Jaklo stood staring across the room at his desk. A big wooden one that had been there since the rangers started. He never felt quite right behind it. It was like a log had been placed on his lap. He had done some impressive things in his life to get here, but this wasn’t entirely where he wanted to be, but someone had to do it. Someone had to take charge since the Tyler retired. Jaklo shuffled some papers trying to find something that could get him refocused. Mostly it was just minor reports zigzagoon found by restaurant, skitty up a tree, angry basculin in river. Further investigation into the third showed it was literally a single basculin had nipped someone’s toes, and made them over react and freak out.
“I know I’m supposed to keep this town safe, but is a little trouble too much to ask? Take it back. little trouble sort of far away. Much better.”
There was a knock at the door which pushed it open. Jaklo almost never shut it fully wanted to seem more approachable. It was Alice; her presence alone bringing a smile back to him. She was casually dressed just jeans and a familiar hoodie.
“Uhm isn’t that mine?” Jaklo inquired standing up to greet her.
“Yes.” Alice replied and left it at that.
“So business or pleasure?” Jaklo joked putting the reports down.
“You really don’t help the rumor when you talk like that.”
“Oh what does it matter people talk anyways. It’s just their nature.”
Alice rolled her eyes, but still smiled endearingly.
“Ok so I assume work then.”
“Yeah. Invoices for gear. With spring just rolled around we’re looking at moving materials to better storm gear and water equipment.”
“That would explain why you already signed it.”
“Hey, I support what I believe in.”
“It’s fine. We could do with producing some better equipment for wet conditions. Any news from town?”
“The usuals. Mr. Nickly still is complaining about noise.”
“We’ve offered to move him. We can’t move the workshop. It’d put us back months on current projects. If he wasn’t the only one who is up in arms I might consider it, but no not just for him. No special treatment.”
“Alright. The library is hoping for it’s quarterly research donation.”
“Mhmm Mike and I have been putting together something on pokemon migration and how they’ve adapted since some places just aren’t safe to travel through. We’ll have it there within a week. Anything else?”
“No other things from town. Don’t forget you have an important meeting tonight.”
“Is the code really needed? You coming over for dinner isn’t worthy of secret codes.”
“Just because you are rarely professional doesn’t mean I can’t be.”
“I’ll see you at six.”
“Six. Ok I’ll let you get back to… well I doubt you were really working.”
“Guilty.” Jaklo admited.
Alice kissed his cheek before going back out. Jaklo pulled a pokeball off his belt. The red shell painted green save for one red line. Bouncing it off the floor caused it to send out a red ray of light and with it Yanso, Jaklo’s loyal Sceptile partner.
“Screaaaaaaa” Yanso yawned stretching.
“Morning buddy. I thought we might go out for an early lunch. Things are just too quiet around here.”
“Scep scept.” Yanso agreed nodding.
Jaklo went and opened the window and jumped out onto the roof. From there he lowered himself from the second floor down to the first. Yanso just jumped the whole distance to the ground. The duo started heading towards the commercial district. The town was busy today the new spring getting everyone out and active. With it being saturday all the kids were out as well running around playing with each other and various pokemon. People waved and greeted Jaklo as he went, and he just smiled back and nodded. There was a little place a couple blocks from the HQ that had his favorite burgers. Every saturday he’d go there no matter what. The place was basically a bar. Even after the world ended people still liked beer after all. It was also something they could make in large batches without too much to no machinery. Jaklo walked on in and sat down at the end of the bar with yanso next to him on a stump that had been put there a while ago for the lizard. Everyone already there greeted him and he half waved back.
“Hey Jaklo! It’s a bit early isn’t it? Barely eleven.” Chuck, the owner and chef, called spotting him from the kitchen behind the counter.
“Just a slow day I guess. You know what I’m here for.”
“Yep. So how’s life been otherwise?” Chuck carried on cooking even as he talked.
“Been alright. As a responsible trainer head things have been going very well. As a man bored out of his mind I’d kill for something to do.” Jaklo sighed shaking his head.
“Something will always turn up. I think the longest we’ve gone without something messing up is two weeks at most.” Chuck began talking louder over the sound of the grilling miltank patties.
“You know me, can get through any fight just fine, but waiting kills me.” Jaklo joked back getting a chuckle out of Chuck.
Soon enough a burger was served up with a cold cider. Jaklo paid Chuck and dug in immediately. At the same time Chuck got Yanso a big bowl of food which he snapped up.
Meanwhile blissfully unaware of Jaklo playing hooky Alice was walking around HQ delivering a few other pieces of news and such to people. She finally got back to her desk and reviewed current planned missions. The Rangers had to be ready for any sort of emergency, but also they organized certain groups to handle other situations. There were two main objectives planned for right now both rather simple likely only needing oak rangers maybe a couple bronze to handle them The first was to check up on a weather station that had been damaged during the winter, and second there was a plan to head up to historic sites at the north end of the park and check on them. Most artifacts were brought back to town and stored there now, but there were historic buildings that were preserved up there. A small group would maintain them, but last winter was rather harsh and they had to be picked up. It was about time to head back and Make sure all was well.
Alice stored the folders and sent a reminder of the trainer radios that there were spaces still open on those missions, and they would head out within the next two days. With that done she did some work for a while before pulling out a lunchbox and eating. She was half way through a thermos of soup when Jaklo came back and stopped at her desk.
“Just letting you know I’m going over to the training grounds if I’m needed. Got a call from Shale, so see ya later.”
“Alright. Don’t blow up the lab.”
“I don’t do it that much.” Jaklo replied halfway out the door.
Jaklo headed through town and across the gorge to area dedicated to the rangers. The center yard was six large battlefields for pokemon battling. Shale was there with a number of other rangers on bleachers..
“Alright so why a random exhibition match?”
“Because why not a random exhibition match?” Mike replied.
“Makes sense to me.”
“Three V three.” Shale decided.
Jaklo selected and sent out three of my pokemon: Yanso, Tex hid Lairon, and Baroness his Buizel. Meanwhile Mike picked Cliff his Aerodactyl, Nix his Kadabra, and Bort his Whismur.
“Alright then. I have to pick first. Go, Tex!”
“Nix take position.”
Both pokemon took the field and stood before their trainers.
“Count it down.” Jaklo called to the crowd.
“3...2...1...Battle!” They all cheered.
“Tex Iron Head!” I ordered, and my Lairon charged forward his forehead gleaming.
Nix blinked past Tex with teleport so Tex dug in to stop himself and turned around for another try. Tex was a stubborn beast always preferring to force his way even with Jaklo at times. Stout and sturdy he’d literally carry Jaklo to get him to do what he wanted. Tex continued trying to ram Nix, but the Kadabra was moving near instantly. A fault was clear though. Each time Nix teleported she was slower and slower more tired by the ability, but Tex had great endurance and just kept running until,
“Laiiirion!” Tex roared as he crashed into Nix knocking the kadabra to the ground.
“Damn, usually Nix wares her foes out first. Very impressive. Nix to the offensive.” Mike ordered.
Nix teleported one last time to get clear before Tex could attack again. Now on the opposite side of the field Nix raised her spoon and fired a pulsing wave of psychic energy at Tex who defiantly roared right up until it hit him. Jaklo’s lairon staggered his mind being assaulted rather than his armor. It clearly hurt, but he shrugged it off only more angry now. Tex went back to charging with no new orders from Jaklo. Nix attacked again with the same move, but Tex didn’t care anymore pain or not he was gonna take this kadabra down. He rammed right into the kadabra knocking the spoon from it’s hand, and now Jaklo made his move.
“Tex snack time!” Jaklo shouted.
Tex chomped down on the spoon eating the metal happily. Nix was astonished and left stunned.
“Crunch!” Jaklo followed up.
Spitting the spoon back out Tex crunched down on the Kadabra’s arm making it cry in pain before falling back surrendering. There was a round of applause from the crowd as Nix took his now spit covered spoon and went back to Mike. The Kadabra nursed her arm, and Mike doubled checked it for serious injury. Even in a friendly match there were risks.
“Everything good?” Jaklo asked.
“Yes, She’ll be fine. Probably best for her to go to the lab now though to get healed up.” MIke said and Nix headed off that way.
“Ok since everything is alright let’s carry on. Tex you can take a break. Baroness your turn.”
“Hmm do I send out Cliff despite him having the type weakness since he’s stronger or do I go with Bort who is about as strong but has no type disadvantage. Good questions. I’ll go with Bort.”
The whismer stepped out onto the field a tiny little thing even compared to baroness.
“Bort, uproar.” Mike commanded.
Bort whispered a little and then let out a terrible bunch of sounds that left everyone’s ears ringing. Baroness clasped her little ears and whined until the whismer was quiet.
“Ugh that’s just brutal. Baroness water gun.” Jaklo ordered still recovering from the sounds himself.
Baroness began to fire a blast of water at Bort hosing the little whismer. She slowly moved closer, making the pressure harder on the whismer, but was soon dropped to her knees by the whismer making another uproar. Bort screamed right at Baroness who writhed in pain. When it was over Baroness was barely standing and raised a fist to punch the whismer. Before impact it glowed blue and ice formed around the paw. The punch rolled Bort backwards, and he didn’t get up from there. Baroness at the same time gave up too dizzy and hurting to continue.
“Ok. so I have two and you have one left. Even then this is where it get’s interesting.” Jaklo said content with the match so far.
Both trainers checked over their pokemon and then continued when they seemed alright long term. Jaklo sent out Tex again and Mike resorted to Cliff. The two rock types stared each other down. Well Tex technically stared up as Cliff even while grounded was a big aerodactyl over six feet while on all fours. Both trainers issued orders and the pokemon engaged each other brawling with raw strength. It wasn’t long until Cliff gained an upper hand pinning Tex and using flamethrower on the helpless steel pokemon. Tex was withdrawn and the math was now down to one on one, but Yanso hadn’t fought yet while cliff had just dealt with Tex. Even that little bit showed.
“Yanso, let’s give these people a show!” Jaklo called as the Sceptile stepped onto the battlefield before roaring to hype up the crowd.
“Best not dissapoint them Cliff.” Mike said to his dear partner.
Both pokemon smiled to each other having long been friendly rivals just like their trainers. The trainers shouted,
“Yanso,”
“Cliff,”
“Leaf Blade,”
“Stone Edge,”
Both pokemon charged. Yanso’s arm blades extended out into fans of razors while Cliff’s claws elongated into jagged stones. The two clashed Yanso crossing arms to form a shield of leaves. Cliff pushed off him and took to the skies. Yanso skidded back glaring up with his yellow eyes. Cliff made wide sweeps at Yanso moving far too fast to be blocked, but Cliff wasn’t aiming very accurately so quick steps could evade him. Yanso kept to defense as Cliff circled above out of reach. So Cliff thought at least.
Yanso ran towards the stands dashing up them before leaping off into the air. He spread his leaf blades like wings and did a shuttle loop crashing into Cliff grabbing onto the aerodactyl. The two dropped crashing into the battlefield’s center creating a small crater. Yanso and Cliff wrestled before cliff threw yanso out of the crater.
“Yanso, sunny day.” Jaklo ordered.
Yanso’s yellow orbs glowed and the sun became blinding. Mike smirked before yelling,
“Cliff flamethrower now!”
“Solarbeam!” Jaklo screamed.
The two attacks clashed, but the concentrated solarbeam tore through the flamethrower. Cliff took the full attack and fell to the ground. The crowd cheered and clapped. Mike returned his pokemon and congratulated Jaklo.
“I suppose this is why you’re the trainer head and I’m the nerdy sidekick.” Mike joked still a bit disappointed in himself.
“One battle doesn’t mean anything. You’ve won plenty before.” Jaklo said.
“Well I have to get back to the lab. Want me to take your pokemon so they can get healed up.”
Yanso scoffed at the idea not wanting to look weak and walked off towards town.
“Yeah actually you can drop them off at the ranch after. They deserve some break time now.” Jaklo said handing over two pokeballs one silver and the other white.
Mike and Jaklo headed separate ways. Jaklo returned to his office and hoped today’s excitement wasn’t over.
“I know I’m supposed to keep this town safe, but is a little trouble too much to ask? Take it back. little trouble sort of far away. Much better.”
There was a knock at the door which pushed it open. Jaklo almost never shut it fully wanted to seem more approachable. It was Alice; her presence alone bringing a smile back to him. She was casually dressed just jeans and a familiar hoodie.
“Uhm isn’t that mine?” Jaklo inquired standing up to greet her.
“Yes.” Alice replied and left it at that.
“So business or pleasure?” Jaklo joked putting the reports down.
“You really don’t help the rumor when you talk like that.”
“Oh what does it matter people talk anyways. It’s just their nature.”
Alice rolled her eyes, but still smiled endearingly.
“Ok so I assume work then.”
“Yeah. Invoices for gear. With spring just rolled around we’re looking at moving materials to better storm gear and water equipment.”
“That would explain why you already signed it.”
“Hey, I support what I believe in.”
“It’s fine. We could do with producing some better equipment for wet conditions. Any news from town?”
“The usuals. Mr. Nickly still is complaining about noise.”
“We’ve offered to move him. We can’t move the workshop. It’d put us back months on current projects. If he wasn’t the only one who is up in arms I might consider it, but no not just for him. No special treatment.”
“Alright. The library is hoping for it’s quarterly research donation.”
“Mhmm Mike and I have been putting together something on pokemon migration and how they’ve adapted since some places just aren’t safe to travel through. We’ll have it there within a week. Anything else?”
“No other things from town. Don’t forget you have an important meeting tonight.”
“Is the code really needed? You coming over for dinner isn’t worthy of secret codes.”
“Just because you are rarely professional doesn’t mean I can’t be.”
“I’ll see you at six.”
“Six. Ok I’ll let you get back to… well I doubt you were really working.”
“Guilty.” Jaklo admited.
Alice kissed his cheek before going back out. Jaklo pulled a pokeball off his belt. The red shell painted green save for one red line. Bouncing it off the floor caused it to send out a red ray of light and with it Yanso, Jaklo’s loyal Sceptile partner.
“Screaaaaaaa” Yanso yawned stretching.
“Morning buddy. I thought we might go out for an early lunch. Things are just too quiet around here.”
“Scep scept.” Yanso agreed nodding.
Jaklo went and opened the window and jumped out onto the roof. From there he lowered himself from the second floor down to the first. Yanso just jumped the whole distance to the ground. The duo started heading towards the commercial district. The town was busy today the new spring getting everyone out and active. With it being saturday all the kids were out as well running around playing with each other and various pokemon. People waved and greeted Jaklo as he went, and he just smiled back and nodded. There was a little place a couple blocks from the HQ that had his favorite burgers. Every saturday he’d go there no matter what. The place was basically a bar. Even after the world ended people still liked beer after all. It was also something they could make in large batches without too much to no machinery. Jaklo walked on in and sat down at the end of the bar with yanso next to him on a stump that had been put there a while ago for the lizard. Everyone already there greeted him and he half waved back.
“Hey Jaklo! It’s a bit early isn’t it? Barely eleven.” Chuck, the owner and chef, called spotting him from the kitchen behind the counter.
“Just a slow day I guess. You know what I’m here for.”
“Yep. So how’s life been otherwise?” Chuck carried on cooking even as he talked.
“Been alright. As a responsible trainer head things have been going very well. As a man bored out of his mind I’d kill for something to do.” Jaklo sighed shaking his head.
“Something will always turn up. I think the longest we’ve gone without something messing up is two weeks at most.” Chuck began talking louder over the sound of the grilling miltank patties.
“You know me, can get through any fight just fine, but waiting kills me.” Jaklo joked back getting a chuckle out of Chuck.
Soon enough a burger was served up with a cold cider. Jaklo paid Chuck and dug in immediately. At the same time Chuck got Yanso a big bowl of food which he snapped up.
Meanwhile blissfully unaware of Jaklo playing hooky Alice was walking around HQ delivering a few other pieces of news and such to people. She finally got back to her desk and reviewed current planned missions. The Rangers had to be ready for any sort of emergency, but also they organized certain groups to handle other situations. There were two main objectives planned for right now both rather simple likely only needing oak rangers maybe a couple bronze to handle them The first was to check up on a weather station that had been damaged during the winter, and second there was a plan to head up to historic sites at the north end of the park and check on them. Most artifacts were brought back to town and stored there now, but there were historic buildings that were preserved up there. A small group would maintain them, but last winter was rather harsh and they had to be picked up. It was about time to head back and Make sure all was well.
Alice stored the folders and sent a reminder of the trainer radios that there were spaces still open on those missions, and they would head out within the next two days. With that done she did some work for a while before pulling out a lunchbox and eating. She was half way through a thermos of soup when Jaklo came back and stopped at her desk.
“Just letting you know I’m going over to the training grounds if I’m needed. Got a call from Shale, so see ya later.”
“Alright. Don’t blow up the lab.”
“I don’t do it that much.” Jaklo replied halfway out the door.
Jaklo headed through town and across the gorge to area dedicated to the rangers. The center yard was six large battlefields for pokemon battling. Shale was there with a number of other rangers on bleachers..
“Alright so why a random exhibition match?”
“Because why not a random exhibition match?” Mike replied.
“Makes sense to me.”
“Three V three.” Shale decided.
Jaklo selected and sent out three of my pokemon: Yanso, Tex hid Lairon, and Baroness his Buizel. Meanwhile Mike picked Cliff his Aerodactyl, Nix his Kadabra, and Bort his Whismur.
“Alright then. I have to pick first. Go, Tex!”
“Nix take position.”
Both pokemon took the field and stood before their trainers.
“Count it down.” Jaklo called to the crowd.
“3...2...1...Battle!” They all cheered.
“Tex Iron Head!” I ordered, and my Lairon charged forward his forehead gleaming.
Nix blinked past Tex with teleport so Tex dug in to stop himself and turned around for another try. Tex was a stubborn beast always preferring to force his way even with Jaklo at times. Stout and sturdy he’d literally carry Jaklo to get him to do what he wanted. Tex continued trying to ram Nix, but the Kadabra was moving near instantly. A fault was clear though. Each time Nix teleported she was slower and slower more tired by the ability, but Tex had great endurance and just kept running until,
“Laiiirion!” Tex roared as he crashed into Nix knocking the kadabra to the ground.
“Damn, usually Nix wares her foes out first. Very impressive. Nix to the offensive.” Mike ordered.
Nix teleported one last time to get clear before Tex could attack again. Now on the opposite side of the field Nix raised her spoon and fired a pulsing wave of psychic energy at Tex who defiantly roared right up until it hit him. Jaklo’s lairon staggered his mind being assaulted rather than his armor. It clearly hurt, but he shrugged it off only more angry now. Tex went back to charging with no new orders from Jaklo. Nix attacked again with the same move, but Tex didn’t care anymore pain or not he was gonna take this kadabra down. He rammed right into the kadabra knocking the spoon from it’s hand, and now Jaklo made his move.
“Tex snack time!” Jaklo shouted.
Tex chomped down on the spoon eating the metal happily. Nix was astonished and left stunned.
“Crunch!” Jaklo followed up.
Spitting the spoon back out Tex crunched down on the Kadabra’s arm making it cry in pain before falling back surrendering. There was a round of applause from the crowd as Nix took his now spit covered spoon and went back to Mike. The Kadabra nursed her arm, and Mike doubled checked it for serious injury. Even in a friendly match there were risks.
“Everything good?” Jaklo asked.
“Yes, She’ll be fine. Probably best for her to go to the lab now though to get healed up.” MIke said and Nix headed off that way.
“Ok since everything is alright let’s carry on. Tex you can take a break. Baroness your turn.”
“Hmm do I send out Cliff despite him having the type weakness since he’s stronger or do I go with Bort who is about as strong but has no type disadvantage. Good questions. I’ll go with Bort.”
The whismer stepped out onto the field a tiny little thing even compared to baroness.
“Bort, uproar.” Mike commanded.
Bort whispered a little and then let out a terrible bunch of sounds that left everyone’s ears ringing. Baroness clasped her little ears and whined until the whismer was quiet.
“Ugh that’s just brutal. Baroness water gun.” Jaklo ordered still recovering from the sounds himself.
Baroness began to fire a blast of water at Bort hosing the little whismer. She slowly moved closer, making the pressure harder on the whismer, but was soon dropped to her knees by the whismer making another uproar. Bort screamed right at Baroness who writhed in pain. When it was over Baroness was barely standing and raised a fist to punch the whismer. Before impact it glowed blue and ice formed around the paw. The punch rolled Bort backwards, and he didn’t get up from there. Baroness at the same time gave up too dizzy and hurting to continue.
“Ok. so I have two and you have one left. Even then this is where it get’s interesting.” Jaklo said content with the match so far.
Both trainers checked over their pokemon and then continued when they seemed alright long term. Jaklo sent out Tex again and Mike resorted to Cliff. The two rock types stared each other down. Well Tex technically stared up as Cliff even while grounded was a big aerodactyl over six feet while on all fours. Both trainers issued orders and the pokemon engaged each other brawling with raw strength. It wasn’t long until Cliff gained an upper hand pinning Tex and using flamethrower on the helpless steel pokemon. Tex was withdrawn and the math was now down to one on one, but Yanso hadn’t fought yet while cliff had just dealt with Tex. Even that little bit showed.
“Yanso, let’s give these people a show!” Jaklo called as the Sceptile stepped onto the battlefield before roaring to hype up the crowd.
“Best not dissapoint them Cliff.” Mike said to his dear partner.
Both pokemon smiled to each other having long been friendly rivals just like their trainers. The trainers shouted,
“Yanso,”
“Cliff,”
“Leaf Blade,”
“Stone Edge,”
Both pokemon charged. Yanso’s arm blades extended out into fans of razors while Cliff’s claws elongated into jagged stones. The two clashed Yanso crossing arms to form a shield of leaves. Cliff pushed off him and took to the skies. Yanso skidded back glaring up with his yellow eyes. Cliff made wide sweeps at Yanso moving far too fast to be blocked, but Cliff wasn’t aiming very accurately so quick steps could evade him. Yanso kept to defense as Cliff circled above out of reach. So Cliff thought at least.
Yanso ran towards the stands dashing up them before leaping off into the air. He spread his leaf blades like wings and did a shuttle loop crashing into Cliff grabbing onto the aerodactyl. The two dropped crashing into the battlefield’s center creating a small crater. Yanso and Cliff wrestled before cliff threw yanso out of the crater.
“Yanso, sunny day.” Jaklo ordered.
Yanso’s yellow orbs glowed and the sun became blinding. Mike smirked before yelling,
“Cliff flamethrower now!”
“Solarbeam!” Jaklo screamed.
The two attacks clashed, but the concentrated solarbeam tore through the flamethrower. Cliff took the full attack and fell to the ground. The crowd cheered and clapped. Mike returned his pokemon and congratulated Jaklo.
“I suppose this is why you’re the trainer head and I’m the nerdy sidekick.” Mike joked still a bit disappointed in himself.
“One battle doesn’t mean anything. You’ve won plenty before.” Jaklo said.
“Well I have to get back to the lab. Want me to take your pokemon so they can get healed up.”
Yanso scoffed at the idea not wanting to look weak and walked off towards town.
“Yeah actually you can drop them off at the ranch after. They deserve some break time now.” Jaklo said handing over two pokeballs one silver and the other white.
Mike and Jaklo headed separate ways. Jaklo returned to his office and hoped today’s excitement wasn’t over.