Chapter 44 - The Hooded Figure

Later, at exact 9:00 a.m., the ferry had arrived at Bukas Town, a small, coastal town 10 kilometers southwest of Labuyo Town, and the captain managed to park the ferry at the town pier. The anchor was dropped into the water, and the deck was lowered open. The vehicles exited first, then the passengers and their Pokémon exited last. Rico and his team became the last to exit the ferry.

After that, they went through the port terminal and exited to the town itself. They then decided to explore a little bit, looking at the town's landmarks and historical treasures. When that was done, they went to a local convenience store to buy some food and supplies for the short trip to Labuyo Town. Rico even bought ice cream as a treat after eating breakfast. After paying for them, by 9:30 a.m., they all exited the store and went out of the town and through the plains and rice fields towards Labuyo Town.

Later, at 11 in the morning, Rico and his team had arrived at Labuyo Town, a small town located on the plains. He was relieved that he had walked all the way to that town. He then opened his shoulder bag and pull out his small photo of his older brother Jonathan and took a short glance at it.

"This is for you, brother," he thought to himself.

Then, suddenly, the wind blew the photo away from Rico's hand, causing Rico to try to catch it. But eventually, a hooded figure managed to catch it with two fingers. That figure, with a dark grey hood partially covering his face, then give it to Rico, and asked, "Is this yours, kid?"

Looking at him, Rico responded, "Yes?"

"Be careful next time," the hooded figure replied back.

Receiving the photo, Rico replied back plainly, "Thanks."

"You're welcome," the hooded figure responded back. He then turned around and walked away towards town.

Looking at him, Rico thought in his mind, "Who is that guy?"

Not long after, Rico and his team had entered into town and saw its wonders.

Labuyo Town was located near an active volcano called Mount Labuyo, and was a town of 19,000 people. The majority of its buildings had a Southeast Asian style of architecture, and it was a major producer of spicy ingredients for dishes like Yellow Curry. It is said that without the town being a major producer of jalapenos and Tamato Berries, the entire region would be in a "Curry Crisis". The streets are made of cobblestone and had modern lampposts. It also had the Fire-type gym headed by a man named Kale Legazpi, an avid farmer of jalapenos and Tamato Berries. The town also had a shopping mall and a big Pokémon Center as well. In the outskirts of town, there are fields where jalapenos, Tamato Berries, and even rice and corn are being planted and harvested.

Strolling through town, Rico and his team are delighted by the town's uniqueness. Today was the 12nd day of the Labuyo Festival, a festival celebrated in the third month of the year, all the way to the fifth month of the year, and the festival was in full swing. Sellers advertised their produce and games are being offered to those who wanted to play. The weather was partly cloudy, with a good chance that it will rain.

Rico and his team are heading to the Pokémon gym, only to see that it was closed. A note on the front door says, "Sorry, this gym is closed because I'm harvesting our town's produce."

This causes Rico to be disappointed, and he and his team eventually walked away in disappointment. While walking, Rico thought to himself, "Maybe I don't have to rush myself to get that badge." He and his team then stopped walking, and Rico clenched his left fist and said to himself, "I'll be patient and never give up."

And then suddenly, rain poured down on the land.