Pokemon - Capture Quest

Chapter 4 - To the Sunny Islands

"It's been a while since we've been on a boat like this." Nelly said as we held onto the outer railings. The sea water was splashing up around the boat as it sliced onwards towards Alola. For the moment, we could see nothing but the wide expanse of the ocean, with the knowledge that we would be arriving at our destination in about ten minutes.

"Yeah. I just hope we can make it in time..." I leant forward and stared into the endless blue.

We were planning to catch up to Ix and Penelope while they were on their holiday in an attempt to encounter Team Rocket again. If it was possible, we would save them from the fate we had suffered ourselves. Even if I only had one Pokemon, I would still try.

Hawlucha was stood beside us, watching the waves roll by. He seemed oddly calm, for a Pokemon who had almost been kidnapped. I didn't know exactly what it was that motivated him to join us – revenge would be my first guess. His friends had been taken by Team Rocket, and that was enough for him to put his trust in me.

"Hey." I crouched down.

"Hm?" He looked up at me, his arms folded.

"Thanks for agreeing to come with us, again."

"Cha." He nodded.

"I know you want to get back at Team Rocket for what they did – we all do. But I hope we can be friends, too."

"Ha...?" He tilted his head, confused.

"You didn't think I just wanted to use you to get back at them, did you? I wouldn't ever dream of sending any of my Pokemon out to fight without them knowing that I'm right there beside them..." I winced. "I failed the others when it came to that... But I swear, Hawlucha, I won't let the same thing happen to you – or any of my Pokemon – ever again. I hope I can prove that to you."

Hawlucha stared at me and nodded slowly.

"You really have a way with words." Nelly smiled.

"You think?" I laughed.

"Yep." She giggled. "Hey, look over there!"

She pointed to four islands in the distance that were getting closer by the second.

We were almost there. The Alola region.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the captain's voice came over the speakers. "We will be docking on Akala Island shortly. Please ensure that you have all of your belongings before departing the vessel."

"Trixie, come on!" Nelly stretched her arms out to her Vulpix who was curled up on the seat behind her. The Pokemon stood up, stretched, and leapt into Nelly's arms.

"Ready to go?" I asked Hawlucha.

"Ha."

I called him back into his PokeBall and picked up my bag.

*

The coastal city of Konikoni was a pleasant little place, with stalls offering products to tourists on both sides of the street. Coming into the main hub from the docks, we could see a lighthouse to the left, and a large red gateway that marked the entrance to the city.

"Ix and Penelope are in the Hano Grand Resort, right?" Nelly asked.

"Yeah. So that means we need to go through... To Heahea City." I said, reading the map that I had picked up on the boat. "Too bad the ferry wasn't running when we left, or we could've gone straight there."

"Well, we've never been here before. Taking in the scenery couldn't hurt." Nelly smiled.

"I suppose. As long as Team Rocket doesn't attack before we get there." I put the map away. "Are you ready to head out?"