Solana raised her head slightly from the pillow. The lights were off, but the room was still bathed in the bluish glow of the television set. Lunick was lying beside her on top of the covers, still dressed in his neon green boxer shorts and black undershirt vest, holding the remote. She rolled her eyes, knowing that the combination of Lunick Kaneko and TV was not always a good thing.

"Lunick, it's well past midnight. Don't you think you've had enough TV?"

"Just a little more, Babe. The Pichu-ears channel has Pocket Monsters Unite on at twelve thirty. I barely ever get to see that with our schedule!"

"What? I thought that was on at five in the afternoon or something. Why are they showing a kid's show this late at night?"

"Haven't got a clue, but I've got the mad love for the PM."

"Lunick, I'm worried about you." Despite her eyes not wanting to rise above half-mast, Solana rolled onto her back and bunched up her pillow so she could see the TV. "What in the world is on now?"

"No idea. Some live action show about a girl."

"Well, turn it down a bit until your show comes on."

"Shh, Babe! It's starting."

Solana propped herself up a little bit more, watching the opening of the cartoon. Shadows of the main characters, a crude, crass, and vulgar Clefairy named Pippi, a Shiny Golden Pikachu, and their Trainer, a young boy named Isamu Akai, slowly turned solid as the music started. In moments all three of them were leaping around the screen as cutscenes from various episodes flashed by. The Clefairy was flying around while the Shiny Pikachu was dancing, followed by Isamu holding up his Pokéball engulfed in a light blue energy. The opening wrapped up and it went to the starting scene.

She looked over at her boyfriend, whose excited expression suddenly melted into a frown. "What's wrong, Lunick?"

"Attack of the Killer Fem-Bots." He recited glumly. "I know that one from the first frame. Sixty-five episodes were produced, and I wait up till half past midnight for one and they show the one I've seen maybe twenty times!"

"Which one is that again?"

"It's where the Pikachu has to take on a trio of Dosi's Salazzle robots. We don't even get to see the villian's lady friend in this one. What a rip."

"Well, if you've seen it, turn it off and go to sleep."

"No. I've waited this long. I'll watch the whole thing."

"Oy," she was about to turn back over, planning to put an extra pillow over her head to cut out the sound, when she was reminded of how she felt the last time he was up glued to the television like this. His Prussian blue, teal-highlighted medium-length hair now reached to the base of his neck in the back, falling in a bro flow save for the long fringe sideswept over the left side of his face. He had joked about growing it out and rocking a manbun for a bit but that was something she couldn't picture Lunick doing, though she did love the way the new length complimented his features. It still allowed him to maintain a boyish charm while still showing off his maturation into manhood. His broadened shoulders, more defined muscles, growth in height, and the stubble that kept appearing every few days that she kept making him shave clean off were testament to that. He wasn't the dorky immature goofball she met seven years ago when she first came to Fiore. He was near young adulthood, damn near a grown man, and her partner in every sense of the word. She couldn't help but marvel at just how much he had changed – physically, emotionally, and mentally.

And he cared so much about her, to a fault. So much so he was willing to sacrifice his wants and desires just to please her and make her happy. But the more she thought about it, the more guilty she felt about it. He didn't deserve that. His dreams were just as important as hers. She couldn't continue to live like his continued self-sacrifices were okay.

"Lunick?" she called softly.

"Yeah, Babe?"

"…I think…I think you should take the internship with Mr. Lamont."

Lunick looked away from the TV and looked back at Solana. She was playing with the ring he had given her years ago when they first became a couple. "What?"

"I think you should go to Almia. You were right. This is a monumental opportunity he has given you and I don't want you to miss it."

Lunick set the remote down beside him turned his whole body around to face her. "Solana, where is this coming from? I already told Mr. Lamont I couldn't go. That I had to be here."

"And I think you should reach back out and tell him you can," she said firmly. "I should never have blown up on you for wanting to go in the first place. It was Nate that was in my head. I was angry with and terrified of him, not you, but I took it out on you anyway. You didn't deserve that."

Lunick reached down and grasped her hands, holding them in his lap. "Solana…I appreciate that, I do…But I'm not sure I even can leave now. I mean, what if you are pregnant? I need to be here to be there for the both of you."

"I may not be pregnant. And if I am…well…I don't know how yet but we'll manage."

"Solana, this internship could keep me away for several months, years even. I can't do that to you. Yes, before I really really wanted to go and yeah, I thought you would be okay with it and that we'd be able to work it out somehow. But if Nate is contacting you, stressing you out, and if you really are pregnant, there's no way I can just leave you here to fend for yourself. I'm gonna be here for you for every doctor's appointment and I won't let that perverted monster retraumatize you."

Solana shook her head slightly. "I don't want to be the reason for you missing out on lifechanging, career-building opportunities. This could be really good for you, Lunick."

"You are what is good for me," he reached his right hand up and cupped her face. He could see the tears welling in her eyes. "They'll be other opportunities. I was even thinking about taking an externship at Fall City University. Now that I know what we're up against – a predator's harassment, a baby possibly – there's no way I can leave you now. I don't need to go to Almia. I need to be right here beside you through all of this."

Solana sniffled. She collapsed in Lunick's arms, and he held her firmly against his chest, consoling her.

"I think for now, it's best if we operate as if you are pregnant, just to be safe. That means no more field missions for you, at least for right now. We can find out a lot sooner with a blood test than a home pregnancy test. We'll wait a couple weeks, maybe up until you're due for your next period, and then we can go together, okay?"

Solana nodded. "Lunick…"

"Yes?"

"Do you…do you think…we'll be able to handle this? Raising a child right now?"

"Freddie's doing it."

"Freddie's struggling. A lot."

Lunick leaned back and pulled her up slightly so their eyes could meet.

"I don't want you to worry about this. I know it's scary. Hell, I'm terrified out of my mind if this really is the case. But no matter what happens, I'll take care of us. We're in this together, forever. I've got you, Solana. Now and always."

Again, Solana nodded as she leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips. They rested their foreheads against each other.

"You're so amazing, Lunick. Too amazing. I really don't deserve you."

"You need to stop saying that. Because you have me. And you always will."

"I love you, Lunick."

"I love you more."

"But I'm scared."

"So am I. But we'll get through it, Babe. We will. I promise. We'll play it safe for now, and when we know for sure, then we can plan."

They shared another kiss before rolling back down to the bed together, engaging in foreplay for a while before snuggling together until they both fell asleep.


Freddie's house looked like a Party City exploded inside. Every inch of his living room was covered in decorations. Streamers and balloons lined the walls and wrapped around the banister. There were multiple sparkling swirl ribbons and oriental shapes hanging from the ceiling. Gold, rose gold, silver, and pastel colored metallic fringe backdrop curtains were positioned throughout the rooms, stickers of many baby Pokémon covered the walls, garlands, cardboard cutouts, and a large banners reading Happy Birthday Niema! all surrounded the house. Snacks and catered food were placed on the table set up near the banister and gifts were placed in front of a chocolate and cheese fountain Freddie had rented.

"Wow, Freddie! You really went all out," Lunick commented as he and Solana stepped inside.

"But of course. Nothing less for my little girl. Today is a big day for her."

"She's turning four, Freddie. How are you gonna keep this up?" Solana asked. "This must've cost a fortune."

"Hell yeah it did. I'll have to work overtime for a year just to break even," he said, closing the door. "But I had to go big. With everything that's been happening with Anya, I just want her to forget all the drama and just be a happy, carefree, innocent kid, you know? She's been through a lot. She deserves this big party."

"I understand, Freddie. It's just, how're you gonna top this? I mean, what're you gonna do when she turns 16? 21?"

"If she still wants me throwing her parties by then, that's enough of a reason to continue to go big. I'll take those," he said, referring to the gifts Solana and Lunick had brought.

They passed them to him as he went to place them with the others just as the subject of the party rushed past him to greet the new arrivals.

"Auntie 'Lana! Uncle Lunie!"

Solana crouched down and hugged her. "Hi there, sweetie."

"What's up, Nems?" Lunick said as he patted her on the head.

She broke out from Solana's grasp and twirled around in front of them.

"You like my dress?"

She was wearing a long-sleeved lavender unicorn princess dress. It was layered with ruffles, had multiple pastel colored flowers scattered along the torso and a pale pink ribbon tied around the back. She was also wearing silvery glittery Mary Jane flats that had a butterfly bow decorating each shoe, and a tiara with a five-pointed star in the center. Her hair was braided in two stand twists and pulled back into a bun.

"Oh, you look like a little princess." Solana cooed.

"Dat's becuz I am a pwincess. Daddy says so."

"And he's absolutely right, you are a princess," Lunick commented.

She giggled gleefully as she grabbed Lunick's hand and pulled him with all of her might.

"C'mon, Uncle Lunie. I wanna show ya what Uncle Murph got me."

Lunick chuckled, amused at how much her tiny body wriggled as she struggled to pull him. "Okay, Nems. I'm coming."

"Hey, Solana," Leilani called out from the sofa, holding a glass of sparkling cider.

Solana walked over to her and gave her best girlfriend a hug before sitting beside her.

"How're you doing, Leilani?"

She pointed to Freddie's kitchen. "He's in there."

"You brought him?" Solana asked, shocked.

"Well, what was I supposed to do? Give him a reason to break my jaw? There was no way he was going to let me come to another man's house by myself. He's watching me more keenly than a Staraptor."

Solana sighed sadly. "I promise, we're going to get you out of this, Leilani."

"How?"

"I don't know yet, but we'll figure something out. Have you even considered going to the police?"

Leilani shook her head. "No, absolutely not. He'll kill me before I even make it to the precinct. I'm not doing anything until I'm sure he won't get to me."

"Then go with Lunick. He's been walking you to and from work, right?"

"I'm not endangering Lunick's life too."

Solana placed her hand over Leilani's right one. "We have to do something, Leilani. If you do nothing, things are only going to get worse."

Leilani rested her champagne flute stem glass down on the marble coffee table and turned to face Solana.

"Let's not talk about him anymore. Let's talk about you."

"Me?"

"Yes, specifically, you and Lunick. The other day you were saying that your flashbacks of your stepfather were ruining one of the greatest experiences you had with Lunick. I wanna know what experience that was."

Here we go Solana thought. She should have known she was not gonna let that slip. Leilani was probably more analytical than she was when it came to dissecting the intricate details of what someone says. Sooner or later Leilani was going to bring this up since it wasn't appropriate at the time.

"Well?"

"Leilani, you know what the experience was."

"I honestly do not. I can infer but I'd need you to confirm it. Otherwise, it's just speculation."

Solana sighed. "Lunick and I…we…"

"Yes?" Leilani goaded on, her eyes widening with excitement.

"We…did it."

"Did what?"

"You're really gonna make me say it?"

"Yes, absolutely."

Again, Solana sighed. "We…made love."

Solana knew it was coming but she still jumped from the high-pitch squeal that emitted from her best friend's mouth and covered her ears.

"Leilani please!"

"I knew it! I knew you guys couldn't wait for too much longer!" she said excitedly as she bounced up and down on the couch. "Give me the deets!"

"Leilani, we are at a little girl's birthday party."

"She can't hear us. Look, she's over there playing with Lunick."

She glanced over at them and Niema was in fact busy giggling and laughing as Lunick carried her around on his shoulders as he trotted around the room with Minun. She smiled softly.

"Come on, Solana. You know you were not gonna get away with not telling me what happened between you two."

"What exactly do you want me to say?" she asked as she finally pulled her eyes away from Lunick to look at her.

"Everything! How did it start? Who made the first move? How did it feel?"

"I took him to my bedroom. I made the first move. And it felt…um…incredibly amazing."

"Go on," Leilani sung.

Solana shook he head as she rolled her eyes. Then she started fiddling with her ring. "I don't know how to explain it, Leil…It just felt…so right…Better than any fantasy or daydream I've ever had. Pure euphoria. I didn't even know you could feel so much bliss."

"Eeeee!" Leilani squealed. "I love it. Did it hurt?"

"Not as much as I thought it would. Definitely was sore for a few days afterwards."

"I bet. Lunick's bigger than a roided up Tauros."

"Leilani!"

"Well am I wrong?"

"I don't know! I have nothing to compare it to!"

"No, but we've both seen him when he's turned on. He may be lean in body but he's fat in his –"

"LEILANI!"

Leilani shrugged. "What? Am I not speaking the truth here?"

"I will not tolerate you talking about Lunick that way."

"Why not? If I had a man like that, you best believe I'm gonna be bragging about him at all times I get the chance."

"Well, I'm not you. I don't like talking about him that way. It makes it sound like he's a piece of meat or something."

Leilani rolled her eyes. "Please. You get flustered too easily, girl. Ain't nothing wrong in singing praises of your man's libido and being proud of that."

"We're not talking about his sex drive."

"Well, maybe we should. Tell me, how horny was he?"

Solana threw up her hands. "My God, don't you ever get tired? Are you getting some sort of pleasure out of this?"

"I wish. I was you guys' shipper from Day One, so you best believe I want updates on your courtship. I'll make this the end of my prying, okay? Just tell me, was he as gentle as a Mareep, or as rough as a Bouffalant?"

"Jesus, Leilani…" Solana closed her eyes for a moment before looking down at her ring. "He was really gentle at first. But the more aroused he became, the faster and rougher he got. But that wasn't bad at all, because it actually excited me more and brought me into deeper bliss. I'd waited for so long to finally become one with Lunick…And it was better than I could have ever imagined."

She looked back up at Leilani expecting her to lose her mind and squeal again. But what she saw in her friend's eyes was closer to relaxed contentment than unhinged excitement, and she was wearing perhaps the warmest smile Solana had ever seen her have.

"What?" she asked, nervously.

Leilani shook her head slowly and shrugged. "That's what I wanted to know. Exactly how you felt about finally reaching that threshold with Lunick. You've craved that moment for so long. You guys even had one of your biggest fights about it months ago. And to see the amount of joy and catharsis that it's brought you now that you've finally done it, genuinely makes me happy for you both. I know I may seem off my rocker and sex-crazed, always asking for the intimate details between you guys. The truth is, I love hearing about the veritable love you both have for one another. It's so pure, so unadulterated and immaculate. You guys are relationship goals. Yeah, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I was kinda jealous of the relationship you have with Lunick. But I'm also so very happy for you. Happy and relieved your first time was blissful and didn't traumatize you at all. You've got a great one, Sole. I can only hope one day I can find someone as perfect for me as Lunick is for you."

Solana's shoulders slumped slightly as she raised her hands and held Leilani's. "You will, Leil. You'll find your soulmate. And you'll become just as happy with them as I am with Lunick. We've just got to get you away from Ike Turner reincarnated and put that bastard behind bars where he belongs."

Leilani looked down briefly, rubbing her thumbs against the back of Solana's hands before looking back up at her, smiling softly.

"Yeah…One day, right?"

Solana cupped her best friend's face. "One day. You'll survive this. And you'll find your Lunick."

"There's only one Lunick. And you've got him. But I'll settle for next best."

Solana looked deeply into Leilani's eyes. There was such a deep sadness hidden behind her smile. Seeing the amount of pain she was in left Solana feeling helpless. She wanted nothing more but to free her from the shackles she was bound to in this farce of a relationship she was in. She and Lunick would get her out of it. They had to. Her very life depended on it. They just needed to figure out what to do.

Her eyes drifted back towards Lunick. He had stopped carrying Niema around the room and now had her walking on his feet as he stomped around the room like a Copperahjah. If it wasn't for the obvious differences in skin color and hair texture, you'd be quick to assume she was his daughter instead of Freddie's. He was always so good with her, playing with her and finding a myriad of ways to entertain her every time he was with her. Solana couldn't help but smile. Lunick always had a soft spot for kids, especially little girls. The amount of joy he felt in making them smile was palatable. He was going to make a phenomenal father one day.

Solana placed her right hand on her stomach, momentarily mulling it over, imagining their lives with a young child…Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she actually were pregnant.

Freddie walked to center of the room, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright everyone. It's time for the birthday girl to open her presents."

"Yay!" she cried as she hopped off of Lunick's feet and ran over to her father, hugging his leg and bouncing up and down. "Gimme, gimme! I wan 'em now! I wan 'em now!"

Freddie chuckled.

"Mind your manners, Niema," he said nuzzling her face. "We have plenty of time." He carried her over to where her many gifts were laying in front of the chocolate and cheese fondue fountain.

Lunick walked over to the sofa where Solana and Leilani were seated and kissed Solana on the cheek as he sat down on the armrest.

"You're so good with her, Lunick," Solana smiled.

He shrugged slightly. "I do what I can. You know I love making her little face smile."

"She loves you as much as she loves Freddie."

"Nah. I'll never be a replacement for her father. He spoils her rotten. But I'd probably be the same with my little girl."

Solana rested her head on his lap and he brushed the hair from her face gently.

Leilani smiled watching them. It was as if they were already married.

By the time they focused back on Niema, she had already torn through half of her presents.

"Where's your gift, Daddy?" she asked as she tossed the remaining ones to the side.

"Don't you want to open the rest of them first?"

"No!" she said impatiently. "What'd you get me?"

Again, Freddie chuckled. "Alright fine. Wait here."

He walked out of the room and went to the back of his house, returning a moment later carrying a box that had holes drilled on the side and he placed it in front of his daughter.

Niema looked at it questioningly.

"Daddy, yo no wrap dis right! Is defective! Why it got holes in it?"

"It needs to, Baby."

"Why?"

"Open it and see."

Still uncertain and upset her father may have gotten her a busted-up toy, Niema lifted up lid of box, and no sooner had she done so did a small mammalian creature burst out of the box. It had a bushy tail with a cream-colored tip and a large furry cream collar. It had short slender legs with three small toes and pink paw pads on each foot. Long pointed ears pointed upwards and a little black nose. A pink ribbon was tied around its neck and formed a large bow large in the back.

Niema's eyes and mouth widened as she stared at the Pokémon.

"Happy Birthday, baby girl," Freddie said cheerily.

"Eevee! Vee Eevee!" the young Pokémon cried as it jumped into the little girl's arms. She gave a high-pitched squeal to rival Leilani's as she embraced it.

"Daddy is dis real? Is dis wrilly mine?"

"Yes, Baby. She's all yours."

"Yay! Tank you, Daddy! Tank you so much!" she cried as she hugged the Eevee tightly.

"Now remember, owning a Pokémon is a big responsibility. You gotta be a big girl and take care of her. Feed her, take her out when she needs to use the bathroom, take her to the vet for checkups and when she gets sick. It won't be like your baby dolls. She's a real living creature so you gotta nurture her well."

"Yes, Daddy! Imma take real good care of 'er, I pwomise! Can I play wit 'er now?"

Freddie nodded. "Absolutely."

"Yay!" she cried gleefully as she sprinted off to her bedroom with her new Pokémon.

Lunick walked over and grasped Freddie on the shoulders from behind as he lightly shook him.

"You finally did it! You finally got her a Pokémon! Congratulations!"

"Yeah. The Otakas' Vaporeon finally gave birth. When the eggs hatched, I just couldn't fight it anymore. I'm hoping this will help give her some comfort and take her mind off of everything we've been through recently."

"You know that's all she's going to be doing the rest of the night, right?" Leilani mentioned.

Freddie nodded. "Yeah, I know. That's why I wanted her to open the rest of her presents first because I know she's likely to forget they even exist."

"You made her night, Freddie. That's all that matters," said Solana.

"I suppose so. Thanks for coming guys. I really appreciate it."

"Always," replied Lunick. "We'll always be here for you both, man."

"Hey, Freddie," Leilani called. "Didn't you say you invited Murph? I haven't seen him since I arrived hours ago."

"I did. He didn't show. Said he had some work he had to finish back at the base."

"That's a shame. He hasn't really been able to hang out with us in so long."

"Yeah, I know it sucks the whole gang isn't here. I'm sure Murph's sad too. But he has a big job now as PR rep."

"Right." Lunick added. "You want us to help you clean up?"

Freddie shook his head. "No. I know you all gotta head back for evening shift. I'll be fine. I appreciate you coming at all to help celebrate. I'll be off leave soon so at least I know Eevee will help keep watch over Niema as well when I return to work."

"Okay. Well, you be sure to let us know if you need anything okay, Freddie?" Solana said as she and Leilani got up from the sofa.

"Yeah, will do, guys."

Freddie gave Lunick a mid-five handshake and a half hug before hugging Solana, and then Leilani. Leilani's smile vanished when saw Alejandro staring at her from the kitchen, guzzling down a beer as he eyed her evenly.

Lunick held open the door as Solana walked out. He could see Leilani peering over Freddie's shoulder and saw him leaning against the archway that led to Freddie's kitchen.

"You coming, Leilani?" he called out. His eyes not leaving Alejandro.

Leilani pulled away from Freddie. "You know, I'm not sure I –"

"Can walk all the way there? Yeah, I'll go with you," he said as he walked up to her, placed a protective arm around her and ushered her out of the room towards the door.

"Um, I…" she stammered. "Lunick, are you sure –"

"Yes, absolutely." He said as they walked onto the stoop. He reached for the door handle and their eyes met once more, both men staring angrily at one another.

Lunick closed the door shut and turned around to face Leilani. "I got you, Leilani. I'll walk you to Summerland, get you there safely, and pick you back up after our shifts. He won't lay another finger on you."

Leilani nodded sadly.

Lunick looked up to Solana. "I'll see you when I get home, okay, Babe?"

"Okay, Lunick," she said worriedly.

Inside, Alejandro was fuming. He crushed the can of beer he was holding and tossed it before making his way out the back entrance of Freddie's home.


Lunick tiredly entered the Ringtown Ranger base. He'd never let her know it but trekking back and forth to Summerland to make sure Leilani was safe in addition to completing his regular workload was beginning to wear him out. Between consoling her and Solana, while also completing 20+ missions a day by himself since he encouraged Solana to go on leave for the interim, he was already pushing his limits. But he had to endure it. That's the only way he could ease his conscious. Leilani was adamant about not telling Percy or anyone else for that matter about Alejandro's abuse, which meant her partner couldn't walk her home. Since Lunick had already challenged his authority with Leilani, he had to maintain his dominance so that he knew he was not going to back down from protecting her. He had to keep his guard up so long as he skulked around. Leilani needed him to be strong for all of them. He couldn't let himself get worn down. Too many people were depending on him to bring his A-game, so that's what he had to do.

Spenser was seated behind the base's counter, going over the latest reports from his students' missions. He looked up when he sensed Lunick's presence.

"Hello there, Lunick."

"Good evening, Leader."

"Are you ready for your next mission?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Alright." He picked up a folder that was on the right-side of the counter and opened it. "There's been reports of a suspicious figure lurking around the Olive Jungle. We suspect they may be apart of a smuggling gang trafficking exotic Pokémon. With Solana on sick leave and Percy still recovering from the injury he sustained with a Tentacruel in the Safra Sea, Lunick, I want you to join Leilani in capturing this criminal."

"Yes, Leader." He said as he took the folder from Spenser and read over the case details, trying not to show his disappointment since he just travelled from Summerland to get there. If he had known he would be paired with Leilani, he would have just stayed with her at the base.

"You may leave as soon as you are ready."

"Yes, Leader."

Lunick closed the folder and placed it back on Spenser's desk. As he turned around to exit, he saw Murph sitting behind one of the lobby desks, staring intensely at his phone. He had such a stone-faced, hard expression, something Lunick was not used to seeing in his colleague's eyes.

He called out to him. "Hey, Murph?…You alright, bud?"

Murph glanced up at Lunick, his expression unchanging. He got up from his seat and started walking to the base's storage room.

"Yeah. I'm fine," he said plainly as he left.

Lunick watched the door where he left, confused, and concerned. But there was nothing he could do about it now. He had a mission to go on. He made a mental note to talk to Murph tomorrow about what was going on.

In the back, Murph dialed Aria's cell phone number. It rang once, then went to voicemail.

Hey, it's Aria. Leave a message and if I care, I'll call you back. Beep!

"Aria, what's going on? I haven't heard from you in days. You won't answer my calls or texts. You don't answer your door. If something's going on, I need you to talk to me about it. Couples are not supposed to keep secrets from one another. You're becoming more and more distant. I'm trying my best to not let it bother me, but Aria, you gotta tell me what's changed. How can I make us better? What do I need to do to –"

Beep! To listen to your message, press 1. To delete it, press 2. To erase and rerecord your message, press *. To send your message, press # or simply hang up.

Sighing, Murph ended the call and massaged his temples. Surely, he was stressing over nothing. Aria was just busy. She would fill him in on what was bothering her when she was ready. He had to keep telling himself that.


The Olive jungle was an overgrown mass of vegetation covering over 80 percent of Summerland. The climate usually alternated between tropical and humid depending on the time of year, with many plants on the ground between trees and larger plants. The thick vegetation on the ground usually made it difficult for citizens to travel through and even impossible in some areas. Monthly maintenance had to be done to keep the vegetation growth under control. The river cut through the middle of the jungle and diverted into another as a tributary.

As the sun set over the horizon, it hushed the jungle slowly and efficiently. The nocturnal Pokémon started to chirp, buzz, and hum with all their heart, creating a soothing calm ambiance. In fact, the night sound's tranquilizing effect is why Leilani always loved living in Summerland. It was scientifically proven that nature sounds were associated with a decrease in the body's sympathetic response and an increase in the parasympathetic response – the one that helped the body relax and function in normal circumstances.

So then, why did Leilani feel so afraid? The nature sounds that were usually so soothing to Leilani unnerved her. Everything looked more violent.

The flowers and leaves throughout the jungle that the evening breeze tangoed with rhythm and finesse as though they were experts, now appeared jerky and twisting as if they were taking a horrendous beating from the wind. The lush evergreen trees that stood so firm now appeared as if the roots were clinging for their very life to stay ingrained. In the distance the Crystal River and the waterfall at its source whose waters were usually so comforting to listen to now sounded angry, the rapids rampaging after the dip of the waterfall which slowly concerted into a swift river forcefully turning at every bank.

Leilani felt like she was being watched from every angle. That eyes were on her constantly, judging and watching her every move.

"Hey, Leilani," a voice called.

Leilani jumped and flinched. It took her a moment before she realized it was Lunick who called out to her.

"O-Oh. Sorry, Lunick."

"What's going on?"

Leilani sighed. "It's just…I find myself constantly on edge, no matter where I am or go. I feel like he's always there, lurking in the shadows, watching me from somewhere I can't see, ready to pounce on me at any given moment."

"He's not gonna hurt you so long as I am here, I promise," he tried to reassure her. "I'll stay here by your side, however long you need me to until you are ready to file against him."

"I don't know if I can."

"You will. I know you will. But for right now, let's just focus on the mission, okay? Stay alert."

Leilani nodded.

They journeyed a little further east in the jungle. Many of the Pokémon were hidden, most likely spooked by whoever they were supposed to detain. When they reached the easternmost part of the jungle, they spotted a person dressed in a beige trench coat, caging several of the Olive Jungle's Pokémon.

"There they are!" Lunick whispered to Leilani before calling out. "Hey you!"

The figure turned around, grimacing when he saw the rangers. He quickly spun around and darted for the deeper part of the forest.

"After him!" Lunick cried out as he and Minun ran ahead, with Leilani trailing behind them.

As they continued to run, Leilani was washed over with overwhelm. Memories of Alejandro pulling her by braids into the cove, throwing her against the floor and wall of the sheltered bay, ripping off her shorts as he violently held her down by her thighs, and his eventual pummeling and pistol-whipping all surged through her mind at fast speeds. Her breathing became shallow as she started to become flooded.

The perp came to a halt when he was cornered at the bottom of a rock wall.

"Nowhere to run!" Lunick said as he, Minun and Leilani closed in on him.

Shakily, the man immediately pulled out a semi-automatic pistol from the right-side pocket of his trench coat and held it unsteadily in front of him, switching between aiming at Lunick and Leilani.

Lunick drew his gun as well.

"Drop your weapon!" he shouted.

Leilani's eyes bulged. She again found herself behind the barrel of a handgun.

Lunick glanced at Leilani and could see her freezing up.

"Leilani, what are you doing?!" Then he noticed the terrified look on her face. He knew exactly what was about to happen if he didn't snap her out of it quick. "Leilani, you need to run if you can't do this."

But she didn't appear to hear him. In fact, the whole area around Leilani, the entire jungle seemed to disappear, the only thing remaining that black metallic handgun.

You're not going anywhere. Got it, dumbass? She heard his voice echo in her head.

"Leilani, you need to run," Lunick repeated.

Seeing the clear look of terror on one of the ranger's faces, the perp aimed his pistol at Leilani.

Lunick's eyes widened, and he gritted his teeth. "Leilani, run now!"

Leilani couldn't move. It was as if her feet were cemented on the ground.

No more of your fucking nonsense!

"Leilani!"

The perp pulled down on the firing pin.

"Leilani!"

Your ass is mine!

"Leilani!"

BLAM!

Leilani felt herself fall hard to the ground. She covered her head instinctively before she realized she wasn't being attacked. She then slowly opened her eyes, uncurled her arms and saw that she wasn't injured at all. She looked all around her before her eyes locked on Lunick.

And her heart caught in her throat as her eyes bulged wide.

Lunick stood there, eyes wide as red liquid quickly seeped from his abdomen and stained his uniform.

"Lunick!"

He dropped to knees before collapsing on the ground beside her.

"LUNICK!"

"MAI MAI!"

Leilani scrambled to his side and flipped him over. His eyes were wild and unfocused from shock, his neck bent back unnaturally.

"No, no, no, no!" Leilani cried, "No! Lunick!"

The perp used this opportunity to quickly slip away but Leilani couldn't worry about that at all. She pressed her hands firmly into Lunick's abdomen where he had been shot, but that only seemed to make the blood pool out faster. Minun cried tearfully as he held Lunick's face.

"Mai Mai! Mai Mai!" he cried as he rubbed he face against Lunick's.

Tears and mucus rolled down Leilani's face incessantly as she pressed her hands into him, seeing him finally lose consciousness.

"Lunick, no! I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Lunick! Please! Don't die! Don't die! Please, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, Lunick! Wake up! Don't die!"

She hazily looked around the jungle. "Help! Somebody help! Please! Help! Somebody, I need help!" she screamed.

She looked back down at Lunick. He had gone completely unconscious, his body limp.

"No, please, no!"

There was the sound of rustling bushes in the distance, but Leilani couldn't tell if that was from the wind or if someone was actually coming.

"I think it came from over here," she heard a voice say. She looked back up to see two men and two women enter into the clearing from the overgrowth.

"Oh my God!" one of the men cried as both women screamed from the scene.

"Please!" Leilani cried out tearfully. "Please help me! He's gonna die! I need help!"

Glancing between one another, the two men were quick to run to Leilani's side, while the two women held each other as they approached them.

"Grab my styler," Leilani ordered. "It's on my hip here. Call the Summerland Ranger Base. Tell them one of the rangers were shot, is bleeding out, and that we need to have him airlifted or teleported to Fall City Hospital immediately."

One of the men grabbed her styler from her hip and started dialing the base.

Leilani looked towards the other one. "Please! Help me apply direct pressure to the wound! Help me, please!"

"Okay," he replied as he tore away Lunick's shirt and ripped it. He was still bleeding profusely. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a towel. He laid his hands over him as he applied steady and firm compression to the site.

She looked back at Lunick's passed out face and inert body.

"Hold on, Lunick! Stay with me! You need to stay with me, please! Just hold on!"