However, it wasn't something to make light on, was it? It wasn't like Summer Prescott to just pull a knife on someone at random for the hell of it, even if they were annoying her.

Perhaps it was a cry for help, and the first signs of her breaking down were manifesting here, in the Shoal Cave.

However, she refused to comment on it, to bring into light what was going on inside her mind or what happened. In fact, she just wished to forget about it. Pretend it didn't happen, just like the other things going on in her life.

That everything was fine as Barnaby's Quilava began to glow brighter to show them what was hiding in the wall. Summer squinted as she stepped closer.

"Should we melt it, then?"

After a brief glance to make sure that the cave was stable enough should they melt the area, she beckoned her Emboar closer. A small FLAMETHROWER, controlled under Summer's supervision, would be enough to thaw the thickened area.

If Summer were in her right mind, she would have cried from the overwhelming sense of emotions filling her chest. How her brother held her close, kissed her forehead, and made everything feel okay for the time being. But, in this state, she closed her eyes and found herself content with everything.

She didn't have to worry about their father right now, though she was sure that when she sobered up and checked her phone, she would receive a million texts from him. Her position in the company was unimportant at the moment.

It was just the Prescott siblings. That was all she needed.

"I've always loved you. Even when I didn't seem like I did."

She pressed her cheek to his shoulder, sighing.

"Do you love me too, Knox? Even though I'm a terrible older sister?"

The mood was somber for a few moments, at least until Summer made her quip about Sam. She chuckled and pulled out her burner phone, smashing her fingers against the buttons to try and pull up the messages between her and samuel carter.

"Here's the proof. He's smitten for you. No one's asked me for input to make you happy before."

Her giggles and laughter died down as he spoke. That they had to go their separate ways. Knox would go back to Sam, and she would report to her father. A part in her mind wondered if he'd take the bait.

"Do you think he'll believe me?"

Barnaby's Ninetales was intimidating, but Summer's eyes hardly drifted down to it as it stepped between its trainer and her. Surtur let out a low growling noise, boar-like in nature as he waited for the other Pokemon to stop threatening Summer.

It was a tense situation that left a heavy feeling in the air after she withdrew.

The Emboar glanced at Barnaby and his Ninetales before following behind Summer, dedicated as ever to her. Summer, meanwhile, did not acknowledge Barnaby's apology, instead sheathing the knife away and letting her gaze wander as she walked.

The silence filled the air in the cave as they walked, nothing but their footsteps to be heard as she examined the wall.

"I didn't mean to threaten you like that."

The implicated apology came out of no where. It was the best that Barnaby would get out of Summer right now.

The more words that left his mouth drove Summer even more insane. She felt like a headache was coming on, reaching up to rub at her temples. Anything to get his voice out of her head.

However, the word "love" made her nearly boil over. She unsheathed a knife she carried with her at all times before closing the distance, pointing the blade at him.

"No pet names. No jokes, no banter, nothing. I swear, I will cut your tongue out."

Call it a drive from her paranoia, but violence was screaming in her blood as she took a step back. Surtur stood behind her, seemingly concerned for his trainer's wellbeing.

After all, he knew everything that was going on in her miserable life. How she drank herself away each night in hopes of waking up in a different world.

Walking away, Summer sighed, looking around at the cave.

"Just something rare. Artifacts, as the reports say."

"You know you missed me."

The words left a bitter taste in her mouth, and despite her ladylike demeanor, Summer Prescott spat on the ground in front of him to prove her point of disgust. Her chin was held high in defiance as she tried her absolute best to look down on him.

Despite his eight inch advantage on her.

The man's smile was bright and blinding, and she turned her head away with a tch. What was with this guy? If she knew any better, she would guess he was into some sketchy shit in the bedroom, with his constant poking and prodding. Like he hadn't learned his lesson the first time.

Summer took a few crunching steps forward with Surtur stomping behind her, her features only softening when she spotted the Ninetales waiting for them. Ever the beautiful creature, Ninetales were. However, she wouldn't give Barnaby the indulgence of seeing her pleasure.

"You're an absolute scoundrel. Come on. I'd like to get this over with so I can leave the cold."

The unspoken "and you" hung in the air as she entered with her Emboar at her side, her shoes finally making contact on firm ground rather than snow.

Summer's Rocket contacts made her aware that there was something they wanted her to investigate in the Shoal Cave. The word was that the local scientists and geologists had said there were artifacts somewhere in the cave. Of course they would want their hands on anything they could find.

However, when she found who her partner was...

"Seriously? You again?"

Her tone was rather rude and disgusted when she approached the mouth of the cave, BARNABY FINCH coming into view. Summer was dressed to keep warm, since the cave was notorious for being cold. However, her arms were crossed over her chest as she stared him down with a pointed, red gaze.

Summer's shiny Emboar stood beside her, blue flames blazing as he snorted in Barnaby's direction. He could sense his trainer's disgust as she spotted him.

"Mr. Finch, please indulge me as to why you're here? Surely you didn't sign up to work with me on purpose."

If Summer was in her right mind, she would say something about sex not being related to love. However, Knox probably knew that well enough, from his previous rendezvous and rumps with other men before he met samuel carter.

However, even in her totally inebriated state, it warmed her heart to know that he found someone he was willing to admit that he was in love with.

"I don't know what love is, Blue. You should know that by now."

It's the harsh truth, their reality. Of course, Knox may disagree since Summer had favor with their father. But she began to understand that their father's "love" was manipulation to an extreme degree.

She wondered what it would be like.

"He's covered in them. I wouldn't be surprised if he was freaky and got them everywhere," she teased with a snort, her hands still resting over her mouth as she tried not to laugh.

Giggles burst through her fingers instead.

"You know, he texted me once. To ask me about sexy strip tease music for you. It was absolutely disgusting."

Summer had to admit, the cold that this Castform error brought was not her favorite at all. Sure, the snow was beautiful, and the change in scenery was something she would admire. However she was simply not used to it at all.

Perhaps her outfits during her outings were a bit overkill as well: bundled up in thick, furry coats with insulated pants, fur-lined boots. Anything to keep her from freezing.

That's how she appeared as she approached the frozen-over water on the outskirts of Mauville, outside the dome. Her hands fidgeted with a hand warmer that rested in the pockets of her coat as her blue Emboar snorted beside her. It looked like he billowed smoke.

"We don't have to stay out too long," Summer promised, looking out toward the ice.

Summer took the stranger's hand, offering a shake as she came to sit.

"Summer. A pleasure."

Brief pleasantries. She liked that.

"No. I was just enjoying the view by myself. Did I appear lonesome?"

Eris's Pokemon irritated the beast more, however it was clear it was growing weaker. They were almost to the barn...

"Can you do that?" Summer asked, looking over at Eris.

Meanwhile, her Emboar continued his assault on the Trevnant.