Lunick and Minun came up to Solana's house with a bouquet of pink-tipped pale yellow roses. He rang the bell.

He waited about two minutes before he realized her front window was opened. He walked over to it and called inside.

"Solana, its Lunick."

"It's open." He heard her reply back.

Opening the door, Lunick and Minun stepped inside.

"I'm in the living room."

He made his way to the living room area.

He walked in the open door frame and saw Solana in a lavender sports bra and white yoga pants doing what appeared to be some kind of physical fitness exercise on a teal exercise matt. Her hair was done up in a ponytail as usual, but her hair hung down between her shoulder blades instead of being done up and pinned to the top like when she was on a mission. Her lunar necklace hung down from her neck.

He saw her kneeling on the ground, her head tucked down, before she lifted her knee up off the floor and then lifted her pelvis and behind up toward the ceiling, bringing her body into the shape of an 'A'.

Lunick tilted his head slightly to the right as he continued to marvel at her.

"Whoa, that can't be G-rated," he said with a smile.

Solana quickly stood up at the sound of his voice. Plusle got up from her position beside Solana to go greet Minun.

"Plah Pla Pla!"

"Mai Mai!"

Solana turned around to face him and put her hands on her hips.

"Were you just staring at my butt, mister?"

"Yes," he answered easily. He walked up to her and gave her a peck on the lips. "And I enjoyed the view."

"Hm," she said as she kissed him back, "I cannot believe you were ogling at me like that."

"I'm a guy. You can't expect me not to look."

He held the bouquet of roses out to her.

"These are for you."

She took the bouquet from him, "Thank you. They're beautiful."

"Just like you, babe."

"Aww," she cooed. She leaned closer to him. Lunick puckered his lips, expecting yet another kiss. But instead of kissing him, Solana leaned passed him and whispered in his ear. "Nice try."

Lunick pouted as she walked into the other room laughing to get a vase for the flowers.

"That's foul."

"You've indulged yourself enough, mister," she said as she reenetered the room and placed the flowers next to her TV set.

"What were you doing anyway?"

"Yoga and Pilates," she answered as she walked back onto her matt. "I always do a little bit of exercise in the morning before I start my day."

Lunick chuckled. "You call that exercise?"

"Of course it's exercise. It requires just as much focus, concentration, and strength training as any workout you do at the gym."

"I guess I'll have to take your word for it then."

Solana shook her head.

"You could join me too, you know?" she said as she knelled back down on the matt. "It might be good for you."

Lunick plopped down on her sofa.

"Nah. Duking it out with the punching bags, running on treadmills, and lifting weights is my kind of exercise. Besides, you look so sexy doing it."

"Well, thank you," she said unenthusiastically as she stretched down to the ground.

"What was the name of that pose you were doing before I walked in here?"

"Downward facing Furfrou."

"Sounds about right."

She shot him a look before transitioning into a forward fold position.

"Why don't you go into the kitchen and make us both a healthy breakfast?"

"Nah…I'm good right here."

Lunick again titled his head as he stared at her backside once more.

"You know, you could try not to be so blatantly obvious about your ogling."

"Maybe if we were still just friends, but as your BF I believe certain rights are afforded to me." He said still staring at her.

Solana then moved to a basic plank position. She drew her right knee up to her right elbow and extended her left leg back.

"Are those same rights afforded to me?"

"Naturally."

"Then take your shirt off."

"…I'm sorry what?" he said, lifting his head back up to look at her, but his eyes kept inadvertently drifting back to her buttocks.

Solana then went back into a 4-point keeling position before gently hovering her knees off of the floor without losing her alignment, cueing a strong connection through her core.

"I could use some inspiration too, you know. Or are we gonna pull a double-standard here?" After she was comfortable with her knees off of the floor, she started lifting her right foot off of the floor and extended it while maintaining her natural breathing and correct alignment.

Raising his eyebrow, Lunick stood up and peeled out of his black jersey and tossed it on the floor, leaving on his vest and sun necklace.

"How's this?"

Solana went back into a standard 4 point position and turned her head back to face him.

"Oh, that's a marvelous sight. How about removing the undershirt too?"

"Are you gonna take off yours?"

She gave him a strange look.

"I'm only wearing a sports bra."

"Your point? We gotta keep the standard even. If I'm gonna expose my chest, you gotta do the same."

She shook her head before moving into a reverse plank position.

"Sit your hot tail down, mister."

"That's what I thought," he said, sitting back down on the sofa.

Drawing from the center, she pulled her behind and legs forward through the opening she made with her arms, keeping as much of her legs off of the floor as possible. Then she swung her legs back out and went straight into a dolphin pose.

Lunick covered his mouth with his left hand and leaned forward.

Solana then went into a frog pose. Then after holding it for the appropriate amount of time, she transitioned into a king pigeon pose. She brought her left knee forward and placed it on the floor behind her left wrist. Then she lined her left ankle up with her wrist. She lowered her hips and straightened her right leg on the floor directly behind her right hip, then rested the top of her foot on the floor. Then she lifted and puffed out her chest like a pigeon, resulting in a very complex-looking pose.

Lunick stared at his girlfriend for about another minute, then got up from the sofa.

"I think I'll go make breakfast now."

"I thought you were enjoying looking at me exercise," Solana breathed out as she held her position.

"I am. That's why I'm gonna go make breakfast now," he said nervously.

Wondering what he meant, Solana bent her upper body backwards to the floor, looking at him upside down. Then…she saw what he was talking about.

"So, you are excited," she said with a sly smile on her face.

Lunick grabbed his jersey off of the floor and covered himself.

"Don't look at me!" he barked as he hastily walked out of the room and into the kitchen.

Releasing her position, Solana went on her knees and started laughing. She enjoyed making her boyfriend turn red from time to time.


After Solana finished exercising, she sat down and ate breakfast with Lunick before heading up to take her shower. Ever since the day they became a couple, Lunick made it a habit to stop by her house every morning on his way to work. Sometimes, he'd come so early that they had time to enjoy each other's company before leaving. She always liked when Lunick stopped by and made her breakfast before they headed out to the Ringtown Ranger Base. Not only could he cook really well, but he also knew how to cook healthily…at least when he was around her. She never really ate a meal in the morning, mostly just skipping breakfast and heading straight to work. But Lunick changed all that once he started coming over, often demanding that she sit down and eat something before leaving. He'd even block the door, march her right into the kitchen and sit there with her, watching her eat, even if it meant reporting to work late, which was a big deal to both of them as the base operates on punctuality so they'd be ready for any necessary emergencies should they arise. And because of that, her meals were a lot more balanced. It definitely made her mornings more pleasurable and she felt like she had more energy throughout the day. She didn't know if it was a direct result of Lunick's healthy cooking or if it was Lunick himself that made her feel that way but either way she was happy.

Lunick had also made it a habit to leave a spare uniform as well as some clean clothes and underwear over at Solana's house. Occasionally, they would have missions that would leave Lunick just bone tired and he would often keel over in her house from exhaustion, putting Solana in a very precarious situation. But Lunick never took advantage of Solana letting him stay there. Sure, he'd make a joke or two as was his usual chaffed Lunick self, but he always remained respectful of their relationship and slept on the couch while Solana slept in her room. It was true sometimes Solana wanted to just curl up with him in bed as she loved snuggling with him but Lunick had remained adamant that they only do that on her loveseat sofa. If they fell asleep on her couch that wasn't a problem, but Lunick was wary of falling asleep in her bed with her because he was afraid they may end up doing more than just cuddling. And indeed, they did come pretty close to moving things up another level in their relationship a few times, but they were always mindful of when things got too heated. Lunick was such a gentleman and was so careful with her, that Solana felt sometimes that she wanted to go on up to that next level, but deep down, she knew that was something neither of them were ready for…right now anyway…

Solana and Lunick held hands as they entered the Ringtown Ranger base, their respective pokémon on their shoulders. They saw Murph sitting down in one of the chairs eating a sandwich. His Slowking was standing tall right beside him, manipulating what appeared to be a Rubix's Cube with his Psychic.

Once Murph saw Solana and Lunick enter the base, he immediately became cheerful. He shoved the rest of his sandwich in his mouth and went over to greet them, while Plusle and Minun jumped off of their rangers' shoulders to go greet Slowking.

"Morning, Solana! Morning, Lunick!"

"Good morning, Murph," Solana answered.

Plusle jumped in the air and grabbed Slowking's Rubix's Cube (after he explained to them what he had been doing), trying to figure out how to solve the puzzle herself.

"Are we the only ones here so far?" Lunick asked looking around. The base was strangely empty.

"I think so," Murph answered looking around as well. "The only other ones here I think are Leader and the Professor. I guess everyone's really tired after the concert last night.

"Who can blame them?" Solana agreed.

Frustrated at not being able to solve the puzzle, Plusle threw the colorful cube on the ground in a huff and crossed her arms, shocking Slowking.

"Plah Pla!"

"Slow!"

"Plah Pla Plah!"

Minun then picked up the cube and started fiddling with it. Slowking shook his head.

"Slowking."

"Lind said we raised over $150,000 at last night's charity event!" Murph gushed. "Well, we did have to factor in the $77,000 fundraising cost. But even after subtracting the expenses for the event, we still managed to raise $73,000! Isn't that great?!"

"That's incredible," Solana asked astounded.

"Aww, yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" Lunick exclaimed as he made a fist and pulled it down.

"Leilani's never gonna let us forget this." Solana added. "I bet she's positively beaming."

Smiling broadly, Minun held up the completed Rubix Cube, to Slowking's and Plusle's amazement.

"Mai Mai."

"Plah Plah!"

"Slowking!"

Placing the 3D combination cube on the ground, Minun started skipping and gloating that he was the only one who solved the Rubix Cube puzzle, much to Plusle's chagrin.

Sparks started to fly off of Plusle's cheeks as her anger continued to rise. She tried to tell her counterpart to stop gloating.

"Plah Plah…Pla Pla Plah!"

"Mai, Mai! Mai, Mai! Mai, Mai!"

But Minun continued to gloat.

Vexed, Plusle charged at Minun and the two started tussling on the floor. Slowking shook his head in disappointment as the two continued to tussle, using his Psychic to separate them moments later. If he had another minute he probably would have solved the complicated puzzle himself before Plusle and Minun came in with their humans and avoided all of this. He didn't really care for rough housing with these two easily tempered pokémon. They really were starting to adopt their humans' mannerisms.

The elevator in the base dropped down and Professor Hastings and Spenser could be seen coming out of it moments later. Spenser took his position in front of his desk while Professor Hastings stood near the elevator door, his hands both resting on his cane.

Solana, Lunick, and Murph all lined up for their address.

"Good morning, rangers."

"Good morning, Leader," they all replied in unison.

Spenser nodded. "Well, let me first start off by congratulating you rangers on your fundraising endeavors last night. Well done. Hearts and Souls were really pleased, and I must say, so am I. Charity events aren't foreign to Pokémon Rangers but this was, I believe, Fiore's first charity concert. It was definitely a risk to put on, even moreso with our current budget, but you young rangers managed to pull it off without a hitch. I am very proud. Mrs. Akiyama and Mrs. Callaway were especially satisfied with the gross revenue and wanted to express their gratitude once again. And again I must say, well done, rangers."

Solana, Lunick, and Murph all smiled at each other, Lunick even throwing in two thumbs ups.

Again Spenser nodded.

"So your assignments for today…I want all of you…to have fun and relax.

They were all surprised to hear that.

"As you can see, your fellow students were not able to make it in today. And I can't really blame them. The concert was pretty heavy on all of us. And I think after all the work you three have done, you deserve an extra day's rest. You have surely earned it. Keep an eye out for trouble as usual but I want you all to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Of course, a ranger's work is never done so I can't say you'll be able to get the day off tomorrow. But for now, you three can take it easy. I'll remain here at the base if you need me. Understood?"

They all nodded excitedly. "Yes, Leader!"

And again, Spenser nodded.

"Alright. Dismissed."

Spenser went behind his desk and started to gather some papers he had to fill out and file before sitting down in his seat.

Solana squealed and balled her fists in excitement as the three of them exited the base.

"Oh man, a whole day to ourselves!"

"I don't think we've had a break since…well…I don't know, haha," Murph said cheerily.

Slowking followed behind them still carrying an arguing Plusle and Minun with his Psychic, all the while shaking his head in disappointment.

"I am so calling Leilani. We've been planning a girls' day out for months and now we finally have the chance to do it!"

"And…just what am I supposed to do?" Lunick asked questioningly.

Solana lowered her hands.

"Why come with us to the mall, of course."

"What, no way!" Lunick said defiantly. "You and Leilani can go have your girls' day or whatever. But I think I'm gonna call Freddie and Percy up and see if we can finally finish our Samurai Warriors game. I shall be victorious and the Samurai King!"

Solana put her hands on her hips.

"What! No way! You are so coming with me!"

"Why do I have to tag along and watch you girls splurge yourselves?"

"Because you're my boyfriend, Lunick!"

"So? I'm not gonna spend all day carrying your bags watching you two shop and get pampered. This is my free day too! I wanna spend it doing something fun!"

"Um," Murph interrupted, raising his hand meekly. It wasn't a big argument but Murph still hated seeing his friends fight. "Why don't we all go to the mall? That way, Solana and Leilani can go shopping, and you, Freddie, and Percy can still participate in your tournament. I mean, it's not the same as playing it wirelessly at home but it could still be fun?…I may even get Aria to come."

Solana closed her eyes halfway.

"You had me up until you brought Aria into the picture."

Lunick shrugged.

"Well, I guess that could work… You, Leilani, and Aria can do your…whatever it is you girls do when you go to the mall. And, I can still cream Freddie and Percy in our game. Win-Win, right? This way all of us can still enjoy ourselves without having to compromise our plans. Good thinking, Murph."

Murph smiled weakly.

Solana crossed her arms.

"Fine. I guess it would save money on gas if we all carpool. I would like you to be there with me but Leilani and I really haven't had a day to ourselves to just hang out. Plus, we can all regroup later. Though, I'm not sure how I feel about Aria tagging along."

"Didn't you guys resolve this conflict you had three years ago already?" Lunick asked.

"We were supposed to but we never had the chance because of the whole Shadow Pokémon thing. And then after that we were recovering from our injuries."

"Why didn't you do it afterwards?"

"Well, we were dating afterwards, Lunick."

"That doesn't mean you guys couldn't talk and resolve this problem."

Solana was getting frustrated.

"Look, Lunick. I don't know why but Aria and I never had that meeting. Spenser probably forgot with all the work he had to do to actually schedule us to sit down with a moderator."

Lunick narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"But you appear to remember? Seems more like you were wanting to avoid having the meeting all together? Why is that?"

Solana exhaled loudly and started pushing her boyfriend ahead of her.

"Lunick, I'm not talking about this anymore. We gotta get ready, anyways, so let's get a move on already."

Lunick stepped aside and held his hands up.

"Fine. I never understood what was going on between you two anyway. But I don't think it's wise to just ignore the fact that you guys were supposed to put everything behind you, as Leader had instructed. Unresolved issues manifest into –"

"Lunick!"

"Alright. Alright. Let's go, Minun!"

Plusle and Minun stopped their arguing when Minun's name was called. Slowking then gently rested them on the ground with his Psychic before releasing them from his hold. They both ran over to their rangers and climbed up their shoulders, but continued to glare at one another.

"We'll, uh…pick you up after we get out of our uniforms, Murph." Lunick said.

Muprh held up his hands.

"Oh, no. Don't worry yourselves about me. I'll be fine. I have to talk to Aria about coming with us, remember? I just uh…I'll meet you guys there."

"Are…you sure?" Lunick asked, a little unsure himself.

Murph nodded his head assuredly.

"Yeah. Uh huh. I'll meet you guys there later. I'll have to clear it with Aria…I mean…I have to talk with Aria about it. Yeah, that's all."

Lunick and Solana shared a look before looking back at him.

"O…Kay…" Lunick replied.

"We'll see you later, Murph," Solana waved before walking off with Lunick back to her house.

Murph too continued to wave with a weak smile until his friends were a far enough distance away.

"Slowking?" his partner pokémon asked.

Murph looked down at his pokémon.

"It's fine, Slowking. I'm sure she'll agree to go out with us."

"Slowking? Slowking Slow?"

"Well…I mean…I don't think she'll yell more than usual…"

Slowking folded his arms.

"Slowking Slow! Slowking!"

Murph shook his head.

"We'll be fine, Slowking. I'm sure –"

"Murph, lad!"

Murph turned around and saw Professor Hastings exiting the base. He and Slowking ran back to meet him so that he wouldn't have to walk far to reach him.

"Professor!"

Professor Hastings sighed as he adjusted his glasses.

"Whew! I'm glad I caught you before you got too far, lad."

"Is something wrong, Professor?" Murph asked, concerned.

Professor Hastings shook his head.

"Why, not at all. It may actually be quite good for you, actually. There's been something I've been meaning to ask you, Murph."

"Hm?" Murph was confused.

"You see…" Professor Hastings began. But his cell phone started ringing, abruptly cutting him off.

"Oof! Confound it! Blasted thing's always going off. Excuse me one second, Murph."

Murph nodded patiently as Professor Hastings took his cellular phone out of his lab coat pocket and took the call.

"Hastings…Mhmm…Well, have you tried…I know what they said…You…Listen to me, you tell the President of Silph Co. and Mr. Stone that the Ranger Union only manufactures tools and products for the advancement of pokémon, pokémon rangers, and nature itself. If their products cannot be used in conjunction with the pokémon stylers or the pokémon ranger battle suits then we have nothing else to discuss. I am a Professor and a scientist, not a businessman…...I understand that…But we already have tracking devices installed in our Fine Stylers and dowsing mechanics as well, and we are currently working on even greater projects for the betterment of the Pokémon Ranger Profession and the pokémon world around us. Why, there's even talk of us starting up a school for young people who wish to become Pokémon Rangers instead of Pokémon Trainers. The Union is not looking for any kind of partnership…We do not need to expand the franchise anymore; we have stationed many Pokémon Ranger bases in every region throughout the world! We have enough products being marketed by those who admire our fine rangers. We are not merging with Devon or Silph…Their devices are used for pokémon training; ours are used for the preservation and protection of pokémon and nature. I have nothing more to say to them…Well, you have them take it up with our Chairperson, Erma Tanaka. She is the head of the Ranger Union. I am only the Chief of Technology and PR Representative. I am done with this matter. Good-bye!"

Professor Hastings angrily snapped his flip phone shut and put it back in his coat pocket.

"Is something the matter, Professor?" Murph asked.

"Hm?…Oh nothing. Just corporations trying to feed off of the success of the Ranger Union. Greedy CEOs." Professor Hastings sighed. "If only I had an assistant. Dealing with all this corporate nonsense is really boiling my blood!"

"What about Crysta? Wasn't she your assistant?"

Professor Hastings waved his hand.

"Ah, the lass was never really serious about the job. Was only doing it as an internship for a white-collar profession. I suppose she did her part and served her purpose while she was here but she had had other more important things to move on to. Now I have to do everything at the lab by myself. Such a mess it is in there."

"Why don't you just hire another assistant, Professor?"

Professor Hastings glared at Murph.

"After that Go-Rock Squad spy came in and used my research to aid the Go-Rock Squad and copy all of the mechanics of the pokémon stylers and use it against us?!"

Murph frowned.

"Professor, she wasn't really a spy. There was a listening device in one of your hollowed out old books. That's how the Go-Rock Squad found out our plans."

"And how do you think it got there?" Professor Hastings countered. "The dastardly woman was a double agent!"

Murph began to get scared and held his hands up in defense.

"I…I don't think so, Professor. She really thought it was put there by you to see if she was saying bad things behind your back."

"Bah!" Professor Hastings exclaimed. "She was in cahoots with the blasted team and used my research against me! Why do you think she disappeared after we found out? She was guilty!"

Murph shook his head.

"No, Professor. She was just tired of you judging her. You were always suspicious of her."

"And my suspicions were right! Correct! Free of error! The harlot used my research against us and if I ever see that humbug of a woman again! –"

"Okay, Professor! Okay! Let's not talk about her anymore. You're getting all worked up and excited."

Professor Hastings inhaled deeply before releasing a loud exhale. He lowered his cane back down on the ground after raising it above his head in his excitement. Murph had no idea how much contempt Professor Hastings had for his former assistant. Why, he had more hatred for her than Gordor, who was the boss of the Go-Rock Squad to begin with! If Hastings felt betrayed by anyone, he'd certainly think that it would be guided towards his former colleague.

Maybe that's what happened with his other assistant too. Maybe his suspicions scared her away from working. Professor Hastings could be downright scary when infuriated. Why, Murph would even swear he'd seen smoke coming out of the Professor's ears whenever he blew up.

Professor Hastings adjusted his glasses once more and closed his eyes.

"Quite right, Murph. No need to waste anymore breath on that wretched woman. The point is these girls weren't serious about this job and so they had to leave. Besides, I work fine on my own."

'I'm not too sure about that,' Murph thought to himself.

"Um…Professor…You said you wanted to talk to me about something?"

Professor Hastings opened his eyes back up.

"Ah, yes! Thank you for reminding me. It is very important I discuss something with you, Murph."

"Uh…What is it?" he asked still a little nervous.

"Well, lad. As you can see – "

Professor Hastings was again cut off as his cell phone began vibrating again.

"Oof! Blast this cellular device!" Professor Hastings reached into his lab coat pocket once more. "Hello, who is it?!"

No one answered but the phone kept on vibrating in his hands.

"Hello? Hello? Blast this thing!"

"Um…Professor?" Murph said meekly.

"Hm?" He looked at Murph, still holding the vibrating phone to his left ear.

"That's uh…No one's calling you. It's a notification alarm. See the blinking light on the side?"

"Hm?"

Professor Hasting pulled the phone back from his ear and looked at it. It was still vibrating but a blue light was blinking on the side of the silver flip phone. A message was inscribed across the screen.

"Ah, yes! My appointment reminder alarm! Spenser set this up on my phone so that I wouldn't forget all the important events I have scheduled. Now it makes sense." He said excitedly. "I'm sorry. I'm not hip with the workings of a cellular device. I'm more savvy when it comes to the mechanics and engineering of the stylers." He added, embarrassingly.

The Professor put his cell phone back inside his lab coat pocket. "As it stands, we'll have to continue this conversation another time, Murph. I have a board of directors meeting scheduled with the other heads of the Ranger Union about an important matter and I must make haste."

Murph smiled weakly.

"O-Oh. It's alright, Professor. Gotta do your job, right? We can talk whenever it's convenient for you."

"You've got a good spirit, lad. We will talk but for now, I must be going. Enjoy your day off." He said as he started walking away.

"Thank you, Professor." Murph waved. "And try not to stress yourself out too much, okay?"

"Stress is a natural part of life, lad. It's all how you manage it." He yelled from a distance.

Murph watched him leave for a while before his Slowking patted him on his leg.

"Slowking. Slowing Slow."

Murph thumped himself.

"Oh! You're right! We're supposed to be meeting back up with Solana and Lunick. I've got to go tell Aria."

And with that, Murph quickly sprinted off in the direction of Fall City. Slowking followed behind him, shaking his head all the way.


Solana and Leilani had spent the greater part of the morning going through the various outlets in the Fall City Mall. They went shopping for clothes, shopping for skin products, both got manicures and pedicures done, got a couple's massage – they were just absolutely splurging themselves before sitting down in one of the seating areas in the center of the gigantic mall and having a late lunch.

"I'm telling you, Solana. You should have so bought that negligee."

"For what? I'm fine sleeping in my sleep shirts," Solana replied as she took a sip of her mango pineapple smoothie.

"I bet he'd be even happier if you wore a teddy?"

"Leilani!" Solana exclaimed. "Lunick and I are not involved like that. We don't even sleep in the same bed when he stays over. He sleeps on my sofa."

"But he does spend the night there sometimes?" Leilani insisted. "Might be nice to wear something a little suggestive. Oh, I know! A babydoll! That would be so perfect. It's so innocent looking and yet tantalizing at the same time. He's already seen you in one kind of sheer fabric, so I know he'd be pleased."

"Leilani! That was the only nightie I had at the time and Lunick was already embarrassed enough."

"Hint, hint," Leilani said impishly.

A faint blush appeared on Solana's cheeks.

"Leilani," Solana began as she lowered her Styrofoam cup down on the table. "No. The sleep shirts are fine. Even Lunick's T-Shirts and jerseys. They're all really comfortable to sleep in without being overly risqué."

Leilani placed her hands on the table, knowing she was not going to win this argument. She then picked up a Kappa Ebisen chip (a crunchy, shrimp-flavored snack resembling french fries that is very popular in Japan) and popped it in her mouth. Then she took a bite out of one of her onigiri rice balls and wiped her hands clean.

"Well then, if you're not gonna go for the lingerie, at least go to Vixen's Confession and get yourself some pretty panties. You and Lunick still have your date tonight and I know you're not gonna wear those granny panties underneath your LBD."

Solana looked even more flustered. "Leilani!"

"Mhmm…Let me guess, cotton, with little pink hearts on it? Something only appropriate for a little girl's pajama party? Am I right?"

"Leilani, what does what I'm wearing underneath the dress have to do with anything? It's not like he's going to see it anyway."

"Girlfriend, it's not about what he's seeing…yet…" Leilani said with emphasis. "It's about you knowing that you got it going on. It's about feeling sexy underneath your clothes."

"Lunick doesn't care what I'm wearing. He thinks I look good in anything, however plain it may be."

Leilani shook her head. "Sole, you're not listening to me."

She reached into one of her bags and picked out something that was more lace than any other fabric. "When you wear something like this, its YDLS."

"YDLS?"

"Your Dirty Little Secret, girl! It'll make you feel sexy, and if you feel sexy, it'll rub off on your man, and if he should get the chance to see –"

"Leilani!" Solana screamed.

Leilani shrugged and put the amorous undergarment back in her shopping bag.

"I'm just saying. The little black dress is sexy, shows off a lot of skin both in the front and the back, and it's short. Why not go the extra mile and wear something a little more stimulating?"

"I can't believe you bought that." Solana squeaked.

"There's nothing wrong with wearing a little lace, Solana. I bought one for you too."

"What?!"

"YDLS. Feeling sexy on the inside. It'll be even more invigorating once your boy sees it."

If Solana wasn't completely flustered before, she was now.

"Leilani, Lunick and I are not having sex."

"Yet." She emphasized again before eating another Kappa Ebisen chip.

"I am not wearing that. End of discussion."

"Fine. Then get the teddy or the babydoll."

"Leilani! End of discussion!"

Leilani shrugged.

"Fine." She said as she took a long drag on her Nanab berry smoothie.

Solana sighed in annoyance. Leilani knew exactly how to push all her buttons and make her fluster. She loved her friend but she just couldn't tolerate talk about these sorts of things for too long.

Solana tried to shake the embarrassment off and change the subject.

"So, how was the capture challenge last night?"

Leilani rested her cup down.

"It was fine. I absolutely crushed Percy in the Arena. 80 to 165. He didn't stand a chance."

"Wow, that's pretty low."

Again Leilani shrugged and took her drink up for a sip.

"That's probably because he was distracted most of the time."

"By what?"

Leilani paused and put her smoothie back down on the table.

"Well, after you and Lunick left to go on your anniversary date, which, I'm gonna need more detail on by the way on account of that beautiful sapphire necklace you got dangling around your neck, this guy walked in backstage. He said he enjoyed the show and all but really, heh, he was there macking on me."

Solana gasped.

"What, really?"

Leilani nodded.

"I mean, I could see that he was interested, he was very obvious with his flirting. And, uh…Hey, I didn't mind it either. He tagged along with us to the Capture Arena and was cheering me on and everything. That's what probably had Percy hot under the collar and why he performed so badly. Percy says this guy's got bad mojo or he's bad news or something like that, but I think he's just overreacting to his bluntness. He's really not a bad guy at all. And not a hair out of place too. "

Solana raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"Was that a twinkle I saw in your eyes? Am I detecting some affectionate fondness from you, Leilani?"

Leilani giggled.

"Well, he is attractive. And he was gracing me with compliments back-to-back all night. I mean, what girl wouldn't like that?"

Solana's smiled broadened.

"You like him."

"I find him attractive."

"You like him." She singsonged.

"I find him endearing."

"You like him."

"He is intriguing."

"You like him!" Solana shouted excitedly.

Leilani broke out into a huge smile herself and a loud laugh escaped from her mouth.

"Okay! Fine! I like the guy!"

"Yes!" Solana happily exclaimed. "Details! Details!"

Leilani brought her lips back together.

"Well, there isn't much to say, we only just met yesterday. So, there's not much I know about him other than he had a rough childhood growing up."

"Aww," Solana sighed sadly.

"Yeah, but he's a really cool dude. I'm not saying we're gonna be dating or anything, like I said, I don't really know him. But I can't say I wouldn't like to get to know him better? I dunno…But right now, I'd say the prospects of that maybe happening are definitely in my favor…I mean, considering his blatant fondness of me…hehe…Did I mention he's a really cool dude?" Leilani felt like she had Butterfree in her stomach.

Solana's smile returned.

"Oh, that's so cute. Leilani, you've gotta crush."

Leilani shook her strongly.

"It's not a crush. It's a physical attraction. Like I said, I don't know Alejandro all that well. But I wouldn't mind hanging out with him again either."

"But you speak so whimsically about him?" Solana teased as she put her elbows on the table and held her head up with her hands.

Leilani gave her a lazy look. "It's not a crush."

"Hmm…" Solana cocked her head to the side, still holding her head in her hands, "How does it feel to be on the opposite end of the spectrum?"

"What are you talking abou –" Leilani was about to ask before finally realizing what Solana was saying.

She smiled too.

"That was different. You and Lunick were crushing hard on each other and were meant to be together."

"And who's to say you and this Alejandro fellow aren't meant to be as well?" she countered.

Leilani shook her head.

"Girl, at least let me size him up first and enjoy being able to like someone without having to worry about my heart getting broken?"

Solana's smile slowly turned into a frown. She let her arms fall on the table.

"Oh, Leilani. I'm so sorry. I almost completely forgot about – "

Leilani waved her hand to brush it off.

"Don't worry about it, girl. I've, uh…I've learned to respect that he doesn't feel the same way about me. I just wish he picked someone better than that condescending bitch. Murphy deserves better than that thing." Leilani grumbled.

Solana lowered her eyes too.

"I…I can't speak for why Murph would put up with her or even why he wanted to be with her…but…It's not our place to question their relationship, I guess. Or at least that's what Lunick tells me."

"I'd say we have every right. We're his friends. She doesn't treat him right."

"Evenso, we can't interfere, Leilani. Like I told you before, Murph knows how to handle himself. He knew what he was getting into with Aria."

"Yeah, a death sentence," Leilani spat out, "She is going to kill that boy with her insults. Murph is a very sensitive person, Sole. That girl just don't care. She don't. And that's what's so messed up."

"Leilani, whatever goes on between those two is their business. I don't like it anymore than you do, but unless Murph decides for himself that he won't take anymore of her crap, there is nothing we can do."

Solana could see Leilani crushing her empty smoothie Styrofoam cup with her right hand and she knew she had to try and calm her friend down.

She put her hand over Leilani's left one.

"Hey, how about we go and get you that tank we saw in that store? It looked really good on you?"

Leilani put her crumpled cup on the table.

"I'd rather go get that babydoll teddy for you."

"Leilani! We are not having this discussion again!"

"You don't have to wear it to bed. Lunick doesn't even have to see it. Just wear it under your clothes, and maybe, after a heated make-out session, Lunick may take notice that –"

Solana put her hands over her ears. She went ahead and opened that door when she suggested they go clothe shopping again.

"Leilani, no! I'm not talking about this anymore!"

"YDLS, Solana. YDLS!"

"I don't care!"

The two girls' debate was interrupted as Lunick, Murph, Percy, and Freddie came running down the corridor to meet them. A little girl was at Freddie's side, holding his hand.

Lunick gave Solana a kiss on the cheek before making a victory pose behind her.

"Aw-yeah! Babe, I absolutely demolished these guys in the tournament."

"Stop gloating, Lunick." Percy said irritably.

"You're just mad that you lost ten seconds into the round. Sore loser."

"Well, you're a sore winner!"

"How am I a sore winner?"

"Guys, enough," Freddie interjected. "Just admit defeat, Percy. It's all in good fun."

"Especially when you win!" Lunick said as he pumped his fists in the air. "Oh yeah…Uh Huh...I rock! I so rock! I am the ultimate samurai king warrior! I have succeeded in my conquest! Victory is mine! Yeah! Whew!"

"Amp it down a little, Lunick," Solana hushed.

Murph nervously started rubbing the back of his neck.

"Um…Solana?…Leilani?…I…I-I'm sorry…I wasn't able to get Aria to come along with us. She, uh…she said she had better things to do than come here and shop."

Leilani scowled. She knew Murph toned it down so not to make Aria sound like the evil bitch she was.

"It's okay, Murphy. We weren't really looking forward to hanging out with her anyway."

"What do you mean?" Murph asked, confused.

"That…Leilani and I still had fun and enjoyed ourselves even without her being here. So, it's all good, Murph," Solana cut in before Leilani could respond. Showing their mutual disdain for Aria in front of Murph would not be in his best interest at the moment.

"Leilani!" A voice called from a distance.

All the teens turned back to see a young man in his early twenties walk into the circle. He had electric neon blue highlights in his jet black hair and was wearing a blue jogging suit. A golden chain with a 'V' hung from his neck and rested on his chest.

He saddled himself right behind Leilani's chair.

"Man, this place is huge. I'm finally glad I found you."

Percy narrowed his eyes.

"What are you doing here, Alejandro?"

"Hey, check the attitude, Percy. I don't like attitude." He replied, offended.

Leilani turned around in her seat.

"Oh, didn't I tell you, Percy? I invited Alejandro to come out with us since it's our day off and all. Told him to meet us here at the mall."

"This is Alejandro?" Solana asked quietly.

"Yeah, girl. Sorry. Completely slipped my mind that I invited him to come down here."

Solana singsonged in a hushed tone, "Because you like him."

"Shhhh!" she whispered back. "Guys, this is Alejandro Vásquez. Percy and I met him last night during the intermission of the show. Alejandro, these are my friends and fellow pokémon ranger colleagues."

"I know who you guys are," he said nodding. He started naming them, "You're Solana Tsuki and you're Lunick Kaneko, you know, Fiore's famous heroes and all. You're, uh…Actually, I don't know who you other two are."

"I'm Freddie," Freddie answered.

"And I'm Murph. It's nice to meet you, Alejandro." He said cheerily.

"Pleasure's all mine, Murph. Meeting the people who help keep this world safe. It's an honor." His eyes then drifted to the little girl holding Freddie's hand.

"And, uh…what about this little squirt?"

"That's Freddie's daughter, Niema," Leilani answered.

"Whoa, you got a kid?!" Alejandro said, clearly surprised. "Ain't you like seventeen or something?"

"Yes." Freddie said firmly.

Alejandro waved his hands defensively.

"Oh, man. Major respect, dude. I know that can't be easy. Believe me. So, where's the kid's mother?"

Everybody's eyes shot up at that question, as they were all well aware of Freddie's situation with her.

"My Mommy's got tings she's working on right now and can't be wit us," Niema said sadly.

"Aww, that's too bad." Alejandro said sadly as well, "Believe me, kid. I know what it's like not to have parents."

Niema gripped her father's hand tighter and grew fearful.

"I have parents! My Mommy's just working right now. Dat's what my Daddy says. Mommy's working on herself. Dat's why she's not wit us."

"We're fine. Alejandro. Really," Freddie said quickly. He didn't want to upset his daughter anymore than she already was from that statement.

"Alejandro's from Kanto." Leilani said, trying to break the tension caused by Alejandro's unawaringly inappropriate question and lack of tact. "He used to live in Celadon City before moving to Veilstone City in Sinnoh before finally coming here to Fiore recently."

"My brother is a pokémon breeder in Sinnoh," Solana commented.

"That's cool." Alejandro said. "You're from Sinnoh?"

"No, I'm originally from Orre. I moved over to Fiore myself to become a Pokémon Ranger."

Alejandro nodded. "I've been to Orre. Pyrite Town. Spent some time there before going to Sinnoh. It's a beautiful island."

"Very beautiful," Solana agreed.

"It's far too. Gotta travel for days before even reaching the region. It's like a distant land or something."

"It is kinda off the grid but that has more to do with its history and origins."

Alejandro again nodded.

"Yeah, yeah. I see what you're saying. Seems like a nice place to vacation to. Maybe I'll go back someday."

Solana nodded too, then turned her attention back to the little girl who was holding Freddie by his hand. The little girl had caramel brown skin and light brown hair done up in two curly pigtails. She was wearing a purple dress, a frilly jean jacket, white stockings, and purple Mary Jane shoes. She was still frowning from the conversation about her mother.

"Hey there, sweetie," Solana said cheerfully as she held her arms out.

The little girl's face lit up and she instantly ran over to Solana and hugged her.

"Auntie 'Lana!" the little girl cried as she was pulled up into Solana's lap.

"How're you doing there, honeybunch?" she said, trying her best to cheer the little girl up.

"Daddy took me to da Horsea down at da fron' of da mall and lemme ride on 'is back."

"I remember when I used to ride Horsea when I was younger. That was so fun."

"It was willy fun!" the little girl said excitedly.

Freddie folded his arms.

"Yeah, I had to bring her along with us guys. Once she found out I had the day off, she picked at me constantly for a day of fun."

"Nah, it's cool. We love seeing lil' Nay," Lunick said as tousled her hair, much to her displeasure. Minun then jumped in her lap and she instantly cuddled with the little electric mouse.

"You know, if you're still having sitter problems, you know any of us would happily look after her when we're not on the job?" Leilani offered.

Freddie smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate it, guys. You know I do. But only if you guys are available and able to. We all have to work. We all have the same job. I do have her go down to the little Pokémon Breeder Center near our house. They offer daycare services for children too and it gives Niema a chance to play and interact with the baby pokémon and still be supervised. I just can't afford a babysitter right now, but hopefully that'll change soon."

"Hey! I don' need no babysitta! I not no baby, Daddy!" the three-year old complained.

"You're right, Niema. You're a big girl now. But you still need looking after."

Niema started petting Minun on his head, causing him to purr in delight.

"Daddy, can I get my own pokémon now?"

"No, baby."

Niema stopped petting, Minun and crossed her arms, upset. Minun sighed as the petting stopped but he still remained in the little girl's lap.

"Why not?!" she demanded.

"Because you're not old enough to have a pokémon of your own. Besides, we do have a pokémon. We have Weavile. Don't we, pal?" he said as he looked down at his partner pokémon.

The Weavile nodded.

"Weavile! Weave!"

Freddie's daughter shook her head.

"Weavy spen' more time wit you at work dan wit me. I don't get to play wit anyone. Only wit the pokés at da centa. It's not fair!"

"Niema, when you get a little older maybe we can talk about getting you a pokémon, but for right now it's not gonna happen, baby."

Niema still kept her arms folded. Minun then hopped from the little girl's lap to the ground.

Suddenly, a lady wearing a stylish white business suit appeared in front of the group. She had big round shades over her eyes and was carrying a narrow black briefcase.

"Pardon me, lovelies," the woman said as she entered the group. She spoke in what appeared to be a German-like accent. "But might you be the pokémon rangers who performed for the Hearts and Souls Foundation last night?"

"Y-Yes…We are," Solana answered.

The woman smile broadly.

"Perfect." She removed her gigantic shades, revealing her emerald green eyes.

Leilani immediately gasped.

"Oh my God! Victorian Starsi!"

"Who?" Solana whispered.

"Victorian Starsi! She is a fashion maven! She's an expert in all things fashion. One of the greatest fashion designers ever to have existed. Trainers Magazine, PokéDays, Affairs of the Heart, Noir Dior, Reflections, Built for Heath! She's the head editor-in-chief of all of those magazines and more! Victorian Starsi is the fashion maven of the world! She even discovered Elesa of Unova! She's a fashion legend!" Leilani exclaimed.

"Indeed, I am. Thank you for that wondrous introduction, lovely," Victorian said with a smile, "I must say, I was very impressed with you young people the way you performed yesterday. I was on my way to a casting call for many of our various projects, but you teens caught my eye. There is something…Very appealing about you. There are many campaigns my agencies are currently running and working on and I believe you rangers should be booked as models for three of them. Commercial modeling at best, of course. Maybe advertising but we talk details later."

"Models?!" Leilani shrieked as she pulled on her braids.

"Of course, the first will only be a testing photo shoot, you all will be needing to build your portfolios before we move on to the final photo shoot. But I think you all fit the bill nicely. And I am not just saying this because two of you are Fiore's esteemed heroes."

Leilani was freaking out. "Oh my God! A model! I'm gonna be a model for Victorian Starsi! I can't believe it!"

"Awesome!" Lunick exclaimed.

Victorian felt her pager vibrating and scowled. She quickly took out her business card and handed it to Solana before handing one to each of the remaining rangers.

"You take this. We will be in the Fall City Cruqué Studio this week. I'll have you work with my photographer Gisela Ezpreza and my creative consultant Raúl Gardoza. I highly advise you come." She said as she looked at them. Then she frowned when she saw Murph.

"Uh, except you, young man. You do not have what we're looking for in a model."

"O-Oh…Okay. Not a problem," Murph said shyly.

She looked at Percy as well.

"Neither do you. We have a certain image to uphold for these campaigns and you do not meet the criteria of what they are looking for."

Percy shrugged.

"Whatever."

Starsi put back on her shades.

"I must be going now. The date and time of the shoot is on the back of the cards. Be there on time or don't be there at all. But you will be missing up on a glorious opportunity."

"We'll be there! We'll be there!" Leilani exclaimed. "Right, Solana?"

Solana bit her lower lip.

"Uh…right…Would hate to disappoint." She said uneasily.

"Superb." Said Victorian. The fashion maven started walking away, "And they are for a good cause, lovelies. I must be off now. But I repeat myself: Be there on time or don't be there at all. And I mean it!"

Leilani could not stop squealing. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe I'm going to be a model! A model for Victorian Starsi of all people! Representing Victorian Starsi!"

"Yeah, you got that in the bag, 'Lani," Alejandro said excitedly, happy for her. "You're definitely model material!"

Niema hopped out of Solana's lap and ran over to her father, vigorously shaking his hand.

"Dat true, Daddy? You gon be a model like da people we see in da magazines?"

Freddie chuckled.

"I…guess so. Probably just promotional material. Nothing fancy, sweetie."

"But you gon be in a magazine, Daddy!"

Again, Freddie chuckled.

"I've been in magazines before, Niema."

"Yeah, but dat was work stuff. Dis is fashion stuff."

"And what do you know about fashion?"

"More dan you, Daddy," she replied smartly before pulling him by his hand. "C'mon, Daddy! I gotta teach yah some poses an' stuff for da fancy lady or you never be on da cover of a magazine again! Then you be so upset, I never get my pokémon. C'mon, Daddy! C'mon!"

Still laughing, Freddie thought he'd humor his daughter since she was in such a good mood now.

He looked back at the others.

"So, uh…I guess I'll be seeing you guys tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sure Freddie," Lunick answered, looking confusingly at the business card Victorian had handed him.

Freddie nodded back before disappearing in the crowd of mall shoppers.

"WHOO-HOO!" Leilani howled. "I am going to be a fashion model! I can't believe it! Uh-Uh! I am going to be a fashion model! I feel like singing! Let's go singing! We have to celebrate! Let's go celebrate! AH! I'm gonna be a fashion model!"

Leilani happily sprinted away, Alejandro excitingly and quickly following behind her.

Percy shook his head.

"I hope she's not thinking of going where I think she's going."

"Hey, she's happy. Let her enjoy herself," Murph replied.

Percy shrugged.

"Yeah, well. I still don't like this Alejandro fellow. I'm gonna go find them and make sure Leilani keeps her head on straight." Percy said as he started walking away.

Murph watched him go, then looked back at Solana and Lunick.

"Uh…you guys wanna go join Leilani and Percy wherever they're going?"

Lunick fanned himself with the card before putting it in his pants pocket.

"If Solana's game, sure. Why not? Solana?"

Solana didn't respond. She looked almost transfixed by the card.

"Solana?"

Solana was still focused on the card. She wasn't moving at all, which was concerning to Lunick. He pulled up a chair beside her and sat next to her.

"Uh, Murph? How 'bout you go ahead with them, meanwhile?"

Murph looked at his watch.

"Actually, I have to be getting back to Aria's. Daily massages for Meowphy, remember?"

"Okay. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, man."

Murph nodded to his friend before walking away in the opposite direction that led to the elevator that took shoppers down to the lower level.

Lunick placed his hands on top of Solana's while Plusle and Minun jumped on the table in front of them. She was still holding tightly onto the card.

"Solana? Baby?…Are you alright?"

Solana barely opened her mouth to say something, but still nothing.

"What's wrong, Babe?" Lunick asked again, this time touching the card with his right index finger and thumb, attempting to gently lower it down.

"Solana?"

Lunick's light tugging on the card was enough to snap Solana out of her trance.

"Huh? What?" she said perplexed.

Lunick took the card from between her hands and placed it on the table.

"What's wrong, Solana?"

Solana vigorously shook her head and blinked twice before rubbing her eyes, as if staring at the card for so long affected her vision and upset her head.

"What do you mean?" she asked as she reopened her eyes.

"You like, zoned out there for a moment. Actually, I don't know how long it was. It's like you weren't aware of your surroundings ever since that fashion lady Starsi gave you her business card."

Solana looked back down at the card.

"With the appointment of the photo shoot." She said softly.

Lunick's frown deepened as he started to get a sense of what was going on.

"Is this what's buggin' you? Modeling?"

"I…" she stammered. "…I…I mean…It's a photo shoot."

"We've taken pictures for magazines before?"

"Yeah, celebrity print magazines. Pictures taken covering our escapades as a ranger, not fashion editorials advertising, appealing, and marketing to the public. I'm not a couture model, I'm not a glamour model, I'm not a runway model, I'm not anything!"

Lunick held her hands again.

"Whoa, calm down, Solana."

"I have fashion magazines but that doesn't mean I'm qualified to be a model! Those girls, they're pretty and sexy and gorgeous and they know how and what to do with their bodies and I can't do that! I can't have all that focus on me! I can't take pictures for Versace, Noir Dior, and Vouge; I'm not like gravure idols or fitness models. I'm just…I'm just!…"

"Solana!" Lunick rested his hands on his girlfriend's shoulders. "Calm down. Deep breaths. Deep breaths, Babe. Please. Deep breaths."

Solana complied with his request to try and calm herself down but he could see that she was shaking and that her cheeks were wet.

"You don't need to stress out about this. We're not doing couture and we are for sure not doing anything editorial. We're not models. Most likely this is just a promotional gig or commercial advertising, like Freddie said. The lady said it was for a good cause. And after the charity event we had last night, this may just be another opportunity to raise awareness for something important. We've done appearances like that before? Haven't we?"

Solana continued to try and slow her breathing.

"But we've never done a photo shoot. They're going to be taking pictures of us. Of me."

"We've taken pictures for magazines before?"

"Photo…Shoot, Lunick! Means modeling! I am not a model. Famous photographers and creative consultants are not needed in the pictures taken by the press. I'm not…I'm not built like a model and I'm not pretty like a model."

Lunick put his hand under her chin and brought her up to face him.

"Hey…You are beautiful…You are gorgeous. Don't you ever question that."

Solana turned away from him and started wiping her face with her hands.

"Look, Solana. If it is causing you this much anxiety, then maybe we shouldn't do the photo shoot."

Solana immediately looked back up at him.

"What?! No! I have to do it. Leilani is so excited. And it's for some kind of good cause."

"None of that is worth compromising your health or making you feel uncomfortable. Who cares what some snooty fashion editor thinks? And Leilani will understand. Sure, it would be nice to get a cover on a flashy magazine, but really, we don't need the exposure or extra publicity."

Solana sniffled. "No…I want to do it…I'm just afraid." She said softly.

"You just said you can't deal with the pressure –"

"Because I'm afraid! I mean…I don't know!…I could sing to thousands of people in a concert but I can't take a couple pictures for a magazine?…What's wrong with me?!" Solana asked as she held her head and sobbed quietly.

Lunick watched her silently for a moment and rubbed her back gently, allowing her to get the emotions out. Then, he once again took her hands in his.

"Let's not worry about the photo shoot for now. Let's just focus on enjoying the rest of our work-free day together."

Solana again sniffled, still staring at the appointment card on the table.

Seeing that she was still obsessing about it, Lunick took up the card and placed it in his pants pocket with the other one.

"Lunick?…Wha?" Solana said confused.

"No more stressing. How's 'bout we go see a movie? Take your mind off of today?"

"I don't really feel like going out anywhere…To be honest, I'd rather curl up in a ball in my room."

"O…Kay…Well, we're not gonna isolate ourselves. How about we go back to my house and we can just lie down on my couch, listening to ocean wave soundscapes to relax you and get all zenned out? I'll even throw in some hot chocolate with marshmellows?"

That made her smile.

"Would you mind?"

"Why would I?"

Solana rested her head on his chest and Lunick wrapped his arms around her.

"Can we go to my house instead? I just feel more at peace in my own home."

"Then your home we shall go."

Solana sat back up.

"I love you, Lunick."

"I love you too," he replied before they both shared a tender kiss.

Lunick stood up.

"Come on. Let's go. Time to give my GF a full afternoon and evening of lovin'."

"Hmm." Solana said as she threw away her and Leilani's uneaten food and empty cups in the trashcan.

"You need me to help you carry your bags?"

Solana turned around to see Lunick picking up her various shopping bags. Then she realized Leilani had forgotten her bags there as well when she sprinted off. She quickly ran over to his side and picked up her bags so Lunick wouldn't see what was in them.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing. It's just Leilani forgot some of her stuff and I know she wouldn't want you looking at them. In fact…"

She reached for the bags that Lunick was holding as well. "I think I'll carry mine's too."

"Well now you've got me interested." He said slyly, appearing to peek inside one of her shopping bags.

Solana gasped. "Lunick!"

Lunick lowered the bags back down.

"I'm only kidding. Isn't this what you wanted me to do earlier, anyway? Carry your many shopping bags?"

"Lunick, please –"

"I'm not gonna look in your bags, Solana. Okay? It was a joke. We really need to get you home to listen to those beach sounds. You're so jumpy. My goodness. What do you got in here? Sexy lingerie or something? Geez!" he asked sarcastically as he started walking away with Minun.

Solana exhaled softly before following behind Lunick and Minun with Plusle.

Lunick had no idea just how close to home he was with that last statement.


A/N: Okay! I know there are a lot of things crammed into this one chapter but it will smooth out. I promise. I am going to take my time exploring every character's inner emotional conflicts as well as their external ones and even their backstories. This chapter may seem like a filler, but really, everything mentioned in this chapter is relevant to the story, even though you can't see it right now (or maybe some of you have picked up on a few things already). I'm not going to spoil anything else in the story but I will say that this story will be more realistic and intense than Inevitable Love. Every issue they face, whether internal (mental) or external (physical), is relatable to everyone on some level and there is also a reason and/or a backstory for why they are the way they are. Also, all the surnames of the characters are completely my own. So their last names are only canon in my stories. Just thought I'd bring that up in case there was any speculation since the characters real last names are never mentioned in either the manga or the short cameos Solana had in the anime (as far as I know).

There are going to be some flaws considering the modeling aspect in the beginning of the story because I am not depicting the process of the photo shoots and the process of modeling in general following what traditionally and what normally would happen in the real world, rather, how it fits in with the pokémon fantasy world and how it would be represented within it. I do name a few real world fashion brands and magazines, but in essence, the procedure of modeling, in this story at least, is not in line with the real-life process of doing casting calls, going on go-sees, and meeting with the designers. I just felt it imperative that I make that clear.

Just as with the pokémon anime and manga I'm going to be incorporating some Japanese customs and Japanese dishes into the story like I did at the end of Inevitable Love. Even though this is my own story, I do want to touch on some of the things that are mentioned in both the pokémon world and the real world. But I will have other cultures blended in there as well, not just Japanese (e.g. Lunick's love of Italian meatballs and corndogs). Also, the minor OC Victorian Starsi does have a German accent but I do not want to incorrectly or inaccurately represent how certain words would be pronounced through text, such as "zee" for "the" and "zat" for "that". So I hope you guys are able to hear or imagine her accent, even though I am not writing it out phonetically. And if not, well, it doesn't really matter. You can read it with an English or American accent or with any accent. Whatever you feel most comfortable with.

I know Christmas has already passed. I don't think I'll be able to get the Pokémon Ranger Christmas story uploaded before the New Year's, unfortunately. So I apologize for that. I really did try but life has been messing with me a lot lately. But I do hope to publish it soon. I won't estimate as to when because, again, life, but I will try to get it published as soon as possible.

With that said, Happy Holidays Everyone! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and will have a prosperous new year!

Best Wishes to All of You!

Please Don't Forget to Review!

And Always Do Everything With Love

XyKPfan