“Ranger Elise?” Ethan called out as he spotted his rescuer after returning back to the camp. Ranger Elise’s Umbreon was standing by her side and spotted him first, giving him a head tilt of confusion.

  “Yes?” She replied, turning to look in his direction. He waited a second to see if she remembered him, but he supposed he looked much different now than in the past. He didn’t have his signature vest and was dressed in full winter clothing.

  “It’s Ethan, Ethan Reed.” He supplied, causing her to smile at the recognition.

  “Oh. Hello Ethan.” She stood and heaved her pack over her shoulder as her Umbreon gave him a nod. Gloom, who was stuffed in his coat once more, gave her the stink eye. “I hope you’re doing well. No more troublemakers trying to catch Teddiursas I hope?” She asked as her eyes locked onto the glare from Gloom.

  “Fairly uneventful, thankfully.” He answered politely. “I have a request though.” With a quick grab, he plucked Ursaring’s beat-up Ultraball from his hip. “You’re going out to look for people and pokemon right? Well, I’m here to teach some trainers and their pokemon moves to help do the same. Since I won’t be going out there often, or at all, I thought that maybe you’d like some help.” He held out the Ultraball in invitation.

  Elise looked at her Umbreon and gave a forced smile. “I’m happy you’re doing better, but I’m not supposed to take gifts from people I’ve–”

  “No, no. no. This isn’t some misguided ‘Thank you’ for saving me way back when.” Ethan scoffed, then wiggled the offered Ultraball “I fully expect to have her back when you’re finished. This is Ursaring’s Ultraball. She came to help save people. Since I won’t be going out there, and since you two know each other, she can go with you… If that’s okay?” Ethan said sincerely, causing Elise’s forced smile to fade into relief.

  “So, you caught her?” She asked, eyes on the Ultraball but not taking it.

  “Caught her and her kids. The kiddo’s are back at the ranch…” Ethan shifted in place, arm a little tired from holding it out for so long. “So… Look, if you want to say no, that’s fine. There’s no hard feelings. I just thought she’d be of help and it’d be nice for her to get out there and do some good instead of sitting in her ball or watching me teach.”

  Elise licked her lips with indecision and worry and flicked her gaze to his eyes. “She’s tame?”

  “She was tame before you ever knew her. I’m not her first trainer.” Ethan supplied a little testily not liking the insinuation that she was like some wild animal. With his tired arm, he dropped the Ultraball and released Ursaring right between them.

  As Ursaring materialized, Elise took a step back and her Umbreon came forward in a protective stance. Ursaring, having heard everything said from within her ball, simply gave them each an even look before twisting her head to look at Ethan. Ethan stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug, causing the big bear to grimace from embarrassment. “See?” He said, “Safe as can be.”

  “Ethan,” Elise spoke, “You know my job basically entailed that I not interact with her, right? We don’t really know each other."

  He snorted as he aborted his hug, freeing mama bear from her shame. “You act like she never knew you came around and checked on her. She has eyes in the back of her head.”

  They both looked to Ursaring who huffed in amusement, she sent a playful shove towards Ethan, causing him to stumble—Payback.

  Ethan laughed, “So, you gonna take her with you on your excursion? She knows a lot of moves. Stone Edge to help alter terrain, Stomping Tantrum would solidify the ground, Dig, Hyper Beam—Although I hope that’s not necessary…” He ticked off his fingers, going down the list.

  After mentioning Uproar, Facade, and Earthquake, Elise held up a hand in surrender. “I’ll take her with me. I gotta get going soon anyways, the others are probably waiting.”

  Ethan lobbed the Ultraball over, which Elise snatched out of the air with ease. Ursaring plopped a massive paw on his head and messed up his hair before sauntering ahead to stand by Elise’s side. “Stay safe. When you get back, drop her off at the Joys. If I'm not there, then Joyce Joy can take her in my stead.”

  “Understood.” Elise looked to Ursaring, a little on edge. “Are you good to go?”

  “Urs-Ursaring.” She grunted and nodded forward, telling Elise to get going.

  Ethan watched them leave and wander out into the snowscape ahead with two other waiting Rangers until he couldn’t make out their forms in the sleet and snow.

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Forty minutes later, Ethan stood in a makeshift training field (a flat area roughly rectangular and cleared of snow) as he stared down the trainers and pokemon he’d be teaching. There were five trainers here, three men and two women, all on the younger side. At a quick glance, Ethan could tell that none of them really knew each other, going by how distant that stood from one another and what little interaction went by. Their pokemon also looked at each other with interest.

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  And what pokemon they were! It was always a wonder when seeing pokemon he’d never seen before, and some of these blew his expectations away. Shieldon wasn’t a pokemon he ever remembered being popular or widely used, but when the Rock and Steel type was here in the flesh, using his shield-like head to bulldoze the snow out of their way with a feisty attitude? That was amazing.

  The Bronzor which floated beside its trainer was also weirdly unique. Bronzong was a very strong pokemon, but its prior evolution didn’t get much attention. It swirled and twirled around, turning its flat body to gaze about its surroundings. It paid special attention to the fire-type standing not too far away from him.

  “Houuuuuuu!” Said fire-type howled, tongue lollying out of their panting mouth as they waited with as much patience a little Houndour could have. It looked mean by its appearance, but was acting like a slightly more battle-hungry Growlie.

  The largest, and only evolved of the bunch, was a terrifying Drapion. It skittered and tapped its legs to keep itself moving and warm. Its alternating purple plated exoskeleton was smooth, causing the snow falling on top of it to slide right off. Drapion’s trainer was leaning into its side, giving it a soothing rub, which it seemed to enjoy.

  The final pokemon, and the rarest of them all, was a fan favorite. It would have been nice to see one of these before the avalanche happened, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. White and black with piercing red eyes, an Absol stood next to one of the young women. Its red eyes were locked onto him as he gave it a nod of acknowledgement. Out in the snow, Absol would be hard to spot.

  Seeing that everyone was ready and waiting, Ethan started his introduction. “Hello everyone. My name is Ethan Reed, and this is Gloom. I am a Move Tutor and Breeder here in Sinnoh. I’ve been called here by the powers that be to help you and your pokemon learn a move to increase your chances at helping out in rescuing those trapped beneath the snow.”

  Ethan paused, letting the information sink in. He gestured to Gloom. “Gloom is a wild pokemon that lives at my ranch deep within Eterna Forest. He will showcase some moves I’ve taught him. I’ve recently been informed that I have the fastest tutoring time in Sinnoh, and have not once failed in tutoring a pokemon. I’ve even tutored one of Champion Cynthia’s pokemon!”

  “Gloom,” Ethan spoke to his helper. “Sunny Day.”

  Gloom nodded and began his tranquil dance of hops and twirls, a smile spreading across his face as his drool released a very pleasant aroma of flowers and nature. Five seconds into the dance, a giant ball of warmth shot from the top of Gloom’s head and into the sky. When it burst, it hung in the sky, releasing a pleasing warmth all around the training field. Some of the freshly fallen snow beneath their feet instantly began to thaw, and soon enough, they all stood in a slightly damp field of dried grass.

  “Thank you.” Ethan gave Gloom a pat and turned to face his soon to be clients. Instead of their awkward positionings, unsure about having to be here, they now looked pleasantly surprised and almost glad.

  One of the men, the one with the feisty Shieldon, raised his hand and Ethan pointed to him. “Is it true you’ve taught one of the Champion’s pokemon?”

  Ethan nodded. “Indeed. I taught her Swinub Mudshot. He’s a big’ol Piloswine now. If you ever get the chance to battle her or meet the lovable pokemon, mention me and that’ll be all the proof you need.”

  “Now,” He took a few steps forward and to the end of their little line. “I’m going to go down the line here and recommend some moves that should help. I’m going to ask what moves your partners have already, and although I’m doing this for free, you’re all still technically my clients. So, there’s no need to keep secrets if you have any. Your strategies are safe with me.”

  The first on the left was the Absol. Ethan noticed how the pokemon’s head tilted in confusion as he grew closer. Absol was probably feeling his empathic power and was very confused. “You’re first. What’s your name, Miss…?”

  “Green. Ava Green.” The woman answered. She didn’t look the type to own an Absol, but Ethan didn’t look the type to own an Ursaring. So, he couldn’t judge. She had a frosty pair of glasses and curly brown hair which trailed just past her shoulders. Bookish, but not nerdy.

  “Well, Ava. As I'm sure you’re aware, Absols are very rare Pokemon—” She nodded, then returned with a question of her own.

  “Before you start, there isn’t going to be any problems with her being tutored, right?” Ava asked, some confidence showing itself.

  “Uhh?” Ethan floundered, caught off guard. “I don’t see why not? Is there something specific?”

  Ava gave her pokemon a look of protection. “You know, the disaster stuff.”

  Remembering a long forgotten anime episode, Ethan had a sudden realization about what her concerns were. “While Absol are literally known as the Disaster Pokemon, it’s not because they cause disasters. They bring warnings of said incoming disasters. She will be very helpful even without any moves being taught from the effects of her horn. The horn is what senses the danger.”

  Ava relaxed and smiled. “Okay, I was just making sure you weren’t a bigot. Sorry.”

  Ethan’s mind ran through the word bigot and settled on it being rather apt. “No worries. Now, what moves does she know?”

  Ava ran through the comparatively short list of moves Absol new, and Ethan instantly had a recommendation. “Absols don’t have much in the way of supporting moves. They’re usually devastating physical attackers. I would recommend False Swipe, as some of the pokemon you may find during your excursions might not be so friendly. False Swipe would ensure that no real harm comes to them. Are you familiar with that move?”

  “I’ve heard of it. Researchers use it… Any other options?”

  “Hmm,” Ethan scratched his chin, eyes glancing to Absol. “Absol can learn some fire moves, which would help, but they’d be special attacks, not physical ones.”

  “Oh?” Ava looked at Absol with a smile. “A fire move would help here and in the future. Fire-types are hard to come by.”

  Absol looked at her trainer and nodded, face cool and collected.

  “Then, Absol will learn Flamethrower. I’m sure you’ve heard and seen that move in action before.” Ethan clapped.

  “Really?” Ava looked ecstatic at the news, a smile spreading across her face.

  “Sure. I’ll have one of my pokemon start you off as I get with the others. Pick somewhere on the field near the boundaries so we can use the snow as a target.” Ethan said, plucking off the single Greatball from his hip and releasing Smeargle. Smeargle, having heard the plan, waved them along as soon as he appeared, leading them away.

  As Ethan reached the next person in line, he could feel the blast of heat from Smeargle showcasing his own use of Flamethrower.

  Hopefully, his efforts here will spread in the future. He really did kinda miss tutoring…

  As well as making money.

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