A/N: I'm back. Not much to say other than I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I have a lot of things to thank people for, so I'll keep it simple. Thank you to Subject 666 for beta reading this chapter and pointing out my mistakes. And thank you to those, who not only read, but leave a review. You guys rock!

Fantasysword92375: I did not know what you were talking about and had to look it up. It's such a coincidence that this story looks like it has been crossed with it. And you have predictions? I would love to hear them then. I won't spoil much, but I would like to see if you are right with what's going to happen in future chapters.


Ch. 4: Pokémon Battles 101

Darkness.

That was all she could see. It wrapped around Moon tightly like a blanket drowning all light and emotion away. She could not move against the pressure of the deep pitch black. It kept her still, as if it was suffocating her.

"C... you imag... it?" A male voice could be heard talking in the distance. Moon strained her ears to listen to the voice, but she found she could barely make out what the voice was saying. It sounded distorted, like the voice was speaking from under water. Despite that, the voice was familiar.

"Project UH-01..." the voice continued. "Will lead... to... Ultra..."

The voice stopped and what followed was sharp needles being pierced into Moon's skin. She grimaced as unbearable fiery pain erupted in all over her body. The needles were burning her. Moon moved to dig the needles out, but found herself unable to. Her hands wouldn't respond to her.

"Increase to maximum input. I want to see how it will react this time." The same male voice commanded, but this time sounding oddly closer.

Realizing this, Moon frantically looked around in the void of darkness searching for the source of the voice, until her gaze stopped onto a face that was slightly visible not too far away in the sea of darkness. Even though part of the face was covered in darkness, she could make out dark green eyes staring down at her coldly. She shook at the way the face looked at her with their visible eye. It terrified her.

"Let's begin, UH-01." The face spoke with a cold smile.

And all Moon could see was pitch black darkness once more.


Moon eyes snapped open and she shot up, frantically grabbing onto the blanket that was wrapped around her. She squeezed it tightly in absolute fear and looked around in panic expecting to see the same face that had looked at her so coldly. Instead, she found that she was in the guest bedroom Nashima had set up for her, on her bed, with Mikio on the windowsill near her silently staring at her.

Realizing that she was safe and was not in the place she dreamt about, Moon released her grip off of the blanket hand and glanced down, slightly embarrassed. She placed her hand on Mikio's head and began to rub his head softly.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. Mikio cooed at her touch and she couldn't help but smile at that. Mikio seemed to love it when he was stroked by Moon.

After stroking Mikio's feathers for several more seconds, Moon decided it would be best to get ready. She stopped stroking Mikio's feathers and got off the bed. She stretched out her limbs and then began to change out of her pajamas. As she changed into new clothes, her thoughts began to drift back to the conversation she had with Sun about the Festival several days earlier after they had came back to his house.

From Sun, she learned that the Full Force Festival was held every year in Iki Town in honor of Tapu Koko. The town would express their thanks to their guardian by competing in friendly Pokémon battles. When she asked what exactly what Pokémon battles were, Sun told Moon that he would teach her the basics. If she was going to participate in the Full Force Festival, he explained to her that she needed to learn what it meant to fight among Pokémon in a battle.

Of course, learning the basics was not easy. Suffice to say, Moon had trouble in Pokémon battles 101 (as dubbed by Hau). She couldn't call out the correct moves for Mikio to use against the opponent's Pokémon and whenever she did, the opponent's Pokémon always seemed to have the advantage over Mikio. It was tough. She had learned from Sun what battling exactly was and yet, it was hard for her to grasp. It was frustrating. And given how the Full Force Festival was two days away, she had no idea what to do to become better. After all, Hala had asked for her to participate in the festival.

"Hoot!"

Moon snapped out her thoughts and turned to see Mikio flying towards her. She smiled as the small owl Pokémon landed on her shoulder and snuggled its head towards her cheek. He loved doing that.

Despite not being able to excel in Pokémon battles, Moon had no trouble in excelling in bonding with her Rowlet. Even though she had caused Mikio to fail in each battle she had with Hau and Sun, Mikio always tried to cheer her up. He liked to do this by rubbing his face into her cheek and staying perched on her shoulder. Since that day after receiving Mikio, Moon learned that she may have been bad at Pokémon battles, but she was indeed learning how to appropriately bond with her Pokémon. And that was important.

"Moon? Are you awake, sweetie?" Moon head a voice call out from the other side of the door that was shut. Moon turned and walked towards the door. She opened the door, revealing it to be Sun's mom, Nashima, who had called out to her.

Upon seeing Moon, Nashima smiled. "I'm glad that you are awake, dear. Did you have a good sleep?"

Moon opened her mouth to say no, remembering the dream she had of the cold green eyes, but decided not to talk about it. She couldn't tell Nashima what she had seen when she herself, didn't understand what her dream meant. So instead, she closed her mouth and nodded her head, implying that she had a good sleep.

"That is good," Nashima responded. "I just wanted you to know that breakfast is ready. Please come out to eat when you are finished getting ready."

Moon nodded and Nashima turned, leaving Moon alone in the room. Moon sighed and looked at Mikio and began to pet him as she thought quietly to herself. She had gotten used to staying with Sun and Nashima. At first, she had felt uneasy staying with them, but their kindness chased her worries away. Ever since she had woken up, both of them were helping her learn new things. While Nashima was helping her learn more about how to take care of herself, Sun was helping her learn more about Pokémon. Moon was grateful that they allowed her to stay. Like the blond-haired girl, she was truly glad she had met them.

"Hoot!"

Moon stopped petting Mikio and sighed once more. Even though there was much to think about, she had to push her thoughts aside. It was time to eat. Mikio was hungry and so was she. Besides, there was a whole day ahead of her learning more about Pokémon battles from Sun and Hau and she needed the energy for that. With that in mind, Moon left the room with Mikio and headed towards the kitchen to start her day.


"You know, I think you are getting better at this."

Moon looked up pitifully from the ground and at Hau who was smiling cheerfully at her. After breakfast, Sun had took her to the spot they had been training at with Hau for the past few days. For the next few hours, the three had Pokémon battles with each other. Once again, she had another battle with Hau and his Popplio only for her Rowlet to lose miserably. After the battle, Sun had decided that the three should take a break. Moon could tell why he suggested that though. Sun could tell she was frustrated and disappointed in herself. After several days of nonstop Pokémon battles, she should have bound to win at least one. And yet, every battle she had with Sun or Hau ended in her Rowlet losing. While she was happy that Hau was trying his best to cheer her up, it was clear as day she was not making any progress at all.

"I think maybe you should focus on strategizing in your next battle instead of just calling out commands," Sun spoke up by her. Moon turned towards him confused.

"Strategizing?" she asked.

"Yeah, you know, making up a plan." Sun turned towards her and continued. "You've got the basics down from what I've seen, but you're too focused on telling what Mikio to do that you're not focusing on the bigger picture. In a battle, you have to be prepared to make a new plan when something might not go right."

"Wow, I didn't know you knew that kind of stuff, Sun!" Hau said in awe.

Sun shrugged and looked away towards his Litten, Kuro, who was curled up asleep on the ground near him. He spoke once more.

"I'm just thinking about how an experienced trainer would battle with their Pokémon. I would like to become just as strong as them..."

Moon glanced down as she pondered over Sun's words. Now that she thought about it, she was always only telling Mikio what to do in a battle and never payed any attention to the opponent's Pokémon. She was always only focused on her Pokémon. She realized then that Sun was right. She had to focus on the bigger picture, which meant both her and the opponent's Pokémon.

Seeing that Moon was starting to get what he said, Sun smiled.

"So how about it Moon? Want to have a battle with me and Kuro?"

Moon turned towards him and nodded with determination. She called out to Mikio, who was perched on a tree to rest during their short break and waited for him to get on her shoulder. Once he was, she stood up and walked towards the spot Hau had marked in their makeshift battlefield. Sun did the same, only he stopped at a marked spot that was across from her, a few feet away.

"Ready Moon! Kuro, I need you!" Sun called out turning towards Kuro. Kuro growled and lifted his head, giving an annoyed expression at Sun.

"Come on Kuro! I promise this will be the last one for the day," Sun said as he gave a pleading look back at his Pokémon.

Once more, Kuro growled, but he stood up and walked over to Sun. He stopped once he was in front of Sun, and turned to face Moon and Mikio. Moon nodded to Mikio, and Mikio flew off her shoulder. He landed on the ground and hooted. The battle had begun.

"I'll take the first turn, Moon!" Sun called out. He raised his hand and gave his first command to Kuro.

"Kuro, use growl!"

Kuro responded and opened his mouth, releasing a loud growl. Mikio titled his head at the sound and cooed softly. Seeing this, Moon thought back to the things she had discussed with Sun upon learning moves. The move Kuro had used, growl, soothed the opponent's Pokémon and calmed them down. That meant Mikio would attack with less power than what he originally had since he was less riled up for the battle. Despite that, Moon would not let that stop Mikio from trying. She decided she would tell Mikio to use a normal based attack.

"Mikio, use tackle!"

Hearing Moon's command, Mikio flapped his wings and raised himself a few inches off the ground. He then flew straight towards Kuro intending to hit him with his head, only for Sun to call out to Kuro to dodge it.

"Dodge it, Kuro!"

Kuro wasted no time in obeying Sun's command and moved away slightly to the right leaving Mikio to hit the ground with its head instead. Moon stared at the now injured Mikio in a stupor as Sun called the next move for Kuro to make.

"Now use scratch on Mikio!"

Kuro meowed and turned getting ready to scratch Mikio with its claws. Moon watched this, frustrated she still couldn't listen to Sun's advice. She was watching Kuro now, but she had no idea what to do. She was stuck. She did not whether to tell Mikio to dodge it, tell him to use another attack, or take the attack and let it end. She did not plan for this to happen.

"In a battle, you have to have be prepared to make a new plan when something might not go right."

Moon frowned at remembering the words Sun had told her just before the battle. Nothing was going right for her in this battle. But he was right. Regardless, she still had to have a plan to win it. She couldn't give up just yet.

"Mikio! Dodge it!" she called out to her Rowlet.

Mikio shook his head and flapped his wings rapidly allowing him to take off to the sky just in time before Kuro could scratch him. Moon sighed in relief at this and looked back at Kuro. Kuro may had the advantage over Mikio, but Mikio also had the advantage over him. And she was now going to use it.

"Keep flying Mikio, and use growl!" She commanded.

Mikio hooted and let out a soft growl, while staying aloft in the sky. Kuro meowed and relaxed at the sound of Mikio's growl. Moon smiled at this. Now they were even.

"We won't let that stop us!" Sun declared, trying to get Kuro riled up. "Kuro, use ember!"

Kuro shook his head. He arched his back and tiny flames shot out of it. Opening its mouth, the Litten shot out flaming hair balls at Mikio. Moon quickly called out to Mikio to dodge the attacks that he was weak against and gave him another command.

"Use leafage, Mikio!" She told her Pokémon. Mikio listened and pelted Kuro with green leaves. Kuro was hit by the barrage of leaves, but was unaffected by them. The attack barely did any damage to him at all. Despite that, Moon had a plan.

"Continue using leafage, Mikio," she called out. "As you circle him!"

Mikio hooted in response and began to circle Kuro as he continued to pelt Kuro with his attack of green leaves. Kuro hissed in annoyance at getting hit with each attack as he looked back to Sun for his next command. Sun nodded towards him in reassurance and called out the next move for Kuro to make.

"Use ember!"

Once again, Kuro arched its back and shot out a fiery hairball at the attack of leaves that were about to hit him. The fire made contact with the leaves and burned them causing light smoke to appear and surround Kuro. Both Kuro and Sun glanced around as the smoke dissipated realizing one thing: Mikio had disappeared. Sun quickly told Kuro to stay on guard as he looked around for Mikio. He did not expect Moon to give her next command to her Pokémon.

"Now use tackle, Mikio!" She said.

Sun widened his eyes feeling a whoosh of air near him and turned to see the small owl Pokémon jumping out from one of the bushes nearby them and tackling Kuro head on with his body. Kuro had no time to dodge the surprise attack. The cat Pokémon was sent flying by the attack towards the grassy field that was nearby their makeshift field. Sun watched stunned as Kuro landed unmoving. In silence, he walked over towards him and picked him up to check him. Moon watched this in silence, wondering to herself if she had overdone it. Just as she was about to apologize to Sun, Sun erupted in a laugh, surprising her. He turned towards Moon with a cheerful smile.

"That was great, Moon! You really did surprise me there!" He walked towards her and patted her shoulder. "That is how a Pokémon battle should go. Even though Kuro had the type advantage over Mikio, you were able to push him back with tactics."

Moon sighed in relief that Sun was not angry at her and gave him a big smile as Mikio landed back at her shoulder. She placed her hand on his head and began to pet him gently in gratitude.

"I just listened to what you told me earlier," she said, looking back at Sun. "Thank you so much, Sun."

Sun chuckled. "Not a problem, Moon. Now that you got the basics down, I think participating in the Full Force Festival will not be a problem for you."

Moon smiled. "I hope so."

"I wouldn't worry, Moon," Hau spoke up as he walked over towards the two and their Pokémon with Azura wrapped in his arms. "The Full Force Festival is about having a great time battling with your Pokémon. It's not really about winning or losing."

Moon nodded. "But thank you," she murmured softly. "Thank you two for teaching me about Pokémon battles."

Hau smiled cheekily as he chuckled. "Aww it was nothing, Moon. We're happy to help. Right, Sun?"

"Right," Sun answered as he turned over to Moon. "Anyway, we should be getting back. I think that's about enough what our Pokémon can do for today. They need rest. Let's continue tomorrow. After all, the Full Force Festival is in two days. We'll need all the training we can get."

Both Moon and Hau nodded. After saying their goodbyes, both Moon and Sun began to walk back to their house. As they walked, Moon took the time to enjoy all her surroundings. She loved the way the wind tingled her skin and the smell of the blue sea that was nearby. She was so focused on her surroundings that she didn't notice that Sun was speaking to her. When she finally noticed, she apologized to Sun. Sun explained there was no need for her to apologize and continued on what he wanted to talk to her about.

"Actually, I wanted to ask if you know where you came from. I mean if you are comfortable talking about it. Maybe me and Hau can help you get back home."

Moon froze and stopped walking. Sun noticed this and stopped to look back at Moon, concerned. Her smile had disappeared and she now had a tight frown on her face. Her dark eyes were now dilated in fear as her body shook in fright. She was completely different compared to the Moon he had spoke to a minute earlier.

"Moon?" Sun said with worry as he moved towards to her. He placed his hand onto her hand. "Are you okay?"

Moon blinked, snapping out of the daze she had been in. When Sun had asked her his question, she had immediately remember the times she was trapped in the pitch black darkness with the cold dark green eyes staring down at her. HER voice along with a familiar male voice spoke in whispers about her among the darkness. They terrified her. But Sun's contact with her hand had brought her back. She was relieved that it did.

Seeing that Moon was now back to her regular self, Sun sighed in relief and continued speaking.

"Are you okay now?"

Moon shakily nodded and looked away. "I have a home..." she murmured quietly barely enough for Sun to hear. "But I don't want to go back..."

Sun widened his eyes at her answer and placed both of his hands on Moon's shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Moon," he apologized sincerely. "I'm sorry for pushing you to answer me. But you can stay with me and my Mom until then. Mom says you'll always be welcome."

Moon nodded slowly. The atmosphere had certainly turned sullen. And yet despite that, Sun was still trying to cheer her up. She did not know what made her deserve the unwavering kindness he always gave her, but it was always enough to make her have hope. She was truly happy to have a friend like Sun.

"Let's go home, Moon."

Moon smiled softly at those words that came from Sun. She realized now she had a new home. And it was with Sun and his mother. They cared for her and came to accept her after several days. She had wondered at first if their kindness was a lie, but now she knew deep in her heart, they were truly kind like the blond-haired girl she had met. She had thought all people were cold hearted as the ones she remembered seeing and hearing in the place she had escaped from, but she was wrong. Sun, Hau, and the others proved that she was wrong and she was happy she was. Because now, she could finally see the world that was kept locked away from her.

As both Moon and Sun and their Pokémon finally arrived back to the house, Moon found herself looking up towards the mixed orange and red sky, while making a silent wish. She wished to herself that the people she had escaped from would never find her. She didn't want to go back ever again.


A/N: Aww, poor Moon. Sadly, her wish is not going to come true. Anyhow, next chapter might be slightly delayed. I'm still trying to decide how to go about the battle that will take place during the Festival. Until then, please have patience and send me suggestions for what Pokémon you want either Moon, Sun, or Hau to catch. Don't worry, after the Festival, they'll be starting their journey.

Current Teams:

Moon: Mikio (Rowlet)

Sun: Kuro (Litten)

Hau: Azura (Popplio)