Leilani sighed heavily as she walked up the steps to her house. She was so exhausted from all the missions she and Percy had to complete today. It seemed like their case load was getting bigger and bigger every day.
Taking her keys out of her pack, she had barely gotten it in the keyhole when a voice called from behind.
"You're back late." The voice said coolly.
Startled, Leilani jumped back and Lucario prepared to attack. They saw Alejandro emerging out of the shadows moments afterwards.
Leilani exhaled and she held her chest. Lucario's eyes hardened slightly as he dispelled his Aura Sphere and stood beside her.
"Alejandro. You startled me."
He didn't say anything as he stepped closer to her.
"Just getting in?" he asked coolly.
Leilani lowered her hands. "Yeah, I've been really busy. These last few weeks have been kind of hectic."
She looked passed him and saw his truck parked off to the side of the road near her house.
"Have you been here all night?"
Again, he didn't answer. He eyed Leilani up and down.
"And you were working this entire time?"
"Yes. Why would you even ask that? I'm a ranger. You know I'm out a lot on missions."
"Sure you are." He replied sharply.
Leilani's eyes hardened slightly.
"Excuse me?"
"You were out with that partner of yours all night, right?"
"Percy? Yes, he's my partner. We always complete missions together."
Alejandro's eyes flared slightly and he balled his hands into fists. He suddenly grabbed Leilani's wrist and spun her around, still looking her up and down.
Leilani pulled away and freed herself from his grasp while Lucario took a defensive position in front of her.
"What is wrong with you? You can't just grab me like that! I'm not a doll!"
Alejandro made a rude sound.
"Excuse me for wondering where my girlfriend was when we were supposed to be going to the Pokéathlon to watch the pokémon race."
Leilani thumped herself on her head.
"Oh, yeah. Our date. I'm sorry, I forgot."
"You forgot?"
"I got tied up at work. My Area Leader has me going out on missions left and right."
Alejandro crossed his arms. "You stood me up."
"I assure you, it was not intentional. I've just had so much work to do."
"All that money wasted. Do you know how expensive those tickets are? Do you know what else I could have been doing with my time and money if I knew you weren't gonna show up?"
"I'm sorry. What else do you want me to say? I had to work. I can't just pick and choose my hours."
"Don't you all have shifts? Seems to me you're working the same hours every night."
"Alejandro, Percy and I are the most experienced rangers in Summerland. And it just so happens we've been having a lot of high ranked missions that the other rangers are not qualified to handle. I should've called you and told you I was working late today."
"Oh, I'm sure you would have had you remembered we were supposed to go out."
There was so much iciness in his voice Leilani thought she was going to freeze solid from his words alone.
She walked closer to him and put her hands on his chest.
"Look, I'm sorry. Okay? I'm really sorry. I'll talk to my boss in the morning and see if I can get off early tomorrow so we can hang out."
"Are you gonna compensate me for my tickets?"
Leilani was a little taken aback by the question but she answered.
"I can pay for the tickets for us to go out tomorrow, okay? I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Alejandro still stared at her with angry eyes.
"Tch. You better." He muttered as he turned around and left.
Leilani watched him get in his truck and drive off until he was out of sight.
"What is his deal?" she questioned.
Lucario just continued to stare down the path Alejandro had taken. Something about this human's aura was off and he didn't like him being around his ranger.
Solana stepped out of the elevator and saw Lunick feverishly typing on Spenser's computer.
She walked over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek from behind.
"Working hard I see?"
"Yeah. I gotta send this statement to the Union regarding the new stylers for the region. I attached Kevin and Mark's notes regarding the extent of the damage to the report. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and the shipment will be fast-approved."
The elevator's doors slid open again and Iyori stepped outside. She was clutching a red folder to her chest and held a glass Petri dish in one of her hands.
"Hey, Iyori," Solana said. "How was your first day?"
Iyori frowned as she approached the two of them.
"I'm…not too sure…I told your Professor everything I knew about the atmospheric conditions and pokémon recorded in space, but I am not sure I was very much help. It is difficult to read your Professor…He is quite eccentric."
Lunick smiled. "Don't worry, Iyori. The first day's always tough. Just give it some time and you'll adapt, I'm sure."
Solana nodded. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad. And Professor Hastings is a bit temperamental. But you'll get used to his laundry list of quirks. I'm sure you told him everything he needed to hear."
"What's that you got in your hand, Iyori?" Lunick asked, referring to the red folder and cell-culture dish she was clutching so tightly.
Iyori straightened up and handed Lunick the glass Petri dish. She then opened the folder and skimmed through it. There were several papers and charts inside.
"I've analyzed the notes from Solana-san's sample of the excavated rock matter and the Professor's notes and it seems to me that the results are inconclusive."
"Why do you say that?" Lunick asked.
"None of the DNA strands can be isolated. From what I can gather, the genetic code appears to be similar to that of an adult Beartric, however another pokémon's genetic characteristics appear to be in the DNA profile as well. It's bizarre. It's as if the DNA has been compromised."
"You mean like in cross-contamination?"
"I'm not sure."
Lunick looked at Solana.
"Solana?"
Solana folded her arms. "I'm offended you would even ask. I did everything by the book. There was no way the sample could have been contaminated when I collected it. Ask Murph. He was right there with me when I dug out the rock."
"Nothing in Professor Hastings' notes suggests he did anything to contaminate the sample or in Solana-san's report. However, the RFLP analysis is inconclusive and the VNTR alleles are intermixed, unable to be separated. "
Lunick handed the sterilized container back to Iyori.
"I'll have forensics analyze it back at HQ. Maybe they can isolate the individual strands better than we can. Iyori, if you don't mind. Can you contact Professor Hastings and let him know that I need his approval to send the sample back to the Union for further analysis? I'd do it myself but I'm kind of swamped here."
Iyori nodded and took the small container back from him.
"Yes, Lunick-sama."
Iyori slowly shuffled back to the elevator. Solana raised her eyebrow questioningly.
"Sama? It's –sama now?"
Lunick shook his head. "Don't read too much into it, babe. It's just a more respectful version of –san, which I've noticed she is starting to call you?"
Solana brushed it off. "No, she's just not afraid of me anymore, that's all. Least she's no longer calling you –chan."
"Solana –"
"I get it, I get it. I just don't like hearing it."
Just then, someone entered the Ringtown Ranger base. It was a young man with spiky brown hair.
"Yes? Can I help you?" Lunick asked.
The young man nodded. "You most certainly can. I been waiting by my phone for days waiting for a 'yay' or 'nay' as to whether I got the job."
Lunick scrunched up his face in confusion. "Job?"
"Uh, yeah? What's his name…Spenser, told me he'd get back to me after I handed in my application."
Lunick was still confused for a few more moments before it finally clicked.
"Oh! Wait…" he went sifting through Spenser's cabinet drawers and pulled out a large blue binder. In it were several manila folders. After flipping through a few, he pulled out one and skimmed through it.
"Leader told me you were coming in. Thomas, right? You applied to be a Pokémon Ranger two weeks ago?"
"Yes I did."
Lunick placed the folder on the table.
"I'm so sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet about your application. We've just been really busy here."
Lunick continued to flip through the pages of the packet in the folder.
"It looks like your application is incomplete."
Thomas scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah, well, I filled out what was relevant. All that other stuff about job experience and field work I've never really done so I didn't really know how to answer them."
Lunick walked around Spenser's desk with the folder. "I understand. It's a pretty big packet and it can be a little overwhelming if you're not sure what to do. If you come with me maybe I can help you fill it out and we can finish the application process together."
"Thank you, Lunick."
"You know my name?"
"Yeah, don't you remember me?"
Lunick glanced at Solana and she shook her head 'no'. He took out a pen and closed one of the drawers in Spenser's desk.
"I can't say we do. Have we met before?"
Thomas grinned. "Ouch. If I didn't have so much respect for you I may even be offended by that remark. Two years ago? The newly renovated Jungle Relic? The quaking, lava and geysers spewing out of the place? There was Entei…And my sister…"
Lunick and Solana both frowned deeply.
"Oh…Jara's rescue mission…" Solana said sadly.
Thomas nodded.
"Yeah. We were messing around in the Jungle Relic and got trapped. You two were dispatched to save us. Hard to believe you would forget something like that."
Lunick shook his head. "Believe me, we never forgot that mission."
"I may have subconsciously blocked out your name, but I would never forget that for as long as I live. I'm so sorry about what happened to your sister." Solana said sadly.
Thomas shook his head. "Well, you did your best right? And you saved me? So, that must count for something."
"Still. A loss is a loss. I only wish we'd gotten there sooner." Lunick said as he approached him once me.
Thomas shrugged.
"Please. It's in the past. I don't like to think about it too much. It took me this long to finally be able to say Jara's name without breaking down all the time. Besides, that encounter is what led me to wanting to become a Pokémon Ranger in the first place. I want to help people so that they don't have to go through what my family and I did."
"I understand that pain." Lunick said as he rested a hand on his shoulder. He turned back to face Solana. "Solana, can you please hold down the fort while I go help Thomas with this application?"
"Of course, Baby."
She gave him a light kiss on the lips.
Lunick smiled.
"Thanks, Babe," he walked with Thomas to the kitchenette in the other room.
As Solana turned around to go behind Spenser's desk, the double doors to the base slid opened again. A young girl with platinum blonde hair and large blue dove eyes wearing the Ringtown Ranger Base uniform stepped inside. A Bibarel was walking beside her.
"Howdy, Solana!"
Solana turned back around and smiled.
"Hey there, Tara. Done with your mission already?"
The young girl nodded.
"Absolutely. Bibby and I wrangled up them rowdy critters and had them back in their natural habitat in no time. Right, Bibby?"
"Bair Bair!" the Bibarel cried.
"That's great. Hopefully that fence in the Kisara Plains gets patched up so they don't escape the enclosure again."
Tara nodded. She crossed her legs and put her left hand in her pants pockets.
"So, where's the chief? I half-expected to see you two saddled up behind dis here desk smoochin' and carryin' on like you usually do."
Solana blushed and grinned sheepishly.
"We've literally never done that, Tara."
"Dere's always a first for everything. So, where is the boss?"
Solana sat down behind Spenser's desk.
"You do know Lunick's only Area Leader temporarily until Spenser returns?"
"'Course I do. But a boss is still a boss. So where is he?"
"He's in the other room helping someone with an application."
Tara's eyes stretched wide.
"Shoot, no kiddin'? We gettin' another ranger?"
"Looks like."
Tara slapped her thigh.
"Hoot now! That's great to hear. It's been a long while since someone signed up to join the crew. I don't think we've had a new recruit since…since –"
"You?" Solana finished for her.
Tara crossed her arms.
"I'm sure we've gotten more rangers since I been around."
"Not in Ringtown."
"Doesn't matter…Have I really been working here for three years?"
"Yep."
"Gosh. Seems like just yesterday you were showin' me how to use dis here styler," she held up her Fine Styler for emphasis before putting it back in its holder. "That was one experience I'd surely never forget. My how time flies."
"Mhmm."
Tara was silent for a moment before turning her attention back to Solana.
"Hey…Solana?"
Solana looked up from Spenser's computer.
"Yeah?"
"I know I'm not as high a rank as you or Lunick, and so, I don't go out and experience all the dangers that you two have. I wanted to become a ranger because of the thrill. The adventure of exploring the land and helping pokémon. But there are some serious threats out there, you know? That whole Go-Rock Squad thang, then the Shadow Pokémon takeover a few years back…That's some serious stuff…"
Solana stopped typing.
"Being a Pokémon Ranger is a high-stakes job. Not everyone who goes into this profession makes it out alive. You're right, Lunick and I have faced way more dangerous, precarious and life threatening things than people who have been working as a Ranger for decades. But that's just what we've had to deal with. We signed on to be a ranger knowing all the dangers that came with it."
"Do you ever get…scared?"
"Of course I do. Tara, do you know how many times I thought I was going to die while on a mission? That Shadow Pokémon ordeal alone had me so terrified. And I almost didn't make it. But there are times when you don't have time to be afraid. You have to act or else you may not be the only one who may not survive. Basic Flight-or-Fight. Like I said, being a Pokémon Ranger is a high-stakes occupation, and at times, a great sacrifice. But if we don't put our lives on the line to protect this world…who will? Someone has to maintain order in all the regions so that trainers can travel, pokémon can thrive in the wild, and so that every living creature on this earth can live knowing they are safe from the atrocities we unfortunately have to face in this world. Yes, there are times I think, 'this person can really kill me. I can die.' Literally, all it would take is one crazy and one bullet. And it literally almost had several times now. But that's the risk we have to take to defend our region. That's what Pokémon Rangers do."
Tara was bent over on the desk, her head resting on her hand as she continued to watch Solana intensely, her large Pidove eyes nearly pouring into her soul.
Solana stood up and walked closer to her.
"Is something bothering you, Tara?"
Tara straightened up.
"Me, no. Just with all the recent changes, Spenser being hurt, Lunick becoming Area Leader, and the new recruit and all, it's really got me thinking just how much you two put your lives on the line every day."
"You do the same thing, Tara?"
She shook her head.
"Not like you two. Yah'll are somethin' real special. This world would be lost without yah. There were times I wondered, was it all worth it? All the things you two've gone through? But you just reaffirmed just how worthwhile it all is. I was lucky to have you as my mentor. Just promise me yah'll will be sticking around for a long while longer? I don't want to have to worry about yah'll croaking on me before I reach Ace rank as well."
Solana smiled softly and put her arm around Tara.
"Don't you worry, Tara. Lunick and I will be here for a long while to come. We won't stop until we're well past our prime."
Tara smiled back. "I'm glad to hear that."
It was then that Lunick and Thomas reentered the room.
Lunick walked up to Spenser's desk and placed the packet he held in a folder bin.
"Alrighty. Now that that's taken care of, Thomas, you are now officially a Pokémon Ranger. Welcome aboard!"
Thomas pumped his fists in the air.
"Whoo yeah! Alright!"
Lunick smiled and turned to Tara.
"Tara, back from your mission?"
"Yes, sir."
"Great. I want you to show Thomas here some of the basics. Take him in the field and show him around. Show him some of the features of the styler and a few basic steps to make a capture."
Tara howled.
"Whoo doggie! Now that's what I'm talking about! Showing the new kid the ropes!"
Lunick stepped behind Spenser's desk and took out a Trainee Styler.
"Aren't you like, fourteen?" Thomas questioned.
Tara crossed her arms.
"I am a full-fledged Pokémon Ranger, sir. My age is irrelevant."
Thomas turned to Lunick.
"Can't one of you two teach me?"
"Tara's a fantastic ranger, Thomas. She won't steer you wrong."
He held out the small styler but before Thomas could take it Tara had it in her hands.
"I'll take that. I'm deducting points off your score for your sass, rookie. For every snarky comment that comes outta yer mouth, you'll lose one point."
"Score? What score? What are you talking about?"
"That's two points, rookie."
"What?"
"Three points."
"How can you –"
"Four points, plus two for tone and one more for body language. Keep dis up rookie and you'll fail before you even start."
Thomas was completely addled by Tara's behavior.
Putting the styler in her pack, Tara walked behind him and started pushing Thomas out the door.
"Hop to it, rookie. We haven't a moment to lose. Bibby and I will have you trained real good before the day it out."
"Bair Bair!"
"See yah later, boss!"
And with that, she was out the door.
Lunick chuckled lightly.
"Boss? What is up with her?"
"She's just being herself," Solana said with a slight giggle.
Treecko was quiet as she made scratch marks on the floor of her den with a small twig. She hadn't left her den for moons, not because she was not allowed, but because she was honestly too afraid. She tried to pay attention to her pa's lectures but she just couldn't get her mind to focus. She was still thinking about the encounter they had with the scary pokémon moons ago. He had been called to settle a dispute between the Arbok and Tropius in the evergreens and she was left in the care of her mother.
Lopunny carried a bouquet of berries wrapped in a palm tree leaf over to Breloom.
"Here you are, Breloom. These herbal berries should help heal the abrasions on your claws. I've also made a special elixir for your young one's clipped frills. Just soak your claws in the Durin and Ganlon berry's juices and then sand off the calluses. The Hondew Berry will also help to ease the pain."
The female Breloom took the wrapped berries.
"Oh, thank you Queen Lopunny. Your kindness and generosity is much appreciated." She nudged her young one lightly with her knee. "Say thank, Shroomish. Had it not been for the Queen's kindness you'd have to deal with your injury."
Shroomish swayed shyly.
"Thank you, Queen Lopunny."
"You're welcome young Shroomish." She replied with a warm smile.
Breloom grumbled, "Maybe next time you'll listen to me when I say to stay out of the thicket."
Shroomish moaned. "I just wanted to practice my fighting technique so I can become a pro like you."
"You are not a fighting-type yet, Shroomish. Your integument is not yet strong enough to handle the briery. You are to stay in the damp soil in the depths of the forest near our nesting grounds only. No venturing out passed that ever again that until you are ready on my say so. Am I understood?"
"Yes, mother."
"Good," the female Breloom looked back up to Lopunny, "Thank you again my dear Queen. We will use the remedies right away. My apologies for any trouble this may have caused you."
"Oh, it was no trouble at all. I know what it is like to have an adventurous young one always trying to get away," she glanced back at Treecko with a smile but she didn't respond.
Breloom nodded.
"Well then, we'll be off now my Queen."
"I wish you safe travels back home. The storm is particularly trying this night."
"No need to worry, Queen Lopunny. My kind is used to travel in damp conditions. Thank you again. Come along Shroomish."
The little mushroom pokémon scurried up his mother's leg and grasped onto her shoulder with his tiny feet. He burrowed himself into her frills on her neck and once she felt him secured, she hopped out of the cave down below.
Lopunny watched her until she reached the ground and sprinted away before turning back around and facing Treecko. She was still making marks on the floor of the cavern with her small twig.
Signing, Lopunny slowly walked over to her young one. She crouched on the ground beside her.
"How are you doing, dear?"
Treecko didn't answer. She just rested the twig on the ground at her feet.
Lopunny frowned. She glanced over at the pile of berries beside her.
"Treecko dear, you've hardly touched your supper."
"I'm not very much hungry, Mama," she said sadly.
Lopunny looked back at her daughter.
"Treecko, you have been sitting here in this den solemn for moons now. You have not smiled or tried to go with your father out to survey the land. You are not your sprightly joyous self. My heart is worried. What is bothering you, young one?"
Treecko didn't answer. She wrapped her large tail around herself and held it.
Lopunny continued to frown.
"Dear, are you frightened? Do you fear outside because of the strange creature?"
Treecko finally looked back up at her mother. She didn't say anything but her eyes told her the answer.
Lopunny shook her head.
"I know it can be frightening not to know what to expect. But you cannot spend your days trying to avoid all the dangers. That's just no plausible, dear. But you have nothing to fear. Your father will keep us safe. Him and all the region's elders. No harm will come to any beast in this land."
Treecko looked back up to her mother.
"But Mama, I'm supposed to take Pa's place. I'm supposed to be in charge and reign and protect the pokémon of Sekra one day…but I can't. I'm not strong enough. And I'm scared."
"Darling, you are still quite young. No beast is asking you to take on such responsibility right now."
Treecko quickly stood to her feet.
"But what if I'm never strong enough? You should have seen Pa back then, Mother. He commanded such authority and bravery. He lacked no courage. He sensed when the strange creature was approaching and engaged in battle without even batting an eye. He was unfazed and he still was able to protect his comrades and his subjects. And he was not even using his full strength!"
"I know your father is a ferocious battler. I have seen it time and time again personally. He is indeed quite the formidable foe, as strong as he is. And he is a grand leader and King. That is why you have nothing to fear, young one. He will not let any harm come to you. Your father very well still has fears, I am certain. But he is able to set aside his own alarm to protect his subjects and loved ones, as he had that day. And that is what you will learn. In time, my dear."
Treecko held her tail and sat back down.
"I do not feel I will ever be fit to be ruler. My faintheartedness is too grand."
Lopunny frowned.
There was the sound of pebbles falling outside their den and a heavily drenched Sceptile entered the den moments later.
"I have returned," he announced, shaking off the water from the heavy rainfall moments later. He saw Lopunny huddled next to Treecko, both of them frowning deeply and he grew concerned.
"Is something the matter?"
Lopunny stood up and walked towards Sceptile.
"Treecko is in low spirits. The encounter with the dark beast still has her very shaken. She hasn't eaten all day and she's questioning her direction."
Sceptile looked back at Treecko. She was curled on the floor grasping her tail.
Sceptile rest a claw on Lopunny's shoulder to calm her before walking over to his daughter.
"Treecko," he said gently once he reached her. He crouched down beside her, "Your mother tells me you refuse to eat your supper?"
"I haven't much of an appetite, Pa," she said quietly.
"We do not eat because we feel like it, we eat because we need to in order to sustain," he sat down beside her and crossed his legs.
"Much like being a leader?" she asked quietly.
Sceptile nodded slowly.
"Yes. Sometimes we cannot choose our paths. I am not King because I wanted to be but because I needed to be. I told you the story of the time of great darkness, when Sekra lost its prominent ruler. For a long while I did not feel worthy or deserving enough to fulfill such a great and prestigious role."
"How did you overcome your doubt?" Treecko asked meekly. "How did you become the leader Sekra needed?"
Sceptile smiled softly.
"I stopped telling myself I could not do it. I stopped confessing that I was not yet ready and that my Father still needed to be here to moderate all of Sekra's affairs and calm the dwellers. Your words have a lot of power, Treecko. Every utterance out of the mouth. Sometimes the reason we do not achieve the greatness we are destined to is because we plant seeds of doubt in our subconscious. They overtake our inner thoughts which manifest into our own perception and in turn control our actions. There's an old adage, 'As a beast thinketh so is he.' The more you meditate and think about something, the more power you give that thought. The more you let it set in your heart, the more you will become that very thing. If you profess that you are unworthy, fearful and not good enough, then you will be unworthy, always fearful, and never enough. If you tell yourself you are weak, you will never become strong."
"But Pa, what if I do not believe I am enough? Is it not confessing untruths in saying that I believe in myself when I do not?"
"It is not confessing untruths. It is combating the negative thinking that is trying to overtake you. It is about renewing your mind, changing your thinking. And it will take time. But if you tell yourself you will fail, then you will fail. It is that simple. Do not give power to your doubts. No creature knows the future for sure. So stop trying to make predictions. Okay, Treecko?"
Treecko looked away.
Sceptile took Treecko and placed her in his lap.
"I have no doubt you will rise and become a great leader to Sekra."
Sceptile then held up his right claw. There was something dangling from it. The sheen of the greenish gold seed glistened in the moonlit.
"And wearing this should hopefully remind you of that."
Treecko stared at it in awe.
"Pa…I…Are you sure I am ready to wear the royal necklace? I do not even battle."
"The Miracle Seed is not just a type-enhancing. It is a symbol of our sovereignty, our duty to protect Sekra. By wearing it, you show your acceptance of this role."
Sceptile hung the necklace over Treecko. It was about the width of her belly and too long for her height. It hit the ground with a slight Ting!
Sceptile chuckled lightly.
"You'll grow into it." He lifted the necklace off her small frame and gave her to hold in her hands. "It is late. You and your mother need to rest. So, I say we share this Pecha Berry and lose ourselves in sweet dreams tonight."
Treecko smiled softly.
Still smiling, Sceptile picked up a Pecha Berry from the pile of berries on the floor and split it in two with his claw. He then gave Treecko one half the berry. She rested the Miracle Seed down and took the berry from Sceptile, taking a large bite out of it seconds later while Sceptile popped the remaining half in his mouth.
Smiling warmly, Lopunny walked over to the entrance of the den. She covered the entrance with Giant Windowpane Palm leaves to keep out the rain. She then walked over to Sceptile and curled up next to him, resting her head on his right shoulder and closing her eyes.
Sceptile glanced down at her. He picked up Treecko and guided Lopunny to the ground to lie down. They laid down in a huddle until they all fell asleep.
A sharp crack of thunder finally woke Lunick up. He hadn't realized it but he had actually fallen asleep at Spenser's work desk while working on his papers for tomorrow's meeting. After four straight nights with less than four hours of sleep, he finally hit the wall. He didn't know being an Area Leader was such strenuous work. His respect for Spenser grew that much more when he realized that he had been doing this for over a decade.
Rain was pelting down the window of base so hard you could barely make out what was on the other side.
Lunick looked up at the wall clock. It read 2:15.
He might as well call it a night. He was going to have to get up early that morning and he needed to get some sleep so he wasn't completely knocked out when the meeting went underway.
"This is what I get for not preparing the docs beforehand. Lun-man, your mad procrastinating skills never cease to amaze."
Rubbing his eyes, Lunick gathered up his papers and organized them neatly on the desk. He noticed Minun sleeping on top of a few sprawled out papers on the desk and nudged him. Minun sat up groggily.
"Mai Mai?"
"Sorry, buddy. But I need those. Can't have you crinkling up the reports, now can I?"
Grudgingly, Minun moved from his comfortable spot so Lunick could take the papers. Lunick took up the documents and placed them in a folder on the desk. He then stood up and stretched before taking off his jacket and hanging it over the chair. Then he unbuttoned his shirt.
Yawning, Lunick rolled his neck before cracking it and massaging it, trying to work out the crick in his neck and relieve the stiffness and tension.
Just then, a loud Bang! suddenly sounded in the storage room. Lunick stopped rubbing his neck and looked at the door. Another loud sound came from the back room.
He looked down at Minun who shared a look of confusion and alarm. Then there was a dull Thud!
Lunick walked up to the metal cabinet behind Spenser's work desk where a few of the reserved stylers were kept and took out a flashlight. He motioned to Minun and together they crept towards the storage room. There was another thud.
Placing his hand on the doorknob, Lunick slowly turned it before quickly throwing the door wide open and stepping inside.
He was surprised to see Iyori standing in the room, wielding a metal bat in her hands. He completely forgot she was supposed to be staying there tonight.
"Iyori?" Lunick questioned. He flicked on the light switch and shut off the flashlight. "What are you still doing up? I thought you went to bed hours ago? You had me thinking some pokémon got into the storage supplies."
Iyori wiped at her tears with her left shoulder.
"I-I could not sleep. So many strange noises. And the storm. It all unnerves me."
"Iyori, there's nothing to be afraid of. You are safe here."
"You keep saying that but I do not feel safe here. I do not feel safe at all."
A boom of thunder rocketed through the base, terrifying Iyori and she dove to the floor. She dropped the bat and covered her head.
Lunick and Minun walked up to her.
"Iyori…"
SCHEEE!
"Ah! What was that?!" she cried.
Getting up, Lunick sat on the bed and lifted the blinds. A family of Golbat could be seen fleeing from the storm. A Quagsire was flopping around in a muddy pond outside of the base. It was then joined by several other Quagsire and the family started shooting round objects in the air with their Water Gun, trying to reach the full moon.
"It's just the nocturnal pokémon, Iyori." He looked back down and saw her shaking on the floor.
Lunick closed the blinds, got up from the bed and went to her side. When he reached out to touch her shoulder she quickly grabbed the bat and prepared to strike him.
"Ah, Iyori!" Lunick held up his hands and covered himself in a defensive position to prepare for the blow.
Breathing heavily, Iyori lowered the bat slightly.
"Lunick-sama…I…I am sorry…I thought you were the man…I thought you were going to kill me."
Lowering his hands, Lunick took the bat from Iyori and rested it down on the ground beside him.
"Iyori, he is not here. You are safe."
"No, I'm not! I am never safe! He will find me like he always does! He will kill me!"
"Iyori –"
"This place has no lasers, no steel barriers to protect me. The doors, the windows…they are glass! They break easily!"
"Iyori –"
"Every time I close my eyes I can see him. I can feel his hands on me. I can feel the blade across my neck."
She lifted her head and pulled down her nightshirt slightly, revealing the long gash across her chest from shoulder to shoulder.
"He did this to me! He nearly pierced my heart through!"
Lunick stared at her in disgusted shock.
"I…I can't believe I never noticed that before…"
Iyori let go of her shirt and grabbed onto Lunick's, which was still unbuttoned.
"Please, Lunick-sama, I am not safe here. Do not make me stay here. I need a sanctuary."
It really tore at Lunick's heart to see Iyori so distressed. She was terrified out of her mind.
He placed his hand on her lower arm near her elbows and brought her hands down.
"Iyori, I know you're scared. But you have to trust me. I told you, I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you. You are safe so long as I am here. I will protect you."
The tears continued to stream down Iyori's face. She had such a look of desperation on her face.
"There's a special medicine that we rangers take sometimes when we're at the base at night to help us sleep. How about I go get you that and some hot chocolate to keep you warm? It'll help calm your nerves. Get rid of your anxiety."
Iyori shook her head feverishly.
"No! No! Pills kill! Gan'yaku o korosu! Mō shinaide kudasai! Iya!" Pills kill! Please no more! No!
Iyori grasped at her head and dug her nails into her skull. Lunick quickly took her hands back in his.
"Okay! Okay, Iyori, I won't give you the medicine. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have offered it to you in the first place. It's only for rangers anyway. Gomen'nasai. Gomen'nasai. Watashi o yurushitekudasai." I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please forgive me.
Iyori reopened her eyes.
Lunick sighed.
"How about I at least get you the hot chocolate?"
"Do not leave me! Please!"
"I'm not leaving you. I'll still be in the base. I'll just be going into the kitchen for a sec. I'll be right back."
Lunick looked over at Minun and made a soft Ffft! with his mouth to signal him to come over.
Minun ran over to Lunick. Lunick glanced at Iyori and Minun nodded. He hopped in Iyori's lap and snuggled up close to her.
"Minun will watch over you while I go get your cocoa. I trust Minun with my life so I know he will protect you should anything happen. But it won't. You are safe."
Iyori let go of Lunick's hands and quickly picked up Minun and held him close to her.
Lunick stood up. "I'll be right back, Iyori."
Lunick watched her carefully as he slowly stepped out of the room. He returned about five minutes later. Iyori was curled up on one of the storage room beds, holding onto Minun tightly as if he were a soft plushie.
Lunick could see Minun was uncomfortable but he knew he would continue to bare it as long as he could to keep Iyori calm.
Lunick sat down on the bed and rested the mug of hot chocolate on the nightstand.
"Here. It's widely known that chocolate releases endorphins to the brain that help you feel good. That's why it's one of the staples in comfort food."
Iyori glanced at the cup. "There are over 300 naturally-occurring chemicals in chocolate that when consumed releases several neurotransmitters into the brain, including serotonin, anadamide, and the love drug phenylethylamine."
Lunick smiled slightly. He was impressed at her immense scientific technical knowledge. "Right…Well, one of those ingredients are bound to make you feel better. Whenever Solana's feeling down I always make her a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows to lift her spirits and lower her stress. It always seems to work, though she claims it's me being by her side that helps her the most."
"She is correct. You are a great comforter. And your presence makes me feel safe. She is lucky to have someone like you in her life to care for her."
Lunick shook his head. "No. I'm the lucky one."
Lunick glanced back at Iyori. She was still holding on to Minun tightly. Then he stood up from the bed.
Iyori became fearful. "Where are you going? Please, do not leave me, Lunick-sama! Please!"
"Relax, Iyori. I'm just going over to the other bed. I need to get some sleep too."
He walked over to the other storage room bed and sat down. He started to take off his shirt when he remembered Iyori was still in the room with him.
He lied down and pulled the sheet loosely over his legs, just up to his knees.
"Do you like classical music? Does it relax you?"
"I guess...it can be soothing."
Lunick reached over to the nightstand by the bed he was lying on and tapped on the radio receiver trying to get the station that usually played various pieces from Bach, Mozart, Choplin, and Beethoven during the late night and early morning. He fiddled the dial for a bit before a string orchestra came on. Currently it was playing Beethoven's Moonlit Sonata.
Iyori smiled softly.
"I like this piece."
"Me too. Solana and I listen to it all the time. For such a sad song the melody, especially on a violin, is quite soothing."
"Dōmo arigatō. Dōmo sumimasen, arigatōgozaimashita." Thank you very much. I'm sorry for the trouble you've taken for my benefit, thank you so much.
Lunick smiled. "Mondai nai. Shinpai shinaide." No problem. Don't worry about it.
"Oyasumi nasai, Lunick-sama." Good night, Lunick.
"Oyasumi, Iyori-san." Good night, Iyori.
Lunick watched her until she finally fell asleep. Minun was curled up beside her, sleeping soundly under her right arm.
Content that she was finally at ease, Lunick allowed the classical music to lull him to sleep.
