Solana looked over the items in her backpack one more time. Spenser had included a checklist of things she needed to bring with her for her trip. There were the essentials such as toiletries, change of clothes and clean underwear, her passport, travel documents, some spare cash if she didn't have a debit or credit card, and her cell phone. But Solana decided to go a little bit further and also packed a traveling pillow, two blankets, a dozen or so books, a headlamp for reading in the dark, gum and snacks, ear plugs, headphones, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and several pens and notepads. Her parents had secured her a debit card a few years ago when she started exploring the island and it was a lot safer than carrying around loose change and cash. And she would never pass up the opportunity to study more so bringing plenty of reading material was a must. And traveling vehicles that serviced multiple passengers Solana knew all too well was a Petri dish for bacteria and viruses to cultivate.

Nodding her head, Solana smoothed out her uniform and looked herself over in the mirror. It was a little big on her despite being designed to be more formfitting than the unisex uniform. The thermal black leggings came all the way past the thighs just below her hip, and her jacket was practically dropping off her shoulders. But despite this, she actually quite liked it. It gave her a sense of fulfillment – like she was getting ready to do something important and really make a difference in the lives of many people. Her favorite apparel so far would have to be the sneaker boots that had the Ranger Union seal on the front part of the soles, which left her so giddy inside. It felt official. She was a real Pokémon Ranger! Well, she passed the initial screening at least. But once she met Spenser in person and she could prove she was knowledgeable enough and knew the skills necessary for the job, she knew she would have the position secured.

Taking a pin and scrunchie from her dresser, Solana tied her hair into a ponytail, then flipped it upwards and affixed the pin at the base, leaving the ponytail pointing upwards rather than hanging down between her shoulder blades. Solana had spent years growing her hair out. It reached the middle of her back now when she let it down and came between her shoulder blades when in a ponytail. Knowing the physical work she would have to be doing in the field, she couldn't risk leaving it down where it could get caught or ripped off. True, she could have also pinned it together in a bun, but there was a chance the pins would fall out if she was doing strenuous work. She reasoned the best option was to flip her ponytail upwards so that even if she had to make sharp movements, it would stay in place and since the tail was just a few inches above her head, she felt it was safe and better protected. It certainly was a unique look…Certainly one Solana had never tried before. But if she found another way to style her hair that also wouldn't get in the way of any work she had to do, she'd change it.

But she still had to pass the second part of her evaluation.

Exhaling to calm her nerves, Solana reached down and picked up her backpack, putting her arms in the sleeves. She stumbled backwards from the weight before catching herself. She may have overpacked a bit, but it was better for her to be overprepared than learning later that she had forgotten something.

Opening her bedroom door, Solana tiptoed to her mother's bedroom and gingerly opened the door. She saw her mother and Nate laying down in their bedroom, apparently sound asleep.

She rested her backpack down by the entrance and quietly entered the room. Walking up to her mother's side of the bed, she placed the white envelope she held in her hands on the bedside table next to the landline. She looked back at her mother, studying her peaceful slumbering face. She hadn't told her family she was leaving earlier than expected. She decided to go with Monika's suggestion of taking the Seagallop instead of waiting for Spenser's ferry he organized with the Lily of the Valley. Sure, it would be a five-day journey, but she couldn't wait four more days to board the ferry.

The other figure in the bed stirred and started to move in the bed and Solana tensed up. She watched uneasily as he laid over on his back, scratching the side of his face before resting his left hand on his bare chest, drifting back into a light sleep, and then snoring moments later.

Solana sighed softly in relief. That. That right there was the main reason and driving force for why she had to leave as soon as possible. To get away from him. To escape Nate. Solana's parents had separated years ago when she was three years old. Not because there were irreconcilable differences or because they hated each other. They still had love for one other and were the closest of friends. They just weren't sure that they were meant to be married. They became lovers at a very quick pace, being traveling Trainers together for years before then. It felt natural that they felt after knowing each other for so long that they were soulmates. But then as the years past, it felt more like their bond was more suited as a strong friendship and not necessarily a lifelong partnership. So, they separated, and Solana's father moved out with the hope that both of them would find their forever someone. And it had seemed like they had. Solana absolutely adored Monika, and she was more like a big sister than a stepmother to Solana. She loved her older brother but there was something about having an older female companion that she could talk to about things that couldn't necessarily go to her mother or brother about.

But Nate…He was a completely other pokémon all together. He was manipulative. He was devious. But worst of all, he was extremely perverted, especially with Solana. He had this…unnatural and beyond creepy obsession with her. He seemed decent enough when they first met. He was charming, seemingly charismatic. And seemed to really love her mother. But it was all just an illusion. One that lasted two years before his true colors and intentions were revealed and became apparent. It was clear it was his silver-tongue and his expertise in finessing and manipulation that beguiled her mother. And she was completely oblivious to it all. The things he would make Solana do…The things he would do to her…Making her sit on his lap, whispering explicit things to her when no one else was around, making inappropriate comments no grown man should be making to someone her age…And the highly offensive and unsafe touches…There was no way she could tell her mother. It would absolutely devastate her. And her father…As much as he jested and as buoyant as he was, if he knew all the things Nate had put her through…Sheriff Sherles and Duking would have him in the Pyrite Town jail for sure. He was so protective of his little girl.

But Nate was just that cunning. He would have her brother and her parents thinking she was safe in his hands when in reality she couldn't be more at risk when left alone with him. And what he said to her earlier that evening solidified that. There was no misinterpreting of what he said and what he intended to do to her. She could not let that happen. She would not allow him to toy with her anymore. She would not let him have control over her anymore. Now that she had the invitation from Spenser, she was high tailing it out of that house as quickly as she could. If not only to protect herself, but to also spare her parents the pain that they unknowingly let a predator into their lives. As hurtful as it would be that she up and left without saying goodbye, there would be no consolation of discovering the reality of what she had endured for years up until this point.

With one final exhale, Solana tiptoed out of the room and closed the door shut. She struggled a little with her backpack as she started for the stairs. As she approached the door, a soft cry alerted her. She turned around halfway and saw her mother's half-awake Delcatty sauntering up to her, purring and rubbing against her legs.

Solana smiled softly.

"I gotta go, Minnie. Take care of Mom for me, okay?"

"Mrawr!"

She petted the Prim Pokémon one more time on the head before opening the front door and closing it, locking it behind her.

The cream and purple feline yawned as she spun around a few times before laying down at the front door, drifting back off to sleep moments later.

Solana was breathing heavily as she ran up to the ferry in Gateon Port. She saw the chief mate sitting at his post in front of the harbor, about to give his captain the final signal.

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" Solana cried as she ran to the docks. "Please wait!"

The chief mate turned around and looked up at the young girl approaching him. He stood up and walked down the boarding ramp to greet her.

"Ahoy there, lass. Easy now. What be a youngin' like you up at this time in the early morn'?"

Solana came to a halt and bent over on her knees, trying to catch her breathe.

"Is…is this…the Seagallop?…Headed…for Sinnoh?"

"Aye. But all occupants have been accounted for."

"Wait…please…I have this ticket…" she held up a small green ticket for him to see.

He took it from her and glanced it over. "My dear, this here is for the next shift at 6:00 am. You're a might early."

"No! Please!" she dropped her backpack and pulled out her letter from Spenser as well as the golden ticket. "I have to get to Fiore as soon as possible, sir! It's an emergency!"

Again, the broad-shouldered man shook his head. "Sweetheart, a job interview is not exactly an emergency. And this isn't a passenger ship. This is a cargo ship, lass. We ain't got room on here for you, dear. Not to mention the penalties we might incur if you were discovered on board."

"Please, sir! I beg you!" Solana cried. "I need to get to Fiore as soon as possible. If I don't leave now…He'll…He'll…"

The mariner grew increasingly uncomfortable from the young girl's frantic cries. The desperation in her voice filled him with an uneasiness that was jarring and unsettling.

"Oi, lass…This be mighty important for you, ain't it?"

Solana nodded her head vigorously.

The first mate gave a deep sigh. He pulled off his walkie-talkie from his waistband and brought it to his lips.

"Ey, Gordy, hold the ship for a moment more. I have one last bit of cargo to load."

"I thought all of the shipments were accounted for?"

"Yes, but there be one last thing to take care of. Shouldn't be but a moment more."

"Okay, well hurry it on, Kanon. Cap'n's ready to set sail."

"Roger that."

He disconnected the call and put the walkie-talkie back on his waist. He then pulled out a Pokéball and threw it into the air. From the red light, a pelican like pokémon materialized. Its head and bill made up the majority of its body and it had white feathers with a short blue crest on the top of its head.

"Pelipper!" the sea bird pokémon cried out.

"Pelipper's bill has a throat pouch it can use to carry eggs and small pokémon. It's large enough to fit small children. You're on the petite side, so you may be able to fit."

"You want me to go inside it's mouth?" Solana questioned as she looked at large bird pokémon.

"Aye. Pelipper will be able to sneak you aboard to the storage room among the freight. Lay low there until it docks in four days in Fiore. We'll be exchanging some supplies there, so you won't have much time to get out without being seen. As soon as it nears the harbor, you'll need to clear out. Open the window and make the drop. It shouldn't be a nasty fall."

Smiling widely, Solana wiped her tears and nearly knocked the sailor over as she jumped up and hugged him fiercely.

"Thank you so much, sir! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Though he was taken aback from the sudden move, the chief mate couldn't help but smile. "Okay there, lass. Easy. Just can't turn away a sad face is all. I don't know what it is yer tryin' to escape, but if it'll heal yer heart and ease my mind, I'll do what I can to help. Now go on and get. Ship's leaving any moment now."

Nodding, Solana stepped back and grabbed her backpack. She looked on nervously as the Pelipper opened its wide bill. Cringing, she stepped forward into its mouth, unprepared for the drop down as fell into his throat pouch.

Croaking from the force of her fall, Pelipper strained as he maneuvered his bill around. She was a little more than he could store in his pouch, but it was his master's orders so he tried his best.

"Alright, you be careful now, lass."

"I will. Thank you so much again."

Nodding, the first mate patted his pokémon on the side of his head. "Take care of her now, pal. Be discreet."

"Parriiil," the sailing bird squawked painfully as he flapped his large wings and laboriously lifted himself into the air, flying haphazardly to the top of the ship. As he approached the hull, he flew into an opened window, just barely fitting through the opening. He glided down to a nook between two freights at the rear wall of the compartment. Once his webbed feet touched the floor, he opened his bill wide, allowing Solana to creep outside.

Once she was out, the pelican pokémon squawked again in slight agony from the pain. Solana rubbed the top of his head gently.

"Thank you so much, friend," she said soothingly, her touch and softened voice immediately calmly him and he cooed in delight. She reached into her backpack and pulled out two Galarian biscuits.

"I'm sorry I don't have any pokésnacks, but will these do?"

She held out the two English biscuits. The Pelipper cried out in delight and gladly took the two shortbread wafers. When he was finished, he cried out in delight one more time before flapping his wings and flying back out of the ship.

Solana could hear the horn sound as the ship slowly started to pull away from the harbor.

Beathing deeply, Solana finally allowed herself to exhale deeply, releasing all the anxiety and worry she held inside for the past few hours. She opened her backpack and pulled out two blankets and her traveling pillow. She placed the thinner blanket on the floor, then place her traveling pillow on the top end of it before laying down and covering herself with the thicker one.

She did it. She was finally one her way.

"Fiore, here I come," she muttered as she finally gave into her exhaustion and dozed off to sleep.

Solana looked on in wonder as she arrived in the harbor. As soon as the ship docked, she wasted no time pulling herself up to the window and dropping down onto the pier. It was much different than the one in Gateon Port. It was much smaller and many smaller boats were docked at the harbor. Gateon mainly pulled in cruise ships, cargo ships and varying passenger ships into its harbor, while the one here seemed to mainly host small rudder boats, fishing boats, deck boats and catamaran boats. That the small port was sturdy enough to support the cruise ship docked nearby was incredible.

As Solana walked away from the cargo ship, a little boy with spiky navy-blue hair ran up the steps ahead of her. He quickly spun on his heels and jumped up and down.

"Papa, hurry! It's Fall City! Fall City!"

An older gentleman with butterscotch blond hair sighed as he slowly walked up beside Solana. "Whoa, hold up! There's no need to get so excited. Fall City isn't going to run away from us or other anything like that."

"Come on, Papa! Hurry! Hurry!" he cried out as he ran ahead.

Shaking his head, the older man sighed. "Pardon us, young lady. My grandson can be quite the handful. He's a ball of energy right after he's had his morning meal."

"Oh, it's quite alright," Solana replied politely.

"Hurry! Papa! Hurry!"

"I'm coming, Daniel! Excuse me, young lady." He said as he followed behind the excited youth.

Solana looked all around her, taking in all the sights. On the upper level of the harbor, she could see there was a Snorlax sleeping. From what she's read, it can be nearly impossible to wake a snoozing Snorlax from its slumber without the aid of a Pokéflute. But despite its loud snores and blocking part of the harbor, nobody seemed terribly bothered by it.

As she walked ahead, she passed by a sailor.

"Ahoy ranger, did you enjoy the cruise?" he asked excitedly, giving her a salute.

"Ranger?" Solana wondered. Then she remembered she was dressed in the Ringtown Ranger base's uniform.

"Just between you and me, I may be a sailor, but that didn't stop me from getting a little seasick on the way over here." He chuckled. "You see, I might look like a proper sailor, but I'm really still an apprentice."

"Oh. Well, actually, I'm just starting out too myself," Solana replied nervously with a smile.

"Is that so? Well, how about that! Even though we're in different directions, let's both do our best to find success."

"You bet!" she replied warmly.

As she waved him bye, she walked ahead and noticed a Krabby shuffling around by the front of the steps at the end of the dock.

"Buk buk buk buk…" it uttered as it clenched its claws.

"The pokémon here are a lot more relaxed hanging around people it seems," Solana commented as she started up the stairs. As she reached the top of the stairs, a middle-aged man with brown hair and a green striped shirt called out to her.

"You there!" he shouted. "Yes, you youngster! This is your first time here, is it not so?

"W-Why do you say that?" she stuttered.

"Humph! Because of how you're moving about. No Fiorian would be moving about all wishy-washy and tentatively as you are. You don't walk with no confidence. That's how I know! Different places have different ways a walkin'."

Solana blushed slightly. She just arrived and she was already standing out.

"Oh, stop hassling the poor young girl, Roderick," a woman around the same age called a few feet away.

The older man crossed his arms. "Whatever. But that's just me. People can do whatever they want. Why should I care." He turned around and headed into the shop nearby with who Solana guessed was his wife.

Trying to regain her composure, Solana walked over to the Tourist Center.

Fall City welcomes you! Read the sign in front.

"Guess I should start here," she muttered to herself before entering.

There were a few people inside, looking through the different souvenirs, brochures, and items on the shelves. Solana guessed they were the passengers who disembarked the ship.

"Eh, you travelin' alone, girl?" asked a man near the reception desk. "You sure don't look like a tourist, I mean, your outfit is so outlandish. What is that about? You some traveling side-show?"

Solana put her hands on her hips. "I just so happen to be a pokémon ranger, sir."

He crossed his arms. "I find that hard to believe. No ranger would be moseying around the way you do. How's a timid thing like you supposed to defend the region? Impersonating a service member is a crime, you know?"

Solana's cheeks flushed. She walked away from the rude man and nearly tripped over a little boy a couple feet away.

"Oh, excuse me," she apologized. Then she realized it was the young boy who rushed ahead of her before.

His eyes lit up in delight. "Big girl, you have burning eyes!" he gushed.

"Um…" Solana stared uncomfortably at the young boy, trying her best to smile through the awkwardness.

"Daniel, don't be rude!" his grandfather scolded.

Laughing it off weakly, Solana side-stepped away and approached the receptionist desk.

"Hello there," she began.

The woman behind the counter smiled. "Welcome to Fall City! Fall City is known as the largest city in Fiore. The city's best-known landmark is the Joy Clock Tower, which is located at the north end. Are there any questions I can answer for you?"

"Um…well, actually I'm trying to find my way to Ringtown. Can you please tell me how to get there?"

"Ringtown is a far sight from here. You'll have to pass through the Krokka Tunnel and Lyra Forest to get there. But traveling on your own there is dangerous without a pokémon. I can call a pokémon ranger to escort you there if you'd like?"

Solana flipped her hand cockily. "Well, I am a pokémon ranger so I should have no problem traversing the land."

The young woman looked questioningly at Solana. "Pokémon Ranger? Is that why you are dressed the way you are? But I'm familiar with every ranger in this region and I have never seen you before? You're not really a ranger are you? It's obvious you've never worn that outfit before!"

Solana's scrunched up her face in shock, her mouth agape.

The service woman's face changed from confusion to excitement. "Oh, I get it. You must be one of those cosplayers I've been hearing about."

"Cosplayer?"

"Oh yes. But you see, there are no conventions being held this year. You must have the wrong dates. I can give you a list of events being held this year throughout the region if you'd like?"

As the woman bent down behind the counter to retrieve the information, Solana turned on her heels and exited the store in a huff.

"The people here aren't as nice and friendly as I initially thought," she muttered as she walked outside.

She walked a little further beyond the pier where there seemed to be a stone bridge connecting the harbor the nearby city. Near the edge was a small wooden crate that was rocking vigorously.

"That's unusual," Solana mused as she approached it.

"Oh, hi! Hi, Ranger!" exclaimed another young boy. "There's something going on with this crate! If it's an Ekans, I'm going to faint! Long, squirmy things scare me silly! Can you please check what it is?!" he gushed.

"Um…okay. Y-yeah I can do that," Solana said uneasily as she walked closer to it. She knelt on the ground and touched the top of the crate. No sooner had she touched it, did the top blast off and a startled pokémon jumped out of it, spilling out several packaging peanuts on the ground and knocking Solana to the ground in surprise.

"Pla Plah!" the bewildered pokémon cried frantically. It spun around in circles, a few of the Styrofoam packaging peanuts clinging to its fur. It was a small creamish-yellowish pokémon, with red accents on the tips of its ears, paws and cheeks. The tip of its tail was also red and shaped like an addition symbol.

Dazed and confused, the small rodent pokémon sped off across the bridge.

"Oh wow!" cried the little boy. "It was a Plusle that was hiding!"

"I think it was moreso trapped than hiding," remarked Solana. "I wonder how it got stuck in this crate?"

"Beats me. Least it's not an Ekans," the little laughed excitedly.

Still puzzled, Solana stood up and dusted herself off. "The woman at the tourist center said Ringtown was past the Lyra Forest? And Krokka Tunnel? Is that past the bridge?"

"Uh huh. It's to the left of the town. Just up and make a left by the ranger base. Shouldn't you already know that being a ranger and all?"

"Um, well. I'm still pretty new," Solana replied embarrassingly. "Thank you for the directions."

Solana bowed to show her gratitude before waving him goodbye. As she neared the bridge, a man who appeared to be in his late twenties walked across. He had silvery mint green hair and was dressed in the Ringtown Ranger base's colors.

Solana immediately recognized who he was.

"Mr. S-Spenser? Sir?" she stammered.

He stopped when he reached the end of the bridge. "Hello there. Were you waiting for me?"

Solana nodded her head frantically before shaking it vigorously. "Yes. I mean, no. I-I mean…I'm Solana, sir."

"Solana?" he wondered. "You're the letter writer?"

"Y-Yes, sir."

Spenser looked up at digital monitor above tower on the harbor which displayed the current date and time.

"You're a few days early. I wasn't expecting you so soon."

"W-Well, sir. I was very eager to get started."

Spenser turned back to face her, looking her up and down a few times. "The uniform I sent you…It's a little on the big side, isn't it?"

"U-Um…well…"

"Well, I guess it's not that big of a concern. You'll grow into it. Or you can be resized for a different fit. Anyway, I'm Spenser, Ringtown's Ranger Base's Area Leader. But I suppose you already knew that. It's good to see you finally. I enjoyed reading your letters. It brought back memories of the burning ambition I had when I was a student working on becoming a Ranger. Thanks for that!"

"O-Oh, no problem at all!" Solana stuttered. "It's really just such a great honor to even talk to you! I'm thankful to be given the opportunity."

"Right," Spenser nodded. "Well then, let me show you to our Ranger base. You know what that is, right?"

Solana nodded excitedly. "Like the name suggests, a Ranger Base is a base of operations for Pokémon Rangers. The Fiore region – that'd be here – has four major cities where each ranger base is stationed: Fall City, Ringtown, Summerland, and Wintown. Your base is in Ringtown and you are the designated Area Leader for that section."

Spenser smiled widely. "I'm impressed, as usual. You've really done your homework."

"I've been looking forward to this day for so long. I've memorized all the major regulations presented in the Pokémon Ranger Handbook. Would you like me to list them?"

"That…won't be necessary. You'll have your chance to show your knowledge on the entrance exam. For now, let's just make our way to the base. Ringtown is a fair distance away to the west, and –"

Spenser was cut off as a loud roar could be heard in the distance across the bridge. His features hardened.

"Did you hear that cry?"

"Y-Yeah!" Solana sputtered.

"It came from over there!" he shouted as he dashed forward across the bridge.

"W-Wait!" Solana clumsily chased after him.

As they both crossed, and entered into town, the damage of a small scuffle could be seen. Many of the tiling on the ground was cracked, with several citizens scurrying around the area. In front of the fountain, they saw two pokémon scuttering. The larger of the two was a black canine pokémon with a long orange snout, orange underbelly, a pair of long curved gray horns and a white band with a skull-shaped pendant on its throat. It was chasing a small rodent-like pokémon whom Solana recognized as the pokémon she saw jump out of the crate earlier.

"Houndoom!" Spenser called out.

The Houndoom fired a Flamethrower at the Plusle and it quickly vaulted to the side to dodge. It quickly scurried behind Solana and hid behind her, grasping her right ankle tightly.

"Plah Pla! Plah Pla!" it cried out fearfully.

Smoke rose from the Houndoom's nostrils as it stepped towards them.

"This doesn't look good," Spenser commented. "That Houndoom is very clearly highly agitated. Whatever the reason, it seems very angered at this Plusle. If I don't stop them now, it might set the city on fire."

Spenser pulled out his styler as the Houndoom fired another Flamethrower.

"Watch out!" he cried as he pushed Solana to the side, just missing the jet of flames.

"That was too close," he muttered.

"Spenser, sir, let me help!" Solana cried.

He stared hard at her. "What?"

"Please! I've studied all on Pokémon captures. I can help you pacify these two."

"This isn't a game, Solana. Some real damage can be done if I don't stop this."

"I know. But this Houndoom is bent on capturing this poor Plusle. Every time you try to make a capture, it'll just blast right on through the capture line loop until it has Plusle in its mouth. You'll never be able to get a clear shot to finish the capture."

The Houndoom roared fiercely as flames once again started to form in its mouth. Plusle's ears drooped downward and she clung to Solana's leg, shaking terribly.

Spenser gritted his teeth. "I'm sure I can handle these two myself. But if you're so confident then show me what you can do!"

He pulled out a small styler from one of the pockets on his baggy cargo pants and tossed it to Solana. She fumbled with it before holding on to it tightly. It was a bulky red radio-looking device with a yellow antenna and the Pokémon Ranger Union's symbol on it.

"You want to help me calm these pokémon? Tell me the steps to a successful capture and do it!" Spenser ordered as he readied his styler.

"U-Um! Right," Solana stammered.

"What did I just entrust you with?"

"The Capture Styler!" Solana shouted. "It's a device Pokémon Rangers use to communicate their feelings to a pokémon to befriend them."

Spenser pressed a button on his styler and the antenna extended, revealing the stylus. A light blue aura emitted from it.

"Good! Now capture the Plusle while I capture Houndoom. Capture On!" he shouted as he released a Capture Disc from the styler.

"Um, um," Solana uttered anxiously as she looked over the styler. Even though she studied the functions and mechanics of the Capture Styler, she didn't necessarily know how to work and use it. If this wasn't an emergency, she'd be bubbling over with excitement that she finally acquired a Capture Styler!

"You know the steps, don't you?" Spenser shouted as he circled his styler, controlling the capture disc as it circled around the enraged Houndoom. "Don't freeze up. Put into action what you claim to already know!"

"Right!" Solana looked back over the capturing device. Taking a deep breathe, she turned around to face the Plusle, who was still cowering at her leg. "Okay, I can do this," she told herself.

Pressing a button on the styler, the antenna extended just as it did Spenser's, startling her. After regaining her composure, Solana pressed another button on her styler. A capture disc shot out and struck the ground in front of her, scaring the Plusle even further.

"Oops! My bad there," she uttered.

"Focus, ranger!" Spenser ordered once more.

Taking yet another deep breath, Solana exhaled and focused her attention on the Plusle at her feet.

"A capture works by drawing capture line loops around the target pokémon. The loops are created from the capture discs."

She pressed the disc release button once again and a second capture disc shot out from the styler. This time Solana pulled back with her stylus, and the capture disc responded, shooting back towards her. She then thrust her arm forward again, aiming for Plusle and began drawing circles in the air. The capture disc flew back towards the small frightened and confused pokémon.

"The capture discs transmit our feelings of friendship to the pokémon. With each capture line loop, more of our friendship feelings are transmitted, and the closer we are to a successful capture."

She continued to direct the capture line loops around the anxious Plusle. As Plusle ran and moved, Solana followed with the capture disc, careful not to let her run into it.

"If a pokémon attacks and hits the capture line loop, the styler will take damage and the capture will have to be started from scratch. Be careful not to break the connection."

She silently counted to herself how many loops she had made thus far. The aura emitted from the friendship energy reached its brightest once Solana completed her capture. Plusle was enveloped in a light ball of energy, which slowly dissipated a few moments later. The frightened and anxious Plusle now appeared relaxed albeit slightly dazed. Solana saw a flashing circle appear on her styler, an indication of a successful capture.

"If a capture is successful, a blinking ring will appear on the styler. Once a pokémon is captured, they may be more inclined to help you and more willing to let us treat it if it's injured."

"Excellent. Very good job, Solana." Spenser praised.

Solana spun around on her heels, again startled. She hadn't realized how much she was talking to herself or even that Spenser had already completed his capture of the ornery Houndoom. He truly was a pro.

"That's excellent for your first ever capture. A bit heavy on the internal monologue but it seemed to have helped you concentrate."

"O-Oh…yeah…right…"

The Plusle Solana captured hopped excitedly around her feet.

"Plah Plah! Pla Plah!" she cried happily before scurrying up and perching herself on Solana's right shoulder, affectionately rubbing her cheek against Solana's. Solana patted her between her ears.

Spenser patted the Houndoom on the head as well. "Well, that was a bit of excitement I didn't count on. But perhaps still lucky for me as I got to see your potential as a Pokémon Ranger firsthand." He looked back down at the Houndoom. "Houndoom's settled down enough. Okay, big guy, off you go. Back to where you came from."

He pressed the release button on the opposite end of the styler. A faint yellow outline surrounded the Houndoom before flickering off. It cried out gratefully before sprinting eastbound of the lower district of Fall City.

"Can you tell me what I just did there, Solana?"

She nodded. "You just released Houndoom back into the wild. You broke the capture link you had with Houndoom so that it may return back to its natural habitat."

"Correct. And why is it important that I do that?"

"Rangers can't take captured pokémon with them out of their natural habitats unless they have a compelling reason. It upsets the order we try to preserve. We serve to protect the pokémon of our region, which means we allow them to live and reproduce naturally in the wild."

Spenser smiled widely. "Fantastic, Solana."

Plusle continued to hop around Solana, switching from one shoulder to the next and rubbing her cheek against hers.

"Aren't you a total sweetheart," Solana cooed as she petted Plusle once more. The tiny mouse pokémon purred in delight and dropped into Solana's arms.

Spenser folded his arms. "Well, it looks like this Plusle has taken a liking to you. That said, you can't bring it with us for the very reasons you just stated. So, you better release that Plusle."

Solana frowned slightly. "Yeah…of course…"

Holding Plusle in her left arm, Solana held her styler in her right hand and pressed the same release button she saw Spenser do earlier with the Houndoom. A light aura outlined Plusle before disintegrating into tiny flickers. The Plusle blinked a few times in confusion.

"Go on, little one. You can go back home. It's safe now."

Solana rested Plusle back down on the ground in front of her.

"Pla Plah?" she looked puzzlingly at Solana.

"It's okay. That Houndoom won't bother you anymore."

The small electric pokémon looked between the two humans before scurrying off in the near distance. Solana watched her run behind one of the shops in the city. A slight heaviness filled her heart.

"Well, with that taken care of, I think it's time I confer this certificate on you. It's official proof you're a full-fledged Pokémon Ranger now." Spenser said as he pulled out a folder and pen from his inner jacket pocket.

"Certificate? Don't I have to take the certification test and entrance exam first?"

"Usually, yes. Only when you pass the test should you receive this certificate. But I think what I've just witnessed has told me all I need to know about grading you. When you were faced with this real-life situation, you resolved it admirably. There's no reason at all why you shouldn't be certified as a ranger after what you just pulled." Spenser walked up to her and outstretched his hand holding the folder with a sheet of glossy paper clipped on top of it. "Read this certificate thoroughly and sign, please."

Solana took the folder and pen from him and read the top sheet.

Pokémon Ranger Certificate

Ranger's Pledge:

I hereby pledge to come to the aid of those in need and to safeguard nature to the best of my ability as a Pokémon Ranger, always with pride and courage in my heart.

Solana's eyes shimmered. This was it…Her dream was actually coming true! She was officially being certified as a Pokémon Ranger!

Her hand shaking, Solana signed her name at the bottom right corner of the page. She held the folder and pen back out to Spenser.

"Alright," he said as he took the pen and placed it in one of the pockets on his cargo pants before reaching into another and pulling out a confirmation stamp and legitimizing the document with the Pokémon Ranger Union's seal.

"Congratulations, Solana. You are now a genuine, full-fledged Pokémon Ranger."

"Yes!" Solana exclaimed jumping up and down excitedly.

Spenser bowed his head and closed his eyes. "Having said that, you're also a complete rookie who doesn't know her left from her right yet."

Solana abruptly stopped bouncing. "Huh?"

Spenser reopened his eyes. "You need to gain experience above all. The world doesn't care if you're a novice or a pro when it's plagued by threats and dangers. Arriving here early means you get an early start. There's no time to waste. First, we need to wing across the deep blue sky to Ringtown."

"Wing?" Solana questioned. "You mean like taking a helicopter?"

Spenser shook his head. He gestured for her to come closer to him. "Step this way."

Warily and unsure what he was about to do, Solana walked up to him.

"You might want to hold on to me tightly. Brace yourself." He then placed his thumb and index finger in his mouth and whistled loudly.

Plusle crept out from behind the shop, eyeing the human who rescued her earlier. She wasn't sure why, but she had an overwhelming desire to be by that human's side. Sure, she could travel back to the alpine forests up north, but without the protection of her elder, she'd be exposed to more dangerous predators as the Houndoom from earlier. Not only that, did she really want to go back to her forlorn life?

Resolute in her decision, Plusle perked up her ears and ran towards her human savior.

"Plah Plah!" she cried loudly as she ran quickly on all fours. As soon as she reached her, she grasped her left ankle tightly.

"Huh?" wondered Solana. But she barely had time to process what was happening as a large brown avian pokémon with a vulturine neck, broad powerful wings, and a decorative red coxcomb on top of its head flew speedily towards them.

"Sorry I kept you waiting, Fearow. Do your thing!" Spenser called out as the large beaked pokémon extended its wigs as it swooped down and Spenser grasped onto its left leg.

Solana and Plusle both cried out as they were carried up high into the air.

A/N: And there's chapter two! Hope you all enjoyed! As you can see, I will try to keep some of the original dialogue from the game, but I will be changing it up, including who is saying what, as well as adding my own bits in there so that it isn't so stilted and stiff. After all, the player in the game can't talk so the other characters are left to fill in the information for them. That being said, this will still be an original story with each character having their own individualized personalities and quirks. Some events will happen that were not present in the game and may fit in with my canon of my other ranger fics. But I will still do my best to maintain the integrity of the game I so loved to create these fanfics.

Pease don't forget to review if you can!

Always Do Everything with Love

XyKPfan