The warm ocean lapped across the huge bow of the long white cruise liner as it pushed its way through the waves. Far in the distance, their was the most faint glimpse of land on the golden horizon. Straining his eyes from the railing of the main deck, Ash Ketchum looked out over the water. His loyal friend Pikachu sat on his shoulder happily. The sun was rising above the water, blinding them with a shower of light. Ash munched on a piece of toast, occasionally offering Pikachu a bite. At 18, Ash had changed a lot since his last adventure travelling through the Sinnoh Region with Dawn and Brock. After losing to Tobias in the Lily of the Valley Conference, he spent an entire year training with Cynthia at her holiday home in Undella Town, in the Unova Region. He returned to Kanto as a man, not only physically much stronger and muscular but mentally mature. Pikachu took the last bite of toast, and Ash brushed off the the crumbs from his black shirt. He returned to the top deck of the ship, Pikachu bouncing ahead up the long staircase. Sitting at a table inside the viewing deck, Ash found his latest travelling companions, gingerly eating their own breakfasts. Three of them sat at the table. Brock was his usual self, perfectly content, twirling a strip of bacon around his fork. He smiled his trademark friendly smile as he saw the familiar mop of jet black hair that could only belong to his best friend. Beside him sat two very sour looking young men. Gary Oak, Ash's childhood rival and now good friend sat with grimace on his face as he lifted a glass of orange juice to his mouth. He nodded as Ash joined the table, sitting opposite him. Behind a pair of dark wayfarer sunglasses, Ash's newest companion Paul Shinji raised an eyebrow. He sat with both elbows on the table, propping up his head with his right fist. His head hung lazily, staring at a half eaten hash brown. To celebrate their last night on the cruise ship, the four of them had decided to visit the bar on the main deck. Things quickly got out of hand and before they knew it, the bar had closed and the boys shuffled off to their bedrooms. Ash and Brock were both fine, but Paul and Gary had gotten very busy at the minibar once they returned to the room. As a result, they now sat very quietly eating their breakfast, no doubt with splitting headaches. Out of courtesy, Ash and Brock continued with their meals in silence.

As the sweltering sun sat high in the sky, it beat down on the wooden pier. Passengers flowed off of the ship for the last time. The beautiful Porta Vista had put on a great show for the first wave of tourists. The golden beach was a perfect crescent, and mere metres from the sand, stunning hotels soared into the sky, creating an amazing environment of manmade and natural beauty. The quiet island city which normally had a population of under 200,000, suddenly sprung into life as it did every summer, the streets teeming with tourists from across the globe. Beyond the hotels, the city stretches and fades into the jungle, disappearing at the foot of the extinct volcano, Mt Royale. Lush tropical forest creates a contrast with the city skyline, and palm trees stick out from in between every building.

"Take a left here... I think..."

Ash sheepishly looked at the map, then at Pikachu, then back up at his companions. He could see Paul and Gary simultaneously rolled their eyes at him behind their sunglasses. Luckily before either of them could snatch the map out of his hands, Brock yelled out from across the street.

"I found it!"

Ash beamed as he turned to his left and strolled over to where Brock was standing. The other two followed closely behind with mild surprise on their faces. Lugging their suitcases behind them, the four boys were greated by a friendly Machamp, wearing a floral shirt with four arm holes. He picked up all four suitcases with his muscular arms, and proceeded to usher them to a flight of stairs behind him. At the foot of the stairs, a middle aged man in a floral shirt and red bow tie with an equally friendly smile thanked his Pokemon for getting the bags and turned to address the four boys.

"Welcome to the Outcast Hotel boys! Machamp will take your bags up to your room, will you be checking in right now?"

"If our room is ready, that would be great!" Ash grinned.

"It is ready and waiting for you, i'll lead you to reception."

The man bowed and took the group up the flight of stairs behind him. The stairs led to a sizeable lobby that was opened up to allow the cool gentle breeze in. Their was plenty of furniture, people waiting for elevators and a rather long line forming by the check-in desks. The man proceeded to take the boys to the front of the queue. A young woman smiled from behind the reception desk as they approached. "She's very attractive," Ash thought to himself as he politely smiled back at the lady. She had a bright white smile which boasted perfect teeth and medium length brow hair that waved down to her shoulders. She had a pretty white flower in her hair. As he approached the desk, he couldn't help but look over and stare at her rather obvious cleavage. She sat looking at her computer screen while Ash continued to stare. When she looked up at him to tell him about the room, she caught his gaze and gave a seductive smile. The rest of the boys noticed this, and looked on as she seemingly ignored the rest of them and spoke only to Ash. She handed him four key cards to the room, one for each of them, and pointed them in the direction of the elevators.

"It's a pleasure to have you staying with us gentlemen." She turned to acknowledge the rest of the group. "Have a pleasant stay and good luck for the tournament." She gave him another sexy smile, and returned to her work. Ash glimpsed a name badge as the boys turned to leave.

"Thank you Melanie." He smiled politely. She winked at him.

"You're very welcome." And with a cheeky smirk she went back to work.

The boys entered the elevator. Brock was the only one who had paid any attention to what Melanie had told them, and reached down to the press the button for the floor that they were on. Before the doors had even closed, however, Gary was ripping into Ash for flirting with her.

"She winked at you!" He roared with laughter. Paul had a smirk on his face in the corner, and even Brock chuckled. Ash grinned and decided to give some fight back.

"What can I say Gary, the bitches love me." He winked at Gary, who proceeded to roar with more laughter. Ash shrugged and looked down at the floor with the trademark Ash grin on his face, when he glanced and noticed where they were going.

"Penthouse?" Paul and Gary both stopped their laughing immediately and looked. It was now Brock's turn to laugh.

"Were any of you listening? Or were you all staring at her tits!"

"I'm surprised you weren't Brock!" Paul piped up, and another round of laughs erupted through the elevator. As it died down, soft elevator music played as the boys stood in silence.

"So.." Said Ash, in a serious manner, "are we really in the Penthouse Suite?"

Brock nodded. "We sure are, they upgraded us as soon as I told them the reservation names."

Ash, Paul and Gary all grinned as soon as Brock finished his sentence.

"Proper celebrities now aren't we?" Smirked Paul in his sarcastic tone.

"It's about time!" Grinned Gary. "The recognition I deserve!" The rest of them continued to listen to Gary's spew of self-appreciation until the door of the Elevator opened to reveal a large black double door at the end of a small foyer. In silence, Brock took the keycard and swung open the door. The boys jaws dropped.