Pokemon: Skybound

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Instead of heading directly to Silver Rock Island, Kai and his group made their way to a smaller, lesser-known island nearby Tide Isle.

Compared to Silver Rock, Tide Isle was only about a third of the size. Isolated and untouched by modern development, the island retained its raw, natural beauty. No cities, no tourist hubs just a few scattered homes nestled between hills and forested shores.

It was surrounded by several even smaller islets, a little island cluster dotting the turquoise sea.

After paying the sailor who ferried them over, Kai watched the small boat disappear over the horizon. From here on out, it was just them.

The moment they stepped onto dry land, Ash still buzzing with energy turned to the others and asked, "So, what's the plan now?"

Kai paused briefly, scanning the dense wilderness ahead.

"First priority is finding Lugia," he said. "Before Team Rocket does. If we can reach it first, we might be able to either protect it—or help it escape to safer waters."

"But…" Ash glanced around at the thick foliage surrounding them. "This place is just forest and rock. You really think it's hiding here?"

"Why not?" Misty chimed in. "Back in the Orange Islands, we learned that Legendary Pokémon like Lugia prefer to hide deep beneath the ocean where no one can find them."

"That might be true," Kai replied. "But many of the islands here are interconnected by underground rivers and caves. Lugia could just as easily be hiding beneath the island. Think about it—why else hasn't anyone spotted it?"

He continued, "Besides, Maya told us the most recent lead she received came from someone claiming to have seen a large, white Pokémon—on this very island."

Erika nodded in agreement. "Kai's right. Searching the sea is like looking for a needle in an ocean. But if someone here really has seen something… then tracking them down is our best shot."

Misty squinted at the two of them, lips pursed.

It didn't take a genius to realize what was going on.

Ever since Erika joined the team, her dynamic with Kai had grown very in sync. Maybe a little too in sync. The way they agreed, the way they backed each other up, the subtle glances…

Misty's instincts flared.

This was exactly how Sabrina used to act around him!

'Another rival, huh?'

She sighed internally, but the gloom didn't last. After all, Kai had asked her to travel with him to the next region.

'Heh. Give it time. I'm still growing. A few more years and I'll blow those older girls out of the water. Erika and Sabrina? Please. By then, I'll be the hottest girl in Kanto!'

'Kai will be mine, just wait.'

Once Brock's seasickness faded, the group started their trek inland.

From sandy shores to grassy knolls, then deeper into the shaded embrace of a thick forest.

But they hadn't gone far before they heard something rustling nearby.

Ash's eyes lit up. "A wild Pokémon?" he whispered, inching toward a cluster of tall grass.

Just as he reached out to part the greenery, a small creature popped out on its own a familiar yellow blur with pointy ears and a jagged tail.

"Wait—Pikachu!?" Ash gasped.

At first, he assumed it was just another wild one but then his eyes caught the little cowlick tuft on its forehead.

"Sparky!?" he asked, kneeling down. "Is that you?"

"Pika Pi!

The Pikachu chirped happily in recognition and instantly trotted over to rub cheeks with Ash's own Pikachu.

Kai blinked. Sparky…?

The name sparked a memory one tied to a particular Trainer.

"Hiro," he murmured.

Sure enough, just moments later, a voice echoed through the woods.

"Sparky! How many times have I told you not to run off—?"

A teenage boy, dressed in a cap and jacket eerily similar to Ash's, stepped out from behind a tree and stopped mid-sentence as he locked eyes with the group.

"…Ash?"

"Ritchie!!" Ash exclaimed.

They both spoke at once.

There was a beat of awkward silence an undeniable tension rising in the air.

After all, the last time they'd crossed paths was during the Indigo League.

Back then, Ritchie had knocked Ash out of the top eight. And then Kai had eliminated Ritchie to reach the semi-finals.

A natural pecking order. One that left behind a small, invisible thorn in everyone's pride.

They shook hands back then and smiled like good sportsmen but a grudge, no matter how faint, still lingered.

Thankfully, Ash was as carefree as ever. And Ritchie, despite being more thoughtful, was too passionate about training to hold a grudge for long.

In no time, the mood lightened, and the group found a flat stone to sit and catch up.

"Hard to believe it's been this long since the Indigo League," Ritchie said. "You two really haven't changed a bit."

Ash scratched the back of his head. "And I definitely didn't expect to bump into you on some remote island. Talk about destiny! But wait—what are you doing out here?"

Ritchie didn't even hesitate. "I'm tracking a mysterious Pokémon."

The group exchanged glances.

A mysterious Pokémon?

Could he be talking about Lugia?

Kai narrowed his eyes. If Ritchie was here for Lugia too, then someone else must've told him.

But who?

And more importantly how close was he to finding it already?

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