When The Sun Sets (Moon X Gladion)

We're All In This Together

Back when Moon was getting ready to fight Ultra Necrozma, she had a mental breakdown. It was 3am and she was lost in Ultra Space, approximately 16,984 light years away from Alola. She remembered how the lonely the rocky wilds were, as well as the few Pokémon that resided there. Her eyes were heavy, her mind was strained, and she just wanted to go back home. Not to the house where her mother resided, but to the home she knew only a year beforehand... back in Kanto where her and Sun used to romp. But as she gazed into the starless sky that resided above the wilds of space, she knew she could never go back. Mournfully, her 11 year-old self collapsed against a rock and began to sob.

As soon as Lucario felt his trainer's aura shift that night, he emerged from his pokéball. He studied Moon for a moment before surveying the scenery around them. Then, looking back at Moon, the corners of his lips upturned as memories of his first encounter with Moon flooded his conscience. He recalled the faithful day where she stumbled upon his shuddering, sniffling form and now, standing 16,984 light years away from that very spot, he realized that the tables had turned. Placing a paw on her forehead, Lucario created a psychic link with the young trainer.

Upon entering Moon's mind, Lucario's senses were flooded with feelings of anguish and despair. He squeezed his crimson eyes shut and gritted his fangs, letting the rush of emotions pass through him. Then, fighting her emotions, he forced his calm state of mind onto her. In a instant, Moon's sobbing subsided. Looking up at Lucario with confusion in her cloudy eyes, she was ready to lead them back to Alola.

That's why when the mother kangaskhan fell to her rugged knees, Moon waived her worries aside.

"Moon, what's happening?" Gladion stared at Kangashkan with startled eyes.

"Lucario has the ability to create psychic links with people," Moon explained. "He can communicate with others on an emotional level and even subdue negative emotions." Moon redirected her attention towards Kangaskhan, taking a few steps forward. On the fourth step, Moon's aching body failed her, sending her to her knees. She was eye-to-eye with Kangaskhan now, but she didn't mind. "I'm so sorry about all of this," she said in a low, melodious voice. "My friend is keeping your baby safe. We'll take you to him."

Kangaskhan croaked softly before lifting herself from her plated knees. Then, the mother in her springing to life, she helped Moon to her unsteady feet. As Moon teetered again, Gladion fastened a strong arm around her waist and didn't let go.

"We need to find Green," Moon urged to Gladion. "When did you last see him?"

"Last time I saw him was right before I came to find you and Hau. He and Kangaskhan Jr. were ducking behind a slab of rocks." Gladion tugged at Moon's waist and motioned for Kangaskhan to follow. "I can take you there now. Where's Hau and Incineroar?"

"I hid Hau somewhere safe along that way." Moon jabbed a finger towards a cluster of distant, rocky hills to their right. "I have no idea where Incineroar is but his hearing is incredible. He should find us but, just in case..." She looked at Lucario. "Luc, can please you find Hau and Incineroar for us?"

Lucario nodded diligently before taking a running start into the direction that Moon had pointed in, leaving the two battered teens alone with the mother Kangaskhan.

"C'mon," Gladion implored, tugging on Moon's waist once more. "This way."

With Kangaskhan following suit, the two tired teens trudged towards Green's location. After hiking over mounds of sharp, staggering rocks and trekking through stone paths, they finally found him. Leaning against a rock, he was shaking slightly. His arms clutched the baby kangaskhan, who lay drowsily in his lap. When Moon and Gladion approached the two, Green barely looked up. "Guys?" His voice croaked slightly as his eyelids drooped, his caramel eyes looking heavier than the weight of Moon's self-doubt. Running through the fields had certainly caused him to sweat a great deal; the dirt that plastered his face only minutes before now rolled down his face in lines, making his pallor skin resemble the canvas of a brown splatter painting.