(Onwards to Area 2 we go, and meet a lot of new faces! Let's get to it.

The Reviews

LogBook: Admittedly yes, Noble Kleavor could've been longer, though the Nobles we're fighting past this are going to be ramped up in challenge. Not to mention in my fight with Noble Kleavor, the guy got stuck against the tree in the center…repeatedly. It made things laughably easy.

Jacob9594: 10-4 good buddy, I will do exactly that!)

Morning would rise in the Hisui region, with Key being the first one to wake up, Vanessa shortly after.

"Mmm, I'm quite glad I thought to bring a sleeping bag," The merchant mused. She looked over to see Aubrey still asleep, face buried in her pillow.

Vanessa stared at her sleeping partner for a moment. "...Still asleep, eh...hey Key? Can Corvinight wake her up?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask?" Key wondered, getting Corviknight's ball out of her bag.

"She has been having a rough time waking up. I already have made loud noises and Water Gun," Vanessa explained. But then she remembered something. "Oh wait, that is what I have planned next, the Water Gun thing."

"Ah, I see, I see. Maybe her Dewott would be willing to assist you," Key suggested, putting Corviknight's ball back and opting to get started on breakfast for the rangers.

Seeing as Key had a good idea, Vanessa said, "...Well okay then. Hey Dewott you mind?" Otzawott would come out of his ball once Vanessa called him out, looking up at her with curiosity. "Wanna splash her with some water to wake her up? Not too much though, might ruin the bed."

"Dew..." Otzawott would give a nod, readying a Water Pulse and sent it right at Aubrey's head, the splash of water jolting her awake!

"Wha, wha, who...heh heh, morning...why's there more than two of ya?" Aubrey was awake alright, but Water Pulse's confusing effects seemed to have kicked in here.

It took Vanessa a moment to register what had happened. "...Oh right, Water Pulse can cause Confusion…" She sweatdropped at this. "Hold on…" The Sinnoh native got a Lum Berry out of her bag for Aubrey. "Here, eat this."

Aubrey did as she was told, her loopy spell wearing off quickly as she shook her head. "Ugh...thanks."

"No problem!" Vanessa sported a smile as the two rangers shared a hug.

"Oh, and uh, thank you too, Otzawott," Aubrey added, her Dewott doing an armfold.

"No wonder you two are partners. You get along so well," Key mused, putting the finishing touches on their breakfast.

"You picked up more than cooking curry in Galar?" The older ranger asked.

"Why of course. It helps to be able to take care of yourself in the field, no?" Key responded.

"Oh thanks! What did ya make?" Vanessa asked eagerly.

"Nothing too fancy, just something simple and filling given what I had to work with," Key answered, showing them what was cooking in the pot, a nice bowl of cinnamon oatmeal.

"Works for me!" Aubrey smiled, getting her portion as the three would eat, and their Pokemon having their own food. When the three were done they got ready for the day.

"So do you think we have today free, or will we have a Mission to do?" Vanessa wondered.

"Knowing our line of work, probably a mission," Aubrey guessed.

"It does make me curious...if that strange lightning affected Kleavor, who knows what else it could've affected." Key theorized.

"Yeah...as long as that rift's in the sky, more crazy stuff like that will keep happening," The older ranger agreed.

"Agreed. We will just have to do our best to investigate and find the cause," Vanessa seconded.

"Either way, let's head on out." Aubrey did a few stretches and recalled her Pokemon, the others doing the same, as they left their home. When they did, they'd hear the voice of a redheaded woman in Diamond Clan garb and red leggings remarking about something.

"Wow! The Galaxy Team hairdresser is...dare I say...cutting edge!" Key rolled her eyes at the seemingly accidental pun. She had turned around and spotted the trio. "Oh hey! You're the rangers who quelled Lord Kleavor, aren't you? Who's your plus one?"

"Oh this is Key…" Vanessa quickly realized who this was, or rather, was the ancestor of, but kept a good poker face unlike Aubrey, who definitely recognized it too.

"Kiara Dermott. I answer to Key," The merchant added.

"And yeah, that's us," Aubrey decided to stick to the subject at hand.

"I knew it! You've got quite the reputation around here, rangers," The redhead mused. "I mean, you quelled one of almighty Sinnoh's chosen ones like it was a lazy afternoon! Some people are actually kinda scared of you ladies for pulling that off."

"That's certainly one way of putting it, yes," Key giggled, mentally swooning, remembering the battle from yesterday.

"I'm Arezu, by the way!" The redhead introduced herself.

"What do you do in the Diamond Clan?" Aubrey asked.

"My special skill is giving haircuts," Arezu boasted. "But I came here to talk to your Mr. Kamado."

"And we were just on our way to go see him too. Well, Key stays outside," Aubrey added.

"Eh? Why?" Arezu raised an eyebrow.

"She is technically not part of the Galaxy Team yet, so she can't enter the building. Then again, I have a feeling she would like to get to know the local merchants anyway," Vanessa explained.

"I doubt Kamado would even be willing to let her," Aubrey added. "He's pretty ham-fisted about not trusting outsiders like, we get it man. I heard you the first three or so times."

"Ohhhhhh, okay." Arezu nodded in understanding.

"Local merchants?" Key wondered.

"Yeah, those guys over there." Vanessa pointed to the Ginkgo Guild merchants who were set up in the village with their wagon.

"I think I'll go and get to know them while you two go with Arezu to your commander," Key agreed, heading over that way.

"Right! Let's go, Brey!" Vanessa decreed.

"Right behind ya, partner!" Aubrey smirked. As they went towards the Galaxy Hall, Arezu only had one thing on her mind.

"So how do you know this Key lady? She doesn't seem to be a ranger like you two," She asked.

"Oh, she is with a merchant guild where we are from," The younger ranger answered.

"Guess that'd explain why you wanted her to know the Ginkgo Guild," Arezu mused, stepping inside the Galaxy Hall with the rangers. They'd head on up to Kamado's office.

"Good day, Arezu," Kamado greeted.

"Sup." Arezu gave a casual wave. "Got something I needed to bring to your attention. It's Ursaluna...he too has gone in a frenzy."

"Ursaluna?" Aubrey whispered to Vanessa. "Must be another Hisui native Pokemon..."

"Have not heard of that one…" Vanessa said in a normal voice. "What kind of Pokemon is it?"

"I can answer that one for ya," Arezu offered. "See, Ursaring evolves into Ursaluna when it has a block of peat under the moonlight. I believe Ursaring becomes a...Normal/Ground type Pokemon when it evolves if I'm not mistaken?"

"...Huh. I was not expecting an Ursaring Evolution... And It has to have peat on a full moon... That explains a lot. It is kinda hard to find peat where we are from," Vanessa responded.

"Hrrrm...so it's come to Ursaluna as well..." Kamado put a hand to his chin in thought. "This suggests that even Pokemon that are not nobles can become frenzied..."

"Kinda like my Ponyta's mother and all the other Alphas, right?" Aubrey wondered.

"You might be onto something there, Aubrey," The commander conceded.

"Adaman's got his hands full running the Diamond Clan, and Ursaluna's warden wouldn't even give me the time of day," Arezu continued. "And hey, these two right here were able to calm Lord Kleavor, so if it's no bother to you, Mr. Kamado...can I ask them to help?"

"Very well. Rangers, I have a new mission for you! Go with Arezu to the Crimson Mirelands and study it. I permit you to travel there and show your strength if need be!" Kamado ordered.

Vanessa gave Kamado a smile. "Very well. We can handle that no problem."

"Yeah, what Van said!" Aubrey did a fistpump. "Mission Start!" The two would strike their poses, much to Arezu's amusement.

"Alright, look at you two, pumped up and ready to get to work," Arezu mused.

"Now, one thing I should mention...Ursaluna's warden is Mistress Calaba of the Pearl Clan. Of all the wardens in Hisui, she is the most narrow-minded - ahem! Bound by tradition," Kamado caught himself insulting an old woman there. "She likely does not take kindly to outsiders meddling in her affairs."

"So let me do the talking, got it…" She paused to address Aubrey. "No offense."

"Eh, some taken," Aubrey responded casually.

"Report to Captain Cyllene for a briefing on the Crimson Mirelands. That is all." Kamado dismissed the rangers to head on down with Arezu.

"Some taken?" Vanessa blinked as they walked out of Kamado's office. "...Oh right, you did alright in Alola." She chuckled.

"And in case you're wondering about that, Arezu, we can tell you on the way to the Mirelands," Aubrey added.

"Gotcha." Arezu would hold the rangers to that as they stepped in the Survey Corps' office. Cyllene was waiting for them there at her desk.

"The next area you will be sent to investigate is the Crimson Mirelands. You will find the Pokemon living there to be more fearsome than those in the Obsidian Fieldlands," Cyllene debriefed. "Even the landscape itself is harsher, with steep ravines and seaside cliffs. It is not welcoming."

"Should be no problem for us," Vanessa responded.

"Yep! Nothing like a little rock climbing won't stop us," Aubrey responded with a smile.

"Your confidence is admirable. One other thing, about your friend." Cyllene's words caused them both to tense up...for about two seconds. "Even if she is not going to be an official part of the Survey Corps, I am to believe she is of no threat to the village, and as such can be trusted to accompany you two there. That said, if any trouble caused by her happens, you will both answer for it. Do I make myself clear?"

"Of course, ma'am." Vanessa gave a head nod.

"Got it. We'll keep her in line," Aubrey promised.

"Good. Now off you go. Don't forget the Pokedex while you're out there." Cyllene dismissed the duo.

"We won't!" Vanessa responded as they'd head out with Arezu.

Making sure to grab Key on the way out, Arezu would fill the trio in on what they needed to do. "Okay, so Ursaluna's warden is at a place called the Solaceon Ruins. If we can convince her to let us help, we can quell whatever's troubling Ursaluna no problem."

"Got it. Did you learn anything of note, Key?" Vanessa asked.

"No, not really. Mostly the goods the Ginkgo Guild sells, but I don't think that has any relevance to our investigation," The merchant responded.

"Well, that could help us in the future if we need it at least," The younger ranger mused.

"Now, about this Alola place..." Arezu smirked as they started their trek out to the Crimson Mirelands. "Mind telling me about it?"

"Oh sure! It's where we met Key, after all," Aubrey agreed.

"Yeah. Actually one of the Pokemon that Professor Laventon has is from there. The little owl one named Rowlet," Vanessa added.

"Sweet!" Arezu was looking interested in this story.

She went ahead and spun the yarn about how this trio all met and the antics they were up to on what was supposed to be paid leave for the Summerland native. Thankfully she was able to finish it up by the time that they had arrived at the Crimson Mirelands. Waiting for them there was Rei and Laventon at the base camp.

"Ah, there you are, rangers!" Laventon greeted. "The Crimson Mirelands! An area teeming with poison-wielding Pokemon and plenty of others besides!"

"I'm sure you're in for a tough mission, but it's nothing you can't handle," Rei mused. "Oh yeah, Captain Cyllene told us about your friend here...Key, was it?"

"Yep, that's me! I'm here to assist however I can," Key answered with a smile.

"My gratitude, miss. We could use all the help we can," Laventon thanked.

"Hmm, Poison-types, eh? I better make sure I am well stocked on Antidotes."

As Vanessa took to the crafting bench, Aubrey would say, "Key, stick with Van. I'm gonna go poking around."

"Gladly!" Key agreed, watching Aubrey go off. The older ranger didn't show it, but inside, talking about Alola and their time made her miss it. As for Arezu, she was fascinated by what Alola had to offer...but no doubt was mortified by the freaky things they had to deal with.

Walking along the way, Aubrey would have thoughts about her team back in Alola, Vatonage included. One by one, she remembered all the friendly faces that she had as part of her team in the trials.

Aubrey took a look at her options, smiling as she looked at Popplio. Even if she had a reputation for fighting alongside her Skarmory and being a rough and tumble Pokemon Ranger, she did have a soft spot for cute things. And Popplio was definitely a cute one.

"I think I'll take this one!" Aubrey declared, referring to Popplio. The Water-type was certainly happy to hear the praise from the ranger.

"Only when you have both chosen each other can you truly call each other partners," Hala said. Aubrey had her Capture Styler in hand.

"Well if Popplio is gonna be my partner…" She mused, stepping up on the wooden platform. The ranger would find that this Popplio in particular didn't need to have feelings of friendship conveyed to it, as the Sea Lion Pokemon practically jumped into her arms, catching her by surprise. "Woah!" Popplio was practically preening, but to make it official, it let itself be caught with the Capture Styler. Why did it let this happen? It was curious how it worked.

'Tenor…' Aubrey thought about her starter Pokemon, Tenor, who was with her since the beginning of her island challenges.

"Thanks!" She'd call out the little Grubbin, who looked at Aubrey curiously. "Now..." The ranger tended to the Grubbin with a Potion. "What kind of Pokemon are you, little thing?"

"Grub! Grubbin!" The Grubbin answered.

"Grubbin, huh? Pretty cool," Aubrey mused. Tenor would start conversing with his newly obtained team member, and after some talk, Tenor would try and communicate what he found out to her. "Okay, so it's a girl...good to know."

"Garbage Girl! In a good way!" Jake winked.

"Grub!" Grubbin responded in a sassy manner. Clearly she didn't want to be called garbage.

"Okay, so...you were using Vice Grip a lot when Tenor and I were looking to catch ya..." Aubrey put a hand to her chin before coming up with something. "Alright, this might sound silly but...how about Nom?"

The Grubbin stared at Aubrey for a good long moment, almost judging her for such a silly, childish sounding name...but eventually started laughing in approval.

'Nom…' Aubrey thought about the 'Head Bug in Charge', Nom, who had plenty of promise and proved herself multiple times.

As they were leaving the Verdant Cavern's deepest portion, Aubrey was suddenly confronted by a Zubat, flapping in front of her, but not in a hostile manner.

"Oh, it's the wonder bat! What's this one's deal?" Jake asked. Zubats were very popular Pokemon Trainer-preferred Pokemon after all so he was interested in the fact Aubrey had caught this one's attention.

"I think it wants something from me," Aubrey guessed. The Zubat was speaking in Poke-speak, prompting Aubrey to call out Tenor to play charades to see what the deal was. "Mmhmm...okay, so that's what this is about?" She seemed surprised by what Tenor was relaying to her.

Forrest looked curious to see what was being discussed as well. "Okay, I gotcha." Aubrey turned to Jake. "So according to Tenor, this Zubat here overheard the whole fight we had with Totem Gumshoos, and was pretty impressed by my performance against the Totem getting back up."

"And nothing to say about me...?" Despite his words, Aubrey could tell Jake wasn't truly upset about being outshined. The Zubat gave a happy shriek to show approval of Jake's performance as well. Even going as far as giving Forrest a high five with one of his wings to give props for the mid-battle evolution. Forrest gives a pleased reaction to this, beaming with pride and Jake smiled cheerfully. Reassured by Zubat's kindness.

"So you want to go along with me out of respect?" Aubrey would ask.

"Battttt!" The Zubat answered proudly. "Huh, alright then!" With one of the Great Balls that Ilima provided them, Aubrey held it out, the Zubat happily accepting the offer.

'Erwing…' Aubrey then thought about her Crobat, Erwing, who had followed her in her mission out of respect for her Totem Gumshoos battle.

"Bray?" Mudbray looked at his companion.

"Lil...Lili!" Lillipup stood in front of the Mudbray, a brave look on her face.

"Woah, easy now..." Aubrey held up her hands. "We're not gonna hurt you."

"Lillie? Ooh, maybe we should catch it and show it to Lillie. She'll be so surprised to hear it calling out her name." Jake chuckled. Forrest casually flew over to them and explained that they were a very coercive bunch of Trainers and asked them what they were doing and who they were.

"Mu. Mud, brayy!" Mudbray would point to the Styler on Aubrey's hip.

"Pup?" Lillipup came on over to where Aubrey was standing, sniffing her. The hair on its face wasn't twitching at all, giving no indication that this person was mean...before jumping up to try and grab her Styler.

"Hey! No!" Aubrey grabbed her Styler first. "Wait a minute...do you just wanna play?"

"Lil! Pup pup!" Lillipup happily barked.

"Brayyy!" Mudbray agreed. Forrest said he'd be happy to play as long as he doesn't get his feathers dirty.

"They definitely seem like besties Aubrey. Young besties but besties all the same," Jake nodded as he appreciated Forrest's communication skills.

"Well they both look pretty cool...I'll play with them a little bit. We've got plenty of daylight." Aubrey sent out her Capture Disc, using it as a metaphorical stick for the two Pokemon to chase after, all three of them having a good time.

'Don…Hunter…' Next she thought about the Route 4 best friends for life, Don and Hunter, her Mudsdale and Stoutland. While Don stayed on her team and was a major part of her success, Hunter had evolved into Stoutland out of a desire to stay with her best friend, becoming a Ride Pokemon. Anytime Aubrey needed a Stoutland's sniffer, Hunter was always there for her.

It'd take a little while to get to the top, but by the time they did, the egg in Aubrey's possession was rattling around in its incubator, about to hatch.

"Huh?" The ranger took notice of this.

"Eh? Aubrey? Something going on?" Jake stopped and paused as he saw Aubrey soon pull out the egg from its incubator, gasping. "The egg!"

"Oh shoot!" Aubrey would go to take the egg out of the incubator, just as it glowed, hatching open to reveal what was inside.

"...Veeee?" An Eevee had hatched from the egg, opening its eyes for the first time and looking at Aubrey, who had worked up a good sweat from hiking up the mountain with Jake. "Vee vee!" It nuzzled against her ranger, a smile on its face.

"Aww, it's an Eevee!" Aubrey beamed.

"Yes! The ultimate transformation!" Jake jumped up in excitement and Belle looked very excited. "Now you have a perfectly perfect Pokemon for filling your team's versatility with! Although I have to admit this is an odd place to birth a Pokemon. Maybe it'll evolve into a Flareon by the end of this."

"Doesn't Flareon need a Fire Stone for that?" Aubrey reminded, noting how the Eevee was affectionately looking at her.

"Ee! Eevee!" It smiled.

"Um...I think it views me as its mama for some reason," The ranger chuckled. "Though uh, I'm not sure I'd want to just throw a newborn Pokemon into battle so quickly." She closed her eyes in thought and came up with an idea. "Well...Van has a Pikachu as her Partner Pokemon in Kanto if I remember right..." She looked at the Eevee. "Hey little guy...or, little girl, wanna be my Partner Pokemon?"

'Vatonage…' Her Partner Pokemon during her Alola island trials, Vatonage, was next on her mind. This one particularly stung for the older ranger. 'At least you and Skarmory get along together…thankfully.' That little tidbit gave her a bit of comfort. Her reminiscing on her Alola team left her oblivious to the fact that something was following her, having sensed her sadness.

"Welcome to the Dream Park!" He greeted. "Where dreams become reality and Fossils become Pokemon!"

"Unless there's a fountain of youth in there, I'm not sure if it's accurate to use that slogan," Jake chuckled. "Though you are a Fossil specialist eh? That's good to know and a cool career choice."

"Yes, it is my dream to fill this preserve here with Fossil Pokemon as something everyone can enjoy," The preserve owner explained. "Do you have any Fossils on ya? Want me to revive them for ya free of charge?"

"As long as we get to keep them, yes," Aubrey answered, getting the Skull Fossil out of her bag. "I intend on having this guy join me on my Island Trial."

"Same here! And be a friend for life!" Jake handed the owner his Armor Fossil. The preserve owner would go inside his trailer and get to work. He would soon return, the two Pokemon following him outside, a Cranidos and a Shieldon.

"Here you go! For you ma'am, your Skull Fossil-" He was cut off by the ranger, who approached the Cranidos and knelt down to its level.

"It's the Skull Pokemon, Cranidos," She smiled. The Cranidos gave its first impression by headbutting her in the stomach. She grunted, but took the attack well. "Yep, it's a Cranidos alright," Aubrey mused.

'Roark…' Her Rampardos was the next one on her mind. While he wasn't in the final team like Hunter, his pride as a warrior was hard to ever forget with his contributions in raw power.

"If you two want to prowl around this beach before we go into the trial grounds, feel free," Acerola offered. "You might find something good here...and it seems your partner has a plus one with him."

"Huh?" Aubrey turned around to see Vatonage walking around with a Snorunt. "When did you get here?"

"I just noticed that, Aubrey," Acerola answered. "I wouldn't know."

"Runt runt!" The Snorunt bounced up and down, doing a little dance with Vatonage. "Runt?"

"Well yes, Vatonage is with me," The ranger told Snorunt. "What's up? You wanna come along with me?"

"Snooo!" The Snorunt answered cheerfully.

"Heh. Vatonage found a friend," Aubrey mused.

'Winter…' Admittedly, Aubrey knew Winter the least, but she was an integral part in being able to win the title of Alola's first champion in an incredible fashion.

"Yeah...Nebby..." Lillie looked a bit teary-eyed from the whole ordeal, mainly relieved that her mother was more than likely going to make it. "All I ever wanted to do was to help you get back to your own home. But instead, you helped me over and over again." She smiled, wiping a tear from her eye. "Thank you...thank you for everything..."

"La-a-aa!" Nebby roared in response, happy to have helped her. But he had something else on his mind with a telling look.

"What is it?" Lillie had a puzzled expression. After hearing Nebby speak again, it was clear what he wanted. "Shall I guess what it is you're trying to tell us? You...you want to keep on traveling together with Aubrey and I, don't you?"

Nebby would give a bit of a nod, but a roar that let her know she was only half right. He gave a telling gaze towards Aubrey, who was surprised by this.

"Wait, you wanna...with me? Are you sure, big guy?" Aubrey nervously chuckled. "But...why with me, and not with Lillie? I don't get it."

Jake gasped dramatically and even Dew looked surprisingly caught off-guard by this. "Araq...?"

"Aubrey...I think I know why," Lillie spoke up. "I think the reason why is, well...even if we've only known each other for a week, every time I was in trouble, you were always there for me. No matter how dangerous it was, you never hesitated to step in and stand strong. Just like how Nebby was there for me."

"A metaphorical passing of the torch..." Jake realized.

"Huh...didn't think of it like that..." Aubrey rubbed the back of her head. "Even if it was just like, a week, we've done so much, accomplished a lot, and met all sorts of cool people here. I can't fault you for wanting to see the rest of the world. Kinda like how I do..."

Nebby roared in approval.

"Well, how about it, Aubrey? Nebby really does want to see the world outside Alola, and given that you're a Top Ranger and all, no doubt you're gonna see a bunch of cool places!" Lillie smiled.

"Yeah...yeah, I can work with that," The older ranger was open to this. "Alright!" She'd produce not just a regular old Poke Ball, but instead a Luxury Ball. "It'd be my honor to have you along, big guy."

'Nebby…' The fragile heir that Aubrey had worked so hard with Lillie, Jake, and all the others to bring home and help after he helped Lillie all that time ago was the last on her mind as she sat down at a riverbed, staring out in the distance. All her friends she made along the way too left her having only one sentence she could utter. "...I really hope everyone is okay…" It was then a telepathic voice entered Aubrey's head.

"Why are you so glum, stranger?" The older ranger looked around for the source of the voice, soon finding there was a Kirlia standing behind her with a perplexed expression.

"You talkin' to me?" Aubrey asked.

Kirlia nodded. "Yes. I couldn't help but sense your glum mood…what's troubling you?"

"I'm just homesick, I guess," Aubrey explained. "I'm not from Hisui, I come from…it's a long story. I've got a lot of friends back home that I had to leave behind, and I'm missing them. I'd mention it to my partner but uh…we can't exactly go back home till our mission here in Hisui is done, and I've got no idea how long it'll take."

"I see…" Kirlia closed her eyes. "I know all too well what it's like to have something I love taken away from me by force."

"You can relate? What'd you lose?" Aubrey couldn't help but ask.

"...It's a sensitive topic. I'd rather not talk about it." Kirlia declined to answer, seeing Aubrey respecting her privacy. "Still, seeing as I can relate to what you're going through…what's your name, stranger?"

"Aubrey Bradford," Aubrey introduced.

"Aubrey…very well. If it would be of no problem to you, would you like me to accompany you on your mission?" Kirlia offered. "I'd be more than willing to do whatever I can to help you get home to your friends."

Aubrey was moved by Kirlia's out of the blue offer, surprised still. "Wait…seriously? Just like that?"

Kirlia nodded again. "Just like that. Humans are afraid of us Pokemon, thinking we're all out to get them, but that couldn't be farther from the truth with me. What do you say?"

After thinking it over for a moment, Aubrey would stand up and have her smile return. "By all means." Kirlia did a few spins around in excitement, eager to hear about what this mission entailed. Finally, something exciting around Hisui for a change! "Now what to call you…" The older ranger folded her arms but came up with a quick name. "For someone you just met, you've got a lot of empathy…how's about that for a name? Empathy?"

"That sounds delightful! Very well then. From this day forward, you may refer to me as Empathy!" Kirlia agreed.

Meanwhile, with Vanessa and Key…

Vanessa was in the process of picking up some medicinal herbs with a smile. "Yes, these will be very helpful," She mused. Scyther was a big help with clean cuts as well. Key of course, was watching on as she scoped the place out.

"Quite a variety of Pokemon live out here. Where do you suppose this place is in Sinnoh?" She asked Vanessa.

"Oh, Pastoria City, easily. This is certainly the Great Marsh," Vanessa answered in an almost neuron activated way.

Key chuckled at the quick answer. "Benefits of being raised in Sinnoh, no? When you're so familiar with a location, you don't even have to think about the answer."

"Yup!" Vanessa would be interrupted by Scyther poking on her shoulder. "Huh? What's up, Scyther?" She turned to see a group of Carnivine chasing after a poor Teddiursa, clearly separated from its pack. "...Oh I am NOT letting that fly." The younger ranger's aura darkened from the scene.

"You want my help, or do you have this under control?" Key would ask, her hand on a Poke Ball.

"I got this. Let's go, Scyther!" Vanessa would spring into action with Scyther, going to help the Teddiursa who was backed up against a rock wall. "Scyther, Aerial Ace!" Scyther would land the super effective attack on the Carnivine closest to the Teddiursa and be taken down. The other Carnivine, taken by surprise from this, would waste no time retaliating with attacks of Acid Spray at both ranger and Pokemon!

Vanessa would dodge roll out of the way, sending out Quilava as backup. "Quilava, Flame Wheel! Scyther, continue to use Aerial Ace!" With their attacks combined despite some Bite attacks from the Carnivine, they'd be able to defeat and repel the Grass-type bullies.

"Good job, you two!" Vanessa smiled, before taking a look at the Teddiursa and seeing it was injured. "It's all right little one...let me help you here."

Teddiursa winced from its injury, but also had tear-stained cheeks. It was all a blur to the Normal-type, how one moment it was merely playing with its fellow Teddiursa, then it wandered off after a smell of honey. The next thing it knew, it was being pursued by the Carnivine, and now a human chased them off. It was all a lot to process for the Little Bear Pokemon.

"Here…let me see your paw." Getting a Potion out from her bag, Vanessa would rub it on the affected area once Teddiursa held out its paw for her. While it did sting at first, Teddiursa's pain subsided, looking partially relieved, but still a little down in the dumps. Vanessa could probably infer it was lost or something.

"Are you lost, little one?" Vanessa would get a nod. Well, do you wanna come with me? I'll take good care of you and if you want you can stay with me and my friends!" Quilava and Scyther would give reassuring looks.

Vanessa's answer would come in the form of a glomp from Teddiursa that'd knock her to the ground. In Teddiursa's mind, traveling with this human was probably for the best.

"Woah there!" Vanessa giggled at Teddiursa's response, patting its head. "Let's head on out, you and I." She tapped its head with a Poke Ball, the Teddiursa letting itself be caught.

It would be a few minutes, but Aubrey would reunite with Vanessa and Key, both rangers noticing their new team members.

"Seems like you were busy, partner..." Aubrey commented.

"Yup!" Vanessa smiled. "This Teddiursa here was getting chased by some Carnivine."

"Good on you for helping the little guy!" Aubrey complimented.

"I trust you are friends with Aubrey here. I am her newest team member, Empathy," The Kirlia introduced. "She told me about her feelings of homesickness, and I have resolved to help her with this mission."

Vanessa had a look of surprise at first from Empathy's telepathy, and the news of how her partner was feeling. "...Ah. Hello there. And good!"

"Homesickness?" Key raised an eyebrow.

The older ranger sighed. "Talking about Alola to Arezu really had me thinking about all my Pokemon team members and everyone else. I know it's only been a few days, but man...sure feels a lot different without 'em."

"Yeah. I know how you feel, Brey," Vanessa sympathized.

"Are you feeling the same way?" Empathy asked.

A bit, but I'm trying to not let it bother me…" The younger ranger answered. "Honestly, I think it helps that this place is my home...in a sense."

"The sense of familiarity would definitely help with that, yes," The Kirlia agreed.

"Mhm...anyway, wanna lead us to the ruins?" Aubrey requested of her partner. "The sooner we get our mind off this sad subject the better."

"I wholeheartedly agree. Let's be off and do...whatever it is we need to do!" Key concurred.

"Right. Let's go!" Vanessa would lead them off to the ruins, heading in a long entrance corridor where they'd find a short, elderly woman with Pearl Clan garb and a bag on her back filled with plant life, with some of it reaching over her head. With her was a Bibarel. She'd turn to see the trio.

"I'm Calaba of the Pearl Clan. Warden Calaba to you," She greeted with tired eyes. "You must be the ones they say fell out of the space-time rift."

"Yeah we are, I'm Vanessa, and this is my Partner Aubrey, and our friend Key," Vanessa introduced the trio to Calaba.

"I see, I see...I have heard from Irida that not only have you curried Wyrdeer's favor, but also tamed Lord Kleavor's frenzy," Calaba responded. "I'm sure many people were saved by your actions, but I wonder if there wasn't some other way to handle the situation..."

"No way to know for sure now, Warden Calaba," Aubrey responded.

"What you two did is hardly different from bullying a Pokemon into submission, after all," The old warden continued. "And you run about catching Pokemon up in those little balls you carry." She furrowed her eyebrows. "I don't need any help from your sort. Or the Diamond Clan for that matter."

Key folded her arms, about to ask if Calaba needed an endoscopic procedure for the stick up her butt, but then noticed something on the back wall. There was a slab of an inscription of the wall that was missing. "If that's the case, then why is that piece of wall missing?" The merchant pointedly asked.

Calaba shook her head. "Be on your way. There is much I must do, and I'd prefer to not be distracted any further." She and the Bibarel turned away from the three, walking towards said missing slab.

Vanessa was quiet at first, studying the old warden. "...Huh, she looks familiar…"

Aubrey however, was quite disgruntled, rolling her eyes. "Hmph. Kamado was right about her being a stubborn old bi-" She'd be cut off by a familiar voice to the rangers, but unfamiliar to Key.

"Ah, rangers! How about you show me the strength that could quell even a frenzied-" Volo too, would be cut off by Aubrey shoving him aside as she left.

"Not in the mood for this, Volo!" She responded, exiting the ruins.

Volo regained his footing quite fast, having a look of concern. "Is something bothering her?" He asked.

"Mmm, you could say that," Key gave a quick response.

"Yeah, the warden pretty much told us 'No, go away.' I'm assuming she is looking for the missing piece of that Tablet over there," Vanessa gave a more detailed explanation.

"Yes, that would seem to be the case," Volo agreed. "I must ask for your help in retrieving the stolen fragment. With your skill, it should be a cinch!"

"Friend of yours, Vanessa?" Key asked, brushing off this meeting as mere coincidence.

"Oh this is Volo. He turns up every now and then. He is an archeologist of sorts on his spare time of being a Ginkgo Guild merchant," Vanessa introduced.

"Ah, I was just mingling with your co-workers!" Key smiled. "Kiara Dermott, but I answer to Key. I'm a businesswoman myself." She'd shake his hand and then ask, "So you can confirm that what Calaba here is looking for was stolen?"

"Yes I can." Volo nodded. "Some bandits pillaged the Solaceon Ruins and made off with a fragment of the wall engravings! Have you not heard of the- actually, you've only been here for a few days, you probably haven't heard of the Miss Fortunes."

Key shook her head at the bad pun. "I feel like a certain courtroom attorney is rolling over in his bed right now at a name like that..."

"Huh…I was thinking of a pirate captain for some reason." Vanessa merely shrugged her shoulders.

"They're a trio of bandits who have even hit us Ginkgo Guild merchants more than a few times! And now they've gone and done this..." Volo seemed particularly offended by this theft. "Not the kind of regulars I'd like to have, let me tell you! Mistress Calaba is doing everything she can to recover it, but at 99 years old..."

"Yeah. Better to take care of this ourselves. No need for her to get badly injured…especially at her age," Vanessa already knew where this was going, so she was raring to go.

"So you'll do it? Great!" Volo smiled. "Those sisters swiped my wares too, and I'm no Ginkgo Guild merchant if I take that lying down."

"Do you have any idea where they might be?" Key requested.

"Come to think of it...I do recall seeing remains of a campfire near the Mirelands camp that the Galaxy Team has set up," Volo mentioned. "Perhaps that would be where you'd want to start looking."

"A good place to look as any," Vanessa agreed. With that said, Volo would see the two off, and they'd find Aubrey didn't stray too far from the ruins, opting to get some training in for her team members. Vanessa would get her partner's attention and fill her in on what was happening.

"So it looks like we have thieves to deal with. Get this - all female and named the Miss Fortunes," She said to Aubrey.

Aubrey cracked a smirk. "Just what I wanted to hear..." She rolled her shoulders. "Any leads?"

"Volo said he spotted a campfire nearby. Apparently these bandits stole his wares too," Vanessa answered.

"Near the base camp that the Galaxy Team has set up too - permission to be your eyes in the sky, rangers?" Key tossed Corviknight's ball up and down.

"Of course!" Vanessa agreed.

"Permission seconded!" Aubrey added.

"Alright! Corviknight! Some assistance please?" Key called Corviknight out, getting on his back and getting in the air.

"Okay everyone, back in your balls, we gotta track some bad guys down!" Aubrey told her teammates, recalling them.

"Let's do this!" With Vanessa's decree, the trio would start a perimeter around the area, searching for the campfire remains. It would certainly take some effort, but after a few minutes, the cawing of Corviknight alerted the rangers that Key had found something - likely what they were looking for.

Vanessa would see Key pointing them in the right direction. "I think we have our spot," She said to her partner.

"Let's go check it out." Aubrey would rush on over to where Key and Corviknight were, Vanessa right behind her. The spot was a muddy clearing with a fire pit made, and a campfire in the middle of a few tree stumps that looked burned out.

"I don't know how long ago this was made, but it was a campfire, and it certainly was around the base camp." Key hopped off Corviknight once they reached the ground, recalling her Pokemon.

Vanessa knelt down to the fire pit to give it a closer examination. "Hmm…looks fairly recently put out…look, the tinders still send a bit of smoke out." She pointed this detail out to her traveling companions.

"So they couldn't have gone far from here, right?" Aubrey mused, kneeling down to get a closer look at it herself.

"Correct," Vanessa confirmed. She'd be further validated in her detective work by an unfamiliar female voice calling out to them.

"Now who might you be? Not some stray travelers, from the looks of you all."

Aubrey stood up, turning around to see where the voice came from. And what they would see was...quite unusual. The one on the left had pigtails and she looked like she was ready to strike a fool for daring to get in her way. The middle one was calmer and collected, yet she had grandmother hair despite looking in her twenties. The one on the right was also calm and collected, though her hairstyle screamed "I style it every day on my own and I don't know what I'm doing!"

"There's only one reason people go poking around out here in the middle of nowhere. You're after us three, aren't you?" The pigtailed one guessed.

"Maybe. Maybe not. You are the Miss Fortune Gang?" Vanessa tried her best to keep a straight face at what she assumed to be Saturn's ancestor.

"Sisters, we should introduce ourselves properly," The Saturn looking lady suggested. "Before we show these poor fools how wrong they were to ever assume they could beat us."

The middle one took her cue first. "I bring good luck to my sisters wherever I go - and ill luck to anyone who dares crosses our paths. I am the eldest, and I'll be your unlucky Charm!"

The pigtailed one went next. "Thought you spotted a four-leaved clover? Well I'll soon have you seeing double! I'm the middle sister, and I'm the one Clover you can't pick!"

The alleged Saturn ancestor went last. "Heads I win, tails you lose - you've got no chance in this game of fortunes. I'm the youngest, Coin, and I'm definitely not your good luck piece."

The trio then struck their own synchronized pose. "We're the infamous bandit trio, the Miss Fortune sisters - and your luck's just run out!"

Vanessa blinked, Aubrey stared, and Key was dumbstruck. The younger ranger couldn't hold it together anymore. "Oh…Arceus…" She fell on the ground and let out a laugh deep from her belly at this. "That was the CHEESIEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD!"

Aubrey and Key joined in on the laughter, the older ranger wiping away a tear. "Oh that was just what I needed to hear to make my day!" She too had a deep belly laugh from the Miss Fortunes.

"If only every crook that I had to deal with in my job was this cheesy!" Key giggled. "Why, I'd have the strongest bones among all three of us here!"

"H-Hey! Stop laughing!" Charm hissed.

"Let me handle that one, sisters," Coin said, pointing to Vanessa. "I'll only hurt her a little."

"Yeah, and that big one is annoying me greatly!" Clover grit her teeth. "She's all mine!"

"Then I'll handle the scrawny looking one." Charm clenched her hands into fists.

Vanessa wiped a tear away from her own eye, standing up. "Ohhh, I needed that…" She cracked her knuckles, hearing their challenge for a fight. "You think you can hurt me? Oh that is hilarious."

"Oh, now we're talking my language!" Aubrey's amused expression went to her classic smile she had whenever she was going to get in a burly brawl.

"I don't think we'll need to involve our Pokemon in this..." Key then saw the three of them getting Poke Balls ready, as well as themselves. "Rangers, what's say I have one of my team handle their Pokemon, and we focus on these ruffians?"

"Sure. Let's go." Vanessa got in a fighting stance, as did Aubrey squaring up and rolling her shoulders and neck. The Miss Fortunes sent out their Pokemon - a Toxicroak from Coin, an Abomasnow from Clover, and a Rhydon from Charm. Key looked over their opposition, getting one of her rubber mallets out from her bag, and a Poke Ball after coming to a decision.

"Raichu! Some assistance please?" She would call out her Alolan Raichu, who was quite startled and surprised by the scene before him. "Take care of their Pokemon. We will rout these bandits!"

"We'll see about that! Bring it!" Clover egged them on.

"Brey! Send out Otzawott! that Rhydon might be trouble!" Vanessa ordered, approaching her opponent, Coin.

"I think Raichu will be juuuuuust fine," Key winked, staring down Charm. They were certainly taken by surprise by the Alolan variant of Raichu, but they had bigger fish to fry and steal from. Preferably steal from.

Aubrey wasted no time flicking out stiff strikes against Clover, the bandit doing her best to weave around Aubrey's offense, seeing that her own strikes weren't really doing much in the way of fazing the older ranger. Vanessa meanwhile would be taking her time with Coin, making use of her counter heavy style to redirect and counter attacks. For the most part, it was pretty successful, Coin trying to get a hard shot on Vanessa to try and take her down.

"You are being." She slipped a punch. "Way too predictable." Another punch slipped. "You ever actually fight before?" Vanessa catches a third punch, turns Coin around and kicks her in the back.

"Gnngh! All the fights I've had were against travelers who never knew what hit 'em..." Coin grunted, staying on her feet. "And with Toxicroak helping too."

"Oh. You used poison…coward." That was enough to make Vanessa want to finish Coin off quickly. Hitting her with a leg sweep to send Coin to the ground, the younger ranger flipped her face down on the ground, holding her arms behind her back.

With Coin essentially out of the fight being pinned down, Key was matching strikes with Charm as she tried to get a solid hit on the bandit with her mallet. Charm was counting herself lucky she was able to keep up with this merchant, all the more reason to keep trying. While the two would get in a grappling match for control over the weapon and each other, Clover was tiring herself out with her stubborn attitude towards trying to hurt Aubrey, who was rolling with her strikes and blocking where she could.

"Haah...huff...what...you're no helpless traveler...WHAT are you!?" Clover tried for one last ditch haymaker, Aubrey catching it in her left hand.

"Pokemon Ranger. And I'm built tough." She cracked a smile, nailing Clover in the stomach with a knee strike that knocked the wind out of her, leaving Aubrey to throw the middle sister to the ground, two bandits now incapacitated.

"What she said," Vanessa mused. To both rangers' surprise, it did look like Charm had gotten the upper hand on Key, slamming her into the ground with her mallet in hand.

"Key!" Aubrey looked ready to jump in, but a telekinetic force held Charm's arm back from swinging.

"Nngh, what-?" She craned her head to see Key's Raichu using Psychic to halt her attack, having a confident yet cheerful smile as the Miss Fortunes' Pokemon were dealt with.

"Surrender what you stole and we'll let you go," Aubrey demanded.

"Yeah. Not sure the commander would like it if we brought prisoners into Jubilife Village," Vanessa added.

"Charm furrowed her eyebrows. "You're working for the Galaxy Team? Ugh, fine." She tossed the fragment they had stolen to Aubrey once Raichu freed her arm from his Psychic. Key would get her mallet back from her Raichu.

"The Galaxy Team continues to spoil things for me, even after I've left," Coin groaned. "Take the blasted fragment and go. Just leave us alone! ...And get off me!"

"Fine, fine. Go ahead." Vanessa got off Coin, releasing her from the hold.

Charm would recall their Pokemon and carry the tired, dizzy Clover over her shoulder. "How selfless of you - to go so far out of your way for the sake of another. Even if it meant you hurt my sisters..."

"Eh. They kinda brought it on themselves," Aubrey defended her use of force.

"Not all of us have the luxury of offering such unthinking kindness to others," Charm continued. "For some of us, simply surviving another day takes all we have."

"Then why resort to criminal behavior? Certainly your talents can be used elsewhere," Key chimed.

"Maybe so, but I've got a score to settle with the Galaxy Team, and that now includes all of you!" Charm responded fiercely. "Remember what those ancient verses tell us... 'Why is it, in days of spring, beneath the soft caress of the sun, the blossoms tremble and fall, spirits lashed by uncertainty?' Your days are also numbered, Galaxy 'rangers' or whatever you are." Charm would throw down a smoke bomb, being perfect cover for them to leave.

Key was coughing up a storm from the smoke bomb, eyes closed and keeping her head down. "Ugh..."

Vanessa was coughing too, waving the smoke away. "Ugh…why do they have ninja vanishing?"

Aubrey was fine out of all three of them, using her scarf to cover her nose and mouth. "I dunno, they gave me that vibe..." Once the smoke cleared, she'd go over to help Key up. "Are you gonna be okay?"

Key coughed a few more times. "I'm...I'm sure I'll be fine." The merchant had watery eyes and from what Vanessa could see, whatever was in that smoke bomb had some benign allergic reaction happening to her.

"Oh boy...you have an allergic reaction…" Vanessa paled a bit, unsure about how serious this reaction was. "Aubrey, go get this tablet back. I need to get Key back to the base camp."

"Really? Crap...you hurry on over there, I'll go give this back," Aubrey agreed, taking the tablet in hand. Key would wrap an arm around Vanessa's shoulders.

"I don't feel like I'm going to die, if that makes you feel any better," Key told Vanessa.

"Yeah, but we should get actual medical supplies to make sure," The Sinnoh native responded.

"Double time it back there, Van! Better safe than sorry," Aubrey ordered.

"You got it!" Vanessa picked Key up bridal style and ran off back to base camp with her. This would leave Aubrey to go back to the Solaceon Ruins with the fragment in hand. Volo was there and was quite happy that the fragment was retrieved.

"Good work! Very good work, Aubrey!" He complimented. "But where's your friends?"

"Let's just say something was making Key sick, Van's taking care of her," The older ranger quickly summed up what happened.

"I'm also well aware of Calaba's reputation, but she's given the Pearl Clan all she has, even in her youth. She lived her prime years here in the Hisui region, trusting in the guidance of almighty Sinnoh," Volo added.

"So in other words, she's devoted to the Pearl Clan that much?" Aubrey wagered, getting a nod from Volo. "Right, well, lemme fix this wall over here real quick." She'd wave Volo off to approach Calaba. Calaba, of course, didn't notice the fragment Aubrey had at first.

"Oh, so you've come to bother me again? Well, come as often as you like, but it won't change my-" She got cut off by Aubrey.

"I believe this is what you were looking for?" The older ranger handed over the fragment of the wall that was missing.

"What?! You really went and retrieved the fragment from those bandits?" Calaba took the wall fragment in shock. "Where are the other two?"

"Let them having to go back to base camp for a medical reason be all the proof I need that yes, I went and did that. It's my job to do stuff like this on the regular, Warden Calaba," Aubrey answered. "That's what rangers do, protecting the things that can't be replaced."

"Then I guess that means you're really eager to calm Ursaluna, aren't you?" Calaba guessed.

"That's right." Aubrey nodded in response.

"I'll admit, I didn't expect anyone to truly care for Ursaluna." Calaba would take the wall fragment and put it back where it belonged, fixing the damage done in the process.

"Oh hey, I can read this!" Aubrey smiled, recognizing the Unown script. "Let's see… 'All lives touch other lives to create something anew and alive…'"

Calaba was pleasantly surprised by Aubrey's seamless translation of the script. "...I see. I suppose it means people helping each other, like how you and your friends helped retrieve the fragment. I've read this passage many, many times. But this is the first time I've truly understood what it means. Maybe it is almighty Sinnoh's guidance?"

"Well if that's the case, I might as well start calling almighty Sinnoh 'Chief', since us rangers know this all too well," Aubrey mused. "Van and I would've gotten exactly nowhere without the help of Pokemon."

"What is your name then, girl?" Calaba asked.

"Aubrey Bradford. My friends are Vanessa Parker, my fellow ranger, and Kiara Dermott, a merchant gal who likes hanging out with us that goes by Key," The Summerland native informed.

"I see…Aubrey. Please lend me your strength so that we may help Ursaluna," The old warden requested.

"Say no more, ma'am! I was gonna do it anyway," Aubrey had a bright smile on her face.

(And I think that should cover it for this chapter. Next time, we help Ursaluna and more, as well as get another friendly face joining our ranks! Hope you all enjoyed it, and until next time, bye for now!)