Under the white clouds, Charizard soared through the sky, carrying Kai and Sabrina at high speed toward the south.
The clouds blocked the sun, and the strong winds swept away the heat. Despite being mid-air, the chill of the wind kept the temperature pleasant rather than stifling.
However, the cold currents brushed against their faces, prompting Sabrina to lean closer to Kai's back, shielding her pale skin from the icy gusts.
Feeling the soft pressure against his back, Kai's heart skipped a beat. Understanding her discomfort, he patted Charizard's neck gently, signalling it to descend.
Below them stretched the vast, endless blue sea. They had been flying for hours since the departure.
At last, a cluster of islands appeared on the horizon, composed of variously sized landmasses scattered across the water.
From above, the islands seemed randomly distributed, yet they formed a cohesive group, separated by narrow straits. The islands were lush with greenery, their isolation lending them an air of tranquillity.
"Sabrina, look! There's an island ahead!"
Hearing him, Sabrina peeked over his shoulder. Against the rush of wind, she had to move closer to make herself heard.
"Is this the Orange Islands?"
Kai checked his Pokégear, which finally received a faint signal after hours of inactivity. The signal's presence indicated the island below was inhabited. However, after comparing the coordinates, he shook his head.
"This isn't the Orange Islands. It's the Sevii Islands. We're still halfway to the Orange Islands."
"The Sevii Islands?" Sabrina echoed, puzzled.
Having grown up in Saffron City, she had never ventured far beyond the inland regions and was unfamiliar with such remote locales.
Charizard began its descent toward the largest of the islands ahead, prompting Sabrina to ask, "Are we landing here?"
Kai nodded. "That's right. Between the two of us and our luggage, Charizard has been carrying about 270 kilograms. It's been flying for hours and needs rest. Plus, there's something here I've been meaning to check out."
Sabrina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Something important?"
Kai grinned but didn't elaborate.
The Sevii Islands, also called the Seven Islands, lie south of the Kanto region. The archipelago consists of seven main islands and numerous smaller ones.
While locals often number them for convenience, One Island, Two Island, and so forth, each island has an official name.
The island where they landed, known to locals as One Island, is officially named Knot Island. Its name symbolizes the connections between the Sevii Islands, welcoming travellers from afar.
Knot Island's main town is small, with a modest harbour and a few homes. The Pokémon Center, situated in the centre of the town, is the most prominent structure. Most locals make their living through fishing, and the streets are quiet and serene.
Charizard landed on a pristine beach outside the town. The sand shimmered with a golden glow, scattered with large pearls glinting under the sunlight.
While Sabrina snapped photos with her phone, Kai collected a handful of pearls and tucked them into his bag as souvenirs.
After brushing the sand from his clothes, he led Sabrina toward the town.
Their first stop was a small tavern near the pier. Instead of heading to the Pokémon Center, they left Charizard outside the tavern, providing it with food before entering.
The tavern's interior was dimly lit, and the patrons, mostly elderly fishermen, conversed quietly in groups.
When Kai and Sabrina entered, the room fell silent. The fishermen turned to stare, their scrutiny lingering until the pair sat at the bar. Gradually, the conversations resumed.
"What'll it be?" the elderly bartender asked, eying them curiously as he polished a glass.
"Two glasses of ice water," Kai replied. "Also, do you have any local specialities? We'll take two servings."
Before the bartender could respond, a woman seated nearby interjected.
"Give them two orders of the Sevii Islands' special seafood fried rice. Put it on my tab."
Startled, Kai and Sabrina turned to see who had spoken.
The woman had bright red hair tied in a ponytail, wore a sleek dress with black stockings and high heels, and sported glasses that accentuated her sharp gaze.
While her appearance was striking, her most notable feature was her commanding presence.
Sabrina's eyes widened in recognition. "You're… Lorelei?"
Lorelei, a member of the Elite Four and an Ice-type specialist, smiled warmly. "Long time no see, Sabrina."
Turning to Kai, she added, "You must be the new Champion of the Indigo league, correct?"
Kai was momentarily stunned. To meet Lorelei here, of all places, was beyond his expectations.
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