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The beach. It was one of Summer Atreides's favorite ways to wind down from work.[break][break]

She decided to take a beach vacation for a week, to spend time on living in the moment. Not everything had to be taken care of at that exact minute when she was laying there on the beach chair, hearing the waves crash against the sand.[break][break]

There was something missing though. Someone.[break][break]

Summer made her loneliness known as she messaged him. Cade Atreides. The Paldean man was the figure of her fantasies, and she'd do anything (or almost anything) to get his attention on her for a solid week.[break][break]

"Cade. It's Summer. Come spend time with me this week in Slateport. xoxo"[break][break]

The message was complete with a selfie of her in her bathing suit, kissing at the camera before it sent.


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Summer nodded. "Three," she repeated.[break][break]

Would she count this as the first? Perhaps she'd let it slide. She took his phone, scrolling through the information he "leaked" to her. That's what she'd call it, when she confronted this individual.[break][break]

"Typical. Not surprised in the least. Alright, then. I suppose since you were so willing, I will let you live. But if you do something like that again, I will cut you down without hesitation."[break][break]

She recalled her EMBOAR, allowing him to go back on patrol. Her ABSOL was tucked back into her ball, leaving Summer vulnerable. However, she knew he wasn't going to attack her.[break][break]

"Put away your HOUNDOOM. Before I change my mind," she ordered as she closed her door.


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It had been some time since Summer Atreides had been to jayden cross's home. It had also been some time since she stepped foot in Sootopolis. Most of her focus was to her own business and company in Mauville City, so it was a rarity that she came into Rocket territory except for business.[break][break]

However, she was rather pleased. It felt a bit freeing, being back. She carried a bag with a stash of goods from her warehouse, and a belt across her hips were full of Poke balls.[break][break]

Poison-types, specifically, for their... experimentation.[break][break]

Approaching his home, Summer rang the doorbell, setting the bag down on the step. "It's heavier than I thought..." she mumbled to herself, waiting for Jayden to retrieve her.


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Summer laughed softly, covering her mouth delicately with her hand. It was a genuine one, one that reserved for the rarest of people. She didn't know what tickled her, but it seemed so innocent that GIDEON GRAVES was self-aware about his fashion sense.[break][break]

"I wouldn't say that your outfit is bad. But there are always small things you can do to improve upon your look, if that's something you are interested in." A sip of her coffee was taken before she spoke again.[break][break]

"Some people aren't, though. I wouldn't worry too much about it, as long as you fit your profession."[break][break]

Mega Evolution... Summer recalled hearing about it before. The change in a Pokemon's abilities and appearance. "An interesting topic. Do you have any theories yourself?"[break][break]

She appreciated his company until they both excused themselves to go back to work and the conference respectively.


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"Shut the fuck up already," Summer grumbled. That was enough with the bickering and teasing. It was time to get the show on the road.[break][break]

Quite literally.[break][break]

With the Pokemon taking off, Summer was left alone with Isaac and their designated performing Pokemon. Typically, confidence and arrogance would ooze off of her. However, she was typically accompanying her Pokemon in situations like these.[break][break]

There was gnawing anxiety in the pit of her stomach as she thought about what could go wrong. What if they really needed their leaders? Maybe she should have gone —[break][break]

Her companion's voice cut through her thoughts, bringing her back to the present. "I can't say I have. Just don't drown. We gotta get the goods out of here in one piece."


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Summer hoped she truly did consider. If Yumi Hasegawa worked with her, not for her, she could imagine that they might become an unstoppable duo. She had business expertise, and Yumi had schooling in fashion. It would be much better for her business-wise to hire someone with that experience rather than run a shop on her opinions and buying out clothes alone.[break][break]

Not to mention, they'd have competitors with personal designers as well.[break][break]

"I understand. I wish you the best of luck on hearing back. Do keep me in mind, though," she added with a wink.[break][break]

"Do you have any pictures of your work? I'd love to see more of it after the show."


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Summer scoffed. Was he begging? Not exactly... in a way, Jack Magnus was begging. But it wasn't the way she wanted him to. The man was way too horny for her to gain gratification in seeing him grovel in front of her. She couldn't get the rush of adrenaline from seeing the fear in his eyes as he begged for his life.[break][break]

Instead, it seemed like he wanted her to continue. She let up her heel, flipping her hair over her shoulder, as she held out a hand to her EMBOAR.[break][break]

"Opphold," Summer commanded, telling the beast to stay. Surtur remained in the door way, though he billowed smoke and flames from his nostrils.[break][break]

"Three favors, free of charge. Then, if you prove you won't steal my belongings or snoop through my files, maybe I'll decide to give you a chance," Summer said, crossing her arms over her chest.[break][break]

"So, tell me. How are you going to prove your loyalty?"


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"Arrogance is one hell of a drug."[break][break]

Summer knew he was right. She'd been hooked on egotism and haughtiness. It ran in her veins as smooth as blood did. But when it came to people like Cillian Quinn, she knew that she had to take it down a notch.[break][break]

Or even erase that attitude completely.[break][break]

"Freedom fighters," she echoed, scoffing before laughing at the thought. "If only they'd seen Kanto..."[break][break]

Perhaps it was hypocritical of her to say that, since she didn't fight on the front lines. Her father had, leaving her in charge of the business while he was in battle. But she knew enough of what happened between the League and Rocket. She knew, even now, that Rocket was for the strong and worthy.[break][break]

Was she worthy?[break][break]

"And then we kill him." Perhaps she wasn't, by how taken aback she was by his statement. Summer looked over at Cillian, her brows raised.[break][break]

"That's it? No interrogation or reformation?"


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Of course she knew that Callan was looking out for her. For the child. But there were so many uncertainties she didn't have the answer to. And for Summer, some of the answers he asked were best answered with the lies she told herself.[break][break]

Lies she hoped were the truth. Because, truly, Summer wasn't happy. She should be. She and Gunner Graves should be thinking about plans, decorating a room, whether or not they'd both take extended leave in the future... names, stupid clothes.[break][break]

But he was gone doing Arceus knew what. And Summer was still fulfilling her own role like nothing happened. They were acting like nothing happened that day at the ranch, like the fight never occurred. And it was killing her.[break][break]

Breaking out of that daze, Summer shook her head, laughing. "Not yet. I'm only about a few weeks along. We don't want to jump the gun too early," she said. "January should be around when I'm due. Maybe it'll snow again," she thought.[break][break]

"How is the Elite Four? I haven't had much time to look up any news as of late."[break][break]

Their conversation continued as they enjoyed each others company until they agreed to depart, only to see each other again in what felt like years to come...


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Before Summer was able to make her strike at the toxic point, two forms come rushing over to meet Naomi Sato, parker jones, and herself. The masked man, who she recognized staring at her earlier, and... "Gideon?"[break][break]

She looked at him, shocked and confused. "Why are you here? I mean... what the..." She struggled for words, trying to figure out what exactly she should do in this situation. Because if he was here, that definitely meant she was in trouble later. But... "Do you know if Gunner's okay?"[break][break]

Summer had to ask. There was desperation in her voice, an aching sadness building in her chest. What if he wasn't? She knew he could handle himself, but what if her actions here put him into danger? She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if something had fallen onto him due to her carelessness. The images of her fears haunting her before they came to Circhester rose, causing her head to begin to hurt.[break][break]

Frigg was easily able to knock out the poison at the power point, clearing away the toxins and revealing a long drop. It was dark and swallowed every inch of light that could even think about going down. Summer managed to move out of the way as another slurp of poison oozed out before clearing away completely.[break][break]

"I agree. This isn't the time for us to fight with each other, regardless of whatever the fuck happened between you," she said, shooting a look at parker jones and the masked agent. "We're trying to get ourselves out of here, not kill each other."[break][break]

However, any other discussion of peace was cut short as a loud, screeching call filled the quiet air. Summer covered her ears, wincing at the sound. And before a word could come out of her mouth, the ground shook. There stood a KINGLER the size of her company's building, if not larger.[break][break]

"Oh, fuck! Hela!" She called out to her HISUIAN ZOROARK, replacing Frigg at her side. "BITTER MALICE, quick!"[break][break]

Hela wasn't fast enough to attack, the KINGLER already attacking the masked agent. And as he ripped his mask off, sheer horror made Summer's blood run cold as ice. Because she knew that sandy, blonde hair and those blue eyes. His facial structure, his voice, no longer distorted by his coverings.[break][break]

In an instant, her worries about Galar and getting home vanished. Because Gunner Graves was here. He wasn't supposed to be here. She fell to her knees, shaking as she grabbed ahold of her chest over her shirt. "Gunner. Gunner, what are you doing here?" she said, trembling.[break][break]

It was as if her fears were becoming a reality right before her eyes.


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