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To say Summer was impressed was an understatement. She was thrilled with Hela's ability to transform into an ILLUSION of MOLTRES. Of course, it was far from perfect. If anything, she looked like a strange form of the fire bird, with a few strange tweaks or missing details.[break][break]

But the HISUIAN ZOROARK was imitating a legendary beast. It was to be expected.[break][break]

It tricked their target, regardless, as he cried out to the false-god and fell to his knees in worship. He didn't have time to react as Cillian Quinn's AERODACTYL swooped in and captured him.[break][break]

His terrified scream made chills run down Summer's spine, turning her head away as the Pokemon swooped off with him and made a lap around the mountain. Time was running out. They had to eliminate him. "Hela, release."[break][break]

Her Pokemon broke the ILLUSION, her white and red fur showing as she shrunk to her normal form. Exhaustion was clear on her face, pants coming from her mouth as she lay on the ground. Summer returned her to her Poke ball, looking to Cillian.[break][break]

"Any interrogation?"


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Little did Summer know, Cade Atreides had been hard at work. However, his reply came just as quickly as her initial invitation. She merely smiled at the response before turning off her phone, relaxing in the sun.[break][break]

Though it took him a little bit, he eventually showed. She peaked on eye open, peering at him from behind her sunglasses, as her face broke into a sly grin. The shorts he wore were incredibly tight... she wondered if that was accidental or on purpose.[break][break]

"I always miss you, Papi," Summer cooed, accepting his peck as he settled beside her.[break][break]

She sipped through her straw, her cool, alcoholic beverage refreshing compared to the heat. "Order you anything you want. My treat, for you joining me. I hope I didn't pull you away from anything too important. Although..."[break][break]

With another gaze at his body, she smirked. "I'm glad I did."


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The solstice. Summer stood with Raziel Beckett and Naomi Sato as she explained that war was coming when they reached that time. Her face was a small frown, her arms crossed over her chest. They didn't have much longer to get ready. They had to be prepared.[break][break]

However, her thoughts were broken as Naomi Sato spoke again. "Thank you, Nomi. We appreciate everyone in Circhester."[break][break]

---

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And the solstice arrived. The sky grew red, the clouds pink. As she received word, Summer strung her Poke balls at her side and sheathed her rapier at her hip. The air was chilly, threatening to freeze them to the bone.[break][break]

As she descends to the center of town, they appeared. The BLACK KNIGHT and the SKELETON. Her hand rested at her side as they clashed, her other telling her people to hold. To see what exactly these two were doing before attacking.[break][break]

And she was glad she did, as the statue broke open with bright light. ZACIAN. Summer couldn't contain the joy in her heart as she looked over the sword-wielding dog, its howl like music to her ears. It was time for war.[break][break]

Outside of Wedgehurst, Summer stood alongside Raziel Beckett. Her people lined up with her. skyler dross, angelo vestri, Naomi Sato, parker jones, GIDEON GRAVES, mikael rosenberg, Serena Malcolm, Aidan Hereford, Eris Halla, Gunner Graves... all people she'd grown to care for or cared for even more than before. She scanned their faces, nodding to them.[break][break]

She shared one last, lingering look with Gunner Graves. Then she turned back to the fray. "Circhester. Attack with all your might! Show them what we are capable of!" she called, raising her rapier into the air.[break][break]

Summer's own CHARIZARD was released, attacking the GIGANTAMAXED RILLABOOM with INFERNO, flames blazing upward to try and engulf it. Her own weapon threw PSYCHO CUT power to the one of the general TOXTRICITY charging forward.


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Another ten years came and went. Summer Atreides couldn't recall her age, since she'd stopped counting. But, she believed she'd be near fifty at this point. Her hair was a stark white in contrast of the blue it once was. Stress and battle had caused the pigment to disappear, leaving her white as snow.[break][break]

Pure, perhaps. She didn't mind it.[break][break]

Circhester grew, thanks to the work of the guard. angelo vestri, mikael rosenberg, Gunner Graves, and skyler dross played a major role in the rebuilding of defenses and manning protection. She would always sing their praises when anyone tried to say it was her work that brought the city to its glory.[break][break]

There were many times she went to the hospital and clinics to catch GIDEON GRAVES. Summer believed she was indebted to him for saving her life, and she would try to take him away for a break and treat him to coffee or tea. On her, of course.[break][break]

Serena Malcolm's pub was one of her favorite places to unwind after a day's work. Even after heated nights and romantic nothings, she enjoyed laughing and drinking with the woman. She was fun and boisterous, a light in the shadowy world. She made sure to invite Aidan Hereford and parker jones to join in the fun as well.[break][break]

Summer would go and check on Naomi Sato, to see how her work came along. She was impressed with the progress that she made with her research and weaponry. She was very glad to have her in their city.[break][break]

Eris Halla... she was growing up. It made Summer so proud to see her grow. And when she heard that the girl had a crush on someone, she practically squealed with joy. She would take her out to lunches and dinners regularly, giving her the best advice on what to do — and mostly, what not to do. And, the queen demanded to meet her partner soon. For... interrogation purposes.[break][break]

skyler dross would steal the queen from her chambers, taking her out to sea. With the poison receding from the city, it took both of them by surprise. So Summer requested to join her in her adventure out to visualize what was going on. Though perhaps the two women had a bit too much fun on the boat and had to be dealt with by poor angelo vestri later...[break][break]

And, Gunner Graves... four years of their time had been spent fighting, followed by silence. Ignoring one another unless duty called. But the last sixteen years had been kind to them. At first, Summer had been hesitant to reach out to him, even though they had agreed to enjoy each other's company as friends. But with each meeting, it became easier. Whether it was food or drink, or even a casual conversation, Summer felt herself grow more and more comfortable with him. Their relationship, the loss of their child, it was all a healed wound. Now, she could enjoy his friendship. How it should have been.[break][break]

With communication between the other cities becoming more widespread, Summer reached out to the other kings and queens of each city. "We are offering you aid should you need any. I cannot offer you military assistance, but anything else, please don't hesitate to ask, and we can reach a negotiation," her letter said.[break][break]

While she hesitated to add a part to the letter, she did so anyway. "I should forewarn you that skyler dross and I came across a great disturbance in the sea. The poison receded there, and it seems like it's going to come forth again at any moment. It would appear that a disturbance is on the horizon. Be prepared."[break][break]

- signed, Queen Summer of Circhester


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Was that... perhaps a bit of warmth in his eyes? Kindness? Summer didn't want to believe it. It would be easier to believe that Cillian Quinn was a cold, heartless killer, one of the heads of Rocket. Why did she think that he could have a soul?[break][break]

They were all humans. Maybe he was one too, and she just didn't know it yet.[break][break]

She swiped away the sweat that was clinging to her brow, taking right on the fork. Her HISUIAN ZOROARK trailed ahead, moving in a ghost-like manner along the path. And when Hela caught sight of their target, she paused, sharing a glance with her trainer.[break][break]

"Hela. ILLUSION. Make him believe you're what's he's looking for." MOLTRES. Could Hela pull it off?[break][break]

Pressing into her comms, she spoke to Cillian in a voice to avoid warning the grunt of their whereabouts. "Target spotted. My ZOROARK is going to lure him into a trap. Come around the fork to the right."


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There was no chance Summer Atreides was giving him the chance to take control, unless it slipped from her hands. She'd ensure she had him on a leash the entire time, no matter what.[break][break]

Though it appeared like he didn't mind it too much. Perhaps it was something he was into.[break][break]

So, with one of his little packets and some time later, their little "horizontal tango," as Jack Magnus liked to put it, was over.[break][break]

Honestly, she didn't realize that there were scratches in the wood of her desk. She'd have to get a new one or try to repair it.[break][break]

Well, with what just happened, probably a new one...[break][break]

After a moment's pause to catch her breath, Summer stood, disregarding him like he wasn't even there as she fetched everything that had fallen. Clothing, papers, and so forth.[break][break]

"You have approximately five minutes until my security team arrives again for a recheck of the perimeters. I suggest you get going before they arrive. I won't be covering for you if you get caught," she said with a cocky smirk.[break][break]

"Bye bye, Magnus. Make sure to cover up on the way out."


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A genuine smile broke across her face, noticeably bright in the dark and dull setting that was Circhester. Any tension or fear of rejection to the idea was eased off her shoulders. It felt like weights were lifted, and she felt more at ease now. "I'm glad. Thank you, Gunner."[break][break]

Though, as he mentioned Liam, Summer's face grew red with a bit of shyness and a hint of embarrassment. The smile grew more sheepish as her finger began to twist the ring on her finger absentmindedly.[break][break]

"Oh, ah... thank you. He's a really good man. I just hope that he protects himself out there," she said softly, her gaze dropping to the coins on the table.[break][break]

Though when she met Gunner's gaze again, she caught his smile. It was the same smile he used to give her, even if it was small. She met it with her own, giggling at herself.[break][break]

"Okay. I'm... I'm going to get going. I have some more work to do. I will see you around? I mean— I'll talk to you soon. Goodbye, Gunner. Have a good night."


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Gunner told her that he didn't see her as a threat. Summer's eyebrow rose, a bit surprised. Though four years was a long time, she wondered if he had still viewed her in the same light as before.[break][break]

Monster. Scum. Terrorist.[break][break]

So it made her feel relieved that they were closing out the chapters they had been holding open for so long. Regarding his clarification on her statement, she nodded.[break][break]

"Yes. We can take our time. Things don't change over night. But I would like to work on it. If not for us, for the people. We need to be able to be around one another and speak normally for the sake of Circhester in the least."


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Summer remembered walking on the beach with Callan Young. She told him that she'd be happy if Gunner was okay and would take a break. If he was safe. She remembered lying to herself to make herself feel better. Maybe one day, he'd come home and things would have gone back to the way they had been before.[break][break]

But now, looking back on the past, nothing would have changed. They would have still been miserable. And another fight would have arrived. If he had found out her allegiance in Hoenn, he would have surely turned her into the HBIC. She'd face repercussions.[break][break]

Maybe Galar was Arceus's way of showing them mercy. Or giving them a second chance.[break][break]

Summer shook her head, looking down at her ring on her finger. "We still are. But, I'm hoping that we can change things. I don't want you to see me as a threat. I want to be your ally. It may take time, but if you're willing to work with me, I'd be grateful."[break][break]

She glanced back at him. "Do you want to ask me anything?"


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Summer didn't want to admit he was right. But...[break][break]

"No, you're right." She picked up one of the spare coins on the table, taking in into her hands. It was losing its color, dulling out by time.[break][break]

Summer was afraid of his answer. And it stung her heart, like alcohol on a fresh wound. The wounds she had from their fights and her hospital stay had heal, but the scars were still there.[break][break]

"Why didn't you tell me? We could have work something out. I would have rather both of us find a solution than neither of us be happy," she insisted, setting it back on the table.[break][break]

Unable to help it, she laughed. It wasn't a joyful laugh. It was bitter, at herself. At them. "We're idiots. Things could have gone so much better if we had just talked to one another." Instead of pretending everything was okay.


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Summer was quiet, processing the information. Her suspicions weren't confirmed at the breakup, but now they were. But she did need to correct one thing.[break][break]

"You knew the real me. Or, most of me. You just didn't know my dark side, like I didn't know yours. You knew the Summer that not everyone gets to know. So, I think you loved the right part of me. Though you may not agree with my way of thinking."[break][break]

She finally looked back at him, wishing that he'd have some courage to look up and meet her gaze.[break][break]

"I really did love you. None of that was a lie. All of the time we spent together, the beach, everything. It was some of the best moments in my life. And when we found out about the baby, I thought you were going to leave me because you didn't want to be a father. But you stayed. And I loved you more after that."[break][break]

Summer leaned back in the chair. "Did you want it? The baby?"


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