The next few weeks went by nicely. It was around midday when Solana was released from the hospital's care. She was back in her regular clothes (a T-Shirt and some denim jeans), except for her heavily bandaged arm and head. Doctor Jared informed her and the other rangers that she was to keep off her feet for at least two more weeks. The hospital's policy mandated that all patients be released in a wheelchair while being discharged. Since she was still very weak, Solana did not object.

Solana wanted to call her parents, who lived all the way in Orre, to tell them what had happened. She picked up the phone and began dialing. After a few rings, her mother's image appeared on the screen.

"Solana, honey, hello. It's nice to know you remember to call every once in a while."

"Hi, Mom. I'm sorry for not calling you more often, but you know, I've been very busy since I moved to Fiore. It's nice to speak to you again, though, Mommy."

There was a brief interruption on her mother's end. Within seconds, the screen split in two, the second half revealing her father.

"Hey there, CC. How's my baby girl?"

Solana smiled at hearing her father call her by the childish nickname she'd known since she was small.

"I'm great, Daddy. But there's something I need to let you both know."

Solana went on to explain what happened back at the Panula Cave and everything that happened since then, including that her partner Lunick had slept over at the hospital to make sure she was okay. Naturally, her mother was very shocked at hearing what had happened to her daughter, which also had the effect of bringing out her father's rage. He swore if he ever saw them he'd cause great pain to whoever caused the disturbance in the cave preventing his daughter from contacting her Leader when she was in trouble and only stopped his venting when Solana's mother prompted him to gain control of his emotions. Furthermore, he wished to meet the young man who risked his own life to save his baby girl. After calming down from the news and hearing more about Solana's various escapades, they wished Solana a speedy recovery and the best of wishes for her future adventures as a ranger.

She was mindful to leave out the part about her kissing Lunick on the cheek when they asked about her Leader's birthday party. She didn't know how her parents would react to her kissing boys at fourteen.

Lunick waited patiently for Solana as he sat in the hospital's lobby with Minun and Leilani.

"So, Lunick, how come you didn't tell me you and Solana were dating?" asked Leilani impatiently.

Lunick's face scrunched up in confusion as he was taken aback by his friend's question.

"What?"

"You. Why didn't you tell me you guys were dating? I had to hear from that Doctor Jared guy that you guys were a couple."

Lunick chuckled lightly.

"Leilani, Solana and I are not dating. We're not even a couple. We're just friends."

"Uh-uh. That doctor said…"

"It's all a misunderstanding. He saw me kiss Solana –"

"You kissed her?"

Lunick realized his mistake the moment those words escaped his lips.

"Um…well…"

"How was it? Did she like it?"

"Leilani…I kissed her on the forehead, not on the lips. And she wasn't even awake when I did that."

He felt his face heat up as he put his hand to his face.

"So you kissed her when she wasn't conscious?"

"I was talking to her."

"When she was asleep?"

Lunick sighed.

"Yes, Leilani. It was just…a moment I had. I really needed to talk to her and I wanted to speak to her as if she were awake. And when that doctor said I could spend the night –"

"Whoa, you spent the night?"

Digging yourself in a deeper hole here, Lunick.

"I…I…"

"OMG! First the kiss and then you spend the night? Wow, Solana has such a great guy," she said with a wide smile.

"Leilani, we're not dating! It wasn't even a real kiss. I kissed her on the forehead, not on the lips."

"But don't you wish you did?"

Lunick could've sworn Leilani could feel the heat coming off his red face.

"You know, when you guys send out the wedding invitations, be sure to have some kind of pasta at the reception. I prefer Alfredo."

"Leilani! We're not dating!"

The cocoa-skinned beauty rolled her eyes.

"Okay, fine. But can I at least tell Aria? I'd love to see the look on her face when –"

"NO!" He grasped her by the shoulders, "You can't tell anyone! Solana doesn't even know that I kissed her. She knows I spent the night but that kiss wasn't supposed to mean anything!"

"Then why is you face heating up?"

Lunick sighed heavily.

"Leilani, you've got to promise me you won't breathe a word of this to anybody."

"Even Aria?"

"Especially Aria!"

It was then that Solana slowly walked into the room from the waiting area, Plusle at her side. She had a smile on her face but it was obvious she was struggling to maintain her balance and was walking very slowly. Lunick let go of Leilani and immediately went to her side. He put his arms around her as he felt her shuffle in his arms.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded her head.

"Uh huh. Just a little dizzy, that's all."

"Let me get you a wheelchair," he said as he let her go and ran into a nearby room.

Solana saw Leilani standing a few feet away, shot her a smile and waved. Leilani smiled and waved back before bowing her head and closing her eyes. Solana and Lunick. They were seemingly just friends yet they acted more like they were a married couple. So why was it wrong to say that they were dating?

When Leilani opened her eyes Lunick had returned. She saw him gingerly help Solana into the wheelchair before he began pushing her towards the exit.

Yep, definitely old marrieds.

"Uh, Lunick. Thanks for the help, but I think I can take it from here." Solana said as she tried to push herself up from the wheelchair.

Lunick shook his head firmly.

"No, Solana. The docs say you got to leave in a wheelchair."

"I understand that, but –"

"No buts, Solana. You heard what the doctor said."

"Lunick, you don't understand. I have to go –"

"And I'm helping you by following the doctor's orders and pushing you towards the exit in this wheelchair. Now sit down, Solana." he said as he put his hands on her shoulders and tried to force her back down in the seat.

"With all due respect, Lunick, I don't need your help going to the –"

"Solana, I can't let you fall. What if you get dizzy or –"

"…Bathroom."

Lunick paused.

"What?"

"I need to go to the bathroom. I don't need your help in that department, thank you very much. But I appreciate you offering," Solana replied as she crossed her arms and an arched eyebrow.

A faint blush appeared on Lunick's cheeks.

"Oh."

He let her go and slowly backed away from the wheelchair, slightly ashamed.

Solana chuckled slightly as she sat back in the wheelchair and rolled herself to the bathroom, Plusle in her lap.

"Leilani, can you help me?"

"I'll be there in a moment, girl," She said as she tried to control the fits of giggles that were coming through her lips. She gently pushed passed Lunick and shot him a huge smile.

"I need to go to the bathroom," she said mimicking Solana.

"Don't…Leilani…" he said as he closed his eyes in frustration.

She put her hands to her hips as she turned around to go to the bathroom. Lunick grabbed her by the arm before she walked off though.

"Leilani, promise me you're not gonna tell anyone."

Again, she rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. But after you guys become a couple, I'm telling Aria. Guaranteed," she said as she made her way over to the bathroom to help her friend.

"We're not date…oh I give up," he said as he slumped down in one of the chairs in the lobby. He saw Minun looking at him with his big brown eyes, a huge grin on his face.

"Don't, Minun. Don't you dare."

The latter part of the afternoon started on a pleasant note following the awkwardness of Solana's discharge. Lunick was thrilled when Leilani was called on a mission just as she and Solana came out of the bathroom. He swore the girl tried to raise his blood pressure every time they had an encounter. He was just happy he and Solana were alone. He felt ecstatic and nervous all at the same time. Ever since they defeated Gordor and the Go-Rock Squad four years ago, he always got this weird feeling when he was around her. He knew he'd grown a lot over the last few years and undoubtedly, so did Solana.

After they left the hospital, Solana refused to use the wheelchair anymore, which Lunick expected considering how independent she was. So before they left out of the double doors, Lunick asked the doctor if he could maybe have some crutches for Solana since she was still off balanced when she walked and her body was still so weak. Normally, Doctor Jared wouldn't give out crutches unless they were truly necessary, but considering the circumstances, and how much he owed these rangers since the Go-Rock Squad fiasco, the doctor obliged and gave Solana a pair of silver crutches to use as long as she needed them.

Leaving the hospital itself proved to be an interesting sight to any bystander. Solana was not completely adjusted to her crutches and was moving at an even slower pace to get out of the building than she was before she used the crutches, which was pretty slow. There were even a couple of elderly patients who were moving faster than Solana at at least twice her speed. Even so, Lunick was very patient and sympathetic of her situation. He let her take her time leaving. Thus, if Plusle wanted to, she'd have to ride on Lunick's left shoulder, which was just fine with her. She felt just as comfortable riding him as she did Solana.

Lunick walked slowly beside Solana. It was a little sad seeing her move like that, struggling with the crutches.

Poor Solana…She so doesn't deserve this, Lunick thought as Solana slowly tried her best to manipulate the metal staffs. Minun and Plusle walked on the ground in case Lunick needed any assistance.

They were currently on their way to the Fall City Mall. Apparently, Solana was going to make sure Lunick adhered to the promise he made her when they were in the hospital many weeks ago and she was eager to spend the money she received from her paychecks.

When they reached the mall, the excitement on Solana's face was priceless. If she wasn't so weak, she'd have run in and blow through every store she could find. Since she couldn't, however, she just hobbled as quickly as she could through the main entrance into the mall, causing Lunick to smile knowingly.

This was where the torment would begin for Lunick, however. He didn't mind helping Solana move around and her company was definitely more enjoyable and appreciated than he remembered. But he never really could tolerate shopping in the women's departments. He always felt embarrassed. And having to guide Solana carefully in each store they entered, in addition to carrying all of her shopping bags, was a major strain on his ego.

"You know what, Lunick?" Solana began. "We have that swimming party coming up soon and I have nothing to wear. I need to buy a new swimsuit. I need to find one that's perfect."

Lunick let her have a head start into the clothing store. He released something between a sigh and a groan. Minun did the same but Plusle was hopping alongside her human, leaving the "boys" to catch up.

Inhale…Exhale…Here we go…

Together, Lunick and Solana, and Plusle and Minun (though the male of the pokemon mostly rested on the in-store benches) spent what felt like hours looking through all the swimsuits in the store — at least that's how long it felt to Lunick. He would have been considerably more comfortable in the men's department, but this was for Solana…at least, for the time being…so it had to be women's swimwear.

As Lunick held up each piece of swimwear for Solana to muse over, he took several nervous glances around the store. Other girls who were also looking over swimsuits occasionally looked at him. Some of them had sympathetic expressions. Others had expressions that read "pervert".

Come on, Solana! Hurry up! I don't know how much more of this I can take before…

Lunick sighed in relief when Solana found a two-piece blue bikini that she wanted to try on. It had red ribbons that tied at the hips and the top formed a sort of heart shape in the front. For obvious reasons, Lunick followed her only up to the dressing rooms before leaving her to fend for herself. About ten minutes later, Solana came out wearing the bikini.

"So, Lunick, how do I look?"

Lunick's jaw nearly hit the floor. She looked hot. So hot! Sexy even. He literally had nothing to say. It took him a couple seconds to respond.

"You…y-you…uh…y-you look…look…wow…"

Solana giggled slightly, hearing the various octaves in Lunick's voice.

"Glad you like it, Lunick. I'm definitely buying this one now. Thanks."

Lunick didn't know what she meant when she said "definitely" but, at the moment, he really didn't care. He could feel his face heat up as Solana went back into the dressing room. He had no idea his best friend had matured so much physically in such a short time. Furtherore, he didn't know he could be this attracted to his best friend. No doubt about it. His crush on Solana was back even stronger than before. But how did she feel about him? That was the real question and what was really rattling.

By the time he had composed himself, Solana had already come back dressed in her clothes, her new bikini slung over the handle of one of the crutches. Once again, Lunick assisted Solana as he escorted her to the men's department. Lunick suddenly decided to get a new swimsuit as well, just to be able to show himself off to Solana. Spotting a pair of black trunks that had red bands around the legging and waist, he grabbed it and went to his respective dressing room to change.

When he came back out, Solana's look was priceless to Lunick. Her mouth was wide opened, which she covered with her hand, and her face blushed visibly. Now feeling a bit cocky, Lunick made some poses and flexed his arms.

"So, do I look good or what?"

"Lunick, you look…amazing! Simply amazing!"

"I appreciate the positive feedback," he said with a slight chuckle as he continued to flex his arms.

"Okay, Mr. Macho-Man. Are you gonna change back or what?"

"Wait, wait, one last pose," he said as he flexed his arms one last time before letting out a loud laugh and heading back into the dressing. Just as Lunick had earlier, Solana began thinking about how much he had matured over the last few years. Lunick actually looked kind of dreamy. He was cute and handsome both at the same time. He was losing his boyish appearance and was starting to look more masculine. It was a little startling to Solana just how much she enjoyed looking at him. What was this uneasy warm feeling she was experiencing? And what did it all mean?

After they purchased their bathing suits, the two set off for further adventures in the mall — that didn't involve shopping for more clothes. Lunick's eye caught one of the wall clocks. 4:27. He decided he'd head back with Solana to the ranger base in thirty five minutes. Right now, he just wanted them to use the time they had and enjoy each other's company. They so seldom did so because they had to work.

As Lunick and Solana exited the mall, they spotted an ice cream cart. Deciding to enjoy a bit of the frozen dessert, they both walked up to the man behind the counter and placed their orders.

"Your total is $3.76," he said as he checked the bill for each of their treats. Lunick got a vanilla bean ice cream cone, Solana got coffee with marshmallows in a waffle cone, and the two cheering pokemon had a small banana split.

"I got this one, Solana," Lunick said as he took his wallet out of his pocket.

"You don't have to do this, Lunick. I can pay for me and Plusle."

"My treat," he said as he shot her a smile. Solana returned it, returning her own wallet to her pack.

Finding a small little bench they could sit on outside, Solana started over for it as Lunick took the frozen treats. A moment later, the four of them were seated side by side, the two pokemon in the middle. They began licking at the frozen goodness in their hands.

"You know, Solana. This has been a pretty awesome day," Lunick said as he took another lick of his frozen snack.

Solana licked her ice cream before responding.

"Yeah. I mean, aside from that whole bathroom thing back at the hospital, I'd say we had a pretty good day."

"Uh, hehe…yeah," Lunick said nervously as he remembered the embarrassing moment that happened earlier. He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Solana giggling uncontrollably.

"What?"

"You got ice cream on your face."

Lunick felt the coldness on his chin, paused and then smiled.

"So do you."

"Where?"

Lunick took his cone and wiped a considerably large portion of vanilla ice cream on Solana's right cheek, leaving her mouth agape and her eyes wide.

"You did not!"

"I believe I did." He said trying desperately to hold back to fits of giggles in his throat.

Solana closed her lips shut before thrusting her own cone below his lips.

"Well, now you've got coffee ice cream on your chin."

Lunick opened his mouth in shock before retaliating.

"And you've got vanilla ice cream on your nose," he said as he mimicked the action, took his finger and swiped it on her nose, "And coffee marshmallow swirl on your forehead." He said as he took her cone and wiped it on her face.

It soon became a gooey war and the two friends were covered in the sticky desserts in no time, getting ice cream in their hair, on their shirts, hands, and all over their faces. The two of them burst out in fits of laughter, soon joined by Plusle and Minun, who laughed but didn't really get the joke since they hadn't been paying attention.

The time went by quickly and soon it was 5:30. Getting Solana back to the base was still laborious and still took about hour or so to get back to Ringtown. However, it felt pleasurable to the both of them as a result of the bonding time they'd taken advantage of that day. There was definitely something there, more than a mere friendship, as Plusle and Minun knew too well. It was only a matter of time now…

Solana and Lunick laughed heartily as the stepped into Ringtown's Ranger Base. They were caught completely off guard when a group of rangers jumped out from behind desks and out of corners yelling "SURPRISE" the moment they stepped through the doors. Lunick was startled thoroughly, even though he knew that the rangers had been planning this for Solana the previous day. But he had been having so much fun, he just completely forgot.

As their heartbeats slowly returned to normal, Spenser approached the two youths.

"Good afternoon, rangers. Welcome back!"

Solana held her heart as she tried to talk without making her voice quiver.

"L-Leader, what?…W-Why did you do that! You could've given me a heart attack!"

Spenser chuckled.

"Oh I doubt that, Solana. But how do you feel?"

"Better. Much better, though, Lunick insists that I keep these crutches for the next few days," she shot him a look.

"Hey, better safe than sorry, 'Lana."

"At least you're safe now," Spenser said with a smile, "We're glad to have you back, Solana. I've already called the hospital and signed the release forms. I also paid for your medical bills," he arched his eyebrow slightly as he said that. "But, all in all, it was worth it. We're happy to have you back on the team, Solana. The doctors already informed me that you're not to be doing any ranger activities until you're completely back to health. So for the next few days just take it easy for awhile, okay?"

"Yes, Leader."

Spenser's smile widened as a throat was cleared in the back.

"Well…now that Solana's back, let's get this party started already! WHOO-HOO!" Leilani said in the back as a track was played on the stereo. Spenser shook his head before making his way back over to his desk and sat down, much like the other Area Leaders were doing.

Lunick and Solana shared a brief glance.

"Lunick?"

"After you," he said as he held his hand out and bowed his head slightly. Solana smiled before she and Plusle went to join her friends at one of the tables. Lunick just leaned up against the wall and watched her as she sat down next to Leilani, Murph, and Percy.

"Mai Mai!"

Lunick saw Minun looking up at him with great interest. A small smile appeared on his face.

"I'm fine, Minun. You go ahead and have fun."

Minun smiled up at his human before heading over to the table where his friend and her human were.

Lunick continued to smile as he saw his pokemon join Plusle at the table. Sighing to himself, he folded his arms and crossed his legs as he leaned on the wall. He continued to watch his best friend.

Yes…she was beautiful. Truly, truly, beautiful.

Raikou raced through the Olive Jungle in a panic. His dear friend had been missing for weeks. He hadn't seen her that much since they departed after that evil old human captured them many years ago. But he knew something was wrong. The air was somehow different in Fiore. The feeling was different. But the feeling odd as well. Odd and different were not good. And when he went to go check up on her by the Safra Sea, she wasn't in her lair. Something was definitely wrong.

Raikou winced as he felt something shoot passed his back leg. He looked back to see that some of his fur had been clipped and he was now currently bleeding by whatever nicked him just moments earlier.

A sinister laugh alerted Raikou from his cut leg. His eyes hardened once he saw a person step from behind one of the bushes.

"Well, well, Raikou. We meet again."

Raikou snarled viciously, remembering what that being had done to him and his friends in the past. He began charging up for a Thunder attack.

The figure smirked.

"Now Raikou. You wouldn't want to strike me? Not when I have your good buddy right here?"

Raikou growled. He didn't know what this human was talking about. But when he saw a familiar creature step from behind the shadows, he was paralyzed in shock.

"Raikou, I'm sure you remember your good buddy, Suicune here, don't you?"

Raikou's eyes shimmered. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Suicune. His buddy. His friend…was…captured, yet again by these evil humans. Her once sparkling spotted blue-green coat was now spotless and covered in a dark, dark purple. Her once bright, glimmering, ruby eyes were now a bright, bloody red. Her beautiful purple cape that used to move so gracefully in the wind, now hung puffed up and spread out behind her. He saw the anger in her eyes. The fury. That wasn't his friend. That wasn't the creature he grew up with.

"What's wrong, Raikou? Don't you recognize the pokemon that was resurrected alongside you by your creator?" The person goaded on.

Anger flashed in Raikou's eyes as almost invisible tears flowed down his face.

"What? You're not gonna try and get her back?"

Raikou grimaced as he continued to stare the person down, but they just shrugged in response.

"Okay. Suicune, attack with Aurora Beam!"

The manipulated pokemon rose on her hind legs and released a multicolored beam from her mouth. The attack hit its mark as Raikou was sent a few feet back. The ray was much bigger than the last time he remembered it.

The person sucked their teeth five times.

"My, my. You're not even gonna put up a fight?"

Raikou got to his feet and stared menacingly at the being who closed his friend's heart.

Again, the person smiled.

"How pathetic. I guess capturing you will be easier than I thought. Suicune! Use Extrasensory!"

The water legend opened her mouth as a magenta colored aura began to surround her. Within moments, it was sent towards the electric legendary and he was sent crashing into one of the forest trees.

Again getting to his feet, Raikou grimaced. The only way he could get his friend back was to battle this human. He'd have to fight for her. He cried out as he released a mighty Thunder in her direction.

"Suicune, use Blizzard now!"

The leopard like creature took a breath as she fires a sparkly icy wind filled with small snowballs at her opponent. The two attacks clashed and caused a faint mist started to appear between the two.

Raikou began looking around his surroundings, trying to spot any source of his friend when he was suddenly hit squarely in the face forcefully by an array of multicolored bubbles. He flew straight through three trees and crashed into the ground.

Within moments, the possessed Suicune and her capturer were by his side.

"Oh you poor, poor, pokemon. Look at you. You must be so tired."

Raikou let out heavy sighs as he continued to stare at the being with anger.

"Don't worry, Raikou. I'm gonna give us something we both want. You want to be with your friend here, right? That's all you want? Well, let me grant you that wish."

Raikou saw the human take his hand out of his coat pocket and aim his arm at him. He didn't know what the metallic device he held in his hand was, but within seconds he found out as a black/purple dart was lodged in his back leg. The intense shockwaves shot throughout his whole body and he felt what was left of his energy slowly slip away as he felt himself lose control of his mind. His once yellow-golden fur was now an ominous shade of purple and his cherry red eyes were now glowing bright red.

The saber-tooth pokemon uttered a low growl as he was consumed by the same darkness that plagued his dear friend.

The person laughed as a smiled appeared on his face.

"Glad to have you back, Raikou."