It was just after dusk and the evening sky was just starting to freckle with tiny stars.
Music was being pumped throughout the area with expensive-looking stereo systems.
The area was filled with excited voices, the air surging with energy. The lights flicked in and out on stage, the laser lights putting on a performance of their own. The band was playing some intermission music backstage. The venue was completely packed. Millions of people were standing, waiting with utter anticipation to view the spectacle. So far the show had been spectacular, but it was obvious from the continued cheers that what they really wanted was for the region's native stars of the concert to take the stage once again. Suddenly, in the midst of all the anticipation a spotlight lit up on stage. Everyone's joyful cheers grew louder. The audience became frenzied while the crowd grew more intense. Thunderous applause erupted from the audience as someone familiar walked to the center of the stage.
He was a young man presumably in his late teens. He had dark Prussian blue hair with teal colored highlights and dark blue eyes. He was wearing the Ringtown Ranger Base's red ranger uniform. He waved to the audience as he placed his hand on the stand of the microphone. The crowd went ballistic. You couldn't help but gawk at him. He was that beautiful! And such an important figure! He was one of Fiore's cherished celebrities! He was their hero after all.
The crowd in the arena cheered as three more performers took the stage and stood the back. One of them had scruffy brown hair and was wearing the same uniform as the leader in the front of the stage and the other two, a girl with milk chocolate brown skin and a boy with bright red hair, were wearing uniforms that represented the Summerland Ranger Base's uniform. They all appeared to be the same age as the young man in center stage. They also waved to the audience as the crowd's cry grew.
All three rangers nodded to the young man in front and he nodded back. Smiling, he waved to the audience once more as he took up the microphone off of its hook.
"You all having a good time tonight?" the lead performer asked.
The crowd once again erupted in loud cheers. You could hear them chanting and screaming his name in excitement along with a few "We Love You!" lines and "You Rock!".
"That's good, that's good. Well, we're gonna try and keep the hype going, alright? The two songs we are about to perform are very pertinent to our reason for putting this show together. This charity is very near and dear to our hearts and we wanna do all we can to help them and help those kids, yes? So we're all doing our absolute best with this concert, which I hope you all have enjoyed thus far."
The cheers from the crowd seemed to cause the whole arena to vibrate.
"Alright. I'm glad to hear that. Well, we're not gonna keep you waiting anymore. Let's get this show started already!"
He put the microphone back on the its stand, and made peace signs with his hands and blew kisses to the crowd before grabbing the microphone stand and backing up a few feet.
A young girl pulling on her hair gave a shrill scream as she shouted "I love, Lunick!" hyping up the crowd that much more.
A Minun quickly ran on stage and took a position beside his human. Lunick smiled as he gave his partner as fist bump and looked back at his fellow rangers before signaling for the band to play.
A digital piano accompanied by a drumbeat and synthesizer started to play backstage and Lunick started to speak utterances as an introduction before singing along with it along with his fellow rangers, who were snapping and rocking to the music. As they did this, Minun started dancing to beat of the music while putting on a performance of his own filled with cheers beside Lunick.
Lunick pointed to the audience as he sang, greatly increasing the hype.
Lunick:
…Uh huh…
This is for the families…(pointing to the ground)
Yeah, yeah…come on!
I wanna thank you!
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Thank you…
Lunick (pointing to himself):
For giving me,
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Giving me…
Lunick (free hand raised to the sky):
Everything…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Everything…
Lunick:
That I ever dreamed…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Ooh ohh oh…
Lunick (pointing to the audience):
I wanna tell you…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Tell you
Lunick (placing his hand over his heart):
Whatcha mean to me…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Mean to me
Lunick:
How you make me feel…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Make me feel
Lunick (lowering his hand):
Like a family…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Ohh ohh ohh oh…
Lunick (with an outstretched arm):
So now I sing!…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Now I sing…
Lunick (pointing at no one in particular):
A song to youoooooo…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
A song to you
Lunick:
To let you know!
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
To let you know-oh-oh
Lunick:
I'm so thankful! Ohh yeahhh!
You're in my heart…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
In my heart
Lunick:
You give me all the love I need
Ohhh you're my everything
My everything!
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
My ohh...
Lunick:
You're in my soul…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
In my soul
Lunick (with a raised pumped fist):
You give me strength to live my dreams…
Oohhh you're my everything,
You make me sing…
The crowd screamed impossibly louder as a second performer walked out on stage along with a Plusle. Everyone knew exactly who she was. She was the same age as her fellow cohorts and had turquoise blue hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. She touched various audience members' hands as she sang before making her way to center stage beside Lunick.
Lunick's smile widened considerably when he saw her.
Solana:
Well, I was lost once…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Lost once
Solana:
Now I'm found…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Now I'm found
Solana (walking over to Lunick):
You took my hand…(she clasped her hand in Lunick's as she said this)
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Took my hand
Solana:
And never let me down…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Ohh oh ohh
Solana looked Lunick in his eyes. He continued to smile widely, lovingly at her. Plusle joined Minun in his dancing cheer.
Solana:
I wanna tell you…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Tell you
Solana (putting both clasped hands over her heart):
Whatcha mean to me…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Mean to me
Solana:
How you make me feel…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Make me feel
Solana:
Liiiike a family!…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Oohh oh ohh oh
They let go of each other's hand and looked back out to the audience.
Solana:
So now I sing!…
Lunick, Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Now I sing
Solana (pointing to the sky):
A song to you…
Lunick, Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
A song to you
Solana (lowering her hand back down):
To let you know-oh-oh…
Lunick, Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
To let you know
Solana & Lunick:
I'm so thankful!
Ohh yeahhh!You're in my heart…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
In my heart
Solana & Lunick:
You give me all the love I need…
Ohhh you're my everything
Everything!
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Ohh oh
Solana & Lunick:
You're in my soul…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
In my soul
Solana & Lunick:
You give me strength to live my dreams…
Oohhh you're my everything,
You make me sing
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Mothers, fathers
Sisters, brothers
Solana:
Ohh yeah…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Aunties, uncles,
Grandmas, Papas.
Lunick:
Ahh-ha-uh-ah-uhhh…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Every…body…
Gotta…Love 'em…
Solana:
Ohhh-oh-oh-oh-ooo-ah-ooo!
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
That's what…you call…
Family…
Lunick:
Hey yeah!…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Always…there for…
You know…darlin'…
Solana:
Ohhh-oh-ohhh!
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Never...leavin'…
Or…forsaken…
Lunick:
Ah-ah-ah-ahhh….
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Staying…here un…
Till the…
End…
Solana:
Oh-ah-ah-ahhh…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
That's what…Fama…Lee has…been…
"Everybody give it up for, Chris Classic!" Lunick shouted as another performer came from behind the curtains in the back of the stage and marched to the front. He was wearing a grey V-Neck shirt and jeans. He wore round sunglasses on his face and a black fedora with a striped red feather on his head.
Solana and Lunick moved and grooved on stage as he started to rap.Chris:
Every time I hear this song
It makes me wanna shed a tear.
When I sit and reminisce over the ones who ain't here.
Makes you wanna call your mother or your brother
Say you love 'em…
So please do me that favor
Next time you see 'em just hug 'em.
And if it's kinda hard to do that
I understand.
'Cause unfortunately,
Things don't always go as planned.
I know that if yah can,
You should take them by the hand,
Look 'em in the eye
And say, "You made me who I am"
Solana:
Ohhh-ohhh-oh-oh-oh!Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
You're in my heart…
Solana:
You're in my har-ar-art!
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
You give me all the love I need…
Lunick:
All I nee-ee-eed!…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Ohhh, you're my everything
All the rangers on stage:
Everything!…
Solana:
Ohhh oh
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
You're in my soul…
Lunick:
You're in my sou-ooo-oul!…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
You give me strength to live my dreams!
Solana & Lunick:
My dreams!…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Oohhh, you're my everything,
You make me sing
Solana & Lunick:
Make me sing…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Mothers…
Solana:
Mothers!…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Fathers…
Lunick:
Fathers!…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Sisters…
Solana:
Sisters…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Brothers…
Lunick:
Brothers…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
That is…
Solana:
Ohh oh oh…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
What is…
Lunick:
Ahh ooo ohhh
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Fama…Lee…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Thank you…
So much…
Solana and Lunick:
Thank you…
Leilani, Murph, & Percy:
Fama…Leee…
As the song came to a close, the cheers in the audience increased.
The band wasted no time in starting the next song. A guitar solo started to play in the introduction as Chris Classic once again started to rap.
Chris:
…Uh huh…
…Yeah…As I woke up this mornin' and I looked in the mirror
Lunick:
Hey…
Chris:
The message that I saw couldn't get any clearer
Solana:
No-o-o…
Chris:
The one conclusion of what defines me
Lunick:
Oh!
Chris:
Is everything I am
Is a great thing to beSolana and Lunick:
H-U, M-A-N…B-E-I-N…G-S
What's in a name?
Well…it's…all we are…
Who we'll be…
You see, it's everythingWe got the rhythm, got the music in us
It never really mattered what race we are
We're little, we're tall, we're all different…
Here's a little bit about acceptance…
All of the rangers on stage:Whoever you are…
Wherever you live…
Whatever you look like…
Whatever it is…The person you see…
Is just a skin…
All of the good stuff…
Ain't out, it's in…Chris:
You know, I heard that people who judge you don't matter
And so I feel like those who love you won't chatter
Lunick:
Ain't out, its iiin…
Chris:
Long as I know you take me for me…
'Cause everything I am
Is a great thing to beSolana and Lunick:
I…ain't…never seen…
Anyone…Who looks a thing like me
But, still, I'm never shy…
Because I know it's all about what's up insideWe got the rhythm, got the music in us
It never really mattered what race we are
We're little, we're tall, we're all different…
Here's a little bit about acceptance…
All of the rangers on stage:Whoever you are…
Wherever you live…
Whatever you look like…
Whatever it is…The person you see…
Is just a skin…
All of the good stuff…
Ain't out, it's in…Chris:
This is the moment of truth…
I give it all that I've got with no additional proof…
I put my cards on the table and deal
In other words, only worry about what's real
'Cause people say this
Solana and Lunick:
This!
Chris:
And people say that
Solana and Lunick:
That!
Chris:
But I've been bein' Chris ever since way back
Solana and Lunick:
Way baaaaa-aaaa-aa-a-a-ack!
Chris:
And maybe if you focus you can get like me
'Cause everythin' you are is a great thing to beAll of the rangers on stage:
Whoever you are…
Wherever you live…
Whatever you look like…
Whatever it is…The person you see…
Is just a skin…
All of the good stuff…
Ain't out, it's in
Whoever you are…
Wherever you live…
Whatever you look like…
Whatever it is…The person you see…
Is just a skin…
All of the good stuff…
Ain't out, it's in…
The crowd again erupted into a thunderous applause and began screaming and whistling and chanting their approval once again.
Solana and Lunick smiled as sweat was visibly seen on their foreheads. He slipped his arm around her waist and together they both raised their hands and took a bow.
Plusle and Minun finished their electrical dance/cheer and took their stance beside their rangers. They continued to cheer as they waved to the audience.
Lunick put the microphone to his lips.
"Thank you….Thank you…Thank you all so very much for coming out tonight and lending your support. This is so very important to us as I've already said. We always do what we can to help those who are in need. And by coming out here and watching us perform, by watching all of the performers tonight and seeing the show, you have done just that and really helped those who need it the most. You know, I wanna thank our Area Leaders for allowing us to put together this show tonight for charity. I wanna thank the sensational Chris Classic for coming out here and supporting us. His latest album 'On Fire' is out in the stands on sale, so pick yourself up a couple of copies. I wanna thank the Hearts and Souls Foundation for sponsoring this event. I wanna thank my colleagues and friends back here for providing our awesome background vocals."
Leilani, Murph, and Percy all waved to the audience, Leilani herself blowing kisses afterwards as the crowd continued to cheer.
"And finally…I wanna thank my beautiful….Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful girlfriend for coming out and performing with me tonight…She doesn't ordinarily like to perform in front of anybody, you know, it's not really her thing…at all…But she came on out here tonight to help those orphaned and disabled children…and I am so very proud of her and so pleased and oh so very blessed to have her in my life. Thank you, baby, for coming out. I know you had other plans and didn't have to do this. Thank you, babe, so much. I love you."
Solana smiled as she looked at her boyfriend. She put her index finger under his chin and brought him in for a warm kiss, earning several 'awws', claps, whistles, and cheers from the audience and even from Percy and Leilani behind them.
Lunick put his forehead against hers afterwards before turning back to address the crowd.
"There's still much more in store for tonight. Right now, we're gonna have Winona and Wallace come on out and show off their spectacular routine with their pokémon. So sit back and enjoy. Get yourselves some drinks and food from the concession stands in the back. Remember, every soul is worth saving. It doesn't matter how much you give: As long as you give out of the goodness of your heart, you've saved a soul. And that truly is what counts. Thank you."
Lunick put the microphone back on its stand as he and Solana and the others walked off stage.
"You guys were awesome!" Lind said excitedly. He had a microphone headset on his face and a clipboard in his hand.
Freddie approached them as well. He also had on a microphone headset.
"Here have some water," he said as he held up the basket in his hands that had in multiple ice cold Deerling Eco Spring bottles of water.
"Thanks man," Lunick said as he picked one up and took several large gulps. Solana took a bottle of water out for a drink.
"That was hot!" Leilani said as she, Murph, and Percy stepped behind the stage. "Didn't I tell you guys this would be a good idea? A great idea?"
"You told us, Leil," Solana said as she screwed the cap for her bottle back on.
Leilani, Murph, and Percy also took bottles out of the basket Freddie held.
"And you said I should just let it go."
"That was three years ago. This wouldn't have even been possible back then."
"Blah blah blah," she made her right hand appear as if it were talking, "You could just say that I was right about using your mad singing skills to put on a talent show for charity."
"Well, this isn't really a talent show, Leil."
"Sole –"
"Okay. You were right. This was a really good idea to raise money for charity. Hearts and Souls got a lot out of it and we raised a ginormus amount of money so far. So…yes…You were right, Leilani."
"Thank you," she said with a large smile.
"So, what're you guys doing tonight after the show?" Freddie asked.
"Percy and I are going to the Capture Arena for a challenge. You wanna come with?" Leilani asked as she covered her bottle of water.
Freddie shook his head.
"Can't. I don't have a babysitter for Niema. Plus, I already promised her we'd watch Pocket Monsters when I got back home. I should be leaving now actually, so…you know…"
"That's cool. Go ahead. We'll catch up tomorrow." Said Leilani.
"Thanks. Later guys," he said as he took his headset off and hastily walked away.
"Later," they all said in unison.
"What about you, Murphy?"
Murph sighed.
"I'd love to, Leilani, but I can't. Aria wants me to give Meowphy a massage for her sore back. She got into a nasty fight with a Purrloin the other day and her veterinarian recommends daily massage treatments for her."
Leilani frowned slightly at hearing that.
"Yo, it's cool, man," Percy answered as Murph also left the group. He looked to Solana and Lunick, "What about you two Unfezant? Wanna join?"
Lunick shook his head firmly.
"Any other day, you know I'm game. But Solana and I have plans tonight."
Leilani nodded. "That's right. I forgot it was yah'll's anniversary."
Percy was confused. "Anniversary of what?"
"Of the day Lunick and I became a couple," Solana answered.
Percy smiled. "Aww, that's so sweet."
Lunick looked down at his watch.
"Actually, we should be heading out now. We're gonna stop by the base and get cleaned up and stuff first, then we're gonna go out."
Percy snickered. "You guys gonna be helping each other get clean in the shower?"
Lunick raised his eyebrow. Then he looked at Solana.
"Are we?"
Solana elbowed him lightly in his gut.
"No."
Lunick looked back up to Percy. "No."
Percy laughed. "You guys are so comical."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Lunick replied, innocently. "But nah. We don't do any funny business. We mess around but…"
"Lunick!" Solana again elbowed him.
"Ow! What?"
Leilani started giggling.
"Anything like what had happened back when you guys stayed at the hotel here three years ago? Because then Percy wouldn't be entirely wrong."
Both their eyes stretched wide at hearing Leilani say that.
Percy tapped her on her shoulder.
"What happened?"
"Nothing," Lunick answered for her, "Look we better be heading out."
"Kk. See yah'll tomorrow." Leilani replied.
"Yeah. Good night, guys," Solana said as she and Lunick left.
"Good night."
They watched them leave from the backdoors.
"Aww, aren't they cute?" Percy said mockingly.
"Shut up." Leilani said quickly and cautiously, but smiling as well. "I like seeing all the gushy embarrassing stuff. It makes my day."
"Yeah, I bet it would," Percy said flatly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Leilani asked suspiciously.
Percy shook his head.
"Nothing. You're just a little too involved in their business is all I'm saying."
"Oh, am I? I'm the whole reason they got together."
Percy laughed out loud.
"You are not!"
"Well, I started it. I'm the one who gave them that little push. Meanwhile, your spineless self didn't want to do anything."
"Hey, I don't stick my nose in other people's business."
"Who was just asking and was interested in what happened back when they were at the hotel? You constantly joke about stuff like that. About something naughty going on between the two of them."
"Yeah, and that's all they are – jokes. You, however, nose your way around like the K-9 unit until you find something you can use to your advantage and make them sweat. You love to embarrass them. No, that's not it. You're just too curious about what goes on in other people's affairs. Nosy."
Leilani flipped her hand.
"Whatever. Just prepare to lose at the Capture Arena. I may not be as fast as record-holding Solana and Lunick, but I'm skilled enough to beat you. Isn't that right, Lucario?"
The jackal-like pokémon nodded from the side. He had been meditating the entire show and when his human went to perform on stage.
Percy scoffed.
"Man, whatever. I got this."
"You got nothing. Chump."
"Leilani! Why I –"
The sound of someone clearing their throat took the two rangers out of their dispute. A young man perhaps a few years older with smooth, glossy, jet black hair with electric neon blue highlights could be seen approaching them. He had on a white tee shirt and baggy jeans. A golden chain with a 'V' on it hung from around his neck. And a black leather jacket hung over his right shoulder.
"Can we help you?" Leilani asked.
The young man put his hands in his pants pockets.
"Actually I just came back here to praise you all for that awesome performance. I especially like that song about accepting each other cultures and races. One of them 'Make a Difference and Change the World' type stuff. Really tight."
"Oh, well thank you, but it was no big deal. Solana and Lunick were the ones carrying the show."
"Yeah, but it would have lacked a certain spark if you weren't there performing with them."
Leilani's eyes stretched slightly wider, while Percy's brow furrowed in suspicion.
Leilani began. "Well, it was all for Hearts and Souls, right? When it boils down to it, it's all about those kids and what we can do to help."
"Yeah, I know." He answered. "I know what it's like to struggle as a kid. My heart bleeds for them. I gave my piece already. Just hope it helps."
"Every soul is worth saving. It doesn't matter how much you give: As long as you give out of the goodness of your heart, you've saved a soul. And that's what truly counts." Leilani said, reciting the foundation's motto.
"Well I most certainly did. I'm just hoping maybe you can show me a little kindness out of the goodness of your heart too, Miss Leilani?"
That surprised her.
"You know my name?"
"Yeah! You rangers are famous. Fiore's great heroes."
Leilani shook her head.
"No. The couple you saw out there singing lead are Fiore's true heroes. We're just regular pokémon rangers that help. Just doing our part to help keep this world a little safer and in order."
"Well, I definitely feel safe around you. And you're a heroine to me? I mean, what you're doing for these kids? Psssh. Not many folks would do that, even if they are pokémon rangers. And you look like a heroine. You know? Like those kind you read about in the comics. I mean, you're beautiful. That's a given. You got the strong and muscular but still sexy feminine physique down-packed. The shiny sandy brown ombre braids. Those dazzling light brown eyes. Those full, pouty lips. That devilish smile."
Leilani chuckled lightly while Percy narrowed his eyes.
"Why, sir. Are you being forward with me?"
He shrugged.
"If it doesn't offend you, yes? But that's just how I am. I can't help it. I see a beautiful girl, I got to speak what's in my heart."
"Me? Offended by compliments? Please. But, uh…I don't think I quite caught your name?"
"Alejandro." He said proudly. "Alejandro Vásquez."
Leilani nodded.
"Defender of the people."
That impressed him.
"Ah, you know something about Latin name meanings."
"No, I just know it originates from Alexander the Great and know who Alexander was. Doesn't take much to derive the meaning, even in Spanish."
Alejandro laughed.
"You are very funny, Leilani. I like that."
Leilani pursed her lips and shrugged.
"Like you said, I can only be myself, right? Well, Alejandro. It was nice meeting you. You seem to already know who I am, so no need to introduce myself there."
She put her arm around Percy and patted him lightly on his chest.
"But this is my partner, Percy."
"Hi." Percy said curtly.
Alejandro exchanged glances between the two of them.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you two?…Are yah'll?…"
Again Leilani shook her head.
"Everybody likes to make that assumption when it's a male and female working together. But no. They're only two people who are partners who are also dating and those two are Fiore's prized heroes."
"So you're not –"
"Nope." Leilani finished for him.
Percy tugged on her arm.
"Leil, we gotta get going."
"You're not staying for the rest of the show?" Alejandro asked.
"No, Percy and I had plans to go down to the Capture Arena for a challenge. It's sort of a competitive thing we got going on as partners. You know, to see who's the best?"
"Can I tag along with?"
"Why don't you stay and enjoy the rest of the show?" Percy quickly asked.
Alejandro shrugged.
"Why? I already saw what I came to see," he said looking at Leilani with interest. "Can I get a little acceptance here?"
Leilani saw the stare but she was more amused than wary.
"Okay. I mean, I don't have a problem with it –" Leilani began.
"Great!" He said excitedly, cutting off Leilani before she could finish. He started rubbing his hands together, "Then I get to see you in action! I got my truck outside if you all need a lift?"
"No thanks. We got it," Percy replied placing a protective hand on Leilani's shoulder.
Again Alejandro shrugged.
"Cool. I guess I'll meet you there. I can't wait to see you perform, again, Miss Leilani."
Leilani nodded slowly as he exited from the back.
As soon as he was out the room Percy looked Leilani straight in her eyes.
"I don't trust him, Leilani."
"What? What's wrong?"
"Something's off about him. Didn't you see the way he was leering at you? Isn't it weird that he already knew your name before you introduced yourself? How direct he was being? Isn't all of it just off-putting? I'm telling you, I got a bad vibe from this guy."
It was Leilani's turn to scoff.
"Please, Percy. I may not be as famous as Solana and Lunick but folks still recognize me, even without the short blonde hair. And I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself around saucy men. You know me, Perce."
"I'm telling you he's bad news." He insisted.
Leilani started walking away.
"Please. You're overreacting. So he's a little…"
"Abrasive?"
Leilani paused.
"You just met him. You can't say something like that without really knowing him. Okay? And I was gonna say rough on the outside."
"Leilani, he made it clear he wants you."
"And I can handle myself. Just because he's forward and pert doesn't mean he's bad news. We don't know anything about him Percy. If he's wants to tag along, let him. And if he makes a move, I got it. I know how to take care of myself. Okay?…And…he's easy on the eyes too."
Percy's eyes stretched wide.
"Don't tell me you're actually considering going out with this guy?"
Leilani threw her empty bottle of water in the recycle bin.
"Let's just go to the Capture Arena, alright? I only have one goal tonight and that is kicking your butt in the field."
The ebony night sky was sprinkled with gleaming stars.
After getting cleaned up and taking their shower at the Fall City Ranger Base, Solana and Lunick headed straight to the park. It was a cool but nice autumn night and they were both wearing long-sleeved clothes. Solana was wearing a sheer black long-sleeved mesh tee shirt and black skinny jeans while Lunick wore a white single jersey baseball ¾ shirt with purple raglan style sleeves and loose fit denim jeans.
Solana and Lunick heard many of the nightly sounds as they continued their walk in the park. Distant spatterings of a Mightyena barking, Croagunk croaking their late night serenade to the Volbeat and Illumise, the rustling of the oak and maple trees, the smell of pine, the mown grass, the distant sound of the Stadium's pokémon battles, and cars driving down the road coming and going, all blended in together in harmony.
The streetlights lining the walkway illuminated the stone path they were taking. It was late in the evening, so the park wasn't particularly crowded. The nature sounds all around them made the setting all that more peaceful and relaxing. They hadn't said many words since they got to the park. They were just enjoying each other's company and listening to the night's nocturne.
Spotting what he was looking for, Lunick led Solana to a weeping willow tree, causing her to arch her eyebrow at him and give him a deadpan look.
"It's symbolic." Lunick argued. He freed himself from her arm and walked over to the tree. He plopped down on the ground in front of it and leaned against the base of its trunk in a laidback, but awkward-looking position, making Solana laugh. Minun laid down next to him.
"I'm not disagreeing with you there but it's not the same tree," Solana answered back, "You can't callback to a memory and highlight something that's in a different location separate from that memory. It doesn't coincide."
"Well, its pretty late to be traveling up to that hill. It was practically in the middle of nowhere save for that weirdly abandoned house. The weeping willow is what's important, not the location. It holds the symbolism and was the most physically important part about our confession aside from the sunset. Well, it's too late for the sunset but good ole weeping willow is still here." He patted the tree for emphasis.
"It's not the same tree." Solana repeated.
The leaves of the park's weeping willow tree flowed elegantly in the night breeze.
Lunick made a 'come hither' motion with his hands, inviting Solana to come sit in his lap.
Chuckling lightly at his goofiness in his attempt to be overly parlous sexy, Solana walked closer to him and slowly sat in his lap. Plusle ran up to Minun and snuggled up next to him.
"Remember when you were teaching me about the constellations?" Lunick asked as they both looked up at the night sky.
"Yes, but you can't see the stars out here like we did out in the Lyra Forest." Solana answered as she laid back and rested her head on his chest.
"Remember what I said about the Seviper Bearer/Machoke Constellation protecting all the other pokémon constellations for all eternity?"
"Yes?"
"I want you to remember that. And remember the Milotic Constellation? We didn't talk about its meaning, but remember when we brought it up?"
"Vaguely."
"Well, I want you to keep those two constellations in mind tonight."
A few moments of silence passed as they continued to look at the rich sky laden with gleaming but faded stars.
"Look at how the willow branches dance in the breeze, Solana. It kinda reminds me of Prom when we were dancing outside near the fountain in Wintown."
Solana closed her eyes and rolled her head further back.
"Oh, Prom…One of the worse moments of my life."
"Uh-uh. Had you not been on suspension, we may not have confessed our feelings when we did. But I bring it up for a reason. Remember what I said to you that night?"
"Not really. That was three years ago, Lunick."
"Try."
Sighing, Solana tried to recall the words Lunick spoke to her after she destroyed the Motor Lodge with Aria and gave her nemesis a black eye.
"Something…Something about not worrying about losing my job…Something about being true to myself? And something about my eyes? And that prayer. Serenity Prayer."
"I said never to lose that light inside you. Because it shines too beautifully. That light inside you. Your joyful spirit."
That made her smile.
"Okay."
"Remember that and keep it in your mind."
Solana sat up. "You're asking me to remember a lot of stuff?"
Lunick laid out his hands. "Bear with me. I'm going somewhere with this, trust me."
Shaking her head, Solana leaned back on Lunick and let her head fall on his chest again. She felt as though she could stay with him like that forever. His chest made her feel so safe. What a weird thing to say? But it was true. It made her feel like nothing could touch her so long as she was lying here with him on his chest.
"You remember the evening I confessed my feelings to you? After the whole Shadow Pokémon thing and when we were still recovering from our injuries during the fight?"
Solana smiled.
"Yeah. I remember all the awkward songs Plusle and Minun were playing that evening too."
"That wasn't planned!" Lunick said embarrassingly.
Solana chuckled.
"There's a ribbon in the sky for our love…All of me, loves all of you…And…Let's get it on?" she asked with raised eyebrows.
Lunick felt humiliated all over again.
"Solana, none of that was me. Honest! I swear, I have no idea what Plusle and Minun were doing!"
He looked over at the two electric mouse pokémon, who looked like they were falling asleep. That reminded him of the time Solana said they looked cute together. It took him a while to understand what she meant when she said that, but looking at the two of them peacefully curled up together, he felt like he got what she was saying all these years.
"I should hope those weren't planned," Solana said as she leaned back against him again. "I mean, of all the songs you would play to set the mood, why 'Let's Get It On!' That is not the type of mood setting I was looking for or even interested in."
"It…was not…me! I can't make that any more clearer! But you know what? 'Crush' ended up playing and that made the confession less awkward because that song alone encompassed everything I ever felt about you."
"Really?"
Lunick nodded.
"If you felt the same way about me? Was it all in my head or was I really crushing on you? Was it something more? The thought of us being together, being something I wanted so much that it overwhelmed me and was too much to think about. All of it was true. And that made telling you my feelings that much easier. Don't get me wrong it was still way difficult. Like I almost had a panic attack right then and there…But the song helped."
Solana nodded in understanding.
"I bring up that day not just because it's our anniversary, but because there are some things I wanna talk about that relate to that day, and in fact, the whole journey of getting to that moment of me finally saying 'I love you'."
They continued to watch the twinkling stars and the weeping willow tree dance in the wind.
"Look at the moon, Solana."
Solana lifted her head and stared at the brilliant, round, circular orb of white in the sky.
"Okay?"
"Remember that."
Solana was beginning to get annoyed.
"Lunick!"
Unfazed, Lunick took her hands in his.
"Look down, Solana."
Though she was still annoyed, she complied.
"What do you see?"
Her eyes glided over their hands and she instantly knew what he was talking about. It was the pink pearl Luvdisc and Alomomola ring she was wearing. She never took it off since Lunick gave it to her (save to bathe in the shower). She even kept it on during their missions, the fingerless gloves she wore protected it by her hand.
"This ring said more about my love for you than I was able to put into words back then at the time. But I think I'm able to better articulate my feelings to you now than I was before."
Solana looked up from the ring at him.
Lunick continued.
"I know this weeping willow tree isn't the same weeping willow where we confessed to each other and shared our first kiss. That was a wonderful memory I think we'll always keep deep in our hearts. But even though it's not the same tree, I believe the weeping willow to be our tree, so it doesn't matter where we are. And I'm about to explain why in a moment. But before I do that, there's something I need to do first…I know I asked you to remember a lot of things tonight, but that was just so I could set up for this…I want to start a new memory. One we can hold onto like when we first kissed."
Solana started to feel Beautifly and Butterfree in her stomach. Just what was Lunick planning?
Lunick looked down for a moment, before looking Solana back up in her eyes.
"I called back to the Milotic Constellation. About how we never explored it's meaning? Well, if you remember back, when we were talking about the Teddiursa Constellation and the Ursaring and the Seviper Bearer Constellation, we were saying how they were protecting the Teddiursa because, you know, Ursaring being its parent, and Machoke, the Seviper Bearer, holding a seemingly dangerous pokémon, thus protecting the other pokémon. But I bring up the Milotic Constellation, because it is Milotic who is encircling the Teddiursa, providing it comfort. See, I did a little research. All the other constellations only appear at a specific time of year – the Ursaring in the springtime, the Seviper Bearer in the summer. But Milotic is there all year round, casting its beautiful glow in the northern night sky all the time. You know what this tells me? That while the Ursaring and Machoke are up there being heroic, protecting their family and all the other pokémon, Milotic is the one providing comfort and peace of mind to everyone, including Machoke and Ursaring, because of the glow it's casting, and it is shielding and comforting the Teddiura while its parent and other pokémon are doing war and because sometimes, its parent's not always there to protect it. Why do I bring all this up, you may ask? Well, I want to be like that Milotic. I want to protect you, yes, like an Ursaring would protect its young and a Machoke would fight if threatened, but I want to be like Milotic and provide you with comfort all year round, so that when the storms of life arise or when we are threatened, I'll always be able to provide you with comfort, even if I'm not able to always physically be there to protect you."
Solana's heart also started to flutter. Lunick had no idea just how much comfort he had given to her all these years in not knowing what she was going through internally. Lunick's words, while they made her feel so good inside, she knew they were leading up to something. Something big. Or else, he wouldn't be Lunick.
"I brought up the Prom. And I know that is a sore spot for you, Solana, because it was the first mark on your career and called into question your character, but I brought it up for a much deeper reason. The light. Your spirit. Your aura. Is so effervescent. When you are happy and confident, or at the very least content, my whole world is all right. And it is that light inside you that drives you. Why you are so successful at what you do. And one of the reasons why I am so in love with you. When I said I didn't want you to lose that light, Solana, I'm saying please don't ever lose you. Yourself. Your being. Because you are too beautiful of a person. Too beautiful of a spirit, that if that light were ever dampened, it would be a great travesty, which is why I want to be like the Milotic constellation and keep that light shining beautifully."
Solana felt tears welling in her eyes. Lunick was making her feel so happy to be alive. So happy to be with him. She didn't know how to contain her emotions.
Lunick saw a loose tear roll down his girlfriend's cheek and he lovingly brushed it away.
"Almost done, babe. Two more points and then I have something to give you."
A gift? Lunick had a gift for her?!
"The moon." He said. "I asked you to look at the moon. If you remember back, Solana, to the Shadow Pokémon battle we faced three years ago, how I was represented by the moon in the legend. Well, whenever you look at the moon, whatever its shape, whatever the time of day, I want you to think of me…Let me explain further by going into the weeping willow tree. The weeping willow tree is believed to honor the moon, in its celtic meaning, but it also is said to increase the essence of love in our lives. The moon moves the tides, pulling water to and fro with its own wax and wane…like the wind moves the weeping willow tree's branches to and fro in an elegant dance. The moon and willow tree are believed to be connected in that sense but really, I bring up the tree because of its power. As frail and as dainty as the weeping willow tree looks, it is powerful and the branches can whirl in many different directions and form outrageous poses without snapping even a little. It's not just flexible, it is strong. The weeping willow tree, such a beautiful creation of nature, also has a metaphorical and spiritual connection, which is why I said before that I believe it is our tree, a symbol of us and our love. We aren't always gonna see eye-to-eye at times and our emotions are gonna overwhelm us and we're gonna twist, and turn, and fight each other as opposites but in the end, our love is undying, unfailing, and like the branches of the willow tree, we will come back to each other and our love will be powerful and strengthened by the whirls and we'll still come out looking beautiful, just like the weeping willow tree."
Solana couldn't stop the tears now. Lunick's words while like poetry to one's ears were filled with passion – the kind of passion she loved to see in him, but moreso, it was filled with passion about them and their love. They hadn't had many big fights or many hurdles as a couple, but that didn't mean they wouldn't face them in the future as all couples did, and that was what Lunick was trying to say. But that passion! That passion he had for her! Just for her!…
Plusle and Minun had woken up from their light slumber and were now looking at their two rangers with great interest.
Lunick again gently wiped away her tears.
"One more, baby." He tried to console. "The sun and the moon. I want us to think of each other as the sun and the moon, and I say this because of that huge mission we had with the Shadow Pokémon three years ago. Fiore's legend about that mission with the Shadow Pokémon depicts us as the sun and the moon. And it took us going through that entire ordeal for me to realize just how much I needed you in my life. That mission was the cornerstone that changed our lives forever. And inspired me to buy this."
Reaching into his back pocket, Lunick pulled out a long, wide, red velvety gift box. Opening it, he took out a necklace that appeared to have half of the sun and half of the moon joined together. The sun was encrusted in pink sapphires and the moon blue sapphires and emeralds.
Solana's hands flew to her mouth and she started to whimper.
"This necklace is a two-piece necklace. It's a full sun with a quarter moon superimposed on it at the fasten, so that it appears that you are looking at two halves. But they can be separated so that you can see the full sun in all its glory and the quarter moon in all its magic. Just like the sun and moon, we are very different. But when we come together as one, we create a light that is unrivaled and that shines so brilliantly, creating something wonderful and magical. It may not be a promise ring. But I'm making the same declaration to you. I love you, Solana. With all my heart. These last three years we've been together have by far been the best of my life. And I am prepared to commit to you for the rest of my life. Marriage is still a far ways off, I know. But right now, I am making a solemn promise to you, that you are my one and only, and if you would have me, I promise I will spend the rest of my days making you happy the rest of yours. Like the Milotic Constellation, I will comfort you and try and support your beacon light. Like the weeping willow, even when the wind blows, I will be strengthened by and with you through the storm. Like the mission we had three years ago, our souls will become as one and we will shine in a gossamer glow and the rainbow of showers will fall in our journey because we are united not just as a couple, but in our destinies too."
Solana was speechless. She had no words to say. Lunick had this planned all along? All along?
Lunick exhaled.
"Solana, just like I said before, you are the princess of my heart, and the life of my soul, and if you would let me, even though we're not married, if you would allow me to commit myself fully to you, and if you would do the same for me…to allow us to focus on our love and commitment for one another…I love you, Solana. With all of my heart. With every fiber of my being. And even though it was understood before that I only wanted you, I want to show that I made a serious promise to remain faithful and loyal to you. I don't need to propose and we don't need to be engaged to do that. But I do need you to understand that you never have to worry about losing me. You're the only girl for me, Solana Tsuki. I'm still as goofy as goofy can be and I'm still a dork, but I'm dead serious when it comes to my love for you. Will you wear this necklace, as a declaration of our love and commitment to one another?"
Solana nodded her head slowly as she tried to catch her breath and continued to cry tears of joy.
Smiling weakly, Lunick held up the expensive necklace. He separated the two pieces, revealing one as a quarter moon and the other as a full sun, just as he said.
"Solana, you are the sun – strong, bold, fearless, and gleaming. And I am the moon – a little more passive and sometimes dependent on you to shine myself. But together, we bring out the best in each other and are an unstoppable force." He said as he placed the emerald/blue sapphire jewel around Solana's neck.
He held out the sun necklace to Solana to put around his neck. After marveling at her own necklace for a moment, Solana wiped her tears and placed the solar necklace piece around his neck. They sparkled against the moonlight.
"Oh my God," Solana croaked tearfully as she started to smile and laugh.
Lunick touched her quarter moon necklace.
"All you have to do is wear this moon necklace and I'll always be with you, right next to your heart. Even if I'm not physically there, take comfort in that spiritually I am."
Solana continued to cry. She could not believe all that Lunick had done. That he took the time and had done all of this…for her…for them!
Lunick frowned slightly.
"Aww, I was trying to make this a special occasion. I really didn't mean to make you cry. Stop crying, babe. Stop crying. Please. I'm sorry."
Before Lunick could move to wipe her tears away he found himself pushed back as Solana found his lips with hers. He was so surprised by the act that he fell back onto the ground. But that didn't stop Solana from kissing him. He gave into it and wrapped his arms around her waist. They stopped after a minute or so when they were forced to come up for air.
"Not that I'm complaining…But, uh…What…What was that for?" Lunick asked, still a little shocked.
Solana shook her head.
"The fact that you have to ask…"
"Is it the necklace? Really that was whole point of everything that came before but I wanted to show you how serious I was about us."
Solana closed her eyes and put her finger to her mouth in thought.
"So simple yet sophisticated and full of meaning and symbolism. I'm so amazed."
Lunick propped himself up on his elbows.
"Wait a minute, are you insulting me?"
"No, this is just my way of saying your mine's. You are the hero of my life in so many ways, you've saved me so many times. And you are the champion of my heart and soul and you're not going anywhere if I have anything to say about it."
Lunick smiled.
"I am both happy and scared to hear that. Why is that?" he chuckled.
Solana took her lunar necklace and reconnected it to Lunick's solar one.
"And the birthstones? You even thought of our birthdays?"
"Yeah, you know, again to confirm my seriousness. I was finally able to afford the pink sapphires for you, but you know, September is still technically blue sapphires, so I had to fit that in too. It was difficult to get the emeralds in for me because, well, come on you don't see green moons anywhere…that I'm aware of…But it was so expensive even just to border the moon in emeralds and fill the rest with blue sapphires…In fact, the whole thing has pretty much drained my savings completely. I mean do you know how much even a single karat costs? And I'm not even talking about diamonds here! I tell you…But when it comes to you, babe, money doesn't matter, so in the end, it's all worth it. Because you're worth it. "
Solana nodded slowly.
"I think it's time for us to be connected like our sun and moon necklaces."
Lunick's eyes went wide for a second.
"Stop thinking like that. Not what I meant. I was just thinking about the connection of lips. A passionate make-out session for a passionate committed boyfriend of mine's."
Lunick relaxed and smiled.
"Oh. Okay. Strictly first base intimacy. Gotcha….Though, I wouldn't mind going up to second base?"
Solana grabbed his chin.
"You talk too much. You've done enough talking for one night. We can discuss that later. Right now, this Liepard wants her prey."
Lunick raised his eyebrows slyly.
"Calling ourselves seductive pokémon, are we? You want some Lunshine that badly?"
Solana put her finger over his lips.
"Stop talking. Skitty wants to play."
"Meow." Was all Lunick could get out before his lips met once more with Solana. He held her tightly as they continued to make-out heavily beneath the dancing willow tree under the full moon.
Plusle giggled in delight while Minun smiled weakly and turned away. He loved his rangers, he did, but he had seen enough of their human petting for one night.
A/N: And there is the first chapter of the second Book. And before you ask, no there will not be a lot of singing in this story like with Inevitable Love. This was purely for the charity and to piggyback to the idea Leilani had pitched to them back in Chapter 13 of Inevitable Love. This may happen one more time in the story but it will not happen often, I guarantee that. For those of you who are wondering, the songs are Thank You and Acceptance from the Alvin and the Chipmunks' Undeniable album. I did have to change the lyrics a bit to better suit this world but I still think the overall message got across. That part of the story reads best when reading along to the music, so I recommend going on Youtube and playing those songs as you read the concert section so it won't seem as long and drawn out, and you get a better idea and feel of what the songs were trying to convey if it wasn't already clear to you.
And I also want to make clear the couples in this story. The only ones who are together are Solana and Lunick, Spenser and Elita, and Murph and Aria. Leilani and Percy are not together like they were at the end of Inevitable Love. Why? Well, because like some of you, I love and support the LeilanixMurph ship that I had established in the previous story. The only reason they were not together in the Epilogue of Inevitable Love was because I wanted to create a character dynamic between Murph and Aria, with Aria maybe somehow letting down her barrier and opening up more to Murph. You know, the whole opposites attract thing? But as I continued to write the story, the more I wanted Leilani and Murph to be together and Percy and Aria to be paired off with somebody else. But, I would have to go back on myself because when I initially set up the story, it was for Murph and Aria to be together and Leilani and Percy to start dating. BUT! This may not necessarily hold for this story as well. This is a slight spoiler, so if you don't want to know, you can stop reading here and go onto the next paragraph. Even though Murph and Aria are officially dating in this story, their relationship will be tested – greatly. Leilani still has feelings for Murph but doesn't want to ruin his relationship, and Murph cares deeply for Aria but she still mocks him and remains unappreciative of him, which makes him feel bad as well. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that Murph, Aria, and Leilani while not a love triangle, will face some trials in this story just like every other character. So AriaxMurph and PercyxLeilani may not be the final pairing as set up in Inevitable Love. So…I just wanted to make that clear because I also shared some of your frustrations in Murph and Leilani not being together.
And my final point – the sexual content and rating of this story. As I stated before at the end of Inevitable Love, I may have to give this story an M Rating for sexual content (future chapters) because I may end up having more sexual or intimate scenes that would force me to up the rating of the story. I will of course, let you all know at the beginning of the chapter if it will have that kind of heavy sexual content and let you use your discretion there, but this story is not a sex story, and is more of the characters dealing with inner and outer conflicts and challenges in addition to a new threat, so there is no need for that concern. But after familiarizing myself with the guidelines, I have to give this story an M rating considering the chapter ideas and scenes I already have written down (but not yet published because they are incomplete). I will state again, however, that the M rating is only for sexual content and nothing else. No violent, gory thing will occur in this story. There was one conflict I was initially concerned about, but again, that will remain in the T – zone…hopefully…But again, nothing slasher-like or horror or vivid. This story is only rated M for sexual scenes that will come in future chapters! I hope I've made this very clear.
Well, I think I've said enough here. This was the first chapter of We've Come This Far and the second story in the Rangershipping Book series, so I really hope you all enjoyed it!
Please Don't Forget to Review!
Always Do Everything With Love,
XyKPfan
