Cynthia

After evolving 'Shadow absorption', Shedinja's speed increased a lot. It could now travel at a very fast speed and the time required had almost been halved.

Shedinja had been continuously flying for many days and weeks. So, it had been quite good at it. It believed that it would reach the island after a week of travel. Finally, the mission was going to be complete. It knew the phone numbers of Axel's family and of Red. So, the minute it lands on the island, it would call them and tell them about the situation.

Shedinja didn't need to eat due to its nature but since Axel had been feeding it every day, it was getting hungry. It had not eaten in weeks now.

'Axel must also be hungry. I must finish my mission.', thought Shedinja as it increased its speed.

Shedinja had not realized but its body was getting stronger and stronger by the day. In particular, it's defensive stats and agility stats were increasing slowly and steadily. Flying nonstop for such a long time had increased its stats and also the level of some of its moves.

Ranking up to tier 3 was another feeling for Shedinja. It felt that its body had become lighter and stronger. Its stamina had also increased and it could vaguely feel that its control over shadow and darkness element had also increased by a bit.

Its master, Gengar had said it to return to Vetal after it reached tier 3. So, it knew that soon it would be leaving Axel. Before it went to train with Gengar it wanted to confirm if the other Pokemons could protect Axel.

###

"Red, how are we doing with the seven deadly sins? Have you set up a meeting with them?", asked Oak.

"They are very hard to even find. I do have a contact. He says that he could let me meet with one of the higher managers of the organization. He is asking a lot of money and says that the meeting will be held in 5 days.", said Red.

"Don't worry about the money. Just get me to meet with that organization. I have a hunch that they are the ones responsible for the kidnapping.", said Oak.

"Have you set up the meeting with Romeo?", asked Red.

"Yes, we will be meeting with him today. I also told him to bring out Gerad to the meeting.", said Oak.

"That is good. My hands are itching. I want to punch that guy right now.", said Red with a smile.

"Those are the only 2 people that I think could do the kidnapping but for some reason, I feel that this is the work of completely another group.", said Oak.

"Well, why don't we just talk to them first.", said Red.

"That is a good idea."

Oak and Red had their suspects. League was one of them. They had been trying to set up a meeting with Romeo, the leader of the league for quite some time. But Romeo had been postponing the meeting for a month now. The blood pressure of Oak had been rising and finally, it was able to burst.

Romeo sensed it that he was pushing it too far, so the meeting date was confirmed.

###

It was a big meeting hall with a big ass long table and many chairs. There were multiple lights and also some furniture to make the room very lavish. There were only 4 people in the meeting hall. They were, Romeo, Oak, Red, and Gerad.

"Oak, you have been eating my brain for a month to have this meeting. Now, spit it out. What is this meeting all about?", asked Romeo.

Gerad had some idea about the meeting as his rivalry with Axel was not a secret. But Romeo didn't have any idea about it. He didn't know anything about Gerad and Axel. Romeo was the leader of the league and he had a lot of things to handle. He would not waste his time in such a simple matter.

"Why don't you say it? You are the one that kidnapped my successor.", shouted Oak.

"Oak!!! You are the Pokemon master and I respect you but don't blame me for something that I never did. If I had kidnapped your successor then show me the evidence.", shouted Romeo.

Red came in between to explain the plot.

"Romeo, you may not know but Gerad and Axel have some sort of rivalry.", said Red.

"Rivalry? What Rivalry?", asked Romeo.

Red then went on to explain how Gerad overcharged Axel when he was facing the tide and the problems that Gerad had created for Axel's mercenary team registration.

Romeo didn't know what to do. He looked at Gerad and looking at his face he could tell that Red was not lying. Gerad was a very competent individual but he had a short temper and he took his revenge very seriously. Romeo knew about this but he didn't expect that he would make so much problem for Axel.

Now that Axel had been kidnapped, one of the suspects was Gerad and the league.

"Romeo, if I had the evidence, then the league would not be standing here right now. I just want to ask you and your lackey if you guys kidnapped Axel or have any information about it.", said Oak. Oak was fuming with anger.

All of them looked at Gerad for the answer.

"Of course, I did nothing with Axel's kidnapping and I have no idea or any information about his kidnapping.", said Gerad trying to protect himself.

"Romeo, if I came to find out that you guys have any hand in this, then prepare to go to war with me.", said Oak as he stood up.

Red also stood up and they went out of the meeting hall.

###

"What do you think?", asked Oak after coming out.

"I don't think that the league has any hand on this. Looking at Gerad, I feel that he is innocent."

"Now we need to have the meeting of the seven deadly sins. I have a hunch that they are the ones who did this but why do I feel that we are missing something.", asked Oak.

If this was a normal kidnapping, the kidnappers would have already called the family for money. But a month had passed and there was no call. So, the kidnapper had kidnapped Axel to torture and to kill him. That was clear for now.

They didn't even know if Axel was alive. Red had been very close to Axel and Axel had become the godparent of his son. So, he was emotionally attached to Axel. Even though Red never showed those emotions in his face, he was very worried about Axel.

Axel was the hope of this world. If something were to happen to him, then the world might just end.

Meanwhile, Romeo was berating Gerad for his stupidity.

"How stupid can you be to mess with Axel? Don't you that he is the successor of Oak? Did you even ask for my permission to do such a thing? Are you an idiot? Give me a reasonable explanation now or you are fired.", shouted Romeo.

Romeo was basically humiliated in the meeting and he was not liking it one bit.

###

Cynthia was enjoying the view of the sea and the island. Her trusted Garchomp was with her. They had gone through a hellish training session just now and now it was time to rest.

"Garchomp, what kind of Pokemons do think I should choose for the Johto region?", asked Cynthia.

If she was starting with the Johto region, then she should start from zero. Capturing Pokemons, training them, and making them stronger. For a trainer like Cynthia, choosing the right Pokemon was very vital for her plan and her future. She had already done research on this and had already short-listed a number of Pokemons.

But she still wanted to get a second opinion. Since Garchomp had been with her since the beginning, Garchomp knew a lot about what Cynthia wanted.

As it was getting ready to reply, Cynthia got a call on her phone.

Tring.. Tring.. Tring.. Tring..

Katchak!!

"Hey, Cynthia, how are you and how long do you plan to stay on that godforsaken island?", came a lady-like voice.

"Daisy, I just want some peace. Where are you by the way?"

"Oh, we and the other trainers are trying to have a get-together."

"Get together? For what?"

"You know that normal gossip and rumors. There is also that news about the kidnapping of your rival.", said Daisy with a smile.

"Oh come on. Give me a break. He is not my rival. I have no rival."

"You can say that to make yourself feel better but you did lose to him and his Charizard and I hear that Charizard is not his strongest Pokemon.", said Daisy.

Cynthia clicked her tongue in annoyance. Daisy was also a trainer but she was for focused on research than being a trainer. Her trainer capabilities were subpar at best but she was the best friend of Cynthia.

Daisy was the only person who could talk with Cynthia without any reservations.

"So, do you want to come?"

"When is this get-together and where is it?"

"Oh, it is in the middle of a new island that Steven's family had acquired. I will send you the details. The event is after a week. So, try to be there. You always miss these events.", said Daisy and then hung off the phone.

Cynthia was not a people person. She loved her loneliness. Her parents had been pestering her to get outside and enjoy life but she just wanted to train and get stronger.

The only reason Cynthia was considering going there was because of Axel. Axel was someone who truly interested her and she wanted to know more about his kidnapping.

She just hoped that he had not died yet cause it would be very boring.

Just as she was thinking about these things, Garchomp gave a low growl telling her to look forward.

Cynthia and Garchomp were on the beach and as she looked forward to see the sea, she could see a shadow coming towards them at a fast speed. Recently, she had reached elemental rank and her senses had increased, so she could even see a figure from such a far distance.

"What is that? Get ready Garchomp. The figure looks hostile.", asked Cynthia.

"It looks to be a Shedinja and it is very powerful. It is definitely a king-rank Pokemon.", said Garchomp as it was ready for battle.

At this time, there was no one on the beach except for these two.

"A king rank Shedinja?", asked Cynthia to clear the doubt.

Normally Shedinja was a species that was considered to be too weak and she had never heard of any Shedinja that had even reached king rank. So who was it?

"Is it that Shedinja?", asked Cynthia cause she could only recall one trainer having a king rank Shedinja.

As she was thinking, the Shedinja came flying towards them and then reached the beach. It immediately recognized Cynthia and Garchomp.

Yes, the Shedinja was Marcus and it had finally reached the island. Shedinja knew that Cynthia and Axel didn't have a good relationship but it was positive that Cynthia would at least help it during such a situation.

But as soon as it saw the land and Cynthia with Garchomp, its eyes started to get heavier and its body started to get heavier too. It felt that the fatigue on its body was increasing at a rapid pace and it crashed to the ground.

Cynthia and Garchomp immediately went near it to see if it was all alright.

"Hey you, are you okay? Why are you flying in the sea?", asked Cynthia.

Shedinja could only mutter 2 words before it fainted. Those words were, "Save Axel!"