Emergence: Pokemon Rangers

Leo hated waiting. He wasn't used to it. There was never much in the way of red tape when it came to straightening out crime and villainy, or causing crime and villainy. Generally one was either the initiator of an event, or was forcefully swept up in it. He was long tired of being swept along. But here he sat in Gateon Port, staring daggers into his drink while he sat inside the town's single, modest restaurant, while Nett's reinforcements arrived.

It was excruciating knowing that J was out there, handing over the time traveler to whoever was running Cipher now. And he couldn't do a thing about it. It was a far cry from the way things used to be, when he was a young recruit in Team Snagem. His eyes softened as he got lost in the memories; he'd been handed over to Gonzap as a child, with the earliest memories of his mother all prominently featuring her back.

Not a strong base for a mother figure. Leo acknowleged it had probably left him with a few issues.

Gonzap was the closest he had to a father, though. The man was gruff and abrasive, but genuinely caring for his men. He was harsh because he expected the best, and he always got it out of Leo. He was a lieutenant before he was legal, and then he'd defected before he could celebrate that last birthday.

You either initiated events, or got swept up in them. Leo's resignation notice was a shot heard 'round the world.

"...Excuse me." His thoughts were interrupted by a voice. Leo looked up to quietly watch a young girl stare right back, neither of them saying anything for a moment. Short black hair and a delicate, frilled dress of somber color...not the kind of style you saw a lot of in Orre. She finally moved, turning her head and pointing towards the club's stage. The curtain was drawn; everyone had assumed it was merely vacant. "...Watch close."

With that, the girl walked off, disappearing behind the curtain. Leo raised his eyebrow and sipped his drink, wordessly curious. The lights dimmed and stage lights hit the curtain in a variety of colors, with a drum roll coming in from somewhere off stage.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! RESIDENTS OF GATEON PORT! DO NOT BE ALARMED! THE GREATEST SUPERHERO TEAM TO EVER LIVE HAVE SAFELY ARRIVED ON YOUR SHORES!"  A gentle smirk had formed on Leo's lips as the lights had dimmed. Then gone away after what seemed to be a boisterous young man started shouting over the cafe's speaker system. "PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR...POOOORINGER!"

The curtain pulled back to reveal five costumed individuals...each very different sizes and ages, even through the masking helmets and uniforms. And a different color...blue, green, red, pink, and black, according to how they stood on the stage. Red, and Pink were unabashedly striking a ridiculous pose together. Green and Blue were a bit more subdued in their movements, clearly a little embarrassed to be there. Black had wandered off to the side, trying to put distance between herself and her supposed allies.

All Leo could do was pray they hadn't been the people Nett had sent for. Even Cipher agents would've been preferable; Cipher was no stranger to...those types of outfits.

"Hey, is there a Leo in the crowd?" Red announced more quietly, putting his hand to the visor of his helmet and looking about. "Our secret agent friend Nett asked us to help him take down this criminal organization." Black slapped him in the back of the head rather promptly.

Blue was tapping a finger to his chin. "Maybe we should've figured out where he was before announcing ourselves like this."

It was a few moments before Red was dragged off the stage by Leo, who had managed to sneak his way behind the curtain and grab the smaller boy by the collar of his uniform. "Hey hey hey hey HEY! Watch the duds, mac! We got official business, we're looking for somebody!" Red detested, kicking his feet as he was dragged.

Leo tapped his fingers against Red's motorcycle helmet firmly, rocking his head back. "I am that somebody. Snagger Leo. Nett told me he was bringing in backup. He didn't say anything about flashy idiots. Get out of those costumes immediately, you're doing nothing but attracting unwanted attention."

Red unclasped his helmet and took it off, holding it as his side. The others followed suit, most embarrassed for their own sakes. "Right! Leo! My name's Buck. Team Leader of Poringer! We're a special unit of trainers from Sinnoh. Affiliated with the former Kids Grid."

Pink had spoken next, excitedly thrusting her fist into the air. "Poringer Pink! Long range tactics specialist! Cutest and smartest member of Poringer! Mira's name is Mira, of course!"

"Poringer Blue. I'm Riley. Geologist and close combat expert. It's a pleasure to meet you, we've heard much from Nett." Riley and Leo shook hands, Leo promptly deciding this one was at least respectable.

"My name is Cheryl, Poringer Green~ I am the team doctor. It's really great to be here in Orre, even if your region isn't very green~" She curtside politely, despite her lack of a skirt. It was amazing how she managed to cram all that hair inside her helmet.

"...My name is Marley." The girl he'd spoken to before. Buck took offense to her simple introduction, stomping up and pointing at her nose.

"YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THAT! You have to announce your team designations! Are you a Poringer or not?!" She glared at him and he backed away.

"Poringer Black. Team leader." She announced low and stern, arms crossed over her stomach.

"I'M the Team Leader! You're Special Operations! Get it right!" Both Leo and Marley glared at him this time, and he shrunk back behind Cheryl, who put on an innocent and amused smile at the antics.

"...We know about Hunter J." Marley spoke for them, taking a communique from her pocket. "She's been harassing the Sinnoh region for awhile...what she does is...unforgivable..." Her voice trailed off as she spoke, deciding instead to just give the notice they'd received to Leo. It was from Nett.

Nett had described the situation well enough, and did a good job of keeping the relationship between Leo and J on a need-to-know-basis. Pictures had been acquired of J's other known operations...it didn't seem like she was too picky over her targets, and had no qualms attacking legendary Pokemon. "Right...we need to proceed immediately. Citadark Isle is a boat ride away, and the best thing we have to a lead."

"BEFORE WE GO..." Buck interjected, shouting in Leo's ear. Both he and Marley smacked him again. He didn't seem more phased by the hit than to simply take a step back. "Nett wanted us to give you this! Here." It seemed like a belt buckle. A bulky one, with a number of buttons.

Leo trusted Nett, and was thankful for any new euipment when it came to enforcing what little law there was in Orre. He affixed it to his own belt and tested one of the buttons out. There was a flash and a few holograms popped up from it, similar to the style of his Snag Machine...purple arrows looping around his body and locking in place. And a voice.

HENSHIN! Kamen Ride...SNAGGAH! An outlandish costume, similar to those surrounding them though more ornate and elaborate, had covered his coat. A new helmet mounted his head, rather resembling some manner of mechanical lion's head. Leo couldn't stop inwardly swearing; he just knew that Nett was laughing to himself over this.

Before he could object, the Poringers had replaced their helmet and were staring towards the sea, which was odd considering it wasn't even visible from inside the cafe. "LET'S RIDE! ONWARD TO CITADARK ISLE! They won't know what hit 'em!"

Mira delivered a short kick to Buck's backside, sending him forward in shock. "Hee! Mira wanted to do it, too."

"Maybe you should learn to be quieter, Buck~" Green commented, the five walking on without him as he rubbed his butt.

"Yeah, yeah..."