A/N: I've changed the rating from K+ to T to be on the safe side. I have no plans to add expletives or enhanced violent scenes, but from details described (ie: one of the Pokémon in this chapter, romance between a couple adult characters) not to mention the lore of this fanfic (the war especially), as well as life or death situations at play, I could be crossing the threshold into T if I haven't already. I have no plans to change the style of writing; I'm just changing the rating to be on the safe side.
Jason woke up the next morning. He had the usual post-sleep groggy mind where he wasn't completely aware of his surroundings or events that occurred in his short term memory. Then it kicked in. Swellow was no longer going to travel with Jason, and he was down to four committed pokemon.
Jason sighed. He leaned over to face the window, where light shined through the white curtains. "Seems pretty late out there."
He wasn't in the mood to get up. But at the same time, he couldn't bare the thought of lying in bed all day. It wouldn't be fair for his pokemon, either. So he mustered all the energy he could to simply get out of bed. He looked over to see the digital clock by the computer terminal.
"10:15 in the morning, great," Jason sighed again. "Okay, let's get going."
Not to his surprise at all, he quickly noticed Kristine wasn't in the room. He wondered why she never bothered to wake him up, however. He expected her to be stern in her efforts to help him cope with Swellow's departure from the team. But she also seemed to have a knack for knowing what people are going through and how to handle those situations.
Jason then came to the realization that Kristine did not just simply leave him alone to sleep in hours past the crack of dawn where he normally wakes up. Knowing her, she had something up her sleeve. Jason just didn't know exactly what Kristine had in mind.
Moments later, Kristine walked in the room.
"Morning bro!" she smiled, holding a pan topped with a silver lid with both hands. "I brought you breakfast from downstairs."
"Hey, thanks," Jason approached her.
"I brought you eggs, fruit, and pancakes," she continued.
"Pancakes huh?" Jason's ears perked.
"Thought you would appreciate it," Kristine smiled. "Wouldn't hurt to pack on the carbs once in a while."
Jason happily took the food and sat down at the dining table nearby. "Wait a sec," Jason looked at her. "You're not letting me stay in here, are you?"
"Nope," Kristine maintained her smile. "You're going out as soon as you're done."
"Eh," Jason shrugged, and rapidly devoured his food.
"Must've been starving, I guess," Kristine snickered.
"You know, I've been hungry lately though I think I've eaten a lot," Jason mentioned.
After Jason finished eating, he went to the bathroom to put on his trainer's clothes. He then walked out to meet Kristine.
"Okay, what am I doing today?" he played along.
"Follow me," she said. Jason complied and followed her out of their room and down the hallway.
There, he saw Julian before him, leaning against the wall to his right.
"Hey Jason," he greeted. "Kristine told me everything. Sorry man."
"It's fine," Jason simply replied. "The only thing you can do is put one foot forward and keep going, huh?"
"That's the spirit," Julian chuckled.
"See you tonight, Jason!" Kristine waved goodbye as she headed towards the stairwell.
"Wait," Jason seemed puzzled. "What am I doing?"
"You're hanging out with your friend and enjoying yourself," she instructed.
"What are you doing?"
"Enjoying myself."
"Where are you going?"
Kristine shrugged.
"Where am I going?"
Both Julian and Kristine shrugged.
"Let's play it by ear," Julian suggested.
"Sounds like my kind of day," Jason accepted.
"Thought you'd like a day with no actual plans," Kristine added. "See you tonight!" she then left the hallway and proceeded downstairs.
"Well," Julian said. "What do you want to do?"
"Explore, I guess?" Jason suggested. "Where have you not been?"
"So, we've covered the beach and entertainment districts," Julian mentioned. "And the medical district, technically."
"Have you been towards the western outskirts?" Jason asked. "There's a park there. And the ranch where Swellow is."
"Not yet, but let's avoid those areas. Southwest, maybe?"
"Sounds good to me. Let's do it."
The two then proceeded out of the pokemon center, strolling along the sidewalk as they made their way to the southern part of Richland Port. The cityscape gave way to grassy, hilly terrain and dirt roads. They soon entered the scarcer part of the city, where the wilderness was not too far away.
Jason and Julian found a small settlement overlooking Richland Port. There were stone and wooden buildings, and the two began to explore the settlement while walking on a cobblestone path.
"It's like an older side to the city," Julian observed.
"Kristine mentioned the other night Richland Port is Inventum's second oldest city," Jason added.
"And the first?"
"Arentine, in the Sol Peninsula."
As Jason and Julian continued along the path, they realized people were out and about as if this settlement was like any other. There was a general store to along with gift shops, cafes, and even a small pokemon clinic.
"It's like a slice of simple life right next to the big city," Julian said.
"I really miss home from time to time," Jason replied. "Don't you?"
"The city life gets overwhelming," Julian nodded. "I like the countryside."
"I like the quietness and the fresh air," Jason agreed. "Helps me focus."
Just then, a growlithe came running out into the road from an alleyway. Right behind him was a vulpix. Both pokemon ran right by Jason and Julian.
Jason immediately noticed an eyepatch over the growlithe's left eye.
"A growlithe and vulpix?" Julian said. "Looks like they're in a hurry."
"Hey!" a woman with dyed blue hair bolted from around the corner. "Come back! The wilderness won't be kind to you!"
"Sounds like a couple pokemon running away," Jason noticed.
The woman ran down the road, but it was clear the growlithe and vulpix were running faster than her.
"Ugh," the woman ran out of steam as she tried to catch her breath in the middle of the road.
"Should we help?" Julian asked Jason.
"Why not?" Jason replied.
The two decided to approach the woman.
"Hey," Jason said. "You need any help?"
"Those two are a couple troublemakers," the woman seemed frustrated.
"Where do you think they headed off?" Julian asked.
"My best guess is the wilderness," the woman replied. "Name's Kinsey."
"I'm Julian," Julian introduced himself.
"And I'm Jason," Jason added.
"Pleasure," Kinsey still tried to catch her breath. "You're trainers, aren't you?"
"Yep," Jason nodded.
"Think you can help me round up these two and take them back to the shelter?" Kinsey requested.
"Shelter?" Jason asked. "Like a pokemon shelter?"
"Yep, like a pokemon shelter. I help run the shelter just a couple blocks away from here. If you help me round them up, I'll take you back there and explain everything to you!"
"Let's do it," Julian suggested.
"Yeah," Jason agreed.
Jason, Julian, and Kinsey proceeded away from the settlement and towards the forest nearby.
"Pidgeotto, go!" Julian summoned his pokemon.
"Pidgeotto!" Pidgeotto greeted.
"Search for a growlithe and vulpix traveling together nearby," Julian instructed.
"Pidgeotto!" Pidgeotto complied, and took off.
Jason reached for Swellow's former pokeball before realizing it was unoccupied. He felt as if his team was incomplete without her.
"Come on out, Jolteon!" he threw out Jolteon's pokeball.
"Jolt!" Jolteon barked.
"We need to find that growlithe and vulpix!" Jason spoke. "Let's pick up their scent and find them!"
"Jolteon!" Jolteon nodded and took off.
"Let's follow Jolteon!" Jason suggested.
Jason, Julian, and Kinsey followed Jolteon into the wilderness. Jason was surprised to see such a heavily forested area so close to a major city.
"And to think there's a wilderness next to Richland Port," Jason looked around.
"There's laws out there that strictly limit deforestation," Kinsey explained. "Why do we still have dirt roads when there's so much advanced technology?"
"Good point," Julian noted.
The three proceeded in the same direction Jolteon took off to. Moments later, they heard a loud roar.
"What's that?" Julian became alert.
"That's not coming from our pokemon," Jason said. "Let's check it out."
They ran towards the loud roaring, wondering what was going on. They soon stumbled upon Growlithe and Vulpix, their backs against a tree as they were confronted by an ursaring, a massive and fierce ursa-like pokemon who can stand on both feet. In between them was Jolteon. Pidgeotto was flying overhead.
"Found them!" Jason pointed out.
"Didn't take too long," Julian looked up. "Good job, Pidgeotto!"
"Yeah, well, let's not celebrate just yet," Kinsey warned. "Looks like Growlithe and Vulpix got themselves into trouble again. Whatever they did irritated this ursaring and its not backing down."
"Ursa!" the wild ursaring roared vigorously. This alarmed Growlithe and Vulpix, but they looked on at Jolteon, who stood his ground. His defiance helped give them courage against a powerful pokemon.
"Jolt!" Jolteon stepped forward, warning Ursaring to back away.
"Ursaring!" the ursaring pounded its chest, not backing down.
"This one is a proud one," Kinsey spoke. "Its likely extremely territorial and possessive. There's no doubt that Growlithe and Vulpix angered it immensely, by accident, of course."
"You got this, Jason?" Julian faced him.
"We've got this!" Jason spoke with confidence. "Hold your ground, Jolteon!"
"Ursa!" Ursaring made the first attack, charging at Jolteon with its claws at the ready.
"Dodge, and use Agility!" Jason responded.
"Jolteon!" Jolteon ran to his right, forcing Ursaring to slow down and causing him to stumble.
Jolteon rapidly picked up speed, causing Ursaring to lose focus on his opponent.
"Now use Thunder Shock!" Jason followed up.
"Jolt!" Jolteon zapped Ursaring from a safe distance, making a direct impact from Thunder Shock.
"Ursa!" Ursa attempted to shake off the attack like nothing happened, but his painful grunts gave it away.
"Wild Charge, let's go!" Jason commanded.
"Jolt-eon!" Jolteon charged at Ursaring, covered by electricity. Ursaring made to effort to counter the move or even dodge it. Jolteon struck the center of the ring-like pattern of Ursaring's stomach. The powerful impact sent it slamming back against a tree.
"Ursa…" Ursaring was slow to get up. When it did, it simply retreated deeper into the wilderness, leaving Growlithe and Vulpix alone.
"Good job, Jolteon!" Jason cheered.
"Jolt!" Jolteon barked. He then faced Growlithe and Vulpix.
"Growl!" Growlithe barked back in approval.
"Vulpix!" Vulpix showed his gratitude.
"You made short work of that ursaring," Julian patted Jason on the back. "Good job."
"You sure did!" Kinsey ran up to Jason and Julian, as Jason began to recall Jolteon. She then approached Growlithe and Vulpix.
"You guys got yourselves into trouble again!" she had the urge to scold, but she knew she had to be patient. She spoke firmly, hoping the message would sink in. "We're trying to help you at the shelter. It's a safe place for all pokemon."
Growlithe and Vulpix both looked down in shame.
"Come on, let's get back," Kinsey continued. "Everyone will be happy of your safe return."
Both pokemon complied, and began to follow Kinsey.
"Jason, Julian," Kinsey addressed the two. "Thank you so much for helping me. Please, follow me back to the shelter. I'll tell you more about these two troublemakers."
"Sounds good to me!" Julian accepted.
"For sure," Jason nodded. "Let's go."
Kinsey led Growlithe, Vulpix, Jason, and Julian back to the pokemon shelter. It was a two story building complimented by a garden similar to Adam's ranch. A fountain at the front displayed a stone statue of a seadra shooting water straight into the air.
"Here it is!" Kinsey said. The three proceeded inside the building.
"You know where to go," Kinsey looked at Growlithe and Vulpix.
The two nodded, and left the main entrance, heading towards the back garden.
"Welcome to Richland Port's largest pokemon shelter," Kinsey began to explain to Jason and Julian. "We've been up and running for over fifty years."
"Why here, and not downtown?" Julian asked.
"Because we're a sanctuary," Kinsey replied. "We provide the elements of peace, stability, and relaxation that the city can often lack."
Kinsey continued on. "Growlithe and Vulpix have been with us for little more than a month. They're young, and it looks like they've been on adventures together. A colleague of mine found them searching for food at a dumpster one evening, and convinced them to stay here."
"What's with Growlithe's eye?" Jason asked.
"We believe he damaged it when he was attacked," Kinsey gave her best educated guess. "He still has it, but it's colorless and we believe he can't see out of it. He has a scar running up and down the socket, as well."
"So Vulpix and Growlithe traveled together for a while until you guys found them," Julian summarized.
"Yep," Kinsey verified. "See, this shelter is built for lost, stranded, injured, abandoned, and even orphaned pokemon. Many pokemon here spend the remainder of their lives here, where we make their living conditions as best as possible so they could live out a peaceful life. We hope to bring joy and closure for those who lived a harsh life. Some others go to responsible pokemon owners, kept as pets. Then we have Growlithe and Vulpix."
"What makes them stand out?" Julian seemed curious.
"Well, they're adventurous for one thing," Kinsey chuckled. "We have a pokemon now and again like that. But it's not the first time these two tried to escape, and it's not the first time they irritated a wild pokemon. They angered a swarm of beedrill last week. Stumbled into an exploud's lair the week before. Who knows what they've gotten themselves into before we found them?"
"So they're just adventurous," Jason said.
"Very much so," Kinsey nodded.
"They probably don't like staying in one place for too long," Julian added.
"Which makes it a problem," Kinsey sighed. "Even if we tried to give them to a good home, there's a chance they'll escape anyways. We don't usually give pokemon to people who are out of town often.
Then it clicked, not just for Kinsey, but also for Jason and Julian.
"We're going on an adventure across Inventum," Jason said. "What if they come with us? Is that even a possibility?"
"Hmm, handing them off to a couple trainers?" Kinsey rubbed her chin. "That's actually genius!"
"I like that idea," Julian agreed.
"My only concern is that these two seem inseparable," Kinsey added. "Let's say I hand one off to each of you. How will they behave after that?"
"Well, Jason can have two and complete his team," Julian suggested.
Jason shook his head. "No. Well, let's see what they want to do, first."
"Let's go ahead and visit them out back, shall we?" Kinsey smiled, and led Jason and Julian to the shelter's garden.
Jason could see many pokemon out and about, just like Adam's farm. He could see a geodude, an electrike, a grimer, three rattata, a meowth, and even a bulbasaur at first glance. Not too far away were vulpix and growlithe. They seemed to roughhouse with one another as if they completely forgot their little adventure that happened just moments ago.
"It's as if they're siblings," Julian noticed.
Jason laughed. "Pretty much."
"Let me check them out," Julian said, pulling out his pokedex. He scanned Vulpix first.
"Vulpix, the Fox Pokemon," the pokedex analyzed. "It manipulates balls of fire to catch its prey. If you raise one from when it's young, it will grow close to you like a puppy pokémon."
"And Growlithe," Julian scanned the other troublemaker.
"Growlithe, the Puppy Pokemon. Growlithe has a superb sense of smell. Once it smells anything, this pokémon won't forget the scent, no matter what. It uses its advanced olfactory sense to determine the emotions of other living things."
"So, Growlithe doesn't need both eyes," Jason seemed impressed by the pokedex's summary of the fire-type canine pokemon.
"Granted, losing one eye means losing 20 percent of your overall vision," Kinsey added. "But Growlithe and Vulpix's primary senses are their noses, since they're both canine pokemon."
"Would it be right to separate them?" Jason asked.
"A complete separation? No," Kinsey replied.
"I'd imagine it would be like you having to leave your sister for good all of a sudden," Julian added.
"Right," Jason approached Growlithe and Vulpix. "But is she with me right now? We've been doing our own things for a bit here in Richland Port. Right before we partner up together for Raley City, of course."
Jason kneeled down before the two pokemon. "Hey there. My name's Jason, and I am a trainer."
Vulpix greeted Jason. Growlithe took one sniff towards Jason. "Growl!" he happily barked, and ran up to Jason.
"Hey, buddy," Jason began to pet Growlithe.
Julian approached Vulpix.
"Vulpix!" Vulpix walked over to Julian.
"Hey, Vulpix!" Julian kneeled down to pet Vulpix.
"But I believe what these two need is a 'soft' separation," Kinsey continued. "As long as they're together, they won't listen to anyone else. Whatever adventures they've been through, they've relied on each other. Total dependence will sever their ability to function in the world. You two are friends, right?"
"Yeah," Jason and Julian said at the same time.
"So obviously you will be seeing each other on occasion, especially since you're heading in the same direction."
To Jason, Growlithe seemed fierce, a fighter. The eye patch complimented this feature, and for each passing moment, Jason grew more affectionate towards Growlithe. The feeling was mutual.
"So, Growlithe," Jason spoke, grabbing the pokeballs from his belt. "Here's my team so far."
Jason released Jolteon, Kirlia, Magikarp, and Riolu. Kirlia held Magikarp. All pokemon greeted Growlithe.
"They've traveled with me across Inventum," Jason continued. "We're on an adventure to obtain twelve badges. We have three so far. Once we get 'em all, we can compete in the Inventum Cup. We still have much work to do, but there's a lot to see. Will you join us?"
Growlithe looked at Jason, and then his team. He glanced over at Vulpix.
"Vulpix, I like you," Julian said. "I will be going on the same journey. I have three badges out of twelve. I have my own team as well."
He looked at Kinsey. "Uh, can I release Onix here?"
Kinsey looked around. "I don't see why not. There's room."
"All right," Julian primed his pokeballs, releasing Grotle, Pidgeotto, Pancham, and Onix.
Onix roared, startling the other sanctuary pokemon before quickly realizing he was friendly. Vulpix admired the bravery Onix and the others displayed. He wasn't intimidated one bit.
"Your adventurous attitude and personality will make you a great fit," Julian continued. "Would you like to join us?"
Vulpix looked at Julian, and then his pokemon, before glancing at Growlithe.
"Consider you two still friends," Kinsey chimed in. "But now, you're also rivals. You'll be seeing each other again. I promise you. You're going to be stronger, and you're going to be seeing lots of cool stuff. Not to mention, you won't be eating from another dumpster again, or simply trying to survive."
Growlithe and Vulpix looked at each other. Whatever they went through, they seemed to take that into consideration. But they realized it was time to move on. A new chapter was going to unfold, and they both knew this was the best possible option for them. Countless adventures awaited them, not to mention battles.
They both faced their respective would-be trainers.
"Growlithe!" Growlithe barked with confidence.
"Vulpix!" Vulpix did the same.
"All right!" Jason primed an empty pokeball, the one that was never occupied.
"Welcome to the team, Vulpix!" Julian also primed an empty pokeball.
They both beamed in their respective pokemon, while the pokeballs became bound uncontested. Afterwards, they summoned their pokemon.
"Growlithe joins the team!" Jason celebrated. He didn't use Swellow's former pokeball on purpose. Perhaps he was unable to fill the void that Swellow had left behind for the time being. But he would have to cross that path for the next pokemon he would want to join his team.
"Congratulations, Vulpix!" Julian cheered.
"Just wait 'til Kristine hears about this," Jason laughed.
"So just a word of advice," Kinsey spoke. "Growlithe and Vulpix have rebellious natures. They won't listen to your commands in a day. It's going to take time. Both of you need to be patient with them. You'll find out that they're extremely loyal pokemon, and will do everything they can to aid you on your journeys. Just please promise me you will take care of them and see through that they'll become strong and disciplined."
"I promise," Jason assured her.
"We got this," Julian looked at her with confidence.
"Good," Kinsey smiled. "I have no doubt they're in right hands."
"Hi, Growlithe! Kristine greeted. The twins reunited at the pokemon center's lobby at the end of the day.
"This is my sister, Kristine," Jason introduced. "She will be traveling alongside me on our journey across Inventum. She wants the same goals as us, too. So remember, she is also our rival!"
Kristine chuckled. "Yes. Watch out, Growlithe!"
"Growl!" Growlithe barked, cautiously optimistic about the future ahead.
"All right, let's get some good rest," Jason recalled Growlithe into his new pokeball.
"Well, congrats, bro!" Kristine smiled. "So I've been wondering…"
"What's up?" Jason faced her.
"We should head out the day after tomorrow," Kristine suggested. "There's an international festival going on at the park tomorrow. Vendors from Kanto, Hoenn, Kalos, Unova, Alola, and others will be there."
"The whole world, eh?" Jason seemed intrigued.
"Yep! I think we should check it out. Maybe get some stuff, too. And then, it's time to pick up Dratini, then onwards to Raley City. Sound good?"
"For sure!" Jason agreed.
"It'll be our last chance to have fun in Richland Port. Then it's time to head back into the trail. We still gotta earn more badges!"
With Jason acquiring Growlithe the day after Swellow left the team, and Julian obtaining Growlithe's closest companion, Vulpix, the rivalry between Jason and Julian is likely to ignite in the near future. Heeding the words from Kinsey, would both trainers be able to teach discipline towards the rowdy duo?
The flames in Cheron Forest were no longer spreading. As a matter of fact, Team Mystic were regaining ground, fighting back the flames and capturing fire pokemon in the process as part of the catch-and-release strategy.
Charred bark and shrubs were all that remained in the wake of the fires that destroyed much of the forest. Despite the destruction, dozens of trainers and rangers were rescued, as were hundreds of pokemon. A combined effort, led by Aria and her Team Mystic rangers, to go along with many other volunteers, was the only reason why this tragedy did not get any worse, as it easily could have been.
As the flames were beaten back, a line of pokemon moved forward. This massive line consisted of many water pokemon, including a poliwrath, blastoise, vaporeon, ludicolo, staryu, azumarill, quagsire, pelipper, floatzel, frogadier, golduck, and many more.
Behind these pokemon were their trainers. Many of them were in Team Mystic uniforms, wearing deep blue attire. These members were supported by trainers and other volunteers that lived nearby.
"Keep the pressure up!" Aria commanded. "Everyone, fire!"
All pokemon fired their most powerful ranged water-type moves, from Water Pulse to Hydro Pump. The bulk of the flames were easily suppressed. Moments later, all that was left were small, scattered fires. The line soon dispersed to deal with the remaining flames.
All of a sudden, fire-type pokemon emerged from behind a line of smoldering trees. There were magby, magmar, ponyta, charmander, charmemelon, growlithe, and slugma, with their numbers totaling about two dozen. Many of their comrades were already captured, and to them, their very survival was compromised by a band of humans and their water pokemon. They were ready to make a last stand.
A rapidash made its way through the line of fire pokemon. Aria believed it to be the leader of this ragtag coalition of fire pokemon. She approached this rapidash, as her coalition reformed their line.
"My name is Aria," she introduced herself. "We act as defenders of this forest. We do not mean to inflict harm. None of the pokemon who traveled with you were harmed; they were captured with the intention of being released back to the Cinders. We-"
At that moment, Rapidash growled, followed by protests from the pokemon behind it, shouting their names as a way of communicating their outrage against Aria's comment.
Bradley approached Aria, standing next to her. "Remember that perhaps the reason why they're here is because the Cinders somehow became uninhabitable to them."
"Right," Aria nodded. She then began to readdress the fire pokemon. "My apologies. The Cinders seems out of the question. We will look into relocation efforts. Your opinions will matter as well. But you cannot stay here. Many pokemon have already lived here, only to have their homes destroyed by the destruction you are responsible for. We will rebuild this forest to make this place a sanctuary for these pokemon once more.
"I make you an offer. Stand down and surrender. We will capture you and I promise, if you want to remain wild, we will release you in a safe spot we have agreed upon. We are not your enemy. We work in preservation of all pokemon, including you."
All fire pokemon knew they were outnumbered. Perhaps they didn't know or quite understand the repercussions of their incursion into the forest. A moment of heated silence ensued. Aria knew one way or another, all these fire pokemon would be captured. She was trying to do so the easy way, without having to fight and risk injuries.
At last, Rapidash bowed its head. All other fire pokemon seemed to do the same. They were surrendering, under Aria's terms, putting their faith, and their survival, in her words.
"All right," Aria breathed a sigh of relief, and pulled out an empty pokeball, priming it.
"Let's get to work," Bradley said.
Aria observed the collection of dozens of pokeballs later that night, safely placed inside a large case within the upper level offices of Team Mystic's arena.
"We will find you a home," she softly spoke, keen on delivering her promise.
"Aria," Bradley approached her, holding a wireless phone. "Phone."
"Who is it?" she asked.
"The ICC."
"Inventum Conservation Committee? Already?"
"Yep. Well…"
"Bradley, who is it?"
"It's also the Secretary of the Interior."
"Micah? Okay, give it here."
Bradley handed her the phone.
"This is Aria," she addressed.
"Hi, this is Micah, Chairperson of the ICC and appointed Secretary of the Interior," a female voice spoke. "How are you?"
"I'm doing okay, and you?"
"Much better, now. I've heard of your efforts in containing the wildfire in Cheron Forest. I also understand that you've been putting together a report on pokemon migrations prior to this wildfire. I would like to bring you into Richland Port tomorrow. You would catch a flight in the morning, and meet us in the afternoon. You've also been nominated for the Medal of Courage."
"The Medal of Courage, but ma'am," Aria blushed, flattered by the offer. "This was a team effort. We all helped put out the fires, and prevented a full-scale battle from happening.
"Yes, but you are their leader. Your response and your actions were impeccable. Without your expertise and leadership skills, this could have been beyond catastrophic. Take this award of behalf of everyone involved."
"Yes ma'am," Aria spoke with confidence. "I will. For everyone involved."
"Thank you, Aria. I will forward you flight tickets. Bring with you anyone you deem necessary."
"Thank you, ma'am,"
"Rest well. You've earned it."
Micah then hung up.
"Richland Port, eh?" Bradley beamed. "You've earned this."
"They also want me to report to them ASAP," Aria explained, handing the phone back to Bradley. "They know this is pretty major, and if it weren't for us…"
Bradley walked into a nearby office to put the phone away. "Then let's deliver the best report we can to prevent another incident."
Aria paused for a moment. "Summer and Don are going."
"What?" Bradley snickered, not quite believing Aria at first as he walked out of the room and approached her. "Wait, I'm staying behind?"
Aria looked at Bradley in the eyes. "Not quite. Bradley, you're my best ranger out there. I'm not just saying that because we're…dating…but you really are. I need you to investigate the Cinders yourself. Find out what really happened. We need to know who or what drove the fire pokemon out. Something out west is drawing wild pokemon further east."
Bradley sighed. "I understand. I will go. I need to start preparing to leave tomorrow morning, right?"
Aria gave a silent nod.
"Very well. Be safe, Aria."
Bradley walked by Aria, heading for the nearby staircase.
"Bradley!" Aria caught his attention.
Bradley turned around. Aria approached him, put her hands on his shoulders, leaned up from her toes, and kissed his lips. He kissed back without hesitation.
"Be safe out there," Aria softly spoke. "Come back soon."
"I will," Bradley assured her. "I promise you."
The next chapter will feature an almost full battle. And Jason's last pokemon. I would say that I'm finally getting into the groove of once-a-week releases, but then Pokemon Let's Go comes out next week. I will do my best to get the next chapter out before then! Here are the movesets for Jason and Julian's new pokemon:
Jason's Growlithe (Flash Fire): Fire Fang, Takedown, Flame Burst, Protect.
Julian's Vulpix (Flash Fire): Fire Spin, Flame Burst, Safe Guard, Will-o-Wisp.
