CHAPTER 33 - Expedition! Day One!

After Giovanni's visit yesterday, I washed up, and explained that the wounds on my neck re-opening were from me tripping in the shower, and no one bats an eye as they re-apply the bandages.

We went for dinner with Erika, and discussed our plans moving forward, to which I said i wanted to spend some time with Bill, and would fly up to meet him tomorrow, now today.

I kiss dad, and hop on Belle, flying swiftly away.

I have a slight idea as to where they are keeping her, as I have only noticed pine trees in one spot of Kanto.

Route 2.

I turn the note I received from Bill this morning over in my hand.

Serena,

How is it going, love? I miss you, and I want to come visit you soon! Please, let me know where you will be heading so I can hopefully meet up with you there. How is Beatrice doing? Is she accustomed to her new evolution yet? How are Hilary and Ash and the rest of the gang? I heard there was some Team Rocket activity around the area you guys are in, and I hope beyond hope that you guy don't encounter them. Anyways, hope its all going good!

Love you,

Bill.

Too which I replied;

Bill,

Well. Everything has been a total crap storm since we last talked. Ace evolved into a Pidgeot, but broke his wing in an accident. He wont fly again. We ended up meeting with Team Rocket, and they have my mom. I am on my way now to find her. Please do not tell my family, or any of the gang. I trust you enough to know that you trust me.

Love you SO MUCH,

I'm Sorry.

Serena

I decided to tell him about my mission, because if something was to happen to me, I need someone to know. Someone to tell everyone else what happened if...

No.

I wont die here.

I snap out of my thoughts as Pewter City pops up in the distance.

"Swing around, Belle. We need to find some sort of hotel, probably an old building in the woods." She nods, and shoots off with amazing speed, leaving me to grasp wildly in hopes of finding a purchase.

We fly in slow, wide circles around the area, but find nothing that seems interesting.

After a couple hours, I switch Belle out for Bane, and we take off again.

"I'm sorry guys." I hug both Noctowl, having tired them out after a half day of flying around the same route.

"Hooo." Belle places a quick kiss on my forehead, and Bane just nods, smiling.

I return them both, and send out Beatrice.

"Bzz?" Her head tilts.

I explain everything thats happened, and she nods.

"So now, my plan is too... Well... I'm not sure. Maybe ask around?" She nods, and we start our way through Pewter City.

We approach the first person we see, an older lady, who is walking towards us with a small bird pokemon, that almost reminds me of Ace wen he was a Pidgey, but it looks... tougher?

"Hi there!" I smile and wave as I approach.

"Why, hello dear!" She stops and waves as well.

"I had a quick question, If i could?" I ask, but she shakes her head.

"I'm sorry dear, but my little Pecker here needs to get to the PokeCenter, we were training and hes a bit weak at the moment." The pokemon nods.

"Oh! I could help with that!" I smile, and she dons an expression of surprise.

"Oh? Would you, for me?" I smile and nod, and point to the little bird pokemon.

"Bea, please use Heal Order!" Bea sends a small cloud of bee minions at the bird, and they swarm it instantly.

It takes about a minute, but the cloud dissipates as soon as it appeared, and the little pokemon looks good as new.

It jumps around happily, chirping and squawking.

"Oh! Oh!" She hugs me, laughing.

"Thank you so much!" She laughs, as her pokemon nuzzles Bea's dress.

"Of course! I am just glad to be of service." I laugh, and she pulls away.

"You had a question, dear?" She asks, and I nod.

"Yes! I was wondering if there was an... old... hotel? Maybe apartment building, around here?" Her eyes go wide, but she keeps her mouth closed for a second.

"What? What is it?" I ask, and she steps back.

"Well... there... um..."

"Yes? Is what?"

She sighs.

"There is an old condo building, from years ago. It's haunted now, though, you don't want anything-"

"Where? Please, it could be life or death that I find it."

I'm not sure what sold her, the look in my eyes, the desperation in my voice, or the now-angry queen bee pokemon that is a good head taller than her buzzing over my head.

"Well... Sigh... It's out past Route 2, just past the huge pine tree." But I'm gone before she finishes her sentence.

I return Beatrice, and book it onto Route 2, to the only spot in Kanto that i've ever felt at home.

I climb the tree with relative ease, but I can feel the bandages getting looser as I climb higher.

I reach the nest, which has started to fall apart due to being under used, and climb over the lip, sliding right back into the bowl.

I release Belle and Bane, who automatically take off, flying around the tree.

I wait for them to return, and sit on the edge of the nest as I wait, letting my legs drop off the edge of the nest, swinging into the nothingness below.

The sun has just started to fall, and the sky has started to take on hues of orange and pink, with wisps of clouds that lazily float across the horizon.

I scan the horizon, and notice a large roof, placed directly in a particularly thick spot of trees.

After a quick whistle, the owls return.

"We go rest for today, but tomorrow we go in, okay?" They both nod enthusiastically, and we take off to Pewter again.

We stop and grab some food at a nearby cafe, then head to the center, and relax. I release all of my other pokemon, excluding Ace, whom I left with Hilary and Dad.

We all sprawl across the room.

I don't realize how exhausted I am until I fall asleep, curled around Alto like when we were kids.