Under the shade of a sprawling Apricorn tree, Kaiy and Graisey stood on the open field of the farm. The gentle breeze carried the dried leaves of the Apricorn trees, adding to the atmosphere. Kaiy's Decidueye perched gracefully on a nearby fence post, its keen eyes observing the training session about to unfold.

"Alright, Graisey," Kaiy began, his voice calm yet encouraging. "Let's start with the basics. Battling isn't just about moves; it's about understanding your Pokémon and working together."

Graisey nodded eagerly, her gaze focused on Jolteon, who stood beside her with an attentive stance.

"Jolteon is fast and agile," Kaiy continued. "His speed can give you an advantage in battles. Start by practicing some basic commands. Jolteon, use Quick Attack!"

Jolteon dashed forward in a blur of speed, demonstrating its agility as it moved around an imaginary opponent.

"Good! Now, try using Thunder Wave," Kaiy instructed. "This move can paralyze opponents, slowing them down. It's useful for controlling the flow of battle."

Graisey concentrated, recalling Thunder Wave from her knowledge of Pokémon moves. "Jolteon, Thunder Wave!" A crackling wave of electricity emitted from Jolteon, demonstrating the move's effect as it crackled through the air.

"Excellent," Kaiy praised. "Now, let's practice strategy. Shade, come join us."

The Decidueye leaped down from its perch, landing gracefully next to Kaiy. Its eyes gleamed with readiness, awaiting Kaiy's next command.

"Shade is a Grass and Ghost type," Kaiy explained to Graisey. "It's good at combining both Special Attacks and Physical Attacks."

Graisey nodded, absorbing the information. "Got it."

"Jolteon, use Double Kick!" Graisey instructed.

Jolteon leaped forward, executing a series of rapid kicks with its hind legs, aiming towards his newly arrived opponent.

"Great move! You can use Jolteon's speed to outmaneuver your opponent! It is great you used Double Kick, that took me by surprise as I didn’t know you knew Jolteon could execute the move.”

Graisey smiled, showing the Pokédex she cleverly used.

“Good! Now, Shade, use Leaf Blade!" Kaiy commanded.

Decidueye's wing transformed into a sharp blade of leaves, slashing through the air with precision. Graisey flinched but moved slightly backwards, as did Jolteon who dodged the move.

"Great job," Kaiy said, smiling at the Pokémon’s careful moves. “I see you have empathy, and Jolteon felt it too. Now don't get too cocky, Jolteon is a skillful battler and therefore dodged the move on his own. With the right training and bonding experiences, your Pokémon might be able to feel what you feel. You got it in you, Graisey!”

Graisey beamed with gratitude.

“Trust in your Pokémon's abilities. They'll never let you down. Now, handle this move! Shade, Shadow Claw!”

But when the move would land, Shade stopped in his tracks and screeched. He beckoned Kaiy to follow him.

“What did you hear? Talonflame?” Shade screeched in confirmation. Something must have happened with the tracker. A baffled Graisey was left with Jolteon; was she supposed to follow him?

Inside, Graisey was removing the bandage from her feet, they had healed, when Kaiy returned to the living room. It was odd seeing him in full Ranger outfit. The red and white boots had seen some action, the long black pants had numerous pockets and were held up by a white belt. The pouch on the belt was filled, and Graisey counted six Pokéballs on the right side of it. So Kaiy has more Pokémon, she thought. Above the simple shirt, he wore a spring-themed Ranger jacket. On his head rested a pair of red goggles, they accentuated his dark blond spiky hair. Kaiy looked serious, not like anything she had seen from him yet. His partner, Shade the Decidueye, had an equally stern expression.

“I guess you have multiple outfits then?” Graisey asked, a bit lost in thought and confused at this moment.

“Yes.” Kaiy was a little distracted as he was adjusting his RangerGear to its wrist again. The device, a black and orange bracelet, now had a smaller version of his computer attached to it on the wrist. “When we met, I had my surveillance equipment. Light and swift for climbing and staying out of sight. But now, I wear my normal uniform. I don’t like it, but it's protocol when we speak to our superiors.”

“Marshal is here?”

“She is, Grandma,” Kaiy held up his wrist, “Talonflame’s tracker gave an odd signal, she wants to meet with me.”

“Wait, what should I do?” Kaiy was already holding the hallway door as he stopped in his tracks. He glanced at his grandparents. They were familiar with this situation and he saw their unwavering support.

“Stay here, Graisey. Pick up your Cyndaquil. I will be back soon, then we will make a plan.” He left with Decidueye.

Jolteon pushed his head under Graisey’s hand, grabbing her attention.

“Did he say ‘we will make a plan’?” Graisey asked the room as she saw everyone was surprised by what he said.

As she was a little lost in the moment, Graisey strolled around the farm while the elderly couple did their chores. Jolteon followed her around, be it from a distance. She mulled over her possible future.

I’m not a Ranger, I’m barely a Pokémon Trainer! Maybe I should have stayed in Olivine.

She heard a cry nearby and recognized the youngest Bulbasaur. His paw was stuck in a Diglett hole. Graisey smiled and plucked him like a flower out of the hole. The happy little grass-type smiled ear to ear at his savior, and when Graisey put him down again, he jolted to the other Bulbasaur. The evening sun left the stage slowly and took its daytime warmth with it. She felt a tremor in the ground. And another one. The Bulbasaur excitedly ran towards the barn. Graisey felt a spark of wonder and ran after them. The barn doors were wide open and a sweet aroma came from it. She heard chanting, were these the Bulbasaur? As she turned the corner, her mouth fell wide open.

In the middle of the room sat an enormous Pokémon, Venusaur. Grandpa was enjoying the scene in the barn, leaning on a windowsill from the outside in.

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The chanting continued when Graisey met grandpa’s eyes, he playfully looked up. A large hinging hatch let the evening sun in. Suddenly, yellow shiny orbs manifested and traveled towards the Pokémon. The grass-types caught the orbs with the extensions on their backs. Venusaur appeared to guide the light a little so all the Bulbasaur and Ivysaur alike got a share. Her enormous flower lit up more and more. It was as if Graisey was witnessing a magic show. Enchanted, she couldn't take her eyes off the spectacle. The Pokémon kept on singing in unison. Each with their own voice, creating a harmony, a family.

Graisey’s trance was cut short when her alarm went off, not disturbing the scene. She and Jolteon walked towards the gate where the transport awaited her.

I'm ready Cyndaquil, I am a Pokémon trainer!

With renewed purpose, she strode over the terrain, determined to be the very best.

Kaiy and his partner Shade walked into the busy town center. When he looked at the setting sun, the PokéCenter was visible from a distance.

“Kaiy! Hey Kaiy!” Marshal came jogging, wearing a RangerGear on her wrist as well. She wore her Officials suit; strong black boots, black cargo pants and a white shirt. The black vest was lined with red stripes and the shoulders were decorated with Ranger emblems. On her back, she wore a short dark blue cape, from her neck to just under her shoulders. As it was usual for Rangers, she had no PokéBalls on her red belt.

“Marshal, I’m glad to be seeing you. What information do you have?” Kaiy didn't even skip a beat.

She took Kaiy’s hand and placed a tracker on his palm. “This is the tracker Talonflame was wearing.”

“Great, and where is she?” Kaiy examined the tracker.

“We don't know.” Marshal had a worried look in her eyes.

“I don't understand, then how do you have this tracker?”

“It was delivered to us, it just sat in the mailbox. We were having a meeting in Goldenrod City and on the security camera, we saw a hooded figure depositing something.” Marshal crossed her arms and shifted her position. The worried expression had not left her face.

“That’s it? No note? No… nothing?” His superior nodded, deep in thought.

“We presume they know we were following them.”

Kaiy’s mind only lingered on Talonflame, where his friend was.

“We have no new leads on what is going on Kaiy, no more rumors, no Talonflame, no van sightings. The board agreed, we are dropping this lead and we give you permission to look for Talonflame. When you find her, we want…”

“I found her.” Kaiy pointed to the sky.

A Talonflame approached, fast, extremely fast.

“Why isn't she slowing down, she knows we are in a town.”

“I don't think she does.” Kaiy withdrew Shade and readied his RangerGear.

Talonflame cried loud and attacked without hesitation.

At the PokéCenter, Graisey nervously stood at the front desk, Jolteon at her side. Wiggling from side to side, Wigglytuff finally showed up, with Nurse Joy.

“Hello Graisey, the Doctor is awaiting you, follow us.” Overjoyed, she followed the pair, after handing in the RotomTablet. They were quickly met with Doctor Petal, her boots left a giant dirt trail both Kirlia and Chansey were cleaning.

“Hey there, girly, are you ready for this?” Her thick accent carried kindness.

Graisey nearly jumped in the air, kept to herself, and then responded, “Yes Doctor.”

As the Doctor opened the door, she saw her sleeping friend and indeed, he looked a lot better! His snout was not droopy anymore, a little smoke came from his flame spots and he looked content.

“Ya did great my Munna-punna, come back!” The Heal Ball and Munna connected with a red beam. Nurse Joy stepped forward and sprayed Awakening over Cyndaquil. Like clockwork he yawned and stretched his legs.

“Cyndaquil?” Graisey spoke in doubt, and Cyndaquil immediately turned in her direction.

“Cyndaquil!” And they jumped in each other’s arms, her Pokémon squealing. “Oh Cyndaquil, I'm so sorry I dragged you along sick.” They hugged intensely.

“I think Cyndaquil is really bound to you. In such a short period, that's remarkable! You must have made quite an impression.” Nurse Joy smiled at the hugging pair.

“Don’t blame yourself Graisey, you couldn’t know the dear lad was ill.” Graisey felt some relief when the Doctor said those words. “No, I think I should give a certain Professor a visit. Do you have the case file, Nurse?” Wigglytuff handed over the folder, and the Doctor left after a hearty goodbye.

“We do recommend taking Cyndaquil home in his Pokéball, and give him some exercise with long rest periods after. Also, here is some medicine.” Nurse Joy handed her a plastic bottle with a couple pills clattering inside. “Give him one in the morning and one before going to bed. When the bottle is empty, he is in full health again!”

“Thank you Nurse, what was it that he contracted?”

“Evergreen’s Disease. It is a virus discovered by Professor Evergreen in Goldenrod City. If you are ever in the big city, you may always visit her, we consulted her as well.”

“I will.” Graisey smiled with determination, then she grabbed her back and took out a brand new UltraBall. “Your Pokéball got lost Cyndaquil, how about a new one? Grandpa gave it to me as a ‘welcome home’ gift to you.” Her Pokémon cheered excitedly and when Graisey presented the new PokéBall, he pushed the button with his snout. The UltraBall clicked open and Cyndaquil was ported inside.

As they walked through the hall, she saw the RangerRoom where she had spent the night. What an odd start to her adventure. But now she wondered what would happen next.

Kaiy wanted to make a plan, what kind of plan?

“You daydream a lot, do you know Graisey?” Nurse Joy smiled, Graisey was shocked they had already made it to the front door. “I have to go now, duty calls! Good luck on your journey!”

“You too!” She said while leaving.

You too? What is wrong with you? Now they think you are a fool!

As she was beating herself up on the awkward social interaction, she saw the flames in the center of the town. Jolteon snarled, pins straight on his back.