I'm not going to lie, I finished editing and adding bits to make the chapter feel done, (basically a finished draft) then forgot to save it. Lost many hours of work.

I got so mad that I didn't bother trying again for another week. Sorry about that!

Chapter 7

"Reunion"

Lunch was over, and the children had all rushed off to their various activities. So too did Avery and Finn, as they went to spend time together before they had to leave. Avery was working on something in the corner of Finn's room, while the older boy continued to draw to himself diligently. Avery continued to have his feeling of worry rush about in his head, but he contained them as much as possible. He was currently working in tandem with Finn, trying to create a gift for Lea.

Suddenly Kairo knocked on the door, to which Finn allowed in. Quickly he went back to drawing, as the officer stood there sheepishly, "Sorry, Lea was worried about Avery." Finn only nodded in acknowledgement as they continued on, curiously he asked, "What are you boys working so hard on?"

Finn smiled, "Don't tell, but…" Finn slowly held up a drawing of himself, Lea, and Avery all posing for a picture. Which was colored, and drawn on a canvas.

Kairo's eyes widened, as he looked to the corner where Avery was carefully making a custom frame for said picture, and he smiled with a shake of the head, "Mighty talented you both are…" He said before quietly exiting the room.

It was only an hour or so later when Lea reached out to the two boys. "I think she's here…"

Finn and Avery both stood to look out the window, where a black car sat in front of the building. Surrounding it were dozens of reporters and curious onlookers, and standing guard were a couple of Machamp bodyguards. Avery sighed worriedly, as Finn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. They left the room, as Avery clutched the gift tightly to his chest. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, Lea had the door open, and murmurs and calls were heard from the crowd. Kairo was currently shooing away all the excited children from the house who were trying to get a look.

Lea turned with a nod to Avery, as two pokemon entered through the door. And she quickly closed it behind them. Avery was almost too scared to move, as he sat on the staircase. Admiring the Goodra, it looked mildly like his Luna, almost like he could tell. And the Delphox next to her, he had no clue who he was but he seemed rather courteous as he shook Lea's hand.

"Pleasure to meet you two," Lea smiled.

Luna nodded nervously, "You as well. I hope we're not making things hard for you here…" she said worriedly.

Lea laughed it away, "Oh you're fine, this is a small city so the pokemon here get like this."

Ares laughed, "Yep, surprisingly it's nothing like this back home. I think they know we aren't into the crowds much."

Finn slowly leaned down, taking the gift from him temporarily as he eyed between the younger boy and the two pokemon. He rubbed his back gently, and pushed him a bit to get him to walk over. Avery felt his heartbeat quicken, as he reached the bottom of the staircase. He almost felt his legs giving out underneath him but he stayed strong.

Lea noticed him in the corner of her vision, "I think, this is who you are looking for," she said, gently guiding the Goodra's vision.

When the two of them locked eyes it was like they knew instantly. Under all the fancy garments and publicity, Avery could tell it was her. He couldn't forget her face, not anywhere. Luna's heartbeat quickened, and threatened to escape her chest. She took one step forward, as did Avery. Then Luna covered the distance in half a second, falling to her knees and pulling the little boy close to her chest. "Oh my Arceus it really is you…" She muttered as tears began to pour from her eyes.

She gently pulled back and gently put her paw against his face when he began to cry as well, "I've missed you so much Avery…" Avery was saddened knowing she was talking but not being able to hear her voice. Luna herself was worried, and she wondered why he wasn't responding. Avery looked up at Lea, who looked unhappy at having to give the news, Luna followed his gaze, "What's wrong… Miss Lea?"

Lea stepped forward carefully, "I had hoped they'd already told you… Avery… He is deaf. He can't hear anything at all."

Luna's heart stopped, and her voice trembled as her paw shook, "My boy is… deaf?" A wave of fresh tears began to pour from her face, and she quickly turned to embrace the child again.

Ares quickly walked over, kneeling by his love's side and putting an arm around her in sympathy. She glanced at him, then looked into Avery's eyes. She could see the fear in them, her boy was terrified of something, and the lack of understanding for what was being said wasn't helping either. She quickly pulled him even closer into another hug, and kissed his cheek. Lea chimed in again, "He lost it in an accident that day… We've been using psychic connections to speak to him ever since we found him."

Luna widened her eyes and looked to Ares for help, who wordlessly nodded at her proposal. The Delphox quickly reached out with his mind, connecting both trainer and pokemon once again. Avery could feel that the psychic connection was different. Not as strong as lea's, but still quite strong. And the first thing Luna felt him say was; "Luna, you came back…"

Luna whimpered at that, picking up the boy fully in her arms and refusing to let go for even a second, "Of course I came back Avery. I never would have left you, not in a million years!"

Avery buried his face into her chest, as she flooded the back of his shirt with tears. "So does that mean you still want to be with me?" he said half-jokingly.

Luna wasn't as pleased by his joke, her eyes widened as Avery felt a wave of worry wash through the connection, she looked at his face in horror, "Of course I do! I never wanted to leave you Avery… You're all I've thought about! All those months not knowing if you were okay or…" She said quickly as if trying to justify her actions, but cut herself off.

Ares rested a hand on her shoulder, attempting to calm her nerves. But Avery quickly replied, "I believe you! The others told me how much you tried…"

Seemingly unsatisfied in her answer, Luna continued on, "A-And I was so worried that you would hate me for leaving you… I didn't expect it to take so long! I'm so sorry I should've been there for you, but I wasn't. I'm a terrible friend, please forgive me." She said, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Luna," Avery put his hands on both sides of her face, and she opened her eyes curiously, "I love you, it's not your fault."

Luna had a face of relief, and she slowly nuzzled the boy as she leaned down and kissed his forehead, gently petting the back of his head, "I love you too Avery… I love you so much. I'm here for you now, okay? I've got you."

Another few moments of the embrace passed as Avery released a few tears, "I just didn't know… if I was worth coming back for." Luna's mouth gaped in sadness at hearing that, and the boy continued with tears, "I was worried that I wouldn't be good enough… Because you're so important and I'm just-"

"Hush."

Avery blinked a few tears away as he looked up curiously at her interruption, "I don't want to hear another word from you talking like that ever again." She scolded him before wiping his tears with her paws, she clutched the boy so tightly that Avery didn't know if he'd ever be free.

She guided his face until she was sure his eyes were on her face, "I would give anything to be with you again, I'd discard everything and start over if it meant being with you Avery. You're not just some deaf child. Do you understand me?" She nuzzled his cheek.

Avery blushed, and after a little bit of silence, he laughed, not even surprised that she would be like this once he was able to talk to her finally. Luna raised a brow, "What? Did I say something silly?"

Avery shook his head through the laughter, "No. You just scold me exactly how I thought you would if I ever got to speak to you."

Luna lightly rolled her eyes as she huffed in the boy's face, "And you're still a little nuisance aren't you?" She tickled his cheek briefly causing him to laugh more, "That'll teach you never to question whether I think you're good enough for me." She teased.

Avery countered back as he looked up at her, "And what do you mean earlier when you said; 'I was worried you'd hate me', who do you take me for Lunalae Spiritclaw?" he said slightly mockingly.

Both her and Ares giggled and she quickly brought her face to down to his, resting her forehead against his own, "That's Miss Lunalae Spiritclaw to you young man."

Avery rolled his eyes lightly with a smile, "Yeah right, Lulu. In your wildest dreams."

Luna almost caught herself crying again at the old nickname, before she suddenly stood up, picking up the boy in the process. "You… And only you… Can call me whatever you want." she said, booping his nose lightly.

Ares suddenly caught Avery's eye from where Luna was holding him, and he nervously blushed, "Oh um… Hello…"

Ares nodded respectfully, "Nice to meet you little one. I'm Ares."

Luna leaned into him more, "He's a big dork when you get to know him, Avery, don't let his cool name intimidate you."

Ares himself seemed to blush as he averted his gaze and pushed his glasses up, "Please, don't judge a book by its cover dear…"

Avery smiled and giggled at that, "Are you two married?" he asked with a head tilt.

The couple blushed and looked in opposite directions as they stuttered out words, "Oh, n-no um… he's just my boyfriend…" Luna mumbled.

The Delphox mumbled something similar as Avery only raised a brow at the two, before shrugging and leaning into Luna's chest again. She quickly reciprocated the affection with another tight hug and small kiss on his head, almost beginning to rock the child that she held so tenderly in her arms. Avery allowed it, seeing as how she was clearly distraught by his absence for so long. And Luna had always been rather affectionate, most Goodras were.

Everyone else in the room had been delighted, watching such a reunion between two best friends, even if they had no idea the words they shared. Lea finally spoke up from nearby, "I was a little worried at first, but not anymore. You two are definitely old friends."

Luna turned and nodded, looking down at the boy then back up, "I just can't believe it actually happened. I feel like I could wake up from a dream any moment now…" She said gripping the boy tighter as if he'd disappear from her.

Kairo walked over suddenly, pulling out a stack of papers and setting it on a nearby desk. "I figure you'd like these. All you need to do is sign the bottom where applicable and you'll be all set."

Luna nodded, giving Avery one last kiss as she set the boy down on the ground. Leaning over the table and picking up the pen, confidently beginning to write her name down. Until it was all finished and she looked hesitantly up at the officer with a worried look. Kairo smiled, "He's your problem now ma'am. Custody is all yours." he said with a laugh.

Luna turned and hugged Ares quickly, before pulling back and leaning down to bring Avery into yet another hug. The boy wasn't averse, he had missed her soft hugs, and the feeling of comfort and home it brought to him. Finally the Goodra sighed, "I know it'll be sad for you… But we must go now if we hope to make it home before it gets too late." She said gently down to the child.

Avery nodded solemnly, turning around to Finn who was sitting on the staircase with a wide grin, he held his arms out and Avery quickly hugged the older boy. He ruffled his hair and gently passed the gift into his hands. Avery slowly approached Lea, stopping before her as she gazed down curiously. Ares must've pulled her into the connection as she sighed, "Oh Avery. We're going to miss you so much dear."

Avery looked up with tears pricking at the edge of his eyes, then held the gift up. The completed picture of the three of them, inside of a dark oak frame with the words; "Love, Avery."

Lea gasped and took it carefully, staring at the picture and the frame for a moment, before she levitated it and quickly pulled Avery into a hug as she cried. "I'm going to miss you guys a lot…" Avery said sadly.

Lea stroked the top of his head affectionately, "Please visit… If you can."

Luna chimed in from behind gently, holding her hands together, "I promise we will, Miss Lea."

Lea nodded slowly, as they pulled away from their embrace. And she gently pushed the child forward, "Alright, I'm going to cry all night if you don't leave. Okay?"

Avery giggled as he walked back over to Luna, who held her hand out and he gently took hold of it. Ares and Luna walked to the doorway, gently guiding Avery as he looked back and waved to everyone. "Bye! Miss you!" Avery said out loud.

He got a resounding goodbye wave and cheer even though he couldn't appreciate it fully. As he shared one last glance with Finn, who was wiping a tear from his eye with an embarrassed look. Finn and Lea stood in the open door and watched the two walk away. Avery was quite nervous about all the pictures being taken and the shouts from nearby pokemon being held back by the bodyguards. But Luna soothingly rubbed circles on the back of his hand as she held it.

Ares got in the backseat first, followed by Luna and Avery. As the crowd dispersed and the car gently began to take off, the window was rolled down and Avery waved back at his two friends. Until they were out of sight, and his face fell as he sadly sat himself against the car seat, which Ares quickly buckled for him psychically. Luna could see the sadness covering her boy's face, so she put an arm around him and pulled him tight. She was thankful that the action made him show a slight smile, even though he clearly had a lot on his mind.

As they drove through the city, Avery began to feel curious. "Where… do you live?" He asked.

Luna looked down at him, "We live all the way in the Hoenn region sweetie…" she said, gauging his reaction.

Avery only nodded slowly, comprehending that fact. The rest of the ride was done in comfortable silence, until they were nearing the landing strip where airships mainly landed, and their taxi sat. As they were nearing the gates, a crowd of pokemon could be seen up ahead. Avery gazed out the window, trying to see what it was all about. He couldn't hear but could see both Ares and Luna gasping at what they saw. When Luna saw Avery leaning against the glass she quickly grabbed his shoulders and pulled him towards her. When Avery looked up in confusion, Luna attempted to calm him with a smile, Avery grimaced, "Luna are they-?"

"Don't worry about it dear," She said, smiling motherly.

Avery looked up through the front dash, where the Medicham driver was. And he read a single sign that told him all he needed to know, "Why help monsters?" it read to him.

As they got closer and closer Ares looked around the outside of the car with a scowl, as he grumbled to Luna out loud, "It's ridiculous here… I'm glad Avery is getting out."

The crowd became more pushy as they got closer to the gates. The medicham honked wildly to get them to back off as they got within a few feet, all shouting insults and shoving signs close to the window. Avery finally leaned up in his seat, "This again?" He said annoyedly.

Luna was caught by surprise by what he said, "A-Again? Have you had to deal with them already?"

Avery didn't even get to reply, as he turned to reply to Luna, her face suddenly contorted in horror. Without warning or any way to react to it, the window next to him smashed into pieces and his arm was grabbed. He looked to his right fearfully as a very angry Trevenant gripped his arm, pulling him closer to the window, his arm hanging out. Avery's breath caught in his throat and his heartbeat quickened.

In that split second, Luna screamed fearfully and was quick to grab Avery, holding as tight as possible to his body. Ares instantly stood up, his eyes glowing bright red with anger as he pulled out his wand from his tail, letting loose a spell that instantly burned the Trevenants arm but not Avery's. A few bodyguards hopped out of the van behind them, quickly tackling the Trevenant to the ground as they forcefully shooed the rest of the pokemon away from the car. Once they could, the Medicham quickly sped up and away from the gates down the airfield.

Luna was holding on to Avery for dear life, "It's okay baby, I've got you… He's gone…" She muttered worriedly through her tears. Avery couldn't hear her, but he knew she was terrified.

Avery slowed his breathing, then put his hand on her arms which were wrapped around his neck, "Luna I'm okay."

She seemingly ignored him as she nuzzled the top of his head repeatedly, "Shh, I've got you. He's gone." repeating as many comforting words as she could muster. Avery only sighed, leaning further into her, in hopes of easing her fear. Once they stopped in front of the Corviknight carriage, Luna looked around, "I'm not going anywhere until I know my boy is safe." She said aloud.

Ares gently rested his hand on her shoulder, "I'll get out first, and make sure, all right?"

He walked around the car, making extra sure, before walking to the now broken window, "It's all clear. We should probably get the glass off of him honey." He said lightly.

Luna's eyes widened as he opened the door and she quickly picked him up, pulling him out. She brushed the glass off of his clothes and gently inspected every part of his skin, "I'm okay Luna I promise." Avery reassured her.

She wasn't satisfied until she checked everywhere herself, checking his arm especially, and then finally made eye contact with him, "You look alright... But promise me you are, please." she begged.

Avery smiled slightly exasperatedly, "I promise I'm not hurt."

It was then that police sirens could be heard, and they looked up to the gate. Many officers were dispersing the crowd, as one cop car came all the way down the strip, stopping and stepping out was Chief Zane. "We are so sorry about that Miss Spiritclaw!" He said worriedly, approaching the trio.

He looked down at Avery, "Is your boy alright? We can take him to the hospital to make sure."

Luna shook her head, "He's… okay, or so he says… And I'd like to get out of this city as soon as possible, so no thank you."

Zane nodded understandingly, apologizing again, "We just had an incident a few days ago, I didn't expect this so soon afterward. Please forgive us."

Ares crossed his arms and raised a brow, "You knew the pokemon in this city were this bad and didn't put any precautions in place?"

Avery noticed the tense feeling of the conversation, and grabbed Luna's hand gently, "Luna please don't be mean to him. He helped save me from drowning."

Luna looked down with wide eyes, then slowly nodded, before looking back up at what was quickly going to be Ares getting more angry. "It's alright… Nobody was harmed overall… And Avery says you helped save him, so I can't be too angry."

Zane nodded, "It was no problem at all. I apologize again for this."

Luna looked back at the carriage, which was ready, and sighed, "We best go. Thank you for getting my boy back." She said before grabbing Avery's hand and guiding him to the carriage. Avery could fell the unsureness and anger from Luna, but mostly worry for him. But Ares… the anger that Avery knew he felt, was unmatched… maybe even by Lea.

Ares stayed behind for an extra moment, still angry with his arms crossed, his eyes still glowed with annoyance as he looked at the Chief, "Get your city under control Chief. You can't allow these human hating terrorist groups to continue to grow into full-blown cults."

"Y-Yes of course!"

Ares growled, suppressing his urge to set something ablaze with no target, "Depending on the pokemon, the child's arm could've been ripped off! Hell, if I wasn't there, it might have!" He turned around with another growl.

"Yes sir, we'll do better. I promise." Zane assured.

He began walking away from the profusely apologizing Chief, before he stopped and sighed, "But I do appreciate your help," he said simply before joining them in the carriage. The Chief looked downcast as he sighed, happy not to be fired, but disappointed in his work.

When Ares joined them in the carriage Luna sighed, "Avery requested we be nice… Were you?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ares grit his teeth, "I try not to act privy on my disdain for those horrible human terrorists…" He started, "And when a city allows it to get that bad, they need to do something. It's not rudeness if it's the simple truth."

Luna sighed, reaching over Avery who was sat in the middle, to place a paw on Ares shoulder. He looked over, as his eyes stopped glowing and he sighed slowly. Luna smiled at him, "We're going home, where it's safe."

Ares nodded, "I know… But there's still children in that city. It makes me sick and I was there for only an hour."

Luna nodded understandingly, "Let's worry one at a time for now."

Ares smiled finally, looking down at Avery who was gently resting with his head on Luna's lap, something that he had done quite a lot when he was younger. The sight made Ares nod, "Alright dear… I can do that much."

It was late at the Rehab Center, and Finn came down from his room to help Lea finish cleaning the house for the day, as every child was in bed now. Or should be. Whilst helping he couldn't help but notice the worried expression that donned his adoptive mother's face, and he worried himself.

It was when she was cleaning a table and a cup fell to the floor which startled her, that Finn grew slightly worried, "Are you okay Lea? You usually would have just caught that…"

She smiled up at the boy, "It's nothing Finn. I've just got a lot on my mind right now." She said turning around to continue to clean another table

Finn sighed, walking over and putting his hand on her shoulder, "Talk to me, I'm sure it'll help."

The Gardevoir sighed, dropping the cleaning supplies and turning around. She was still slightly taller than the boy, but even then she leaned in for a hug, which Finn quickly reciprocated. "Is this about Avery?" Finn asked.

He felt her feeling of worry, but she shook her head, "I know you read in the news what happened earlier after they left… But Avery is okay, Hoenn is a nice region…" She told him.

"It's not about Avery then…" He said slowly.

She sighed again, leaning back to look him in the eyes, "It's about you, Finn." She said sadly, "I just… I don't know what you had planned, when you reach eighteen. I know humans let their little ones go at that time and…"

Finn smiled, rubbing the back of her arms gently, "You're worried what would happen to me?"

She let loose a few tears, "This city is just… too dangerous to go out into the world by yourself in… But I don't want to make you feel trapped here, I-I can't. But you can go to another region, a safer one… A-And"

Finn hugged her again, rubbing her back gently, "Mom… I'm not going anywhere."

Lea's eyes widened as she hugged him back even harder, releasing tears on his back, "A-Are you sure?"

Finn laughed, "I'm going to let the rest of the humans catch up in age before I think of trying that big wide open world," he started with a small sigh, "Unless of course you want me to move out?"

She quickly gripped him tighter, "N-No!" She cleared her throat embarrassed at his slight giggling, "You can stay as long as you like. As long as my little boy feels safe."

Finn yawned, and released her from a hug, "I'm going to head to bed. Goodnight, love you mom." He said with a smile.

She held her hands together happily, "I love you too Finn. Sleep well." She replied happily.

It was only a while later when Avery began to stir, interrupting the quiet conversation the couple were having. He raised his hand up and rubbed his eyes, at first he was confused, then it all rushed back to him. Luna was gently petting his head again, it was extremely comforting and made the boy feel at home. But he didnt feel like sleeping for the time being, as he slowly rose into a sitting position between the two pokemon and yawned. He felt Ares prick at his mind gently, and allowed it in.

Luna pulled him against her side, "You could've rested more honey. We've still got a while before we arrive."

He glanced up at her and shook his head, "I don't feel like sleeping right now…" Avery didn't want to admit that the incident in the car earlier had given him a not so pleasant nightmare involving that day with the burning car.

Luna nodded with a smile, "That's alright too. How are you feeling?"

"Weird… But only because you're here."

She giggled, and raised a brow, "And what is that supposed to mean?"

He looked down again, "I'm just not used to it. I felt that way at the center too…"

She rubbed his arm gently, "You were out there for a long time. I don't blame you."

She didn't know how to go about it, but thankfully she didn't have to as Ares asked before she could, "Not to pry or anything, but how did you survive out there in the wild? Staying hidden that long is a feat in itself."

Avery looked over at his curious expression, "My dad… he had an old hunting bunker out in the wilderness. I could've lived there for another few years with the supplies stocked…"

Ares nodded in understanding, "I see… It must've been lonely," He expressed with a sympathetic smile.

Avery shook his head, "I wasn't alone… Well not the entire time. There was this girl named Avah, I saved her from a burning vehicle that day and… well…"

Luna kissed his head, "So brave, I'm proud of you."

Avery blushed wildly, "Actually that burning vehicle is how I lost my hearing. It was blowing up… Avah didn't realize, I had to throw myself on top of Avah to make sure at least one of us would be alright."

Ares' eyes widened in surprise, as he stared at the young boy. Sharing a look of both worry and understanding with Luna. He found himself placing a paw on the young boy's shoulder, Averyhe looked at him in intrigue, "That is quite a traumatic thing to go through. If you ever feel the need to talk with us you can. Okay?"

Avery slowly nodded, and Luna whined, "I don't mean to bring up bad memories Avery, I'm so sorry…" She paused for another moment, "But… if we're getting them out of the way now, I'd like to know what you meant before… When you said you had dealt with the anti-human groups?"

Avery shrugged, "They would protest outside the Rehab Center… The first time I noticed them, I had no idea what they were doing until it was too late."

Ares growled, looking down in worry, "And what was it that happened?"

Avery shifted uncomfortably and Luna wondered briefly if they were being too nosey, but he responded, "Some drunk pokemon who was part of it… He threw a rock through the window by my bed, it gave me a pretty nasty injury on my head, I'm pretty sure you can still see it…"

Both of their eyes widened as Avery pulled his hair back a bit, and Luna inspected it. It wasn't completely healed yet, but it was healing nicely. However that didn't stop the boiling rage from reaching her as she hugged the boy in both arms, "I will never let that happen to you. Never again." She promised.

Avery sighed, "It's really okay Lulu… You don't have to worry about me."

"Yes I do." She countered very quickly in an indisputable way.

Ares cleared his throat, "Well. The good news is that we live in a nice area. The surrounding city is very accepting of humans and those hate filled mongrels get kicked out… As deserved."

Avery grimaced, "I mean, maybe we deserve it. I'm not sure… I saw how some humans treated their pokemon… and-"

Luna interrupted him, "And that wasn't you, Avery. You only ever treated me with the most amount of love and respect someone could ask for. And yet you were punished for something that was never your fault."

She could feel Avery's conflicting emotions, and picked the boy up gently, holding him so that his face was in front of her own. "Listen, if you deserve it, then so do us pokemon! Pokemon weren't all nice to humans either, there's bad apples in every bunch, little one."

Ares nodded, "However, I do respect that you are smart enough to be willing to forgive and take responsibility. But in this case, you aren't responsible for anything. You aren't a martyr Avery, you're a child."

Avery closed his eyes as he rested his head under Luna's, "I just want everyone to stop being mean. Haven't we gone through enough already?" Neither Luna or Ares had anything to say to that, he was right, punishing humans for the acts of their parents… It was a sickening ideal, but one that sadly some pokemon followed. "I just have to convince myself… that we deserve it. Otherwise I can't understand, why do they hate us?" Avery asked, beginning to shake slightly in her arms.

"Shh…" Luna hushed him.

He let a few tears loose which she quickly wiped away, "Shh… child. I love you, nothing will change that."

She rubbed his back gently, and started humming. An odd feeling, he could almost sense the song she was humming through the connection. It was something that Avery instantly recognized as his mother's old lullaby, he looked up with wide eyes and she smiled at him, before singing a part of an old song.

"Life sometimes promises warmth tomorrow

Just like a dusky sunset in splendor

I remember the humming sound is passing by

The tears we have held back

all the dreams that I have lost

in the Precious days"

Avery smiled gently at his mother's old song. Of course he couldn't actually hear Luna's voice, she was singing out loud but he could feel the words she was saying, the vibration of her voice. And he knew what it would've sounded like, if he could still hear. The words in the song were passed to him psychically. He teared up some more, "I'm still not tired though Luna."

She smiled and nuzzled his face, "That song calms you down, I've known you since you were crawling in diapers, don't think I don't know something simple like that." Avery had to relent at that as he rested his eyes.

Ares smiled at the duo with fondness, not wanting to disrupt the two. He found his love's singing voice beautiful, he was saddened that Avery couldn't hear it, even though he clearly loved that song. And that brought Ares into an even deeper pool of thought, but he would have to think on it much more before doing any actions. As the region of Hoenn came within view, the two looked comforted in their embrace for now.

.

.

END

Thanks for reading.

I'm probably going to wrap the story up soon. Much sooner then anticipated but it can't be helped. Not trying to sound rude or stuck up, this story just hasn't really done very well at all compared to my expectations. Esepcially when I have other fics that are wildly more popular that could use the extra attention from me ending this story. I posted a chapter 1 of a new story, and that one chapter already has more views/follows/favs then this story does 2 months later.

Let me be clear, it's not the reviews, it's the regular views that only I'm able to see. This story has barely broken 1k views, my other pokemon story broke 56k views, quite a difference. My other stories are in similar ball parks. I'm not sure why this story didn't catch on, but that's just the way things go I guess. Maybe it's the 3rd person writing, maybe the story is just too outlandish, maybe I dragged it through the mud too much wordwise... I feel I started strong, then dived off a cliff... Live and learn I guess.

Just to clarify, I'm not angry or upset, I just don't really think it's worth my time anymore. Which does sadden me a bit, but I love my other stories too so it's alright. There's still a good 3 or 4 chapters left for this story if I cut it short. And who knows, maybe this chapter is a turning point and it explodes overnight, anything's possible. Sorry for the rant I guess.

Thank you L0RD3N, Umbra Lycan, and Wyldclaw for the reviews. See you guys soon, might post another chapter on Wednesday.