Ch. 13: Birds of a Feather

I don't typically like gossip and I'm not that social. I'm not the type that introduces him/herself at every random Pokémon, a few friends is enough for me. I only know a fraction of Hideki's population.

"Flash? I think he may in the park." I had asked a Gloom where Bolt's brother would be.

"Thank you sir." I left to go find more insight. It took me some time to find something.

"Are you looking for information young lass?" I turned around to see Agent S, his eyes shining with curiosity.

"Uh, yeah. I want to know about a Pikachu named Flash." He surprised me, I didn't even notice he was there.

"Ah, can't say I know him. You should see the Spearow Brothers, maybe they know him." He spoke in a British accent.

"Spearow Brothers?"

"Team Headwind, they are bounty hunters much like me. They were better when there were three of them."

"There were three?"

"One of them disappeared. Poor fellow, today's his birthday. I wouldn't ask them too much, they miss their brother."

"Right. Thank you, I'll go see the brothers now." It wasn't hard to find Team Headwind, being local gossipers. I only had to ask one Pokémon where they might be.

"Are you two the Spearow Brothers?"

"That, we are. How may we help you?"

"I want to speak with you guys alone." We started to walk into an alley.

"I don't like this Strike; no one asks to talk with us alone."

"Shut it Jab; if alone is what she wants, we have to comply." –Strike.

"Hmmph!" That was Jab's only reply. We soon arrived at the end of the alley.

"What do you wish to talk about?" –Strike.

"I want any information you have on Flash the Pikachu."

"He's a real hot shot. Flash always wants attention when he and his team discover something. The Pikachu takes a lot of pride in the work he does." –Jab.

"What kind of work?"

"His team explores uncharted areas and finds stuff like loot and maps among other things." –Strike.

"What's his team called?"

"Team Tailwind." –Jab.

"That's all I need to know. Thank you for your time."

"No problem." –Strike.

"…Could have asked someone else." –Jab retorted quietly. Strike's response was to hit him with his wing.

"Have a great day and it was good to meet you." –Strike.

"You too." I left to find Flash, the rest of the questions I had only he could answer.

-/\-o-/\-

"You mean my brother is alive?" Flash seemed surprised to learn Bolt was alive and well.

"Yep." I didn't think that would be his reaction; I thought he'd deny, deny, deny.

"Our parents, my brother's and mine, told me a bird Pokémon snatched him up when they were moving."

"Oh, I see…" So Flash was lied to?

"Who are you anyway?" He asked, curious to whom I was.

"Kate of Team Legend; Bolt, your brother, is one of my teammates." I would ask the same question if I was randomly asked about my family.

"I guess he joined the dojo then?" His face showed no emotion.

"That would be correct." After that, a moment silence came. It was broken by a Tangela running rapidly towards us. I remembered one talking to Flash moments ago.

"Flash, you got to hear this!" By the sound of the Pokémon's voice, I instantly knew it was a female.

"Excuse me, we will talk more later." He left without a goodbye.

-NN-

I had more questions than when I started. Why had Bolt's parents lied to Flash? Were they even worried about their forgotten child? How was Flash taking this? I was so confused.

I laid my straw bed, not getting much sleep. Razor was tucked into a corner next to the table, sound asleep. Interesting enough, Bolt wasn't back yet. I couldn't blame him though; he must be really down in the dumps. Despite going all over town, I was unable to find him. Where was he this time of night?

I slowly drifted off to sleep; I didn't have the energy to go out again. I was getting too tired to even think. My limbs felt like bricks, glued to the spot. That night, I dreamt I was human again. I nearly forgot I was once one…

-N-M-N-

Bolt was not in the base when morning came. I decided to look for him, he wasn't usually gone this long. I was in quite the bubbly mood but I had no honest clue why. I wasn't happy Bolt was missing, today was just the kind of day that nothing could break the beat that nature itself was creating. The imaginary rhythm seemed to be affecting everyone in Hideki.

"Kate," a familiar voice rang, "have you've seen Bolt?" I turned around to see Kay but Blaze wasn't next to her, like she always was.

"No… where's Blaze?" It was unusual that Blaze wasn't near Kay.

"I had asked her the same question about your partner and she simply ran off into a random direction. I lost sight of her with all these Pokémon."

"Join the club; I haven't seen hide or hair of Bolt since the other day."

"Maybe we'll find them later; it's such a nice day to walk around." So she felt that beat too.

"I'll be going now; I want to go to the park." Maybe I'll go to the café for breakfast.

"Goodbye." I then made my way to the park bench.

-/\o/\o/\-

I happily munched on an Apple Tart and drank some fresh milk. Everything seemed to be at peace in the world. I heard the distant song of Pidove and the sweet tune of the wind. After eating, I took a small Delcatty nap. I was awoken by the rustling of the brush.

"Who's there?" I was feeling a bit uneasy; it may have been a stalker following me.

"Kate, it's just me." Wool came out of the thick bushes.

"Is something wrong?" I hadn't seen her in a few days.

"Follow me." She gestured toward the bushes where she came from.

-o-/\-/\-o-

Wool led me to a clearing, Bolt and Razor sat in the middle of it. There were burnt logs next to moss beds, Bolt must've been here all night. I just wonder why we are here.

"I need to talk to you guys." Wool began, as if reading my mind. I was sandwiched between my teammates.

"What about?" –Bolt.

"Team Demolition is planning to strike again." She spoke as if she wasn't a part of them.

"Don't they always and why should we trust you?" –Razor.

"This is important! We are going to strike Mt. Mineral-"

"The biggest volcano in Akemi…" –Bolt.

"One, did you know Shadow's species can use psychic moves. Two, we must be ready."

-o-/\-/\-o-

It's short but it reveals the plot! Our hero's must stop Team Demolition before they can destroy Hideki as we know it. The battle is the next chapter, so stay tuned. There are only two-three chapters left in the main storyline. I need more OCs for the Missing board, all requests are welcomed!

On the next chapter of Mystery Dungeon: "Ki-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-id!" A little confusing, I know. You will soon know who said it and why…

Disclaimer: I may own games of Pokémon but I do not own Pokémon itself in any way.

R&R! :D