Chapter Three
Ahead, Summer could see a brightly painted house- in colours of red, yellow and green. The house was situated on a wide, beautiful beach, and was close to the small pier that the boat was about to dock at.
"Alright," Booker said as he tied the last knot, safely securing the boat, "welcome ta Renbow Island, Summer!"
Summer stepped onto the beach, her feet sinking slightly into the soft sand. A line of trees decorated the shore, and an opening next to the house lead to what appeared to be a quaint, little village. "That's my place." Booker said, gesturing to the brightly coloured building.
They had only taken a few steps forward when three laughing children ran onto the beach, stopping when they saw the old man.
"Booker, you're back!" one cried, a boy with mint green hair and covered in mud. The other two gave similar greetings, dancing around Booker. A red-headed girl in a pink dress looked curiously at Summer.
"Are you a Pokémon Ranger?" the girl asked in a sweet, innocent voice. "'Cause you look like Rand, but you're uniform's weird. Are they goggles?" she reached out to touch them, but was too short, even standing on the tips of her toes.
Summer laughed, crouching down so that she was level with the children's height. "Yes, I'm a Pokémon Ranger- my name is Summer. My uniform is different because I come from another region."
"Wooooooow… You're not from Oblivia? Cool!" said the third member of the group, another boy who was looking at Summer as though she was some sort of heroine.
"Oh, Summer's definitely a Ranger, alright. Ya shoulda seen the light-up twirly thing she did… ah, what was it called, lass?" Booker asked, struggling to remember.
The Ranger in question raised an eyebrow, amused. "A Capture?"
"Ah, that'd be the one, lass. I'm sure Ralph woulda loved to 'ave seen it." He motioned to the boy with the green hair, who positively beamed at Summer.
"I bet it was soooo cool!" he piped up, "I bet you were all like: whoosh, twirl, zing, CAPTURE COMPLETE!" with every noise he made, he spun around and jabbed at the air.
"Ahahaha, I'll be glad to show you a Capture sometime." Summer offered with a polite smile.
"Aw yeah! Awesome! I'm gonna go tell everyone that Booker's brought a Ranger to the village!" Ralph dashed off, closely followed by his two friends as Summer stood. "Bye Summer!"
Booker sighed, shaking his head. "Ralph is quite excitable, but he's very reliable. He'd be able to tell you about every place, person or Pokémon on the Island if you asked him." The old man cocked his head to the side slightly, looking at Summer with a thoughtful expression. "I reckon you're mighty tired, Ranger lass. You can come along an' have a breather at my place if you'd like. And so can you, Pichu."
"Thank you." Summer nodded and followed Booker up some wooden steps and into his house.
She was already inside, however, when some 'UFOs' flew over. Several people on the beach cried out, pointing to the sky. Pichu was the only one of the group to witness it. Growing angry, Ukulele Pichu hopped back down the steps and hurried off in the direction of the 'UFOs'.
Guardian Signs
In the house, a boy dressed in an orange and white striped jumper and light blue denim shorts with an orange bandanna tied around his head was focusing on smoothing down the edges of a wooden boat, when he heard creaking floorboards behind him. The boy turned, surprised.
"Booker!" he exclaimed. "You're back, boss! I was beginning to worry that maybe you'd been captured by the aliens and that they might have taken you back to their leader to run horrible experiments and-" he stopped, catching sight of Summer. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm N- Oh no. Booker, you can't! Please!" the boy dropped to his knees, grabbing on to Booker's shorts, who didn't look at all fazed. He pointed a shaking finger at Summer. "You're a Pokémon Ranger, but now you find it boring, and so you came across Booker, who mentioned he was a master shipbuilder with a terrible apprentice and so you offered to become his apprentice and so you came here and oh God, oh my GOD, you're kicking me out, no, boss please, I love this job and okay, I'm not perfect, but-"
"NICK!" Booker roared, causing both younger people to jump. "Stop making up such wild stories! That's not true at all. Summer's just here to rest."
"Oh really?" Nick looked extremely relieved. "Thank goodness." He pushed himself off of the floor, dusted off his hands and held one out to Summer. "Nice to meet you, I'm Booker's apprentice, Nick."
Confused as she was with the dramatic outburst and the sudden change of heart, Summer took Nick's hand and shook it. "Uh, yeah. I'm Summer, a Pokémon Ranger…"
Nick grinned. "Awesome." He said, simply. He then moved around his boss and to a counter, where he busied himself making tea.
Booker shook his head. "I honestly don't know what ta do with him, lass. He does that all the time, just so you know."
Summer laughed. "Right."
"By the by, Summer. I have ta ask. What brings ya ta Oblivia? Your clothes are still damp from when I found ya on Dolce Island, and you look quite worse for wear, lass!"
"Well, it's kind of a long story. It starts back at the Ranger Union…"
Guardian Signs
"Ah, I see." Booker said, understanding the situation at last. "So you reckon that the UFOs are most likely ta be the Pokémon Pinchers, but you can't get hold of your partner, so you have no idea where he is?"
Summer nodded. "That's about the size of it." She sighed. I hope I can find Ben soon, she thought, staring into the tea Nick had made- which was surprisingly good, considering…
"So, these aliens…" Nick said, "I mean, these Pinchers… they have your partner, Ben?"
"Well, I don't know that for sure. I mean, it's possible, but Ben probably managed to-" Summer was interrupted by a yet again frantic Nick.
"Oh, no! What if the Pinchers captured your partner, and are torturing right now while he's bound with a rope in-" This time it was the older man's turn to interrupt.
"For goodness sake, Nick! Stop it! You're worrying the poor lass!"
"Oh, Summer, I'm sorry!" Nick cried, snapped out of his wild fantasy.
Summer shook her head, frowning. "No. What you say is entirely possible. I have to consider every situation and outcome right now."
Booker smiled. "Well, I'm glad you're keeping a clear head despite all of this nonsense." He gave Nick an annoyed glance. "But jus' remember, lass, you're not alone in this. Ralph and I… and heck, even Nick, we'll be here to help when you need it. O' course, not forgettin' lil' Pichu!"
His kind words were met with silence, instead of the musical 'twang' they were all expecting.
"Pichu? Ukulele Pichu?"
"Where's he gone? Was he with you? Oh no, what if he's been captured by the aliens- um, oh right- Pinchers and he's being controlled for their horrible plans and-"
"NICK!"
The three searched the house and even the beach for a couple of minutes, but returned back to the house without the Pichu.
"I honestly have no idea where the lil' guy has gone, lass." Booker said, clearly worried.
Summer smiled kindly. "Don't worry, I'm sure he's nearby." A mere second after she had spoken, Ralph rushed in.
"We've got trouble, people! Big trouble!" he was shouting as he stood in the doorway, hands on his knees, breathless.
Nick smirked. "Oh yeah, your sister catch you hiding her dolls again?"
"No!" Ralph cried, frantically. "Geez, no, not that again. No, this is worse, much worse. That was terrible, but this is worse!"
Booker stepped forward, concerned. "Spit it out then, boy!"
Ralph stood up straight, wiping an arm across his forehead. "The UFOs. They're back. Loads of 'em. They were flying together, to Teakwood Forest. Arley went after them, but he's been gone ageeees. So, I came to get you." He pointed to Summer, with a cheeky grin. "'Cause you're a Ranger."
Summer raised an eyebrow. What awesome logic. "Uh, sure. Ralph? Yeah, Ralph. Where's Teakwood Forest, then?"
"Hold on a minute, lass." Booker held out a cautioning hand. "Did you say Arley went?"
Ralph nodded. "Yeah, but he's been gone a while. Something might've happened to him."
Nick shook his head in disagreement. "Come on, this is Arley. He's amazingly strong. Like, super-duper, extremely- Oh no. What if he chased them through the forest and caught up to them, and they started fighting, right? Yeah, and then what if they used their special weapons on him like they would a Pokémon and now Arley's walking around all like 'Ar, Arley, Arl… Arleeeeey GROOOOOOAWWWRR!'" Nick held out his arms and stomped around, doing his best impression of an Ursaring. "Right?! And then, if you went to Teakwood Forest, Summer, one of the Pokémon Pinchers would say Arley, use Double Kick! And Arley would attack you, Summer and… What?" The whole group was staring at Nick as if he had gone insane. But that was probably a ship that had sailed long ago, if this new story was anything to go by. "Nick…" Summer whispered. "That's crazy."
Nick looked at her, confused. And then it clicked, and he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Oh. Right. Yeah. I guess so, huh. Heh. Anywaaaay…"
Booker coughed. "Yes. Anyway. Summer, considerin' the situation, I believe it would be best for you ta investigate and perhaps put a stop to whatever it is the Pokémon Pinchers are up ta. And, 'course, find and help Arley. If it's not too much ta ask, lass?"
Summer smiled. "No problem."
For the first time in a while, her Capture Styler spoke up, much to Ralph's amazement. "New Mission! New Mission! Protect Arley, who went to investigate in Teakwood Forest, from the Pokémon Pinchers!" Words appeared on her Styler Screen, flashing at her. They said 'Mission: Drive the Pinchers out of the Woods!'. Hm. At least her Styler had no trouble with determining missions. Summer glanced at Ralph, and performed her Ranger pose.
When she was back on her feet, she nodded to the small boy, who was wide-eyed and looking at her in astonishment.
"That… was SO cool!" he yelled, clearly excited. "Come on, Summer! I'll show you the way to the forest!"
Guardian Signs
One short walk around a plaza and past two monuments later, Summer and Ralph arrived at the beginning of Teakwood Forest. The Forest was muddy and the atmosphere reminded her somewhat of Dolce Island. The plants, however, were not as exotic or colourful as the ones Summer had seen there.
"Hey! Hold your horses, kids!" A male voice shouted. The two turned and both saw a moustached man, probably in his thirties, rushing towards them. "The Pokémon in the Forest are all riled up because of the UFOs. Unless you're planning on getting hurt, kids, you don't want to go in there."
"It's alright." Summer held up her right arm, showing the man her Styler. "I'm a Pokémon Ranger. If anything happens, I'll make sure to protect Ralph here."
"Hm. A Ranger, eh? Well, alright." He may have given his consent, but the man didn't look to sure of himself as he walked off.
Summer turned to Ralph. "Where to, tour guide?"
Ralph pointed ahead. Up there, there should be a path that leads to Rasp Cavern." Noticing Summer's frown, he added, "A cave."
"Oh, I see." They set off again, passing a Kricketot which chimed and ran when it caught sight of them. A few steps forward and to their right, a wooden fence blocked their path.
"Great." Summer sighed.
"Hey, can you do a Target Clear on it?" Ralph asked her, clearly hoping to see some Ranger action.
"I'd love to, but I'm not sure I'd be able to find the right Pokémon here. It's awfully strong." She said, putting a hand on the wood.
"Aww…" Ralph put his hands in his pockets, disappointed.
"Never mind, Ralph. I'm sure you'll see something pretty soon."
Right on cue, the duo heard some angry shouting from a different direction.
"There's another path up there, Summer! Come on!" the green-haired boy dashed off, leaving the girl to follow him.
When she had caught up, she found Ralph stopped at a point where the path opened into a sort of clearing, surrounded by trees. He was hiding slightly, behind a bush. Without looking back, Ralph waved at Summer to get down.
"Ralph!" she whispered, crouching next to him. "What are you doing?"
"Look!" and so Summer looked. Ralph's gaze was trained on a man, dressed as…
"A Pokémon Pincher." Summer breathed.
"Is that what you call them?" Ralph asked, looking at her for a second, and then back at the Pincher.
"Yeah."
The Pincher, oblivious to his audience, started shouting again. The subject of his rant was a tiny, pink Hoppip. The leaves on its head were shaking. "You have to stop getting in my way, you stupid creature!" He suddenly started, as if realising something. "Let's see how you fare against this!" The man held out his right arm, his palm facing the Pokémon. Purple rings shot out of his hand, surrounding the Hoppip, which, after a few seconds, disappeared. The watching Pokémon, a Stantler and the Kricketot from a few minutes ago, scattered.
"Ha!" The Pincher shouted, looking at his hand in glee. "Gotta love these Control Gauntlets! Aptly named, too. It's just too easy to get stupid Pokémon with them!"
"Hey!" A female Pincher walked over to the male, annoyed. "Stop talking to yourself. And come back to the post!"
"Yes, ma'am." He followed the other Pincher further down the path.
Ralph turned to Summer, eyes wide. "Wow, these people are mean! I don't like them at all!"
"Yeah, neither do I." Summer said, looking at the space where the Hoppip had been and standing. "Let's go. We need to stop them before they can do anything else."
"Right! They went this way!" Ralph led her through the clearing, and around a point where the path curved on itself. Blocking their way forward, however, was a small log. Summer knew what to do, of course. She looked around. A Hoothoot was flying lazily around nearby.
"Are you going to catch it?" Ralph asked, excited.
"Yup." She replied, focusing on the bird Pokémon.
"Yesss!" her young companion cried.
Summer held out her Styler, slowly creeping towards the bird. She didn't want to startle it. Once she was close enough, she shot. The blue energy went high into the air, and carefully, she drew loops around the Hoothoot. It tried to attack her with its talons, but then the capture was complete and it stopped to hover in the air.
Summer sighed with relief. She was worried it was going to scratch her, forgetting that the Styler would take all attacks.
"That. Was. The. Best. Thing. I have EVER seen!" Ralph shouted.
"Ssssh!" Summer put a finger to her lips. "What if they hear you?"
"Oh, no!" he clapped his hands to his mouth. "Sorry, Summer."
"It's okay. I don't think anyone's coming." To make sure, she looked around. "But forget that, Ralph. You wanted to see a Target Clear?" Activating Target Mode on her Styler, Summer stepped toward the log. Then, she connected the Pokémon she had just caught to the log with a simple line, and then stopped. The Hoothoot cried out and with a flash of sharpened claws, the log was cut in half.
Summer put a hand on her hip as the bird Pokémon flew off, its job done. "How was that?"
Ralph's mouth was agape with shock. He shook his head. "Too cool."
"Shall we go on then?"
Ralph looked at her for a puzzled second, and then said, "Oh, yeah! This way!"
The path circled around a large tree, and then, ahead of them, were the people they had been following. The male and female Pinchers from before. They seemed to be bored, using idle chatter to pass the time.
"So… How come you're not in the cave with the others?" the man asked.
"Oh, 'cause I'm not experienced enough, apparently. Stupid- Oh? Well what have we here? A Pichu? And a cute one, at that."
From nowhere, and much to the watching Summer and Ralph's surprise, Ukulele Pichu had run up to the two Pinchers, waving it's paws about.
"Oh, I dunno." Said the male. "Looks pretty cheesed off, to me."
"Pichu! Pichuuu!"
The female moved forward, crouching down and poking Pichu's head, causing it to growl and jump back. "Ahaha, it think it's tough! Look, Dave. It's got a ukulele- as if the thing could actually play an instrument!"
"Oh, I've seen it before!" the man cried suddenly, snapping his fingers. "On, err… what was it called…Dolly Island?"
"Dolce, you nitwit. I bet the silly thing misses its friends. Well, you can see your little Pichu friends if you just stand still…" She raised her Control Gauntlet, grinning. She activated it, but Ukulele Pichu jumped back from the purple energy, sticking out its tongue. "Oh, we gonna play, huh?" she moved after it, activating her Gauntlet again and again, Pichu dancing out of range each time.
"Oh, let me do it." Her partner moved forward, sighing. But his attempt was just as fruitless as hers, as Pichu just hopped out of reach. "Ugh. This Pichu is getting on my nerves now. Double Capture?" he asked the female, who nodded. Both moved to either side of Ukulele Pichu, raising their Gauntlets again. The Pokémon looked confused, looking at them both.
"That's enough!" Summer shouted, running towards the two, startling them out of performing the Capture. Pichu cried out joyfully, running towards her and Ralph, who was following closely behind.
"Now, now, kids- Oh my. Lookie here, a Pokémon Ranger." Said the female, mildly surprised. "Dave, I thought the only Ranger here was a man? Not some snot-nosed brat."
"Don't ask me, I had no idea about a second Ranger. Maybe his daughter?"
"No, his daughter is that crazy scientist girl."
"Oh, right."
"Hey!" Summer shouted, stomping her foot. "Quit talking, unless you're willing to tell me what's going on?!"
The male Pincher-Dave, apparently- laughed. "Drop the theatrics, kid. Do you see our friends?" he gestured behind him, and for the first time, Summer noticed two angry-looking Pokémon- a Buizel, which was shifting from foot to foot, glaring at her, and a Croagunk hopping about, looking thoroughly unhappy.
"Your Pokémon don't intimidate me." Summer firmly stated, standing her ground.
"Oh, really? Dave, she says our Pokémon don't intimidate her." The female snickered.
"Oh, don't worry, I heard. Okay, child, nice try. But you best be sure."
Summer raised her Styler with a frown. "Please. Just get on with it."
Dave the male Pincher sighed. "Okay, girlie. But don't say I didn't warn you."
The Ranger shrugged, determined to get the last word. "I won't."
He was positively shaking with annoyance. "Go, Buizel, Croagunk!"
The two Pokémon looked up sharply, and then charged. Summer set her feet apart, and remembered just in time to set her Styler back to Capture Mode.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! It's thirteen pages on word, rather than the usual short seven! :) I'll do the chapters longer from now on, now that we're further into the story.
Uploaded on: 21/02/15
As of 17:29 and however long this takes to take effect on 21/02/15, I'm changing the title of this story to 'Signs of a Guardian'.