The glorious empyrean oceans above Lavaridge Town remained hidden by plumes of hot smoke and ash. Where once a vibrant sun brought color to Hoenn, which rivaled the feathers of Ho-Oh, only shadows and gloom stained and dulled the landscape. Living so close to a slumbering giant had its risks. However, these risks never seemed to be enough to force those living at its base to move elsewhere. Strange environmental curiosities caused the currents of the heavens to change, and the ashfall became worse than before. Fallabor and surrounding routes had become encased in ashes when previously there was nothing more than a residue. Now the settlement of Lavaridge stood in the path of the ashen misery.

The new environmental change threatened the local ecosystem. It was up to members of the League to step in and lend aid to the people and Pokemon, whose homes were now in danger. Michael Davis took on the task without a second thought, even as a Cadet of the Pokemon Rangers. He had no medical training save for the skills he learned upon becoming a Ranger. Michael would make himself useful despite this setback. The man and his Charmander partner sought their superior, Elise Calcifet, whom the Ranger Station to make a rendezvous. Both were determined to make a difference.

The pair soon spotted Elise and Charles. They made their approach, and Michael spoke up.

"Ms. Elise?" he asked, ensuring he had the right person. "I'm Michael Davis, and this is Eimyrja. We're here to help in any way we can."

---

Elise Calcifet
[PC: 1]

Like the plumes in the sky and the ash falling like snow, the dire atmosphere of these events threatened to weigh Michael down and choke him. It was perfectly normal for anyone to feel overwhelmed. The wellbeing of all remained at stake. However, the Ranger's resolve remained resolute. He adamantly refused to be engulfed by the storm of chaos. People needed him. Pokemon needed him.

The Cadet's mind hanged onto every word that passed from Elise's lips. Her voice, a melody, had the power to keep spirits high. And as Michael listened, one piece of information embedded itself deep in his core.

The Cadet was unsure if he heard Elise correctly. Michael's thoughts slowed as emotions of whimsy and excitement swelled. Did Elise say that she was royalty? Or was the hot air already beginning to take its toll on the man's mind?

"A Princess?" Michael asked to confirm whether he was going insane. "Wow, I've never met an actual Princess before! It's a tremendous honor, your Highness. And it's an honor to meet you, Charles. As for medical training, I only know what we learned while becoming Cadets. That, and basic medical knowledge. I'm no Doctor, but I will do anything in my power to help."

Michael glanced toward the smoking mountain in the distance. A grimace dulled the smile that brightened his face.

"If only I had some Water Pokemon," he sighed. "Even a Flying Type might help."

Eimyrja looked up to her partner after acquainting herself with the King of Hares. Her shimmering eyes showed a sadness in them. She knew he was right. As a Fire Pokemon, there was little she could logically do against a volcanic threat.

Like the stir in the winds, a shift in Michael's thinking process occurred! His eyes grew brighter as the smile returned!

"Lightbulb!" he beamed, looking at Eimyrja's fire-tipped tail before fixing his gaze on Elise once more.

"Princess, is there anything that requires a flame? Boiling water? Disinfecting medical equipment?"

---

Elise Calcifet
[PC: 1]

Michael's enthusiasm stoked the fires within Eimyrja. Her Cadet partner brought up excellent points! She would be useful after all!

"A King, you say?" Michael inquired, his smiling features blessing the crowned Pokemon.

To the King and the Princess, the Cadet and his Charmander offered a polite bow. It was the right thing to do when in the presence of Royalty.

"I was ecstatic to be partnered up with Eimyrja here," Michael expressed with a softer smile. "I was born in Kanto. Naturally, when I got to pick my partner when I signed up to be a Ranger, I had to choose Charmander. She may not be a Queen from a distant land, but she's special to me all the same."

Michael smiled at Eimyrja with a glint in his eye.

"Alright, let's get to boiling some water, Eimyrja!" he cheered!

"Char-mander!" Eimyrja responded with a swift nod!

---

Elise Calcifet
[PC: 3]

"Lovely to meet you, Mana," Michael greeted with a light bow of his head.

Hearing of the Princess's mother pulled at the Cadet's heartstrings. His empathy poured forth like an endless wellspring.

“I’m...I’m sorry,” he managed to say, his voice choked with remorse. "I couldn't bear to think of losing either of my parents. She must have been an incredible, rare gem to have a daughter like you."

Michael drew a slow breath through his nostrils to recenter his thoughts. Putting on a smile, he looked toward Eimyrja, who was now at the outpost’s water container.

The bond between the Charmander and the Ranger had made significant progress, even though they had only been acquainted for a short period. And as intelligent as she was, she didn’t need to await specific commands. Eimyrja felt a fiery warmth building up in her core as she took a deep breath. Then, she loosed a stream of flames directed at the base of the metal container!

“Good job using Flamethrower, Eimyrja!” Michael cheered on! “I’m proud of you!”

---

Elise Calcifet
[PC: 4]