Chapter Two - Area Rangers and a Thief!
Ms April was in her classroom, in front of her six students, including Keith, Alexa and Rhythmi. Ms April was wearing a happy smile on her face.
"Okay, everyone," she began. "Do you know what day it is today?" she asked.
"Thursday," Alexa answered playfully. The other students laughed, as did Ms April.
"Today is out Outdoor Class," Keith answered properly.
"That's right. We have a proper Pokémon Ranger visiting us," Ms April continued. "So you will all be able to get a good idea of what it's like being a ranger."
"Because we have a Pokémon Ranger with us to enlighten us with his or her experiences as one, right?" Alexa assumed.
"Exactly," Ms April confirmed. "Now, if you'll all make your way to the Ascension Square, the Outdoor Class will begin." She then made her way out of the classroom. The students all followed her.
Outside…
Ms April and the students arrived at the Ascension Square and gathered around the statue. In front of the statue was a tall man in a traditional Pokémon Ranger uniform. His Afro hairstyle was the most striking feature of this ranger.
"Alright, everyone is accounted for," Ms April began. "Thank you very much for coming all this way, Crawford."
"It's a pleasure to be here," the ranger replied happily. "As Ms April has said, my name is Crawford. And this is my partner Pokémon, Budew," he added, as the small green bud Pokémon showed itself in front of the students.
"Budew!" the little Pokémon squealed. A Cherubi, a Swellow and a Combee also made themselves known.
"Oh, and these are my friend Pokémon," Crawford added. The three Pokémon went into hiding.
"Alright, it's time for the climax of this class," Ms April began. "The Q & A session of terror!"
"Why is it called that?" Alexa whispered, to nobody in particular.
"I think it's just what Ms April calls it," Keith replied in a whisper.
"Okay, everyone, you may all ask one question each, but be reasonable," Ms April instructed.
"I think it's me first then," a male student began. "Why did you choose to become a Pokémon Ranger to begin with?"
"If the questions are like that, it may as well be called 'The Interrogative Q & A'," Alexa whispered to Keith playfully.
"Did you have to face these questions as a Pokémon trainer?" Keith asked her quietly.
"I can't remember. If I did, I must've answered accordingly," Alexa quietly replied.
"Has anyone asked you about the initiation thing?" Keith asked silently.
"No, but less said the better," Alexa replied. "Remember when Mr Kincaid showed up?" Keith and Alexa could barely contain their laughter.
"Yeah, he almost popped a vein," Keith sniggered.
"Alexa? It's your turn," a girl student said abruptly, nudging Alexa with her elbow. Alexa cleared her throat and faced Crawford.
"I understand Pokémon Rangers and Operators need to trust one another to get the hypothetical job done," she began. "So my question is this; how do you view the people you work with? You know, do you see them as mere colleagues or are they your friends at the same time?"
"That's a good question and well elaborated," Crawford began, taking careful consideration about how to answer such a well-structured question. "I take it you have a high opinion on friendship?"
"Yes I do," Alexa answered.
"Well, I think you'll like the answer," Crawford began with a smile. "Out of all of the Area Rangers, you won't find a more friendly bunch than us at Vientown," he answered. Alexa smiled. "Hahahaha, I told you so!" Crawford laughed.
"Okay, it's my turn now," Keith began. "Do you think that I can become a Pokémon Ranger?"
"Keith, that's why you're here to begin with," Alexa sighed.
"Are you sure you're not mistaking me for a fortune teller?" Crawford asked. "I hardly know you, but if you try hard enough, you can be what you want to be."
"My turn!" Rhythmi exclaimed. "Um, I want to be an Operator after I graduate. Do you think that…"
"Honestly, why must two people mistake a Ranger for a fortune teller?" Alexa whispered to herself.
"I get the feeling Rhythmi's just copying my question," Keith muttered to Alexa. "It's not that difficult coming up with your own question."
"My sentiments exactly," Alexa whispered in agreement.
"I have a question," a female student began. "Do you wear pyjamas at night?"
"What kind of question is that!?" Alexa asked; she and Keith were somewhat disgusted at the question.
"Oi, none of that, please," Ms April said calmly.
"You may as well ask him if Keith has a chance with Alexa," a male student said sarcastically.
"Hey!" Alexa and Keith protested with frustration.
RING-RING-RING-RING!
Crawford's styler received a transmission. Crawford raised his styler in front of him to answer the call.
"Voicemail, voicemail, it's me, Barlow," said an older male voice from the styler. "We have an emergency situation! A Mantine has washed up on shore after a cargo ship crashed! Luana's on her way to pick you up, we need you on this!"
"Roger that, leader," Crawford complied as he ended the transmission. Alexa whistled in awe.
"Mantine are 6'11"," she began. "No wonder why it's an emergency situation."
"Save that Mantine!" some of the other students cheered.
"Since everyone will be worried, I'll report in once we're done," Crawford offered.
"That would be good of you, thank you," Ms April said with gratitude. A ship moored into the small pier outside Ascension Square, and a female ranger with shoulder-length black hair and a Buneary next to her came out on the deck of the ship.
"Crawford, let's go!" she called.
"Bun, Buneary!" the Buneary yelled. Its voice indicated that it's female. Crawford and Budew raced towards the ship and jumped in.
"Don't worry, Mantine, we'll save you!" Crawford vowed as the ship sailed away. The students were left in awe, but Alexa still maintained a neutral expression.
"So that's what it's like to be a ranger," she said to herself. "All the more reason to uphold the promises we made, right Keith?"
"You bet! We made them in front of the pledge stone, so there's no way I'll turn my back on it!" Keith agreed.
The next day…
"I've received word from Crawford," Ms April began to her class; five out of six were present and accounted for. "The Mantine has been successfully rescued."
"That's good to know," one of the female students sighed with relief.
"Are Mantine really 6'11"?" Rhythmi asked.
"Yes they are," Ms April confirmed. "Which means Alexa's statement yesterday was correct."
"I have seen a Mantine before," Alexa began. "I think they have cute faces. But this isn't why we're here today, is it, Ms April?"
"No, it isn't," Ms April laughed. "Principal Lamont has paid a visit to the Ranger Union and has borrowed two Ranger stylers," she continued, picking up two stylers, resembling the one Crawford possessed. "These stylers are special, as they have a special feature that our school stylers lack. What is that feature?"
"It's voicemail, Ms April," Rhythmi answered.
"Correct," Ms April confirmed. "Voicemail is an important feature; it allows a ranger to communicate with the operators."
"And other rangers," Alex continued. "It didn't sound like Barlow – the guy who sent Crawford the voicemail the other day – was an operator."
"He isn't, and that's also correct," Ms April praised. "Anyway, the stylers I have here will demonstrate what it is like for an operator to communicate with a ranger. Rhythmi, will you and Keith come up here please?"
"Um, Keith isn't here," the second male student said.
"Oh. Where is he anyway?" Ms April pondered. "Never mind. Alexa, can you come up here instead please?"
"No problem," Alexa complied as she exited her seat to stood next to Rhythmi. Ms April gave the two girls the stylers.
"Okay, you two, I want you to communicate via voicemail," Ms April instructed.
"Wow, this is cool!" Rhythmi said with excitement. She held the styler in front of her. "Voicemail, voicemail, Alex, can you hear me?"
"Um, Rhythmi? I'm right next to you," Alexa sighed.
"Oh. Maybe we should be further apart," Rhythmi suggested.
"Good idea, I'll go over there," Alexa volunteered, jogging to the classroom door. However…
BANG!
"AAGH!" The door suddenly opened and struck Alexa across the left hand side of her face. The door opened too fast, which caused Alex to fall on the floor. Ms April and Rhythmi flinch at the sudden impact. Mr Kincaid walked through the doorway and entered the classroom. Rhythmi ran over to Alexa's aid.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Ms April," Mr Kincaid began. He failed to acknowledge the damage he caused. "But I would like to speak to Keith."
"Keith isn't here I'm afraid," Ms April said. "What's all this about?" Rhythmi helped Alexa back onto her feet; she had a bruise on her left cheek, which also had a bleeding cut due to the sharp edges of the door having scratched her as it smacked her.
"The school stylers have been stolen," Mr Kincaid replied. "And Keith isn't here? What a coincidence, wouldn't you say?"
"Are you alright, Alexa?" Ms April asked, having just noticed Alexa and Rhythmi. Alexa tried to rest her hand on her cheek, but she flinched and recoiled her hand.
"Ow…that's smarts…!" she complained. "So, wait, are you accusing Keith of stealing the school stylers?" she asked. Mr Kincaid faced her.
"That would be an accurate assessment," he replied. "I'd get some ice for that bruise. After sealing that cut of yours, of course," he suggested casually. Alexa glared at him.
"Wait a minute! Keith may be a show off, but he isn't a thief!" Rhythmi exclaimed in defence, on Keith's behalf. "I'll go look for him!"
"Me too; I don't buy this 'coincidence' of yours, Mr Kincaid," Alexa said in agreement.
"I will look as well," Ms April offered. "What is it you always say, Mr Kincaid? Never cast suspicion on someone else without proof?" Mr Kincaid murmured to himself.
"We'll all look too!" the other students volunteered.
"That settles it then," Ms April confirmed. "Alexa, Rhythmi, use the stylers to communicate with one another."
"Okay," Alexa and Rhythmi complied together. Everyone then exited the classroom and scattered to look for Keith.
"Alex, are you going to be alright?" Rhythmi asked, concerned about Alexa's cheek. Alexa lightly touched the bleeding cut and looked at her fingers, which were stained with blood.
"I don't know when this bleeding will stop on its own if it will do," she began. "But I think I'll be okay in the long run. It's better than falling down the stairs, that's for sure! Speaking of the stairs, I think I'll look upstairs first."
"I'll look outside," Rhythmi volunteered. "I'll let you know if I find anything."
"Same back to you," Alexa offered. The two went their separate ways.
Upstairs, in the dormitory, there was nobody around, as Alexa noticed. She took the opportunity to raid the first aid kit and took out a pack, which contained an anti-bacterial wipe. She opened it and used a nearby mirror to clean her cut. Her borrowed styler picked up a voicemail, and she answered it after disposing the bloodstained wipe in the nearby bin.
"Voicemail, voicemail, Alex, it's me, Rhythmi," Rhythmi declared. "You'd better get outside, I've found something, over!" the transmission ended.
"Just as well," Alexa said to herself. "Nothing's up here anyway, apart from what I needed." She raced down the stairs.
When she exited the school building, she met up with Rhythmi, who was standing over one of the school's stylers. Alexa picked it up.
"Whoever the real thief is must be a real butterfingers," Alex said sarcastically.
"Janice pointed this out for us," Rhythmi began. "I think if we look around here, we may find another one."
"Forget butterfingers, we're dealing with a no-fingers," Alexa teased. Rhythmi suddenly noticed something.
"Alex, your cut…" she trailed off. Confused, Alexa felt around her cheek before looking at her fingers; her fingers were covered with more blood.
"Dammit. I don't think I should've ran here, then," she sighed. "I don't have anything to wipe it away with," she continued, rubbing her fingers on her shorts. "And I can't find anything to seal the cut. I'll have to make do until I get it treated. Right now, I want to prove Keith's innocence."
"Me too, I'll look over by the Ascension Square," Rhythmi said quickly, running towards her said destination. Alexa jogged towards the school's exit, but stopped when she found something interesting.
"Rhythmi!" Alexa shouted. "I've found another one!" she called. Rhythmi quickly raced towards Alex. She caught up with her not long after she stood up with the styler in her hand.
"This must be where the thief went," Rhythmi guessed. "Wait, what's that?" she asked quietly.
"Give those styler's back now!" Keith's voice could be heard faintly.
"Leave me alone!" another voice could also be heard, just as faintly.
"Keith! I knew he didn't do it!" Alexa said happily.
"Let's go!" Rhythmi and Alexa ran down the steps.
Down by the school's entrance, Keith had cornered a man in laboratory-like attire by a lone tree. Alexa and Rhythmi approached him.
"Keith, what's going on?" Rhythmi asked.
"I saw this guy running off with the stylers, so I gave chase," Keith replied. "How're we supposed to become Pokémon Rangers if we don't have our stylers?!"
"Please! Just leave me alone!" the man pleaded.
"We can't because you have some things we need," Alexa sighed. "Just hand them over, and the less said about this incident the better."
"I don't want to!" he shrieked. He attempted to make a run for it, but he crashed into the tree he was backed into. A Slakoth fell out of the tree and landed on his head. "AAAAAH! Get it off me!"
"Hahahahahaha! It fell on his head!" Keith laughed. "It serves you right for stealing our stylers!"
"I know vengeance is sweet, but this isn't what I had in mind," Alexa said quietly.
"Please, I won't do it again, I swear!" the man pleaded. "Just get this thing off me! Please!"
"We'd better help him out, Alex," Rhythmi said, taking pity on the troubled man. Alexa got her school styler and released the spinning top.
"Capture on! Go, little capture disc!" she shouted enthusiastically. The capture disc spun around the Slakoth, forming the familiar ring that then dissolved into the sloth Pokémon. The Slakoth then returned to the tree from whence it came. "Capture complete and released."
"What's going on down here?" Ms April asked, making her way down the steps.
"This is the guy who stole our stylers!" Keith yelled. The man recoiled with fright.
"Please don't hurt me! I did it because I regret not choosing to become a Pokémon Ranger in the first place!" he confessed.
"Okay, why don't you go home and think about what you've done," Ms April said calmly. "Age doesn't matter when applying for this school."
"Y-you're letting me go? T-t-thank you so much!" the man exclaimed with joy as he raced out of the school gates.
Later on…
"So that's how it is," Ms April concluded. She, Mr Kincaid, Alexa, Keith, Rhythmi and Principal Lamont were all in the staff room, discussing the mystery of the stolen stylers.
"So the thief managed to escape, but Keith is no longer a suspect," Lamont began. "I'm just relieved we got the stylers back and nobody was hurt."
"Apart from Alex before we found out about the stylers," Rhythmi muttered.
"Not the time or place, Rhythmi," Alexa sighed. Her cut was still bleeding, and the bruise on her cheek became more noticeable.
"If it hadn't been for Rhythmi and Alexa's mutual desire to defend Keith from the accusation against him," Lamont continued. "None of this would have been a success. Incidentally, Alexa, I shall find someone to treat that cut of yours."
"Thank you, sir," Alexa said gratefully. "Although I think the bruise will linger for a while."
Later still…
Upstairs in the dormitory area, Janice was carefully treating Alexa's cut. Rhythmi and Keith were nearby.
"Ow…!" Alexa flinched with pain under her breath. "Why did he have to open that door so hard? He could've knocked it off of the hinges!"
"Mr Kincaid didn't even notice that he hit you to begin with!" Rhythmi scolded. "That's what makes me mad the most! The least he could do was apologise!"
"When did it happen anyway?" Keith asked.
"When Mr Kincaid burst into our classroom," Rhythmi answered. "Ms April gave Alex and I the stylers Principal Lamont borrowed from the Ranger Union to practise the voicemail with."
"There, I'm all finished now," Janice said, revealing Alexa's cheek; she had several pieces of stitch tape over her cut, which closed it at last. Her cheek was clean from blood, but her bruise was still noticeably purple.
"Thank you, Janice," Alexa said gratefully. "I think I'll be alright now."
"You're very welcome, Alexa," Janice remarked. She got out of her seat and walked off with the medical rubbish; the empty packet of stitch tape and a bloodied anti-bacterial wipe. Rhythmi and Keith took a look at Alexa's cheek.
"Ouch…! That looks like it hurt," Keith said, mildly with recoil.
"Believe me, don't recreate this injury," Alexa advised. "It's not fun."
"I don't think I'll forgive Mr Kincaid that easily," Rhythmi scoffed. "He opened that door way too fast! How was anyone supposed to know he was coming in? He could've knocked or something!"
"Obviously he doesn't use his hairspray just for that stupid hairstyle of his," Alexa muttered sarcastically. 'I really don't trust the guy. But the fact that he caused my injury today doesn't contribute to my hunch, it just proves it. I can't trust him. I just can't.'
To be continued…