Finding You – Chapter 26

Bide

After meeting Zoe in Icirrus City, Grey and Luna headed to Touya's hospital room to visit him and hear what Zoe and Touya had learned about Tenebris's plans. It's a lot to take in, and now they'll have to work together to stop Team Tenebris once and for all…

"Uhh…Luna?"

Luna whipped her head around to see Touya stirring awake. The teen boy looked groggy and disoriented as he moved to sit up, propping himself up on his elbow.

"Touya!" Luna exclaimed happily. "You're awake!" Not bothering to hide her smile, she scooted the chair she was sitting in closer to his bedside. "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly? Pretty hungry," he admitted sheepishly. "I—wait, what you doing here anyway? Where am I?"

"This is the Icirrus hospital," Luna explained. "Grey and I flew here after I tried to call you. Zoe told us about what happened."

Touya's expression grew pained as the realization of what happened hit him. He flopped back onto the bed. "Ah…that's right. Landorous…and the rocks…" He closed his eyes. "We need to go stop Team Tenebris—"

"You aren't going anywhere," Luna insisted firmly. "You have a head injury. The doctors want to keep you here for a couple of days just to make sure you're doing okay."

"But—"

A gentle knocking sounded before the door to Touya's room swung open. Both Zoe and Grey entered the room.

"You're finally awake," Zoe commented casually, though Luna could tell she was relieved. "It's nice to have you back with us."

"I got your Pokemon from the Center," Grey added, plopping the six Pokeballs in Touya's lap. "The nurse said they were a-ok."

Touya breathed out a sigh. "Good."

"Tenebris is gathering at Dragonspiral Tower," Zoe said, resuming her brisk business tone. "From what I can gather, Alistair is there too – and he has the Kami Trio. We're going to have to act quickly if we're going to stop them. We go in tomorrow. And Touya, you won't be coming with us. You need to stay here and rest."

Touya's gaze flickered between the three other teens in the room before letting out a resigned sigh. "Alright. You win. I'll stay here. But I expect to be updated constantly. Also, do the police know what's been happening?"

Zoe nodded. "Yep. They'll be there tomorrow. So will Rangers. I contacted the Ranger Union and requested reinforcements; about ten other Rangers will be there tomorrow. The whole shebang."

"I guess you've got it all taken care of then," Touya said with a weak smile. He closed his eyes and grimaced. "Man, my head hurts."

"Do you want us to get the doctor?" Luna asked worriedly.

"In a bit. I sorta just want some time to think, though."

"Understood," Zoe said. "We'll leave you alone for awhile. C'mon guys, let's go."

"Wait," Touya said. "Luna, stay here for a sec. I want to talk to you."

Luna shot a glance to Zoe and Grey, but stayed put as they exited the room. "What is it?"

Touya studied the Pokeballs in his lap for a couple of moments. "I want you to take my Pokemon tomorrow," he said finally. "I want you to take them with you to Dragonspiral Tower and use them to fight Team Tenebris."

Luna was aghast. "What?"

He gazed at her steadily with dark brown eyes. "You heard me. If I can't be there, then my Pokemon can, at least. They don't need verbal commands. They know what to do."

"I…I'd rather not take responsibility for anyone's Pokemon but my own," Luna said honestly. "Touya, if they get hurt in my care, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."

"I've been there for you when you needed it," Touya said quietly. "Please, can you repay the favor, just this once? I want to stop them no matter what. If they get hurt, that will be on my head, not yours. Please."

He scooped the Pokeballs into his hands and held them out, waiting for her to take them. With great hesitation, she grasped them into her own hands.

"Okay, I'll take them."

Later that evening, Luna made her way up to the hospital's rooftop. The sun had already set, but the last few streams of golden light could be seen just over the horizon.

Icirrus was definitely cooler than other towns, but with a jacket on it was perfectly comfortable. Luna zipped up her hoodie all the way to her chin and leaned against the safety railing, thoughtfully taking in the scenery.

Earlier in the afternoon, Zoe had informed Grey and Luna of her plan.

"I want you two to come with me and the Rangers to Dragonspiral Tower tomorrow," she said. "The unfortunate thing about the policemen here is that their Pokemon are meant to be used to bring in criminals, not battle them. We may need your help making our way up to where Alistair is, so prepare tonight. Get any healing items and equipment you'll need. We'll leave early."

Everything's happening so fast, Luna thought to herself. I don't know if I'm ready.

In the distance, the Dragonspiral Tower was barely visible against the skyline. Above it, ominous clouds rumbled.

I wonder if those clouds are natural or if they're caused by whatever Alistair's doing to the Kami Trio…

Luna heard a door open, then footsteps. She turned. Grey was approaching from the stairway shoulders hunched against the chilly wind.

"Yo," he said. "What's a pretty girl like you doing out here all alone?"

Luna smiled weakly. "Just thinking, I guess."

"Mm. There's a lot to think about."

He joined her by the railing and took in the scenery with her. For a few tense moments it felt as though one of them was about to say something, but then didn't.

Finally Luna managed to spit out what she was going to say. "I wish Touya was going to be with us tomorrow. We could use his skills."

Grey nodded. "Yeah."

Luna glanced down at her newly-fastened belt on her waist that now held Touya's Pokeballs. "He…he gave me his Pokemon to battle with tomorrow. To take with us in his place. I guess that'll help."

"I saw you sitting with him…do you like him?"

That was…completely…what kind of question is that?! "W-what?"

"Do you like him?" Grey asked casually.

"I…"

Honestly, I've asked myself the same question and never completely answered it. DO I like Touya?

She thought about what Touya had said to her in his hospital room. I've been there for you when you needed it.

Had he really? The time they had spent together – the day in Nimbasa, the Ferris Wheel, infiltrating Chargestone Cave, even the boat ride over to Unova…were those all times she needed him? Or were they just for fun?

Touya wasn't there when Laddie died. Touya wasn't there when she needed a lift to Nuvema Town. Touya wasn't there giving her advice on how to deal with her Pokemon. Zoe was.

Touya wasn't there fighting Team Tenebris side-by-side with her. Touya wasn't there cheering her on in Gym battles. Touya wasn't there to lead her out of the darkness of the Relic Castle. Touya wasn't there draping a jacket around her shoulders in the rain.

Grey was.

Luna was so lost in thought that she almost forgot Grey was still there. She glanced at him anxiously only to see him calmly gazing back, quietly waiting for a response.

"I don't like him in…that way," Luna said finally. "I've had a lot of good times with Touya, but overall he's just a friend. For awhile I thought I might like him," she admitted, "but in the end, I think I might have confused those feelings for admiration. He was the Champion, after all."

She recalled the times when she had watched Touya battle – his fierce determination at the Nimbasa amusement park, his cool intensity at Chargestone…

"Whenever I saw him battle, I thought it was amazing, and I realized that want to be like that. But I don't think that's the same as…liking him…you know?"

"Mm. I see."

What a mouthful. Luna thought. I hope Grey isn't annoyed.

But he wasn't. Instead, he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts now, his dark eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he stared blankly ahead.

Luna wasn't sure if she should say anything or leave him to think, but eventually she decided an attempt at changing the subject would be best. "Grey…do you think…do you think maybe I'll get to find out what happened to my dad tomorrow? Alistair seemed to act like he knew when we were at Chargestone."

"I don't know," Grey admitted. There was a pause. "What do you think you're gonna do after this? If you find out what happened to Dominic?"

"I don't know," Luna said. This conversation is going around in circles.

"Mm." Grey rubbed the back of his neck. "Hey, Luna. If I tell you something, you gotta promise not to laugh or anything."

"Sure." Now she was concerned. "What is it?"

"I…Arceus, this is gonna sound dumb, but…thanks for letting me travel with you."

"That's not dumb at all!" Luna exclaimed. "But…but you're saying it like it's over. Just because we're going up against Team Tenebris tomorrow doesn't mean I'm going to stop journeying."

"But what if we find out what happened to Dominic?" Grey asked. "I thought the whole reason you started your journey was to find him. If you do find him, what then?"

He turned to look at her and Luna found herself being startled by the intensity in his eyes. It wasn't so much a look of determination, though, like she'd seen in him so many times before. This time, it was more like…sadness?

"I didn't realize it before, but I was frickin' lonely travelling by myself for so long. I mean, sure, I have Helios, but a Pokemon's company just isn't the same as a human's, you know? If it can be helped…I'd rather not end up by myself again. …do you feel the same way?"

Luna, still looking at Grey's eyes, hadn't noticed that he was starting to lean closer. It took her only a moment to realize: Is he…is he going to kiss me?!

Clumsily she stumbled back a few steps. It was more out of instinct than anything; having never been in an even remotely romantic situation before, Luna had no idea how to react.

As if intentionally ignoring Luna's awkwardness, Grey pointed up at the sky. "Hey, look. You can see the stars tonight."

The moment was gone. Luna forced herself to breathe deeply, hoping that her pounding heart would slow down soon. "Y-yeah…"

Grey folded his arms over the railing and leaned forward. "It's been awhile since I really got to do any stargazing, y'know? I guess it's because we've been so focused on the Tenebris stuff, but…yeah. Anyway, you ever do any stargazing?"

"Not really," Luna admitted. "I mean, I think they're pretty, but I guess I haven't taken the time to look at them too closely."

"Alright then. Follow my lead." Grey moved back from the railing and sat by the door that lead to the stairway, his back leaning up against the smooth stone walls. He motioned for Luna to sit next to him.

"Since you're a novice stargazer, I guess I'll have to start with the basics. That constellation up there, the one that looks like a pot with a handle? That's the Big Dipper."

"I know what the Big Dipper is!"

"Oh really? Okay then, smartstuff, what's that cluster of 'em over there?"

"Ursaring Major."

"Luna, I thought you told me you had never been stargazing! Fine, I bet you can't get this one. What's that big white thing up there?"

"That's the moon, you dork!"

They had slipped back into their casual friendly banter so easily, Luna was beginning to wonder if she had just imagined that Grey was going in for a kiss. I'm sure I just imagined it. I'm so tense thinking about tomorrow that I'm jumping to conclusions.

"Okay…that one over there, what's that one?"

"I don't know."

"Yes! Finally, I get to be the smart one! That's Mew…"

As Grey enthusiastically explained the Mew constellation to her, Luna's eyes flickered down from the sky to his face. His expression was so bright and free from tension.

I can't imagine just leaving Grey after I find Dad. Well, I mean, of course not. Dad will probably want to see him too. But then what? Will I just go to Dad without a second thought to Grey?

Don't think about it, Luna. Don't think about anything right now. Just focus on tomorrow. I'll need all the concentration I can get.

To be continued…