen for a long while as the race continued. From those strange platforms to soil; mountainous terrain.

Bandit is still in the back, she's just in a good enough spot not to lose the lead. Luna only watched as the announcer continued to call out in a thrilled voice, and Luna watched in shock as the world became a hailstorm of a move.

Razor leaf!? That's when Griffin's Pokeball opened and Luna only saw Moonlight on screen – midair from his ejection right before he used psychic to twist the leaves away and deflect them.

“And a wonderful assist from Espeon!" The announcer called out and as he did, Moonlight returned before he touched the soil. It made Luna swallow and tremble at the thought of being let out solely to deal with a threat, and in such a short time too…

The entire race was laced with similar, but ultimately safe or avoidable traps; once rocks had been an obstacle… Griffin's other Pokeball cracked out and all she could do was widen her eyes as rocks malformed below them.

It's…

The white-grey and rocky fur had glimmered in the sunlight, and just after she had used stone edge; it left Luna's eyes to glisten.

I can't tell if she's solemn… or… or happy. It's impossible to read her face. Yet she looks oddly at peace.

Lycanroc had been returned as Bandit snarled over the speakers and dug her claws clean into the stone; she pulled herself over this incline as the announcer commented over it. Luna only stared and stared; she watched the race all the way until they came up to that strange place called Lavender town. By then, Bandit had already put herself within the top ten. Luna felt shocked for a moment when she realized that.

What kind of endurance do you have…? That… That's the kind of… wide eyes had flushed over her as the announcer made a shocked noise. This large section of the gate along entry had suddenly gone to fall over. Luna went cold from nose to feet and horrifically watched it crash and dust to block the view from everyone.

Moonlight:

A glimmer of golden rays ignited his delicate and purple-pink eyes as his scarf effortlessly beat back at the wind, still tight and firm from Griffin's help. Moonlight had thrashed his twin tails, every few moments the scenery would change and with a new issue to deal with, but it gave him this vague clue of where they had gone to. This sudden exhilaration ran through his body; the sudden sparkle of fresh and clean air – mountainous and the sun?

It just felt better from up there, in a place where human hands could barely ever reach.

Whenever he had half a mind to call out to Bandit, she was either busy in her trance or he was already returned. His heartbeat against his chest wildly as he continued to fight through whatever was thrown at him. Bandit had definitely shown her exhaustion by then; yet the event had Griffin stop to rest them for a moment – all the Pokemon had but the Dragonite.

Why can't I get this feeling out of my chest? It should have faded by now. Stop acting like some aimless cub. Moonlight continued to throw out a move but all that came to his mind was Leafeon and Yuny. He looked so… so genuine. Moonlight felt the flashes which skimmed through his soul constantly as they got closer and closer to Lavender town. The constant images; a Dragonite still in front with their young trainer as a Garchomp fought to keep up… and another, a Flygon went as fast as it could. Moonlight just continued to see the world in a wary eye, this horrible pain in his chest started to grow. The Espeon just continued to stare and watched the environment. There was a sound which left his blood cold.

“BANDIT!"

“I heard it!" She sparked over to the left and quickly picked up the pace.

Even after all that time of pacing herself, as though it were some little warm up – that utterly impressive and near Arcanine sized Mightyena pushed into a sprint and started to catch up to the front. “Where is it Moonlight!?" Bandit yelled back just as Griffin looked down in this mix of shock and fright – he only held on tight.

“What's going on?" Griffin muttered and dragged his eyes upward, it was the first time he really had done so in a while; all he could do was hug low to Bandits back, put every bit of trust into her, but this time he had fully lifted his head and looked ahead. Something sparked in front of them as though the large stones which held up this shrine like gate suddenly twisted and broke off. Griffin saw it and yelled. “Keep going!" He called and grimaced before he let go of Bandit entirely and threw out Lycanroc and Moonlight's Pokeball. Griffin purposely threw himself off Bandit as she didn't need him to say it twice, he half yelled a command; something that Bandit twitched her ear to but her eyes went wide with shock.

The Dragonite with the young trainer on their back had been going too fast to just stop on a dime or roll away.

The other dragons had swerved, but Dragonite had gone straight into the massive stone and wood gate which suddenly fell towards them. Moonlight had already bolted as soon as his paws touched the ground; Lycanroc had slammed down and these massive stone arches shocked the ground and punched the tower. Boulders had crumbled down, and with half startled eyes… Bandit had jumped into the falling rubble; half kicked her paws against a weighted stone and crossed to catch the young trainer by the nape of his race suit.

It all happened as fast as it began but all Moonlight mustered had been to brace himself against the earth as his purple gemstone shone and sparkled flawlessly. The massive stones had slowly stalled in the air. It left the pressure to focus on the ground below his feet – against his knees and spine

I won't… Moonlight bit down on his lip and hissed as the boulder stayed for a moment longer. The weight was absurd for its actual size, yet it was still enough to kill the Dragonite if it had the chance. The Trainer had called out its name in shock, and then this yelp – a human sound left him to flinch and the rock had slipped from his mind's eye. No…? How…!?

It felt cold as it slithered out of his muzzle, but this massive flare of sunlight left his eyes to grow bright and big. Bandit tossed the boy away and at once followed up with a half charged Hyperbeam. Lycanroc had launched rocks endlessly and this expulsion of steam surrounded them instantly. Moonlight winced as the dust bit at his eyes and left them in tears. I… lost my grip on it?

I've never done that.

Moonlight went still and forced the wind around him to slash through the smoky veil, dust and fine sparkles flicked and flashed whenever the wind cut against stone. Bandit took a ragged breath inward as she gave a little cough and cackled out with her infamous 'yeen.

“And… That's how you make a difficult decision." Bandit said with a pant as Moonlight glanced at the Dragonite which pushed itself to its feet in confusion. “You find the better path, heh. I'm starting to sound like Shadow." Moonlight felt his skull pound against him as the camera's; those drones fluttered everywhere; Bandit simply wagged her tail as the Dragonite went for its trainer. The smoke had already lifted, and in nothing flat sirens had filled the air. Moonlight only winced and bit his tongue.

I got my mind soaked up by that asshole that I nearly lost him. A questionable beat pounded against his chest as Moonlight shook off the web-like strands that blacked out his vision. Bandit doesn't look like it, but she's seeing the world like I do; it's hard to focus.

“Are you okay Bandit?" Moonlight said, “Your landing looked rough!"

“I'm fine, you head it!" The Espeon panted and looked around rapidly. “I'll cover Griffin!"

“It's gone… already?" He began to say as something left his back to tremble while he turned his gaze. This large tower was just nearby him and Moonlight took another small sniff inward.

It smells like… herbs and… no. I know that smell. His paw half staggered as Bandit tilted her head. I know it for sure.

“Moonlight, don't wander off!" Bandit remarked and he stilled his paws. “I don't get what your sniffing, but I'm sniffing something like it – that tower is… sad!" The Mightyena called out as Moonlight stayed rigid and only stared. “So, don't get it in your head that you can just waltz in there! It could just be a trick, use your brain!" The Espeon stayed in place and gently took air in.

“I know." Moonlight said back as that familiar scent swirled and teased his nose. “I… know." Moonlight's eyes went a little wider the second time. “Lycanroc! Are you okay?"

“Thank you for the concern. I'm uninjured." She replied to him and thrashed her tail. Her eyes just focused on all the strangers around them; the boy had very minor scraps, thanks to Bandit. Moonlight only huffed and looked back at the tower.

It smells like… like the mountains I grew up in. It smells like home. I just can't get them out of my head.

I know I would have run off if I could.

Moonlight gently coughed and took in air as his heart slammed against his chest wildly. This ghastly scent faintly hovered in the air, one that made Moonlight nose to repulse. “That damn thing was here, for only a moment."

“We're not the target, right. That's why Griffin came out here… isn't it?"

“Probably. If it's already gone then it's aiming for something else, but what? Luna can't be the only thing about this. She talked about a Pokemon in the Pokeball…" The Espeon flicked out it's tails and hissed to himself. “Damn that thing; is it tracking us that easily because of something about it?" He'd express with a violent tremor before he looked back at Bandit.

You could have saved them both without us, when I couldn't with you. What do you have that I lack… Bandit?

Luna:

She only went through a lapse of shock while it happened as quickly as it began, yet she felt relieved and held a sigh that followed it. Natasha was already busy texting to check up on him and eventually, she found herself outside as the sun had slowly trickled downward to reveal the last edges of sunset.

“Dinner… and then home; right Melody?" Natasha mentioned and all she could do was nod happily.

“Yeah! I'm starved" She said in reply as Smokey tenderly huffed; his nostrils plumed out that beautiful hot steam as Luna looked up at him and passed a friendly smile.

“Luna Luna Luna! Didya see me!? I did so GREAT!" Yuny started to say with her tail flickering like mad. “It was amazing! All the colors you make are beautiful!" Luna went red faced and blinked, a little stunned

“Well thank you, you're quite the dancer!" Luna mentioned in reply and that only let Yuny's eyes light up. I don't know that look… what does that look? It made her uneasy as Luna shook it off – her six tails flickered and swayed as Yuny only stared at her. Stared like some little sister that proudly showed their bigger sister something they made.

“I know I know I KNOW!" She expressed with utter excitement “We should practice all the time! With Tsurara too!" The Eevee continued to talk as Luna idly followed Natasha and Melody. In fact; the Eevee talked so much that Luna barely paid attention to Natasha and Melody.

She felt peaceful, calm now that her lungs filled with this crisp and frigid night air. Something called out at her and it left her ear to twitch. “Hm? It's nothing!" Yuny mentioned with a laugh and continued to walk before her head twitched, the street lamps had just turned on for the night; but where they stood… was this narrow and condensed alleyway; a dumpster with some tarp covered fence sat in front of them. It was this strange kind of fence – as though it did not divide the sections between the buildings. The pavement was uneven; slanted or warped from heat – cracked here and there. “W – Where's Natasha?" Yuny asked and Luna blinked for a moment.

“I don't know, we were just behind her?" Luna took a glance around, it looked like the rear exit to some small store or restaurant – she couldn't rightfully tell. “I don't… even know how we got here." She continued to say and tugged Yuny closer to her.

I don't know how we got here at all; the whole way back just feels warped. I wasn't paying enough attention. It looks like we're in an intersection Luna sniffed the air bit by bit and flared out her tails as though to feel the wind.

“Do you smell Natasha?" She asked Yuny, and the little Eevee began to sniff and huffle at the air too.

“T- T - This way, I think." Luna partially followed the Eevee, but she kept so painstakingly close to her as they passed by the near intersection like space between the buildings around them. Every street looked the same, and it left Luna to stop in the center. “What is it?"

“All the roads are… Look, Yuny." Luna began to say as the Eevee looked all around her; this strange sense of vertigo overcame Luna in that instant.

Every way out looks the same. The same lightpost – the same curl at the end of the road; all of them go in the same direction… like we're walking in circles? Luna continued to stare around, and even up at the tips of the roofs above them. It looks strangely… like an intersection, A box? It has a glossy sheen like when… trick room is played Her back trembled out of nowhere and Luna felt her blood rise – a cold sweat touched her tongue. There's this scent of fear and dread… behind… Luna blinked and cautiously looked at the pavement. I can't see a shadow…? We're boxed in from a Pokemon move. The light pours in from all sides, I can't tell what's behind me. Shit… Shit… “Whatever you are, back off!" Luna let out a firm snarl and turned to meet a shadow which casually sat on the pavement before her. It made her narrow her eyes. “Who are you?"

Luna stared down an Abra that appeared out of nowhere, one that looked clawed and disfigured all over – the obscene appearance and near silent expression left her to shiver from fright. She only noticed one thing that horrified her the most as her eyes dilated swiftly.

It had black spray paint all over its body, this strange mix between the paint running thin and wearing off showed a marble of glossy black and its natural tan underneath. Luna half took a stance.

I can't explain it. There's this tenseness but I can't sense any bloodlust out of it. Luna swallowed as Yuny stepped forward, lightly and hesitantly began to speak

“H – Hi! I'm Yuny! I'd like to be friends!" The little Eevee mentioned as Luna stepped in front of as though she made a shield.

“Who are you?" She lightly growled, half curled and partially covered in snowy paint that flaked off her fur – all thanks to Natasha's quick work for the dance. “I'm demanding a name."

“Abra." It simply and finally spoke as it levitated its feet to stand upright. Its voice held… nothing in it. A strange monotone lyric danced around the walls for a moment as Luna felt it catch into a net nearby. It was a psychic trick, but Luna had never seen it before; a pure set illusion around her. One pathway had to be real and she believed it to be her right side.

A perfectly, empty and soulless sound left Luna's eyes to grow bright and wide as she frantically felt a sense of trapped panic surrounding her. The sound of thunder had rung through her mind for a moment. “You're her… her…" Luna dryly swallowed as they drastically tilted their head, before it twitched after the fact like some faulted cog. “You have Vi…"

“Vi?" Luna trembled as she took a full-frontal posture now and braced her legs to the concrete.

“Friend…" It was all it said, and a shock ran down her spine just as quickly as a light sporadic patter of rain and moonlight fell through the alleyway. “I have to kill…" Luna partially clicked and opened her jaw. “Forgive…" The Abra shut itself inward and Luna only watched in a shock of morbid fright as she tried to catch onto any single detail about her opponent.

What's with this stench? It came to her mind. It's nothing like the Chesshira, that thing smells like decay. It's gross. This… this thing suddenly smells like fresh blood – like it… bathes in it. Is it sick? Luna trembled and growled as her heart sank to a pressure that physically clamped her down. “I have to kill both…"

“Yuny get behind me!" Luna snapped and the Eevee instantly shot behind her tails; this sparkle of force and wind nearly graced her cheek as Luna's eyes dilated entirely to the small cuts that tied her down. There was a pathway out, a sound had caught itself there in her web as Luna whispered to Yuny.

“The dumpster on your right, that's the path out… I can hear it a little. It sounds different, we're in an alley way with a corner?" That Abra had used it's strange, near fetal position to launch a wild and powerful slash of its mind – one that Luna watched cut and tear through the trashcan in a flurry of sparks. The wind left her fur to go wild as she dug her paws into the pavement and snarled back. Yuny had flinched and froze as the adrenaline shot through her body and the sound came to her ears. Her blood had already begun to boil as she snarled; a strange sound had filled her mouth. The moment Yuny went to move, the Abra had tried to strike for her.

“You hurt her, and I'll never forgive you!" Luna firmly remarked; it left the Abra to unexpectedly stall and tilt it's skull with another strangely disturbing twitch – Moonlight had done something similar to it.

“Then stop… me." Its voice was suddenly polite, soft in a way. A request which left Luna's heart to race as an oily shimmer shocked the air around her and went to cut through her. Luna felt an exhilaration pulse out of her body as the cut went awry while her muzzle exploded with a torrent of rich flame. The Abra barely moved and shot the flames up into the air; he made them twist and turn as it shot up into the sky and blasted above her head back at her.

_He's smart enough not to let the flames go in the air… He's launched them into his own psychic traps.

So my way out… I need to take Yuny and run that way._ Naturally Luna's fire hadn't affected her, but she couldn't risk a full blast with Yuny nearby. The second Luna turned to face that alleyway…

“No escape…" It replied and that left her to drip saliva from her muzzle. She had gone to turn her head and the Abra already teleported in front of her; Yuny scampered around the corner, clung to a diamond like edge – one of concrete and wood.

“Then I'll make one." She held her intimidation and flared out her tails; the heat pounded through her fur as the Eevee only hid behind that wall. You're terrified, I can smell you from here Yuny. You can barely say a word, right? Something tugged at her leg and that left Luna to go stiff as the world lifted and tossed her back down out of nowhere; she first struck against the trashcan and that left a ragged yelp to spear out of her tongue. Those eyes went wide at the sight of blood that slowly drooled out of her. The thing cut her – the trashbin that had broken up… It cut her like a small knife. Then Luna felt her body nearly drag and roll midair. A figure of sorts, all while the Abra slowly swayed its strange paw.

Luna felt the sudden change of pressure around her leg as she felt her body slam against the concrete in a way that shocked out her breath. The shock of the cut had frightened her… The slam against her side left her wide eyed; She managed to take the blow just like Bandit had shown her through the daze of vicious adrenaline that left her world deaf.

If she never did, Luna may never had been able to hold out.

“L – Luna!" Yuny managed to yell out as she lifted off the ground again; Yuny had shot behind the trashbin and curled up defensively.

H – How!? What?! It came to her mind as she yelped and coughed viciously, all she could do was suck in air and then she launched an attack as she was about to hit a wall; the pressure beat down against her entire side and tossed her the opposite way in a strange shape instant. It's using… Psychic wildly. I can't tell where…!? Her body had turned and flung back down, much to her shock before her world had pulled back up to the sky and pulled back again. She flipped in the air as the Abra dragged her around. It's fast!? And it rolled the direction of my… attack. I'm going faster!? I have no chance to… if I don't… breathe. The world became this blur where she couldn't hold her breath in; yet she swallowed it down and narrowly sucked in air; frigid air had filled her lungs as this strange familiar burn ran through her.

it knocked her body temperature down; as though her flame had suddenly flickered and shook like candlelight.

Without any moment or reason, her fur had singed with a strange hint of white and she let out what she assumed was Flamethrower.

Powdered Snow? It had lightly flared and fluffed that full forced landing to her side as that strange tremor ran through her body. She had lost track of where she had gone and landed down on the ground against a blanket. The sheer luck had sparked in her mind for only a moment.

I can't breathe when I get emotional… I'm not breathing; but I had been breathing so narrowly when I got hurt. Calm down… focus!

She hadn't laid there preemptively, yet the thought of her slammed headfirst into the cement was right there. It would have killed her instantaneously and in a horrific way for Yuny to see; granted the Eevee stared at the blanket and cried for Glaceon. She had to make a counterattack and sparked the suddenly colder breath downward right before her tail had flaked like a fan. The blast of snow would at least cushion anything; the ground even.

Yuny made one step forward, but a force unbeknownst to the Eevee slammed her back the second her paw was in view; it made her let out a cry. The yelp had left a light static charge flicker from her in response; her entire pelt became static for a moment.

“Yuny!" Luna cried out as the smaller Eevee struck and rattled against the fence; the trash can was right there too; she avoided the blow, and it targeted her. The Abra was toying with them… right as Luna forced air down her lungs and it left her heart to pound once more. Think, THINK! Then she let out her blast of ice, once more the Abra had solely redirected the attack elsewhere – it peppered the sides and the walls next to her with sharp intent. This would be road had sharp spikes sticking out of it and with the way the Abra could teleport… It left Luna an opening; she could see that wall clearly with those icicles. It hadn't been like Moonlight's Trick Room at all.

It's what she aimed to avoid now. The clarity would help her from getting too disorientated, she knew that; felt that as the Abra shot wind her way and she moved in a hint of grace. Like the dance.

Just a pointless dance meant to reminisce with memories; one passed down between them all as though they too feared the bearing of saying three little words and one simple name.

It began with that wind and blast of psychic that shot out at her yet she blanketed the wind with snow – all Yuny had done was get buried aimlessly as it flung and stuck against every single surface. Colder then she was used to; but the Eevee could use that to hide or run.

Luna begged for run.

Yet she couldn't focus on it now it kept Yuny out of view of him and with her straight forward however graceful twist and swirl around his attacks; she sprayed him clean along the face with frozen snow. She couldn't tell if she was using Ice Beam or not – the frozen and broken feeling in her body… it felt ragged and sharp. Just like it did before, she'd plume out if she wasn't careful – the fear came to her otherwise slower heartbeat. Then Luna had skidded and parted the snow at her feet, a strange spectacle of orange and white unfurled before her eyes as the Abra had suddenly disappeared.

It left her wide eyed – she hit it; the blood had told her that… but it was nowhere near a kill shot. The Abra had slammed a force of wind against her back and by reflex she shot snow to blanket the impact with the concrete wall behind her. A sharp burn touched her lungs as she tried to breathe and warm herself up.

I don't know how to… how to heat back…? Luna felt herself yank backwards as she thought of Smokey. He had too much fire and expelled it… yet she had…

She had burned out her fire, and to reignite it…

Her tails shot close and narrow, gently curled as her paws dug into the ground from the Abra's vicious pull against the snow and concrete, she forced herself to stop by grinding to a halt. The pain shot through her paw pads… yet it let out an expulsion of hot red flame right into the Abra's body. That one shot out of the alleyway behind it. She simply changed her stance or posture to change her body temperature. The colder air and open fan made it colder, but her tails tight knit…

Once more the Abra's body had disappeared and then the frightening grip touched her hind leg and slammed her down to the cement; the snow half covered it and it left her to exhale at the point of the blow and inhale after the blow. Bandit had taught her that, she drilled it into her. Yet the sudden shock left her in even a worse sight.

Yuny had been too petrified to run, she broke down and cried in the corner around the alley. She appeared hysterical, muttering softly for mommy and daddy to save them both.

It curled around again; her eyes stared down at the Abra's claws in that instance; Luna noticed it the first time. It partially rolled and pointed downward as Luna felt all the force curl and send her right to the earth once more. This massive current of pyre shot from her mouth, so the Abra lifted her up again and spun her through another rotation; like a symbol that teased her with the premise of being used to strike somewhere. Luna had fallen for another ploy when a wall got too close and shot flames out, yet it only accelerated her away and she knew that she hadn't any stamina with ice.

She had no clue how or why she could use Ice in the first place, and she didn't care in that moment of time.

The pressure is… going to… knock me out… Luna felt her heart pound against her chest; this sense of fright and dread overtook her. The Abra had absolutely no signs of exhaustion as his claw idly turned and twisted in a way that looked as though a symphony played out for him.

He's using my own pressure against me; I can't keep up with psychic, I've never trained it enough; I've only used fire.

What do I do? Why isn't he tired from all this?

This is killing him…? It has to be…

Killing him…?

_ kill? _

_ Death…? _

The words left Luna to frantically whine as she felt something racked and slide against her body; she roared out flames – but the Abra had dragged her against the pavement rather than slam her to the earth. It left her body in cuts and scratches of all sorts before it effortlessly tossed her around her back towards the wall and Luna rolled to the side and exhaled to take the blow to the shoulder, it just cushioned the blow with a shock that ripped the air from her throat. Something clicked with her in that moment, out of her constant pounded heart.

Eight…? It's a figure… eight… Luna felt her eyes glimmer for a moment. He slows down right at the crease of the eight… to be exactly enough to daze me; he can't just slam back and forth out of nowhere. I'm too small to hit the middle corner It exerts too much energy to change the direction, I've seen it with… with Moonlight, but if it were Moonlight, I'd be dead already. Those thoughts bolted through her head quickly as Luna felt the weight drag her away from that wall as she let out and expulsion of rich, molten pyre; just enough that she felt the exertion of the roll and the soft pain that began to build in her lungs

Luna was right at the end peak of the figure eight – the point when the force forward was just equal to the force that pulled her back; she roughly and viciously let out a fireblast in a different direction and snapped out of the Abra's loop mid flip.

She couldn't tell the kind of landing she'd have other than the pain that left her to lose any weight on her hind leg and fear she struck her skull. All Luna could do was shakenly push to her feet as her pupils stayed purely dilated.

“Stop… me." Its lips moved after a moment as Luna flicked six white-blue orbs around her tails. The glow had sparked an accursed blue-fire hue, yet all the dancing had already left her drained of stamina. Then the force came in, and she went for the dodge with sudden shock as she purposely tangled her own legs and curled her back to the blow. The attack slammed her all the way down the alley way while a shock of pain rain through her hips; The ripple left her heart to pound as she skidded against the pavement and swiftly bolted at the Abra.

If she dodged, that move would have hit Yuny full force and if she hesitated; the Abra was sure to kill the young Eevee.

The quick attack followed; she nearly overshot the Abra and used her tails to slam the Will-O-Wisp right into its eyes – or where it should have been; the after image left dread and spite to build in her as another force slammed her in the chest. This gravity curled her so that her back and good shoulder would slam against the cement. There was no snow back there; she had been thrown back around the corner, but she couldn't tell where she even walked in from.

This hurts… This really… really… Luna felt her legs shake as the Vulpix swallowed bitterly it pulled and tugged at her tails and spun her rearward before she even had the chance to recover. It swooped her right off her feet and tried to use her skull as a hammer and the pavement as a nail. She let out another current of flame but her body simply shot through the air before it stopped suddenly – a pressure that knocked the wind out of her lungs again and then it was back to the figure eight; she tucked in her head, and felt the corner of a building tease the hairs on her skull. her stomach had already churned, and she went for the same trick again… disorientated… injured.

Bleeding from the stomach, muzzle and all down her paws and chest. As the broken minded Abra toyed with her by using the walls, ground and air to slowly beat her to death.

Another current of pyre shot out; her resounding 'Vul' screeched into the air and crackled as her throat ached back in respite and agony.

How many… I can't keep up. I'm bleeding inside my throat. The frost to… fire…? Luna felt it toss her around again, and this time she felt her entire side slam into the building above Yuny. It left her in searing pain; this time she barely caught the wall with her tails first to cushion her. Don't think, just save her.

The Eevee, mortified had fallen over; hidden behind the fence. Tears streamed down her face as Luna felt a horrible shock of pain that rang through her body, her paw half tagged a lamp post; or skimmed it, but it was certain to bruise up.

It's not even… killing me quickly… it's torturing me…?

It's torturing me to death and I don't care; if it means Yuny walks out alive.

Luna sparked out another move as the blood had already rushed through her body, she blasted right at the center of the figure eight and she felt it pull and give way. A spark of flame ignited the pavement below her as her heart began to slow and the moment of clarity let her realize that her fears were true.

Luna lacked the integrity and vigor to keep up like that; she lacked the resolve to hold up a shield and stand firm like a wall.

The force had begun to pull her back in. This… isn't how… I want to… Luna felt the tears stab at her eyes. Please…

Please…?

Please… I'm not done yet…

She shut her eyes as something struck at her out of nowhere – a move that startled her and left her to keep them closed for longer; her chest leapt out from her while it dug into her paws and flame ignited around her form.

She spun… and spun as though to do backflips before this sharp rotation made her squeal in fright and her landing slammed against something half fuzzy and hard. This silent sound came out of them as Luna fought to open her eyes after that second, as the shadow had pushed to their feet and growled lowly… violently.

“S – Smo…!?" Luna went rigid and silent, her eyes wide. It was Smokey's technique with a sloppy landing, but Thief took the blunt of the entire blow and pushed to his paws with a vicious snarl that left Luna in absolute horror. His eyes looked like a glimmer of bright burned sunshine as he took a stance and stared down the Abra. He held a defensive and as the Abra slowly tilted his head left and right, then slapped his fingers in a direction… without any warning, that force slammed him in the side – in the ribs.

Luna even heard this faint crack from the pressure which left Thief's face to turn a light shade of blue before he inhaled and sharply roared with bloodshot and ravenous eyes. It was the first thing she had heard anything in a while, as though her adrenaline slowly tapered off and her world almost taunted the idea of spinning as a web sickly clung to the air around her.

“YOU HURT MY FRIENDS AND I'M NOT BACKING DOWN TO YOU!!" Thief staggered and snarled as he feebly took a stance. His rib… one…? Two…? They had to be broken from the blow as Luna desperately twitched in shock and fear.

“Thief? You can't fight him; I can't even fight him!" Luna remarked as he growled, the pain had clearly stunned him. “You… YOU IDIOT." Her sudden yell had left her head to sting sharply and her ears to fill with constant ringing that left her to wince.

“I know." He replied. “So, all we have to do is stall. It's all we can do." He turned an eye towards her and it left her to go limp from fright as the Growlithe viciously snarled and spat out blood; wherever it came from, it wasn't good… but he could burden and hold the pain somehow.

“You can't move! You can't move like that Thief!" Luna remarked desperately “You can't, that broken rib punctured your lung right!?" Thief half stalled as he stared down the Abra. “You need to…" Luna felt her eyes widen as she jolted in front of him in sheer panic, a splatter of blood came from her muzzle unexpectedly as a sharp dastardly wind forced itself down her throat. This strange color of green and purple ignited around them, a small little bubble bent and pushed inward from the crushing weight that swiftly slammed their way. Thief went to move, but his body was already at its limit; the lack of training from his injuries ensured that.

Not to mention the current ones, those were sure to kill him if he moved the wrong way.

It had to be, and all he did was take smaller breaths to keep himself conscious. The Growlithe snarled and suddenly let an eruption of flame and pyre explode out of his mouth – Fireblast. It scattered when it struck the walls and left the Abra on a moment of the defensive against the strange crackling orbs; like large firecrackers with different wicks. Luna simply snarled and swallowed as she staggered too and tried to stay on her four legs as. Her eyes half glanced at the cut, the deepest one.

Shit… It's dizzy… I'm getting dizzy. She shut her eyes again as the force pushed against her head, a horrid headache had followed right away.

I don't even know what move I just used. I don't even know what happened to get us here. I wasn't… paying attention.

I screwed up… I'm going… to get all of us killed.

Luna frantically blinked as the world around her got blurry… blurry enough that it became a tender swirl of leaves and flowers. Luna felt her tails flicker outward as though they made one solid tail…

“Psychic moves are dangerous to the user and the target. Many Pokemon can't sustain multiple moves – it drains them. Changing types mid fight is risky too." Damnit Luna, Moonlight said that.

“Use only fire attacks but don't burn a single leaf." That accuracy is impossible.

“You understand how to use the move, work on combining them. Hold your attacks, Luna… charge them – even the smallest and worthless ones become the most lethal when performed properly." Absol's voice had jutted in that time and Luna felt her ear twitch as she silently curled her lip; the heat got intense for her in an instant after. A shock and tremor slammed against her heart as her throat burned and screeched at her – the smoke had already begun to rise through her lungs as the blood followed suite.

I couldn't hit with will-o-wisp. Hex is pointless without that… but I can use Extrasensory with it; it'll hurt so much after, Fire and Psychic together. Luna lightly trailed to her thoughts; they just flashed in front of her eyes for a moment. The sickly brown-red blood oozed onto her fur from that horrid cut as she spat out any in her throat. The pressure slammed into that veil of color once more as Thief had already been at his limit, but his roar was loud enough for anyone to hear… Yuny had hid beside him now; but her face… it left Luna with a shock of fright. We danced and all I could do was watch my fire twist and turn… well I want my fire to be accurate and quick. Change paths like a dart. I want to learn… more about this world. I want… more time with Yuny and him.

Is it wrong to do everything I can to have more time with them?

Luna focused on following a small spurt of ember, she brewed this red hot to pure white flame before her eyes dilated fully; massive pupils which looked over everything as her head slammed and pounded just as badly as her chest did.

I want to use my Flamethrower and Extrasensory together. Bandit's trained me nonstop with both of them… Moonlight gave me advice… Absol always listened to my fears and she always knows what to say. Even Marill cares for me; Scarf… everyone I talk to…

Everyone here supports me, and that scares me the most…

_ We die if I don't and that's the truth I have to face. _

Luna felt her tails spark outward with a current of frosted flame which left Thief in shock… and Luna shot out a pathway in her mind as the Abra slammed one last move on her Aurora Veil. This fine white-red line shocked through the air loud enough that the wind snapped and popped from the heat. It shot in all different directions – a predetermined path which Luna charted out. The Abra simply went to block the strange move and the moment this small ball-like dart touched right up to him, this beautiful explosion of blue white took up the alleyway and illuminated the night no different than a massive Bunsen burner. Luna only stared in this strange horror as she ran the last second over her mind again and only stared at the sweltered wreck of flesh which lay; pinned to the wall like a painting of gore before them. Her eyes contrasted at the sight of it as her legs gave way and her body tumbled to the ground. Thief had blocked Yuny's line of sight and stared it down…

We'll… die if I didn't yet I… I over…did it. Luna felt a violent shiver run through her back as she groveled and rolled against the pavement. Everything had shimmered by then, yet now that she stopped, it left her heart to slow its pace. Why… why did it smile? What is that smile? It's like the Chesshira and all it did was… toy with me.

Why were you happy to… to die? That shouldn't make you happy, never. Never… There… There are people that support you too.

Luna shakenly rested before she forced her body to her feet. Another soft retch of blood came up as something bumped her upright out of nowhere.

“…?"

Who are you…? You feel warm. Thief…? Luna fought through the veil of her eyes as they faded in and out; Thief had been in front of her, like a shattered shield of sorts. Save… him please…

I'm begging you… you feel soft and plushy… like a blanket; why do you feel like that now? Luna felt herself hit the ground again, her whole body felt numb and tingled through every single cell. _Why does this feel familiar…? Am I dying?

I'm tired… Cold…_ The shadow in front of her had gotten closer, pushed her upright as another came and more, but by then even the light above her had gotten dim. All she could do was black out as this strange, familiar and jubilant voice began to speak.

“That's not your home, you have a mommy and a daddy! You shouldn't sleep with all those Vulpix's… I've never seen them wake up!" The voice started to say, a young voice. “I'll bring you food! You can be like a little sister and you can help me find a mommy and daddy too!"

“A little sister…?"

A sister... Is that what I'm doing…? Is this what a sibling does? It's not dead; Stand damnit… stand…? Luna felt the light pierce into her eyes as the ground lightly tremored below her; a sluggish awakening led her to frightfully spark up the hazy and oily swirled world around her. A vision darted in front of her – a shadow that crossed and jolted in a grown moonlit glow. Her eyes fought to adjust towards the dark shadowy figure in front of her. Bandit…? The first name that came to her mind as a flurry of flames spewed out at yet another, more-oily figure in the background. Her entire body tingled numb as though she were hit by ten of Scarf's discharges; something that left her to force air into her otherwise burned and smoked up lungs. I.. passed out? Or am I still asleep? It hurts all over, it's so quiet. Luna felt the world as it spun and spun more harshly; her eyes attuned to this sharp color of fur that left her heart to jolt and weave itself outward. “Thief…?" His name pressed against her lips as this massive wind shot by her face and throat, a strange spew of rocky pavement chunks and flame spun wildly around as this large shadow had called something out, and cut in front of her blackened, hazy vision. Why…? I can't move my body. It's not responding to me at all. I'm moving my leg but it's just… paralysis? Without the sparks… Why? Luna went to move again as her otherwise widened eyes solely studied the sparks of blinding flame that singed her; rocks that flew around only for a shadow to cut in front of her view once more.

“….. …. … …!?" A warbled and distorted voice came to her imagination as it turned to talk, and something pushed against her firmly enough to make her yelp. She could barely get a fix of where her nose was or what she should have been able to smell; every sound was distant and dark, and the spun world glowed with strange colors made her want to vomit.

All her energy felt sapped and drained instantly, while this new frightening notion sparked in her mind.

_I can't see… anything or… hear anything…? I'm… I'm dying… am I dying? Am I already dead? _

Luna tried to force one paw after another even though her efforts were in spite and vain. Every moment left this strange chill down her spine and back; a wind told her that her body was damp. Move… please! I'm willing myself, aren't I? Yuny is somewhere… Thief is somewhere? Who's fighting!? It broke his ribs; I can't…

Can't….

_ Move. _

A hot rush of desperation filled her face as her muzzle gently laid open. The frigid air had shocked her enough that she coughed violently as another flurry of vicious stones shot out everywhere like a buckshot as she coughed up blood; her entire stomach hot and felt filled to the brim with it. That strange silhouette cut in front of her again, as though it solely stood to take the blunt of the blow which would have peppered her otherwise. Once more this set of paws pushed against her hip and stomach, left her entirely through a row of painful shocks and whines, as yelps and snarls roared in the thin alleyway. That feeling of floating through water came by as a tender yelp touched her ears enough that it jolted her from the wind on her cheek alone. Something darted up the walls swiftly as flames spewed down at the Abra; the shadow in front of her shuddered and violently growled back, a half-limp came from them.

“… …. …" Another distorted voice fell deafly on her ears as she tried to push herself to her feet; but now… a heavy paw pushed her back down to the concrete as the world vibrated around her. “…. …!" Another silent voice had pushed itself throughout all the yelling which overlapped her sense of deafness. Every sense of flight pushed her to move but her body was this pure incandescent stone, one lost against a mountain trail of them. Her tail could barely lift higher as this stranger that fought had swung around, quickly spewed out fire in a way which left her eyes to water. They spun around like a coin tied on a thread; a perfect spin-top where flames scorched and licked every corner of the alleyway.

I feel… like I'm looking at… my… Luna coughed dryly as her vision hazed and spun until it became a blinding light that sudden sense to vomit ran through her as she gasped – coughed and focused on her drive; this horrid picture pulled against her soul as blood sprayed out from somewhere, through all the growls and snarls.

Through all the endless silence for her.

The vicious bites and the waves of psychic force; oceans of flames left her ceased to push herself upright as her hind legs sprawled on the cement behind her. A sudden dance of blue ice and thunderous gold sparked in front of her to strike down the shadow out of nowhere; right as another had hit the ground nearby.

A Ninetales… A frosty blue Ninetales with strange redwood flecks had danced and glimmered in front of her – this strange way of movement left Luna in shock as she stared at it, curl and fight. The etiquette had been phenomenal, the poise and form. It was quick and light as though solely to burden it all with selflessness… the kind that elegantly fluttered into their opponent and never let up an attack.

No different than a swordsman, intent on landing a single swing of a sheathed blade.

All Luna knew was that their eyes were large, dilated perfectly and that their tails whipped and swung with a beauty unbeknownst to her.

D…? Her vision began to go sleek and dark before she felt the cold cement on her jaw.

Door…? When she finally woke up in this neon-blue like light that left her ears to ring and her head to spin wildly as though it would take itself off, Luna immediately went to scratch and bite at the glass that confined her. Her heart beat warmly and slowly – calmly. How long was I out for? Where are you? Thief? Yuny? The glass rested in front of her eyes as this chorus of mutters came around her. She recognized… the field, and the walkways around her.

“She's hurt. I thought she died…" A voice came to her ears that left her heart to pound and throb against her chest as she looked around frantically and then… above her, someone looked down. A Vulpix with crystalline blue-white fur. “like really hurt."

“Are you okay Luna?" Psychic…? it made her ears twitch. She used psychic to hear Pokemon talk, and that Vulpix had spoken to her with such clarity that it made her eyes sharpen in contrast to it.

“Y – You!" She remarked sharply and coughed for a vicious moment; all it did was pull its head back.

“N – N – Now wait a minute." It began to say “D – Don't rock the glass so much – it's hurting my leg!" The Vulpix mentioned with this half whine and lifted it… Luna had to stare up from underneath him.

“It's in… a cast?"

“A crazy Kommo-o charged at me." The Keo-Keo explained “I was hanging out with the geezer when it happened – the lunatic thinks he can hear Pokemon think." It sighed and rolled its eyes. “Don't drink the water, I haven't been able to make snowflakes since."

“So… Icy was it? Or Frosty? Snowy?"

“NONE OF THE ABOVE!" It remarked back and huffed “What's with this place anyways? It's supposed to be very dangerous and… and violent!" It began to say or… whine, Luna couldn't tell – she half folded her ears to his aggravating voice. “But all these weird furless things put me in this and stuck sharp things in me and nothing else. They feed me and even help me groom. It's weird!"

“I think they're nurses." Luna replied, “They help Pokemon and people heal; they groomed me too, but they can't get my tails to curl."

“Well they got a funny way of doing it!" The Vulpix commented back and curled itself up. “This place is too… too confusing. It's WAY too big – the ocean is far away; home is further."

“Look, I don't care about your… you're whatever this is; we aren't really friends!" It winced when she said that and all it did was huff in reply.

“You really don't remember… anything." Their voice left Luna to lower her haunches. “Whatever… you don't want to go home so… I can't." Luna shook her head wildly. “All I want it to go back but he sent me out here to find you after the other one didn't!"

I don't care, you're a perv anyways. “Where's Thief?"

“The outcast? Why care about him?" It asked in this stranger sympathetic way, it appeared that hearing what Thief did made him question something. “I mean… I get he jumped in and helped, everyone has been talking about it; but he's dead weight Luna."

“He's a friend, you Muk! Where is he!? Because If he's dead weight why am I sure as hell seeing HIM carrying it!" Luna growled as half the other Pokemon backed into the corners of the glass. “You can't just act like this is your home, you, snobby jerk!"

_“What are they talking about?"

“Ignore them, they're all weird from the humans."

“She shouldn't move, not with that… I don't want that. Her trainer must be terrible… leaving her for dead."_ Luna partially turned and winced as this shock ran through her hip and stomach. All she could do was stare at the crisp white dressing that wrapped around her. The Vulpix; that frosted type had looked at her with his rather-light baby-blue eyes.

“F – fine… he's a friend I guess; weird place, weird circumstances." The Vulpix mentioned and half snorted. His nose did this twitch, which left her to twitch her head. “I don't get why you both don't remember a thing, I remember everything!"

“He was my friend back home!" Luna remarked back at him “I remember that!"

“His father killed everyone it could, they were told their rules!" The Alolan Vulpix snapped back as Luna went into a snarl

“Oh spare me the semantics and crap that Crescent talked about!" Luna snarled roughly “You stupid… Stupid!" She bit down her tongue and let out a ragged breath. “Where is he!? He never did anything wrong; I remember that!"

“Upstairs!" He replied “I'll spare… you the sem… Sem…" It only shook its head wildly. “He's bad news!"

“He protected me!" Luna sharply said in return “That's a lot more then what YOU did; jumping in to fight that – that thing! You hardly did anything other than let the 'Insupia' do all the work! It's a Vulpix with a different type! So, what!?"

“They're supposed to be extinct! DEAD." He replied back, “They died out back home generations ago, it's just cannon fodder for us to get home. It's a sign, Luna. A sign that you can get out of this place and QUICKLY, just go home! Ditch these things and leave with me!"

“How the HELL can you say that!?" Luna snarled once more and the Vulpix had reared its head back. “The only thing that makes this world dangerous, are things like you! Your…. Your… You can't just rule out something living as… as flock!" Luna sharply hissed as the Vulpix rolled his eyes at her. “You're not above anyone here!"

“It's just normal; the Wingulls I know just tell bad stories about this place, everything acts like that according to them!"

“Well it's not normal here! That's what's so wonderful about it; those Wingulls always told stories! Fake stories!" Luna said and bit her lip – enough that it bled, and a chill ran down her back. She hadn't any memories of that…?

“H – hey…" A nervous voice interrupted the argument, a human one.

“Is he okay?" The Vulpix went quiet and stuttered as she repeated herself, firmly. The Vulpix explained that he was barely conscious when some weird trainer brought him in, Natasha was explaining what happened to a police officer – Luna could see her from her cubicle. “How long…?"

“It's been over… a few hours. I think. I mean that Flareon is probably as good as dead though." Luna felt her eyes widen and her back crawl to the point she thought her spine had oozed out of her body. A cold and terrible gasp of air shocked down her lungs. “He looked slashed up to hell, I mean… he was completely awake when he came in but those 'nurses' got scared pretty quick; he muttered crap, like he fainted minutes before. These things really aren't used to bad cuts and stuff." The Vulpix expressed “Those skinless… things."

“Humans, idiot."

“Yeah those! They're like… like… caterpie or something. Just a big den of them – you can blow some cold air and they all freeze to death!" Luna scoffed and sharply spat out. What he said and his tone left this familiar and equally disgusting taste in her mouth.

“You honestly think that everyone here talks like that? Are you… are you inbred?" Luna had asked it so sincerely that the Vulpix puffed up its fur as though to make it look bigger.

“What?"

“I'm only copying what a certain someone might say – but I know for a fact that if you really made them mad; they'd kill you. Why? Because you stare at everything with this… this… inferior look; and you act all big and tough AND SO STUPID that I have to REPEAT it TWICE! You're scared out of your wits!" Luna mentioned with this grown laugh “You're terrified" She said with a frantic giggle as the Vulpix swallowed only to listen to her.

Luna already knew the reality of it; she felt hopeless. Mortified, stressed. “Now shut up" She said with a small gasp of air. “And tell me where Yuny is."

“Y – Yuny?"

“The Eevee?"

“Oh, she's fine!" The Keo-Keo mentioned with a gulp “She looked scared but… but she's fine! A few bumps and very minor scratches… That… that outcast apparently jumped in to save her too." The Alolan Vulpix grumbled about that, and Luna finally took a breath into her lungs; stuck on the recovery of her thoughts.

Akamaru jumped into the fight after Thief roared. Thief must've realized that we went the wrong way; my flamethrower caught his attention…? Or my scent. Akamaru always clings to Yuny; it's only natural that he'd run out there too; did we all call out to him? What kind of trick was that though? It was like that… strange Pokemon from Cinnibar but it was nothing as extravagant or wonderful. The Zoroark? I think that's what it's called.

Who was the last person that ran in? I don't understand that at all…? I know there was one more… who?

This strange tinge touched her chest in a way that left her to stare at the glass below her; this tired and annoyed Seviper stared back up at her with its predatorial eyes. Luna felt all the blood rush out of her in that second.

“Stop vibrating up there! I can feel it for miles; shut up!" It finally remarked and left them both to wince as Luna felt a breath slip from her.

“W – wait… you can feel vibrations for… miles?" Luna went awestruck after a while “I think I do something like that too." The Keo Keo idly squeaked when she said that.

“L – Luna, hush… don't tell anyone that." Luna tilted her head back up at him.

“Why?"

“I just know it was a special secret, I promised I'd keep it."

“I track prey like that, you, scrumptious little snacks. Quiet down!" The Seviper hissed back and curled its knife-like tail. It oozed this strange color of poison, one that looked sickly.

“What… about underground? I can feel tremors; what's that about?"

“It sounds like… wait – why would I tell you?" The snake replied and lightly curled around the glass; as though to put pressure on it. “I have no care for you… although; you could do something for me." Luna went blank for a moment as the Alolan Vulpix lowered his head to his feet

“That sounds more pervy then what I said." The Vulpix replied as Luna scoffed

“Frankly what you said was GROSS. You freakish perv! You've done that twice, stop it." Luna remarked and flicked her tail against the glass around her.

“Quiet down!" Luna paused and let a little grin pop on her face.

“So you know, I spent the entire day yesterday with…" Luna found the perfect place where Yuny could be applicable – and even though she was barely as annoying as the young Eevee could be; with 'Icy or Frosty or whatever his name was' help, that Seviper eventually cracked under all the noise and told them. There were strange, periodic rumbles underneath the entire main strip… from Lavender Town to that massive stadium in Viridian… and finally they were happening right under their feet. The Seviper expressed that it sounded much like a Pokemon or many that burrowed under the ground. Luna only trembled as the shocks ran through her paw pads and up her spine in a way that left her back rigid.

“So it seems" There was this long emphasis on his S's. “That the entire racetrack has a big colony underneath, it opens up a few hundred feet away from water." It continued to say and sighed lightly “There, you have it. All I wanted was your berries, by the way – you haven't touched them."

“H – huh?" Luna looked over to a bowl; she had completely ignored it, the water too. “You can have them."

“What? Why?"

“Well, I'm not hungry; they're going to go to waste!" She expressed happily, and in some ways; she felt like she just made a new friend. A strange and frankly creepy new friend.

By the time anyone she recognized finally came back to the hospital, the first person she had noticed was Moonlight. Hours… Hours before Griffin and Bandit had finally showed themselves. He looked both puzzled and light-hearted in some ways, he even smiled when he asked how she was – being cooped up in the box all day long.

“Was everything okay!?" It was the first thing she mustered, and the Espeon gave this mixture of a look, one that made her tilt her head; one that left her to look at his eyes. “It was fine."

They both said it at the same time, and that left Moonlight in a moment where he tilted his head and nodded.

“Almost right. It was better than fine. I went to the Pokemon Tower… for a bit. We were just at it when the gate fell. I… caved in and went alone."

“I saw on the TV thing. It went all fuzzy for a moment." Luna recalled and shook her head wildly. “You… you look like… I don't know." Moonlight softly nodded.

“I found something just as important as my scarf there." The Espeon said back to her and that left Luna to tilt her scalp. “Something… wonderful. Something I think I needed for a long, long time. It's not the first time I've been there; it was one of the first places I saw in Kanto. My owner wanted to go." He expressed gently “I had just turned into… into an Espeon. I still remember it." The Espeon continued and gently sighed “It was still just as terrifying as I remember; but Autumn was so…"

“Your friend is…" Luna felt this curl of shock run over her.

_That's why there's voices around him? It's like something is clinging to him closely; hugging him. Is it him…? I didn't want that to be true. I've always had that thought stuck in the back of my head. _

“Because the entire town was built alongside a shrine for the dead. To honor them." Moonlight commented and oddly, cheerfully smiled. “The moment I walked in; all the noise went still. I've… I've never felt like something…" Moonlight tenderly coughed “Generations ago, many children died all over this country – due to disease." Luna half flinched

“H – Humans?" Moonlight nodded in reply.

“A Pokemon brought them herbs, to save as many as they could. It's such an old legend but it… I fell in love with it. Herbs, flowers… all of them. I've never asked and been led by… by a kindness that I couldn't see. Then something told me to take a gift and return here." Moonlight looked up at her as she made this utterly creeped out tremble

“A g – ghost told you to come back…" Luna began to say

“A doctor in Thief's room kept trying to pump too many drugs into him." Luna stalled and flinched. “I crept into the operating room because… a friend warned me to."

“A… Like one of th-"

“I thought it was off, with how doped up he was yesterday. I think someone kept correcting the dose to stop him from overdosing. They all wear masks though – it's hard to know who's who." Moonlight explained and let out this huff before he half crumpled to his feet. “I… ran all the way here, and immediately overlooked a surgery; I've never ran so fast in my life, but I did have one of the racers help." Moonlight said and Luna's stomach churned.

“W – What… Why? T… they c – cut him in a surgery, Bandit told me."

“I never could… before. I was too terrified… before. I can't even get past needles and I sat in the rafters, watching Thief… over. Watching Akamaru too. Watching even you, they had to stitch you up too."

“Are they okay? Moonlight!?" Luna frantically shouted as the Seviper shot it's head up at her.

“Hey Glowstick! You should be… I don't know… Guarding them still!?" Moonlight looked up at him in a daze. “Go protect them if you feel like something is wrong! It's what I'd do, even if it's over now! Go!" The Espeon held his ground for a moment before his eyes dilated; it left the Espeon to bolt off… somewhere.

Luna had no clue where.

“I don't get it… are they okay?" She began to say as the Seviper huffed

“Calm yourself, really. You remind me of this Vulpix actually. You have the… fur. The pattern. I was so angry when some larger thing got in my way – she looked delicious. Then I got my trainer, and I'm holed up in a box."

“W – why eat…?"

“You can't always have berries around, sometimes you need to eat. It's you or them, and it's terrible for us too. You just must; I feel bad of course – why else do you think I remember her? Even though I didn't eat her. Unfortunate thing ripped apart all because I wasn't bigger; I would've killed her swiftly. Ate her… lived; but I ended up wounded on a road with some human that fed me." It mentioned to her “So if a… a Vulpix like that can give her food away, then I'd say I can tell off some stress ridden Espeon and tell him what he needs to do. He's by the book obedient – that's near disgusting." The Seviper hissed once more and touched its jaw against the glass. “You need some free will, or you'll die out here. I know his type – he barely lived out in the woods like a real Pokemon; I can see that in his eyes… but the rest is. He's just sad , sad to look at – sad to listen to… it's like one of those humans on those drugs – they get really bad like that." The Seviper scoffed and curled its body around “My owner will be back." Luna only looked at the impressive snake below her; and it always stared up at her like some… pit waiting to open upward.

“H – How long…?"

“A month… after my recovery last year." It explained “I got sick, so he brought me here and I was better… but after months and months. They gave him one phone call and he told them that he'd get to it." It lightly hissed and laid in the sunshine; Luna only looked it over. In fact, it's all she could do for the hours that passed, admire the strange toxic like patterns and diamonds that layered its skin. Not until Griffin ran into the hospital, out of breath and asking for answers. Before he even really had the chance though; this clack had touched the air – this wild and strange sound where Luna had looked over to the commotion.

“Hey hey! Miss, back off this is a hospital." The Officer seemed to be amid calming himself down, given the sudden and unexpected jolt of the situation.

“Screw you! You left to do whatever you were doing, and it could've gotten Yuny killed! You think I care about your… damn Growlithe and Vulpix?" Natasha remarked back as she held her knuckles in her other hand for a moment. Griffin stumbled utterly stunned and shocked. He held the side of his jaw and Luna went cold to her feet. All sorts of people scattered away from him.

She just punched him in the face!? Is that Focus Punch? Griffin had stumbled back, and only gave her a look. A close, red-eyed like look that faded after a moment of breath. The resolve to hold back was strong.

“God, you're right. You're absolutely…" Natasha held her clenched fist and half steamed as the police officer; that 'communities best or known' officer had held her back for just a moment – this noninvasive; non touching way. “I… only heard that Akamaru and…" Griffin just looked up at Natasha in this fleeted look of shock as he shook his head. “It's… fine officer. I completely deserved that."

“L – Look this is still an issue, young man." Griffin stood to his feet and calmly said.

“I don't see an issue, I acted like a complete… idiot. I deserved that, and she only intended to swing once. It's all she needed." Natasha crossed her arms and tapped her foot against the linoleum floor. “I'm sorry; is Yuny okay?"

“Y – yeah…" Natasha said back “Your Vulpix and Growlithe protected her. All I saw was an Abra that teleported away and Akamaru crumple, he ran off without me; I told it all to the police." The officer only nodded in reply.

“In fact, she told us the moment she walked into the hospital, hours ago." The Officer nodded politely. “Kids…" He muttered under his breath “Mature… when they need to be kids…"

“I was kept at Lavender town." Griffin said back; he still wore that race outfit from before. “The police there needed a full statement too, from me." Griffin shook his head and liberally sighed. “I don't get why though." Natasha held her stomach for a moment. “I'm getting the feeling that we're in trouble or something…"

“Sorry…" She said after a second “I just feel sick to my stomach. It was terrible." She put her hands in her pockets “Am I under arrest officer?" Griffin held both his hands up to his chest and looked at the officer.

“I have no reason to press charges, she's a friend of mine. We've already sorted through our issue." Griffin explained as Natasha gave him a look, a strange look. “Even if it comes to court, I'll dismiss the charges; the whole thing is just time and, if I may boldly say, paperwork sir." Luna had twitched her ear wildly as Griffin lightly bowed. His… Japanese seemed different, beautiful, and the voice just sat in Luna's skull as the officer agreed with him; with a firm verbal warning. That Vulpix pushed her nose against the glass as though to get a closer look.

It's so soft toned and… it's like listening to a beautiful bird; like one in a forest that it can't find its way out of. Luna had felt this strength around her shoulders as she looked at him. It's surprisingly soothing. As Luna let out a gentle gasp and Natasha simply looked at him in this way that left her absolutely confused; nostalgic. It was like a scene right out of a Manga for her – Luna saw that written all over her face; she only knew because she spent some time with Yuny and Natasha on occasion.

Even Natasha had grown at least a little fond of her. All Luna had the strength to do was look at her in that moment, just like that in return.

“Sorry, Griffin. It's just everything has been terrible. I mean, all these little dangers. Right after I already told you and just with this… it's scary. It's utterly… I can't lose Yuny. I can't lose any of them." Natasha expressed and sighed. “I'm terrible with this crap. I just got so mad when I saw you."

“No, I completely understand; Natasha." Griffin began to say and laughed a little. “When all this crap has cleared up; come on back."

“I'll be leaving first thing in the morning. I know it's-"

“My… older brother always said it was better being safe than sorry." Griffin admitted and scratched that spot on his scalp – the one where they all believed it connected them together. “He was always right about that, but I guess some… some things are unavoidable."

“Are you getting… sad?" Natasha wildly smiled “Wow, that'll be one heck of a thing to tell my girl back home. She wants a visit just as badly."

“Tell her what?"

“That for once I made one of you so called 'men' to cry without needing to punch you hard enough!" Griffin idly held his cheek

“It was actually pretty hard." It left them both to laugh before Griffin held his jaw and winced; it made Natasha jolt.

“M – Maybe a little too hard…"

“No, I can handle that; my cuz used to practice with me from time to time. He wanted me to be able to fight back. He loves to box and train, you know. Trevor, remember."

“Right right!" Natasha commented and idly sighed. “Now you're trying to get me to miss this." Griffin idly laughed as though some evil plot had been unveiled.

“Stop it you jerk. Quit acting weird! I'm talking about the NORMAL stuff, god." Natasha commented right as Brad and Melody had walked by. It left them entirely in shock, even the Lucario stood their stunned. It was the angle they were at and Griffin idly tilted his hips sideways to look at them. Luna just struggled to see the cones in their hands in the middle of the sun and…

They… held hands. Luna had to look at her paws with this weird huff and just kept watching.

“Are you kissing her!?" Melody said as Griffin had just begun to teeter sideways and awkwardly waved when his torso was in full view.

“N – no!" Natasha stifled a giggle at first, before she couldn't stop laughing after. Then Melody laughed along with it after a while – it was infectious. This beautiful, hidden laugh underneath most of her teasing and taunting.

“What about you!? You two got… Ice cream together?" Brad partially nodded

“U – Uh yeah." Brad expressed delicately “Believe it or not, I talk with her plenty; almost as much as you. I've spent this whole week with her – and then I even helped her with some recipes for that talent show! Aura and I got like… Iron place. Against some actual home cooks and everything. The rest were much more famous. It was nuts" Melody began to nod.

“Yes! I got third place on the talent show! All I did was show off what Smokey could do; it was no different then playing in the park really!" Melody awkwardly, or proudly, showed off the bronze medal.

“That's so cool!" Griffin commented “That's absolutely great!" Griffin happily explained and scratched his head again. “Let's check up on everyone; Where is Yuny?"

“She's right here." Natasha commented and pulled out a Pokeball. It was a pink heal ball with a custom heart print; Natasha never used it as Yuny had always been in her satchel from the start. “It's her Pokeball." She expressed gently and put it back into her bag. “She hasn't been out since this whole thing happened. But she's safe; scared…"

“What about Akamaru?" Griffin asked, she filled in the details for him; his paw had broken in the altercation at some point; he also suffered a few major cuts, rough bruises and torn muscles. The Flareon's paw could lose feeling permanently from nerve damage - it terrified Luna to listen to and as Natasha spoke about Thief, Luna's heart began to pound just as hard. Thief had broken three ribs, the blow that hit him wasn't even that strong, it left for two nasty fractures and a minor crack, that was the worst of it – aside from the stones they had to pull out of flesh and body; the expressed that some got dangerously close to tendons and arteries. He'd heal naturally overtime; but his body had been near shredded from the shoulders and front, and the burns on his skin weren't healing any better now that those injuries reopened.

All of them went through a flurry of hell. Luna ended up with a terrible concussion, a horrid gash that left her in Hypovolemic shock; along with many bruised ribs, muscles and a sprained hip and ankle. She lost the most blood for her size and fought the longest, but Natasha was able to sterilize and use the proper dosage of hyper potion to treat her for the serious wound. There was nothing that could with the other two; even though Natasha had dressed the wounds and tried to stop them all from bleeding out. Just listening to it all made welts form under Luna's eyes as hot tears streamed down her face.

Luna did everything… everything she could. Everything right.

She even had a warmup; a sure gift from Arceus.

But she couldn't do anything, not alone. A ripe shiver went through her back as it came to her mind.

She's the poisonous one. That's why Marill refused to talk to her that much. Luna was the so called 'leech' on the group.

I've been all along with no intention of being it.

It all came down to Leafeon's words about Thief, about how he said that the Growlithe was trouble – he agreed with that strange man in a way. Leafeon had taught her to accept it…

Because she always knew it was there, that cloud of self-doubt in the back of her head.

A lack of integrity or the fear of it had clung around phobia's nearly as much as seeing a world in true colors.

Luna quivered and gently curled into a silence that kept her there as everyone had gone to check on the injured.

“Hey kid… That's pretty rough going through that." The Seviper slithered and scratched its tail against the glass. “I know something like that too. But I know I'm the bad guy of the story."

“W – What do you mean?" Luna asked silently as the Seviper sighed.

“I wasn't entirely aware that the Vulpix I hunted had a mate and a den. She was digging in the ground; I thought she had been looking for berries nearby a trail. I went for the attack before that other Pokemon cut in. I never knew until every Pokemon in the forest heard about it. I still remember the Pidgy's and the Spearow's that called it out" Seviper huffed “Evil Seviper kills pregnant Vulpix" and sighed. “It's… like a law. Wild types never try to hunt Pokemon with young; or expecting. It's easy to tell – they smell different, breathe different. As a Seviper, I can feel that." It sighed “And it's utterly horrifying when it stops. All I know in that moment is silence." A silent solemn bow of its head let Luna stare at its fangs; they had chips all over. His skin, although beautiful in a way had scars all over, much like Absol. “I… was nearly killed by this powerful Furret. I've never been through such hell in my life; I went too deep into the wrong side of the woods in a stupor… Point is kid, every Pokemon here has a story like that to tell. Get stronger, I've watched you train against that Mightyena every morning while 'Griffin?' did his checkups. No moves, just… pushing you physically and mentally. No Pokemon goes that far without a cause." The Seviper said. “And every Pokemon stops when it realizes that cause can be in vain." Luna just listened in this sense of shock and dread. “So, my advice… have a realistic motivation and you might just live again."

I'm being lectured… by a snake… that ate a Vulpix… and… What is going on here? Luna just rested her back down. Luna twisted her head like nuts; it certainly calmed her down just by how blatantly strange it was, but the timing had been perfect. Luna blinked for a moment and stared back down at the Seviper.

“I don't like where this is really going." Luna picked it out of his accent as the Seviper stared back up at her.

“What may you mean?" The Seviper asked and rattled below her.

“Your tone is… It doesn't feel right. Thank you for your sympathies, but I'm fine." Luna mentioned after a moment of time, and the Seviper curiously wiggled its tail and head.

“Sorry. It's tough for me to be cooped up for so long – they have no real place to put 'rejects' like me. Those that they know hunt for too long." The Seviper expressed and it left Luna to swallow and push against the glass. “You were very smart about the berries, a kind heart. I'm still hungry though."

Are you kidding me!? Luna squirmed lightly and froze. The glass could…. No – its cage is huge, and this weird plastic glass is sturdy. It can't break through; I'm feeling numb…? I think there's something in the water; like Frosty there said. I can't make fire or ice now I can feel that for sure. It's a strange empty feeling… Luna stalled and growled back, much to the Sevipers curiosity as she bore her fangs to the snake below her and pushed her claws against the glass..

“You do have some fight in you." It commented “No wonder you held your own against that Abra."

Luna winced lightly as she snarled louder and watched her injuries – she'd be hobbling for a week.

“Hey, Hey!" A human had run over, it took a few moments for the Seviper to calm down and Luna to stiffen. He called out something to someone and then they checked a few charts.

For whatever reason, the Seviper only had a fraction of what it was supposed to have that month. That Nurse, a young intern in this beautiful coat had saved her life in a way. The glass wasn't sturdy at all, not from a heavy strike by the Seviper; but well fed and treated, they wouldn't ever attack.

Something weird was going on.

What kind of jerk puts a Seviper under a Vulpix anyways!?

Luna gently coughed and looked at her bandages. With the help from that potion, a cut like that could've healed by then. Pokemon had such strange genetics that the medication stuck to them and worked even faster.

Yet serious injuries are still a threat; she wasn't completely energetic and lay in wait as the Seviper was fed and placed back in the cage under the watchful eye of that intern. A total stranger, a human saved her. That was all the excitement until the sun had begun to set, Thief was awake and had been healing nicely under Moonlight's watchful vision. They had to pull shards out of him, more than bones luckily. They demanded that Griffin kept Thief in his Pokeball until he healed; only food was when he could come out, food and medicine. They had no room to store Thief at the research center due to the events. Akamaru had already brushed a lot of it off, even though his paw was in a cast and his eye had been badly wacked by a stone. Akamaru would be stuck with that for a few weeks and joked to Yuny's Pokeball that he'd wear an eyepatch for the whole time, quoting some character, just for her.

If they were human, it would be months before they could move feebly around with those injuries; even years to fully heal them… and some with permanent injuries.

Luna only held a sigh of relief as Griffin and them all went out, left Luna alone in the hospital as nightfall crept while she reminisced about the younger Eevee with half-dazed eyes.

I remember talking to her so much during dinner and lunch… every second she has the chance she tries to get me to look her way. I just blur over it… Luna softly felt her vision blur. All I would've had with you was this… this one night of dancing and then… just… a blur. If… If… Her breath became raspy again as she coughed gingerly against the glass; swallowed as the Keo-Keo looked down her way. Luna had long stifled the idea of crying over it, and only found herself lost in every little detail about Yuny as she could. Every little dance practice, every game of tag; her training with Akamaru; she kept her thoughts on it until a shadow further out made her stare at a peculiar Espeon that softly hovered or floated himself towards a lower building nearby.

What is Moonlight doing!? Is he really hiding in between doctor's upstairs this late at night? Did he just jump out a window!? Luna had looked up at the ceiling, imagining what the place could look like; where Thief's room could be before her eyes caught onto a blue glow. A news Anchor on the television explained the issue at the race and the battles weren't delayed by it.

The screen was too weird to understand for her; the sound had begun to slowly trickle into her head as a Pokemon shifted and squirmed in a slow motion capture reel. This trainer with a Buizel seemed extra-ordinary. The Announcer called out every one of its moves, but the trainer came from this town that she never heard of with a name just as outwardly.

It didn't even feel like real name to her and that left Luna through a fright of shock and rigid fears that pooled at her feet. Why do I feel like…? No, that was a tremor? What's going on?

This time even the humans had stopped. There were murmurs and mutters all about her while Luna sat in her cubicle. The Seviper partially hissed at the ground below it. That tremor felt very, very… large.

“What's going on?" A voice came up as that intern looked around from their sheets.

“Hey… Hey we got smoke! Look smoke!"

“Get the fire department on the phone! The sensors didn't pick it up – pull the alarm." This older man had mentioned

“The lines dead for the phone? Hey! Landline is dead! We got anything!?" A voice left Luna to swallow nervously as she could see the smoke that rose above her. It smelled like dirt and mortar…

Heated steel and this putrid chemical like burn of a smell behind it.

It's just like…!? Luna coughed a little the games are still going on; they go on late LATE! I'm alone. Luna flinched and breathed as this massive racking and blaring like sound took over the building. The staff member went to a PA system and tried to talk into it.

Line was dead…? But the lights were fine. Luna looked at the TV and it constantly warped in and out of signal. Then her heart dropped as a sound…

A real sound thumped in her skull like a gentle single patter of a drum. One that occasionally boomed – like a footprint in snow. Her otherwise noisy and sensitive world became rigid and deathly silent as that real noise pressed against her ear.

“…!!! …… ….!"

“….! ….!! ….!" The humans had pointed and shouted as a sound slipped over her scalp, a chitter that left her to quake made Luna numb. She didn't let a single thought enter her head. Nothing. She tuned out entirely and only swallowed down everything. In seconds the strange event had passed. Luna lightly blinked; she was too terrified to think but she just listened to the human's voices fade away into silence.

No different than drinking that funny water.

Eventually the fire department came down as Luna sighed this strange breath of relief, the Police walked in shortly after. In fact, the response was huge; larger than she expected after a while. From what she overheard…

That funny little wind turbine had been stolen from the storage room. Over the course of a few days and the influx of trainers; it was moved into a medical vault underneath the hospital for repair or inspection. Thermite was used on the wall and something… dug through the ground to get to it. It was a place that researchers went into, with samples of diseases for research by an off-duty team.

Thankfully the samples untouched according to the police. As though they knew this was an in and out job; a professionally played one that stole an expensive machine. Luna had this breath of relief that it didn't just come through… and kill her.

That Chesshira was there, and the security camera's in that medical vault hadn't caught it at all. They morphed and clouded. That sparked up debates of all kind, a 'dragon ghost' as they called it out to be. One that eventually used Mean Look on the camera and scared some of the workers with images that left one to leave the Pokemon hospital; sick. The police estimated that a team of five humans had loaded up the machine during the confusion and used Pokemon to dig a line under the city; even a vehicle to carry it out.

Luna felt her head softly ache as sound fluttered into her ears once more…, she could see a certain shock-type Vulpix out front after a while; in fact the Officer noticed her right away.

He saw the difference between her and any other Vulpix, It left him to frown lightly and rub his chin as he went through all the footage and walked around silently. She only had to twitch her eyes at the sight of that strange black metallic handle on his hip and the way how Tazer twitched his ears and stared at her. He really was endlessly attentive; in fact, he looked how he did when the gym got attacked. His eyes followed her with an impossible swiftness and Luna only spent the time to look back at the golden-white and black Vulpix with wide, terrified eyes. It only looked back at her, wore this strange and funny chest carrier – Luna had never seen anything like it before. The weight and the other strange little things on it – pockets. A funny heavy harness with the letters 'GPPI E-1' that ran down the side.

It makes me think of Esi's jacket… It rang through her head as she uttered a quick sigh of relief. Her heart had finally slowed down from its constant thump. Her vision had finally cleared up – it slammed so hard that the Seviper had looked up at her with peckish gazes. In all reality, she was less terrified of the snake then that unknown creature. Another gentle flick of her tail left something to scratch against the glass behind her, a sound much like a tree branch or a life had touched the smooth panel.

Then a very calm, small and strangely charismatic giggle that etched into her skull and mind nearly let her bladder empty.

“I didn't forget about you… Luna."

Her spine went rigid and cold as she froze like a statue to the deathly sounds of the thumps in her ears once again. Her heart went through a rush of adrenaline as the Seviper lightly sizzled or hissed. Luna couldn't tell what the vibrations below her were. The world was still wavy, but now it felt hot – like something pricked and wrapped all over her pelt, pushed into her skin.

“Hmm? You look even more delicious." It remarked as the thing behind her lightly tapped on the glass as though to check its density, Luna had no way out and only focused near the TV as its words fell on her deaf ears. “You smell like food." These sudden flashes ran through her head while her eyes sunk against her skull. She couldn't find the strength to turn rearward. The Seviper curled up below her feet. “What are you called? I've never seen a Pokemon wear a hide before, eat it. That smells like food, eat it."

“My skin? Strange, I've never had that thought before." Then it began to speak verbally but the silence caught Luna to panic and look around the room. “………… ……….." Luna had long knew her fears could be true as it lightly let the glass screech by the sound of it's strange curled claws or talons; Luna felt that rush to the back of her paw pads… it only proved it to her as her eyes dilated. She couldn't hear the room, like her ears tuned out to the world around her entirely since it showed up. No different than when adrenaline pumped through her body.

“So… little Vulpix, are you offering yourself to me? You haven't even let me see those pretty eyes. Not that I'll complain about the current view." The Chesshira playfully laughed and lightly scratched the glass like some mangy mutt that wanted in; his voice had now crammed itself into her head . “It's like she's deaf, odd. She just smells like her fur now; no psychic whatsoever… Luna… Do you cheat to hear? Adorable. A deaf Vulpix, I'm shocked; is that why I can hear your thoughts so easily? Is that why you can hear me so clearly?" The Vulpix refused to make a single fleeted word enter her mind or slip past her lips.

“Eh…? You find it attractive?" The Seviper said with a loud cackle which led to a silent or disturbing grin. “She's a touch stunted, dontcha' think?

Luna couldn't even hear them and only stared at the glass in front of her as the Seviper shifted the glass around and vibrated below her. Every little pulse of its tail left her to notice the black television screen where she made out their wobbled muzzles from a distance.

“What kind of hunter plays with its food? It soils the meat after all." There was this curious sound that came from it.

“I wasn't aware that I had a hunter in my midst, seems so rare here." It kept playing with the glass as Luna had this thought rush through her head; the way how her head lightly turned rearward to face it with purely dilated eyes. She saw the strange mouth-like leather move around it's face. Like dried and charred flesh that tightly clung and crushed it. “ _What's with this place? Everything seems so… sick ." _ The Chesshira spoke out loud once again, and every cubicle went dead silent in the midst of twilight.

Why does it...? Why can't I hear? I feel like I could hear something before this… Heal bell? Mint breath wake up! Sparky just notice me please. The Chesshira tilted its head and cackled under its breath. “I'll notice you, Luna. You STILL smell so much like a female Esi in heat. Enjoying the silent world around you? I am. It's like you just expect to die at any given second; I like my food… 'seasoned' it makes the meal more bountiful… alive." The Chesshira remarked and grinned tenderly, his claws ran down the window in front of her as her heart pounded harder; the vibration and the reflection of it in the mirror left her in shock.

Like HELL I do you, gross freak! You have nothing to gain from… from eating Pokemon! Nothing; there's no power in them! Let the cub go.

“That's rude language… 'littlelight' There's plenty of time to chat with me! I could kill all of you at any moment, it's the truth. This is just my curiosity… I want one creature here that can take me down; and if it's that damned mother I've devoured, then so be it. Let's see their apparent 'resolve' that I've listened to over the time I've been here." The Chesshira expressed charismatically, but its strange tough metallic quills left Luna to swallow – the simple thought of touching one terrified her. “But I do certainly smell a female Esi! She must be in heat; it's that same scent that drove me feral a week ago – do you have one amongst your band of woodland critters? Because they're only worth the one time around…" Luna recoiled and folded her ears as a little swallow came from her throat, a bitter and gross one as not a single word entered her head.

“G – Get away from me, you don't need… me, y - you have… plenty of other things to do… right…?" You use… and…F…Fuck you… Luna began as that strange thing laughed and giggled; the deafness had left her to gently sway back and forth in panic as his claw raised up as though to tsk and he verbally spoke to her silent ears.

“Touchy girl. I could… you know. Leave you be, let you live. You just need to tell me about Luminescence, I need her to go home." The Chesshira spoke verbally again and began to twist his claw against the glass; like some youngling that played with the surface of water.

“I need her to see my 'family' Luna."

“I don't know where she is, I barely remember her; I barely remember Thief!" She harshly whispered back in a rough tone as the Chesshira slowly grinded his claws against the glass and all she felt was this sudden curling bloodlust.

“Curses are a real crappy, aren't they?" Just that in itself left every cubicle silent from the pressure; as though he hushed frantic sounds that sensed him, except for the Seviper… and her now; slowly accustomed to its constant web of dread. The Chesshira was dead silent that time it spoke as Luna cautiously read his lips – the world drowned out of sound as that strange light pulse touched her ears; as though any second she had the chance, Heal bell kicked in for her.

“I really… really don't. I can't remember anything but her name – I'm telling you the truth." She began to say and trembled in place.

“Your blood is strangely intoxicating; that's what those leaves are for… right? Bandages…? Yeah, those!" It continued to say and grinned softly “Does it hold your intestines in? I can pull them out of there for you; end you of your 'curse.' I can even end… Well; that'll be more fun if I don't tell~" The Chesshira gave this weird trill like sound, a vibration that left the Seviper to tilt its head. It was so subtle that Luna just saw the hairs under its chin wobble. She had so much adrenaline running through her that the glass started to cave inward. Trapped, with nowhere to go. “Knowing him, that specific hero will get himself killed; that 'courageous' one."

Unable to use elements of any kind, all Luna did was gently snarl into her pelt as the Seviper gently hissed after that.

“Tell me." It began to say maleficently “Have you ever targeted a mate and their cubs? Your speech is so sporadic and random… Psychic or Ghost?" The Seviper began to say and the Chesshira tilted its head and deviously grinned. It was this sadistic and sociopathic like one.

An alien that had no clue of its place in the world around it; yet to Luna, a creepy feeling shot down her spine… it felt too much like it to be true.

“Of course I have. In fact, I keep quite a bit in this hide of mine. Food, for me, is so hard to come by back home; you store them in your pelt, it's how we eat! It always goes through the pelt first, always. I can only trap the live ones; they'll make for a wonderful meal when I finally devour them whole. That symphony of screeches when they're alive though… it's familiar…? It's… It's so pointless." It continued to express with an off-toned cackle as the Seviper didn't move or jostle from the strange change in its tones… The sudden twin voices in its head. He only listened to it; stayed coiled as it always did, but Luna couldn't find the slightest hint of a bloodlust from the Seviper in that moment. “You understand that, don't you? Why would I care about some screaming younling? It's not my blood? But it's a meal in a pinch~"

“I killed a Vulpix expecting young, hardly a foot away from its den." The Seviper said back and Luna went blank as she watched their lips move back and forth between them. She let her worried and terrified mind take over, it just exploded with thoughts of escaping as the Chesshira tsked. “And with such a lack of food lately, having all these little adorable fuzzy critters around me has left me rather…"

“Oh I know, I empathize with you my little friend; I can't give you my food…. and I have one very peculiar friend looking for that Vulpix I need right now for me." The Chesshira giggled lightly “You're a wonderful sport! Too bad you look so… broken in and broken down; you would have been an adequate number in your prime. If only I could help feed you, if only I didn't…" The Creature snickered madly; Luna felt her entire body shock cold… numb – she couldn't feel the vague pain in her side from the earlier fight. “Nevermind. Well Luna. I'd say a spot of fortune has come over me; I won't need to kill you… One less Shrine cub from MY conscience always helps. I will apologize however." The Chesshira mentioned and glared at the glass below her feet; this strange force had left the ground below her to shake like mad, and that Seviper looked up devilishly as purple black flames surrounded her – a Pokemon move of some sort? “You're much too worthless to be a light of mine. So, I apologize for my behavior earlier this week ."

“You're absolutely worthless to mate with, dead or alive. So, I apologize for my crude language and giving you a hint of false hope."

Oh… Arceus, damnit why? What is this!? Ghost? I thought he… he was steel and Psychic! It's so controlled and powerful…!? It came to Luna's thoughts as the Chesshira snickered.

“You should listen to her thoughts, it's beautiful. So beautiful, it's raw emotion my friend; I can simply split every glass particle silently, no one will wake and those already…? Like that terrified Keo-Keo~" Luna quivered and trembled all down her back as she went red eyed, teary.

Screw you Icy. “If there… is any hell out there for us. Whatever you have… You will live there in agony."

“Luna…" It said and grinned. “My kind rule it, a world like that; the best described as hell to these humans. It's our home. So, join me in it, everyone will end up there eventually… Bit by bit or entirely." The glass had cracked and broke into thin sharp shards and pebbles without a single sound; Like that strange glass that Griffin kicked in Fuchsia but dead silent. Images shocked and ran through her head as the Chesshira tilted his… as though to listen to her very soul. This mouth had shut around her body in a frightful instantaneous clap – a sharp tooth almost impaled her.

She squirmed… kicked… begged and pleaded – suffocated by the Seviper jaw as this thin rush of air ran into its mouth; it's whole body flexed and writhed around her with this gross fleshy skin – it's fork tongue partially licked around her and the fright left her in absolute shock. Her heart had pounded and beat even faster than the alleyway.

Nothing she did worked at all; it was swallowing her whole that quickly

_All of this… this fighting and I'm… I'm leaving everyone.

Please…_

don't…kill me… I want more time with… with all of them…

There was no light to see, only warbled voices as though a conversation passed, and her body had crawled and sank further and further down the Seviper's neck She couldn't even wiggle; Luna couldn't imagine it – this horrible… horrible smell touched her nose yet, she somehow froze in place; like it's throat had been clamped or squeezed lightly. She couldn't see, but that tunnel almost appeared closed off in a way.

This last few seconds of conversation ran past the two of them as Luna had no other thoughts; just tears ran down her cheeks. She knew that the Chesshira told that Seviper the last thing in her head. As though it was some sick memento for the estranged and broken Seviper. After even more silence, something squished against her. Her body felt like it partially lifted and curled; that weird squelch under her hind legs left her to tuck them inward as the motion continued. Luna had no clue what it was and only shut her eyes…

Only begged for a good dream in utter silence and darkness.

This odd sound left her to squirm and writhe as her paws slipped around the ground…

Ground…? Luna just opened them with horrified and wide eyes as the Seviper stared back at her and said.

“No thought, no feeling… she has to be dead by now; crushed to death." The snake expressed – while Luna stayed blank and empty; covered head to toe in…

She didn't even care about it and curled up into a ball beside the Seviper.

She had no clue what waited for her; but if she held even a single thought or word that Chesshira would come back and kill her for sure.

Luna, to process it all at once without a single inner voice to guide her, only left the Vulpix exhausted and relieved enough to pass out.

She passed out in a snake's nest.

Morning finally shone through as Luna woke up to the usual routine that she had for the last three days after that cubicle repair. Her fur became its usual tinge of red fur that stretched outward as she lounged about, they gave her this strange cushion that made it more tolerable to lay there quietly – she barely let a thought enter her mind; kept quiet in a daze. It would have driven her nuts to be stuck in there for longer and by the time it was ready to leave Griffin had ecstatically wanted her and Thief back to him. Natasha had expressed that she'd leave but eventually come back; when the police sorted out their issues. Aside from a scar that Luna kind of thought looked… charming; Akamaru had it easy. Plenty of rest and food at home.

He fought like hell through the entire ordeal, and all he had to say was that the burn Luna inflicted on it was the only thing that really helped him through.

It left the Abra to stagger and lose focus due to the severity of the burns she created, that she tired him out because she found a way to last long enough.

In some ways, Luna felt her stomach churn from the thought – the substitute she hit had turned into a molten mess, it was something she quietly vowed to herself.

Luna couldn't face the idea of any Pokemon dying so painfully and slowly as that. All it came down to was one last day and a final checkup at the Pokemon center… they were headed for Johto – Natasha had grabbed a ticket back to Kalos and as they said their goodbyes, Griffin had to recount his Pokeballs.

“Maybe she got mixed up at the center, double check; no harm in that." It was the last set of words Natasha had said, before she gave Melody a friendly hug and mentioned they could keep in touch.

That she always picked up her phone, night or day. Griffin was the only one to hold her back and ask her to check up at the Hospital in Lumiouse, see if his mother had gotten the perfume. Natasha went remotely puzzled and blank, everyone did.

He never told them that's where she was, and he went pale after that… worried as the Seviper tapped the glass that Luna sat in. It made her jolt.

“Sorry about that kid…" He finally said “Things happen, but that… Pokemon. It's not from around here, at all. It doesn't know the first thing of what hunting is about; they're species would be hunted and slaughtered by all of us; a near war. Your trainer is worried about… what? A Pokeball."

“I guess, everything is going on." Luna replied sluggishly and huffed “It's like he left me behind."

“I already know that feeling kid… strange, he's the one with the bloody strip ball. I saw someone else with one the other day." Luna felt her back crawl

“What?"

“Yeah. I saw their face and everything, some weird guy in a trench coat nabbed it during the ruckus that day." The Seviper added as Luna dilated her eyes gently. “He's really worried too; it looks like a matter of life and death." Luna stiffened her back and looked out at him. He had already run back to the Pokemon center; on his phone as though to call someone right away. Luna went cold as the conversations ran through her head repeatedly.

“Yeah I saw them nab it when that human hit him." Luna felt her back crawl as the realization set in; she had to double take the motion of his lips. “With all the confusion when Griffin got… hit… Someone took it right from under him, right in front of a cop." The Seviper shook his head

“No, during all the noise with that thing. Someone walked out of the hospital with it late at night; I remember that… sorry my illness… I get foggy. It's one of those two…"

Who else was even admitted? Someone could have directed them here maybe? How many… many things are at play? Are we caught the middle of the problems? Luna lightly blinked and coughed as she saw him run back yet as he went to retrieve her – as though paranoid that she was more hurt then Griffin understood. Luna bit onto the small hole of the Sevipers cage. She'd huff at him as he gave her a little tug.

“I know it's scary, but we… we gotta go." Griffin mentioned shockingly as Luna snorted back at him. “Look, I don't know what you're trying to tell me, I don't have time Luna." Griffin went for his Pokeball, and that's when Luna shot her head back and bit down on his hand with this yip-yap like growl of a sound. She narrowed her eyes and snorted against his palm, she hadn't bit down into his skin; but it left him to stop.

“She's probably scared of the Seviper – there was an issue, the glass broke. We don't know if it was its tail or not. She woke up in the cage with it the night of the break in." Luna huffed again and snarled at Griffin it made him tilt his head, confused.

“How does that happen? Like, putting a Seviper under a frigging Vulpix?" Griffin remarked back and the man shrugged.

“Tell it to the trainer that left it." He said “The jerk stopped answering his phone after the first time. That thing has been stuck in there for months; we got nowhere to put it." The intern said once more. “Had most it's poison glands removed thanks to some infection that got them. It's virtually… well… useless now."

“How can you say that?"

“Well, it's going to be put down; why else do you think we keep calling it's trainer – if they refuse to pick them up and we got no space left… If we can't toss them in the wild, we euthanize. There's not some… happy lucky place for ill or unfixable Pokemon kid." The Intern mentioned as Luna looked at him closely – he seemed suspicious… or just tired out of his mind. “Seviper hunts things like that. I'm surprised it didn't try to eat her; she was in the habitat for a whole night." The Intern continued to say, “I'm just being honest."

“Y – Yeah… a little morbid but… but honest." Griffin replied and swallowed as Luna tugged at his arm; she tried to hold onto him and the cage.

“What are you doin?" The Seviper asked after a while.

“Bringing you with me." She replied through gritted teeth and held Griffin's sleeve firmly.

“What?"

“You know what they look like, I'm bringing you with me – We can't just leave each other; I can't... I can't give up on anyone, not when there's… there's just a blur when I remember." Luna said back and tugged at Griffin's palm more viciously.

“Hey, hey… I guess you made a friend, right?"

Strong choice of words… but close… enough, I guess. Luna huffed and half shook her muzzle up and down, it made her feel… stupid and silly but it was enough for Griffin to furrow his brow.

“It's being put down right."

“Of course."

“So is it up for adoption?" The Intern gave him a half eye. “I'll take it."

“You're crazy, it can barely use poison moves! We don't even numb the effects for it anymore, it can't produce enough for us to worry about. I mean, sure it HAS a gland, in its tail… but it's more acidic then poisonous; its chemical balance is… is way off now. In a Pokemon battle, he'd cause more damage than he's worth. He can't fight and he can't spread toxin around." He mentioned

“Will that kill it on its own? Does it need medication constantly?" Griffin asked

“No… a diet helps" The Intern mentioned “It can't eat meat, not anymore; imagine if that's all it could eat – be dead within a few months. The glands are vital for its digestive system so it needs smaller portions; in a state of constant hunger if you get what I mean." Griffin gently sighed as the Seviper only looked at him, and at Luna… it left it weird to say the most. “But I mean, it'll kill it eventually; the acid does infect the blood over years of time, he may have plenty of time or none."

It's all Luna could describe, and before anything she had just pulled a Seviper out of a hospital without any need to. Luna had to let that sink in after a while

It was for… for us, right? O – Or was it for me? I don't know. It felt right to do given the circumstances.

Luna had to stare at the Pokeballs on his belt. He had that Seviper right next to Haxorus, He was near a full team of twelve already and this tremble ran through her spine when she realized that it couldn't stay that way forever. That haze of time flew by her while Griffin met up with Brad and Melody, he explained frantically that he got a hold of his brother, and he checked where the ball ended up. It lost connection right at the transport hub in the Orange Isles, something that Griffin said he had to do. Brad didn't care, he explained that the adventure was all he really looked for, and Melody shut herself in. It left Griffin somber and Brad to nod understandingly. Melody explained that it would be nice to see her father after all that time as a the curled over their walk to Saffron City. Luna couldn't break her gaze from Griffin's side, not from Absol even as she hobbled to keep up with the elder.

Her powerful and confident walk – the vicious glare in her otherwise crystal red eyes. They glowed brighter and stronger than even Bandit's in a way. Like some unrelenting resolve that couldn't break, bend, or fold. How they got there hadn't mattered – transit, walking… it was the only place Griffin knew that had the fastest and least expensive route to the Orange Isles. Absol had suddenly taken the lead, ahead of everyone else even considering her age.

Luna only looked at the Absol with this solid and humbled gaze; a soft tremor touched her paws as she limped behind her. This strength pushed into the earth and it left Luna in a wash of curious and warm thought; One that left her to feel something she only just felt accustomed to. One that Luna hardly broke the surface of as her paws graced the wood of an Island dock.

Luna only felt like she stared at someone with empty broken promises to hold to their heart and knew that the only place where she truly understood it was at a Pokemon Center in Vermillion City; Where an Absol with eye's larger and brighter then the celestial body above stood her ground – Made the line in the sand with every intention to find them.

… To find Bandit.