Chapter 3: The Beginning of the Journey ( Ranger School, part 3)

To Berly

Voicemail Thanks for the latter. We found a house in a place in Chicole Village. See you at graduation.

From Nattily

Bely was glad that Nattily's family had found a house they were closer to her and having them would help Berly a lot. She was know that Nattily and her parents know that Berly wasn't a normal person. It was an accident that they found out. Berly was in Wintown with Solana, they were visiting the ranger base. A Charizard ,a large orange dragon like Pokémon with a cream underside, two horns and teal on the underside of its wings, went on a rampage in the town. It went after the rangers in the town attack them with a flamethrower. Berly was told to go inside the base. As she was Berly saw Nattily in the middle of the path of the rampaging Pokémon. Running as fast she could Berly grabbed the younger girl and moved out of the way. The Charizard turned to the girls and lunched another attack. Berly then used her copycat move to distracted the Pokémon. Nattily who was in Berly's arms look up when she heard Berly say copycat. After the Charizard was captured and Nattily was return to her parents. Solana and Elita, the leader of the base, asked Nattily if she saw something odd. She said that she did and her and her parents were sworn to secrecy. Berly was thinking about that day in class two weeks after the styler thief incident.

Ms April was in front of the class "Today is your 1-day internships. You will experience what a real ranger, operator, and mechanic dose. Go to the facilities that you are a signed to and no side trips." She explained. The class got up from their sit and started out the door. Ms April walk to Berly and Keith's desks "You two are going to the ranger base in Vientown. That is where Crawford is remember he left the outdoor class to rescue a Mantine".

Berly got up to levee she meet Rhythmi who was nervous about the day.

"I'm going to the Ranger Union, so I can try to be an operator" Rhythmi said "that reminds me here" she handed Berly a newspaper called The Almia Times. The article was called 'Ranger Union Issue'. The paper show a building that had a tree coming out the roof. Another picture showed an old women with her gray hair in pigtails and wearing an orange shall and dress. The final picture was a room full of chairs and maps.

"The Ranger Union is far you should get going" Berly said looking up from the paper.

"See you tonight" Rhythmi said leveling.

Keith came up the Berly and said "Ber, we're go to Vientown let's go" with that the both of them started on the path to the town. At the gates to the school the student ranger saw a man with brown hair in blue overalls and two Bidoof. The man was up the tree and looking vary scared. They ran up to the tree "playing with the Bidoof, little Tim".

"I'm not they're attacking me" Little Tim said while panicking. "Their cries they are going marl me".

"Actually I think they want to play" Berly said watching the Bidoof hop around.

"Right girl, I am deadly scared of Pokémon "Little Tim said

"They're so cute" Keith said like a girl "Ber this is Little Tim he is the milkman that why I think the Pokémon like him".

"And he afraid of Pokémon?" Berly asked looking at the man.

"Yeah, however the Bidoof do seem angered" Keith said "Lets spilt up and capture them it is a ranger job" they walk up to the Pokémon and activated their stylers. The two Bidoof calm down and were released.

"You can come down now" Berly said to Little Tim.

"Little Tim they're gone" Keith said.

Little Tim calm down and came down "Thanks for the save, I was scared" he said "And this girl is new, right?".

"Yup this is Berly" Keith said "She is from Sinnoh and the second best capturer".

"A new student well new friend thanks for the save" Little Tim said "I own a dairy from in Vientown I would like it if you two can and visit" with that the milkman walk out of the gates.

Keith walk up to Berly "Little Tim has a lot of kids and is wife is famous" he explained to Berly. Unaware she heard of Big Bertha "We're going to late" Berly and Keith went out the gates and west to Vientown.

Ms April came down and call to the two kids "Berly, Keith" they turned to her "You two didn't compete, but work together that how rangers work".

"Thanks Ms April" both of them said.

Berly and Keith walk along the bridge and they saw a little girl with blond hair crying.

"I can't find him".

Going up to her Keith asked" Yay what is wrong?"

"My brother he isn't here" the girl said crying.

Berly look around for someone who might be her brother. After looking she turn back "Who might he be?" she asked gently.

Two boy came up while Berly was talking to the little girl. One had green hair the other had blond.

"What is going on" the green hair boy whose name was Ponte.

The other boy who was Isaac took one look at the young girl and asked "Melody? Is that you?".

"Isaac" Melody said happily run be Berly and Keith to hug Isaac.

"Melody what you're not suppose to levee Pueltown" Isaac said look at his little sister.

"Sorry" Melody said looking back "I want to see you".

"Melody, you're still young I worry about you"" Isaac said exasperatedly. "These are my friends and this is my sister Melody".

Ponte decided to be the one to introduce them "I'm Pont this is Berly and Keith".

"Hi nice to meet you" Berly said.

Isaac turned to Melody "I'm not mad at you let's go back together".

"Yippy" melody said and walk with Isaac and Ponte turning back to Berly and Keith she said "Bye-bye big-brother's friends." Then her walk away.

"We have to go to" Keith said "I think we still have to go west".

Berly lead her friend to the town. While they were walking Berly was thinking about Isaac and Ponte. She know they were in Kincaid's class, but they weren't evil. They were nice and she like that. Berly also know that Isaac had a crush on her. She didn't know what to do when Isaac tells her. When that happen she know that telling Isaac that she has a boyfriend would have to happen. Ponte was just ok Berly had given him advice earlier that week. He was known as the school's Conflicted Marshmallow Boy so getting advice was something that happen a lot.

They arrived in Vientown and went to building with grass on the roof. Keith look at the base then at Berly "I think that is it, my heart is pounding. What about you?" he asked.

"Same" Berly said "Let's go in".

Entering the base Berly saw that no one was there. "Where is everyone?" she asked.

"Hello is someone here?" Keith yelled trying to see if someone was in the back.

"Sorry" a voice said .It was the operator's "I duck down for a minute, you're the Students for the school right".

"Yes".

"The reason no one is here is because they're on a important mission". The Operator explained

"That's why no one is here" Keith said to Berly who nodded. They had walk up to the operator while she was talking.

"It must be very important" Berly agreed.

"Yes it was same Bidoof who never mind" the operator said "You're Berly and Keith. We've been told you were coming. Here is a letter for you two".

They got a letter looking first at each other then at the letter.

Welcome you two

You guys have a mission from the start. Take the parcel that is with Andy our operator to Breeze Hill.

From Barlow

"That is our mission" Berly said after reading the letter.

"Yes and here is the parcel" Andy said handing the kids the box "You must not flip the parcel or turn it on its side to get to Breeze Hill you got west after leveling this building "

"Yes mam" with that Berly and Keith left the base

"A mission for the start" Keith said looking at Berly "Do you think we could get in the paper if we complete this?".

"No" Berly said knowing that was true. Going to the western path Berly and Keith walk to Nabiki Beach. There they saw a boy and girl looking out to the ocean. Berly then saw a Pokémon three feet from where she was. The Pokémon was Mightyena. It was black and gray color cat or dog, a sliver of an eye show it was yellow and it had a red nose. She nudged Keith and pointed to the Mightyena.

Keith look at the Pokémon "We need to go farther around" he said in a whisper.

Berly nodded and they walk around the couple and up the stairs. To where an old man was with a blue and white rodent was.

Seeing the kids walking up to him "Hello children did you see Mightyena?" he asked

"Yes we did" Berly answered "It is your?".

"No" the old man said "This one is, this is Pachirisu and I'm Mr. Woodward"

"Pach( hi)"Pachirisu said waving is stubby arms.

"Tell me what is a partner Pokémon?" Mr. Woodward asked

"That is essay" Keith said "It is a Pokémon friend to belongs to a ranger"

"Correct all the rangers I've meet their partner here at the beach" Mr. Woodward said "Next can a ranger have one and only one partner?"

Berly had to think about that. She had only seen rangers with one partner so that question stubbed her.

"Nope" Keith answer again. Berly looked at him with a 'What' look.

"Correct" Mr. Woodward said look at Berly "You ,young lady, don't understand"

"Yes" Berly said a little upset.

"A ranger can add one or more partners" the old man explained "But can only take one with them. The others must remain at home"

Berly nodded in upstanding, she had learned something new. Berly and Keith walk around Mr. Woodward and his Pokémon. They head to were stairs led up to what Berly guessed was breeze Hill.

Keith stopped looking past the stairs "What type of mission could that important to come out here?" he asked "I'm getting nevus"

"Come on" Berly said "When we get to the top we'll find out". They walk up to were four people and three Pokémon sat around a picnic blanket. Berly know from the scene that there was no real mission, but she wont to see what the reason for the blanket was.

"There they are and Ranger Crawford, should just go up and say hi" Keith said. They walk up to the blanket and he said "Hellomeetcha"

Everyone look at Keith with a 'What did you say' look. Berly tried not to laugh. One of the ranger walked up the them along with his partner.

"Did you say ' hellomeetcha. You nevus, well this is a mission " the ranger said with the same voice that was from Crawford's styler at outdoor class. The ranger had on a normal Almia uniform on but it was sleeveless. His skin was dark and hair was purple. The Pokémon was yellow with black hands it was a Makuhita. "The parcel you didn't do anything with other them being in here"

"No sir" Berly said walking up to the ranger and give him the parcel.

Turning to group Barlow said "Ok everyone lunch is here"

"Yay"

"About time" a girl said. She was the only person without a Pokémon. She had a yellow tool kit and a red uniform. Her hair was brown as well.

"Hahaha you should see your face" Crawford laughed "It's me Crawford and Budew form outdoor class. Sorry about cutting it short"

While Crawford was talking Barlow walk back to where he was before. "Good work both of you mission cleared" Barlow said "I'm Barlow the leader and this is Makuhita"

"Maku( hello)" Makuhita said

"One more thing this prank isn't mine" Barlow said then he turned to Crawford "It's his"

"Leader you were going on about that it was great" Crawford said looking not that happy

"I'm Luana" the other girl said "and this is Buneary. I fell for the prank last year, and it was mashed" Luana had brown hair and eyes. She had a female Almia uniform but had shorts. Buneary was a brown and cream colored rabbit like Pokémon with one ear folded.

"I'm a mechanic" the last girl said "Names Elaine, you don't have to know it now"

"I'm Keith and this is Berly" Keith said pointing to himself then Berly "We're for the 1-day internship. I wish I had a partner Pokémon"

"Oh? It sound like you're a ease" Barlow said "Sorry about the trick it is a tradition"

"Ok intros are done" Crawford said" Let's start on the parcel"

"Yes I'm famished" Luana said. The parcel open to revel food.

"Let the welcome fest been" Barlow said after looking at the group.

"That food looks delicious" Elaine said picking up a sandwich "Not like year's"

"Glad to hear that" Keith said

They started to eat. Berly fond same of the sandwich had berries in them. She been to think about the rangers and mechanic. Crawford was essay to see was a friend. His aura was like other ranger it show he was helpful and he like to make a joke. Luana was the same, Barlow's was that of leader. Elaine's aura was one that said she like to take thing apart.

Then a boy came running up to the group "Help rangers Pokémon gone wild" that got everyone attention.

Barlow walk up to the boy "What happen?" he asked

"Me and my girlfriend were at the beach" the boy said trying to stay calm. "The Pokémon start to act mean and they won't let her go"

"Ok I get it, lunch is on halt it is mission." Barlow said "Go to Nabiki Beach now. Berly, Keith you came as well"

"Roger"

With that the ranger did they poses. Barlow's look like a rustler's fighter pose. Moving his arms from his shoulders to his hips then raising one in the air. Luana did her by raising both arms and she jump then spun around and had her arm high front of her. Crawford did his and then the area rangers ran to the beach.

"Ber let's go" Keith said and ran after the rangers.

Berly followed Keith and wonder what could make Pokémon go wild. When Berly got to the beach she saw the Mightyena, Pachirisu and three others, Berly didn't remember seeing and the way to Breeze Hill. One was a cat like Pokémon that was gray with swirl tail it head was in a half moon shape. The last two were the same slug like Pokémon, they were pink and had some yellow around their eyes and mouths. The Pokémon were Glameow and Shellos.

"We have to fix this" Barlow said

"What happen to those Pokémon?" asked Crawford

"That looks like dancing" Elaine said seeing that the Pokémon going around the girl.

"They aren't like that" Mr. Woodward said.

Down on the beach the girl was panicking "Someone help me" she yelled

"Right me and Crawford will take the Shellos" Barlow said turning to the group "Berly, Keith and Luana capture the others and do it like in school"

The ranger ran down to the Pokémon. Crawford and Barlow capture their Pokémon fast. Luana and Keith were waiting for Berly to come and help.

Berly started down to help when Mr. Woodward come up to her "Child " he said casing Berly to look at him "The Pokémon are not normally like this even the Mightyena and Glameow who I don't know, please just help them"

Berly nodded knowing that Pokémon only acted like this if startled. Walking by Keith who look like he might wet himself, Berly face the Mightyena. She didn't know why it was the Mightyena Berly chose to help. The only thing Berly that the Pokémon's aura was the one calling to her. "Capture on". The disc was launch from the styler. Moving her arm in a whip like fashion, Berly made the capture line go to the Pokémon in front of her. The capture line melded with Mightyena and it was calm at once. Keith captured the Pachirisu and Luana got the Glameow both were calm.

"Everyone successful?" Barlow asked looking around

"You bet" Crawford said "Luana?"

"I was hung up, but I got it" Luana said "What about the student?"

"We're successful" Keith said for Berly and himself

"No injuries I take it" Elaine said

"Good work people" Barlow said "The Pokémon have calm let's release them"

The Pokémon start to walk towards their homes. Pachirisu ran to Mr. Woodward . Glameow went to Breeze Hill. The two Shellos to a cave. Mightyena however didn't move it just looked at Berly. Berly tried a few time to release the Pokémon, it still didn't work. She look at Barlow with a 'It's not working' expression.

"Haven't you been taught to release?" Barlow asked

"Berly have you grown attached to Mightyena?" Crawford asked as well.

Berly looked at Mightyena and it looked back."I think we did" she said. She know that their auras were similar. They both had something down in their past. Mightyena's past was still a mystery, but Berly want to know what it was. Berly and Mightyena moved out of the way when the boy and girl came up to the rangers.

"Thank for saving my girlfriend" the boy said

"Strange noises came from the sea and we saw a cargo ship disappearing" the girl explained "Then the Pokémon surrounded me. I think the Pokémon were startled by the ship"

"Well what ever happen the fact you two are save is good" Barlow said "Crawford and Luana come the beach just in case"

"Roger" the both said

"Berly and Keith, nicely down you did well on your captures" Barlow said with a smile "What you did is not small, you calm the Pokémon and in this world of rangers. It is mission cleared"

Berly and Keith pull out their stylers and did their ranger pose. Berly like the one she did in her trial, so she did that one.

"Well look at that you have your ranger pose. Let's go back to the base" Barlow said then start to walk back then had a thought "Lunch clean up, we'll do it to make up for the prank. Berly, Keith head back to the base without us sunset is coming" with that Barlow, Crawford and Luana went to do their jobs. Berly had to find a way to keep Mightyena from following her in to the building. She told the Pokémon to wait outside until she came out.

"That rest of the sandwich are 'cleared" Barlow said then belched "There is nothing else for to so it good-bye time. Don't forget your capture you two"

"It would be nice if the both of you were going to be assigned here" Crawford said "And to deliver us lunch" he laugh at that

"Crawford was looking forward for today" Luana said "He want to see the kids from the outdoor class she add

"Your ranger pose are cute" Elaine said

"Thank for everything" Keith said

"We'll never forget today" Berly add" good-bye"

They turned to leave the base, but as they reach the door an old man walk in. his hair was white and her was wearing a lab coat with black pants, brown shoes, and a white t-shirt. The man turn to the student and said "What do we have here? A gathering?" he then turned to Berly and Keith. "Ranger student the ones from the 1-day internship, a girl came to the union for one as well I think her name was Misery. I hope to work with you in the future"

Berly and Keith nodded then leaved. As she walk out Berly thought about how the man, Professor Hastings, didn't say anything about knowing her. Berly know that when she was allowed to become a ranger, she had asked Professor Hastings not to say he did know her so that Berly would appear like a normal girl. When they were outside Keith saw the Mightyena.

"You're the Pokémon from before" he said talking louder than normal

Barlow and Crawford came out of the base having hear Keith talking.

"What is with the shouting" Barlow asked then he saw the Pokémon "It's the Pokémon from the beach"

"I got it" Crawford said "I bet it was because Berly was happy when she capture Mightyena"

Mightyena nodded then walk up to Berly and licked her head.

"I believe that is right, but they aren't ranger yet. They're still student and cannot have a partner" Barlow said "If you want Mightyena can follow to the school but that is it"

The two student nodded and the three left town for the school