Journey Through Kanto | ✅

Chapter 50: No Place Like Home

Zia yawned as she walked into the kitchen/dining room, only to see KC making breakfast at the stove. Her mother, Ari, was placing newly picked flowers into a vase.

"Good morning, sweetie! How'd you sleep?" She asked her daughter as Zia sat at the table. Kirlia was sitting in one of the chairs. Kaida, who previously was annoying Emmy, jumped onto the girl's lap. Speaking of Emmy, she and Sky were sitting next to the table, waiting for the food like everyone else.

"Fine. It's nice to sleep in my own bed again." Zia said as she rubbed her eyes, waking up. "We better eat fast, we still have to learn about the Pokemon League." KC warned as he served the dish out to everyone, giving the Pokemon their food as well.

When they were done eating, they all got ready and headed over to Oak's Lab. Zia rung the doorbell but opened it anyway. "Who's there?" The older man's voice asked from inside the building. "Professor Oak, it's Zia." She answered. Oak came to the door and smiled.

"Oh it's great to see... a Dratini." He said last second as he began to look at the Pokemon in Zia's arms. The girl just sighed, knowing this wasn't unusual for him. "Nice to see you too, Professor." She mumbled as KC stood behind her, chuckling, along with Sky, Emmy, and Kirlia.

They all walked inside as Oak led them to another room. "It just so happens you're not the only Pokemon trainer to stop by today." Oak said as they walked through the doorway to see Gary sitting at a table, drinking out of a tea cup.

He looked up at them. "Well, now, I'm not surprised you showed up late, I'm surprised you showed up at all." Gary said with that cocky smirk. "And why would I pass up the chance to visit my mother, Gary? That's awful rude of you to think that way." She spat back, annoyed already.

"Alright, you two. Calm down. Why can't Pallet's two top trainers get along?" Oak asked. "Top trainer? Him/Her?" Gary and Zia both asked at the same time, pointing at the other. "Yes. You're both such fine trainers that you'll be Pokemon Masters before long. You might even be able to learn from each other. Oh! There is that other child, but never mind him for now." The older man said.

Zia rolled her eyes as Gary huffed and looked away childishly. They all then sat on the couches around the room. Oak sat next to Gary as Zia and KC sat on the opposite one, Kaida and Kirlia in their laps. Emmy and Sky laid down next to the couch, since they couldn't fit.

"Zia, five trainers have left Pallet Town on their Pokemon journeys but you and Gary have earned the most badges so far, and I'm very proud." Professor Oak said. "What happened to the other three?" KC asked him. "Well the first two got off to an excellent start, but they just didn't have the skill. The third, however, is slowly catching up I believe. He has seven badges as of now." The Professor answered.

"That's too bad." Zia told him. "But Gary has ten badges and you have eight, Zia. That's quite remarkable." Oak stated. "Thanks, but it's my Pokemon that do all the hard work." Zia corrected as she smiled down as Sky, Emmy, and Kaida. "That's not completely true. Without you, none of us would be as strong as we are." Sky told her as Zia just smiled and pet her for a moment.

"In any case, I'm glad you're here. It's time for you and Gary to participate in the Pokemon League." Oak stated. "Oh yeah, we came to ask about that. No one ever told me where it's at or when." Zia said. "Clueless as always." Gary mocked. "Shut it, I didn't hear you say that when I beat your Squirtle all that time ago." Zia shot back.

Gary glared at her, but before he could say anything, Oak interrupted. "It's atop the Indigo Plateau, exactly two months from today. And there'll be more than 200 trainers competing." He answered. "200? Sounds fun." Zia smirked, as did Emmy and Sky. KC and Kirlia leaned away a bit, practically feeling the fire burning in her eyes. Kaida just made a soft noise and nuzzled Zia's arms.