Last time, after escaping from a mysterious group called the Explorers, Sarah, Liko, and Race cross paths with Friede's friends known as the Rising Volt Tacklers including Murdock and Mollie with the little princess reuniting with her (adoptive) and Asha's (blood) grandparents, Johnathan and Diane. But, the Explorers chased them all into a storm, resulting in Sarah battling Amehtio and Ceruledge with Silvally to protect everyone. And, despite Liko and Sprigatito mastering Leafage for the first time since they met, Sarah's heroic act to save the latter caused her to be blown away and captured. Now, with Sarah in the Explorers' grasp, what are Liko and the others to do now?
At a certain point in her childhood, years before she would go to Indigo Academy, meet Sprigatito, Sarah, and Race, and cross paths with the Rising Volt Tacklers, Liko was shown a pendant by her grandmother, Diana, who was telling her about her adventures and the pendant itself.
"It's so pretty," Child Liko cooed in awe.
Diana smiled as she looked at her granddaughter and latched it around her neck, telling her, "If you wear it, you may someday find yourself on a grand adventure and make people who will become your new friends along the way, my dear."
"But...aren't adventures scary?"
Diana continued to smile as her Arcanine came up beside her and she went on, "Only the first step is scary if you don't take it. But, if you do take it, you'll see sights you've never seen before and you'll forget all about being scared. With a Pokémon by your side, you will be fine."
The memory ended with the first signs of small dandelions floating and dancing in the air with Liko waking up the next morning, finding herself in some pajamas and she and Sprigatito in a bedroom all to themselves in the Brave Olivine. By the time she woke up, the storm had passed and she noticed her school uniform being hung out to dry as it had gotten drenched before and after Sarah's capture by the Explorers.
But, then... She remembered what had happened last night the previous night she, her partner, Race, Johnathan, Diane, and the Rising Volt Tacklers were subjected to a major setback in their escape when they tried to get away from the Explorers.
(Flashback)
"Sprigatito!"
She and Sprigatito, to help Sarah and Silvally fight off Amethio and Ceruledge, managed to use a powerful Leafage attack that came from their combined determination to help protect everyone and not run away in the face of evil. But, as they did so in the middle of the storm, it dispersed the attack and caused them to be blown back. The Grass Cat Pokémon was nearly blown off the Wing Deck but Sarah, horrified and startled by what she saw and knowing Amethio would be after Liko, lunged at her and threw her back to her friends and family.
"Sarah!"
"Oh, no!"
This resulted in her being captured by Amethio (who returned his gravely weakened Ceruledge in the scuffle) and his Corviknight as he, Onia, and Zirc were forced to retreat and come back for their targets later with Sarah as their hostage. They didn't manage to get Liko's pendant and the Terapagos Three belonging to the little princess and her husband but it was a hollow victory as Sarah was now their prisoner and Liko, Sprigatito, their new friends, and their saviors were forced to watch the evil group disappear with the struggling princess in tow.
"SARAH! SARAH, NO!"
(End Flashback)
"Sarah, I'm sorry," Liko thought sadly, knowing that it was her and Sprigatito's fault for losing their friend because of their carelessness despite their noble intentions.
But, her regret was immediately washed away as she became determined to get Sarah back from the Explorers, knowing she was also one of their targets because of her pendant along with Race because of the royal couple's Terapagos. For now, her life meant nothing because, in her mind, saving Sarah was more important.
"Don't worry, Sarah! I'm gonna get you back, somehow!"
(Theme Song - Anywhere My Pokémon Go)
I love watching how my Pokémon grow
I'm sharing everything my Pokémon know
(We open with Sarah and her family with the Viking Teens as they find themselves in Paldea as part of Sarah's vacation plan before the little princess and Race are shown finding Miraidon and Koraidon on the beach before meeting Nemona, Penny, and Arven from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
Nighttime, daytime, there are shining more so
I'll go anywhere my Pokémon go
(We see Sarah and Hootie joining forces with Liko and her partner, Sprigatito, as they all perform Leafage before we meet a boy named Roy and his Pokémon, Fuecoco, battling Sarah as she summoned her Primarina, Aqua, and they begin to have a battle. Then, we cut to one of the villains belonging to a new team of foes named Amethio using a Ceruledge to square off against Sarah as she fights with Kaji and Keldeo before a new Pokémon Professor, Friede, and his crew: the Rising Volt Tacklers are shown with their Pokémon)
Anything you wanna see, (Ooh!) anything you wanna do
Promise you can be with me, be with me, (Yeah!) I can be with you
(We soon find our heroes joined by Edgar, Henna, Stoick, Gobber, their Pokémon and dragons, Nemona, Penny, and Arven as they find themselves in Area Zero where Sarah's Walking Wake and Iron Leaves, Link and Zelda, are facing an army of Paradox Pokémon in front of them. Then, Sarah and Race's necklaces glow with the former accessing the power of Terastallization for her Pokemon as she Terastallizes and Mega Evolves them before the royal couple, the Viking Teens, Miraidon, Koraidon, Liko, Roy, Nemona, Arven, and Penny are shown together as they stare out into the heavens)
I wanna go around and around and around the world with you
I'll go anywhere my Pokémon go
Trials of Sarah: Pokémon Horizons
(End Theme Song)
It was a beautiful morning and the skies were calm and clear as the Brave Olivine soared through the heavens while a flock of Wingull was soaring by with Orla and her Megatross out on the Wing Deck to see if the ship sustained any damage from Sarah and Silvally's fight against Amethio and his Ceruledge. Thankfully, she didn't see too much damage done to the airship itself but when she looked at the rods, she noticed that the flag for the Brave Olivine was missing.
"Hmm, looks like we lost the flag during the storm," she mused before she noticed Liko (in her school uniform) and Sprigatito coming out to see her. "Good morning, did you two sleep well?"
Sprigatito gave her a soft smile but she then frowned as she looked away, feeling guilty about what happened to Sarah which caused the mechanic to awkwardly add, "...I guess, probably not."
"Um, yeah... Well, thank you for the bed and drying my uniform," Liko thanked shyly despite her gnawing guilt at the back of her mind.
Orla smiled brightly as she simply told her, "Sure, don't even sweat about it one bit."
Liko grinned back along with Sprigatito and their guilt slowly faded just as Murdock arrived to see them and he informed the pair and Orla, "Oh, good, you're awake, both of you. Breakfast is ready if you're hungry."
The mechanic beamed in response as she told Liko, "Murdock's cocking is first class and he's the best chef I know to ever grace his way around a kitchen. You're in for a treat in the dining room."
The feeling and notion of breakfast were mutual as Mollie appeared with Fuecoco by her side, the Fire Croc Pokémon eagerly rushing to the dining room to eat while she said, "Mmm, smells great! Murdock, is that my favorite soup you just whipped up?"
"You know it, Mollie!"
Liko and Sprigatito were grateful for the chance to eat after last night but their thoughts returned to Sarah as they turned to Orla and the young student told her, "Sorry, but we need to-"
"Go and get Sarah back?"
Liko nodded and Sprigatito meowed in agreement but Mollie came over and smiled kindly as she reassured the pair, "Friede's out and about right now trying to track down the Explorers and find out where they've taken her."
"That's just Step 1 of our search and rescue mission. I know you're worried about her and what they could do with her in their hands but these things take time," agreed Murdock warmly, knowing how much they felt guilty over the little princess' capture.
Orla nodded in agreement just as Friede and his Charizard returned to the Brave Olivine after they finished their investigation and she finished, "Friede's an ace. I promise he'll find her and we'll have a plan in motion."
"Right on cue," Murdock smirked knowingly as Friede jumped off his Flame Pokémon and landed on the airship before he approached the group.
"Hey, you're awake," he smiled.
"And, Sarah?" Liko asked, concerned for her royal friend's well-being.
"Not yet."
"And, speaking of our new friends that stowed her away, find anything?" Murdock inquired.
"The Explorers landed in the harbor just ahead of us as we were tailing them from ahead. But, I lost their trail in town when we arrived."
"Well, what are we waiting for? You've got to take me and Sprigatito there right now! It's okay but I have to look for Sarah myself!" Liko requested urgently.
"Me, too! It's our fault Sarah was captured and we're gonna get her back!" Sprigatito meowed in agreement, determined.
But, Friede was quick to stop the pair as he told them, "No need for you to go alone, all it takes to pull a rescue mission off is a little. We'll find Sarah together. The Explorers mean business as you can tell with Sarah's capture and how Amethio and his Ceruledge were able to stand their ground despite the odds tilting in her and her Silvally's favor last night."
"It's okay, Liko. You and Sprigatito can trust Friede," Orla reassured the young girl knowingly.
However, the unconventional Pokémon Professor then ruined the moment when he also explained, "And, since your mother asked us to basically be your bodyguards, we can't just let you two go running willy-nilly into a risky situation, you know."
Liko blinked in surprise as she spluttered, "Huh? My mother did, what?"
Friede blinked back in response, a little flustered as he realized he didn't tell her about the Rising Volt Tacklers' connection with her mother (which once again earned him the shock and ire of his friends gathered) as he replied, "What? Ha! I could've sworn I told you while we were on our way here."
"HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! That's just like you in the heat of the moment, Mr. 'Act First, Think Later'; always leaping before you look at the face of danger with no time for explanations or questions," laughed Johnathan as he and Diane came over, the two of them smirking at Friede as he remained flustered.
"Urgh! Friede, what's with you? You keep doing this over and over again! Will you get a grip on that?" Orla seethed in annoyance as Murdock and Mollie groaned in exasperation.
"Ha...! W-w-Well, let's talk about this later," the unconventional professor replied before he continued. "How about some breakfast, I'm starving."
Liko sighed as she thought to herself, "*It's always 'Talk later', why?*"
"Finally, I'll set up everything and we'll eat," grinned Murdock as he went to the kitchen to finish his cooking.
"But, what about Sarah's Pokémon?" Liko asked before Race came over and put a reassuring hand on her left shoulder from behind her, seeing him smile reassuringly at her and Sprigatito.
"If it worries you and Sprigatito that much, Island Girl's gramps and granny from her sister's side and I will take care of them in the meantime. We'll get her back, Liko. Now, let's get you to the dining room. If you're planning on coming, you better eat up. Can't have you helping us on empty stomachs," he replied as he led Liko and her partner to the dining room.
With the former BF Champion, Johnathan, and Diane, the three of them returned to the Dragon Craft (which now flew alongside the Brave Olivine) with Race using the Auto Food Snacker to feed his team and his wife's family in its large dining room, telling them what happened in the storm leading to the Explorers capturing Sarah.
"So, Master's been taken prisoner by those Explorers creeps?" Hashimoto sighed, feeling worried for his, Ching Wan, and Wang Lun's master as everybody ate their breakfast.
"I can't believe Liko and Sprigatito would risk their own lives to help her and Silvally, are they crazy? Those two didn't bother to look before they leaped last night. They could've been killed or captured, honestly," Prinplup grumbled.
"We can't blame them, big brother. They were worried for her just as much as we were," Braxien pacified.
"We'd be in the same position as they were had Friede and his Charizard taken on Amethio and Ceruledge in Mama and Big Brother Silvally's place," added Appletun.
"Some are more worried than most after what happened to her now that she's their hostage," put in Gogoat, directing everyone to the two baby Terapagos belonging to Sarah as they couldn't find it in themselves to eat their berries with their worries for their human mother at full swing.
Stufful noticed this as she went over to the pair and gave them a small smile, reassuring them as she spoke, "Come on, no point in worrying about Mama. She's strong, she'll be okay. Hurry, eat up."
"So, what are we gonna do with your wife now in the Explorers' clutches, man? They'll be prying her for answers about the Terapagos and the pendant Liko keeps with her. And, now that they know about Silvally and Tou-Tou's fighting prowess with their RKS System and their Memory Drives, we got bigger targets on our backs," Falcon asked Race.
"Right now, after we eat, the only thing we and the others should be concerned about is getting her back no matter what," Race replied with a sigh.
After breakfast, the group landed at the harbor of the town they stopped at, grounding and tying down the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft at the docks so they could begin their rescue mission.
"Alright, little buddy, come on out!" Murdock called, summoning his Rockruff who barked happily and jumped into his arms while giving him a happy lick.
The Brave Olivine's cook offered to lend Friede and Liko along with Mollie, Cap, and Sprigatito his little Rock Type to help them in the search. But, Rockruff wasn't the only one who would be joining the quintet; Link, Suicune, Blitz, Curly, Silvally, Hashimoto, Ching Wan, Dusk, Luna, Misa, and Dawn (Midday Lycanroc) volunteered to join them in the search for Sarah with Audino tagging along in case she was wounded by the Explorers if they interrogate her through harsh means.
Liko was amazed by the Pokémon joining them as her Rotom Phone popped up and scanned a few of them, pulling out their respective entries:
- "Rockruff, the Puppy Pokémon. A Rock Type, it has an extremely powerful sense of smell."
- "Lycanroc, the Wolf Pokémon (Dusk Form). A Rock Type and the evolved form of Rockruff, this form of Lycanroc can be normally calm and quiet but once a battle begins, this Pokémon displays a ferocious fighting spirit."
- "Suicune, the Aurora Pokemon. A Water Type and a Legendary Pokémon; said to be the reincarnation of the North Wind, it can instantly purify filthy and murky water."
- "Urshifu, the Wushu Pokémon (Single Strike Style). A Fighting and Dark Type, the energy released by the fists of this powerful Pokémon form shockwaves that can blow away Dynamax Pokémon in just one hit."
- "Silvally, the Synthetic Pokémon. A Normal Type, a solid trust between this Pokémon and its trainer can awaken the strength hidden within it and it can change its Type at will."
However, when Liko tried to pull up Link's entry, all she got from her Rotom Phone (once it was pointed at him and he was scanned) was, "No data available."
The young student was amazed as she looked between the Pokémon joining them and thought, "Wow, all those Pokémon I didn't know Sarah had so many special ones, and all of them were willing to come with us to save her. Their loyalty and love towards her showed no bounds..."
But, she then turned to Link as she could only wonder, "But, that giant one, Link, why isn't he in the Pokedex?"
Of course, Liko had no idea that instead of putting her research on Link, Zelda, the rest of the Paradox Pokémon with her, and the Terapagos Three in Rotoscope's databanks, she wrote them down on sheets of paper and organized them into some empty books she had on her. Her intention regarding this was to prevent anybody suspicious including the Explorers from downloading and stealing them from under her nose, especially given that they had been spying on her and Race throughout their Paldea adventures.
"You remember Sarah's scent before we lost her?" Murdock questioned his partner.
"Sir, yes, sir!" grinned Rockruff, sharing a fist bump with him and sniffing happily.
"That's that, gang, here's the plan; Murdock, Rockruff, and I along with Sarah's Pokémon joining us will look for the Explorers," Friede announced.
"And, I'll stay here to get on those engine repairs," Orla volunteered.
Mollie nodded before she turned to Race and Liko and asked them, "Would it be alright if you and Race help me out with a few errands, Liko? I've got to swing by the Pokémon Center and pick up some potions."
"Of course, we'll help," Liko nodded before she turned to Friede. "Thank you for looking for Sarah."
"Thank you," Sprigatito meowed in agreement, sharing her thanks to Friede, Murdock, and the Pokémon with them.
"Of course, we'll ring you all up if we find anything, you can count on it. Okay, everyone, good luck!" Friede replied as everybody split into their respective groups with Race, Bella, Robbie, Liko, and Sprigatito joining Mollie for her quick medical shopping spree.
Audino decided to go with them to see if she could help with the errands while keeping her eyes out for her nurse and it wasn't long before the small party of five arrived at the site of the Pokémon Center closest to them (which is a short distance away from the uplift they're on).
"There it is, the Pokémon Center. I've called the order in ahead of time so you can pick it up when it arrives, ok? Just give them this and it's cool. Have fun," Mollie smiled as she handed Liko a slip of the potions order she sorted out and gently pushed her down the stairs with Race following her.
"Wait, aren't you coming with us?" Liko asked as Mollie left with a chuckle.
"You got Race tagging along with you, he'll keep an eye out."
Liko sighed but she relented as she, Race, Sprigatito, and Audino made their way to the Pokémon Center and entered, being greeted by a Paldean Nurse Joy, "Hello there, welcome to the Pokémon Center. How can I help you?"
"Liko, let me have the slip from Mollie. I'll get the order for you," Race offered, allowing Liko to hand her Mollie's order and he approached Nurse Joy before presenting it to her. "Yes, my friend and I are here to pick up an order of potions for a friend of ours."
"Ah, of course. You're just in time, just sit anywhere you like and I'll get everything ready for you," Nurse Joy smiled as she took the order and went off to get Mollie's order assembled for them.
Returning to the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft, while the rest of Sarah's family and Race's team did their best to keep an eye out for trouble and keep the royal couple's Terapagos hidden from the Explorers, Ludlow was fishing on the airship's stern when he felt a strange presence within it only to find nothing when he looked around and turned towards a pillar on the dock. Then, a Magikarp got his attention as he caught it but if he had looked around a little harder, he would've noticed Zirc hiding behind the pillar for he was the one spying on him for Onia and Amethio.
However, what Zirc didn't know was that Sarah's Deathgrippers sensed him from nearby, hissing to each other as they realized they were being watched.
Returning to the Pokémon Center, Liko was watching a video featuring a female Pokémon cosplayer wearing a full-bodied Nidorina suit called Nidothing which caught Race's interest as he looked at the internet video with intrigue for the video's topic was centered on Pokémon Centers. Even Sprigatito and Audino were watched with interest despite wanting to continue listening and looking for any sign of Sarah's whereabouts as they waited for Mollie's order to be brought out.
As they continued to watch the video, a young girl around Liko's age came rushing in with an injured Kanto Vulpix, looking frantic as she cried out, "Help me!"
This got their attention as well as Nurse Joy's with the Pokémon Nurse coming over and kindly asking the girl, "Hello there, is something wrong?"
"It's my Vulpix, she just got hurt and I was hoping you could do something for her. Please help her, Nurse Joy," the girl pleaded, causing Race and Audino to look at each other and nod knowingly before they joined Nurse Joy and the girl and her wounded Kanto Fox Pokémon.
"I can help, just try not to worry," informed Nurse Joy calmly and reassuringly as she felt Vulpix's head before turning to the quintet. "I'm sorry but this is an urgent case."
"Don't worry, it's alright. But, if you and two won't mind, may I take a look at that Vulpix? My wife's a registered Pokémon Nurse and I have her assistant with me," Race asked the girl and Nurse Joy kindly, allowing Audino to confirm her status as she pulled out her nurse's cap and put it on.
Nurse Joy smiled knowingly and nodded, having heard about Sarah's exploits and her work with the Alola Nurse Joys before they arrived in the town, "Oh, yes, Princess Sarah Tomoe, I've heard about her work from the Nurse Joys in Alola."
"Oh, thank you so much!" the girl thanked as she handed Race her Kanto Vulpix.
Carefully taking the Kanto Vulpix in his arms and looking it over (with Liko and Sprigatito looking on in surprise as they watched), Race hummed thoughtfully as he gave his diagnosis, "Hmm, uh-huh... Looks like she sustained some heavy bruises and she has slight lacerations on her. But, thankfully, there is one way to help her recover from this type of damage, minor it may be."
He then turned to the Hearing Pokémon as he held Vulpix in front of her and asked, "Audino, if you please?"
"**Certainly,**" Audino nodded, placing her left hand on the Kanto Fire Type and using Heal Pulse in conjunction with a spare potion Race had with him and sprayed on it.
Before long, Vulpix's wounds were healed and it was now looking as good as new as it opened its eyes and gave its trainer a happy coo.
Race smiled as he petted Vulpix and gave it back to its trainer, "Here you are, good as new."
"Oh, thank you, Sir! Oh, right! Since you mentioned your wife is Princess Sarah Tomoe, does that mean you're her husband: Race Konami, former Hoenn Battle Frontier Champion?" the trainer thanked before she smiled brightly at Race.
Race just chuckled, "That's me, no autographs, please. But, judging by Vulpix's previous wounds, did you two have a battle before coming here?"
The girl nodded, "Vulpix is the first Pokémon I've ever caught when I started on my journey. But, when we were challenged to a Pokémon battle, I was too slow to call out moves and it got hurt, all because of me."
The girl started to cry while her Vulpix looked concerned for her until Race put a gentle hand on her right shoulder and said, "Not all trainers hit the ground running when they start on their journeys; sometimes, it takes time, patience, and hard work to become a good trainer but it also takes a strong bond between you and your Partner Pokémon to hold your own against other trainers. You must learn to understand each other on a personal level first and begin to work yourselves out from a battle standpoint."
The girl's eyes widened and started to twinkle as Race then told her, "But, the most important thing you and Vulpix have to do is to believe in yourselves. A teacher close to my wife once told her that 'fear is your greatest enemy; you must conquer the fear that lives within your heart'. When you have your first Pokemon battle, it ends up being scary at first if you don't know what to do at the start and that can cause you and Vulpix to stumble at the beginning. But, if you learn to put your hearts and souls into the battles you enter and if you believe in the bonds of friendship and love you two would cultivate and share, if possible, you'll go places. It happened to me and my team and it happened with my wife and her family. There will be so much you and Vulpix can do as long as you believe in yourselves and communicate with each other with your hearts."
The girl was inspired by this as she and Vulpix smiled thankfully and she told him, "Thank you, Mr. Konami! I realize now where Vulpix and I went wrong in our first battle and we're going to do our best with what you told me and what Vulpix and I must do as a team! We'll work hard to build up our friendship with each other and our battling skills, and soon, we'll be ready to go for more battles coming our way! Good-bye! And, thank you!"
And, with a newfound vigor and determination as she waved and Vulpix cooed goodbye, the little girl left the Pokémon Center as Nurse Joy smiled warmly and gave Race and Audino a thankful nod. The former Battle Frontier Champion and Audino nodded back, sharing Nurse Joy's smile before they returned to Liko and Sprigatito who could only stare in amazement at them.
"Wow, that was amazing, Race!" Liko praised in awe. "I didn't know Sarah was a Pokémon Nurse, too."
"Junior Nurse before she was officially registered as one; she had been trained under Melemele Island's Nurse Joy for the past year and a half and she studied the medical standpoint ever since," Race explained simply.
Liko was left awestruck by this but she remembered Sarah being captured by the Explorers as she frowned worriedly, "Wow, a princess and a Junior Nurse? Incredible, I never thought Sarah did so much as the trainer she is. But, she's still with the Explorers after last night... What'll I do? What if someone's being mean to her and prying about those Terapagos, Silvally, Tou-Tou, and my pendant? Oh, Sarah, I hope you're okay..."
Meanwhile, at a warehouse complex somewhere in the docks, Sarah was trussed up like a turkey with her arms, legs, and wrists bound together while Amethio and Onia stared at the little princess, interrogating her.
"Why bother asking me about Silvally? What are you planning to do with him?" Sarah huffed, glaring at the pair.
"That battle we had; your Silvally intrigued me, especially with how you two fought me and Ceruledge together as you did. Just what is it exactly? From what we and Zirc saw, it's no ordinary Pokémon if it was capable of changing Pokémon Types through simple toys such as that disc you threw at it, something that is impossible for any Pokémon to do under normal battle circumstances. Who gave it to you?" Amethio demanded, having asked the little princess the same question many times since he, Zirc, and Onia came to the warehouse complex only to get the same answer from her no matter how hard he pried.
"I said it before and I'll say it again; for his sake as well as Tou-Tou's along with Liko and the Pokémon you're looking for, I'm not telling you!"
Onia huffed in annoyance at Sarah's defiance before she turned to her and Zirc's leader and offered, "Well, Sir, what are we gonna do now? It's obvious she's not going to sing like a canary if she's a hard egg to crack. Why not use her as a bargaining chip instead to draw her rescuers and her family out?"
"I've no intention of using her as a bargaining chip if that's what you're thinking," Amethio answered her.
Onia blinked in surprise as she replied, "You mean, she-?"
Amethio nodded as he told her, "I'm sure you recall what happened when you tried to look through her belongings for anything that'll give us a clue to those Pokémon on her and her husband, do you?"
Onia sighed, feeling a little embarrassed and indignant about that; of course, as they were interrogating Sarah, Onia decided to look through her items on her including her satchels to find out what she was hiding that was related to the Terapagos Three and Silvally. But, when she tried to look through the satchels, Doug's Sun Sword, the Cosmic Grace, and Delilah's Moon Shield were summoned and they protected the daughter of their owners from her and Amethio. Since then, they were at an impasse and they tried to pry at the little princess the traditional way but it was no good.
"I'll handle things my way given how stubborn she's being right now. The only thing that matters is us getting the other Pokémon we're looking for and that pendant from Liko. We won't fail this time as long as Sarah's in our grasp and when that's done-"
He was soon cut off when his Rotom Phone rang, seeing that he got a call from Zirc, "Amethio, here."
"Sir, I've just discovered the location of their aircraft," Zirc informed.
"So, they are here then. And, what about Friede and the other two targets with him and his group?"
"They split off in different directions upon arriving. Friede and one of his friends must have some of the princess' other Pokémon with them while they're looking for her. Unfortunately, though, none of them are the ones we want."
Amethio nodded as he informed Zirc, "Keep an eye on their ship and be ready, let them make the next move."
"Yes, sir," Zirc nodded as Amethio ended the call.
But, Onia then asked him, "What about her family, then?"
"We'll keep an eye on them, too, if they come here eventually," Amethio replied before they left but not before telling Sarah, "I hope you'll consider our ongoing talk whenever you find it feasible, Princess. You'll need it."
As he and Onia left Sarah alone, he thought to himself, "Just what are you, Liko, and Race planning to do now, Rising Volt Tacklers?"
With two of her captors gone, Sarah knew she had to escape but she found it impossible for her to get out naturally as the ropes were expertly tied around her and they were too thick for her to break, preventing her from breaking free. She knew that using her Elemental Magic would draw Amethio and Onia's attention and get them running back to her and she didn't want them to keep a leash on her should they find out about her powers (since they had been spying on her and Race since they arrived in Paldea) so she kept quiet. It was clear the Explorers knew nothing about her ranger powers and her magic and she wanted it to stay that way.
Sarah heard her stomach growling and she sighed, realizing that she was getting hungry already. She looked out the small window above her from her right, worrying about her family, Liko, and the Rising Volt Tacklers and hoping they would find her.
With the Rising Volt Tacklers, things were finally going smoothly for them with Orla managing to fix the circuitry of the Wing Deck from the Brave Olivine's Power Deck with help from Elekid, Metagross, Fuecoco, and Pawmi.
Over on Mollie's end, she and her Chansey reunited with Race, Liko, Audino, and Sprigatito as the quartet noticed the potions order for her finally ready to be delivered. Liko blinked and flinched in surprise at the amount of potions Mollie had ordered beforehand and she had trouble carrying the boxes out when they made their way back to the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft. But, she wasn't entirely helpless as Audino assisted her with some of the boxes and Mollie and her Chansey arrived to give them a hand.
"Thanks, Chansey! We're glad you made it," Liko sighed with relief.
"Yes, you're just in time," Audino agreed.
"Oh, no worries, dearies," Chansey smiled.
"Good, you got everything," Mollie grinned as she arrived.
Not far away, a woman in a spring green trench coat and wearing a lavender summer hat came out of a general store with a bag of condiments in her hands but her disguise didn't seem to fool Rockruff or Sarah's Lycanroc Quartet (their presence showing that Friede, Murdock, and the rest of the Pokémon with them belonging to the little princess were nearby) as the Alolan Puppy Pokémon started barking at her threateningly.
"What's your problem, buster?!" Onia asked in shocked bewilderment just as Link sniffed her and recognized Sarah's scent on her, making him growl at her (with the Lycanroc Quartet doing the same as they also growled at Amethio's teammate).
Liko, Race, and Audino heard Rockruff's barks, at that moment, they realized that Murdock, Friede, and their party had found something or someone that could lead them to Sarah.
"Rockruff and the others!"
"They must've found something or the Explorers somewhere in town! Audino, stay with Mollie and Chansey and get the potions to the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft! Robbie, Bella, come on! We're going after them!" Liko and Race stated before they, Robbie, Bella, and Sprigatito rushed off towards Rockruff and his party, leaving Mollie, Chansey, and Audino behind with her potions order.
"Hey, wait a sec!" Mollie cried.
"We're sorry!" Liko cried back as they departed.
"Rockruff! Did you find anything?" Murdock called to his partner as he, Cap, Friede, Hashimoto, Blitz, Curly, Suicune, Ching Wan, and Hashimoto caught up to him, the Lycanroc Quartet, and Link just as Liko, Race, Robbie, Bella, and Sprigatito jumped in.
"Hey! You're one of the creeps who took my wife!" Race cried, recognizing Onia despite her disguise.
Onia yelped in fright as she realized she had been caught, "WAH! Ok, this is not good!"
"Liko, Race!" Friede gasped, noticing Race, Liko, and their Pokémon arriving.
"Good job, little bud," Murdock praised his Alolan Puppy Pokémon who smiled happily at himself and his new friends finding Onia.
"Link, Dawn, Dusk, Misa, Luna, that woman! Is she one of the Explorers that took Sarah last night?" Liko asked the Walking Wake and Lycanroc Quartet despite not understanding them fluently.
"Yes! That's her, that's her!"
"She's got Mom's scent on her!" Dusk and Luna snarled knowingly.
"Then, this proves that the Explorers are here and they still have the princess with them!" Link finished, forcing Onia to resort to drastic measures as she flung her bag at them and began to make a break for it.
"Wait! Where's Sarah, what did you do with her?!" Liko shouted as the heroes chased after Onia who darted past one of the market stall owners and a customer he was talking with.
"Are you okay?" Liko asked the market stall owner who had been knocked down as Murdock went to check on him.
"Is he hurt bad, Murdock?" Race questioned as Cap, Rockruff, Bella, Robbie, Sprigatito, and Sarah's Pokémon with them continued to trail after Amethio's colleague.
"Don't worry, I got this! You stay on her!" the Brave Olivine's cook reassured, allowing Liko and Race to continue chasing after Onia.
"Liko, Race, wait!" Friede shouted as he watched them go.
"Amethio, Sir! I found Friede and the other targets and they're coming after me after they found out I'm here! But, they don't have the Pokémon we're looking for with them!" Onia reported to Amethio via her Rotom Phone as she ran.
Amethio nodded as he informed her, "Perfect, and don't worry about that. Lead them directly here, I'll be waiting."
"Roger that!"
With Zirc, as he watched the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft, he pulled out two tracking devices that would allow him, Onia, and Amethio to keep track of the heroes' movements. He threw the first one onto the Brave Olivine's hull but when he threw the second tracker onto the Dragon Craft, little did he know that it was electrocuted off (all thanks to MK-1 and the Dragon Craft's programming, allowing its outer shell to detect and destroy unwanted trackers).
"There, that oughta do it," he smirked, still not knowing about the destroyed second tracker before he got a call from Amethio on his Rotom Phone. "Yes, Sir?"
"The other two targets have been located and are on their way to our location. Come back," he called.
"On my way," Zirc nodded as he hurried back to the warehouse complex.
With Liko, Race, and their party, they continued to chase after Onia but it wasn't long until Friede caught up with them and ran next to the young student as he told her, "Hey, Liko, you should head back to the ship. this is gonna be quite the battle when we get to Sarah's location."
Liko, however, didn't care as she was determined to put things right with Sarah as she thought, "Hang on, Sarah, I'm coming for you!"
Back in the room where she was trapped, Sarah heard her husband, Liko, and the others with them from outside via her enhanced hearing from her Lion DNA, realizing that they finally found her.
"This is it," Liko whispered as they arrived at the warehouse complex Onia (after she went inside and lost the heroes at the entrance), Amethio, and Zirc were staying with their royal hostage.
She tried to sneak inside but Friede quickly pulled her back before she could take a single step in it as he warned her again, "Hang on. Listen, going in there is risky."
"Liko, Friede's right. Even if Island Girl is in there, Amethio will be with her as well and he's got a score to settle with all of us which is why we need to come up with a plan," Race added.
"I know that but I don't have a choice, it's my and Sprigatito's fault that she was captured by them last night," Liko retorted before she turned to Friede. "Please, Friede, Sarah's my best friend. You have to let us help, we can't just stand here and do nothing!"
"Yeah!" Sprigatito agreed, sharing Liko's sentiments.
"Guys, we understand. But, you can't just go charging in here asking where Sarah is willy-nilly. She could be in any one of those warehouses," Hashimoto said.
"Then, I'll do it!" Silvally barked, being fluent only to Race before he tried to charge inside.
The former Battle Frontier Champion, however, yanked him back with Ching Wan, Robbie, and Tou-Tou's help as he told her, "Out of the question! You can't just go barging in there like a tiger on steroids, you'll only get their attention and they'll pounce on us before we could even get in there."
"Race is right, Ani! The Explorers know nothing about us so they don't know how to battle against us but they knew about the Terapagos Three because of the mole they planted on us that followed our every move including our expedition into Area Zero with Ms. Blair. And, we can't just charge in that place, we don't even know where to look for Auntie Sarah!" Tou-Tou pleaded in agreement, getting a growl from Silvally as he turned his head away with a huff and slammed his front left claw down in irritation.
Friede, however, could see how determined Liko was to right the wrong she and Sprigatito made to save Sarah and he was forced to relent as he told her, "Okay, fine, fine. Believe me, I get it. I understand where you're coming from. Ahem, alright, uh... So, how about we do this? While Race and I distract the Explorers, you take Rockruff and Sarah's Pokémon and they'll lead to where she is, you up for it? But, listen, the minute you smell trouble, you run."
Liko nodded as she replied, "Yeah."
"Not when Sarah needs us whenever she's in trouble, she's not!" frowned Misa.
"Agreed!" added Dawn (Lycanroc) determinedly.
Friede nodded as he declared, "Okay, let's get Operation: Royal Rescue rolling."
The group entered the warehouse complex and entered a warehouse storage area, keeping their eyes and ears open for any sign of Sarah and the Explorers until a light in the storage area was turned on, And there, standing in front of them, was Amethio who was already waiting for them as per his latest plan of attack.
"Amethio, hello again," Friede remarked with a knowing smirk.
"I've been waiting for you. Now, about the pendant and the Pokémon; do you have them with you?" Amethio questioned, looking at Race and Liko directly which caused Sprigatito to hiss threateningly at him.
"The pendant: yes, our Pokémon you're looking for: no. You'll have to take them from us if you're wanting to play hardball. Now, give me my wife," Race demanded.
Liko held her grandmother's pendant as she stepped forward and inquired, "Amethio, this doesn't have to be this way. If I give you my pendant, will you let Sarah go?"
Amethio didn't answer which worried Liko until Friede smirked as he began to taunt him, "Oh, hey, it's just an idea, really. How about we settle this the old-fashioned way with a good ol' Pokémon battle? Your last battle with Sarah was cut off due to the storm and a surprise intervention but if you want, you can have a go against her husband and myself to compensate. Unless, of course, you're scared of losing, which you know, I get that."
"What's the matter, pal? Ya chicken?" Cap agreed, sharing Friede's smirk.
This irked Amethio and he snapped at Friede, "That's nonsense!"
"If we win, you let Sarah go."
"And, if I win, you will hand over the Pokémon and the pendant to me, you got that?"
"Even if we comply with your demands should you win, how do Liko and I know you'll hold your end of the bargain with my wife's release and the Explorers wanting nothing to do with us anymore?" Race inquired suspiciously.
"The pendant and the Pokémon by themselves are meaningless."
"I thought so. Tou-Tou?"
"Right. Stand back, Ani, it's my turn now," Tou-Tou nodded as he moved past his brother and stood in front of Race, ready to do battle with Amethio this time.
"Tou-Tou..." Silvally breathed.
"Okay, Liko, things are about to get intense here. Maybe stand back," Friede informed Liko, giving her a wink.
"Right," Liko nodded as she, Rockruff, and Sarah's Pokémon raced off.
"Ready to do this, Cap?"
"Let's hustle, pal!" Cap smirked again.
"Come out, Ceruledge!" Amethio called with an annoyed frown, summoning his Fire Blades Pokemon who snarled and shared his master's disdain for the heroes present to fight them this time.
"Go, Cap! Use Double Team!"
"Tou-Tou, Air Slash!"
Joining forces as Cap discarded his hat, the older Mouse Pokémon made several copies of himself with Double Team to confuse Ceruledge while the Shiny Silvally fired his and his brothers' shared Flying Type attack at the Ghost/Fire Type.
"Use Psycho Cut!"
Wasting no time, Ceruledge used his Psycho Cut attack to cut through Cap's copies and nullify Tou-Tou's Air Slash but Cap, Friede, Race, and Tou-Tou were just getting started as they issued their next attacks against the powerful Pokémon.
"Now, Cap, use Thunderpunch!" Friede shouted as he and Cap went first, the latter appearing behind Ceruledge to use Thunderpunch.
"Oh no, you don't! Phantom Force!" Amethio countered again, his partner vanishing via a portal of Ghost Type energy as he forced Cap to miss and appeared behind him for a sneak attack.
"Not so fast! Tou-Tou!" Race shouted, having Tou-Tou jump Ceruledge before he could hit Cap and force him into the ground.
"Hey, nice save there, Race," Friede smiled at Race, looking impressed.
"Way to jump 'em, dudes," Cap agreed, giving Race and Tou-Tou a thumbs-up and allowing the former BF Champion to return it.
Amethio scoffed at what he saw while Friede smirked at him, snarking as the trio's respective Pokémon regrouped on their appropriate sides, "I'm impressed, guess there's much more to you than hot air."
After they managed to sneak past Amethio, Liko, Rockruff, and Sarah's Pokémon searched the warehouse for the little princess with Link, Rockruff, and the Lycanroc Quartet leading the way, hoping they were not too late.
"This way!" Rockruff called as they went down a corridor to their left that led straight to a locked door.
When Liko looked through the door's window, she saw Sarah inside the storage room.
"Sarah!" she called, getting the princess' attention.
"Liko! Silvally, guys, I'm in here!" Sarah gasped in surprise, confirming to everyone present that they found her.
"Hold on, Mother!" Silvally shouted as he charged at the door and used Crush Claw to break it open (with Ching Wan grabbing Liko and lifting her out of the way just in time before she could be hit).
"Sarah!" Liko cried again as they made their way over to her.
"Are you alright, Master?" Hashimoto asked as Liko untied the ropes binding the princess.
"I'm fine, just hungry. They didn't leave me anything to eat after trussing me up like a turkey. But, Amethio and the Explorers were real merit badge boy and girl scouts; those knots on me wouldn't budge no matter how much I squirmed. Obviously, I ruled out using my Elemental Magic since that would only draw Amethio and Onia's attention and have them pedaling their way back before you came along."
"Well, what matters is you're alright and no harm was done," Link smiled.
"Come on, Mom, let's get out of this dumpster!" Dusk shouted, getting a nod from Sarah as the group scrambled out of the warehouse.
With Amethio, Race, and Friede, they moved their battle to the roof of the warehouse they were in as explosions went off with Cap, Ceruledge, and Tou-Tou going all out now that they had more room to fight each other in using both their physical and special attacks.
"Use Thunderpunch!"
"Bite!"
"Got it/Right!"
As Ceruledge charged at Cap and Tou-Tou with Bitter Blade, both the cool-dude Electric Type and the Shiny Silvally came at him as well with Thunderpunch and Bite, colliding with each other once again and causing an explosion that made them jump back to their respective trainers.
"You're good, Amethio, but not good enough. That just goes to show how much you already know compared to what Island Girl and I went through and this here is a part of what we've taken from our journey," Race said, bringing out a Water Type Memory Drive.
"Another Pokémon Type Change with a toy like that, is that another trick of yours?" snorted Amethio.
"Believe it, this Memory Drive and others like it are a part of my Silvally and the Silvally belonging to my wife. Too bad you won't get to see the ins and outs of it since we have no intention of surrounding them as you wanted so I think this little splashdown of mine can make your day. Now, Tou-Tou, accept and activate your Water Memory Drive and become the beast that rides and triumphs over the eternal waves of the Seven Seas!"
Throwing the Water Type Memory Drive to Tou-Tou, the Shiny Silvally accepted it via his RKS System and his head scales, tail fin, and eyes turned a rich shade of blue as he became a Water Type.
"Use Multi-Attack!"
"Ceruledge, use Psycho Cut!"
With their respective orders given, Tou-Tou (after coating himself in an aura of Water Type energy) and Ceruledge charged at each other for the umpteenth time to continue their and Cap's battle.
With Sarah and her party, Liko, Rockruff, and the Pokémon were leading her out of the warehouse she was kept prisoner in and back to the Dragon Craft and the Brave Olivine but before they could reach the entrance and escape, they were soon stopped by Onia as she and her Skarmory appeared before them.
"So, you found your way here and you're now making off with our special guest, eh? Honestly, and here I thought you meddling kids had good manners on you. That's not very nice," she smirked darkly.
"Special guest and very nice, my fluffy ass, lady," snarked Dusk with a defiant growl.
"You and your cohorts crossed a line when you kidnapped Master and took her away from us last night."
"And, now that we have her back, we're not going to hand her over to you without a fight!" Ching Wan and Hashimoto retorted in agreement.
"You dragged us into this mess with what you tried to do to my friend! Well, we're gonna show you what happens when you mess with her!"
"And, how!" Liko and Sprigatito shouted.
Onia smirked at Liko and Sprigatito as her Skarmory readied itself and she snarked, "What can you do? A weak little Grass Type such as your Sprigatito hardly stands a chance against my Skarmory."
"You'd be wise not to look down on the little ones, madam. This little Sprigatito surprised us all when she and her human partner unleashed a powerful Leafage the previous night and they'll do it again, too, with a little help from me and my caretaker," Link replied, unimpressed by Onia's smug nature.
"I wouldn't underestimate Liko's partner if I were you," Sarah added in agreement.
"Oh? And, pray to tell, Princess, what can you do along with that Sprigatito?" Onia replied, continuing to smirk smugly.
Sarah looked at Liko with a knowing look, "Liko?"
Liko looked at Sarah and the two of them exchanged nods as Sprigatito (continuing to snarl at Onia) and Suicune joined forces when they stood in front of their respective trainers (nodding to each other as well) before the girls shouted, "Sprigatito, Leafage!"
"Suicune, combine Leafage with your Sheer Cold! Then, use both attacks to form Sheer Leafage!"
"Sheer Leafage?!" Onia gasped as she saw Suicune and Sprigatito combining Leafage and Sheer Cold to form a combo attack which struck Skarmory and blasted it and her back while an explosion went off.
"Come on, let's go!" Sarah shouted as the heroes scrambled once again.
The explosion also halted Amethio, Friede, and Race's battle as they, Ceruledge, Cap, and Tou-Tou saw Sarah and Liko along with their Pokémon and Rockruff making a break for the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft with Onia and her Skarmory (both of them left unconscious by the blast) out of the way.
"I see; this battle, everything, it was all a setup! A distraction so you could find the princess and allow her to escape with our other targets! So, was that your plan all along, Friede?!" Amethio seethed, realizing that he had been duped before Link and Suicune joined Friede, Race, Tou-Tou, and Cap.
"Let's just say I gave the kid a little advice," Friede smirked as he and Cap fell off the roof and got on Charizard but not before saying to Amethio as they left, "Let's do this again!"
"Come on, Tou-Tou, Island Girl's back with us! Let's go!" Race called to his Shiny Silvally (as Robbie and Bella joined them and Suicune), bringing out his Phrenic Bow and firing a Smokescreen Arrow as it landed in front of Ceruledge and Amethio, allowing them and Link to regroup with the others and escape now that Sarah's safely back with them.
Dusk had fallen as the Brave Olivine and the Dragon Craft departed and made their way to the Paldea Region. With Race and Sarah, while Liko, Friede, Cap, Sprigatito, Rockruff, and Charizard returned to Ludlow, Orla, Mollie, and Murdock aboard the Brave Olivine, they and the rest of their party reunited with her family, Johnathan, and Diane before Sarah told them what the Explorers knew following her capture.
"Hmm, interesting... So, the Explorers knew that you got the Terapagos Three from the necklaces Zelda had given you and from the heart of Area Zero," Xena recalled thoughtfully once they had been told everything.
"Ok, that's freaky because we didn't know about them until now," Amber admitted.
"I'm sure word about us had somehow gotten to them given they were smart enough to have someone spy on us from the shadows following our arrival to Paldea and when we began our studies at Uva Academy," Race sighed grimly, given the stakes involved.
"But, didn't those guys know about Ms. Delilah's Great Book of Disney? After all, that Amethio guy did say something about a 'magical book'. Could the Great Book of Disney be what he was talking about?" Braixen questioned anxiously.
"If he is alluding to Delilah's book, he may have found a way to uncover the worlds within it."
"But, he sounded like he doesn't know much about it along with the fact that Daddy Race's Terapagos awakened while we were all in Rosas," stated Blaze and Cocoa.
"I don't like this, you guys. There are just too many question marks and mysteries about the Explorers and we don't know what they'll do with Liko's pendant and the Terapagos Three should they get them from under our noses somehow and we can't let our guard down if they're following our every move."
"And, what's worse, they also know about Area Zero and the other Paradox Pokémon living there if they saw Numbah Three. Should we tell Nemona, Penny, Arven, Briar, and Director Clavell about this?" Terrakion and Keldeo pondered, wondering if they should warn their Paldea friends about the oncoming threat.
"No, Keldeo. Terrakion's right; we still don't know anything else about the Explorers and Amethio, Onia, and Zirc were the only ones from them we've encountered so far. We're not sure if they're just as or more ruthless compared to my uncle and Team Eclipse but they're just as calculated and smart given the mole they planted in the shadows to tailgate us," Sarah rejected, knowing they still need more on the Explorers to go on.
"And, as far as we're concerned, they lacked any sort of dignity and honor in and out of battle."
"I just can't believe how arrogant they were in the fact that they were willing to do anything to get what they wanted," Diane and Johnathan grumbled, already hating the Explorers.
The Terapagos Three became more worried than ever but Stufful was able to sense their worries and give them a loving nuzzle as she soothed them, "Don't worry, you guys, we won't let those Explorer meanies get you. No, no, no, no..."
"Yeah, those meanie beanies won't be fun, fun, fun to play with! Not if we have anything to say about it," Mew vowed in agreement.
"Would they know about the rest of us if they're that thorough, possess that kind of foresight?" Nirmala pondered, concerned.
"They were taken by surprise over how Silvally was able to fight along with Tou-Tou so they probably thought learning anything else would be a waste of time," said Nyasi.
"And, you and your pride came to Sarah and her family from Cyberspace last February. I'm sure they weren't spying on us back then since they had no clue regarding that and more," Helioseon put in.
"But, if that's the case, you think those bozos would've known about Dragonstone Island by any chance?" Inferhound noted, wondering if the Explorers also had any info on the Viking Teens, their Pokémon, and their dragons.
"No way, jose, that's impossible!"
"Zorua's right; the Barbaric Archipelago and Dragonstone are surrounded by an enchanted mist and the continents there are meant to provide cover impenetrable from any form of spying."
"I agree; the cloud cover and the continents keep them hidden from those who are not pure of heart. So, as far as we can tell, Hiccup, his friends, their Pokémon and dragons, and the rest of Berk along with everyone at Dragonstone are completely safe," Zorua, Zeraora, and Star countered.
"Exactly, and besides, nobody else knows about their locations but us and the others."
"So, by all accounts, the Explorers are limited to what knowledge they have regarding us, all of us," Shadow and Winter concurred.
"Don't forget they have little to no knowledge of the Terapagos and they don't know about the dragons, the Paradox Pokémon, and Race and Sarah's magic and powers," added Tyrunt.
"I think... They must've drawn their attention to us the moment Young Sarah's first Terapagos awakened at the tail end of her exhibition match with Master Kukui and Tapu Koko. You're all right; they only knew so much about us thanks to the mole they planted behind the shadows tracking our every movement the moment the first of our Terapagos awakened and when we first arrived in Paldea. If we're to deal with them, we have to be unpredictable; try to be smarter than them, work out new ways to fight them so they would be unprepared for us in battle as well as ensure that they don't get their hands on the Terapagos Three," Tai Lung suggested.
"But, what about Liko and SSSSSSSSprigatito?" Medusa questioned, wondering how Liko and Sprigatito were getting on. "SSSSShould we tell them the truth about that pendant?"
"No, they wouldn't understand even if we tell them. We had our Terapagos for much longer and if they've awakened from our necklaces after some time, and our third one was able to awaken itself and its true form following our and the Area Zero Expedition team's discovery of it, I have a feeling Liko's pendant will do the same," Race replied, shaking his head.
"Father's right, it's too soon for us to tell them the truth about it and they wouldn't understand fully. For now, we just keep quiet and let them find out about it for themselves," Robbie agreed.
"But, what about the other Paradox Pokémon besides Link and Zelda?" Draco reminded, recalling the Paradox Pokemon from Race and Sarah's misadventures in Paldea in addition to the female Iron Leaves and the male Walking Wake.
"I got it all worked out; you remember the empty books I had with me for my research on them?" Sarah replied, getting confused and curious nods from everybody before she continued, "Rotoscope and I agreed that we should have those notes in them instead of his data banks so the Explorers would have nothing if they somehow hacked his systems."
"Most ingenious of an idea, Princess," Guardeon approved.
"Speaking of Liko and Sprigatito, how are the kids getting on?" Tyson pondered.
"We'll go check," Sarah said as she and Race went over to the Brave Olivine with Robbie, Bella, Blitz, and Curly in tow, eventually finding the pair sitting on the airship's deck, looking out towards the horizon.
"Sprigatito, what do you think of the people on this airship?" Liko asked her partner who looked at her curiously as she looked at her grandmother's pendant.
"Hmm?"
"I'm feeling like, it's okay, to trust them, because... This thing, they didn't care about it, they only seemed to care about us. I think they're very good people."
"Nice people, meow," Sprigatito meowed with a smile before they took notice of Sarah and Race as they came over.
"You okay?" Sarah asked, getting a nod from the pair.
Liko remained silent as she looked between the horizon and her grandmother's pendant before she confessed, "You know what, Sarah? While we were searching for you, I realized something; there's no denying it now, I've become a Pokémon Trainer. My grandmother once said the only scary part of becoming a trainer was taking the first step but as long as I have a Pokémon by my side, I'll be just fine. After seeing and hearing everything that went on today including how your Pokémon were determined to get you back no matter what the cost, I get it now. I tried to take so many first steps before but now, together, we're moving forward, both of us. I see it now, something I never thought possible."
The royal couple and their Pikachu and Mimikyu didn't need to say anything; all they could do was smile proudly for Liko and Sprigatito (the Grass Cat Pokémon meowing happily in agreement with her trainer's sentiments).
Soon, it was time for them to meet up with the Rising Volt Tacklers again, eventually finding them on the Brave Olivine's amidships as they were talking about the day's events. Murdock was going so far as to hug and praise his partner happily for his part in the rescue mission.
"That's right, I knew it! Your nose is the best!" he chuckled, getting loving licks from Rockruff.
"Yeah, along with Link and Sarah's Lycanroc, Rockruff's the MVP," Friede snickered as he, Cap, and Charizard smiled down at the Alolan Puppy Pokemon just as Liko, Sarah, and Race entered.
"Oh, hey kids," Orla greeted.
"Um... It's weird for me to say this, sorry...But, I think... After everything we've been through, I know that, uh..." Liko began.
Sarah placed a reassuring hand on Liko's left shoulder and nodded before she spoke on her behalf, "What she means is, thanks. For everything you did to find me, all of you."
"Yeah, it's clear you cared about our well-being to a tee so we trust you in a heartbeat. Also, thanks for helping me get my wife back," Race nodded in agreement.
Friede, Cap, and Charizard gave the trio a playful smirk as the unconventional professor asked them, "Oh, really? So, did any of you think we're the bad guys throughout our little endeavor?"
Liko spluttered in bewilderment as she said, "Ah! I mean, you never explained anything! You took me away, and-! Uh, well... To be totally honest, when this whole adventure started, you all looked kind of dangerous, so... I just didn't know what I was caught up on. Like what's with the pendant and why these Explorers guys were after me and my friends, if you put it like that. But, I want to know... That's why, I'm hoping... If you'll let me stay with you for a little longer."
Friede looked at the trio with intrigued before he turned to Cap, leaving the decision to him, "Hmm... Well, Cap, what do you think, can they stay?"
"Those three got guts, real guts. I'd say bring 'em in," Cap smirked in approval.
"Alright, if that's what you want." The decision was unanimous as they and Charizard jumped down onto the deck to formally welcome their new friends to their crew. "Okay, you three, welcome to the team."
Liko grinned as she asked, "Really, are you sure?"
Friede nodded as he then explained, "Well, I'd be lying if I said we weren't planning on it from the start. Besides, we're all curious ourselves about that pendant of yours and your oddball Pokémon since our mission is to discover the grand mysteries of Pokemon; that's what the Rising Volt Tacklers are all about. And, because Sarah and Race here have an array of Legendary and Mythical Pokemon we've never seen before, we're just getting started."
Johnathan and Diane (joined by the Terapagos Three) then arrived as the latter cutely pinched her adoptive granddaughter's cheeks and cooed, "The added bonus being that we can watch over you so you don't go crazy."
"Grandma, cut it out!" Sarah whined as she wiggled out of her grasp, only making Diane laugh at her expense while the Terapagos Three cooed happily.
"The Rising Volt Tacklers, is that who you all are?" Liko puzzled.
Friede blinked in surprise, "Huh, didn't I tell you three that?"
"You did with Amethio but since Liko was inside, you left her in the dark," Sarah replied, surprising Murdock, Mollie, and Orla.
"Come on, man!"
"You didn't say anything, did you?" Murdock and Mollie grated angrily at Friede, making him flinch again.
"Guess we all could've said something to her, though, so it's not completely on him this time," Orla commented sheepishly.
Friede sheepishly chuckled in agreement as he said (while clearing his throat and composing himself), "My bad... We'll talk about that later. But, one thing's for certain; glad you're all on the team."
"Thanks," Race and Sarah replied before the group shared a fist bump and raised their hands and arms into the air with Ludlow joining in.
"Any food you kids can't stand or are allergic to?" Murdock puzzled Liko, Sarah, and Race.
"Nope."
"None at all."
"I can eat anything," the trio replied.
Murdock chuckled in response, "That's what I like to hear."
Orla nodded as she formally introduced herself, "I'm Orla, the mechanic of the Brave Olivine."
Mollie agreed as she added, "This is late, I'll admit. But, it's nice to meet you."
"Thanks."
"Nice to meet you."
"I hope we can get along well."
Then, Friede went to the edge of the dock with Cap on his shoulder as he said, "We set sail straight ahead for Liko's home in the Paldea Region then, steady as she goes. Hey, while we're there, we can go and collect our bodyguard payment from Liko's mother. What do you think?"
Orla frowned indignantly as she ranted, "That's so uncool! Way to ruin the moment, man."
"Come on, you can't have adventure and fun while on an empty wallet."
Liko blinked awkwardly as she replied, "That's a bit too honest, if I may say so..."
That night, Race, Sarah, and Liko gathered one last time for the day before they would turn in for the night to tell Ann and her Oshawott about their journey together with the Rising Volt Tacklers, and needless to say, the two of them were amazed and feeling jealous (although they didn't harbor any ill feelings for the trio as they were too excited for their friends to care).
"So, you three are actually going on an adventure? Liko, Sarah, Race, that's so cool!" Ann cheered from Liko's Rotom Phone in Tablet Mode.
"Sweet!" agreed Oshawott excitedly.
"Yep, that's about it."
"As you can tell, we'll be away from Indigo Academy for some time but we'll still be able to attend," Sarah and Race confirmed.
"Race is right; I'm hoping to take classes and he and Sarah can give their lectures to our class remotely when school starts back up. But, that means we won't be able to hang out for a while," Liko agreed as she took her Rotom Phone while Sprigatito tried to paw and pounce at it for fun.
"Yeah. Well, I'll miss you but at least we can still talk to each other this way. I hope you guys find what you're looking for out there."
"Good luck!"
Liko nodded as she thought (while sharing a moment of happiness with Sprigatito), "For sure 'cause my friends, even Sprigatito, are with me!"
But, what the Rising Volt Tacklers, Liko, Sarah, and Race didn't know was that they were going to end up with another special passenger who would later become a true friend to them; hours earlier, the morning after the storm had passed, on a remote island in the Kanto Region, a female Nidoran was sleeping peacefully at a rustic one-story house that's part of the only known village residence on the island until a sliding door opened up and a young boy of a darker complexion was getting ready to head out (spooking the little Poison Type as she ran off).
He was around Liko and Ann's age with dark brown hair that had a puffy magenta tuff sticking out front from under his dark brown hat (sporting a white brim) that blended in with his hair and magenta eyes. In addition to his hat, his outfit mainly consisted of a red and white t-shirt that had a printed yellow R Unown in the middle, light brown shorts, and white sandals with black and yellow straps (most likely to resemble the coloration of Ultra Balls) along with a shoulder pack slung around his right shoulder. The boy with a grand sense of adventure was none other than Roy.
"Mornin', Gramps!" Roy greeted his grandfather (who was supposedly the elder of the village he lived in).
"Mornin', Roy! Getting an early start, are ya?" his grandfather greeted back in amusement.
"Yeah, storm's over and I got lots to do! Whoo-hoo!"
And, he hurried down the road leading to the beach, eager to see what he'll find (as he was also a treasure hunter at heart). As he made his way to the beach, while a nearby Krabby and Staryu were going about their own business, Roy noticed a line of buoys that marked the area where the beach was bordered off. He then noticed a small rock next to him and he took it before he threw it at one of the buoys closest to him, simulating himself catching a Pokémon with a Pokeball.
"Yes, direct hit!" he grinned, seeing the rock hitting the buoy until he noticed something at the corner of his eye from his right.
He went over to the object that was lying in the sand and gently pulled it up but what he didn't know was that he had stumbled upon the flag that was blown away from the Brave Olivine, effectively setting his unknown yet fated meeting with its crew, Liko, Sarah, and Race in motion (something that would change the course of his life as a treasure hunter, adventurer, and a future Pokémon Trainer forever).
"I love a good storm! It leaves treasure everywhere!"
To Be Continued...