They of the Sun
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Misery Is the Venom In Our Veins

cyra

     "Lunala," Zossie gasped from behind me. Fear and wonder slipped through the cracks of her trembling voice. The majestic creature's jaws opened, a screech emitting from her. I'm not sure where the notion came from, but I was sure it was a 'her'. Gladion was the first to regain his senses, commanding his partner with ease.

      "Null, go after it! Pursuit!"

       Without hesitation, the Synthetic Pokémon bounded around its opponent. A thin veil of shadows coating its sleek build as it made its way to the shade. Before Type: Null could move the beast let out another screech, psychic energy dispelling from her body in the form of stars and colorful clouds of dust. My body kicked into gear as I saw Nebby on the bridge again. This time I was the Spearow and not the hero. I dove out of the way as Gladion's Pokémon was flung at me; it caught itself in an effortless landing only kicking up dirt at the bottom of the stairs. I did not.

        The air left my lungs the moment I rolled down the stairs a small ways. I could feel the sting of new scrapes on my arms and legs. I could feel the sting of being useless as a small white critter flew past at the command of Zossie. It's paper-thin body made for quick slashes at the moon's emissary. I refused to be idle, but my hand struggled to move.

     Was this how she had felt back then? The memory seemed to live in my head more than the others. Even though the Trainer's eyes had held determination, her hand had shook as she stood in the Spear Pillar. But I'm not her.

    Whatever doubts dwelled...  I pushed them back as I stood releasing Pan from his constraint.

    Lunala deflected the other's attacks with ease. Even Dulse's well-trained Naganadel didn't seem to leave a scratch. The crystalline moon in her chest simmering as she went from attacks to a Protect shield. She snarled then, pushing us back with a gust of her wings.

    Pathetic humans. You seek our help after hundreds of years of neglect.

      Her horned head lowered, the moon etching we had seen all over the temple now glimmered on her forehead like a third eye among galaxies. She was as breathtaking as she was terrifying. Power began to charge as the emblem burned brighter and brighter by the second.

       "Phantom Force," I mumbled to Pan grabbing his ankles, "... take me with you."

       The Decidueye let out a confused coo, but followed orders. Chills crept up my back and arms as we were swallowed into the umbra. The world around us was shading in hues of purple and black, waving to and fro. Shadows lingered nearby but they didn't come close.

     I felt like a coward for what I was doing while the others stood steadfast, Zossie and Dulse flanked Gladion on each side. Lunala outstretched her whole body becoming as luminous as a full moon.

      You deserve to die!

     "Protect!"

     We flinched as a ghastly beam cast down on the three Pokémon's shields. Even in shadowy realm we were hiding in- making our way toward the creature of lore- we could feel it. My nerves were wracked. I fought against Golisopod and I ripped Hau's Litten off of me, This sort of thing should feel natural by now, shouldn't it? But a Legendary was another story. Type: Null let out a scream, no longer being able to hold up against the massive amounts of lunar energy. It's Protect shattered outwards as it was launched several meters away before hitting one of the walls surrounding the pedestal. Without thought I covered my mouth at the limp form on the ground.

     "Silvally! Don't give up on me!" Gladion yelled, calling his partner by a new name. I felt myself holding my breath from the shadows Pan held me in. While bright and cheery isn't my thing, neither is somberness. The sound of cracking wood split the silence; a piece of the makeshift Arceus' Ring fell to the ground. An audible hitch of Gladion's breathing came after. Another desperate, shaky shout: "Please!"
     
     A laugh emitted from the Moon Pokémon, as it flew high up, extending in the same fashion it had before. The crystal in its chest dimmed for only a moment. The strokes of its wings weren't quite as energetic as before. It was close enough now. Every cell in my body was shaking in anticipation. I couldn't let it get to me. I refuse to be scared and I refuse to run. Gathering my nerves into one ball of anxiety, I let out a war cry as Pan thrust us back into reality.

       "Don't let her go, Pan! Spirit Shackle!"

      The light of the sun seemed even brighter now and I wanted to cover my eyes as I reached for Lunala's chest. The beast had turned towards me, eyes glowing red even as her body faded into the realm we had just emerged from.

       My Pokémon shot past me, it's wings were formed as if it held a bow. Upon release, ghostly chains let loose to pin down Lunala. I didn't have time to save my breath from the chills that came and I couldn't cover my ears from her horrid screeching as I passed through her spectral form, my fingers brushed against the shining gem in her chest. I took hold of it as I fell towards the ground, closing my eyes because I definitely hadn't thought this shitty plan through. But in the moment, who really does? 

       If I had kept my eyes open, I would have seen where to land and I would have seen Gladion running to catch me. Even though tears were in his eyes, he made sure to stand right where my landing would be softened. Even though he was in pain, he made sure I wouldn't be. I grit my teeth. I didn't like this guilty feeling. Arceus, I feel like a mess.

      I knew I should open my eyes. But Lunala's howling seemed to echo in every crevice of my brain. I knew I should command my Pokémon to do something else. But Pan stayed dutifully holding onto chains that could shatter at any moment.

      Dulse's and Zossie's shouts sounded like nothing more than garbled garbage. Finally, I opened my eyes as Gladion yanked me away from where Lunala's psychic attack struck. The despair that radiated from her energy made my skin crawl. A cry pulled our gazes from Lunala's struggle towards the wreckage of Type: Null's mask. There stood what I could only assume was Gladion's Pokémon; the body was the same mismatched parts. But the head was  mechanical and Talonflame-like with a sharp, hooked beak and daring eyes. Atop it's feathered head was a shining silver crest that that had been folded together.

     "Silvally," Gladion murmured, taking a step towards his partner. As it glanced to us it seemed to say 'don't move' with one look. It's movements were regal and balanced without the bulky headwear. Zossie's Kartana, Dulse's Naganadel, and Pan were pushed back as Silvally unleashed an attack on Lunala. In her weakened state, she fell to the ground, shattering the moon's insignia on the platform. The heavens on her forehead dimmed until it was only blackness. The air seemed to calm with her breathing.

     ... Thank you.

     We watched as Lunala's body began to lose its light, sifting into darkness before disintegrating into stardust. The Z-Crystal in my hand went from it's angry blue to a warm orange. I cast a glance to Gladion beside me, but his focus was glued on Silvally. Pan fluttered down to softly nudge my hand for attention. I obliged to petting him, but I was focused on standing. My legs were jelly. I wished I could disappear into the breeze, too.

     "She's out of her misery," Dulse said from behind us. "It poisoned her and this is what she became... I wonder if that is what happened to Necrozma as well. It must have hurt, having one's trust twisted so badly."

       I clenched my teeth. The words ringing in my ears. Trust. That was a tough one to swallow.

      "What... whatever," I grumbled, ignoring the way my knees wobbled as I made my way down the steps. I held the gem out to the two Recon members in hopes they would. Zossie tilted her head with a smile, despite the shaken look in her eyes. She took the gem, examining it up in the sun's light.

      "This... oh! I know!" Her eyes brightened as the pieces clicked together in her skull. She whirled around, running back into the temple. How she had the energy was beyond me. Dulse and I looked at each other before following her back into the sanctum where the crystal crescent was embedded into the ground.

       We stepped in as a loud clunk! reverberated- Zossie gasped in excitement- around us and the moon lit up. It rose slowly, revealing a pedestal where a flute lay, the same colors as Lunala. The same colors as the moon. The symbol that was carved all over the temple rested at the mouth of the instrument.

      "Mission is a success!" Zossie squealed, grabbing the flute and whirling around to meet the approval of her companion. There was an ache that came with watching their comradery. I bit the inside of my cheek, making sure to make no noise as I stepped away. I didn't share their excitement. I was almost outside before I realized... Gladion wanted time with his own companion. He had almost lost Silvally. I didn't share that pain...

       So I stood there between the cool shade of the temple and the blazing Alolan sun, staring at the ground. Lonely misery taking its form as irritating tears in my eyes.

•••

omni

     Guzma sat back on his makeshift throne, overlooking the rundown Po Town through cracked windows. The rain had let up for the time being which gave him a break from his pestering underlings. The sun still didn't shine, though. If anything it seemed darker than ever. His feelings were dejected. Green with envy and dulled by regret.

      Lusamine had everyone fooled. He had been fooled for so long, too. The debate of whether to keep his mouth shut for his own benefit or yapping away to help someone else hung heavy in his thoughts. What good would come of this for him? How much worse would it be for others? Why did he care?

      He grabbed the bottle on the nightstand next to him, tilting his head back for another swig. Bitterness enveloped his tastebuds, but he drank anyway. He wasn't after the flavor. What person in their right mind would be? It was all for the clarity.

       The man slammed the bottle back down, letting his body lean forward to rest his elbows on his knees. He was by no means a traditionalist, but there were some things he knew held true. What kind of hypocrite would that make him to let the cycle continue on its current path? He was all about breaking the cycle.

       I could help. Or I could let everyone be a failure... like me.

      Misery loved company... but it was never good company. He knew that much.