The rain on Ula'Ula Island came down in sheets. Luna cradled a shaking Yungoose in her arms, trying to protect it from the raging downpour as she crossed Ula'Ula Meadow. Like always, the sunny morning had given way to a very damp afternoon in Alola. Blinking the raindrops out of her eyes, Luna stayed focused on her own feet, taking one step in front of the other across the wooden path through the scarlet flowers.
Almost back to the Aether House, she thought, teeth chattering in the cool rain.
The pearly white building finally came into sight around the southern end of the meadow. Sighing in relief, she stroked Yungoose's back.
"We made it, little buddy. We're home now," she cooed to it as they approached the front porch. Before she could wipe the rain from her eyes, Hau burst out of the Aether House and came flying onto the grass from the porch.
"Luna!" he yelled. "They took Lille!"
Utter panic filled his expressive brown eyes and a rare frown was plastered onto his face. His hands curled into balls and released as the rain began to drench him.
Acerola and the Yungoose's trainer stepped out onto the porch of the house. Yungoose chittered happily, leaping out of Luna's arms and scurrying towards its beloved owner.
"You got her back! Thank you so much!" the child cried as she scooped the Pokemon into her arms.
Luna nodded to the child and found Acerola's violet eyes searching her, concerned.
"What's going on?" Luna pried.
"Your sweet friend Lille. She and her Pokemon were taken by that woman from Team Skull. I-" Acerola started.
Hau spun back towards Luna. "It was Plumeria! She accused Lillie of stealing Nebby, and Lillie just agreed to go with her! We have to go find her!" Hau pleaded.
Luna nervously scratched her head. "But where do we even start? We have no clue where she may have taken her! She didn't say anything, did she?" She turned towards Acerola, who slowly shook her head, trying to hide her distressed countenance.
"I know where they took her," came a cold voice from towards the meadow.
Luna spun around, eyes landing on a familiar silhouette. Crimson claw marks stitched across the front of a black hoodie, icy blond hair, piercing emerald eyes.
Gladion.
Luna's heart jumped into her throat. Her Pokemon were in rough shape from her battle with Guzma; she knew she could never defeat Gladion in such condition.
She reached for Lycanroc despite being very weak, even if only to intimidate the teen before her.
"What are you doing here? Were you eavesdropping? Did you follow me all the way from Po Town?" she challenged.
Gladion stepped closer, pulling his hood down and revealing a concerned expression. Luna lowered her Pokeball back to her pack.
"I said I know where Plumeria took her. Do you want me to take you there or not?" His tone was serious and his gaze determined.
Hau stepped beside Luna. "You know where she was taken?"
Shocked at his belief, Luna scoffed. "You're really going to trust him? The guy who has given us nothing but trouble?"
Hau looked at her, desperate. She could see the genuine concern in his eyes and could hear it in his voice. She knew how deeply he cared for Lillie; he wore his heart on his sleeve.
"Please, Luna. We have to find her. I could never live it down if I let her get hurt," Hau begged.
She glanced back to the blond teenager before her. His eyes hardened as he took another step towards her.
"Look, I take no issue finding her myself. Are you coming, or not?
The air was heavy between them. Luna gazed into his eyes fiercely, daring him to look away. But he persisted.
She looked back towards Acerola, who gave her a confident, knowing nod.
"Where are we going, then?" she conceded.
Gladion nodded curtly. "The ferry terminal in Malie City. We need to go now."
Hau pulled a Pokeball from his pocket.
"I've got Tauros ready to go. You got a ride, Luna?"
Gladion tossed a Pokeball, and from it burst forth a Charizard.
"She can ride with me. My Charizard is pretty mild mannered and a little bigger than average, so he won't mind carrying a little extra," he stated.
Hau and Luna met eyes, both still wary of Gladion. He shrugged.
"I guess we don't have much of an option at this point. Meetcha there," he said.
Hau mounted Tauros and galloped off to the south while Luna placed rain goggles over her eyes. Acerola dashed off the porch and over to the pair with Charizard.
"I know you're very talented, but please be cautious. That Team Skull woman meant business," she said.
Luna pulled a second pair of goggles from her bag. "I've met Plumeria before. She is pretty tough, but nothing I can't handle." She smiled at her new friend, reassuring her.
"Let's go," Gladion said as he fed his Charizard a few Passho berries.
Acerola gave Luna a quick hug before darting back to the porch and out of the rain.
Luna handed the second pair of goggles to Gladion as he mounted his Pokemon. He gave her a thankful nod.
She gingerly took hold of his waist before waving back to Acerola.
"Be safe, Luna!" she called before she disappeared behind the massive pearly door.
Gladion grasped Luna's wrists and pulled them tightly around himself, making her cheek press into his back.
"Unless you want to fall off, I suggest you hold on tight," he said just as he tapped his heel to signal Charizard to take flight.
Luna blushed fiercely, feeling the boy's ribs beneath his hoodie. Her heart hammered as she planted her chin on Gladion's shoulder so she could see. Stray blond hairs tickled her nose.
"First stop is the Pokemon Center. My team needs some patching up," Gladion called over the rushing wind.
"Mine too. Thanks to your boss, actually. His Golisopod gave me a run for my money," she called back.
He scoffed. "He's not my boss. I don't answer to him," he said, Luna barely making out his words.
She furrowed her brow. "Then who do you answer to? Plumeria?"
He turned towards her, dangerously close to her face. She swore she felt his emerald eyes pierce right through her.
"I answer to no one but myself."
His ferocity made her swallow a lump in her throat. He turned away, looking out towards the sea as they cruised high over the island.
"I just do small jobs for them. Run their numbers, whatever lame errands the grunts think they're too important for," he explained.
So is he considered lower than a grunt? Luna thought to herself. She felt a pang of pity for him.
Malie City shimmered beneath them as they approached. The rain had mostly subsided, with only a drizzle still falling. Charizard fluttered down to the city street right in front of the Pokemon Center and landed gently.
She reluctantly released her arms from Gladion. The wind and rain had made her shiver during the flight; she was sorry to say goodbye to her source of warmth. He also dismounted the winged beast, petting its long neck and reached into his pocket for more berries.
After returning Charizard to its Pokeball, the pair entered the busy center.
"I'll take your Pokemon to be healed. We may have to wait, so go find somewhere you can warm up," he said, holding his hand out.
Surprised at his gesture, Luna handed her ball pack over to him. He walked towards the healing counter without another word. She glanced around the center in search of an empty table, spotting one next to the mart.
The moment she sat down, Luna began to realize just how tired she felt. She had done a lot of battling today, and she and her Pokemon both deserved a rest. Luna laid her head on the table and closed her heavy eyes. She felt the weight of the day pressing her further into the hard chair, and she wished she had time for a real nap, in a real bed. But the urgency to find Lillie was much more pressing.
Luna only became aware that time had passed when she felt a physical weight ghost around her shoulders. She lifted her head to see Gladion sitting across the table, blowing on a mug of Tapu Cocoa. Her view was slightly obscured by a mug of her own steaming drink.
Her stomach swelled, feeling like she had just taken a sip of the hot beverage. She felt a fleece blanket against her cheek, causing them to burn. She watched Gladion gently close his green eyes as he tilted the mug back. A smile crept onto her lips at his act of kindness.
Luna pulled the blanket tightly around herself and sat up. Gladion glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and held up a small pager.
"It'll be about fifteen minutes," he said gruffly, taking another small sip of cocoa.
Luna smiled sweetly, pleased at the more gentle side of Gladion she had never seen before.
"Thanks for the blanket, and the cocoa. It was sweet of you," she offered.
He met her eyes briefly and gave a tiny nod.
"I don't mind waiting for my Pokemon, but I'm not waiting on Hau forever," he grouched, changing the subject.
Luna chuckled. "Knowing him, he will want to stop for malasada before we take off."
Gladion rolled his eyes and groaned. He mumbled something about not wanting to "wait on some goofy kid" and a "greasy mountain of calories."
"He may be goofy, but he's also very sweet. And a pretty talented trainer, too," she defended.
"Yeah, I guess so. He's a pretty interesting kid, I'll give you that. To grow up in the shadow of a kahuna, and then try to stand up to him as an equal? I couldn't do it," he said, draining the last of his drink.
"Really?" Luna asked, surprised. "Why not?"
He placed his mug on the table and crossed his arms over his chest. "Those are big shoes to fill. Everyone would constantly compare the two of you, and you have to live up to everyone's expectations. I prefer to make my own path."
"And your path is being a flunkie for Team Skull?" Luna asked, immediately regretting her harsh words.
Her challenging attitude garnered a swift glare from Gladion before his eyes settled on something across the lobby.
"I have my reasons for working for them. Null and I, we have to make it on our own. And right now, that's the only way." His gaze was distant and cold.
Before another question could leave her lips, the pager began to buzz.