Sorry about the last two (three?) chapters being kinda filler-y, but now we get back on track. I'm glad I've been able to have more time to write this and I'm hoping to finish this story before Spring break, and then get a few chapters of the sequel (I know it's far away, but whatever) out during Spring break. Hang tight, because the ride's about to get bumpy.

PS- The part about Mac and her being a "miracle baby" is important. Note that, okay? Okay.

The next morning, the two teens got up and met for breakfast, acting like nothing had happened the day before. Mac's emotions were torn, but she decided to prioritize that finding Darkrai should be on top first. That would lead her to Seth and after saving him, then and only then, she would sort out her feelings.

She hoped that day when she had to choose was far into the future.

"So," Dusty began uncomfortably.

"So," Mac responded, chewing on her lip again. Ugh, she hated herself for making things so incredibly awkward.

"If we leave soon we should be able to make it to Veilstone before the sun sets." Dusty said before taking another bite of hash browns. Mac nodded slowly, trying to make it seem like yesterday never happened, but failing miserably. Dusty was affecting her and she didn't know what to do anymore. 'Good going, idiot.' She told herself.

"You ready to go?" he asked. Mac nodded, grabbing the small bag by her side and slinging it over her shoulder.

"Yeah. We don't want to have to take any longer than we have to." Her head was spinning and she just wanted to get out of town. Stress was building and Mac didn't know how long it would be before she broke down. First, her best friend went missing, then she was sent on a wild goose chase in search of a legendary Pokémon, finally, she kissed her travelling companion and created this huge awkward bubble that couldn't be popped.

With a sigh, Mac stood up and exited the Pokémon center. When has life gotten so dysfunctional? She had really gotten herself into quite a conundrum.

"Hey, Mac, tell me something about you. Something I don't know yet." Dusty said, trying to start a conversation. Mac thought for a moment.

"Um, I'm a miracle baby." She answered. Dusty raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Huh? Care to elaborate?"

Mac giggled; glad the awkwardness was beginning to fade, she spoke. "My father was sterile. They had tried to have kids, but the doctor told them it was impossible. One night, my mother said she was visited by a strange man in her dreams. He told her not to be afraid and that he was going to help her have a child. In the morning, she had to sleep with her husband and a child would then be planted in her womb. Having nothing to lose, she did and I was born nine months later."

Dusty remained quiet, thinking. "That's… interesting. I was the first born and my other siblings just wouldn't stop coming."

Mac giggled again and fell into step next to him. This was okay; normalcy was returning.

"Now it's your turn."

Dusty tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Flames, my Houndoom, I've had since I was three. He was in an egg I found, and after he hatched, we were inseparable." Dusty said, patting the large dog's head. Mac blinked in surprise; she hadn't realized Flames had been let out of his pokéball. The Houndoom growled affectionately in the back of his throat as Dusty stroked his head. Mac watched with a smile on her face. It was so cute how such a large and fierce Pokémon could melt at his trainer's hand.

"Haunter…" the ghost Pokémon cried from beside Mac. Slightly startled, the ghost trainer turned to her.

"Something wrong, Girl?" Mac asked. Haunter nodded, her left claw glowing ominously.

"Haunt, hau, hau, ter." The Pokémon said. "Something is following us…"

Mac looked around carefully, trying to spot the threat. "Where is it?"

Haunter pointed a claw up towards an expanse of trees. Mac looked up in time to be met with a blue eye staring back at her and a shadow-like body before it disappeared into oblivion. Mac stood dumbfounded in the spot she was in, unable to move at all. Haunter nudged Mac affectionately, trying to get her trainer's attention.

"Haunt, ner ner?" "Are you okay?" the purple ghost Pokémon asked. Mac slowly nodded her head.

"Was that… Darkrai…?" she asked. Haunter nodded.

Veilstone was a large city bustling with activity when the two trainers entered the town. People were selling an assortment of items on the street and Mac declined several people's offers for poffins and candy. Asking around, they found out where the little boy was: a small house barely inside the city limits. People were crowded around the small cottage and Mac and Dusty had to push their way through to reach the door.

"Excuse me?" Mac said, stepping into the small house. A young woman was seated by a bed where a small boy struggled within a nightmare. "I-I'm Mac McLennin and I'm here t-to help." She stuttered. The woman scrutinized her for a moment before beginning to laugh.

"Help? You? Don't make me laugh!" The woman continued her laughter. "So many people have come to help my son that it's practically hopeless! I don't need a child coming into my home and saying she can help! What do you have to offer?"

"A Lunar Wing…"

A voice entered her head, startling Mac as the woman continued her laughter.

"Come to my island, Fullmoon Island, and I will help you, Mac…"

Mac listened; nothing else in the room mattered except that voice. It was so familiar… How—

"Who are you?" Mac demanded of the voice. "Why are you helping me?"

The voice remained silent and Mac soon lost hope of receiving an answer. A girlish giggle soon followed the silence.

"I am a friend. Find me and I shall explain everything. Come to Fullmoon Island, Mac. Come to Fullmoon Island…"

Mac nodded determinedly and turned back to the woman. "I can get a Lunar Wing. I know where one is and I'll bring it to you." She responded. Dusty glanced at her through the corner of his eye. "I don't care if you think I can't do anything. I will help your son."

And with that, the blond teen stalked out of the room. She had never acted so brave in her life and she was shaking so much Dusty thought she might fall apart.

"Mac? Are you okay?" He asked. Mac nodded, pulling out Drifblim's pokéball and taking several deep breaths.

"Yeah, I am."

Dusty gave her a smile, touching her shoulder affectionately. "That was really cool what you did, but who told you where a Lunar Wing is?"

Mac knitted her eyebrows together, deep in thought. "I, I think Cresslia did."

Mac held on tightly to Drifblim's head: Dust was clutching the Pokémon along with the side of Mac. He was terrified of having the large Pokémon drop him or Mac so he was doing his best to hang onto both of them. Murkrow was flying beside them and was there for extra help. Drifblim was only so strong and even having the help of a small bird was helping to relieve some of the weight.

"So, remind me again where we're going?" Dusty asked.

"My hometown, Canalave. The port there is home to a good friend of mine, Captain Norris and I remember him mentioning Fullmoon Island before. Fullmoon is where the Lunar Wing will be. He can take us there if I ask him."

Dusty nodded and fell silent once more. It was quite a ways away and flying there was the quickest option.

Not too long later, the "Cargo Port" City came into view. Drifblim landed in an exhausted heap just outside the city and Mac returned her to her pokéball.

"You did great, Drifblim. Have a nice long rest." Mac said soothingly. Murkrow was perched on Mac's shoulder as the two trainers entered the town. They crossed the bridge and Mac made a bee-line for Captain Norris' home. She knocked erratically, trying to get the captain's attention.

"Captain Norris! I need your help!" She called. The door was opened by a woman with a tearstained face. Mac instantly recognized her as the Captain's wife.

"Mac, we need your help too." She said, choking on her tears. She opened the door wider and Mac was able to see their young son convulsing on the bed.

He was trapped in a nightmare.