When The Sun Sets (Moon X Gladion)

Emergencies

The teens attempted to avert their gaze, but a strange spectacle stopped them: Necrozma, it's large claws extended forward, began to shake violently. The surrounding rays seemed to flow into the creature, as if it was pulling a continuous ribbon of light towards it. Moon, who had jumped back as soon as the explosion sounded, wasn't in the least bit surprised. She had seen Necrozma act this way before, just not to this scale. Seconds later, the light subsided and they were left in darkness.

Moon looked on to where the explosion originated from and realized it had come from her old home. She felt a choking sensation and broke out into a sprint. Only three things were on her mind: Hau, Gladion, and her dad.

The run back home felt a lot longer than the walk to the river. The entire time, Moon kept playing out terrifying scenarios in her mind, wishing that none of them were true. What had happened? She knew that her dad had bought fireworks. Had there been a mishap? Did Electrode (her dad's helpful, but hot-headed Pokémon) explode? Did somebody get hurt? She hoped not. She prayed not.

When she finally made it back, she found that the grass had be scorched. She frantically looked around. Everyone looked dazed and confused. Hau ran up to her, the tips of his bangs partially singed and his tattered clothes smoking. "Moon! You just missed the most amazing thing!"

Moon, her hands on her knees, stopped to catch her breath. "What?"

"Lt. Surge and I just had a Pokémon battle, and believe it or not, I won! Yeah, Raichu finished it with the brightest thunderbolt I've ever seen! It was incredible!" Hau was beaming.

"Incredible?" Moon glanced at Green, who was just as out of breath as she was. "I heard... I heard an explosion. I thought someone died." Her diction made it clear that she was not impressed.

Hau's expression turned serious. "Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you... I-."

Moon waved her hand, dismissing the matter." No, no, it's fine. Everyone is fine."

There was a rustle of leaves behind them and Necrozma, who had followed the teens' lead, shot a blast of light into the dark. The field was illuminated once more and Gladion cried out in surprise, rolling out of the way and out of the shadows.

"There you are! I thought you said you'd be right back?" Hau exclaimed.

"Gladion?" Moon took a moment to assess the situation. "Were you following us?"

Green leaned towards her, giving a not-so-quiet whisper into her ear. "I think the correct term is 'spying.'"

Gladion's ears reddened and he began to stutter. "Spying? N-no! I-I just wanted to tell you that you're father had a situation at work and-"

Moon sighed, shaking her head. "Of course. He's always working. That's why he chose to stay in Kanto after Mom and I left; he couldn't let those 'projects' of his go."

Remembering what Hau had told him about Moon's family, Gladion felt his throat close. The disappointment on her face was almost too much to bear. He decided to do what he could to make up for it. "I'm sure he wanted to stay, but it was an emergency. Something about a 'Code M2.'"

Moon gave him a little smile, recognizing his efforts to cheer her up. "He'll be back in the morning. Let's just enjoy the party for now."

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I'm sorry this chapter took so long. I've been working, reading for my summer essay, and writing my Romanogers (Captain America X Black Widow) fanfiction. I'll begin working on Chapter 8 of this one right away since I already have it planned out.