"I can let you go. But since you're not familiar with this - area, planet, whatever - you might have trouble finding your own food and keeping away from dangerous 'mon. What do you want to happen now?"

"I want a purpose. I..." It needs to talk through Joe for half of this. "I want to go home. Since that is impossible, I want a purpose. I want something or someone to serve that is not an arrogant prince stomping his feet whenever something does not go his way. Preferably something where I am particularly helpful, and which provides me with the things I need to survive and a few occasional luxuries."

"I might be able to find a way for you to work keeping dangerous wild 'mon away from towns. Does that sound good?"

"So long as I am recognized as a person and not a creature, it would be better than anything else I have seen of this place."

"People will probably think you're a Pokémon, but if you learn the language, you do perimeter ranger work, and everyone understands you're a legendary Pokémon you'll probably get some more respect than Larry was able to cough up, at least."

"If Larry had attempted to make me fight against my will, I would have tried to kill him eventually. Who would be my commander and are they likely to do this?"

"I don't know any rangers personally. I'd have to ask around. It might take a long time to find one who will treat you well, but I think I could find one eventually. It will take longer if you absolutely can't stand going in your Pokéball, because I usually travel by riding a flying Pokémon and I'm not sure she can carry you while you're out."

"The ball would be... Acceptable... If it was wielded by one I trust. I dislike it because it makes me helpless."

"I wouldn't like it either. If you were small enough that you could ride Rachis with me I wouldn't suggest it."

"Of all the Hivers to be stranded here, at least I am perhaps best suited for it."

"Why's that?"

"I can fight. A worker or builder or scientist would have died to those hounds. And I don't even want to think about a Royal being placed in such danger."

"Do you want to fight?"

"I was made to fight. I want to serve a purpose, and the easiest purpose is to fight."

"Okay. Probably the best way to do that usefully is to get you in with the Rangers."

"How should I behave to be acceptable to the Rangers?"

"That... probably depends on whether they're going to treat you like a tame loose 'mon, of which there are some, or like a space alien who happens to be able to directly fight wild 'mon and want Ranger training. Either way - never attack a human, don't damage things humans have made... if they treat you like a ranger proper they'll probably pay you and you'll have to buy your own food that way, I recommend mail order."

"I could even make a workshop and make proper armor, with money. I would like to test myself against a non-fire Pokémon, to verify that I can indeed fight them. Would any of yours be willing to spar?"

"Yeah, somebody'll spar with you. Juu's not the best choice if you're right you're part Steel... it'll have to be Zag." She pulls a ball and tosses a 'mon.

The Hiver goes into a defensive position, and Zag moves before it can decide how to attack.

The Hiver is as gentle as possible in return, not deploying claws or poison. It's a bit slower and doesn't have such ridiculous strength, but it's very, very good at feints and blocking and hitting back in ways that are hard to dodge.

The Hiver is completely undamaged by the admittedly gentle attacks, not even scratched. "I would not mind. This level of damage is barely affecting me at all."