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False information had spread like the wildfire that now blew out of control on the edge of Petalburg woods. [break][break]

And, like a wild animal who's caught the scent of blood, Emma pursues these rumors in the hopes she might find the truth. That, and she had quickly learned that the young Katherine Fairburne had set out on this mission as well, and she had gone alone. Emma couldn't shake the sense of dread as an investigation into the situation turned up with nothing. [break][break]

It seemed too good to be true, like a game of chicken or a sick play on grunt initiation. Whatever the case, Emma was convinced this wasn't just a simple mission and that trouble would surely follow.[break][break]

This 'lost ranger' was supposedly reported to be frequenting Petalburg woods, on assignment. But, as it turns out, that wasn't exactly the whole story. He was 'lost' but not in the literal sense. He had been put on psychiatric leave from the Rangers and it appeared he wasn't taking it so well. [break][break]

Emma swallows the difficult lump in her throat, very quickly realizing the severity of the situation. She had yet to see Katherine arrive, but the flames were reaching further and further into the woods, their flames eating up the dry wood and leaves.[break][break]

And then she sees the telling puff of pink light and a woman step out of it alongside her Gallade. Emma sets her jaw as she begins her approach. [break][break]

"Katherine, you shouldn't be here. You're putting yourself in danger."

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She can feel the heat even from here, even despite how far away they still are from the fire. It turns her skin slightly pink with warmth and she can feel the burn of smoke inching closer and closer. [break][break]

It was indeed bizarre that two Rocket's were handling a situation that the League should be taking care of - but Emma wasn't honestly surprised. After she'd realized just what was happening, she had made the attempt to be the first to handle it herself. Of course, it had become complicated when an inexperienced grunt involved herself.[break][break]

And Katherine seems to be walking headfirst into this unknown threat without concern, fully confident in her blind faith. In any other scenario Emma might find it impressive, but not this one. [break][break]

When she turns to face her, her face betrays the disappointment she feels. [break][break]

"I'm here to take care of it, the ranger. This isn't what you think it is. You're in danger."[break][break]

As if on cue, and followed up immediately by Katherine's question of 'do you think he knows we are here?', someone comes crashing out of the trees. He appears to be intoxicated and crazed, eyes wild as he approaches them.[break][break]

"Well, well, well... looks like the League sent a couple of babes to deal with me, eh? Am I not worth their time? Is that it? Neither of you look like officers."[break][break]

Emma stands stiff, back straight as she stares at the man before glancing at Katherine.

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Emma feels the exasperation on her lips before Katherine even says a word in response. The blank stare that soon turned incredulous was enough of a tell that she felt herself clench her fists to hold herself back. [break][break]

"So, you want to die? Is that it?"[break][break]

Emma was never in it for the reward. Not anymore, not really. The reward was a bonus, but not what drove her to do what she did. [break][break]

And then, of course, the grunt blatantly announces that she isn't leaving and Emma is left frustrated.[break][break]

That is until the ranger appears and interrupts both of their thoughts with his own. Katherine denies their affiliation with League immediately, putting a dry taste in her mouth as she forces herself to not take her eyes off of the stranger.[break][break]

To add insult to injury, she also begins to taunt him.[break][break]

"Enough."[break][break]

She hisses, hoping the rage in her voice was enough to scare the girl into shutting up. It probably wouldn't, because she'd continue egging the ranger on enough that he retaliates in verbal rage. Her Gallade's psycho cut intercepts the bottle he throws and it smashes before it ever reaches the women. [break][break]

And it's then that Katherine comes to her senses.[break][break]

"I was going to deal with this quietly."[break][break]

Make it look like an accident, play it out like he'd made a mistake setting the fire and had killed himself in the process. It would have been easy - but their current situation had not made it easy anymore.[break][break]

But she takes charge anyway because it's what she's good at. She releases her Ariados, muttering something under her breath. The Pokemon launches forward, stringing the man up in thick, sticky webbing that prevents him from throwing anything else. An added bonus is the spiderweb across his mouth, muffling any further disgusting profanity from leaving his lips.[break][break]

Another spider joins them, dousing the two women in water to keep them safe from the encroaching fire.[break][break]

"Stay close to me."[break][break]

Emma braves the heat, then, thankful for the damp of her clothes. She kneels down to lift the ranger's shoulders, gesturing for Katherine to grab his legs. While she had originally planned on leaving the man at the centre of his crime, she had decided to spare him. [break][break]

"You said there was a reward, let's get what you're owed."

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Emma had had every intention of coming out here to take care of the issue. This man was a danger to society and she didn't trust - had never trusted - the League to handle it properly. She had come all the way out here to put him down, to end his downward spiral before he got someone killed. He was too far gone, beyond saving. She was judge, jury, executioner.[break][break]

Unfortunately, Katherine had gotten in the way and complicated things. She was a loose cannon, misfiring in her direction and forcing Emma to move out of position, to accommodate. But she had done that and would continue to do that because despite how stiff and cold she was, Emma wasn't heartless. Attachments were a weakness but she had come to accept her attachments.[break][break]

Of course, she wonders if maybe she should detach as soon as Katherine opens her mouth with her chirpy remark. [break][break]

Emma manages to hold her tongue as she helps carry the ranger deeper into the fire. The smoke thickens as the flames lurch above but they persevere. She feels sweat drip from her brow as a result of the heat, and she glances up at Katherine briefly before voicing her plan.[break][break]

"We're going to tie him on a branch. He's going to be a victim of the forests rage for what he's done."[break][break]

Her words are full of venom, and she looks over Kat's shoulder to see that her spiders have followed her, braving the flames despite their obvious weakness. She helps lift the man but the spiders do the brunt of the work, hanging him from the strongest branch. She feels no remorse for his fate.[break][break]

"Let's go, Kat."

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She feels the ranger shift in her grasp thanks to Katherine's attempts not to cough. Emma says nothing in order to not breathe in more smoke than necessary, but she sets her jaw and internally stews on it regardless.[break][break]

Emma glances up at her briefly when she comments on the situation and Emma mistakes it for a moment of weakness instead of revelation. Instead of opting to support her compassion, Emma decides to hold fast to her pride.[break][break]

"Just focus, Katherine."[break][break]

As a sign of restraint, however, Emma manages to hold her tongue from commenting on the fact that this situation would have been dealt with sooner had Emma handled it alone. Call it a moment of growth.[break][break]

They pair quickly take care of the ranger and abandon him to the fate of the flames. If he did survive - which he very well might given Emma's attempts to allow the cocoon a safety hold - he would undergo his own personal growth. And several weeks of therapy and hospital visits.[break][break]

Emma plucks debris from her hair as Katherine opens her mouth again, emphasizing a big operation. The beast furrows her brow as she looks at the younger woman. But before she can get a word in edgewise to encourage Katherine from participating in this big event, the woman teleports away.[break][break]

"If there is a God..." she sighs heavily, not having the strength to finish her thought.

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