Ethan was still outside with his best friend, the two of them walking around the familiar, small hometown of theirs as they concentrated into their discussion about their redhaired rival. Lyra had just finished her talking and the boy couldnât help but smile apologically and squeeze Lyraâs hand again.
âItâs alright.. That makes the two of us. After all, I donât know about Rivalâs other friends, either!â Ethan nodded and turned to look forward again. âBut Iâm sure that he has other friends, too. He has to. I meanâ We canât be the only ones that like Rival, right?â Ethan tried to joke a bit, wanting to comfort his best friend. He didnât want Lyra to feel guilty without any reason. But he was serious about his words at the same time. Rival had more people around him.
That was when they noticed it. In the skyâ a pokĂŠmon.
âH-Hey! Lyra, look!â Ethan pointed towards the creature that seemed to get closer and closer. They both probably recognized that it was a Crobat because of that faint purple shade. And they had seen Crobats a lot during their training, even Rival owned one of those in his team. Waitâ Why was there a Crobat flying around Newbark Town in the first place?
The girl kept trying her best to not pout. Her attention focused at the boy who had been holding her hand this entire time. "I'm sure he does.. We just don't know them." The words she spoke slowly trailed off as Ethan pointed out the Crobat. "Hmm.. That is weird." Her eyes were now focused on the poison/flying type, jumping slightly as it began to descend down to them.
"Hn.. What are you doing here? You guys don't live 'round here.. Least I don't think so." She giggled slightly as she examined it, slowly noticing the paper wrapped around it's tiny legs. "Hmm.. What's this?" The brunette leaned down to take the note. "It's.. A letter..?" She muttered, unfolding it. Clearing her throat, she began to read it:
Ethan, Giovanni has returned. I currently have Rival's pokemon but I don't know what he is... I'd help but I'm currently hiding so I am not found by him once again. I need you to find Rival. Best of luck... Love, Blue.
Her hands began to shake as she read the letter. "E.. Ethan.. Giovanni has Rival." She sniffled slightly, her eyes were beginning to tear up. "He has Rival.. What are we gonna do?" She began to sniffle, her hands rubbing on her eyes, not letting a tear fall. Â "What if.. What if.." Lyra bit down on her lip, not wanting to think of the worst. "We need to go get him.. We need to save him."
