Pokemon - Capture Quest

Chapter 15 - A Reunion Ruined

The boat docked at Vermilion City in Kanto. We were finally back home.

"This is where you live?" Alicia asked as we stepped onto the dock.

"Well, we live in this region." Nelly explained. "Our home is in Fuchsia City."

"Is that far?"

"Not too far." I said, looking around. "It's about an hour's walk away, but I don't think we'll have time to stop by."

"Hm..." Nelly looked disappointed.

"Are you missing home?" Alicia inquired.

"Yeah, a little bit..." Nelly smiled weakly. "What about you?"

"I am perfectly fine." Alicia replied. "Your home must be much nicer than mine. It would make sense that you miss it."

"Megan said she'd send someone to come and meet us." I said, remembering that fact as we made our way away from the mass of boats docked by the water.

"More friends of yours?" Alicia sounded almost excited.

"She didn't say."

"...Oh? Hey, over there! Isn't that...?" Nelly pointed.

Three figures were walking towards us with purpose, all of them friendly faces.

On the left was Gabi, the Mexican international team's captain. He seemed tired, and his pink hair appeared to be un-groomed and hastily tied back into twin ponytails. His emerald eyes were partly obscured by loose strands of hair from his bangs, but he seemed happy to see us, despite how exhausted he appeared.

In the middle was Paolo, the Italian captain who had been the cause of Destiny Angel's defeat in the final of the World Tournament. In contrast to his Mexican ally, Paolo appeared to be wide awake and alert. A natural-born leader and a hard-worker through and through, it didn't surprise me that Megan had chosen to contact him.

Finally, Skyra was on the right. Like Paolo, he appeared alert and aware. Watching him approach, it occurred to me that he had probably been targeted by Team Rocket as well, since Ix and Penelope had been. Gabi and Paolo may have had to deal with them at some point too, if Team Rocket were so serious they would attack people across the world.

"Buongiorno, Amici." Paolo greeted us.

"I didn't expect to see all of you here." Nelly smiled.

"Jet-lag can't keep me away from amigos in need..." Gabi yawned.

"Megan filled us in." Skyra said, folding his arms. "Ix sounded pretty distressed too."

"You spoke to Ix?" I asked.

"Not directly. Apparently Hikaru and Sol have had run-ins with Team Rocket as well."

"Are they ok?"

"Hikaru managed to fight them off with help from her father and Ray. Sol couldn't, though... He said Team Rocket approached him too close to his family, so he surrendered his Pokemon to prevent any conflict that could spread to his brothers and sisters."

"Damn..." I frowned.

"Team Rocket also attacked my friends." Paolo added. "It was a shock to see them appear in Venice, but a small group of us scared them away before they could get near us."

"That's good at least..." I nodded. "Gabi? Have they come after you?"

"Not yet..." He held his chin, thinking. "Though I can't say the same for my teammates... There were reports of a big helicopter flying around suspiciously a few days back..."