31 Chapter 31: Fleeing

When Cynthia and Xander got to the station, Top Ranger Tony was already waiting for them with two more Rangers by his side. 

"Nurse Joy told me what happened. You both did a good thing but we need to get you guys to safety while the news is still not out," Tony explained to them before pointing at the two rangers next to them. "These guys have gotten some Skarmory that will bring you through the Grand Underground and near Pastoria City. Ride might be a little uncomfortable but we have to move you guys fast."

If Alexander attacked the pair himself, the Pokemon League would be able to do something about it but while the man was corrupt, he was smart.

He wouldn't get his own hands dirty. Instead, he would send some poachers or gangsters to deal with teens or even put up a bounty through an organization so that plenty of random people would go after them. The League couldn't go after him if he did something like that. 

"Alright. Thank you," Cynthia sincerely thanked the man before turning to the Skarmory. She had long wanted to fly on a Pokemon but she did not think it would happen so soon. 

The kids hopped on the back of two Skarmory, trying to get used to the weird feeling of its metallic body. 

'I'll never get used to Steel Pokemon,' Xander thought to himself, preferring soft Pokemon with fur. 

The Rangers allowed Cynthia and Xander to ride the Skarmory around town a few times to get used to the feeling of riding them. And Xander was proud to say that he only fell off 3 times compared to Cynthia's single fall. 

"Seems like you guys are used to it. Let's get you out of here," Tony saw that they wouldn't have much trouble with the two Pokemon so he decided it was time to take off.

The two Rangers hopped on the Skarmory they found before taking to the air with Xander and Cynthia behind them. The group began flying quickly through the Grand Underground, staying close to the roof. 

Luckily for them, the recent disruption caused by the Nidoking and Nidoqueen caused the Pokemon to become more reclusive in case anything happened. Because of this, they were able to clear the area around Sunyshore City without running into any Pokemon that would attack them. The fact that they were also a pack of Skarmory which were known menaces of the sky helped them as well.

It was also that additional reason that they did not run into any wild Pokemon throughout their entire journey. When they arrived near the town under Pastoria City a few hours later, the group was stopped by a Ranger riding a Charizard. 

"Freeze!" the Ranger commanded but he soon saw that two of the people riding were wearing Ranger Uniforms. When he noticed that, his demeanor became much friendlier. "You should know that flying is not allowed within 3 miles of the town. Please state your reason for breaking this rule."

"We had orders from the Top Ranger of Sunyshore City. This pair offended the Gym Leader there so we were to escort them to safety," one of the two Rangers with Xander and Cynthia explained. He didn't go into many details since Alexander's reputation was an open secret. 

"I see. Then please follow me back to town. We can let these Pokemon rest and get you guys something to eat," the Ranger of Pastoria Town immediately understood the issue just like the others had expected. He didn't make it hard for them and even offered to let them rest. 

"Thanks. We'll take you up on that," they agreed. Riding so fast was tiring for them and the Skarmory. If they were going to make a trip back, it would be better if their Pokemon were fed and got to rest for a few hours or even the night. 

The group landed at the Ranger Station where Cynthia and Xander thanked the group once more. When they were done, they went up to Pastoria City to check into the Pokemon Center.

When the duo arrived, they were surprised to hear that all the private rooms were already rented so they could only stay in the hostel rooms that had 8 people to them.

"All the rooms are rented? Is something going on?" Xander asked, curious since was the first time they couldn't rent a room.

"Yep," the nurse smiled and began to explain. "The Great Crusade is going to begin in 3 days. It's a yearly competition where trainers go into the Great Marsh and compete go catch Pokemon. The League will release several Pokemon who don't naturally live there and the trainers compete to catch them. Anyone who gets one of those Pokemon will get a special prize while those who catch one of the Pokemon that normally live in the Great Marsh will get a lesser prize. The only rules are that each trainer is only allowed to catch one Pokemon and there are to be no fights. Everyone can only throw Safari Balls to try and catch the Pokemon."

"Interesting. Wanna join?" Xander turned to Cynthia and asked. His vision showed the flower field in the Great Marsh so he was sure that. Cynthia would catch her next Pokemon there.

"Let's do it. Wanna bet?" Cynthia was eager to take some of Xander's cash since he made so much in Veilstone City.

"No way. I'm not really interested in any of the Pokemon there," he instantly shot her down. He wanted to get the mysterious Pokemon from his visions.

Thinking up to there, he remembered that he needed to call Prof. Carolina and ask her about to two towers that he saw.

Cynthia pouted when she realized that she lost the chance to steal some of Xander's money but her focus immediately went back to the competition. She was eager to see what Pokemon she could find there.