While there was not a full-on blizzard, the snowstorm pounding Rustboro City had shut down most transportation. The snowfall rates were extraordinary, greatly reducing visibility. Which ice god had Hoenn upset now? Kyurem? Articuno? Chien-Pao? This was something that never happened in Hoenn before the Meteno impact was thwarted. Snow accumulated at visible rates, banks crawling upward as the city was helpless to keep up. Travel had come to a standstill.

It was up to Hoenn's Rangers to rescue Rustboro's vulnerable denizens. Normally, Rustboro was Shalin Nariya 's domain, but she was overwhelmed. She had to call on the help of her Gym Leader friend. With as many fire-types as he had, he and his squad of Rangers would be invaluable.

In total, eight Pyroar-mounted Rangers followed the Elite into Rustboro, who was astride his own Shiny Pyroar. The business that Abigail Mikhaylov was taking shelter under was a high priority target for the team. By the time that they arrived, the snow had piled up so high that even a small group of individuals could not keep up.

Several gouts of FLAMETHROWER might catch the salon employee by surprise, their source the aforementioned pride of male and female Pyroar with Rangers riding them. At their center, and the one to approach Abigail, was Josh Devlin , on a large, Shiny male Pyroar.

"Elite Ranger and Gym Leader Devlin, but please, call me Josh. We're here to help get you to safety." Before he could introduce the rest of his team, he received a radio call from Rustboro's Ranger HQ. "On it," he replied to the dispatcher. "Brad, Janine, and Beth, there's been a collapse at an apartment on 21st and Alpine. Take Rani, Vitani, and Mufasa there and help with evacuations." With affirming nods and verbal replies, the three lions dashed through the snow with their Ranger riders.

Turning back toward Abigail, Josh asked her, "Do you know how many others are inside?"

There was nothing wrong with being an ordinary citizen of Hoenn. Construction workers, retail warriors, and small business owners were just as valuable as Gym Leaders, politicians, and soldiers. They were arguably more valuable, keeping local economies going and supplying the region's people with places to live, work, and shop. "Even so, I'll do everything I can to help get you out of the city until it's safe to come back."

As extraordinary as the snowfall rate already was, it picked up even more. If this was natural, it had to be a once-in-a-lifetime weather system. Was Kyurem awakening? He remembered the colossal ice dragon, big as a skyscraper. How could he forget? That day, the creature nearly claimed the lives of three of his closest Pokémon.

"Another fire-type wouldn't hurt, but be careful," Josh cautioned. "We don't want to melt the snow too fast. Then it becomes a flooding problem, which is a lot more serious than a snow problem." He turned toward his fellow Rangers. "I want the rest of you working on evacuating this apartment. I've got Abigail handled. If you need anything, radio me." With that, the five Pyroar split up, using their bright manes and fire attacks to melt the snow surrounding the building's exits. That complex's sump pumps would be churning for days on end.

"Need a ride?" Josh kindly offered. "Aslan here can seat two, and he's warm."

Aslan took a moment to sniff Abigail's hand. While it was clear the Pokémon had seen many harsh battles, both of strength and of speed, he was well-behaved as a house Pokémon, gently resting a paw on the young girl's hand if she allowed it. "Alright, Rangers, we need a path cleared to the outside. Get as many people as you can out of there before the building caves in on itself. They weren't built to bear the weight of three feet of snow." The sound of crackling FLAMETHROWERS echoed from beyond the corner, the wintry precipitation turning to water. As a drain became uncovered, water began to flow into it. They had to be careful not to uncover too many of them; melting all that snow too quickly could overload the sewer system and cause a more dangerous kind of flooding involving waste water.

Aslan's saddle was bigger than those of equines, and for a good reason that she would find out once Josh felt her grab his waist. Even at a trot, the Pyroar's movements were much more pronounced than that of an equine. "You've got to put in the effort too," Josh half-teased back. "Riding a Pyroar isn't like riding a Rapidash. Have you ever watched one run before?"

The extra height from sitting on the lion's back let them see farther above the rising snow line. Even so, it was impossible to read street signs from how intense the snowfall was. He was reliant on his phone's GPS to navigate Rustboro's empty streets. "Aslan, turn your Flamethrower down a bit. We don't want any abandoned cars exploding in our faces." Though electric vehicles were becoming more popular, gas-powered cars were still out there. Even decades later, gasoline and fire still did not mix.