Setting Off.

You closed your eyes as you grip your father's medallion a bit tightly in your paw, ‘I can’t just turn my back to this! There may be others that got a head start on this, but that’s no excuse to don’t go! I have to do this, for my family, my home… and to show them what a Voltaire can do!’

While you had made that vow, you still ponder about your sister. ‘If I continue down this road, Kate will be in constant danger.’ he thought to himself as he looked around. ‘Even though I will try and find a way to stop this, that doesn't mean she has to be with me. Plus other than this incident, this place is pretty secure. She’ll be safer here with Rachael.’

You look over to your friend and sister and smile. “You both went through a lot, how about you go back to our hut and get some rest?” You suggested to them.

“What will you do?” Rachael asked.

“I’m gonna take a walk around, clear my head a bit. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.” You said to them, hoping they’ll do that. They stare at you for a few minutes before Rachael nods her head.

“Alright, but don’t push yourself okay? You must be tired as well.” Rachael stated to you and you nodded in return.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back to get some rest myself.” You stated, ‘A couple of hours at least…’ you thought to yourself as they headed back. You then proceeded towards the Leader’s tent. As you entered, you saw that the Grass snake’s body had some parts of her plumped out, even some wiggling within her body. You even noticed that Neku is here as well.

“It seems you had some encounters as well.” You said to her, doing your best not to watch the bulge.

“Yes, I had a Marshtomp and a Tauros, the latter was a bit tough, but a little Glare was enough to stop him in their tracks.” the Serperior stated in a calm gaze, staring at you with her red eyes. You shudder from the sight, almost backing away from the sight, but you remained firm.

She made a smile, “Which is more to say about you though. Now, what is it you're here for?”

“Well.. if you had those who stayed here before; that left to find out about the source of the infection, you must have a lead on somewhere. Can you tell me what it is?” You asked her.

“I see, so you intend to to try and find out where this pandemic started and put a stop to it too huh?” she asked you, clearly being able to tell your intention.

Your nod your head, “Yes, that’s correct.” Neku turned his attention towards you.

“I’m quite surprised, before you were set on staying here. Plus there’s no telling how bad it’s gonna get out there. Seems quite a lot of someone your age to risk their life.” The Zoroark pointed out.

You nodded your head in agreement, but you don’t look shaken. "I know, and you're right, this journey will be dangerous, but I can't let that stop me. I have a few reasons as to why. One, I feel that every day this continues, more Pokémon will lose their families, whether they lost their lives, or separated due to this." Neku blinked at seeing that he recalls that you told him what happened to their parents.

"The second reason is because I can't let us grow up in the world like this. This is something that won't just pass away by waiting. We got to band together and work on stopping this or every normal Pokémon will either end up a meal or like the other infected out there. I will see things I rather forget, but I can't lose hope just because of that." You finish.

Neku and the grass type were at a loss for words from your speech. "I say, I never heard them say what you said. Well I would wish you well and you three will be welcome here at any time you need to rest."

“Actually… I’m planning on going alone. I’m gonna leave my friend and sister here before the catch on. “I’m gonna be leaving here in a few hours.”

“Alone? Isn’t that even more risky?” Neku asked.

“This is no place for a child, and I don’t want Rachael to be involved with this. I want her to be there for my sister. They’ll be angry, but I rather than them be in harm's way.” You stated.

“You sure about this?” The Zoroark asked.

“I’m sure. I’ll still think about them, but in the end I feel like I’ve dragged them into this mess. They should be safe. I’ll manage on my own somehow.”

Neku stared at him for a moment and chuckled. “You’re a real knucklehead you know.”

“Huh?” you asked, wondering where that come from.

“You think you’ll last long alone? Well as long as you don’t slow me down, it’ll be okay.”

“What? You’re coming with me?” You asked in surprise. “I thought you intended to stay here.”

“Well, you can be pretty inspiring. Plus, maybe we’ll find something that will actually fix this mess of a world.”

“Okay, and thanks Neku.” You spoke.

She giggled as she had a smile on her face. “Well it seems as though you both made up your minds.” She said, then she also adds, "Now, Neku told me something interesting about you yesterday. Apparently in one of your encounters with an infected, you achieve mega evolution."

You cross your arms as you recall that moment. "I never knew I could do that. I know only few can achieve it though, but I don't know much about it though." You admit.

She nodded as she said. "Well, I don't know much either, but I do know someone who might. There's words of a soothsayer in a town some distance from here who might know something about it, maybe even about this infection. Do you have a map where I can point it out?"

You nod and take out your map and show it to her. She smiles and uses her tail to point out the area where you mark it. "Be warned I haven't heard much about it for a while, so I don't know if she's still there. With that knowledge, do you still want to go?" You sigh, it's a long shot, but if there's a chance to learn something about those things you should take it. Plus, this is your only lead.

"Yes, we need to go."

The Serperior nods her head. "I understand. Again, I wish you two a safe journey and best of luck. Meet back here in a couple hours while I see if I can spare some supplies for you two." She said that, then the two of you exited the tent.

*A couple hours later.*

You looked to see Kate and Rachael sleeping on their mat. You let out a quiet sigh as you look at your letter that explained what you done in one hand, and the keystone you gave to Kate in the other.

‘They’ll be angry, but it’s for the best.’ You placed it down before carefully exiting the tent.

“Alright, better head to the leaders tent to pick up some stuff.” You stated to yourself as you headed off to the direction.

Inside, you can see the Serperior naga coiled up making some notes in her notepad.

“Ah, you’re here. Yes, I got it ready.” she said, taking out a bag of supplies as you look in to see it contains some apples, throwing thorns (PMD style), berries and other things. “We spared as much as we could to help you.”

“Thank you again. And I hope everyone will be okay until this mess is solved.”

“And I wish you and your group the best in finding the source to this and putting a stop to it, as well as staying safe and sane.” the Serperior said before she watch you leave her tent.

As the some huts and tents were being repaired from the recent attack, you had to take some detours before you found Neku at the gate.

“You’re here. You made sure everything is settled before we depart?” Neku asked.

“Yeah, I’m ready to go. Are you?” You asked back.

“Yes, we are.” Neku relief.

“We?” you asked confused, before you see a Buneary and Pachirisu appearing from a hiding spot. “Wh-Why are you two here?”

“Neku told us what was going on. He told us you would be gathering supplies and meeting Neku at the gate.” Rachael answered, crossing her arms. “You’re quite rude, trying to leave a letter and sneak out.”

“You told them about my plan to sneak out?!” You asked Neku annoyed. “I didn’t want them to know.”

“Your sister deserved to know instead of reading a letter, plus your friend did say she wanted to help you on your quest.”

“B-But..”

“You don’t have to shoulder all of the weight on your own. I’ll help protect Kate as well. Plus 3 is better than 2 after all.”

You were unsure of this as you looked at them closely. “Are you really sure about this? There’s no telling what we’ll face and or see.”

“I’ll worry too much about you if we’re separated. I promise not to get in the way.” Kate stated to you.

“We’re sure Rai. We’re in this together.” Rachael said to you.

The mouse Pokémon look at the two of them. ‘So much for leaving them in someplace safe-ish. On the plus side, I know they’ll be okay as I’ll see them.’ You took a deep breath as you gave ve the keystone back to Kate. “Alright, but make sure not to overdo it. If we are all going, we need to work together.”

They nod as the group went to the gate and some Pokémon opened it for them to go out before it closed once more.

((Neku has joined the party, permanently this time!))