EPISODE 173: Adoption Day!

On one winter day, a cold and harsh weather indeed, lies our camp in route thirty-seven. We figured that it would be best to stay in our camp until the cold weather passes by. Not for Glade though, he and his soon to evolve Drilbur are out in the woods having a bargain of trust. Me and Camellia however, played and groomed our Pokemons inside our tent.

"My turn! My turn! My turn!" Shaymin leaped around me while I was brushing Riolu's fur.

"Alright Riolu, it's Shaymin's turn!" I beamed with joy and placed Riolu on the floor. He licked my face and circled around me while I groom Shaymin's white fluffy fur.

With our own businesses in our respective tents, we were able to defeat boredom while waiting for the cold and icy weather to pass by. After grooming my Pokemons, I tuned in to the Pokemon News Network or Channel in my rotom-phone. It has been days now, and the police are still looking for the leader of the Masked Revelations. It is a rare occurrence, when one boss is actually a female rather than a male.

The Elites and the new champion also aware of the crisis in Aulmurus city. Melody requested every citizen on Aulmurus city to stay indoors. We still don't know the Mafia's next moves, since their sudden surge was recently spread throughout the region.

"A camping site? This is unexpected, unless it belongs to..." A girl uttered softly while observing the camping site. She noticed that the color of the tents are somehow familiar to her.

It is immense that this girl wasn't having a hard time walking around the cold and harsh winter day. I guess she and Glade has some unexpected similarities.

"Excuse me! Is anyone here?" The girl called while walking through a camp.

Me and Camellia heard her voice. It was certainly familiar to me. Her voice had a Japanese accent and emphasis, it couldn't be anyone except for my cousin Kira.

"Kira! I didn't know you... achoo! here." I rushed outside and sneezed due to the cold weather. Riolu couldn't step out, since the cold ice irritated his feet. Shaymin on the other hand hasn't seen Kira before, therefore she hid inside the tent and took a little peek once in a while.

Camellia was also pleased to see Kira again. It was strange though, even without a jacket she could survive the cold and harsh winter wonderland.

"It's Kalem and Camellia! This is perfect timing." Kira beamed with elation and exhilaration.

"Kira, what are you doing here? And how could you bear the coldness?" Camellia questioned while shivering due to the chilliness.

"I live in Fantasma city remember? It sits on the peak of a mountain, therefore it experiences snow and cold harsh weather like this too. I'm used to it." Kira elucidated.

"So Kira, have you earned the Glacevelt badge?" I questioned.

"Yes! Look, this is the Frost badge. It took me three tries to defeat the gym leader there." Kira boasted while revealing her badge. The badge was an illustration of two winter mountains with a stylish letter C on the center.

"Really!? So tell me, who is the gym leader of Glacevelt city." I beamed with enthusiasm and excitement.

"The truth is, I don't know the gym leader's name. She wears a mask for some reason, and she doesn't tell her identity." Kira informed.

"Hmm, that C on the center of the badge looks familiar to me. It's like I've seen this badge before but I forgot when and who." Camellia pondered with her eyes squinting on the Frost Badge.

"Familiar? Could it have a meaning of some sort?" Kira questioned.

"I guess so. I think the last time I saw a badge like that is when I was merely seven years old." Camellia recalled deeply.

"So Kira, since you've been to the city, is it true that the city is suspicious?" I queried.

"Yes. The people didn't look friendly to me except for nurse Joy and Audino. The wall was thick and huge, it was like they were trying to hide and protect the city thoroughly. Plus, the soldiers didn't look like soldiers at all, they looked like psychopaths. You know what I mean. In that city? I could see the fear on the Pokemon's eyes. There were no children playing in the streets, it was like the city was under martial law." Camellia interpreted and depicted.

"Seems scary to me. So Kira, what's your business here?" Camellia questioned.

"I was planning to go to the nearby daycare center which is just one kilometer through the east of the route. Since you two are here, I was wondering if you could come with me."

"Daycare center? Why do you want to go there?" Camellia questioned.

"Today is the last day of adoption month. I wanted to adopt an abandoned Pokemon for my bench team."

"Adopt a Pokemon!? That would be exciting! I wonder if I could adopt one too." I beamed with exuberance.

"Anyone can adopt a Pokemon, it's free, but it's first come first serve. I've heard that cute Pokemons are also available!"

"Cute Pokemons!? Count me in! I want to adopt a cute Pokemon." Camellia beamed with excitement while wondering what kind of cute Pokemon could there be in the Pokemon Daycare center.

"Great! We can all go together, where is Glade and Zhery?" Kira's eyes rolled up the camp in hopes to see Glade and Zhery.

"Glade is training with his Pokemons. While Zhery? Um... she's kinda not here anymore." Camellia explained solemnly after remembering Zhery.

"Oh right. I've heard that her mother died, is there already a replacement for the next leading elite position?"

"No... not yet. I don't know why the three Elites and the new champion are not finding any new Elite. Plus, the Pokemon League is in four months time, I'll be battling them soon."

"That's if you win the Pokemon League!" Kira giggled.

"Of course I am! I'm surely going to win." I beamed with confidence and determination.

"Hehe! My Pokemons have gotten way stronger since the first time we met. Defeating them is like carrying a mountain."

"Well yeah!? It's on Kira! I challenge you to a Pokemon Battle."

"Wait... wait... wait! First thing's first and that's to adopt a Pokemon." Camellia stood between me and Kira while her body teems with excitement.

"Oh right, I guess my excitement made me too determined. Come on let's go to the Day Care Center! When we return, we'll battle Kalem."

"Sure! Let's head out now."

"Aren't we going to tell Glade about this?" Camellia suggested.

"Nah, he'll know when we return. Come on, let's go to the Day Care Center!" I beamed with excitement.

"... But first, I think I have to dress up Riolu with his sweater and boots. Plus, I also caught one legendary and one mythical Pokemon!" I boasted.

"Oh really? I caught Moltres, and you must've caught Zapdos right?"

"Ah!? How did you know that I caught a Zapdos?"

"Hee hee, father told me." Kira giggled and charmed.

Before we left, I suited Riolu with his blue fluffy sweater. Two boots helped Riolu keep his feet warm while walking to avoid irritation, while two gloves kept his palms warm. A small green beanie made Riolu's head fill comfortable.

On Shaymin, I suited her with four thick boots for her paws. A long red scarf was wrapped around her neck for comfort. I don't know why but department stores usually have clothes for Pokemons which could stand on two feet rather than those with four.

While Glade and his Pokemons train and play together, I, Camellia, and Kira went to the Pokemon Daycare Center. The place where people usually leave their Pokemon for the time being. Some Daycare centers adopt abandoned Pokemons and wait for other trainers to adopt them.

As we travel through the east of the route. Glacevelt city bothered my head. Not only is it mysterious, but it's also worrying. I never heard of a gym leader wearing a mask and hiding his or her identity. I never saw a badge with any other foreign symbol. What is up with that city?

"Tell me cousin, have you defeated the gym leader in Aulmurus city?" Kira questioned.

"Yup! I have the Crown badge. It was a six on six Pokemon battle."

"Six on six? On Glacevelt city it is also six on six." Kira added.

"Kalem can defeat any strong gym leader! His Pokemons are even more powerful than the world champion." Camellia complimented and praise.

"He defeated the world champion? Kalem, I really think that you should take on the world championships." Kira suggested.

"Me? Defeat the world champion? It was all thanks to Camellia's help on Enju city. Plus, Krill and Arc were arguing that time. I'm not sure if I want to compete in the world championships, plus I don't even know the requirements."

"It's simple. All you need to do is to register then that's it. You can switch out Pokemons if you wish, plus you can also travel everywhere you wish to find an opponent." Kira explained.

"I'll think about it. I still have the Laurenburg League to surpass through. There are also eight other regions that I'm willing to explore."

"I'll be the one to win the Laurenburg league, so sorry to burst your bubble cousin!" Kira giggled.

"A sibling rivalry, I can't wait to see who will win the Pokemon League." Camellia beamed with exuberance.

We were able to arrive at the Pokemon Daycare center. It looks like one large Pokemon Center with a Royal Blue coating on the sides, short crimson pillars served as support for the building. It was like a mansion, except it is used to store Pokemon and people. Yes, they also have cabins for People in case they needed to stay for the night.

It was jam-packed with people and Pokemon. The last day of Adoption Month is taking place, limited Pokemons will soon have an owner or trainer. Shaymin got timid after seeing the crowd. She shivered behind my leg while being conscious of every move I make.

In front of the Daycare Center, or in this case, the daycare mansion, was a large Dialga monument, Arceus monument, and also a Palkia monument. No one dared to place a monument of the God of Matter, since it was a symbol of bad luck.

"Shaymin, just stay beside me and you'll be fine." I consoled and reassured Shaymin's shivering body.

Through the doors of the Daycare mansion were loads of people asking for their Pokemons or even requesting their Pokemons to be taken care of. Behind the large center, was a big dome filled with transparent windows. It was called 'Pokemon Park' or the place where Pokemons roam and wait for their owners.

People and children are allowed to play with the Pokemons inside the dome. There were eight counters with one assistant each to lessen the traffic caused by the crowd. I'd say that this Daycare center truly is rich and remarkable.

"Good afternoon, welcome to the Yoshino Daycare center. I am Alfonso, how may I help you?" We were greeted by a warm smile and a respectful statement by Alfonso.

"Hi sir, we were wondering if we could adopt a Pokemon." Kira smiled and grinned.

"Sure, good thing you made it just in time. There are a few rare Pokemons left, so you three were lucky. Please wait by the corner, while I ask someone to interview you three." Alfonso instructed.

"Interview? Why are we going to be interviewed?" Camellia questioned.

"During your interview, we will gather data about you and your current Pokemons. You will be interviewed by some of the best A-class connoisseurs in the world. With your evaluation, we could figure out if you are trustable in handling the Pokemon. Once you succeed, you'll be asked to go to the adoption dome, which is in the east of the Daycare park. You can choose any Pokemon you wish, but I warn you, some of them are too feisty and stubborn to handle." Alfonso explained.

"Are all of the Pokemons in the adoption dome really abandoned by their trainers?" I questioned.

"Sad to say, yes. A lot of people abandon their Pokemons and leave it astray. They even lie to their Pokemons saying that they'll return when in fact they're not coming back." Alfonso explained.

"Are there cute Pokemons!? I came here to adopt a cute one." Camellia leaned her head over the counter and questioned with excitement.

"Y... yes, there are cute Pokemons. Depending on your definition of cute. Now, I want the three of you to please wait on the corner." Alfonso instructed.

The three of us are so excited to meet the Pokemons in the adoption dome. Which Pokemon would soon join my team? What type could it be? What ability does it have? Only time will tell as the journey continues!

"Boss, the truck is ready, where to now?" A grunt belonging to the Masked Revelations questioned.

"Head to the Yoshino Daycare center. I've heard that the Pokemons there are rare, plus... the Yoshino Daycare center is one of the richest place on this region." ??? instructed.