Crescent Moon

Secrets

Moon sighed, as she collapsed in her Champion's chair. It was a full day of challengers, and she was exhausted. Either the challengers were getting stronger or the Elite Four needed to beef up their Pokemon.

As Moon gently petted her Decidueye, she couldn't help but feel a pang of emptiness. She didn't quite know what was bringing it on, but she noticed it about two weeks ago. She still enjoyed battling and her Championship duties, but she felt like she needed something...more. She felt restless yet exhausted at the same time.

She had been the on-going Champion for six years. Six years of battling each hopeful challenger after another. Oh, or course, there were the repeat visitors - Hau, Professor Kukui, Gladion - but Moon knew they did it only to test their strength or for kicks. None of them were actually interested in becoming the Champion with their other duties.

Hala decided to become a full time Elite Four member, so Hau took over as a trial captain on Melemele Island. Professor Kukui was busy as ever with research. And Gladion took over as President of the Aether Foundation. Moon reflected that they were all going on the paths that were expected of them. There was no doubt Hau would become a trial captain, and likely would be a kahuna eventually. Even though there was some doubt that Gladion would actually be willing to take over the Aether Foundation, given everything that happened, the welfare of the Pokemon and the true mission of the Foundation won out, and Gladion was making sure it was doing the best it could.

Bzzzt! Moon glanced down to see a text message. Speak of the devil...

What are you up to? Gladion asked.

Sitting here, waiting for another challenger.

Do you ever get a break?

Ehhhh....I'm kind of tempted to fake being sick so I could skip League for a day.

Moon could see Gladion rolling his eyes as he typed a response back. You would.

Hey, we all need vacations! What are you up to?

Paperwork

Moon could see Gladion sighing heavily.

Well, look who's procrastinating now.

I'm not procrastinating! I just needed a ... dammit.

A break?

......

See? We all need them.

Moon watched as the ellipses bubble would go active, then disappear then go active again. Moon had a pretty good idea what Gladion was typing. They hadn't been good friends for the last five years without learning about each other's quirks.

Do you want to skip duties tomorrow and just go somewhere?

Go somewhere? Hmm...as long as it doesn't involve anything dangerous, I think I'm game. I'm pretty sure I can wiggle a day off. Hala has been complaining about his back lately, and if he is game, the rest of the E4 just agree with what he says.

Well, I'm President, so I'll just ask Wicke to stand in for me.

? Not Lillie?

There was no response for a few minutes. Finally, the animated ellipses popped up and a few seconds later, a message arrived.

She and Hau left today for a trip to Hoenn.

Ehhhhh?! What about trial duties?

/headdesk Of course you would only think about trial duties.

??? ....oh. I see. Moon couldn't help but grin.