Dawn was late for Sherry, as she liked to rise before it. Her morning was spent training, starting with a jog around the fields outside. There were more Pokémon awake than most people would expect, giving her plenty of company. Unlike humans, dawn and evening were the best time for many of the wild creatures.

  Bug- and Grass-Types were aplenty, along with a few Buneary leaping about to nibble on the plants that grew close to the base. The Rangers had to be careful with what they grew, as every Pokémon had a favored food, luring them towards the base and out of their natural habits. Worse still were the predators that followed.

  The early run also gave Sherry an opportunity to observe any changes or potential worries in the surrounding area. One such example was the Burmy nest she was nearing. They were forced to relocate the group, as the bugs were beginning to attract others of their kind and growing too numerous to be safe.

  Taking a short rest, she checked on the lone Pokémon that remained. The colorfully cloaked Burmy was stubborn, continuing to return to the base after several attempts to move him deeper into the forest.

  Despite herself, Sherry found that she was growing, if not fond, then sympathetic to the bug. Especially as she knew her Pokémon was the focus of his enamor. The bug was easy to spot, his city influenced cloak causing him to stick out amongst the trees.

  "Bur!" the Pokémon greeted her with a cry.

  "Morning to you," she nodded, her breathing heavy from the run. Wiping away the sweat, she apologized to the bug. "Unfortunately, Fibirosa is at the Center and not with me."

  "Urmy," the Burmy trilled sadly.

  Sherry smiled softly as she checked the Pokémon over for wounds. Fortunately, there were none to be found and she resumed her jog back to base.

  By the time she arrived back, the day was growing light and she moved her workout to the gym. With the expectation of a long watch spent in the rooms of the hospital, Sherry felt comfortable exerting herself more than usual. The gym was one of the few places she felt comfortable, with the metal clanking together as she powered through a series of exercises. At first, there was no one else present, though by the time she left a few Rangers made an appearance. She nodded cordially to them before showering and dressing for the day.

  Already aware of her assignment, she opted to wear the more official Ranger uniform instead of her field leathers. Like the watch captain's, hers was a pair of simple black underclothes with a red overcoat, made from toughened cloth. She was forced to use the iron to touch up some of the creases, as time in the closet resulted in a few wrinkles.

  Back in the common area, she was greeted as she started to make a simple breakfast of oats and juice.

  "Morning, Sherry," Timothy said, interrupted by a yawn cracking his jaw. "Heard you got in yesterday. And not without a bit of excitement," he said as he gave her a curious eye.

  "Night, Ranger Timothy," she greeted him back. The man was just getting off the night shift and finishing up his report at one of the room's computers. "Yes, there was Houndoom preying upon a Trainer. Staraptor and I performed a rescue operation, medically evacuating him to the hospital."

  The man grunted, typing on the keyboard for a minute before responding. While she waited, Sherry took the time to scoop a spoonful of grains into her mouth.

  "Yeah, they sent an update last night and this morning. Instructions were to send it straight to the boss," he commented.

  "I will look them over," she told him. "The Commander assigned me to guard the boy in the hospital."

  "Really?" he said with surprise, turning away from the screen to look at her. "Why? Thought it was a bit weird that the boss was interested, but no one's saying anything. Willing to share?" he added with a raised brow.

  "If the Commander or Watch Captain are not talking, then I should not either," Sherry said with a frown. "I will check with the captain."

  "No problem," he said easily with a shrug. "Simply curious."

  The man turned back the computer and finished his report. With a wave and a yawn, he left through the sliding door to ride back to the city. With a family, he joined other Rangers in living off-base, though he occasionally made use of the spare cots to spend the night if necessary.

  With him no longer occupying the computer, Sherry took a moment to bring up the reports from the hospital. The updates were simple, just a notification that the Trainer was out of surgery and still sedated. The lack of detail made her want to scowl, as whoever was assigned to guard her charge over the night offered only the barest information.

  Recognizing the futility, she washed and dried her dishes before putting them away. Knocking on the watch captain's door, she waited for the call to enter before opening the door.

  Inside, she was not surprised to see Ranger Kim sitting down. Like Timothy, the woman was just getting off the night shift. However, as a watch captain, turnover was more evolved than it was for lower ranked Rangers.

  "Sir, Ma'am," she said, greeting Richard first as he was the oncoming watch.

  "Ranger Sherry," Richard said. "We were expecting you."

  "Sir, I read the hospital's report." she stated by way of answering him. "It was lacking." Her flat tone gave the leading Ranger her opinion on the matter.

  "I'm aware," he sighed.

  "The Ranger we had said there was little else to add." Kim added with a shrug. "The kid's been dead to the world."

  "Still, the report included nothing on his vitals, condition, or expected recovery," Sherry wanted to sigh but refrained from doing so. "The Commander wants him to be interviewed as soon as possible," she reminded them.

  "Sherry," Richard began, "I trust that you'll be able to submit a proper report, one that I can forward to Davis," he said pleadingly.

  "Yes, sir," she said.

  "Sorry, Sherry," he sighed again. Rustling through the papers on his desk, he pulled out a folder and handed it to her. "This is the official report from last night. Though like you saw, it was bare bones," he sent a pointed look towards the other high-ranking Ranger.

  "Hey," she protested, raising her hands defensively. "I did what I could, but there was nothing else we could do. We have to wait for an official warrant to be granted his medical records."

  "What about readings on the Ghost-Type?" Sherry asked as she took the folder.

  "Troy said he couldn't find anything." Kim shook her head. "And apparently some of the night staff were pushing back, not wanting us to bring in a proper scanner. Said it could 'adversely affect the patients.'" she quoted with a roll of her eyes. "He still followed procedure and put up the warding tags"

  "And yet that was not in the report," Sherry grumbled. Shaking her head, she put the matter aside. "Was there anything else before I begin the mission, sir?" she asked the watch captain.

  "No, Ranger Sherry," Richard sat up straight. "As long as you are clear for duty, you're released. I'd advise bringing one of the field computers," he said. "I'll work on the warrant and have it sent to you."

  "Sir," Sherry saluted him with a fist against her chest before sharply spinning around and walking out of the office. She shut the door behind her, but it was still possible to hear Ranger Kim's words as she left.

  "Legends Beyond, is she always like that?" Sherry heard the woman ask.

  Not waiting to hear Richard's response, she checked out one of the field laptops and fetched the Trainer's pack from her room. The two flowers were still vibrant and blooming on the silk and wood frame. Returning to the common area, she strode the steel doors separating the quarters from the lobby. She nodded at the attendant at the desk as she continued outside.

  With the distance from the city and outlying towns, the buses did not make frequent trips out to the base. Typically only once or twice a day, unless there were enough people needing transportation. Usually, Rangers were able to ride their partners wherever they needed to go, as she would have done if Staraptor was with her.

  However, there were plenty of Rangers that did not have rideable Pokémon. As such, the Ranger's Station kept several bikes on-hand for individuals to use. Unlike the folding bikes used by civilians or Journeying Trainers, the Rangers' were of considerably more sturdy construction. Plenty of scratches and dents marred the surface of the burnished-orange steel, which she dutifully documented as she signed one out.

  The ride to the city was quick, far faster than if she had walked as she did last night. After passing through the residential districts, she neared the city and cycled towards the Pokémon Center. The warehouse sized building was brightly lit, as it always was, though busier than last time. The League season was set to begin, with Trainers having their Pokémon checked over and registered for battle.

  Sherry parked her bike outside, and presented an expressionless face to the Trainers looking at her curiously. She could already see several considering stopping her with others already moving to do so. Unfortunately, even though she was on mission, she was forced to endure questions from overeager Trainers.

  From tips for finding wild Pokémon to camping advice to questions about breeding, she answered most of them in a brusque manner that did not invite the conversation to continue. The latter caused her to look at the Trainer who asked about breeding closer, noting a few scars decorating his thin form.

  Not giving anything away, she deflected the question and memorized his profile for further investigation. If she was unable to find his Trainer Profile, then one of the Center's Nurses would be able to answer her questions regarding the young man. There were plenty of Trainers that wanted to seek a career in ranching or breeding, but there were far more who thought selling a Pokémon egg as simply a path to riches

  "Welcome to the Pokémon Center, Ranger, how may I help you," the registration nurse bowed towards Sherry as she finally broke free of the various questions. Unlike the one from last night, the man bore little resemblance to the Joy clan. The badge confirmed it for her, identifying him as P.N. Corey.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  "Nurse Corey," she greeted with a tilt of her head. "I'm here to pick up my Ranger partner and Pokémon. Also, I brought in two other Pokémon as well, a Turtwig and Beautifly, that I need information on." she rattled off as she presented her badge.

  "Certainly," he said brightly, taking her badge and typing on his computer. Reading the display for a moment, she saw him wince before turning back to her.

  "Unfortunately, your Staraptor has several severe injuries, and been limited to non-flying activities. A Nurse will come out to discuss with you recovery for your Pokémon and speak to you about the other two." he said apologetically. "As for your Wormadam, the Nurse advised some oiling might be necessary. Other than that, she is in perfect health."

  "Thank you," Sherry nodded. "We had an emergency flight into the city last night, and Staraptor had to push himself to make it," she said by way of explanation. With Nurse Joy present last night for the landing, word was likely circulating the Center. Fortunately, the nurses of the Pokémon Center tended to be strict with who they gossiped to.

  "Ah, I heard there was some excitement last night," he said with a nod. "If you take a seat…" The man's words trailed off as he looked over her shoulder, a frown pulling at his mouth.

  Sherry turned and followed his gaze, feeling distaste sour her mouth as she spotted the reporters he was looking at. Several were furiously taking pictures or setting up cameras outside, already taking notes or speaking into microphones. Still new to working in the city, Sherry was uncomfortable with how the reporters managed to claw their way into stories to publish. The Safari Zone was far more restrictive with information, and reporters knew better than to push the Rangers working there.

  "You should speak to them," Nurse Corey advised quietly. "Everyone saw the emergency flight, and they're all wondering what it was for," he continued. "Some of the Trainers are nervous, and I've had more than one parent inquire as to the safety of their children this season."

  Sherry met the man's eyes. They were steadfast, and she found herself agreeing with him. After the events of Team Galactic and their destruction, the region was still on edge, even years later.

  "You are right," she sighed.

  "I can call you back whenever you need," he offered.

  "No, they deserve to be heard," she told him. "Please hold this behind the counter for me," she said, offering him the Trainer pack she was carrying. He took it quickly and placed it behind the desk.

  Matching words with action, she strode towards the Center's glass doors. Trainers hurriedly moved aside as she made her intention known. Likewise, the reporters moved frantically to finish setting up, those speaking into their microphones glancing back with wide eyes.

  Several held out microphones and started shouting questions before the doors were even open. She ignored them all, moving to the side to stay clear of the entryway. Most of them did not take the hint, at least not until she answered one woman who was quick to follow her.

  "Ranger, Ranger!" she called out urgently. "Last night you landed at the Canalave Regional Hospital after clearing the skies. Can you tell us anything about the situation?" she rushed to say before others could start.

  Sherry met the woman's gaze evenly, placing her arms behind her back.

  "That is correct. Last night, at approximately 1800 hours, I made an emergency medical flight to Canalave Hospital. A young man was in critical condition and unable to be teleported for reasons that I cannot discuss at this time."

  "Ranger! How was the Trainer injured!" a rude reporter shouted as he pushed his way forwards.

  "As I said, I cannot discuss details about the Trainer or his condition at this time," she told him with a frown.

  "But-" he started to respond before someone else shoved him aside and spoke louder.

  "Ranger, could this affect this League season or endanger other Trainers?" she practically shouted to drown out the man next to her.

  He scowled in response and fingered the Poké Ball at his side. Sherry stared him down as she caught the motion, alerting the others. Everyone waited to see if he would challenge the woman to a battle, but he backed down quickly under the weight of their gazes.

  A challenge would interrupt their chance to interview her, a Ranger involved in an emergency situation. Yet at the same time, backing down placed a mark on his reputation and signaled to others that he could be stepped over.

  The moment passed and Sherry answered the woman's question.

  "There is no to danger Trainers and we do not anticipate this incident affecting the season," she said firmly. "This Trainer was rescued deep off-Route, where no other Trainers are freely permitted to travel."

  "What was the Trainer doing?" someone else asked.

  "As I said," she repeated, emphasizing her words. "I cannot speak to the details at this time." She stared the reporters down, meeting their eyes.

  Most stood down, but one met her eyes evenly. Unlike the fervent or pressing stares of the others, the woman-the one who roughly shoved aside the reporter earlier, Sherry noted-was calm and intent.

  Seemingly encouraged by their locking of eyes, she stepped forward and asked another question. A rather unexpected one.

  "Ranger, did you notice anything strange while on your patrol? Unusual migration patterns or unexpected Pokémon?" she pressed.

  Sherry stiffened, surprised at the perceptive question. She looked at the woman closer, searching for some form of identification or logo to denote her affiliation. Oddly, the reporter was rather plainly dressed, with little to make her stand out.

  Noticing Sherry's unspoken request for more information, she smiled and held out a small card.

  "Iva Sharp, investigative journalist for the PokéWorld Times," she said by way of introduction.

  At her words, the other reports jerked and snapped their heads to stare at the woman, Iva Sharp, in shock. Oddly enough, the man who stepped aside looked relieved at a seemingly famed reporter pushing him around instead of a local. Sherry simply lifted her eyebrow, not recognizing the name. Taking the proffered card, she was not surprised to see that it was as bland as the woman before her.

  Unsure of what the journalist was probing for, Sherry decided to answer the question.

  "I documented an early spawning of Beautifly and Dustox, along with movements of several known Dark- and Ghost-Types in the area." she said. "As always, the reports will be made available to League personnel and affected parties."

  "Thank you, Ranger," Sharp said politely. "Is there any indication as to what caused the early migration of the Wurmple evolutionary line, or the events of the last Lunar Festival."

  By now, the other reporters were silent and allowed Iva Sharp to speak uncontested. They were listening intently, likely sensing the chance for a breaking story, though even Sherry could see that they were confused by the line of questioning.

  "The Ranger Union is working closely with the League and Gym Leader Byron to ascertain what caused the events of the festival. I cannot speak to the investigation."

  "Thank you, Ranger, for your time," Sharp nodded, nearly a bow, before standing up and walking away. The other reporters shifted aside for her and muttered to themselves, seeming to forget Sherry's presence.

  Taking their lack of attention as the end of the sudden press conference, Sherry turned and walked back into the Center. Nurse Corey was speaking with a familiar nurse, but waved her forward when he saw her enter. As she neared the desk, Nurse Joy from the night before greeted her.

  "Ranger Sherry," she smiled, "If you'll follow me, I'll speak to you about your Staraptor and the two Pokémon you brought in last night."

  "Thank you," Sherry said as the Pokémon Nurse led her past the large metal doors that separated the lobby from the greater Pokémon Center, grabbing the pack from the desk attendant with a passing thanks.

  Once they were through, Nurse Joy began to speak.

  "Your Wormadam is in great condition, though I would recommend a slight brushing of oil to keep her metal bush from rusting," she started. "Otherwise, she is exceptionally healthy. Not that I would expect any less from a Ranger of your standing." The nurse side eyed Sherry before continuing.

  "As for your partner," Nurse Joy sighed, "I'm afraid his recovery will be more difficult. Especially considering his age and attitude," she added wryly. With the last word Nurse Joy turned to face her with a raised brow.

  "He is," Sherry searched for the word to describe her partner, "Confident," she finished.

  "That he certainly is," the nurse chuckled. "He's quite insistent on being able to fly."

  "It is one of his favorite activities," Sherry said seriously.

  "Yes, well those activities must now be curtailed," Nurse Joy replied just as seriously, dropping the playful tone and expression. "Staraptor suffered several fractures in his left wing, along with muscle tears throughout his body. His right wing was pulled out of the joint, saving it from the fractures that the other suffered."

  Sherry stuttered to a halt as the Pokémon Nurse listed her partner's various injuries. While she knew the old bird was likely to be hurt from their speedy flight, she did not think the wounds would be quite so severe. Staring down the cold white hallway, she considered how she could have done things differently. Not push her partner to fly so hard, spend more time working on first aid, try for the teleport instead of simply denying it.

  "Hey," a soft voice interrupted Sherry's thoughts, along with a hand on her shoulder.

  She looked to see the nurse's concerned eyes watching her.

  "It's ok. You did good yesterday. If it wasn't for you, and your partner, then that kid might not have made it," the Joy observed, her eyes serious and slightly detached. "I'm not berating you or condemning your actions, merely informing you as to your partner's condition."

  Sherry considered the Pokémon Nurse for a heartbeat.

  "Thank you," she said with a low bow.

  "Of course," Nurse Joy responded. "It is quite literally my job," she added dryly, her humor and upbeat personality returning.

  The rest of the walk to Staraptor's room continued in silence. They passed rooms containing various Pokémon, equipment altering the room to make the spaces more habitable to the recovering creatures. While they continued to heal in Poké Balls, the stasis effect slowed the process considerably.

  Her partner's room was modeled after a tree, with various sized branches to accommodate different bird Pokémon that might use it. The natural environment made them far more comfortable, with a proper gripping for their taloned feet.

  Stepping into the room with Staraptor, she was greeted by a disgruntled chirp as she set the pack down by the door. The bird tried to ruffle with wings, but the cloth strap holding them in place kept him from doing so. Sherry could see his disgust with the current situation.

  "Staraptor," she greeted as she walked up to the bird. "How are you feeling?"

  "Star," the bird practically growled, his desire to leave clear.

  "You will have to listen to the Nurses, unless you want to return," Sherry told him.

  "Tor!" he shrieked, puffing his crest.

  "Easy," she chided, seeing the Nurse wince from the piercing cry.

  "Raptor," he grumbled quietly with another attempted ruffle of his feathers.

  Satisfied that her Pokémon partner was doing well, she turned back to the nurse.

  "And my other Pokémon?" she asked.

  In response, the woman gestured to a small alcove formed by the branches in the corner of the room.

  Inspecting the area, Sherry was met with a quiet scraping of steel as one of her original Pokémon shifted towards her. Smiling, she climbed over the strong wood and walked up towards the pink bug. Sherry caressed the vibrant ribbons protruding from the metal cloak that shielded the Wormadam's main body. A long antennae supported the steel bug as it hung freely from one of the false branches.

  "Hello, girl," she murmured quietly. "You feeling alright?"

  "Wor," her oldest partner cooed.

  "Yes, quite the excitement," she agreed with a faded smile. "I'm sorry you weren't able to help."

  "Dam," The pink ribbons curled around her hand and up one of Sherry's arms. "Orma."

  "Interesting is one way of putting it," Sherry said mildly. "We'll be seeing more of it, one way or another. The Commander wants us on watch while he recovers."

  "Worma," the Pokémon chirped, bouncing as she flexed her antennae. "Madam."

  "I heard it straight from Commander Davis," Sherry refuted, recognizing her Pokémon's worry over their trend of simple, repetitive missions. "And he's serious about the posting."

  Fibirosa did not respond and Sherry scratched the Pokémon for several more minutes, unmindful of the steel cloak protecting her. When the bug had enough, she chirped lightly at Sherry to be recalled, prodding at her hand with a sharp beak. Sherry did so with a grin, having collected the Poké Ball from the nurse.

  Returning to Staraptor, she listened patiently as the Nurse Joy rattled off the care instructions for her partner to follow. There would have to be several check-ups as well, along with a final to determine if he was fit for duty. Fortunately, with a Pokémon's natural healing and the Center's ministrations, the bird would be flying in no time.

  He took the Nurse's instructions with a quiet huff, subdued by the glare of the Joy clan member. She was likely used to far more insubordinate Pokémon, and knew how to deal with the old bird. Sherry's lips twitched as she observed the staring contest before she regained control of herself.

  Staraptor gave in with a twitch of his head, allowing Sherry to return him.

  "You're certainly going to have a tough time with that one," Nurse Joy sighed, her shoulders relaxing as she no longer had to glare down a predatory bird.

  "He will follow your instructions," Sherry reassured her. "He simply has to make his opinion known, often with gusto."

  The Nurse squinted at Sherry who merely stared back evenly. Snorting, she let the moment pass without comment.

  "You also said you wanted to hear about the other Pokémon you brought in?" the Joy asked. After Sherry gave a short nod of confirmation, she continued. "In that case, follow me."

  With that, the Nurse led Sherry out of the room and began talking about the Turtwig and Beautifly she found with the attacked Trainer.

  Sherry. Pokémon Ranger.

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

  Fibirosa (Wormadam. Trash Cloak).