FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Luna and Thief Chapter 16: Stronger Currents

Shimmering darts of silver would shock his gentle eyes in the broad sunlight; the haze of emerald scurried across his fur with spots of shadows from the leaves underneath a large tree in the midst of spring. The broken shards of light would feel jagged, yet warm and welcomed his flesh as he'd breathe gently, his fur glowed a brown-gold color. His smile would beam over the sunlight challenging every segment of its rays with that golden curve of his maw, which painted the expression of bliss? That near black nose would huff in the sweet smell of flowers, the mixture of dandelions would briskly fill his nostrils as the warm air would sway over the trees and let them sing tenderly in the air. As if a small lullaby would hum over the airy, sun bright land. A near overpowered mix of salty wind would linger in from the sea. Whilst his eyes barely would fade to purple the young Eevee would feel the gentle sting of tears filling his eyes.

I...

The near gentle stimulant would roar over his back and chest, the pain of emptiness. A strong lack of understanding as his eyes would slowly tear and matt his fur - those eyes slowly dragged him into a near slumber. It was an out of body experience, as he looked through a window to his younger self. The Espeon would seem broad chested, back strong and paws firmly planted while lost at the empty field, the glow of the dandelions felt to fade away as the sunlight would be swallowed up by the large plumes of gentle white yarn high above him. The strong, diamond gaze of purple light would slump over his younger self and his eyes shut closed to cast the dream away.

I want to wake up from this nightmare.

The familiar tone wouldn't call to his haven, that safe place his mind he would slither to when he was sad or in trouble. It would only hover over him again and again, yet the rage would sharply bite the Espeons soul. His own core trembled by the chains which held him down and the ever-lasted desire to roar would fill his lungs. Anguish.

That was all it would be and with every flame of spirt in his heart, he knew that strength and will would never be enough. Was that…

Was that why he could never save him?

There were only a few seconds of the haunted sight which preached through his mind and body and wracked his soul without the tender persecution of longing anymore. The crumpled bodies would hover over his mind's eye for just a moment, like a hushed parted whisper from his lips with a word he longed to truly know again...

Those seconds of torture would drag out for what felt like years and he'd awake in the dim night, with the stars which filled with color. The light from them felt as if to lack the luster of a beautiful night's sky. It seemed to dispose of the euphoria which filled his mind from the once peaceful dream. The world was black and white yet for whatever reason he found the strength to step out into the cold brisk night and follow the cliffside all along Maidens Peak. He would only to hear the waves gently crash against the rocky cliffs and the stars gently sighed in the broad and open sky above. To him the world was nothing but ink and paper, he'd feel his paws lead to a strong patter which beat the earth down below him. There had to be something wrong, terribly wrong and there was only a short amount of time left to find out exactly what it was.

His paws would cross by the grassy tall fields and slide to a halt about half a mile out from the Pokemon center while his emblazoned purple gaze would watch two figures stand in the moonlight, overlooking the calm crashing waves which carried on through the horizon.

a name was called out into the chilly wind, nearly torn away from the sudden flush of air and stray leaves through the clearing. The scent, although it barely brushed the sky, was eerily familiar to the Espeon. The world was painted in dark greys of lifeless morale and faded shortly into a whirlpool of shadows.

"Underworld." A large, stocky fellow would say, dressed in a full bomber like jacket to cover him from the wind. He was large, very large with strong shoulders and a chest that would press outward against his shirt and jacket, and although it seemed as though they were only talking, the Espeon could feel the intentions.

That is, if the handgun the large man held wasn't enough to convince anyone. It's deviously sharp line of steel-grey would shimmer amongst the moonlit stars.

The other man would grin a little "I don't -"

"It's very simple." He said and refused to let that foresight from his pistol wave away from the other mans' chest and from at least several paces back. A clear, and obviously easy shot. the glossy sheen of a large red R would be etched on both their outfits, Moonlight could see that but he stood fast, and barely moved... or breathed. "You've been missing for weeks; a lack of communication led me to get a little curious about certain phone calls." The man scoffed at the larger fellow.

"Odd that they send the 'big man' himself." The figure would seem to outspread his arms, as if to quietly announce it to the wind. "Why not have her out here?"

"You're asking too many questions, so I'll tell you exactly how this is going to work. This… Underworld as you've nicknamed it… this new team of ragtag criminals…" The splatter of light would echo colors in all direction and the man would hit the earth in less than a second. He'd promptly walk over and look at the other man. "When it comes to traitors, those who try to kill people we care about; they're removed." The gentle sounds from him cast out nothing but a disgusted gag and the horrid sounds of chocking - the shocked spew of blood from his jaw would feed out from his mouth. It took nothing to drench the shot man's black uniform a sickly red, as if a collection of roses and poppies covered his whole uniform. "In your case." He says "You're trying to kill everyone… and if you're perception of hell is so grand, then I pray the devil holds his arms open for you… Tell that to your friends at Team Underworld... Or Cerberus or whatever it is now."

Moonlight would simply gaze over the two and as if to mimic a star in the sky, the man would simply drag out a cigarette and light it before he took a walk towards the tree line. For only a second Moonlight would see the man's face. He knew him for sure, and he knew that if his scent lingered around here for long, another would be out for blood herself. Moonlight glanced at the crumpled body… The man wasn't dead, at least… not yet.

-

The streaks of white light would shatter over the fluidity of her speed as she crossed over branches and stumps in less than a second. Her eyes were sharp, focused and her nose was focused on getting closer to his scent. She knew who he was, Team Magma but more importantly, a contract worker, his scent had been all over the mountain from the start. That idiot Griffin had mixed up her Pokeball with Marill's, or more accurately, she simply swapped with her. Those four paws bit into the earth while her fangs would gleam - eyes black and her that grimace in her face would peer out of the darkness. A quick dart through a meadow surrounded by shadows - tall trees stained dark in this part of the woods his voice would softly echo after a liberal huff.

"Yeah, he was out here. I had a chat with him." The voice would simmer over the night "I'll be coming back now, perhaps we could grab a coffee?" The indistinct chatter on his phone was nearly impossible to hear but that wouldn't stop her, she didn't care. She'd break out of the bushes, and feet darted across the open meadow with a roar that would force the night still. He'd turn nearly on a dime and let a spark fly, which cracked loudly in the dark night and sprayed every stilled tree with color. The boom would hum and echo all over the night sky as she'd keep her charge without a flinch and jump into him while large sprays of red lines would fill every angle around her.

Before Bandit could realize anything, she was pinned by at least four other Mightyena's which snarled and roared at her while she was on the ground before a massive sized male would clamp her jaw to the earth with his paw to stop her from viciously biting anything her fangs would reach. It nearly covered her face and she'd stare with at the large Mightyena with bloodshot eyes.

"Ah Bandit." He'd say and fearlessly kneel to look over her. "I heard you were out here, I'm interested why a banned Pokemon from the League is out here - well I can fill in the dots..." He says with this infectiously evil smile, like the kind a businessman would give a rich fool. "Logan."

She kept her vicious snarl but with her maw clamped she couldn't charge up her HyperBeam, yet those bloodshot eyes she'd give him would make him tilt his head ever so slightly. "You shouldn't be so... Frontal. It's odd for you and well for me too" He says "It's unlike me to miss a shot." He comments, and started to stand when he stalled, stunned by the floating .45 caliber round. The small copper, hollow point would hover as if it were frozen in time and place and the man would start to slowly smirk, and stare at the Espeon much further out.

Moonlight made it in time, his gem glowed a deep, royal purple as that bullet would hold a haze of purple over it, The Espeon's head hurt terribly. The large man barely made a sound before he stood with a gentle chuckle. "I'll get a hold of such a rarity as you Bandit - one day. You'd be perfect for breeding with my Mightyena pack." She went to fight her maw out but the much larger Mightyena would lowly growl and shove her face to the mud. "We must leave for now, I don't have time to deal with this... follow." He'd say and turn to leave before he would stop for just a moment. "Oh, and Moonlight." The bullet would hit the ground as the Espeon would snap out of his trance and stare at the tower of a man from a distance. "Stop with the tricks... you might just get killed one day." The man said, pocketed his .45 pistol and kept a chilled out walk through the woods until he was enveloped by the shadows in the night. His Mightyena's all returned to their pokeballs at once and left Bandit and Moonlight alone in the clearing. Moonlight would bolt over to the Bandit immediately as she would pull her face out of the mud with a growl.

"Don't say anything!" Moonlight looked sour from her words while they watched that large, horrifying figure walk through the dark woods just before he disappeared.

"Let's go." He'd say after a moment of silence "The town would've heard the gunshots already." The Espeon would comment and she would follow suite after that Mightyena would give one last stare at the tree line. She was riled up now and just hoped for a moment that he would be back again and she would finally show him what fear really meant.

-

The bright flutter of blue and red lights would mix themselves into a sickly royal purple and would wake up Griffin at four thirty in the morning. He'd take a glance outside and notice Nurse Joy, distressed and panicked while she talked in front of a number of police officers. He'd feel his heart race slowly but surely. His green eyes would catch onto her hands, mesmerized by the sight of blood. The young man would hop onto his feet, and throw his jacket on, overtop a muscle shirt and shorts – what he usually wore when he slept. He was half tempted to step out of the room and he did for a moment to notice the amount of police officers around the town and inside the Pokemon Center's lobby.

"Excuse me, sir? We need you to stay in your room for now." Griffin felt the natural incline to swallow "Everything is under control, but for now we need everyone to stay indoors." He'd take a moment to look out of the front glass door of the Pokemon Center, and noticed a stretcher being loaded up into an Ambulance. There was blood all over the sheets and a man who was set up to a hand pumped respirator. The paramedics there raced to load him up, one of them would call out "He's crashing!" One of them would comment "He's got an open chest wound, I need something to seal it now and something to drain!" Another paramedic would check over a line of equipment from their bag. Griffin only saw it for a second when the police officer would hold his hand out and gently push him back into the room.

"It'll be alright, those paramedics are well trained and we have plenty of great staff at the hospital." The officer would say and Griffin would look a little pale before he froze again.

It... couldn't have been.

He stared at Nurse Joy who talked frantically to an officer as she explained that she heard the gunshot and went to investigate before she found the man nearby the shrine. She did everything, Griffin heard her say.

Griffin felt the strongest surge of adrenaline pump into his body as he'd somehow find the strength to nod to the officer and say "Yes officer." And step back into the Center's guest room but the first thing he'd notice, just out of the corner of his eye...

Was that a large officer would stare at him intently, as if to study his body language. Griffin put it out of his mind and would lay back down and feel his head hit the pillow before the warmth of fur would brush against his side, the hint of purple with a scent of the woods would lightly fill the room. Moonlight was awake, and he'd look around in his light panic only to take a count of all the Pokemon there. Everyone was safe... With Bandit curled up in the corner who would partly look at the flashing lights from the police cruisers and the ambulance. He thought he was seeing things, he gave Bandit to Logan and figured all of this had to be a bad dream of some sort...

I hope it's a dream at least

He'd think to himself and wonder with the idea that this was somehow his fault but Moonlight would push his head under Griffins hand, and the trainer would find himself lost in petting Moonlight through the next few hours.

Somehow, he found it in himself to fall back asleep, with the help of the Espeon which intention was to stay by his side and from time to time it felt like he was going to wake up again but he'd always fade from sleep into wakefulness until finally...

"Yo Griffin!" Brad shook him awake, the sixteen year old would roll his eyes. "I thought I was the only one here that would sleep in." He'd comment "It's like ten in the morning" He'd say and Griffin would get up and step outside of the room again. There was still a strong presence of police officers around, more specifically there was four of them. He could tell as there was two police cruisers parked in front of the Pokemon Center, he stepped into the washroom and filled his hands with water from the faucet before splashing the frigid water over his face. He'd stare at the mirror for a moment before taking a deep breath and stepped out of the room.

"Come on" Natasha would cross her arms a bit and lean against the interior wall of the Pokemon Center "You always give everyone a hard time for sleeping in, we all want to get breakfast before making the travel to Vermillion." She wore an outfit that would make him think of some anime bad girl. Natasha wore ripped jeans and some coat to match it, he couldn't stick his tongue on the character she was dressing up to be.

"Y - yeah, I'll be right there I promise." Griffin replied and stepped into the bedroom to change his clothes. He felt chilly today, the quick sharp images of a body being loaded into the ambulance, it distracted him as the sixteen year old threw on some jeans and a black shirt before throwing on a heavier jacket he kept on him. It was black with green accents - a sharp neon green design would slither over the arms as if proposing there were snakes wrapped around them.

That person was dead... he had to be with all that blood… It felt a little too real to be a dream but, it's crazy to think about.

The thought would bite his head and he'd feel that sharp headache as he'd step out of the dark room. Everything was already packed up and he'd notice his travel bag on a chair nearby. "Alright, let's get out of here." He'd say and would turn over to Nurse Joy. "Thank you for your hospitality." He'd basically bow and he was astonished that she had the strength to give him a nod and a very, very tired smile.

Outside was bitter really, a ghost town - literally. There was nobody around now, the doors were closed and the blinds on most of the homes were shut as if it was some weird tradition. Or as if everyone within the town was severely sick. He'd find himself to glance around before Griffin followed Brad towards the sushi place they went to the other day but even as the homesome decor outside of the building, just a simple sign with two round paper lanterns that dimly glowed against the sun which tried to spear through the dark bellowing clouds above... it didn't make him feel as cheery as it once did. While he stepped into the warm atmosphere inside the restaurant he could feel the swirling cone of chilly - warm air that would seep outside of the building. He'd notice how empty it was, and first looked at Natasha and Melody whom already had a table reserved. A few good steps into the building, a kind nod to the chef who could notice the customers walking in from the open kitchen, which was only divided by a serving counter; Griffin would spot the four police officers in a corner booth by the window who talked silently amongst themselves. All but one of them had a coffee or a tea on the table, half discussing their next searching grounds; he'd barely overhear something about a proper detective coming down and another mention that it's going to be “touch and go" for a while.

"Get over here Griffin, we're starving." Natasha would say, a little louder then Griffin had expected. "You've been absent minded all morning...." Luckily her second comment was much quieter. The trainer would go to sit down and barely glance over the calm brown eyes of his Growlithe. His Vulpix sat in a different booth and looked into the window and the winding path they first walked down into town. That's when his belt would shimmer out a beam of light. The red line would dart onto the ground nearby him and Griffin suddenly stared into Bandit's sharp eyes. She would tilt her head at him, and he would immediately glance at his belt. Then back at her with a little swallow. Just then, he realized that he not only mixed up the Pokeballs, and that it wasn't some crazy dream he had last night, but he traded someone very important to him. He ran the names through his head.

Pikachu, Thief, Vulpix, Absol, Bandit, Moonlight... I gave Marill to Logan...

-

Those tender brown-red eyes would glance over the swaying trees and the leaves that would spark off of some branches. All of them were still bright green and it looked like the wind had a desire to pick up the pace. It felt, deep down in her fur, that it was going to rain at some point that day. She'd feel her heart lightly pound against her chest as she'd shut her eyes a little - it was warm in that little restaurant and she nearly felt like going back to sleep with the desire to have that dream again. Her eyes would slowly slither into a haze of restfulness and shut close with the distinct sound of chatter between all four of the trainers and the Pokemon around the table. She was going to a spot that was quiet, familiar...

That was until an odd familiar sound would come into her mind, like a rough ringing sound and suddenly every human voice was gone. Her chest would start pounding in fright as her head would peak up and glance towards the window as if to study everything. Something farther down the trail would rustle yet she couldn't tell if it was the wind or a pair of eyes that stared at her from afar. Moonlight would startle her as he sat in the other booth while his glance would focus out the window and she only wondered how he could sense something that she couldn't. But why… why now of all times did everyone's voice go away? Why did Griffin's voice fade?

"Your injuries are clearly feeling better." He commented and barely tore his gaze away from the window.

"Yes, they are." She said in reply with her eyes glued to the world outside. Nothing had moved in a while, save for the wind which in turn made everything move in one constant direction - clearly it came off from the sea and sent the trees in a more north-west direction - or at least from Luna's angle. It would howl against the windows and lightly rack the frame while she felt the urge to flinch from the sight of a branch falling from above the building. A storm was definitely going to be coming upon all of them soon enough but Luna could only wonder if the problems would continue to lie in the mute silence. She could see Griffin's lip moving yet no sound would slip through, as if her world was slowly being dragged into everlasting quiet. It would ring in the very base of her ear drum yet everything else would be crystal clear. The sound of chopsticks which clicked against the plates - a cup being lifted and rested on the table and the heavy boots from the four uniformed men who stepped out from their booth and towards the front to pay their bill. The sight of dishes on their table would rest in what appeared more like an organized mess, however that's how it would usually be with most customers. Emptiness would spark against her chest, leaving a linger of pain unlike one she had felt before - it wasn't the sharpness of broken bones and skewered muscles, that feeling of tendons being numbed yet painfully stretched when she moved. What that small cavern lake did was take away every physical ailment that blocked her... But the horrid memories would be engraved in her mind..

The crushing weight of broken steel which folded above her. Every wall suddenly slammed her into a malformed heap of flesh and bone. She never did remember how she survived that bullet train, not when every little bit of solid metal was being crushed in with her trapped. Yet the haunting question would hover in her mind, the abnormal event suddenly painted in front of her face felt mundane.

It's not the first time

She'd feel her head start to pound over and over again.

It's not the first time I should've been dead.

Her six unkempt tails would curl at the ends, as if to propose a fit of rage. A sharp desire to fight would burn in her chest as her paws would firmly push against the booth's surface, those eyes were glued to the window and the two near dark-purple eyes would stare back at her from a distance, hidden among the bushes that would slowly paint the world black, as if thick ink would draw her into dismay before she'd open her eyes and sharply move and felt the earth underneath become a substance much like water. Her paws would feel the gel jolt her small body left and right.

What the hell is going on?

The small Vulpix would dart around the dark segment of blank lines and written ink, this was...

This was her. This was her core.

A voice would dart around her insides and make the Vulpix feel off balance. The straight strands of hair would flicker in front of her eyes as all four paws would be planted on the ground. It's as if she stared out at the window, yet there was no window. Just an open plain between her and it. Unsure of the world around her it's abnormal tone of blues and gray sludge, there would be a shimmer in the air, which clicked in a disturbed tongue that was alien to her, as if a locust were harmonizing its near crisp wings into the sky. It would hover about, a Ledian. The near dark purple color would shimmer in her shadowy void let the sounds of its fast chitter echo in her mind and allowed her head to ring. The only abnormal thing about this Ledian, besides the color was its mandibles, it appeared more savage - predatory. The sharp claw like appendages would skim over Luna's eyes as she would try to snap out of this soulless world with unregistered fury. The sounds of its fast paced chitter would slowly make her angry and without much of a warning she felt a burrow of rage... or power festering inside her soul. The Vulpix would coldly exhale yet she had to look around and know that her body was frozen in place.

She stared into her eyes, her own eyes, as if to exist on some astral plain before her world... and a twisted existence of shadows and off colors would be the desired palette of trees and landscapes which gathered around her small body. Griffin was frozen in frame as though lost between turning pages of a book as Moonlight would be glance his way with a gentle smile touching the corner of his lips, his tongue ever so parted them open - perhaps more interested in the food that was on the table. That Ledian would hover about - it's chittering wings would beat against the air annoyingly leaving her...

The buzzing left her ears to ring as if suppressing the noises around her, this trickery was from those... things!?

Without another moment the Vulpix would take a stance, her back riled upward - spiked outward as her straightened tails would stiffen and sharpen out menacingly and she inhaled with a warmth that sparked along her breast and left the little Vulpix to appear ravenous, dangerous with her eyes glimmering over her unknown target. Without any given chance or thought she dropped her jaw down to the earth, a frozen line of pebbles would catch her eyes gently cast frigid sunlight to cross along her eyes.

It was abnormal to see a world so colorless... yet the sunlit reflection would cast little lines of rainbows around her eyes which surrounded every gentle sparkled strand along her fur to slowly simmer down... Why would the Ledian look so calm now? So understanding even though clearly it appeared darker, lackluster.

Yet it felt full of this undeniable light, like the look a close trainer and Pokemon would share along one another and it took nothing but that gentle ring of light before beginning to understand, that chill sparked along her back and legs. Her jaw shut, eyes oddly wide, nearly.... nearly a sad gaze from Luna would peer through the woods. There was a reason for this and she suddenly felt colder then ever.

Somehow... either she... or the Ledian was...

The light and noise would flicker along her eyes and Luna would blink her eyes sharply to the sparkling lights within the restaurant.

"Vulpix" Griffin would chuckle and tap his pointer and thumb together, making a snapping like sound with them to catch her attention.

"She's nearly as absent minded as you." Natasha would state bluntly and with a rather obnoxious tone that would leave Griffin to grunt firmly

"I bet she's just thinking of great things like I am" He'd retort

"That's what I'm afraid of..." Natasha would say again and Griffin would make a firm fist, he felt tense enough already!

“I'm right here you know!" Griffin would comment and suddenly catch the eye of a police officer looking his way for a moment and it made Griffin's blood run cold yet Brad shortly perked up

“Here I was thinking you were afraid of my ideas" Brad would quickly retort as he remembered their older conversation.

“We are!" Both Griffin and Natasha recoiled in unison and it left the whole group to laugh a little and Griffin felt this unmistakable warmth flood through his body and he would watch as the odd police officer would walk out of the building, it's as though the police officer knew him somehow and it md him think about the whole Saffron City fiasco. He wouldn't have been surprised if that were the case but now he had to set his sights on a bigger thing.

Vermillion City. For just a moment Griffin pictured the lights as Luna would glance his way and could see that in his eyes and then Luna moved her eyes over to the Growlithe. For whatever reason she noticed his pelt shimmer in the lights of the restaurant, the flicker of dull yellow would ignite a blaze of orange and gold all across Thief's pelt and she could nearly smell him from where she was. Or at least the memory of his scent lingered in her mind and before she knew it Moonlight stared her way, as though to catch the Vulpix red pawed and it left her face to flow in with a cherry of red that crossed cheek to cheek like a crosswalk in a city. It was so stupidly obvious and she hoped that for just a moment, Moonlight were oblivious to it yet he only gave a small warm smile then moved out of the way so she could cross the seat and get closer to Thief. Luna found her paws following over to the Growlithe whom spent so much of his time chatting with Scarf that he barely saw her come upon him until she was practically right on top of him. The Vulpix's mind wandered and she thought of how Spirit was doing before she looked her way over to the Absol and then from the corner of her eye, the Houndoom whom seemed to rest his head against Melody's thigh. The Trainer would pet him constantly and barely looked away from Griffin while they were talked. Luna took a moment to glance at the clouds outside, it looked as though it would clear up after all as the sun would finally fight through the darker, stormy clouds that went off to the sea.

“I'm worried about the Vermillion City Gym" Melody would comment in order to interject herself into all of the trainers conversation and they would start to chat about that while eating the food came up and for whatever reason, Luna found that at least three of her tails would curl against Thief's big bushy tail. She solely wondered if some part of her body had betrayed herself. Yet Thief only pushed his head over to her and glance at her eat when they had food placed in front of them and Luna would look, glance and swoon over him. Even when she was devouring the food in front of her. In fact, he had to stifle a small giggle.

Luna looked as though she were starving and the Growlithe would push over his plate of food with his nose “If you're hungry" He'd smile happily and watched as Luna tilted her head “There's plenty of food" She'd comment shortly after Luna swallowed what she was eating. It was this mix of salmon and berries overtop of a bed of what she that was a spiced mix of herbs. Thief ate something that appeared like thinly cut beef which rested amongst a bed of sesame seeds and herbs. Luna figured it was usually served with some form of rice or noodles but instead it was plated in a much similar way to her own food. Everything tasted wonderful yet for whatever the reason she actually yearned more for Griffin's cooking, regardless of how alike her meal was. There was this feeling one would have after eating his own creations, as though he put a little bit of his heart and soul into every step of creating it and that thought would make her glance at Griffin.

“Vermillion city is going to be awesome! We're going to win that badge for sure!" He'd say in his quiet yet rowdy tone, he was clearly excited and Luna felt a tail of hers flicker as if to feel his excitement run through her. Moonlight would suddenly plop his head down against Griffins lap and Bandit would watch from her side of the table. That's when a beam would shoot out of Natasha's belt, the only Pokemon that would commonly stay outside of their pokeball were Natasha's Eevee Yuny, whom was so focused on eating that he hardly had any time to talk. This time, it was the Leafeon and that Leafeon would stare at Moonlight.

“I need to speak with you." Leafeon said but seemed to be more distracted with the sight of the restaurant and the smell of everything. It was this overwhelming rush for the Leafeon and the Espeon would simply push over his dish of Tuna and everything else that he ate half of.

“Eat first, You've barely had much to eat for a while. Anyways you've been gone for the longest time, focusing on… what? Meditation?"

“Fasting naturally, meditation is part of it" Leafeon would reply and Moonlight responded with rolling eyes.

“Right, right well, if memory serves me well after a few days of fasting one has to eat, so eat, then maybe after we leave we can chat a little more." Moonlight spent his time to glare at Leafeon as the Leafeon hesitantly stared at the food as if to judge it affectively, before finally eating something. They hadn't talked since that day, since Leafeon went along and approached Moonlight and there wasn't much in terms of a friendship between them, yet Moonlight felt as though the peculiar Leafeon had read something about him and he gave Leafeon this mixed look. Luna would interject her own blank expression as both Moonlight and Leafeon would stare at one another firmly.

it's like they know each other just by staring at one another. How do they do that?

Her mind would fill with all sorts of theories as that large, imposing, Leafeon would look at Luna and for whatever reason she huddled against Thief's fur. There was something about Leafon that made her feel insecure, terrified and she hardly ever really felt that way… at least she hadn't for a long, long time. Thief would first look at her, but by the time he glanced at the Leafeon, the Pokemon would gaze was elsewhere. Leafeon looked more lost while he studied the faded paper lanterns that rested alongside the roof and the view way of the kitchen. It lined every section of what looked to be a serving bar and illuminated it with shapes of color which were more like symbols now that the paper lanterns were so old and faded. Luna seemed full now, as if she had lost her appetite and looked at Griffin and the others who drank tea and chatted amongst one another a little more silently now. It's as though they focused on everything but what happened earlier that morning.

Shortly after their lunch or breakfast, or whatever you could call it, the whole group would thank the staff and make their way from the little homely restaurant. The road overlooked that old sign that stated “Maidens Peak" Then with a quick glance, Griffin would stare at his map on his Pokenav. Natasha, whom was glancing at her phone skimmed over whatever. Natasha appeared a little giddy about it and Yuny hopped up from her bag and onto her shoulder to stare at the tiny screen. Well at least Luna believed it to be tiny, very tiny and she couldn't see any purpose of such a tiny device except for whatever they looked at. The wind would brush against Luna's small furred face, a warm inviting wind. As though the forest welcomed them to travel along it's rocky and treacherous pathways as everyone would start to walk. Luna's eyes would skim over the towering clouds of dark woven yarn that were now in the distance as they stepped further down the old trail-like road away from Maiden's Peak. Vermillion City, that's where they were headed next and after he spent time to fiddle with his Pokenav, Griffin was on his one-way trek stride and stared at everything around him in some calm way... although now, he seemed more tense - Luna could pick up on that. Griffin would comment to Melody after tossing a glance her way.

"We're far off Route six and seven, I think it might be best if we go to Vermillion though, instead of looping back around. after all it is much closer." He'd idly say to her, as if making conversation as her Houndoom would butt in between them. Luna would look over that Houndoom much, much closer and was reminded of Absol. The tear like shapes in his pelt and the rather rough look lining his face appeared as though the Houndoom had been burned and slashed apart and for just a moment he would look over to Luna with a small peculiar glance before it glared at Griffin, whom at the time had his Pokenav out and double checked with Melody about the travel plans he had in mind. Before Natasha would suddenly pop up into Griffin's view and crossed her arms with a matter-of-fact look.

“Wouldn't it be easier to avoid the base of the mountain ranges here?" She brought up and showed the line of cliffsides. “We already had problems with cliffs a while back remember? Why don't we follow this river running down to the city? It might take a day longer but we have a safer bet at getting there." Griffin would look over the map, where the small river would curl down and over a collection of glassy plains. The river was appealing for sure, easier than the cliffsides but there was a risk of running into more trainers at any given time. What Griffin was really concerned about, and Luna could see it in his face as the Vulpix stood from the back of the group. Griffin was concerned that they could run into Team Rocket, but Brad would come over and look at Griffin's Pokenav

“I agree with Natasha, I'm really the only one who knows about mountain hiking and climbing, these trails look too advanced for beginners. Even for me without equipment." He would casually adjust his backpack and continue down the trail for a bit and glanced at his own device, while Luna would watch him carefully until a pair of hushed voices would hover by her through the sunshine. The voices were near silent at first, as though they intended to only talk amongst themselves and she would take a moment to stare ahead, past everyone else before Bandit came into view from the distance. It was as though Bandit had stepped far ahead, her and Scarf, but they didn't seem to talk in the rushed and harsh voices that Luna had heard and before the Vulpix realized it, she stared at the windy trees and caught the smallest glimpse of Moonlight and that Leafeon from the treeline. She took half a paw forward and that's when Thief, his plump orange-yellow tail flickering and the bright orange-brown eyes would give her a happy stare

“It looks like we're finally on the road again." He'd comment idly and get up next to her, as though following her steps. " It's sort of exciting" He would mention, and glance over at the branches that whispered from the treetops lining each side of the road which was sprawled out ahead. A dirt road where most steps would kick up small pebbles and lines of dust hazily rested along the sunlight that shimmered through every speck and small cloud of grey and red was the sort of road they all walked upon. That little Growlithe gave his eyes a small parted glance from her, as though he had just clued in that there was some serious conversation going on in the distance and whoever or whatever chatted would get a little louder and louder at times. Thief couldn't really shake off the conversation he would partially over hear, yet Thief would try to distract himself bit by bit by while he talked with Luna. His eyes would have a look along her unkempt hair, the glimmer of soft amber eyes which would stare back with that classic 'you seem familiar' look. The kind that would make her eyes sparkle yet there was that unmistakeable sorrow which would blur itself from the curve of her lip, that simple partial smile... the kind which showed off her hair a little when she would turn her head to the right or the left, and that's when Luna would tilt her head at the Growlithe.

“Well?" Luna would say with a curious smile as Thief would give her a blank expression

“Well… what?" The Growlithe would look at Luna with a smile of his own.

“You sorta stopped talking mid conversation." Luna had replied back while she stared at his orange eyes. It would make him shyly hide them from her.

“D – did I?" Thief would flush through and collect his bearings, trying to figure out the point he was making before. “I -I -I mean, it's exciting that we're out here again." He'd try to make up, as if lost to his previous thoughts, or maybe just the look of Luna in the bright, cheery sunlight. It was odd that only earlier that morning it was nearly pelting down with rain that would have caused some void of colorlessness yet that didn't stop Thief from seeing her the way he did now. In fact, the lines of rare droplets along the glimmering green arrowheads that overhung from tree branches that stretched over the road made Luna's fur sparkle. The Vulpix would glance back to Maiden's Peak, which already seemed so distant and alien to her now. She couldn't really deny the fact that the only reason she looked away from Thief, and behind her, was to distract herself from the line of red that would hover past her cheeks and make her head spin slowly. As though to hide away from Thief's near infectious gaze, Luna would hide her face from him.

-

Logan awoke in a familiar bed with the sun just breaking through the blinds of a window. It was odd for him to be back in Littleroot and it brought back all sorts of memories which taunted him bit by bit. The curtains hung with a small amount of slack as that chilly air would slither into the room. Cold, colder then usual really and he took the few extra seconds to adjust to the pictures that hung all around the window. Resting shirtless under the covers which he promptly threw to the edge of the bed, Logan would stare at the Emerald line of cones from the bright window. It must have been very early in the morning as he could see that sun rising and he took a moment to wake from his slumber before Logan finally decided to stand and get dressed. As Logan would button over his jacket – plaid in design and warm, he would stare over at an old mahogany bookcase and all around it was framed pictures of himself when he was younger, maybe nine or so at the time with Griffin. The picture was them at an old creek he knew of, in fact it was hardly that far from home.

Home.

Logan could remember every nook and cranny that rested past these wooden walls of timber and oak and something caught his eye. The one picture in the middle of the bookshelf, the short little bookshelf with the sun shining over it. That picture which was still folded down since that day. Logan would walk over to it, brushing his finger against the frame as though daring to turn it upright and yet something stopped him. He would look over the dusty frame, a warm ivory frame which stared flat against the mahogany and he felt as though the room were lackluster. As the color and life was swept away solely from the one picture frame sitting face down.

You... still haven't moved past it… right... Griffin?

Logan would taunt himself once more with that old dusty picture frame before passing a small sigh and realized that only in time, would Griffin be able to turn it upright.

“He hasn't called since he left for Kanto." The old voice would slip from the door frame, Logan's grandfather must have opened the door when he was so focused on the folded down picture.

“I feel as though Griffin needs some time to find himself." Logan would reply and would hardly stare his grandfathers way as he stepped into the room.

“It's hard… seeing the room so empty." Corey would say in this older shriveled tone, as though he would get more and more tired just by looking around the room. His cane would rattle gently against the hardwood. "Your mother... loved this house, still does too... How has she been?"

"Mom has been doing wonderful, ever since the surgery she's taken her time to travel to Kalos... at the moment she's still being checked over by the hospital." Logan would mention and look at Corey. "She's also been doing great with walking..." Logan looked over that folded down frame and there was this little spark that would light up in his eyes. Logan only had his Dragonite, Haxorus and Shadow and Bandit with him at this time and suddenly he would let out a little sharp exhale. "I swear, one day we're going to have a huge family reunion again, before you and Martha go back to Mexico and mom comes back home here." Logan would say and sigh again "We'll have a large family photo, with all of our Pokemon and we'll have that picture see the light of day again." Logan pointed at the folded down picture frame and felt his knuckles fold as he'd make a fist. "But first I need to figure out what's going on, with everything happening as of late." His eyes stared out that window and at that old picture for just a moment longer before he would glance over at his grandfather. Corey gave him a warm smile, his brown-bluish eyes would look at him closely. "I'm sorry it seems like we've all been so busy with everything else." Logan mentioned again and hung his head low. "We've been so busy burying away this house, burying everything and now all of it feels as though we've naturally become strangers... but I swear to god." Logan huffed a little "We'll have a big family reunion again, with everyone."

Corey would just stare, a touch stoic at first before he would light the room with his infectious smile.

"You'll have to come back to Mexico, the two of you. Since Martha has her family down there. We'll have a large and wonderful reunion with all of our families." Logan would smile a bit from the thought.

“Yeah. It would be nice to see everyone again, the last time we did it was when Griffin was born." Logan could barely make out that memory.

“You were at least six at the time." Corey would say and gave the rising sun from the windows nearby a small give of his eyes before he tapped his cane down on the hardwood again. “Well, it seems like we all have a plan for a family reunion! But first, maybe you should get up and about, figure out what you need to learn from my old research cabin." Logan would show a touch of resilience in leaving so soon, it had been a long time since he had seen his grandfather, but something came up to his mind and Logan opened his rucksack and showed Corey the drawing of that small artifact from the digsite he worked at.

“Have you seen these at all? Or anything like it?" The drawing of the small furred orb would shiver in the light of the sun, it was as though the drawing was willing to come to life at any moment. Logan stared at something almost alien now yet he could suddenly picture looking back up and stared down the barrel of a gun again. He couldn't believe the surreal event that happened back at his digsite, he only thought of what they supposedly called themselves.

Underworld… seriously, what a stupid name. But they did have guns… a lot of them, and they were more then serious enough…

Corey kept looking at the small fossil and then took the paper to examine it more closely.

“I have seen this once before…"

“What?" Logan felt his blood run suddenly cold as Corey would look over it more and more.

“Yes, yes. There is an older feudal folklore about it, a long, long time ago. In Japanese folklore naturally, there are dozens of different variations around the world but the oldest is from here. I'll look over the best translation line I have, but most of my studies may be at the cabin." That's when Logan saw the look on his face and it made him go a little stiff.

“You may have heard of all the teams out there, right Logan?" Corey would comment after a moment of what felt like eternal silence.

“Of course, mainly with Team Magma and Aqua. But there are rumors that Team Rocket and the other leaders actually work together internationally."

“Well this… thing comes from a small team from the America's, both North and South. Or at least this is what they generally look for." Corey would say “Fossils of myth I guess you could say."

“What do you mean?" Logan asked while he stared at this drawing of the small furry orb.

“A team known as Cerberus in America focused solely on cross dimensional fossils, they believe that some fossils actually exist in a much different plain, a dark world… or what they believe is the depths of hell or the afterlife." Corey would explain while trying to remember

“Cerberus? So what they believe they are the guardians of Hades?"

“Did. Once the American police cracked down on most of the major members, the rest went into hiding or traveled. Last I heard of it they created a new team, one that I've barely heard of… except for stories and news down in Mexico and from some friends of mine in Bolivia. Nearly every major research group in the world has heard of them at one point, Cerberus I mean, but they were smaller then Team Rocket... but now I think things are making more sense to me."

Corey would mention and tell Logan to follow him, at the time nobody else was awake or at least it seemed that way. Within moments Corey brought Logan to his study. His study was a small desk with a huge collection of newspaper clippings on a pegboard mentioning things that Logan would feel sick about.

*Over Seventeen dead after suspected Terrorist attack in Rio De Janeiro* One clipping said and mentioned the major bombing at a city overpass. Another clipping he had noticed bluntly stated

*Hostage situation in New York City leaves six dead* And Logan would continue to read the other ones.

There was at least fifty seven which they crossed every major city and place all around the world. This wasn't just a villainous team, where they casually stole Pokémon and Fossils or money. This wasn't some kind of crew that hit only banks or rich homes. Logan felt his heart pound a little bit, harder then he wanted to admit as he noticed another clipping, in fact he heard about it before and it was written entirely in Spanish.

*Over thirty killed in a suspected string of bombings during Dia De Muertos in Mexico City* It was dated just about two years ago, everything was within a span of six or so years with only a very rare few, much more tame dating back at least twenty or twenty five/

Corey would glance over that clipping on specific clipping about Mexico City. “Nobody from our family was hurt directly… but it's still shaken us."

“These people aren't simple Pokémon thieves…" Logan would say in a strained gasp and stared at all the comments calling out a group with no name, but Logan knew it and it was now stuck in his head with a new fearful meaning.

Underworld.

Logan felt his stomach churn as he would look over the notes and the clippings and the articles. Some were reprinted from major news websites, government websites and even a few links from social media which had video links to the events. There was just one place, Logan had noticed, that they didn't or hadn't touched yet.

And that was here, his home country of Japan and a few other smaller countries in the world.

“The police are very much aware of the situation overseas… A friend of mine mentioned that they're running a large internal affairs case on most of the officers, just in case. He also said that we're getting some unexpected help overseas too."

“Unexpected help?" Logan asked and shot Corey a look. He had to remember that at one point the old man had worked primarily forensics and fossils, and his expertise wasn't just with Pokémon research. At one point, Corey was an international trainer himself and helped train some of the Pokémon around the world, even though it was decades ago. “I know some old friends of mine are helping police forces from all over the world, but…I'm assuming if you have this drawing, you don't have the fossil…" Logan seemed to realize something and look at the rest of the newspaper clippings. “All of the fossils were in transit at one point or another, you're lucky Logan… very lucky." Logan had felt that non-too friendly shiver run through his back... those people at the dig site would have killed everybody for that fossil if he didn't hand it to them, what did they need this strange fossil for? He needed to get his grandfathers notes, immediately.

“What about Griffin? Everybody else? Will they be safe? Will you be safe?" Corey would give a smile.

“Remember what I said about there being help from overseas… well a friend of mine mentioned something, not directly mind you."

“Oh?" Logan would sound frantic.

“According to him, there may or may not be some very prestigious officers out here in Hoenn, and many departments have some of their own in Kanto and Johto…"

“But why? Exactly? I mean we have SAT, SDF and our police force." Logan would comment and Corey would pass a little smug look.

“The international trainers event is coming up, every major region is going to have a huge influx of people from nearly every country, you know that the government usually invites extra security from police forces all around the world." He would explain.

“Well… yes it helps with quite a lot down here, I've met a few from all over." Logan had replied.

“This time, it's going to be some more better trained people, looking out for potential dangers." The old man took a moment to sit down in his chair as he was talking. “Well, I told Martha that you all might be up early, I believe she's downstairs making breakfast for you all." Logan would take a moment to breathe as everything hit him a little faster and a little closer to home then he wanted it to yet the offer of food at this time was hard for Logan to think of but he knew he would have to keep his strength up.

“You're much too kind Grandfather." He'd say “Thank you very much, I just hope we didn't disturb Martha too much with showing up out of the blue."

“Nonsense, for family I'm more than willing to do simple things like ask my wife." Corey gave this hearty laugh and Logan was happy when he saw him laugh the way he always did or used to. “She was delighted when you all came in last night and made sure to make plenty of extra food for dinner, It's been quite some time since she's seen a Charmander, Rebecca must be quite the trainer!"

Logan would smile in reply “She's a little green, but she has quite the attachment to her Charmander" Logan would reply, and bow his head to thank Corey again before going downstairs for food.

As Logan took one step at a time with his hand which slid slowly down the guard rail he had this sudden flood of nostalgia run through him. His mother and father bought this small home a long, long time ago and Logan could recognize so much flooding in at once yet he couldn't even have a second to reminisce. Trevor was downstairs in the kitchen with Martha whom seemed to have spent her time playfully showing Trevor where he was wrong in his cooking and he would simply stand there with a playful smirk and his Sandslash, Spirit, would glance with a huff. It looked as though the living room and kitchen of their small little home in Littleroot had finally gotten a little life blown into it, yet Logan had his mind stuck solely on those newspapers, it was grim… dark and terrible to think of. He didn't or couldn't believe that along with all the criminal teams there would be an actual, international terrorist group started solely from those small town gangs. At least not one that was supposedly that organized, widespread and inconsistent enough that other countries had problems averting a problem.

Exactly who… or what could they really be? Part of an old Team sure, but why would they run all over the place for these old fossils? No other group has ever been fixated on just one before, at least not so much that they would blow up buildings or kill people. Usually they just steal major parts sure… break into power plants…. Wait… where exactly am I going with that. Logan was leaning against the wall, deep in thought as his eyes stared at the front door, wondering. In some way this whole thing had to be just a ploy for a larger team. It would make sense, the organization, the level of funding, even some of the more brash things they've done but unlike Team Rocket, or Magma or Galactic, this Underworld actually kills people.

Another realization hit Logan without any warning, like a second thought which snuck up on him without reason.

Is this team… purposely racking a body count? Those fossils must be too important for any singular group… I'll have to check in with the Professor here after breakfast… maybe try to get a hold of Akiyama and try to see if he figured out some of his older notes. Logan seemed to spend a lot of time trying to plan out his next moves and that's when Trevor noticed him doing his classic 'Deep in trance thinking' and he would call Logan over.

“Yo Logan" Trevor would say with a chuckle as Martha would explain to him that the way he was mixing hollandaise was incorrect 'Posture and all that' Trevor had the best posture around, his fitness ensured that. Logan would partially look up toTrevor and wave while still thinking to himself

Unable to use cellular, Pokenav's turned off, cut off from my research work back home, maybe best not to chat with the Professor, either of them would be too risky unless there were a payphone, but that could bring them out here. How could they be following information from government and private research companies? No…

Logan recalled the first twenty newspapers in his head, best he could. There was a number of specific Pokemon Research Company names in place. Then Logan realized that things looked a little more private ended. A major stockholder? Hardly… They knew what to look for but how can they access all that information across various countries and ensure the timing so directly, there would be a number of security measures in place.

He felt like he hit a wall. The Magnet Train came undone based on Team Rocket stealing parts but Akiyama told Logan it was attacked, or at least the information got around to him eventually.

Security… Security. He paused for another second. The International Pokemon Championships are three years from now. The International Trainers Event is here and there is a major research and development firm which is prominent in almost all types of research… Are they getting their data simply from people willingly submitting it? That would make more sense, if they could get a researcher or a couple that are with Underworld to help out with those projects simply from actual researchers submitting it publicly....

Logan recalled that he had appeared for a public speaking event when he opened up his own smaller research team to specialize in deep mountain fossils and in Pokemon medical research. They go to both, it's a founded project community that's more of a public event however, but all the major details, the place belonged to my team... So, it must have come from people there who voted to help out with the project. His mind got into specialists that he had hired over the time during his early research and latter. There was a few names that came to mind, one of which belonged to a private firm… one of the largest Pokemon Research Centers in the world.

A professor there knows the answer… He would come to the conclusion and Trevor would wave in his direction for a moment, Logan would look up and hear something to his left side, away from the front door and up the steps which he stood in front of.

“Char Char!" Rebecca came down the stairs with a yawn and her hair looked unkempt and a bit of a mess. She seemed to have overslept a bit in fact Logan recalled that she had mentioned something about getting some extra sleep the night before and he would drop his leg which pressed against the wall and move out of the way from the stairs. That felt oddly familiar and a whole line of flashbacks came to him from the many times Logan had done that – stood there by the door waiting, thinking, staring at the foyer and hoping.

Hoping, that for just a moment, his and Griffins father would walk through that front door.

Breakfast came shortly after without much of a conversation afterwards, as they ate a soft knock would come to the door and Logan would glance at it for just a moment, something made Logan freeze in the seat he sat in but Trevor would get up. “I'll get it Martha" She would thank Trevor and go back to chat with Rebecca as Logan would watch Trevor casually stretch his neck around, as if cracking it like he usually did before a boxing match. Logan used to laugh and kid about how it made him seem like a Hollywood actor, in fact Trevor would only do it thanks to professional fights on TV which he used to sit and watch, glued to it more then Pokemon Championship battles. Trevor would open the door with a smile and a half, foot parted stance as though ready to move forward or back at any given time.

“Oh! Professor Birch!" He would say, in this loud and happy voice and he would invite the Professor into the home. Birch would nod his head with a smile.

“Thank you for letting me in! Your grandfather told me that you were back in town Logan." Logan would flinch from that as his eyes would glance over Professor Birch and Logan only hoped that Corey told him directly yet given the situation… he knew that Corey would have told Professor Birch directly. As Logan was still sitting at the dining room table his eyes would glance outside, usually that sunlight would pierce through the curtains around dinner time and for just a moment he could picture everyone around the table again, yet here with Professor Birch, Trevor, Rebecca, Martha and himself sitting around that old table it really did feel as though the family was all back together.

“In all honesty Logan, I find it strange for you to be back here so soon, I thought you had a whole lot of research deep inside the mountains." Logan would finish eating some of his food and look as Trevor would bring Professor Birch a plate.

“Well, my cousin here thought that Grandfather could help him out with something" Trevor answered promptly with a smile and Professor Birch would nod and thank Trevor before he would go back to sit down around the table. After a little while of idle conversation, with Logan lost in thought about everything that was going on he would hear footsteps coming down the stairs and would watch Corey slowly and cautiously hold the handrail down each step. Logan promptly sat up and walked over to the stairs, helping him out without a moment's delay.

“I'm fine Logan, I might be old but I can still walk down the stairs just fine." Logan would give him a warm smirk

“Irrelevant to me really, you deserve all the help people are willing to give." Logan would say and Corey would give out that hearty laugh of his.

“I can't say no to you, can I?" He would comment and Logan would promptly help guide the elderly man down the stairs, he had been doing that since he could remember. Given his mother's injury Logan could remember holding her hand and helping her down the stairs since he was a kid and at the end of the day it was just habit for him now. Logan would never be able to picture himself having a problem with doing this and as they would get down to the last step Corey would notice Birch.

“Ah! Professor you got the memo!" He said with a delighted tone in his voice, leaving Birch to nod and smile in return.

“It's been at least two years since Logan came to visit! I couldn't pass up talking to the future of Pokemon research!" he would reply and graciously start eating as Logan would help Corey get a chair at the table. As they sat there promptly chatting amongst themselves, Rebecca's Charmander made a collection of noises and she would pet him shortly after. Logan would scratch his head and look at Professor Birch who had said something to him.

“Hm? Oh sorry I'm lost in thought" He would speak honestly and casually about it as Birch would give a chuckle

“I was asking what were you looking for in your grandfathers notes? I brought a collection of things he gave me but once the Pokemon in the Forbidden Forest became more territorial he left some of the notes there. I have the majority sum of it." Birch would say and Logan would scratch the back of his scalp

“You know, I'm not quite sure, but I think it might just help out!" that bright smile would shine through Logan's face although he was really just putting on an act, after reading all those newspaper headlines he was feeling terribly sick to his stomach but at least with everybody here it was calming his nerves a little bit more. Birch would pass over a large collection of printed papers and a handful of handwritten notes, some occasional drawings and a few things related to different kinds of fossils. Logan skimmed throughout the research work but he couldn't find anything on what he needed. As he was looking over all the notes he would notice Corey glancing over the papers too while Birch would keep eating, it seemed as though the Professor was up early, working on everything before getting a decent meal. Logan knew that Birch was the kind of man to focus on solely his work and he would dart Professor Birch a smile before Rebecca would pipe up

“So… since we're traveling further out, should I get the rest of my team?" She would ask and Trevor and Logan would giver her a quick glance.

“Wait… you have a team Rebecca?" Trevor would mention, it seemed like he didn't even know about it. Rebecca nodded yes in reply

“I mainly have fire types, but it's a full team! I just live in a small apartment in the city so Charmander is usually always with me." She would say with a smile and Logan would mentally think over his team.

I have Griffin's Haxorus, my Dragonite, Shadow and Bandit… I'll need at least an ice type, fighting and perhaps a steel or earth type. Logan would make a quick brainstorm of it and look at Birch.

“Professor… how quietly could you send over my team?" Logan would ask

“Quietly?" Birch would give Logan this little concerned look

“I mean without too much notice on anyone's part, say skipping the request forms from my Professor and doing a direct hookup." Logan would reply and Birch would look at him more intently.

“Well I would need a direct dialup to your PC, naturally… But… wait…" He would tilt his head at Logan.

“What exactly is going on Logan? It's not really like anybody to worry about something like that!" He would partially exclaim and Corey would give Birch a look, a somewhat firm look that convinced Birch that there was the kind of trouble not worth prying into. “Well… I have an old dialup at my daycare… it's detached from my laboratory, a little more private there but I've never actually used it." He would say with a little bit of hesitation "I have a phone there too, in case you need to call ahead" Birch explained and Logan would suddenly pick up the pace for his food.

"Don't just stuff yourself!" Martha would comment with a bit of a laugh. "Trevor and I worked very hard on it." Logan would finish what he was eating

"Sorry, sorry Grandma, I just need to get that phone call in as soon as I can." Logan would say and Birch would give him this look that was a mix of concern and wonder. Trevor noticed it right away

"That's my cuz for you, so focused and excited on his work!" Trevor would playfully punch Logans arm and he would nod with a smile

That hurt like hell Trev.... He would think to himself and keep his mind off his arm, Trevor's knuckles felt like a rock, even though he only lightly tapped him and for whatever reason it made Logan feel a little anxious...

We can't just cheat openly... even though I know those Underworld guys would be willing to do so at any extent... His mind would focus on some of his follow up techniques, it pushed the rules a bit but it wasn't technically cheating and he only used it against Team Magma when he was dealing with them. Yet Logan would think and reassure himself. As long as I have Bandit and Shadow with me nothing is going to stop us.

Or so... at least Logan believed Bandit was right there on his belt.

-

Bright purple eyes would glance over that cream colored Leafeon as they continued their conversation with hushed voices. Moonlight understood everything Leafeon was asking and he understood the extent that Leafeon would go to finish his goals. That Espeon would solely look Leafeon over as they walked towards a clearing. Moonlight felt like he was in some one; sided interrogation and in all reality, it went on for at least an hour or longer. He knew that Luna was looking at him every time she got the chance and in moments he could hear this small snuffling like sound. That Leafeon was actually smelling him and those cream brown eyes would stare at the Vulpix...

"That Miasma." He'd say, sniffing Moonlight again as those sharp purple eyes would tighten on the Leafeon in reply "Why... do you smell faintly of it" He'd ask and Espeon would place a little sigh in his voice.

"How would I know?" He would reply, a little annoyance in his tone, while Moonlight glared at those eyes again. It was odd how that Leafeon spent so much of his time sizing the Espeon up, as though he was looking to pick a fight. Moonlight would watch the way that he would stare at Luna and for any given reason he was searching for a reason to attack Leafeon. Yet the cream colored pokemon would simply huff a little and go along to ignore something that was on his mind. All that Leafeon wanted then was a few simple answers such as how long the Miasma was around for, why there were a large number of Pokemon disappearing and where it originated from yet the only thing Moonlight could tell him was 'I wish I knew myself.' Moonlight was at least repeating that answer and those all too similar to Leafeon for their entire conversation. All that Leafeon wanted was to stop the Miasma and the disappearing Pokemon. Leafeon wanted to find out the truth and for whatever reason he believed that Moonlight knew about it… or at least knew more than he was letting on. Moonlight in the very least knew a little bit... a little bit more then he was ever willing to tell this random Leafeon that just happened upon them. Yet Moonlight couldn't shake away this odd little feeling about that Leafeon, as though the Pokémon was so familiar yet lost to the Espeon's memory. They clearly weren't family, In fact...

Moonlight had no real family anymore to turn to.

His paws would skip over a gnarled root that rested in front of him along the airy and grassy floor. They were coming out of the most of the tightly knit trees and bushes now and he could clearly see Bandit up ahead, far up ahead. With Shadow gone for now it seemed as though she wanted nothing to do with the group.

"I spoke with that Mightyena." Leafeon would bring up "I feel as though she's quite troublesome."

"Your words, not mine" Espeon would retort with a smile and the Leafeon would tilt his head a bit

"Then what are your words of her?" And Moonlight would seem to clear his throat

"Nevermind, I was trying to be... Sarcastic" He would say, knowing full well that Bandit did seem rather troublesome in her own way... as though she hated what Griffin reminded her of, yet Moonlight would come to a small pause in his step. It seemed that way for sure, that she was so against being around Griffin again but there was this feeling he got when Moonlight would stare at her walking so far down the trail.

I think she's just scared... scared of being reminded of something she misses dearly. Scared of letting her guard down perhaps? That Espeon would pick up the pace to catch up to the Leafeon who would promptly meet his eyes again.

"You were born near the ocean." And Moonlight would freeze a little. "I can't quite tell where, but when you've lived in the woods long enough, and met enough Pokémon you can tell just from the scent of them... especially with Eevee's. I find it interesting that you aren't a Vaporeon, granted that most Espeons only turn when they find true happiness. You... on the other paw... seem quite unhappy." He would say quite openly and Moonlight would shrug it off. "There it is... it's subtle, hard to read for the untrained but I feel these forests, almost every tree and leaf and branch. Every flower and the gust of the wind. You might be able to hide behind the strongest psychic blocks, have a core deeper than the sea's or heavier and stronger than the grandest of mountains... but I, Moonlight, can feel your body and its language to even the subtlest of details." Leafeon would say and Moonlight would start to move a bit faster, he didn't want that Leafeon to pry and more then he needed to. "You're not hiding from something... justifying perhaps... hating yourself, yes that's evident for sure." He would continue to taunt him and Moonlight would tighten his grip on the earth. Leafeon would make a noise, this near delighted noise. "I've stricken a nerve it seems. All I can say Moonlight, other than what I've told you already, is that I'm happy that one point in your life you had something so grand and wonderful." Moonlight would give a smile, he understood what the Leafeon was doing.

"Quite the little manipulator, aren't you? Hit them heavy and let them down easy to persuade them to talk about what you think they know." He would say in reply, not coldly, but just bluntly. "All I know about that Miasma, is that it's dangerous. I get that feeling whenever I am around it – I can sense it. Speaking psychically, in the way I sense things I mean, I feel as though something is causing it."

"Oh? Like what Moonlight?" The Leafeon would ask

"A very dangerous and deadly kind of Pokemon." Moonlight would reply and step into a large clearing, it wasn't quite noon yet and he did his best to leave that cream Leafeon behind but he was following him around like... well like a Growlithe... no offense Thief. Moonlight thought to himself and take a moment to catch his bearings, searching for the entire team. There was Bandit and Pikachu up ahead, Vulpix and Thief ahead of Griffin, then there was Absol lagging behind a little bit. Griffin was aware of that. Moonlight would go to join her and felt it odd that Bandit would be so far ahead of the 'pack'

What? Does she not consider herself the top here? The Alpha is always in the back Moonlight would playfully snicker to himself and glance at the Absol for a second, looking over all the terrible slashes and cuts that ran along her pelt. She was so lost in her thoughts and the sky that was above her, as though she could never get enough of the bright sunshine and the plumes of soft rolling yarn above them. Moonlight stared at the clouds too and gave her a smile when she looked his way. Leafeon was alongside him, it was getting a touch annoying but he couldn't make a scene there. "I don't believe we've formally met Absol. I'm Moonlight." He would bow his head slightly with a smile and she would nod hers in return.

"I can't quite remember the first name I was given, so I'm sorry if I can't formally introduce myself." She replied and Moonlight nodded in return

"There will never be any reason to apologize for that. I just hope all of us can help you feel more comfortable, calm." He'd say with this wonderfully soft tone which would bring out a real smile on her, a small yet cherished smile. Leafeon would give Moonlight a look, as though to wonder why he hadn't held that same tone with him and Moonlight pass Leafeon a look which nearly said 'isn't it obvious? You're annoying me.'

As Moonlight would follow Absol down the trail he would feel something tinge along his pelt, a feeling that was beyond uneasy. Was this a trainer? Absol would dart her eyes to the left for a moment as something would slither through the tree tops. It was laced around with dark purple fur and big eyes which glanced at them from a distance and before he knew it there was Luna staring at it too, her tails stiff. He knew that the little Vulpix had seen it darting across the treetops...

That dark furred imposter, that looked just like Mew.

'Fancy a bit of a walk, hm Moonlight?'

The voice suddenly touched his mind and he would glare along the treetops, there was that distinct feeling of being watched, he felt it back at the Magnet Train before those maleficent Pokémon showed up. He didn't feel like talking to it yet it would keep burrowing around in his mind.

'Now, now Moonlight, you can't just ignore me that easily... I just want to talk to a survivor. That Espeon would stifle a little growl and keep on walking as Leafeon would follow suite even though Leafeon could feel the tension of the forest suddenly, as though something were closing in on them. ' Come along now Espeon! I've been spending FOREVER to try and dig my way into your thoughts! You've made it such a long boring drag really... Makes me a little mad, and frankly I'm just going to keep on talking until you acknowledge me.' He would simply ignore the rather piercing and annoying voice and notice quite quickly that Griffin's voice... it was gone. As though he would drown out every other voice except...

"Do you sense that Moonlight? It's chilly... terrifying even." Leafeon would listen to the wind as his ears would twitch and perk up.

"More then you know Leafeon." Moonlight would reply and keep his integrity. That voice was idly talking about all these pointless things but that Espeon would keep his eye's focused on the tree's and the forest around him. Something did touch his ear though, as though it were whispering right at him...

"I mean... you really didn't think I would wait this long without bothering all of you" Moonlight would glance to his right side, just his eyes moved and he forced himself to bite his tongue. Moonlight was about to use Psychic but he knew that Absol was to his right side and Leafeon to his left. But what he was staring at was the small furred face of that Mew. It would stare at him intently, as if trying to read his soul, his core... It wanted more than just what the Leafeon asked for. It wasn't information this thing was after.

It was the sole gravitating feeling which only came from crushing a Pokemon's Spirit, as though all of that human like ignorant greed and hate was rolled into it.

Moonlight would simply look at the Mew and smile, knowing that it was Absol and he would look around to the tree's again and the rolling clouds. He could hear this annoyed growl, a very bitter and annoyed growl.

'Well aren't you just our reserved and bittersweet wannabe hero!' The voice would retort bitterly 'You and that damned Vulpix are the same, she was just so scared, terrified, horrified of me. Back in Pewter it was great to see those big eyes cower. She should've just run Moonlight. You should've let her run and now I'll just have to kill her along with you. That struck a nerve for Moonlight and he would give a vicious snarl, trying to keep it under his breath.

I will say only this. Moonlight would put a strut in his step and for a moment that Leafeon would glance over at him with this tilt in his neck, Moonlight couldn't care. I will erase you from this world, I will if needed, kill you and any other fossil brought back. Whatever you really are it's not natural, no matter how old it is. You're the only real root of evil in this world, Not I, not any human I've met and I have met PLENTY Moonlight was clearly growling now If you would like to try and harm any of my family here and now, I will wear your insides like a freshly pressed coat of worthless insignificant, failed fur. He was snarling louder now and kept this little step by step strut that he hadn't really done in a long while, everything was tense and he would only let his passionate side show when things got too tense... _So why don't you try it hurting us now? I have every intention to drag you out of those woods, out of the darkness and fucking tear you apart. _

Moonlight would give a hint of a jolt as Leafeon would place a paw on his side and for whatever reason it was cool and soothing and it made him look his way for a moment. Leafeon was, for whatever cause, blushing from cheek to cheek. Perhaps Moonlight's level of passion was getting to that cream colored Leafeon. Out of the sudden silence there came a deafening cackle from inside his mind.

'Holy SHIT Moonlight... That was beautiful. I can feel my fur shaking all over. I would LOVE to try it... but not yet. No, no, no. You couldn't stand a chance against me now, there's hardly enough fire in you to take me down and frankly... I'd hate to be bored out of my mind. I should just get more of those worthless humans to kill themselves over those foolish little rocks because I don't want to see you just dead, I want to enjoy and lust over every single drop of hope wringed out of your soul while you aimlessly walk around with these fools...'

In seconds there was a sudden collection of clarity that came to mind and Espeon would glance over at Leafeon and Absol whom were staring at him intently. Her face was lined with concern and Leafeon was still flushed through.

"W – What was that about? The sudden amount of desire... heat, lust..." Leafeon would comment quite idly muttering a whole bunch of nothing and Absol would give him a glance.

"I saw it..." She would say, looking at the tree tops "I also saw it leave" Leafeon was still muttering to himself.

"I never thought that an Espeon would instantly express courtship like that... what exactly -"

"Let's just say it was something worth desiring over... picturing vividly." Moonlight would lick his maw and glance at the treetops again, staring off at the horizon beyond them. Somewhere within them was his endgame. The chance to finish all of this but he couldn't risk it now. Even though he very much desired the idea.

"Moonlight! Absol! Come along, there should be the river nearby soon" Griffin would call out to them as Bandit was standing on the Horizon, it looked as though she had watched the entire thing from afar along with Pikachu who was sitting there watching himself. Scarf would glare back and seem to tighten his little paws. Quite the stance for him to take really and it made Moonlight smile a bit. And think so quietly and so deep inside of himself that nobody else would dare to try and find his thoughts.

At this moment... if anyone from this team tried to fight it, they'd all die...

-

Luna had passed by in silence following everything that happened, it was there again and she spent all of her time second guessing if it were real or not but this time she knew for a fact that it was real, the thing which she had shoved deep into the back of her mind and spent all of her time glancing at the treetops with her tails on stilts. They lifted high, spread amongst like a fan to catch the warm winds waiting… waiting for that Mew to strike. As her eyes would read along the tips of every tree, searching for it she could hear that damned voice in her head for just a moment

'I'll come back to talk with you later… I'm still surprised you got out of Magnet Train in Goldenrod. Whatever little tricks you have up your sleeve, it won't save you next time. When I see you again, we'll have so much fun.'

Her pelt would shiver along every strand of fur, rising slowly like tall stalks of wheat making her look insanely puffed out as if to make herself look bigger while Luna's eyes would stay wide, terrified. She couldn't move her legs at all, just stand, frozen, as Thief kept walking down the trail and eventually she made her way to the back where something suddenly grabbed her by the nap of her neck and with all instinct intended she shot out a huge torrent of flames down the trail.

In the very least… everyone got out of the way of Luna's Flamethrower, and it was very effective when it came to making everyone move. She was off her feet as Moonlight would carry her in his mouth, holding her by the nape of her neck as she would hear the sounds of laughter in her head before it all faded away.

“What in the hell was that!?" Griffin would yelp searching behind him to see his Espeon carrying Vulpix as Brad and Natasha would dart him a look.

“Trying to pick a battle with me again Griffin?" Natasha would bluntly comment in her straight forward tone

“Again!? If anything you challenged me!" He would retort and give her this mean and playful grin “At least I won either way"

“H – HARDLY!!" Natasha would say “We just couldn't go all out in the city…" And Brad would laugh to himself a little, at least they were back to their old selves again, everything felt too tense back at Maiden's Peak.

“Well, alright, alright. We found those hot springs anyways… or at least you both did"

“What?" Griffin shook his head

“I still don't get what he's talking about" and Brad would sigh before looking at Vulpix and Absol

“Well, she isn't hurt anymore, they both look much, much better. That's all that matters right?"

“Yeah I guess so." Luna would look to Melody for a moment who was giggling softly to herself as that Houndoom would bat an eyebrow at her, giving her that classic 'What are you doing?' stare that she felt was common to have happen at her and she would seem to let her legs go limp while Moonlight carried her in his jaw. She met his eyes for a moment, just a moment and could see that they were shining bright purple… something she saw when he would focus on a Pokemon move. Future sight. She saw that at Saffron city when Moonlight fought with Sabrina's Pokemon, and now they were heading for the Thunder Badge. Vulpix would think of the river and overhear Griffin talking about how it'll eventually feed into the sea but first they had to climb down a little bit of mountain ranges and lining. Better then going up Luna had figured and felt limp, tired. She just let Moonlight carry her around for a bit as he would focus his eyes to look ahead, as far ahead as he could muster while that Leafeon would giver her this look that she just barely got onto.

It was this peculiar look, a dangerous and deadly sort of look. One that told her to run, yet Moonlight would dart an eye his way, a sharp and curious look while they came towards another clearing, a large glassy plain of emerald stalks and wavering, shimmering grass amongst the bright sunlight which was climbing it's way into the sky. At this rate a battle sounded wonderful.

“If it were any other time, You would have a very proficient challenger going against you." The Leafeon would say, not really to Moonlight directly but to the both of them. "I knew there was something off about you Vulpix. You're not from this region." He would comment coldly “You don't have that scent which lingers around here, you smell of sand and salt. Sweet oceans and sap, an island dweller." Leafeon would say and Moonlight would softly put her down, placing this lick on nape to fix up where his mouth had been, it made her quake and jump defensively.

“And I lived along the ocean, what have you say of that? Predisposed to hate Pokemon which live away from your woods?" Moonlight felt his teeth gleam in the sunlight and Leafeon would stare him down.

“No… Just curious is all." He would reply and look to Thief.

“Two island dwellers, and one born in the forests near the sea. It's strange that you all have met here." Luna would freeze and stare at the little Growlithe and knew in her mind that his eyes were a different shade of brown, it wasn't the Growlithe she remembered but… if Leafeon was right…

Then why did Luna feel like Thief was so familiar to her?

That Growlithe would happily stare at the leaves and the flowers which layered along the grassy plain before promptly biting Griffin's leg and tugging him a bit.

“Hm? Well, what? What is it Thief?" Griffin would watch the Growlithe drag him off a ways and Luna would watch as they stopped alongside the grassy plain before realizing it was more like a rolling hill. The mountains would rest down this way, but more importantly the river was down there. “Hey Brad! Natasha and Melody! We got one great view up here!" He would say and they would walk over after a bit, Natasha fiddling with her bag to find her camera. The mountains rested high amongst the sky with their snowy peaks fluttering down sweet clothes of white toppled over the frigid layers of cool blue rock as the clouds would roll high against the sky, daring those mountains to reach past the heavens as the sun would beam down on trees which went on for miles. Their leaves were caught up in the sway of airy warm mountain wind as Griffin would glance at something which took his breath away. The endless waves of emerald green toppled with grey and bright blue sapphire would flare inside his gaze as Luna would walk over to Thief, staring with him. Her brown eyes would slither along every line of the treetops as the sun would beat down upon them with it's happy glare while rays of sunlight would beam down onto the treetops, igniting the sky to open and show a new flesh of life to roll over the mountain side, igniting it in all sorts of colors. With the rare shades of pink blossoms rolling alongside are calm, large river which dared to challenge those blue skies with a rich color of crisp and clean azure, they all would be captivated. The wind would pick up between all of them as they would stare at the empty spots of grassy plains which broke through the treeline and bushes as it came closer and closer to the river which curled tenderly alongside the mountain range, fluttering sweet curls of threads which went onward to the horizons beyond all of them which stood amongst the grassy large hillside. As Luna would watch intently, closely, with her heart stilling from the sounds of the tender wind and the whispers of Pokemon which would frolic amongst the light of godrays which broke into the forests floor. Luna would skim over those which took to the skies in flight, her eyes would suddenly catch this small gem of pink right between the peaks of the mountain as she suddenly noticed Moonlight's eyes go wide and his jaw appear parted. Those bright pink eyes would look at her and tilt so dramatically that she would feel this flush of warmth and near embarrassment from the one pokemon staring over miles away. The small flicker of a camera would touch her ears as she felt to be the only one that saw it resting amongst the peaks of the mountain tops in delighted flight and happy fluttering with the sunlight reflecting it's fur as though it were a precious line of gold or copper sheen dug along the surface of the mountain itself. A bright pink stare mixed in with endless flashes of it's bright welcoming fur. It would dance amongst the highest peaks, investigating with a curiosity that put her own to shame before giving one last warm smile her way,

Luna knew it was a smile and that Vulpix simply beamed a warm and friendly smile back as it would seem to kick up it's legs in delight while hovering about, flipping itself upside down before hovering away, beyond the mountaintop.

Her heart suddenly picked up the pace and she could breathe for just a second, hardly recognizing that every single one of her tails had curled around Thief's single, big bushy one, as though to hug him with such delight that the tail couldn't breathe, yet he simply sat there, watching the sun and the tree's and clouds before suddenly resting his head against her side, his eyes looking into her fur tenderly, watching the Vulpix's line upon line of soft red grain which shifted alongside with darker flares of red and orange making her look speckled with all kinds of beautiful colors before their eyes had met for a moment and he went entirely red and pulled away. He could barely make a sound, his tail flickering madly while some of hers kept hold of him.

… traitorous tails. She would smile a little, giggling in the bright sunlight as he would simply blush more and from behind her she could see Bandit idly watching the same view with this loss of color in her eyes. Yet somewhere, somehow, that Mightyena managed a small unseemly smile to Luna before shaking her head and replacing it with some look of grim and annoyance. That's when Moonlight would move his legs, his eyes ignited by some passionate, explosive expressional smile. Luna heard the faintest whisper come from his lips.

“Mew… Mew is real." Luna heard that whisper, hardly doing anything more but open her eyes a little more, that was Mew? The real Mew? It was hardly anything like that monster that kept making those untimely appearances and she could could see Moonlight's disbelief. “And… it was looking at us. Smiling." The Vulpix could feel the warmth flow from Espeon, enough that Leafeon would give him this look before tilting his head in this small expressionless gaze. It felt sadder then anything she felt all day, and while she stared at that Espeon she swore she could feel it too. Those tiny little words that felt so overpowering in her mind that she couldn't help but change the smile on her face. The ones that simply were painted on Moonlight's face and in his eyes.

I wish you were here to see this with me.

-

Logan had just gotten off the phone early that morning with Ayumu, searching and waiting and looking at the receiver for the transfer at Professor Birch's unit at the Daycare center and he knew that given the state it was in, the thing must have been around for years. Luckily it still turned on and there hadn't seemed to be a single problem with anything about it. He was sending over his Aggron first, the Steel/Rock type would work greatly in Logan's favor, then there was his Lapras as well, the combo of Water and Ice would flesh out his team perfectly. As he waited for the two Pokemon to transfer over he would sigh a bit and look over the notes that his grandfather Corey had left and all that really caught his eye was something very, very odd.

“Day four hundred and eighty nine." The last journal stated. “The abnormal thick air I recorded a few weeks back in the forest amongst a collection of the disappearances of some Pokemon has suddenly stopped, yet it feels as though it becomes more concentrated amongst the center of the Miasma. I get the odd impression that something is… winking at me. As though I'm being watched out here but I believe it's just tension from overwork. The Pokemon on the other hand have suddenly become hostile to even me, it's as though people may have caused the problem or they believe it to be so. I think it might be best for me to pull out of the forest, my Raticate has almost always been under attack and I'm afraid for him. I foolishly only came in with him and I thought it was best to keep the amount of Pokemon with me to a minimum but I have no understanding what has caused this sudden unrest amongst the wild Pokemon. I wish to remain but I can't, it's become too risky for me to stay in my research cabin. I'll have to hide the last of my research as I lack the resources to bring it all with me, but I know there is something very wrong going on here. I've called in a ranger group to pick me up, but with the last unexpected storm it'll be at least two days… I have the better half of forty eight hours to figure out what's going on, but that mountain is my first and only bet to discovering it. Professor Corey Fletching, log four eight nine, date…"

Logan looked over the date again and realized that the journal was at least twenty years old. His Grandfather walked into the woods when he was at least forty five. He would chuckle to himself a little

Crazy old man. I would have been two at the time… I'd never forgive him if he got hurt out here. Logan would think to himself and see the machine to his right make a small flash and the two pokeballs in the tray of six were there. He would receive them immediately. Ayumu knew that things had to be quiet from this point on so Logan didn't bother with the follow up call. Yet he would remember something Professor Ayumu told him.

“If you see Moonlight or Griffin, wish them luck"

Those words ended up being more spoken then thought to himself and he would attach Aggron and Lapras to his belt before going to step out of the room and meet up with Trevor and Rebecca. She had already transferred her whole team over, everything was a fire type like she said. Yet she had Magmar, Cyndaquil, Charmander, Ponyta, Torchic and Salazzle. He remembered that Trevor mentioned something about her having family in Kalos that she went to visit from time to time and spent a bit of her time catching Pokemon. Logan would run her team in his mind and look at Trevor. He only had Spirit, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan. He almost never spent his time catching other Pokémon and training them as he was always so busy training with others and helping them with their Pokémon. They would give him a look as he would tighten his grip, making a fist and presenting it to them.

“From this moment on, we're all traveling together! Through thick and thin." He would say, as if riling himself up for a fight and Rebecca would giggle uncontrollably before bumping his fist, but Trevor would suddenly put Logan in a headlock and ruffle his scalp with his knuckles

“Like I'd ever back down if my cousins need help!" He would say, laughing at Logan would squirm, Trevor really was a big strong guy and there was no actual way out of his grip.

“Trev! C -Come on! You'll ruin my hair!!!" And probably take off my head with those inhumanely large hands of yours….

Eventually he let Logan go as Rebecca let out a flurry of laughter and would shake her head to get all of the giggling out of herself

“Alright, let's get going! We have a long route to take if we're even going to hit the Forbidden forest!"

“We're basically cutting through every major mountain and forest route to get to Fortree city from here." Logan would comment and check his bag, Pokemon and then walk out of Birch's laboratory who would call to them

“Good luck all of you!" With a smile in his eyes as Logan would look back to meet Birch's smile. Martha and Corey would wave at them as they were on their way

“Don't be a stranger now!" Martha would comment with a bright rich smile and Corey would nod.

“Keep your promise Logan! We need to have that big family reunion like you said!" He called out and Logan would give a big heroic like grin

“There's no hell deep enough to hold me back from keeping a promise like that!" Logan retorted and waved goodbye as they made their way out of Littleroot and cut right into the heart of the woods from the first opening at the very first route out of the town as those trees would loom over them with those cold and eerie branches blocking the sunlight above them. Logan would grab a Pokeball and the red darted line would shoot out of the ball in front of him. Shadow. He would give a little look around, huff a bit then wag his tail when he saw Logan.

“Hey Shadow, mind if you keep an eye out ahead of us?" He'd ask and the sleek, somewhat thin Mightyena would nod and walk down the trail a bit to keep an eye out. Even though the route was dark to begin with there was sunlight much further down the way and Rebecca would hold onto her Charmander and look around, antsy.

“D – Did we have to take this route? Couldn't we have kept to the main road?" She asked Logan and he would shake hi head no, pulling a map out. It was an older map and he had an updated one with him.

“We'll follow my Grandfathers old route as tightly as we can, I have a compass and a map so we should be fine.

“Great… we have our very own Poke Scout leader here…" Logan would chuckle

“Top in the class for Map and Compass…" He would comment and Rebecca would go blank and sigh intently.

“We're going to get lost…" She would sigh and put her head to the ground, as if realizing that it'll happen eventually. Logan would double check his bearings

“Just count about a hundred steps and I can double check the compass, we're heading north east and we have quite a long time to travel, but keeping off the main road will speed us up a bit." Logan would say and Rebecca would cross her arms defiantly.

“How? I mean the travel isn't that long." Logan would chuckle

“Well… who wouldn't want to challenge the champion of Hoenn?" And then it's as though Logan's line of logic had hit her. Everybody would be stopping them at any chance they got to talk with Logan, challenge him and try to beat the champion ahead of time. She would look ahead to Shadow whom was intently staring ahead of the group, deep into the dark woods.

“S – Still… I mean couldn't we have taken a less creepy route?" She would bring up as the only light they would have, further down into the thicket, would be Charmanders tail fluttering in the dark shadows and gnarled, messy tree branches above them to create what felt like an everlasting night and Logan would give a bit of a cruel look.

“Oooh? I didn't think you would be scared of the dark now. It would be REALLY scary for a ghost to pop up? Wouldn't it?" Rebecca would dart Logan a glance

“That's not funny! This is the place where a ghost would pop up!" Logan could simply picture a poorly drawn ghost hovering about like it was out of some bad japanese kid's show.

“Hardly, there are only a handful of places all around Kanto where they hang about, that and you'll usually find them at night." He'd say with a chuckle “As long as you don't disturb them then they won't come out and scare you!" Rebecca would huff and Trevor would put his hand on his shoulder, staring at him with dark, scary eyes, so much so that he had frozen in place.

“They also possess the living tooooo" He'd say in some wannabe scary voice and that left everyone to laugh as Logan would rub his shoulder

Way too strong Trevor… He'd think to himself and they would laugh and kid about the idea of ghosts suddenly appearing in front of them without them knowing of it and Shadow would stare back and roll his eyes. He could almost relate to Bandit when it came to Griffin now, it felt as though Logan had lost his touch. Yet Shadow would stare at Logan intensely, looking at the nervous and anxious smile which was painted across his face and he realized that something was actually putting him on edge. It made Shadow really think about everything that was going on with him, what had really been happening since Bandit and Shadow had left to travel with Griffin and his thoughts would think of her for just a moment. Logan would look ahead to see Shadow staring at him from a distance, the warm and cheery sunlight would beat down on his otherwise pitch; black pelt which swirled with sharp darts of silver and grey. As those rather tender bright yellow eyes would look back behind him and Logan would meet that look with a smile. Shadow would grin happily in return.

"Sorry for making you wait on us Shadow! We'll be right there." Logan said in a pittance and began to pick up his pace, suddenly ready for anything! It was going to be a longer journey for sure yet for any given reason Logan would feel glad. This was what he loved to do along with every bit of research he planned on doing. He was going to work harder than any other researcher he knew, even more than Akiyama Ayumu. Logan had to work more than even his own professor and with all instinctive intentions Logan would pick up the pace, partially checking the compass to direct himself, as Logan knew that only after one hundred feet, they could be off by a millimeter, or a centimeter. Changing their direction drastically in the long run. He was picking up the pace as Trevor and Rebecca would follow behind, lolly-gagging just a bit. He could look back and see them clearly and they would all follow into the sunshine after a while of rather focused and determined travelling. The sunlight would glow warmly above them with only the faintest hint of clouds in the distance and while Logan would take a moment to breathe in the fresh air, check the trail for any trainers, and look at the trail ahead of them he would hear Shadow pass a small but not all to unsightly growl at something. Logan began to rush into the woods and saw, further into the trees which grew taller and thicker and wider apart that Shadow was growling quite aimlessly at the trail. Specifically, at the ground below him.

"What is it Shadow?" Logan would stare along the trail "It doesn't seem like anything abnormal to me." He would comment and suddenly feel the vibration under his feet. It was as though something very, very fast and heavy footed were passing in the distance, getting further and further, then closer and closer and just for a moment, in the line of a clearing hidden in the shadows, Logan could see something he had yet to really see at all. At least Logan believed it to be.

Early in the crisp morning sunshine and the bright air he caught the faintest glimpse of one of the legendary beasts. The sight made him look a little pale, for just a moment and he wondered if there was something good in his future, or something very, very wrong going on. As Logan would stare at that same slit opening, Trevor and Rebecca would catch up behind him.

"What? Shadow scared of ghosts too Logan?" Trevor would chuckle, and Logan would turn to see him for a moment Trevor would look at him firmly in that one split second. "You look pale Logan? Don't tell me, you saw the ghost of a wrathful trainer searching for their next victim?" Trevor would chuckle and Logan would scoff and laugh

"It's nothing Trev. I just guess I am seeing ghosts" He would shoot a devious smirk at Rebecca who would hug her Charmander

"Still not funny!" She'd say and hug her Charmander closely as it would barely protest her constant hugging, or the fact that she was STILL carrying him. Logan found that a little bit strange but if she were the kind of trainer to show that much affection with her Pokemon, then she was that sort of trainer. Yet Logan was a little worried that Charmander might be a little undertrained, especially for what they're traveling for. His hands would reach down his belt, brushing against Bandit's Pokeball for just a moment before he would return his hand to his pocket. He didn't want to let her out just yet because he simply wondered if she would be upset that Griffin returned her so early on. It was their time to bond, finally. Logan would shake the thought of the Mightyena being angry at Griffin or himself or anyone else for that matter, he simply found it in him to smile, especially knowing that he was graced with finally seeing a legendary Pokemon, if it were even for a split second. The image burned in his mind, burrowed itself deep into his thoughts as he would simply picture himself being able to reach out to it, to touch it, to offer it berries. He knew that every Legendary Pokemon was important, beyond important and no trainer could ever be worth catching one.

Not even himself.

One day, I'll be able to meet one of them. Be able to speak to one of them, to thank them... Logan would think to himself about all of the things he wanted to say to one of the legendary Pokemon if he ever got the chance to be that close to one for just long enough. The sunlight would find its way through the branches once more and Logan would glance at the sparkling, sprouted leaves with their mature branches out reached in the beautiful coruscation fluttering down onto the rocky, dirt knit earth which slept soundly below his feet and where only the faintest reminder of a tremor would linger amongst the glossy sheen of golden splendor. Logan's tender eyes kept fixed to the forest roof above them and the god rays which would persevere through the tightly knit leaves as though they were a woven shield of cherry scales of bright emerald stone. While Logan would look high and beyond those tightly knitted tree-tops he would seem to partially loose his footing and that snapped him back to his reality. From that lack of a daze which made and reminded him why he loved to be out here. He hadn't fallen luckily but by then, just from him watching the skies from the earth so far below, he felt as though they had been walking for hours.

Logan took just a moment to catch the sight of a few bug type Pokémon, Caterpie and Weedles. A few Rattata's and Pidgey were hidden amongst the forest and watching them and Shadow as they passed by. From the distance Logan could see a Pikachu cross by their path, a small, cute Pikachu which was busy chewing on a berry. Shadow took a few berries from a bush nearby, Pecha Berries. As he was passing by it casually, he would take a second to glance at the Pikachu, which then looked at him and froze. Staring at Shadow as the Mightyena would put the berries down in front of the Pikachu and use his nose to roll the berries further it's way. He would smile, say something kind hearted, then keep passing by. Then the Pikachu would see the trainers too and watch them walk nearby it, with Rebecca and Charmander looking its way especially. They didn't spend much time with it at all, in fact for the Pikachu those trainers were gone in an instant but it would look at the berries the Mightyena put down for it and graciously took them into the wilds. Logan could see it from much further down the trail, as always, Shadow was so kind hearted and gentle and in moments that champion from Hoenn, honestly realized he missed moments like these... that he missed the first day he started his journey with Bandit by his side, with Griffin telling him to come back one day so he could challenge him when he became a trainer. In moments, Logan found himself sighing from the thought of being back there again, back to where he started. Yet he found it exciting to be out here again on a journey, even though it would be fraught with perils much, much worse than it ever was before. As he would walk a little further down, adjusting his knapsack and his shoulders; those eyes of his would stare at Trevor and Rebecca. This time he had friends and family with him, unlike before when he was just that small town trainer from the middle of nowhere and as he would look ahead the forest would open up into a large grassy plain with the strong scent of water casting its wind from the sea further in the south. Logan knew that if they went too far east they would hit the water from Littleroot, but then, it may not have been the worst thing as they had Lapras with them. If they really needed to, they could cross the sea and land nearby Slateport City, letting them travel from the south and directly north. Just in case he checked his compass and map again. By now, they would have been just past Oldale Town and on a collision course with Mauville. That would easily be a few days of travel and once they had all found another clearing, this time with the fresh scent of sea air touching all of them, he would look at Rebecca and Trevor.

"I have an idea, but I need you all to hear me out with it." Trevor would give him a look

"All ears Logan." He would nod and Rebecca would give him a look

"I guess... what's the idea?" Logan would nod in return.

"If we keep going the way we are, we'll eventually hit Mauville city, and it would be harder to not follow the route that way. So, I propose we use my Lapras to cross by sea, around Slateport City and land around Route one eighteen or one twenty-three. According to my Grandfathers notes, his research cabin is close by there, but since we can't really fly there for two reasons. One, that Rebecca is against it, and two, most people could recognize my Dragonite. It could cut the travel time down, help us avoid the main trails, routes and roads." Trevor would give Logan a little look

"Sure, but your Lapras could be easy to spot as well. I think we should try to continue the way we have. Past Kinsetsu by going around and if needed, land by the fabled cave. It would make the travel by sea much shorter." Logan would nod, extending their travels on foot for a while wouldn't hurt. Plus, Logan felt that traveling by sea would make Rebecca seasick...

"My father used to be a fisherman, I've spent most of my time on boats." Rebecca would bring up. "But ever since the day I met Charmander, I've barely gone near water since." She would say "I can't risk his tail going out, he'll die if I do." And Logan would tilt his head

"Only if it stays out honestly." He would say "It's not good at all mind you, but a Charmanders flame has to stay extinguished if it were to pass on from it." Rebecca would seem taken back by that.

"What? No No, even the Pokedex states - "

"I know what it states, but Charmanders and all Pokemon in general are very resilient, a Charmanders flame can extinguish for a little while in the least, but they usually pass out shortly before then. They can recover if saved quickly enough, and it also takes a lot of resources on a pokemon clinic to do so." Logan would say "In fact, they were so worried about it that they left out some information about them, solely because they didn't want to have trainers risk the idea of fighting or pushing them much harder than needed. Most Charmanders barely make it... that's the truth, but I've seen their flame reignite even after it's gone, for nearly no reason at all too." Logan would explain while they walked for a little bit more, just looking for a spot to rest.

"How... do you know that?" She would ask shortly after

"Because I found a trainer, during my travels who was training a Charmander. They got caught in the snow and ash from one of the mountains between here and the Johto region a few years ago... Their Charmander stayed by their side, trying to keep them warm but he couldn't get his other Pokemon and he was trapped under the snow." Logan would continue as Rebecca and Trevor would listen "In fact, it was Shadow who dragged me out there from our campsite, I had heard the rumbling but I didn't think anything of it at first, but once he acted up I took Bandit and my team and went to look into it. That's when we found him and his Charmander. He was freezing to death basically, but I had Aggron with me at that time and we were able to pull him out and carry the Charmander back to camp with his trainer yet... Charmanders tail went out shortly after we pulled his trainer out of the debris. We couldn't leave it there so we brought the Charmander back with us, rested it by his trainer, had the fire going and waited. I also had Blaziken with me too." Logan would chuckle "That was a long time ago really, or at least it feels that way now. But after a while Charmanders tail came back, ignited itself somehow. Then his trainer woke up and we chatted for a bit, I made him food and helped him out of the woods. That Charmanders tail was out for at least... ten minutes and he still woke up." Logan would explain more "Either it was a miracle beyond my understanding, at the time I didn't, I truly believed it was gone, and I was horrified that the trainer would be too, or a Charmander doesn't just... pass when it's tail goes out." Trevor would seem to nod

"Well, that's what I'd expect from my family."

"What?"

"That you wouldn't leave a person, let alone a Pokemon, out there alone. That you care about people and those around you. It's quite surprising how you and your brother are like that." Trevor would say with a smile. "So, at least, from the words of a Pokemon Researcher now, you won't need to worry too much about Charmander, we could take the sea." Trevor would comment "Just uh... don't get the matches wet." Rebecca would punch his arm

"Well frankly, I doubt he would like being caught up in a situation like that!" Rebecca would retort and Trevor would chuckle to himself. "You really are still a big nerd, aren't you?" She would say with a laugh

"Well this 'nerd' can still bench press at least three hundred." She would scoff

"You hardly look it!" Rebecca would reply

"Calisthenics and weighted Calisthenics. If you got at least six to eight hours a day, three or four days a week..." Trevor would reply, as if offering a training regime for her

"No don't bring that up, I'm your receptionist basically. I don't need you reminding me of all the work we'll have when we get back to Lilycove." And Trevor would act as if he were pressing down on a button with a 'bzzt' sound coming out of his lips

"Yes, Ms. Rebecca, please send in my three-o clock, I got out of my meeting early, oh, and please send for a cup of coffee." Trevor would laugh playfully and she would reply with this sour look painted on her face.

"Now that'll just leave me with the choice of giving you a two weeks' notice!" She would comment and Logan found himself laughing out loud, Trevor would look at him with a chuckle of his own

"What's so funny?" He would ask with a smirk “We usually chat like this."

"Oh, It's nothing... you just sounded too much like myself on a Monday Trev..." Logan would reply and they would all give each other a look and laugh. If this was how his travels were going to be, Logan could feel that things may just be easy enough yet! And with them all sitting down for a moment Logan, Trevor and Rebecca could all easily agree that Trevor's idea was the less strenuous choice of the three.

-

That view filled Luna with all sorts of warmth and left her legs wobbly and she would stare at Natasha who had just finished taking pictures, Natasha's favourite one out of all of them was the one with everyone lined up against that beautiful mountain. They all would start to make their way towards the river they had seen. It would be a long, long journey but Luna knew that if they made good time, they might just make it halfway before nightfall hit. Her gaze would slip over to Moonlight whom was still staring at the sky and the mountain with airy eyes.

That was Mew? A Legendary Pokemon? No… a Mythical one? That's not possible. A long, long time ago she knew that Mew would only show itself to trainers which were pure of heart, yet with it being so far away from them she doubted any of her trainers had seen it, yet she wondered about Natasha's first picture of the mountain, she was certain that Mew would be in it.

Maybe… I should just burn the picture

The thought would enter her mind, Luna knew that there couldn't have been any way that she was pure of heart. As for Moonlight, he had barely appeared that way himself, nor Bandit or really anyone.

“Did you see that Luna!" Thief would comment “The pink Pokemon along the mountains? I've never seen anything like it! It was amazing!" He would say, his tail flickered left and right with excitement as she watched him further down the trail. Bandit was suddenly a little closer to the group now, with Scarf walking by her. They were having some big in depth conversation about training and Luna would listen to some of the things Bandit had to say for just a moment. “Did you see it Luna? Please tell me you saw it!" He would say again with this cheery voice that made her go a little blank

“I saw it… I think Moonlight saw it too." She would say and notice Leafeon looking her way, it made her fur rile up again.

“I find it weird any of you did…" He would mutter under his breath and continue to follow everyone from the back of the group, it made Luna shoot him a glance. Her own trainer couldn't have been that bad and speaking of trainers, she could see a trainer approaching them from up ahead.

As the unidentified trainer was making a passing glance, he stopped dead in his tracks and pushed his way to Griffin.

“W – wait! You're Griffin, from Saffron City!?" Griffin would pause in his step.

“Yeah… I'm THAT Griffin… I guess." He would see the trainer give a grin and show a Pokeball to Griffin.

“I want to challenge you! And according to the rules, a trainer can't refuse a battle! I want to see exactly what a Fletching is made of!" Griffin would shoot a not so friendly look at Natasha who simply shrugged her shoulders

“Not my fault Griffin, I didn't make the rules." She would reply and Melody would stifle a chuckle

“It's not about the rules… now we're going to have any and every trainer challenge me…" He would sigh and take out a Pokeball while looking at the trainer “Let's go find a better spot to battle first." He'd say, asking the trainer about the next clearing ahead, it was rocky, fairly flat, the perfect spot for a Pokemon battle! So they made their way to the place, about a half hour down the road. While they were walking Griffin would chat with the trainer, making Moonlight perk up a little bit.

“Yeah, my Wartortle and I were in Saffron, we watched the fight from the crowd. It was completely dynamite! We wanted to challenge you after but you seemed too distracted at the time…" The trainer would grin a little “I'm from Sinnoh myself, and thought it would be best to travel to Kanto to start, in fact I'm nearly done. Just wanted to see some of the sights come the end of my travels in this region."

“What's your name?" Griffin would ask and he would smile in reply as they would get to the place of their choosing, turns out, there was a few other trainers there too. “I'll let you know after I beat you, Griffin Fletching! Let's drown him out Wartortle!" He would let his Pokemon out and Griffin would give a smirk

“Alright Pikachu! Let's get out there!" He would say, and Scarf would sit for a minute before perking up

“Pika Pi?" Translation “Wait… you're talking about me?" Luna was giggling so hard from the background that Griffin would feel the weight hit him as the rest of the trainers would laugh too.

“What? You're Pikachu forget it's own name?" Griffin would pass a snarky look then look to Pikachu with a smile

“Let's go buddy!" The Pikachu still wouldn't really move, just tilt it's head, and Moonlight would sigh then give a glance at the Wartortle who seemed to go stiff when their eyes met. It was the same Wartortle for sure. Luna would watch Griffin try to command Pikachu and for whatever reason she could feel herself wanting to yell

“Just call him Scarf already!" and Griffin would look her way and she would freeze a little, then realize it was Moonlight. Moonlight was in trance as though talking to him and Griffin would nod, hating the idea.

“Enough delays Griffin. Wartortle, let's flood these guys, Hydropump!" The torrent of water would flare through the tight battleground as Griffin would call out

“Scarf! Jump high and shock the water!" The Pikachu would roll his eyes and bolt towards the huge pillar of frigid icy water that was headed for him. He used his agility and hopped upwards, right above the shock of freezing water and let go a current of electricity, it would ignite the conduit easily, cutting Wartortle's attack short.

“Scarf? Really?" Everybody was howling in the background, one of the voices came through

“What kind of name is that?" They were holding their sides

“That's the nerdiest name I've ever heard!" Another said and Griffin would shake his head.

“Let's get down to it Scarf! Use Doubleteam." The small yellow Pikachu would dart around the Wartortle There was another command, and Wartortle moved as quickly as he could, jumping the way of Scarf, who went for a quick attack as the Wartortle would line up another current of water, but Pikachu used the momentum to slide alongside the ground, under the attack and launch a torrent of lightning. But right before it hit, the Wartortle dug its claws into the earth, grounding itself as the shock would run through it. Scarf, upon seeing this went for double team again, keeping up his momentum.

“Nice try Griffin. Alright Wartortle use Aqua Tail!" He would call out and Pikachu would give a slide again, just cutting under the frosty water which slashed barely above him. Wartortle was off the ground from the move, this was what Scarf was waiting on and he let out a huge current of electricity. Scarf was just about to use Thunder shock, but Griffin gave a yelp “Rotate Wartortle!" It was then that Scarf realized that the sway of it's tail was crashing down onto him. Bandit suddenly called out

“Block the blow with your arms and roll!" Scarf dropped a paw, pushing his body to the left in order to tumble out of the way as the move barely missed him, indenting the earth with a large slash of the Wartortle's tail, he would hop to his feet charging up a ball of electricity and igniting it forward at the Pokemon, it hit him clean, and the sparks would shock along every part of his body, but his tail was still grounded into the earth…

Scarf used Electro Ball! A Critical hit!

The Pikachu would take a moment to breathe and Griffin would look at Wartortle pull it's partially soaked tail out of the ground and Pikachu would hike his tail, paws at the ready to move again when Wartortle would freeze in place.

“He's paralyzed!" Griffin would flex a fist “Great Work!" Griffin would call out a command for headbutt, yet Pikachu would cast lightscreen the moment he saw the current of water again.

Wartortle feigned the paralysis! So Pikachu cut down it's next attack.

“Your Pikachu isn't one to listen huh?" Griffin would give him a smile

“I trust him, so if my commands would put him in a rough spot then I'd be fine if he doesn't listen to them all the time!" Griffin would reply and Bandit would look at her trainer with a curious look in her eyes. She would look at Scarf and call out

“Scarf! Pull off Grass Knot!" The Pikachu would look her way and his eyes would glow for a moment and suddenly he could see it, from behind his Lightscreen, the water that struck it and the amount that got through, he could see Wartortle's shadow move behind it all, just barely. Scarf's Grass Knot would suddenly leave the shadow to hit the ground. As the trainer behind him would scoff

“Oh come on Wartortle!" He'd seem to snap at his Pokemon for a moment before sighing. “Alright… let's follow up with Iron Defense and Skull bash!" The Wartortle would suddenly charge again and Scarf would scamper to the right, hoping around the battlefield as the other trainers would watch intently, in fact their laughter was replaced with silent spectating. Wartortle went for the bash and Scarf would turn to meet him for just a moment before jumping high, just high enough to land on his head and hop away, getting extra distance in the air before igniting a current of electricity. Thunder. The large sudden wave of lightning would slam down against the Wartortle who kept himself grounded the best he could and Scarf would land on the ground and promptly slump down to the earth.

“Scarf!" Griffin would cut into the battlefield for just a moment and look him over. The Pikachu was snoring soundly, too much power in too short of a time, Griffin could recognize it was from over exertion. He would pull out his Pokeball, the one which Logan had given him and return his Pikachu. The other trainer would simply scold Wartortle, even though it was on the ground, fainted and return him before going for his next Pokeball. The small crowd of trainers would yip and holler

“Did you see that!? That Pikachu is amazing!" One of them would say with a chuckle.

“Even with such a loser name he really did pull out on top!" The other would say and Griffin would let out a call for his next Pokemon

“Alright, let's finish this! Go Pokeball!" He would let it fly and Griffin would look at Thief.

“If you want to finish this so badly, let's cut the battle to just one on one!" Luna would glance over at him and Bandit would tilt her head, and right before Griffin could call out his Growlithe, Luna hopped into the battlefield, ready to fight.

“V – Vulpix?" The opposing trainer started laughing hysterically as he threw out his own pokeball onto the field.

“Alright! I'll take on that challenge! Beartic! Tear her apart!" The large Pokemon would dart at her, his large, powerful legs shook the ground as he started with a rampage of furious swipes which left the air around them frozen. The first slash came dangerously close to her head and Griffin would call out, with all instinctive concern.

“Luna!" His voice snapped her out of the paralyzing fear from the Beartic's intimidate and she jumped out of the way, narrowly missing the second slash of claws. In moments she would try to get around him, yet he would swing his paw back, hitting her clean in the torso and sending her through the air. She let out a roaring snarl of pain and frustration, while a trainer on the opposing team erupted into laughter

“Oh… Oh my god… it sounds like a squeaky toy." He would howl in the background as Luna fanned her long, unkempt tails outward to collect the warm air around them. The wind was enough to redirect her to land on her feet and the Beartic would charge again sucking in the warm air for just a moment and holding it before letting out a flurry of blue powder, which Luna would follow against with her Flamethrower, melting it on contact. Her tails were fanned outward, hairs catching the wind as she would study her opponent.

“I've never seen a Vulpix with grooming THAT bad." Someone would comment as Thief would look on from the sidelines, his paws digging into the earth as the Beartic released a flurry of blue powder into the air and they all watched a collection of large Icicles form above the battlefield. Luna glanced up for a brief moment then charged the field as quickly as she could, right before they had a chance to drop. Bandit was going to call something out, but she slid right underneath the Beartic, turned her body, hopped against his back and flipped above him, presenting the perfect opportunity where she ignited six bright blue embers along her tails. She launched each ember against her opponent's back, leaving the Beartic to howl loudly and turn sending more snow her way. Luna hit the ground and moved instinctively, to avoid the first dozen Icicles crashing down around her. She avoided the Icicles by pure luck, charged by adrenaline from her previous attack. She hadn't stopped moving since the battle started and she was becoming exhausted .

“She's hopped up on Endorphins." Bandit stated, noticed the cut along her side, remembering that Luna got tagged from one of the Beartic's claws during the beginning. “Luna!" Bandit would call out as the Icicles would drop around her, as if creating a cage in an effort to trap her. However, the little Vulpix had slipped through the icicles and in moments the icy prison would swirl around with a blizzard that would have engulfed her if she hadn't escaped. She crossed around using Double-Team and would notice Moonlight and Leafeon staring at her, as if bewildered by the way she moved and fought. It took only a moment before she summoned her Fire-spin and ignited the Beartic in a swirl of fire, she then hopped back to Griffin's side before letting out a current of fire again to stoke the flames. Beartic would rush outward and only notice the ghastly line of dark, amber eyes glowing firmly against the sunlight.

Luna used Will-o-Wisp, Firespin, Flamethrower and Hex! Yet unlike Pewter city, this time Luna ensured she had the space to properly stoke the flames. As Hex came down upon the Beartic, it would stagger, stunned by the attack then drop to the ground defeated.

“Are you kidding me!?" The other trainer snarled angrily “It was just a little weak Vulpix!" Luna would huff at the trainer, hiking up her tails which stood on end like a Ninetails rather then curled and groomed like any other Vulpix and she walked off the battlefield. The moment she did Thief would jump upon her

“That was SO amazing! It's just like Pewter City! But this time I actually saw you do it all! You should name it something! That combo is so COOL!" Thief howled and barked in excitement, Bandit came over and put her rather large paw against his scalp. It shut the Growlithe up immediately

“Not too bad Vulpix…" She smugly commented, it felt sarcastic but Luna widely smile at her in reply.

“Glad I could to impress you." Luna would reply with a hint of sass and it led Bandit to smirk a little

“Sassy… well when it comes the day we face each other, I'll be looking forward on countering that little combo of yours."

Luna gave her a playful look and nodded

“If that day comes, I just hope we're actual sparring friends, and not enemies." Bandit looked at her one last time and nodded, turning around and making her way to Griffin who was watching the defeated trainer stomp away muttering all sorts of mean things.

Griffin shook his head in disbelief at the other trainer.

“It looks like I won!" Griffin shouted after him “So who are you?" He'd ask and the Trainer glanced back at Griffin .

“Whatever, I told you I'd tell you my name when I beat you. We'll meet again, Griffin." The unnamed trainer said turning to his group, prompting them to move.

Griffin smirked and continued walking down the trail, which took him longer than he had wanted it to. His heart was still beating in his chest and he glanced at Luna with a proud smile and gave her a pat on her head, in a way of congratulating her on defeating such a powerful Pokemon. The Vulpix smiled warmly as Thief lingered around her.

“Name it something cool! Like…. Like…" Thief exclaimed

Luna giggled shyly and quickly glanced his way.

“How about the Lunar Mark Mix?" Luna replied with a laugh

“Or even the Starry Night Dance?" Thief said quietly almost making Luna miss what he had said

“Call it a…. dance…..?" She whispered, looking at the orange-brown eyed Growlithe and she could see that he was blushing a little or was it just her wishful thinking…..

“Well… it was like you were dancing out there." He said staring at her.

Luna went a little speechless, and felt a rush of heat through her fur. She turned to avoid his eyes and made eye contact with Moonlight who give her a big, hearty smile and Luna could see something twinkling in his eyes, as if he were saying

'Perhaps this team has a chance after all.' That look in his eyes made her grin with a look of her own that said 'Just believe in me, even a little bit'

As they all stepped onto the trail again, lined with strong, matured trees swaying gently while the scent of the sea filled the air, Luna, Thief and Moonlight would take one last glance of the mountain behind them, each of them wondering if they were being watched by a mysterious, kind-hearted creature that they had witnessed earlier that day. Luna glanced at Thief, staring into his orange, bright eyes that were burning with a determination and a small splinter of something she had forgotten a long, long time ago. As they would all keep pace, following Griffin, Bandit, Natasha and Brad who spent their time chatting about the battle, congratulating Griffin as he would shake his head and say it was a team effort. Luna kept watching Thief from the corner of her vision, who was staring at her with that same small flint-like gaze which exploded something inside of her heart and that…

Feeling of flared, passionate and ignited, roaring flame, that she could only describe to herself as

hope.