#luna is from a fanmade pokémon game but I say that still counts

[moved-to-void-kissed]

Return on Crow's Wings

After defeating Ciel in a Pokémon battle and acquiring her thirteenth Gym Badge, Adriana can finally Fly outside of battle, to return to a Reborn City that has become revitalised in her absence. However, her first port of call is Iolia Valley, where she is able to reunite with Luna after being unable to see her since their own battle, many months prior. (2184 words) Takes place directly after the Gym battle with Ciel in Pokémon Reborn.

I believe this is the first piece of selfship writing I've completed since the start of the year, but it's one that has been in the works for a long time (since I referenced it for one of my sapphic September pieces!), and the approaching release of Reborn's final episode gave me the motivation I needed to finally write it all out. Luna my beloved ^-^

(A tag list and transcript of the document are under the readmore; comments on and reblogs of my work are always okay and appreciated, but never required!)

Tag list: @thatslikesometaldude | @garchompp | @catake | @tex-treasures | @ayatosamore | @tartaglialovemail | @lilacslovers | @kalliopi-ships | @moltarshusband | @dragonsmooch | @childrenofmeyneth | @lovealamode | @blackbirdcrime | @strawberryshipz | @pandapup | @harmonic-function | @candyforthebrain (to be tagged in what I make, please click here!)

“Bravo, my dear! You’ve struck the landing!”

As the Noivern sailed down to the ground in a somehow surprisingly-graceful crash, a burst of applause spilled forth from the stands circling the big top. It had been quite a close battle, which made it a great show for the audience to watch. Adriana only had her Roserade - by all accounts, an impossible Pokémon to switch in within the Flying-type Gym - and somewhat-injured Silvally left able to battle by the end. Both Trainers had been permitted the use of three Ultra Potions, which attempted to tip the scales back in Ciel’s favour before successive Multi-Attacks augmented by the power of a Ghost Memory finished the fight.

“Thank you, Ms. Featherstone.. and you, Argent. All of you did so well.” Adriana mumbled, recalling the weary Silvally to its Dusk Ball as the aerial acrobat on the other end of the field did the same with her fainted Noivern. Ciel said something in return, but the ringmaster Alistasia’s address to the audience drowned out whatever was spoken - the spectacle of the circus was something that had to keep going, no matter the scope of the show.

“Aaaand Adriana's prize today is the Suspension Badge! The Suspension Badge bestows obedience of Pokémon up to level 80 for its Trainer, AND the ability to use the Machine Fly! But wait, there's more! Adriana has also won the TM for Acrobatics! A flashy move for a flashy show - perfect, don't you think?”

The ringmaster crossed the border of the circus-stage-turned-battlefield and handed Adriana a small triangular badge, as well as a light blue Technical Machine inscribed with the number 62. She took these prizes from her gratefully, but any attempts she might have made at talking further were swamped by the cheers and claps of the audience. It had been clear from the start that she was never going to be fond of the circus, but the antics of the Agate Ace Triumvirate and the other circus performers had honestly been hard to bear for as long as she had been forced to.

Now though, with Ciel’s Gym Badge in hand and the Fly TMX itself already gifted to her by Florinia, Adriana finally had everything she needed to leave the Carnelia region and return to Reborn City. Not only that, but she could go even further still, to Aventurine - to return to where Luna was waiting for her.

Outside the safety of her thoughts, the ringmaster’s voice continued to fill the air with a well-practised resonance, still addressing the audience.

“And for those of you anxious for their moment with Ciel… Find those Battle Passes! Thank you for coming, everyone!”

Another unwarranted eruption of applause, one that flooded the big top with noise again. Adriana felt extremely exposed, especially without her Pokémon on the field, so it was all she could do to smile nervously and wave at the audience a little bit. Ciel, on the other hand, was drinking up the spectacle, even if her exuberance was dampened slightly by her losing the battle. She knew only too well how to please the crowd.

After what felt like an age, Adri made it out of the circus tent, stepping out into the light of the setting sun and the decidedly quieter-than-usual Agate Circus grounds.

“Sounds like you two really gave ‘em a good show in there.”

The sudden gruff voice made Adriana jump. “Ah- Samson!”

“Heh. Sorry, pipsqueak. Didn’t mean to scare ya there.” The circus strongman was leaning against a lamppost at the entrance to the big top.

“I see you beat Ciel no problem”, he continued, pointing at the badge and TM in the young lady’s hand. “Nice going.”

Adri still felt fragile from the impact of all the noise from the circus. “I, um- thank you.. I would’ve thought you would be with her at the moment, though..?”

“That was the idea, but some dolt went and broke the High Striker. Thought they’d try their hand at it while everyone was watchin’ your Gym battle.” he explained scornfully. “So I had to come out here and tell ‘em off. And fix the thing.”

People were now starting to exit the big top, so Adriana quickly tried to step out of their way while she tried to put her prizes away, only for Samson to promptly stop leaning on the lamppost and use his imposing figure to repel the flow of traffic away from her.

“Hey, give the lady some space!”

“Well said as ever, darling.”

An elegant woman with navy-blue hair and a feather stuck in her Alice band came striding towards the pair from around the side of the circus tent, still smiling brightly as ever but now looking somewhat tired.

“Call me “darling” again and you’ll get more than a telling off, Ciel.” Samson huffed.

The skydancer chuckled and playfully rolled her eyes at the strongman, but her previous performance had left her drained of energy to snap back with a witty response. Instead, she turned her attention to Adri.

“I wanted to make sure you were alright, Adriana. I know only too well how overwhelming the circus can be when you aren’t used to it. Why, I myself was ill for a week the first time I ever experienced all its lights and sounds!”

“Really?” said Adri, tilting her head to the side slightly. “I certainly wouldn’t have guessed that from how naturally you perform now.. But, thank you for your concern, Ms. Featherstone. It’s better now that we’re outside. And the fact I had already battled in there before against Samson made it slightly easier this time around.”

“Ah, good. I’m glad to hear that.” Ciel paused for a moment, as if reminiscing about her own experiences, before continuing. “I’d also like to congratulate you for giving us all such a wonderful show once again. You and your Pokémon kept on soaring all the way to the end, and it certainly made for an exhilarating fight!”

“Thank you again, Ciel.” she replied, now smiling for the first time since the end of the Gym battle. “You really know how to use the arena to your advantage, and it certainly wasn’t easy. I’m glad you still enjoyed the battle, even if you didn’t win.”

“Haha, you’re too kind, my dear. It’s been wonderful to have you here with us. Though I suppose you’ll be making your exit, now?”

“Yes.. There is somewhere I need to go. Or rather, someone I need to see.”

The Agate Ace Triumvirate - or rather the Agate Ace Couple now, until they could figure out how to get Terra out of the computer - had not been in Calcenon City when the letter arrived. They had not seen the way Adriana fell down to her knees, drowning in tears of surprise and of longing - the way the twins clustered around her and the Belrose sisters gathered around them in turn to all try their hardest to comfort her, the way all of her racing emotions spilled out onto the ruby path, or the love she poured into her heartfelt reply sent back with her Gothitelle. Still, Samson and Ciel exchanged a very knowing glance as the soul-touched Trainer made her way to the Agate Circus’ healing machine.

One familiar jingle and flash of green lights later, all of Adri’s Pokémon were fully revived and revitalised. She turned to face south and selected another of her Dusk Balls, releasing a dark navy crow-like Pokémon whose feathers glistened black in the setting sunlight.

“I’m afraid we’re going to have to change our strategy, Kelaino.” she told him, as he preened his feathers smugly. “You’re too small to carry me as a Murkrow, aren’t you?”

Kelaino almost appeared to nod, before flying up and attempting to land on Adriana’s back. Though he gave a somewhat half-hearted attempt to pick her up, it was quickly very evident that the little bird had no chance, especially while trying to avoid putting his talons through her clothes. He let out a short caw of discontent as he sat back down on the ground, causing Adriana to laugh quietly.

“Though your ability to strike first with Perish Song has certainly saved us on more than one occasion..” - she took a fleeting glance towards the city’s Grand Stairway far below her, then again to the horizon where Apophyll’s volcano could just barely be seen - “you won’t have that guarantee anymore once you evolve. But, despite that, I still think that being powerful is something you aspire to. And out of everyone else on the team - Arcan, Sapphire, Rosaria, Argent, Marinus.. even Lady and Soulfire.. you are the only one who can fly. So, if it’s alright with you, then I’d like to present you with this.”

From her bag, Adriana took out a dark purple stone that appeared to be filled with shadows. She had managed to accumulate three of them so far across her journey - one from the underground railnet, one from the darkest depths of Iolia Valley, and one that had been with her since before she had ever even heard of the Reborn League.

“Please know that you don’t have to take it, Kel-”

Before she could even finish, he had swooped in and stolen it from her.

The Dusk Stone shone with darkness in Kelaino’s talons, and the Murkrow himself soon became enshrouded in that same darkness, which started expanding. After a few moments, it disappeared in a burst to reveal a much larger and more imposing Pokémon, who gave a now-much deeper caw.

“I suppose that gives me my answer!” Adriana laughed, as her Honchkrow’s new and prideful stance filled her with pride in turn. “Congratulations, Kel. And thank you.”

Kelaino cawed again - he seemed to like the new sound of his cry - and nestled down on the ground by Adri’s side. She felt that she was clambering onto his back slightly awkwardly, especially with the billowing nature of her skirt, but the efforts of the circus performers kept the crowds occupied well enough for her to not feel stared at. Eventually, she was able to get herself settled, and not even the evening clouds rolling in could have dissuaded her from setting out then and there. With a flurry of raven’s feathers, the Pokémon and his Trainer took to the skies, destination clear in mind.

The way that Adriana’s journey through Kalos had taken her meant that she had never had any reason to fly on the back of a Pokémon before, and she understood that it was an ability generally reserved for more advanced Trainers who had collected many of a League’s Gym Badges in most regions - this one being no exception. However, whether it was due to the power of the Technical Machine X in her possession or simply her determination to reach the place she sought after, the process came relatively easily to both herself and Kelaino, even considering he had only just evolved into a Honchkrow.

As the sky became darker and cloudier and the evening began to grow cold at the higher-than-normal altitude, Adri briefly wondered whether it would be feasible to send out her Chandelure, Soulfire. She then promptly decided it would be safer to keep him contained due to the fact that he still had a penchant for troublemaking, and while his mischievous streak had lessened greatly since he was a Litwick, this was not a situation in which she could safely allow him to cause problems. Instead, she clung more firmly to Kel’s feathers, trying to gain what warmth and comfort she could from the Big Boss Pokémon.

Continuing down towards Reborn City, it was clear even from this distance that the city had become much more alive in the time she had spent away from it; Adri recalled the promise Adrienn had made upon xyr return from below the Grand Stairway, and felt proud that xe had appeared to restore the city to its former glory as xe had hoped. She cut over the Onyx Ward, wondering how well the Trainer School was faring with its head teacher helping out in Calcenon, and the forests of Chrysolia began to sprawl out in the distance below her - but she sharply turned left before Tanzan Mountain, descending as quickly as she could without falling. The clouds were now above her, and Adriana trusted her instincts to know that Luna would not be in Vanhanen Castle at this hour - so she aimed for the sparkling gemstones east of its labyrinth, noticing their red, blue, green and purple even from this high up. It was certainly much easier to access when flying in from above.

And then, at last, she was there, and the crystalline valley seemed to open up to welcome her. The sunset’s light over Luna was shadowed by dark blue feathers, and she looked up in wonder to see her love flying down towards her. Though her first ever flight had left her weary, Adriana’s smile shone with joy and relief - it was a sight the dark dreamer knew she would never, ever forget.