Journey Through Johto |Discontinued|

Chapter 2.47: The Band of Diglett Thieves Which Are A Band of Diglett Thieves!

As the Whirl Cup ended, and the group parted ways with Trinity, Zia decided to travel with Ash's group as they left Scarlet City. They were headed for Transit Town, where they were hoping to catch a ferry that would take them back to Olivine City.

It was strange for the young Champion to be traveling with other people, though. "I need food." Ash mumbled as his stomach rumbled. "Me too." Misty agreed. "We're almost to Transit Town." Brock told them, also gloomy.

"You guys are just like Emmy." Zia chuckled as the Serperior looked at her, affronted. "Excuse me!? Sorry I have a large appetite. And I'm not that whiny." She huffed, looking away, making Zia laugh again. "What happened? What'd she say?" Ash asked, interested.

"Nothing, just offended that I called her out." The girl waved it off, Emmy giving her a side-glare. As Misty, Brock, and Ash went back to being hungry zombies, they suddenly fell into a pit trap.

"What's a big hole doing in the middle of this field?" Ash asked. "Who else makes holes that we always conveniently fall into?" Zia asked back. "Team Rocket!" Brock exclaimed.

They heard said trio running over to them when they screamed, followed by a loud crash. "What's going on here?" Jesse asked, annoyed. "Well, I know this is the hole we dug 'cause here's my mark. It's a thing of beauty, don't you think?" Meowth asked his companions. Zia knew it was probably a carving of himself.

"Meowth, it's a thing of pity, if you ask me." James told him bluntly. "How many of these pitfalls do you think we dug so far?" The cat Pokémon questioned. "Who knows. They're everywhere." Jesse replied. "Yes, exactly, and thousands of years from now people will discover these holes and find my mark. I'll be the object of everyone's love and affection and they'll be calling this whole county Meowthland." Meowth fantasized.

"Dream on." Jesse and James bursted his bubble. "I don't get it. If Team Rocket dug the hole they're in, then who could've dug this one?" Ash asked, not seeing Meowth's 'mark'. "Uh, did you and Meowth possibly dig two holes?" Jesse turned to James.

"Don't be ridiculous, Jesse." James scoffed. Zia noticed a little spot on the ground open up to reveal a Diglett in front of them. "It was a Diglett!" She realized. More Diglett appeared as they climbed on top of each other against the side of the hole.

"It's a Diglett ladder." Ash said in awe. A woman's head popped up over the top of the hole. "I'm sorry. We're the ones who dug this giant hole." She apologized. Zia could see the moment Brock fell in love for the millionth time.

He got all flushed and drooly, it was gross. "So many people were just coming through our home that we had to." The woman explained as Brock climbed up, clasping her hands in his. "There's no need for explanation. Beauty such as yours needs to be protected. Hi, my name is Brock. What's yours?" He talked to her as the rest of them climbed out of the hole using the Diglett ladder.

"I'm Rita, that's Sue." The red haired woman introduced, then gesturing over to a woman with green hair. They both had a yellow shirt with a Diglett on it. "Hi, Brock." Sue greeted. "Wow, double wow!" Brock cheered as Zia and Misty looked at each other, exasperated.

Sue was working on getting Team Rocket out with her group of Diglett. "You said that people were coming through your home. What did you mean by that?" Misty asked them once everyone was out.

"I'll explain, but first, I need to ask a favor of you." Sue compromised. "Just name it." Brock readily agreed. "You seem to be expert Pokémon trainers." She started. "Actually, I'm a breeder. But as far as breeders go, hmm. Yes, an expert!" Brock nodded to himself.

"I would say expert is a strong word, but the rest of us did battle in the Whirl Cup." Ash told them. "And I would say long hours of training I put in with my Corsola gave me the edge." Misty took a jab at him with her win from their battle. "And I would say, you two need to calm down." Zia stepped in between them, pushing them away by their heads.