Vol. 2 - Chapter 40

Ash

"When are we heading out?" Ash asked. "Keiko still hasn't come back." 

"It's looking like we'll have to leave without her," Satsuhiro said. "Sapphire is a larger city than Pearl, so although it will take more time, it is still just a week and a half or so that I expect for us to have before the demons attack. Just a week and a half to prepare." 

"... Shit," Ash hunched over. "Can't we go get her or something?" 

"Going from Jade to Onyx, then to Sapphire would sacrifice way too much time and, let's be honest, although I like Keiko, she's not a combatant here. She's not essential." 

"Didn't she help fight off demons the last time!?" Ash asked.