Again, thanks to everyone who reviewed! I enjoy them so much. :) Now, last time, we checked in with Solana and Alyssa and found out what happened to Jackie. Now, we continue with Spenser, Lucy, Joel, and Sven's chase to find Solana.

Also, I did another one-shot about Jackie and Danielle, if any of you guys want to read it. I haven't really gone into depth yet with their relationship, but I will. The one-shot will just be an idea of what they're like. So, yeah, enjoy!

Joel

The dead end we'd found at Krokka Tunnel didn't last long. The morning after our brief stay at Ringtown, we had a tip-off from the Ranger Union about Ice and Co. Lunick was left behind this time, as Spenser almost went berserk that someone broke into his Ranger base and injured one of his rangers when he wasn't there. I swear, Spenser's greatest flaw is that he thinks he should be able to do everything and be everywhere all the time. If anyone gets hurt and he wasn't there, it's like it's his fault. Which is ridiculous.

He also insisted that one of my Rangers stay with Melody and Lunick to give them help. I was about to give him grief about it, but only because he was being so bossy about it. However, I decided that the guy had been through enough already. I decided to keep Aria over here, seeing as Keith and Lind seem to have no personality when they're separated and Sam, Danielle's twin, could cover as leader of Fall City base for now.

Besides, I kinda wanted to throw out a lifeline for Lunick. He seemed like he was drowning. A bit.

Anyway, somehow, the Union had found out that the crooks with Alyssa and Solana had been reported to be in Boyleland. Not just Boyleland, but the Boyleland Volcano.

I guess we were going to see Sven's cousin.

Lucy

I very much got along with the quiet area leader of Boyleland, seeing as she was both kick-butt when you crossed her and Sven's cousin. Plus, she was really saving our butts here. I would be wandering around for hours through this volcano if it wasn't for her. Like a real Area Leader, she had taken the initiative to know her turf like the back of her hand, which was turning out to be quite helpful.

We were nearing the center of Boyleland Volcano quickly. Rena was leading the group of me, Sven, Joel, and Spenser through the lava-filled area. "How much farther, Rena?" Joel called up to the front. He was bringing up the rear along with Spenser. The two of them had been inseparable the past two days. It was obvious Spenser needed a friend at this time and Joel was there for him. I was glad of it and I couldn't help but feel a bit proud of my guy. And yes, I also found myself thinking of him as my guy. I didn't even want to go into the physiological effects of that thought because I definitely did not feel anything but the spirit of Ranger comradery for Joel. That's all there was to it.

"Just across this section and then around the next bend," Rena replied, her dark eyes fixed on the turn in front of us. We were currently crossing what looked like to me as not the sturdiest bridge across a lava pit. I nervously looked over the side.

"It's probably better if you don't look," Sven advised me and I could hear the grin in his voice, even though he was behind me. I snapped my gaze back up, focusing on Rena's dark ponytail in front of me. Sven had been great these last two days, serving as a leader for our small group. He had the most experience and was the oldest, obviously, but it was also evident how much everyone else in the group respected him. Still, I could tell he missed Wendy though and he worried about her. After what was going on with Spenser and Solana, it was written all over his face. I knew she would be fine. We female Top Rangers have a way of coming out okay.

Shieldon made a nervous noise beside me, shooting me a glance. Even in the relatively open space of the volcano, Shieldon was nervous. He hated confined spaces and the rock walls around him weren't helping. But, he was also wouldn't let me out of his sight. His protective side won out in this instance. It was too big a mission to miss out on.

We finally reached the bend that Rena had been talking about and she stopped us for a moment with a raised hand. "There's definitely someone in there," she whispered and I peered past her. I could see a blue-haired guy who I could only assume was Ice and his pink-haired counterpart, Lavana. They were exchanging hurried words and then Ice left, going toward the back of the volcano.

"It's Lavana and Ice," I whispered back to the group, "and a few other Dim Sun cronies. No sign of Heath though."

"Solana?" Spenser asked hopefully.

I took another look around the corner. I didn't see the blue-haired ranger anywhere. But I did see another shape behind Lavana. "No," I turned around, replying apologetically, "but I do see Alyssa. Solana can't be too far away."

"You see Alyssa?" Sven craned his head over my shoulder. I've suspected that he and Kate had a talk and that Kate made him promise to get Alyssa back no matter what it took. She must be so frustrated not to be here.

"Here's the plan," Sven gathered the five of us together with a certain dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Lucy, Joel, and I will rescue Alyssa. Spenser, you and Rena follow where Ice went and see if that's where Solana is. Rena, make sure Spense doesn't get lost. Sound good?"

I flashed a look at Joel. He looked businesslike, yet a tiny bit apprehensive. It was gonna be me, him, and Sven working together. Having Spenser and Rena had created a buffer zone so that the three of us didn't interact all that much. Now that buffer zone was gone. I grinned at him and he caught my look, rolling his eyes back.

"Okay with me, Sven," Spenser replied, his eyes lighting up at the prospect of kicking some Dim Sun ass.

"Sounds good, cuz," Rena replied, looking equally excited. She and Sven both seemed to perk up whenever it was butt-whooping time. It must be because they're cousins. Is bloodthirstiness genetic?

"Yeah," Joel nodded when Sven's gaze rested on him.

He turned to me and I smiled at him, "Let's rock and roll."

"Alright, then," he nodded, "Rangers, move out."

Spenser and Rena took the long way around the center, circling the edge of the platform so to attract as little attention as possible. Sven, Joel, and I strolled causally toward Lavana, who just watched us coolly, a Charizard at her side. I saw Alyssa's face light up as she saw us approach. She was flanked by two Dim Sun goons and had her hands tied, so it didn't look like she was getting anywhere.

Lavana tossed her hair, a smirk evident on her face. "Too late, Rangers," she said sadly, shaking her head, "You missed the main event. But don't worry, we've got a nice after-party set up for you anyway."

I saw the lava rise behind her and I gulped. More giant Pokemon? A huge Heatran pounded out from the lava, not saying a thing but looking as scary as anything anyway. "Oh, seems you've disturbed the guardian of this place," Lavana grinned, looking unconcerned. "Well, have fun."

She hopped onto the Charizard beside her and grabbed Alyssa with her. It took off back toward the way we came, leaving the two Dim Sun goons clueless. I looked around for any flying Pokemon that could help us, but saw nothing. We were in a volcano anyway. How many flying Pokemon were there going to be?

Then it hit me. Spenser and Joel had rode Spenser's Fearow here while Sven and I had rode Wintown's Dragonite Bus. Spenser and Rena were out of sight by now and Spenser would probably need his partner Pokemon, but the Dragonite was probably still at the Boyleland base resting up before flying back. I grabbed my styler, sending the message.

"What the hell are you doing?" Joel pulled me out of the way as Heatran's Flamethrower hit the spot where I had been a few seconds ago.

"Calling the Boyleland base for the Dragonite we left there," I replied, waiting for the reply that Boyleland had gotten my message.

"Could you maybe do it when we were in a bit of a safer area?" Joel asked sarcastically as we dodged another Flamethrower. My styler dinged with a reply from Boyleland. The Dragonite was on its way.

"Capture on," I heard Sven's voice and he began the mountain of capturing this Heatran. His face was impassive, as it mostly was. He was always so calm and collected. Luxray beside him was calm as well, standing by his ranger's side just in case he needed him.

"Sven, the Dragonite is on its way," I yelled at the hat-wearing ranger, "Can Joel and I follow Lavana in pursuit?"

Sven narrowly dodged a burst of fire. "Yeah, go," he replied, flashing a grin at me, "I can take care of this big guy." We were about to go when Sven yelled something else to Joel.

"Don't let her out of your sight," he told him sternly. Joel nodded, looking like, for the first time, he wasn't scared of Sven. Good for Joel. Maybe there's a relationship there that would start to build on respect. It would be good to see two of the main guys in my life form a truce. Even though then I can't threaten Joel with Sven's retribution.

I looked down to see Shieldon looking at me questioningly. I felt a pang of guilt for leaving him behind after he braved his claustrophobia to come with me, but I had to. Besides, he could be back-up for Sven, who might need it if this craziness kept up. I could put him inside his Pokeball, which we Rangers only used when traveling with our partner Pokemon, but I knew he could be of some use to Sven in a tight spot. "Stay and help," I told Shieldon reassuringly. "I'll be back soon. I promise."

"You too, Dodrio," Joel directed toward his partner. Then we were off. He ran past me, grabbing my wrist as he did. Even the most basic touch of his hand around my wrist sent a surprised jolt down my spine. I didn't mind it. Maybe a few weeks ago, I would've, but right now I didn't and that scared me. Why was I so attracted to him even though all we really ever did was fight?

There was something wrong here.

We were running back toward the entrance, where Lavana had disappeared to, when the Dragonite came speeding at us. He stopped neatly in front of us and I was glad that we would have his aerial skills against Lavana. Our Dragonite trainers knew their stuff.

"C'mon, Luce," Joel stopped next to the Dragonite, hesitating before he got on. That was his mistake.

I jumped for the front. Joel was way too slow when it came to my tricks. "Haha, Joel, gotcha again!" I grinned broadly, realizing that this was one of my favorite parts of our relationship. He was a horrible loser.

Joel made a face and grumbled as he climbed on the back, most of it unintelligible.

"Let's just hope this Dragonite can hold you, post-donuts," I smirked, not even bothering to look at his face because I could already picture it in my head. I gave the signal for the Dragonite to rise, ready to take back Alyssa for Kate and give Lavana no quarter. I've had enough of Team Dim Sun causing trouble.

"Just don't do anything reckless without talking to me first, Lucy," Joel put in as we rose off the ground, starting to move forward. "Actually, strike that. Don't do anything reckless."

We were starting to speed off now as I searched the space in front of us for any sign of Lavana. We exited the volcano in only thirty more seconds as Dragonite put on the speed. I grinned in response to Joel's request.

"No promises, Joel."

I love how much I drive him crazy.

Spenser

I followed Rena past Lavana and Alyssa, my mind only thinking about one thing. Sven, Joel, and Lucy would be fine, I knew that. I had to worry about my mission now. Rena was leading me farther back now and I remembered her saying something about a secret harbor back here. Maybe that was Ice's escape route. I hoped so. I could deal with boats.

It turned out that my hunch was right. We rounded the corner to see a giant boat slowly pulling away. It was too far for me to swim after, but, luckily, I had the best partner Pokemon in the world that could also fly.

"Fearow, have I mentioned how much I love you lately?" I asked my partner, who gave me a look at the news that he was actually going to have to do some work.

Rena looked hesitant. I knew she couldn't come with me. She had a base to look after here and with everything going to the dogs lately, she couldn't afford to go gallivanting off on some rescue mission. I was just glad that I had Lunick to cover for me or else I would be in the same position.

"Rena, I can take it from here," I nodded to her and saw her relief. She had been trying to figure out how to tell me.

"You know that I would go if I could," Rena's dark eyes were serious as she met my eyes. "I have too many responsibilities. But be careful. My cousin actually likes you."

"As opposed to Joel," I laughed, feeling that streak of recklessness come out of me again. Joel and I clashed terribly because of my recklessness when I was in Ranger School. Our different views on things had set us apart and although we had managed to get the best out of that, I still had that reckless rush every once in a while. It meant that I was ready for a mission.

"Now, Fearow, I want a quiet approach. It's gonna be all about the sneak attack."

Fearow cawed in response, looking disgruntled. I patted him on the head, preening a few of his feathers. "Try to be a good sport, bud. It's about Solana."

He nodded, accepting his fate. As he flapped his wings experimentally, I climbed on, settling myself on his broad back. "I'll see ya, Rena," I grinned at her, more ready for this than anything else. Fearow started to take off, powering off the ground with strong, steady strokes.

"Bye, Spenser," she waved, starting back toward the inner volcano, presumably to help Sven, Lucy, and Joel. I hoped Joel wouldn't worry too much about me. He worries a lot.

Fearow officially took to the air as we glided after the ship and my eyes searched it for a good place to land. This was what I had wanted ever since I had first heard about what happened to Solana. I just wanted to find her and, if Ice was on this boat, there was a good chance she was. Or, at least Ice would know where she was taken.

Here I come.