Chapter 25

Bright and early in the morning, much to my dismay, we got up and started down Route 23 towards a place called Aero city. There weren't any gyms or contests there, but we all needed a good relaxing (and possible bonding) session to wind down and enjoy ourselves.

I opened my ribbon case and stared in admiration at my ribbons. All of them unique in their own ways with many different memories.

Oleshire. My first contest and contests win where I stood up the snobby Rin who had four ribbons. A decent first win.

The Ceila robbin. Where I dominated with Kokoa in my first twin contest. Our victory had been guaranteed.

And my newst ribbon from Garna. The first contest where I'd beaten Kokoa in a contest. I'd lost shamefully to her back in Riko. I'd improved a lot though.

I was glad that we'd be taking a break. I needed to do some serious training with my Pokémon. I wanted to evolve them if at all possible.

Amber was now at level 20 which was decent, but far from its final evolution. Chestnut was at level 15. That was ok, but I needed to get it higher. Finally, Ao was at level 18. That was also good, but I'd rejoice if I could get their levels near the thirties. I heard that lots of trainers and Pokémon were battle ready over in Aero.

Akako looked at me. "What's wrong pipsqueak?"

I growled at him. I wasn't that short! I wasn' that much smaller than him! "I'm not a pipsqueak and I'm fine!"

He smirked. "Then why were you zoning out at your ribbon case?"

I snapped the case shut and put it in my bag. "I was just reminiscing a bit. Ribbons hold lots of memories."

Akako looked without understanding at his badge case. "I don't see the big deal. Badges aren't so great. They're just tokens to get you into the real deal competition, the Petilla League."

I sighed. "Well you have your opinion and I have mine."

Kokoa snickered. "You guys sound like an arguing couple. Maybe even an arguing MARRIED couple."

I blushed. "What?!"

Akako just stared at Kokoa. "We aren't going out."

She smiled. "Maybe not yet..."

Before any of us could utter another word, we stopped dead. Tsubaki and Ishi were waiting for us in the middle of the road. We grabbed our pokeballs, but there were no robots or grunts. The only people there were Tsubaki and Ishi.

Ishi smiled at me. "Hey gorgeous. Looks like you've been taking care of yourself."

I snorted at him. "What do you want Mr. Flirt?"

He chuckled. "You shouldn't glare like that. Those daggers might actually kill me."

I laughed. "For the sake of the world's Pokemon, I hope it does kill me."

He frowned. "We actually came here to negotiate."

Kokoa looked suspicious. "Negotiate what exactly?"

Tsubaki looked up. "Did Prof. Pine tell you about us? We believe she knows..."

I thought for a second. "Do you mean...the blackmail?"

Tsubaki nodded. "She's right. We were blackmailed into joining Team Millennium. We want you to help bring this team down."

Akako laughed. 'I was gonna bring you down anyway."

Takuya nodded. "We won't let that group keep having their way."

Tsubaki sighed in relief. "We believe in you. If you can crumble our team, then you can free us. Please help us."

Kokoa nodded. "Sure. I'd love to open up a can of whup ass on my dad. He deserves it."

I nodded. "I want to avenge Kira..."

Tsubaki set down a stack of folders beside her. "These are for you to have. They're some of Millennium's plans and a few secrets we know you'll be interested in..."

Ishi winked at me as Tsubaki and himself began to walk off. "See you later hot stuff!"

I glared at him as they walked away, slowly vanishing. Kokoa was the one to snatch up the files that Tsubaki had laid out. Kokoa's eyes widened as she stared at a folder.

We all ran over and I was the one to ask her, "What is it?"

She showed us the file. In red letters read the name: Chiyo Tsukino. It was a file on Kokoa's mom. Hadn't she disappeared? Did Millennium know where she was? Was she forced into becoming a part of Millennium? I knew Kokoa was curious about the same things.

I looked at her. "Um...are you going to open it?"

Akako smirked. "Or are you planning on staring at it like an idiot all day?"

She hissed at Aka-baka and looked back at the folder, slowly opening it to view its contents. She could find the answers she was looking for.

She smiled slightly, but with a bit of anguish. She was rejoicing and miserable all in one unfamiliar smile.

Takuya was the first to speak up surprisingly. "Do you know where she is?"

Kokoa nodded. "Team Millennium is holding her prisoner in a cell. At a hideout in...Aero."

Woah! Not only were their trainers in Aero, but now we knew that Millennium was hiding out there?! If we could infiltrate successfully, Kokoa's mom could be saved!

Looks like we were heading off to Aero City straight away. Looks like lots of great things would be happening. Levelling up my Pokémon, relaxing with my friends, and finding Kokoa's mom.

I didn't care how dangerous it was and I knew that Kokoa didn't care either. We had to break into their hideout. We had to save Chiyo. Kokoa would have a grand reunion...