PokéRangers: New World

Let The Training Begin

*3 years earlier*

"Well look who finally decided to show", the Tyrantrum Ranger sneered as the Tyranitar Ranger arrived at the construction site, landing on one of the metal beams across from him.

"My apologies for being a few minutes late", the Tyranitar Ranger began, "but as I was on my way here, I had to stop a mugging."

"Don't you think that's a little beneath us? Couldn't you have just left that to the cops to clean up – instead of making me wait?"

"Are you insinuating that your time is more important than helping someone..."

"What? Not at all!" the Tyrantrum Ranger assured as the tone of his voice pulled a complete 180. "Where would you get a silly idea like that?"

"I wonder", the Tyranitar Ranger replied coldly.

"Jeez, didn't realize you were so quick to judge people! You'll have to work on that if you plan on joining the team! Speaking of which, did you think about my offer?"

"I did", the Tyranitar Ranger replied solemnly, "but I'm afraid I must decline."

"What?" the Tyrantrum Ranger replied in a surprised and overly friendly tone. "Come on dude! You already do the hero stuff! Why not do it with a team?"

"I considered that; but I still must decline."

"No, no, I get it" he assured as he leapt to the other side where the Tyranitar Ranger was standing. "The others do need a lot of work. And honestly - if I were you - I'd be worried about them holding me back as well; but think about all the good we could do together!"

"The others isn't the problem", the Tyranitar replied. "It's you!"

The Tyrantrum Ranger was silent for a moment. "This is about earlier isn't it?" he asked as he quickly put his arm around the Tyranitar Ranger's shoulders. "Look I'm sorry I called you out for being late; but you really have to learn to accept criticism better."

"Drop the act", the Tyranitar Ranger interrupted as he swatted the Tyrantrum Ranger's hand off of his shoulder. "I've seen the way you handle situations, the way you look at the people you save. You don't do it because you care or even because it's the right thing to do. You do it because it makes people look at you a certain way and you like it! Why else would you flaunt your secret identity around as much as you do?"

The Tyrantrum Ranger remained silent.

"You talk about being a team, and yet you were so quick to belittle all of them just a moment ago! Tell me, did you ever stop to consider their feelings – or at least get their consent – before outing their identities as well?"

The Tyrantrum Ranger took a deep breath. "Nope", he smiled. "Can't say that I did."

The two Rangers stared each other down.

"And as for all those other accusations. Well... we can't all be saints." The Tyrantrum Ranger swiftly drew his sword and lunged at the Tyranitar Ranger.

The Tyranitar Ranger materialized his saber just in time to block his opponent's attack. "Are you crazy?", he asked as the two locked blades.

"It's nothing personal", he replied. "It's just that Mr & Mrs Wholesome – not to mention their ever growing merry band – are enough competition as it is; and I don't need any more."

"Competition?"

The two Rangers continued to fight – though while one tried to disengage, the other kept pursuing. As the minutes began to pass, a crowd of onlookers began to gather below them – the sounds of their attacks echoing through the streets.