Well, i've started whats probably going to end up being my longest project yet. well needless to say i own nothing, the cover was made for me by Blue_Typloshion, and i hope someone at least enjoyed this.

XXXXX

"Hey, are you ok?"

He heard a voice calling out to him in his hazy darkness, he couldn't move couldn't even make a sound. For a moment it felt like someone shook him but still he couldn't respond. How did he end up like this he thought, had he been hit by something?

"He doesn't look hurt, but he's not moving guys."

The voice had returned it sounded almost worried before another voice jumped.

"We just gotta wake him up right?" the second voice asked, much calmer than the first before there came a shuffling sound. He couldn't quite make it out what it was before he felt someone grab his head and prying his mouth open. He had no idea what was happening until his mouth was filled with an unbelievable bitterness. All at once any pain he felt along with the haze over his head had vanished though in it's place came confusion he still didn't know what had happened to him.

"That oughta do it." came the second voice followed by a gasp and the first voice saying "you can't just force feed that poor Buizel a revival herb!" 'A Buizel, was that what i was?' he thought. Slowly he opened his eyes to take in his surroundings, he seemed to have collapsed on a soft patch of grass in between a pair of trees. Standing just in front of him were what he guessed were the two voices he'd heard in his stupor, one of them was a short bluish bird like creature that looked at him with soft eyes a slight frown turning it's beak as it turned berating it's companion, a canine with snowy white fur and a slight mischievous smirk on her face as six tails seemed to twitch slightly behind her. A little behind them was a second canine, this one with shaggy dusty grey fur that had several patches of black around the paws and face, this one was sitting next to a messenger bag that he'd recognized as his own. He recognized all three of them, or what they were anyways, a Piplup, a Ice Vulpix and a Poochyena, and all female at that, though how he knew that much was beyond him.

"Hey he's waking up." the Piplup said getting the attention of the others who both turned to look at him. "You ok? whats your name?" the Piplup asked as she helped him sit up.

"I think so, I'm..." He started before pausing. What was his name he wondered, did he even remember it? He could remember much at all come to think of it, what exactly did he remember anyways? He remembered the types of pokemon that were sitting in front of him, though not much else, And since they'd mentioned it he did remember being a buizel orange fur and all. But what was his name.

"Are you sure you're alright?" It was the Vulpix that spoke up this time eyes narrowing in concern at the seeming loss of words that came from the Buizel.

"Yeah i just, i can't remember my name." He said voice quivering slightly, The three pokemon's eyes widened in shock before the trio huddled together off to the side.

"Ok, so he can't remember his name, that's probably not good." the piplup whispered too the other two loud enough that the Buizel in question still heard them from where he was now sitting up against one of the trees frowning in concentration.

"Hold on." the Vulpix whispered before lifting her head out of the huddle to talk to the Buizel "Do you remember anything at all?" She asked only for him to shake his head before answering.

"Some things, like what pokemon is what, but not much else." he said before asking a question of his own. "What's your names?"

"I'm Cream, the Piplup is Twizzler and the Poochyena is Luna." the Vupix, Cream, said pointing at each in turn with a frosty white paw before shuffling back into the huddle "Ok so he remembers a little bit but this is starting to sound alot like amnesia to me." Cream told the others.

"You might be right, and he's out here all alone, hey maybe if we help him he can help us?" Twizzler said pondering the idea even as she brought it up to the others.

"You want him to join us when we try to join the guild?" Luna said incredulously shuffling her paws in place.

"It would give him something to do until his memory returns...if it ever does, though if we do that it'll cost even more to leave the island." Cream contemplated "Lets ask him latter though, not now." the white fox finished nodding enthusiastically.

"Hey maybe there's something in his bag that'll jog his memory." Luna said excitedly running over and grabbing the messenger bag's strap in her teeth. Dragging it over to the Buizel who had remained mostly quite while the girls had been talking only to flinch as the bag in question was dropped into his lap. "We found this with you so it's gotta be yours, maybe something'll help you remember your name." the poochyena said hopefully.

"Maybe you're right." the Buizel agreed before reaching into the bag to remove it's contents. The first thing pulled out was what appeared to be a folded piece of mint green cloth. he slowly unfolded it the soft green clothing had a hood and a large pocket on the center front. It certainly looked like it would fit him, and it seemed familiar but didn't remind him of anything. As he was turning it around something fell out of the pocket, a decent sized, rectangular, pale orange gem like object that he immediately picked up off the ground.

"Oh a Pixicord, that could help!" Twizzler yelled over to the Buizel. The two other pokemon, her and Cream, deciding to sit down nearby the Buizel.

"A what?" the Buizel asked confused. Another thing he couldn't remember then he thought before sighing loudly.

"It's like a recorder, they're pretty rare but you have one, this could be really helpful." Twizzler started to explain. "Here hand it over." she asked reaching over to grab the device, the Buizel handing it over without complaint. "See they can store a certain amount of time as a recording, anywhere from hours to days depending on the Pixicord itself, alot of pokemon use them to record events and such." the Piplup continued to explain as she flipped the Pixicord around in her flippers as if searching for something. "If there's anything on here it should at least tell us a bit abou-" Twizzler paused for a moment, it looked like the blue bird had found what she was looking for. "Here we go this should start it up." She finished, pushing in a spot on the top of the Pixicord and holding it for all four to see, waiting for whatever the device would show to appear.

Nothing happened.

Nothing continued to happen for several minutes until Luna finally spoke up. "I think it's broken." the poochyena sighed before shaking her head vigorously "is there anything else in the bag?" she asked scraping her paws against the bag attempting to get into it herself until the Buizel pulled it away from her.

"Careful these were gifts." the Buizel said before realizing what he had said. "These were gifts!" he repeated excitedly.

"Do you remember who gave them to you?" Twizzler piped in glancing hopefully between all of them.

"No I do-" the buizel began before he noticed something still in the bottom of the messenger bag. He reached one orange furred hand in and pulled out a tiny bag, made of a small golden cloth. The bag itself was extremely light and warm to the touch. He silently held the bag infront of him eyes narrowed in concentration as something finally came to him.

XXXXX

It was warm here, a comfortable warmth like a hearth in winter or a summer campfire. He couldn't really see much being as he was sitting at what seemed to be the lip of a cave cradling a small golden bag in his paws. He almost dropped the bag when he heard a voice speak up behind him, the voice was female and seemed to be just as warm as the cave it was coming from though the Buizel made no move to turn around.

"Here you are!" the voice said mirthfully, laughing slightly. That laugh alone was enough to bring a smile to the Buizels face. Though that same smile faded moments later.

"Do we really have to do this?" the Buizel asked desperation apparent in his tone.

"If there was some other way i would." the voice said, it sounded...upset, maybe even scared, to the Buizels ears. The Buizel slowly sat down the bag, before bringing his paws to his face attempting to fight back tears. "Shh, shh, it's ok." she cooed softly attempting to sooth the poor Buizel. All the light seemed to vanish instantly as He felt himself covered in what appeared to be feathers.

"As long as you have my gift you'll always be safe." The voice began as the warmth of the feathers began to make the Buizel drowsy. "And one day, we'll be together again, my clear skies, my sweet child, Haru."

XXXXX

"Haru! my names Haru!" He shouted jumping up onto his feet and knocking over Luna. The Poochyena just rolled onto her back and started laughing, Twizzler and Cream joining in seconds later.

"Ha i knew it'd work!" Luna howled with laughter righting her self, grin growing wider at Haru.

"That's great." Twizzler cheered, smiling herself the Piplup seemed just as happy as Luna to hear the Buizel's name.

"Well then, Haru it's a pleasure to meet you despite the circumstances." Cream spoke up thrusting one paw at the Buizel in a welcoming gesture. Haru took the Vulpix's paw and shook it gently. Cream turned to Twizzler, smoothly breaking the pawshake and nodding her head at the Pixicord still in the Piplup's hand. "You should give that back now." she said offhandedly.

Twizzler jumped in shock her feathers puffing out before she regained her senses. She turned to Haru and handed him the Pixicord, one flipper rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Sorry i almost forgot i had it." The Piplup apologized to him as he took the gem back.

"That's alright, just caught in the moment was all." Haru chuckled, sliding the Pixicord, along with the smaller golden bag, back into the messenger bag. The Buizel stretched for a moment before grabbing the mint green hoody he had dropped earlier, dusting it off before putting it on.

"Looks good on you." Cream commented, the Vulpix whistling sharply, admiring the Buizel who was in the process of putting on the messenger bag as well. Haru stopped to a blush rising on his face, though it was hard to make out under his reddish orange fur.

"She's right." Luna said, turning away to hide her own blush. Haru's blush to deepened thankfully still hidden by his fur.

"Well we know your name now at least, maybe now we can-" Twizzler began before a loud rustling sound behind the group caught everyone's attention.

There was a whooshing rush of wind as three blurring shapes seemed to dash through the middle of the clearing at an incredible speed. Cream managed to roll out of the way while Haru pulled Luna backwards. Twizzler however was knocked over, the Piplup squeaking in surprise and indignation, as one of the blurs collided with her, the blur seemed to slow and trip reveling itself to be a small black and red fox, a Zorua, who effortlessly turned her stumble into a roll before scurrying after the other blurs.

"What on earth was that about?" Haru asked pulling Twizzler up. The Piplup dusted herself off before looking in the direction the zorua had run off too.

"I don't know, pretty sure the only thing in that direction is a Canna Lily field. Least till you hit a beach." Twizzler said, looking over to Cream who nodded in confirmation.

"Yeah I've been out that way, nothing but flowers." The Vulpix commented with an airy voice before simply shrugging.

"Thanks for um, pulling me back before we...er were trampled." Luna mumbled to Haru who smiled at the Poochyena.

"No probl-"

"HELP, STOP THEM!"

A fourth figure stumbled into the clearing, a dark blue feathered bird with red eyes, a Murkrow. The Murkrow made it a few more feet into the clearing before seemingly collapsing on the ground before Twizzler. When he caught sight of Twizzler and her friends the birds red eyes in hope.

"You have to help me!" the Murkrow begged, wings flapping erratically. "Those thieves stole my Pixicord!"

Luna and Haru were off before the Murkrow had even finished, the pair chasing after the thieves. Twizzler grabbed the Murkow lifting him into her arms as she and Cream struggled to catch up.

"T-thank you." the Murkrow mumbled breathlessly, going slack in Twizzlers flippers.

"Don't worry, we'll stop them." Twizzler reassured the Murkrow. "Just leave it to us Mr..."

"Trinket, my names Trinket." He said. All attempts at conversation ending as Twizzler tried to pick up speed to catch up with the others.

XXXXX

It seemed Cream had been right, the only thing in this direction was a rather beautiful field of flowers. Standing admist the remarkable red and orange blooms where the thieves they had all been chasing after. Haru recognized the sniggering form of the Zorua, tossing a small blue Pixicord between her paws, they had seen earlier sitting in the center of the trio but the two next to him were new. To the Zorua's left was a dark furred canine with with glowing blue rings on his ears, tail and legs, an Umbreon and a strangely colored one at that. Eyes hidden by a dark blue wide brimmed hat, one side of the brim pinned to the crown. the Umbreon threw his head back in a laugh revealing soft gently yellow eyes.

To the Zorua's right was a purple insect like pokemon almost completely obscured by it's clothing. Though Haru had a hard time telling what they were at first as he continued to look at her he realized it was a Butterfree. The Butterfree seemed to be wearing far more clothing than must have been comfortable, especially with as warm as this placed seemed to be. a Tattered red robe with some kind of dark green shirt and skirt under it, a bandanna that might have been the same color as his hoody, And some kind of headband made of dark cloth with a metal plate in the center, there was a symbol on the plate that had been scratched through but he couldn't make it out from this distance. The most worrying thing about her though was the sword at her hip, a small short blade with a rectangular guard. While most pokemon didn't carry weapons and the like, and why would you when on average most had claws or the like that were less likely to break or even something like the ability to breath fire, actually having one on your person tended to signify a certain predisposition towards fighting others.

It was the Butterfree that noticed them first. Her head tilted at a slight angle as she made eye contact with Haru. a stumpy blue hand rested on the hilt of her sword and gossamer wings trembled slightly. "Santi, company." Her voice came out, soft but blunt.

"Wonderful!" The Umbreon called out, he had an accent that Haru just couldn't place" his eyes lighting up at seeing them. He seemed to dance in place for a moment paws taping out a rhythm, one two, one two, as Haru and the others slowly entered the clearing. Twizzler sat down Trinket moving to stand in front of the Murkrow protectively.

"You're gonna give back Trinket's Pixicord you rotten thieves!" Twizzler bit out venomously glaring at the Umbreon. Cream and Luna stood next to her tensing and waiting for something to happen while Haru was content to observe the trio of thieves.

"Thieves?" The Umbreon called back, he looked as he had just swallowed something nasty before shaking his head. "No no, we are-" he began before pausing and turning to look at the Zorua "Jackie, music please." the Zorua nodded flashing a grin and suddenly out of nowhere music began to fill the clearing with the strumming of guitars. "Ah very much better." The Umbreon commented before turning back to Twizzler. "We are how you say, Treasure Hunters, si" He began nodding to the rhythm. "The great treasure hunters Santiago De La Rosa" He began to stalk forward a blue rose had appeared in his mouth, or had it always been there. "My amigos Jacqueline." He nodded at the Zorua, who waved at them, while the guitar began to swell. "And Shana." He nodded to the Butterfree this time. "And you are all sufficiently distracted i would say" Santiago finished tossing the rose which vanished in a cloud of blue petals.

There was a dull sound like steel scraping against wood and then Haru no longer had time to think as 12 inches of steel came zooming towards his face. He ducked under the blade before twisting to the side. Haru had just enough time to see his new friends scatter out of the way before Shana took another swing. He rolled backwards to avoid the blade. "Haha fantástico!" Haru heard the umbreon shouting over what was quickly becoming the din of battle.

Haru's mind was running as he ducked and dodged the Butterfree's almost lazy sword strokes, it seemed as if she weren't even trying and still he couldn't think of any way to fight back. The Buizel couldn't seem to remember any attacks.

"Thunder Fang!"

Haru turned to see Luna, mouth full of lighting, grab the Zorua by the scruff discharging all of the electricity before bodily throwing the dark type a good four feet. He turned back to his own problem just in time to remember why looking away from ones opponent is never a good idea as Shana slammed the hilt of he sword into the Buizel's gut staggering him.

The Butterfree struck Haru with the flat of the blade several times each time knocking the poor buizel back further and further before she stopped. Floating up on beautiful wings She reached out placing one blue paw inline with his head.

"Shadow Ball."

A swirling ball of dark purple energy coalesced in the Butterfree's hand at the exact moment it made contact with Haru's face causing a massive explosion that sent flower petals flying and knocking the Buizel low. Shana resheathed her sword, turning to walk away and rejoin the fight proper not even sparing Haru a glance.

"Moon Blast!"

"Finta."

"Bubble!"

From the sound of things the fight was still going strong, though Haru couldn't see any of it from his position on the ground. 'I have to keep that Butterfree focused on me.' Haru thought as he shakily stood back up. "Hey!" He shouted causing Shana to stop momentarily and tilt her head to look back at him. Haru gulped for air this had been a bad idea. "We aren't done here." He said trying to bring some semblance of calm back into his voice.

"Very well then." Shana droned reaching into her robe and removing a small trowel like bit of metal with a leaf shaped blade and a single ring on the pommel. She examined it casually for a moment before her paw became a blur and she chucked the kunai at Haru.

The blade was inches away from Haru and the Buizel acted completely on instinct without thought he twisted his body to avoid the the blade and reached out grasping it as it flew past. Kunai grasped in his paw Haru continued to twist until he had a clear shot at Shana returning the blade to the Butterfree who blocked it with her once again unsheathed blade, showing the first actual emotion Haru had seen from the Butterfree. Surprise.

Haru did the only thing he could think to press the advantage he'd gained. He rushed her, attempting to punch the Butterfree.

"Silver wind!"

Shana yelped before flapping her wings causing a silvery powder like gust to fly out and cut Haru.

The attack had hurt, but it didn't stop the Buziel who drove his palm into the Butterfree's face before kicking out with his leg knocking Shana backwards.

The Butterfree recovered quickly, using her large wings to stabilize herself before dashing backwards.

"Well, I'm certainly impressed." Shana mumbled out looking Haru in the eyes. The Butterfree pointed her blade at the Buizel. "But how long can you keep up."

"Freeze-dry!

"Bubble!"

"Finta."

The fight was still going on around them but Haru only had his eyes on one thing, Shana. The Butterfree flew right at him, the very motion familiar too him, he'd already seen it earlier when the fight had started. He leaned past the blade then caught it in the crook of his arm, sharp blooms of pain erupted making Haru want to cry out, but he didn't have time to waste. The Buziel slammed the palm of his free hand into the blade which shook with a great crack, before shattering, the blade flying off out of sight.

Haru had just enough time to glimpse Shana's face after he'd broken her sword. The bug type was smiling serenely at him eyes half closed. 'She was enjoying this!' Haru thought. Shana's wings flapped gracefully creating a blade of air that slammed into Haru.

"Air Slash." Shana mumbled quietly as the Buizel fell over. She turned to leave again when something stopped her, eyes widened in panic.

"Substitute!"

A moment later and where the Butterfree had been standing was a small green dinosaur like doll with a kunai sticking out of it. Shana just stared in shock at the Buizel holding the kunai. He looked like a mess, left arm bleeding, bruised all over, a dozen smaller scratches. But here he was still standing, still fighting.

Haru felt awful, possibly worse than he had when he'd first woken up by far. His arm stung, he ached all over, but despite all of that he was well and truly enjoying this just as much as Shana seemed too. A smirk crossed the Buizel's face as he noticed a gleam of white slinking through the flowers towards Shana. He pointed the kunai at the Butterfree threateningly looking as if he was about to charge before.

"Bite."

Luna jumped onto Shana's back sinking her jaws into the exhausted Butterfree. Shana collapsed to the ground motionless with Luna standing over top of her, grinning viciously until she saw Haru.

"Jeez Haru, you look like someone took a sword too you." The Poochyena tried to joke.

"Feels like it, come on, gotta help the others." Haru said before grunting in pain.

Haru looked across the field to see how the battle was going. Flower petals were floating haphazardly through the air, some in stray bubbles that must have been from Twizzlers attacks. As for the piplup herself, she was standing a few feet behind Cream, breathing hard but looking otherwise fine. The same could not be said for the Vulpix, or the Zorua they had been fighting for that matter. Cream was collapsed on the ground staring up at Santiago defiantly, the Umbreon only a few feet away battered but still standing. the Zorua, Jacqueline, it seemed was knocked unconscious from Luna's Thunder Fang earlier on.

Santiago began to stalk forward towards the downed vulpix. "Well, you kids certainly were...whats the word." The Umbreon stopped a moment struggling to think of a word, ears twitching in annoyance. "Wonderful that's it," Santiago exclaimed happily. "As it is though, i need to be, how you say, ending this now." His paw rose to strike Cream, a dull purple glow overtaking it the higher it got.

"Buena Baza!"

Luna was too far away, Twizzler was too far away, Haru was panicking, there was nothing anyone could do. Then there was a flash and the Buizel began to remember.

XXXXX
He wasn't in a cave this time, rather it appeared he was looking around a rocky outcropping trying to find someone.

"Haha, can't get me up here Haru!" A small blue bird, head covered in a plume of white feathers, called down to Haru who was standing underneath the flying Rufflet.

"Moonfeather, that's no fair how am supposed to catch you if you fly?" Haru squeaked, trying and failing to jump up to grab the Rufflet only to fall and land on the craggy ground. Another pokemon, a light grey bird with black markings, slowly swooped down alighting next to the small buizel.

"Moony giving you trouble again?" The Tranquil asked gently bumping Haru with her head.

"Ink!?" Haru jumped in surprise causing the Rufflet and Tranquil to laugh. After the shock had worn of and everyone had stopped laughing Haru answered the birds question. "Yeah, he's cheating, he knows i can't fly." Haru complained huffing at the Rufflet who merely rolled his eyes.

"Hmm, i can see how that'd be a problem." Ink made a show of scratching her chin with her wing, eyes narrowed at Moonfeather. "What if you used that trick you learned?"

Haru's eyes lit up in excitement, the young Buizel wrapped his arms around the Tranquil in a hug that the bird returned easily, before turning to Moonfeather. The Rufflet looked apprehensive when an ethereal red baton seemed to form in the Buizels paw, with a quick snap Haru tossed the ghostly baton at Moonfeather.

"Baton Pass!"

The baton flew through the air easily, it hit Moonfeather, who let out and indignant squawk, and then there was a burst of smoke. when the smoke cleared the two had seemingly switched places, putting Moonfeather on the ground, and leaving Haru in the air above him. The Buizel only had a few moments to remember he still couldn't fly, before he came crashing down on top of Moonfeather. Ink began to laugh at the sight, Haru and Moonfeather quickly joined her, all three laughing happily.

XXXXX

Luna was too far away, Twizzler was too far away. But Haru, Haru was a close as he needed to be. A ghostly red baton formed in the Buizel's paw, wasting no time he flung it at Cream.

"Baton Pass!"

And switched places with the wounded Vulpix. Santiago's eyes widened in suprise as his glowing paw came down on the Buizel who thudded into the ground noiselessly as the dark energy passed through him.

"Well, good job amigos." The Umbreon chuckled slightly, closing his eyes and smiling wide. As three spikes of water rose from the ground around him.

"Water Pledge!"

Twizzler watched. flipper over her heart, as her attack slammed into Santiago, battering the Umbreon into the ground. It wasn't until she was sure that Santiago wasn't going to get back up that she quickly ran over to Haru. The Buizel opened his eyes face plastered with a wide grin when the Piplup stood over him. Twizzler couldn't help but smile in relief.

"You ok, Haru?" She asked concerned, he seemed ok but the Buizel looked like a mess.

"Feel like i fell out of the nest, I'll be ok, you?" Haru asked ignoring the look of confusion that momentarily crossed the Piplups face.

"Ne-? Never mind, I'm ok, i think we'll all be fine" Twizzler said seemingly distracted by Luna and Cream approaching followed by the Trinket, the Murkrow having come closer now that the battle was over.

"Found the stolen goods." Luna singsonged, bouncing the small blue gem on her head before giving it one good bounce sending the Pixicord flying towards Trinket who caught it. The Murkrow fumbled with it in his wings for a moment and the device actually turned on. Haru caught sight of what looked like four pokemon standing in front of a building, he couldn't make out anything from this angle. Before he could get a better look Trinket hurriedly turned the device of and placed it into a small tube that was barely visible attached to his leg.

"Thank you all so much." Trinket said smiling at all four of them in turn. "Here it's not much but take it." The Murkrow reached into the same tube he'd stuck the Pixicord in, pulling out a handful of small golden coins and handing them to Twizzler. Twizzler quickly passed the coins over to Cream who began to quietly count them.

"Is there someone we should tell about these guys?" Haru asked having found the strength to stand back up.

"Nah, you guys are fine, I'll take care of that," Trinket said glancing at the trio of unconscious thieves "Something tells me these guys won't be getting up again." The Murkrow laughed at what must have been some private joke.

"Alright then, if you're sure." Twizzler said nodding her head at the Murkrow. "Come one guys lets go"

XXXXX

Despite being banged up everyone seemed to be doing ok, though Haru was limping slightly, as they wandered through the woods. The sun was starting to lower in the sky, it'd be dark soon. Everyone seemed pretty relaxed after all the excitement earlier.

"So how much did we get from that?" Twizzler asked glancing over at Cream.

"240 Poké, which puts us much closer to our goal." Cream answered glibly, a wide smile overtaking the vulpix.

"Goal?" Haru asked confused. He didn't know what they were talking about, though thinking on it he thought they might have mentioned it earlier.

It was Luna that answered the Buizel, seemingly reciting the words from memory. "Twizzler has a plan, we're gonna raise the money to leave Hopeberry Island." Luna closed her eyes grinning at the thought. "We plan to sign on with a Treasure hunting guild, See Twiz is friends with one of the members who flies over here sometimes, and that'll let us get set up off the island so we can start following our dreams."

Haru thought quietly about that. honestly he liked the sound of that, and it'd be something to do too.

"That sounds like a good plan, room for one more?" Haru asked hopefully. He didn't think they'd say no, but he wasn't about to butt in if they didn't want him there. Twizzler began to laugh lightly.

"Told ya he'd want in." She said waving a flipper dismissively. "Of course you can help, you already have haven't you." Cream and Luna began to nod enthusiastically.

Haru's grin threatened to swallow his face at this declaration.

"So uh, it's getting pretty late. How are we gonna handle this?" Twizzler asked, examining the sun as it slowly began to set in the distance.

Cream began to wave a paw in the air in n almost haphazard fashion. "Don't worry I've got that all figured out." The vulpix turned to look at Luna who was watching the sunset with an almost eager glint. "You'd better get running Luna, i don't want Corbeau causing problems cause you were late again."

The Poochyena's face fell into a frown quickly. "You're right, not a good time for that." With that Luna sagged almost defeated before shuffling off through the trees.

"If you have everything handled, I'd better get going too, I'll see you both tomorrow i hope." Twizzler called out as she too left through the trees.

"Alright come on this way." Cream said, thumping Haru with her nose trying to get the Buizel to follow her.

XXXXX

They had emerged at a beach, the sun had fully set and the moon was out. The sand seemed to shimmer in the moonlight as waves gently lapped against it a gentle salt breeze blew against the pair. The beach itself was beautiful, though Haru didn't have much to compare it too besides the flower field he'd seen earlier.

"Alright, you stay here I'll be back in a few minutes, we'll be staying out here but i need to get somethings." Cream nodded absentmindedly at the Buizel. "See about rounding up some branches for firewood."

"We?" Haru questioned.

"Well i wasn't about to leave you out here alone" Cream laughed. "Now really, i'll be right back."

She really wasn't gone that long, all told it had been maybe forty minutes, enough time for Haru to collect a sizable amount of wood, before the Vulpix came trundling along. She had what appeared to be two boxes, one carried on her back, and a smaller one she carried in her mouth by a strap. She sat down the box she held in her mouth before carefully sliding the one on her back off with little issue.

"Alright help me set this up." Cream said. Dragging what looked like a tent out of the larger box. The pair quickly went about setting up the tent, it was a large green thing. Rather plain but it looked like it could house a pokemon the size of a Ninetails comfortably, with how small the pair were they'd have no trouble fitting inside it. Cream then gathered up all of Haru's firewood to start a fire.

"Alright that should hold us." Cream said as the fire started to grow. "Now hoody off, toss it here." The Vulpix ordered grabbing the smaller box she had brought.

"W-what?" Haru stammered, confusion evident on his face.

"It's cut up and I'm gonna fix it." Cream responded opening the box to reveal a small sewing kit.

"O-oh" Haru stumbled over his words as he handed the hoody over to the insistent Vulpix.

"Hmm, so you remember anything else today?" Cream asked, trying to make conversation as she set needle to thread.

"yeah, when we were fighting." Haru said, humming a bit as he stoked the fire. "A pokemon actually, a Rufflet named Moonfeather."

"mhm, don recoize te nam." Cream mumbled through a mouthful of thread.

"I don't think we lived anywhere near here" Haru sighed. The Buizel began to poke the fire with a stick causing embers to fly gently into the air.

"Bah, thread tastes awful." The Vulpix spat out the string that had been in her mouth. "There done." Cream commented passing the repaired clothing back. "I'm sure things will work out, and hey i owe you one, so if it comes down to it i'll help you look ok." The Vulpix smiled at Haru, it was a warm smile, as bright as the fire they were sitting by.

"Thanks Cream" Haru said returning the Vulpix's smile.

A few minutes went by in peaceful silence the only sounds the crackling of the fire and the crash of the waves. Though soon a new sound would join in, the rumbling of stomachs.

"Oh crabapples, i didn't think to grab any food!" Cream cried out. Flopping onto the despondently. "Sorry, Haru."

"That's ok, I'm not that hungry." Haru lied. His stomach grumbled loudly in protest. "Ok i am, any ideas?"

"Well you could always ask." A husky voice Haru didn't recognise spoke up from the other side of the fire.

Both pokemon jumped in fright at the sound. Sitting on the otherside was a large pokemon, yellow furred with a white belly, a red orb on their head glowed faintly in the moonlight. One stubby arm was curled around what appeared to be a staff made of brass, topped with a circle that had a chain of 5 trianguler links dangling from it. The other arm reached slowly into a bag filled with what looked like apples.

"Here, sorry to frighten ya." The Ampharos said tossing an apple to the pair. followed by two pointy sticks. "Stick em on there and hold em over the fire." She said before doing the same with one of her own.

"Who are you?" Cream asked as the pair followed the eletric pokemon's instrtuctions.

"Call me Niko, i'm a priestess, was passing by and saw your fire, thought i'd see about getting in on that." Niko replied casually before pulling out her apple and taking a bite.

"A priestess?" Haru questioned. Something about this Ampharos worried Haru, she felt...off somehow.

"What don't belive me?" Niko said questioningly. "Should i wear the hat, i have a hat that comes with the job." She joked with an air of mock exasperation.

"You don't need the hat" Cream said chuckling slightly at Niko.

"Good, i look stupid in the hat." Niko said before bursting out into proper laughter.

The Ampharos's laughter was infectious and soon Haru and Cream had joined her. The trio finished eating in pleasent company and before long the fire began to die.

"we'll it's be a pleasent meal." Niko said. Standing up from where she had been seated she passed her staff from one paw to the other causing the chain to ring against the staff creating a sweet melodical sound. "but i must be off, places to be." She said as she began to wander off into the darkness. "Blessings be, Haru, mayhap we'll meet later."

"well, I think i'll be turning in, Haru, how about you?" Cream yawned making her way to the tent.

"Yeah, i'll be right there." Haru called after her still watching the spot where Niko had vanished into the woods.