In the wake of disasters, there are always those who require aid - even after the disaster itself is brought under control. When a fire rages wild and uncontained, people are cursed with burns, with respiratory problems, and buildings are damaged. Pokemon are displaced - their habitats and homes reduced to ash - which often leads to them straying into other territories, other habitats, including that of human civilization.

But, that is what Rangers are for, are they not? And El aspires to uphold the spirit that Rangers stand for - that of kindness between pokemon and humans alike.

"Shhh... Shhshhshh... Eaaasy, it's okay..."

A hissing Seviper, pained and frightened as a result - much of its scales are heavily burned from the prior blaze. But El is careful - Akero hanging slightly back at their side - as they attempt to assess the injuries from a safe distance. The option is there, to have Bibidi put the serpent to sleep, but... If they could, they'd rather attempt to at least see if they could aid the Seviper without tranquilizing it. It was easier on both parties, quicker, and had much less risk of the poison-type lashing out if it suddenly awoke.

Which, was part of the reason for Akero's presence. One didn't need to get up close, after all, to offer an olive branch in the form of a drizzling Life Dew; sure to ease some of its pain.

"Catch!"

El blinks a bit - seated in a medical tent, glancing up just in time to raise their hands and catch a bottle of water tossed in their direction, even if they fumble it a little at first. Once they're not about to drop the bottle though, they smile warmly at a certain someone standing at the entrance. "Hey, Isaac!"

Isaac Merlo takes a second to dust some ash off his pants, before stepping in proper - all to plop down next to El. "Hey; you working hard, or hardly working?" He questions with that humorous smile of his, before commenting "Think the other Rangers're just about finished sweeping the woods; you guys caught that fire pretty fast." With that, he pulls out a water bottle of his own and takes a couple gulps from it.

El laughs gently, nodding as they take a sip of water. "I mean... I don't think we'd have put it out half as fast, if it weren't for you." They pointed out - smiling gently. "Having Suicune at your side must be great." They wondered what it was like, being an Avatar... It wasn't something they would pursue anytime soon; they were still a capable person as-is, and it seemed like something that comes to you - rather than the other way around - after all.

"I mean, I think it's generous to say they're 'at my side', when they're a pretty hands-off patron." Isaac joked with a smile.

And in response, El would roll their eyes lightheartedly. "You know what I mean,"

The two share a chuckle - one gently elbowing the other, only to get elbowed back in turn. Even if Isaac was one to follow wherever the winds took him, knowing that they could reach out to him whenever was always a comfort...

"Someone call you?"

El blinks up from their phone, as Isaac approaches. The answer of 'who' must've shown on their face, because he would furrow his brows - a displeased gaze cast towards El's phone, where the 'Missed Call' notification and a voicemail notification lay on the lock screen. "I... Yeah, Dad did." El responded after a second - frowning as they glance to their phone once more. "Probably while I was working..."

Nowadays, El had come to accept that the ideal family they once pictured in their mind wasn't going to exactly be a thing. Their mother was distant - for as much as things were still amicable, she had never been nearly as present as they or Isaac needed. Especially where their father was concerned - having high expectations for them, and none at all for Isaac, and being unwilling to budge even when the truth looked him in the face.

"... Should I call him back?" El questioned after a moment, fidgeting with the keyboard for the pin input.

"I think you already know my response." Isaac remarked, visibly unenthused at the idea. "But the question means you're considering it, yeah?"

Quietly, El nods.

"It's your phone. Who knows, maybe something bit him in the ass to change his mind on things; it's possible." Isaac shrugs - though there is an unspoken 'but I doubt it' that passes between them. But when the sound of a couple of Isaac's newer pokemon getting into a little squabble draws him away - quick to help break it up...

... El is left to their own devices - or device, as they glance to their phone. The idea that the man on the other end will be the same as he always was is possible - and it does make them a little reluctant, to call him back.

But... At the same time, things could change, right?

...

... Quietly, El unlocks their phone, and begins to make a call.

All things considered, the call with their dad had gone... Surprisingly well. They were able to have a conversation with Terrence without so much as an ill word about Isaac - without him digging his heels in to justify himself - without any agitation or anger...

... For as much as El was just waiting for the other shoe to drop, it never happened. Things had been amicable - surprisingly comfortable - and... Their dad, in fact, had even wanted to apologize. Though it sounded as though he were chewing a lemon a little bit as he had said so, well...

The fact that he was willing to reach out for it at all, it gave them hope that there were at least improvements on the horizon. That Terrence - perhaps - was realizing the results of how he treated those around him for so many years, and that maybe... Maybe they could spend proper time in contact with him again. As father and child.

They didn't expect for dad and Isaac to make up anytime soon, but... Maybe that was a next step, if things went well.

So when the call ended with plans for them to meet at a local diner to talk, El was already making sure they had a clean outfit for that day.

Perhaps, this would be the good ending that they desired. Not just for themself, but for their family as a whole...

Ability; Half 'n Half - El is able to conjure a clone that they have full control and awareness over - essentially having one mind but two bodies, with sensory input from both sides at once. If one body is slain, the other body becomes the primary - and the ability is disabled for the rest of the night.

As it turns out, being able to be in two places at once is not all that it's cracked up to be. It was, in fact, a bit of a sensory overload! And yet, that being said... Even if this week had been a difficult one, they had managed to find a system that made it work.

One hid, while the other moved - each half taking turns advancing through the woods, to cover more ground. Moving roughly perpendicular to one another, El had a rough idea of where either 'half' of themself was - and the plan was that if one clone found any sign of their Hydreigon, the other would come running to try and help in catching the dragon. Because two heads was better than one, right?

Or, on the flipside, if either half ran into a vicious Shadow Pokemon, then El would know where to not go.

But though the past few nights had been fruitless... It'd be this night that a lead would make itself known to one of their halves. Distant roars, the sounds of crashing. It was clear to see that a Shadow Pokemon was on the loose - but the sounds of the calls it made...

... It was suspiciously familiar, to say the least. And while it could have easily been another shadow pokemon rampaging about, this was as good of a lead as any.

Thus, the two began moving in. They had to be careful, of course - too fast and they'd risk running facefirst into a different danger; be it environmental or from the 'local' fauna. But too slow, and they'd potentially lose their lead. A somewhat precarious balancing act, especially given that El didn't know where those thresholds would be.

Which, perhaps they were rushing things a little. Because while on one hand, it worked in their favor - in that they were able to find their Hydreigon... But the dragon took notice of them - or perhaps, more accurately, they had strayed within the path of her rampage.

A flash of green, red, pain - and then suddenly, El was one once more. They couldn't help but freeze up that briefest moment in the flash of instinctive fear and adrenaline that hit them in the chest, eyes snapping in the direction of the sounds that felt like they were echoing around them now. They seemed to be in the intended path of the dragon's rampage...

... They couldn't freeze up now. Not when she was right here, they had - they had to act. Even as their hands shook, they'd pull forth the Dream Ball - listening as the Hydreigon's roars and crashing drew nearer and nearer. And when that flash of purple was visible amongst of the green of the woods, they wouldn't even hesitate to throw.

And with a flash of light, the rampage fell silent. The forest fell still. Too still, in fact - and too quiet. There was nary a rustle in the leaves above, or swaying from the grass below... And as El carefully approached where they thought the Dream Ball had fallen, a window appeared before them. A choice.

El read through it, for sure - but... They already knew what they wanted, the second that they knew the option was there. They wished to purify their partner's heart - to bring her back to her true self. There was power enough in the fact that the two had each other. They locked in their choice - and without a moment's hesitance, they let their Hydreigon back out.

She stirred - slowly, groggily, as if awakening from a dream. And when her eyes fell upon El, she rumbled softly, questioningly, nostrils briefly flaring to take in their scent.

"Good morning, Ysera." El spoke softly, reaching up with a verdant-scaled hand to pet her head. "It's okay, girl. You were just having a bad nightmare. Let's head back, okay?"

In turn, she'd make another soft rumble, and nodded - turning her back to them, to allow them to climb on.

Back to the castle, for whatever may come next.

The Plucky Bleeding-Heart; Purify
Follow Me / Heal Pulse / Ally Switch

Much like your typical rpg game, there was a dungeon to be delved into. This was something that El was no stranger to the concept of - though to be experiencing an instance first-hand rather than thru one's own character was interesting, to say the least. And perhaps, not the most pleasant - having a scales like a Hydreigon could only do so much to protect oneself if one of the trash mobs decided to target you specifically!

But thankfully, El was not alone here - both having Ysera at their side to fight through the dungeon, and having other trainers as well. Though they quickly figured out that these people were nothing but computers - or at least, something equivalent to that - acting in a more autonomous fashion... It also meant that they felt less nervous about directing the AI companions, like a raid leader!

They put themself in the DPS role otherwise, though - letting Ysera wreak havoc upon the enemy pokemon that lurked in the shadowed corners of the burning woods. Though her nature was surprisingly gentle and docile for a Hydreigon - even if spacey on an occasion - her moves were no less dramatic and powerful, meteors raining down and deafening roars ringing out.

With their powers combined and enough coordination, the group was able to fight their way to the heart of the dungeon. A large clearing - and at the center of it... A massive Alakazam - one that looked eerily like Bibidi - loomed, no doubt the dungeon boss. El hesitated at the threshold to the room - but sharing a glance with Ysera, they were able to find the encouragement to step forward.

At the very least, there was one benefit to this matchup: that if this truly was some clone or lookalike of Bibidi, she wasn't likely to have any answers to Ysera. Ysera's dark typing would make her impervious to the Alakazam's psychic moves... Although, this didn't mean that their allies were the same way. An empowered and maximized Psychic would still send the other pokemon reeling, and the Psychic Terrain that arose in its wake would not help in matters whatsoever.

But, they had an answer to that, didn't they? The cards that they were given could be used to support their allies - allowing for them to lay the smackdown in the meantime. Follow Me and Ally Switch would both help to redirect some of the attacks onto Ysera, where she could brush them off without a care. And for those who got hurt before or afterwards, the final card's Heal Pulse helped to mend them.

With this, on top of Ysera's pre-existing abilities, it was only a matter of time before the massive Alakazam went down. And to the victor went the spoils - even if it was closer to that of a little trinket, than a new best in slot for your paladin. It was an elite ranger armband - and on the inside, two things were embroidered.

The name El Merlo, and a stylistic icon of Suicune - like a lucky charm, or a symbol of devotion or respect to a brother's patron...

At first, the idea of closing down the dream world that El had spent a week in those months ago didn't seem all too bad. It was a dream - and though a pleasant one, there was nothing stopping them from keeping the memories associated with it close to their heart. And on top of that, it didn't seem as though there was much other way to return to the dream anymore, anyways.

But, the issue of how they had to close the dream perhaps had them thinking twice... Which they found out quickly, when Ysera led them to the Isaac Merlo that lived in this dream. Their brother.

The only solace they could find in it, was the sad yet accepting smile that he cast their way as the two approached. "Guess time's up, huh?" He spoke, as if he were trying to insert some brevity into the otherwise grim mood in the air.

"Y-you... Know what's going on?" El questioned, equal parts hesitant, shocked, and in denial. Surely, they weren't going to have to hurt their brother of all people, right? Surely, there was something else to do...

... But, Isaac would simply give a shrug of the shoulder in response. "I'm no fortune teller... But you know this is a dream, and I more or less know it's a dream. And we know people have to wake up sooner or later." He spoke - and with a knowing look, he added "And I don't think there'd be much other reason for you to approach with such a sad look, when this has otherwise been a pretty nice dream, right?"

El falls quiet, gaze dropping to their shoes. Fights the choked-up feeling that is welling up in their chest and rising in their throat...

... But Isaac must see something in their expression, for he steps closer, a hand settling on their shoulder. "Hey, c'mon El. Look at me?"

They can't stop themself from lifting their gaze to Isaac - even as their vision is a blurry mess. But even though they can't quite make it out visually, they can hear the soft, sympathetic, smile on his face when Isaac speaks up once more.

"There you are," He murmurs warmly - the hand on El's shoulder gently drifting to take their hand, and squeezing it. "Hey. It's gonna be okay. This is all a dream, in the end, ain't it? Nothing's stopping you from dreaming about this all again, after you wake up."

And it's true, it's all true - and yet... "I... I can't bear to see you hurt..." To be the one who hurt him. They'd done that enough - even if indirectly, and even if they knew it wasn't really their fault - just by virtue of being the 'golden child' of the two.

"You don't have to look, do you?" Isaac asks, with a tilt of his head. "Or be the one to do the act?" When El quietly shakes their head 'no' though, something like relief flickers across his expression.

And Ysera 'speaks up' here- giving a gentle nudge with one of her sub-heads. She gestures for El to go - the intended meaning clear. She would put an end to the dream for them, and not force El to witness it in the process.

Conflict flickers across El's face. Could they really bring themself to let Isaac - even if he's a dream-Isaac - be killed? It'd surely be easier, to just walk away. To not destroy this pleasant dream at all, and let it go on...

... But would that be the right choice?

"It'll be okay." Isaac insisted. "You'll wake up, and I'll still be there for you."

Ysera, too, would croon out an agreement - even if she, too, seemed saddened at the situation in her own way.

But unable to argue, El's stance slumps that slightest bit, squeezing Isaac's hand tight as they reluctantly nod.

And Isaac smiled once more. "That's my sib." He praised softly, getting onto his tippytoes so that he could press a brotherly kiss to El's cheek. "Things'll turn out alright. I promise."

El wasn't sure if that was a for-sure fact; who knew what might happen here, once the dreams were brought to an end?

But, with the kiss, they can't help but return it with a kiss against Isaac's forehead, before tilting their own forehead against his. "... I... I love you..."

"I love you too, El. Make me proud out there." And with that, the siblings would part from one another - slowly, hesitantly, as if neither of them truly wanted to be separate in such a moment.

El forced themself to not look back, as they walked away - even as they choked up, tears trailing down their cheeks.

And Isaac, all the while, allowed himself to be brought into Ysera's embrace - as if this were the safest place in the world to be. The gentle touch she employed at first, as she wrapped her jaws around the back of his neck, was a contrast to what was to come; her teeth barely grazing his skin. But when he let out a soft, shaky, exhale - murmuring "I'm ready." ...

... The dream would end, with but a single crack.

(And cause I'm a nerd, have the song that came up partway into writing this + i've been listening to on loop.)

After the emotionally raw experience of the prior dream, El had been a bit reluctant to return. Who knew what would happen, after all of that? Could the next task be something all the more taxing upon their heart?

But instead, they are - surprisingly - presented with something else. A journal - one that lacks any distinguishing features, and yet feels comforting to hold all the same. Warm. Homely. Familiar, in an almost deja-vu sense - yet at the same time also not. What was contained within?

As it turns out, it was a dream. A dream of a pleasant memory, from the past. Opening the journal had brought El someplace else - namely, that of their old home.

And standing there in the livingroom, was Kiryu.

The sight of her took the breath out of El; the last time they'd seen her in person, they were a kid. And though they did manage to see her in those strangely lifelike otome routes - during the days of the Rondez View of Love - it wasn't wholly her, either. When Isaac left home, he had taken her with him - and by the time they had been able to reunite with their brother, she had passed away.

So, to be able to see her again - visibly alive and well - in a dream as lifelike as these have been..? Well... It all certainly felt dreamlike, even for as real and vivid as everything otherwise seemed. A strange bundle of feeings, to say the least.

But, they weren't under any rush to untangle those feelings. They had plenty of time to simply indulge in this memory, before the year's end. And those thoughts felt so distant, when met with the patient, warm, loving gaze of the pokemon that'd been more of a mother to them and Isaac than Cassandra had ever been. Because even for as much as they held no ill feelings towards their biological mother, there was no denying the place that Kiryu held in the siblings' lives.

Stepping forward, El would reach a hand up to stroke along her shoulder - feeling that sturdy, smooth, cool metal underneath their fingers. "I missed you, Kiryu."

She, in turn, would carefully lean in to nuzzle them - making a soft, rumbling croon in response, as if to express mutual feelings. She casts a meaningful look, looking El up and down with another softer croon - gently patting them on the head...

And El, catching on, can't help but chuckle - reaching up to take Kiryu's claw and rest their head in her touch. "Yeah, I've grown. I'm taller than Isaac now - but I think he has me in the muscle category by now." They responded with another soft laugh. It really was impressive, how much he had grown in such a short period of time.

It was clear to see that she was just as impressed of them, though - and the thought of such did bring a soft flush to El's cheeks.

Though, Kiryu's gaze would then shift to the dragoness at El's side, mutual curiosity shining in the two's eyes. Kiryu and Ysera would rumble to one another in soft greetings, observing eachother.

Which, El was more than happy to introduce the two to one another. "This is Ysera - she's been my companion in these dreams." They spoke to Kiryu, reaching up to pet the Hydreigon. "She's real gentle, 'n a big sweetheart."

Then turning their attention to Ysera... "And this is Kiryu - she's been around for Isaac and I since we were babies." El smiled warmly, ever so fondly, with this. "She's kinda like... Another mom?" It was the best way to summarize the two's relationship, at least.

With introductions made, the two pokemon would observe eachother once more - and though the curiosity was still there aplenty, there was also a visible mutual respect to be found. Safe to say, they were hitting it off decently!

Really... If they could have the option to bring Isaac Merlo in on this, they would've. Even if this was only a dream, they wanted to share this dream with him. This chance for the lot of them to just, enjoy the warmth of the family they all chose.

But it wasn't as though they were the only one having such dreams... Who knows? Perhaps, he'd be having a nice dream of his own, not too different from this.

The thought puts a smile on El's face, as they sit down to enjoy the time they had, with this pleasant dream.