It was hard for a newer Ranger's first assignment to get any easier than this. Josh didn't mind it, either; Verdanturf's citizens had not met their newest Champion yet, and this would be a wonderful opportunity to do so. He would get to showcase some newer recruits to his Gym team, too, having chosen the meeting point to be outside his favorite Hoennian tanner.

Surrounding the Gym Leader were five Pokémon wearing custom-fit saddles from the place they were just outside. Worn by unusual Pokémon that were all quite large for their species, they would certainly attract attention as they passed through. With them hauling fragile cargo, he had to dial the speed back a lot, bringing in Pokémon that showed more restraint.

Their clutch of eggs would be hauled by four of the largest Eeveelutions in Hoenn: Clyde the Flareon, Kairi the Vaporeon, Janus the Espeon, and Pinky the Shiny Sylveon. The odd one out was Milo, a Thievul that Josh was making some last-minute adjustments on the position of his halters. It was a signt to see: all the normally-smaller Pokémon were each the size of a small Rapidash, almost beckoning those around them to saddle up.

Where did he get all these giants to begin with?

Once he was done, Josh turned toward the newer Ranger. "Michael? Elite Ranger Devlin or Champion Devlin, but please, call me Josh."

Michael and Eimyrja blinked in both surprise and shock when they saw the enormous Eeveelutions! The Cadet and Charmander rubbed their eyes, just to be sure they weren't dreaming! Dusty would have, too, if only he had eyelids. So the Dustox fluttered closer, awestruck in the group!

"Woah! They're so big!" Michael exclaimed while spreading his arms out to emphasize his excitement! "How did you get them to be this size?"

The Ranger approached excitedly. Beaming, he offered to shake his superior's hand.

"It's wonderful to meet you, Josh!" Michael replied, his smile softening but remaining still. "Cadet Michael Davis, at your service. But you can call me Mike! Most people do. This is Eimyrja, and Dusty! I have others with me, too. Jaws and Cobalt, a Carvanha and Seadra."

---

{PC: 2}
Josh Devlin
Notes: None

Janus took a step back as the Dustox flew closer, a bit skittish around bug-types after having been around one of his trainer's eccentric friends for a bit too long. "Great to meet you, Mike!" the Gym Leader answered. "They all come from Space-Time Distortions. Used to chase those things all over Hoenn when they more frequently showed up. You know what they are?" he asked as Ponky stepped toward Michael, gently rubbing her feelers against him if he allowed it.

"Great to meet your team, too! These four are Kairi, Clyde, Janus, and Pinky," Josh gestured toward the Eeveelutions, "and beneath me is Milo." To be able to control a Thievul around so many eggs was remarkable. Gym Leaders had great control of their Pokémon, didn't they?

"Some of our deliveries are clear across town. Do you have any other Pokémon? Bigger ones?" Josh asked expectantly, wondering if Michael had any Pokémon capable of ferrying him through Verdanturf.

"I've heard about teh Distortions, never seen one in person, though," Michael answered.

When asked about having larger Pokemon, the Ranger thought on the idea.

"Not at the moment," Michael replied. "I mean, my Seadra could be big enough to ride, but there's no practical way for me to use him for travel on land. Maybe when Eimyrja gets big enough, I can ride on her back!"

Eimyrja smiled up at Michael when he mentioned her name. She, too, would have loved to carry her human. Alas, she was still but a Charmander.

"I've been intending to add some equine Pokemon to my team," Michael continued. "I grew up around horses. So maybe some day soon! Until then, I hoof it on foot. I should invest in a Bike, the more I think about it."

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{PC: 3}
Josh Devlin
Notes: None