Chapter Three - One-Day Internship & Ryder!
"Alright, class, today is the day of your one-day internships," Ms April began happily. "You have all been assigned to different places depending on your chosen paths. I must ask that you all go straight to your locations without taking any detours and straight back here at the end of the day, also without detours."
"Yes, Ms April," the students complied. Alexa's cut had healed, but her bruise still lingered, although the pain did not. Ms April left the classroom, as did some of the students. Rhythmi, Alexa and Keith approached one another.
"I'm going to be an Operator, so I'm off to the Union," Rhythmi began. "I'll see you both this evening," she said, running out of the room.
"Alex, you're assigned to Vientown, aren't you?" Keith asked.
"Yeah, and so are you by the sound of things," Alexa replied playfully. Keith laughed.
"Yeah, I am. Why don't we go together? No sense in going our separate ways," he suggested.
"Good idea. Thanks, Keith."
A little while later…
Alexa and Keith walked down the steps leading to where they confronted the thief from the other day.
"AAAAHH! Get them away from me!" a man shrieked. Keith and Alexa looked towards the other tree; they saw a frightened man up a tree, hoping to avoid the two agitated Bidoof below.
"Oh, hey, Little Tim! Playing with the Bidoof today?" Keith asked playfully.
"It doesn't look like any game I'd be playing," Alexa said on a more serious note.
"Oh, this is Little Tim from Vientown," Keith began. "He delivers the milk there, but he's scared of Pokémon for some reason. Must be hard when you're a milkman."
"Never mind that, Keith, let's help him!" Alexa said enthusiastically.
"Right! You get one, I'll get the other one," Keith suggested. "They're agitated, to be careful."
"Gotcha," Alexa agreed. They both got their stylers and released their capture discs.
"Capture on!" they yelled in unison. The capture discs circled the agitated Bidoof; they attempted to attack the disc, but neither of the Bidoof managed to do so before the styler confirmed their 'capture'. Alexa and Keith released the two Bidoof, since they calmed down, allowing Little Tim to climb down from the tree.
"Thank you so much," he thanked. "I'm deathly afraid of Pokémon, y'see. They must be attracted to the milk."
"That would explain it," Keith assumed. "You've never met Alex, have you? She's the newest student, but her skills are second only to yours truly!"
"For now," Alexa teased.
"I'm mighty grateful for your help, young Alex," Little Tim said with gratitude.
"You're welcome. You take care now," Alexa said modestly.
"Yup, I sure will! Thanks again." Little Tim made his way out of the school gates.
"Okay, let's get to Vientown," Alexa suggested. "Those Bidoof might make us late."
"Alexa, Keith!" Ms April called. The two of them turned towards the steps and saw Ms April walking down towards them. "That was impressive. You worked together rather than competed. Keep it up, you two." Alexa and Keith then made their way out of the school gates.
"Was there any point in Ms April telling us we did good?" Alexa asked; she and Keith were now heading for the bridge.
"Not especially, but it's good to get a compliment," Keith stated. The two came across a young girl with blonde hair looking troubled. The girl approached Alexa and Keith.
"Um…I'm looking for someone, but I don't know where he is," the girl said nervously.
"Who're you looking for?" Alexa asked kindly. Two other students approached Alexa and Keith from behind; one had blonde hair like a mushroom, and the other had green hair.
"Melody? What're you doing here?" the blonde boy asked. The little girl ran towards him.
"Hi, Isaac!" the girl greeted happily.
"Melody, I told you not to come looking for me," Isaac sighed.
"That's Isaac's sister, Melody," the other boy explained. "She lives in Pueltown, so Isaac can't see her very often."
"I know how he must feel," Alexa said to herself, looking rather reminiscent. Keith heard Alexa's words, but said nothing.
"Melody, I'm not mad at you," Isaac said softly. "I'll introduce you to my friends." He looked around at Alexa, Keith and the other boy. "This is Ponte, Keith, and the newest addition to the school, Alexa."
"Just call me Alex," Alexa said kindly.
"Melody, we'll go back to Pueltown together," Isaac said in a friendly manner.
"Okay. Bye friends of Isaac!" Melody called as she and Isaac left the bridge.
"Are you two going to Vientown? I still don't know what I'll do," Ponte sighed.
"That's why you're the conflicted marshmallow boy," Keith said playfully.
"Keith, let's go; any more delays and we'll be late," Alexa warned.
"Oh, right; see you later, Ponte!" Keith exclaimed as he and Alexa ran towards Vientown.
Later…
Alexa and Keith entered the Vientown ranger base. They found it deserted barring the operator at the desk.
"Oh, you must be Keith and Alexa," the Operator assumed. "Here for your one-day internship?"
"That's us and yes we are," Alexa replied. "Where's everyone else?" she asked.
"Oh, they're all on Breeze Hill on an emergency mission," the operator replied. "Anyway, Barlow asked me to assign you the mission to deliver this parcel to the team," she continued, placing a big box on the desk. "Whatever happens, be careful with it and do not turn it upside down."
"Breeze Hill, no uppy-downy, got it," Alexa said hastily.
"How do we get to Breeze Hill?" Keith asked.
"Oh, you go to the right from here," the operator began. "Go through Nabiki Beach and then follow the signs for Breeze Hill."
"Thanks a lot. Say, do you have a bigger box with handles on it?" Alexa asked.
Later still…
Alexa and Keith walked towards the beach, both holding a box – with the parcel inside – by the handles; Alexa used her left hand whilst Keith used his right hand.
"Great idea, Alex," Keith complimented. "This makes it easier to carry."
"And we won't have to worry about it flipping upside down either," Alexa added. The two were about to head up the steps when they saw a friendly-looking old man with three Pokémon; Starly, Pachirisu and Munchlax.
"Aah, Pachirisu, Pachirisu. So cute, so cute," the man said to the little squirrel Pokémon. "What's wrong, Munchalx? Are you not hungry?" he asked towards the green/blue Pokémon. "Yes, that's right, Starly, eat up, as much as you want," he said towards the little bird Pokémon. He noticed Alexa and Keith. "Oh! By the looks of your uniforms, I'd say you're students of the Ranger School on a one-day internship!"
"You can tell that at a glance?" Alexa asked.
"This is Mr Woodward," Keith began. "He's a craftsman who lives in Vientown."
"Oh."
"A quick quiz for you. What is a partner Pokémon?" Mr Woodward asked.
"Easy; it's a Pokémon who is especially friendly towards a Ranger and always follows them around," Keith answered.
"That's correct! A Pokémon Ranger can only have one partner Pokémon, yes?" Mr Woodward asked.
"No, but they can only have one with them at one time," Keith answered again.
"That is also correct! They say that if you meet your partner Pokémon at Nabiki Beach, you are friends for life," Mr Woodward said. "You take care now."
"Thank you," Alexa and Keith thanked as they went passed him and the three Pokémon.
On Breeze Hill…
"This is the place," Keith whispered. "Damn, I'm nervous from the excitement." Crawford, the female ranger from before and a more muscle-bound ranger were looking at the view over the hill.
"Take a deep breath, Keith," Alex advised. "I'm sure you'll be alright." Keith took a deep breath as advised.
"Hellomeetcha!" he said loudly. The three rangers faced him in confusion, but Alexa tried not to laugh.
"Did you just say hellomeetcha? You nervous?" the muscle-bound ranger asked, approaching the duo. Alexa cleared her throat.
"Hello. You're…Barlow, am I right?" she assumed. "You sent Crawford a voicemail the other day?"
"Hah, lucky guess," Barlow laughed. "You must be Alexa and Keith, am I right?"
"Yep! He's Keith, I'm Alex," Alexa confirmed. "For my name is really Alexa. I just like Alex better."
"Hah, Crawford told me about you," Barlow began. "He said your question at the Outdoor class was the best one."
"Better than the one about the pyjamas, that's for sure," Keith muttered. Alexa laughed quietly.
"Anyway, you already know Crawford," Barlow continued. "That over there is Luana, our second year ranger," he added, referring to the black haired ranger with the Buneary. "And this is our Mechanic, Elaine," he introduced, referring to a brunette girl dressed in mildly oily clothing.
"Hi," Elaine greeted.
"You're from the ranger school, right?" Luana asked. "The uniforms bring back memories."
"Hey, Alexa, Keith, good to see you again," Crawford began. "Now I'm actually wondering if you actually do have a chance with Alexa!" he teased.
"Hey!" Keith and Alexa protested with annoyance. The others laughed.
"Crawford likes to joke around," Barlow explained. "If you get assigned to our base, you'll have to get used to it. Anyway, is the parcel safe?"
"Got an extra box just to be on the safe side," Alexa confirmed.
"And so we can carry it too," Keith added. The two got over to an oddly placed rug and they carefully placed the parcel in the middle of it.
"It's about time it got here, I'm starved!" Crawford said enthusiastically.
"Eh?" Alexa looked at him in bewilderment. Barlow opened the parcel, revealing a picnic basket. This astonisheed Alexa at first.
"Ah, no wonder why it couldn't be flipped upside down," Keith laughed. Alexa didn't take the news so well.
"This is just something Crawford put together to welcome you two to your one-day internship," Barlow explained. "Sorry for tricking you," he apologised, having noticed Alexa's reaction.
"It's okay," Alexa said finally. "I wasn't expecting anything difficult for a mission at this point in time anyway."
"Aw, cheer up, Alex! You'll feel better after lunch," Keith said in a cheerful tone. Alexa looked away from him.
"I'm not hungry," she said plainly. Luana suddenly noticed something.
"How did you get that bruise on your cheek?" she asked. Crawford and Barlow noticed it too.
"I suppose someone got jealous of your pairing then?" Crawford playfully asked. Alexa groaned and moved away from the group. Keith signalled Crawford not to joke about it and mouthed Mr Kincaid's name. Alexa stood by one of the trees, with her back turned on the others, pouting.
"Hey, come on! It was just a joke!" Crawford said nervously. "What's the harm in that?"
"One of our teachers gave her that injury," Keith began quietly. "Mr Kincaid opened our classroom door too quickly at a very inopportune time."
"Ouch. No wonder why she took the joke badly," Barlow said, pitying Alex. Elaine stood up and approached Alexa.
"You okay?" she asked kindly.
"I suppose… I don't like people making fun of any injuries I get; it just makes me feel worse," Alexa explained. She sighed sadly. "I shouldn't have reacted."
"No, it's okay; we know what caused your injury now," Elaine began. "Besides, Crawford does mean well. Why don't you come join us, huh?"
"Okay…" Alexa complied, although somewhat hesitant. A tanned brunette boy raced onto the scene looking panicky.
"I-I need some help!" he exclaimed. "Some Pokémon are fighting on Nabiki Beach!" he panicked.
"Don't worry, we'll take care of it," Barlow reassured. "You heard him, folks! Lunch will have to wait, we have a mission on our hands!" he, Alexa, Keith and the others followed the panicky boy to Nabiki Beach.
At Nabiki Beach, they found Pachirisu, Starly, Munchlax and two random pink Shellos annoying a wet blue-eyed Lucario with Prussian blue fur, who was attempting to attack them with blue spheres of energy from its black paws. The other five Pokémon appeared to be taunting the Lucario. Alexa gasped in horror.
"Ryder!" she cried. Barlow, Crawford, Luana and Keith all faced her with astonishment.
"Who's Ryder?" Keith asked.
"My Lucario!" Alexa replied, still in complete shock. "How did he get all the way over here on his own?!"
"I think we'll ask questions later! Crawford, you and I will capture the two Shellos," Barlow began. "Keith, Luana, Alexa, you handle the others."
"Should I handle Lucario after the Shellos?" Crawford asked. Alexa faced him in horror.
"No! Let me handle Ryder, I'm his trainer!" she pleaded.
"Lucario are powerful Pokémon," Barlow warned. "Are you sure you-"
"I know he's powerful, I RAISED HIM!" Alexa shouted, almost in anger. She was stressed because she could not fathom how one of her best Pokémon ended up on Nabiki Beach to begin with. Her words startled everyone around her.
"Just be careful. Please," Barlow said worriedly. "Okay, let's go!" Readying their stylers, Barlow, Crawford, Luana, Keith and Alexa prepared to calm the Pokémon down. Keith and Luana were stressed.
"Which one do I go for?" Keith asked.
"I can't decide!" Luana complained. Alexa noticed that Ryder – the Lucario – was mainly after Pachirisu.
"Pachirisu, Munchlax and Starly are all normally docile," Mr Woodward began. "Why would they agitate that poor Lucario?"
"Keith, Luana, I'll go for Pachirisu! He's the one Ryder's after! You take care of the other two!" Alexa called.
"Got it!" Keith complied. He set his capture disc on the Starly, which caused it to stop in its tracks.
"Thanks, Alexa!" Luana thanked. She set her capture disc on the Munchlax, who stopped moving as a result.
Alexa aimed her styler carefully. She released it at a precise moment – when Pachirisu was about to attack Ryder – to allow the capture disc to circle around both Pokémon. Not long after releasing the capture discs, everyone managed to capture their respective targets.
"Capture complete. How did everyone else do?" Barlow asked with curiosity. Luana had just released the Munchlax.
"All clear!" she declared. Keith released the Starly.
"I know I succeeded!" he stated. "Alex, what about you?" Alexa released the Pachirisu before facing Keith.
"Y-yeah…I got it," she answered feebly. She faced Ryder, looking rather upset. "Ryder…" Ryder looked up at her with guilt. His sensors rose slightly.
Alex…are…are you mad? Ryder asked nervously via telepathy. His voice was masculine, deep and mature.
"No, I'm not mad at you," Alexa answered. Everyone around her was astonished; Ryder didn't move his mouth when he spoke.
"Alex! What was that?!" Keith asked in astonishment. Alexa faced him; she had tears in her eyes.
"Telepathy," she answered. "I've read that Lucario had the ability to understand human speech, and could also speak it via telepathy. But I didn't know Ryder could speak telepathically until after he evolved three days after he hatched."
"Wow; you must be closer than you two appear to be," Crawford said seriously. Ryder comforted his trainer with a soft cuddle. Alexa could feel that he was a tad damp from seawater.
"I've had Ryder since he was a baby Riolu," she explained. "He's like a second brother to me, I wouldn't have any other Lucario."
"Well, I think you can cheer up now; it's mission clear, Alex!" Barlow said on a lighter note. Alexa smiled a little bit.
"I'm just glad Ryder's safe," she whispered.
"You and Keith go on back to the base; the rest of us will clear up our lunch," Barlow offered. "It'll be my way of apologising for pulling that trick on you."
"Come on, Alex, let's go," Keith said calmly. Alexa nodded once. Ryder held Alexa's hand – and vice versa – and they followed Keith back to the Ranger base.
At the base…
"So, let me see if I've got this right," Keith began. "Lucario can speak in our language without moving their mouths?"
"Sort of," Alexa started. "Telepathy is basically communicating through means other than senses," she explained.
In my case, it's my aura that allows me to do so, Ryder added.
"Oh I see. But three days after evolution? You must be pretty powerful," Keith complimented, digressing from the subject. Ryder smiled.
Alex is very skilled at raising Pokémon, Ryder stated.
"Right, I get it now," Keith said with a laugh.
Later on…
"Alex, Keith, it's been a pleasure spending the day with you two," Barlow began. "I hope at least one of you gets assigned here."
"And Alex? Sorry about hurting your feelings," Crawford began. "Elaine gave me a right talking to about it."
"It's okay, Crawford," Alexa began. Ryder cuddled her right arm happily. "All that matters to me is that Ryder's out of harms way. Even though neither of us have a clue about what happened."
"Aww, he's so cute!" Luana gleefully said in awe. "You must've given him expert care."
"Thanks, Luana," Alexa said gratefully. "But behind that cute face lies a powerhouse."
"Anyway, I think we should be heading for the Ranger School now, Alex," Keith said, almost abruptly.
"Yeah, you're right," Alexa said worriedly. "But I'm not sure if the school will allow Ryder to stay until we graduate."
"Well, normally, students aren't allowed to have partner Pokémon until they become fully pledged rangers," Barlow began. "But since Ryder is your Pokémon, I think they'll let it slide."
"I sure hope so…" Alexa sighed. "Anyway, let's go give it a shot. See you soon, everyone!"
"Take care, you two," Barlow said proudly. Alexa and Keith were about to make their way out of the base when an old man in a white lab coat and carrying a walking stick entered the base.
"Now what's all the commotion about?" he asked. He suddenly noticed Alexa and Keith by the door. "Ah, are you also students of the ranger school?"
"We are, yes," Keith answered.
"Ah, yes, we had a bright cheery young girl – about your age – at the union for her one-day internship," the man continued. "I think her name was something like Misery or something…"
"Huh?"
"Rhythmi," Alexa corrected.
"Ah, yes, that was her name!" the man exclaimed. "Take care in returning to the school."
"Thank you. Goodbye," Alexa said politely as she and Keith exited the building.
Along the bridge…
"Alex? Can I ask you something?" Keith asked, sounding fairly nervous.
"If this is about that pairing joke-" Alexa began, slightly frustrated.
"No, it's not that," Keith interrupted, stopping Alexa in her tracks. "It's about what you've said before."
"What have I said?" she asked in confusion.
"Firstly, I heard you saying something about knowing how Isaac must've felt when his sister came by," Keith began. "Then you said something about Ryder being a second brother to you."
"Oh, that? I have a little brother back home," Alexa explained.
"Really? I didn't know that," Keith said in astonishment.
"That's why you asked me about what I said, right?" Alexa guessed. "He's a bit older than Melody; 12 years old."
"That's nice," Keith complimented. Alexa and Ryder started making their way across the bridge. "He must be a lucky kid to have a sister like you, Alex," Keith whispered to himself. Alexa and Ryder stopped in their tracks; they heard Keith's words, but neither one of them made it known to Keith. Alexa appeared to be flattered, as she was blushing with a faint smile on her face.
"Yoo hoo! Rangers in training!" Rhythmi called out from the other side of the bridge. She raced towards them while Alexa and Ryder walked back to Keith's side. "So, how was your internship?"
"We had fun," Keith answered. "Right, Alex? Ryder?" Rhythmi faced Alex and noticed the Lucario holding onto Alexa's arm.
"Who's this?" she asked.
"That," Keith began. "Is Ryder, Alex's Lucario. We found him at Nabiki Beach, but we don't know how he got there in the first place."
"Poor thing. Is he alright?" Rhythmi asked, carefully moving towards Ryder to pet him on the head. Ryder didn't react to the petting.
I'm okay, Ryder replied. Though I don't remember how I ended up on Nabiki beach, he added as Rhythmi looked up at Alexa in astonishment.
"How did he-"
"Telepathy," Keith interrupted.
"Oh, right," Rhythmi laughed. "Will they allow him to stay?" she asked.
"I sure hope so," Alexa began. "He's my Pokémon, not a wild one, so I hope they do."
"I hope they don't make him sleep outside," Rhythmi began. "It's too hard on him after what he must've been through."
"Well, let's see what lies in store at the school," Keith suggested. He, Rhythmi, Alexa and Ryder jogged across the bridge and towards the school.
Later on…
Keith and Rhythmi were waiting impatiently outside the staff room. Rhythmi appeared to be panicking.
"Do you think he'll let Ryder stay here?" she asked.
"If he does, I'll be more worried about what Mr Kincaid is going to think," Keith replied. "I don't think he likes Alex."
"Why not?" Rhythmi asked.
"I dunno. I get the feeling that Alex's accident with the classroom door wasn't an accident," Keith began. "I'm not sure if Alex thinks the same way, but that's just my guess. I can't be sure."
"It did seem a bit too coincidental if I'm honest," Rhythmi admitted. "Do you think we should ask Alex about what she thinks of it?"
"I'd rather not. She just found out her own Pokémon ended up here from Alex's home region and neither one of them knows what happened," Keith said. "I don't think talking about Mr Kincaid is high on her to-do list at the moment."
The staff room door opened, as Alexa and Ryder exited the room. Ryder closed the door behind him.
"How was it?" Rhythmi asked. Alexa shrugged.
"He said yes in an instant," she replied, in a bewildered tone.
"What?! Then why were you so long in there?" Keith asked.
"He wanted to know the story about how we came across Ryder," Alexa explained. "I told him about Nabiki Beach, then he told me that my bond with Ryder can only grow stronger from here on in." She and Ryder faced one another. "I'm not sure how much stronger our bond can be, but Principal Lamont said the strength of our bond may be tested at some point after we graduate."
"What do you mean, you're not sure how much stronger your bond can be?" Rhythmi asked.
"It's simple; Riolu evolve into Lucario if the said Riolu bears strong feelings of friendship towards the one they care about the most, like their trainer," Alexa elaborated. "Ryder evolved into Lucario three days after he hatched, so…yeah."
"Wow; you know a lot about Pokémon, Alex," Keith complimented. "First the Mantine's size and now how Lucario evolves from Riolu; you're like a dictionary! And Ryder evolving three days after he hatched? You sure do bond with Pokémon!" Alexa smiled and blushed.
"Thanks, Keith, but it's nothing, really," she said modestly. "I learnt about Pokémon breeding after meeting the Pokémon Day-care man outside Cerulean City, which is what I've been basing my Pokémon care on."
"So that's why Ryder looks so adorable and powerful at the same time!" Rhythmi explained.
"Yeah…that would be it," Alexa confirmed shyly.
To be continued…