I've got a few requests queued up now, potential teams in progress. Thanks to those who gave me suggestions, and here is the next part featuring the next one queued up: Meloetta, enjoy!
"Servine! Servine. How is Milotic's condition?" JJ ran up to her, catching his breath.
"She is awake now, I've slapped a few leaves and some wood to make a temporary tent to shield her." Servine pointed.
"…how is she emotionally?"
"Very bad. If one of us even is in her sight, she starts crying and begging for mercy… we really traumatized her…" JJ sighed and rubbed his head. "Are you feeling okay… you really scared everyone earlier."
"I'm fine… I just needed a moment to breathe, and I never got it until I exploded. I'm so sorry if I scared you, I would never do that if I was myself. Thank you for helping her." JJ walked away without her responding and paused outside Milotic's tent. Clair was next to him.
"I'll leave you two alone; I'll find Alice and bring her here."
"Okay… that sounds great." JJ had a quiet voice. He was worried the second he showed his face in the tent, she would flip out and hurt herself more. He decided maybe if he gave her a heads up, she would relax. "Milotic!" He heard nothing. "I'm coming in… it is the Eevee, just don't move!" JJ slowly moved one paw into her sight and heard a whimper. He did it again, and heard another. He just decided to get it over with and showed his entire body and face.
"AHH PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I'LL LEAVE NOW, JUST LET ME LIVE! AHH!" She sobbed and she tried to move her head, but was in too much pain, so she curled herself into a corner. JJ sighed and felt like shit. He hurt an innocent Milotic… what would Gallade say?
"Milotic…"
"I WAS JUST SWIMMING, I NEVER WANTED TO HARM THEM! I NEVER DID!" She hid her face from JJ and sobbed louder. JJ walked closer and her crying got louder. "Arceus, I am sorry for my wrongs… just accept me into your arms when I die this moment." She was praying and JJ lightly nudged her hair-like ribbon. She refused to look so JJ crawled under a small gap and saw her eyes squeezed tightly shut, tears falling like a waterfall. As a gesture of kindness, JJ positioned his tail under her eyes and she finally opened them, wondering what was so fluffy on her face.
"I won't say anything… just cry if you need to." Milotic did as he said, weeping and letting out small hiccups with each sob. JJ lightly wagged his tail back and forth to wipe the tears. She got quiet and JJ was thankful the tears stopped falling. His tail felt like a heavy rock. She moved her ribbons and finally looked at JJ eye to eye. "What I said on the beach can't be forgotten." The Milotic still was tense. "All I can do is say sorry and help you heal… if you hate us, I can understand it, really I can. But what happened was not your fault. Those two Pokémon you saw are very… scared of strangers. They came from the badlands to the north to escape conflict. They were young, and I am sure they saw their share of horrible things… and I'm sorry. I don't expect your forgiveness, but I understand." They sat close to each other for a while until JJ heard her real voice, smooth and calming.
"…name…"
"Hm?"
"Your name… what is your name?" She asked quietly.
"JJ is my name. You are just Milotic?"
"No… my name is Lisa…" JJ nodded.
"Where did you come from Lisa?"
"I too came from north… but Milotic live in the ocean. When my parents died, I left for here… I never knew how brutal this place was." JJ felt bad.
"This place isn't brutal… we just are too zealous. We are a rescue team, we go around protecting Pokémon from disasters and feral Pokémon. We have been having a spike in feral Pokémon appearances."
"That means… Pokémon are either migrating from the north… or something worse."
"Worse?"
"Well, after my parents died, I stayed at the ocean. Then storms started ravaging my home until finally, it fell victim to the raging tempests." She sniffled. "Then I come here… and get beaten almost to death…"
"…listen, Lisa, I feel horrible, I really feel terrible about what my team did, more specifically, under my orders. So… to make it up, what would you like me to give or do for you, just as a compensation for our brutal assault on you. Anything is fine here." Lisa was still a little scared but JJ knew this. He gave a warm smile and wagged his tail joyfully.
"…you mean it?"
"I do."
"Well first… did you mean… what you said about killing me if I ever came close to those two again?" JJ immediately shook his head.
"That was before I knew who you were. You are alone, and living alone is a challenge. You don't need others trying to kill you. No, I can't really heal the wounds that those words did, but all I can do is take it back as best I can. I didn't mean it, I could never say that to someone as kind as you. Anything, ask for anything." She thought again and was starting to warm up to JJ's true colors. She knew what she wanted… to maybe join his team? Problem being, she isn't a fighter, she is more of a… supportive person. First however, she needed a place to call her own, but she knew that their house was no big enough… "You have something on your mind… I see it in your eyes." Lisa sighed.
"I don't want to burden you with something impossible." JJ shook his head.
"I will make it work. I promise." JJ cuddled close to her head, making her giggle.
"Okay… it is impossible, but I want somewhere new to call home. I just arrived here with nothing but my bag, almost no money, and my scales. I have nothing…" JJ knew why she said it was impossible. "And after that… I want to join you guys on this… team." JJ's ears raised up. "I want to help others… but I cannot fight. I can just stay here and be the medic I guess."
"You know how to heal Pokémon?"
"My mother taught me well. Can you try giving me a small space for myself…?" She seemed sad. JJ nodded.
"Impossible even says :I'm possible. I will find a way and give you a home Lisa, I promise." Lisa moved her ribbons around JJ and gave the best hug someone as big has her could give.
"Thanks JJ, you are a good Pokémon! Oh, let me show you what I know." She moved one of her strands to her neck and pointed. "Can you see this, an attack of yours disabled my head movements because a fragile nerve is there. You see it?" JJ squinted and nodded.
"I see it."
"Use your Take Down and hit is as hard as possible."
"but…"
"Trust me." JJ backed up and charged Lisa's neck and rammed it with all his force. Lisa cried at impact and winced, but this time, her head was up.
"Lisa are you alright?! Oh I hit you too hard!" She shook her head, causing JJ's eyes to grow wide. "Whoa, what the?"
"The nerve controls the movement, but it was pinched. Hitting hard enough freed the nerve and now my head is back to normal… my head is still killing me… and my tail is disabled."
"That means you can't move right?"
"It means I can't swim for a while. I can move now that my head is better." She tried moving but froze in pain has her tail tapped the ground. JJ propped her tail on a bed of straw.
"You need food, that apple Servine gave you isn't enough to keep you healthy. I'll run to storage and get you some berries and…" He stopped and heard a distant scream.
"He is right behind me! Get him off me!"
"I'm trying, don't let them get Meloetta! Keep flying towards the city!"
"Excuse me Lisa. What on earth is going on?" Everyone was watching three dragon Pokémon fighting in the sky. JJ ran to Kirlia who pointed at the sky. "Kirlia, what is going on?"
"No idea JJ. They just appeared and started yelling about some Pokémon named Meloetta. Those two… seem familiar." It was a Latias and Latios, the third dragon was a Hydreigon probably looking for a snack. Then instantly, a Flygon rammed the Hydreigon and Gallade landed in front of us.
"Whoa!" JJ jumped back.
"Miss me?" He grinned. "You guys have been busy." JJ nodded.
"What is happening Gallade?" Vulpix asked. He looked up.
"Looks like Devon found his next target."
"Devon?"
"That Hydreigon's alias. He hunts lone Pokémon and brings them back. There he tortures them and eventually eats them."
"THEN DO SOMETHING!" Servine jumped up and down.
"I can't. A battle that high is dangerous for both the combatants. I hope Latias and Latios can win. Meloetta just formed a rescue team and she has already gotten herself into trouble." Gallade's attitude was pissing JJ off.
"Fine then, I'll do it! Kirlia, throw me up there!"
"WHAT?! You could die!"
"Doesn't matter, I'll stop that Devon myself!"
"Kirlia, don't do it!" Gallade said.
"Kirlia, we need to make up for what we did! I can't watch someone die!" Kirlia ignored Gallade and went with JJ's emotions. She threw him as hard as she could with a psychic and he landed on Latias. "Latias, I'm on a rescue team, I'm on your side. Get me close to Devon and I'll grab Meloetta and we get out of here!"
"You got it!" She yelled. "Latios, bring him around!"
"Going around." JJ felt energy rush into his legs and he held on. They lined up Devon with Latias and JJ steeled himself and leapt onto the back of the dragon un-detected from the focus he had on Latios. A small white face with cute blue eyes looked up at him full of fear.
"I'm going to get you down safely okay?" JJ talked to the Pokémon who nodded. JJ snuck over to her. "Wrap your arms around me Meloetta!" She shyly did as he asked. Latias came back around and JJ leapt over to her, Meloetta around him.
"Nice grab, just hang on!" Devon realized that he lost Meloetta. Latias was faster, but Devon led her into a Dragon Breath that made an explosion that knocked Latias out and sent JJ and Meloetta flying toward the ground. JJ looked at the fast approaching ground and saw Latias and Meloetta falling beside him. JJ pulled out his badge and shone it on the two Pokémon and they teleported away and JJ felt himself slow down and his tail lightly touched the ground. He looked back and Kirlia was struggling and finally lost her focus and he landed on his back. He quickly spun himself around and dashed to the two fainted Pokémon in front of the base, everyone followed. Meloetta was holding her leg and crying. Latias groaned.
"Ugh… I'm fine, check her!" Latias regained her levitation and rubbed her head.
"Her leg is hurt bad. Wait… Lisa!" JJ loaded her onto his back and hauled her to Lisa. Lisa blinked twice and her. Everyone kept watching the fight between the two in the sky.
"JJ, her leg is broken."
"Can you help her?"
"I have some bandages in my bag, give them to me." JJ ran over to Lisa's bag and brought the entire bag over to her. She went to work immediately. First she gave Meloetta a berry that would apparently reduce the swelling. Then she comforted the flailing Pokémon. Vulpix, Servine and Kirlia joined JJ's side. The Pokémon opened her eyes and reached for Clair, who was behind the group. Clair grabbed her hand and held it close.
"You're going to be okay." She said.
"…thank you Rangers…!" She struggled to say. JJ smiled and looked at Clair who smiled back. Lisa gave a sigh of relief.
"She will be fine, she won't be able to walk for a while." Meloetta opened both her eyes and started floating.
"At least I don't walk… I can levitate." She looked at JJ and hugged him quickly before making it odd. "I owe you, um…"
"Just happy you are okay. What is your rescue team? You are alone?"
"…well…" She sighed. "Yeah for now. I just started team Altos… I should get going… Thank you Milotic, Eevee and Latias… sorry for bothering you." She teleported away and left a silver badge in her spot. JJ picked it up and put it in his collar that was really a good storage for those.
"Lisa, you are in for sure. Now I just need to get you a home, but first, that Hydreigon is still fighting Latios." Latias smiled.
"He has no chance against my brother and I, consider this over. Thanks Rangers, we will see you sometime later." She shot up and the duo eon Pokémon chased the dragon beyond the cloud line. JJ was curious at Gallade's lack of action.
"Gallade." JJ got his attention. "I must ask why you made me do this."
"I was testing you. You no doubt are a force to be reckoned with, and I am impressed. What happened with Milotic? She get attacked?"
"…yeah." JJ had to come clean and Servine stopped him.
"JJ, you have had enough to deal with for a day. Just go in the base and rest, I got this." JJ looked at her with a surprised look. She smiled. "Go on."
"Thanks Servine, you too Kirlia, awesome throws."
"Thanks JJ." Kirlia waved. "Go rest up, you need it JJ." She smiled.
"Alright, you are in charge Kirlia. Thanks you guys."
"I'll watch Lisa, rest up man." Vulpix winked. "Just get some rest." JJ nodded and went into the base and just took a nap, a well deserved rest.
"Servine, what happened? I'll just say I'm glad you are all okay, but what happened to Milotic?" Servine sighed.
"We attacked her." Gallade shifted un-easily.
"Okay… Now… hold up. Why?"
"She was mistaken for a threat. Alice and Clair were on the beach and well… they got scared and made it sound like they needed help. We really weren't thinking clearly… and we just attacked thinking she was dangerous…"
"…hmm, where are these two Pokémon?" The two walked up.
"We are here." Alice said.
"JJ is resting so I'll have this talk with you, can you three just leave us alone for now?" Kirlia nodded and teleported them away. Gallade sighed and rubbed his face. "Girls."
"Yes?"
"These badges we give out signal emergency. If you hit it each time you meet a wild Pokémon, that Pokémon is now targeted as a criminal. They will get hurt, look at Milotic. You guys broke her tail, she can't swim for a long time now." Clair looked down and Alice frowned.
"It was me that cried for help too early." Alice stepped up. "Clair was scared, but I called for help. If anyone should take a punishment, it is me." She learned a few things from JJ. One, responsibility, two, accepting consequences. Gallade sighed.
"It isn't up to me, it is up to JJ. You are his residents, he will choose how to deal with you." Joel talked for the first time in days.
"He is a good person. He will keep it fair." He looked at Clair. "I assume you learned your lesson?"
"I did…" She said.
"Hey Joel, we haven't heard from you for a while." Servine waved.
"Yeah, just getting my strength back. So listen Kirlia." Kirlia tilted her head at being directly addressed. "I still owe your team for saving us three. Now that my strength is back, do you mind if I join you guys? I can certainly fight long fights." Joel grinned.
"I'm sure JJ would be fine. Thanks Joel, I'll add you to active members." Alice stepped up.
"I also want to be added. I am very dangerous when angered… but I don't want to hurt others unless I need to." Kirlia nodded.
"We can manage that, I'm sure of it."
"Clair also wants in." Alice smiled. Kirlia blinked and almost laughed, but stopped herself.
"How old are you Clair?"
"I'm a year old." Gallade stepped in.
"Sorry, age requirement is at least three." Kirlia sighed and looked at him with an angry face.
"Technically, how old am I?" Gallade cracked up. "Yeah, I thought so. How old is JJ, technically?"
"Okay, okay you made your point… It is on you." He passively backed away. Kirlia giggled and pet Clair's collar.
"I'm fine with you joining, what can you do?"
"Oh I can…! Um… can… I can…" Joel stood in.
"She can be very tactical in her approaches and is relatively new to findings. She really can predict directions just by looking at the ground. She is a great pathfinder." Joel rubbed his daughter's head.
"Dad, are you okay with this?" Joel nodded.
"The dangers we faced in the badlands were different. Remember when I beat that Steelix?"
"Yeah!"
"Well for you it is like fighting a Wurmple. Even if there is danger, we face it together, Alice will be there, and JJ will be really looking out for you too!" Clair blushed.
"Yeah… okay!" She yipped. Kirlia wrote everything down.
"Everyone, just go and rest honestly. We have been working for days. Break time is my command!" Everyone smiled and went to do their own things.
(an hour later)
JJ yawned and sleepily opened his eyes. He stood up and looked around and only saw Kirlia writing things on a piece of paper. He walked over and Kirlia smiled.
"Sleep well?" She asked. JJ yawned and rubbed his eye.
"Man, I think a hypnosis put me to sleep. What you up to?"
"We have three new recruits." He fluffed his fur and looked at her paper about each one, but JJ was still drowsy.
"Three? You been busy huh?" He yawned. "Who did you find?"
"Ohhh just some strangers. An Absol named Alice, a Flareon named Joel and lastly, an Eevee named Clair." She joked around but he was still far gone.
"Mhmm… nice." He woke up when his mind clicked. "They all joined?"
"Willingly. They all want part on the Rangers, isn't that great?"
"Uh, yeah!" Then he remembered Gallade. "…how did Gallade take Lisa's condition?" Kirlia sighed.
"He said you need to punish Alice and Clair to make sure they don't repeat it again."
"What punishment?"
"He says it is on you." Kirlia erased a mistake.
"No specifics? Hmm…" JJ had an awesome idea. "Did everyone eat lunch yet?"
"I did, Servine didn't, Vulpix didn't, Joel did, and the other two haven't." JJ nodded.
"Want any food from the square?"
"Umm… just a pecha berry." She looked up and saw a strand of her hair was loose and she plucked it.
"Alright, I'll be back." Kirlia was confused at his questions… JJ knew what he was going to do. He walked up to the friendly Kangaskhan who immediately looked surprised.
"Sweetie I hear what happened to you in the forest! Are you okay honey?" She held her face in worry.
"I'm fine, thanks."
"Oh good… I was really worried."
"Heh don't worry, I'm still a live Eevee." JJ's tail wagged playfully. "Can I get a peacha berry, 4 oran berries, 2 apples and 2 cheri berries?"
"Certainly sweetie! Hang on. Glaceon?" She heard no response. "One moment honey." She disappeared into the back. "Glaceo- oh… oh dear. Sleeping…" JJ waited and brushed his tail while waiting. She reappeared with the items JJ asked for. "Here you go sweetie, sorry for the delay." JJ cocked his head after taking the items.
"Is everything alright back there?"
"Oh yes, Glaceon is just sleeping. She must've stayed up too late." She sighed. "I wish she wouldn't do that." JJ caught a hint of worry.
"…I heard rumors that you had a Glaceon… what are Glaceons like?" JJ tried to dig deeper without having it seem he is curious about the Glaceon.
"Glaceon are normally quiet, playful Pokémon…" She sighed, this was JJ's opening.
"Is something wrong with her?" The Pokémon nodded. "What happened?"
"Well… Pokémon say that when she hatched, a Bisharp cut her neck really deep, almost fatal, but she lived, and was never able to talk again."
"What…?" JJ had never thought of something that brutal.
"Yes. She was a great fighter, but no rescue team would ever take her because she can't talk. All she can do is show emotion and sign language… Trust me, she has been rejected so many times, she probably won't ever consider chasing that dream again… if that was your curiosity?"
"Oh no, I was just wondering… thanks, I should go… tell her I said hi I guess."
"Okay, bye bye honey!" JJ left, recalling what he had just heard. He decided he would wonder about it later, and focus on the girls' 'punishment' as other are calling it… but JJ had something better in mind. He stopped outside their quarters and put the bag down.
"ALICE! CLAIR, GET OUT HERE NOW!" He tried sounding mad, and he did succeed. The two rushed out and knew it must be time.
"JJ, we are sorry, just do whatever you want." Alice said.
"Don't hurt us please." Clair frowned. JJ was going to bait them in, just for some fun.
"Gallade has informed me that it is my job to be sure this never happens again. SO as punishment for this occasion…" They froze as JJ untied the bag. He smiled and moved aside. "You girls eaten yet?"
"…" Alice was quiet.
"…no?" Clair said.
"Well then allow me to capitalize on that." The two girls sighed… no food "Welcome to the team you two." He revealed all the food that JJ had brought them. They stood there silently for a second.
"…you're serious?" JJ sighed, that didn't go as planned.
"Al l yours, expect for this one." JJ picked the pecha berry up. "Go share it with Joel, that is your punishment, still, welcome to the team. I'll make sure you girls are safe, promise." Clair ran up and licked his cheek before dragging the bag inside with Alice.
"Now I know what you were thinking." JJ turned around and saw Kirlia leaning against a tree with a friendly smile. "Interesting way of using power."
"I can't do anything cruel to my team, come on Kirlia, you know that." The two laughed. JJ held out the berry.
"I did that too." Kirlia winked. "Give it to Lisa. Pecha berries are her favorite." JJ smiled.
"We are very alike. Okay, I'll see you later."
"Yeah, if you need me I'll be at the Elegance base."
"Going to help out?"
"Yeah, we owe them a few. Also, I think you should visit that Meloetta. She seems lonesome." JJ nodded.
"I'll check it out, see you." Kirlia waved and JJ went into the tent. Vulpix was talking to Lisa and Lisa smiled when JJ walked in. "Lisa, I heard from someone you love berries, specifically…"
"Pecha berries." Lisa filled in. JJ held it out.
"Yep. Pecha berries."
"Wow! For me?"
"Yep, you deserve it for being so forgiving. Not everyone is like you." He smiled as she took the berry and slowly started eating it. Vulpix looked hungry and JJ held an apple. "Don't worry, I didn't forget you." Vulpix closed his eyes with a smile.
"Thanks JJ."
"No problem. You seen Servine anywhere?"
"Yeah she is in the back of the training area."
"…back?"
"Yeah, she has a garden she is planting there." Vulpix took a bite of the apple.
"Hm, interesting. I'll go see what she is up to. Take care Lisa." She waved, too busy to look up. JJ felt better and left the tent. He walked to the training ground and saw a bunch of trenches dug up. Servine was nowhere, but she left a note. JJ picked it up and read it.
"I forgot seeds… Back in an hour." JJ laughed and set the note down.
"Guess it's off to team Altos."
You guys can keep PMing suggestions like you have been or just post a review. I'd prefer PM since is keeps things clean, but either one will work. Thanks in advance! Leave a review, what's on your mind about the story so far? Thanks guys and girls.
-J
