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The radio or phone device attached to her belt buzzes with an incoming message. It's a request alert asking for assistance with the new taxi system. The incorporation of new technology had been good so far, but had, unfortunately, come its setbacks.[break][break]

One of them being that the weather in Hoenn was far more unpredictable than in Alola and Galar. The taxi service Pokemon were retiring quickly in the elements and often suffering minor injuries. As a result, the League was asking for ranger assistance from time to time to sub in for Pokemon unable to work.[break][break]

Stormy would be the first to answer this afternoon's request, and she'd arrive at the taxi station to find a vaguely familiar face in the crowd. Except the crowd was only one person, and she was fairly certain she had seen the man before with a bird of some kind.[break][break]

"Hey, sorry about the delay. The weather is just unpredictable today, we had to take the long way. Aren't you one of the newer ranger recruits? Haven't I seen you around before?"[break][break]

She slides off the back of her shiny Charizard, giving the dragon a solid pat before approaching Orion.[break][break]

"You aren't the one stranded here, are you? Don't you have your own flying-type Pokemon?"

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He stammers and she almost laughs, genuinely surprised and amused at how off-guard and confused he appears to be. She tilts her head to observe him while he works to defend himself.[break][break]

Stormy's suspicions are confirmed as he admits to his Honchkrow. Although she subtly nods, understanding his hesitation. The bird could likely carry just herself, but Orion seemed much taller and likely far heavier than her.[break][break]

That, and assuming an untrained Hydreigon would be safe enough to fly with was also probably not the best course of action.[break][break]

"Hmm.. I see. Well, I guess I'll be your taxi home then."[break][break]

Orion speaks her name aloud in almost a questioning tone and she raises an eyebrow, as if surprised he wouldn't immediately recognize her.[break][break]

"Yeah, Stormy. Pretty sure I've seen you around. C'mon, let's get going. The storm isn't going to relent anytime soon, so we should just head out as soon as possible. Wadjet is friendly, just don't squeeze too hard."[break][break]

At the mention of her name, the black Charizard shifts her weight and extends her wings a bit, puffing smoke from her nostrils. Stormy swings a leg over the side as she hoists herself up.[break][break]

"You coming?"

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Stormy's hand strokes the neck of her Charizard idly while she waits. When Orion finally picks his jaw up from admiring Wadjet, the Pokemon shifts her weight as he climbs aboard.[break][break]

Her skin is impossibly warm, completely nullifying the cold dampness of the rain.[break][break]

This storm reminds her vividly of her gym challenge against Alexei. This would be nothing in comparison to the relentlessness of that battle. At least out here she wouldn't have to avoid falling rocks and hailstorms made by Pokemon.[break][break]

Wadjet cranes her neck to observe the young man, thoroughly enjoying his compliments. Her warm breath tickles his face, eyes squinting closed.[break][break]

"She was a gift from Cait Alfric. When I received her she was a timid Charmeleon with the regular coloration. When she evolved, something must have happened because her skin turned black. She's healthy and strong, however, so I'm not concerned."[break][break]

With little warning other than the slow unfurl of her impossibly large wings, Wadjet walks toward the cliff to drop. It takes a moment to adjust to the added weight and they fall for a second before she catches the wind under her wings. [break][break]

And then they're flying, her wing strokes are powerful and rain pelts off of her skin and her passengers.

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For the most part, the flight is quiet. The rush of wind and rain past their ears is deafening but ultimately feels relaxing.[break][break]

Orion speaks prior to this, before the wind steals their voices and limits communication. Wadjet hadn't been the first Pokemon she had seen with a strange colouration. She had a young and blind Vulpix turn white in her care as well.[break][break]

Aside from the colour of her fur, however, the young fire fox was healthy, if blind from a prior trauma or genetic defect she had been found with.[break][break]

Thunder rumbles in the dark clouds overhead, and Stormy shifts her weight to sit back between Wadjets shoulders. Lightning splits the sky in the distance, but the humidity in the air seems to increase exponentially, causing her to feel tingly and uncomfortable.[break][break]

Wadjet rumbles nervously, tail lashing at the potential danger making itself abundantly clear in the air.

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Stormy shows no fear, not until the muscles of Wadjects shoulders grow tense and her voice rumbles in a low warning. Only then does she recognize and become aware of how dangerous of a turn the storm has become.[break][break]

Her heartbeat quickens in sync with Wadjets as another crack of lightning brightens the sky. It rattles them nearly to their core, the thunder loud as the lightning pierces the ground.[break][break]

Stormys breath comes in shallow pants as the rain drags her down. Wadjet is banking, automatically indicating her desire to land instead of continue.[break][break]

Stormy can hear Orion shouting over her shoulder and she shakes her head, hand pulling soaking wet hair aside so she can hear.[break][break]

"Wadjet is finding a place to land! Hold onto me!"[break][break]

She shouts back, hands holding tight to the reins of her Pokemon as they begin to drop from the sky.

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Despite the fear and the electricity in the air, despite how tense Wadjet is between her thighs and how tightly Orion's arms curl around her waist to hold on, Stormy's resolve is strong.[break][break]

Lightning continues to stream across the sky, narrowly avoiding the delicate wings of her mount. The charizard is breathing hard, her tail flame is not as blazingly bright as it had been. Anxiety has slowed her down.[break][break]

But then her feet hit the ground and, with a lurch and a groan, Wadjet comes to a halt. Her wings arch over her head before lowering to allow her passengers to climb down, but then she continues to pace and grow more agitated.[break][break]

Stormy gathers the beasts face in her hands, pulling the Pokemon aggressively down to eye level. [break][break]

"Wadjet, breathe. Slow down. We're safe, girl. Easy, easy. Relax."[break][break]

The Pokemon shudders violently, struggling against her trainers iron grasp. She does eventually come to a halt, slowing her breathing and blinking slowly as she collects herself.[break][break]

Stormy holds her hand against the Charizards cheek as she turns to face Orion.[break][break]

"My apologies for the emergency landing. I wasn't expecting the storm to move inland this fast."[break][break]

Shes also breathing hard.

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They've sought shelter beneath a particularly leafy tree - or it would be, had it not already dropped a fair amount of its leaves already. She can feel goosebumps spreading across her exposed skin as the cold bit into her. The wind and rain were nearly relentless other than in the shadow of Wadjet's body. The dragon was taking the brunt of the onslaught, her warmth dwindling with her exhaustion.[break][break]

Stormy follow's Orion's gaze as he looks up into the malicious clouds overhead. They continue to rumble and spark, their terrifying blight still wreaking havoc in the clouds. She shudders, mostly from the cold. Wadjet wraps her tail around the woman but she is promptly returned to her Pokeball to prevent her from getting sick.[break][break]

The young man's question is a reasonable one, but Stormy is unfortunate enough to not know how to respond.[break][break]

"I think we're almost there, but it's far too dangerous to travel much farther, even on foot."[break][break]

Even as she says this though, she can feel that anticipation growing in her limbs, that urge to keep moving. She's not the type to call for defeat, to throw in the towel.[break][break]

Her hand grazes Apollo's pokeball and she sighs.[break][break]

"I'm sure we're almost to Fortree, it's just too dark to see the damn trees."[break][break]

At the thought that Orion was the one putting either of them in any danger, Stormy calms the frustration that bubbles in her chest.[break][break]

"I am a ranger, and I was tasked with bringing you home safely. I intend to do that."[break][break]

Her red eyes are filled with determination as she meets his eyes. She hasn't given up yet. With a flick of her wrist, she releases a Rapidash and Arcanine.[break][break]

"Take Arcanine. It takes a lot for him to get really wet, he should be able to keep you warm. We're gonna sprint for it, just be careful."[break][break]

Anticipation builds in her chest as Apollo takes one look at how dangerous and wet it is and grows anxious with excitement. His hooves beat the soggy ground as he side-steps Stormy before she can get on.[break][break]

"Don't lose sight of me."[break][break]

Arcanine barks, as if challenging her like 'no, you don't lose me'.