"Ben, why are we out here?" I covered my eyes from the piercing sun. My tank top clung to my body with sweat. I'd finally been able to go and get some new clothes. Since Ben is a ranger, he gets them for free. And because I'm staying here for a while, I needed clothes. I tried leaving last week after that whole incident with that guy from Team Rocket, but Ben wouldn't let me. He promised to help me gain my memory back and I believe him.
He handed me a trinket identical to the one on his wrist. "Strap it on and show me whatchya got." He grinned. A sigh left my mouth as I strapped on the device, a styler I think is what they are called, and walked along the beach. The open wound on my side is nearly healed all the way and no longer hurts. My hips are free of offending bruises as well. All around, I look much better.
As I walked down the beach, I spotted a Lapras floating in the ocean close to the shore. Almost instantly, I sprung into action. "Capture, on!" I spun the capture disc in loops around Lapras and within seconds, I befriended her.
Ben looked at me with his mouth hanging open. "Okay, that was impressive. Very impressive. You really are a natural. Even trained Rangers have a hard time befriending that Lapras." He complimented. I chuckled nervously. Why is my heart pounding? "I've got the greatest idea! Come on. I'm taking you to the Chairman of The Pokemon Ranger Union. We are getting you certified today."
I looked at him shocked. "Are you crazy? I can't be a Ranger! I don't know what I'm doing."
Ben smiled, draping his arm around my shoulders, earning a blush. "I've seen the way you act around Pokemon. You have a special connection with them. Vulpix adores you. You can do it!" He reassured. I sighed, giving in.
We walked towards the Union, letting the sun rays bake our skin. I'm going to regret not putting on sun block. "Hey, Ben? I've been meaning to ask, is Vulpix yours? Like does he have a Pokeball?"
"That's right, I never explained to you how I got Vulpix. Well for starters, he doesn't have a Pokeball. I technically don't own him. He is my Partner Pokemon. I saved him from a pretty bad situation involving some thuggish trainers. The minute he jumped in my arms, scared half to death, I felt a certain connection. Ever since then, he has never left my side." He smiled to himself, probably replaying the memory. It must be nice.. being able to look back on the things you've done and remember every detail vividly. Ben rubbed my shoulder gently. "Don't worry, Summer. I'l help you get your memory back. No matter what it takes."
"Well, most Rangers have to go through three years in The Ranger School. But after seeing everything you just accomplished on your first go, I think it would be a stupid decision on my part not to give you this job. Your partner will obviously be Ben. I'll have them put your new uniform and an extra bed in his room for you." Chairperson Erma smiled.
I nearly choked on my own spit. A blush spread on Ben's cheeks, his entire face going red. "We share a room?" You could hear the nervousness in my voice.
Chairperson Erma chuckled heartily. "Of course you'll be sharing a room. All Rangers and their partners share a room. It creates a special bond and you get to know one another on a higher level. Rangers' jobs have become much more dangerous over the past few years, as you have experienced." Goosebumps littered my body at the memory. Typical that the only memories I have are the terrible traumatizing ones. "Partners need to know everything about each other and know how to handle the other if a certain situation is brought up. It is very crucial to be considerably close with your partner. Once you are assigned a partner, you keep that partner."
For some reason, my heart fluttered and I felt Butterfree in my stomach. There is just something about Ben that is so intriguing. Not to mention how sweet and supportive he is of all this. I nodded my head and smiled. "So am I a Ranger now?" Chairperson Erma and Ben both smiled.
"Here is your certificate and plaque of authenticity. And of course, the mark of a true Ranger, your styler." She handed me the small device and I quickly strapped it to my wrist. "Ben, take good care of her." The Chairperson winked, making Ben's face shine redder. "Now, I'll be in the Johto region for a few weeks to discuss opening a Ranger base there with Professor Elm. So if you have any questions or complications, be sure to ask our first in command, Roger. He oversees all the Rangers and is pretty much the 'big guns' of the Ranger Union."
My eyes widened. Professor Elm..? "Here you go, Summer. Your very first Pokemon." Professor Elm handed me the Pokeball. Erma looked at me strangely as if she was asking what was wrong. "I remember Professor Elm. He gave me my first Pokemon." Ben and Erma's eyes held shock.
"You came all the way from Johto?" Ben asked. I shrugged my shoulders. I guess I did. This is a step in the right direction! "Maybe Professor Elm can give you some clues as to what happened. Or where you were headed at least!"
Chairperson Erma put her hand on my shoulder. "When I see him, the first thing I'll ask is if he has any information on you and what happened. I'll video message the both of you when I find out. But for now, Rhythmi needs to see the two of you. Be sure to get changed, Summer. You are now an honorable Ranger."
"Thank you, Chairperson Erma.." Shee smiled and slowly walked out the door. I turned to Ben, a smile spread across my face. He opened is arms and I ran into them, holding him close. We stayed like that for a few seconds, before Ben's styler began to buzz. I pulled away and he pressed a button on the device. A big holographic screen popped up and a girl with puffy blonde hair smiled at us.
"Sorry to bother you Ben. But I have a quest that needs to be done as soon as possible. Think you and the newbie can handle it?" She grinned playfully.
Ben scoffed "Oh please, Rhythmi. Just give us the information and we will be on it." He laughed. Rhythmi nodded, the screen disappearing. His styler buzzed again and he read the message. "Alright. Some kid is lost in the woods and his mom is hysterical. We need to get to Vientown."
"This isn't productive at all." I growled. "We've been searching for near forty minutes and there is no sign of him. We will get nowhere from this."
Ben chuckled. "So what do you suggest, Princess?" I crossed my arms and stopped walking.
He tried to say something but I shushed him. My breathing slowed and I closed my eyes. I probably look really stupid but I'm concentrating. After listening for a few seconds, I finally heard it, the flap of a wing. "Come on!" I ran in the direction of the sound, Ben on my heels. We came to a clearing, Staraptor and Pidgeot littering the grass and trees. We both befriended a Pidgeot and took to the air. "You go that way, I'll go this way. Stay close to the ground so you can see everything. Whoever finds him, send a message to the other." Ben nodded, taking off to the left. I went to the right, my Pidgeot soaring. He dodged the trees as they came while I scanned the area.
Ten minutes passed and I felt a buzzing on my wrist. "Hold on, Pidgeot." I rubbed his head and he slowed to a stop. I opened the new message on my styler. Found him. Meet back at the base in Vientown. I closed my eyes, releasing a sign of relief. My ears suddenly perked up at the sound of crackling in the distance. Pidgeot became uneasy, flapping his wings. I wonder what it is. "Let's go, Pidgeot, and find out what it is." He reluctantly flew towards the sound. It wasn't long before the burning smell of smoke stung my nose and throat. I could see the ferocious orange and red flames. I fumbled opening the menu on my styler. This thing needs an instruction manual! I finally found the video call and tried to reach Ben. He didn't pick up. "Goddammit Ben!" I yelled angrily, sending him an S.O.S message. "Okay, Pidgeot go to the middle and get to the ground."
He did as told. We landed on the ground in the middle of all the chaos. Grass and bug Pokemon ran around frantically. I rounded all of the Pokemon in the surrounding area up and loaded them onto Pidgeot. I had to befriend a Staraptor as well to fit the entire load. "Get the Pokemon out of here and stay away!" Staraptor flew into the sky but Pidgeot hesitated. He rubbed his face against mine. "It's okay! I'll be fine. Please, save the others." I patted his head and he reluctantly flew up with Staraptor, the two of them flying towards the town.
I need to put out this fire right now. But it is huge. Flames scorched the trees and bushes. How did this even happen!? Panic began to spread through me. What if I can't save these Pokemon and the whole forest burns down!? I'll be the worst Ranger to ever live! I never should have- There was a nudge on my leg. I looked down to the Totodile at my feet smiling up at me. He pulled on my sock, pointing towards some trees. "Toto-dile!" He exclaimed beginning to run towards the direction he was pointing. What have I got to lose? I followed him. He lead me to a very large lake. He dove in, and after a few seconds emerged. What was that all abou- I stumbled back as all the water Pokemon from the lake began to emerge. Totodile jumped up and down happily at my feet. I patted his head.
"Alright! Let's go put this fire out!" The Pokemon cheered and followed me into the flames. I split them into groups, sending them in different areas. The Blastoise, Feraligtr, and Gyarados all went to the bigger fire. The Golduck, Starmie, and Slowking went to medium fires. And the Marill, Buizel, and Seel went to the smaller, tamable flames. They all worked together to put out the flames. Black smoke rose from the flames, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. The sky was blackened out by the smoke. My eyes burned and teared up from smoke.
In the distance I could faintly see a Pokemon running deeper in the woods. I followed after it, not wanting it to get hurt. After chasing and trying to befriend it at the same time, I was finally able to convey my feelings of friendship to the Vileplume. "Go back that way and stay close to the water Pokemon. They will keep you safe." It nodded and ran back the way we came. I suddenly let out a terrible cough, gasping for fresh air.
A chuckle made itself heard. My eyes searched through the red glow and hazy smoke. Maybe it's the jerk who caused all this. "You are the courageous one, aren't you." That voice! The man from before emerged from behind a burning tree. "Beautiful, isn't it? Your friend wouldn't agree. No, she is an innocent and naive little girl. You see, Melody has been reluctant to tell us anything about you and we are getting impatient. So here is your chance. Answer my question when I ask, and we won't hurt her anymore." He stalked towards me, smashing my body to the ground. I grunted painfully as my head hit the dirt. The man towered over me, kicking my side forcefully. I cried out at the crippling pain. Not now. My wound is almost fully healed. He landed another blow and I could feel my breath leave my lungs. "Tell me how you got into our headquarters!" He yelled, smashing his foot into my side. I whimpered, crawling away and getting on all fours. I noticed the flames begin to dim. The Pokemon are almost done.
As I tried to stand, he rammed his knee into my stomach. My body gave out, crumpling to the ground, unable to move. "You're comin' with me, doll." We are going to have a lotta fun." The crackling finally ceased. He looked around and began to rush. I felt him grab my wrists and waist. Then the sound of flapping wings echoed through the sky. The black smoke began to dissociate from a continuous strong gust of wind. The orange, sunset lit sky was revealed. "Fuck." He released me and began to back away. "You got lucky again. Don't worry, this isn't the last you'll see of me." With that, he disappeared into the dense trees.
I curled up on my side, bringing my knees to my chest. A choked sob escaped my lips. My side pounded in pain to the point where I could hardly breathe. I heard flapping wings lower down to me. New tears began to streak down my cheeks. Why is this happening to me? What awful thing did I do to have this be the punishment. I don't want to deal with this anymore. I can't escape it. I can't remember anything. What if it turns out I'm all alone in this world and have no one left? What point is there in living then?
"Summer!" My eyes opened at his voice. "Oh gods, you're okay." He wrapped his arms around my back, puling me to his chest. "Thank the gods." He pulled away slightly cradling my tear and soot covered cheek. "I thought I was too late." Small beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. His dark green eyes were shiny, worry winding through them. A small cut on his cheek oozed blood. I softly wiped the blood away with my thumb, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "You're so reckless, Summer. Why didn't you wait for me?"
My bottom lip quivered at the worry in his voice. My hands shook slightly against his chest. "Ben.." I cried softly, burying my face in the crook of his neck. He pulled my body to his gently, holding me securely.
"I thought I'd lost you. Please, don't make me feel that way again. I don't know why, but I was so panicked and worried. All I could think about was how I needed to get to you and how destroyed I would feel if anything happened to you. Please be more careful. I won't lose you." He whispered in my ear. My heart pounded painfully at his words. Ben.. He may be that one reason to live..
Alright so hopefully everyone enjoyed. -A