When The Sun Sets (Moon X Gladion)

Epilogue: A Hero's Parade

The citizens of Alola gathered by the thousands, shuffling to the edges of city streets and village paths. They huddled around one another, their faces dripping with blue paint, or sometimes honey terracotta makeup, or even masks, and conversing amongst themselves with bated breath. They had all heard the news, all of them given an open invitation to arrive and join the show. They knew they were attending a funeral, but they were told to celebrate a life lived rather than mourn. And, although not all of them knew the pokémon in question, those who had crossed his path kept his story alive. Even the youngest toddler, who hid behind his mother's legs as the sidewalk filled with strangers, knew of Lucario Orion's sacrifice.

But, perhaps no one trembled more than a single soul in the corner of one sleepy town. He leaned against a fence with a cigarette clutched in his fingers and a hood concealing his hair. He was the trainer who had known Lucario before anyone, even Moon. Soberly, he remembered the day he abandoned the poor riolu in the fields. A single tear fell from his eye, rolling down his thin face like rain. If he had any regrets, he would drink them away by the end of the night.

All over Alola, music played from loudspeakers to hold the crowds over until the main event, and workers stood at the switches in preparation for that first float. The moment it came into view, they were to shut off the music and let the real party begin.

In Panolia Town, where Lucario's story started, so did his parade. Moon fixed her red, floral tuxedo in the mirror of the motel room she rented for the preparations, positioning the black tie until it lay perfectly around her neck. Gladion had shown her how to tie it while putting on his own plain black tux, and she merely learned by seeing. Though, her handiwork was obviously quite shabbier than his.

"Do you need help with your hair as well?" Gladion asked, standing in the doorway that led to the bathroom. He grabbed a hand towel from the sink, rubbing off the extra hair mousse from his hands. For once in his life, his face was free of bangs and tufts of blond strands. He almost looked like a royalty, which would no doubt please his mother. She would be watching the parade, awaiting their arrival at Tapa Village on Ula'Ula Island. Both of her children would be in the parade, and she was proud.

"I..." Moon studied her hair in the mirror. Did she need a braid? Or would curls compliment the outfit better? She took a strand of hair between her fingers, twirling it while she chewed the inside of her cheek.

"A braid is going to be best, dear," her mother called from the other room. When she appeared at the mouth of the bathroom, Moon caught a glimpse of the woman's long chestnut hair, tan skin, and dress the color of daisies. When she smiled at her daughter, the wrinkles stretched from her gorgeous eyes. "I can do it for you. C'mere."

...

With new a braid and a smile, Moon stumbled out of the house, her own speed and vigor surprising her. The sunlight hit her face like a warm blanket, and she nearly stopped to soak it all in before remembering her mental checklist. Flower arrangements still needed hung, as did the remainder of the lights... It was crucial that she made sure everything was ready before they embarked.

Behind her, Gladion and her mother exited the motel as well, entering the small pavilion where others were putting together floats and checking equipment. There were four floats in total, ordered diligently from the front to the caboose. The first float was the main tribute to Lucario, painted gold and fitted with a papier-mâché statue of him. This float was where Moon, Gladion, Hau, Lillie, and Green would stand.

The second float was a grey stage for a band to perform their gigs on. Vinny and his friends had eagerly accepted this important role, with Vinny being rather heartbroken for the death of Lucario; during the time he and Moon dated, he had grown attached to the pokémon. In fact, Vinny was the third person she called upon reaching Alola only a month beforehand, existing just behind her mother and Lillie. He would never forget how she cried over the phone, as well as how he had begun to cry with her.