"I'm over it. Just please, give me the pain killers." My voice held an annoyed tone. Aiden looked down at me with his arms crossed. Recruits stood scattered around, taking a break from their lesson. Aiden and I stood in a secluded corner. It has been a few days since Grant tried that serum on me. The gash on my leg has closed, but it still hurts like hell. But of course, Aiden won't trust me enough to give me my pain killers. "I'm not going to try anything. I just want the constant throbbing to go away."

He sighed, finally handing me a single pill. I thanked him, downing the pill with a gulp of water. A grunt walked in, holding a clipboard. "General, Lieutenant." He paused briefly. Aiden nodded his head, beckoning the grunt to continue. "Here is the inventory of all the Pokemon brought in within the last month. There have been little issues with them, except one. A.. Combusken. She really does put up a fight. Seems almost ready to evolve." What! "It is rather odd seeing a Combusken in these parts, I might add." Without even glancing to Aiden, I ran from the chambers, sprinting to the room where the Pokemon were held.

"Combusken!" I ran through the aisles, taking sharp breaths. The wound on my leg burned with each rapid movement. "Combusken!" I called out again desperately. My leg suddenly gave out, resulting in me crumbling to the floor. This pain killer really needs to kick in. I hauled myself up, using a cage as support. The Pokemon inside nudged its head on my hand. To my surprise, Arcanine licked my fingers. "Hey buddy. Are you alright?" My voice was soft and soothing. Arcanine nodded his head, limping back over to the corner of his cage. Don't worry.. one day I'll get you out of here.

"Busken!" My ears perked. I followed the voice to the source, finding Combusken is a small glass cage. "Busken!" Her eyes lit up as she jumped up in down, only to receive a shock from the contraption. My knuckles turned white as I tried to pull the lock off. This is no use. My eyes scanned the room, landing on an emergency kit by the door. I used the fire hose to shatter the glass of the container, pulling out the ax within.

Taking a deep breath, I focused my vision on the lock. "Come on. This is just like knife throwing. Come on.." My voice trailed off. With a small grunt, I swung the ax down, shattering the lock. Combusken busted out, tackling me to the ground. I hugged her back, stroking her feathers. "It's good to see you too girl."

Aiden's P.O.V.

There were voices behind the door. I took a step closer, pressing my ear against the cold metal. "If we can extract it, then we can find a way to transfer it to another being. This can be a tricky process so it should only be conducted if the boy can't pull this mission off." A voice stated. There was a pause. "But I must warn you, sir. This operation will come with a cost. A cost that isn't favorable."

"He should be here soon. We shall discuss the details at a later time. Dismissed." Quickly, I took a few steps back, and began walking forward as the door opened.

The lunatic scientist nodded his head to me. "General." He walked past me.

I stopped at the door, my hat in my hands behind my back. "Leader. You wanted to see me?" My voice was calm. He nodded, waving me in. On the walls were Summer's brain x-rays. Red markings littered the screen, highlighting the differences between her brain, and an average girl her age's. Non legible writings were strung up around the room. They seem to have been written in a state of uncertainty and madness. Wouldn't surprise me with everything Grant has done in his life. Beating his daughter, killing his wife, abusing Pokemon, and murdering innocent people who were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. That can definitely take a toll on someone's mental stability.

"Are you infatuated with my daughter?" He held a straight face, but behind it is a mocking grin.

My breath hitched slightly. "I'm sorry. Sir?"

Grant merely smirked. "It has come to my attention that the two of you have become inseparable in these few short days. Felix has even mentioned that the both of you have slept together." Heat rushed through my cheeks. Grant smiled evilly. He knows he is breaking me. "I've begun to notice that my daughter is slowly losing touch with reality." Probably not the best time to tell him she tried to kill herself. "She is reluctant to play her role in our plan which is where you come in. I've been around long enough to see that you feel something very strongly towards her." Dammit. What is he getting at? "I need her head back in reality. And you are the perfect person for the job. You are going to propose to her."

My knees nearly gave out. What the fuck is wrong with this guy? "Sir, if I may?" He nodded. "How is a marriage proposal going to get her head 'back in reality'? She won't agree to this. She loves someone else!" I regretted saying that the moment it left my mouth. He nodded. I mentally punched myself for telling him exactly what he needed to know. "Sir, I care deeply about your daughter. I don't think putting her through something like this would be in her best interest."

He slammed his fist down on the table, sending papers floating to the ground. "Do not presume to tell me what the best intentions are for my daughter. This is not about her. This is about my organization taking over. I know you are loyal to me, Aiden. We are planning an attack. The biggest we've done so far. Summer is the key to getting us in. An army of Pokemon controlled by her and my soldiers. The Pokemon we are going to have her control is a difficult one. She needs to be mentally prepared for this task. You should know a lot about this Pokemon. We are going to attack the Ranger School and eliminate the growing threat. We shall start off with the schools, then make our way to the Unions stationed in each town. Finally, when they've dwindled in numbers and are all dead, we will take out the Top Ranger Union. There will be no one left standing in our way. The world will be Team Explosion's for the taking. All you need to do, is get her to trust you unconditionally, propose, and she will be loyal to you." I stood there emotionless. Anger and hatred boiled through my every vein, yet I stood there with nothing but pink cheeks. "I know this is what you want, Aiden. I can see it in your eyes. Just know, if you cannot succeed in this mission, there will be a price to pay."

"Sir." I bowed slightly, before turning on my heel and walking out. This is not good.

"Summer?" I asked softly as I stepped into her room. She lay on her bed, her eyes shut. Combusken lay on the floor at the foot of the bed. I knew Summer would find her sooner or later. Combusken looked up at me, a small smile on her face. "Hey girl. Do you think you can give me a few minutes alone with her?" The Pokemon nodded, before hopping out the window, and sprinting off into the forest. I eased myself down on the edge of the bed, careful not to make and abrupt movements.

A few locks of hair fell over her eyes. Her light pink lips were slightly separated, while every muscle in her body was relaxed. All in all, she looks at peace. Suddenly, her body twitched, eliciting a small moan of pain from her mouth. "My leg.." She mumbled in her sleep. Her hand moved, clenching on to the closest thing near her, which just so happens to be my hand. Her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes cracked open.

"Hmm?" She grumbled, leaning up slightly. Her lips formed a small smile. "Is everything okay?" She yawned. I sighed, sliding in next to her on the bed, leaning my back against the dashboard. My hand went to her hair as she leaned her head back down onto my leg.

I have my orders.. "Summer.." She made a humming noise, looking up to me. Without any warning, I grabbed her shoulders, pulled my legs out from under her, and pinned her down to the bed. "Marry me." My voice held pain. Shock was etched all over her face. My lips crashed down to her's. I cringed as her hands gripped my sides, pushing up weakly. How can I do this to her? As much as I want this, I shouldn't be forcing it upon her. No.. I won't do this.

My head lifted away slightly. Her lips trembled. "Aiden, please."

Ben's P.O.V.

"Ben, just fucking give up already." Keith yelled from across the hall. "She isn't coming back! You heard what Kate said. She is gone forever! Just move on."

I glared at him. "Move on? You're the one who told me to seize the moment and not let her get away!" I barked.

He laughed slightly. "Are you not realizing what's going on? She is gone! You did let her get away! And for what? One fucking kiss with Molly? It wasn't worth it, Ben!" I stood there, breathing heavily. He is right.. it wasn't worth it. My eyes wandered to the missing person flyer plastered to the wall. Her picture was broad casted on the front, along with small details about her like hair and eye color, height, and where she was last seen. Summer, I'm so sorry I put you through this. "We loved her too, Ben." Keith sighed. My body felt numb. I'm such a fool..

Summer's P.O.V.

My hands trembled at his sides. He looked down at me, fear and confusion etched on his face. He breathed out hard, shaking his head slowly. "I-I can't do this.. You still love him.." Aiden got up, backing away from me. His back pressed against the wall. "I'm sorry.. So sorry." His hands covered his eyes as he slumped to the ground. I've never seen him look this defeated before. Aiden is always composed and never fails to keep calm. Is the weight of everything he has been through finally taking its toll?

I walked over to him and kneeled down. "What's wrong?" My voice was soft. "What is happening?"

He looked up at me with tear filled eyes. "I gotta get you outta here." He stood up suddenly, taking my hands. "You aren't safe." What is he getting at? Aiden walked to the window, scanning the area. "We can leave Almia and go to Jhoto. Grant will never suspect that we are there." He turned to me, his face pale.

Before he could say anything more, I grabbed his shoulders, looking up at him. "What happened? Where is all of this coming from? What do you mean 'I'm not safe'?" He began to shake his head. "Aiden. Please.."

"Okay." He sighed. We sat down on the bed side by side. "Something big is going to happen. Grant suspects that you're losing touch with reality. He thinks it has something to do with your link to Pokemon. I was ordered to propose to you, in hopes you would be focused on that and that you would become indebted to me. Grant is planning the biggest raid in Team Explosion history. And the Rangers are his target. Not just normal Rangers, but Rangers-to-be as well. After they are all killed, he is going to take out the Top Rangers. He plans on using you and his secret weapon to accomplish this. And there is no doubt in my mind that he will be able to do it with those two resources." His voice held fear. "My mission was to propose to you, get you to listen to me without fault, and manipulate you into obeying my every command." Aiden clenched his hands into fists.

This isn't happening.. My voice was quiet. "And what happens if you don't complete this mission?"

He wouldn't look me in the eyes. Aiden kept quiet for a few seconds, staring at the floorboards. "They are going to try and extract the growth from your brain to transfer it to another being. And you are going to die." My heart stopped. I'll admit, I wanted to die. But on my own terms. Not from some scientist toying with my brain. Yet, that's not what I'm worried about. All of those Rangers are going to be murdered. And that is simply something that I will not let happen.

"Aiden.. I can't let Team Explosion go through with this. I have to find a way to stop them." My body moved swiftly to the door.

Before I could open it, Aiden latched onto my hand. "You don't understand the severity of this situation. Summer, they will kill you!" He stressed.

"Better me than countless innocent people. I've seen enough death in my life. I don't plan on seeing anymore of it." Determination laced my words.

The sound of the intercom startled both of us. "Summer Minami and Aiden Holmes to the conference room." Ohh great. What could this possibly be about?

Alright. So hopefully everyone enjoyed. Till next time. -A