Only 1 chapter today... i need to stockpile few more chapter before uploading 2 chapter per day again
And i also write another fanfic.. dont be suprised as its quality very bad as i dont put much effort on it
Sorry guys
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The air inside Viridian Ranger Center was fill with exhaustion. The battle against Team Rocket had pushed everyone to their limits.
Ray sat in his chair, arms crossed, his usual confident smirk replaced by a serious expression.
Lara stood behind him, leaning against the wall with her arms folded.
Zen, Asahi, and John stood at attention in front of them, awaiting their debriefing.
Ray let out a tired sigh before speaking.
"You all did really well during the mission." His gaze flickered to Zen. "Especially you, kid, you fought better than most Basic Rank Rangers."
Zen shifted awkwardly at the praise, while Asahi patted him on the back with a grin.
Ray continued, "That's why I've decided to promote you, Zen."
Lara handed Zen a new Ranger Card, the title Basic Rank Ranger now displayed on it.
Zen – Basic Rank Ranger
• Pokémon: Kakuna (Shiny), Ledyba
• Merit Points: 900 → 5,900
Zen stared at the card, feeling a sense of pride. His first real step as a Ranger.
John whistled. "Damn, that's a fast promotion. Took me two years to get here."
Asahi chuckled. "Yeah, at this rate, he'll be leading us in a few years."
Zen scratched his head. "I just did what I could…"
Ray smirked. "And that's exactly why you're getting promoted."
Ray's expression turned serious again.
"But there's something else we need to talk about." He leaned forward. "For now, Viridian Rangers need to stay low."
Zen, Asahi, and John exchanged confused glances.
"Stay low?" John repeated.
Lara sighed. "Most of our Rangers were injured in that battle. We lost too many people to take on another major fight like that."
Ray nodded. "The only ones still able to take on missions are you three, Lara, and a few others who weren't involved in the last battle."
Zen frowned. "Wait… but Captain Ray, aren't you here? Can't you take missions too?"
John and Asahi also looked confused.
Ray let out a tired laugh and shook his head. "Me? Unfortunately, I can't do any missions right now."
Zen tilted his head. "Why?"
Ray tapped his belt, where only one Poké Ball remained.
"Most of my Pokémon are badly injured. Machamp is the only one that i can use right… and he's barely abke to fight, as for other two... last fight were to much for them."
Zen's eyes widened.
He had never thought about it, but now it made sense.
Lara sighed. "That's why we need to be careful. If Team Rocket makes another move, we won't have enough manpower to stop them."
Ray leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Which is why we need to tkae some rest first."
After a few more discussions about patrol schedules and recovery plans, Ray ended the meeting.
"Alright, that's all for now. Get some rest."
Zen, Asahi, and John nodded, ready to leave.
As Zen turned toward the door, Ray called out.
"Kid."
Zen stopped and looked back.
Ray gave a small smile. "You did good."
Zen nodded. "I'll keep getting stronger."
With that, Zen walked out of the Ranger Center.
Tonight, he would rest.
The night was calm. A soft breeze rustled through the trees, and the glow of streetlights cast long shadows along the path.
Zen walked through Viridian City, heading back to the orphanage after his long day at the Ranger Center. His body was sore, his mind still processing everything that had happened.
As he passed by the Viridian Gym, a familiar figure caught his eye.
An old man sat on a wooden bench near the gym entrance, his wrinkled hands resting on a cane.
Zen stopped.
"Old man?"
The elderly figure looked up, his sharp eyes studying Zen before a warm smile appeared.
"Well, if it isn't the little troublemaker."
Zen chuckled. "I'm not little anymore."
The old man scoffed, motioning for Zen to sit beside him. "You're still a brat."
Zen sat down, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia. The last time they met was almost a year ago. Back then, he was just a kid who wandered around Viridian, but now… he was a Ranger.
"Haven't seen you in a while," Zen said. "You don't come here much anymore."
The old man chuckled. "I come and go when I please. But tonight… I was waiting."
Zen raised an eyebrow. "Waiting for what?"
The old man smirked. "Not for you, if that's what you're thinking."
Zen huffed. "I didn't say that."
The old man shook his head with amusement. Then, for the first time in their conversation, Zen noticed something different about him.
His expression wasn't the usual grumpy or tired look Zen was used to.
Tonight, he looked… content. Happy.
Zen tilted his head. "You seem different. Did something good happen?"
The old man leaned back on the bench, gazing up at the sky. "Yeah… I finally got something I've been waiting for."
Zen blinked. "Oh? What is it?"
But the old man simply smiled and shook his head.
"That's not something you need to know, kid."
Zen frowned but didn't push further.
For a while, they just sat in silence, listening to the distant sounds of the city.
Eventually, Zen stood up. "I should get going. Tomorrow i need to do something."
The old man gave a slow nod. "Go on then. You're a busy man now, aren't you? A Ranger."
Zen was slightly surprised. "You know?"
The old man let out a deep chuckle. "Of course, I do. Viridian Rangers were quite noisy recently."
Zen scratched the back of his head. "Yeah."
The old man studied him for a moment. "You've done well, but you're still green. Keep your head down and get stronger."
Zen nodded. "I will."
With that, he turned and began walking away. "See you around, old man."
The old man watched him leave.
Once Zen was out of sight, he muttered to himself.
"Viridian Rangers… better than I thought."
Then, without another word, the old man stood up and disappeared into the darkness.
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Zen : 8 years old
Kakuna Lv 11 (shiny-purple)
Ledyba Lv 9
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