It's been a few days since Luna's group of friends came to town to meet the professors and received some very serious news about Team Rocket's plans. For these few days, the situation in the tribe was as usual. Raichu and the twins would go on patrol with the rest of the tribe, while Luna with Kira, Zoe and the rest of the riolus would go to training in the morning and return in the afternoon. As she gave Ian, Storm and Zoe the green light to return to their normal duties, she had more free time which she didn't like. Anytime she didn't have something to distract her, Luna's thoughts would start to pile up, especially those related to the Rocket Team experiments she had seen with the others. She was somehow glad for her insomnia, because she would surely have nightmares from everything she saw, how strongly it all affected her. Thinking that a walk around the tribe would help her, Luna began to walk through the dense forest of Mount Coronet, listening to the sounds of the forest and wild pokemon around her along the way.
One of the best things that happened recently was that the wild pokemon stopped avoiding her and being afraid of her, which meant a lot to Luna, because before that night in her camp they were too quiet, almost creepy. Also for the last few days pokemon didn't hesitate to come to her camp to ask for some kind of help, be it medical or if someone was in trouble or when some minor fight broke out. Also with Zoe's help her training became even more successful as did her rope handling. When we slowly and a little better thought about everything, some good things did come out of all of this, not just the troubles on the part of Team Rocket. Slowly, Luna's walk brought her to a nearby spring that the tribe uses as their main source of drinking water. As the sun slowly set and the evening grew fresher, one by one the stars appeared in the sky and Luna lay by the spring watching the sky. Soon it was dark and the bright stars filled the sky along with the moon which was full that night and lit up the night so you could see everything. For a long time now, Luna hadn't been able to simply sit and look at the stars and enjoy the sound of the night pokemons like she used to when she was at home.
Unfortunately, the peaceful thoughts did not last long because she was still troubled by many things, such as how to stop the rocket team, how the conversation with the other tribes would go, whether she would be able to fully control her aura without anyone having to be by her side to watch over her don't blow everything up. It wasn't just the uncertain future that bothered her, it was the past that she would like to somehow change, because if she had done just a few things differently and better, all of this might not have happened. No matter how hard she tried, Luna couldn't get rid of the guilt and anger that had been one of the reasons why she hadn't been able to sleep for the past two nights despite the medicine she had been given by the pharmacist. -So you're here.- Luna almost jumped out of her skin, while her heart was beating like crazy from the unexpected company. When she turned around, she noticed Azur behind her slowly coming out of the dark undergrowth and onto the clearing where Luna could see him better. After Luna managed to calm her nerves, she nodded her head in response as she didn't feel like talking at the moment. - Raichu stopped by the tribe when he didn't find you in the camp.- Azur informed her to which she sighed deeply, not wanting to go back just yet. Azur read Luna's aura and knew something was bothering her and since Zoe decided to advocate for Raichu until he found Luna. The only reason he and Zoe got involved in all of this was because Zoe decided to give Luna some time for herself, and since Azur wasn't one for long talks or short chats, so Zoe took over.
Zoe and Luna have become almost like sisters in such a short time, even if in the beginning Zoe was looking for any reason just to fight Luna and throw her off the mountain. When Azur thought about it, he thought it was a bit funny. Azur then walked over and sat down next to Luna who meanwhile gathered her legs and hugged them as she looked thoughtfully at the spring watching the reflection of the full moon in it. - Something is bothering you.- Not wanting to worry others, Luna was ready to put on a fake smile and suppress her emotions and thoughts again, but Azur stopped her with words. - Don't try to lie to me and say that you are fine or that everything is fine.- Mentally Luna was beating herself in the head because she knew from the beginning that when one of her lucarios friends saw her in a depressed state, it was no longer possible to deceive them like the others and assure them that she is just tired or just a little thoughtful. - Whatever is bothering you, you can tell me, I will listen.- After Azur said that, Luna sighed again but this time she tried to hide her face in her knees. "I don't feel like talking about it." Azur then lowered his hand to Luna's frame with the words. - I didn't say we would talk about it, but that I would listen.- For a few minutes Luna thought about what Azure had said. Part of her wanted to continue to ignore his presence and be left alone, while another part of her wanted to just get it all out of her without going too deep into it. Because after all, she didn't dare to talk about it with Raichu or her parents, with whom she had an incredibly close relationship and freedom in almost everything. Somehow everything suddenly seemed ironic to her. Even after all that time, Luna once again tried to hide her fears as well as her worries and stresses, like when she was only ten. That thought caused a small sad but at the same time nostalgic laugh.
Such a sudden change in Luna was very worrying to Azure, as she was now mixed with even more different emotions as well as unexpected laughter. "I thought I could change things. It has always been my dream to be someone who fights for everyone who can't and protect. When I was offered the opportunity to travel around different regions to help people, pokemons, fight through Team Rocket, help others get along better, it was a dream come true for me. But now it's look like dream slowly becoming a nightmare from which I can't wake up no matter how hard I try." Saying that Luna made a little pause and then she raised her head looking up at the sky with an ugly smile on her face and then continued, "Isn't that crazy. People would call me a freak, avoid me, try to hurt me since they knew what I could do, and again I wanted to help them. And seeing those videos in the lab made me think..." Halfway through, Luna's eyes began to fill with tears and her voice began to tremble and her body to shake, both from the cold and from trying to keep from breaking down. "If only I had been faster and found those laboratories earlier and had a better plan, I could have saved them and prevented them from deleting the entire data. What if I missed one of their similarly bases in some region, what if I carelessly passed near those who needed help, what would happen if I lost control again and did even more damage..." Then Luna could no longer hold back and she started to cry from exhaustion from fighting her emotions, from disappointment that she couldn't do just one thing right, from fear of losing someone else or something dear to her so that she doesn't disappoint everyone else around her. Watching her crying and thinking about what she had just said, he completely understood her as well as her desire to find a way to make things right somehow. After almost half an hour Luna slowly stopped crying and slowly started to pull herself together. Azur only continued to watch as Luna dried her tears making sure not to irritate her red eyes from crying any more. So the two of them sat with the soft sounds of the forest as well as the night pokemons until Luna decided to break the peace with the following words.
, Thank you you for listening to me. Looks like that's what I needed, to stop keeping it all inside." after which she let out a small chuckle. Luna's words made Azur happy because it helped that he listened to her, because after everything Luna had done for his tribe and Mio, it was the least he could do. Then he remembered something else he could do and he had already promised before - Did the medicine you took when we got to the city help you? - he asked her. The small smile that was on Luna's face instantly disappeared as she didn't know what to do anymore when even the doctors at home didn't know what else to try. Luna just shook her head in response and focused her gaze on the ground. That was enough. answered Azur, who stood up and then stood behind Luna and slowly placed his paws on her shoulders. This surprised Luna, who immediately at the touch tried to stand up and turn around to see what Azur was planning but she couldn't, as he followed back again not allowing her to get up.- Do you trust me?- Such a question sounded completely absurd to Luna because she fully trusted Azur as well as other members of the tribe, preferably Elders, Zoe, Slash, Leon as well as riolus. Even if she didn't know what Azur was planning she knew he certainly wouldn't do anything to hurt or upset her, so Luna tilted her head back to meet his direct eyes and answered. "Of course." Which brought a smile to Azur's face and then started with her idea. Luna felt Azur inject small amounts of his aura into her and try to mix it with it. At first the sensation was unusual and quite uncomfortable for Luna. The more their auras mingled Luna could feel Azur's calmness, a bit of nervousness as well as some emotions, which automatically set off an alarm in Luna's head as well as panic.
'If I can feel his emotions, he probably can feel mine too.' There was so much Luna was hiding inside, so much she wasn't willing or ready to share, so she immediately tried to put up a barrier to stop him from going too deep. Immediately Azur felt Luna trying to block and stop him. not wanting to fight against Luna's blockages and aura he turned to her. - Don't worry, I won't go that deep.- Still a bit tense and panicked, Luna tried to force herself to relax. It took her a few minutes to fully relax and once again allow Azure to continue what he had started. As Azur stabilized and calmed her aura bit by bit, all the discomfort and tension slowly ended. Slowly, Azur's cool and fresh aura completely overwhelmed her, making her feel calmer, more comfortable. This feeling reminded her of winter nights when twins and she would wrap themselves in several layers of blankets and a big hug in her bed and go to sleep. At such moments, Luna felt carefree, knowing that someone who cared for her was right next to her, which also made her feel safe. Slowly, fatigue and exhaustion began to set in on Luna, making her very sleepy. Slowly, Azur also began to pull her aura back from Luna, which partially disappointed Luna as she was just beginning to enjoy the feeling that had taken her over for just a few moments. When Azur stopped completely he shook Luna lightly to wake her up a bit and then they were able to head back to the tribe believing that Raichu was starting to worry a lot about Luna's whereabouts. Partly asleep, Luna was trying to pull herself together so she could come back, which wasn't going very quickly. Azur helped the now sleepy and disorientated Luna to her feet, and then they slowly made their way to the tribe. All the way Luna held on to Azur's shoulder so she wouldn't fall behind him or hit some of her sleepiness as well as the darkness around her.
Zoe, Raichu and Shin were waiting for them not far from the tribe. When they noticed them, Zoe couldn't get sick without finding a little at Luna's expense. - What happened to you Luna, you look like a wobbuffet?- Luna didn't pay much attention to Zoe's words, she just wanted to somehow get her sleeping bag and not get up for the next month if possible. Luna's reaction to Zoe's joke was enough for Raichu to realize that he had better get Luna to the camp as soon as possible, before collapsing on the spot. Raichu wrapped his tail around Luna's wrist and slowly pulled it free of Azur's shoulder. Before Raichu and Luna could even start walking towards the camp, Shin blocked their path and told them. - Early tomorrow at dawn, You and Luna will go with us to the agreement with the other tribes.- That news surprised Raichu as well as Azur and Zoe. - I'm sorry, but are you sure it's a wise decision?- Raichu asked him with a very worried expression, because he knows how hard it was for the others to accept them as friends, even after helping them several times. - I agree with Raichu on this Elder Shin. We cannot say with certainty how the other tribes will react, or whether they will accept at all. After all, our goal is to unite forces and not to create more conflicts. - Azur is clearly the reason for all the confusion regarding the decision made by the elders. Elder understood their concern as well as their reasons for doubting their decision, but still. - We are very aware of that, Azur. But don't you think it's better for them to hear it from us right at the beginning than to find out for themselves. The bonds and alliances between our tribes are first and foremost based on honesty Azur. I hope you understand that.- The others saw the meaning of what Elder Shin said and knew that he was right. - I hope you will come with us tomorrow Raichu.- At that Raichu just sighed as if the situation could not be helped and answered casually. - No worries, we are with you. And anyways Luna wouldn't refuse your offer, not wanting to hide and make a problem like that.- When he said that, Luna simply fell over him and almost got crushed in the process. Luna fell into such a deep sleep that she was no longer conscious of absolutely anything and no longer had the strength to stand on her feet. lucarios found this very funny as Raichu tries to wake Luna up at least a little but it was to no avail.
Elder Shin then tell Zoe and Azur. - Azur, help Raichu carry Luna back to their camp. Zoe tell the others that Raichu and Luna are coming with us tomorrow.- They both nodded in agreement, so Zoe along with Elder Shin headed back to the tribe while Azure stayed with Raichu and Luna. - Sorry kid. Luna usually doesn't fall asleep this easily.- Azure just shook his head and spoke to him. - There's no need to apologize. And it's my fault that she fell asleep so suddenly. - Azur answered him and then he knelt down and lifted Luna onto his back so that she could be carried to the camp faster and easier. Even if Luna was a head taller than him, Azure managed to balance her with ease so that she wouldn't fall out on the way. When Raichu's brain finally processed what Azure told him, they were already on their way to the camp. - What did you mean by that?- He asked him, and Raichu knew that no matter what they tried, nothing could ever put Luna to sleep except a good blow to the head or her body just shutting down from extreme exhaustion and lack of sleep. - Her aura is not only unstable but also restless. Mio had a similar problem when she was very young, so I helped her calm her aura to sleep. After a while she learned it herself, so I believe Luna will too.- Azur explained to him as they slowly moved towards the camp. Raichu thought about Azure's words for a second and began to giggle with the words. - It is somewhat ironic that the source of almost all her problems is her crazy aura. - Taking into account what Luna was talking about when they were near the spring he understood Raichu's little sarcastic joke. If anyone in his tribe had received Luna's gift, he would have been highly respected and would have already been groomed to be an aura keeper or elder, while in Luna's case the opposite was happening. - It looks that way. But I think that it only made her stronger and that fate itself brought her to us. - Raichu somewhat agreed with Azur, because after everything Luna went through, she never even thought of giving up, even from those who didn't deserve it.
When they were about halfway to camp, Azur stopped abruptly as Luna began to move. Slowly Luna wrapped her arms closer to Azur's neck and placed her cheek on top of his head, nuzzling at the same time. At that moment Azur was a bit uncomfortable because he was not used to close contact except with his sister, possibly with his father when he would try to rub his head out of pride for doing something well even though he was too old for such a thing. Raichu tried not to burst out laughing at Azur's funny and innocent reaction to Luna's usual hugs and snuggles while sleeping. Raichu could not resist this opportunity without making a joke. - When Luna miraculously manages to fall asleep, she and the twins usually snuggle together while they sleep, so you don't have to make any drama out of it. After all, I don't think you're her type.- After Raichu said that, Azur panicked a bit because he didn't want to give that impression, because the only way he looked at Luna as Mio when behaves somewhat childishly. Azur tried to find the right words in his head without showing disrespect or offending either of them in any way, but his ironically joking exhalation brought him back to the real world from his thoughts. - You know, you are quite good at hiding your emotions and you are quite calm. And for the last one, I was just kidding.- it calmed Azur somewhat knowing that he hadn't done anything to offend Raichu, but the close contact still gave him a strange feeling.
Luckily they made it to their campsite quickly, and Azur helped Raichu settle Luna into the tent, being careful not to wake the fast asleep twins along the way. As soon as they placed Luna on her sleeping bag, she reached out her hand in the same second until she felt Sunny and pulled her close and hugged her. Somehow it was interesting for Azur to see Luna so relaxed and carefree for the first time. In such a short time, Azur got to know a huge part of Luna's personality and character, she always knew how to treat everyone. With riolus, she would be childish and cheerful, but when they were in training, she would try to help them and show them the right thing with her actions and not just with words, while with the elders, she would always show respect and behave maturely to others older than her. But when she was with Raichu, the twins, Zoe, Slash or the others she was close with, she would often tease them especially Zoe. She would often get into short and insignificant arguments with Sunny, and then both of them would sulk for a while, making funny faces, or she would find some common topic with Slash and Zoe, about which they would talk, joke and laugh, as if they had always been friends. If something stupid happened, like when Zoe opened her wound, Luna would only be irritated for a moment, but then she would solve everything by talking, while knowing when words were needed and when it was enough to just listen. But tonight, Azur met Luna on a whole new level. During the conversation, he saw and noticed how much weight she actually carries on her back and how much she keeps inside herself that cannot be seen at first glance. Before he left the tent Azur took another look at Luna and her peaceful sleeping figure. When he came out of Luna's tent, Raichu was waiting about ten paces from the reaper and motioning for him to come closer with his paw. Knowing Raichu had something serious to ask from his expression, Azur stood in front of him waiting for questions.
- Is Luna okay?- In Azur's head, this question was one of the last Raichu would ask him. He thought they would rather ask him what happened or what they talked about or something like that. - Listen kid, even if I'm mostly joking I'm not a fool. I know Zoe was just tricking me into not going to look for Luna. Also, even if we haven't exchanged many words, I want from you to tell me what you talked about out of respect for her privacy. I just want to know if my kid is okay.- This made things a lot easier for Azur, but on the other hand, one of the reasons Luna went there alone was so that others wouldn't worry. - She has a lot on her mind. But after all, she is strong not only physically but also mentally. She'll be fine.- That was enough for Raichu to satisfy his curiosity. But that wasn't the only question he had for Azure. - Tomorrow we will meet other tribes. I worry about how they will react to Luna. - That also worried the younger Azur, because considering what was happening with Team Rocket recently, they weren't the happiest at first that Luna was on her territory. So there was a high possibility that they would go to a fight, which is the least they need at the moment. - For them, Luna might be one of the monsters like Team Rocket. I'm afraid that the same thing as when she lost control of her powers will happen again. We almost lost our Luna once, I'm afraid it will be gone forever this time. If it same thing happen again- In addition to worry, Raichu's gals could hear traces of fear that history would repeat itself. From what he had learned from Luna while they were near the lake, Azur could partially understand where Raichu's fear was coming from, but he knew one thing for sure. - You, your family and especially Luna are members of the Uxie Lake tribe, so we have your back no matter what, just like you have ours.- Those words lifted an indescribable burden from Raichu's heart, knowing that beside him and the twins like her parents, this time Luna has those with her who can protect her. - Thank you Azur, you are a good kid. Wish Good night from us to your tribe ok.- Then Raichu and Azur parted to get ready for tomorrow's busy day.
