Luna and Thief Ch: 18

Story by Hato San on SoFurry

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#18 of Luna and Thief, Indigo League

Chapter Eighteen! Whooo! Sorry for the later then expected update! I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Editing was a pain for this one, I may have missed some as I had focused most of my time getting the chapter down and extended a little bit more too!

Following this our hero's find their way to Vermillion city! But will they be able to challenge the city gym? Or run into unexpected troubles along the way? Stay tuned!

And as always, I thank you very much for reading! :3


Luna and Thief Chapter 18: Thrill of the Fight.

Griffin woke up at least several different times that night and stared at the roof of his tent constantly. He couldn't sleep from the start; his tired eyes began to wander along the roof as he heard the rustling of the trees from underneath his quilt. He was warm for sure, very warm that night and yet he still couldn't sleep. The tender fragrance of flowers he never knew seeped throughout the campsite within the midst of the dark night and Griffin had put his hand on his stomach. Moonlight wasn't there tonight. He'd look at his hands and still see the strands of purple fur that stuck to his jacket and before he knew it he had tossed the top layer of his quilt to his feet. His mind flashed with the image of the man in Maiden's peak. The man with that gun hiding in his jacket. The words sung through his mind as he remembered everything he said. A Tri-Research Certificate... Griffin had never heard of such a grant given to any trainer. He didn't even know of the prerequisites for such a grant and it made him feel uneasy when he thought about it. Unlike most trainers, Griffin refused to put his Pokémon in a PC Box, the idea sounded terrible. Leaving your Pokémon alone for who knows how long, and he wondered exactly how many trainers kept their Pokémon in them for years. That thought made Griffin feel sick to his stomach. The bitter words came to his mind when he only thought of how robbed a Pokémon felt when it was taken away from home and shoved in some digital cage. He tried to shake his mind from thinking so negatively and yet he only pictured the man on the stretcher, the Paramedics yelling for equipment and extra hands. If it came down to that or a PC box for his Pokémon...

Griffin put his hands through his hair with worry, picturing something so morbid and vivid that he just wanted to vomit and yet he only lay in his tent with that feeling of worry and paranoia churning deep within his stomach. The scent of flowers hovered inside his tent and around it, enveloping the trainer in that unknown fragrance. For whatever reason everyone else was able to sleep through it; Everyone but Griffin. Hardly a moment later he felt his phone buzz against his jeans and he'd reach into his pocket to check his messages. He had at least twenty unread messages, first time he'd probably had a cellular connection in weeks. They ranged from old friends back home, where he messaged them and told them he was doing fine all the way to a single text message from his mother. The dim glow of his phone's screen illuminated his face in a white-blue and he read it. *Hi honey! I hope you're doing well and having plenty of fun in Kanto. The doctors just finished with my surgery in Kalos but I'll be admitted here for a while. They said everything went well! I guess it's worth waiting when something wonderful is bound to happen. It'll take me some time, but I should be able to walk without any support after therapy. Call me some time! Love, Mom... PS, I sent over some more money into your bank after I noticed you were getting low. You shouldn't spend so much on a hotel! It's important to save up your earnings!* That was all the text message had said, she must've sent it over when they were in Saffron. Griffin remembered that he barely had a connection there and that was a major city! He figured it must've been phone troubles, or maybe it was because he had the damned machine on vibrate all the time. He seemed to curse himself and started to write back and hesitantly added his number from the Pokenav. Griffin just didn't want Logan to call him on that thing and yet they both had the same professor, so he probably already knew it.

Griffin mentioned to her to send his Pokenav's number to his friends to if she were able to, since he was having troubles with his phone where he was. It barely took any time for his Pokenav to ring. At least that had full bars. It was a number he couldn't recognize, and he'd answer it and put the Pokenav to his ear. "Hello?" He'd ask quietly, and a voice came through on the other side. "Hello love!" Yep... it was his mother, why would he second guess that? "I sent that text weeks ago, I was getting worried when you didn't message me back!" "I know, I'm sorry. I don't check my phone often as it is... I didn't mean to wake you up." "I was already awake! I had Logan come down about a month ago to say hi. We've been trying to get a hold of you." She'd mention, and Griffin made a sound and then cleared his throat. She continued "We were both planning, in the next few months mind you, to meet up for dinner." Griffin nodded and went a little... stoic. "Alright..." He'd say after a moment of silence. "It's already coming up right?" "Every year. And we go to dinner at the same place, every year." She'd reply, her tone wasn't as happy now. "Will you be able to be in Hoenn by then? I'll pay for transit or ferry if you need me to. You can go down to LittleRoot and get your suit." Griffin gave a nod again, although she couldn't see it... "I should be able to... I'll try to get down there at least a few days early. Even if I have to come alone." His mother made a sound and asked him if he made new friends. He explained everything so far, keeping out all the morbid details, he didn't want to worry her. After their conversation she replied "So Vermillion! That'll be exciting! I can't believe you already have three badges! Wonderful work!" That smile... Griffin felt it come over through the receiver of his Pokenav. The teen could only smile back, into that Pokenav when he heard the happiness in her voice. "Yeah! I'll be heading straight to the gym to challenge the leader! I've heard he's a tough leader!" Griffin mentioned and tried to stay as quiet as he could. "Vermillion is going to be great! We'll see the sights there and meet plenty of new people!" Griffin replied and heard his mother laugh warmly "I hope you do darling! It's warming to know that you're doing well! Stay out of trouble and have fun!" She'd say, and Griffin heard a voice come over the receiver "Oh, I got to go, the doctor needs to speak with me." She'd say her goodbyes and hung up the phone. Griffin lay there with the phone to his ear for a moment more before he put it in his pocket. The Pokenav showed him the time *0419* The screen told Griffin and he sighed... In total he had less than four hours of sleep, on and off throughout the night.

He stood up and zipped his jacket to his chin before getting out of his tent and walked into the bright, final stretches of moonlight. It was curving just past the mountains now and Griffin stared into the bright brilliant moonrays. As he glared amongst the moon he could see the horizon just barely glow against the dark sky. The trainer stared for a while lost in his thoughts before thinking to himself of that month, a month that a certain Espeon knew too well. Griffin observed the stars as they faded into the morning light and he could hear the faint symphony of all sorts of avian type Pokémon sing. Sing into the morning sunshine that just pushed through the night and began to illuminate the trees that flickered with gemstones of morning dew. Griffin stared into an array of sunshine that covered amongst the trees. They casted a slow, creeping shadow onto the tall grassy plain. His eyes glanced over the shadows that crossed along the meadow and Griffin sighed softly to himself. There were a collection of soft clouds already fluttering in the morning air and he went back to his tent to set it down. It was a small one - man tent which folded inward. It was just large enough to fit on the outside of his hiking bag, but he had no room for a proper sleeping bag to go with it. With everything he carried that teen was simply lucky he spent most of his childhood being active, he probably wouldn't be able to carry it all if he hadn't been active. Griffin took the supporting bar up front of his small A frame tent and began to disassemble all of it. Hardly five in the morning and Griffin was already up and moving in the bright morning light waiting and anxious for the day to start. It didn't take him long to set down his tent, he did that quietly and packed everything up, leaving his bag where that tent used to be. Everyone else was still asleep, but that was expected... so Griffin went for a quick walk. He didn't need to go far, just look around for anything he could use to cook food for the morning. He packed up the leftovers he had from the night before, not that it was the best thing he's made... but it was something.

There was that sound of rushing water far in the distance of the woods. His eyes skimmed over the mountain ahead of him, caught up in the sight of trees and all sorts of other things while he fished his hands into his pockets and studied the trees around him. Griffin simply lost himself in his thoughts... lost himself in the view and the things around him. Lost in a short gaunter through a thin thicket of bushes and trees.... Griffin could never remember the last time he did that, wander aimlessly searching and looking and just listening to the world. To feel the sky spin, and his legs feel misplaced from the vertigo. It had been another year nearly, already. If there was any feeling he could have now, Griffin would've wanted to feel it. Rather than a hint numbness and lost and just plain wondering what the hell he was really doing out there. To prove Logan wrong? That's just stupid... what am I really doing? Griffin wondered and pondered and walked along that trail... lost. Searching for just a hint of a real answer rather than some excuse. He couldn't really find an answer he liked or wanted. Just the idea to get away from it all even for a little while. As he walked along the pathway he'd make a right, traveling down the empty trail and searched into the tree tops. Something followed him. He only caught a glance, just the smallest glance of something pink. Griffin looked around now. Behind him, around him, above him. He went of his belt, but nobody was there, and he'd chuckle a little to himself. "Right... nice going Griff... bush-whacking alone without anyone to back me up." He'd take an empty Pokeball he kept on his jean belt. One he would use if he ever decided to catch something. "Maybe... I can distract something with it and run." Griffin was casually talking to himself, to no one. He did that usually when he hiked alone but that was years and years ago. There was always somebody with him and he pocketed the ball and kept walking down the trail. An old, overgrown trail without a single sign of anything around... In all reality he didn't want to hang around the camp for hours waiting on everybody. He didn't want to hang around the camp after that phone call. So... he was stuck out here for now, searching for that Pokémon. Something fluttered up behind him... Griffin knew it! There was no way the wind blowing through his hair would stop when everything else around him fluttered by in the dawn wind. He'd swallow nervously. "r - Right... Because I could distract a Pokémon I can barely see." Griffin was chuckling softly, and he heard a curious giggle or something like it. He just didn't want to risk turning around. Griffin swallowed again "L - Look" He'd say and keep walking down the trail planning on an opening to turn into. The Trainer couldn't just risk running, he knew some Pokémon loved to chase their prey "It... might sound selfish I guess... but could you please not... attack me?"

There was this little fluttering sound around him and Griffin just focused on walking for a bit, his hairs standing on edge "I... don't have anything in my Pokeballs... So, I mean, I - if you want to meet my friends they're all back at camp sleeping." Griffin swallowed again "I... just think it's wrong to keep them cooped up inside these things." He felt something touch his jacket and poke the ball in there, and it made a sound. Like a cat meowing... or... mewing? "Yeah... none of my friends are in there. They're back at camp, sleeping... So... I'm sorry I have none of them here to play with you." Griffin had to run so many thoughts through his head. When he was a kid, running through the woods, climbing every hill... No Pokémon really looked at him. He was just a kid no one paid attention to. The kind no one liked, in fact Pokémon barely looked at him. Griffin took the negative out of his mind and nodded "Yeah, if you'd like to meet my friends, I'm happy to introduce you!" He'd say but feel the wind against the back of his head and he'd search behind him. Griffin looked around a lot, every tree. Every branch, every bush and anything in between. Whatever that Pokémon was, it was already gone. Griffin took a breath and sighed a little "I guess... till next time? Maybe? I'm sure all of my friends would be happy to meet you... Whoever you are." There wasn't a flutter in the air anymore or the slightest sound of a Pokémon around him. Griffin just put his hands in his pockets and walked down the road. Caught up in his thoughts and his wonders, Griffin walked down the trail alone in the morning sunshine and stared high into the clouds above him as something curiously stared from a far.

-

It was morning... Late in the morning as Moonlight watched a curious little Vulpix stare at him in the bright shining light. The Eevee yawned loudly and felt a paw on his nose with a smile to boot. This dream... This dream was perfect. They fell asleep in their yard at home around a roaring campfire and now they awoke in the middle of a beautiful windy meadow where flowers of all kinds bloomed and shone highly against the sky as a bright brilliant sun slipped amongst the grass below them. The two were cradled amongst one another and that Vulpix flickered his tails. "Let's play Moonlight!" Autumn called out his name with laughter. Playful... wonderful laughter. The Eevee only stared intensely at him with his own smile and nodded. He felt in control here. This dream, where he was controlling himself, only left Moonlight to nod and smile and laugh with him as they'd hop to their feet and take a stance. "I'm catching you for once!" Moonlight heard his voice, the laughter. As he stared into his sunshine. The bright yellow eyes, like beautiful burning gemstones which held just fragments of the sunny sky in them, stared back with his smile. That cute, stunning smile. The way it curved on his cheek gently as though it were apologizing for moving his tender jaw. The way how his eyes sparkled in the bright sunlight and the wind that fluttered through his hair... If there was ever a spirit high enough, high enough to show him what Heaven was. It was right here in that field, while he stared at Autumn's eyes. The Vulpix bolted to the right with laughter, running into the grass. "Good luck with that!" The Vulpix slipped into the tall grass and Moonlight chased after him. Like he always did, like he always wanted. This was their favorite game. It was like hide and seek but you always had to move, to run... to give chase. Moonlight only followed his heart and the ray of sunshine in his life. Here and now. His sunshine was there, within the depths of a beautiful, perfect dream. The tall grass folded down whenever he ran through it. Hearing Autumn's laughter. Hearing Autumn's voice until... It stopped. It all stopped right when Moonlight made it to the end of that dense brush of grassy leaves... and turned into something horrid. That wonderful dream led Moonlight home where a sickly air lay. The kind that made him cough and gag and left this horrific terrible stench. A stench like death, as though lead, steel and smoke covered a battlefield. The way how a Jolteon and a Vaporeon crossed a dense, terrible thicket letting out screams and cries to the forest. Yelling... Yelling for anybody. Somebody. The Jolteon... Her voice. The Vaporeon... his eyes. Moonlight felt himself shudder and tried to hide against the grass, but it turned into a wall. A wall that looked too familiar to him. A wall that he wanted to forget. A wall with several different paw prints, all marked in a circle where their family put them. Where his family put them. Wake up... He tried to bite his tongue, kick his legs, push out of the den but all he heard was the familiar sound. The sound of him crying. Screaming, kicking and begging... Begging...

Moonlight was shocked awake. He didn't want to see the sight again, he never wanted to remember it. As he was ripped away from such a perfect dream that transpired into the depths of a nightmare he buried away that Leafeon had jolted awake too. Moonlight felt his eyes sharpen as he'd stare all around the early morning light. The sunshine... the clouds and... The tent. Griffin's tent. "Moonlight?" The Espeon barely looked at the Leafeon before he darted off for the woods as fast as his feet were willing to carry him. He'd cross through the open grass and jump deep into the thicket. Leafeon got to his paws and stared at that Espeon bolt off. He bolted off into the dimly lit trees. Moonlight cursed himself again and again as he'd cross the forest in seconds. Pushed past the brink of where his legs had taken him. Moonlight only had that dream when there was danger around, as though his very soul was screaming at him to wake up. A non-too friendly shiver curved his way through his back and for a second, he thought, enough that Moonlight stopped in the middle of a clearing, that something was watching him. The Espeon moved through the thicket staring. Sniffing. Searching, and running. Running harder than he ever did before. There was something here or coming. Something dangerous. Moonlight glanced over at something, a shadow and then Leafeon cut in front of him. "I don't know how..." Moonlight cut of Leafon's voice with running. "Shut it and move!" The Espeon roared and then just instinctively yipped and hollered. Moonlight was amping himself up for this fight, that gemstone glowed against his forehead as they both darted through a section of the woods. They bolted so fast that they nearly missed Griffin just walking down the trail alone. Moonlight slammed to a halt after jumping over that trail, it left Griffin to stare at the Espeon jumping over him with fright. "M - Moonlight!?" Griffin called out firmly... but... His voice wasn't there. "Leafeon!" Moonlight yelled and the Leafeon had stopped nearby him, Moonlight cut in front of Griffin and took a vicious stance amid the empty trail and that's... That's when that young teen came out... The young trainer from before they reached Maiden's Peak. He stepped out of the shadows and adjusted his hoodie with a grin. That kid was maybe... Thirteen? Fourteen? Moonlight saw Griffin say something, say something at the trainer but the kid simply smirked and commented. It was a comment that Moonlight heard. Only that comment... no other human voice came into the morning wind... "I guess it's simply a fate found in hell..." Griffin called out something. It felt like 'Enough of the crap! Who are you!?' Moonlight felt the earth, the vibrations from Griffin's body language. That was enough for the Espeon and suddenly Leafeon took a stance next to Moonlight. "There a reason why your trainers mute?" Leafeon stared at Moonlight and Moonlight only replied with a grin and a sneer. "Well... I don't know that part myself. But honestly, you've seen Griffin... you really think he'll be much help?" The Leafeon tilted his head left and right as though looking for an argument to Moonlight's point. The young unknown trainer threw back his weird hoodie and revealed, not six but twelve Pokeballs attached to his belt. There wasn't any rest for the wicked after all.

There was a firm, anxious standoff as the stranger tossed four of those Pokeballs up into the air and revealed a Blaziken, a Tryanitar, a Lycanroc and a Weavile. Moonlight stared only at the Lycanroc, a dusk form Lycanroc but... "Moonlight... do you see that? Its fur is red... bright red..." Leafeon commented and stared at the Lycanroc who gave them a vicious sneer and darted its tail up into the air. Moonlight only took a stance and watched the Pokémon closely. Two against twelve with four of the enemy on the field. That wasn't fair at all... The trainer said something and pointed to Blaziken, he'd call out a word, a firm command and Moonlight saw the strangers mouth move from behind his hood. It resembled that of a Mimikyu... but the hoodie was pitch black and the eyes were painted with... Blood. Like tear drops rolling down the hoodie's disfigured face. The stranger's ears slumped down his head, the tall black colored ears, in fact the entire hoodie looked like a poorly made children's Halloween costume. Moonlight stared at that smile. He knew that smile... "You!" He roared loudly and Leafeon stared at the Espeon with fright. "You were there! At the Magnet Train! Come out here!" He roared even louder, and they saw an Arcanine jump out of its Pokeball. It was a pitch black Arcanine as though it had been sprayed painted. It simply smiled and showed off its fangs. Sharp, twisted fangs that had been through constant biting. "Yes... How is that little friend of yours? Dead?" Moonlight snarled and grinned a little "Nice try... But it your only chance ain't happening again, not while I'm around. She's alive and well" They viciously tore at each other's eyes and throats from a far but the Arcanine rolled his chin up "Well, we just kill you here and now. Blaziken, get him." The Blaziken nervously nodded and Lycanroc stared as it charged the field towards Moonlight... He noticed something immediately about it... The way it moved. It carried it's one leg out a bit too far to the middle. His eyes went wide as he stared, and Moonlight felt it in himself to roar again, like a lion in the early morning hunt. "If that's your game, then come at me! You will not pass my line!" He roared and watched as that Lycanroc flinched too, Blaziken hobbled to the left, off-balanced from his intimidate. Moonlight's fine furs riled up against his pelt ensuring that he appeared terrifying, and sharp to touch. "Because if any of you cross it, I will kill you all." The Blaziken swung a kick and Moonlight hopped into the middle of the blow and calculatedly stared at its knees. That Blaziken's leg had been broken before... It stunned Moonlight even though he missed the kick from a mile and watched the Tyranitar roar himself and charge the field. He wasn't going for Moonlight... He charged straight at his trainer, Griffin. Moonlight half turned and felt a blow to his lower ribs that sent him back, of course they wouldn't play fair... but without the chance for Moonlight to move Tyranitar was already on top of Griffin and that Espeon only watched a hailstorm of sharp leaves cross through the open air and pelt down at the larger Pokémon. Leafeon was already covering the flank. "Just keep fire at bay, I got the big dumb one!" Leafeon yelled and charged across the battlefield, the leaves on his head and tail glowed and he watched Leafeon for just a second more as it jumped and slashed down against the Tyranitars shoulder. There was a frightening howl of pain and it turned to strike Leafeon, but he was resting calmly against the larger Pokémon's shoulder. "Really... a big dumb one." That Tyranitar roared loudly again and reached for Leafeon who only pushed away and prepared his next move. Solar Beam. His leaves went bright with rich emerald and sunlight as he grew the distance between him and the Tyranitar by jumping away from him.

A large powerful kick went for Moonlight amid it all, and the Espeon tumbled to the ground and sprung to his feet the moment he had the second to touch the earth. As he did the Lycanroc charged at him too, suddenly letting out a slash from its rocky mane. Moonlight was ready for it and crossed away. The attack missed but the Lycanroc turned around for another blow as Blaziken went at Moonlight from the front. He was being pushed in between the two, one attacking mid-high and the other aiming for the legs. Leafeon swung his tail their way and a large green slash crossed the field as though he expelled the energy from his Solar-beam into a long-ranged blade. It cut Lycanroc off, so Moonlight could focus on Blaziken. It was all he needed - that opening which left him to slip in-between the kick and bite viciously against its knee. It roared in pain as Moonlight bit it hard enough to draw blood. "M - Moonlight!" The Espeon released his grasp and used agility the moment he heard Leafeon yell and his body went surrounded by a forceful aura. Energy which glowed a white purple and he simply charged and struck Tyranitar the very second it grasped Leafeon in its large arms. It was as though he was trying to crush Leafeon first, then set up Crunch as his next move. But Moonlight interfered and slammed into the dragon with Giga Impact. He had a clean and perfect hit, knocking the Tyranitar off its feet. Leafeon was able to squirm out the moment Tyranitar got hit. The Pokémon Fainted, a Critical hit!

Moonlight was panting from the blow... he needed a second after expelling all that energy but Blaziken followed up with low-sweep. It took out Moonlight's legs and he hit the ground, specifically his left shoulder and with a horrid yelp the Espeon realized it. Giga Impact dislocated his shoulder... the Adrenaline was surging through him now and he glanced up as the Blaziken followed up with a high kick into the air. It struck Moonlight in the ribs and took the breath from him and then Blaziken used Fling. It grappled Moonlight and threw him roughly at Griffin. His trainer caught the Espeon. "M - Moonlight!" Griffin yelled and watched Blaziken as it went for another strike, aiming for the trainer along with Espeon... Griffin ducked and turned to take the blow for Moonlight... he couldn't do anything. But... A flash of silver cut them off, specifically Lycanroc used Counter! Moonlight watched the Lycanroc closely. It's pelt of red was gone... And it was replaced with a light blue aura which took Brick-break's blow and diverted it away. Lycanroc struck the Blaziken clean with its hind legs. Those hind legs were powerful and sent the Blaziken back a few paces. Hell, it took the air right out of the Pokémon while it was at it. Moonlight stared more closely... It's in Midday form? That's impossible... it was in dusk form before... That's not how the evolution works. They only become their form depending on how they're raised... one can't be all three just because of the time of day... Moonlight stared for what felt like a long, long time and then he forced himself out of Griffins protective grasp and fumbled against his dislocated shoulder. Why do I have to be so useless now!? The Espeon viciously told himself to move but his leg wouldn't let him... The panting drove him stare at the trainer down the way who violently swore and yelled at Lycanroc. Moonlight's bright purple eyes studiously glared at the wolf-type Pokémon which cowered_against Griffins legs instantly with its tail folded and ears flat against its skull. Moonlight saw this, but more importantly Griffin did too. It was as though she were solely cowering from the hooded figure roaring at her... And Griffin must've seen all the slashes and bites and painful marks that littered her _entire body. And the jet black Arcanine which snapped its jaws in the air, as though to propose what was going to happen next. Griffin stared at her, both Moonlight and Griffin did, and Griffin's eyes wandered at Blaziken who was laying down the road. She was quaking herself while covering her knees instinctively. Griffin bit his tongue and yelled back at him, yelled loudly at the stranger without a care in the world... but Moonlight couldn't hear that deafening conversation. All that Espeon listened to had been the trees and the Arcanine roar. It roared louder than Moonlight ever could and sent both Blaziken and Lycanroc into a frenzy of fear.

"What... interested? Curious? Or just lost in your own imagination Espeon?" A cruel voice slithered into his mind, and his head was starting to go hazy. As the eruption of laughter crossed through Moonlight's thoughts he'd stare at the forest which suddenly spun around him. "Can't stand the sight of it can you? Just watching this fight makes my fur quiver... really you should see me Moonlight! I'm ecstatic with expectations! That risky move... Your disfigured shoulder! It must hurt like hell! Not as much as that Blaziken's legs! Watching that was a spectacle! And Lycanroc? She just screams and screams and begs... Begs while that Arcanine does whatever he pleases!" The laughter was abruptly cut off from a sharp flash of light Pink light cut through the branches and the sunlight from a distance and crossed high into the air Moonlight saw something flee... a dark ball of sickly purple fur as a bright pink thing that followed the dark line of hellish black fur into the sky. A pink sharp light of aura darted along the morning light and flickered against the darker aura. A fight erupted far and high into the skies and suddenly that dizziness faded away. Moonlight flinched when he heard Griffin yell at the trainer, he went for his pocket there was a Pokeball there, Moonlight could see it and recognize that Griffin knew the gravity of the situation. They both drew at the same time and Moonlight only figured the stranger was about to return Lycanroc. Griffin tossed the Pokeball at Lycanroc aiming to beat a line of red that shot through the air to it... Griffin was first on the throw and it tapped the wolf-type and captured it into the capsule. The Pokeball fluttered and shook but in moments... Lycanroc was caught! Its data was entered into the Pokedex! _They're not certified Pokeballs?_Moonlight swallowed and turned his direction from Griffin...

Blaziken was just fighting to get to its feet when Arcanine pushed across the field and in seconds Lycanroc suddenly appeared out of her new Pokeball "GIVE HER BACK!" The trainer yelled at the top of his lungs as Arcanine shoved across the battlefield. The hooded trainer didn't have a chance in hell to return her now and Griffin only sneered "Like hell I'll give her back to you! She's just as hurt and in as much pain as your Blaziken! All of your Pokémon are!!" Griffin yelled loudly "So go fuck yourself! Because I'm not giving her back when I know you'll just hurt her!" Griffin slammed his fist into the earth "You're not a trainer! You're an abuser! I trust my Pokémon with my life! I believe in them and I don't give a damn about anyone who would hurt them! Any Pokémon!" There was a sudden flash of blue, Griffin blocked his chest like a boxer, just like Trevor taught him... But that flash of blue was from a bright powerful aura that shuffled into the morning light and shot by Griffin from behind.

"Nicely said Griffin!" Brad roared from the road behind him "Aura woke me up... I'm pissed off, but if this little shit is hurting his Pokémon, then how about Aura and I even the odds!" Aura was already in the battle and Moonlight forced himself to his feet. First he used Psychic to adjust his angle... "Leafeon! Slam into me!!" Moonlight yelled at him, Leafeon was amid fighting with the Weavil and suddenly Blaziken got caught into the mix but the moment it came into view, Aura was already there crossing a blow using her powerful legs. Blaziken blocked it with her crossed arms and slid back against the ground... Leafeon used Tackle! It was super effective! And unexpectedly timed! It snapped Moonlight's shoulder back into place and the Espeon roared painfully and pushed it into the earth. I may have called out to you Leafeon, but at least give me a second to mentally prepare myself! Lycanroc stared at the Espeon curiously... it looked as though the Arcanine pulled off the moment Aura got into the fight. Blaziken swung a fast, explosive kick into the air but Aura caught the Blazikens leg and crossed the Pokémon over her by the foot and slammed Blaziken into the dirt hard Blaziken used Blaze Kick... but it failed. Aura used Close Combat, it was effective... The Blaziken was already down in the dirt and Aura hopped back and held her paws out to it. She could already sense the pain it was in... But that didn't stop her. It was the Arcanine that darted at her like a bullet which made Aura freeze. He... didn't have much of an aura to read, the Lucario crossed over and pulled off Aura Sphere, she waited till it was close enough but Blaziken struck with Low-Sweep. Aura hit the ground the moment she was forced to see the large jet-black Arcanine. Arcanine charged for the bite and was aiming swiftly for the Lucario's throat... This didn't just become a random battle... It became a war.

But Lycanroc sharply cut in front and used Reversal... Reversal failed but Lycanroc took the bite for Aura. It yelped in pain and Griffin hopped to his feet. It's as though he just realized that Moonlight had knocked him to the ground when Blaziken threw the Espeon. "Lycanroc!" Griffin roared loudly as Moonlight felt his blood go cold before summoning up as much power as he could. This battle... was going to be a bloodbath. Arcanine clamped down on her thin foreleg and dragged her underneath him and aimed for her throat. But before he could even bite her, Psybeam struck him. A powerful crossing beam struck Arcanine clean in the side and... he only growled as if to brush it off. "Is that all you got!?" He roared but that wasn't Moonlight's plan. It was Leafeon with his Leaf Blade he was counting on. Weavil wasn't much of a challenge, in fact most of this trainers Pokémon weren't up for fighting... they all just mostly stopped when Arcanine crossed the battlefield.

A Lycanroc forced to fight... no wonder it ran to Griffin the moment the battle started. Moonlight thought to himself and watched Leafeon move and he moved too. Cutting the Arcanine into a path where they'd both strike it. Leafeon used Leaf-Blade... Arcanine spun and deflected it. Moonlight used Shadow Ball... Arcanine used Overheat and burned it out! The flames roared and crackled all around Arcanine and forced Moonlight to hop back... his landing was poor. That shoulder wouldn't carry him for long! Arcanine simply stood and chuckled before darting at Moonlight. It was faster than he was, in fact he barely saw it get behind him. "I could say something cheesy... But I'm done with games." Moonlight glanced his purple eyes over his shoulder and only watched a flare of silver streaks and black fur suddenly pile into Arcanine face. Bandit used Sucker Punch! A critical hit! She swiftly came out of nowhere. "The next time you run off Moonlight I'm not coming to save you!" She howled through the battlefield loudly, loud enough that Lycanroc howled with her as though by instinct. Arcanine got to his feet and roared "You think there'll be a next time!?" She cackled and showed off her teeth "You're right... You'll be dead." The Mightyena laughed and hollered and yipped. Yipped like some frightening monster that traveled the wilds and tore its prey apart alive

Arcanine took a stance and charged flame blast... Moonlight watched the entire battlefield incinerate, Lycanroc jumped into Griffin and hid her tail. It was huge, and he dug into the ground as the heat seared over his back. The air around him was cracking! Moonlight forced his bright purple eyes into the field and only saw Bandit who brushed off her smoking pelt casually. "Is that all YOU got?" She'd cackle and say "I guess it's my turn..." Griffin swallowed and watched Bandit charge, the beam of energy collected at her mouth instantly as her eyes went a sharp yellow and red. She wasn't really using....? Bandit used Hyperbeam! And took out half the forest in front of her with it! Or so the Mightyena thought... She hit Arcanine clean in the chest and the Pokémon barely held its ground before being swept off its feet. Arcanine flew from the blast and hit the earth maybe four...? times before he crumpled into the earth. The hooded trainer simply roared at Griffin, cursing and flipping the bird from cover. He hid behind a rock the moment Arcanine got into the battle. The strangers Arcanine got to his feet and stumbled before shaking its head. Bandit made a noise... and stared at the trees that were still standing. "I really shouldn't use it often... maybe I held back this time?" Bandit mentioned and stared at the Blaziken on the ground in front of her. She didn't hit anything directly in front of her except for her opponent. in fact, that big Arcanine blocked most of the blast with its body. Blaziken shook and stared at the Mightyena who only stared back...

"What? Got a taste of true strength?" She'd smile deviously and Blaziken went to kick its feet back... before Bandit exploded in a large ring of fire. Arcanine used Incinerate! This time Moonlight held up Lightscreen to try and stop the explosive current of flames. Leafeon cowered behind him and held his leaves close to his pelt. The flames sputtered all over them and Moonlight solely focused on every bit of his energy to stop it... Bandit took a hell of a hit; her pelt was smoking, and her mouth was chaffed from heat. In fact, it was the first time he saw her pant... who was this Arcanine?

"You stopped it... with your own Incinerate?" Arcanine commented and Bandit grinned devilishly. "You're not the only one to play with fire, pup." The fire was canceled out, nearly... but.... Bandit was in horrid shape and Moonlight could see that clearly. Her incinerate was just a way to divert the full blow... It probably would've killed Bandit if she didn't divert the attack. Blaziken was crumpled on the trail... covering her head feebly and Moonlight felt his head hurt like hell. A terrible headache struck him without remorse. Why did I protect her too? He'd snarl at himself... Moonlight was horribly burned from the blow and panted frantically, wheezing for air. Aura was somewhere, Moonlight barely sensed her but it's as though both Brad and Aura took cover when the entire trail exploded. The hot smoke rose high into the air, a huge pillowing cloud that covered the air and changed the temperature of the cool morning air. Griffin was just out of range and used the sleeves of his jacket to try and protect himself. The fire barely licked him. The silence was deafening... tense... and rough to handle. The trainer returned his Weavil the moment Arcanine ran down the front and he grinned deviously... Moonlight swore that there was a knife on that trainer's belt, he was trying to remember but he already expelled everything he had... Moonlight saw the world get hazy. "Moonlight!" Leafeon called out from behind him and pushed his head against the Espeon's side. "Don't you dare faint on me..." He whispered to the Espeon and Moonlight forced himself to stay awake, or at least he tried his hardest. The desire to sleep was overpowering but Moonlight had to fight through the pain. Arcanine was still standing and he snarled at Bandit. She simply smiled back at him and took a stance. As she did Aura hopped out of the woods, this open battlefield just turned into a one on two fight. Moonlight forced himself to his feet, shaking and quivering in the knees. _I'm not letting these two fight all alone..._His paws dug into the ground and he moved beside Bandit, that shoulder of his hurt more than his head, but that was a good thing...

The adrenaline was waking Moonlight up as his body started to numb. He had plenty of Endorphins coursing through his veins now and he stared down that sleek jet-black Arcanine. Leafeon went for cover, yelling something about fire and how he wasn't good around the heat. It made sense, plenty of sense to Moonlight. Blaziken was still resting in the dirt, hardly moving its body as it stared at Moonlight, Bandit and Aura who stood their ground against Arcanine. That Blaziken's eyes stared at Lycanroc too, who surprisingly fought off the fear and stood to protect the trainer they were attacking. She stood against Arcanine to protect Griffin. At least it's more like three and a half against one Moonlight bitterly thought and panted, that headache was getting to him again and the world went hazy again. This time it was from his overuse of Psychic abilities. Arcanine capitalized on the weakest target - Moonlight - and charged at him but Bandit cut in front with a bolt of speed that just barely matched Arcanine's. Bandit used...

-

Logan, Rebecca and Trevor decided to go into Slateport instead. It was so late into the night then and frankly he had someone he might have been able to talk to. They worked at a medical research clinic, something that Logan wanted to follow up on. He didn't sleep at all during the night and just spent all his time reading and studying notes from a doctor that worked there. His eyes glanced over those notes, easily an entire thesis on Pokémon Evolution and a rare disease. A disease known only as the Aspen-Ward disease. The first proved theory of a rare evolutional disease in Pokémon, which prevented the body from effectively changing was first discovered back in the twenties... with reports of the disease going back for centuries. Logan already knew all of this, but the newest theoretical study was being done here and Logan wanted to see it... so he called in a favor with his friend at the research clinic. The effects of the disease were simple enough. Early on a Pokémon began to suffer from a weaker than average immune system, that was the start of the genetic disease which slowly began to shut down the major nervous system and lead to dizzy spells, unbeknownst fainting, seizures and eventually paralysis and a shutdown of the respiratory function and circulatory functions. The average lifespan of any Pokémon with the disease was only a year and with treatments it went to three years. Maybe four, if the Pokémon were exceptionally resilient. Logan was intent on reviewing the idea's that this newest research study had hypnotized... not that it was doing him any good. The review was simple, ensuring an injection to prevent any form of evolution for a Pokémon to occur but it only extended a life to five years and that was an estimate. Pokémon could live up to thirty or eighty years and longer... depending solely on the type of Pokémon. Desperately Logan rubbed his hair, as always, as he read and read. There really wasn't anything here, not that he didn't know already... After-all, it was easy when a disease plagued the medical community for centuries. Logan read over the report and the idea and all the files requiring it. Nothing really caught the trainers eye, so he sighed desperately and looked out the bright window nearby him... Shadow was sleeping under the window where the sunshine had crept slowly through the room... Again he had another sleepless night. It was early in the morning when he fumbled with his phone. The black unlit screen stared back at Logan and he desperately wanted to put the battery back into it. Logan only groaned however and kept reading the report and the thesis... This wouldn't work either, he knew that. He already knew of a working cure... A prototype that the medical community wouldn't recognize.

Logan brought a coffee to his lips and took a liberal sip, he figured they should get going before too many people recognized him. As he put the papers down and stood from the chair and the desk Shadow would stir awake and gave him a noise. "Yep, I've been awake all night again... Don't worry." He'd say with a smile and go to the closed door. Everyone stayed at a motel nearby, so he figured it would be a good time to go for a quick walk across the road... after-all the streets should be empty at five in the morning. Logan left the papers on that desk and let Shadow follow him out of the room before closing the door silently. If there was any hope for it, Logan hadn't found it yet. If only this hadn't happened, then maybe he could dedicate more of his time to a respected cure. To a cure that hurt and took away those that people loved. To a cure no different than that of someone's addictions. Logan moaned, annoyed, and walked out the front door to an empty road. It was risky going to the city, but he had to know, and everything just seemed to fall into place from there. If only it were THAT easy... having everything fall into place like it should. Logan crossed that road after looking both ways and all he could hear was the ocean and all sorts of Pokémon pass cries into the open sea-air. Slateport was the largest city in Hoenn, or at least, one of the largest. He'd feel something vibrate in his pocket... his Pokedex? No that's not possible. He'd take in out as he crossed the road and checked over his Pokedex. It solely had entered a new entry. *Number...* There was no number to the Pokémon added to his Pokedex. The only person with authorization to access it should have been his Professor. Things like that were tightly knit to the government. *added to Pokedex... Griffin caught a Blaziken between Maiden's Peak and Vermillion City, ... It's in horrible shape, he mentioned something about a fight but there is something more to it. I think Griffin is having troubles in Kanto too, Logan. Watch yourself out there, Moonlight seemed distressed over the phone. * The description of the non-existent Pokémon told him, and Logan swallowed nervously, then his Pokedex buzzed again with a removal message and again with a new one. *I believe there to be issues over there too, perhaps related to the Magnet Train Fiasco, that's hit every major newspaper out there already. My friend... well you know him already... he's a little unsettled by the explosion of police interference, mentioned something about his research team. * Then the Pokedex removed the message and sent one more, the description said *They have fossil revitalization machines and a numerous amount of other tech where they're researching, mentioned they made a breakthrough but sometimes he can have an open lip - especially with an old drinking buddy. Be careful out there. He mentioned about adding Griffin to a 'no touch, no talk' list. * The Pokedex had updated and scrubbed itself just as fast, as though preventing the update to hit main servers. It was always updated to the intended trainers Pokedex first, but this was the first time he ever saw it used as a messenger... of course, Logan couldn't message Ayumu back. He got to the motel and got inside the building, looking for their room when it buzzed one last time. *Logan... I've also been told that he's back in Kanto, my friend just told me he's working business, so Griffin should be safe with him around. * A small clock on his Pokedex told him the time... About eight in the morning.

Logan gave a dry swallow when he read that, he knew exactly who Ayumu was talking about... As his Pokedex buzzed itself clean again Logan opened the door to find that Trevor and Rebecca were already awake "We were waiting on you. We should get going Logan." Logan nodded "Yeah! We got to leave before people start noticing me..." It was odd needing to run all the time now, or at least having that feeling. Logan grabbed his bag and they all left out the door from the motel. Luckily, they were close enough to the beachside, so they didn't have too far to walk and draw a lot of attention. Logan walked down the empty road without much worry, Shadow followed him closely... if he was lucky someone could confuse it with Bandit and that might deter them from challenging him. There was only a small pocket of people here and there, but they had to make a second glance when Logan walked down the road. Trevor walked by his side and before a peculiar stranger gave Logan a stare Trevor commented "It's great that you came down to hang out with your Cousin! You're always so busy with people bothering you that I thought you forgot about today! I just hope nobody bothers us... that would ruin_today!" The trainer gave a shy look at Trevor and Rebecca chuckled "I can't believe he was kind enough to let me tag along!" Logan sighed to himself, it was annoying, and it felt unneeded, but it happened anyways. More importantly it worked to deter those trainers that were talking amongst each other. They simply waved at Logan as he walked by and Trevor was busy talking Logan's ear off. It was a real good acting play on Trevors part and Shadow only stared at the large man with his tall ears flickering. The smaller Mightyena only stared at the two of them for a moment and then Rebecca's Charmander bumped into him "Let's go! I want to see the ocean again!" The Charmander stated broadly and his tail flickered and flashed with a warm tender flare of fire. His claws went into the air frantically "It's so cool! I've barely seen THAT much water before." Shadow only stared at Charmander as it commented about the water and how he's never gotten close enough to feel the ocean wash over his legs. Shadow realized that Charmander must've been playing in the shallow end of the beach yesterday afternoon. "Yes, Yes, the ocean is wonderful almost any time of the year." Shadow replied, "You know, it really can't freeze over." Charmander gave a wince as Shadow spoke to him "That sounds too cold!" Charmander mentioned to him and Shadow only giggled. Unlike Bandits rather vicious cackle, the Mightyena had a softer and sweeter tone in his voice. He hardly ever rose it past a few decibels. As the thin, sleek Mightyena followed the side walk down to the beach with his tail flickering Charmander happily spoke to him about all the things he'd love to see. Shadow ensured him that they'd probably see it all on this large journey... His mind went to the clouds for a moment and her name entered his mind with worry and loneliness. _Bandit... where are you right now? What's going on? He'd say the words in the most casual tone he could muster and repeat them in the echoing void in his mind. Shadow did what he always did whenever Bandit wasn't around... Just practice a normal conversation with her... rather than something so sharp tongued and short winded. Bandit was never the kind to rest or stop... stopping, that was up to her and her alone.

Logan was watching Shadow and Charmander walk side by side in the early morning, they both were falling behind so Logan gave a short whistle and his Mightyena began to pick up the pace. Charmander promptly followed him and they both glanced at the upcoming flickering sea. There was a gentle shimmer of cool wind that competed with the chilly morning sunlight, it nearly felt as though it was going to rain later on throughout the day and Logan glanced at the clouds in the sky. They loomed in the distance and he only wondered if the rain had already shifted its way along the route they were hoping to come up to for the day. The clouds themselves looked menacing enough but it wasn't going to deter Logan. They came down the beach for a while and glanced at the parting waves... Slateport was behind them now and the sun was just shimmering along the windows and the buildings. They walked for at least an hour out of the city and found a spot they were looking for. It was a clear shot, following the waves to their next route. Logan could barely see the land from where they were and he checked his compass again... "If we start going east here and then follow the waves up north we should be right alongside Logan could barely see the land from where they were, and he checked his compass again... "If we start going east here and then follow the waves up north we should be right alongside Route One Twenty-Three" Logan commented and glanced over at Trevor and Rebecca "Now I guess we could intersect Route One Thirty-Three while we do, it might cut some time but we'd run into trainers.... Or we can just cross over to the Fabled Cave" Logan commented, and Trevor shrugged as his reply. "The Fabled Cave sounds best to me" Rebecca nodded as she talked "I'm... worried about the water" Logan nodded in reply. Logan recalled the other day at the beach... Rebecca never actually went near the water.

Shadow casted his trainer a glance and Logan looked at the smaller, sleek and thin Mightyena with a smile. "I'll be sure to send you back to Griffin soon, I promise." He told the Mightyena and Shadow gave a happy grin. Logan found a spot to disembark from the beachside and let out Lapras... He tossed the Pokeball high into the air and the red lines illuminated the water with their flickering lights. Lapras treaded along the gentle waves by the beach and Logan gave the Pokémon a pet along the neck "We have a little way to go Lapras, we're going to surf from here" Lapras chittered happily and put its fins down to the beach. Logan got on and Poppo flew around the Lapras, Trevor followed onto Lapras shortly after and let his hand out to Rebecca. "I believe our chariot is here." He'd say with a nerdy laugh and Rebecca chortled in reply "God you are a nerd..." She'd confidently take his hand and Trevor helped her up. Shadow picked up Charmander and the lizard flailed a little before giving up "Hey! I can climb up myself!" Shadow chuckled in reply to the Charmander's feeble flailing "Just in case kid... We don't want your tail soaked if you fall off." The Mightyena hopped onto Lapras's back without any issue and he placed Charmander in the middle of the Pokémon's back. Lapras stretched out it's flippers and pushed from the beachside, they had at least a kilometer of travel by sea just to reach the cavern... if the waves were still tame that is. In the early morning the full tide had yet to push into the beach. Logan checked his compass one more time. "We're heading North-East Lapras." Logan mentioned and pointed in the direction they headed for. "We'll aim for that landmass down the way, maybe a couple of kilometers out." Lapras chirred happily and slapped its fins against the azure water letting the small treading water gather around it's stomach. Logan adjusted his jacket in the wind and felt the sea air wash over his face, his grizzled five-o-clock shadow and the brown-haired man laughed to himself. It was freeing... Being on the waves again left Logan with a rush of feelings and memories as they soared out into the water treading along the waves as he glared at his compass before fishing the small metal compass into his pocket. Logan simply wanted to watch the rich burning sunlight flare across the glimmering mirror of ocean waves. The skies to the far east were clear and open wide with a horizon of bright sapphire. His hand rested along Lapras's neck, in fact he squeezed the Lapras a little bit. It chirped and looked his way and he chuckled in reply "Sorry... It's been a long time since we've surfed." Logan gave a happy grin and stare out into the resting water. The tide should come in over the next couple of hours... but the Sacred Cave was only an hour or so away, at the speed they were going in the least. Trevor gave a chuckle from behind Logan and he turned to watch Poppo flutter by and beyond Lapras to follow the horizon ahead. The wind ruffled his feathers tenderly and it left Logan with a chuckle of his own before he put his bag down to check his supplies. A few days' worth of food for himself and his Pokémon... Staring at the can of Pokémon food made him think of Griffin. The flashing memories came to his mind and his world unfurled into their home once more.

A home where everything was always so colorful and bright. Where Bandit, their Poochyena stared at the dinner table with this look of guilt and desire that always left Griffin to put his plate of half eaten food on the floor. Logan always stood up and complained at him about it. He studied the can closely, reading the nutrient facts and the advertisement of berries that were mixed in and baked with them. The silver-grey aluminum shone at him in the sunlight and his brown-green eyes studied the can closely. His dark hair flickered within the ocean wind and Logan only stared at Griffin... in his mind. Remembering every argument, he had with his younger brother... Everything seemed so much harder back then. You didn't even wait for me to say bye before you left for Kanto. Logan stared at that can for only a second more before putting it back into his bag. He had plenty of food for his Pokémon, he was always stocked up with that at least. "Hey Logan, I picked up some things from the Pokemart before we left. While you were busy studying Rebecca and I grabbed more things... granted we have no tents. Trevor commented "Guess we'll have to cuddle up to keep warm." He stuck out his tongue and Rebecca simply gave a huff and turned her head. "I'll be sure to tell HR about that!" Rebecca stated, and it left Trevor to grin before laughing from her jokes. "What? It's perfect survival training! Better then freezing to death..." "Well at least I was smart enough to pack a sleeping bag!" Rebecca retorted, in fact she had a full pack of things she'd probably need. Trevor had picked up most of the food and water and Logan only had his map, compass, pokefood and a few potions. That and a turned off Pokenav and his battery-removed cell phone... I need to figure this out... maybe I can try getting a hold of Ayumu at Fortree City... or... Logan seemed to groan to himself and look out at the waves. Thinking... Wait.... Crossgate Town. It's bound to have a better home line to use. But It's a couple days away from the Forbidden Forest. Logan took out the map and Rebecca curious looked over his shoulder, just looking at the map. "It's twenty eighteen Logan..." She'd comment and point at the date "This map is over twenty years old..." She'd comment idly, and Logan looked at the date in the lower right corner "I know that... so?" Rebecca sighed and glared at him

"So? Have you honestly forgotten declination of the poles? Over years the degrees change so this map is pointless if you're not adding the declination in degrees. We'd end up back in Lilycove or even Petalburg if you're not reading it right!" Logan swallowed... No wonder why they ended up at the beach yesterday. The route he chooses should have brought them right next to Slateport City, but they were easily some extra days walk away. He stared at the compass again which fixed its degree to the magnetic north and the direction he was facing. "Right... declination... I forgot all about that." He put a hand through his hair and stared at the map. He was running the numbers through his head and drew all sorts of blanks. It had been years since he calculated declination... it had been years since he even held a map and compass. "Some 'top of the class' PokeScout you were..." Rebecca sighed and took the map from him, Logan simply replied with a blank stare. "You're just bearing North and East... you're not even reading the degrees. It's fine with landmarks but we'll be lost of days on end if we don't do this properly." Rebecca explained, and Logan gave a blank look in return, obviously he had to account for the earth. This map and compass would easily mess them up and turn them around if he didn't. Logan sighed and stared at the date of the map... He was doing math in his head. "Add twenty-one degrees." Rebecca said after barely looking at the numbers. "What?" Logan looked at the map again, he had barely started doing the math "Shouldn't I subtract it?" "It's West, Not East. That gives us a more accurate bearing, if you were in the western hemisphere then you'd subtract it. Granted once we pass any regions, we'll have to change the bearing again..." Rebecca said "There's a barrier of magnetic granite and other rocks on Japan. It's can drastically change when going near them." She mentioned "But we're further away for now, Kanto and Sinnoh is a different story. In Alola I had to subtract most of my bearings, granted I always had my Pokenav on..." Rebecca said with a sigh "I got worried when you turned yours off and took your phone battery out, So I did too back in Littleroot." She said and smiled a little "East, North-East Sixty degrees and three seconds. If this map is correct that is." Rebecca mentioned with a cheeky grin "And here I thought men had a sense of direction..." Trevor was chuckling from behind them and watched Poppo dart through the air and suddenly he called out at his Pidgey

"Poppo, Tuck and dive!" The Pidgey fumbled and dropped down near the water. A Wingull cried out as it went to swoop in and Poppo. It wasn't expecting the little bird to drop down near the ocean's surface. Logan glanced up at Poppo and stared as the Pidgey hurriedly beat its wings to get back to Lapras. The Wingull stared at Lapras with a mean yelping cry and Poppo simply dug into Trevors broad shoulders. He passed a look at Poppo... "Hey bud, we'll get em next time." He said, and Logan looked at his compass again then back to the map. As he did Shadow stared at his trainer, waiting to get to dry land again. Charmander was staring into the see so intently that it felt as though the lizard desired to swim... but he never jumped into the water carelessly... He just stared at his reflection in the quivering water. Shadow glanced at Charmander after staring at Logan intently. The Mightyena came up to Charmander, making himself known to the little lizard as he did. They started to chat amongst themselves and Logan smiled and got back to work. "We'll have to avoid these mountains... We don't have the equipment to climb them." Logan said. "I know there are some caverns around there" Rebecca said "But I doubt it's a good idea... I've heard that Team Magma is around those parts. It's been in the news lately..." Logan grinned "Team Magma is easy to deal with! Aqua is just as easy!" But I'm not worried about them... Logan felt that non-too friendly shiver run through his spine again and he felt the desire to swallow. A dry, rough swallow that made him want to cough after. Logan shook off the feeling... The faster they got to his Grandfathers cabin, the better. "Lapras, aim for..." He took a bearing with his compass, lining it up to a landmark "The edge of the Fabled Cave. That section of the landmass. He pointed beyond Lapras, gently holding onto her neck and she chirred and continued to swim in that direction. The Fabled Cave looked more like a speck on the horizon with barely the tips of the mountain range in the distance. There was plenty of distance to cover. Logan glanced over to Trevor when he heard a chirping sound and watched Poppo cling to Trevors shoulder. He was a small Pidgey, as expected with all of them. It outspread its wings and stretched them broadly against the morning sunlight. Poppo's feathers glowed and twinkled against the light of the sun and Trevor gave a nod. "Alright Poppo! Let's get to flight. Soar high! High enough that the winds fight against your wings. Try to keep up with us!" Poppo chirred and went to soar once more, taking flight high into the air. "Find the harshest winds!" Trevor called out and Logan watched Poppo swoop and swing until catching a powerful gust from Johto. The sea air was rough there. Logan stared far off to the south east, staring at Poppo flap it's wings furiously against the bellowing wind.

I get it... but is this really the time? Wingull is probably still watching from a far Trevor. Training Poppo now is going to get him in a battle... Logan watched with worry and went for a Pokeball, he had an idea. "Alright Dragonite! Let's get up there!" Logan tossed his Pokeball high into the air and Dragonite flashed out of the capsule, spreading his huge wings and overlooking Lapras. "Let's help Poppo train! Get ahead of him!" Dragonite gave a bellowing sound and soared far ahead of Poppo, the Pidgey tumbled as Dragonite soared through the sky past him. "So much for keeping a low-profile Logan..." Rebecca commented, and he looked at her with a sudden uneasy feeling in his stomach. "It's still, early right? Then we'll help Poppo train!" After all, ... I even need to train Shadow harder... Dragonite could use some maneuvering training too "Alright Dragonite! Don't let that little Pidgey past you! Only use your wings to redirect him! Don't push him back!" Dragonite chirred from the air and Trevor gave Logan a nervous swallow. "Uh... Logan... I was starting him off basic." Trevor commented "I mean... just to get his wing strength up." "That's great, but what about concentration and maneuvering? The wind is enough for a straight and narrow endurance training, but nothing will stop Poppo from needing to change his direction suddenly." Dragonite beat his wings and it forced the wind to swirl around Poppo. The Pidgey braced itself against the wind and gave out a feeble cry and swooped through the air backward. "P - Poppo! Spread your wings when your stomach faces the water! Catch an updraft!" Trevor called out and Poppo spun through the air, dropping quickly before suddenly catching the wind and hovering. "Let's go Poppo! Get back in there!" The Pidgey gave Trevor a look, on that made him say 'How in the world am I going to do this!?' That small Pidgey swooped back into the harsh winds as Dragonite hovered ahead of him, at least fifty meters of distance were between them and Dragonite roughly slammed his wings into the air once more. The wind swirled in all directions... "Poppo! Brace your wings to the South! Spread them high!" Poppo barely heard Trevor from the roar of wind that shrieked through his small body, but his wing got the wind. And it swung him first to the north and then shoved him west. Poppo forced his wings to direct back in line with Dragonite's path. The taxing feeling through his shoulders crossed from wing to wing already. Poppo couldn't fight the wind... his wings wouldn't let up though and the little Pidgey glanced down at Trevor who cautiously stared from a top of Lapras. Over the crisp blue sea, Logan appeared like a speck on the ocean's surface to Dragonite and Poppo. Logan watched the skies and stared cautiously at his Dragonite. The large winged beast swung his wings towards Poppo again, this time he angled his wings upward and reared to the left and then to the right. "Go for it Poppo! Catch up to Dragonite!"

The wind roared again, this time it was simply from the natural current along the oceans air and Poppo beat his wings furiously trying to close the simple distance between himself and the Dragonite. Without any warning the dragon ahead slammed a gust of wind sharply along the right side and it sent Poppo tumbling to the left and desperately, he searched for a recovery from the blow. The small Pidgey flapped his sore wings harder now and frantically tried to anticipate the next move. Dragonite made a manouver which sent Poppo upward. It confused the Pidgey when he saw those huge large wings drop and turned to the heavens. The bright sunlight caught his feathers as he suddenly shot high into the air with Dragonite following him. The large dragon swung his wings around and it sent Poppo into a frenzy of swirls, his wings were buckling from the force of the wind and the Pidgey spun around and around. "Dragonite!" Logan called out but there wasn't any need to. Dragonite was already a step ahead and swung low under the tumbling Pidgey, he matched the speed perfectly and cushion him moments before he hit the water. "Poppo!" Trevor called out with worry, his eyes went from wide and scared towards a calm lull before a sudden rage. "What was that Logan!?" Logan flinched and turned to meet Trevors gaze. He gave a little swallow, this was how he trained all of his flying types. "Well, I've trained plenty of avian types in my time. Almost all of mine have won competitions." Logan replied as Dragonite hovered nearby Lapras, matching her speed now as they cruised softly in the wind. Lapras flipped her wings and Logan reached over to grab Poppo gently. "It's to test their initial performance Trevor. You do it too." Trevor stared at Logan with this newfound anger. "Of course I do, but I do it safely!" Trevor explained and went to grab Poppo from Logan. The little Pidgey was confused and he simply sighed roughly. "Look... I'm still mad" His tone was much softer and less strict now. "I feel like I have every right to be, he's a fraction the size of Dragonite. That amount of wind hurt him Logan, that's going too far with training." Logan went a little blank and ran his fingers through his hair nervously "Well... It's just..." Trevor stared at Logan and rolled his eyes. Logan could explain why he'd push Poppo so hard... After all, Logan did the exact same with Shadow and Bandit. There was a little silence between them both as Logan stared at Poppo with this old concern which he had when he was younger. The brown-haired man stood nervously "I... just... worry" Trevor grimaced and held Poppo closely

"Look, Team Magma and Aqua are basically gone. There's no need to push them so harshly anymore. Really Logan, relax a little." Trevor mentioned "We can't just push them so hard to start off." Trevor said in his calm yet somehow frightening tone. There was a small, uneasy silence that hovered around him as Logan spent a moment to stare at Shadow. Even the Mightyena had a rough look plastered across his muzzle. Logan simply lowered his head to Trevor after. "I'm sorry Trevor... Just in my experience anything can happen and usually it goes wrong... So, I'm worried about that. The greener they are..." Logan gave short sigh. "I'm just worried." He mentioned courteously, and Trevor simply rolled his eyes in return. "Let me handle the initial training at least. I don't need any of them getting hurt during their training alright?" Logan nodded "Yeah, that's fair Trevor... Dragonite, return." Logan returned the large dragon that hovered alongside Lapras and as the laser from the capsule shot out into the air Dragonite gave an apologetic nod to the little Pidgey before returning to his capsule. Logan looked over his compass, they were on the right bearing still and he simply stared at Pidgey who was panting frantically and burrowing his way into Trevors shoulder. A Pokémon like that wouldn't stand a chance against any team... I bet even those idiots from Team Rocket wouldn't be able to beat them... What were their names again? They used to be big... names... Logan tried to brainstorm the names and sighed a little bit after he got nowhere. When I started, they were huge in Kanto, stole countless Pokémon from trainers. He let go of the thought and focused on the sea as his eyes dropped down to Shadow again. His Mightyena was staring aimlessly into the rushing water as though to catch his reflection in the curling waves which crashed gently against Lapras. Logan tightened his fist... how long had he been standing there with this sudden flare of determination? Just staring at Shadow and watching the sun climb above the open water was enough to make his heart race. The expectations, the drive and the endless optimistic hope filled his mind like a ten-year-old starting his own Pokémon journey. There was a small leap in his heartbeat as Lapras shoved her fins through the water and they began to pick up speed amongst the deep clear water. All kinds of Pokémon swirled from below them and Logan caught the gaze of many of them. He'd step upward standing strong and tall beside of Lapras as he'd watch the slow creeping land approach them on the horizon. If Lapras kept this speed up they'd be there in no time at all. His fist was still clenched with his firm and fiery determination, it was no different than when he met Flint at an event. At one-point Logan was betting on fighting the Elite Four in other regions. I just wonder if our journey drags us to Sinnoh or Kalos or Unova. His fist quaked as he stared out at the horizon. Poppo fluttered up to him and it made Logan turn. His fire was extinguished suddenly.

"I'm sorry Poppo... I'll be sure that next time, we take it down to a progressive level... alright?" Logan said and pet Poppo's cheek after the Pidgey landed on his shoulder. The Pidgey chirped in reply and Logan gave a smile. "We'll get there, and we'll figure out more about this... about everything." Logan mentioned and watched the rain clouds in the distance. It was ominous to look at but getting closer, it nearly looked like a cursed rain storm was going to flood the mountain ranges ahead. But here, in the open water, there was nothing going to stop them. The wind carried across Lapras and Logan stared up at the sky and the clouds with this forgotten freedom of newfound peace. He looked up at the ocean and the skies through the same eyes he did when he started as just a small trainer from a town in the middle of nowhere.

"Bandit!" Griffin roared from the background and that large Mightyena dodged out of the way again. Arcanine was already closing in the distance one more and approached right up to her muzzle. She was still stuck in the air from her first dodge but Arcanine charged in with a roar and a snarl as flames spewed from its mouth like some enraged demon. He was about to make contact and the Mightyena gave a grin... Arcanine used Extreme Speed and followed up with Fire Fang... Naturally the Arcanine drove his fangs clean into Bandits throat, tearing her whole body upward. His jaws were strong enough to tear not only her neck open... but also pick her up off her feet... Moonlight roared out and Griffin yelled with him... Brad froze, they all did... and stared in this sudden unfurling horror while Arcanine swung the Mightyena's body around viciously. She was limp... her throat cut clean open from his jaws leaving a trail of mangled flesh which flopped aimlessly in the bright sunlight... Griffin paused in a horrific shock and watched with a sudden roar of tears that struck against his chest. "YOU LITTLE FUCK!" He roared loud enough that the young teen simply crossed into a pose which left himself with this supposedly cool and creepy stance. That hood swung low enough to cover his whole face apart from a simple, single eye that stared out from the darkness behind it. His hand crossed into the open air which barely let his small jacket cross over his body. It was a loose-fitting collection of poorly knitted cloth and the poorly sewn on buttons for the Mimiku's eyes didn't help. Griffin was moments away from booking it to him with his fists at the ready... But there was a puff of clouded smoke. The Arcanine swung back and realized what happened... Bandit used Substitute! And Moonlight followed up with Confusion! The Espeon gave a deliciously infectious smile - like he was proud with his acting - as Bandit crossed out from a layer of smoke. She used her Substitute to take a blow and had it all set up with Moonlights confusion... At least the Espeon snapped out of his horrible headache now! His mind was clearer, and he only needed a moment to catch his breath and empty his head. Arcanine swung his powerful jaw to the left and the right, the sleek black dog glared with gemstones of red. Griffin watched Bandit cross from the outside of the smoke and felt his eyes bellow out wide... They all stared closely as Moonlight finished off the follow up with a mirror like cube that encircled their battlefield. Trick Room. Griffin stared at the swirling colors with awe and saw how Bandits pelt ignited with all sorts of bright colors which contrasted against her sharp, sleek grey fur. Arcanine used Overheat! But it hurt itself in the confusion! Bandit used Payback! The blow drove the Arcanine to slam against a tree nearby. The crisscrossed box circled parts of the forest too and enlarged their battlefield "Leafeon! Now!" Naturally the Leafeon couldn't hide from the battle, he made an intelligent retreat and as Moonlight called out his name the Leafeon drove in with Energy Ball and left Moonlight to use double team. He encircled the jet-black Arcanine with copies and in seconds the Energy Ball went for the contact. Arcanine snapped out of his confusion and moved! But Moonlight used Reflect! The Energy ball was heading straight for Arcanine from the rebound!

"Bandit! Use Incinerate! Surround Leafeon's attack!" Griffin called out, he was able to fight past the shock of what just happened. She did without question and only passed him a look that said, 'I was already planning on it, idiot' Her jaws spewed out flames and the fire swirled around the Energy Ball with a spectacle of riveting flames and red ribbons before evolving into a large massive fireball of red and green lights. It struck the Arcanine clean and in seconds Leafeon was bolting across the field. Before Arcanine could even catch his bearings from the explosion of energetic flames that Leafeon already drove into him. Leafeon used Giga Impact and it pushed Arcanine right out of the field! "Don't let up yet!" Bandit roared and began to charge her hyperbeam again. The strange teen yelled at his Arcanine and before they knew it, a true torrent of bright yellow energy shot down the trail once more clearing easily hundreds of meters of distance. The Arcanine flew back in a flurry of smoke and burning fur before crashing against the trail, he hit every part of his body against the earth along the way, and they watched as the entire cube surrounding them detonated in a flurry of bright swirling lights and colors. Griffin observed, awe-struck. His eyes glanced as Brad's Lucario made her move. Agility followed up with Close Combat. The Arcanine fought to get to his feet and she slammed her leg across his head. The blow sent him reeling to the hard right and then she planted her right paw on the ground and half-spun to land a blow with her left leg. The Arcanine swung back again and hit the ground. Bandit simply began her laughter. Her chilling, yipping laughter... Moonlight and Leafeon finally found a moment to breathe. "We actually did it..." Leafeon said with disbelief before making a hearty and victorious laugh "That was one hell of a fight..." Moonlight chuckled and kept himself regal before stumbling. Bandit caught him with her side...

.

"Next time I won't help you... Who the hell is that?!" Bandit asked and stared at the Arcanine for a moment more... before there was a large expulsion of smoke. Bandit grabbed Moonlight by the scruff and jumped back. Arcanine used Substitute and followed up with dig! Before he even touched the ground, Arcanine used FlameWheel mid-air! The blow swung its way to Bandit and Moonlight. Griffin was already moving... "Griffin!" Brad yelled and Leafeon turned to move. Aura tried to follow back, but Griffin was already in the Arcanine's way. He took that boxers stance again and planted his feet to the ground firmly, Lycanroc was bolting up to him. Moonlight stared in misbelief and then at the puff of smoke in the distance... Are you telling me... that was only a quarter of the Arcanines health? His eyes went wide as he stared at Bandit who deduced the exact same thing. As the fiery circle swung into Griffin, it was just about to make contact and he shut his eyes firmly. The heat enveloped him from every direction and suddenly he heard a loud crack and the bang of smoke surrounded him. Griffin kept his eyes shut firmly and when he opened them through the smoke that stung his eyes and forced him to tear up...

Griffin stared at a Houndoom through his teary gaze... the large and regal canine had deflected Arcanines move! "Melody!" Brad said, and Griffin turned to look at her. She was there in her lanky white sweater and her jeans. She had a very sour look on her face. "Why don't you have your Pokémon Griffin?" She'd say in this calm, but stern tone and Griffin swallowed. "We- We'll talk about that later... but right now we need help." Melody gave a smile "Alright Houndoom! Use Combination Seven, go!" Houndoom nodded and began charging Energy! The Arcanine stood up and snarled at the Pokémon. "Who the hell are you? Get out of my way mutt..." Arcanine used Snarl! But it's not... effective? Melody's Houndoom had no effect from Arcanine's snarling. Arcanine went to bolt and Houndoom waited for the last moment to dodge Arcanine's speedy Crunch. It was pointed directly for Houndoom's neck but the Houndoom simply stepped sideways. Bandit stared at him intently... "What is with that speed?" She'd say and go wide-eyed. "Houndoom... makes Arcanine look like he's standing still." Houndoom gracefully moved again when Arcanine followed up with another attack -Fire Fang - he missed the Houndoom entirely simply from the Houndoom nearly dancing around him. Moonlight stared closely and watched Melody. Her near white-blonde hair hung down her face as she casually observed the dancing shapes. "Twenty-Three" Melody commented and Houndoom ducked low from a blow from the right. "Three Forty-Two" He evaded a blow from the left. "Houndoom, Combination Seven, now." Houndoom used Hidden Power after evading a head on attack. The Arcanine went to turn his head from the Houndoom slipping around the larger Arcanine "What!?" He roared and the Houndoom barely acknowledged the Arcanine before letting the swirls of bright energetic orbs surround him. Flamethrower casted forward and encircled the jet-black Arcanine and Houndoom changed his stance and followed up by using Flare Blitz. The flamethrower surrounded Arcanine and Hidden Power stoked the fire into a vertex no different than Luna's Fire Spin. It trapped the Arcanine inside the tightly confined hurricane of near white fire before Houndoom charged the field and crashed through the vertex of fire with a spectacle of bright iridescent fire Houndoom was surrounded in a pure dazzling blue-white flame and it slammed into Arcanine viciously. He took the blow entirely but before he could even feign rearward the Houndoom grabbled Arcanine's leg and slammed him in the other direction towards the strange trainer. Arcanine hit the ground with enough force to vibrate the ground. Even Bandit winced from that and she stared at the Houndoom's flame extinguish almost as quickly as she witnessed it.

_Hidden power, Flamethrower, Flareblitz and Seismic Toss? What level of coordination do you need to commit to that?_Bandit watched closely and stared at Melody before Moonlight commented something "She sees his front as north... She's using math to consider their best moves and Houndoom is reacting as soon as she says." Moonlight tried to stand but his paws were starting to wobble, that splitting headache came back again. "Don't try to move... you've used too much of your psychic ability, did you get enough sleep?" She'd ask roughly and watched as the Arcanine got up again. Moonlight gave a swallow "Not deep sleep, Bandit..." Moonlight replied "Get out of here kid" Melody said. "I'm not going anywhere!" The teen replied, and she looked back at Griffin and Brad. "Then you'll lose." Melody commented, and the stranger laughed and went for another Pokeball on his belt "They're just weapons! So, what if they die?" She simply narrowed her eyes as his hand grabbed a Pokeball from his belt and the moment he went for it there was a loud crash and the sight of pink and purple light flared all around the battlefield. Griffin swung his arm up to block the light from blinding him. Melody simply watched the lights and Brad ducked for cover. "What now!?" Something hopped in front of Melody, Griffin, Brad and all their Pokémon and another thing jumped in front of the strange teen and Arcanine. They were facing each other down and Espeon called out in a mix of fright and delight

"Mew!" Moonlight said, and the Mew stood its ground and stared down something that Moonlight knew all too well. Espeon forced himself to his paws, Moonlight stood shaking but firm and right behind Mew. The pink Pokémon didn't even stare back at him. "Alright, let's beat them, Everyone! Stand up and fight!" Moonlight roared and watched Leafeon hop out from the trail, Bandit bolt up beside him while saying "That's my line Espeon!" Lycanroc jumped to the front with Aura and suddenly, without warning, Blaziken joined in with them. Lycanroc and Blaziken exchanged glances and they stared down the field to the trainer and his Arcanine. "The two of you are traitors! Cheshira!" The Copy-Cat got to it's feet and suddenly malformed from a Mew into a Jolteon. The swirls of dark fur kept raveling and unraveling around it. Griffin went for his Pokedex. The moment he identified the Pokémon, 'Cheshira' it only came back with errors then he went to identify the Mew, which came back as *No data available*

"Cheshira! That's your name!?" Moonlight roared loudly and the slim looking Copycat malformed again and again as if deciding what to be. It simply laughed loudly, a shrieking and horrifying laugh that made Moonlight growl. Bandit seemed to second-guess herself from the shrieking laughter and even that very proficient Houndoom flinched. "That's not what my name is Moonlight" The Cheshira explained in his voice so all of them could hear it. He spoke in a sound that made Griffin, Brad and Melody shiver. It's eerie 'Ches... Shi, Shi, Shira' Racked against their ears. "I'm a Pokémon known as Cheshira... I'm surprised and curious about your perseverance... thanks to luck." Cheshira stared down Mew viciously and gave it a violent, hissing snarl. "Mew... You're so annoying. Why are you even here?" The Mew didn't flinch and held its ground and Brad swallowed from the background. The whole thing here was a sudden mixture of bloodlust and rage. Brad only gave Aura a nervous look and then stared at the Cheshira. The Mew never returned it's answer and simply held its stance, ready to fight at any moment. The strange trainer shrugged and huffed, he seemed annoyed. "Arcanine, Cheshira!" Arcanine nodded and bolted the other way and took its trainer along his back. They were retreating! Cheshira simply malformed into a Pidgeot and swung beside the Arcanine. Moonlight tried to bolt forward but one of Mew's tails stopped him. He bitterly snarled... Other than Mew and Houndoom, none of them were able to continue fighting, even Bandit was exhausted. The Arcanine himself was enough to hold them all off alone. Mew stopped Moonlight from running after them because it knew that they weren't going to win. Mew was fighting Cheshira to protect them. As he watched the jet-black Arcanine run off into the distance, the Cheshira called out. "The next time Moonlight! You'll be alone... and I'll have your head then! I'll have your heart and everything it stands for Espeon!!" Cheshira laughed from a far and Mew huffed at it in return before suddenly and finally turning to Moonlight with a look in its bright pink eyes. It's as though he could read the Espeon just by looking at him... Mew read Espeon's core without a single issue. He read him in ways that Espeon never thought anyone could understand and in moments the Espeon hung his head down low. Moonlight bit his tongue... there was so much he wanted to explain but all he could muster out of it all was _"Thank you Mew, for all your help..."_Bandit stared at the Mew who surprisingly nodded its head and it then looked at everyone else with a bright and cheery smile before fluttering away into the sunlight. Griffin watched the strange Pokémon fly away and stared at the speck down the road that Arcanine and its mysterious trainer bolted down. When he knew they were gone into the horizon he suddenly huffed out and felt his legs give way to a fury of shakes. Bandit stared at her trainer as he curiously inspected his arms... it's as though he were cursing himself for moving the way he did, or in the least, was wondering why he did. Bandit felt a smile coming on her face.

I don't think you understand Griffin... exactly how similar you are to Logan. You're always running away from family, but you've grown in the same ways. I just hope your resolve... your words from earlier stay true to your heart. Bandit grinned in the morning light and finally started to breathe easy. That fight was magnificent... finally there was an opponent out there worthy of fighting, it hadn't been that way for years and she felt an old flame re-ignite in her chest. Her heart was pounding, and she suddenly had nothing enter her mind except for Shadow's voice. Her paws dug into the ground and she let out this glorious sound, a victorious sound. For just a moment she had another lick with death and she knew that Griffin felt that too... In the very least she hoped that he had the same sound and music beating against her heart. Moonlight suddenly joined in with her, letting out a proud and regal roar and even Leafeon joined in. Houndoom simply grinned and Melody looked his way and nodded. Then Aura and Blaziken both threw their paws into the air and then shook them as though to greet one another. Lycanroc simply stared at Moonlight from a distance and their gazes caught for just a second.

"Hey you jerk!" Natasha's voice came up from behind... she was carrying everyone's stuff. Griffin turned to wave but before he did he felt his phone buzz. He answered it quickly "Hello?" "Griffin... It's Ayumu." Akiyama's voice casted itself over Griffin's cellphone. "Oh... Uhm... hello? Is something wrong Akiyama?" Bandit went over to Natasha and as she did she watched both Luna and Thief running up behind her. Luna had Griffin's Pokeball belt in her jaws. As she was running up Bandit gave a firm grin and bolted up to her, Thief watched Bandit cross the trail to them and she took a stance further out as Griffin started to talk on the phone with Ayumu. "We're upping your training Luna!" Bandit said firmly, and Luna flinched "I - I -I'm..." Luna swallowed and nearly dropped Griffin Pokeball belt. She took a stance and the Vulpix charged at Bandit. There was at least one hundred meters between them. "Focus all your energy to your point of contact and push through! With your size I'm going to teach you how to master Giga Impact! And then after we'll hone your flamethrower!" Bandit called out as Luna bolted up to her in the remnants of what looked to be a full-blown warzone. She had so many questions but before Luna opened her mouth Bandit only yelled "Focus! Focus like your life depends on it!" Bandit expressed with a gleeful grin and held her ground with her eyes wide and fiery. Luna stared into her eyes and saw something terrifying. Bandit used Scary Look! But Luna kept bolting at her. Fifty Meters. Thirty Meters. "Never lose focus! Control every bit of your power, or you will lose him" Luna shivered and Bandit grinned Griffin is too much like Logan when he was younger... Bandit stared at Luna bellow through the destroyed dirt trail.But Luna reminds me of someone I know too well Bandit dug her paws into the ground with enough energy gathering at her feet that it cracked the earth below her So become as strong as he is, Luna. Become as fast as he is... Train nonstop The Vulpix was ten meters now and her paws picked up speed, she naturally dropped the Pokeball Belt and suddenly the energy around her unfurled amongst her nose and covered her body with a spectacle of bright red and yellow light. It's as though her fire and heat naturally forced her to concentrate as much as she could. Yes... Luna, focus your fire, your spirit. Because I know that you have more than enough to push through me. To break my line. Go, Luna "HIT ME WITH EVERYTHING YOU GOT!" She roared and caught Griffin's attention, Moonlights attention and everyone else's as they watched Luna Tackle Bandit head on.

Luna used Agility and Tackle! It's not very effective... She basically bounced back from Bandit and stumbled around as though she hit a solid rock. Thief came running up to her "Are you okay Luna?" He'd ask, and she shook her head madly to the left and right. "I'm okay... but now everything is spinning..." Luna stumbled around with Thief trying to him.help her stay upright, and Bandit gave a cheery laugh and picked up Griffin's Pokeball belt and began walking over to him. Thief tried to help Luna from stumbling around as she walked around in circles, dazed and confused. "My location? Yeah... on my Pokenav? Uhm... Yeah here's the numbers" Griffin told Ayumu the numbers and Ayumu wrote them down. "And you want to talk to Moonlight? Of course!" He'd nod and suddenly call Moonlight over as Bandit dropped his belt at his feet. Griffin grabbed his belt and thanked her. She simply watched him clip the Pokeball belt to his sides as Natasha tossed his bag at him, he caught it and nearly hit the ground from the bag itself. "Why is your bag so damned heavy Griffin!?" Griffin swallowed a little "W - Well... there's the tent, sleeping bag... portable stove... potions, Pokeballs, chargers, clothes - two pairs, and food. Primarily food. Well... not that we have any right now..." Natasha sighed, and Brad and Melody looked at her. "Did she just throw his bag?" Melody asked Brad "Yeah... single handedly too..." Brad commented and stared at Griffin's Espeon whom was mewing into the phone constantly. His gemstone on his forehead was glowing... Griffin's Professor wasn't really talking to him from a phone, was he? "Geez, this Ayumu guy must be weird..." Brad commented as Griffin and Natasha got into another one of their classic arguments. Griffin held his hands up defensively as Natasha reamed him out for carrying too much weight. She'd comment about water and Brad looked at his bag that was still hung-over Natasha's shoulder. "I have water." He'd mention "And a life-saver. It's like an emergency water filter." Natasha rolled her eyes. "I didn't ask you Brad, I asked Griffin if he packed water!" "Of course I do!" Griffin replied and commented a little while after "I'm just running low..." He'd nervously stated, and Natasha's eyes sharpened on Griffin "So you're telling me.... That all the weight in your hiking bag... is just from your propane camp stove..." Natasha mentioned, and Griffin swallowed firmly "So exactly how much weight is on your back.... When it's full?" "M -M - Maybe fifty or so pounds..." He'd mention, and she'd huff again before yelling at him for being such an idiot. Griffin held his hands up defensively as she continued to ream him out mercilessly. Something caught their ears as it gently crusaded through the forest... That was the river!

"Hey!" Brad called out and pointed towards a clearing. "The river... I can hear it! Man, we've been so preoccupied with fighting..." He'd let out a cheery laugh and Aura nodded with a warm smile. "Let's get all of our stuff together and make our way to Vermillion!" Brad commented, and Melody gave him a nod, her Houndoom popped in front of her, it's as though he stood on guard by her side the entire time. Griffin looked Brad's way first before looking at Bandit, his Mightyena made her way to the front of them. I got the front Griffin... Just try not to wander off again. She'd say and turn... her heart was racing still. That Arcanine... He's in a different tier... It's going to be hell training to beat him. Her paws dug into the earth below her as Bandit began to walk ahead of the group. She heard a small call and looked to her left... Luna was following her. She gave the Vulpix a firm look, the kind that Luna thought was cold and chilly before, but now that Vulpix simply gave a smile

-

I can't believe this heat..... Luna stared up at the midday sky, Bandit and she had been walking for over the last few hours following the river which Griffin, Brad, Natasha and Melody went for. Melody's Houndoom had been keeping pace with them, Following Bandit and herself down the crossing river. They were going to make it to Vermillion at this pace... but it was still going to take them time. "We have a few days still." Bandit explained "If we're lucky... we might be able to catch a ride." She looked around the mountainside "There's bound to be a logging trail out here for selective cutting." Luna stared at the trees and the forest around them. It was a rich, lush scene where the peaks of the trees crisscrossed along selective patches of emerald meadows which glowed with a bright gold-green light. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky now leaving the forest around them to become dryer and hotter... So why was Luna panting. In fact, it caught Bandit's attention. "You require water, little Vulpix." Luna froze when she heard the soft, royal and firm voice and she turned to face the Houndoom. Melody's Houndoom. Bandit nodded to agree with him "You should runt." Bandit grinned "A little water will do you fine... it's weird that this amount of heat is getting to you, you must be dehydrated." Luna nodded... But I'm not thirsty, at all.... She'd give Bandit a nervous smile "I don't like that nickname" "Go shorty" Luna felt like she hit the ground, Bandit must have a dozen nicknames for her, afterall she was smaller and sleeker then even Thief was. Luna rolled her eyes with a little rude growl and went for the water, staring at a peculiar looking Sylveon who only studied the water courteously. What was his name again... "H - Hey... Sephiran right?" The Sylveon turned his head to Luna then went back to studying the gentle crusading waves as it gently curled through the wood. His ribbons danced elegantly in the wind and Luna took the moment to look around. Tsurara was nearly head deep into the water, as though steam were pouring from her light-blue and icy fur. "It's too hot......" She'd mutter, that Glaceon rested under the frigid waves and Sephiran stared her way then looked past her. Luna did too. Moonlight was further down the trail drinking from the river, she could see Leafeon making his way to him and they started to chat. In fact, the way they did was nothing like the day before.

Her paw tapped the ground and just thinking about whatever that Leafeon could've done to him made her angry. "He could smell Autumn in my fur"_What exactly did he mean by that? The cavern from Maiden's Peak came to her mind again. _He said that name there too..._Luna swallowed a little and watched Moonlight and Leafeon chat between themselves, drinking water and having this casual and not too serious conversation. It's as though whatever happened made them understand one another a little better. They looked more acquainted with each other now. Her fur riled up a little bit and something, out of nowhere suddenly tackled her. A brown mix of small fur with the most uprooting little voice "IT'S OUT!" That was... Yuny? Yelling and yipping with glee. It caught Moonlight and Leafeons attention, along with Glaceon who muttered "Here we go again...." Sephiran sighed to himself and Luna caught sight of Akamaru, Natasha's Flareon, suddenly going back into his Pokeball There was a splash of water, Glaceon hid under the water... Yuny jumped up and down at the first Pokémon she saw. That was Luna... "ItsoutitsoutitsoutITSOUT!" She'd nearly scream with this frantic amount of glee! Her plump tail flickered like crazy and Luna nervously smiled... _Don't say what... don't say what... Luna don't do it! "What's out? The sun? Obviously, the sun is there look up!" Thief mentioned from Griffin's side and Yuny had this gallant step, which involved nearly running right up to the Growlithe's face "It's Saturday!! The new episode is out!!!!" Yuny mentioned loudly and happily, it's like she was trying NOT to be obnoxious about it. The Eevee flickered her tail like crazy and she could hear Moonlight chuckling from the background, mentioning something about 'Cubs these days... getting excited about human things' Luna nervously laughed as Thief was stopped, dead in his tracks with this overly excited Eevee nearly yelling at his face. He simply gave his own nervous smile. "I... uh... What?" Thief mentioned "What? Like the news at the Pokémon Center?" Yuny went wide eyed and Luna watched Thief's fur stand on stilts. Right... I've never seen anything other than a newscaster on TV, that's an episode of the news, right? I doubt Thief has seen anything else either... if that Eevee is even talking about TV Luna swallowed, whatever got her so excited must've been important to Yuny.

"Natasha... what's with your Eevee?" Griffin stated, and Natasha looked and started to giggle "The newest episode came out today, Yuny and I watch the episodes as they come out. She loves it! It makes her all amped up to be a hero!" She'd mention with a smile and Griffin felt his shoulders go limp. "It can't be that amazing, there's hardly anything really worth watching on Television anyways." "It's not on TV, I have an account online." Natasha mentioned "It has every single Anime out there on it... well nearly." She'd pull out her phone and Yuny was already scampering onto her shoulder. It made Natasha laugh "Yuny! We don't even have internet out here! We can't watch it! And Data costs too much!" The Eevee gave a little drop of her ears and Natasha reached her hand out to pet her. "When we get to Vermilion, it'll be the first thing we do! After getting some real food of course." Yuny nodded and Natasha showed the screen to Griffin. "See, they have everything." "I doubt that..." Griffin said with a huff and crossed his arms while studying the episodes and series on her phone. "It's not like they'd have anything cool" Griffin went on his rant "I mean seriously, most of it died for me after Fullmetal" Brad and Melody stifled a laugh and Griffin looked at them. "What?" He'd ask and turn to Natasha who had this devilishly evil glare in her eyes. "So you DO like Anime......." That look in her eyes made Griffin go rigid and he huffed "I never said that! Fullmetal was the only thing that was on early in the morning. If anything, have a look at some cartoons, the Americans do that stuff way better..." Natasha didn't hear his sense of logic. "Fullmetal Panic... Or Fullmetal Alchemist?" Griffin swallowed a little "What... is the first one?" He'd cautiously and nervously smile at Natasha who tightened her devious stare. Natasha used Mean Look! It's super effective! Wait.... "So you like Fullmetal Alchemist... Brotherhood?" She'd mention with her evil grin and Griffin barely nodded

"I - It's like the only one I found that was decent..." Natasha gave a snicker and swung her bag down before suddenly, and without warning flicking out an entire outfit with a victorious laugh. Griffin stood there stunned... He simply watched her laugh as his heart sunk. "Y - You're not serious, are you?" He'd mention and shake his head no as Natasha playfully handed the outfit to him "I am NOT going to cosplay as Edward!" Natasha slowly turned her head with a demonic gleam in her eyes and Griffin felt his blood run cold "I AM NOT COSPLAYING ANYTHING!!!" Griffin yelled feebly, and defensively with his hands up "Come on... you nearly have the right amount of height... and we just need to clean and straighten your hair, it's the right color... and put in some contacts to oversee your Green eyes..." Natasha commented blankly, and Griffin simply looked at Thief "Run..." Griffin whispered and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Thief scampered alongside him. "GET BACK HERE FANBOY!!" Natasha yelled too, and Brad and Melody simply chuckled amongst themselves. "IT'S NOT LIKE YOU CAN RUN WITH THAT BAG ON!"

Like hell Griffin couldn't run with his bag, in fact he was full on sprinting. Griffin bolted past Luna and Bandit sidestepped out of the way watching Natasha chase after him with this utterly tacky outfit. Luna felt her fur step high and watched as though feeling Griffin's fear. "S -S - Should we help him?" Luna asked, and Bandit shook her head no. "Against a ravenous beast like that? I don't think I could stop her..." Bandit gave a playful laugh, watching Natasha and Griffin run around in near circles. She's like an evil force... don't want to make her mad... Glaceon popped out of the water panting and Yuny looked over to the water Luna looked too. "Tsurara!" Her eyes went wide, and she took a big deep breath and dove under the water again. They were all trying to avoid Yuny and the little Eevee dropped her ears and tail. Luna sighed a little, she must've been annoying for them. She saw a shock of electricity and it forced her to move, she was bolting for Yuny. Where was that coming from? "Look out!" That was Scarf!? Wait... was he practicing? The shock of thunder rocked through the treeline and was aiming right for Yuny. Luna used ember, holding the light amount of flames in her chest before igniting the air nearby the oblivious Eevee. She barely got a hold of the thundershock aiming for her before Luna's Ember struck against the lightning and fluttering in a small puff of smoke. Yuny was hiding her head in her tail and curled up in a ball to block herself from the surprise attack. "Sorry!" Scarf said from a far. "Learn how to aim Pikachu!" Luna called out and he simply sighed "I said I was sorry..." Scarf mentioned and went back to training? How was climbing tree's training? Luna rolled her eyes and looked at the bundle of fluff on the road. "Are you okay?" She asked and Yuny hopped to her feet. "I - I'm fine! I don't need your help! I'm the hero!" The Eevee cub replied and Luna huffed. She stared at Griffin who was running around to get away from Natasha.

"Akamaru! It's your spotlight! Cut off Griffin!" The Flareon popped out of his Pokeball and cut in front of Griffin. "Thief! Use Flare Blitz!" Thief barked and bolted for the Flareon "Akamaru! Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Akamaru popped around Thief and Griffin called out "Use Tackle! Intercept it!" Thief was already turning to meet Akamaru and they both collided head on. Everyone else simply followed down the path and Luna sighed a little hoping the fight wouldn't get too intense. Yuny strode by her and gave a growl. If that was a growl, it was too young and cute to be anything but threatening. "I'm the hero! I can take care of myself!" Another shock of thunder hit the road in front of her... while she yelped and hid into a ball again. Luna gave a lengthy sigh in reply and yelled at the trees "Pikachu! Aim better!" Scarf frowned "I AM! It's curving to him!" Luna looked at the little ball of explosive energy as she popped back up to her now static-furred and puffy self. She'd blush from embarrassment. "WELL STOP TRYING TO HIT ME!" Yuny yelled, the big ball of static puff and fur sighed and shook her pelt. That was going to stay that way for a while. Luna gave a huff and jumped into the river. It was getting to warm for her today, the heat from the blistering sun was too much. But that icy cold water made her sink under the water happily. Griffin and Natasha kept matching off moves between Akamaru and Thief and she simply let the water take her downstream. In fact, she felt like she could sleep there... if it weren't for the thought of drowning. All in all, it felt like a peaceful day and as she swung down the river, Leafeon and Moonlight stared at her coming by. "Luna... you okay?" Moonlight commented. "It's too hot...." She'd mutter "The water feels nice." Leafeon seemed to chuckle "You do know you're a Vulpix right? Maybe you just need to expel some fire" Leafeon mentioned and Luna looked up at him. Why was he smiling at her?

"I thought you had a problem with me..." Luna commented and Leafeon nodded "Well... You're peculiar, strange." He was walking alongside the banks of the water to keep talking to her. "But Moonlight and I have been talking a little more, he's keeps telling me that you're actually very kind. That I may have misread you in the beginning." Luna dug her paws into the ground under the water. It was rocky, but the stream was gentle enough and she was close enough to the bank that she could hold herself. "It's not like me to usually misread Pokémon Vulpix. But if you were as bad as I thought, you wouldn't have tried protecting that cub. Even though there is nothing to worry about." Leafeon smiled a little "He's going to become a strong Eeveelution for sure." There was something in the way Leafeon talked. He really didn't trust her at all, but at least it seemed like he was trying this time. Luna closed her eyes a little. Leafeon made that observation. "You know... You might just love ocean water more Luna. If our travels ever lead to a beach we should take the time to rest, there." Luna nodded at Leafeon "If it's this hot out sure.... Sounds good to me." She'd mention and give a little sigh... she was getting hotter and hotter by the minute. Moonlight made a noise and without any warning, jumped into the water behind her. "Luna!" Espeon called out and Leafeon stared at him "M - Moonlight!?" His eyes made him glare at them both before they went wide. Leafeon used Vine Whip! And pulled them both out of the water. "How can-?" "Whatever, Where's Thief?" He'd look around for Griffin and Natasha. "We need Pecha Berries right away... That Arcanine... Or that damn Cheshira... They used Toxic Spikes." Moonlight looked around "If it was the Arcanine... Houndoom could have been poisoned too... Or even Bandit if he did it right when things started." "But we've been walking for hours! They should've been showing symptoms earlier..." Leafeon commented "Could it have been just recently? Maybe a wild Pokémon battle?" Moonlight nodded and used Psychic to take water from the river. Everyone else had stopped now, even Glaceon. Brad and Melody turned over to look across the riverside. "That's a possibility..." Moonlight swallowed... he couldn't just blame the Cheshira for everything. There could've been an unlucky break from Toxic Spikes earlier in a wild battle. "V - Vulpix!?" Brad commented, and Melody asked "What's wrong?" Brad looked at her for a moment and shook his head "Griffin's Vulpix collapsed I think." Brad looked around and Luna opened her eyes a little.

Am I under water? She'd ponder that thought while looking at a gentle rush of cold water running over her head. Why am I so hot right now? My head hurts..._She shut her eyes from the sunlight and saw a pink eerie glow. _Moonlight? Luna commented and stared at the pink light. _I feel tired... Very tired..._She couldn't breathe. There was a crushing weight against her chest and her eyes went wide open. "Leafeon use Vine Whip! She's starting to panic!" Moonlight dropped his head to her chest, trying to listen. "Tsurara! Sephiran! Yuny!" Moonlight yelled "I need you to find a Pecha berry! Find as many as you can carry!" Yuny nodded and bolted off and Sephiran stared before running off in another direction "Scarf! Stop training and help the Eevee! Make sure she doesn't get lost!" Moonlight yelled in a firm and commanding voice. Glaceon held still and frigid in the water. "Tsurara!" Moonlight yelled, and she barely snapped to. "Where are the rest of the Berries Thief had? If there's even one Pecha berry find it!" Glaceon stayed frozen. And Moonlight growled before using Psychic. He struck the Glaceon with a torrent of water from the river and she shook her head, that snapped her out of it! "Find a Pecha berry now!" Moonlight yelled and stuck his head back down to Luna's chest. Her breathing was becoming faint.... Moonlight felt an all too chilled sense of nostalgia and he looked at Leafeon from Luna's chest. "Her breathing is stopping from the poison, I need you to breathe for her Leafeon when I say alright!" Moonlight commented firmly

"Breathe for her?" Moonlight kept listening to her breathing "If she stops breathing, you're going to have to breathe for her, you purify air. So, I need you to take a breath, put your muzzle onto hers, and pushed that breath in for her. The poison is spreading rapidly... If this is a wild Pokémon, then she's been hit very, very roughly... and if her breathing stops then her brain has no oxygen and her heart follows after." He kept listening to her chest. How long had Yuny and the others been gone for? Thirty seconds? No... Maybe a minute. Luna's heart rate was increasing rapidly "Leafeon now! Take a breath and breathe for her. Keep doing this every few seconds. Leafeon nodded, swallowed and did what Moonlight said. Luna hardly moved What's happening? I can't breathe... am I drowning? Why am I numb? She'd respond to Leafeon for a second What's going on? Moonlight? What are you doing? Luna tried to move but was still firmly held down from Vinewhip. She felt a current of cool, chilly air run through her, it made her heart still... What's happening? I can't breathe? The Vulpix couldn't move and that's when she saw another figure. B - Bandit? "Moonlight! What's going on!?" Moonlight looked at her while listening to Luna's chest. "She's been poisoned by something, I need Pecha Berries... I sent everyone nearby so far." Bandit nodded "I'll find them" She said and nearly disappeared the moment she mentioned it. That Mightyena was moving quickly and crossed into the woods. Moonlight kept listening to Luna's chest. He's done this before.... My chest hurts Luna tried to open her eyes again and simply felt the chilly and rich air fill her lungs Why can't I breathe? How am I breathing when I can't? Her vision was foggy, and she felt like falling asleep. Her voice reached her ears. "Luna, don't pass out" That was Moonlights voice... but why was everything a dim haze of shadows and sunlight? Her vision was wavy. Very wavy. Everything was surrounded with the rich wavering distortion of light letting the world shimmer. A cold wind hovered over the tree branches as she felt another lush and cold amount of air fill her lungs. It wasn't much at all. "Don't force air down, it'll hurt her more." Leafeon swallowed "It's getting harder..." "What?" Moonlight listened again... "Her throat is swelling more, we need something to open the airway." Moonlight mention.

"L - Like what? We don't have anything!" Moonlight gave a huff. He needed his vest for this, but Griffin was somewhere out in the distance. Brad was crossing through the lake over to them. "Vulpix!" He'd call out to them and try to make his way across the water. "Espeon, is she okay? Let me look." Brad said and snuck in there. He took one small glance and Leafeon lightly pushed purified air through her throat. "This is... When was she poisoned?" Brad went for his bag and took out an Antidote. "This must've been spreading for a while... The Antidote will help out" Brad opened Luna's mouth a little and lightly sprayed the antidote along her throat. The disgusting taste made the Vulpix flinch. "It'll take a bit to stop the swelling... Where the hell is Griffin and Natasha? They just booked off..." He looked around for the two of them, but they were nowhere to be found. They must've gone further ahead of the trail, maybe to battle one another. As Brad looked over the Vulpix, Moonlight kept listening to her chest intently. She had a strong heartbeat still... And before he knew it, Yuny came bursting out of the woods on the other side of the river. "I found Pecha Berries!" She'd yip and bark "Told ya I was a hero!" Yuny stared at the river... she couldn't cross that... But Scarf came out of the woods. It looked like they were going to start swimming. Tsurara came from down the trail, she had Pecha Berries too. Then Bandit and Sephiran came out of the woods closest to them... they all found Pecha Berries. Brad looked around in utter amazement... they all ran around the forest to help her out? "All of you... Wait, bring me the berries, I'll grind them up." Brad went for his mortar and pestle, he had all sorts of nifty things in his backpack. Aura hopped over the river... that Blaziken and Lycanroc was still with them, watching. They stared and observed as Bandit, Tsurara, Sephiran, Yuny and Scarf all collected the Pecha Berries in a small pile, where Brad placed them in his Mortar and Pestle to grind up into a paste. He took out of one his water bottles after grinding it up to mix the paste with the liquid. "This should help you Vulpix. Leafeon, do you think you can try and lift her head with Vine whip?" Leafeon nodded and slowly pulled Luna up. She was still having trouble to breathe. What's happening? She'd feel the question stab her mind again. The world felt slow and faint as she sluggishly lifted upward staring at a group of menacing shadows. The Vulpix tried to squirm feebly and a hand went for her. She conjured up Ember... Huffing a large collection of sharp smoke and licks of flame it's way. The hand didn't reel back, and she found herself growling violently. It felt like being caged Again

It felt like being surrounded by fires which curled throughout the forest. And that hand was reaching out at her... Luna tried to collect her energy. "Runt!" A voice called out Bandit? "Luna! Don't panic!" Moonlight? "It'll be alright Luna" Leafeon? "Don't panic little one." Aura? She felt her vision fade in and out. A glow illuminated in front of her, bright red and pink. The energy was turning white. This... was a move? She was about to make another move... Why... She felt her mind going all different ways They need help "You'll be okay Luna... So please, be okay. I'll see you again... Look and believe in me for a little bit. Please" Her eyes stared in front of her, stared at the cage ahead of her. One that was barely a few inches away and enveloped in complete darkness. The rumble of an engine turned over... She was on the bed of a truck. "Let's meet again someday, promise me that... Luna" That voice? ... She opened her mouth and Luna was going to say those words. She was seconds away from telling that voice... before Luna finally slipped unconscious. Her world went pitch black and grey. "Luna!" Moonlight hopped to his paws and placed them firmly on her chest. Brad got her to drink what she could before passing out. She wasn't drinking anymore... Moonlight firmly pushed his paws on her chest and moved his stronger shoulders up and then down against it in a rhythm he knew all too well. Brad stared at the Espeon in shock. I can't hear... where am I? Luna couldn't open her eyes... she could barely hear the world around her. Something cold? She knew there was something cold on her lips... soothing a chilled going down her throat. There was a sound... Like a bell ringing in her ears suddenly. Something was pushing against her chest and she moved. Moonlight stopped pressing against her and stared, they all did... Luna used Heal Bell... Wait...

"What?" Bandit looked at the move, a mix of psychic energy hovered over them. "She's not Alolan" Bandit gave a little relieved smile. "And what was that? Zen Headbutt before?" Moonlight looked at Bandit and then at Luna. Brad kept trying to give her the water while staring at the gentle sounds that appeared to bounce around them throughout the river. "That's what it looks like... You do know, Bandit... That a Vulpix can't learn Giga Impact, right?" Bandit rolled her eyes. "She can." Bandit replied to him with arrogant confidence "Anyways... what were you doing? I've never seen a Pokémon do that before? What was that?" Moonlight gave a dry smile "My old owner... Ayumu taught me a lot... Let's just say that I needed to learn how to do this at an early age." Moonlight nodded and as he did, Leafeon gave him a look and then went to help Luna breathe. The moment he did she stared at the Leafeon with her bright, cool amber eyes. Her face went pure red when she realized Leafeon's lips were locked onto hers. "W-W-What the hell are you doing!?" She'd squirm and nearly jump out of his vine whip. "That was... a speedy recovery" Moonlight commented "I guess Heal Bell really did work." "What?" Luna replied and ran her paws over her tongue as if to wash the taste out. "What happened?" She growled at Leafeon "Why did you have me pinned down like that?!?" "You were poisoned" Moonlight mentioned. "Something must've happened during our walk." Luna stared at him...

"Well I thought I stepped on something sharp at one of the meadows we crossed when we were going to the river... Wait, are you saying that's why it got so hot?" Moonlight nodded "Yes, Brad gave you an antidote and everyone here went to find Pecha berries." Moonlight explained to Luna "Then what were you two doing?" She'd flinch as Leafeon turned his head to her "It's... a human thing. It's used to save human beings but if you train a Pokémon enough.... You can use it on Pokémon too. I was just making sure you didn't..." Moonlight swallowed and shook his head. "Let's get out of this morbid topic... How do you know Heal Bell?" "Heal what?" Luna tilted her head. She knew Flamethrower, Ember, Will-o-Wisp, Quick attack, and Firespin naturally. Moonlight stared at her and shrugged. "Nevermind... it's not important, we're just glad you're okay." Tsurara gave a humph and went back into the river while Bandit nodded "Are you sure you're okay? We'll need to have a look for more toxic spikes. Maybe we crossed through a Pokémon's territory." Bandit nodded "And I'll have to give Griffin one hell of a bite for running off like that!" Brad gave Luna a smile and scratched his hair "I'm glad you're okay! It sounds like everyone else is too! Make sure to tell any of us if you're feeling sick!" Vulpix replied to Brad with a sound and he just adjusted his hat "I'll take that as an okay and thank you, you gave Melody and I quite a scare! Along with everyone else." Brad nodded and waved at her and her Houndoom. "Everything's alright! She must've taken poison damage!" Melody gave him a smile and waved in his direction

"It's great that she's feeling better!" Brad gave a relieved smile and nodded back at her, and then looked at Moonlight... It's like his eyes said it all 'What a really weird Espeon... is it really Griffins? Why would Ayumu talk to him over the phone?' Luna guessed that's what Brad must've been thinking but Luna shook away her thoughts and looked at everyone "Thank you for the help" She said and hung her head in a low, yet happy and proud way. "I'll be sure to keep a lookout in case there are any more traps... we don't want a repeat" Bandit gave her a firm look and grinned "Well... Since you're feeling better to say the least, we're going to start training the moment there is a rest period, so you better be ready runt!" Bandit mentioned in the firm and seemingly cruel way she always did. But Aura simply shot her a look and a smile. Bandit returned her smile with "What are you looking at blue mutt?" and it left Luna to nervously grin and laugh a little before going back for the water. Tsurara made her usual sound as Luna happily jumped in. Bandit watched her swim in the water... I don't know what happened... but I feel better than ever! Luna gave off a beaming smile and swung onto her back I don't even remember what happened... the memory was already fading away... how young was she back then? How long had it really been? Luna frowned a little and stared down the cursing water with her heart pounding against her chest. She just wanted the water to carry her away... before something splashed in the water nearby her. "Hey Luna!" Thief popped his head out of the water... "J - Jeaz... it's freezing in here. How can you be swimming in this?" Luna gave a little giggle and splashed Thief with some water "Like this!" She'd say and push her legs through the river, she naturally swam... in fact... Her six tails nearly pushed through the water to help her swim. Thief started to paddle, like any dog and it made her giggle. "Try using your tail and your hind legs more" She swung forward through the water as the cool, chilly liquid ran through her pelt. She'd partially turn her body and stare at Thief as the Growlithe tried to paw his way down the water. Luna was captivated with laughter "Not quite Thief!" She'd say and watch Griffin pop out from the woods, he was covered in soot and smoke marks. It looked as though Natasha and Griffin had an explosive battle between them, and as she looked Griffin's way and Brad suddenly drove a fist down onto his head... Natasha's smile went from her happy and cheery one to a blank one.

"HEY! BRAD WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?" Brad stared at Griffin with a terrifying look. "Your Vulpix was poisoned!" Griffin looked at him for a moment and stared at Luna paddling around in the water like some professional swimmer. "She... looks fine?" Brad gave him that firm look again "That's because we had an antidote... And everyone looked for Pecha Berries..." Griffin thought to himself "I did see Glaceon rummaging through my backpack..." Brad put a hand on his face. "It was terrifying! And how the hell does your Espeon know CPR?" Luna tilted her head at Brad "What?" Griffin swallowed and looked at Moonlight whom was calmly walking along the banks of the river with Leafeon. "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation" Brad said with a firm voice "How did you train your Pokemon to do that!?" Griffin held his hands up defensively "I - I - I didn't train Moonlight, my Professor did! H - He gave Moonlight to Logan as a gift and Logan gave Moonlight to me shortly after" Griffin mentioned "I - If anything we're basically Pokemon sitting for him?" "How many Pokemon are yours?" Griffin went to count... and then "Wait... Blaziken and Lycanroc!" Griffin called out, he just realized that he never finished anything up with Blaziken... But there she was making her wobble down the trail to meet up with him and Lycanroc helping her walk. "I guess... You have nowhere to go right?" He'd mention and without much warning a beam shot from his belt... Absol? Griffin looked at his Absol closely, she was there last night eating alone... It took him a minute to remember it. She'd give her tired look but smile when she stared at Blaziken and Lycanroc... They both nearly jumped at her. They knew her. Luna looked at the happy group and swam over to the riverside before hopping out of the water and shaking off her pelt. "Absol... Are you okay?" Luna asked and that Absol responded with the happiest smile she'd seen Absol make. "Of course I am! Where did you find them!?" Absol replied, still a touch stoic but with a giggle in her tone "You know them?" Luna mentioned "I've barely met them, but something happened this morning... there must've been some big battle but that was hours ago..." Absol smiled warmly "You all got away? Team Rocket took you all away..." "Some crazy trainer bought us both at an auction. He walked in with two big burly people and his Arcanine... That was months ago." Lycanroc mentioned "And then... well, this trainer stole me." "Stole you? You can't really..." "Well, the trainer we were bought from doesn't use normal Pokeballs... It's always pitch black in them..." Luna flinched when she heard that. "That's terrible..." Luna commented and nodded "Well you're welcome to stay with us!" Thief was paddling to the side of the river and pulled himself out of the water... after shaking himself off he walked over to all of them with the puffiest and most flared out ball of fur hanging over his body. He looked like some overly-hair dried mess.

"Griffin's the best trainer out there! He's really kind, and he makes us plenty of wonderful food! The first thing he does is pick up food - real food too! Pokemon food tastes good... but Griffin cooks us food! Actual food! He even ran all the way down from Saffron City to find Luna, Moonlight and myself." Blaziken gave a nod and a smile, it sounded like something that human would do "He even jumped in front of that Arcanine's fire spin to protect you... the Espeon and the Mightyena I mean." Lycanroc nodded "Also don't forget about Brad... That Lucario of his, and how he helped that Vulpix just now." Thief tilted his puffed-out head and then looked at Luna with a jump "Wait!? Are you okay!? When was that!?" He gave a delicate and worried whine. That made Lycanroc turn her head and stare at the little Puppy Pokemon. She didn't really know what to do... "I nearly want to tear you apart Growlithe." Thief flinched at the sounds of snarling and Absol put a paw out in front of him. "If you want to hurt him, hurt me instead. Take out your anger on me." She'd say firmly and stood her ground. The Lycanroc gave a little huff and sighed... "I'm sorry... he just... makes me think of that Arcanine." Lycanroc explained "It must remind you of some of the Pokemon you had to deal with, right Destiny?" Luna looked at Destiny flinch. "It's Destine Lycanroc...." Luna nearly gave Absol a smile. "You do have a name." The three of them looked at the little Vulpix. She had tears suddenly stinging her eyes and Griffin only watched as his Vulpix nearly tackled into Absol. "You really do have a name... I just hope it's the one you remember... The one that makes you have the best memories." Absol smiled and nodded. "I'm sorry Luna... It's just one of many I've had." Absol said. "Destine, Destiny, Apocalypse, 'Black Cat', Chew toy..." She'd toss her gaze away. "I've had nothing but bad names with bad pasts." Her head tilted low to the ground and her nose gently pushed Luna away. "I'm sorry little one... You shouldn't cry like a kit." Absol said... I can't help it... Not whenever I'm around you. I just... I want you to be strong enough to cry... Luna wanted to say that. Wanted to tell Absol that. You have your friends around you... new and old... right? Luna stared at Absol with watery eyes and the unnamed Absol looked at Lycanroc and Blaziken. "You both must come with us. Griffin is a real trainer." Absol said. "You've must've seen it so far... and where he lacks, those around him carry too." Blaziken nodded "I do want to see where he leads us. However, I feel as though... Brad might be a better fit for me." Blaziken mentioned softly and continued to hobble down the trail, Griffin naturally held his hand out to help her. "What do you say Blaziken? Would you mind traveling with us? Even if it's for a little while?" Griffin mentioned and suddenly went a little numb. Moonlight was standing behind Luna, Leafeon was there too and Griffin only stared blankly for a moment. "What is he doing when he does that?" Luna asked Leafeon "Psychic... I felt it before, Espeon can talk to humans using Psychic... Depending on the human and how closely they're connected, the message is crisp and easy to understand. Griffin and Moonlight must have a connection." Leafeon mentioned... "He's probably telling Griffin that they all know each other." Luna looked at Griffin with a little smile...

Why... why was she smiling when Griffin was nearly crying? She watched his tears dare to fall. Griffin lowered a knee and looked over at Absol with this complete recollection and a small smile. "If that's the truth, and I don't believe Moonlight would lie... Then I'm happy for you all. Please, Blaziken, Lycanroc... Travel with us. I can send you all to my Professor, he'll be able to look over all of your injuries the moment we get to Vermillion city." Griffin looked at Absol with a smile "With you of course. You all can go and spend time to catch up together." It's like everything is starting to settle for us Luna heard her words flicker within her mind's eye and she felt that burning passion in her chest. That over washing feeling of hope again. She'd stare at Thief with a playful smile and hopped up to her hind legs and lightly push him. "I bet I can beat you at swimming!" Thief huffed at her comment "That's not fair... Wait! I know!" Luna tilted her head "What?" Luna gave a warm smile to his happy and joyful grin "You swim, and I'll race you on foot!" Thief called out and tapped his paw against the earth. Luna got into her battle stance! "You have yourself a race!" Luna mentioned and scampered to the water, Moonlight gave her a warm and happy look and started to walk down the trail. Leafeon followed suit and they started to talk about... flowers? In fact they were talking about all sorts of different flowers. It looked as though they both had that in common. Espeon continued to chat with him and even laugh a little here and there. As he did Luna jumped for the water. He... seems so much happier suddenly. Back in Pewter he was so weirdly distant and then he started to get frantic... it's like he's actually scared of something. Luna shivered, but it wasn't from the freezing water. Glaceon stared from some ways away and she stared at Bandit whom was further down the trail already. Yuny came scampering up to Thief from behind. "Alright! Ready! Set! gogoGOGOGOGOGO!" Yuny yelled loudly and bolted past Thief "That's cheating!" The Growlithe said and began to run too, so Luna started to paddle like she usually did... but this time she felt rushed and the exhilaration of the water ran through her body as that little Vulpix darted down the river like some sleek Buizel as she swung her tails through the water to push her forward. The sunlight reflected and refracted against the watery surface as Luna chased down the water with Thief and Yuny running frantically alongside the banks of the water. It was a calm and timid river. The water barely pushed forward, and it had a soft gentle sway against her body. It was nothing like being stuck out in the sea and landing in Johto. Luna darted through the water chasing after her friends with Bandit, Moonlight and Leafeon taking a close eye to the three. ...

It had been over an hour since they left Slateport city and Logan watched the waves in silence. After Logan and Trevor had their small, one sided argument, it left him with all sorts of thoughts. Thoughts that made him tighten the grip on his light grey jacket. "Take Bandit with you" Griffin's voice came to his ears. "She'll protect you, no matter what! So, you better come home and find dad too! Logan swallowed to himself dryly. It was a painful, shocking swallow and he stared into a blank window from the past. The way how Griffin held Bandit up to Logan, the way how he smiled. That made him tighten the grip on his jacket more, so much so that Shadow looked up at the Twenty-two year-old. He couldn't cry. Logan didn't have the strength to. Find them both Logan! Bring them home! He stared at his ten-year-old self again, he stared at him grab the Poochyena with a warm smile... A smile that faded when he stared at Griffin's smile. That six-year-old was too hopeful to tell him. Logan remembered adjusting the straps on his bag and watching his mother wander to the front door with her crutch. Her leg was still horribly mangled. The bruises seemed to follow from the knee down, but she always had her cast on. So, Logan and Griffin never saw them. The very first thing he'd do, with Poochyena in his arms was take out a Pokeball. They never caught her... But this Pokeball was special. Too special to use on any other Pokemon but her. Logan remembered Bandit letting herself get caught by the capsule immediately. The old, scratched up, rough patched hand-me-down Pokeball... the one he squeezed firmly to his chest and Logan felt his hand reach into his bag. Of course, Logan had it with him. The Pokeball his father gave him for luck rested in his knapsack. The broken, snapped in half Pokeball. He had it in his bag all the time, no matter where he went. Logan gave a warm, shriveled sigh and stared out to the sea. Shadow kept staring at him with tender eyes and nudged the side of Logan's leg.

"I'm okay pup." He said with a smile and his Mightyena replied with a whine. A low toned whine and Logan simply stared out at the sea once more, his gentle, tender eyes glared through the horizon. They should be landing at any moment. The Sacred Cave loomed over them with mystery and shrouded, unknown intent and that's exactly what they were aiming for. Logan felt his heart skip a beat as they went to land on the bank of the island and as Lapras treaded gently onto the shoreline of the small rock in the middle of nowhere, hours away from the nearest building Logan spent his time staring at the entrance to the cavern. A shiver ran through his back. "My entire time I've been traveling... I've never actually gone in there." Logan stared at the entrance to the cavern, a treacherous collection of large rocks slumped over its side as though the cavern barely possessed the will to hold them up any longer. Logan gave a little sigh and looked at Trevor, he still looked upset about earlier. He really does care about Poppo that much? Logan gave a blank look at the Pidgey and it made him sigh more as he'd watch the little bird flap its wings cheerfully while resting against Trevor's broad shoulder. The sunlight had climbed into the sky now. They could easily get a few more hours of travel in before they needed to even think about resting. That and Logan was determined tremendously. His brown, warm eyes stared out at the water leaving a gentle lengthy gasp to slip over him after hearing a noise What was that? Logan turned to the cavern first and then back to the water Is that singing? No... it sounds like a melody.

The waters were getting restless suddenly and he heard the faintest sound echo through the ocean waves as cool and frigid sprays of salt water licked against his face, it nearly made him spit - he got salt water in his mouth. It made Rebecca laugh "You shouldn't stand with your mouth open like that!" The woman commented and went back to chatting with Trevor. Logan ran a finger down his tongue a couple of times and heard his Mightyena make a quiet collection of yeen-like sounds "Oh stop, you'd do the same you know!" Logan commented back at him and gave a grin... God that water was salty as hell... Logan kept trying to brush the salt-water out of his mouth with his hand. Shadow was giving a collection of giggles right when a large wave crashed over him. "Shadow!?" Logan gave a yelp, but he was fine... just a maw full of salt water which made Logan cover his mouth while he laughed. "Karma!" Shadow huffed, he was soaked all the way down his pelt now and Logan went to the middle of the rock they all sat around. The water surrounded them, and he went for the Pokemon food in his bag. He let Shadow eat and then gave some to Lapras. She splashed her flippers and ate directly from his hand. "Thanks for helping us out, we got a little more ways to go. Logan said and looked back at Trevor and Rebecca, she was carrying her Charmander again and even though he tried to squirm out of her grasp, that little Charmander looked comfortable - he must've been used to it by now. Logan softly coughed into his elbow That better not be the start of a cold... we just got out here... Logan thought to himself for a moment and zipped up his jacket further It could've been from the salt water... He stared at Shadow, who was busy hacking and rubbing his tongue out frantically with his paws. Logan went a little colorless Yep... definitely the ocean water... Logan felt his smile come on while Shadow shot him a look after he was finished eating. "Yeen..." "Hey, I said it was karma." Logan shrugged and his Mightyena shook his pelt like mad, getting Logan soaked - he shielded himself by turning away and ducking his head. "H - Hey!" Logan remarked but when he turned, Shadow simply stuck his tongue out at him. Annoying Pooch... That's all he really saw, starting out on his journey a new. A Poochyena staring back at him.

Like it was in the beginning.

He beamed Shadow a warm smile in return to the Mightyena's wild flailing to dry himself off "Let's go! You guys ready?" Logan called out to Rebecca and Trevor. "Yeah! I am!" Trevor commented. "Rebecca?" Logan asked "I was waiting on you!" Rebecca exclaimed with a smile and Logan nodded and went for his head... I should've grabbed my cap... He went to return the Pokemon food and something caught his eye... underneath the Pokeball. That old, rustic Pokeball. He couldn't believe it. That was his hat, and underneath there was a note. Logan quickly unfurled it. *You honestly couldn't grab this? I knew you would forget. You went to bed after all the chatter that I decided to put it in your backpack with the rest of your stuff. I can't believe you're still holding onto that old Pokeball... It brought a smile to my face. I bet your mother would feel the same way. Never forget, Logan, that you always have family to turn to... And if you get the chance, tell that to Griffin for me, on top of what you promised. Love abuelito and abuelita* Logan held onto the hand-written note... they both even signed it. Logan felt a warm smile come onto his face... I'll tell him for sure Grandpa, and I'll bring him home for Grandma to see him too. We'll head back down to Mexico soon... With everyone, even our friends. Just like I promised.

Logan carefully folded the note and put it in the driest and safest place in his bag. He zipped up that pouch, a pouch that had one other note in it. He really left that there? After all this time? Logan gave a grin and waved to Rebecca and Trevor. "I'm more then ready now!" Logan commented and made his way over to Lapras. "We'll make it there for sure! And in record time too!" Logan put his old hat on his head, after re-adjusting the size of course. An old black and grey cap with a bright pink logo. It was from a friend's sports team... Logan had plenty of them down there in Mexico. With his cap on his head, Logan began to climb onto Lapras while petting her the same way he did earlier. As he began to climb on, Lapras made a little noise. Logan's hand crossed along the back of her neck gently. He'd wave back at Trevor and Rebecca "Let's go you two!" "He's all fired up... from what?" Rebecca mentioned, and Trevor gave a little smirk "I love the attitude Logan! Let's keep that kind of attitude up from now on!" Trevor remarked and gave Logan this not too serious smile. It made Logan nervously smile back at him I promise, next time I won't push your Pidgey that hard Logan thought to himself It really... wasn't fair Trevor. You're right about that Logan climbed onto Lapras and watched as Rebecca carefully helped her Charmander onto it's back. Trevor came after Rebecca and climbed onto Lapras, Shadow was last, and he elegantly and swiftly hopped onto her with a happy 'Yeen' like churr. She made a few other happy sounds as they shoved off from the Sacred Cavern. By nightfall, or hopefully before it, Logan was planning to reach the other side and find a shortcut through the mountainside which rested faintly on the horizon ahead of them. His brown hair flickered in the ocean winds and Lapras pushed onward, full speed ahead... following the strong winds to the north.

The gentle spray of the river water washed over Luna's face and Moonlight gave a small hearty laugh from the riverside. "I find it... interesting, you're view about purifying" Moonlight commented "You are quite intelligent, for a wild Pokemon." The Espeon mentioned sarcastically and Leafeon replied with a look. This mixture of friend and foe. "I should be, I've spent over the past decade purifying air, land and water. You learn quite a bit." Moonlight nodded and stared at Luna. "You know... when I met her she had nightmares. Back in Pewter. I used Psychic to see some of them." He mentioned to Leafeon and the Leafeon turned his head. "Wait... you could actually see some of them?" "Yes..." Moonlight mentioned. "I'm a little bit jealous, she was so jumpy before when it came to water - that Vulpix. But now she's splashing around like there's nothing to fear." Leafeon nodded "Perhaps your trainer rubbed off on her a bit." Leafeon mentioned "She's had trainers before, I watched her against that Beartic. No Pokemon just learns that overnight." Moonlight gave Leafeon an eye. "And considering that she knows Heal Bell... It must mean that at one point, she was trying to fix herself of statuses." Moonlight mentioned and looked at Leafeon firmly. "Look. About the other night... I think I understand the kind of Pokemon you are a little bit better... But before digging into my past, I want you to look after hers." Leafeon shot Moonlight a look, a peculiar and dis-interested look. "She's nearly five years old, so is that Growlithe friend of hers... You've got more to work through Moonlight, and you're more important to my end goal." Leafeon mentioned "..." Moonlight kept quite and looked at that Vulpix fluttering in the river water... in Pewter he spent every night awake, staring at her - reading her dreams... Not that Moonlight would ever mention it. "Something must've motivated her recently." He mentioned...

"That Arcanine mentioned something about one of your friends being killed." Moonlight nodded "That was her, that's why we went to Maiden's Peak in the beginning." Moonlight explained "There -" "I know of the hotspring, I also know where it is. I've been to similar ones, the Dragonair makes quite an appearance at all of them." Moonlight stared at Leafeon in return to his comment All of them? How would he know that? "I thought you were in your Pokeball the whole time..." "Not quite, but my business is my business Moonlight." Leafeon said with an oddly warm smile. "Anyways, that Vulpix... She's harder to read then you are." The Espeon stopped in his tracks for a moment and shook his head. "No, that's a lie. I've spent years training, I can use Psychic on humans, I can speak to them... somewhat. Ayumu and I have conversations all the time... I've spent too long to be read by just anyone... and you're telling me, that Luna is harder to read then I am?" Moonlight shook his head "Don't play me for a fo-" "You're not a fool Moonlight." Leafeon replied "Nor am I playing you like one. I am telling you a simple fact." Leafeon mentioned and watched that fox paddle down the river before crossing to the shoreline. Glaceon suddenly popped her head out of the water, taking in large huffs of air. "Is Yuny gone Sephiran?" She'd ask the Sylveon and he calmly and quietly nodded in reply "Ran off with that Growlithe you're teasing." He mentioned and looked at her huff and pant "How long were you under the water for?" "Long enough that I wish I was a Vaporeon..." Leafeon stared at the two of them talking. "For example, Sephiran is abnormally calm and collected, I'd argue he's the one of Natasha's strongest Pokemon. Glaceon on the other paw... she's powerful but cowardly." He'd mention to Moonlight and look at the treeline next. The sparks of lightning seemed to hop from tree to tree. "Makes me see them as quite a pair... they're hiding something for sure."

"That Pikachu... Scarf? I guess... He isn't what he seems to be. There's something more to him, but like Luna I can't read any further into it." The Leafeon mentioned. "That Growlithe is like her, but he's a little calmer than she is... ultimately more Naïve however." Moonlight kept listening "Bandit... she's not as cold-hearted as you'd think, in fact, I believe she's cruel to Thief for a reason and pushes Luna hard for another reason." "Why do you think that?" Moonlight asked "She's scared of something Moonlight. But she's reserved, narcissistic... and unfortunately the kind that wants to fight, constantly. It's like it's all she's known but there's something softer at the beginning." Leafeon mentioned "I can read that in her step... the way she stands." Espeon rolled his eyes "Your business involves watching us." Moonlight mentioned and the Leafeon turned his head. "What?" "You're easy to read too, Leafeon. You're obviously not some random Leafeon that thought Natasha would be a good trainer... How long have you been following us again? You mentioned back at Saffron that you were looking for both Luna and I." Leafeon nodded "I'll let you learn that in time. Let's catch up Moonlight." The Leafeon mentioned and started to skip faster down the trail. Moonlight followed him, it looked as though everyone had found a place to rest. The Espeon looked at the tree line.

"Scarf! They're resting up ahead! Catch up with us, I bet Griffin has something for us to eat!" Moonlight mentioned and watched another spark flicker and then rest. "Alright! Thank you Moonlight! I'll be there soon!" Scarf mentioned and went back to training. It appears the Pikachu was hopping from tree branch to tree branch while testing his Thunder Shock. That was definitely a different form of training a move. Espeon started to make his way down the trail. "Sephiran? Tsurara? Let's get going." The Glaceon was panting and belly up on the side of the dirt road with Sephiran overtop her nearly. "She needs a second to breathe..." Moonlight nodded and looked ahead of him at the Leafeon whom was casually walking down the trail. What a weird guy... He can figure out all of that? What about that comment with Pikachu... even I didn't think that about him - he's just a normal Pikachu... Moonlight gave one glance at the tree line again, watching the bright gold shocks sparkle through the emerald leaves before giving a liberal jog to catch up with Leafeon. "Poppy..." Leafeon mentioned. "Hm? Yes, we talked about flowers earlier." "I find it... poetic." Leafeon said "It's your favorite right?" He glanced at Moonlight and the Espeon swallowed nervously. Why... am I getting so shy? He tried to find something to say. "W - Well... Nevermind. Last night was... foolish. I never should've done anything like that... asking you for that favor. It was weak of me." The Leafeon's brow perched when he said the word weak and he simply gave a little huff. "We'll continue that later." Leafeon stated and kept walking down the trail with his grassy tail flickering in the sunlight spasmodically. _It's like looking at a cat's tail_Moonlight thought to himself and then cleared his throat before getting next to him. They both exchanged a look before Leafeon focused on his front and promptly closed his eyes for a moment.

The air filled slowly with a delicate and sweet fragrance... Moonlight stared at him with a little bit of awe in his eyes before swallowing his thoughts, focusing on suppressing his emotions this time. The Leafeon casted his brow upwards again, not that Moonlight could see that... but Leafeon could feel his body language. Moonlight stumbled his paws as though remembering and tried to get Leafeon back with Psychic. He was trying to read Leafeon's mind! Just like he did with Luna. 'I bet your trying to read my mind right now Espeon, now that is quite foolish. Really, I can read you too easily. The way you fumble your paws - you've done that before without even knowing it... when you used Psychic on Griffin earlier. So, if you really think that I'd be that easy to figure out... it's going to be a lot tougher then you bargained for.' Damn it.... Moonlight thought to himself... 'And now your cursing yourself, right?'_Leafeon's thoughts calmly and easily flowed into Moonlights mind _'You do that much too often, as stoic and regal you make yourself... how you still yourself, I can feel that you're nowhere near that calm and collected... In fact, you faintly remind me of an Eevee.'_Leafeon casted Moonlight a smile _'An Eevee that grew up too fast.' Leafeon shot him a nod and Moonlight tossed his head to the right side, staring at the passing leaves which got caught up in the wind. There wasn't much of a reason to waste his energy now... They were coming up to a warm and sunny clearing. Leafeon glanced up at the sky. "It's nearly two in the afternoon..." He shut his eyes tight and perked his ears up high... "I can hear the city" "What?" Moonlight mentioned "That's still at least a day away." Leafeon pointed at the mountain. "It's past the mountain Espeon, remember? You certainly are acting strange and... dare I say, silly." Right.... Moonlight was getting distracted, stupidly distracted. He shook his head frantically and pushed ahead of Leafeon this time, focusing on getting back to his trainer. They had to cross around the mountainside, but in the very least they should be able to find the route... at least, that's what Moonlight was hoping for.

-

Luna was shaking off her pelt away from Thief and in the bright, golden sunshine. She'd kick out her hind legs, one at a time to dry herself. Thief gave a little swallow as Bandit crossed by him and he tried to make a comment... "A - A- At least let her eat first..." "What was that mutt!?" Bandit recoiled, and Thief went straight to the ground, Luna gave a little growl and Bandit met her growl with a smile. "What? You don't like it?" Bandit showed her this eerie and ghastly grin... the kind she had painted on her face when she first met her in Pewter. Luna didn't have any feeling of backing down however, something about the way she constantly treated Thief made her angry. "You ready to train, Runt?" Luna gave a small chuckle. "Depends, you going to keep acting like a bitch?" Bandit gave a quick chortle and put her paw on Thief's head... The poor little Growlithe went colorless in seconds, his head slowly turned to Luna. "L - Luna... Say you're sorry... please?" Thief gave a shy, terrified and nervous smile... "I don't want to get bit again..." Bandit gave him a snarl "Oh come along now... I was teaching you a new move! You learned it!" Thief was quaking "And you bit me in return...." Bandit shrugged "You left your shoulders open, in a real fight your opponent would grab you and simply tear out your scruff..." The large Mightyena leaned her head down to the Growlithe, her jaw opened next to his ear... Luna felt her tails rile up... "Really, it takes nothing Thief... you should've seen what happened this morning... if you did, you'd know why I'd push you so hard... But I'm not training you anymore." Bandit mentioned with a smile and sat on top of the Growlithe. Thief used Cushion! In fact, he nearly made a feeble squeaking sound when she sat on his back. "Well Luna... We're going to train now right? Then you can eat, it's that simple." Bandit nodded. "Push me off your little friend... Miniscule Bitch." Bandit gave her that eerie and terrifying grin again and Luna gave the inclination to swallow... but she held it back. What's going on with her? She was calm over the past few days, but now she's gone back to using Thief like a punching bag... why? Luna gave a mean grin. "Oh, so you treat your mate like this!" Luna idly commented and Bandit's ear twitched. "What was that?" Bandit closed her eyes and gave this calm and friendly grin. The polar opposite of her quite menacing smile "It simply makes sense, with... what's his name... Shadow around you, you're so much calmer... clearly that's because you're only abusing him." Luna mentioned with her mean look. Luna used Taunt! "Clearly Aura was right before, I'd be terrified to see how you'd treat your cubs if the way you treat Thief is any proof." Bandit gave her a crude snarl and pulled from Thief. "Do you know the kinds of things I can do to some little shit muttering her head off?" Bandit said, quite firmly and calmly and Luna simply watched her get up and walk over to her. "I mean it'd be too easy for me to take that tiny skull in my jaws and crack it in" Bandit mentioned again, her ears twitched. "How much of an idiot are you... Really Luna?" Bandit was right up to her face now "I'm trying to train you, now push me off your little 'boyfriend'" Luna gave her a smirk "I already have." Bandit froze...

"I didn't catch that..." Luna gave a plume of flames from her jaw in reply, the small curls of embers touched Bandits maw. The Mightyena didn't move "I already pushed you off of him, it looks like you're not the one to take a taunt." Luna mentioned "I think that makes you headstrong when you sloppily fall for a cheap trick like that." The little Vulpix said "Really.... It's battling one oh one." Bandit stood, stilled and silent before letting of a small flurry of giggles. She was astonished that she couldn't break Luna's straight face with her demeaner. "You surprise me Runt..." Bandit mentioned "I'll give you a pass this time, this ONE time." Bandit mentioned "But if you ever talk down about my mate and I again, I'll personally rip off those ugly tails of yours" Luna swallowed then... Bandit gave that really eerie and happy smile when she said that and began walking off with a comment "Smartass" As Thief started scampering over to the Vulpix...

"You... You're not dead, are you?" Thief asked... and Luna scoffed. "Takes more then a cruel look to stop my heart!" Luna called out at the Mightyena and she gave her that same rough smile and a little growl in reply. Thief felt his ears drop instantly when seeing that. "Y -Y - You know she's r - really mad about that...." The Growlithe mentioned. "S - S - She's going to push you hard the next time she's plays a game like this." Luna nodded in reply "I know... but she's amped up about something Thief. I don't know what, but I want in on it!" Luna slammed her paw to the ground... Why am I getting so pumped up? Luna felt her heart beat I don't really know... She looked at Thief who kept sitting there stuttering and stammering about something and that Vulpix gave a roll of her eyes... Brought her muzzle in close... Close enough that the Growlithe went silent. A little closer... so that she can feel his breath still.... Before suddenly putting a paw on his forehead and pushing him back a bit and bolting off "You're it!" Luna said and left that stunned and red faced Growlithe in the dust. She hopped over Moonlight who began a small flurry of happy chuckles as he watched the little Vulpix run around the camp with a Growlithe remarking "T - That's not fair!" Before watching a certain Eevee bolt around Moonlight, in fact that Eevee ran circles around him. "Are they playing tag!?" The Eevee said, loudly... Leafeon gave her a smile and softly pushed the Eevee Thief's way. "Uh... Yeah, they are Yuny, go join them." Moonlight mentioned and continued his casual conversation with Leafeon... Luna stared at the two of them talk in the warm cheery sunlight. Watched Griffin set up a quilt on the ground, it looked as though he was planning on reheating what they had left from the night before... He was talking with Brad, mentioning that he was running low on supplies. "We should've stocked up at Maiden's Peak... well I mean you should've" Brad commented "I have plenty of Pokemon Food, just in case." He nodded and crossed his legs as though he were sitting at a Karate Dojo... But Aura snapped a paw against his back to straighten his posture. It made him look at her and chuckle. Luna kept running through the sunny sky, watching that little Eevee bolt past her. "You're not catching me Thief!" Yuny giggled and run over a patch of grass... in fact it made Luna look around...

There wasn't a single wild Pokemon around, and she'd sidestep and dodge the Growlithe coming at her. "I'm not that easy to catch!" Luna recoiled and bolted around in another direction, it made the Growlithe look both ways, Eevee and Vulpix circled him from different sides. Natasha was giggling from the back "Confuse him Yuny! Get him back!" Natasha called out... it looks like, somehow, Griffins Growlithe beat her Flareon... Thief gave a little upset growl and stared at the two of them run around him before bolting of Yuny "Uh oh!" The Eevee remarked and bolted off as fast as her paws would carry her, yipping and hollering happily... From the background Luna watched Bandit dig into the grass and cover her ears with her paws... As she did Tsurara and Sephiran walked up to Natasha... watching the crazy little Eevee run around... "I'm heading back to the water..." Glaceon commented "No you don't... I don't want you drowning in there..." Sephiran mentioned and Glaceon sighed... Leafeon watched that too from Moonlights side. "Thief! Darling!" The Growlithe stopped chasing after Yuny "hm?" The Growlithe hummed and Glaceon gave a friendly smile "Mind finding me an apple?" She'd comment idly, and Thief tilted his head, walked over to Glaceon and stared at her... "Yes, an apple?" The Growlithe bapped his paw on her forehead and bolted off "You're it!" Thief replied with a giggle and bolted off "I'm not playing..." The Growlithe laughed "You are now! You're it!" Glaceon gave a bored sigh. "How about you Yuny, mind finding me an apple?" Glaceon mentioned and Yuny huffed "No! You're it!" "So you don't mind finding me an apple?" Glaceon commented and it made Luna huff

She's just trying to hush Yuny... Luna thought to herself, sure the Eevee was loud, plenty loud, but she was having fun. Luna gave a little chuckle and felt a paw hit her nose "I guess your it!" Thief said and bolted off! It made her rub her nose "You're not getting away!" And Thief giggled and snickered "It was easy to catch you!!" He'd remark quickly, and Luna narrowed her head to the ground while gaining speed on the Growlithe, Yuny crossed by her right side and she slid to change direction, chasing after the Eevee now. "NononononoNONONONOONO" Eevee said frantically and ran as fast as she could... Something suddenly shocked her from behind leaving the Vulpix to yelp loudly and fumble to the ground... As she laid there, paralyzed from an unexpected Thundershock... Luna gave a growl. "REALLY SCARF!?" She'd call out and the Pikachu, from somewhere above them recoiled "I don't know how many times I need to say sorry!" She'd look over at Yuny, whom promptly poked her with her paw... "Are you okay?" She'd ask... it looked as though her fur was spiked suddenly, maybe she knew she was going to get hit with it? Luna huffed Thanks for ruining the fun... She heard Bandit giggling like crazy from the background... "Well Runt! Try to move!" Luna sighed in reply "I can't move...." She'd state the obvious and it left Bandit to snicker "Karma!" The Mightyena said in a sing-song tone and let herself have a flurry of snickers.... "I know! I think I saw some Cheri Berries nearby! That'll help you out Luna!" Thief mentioned with a warm smile and suddenly bolt off into the woods... Moonlight gave a sigh. "Am I going to expect you this time Leafeon?" The Leafeon shook his head no. "Alright, I'll follow him." Moonlight was about to walk forward when Bandit cut him off. "I'll handle it this time, Moonlight." Bandit nodded and went for a casual little stroll to the bushes that Thief hopped into... Luna watched the two of them disappear into the woods for a bit. Moonlight went back to lounging about in the sunlight with that Leafeon... "What kind of luck is she having today... first poison, now paralysis? She's just not doing good..." Leafeon commented "Really weird..." Moonlight gave a huff and laid his head on the warm grass... Luna simply stared at the cloudless sky... She was going to be there for a little bit... Griffin looked over at her and gave a little sigh...

"I bet I have something in here... Pika- er... Scarf! Stop... training? Or what is he doing? He keeps doing this weird thing..." Griffin shook his head "Scarf come here, we're about to eat!" Griffin mentioned and walked over to Luna. She'd look at his mouth... as though reading his lips but she could hear his voice clearly. "I'm going to pick you up, okay?" Griffin said, knelt and gently picked up the small Vulpix from the ground. "Alright Vulpix... Oh, I guess I still need to figure out a nickname for you." Brad grinned "Ghost-Fire!" Griffin felt a vessel pop "No!" Griffin recalled "And I swear if you say Fire-Ghost, I'm going to take all the food I have left away" Brad went silent and muttered something about how it could work... Griffin used his other hand to face-palm... "First that crazy guy..." Griffin paused "What did happen to that crazy old guy anyways?" Brad laughed "Right, that weird guy, who was he again?" Griffin sighed "I don't know... Something about 'Knowing the names of all Pokemon!' He looked homeless honestly..." Griffin mentioned... "I feel sort of bad for not giving him any cash, but I mean if I did he could've just gone out and bought booze or something." Griffin sat down on the blanket he laid out. "I met the guy in Pewter City... I doubt we'll run into him again. I mean it be really weird." Brad nodded "So... what about your Pokemon's names." Griffin laughed "He's the jerk that nicknamed my Pikachu, Scarf... Like... I'd take a different name over that myself." "Thunder-rat?" Griffin went colorless from Brad's idea "Brad... Stop... Please..." Brad brainstormed to himself "I'm surprised you named Aura the name you did." Griffin mentioned. "What did that old guy call your Vulpix then?" Brad asked "What about your Espeon? Or your Mightyena? Your Ma-" Brad went a little quiet. "Wait... where is your Marill?" Griffin laid Luna on her back, holding her head upright while getting out some water. Is... he seriously trying to bottle-feed me like a kit? Luna made a face and Griffin looked at her.

"Bandit swapped the Pokeballs around... I think" Griffin mentioned "She was supposed to go back to Logan... God knows what's going on with that... I knew I should've left them with Trevor when I had the chance..." Griffin said "Oh... yeah, that crazy guy named my Vulpix, Luna" Griffin mentioned, thinking back. "It's been a while since then, that was actually the day before I met you Brad." "Luna? That's pretty neat actually." The Vulpix tilted her head to each of them as they talked. They didn't seem to notice it. "Oh, I got a nickname for your Absol!" Griffin held his hands up defensively. "Brad - don-" "Eclipse." Brad mentioned, and Griffin looked stunned "Or... maybe Solstice?" Griffin gave him that sort of look, the kind that made him wonder if Brad was just screwing with Griffin the whole time. "I don't know, I just thought of the name. I mean, you have Luna, Moonlight, Eclipse or Solstice, Bandit, Thief, Scarf... Wait" Brad looked at Griffin "Why do you still have Lycanroc? I mean here?" He'd mention, the Lycanroc, Blaziken and Absol were all hanging around one another, in their own sort of group. "I mean... she should've been sent to your PC by now." "W - Well Ayumu has this direct hook up thing... It gets beamed directly to his lab..." Brad gave Griffin a look. "But... how is she out of her Pokeball? I mean if you pass the maximum, once you catch a seventh the Pokeball locks itself. I mean... you're sort of breaking the rules Griffin..." Brad mentioned and crossed his arms. Griffin gave Brad a swallow "I - I - I..." He'd take a Pokeball from his belt. "It's from this..." Brad looked at the Pokeball. It was black and red with a white stripe in the middle. It's as though the Pokeball was a dividing line between the two colors. There was a written section on the ball mentioning that it was for testing..." "I mean... if I'm right then I have ten of them now... With Logan having Marill's and Shadow's Pokeballs." Griffin mentioned "M - My brother is designing a new software for Pokemon storage and travel, it has a bunch of features, including a cloud system... I think he mentioned something like that. I believe he's designing something that lets a trainer swap out there Pokemon without reaching a center to make a full transfer..." Griffin shrugged "But I'm not my brother, all I know is that it's comfier for the Pokemon in these" "Not that you ever use it..." Natasha commented and it left Griffin to shrug while holding that water bottle to Luna's muzzle still. If I could move... or make a move Griffin, I'd find a way to tell you that I'm not thirsty... Luna thought to herself and tried to move her head over... how long were they going to be? Bandit bullies him... Luna thought to herself and stared at that water bottle... _Griffin's just weird......._She'd think and eventually lick the top of the bottle, he'd tip it slowly, letting her drink some of it. _What's with this paralysis? I was only hit with a thundershock... I should be able to move_She tried to and Griffin felt the sharp zap rock through him. He clenched his jaw and gave a laugh "I don't think it's that easy.... Scarf might not be able to use Thunder, but he is really good at paralysis." Griffin mentioned "I guess he has been training." The human said, and Scarf snuck down from a tree and walked over to Luna as her eyes tried to turn to him. "You really had to do that?" "Well why would it curl to Eevee?" Luna shrugged at him with a growl "I guess it's her electrifying personality..." Luna remarked quietly as Yuny gave a giggle "I'm electrifying alright!" She'd say with her bright and big brown eyes. "I'll be the strongest... no, I'll be the strongest and the fastest Jolteon ever! Then everyone will see how much of a Hero I'll become!" She'd snicker "Well I'm already a hero!" Yuny mentioned "But I'll be the greatest hero when I evolve!" The Eevee stated and hopped to her feet with this heroic and proud like pose with her tiny chest puffed out. "I'll be the strongest and super-fast!" She'd mention with this level of determination that Luna hadn't ever seen before. She could hear Leafeon giving a warm line of laughter from the background. His smile was something that made Luna feel a rich cold chill through her spine... there was something about it that made her uneasy. It felt too... _I don't even know how to explain it_Luna thought to herself, it was the first time she'd flat out seen the Leafeon smile and laugh and it made her feel chilly. There was this mixture of feelings in it, as though the Leafeon were looking for the brightest things, the smallest happiest things... In a turmoil of pain and hatred that even surpassed Moonlight. His eyes met Luna's for a moment and she immediately hid her face from that gaze...

Just meeting it made her feel... I feel... warm... Loved... Luna swallowed dryly and went to drink more water and she looked back at Leafeon again, he was watching Yuny run around a little more and roll in the grass. As she stared, something blocked out the sunlight above her... Luna forced her head to turn. Like a father was looking at me. "Hey runt!" Bandit was there and dropped... not a berry... but half a bush on her and Griffin. "B - Bandit!" Griffin exclaimed, and it left the Mightyena to laugh a little before going back to her resting spot she found on a gentle patch of grass. Thief scampered into the meadow and gave Luna a nervous smile, he had a whole patch of Cheri berries in his mouth. That was more helpful than half the Cheri bush... Brad and Natasha seemed stunned and pale and then they helped take the bush off them both. Once that bush was out of the way Thief took a berry and put it directly against Luna's muzzle with his own... It made her fur quill Her paws tried to flinch, but she had no chance of moving. Those tails of hers tried to flicker to no avail... her heart was racing. Luna's bright eyes went wide as Thief pushed a Cheri berry to her lip... Her mouth didn't move... her face burning red... Before Thief finally pulled away, that little Growlithe was smiling warmly and it made her quake and quiver all over as that creamy pom pom of a tail wagged. G -Great... now he's kissing me... Her face went blissfully rosy as she stared into his orange eyes... It wasn't like Luna had any problem with that and the moment she had the strength in her feet back, that little Vulpix hopped to her feet and chased after Thief... This time he didn't get too far. In fact, she tackled him right into the edge of the woods and pinned him to the forest floor with her paws. "Now I thought we were playing fair..." Luna mentioned, and it made Thief stutter and blush... he hid his muzzle with his paws and it made her giggle as she'd stare into his warm and happy eyes... The red line across his cream-yellow face, his orange paws hiding that blush feebly from her view... A face that left the Vulpix to stare with her warm amber eyes. A look which made her lean in... A face that made her breathe slowly... Eyes which made her watch the ocean for miles... And lips... Lips that left her to connect his maw with her own while being surrounded by flickering, brightly iridescent emerald leaves and bright cheery sunshine...

A kiss that they shared over nothing more than a berry.