Hey everyone, it's my summer vacation so that means two updates a week! Expect the next chapter to be up sooner.

CHAPTER 14
FLARE'S POV

I woke up to the sound of heavy rain. Looking outside the window, I saw a steady rain falling on the city; not to light to be a drizzle but not too strong to be a full blown storm. It was rather chilly, colder than a regular morning, and I hoped we had something warm for breakfast.

I got out of my room and made my way to Shana's; I could still hear the rain pouring outside. I made it to Shana's room and opened it and was surprised to see Shana sitting on the bed, her back facing from me.

"Wow. You're up early." I commented as I walked closer.

I heard the sound of scissors cutting paper; Shana was cutting a picture out of a book. Her bed was scattered with bits of cut paper and old books. "What's all this for?" I asked.

"It for that project we have for school in two days; I'm getting started on it in advance." she answered putting the scissors down and examining her project. I hoped on her bad and looked at i from over her shoulder. It was basically a collage filled with happy Pokemon doing everyday activities.

"It's my vision of how I want the nation to look in twenty years. Highly cliched project but hey, at least it give you grades." she said to me.

I suddenly remembered that I haven't gotten started on my project yet. "So Flare, you like it?"

I examined the happy faces of the Pokemon on the collage again. "It's good Shana; it's a really good dream. But..."

"Too bad you won't be around to see it."

"Huh?" she asked curiously.

With absolutely no hesitation at all, I grabbed the scissors and stabbed her right in the neck.

I woke up with a scream loud enough to wake up the whole house. I was sweating like crazy, my paws were shaking and I was taking deep gasping breath to calm myself down. It was a dream. It was just a dream.

A dream that would have to come true one day...

I was wasting time; I was neglecting what had to be done. This was my mission and I have to do my best to succeed.

I have to kill Shana.

Forget Shade and Shine, I had a feeling Dart would want to do that himself. My only focus was Shana. I've been putting this off for too long and it has to be done.

Unlike my dream, it was dark but not raining since it was still early in the morning. I was still agitated from the dream and hurriedly got up and and left my room.

I hesitated at the door to her room and put off opening it for several seconds. I was afraid of what I would see behind it; would it be her doing her project, which I really didn't get started on yet, like in my dream?

With all the courage I could muster, I opened the door and found Shana sleeping away not knowing the troubles I've been through earlier. For some reason, I felt so relieved to see her alive. I didn't think we could uphold our friendship much longer. She was going to have to die by my paw.

But now wasn't the right time to kill her. I woke her and put on a fake expression that made her think nothing was wrong. It worked and we were on our way to breakfast.

Shade and the others talked casually not knowing that I was planning the death of his daughter. As for the death itself, what do I do?

1st Option: Induce poison into Shana's food.

No. I'd need to get back to the rebel headquarters to get that and I would have to think of an excuse for Shade.

2nd Option: Burn her to death when she's asleep.

No not that either. Her family would notice the burn marks and know that it was me and confront me at once. I had to leave immediately after I killed her.

3rd Option: Just plain strangling her when we're alone.

No. That wouldn't work either. Shana's tough and she'd probably fight me off and run.

Argh! Why the hell is killing someone so tough? The rest of the rebels make it look so easy.

"Flare, you alright?" Shana asked probably noticing that my mind was preoccupied with thought on how to kill her.

"I'm fine Shana. No need to worry." I replied. I thought I convinced her even though she should do the opposite of what I just said.

What Shade said yesterday was correct; right now, Shana's the only one on my mind. If only it wasn't about killing her!

As we walked to school, I couldn't help but think why I was doing this. She's my first friend! I can't believe I have to kill her! But it had to be done for the rebels to succeed.

Their success was inevitable; no matter how I looked at it, Shade and all the forces at his side have no chance against the sheer number and power of the rebels. One all out invasion and Shade and his whole family would be gone leaving the nation to the mercy of the rebels.

That leaves my mission to kill Shana. Dart thinks that Shade would ended up dying to protect his daughter so I was sent in as a reassurance to make sure that when Shade's gone, no one can stop Dart from ruling the nation.

My "parents" told me since childhood that this was a good thing but I thought otherwise. And I'm not strong enough to oppose Dart do I just follow him without question.

I was surprised to find myself in school; my mind was so occupied that I missed the whole trip. When we arrived at the classroom, I noticed that Philia seemed to be giving my a cold shoulder; I still can't believe that I was attracted to her yesterday. Shana though seemed to like the way Philia was treating me.

Class went by and before I knew it, it was already recess. I grabbed a tray and some food and sat down to eat. I did slow slowly and sadly which got Shana's attention.

"Flare, you seem really down today. Something wrong?" she asked me worriedly.

"It's nothing Shana. I'm fine." I replied looking back at her.

She seemed to consider my answer for a few seconds before replying. "Y'know Flare, if there's anything, anything at all, you want to tell me or Zara or Slick, just say so and we'll promise that we'll listen and help you out as much as we can."

"Anything?" I asked.

"Anything." Shana gave me a reassuring nod. "You shouldn't give up on your friends Flare."

As she turned back to her meal, I felt as though a great weight had been lifted from my chest. For one split second, I was considering breaking down and confessing my part of the rebels and letting them do what they want with me but I had a different plan.

I wasn't going to give up on them that easily, especially Shana. I still might kill her but not right now. I wasn't going to tell them who I really am either and I would stick to my vow to protect Shana...for now. But friendship can be broken and promise to protect her can never last a very long time; I wanted some other reason to protect her, a third reason that can never be denied no matter what.

Until I can find that third reason, I would still have to go over on how to kill Shana.