Team Marcus

Prologue: Tragedy at Sea!

*Marcus' p.o.v*

It was a beautiful day in Viridian City. My family and I were getting on our boat that we rented for the day. ''Napoleon, put on your life vest for Arceus' sake,'' Lily told Napoleon in a mildly irritated tone.

''But, it's uncomfortable!'' Napoleon countered.

''Do as your mother says Napoleon,'' I said. ''You need to wear it in case you fall off the boat.''

''Okay,'' Napoleon pouted.

''Are you going to catch a Gyarados, dad?'' Anthony asked eagerly.

'I don't know about that,'' I said chuckling. ''But, I'll try to catch the largest Magikarp I can, buddy.'' We then got on our boat and got our fishing gear ready. We traveled out to sea and I helped my sons cast their lines.

''I'm going to catch a bigger Magikarp than you, Anthony!'' Napoleon said.

''Not on my watch!'' Anthony retorted. The boys continued to wait for their lines to get tugged on.

''Isn't it precious, Marcus?'' Lily said to me. ''They're having friendly competition!''

''Hopefully, they'll keep being nice to each other,'' I said. ''I love them so much.'' Thirty minutes passed and the boys got continuously bored.

''This is so BORING!'' Napoleon said impatiently.

''We haven't gotten a nibble!'' Anthony added.

''You have to have patience when fishing, boys,'' I said walking up to where they were. ''I know it's boring. Your reactions were the same as mine even when your grandfather took me fishing. But, stick with it, and you'll learn to love fishing!''

''Oh, alright,'' Napoleon moped. I just laughed and rubbed his head affectionately. More time passed, when suddenly, Anthony's pole bent!

''I got a bite!'' Anthony said excitedly.

''No fair!'' Napoleon said disappointed.

''That a boy, Anthony!'' I said running to his aid. ''Don't let the pole snap now! Reel it in!'' Anthony reeled in the line and out of the water came a giant Magikarp. The Pokémon was the largest one I've ever seen. It was about the size of a bean bag chair. The Pokémon flopped about helplessly yelling frantically. ''Easy boy,'' I said to the Magikarp. ''You'll be back in the water soon!''

''We're releasing it?!'' Anthony and Napoleon said frowning.

''Let's have it for dinner!'' Napoleon said with his hands on his sides.

''No, we shouldn't hurt such a beautiful specimen of a Magikarp,'' I said. ''We must have a respect for all Pokémon.'' With the help of Lily, we set the Magikarp back into the sea where it quickly disappeared. ''Don't worry boys,'' I said cheerfully. ''We'll catch some tuna and have that for dinner. How does that sound?''

''Good,'' Anthony and Napoleon said smiling. After two hours, we caught two tuna fish and put them in the drink cooler.

''Let's go home now, gang,'' I said wiping sweat from my forehead.

''I can't wait for a fish dinner!'' Anthony said happily.

''Me neither!'' Napoleon responded.

''I had a great time, Marcus,'' Lily said wrapping her arms around the back of my neck. ''You made a great day for the boys, too.''

''I'm just continuing my father's tradition of teaching children how to fish, sweetie,'' I replied. ''I had a great time, too. Everything's much more fun with you and our children.'' Lily giggled and we were about to kiss each other when the boat began to rock back and forth.

''What's happening?!'' Anthony said worried.

''Hang on to something!'' I said. Out from the water came a Gyarados with a furious expression on its face. Afterwards, the Magikarp from earlier came out as well. ''Mommy must not be very happy about us hooking her baby!'' I said. Gyarados roared and caused the sea to get rougher. The cooler with tuna fell into the water.

''Our fish!'' Napoleon said. Napoleon then glared at the Gyarados unflinchingly while Anthony cowered in fear. Gyarados then swung its tail and caused Anthony to fall overboard.

''Help me, dad!'' Anthony said while panicking. Gyarados then slithered its way towards Anthony.

''My baby!'' Lily yelled. I instantly dove into the water and swam towards Anthony.

''Get away from my son!'' I yelled angrily as I punched Gyarados in the nose. I scooped up Anthony in one arm and helped him back onto the boat where Lily and Napoleon were waiting to help. Suddenly, I got pulled up out of the water by my leg.

''Dad!'' Napoleon and Anthony yelled in despair.

''Marcus!'' Lily yelled as well. Pain surged through my leg.

''NOOO!'' I yelled as I was dragged underwater. I started to feel faint as I saw my blood seep into the water. This is it, I thought. Lily, Anthony, Napoleon, I love you… Suddenly, a bright light flashed scaring away Gyarados and Magikarp. What's this? I thought. I then felt like I was being pulled into the light. Where am I going? To the afterlife?