Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon
Chapter 7: Decyzji
Ranger Roan McClain was just settling down for the night when he heard his pokenav start ringing. Groaning, he got up and pulled the device out of his bag and answered.
"Ranger McClain speaking", he stifled another yawn.
An old familiar voice shook the young man awake. "Hi Roan, how are you?"
He quickly straightened from his previous slouch. "Professor, is that you?"
"Yes Roan, I'm sorry for calling so late but I wanted to see about getting your help."
Frowning, Roan replied. "What kind of help do you need sir?"
There was a short pause before the man replied. "I have an issue with a new trainer by the name of Fara Knight. She ran into trouble earlier today and I need you to do a welfare check for me."
"What happened?" Roan could feel a ball of tension build within him. New trainers and trouble was never something that he wanted to hear in conjunction. It usually meant serious problems.
The Professor must of have heard the worry in Roan's tone. "Not that kind of trouble Roan. The situation was relatively minor and she handled it well. I'm just a little worried because of the appearance of a non-native wild pokemon. I also want someone to check on Fara to see how she is doing in general. Call me soft but she is small for her age and I worry about her."
Roan chuckled. "Soft, Professor you seem to forget I have seen you with misbehaving trainers. I still remember how you tore into that trainer from Sinnoh last year. Not only was his license revoked but didn't you get him banned from Kanto for five years?"
The Professor coughed. "That was completely different and you know it. He was abusing those pokemon. He's lucky he didn't go to jail." He paused then continued. "No, Fara's situation is different. She's alone Roan, at least mostly. She's one of the trainer by-blows and has been at a Group Home until a few weeks ago."
Roan sobered up at that piece of info. Trainer by-blows were what they sounded like. Young kids out on their own sometimes did stupid things and children were often the result. Most women kept their children but sometimes they were sent to Group Homes. It had become a rare occurrence these days due to the introduction of the Trainer Contraceptive Act but there were still children like Fara out there. He could understand the man's protectiveness now. Those kids had a smaller support system and rarely became trainers because of it. The fact this girl was on a Journey gave Roan a good idea on what kind of courage she had. The old Professor always had a soft spot for kids with gumption. Her situation probably just made him more protective.
Moving from the train of thought he began to speak. "So you said the incident involved a non-native?"
"Yes, a wild Poocheyena attacked Fara and her Pidgey. Fortunately, her pokemon was able to down it and Fara captured it once I told her to."
Roan frowned, "Why did she wait to capture it?"
"Apparently she sprayed the pokemon's face with Repel when it went after her. After the fighting was done she gave it first aid and left it to sleep in her tent. I think she was in shock and wasn't thinking as clearly. I made sure to inform her of how dangerous it was to leave a wild pokemon that attacked her where she sleeps" he replied.
"She left it in her tent!" Roan was stupefied. It was training 101 to neutralize a pokemon threat by capture if it couldn't be run off.
"I know; I already gave her the lecture. Like I said, I think shock was the culprit. Not to mention she has a soft heart. The pokemon had been cooperative and she didn't think it was necessary to capture it." The Professor then sighed before continuing. "That's why I need someone to do a welfare check. Officer Jenny said you were the closest Ranger. Could you check on her for me?"
Roan frowned. "I'd love to but where is she at? I'm outside of Pewter now."
Oak replied quickly. "Fara's in the West end of Viridian Forest, about ten miles from the edge of Mt. Silver. She's on a Berry picking expedition. I have her coordinates and can send them to you."
Roan thought quickly. He was probably the closest Ranger. The patrols were relatively thin in this area right now.
"Professor, I should be able to check on her. I need to do a run of Viridian Forest anyway. Our last patrol of the area was in the fall. Send me her location. I should be able to get to her within a day or two." He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Does Fara know a Ranger will be coming to see her?"
Oak sighed before replying. "Yes, I told her I wanted someone to check out the area because of the pokemon that attacked her. Fara told me the Poocheyena is young and I'm worried there may be a breeding population in the Forest. We need to neutralize it if there is."
Roan couldn't help but agree. Breeding populations of non-native pokemon were discouraged, especially predatory pokemon, like those of the Mightyena line. They could decimate other native pokemon species that weren't used to them. A bug nursery like Viridian would be easy pickings.
"Alright Professor, I'll head out first thing in the morning. I'll give you a call when I've finished my investigation" he said.
"Thank you Roan. Let me know if you need anything." Oak said.
The signal disconnected and Roan put his device away. He then began to settle in his sleeping bag quietly. Before closing his eyes he smiled. Late hour calls, Pokemon mysteries, they all made him excited. This is why he was a Ranger.
Fara woke up to the gentle coos of Pidgey. He lay beside her pillow and occasionally used his beak to preen her hair. She didn't move for several minutes as yesterday's events flew through her mind.
At these memories she couldn't help but groan and push her face into the pillow. Now that it was over she felt so stupid for crying and calling the Professor. Some independent trainer she was becoming. She couldn't even go two weeks before she had a Ranger coming to check on her. Pidgey pecked at her head and she turned towards him. Lifting her hand she began to stroke the little bird and look him over closely.
He wasn't moving as stiffly as he had the night before and was much more relaxed now that the Poocheyena was encased in the pokeball beside her gear. Tension slowly released at knowing her friend was alright. Pidgey being hurt had scared her more than anything else. Even her own welfare had meant little to her in comparison.
Sighing, Fara began to get up. It was the first day of berry season and she needed to get started. Grabbing an older set of clothes and a hair tie she changed and put her hair up. Taking her bandanna she wrapped it around her head to prevent the curls from getting in her face.
After that was done she went to the river to wash her face and do her morning toilette routine. When she returned Fara grabbed her prepared satchel for the berry picking. Pidgey flew down from the sky and perched himself on her shoulder.
"Hey there buddy. There's food in the bowl over there. Keep an eye out for me. A Ranger should be coming in the next couple of days so please don't attack him. Just get me when he arrives, he should be wearing a red vest." Turning she grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled a note before tying it to Pidgey's leg.
"If he does come make sure he gets this note." Pidgey clacked his beak in irritation. "Don't bite." Her tone was sharp and she looked directly into his eyes. "I know you aren't a mail bird but this is important. The last thing either of us needs is to get in trouble with the Ranger Corp." Pidgey just turned his beak away and rolled his eyes.
Fara, for the first time, was angry with her pokemon. The little pokemon was being disobedient about something simple. On one level she understood that this situation was inevitable. Pidgey had always had an attitude when it came to strangers. Usually, he listened but he didn't want to today.
However, this attitude was going to go whether he liked it or not. Dislike of strangers or not he would learn to be civil. Fara began to speak to him firmly. "Pidgey look at me." He ignored her. "I said look at me and I mean it." There was a sharp edge to her tone now.
Pidgey reluctantly moved his gaze to hers. "You seem to be under the impression that you can do what you please when it comes to strangers. This is partially my fault. It was funny when you messed with John but you need to understand that this aggressive behavior with people is going to stop now." Pidgey puffed up in irritation.
Fara wasn't amused. "Do not give me that attitude. I am doing this for your own good. Do you know what will happen to you if you persist in being aggressive with humans?" Pidgey wilted slightly and shook his head in the negative.
"You will be put down." Pidgey squawked in surprise and Fara continued. "When I went to school they made sure to tell everyone what would happen if a trainer had an uncontrolled pokemon. One of the League's Protection Acts state that violent and uncontrollable pokemon will be seized from the pokemon's trainer and euthanized if it is found they are a threat to others." She let that information sink in for a moment before continuing.
"Attacking other people and pokemon outside of defense, authorized battles, and training is strictly prohibited by the law and me. You are my best friend but you, like me, have to answer for your actions. I don't expect you to become best friends with everyone and I will do my best to make sure others you don't like keep a comfortable distance. I just need you to be civil and avoid violence. Can you do this?"
She looked at him squarely and let him think. A moment later he deflated and nodded his head with a coo. Smiling gently, Fara reached out to stroke his breast. "I love you Pidgey. That is why I have to be firm like this. Do you understand?" He nibbled at her finger gently and she knew he understood.
"Alright then; I'm going to the patch to the southeast of the river. You remember that one right?" He nodded. "It's only a couple of miles away so I expect to be back by late afternoon. Keep an eye out and defend the camp if necessary." Smiling she lifted her arm and Pidgey flew off to a nearby tree. Turning she started towards her destination.
The little bird pokemon shifted on the tree limb while keep his gaze on his trainers nest. He still felt upset on how his Pretty Fara had scolded him. Pretty Fara had always been nice. She had been the first thing he had seen besides mama.
Pretty Fara gave him yummy food and preened him very well. She also helped him get strong. All the games she played with him were fun. Her teaching him hunting was even better. Now he could eat fresh food whenever he wanted. So it made him sad that he had made Pretty Fara mad. He didn't mean too, he just didn't like the strangers who thought they could go near him or Pretty Fara. He was only Pretty Fara's and others didn't deserve to touch what belonged to her.
Mama had told him to protect his Pretty Fara. She was a small hatchling and there were many predators out in the world. Mama told him some humans liked to hurt small hatchlings like Pretty Fara and he wasn't going to let that happen. So he was sad she was upset but he decided he would listen. He would put up with stupid human touches if it meant Pretty Fara was happy.
A noise came from a nearby bush and Pidgey saw it move. He got up ready to attack. Strangers weren't supposed to come near the nest when Pretty Fara was gone. He could see a human hand move the bush and he flew in the air. Suddenly a man was there and Pidgey stopped from diving at the human. The human was male and had a red vest.
Pretty Fara had said there was a man with a Red Vest coming. He flew closer and the Red Vest looked at him. Red Vest smiled and lifted an arm. Pidgey cooed in disgust. The thought of touching a stupid human other than Pretty Fara was yucky. But Pidgey had promised and landed on the end of Red Vest's arm. Red Vest was much bigger than Pretty Fara and had feathers like Pretty Fara but darker. Red Vest also had eyes the color of water.
Remembering what Pretty Fara wanted him to do Pidgey lifted his leg that held the strange leaf with scribbles. Red Vest took it and then Pidgey flew away and landed on the wood pile. He watched the Red Vest as he looked at the leaf. Red Vest looked back at Pidgey and smiled before speaking.
"Thank you Pidgey. Your trainer told me to wait and that you would go get her. Would you do that?" Pidgey snorted but nodded and flew into the air. Pretty Fara did say she wanted him to come and get her when Red Vest came.
So Pidgey flew and found Pretty Fara near the patch of berries that were the color of the night sky as it got dark. Pretty Fara said they were purple. Pretty Fara smiled when he got close and so he landed on his spot. Pretty Fara preened him and he cooed. Pretty Fara always preened him right.
"Is the Ranger at the camp Pidgey?" He nodded at Pretty Fara. Pretty Fara then got off the tree and put some berries in her bag. "Were you nice to the Ranger?" At his Pretty Fara's question he cooed again. Pretty Fara smiled then and Pidgey felt happy. Pretty Fara was even prettier when she smiled.
It was close to three when Fara got back to the campsite. She had seen a fire in the distance and assumed the Ranger had started one. Pidgey hadn't seemed worried so she took her queue from him. Once at the camp she caught sight of a young man in khaki's with a red vest.
Pidgey flew to a nearby tree as Fara got closer. The Ranger turned to her with a smile and Fara's breath caught. He stood a little over six feet tall and had the prettiest blue eyes Fara had ever seen. She felt a flush crawl up her throat and tried to speak.
"He.. Hello, how are, um who are you?" That's a great way to start a conversation, Fara thought. However, he ignored the stutter and his smile deepened. He then brought a hand out for her to shake.
"Hello, "I'm Ranger Roan McClain. Professor Oak called me and said you had a bit of trouble yesterday. He wanted me to check on you and the situation." He firmly gripped her hand in a shake then continued speaking.
"Let's take a seat and we can talk." He gestured towards a log near a small camp fire. "I hope you don't mind me starting the fire but I thought I could make us a late lunch."
Fara took a seat and shook her head. "Its fine but I can cook if you want. You've been traveling for a while. Making you a meal is the least I could do."
The man laughed and Fara's face heated more but when she looked at him, the smile he had was kind. "If you want to I won't stop you but from what the Professor said you had a hard time of it yesterday."
She scowled. "It wasn't that bad. I didn't get hurt and Pidgey's okay now. I was just out of it when I called Professor Oak. I don't know why I bothered him now."
Roan cleared his throat and she brought her attention back to him. "Fara, from what I was told you had a big scare. You do know its okay to call and talk to someone when that happens right?"
She stayed quiet for a moment before replying. "I just don't want to burden anyone. I'm supposed to be independent now."
"Being independent involves more than taking on the world by yourself you know. It means understanding your limits and knowing to ask for advice or help when you need it." He replied.
He continued. "Anyways it was a good thing you called. I was told the pokemon that you captured was a wild Poocheyena right?" She nodded and he started speaking again.
"I need to know what happened yesterday and want to look at the pokemon. I was told it was young so both the Professor and I need to determine if he was a random pokemon or if there might be more of these pokemon in the forest."
Fara frowned, "why do you need to know if there are more Poocheyena?"
"The reason we need to is to see if there is a breeding population. They could be a threat to the eco system. They aren't native and having too many of these guys could really hurt the wildlife around here."
He let Fara digest the information.
"So can you give me Poocheyena's ball for a moment? I want to check him out. Then we can go over the attack."
Fara nodded and retrieved the pokeball before giving it to Roan. The Ranger quickly released the canine. Poocheyena was still sleeping so the examinations were quick and efficient. Roan asked Fara questions in regards to the first aid she preformed.
Fara was happy to receive the compliments he gave her in regards to the first aid she had done. The only suggestion he had was to get some cue tips for her first aid kit. It would have been easier and safer to clean the canine's nose out that way. After agreeing with him Fara asked him to take a look at her kit.
"I can look at it for you but why?" he asked.
"Well, you seem to know a lot about first aid. Nurse Joy and school taught me the basics but you seem to know more field medicine. You said it yourself earlier; knowing when to ask for advice is part of being independent." Fara replied.
Roan burst out laughing and Fara felt her cheeks flame in embarrassment. Roan chuckled for another minute before speaking.
"You know my girl friend would like you. She has a habit of throwing words back in my face too. Anyways, I'll look at the kit. Now why don't you tell me what happened yesterday?"
Pushing back the disappointing knowledge that the cute Ranger had a girlfriend Fara spoke. She informed him of the entire incident, only stopping to clarify details at Roan's request. After that was done, Roan told her his plan of action.
"I'm going to need to stay here a few days. If you don't mind, I'll stay at this site until I finish my investigation. From what I can gather that pup is on his own. If you're right about the tracks I'm sure he's been staying close hoping to get some food. Pidgey probably just startled him yesterday and if your pokemon's protective attitude is any indication, then a fight was inevitable. Poocheyena just got the raw end of the fight." He shifted in his seat.
"I'm going to look around and see if I can find any evidence of others but I doubt there are. Mightyena are protective of their young and wouldn't let one of their own get as emaciated as this one." He then looked at her and spoke with a serious tone.
"Now I need to know whether you want to keep Poocheyena. If you don't then I can take him to a rehabilitation center and, with some time, I'm sure he could be adopted by another trainer."
Fara took a few minutes to think. She hadn't been planning on acquiring another pokemon until she was more financially stable and Pidgey was stronger. On one hand it would force her to tighten her belt metaphorically and make her finding a career all the more important.
On the other hand a Poocheyena would be a wonderful addition to her team. They were a fiercely loyal breed and solid protection for her travels. Their capability of learning Odor Sleuth would also be valuable for tracking. Getting lost would be less likely with such a pokemon.
Then a part of her wanted to say yes because the pokemon was a canine. The Group Home had been given the privilege of fostering and training Growlith pups several times for the police. The experience had given her a soft spot for canine pokemon. Making up her mind she turned her attention back to the Ranger.
"Would it be possible for me to spend some time with Poocheyena then make a decision? I want to see what kind of personality he has and if he would fit in with Pidgey and I. I also want to see if he wants to stay too. Pidgey beat him up pretty badly and I don't want him to feel uncomfortable with us."
Roan smiled and spoke. "Of course, I'm going to be here for a few days. But are you ok with me staying in the camp site? You never answered that question."
Fara flushed in embarrassment again. "Of course you can stay. "
"Well that's good. Now how about we get that dinner started. I can go and gather some fire would while you cook." Roan got up to do that but was stopped by Fara's stubborn friend. Pidgey had flown to the wood pile and puffed up in anger.
Roan turned his head to Fara in question. "He doesn't want you to do the wood gathering." She said.
"That would be why?" he asked.
Fara giggled and got up. "It's his favorite training game to gather wood. We have a competition almost every day. We each have an hour to get as much wood as possible. The winner gets a special desert treat as a prize. He doesn't want you to play." Fara sighed then continued. "He's a little possessive of me and our time together. I'm sorry.
Roan smiled and shook his head. "Don't be sorry. I understand how possessive pokemon can be of their trainers. My brother has a Persian that clawed me because I stopped one of their training sessions early. I'll keep my distance from him and please let me know if there are any other things I shouldn't do around him."
Fara nodded. "I will. I don't think we'll need the wood though. Pidgey and I gathered extra yesterday and I have most of supper prepared already. I started berry picking and wanted to devout extra time to that. All I need to do is get an extra fish from the river. I was only planning on one tonight."
Roan nodded back and turned towards the river. "I'll go catch my fish then. When I get back you can start the food and then I'll start setting my tent up. Just let me know where you would like me to be." Waving at her he then started towards the river.
Fara smiled at him then turned toward her gear. Lunch and drying prep waited for no one.
