Pokemon Ranger: Savior

Chapter Four: Krokka Tunnel

     The tunnel was quite large and clearly excavated by trained engineers and Pokemon. It was nicely lit and pretty clear with minimal rocks, so it wasn't as scary as I initially thought. Which had me musing internally the whole walk through.
      With everything that I had been through, all of my accomplishments and mistakes, my favorite thing about my life is interacting with Pokemon. They are everything to me. My first Gym Challenge was back home in Sinnoh, and that team will forever be in my heart. That team lead me through exploration of the whole region, even the isles off the coast; through the Elite Four for the first time; and to becoming a Champion. It was my proudest moment, and the beginning of a lifetime of travel and exploration and more accomplishments. And now, here I am trying out a whole new thing.
     All I can think about besides my excitement of it all is whether or not I will succeed. I've never had this problem before and I've always been confident. However, certain...circumstances have damaged my resolve and I suddenly see fear as if before I had a veil covering my eyes. Even simple things, like walking through this tunnel, got my anxiety spiking, especially since I'm currently responsible for someone else's well-being.
     If only I had my Pokemon with me. Rangers aren't allowed to have teams like in other regions, so I had to temporarily leave all mine back home. Luxray especially wouldn't let me shiver like this in warm weather. He'd zap some sense into my head.
     In the tunnel at a cross in the path, there was a statue of a Dugtrio with a plaque carving. It read, "In memory of Dugtrio, a loyal companion and coworker in the long and difficult tunnel project." I'll have to remember to thank the Pokemon if I ever befriend one. This tunnel certainly was quite the project.
     Professor Hastings saw me observing the statue, and stepped in front of me. "We haven't far to go now. Maybe this mission was a little too easy for you?" I started sputtering, flustered by his assertion, but he seemed not to notice and cut me off. "Let us make haste!" He strode off towards the right path.
     I followed him, starting to feel nauseous again, like back in the elevator at Ringtown's Ranger Base. I don't understand why I'm experiencing random bouts of nausea, and they disappear as suddenly as they come. Maybe today was just a long day full of excitement and action, and I'm just not used to it?
     We come across a bend with two entrance ways. One on the right leads outside to a rock ledge that doesn't go anywhere, and the other to the left goes further into the cave. Pretty obvious which one we needs must take, so left it is.
      Here I start capturing more Pokemon to further fill my Browser, including a Magnemite that can recharge my Styler if I take damage. I heard a loud cry and went towards it, hoping for a bigger find. I stop to behold none other than a Dugtrio. Professor Hastings was surprised.
     "Ah, now, there's a rare sight to behold. It's a Dugtrio!" He stepped forward, and the Pokemon sank back down below the earth and fled. "That Dugtrio...he fled at the sight of me!" The professor turns back towards me, scoffing. "How very rude of that Dugtrio." I roll my eyes and keep walking. That man seems a bit...uptight.
     The professor was a few paces ahead of me when suddenly the whole cave started to quake. Rocks the size of trucks crashed down between me and the professor, blocking the way and effectively separating us!
      "Hello, Serena? Can you hear me?!" I heard calling from the other side of the boulders.
     "Yes! Professor are you ok??" I called back. I can't possibly fail this mission so miserably. That was such a close call to a tragic failure.
     "It was a very close call indeed, but I managed to avoid injury." Its as if he read my mind. "However, I'll need you to come get me! There should be another passageway near you that'll bring you to me. I shall be waiting impatiently!" Sheesh, even in trouble like this he manages to keep his vocabulary in tip top shape. Although I am relieved beyond belief he wasn't hurt, for his sake and for the sake of my badge and behind.
     I started searching for this other passageway, but the only other opening I could find was one barred by a fence. I noticed a Paras walking around that was startled free of its hiding place thanks to the boulders. I captured it and used its Field Move to cut down the fence.
     The cave beyond this passage was different in that it had a water source. The rocks were all tinted a pretty blue and covered in moss and algae. There was a pool of water in the back of the room with Poliwag flitting around and playing. They were frightened and tried to run when I walked by, but I managed to catch one for my Browser before releasing it. With my current level, the Styler notified me I can't have more than four Friend Pokemon with me at a time.
     Following the passage I found myself back into the main corridor, on the other side of the boulders. I started towards the professor when two oddly dressed fellows with bowl cuts and glasses came charging past me. They struck me as odd, with their red and white pinstriped suits and cocky demeanors.
     "W-what is it?! Who are you?!" I hear Professor Hastings stutter. Uh oh. Alarmed I start after the goons and see them accosting the professor!
     One of them cackles and says, "Hello Gramps! The esteemed Professor Hastings, the chief of technology of the Ranger Union, I presume?" He has a taunting lilt to his voice, and I don't like it. "We're strangers of danger! And we mess with Rangers! That makes us the Go-Rock Squad!" He concludes his speech with the flair of a showman.
     Go-Rock Squad? That's a mouthful worth tumbling over. Not. Who came up with such a name?
     The second goon then speaks up, his voice more high pitched than his cocky partner, "So sorry gramps, we're here to relieve you of your important package." Then before I could process what was going on, the punks flung themselves on the professor and wrestled with him for a second before pulling back with looks of triumph on their punchable faces. The second goon then says, "Thanks so much for your cooperation!" The two of them then turn tail and ran. I tried to jump in their way but they sidestepped me and sprinted down the corridor, cackling like hyenas the whole way.
      The Professor tried to run ahead but stopped, panting. "Oh, Serena. We have a crisis on our hands! My Super Styler-the fruit of all my studies-was taken by some ruffians who call themselves the Go-Rock Squad!" My face instantly widens in shock as I realize what it was those goons were after. This can't be good.
     "If only I were 20 years younger, I could have twisted, crumpled and tossed such dregs of society aside..." he continues. Internal eye roll. "Come, we must give chase!"
     "Let me get em and don't rush Professor! I can do all your twisting, crumpling and tossing for ya!" I smirk and hightail it down the corridor after the Coconut Heads. Literally at the end of the passage before it bent towards the exit, they were waiting for us!
     "You gullible ninnies! You thought that rock fall earlier was a natural thing?" The first one, the cocky one, starts taunting as the professor catches up behind me. "You can stay cooped up down here courtesy of us!" His high pitched partner steps forward and holds his hand out. He's holding some switch, and he presses a button. More quaking, and another landslide of boulders crashes down in the corridor....behind the Professor and I.
     Hand still outstretched, the Coconut Head starts sweating visibly and his cheeks turn red. "Uh...is this, uh...um...Like, is this..a screwup?" He turns and stomps over to the cocky friend.
     "Well, good going! Yeah it's a screwup all right! How are we supposed to slow them down now, you incompetent fool?!" Harsh. I glanced at the professor and he was watching with amusement in his eyes.
     "What are you going on about? You're the one that set the trap! All I had to do was push the button!"
     "Yea well....there's something to be said for that! But that's the besides the point. Let's hightail it!"
     After the argument they sped towards the exit. Of course we were right behind them, and before we knew it we were speeding, blinking into sunlight and lush green plant life. A short grassy path lead from the cave exit to the entrance to Fall City.
     Following the path we came upon chaos. There was a Rhydon rampaging around the path and smashing boulders.
     "That Rhydon...Those scoundrels must have done something to enrage it so," the Professor mused.
     "Yea I bet. Don't worry Professor, I'll calm him down! We can't lose those goons!" And with that I stepped towards the Rhydon, then jumped sideways and barrel rolled into a bush because the creature charged me upon sighting me.
     He reminded me of my mother's precious Rhyhorn. His name was Bullet and he was always by my mother's side no matter what. He liked to charge things too. That horn don't play; it hurts.
     Taking a breath, I changed my approach and initiated the capture from a sideways perspective so as to avoid being charged. I started my Loops, and he required quite a few more than the usual Pokémon around here. He suddenly charged my Line and broke it, causing damage to half my Styler's energy! He was tough. If I didn't help calm him down soon, we were gonna lose the Coconut Heads!
     I strafed around him as he spun looking for me and tried my Loops again. I spun faster than I usually spun, and then paused mid draw as I noticed him preparing for another charge. I didn't let go of the Disk though, so as not to lose the Line, and his charge went towards the bushes without touching my Line. Then I continued the Loops and finished the capture. Rhydon was considerably calmer. So I released him back to wherever he came from. However, the punks were nowhere to be seen.
     "Professor, I'm sorry. I don't see them anywhere." I'm exhausted for sure now, and the nausea came back again. This time it didn't go away, but it persisted. I felt horrible too that the Professor got mugged while I was escorting him. Excitement is one thing, but making mistakes or failing was not something I was trying to experience more of, especially after leaving and traveling so far to get away from them.
     "Whew, we've been beset by trouble." Professor Hastings was wiping his brow with a silken handkerchief I hadn't noticed him procure earlier. He put his hat back on and stuffed the kerchief inside his white coat. "That little disturbance cost us time. We've completely lost sight of those scoundrels." At that I lower my head, ready to feel the onslaught of shame I know is to soon follow. "Let us return to Fall City and consider our options." He trudged on, and I followed in his wake. Releasing the Friend Pokemon so they aren't taken from their natural habitats, we entered the famous city.
     The city was just as grand as it was earlier, and I honestly couldn't wait to start exploring it in its entirety. Feeling the way I do right now though, I need some rest. I may even catch the next ferry outta here and just go home and never resurface again. I wish I could see Lunick right now, even just for that reassuring wink he gives me.
     I was so lost in my own thoughts, I didn't realize the professor had stopped and turned to me. We were standing in front of a building that looked exactly the same as the Ranger Base back in Ringtown. That meant only one thing of course. "Ah, here we are at the Fall City Ranger Base at last!" The professor said to me. Well that confirmed it, thanks.
     "Serena. Well done! Your mission has been accomplished!" I look up, finally after a few minutes looking entirely at my feet. I feel tears pooling behind my eyes.
     "But..Professor..." I begin, and he raises a hand.
     "Let me guess-you're upset because I was mugged for my Super Styler?" Right on the nose. He's definitely intelligent. I nod.
     "Now listen, Serena. Was not your mission to deliver me to this location safely?" I nod again. "Now examine me closely, if you will. Do you see a single scratch upon my person? I think not." Continuing to stare, I begin to wonder if I'm off the hook.
     "And here we are at the missions's destination-the Ranger Base. In other words, you've accomplished the mission's objectives impeccably!" He was right. I shouldn't think so negatively all the time. He could've been seriously hurt or worse in that rock fall. I was the one who protected him to the best of my ability. My Mission is Clear! Pose time. Of course.
     We all turn at the sound of a Pokemon's cry and stamping footsteps. Approaching is a Dodrio with someone riding on its back. He dismounts and walks towards the Professor. He pushes his glasses up his nose and greets, "Welcome back, Professor! How was Spenser?"
     "Thank you, Joel. Spenser is fine, but things didn't go well for me, I'm afraid..." Joel's face changes to one of concern, and on him it looked quite intimidating. He was wearing an indigo blue uniform, and his blonde hair was refined and neatly styled. Behind those glasses were sharp eyes, possibly unfriendly depending on what shape his mouth is in. Currently it's in a frown. I imagine a smile would make him a whole different person.
     The Professor continued, "Its quite humiliating, to say the least..." He walked forward towards Joel and brought his head close to Joel's. "You see, my Super Styler..." and then he started whispering and I couldn't hear.
     Joel gasped and raised his eyebrows. Then instantly, as if it never happened, his face was back to the hard lines of before. He motioned for us to go inside the building. "We should discuss this inside the Base." We all file inside, my Plusle and I last.
     Joel stood by the counter like a Leader, with the Professor behind him. He was facing me and two other Rangers in the same blue uniform. That must mean Joel IS this Base's Leader. He addressed me first. "Good work escorting the Professor. I've heard about you from Spenser. For a Rank 1 Ranger, you've done a commendable job." Again, praise that feels different than Spenser's. This one more prideful considering that harsh gaze could demean anyone in a second.
     "Serena, I'm officially promoting you to Rank 2!" Oh the shock that I felt! My first day, and not only did I get two Missions, but I'm already being promoted!! I couldn't even say thank you or any other words; I just did a little dance, beaming with joy and relief.
     Joel didn't notice my lack of gratitude anyway, for he turned and said, "Professor, there's something that I need to discuss with you...it's too sensitive to discuss here, so let's take it upstairs." He turned back to me and my beaming face and said, "Serena, please wait down here." I vigorously nod, and Joel leads the professor to the elevator.
     Rank 2. Already! Don't let it get to your head. Not like last time. That's how things got out of hand. Over confidence is the bane of my existence. It will not conquer me a second time.
     I'm still definitely feeling woozy, however, so I walk over to one of the cushioned benches in the Base and sit down. Everything in here is green in contrast to the yellow of Ringtown's Base. The tables and counters, even the cushions are all green. The flowers here are orange and red. Just like the other Base, there's a map of the Fiore Region behind the Operator counter.
     I'm feeling a bit dizzy. I take a look at my Plusle, and she's looking back at me concerned. Is it me or is her face blurry and squiggly? And then all was black.