Pokémon XYZ: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos (book 2 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 49: Anistar City

"So we got a few days," Robert announced, walking into the room we had rented out in the Pokemon Center in Anistar City.

"Why?" Alex was lounging on the bed, flipping through a pamphlet. "Shouldn't cracking down on Team Flare take priority."

"Unless," I sat forwards, sliding my knife back into its sheath, having been whittling a stick down to make it smooth. "The Cult."

"You guessed it," Robert snapped a finger in my direction. "There were reports of them in a marsh on Route 19, so the IP are investigating. Compared to the Cult, Team Flare can wait."

"Nothing to do but wait then," Alex sat up, crossing her legs and tossing the pamphlet behind her. "I'm down for some down time. Honestly, most of our journey has been one thing after another. It was like this in Alola too. I'm going to bet that this isn't normally what trainers do on their journeys."

"Yeah, they go about their journeys exploring new places, meeting new people, making new friends," Robert spread out his hands. "The only thing they have to worry about is having enough food when camping and training for the next battle." His hands dropped to his side dramatically. "Meanwhile we have to do that AND beat up bad guys. Things are rough for the Defenders of Order." 

I cocked an eyebrow. "We're sticking with that title then?"

"Oh yeah," Robert grinned proudly. "And there's nothing you can do to change it."

"Well," Alex waved her hand to get our attention. "Since we got like two days or so, that's more than enough time to do our gym battles and explore the city a bit. It'll be best to stay here and wait for Looker to pick us up, rather than just getting our badges and leaving."

"Fair," I nodded, then pointed at the object she had tossed behind her a minute ago. "I'm guessing you were reading that pamphlet just in case we had the time to explore?"

She smirked. "Well, of course. It's best to be prepared. First though," she tapped her chin, then her face lit up. "Oh, right. Now I remember. I wanted to check in on our friends in Alola. Feels like it's been forever."

"Sure," I shrugged, hopping off my bed and stretching. "Why not."

"I take it you'll be dragging us around the city afterwards?" Robert asked innocently.

"Yes," Alex said with a straight face.

...

"Not there?" Alex asked, leaning in close to the screen.

"Hm," Professor Kukui nodded, his large fish tank gurgling in the background of the screen. "That's right. Actually, I'm getting a bit worried myself. I've tried contacting Hau several times, as well as Lillie and Gladion. Nothing."

We had all squeezed into a telephone booth inside the Pokemon Center's Communication's Room where we had video called Kukui to see if Hau or anyone was there. No luck it seemed.

"Do you have any idea where they could be?" I asked.

"Call up Aether," Kukui advised. "Last I heard they had all gone there together."

"Thanks Kukui," Robert said, but before anyone could sign off, I asked, "Is Mahina with Gladion?"

"Yes," Kukui confirmed. "Funny, I overheard Hau asking him that exact same thing last time they were here."

I nodded, my suspicions having risen and I could guess at what was going on. "Okay, thanks. Tell our Pokemon we say hi. Actually," I pondered for a second, then said, "And tell them they'll see me in person in over a week."