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Luna and Thief Chapter 19: Stoking Heat

Lights flickered over the airy sunset sky as the sun pierced through a school of glowing pink and amber cotton. The clouds rolled over a bright auburn glow as the earth slowly ignited with speckles of lights in the closing horizon. They watched alongside of a cliff searching for through a light fluttering mist which concealed the peaks of crystal skyscrapers in the creeping night. The sun was setting quickly now, leaving the small collection of trees which surrounded the city to ignite with calm, flickering lamps…

Like torches or campfires sputtering and fluttering strongly through the soon to be frigid nightlife. Luna's eyes brightened as she'd stare out at the sight, where the earth became a fluttering woven quilt of stars in the orange blistering sunset. Griffin looked behind him and threw up his hand

“We're almost there! A couple of hours at least!" It was Sunday, about eight thirty in the afternoon and as the floating torches sparked into a glowing dew of yellow and auburn it made an energetic Eevee hop around the trail with glee. Luna gave a little giggle and stared out at the night…

Absol, Lycanroc and Blaziken were resting inside of the Pokeballs which Griffin offered them that morning, aside from his odd and weird approach to capturing them, there wasn't too much to say. They woke up after camping for the night traveled for at least five hours, ate lunch and rested, then kept going… and now they stared at a huge current of electrifying lights and glowing invisible boxes created from glass and sparkling crystal. At that point… Luna was the only Pokémon Griffin had out of her Pokeball… Everyone else was resting up for the big day and night ahead of them. Leafeon had returned to Natasha's belt and he rested silently within his capsule… Aura walked alongside Brad with a smile on her face and he'd give this long and obvious yawn.

“A few more hours? Come on Griffin… We're exhausted…" The Lucario punched his arm lightly and he'd give her a chuckle “What…. I'm tired." Brad mentioned and gave a lengthy yawn “Griffin woke us up early…." Griffin gave Brad a nervous look while the trainer passed a scolding look. Griffin gave him a nervous chuckle

“W – Well it's better getting here earlier then sleeping out in the woods again." Griffin commented, and Natasha huffed in reply.

“I could use a coffee…." She'd say while yawning herself as Yuny flickered his tail and twitched his ears. A flurry of trees gently swayed against the evening wind letting the forest howl calmly in the resting sunlight. Luna glanced along the tree tops… She was getting tired herself as they kept walking with Griffin beaming his smile.

“Come on! Just a few more hours!" He'd say and barely be able to fight off the creeping yawn that slipped into his voice, it looked as though Brad, Natasha and Melody simply stared at him with miraculously stunned eyes. It made Melody laugh as her Houndoom gave a little huff. “I – I'm not that tired…" Griffin mentioned and crossed his arms “If anything it's from all of you yawning!" He'd remark and pick up the pace leaving Luna to hop along the trail. They all were laughing and chuckling behind him

“Looks like we all could use some extra sleep!" Melody perked up, it was the first time she had said anything in a while and Houndoom gave her nod as if agreeing with her full heartedly. Luna stared at the flickering lamps again watching a gentle sway of bright cheery light cover the darkening forests around it and the lightest chilly wind hovered over her nose… A small splash of water tapped against her nose leaving her glowing amber eyes to stare up at the clouds. It was starting to sporadically rain… a very light drizzle dropped a handful of light misty drips from the dampening clouds above them. To Luna the rain hadn't appeared anything problematic, especially with the speckles of bright amber sky in between the few dozen clouds above them all. Another droplet tapped her nose, the frigid water slipped down from the peak of her maw and touched against the Vulpix's chin. The little gentle fray of tuft caught the water droplets carefully and her eyes stayed glued to the open amber-red skies. Clouds were rolling in as though passing through a wind of change and left her in this gentle aspiring awe while a droplet touched her forehead… It made her mind flash with the thoughts of drowning.

Just for a moment, that Vulpix felt a hand against the back of her head and being shoved into water… But her eyes looked at Griffin and he gave her a look back and smiled warmly.

I feel loved

The words in her mind touched her tails as she stared at her trainer… And it left her to swallow gently while watching his hand reach downward to her forehead. The Vulpix flinched and he held his hand there, standing amid the gentle rain.

“We're almost there Vulpix" Griffin smiled, and it faded away for a moment… “Unless… Luna is your name." Her ears twitched to the sounds of his gentle voice and it left her to think, that if only she really were deaf… that if that monster from Pewter wasn't real…

It left Luna to brightly stare at him and Griffin simply gave a grin “If that's your name… Luna. Then I'll call you that. No matter what." His hand graced her forehead and she'd shut her eyes… as though to feel a paw on her head. A voice whisper in the now closing night….

“Be strong. You don't need to be brave right away, I'll be brave for you. And when I hand that flame to you, hold it tight, embrace it with all your heart." The Vulpix chirred and made a sound at Griffin's hand and she'd smile warmly, only wishing that a certain Growlithe could hear her thoughts at that moment. Luna had no chance of running away then, and only wished dearly

That this was the real moment, when Griffin caught her

Her paws touched the earth and dug into them gently as she'd stare up at him, watch his eyes with a smile… When a beam shot from his hip and he'd make a foolish sound which made him laugh.

Absol?

Luna was at a lost for words and stared at the white and icy-blue Pokémon.

“What are you doing? I thought you were…. resting?" Luna made the sound out as that Absol gave her mild and straight-faced glance… before barely curving her face. Luna gave a little flicker of her tail… as though she knew that face dearly.

Closely…

Instinctively…

And it made her feel as though it was no different than Leafeon's look the other day. Absol gave her this wonderful and mild look that made her ears twitch.

“I thought you may have felt a little… lonely." Absol mentioned and looked at the sky above them whilst walking alongside Griffin. As they stared at the heavens they could hear the random chatter of their trainer talking to his friends. All they spoke about was the city, the gym, some food and a place to sleep for the night. Luna shook her head no instinctively after giving a moment of listening in on the chatter and it left Absol to give a happy trill. “That's wonderful little one." She'd say with her gaze, a gaze which left the Vulpix to stare at her endlessly red eyes. They were a calm red, as though the flames of a warm chimney were stoked and resting amongst cobble and limestone. In fact, her eyes seemed to flicker with pictures of home. Luna gave her a bright and warm smile in return and felt a droplet of freezing rain touch her nose. She'd wince, as though instinctively from it. Absol saw that with that glaze in her eyes.

“I'm not really feeling alone…" Vulpix mentioned with a smile. “In fact, I'm feeling… happy." Absol nodded with a smile.

“I overheard them wanting to name me yesterday." Absol mentioned with that warm gaze of hers fading and Luna flicked her tails out in reaction

“That's a wonderful thing!" Luna called out “You'll have a beautiful name!" She'd say with a smile and a nod “I believe that!"

It left the Absol a little open-mouthed as though Luna wouldn't let her finish her reply. And Absol simply giggled

“You really are a kit…" She'd mention, and it left the Vulpix to go red along her cheeks. “My names have ended in disaster. I just feel…" Luna stared at the Absol as they walked….

Her red calm eyes stared at the skies…

Her tail flickered tenderly against the gentle sway of the wind…

Her ears fastened low against her head… “I feel… as though I'll let everyone down" Absol said “I feel like I'll drag us all down, like I've done before." Luna shook her head no

“Of course not!" Why… does this outburst feel familiar? “You'll do great Absol!" Luna mentioned again “Griffin didn't fight me… he offered me food… He kept me around until I decided to go with him!" The Absol gave off this somber gaze and it made Luna swallow nervously. “I… don't know how to explain it…"

“No ones offered you food that way, right?" Absol commented after casting her eyes aside. “To humans… we're like tools… Tools for a trade… for a business… an object to sell…" Absol continued “To hurt…"

To hurt and abuse because we're nothing like them, right?

Luna felt her fur rile up as she stared intently at Absol

“We're not that." Luna mentioned and looked at Griffin from the front, like Bandit usually did. “We're everything like them… human… and it just takes a different kind of human to show us that." Luna stared at Griffin intensely…

It takes a human who understands pain… She heard the though enter her mind without any mercy… In fact, other then mentioning dinner and talking to the group they traveled with…

“You've noticed it now right?" Absol mentioned and Luna jolted her head to her, in fright. “He's been avoiding us, as though he were keeping to a schedule. That human… as kind as he is…" Absol stared at him too. “Something is eating him alive, mentally, physically. You have noticed that he's stopped eating as, much right?" Luna's mind flashed back for a moment, backward to Friday night…

Griffin barely ate any of the food he made, in fact, he made sure there was more then enough food for them. That's why they had extra during Saturday's lunch. Absol nodded and Luna gave a worried look.

“He's slowly starving himself… without any reason…" Absol closed her eyes with a little nod, her gentle near captivating voice rang through Luna's ears. “I think… it's not a human that it takes to understand us Luna… but a Pokémon that simply looks like one." Luna shook her head no.

“that's just crazy." Absol disagreed.

“Spiritually little one. He's lost something… and I feel as though he's run away from it solely to search for it." The Absol mentioned. “Remember, back at Maidens Peak? He barely ate then too. That's nearly four days without much food. He must be exhausted but somehow, he's still going on strong." She'd nod to herself. “If there is any proof of a reason, that all would be it. Even this morning he barely ate anything." Absol mentioned again and it made Luna think to that morning.

Griffin really didn't eat much, in fact he offered food around as though he barely needed it. Luna hung her head low while they walked.

“I don't understand, why would he do that?" The Vulpix mentioned and Absol smiled.

“Like I said, it takes a human who's so understanding of us that he sees us no different then he sees ourselves… He has a jolly personality. A kind and strong heart. Like a ribbon which clings to him no different than the richest texture on fine fur." Absol said. “So as much of a leader he tries to be, I think we should all see him as one of us."

Luna felt the rain splatter against her nose again, this time she'd rub it annoyingly. Why now? Why of all times did nature need to try and get her attention? Another pocket of rain touched her pelt and the Absol curled around her for a moment as Griffin, Natasha, Brad and Melody walked by them. Houndoom was the only one to stop and stare at the pair. “If he's willing to do that much… Let's try and shield him too. Alright Luna." Absol said and Luna looked up at the Absol shyly. “If this trainer is that determined… that hurt… that willing to go that far, then let's make sure he knows we're there for him. Moonlight… that Espeon already acts that way. I've seen how he sleeps on Griffins chest, he tends to try and whisk away nightmares… the same way he does with you."

Luna shook her head for a moment.

“What about you?" Luna said and Absol hung her head to the sky.

“Don't worry so much about me… little Vulpix. You're much to young to worry about an old and ruined fool like me." She'd say, and Luna gave her a huff.

“I don't care how old or young you are, you're a part of us now… I…" Luna swallowed a tear? Or was that rain? She couldn't start crying around Absol again could she? “You're one of us now Absol, and I swear if Griffin ever forgot that I'd burn him in every way I can think of." The Vulpix said… “I can't explain why… exactly… Perhaps I'm just stupidly chasing after a dream, maybe I'm just foolishly hoping for something impossible… but I don't want us all to fall apart." Luna just blurt that out…

Why… am I getting so attached to this? Her mind flickered with that question I shouldn't be… shouldn't I be doing something that makes sense? Like finding a way home? Finding my family? Why… Luna stuck her paws on the earth and pushed put of the shelter which Absol made using her body. Why should I care? I should be leaving… I should be going home… I need to. That Vulpix stared at Absol closely and casted her eyes to the trail and the bushes and trees. They were heading downhill again… her legs felt sore from all the walking, but she hated that capsule.

Luna hated that Pokeball with a burning passion. I can't be here right? Not forever… Her eyes stared at Griffin's Pokeball belt… the third Pokémon in his lineup was…

It was a Growlithe that she wanted to cling to, for no real reason at all. The Vulpix shook her head frantically

I told myself that I'd stop kissing him… and there I go, kissing him in that field like some fool. I'm such a stupid, blind fool… Luna lowered her head and stared at the trail which flicked droplets of the light rain against stones and pebbles that layered the path ahead. A wide winding trail which continued to a now growing sea of light. Her paws gently splashed against the earth as a gentle slosh of water covered her feet. Was the rain really starting to pick up already? Every somber dart struck against the earth tenderly… and the sporadic rain became a flurry of downpour. Griffin simply zipped up his jacket and flipped the hood of his hoodie up. Luna watched as Griffin continued to walk ahead at his slow pace, looking solely ahead at the city growing before them… He never wore a hat, Luna realized that. The Vulpix stared at his black, white and green jacket as she watched him fish his hands into his pockets. There was something about that near hunched over walk he had. That's what Absol noticed? Something as small and miniscule as that? Luna felt her paw give way…

She nearly tripped over an overgrown root and went back to look at it… Absol passed by her as Luna stared back at the near pitch-dark forest behind them. A very uneasy feeling chilled through her back as the wind howled through the tree tops behind them and made that eerie sound which made her pick up the pace… her long unkempt tails flickered in the wind. Maybe… I should groom these… She thought to herself, the water from the rain felt as though it were dragging them down. She didn't have that problem yesterday, not when the sun was out and cheery but now that she was giving a liberal run down the trail… Luna felt the weight from the water… The rain suddenly pelted down relentlessly, and she'd watch Brad bundle himself up, Natasha casually opened this small, vinyl umbrella from her backpack. At least she seemed prepared for the weather… Unlike Griffin who was just walking down the trail with his hood over his head and the rain pelting down on his jacket. He'd turn to his right and see Absol walking right next to him, He'd take her Pokeball from his belt and hold it up for her…

Griffin let Absol activate it and return herself to the capsule.

That tender glance Absol tossed Luna's way as the folding red light surrounded her made the little Vulpix stare intently… There was that weird feeling again, as though the look on her face was too familiar for her. Something she yearned for without any provocation…

I… Really do want to go home. Luna swallowed and kept her pace up to Griffin… he'd open his jacket for a moment. The zipper came down to his hips as he'd hold his jacket wide, enough that it sheltered her from the rain. Luna looked up at his face… and noticed that Griffin gave her this abnormally tired smile.

“You should keep out of the rain… I can still return you to your Pokeball if you want me to. It would be warmer" Luna shook her head no while staring at Griffin from nearby his ankles. While she stared that little Vulpix honestly saw that he looked a little pale on top of it all… Absol wasn't lying at all, in fact Luna was surprised that she saw it immediately. It made Luna's mind flash back to Maiden's Peak and she stared ahead of her before looking up at Griffin's face…

His mouth was moving, and her heart sunk, eye's shriveled…

His mouth moved again “I hope you're doing alright, you seem anxious…" She read his lips out loud to herself with her now beady eyes staring at his near decrepit face before something took her from the back of the head and shoved her face under water, her legs kicked desperately… She kicked desperately. A warbled voice roared in her ears… a hand forcefully held her under a basin of filthy water.

“HURRY THE FUCK UP AND EVOLVE!"

The vicious voice slammed against her ears… she had every desire to cough but… Luna held her breath, her tails flat – every single one of her legs kicked and squirmed and flinched before her head came above the water and all she could feel was her spine shiver…

“Really! Look at the little adventurer!" A voice touched inside of her skull, grating at the walls of her eyes and forcing the world into a mess of hazy fog “Wow! You must be so terrified… I can see you pissing yourself!" Laughter… something was laughing at her and her face was shoved back under that luke-warm, gross, filthy water…

The kind which had all sorts of mud and ticks and everything else found inside some poorly dug and insect filled trench. Luna easily felt it… She really was that scared… Her legs kicked again but…

She was nowhere near strong enough to get rid of that hand that crammed her muzzle under the murky fluid. “I'm having fun just watching… really." The voice mentioned gleefully, and her tails sparked up… Her groomed, gentle curly and plump tails flickered and spasmodically flinched around while she sucked in water in shock…

That man, whatever he was, was using a stun baton on her…

“Luna" A voice barely touched her ears, and something pushed against her chest. A screaming roar pierced her ears, she was being called all sorts of names while being ripped from the water and that trainer simply tossed her against the wall… And took out a Pokeball.

“Just fucking evolve! I spent enough money on you, so just do it!" The voice yelled against her ears and she cowered instinctively against the corner of a dark and moldy room, coughing up water… her fur riled up and patchy…

I want… to go home…

“Luna" Something called out her name and her ear twitched and that sound was ripped away when something cracked against the wall above her, sparks flickered with blinding marks of light and flares of bright arcs bending alongside patchy drywall. Her eyes went small and she folded into herself with a horrified whine…

That human… struck her straight down against her head with that baton… It left her in a flurry of shocks and she couldn't move…

She couldn't breathe… That Vulpix hadn't even thought about holding in her bladder

“Pointless piece of shit! That auction ripped me off! Rare breed my ass… That island had fuck all on it." His fist hit the wall and Luna stumbled back… “I guess it's time to put you through another battle… I bought a Buizel, don't fuck it up again…" He'd grab Luna's neck and pick her up by it.

Please… Let me go home… I want mommy… Her mind flickered desperately… she'd finally… finally grew her tails… I want daddy…

In this hell on earth. Luna felt her paws give way when she was thrown out of the barn-like building… It felt like the sun was the first thing she wanted to see…

But it was cloudy, and she tried to stare up at the Buizel desperately… pleadingly. Her eyes flashed again… the tears on her face, she'd push her nose into the stranger's stomach screaming…

“Luna" Something pressed against her forehead and she quivered and wanted to hide into her tails. This… was the first time she ever met Buizel. With tears running down her face…

A kit, hardly a month after her first winter, screaming desperately for home, and for her mother and father to find her… The hellhole she lived in for two months… every day was just like this one. That hand tore her away from the Buizel, her paws desperately trying to outreach for the stranger, crying… kicking… screaming…

“Luna" The voice was louder now, and she felt the earth slam against her body as that stranger tossed her to the opposite side… Her watery eyes stared at the Buizel as it made a sound at him… he barely hesitated and cracked that stun-rod across it's cheek. It took the blow and replied with a growl…

“See, see that!? Do you see that?" He took her head again and she instinctively held her breath, staring at the Buizel. “Be like that! GROW A FUCKING PAIR!" The voice tore itself into her thoughts and she squirmed again… but he mercilessly shoved her snout to the ground. “You wouldn't have this problem if you just EVOLVED INTO SOMETHING STRONGER!" He held her high enough that the man was nearly screaming into her ear leaving every bit of sound to ring… Ring as though she were going tone deaf…

“Really, how desperate and filthy! I've never seen something so worthlessly weak cower as much as you do! You think that's strength? Crying out for help?" Where was this voice coming from? Luna tried to turn her head “Mommy and daddy are dead…" Luna felt her eyes sink into the back of her head… She was staring at this malformed thing from her nightmares… a monster that only lingered there… A monster that couldn't be real… A monster… that was feeding on them still.

“LUNA!" Moonlight's loud voice dragged her awake and she felt a very unpleasant amount of weight land on her stomach… She turned over in a panic, throwing the Espeon off her and frantically ran to an open window…

She was vomiting over the window frame, panting… desperately wanting air – fresh air. It was the middle of the night and the Pokémon center was dead quiet. Griffin and Brad, Melody and Natasha had to take the waiting room couches… here everyone was in their Pokeballs… and they were all wearing simple clothes while their own were drying in the back room. Nurse Joy stared at Luna and Moonlight from the counter.

“Hm?" She'd make a noise and Luna looked at her from the window-ledge. “Oh dear! Are you feeling okay? Come over here alright." Nurse Joy made a little noise and Moonlight stared at Luna closely… Her paws were trembling… and where she was sleeping.

“It's okay Luna… you were having a nightmare." Moonlight mentioned and stared at this sickly puddle on the clean tile floor. “an absolutely terrible one at that…" He muttered shortly after and slowly began to walk over to her. “There's no reason to be scared, I… didn't wake up fast enough… sorry."

“W – What?" Luna mentioned and saw a happy singing Chancey which gave her this warm and friendly stare. Her tails flattened desperately. That Chancey was moving towards her with a gentle quiet song… the beds were full in Vermilion city, and that's why they were all around the couches in the waiting room. Either way that Chancey made her constantly racing heart run faster.

“L – Luna… she's trying to help, it's okay. You're okay." Moonlight said and Chancey stopped moving. Luna gave nothing but silence at first… and muttered something quietly… “They're not dead…" Luna said it so quietly that it made Moonlight stop, he read her lips. “Please, Luna, you're okay come here…" Luna shook her head no and went for the open window.

She was about to jump out… when she bumped into something immediately Luna turned her head…

Luna used Ember! The swirling crest of flickering smoke and sharp glass-like amber red spewed from her muzzle and was aiming…

For the Audino that caught her…

Moonlight used Psychic! He held all of Luna's attack and parried it out the window nearby, his gemstone glowed a tender pink-purple color and his eyes glowed warmly… softly. Luna stared at the Audino with her eyes deep inside of her mind. The small, quaking and sunken amber-red glare made the Audino…

It made her somberly smile as she cradled Luna and she felt the Audino's long feelers, like tendrils touch against her chest. Her heart was racing frantically… Audino made a little sound and happily churred before walking Luna away from the window.

Nobody woke up from Luna's outburst and Audino brought her into the back with Moonlight following her. Right when he was trying to follow her into the room in the back, the Chancey cut in front of him.

“I.. need to be there, she's just scared." Moonlight mentioned “If I were to guess, her heartrate is probably hitting one seventy maybe even one eighty. I know what I'm doing." Chancey still cut Moonlight off. “Please, if she attacks Audino again…" Chancey simply shook her head no and Moonlight gave a huff in reply and stared back at the puddle before watching Luna disappear into the back room…

Luna flinched a little as the Audino carried her into the back room, Nurse Joy left from the counter for a moment to join the Audino.

“Audino, you're supposed to be going to my cousin, why'd you come out here?" The Audino made a sound and Luna looked up at her. Even her eyes told the Vulpix that she'd be okay while Audino carried her past a row of beds for the recovering Pokémon. She'd look through the capsules which glowed all sorts of colors. There were many different types of Pokémon here and for a moment she thought one of them looked at her from the back… In fact, it even smiled at her.

I can't be here… Luna flinched again but Audino gently brushed one of her tendrils against Luna's chest… Anger surged through her little body and her fur riled up… I can't believe that I… I mean I haven't… not like that… She'd feel her face burning red. It had been years since she had a nightmare like that… Luna hadn't grown used to Griffin at all.

Even after the conversation Absol and her had walking to Vermilion… except it wasn't raining. In fact, there was barely a cloud in the sky and the only amount of rain that came down was the remnants from the night before when they were walking through the thicket of the woods. Where everything was gnarled and tight and casting a shadow over the trail. That's only because the trees had still been dropping water from their leaves… and even then, the rain was so light that Luna barely thought of it. Why… Why did… She'd shiver and look at the Audino…

Was… it humming? The Vulpix listened closely to the gentle sounds of a wonderful collection of hums and eventually Audino put her down in a small recovery booth in the room opposite from the emergency ward. She'd look at the dark room which glimmered with green or orange light… Luna felt her stomach burning… she felt like she caught a flu for sure… I don't want to remember that again… But why did Griffin make me… think of that? Luna quaked and felt her tails drop down instinctively… The final collection of images morbidly passed through her head… but most of her physical injuries were gone now. The only scars she had left resembled that of battle scars… but the way she dropped her ears… her tail…

Just trying to make herself so small that nobody could see her.

It… was from me swimming right? Luna bitterly thought to herself and felt her paws quiver… her heart was slowing down now… It's because I went swimming… I remembered because of it… and Scarf… She had buried everything in her mind to the point that she didn't want to even peak into that doorway…

The only doorway that she had to open one day…

Luna growled to herself… and stared at her paw… there were tufts that speckled out of her paw… And she lowered her jaw to it…

Am I even… alive anymore? Why do I feel this way? Why… She felt her heart throb painfully… Please… just... tell me why? Luna stared at her paw, her right paw… Her jaw opened tenderly, and she lowered her muzzle to it… She breathed on her paw feeling the heat from her muzzle and without any second thought… Luna went to close her jaws around her front paw. Why… do I feel so loved here? I felt that way before and it all went away… Her heart leapt as she squeezed her paw with her teeth…

She could barely find the strength to bite herself like she used to…

and ended up softly licking her paw instead…

in fact, she began to groom herself endlessly, starting with her paws which she got slick from her tongue and then to her stranded-unkempt hair. Luna kept grooming herself like crazy. Why… am I doing this now?

Luna swallowed and tugged at some loose fur with her teeth, grooming herself and running her slick paws through her fur I feel… wonderful and terrified. She'd swallow firmly now and kept grooming herself Just this once… I want… Her tears began to run down her face without any warning.

“I want mommy to groom me… Just… one more time, please…" Luna desperately said to herself while staring at the dim reflection of a tired, terrified little kit… the kind that would cry into her fathers pelt whenever she got hurt. The kind that would listen to every single story her mother had to tell her. The kind that had friends who always wanted to talk to her… Not the messy and wild and painfully sad Vulpix she stared at through her reflection…

Nurse Joy was in the corner of the room working late into the night. Luna wondered and stared at her for a moment, every thought crossed her mind asking about her… about how that nurse could stay up all night to care for all these Pokémon. And here I am… just...

Luna looked at her nearly fixed hair, there was something more she had to do with it… but she could never figure it out herself. She never really learned how to properly do it herself. It left her to sigh and swallow a little… at least she wasn't crying that much anymore… Luna looked down her chest and wondered if she vomited on herself at all…

If anything she had the desire to go for a swim and get herself completely cleaned… just the thought… the memory of that filthy water made her go limp and sick to her stomach. After a few moments the Audino came back into the room and made a noise at her… Luna nodded in reply and shook her head a little… her hair came undone immediately…

“I – I'm fine… just… bad dream" The Vulpix said and didn't make eye contact with the Audino which gave her this peculiar look, as though she wanted to know more… but the Audino simply picked her up after a moment and began to walk her back down to the foyer… Nurse Joy was busy filling out something on a computer. There were several scans on the LED screen…

That's what the little bed was; a scanner for any new Pokémon admitted to the center sat in this smaller room, right across from the emergency ward. Luna watched as Nurse Joy disappeared from her view as Audino carried Luna out from the back of the center… Moonlight watched that hallway she went down with a liberal huff, it looked as though he was just sitting there waiting for her. The Espeon's tails flickered as it sat down on one of the cushioned chairs in the waiting room. He'd swing it from time to time… just waiting with plenty of space on the cushions. It made Luna stare at him as though picturing a man sitting on the same chair… and that Moonlight was ensuring he had plenty of space…

But the Espeon was the only one sitting on that yellow-white cushioned chair. The moment Audino walked past Chancey, whom was carefully standing in front of the hallway to the back, Moonlight hopped down off the chair

“Are you okay? You gave me a scare…" Luna swallowed and shyly smiled

“I'm okay… I… sort of want a bath though." Luna mentioned, and Moonlight gave a warm smile

“Well, I bet we might be able to coerce Griffin into giving you one! He was talking about picking up supplies… maybe if we bug him with Shampoo…" Luna tilted her head

“Why… don't you just tell him?" The Espeon gave a little pause and shook his head no.

“Our connection… is okay… but it's nowhere near good enough, unlike myself and his Professor…" Moonlight commented and looked at Griffin. The trainer was sleeping silently and unlike Brad, Griffin barely made a peep while gently breathing in the warm Pokémon Center and staying fast asleep for the entire time. “In all honesty… like you did at the Pewter City Gym… I'll hurt myself if I keep doing things like that." Moonlight commented “Against Pokémon too… I feel like I've been starting to push myself too hard and it's taxing me." The Espeon commented. “I was sleeping… or well getting extra sleep while you were having a nightmare." Moonlight explained and looked at where the puddle was… while he was waiting for Luna the Chancey cleaned it up when it was convinced that the Espeon wouldn't try to go find Luna. “I'm only nine years old… and I feel like I've been pushing myself hard enough to need extra rest." Moonlight stated

“What do you mean? Extra sleep?" He casted his eyes down low for a moment…

“I've… been eating your nightmares." Moonlight mentioned, and Luna gave him a look “I've been using Dream Eater… every night… on everyone."

“What!? Why?" Luna said, startled “Why would you do that? That wouldn't… You're…"

“Invading everyone's mind. Unlike when the move is normally used to eat a good dream and gain a small amount of a boost… I've been eating everyone's nightmares." Moonlight mentioned and looked at Luna. She simply gave him a scolded look.

“You really are a creep Moonlight! What's with you? When did you start this!? Why?" Moonlight stared at Luna and she saw his mouth open for a moment… He blinked at least twice with his mouth partially open…

“I… can't…" Luna growled in reply to his answer

“Why the hell can't you!? You're telling me that you've been hurting yourself just, so we don't see our nightmares?! What kind of thinking is that?" Luna recoiled at him and Moonlight straightened out his shoulders a little… “Did you even think… that for a moment they'd become so real for us that things like this could happen!?" Luna saw his eyes sink…

In fact, the look on his face… was something that horrified even her.

It was this look of realization that made her scared

And Luna watched while Moonlights shoulders slumped, and his tail tapped the ground… The fine pink furs on his body stood on end while he stared at Luna with that expression.

“Y – You're absolutely right…" Moonlight said, “I'm so sorry" The Espeon took a liberal breath in from the nose. “I'm sorry… I should've known better, well… all that matters is that you're feeling better now. I'm heading to bed." Moonlight sighed and turned around for a moment and began to walk to a chair… “It's a beautiful night out… so I'll curl up under the moon" The Unkempt Vulpix looked at him.

“That'll weaken you" Luna mentioned and Espeon stared her way.

“There are things about me that may surprise you Luna." Espeon mentioned and hopped up onto a chair while staring desperately into the sky for a constellation.

Searching past an arrow in the night sky for a little fox nestled in the stardust…

The Pokémon Center was dark save for a service light here and there, it worked like a nightlight. Luna watched the pearly-vanilla twilight shimmer through the open window as a warm breeze slithered into the Pokémon Center. The window wasn't cracked open fully letting just a breath of fresh mountain air mixed with this delightful saltiness of the sea.

Luna watched the streams of iridescent moonlight cover over the Espeon… his pink fur and paws shifted around something, as though cuddling against a ghost. Luna simply stared at the Espeon from her spot… granted she had to find a better spot to sleep then a floor again, that was part of her problem and she looked for a spot in-between Griffin and Brad… For a moment she breathed silently in the Pokémon Center, hardly able to process where to go to find a spot on the cushions… In all reality she should've been in her Pokeball. Eventually she found a spot… half curled up against Griffin's chest. It was the only comfortable spot she could find in the entire couch and she stared at the two of them. Natasha and Melody took the opposite couch, Melody was half sleeping upright, and Luna looked at a shadow staring at her from the arm of their couch.

Houndoom was awake? How long had he been awake for? The large canine simply stared at Luna and she felt her ears drop low to her neck as she snuggled up firmly against Griffin with one eye of hers staring at the Houndoom as he curled up around Melody's feet.

S – sorry if I woke you up… Luna thought to herself as she gave a quiet yawn and rested her chin against Griffin's chest… in moments she shut her eyes and breathed quietly amongst her own thoughts…

That nightmare I had was horrible… but it… started out okay… The little Vulpix passed a liberal huff and snugged her nose into Griffins shirt. He smelled, quite a bit actually… and she'd take her nose away and give a small quiet snort. I guess I'm not the only one that needs a bath Luna felt a smile come over her and her eyes spent all her time staring at her wiry, messy blonde-haired trainer.

Her… Trainer

She turned her head away and rested her cheek against his chest, he could hear the gentle throb of his heartbeat. It was slow, concise… constant. It made her wonder, as she was slowly lulling off to sleep that early Monday morning, if her trainer was having a wonderful dream…

• Shadow.

Shadow stared out into an endless array of stars some little ways off the trail whilst overlooking a singing, melodic ocean. The sunlight was long gone by now and the sleek, thin Mightyena glanced anxiously into the close to midnight sky. Logan and Trevor both slept in their clothes with an extra layer of jackets on as Rebecca slept snugly and soundly in her sleeping bag with Charmander… Or at least Shadow thought that before seeing that little Charmander coming up to him. His lambert gaze overlooked the Charmanders mild and fluttering tail. The flames rested in the windy night and Shadow heard Logan snoring from underneath a dry patch thanks to the hard vigil of an old oak tree. He stared intently at the brown-haired man from a far and then back to the stars.

“What are you thinking of?" The Charmander asked and Shadow looked at him with a smile

“My Mate…" He replied quietly and continued to stare at the stars “She's… the most wonderful and kindest Mightyena" Shadow mentioned with a chuckle “Well, when she's not riled up or angry or… on some mission." He'd say with a nervous grin “She's the most wonderful being I've ever known…" Charmander giggled

“You're weird!" Shadow made a face

“No you're weird!" He'd stick out his tongue and the Charmander huffed in reply

“I called you weird first!" Shadow laughed a little, his tender, gentle laugh while looking at that Charmander stare at him with determination.

“How old are you?" Shadow asked shortly after

“I'm turning two!" Charmander said with a little sneeze “In at least four months…" It left Shadow to smile…

It left him to smile brightly, while staring at a golden-eyed Charmander… as though the sunlight shimmered through his gaze wherever he looked.

Shadow gave that Charmander his happy grin “I guess the water trip wasn't the best for us to take right?" Charmander gave another cute sneeze and nodded

“Rebecca always talks about my sneezing." Shadow tilted his head

“You sneeze a lot?" The Mightyena mentioned and giggled in his friendly manner

“Yeah! It just means I'm going to learn how to do amazing fire type moves! When I evolve I'll become the strongest Charizard ever!" Charmander threw his hands up into the air and gave this tiny little sneeze again.

“Well, just make sure you stay warm, alright!" The Mightyena mentioned happily and showed off his fangs. It was a tame and wonderful smile for him to show. “Now head to bed, you'll need plenty of rest tomorrow." Shadow said and the Charmander huffed and crossed his claws

“Not yet…" Shadow gave him a sterner look…

“Well, we can't have you sleepy when we're going on an adventure!" Charmander hummed for a moment after listening to Shadow talk and nodded

“Okay…" He'd say and walk his way back over to Rebecca, giving a little sneeze as the wind picked up. Shadow smiled at him

A Charmander with a cold… go figure! I guess this whole adventure is going to make all of us see new things Shadow thought to himself and continued to look out at a sea of stars and from the furthest point in the sky, amidst a collection of beautiful green, gold, red and blue that Mightyena stared at the faintest sparkle of pink in the velvet-knit darkness. I want to see you again Bandit… I promise, I'll do everything I can to get back to you soon The Mightyena thought to himself as his heart beat against a symphony of breathing stars… As though millions of dwarven suns glowed for his future.

• Luna

Within the earliest break of dawn, a wiry shaken tail flickered against the soft plush cushion which rested in the middle of the Pokémon Center. The sunlight barely punctured through the cheery and glowing window… her eyes flickered for a moment and she blinked…

There was a beautiful beach in her mind and view, the kind where sand dollars collected every inch of the near untouched wavy grains and the water calmly slithered onward to the beachside. Where she could run and yip and holler with her friends…

Her dream… before she woke up.

Luna put her head down… Griffin was still fast asleep, and she looked all around while passing a lengthy yawn, but after it… she was wide awake and ready to go. That little Vulpix got to her feet, carefully stepped over Brad and she stopped…

Aura was sleeping on the couch too? Luna didn't see her earlier in the morning. Aura had her paws wrapped around Brads hips, as though she was everlastingly intent on cuddling her trainer. Luna tilted her head with a weird look on her face.

She's attached to him… Luna thought to herself and hopped down to the ground. Nurse Joy wasn't in the center or at least, she wasn't in the foyer. Luna stretched out her paws against the tile and gave a lengthy yawn again as the sounds of the sea fluttered into the center. The moment they entered Vermilion everyone only wanted sleep. That was the only thing they all really cared about, and Luna stared at Moonlight as he rested on the cushiony chair. His chest peacefully swayed from his breathing…

It nearly looked like it was one of the best sleeps he's had for a while and it made Luna give her wry and nervous smile. He… that look he gave me… Luna swallowed and stared intently at the bundle of pink and purple fur which glimmered brightly in the morning sunlight. Where fine hairs danced on fields and meadows of the past, where Moonlight found… Found a heart worth fighting for. Luna observed every hair on his pelt flicker in the now sun-shiny morning and suddenly let out a little sigh…

He… Just… She shook her head frantically, knowing the end of his sentence as she took a moment to walk to the front glass sliding door of the Pokémon center. The clear-see through glass slithered past with a gentle beep and Luna stepped out into the sunshine that illuminated Vermilion City. She heard the words touch her mind for a faint second. He just wants to help all of us right? Because he's chasing something… Something he desperately wants… Luna stepped onto the sidewalk and stared both to her left and her right side, there wasn't a single soul around, save for the whispers from the past… something she heard with such clarity that it made the Vulpix's head throb. Voices slithered up and down the empty streets as the small six tailed vixen glanced down the clean pavement while salty air crossed through the wind… For a moment she turned to the city, watching the collections of endless skyscrapers carry onward through a valley of trees. Their crystal, luminescent tops shimmered in the hot and bright sunshine… but the wind called to her from behind, leaving her with nothing but the endless eternal horizon of the sea.

Another glorious sun-rise peered into her mind as Luna's eyes glanced out to the gentle wavering sea, the rocky – treacherous cliffside lowered onto a small plateau of stones and boulders… and her mind flashed with the view of a certain Sandslash which stood out on the rocks… She hopped down to the waves which carefully crossed onto the sands in that early morning sun… the Vulpix glanced in awe at the glowing sunlight from behind her…

The sight of the sunshine which caused the ocean to stir and awaken with colors of azure and sapphire spread across a cloudy quilt of gold and grey. The waters casted life-full colors across the sea, a horizon that made her breathless while glancing intensely at the curls and splashes from the water.

She was the only one awake out of all of them and sat nearby the ocean, staring at her reflection in the sea. Staring at a window that she only prayed would give her answers… There was only her face that she observed closely… The sight of her frayed hair which looked like some gnarl of fluffed roots, the way the hung across her face and drowned out her eyes from most angles… As though she just wanted to hide away behind it. If her fur was soaked from the water, at least it all straightened out but here she was dry, and the heat from her chest only furled every strand into some big wiry mess. She huffed at a longer strand that touched her nose, the patchy fluff flicked up – barely and fell back down to her nose. She passed by this annoyed smile and continued to glare at the water with a strong push of wind fluttering by…

A swift northern wind cut through her fur and made her shiver madly… That was cold!? It was such a fast, simple rush of air that it was icy to the touch and it made Luna look all around…

Thinking of ghosts now? She thought to herself and swallowed… Unaware that something took it's time to watch her. To watch a little Vulpix stare with loss and longing at the water and play with her tangled and abused wiry hair. The way she frantically flicked her paw through it, blew it at, huffed and began to lick her paw frantically to try and clean her hair – running the back of it through a tangled mess of red-wood orange fur. Luna kept pointlessly trying to groom herself… staring frantically at the water as though anything she tried to change would help her remember more but Luna only saw the same lost and forgotten kit she looked at earlier that morning. As she cursively ran her paws through her hair, her head… Her tails with absolute dismay, something…

Or someone bumped into her from behind. She turned and saw a face, her eyes flickered wide for a moment as though seeing the gentle unswayed and regal face of an all too familiar ninetales…

But… Absol was standing there and gave her a little smile. Luna felt her face went red immediately

“S – Sorry di-“ Luna was about to ask if she woke her up…

“Why are you apologizing? You don't need to" Absol mentioned and looked at Luna with a warm nod… “I haven't slept yet" She'd mention and tenderly curl a paw around the small Vulpix and drag her close. “Your fur is absolutely messy, you need to take all of the twigs out first." Absol mentioned and gently ran a claw through one of Luna's tail, it made her wince.

“I can do it…" Luna said and the Absol simply traced out the curls and knots along one of the Vulpix's tails. Whenever her thin nimble claws caught a twig or a flurry of small bark. The Absol gently curled her claws around the tangled fur and dragged out the sticks. Luna simply stared at Absol intensely. “I'm fine…" Absol only sighed in reply

“You're not that fine little one." Absol mentioned “Now hush and let me help" Absol made it clear that she wouldn't leave… Even when Griffin had already gotten on the phone with Ayumu last night, Absol refused to leave with her friends, Lycanroc and Blaziken. Luna simply glared at the Absol and she felt a paw touch her nose. “Don't give me that look."

“I'm not a kit…" Luna replied and stared at the ocean.

“To me, you are. You're easily two decades younger." Luna felt her shoulders twitch

“Wait… what?" Luna tried to turn and the Absol simply put her gentle paw on Luna's back.

“Now stop squirming and let me fix this." Luna felt a claw run through her tail and she huffed and went back to licking her paws, Absol simply ran her paws through the end of Luna's tail. “Goodness, you have nearly an entire forest stuck in these… Haven't you ever cleaned them?" The Vulpix's face grew a cherry red

“Well, I try to, but I mean… it's hard to reach them…" She'd mention, and it made the Absol giggle a little

“I'm jealous of your tails… they can be very beautiful." The Absol said and continued to brush Luna's tail, one of the many tails she had… but even then, they were still frayed – wiry… She really needed a proper brush and groom. Either way that Vulpix felt herself quake…

Why does that feel… wonderful? Her tail twitched but stopped the moment it was going to… She simply stared at the water with that Absol overtop her. Paws running through her tails – claws unfurling a collection of knots and other things.

“Look at your hair too, it's like a Litten mane…" Absol mentioned and smiled “If only you could groom like them." She'd say and run her claws through another one of Luna's tails, as though weaving the knots away and gently casting her frayed hairs straight. Luna shut her eyes for a moment…

It's still not… She'd swallow a little as Absol's claw went through a tough knot, she went over it a few times and Luna stared at a collection of her fur which fell to the ground. She really was patchy and wiry, and Luna glared at the reflection in the water again. Her ember eyes flickered tenderly, the brown and orange-redwood gaze studied the water while Absol moved around to her other side… Had she already cleaned up three of her tails? They were nothing like the were supposed to be… not curled and smooth and… beautiful. Luna looked at them for a moment… and found a little smile cross her face. A tired smile, but still one nonetheless. Her tails, three of them at least were straighter, neater, cleaner… The Absol began to run her claws through another tail and Luna felt the wind flutter through her pelt…

“I'm… going to get Griffin to give me a bath… somehow." Absol kept dragging her claws into a knot that was stuck near the end of her forth tail.

“It'll help, but right now… everyone is still asleep." Absol mentioned as Luna winced from the feeling of that one gnarled collection of fluff, some of her fur was pulled out from that! She felt her tails twitch “Try to be still"

“Why are you helping me?" Luna remarked while staring at the water. The Absol simply started with her fifth tail…

“Because you don't need to ask for it, I can see it in your face." She'd mention and smile warmly “You're terrified…" Luna tilted her head and was about to reply before the Absol continued “Terrified of being alone again. Terrified that this Trainer will abandon you, and you're terrified about that Growlithe too." The Absol mentioned and Luna felt her ears twitch and lower.

“It's not your bis…" The Absol huffed loudly and ran her claws through the Vulpix's tail before interrupting the Vulpix

“Really, you even act like a kit." She'd give a warm giggle and continue to cross her claws through her hair. “It reminds me of home really." The word home, made Luna tilt her head and remember the conversation they had back at Trevors…

“I tried to clean my hair there too."

“I remember" Absol mentioned “You almost had your hair in a bun too, not that it stayed that way… Anyways, you should try going into that Pokeball Griffin has sometimes… Shadow and Bandit were even able to chat for a bit."

“What?" Luna remembered back to the Pokeball the best she could, they were different from the usual ones. “That far away?" Absol nodded

“Marill was there too, they talked for a while in fact… Maybe we should try and get Griffin to look at his phone thing too." Luna thought to herself and the name fluttered into her mind along with some rough cursive voice that she had to shake out.

“A Pokenav… That's what it's called." Luna tilted her head “You… did have a trainer, right?" Absol shook her head no.

“I had a family… A human family." The Absol mentioned and swung her claws over Luna's wild and untamed tails… She really was hopeless when it came to her own hair… It really had a wild side of its own. “That was years ago. I jumped in the water to escape some trainers who were investigating natural disasters… They assumed it was me." Absol mentioned and continued to run her claw alongside that long, straightened and wiry layer of fluff. “They… took me in, a small home on an island. The father was kind, their child was wonderful… I actually used to do this to her with her hair." Luna looked behind her

“You… groomed a human?" She'd stared at the Absol firmly with her ember eyes “Why?" Absol sighed and gently curled her claws through Luna's hair.

“Because that young girl was the most kind-hearted soul I've ever met. Her parents ran a shipping line… but…" Luna stared at her intensely but the Absol shook her head. “Nevermind" She'd mention and start on Luna's last tail silently. In fact, the silence was slowly getting to that Vulpix and Luna tried to give Absol a friendly smile. The kind that said

It's okay… you can talk to me, open up to me… But Luna only looked at the older Absols tired eyes gently curl through her last gnarled tail… pulling out sticks and twigs as she watched and listened to the ocean. A small crunch made her head turn. Absol turned her head with her…

“You're awake… again." That regal soft voice, rough on the edges and firm… it made Luna flinch a little and the Absol simply smiled and nodded to Houndoom.

“Yes, we're both awake." That Houndoom's eyes studied Luna's as she nervously dropped an ear at him. He was larger than Bandit, now that she was really seeing him up close. “You seemed quite terrified earlier this morning." Luna felt herself swallow dryly, there was this unsettling dominance around Houndoom. The kind that made her want to hide herself.

“S – Shouldn't you be sleeping." Luna feebly asked and the Houndoom simply stared.

“You're curious… that and Melody is asleep still." Luna swallowed

“C – curious?" Luna stuttered out and tried to move, but Absol held a paw in front of her while fiddling with her last tail.

“When we met in Saffron… I thought that trainer of yours just up and traded you off. That and you were injured, horribly injured." Luna made a little face

“W – Well… G – Griffin helped me get better…" Luna stuttered out while staring at that large beast of a Pokémon. He'd give a little huff and the flames from his mouth licked over his nose.

“It appears so… I thought all that foolery at Maiden's Peak was for show. But here we are in Vermilion… even Absol is healed." Houndoom gave a little growl… “So tell me Luna… Why the fuck is my trainer still injured?" The Vulpix felt her heart stamper.

“I – Is she?" Luna felt herself shake and the Absol had just finished with her last tail before staring at Houndoom.

“Because the Dragonair only heals Pokémon." Absol mentioned and stared at Houndoom firmly. “She's nearly blind right?"

There was a tense and firm silence between them both and the Houndoom simply gave a huff and turned.

“It's none of your business Nameless." He'd mention, and she'd simply nod.

“Well you're pestering a friend of mine, she would not have the answers to all that." Absol mentioned and he flicked his tail.

“She does… Somewhere she does." The Houndoom mentioned “I can feel that…" He'd say and begin to walk from the beachside to the Pokémon Center. They were only a couple of blocks away from the water and Luna quivered and stared out at the ocean. Absol feigned a smile and put a paw on Luna's smaller head.

“Don't worry kit. I'm sure he's just concerned… love does that." Luna glanced at the Houndoom again as he walked patiently and regally down the road. “He seems to be the well-mannered type; however, I feel as though he feels… threatened with you around." Luna stared out at the water and observed the quiet curling waves.

“I'm nothing to be scared of though…" Luna mentioned and stared at that Houndoom in the early morning sun, the words slithered into her mind.

Is… love going to make me that cold hearted? It's like a stone replaced his heart… it feels that way.

• Thief.

There was a small sparkle of orange that carried over the faintest and tiniest memory of a rich sandy – gold beachside that was covered with all sorts of things. Like Sand-Dollars, Shells and small pebbles that got stuck in his toes.

He had the distinct memory of trying to chew between his claws to get rid of the most annoying ones… There were all sorts of Pokémon fluttering over the beachside and a tiny Growlithe stared into the ocean waters and watched the world flutter from the bright morning to the sun-setting night. Had he spent the whole night just glaring at the clouds?

Look at him

A voice slithered into the wind

What a freak, really, look at his eyes.

Another voice echoed through his memories.

He must be one of THOSE sons.

Voices of all sorts surrounded him.

Really!? they should have KILLED him!

Another… and he ran through the sandy beach that was filled with ghastly sounds of young voices.

They know of the legend right? Why would anyone take care of that THING?

He kept running, his mind empty…

He'll never have a home here.

His paws slipped over the hot golden sands and he'd hear nothing but the sounds of laughing

Why can't that cub just drown himself?

The Growlithe shoved his face into the sand, his paws hiding his eyes…

Eyes that looked like a rich orange pumpkin, mixed with oak brown. He'd remember the sudden crackle of fire over his pelt and tried to turn his eyes…

Was…

Just run away! You shouldn't be here!

He stared at a Vulpix. A large, broad shouldered Vulpix and his friends… other kinds of Vulpix's and Growlithes.

None of them had eyes like his own. They all just laughed at him

What a loser! He collects those flat disc things on the beach! He's like those Pokémon from the other islands! Collecting those trinkets from caves!

His paws touched the sands

Chase him!

His tears hit the water… Being drowned out by the sea.

Stop it…

He'd think to himself.

Please, I'm not that different

He'd run across the sand, the boiling sun crackled above him. His fur matted down across his muzzle.

Please…

That's when he'd run, aimlessly, undirected into a large Arcanine. He'd simply stare at the brown eyed beast with his orange eyes… His heart nearly stopping on a dime.

But this Arcanine sat around a dead campfire with a wonderfully golden and white furred Ninetales. He'd take a small step back as the other eyes peered at him from over a dune.

Oh, he's going to get it now!

A voice said and that made him choke on a sob.

That's him, that's the hero.

As though there were a collection of awe, a silent hush swallowed over the small Vulpix-Growlithe pack… they'd watch with eager and piercing eyes and that Arcanine looked at him…

It was a face he didn't understand, an expression he could never really put a paw on.

Go home, all of you… except for you little one

There was a collection of giggles and snickers… Thief did something horrible. He felt that in his heart, but that Arcanine simply drew a paw around him and dragged the young Growlithe into a little dug out pit… there was the smell, a glorious smell of a campfire from the smolder of drift-wood in the middle

You don't have anyone… right?

The Orange eyed Growlithe swallowed a little and tried to speak to him… but he couldn't find the words. That Ninetails moved…

And there was a Vulpix with a single snowy white tail sleeping around that now dead fire… in the warm and cozy sunlight. The Ninetails nodded and said a name, as though to introduce herself and her daughter…

But it was all white-washed, like a rich cloth being scrubbed clean… The last thing he remembered was water… and the warm happy face of an elderly human woman who let him into her home.

It was all gone in that instant, and Thief woke up in the Pokémon Center… his Capsule was open.

When did it open? Just now? Nobody was awake… In fact, he looked all over the Center and only saw Moonlight sleeping soundly on a cushioned chair nearby the window. A door slid open… and the orange-eyed Growlithe stared at a Houndoom… That was Melody's Pokémon. He'd simply stare for a moment, as though to study the room and overlook the orange and black striped Growlithe before walking over to Melody's side. His trainer was STILL sleeping in that upright position. Thief rested his head onto the tile… and stared out at the windows to the Pokémon Center… the front doors were just big windows after-all and the Growlithe perked his head up when he saw a flash of white fur in front of the doorway. The thin, short white fur… that was Absol? Thief made his way over to the Pokémon Center's front door before seeing…

they looked at each other through the window. Thief caught inside of the center and Luna was outside peering in… Their eyes met for a moment and the door opened automatically. He nervously swallowed, fiddling with his paws like crazy.

“Uhm" He made a sound and smiled “Hi" Luna tilted her head

“Hey…" She'd say and smile in return. “I didn't think you were up?" She'd mention and that Growlithe caught sight of her tails.

“Hey! You cleaned up your tails!" He'd flicker his own poufy one “It's like the sun makes them sparkle!" Absol walked by the Growlithe

“I'll leave you two be." She'd mention, and Luna stared at Thief…

“Hey… I've been meaning to ask you…" Thief stopped – he was partially turning around and the moment she asked or was going to ask him a question, he'd pop down on his tail nearly and tilt his head.

“Yeah?" Thief asked with his head nervously turned and a friendly smile.

“What happened to your collar?" Luna mentioned, and Thief's paw went for his neck

“Oh! That, Griffin puts it on me when he knows I'm going to run around out of his eyesight." Thief mentioned “This one time I spent an entire day looking at flowers and I lost everyone… that would have been Marill, Pikachu, Moonlight and Bandit!" He'd smile “So Griffin actually ran all over the place looking for me… Bandit found me in the end, she was SO mad!" The over ecstatic Growlithe hopped to his feet and made a pose “She came at me with this really scary battle pose and picked me up by the tail! And carried me all the way over to Griffin with me hanging upside down for the ENTIRE walk." Luna gave this nervous chuckle as her ear twitched…

It sounded a little too familiar. “Then, in the next city Griffin bought me a bell collar. I wear it all the time when we're exploring things but… I guess with everyone here he doesn't need to put it on me anymore." Thief commented. “It's in his backpack though, he has this outer zipper where he keeps his talking thingy?" Vulpix tilted her head with a smile

“It's a Cellphone" Thief tapped his paw against the ground softly

“Yeah! That thingy" He gave a cute bark and there was a little growl

“Will both of you shut up! Melody is sleeping." It made both flinch and stare at Houndoom, they exchanged nervous glances

“Sorry…" Luna and Thief said in unison. Thief gave her a little smile and went for Griffin's backpack

“I bet I can find it!" Thief said and took the zipper in his teeth Luna gave him a nervous chuckle

“W – Well you don't need to wear it…" Thief giggled and undid the zipper… but the bag was laying on it's back, so his cellphone popped out… Thief went for it right away. It was some smartphone that was connected to a charger. The charger had flopped out too making a gentle sound that made Griffin move for a moment.

“Oh, Oh! Watch this." Thief said and put his two paws together with the phone in the middle… he pushed the button to turn the screen on. Luna tilted her head

“What are you doing?" Thief gave a cute Shhhh and looked softly ran his paw past the phone

“It's always able to be opened like this too. There's all sorts of weird things in here, like look!" He clicked on a little app with his claw tenderly “There's even this funny gel thingy over the glass… but my claws can poke things." Luna tilted her head

“Maybe we shouldn't touch things we can't understand…" Thief tilted his head

“Well… this says 'contacts' and this says, 'phone log' and maybe this one is a weird word…" Thief mentioned and Luna stared at him

“Wait… you can read?" Thief smirked proudly

“Yes! There was this old lady who used to read books to me all the time!" Thief said, “I'd knock some of the books over and flip them open when she was too tired to read anymore." Luna furrowed her brow

“Old… lady?"

“Yeah, like the Glaceon." Luna felt her face go blank and then chortled a little

“Old…" She began a quiet fit of giggles and saw Yuny's ear twitch. Thief nodded

“Yeah, that's why I went to help her find berries!" She gave this look and then Thief clicked on the 'contacts' app on Griffins Phone. “Look at these." He showed her a bunch of alien text

“That's… I can't read that." Luna mentioned

“Well this one says Madre, and this one says Abuela, and this one says Abuelo." He'd mention and try to flick his claw… the screen responded well – scary well for a Pokémon. “Oh, Oh, this one says Primo, Trevor. Then there's Prima Alexis and a few other names." Thief giggled “I don't know what Primo or Prima means, but Griffin does say Mom as Madre sometimes. He speaks this other way of speaking sometimes… I don't get it. But he's switches so casually that it's hard to understand." Thief watched Luna and wondered why it seemed like her head was spinning

“Oh, and then there's this one, it says Hermano, Do Not Call." Thief giggled “I really want to push on this one." Luna swallowed

“Well... it says do not in the word… thing? How can you read?" Luna asked the question again and Thief's tail flickered

“From the old lady, she spent every afternoon reading to me and eventually I'd put my paw on the book at words… she'd tell me what they meant." Thief smiled warmly and swallowed before pushing the call button on the peculiar word Hermano… Griffin had woken up already.

“Thief?" He'd sluggishly say and then look at his phone… look at the number “Wait WHAT!?"

Needless to say that got someone up and Griffin took the phone from the ground

“Griffin…" Brad muttered, and he put the phone to his ear… Thief simply dropped his ears and his tail… There was a sound on the other end.

“We're sorry, but the number you have reached is not in service, please try again later." Thief felt his ear twitch and watched Griffin swallow a little… He'd click a button on the phone and sit up on the couch.

“Griffin… I swear to god… if it's between five and ten in the morning… I'm going to kick your ass…" Brad muttered, still half asleep. Griffin held the phone to his ear after checking the number

“We're sorry, but the number you have reached is not in service, please try again later…" Griffin redialed the number and got from the couch… as he did Thief pulled out his little bell collar and followed Griffin…

Again, the same thing stung in the air. There was a loud beep.

“Hey Logan, it's Griffin. I guess Thief ended up playing with my phone…" Griffin nervously swallowed “Uh… Madre called me, just… I guess. Never mind, I'll try to get to Hoenn as soon as we get closer. Sorry about that… It's not like you to keep your phone off or even be out of service… I should try your Pokenav…" Griffin went back to his bag…

Both Luna and Thief stared at him pull the Pokenav from his Backpack and carefully flip through the contacts… Logan's number was there, just as an unknown caller. He never entered it in… well more accurately, Griffin always removed the contact whenever Logan added it to the Pokenav. He clicked on the name and went to call Logan.

“I guess Hermano means Brother…" Thief commented to Luna “Griffin really doesn't like him very much… I've only seen Logan on a video chat thingy, like that over there." Luna looked at the computer phone across the way. “Logan trained Bandit and Shadow."

Luna stared at Thief

“I think you mentioned that before… Logan must be scary." The Vulpix mentioned “I keep hearing his name passed around, but I haven't really seen him myself."

“Trevor says Logan is almost like him. I've met Trevor once before, he's a lot like Griffin too. They both love to cook." Thief said, it looked like he was thinking about food.

What is the way he's talking though… I wish I could ask Griffin… I want to understand that too! They have books I bet! Thief smiled and felt it fade.

“We're sorry, but the trainer and the number associated is not connected now. Please refer to his Professor, if not, please refer to the authorities in case of an emergency. Thank you." Griffin tried the Pokenav again… and after receiving that message one more time he immediately went to the video phone and called up his Professor.

Thief and Luna just stared at him as he'd shockingly type in the numbers.

“What's wrong?" Luna asked, and Thief stared at the screen and the numbers pop up. He'd tilt his head…

“Those numbers look familiar… I can't really remember though." Thief felt his tail drop like a rock against the tile, the video screen fiddled on and a yawn came in through the receiver.

“Griffin?" The black-haired man mentioned… or at least his hair was black at one point… now it was this salt and pepper mix, well-groomed and he seemed to keep himself groomed with age. Luna stared at the man… The man in the wheelchair. “If you're calling about Blaziken and Lycanroc, they got here safely."

“Wait… they're with you? What about Trevor?" Griffin asked “I – In fact I just… well Thief got my phone and called Logan somehow… I can't reach him, not even with a Pokenav." Ayumu gave a little yawn.

“Yeah… they mentioned something about Littleroot – it's nothing to worry about."

“Well I am worrying." Griffin replied and hear a groan from the couch “Look, Logan promised me that he'd never turn his Pokenav off, no matter what." Griffin mentioned “Is he alright?"

“You sound awfully concerned Fletching. Last I checked he was…" Ayumu stared at the screen and yawned a little, covering his mouth with his hand. “At Rustboro." Ayumu mentioned calmly, firmly… it made Moonlights ears twitch and he turned to the Video Phone… “Oh, Moonlight is in the background."

“Yes… he's fine, after I checked all my Pokémon out for the center… he needs to rest his shoulder a little bit though." Griffin mentioned and Ayumu nodded

“I understand… but no, your brother is in Rustboro City just making his way to LittleRoot. He might see the gym at Oldale just to say hi. It all depends… that said." Ayumu mentioned “Have you met Joseph yet?" Griffin swallowed

“Joseph?" He'd flinch a little

“Yes, I got a call from the Pokémon League, thanks to Logan's newest design for his Pokeballs they're offering the trial trainer that certificate grant… A Tri-Research Grant. They called me last night actually, I already mentioned you were in Vermilion but just at the center."

Griffin felt his blood run cold for a moment and he sneezed.

“R – Really?" He'd take a second “A certificate grant? That's… interesting?"

“Yes, Yes! It means you can have Twelve Pokémon, I'm certain Joseph Ward can go over it."

“Joseph Ward?" Griffin thought to himself… “That name is… familiar."

“Well of course, he comes from a grand family of Pokémon Bio-Medical researchers. He owns most of the medical companies that run supplies to the centers. Sorry, more like the major ones. He's a lead technician, you must've seen his name somewhere in the news."

“Really… Twelve?" Griffin swallowed “Whatever, it doesn't matter… How can I get a hold of Logan?"

“I was under the distinct impression that you didn't want to talk to him?" Griffin gave a sigh

“I am… just." Ayumu gave a friendly chuckle

“I know… November. I'll make sure Logan hears it. He should be able to give you a call soon." Ayumu mentioned and gave a wave at the camera, Moonlight looked at him. “Be good Moonlight and rest your shoulder up. I believe in you." He'd say with a smile “Until the next time Griffin, be sure to give me a video call…" He was about to turn off the video “Oh… yes. Blaziken."

“What about her?" Nurse Joy perked her head up for a moment.

“Wherever, or whatever happened to her… luckily her leg had just recently set… that said… I'm going to have to use anesthetics and… well. I need to re set the leg, meaning I need to carefully refracture it if she has a chance at walking properly again." Nurse Joy had nearly stepped over the counter

“I'm sorry, I just overheard your conversation. That takes a surgical team to do." The woman butted Griffin out of the way. “An injury that severe requires a proper Pokémon Doctor present, you should send that Blaziken back here, I can make a transfer to a proper, more intensive, hospital." Ayumu nodded

“I am a certified Pokémon Doctor, Akiyama Ayumu, Miss Joy." She gave him a firm look.

“I don't care if you're even remotely famous or not, get that Blaziken sent back here, or I'll have the authorities deal with this situation." Ayumu nodded

“Very well Ma'am, please set up the transfer and take good care of her… However. I am requesting for you to take Lycanroc too, they both know one another it seems. I believe they may have been subjected to trauma over the past few years. That boy you just pushed out of the way saved them from an abusive and violent trainer." Nurse Joy looked at Griffin.

“Did you report THAT to the authorities?" Griffin swallowed and stuttered

“W – Well I don't have a description… they wore a hoodie, I never saw their face…" He held his hands up defensively “I only saw them this one recent time, then I got here as soon as I could." Nurse Joy sighed…

“I'm calling Officer Jenny for her to take your statement on the matter… that and I need to speak with you anyways. As a precaution I'll be fully scanning all your Pokémon."

“Wait, What!?" Griffin froze in fear when see the look on her face.

“I had to scan your Vulpix last night, she woke up terrified." Griffin gave her a look

“Is she okay? What happened?" Nurse Joy sighed a little

“Other than attacking Audino… Thanks to your Espeon, the staff here is alright." Nurse Joy's very rare and very firm voice was gone and returned to that soft, kind tone. “So please let me scan all of them while you wait for Officer Jenny, I'll be calling her immediately. After that, Ayumu should have Lycanroc and Blaziken sent over. I understand that he is indeed a doctor and has a team, but this still needs to be properly reported first." Griffin swallowed

“S – So I'm basically a suspect?"

“Of course, you're their current trainer." Griffin gave a nervous sigh and fiddled his thumbs a little before running his hand through his hair. Nurse Joy stared at him “Your Vulpix… is perfectly fine. Under-groomed and the way Audino acted I'd say she has troubles to get past too. All her scans came back fine. No problems… I did notice a very, very high special attack and special defense stat." Nurse Joy gave a chuckle “In fact, compared to the rest of her stats, it's like she has only been trained in those two. She must have some very powerful fire moves indeed." Nurse Joy nodded “Now… come with me and return all of your Pokémon to their Pokeballs please." Griffin swallowed

“Wait… My Vulpix doesn't like it – the Pokeballs I mean. I can't return her." Nurse Joy nodded and gave him a smile

“Like I said, I've already scanned her, but I'll be doing an in-depth scan of your entire team." Nurse Joy explained again but in this tired voice. Griffin nervously and shyly nodded.

“R – Right… I guess you normally scan them for damages before healing them… I guess something more intense requires a longer scan?" Nurse Joy nodded.

“A few hours actually, you're Vulpix went through a normal intensive care scan. But this is a full scan, including blood testing." Nurse Joy nodded. “I'll have to call the rest of the staff, you're Pokeballs please." Griffin gave a nod and looked at Moonlight…

Thief stared at him.

“I don't really know what's going on, but I think we're in trouble…" Thief mentioned, and Moonlight hopped off of the chair and walked over to Griffin, he'd turn at Absol and she made her way from the floor and walked over too. They both, quite obediently touched their noses to the button on their Pokeballs and returned themselves simultaneously. Nurse Joy noticed that… Thief swallowed a little and Luna gave him a nudge.

“I'll be right here… if it's anything like last night." Moonlight mentioned before returning himself. Thief turned to see Luna

“What happened last night?" He expressed the same things he thought “Are you okay? Are you sure you're okay?" He firmly looked at her and Luna felt her ears twitch and drop a little… her face glowing red.

“Y – You're really concerned…" Thief's fur rustled, and he swallowed before smiling

“You're my friend!" He nodded “We're friends! Of course, I'm worried… I'm worried about everyone…" Those pumpkin orange eyes stared at her… Luna only stared at them closely. Her face red, her paws twitching nervously. As she glanced his way and they exchanged looks, Thief held up that little bell collar – the one he put on the ground the moment all this started and pushed it against Griffin's thigh. He turned and looked at the Growlithe… Griffin swore that the little puppy Pokemon gave him this big smile.

“Oh" He chuckled and went on a knee. “I nearly forgot about this… you want to wear it? I'm not going far, I should be here waiting for you all." Griffin mentioned and took the small collar while giving him a gentle pet along the top of his fluff. That big poofy ball of curly tight hair on his scalp. The Growlithe let out a playful sound and Griffin gave him a huge smirk before tying the collar around the Growlithes neck. “I think you've grown a bit! This Collar can't go as snugly as it used to… at least two notches now!" Griffin mentioned with a happy grin and Thief tilted his head at him… Griffin put both of his open hands under the Growlithe's chin.

“I'll be right here with Vulpix, okay?" That adorable little nod made Luna stare at Thief… It's like she was silently scolding herself for what she was thinking.

Then I'll be waiting right here for you both! That's our promise! Thief thought to himself and nodded at Luna… as Griffin gently returned his Growlithe, and she'd stare at the enveloping light that surrounded him and returned him to his capsule.

• Luna.

There was that final spectacle of flickering lights which surrounded the Growlithe and Luna took half a step forward. Her tails quivered in the cold foyer of crisp white tiles, empty clean walls and bright cheery windows. The clouds rolled past the glass and she only studied Thief's warm smile… a smile that she didn't want to have go away so soon.

Why…

She bit her tongue trying to stop the thoughts.

Why does my heart race that much around him?

Luna tried to shake her head and looked up at this near frightening shadow… it's as though that quirky little Growlithe was her flame in a cavern, and Griffin simply unclipped his Pokemon Belt and handed it to Nurse Joy. She'd give this friendly nod and brought every single Pokeball to the back.

“Please wait here for Officer Jenny, I'll be calling her now…" Nurse Joy stopped for a second and looked at her.

She stared at the Vulpix… as though debating something.

“Actually… Griffin, may I re-scan her?" Luna felt her heart quiver and Griffin seemed to hold up his hands

“I… Guess so, I mean if she was doing that bad last night… double checking won't hurt right?" Nurse Joy nodded, and Griffin let a hand out to her… She felt her eyes go wide but didn't move.

Luna couldn't move while staring at Thief's capsule. Nurse Joy nodded and gave him a smile “And we won't need to return her, I'm really just checking one thing."

“One thing?" Griffin said with a dry swallow.

“Yes. It'll take a little while to get the full results. However, she seems attached to your team, maybe that's why she didn't keep attacking earlier this morning. So, I think it's for the best." Nurse Joy nodded and gave him this look.

“H – Hey… I get you're suspicious. This is all crazy… even for me, but I wouldn't hurt them at all. Ever." Griffin mentioned. “I couldn't bring myself to do that, and if my statement for Officer Jenny can help her start or build on a case, then I'll give her as much as I can." Griffin expressed, and Luna looked at him curiously…

He… sounds so determined and sure of himself. He's either a very, very good liar… “And I'll never put them into a situation so dangerous that it hurts them unless I can't entirely control it. But that can happen to any trainer." Nurse Joy nodded, and Luna watched her Chancey from behind the front desk… it's as though a tendril held Chancey in place and instead that Audino stepped out… Griffin looked at the Pokemon curiously.

“W – Wait… Aren't those only around Unova?" Nurse Joy made a hm? Sound.

“Oh yes, one of my cousins sent me her Audino. She had some trip planned and unfortunately couldn't take her… She's exceptional with Pokemon." Luna swallowed at first and held her head low… apologetically. Griffin lowered onto his knee again.

“It looks like I'll be waiting out here for Thief and everyone else. Maybe you'll see him in there." She felt her heart flicker… Luna gave Griffin a little stare right before the Audino gently picked her up… the Chancey took the cart from beside the desk, the one with a box that had six slots for Pokemon… Nurse Joy unclipped the Pokeballs from his belt and placed them gently in the box. She even put Luna's empty Pokeball there…

They were all striped black and red vertically, with a white dividing line through the middle that covered the diameter of the ball. She shook her head a little… and asked the Chancey to push all of it to the back room before calling a number on her desk phone. Luna looked back at Griffin and realized right away that he

looked absolutely terrified, as though he was about to lose everything.

Sitting on the cart was definitely a different feeling. The smooth wheels rolled against the floor that was naturally smooth as marble in the back room. She was going past the collection of intensive care Pokemon again and she stared at the room from the hallway… There was those dim collection of lights again… as though to express a status for every Pokemon under the scanners monitor. There must've been at least twenty of them in that one room alone. As she shivered and stared at the Foyer behind her, at Griffin who watched the cart roll down the hallway, the Audino rolled out a tendril at her and brushed it against her hair. Luna flicked her head back at her, firstly in this expression rebellious way… before giving that guilty look…

“Sorry… for last night. Or I guess this morning." The Audino simply made this calm and wonderful hum at her and Luna relaxed her shoulders a little and sat obediently on the cart while watching that little intensive care ward roll by her. They were going to a back room again with a small collection of larger scanners – she was in here that morning… But this time Audino picked her up and put her on this small bed… before getting a Pokeball out.

With Griffins Pokeballs out of order, she had no clue who it was. After a while she heard footsteps and watched Nurse Joy come into the room… She gave Luna a smile and checked over the Pokeball that Audino set up.

“Well done! My cousin trained you well." Nurse Joy gave the Audino a warm, gracious pet along her head and the Audino chirped in reply. The first one out of their Pokeball…

Was…

Bandit.

The large Mightyena, upwards of Nurse Joy's hip stood on the scanner and looked around before meeting her eyes with Luna's.

“What did Griffin do now?" The Vulpix shrugged a little

“It's hard to explain… but Joy wants to do some scan." She watched Bandits fur coil… It was the weirdest thing Luna saw in her life.

She's… suddenly terrified. Luna made a little noise and Nurse Joy looked at the Vulpix.

“It's okay, I'm just going to get things set up for you." Luna tilted her head and stared at Bandit.

“What does she mean Bandit?" The Mightyena felt her stilted fur drop – Luna saw that.

“She's preforming a blood test probably… It means she's going to take a small needle and take some blood from you. She'll probably do that with all of us." Bandit mentioned. “The last time I was in something like this…" She shook her head and gave that now terrified Vulpix a stoic nod. “It'll be fine, it hardly even hurts – in fact, it doesn't." Luna gave a swallow in return.

Maybe for you… what's a needle anyways? I don't think I've seen one… They never did that with my fractured ribs… They just put me in a machine that made sounds and brought back pictures. Luna felt herself gulp and stared at the Nurse whom was standing at the back of the room. The Audino let out a tendril and brushed against Luna's hair again. This time she stood solid, barely reacting to it. Bandit gave her infamous cackle, but it was quieter here.

“Feel lucky they aren't pulling out shards of a bullet." Luna tilted her head…

“What is a bullet?" The Vulpix asked and Bandit rolled her shoulders a little.

“Humans can't breathe fire… or lightning or any sort of weird moves. I've only seen one before it was shot… it's like a brass casing with a stone in it. And they put a bullet inside of a firearm… or a gun I guess you could call it. And they shoot it – the gun looks like it spits fire and makes this deafening crack. That's terrifying, it nearly killed me in a single blow." Luna stared at the Mightyena…

“Humans have those?" Luna asked and started to quake

“At one point they used them to kill each other and Pokemon… but that was years ago. Before I was even born. Logan was more of a science and medical nut, not a historian." Luna nodded, half understanding the Mightyena while her platform whirred quietly, and a light skimmed over her feet. Like a green darting line which spanned across the scanner – it crossed underneath Bandit silently. Luna shook her head a little bit…

“Why… did that happen to you?" Bandit grinned

“I have plenty of stories, believe it or not, I'm proud of that one." Luna's ember eyes glimmered a little.

“Proud?" Bandit cackled from Luna's reply

“Yes, I saved Logan's life after all." She mentioned “Team Aqua, there was this member back in the day. He was upset and so driven by his criminal group that he shot at Logan. At that time, he was about… Eleven." Luna felt the shock run through her

“What? Why? If it…"

“The bullet that humans make can kill humans and Pokemon… Some of them are small, others are large…" Bandit mentioned “I didn't think, I just moved…" Bandit mentioned and gave this sharp toothed grin “But that's a story for another day." Bandit nodded “Usually, now, you can't find guns… Logan comments about how some countries oversea's have too many of them… He says that the police forces should be trusted a little more and punished much more harshly when they do bad things." Bandit gave a cackle “But that's some big argument that he says wastes his time."

Luna gave a nod and rested her head against the platform… those beams went over Bandits paws this time… it's as though the laser was slowly climbing upwards – like a scanner making a copy of something.

“How do you know Griffin?" Bandit nodded.

“He's always been this big loser" Luna shook her head at the Mightyena's reply.

“That's not what I asked…" She mentioned, and Bandit went back to her neutral stern face.

“When I met Griffin… It was a few years before he went on his own adventure… Logan was almost about to start the Pokemon League in Hoenn… Become the champion and disappeared into his studies. He rarely accepts challenges, in fact the original champion fights in his place." Bandit nodded “But people want to challenge him anyways. They want to challenge me." Luna rolled her eyes a bit and it made Bandit narrow her own eyes.

“What?"

“I want you to describe the first time you met Griffin, how was he like? What was he like?" Bandit sighed

“As weak as ever. I was a stray left stranded from my pack… so I walked all around before reaching this town of Little-root. I never went on the trail, ever. Griffin had to walk all the way from home to school in the next city over. He'd have to leave early in the morning to get to class on time." Bandit mentioned and continued “I… met Griffin many times, well… saw him. He wore this stupid hat at the time, he never wears it now… In fact, I never saw him take it with him when he left." Bandit watched the laser scan halfway along her paws now. “Well… those humans, the children from his school never liked him… they'd pick on him relentlessly, but he always did these stupid things."

“Like what?" Luna asked, and Bandit gave her this peculiar look.

“Like… well he never really had any wild Pokemon look at him. They avoided him like the plague. Like he was diseased, and the children from that city did too. But even than I saw him pick berries from the side of the road and feed those that did come near him… or at least offer them. He'd do the same thing at school with his lunches, ever since everything happened to them both." Luna was going to ask what, but Bandit hushed her with this sigh “it's… I should stop." Luna shook her head

“B – but I…"

“I don't give a shit Luna."

Was… that a crack in her voice? Luna looked at the Mightyena and lowered her head away from Bandit… and that Mightyena passed a silent growl. “I don't get why I even talk to any of you this much… it's like this sappy crap is getting to me. Life is life, it's unfair, unjust, and I got angry when I saw some kids pushing him around. That's it, that's all it was. He just… offered me a home ever since." Bandit said. “they even named me Bandit because everyone in the town thought that's all I was, a Bandit… and now this pointless League calls me a Daisho. Like I told you I'm just some cruel and unjust weapon to people." Bandit growled now and the Chancey made her sound and the Mightyena gave a huff… The scan was running through her side… Luna watched that scanner run through it repeatedly before proceeding onward. It made Nurse Joy whisper something before prepping everything she needed for the blood tests. Bandit stared at Luna with these firm eyes that made her swallow… “As soon as we can, I'm training you all over again… and…" Luna gave her a look. “Don't ask me about Griffin again, I don't need his weakness rubbing off on me runt."

The Vulpix stared in silence as the laser ran through another collection of scans around her chest before continuing past Bandits skull and completing itself. The device dinged, and Nurse Joy came out with a needle and a vial… Bandit didn't make eye contact with the kind-smiling Nurse as she'd prep a spot on her arm. Bandit stared at that needle firmly however… and Luna stared at the look in her eyes.

Is she worried that there's something in it? Luna felt it shiver into her thoughts before… The Pokemon League were arguing for me to be euthanized after that match. echoed into her mind Luna saw Nurse Joy calmly rest her hand against the Mightyena's back and slowly prep her injection site before putting the needle in… and Luna felt her eyes flicker wide…

Bandits blood filled into a small vial, Luna already felt queasy from staring at the dark-red brownish liquid. It was this sickly color, but it was that healthy rich site of blood for sure. Only two vials of blood were taken from the Mightyena and after that Nurse Joy smiled, thanked Bandit with this curious look and then returned Bandit to her Pokeball before labeling both vials and calling to the Audino who gently caressed Luna before picking her up…

It was her turn already? She couldn't handle it as it was, and Luna flinched… but Audino put a tendril on Luna's chest… Chancey also made a little hum and Nurse Joy nodded.

“See, it's okay. It doesn't hurt at all." Nurse Joy said in this calmly wonderful voice. It was this naturally soothing tone that left Luna's tails to still, drop… and gently flicker – as though her own tails were bent on betraying her. “I'll be as gentle as I can, the sooner we get this done, the sooner you'll go back to your trainer." Nurse Joy mentioned as Audino brought her to the scanner and Nurse Joy gently took hold of Luna's paw. She retracted it right away. “I promise, everything will be alright" She'd say and gently hold Luna's paw, hardly moving her hands.

Luna took a moment to breathe while her heart stilled, and she felt Nurse Joy rub this rather slick and cooling liquid over her paw. Just in one tiny spot too. Then Audino stroked her hair again, as though she were trying to help Luna curl it… and the Vulpix shut her eyes when the surge of adrenaline ran through her from one tiny prick of the needle. Her entire fur stood high and she kept her eyes shut…

It does hurt… a little bit… It's like a small talon cutting into my skin Luna felt herself quake but in moments that feeling was gone. Instead there was that cold, soothing feeling on her paw and the remnants of a tiny prick, Luna slowly opened her eyes as Nurse Joy gently replaced the full small vial with a second one – the same way she did with Bandit. In moments the other vial was full too and Nurse Joy removed the needle from the shivering Vulpix.

“It's alright, I don't like them either, but I still need to do this. Human doctors do this to everyone if they can. It can keep us healthy." Nurse Joy mentioned and labeled the two vials before nodding to Audino. The Audino made a little chirp and carried Luna out of the room. As she was being carried away from Griffin's team her eyes skipped towards the intensive care unit again… and she'd notice a pair of eyes look at her as she passed by.

Was…

She saw it for a moment before she already crossed past the room while being carried by Audino.

That was a Vulpix… Luna looked behind her, at the room with some funny human writing, she bet Thief could read it. In fact, her entire mind thought about that Growlithe He's… full of all sorts of surprises. She looked at the foyer and noticed Griffin sitting in the waiting room, but her eyes caught a shadow from the guest rooms. The entirely full guest rooms, something had glanced out of the room at Griffin for a moment and Luna felt her tails still again. In fact, she only saw a piece of a jacket and only for a split second…

That's a weird fabric… it looks like leather. Griffin stood up the moment he saw her.

“Vulpix" He quietly said and cautiously walked up to Luna and held out his arms… The hairs from her fur still clung to his jacket and he gave this happy, friendly and warm grin. Audino gently passed Luna over to him as the doors to the Pokemon Center opened.

Brad, Natasha and Melody were still asleep, and Griffin stared at a uniformed police officer, no different then the one he saw in Cerulean City. Before she gave him a glance, she was about to speak but he gave her this look.

“Can we talk out front?" He asked quietly while holding Luna to his chest. Officer Jenny gave him a look and nodded after looking around the room… so he followed her outside, past the sidewalk and towards her Squad Car. As he walked over, Griffin saw this peculiar officer with her. They both exchanged glances… Luna stared at him too. There was something about him…

That man was at Maiden's Peak. Griffin hugged her close to him and he swallowed while standing beside a police cruiser. It was different this time.

“Nurse Joy filled me in with some of what happened. You're Griffin Fletching, right?" Officer Jenny asked, and Griffin gave this terrified nod. She had a Growlithe with her… but for a second, he glanced at the other police officer. The man who stood next to her with it …

It's fur was curled and a bright sharp yellow. As though spiked diligently along it's six sparky tails…

it's hair was this wild but pricked – pointed and curled mix of near white and sunshine-bright gold as it curled into a bun. Its ears were pointed deviously, reminding Luna of a Jolteon but the chest had a ring of black fur etched around like some necklace. Black, White and Gold Yellow.

She was staring at a foreign Vulpix. One that she had never seen before… even Griffin was stunned – silent and swallowed. He went for a half second, for his Pokedex… the one in his pocket but that Vulpix replied with a snarl that made him flinch.

“Taser, heel." The man mentioned, and Griffin stared at him

“T -T – That's a Vulpix" The police officer nodded. He had brown-reddish hair, he was built and frankly that groomed beard made Griffin think he was some sort of Lumberjack of a man. He stood six feet or taller.

“Yes, I can tell you more after." He said with a smile. “I'm part of the international trainer's event. I come from the City Toruki in Canada." Officer Jenny gave a nod

“Officer Jean…" He chuckled

“It's French, like Shwaun,, Jean" He mentioned with a smile and Jenny nodded apologetically.

“He's one of the many international officers whom assist with the festivities, this event only comes around every couple of years." Officer Jenny mentioned “It's a wonderful way for us to learn about Pokemon and other cultures but barring from that Nurse Joy told me that a man, or an abusive trainer attacked you with hurt Pokemon?"

“Y – yes… Saturday. I don't know what really happened. I went for a walk early that morning away from the camp… I was so absent minded that I forgot my Pokemon back there." The Pokemon Center opened, and a fellow walked out of the center. Luna turned to look

Hey… That's the jacket I saw She swallowed a little… That man was larger and taller the Officer Jean. Griffin didn't seem to notice.

“I never saw that trainer face, but he had a lot of Pokemon – he had twelve Pokeballs on him… I remember that…" Officer Jenny gave Griffin a look

“He had Twelve Pokeballs on him?" Griffin nodded and looked at them both… Luna stared at Taser.

“Y – Yes… I could… well…" Griffin swallowed and nervously stared at them both before sighing and holding Luna tight. “I panicked… The trainer had a Lycanroc with him… it protected me."

What is he talking about? Her mind flickered back to that battlefield… It was… all that?

“A – Along with my Espeon who must've followed me, I just went on a short walk and I guess I lost track of time." Griffin nodded “Eventually this trainer tried to return his Lycanroc but… I…"

“Well Griffin?" Officer Jean said “Look, you seem like a responsible kid, a smart one too. Everything you tell us can help us out." Griffin nodded.

“I… threw one of my empty Pokeballs and I was able to capture the other trainers Lycanroc… I stole…" Griffin hugged Luna again. “I just panicked, I couldn't… you could see it. It was the same thing with his Blaziken… and then there was his Arcanine."

Officer Jenny was writing all this down.

“did he say anything?" Jenny asked, and Griffin thought back… Unaware of a man behind a building nearby in the early sunlight.

“I guess it's simply a fate found in hell." Griffin said. “In fact, he said that before he attacked me… another trainer said that to me as well, before I went to Maiden's Peak." Officer Jean and Jenny gave Griffin a look.

“And a description." Griffin made this swallow

“He… wore a hoodie. Like a weird hoodie – something you couldn't buy in stores… it almost looked handmade. He also had a mask on"

Griffin lied. His heart leapt out of his chest as he did. Luna felt his heart rate pick up. “It was like some… Something for paintballing. I wouldn't know I've don't even think we have that down here. He was really good at hiding it." Griffin mentioned nervously. “That… and well he spray-painted one of his Pokemon."

Jean gave Griffin this look.

“This trainer spray painted a Pokemon? Which Pokemon?"

“The Arcanine." Griffin mentioned “He spray painted it entirely black." Officer Jean and Jenny exchanged glances for a moment. “I mean… after that everyone else got involved too… First Brad did, with his Lucario, then Melody did with her Houndoom and then Natasha came in after all of it was done and it…"

“What happened next?" Griffin froze a little

“There was a Pokemon my Pokedex couldn't identify… In fact, it came back with error codes when I tried to." There was that exchange of glances again as Officer Jenny kept writing down in her notepad. “It made a weird sound… Like a shhhh sound. Uhm… Shira." Luna stared up at him

He's not making much sense

But the two police officers exchanged their glances again and nodded. Officer Jean quietly asked something

“Cheshira right?" Griffin nodded

“Yes, it was this weird ditto thing maybe? It changed shape…" Jenny and Jean both gave a little nod and Jenny closed her notepad.

“Are you in town long?" Jenny asked

“I'm here to challenge the Vermilion gym and get my forth Kanto badge." Griffin said “D – Do I need to come down to the station with you both? I mean if I do I should probably tell my friends, so they don't worry." Officer Jenny gave a friendly smile in return

“No need for now, thank you for your time Griffin. If anything like this happens again, give us a call okay. Has anything else like this happened before or after this?" Griffin shook his head no, even though there was the trainer before he got to Maidens Peak… and the body…

“I – I guess there was the body at Maidens Peak…" Officer Jean nodded when he heard that, it was a somber, humble nod.

“I saw you at the restaurant there, I was on my way to Vermilion… I thought you just got into town." Griffin shook his head no.

“We all went to bed early, we were leaving that day when the lights outside woke us up…" Griffin hugged Luna and she glanced up at him before giving that Vulpix a look.

That Electric Type Vulpix. At first glance, if it weren't for the tails, the black curving and spiky layer of fur on it's chest and the pure gold-yellow fur on it's back… someone could have mistaken it for a Jolteon easily. Taser simply gave her this look. “I… Is…"

“We're not authorized to say that." Officer Jenny mentioned as if knowing what he was going to ask “It's part of an ongoing investigation, similar things have been happening all around Kanto and Johto recently… even around parts of Hoenn and Sinnoh. It's getting to the point that we're making a public announcement soon." Jenny nodded, and Griffin swallowed.

“He… told us that he saw Pokemon as tools, he didn't care if they died or not in his care… worst of all…"

“What?" Officer Jean asked, sounding sympathetic.

“It... was a young teenager, younger than me. Maybe thirteen or fourteen." Griffin gave a little sigh “I'm sorry but that's all I have. I'm not… going to get in trouble for stealing Lycanroc and Blaziken… am I?" Griffin swallowed nervously “I – I mean all of my Pokemon would be taken away… I can't handle that."

Is… he crying? Or trying not to cry? Luna looked at up Griffin and then at Officer Jenny and Jean.

“Given the circumstances Griffin, we'll need to investigate things more. That said we'll keep a close eye on you but given the events and similar reports at this time we won't take them away. Not only that, but Nurse Joy mentioned many good things about you at the center… Just be sure you're telling us the whole truth, we can help." Griffin nodded

“Of course" He said with a nod “I just hope I don't." He gave Jean's Vulpix a little look and the Officer gave a happy-ish sigh

“Yes you can scan him." He slowly took out his Pokedex as Taser stared at Griffin's hands intensely, that Vulpix was trained… it's as though the slightest detail caught his eye. Griffin took out the Pokedex and scanned it.

“Vulpix. This Regional type has the nickname Insupaia, for its ability of extremely quick thinking. It's said that the Insupaia Vulpix are capable at moving at speeds fast enough to dodge lightning when fully charged, and their six tails fan out to collect energy during thunderous storms. During this time, they emit an enormous static discharge which can stop even the most powerful of opponents. These Pokemon are prevalent in rainy, mountainous regions known for colder weather and lightning storms." It was Logan's voice on the Pokedex... “Alongside my research, it's said that they're only found in Canadian regions around the coastlines near the Pacific Ocean, leaving many regions without power during large storms due to their ability with collecting high volumes of currents with their tails." Griffin tried to tap the screen to stop it “Barring that, these Pokemon are not trained by trainers, unlike every other region and most countries, the only individuals permitted to train Pokemon in that country are law enforcement and military personal. Most are kept as pets if allowed the right licenses." Officer Jean gave a chuckle

“Quite the Pokedex you have…"

“There… aren't trainers down there?" Griffin mentioned, and Jean shook his head no.

“It's considered as cruelty. We… are worried about our fragile ecosystems and have a lot of invasive species. Like Eevee's." Griffin gave Jean a look

“What?" He'd state

“Yes, Eevee's are not a natural species in Canada, they're an invasive one, but they thrive extremely well down there… it's almost impossible to relocate that amount of them. We have no gyms, or trainers like down here and in the states and other countries, in fact we only use our Pokemon to subdue criminals and assist in search and rescue." Jean nodded “The Column Region was where I found Taser." Officer Jean nodded

“Although in recent years it's being pushed in congress. Being allowed to open gyms and train Pokemon in Canada, right Jean?" Jenny asked, and Jean nodded in reply

“I don't really know how it'll go… it's a grey area for us." The Officer said and gave a short whistle “Thank you for the help Griffin, we'll be speaking with Nurse Joy now." Griffin nodded as they both walked into the Pokemon center… and he turned to a building when he felt a small shiver run through his back…

It felt like someone was watching him… but he turned to the center and walked in for the time being… Luna stared at him too, and then glanced at Taser again…

His tails flickered and sparked whenever he wiggled them at all. He seemed like a peculiar kind of inspiration…

• Shadow

By Midday they all had already made it towards a clearing in the large mountainside. The rocks were etched with ancient boulders that stood against the chilly wind of the sea, as though to shield the forest from the frost and wet cold. There was a little sneeze that touched the wind and the sleek Mightyena looked at the Charmander that Rebecca was carrying close to her chest. His flame flickered away from her and she naturally bundled him up close.

He wasn't sneezing that much back home Shadow felt as though they were slowly getting more frequent and stared at a Pokeball…

Logan had four normal ones and two of the special ones he made with his newer Professor helping him out. Shadow studied the ball closely…

At least… sometimes… I get to talk to her. He thought and glanced at Logans thin belt. It was a simple utility belt with a small bag attached – Logan always kept emergency things in there, like potions and antidotes, just in case. Shadow studied the Pokeballs intensely… She had to be pulled out not too long ago for something… A battle maybe? Again? That soon? Shadow gave a little sigh and stared at the second Pokeball.

Marill's Pokeball. Before he could get lost in his thoughts again, there was a sneeze and Shadow glanced at the Charmander, it simply searched around with this happy and friendly gaze. Shadow tagged along with a longer sigh and dug into the earth… I just couldn't ask her. Shadow thought to himself. I…

He'd swallow a little bit and keep walking with a pit in his stomach. It wasn't from hunger. Can we just stop these adventures? Shadow worryingly trailed behind everyone… and stared up at the plumes of gentle rolling clouds in the sunshine. Can't… Shadow stared at the rolling soft yarn and the cheery blue air with his fluttering eyes.

Can't I just tell her that I want to start a family?

Shadow continued down the trail She's wonderful in every way… But I don't… I can't. He'd watch the clouds roll by on their quiet gander through a tender, windy forest. The trees were gaunt here, thin and young… hardly any nutrients from the mountainside. They hugged around the base of it. It took me… years before I could just say it. Shadow bit his tongue nervously Can't… where can I find the strength to tell her that? His shock puttered out, the electric buzz through his fur and the silent, unfeeling eyes just pictured her repeatedly. I'm…

Shadow continued to walk down the path with his heart pounding against his chest. I'm beginning to hate loving her. His paws followed along with them, but he felt like he was chasing his own tail as that pit in his stomach grew… She's never here, or there… or she's… He racked his brain I love her so much that it's hurting me, it's hurting me too much whenever she leaves. Again and again… Shadow watched Logan from the back of everybody as a small green leaf snapped off of a branch and fluttered down the trail… Trevor and Rebecca were chatting intently with one another about something. Joking and kidding around while Charmander just gave his cute little sneeze again while being bundled up against Rebecca's jacket. Shadow simply stared at the three of them, smiling, laughing…

I just… want that. I don't care if that sounds greedy. It hurts too much to think about her and see her just for her to leave again… on some kind of mission. A dark sinking feeling shocked through his body… She's going to keep fighting… She'll take some chance as though she hates herself and there's nothing to hate! Shadow picked up a tree branch from the ground and suddenly snapped the thick branch in two with his jaws. The only thing… is that she's there for a moment and gone the next… every damn time. I can't take much more of this. They only had a few months together before Logan gave Bandit back to Griffin… Hardly even a full year together and Shadow stared at Logan firmly… Bring her back to me please… Shadow swallowed dryly. Great… Now I'm acting like that pup she hates so much… what was that Growlithe's name? Thief… Yeah… I'm acting like a total Thief. He shook his head and just… crunched down on the remnants of the now snapped branch on the trail. It's never been fair. Even she told me that… His eyes looked at the sky again I… I'm not fair right? I'm the problem? Even thinking this way is wrong… but I… can't stop loving her, and it won't stop hurting when I can't see her every second I get. Shadow huffed I need to stop obsessing, I'm doing that thing again, where I'm going in circles because the answer just isn't that easy! Shadow just stared at that Pokeball again… his… the one on Logans hip and suddenly took a gallant bolt for Logan. The very second, he turned around to see his Mightyena, Shadow had already returned himself…

And entered an artificial world that Logan created… He stared desperately across this Mountain-side biome and stared out at an endless curving sky. He just needed to wait where Bandit should've been. There was a warm blow from the wind and Shadow stared up at a cloud above him… It felt different, but it didn't look different from the ones outside. Marill was somewhere and Shadow could hear everybody else… Thief was talking to someone.

Pikachu was yipping about something.

Moonlight was silent, but Shadow could see the Espeon lounging about as though waiting.

Absol…? She was nowhere to be seen and neither was the Vulpix… Shadow simply sighed and stared out at the endless fake sky…

“I guess you were waiting on me?" Bandit's voice snuck up from behind him and immediately he turned around

“I love you." Bandit stopped in her tracks.

“I know"

“I Love You." Shadow said it again and stood up… Bandit looked at him.

“I know that Shadow." She'd say, softly but firmly. The smaller Mightyena walked up to her endearingly

“I love you Bandit." She swallowed a little and held her paw out.

“I… know. What's wrong?" Shadow gave a little huff

“I love you…" Shadow said it again, his face was getting hot. His heart was racing while every single thought rushed into his head at once… His paws dug into the ground and he stared at her face. She gave this look, it was a firm, dominant look at first… but it faded towards this gentler, curved one. Bandit opened her mouth up to speak and he… “Don't…" Bandit went silent for a second and tried it again, but he started to talk first. “I love you so much… That it's starting to hurt." Shadow said. “You're like the morning sun to me, if you want my heart, it's not something I can give you when you already have it. It's not all of me that I can give, that's never enough. I can't ever give you enough."

“Shadow…" He bit his tongue for a moment… hard enough that he was bleeding.

What the hell am I doing? Shadow swallowed and stared at her. His gentle, sparkles eyes made her flinch. “I… can't wake up in the morning knowing that you're not there. I can't keep this up, I never could! Not from the start. I just… thought by now we'd have more time but." Shadow swallowed “I don't know what else I can do, or say, or beg. How much do I need to beg… Bandit?" His ears flattened “I… can't handle knowing that every time I think of your name it's halfway across the regions. I can't… keep following my heart when it's always being thrown in every direction." Shadow dug his paws into the earth… the fake fluttering earth. “You can have all of me, everything…" He was going to talk again, and Bandit walked into him. He simply felt his nose bump into her chest.

“Shadow…" Bandit said softly, with her voice grazing against his ears. “I'll never be hopeful… You and I can promise all the same things. But I'll never believe that we're together by hope." Shadow looked up at her for a moment trying to find something to say. “We're here, together, because I am sure. I can promise everything you can, to be there no matter the cause... We can say that we'll pass for one another, but we're not full of hope… we're not optimistic or absolutely blinded by faith. We're here because we're both sure. So Shadow, no matter where your heart is" She put her nose against his “We'll always have ours together, because I am not blinded by hope or tied up by fate. I am sure… and I'm standing here with you, overlooking more then just this valley… but searching into our honest future together." Shadow felt a ripple run through his fur, his back and his legs. “We're here because of that, and that's what holds us together, each of us. I'll never forget that." Shadow swallowed and tried to say one thing…

“Cubs… of our own?" Bandit gave this wonderful giggle, the kind that she never gave to anyone and nudged her head down against his neck. She brushed the top of her muzzle along his neck and placed a tender lick.

“Of course, of course Shadow. We just need to wait a little while longer. I love you, and I'm sure of that." She smiled warmly.

“We love each other, because we've always been sure of that… Shadow."

• Luna

When Griffin walked back into the Pokemon Center she couldn't stop staring at that electric type Vulpix. In fact he made a glance her way from time to time, as though to meet her gaze… where she simply stared out the window whenever he did.

I feel… like I've seen something like that before… Luna wondered and thought and just racked her head against that window mentally while she stared out at the sunlight. The time was flying by it felt that tedious and she stared at a clock on the wall. It ticked with every second as though to announce it presence and she watched Officer Jenny and Jean talk to Nurse Joy… something caught her eye, they wore similar police uniforms – Jenny and Jean but his shoulder had this patch that she couldn't read. It had this flag on the side and a small token underneath it, as though a flag were stitched into it's side. How far away does he live?

She never really knew of many other regions herself, it was all this blur of nightmares and confusion. It looked as though they were getting her statement too ad Jenny continued to write on that notepad and while she did, Luna stared up from Griffin's arms. They were surprisingly warm but he had this pale look over him. In fact it looked like he was starving.

“Mr Fletching." Nurse Joy commented and he swallowed a little.

“Y – Yes?" Nurse Joy gave Griffin and her Vulpix a smile

“You don't need to hang around the station for the entire time, come back around Ten, it'll give you time to pick up things – you mentioned that last night." Griffin nodded and the Vulpix looked at her, she remembered the conversation they had from the other night when they walked into the center

Her level of hearing is scary… Luna pictured how quiet they were all whispering to each other, the humans at least. Griffin made this nod

“R – right."

“It's quite alright Griffin, we'll just get all the rest of the information we need, thank you again for your help." Officer Jenny mentioned and he'd nod… pause for a moment and then walk over to Brad… where he left his bag. Griffin went to pick that up and Luna hopped out of his arms and landed silently on the floor. Everyone was still asleep.

“I guess we'll go for a walk Vulpix." She made a little sound and followed Griffin out of the center and into the sunshine. As they walked past Jenny's cruiser, that they gave a little look at. A neighbor outside of a home passed Griffin a friendly nod and a wave. The city was surprisingly large but right around the entrance to the city – next to the Pokemon Center, it felt as though the forest had taken parts of the city back. Luna stared at the trees for a moment while walking down the rather clean and organized side-walk. The faded yellow lines from the road appeared that they had been there for years. Cracked and a near dull orange-yellow, white line chased itself further and further into the city of short crystalline skyscrapers and mirrors. Her straightened tails flickered in the bright sunshine and Luna gave Griffins Pokeball belt a stare.

Well, no Pokeball was there now… but she stared at the same spot Thief would've been and gradually the small town feel – the outskirts fluttered into a bustling small city. The sounds of a ferry bell echoed through the noisy streets they must've been running one of those larger cruise-ships that day and Griffin stared down this main strip of the city while Luna looked behind her.

Is that? She stopped and glanced at a shadow in the crowd but it was already gone. There's that jacket again…

“Awwwe! Look at you!" The Vulpix nearly jumped and Griffin stopped and turned to see some young trainer “You're so cute!" she'd mention and take out her Pokedex…

“It's a Vulpix." Griffin nodded “Come on, don't start falling behind." He'd smile and Luna hopped past the little trainer while her Pokedex gave her information on Luna. Expressing that it was a Vulpix, and that Vulpix ran up to Griffin… Her tails flickered a little bit and they kept walking down the sidewalk. This loud obnoxious truck passed by them as she clung around his ankles, staring up at him intently.

“I bet you're hungry" Griffin mentioned and Luna had just thought about food in that instance, of course she was starving… but she was more worried about his pale look.

You need food you idiot. The Vulpix thought to herself and kept close to her side while glancing at all sorts of shops. Something passed by them on the opposite side of the road and she turned her head.

It was already gone… “Maybe there's a shop around here…" He'd look around and someone bumped into him.

“Sorry, sorry." This young man mentioned, he wore a suit and tie – rather casual business attire.

“No my fault, I'm just looking for a shop"

'Oh, A Pokemart?"

“I… guess so, I'm actually looking for an organic foods shop." The man nodded.

“There's one coming up, we have this whole small trainers village in Vermilion. Most cities do. It's where you'll find everything for Pokemon Trainers." As the man was talking to him, Luna noticed these frayed lines of fabric around the edges of his suit… On first glance it was worn rather professionally, but now it looked cheap. Griffin didn't even notice those small details.

“Really thanks. I was.."

“Walking around aimlessly?" The man chuckled “It's alright, Vermilion is a beautiful city! Almost like Saffron just.. smaller, cleaner." He nodded “I work all over but this city has got to be my favorite!" Griffin nodded and smiled

“I actually prefer Slateport. But I mean I've lived in Hoenn for most my time." He'd nod and Luna looked around again. She couldn't escape this nervous feeling that someone was following them now. She made a little noise and Griffin looked at her. “Right right, let's go. We'll find somewhere for you to eat!" Griffin gently lowered his hand and ran his fingers through her hair. Unlike Absol's rough claws, Griffin's fingers felt like this fine curtain, gently brushing through her hair for a moment… but even then Luna had the desire to scratch her hair the moment his fingers left. Griffin thanked the suited man and waved goodbye with Luna clinging to his ankles.

I have a bad feeling… I don't know why but I do. They walked for at least another twenty minutes before coming up to a small collection of buildings around this wonderfully groomed park away from the main road. In fact Griffin followed a few trainers that were making their way down there.

That small park had this wonderful little fountain in the center where Trainers were eating food with their Pokemon, it appeared that it was owned by this humble little Café, one of those city types. Nothing like Maiden's peak or the rare casual one they'd see in Saffron but more like a large million dollar chain of smaller restaurant's all over the regions. Luna looked up at Griffin after he gave it a little glance, before he adjusted his rucksack and walked into the Pokemart nearby. She stepped into it too.

“Sir… would you mind returning your Pokemon?" Griffin gave him a nervous smile

“I… do she hates her Pokeball… Sorry would you be able to bear with it for a moment?" The clerk gave him this look, but Griffin did say it in a very kind voice and gave a nervous smile and a nod. He'd sigh.

“Alright, anything I can help you find?" Griffin thought to himself for a moment.

“Non-perishable food, a water purifier and…" He adjusted his backpack again. “Small propane tanks for a field-stove kit." The man gave him a look.

“You're carrying that? All that?" Griffin nodded and the merchant sighed

“That's way too much weight kid. You'll have a back like my Grandfather before you turn twenty!" As they talked Luna slipped past Griffin and looked around at the various shelves with all sorts of products… She couldn't figure out what was what.

This is my only chance to do this right? She kept looking at all sorts of things… there had to be shampoo somewhere. I just want my fur clean for once…

The Pokemart bell dinged in the middle of Griffin's conversation with the merchant and he politely greeted someone. They only gave a nod…

“You're Pokemon sir?" The Merchant mentioned quietly and kindly and he simply nodded

“Of course, sorry my Poochyena can be a little troublesome." Luna heard a noise, like a bag touching a counter, the other voice was a man's voice, hardly that rough inside of the market… When she scoured through the isle, something made a little noise.

“What are you looking for?" It was a young voice and she turned to see this wiry, messy Poochyena… well at least his fur was brushed.

“I… Shampoo I think?" The Poochyena giggled, it was similar to Bandit's cackle but more playful

“That's not Shampoo!" He'd say with his happy giggle “That is!" His paw pointed at a different aisle “That's Pokemon lure! Like pee!" Luna immediately gave a huff and turned to the other isle of things. What was really the difference in the bottles!? They both looked similar!? She turned to the Poochyena and suddenly went stiff.

There was that leather jacket again. A man, large, maybe six feet and stoic… this gnarled scar reaching from his forehead down towards his eye… as though he were attacked by a clawed Pokemon before. His muscles were toned and frankly he looked absolutely terrifying to her. The Poochyena gave him a friendly yip and that man only glanced at the Vulpix… then he lowered himself to his knee and looked through the bottles of Shampoo next to her.

What's that smell? She caught a whiff of something barely rancid. Hot, smoky… a mix of things.

It was the smell of cigarettes and gunpowder. Not that she even knew that. As he went through the bottles, it looked as though his hand knocked one over…

A red bottle, for Growlithes and other kinds of fur types. He simply took a bottle that was for thick, rough fur… and went for a brush – a wire brush. In his quick little run through the isle nearly imposingly overlooking the small Vulpix he also knocked over a short rubber brush... She stared at them intensely.

This human is terrifying She looked up to him, he had these rich brown eyes that studied her intently for a moment… but his Poochyena bumped her

“He's the bestest trainer ever! He only trains Poochyena's!" That little blue-eyed Poochyena giggled happily “He looks scary but he's the best!"

“I… don't think an electric field stove will work." Griffin said

“Oh no, of course not. This is a new hybrid stove, this field kit weighs hardly six pounds, what you got weighs easily ten. You can use either the electrical charge to cook things or a Butane tank to heat it. The heating element…" Something shuffled over her as Griffin and the Merchant talked a little bit and that man went to another isle, that was the lures isle. He skimmed over a number of them… and took two different bottles. Luna swallowed and heard Griffi''s voice from the next isle over.

“I… can't afford that. It's way too expensive, my field kit works fine."

“It's also like twenty years old, this is something a camper would use, not a Pokemon Trainer. Not to mention…" The Merchant picked up Griffins bag “This thing is heavy as hell, do you have bricks in it?!" He opened a pouch and looked around... “Rocks…" Griffin gave this nervous chuckle in reply

“My – My Growlithe tends to pick up a bunch of them… He likes the ones that look different from others." Griffin mentioned with a chuckle and Luna tried to look over the next isle, but that man cut in front of her.

“A Growlithe give you rocks?" Griffin partially turned to the man, he couldn't recognize his voice because it was so well mannered and kind.

“Yes he…" He went silent for a moment when Griffin stared at the figure.

A familiar man from Maidens Peak. That man gave him a smile

“I guess I do look a little imposing, I'm a Mightyena trapper. I help re-locate problem Pokemon to reserves." The man mentioned “I'm a big fellow but a kind fellow, but a Growlithe that gives you rocks? That's actually a very good sign. It's like a Liepard finding things like food for it's trainer." Griffin gave a nervous smile before taking a little silent breath. Luna held hers.

“Really?" Griffin said “I thought he was actually being… well…"

“Annoying right? You can't say no and you don't want to throw them away." Griffin nodded and that terrifying figure gave the teenager a friendly laugh. “My Poochyena's tend to do the same thing. They bring me berries and other things."

“I get my Growlithe to help me find berries for cooking, but he always grabs a rock or two from time to time. Usually one every couple of weeks." Griffin mentioned “I've been carrying these for the last few months…" Griffin said and the man gave a snap of his fingers

“Make a necklace! You can hollow them out like a tooth found on a beach and run thread through them."

He said while Luna went back to the isle, grabbing the shampoo and the brush that the man dropped for her. “It'll be a great way for you both to bond, like a friendship bracelet. I remember making one back when I was a kid!" He'd mention and show Griffin this small bracelet that actually hung around the man's wrist. “Every year we used to add links to it." Griffin swallowed a little

“Used to?" He nodded

“He… well, let's say he drank himself dry." The large man casted his eyes down. “He… was such an idiot for doing that. He did it purposely. Couldn't live with himself, blamed himself…." He gave Griffin a friendly smile “He was almost as absent minded as you are young man." His hand went to the back of his own head as Griffin nodded, shocked from what he said. “Well, you know what? How about I get you that stove. Listening to an old trapper like me must be wasting your time, you look like you're starving. Check out the café down the street."

“Oh no, no I couldn't accept something like that, it's much too expensive." The man gave him a chuckle

“I insist, please do take it." He'd mention and purchased that Field Stove for Griffin. As the man used some funny card to pay for things, Luna came out from the Isle and stared at her shocked Trainer, he had no say in the situation at all. But she bumped his leg and showed off the bottle and the brush in her mouth.

“Hm?" Griffin muttered and gave Luna a look… she dropped the bottle and the brush next to his feet. The man gave her a look and she felt this chill run through her back.

“Looks like she wants you to give her a bath… That's usually quite rare for Vulpix's to do that." Griffin gave that large frightening fellow a nervous swallow.

“Uhm… Really?" The man nodded to his reply and tapped onto the new field grill he bought him.

“Yes, most Vulpix's groom themselves… so it's rare for a Vulpix to ask for help, they're usually taught at a very early age or learn how to do it naturally." He mentioned “I guess that's your Pokemon's way of saying she wants to bond with you a little." Luna felt her mouth a little open… was that really what she was doing? She shook her head a bit… that long annoying hair fluttered in front of her eyes. That man was observing her intently. Luna immediately casted her gaze somewhere else…

He's absolutely terrifying, even with a smile on his face. There's something about him…

Griffin chuckled… it felt and sounded fake.

“W – Well I certainly try my best with my Pokemon!" He mentioned, but as shy and nervous as his voice was, that smile made Luna feel… ignited.

Hopeful.

The look on his face was real, that smile on his partially chapped lips as though they were dry… brittle.

He's… Luna shook the thought away and simply stared at the bottle and the brush as Griffin went to pick them up. She was about to think exactly how foolishly kind Griffin was. As though he were trying to fill something he missed. The man tapped the Field Stove.

“I bet you can leave your old one here." The merchant gave his friendly smile and nodded

“Of course he can, I'll be able to recycle it. There's also a warranty here and a number if there are any problems with the kit." The frighteningly large fellow gave the merchant a nod and a wave and then nodded to Griffin.

“By the way, that Café across the street also caters to Pokemon too." The man mentioned and walked out of the door with the scent lures he walked in for.

If that was exactly what he walked in there for at all. Griffin gave a little smile and stared at the man.

“Oh, he might be a large and imposing looking fellow, but he's exceptionally kind. He even helped me move some of my products one day… That was…" The merchant spent some time thinking to himself and Griffin anxiously put the bottle of Shampoo and the rubber brush on the counter. “Gosh about a year ago, maybe longer. It's good to know he's doing alright, he got that scar from a Mightyena he helped when he started working as a trapper… I remember him talking about that." The merchant made a sound “Damn… I forgot to ask for his name again. I remember his face however." The merchant mentioned “I also forgot to ask about the company he works for too… Maybe he's a private contractor? He feels like the type…" The merchant looked at Griffin and made a certain sound “Right! A water purifier and canned foods. I forgot, sorry!" He'd have a quick gaunter into the back of the store and Griffin gave a large breath. Stuttering pointless words to himself…

It's as though he was holding his breath the entire time that man was near him. Luna watched Griffin's hairs stand on edge, he was horrified from something.

I get that way around Bandit, sometimes… It's got to be a human thing, larger things can be terrifying Luna thought to herself and watched Griffin pick up the things he went in for, trade his older field stove for this new smaller one… He'd fit it into his bag and wave at the merchant with a smile.

“I… guess the café across the street will work out for food." Griffin mentioned to Luna, as though wondering about her opinion on the matter. Luna flickered her long tails and Griffin quickly checked the time on his phone… It was only nine in the morning. Another hour of waiting. Her trainer went for the two, mentioned to the merchant to have a wonderful day and stepped out into the sunlight with Luna by his side. They looked all around the busy and bustling smaller city. Staring out at the café and the park where several trainers talked and laughed and expressed stories about their own adventures. The gym had to be around here or at least close by… but Griffin had his mind on something much more important and walked by the small group with a wave before getting into the Café. It was this small, cute café with a gentle dividing strip which ran along the walls horizontally, dividing one set of wallpaper with this white backdrop as though to contrast the style of the building. The flooring was a tile or marble… or perhaps this higher end linoleum, Griffin couldn't really tell – there wasn't much in terms of grout lines running through the floor. Luna stepped into the bright cheery and fairly noisy Café with him… and the moment they did they found a seat by the window first, where Luna sat up in this smaller booth and Griffin put his bag next to her. “Think you can watch those for me? I'll get us both something to eat." He'd mention, smile and pet her hair. Luna nodded and made a cute sound before laying her head down on the cushion.

This seat is freezing cold… and not really that comfortable for a cushion. He stepped to the counter and looked at the menu ahead of him. Luna only stared at a collection of images on the front and they both talked for a little while. She seemed a little surprised when he mentioned about food for his Vulpix… specifically actual food for her. The woman said that the best they could do would be their organic Pokemon food.

Griffin still purchased some for Luna, even though he didn't seem much to keen on it. After that, he paid and went back to sit down. Luna stared at him He better have ordered food for himself, or I'll singe his jacket… she glanced at him as he sat and stared out the window… waiting for his name to be called. He looked exhausted and Luna sat up a little and gave him a look. Griffin turned to her.

“I'm alright, you've been clinging to me all day." Griffin gave this friendly and wonderful smile again. “I'm happy that you stayed. You seemed very skittish… scared." He looked up at the clouds from the window and Luna simply glanced at him… “I think it's wonderful that you decided to. Very wonderful." Someone's voice came in from a booth behind him.

“Is that guy… talking to his Vulpix?" There was a little chuckle

“What a weirdo…" Luna nearly whipped her head around from that comment, but Griffin shrugged.

“If only you could tell me something… Like last night I asked you if you wanted to call you… Luna." Her ear twitched “That crazy old guy…making up all this non-stop crap. Logan and I named Bandit, but if she had an actual name…" Griffin got the conversation out of his head. He wanted answers about that weird man but Luna simply huffed a little and that's when Griffin's name was called. He went over to another counter to grab his food. He carried this little tray and sat back down.

Griffin did buy something, granted Luna didn't think it was that much and Griffin put a small bowl down for her. She gave it this look…

“Sorry, it's all we can get for now. When we get back to the Pokemon Center, I'm sure – “

“If I may interrupt." A man was standing over at Griffin's side of the booth. This kind fellow in a brown and tan suit with a white shirt underneath. His tie was a calm red and he had this silver-grey hair, square-ish glasses and a little smile on his face. “You said… Bandit and Logan correct?" Griffin swallowed

“Yes…"

“So you're Griffin Fletching. My name is Joseph Ward, Professor Joseph Ward from the Pokemon League's directional company." Griffin gave Joseph a confused look

“I tho – “

“I work as a doctor, it's where I started." The man mentioned and took his bag, this folded brown leather satchel. “I assume Ayumu told you to meet me here for nine?" Griffin shook his head no and Joseph gave a little laugh “That's just like him… distracted. I was supposed to be at the gym waiting for you today, I'm a little surprised I ran into you early." Griffin gave a little swallow

“Y – Yes… Unfortunately… well I mean."

“I heard Logan Fletching has designed a new Pokeball and a new Software to go with it. It's hooked up to your Pokenav correct?" Joseph asked, and Griffin pulled it out.

“Right… He called it something dumb" Griffin gave a shy chuckle “I… nearly forgot about it." Griffin said and flicked through the Pokenav until it said 'Pokemon' he showed it to Professor Ward.

“Hm…" Griffin clicked on the choice and it showed this small, near feed-like collection of images.

“Yes… this, he's been crazy about making this stuff. He said he wanted me to test it out."

“You have a full team in there right?" Griffin thought for a moment.

Well I'm here, that should leave five right? No… Shadow's Pokeball, it's the same one… Luna thought to herself and Griffin looked at the screen.

“I forgot all about this… Wait… does it really work that far away?" Griffin flicked through the screens before seeing his Marill… and Shadow. “Oh my god… That's awesome!" Griffin continued to check through the phone… “I can't see my Espeon though. I have all my Pokemon getting checked out at the center, a full scan the Nurse mentioned."

“That is… actually great." Joseph looked over Griffin's Pokenav for a moment “I can see why Ayumu went through the trouble of getting you the research grant… But I have to ask… What do you mean by 'so far away' anyways?" Griffin chuckled

“Some things came up… Logan is watching over two of my Pokemon in Hoenn…" Griffin showed Shadow and Bandit. “The smaller Mightyena, he has him for the time being."

“In Hoenn?"

“Yes Rustboro City according to Ayumu." Griffin said and Joseph looked… Impressed, excited, stunned.

“That is amazing." Griffin laughed a little and Luna tugged at his pants from under the table. Griffin stared at Luna and she put a paw out at the table

Eat you idiot… stop getting distracted. Griffin looked at her paw and tilted his head. Confused. “He told me he's interested in designing a portable PC storage system, it uses a cloud like data I think. He knows more of the details."

“I went through them with Ayumu, he helped to create some of the software. Logan made the Pokeballs however… do you have one?" Griffin thought to himself…

“No… Nurse Joy even has my Vulpix's Pokeball still." Professor Ward made a little noise.

“How soon will you have it?"

“About ten in the morning… nearly forty minutes from now." Luna started to eat casually… then stared at the bowl of Pokefood.

Huh… This is dry… but kind of good. She continued to eat These are actually really good… I've never. It's not as spiced as Griffins food but it's decent. Luna continued to eat and Griffin gave her a look before staring at his own food.

“Well, I'll drive you back there, I should let you eat first."

“We can keep chatting… I mean I'm not THAT hungry…" Ward gave Griffin a look.

“You look like you haven't eaten much lately" Griffin went a little red

“R – Really?"

“Yes, truth be told you look a little pale. Have you been eating alright Mr. Fletching?" Griffin swallowed a little

“I.. guess with all the excitement I haven't been able to eat much." Luna looked at him, swallowed what she was chewing on and gave him a little smoke-like huff. It got his attention, and then she went back to eating.

“Even your Vulpix notices!" Ward took a closer look at her now… “That's a strange… size for one too. Where did you get her?"

“Outside of Pewter City, a day or half a day out. My Mightyena found her… I guess my Growlithe gave her food. I offered more, and she's been here since." Ward nodded and gave someone a motion, they came over with a coffee.

“Please, enjoy a coffee on me and your food too. We'll chat more when we get back to the Center, I'd love to inspect the Pokeballs your brother made!" He mentioned “Oh… Right." Ward said before Griffin could start

“I keep forgetting to ask this first beforehand, but what is your total number of badges?" Griffin swallowed a little bit as someone put a coffee on his table, with small packets of cream and sugar. He stared into the black liquid.

“From Kanto… Three, hopefully four later today…"

“Yes? Is that all?" Griffin gave a little sigh.

“From Hoenn… Eight." Joseph nodded from what he said

“Eleven in total, wonderful! Have you finished a region?"

“No…" Griffin mentioned. “I haven't gone for the Ever Grande Conference yet." Griffin said and pulled out a badge case from his bag, Luna had a look at it.

I haven't seen that case before? Has it always been there? Griffin opened it and showed Joseph…

The Stone Badge. The Knuckle Badge. The Dynamo Badge. The Heat Badge. The Balance Badge. The Feather Badge. The Mind Badge. And finally, the Rain Badge.

A full eight. “I don't want to challenge the region with my brother as the champion. But now… I mean with the old Champion filling in for him, it's like nothing changed." Griffin mentioned “He only decided that recently, after I came to Kanto." Griffin mentioned. Luna stared at that badge case

He already has eight badges? On top of the ones he has here?

“You know about Bandit right?" Griffin held his head low

“Logan told me she can't battle in gyms… and that I shouldn't let her fight in battles. So I've been spending this time to try and bond with her but she hardly opens up to me. In fact, she usually growls at me whenever I'm around." Joseph chuckled a little bit, this dry somber chuckle echoed through the suddenly quiet cafe.

“Well, Griffin Fletching you do have the prerequisites for the Tri Research Grant… Now it's based on what I think." He mentioned “But eat first! I've kept you too long from your food…" Joseph mentioned and flipped through a paper that was on the table while enjoying his coffee. Griffin went to eat… needless to say, Luna watched him devour his food. He did it in this tame way, but she knew that he was starving, and she could see that as he ate. She went to finish her food too, occasionally giving Griffin a glance.

“Wait he has eleven badges? And only a Vulpix?"

“No you idiot, he said they were at the Pokemon Center…"

“Fletching? Wait, like the Champion Fletching? That's not him…"

“He has a brother, that's his brother!"

“Really? I follow Logan's social media, there's no pictures of that guy in there… he doesn't even mention it."

“Maybe they're going through a rough patch…:" Luna kept eating throughout the sounds of hurried whispers around them as Griffin gave an annoyed sigh and kept eating… from time to time he only stared out the window… it seems that his sudden appetite before was fading but Griffin kept at it until he was done. Luna finished long before her Trainer.

Does he have that much of a problem with his brother? She thought back to the way he acted when Thief playfully called Logan on Griffin's phone. He's concerned about him… He loves him. Why does he act that way? Luna turned and noticed a trainer looking at her, they made comments about how she looked and went back to talking amongst themselves.

“Maybe he's just terrible with Pokemon…" A voice quietly touched her ears.

“Vulpix's look beautiful if they have a strong bond with their trainers. That Vulpix looks horrible… it needs to groom itself."

“Really… it must have the worst trainer if it looks like that…"

“His brother must be embarrassed of him." Luna only looked at Griffin who kept staring out the window… It seemed like that got to him.

Family… embarrasses everyone but they both love each other. They're both brothers, in fact it's nearly like they only have each other… With the way Griffin acts. She shifted on the booth and knocked over that plastic bottle of shampoo… It rolled on the ground and she hopped for it, landing in the middle of the Café… and at a thousand piercing eyes. It made her ears flatten against her head…

This place was packed with trainers… and they were all staring at her.

“It even looks terrified of people…" Griffin stood up, and he hardly looked around. Luna backed up against a booth.

“God he's getting up…" A hushed whisper. And another came after, barely audible.

“Is he going to hit her or something… might explain why all his other Pokemon are at the center." Griffin dropped his knee and held out his hand to her.

“Are you okay Luna?" Her Trainer asked and smiled… Her heart was racing. She wasn't ready for this, any of this. “I'm right here." Griffin mentioned again and slowly picked her up along with that plastic bottle. Then he grabbed his bag while carrying her one armed. “I'd say I'm ready to go, Professor Ward… It's getting a little stuffy in here for both of us." He'd mention to the man and he gave a nod.

“Understandable, I bet Nurse Joy has already finished her tests." Joseph stood up and went for the door, passing by Griffin with a smile. When Griffin's bag was slung over his shoulder, he'd pet Luna's head…

“You're okay, we're both okay." Griffin said quietly “Let's go check up on everyone… alright?"

Luna nodded, and Griffin kept smiling… her heartrate was dropping… and she looked back at the room of staring eyes…

It was fine… when they weren't looking at us… but now they're all just staring… Luna felt herself cuddle against Griffin's sweater. Her paws nearly wrapped around his arm… One trainer in the back noticed…

“I get it… He doesn't abuse his Pokemon, he takes care OF abused Pokemon." Griffin walked to the door… giving a partial glance back at the trainer in the back. “So, your brother doesn't post anything right? To protect them." Griffin sighed quietly to himself and walked out into the sunshine, not leaving a response to the younger trainer, but that left the Café in some equal amount of eerie and near apologetic silence. As Griffin carried her down the road, Luna stared back at the door that slowly shut close…

We're not abused… Not from him… Never from him, right? Luna looked up at Griffin for a moment and silently swallowed to herself.

She was staring at the young man while he was finally beginning to cry. He tightened one of his open hands into a fist… His face burning red.

“People just don't get it…" He'd say, and her ear flickered to the sound of his voice. “Just like my brother… He doesn't understand it…" Griffin said. “All because you can't talk to us… doesn't mean you're not like us…" Griffin silently and pointlessly mentioned. “I don't care if that sounds childish… I just don't give a damn. Because if you could talk to me I know that there would be so much you could tell me."

Luna looked up at him with her ears going from flat to perched. “I want to learn from all of you." He'd mention and make his way to Professor Wards car after collecting himself. The Pokemon Center was right around the corner, at least that's how it felt in a nice black vehicle. Luna stared out the window at the people passing by on the sidewalk. Everything moved so fast and Griffin talked to Joseph Ward about this new project his brother started on… waiting for the moment he could be re-united with everyone. They made a casual and quiet turn around a street and began watching that road touch the outskirts of the city. Luna stared at the shivering trees as they passed down a familiar road… but now there was no police cruiser and Ward parked his car out front as Griffin collected his things and opened the door. He held it open for his Vulpix and Luna hopped out from the back seat and nearly ran back into the Center. With and without much surprise, Brad was still sleeping. That Houndoom stared at her from the corner of the room and Griffin walked in…

Natasha and Melody were awake now and Melody sat with her Houndoom nearby her. She was skimming through her things in her small bag. Natasha gave Griffin a little punch on the arm.

“Where the hell were you!?" Griffin froze and held his hands up defensively

“Shshshhh, Brad is asleep, it's like ten minutes till ten am… just don't wake him up…" Griffin commented and stared at Natasha whom huffed. “We woke up to two cops in here… You were gone, they asked me a bunch of questions about some abusive trainer, then asked Melody… They already woke up Brad who filled in the rest of the details…" Natasha commented and gave a little sigh.

“What's wrong with Melody?" Griffin asked, and Natasha gave him this little look. She was just staring pointlessly out at the window…

“They pushed her for some details, and she told them that she can't see well… I guess she's been keeping that from us." Griffin swallowed in reply and looked at her. Her Houndoom gave him this little growl…

“Why? If she has troubles seeing, I'd never have an issue with that! She's a new friend!" Natasha gave a little shrug

“That's what I said, right? But she's been upset since then… Even her Houndoom got angry at them… I mean that police officer… uhm, Jean… was a different kind of Officer. Nice but…. still a cop. Either way it put her on the spot. I guess she just wasn't ready to tell us." Griffin felt his shoulders slump.

“She just doesn't want us treating her differently." Griffin said and saw Melody turn his way. “Right Melody?" Griffin smiled, and she stared at him, or at least what she thought was him. “We don't need to treat you differently, you're still an awesome trainer to me!" Melody gave him a smile and a nod in return

“Sorry…"

'There's no need to be sorry!" Griffin said and grinned. Luna looked at him closely. “We don't have an issue with it! Really!" Griffin seemed to toss his arms a little wide, it's like he was showing off that he'd be willing to give her a hug. “We're all friends… there's no reason to be sorry about that."

“I can barely see in front of me…" Melody mentioned and Griffin nodded

“Then we can help you get glasses! Or even contacts!" Melody shook her head no…

“I can't wear them." Melody mentioned and went a little quiet. “They're actually.. well.." Griffin swallowed a little

“We'll all figure out something!" Natasha said with a happy grin “You're still the same person we met before!"

“Guys…" Brad muttered “If it's not ten in the morning at least… I'm going to beat all of you with Aura…" Aura pushed him a little, it looks like she was wide awake… Brad just wanted to get back to sleep. “Melody is upset about it, I don't have a problem either." He'd yawn and shrug while sitting up on the couch and staring at the clock on the wall. It was nine fifty-eight in the morning.

“Mr Fletching?" Nurse Joy's voice interrupted them as Professor Ward walked into the center, it's as though she could recognize him right away. “Your… Pokemon are ready…" Her entire back shivered and she stood up straight as a board. “Hello sir! How are you doing today? It's wonderful out right?" Joseph chuckled

“I'm here with Griffin today, reviewing a special software his brother has been designing. How has the tests gone?" Nurse Joy had Audino and Chancey bring out the cart with Griffin's Pokeballs. “I… felt concerned about his Mightyena…" Professor Ward gave her a look.

“GSW right? The point of impact was the left flank, broke a rib on shrapnel right?" Nurse Joy gave a little nod and Griffin felt his blood run cold.

“Wait… a GSW? That's a gunshot wound right?" Professor Ward nodded.

“Yes, I was actually the surgeon on her. I'm surprised that she's here, if it is Logan's Mightyena." Griffin felt his hair rile up

“Actually, it's my Mightyena… I was just stupid enough to let her go with Logan. I'm going to kick his ass…" Griffin naturally tightened his fist “He never told me that!" Professor Ward nodded

“I'm sure he had his reasons…"

“Yeah, being a secretive prick." Griffin muttered to himself in return and Professor Ward took a Pokeball.

“I also found a benign tumor with his Espeon…" Nurse Joy commented and Griffin gave her a look.

“What?" Professor Ward gave her a look himself.

“A brain tumor right? Griffin… is that Ayumu's Espeon?" Griffin hesitantly nodded in reply…

“I didn't know that either!" He exclaimed and Professor Ward nodded.

“It's exceptionally minor from my initial scans, in fact, it's completely stagnant every time I checked over Ayumu's Espeon it never changed over years of scans. Ayumu is a friend of mine… a bit of a hermit however. Hell a little crazy too." Professor Ward gave this chuckle “He tried to push a cure for a disease my great grandfather found. We had to decline it, it was much too dangerous." Professor Ward shrugged “It's like a little reunion for me nearly. Now all that's missing is him walking through the door…" Griffin made a noise.

“Walking? Joseph… Ayumu has been in a wheel chair since I met him." Joseph gave this roll of his shoulders… Luna stared at them and then at the Pokeballs on the cart as he inspected the one he grabbed.

“I… never knew that. The last time I checked a scan for that Espeon was shortly after Logan became the League Champion in Hoenn. I'd like to see that scan Nurse Joy." He'd mention and pull a small netbook from his satchel. The Nurse simply nodded and led Ward into the back room.

Bandit told me she had been shot… But Moonlight? He's sick? I don't get it… Luna stared at the Pokeballs again. Professor Ward put it down and went to the back with Nurse Joy… as they did Griffin attached his Pokeballs to his belt and gave this warm sigh.

“It looks like you've had a crazy morning…" Natasha commented and Griffin nodded. Brad was up and about now.

“It has been… I just hope the gym is open." Melody shook her head in the background.

“It's not, I overheard some of the trainers that left this morning. Turns out that the Gym Leader Surge just got back from Sinnoh and Unova. He went on some training escapade for a while, people filled in for him and he just got back to Vermilion so… I doubt it's open now, they mentioned tomorrow." Griffin hit his head a little

“Why has everything gotten so difficult…" Griffin thought to himself and looked at the plastic bag he came in with. That bottle of Shampoo and that brush sat in it pointlessly. He had a second bag with the other things he bought and in his rucksack was that new field stove. It was one of those types that one had different attachments for, like a burner, a grill and even a smaller flat top. “I still need to get some proper meats… I was thinking dried meats that I could soak in water, re-boil, cook and season." Griffin mentioned “Granted fresh food tastes better..." Natasha gave him a look

“Just get can-“

“I bought canned foods! I even bought Pokemon Food… I just still don't like it." Griffin mentioned. “I also picked up a water purifier, like you have Brad. That made sense to me but I got no clue how to use it…"

“I can teach you man!" Brad mentioned “But Jesus, how much did you spend?" Griffin seemed to huff

“I think about three hundred?"

Excluding the near fifteen hundred dollar grill right? Luna remembered back to the conversation and thought of that man again… That was weird, very weird. Griffin held a Pokeball of his and looked at the shampoo… “Well, I'm planning – er well, more like my Vulpix got me to buy grooming supplies. So I should find a place that can let me clean them." Natasha tilted her head

“What did she do, carry it to you at the counter?" Griffin gave her a look and Natasha huffed

“It's a Pokemon, there's no way she'd know what they are, she can't read!" Natasha commented and Griffin huffed a little.

“Well she walked right up to me with a bottle of shampoo for medium and light fur types and a rubber brush for short hair…" Griffin mentioned “She held it in her mouth and bumped my leg to get my attention" Natasha shoved her hand over her forehead and they continued to chat amongst themselves like they normally did, getting into some pointless argument while Luna just stared at the bag in Griffin's hand… and then at the Pokeballs around his belt before Professor Ward came back

“So you see, it hasn't changed at all. It's a good thing, if his immune system holds up like it has, he'll have plenty of antibodies to fight it. Granted I don't personally like the idea of him using Psychic type moves but it really shouldn't affect him at all. Luckily there is no swelling, damage. It really is a mirror copy from earlier this year." Luna looked at a pair of voices coming down the hall, to her, it drowned out Natasha and Griffins bickering. “That said, I'm surprised about these scans, especially that Vulpix… I mean the blood test itself is telling me something rather exciting, just by her blood type. Very rare for a Vulpix to have that type specifically, it might explain her size honestly. It's weird to think about, a little ironic and unexpected… I heard rumors it comes from a small island which used to have a human settlement." Professor Ward commented “But that was back in the feudal era. Not many people, or even researchers get to explore it, hell it's like the ocean pushes humans away from the island. It's considered a sanctuary now… Not that many Vulpix's live in one place and in such a fragile ecosystem." Luna turned her head to the hallway as Professor Ward stepped out with Nurse Joy. She silently hung around him… “Then there's that Absol, I've never seen anything like that – physically I mean. It looks like she's absolutely fine internally even though her fur is more whipped and slashed up then I've ever seen. Maybe she has an exceptional defense stat? I'm uncertain… Along with his Pikachu too, amazing special attack and speed – like you recorded with his Vulpix, but that higher regular defense stat… and a few mysterious injuries too… Not only that but it's been overcharged before, that's why your recorder only hit a small amount of charge. I bet if there's a way, that Pikachu… It'd be exceptional in using moves like Thunder… it's similar, weaker, but similar to this other one… I'm trying to remember that young man's name. I think he's in Hoenn himself right now. I've only read the file…"

The conversation continued on like that with Nurse Joy filling in some minor questions and after what felt like an eternity of talking “I mean talking tiers, Bandit is clearly the highest tier, nearly illegal to be that high. Especially around here and even Hoenn, Logan did an exceptional job training her…" Luna overheard him say. “And then there's that Growlithe… He has this high, balanced stat all across the board. I got no clue what Griffin is doing but he's evened out it without a single issue it appears… some bite marks here and there, minor. Might be from Bandit for all I know…" Luna stared at the man behind the Foyer before he finally called Griffin over and interrupted that long winded argument between Natasha and Griffin. He walked over to the front desk as Professor Ward finished writing on a piece of paper and handing it to him. “Read over it and sign this. It'll be forwarded from the center to the Pokemon League, Griffin Fletching." Griffin swallowed a little and read over it carefully.

He read the fine line, including how a trainer could be banned from the League. That every Pokemon had to be tested at every major city he went to, no more then once a month however. And a few added special notes, including how Bandit and Moonlight needed to be in his care, Logan's care or Ayumu's care only, that and *Refer to previous requirements.* Griffin kept reading as Luna stared at the young man read… He read, and read. *A trainer with this certificate is granted, by rule and law of the Pokemon League, to carry upwards of Twelve Pokemon for specialized research purposes, including testing of newly designed equipment. Either Medical or otherwise. Each six is it's own team, only one team can be used in battle and a trainer cannot re trial or test a trainer they lost to immediately after losing one team. Pokemon Gyms are permitted, but only six of the twelve Pokemon in either battle group can be used. If any Pokemon are stolen or lost from the trainer in question, it must be reported immediately and within twenty four hours. Breaking these rules, and the pre-requisites required include the immediate termination of the trainer from the Pokemon League and/or criminal persecution under cruelty laws.* Griffin swallowed and Professor Ward nodded

“I know it's terrifying… I also need your badges, I can scan them from here for the League." Griffin swallowed again and took out his Kanto badge case as Natasha, Brad and Melody stared at him.

“What's going on?" Melody asked and Brad gave this wiry smile at her

“I guess he's selling his soul?" Natasha hit his arm

“No… something weird though." Griffin also took out his second badge case… “Wait… Griffin what's that?" Natasha looked over and gave this little pout “Is that a Hoenn league case?" Brad looked over too

“Wait, you actually started in Hoenn? I thought you started here?" Griffin gave him a shy smile and Ward checked over the case, opened it and scanned it.

“I also need your Pokedex." He'd mention and Griffin handed it to him. He'd scan it… and a note came up. Ward read the note and looked at Griffin.

“Why… is this internationalized?" Griffin nervously shrugged

“My… Brother…" Joseph nodded, made a note and continued to work. Natasha and Brad curiously looked over the counter

“Wait… You have eleven badges!?" Brad mentioned and Natasha re-counted them.

“You're entered in the Hall of Fame in Hoenn?" Griffin shook his head.

“I'm eligible… but I haven't entered…" He mentioned with a swallow and Natasha crossed her arms in reply

“Why didn't you… even tell us that you've already been through Hoenn?" Griffin gave a little sigh

“I didn't want to talk about it alright?" Griffin commented and Professor Ward finished typing something on his netbook… before handing Griffin a special badge… It felt similar to a gym badge, with curling wings which covered around a Pokeball – in fact, it looked nearly similar to the International Trainers badge! Except there wasn't the collection of different colors to represent every country… That and it was about half the size of his Pokenav.

“Alright Griffin. So far I've quite thoroughly enjoyed what I've seen, what your brother has made with Ayumu's help. Alongside with this pin, I'm requiring you to fill me in with details about your adventures and how things go from here on… That said, this specialized badge represents that you now have the Tri Research Grant. And that means you are permitted to carry a full team of twelve."

“When were you telling us this!?" Natasha commented.

“I thought I did?" Griffin mentioned… “ It's been so crazy over the past week that… well maybe I forgot?" Griffin retrieved the Tri-Badge! He added the Badge to his case!

Professor Ward nodded “Be sure to write me a report! Even if you use your phone or a computer in the research room at the Pokemon Centers all over Kanto. I'm assuming you're traveling all over the country?" Griffin nodded yes.

“I want to see all of it… best my older brother and go international." Joseph chuckled

“Then best of luck to you! I'll inform your Professor… and as for that Blaziken and Lycanroc.." Griffin looked at him. “As a favor to Akiyama, I'll be personally overlooking any surgeries, they'll be transferred to the emergency Pokemon care ward in Saffron City. I'll be sure to inform Ayumu as things develop." He'd say and give Griffin a nod. “There's no need for you to be here anymore, you're Pokemon are all checked up and ready to go, just be sure to obey the rules of the certificate grant Griffin! If there are any questions…" He entered his number into Griffin's Pokenav!

Griffin got Professor Wards Number! “Please don't hesitate to call me regarding anything, I hope all of you have a wonderful day. I'll be here for a little while before making my way to Saffron City."

“Hey Griffin!" Brad mentioned “That's frigging cool! You'll be ready for that gym battle tomorrow! I know Aura and I am!" Brad seemed… happy?

“I guess you got enough sleep right?" Brad nodded

“More then I've had in a while, let's find somewhere to eat!" Melody nodded too

“I'm starving…"

“We wouldn't be if Griffin didn't run off!" Griffin made a little face

“I went to meet Joseph…"

“and get a totally cool research grant without us…" Griffin gave a nervous chuckle and got all his things together

“We'll explore for a bit, maybe even find a proper bed to sleep on tonight! There's this trainers village in the city, it doesn't seem to bad… I think I saw a motel around there too! Might even have baths for Pokemon" Griffin chuckled while Luna tossed him a look. She felt this cheery little smile coming on

I guess he didn't forget… even with all this going on.

It came into her mind and for some reason unbeknownst to her, Luna felt this shiver of warmth grow in her chest before following him out into the sunlight with everyone behind him Now… I just want to see Thief again That wiry, straight haired Vulpix stared at his Pokeball that rested on his belt… She studied it firmly

Maybe we both… She swallowed at this thought… Maybe we can both be a bit foolish together.

• Shadow

There was a glimmer of bright sunlight which fluttered alongside of his pelt… by now he lost track of time, enveloped in this wonderfully heated scent which covered his nose. He was face deep in her thick fur, red… gasping for air it felt, his heart racing as he shut them tight.

This was every single time they were alone, where they could cuddle against one another in the heat. He'd open his eyes a little and bury his nose into her chest.

“Yes… we are sure of it." Bandit gave the top of his nose a lick.

“Of course! Never forget that you Pooch!" He'd giggle a little

“You're the Pooch!" He'd say with a warm, gentle laugh… and Bandit gave him the same one. Her tender, quiet laugh… this special sound that left Shadow to bury his nose against her pet with this silent gasp…

I feel sensitive all over… My heart is racing so much… God I… She simply brushed her nose against his.

“Just relax… lay here for a while." The larger Mightyena said and quietly gave him a nip... it left the smaller male to shiver uncontrollably. “I don't bite… not you~" She'd whisper, “Never you." Shadow blushed a little… and stared at her eyes. This warm, gentle flicker of red and yellow glimmered over him. Her smile made his heart skip a beat. He was so… pointlessly in love with her… He felt foolish, dumb… he could barely articulate half of what he said as his thoughts ran for miles… He opened his mouth to speak and Bandit simply touched her lips against his. His fur riled up and left him to flinch while his lower leg tapped the ground frantically. Her lips traced against his own, then along the top of his nose and playfully, as though submissively, along the bottom of his chin… it left that 'Pooch' to quake. His tail stiff… before it thumped against the artificial ground without any questions from his racing and jolting heart. Shadow had every desire to chase her around the grass in the other biome nearby them… but he wanted that for a time when they were actually together. Where they could smell real mildew and fair rich grass. Where the soil could easily cover their pelts with gentle kisses, much like the ones they gave each other. There was only this gentle silence that washed over them, a wonderful gentle silence…

“It looks like Griffin is letting us out." Bandit spoke gently while Shadow took hold of her by resting overtop her wonderfully wild and surprisingly soft back. He buried his nose into her fur.

“Not yet… Not already." Shadow expressed quietly while taking in her scent. This wonderful airy, warm scent…

At least that was real here. Stuck inside this abnormally perfect world…

“I'll be back soon." Bandits jaw crossed over Shadow's head, and she rested her head over his. “Very soon. I promise you that… I'm sure of that." She'd smile tenderly and softly and place a wonderfully giddy lick across his eye. He closed it as she did.

“Yes. I'm sure too." Shadow mentioned and watched her fur turn into a spectacle of brilliant snowy lights. She seemed to slowly piece away here... as though refusing to leave her capsule. The one Griffin was releasing.

“I know you are, Shadow. You've always been sure when it comes to love at first sight…" He stayed quiet and watched her fade into a wonderful spectacle of white and sudden red tracers that crossed all over her body chasing her away from that artificial and wonderful world inside of that capsule. Shadow stared…

Stared as though he saw a ghost pass on for the first time.