Ch. 19: Kate's Mysterious Disappearance

We were back in Hideki in the middle of the night two days later. Kay and I were now running through street after street. I was confused when we abruptly stopped at the park.

"Wait! Where are we going? The First Aide Center is in the other direction," Kay has sort of a rash nature; she tends to do things without thinking. She ends up in a place she never planned to be that day or heads goes right when she needs to go left all the time. We turned around and ran the right way.

-/\-o-/\-

I used my psychic powers to open the door of the First Aide Center. We quickly located the stairs and made our way to Herupa's room, right next to the storage unit. Kay knocked furiously on the door, unusually impatient.

"Hello, how may I help you?" Herupa opened the door; reveling a small room with a bed, desk, chair, and bookcase. The nurse could never be angry, even when tired. When she saw Bolt, her eyes widened.

"To ECU, quickly!"

-N-

Flash's POV

Renki City, northern region of Akemi

I was at the edge of the city, ready to begin the next mission. My team was currently looking for a job to do. We would spend days looking for treasure based on the local gossip. Word has spread of outlaw valuables somewhere in the Stone Mountains, south of Renki.

"You Flash the Pikachu?" A Wingull had snapped me out of my thoughts. They were usually messenger Pokémon, sending letters or messages to somebody. This one had an envelope addressed to me.

"Yeah." I grabbed the monogram and tore it open. In it was a slip of colored paper lined with a boarder. I reluctantly read it.

Dear Flash,

I regret to inform you that your brother was found in Hazy Gorge, a dungeon on the Mist River, with severe burns on his back. He is going to get better but he needs family support. It is for the best that Bolt sees his brother; you don't have to come though. The decision is yours.

Thank you for your time,

Herupa, Hideki's head nurse

Shock overcame me, surprising I know. Bolt was hurt and now I need to go to Hideki as fast as possible. I made a split decision and ran down the path leading to the mountains.

"Flash?" I neglected to hear, see, or think of the Eevee and Tranquil who arrived in time to see me dash down the hill. Both of them exchanged curious glances. I rarely went by myself without the pair knowing first.

-o-N-/\-N-o-

3rd POV

A few days later, Kagoni was heading to the boards. It was his job to pick the jobs his team would complete. It wasn't hard to find a request that was on par with the team's level.

The fox-like Pokémon was about to go to the board on the far right when he saw Sketchy the Smeargle updating the Missing Board. That would mean either someone was found or is missing. Only one was the likely answer since very few were rescued.

"Poor girl, I knew her well too." Sketchy had muttered it to himself but that didn't stop Kagoni from hearing. It was perfectly clear the Pokémon who disappeared was one whose name was at least known. When the Smeargle moved, Kagoni stood there in stunned silence. The poster that Sketchy just posted had a picture of a Minccino with a pink scarf.

"What?" Kagoni's voice rang with disbelief. "Kate's missing?"

-N-N-N-

Blaze's POV

By now, Bolt had awoken and told us what happened. Deputy Arcanine decided to call a town meeting, Pokémon were now gathering to know what has happened. Kagoni had shown up first, already knowing what the meeting's about. He had seen the post of Kate and now he was pressing us for answers.

"What happened?"

"You'll find out!" The Zoroark finally walked off; it was still evident he wanted to know more because he took his place at the front of the crowd. The Growlithes returned reporting that everyone was there.

"Ya'll know 'bout the missing Pokémon," Deputy Arcanine began. "Well, another one has disappeared." Chatter arose, only whispers that were muffled by the breeze. One voice spoke out everyone's thoughts.

"Who disappeared?"

"Kate from Team Legend." –Kay. Curious voices turned nervous, every Pokémon knew about Kate. A good portion was at least acquainted with the Minccino. The last Exploration Team members to vanish were Thunder and Lightning.

"What about Bolt and Razor?"

"Bolt was found some days ago by Kay and Blaze, he is recovering from burns. As for Razor, she was too sick to accompany them." The Absol had caught a nasty illness in which she is still bedridden.

"What are we going to do?"

"We are going to set up search parties for the missing Pokémon. Two to three Exploration Teams are going to be sent each month to find them." The plan was brilliant; each group will go the area they chose to look through. It was decided that Kay and I will help Team Shuryo (aka Herupa, Yukio, Kagoni, and Chishiki) to search the area past the desert.

"Blaze, can you take me to Bolt?" The crowd dissolved and I was surprised to see one particular familiar face. Flash, Bolt's brother, had come all the way from Renki to see his sibling.

"Sure."

-o-/\-o-

Kay and I escorted Flash to the First Aid Center. Bolt was now in recovery, his burns were nearly healed. Despite that, he still lay on his stomach. He will soon be able to do missions again but I have a feeling that he may not be looking forward to it.

"I heard about your teammate." Flash had gathered all the courage he could muster. Even if he acts like a real hot-shot, there is no mistaking the caring side he has.

"Flash? What are you doing here?" Bolt was equally surprised; his brother came a long way just to see him.

"Can't I visit my brother every now and again?" His cockiness shown through; it didn't seem like he cared but he did. Flash then pulled out a few pieces of paper out of his bag.

"What's that?" –Bolt.

"I got an idea to help look for your friend. I plan to put up a poster on every town and city's Missing Board. If Kate has been seen anywhere, this is a sure fire way to find out."

"Thanks."

Thus started the biggest Pokémon search Akemi had ever seen. Flash was true to his word, posting flyers of Kate wherever he could. Search parties carried lamps to see through any dark places or at night. Any Pokémon was eager to help; offering their services to looking for the disappearances.

-N-

Yet another update! The next chapter takes place three years later. I feel bad for Razor, all this is happening and she's too sick to know about it! You guys will soon find out what happened to Kate. Oh, the prologue to the story of Kay's past is going to be posted. Here's the title: Secrets Hidden in the Snow

Disclaimer: Again, I own nothing!

On the next chapter: "Mother, where are you?"

Until then! R&R! :D