Jill of the Jungle

Meeting Shalin Nariya

"Miss Shalin Nariya?" A voice called out to her.

A young man marched out of Fortree's west exit and approached Shalin, decked out in military uniform. His expression belied his curiosity briefly as he noted her large Beedrill, though it was swiftly squashed back to stoic professionalism.

"Captain John Sullivan, Military." He introduced himself in a clipped tone, holding out his hand to the not-quite-ranger. "'pologies for my delay- 'tis a pleasure to work with'cha, however briefly."

When the request first came, he had been seconds away from off-handedly delegating the task to one of his soldiers.

Generally, he left Ranger work to Rangers and kept laser focus on his Officer duties. But he couldn't- wouldn't turn down a request to help rescue children. Kids were the only innocent thing in the godforsaken island that was Hoenn.

So here he was.

Producing a netball from his jacket, the youth released an Orbeetle onto the field, the hovering bug's glowing blue eyes darting around briefly before it reached out to their surroundings with its senses.

"Garo 'ere will be helpin' me move 'round." He said, to which the Orbeetle's eyes flashed. The youth was briefly outlined by a magenta glow, his body rising a few centimetres off the ground. "Like so."

"Let's go."

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TAG: @

"That's me!" Shalin answered, "wildest Pokémon rider this side of Hoenn!" She was thoroughly impressed when the captain marched up to her and fearlessly stood alongside the Queen Beedrill. When he introduced himself as military and offered a swift handshake, which she was prompt to accept, it made sense; these people, especially high-ranking officials, were trained to be completely fearless. When the youth released an Orbeetle into the field, she smiled. "A fellow bug-type lover, I see!" While Shalin wasn't exactly a bug-type lover, some of the most unusual ride Pokémon she had were bug Pokémon.

The longer she spent around the young man, the more she was impressed with him and his Pokémon. "I've never seen a Pokémon that's both a bug-type and a psychic-type before!" He looked serious, as expected of a military captain. When it was obvious to her that he was not interested in small talk, she procured her set of earplugs. "I've actually been to the place the coordinates depict before. It's called the Braviary's Nest, and it's one of those places Rangers try to discourage people from going. I think the warnings are overblown myself, but you absolutely have to have something really agile in the air to get there."

"You're right, let's not keep them waiting any longer. Let's fly!" She put her earplugs in and held Queen Zing's reins. Her skin tingled as the giant wasp's wings got up to speed, lifting the two into the air with a loud and menacing buzz.

Jill of the Jungle

Meeting Shalin Nariya

"Wildest, Pokemon... rider?" He echoed briefly, lightly tilting his head while trying to maintain his stoic expression.

Obviously, people rode pokemon. But... everyone had pokemon as well, but that didn't mean everyone was a Pokemon Trainer.

"Do you perhaps mean... a racer?" He asked curiously. Despite the impression he was trying to give, he rarely could keep his curiosity in check once it was piqued at.

Once the topic of insect pokemon inevitably emerged, the youth couldn't help the small grin that tugged at his lips, nodding slightly.

"You could say that." He said with a barely controlled smile. "I've been a bugcatcher for as long as I can remember."

He liked to think he was Hoenn's most renown bug-type specialist— but saying that out loud would've felt a little... too vainglorious.

"Never seen an Orbeetle? Well, that makes sense. They are rare on this side o' the globe." He said when she expressed her surprise, rubbing Garo's head gently. "Long way away from their home region."

"Braviary's Nest...? Doesn't sound familiar." He said, nodding the 'rider's way as he and Garo swiftly followed after her and her massive Beedrill. "Dunno 'bout Agile, but I think Garo should be able to handle it. Thanks for the heads up!"

He was still curious about it... but questions could wait until after their job was done. He wasn't sure they could chatter with the plugs in her ears anyway.

---

TAG: @

Shalin was less a bug-type trainer and more one of very unusual ride Pokémon. "Not exactly," she smiled back. "I just like Pokémon you have to be really brave to get on. Like Queen Zing here! It just so happens that there aren't many people brave enough to hop on bug Pokémon. Oh, they're on the other side of the world?" she asked the Captain. "That would explain why. They're really cool. I really should head out beyond borders when I can. Never been to Alola, nor Galar, nor Paldea. Maybe one day soon..."

The two airborne, Shalin and her noisy Beedrill led the way northwest to the Braviary's Nest, where she had procured the Gale Medallion and discovered the Birdfather's ancient lineage. Now, though, she was there to find a lost girl. The closer they got, the more wild flying-type Pokémon the two would have to deal with. While the titular Braviary were around, there were other birds that made their nests in the rugged crags, spires, and other obtuse rock formations that made the avian fortress unassailable in the before times.

Cloud cover surrounded the main spire's peak, but there were plenty of alcoves to search nearby. Any one of them could be hiding the victim to be rescued. Shalin set her Beedrill's reins down and cupped her hands outward. While it wasn't the best way to communicate while airborne, she was trying to signal for the two to split up and head different directions around the steep cliff face: one of them clockwise, and one of them counterclockwise. Wild bird Pokémon still remained a threat.

Jill of the Jungle

Meeting Shalin Nariya

Well, she did call herself a pokemon rider first.

"True. Few people would ride a bug— Most ain't comfortable with even touchin'em." He said, well acquainted with people's reluctance when it came to his preferred type. "Yeah; Galar. Though they've spread through Hoenn since the embargo was lifted."

Not enough to become a common sight, though.

"Travelin' can be a nice experience." He said. "They say it broadens yer horizons, but whatever. Sometimes, It's just nice to get away from the chaos back home for a while."

Speaking became difficult once airborne, whipping winds and heavy buzzing dissuading any conversation as the entered into Braviary territory.

As they reached a steep cliff face, his companion and guide gestured for them to split. He tilted his head, before glancing over at Garo.

He slapped his forehead. Right— she didn't know about Orbeetle, so she wouldn't know about its abilities! He should have explained instead of ratting off about regions!

He crossed his arms in front of himself in an X, shaking his head before pointing at Garo.

And then he remembered Garo was a telepath. He slapped his forehead again.

He nodded at the Orbeetle before pointing over Shalin, prompting the bug to shift its gaze directly towards the rider.

His eyes gleamed blue, before one of its limbs rose to point at itself.

'RADAR.'

Shalin had scoured the interior of the Braviary's Nest with Fortree's Leader before, but she hadn't spent much time along the outside of its jagged cliffs. At least not below the cloud line that hid its wonders. There were a lot of small cliff caves to peer into. Searching them by inspection alone was incredibly inefficient. She did have another idea, though!

With the airspace around her relatively free of predatory birds that could potentially attack the Beedrill, she had the space to try to get the little one's attention through sound. Queen Zing landed on a small cliff that could still support the bug-type's size. "Alright, Queen Zing! Instead of us coming to them, maybe if they come to us, we can spot the kid easier. Buzz as loud as you can to let them know we're here!" Queen Zing, nodding, braced her legs against the ground and started vibrating her giant wings with power truly befitting the great queen.

The reverberation in the rock Queen Zing was bracing herself against sent the vibration coursing right back through her body, and by proxy, that of her rider. The normally laid-back Shalin looked uncharacteristically focused. Any other time, she loved the tingling feeling she experienced sitting between a Beedrill's churning, buzzing wings. This went beyond simple tingling; Queen Zing's body was throbbing the entire time her wings produced a roaring buzz. The violent motion was wearing Shalin out, and fast.

Then, a single word echoed in her mind: RADAR. That sure would have been helpful to know a minute or two ago! She shouted for her Beedrill to rest, letting Garo do the work in locating the child. It would be her job to help them get home.

Jill of the Jungle

Meeting Shalin Nariya

With the GPS Coordinates given to them and the Orbeetle's 6 mile radius radar, it didn't seem like things would take long.

Unfortunately, they were not the only living beings in the crags.

"Flying-types. My favorite." The captain said dryly as the shadows of Braviary flew by over them, just a little too large for comfort as the Captain looked around wearily.

Birds ate bugs. And two big ones had just wandered into their territory.

"Things can't ever just be easy." Doug as he patted Garo on the head, before giving Shalin a glance and a nod as the number of shadows flying over them seemed to grow.

"Ready for a fight, Ms. Nariya?"

To her surprise, the entire time Shalin traversed the Braviary's Nest the first time, she did not run into a single specimen of the Pokémon it was named for. The second time, she would not be so lucky. Braviary were known for their extreme power and high speed, and it appeared a fight would be inevitable with these two. She had to make a move and get through the two Braviary to the trapped child. "I'm not too fold of them myself. I prefer running-types," she laughed as her mount slowed enough to communicate with her partner.

Queen Zing's drone was loud still, but not to the point where their voices couldn't overpower it. "No messing around. I'm going Mega." True to her word, the insect's rider raised two fingers toward the Key Stone embedded in the center of her MEGA CIRCLET, it and the BEEDRILLITE slotted at the end of her Pokémon's saddle glowing with the light of MEGA EVOLUTION.

[break]

Shalin's skin tingled from the extra speed and power her mount's buzzing wings exhibited after Mega Evolution. She grabbed the Mega Evolved Pokémon's reins for support. "POISON JAB!" she commanded, the bug-type's nearly instant acceleration putting a lot of stress on her as she lurched backward. It was almost like being fired out of a slingshot as Queen Zing, in her ultimate form, thrust her venom-laden foreleg stings, followed by her rear barb, toward one of the birds.

Jill of the Jungle

Meeting Shalin Nariya

Mega Beedrill, lovely no matter how many times he witnessed it. He couldn't help the grin on his lips, feeling the Primal energy build across his chest and pool into his hidden pendant.

"Awright then! Quick it is!" They were being waited for, after all. He reached for the brim of his cap, his collar alighting with crackling energy. "Garo— Mega Evolve!"

The Mega Pendant around his neck shone through the fabric of his uniform as Garo was enveloped in a black egg, the orb growing to a large size within seconds before breaking apart to reveal the Orbeetle's new form.

He landed atop the Mega Orbeetle's much larger, UFO-like frame as it rose in the air as their allies launched forth towards the Braviary's.

Like a bullet, the Mega Beedrill rammed into the Braviary, its stingers striking through and taking the flier along for a ride as inertia followed.

For his part, Garo stared at the other, alarmed Braviary as it made a turn to give chase to the Beedrill assaulting its brethren— only to stop short as psychic power entrapped it into an iron grip, before throwing it violently into the craggy mountain sides.

Queen Zing's impact with the Braviary flung Shalin forward, snapping her back into a proper position for controlling the yellow and black predator. With a sharp swerve just before the cliffs beneath the Nest's pain entrance, the Mega Evolved insect dislodged the large bird, slamming its poisoned frame into the rock. It wasn't going to be getting up any time soon.

With Doug having cleaned up on the other side, it was time to redouble her search for the missing child before more company arrived. It did not take her long; a small cave entrance, partially hidden by the rising cliff face, contained a young girl that looked mortified at the sight of Queen Zing's Mega Evolved form. Shalin dismounted and jogged to the child's side.

"My name's Shalin, and this is Queen Zing. We're here to rescue you." The docile yet terrifying insect waved one of her four foreleg stings in greeting, which had the opposite of the intended effect: it got a scream out of the young one. "Mommy and Daddy are at the airport. Queen Zing's here to take us both to meet them." She still didn't look comfortable, but the thought of being reunited with her parents let her stow her fear. Shalin procured a second set of earplugs. "Now put these in your ears and get on." Shalin helped the girl aboard before swinging on behind her, donning her own set of earplugs. She felt her flinch at the Mega Beedrill's sudden takeoff. The two flew all the way to the bottom of the cloud covering the top levels of the Nest, looking and waving for Doug.

Jill of the Jungle

Meeting Shalin Nariya

"Got our rescuee?" He asked as they descended, offering the little girl a friendly grin and a tip of the hat. Briefly, the girl's eyes seemed to flash with recognition, and for once, Doug felt vindicated. "You're in good hands, kiddo! We're gettin'cha out'ere! Nariya, let's go! We've got unwanted attention!"

The shadows flying above them slowly became more numerous as they rushed back towards Fortree, though few were bold enough to reinitiate combat while their pokemon were in their unnatural, empowered states.

Which gave them just the space needed, really. Doug's wrist began to glow as primal energy crackled around him, the youth raising his arm in the air before shouting.

"Garo! Z-move!" He boomed as his Mega Orbeetle rose in the air, body gleaming red as his psychic aura wrapped around Shalin, her Beedrill, and their charge.

z-move

Fascination Ufo

orbeetle TELEPORTS consenting targets a large distance away almost instantaneously. anyone between where orbeetle was and where it ends up will feel heavy nausea and disorientation. this supersedes traditional trapping methods.

They all glowed for a moment, and then—

Pop.

They were gone.

---

Mission Accomplished, Team.

The Orbeetle's enormous psychic field gave Shalin quite the headache mid-transit, but John Sullivan 's Z-Move did the trick! They had instantly traveled miles and miles back to Fortree Airstrip, Queen Zing reverting from Mega Evolution in the process. When the riders' vision faded from white to that of the airfield, the first thing she saw was the passenger in front of her waving to the rest of her family.

Once the two were on the ground, the young girl said she loved the fuzzy feeling they got when they took off, and asked Shalin if they could do it one more time. Queen Zing sunk her legs into the ground beneath to prevent herself from taking off, then powerfully buzzed her wings. The reverberations made both riders' hair stand on end, the bug-type rattling the two faster than the eye could see. While it only lasted a few seconds, the child was giggling for far longer afterward.

Shalin made sure she had recovered from the shaking herself before helping the lass down and getting her reunited with her family. She waved goodbye to the green-haired female and the friendliest Beedrill she may ever meet, the four of them heading back inside to get a much-needed meal. "That girl's a lot like me," she mused aloud to Doug. "Your Orbeetle is something else. I love the fun of traditional travel, but teleporting sure can come in handy!" Queen Zing again waved a foreleg sting toward him as a friendly gesture before embracing her trainer. "Queen Zing, you did amazing today. You deserve a nice rest. Return." With that, she withdrew her Beedrill and sent out Flit, her Yanmega, who was also all geared up to carry her. "Doug, meeting you was great. I'd love to see more of your bug Pokémon sometime! I have a couple more myself."

Jill of the Jungle

Meeting Shalin Nariya

"Short, pale and brunette? I don't see the resemblance." Cracked the young Captain as he walked up to stand besides Shalin, his orbeetle hovering besides him. He reached over to pet his Orbeetle gently, grinning wide at the praise the woman heaped on it. "Ya hear that, Garo? Ya made a great first impression— no surprises there, but it's nice to 'ear ain't it?"

Garo was always awesome, after all.

"Her Majesty was quite impressive too— again, no surprise there, but lovely to see nonetheless!" Beedrills, too, were always awesome. Specially mega evolved ones. "Yours is special too, I can tell— take care of 'er, eh?"

His smile grew as the woman's yanmega appeared next, tipping his hat at it before following suit towards to Shalin, nodding his head.

"Likewise, Ms. Nariya. Swing by Camp Winstrate with 'em if ya ever feel like chatting— I'll be sure to welcome ya proper." The young man said with a nod and a salute. "See ya'round!"

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Mission Accomplished, Team.