The heat radiated like a physical force, waves of scorching air licking at the Rangers’ faces as they worked. The inferno devoured the Radio Tower with unrelenting ferocity, its flames a vivid orange and red, painting the night sky with chaos. Kaiy, stationed at ground control, was on edge. His job was vital but demanding: evacuating city Pokémon, ensuring civilians stayed clear, and holding the perimeter alongside the fire department. He wasn’t trained to combat fire directly—that task fell to others—but he kept his focus sharp.

  Three Rangers outfitted in specialized gear hurried to the scene. Their hardtop helmets reflected the raging firelight, and their breathing apparatus hissed softly as they moved. These were the best-trained individuals for such emergencies, working alongside the fire department to clear debris, maintain access routes, and ensure the safety of their comrades. Kaiy watched them work with a mix of admiration and frustration, his hands itching for more action, yet lacking the specialized training for it.

  Trainers and other civilians had been asked to stay back, but those with land-dwelling Water-type Pokémon stepped forward to lend their partners to the effort. Rangers equipped with advanced RangerGear quickly synced with the borrowed Pokémon, issuing commands with precision. A Feraligatr clamped a fallen steel beam with its powerful jaws. With a sharp twist of its neck, it hurled the obstacle aside, clearing a path for firefighters to advance. Behind it, a Wartortle, smaller but equally determined, darted between debris piles, dousing hotspots with expertly aimed Water Guns.

  Kaiy’s gaze shifted to the Commander, who stood in animated discussion with Eldric just beyond the fire line. The Commander’s Starmie spun like a living turbine, its crystalline core glowing as it whipped streams of water across the burning building. Two massive Blastoise anchored the effort, their dual cannons firing with astonishing precision. One unleashed a continuous jet of water, dousing flames that threatened to spread to nearby structures. The other fired in powerful bursts, aiming high into the Radio Tower, its water cutting through the flames like a blade. The pavement beneath it cracked slightly with each bracing push.

  The fire department’s Pokémon brigade was a sight to behold. A muscular Ludicolo danced into the fray, its Rain Dance summoning a localized downpour. Thick raindrops hissed as they struck the fire, momentarily reducing the intensity of the flames. A Kabutops weaved through the chaos, cutting through the smoke with Aqua Jet. It skidded to a halt beside a trapped firefighter, dropping off the supplies before darting away.

  Not all the Pokémon were on the offense. A group of Politoed, stationed with the evacuated employees, provided a stark contrast to the turmoil. The Frog Pokémon bounced around, using Rain Dance and Bubble Beam not just to help cool the area but to lighten the mood. Their antics brought weary smiles to the faces of the frightened evacuees in their care. One Politoed took its job a little too seriously, launching a comically overpowered Hydro Pump into the sky, sparking chuckles even from nearby Rangers.

  Meanwhile, Kaiy remained vigilant, his body tense with purpose as the fire swirled around him. He glanced at the panicked city Pokémon darting in every direction, their fear amplifying the disorder. It was his job to restore order, to guide them to safety.

  A frightened Growlithe clung desperately to his leg, trembling like a leaf. Its once bright orange coat was dulled by soot, and its wide, teary eyes pleaded for reassurance. Kaiy crouched down, resting a steady hand on Growlithe's head.

  “It’s okay, little one,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “I’m going to help you. Stay with me.”

  He glanced up and spotted a Jumpluff among the evacuated Pokémon nearby. “Jumpluff! Over here!” he called, waving his arm. The Jumpluff drifted over with agile movements, its spores glinting faintly in the firelight.

  Kaiy took his RangerGear, winding a gentle lasso around the Cottonweed Pokémon.

  “Can you help me calm this one down? Make sure it finds the others,” the Ranger instructed. The Jumpluff gave a determined nod, releasing a gentle burst of soothing spores that enveloped the Growlithe. The little Pokémon's trembling eased, and with a gentle nudge from Kaiy, it began to move toward safety.

  Near the street, a group of city Pokémon—Meowth, Spearow, and a particularly jittery Pichu—darted nervously in all directions, their instincts pushing them to flee from the chaos. One Meowth dashed into the middle of the street, nearly colliding with a speeding car. Kaiy winced as the vehicle swerved just in time.

  “Marshal!” Kaiy called out, spotting his partner helping Ludicolo clear debris near a hydrant. “We’ve got loose Pokémon in the streets. Can you help me round them up?”

  Marshal wiped a streak of soot from her cheek and nodded.

  “I’m on it!” She lassoed a perched wild Pidgeotto, who took in the scene from a small ledge.

  “Pidgeotto, use Tailwind to herd them that way!” she commanded, pointing to an open side street.

  The Pokémon glided over, wings glowing faintly as it whipped up a controlled gust of wind. The Meowth yowled as the breeze nudged it toward the side street, while the Pichu scampered after it, its spiky tail flicking nervously. The Spearow landed on nearby lampposts, cooing, stressed-out.

  Kaiy sprinted after them, his voice steady and calm. “Easy now, I’ve got you! Just this way, follow me.” He gestured to a small fenced-off park where Pomona had set up a temporary safe zone for city Pokémon.

  Marshal jogged alongside him, glancing up at Pidgeotto. “Keep that Spearow moving, Pidgeotto! We need to clear this street.”

  Pidgeotto responded with a sharp cry, flapping its wings to push the hesitant Spearow toward the park. The Tiny Bird Pokémon landed safely among the others, ruffling its feathers nervously but unharmed.

  Kaiy and Marshal barely had time to catch their breath when a loud explosion rocked the area. A transformer had burst on the upper levels of the tower, and the noise sent a wave of panic through the remaining Pokémon and people.

  A young girl with a Butterfree clung to the edge of the perimeter, her eyes wide with fear.

  “Butterfree! No, come back!” she cried as the Pokémon flitted into the chaos, its wings shimmering in the fiery glow.

  “I’ll get it!” Kaiy shouted, taking off before Marshal could respond.

  “Kaiy, wait!” she called after him, but he was already weaving through the crowd, his focus locked on the Butterfree. It danced above the flames, disoriented and terrified. The heat made it impossible to gain altitude, and its wings began to falter.

  Kaiy skidded to a stop beneath it and grabbed his RangerGear.

  “Butterfree, listen to me! You need to come down!” he said, his voice urgent but steady. The Pokémon hesitated, hovering in place as if trying to decide whether to trust him.

  From behind him, Marshal’s voice rang out.

  “Kaiy, incoming!” He turned just in time to see a Pelipper swoop down, its large beak open as it sprayed a fine mist of water around the Butterfree. The cooling effect seemed to snap the Pokémon out of its daze. It fluttered downward, landing in Kaiy’s outstretched arms.

  “Gotcha,” Kaiy said softly, cradling the Butterfree close. He jogged back toward the girl, who sobbed with relief as he returned to her partner.

  “Here you go. Make sure you stay clear of the fire, okay?”

  The girl nodded vigorously. “Thank you, thank you so much!”

  Marshal caught up to Kaiy, giving him a tired smile. “Pelipper is back on duty with its firefighting crew. I’m glad he could help out.” Marshal patted Kaiy’s back as he coughed, struggling to clear his throat.

  “I inhaled too much smoke when I got the Butterfree.”

  “You’re going to give me a heart attack one day, you know that?” They smiled at each other, knowing they made impactful changes during a time of dismay.

  By dawn, the inferno was no more. The price of victory was high—a ruined tower and a long night etched into the memory of Goldenrod City.

  Morning broke through the thick, spring clouds, a cool breeze brushing the charred remains of the structure. The city’s Pokémon, cautious at first, began to tentatively return to their routines. Kaiy scanned the thinning crowd for the girl with the Butterfree but saw no sign of her. Most likely, she was home, cradling her partner in the quiet peace of morning.

  Eldric, standing tall despite the exhaustion lining his features, called the Rangers still on the scene to gather. Seven Rangers assembled, their soot-streaked faces betraying fatigue but holding quiet pride. Eldric squared his shoulders and spoke with a blend of gratitude and resolve.

  “Rangers, last night, you stood firm when the city needed you most. Bertro,” he said, nodding toward a broad-shouldered Ranger who gave a weary grin, “you and your team worked seamlessly with the fire brigade. They’ve been singing your praises all morning.”

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  He turned to Kaiy, Marshal, and Pomona. “You three—your work clearing the streets and maintaining order didn’t just protect lives; it gave the people hope. That’s what we stand for: when darkness falls, we are here to light the way.”

  A murmur of agreement rippled through the group as Eldric’s words settled over them like a warm mantle. There were pats on backs, shared smiles, and the quiet camaraderie of a team that had faced the storm together. The moment of respite was brief. The sound of steady footsteps approached, sharp and deliberate against the damp pavement, cutting through the lingering haze of smoke.

  “Profound words, Chairholder,” came a voice from the edge of the group.

  Cobalt had arrived, his blue hair shimmering in the morning light. His cold, analytical tone cut through the warmth of the moment, drawing the group’s attention.

  “I need to speak with Kaiy and Marshal,” he said, his words clipped and direct.

  The group began to disperse, exchanging nods and handshakes with Eldric before heading off to rest or regroup. Cobalt stood in the background, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as Kaiy and Marshal approached.

  “You missed our appointment. I’ve got something for you,” he said, pulling a compact, sleek case from his side. He handed it to Kaiy with mechanical efficiency.

  Kaiy opened the case to reveal an updated version of the RangerGear. It was bulkier, yet streamlined, the design exuding a sense of power and reliability. As he turned it over in his hands, Cobalt launched into a detailed explanation, his voice devoid of emotion but brimming with precision.

  “This model is ready for field testing,” Cobalt began, tapping the device. “The trackers now have extended range and require significantly less battery power. The scanner has been upgraded as well—it should deliver more accurate readings, unlike your last attempt with the Graveler.”

  Kaiy winced slightly but let it slide, focusing on the new features as Cobalt continued.

  “The lasso has been reinforced. It should not fail when subduing… anomalous Pokémon. I’ve also improved the distress signal. Natural obstructions, like cave formations, won’t block it, and urban areas will amplify the signal.”

  Kaiy tried to interject, his curiosity overriding Cobalt’s precise rhythm. “About those anomalous Pokémon—are they really enraged? The glowing red eyes, the—”

  “They’re not enraged,” Cobalt interrupted, his tone sharp. “At least, not in the way you indicate. We’re still gathering data. And before you interrupt me again,” he added with a pointed glance, “a Graveler using Explosion without fainting is unprecedented. When you encounter similar cases, use the scanner. I need detailed reports.”

  Kaiy’s jaw tightened at the almost-command.

  “Cobalt, these Pokémon aren’t easy to handle. You can’t just—”

  “Exactly, Kaiy. I . That’s job,” Cobalt said, his words cool and cutting. “You’re the Ranger. You signed up for this—figure it out.”

  Kaiy stared at him, frustration flaring in his chest. He wanted to argue, to push back against Cobalt’s detached demeanor, but he couldn’t. Not completely. Cobalt was right—he was a Ranger, and this was his responsibility.

  Marshal stepped in, her tone lighter as she tried to defuse the tension.

  “Cobalt, while you’re working miracles on the Gear, the team’s been complaining about the boots. Any chance you could—”

  “Not my department,” Cobalt said dismissively, already turning to leave. “If you want better boots, take it up with the people on the floor.” He paused for a fraction of a second, glancing down at his own scuffed boots—pristine once, now marred by soot and ash. With a quiet exhale, he shook his head and kept walking.

  Kaiy watched him walk away, his emotions a tangled mix of irritation and begrudging respect.

  “That kid…” Kaiy muttered, shaking his head as he watched Cobalt disappear into the smoky distance.

  Marshal nudged him lightly. “Come on, Kaiy. We’ve got work to do.”

  Kaiy exhaled deeply, turning his focus back to the task at hand. “Yeah, let’s get to it.”

  A group of reporters sat in weary silence outside their favorite café, the once-bustling patio now eerily quiet. Their view was dominated by the charred remains of the Radio Tower. The air still carried a faint scent of smoke, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. A Pidgey hopped cautiously between the table legs, pecking at crumbs, while a curious Espurr perched on the lap of an older woman, its wide eyes fixed on the blackened structure.

  Kaiy and Marshal approached with purpose, Shade gliding silently behind them. The Decidueye moved like a shadow, its sharp eyes scanning the scene, lingering on the reporters and their Pokémon. Kaiy gave a slight nod to his partner, who perched quietly on a low wall nearby, tilting its head as though listening for secrets in the wind.

  “Excuse me,” Marshal began, her tone polite but commanding, “you’re reporters, right?”

  Some nodded, others simply stared at her with hollow, tear-rimmed eyes. A Natu cawed from a nearby lamppost, its head cocked as if eavesdropping on the exchange.

  “We were wondering if we could ask you a few questions,” Marshal continued.

  “Go ahead, dear,” the older woman said, her voice tired but accommodating. She gestured weakly toward the smoldering ruins with a hand weighed down by age and fatigue. “Not much else to do now.” The Espurr in her lap nuzzled her hand, its fur singed at the edges.

  Kaiy stepped forward, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. “We’re looking for the reporter who covered the Dark Cave interview yesterday.”

  A young man raised his hand slowly. His dark-rimmed glasses glinted in the dim morning sun. He wore a leather brown jacket over a faded green t-shirt, his cargo pants and scuffed boots betraying a restless, adventurous spirit. Despite the weariness etched into his features, he sat up straighter as he spoke.

  “That’d be me,” he said, his voice steady but tired. “Name’s Greg. What's up?”

  Kaiy’s eyes lit with energy. “Do you still have that footage?” The question was met with a pained, bitter laugh from the group. The older woman stroked her Espurr absently, her gaze distant. “It’s all gone,” she murmured.

  Greg let out a resigned sigh, adjusting his glasses. “The data center was the first to go up. Everything—notes, photos, footage—it’s all ash now. The investigation is still ongoing, but the fire’s origin points straight to the servers.”

  “Not is gone, Greg,” the older woman interjected, her tone sharp. She leaned forward, her Espurr hopping to the ground and padding away to chase the Pidgey. “There are backups.”

  Kaiy’s heart leapt, and Marshal exchanged a hopeful glance with him. “Backups?” Kaiy pressed, his voice quickening with renewed energy.

  “Yeah,” Greg admitted, scratching the back of his neck. “In Kalos. But…”

  “It’s no use,” another reporter cut in, a middle-aged man in a rumpled blue suit. His tie was loosened, and he swirled his cup of coffee absentmindedly. “We only backup reports every 24 hours. The Dark Cave piece didn’t make it into the last cycle.” His regret was palpable, a weight in his voice.

  Greg nodded in agreement, a faint grimace tugging at his lips. “It’s lost,” he said, lifting his coffee high so his Natu had a sip too, a strange sight to behold.

  Shade, who had been watching from his perch, shifted slightly, the feathers around his neck rustling faintly. His gaze locked on Greg, unblinking, as if the Decidueye sensed something unsaid.

  “So that’s it,” Marshal muttered, crossing her arms. “Back to square one.”

  Kaiy adjusted the straps of his backpack, its weight now balanced with a stash of Rage Candy Bars. As he double-checked his supplies, he noticed the standard-issue RangerGear still in his possession. With a sheepish grin, he tucked it away in his bag—he’d return it eventually. The new issue sat confident in his pocket.

  At the station’s deck, Marshal stood waiting, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp as always. “Heading back to Graisey?” she asked, offering a small smile.

  “Yeah,” Kaiy replied. “And you?”

  “Kalos,” she said, brushing stray hairs from her face. “If I have spare time, I’ll swing by the data center. You never know what might pop up.”

  Kaiy nodded, smiling hopefully. "Take care, Marshal,” he said, clasping her hand briefly.

  “Remember to get Talonflame checked by the Researcher,” her voice carried resolve. Kaiy smiled and nodded reassuringly.

  As he prepared to leave, his mind lingered on their leads: the man with the handlebar mustache driving the white van and the pictures of the hooded figure in his pack.

  With a sharp cry, Talonflame erupted from the Premier Ball. Kaiy adjusted his goggles against the morning sun, his determination clear in his expression. Together, they launched into the air, the wind carrying them back towards Violet City—and to Graisey.