Shiny Pokémon were rare. Shalin believed the cause of the unusual coloring to be a combination of recessive genes, though the code had yet to be cracked on how to genetically engineer the phenomenon. There were other ways to induce it, as well, but they were not hard to come by. Thankfully, she had an abundance of Ledian powder due to her home being in Petalburg Woods. Every mating period that the Ledian gathered, she had harvested their powder. Applying enough of it to a Pokémon could induce or revert the Shiny phenomenon in a Pokémon.

Her hard work had paid off. The yellow-dressed Rustboro Captain rode through the outskirts of Oldale seated on Volt, a Shiny Jolteon that was about as large as known to be possible genetically. Behind her was a nearly complete set of Shiny Eeveelutions that were roughly the size of a grown equine Pokémon. A group of Rangers assembled nearby waved at the Captain as she passed by.

When the stranger interrupted Shalin as she passed the Ranger office, her saddled Shiny Eeveelutions surrounded her to protect her. Tinder, Starr, Dolana, Waft, Mia, and Endry formed a wall around Shalin, wary of the way their trainer had been approached. "Captain Shalin Nariya of Rustboro," the Ranger introduced herself formally, perhaps towering over Aster with the elevation the green, quilled electric-type bestowed upon her. "This is the first I've heard of an increase in Shiny Pokémon thefts. They are juicy theft targets because of how much they go for on the black market. Can't say I've had a Pokémon stolen from me."

Indeed, every single one of them was shiny. The only one of the eight was not present was Rielle; the Vaporeon was still trapped within the confines of Dewford Regional Hospital. Even a Pokémon Center could not handle how extensive the poor water-type's wounds were. With almost half a tail and part of her face missing, extensive skin grafts would be needed before she could even swim again. It was a long, time-consuming, and expensive procedure. Thankfully, her position as Rustboro's Captain covered most of the cost. She would still be responsible for some of the bill, though her recovery of rare artifacts from ruins and other remote sites kept her awash in cash.

"Teaching your Pokémon solid self-defense techniques helps a lot, as does keeping more than one Pokémon out of its Poké Ball at a time where you can," Shalin replied. Municipal laws got in the way of her suggestion more than she cared to admit, though she was unaware which cities allowed it and which ones didn't. It came with living off-grid; with how little time she spent in cities, she wasn't familiar with too many municipal laws that weren't common sense.

"Learning to ride is another good way," she added as she noticed kasper thaler 's tension. Were the freaks of nature that were her giant, Shiny Eeveelutions scaring him? It would be understandable; though she had an easier time finding oversized Pokémon since Space-Time Distortions started showing up, they were still not terribly common. "I think I missed your name! What was it?" she asked Aster.

Watching multiple of one's Pokémon at a time was something the Ranger took for granted. Having the awareness to do so just came second nature to her after her training with the conservationists, formal and informal. "If you're only comfortable only having one of your Pokémon roaming at a time, try to keep another Ball ready. In your hand if possible. That way you'll trigger its switch if you end up dropping it, and your other Pokémon will be able to rescue you if something... untoward were to happen." It was something Shalin had to adapt to, being a member of Ranger leadership. Unscrupulous folks with a disdain for Rangers were out there, wanting to do horrible things to her. She had some combat experience from Littleroot and from Dewford both. She could defend herself if need be. As it turned out, not too many ears in Hoenn could withstand the grating vibration some of her Pokémon could produce.

"Great to meet you, Aster," Shalin answered. "And this is Volt," she gently pat the Shiny Jolteon she was aboard, being careful to avoid the quills on her head. There was a danger that the collection of saddled rare Pokémon could attract some truly vile people. A danger that was closer than she thought...