Lost in Reality [pokémon Ranger Fanfiction]

Chapter 5

"And then I walk into Booker's ship shop and the minute he looks at me, the geezer drops his hammer right onto his toes!" An old trio of laughter crackled through the air. It lifted the dark haze from Kate's vision as she walked from the therapist's office.

There before her stood the most respected people in the Ranger Union.

Kate's shoulders peeled back and puffed out her chest, "Erma, Hastings, Lamont." Boots clacked as she stood with her hand against her forehead in salute. Her eyes just skimmed above the forest of gray hairs. Kate kept her breath tightly locked away in her chest as she waited to be told: "at ease."

But none came as the three turned to her. A sweet smile dripping onto each of their faces as their eyebrows knit in unison.

Erma was the first to shuffle forward. Her wooden cane pecking at the tiles as she tilted her head, "My darling, there is no need for such formalities."

Kate's muscles didn't twitch out of place as she held still like a statue. A stagnant air drifted between them all before the former ranger finally spoke, "I'm sorry for abandoning my post."

Professor Hastings surged forward but his quick tongue was caught by an old friend. Dean Lamont of the Ranger Academy reached his arm out against the scientist's chest. Hastings whipped his head around, ready to let it all out, but Lamont just shook his head. The man gave a nod towards Erma.

The leader in charge of the Ranger Union hobbled further. As Kate looked, it seemed as if the woman became even older. Erma's eyes sunk back and left dark rings hanging. The elder's stature was smaller, and her bones thinner.

Time was at a standstill for Kate.

But the world still went on.

"By the Legendaries, I don't mind, dear Kate." Her coarse voice scratched with sandpaper as she continued to close in on the postured Kate. "I too was a young and outgoing ranger, taking care of pokémon, seeing smiles worth more than anything in this world, saving lives. And I watched as mine fell apart."

Static ran through Kate's veins, but still remained ridged. Her eyes saw far out of this small building, and it seemed as if Kate wasn't even there. However, Erma still continued.

First, the elder placed a hand on Kate's shoulder as a bittersweet song laced into Erma's voice, "This is a draining life you've chosen, darling. You give and you give so much that you don't have anything left. Kindness for miles, pulling every drop of life from you to reach everyone. I've been there. I lost the one I loved doing so, Kate." Two men from behind perked their attention, but a sadness was painted on both of their expressions.

Suddenly, the former ranger was pulled into a tight hug. Erma pulled the saluting Kate down to her height. It forced Kate looser, but she still stayed with her hand held above.

Erma brushed close, "Please Kate, don't repeat what I've done. I know I can't take your pain away, darling, but I would if I could and give you all the happiness in the world. But I can't do that, Kate. I don't know if anyone can just walk into our lives a fix all our broken pieces. But, what I want for all the rangers under my command, is to have a good life." As she pulled away, she met Kate's empty eyes, "At ease, Ranger."

Her arm fell limb beside her side as Kate split away. Erma stared with a hope up to Kate. A hope that she at least made it to the ranger's ears.

Kate nodded in silence. Her body pulling itself away from the trio. 

"You know, you'll always have a job here when you want to return," Hastings piped, hoping to steal one last bit of Kate back.

She just nodded again.