A/N: Hi again! Okay, RangerTakara! I'm featuring your one-shot! Both you, and GemstoneGal, thanks for reviewing!
"You know, there are other stories out there." Isaac pointed out. "Do you want to read one of those too?"
"We can read one more chapter of this one today, and then find another good one!" Rhythmi suggested. "I wanna see what happens next, at least."
"Alright, here's the next chapter. It starts in Summer's point of view." Ben said, handing the laptop back to his partner. She smiled and began reading.
What... happened? I sat up groggily. Looking around, I noticed I was on a beach. The sand felt warm. But my head HURT. It was like I fell out of the sky...
"Hey, you aren't dead!" Keith exclaimed. "That's good, otherwise this story would have been boring."
"Thanks for caring 'bout me, Keith." Summer muttered sarcastically.
"Current Location... Dolce Island. Oblivia Region... zzz... seawater... zzz... has penetrated the... zzz... system." Voice Nav. informed me. Voice Nav. was the automated info system programmed onto my Styler. It came in handy. When it wasn't malfunctioning.
"How in the world did seawater get into my Styler?" I wondered aloud. Then I remembered. The Pokèmon Pinchers. Red Eyes shooting at Ben. Me taking the hit. Well, that would explain why it felt like I had fallen out of the sky. But I was worried for my partner. Was he alright? Did he escape? Or was he shot down just like me? Or worse, taken prisoner.
"Please confirm this Styler is yours by entering your name." Voice Nav. requested. Really? "Please confirm this Styler is–"
"I get it. My name is Summer." I reminded it. I glanced around. I had already established that I was on a beach. There a few palm trees here and there. And a path that led further into the island. Getting up, I limped over to the trail. Nothing was broken, thankfully, but I was sore all over. Deeper inland, there were more trees. I reached a clearing. It was near a hollow tree stump.
"Pichu!" I spun around to face the angered voice. It came from an adorable little Pichu! It even had a little ukulele on its back! But it also looked very agitated. Which wasn't a good thing.
"Hey, buddy, what's wrong?" I asked it. That obviously didn't help. The Pokèmon sent a blast of electricity my way. I barely managed to dodge. "H-hey! Knock it off!"
"Chu..." It growled. I quickly help out my Capture Styler.
"Good, you're gonna capture it." Rhythmi smiled. "Smart."
"Let's hope this works." I grimaced. With it malfunctioning so much, I couldn't get my hopes up. "Capture on!"
I managed to capture it, although I did get hit with a bolt of electricity. This Pichu was stronger than it looked. But it was my friend now. It let out a tiny burst of electricity, making the ukulele sound a few notes. I smiled. It was as if Pichu was playing! I couldn't wait to show... Ben... I missed him so much. I wasn't sure what had happened to him. All I knew was that it probably wasn't good. Pichu seemed to notice my sudden change in mood.
"Pi chu?" It crept forward cautiously and tugged at my sock. I crouched down, and patted it on its head. It played a few more notes on the ukulele. I gave it a smile to show that it had cheered me up. It let out a satisfied squeak.
"Pichu? Is that you?" I stood up, and Pichu ran up to a man who had just walked into the clearing. "Ah, it is you! Where are your friends?"
"Pichu! Pichu Pi pichu!" The Pokèmon was obviously trying to explain something. It ran to a bush, then jumped out. It then ran around as if being chased. I tried to think of what it could be acting out. Chased... and then disappeared... could it have been the Pinchers?
"Woah, now, Pichu. I can't understand ya." The man laughed. Then he noticed me. Thank goodness. I was getting sick of being ignored. "Now who's this?"
"I'm Summer. A Pokèmon Ranger." I greeted. Pichu ran over and hugged my leg. I smiled at it. "I just washed up on the island."
"Well, looks like Ukulele Pichu has taken a liking to ya." He grinned. "The name's Booker. Mind explaining what you mean by washed up?"
"You see... well, it's a long story." I mumbled. I really wasn't ready to talk about it just yet. My imagination had left me with several worst case scenarios. All of which just made me more worried. Ben was my partner, my best friend. I couldn't lose him. I would never admit it, but I actually kinda liked him. As in really, actually, like. More than a friend.
"I KNEW IT!" Lunick shouted. "YOU DO LIKE HIM!"
"Shut up, it's just a story!" Summer exclaimed quickly, her cheeks turning pink. Ben looked a bit disappointed, but hid it.
"Perhaps we should head back to Renbow Island then. My house is more suited for long stories than this wilderness." Booker started walking back the direction he'd came. "C'mon. I have a boat this way."
"Alright. You coming, Pichu?" I asked. It was still clinging to my leg. It gave me an eexcited cry and climbed onto my shoulder. "Okay then. Let's go!"
"That's it for me. It switches back to Ben now." Summer informed, once again passing the laptop to Ben. "Go for it, Benny!"
"Don't call me that!" Ben groaned. "I'll read."
I groaned. My head hurt really bad. I could barely remember what happened. I opened my eyes to look around at my surroundings, but was met by darkness. Why couldn't I see anything? I tried to move my arms, but found that I couldn't. It was like I was tied up. Kidnapped or... oh, yeah. Now I remembered. Summer... I tried to think of there being a possibility of her safety. But falling out of the sky usually didn't result in good things.
"What happened to the overly optimistic Ben we all know, and in Summer's case, love?" Keith asked, poking Summer. She glared at him, blushing once more.
"I see your awake." I turned my head towards the voice. "You probably hate us all now. After all, I am the one who shot your girlfriend out of the sky."
"Red Eyes." I growled. His voice didn't have any trace of regret. Or even pity. He acted like it was a necessary sacrifice that didn't affect anyone. Well, he was wrong. Summer meant the world to me. She is– or was– everything to me. "Where am I?"
"AWW! BEN LOVES SUMMER! SO CUTE!" Kate exclaimed happily. Ben now glared at the spiky haired girl, his face bright red. "You guys should be a couple… we'll call it… Obliviashipping!"
"Oh, wow…" Solana laughed.
"Can't tell you. Although there is no way to escape one your own... there is a slim chance your girlfriend survived." He informed me. Summer could be okay! "But don't get your hopes up. It's highly unlikely. We were hundreds of feet in the air. Even if she survived the fall, she would have drowned."
"It should've been me." I muttered.
"Yes, it should have." Red Eyes agreed. "But your little girlfriend cared too much about you to let you die. It's a shame. You seemed so close."
I wanted to cry. I wanted to attack this man, this evil person who shot my Summer out of there sky.I wanted to at least avenge her sacrifice. She did it to save me, but here I was, in enemy hands. And I would never, ever see her again. But I couldn't do anything. I was tied up, blindfolded, and most likely locked in some cell. I was useless.
"Nice dude. Great self esteem." Lunick remarked. Ben just shrugged.
"But you had better hope we have some use for you." Red Eyes continued. "We don't need prisoners."
I heard the door slam shut, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My thoughts of Summer, of the seemingly neverending sorrow that came with her sacrifice. I wondered if he would kill me. I doubted it would be painless. He would torture me, try to get information. I won't give him any.
That defiance would be my one way to make Summer's death worth something. And when I see her again, I can tell her I didn't let her die in vain.
"Wonderful. You're gonna die, and Summer's still alive. Talk about Romeo and Juliet." Isaac stated. "Hmm, is there more?"
"Yeah, Summer's turn." Ben gave Summer the laptop again.
"Welcome to Renbow Island!" Booker exclaimed as he docked the boat. He'd actually lost his first one. Forgot to tie it up. It sounded like something I would do. Luckily, he had a spare. It was a short voyage. Booker pointed to a large house near shore. "That's my house."
"It's... really big." I stated. Leave it to me to point out the obvious. Booker nodded. "So you live there?"
"Yep." He grinned. We walked inside the house, and were immediately greeted by a young boy with green hair. Well, actually, he just ran up to us and started babbling nonsense.
"Hi Boss! Who's this? Oh no, could it be? I wasn't living up to your expectations, so you found a new apprentice to replace me! And now your going to abandon me!" He gasped. I looked at him quizzically.
"This is Nick." Booker sighed. "No, Nick, I am not replacing you. Stop your daydreaming. Or daynightmaring, I guess. Summer, why don't you explain everything."
"Okay. So, my partner, Ben, and I were flying over Oblivia. We had just received a mission– to stop the Pokèmon Pinchers. I flew ahead, and caught sight of them. They attacked me, but I managed to dodge all but one." I paused to show them the painful burn on my arm. It was still stinging from my fall into the ocean. The saltwater wasn't good for it. "Then Ben showed up. The Pinchers were going to flee, but their leader arrived. He insulted us, so Ben, being Ben, insulted him back. The leader shot at him... but I intercepted the blow. I... I don't know what happened to Ben."
"Oh, I do." Keith smirked. "He's locked in some cell missing you!"
"Ah. I see." Booker looked at me sympathetically. "That's hard."
"You say you don't know what happened to your partner? Oh no! Could it be?" Nick started. There he goes again. "They've got him tied up in some cell, and are torturing him and slowly killing–"
"Shut up! Don't say things like that!" I interrupted. Tears sprang to my eyes. What if he was right? I couldn't bear the thought of Ben lying bloody and beaten in some cell, just waiting for it all to end. It was too horrible. "I'm already worried enough."
"Nice mental image." Solana grimaced.
"S-sorry." Nick apologized. "I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay. I'm sorry for snapping at you." I smiled at him encouragingly. "Ben will be fine."
I was more encouraging myself than Nick. Ben was the boy who ran into danger at every corner. He was hopefully still alive now. And if he wasn't... I would never forgive myself.
"Hey, where'd Pichu go?" Booker asked, effectively changing the subject. I looked around. It certainly wasn't here. Before I could do or say anything, a boy barged into the room.
"Booker, the UFO's are back!" He informed. UFO? Did he mean he Z.Z. Flyers? Here? Well, I shouldn't be surprised. I had to find out where they were!
"Where?" I demanded. The boy looked surprised by my presence. "Where are they?"
"Um... down at Rasp Cavern, miss." He stated. I was about to run after them, when I realized I had no idea where Rasp Cavern was
"Ralph, Summer is a Pokèmon Ranger. Can you possibly take her to them?" Booker requested. The boy, Ralph, nodded.
"Sure thing, Booker!" He agreed. "So, Summer, what brings you to Oblivia?"
"Well... you guys have only got one area ranger, and there are some bad guys... so, Hastings sent me and my partner..." I trailed off at the mention of Ben. He could be locked in some cell, injured and miserable, while I'm here. Safe and protected.
"Well, where's your partner?" He asked. Then he noticed my downcast expression. "Oh. Something happened... didn't it? I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's my fault. I should've... I dunno... helped him." I sighed. Booker gave me a reassuring smile.
"If ya hadn't intercepted the blow, he'd probably be dead right now. Yoh did your best, Summer. I'm sure Ben doesn't blame you." He assured me. "If anything, he's probably more worried about you."
"Thanks, Booker." I looked towards Ralph determinedly. "Let's go beat up some Pinchers!"
"Let's." He grinned. I followed him out the door and into a forest. I caught sight of some Pinchers. I signaled to Ralph, and we hid in a bush.
"How do you think everything is going in the cave?" One of them asked. The other shrugged. "Why did we have to be guards? Nobody'll disturb us."
"Pichu!" As if on cue, Ukulele Pichu burst into the clearing. I could tell it was mad. Which confirmed my suspicions. The Pinchers did take Pichu's friends!
"Go figure." Kellyn scoffed.
"What's this little guy doing here?" The guy of the guard duo asked. Pichu took this as an opportunity to try and dart into the cave. But the girl caught him.
"Hey! You can't go in there!" She shouted. Pichu ignored them, and actually shocked them both. They fell to the ground, unconscious. I grinned, and Ralph and I ran into the clearing.
"Way to go, Pichu!" I shouted. "I understand now. We'll find your friends. And we'll find Ben."
"You mean your partner?" Ralph asked. I just laughed.
"Way to ruin the moment Ralph." I smirked. "These Pinchers are going down!"
"And… that's the end of the chapter." Summer stated. "What's next?"
"Hey, let me see." Rhythmi requested. Summer handed it to her. "Oh! Here's a story! It's in Summer's point of view, and… someone named Blue Eyes… I can read that part."
"Okay." Summer smiled, as Rhythmi handed her the laptop. She grinned and began reading.
I looked angrily at the red-eyed man holding my tied up partner, Ben, captive. I looked at the blue-eyed woman next to me. Then I looked at my Pichu, who was also next to me.
Many days after the man, Red Eyes, a Pokémon Pincher leader, shot me out of the sky and kidnapped Ben from me, I had captured the woman, Blue Eyes, another Pokémon Pincher leader. After I captured her, Red Eyes came and said that he would like to trade Ben for Blue Eyes, and I had no choice but to agree, because I had to get Ben back. When I got to the peak of Daybreak Ruins, they weren't there. Then, Entei suddenly appeared. It was upset, but I managed to calm it down with a capture and get its Ranger Sign. Once it left, Red Eyes appeared with Ben and a couple of Pinchers.
"A… Ranger Sign?" Isaac asked. "I've never heard of that."
"So, I see you have Blue Eyes unharmed." He said.
"Yeah, it's because I'm not pure evil, unlike some people." I snarled.
"Now, now, no need to be rude." He said.
I rolled my eyes in disgust. "Never mind," I said. "Just let me have Ben, and Blue Eyes is all yours."
He nodded and signaled the two Pinchers to bring Ben to me. They did as they were told and walked Ben towards me. But when they got only halfway, they threw him on the ground.
"How dare they!" Rhythmi fumed. "Hurting my friends! Who are these people?"
"BEN!" I shrieked. I quickly turned to Blue Eyes. "Blue Eyes, you can go to Red Eyes now. I'll take care of Ben." I told her.
She nodded and walked towards Red Eyes while I ran over to Ben and helped him untie his ropes. Once I pulled the ropes off him, he threw his arms around me, hugging me tightly. I choked a tiny bit, but I hugged him back and held him tightly. Both of us didn't even let the other go.
"AWW!" All the girls, save for Summer, swooned. Summer rolled her eyes, and Ben blushed. "SO CUTE!"
"Rhyth's turn!" Summer exclaimed quickly, passing the Operator the laptop. She nodded. "Just pretend Red Eyes is Isaac."
"Summer!" Rhythmi exclaimed. She shook her head, and began reading.
"Blue Eyes, are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?" Red Eyes asked me.
"N-no, don't worry! I'm just fine!" I replied while blushing a little.
"Well, someone has a crush." Ben snickered.
He gave me a confused look. "Well, okay then, let's go." He started walking towards his Z.Z. Flyer.
"Wait, Red Eyes!" I exclaimed.
He turned around. "What's wrong?"
I have to tell him that I like him. Now has to be the time.
"I need to tell you something." I said.
"What is it?" He asked me.
I looked to my side to see Summer and her partner hugging, and then I looked back at him. "Uh, well, you see, I just, um, really," I stuttered.
"Wait, I actually need to tell you something, too." He said.
"Yeah, what is it?" I asked.
He took a deep breath and said, "Blue Eyes, I-I like you."
I blushed and said, "Red Eyes, I was going to say that I like you, too."
He blushed and asked, "You were?"
"Yes." I answered.
We both leaned forward and kissed each other. Then we turned to our sides to look at Summer and Ben, who were still hugging.
"I think they're going to make a pretty good couple." Red Eyes whispered to me.
"That's exactly what I was thinking." I whispered back.
"And someone thinks you two'd look good together." Keith smirked. Ben glared at his friends.
We both got on our Z.Z. Flyers and flew away with our grunts close behind us. I sure hope Summer and Ben will become a couple like me and Red Eyes just did.
"Back to you!" Rhyth exclaimed, giving Summer the laptop. She nodded, and began reading.
I opened my eyes and saw Red Eyes and Blue Eyes fly away on their Z.Z. Flyers with the other Pinchers following them. Ben and I were now alone, along with my Pichu. I closed my eyes again and continued hugging Ben. I felt something small and wet hit my shoulder. I opened my eyes again. When I turned my head, my eyes widened in shock and surprise to what I'm seeing. Ben was crying. I couldn't believe it. He never cried before.
"Except in this story." Kellyn added.
"Ben, what's wrong?" I asked as I removed my head from his shoulder.
"S-Summer," He sobbed. "I-I was just so worried about you. I really thought that they had you killed..."
"Ben..." I said, feeling tears spring to my eyes as well. I looked at Pichu; it looked worried, just like me. I looked back at Ben, he was still crying. I held him a bit closer to me and gently started wiping his tears away.
"I was worried about you too, Ben." I said. I folded my hands around his neck and leaned forward until our foreheads touched. "But, I'm fine, I promise."
"I-I know, Summer," He choked. "It's just, those Pinchers treated me so badly when I was away from you. Every day I was in their cell, I kept hoping that you were okay, but they kept telling me that you were dead, and I soon gave up on thinking that you were still alive. I just, I hate being left alone like that for so long."
"Ben," I said, gently placing my hand to his tear stained cheek.
He looked at me.
"I'll never leave you again, I promise." I slowly leaned forward and kissed him. As we broke apart, we blushed, smiled, and hugged each other again. We stayed in the same spot for a long time, never letting go for at least a second.
After a while, we both left Daybreak Ruins on Entei, still blushing and smiling at each other.
"AWWW! SO CUTE!" Kate screamed. Ben glared at her.
"Who is this person? How do I find them!?" He growled, getting up to leave.
"Chillax, Ben. It's just a story." Solana assured him.
"Yeah, sure…" Ben mumbled. "Just a story…"
A/N: Quickest. Update. Ever. :D AWESOME! Cute story, by the way, RangerTakara!