Air roared past Sherry's ears as Staraptor blazed through the sky. The speed of his flight was pressing the goggles against her eyes and tearing at her riding leathers. The digital overlay on the glass was flashing dark red, glaring translucent numbers that indicated the teenager's vitals.

  Her partner's wings pumped beside her, propelling them quickly through the air. The forest blurred below , with the city glimmering in the distance. A powerful Tailwind was quickly raised to speed their flight, but she worried that it was not enough.

  Yet, it would have to be.

  There was no flock of Starly or Staravia for her to capture to enlist their aid. Even if there was, they did not have time to stop for her to do so.

  Sherry clenched her jaw as she watched his vitals continue to fall. Silently, she urged Staraptor to fly faster. The flight was immediately proving to be harder on the teenager than she anticipated.

  The stretcher was made to be as aerodynamic as possible, focusing on speed over patient comfort. It was clasped in the Staraptor's large talons, with several safety ropes to connect it further to the bird's riding harness. Straps held the boy tight but dug into his wounds all the same, with the speed of their flight affecting him further. As it was, the nature of the injury kept her from worrying about blood loss, as the wounds were cauterized.

  Right now, the greatest threat was the young Trainer's body going into shock and potential organ failure. That the burns were caused by Houndour, only made the risk that much greater. The species were well known for the difficulties their attacks inflicted, from long lasting pain to contaminated injuries.

  Flicking her eyes and subvocalizing, Sherry shared the information streaming from the diagnostic cuff to Command. She should have done so immediately, but was more concerned with preparing the boy for travel. She received a basic response acknowledging that they received the information.

  Turning her eyes back to the forest flashing by, she was frustrated that there was nothing more she could do. Her Pokémon partner was flying as fast as he could, enough that she felt his muscles straining beneath her body. The old bird was pushing his body to the limits and she worried that the teenager was not going to be the only one in a hospital room.

  To help distract herself, Sherry turned her mind to reviewing the Ranger Guidebook and various manuals released by the organization. There was comfort to be found with the rules of the Union, especially when they were followed.

  However, she was quickly distracted when her communicator buzzed. Instead of a message from Command, she was surprised to hear the harsh, drawn out tone indicating a subregion, area wide alert. She felt Staraptor rumble slightly, indicating that the bird heard it as well.

  When Sherry heard the message, she wanted to bare her teeth in a grin.

  "All flyers, all flyers." the stern voice of Ranger Dave snapped out. "By order of Ranger Command, all flyers in Districts Two and Three are to ground immediately to make way for an emergency medical flight."

  The on-duty Ranger repeated his order twice more. Sherry grinned and patted her partner's feathers encouragingly. She wanted to shout, but worried that moving would only upset the large bird's flight. Every moment counted, and she had to be careful to not increase their air resistance.

  Her pierce crackled to life, the sound nearly drowned out by the rushing wind.

  "Don't bother responding Sherry," Dave spoke firmly into her ear. "We've got you on approach, estimate fifteen minutes before you reach the outskirts of the city. You'll have to start slowing down then or you'll be coming in too hot."

  She heard him breath in and out, before continuing.

  "We've called ahead to the hospital and they'll be expecting you. The pad is lit up," he added briefly before continuing. "There'll be a nurse from the Pokémon Center as well to assess Staraptor and transport the Trainer's Pokémon. All you need to do is land safely and then everything will be handled from there. You've trained for this. Not to mention I know that you know the regulations by heart."

  Sherry's grin flickered at the other Ranger's mention of her dedication to the rules. She knew it was a sore topic for others. Nevertheless, she appreciated her superior's recognition.

  "We'll keep the line open, but silent on our end. If anything happens, you'll be the first to know. If you need something to happen, let me know and we'll take care of it. Command over."

  Her communicator hummed softly, letting her know that they were listening. The sentiment was nice, but Sherry was following regulations and knew that as long as she continued to do so, everything would turn out fine.

  The minutes crawled by for her as the land raced below. There was little for her to do, leaving her mind open to review the simple steps. Well, step, singular.

  Land.

  Even then, the matter was entirely in her partner's wings. The bird knew the city like the back of his tail feathers and needed no help from her in finding the hospital's landing pad.

  Instead, she could only watch as the boy's vitals continued to fluctuate.

  As the higher ranked Ranger said, they soon reached the outskirts of the city. Small towns flickered by, missed within the blink of an eye while the land transitioned from forests to plains. Not soon enough, they were flying above the large buildings making up the city. The wind was blowing in from the sea beyond, fighting their forward progress and slowing them down.

  Staraptor shrieked, his cry piercing the air and sounding throughout the city. While ordinarily Sherry would have scolded him for the powerful noise, she now patted his feathers in understanding. He was one of the only flyers in the air, many following the Ranger's alert to ground despite only two districts being affected.

  Answering calls had Sherry tilting her head to peer down to the city below.

  From this high up, the buildings all looked the same, with only a vague hint of color as they flew by. Many, she knew, were warehouses or industrial spaces, especially so close to the canal dividing the city. Some of the largest buildings held Trainers looking up expectantly, their flying Pokémon by their side.

  Their arms were uplifted and waved as she soared by, likely seeing the stretcher grasped in her partner's talons. Their Pokémon cried out with them, offering encouragement to Staraptor's flight. Some of the more disorderly ones had to be suddenly grappled or recalled by their Trainers as they sought to join her partner in the air.

  Brightest amongst the lights of the city were the rarely lit beams of the subregion's hospital. Normally, they were turned off, as the bright lights were often disruptive to both wild and trained Pokémon. Right now, however, the large green lights were outshining the surrounding ones. Staraptor aimed for the bright square denoting the boundaries of the landing pad.

  His wings were still flapping harshly, though she could physically feel him fighting for every wingbeat. As the hospital became clearer, Sherry could see a group of staff near the large elevator doors. With them was a gurney ready to transfer the Trainer, the white cloth reflecting the surrounding green light.

  Staraptor was flying in faster than she thought the boy could handle, so she urgently tapped on his back to slow further. To her surprise, the bird ignored her warnings and sped closer. When they were only moments away from crashing into the roof of the hospital, her partner snapped out his wings to catch the air.

  A pained screech heralded a rough twist in the Pokémon's left wing as it was overpowered by the speed of their flight and the strength of the wind.

  Despite the pain, the bird forced his wing to remain spread outwards. Their flight jerked to a sudden stop, the stretcher swinging forward and carrying them along with it.

  Instead of fighting against the momentum of the stretcher, Staraptor chose to let it lead. His body was starting to be jerked around and Sherry hurried to unstrap herself.

  Higher than she would have liked, Sherry leapt from her partner's back and tumbled to the concrete roof below. Her landing was hard, and she fought to roll herself forward instead of simply landing straight on. Fortunately, her riding leathers protected her against the rough surface of the building.

  Tumbling as she was, Sherry only caught a glimpse of her partner's own disastrous landing.

  The large bird tucked his wings in, allowing the stretcher to slide as it lost momentum. He was dragged behind for several meters, leaving feathers and blood in his wake. With the straps connecting the Pokémon to the stretcher, the large bird was unable to roll as she did and suffered for it.

  By the time Sherry found her feet, the medical staff were already assessing their new patient while the Pokémon Nurse and a Ranger quickly unstrapped her partner from the stretcher. A wood pack that she did not remember grabbing was shoved aside as they started to cut him from his clothing. Sherry heard shouted words from the nurses and doctors as they transferred the burned Trainer to the gurney.

  "O2 79%, BP 90/55," one nurse was saying as she watched the diagnostic cuff intently.

  "Coarse breath, soot in mouth," another said as he inspected the boy's mouth and airways.

  "Oxygen, then let's move him," the doctor, she assumed, a woman with green scrubs and a coat, ordered. "And start a drip."

  The overwhelming flow of words stopped as the medical staff counted down and moved him to the gurney. It quickly resumed with the nurses rushing the gurney to the elevator and the doctor barking out orders.

  Sherry forced the group out her mind, as the burned Trainer was now in better hands. Turning her eyes to her partner, she winced as she saw his unnaturally bent wing. The Pokémon Nurse was helping the large bird right himself, Staraptor letting out short, pained chirps as he was forced to move his injured limbs.

  "Ranger Sherry," the other Ranger on the roof called out. He finished gathering the straps of the stretcher together and jogged up to her. "You took a hard fall there, you ok?" he asked with concern.

  Sherry stood up straight and shook her limbs, feeling none of the pain that would indicate broken bones or torn flesh. Taking off her goggles, she rubbed lightly at the pressed skin. Satisfied that she was unharmed, Sherry turned her eyes to her fellow Union member.

  "I am fine, Ranger Tom," she said calmly. "No injuries to report. If you will excuse me, I wish to check on my partner," she continued. Her foot was lifted, ready to do so yet she still hesitated. If the man had instructions for her, then they came straight from Command and superseded her worries.

  "Of course, of course," he answered hurriedly, stepping out of her way and gesturing to Staraptor. "I will clean up here, don't you worry. If you'd like I can chuck the stretcher and take it to Command," he offered with a lifted hand.

  Sherry eyed him for a heartbeat.

  "Transferring possession of Union equipment requires written authorization and approval," she said flatly, quoting the Guide.

  The other Ranger sighed and opened his mouth to speak before her communicator crackled. Sherry lifted her hand, indicating for him to hold while the other touched her earpiece. With the excitement of the landing, she forgot that the line to Command was still open.

  "Just give him the damn ball, Sherry," Ranger Dave snapped with exasperation. "Then check on your partner and yourself," he continued more firmly.

  "Understood, sir. Over." she said, waiting for the Command to add anything more. When the line remained dead, she added, "Ranger Sherry out," before closing the connection with the Command call center.

  Dropping her hands, Sherry grabbed the PokéDevice Ball and silently dropped into Ranger Tom's outstretched hand. Stepping past him, she waited for the Pokémon Nurse to finish her assessment. Pulling free Staraptor's Poké Ball, she waited patiently.

  Behind her, she could hear the man collecting the stretcher as the Device Ball clicked. He moved around in her peripheral, hefting the pack left behind in his hands and looking at it curiously.

  The nurse was quick, focusing only on life-threatening wounds before meeting Sherry's eyes.

  "Please withdraw your Pokémon, Ranger," the nurse asked with a voice as soft as it was authoritative.

  Her partner rejected the professional's words with a chirp that cut short as he accidentally shifted his wing. His red eyes narrowed in her direction, pleading with her to keep him out.

  "Are his injuries life-threatening?" Sherry asked, worry creeping into her voice as she hesitated.

  "Not as of yet, but his pain will be eased by the Poké Ball's stasis effect and help prevent his injuries from worsening," the nurse answered before her voice hardened. "Please withdraw him."

  Recognizing the command for what it was, Sherry offered her partner a murmured apology before clicking his Poké Ball. The predatory bird shrieked, but did not otherwise fight the return.

  "Thank you, Nurse Joy," she said with a small bow in the woman's direction.

  While the woman did not appear to be a member of the Joy clan at first glance, there was a subtle shade of pink to her blonde hair.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Of course," she answered brightly, a smile decorating her face now that Staraptor was withdrawn. "Your partner seems to be suffering a broken wing, a torn ligament, and several muscle tears," she rattled off. "Would you like me to take him with the other Pokémon to the Pokémon Center?" the nurse asked with a slightly lifted eyebrow.

  Sherry met the woman's gaze flatly. They both knew what her answer was likely to be, as few Trainers were willingly to hand their Pokémon over to another unless absolutely necessary. Still, the nurse was present to rush the other Pokémon Sherry rescued to Pokémon Center, so it was sensible of her to offer to do the same for Staraptor.

  "I will go with you," Sherry allowed. "My other Pokémon needs to be looked over as well. We were out on patrol for nearly three days," she added by way of explanation.

  "Do you not need to be checked over?" Her eyes sharpened as she looked Sherry over.

  "I do not," she answered with a shake of her head.

  "Very well," the nurse said with a slight shrug.

  The Joy relation lead the way to the staircase located by the elevator. It was for emergencies only, leaving them to walk down several flights before they reached the ground floor. Tom filled the silence, telling her what she expected to hear.

  "Command's waiting for your report," he started. "When your partner's with the Center, they want you to make it in person and write one up later. They're mostly concerned about the possession you," he searched for the proper word, "Said over the radio."

  Tom eyed her, perhaps waiting for Sherry to say anything. When she did not, he continued.

  "They also want to know what a Houndoom pack was doing, hunting a human," he said. "Also, are we keeping this?" he asked as he hefted the wooden backpack. Sherry noticed that it was covered in silk and decorated with two bright pink flowers.

  Ones that bore a marked similarity to the one Staraptor gave to the Houndoom.

  "Yes," she answered shortly, "It belongs to the Trainer. For now, it will remain as evidence for the hunting investigation."

  Sherry paused as she felt Staraptor's ball shake slightly. Frowning, she patted the pocket containing her partner.

  "I'll take it for now and bring it to headquarters." she decided, taking the pack from the other Ranger.

  When they finally reached the lobby, Sherry requested that they wait while she spoke to the staff. After a short discussion with the front desk, she returned.

  "I told them to alert Ranger Command if there are any changes," she said to Tom. "They will likely want his side of the story as well once he wakes. For now, he's in emergency surgery for the next couple of hours."

  "Understood. I'll let Command know," he said, standing straighter and offering a small nod. "And Sherry," he added, nodding his head to the side with a flicker of his eyes.

  She looked up sharply at the secretive air he took on. She walked several feet away with him, leaving the Pokémon Nurse to stand alone impatiently.

  "Word is that the Commander is watching this closely," he said lowly, his eyes offering a hint of warning. "No one knows why, so just be careful."

  Sherry searched the other Ranger's face. It was strange that he offered her the information, taking her aside to do so. There was no need, as Nurse Joy would not care.

  "There is nothing more to be done," Sherry said slowly. "I followed regulation."

  "Yes, you did," Tom nodded. "Just passing on a head's up."

  Having said his piece, the man waved goodbye to Nurse Joy and strode ahead. Sherry returned to the other woman's side and together they walked to the Pokémon Center. While the hospital could offer basic care for Pokémon, Staraptor would need the attention of a specialist.

  They walked in relative silence, only discussing the traffic or observing some of the Pokémon passing through the city. With the Nurse at her side, Sherry took some time to inspect some of the wild Buizel and other Pokémon maintained by the city. While they were not captured or otherwise owned by a single Trainer, the wild Pokémon helped keep the area thriving and healthy.

  The sea weasels, in particular, were especially cared for as they helped rescue any wayward children that fell into the canal bisecting the city.

  "They're looking quite healthy," the nurse commented as they left the wild Pokémon behind. "The establishment of the reefs is giving them the nutrition and exercise they need."

  "Yes," Sherry responded. "Though the Union has been on alert for an increased aggression and rising population."

  "The Trainers are not looking to capture any?" Nurse Joy commented with an upraised brow.

  "Canalave City is of the opinion that a Trainer should find their starters outside of the city," Sherry explained.

  The Pokémon Nurse nodded in agreement, familiar with the rules of capturing Pokémon. Afterall, any unapproved captures would be noticed by the Pokémon Center when a Trainer showed up with a Pokémon bearing the city's mark.

  "As for the aggressive individuals, they are fiercely independent with a strong desire to hunt," she continued. "Command is reluctant to allow an inexperienced Trainer capture one. Do not let their friendly demeanor fool you, they are predators in the wild."

  "Oh, I'm aware," the other woman with a short, dismissive wave. "Many such Pokémon tend to resort to their primal instincts when visiting the Center."

  Sherry nodded and said little else until they arrived at the stereotypical red and white building. Like the surrounding structures, it was only a few stories tall, but large enough to fit the massive Pokémon that were treated by the Center's nurses.

  Nurse Joy escorted her through the glass doors and up to the front desk. After registering her Pokémon and transferring over the burned Trainer's own, Sherry stood decisive. While she wanted to wait for her partner to be treated and released back into her care, Ranger Tom informed her that the Command wanted her report directly.

  Her obedience to the chain of command won over and she strode out of the Center. Unfortunately, without Staraptor to carry her, it was going to be a long walk. While Union held a small office in the city, it was operated as a depot for citizens to request missions, acquire information, or otherwise contact the Union.

  Instead, the Ranger Base was a fortified establishment on the edge of the city. A small field kept it visible from the city, with the forest closing in on it from behind. The base sometimes cooperated with the Center to rehabilitate wild Pokémon, putting to use the surrounding land.

  Walking through the small pillars marking the end of the base's property, Sherry walked up to the sturdy doors. Inside, the building was largely utilitarian, with plants and pictures to help the space become more lively.

  The attendant on duty, a low ranking Ranger, looked up from reading a magazine. His eyes widened in alarm and he scrambled to sit up properly. The action nearly sent the Ranger to the floor before he recovered and sat upright.

  Stomping up to the desk, Sherry glared down at the man.

  "A Pokémon Ranger is to remain vigilant and watchful of their surroundings at all times," she quoted the Ranger Guide. "From the lowest rank to the most seasoned veteran, danger can come at any moment."

  The man tried to speak, but Sherry continued without pausing.

  "Your lack of diligence and perception regarding your surroundings is a failure, Ranger Phillip," she said, "One that can result in the injury of yourself or those you are meant to protect."

  "I understand, Ranger Sherry," he said with a sigh. Phillip put away the magazine and gestured to the siding steel door next to the counter. "Dave told me to let him know when you arrived."

  Sherry eyed him for another moment before passing without another comment. He buzzed her through as she approached, the noise harsh and loud. The metal door slid open smoothly, revealing the rooms beyond.

  The Base was meant to be fully self-sufficient, with a kitchen and sleeping rooms, all connected by a multipurpose living area. The furniture was mismatched, each acquired as funds allowed or as the need and desire rose for them. Past another desk, one unoccupied yet full of papers and reports waiting to be processed, was another door.

  "Ranger Sherry reporting for the post-Mission debrief," she said loudly. The door was not as firm as the others, leaving it easy for her voice to be heard from the other side.

  She heard a muffled call to enter and stepped through the door.

  The office was operated by the watch captain of the day, high ranking Rangers that took shifts to manage the area under the Commander.

  The same Commander who was occupying a chair off to the side.

  Despite the warning from Tom, she was surprised to see the older man present. Stiffening, she slammed her fist to her chest, sharply saluting him.

  "Commander Davis," she greeted him.

  The high ranking Ranger did not acknowledge her salute at first, studying her with an inscrutable expression. His clear blue eyes and sun touched skin gave the man a weathered appearance, but one that continued to endure. He noticed the pack in her hands, staring at it for a moment before moving on.

  Sherry refused to let her nerves show and held her salute, back straight and eyes staring at the wall.

  "At ease, Ranger," he said finally, turning his eyes to look at the watch captain. "This is your ship, Richard." Having said his piece, the Commander leaned back and made it clear that he had no intention of interfering.

  The captain cleared his throat, regaining her attention. A simple recorder was sitting on the desk, along with several reams of paper.

  Like her, Ranger Richard was dressed in black clothes with burnished red leathers, though of a more official variety. The ones Sherry was still wearing were geared towards Rangers on active patrols, where one needed to be protected from the cold winds, rough riding, or angry Pokémon.

  After waving for her to take a seat, Sherry refused the offer and remained standing. Richard suppressed a sigh and reached for the button on the recorder.

  "Watch Captain Alex Richard, with Ranger Commander Davis attending," he said formally before looking at Sherry directly. "Report, Ranger."

  "Ranger Sherry, reporting from a routine mission off-Route west and south of Canalave Command," she began for the record. "Conditions were largely normal, with a recorded early migration of Beautifly and Dustox. I made camp twice, in separate locations. The patrol was largely aerial in nature, landing to allow my Staraptor partner time to rest and to closer patrol the forest floor. It was on my third day of patrol that the incident occurred."

  "Please describe the incident," he said, an emotionless tilt to his voice. The words were rote, as he said them with every such report. Despite that, he looked more attentive, with a pen held at the ready.

  "Though I was not aware of it at the time, the local pack of Houndoom left their dens early to hunt. They howled to alert us and the wild Pokémon," Sherry frowned at the memory. It was the first indication that she should have investigated closer. "So as not to disturb them, Staraptor and I left the area. It was as we were flying away that Staraptor jerked in mid-air, signaling to me of an emergency."

  The captain opened his mouth to make a comment, but the Commander spoke first.

  "You said Staraptor signaled you?" he asked with a slight frown.

  "Yes, sir," she responded without shifting to look at him. "He raised his crest feathers, his usual method of signaling alarm."

  "And that's when you called it in?" Commander Davis said.

  "Yes, sir," she answered.

  "Hmph." he grunted quietly. "The old bird's always been perceptive."

  Ranger Richard waited for the Commander to speak again before looking back to Sherry.

  "Continue," he said with a wave, when Davis remained silent.

  "After I called in a general alert, Staraptor moved to engage. He used a Tailwind to speed our passage and flew towards the Houndoom hunting grounds." Sherry explained. "He started circling, hard, and I helped him search. I spotted the flames leading the Trainer first and pointed it out.

  "Staraptor dove and we landed in time to catch several Houndour surrounding the Trainer." Sherry unconsciously tightened her fist. Facing down a pack of Houndoom and their pups was not an experience she was wanting to relive. "The Houndoom pack leaders showed up shortly after, presenting themselves aggressively.

  "A matriarch moved forwards, and Staraptor met her. The two interacted before my partner moved behind me towards the Trainer. I was unable to see what he was doing, but a moment later a flower blew past me towards the Houndoom."

  Sherry took a moment to lift the wooden and silk pack in her hands. She avoided looking within it, knowing that there was a chance Command wanted to inspect it. If not, the handmade pack belonged to the Trainer and she had no authority to rummage through his belongings.

  "It looked similar to these," Sherry rotated the bag to present the two flowers clinging to the silk covering. "I am not sure why the Houndoom was hunting the teenager, but she handled the flower given to her very delicately."

  The two men leaned forward to look at the blooming plant closer. The flower's petals were a bright pink, holding their color well despite being plucked. Davis gestured for her to set the pack on the desk, moving his papers aside.

  "Was there any indication of ill intent on the kid's part?" Richard asked as he looked the flowers over. "A reason for the Houndoom to be hunting him? Besides these flowers that is," he added.

  "No, sir. The only thing of note with the pack was a young Houndour," she answered with a small shake of her head. "The pup looked sick and possibly injured."

  "What about his Pokémon?"

  "A Turtwig and a Beautifly. The Beautifly appeared largely uninjured, and I was unable to assess the Turtwig at the time."

  "Still," the Ranger muttered, "Why would a pack hunt a human?"

  His hand reached forward to pluck one of the flowers from the Trainer's pack. However, before he could touch the bright petals, the Commander's hand wrapped the other man's wrist.

  "Don’t touch it, Richard," he warned, before releasing the watch captain. "We don't know why the pack was so interested in these flowers and, until we do, it's best to not disturb them unless absolutely necessary."

  Commander Davis was staring at the flowers as well, though his expression gave away little of what he was thinking.

  Despite that, Sherry was of the feeling that Ranger was on guard. Against what, she was not sure. Nevertheless, there was an air of wariness around him.

  "Do you recognize them, sir?" Richard asked as moved away to make room for the higher ranked Ranger.

  "Possibly," he grunted. "Their shape reminds me of a Graciedia flower, only those are white. Not pink."

  "But what does a Houndoom want with a flower?" he asked in confusion. "Their species is primarily carnivorous, with a Fire-Typing that makes most medicinal herbs ineffective."

  "That, Richard, is the question that I would pay a gold nugget to learn," the Commander responded. "If the pack is starting to hunt humans, then we need to know why and fast."

  Opening the bag, he avoided disturbing the flowers as he emptied it. A variety of fruits, berries, and seeds rolled out on the table. Nothing looked to be impressive or unusual, leaving only the pink flowers.

  "Notice anything?" Commander Davis asked as he glanced between Sherry and Richard.

  Frowning they both inspected the contents of the pack closer yet there she was not seeing whatever the higher ranked Ranger was. The watch captain must not either, as he silently shook his head.

  "No Poké Balls," the Commander said simply.

  Sherry's eyes widened as the implication struck her.

  "You think he was a Poacher?" she asked with a scowl.

  "He's just a kid, there's no way he was poaching. At least not by himself." Richard protested.

  "I don't know what to think," Davis said to them with a shake of his head. "Was that the end of your report, Ranger?" he asked with hard stare.

  "No, sir," Sherry carefully blanked her face. "As I said over communications, I suspected the boy was suffering from possession, if not something similar."

  At her words, Richard stiffened and looked at her. His face was flat, but she could read the warning in his eyes.

  "He presented several of the characteristics that the Ranger Guide and Ghost-Type field manuals warned of," she said, looking straight ahead. "Shadowed eyes, no response to words and touch, and unaware of his surroundings." she recited.

  "Were there any other signs or indications?" Richard asked.

  At his words, Sherry hesitated. Before she could recover, Commander Davis spoke.

  "Don't worry about how it will sound, Ranger," he said. "Ghost-Types are odd, and not one many are equipped to handle. Trained or not."

  "There was just," she struggled to find the words. "Just a feeling," she said lamely. "Something was off, and he looked empty?" she offered with a glance to the Commander.

  The man's sharp blue eyes were appraising and he nodded lowly.

  "Richard," The man stood up straighter as the Commander looked at him. "I want a guard on the boy, and I want to know when he wakes up. Update me on his condition." Davis turned his eyes on her. "Sherry, get some rest. After that, I want you on watch over him in the hospital."

  Sherry resisted the urge to frown. A hospital guard was unusual, and would be filled with nothing but sitting in a room. A marked difference from her previous Mission."You'll be a familiar face, and we need to find out what he was doing out there and why a pack of Houndoom was so interested in hunting him."

  "Yes, sir," Sherry and Richard said as they saluted.

  The Commander nodded at them both and strode of the room. Davis dismissed her as well, shutting off the recorder and stuffing the pack's contents back inside.

  "Take this with you tomorrow," he said as he handed her the handcrafted bag. "Without any proof of poaching, we can't confiscate the Trainer's property."

  "Yes, sir," she said with a short nod.

  Turning around she passed through the door frame, pausing as she heard Ranger Richard call after her.

  "And Sherry, if you need time, take it," he said quietly.

  Staring at the distant wall, Sherry decided against responding and continued on to her quarters. The Union provided a small room for free, and she had no other reason to pay for space in the city. Pulling out her keys, she unlocked the door and set the pack on the small table just inside the door, careful not to crush the flowers.

  There was a large nest for Staraptor, though it was barely used. The bird preferred to roam and sleep where he wanted to. Behind the small couch was a large series of perches for her other Pokémon to hang from. Pink fibers clung to the false tree, making the room seem all that more dull by comparison.

  Sighing, she stripped off her outer leathers and sat down in front of her computer. One of the few luxuries she afforded herself, it contained digital manuals and guides, matching the worn ones that lined her bookcase.

  Opening the computer, she started to write her report. Afterwards, she moved to reading up on Houndoom hunting patterns, diet, and the damage their burns inflicted. If she was to be watching over the Trainer in the hospital, then it was best she familiarize herself with the nature of his injuries.

  Before she could start to research about Ghost-Types and the Union's records on possession, she found herself struggling to stay awake. Her eyes were long past bleary and she could barely focus on the screen in front of her. Giving in, she took a short shower and climbed into bed, falling asleep quickly.

  Sherry. Pokémon Ranger.

  Staraptor (Staraptor). Male. Bold. Growl. Tailwind. Whirlwind. Fly.

  Unknown (Unknown). [Pink Strands?]