Solana

"Hey, Solana," I heard Lunick's voice, and I immediately turned around. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Spenser (everything always seemed less complicated when he was around), but was only confused by the sight of Elita. Why was she here? I shrugged internally. The more help we had, the better. This fire was getting out of control fast.

"Aria and I have been collecting any water Pokemon we find and directing them at the flames; however, what we really need is a Blastoise," I filled Spenser in as I showed him where Aria had gone deeper into the forest. She was only a few feet in, and several Squirtle and Wartorle had circled her, fighting the flames with their water. When she caught sight of us, she grinned. "It sure is good to see all of you!"

"Same to you," Spenser replied, "We could use your help, especially when Solana over here is practically dead on her feet."

"Spenser, I'm fine," I argued, eyebrows drawn down. He knew me so well, and I didn't need it right now. I had been on an over-night trip to Fall City to help their Rangers with a group of rogue Krabby that were terrorizing the tourists at the port. I hadn't gotten any sleep in around 40 hours.

"Solana, Joel told me all about the crazy workload you had," Spenser answered good-naturedly, not letting this build into an argument, "Just stay with the group and don't go crazy."

I decided to just go with what he gave me and followed. He continued speaking, giving everyone their jobs. "Aria and Lunick, your job is to make sure the fire doesn't spread any closer to Ringtown. Let's keep it contained in the forest. Elita, can you stay here and help?" Elita nodded for an answer, and Spenser turned his gaze to me. "You, missy, are coming with me. I want to keep an eye on you. We're going to find that Blastoise."

I nodded, glad to be given a job. I followed Spenser into the flaming forest, careful to keep the Wartortle I had captured close behind in case something happened. We managed to make it all the way through unscathed. We found our Blastoise peering around, seeming unsure as to what the heck was happening.

"Stay here," he told me, holding out a hand.

"And what happens if you get hurt and I can't get to you," I asked coolly, keeping my composure.

"If something happens, I'm sure you'll find a way," Spenser answered tightly, "Now just cover my back." I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to tell him that I was fine and if he would just stop being so obtuse, I could help him more. Instead, I just covered it up and did the job he told me. I hated it when he was like this, but there was nothing else I could do.

He found his way to the Blastoise and engaged it, and my eyes kept flicking back and forth between him and the path I would take if I needed to get to him in a hurry. He captured it in no time at all and flicked me a grin as if to say 'now that wasn't so bad after all'.

He was walking back with the Blastoise in tow when I saw the branch fall. I was running for him within a split-second, my heart in my throat and my breath far behind me. My wits, luckily, had not left me and I ordered my Wartortle to put out the fire on the flaming branch immediately. It was no easy task, but I managed to push the branch off Spenser myself, not even feeling the strain on my aching muscles.

He seemed so small with his eyes closed, lying on the ground. He was soaking wet from the Wartortle's Water Gun and his hair was all in his eyes. I managed to stay calm even though I felt like the slightest thing could tip me off the edge.

"Wake up, Spenser," I ordered, tentatively brushing his hair to the side so that I could see his eyes. "I swear, Spenser, you'd better wake up right now, or I'll… I'll…" I couldn't think of a threat appropriate for how I felt, so I just slapped his face instead.

His eyes fluttered open and he groaned. "Yeah, I bet you feel pretty good right now," I told him, my heart jumping in my chest. He was okay. He was waking up. God, I could breathe again.

"Did you just slap me?" He asked groggily.

"Yes," I replied, shaking my finger at him, "And don't you ever scare me like that again. I'm too comfortable with you to get a new leader. Now can you stand if you lean on me? Cause we need to get to the center of the forest to that we can get this Blastoise that you almost died for to help us."

He looked up at me with a dazed expression. "Yeah, sure." I helped him up and he seemed to be able to stand on his own. At least he could walk without me helping him. I let him lean on me and turned to my Plusle, who had been inconspicuously following me the whole time. "Plusle, can you find us the best way to the center of the forest?" I asked. Plusle was the best at scouting ahead. It nodded and bounced off and I walked with Spenser and followed it. Let's just get this thing over with.

Elita

The fire was getting even more ferocious before the rain started to fall. I broke a smile when it started, thanking Spenser and Solana for the relief. Lunick and Aria were practically dancing with joy and I looked the other way when their hands met briefly. We then all waited for Spenser and Solana, who should have only been a few minutes away. Ten minutes was up and I was getting worried. Where were they? I was about to go out and find them when a Plusle ran up to me, making whatever noise Plusles make. I realized it was Solana's and relaxed, waiting for them to emerge.

Thirty seconds later, they did. Solana was supporting Spenser (Spenser of all people, who seemed like he would never fall) and had soot covering her face. She looked exhausted as she walked up to them, but her face was proud.

"Good job, everybody," she said, nodding. I noticed that she continued to support Spenser instead of passing him off. She hesitated, flicking a look at her non-responsive leader. "He would say the same, you know, if he wasn't so out of it." She shrugged and continued. "Everyone come back to the base and we'll get some food and rest." She turned to Elita and Aria separately, giving them each a handshake with her free hand and tired smile. "We couldn't have done it without you guys. Thank you so much."

"What about me?" Lunick asked good-humoredly. "No handshake for me?"

"Lunick, you got to see your girlfriend, which is more than you get any other work day," Solana replied dryly. "Be happy with what you get."

Our group turned toward the base after we got our laughs out of Solana's statement, and I watched Spenser's protégé intently, realizing that I had learned at least one thing today. I definitely wanted Solana of Ringtown to be the new Wintown leader, no matter how much Spenser didn't want to give her up.