Luna and Thief Ch: 17

Story by Hato San on SoFurry

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#17 of Luna and Thief, Indigo League

Chapter 17! Whooo! I'm actually under 20 K this chapter, only hit 17 K this time around but I felt like ending the chapter there! I'll be getting started on a story request next before starting the next chapter! (Although I have plenty of plans for the next chapter too!)

As always, I thank you all for reading.


Luna and Thief Chapter 17: Resonating Ruminations

While small shards of sunlit cheery trees had peered amongst the forest floor below, Logan, Trevor and Rebecca continued onward through the thick woods. Logan went to check his compass again while second guessing himself on the map. They were on course however there wasn't any major landmarks. The only thing Logan could compare his route to would be the sea. They were getting closer and closer to it as they all wandered amongst the thick oak trees. As the sunlight beat down relentlessly throughout the forest and Logan found himself thankful that they weren't on a main trail. It was going to be a scorcher today as there hadn't seemed to be a cloud in the sky, save for much earlier that morning. Shadow sprinted around the forest and Logan watched the Mightyena scare up dozens of Pidgeys as Shadow bounced around. The Mightyena was starting to seem more riled up as they went further and further into the forest, as though there was something out there waiting for them. Logan took another step forward, casually glancing up from the map he was reading only to watch a Pokeball fling into the air and tap one of the pidgey's that took flight. Trevor caught a Pidgey! And he caught the Pokeball as it came back down. "Huh... that was surprisingly easy." Trevor blandly commented and let his caught Pidgey out of it's Pokeball. Logan watched that Pidgey shake out all the confusion, Logan would be confused too if something hit him from the ground nearly twenty feet away. Rebecca stared at Trevor with a stunned look in her eyes. "H - H -How did you make a throw like that!? The Pidgey was flying, in the air... and swerving!?" Logan seemed a little impressed too, and Trevor scratched his head a little and look at the dazed Pidgey before gently rubbing his finger against it's cheek. "Junior baseball league. I was the team's first pick for pitcher." Trevor gave a smirk "I still toss a ball around from time to time." As Trevor spoke Rebecca's Charmander hopped down to his feet and walk over to look at Pidgey with a smile. Pidgey replied with a small wide -eyed glance of his own. "Char, Charmander!" Translation "Hi new friend!" Pidgey tilted its head and look at Trevor, before flying over and landing on his huge, broad shoulders. Trevor stared at Pidgey. "Not going to lie... this is the first time I've actually thrown a Pokeball at a Pokemon."

Rebecca hit the ground from his comment and stared at Trevor intently as Logan was caught in a fit of laughter. "N - Never thrown a Pokeball at a Pokemon!? How did you catch Spirit?" Trevor gave a warm smile and let the Sandslash out of it's Pokeball. Spirit looked at Trevor first before giving Pidgey a wave of it's three claws. The Pidgey fluttered its wings and chirp with a very friendly tone. "Ah... I guess you could say emotional attachment. I found him in the desert while I was training, and we just stuck together since. Honestly I've never thrown a Pokeball at a Pokemon before... thought it would hurt." Logan was still chuckling to himself "Well maybe when you throw them as hard as you do!" Logan commented, and Trevor ruffed up his hair a bit. "I hardly threw that Pokeball! There was no power in it!" Trevor replied to him and look at Pidgey. "I guess... I should figure out a name for you too Pidgey." The Pidgey cooed and nodded at Trevor as the trainer thought to himself. "Who knows, something gentle perhaps?" Rebecca said, and Trevor nodded in reply. "I could just call him by his untranslated name... Something more traditional." Trevor said, and Rebecca passed a frown and rolled her eyes in reply.

"What would that be Trevor?" Logan asked and watched Shadow run around some more, Trevor turned to him and said "Poppo." Trevor said the name with a chuckle and Pidgey gave a little happy hoot! Rebecca began to laugh and laugh. "Poppo?" She said its name with a giggle and the Pidgey looked at her. It seemed like it enjoyed its new name. Trevor happily smiled and pet Poppo's cheek. "Alright Pidgey, we'll all call you Poppo from now on." Trevor said with a bright smirk and Logan chuckled and searched for Shadow again before watching the Mightyena hop around the bushes, and gnarled roots, beyond the thin rocky trail they traversed. Poppo chittered and chimed happily as it sat on Trevor's shoulder and Logan was surprised that it's talons hadn't bothered Trevor at all. In fact, Trevor enjoyed having his newly caught Pidgey hanging around his shoulder. Logan watched that Pidgey nip along his flight wings and prune itself. Seems like Trevor could be a bit more of an actual trainer then Logan originally thought. It would be better then having Trevor hang around his training center all day, working with other trainers and their Pokemon rather then his own. Logan thought and gave the spring in his step new life as he crossed along the forest and just started to remember exactly how exhausted it was to honestly travel again. He knew that these travels and this journey would be one hell of a story to talk about one day. In fact, he was planning of talking about it with everyone there, with Griffin there too, and Logan only hoped that Griffin had some exciting stories to tell of himself.

The sun pierced through the now scattered leaves and Logan took a glance up to the sky, there was a chilly wind that slithered through the air now and he knew that they were much, much closer to the sea. In fact, they cut through one more clearing where he had seen Shadow stop just beyond the trees. As he stepped out there, Logan was greeted with the large sprawl of a glimmering sun which fluttered amongst the tender whispering waves. The blue seas would glow against the sky and the gold burning bright orb in the sky would make Logan feel a touch giddy, or maybe the rich strong smell of sea air made his head spin. There was a high here, something that nobody else could simply have by staying out there for an hour or two. This was something that could be achieved after endless hard hours on foot. This was a high that Logan always wanted to be hooked on.

Trevor looked out to the sea and let his Pidgey spread its wings. It took flight amongst the warm soft wind which hovered from the mainland and out to the bright endless horizon of water. Poppo happily flickered around the open water with a loud, playful chirp as Charmander glanced high into the sky to watch him, and Logan would look down at the beach. They rested high up on a hill which slowly and gradually went downward and from the furthest point on the horizon, heading to the east in which they traveled was Slateport. The bright glimmering gem of silver and grey and white proudly and dominantly hovered amongst the water and spent it's time reflecting the sunlight which gleamed and shone along every gentle curled wave. Poppo outspread his wings and soared high into the air above them before it swooped to earth and rolled around in large circles above them. Logan watched that Pidgey, it was fast, very fast. At least when the conditions were the upmost favorable, Poppo was able to do things that could out-trick most Pokemon. Logan studied the Pidgey as Trevor smiled and waved at his Pidgey. The Pidgey chirped in reply and fluttered along the winds before fanning out it's flight feathers and slowing itself down. Poppo landed down on Trevors shoulder and he would go along and pet the Pidgey before he glanced at the Pokemon flying around the water. Wingulls hovered within the warm winds and cross overtop the big waves while Poppo glanced at them from a far. Logan glared at them from where he stood and heard the calls dart off the crisp, clean water. Logan took one more breath as he stared at that view before he adjusted his rucksack and started to walk in the direction of Slateport. Poppo had flew by him, far, far ahead as Shadow scampered across the hillside and headed down to the beach. While they did, Logan hopped down after them and gave Shadow a glance before chasing after the Mightyena, running as fast as his legs would carry him. Trevor started a playful laugh and yelled

"I guess we'll have a race! Let's see how well you can keep up with me!" Trevor called more to his Pidgey and Sandslash before he went for a run and in moments, Trevor had already passed Logan by with a wave of his hand. Logan could feel his legs pick up, as he tried to catch up to both Shadow and Trevor. Poppo flung by him, his wings flapping to catch up to Trevor as Charmander darted by him. Rebecca jogged instead of just ran like they did, and Logan observed behind him; his heart racing from the exhilaration of the run. It had been too long since Logan had sprinted like this, with the wind in his hair, and the sun beating down on him. While Shadow sprinted far off in the distance, all of them saw Slateport grow larger on the horizon yet the city barely grew any more amongst the blue icy waves of the sea. Shadow tossed up all sorts of Wingulls one of which decided to spray him with Water-Gun, but it felt stunned when it saw that the Mightyena had barely noticed it. In fact, Shadow loved the cold water that washed down his pelt especially when the Mightyena was sprinting along the gold - sandy beach. As Logan ran and ran along the beachside he could hear somebody call out from the water, in fact it was a young girl and her father who waved. "Wait! Hey! It's Logan!" She said, and her father turned around, smiled at him and urged Logan to come over. Slowing down his sprint to a lulled walk, Logan waved back at the man and warmly say "How are you both doing today?" The Champion of Hoenn had asked them with a kind smile and the little girl looked at her dad and said "Show him your Pokemon dad!" And the father looked a little surprised and dreadfully nervous before he gave a chuckle and Logan looked for a Pokeball. He pulled out 'Bandits' Pokeball. Shadow had watched Logan stop and started his way back while Trevor went on ahead, still jogging amongst the beach side. Yet Logan stopped and stared at it before Shadow slipped in-between them both. The little girl gasped, appeared scared at first from the dark type Pokemon before Shadow suddenly made this 'flop' to the ground and roll onto his back with his tongue hanging out and just having a playfully happy look on his face. That made the girl laugh and the father joined in.

"Well... If it's not for a battle that is, sure!" The man mentioned "I can't imagine Challenging the Champion without going through all the gyms." The father tossed a Pokeball out, and a Vaporeon appeared out of the capsule. Logan smiled and began to nod "Well thank you for that! Most trainers would jump at the chance of challenging the champion... It can get very tiring really..." Logan mentioned with his straight forward honesty and the man chuckled before Logan had asked "Are you a trainer?" "No, I'm a tradesworker, I own a small company out in Mauville." Logan gave the man a happy look and warmly said "That's awesome! Are you a contractor?" He said, and the man passed an absorbed gaze, a little surprised by Logan's interest. "I'm a gasfitter actually, I do a bit of everything, but I mainly do plumbing and everything to do with gas! I took the day off to spend it with my daughter! .... but I still need to head down to Slateport to pick up supplies. Are you all headed there?" He asked kindly, and Logan gave a nod "We're headed around there, curious to see and record some research on Field Types around the area. From what I've heard there may have been some migration of different types from other regions." Logan lied, quite casually about it, but he still felt bad for it. The man and his daughter didn't seem like they needed to be lied to. Logan watched Vaporeon and Shadow stare at each other before it hopped into the water and Shadow jumped hop in after it, paddling around like any dog would as the Vaporeon had darted across the water just below the surface. The man looked too for just a moment and mentioned "Your Mightyena is extremely well tempered." He commented, and his daughter began to nod, as if to agree. "He's well alright!" That's all she could say, promptly asking her father what the word 'tempered' meant and the man smiled, along with Logan. After quickly explaining the word, even though she asked why shortly after, the man just looked at Logan. "I thought all dark types were... well bad." Logan thought of every long-winded explanation his mind let it all go before just agreeing to himself, 'sweet and simple' "I've never heard of that, not from a single one of my dark type Pokemon." Logan said, "In fact, I've never seen Shadow or Bandit do anything wrong." The man tilted his head at him, giving Logan this very serious look. "B- But wasn't Bandit the one who terribly hurt one of the old champions Pokemon? They called her Daisho." Logan hesitantly agreed. "Yes, that's true but she hadn't meant it. In fact, it was an accident on both sides and I don't mean that in any way to shift the blame onto others. She misjudged her move, first time she ever had and their Pokemon moved the wrong way." Logan explained, and the man stared at him with the same look. "Well... wouldn't that be a training issue?" He asked, and Logan shook his head no. "Just like people, Pokemon make mistakes too." Logan said and smiled after "It's just how a trainer scolds or understands his Pokemon... that is what changes their temperament in any way."

As the sunlight shimmered amongst the golden sandy ground, Logan commented that they had plenty of time for their research and gave the mans daughter a friendly smile before taking all his Pokeballs and tossing them high into the air. In moments the little girl watched the darting red lasers flicker in the light sunlight and reveal a collection of large Pokemon. Dragonite flapped his large, big wings happily, and stretched them before giving the little girl a warm and happy sound. She stared with big and curious eyes as Vaporeon slithered its way through the water to her and popped his head above the water. Shadow paddled his way to shore and the Mightyena shook his pelt out the moment he was out of the water. Shadow's pelt shone in the bright sunlight and he stared at Haxorus who glanced at Logan with curiosity in it's eyes. Then Aggron appeared out of it's Pokeball and looked at the little girl and her father with a warm smile. Aggron's smile glowed like the sunlight and it made a gentle chirp-like sound to both. The girls father watched intently with stunned eyes, nervous at the sight of so many large Pokemon but her daughter happily laughed and said "Daddy! Look at the dragon!" She'd say and point at Haxorus and Dragonite. Haxorus jolted when she pointed her finger up but his glare softened when it saw the little girls smile. It was as though Haxorus was able to smile so naturally as though everything behind him finally stayed there. Lapras then appeared in the water and send a gentle collection of waves which hovered amongst the water and Logan watched Vaporean help the little girl stay safely a float in the shallow water. She had several different kinds of safety gear on and Logan only knew that the Vaporean was so much like family for the father and her daughter that it made him smile. He was reminded of Bandit nearly immediately and he could feel a flood of memories come to him. How Griffin had carried the Poochyena into the house and how the two of them agreed on the name Bandit, as everyone in town talked about how they were little thieves and troublemakers. That hadn't stopped Logan and Griffin from playing with the Poochyena every single day. As if to snap back to reality, Shadow bumped his hand before Logan went too far back and Logan smiled brightly as he watched Bandit's Pokeball pop open and the small blue Marill hop out into the open. "Mar, Marill!" It called in this extremely bright and happy voice, and Logan stared in silence before he chuckled to himself. It was Bandit's Pokeball for sure.

So... she swapped them around. She's too smart for her own good. Logan thought to himself as Lapras happily trilled and gently fluttered its fins in the water and the girl laughed, and giggled, and smiled while mimicking the Lapras. Vaporeon flapped its tail along the water too. Marill bounced into the water and playfully shot water out along the sea as Logan watched Lapras do the same with Vaporeon. The girl watched as they made shapes in the air with the water and her hands clapped together. Her father laughed and observed as Poppo suddenly slipped in between the open swirls of water that hung up in the air for a few seconds. The girl glanced as the Pidgey made all sorts of tricks and she stared with those big aqua-marine eyes as Marill happily sung a tune, swirling water around with Vaporean. The young child watched the two Pokemon dance under the water and her father watched and smiled. He'd give a warm, hearty laugh. A Pokeball came into the air and a bright white-gold Ponyta hovered elegantly out of the Pokeball. The girl was so busy having a look around at all the Pokemon that it too her a moment to see it, but the moment she saw Ponyta she swam over to the beach. Marill and Vaporean helped her over. Rebecca had just caught up to all of them and figured that she should let out some of her Pokemon too. The girl walked onto the beach and thank the 'Mousey' as she called it and Marill replied with a happy chirp of its own name. The Ponyta stared at the ecstatically happy girl and gave a regal bow. She hesitated at first and yet put her hand out and felt the flames on it's back. They were just as warm as the air around them and that little girl ran her hand through the flames along it's back. The calm fire flickered along her fingers without any chance of the fire to burn her. That girl smiled brightly and looked at her dad with the largest smile. Her father chuckled softly as though he intended not to spook the Ponyta.

"Daddy look!" his daughter stated broadly, happily, and ran her fingers through the Ponyta's mane. That infectious giggle made Logan beam a bright smile and the girl asked Rebecca if she had ever ridden it. Rebecca looked at Ponyta and tilted her head with curiosity. "I never have, in fact, Flare has never let anyone touch her mane. She must like you!" Rebecca made it clear and the girl smiled more and clapped her hands together again. A warm feeling showered over Logan, he could feel it in his chest. He knew that they were supposed to keep themselves quiet and yet... doing this felt right to him. Logan glanced at Dragonite and then at Poppo before getting an idea. Trevor was busy chuckling and watching all of the Pokemon play and yet his eyes met with Shadow and Haxorus. There was something odd about that Haxorus, Trevor could tell, and the trainer watched the two Pokemon talk to one another as Logan called over Dragonite. The large Dragon went over to him, heard him talk for a bit and then nod before the Dragonite gave a gentle walk over to the little girl and spread his wings. He rested his stomach on the beach and Logan gave her father a smile "Would she like to fly on Dragonite's back?" Her father gave a mixture of looks and the little girl looked at the Dragonite. "Yes, Yes, Yes!" She exclaimed happily and cheerfully and kept that huge smile on her face. Her father looked at Logan. "I - I don't know, that sounds dangerous..." He mentioned, and Logan gave a suggestion. "How about you go with her? I'm sure my Dragonite wouldn't mind that." Logan explained with a smile and the man gave a nervous glance and looked at his daughter. Her eyes were determined, as though she would never forgive him if he refused. "W- Well..." He looked at the Dragonite and Logan nodded as he put his hand on him, the Dragonite didn't flinch. "A-Alright" His daughter squealed happily, and she went to pet the Dragonite

"Thank you, dragon!" She said with this overly ecstatic voice and Dragonite merely bowed his head courteously. Her father lifted her up from the sides and put her on Dragonite's back before hesitantly placing a hand on Dragonite's side and climbing over. Logan smiled and said, "Are you both ready?" The man's daughter had nodded her head with excitement and the father simply replied "I guess so..." Logan passed a warm happy grin and looked at Dragonite. "Alright Dragonite! Soar! Soar high and fly!" Logan said with a laugh and Dragonite beat its powerful wings against the ground. He did this a few times and gently hopped up into the sky, it's heavy strong wings gently pounded against the air as the little girl hollered with excitement as her father simply held on tight and partially closed both eyes. She looked at him and playfully yelled "Daddy! You can't see anything with your eyes closed!" They all laughed warmly from down on the beach and Vaporeon stared as the Dragonite soared over the sea. Dragonite didn't go far but he certainly went high. He went high enough that they could see the entirety of Slateport City. Wingulls let a call ring into the air as the young girl and her father watched the seas from high above the earth. She held onto Dragonite's back and called out at the passing Wingulls, it's as though they took flight around the Dragonite without any fear. Poppo fluttered his wings to catch up with the Dragonite and land on its back where the girl and her father rode. As the clouds in the closing distance were gently rolling towards them and the sun beaming down on Dragonites back; a clean cool air slipped amongst the northern sky. Dragonites broad wings would stretch and outreach even the largest clouds as though to capture every bit of sunshine, and as Logan watched intently because it reminded him of the first time he flew on Dragonites back. The exhilaration was nearly the most amazing thing he had ever experience and if that little girl and her father were even capturing a glimpse of what he felt that day... well, it brought a smile to his face. A genuine, happy, kind-hearted smile and as Logan glanced around at his friends and their Pokemon before he could see something amongst the treeline above them watching. Its blue fur challenged even the broadest and deepest of oceans as Logan glanced its way, staring amongst the diamond shaped symbols embedded in its fur. The wind from Slateport picked up. A strong powerful gust that swung in from the north and sung a gentle loving song amongst every wave and cloud. Dragonite was already correcting himself as the young girl giggled and laughed ecstatically, her voice just barely reached Logans ears as the rest of the world felt void of all sound.

Suicune was watching them from a far.

It remained the first time Logan had truly seen a Legendary Pokemon and Suicune stood in its calm regal fashion while watching the young girl who rode along the Dragonite's back before it looked at Logan. For just a moment it seemed to nod its head, as though to bow while knowing every thought and feeling within Logan's heart and yet the moment he blinked... the Pokemon was gone. There arrived another voice that called to the young man "Logan!" Trevor repeated himself to catch his attention, and Logan looked at Trevor as though registering they were talking to him. "Y - Yeah." He'd say and look at Dragonite who gently crossed the sky, circling back to the beachside. "What's up Trevor?" "We should probably start heading to Slateport, find a spot to surf from there." "Oh, right, that man is going to drop us off at the outskirts." Logan commented, and Trevor gave him a look "Wait... when was that?" Logan rolled his eyes a little and laughed "When you ran so far ahead!" Logan commented, and his huge cousin scratched his scalp with a smile. Griffin did that too, and Logan. It came as habit for all of them, the way they did that specifically. First it was finding a patch of hair just along the back of the head where they would run a finger through it first to find this... spot. Then they lightly grabbed their hair and scratch it, like they were brushing their hair with their own fingers. It was the weirdest thing for the three of them to do and they joked that whenever one of them did it, it meant that someone they couldn't see was doing it too and at the exact same time. Logan found it in himself to give a big hearty grin and Trevor looked at him "I did the thing again didn't I?" And Logan burst out with laughter and watched Dragonite land softly on the beach. The man slowly stepped off and helped her daughter down. "Daddy that was amazing! I've never been that high!" And her father laughed and gave Logan a happy smile. shortly after, the man took a pittance to stare at his watch and observe his daughter run around the beach. Vaporeon joined in and she talked happily to him.

Naturally, the young girl talked to Vaporeon, rather than at him.

"It's been an amazing day, but I guess we should get going to Slateport." Her daughter huffed but yawned. "I don't wanna yet..." She moped and yawned again while Rebecca gave a giggle "Well if you do, then you'll be able to play out here again soon! And you won't be as tired either!" Rebecca explained and Charmander chirped and nodded his head to agree with her. She took just a moment to look over Rebecca and Charmander with only a hint of resilience to the idea of going home so soon. The reality was that they were out there for over a couple of hours watching the young girl play with their Pokemon. Killing time here and getting a ride beats walking for the next few hours in the least. Logan had thought about it and checked his map again. It appeared dated, and he cursed the fact that he couldn't use his Pokenav due solely to his suspicions. Unfurling that map was always a pain in the ass, not that Logan commented on that out-right and yet he took a moment to check his bearings again as the girl's father looked at Logan. "Let your GPS die out on you?" He asked, "My truck has a charger in it if you need it." Logan passed a nervous smile and gave him a reluctant glance. For just a moment the man stared at Logan with his own suspicions, it wasn't like any Champion of a region to just be poorly prepared and ill-expeditionary. The father shrugged off his initial suspicions and passed Logan a smile "I should have room for all of you, I got a heavy-duty truck for work. Might take a bit but I should be able to get you to Slateport in about an hour, maybe a little more" The man mentioned and called over Vaporeon. Logan watched as Vaporeon slipped out of the cool crisp ocean water and made its way across the beach, the mans daughter followed Vaporeon and gave Ponyta a warm happy smile

"Thanks pony!" She'd say and Ponyta bowed its head again as Rebecca gave a tender happy smile and returned Ponyta to her Pokeball. As the young girl followed Vaporeon, talking to him as the Pokemon happily trilled in response, Logan watched the two of them and simply wondered if that little girl would be a trainer when she was older. Logan only knew that if she became one, that girl may just be one of the best. He'd give a sigh and stare out to the sea before returning Dragonite and stepping over to Griffins Haxorus. The large green-gray dragon glared at Logan and tilted its head with a cold look. Logan simply put his hand on the Pokemon's chest and could tell right away that Haxorus had been through a lot as it was easy to see every cut and dent among its scales. Haxorus stared with a look that made itself look tough, but Logan only replied with a smile and that left Haxorus a little empty-eyed. "You did a wonderful job today, even though you may feel as though you only stood and watched... I know that it took more strength then that look your giving." And the Pokemon seemed stunned by Logan's words. Logan pulled out his Pokeball and returned Haxorus shortly after Logan said, "It may be hard to believe, but my brother and I aren't all that different." Haxorus gave Logan a small look, this feeble, lost look that Logan thought may just have been happiness. Shortly after Logan returned Haxorus, he'd go to return the rest of his Pokemon, all except Shadow and yet before he returned Marill, he would take a moment to glance over the small Marill. There was something about the color of Marill's eyes... "Hey you all! Over here!" The man called out with a clear voice and left Logan, Trevor and Rebecca to follow him up to a road. It was a dead-end dirt road, perhaps for forestry and clear-cutting but Logan knew that those major projects were done years ago. That said the road itself wasn't over-grown and rocky, if anything it was well used and compacted from people driving up here and Logan knew it would have been for the beach. It was a crew-cab, spacious and one heck of a heavy-duty truck. Logan stared at the sapphire blue and white truck that simply said *Vaporeon Contracts and Gasfitting* and opened the back door. He sat in on the right side, facing the sea as Shadow hopped onto his lap. Rebecca got in on the other side and Trevor the largest of all of them would chuckle and ask the owner of the truck. "Mind if I ride in the bed of the truck? I haven't done that since highschool!" And the man laughed in reply "You aren't a trainer?" He'd ask Trevor as he stood by the driver's side. "Well I am a trainer, specifically I train people and their Pokemon. I own a center in Minamo." Trevor said casually, and the girls father nodded "I've done lots of work down in Lilycove, in fact I think I've seen that training center before." The man replied, and Trevor would nod. "Well, after we're all done researching, perhaps you all could visit! There's a beautiful beach down there, in fact there is a festival coming up later on in the year." Trevor commented, and the man passed a smile in reply "That actually sounds like quite the trip! I'll have to look up the days online." The man said, and his daughter giggled from the booster seat in the front of the truck. "Maybe we can see dragon again!" She called out with laughter and Logan returned her words with a confident nod "Definitely!" Logan mentioned, and Trevor hopped into the bed of the truck. They were on their way shortly after and Logan stared out the window until the trees became scarcer and the road turned to pavement with that happy beach far behind them.

-

The trail had changed after hours of travelling and Luna glanced high up into the sky. There were the clouds, soft white fluffy plumes that made all sorts of shapes high into the air. Out of nowhere the air was chilly as if all the frost from the mountains further north hovered amongst the tree's. She had no explanation why the northern winds would swing through all of them and help push them along their travels. That cliffside to Maiden's peak gradually declined here too, at least it was a sign they were going the right way. Moonlight and Leafeon chatted amongst themselves again and yet Luna could watch Absol join into the conversation. Their eyes met for just a moment as she thought to herself of a name. A name for that 'dance' Thief talked of. Lunar stars The little Vulpix thought to herself as her eyes then pushed towards the tree's and for just a moment she could see it within the thicket. She could see herself and Thief, sharing an oran berry in the opening between the tree's Her mind flickered with all sorts of thoughts that made her wandering eyes chance a look at Thief. That Growlithe's tail swayed and flopped in the air. It crossed all along the air and she could feel her face burn red. Her thoughts telling her something. Stop being so stupid... You can't stay here forever. You have to remember Luna, remember where you're from. It wasn't the first time she heard that thought and yet it was the first time Luna thought of it so clearly as the sunlight splashed throughout every single leaf above her head. Luna thought back to the battles, both the one in Pewter and the one just a few hours ago. She simply wondered where that combo came from, she can't remember yet it felt too familiar to her. It felt natural for Luna to move like that in battle and yet she can't remember learning it. The desire began to drive her nuts and she made this near-silent and frustrated moan, as though just wishing that things could be easy! For just a second at least... I even let him kiss me... Her face would begin to burn as Luna thought of that Growlithe again, the way he held her against the wall. The way how he told her that he didn't care if he wasn't him. That he couldn't care but he could try to be him... and it simply made Luna wonder exactly how badly she wanted him.

It made that Vulpix truly wonder if she ever wanted him back, if it meant losing Thief.

The Vulpix shook her head left and right as if she told herself no. Nothing could replace him... At least, she desperately wanted to believe that were true. Her thoughts kept solely on him and the open plains she once forgotten. How the tree's they were brimming with life and the sunlight was always there, even on rainy days. At least, it's where her sunlight was... The faintest collection of memories would sweep the Vulpix off her feet as she followed the trail. From the depths of her memories that Vulpix could see a beach, feel the uplifting sea air and hear a song that carried itself across every single wave. Her amber-brown eyes took care as the Vulpix stared at the night sky filled with more stars then water in the ocean. She could feel the cold and chilly air while staring into a warm fire that dance tenderly with a collection of blue ambers around it. As though the small fire could warm the coldest of mountains, and Luna felt herself bathing in heat stronger than she had ever felt before. The Vulpix's heart beat heavy and slow against her chest and she felt something rest over her. A comment came to his lips as she stared deep into those brown eyes, all she could hear though was the crackle and roar of the fire first. Only watching the Growlithe's lips move before everything snapped back to reality with the sound of a crack.

A tree branch fell in the distance and she felt like she was so close to it. That Vulpix knew that if there was only another second in her forgotten thoughts she'd remember it all. But trying as hard as she could, Luna wasn't able to get back to that lost corner of her mind. The only thing that resonated with her was the fire, the calm moonlit ocean waves and a song. A song that proudly called across the land with sounds which called to her heart and yearned for her return. Luna glanced over at Moonlight and Leafeon, it had really been a while since she saw the Leafeon, in fact, he never made much of an appearance and certainly never talked to Moonlight this intently. The Vulpix only wondered if Natasha would name Leafeon soon and stared at Yuny who was sitting on Natasha's Backpack before Luna's eyes would glance at her belt. Brad had Aura out and walking around, Griffin had everybody walking down the trail, but Natasha kept every Pokemon except for Yuny in their Pokeball. Leafeon came out on his own and that Vulpix solely wondered why Natasha kept them all cooped up in there. Luna could remember the first time she entered Griffin's Pokeball, the fear and silence was dreadful... and she found that her nose pressed against Sephiran's ball. She hit the white button in the center and the Sylveon gracefully appeared out of Natasha's Pokeball. "H - Hey what!?" Natasha turned around and stared at Luna with a glare and Luna felt her tail flicker in response. Sephiran stretched and yawned, the last time they were out of their Pokeballs was hours ago. She glanced at Griffin and he was laughing from further down the trail "Looks like she agrees with me!" Griffin chuckled "I was thinking you should let them out! Just... didn't wanna tell you." Natasha would make a fist and call out at Griffin "Well you're telling me now, aren't you!?" She'd state and spend much of her time sighing after as Sepiran hopped along the trail, a skip in his step and for just a moment Luna watched Moonlight mimic that same happy skip. Her smile was bright and happy, but it was the same way he skipped on their way to Goldenrod... The Vulpix felt happier as she watched that Sylveon bounce along the trail as it's ribbons fluttered and flickered with the cold wind and found herself bumping Natasha's Pokeball belt again, this time she tagged Akamaru and the Flareon darted out of it's capsule and sprinted around the trail. Circling everyone with happy yips and Natasha turned and gave Luna a firm glare. Luna playfully folded her two big ears down and passed over the innocent 'puppy eyes' Everyone laughed on that one. Moonlight and Leafeon watched her play herself off as innocent. Sephiran giggled and chuckled as his ribbons would catch the wind and sparkle in the sunshine, and then, without warning Tsurara sprung from her own device and Natasha hid her face with a thick blush running through her cheeks as everyone laughed. Even Yuny was laughing and she would hide her face from everyone "That's not funny! It's risky letting all your Pokémon run around rampant Griffin!" Natasha remarked firmly, her face red in a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Griffin simply held up his hands defensively and then went to scratch the back of his head with his hair and fingers. The same way, Trevor did. "Well, it's not fair to leave your Pokemon cooped up all day!" Griffin mentioned, but he hardly snapped at her. He was very happy being out there in the bright, cheery, sunlight and acted as though everything he saw that morning was being dug deep away. Hiding in a section of his memory that he never dared to walk into.

"Well, let them out for a bit at least Natasha! Look at how happy they are! Isn't that important." Natasaha shut herself for a moment and glared at Brad. "I feel like you both side against me. It's dangerous to let your Pokémon run around! There's no telling what could happen..." She crossed her arms firmly "If any of them get hurt, I'm blaming you Griffin." She'd say with a 'Hmmph' and keep walking down the trail as all of her eeveelutions bounced and yipped and slid all around the downhill slope. Luna giggled to herself and looked over at Tsurara who returned her happy look with this conniving little glare. They were all there at the mountain, watching the view and that Glaceon simply wondered to herself if she could cool the two wannabe lovebirds down. Luna watched that Glaceon playfully pass next to Thief and bump into him lightly. "Oh! I'm so dreadfully sorry darling." Glaceon said with this sultry play on words and Luna felt a tail of hers twitch and Thief simply and innocently replied "No, no I bumped into you! Sorry about that!" He'd reply and casually stare at the tree's and the view hiding just behind a loose thicket. The water of a roaring river was just barely touching his ears and that's when Luna watched that Glaceon take its tail and curl it around Thief's and slide her tail from the base all the way up to the tip, slowly... It made Thief freeze and his face went pure red. It was more from embarrassment then anything, but Luna watched them both with a little huff. She spent a moment to glance away and stare at the trees with a bitter look on her face. She was blushing herself from that! Just what kind of perverted move was that!?"

"Well... I'm more then happy to accept your apology cutie... if... you might be able to find me a Mago Berry." Glaceon gave Thief this smile, an odd smile with something underlying it - it looked mean really. "It's a curved pink colored berry with a thick bulb which curves all the way to the tip... and it tastes very, very sweet." Glaceon mentioned and Bandit stared at her in a similar way Luna did. Except Luna was disgusted, blushing too and she felt a little sick to her stomach. Bandit gave more of a thin line of red from the way Tsurara talked and turned her head partly. That Mightyena stared at Glaceon as Thief nodded "I think I've seen them before! They're very sweet... I don't like them myself." And the Glaceon passed a playful laugh, more laughing at the Growlithe's innocence then anything. "That's good! You'll be able to give me plenty of them!" The Glaceon mentioned and traced her sharp tail down Thief's bushy tail, this time from the tip to the base. "I bet you absolutely adore Kebia berries." Tsurara commented, and Luna couldn't understand it, but Bandit certainly did and yet Luna looked at Thief who said something after nodding his head no. "I like Oran Berries, they're my favorite." The Growlithe mentioned and nodded his head, half staring at Glaceon's tail now. Watching it curl around his tail and stroke it gently. The Growlithe simply flicked it, in fact, Luna looked at the way Thief flicked his tail with resilience. Does... he hates it when his tail is touched? Luna came to realize it as the Growlithe nodded at Glaceon and kept on the lookout for a bush, that's when Glaceon stopped him again and playfully nipped his ears. "Not around here! None of them would be juicy and sweet enough!" Glaceon commented and pointed her tail to the woods, specifically the dense thicket away from the trail. "Have a look through there! I bet you'll find the best berries that way!" Glaceon gave her smile again, and Akamaru stared at her "I - I can get them for you Tsurara! I bet I could find the best ones!" The Flareon commented and the Glaceon shook her head no.

"I want this adorable ball of fur to find it for me..." She'd say and whisper in Thief's ear, Luna's ears twitched, and the wind carried Glaceon's voice to the Vulpix. "You might just find a surprise when you get back!" Glaceon mentioned with a wink and Thief smiled and nodded his head, not a single blush on his face. "Okay! I'll find Mago Berries for you!" The Growlithe said and suddenly darted off to the woods, the very second Griffin, Natasha and Brad weren't watching. Luna went to go after him but the Glaceon cut her off. As the Vulpix watched Thief's bushy tail disappear into the woods. With the Glaceon in the way and a tsk coming from Tsurara's mouth, that Glaceon said "No don't go running off! It can be very dangerous in the woods!" Vulpix hissed at Glaceon and she simply rolled her head back, acting as if nothing was wrong. Luna growled at her and Bandit... well... Bandit was nowhere now? Luna looked around for that Mightyena and noticed that along with her Leafeon was already gone too. As Luna stared down that Glaceon and she kept her innocent face on as though to start a fight... Luna opened her mouth and was just about to say it... In fact, the words came clearly into her mind How could you do that you bitch!?

But instead, Moonlight bumped into Glaceon. In fact, he bumped into her as though he were steam-rolling the Glaceon. It made Luna stare at the Espeon and wonder exactly how physically strong he was. That Espeon was at least strong enough to bump Glaceon over just by casually walking into her. Tsurara simply rolled her eyes... "Oh... so it's THAT Espeon." She'd say and get to her feet and Moonlight simply batted a curious eye. "You know, I'm a fan of Mago Berries too, granted... I don't speak so highly of them that I quake from just thinking of them." Moonlight passed a very reserved tone and Tsurara simply replied "Whatever, I was hungry, so what?" She commented "I had to let the Growlithe feel enticed about them too, after all, he wouldn't get them for me if I didn't" Tsurara gave Luna a cold glance as though there was something, or anything to get jealous over. Luna wondered if it was the battle she was in. Tsurara could have been watching it but she never remembered seeing the Glaceon in the background. Luna dug her paws into the trail and looked around for Bandit again, turns out she went further down the trail to meet up next to Griffin and Leafeon... Well Leafeon was still nowhere to be seen. Moonlight stared at Tsurara and simply commented "I'm hungry myself, I think I'll go meet up with him! We can carry more back." Moonlight mentioned and passed Glaceon a look that said 'And I know you couldn't stop me if you wanted to.' And so, the Espeon slipped into the rough thicket and hopped upward into the air before landing on a stump somewhere in the distance. It looked as though the Espeon was using the height of his jump to look around for Thief. As Luna dared a glance at Moonlight the Glaceon simply sneered at her, whisked her tail up and walked down the trail with this prideful and arrogant strut. One thing that Luna knew for sure about Glaceon...

Natasha had to be her trainer without any argument or questions.

Luna suddenly felt it right to stare ahead of the trail and instead of waiting around with Glaceon, she had cut down to the front of the line, scampering up the line to meet up with Bandit. They exchanged glances for just a second and the Mightyena went back to the trail ahead. The Mightyena stared endlessly at the dirt path and after a while of walking next to Mightyena, she had glanced back down to the Vulpix... "Not a bad job kid." The Mightyena commented and Luna looked back up at her curiously. "I meant with the Pokemon Battle... It was like watching Thief all over again." Luna had frozen for a moment and then ran to keep up. "What? What are you talking about?" Luna asked, and Bandit only stared at her as though to read her eyes. "Back in Saffron City, with the Magnet train" Bandit's fur started to rile up a little and she smiled at Luna, with this vicious and devious smile. "Thief thought that thing murdered you. I've never seen that Growlithe go so far before... He went all out." She mentioned, and Luna kept pace with the Mightyena. "He did?" The Vulpix replied and Bandit nodded. "It went so far, that even I was telling him to stop... but that thing just got right back up and asked exactly what we could do to it." Bandit said, and Luna looked at her intently. "Exactly... what is that thing anyways? It even makes me edgy, and that's saying a hell of a lot. I've been shot, stabbed, driven to a brink in Pokemon Battles just dealing with Team Magma and Aqua... Back when they were more of a problem at least." Bandit commented and looked at the clouds for just a moment with a smile. This... was a genuine smile, a relaxed, genuine smile. "It's good to know that some of Griffin's Pokemon may just have what it takes." Luna walked by her in silence...

"Thief went that far... for me?" Bandit started to cackle and that led to those huge dark fangs to show. "Hardly. He went that far to tear apart someone who hurt a person he cared about. I don't think he cared if it was you, or Griffin, or me, I just think he acted on premise. It was horrifying to watch... but he went all out and even then... it was like that thing was toying with us." Bandit stared Luna down and she barely swallowed or diverted eye contact. Bandit kept on staring at her and said, "I think you know something, and it pisses me off, both you and Moonlight do." "I certainly don't know" She was caught off by Bandit's snarl "Don't feed me a line of bullshit little one, that Espeon keeps going with the runarounds and shit. There is something about all of this that pisses me off, and that's the fact you're leaving ME out of the loop!" Bandit mentioned and kept walking as Luna followed, this conversation was too important to just run away from. "I don't think any of us know the entire story!" Luna replied, and Bandit glanced at her. "I don't understand any of it, Moonlight may know something but there is a hell of a lot more! What about Haxorus? I heard Moonlight talk about that! He said that you took down some random trainer's Haxorus and the trainer ran after he attacked Griffin! How is that not connected?" Vulpix brought it up as an example. Bandit kept staring at the little Vulpix and shrugged "He was more of a wannabe punk Team member, that thing however is dangerous... Why would it target you?" Bandit asked, and Luna swallowed at that. "..." Luna opened her mouth to try and explain something and Bandit simply glared at the Vulpix. Her tail's stiffened and she stared down Bandit's Intimidate. That had to be worse than the Beartic. "I honestly don't know... It... It approached me in Pewter City." Bandit scoffed "And you haven't told anyone that!?" Bandit mentioned harshly, and Luna glared at her "What!? That some thing is toying with me!? How the HELL should I know what it wants!?" The little Vulpix replied harshly, and Bandit dropped a paw down on her head. It didn't hit the Vulpix hard, but it made her flinch. Luna's heart was pounding against her chest. "I... Moonlight came out to check on me that night at the Pokemon Center. That thing told me to run away from you all... Moonlight knows where or what it might be, but he doesn't know anything past that, if he even knows that at all... I just..." Bandit glared firmly at Luna and she stumbled a little and noticed they were falling behind.

Luna stared at Bandit again and fought through the Mightyena's naturally terrifying gaze. "If that thing wanted me dead, it would have killed me before I met Griffin. Since it seems to easily able to find us... I don't think it's a normal Pokemon, Moonlight told me it might be a fossil..." Bandit tilted her eye, this one eyebrow tilting made the Vulpix go cold. "A fossil..." She'd comment "Like an Aerodactyl... Fossil Revitalization brought it back." Luna seemed to flinch "H - He told me t - that someone broke into his owner's laboratory and forced a Revitalization... H - His owner was researching Mew at the time but gave up... He told me they found it alive a - and they kept it alive." Bandit started to ponder while Luna explained it "Apparently it's not normal... it's evil. Truly evil." Luna replied and mentioned "I t- think it's just toying with us for entertainment." The Mightyena nodded "And somehow you're connected." The Mightyena stated and Luna shrugged nervously "I... don't know. I almost believe that it's targeting me because we're around Moonlight." She explained, and Bandit seemed to see that point as reality. "Alright... It's settled then." And Luna glanced at her as the Mightyena put her large paw on Luna's small head. Her body went rigid and she opened her brown eyes when she realized that Bandit was petting her. "Since you finally told me the truth, I'll train you. Hard. Harder then Griffin ever could and harder then even Logan could." "W - what?" Vulpix seemed to yelp "You're good at fighting, but some things you did were risky... and you seem to be naturally lucky, somehow. I'm going to train you into a weapon, a weapon strong enough to protect everyone you care about. I'll talk to Moonlight about what we chatted about." Luna perked up "W - wait, please! I don't want him to hate me because" Bandit cut Luna off again. "Because I made you talk? What if you didn't tell me all this? Think what would happen if for even a moment that thing could exploit any weakness you have!" Bandit sucked in air "Think about what would happen if that thing attacked Thief. Attacked me, attacked Griffin and just think about you being the only person to help and you're just not strong enough or fast enough or even plainly resilient to it. That thing is toying with us, right? Then let's get strong enough to tear it apart. I'll show you, Luna, exactly what made the Pokemon League call me Daisho and why." "W - wait... like a samurai's sword?" Bandit nodded "They called me after a feudal weapon... All because I made a single mistake." Bandit said. "I almost killed a Pokemon Luna, an innocent Pokemon with a kind trainer no different then Griffin or Logan or Brad and Natasha" Luna felt her eye's go wide as Bandit talked. She could see that whatever bloodlust like feeling the Vulpix got from the Mightyena was gone. In fact, ...

Luna remained unsure if it was really ever there to begin with There was a thrill of the fight, a heart for battle and every intention to stand her ground whenever Luna stared at Bandit and here she could feel this rush of guilt, remorse and the desire to set things right. "People say I killed that Pokemon... they lost it during treatment for only a little while and they were able to resuscitate it. I sat in the lobby for that entire time at the Pokemon center with Logan shortly after he was crowned Champion of Hoenn... I stood and had more human beings yell, and roar and spit and just straight up hate me. They adored him and all this time he has never once scolded me for it. Hell," Luna looked at Bandit, listening intently to the Mightyena's words. "Logan praised me, for standing in the hospital lobby and waiting for the news. He praised me in front of everyone and explained, kindly, to anyone who would listen to him that I made a mistake. He saved my life." "Saved your life?" Luna stared at the Mightyena firmly as the Vulpix didn't understand what the Mightyena meant. "The Pokemon League were arguing for me to be euthanized after that match. But Logan spent every single second of his time raising awareness for not only alcoholics and addicts but also fought to keep me. He fought every legal case out there, he told the news and the times that just like any Pokemon will fight and die to protect their trainers and family, so would he. Logan called me family." Bandit fought a small smile through the grim conversation. Luna couldn't find too much to say. "I would have been taken away from everyone I cared about if it weren't for the Fletchings." The Mightyena said and had given Luna a smile, petting her head with her paw again and petted her. "And since that day, Luna, you peculiar little Vulpix; I sheathed my Daisho, hid my fangs, and trained like I always trained for a reason that never changed. That reason I know I'll always have and pray will never go away... To protect those I consider as family, no matter the cause."

-

Moonlight's paws struck the earth and kicked up loose dirt as he crossed through the dense forest and followed the Growlithe's scent. There wasn't any sight of that silly pup anywhere... The Espeon darted into a clearing as dozens of different bug type Pokemon darted up into the sky. A particular Beedrill looked at Espeon as Moonlight looked around. "Dear friend! Please if I may! I need help finding a Growlithe! He's young and headstrong... I can smell him all around this part of the forest!" Espeon called out to the Beedrill and courteously hung his head low to the Beedrill. It pointed a stinger in a direction where Moonlight looked, and he nodded "Thank you! We're collecting berries together and I'd be frightened if he got hurt." The Beedrill simply nodded its large head and Moonlight watched its antennas go around the trees as it stared at the Espeon. Moonlight knew that some forests could outright attack trainers Pokemon. These forests were untamed, the Pokemon here could attack on the slightest suspicions but Moonlight didn't care about the wild Pokemon. Moonlight cared only about that Copy-Cat making another appearance... and he picked up the pace, ran as hard and as fast as he could while nimbly dodging tree's. Moonlight went to the extent of using Future sight, he had been since he walked into the woods to find him and frankly he was getting a headache already... As his footsteps pounded the gnarled and overgrown earth and he'd cross over another patch of rough branches and moss. All four of his paws slammed the ground. How far in did you go Thief!?_Moonlight kept running and running. He was easily deep in the forest now, so deep that the trees looked older then any other he'd seen in a long, long time. Thief went very, very far in. It seemed impossible... It seemed **_wrong**. Moonlight could smell that Growlithe all over here. It was too strong, and Moonlight looked all over the forest until spotting an all too suspicious puffy tail sticking out of a bush. It was a Mago Berry bush. Moonlight made his way over, planning on scolding the Growlithe. "I can't believe you were dumb enough to go this far into the forest! Thief! What were you thinking!?" The Growlithe lifted his head up quickly and there was a loud *thump* The Growlithe hit his head on something "Ow......." Thief replied and pulled out a collection of berries which rested in a tear-dropped frame that he tied together with vines or twine. He literally made a device to carry things using two very large leaves, tree-branches and anything he could find to use for rope. Moonlight stared at the makeshift invention. "You... made that?" Moonlight asked, and Thief nodded "Yeah, I've always had a knack for making weird things like this." The Growlithe replied "Weird? No, it's genius." Espeon mentioned with sincerity and stared at the tied tear shaped stretcher. It seemed sturdy enough to carry a small Pokémon even. Moonlight watched at Thief took the frame with his teeth and dragged the frame along the ground. He picked a variety of berries! And Moonlight looked at all of them. Oran, Mago, Pecha... there were plenty of different types. So, Moonlight helped Thief with the frame and picked up the other side with his teeth. How did that little Growlithe tie knots with just his mouth and paws? That was something Moonlight left to his wonders because he knew that Growlithe was filled with all sorts of surprises. He remembered the Magnet Train for just a moment... the way he fought, fought harder and tougher then he'd ever seen any Pokemon fight. At least... he hadn't seen a pokemon fight that strongly in a very, very long time and his thoughts turned over to a time where the leaves were changing, and the slightest bit of snow touched the air crisp November air...

The memory was vivid, real... like a dream. Moonlight only remembered a word which he mustered all the strength in his mind to explain it... Love. For just a moment he was reminded of how he felt years and years ago. His mind lost in a sweet swirl where a little Eevee danced around the leaves with a playful, able-minded Vulpix. Where that Vulpix played in the falling leaves and his curled, plump tails wiggled in the air happily. His scarf rolled around the Vulpix's neck as they ran around collecting berries. All kinds of berries and Moonlight recalled everything he said on that day. Everything was replicated perfectly; the sunlight rose above him even in the thicket of the scarce woods. The cracked grey pavement spasmodically criss-crossed all down an old forgotten highway nearby the mountains as a chilly cool wind lingered through the trees. Moonlight stared into the tender yellow-sunny eyes of a Vulpix he loved... The only person he ever thought he could feel that way around. His name constantly rung through Moonlight's mind as sure and rigid as the changing seasons. Autumn... He wore his tender, hand-woven scarf as Ayumu walked down the road nearby them, watching the Eevee and the Vulpix carefully. Moonlight dragged something no different then what Thief made in the woods they walked through. Autumn ran amongst the bushes yipping and hollering happily as a collection of Spearows and Pidgeys hovered above them, landing along the tips of the coniferous trees to watch. Autumn stared into the sky and the bright sun that glimmered through the crisp frosty air. Those six tails flickered and waved in the wind, wagging in a way that only Moonlight could now know hurt to watch. The way Autumn smiled at him and called out his name, how the Eevee laughed and smiled and watched Autumn run. Autumn ran, ran with the brightest and cheeriest smile Moonlight had ever seen. The way how the sun shone warmly against his curls, as though igniting the frost that just barely pinched his hair left Moonlight with the most beautiful thing his young heart ever saw. The bright yellow eyes fluttered over the Eevee and it left Moonlight to tenderly blush, watching Autumn run and run. Run in circles, and over tree branches, and overturned stumps as they walked beside that cracked paved road. Ran, in a way that only left the Eevee desiring to chase after Autumn... to follow him, no matter where he may go. Moonlight remembered how blurry the view got, and how he never realized that tears... Were not only for sadness. To Moonlight, that look in Autumn's eyes on that November day showed the Eevee what, and where his sun truly was. He stared at Autumn with tears in his eyes, tears that were warm and embracing. That Eevee couldn't stop those tears... those same tears which told him that he knew and felt and understood pure happiness... Was solely seen within the sunshine of another's eyes.

Eevee called out Autumn's name, the same Vulpix who he slept and cuddled with during the cold nights, the same Vulpix he talked to endlessly about everything, the same Vulpix who brought Moonlight more then just a friend... More then just a brother. "Autumn! Have you found any of them?" Moonlight called down the trail and Autumn had popped his head up from behind a stump next to him. "BOO!" and the little Eevee jumped, watching the Vulpix hop and soar into a fit of giggles "I scared ya! Finally got you back!" Autumn said with a playful grin and Moonlight smirked in reply. Lost in the warmth of those sunny eyes and watching a mirage of beautiful forests and high mountains within Autumn's tender, golden eyes. The scarf he wore was knitted with not only stars, tree's and soft tumbling clouds, but also of a bright rich moon which shone its gorgeous light amongst the forest... In fact, it was based from a picture Ayumu took. A picture of their first camping trip. Their only camping trip together. The picture was taken when they were both just kits. It was the first time Moonlight was brought inside of a home and the first time he met the Vulpix... They all had a camping trip, right outside of their home... under the stars and the stunning moonlight. The Espeon's heart yearned and hurt, hurt so much that he wanted to scream and yell and just sum up the courage to say it one last time. To say three small words because he couldn't find enough courage to explain them. Three small words and a name; something they could say to each other. Something that Eevee thought of repeatedly as he stared at Autumn, stared at him with hope and yearning. Moonlight opened his mouth for just a moment, and Autumn grinned and bopped his nose with his paw. Moonlight stared at the Vulpix's paw and his face was red. "What's wrong? Liepard got your tongue?" That smile was something Moonlight could never explain or even replicate... except for these times in his younger life. The one time where he couldn't handle it anymore. Moonlight stared deeply into those golden, sunny eyes... Silence.... With his heart pounding harder then ever before... The wind stilled around them and the sun shimmered over the frost that pinched Autumn's hair once more. Sparkling white as clouds with hints of snow just to match those sunny eyes. Moonlight said those three little words and one simple name. "I love you, Autumn."

The tears... The tears ran down Moonlights face for just a second... He knew he couldn't escape from that, not those thoughts, not the way his legs grew gradually weaker. Homesickness clawed its way into the Espeons heart. He wanted a moment just to capture Autumns scent one more time, to watch his sunny gaze and, to see the world through the eyes Of someone who had more strength and courage than anyone he ever knew. Moonlight felt himself mis-step and Thief braced himself "You'll drop the berries!" He'd say with a mouth full of branches. It took Moonlight out of his trance and he found the disposition in him, somewhere, to swallow down his tears. He'd partially clear his throat and apologize to Thief as they kept moving through the dense woods. There was no telling how far they really had to travel thanks towards the way Moonlight bolted into the thicket earlier. As they kept following through the woods, back to the trail he'd caught a whiff of something; anything really... And as if his mind were playing tricks for just a moment, Moonlight could smell the most familiar thing to him... two special flowers. He knew their names, a mixture of bitter-sweet, nutty Poppy and fragrant Gladiolus murielae spread along his nose and into the air around him. _ The two were so familiar to him, he was near them every day at home. Moonlight knew that smell so well and simply knew the sweet, sharp tuned fragrance of airy fragrant fur and tender sunshine which came after it. His eyes stung now, more then before and it felt as though Autumn were right there with him... Running amongst the forest floor and calling out his name. _Catch up! The ghost said, and Autumn's voice rang in his ears "Catch up Moonlight! Let's play! I found the coolest meadow... I've never seen flowers so red!" Moonlight never forgot that meadow... The meadow with a single flower from half the world away amongst a field of poppies. The one flower, which stood eternally vigil and stronger then any other... Autumns beloved flower rested in his favorite poppy meadow; a flower that they planted the day they buried him.

Moonlight stumbled along the narrow, gnarled trail and took a moment to breathe. He was there again... in that meadow with Autumn. Sharing their first kiss, staring at the clouds and watching every single shape... Moonlight was with him for just a moment and Thief had corrected his step and turned around to Moonlight. "Moonlight we're going to lose the group!" He'd say and stare at the Espeon. His empty stare into the earth, that painful look in his eyes and the tears which hit the ground. Moonlight's chest stabbed him, crushed his lungs and he felt as though he couldn't breathe... That's when Thief saw it. Leafeon appeared out of the woods, from the shadows moments after. The large Leafeon had glanced at Moonlight and he looked to Thief. "Go... now. I need him to tell me." Moonlight snapped at Leafeon without any given warning as tears dropped from Moonlights eyes. "WHAT THE FUCK CAN I TELL YOU!?" Moonlight roared at Leafeon and Thief flinched and hopped ahead of them... Moonlight could tell now and see Leafeon... He could smell the Leafeon directly. He's what smelled like Poppy flowers and Gladiolus murielae. That Espeon made his way over to him, half staggering from the scent... that empowering, loving, familiar scent. "You... Son of a bitch, you'd play me like that!?" Moonlight was pissed and Leafeon simply straightened his back out, as though to take anything the Espeon wanted to dish out. "You! Turned around and took something so sacred from me, and you..." Moonlight couldn't calm down and walked over to Leafeon, tears stinging his eyes. "What do you want me to say!? Do you want me to admit that I loved someone at some point in my life!?" Moonlight yelled, loudly, loud enough that other Pokemon glanced at them or flew away. "You've been following me... You've been pounding my senses with something I hold dear AND FOR WHAT!?" Moonlight walked right up into Leafeon's face now and Leafeon simply remained stoic as the Espeon growled and struck the Leafeon with a quick tackle to the ground. Moonlight pushed that Leafeon into the earth with both paws on his chest and yelled as loud as his lungs let him

"DO YOU JUST WANT ME TO FUCKING ADMIT THAT I RUINED THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF HIS LIFE!?" Moonlight went weak after yelling like that and not just in his chest, he was weak all over. He couldn't move or fight or even think and Moonlight... Moonlight bit Leafeon in spite. The Leafeon held his paw across it's body to protect its neck... He let Moonlight bite his paws as tears streaming down the Espeons face. Blood trickled from Leafeons paw and hit the earth with silent tears. Moonlight couldn't find the strength to bite him hard as his heart just wasn't able to take it. That Espeon simply stared at Leafeon... Stared meekly at him. "I... just ruined his life. I spent so much time trying to help him... that I never even got the chance to play with him like we used to." Moonlight said, muffled from the paw and his jaws unlocked it. He really couldn't bite Leafeon. "I just... I could have saved him, we had HOPE!" He roared the word into the sky and Pidgeys took off as he investigated the thicket and the clouds with tears running down his face, and they landed on Leafeon's cheek. Moonlight was panting, shaking and felt his body go limp before his head landed against Leafeon's chest... enveloped and succumbed to that mixture of earthly nut from the Poppies and the rich, tender, fragrance from Gladiolus murielae. Letting it bathe him with the feeling of home, Moonlight had broken down. "And even then... we only had begun to find a cure..." Moonlight dug his face into Leafeon's chest. "I just..." the warmth of his tears had left the Espeon to dig his paw into Leafeons fur, as though desperately searching for something that even felt familiar. "I just want to see Autumn again... Just so I can tell him that I'm sorry and so he can hear me tell him how much I love him... one more time." Moonlight said those words so feebly while he closed his eyes and pushed his nose into Leafeon, crying... Crying more then he had in years. And as Moonlight shut his eyes and bawled like a kit and buried his red face into Leafeon's chest, the Leafeon placed a little lick over his eyes. A small, shy, tender lick that wiped away the Espeon's tears and let Moonlight picture that Autumn was right there with him, telling the Espeon that everything was alright, and they would truly see each other again...

Someday.

-

Luna was lost to her own thoughts as she looked intently at Bandit who simply continued down the trail as the Vulpix only thought of what Bandit told her. There was a frightening feeling that snuck its way into her heart. A realization that made every muscle of hers go cold. She wasn't strong enough to protect anybody. That Vulpix flickered her straight, messy tails and blew upward at the strands of hair which fell lightly over her right eye. As Luna watched the forests again, she noticed the tender, sharp eyes of a Beedrill flying within the branches and it swerved left and right. It caught her attention and she noticed a berry in it's mouth. An Oran Berry. Luna stared at the Beedrill as it fluttered along the branches and stared at her. The Pokemon trilled happily and the bushes around her rustled when she saw the familiar eyes pop out of the bushes. "I found you! Er... well Beedrill helped me!" Thief mentioned with bright big eyes and dragged his makeshift stretcher that was filled with berries of all sorts. Thief found plenty of berries, more then Luna expected of herself and that made the Glaceon tilt an eye. "Now there he is! My little apologetic friend." Glaceon butt her way in front of Luna and flicked her tail across the Vulpix's snout. She replied with an angry short hiss as Thief nodded "I found berries for everyone! Took me a little bit though... But Beedrill helped me too!" He'd say with a cheery, wonderful smile and yet Glaceon replied his cheery gaze with a grimace. "But you were supposed to get berries for me" She'd say and Thief tilted his head "That wouldn't be fair to everyone else..." Glaceon rolled her eyes and scoffed before she tapped the Growlithe on her head with her paw. Luna stared at her rudely, but Thief only stared at Glaceon with his ears flickering. "Well... how would that make it special" The Vulpix only stared at Thief as he made a little comment, something that made her ear's twitch and her tails flicker softly in the warm sunlight. "Because sharing berries is the best way to make new friends. That'll always be something special to me."

The roar of running water was louder now and the sun was already slowly starting to set. They finally traversed down that gradual slope and broke into a huge grassy plain where the wind caressed tall stalks of grass. The moment they touched down the large descending trail Vulpix stared at Bandit and heard her voice. "Luna! Come over here." Bandit spoke firmly but soft enough that she only felt it necessary to drop her ears and every single one of her tails when she walked over. The Mightyena looked Luna over intently, and Bandit studied everything about her body. The slender, nimble build which rested on powerful hind legs for Luna's size, and it showed Bandit that Luna was used to running. Used to moving in awkward angled and the Mightyena seemed to make a noise. "Tackle me. Take as far and as hard of a run that you can." Bandit mentioned and stretched out her back before she took a hard-imposing stance. Her paws dug into the ground firmly as Luna stared at that large imposing Mightyena. She couldn't tackle Bandit! And that Mightyena nodded in reply and drew a line that she stood on. "Move my hind legs past that line." She'd say against the bright burning sunlight that only just began to climb down from it's throne that rested amongst the clouds. "You're going to spend every waking moment, trying to tackle and push me back." Luna swallowed in reply "B - But aren't we still traveling?" Bandit nodded no "For now, Griffin, Natasha and Brad are going to rest. That means Griffin is going to spend most of his time cooking whatever he has left... No meats though. Thief usually helps him find ingrediants." Bandit replied with a smirk and flashed her tail high into the air "Now come at me Luna! Come at me with everything you got!" The Vulpix bolted back, very far back. Just enough that she felt the ground still between them and Luna bolted, bolted as fast as she could and jumped right into Bandit. She aimed straight for her chest and tackled her body against hers before feebly slumping off the Mightyena. She was like a boulder!! No... a mountain! Luna used Tackle! It had no affect!

Luna saw stars and all sorts of avian type Pokemon fly around her head before she shook away her daze and painfully grimaced "Ow....." Bandit laughed heartily "Don't go pulling a Thief on me! Now charge again!" Luna bit her words and went back to where she started and bolted off again, as fast as her legs let her. She jumped and collided against Mightyena's chest again and dug her hind legs into the earth, pushing as hard as she could. Her paws dug into the earth and only started to slide behind her. Bandit chuckled and gave a little push back at her. Luna started to slide as Bandit casually walked forward and the Vulpix clung to her, trying to stop the Mightyena from taking another step... Bandit went so far as to push her back to where she started, and Luna started panting. It was crazy how sore the muscles along her chest felt but... it felt nearly soothing and strained. Nothing like the Magnet Train. That Magnet Train... She thought of the flickering fire again and a tale as old as time itself... Luna thought of her mother, a Ninetails with beautiful snowy tails and eye's that challenged the moon above them. The warmth filled her chest and Luna darted for Bandit again, she stood her ground firmly and watched that little Vulpix charge, charge faster then before when her tails ignited into flame. I know... you want to leave Luna. I know that you want to follow the sea and follow the sounds of Lugia's song... but we're Vulpi of the shrine, we're maidens. We're not adventurers or warriors. Only protectors of that which is held sacred. That Vulpix bit her tongue, if there was such a shrine, such a story, then she couldn't see how one Vulpix could change anything... but she knew that the things she may find sacred, she could find here with all of them. Luna jumped again, a flurry of fire shot from her mouth and caught along her tails and she tackled Bandit hard. The Mightyena braced herself into the earth and barely moved. Luna pushed her, pushed and panted as Bandit flipped her around and tossed her on the ground. Luna used Flare Blitz! It had no effect! Bandit used Seismic Toss! It felt returned tenfold!

Luna lay on the ground and stared at Mightyena. Bandit cackled like she always did "You have plenty of spirit, I could almost swear that I felt that one! Again" Luna turned and got up to her feet and went back to where she started. The Vulpix watched as Thief stared at her. He stared as the little Vulpix tacked against Bandit again, and again, and again. He watched as his eyes glanced over at Natasha and Griffin and Brad who argued about what he was cooking, and Griffin only responded with rolling eyes "It's healthy!" He'd argue "The berries will add plenty of flavor." But Natasha remarked "We're not Pokemon! First you start with human food for them and now you're giving US Pokemon food!" Griffin sighed and focused on boiling water, or at least whatever they had left. Griffin was starting to run low on supplies "If you have THAT much of a problem with what I'm making then why don't you just go eat the kibble you bought for YOUR Pokemon." Natasha gave a hiss "Why the hell would I eat Pokemon food!?" Griffin clenched a fist "Because all I got right now are berries, rice and whatever herbs we can find!" Griffin replied sharply, and she simply rolled her eyes

"Invest in canned goods then!" Brad watched and listened with a straight face and gave a lengthy sigh as Aura stared at him then at Natasha and Griffin. The Lucario crossed her arms and gave them both a glare as they stared at each other with sparks flying between them. That's when Aura and Luna's eyes met for just a moment and the Vulpix went full swing into Bandit again, snarling. Bandit burst into laughter as Luna tackled into her again, full force. "Stop hitting me and go through me!" Bandit shared this little snippet of knowledge. "I'm not in front of you, what you want is behind ME. Go THROUGH me! Again." Bandit barked loudly, and Luna stretched her shoulders. She was starting to hurt and stared at Bandit with this fire in her eyes. A flame that ignited the world within her pale, empty brown eyes... A flame that painted a world within her eyes, where Luna could protect anything that she held sacred to herself.

The Vulpix bolted across the field again. She took more distance this time and charged Bandit, charged her with everything she had and straight up pushed through her. This time Luna saw one of Bandits rear paws move. It barely moved... _I might be able to do this after all_Luna thought to herself and grinned and winced at the pain. She was never used to pain, but she knew this beat anything that happened inside that Magnet Train. The sudden reminder of a shard of polymer safety glass dug into her hip and her ribs... The shattered feeling of her muscles being ripped apart. The Vulpix shuddered, however Dragonair did it, that Pokemon healed her... and only gave her a glimpse of her past. A glimpse of a past that she both yearned for and now... reminded her of things she hated. Being there amongst the stars with him... as Lugia sung his song across the ocean waves, made her feel warm and happy and she was only reminded of something she yearned for. An adventure beyond the salty waters and sandy warm beaches that was her home. Luna only had the hint of clarity and yet that Ninetails curled every single one of them around her as Luna glared at the roaring fire on the beach, she'd look at the orange-eyed Growlithe and she felt herself give him a warm smile... Again Luna shoved into Bandit, from much closer now. Pushing through her. That Mightyena barely moved... But it was a start. "Yes! Put your back and feelings into it! Tackle me again!"

Bandit called out and they kept at it... For at least an hour they trained together, a full hour of painful hard training where Luna fought against something bigger then herself with strength, rather then luck. Griffin was just starting to wrap up what he made for food, arranging a collection of Rice-balls along a bed of herbs. He'd pet Thief intensely and thank him for the help. And after that hour coming along the hill nearby them was a Leafeon. A Leafeon which carried an Espeon on his back. Luna stared at them both as they walked down the path and she felt the inclination to run to them. Bandit cut in front of her and suddenly it hit the Mightyena after Luna called out his name. A real, powerful shove that pushed Bandit away. Not quite back, but Luna shoved her way past Bandit and bolted up to the pair that walked down the pathway. Bandit stared at her and chuckled to herself, she couldn't lie that she felt that tackle. As Luna ran up to them both, she barely heard the words touch her ears and just the faintest scent brush against her nose... Flowers? Moonlight appeared to slur the words out as he... He pushed his nose into Leafeon's back. "That was a cruel and unfair thing to do... but... thank you." Leafeon solely replied with an apology and watched Luna bolt up to them. She was charging to attack; that Leafeon seemed wrong and dangerous to her. It simply stared with eyes that were sharpened like blades and she riled up her fur. "What did you do to him!?" She demanded, and Moonlight perked his head up, lost in memories and he smiled at her. She watched that smile closely. It was different... Genuine and warm and cheery. Moonlight hardly ever smiled like that. Smiled as though the hints of sunshine got caught in his hair and warm, happy grin. It brought his hair to glow its deep royal purple-pink color and he gave the happiest laugh.

"He... didn't do anything to me. It's something I've been doing to myself." Moonlight mentioned and just sighed and sniffed Leafeon. "It's something I can't let go of. That I'll never let go of... but that doesn't mean I can't move on." The Espeon mentioned. "It doesn't mean that I need to haunt myself with my mistakes" Leafeon nodded at him and looked at Luna. It was then that the Vulpix realized that the Espeon had been crying. "But that doesn't mean I can just fixate on my mistakes. I can move on past them and keep the best memories close to my heart." Leafeon smiled and nodded. Whatever happened to Moonlight must have been beyond anything she could comprehend. Luna looked as Moonlight tried to move. "Just rest" Leafeon said. "Rather then hold the world in your arms... rather then stare at all that pain." He mentioned, and Luna stepped up to Leafeon "What's your gain? You aren't doing this for no reason! Did you poison him!?" Luna hostilely mentioned and Leafeon looked at her firmly. "I'm a purifier, Luna. Like Suicune for example. I protect the forests and lands from evil spirits... Maleficent spirits... doing this is solely to help Moonlight." Leafeon told her "He can't let go of his mistakes and had forgotten what he was fighting for, I could feel it in his step. I could feel it when he walked and how he stared into the sky with emptiness inside his spirit." Leafeon told her. "I'll do anything to protect the forest, and if this Espeon can help me; then I'll do everything to help him." The cream-colored Leafeon gave a friendly smile. Luna stared deeply into his eyes to search for even the smallest hint of anything distasteful and yet she couldn't see it. She couldn't see anything but honesty within his gaze. Moonlight barely stretched his legs. "I'm sorry... for worrying you Luna. I just feel weak all over." Moonlight stated "He drew out more than I wanted to remember at once. He took the best memories from me and showed them. He showed them in the most beautiful way and solely because of my fur..." Moonlight chuckled and started to laugh loudly "He could smell..." He paused and breathed quietly and nodded. "He could smell Autumn in my fur." Moonlight told Luna and she could remember that she heard that name before. The little Vulpix stared at him with every bit of concern in her eyes. "He could smell someone I lost a long, long time ago Luna. It's been five years since he left us... and Leafeon's can just happen to replicate scents." Moonlight mentioned with that heart-warming smile and she could smell the fragrance of fresh air and flowers. Moonlight smiled "It's the smell of his favorite flowers... together."

Luna, Leafeon, and Moonlight stepped down the edge of the sunset horizon; down the hill to meet up with everyone else. The two was gone for most of the afternoon after Thief disappeared into the woods. Moonlight still clung to Leafeon's back and mentioned that he was feeling too tired to walk and yet, it felt as though he couldn't feel his legs. The Espeon smiled and greeted everyone, in fact it was the happiest smile any of them saw from him in a long, long time. Even Bandit looked at Moonlight in a different way, and she walked over to him. "It's not like you to just succumb and fall." Bandit mentioned, noting that tears had stained his eyes and cheeks. "It's odd to see you like this Moonlight." Bandit actually spoke softly... Luna felt a little surprised from it... And that's when Griffin called them all over for dinner. He stared at Moonlight for a moment and dropped something he was holding the moment he saw Moonlight. "Moonlight!" He hopped to his feet and came over while Leafeon stared at the trainer intently as though he couldn't trust the human. "What happened!? Are you okay?" The concern in his tone made Luna stare at Griffin as he delicately picked Moonlight up and looked the Espeon over. Searching for injuries, searching for anything. Luna, Leafeon and every other Pokemon stared at Griffin as he noticed the stains... The stains of tears and Griffin seemed to hug Moonlight and with every concern in his voice he'd say "We're all here for you, Moonlight. I don't know what's made you sad, but we're all hear to listen the best we can." Natasha rolled her eyes and watched Leafeon walk over. It was as though Glaceon made a comment that made the Leafeon scold her, enough that her ears flattened. Natasha piped up at Leafeon "Hey! I'm the trainer Leafeon, don't just go scolding the rest of our team!" It felt as though Natasha killed the mood and her sharp tone made Luna look over at Natasha and that's when she saw Aura... She saw that Lucario hold Brad's hand firmly. Brad only stared at her paw and back to her with a friendly smile. It was the way Aura stared at Brad that made Luna tilt her head. She glanced around and saw Melody further in field with her Houndoom - they were already eating... and alone. She had been quiet as usual, only commenting on this and that but all in all, she seemed very shy for a human. Her Houndoom was just as quiet as well, only hugging close to her side as they traveled. It made Luna wonder exactly how long they had been that way for... "I bet you're hungry! Let's eat everyone! I bet that'll make everyone feel better!" Brad said, and Griffin nodded "Sounds like a great plan! Melody! Would you like some of this?" She only waved and nodded her head no... It looked as though she had her own supplies. Griffin gave her a blank look while holding his Espeon and then called out again "At least join us then! We'd all love to learn more about you!"

Melody only froze for a moment and then looked at her Houndoom. His head seemed to inch over at Griffin and the others and she hesitantly stood up and made her way over to the group. Griffin went back to finishing their campfire for the night, in fact they had set up a decent little campsite along that meadow. He found a spot where the grass didn't touch and set everything up there. He had even went through the trouble of finding rocks for the fire and stumps to sit on. It was like a big camping trip he was planning for months, like the kind of bush-whacking camping trip which students would go on to study about Pokemon. As Griffin held Moonlight close he felt the Espeon reach up and place a lick on his cheek, it made him chuckle and he responded it with plenty of petting before setting up dinner for everyone. Whatever it was... it tasted amazing for the Pokemon. Griffin was happy with what he made and just kept eating his portion. Naturally, it was a smaller portion. Griffin helped Moonlight eat too, petting the Espeon constantly. As the sun made its slow descent into the sky and they started to turn their gaze to an array of stars Griffin looked at Thief and he started the fire watching the flames climb into the sky with their warmth in the now chilly plain. A plain that sung when the winds crossed through the tall stalks of grass and the trees rustled in the night. Espeon curled up nearby the fire and Luna and Thief stared into the starry night sky with a fire that roared and crackled against the wind. They all stared into the flames and Luna sparked six blue embers along her tails and crossed them along the rocks, leaving the fire to crackle and glow. It was warm, powerfully warm and while the stars shone above them once more they all stared at the heavens with new desires And old loving memories.

-

The sun was just setting over the ocean as Logan glanced at his watch. The time told him that it was nearly eight thirty... he tried to think about the time that they got to the beach, but he never checked his watch then. His eyes stared at the highway and he was watching the yellow lines come and go as the man's truck rolled down the road. SlatePort was right in front of them. They were finally coming up to the city. As Logan stared at the city which shimmered in the amber-pink sunlight he reached into his bag and pulled out a heal ball. The white pink markings on the Pokeball made him stare for what felt like hours. He was staring at his own reflection as though he hoped to see that young boy in him again. He'd pull out a marker from his bag. The kind of heavy duty marker that took a lot of punishment to have its ink wear off and signed that Pokeball. All through the truck ride the man talked about how his daughter loved Pokemon and loved to watch the championships. He talked about how she was going through all of the schooling and even the extra studies after school to learn about training Pokemon. Something Logan only began doing a few years before he went on his own. He held onto the Pokeball firmly as Shadow stared at him, stared into his eyes before he nodded and signed the Pokeball. Adding in her name, something her father told them during the ride. He wrote it down and it read *To a wonderful fan, Choi Hei Ryung. I hope that this gift will bring you the best of luck in your travels and that you find Pokémon no different than you do now. As friends. From Logan Fletching, Champion of Hoenn* Logan dated the Heal-Ball and handwrote his personal signature along the side of the Pokeball and waited until the truck had stopped along the outskirts of Slateport City. They got off and Logan went to the front seat. He gave Hei the Pokeball. "I wish you both the best of luck, it was wonderful meeting you two." He'd say with a smile and the little girl's eyes went wide as she took the Pokeball. "Daddy look!" She'd say and show him what it said, he chuckled in response and gave Logan a thankful nod. "Thank you Logan." He'd say, "It's was nice meeting you in person." Logan smiled firmly and nodded himself. "Thank you Logan!" The little girl said and laughed and tried to read the Pokeball and Logan waved goodbye in silence as the truck rolled down a hill that came into Slateport. Logan stood and watched that truck disappear down the road and felt his eyes sting. He felt them sting as he stared at that truck roll into Slateport and then up to the amber, orange sky. His eyes stung, and his vision blurred, and he held those tears as they walked down the route to the city because he knew... That a father spending the day with their children, was the most important thing in the world to Logan. It was something that he could never forget... Logan could never forget the memory of his own father and brother running along the beach and playing for the entire day

-

The fire was going out within the frosted night as Griffin, Natasha, Melody and Brad were heading to sleep. Griffin spent the last hour petting Moonlight as the moons rays just barely began to climb into the night and envelope it in a beauty of swirling crisp white. It was a large moon that night on an almost perfect clear sky. Moonlight watched as the smoke from the fire crawled into the dark as though the plumes made shapes and images of all sorts... Shapes that a friend said looked like all kinds of things. Moonlight saw the Leafeon stare into the starry night sky and he sauntered over to Leafeon, giving the Pokemon a reluctant glance. "I know... I apologized before but." Moonlight sucked in air. "I'm so sorry for biting your paw. I... I just saw red I guess." Moonlight explained with guilt as Leafeon observed out into the moonlight, he no longer smelled like flowers from the Espeon's past, just... crisp clean air. "I shouldn't have bit you. It was wrong for me to do that." Leafeon gave Moonlight a passing glance "Think nothing of it, I did push the line." Leafeon repeated himself and Moonlight stared at his tanned eyes. He stared at the rich soil that were its color. Moonlight observed and gazed and then Leafeon chuckled to himself. "What? Liepard got your tongue?" The Espeon froze as Leafeon said that. As Leafeon smiled and chuckled in the dense moonlight where he was barely illuminated by a flickering flame. A warm, flickering flame. Moonlight cleared his throat "S - sorry" The Espeon replied and swallowed... "I..." "Yes?" The Leafeon stiffened his back and gave a regal pose. Moonlight exhaled, letting his breathing get the better of him. "Could... you do me a favor?" And the Leafeon tilted his head. "I believe I can, what do you need Moonlight?" The Espeon swallowed again and dug his feet into the earth, he'd feel the cooling and calm soil below him. "I... need you to do that again, just this once. Please." Moonlight started to say with his face slowly going red. "I just... want to spend the night with him again, by the fire... under the stars. I want to remember the first time we met again. To have every rumination about him... just for tonight before I try to move past the bad things. The mistakes. Could you help me with that Leafeon? Please?" Moonlight's voice cracked as he said the word 'Please' and Leafeon watched into the bright snowy moon. In moments there was a beautiful swirl of flowery fragrance that slithered its way all over Moonlight's pelt and mind. It hit him with everything, as though he were face down into that meadow again, running with his new-found friend. Running through poppies and gawking at a beautiful white sandy beach further out. Where the sea had crept its scent through the mainland and where Moonlight could open his eyes and be in the sunshine for just a moment and stare at him. He felt the day rush through and it was the first real time he ever played with anyone else but himself. It made Moonlight's mind soar and follow those flowers into a beautiful yard where flowers were planted all throughout it. The first time he saw fire burn so beautifully when Autumn lit the campfire in their backyard and the moonlight was as bright and brilliant as now. The Espeon stared deeply into the sky with his Purple glowing eyes. Hearing voices of a stranger which brought him the warmest feeling inside of his heart and as he'd reminisce; Leafeon had softly swallowed. Every fur on Moonlight's pelt sung with tales of his past which fluttered into the woods, into the sky and high, high above them. The stars and the moon shone so brightly that night and the fire kept Moonlight warm as he made his way to it. Leafeon followed him and watched the Espeon curl up at this special spot near the fire. The Pokemon stared with his tanned eyes and he watched Leafeon come over in the chilly night and feel the soft roar of the fire, igniting the air with warmth as six blue embers were barely flickering against the rocks that surrounded it. As Moonlight curled up in that perfect spot where the rays of snowy white fluttered against his shining, sunny-purple pelt... Leafeon found it right to curl up next to the Espeon in which Moonlight snuggled against Leafeon and put his ear to his chest. Just listening to a slow, calm and wonderful heartbeat.

They fell asleep together, under a galaxy of stars and delightful iridescent moonrays while Moonlight curled up against Leafeon, lost in the most wonderful of memories and eventually slipped into a perfect dream-filled sleep of that night. The night Moonlight realized that he fell in love with Autumn just by hearing his heart beat.