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Luna and Thief Chapter 15: New Beginnings

With Melody on their side, Luna checked back over the restaurant. It felt so much like Trevor's place but that wasn't the case at all. An ancient paper lantern with light blue swirls that were long faded hung above a nearby counter that had a clear view into a small kitchen - the sweet and salty scent of seafood touched Luna's nose and briskly basted her in its smell. She felt all six of her tails sway and noticed Moonlight perk his head up suddenly.

"Tuna." He said sniffing the air again. "They serve tuna here." "Well of course they would" Luna replied "It is a sushi house." "More like the neighbour's house honestly..." Moonlight was captivated by the old and humble building, a man stepped by the way noticing Griffin. "Order?"

"Hello" He replied with a smile and skimmed over the menu once more. "I'll have the Tuna Donburi, thank you." Moonlight twitched his ear and his eyes sparkled. Griffin ordered Tuna. Luna somehow found the chance to giggle as Griffin finally noticed the Espeon stare at him intently. "Hey Griff... what is Niku...jaga?" Brad whispered quickly, he was still confused with the menu "It's like pork or beef with potato. I've made it before."

Brad tilted his head for a moment and Aura softly looked over his arm, staring at the menu with him before putting her paw on some random choice. "Shogayaki?" Brad looked at Aura and she grinned in reply. At the end of it Brad ordered the Shogayaki as the Lucario pointed out. Natasha wasn't hungry and Melody ordered something of her own choice. Brad started to slouch and looked at Griffin. "You know if we were in Chicago there wouldn't be a single place like this - at least where I lived. I know one of the best steak houses by Maine Street, if we ever end up down there."

"Well after finishing enough of the leagues a trainer is allowed to become international right?" Melody brought up. "International? I've never heard that before" Natasha replied "Yes... one can be recommended for a global project in which they travel all around the world competing in various competitions and new leagues." Griffin stared for a moment, remembering something. "My brother was recommended, I remember him talking about it before he decided to become a researcher." " Your brother... is Logan right? I remember hearing something about it in Saffron." "Yeah... thanks to Natasha." "Maybe he shouldn't have been running his mouth..." "Maybe you shouldn't have told everybody about it!" Griffin remarked and Brad groaned

"The two of you are such annoying kids... Just stop with all the fighting man, you're making everything tenser then it should be." Griffin crossed his arms and Natasha looked the other way. "Does this happen often?" Melody said and Brad nervously smiled "Sometimes..." The food was set on the table and everything seemed peaceful. To Griffin's surprise Natasha was actually quiet during lunch. He went to take a bite of his Donburi when a whine brushed by his ear. He almost snickered - Griffin forgot that Moonlight loved tuna, so he took off a piece of the meat and gave it to the Espeon. His twin tails swayed wildly from excitement and Moonlight took the meat from his hand and devoured it. Griffin found it cute to say the least.

The Houndoom was sitting by Melody's side and Griffin noticed as he went along and pushed her leg. "No, no." She smiled and petted him "You've had plenty to eat already." He lowered his ears and she ended up giving in and sharing some of her food as well. Griffin gave some to Luna and she happily nibbled on it as well. Natasha sighed, almost bitterly. "All this human food isn't good for them..." She muttered and continued to eat, Griffin rolled his eyes, he knew that around Johto, Kanto, Hoenn and all the other places it was tradition that Pokémon were praised and given food by humans.

Once lunch had passed and Griffin, Natasha, and Brad covered the bill they decided to have a walk around Maidens Peak. The town was brimming with culture but it wasn't so old that everything was falling apart. The town was clean and the old rooftops were long before anything modern. The curved shingles on an old tea house right at the edge of town caught Griffin's eye.

Much like the Maidens Shrine it seemed ancient and mysterious. Curiosity drew him to it. Luna kept close to his leg and Moonlight strayed ahead, looking at the sliding door with thoughts that seemed to race through the Espeons mind. It was what everybody couldn't see that Moonlight sensed. The walls were filled with the laughter and joy of people who had stayed long ago and the presence still lingered. Moonlight sat for a moment letting the energy swirl around him.

"This town is oddly peaceful, even by the shrine I didn't sense much dismay..." "Is that a bad thing?" Luna asked and hesitantly put her paw forward. "Not at all, it's just rare." Rustling caught everybody's attention and a small Caterpie strayed out from the bushes. Brad and Griffin stared as it inched its way along. It didn't seem to care that humans were around it. "Caterpie! Wait up!" A small kid was catching up. He groaned as the Caterpie slipped back into the bushes again

"Do you need help?" "Huh? No, it's not mine. I found it injured nearby a pond or something and it fell in. Next thing I knew he was crawling all over the place!" "A pond?" Griffin muttered "If it's not yours then why chase it?" Brad replied and went to stop him "Because it's going the wrong way... All the other Caterpie live on the other side of the forest!" Brad grabbed the young boys arm "You can't just run into the woods alone, it's dangerous." The boy whipped his arm away

"You're not the boss of me!" He barked back and went to catch up with the Caterpie. Griffin looked at the array of trees, from the old teahouse seemed to be a pathway. Brad rolled his eyes and suddenly went off. "B -Brad!?" Natasha called "I'll be back! That kid is going to get himself injured..." Griffin felt a bad feeling suddenly nip at him. "I'll meet you at the Pokémon Center! I promise!" "Alright Brad, I'm going to go check out that... pond. Wanna come with Natasha?" Griffin said "Sure, Melody?" She nodded and her Houndoom left her side. He started to walk down the trail, sniffing the air.

"I smell water, I've noticed it for a while now." Luna sniffed the air and so did Moonlight, other than the thick scent of earth and pine they both couldn't pick up on anything. Griffin, Natasha, Melody, Moonlight and Luna followed the Houndoom down the trail. "What is your Pokémon doing Melody?" "Well we need to find this pond right? He's just leading us there." "Oh" The walk took at least twenty minutes before they found a stream running through the woods. The water was flowing downhill which meant that they needed to go up to find it.

"I really don't get something." Natasha broke the silence "What?" "That kid ran after a Caterpie all this way?" "Maybe the pond he was talking about wasn't the spring..." "Wait what? You only wanted to go to find that hot spring!?" Houndoom stopped and sniffed around - a cavern was resting at the top of the hill and none of them could see the town from where they were. Trees were the only thing surrounding them and they were dense blocking out most of the sunlight. Moonlight began walking beside Houndoom and took a moment to scan the surroundings. Luna looked back at the trees. "Is that... mist?" Moonlight looked up and then squinted. There was a faint fog around the tree branches. He bolted back and nipped at Griffin trying to tell him to look up.

"What!?" He replied and finally stared at the trees. "Hey. Steam!" Natasha and Melody looked up watching the lights plume fade from the edge of the cavern. "Well let's check it out!" Melody went up ahead and they stood at the edge, feeling the moisture and heat rush from the cavern. With Espeon going first and using his energy to create a light purple glow, they all went further into the darkness until dripping echoed through the cavern. Soon they saw light and when the three of them walked into the large circular stone room Moonlight stopped the glow. There large cracks through the roof as if somebody created windows of light by slashing through the stone. A small stream-like waterfall slipped through the crevices and steam rose into the air. It was a huge pool, or so it appeared. The water was shallow enough for a human to stand, only letting the water reach their thighs yet a row of stones stopped anything from slipping off of the larger cliff that fed the water into the woods.

Luna stepped to the edge of the water as the sweet smell drew her to it. She stared at her reflection and then Moonlight appeared behind it. "I feel a lot of peaceful energy here, it's like the mountain is breathing life into the forest." Her muzzle got closer to the water. Closer... Closer... Her nose nearly pushed against it when something splashed out nearby and she jumped back and Moonlight yelped. A Dragonair slithered from the water and rested before her. Its serpent body was arched forward and it swayed in a friendly manner.

Griffin, Natasha, and Melody stared at the large Pokémon for a second feeling the cushion of friendly aura surround them. They didn't move... "M - Moonlight?" Luna went to move when a sharp pain shackled through her chest, her jump made her move poorly. A small whine slipped by her maw and she forced herself upwards. Moonlight slipped over to her. "The Dragonair... it's entranced them..." Moonlight lowered his maw and started to growl viciously at the Pokémon. It's head slowly rested before him with glittering violet eyes. "I have not harmed them, young ones, they simply will not remember this place when they leave. Humans are not supposed to enter here." Her voice softly sung into the cavern and she stared at Luna. "You're injured? Is that why you came?" Nervously the Vulpix swallowed, trying to explain anything. "She does not know, her trainer... my trainer devoted the time to find the Hot-Springs." The Dragonair softly smiled, her friendly tone calmed both Luna and Moonlight. "Then he truly is devoted."

"Yes... he was the one who pulled her out when she got injured.... We were attacked by... some creature." "I understand that your wish not to speak of it." The Dragonair pressed her head against the water, letting the spring glow "Please, enter the spring Luna." Luna stopped before putting her paw into the light blue glowing water "How do you know my name?" "The Vulpi are common folk and talk spreads like wildfire. I've heard your name throughout the village often enough to understand whom it belongs to." The Dragonair again padded the water and allowed the magical glow to illuminate the shimmering liquid. "Please enter the spring." With a single paw dipped into the water and the rings unfolding across the still Lake Luna watched her step and ventured further until... She was suddenly dragged under the water - the panic rushed through her body but it was like she was encased in glass. The cool blue aura swam about her lighting the darker depths of the spring and something pressed against her chest. A tail swiftly brushed against her and Luna felt pressure outwards - it was coming from her breast. A soft pop took her breath away and pain rippled throughout her body as if her ribs were being forced into place. More pressure was building in the Vulpix's left-side and suddenly another loud popping sound; she sucked in air painfully and clenched her teeth. "Sorry, but that's a price you have to pay..." A soft whisper slithered through and when she felt the final stretches of pain reef throughout her bones she found herself breaking the surface of still water and sitting by the side where Moonlight grabbed her scruff and pulled her out of the water. "What happened!? You suddenly disappeared under the water!" Moonlight seemed to snarl and Luna figured that he was clearly worried. "The pain is gone, whatever she did... I think the Dragonair fixed it." Luna looked around and realized that everything seemed different. The spring was no longer steaming and the water was cold. There was a loud current running through causing a river of water to run further into the cavern. The cavern was dark and... Griffin? "We aren't in the same cave." Moonlight looked all around "How the hell are we not there!?" The Espeon bolted and tried to find a way out. "Luna! Over here!" He was following a cool breeze that carried the scent of pine and elm trees. Luna followed feeling her breath rush through her body with ease and once they broke into the sunlight of the cave suddenly there was a voice. "Vulpix! Moonlight!" Griffin waved to them and the town was coming upon them quickly. "Hurry up, you shouldn't be falling behind like that." "Something's wrong..." Moonlight looked at the sky and the clouds "This doesn't feel right." "I... have the same feeling, it's like something bad is going to happen" Luna replied uneasily and suddenly something bumped into her. Laughter rang throughout her ears when she looked upon the face of a young Vulpix. "Sorry." He tilted his head low to apologize "That's fine... Are you al-" suddenly a small gasp took her voice away and before Luna had the chance to look Moonlights way all she heard was his chilling voice. "Autumn?"

-

Thief awoke groggy and confused. He was lying down in a field with Griffin beside him - everyone was asleep. He knew that they were just in a cavern... but as soon as the memory came to him it began to fade into nothing. With a groan he stretched and stared at the humans sleeping and then eyed Griffin's Pokéball belt that was next to him. Softly the Growlithe poked at Luna's and Moonlight's Pokéball. Nothing happened. Thief went to wake up Griffin nothing happened. Nobody was waking up and eventually he sat down worried sick about it. The silence was unforgiving and there was no wind to stop the sun's chill from raining down upon him. The Growlithe sat for a while wondering what to really do, the sudden fear ran through his mind - was it going to stay like this? Finally Thief decided to talk a walk through the forest. The tranquility was murder - there wasn't a single sound other than his own footsteps and he realized that it was no better than walking through a dark, and endless, corridor. With a bitter swallow he continued to venture further and further into the woods. Hardly the air grasped him as he slithered through the trail watching the unmoving shadows and the still leaves... It felt familiar... This feeling of being alone. It swirled and festered like an anger that burrowed deep into his soul and every step began to feed into his fear. Loneliness. It was all empty and unforgiving. Thief took a second to take it all in, he couldn't be alone, but that was the truth. His world came into a harsh and clear reality. The family that Griffin made couldn't last forever, that's what he was trying so hard to discover now. The underbrush swivelled from the sound of his paws pressing against the earth as he took off like a bullet searching. There had to be something. Anything... Over a silent bank the water from a stream ran through. It was as if the entire world was paused - the water remained unmoving. The tree leaves stayed still, like stone arrows hanging from the branches. The Growlithe's feet took hold of him once more, there had to be somebody. There had to be anybody. A crack somehow echoed through his ears and from the corner of the forest was an opening that led to a large tree surrounded by a right of evergreens. The grass was no less than an emerald sea that was lifted by a cold breeze that made Thief chuckle. A voice slipped into the wind which seemed basted with the scent of salt-water... The slightest name perked his ears to its tune. Luna. Thief took a moment to daringly step forward and in the closing distance was the yellow-orange fur of a Growlithe and the slightest sight of her. When the sea of grass cracked beneath him the colored glass suddenly slipped into unfurling embers of confusion and pain and the tree with the world all-around was enveloped in cloudless smoke which rested like a black and heavy fog that Thief could hardly see through. That was when rumbles licked at his ears - an engine was running nearby. The earth quaked under the sound of the large machine as the slightest echo slipped past his fogged view. Without really hearing their voices Thief began to understand their conversation. They were poachers. He tried to take another step forward but that same voice suddenly touched the wind. Her name... and suddenly he only noticed the slightest glimpse of the gold and orange fur before there was a sudden yell and a load crack echoed through the air. Thief froze feeling his heart pounding against his chest and his eyes saw the slightest glimpse once more. Gold and orange fur lay inside the hurricane of black fog. It only took a single drop of blood to fill his eyes for Thief to figure out what happened. Whoever that Growlithe was they startled one of the poachers and in return, they shot him. The loud quakes from the truck shook the trees and Thief stared at the large one in the midst of it all - its branches cracked from the flames and hit the ground below. Suddenly it all stopped and a void filled his eyes. Luna? Her name lingered inside his head but the hollow scent of smoke swirled in his mind and that single drop of blood shattered the illusion entirely. Every shard of glass was like the piece of the sky falling down on him, his legs gave way and with a terrified yelp he realized that he was falling with them. Further and further the darkness churned around him, like a storm of hate and sadness until a cold rush of water slipped over his head. The splash was deafening and panic filled his mind as much as the water filled his lungs until something lifted him from the depths. A Dragonair. Defensively Thief snarled and she replied with the slightest coo of sound. "In a game of chess were neither side has a king or queen, who wins?" She spoke softly and Thief stopped his growling, confused. "It'll be nice to see the outcome." As if the water was controlled by her voice the Dragonair allowed it to encase him - the slightest blue aura filled the world of unexpected darkness and suddenly he was awake with everybody around him. He was being carried by Griffin and Luna and Moonlight was walking behind him. Melody and Natasha were chatting with one another. "It sucks that we couldn't find that pond..." Natasha brought up and suddenly Thief moved more. "Hey buddy, you fell asleep." Griffin noticed the Growlithe was finally awake and he put him down next to Luna. Moonlight kept a close eye on Thief. "Hey do you feel... like you're forgetting something?" Griffin asked Natasha and she shrugged. "We're supposed to meet Brad." Melody brought up. "Right" Griffin took a long look behind him - he didn't remember taking this route at all. All he knew was that the town wasn't too far away as he could see it from there. Thief stared at the town for a while... he remembered some of it. After a long glance at the Vulpix behind him; watching her eyes he noticed a small light seamlessly glow. The tender cool color was a mix of worry, but it was a happy kind of worry... "Thief?" She said after a moment, her ears twitched in a way that she was expecting something. "N - Nothing." He shook his head left and right, but in truth he was trying to hide the red that flushed his cheeks. Quickly his head snapped forward, losing the sight of her eyes. Softly in his chest the flutter of his heart seemed to echo through the forest. It was racing faster than ever.

-

As the large, sage beast unfurled before Trevor and his Sandslash felt the need to take on a sudden defensive; there was the slightest gasp of admiration and rage. "H - How the hell did Griffin get a Haxorus?" Logan remarked and stared at his Dragonite for a split-second "It took me years of training... to get... a dragon type..." "Looks like he has some beginners luck" Rebecca smirked as she was still upset about Logan's flight joke the night before. Her Charmander softly coo'd and she picked the large lizard up, as if to cradle him. Trevor always noticed when Rebecca would, the way she'd almost carry him whenever they walked together. The Haxorus softly lulled and everybody's attention was fixed on it "So how do we know it's trained properly? I mean for all we know Griffin could've just caught it." Logan stared at the Dragon daringly, his Dragonite largely mirrored Logan's challenging image. Trevor shrugged "It hasn't attacked yet, so I say it's fine." Softly his eyes narrowed on some of the gashes that seemed to burrow themselves into its scales. Bandit. Mauville was quickly growing onto them and as soon as the trail switched from rocks and dirt to pavement Rebecca nearly spun around happily. "Finally we made it."

"We're not done yet, we still have a bit of a walk to Littleroot."

Back in the center Brad was waiting for Griffin, Melody, and Natasha to return. He had already talked with Nurse Joy about the boy he had run into before. After his short story she simply said that the boy did tend to hang around the forest often; he was the type that lived only with his grandmother on the outskirts of the town. So Brad didn't decide to pry any further on the topic.

Aura on the other hand was still interested about the young boy... he seemed to know more than he was letting on. The Lucario sat on the windowsill, looking out at the people that were walking down the sidewalk - it was getting late and the sun was just reaching the brink of setting. Aura looked into her paws before rubbing them together; they felt cold. Without her really noticing, and to her sudden realization, Brad quickly held them into his hands as if helping to warm them up. How many times had he done that before? Aura softly looked at his hands cover her paws - they were warm and his fingers softly brushed against the outside of her paws. She turned to the window, her face was burning red. "Your paws are freezing" He muttered and open his bag. When Aura finally looked he noticed Brad give her a pair of mittens. There weren't individual fingers, just a round bed of fabric that she could fit her paws into - they were a light orange in color. She put them both on and they fitted perfectly. "I hope that helps" Brad says with a smile and slowly Aura leaned in... Further... further... "Hey Brad" Her whole body jolted as Griffin and everybody else walked into the center. "Sorry, we got lost... I guess." "Lost?" Brad was standing, already walking towards him. Moonlight softly glared at Aura and she turned to face the outside world not wanting to show the blush that was growing across her face. The Lucario spent the time staring at the trees and the people, until... "I didn't think we'd be intruding." The Espeon said sincerely. Aura stayed silent but somehow knows that her own feelings and energy are enough to talk to the Espeon standing by the windowsill. Moonlight closed his eyes and sat while basking in the aura of the Lucario. "I don't quite remember what happened... I think we found a cave and got turned around." He says and suddenly worry fills Griffin. "Vulpix!?" He tosses himself around before noticing her standing by his legs with Thief only a few steps away. Nurse Joy looked over the counter "You let your Vulpix walk here?" "I - I, please check up on her..." He says, dropping his head "I completely forgot that she shouldn't be walking around that much" The nurse gave Griffin a scolding stare before softly picking the Vulpix up and running a quick emergency scan. He stood for a while, staring at his Vulpix and cursing himself... "Huh?" Nurse Joy started the scan again, and then a third time before slipping into disbelief. "What is it?" "Chansey, please bring Vulpix in for a physical examination." The Nurse looked at Griffin "The system isn't picking up any fractures, so I'm going to examine her personally, please wait here." The nurse disappeared into the back and Griffin sighed, slumping into a chair beside the desk. "Am I missing something?" Melody asks and Natasha looks over "His Vulpix got hurt, broke a few bones or something." Griffin slouched over and put his fingers together before finding comfort with his hands right underneath his chin... it was a long wait before the Nurse came back into the room, with Vulpix. She looked white as a sheet. "I - I didn't find anything, no injuries... anything" She says and Griffin stood up "It's as if she was never injured..." Confused he put a hand against his scalp and looked at his Vulpix intensely.

"That's weird... hey!" Brad suddenly perked up and looked over Luna. "Maybe you guys did find the pond or spring or whatever" "Huh?" "You know the one that kid was talking about... the one I went after when you guys decided to investigate?" Natasha, Melody and Griffin looked at one another, all of them shrugged - still confused. "I... don't remember that." "What are you talking about?" "Sorry..." Brad stared at all of them, blank. "... Nevermind..." He put his hand to his head and glanced at Luna. She glanced back before eying Aura curiously... she was still forcing all of her attention to the window. The look in her eyes from the reflection of the glass was filled with disappointment. She sighed and with her eyes closing from time to time she went over everything that had happened. After leaving the cavern Moonlight had bolted after the other Vulpix on instinct and Luna had lost him... shortly after she crossed by a stream. It ran in her mind - the crisp, clean water with the slightest hint of salt and asphalt lingering in the airy trees. She stepped over a small bank to her right before... bumping into a Growlithe. Thief. She couldn't explain her sudden happiness but with a soft exhilarated call she got his attention... A different Vulpix was there and he couldn't hear Luna at all... "Vulpix." Griffin's voice sliced through her memories and she looked up to him... her ears began ringing when he said something else. She suddenly couldn't hear him. The silence swallowed her senses as something suddenly fractured her eyesight. The Lucario tilted her head up and Moonlight's fur spiked over, glaring at the sudden dart that swung across the PokéCenter's front door... Nobody else seemed to notice it. Luna stared at Moonlight, the Espeon watched as the Vulpix's ears fell to the side of her head... her mind was fixed on the train. You shouldn't seem so scared. A voice suddenly echoed through her head. We might just think your weaker then you first let on... A hazy snicker went through her mind as Griffin picked her up, noticing that the sun was already dropping from the sky. He said more words, but she couldn't hear a thing... until... the ringing suddenly stopped. "Vulpix?" Griffin's voice broke through the silence and she tilted her head towards him. "You spaced out." He spoke with a boy-ish grin plastered across his face "Well everything is ready to go in the backroom of the center - I even found one of the old cots." Nurse Joy said before suddenly looking at Griffin "Wait... weren't you injured when you came in this morning?" "I was?" Griffin took a moment to look at his leg, finally remembering that he had sprained it. There was no bruising at all. His eyes sharpened and he put down his Vulpix before petting Moonlight, the Espeon pressed his nose against Griffin's hand firmly and gave it an affectionate lick. "Right... and Moonlight was hurt too" "That's right... maybe this whole healing story is true?" "Well Maidon's Peak is a wonderful place for healing Pokémon" Nurse Joy mentions "The forest is lush and provides a perfect habitat for them." "Doesn't explain how Griffin healed so quickly..." Brad mutters and shrugs "It's getting late, how about we call it in for the night?" "It's only like six..." Natasha replies "We could see more of the peak. "Well the shrine was the main attraction I wanted to see" Melody mentions "Maybe later tonight we can all go and light lanterns?" "That sounds perfect!" Melody smiles "But first... why don't we take a break" She says and puts her hand on her thigh "My legs are getting tired from all this walking." Griffin nodded "Yeah, in fact I'm pretty exhausted. We can grab dinner later on and then go out to set those lanterns" "Sure... but we still have that bed problem... even with the extra cot there's only three..." Griffin nodded "I mentioned before that I don't mind taking the floor." He says and Natasha slips over to the counter "They are divided right?" Nurse Joy chuckles "Two separate rooms actually." Melody nods and Natasha smiles "Awesome, I get a little worried with those two..." "W - what do you mean by that!?" Griffin replies. After another un-needed argument Brad and Griffin put their bags into one of the rooms. Moonlight hugged his trainer's leg the whole time and after Griffin set up his sleeping bag, Moonlight playfully bounced into it. It left everyone chuckling... except for Aura. After Brad had made his bed, she took the time to sit on the edge, staring at the human intently. From time to time Brad caught onto her eyes "Everything okay Aura?" He'd say while storing the last of things. Moonlight popped his head out of Griffin's blue sleeping bag and rolled about in the fabric. Luna giggled while watching him before her memories crept up on her... thanks for the help Thief's distant voice echoed loudly in her mind I would never had made it through the woods without you He'd say again to the Vulpix that stood in front of him No problem, I'm happy to help out. She'd reply with a warm smile that made him nervously smile back. Unfortunately, this is where we part ways little Thief. The Growlithe nodded Uhm... M - Maybe we'll meet again? I'd like to be able to talk to such a great friend... in the near future. She waves her tail goodbye - as if it were a hand No, you'll be able to meet a new great friend all over again. Later She says before disappearing into the woods... Luna filled in the gaps. A few months later he ran into Griffin and then even longer still... her. You need this... Her own words echo in her mind as the picture replays. Her sitting there with an Oran berry just past her lips as she presses it against the Growlithe. A bitter swallow touches her throat, the truth was there... Thief... wasn't him. She didn't want him; she wanted the friend she used to know. A soft quaking hits her chest as she still feeds through the odd visions, remembering everything - even when he had dragged her out of the rain the night before Pewter, or how he had stayed up during the first night, arguing blindly with himself before Moonlight had talked to him because... he already knew. Moonlight knew everything about Thief; they had been traveling with Bandit for months before her... he must've said something to both of them. Another soft word brushed against her maw I love you... He had said something after that - in Cerulean... She knew that he did, maybe something he didn't realize. "Luna?" "..." She opened her eyes, staring at her paws first before swallowing and firmly pushing into the linoleum floor. "Y - Yes?" "... I... remember the cave." He says to her quietly. "D - Did the Dragonair show you anything?" Of course she did! She showed me too much to really understand... Luna swallowed and looked over the Growlithe before suddenly feeling a little scared. She didn't know what to do and she hardly knew what to say. "..." "Luna?" "You aren't him..." She finally whispered with her heart racing and her body heating up. "I -" "You aren't!" She says loudly, with her face red and suddenly bolts off, slipping past Griffin who was startled. "V- Vulpix!" A trainer walked through the front door and she had passed through, bolting down the road alone... Griffin chased after her and Thief soon did after. It isn't him... why? Her chest begun to sting - but it wasn't from her old injury. Why can't it be him? The tears filled her eyes as she bolted further and further away from the center before slipping past the statue of the Maiden and darting into the woods. _I...

I just want to go back home _

Brad hardly had the chance to say anything to Griffin before he had disappeared from the Pokémon Center. Natasha and Melody peered out of their room after hearing his loud footsteps. "What got into him?" "No him, his Vulpix suddenly just ran out..." Brad looked back into the room as a beam shot from Griffin's bag. His Absol stood beside the human in the doorway. "Moonlight, I'm going after them." The Espeon went to stand "Just me... There's something I need to do..." "Absol" "No... Griffin was still debating about what to call me" She says with a small smile touching her lips, Moonlight felt his breath get taken away - she seemed actually... happy. "He wants to name me Eclipse" "Yes, he's mentioned it a few times now..." The small smile seems to grow "If he wants to, I'll be honored to have it." She grins and suddenly bolts out of the room. Moonlight sat back onto the sleeping bag, staring intensely at the doorway. Something slipped across his face... a grin of his own overcame him as he leaned into the blue fabric. Autumn would have loved to be here He stares into his paws as the Dragonair's vision appears in the back of his mind and he basks in the gentle memories, his smile softly trying to fade as he burrows his face into the sleeping bag, tears starting to sting his eyes. I'm so sorry Autumn... we were so close._Shortly he eyes his own Pokéball - the vest Ayumu gave him... with... _I tried... I really did, forgive me, please... I can't keep living without you He bites his tongue sharply at all the negativity that fills his body, Aura looks over to the bundle of light purple fur and he knows that she can sense the change in his emotion. If only we could have learned how to stop the faults... it wasn't fair... why you? Why? Was it my fault? He softly chokes and burrows further into the sleeping bag - his face red from the explosion of pain and embarrassment. I can't... I never could... "Moonlight?" Aura whispers and he stirs the other way, staring at the wall before sniffling. "I'm fine" His voice cracks before he clears it "I'm fine... I'm just remembering the past, that's all." "Moonlight..." "I said I'm fine" He replies coldly. "I just... everything feels too familiar" "What does?" She coo's softly, leaning down on the ground while Brad finally looks over. He stays quiet as if he knew what was going on. "The feeling of a family, of being in one, of having one." He swallows "I just" With a warm sigh the Lucario softly pulls back the sleeping bag before resting her paw against the Espeon's scalp. "You're happy here with us?" He swallowed again before sucking in air "Yes, I am." The Espeon sighs heavily and turns to face her, his face still stained with tears. "I just can't seem to forget the past... I can't forget my screw-ups..." "The past isn't something to forget Moonlight." He nods, knowing that he's heard that plenty before. "Right... I - I'm just going to get some sleep, take a nap." "Alright." She replies and stares at the window "They're all going to be fine, together that thing we saw before won't be able to get near them..." Moonlight says and looks at the pane of glass with a row of trees just budding in the horizon. That's because it's not the same one, it's not the one I'm hunting for. Moonlight curls up and yawns, he knew that in the back of his mind that he was being selfish... but whatever Thief and Luna had been talking about before was for them to settle, Moonlight knew that. He closed his eyes... After about twenty minutes he had finally fallen asleep and Brad had finished talking to Natasha and Melody - Aura and Brad were finally alone in the room. She looked at her paws, still gloved with the mittens that Brad had given her earlier. Her face went red and she sat back down on the bed, looking at her feet. Brad started to rummage through his bag before grabbing his camp alarm, setting it for early so they all could leave in the morning. Brad leans back against the pillow and sighs, letting his eyes close for a moment before he looks over at Aura. She's staring at him... "Aura?" He says and sits up "Are you feeling okay?" He shifts over and sits next to the Lucario; she focuses on her paws for the time being. He leans in slightly "Is something on your mind?" Closer... She holds her paws together, squeezing the mittens firmly between them. She slightly arches over, barely leaning towards him Closer... He tilts his head, asking one of the same questions, the sound of her name being called by him made her bite her lip. Closer... The moment she noticed his face she turned her head, pressing her maw against Brad's lips. "Mmph?" He tries to speak but she has him firmly against her. A thick blush burns her face as she finally took that kiss. His hands push against her but she hugs him tightly, not wanting to let go, her mouth parts softly as she pulls back and licks his cheek. Brad pushes against her again "A - Aura?" He says sharply and she stops. "W -what are you doing?" he asked with a hard blush covering his face. "Is everything alright?" Nurse Joy's voice carried into the room as Brad nearly darted to the other end of the bed "Yes, everything is fine" He said as the light red line softly faded from his cheeks. "Well... okay, if you need anything I'll be at the front." Brad nodded a few times "Yes, thank you." He says quickly and glances at Aura... "What was that all about?" he whispers to himself

-

Every patter, every step... Further and further across bends of the trail and over bushes which littered the ground. He was somewhere - he had to be... Anywhere. She closed her eyes, she knew his face but the sound of his voice escaped her memory. Every fractionless breath would shatter her thoughts in a crackle of sharp glass. Her castle and figment of imagination crumbled apart to reveal the reality. She knew... She saw the flash... Heard the loud crack ring as a single heartbeat stopped suddenly... The scent of a drop of blood flooded her nostrils as the smoke swallowed her thoughts. But he had to be somewhere. Her legs picked up as the cold air swept away the last shards of sunlight her heart was pounding against her chest so hard that it ached. The joints of her front paws felt weak but he had to be. She kept running through the night, letting the darkness swallow her whole when, finally, a pale light preached her eyes and a young woman stared at her from beside a large aspen tree. Luna looked over her before her ears lifted slightly. Every image of her was familiar and she recognized her, finally. The maiden's statue looked just like her. "What are you doing out here?" She said and lowered a lantern... It wasn't a ghost; she was real "If you hang around town for too long a Pokémon trainer will catch you for sure." Hang... around town? Luna looked around and noticed that she had run in a circle, but how? Looking behind her there was the statue of the Maiden in the distance and suddenly something darted out of the woods in front of her. "Luna..." Thief said softly and she turned to see the girl she was gone Her feet moved and Thief pushed forward. "Please, don't run again..." His small whine made her ear twitch and her legs went to bolt but he somehow cut her off and she bumped against the wall where Thief pressed his paws against it, cornering her against an old building on the edge of the town. She was held and the moonlight peered through the fluffy clouds above them. "D - don't..." She growled with a harsh tone but Thief kept her against the wall. "You're no-" "I don't care if I'm not... I just wanted to make a friend... like before..." His forehead loomed over her and pressed against the wall. Something wet suddenly dropped on her nose. "I wanted her back and... I thought you were her and I was so excited. The way you talked and acted and everything." He swallowed harshly and Luna squirmed but that only made him close the distance between them. Her face was starting to burn. "But... you weren't... you were someone better Luna and I don't want to lose another friend! So please... don't leave..." Luna's lip quivered as her body froze. The heat from his fur radiated between the small space and she daringly tried to look at his face. "I - I thought you were him... I hardly remember him but he was my best friend" She bit her tongue "It's those humans... why do they have to destroy everything?" Her eyes started to sting again and the bitter memories of her first trainer flooded her mind "Griffin doesn't" "I don't care" She recoiled, looking him straight in the eyes "Yes, you do." Thief replied sincerely and her tail started to drop down again. Her heart was racing and she was terrified that he would hear, her voice suddenly faded and she couldn't speak. "I..." Thief lowers his head, face flushed as his maw narrows in before he swallows harshly "I... want to kiss you." "W - W - What?" Luna squealed, her soft voice brushed against his ear as he softly pressed inward with his newfound confidence. She closed her eyes and tried to move but her body wouldn't respond and before she knew it "Eep!" The tiny whine slipped against the Growlithe's lip as he pressed his maw against hers, kissing her softly at first when he began to become more gracious. Her heart fluttered and she found that she couldn't breathe. Softly thrashing the Growlithe pressed more of his weight against Luna, her body shivered generously and the few seconds - which felt like hours, lingered on her lips the moment he finally pulled away. Her orange-red eyes glazed over suddenly and she felt her body go limp. Thief loomed over her for just a while longer, panting. There were hardly any words to be said, she simply put her chin to her chest and stared at him. His large paws still held against the wall behind her and kept her from escaping but after a while Luna realized that she wasn't even thinking about it. His nose seemed to push against her neck and with a small quiver she finally pushed against him. "W - why are you doing that?" She held her paws against his chest and looked him in the eyes. Thief's face was completely red "I - I - I - It feels right..." He stutters out "I don't know what else to do..." His nose pushed against her paws. "L - Let's find Griffin and get some sleep..." he says and Luna nods, finally able to escape his hold. As she was walking down the road to the Pokémon Centre with Thief the Growlithe looked at her. "And Luna" "Yes?" "I - I may not be... him... but if it makes you happy I'll certainly try to be." He says, more to himself then anything. After a few more seconds of silence, with the Pokémon Center overlooking them Luna turns around and stares at Thief. "No, you're not him... you're something better." She says warmly and smiles before finding it somewhere in her to start giggling. Thief joined in as they both walked into the Pokémon Center together.

-

Not this again... Moonlight slipped further from consciousness, heading off to the world that his mind and worries created. Through his rest, warmth burrowed deep into his chest as he fell into a deep sleep. But it wasn't a peaceful one at all. The airy and windy November skies shimmered so vividly in Moonlights dream; out by the field beside a large ocean and the forest behind him... next to a large laboratory with Ayumu and, of course, a playful Vulpix that bolted across the meadow with a cute, wonderful laugh. His eyes would scan the skies and the clouds, picking out little shapes of flowers and an Eevee that he said looked so much like Moonlight. The Espeon remembered this. One of the many days that he wasn't too sick to go outside.

The Eevee would watch with his poofy tail wagging before he'd bolt out into the meadow and pounce along with the younger Vulpix. Ayumu would stand in the back with his notepad laughing before bringing them in for lunch at least twenty minutes later. That was before Moonlight knew... That was before he knew that Autumn was dying. Moonlight remembered the day after, it was raining and Autumn was so sick that he could hardly really eat. Desperately the Eevee would sit out front his door wondering why. That was the day Ayumu had told him that Autumn was very sick and would always be sick. He still remembered the look on his face as he knelt down to bring Moonlight into the other room. He only really saw the emptiness in his eyes. It shattered him really, the sadness. Stirring in his sleep the Espeon curled around the fabric of his trainer's sleeping bag, the warm sun reminded him of another time. A small town would hover around them like sprites lingering around a graveyard. Every face and building seemed so empty to Moonlight now. "What about that one Eevee?" Autumn said with a grin before gasping and slipping out of Ayumu's grasp. "A - Autumn?" Ayumu went to pick him back up but the stubborn little Vulpix was staring at a scarf in the window of a shop. Eevee looked over it too and walked over to him. "What is it?" "It's pretty..." The scarf was light and dark purple, striped in its alternating shades. Eevee looked over it again "I guess it is." "I'd like to have something like that..." Autumn whispered again "I'd like to have lots of things like that" Moonlight stared over his younger self and a small smile almost touched him. That's right this is the first time I could communicate with Ayumu. A small glass tear froze everything. I told Ayumu that Autumn wanted the scarf

Underneath the glaze of the sun again just at the point of four where it was already setting the Vulpix would rest along the grass taking in the scents all around him and yawning tiredly, wrapped up in his brand new scarf with Eevee sitting next to him. He was staring at the sea, now Moonlight could hardly remember any of his thoughts but the resolve was clear. The little Eevee was going to save his friend, no matter what. Every day he woke up he spent the time studying everything Ayumu had learned, helping him, studying beside him and understanding exactly the kind of disease Autumn was born with and how they could reverse it. "Hey Moonlight." Autumn had strolled into the lab where Ayumu was. It was at least a year later, and by that time he had turned into and Espeon... it was because... It was because Moonlight would wake up every day to see Autumn with him. "Yes?" A sharp pain struck the Espeon's stomach as he nearly screamed at himself. "Just... say yes..." He didn't want to remember how he ignored Autumn. He didn't want to see the disappointment in his eyes and he hardly wished to hear the sadness in his voice. "I'm feeling better today do you wanna come out and play with me? It's really sunny." The Espeon stopped and without saying a word he nodded yes. Moonlight froze and his heart dropped. No. don't show me this, not now. A sharp swallow touched his throat as the dry hot liquid ran through him. A silent eye forced him to watch Wake up... just wake up It went along like any other day a year ago. Where Moonlight and Autumn would play in the meadow and the forest around their home as Ayumu watched all through the day until the afternoon. But that day as they were coming back home... Autumn collapsed hardly a few steps away from the door with hardly a sound. Soft trembles slipped out of Moonlight as he bolted around to see his face "Autumn!?" He whined, nosing into him as Ayumu immediately picked the Vulpix up and brought the Pokémon to its room.

It took four hours for Ayumu to wake him up, but he could hardly move. As if paralyzed, the Vulpix rested on a small bed, something that the Pokécenter would have only for the extreme care ward. Moonlight sat by the door for the whole time, hardly moving and refusing to have dinner. A small break touched his face and he realized, finally. That the little Eevee who promised to save his friend had failed. It was after Autumn opened his eyes that Ayumu had learned that the disease had begun to enter its final stages. The main side effect was paralysis. Even if they could save him now, the Vulpix would never walk again. Moonlight swallowed. He wasn't supposed to walk again. A sharp shiver ran through him as he remembered hearing the heart monitor flat-lining suddenly and the moment he turned a bundle of fur fell into him. Autumn was resting his body into Moonlight and without moving the Espeon held the Vulpix up. Ayumu nearly bolted up the stairs and noticed it, his shoulders relaxed for a second. "I love you...." Autumn whispered into Moonlights shoulder. "You're my best friend, my only friend. I know you've spent so much time trying to make me better... I love you Moonlight..."

Wake up...

Outside in the pitch dark, Griffin took another step, calling out both Vulpix and Thief respectfully. Nothing. His shoulders fell and he sighed, looking back at the shrine behind him. "Where did they go?" He scratched his head when the snapping of a twig made him turn rearward. There was a man dressed in a black coat. He took a step forward... "Who the hell are you!?" "Yeah, I found him. Tell the boss." He chatted into his earpiece casually and Griffin took a step back. "You've caused us a lot of trouble Griffin." A light puff of smoke slipped by his lips as the glowing end of a cigarette softly illuminated his jacket. A dark black trench coat with a red R etched over his heart. Team Rocket. The man took a step forward and Griffin stepped back "Stay away from me." "Shut up and listen." He snapped back with a powerful almost drill-like voice that made Griffin freeze on the spot. He came further into the light. He was large with a square-ish chest, his whole body seemed stocky. A thin lined scar crossed his forehead at a disgusting angle which narrowed near his right brow. His jaw seemed firm and large with a few harsh Knicks here and there that were etched into his face. "A professor named Joseph is going to talk to you in Vermillion City. He's expecting you at the gym there, primarily he's going to ask you about your registration into the Tri-Research Certificate." "T - Tri Re-" "Your brother Logan applied for it before becoming a professor himself." "How do you know about my brother!?" Griffin took a defensive stance and the man simply put his hands behind his back, appearing even more menacing. "It's not hard to learn about people, Mr. Fletching. The bottom line, tell Professor Joseph that you applied for the grant about a week ago and that all the papers are with Akiyama Ayumu. Your professor, naturally. Tell him you left the papers back for safe keeping." "Wouldn't it be a digital license?" "Anybody can forge and find them then. Paper might be old fashioned but it works just as well." He narrowed his eyes. "Just don't screw up." He turned to leave "Oh, and I saw your Growlithe and Vulpix walk back into the Pokémon Center... and." "Y - yes?" He turned, slightly opening his jacket to show a glimmer of silver. The handle of a gun. Griffin froze solid, swallowing harshly from the sight of cold steel. "We never met, Griffin Fletching." He turned and waved, walking back into the darkness of the wood.

-

Dim lanterns sparked from the edge of an all too familiar road nearby a much too friendly town came a group of weary strangers. That was, until they touched those lights as someone enjoying the night air on their porch had waved with a happy smile. "Logan!? Logan Fletching? Oh your grandfather is going to be a happy man indeed." The older woman had said with a happy chirping tone, her small Pidgey coo'd from the railing. He waved and nodded, agreeing with her and leaving Trevor and Rebecca behind for a moment. "All this walking has made me tired..." She yawned with a yearning for rest as Trevor nodded and slightly bent his knees. "I think we all know the feeling." He said , smiling a little as door a few houses over had suddenly been left ajar. "Logan!" An elderly man with wispy blonde hair and a warm, yet studious, face had stepped outside. His oak-wood cane would rattle the ground from time to time as a small Raticat would sluggishly fall behind him. "What brings you to Littleroot? Shouldn't you of all people be back at the League?" A small smile came to Logan's face as quickly as it slipped away. "We've had... complications at the excavation site." He started to say "I don't know if my father had mentioned anything yet." "Complications?" "Like... with Team Aqua and Magma a few years ago." The elder man's face began to leaden. "I see... So I'm guessing you're here to do research on something..." "Yes... your cabin in the woods nearby. We'd like to use it for a bit." The man sighed and straightened his back. "Alright, alright. It seems that serious. I'll bring you to it, but first we'll rest and eat. After all my wonderful wife will be happy to see you." All of a sudden his voice and tone had changed in an instant, leaving the cheery old man they had spoken to in the beginning. "Come along, you all must need some rest." He said and Logan nodded, knowing that it was never a good idea to question him... especially when he was going to aid in a favor. "So I guess that's your uncle right?" Rebecca said with a small grin "I guess I'm just meeting all of your family right?" Trevor smiled "Looks that way." He said and shrugged as the old man had given a wave, telling them both to follow. "Char, Char!" Rebecca's Charmander suddenly bounced out of her grip and decided to walk next to her. "Char..." "You're hungry aren't you?" She smiles warmly "We'll be having something to eat here" Trevor glanced back for a moment before letting his Sandslash out. Spirit looked over his trainer with trusting eyes before following Trevor down the way. Inside the cozy home by an airy trail with small critters passing through the night, Logan stared out the window and looked over his notebook. The drawing of a small orb with fuzzy little hairs and etches of what appeared to be eyes and a mouth stared back at him. "That's what they were after?" The elder man's voice chimed as he brought in a tea cup and placed it on the kitchen counter. Suddenly a thin fingered woman with red-white hair stepped into the kitchen checking on the food she had in the oven before turning to see Logan. "It's so nice of you to visit Logan, how long has it been..." "About seven months now, sorry for spending so much time away." "Not at all, my grandson... a professor? I'm quite thrilled." She said with a warm smile before looking at Trevor whom was leaning next to a picture on the wall. "And... Trevor right? Griffin talks a lot about you." "Ah yes, we met at least four years ago? A family reunion." "Yes my daughter's cousin had a baby; I recall the reunion quite clearly. I made my famous salmon." "Yes, I remember that." He says with a smile as she glances at Rebecca. "I haven't met you though." She said with a smile and held out her hand "Martha." She said "And this is my husband Corey." The elder man waved happily and went back to discussing the drawing and bits of the situation with Logan. Rebecca held out her hand with a smile and took Martha's "Rebecca, I'm a friend and colleague of Trevor's. It's wonderful to meet you both." She as her Charmander softly Char'd again and nodded, as if to agree. "Well now that that's all settled, I have dinner in just a few moments. I wasn't expecting company..." "That's quite alright" Logan said "I... really didn't get the chance to call ahead." Martha sighed "Just... try stopping by when there isn't a problem Logan." "I'll try for next time, I promise that." Trevor chuckled and put a knuckle through Logan's hair "This guy!? Without trouble around?" He laughed and Logan brushed his hand off of his head "Like I said." Rebecca started to giggle herself "I'll be sure to come by when there isn't one." "Excellent." Martha said with a smile "Now sit down everyone." The oven timer had went off and Martha turned it off, checking what she had in the oven before pulling it out and letting it cool on the counter. Logan and Trevor had helped set the table as Corey finished finalizing some of the details. Tomorrow they'd make their way to the Forbidden Forest. End.