When news first spread of shrines being vandalized and destroyed across Hoenn, Aster was conflicted. He wondered if it meant that the age of legendaries was over, if people and pokemon were destined to never live in harmony as they once had. Then again, he wasn't sure if they ever had lived in harmony and that perhaps humanity had only restrained themselves out of fear of the great pokemon that were now considered things of the past. Still, shrines were places filled with history and were important to many of Hoenn's citizens. In his mind they deserved the protection and care afforded to any artifact or ruin.

He'd grown up by the small Shaymin shrine in Petalburg Woods, so when a notice went around looking for volunteers willing to guard it while it went under repairs, he didn't hesitate to sign himself up. It was his day off technically, but he was still dressed in full ranger gear as he made the trek to the shrine. His heavy hiking boots crunched leaves as he walked and he soaked up the sun that speckled through the trees.

The shrine itself was surrounded by many wild flowers, Aster even noticed the green beginnings of gracideas growing. Aster closed his eyes and clapped his hands together over the splendor. The beautiful, colorful spot would always remind him of his grandmother and of simpler times. When he opened his eyes again, he spoke his thoughts out loud.

"Seriously, who would want to destroy something so pure?"

"Well damn, that explains it," Aster says as he stares with a look of horrified disgust at the sticky amalgamation. "Now, I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but don't even think of carrying that many berries through the woods ever again," he admonishes to Remus who nods his head frantically. Aster sighs and turns to Kazimir.

"Yep. Job well done. We know what happened and our man here is safe," He offers a hand to his partner and smiles widely, "It was nice working with you dude, thanks for all your help. Should we exchange contacts? You know, in case you ever need a handsome ranger or want a star chart reading."

Aster's knees nearly buckled. Pure fear that any sudden movement would damn him was the only thing that kept him standing. His nervous and pleading smile, at last, completely disappeared. He maintained eye contact with the man and nodded slowly. What felt like centuries passed as the chatting group walked on. Sweat dripped from Aster's chin as their voices and footsteps finally faded in the distance.

He chanced a glance at the Gardevoir. She gazed back with what he could only discern as determination. He thought to her as loud as he could: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Be strong. A tear trailed down his cheek. He glared at their assaulter with fire and anguish. What could drive a man to such cold-heartedness?

"I am struggling, thank you for stopping. My pokemon are not the best for carrying things and they'd probably throw a fit if I tried to get them to do some work this early in the morning anyway," Aster chuckled and met Andres' bright smile with one of his own. He offered his hand at the other's introduction.

"Nice meeting you, Andres. I'm Aster. And you," Aster squatted to be more level with Chuchi, "are perhaps the most adorable eevee I've ever had the pleasure of encountering." His eyes sparkled as he barely contained himself from ooo-ing and aw-ing at the pokemon. "Sorry for interrupting your jog little one, this won't take long. Promise." He rose and faced Andres once again.

"I'm just taking these trash bags up to the dumpters up that way. There's a cute cafe right by them. I'll treat you to some coffee for all the trouble," Aster offered the trainer a wink and picked up a few of the bags. "Shall we?"

"Nice work," Aster nods to Kazimir, pleased that Remus wouldn't have to wait in pain. When he turns his attention back to their no-longer-missing-person, he notices that he is still a bit frazzled and looking worried. He crouches down so that they are eye level and puts a hand on Remus' shoulder.

"You're ok now. We've got you, you'll be well taken care of. Just take a deep breath." Remus mutters small thank yous between gulps of air. "It really is important that we understand what happened. Take some time to gather your thoughts and then let's get to the bottom of how you got into this mess." Aster reached again into his pocket and offered the man a small amethyst.

"Hold this. It'll help calm you down." Remus took it absentmindedly as he steadied himself and began his story.

"I-I was just biking my usual trail. A wild whirlipede came out of nowhere and started to chase me off course. I was able to get away but... I lost track of where I was. For some reason, wild pokemon kept chasing me down. I kept moving because I had no other choice. Finally I encountered a Vespiqueen but I could only get away by running into the river. The current was too fast and my leg got caught and I lost my bag. I was... really starting to worry."

Aster give Remus' a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you, that was very good Remus. I'm glad we could find you in time." He turns to face Kazimir. "It's a bit strange for the pokemon to be so aggressive and targeting in this area. There must be more to it." After a brief moment of pondering, an idea strikes Aster like lightning.

"Remus, you didn't happen to have an open jar of honey in your bag did you?"

Aster was passively impressed with Warren's firm handshake. He didn't seem like any of the rangers he had worked with thus far. Warren had an air of calculation and sophistication, something Aster wasn't used to dealing with, especially on the job. He wondered for a moment if he was actually on undercover boss and if his every action was being scrutinized. Well, whatever... that was highly unlikely and he didn't know how to act like anyone but himself regardless.

He listened intently as the other trainer completed his plan with ease.

"Ooh, yeah, that's a great idea! I think I have a couple Poke Puffs in my bag." Aster began rifling through his belongings only to come to an abrupt stop at the revelation that his partner didn't know about zodiac signs.

"Your zodiac sign? Well, it's like this symbol that reflects the position of the sun when you were born. It, like, gives insight to your personality and stuff. If you tell me your birth date, I can give you a basic rundown of your sign." Aster's eyes glittered at the possible chance to rant about one of his favorite topics. The mission at hand momentarily forgotten.

"Come on, man. She's like a sister to me. Look, what if I help you catch another one?" Aster's gaze flicks over the shoulder of his assaulter. He catches a glimpse of a group of people about to round a corner. Good, a crowd won't bode well for the man. Just keep talking, he thinks, like an idiot. "I'm a ranger. Pretty knowledgeable about routes and catching pokemon and the like. If you're on a deadline we could go right now. I was about to go out on a date though... I'm sure he probably left thinking he got stood up. Oh, um! Not totally your fault of course, I was already running late. Bad habit I guess. I bet you're on time for everything, you look the type anyway."

The group of bystanders finally is in closer proximity. Aster gulps heavily and considers taking a risk of shouting something at them but he's hesitating. Hoping to Arceus that the mugger will chicken out in the face of an audience.

The simple "okay" from the man in front of him, with no hint of recognition of him at all, had Aster second guessing himself. (Felix Gallagher ) If this guy was the one who had mugged him, would he really be able to have no reaction to seeing him? Like, he'd have to be a real stone-cold bastard if he could fake innocence that well right? He suddenly flushes and awkwardly rubs the back of his neck. He never thought he would have been the type to accost an unsuspecting stranger. Quickly, he tries to apologize for his brashness.

"Oh, man. I'm super sorry dude. I totally thought... you were someone else? Really. I'm sorry. Definitely not the time and place for that either. I'll make it up to you, swear to Arceus," he gestures an x over his heart, hoping his white lie is convincing enough, "If you need anything... or once we get out of this absurd place-" Just then he hears the sound of the shutter lifting and the door swinging open.

He whips his head towards the computers and shoots everyone standing over there a giant grin and an enthusiastic thumbs up. "No way," he shouts, "You guys rock. I'm impressed. Real MVPs over there." (Martín del Mar Raziel Beckett chryssa glasgow ) Aster makes a bee-line for the glass water wall. The new person joining them sure was interesting, but he found the whole thing a bit unsettling and decided to leave it for others to deal with.

He pressed a hand against the glass and tried to see how far and deep the water went and if there was any sign of anything that might be useful for their escape.

"Oh hi, call me Aster. Might as well be friendly in the face of this... absurdity, right?" Aster offers a hand to the fellow cadet. "I've been trying to brainstorm some solutions, but all I've got is having my bellossom use sweet scent to keep its guard down.'" Aster awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, cheeks flushing. "And, uh, yeah... I have no idea what to do after that. Any ideas? I'm not the best at battling either but I'll support in any way can if it comes to it."

Aster turns his attention back to the slumbering giant and sighs loud for what feels like the hundredth time. He's just starting feel the gears of his brain turning, attempting to form a workable plan, when he remembers to ask:

"By the way, what's your zodiac sign?" 

Aster nods in appreciation at Kazimir's respect for the crystal. A good guy in his books now for sure. "I know it's not for everyone, but if it works, even a little bit, it's worthwhile I think. Keeps ya in a positive mindset too." He mounts his gogoat and rides along the bank until Kazimir circles around to let him know that he'll be taking off in the other direction. "Good thinking, I'll have my bellossom use magical leaf into the sky if I come across anything."

He takes off in a gallop. His gogoat sniffs the air and skids to a stop about 50 yards down. Aster jumps off and follows his pokemon until his snuffles come to a stop at a long drag mark and a right footprint heading back into the thick of the woods. He touches a finger to the wet soil and brings it up to his face for a closer inspection. Traces of blood. Not good. Aster frantically sends out bellosom and has her send up their signal. He runs into trees using the track as a guide.

"Remus!" he calls, hands cupped around his mouth. "Remus! Anyone out there?"

"he-HEY! YES! I'M HERE. I HURT MY -augh," someone answered. Aster rounds a fallen log and spots Remus trying to stand on a clearly broken leg. He's still wear his biking gear but it's so covered in dirt and rips that the fabric blends him into the background of earth and branches.

"Stay down, stay down. It's okay, don't strain your wound," Aster says in a calming tone, "I'll have my gogoat use MILK DRINK, it'll help the pain and at least heal the smaller cuts."

The sun was just barely rising over the horizon, but Aster had already been at the beach for a few hours. Picking up litter was easier when there were less people around throwing volleyballs or kicking up sand, and he'd filled up a good five bags. He sighed as he tied up a sixth. All his hard work would be overwritten with new trash by the end of the day but at least he'd gotten some of the more dangerous plastics before they drifted out to sea.

Aster put his hands on his hips, looked over his collection of trash bags and internally groaned at the thought of lugging them to the dumpster. He wanted nothing more than to jump in the salt water for a quick cool down, but, for now, he merely lifted his tank top to wipe away the sweat that had accumulated on his forehead. As he brought down his shirt he noticed a jogger not too far from him.

"Oh BOY, man do I wish I had some help with these," he said, quite loudly, eyes shifting between the passerby and the display in front of him, "If only a kind, strong, stranger would randomly offer to assist." He sighed exaggeratively and shook his head. "That would be too good to be true wouldn't it?"

He'd never been very subtle.