Journey Through Kanto | ✅

Chapter 62: Pokénapped

"How far away is the Champion League?" Emmy asked as they continued to walk. Zia looked over the map again.

"Basically... It's past the Indigo Plateau in a place called Champion's Valley. From the note President Goodshow gave me, there's four members, of course. The only thing different here in Kanto than Hoenn, per say, is that Kanto and Johto share a champion. That, and the champion is also one of the Elite Four. His name is Lance and he uses dragon-types primarily. The other three, Bruno, Lorelei, and Agatha, are regular Elite Four members." Zia told them.

"Do we know what they use?" Sky asked her. "Well, from what Goodshow wrote, Bruno uses a Machamp. Lorelei uses a Lapras. Then there's Agatha, who has a Gengar. That's about all he told me, though." She replied, putting the map and note away. "They sound strong." Kirlia said.

"Yes, I would hope they are. They are labeled as the four strongest trainers in Kanto and Johto." Zia said, nodding her head. Zia took Kaida back from her spot on Sky's back as she then nuzzled further into the girl's chest, half asleep.

"Well, not being biased or anything, but I'm sure you'll blow them out of the water." KC said as he ruffled Zia's hair. "Stop that! I don't want to look like you, bird nest." Zia pouted, smacking his hand away. He gasped, placing the same hand on his chest, offended.

"How dare you! I thought we were over my hairstyle." He said. "You're such a drama queen." Kirlia said, rolling her eyes. The rest chuckled in amusement as KC huffed. "I think we better stop and rest for the night, the sky is getting pretty dark." Zia stated, looking up in between the trees.

The sky was turning from orangish-red to a purple color. "You're right." KC agreed as they began setting up the sleeping bags since it wasn't going to rain tonight. They built a small fire to keep themselves warm. KC and Zia snuggled up together as the Pokemon formed a little pile off to the side.

The next morning, they woke up and everything was pretty much normal. Expect for one small detail...

"Where is Kaida?!" Zia yelled, looking behind/below/above/inside every tree and turning over every rock she finds. "Zia, calm down. We'll find her." KC told her, which was a mistake. "Calm down? You want me to calm down?! KC, my most vulnerable Pokemon is missing! She's just a baby!" Zia shouted, tears in her eyes.

KC cautiously walked over and engulfed her in a hug, a hand behind her head to hold her against his shoulder as she calmed down. Another was around her waist so she wouldn't go running around everywhere. He leaned down and nuzzled his nose into her hair. "Zia, we will find her. Nothing bad will happen. We can't go looking if you're just going to go rampaging all over the place." He whispered in her ear.

He could hear her sniffle and hugged her tighter. "Zia, there's a piece of paper over here." Sky said softly. The girl pulled away from KC a bit, wiping her eyes, before turning around. She walked over to where Sky was at and picked up the paper that was lying on her bag that she somehow missed. She read it out loud for the others.

"'We have your Dratini. If you want it back, bring that Kirlia to the X indicated on this map.' It was signed by Cax." Zia said, dropping the paper. "What?" KC asked, walking over and picking it up, seeing for himself. "That...! He should've learned his lesson the last time." He growled out.

"He did. That's why he's kidnapped Kaida and is using her so we can exchange her for Kirlia." Zia whispered. "I'll go." The mentioned suddenly said. "No way!" KC shouted, disagreeing heavily.

"We can't let you do that, Kirlia. Not only for your safety, for everyone's. If Cax gets ahold of you, there's no telling what he could do to the past, messing with the future. We can find another way to get Kaida back." Zia denied, not wanting to put an innocent Pokemon in danger for her own selfish reasons. Kirlia looked down guiltily, feeling it was her fault that this was all happening.