Pokémon Rangers

The Worst Ranger

Miriam eyed the giantess as she entered, saloon doors swinging back and forth as they shut behind her. The storm screeched and wailed, shaking the small tavern to it's foundation as dust and sand billowed in with unmatched glee. Each step of her boot shook the floorboards, and her large frame towered over the bar even as she sat. The woman tugged down her face mask, and Miriam noted her age immediately.

She was young, short hair cropped around her chin, with dark eyes that glanced around without any real energy. She greeted Miriam with a tired, pretty smile.

"Don't suppose I could buy a drink?" She asked, her voice hoarse, and svelte.

"You may," Miriam chuckled, "Take a peek at the menu above me and lemme know what catches your eye, 'hun."

The girl nodded in thanks, glancing up and rattling out her order. She pulled her coat free, and Miriam noted the size of her shoulders, and arms, easily larger than the nearest patrons.

"Could I ask you a question, ma'am?" She asked, taking her drink and taking small sips, her voice losing its rasp.

"Sure," Miriam nodded.

"I'm looking for a Ranger." She said.

"A Ranger? You would've had more luck in Salt Lake than this old shithole." Miriam chuckled, "They take requests at the bounty boards, I'd hope you'd know that."

"Yes ma'am." She nodded, "But the Ranger I'm looking for is unusual. I heard he was out here. A Ranger everyone calls Crow."

Miriam brightened, "Oh that one." She laughed, "Yeah I know Crow. He's out and about alright, dealing with a ghost issue a few miles south. One of those old mining towns had an infestation, and it was affecting local travel and trade caravans. He's a good kid, he set up my solar panel system."

"Ah." She brightened, "Thank goodness. Do you know when he'd be back?"

"I do not." Miriam said, "He's usually quick about it. We can't afford to pay him much but he's always diligent anyways. He won't be back till he's satisfied. Bit of a perfectionist, that one."

"Do you know where the town is?"

"I've got the coordinates, but I wouldn't suggest going. Ghosts don't like being bothered, and they can be cruel tricksters. What kind of Pokémon do you have?"

She pulled a pokeball from her coat. Its metallic red cap glowing in the low light of the saloon, the metal warm in her palm as it pulsed. She felt her chest tighten as she eyed orb in her grip, before she pressed on.

"Just my Starly."

"Bad idea then," Miriam said, "Best to just hold up here, wait him out and the dust storm. There's a Gengar out there. And maybe worse, if it's taking him this long-"

The doors to the saloon shook as someone forced their way through, the room falling silent as a short figure shook dust and sand from his garb, a bolt of yellow energy tugging at the places he couldn't reach as he sighed in relief. He wore layers upon layers of ponchos and windbreakers, tassels and stray fabric hanging down around his body like a cape.

"I hate sand." He said, his voice muffled by the mask on his face. The hood pulled over his head falling free, but not revealing any hair, his scalp hidden by a mass of black fabric. He turned to face the bar after a moment, "They're gone Miriam. They were rather opposed to leaving, and um..." He hesitated, "The town may also be gone."

"Sounds like one helluva argument." Miriam grinned.

"They were incredibly persistent."

"Just gonna talk with em," Miriam quoted and laughed.