#stepoutofthesunn

It’s an ideal place to build up stamina, or to practice some moves without risking too much damage if it (quite literally) blows up. The sand is smooth and soft-- much better at shock absorption than the hard ground. The beach is also large enough that they could keep to the far end without disturbing any of the fishermen. So long as the attack doesn’t disturb the local wildlife, they could train there for as long as they wanted.

Today, Norman plans on training his younger Spinda and a Skitty. Both are recent captures, with the Spinda he wishes to incorporate in future Gym battles and the Skitty to be a capable companion for Caroline during the days where he’s unable to return home. He wants them to practice on the moves that they have before moving onto other areas. If they’re able to execute the moves perfectly, then he considers it as a job well done.

Spinda will work on his Psybeam, while Skitty works on her Double Slap. They have secured a spot on the beach a fair bit away from the shores. Without the fear of disturbing others, Norman had Spinda practice his move first. While the ditzy Pokemon concentrated on the execution time under Norman’s encouragement, Skitty had decided that if she’s not getting attention, she’s gonna search for someone who would give her all the pets that she wants.

Like... that human over there with the cap and a fishing pole. With a soft nya, Skitty leaves the pair and makes her way over. It is after Spinda takes a break that Norman realizes he’s one Pokemon short. Looking around reveals that Skitty is gently pawing at a young man’s leg by the shore. With a sigh, the Gym Leader quickly approaches them, and scoops up the kitten.

Well. Not anything. But Moon doesn’t see her friends much anymore, what with Hau busy with Kahuna training, and Lillie and Gladion busy with what must surely be Very Important Business, whatever form that takes, and Sun almost always travelling abroad...

It’s just nice to be able to see her friend again.

They agree to meet at Hau’oli City’s ferry terminal for convenience’s sake. Or, not quite for convenience’s sake, because it’s about a half day’s flight on ride-Charizard’s back for Moon to make it from Ula’ula Island to Melemele. But, this way, Sun will get to stop off at his house. Wherever it is that he’s returning from must be miles away, and recuperating from the journey there makes more sense than recovering at the League. Melemele’s more sentimental too, Moon supposes. More homey.

When the day comes finally, Moon’s long ready to leave her house by noon; she’s at the pier by half past, and waits half an hour more for the ferry to pull in. It takes a little while to spot him, in between all the people and pokémon crowded against the ferry’s railing, but she does— eventually.

The ace trainer saves her from a serious bout of indecisiveness. He offers to heal up her party instead of battling, and Lillie figures she must really look like a mess right now to warrant that kind of reaction. She offers the trainer a Casteliacone from her previous adventures and moves on, glad to finally see the building. Just a final stretch left...

Kyuu jumps out from her arms then, racing down the road. Lillie yells at the Pokemon, turning heads here and there. She’s embarrassed, but more concerned about the safety of her Pokemon. Though the mountain’s been thoroughly inspected by the construction company and monitored yearly, loose boulders still come tumbling down occasionally. Lillie won’t stand a chance against them, much less Kyuu. She chases after her Vulpix, kicking up dust and pebbles. Wearing a white skirt and sneakers was another mistake she made. Seems like she’ll have to do a boutique run later.

As he stepped out, into the early morning sunshine, he gasped at the sight of the magnificent ship. It was illuminated by the reddish, orange hues of the rising sun, which split off, and caused lighter pinker and yellowish colours to dance along the edges of the railings and the body of the boat. It was truly a spectacle to behold. N quickly walked up the board, stepping onto the S.S. Aqua, before glancing around him. 

He could feel giddiness building up inside of him, excitement for the journey and what the future would hold for both him and Zoroark, and as if on cue, he looked down to his partner with a wide, happy grin. 

Zoroark, meanwhile, was quite weary of the boat, and upon spotting N grin at him, rolled his eyes. Often the Pokemon felt like... a parent, to N, considering one moment he could be stood next to you, the next he could be hanging off the side of a boat, and pointing at a giant rock in the distance.

--- Which incidentally, is what he was just doing.

Zoroark pulls him back from the edge, met with N’s cries of glee. “It’s... huge! Zoroark! They don’t have rocks these big back in Unova!”

Again, Zoroark rolled his eyes, and N turned back to the rest of the ship, wondering what he could do next. People were filing on now, but most went below deck to their rooms, so they could fall asleep again. N understood most people would be incredibly tired, especially to get up this early on a Sunday morning, so he didn’t judge them for that. But N didn’t want to go below deck and sit in his room, he wanted to explore, meet some new people, and determine the bonds they had with their Pokemon!

She was kind of like the dough, actually.  She was holding it together, but any one who knew better could see that she wasn’t in the best shape.  

“Leaf? What’s wrong?”

She’ll never forget that look.  The look of shock and confusion on Green’s face as she ran out of the gym crying.  She had won, but it didn’t matter.  It felt all wrong.  Battling was awkward and clunky.  It made her mind go numb.  It wasn’t her doing the battling, it felt as though she was watching someone else move through their own eyes.  It wasn’t enjoyable anymore.  

Everyone told she had potential.  Everyone told her she was going places.  

It made her fall from grace even worse, if she was being honest.  

She slammed the bread dough against the kitchen counter.  Flour flew into the air and probably all over Leaf, but she didn’t even notice.  

“This isn’t the end.  You have so much you could do, you don’t have to be a baker for the rest of your life,”  

Even though battling had been a big part of her identity, there were still other parts left of her.  She was kind, intelligent, caring, dedicated.  There were still pieces of her left.  All she had to do was pick them up, and she was the only person who could do that.  

She gently set the mound of dough in the oven.  It wasn’t going to be the best loaf of bread, but it would be just fine.  It might even surprise her.  She flopped down onto the floor, sweat dripping down her forehead.  

She was getting there.  She wasn’t there yet, but she’d get there.  

Where?

She had absolutely no idea, but everyone was right.  Battling wasn’t the right fit for her, but maybe something else was.  The only person who could figure that out was her.  She’d find her fit one day, but until then, she’d just have to keep picking up the pieces and putting them back together.