(A/N. F**k editing. YEET. Oh I guess Sun, Moon, Hau, and Lillie are 17 in this and Gladion is 19. Idk. Just here.)
Moon launched face first into the water off of Mantine's back. Sun came up behind her on his Mantine. The water Pokémon that threw Moon looked guilty and refused to make eye contact with its fellow Mantine.
Sun kneeled down as his older sister emerged from the water, "You okay?"
Hau raced by on his Mantine, coming to a harsh stop. The waves from the stop washed over Moon. Her head popped up from the water again.
Hau chuckled, "Dude! What happened?!"
Moon groaned and whistled. A Primarina soon burst from the water's surface and swam towards Moon. She got onto the water type's back and pointed towards the shore. Primarina began swimming towards the sand.
Sun and Hau looked at each other. Hau laughed nervously and shrugged and Sun rolled his eyes at the boy before ushering his Mantine towards shore.
"What?" Hau asked, "It was kinda funny!"
After Sun and Moon were a considerable distance away, Hau sighed and ushered his Mantine after them. The Mantine that threw its rider followed behind sheepishly.
After Moon and Primarina reached shore, Moon got off her Pokémon's back and stomped towards where Lillie and Gladion were. They were sitting underneath an umbrella. They stood up to greet Moon.
Gladion handed Moon a towel upon her arrival, "That looked rough. You okay?"
Moon wrapped the towel around herself, "Just great..." she sighed. She waddled over to Lillie and the blonde wrapped her arms around her friend. Moon groaned.
Hau and Sun ran up to their friends.
"Moon what happened?" Hau asked, "You totally wiped out!"
Moon groaned again and Lillie sent a warning glare at Hau. Gladion sent an, "I'll kill you" glare at the boy. Moon shuffled from her friend's embrace and into her brother's. He glared at Hau as well.
Hau threw up his hands, "Why are you all acting like it's my fault? I'm just as worried as the rest of you!"
Moon sighed and pulled away from her brother's hug, "Sorry Hau..."
"Everything okay, Moon?" Lillie asked.
Moon nodded.
The four other teens exchanged worried looks. Truth was- they knew exactly what was plaguing their friend's mind, but they had brought her here to get away from it. Clearly, it wasn't working.
Gladion hesitantly put a hand on Moon's shoulder, "You'll find a new job, Moon."
Moon shrugged off the blond's hand, "Yeah okay..."
"Seriously! Everything'll be fine Moon!" Hau said confidently.
"Easy for you to say, Kahuna..." Moon grumbled.
Hau's usual smile wavered, "I only got that job because Gramps died..."
"You got it because Tapu Koko recognized your strength. Not because Hala died."
Hau kicked the sand and sighed. He looked at Lillie like, "You say things now".
"Being Champion didn't define you, Moon," Lillie said, "You're still a great trainer!"
Moon tsked. Her Primarina stood on her tail and hugged her trainer in a grip that rivaled a Bewear.
"Primarina..." Moon gasped.
Primarina blushes and put her trainer down. Moon took a deep breath and Primarina pat her head awkwardly.
Moon stared up at her Pokémon for a long time. After awhile she sighed.
"Let's go emotionally eat Malasadas." She said, turning on her heels towards the city. Primarina grinned and crawled after her trainer.
Moon's friends watched her walk away.
Gladion sighed, "That's not any way to handle your feelings..."
"Works our fine for me..." Hau mumbled. He took off running after Moon, "Hey Moon! Wait up!"
"I'll talk to her when we get home," Sun said, "You two should talk to her too."
"Sure." Lillie agreed.
"My pleasure." Gladion said.
Lillie frowned, "No it would be my pleasure!"
"Ew." Sun gagged.
Lillie shoved Sun playfully, "Shut up!"
Sun and Lillie went after Hau and Moon, leaving Gladion alone. He sighed and turned to stare at the ocean. An idea seeped into his brain and a smile creeped onto his face. He nodded to himself and finally followed after his friends.
