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Era and the others all listened attentively to the proceedings, and each of the three tales that were told of Pluto Eclipse. The Pikachu found herself enraptured by their words and yet filled with overwhelming sadness at once. Her tears would not fall anymore; they could not fall. The feeling she was left with was that of nothing, a hollow feeling of emptiness that she couldn't even fully comprehend. Era hadn't known Pluto well, yet from the stories of Nova, Leonard, and Minerva, she felt a sort of connection to him that hadn't been there before. The Leafeon was gone from this world to a place that they could only hope would be a better one, yet in his death Era felt that she had finally seen who Pluto really was. The Pikachu hung her head with sadness; the gloom that lay over the heads of everyone was overwhelming ever since that day, and there was that lingering feeling that things would only get worse.

As the Pokemon bearing candles came in, each of Team MistMelody took one, holding the tiny flickering flames as darkness enveloped the hall. Their thoughts were many and varied but each one of them had a feeling in common; gratitude. Gratitude to Arceus for his long life, gratitude to his family and close friends who had spoken for sharing their experiences of their time with him, and especially gratitude to Pluto himself.

As the Kadabra began to pray, they recited the lines after him, their voices hushed so as not to disturb the feelings that hung, tangible, within the hall. As the words gave way to silence, each of them offered up their own silent words to the fallen Leafeon:

May you have a peaceful rest now.

Your journey is over now, may you find peace.

May Arceus look after you, now and forever.

Sleep now, and may your dreams be sweet.

May your troubles fall behind you.

You will not be forgotten.

Team Polaris stayed silent, mostly out of respect. For Morana and Acer though, grief tore at their hearts. Anna has seen death; she has dealt it and has lost loved ones, some not so long ago. But never could the Houndour imagine that someone would so willingly walk forward and give his own life for another. Such concepts were alien to one who came from her pack, even though she has been with the guild for more than a year. It was...amazing.

Acer however, was not so used to the spectre of death. He has heard about it in the guild of course, but seeing it happen before him was a shock. The young Turtwig couldn't help but think of what lied beyond, and it was suddenly a scary prospect. And to see the grief etched on the faces of some at the assembly made him imagine how he would feel if any of his team died and left him. The entire Team raised him; Crown and Chronicler especially he saw almost as mothers.

As the candles came and each members accepted one, Crescendo began to hum softly, his own prayer for the dead. It was a solemn song, but beneath it was an undertone of light and hope. The team around him, as well as all those who sat nearby could feel their hearts grow lighter, the grief being washed away calmly to be replaced by acceptance. Crescendo could no longer bear the subtle yet overwhelming grief that crashed over him, and he desperately called upon his abilities as a Milotic to help soothe those around him.



Zosee accepted the candle, but refused one for her husband. She did not want Zero to accidentally come in contact with the flame- if it triggered an Overheat episode things will be going horribly wrong with more than one party.

Zora continued to glare down at her paws, less than happy about being here. She didn't care if someone died. If they died they were too weak to defend themselves and someone stronger should have gotten a good meal.



Melissa felt hot tears come at Sherman's words. Vivid memories came back to her, of coming home to find his dear Iria missing, of finding the note. Of agonizing over the choice to tell the police when the kidnappers threatened him to not. When that small Eevee came into the room and told him that his beloved Iria would be OK, and the reassuring presence of the large Arcanine and Salamence. Of being given the ransom money he needed, going to the spot...facing that horrid Tyrannitar, Aggron and Cloister...of the fight that killed the Eevee's closest friends. When the Eevee had stood in front of him, creating a protect barrier and telling him to run...

"Melissa." Her father whispered quietly as the Bulbasaur came back to with a start, suddenly remembering who she was. Those memories of when her mother had been kidnapped were always the most vivid of the memories she had inherited from her father. She noticed that a young Charmander was patiently holding out a candle for her. She thanked him and carefully picked it up with her good vine.

Thank you for what you have done for me and my family. We owe everything to you. Rest in Peace, and know that we will not let this go in vain. We will save this world you died protecting, I promise.



"I've never seen such a big fuss being made over a death" Chris murmured as the three of them accepted their candles.

"These large funerals are much more common in the city, and he was a Leader after all. Especially during these times, people need a Hero to honour." Aiden explained. Christopher simply grunted in reply, staying silent for the prayer.

Tears came to Atra's eyes even as he fought them back down with all his might. He could do little to stop them however, as they came down drop by drop, streaking through his hot fur and evaporating before they hit the ground. His throat hurt as he fought back the incredibly powerful urge to sob, unwilling to show such weakness. He knew that if he allowed the first one past his throat, he would not be able to stop the tears, the crying. He knew this from experience. He hated his inability to stop himself.

So he expected it when it finally broke through his sore and torn throat, a single sob that he hiccoughed back in an attempt to rein it in; but it was no use. Finally the tears came freely and a sound like a whine escaped unbidden from his throat.

No damn it. He wasn't going to act like this. He could almost imagine Pluto's sneer if he saw his son showing such weakness. I won't cry, I won't cry, I won't cry damn it!

He started as he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, and he only now realized that his eyes had been shut closed as tightly as he could in an effort to give the tears a solid impenetrable barrier. It hadn't worked. Melissa stood beside him, concern on her face. He saw her through the blur of his tears, his eyes darting to the bandages that covered her.

"It's alright, you can cry. Just let it out..." She told him softly, offering her good vine in support. Atra looked confused, dazed, and lost to her. She wanted to do everything she could to bring him back. Suddenly, he snapped his gaze down at her, his eyes narrowing.

"What do you know?!" He snarled in a hoarse voice, pushing her vine away with a paw. In a flash he turned and bounded down the middle of the graveyard, back into the castle. Echoes of crying, now unchecked, echoed in the hall after him.

Melissa stared after him in shock, then anger, then simple sadness. What did she know? She knew what it was like to lose her sister. She knew what it was like to lose a father, a mother, a brother, son, daughter, friend- hundreds of death, each barely remembered but all precious and cherished.

"Oh I'm so sorry dear. Atra didn't mean that, he was just upset." Lilium apologized to Melissa, her eyes wet and her voice raw from crying. The cyndaquil moved to comfort the Bulbasaur.

"It's alright. I just wish he would let someone in." She replied, turning back respectfully to watch Pluto's grave being filled in. At its conclusion her good vine went up to her bulb where a small seed pushed its way out. She laid it in front of Pluto's tombstone where it slowly sprouted into a small pink flower.