Hooonk hooonk "The S.S. Anne will be departing soon for Cinnabar Island. All ticketed passengers please make your way to the ship. Thank you." A pleasant voice said from a loudspeaker located somewhere on the ship.
"That's us," Said Kyle Parish rushing to finish his orange juice. He would never let a drink go to waste. He winced in pain as a blast of brain freeze took over him. The juice must have been colder than he expected. Ed Schaefer laughed as he took two more sips of his coffee and stood up.
Daniel Clark hadn't ordered a drink and was content to sit silently at the dinner enjoying the sun and sea breeze coming off the ocean. Daniel was a man of few words and simple pleasures. He was the person that had actually won the tickets to sail from Viridian City to Cinnabar and he was more than happy to bring along his two best friends from Pewter City.
Merrily, the three left the dinner and made their way to the gangway with their carry-ons. The luggage they brought had already been checked in and should be waiting for them when they got to their room. They didn't have any Pokémon to check. Part of the reason they were so excited for the trip was none of the three ever got to go on the traditional 'journey' many young trainers did. Kyle's family couldn't afford a Pokedex, Dan's mom was too much of a worry wart, and Ed elected to stay home and help raise his mentally challenged brother in the absence of his father. Ed picked up his Golem brand bag and clipped it around his waist. He got a sideways look from his friends for it, and he didn't care. "When you guys lose all you're stuff whilst we're on an excursion, don't come crying to me."
"You're an odd little dish,' said Kyle wrapping Ed's head in a faux noogie, 'but I love you anyway."
Ed pushed his friend off just in time to avoid bumping into a very cute girl carrying a drink tray. "I'm sorry,' Ed said, instantly infatuated, 'My friend can be a little crazy."
The waitress had short raven black hair, green eyes, red lips, and a little plump. She was basically Ed's ideal woman. And he feared she thought he was a moron before he could even get to know her. "It's ok there, Sugar,' She said in a Western accent, 'Accidents happen. I'll just have to keep my eyes out for you. Have a good trip on the S.S. Anne."
"Heh, yeah,' Ed replied nervously as the trio walked to their room, 'I'll keep eye out you too."
As soon as they entered their room, Kyle pushed Ed and said, "Ed uses woman repel. It's super effective."
Ed push his friend back and said, "Shut up. I was only slightly awkward, right Dan?"
Dan stayed silent and began to unpack their bags. Ed felt disheartened, he knew that was a sure sign both his friends were against him. He picked up a schedule from the night stand and studied it to take his mind off things briefly.
"Hey says here once we get out to sea there'll be open battles up on top deck. I don't know about you guys, but I'd like to check that out."
Kyle laughed, "You just want to see that cute waitress again.' He received a glare from Ed, 'Ok dude, I'll go too. If nothing else, I want to see if all the Pokémon are treated right."
A half hour later, the three were on the top deck siting at a table with fruity drinks in hand. Kyle sighed loudly, "You said there'd be open battles. We're just sitting up here doing nothing."
Ed tried to defend himself, "It said open, not mandatory. I think people are probably just nervous to perform in front of others. I bet if it was out in the wild, most of these folks would be fighting right now. Hell if I had a Poke-."
He was cut off by a thick layer of fog rolling in from seemingly out of nowhere. Laser lights soon joined the fog making for a good show. Then two tall ominous figures stepped out wearing white jumpsuits, black hats, and large letter 'R's' on their chests.
"Prepare for trouble." Said the taller of the two, a woman with green hair.
"And make it double." Her partner, a pale man with glasses added.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all people within our nation."
To denounce the evil of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Billi." The redhead finally introduced herself.
"Dalton." As did the man.
They spoke together, "Team rocket blasts off at the speed of light. Surrender now or prepare to fight."
"Ratticate!" A large brown rat-like Pokémon appeared in front of them. It had huge front teeth that looked like they could cut through steel.
Kyle leaned in to whisper to Ed, "I thought the Rockets were all gone."
Ed couldn't tell if his friend was being serious or not, but he humored him anyway, "They are. That one guy took out there boss a long time ago, remember? This is probably a show. Shut up and watch."
The woman, Billi, said loudly, "We are here to take over the ship. Are there any trainers out there who dare stop us?' an uncomfortably long pause followed before Dalton added, 'Maybe a trainer who is turning ten today."
"I'm ten today!" yelled a young birthday girl. Ed rolled his eyes at how hard these actors had to try to get spoiled kids to participate.
After she realized she was the "chosen one", the young girl quickly rushed forward to face the two. She turned her hat backwards and shouted, "Ivysaur, I choose you!"
The four legged blue-green reptile with a flower on its back came out Pokeball with a soft growl of its name, "Ivysaur."
"Ivysaur, use razor leaf." The girl demanded. The Pokémon darted forward and shot out four or five leaves. They hit the Ratticate in the side. It was clear to Ed that they did little to no damage, but the Rocket creature was as good an actor as his human counterparts. He played off taking a huge hit and being quite hurt.
For their part Dalton ordered, "Ratticate, use bite!" the animal lunged forward, jaws open wide.
"Ivysaur, dodge and vine whip!" The Rocket rat barely 'missed' was struck by two long green tendrils.
Ratticate played off like it couldn't go any longer and fell over apparently done. Billi returned it to its ball and said, "You with this round, girl. But we'll be back. Team Rocket's blasting off again!" They then disappeared into another cloud of fog.
The birthday girl was so happy and high on herself she challenged the first person that would accept. Soon the deck was full of people having battles. Part of Ed wanted to stay and watch, but another part didn't want to get hit by an errant lightning bolt or rock throw.
Kyle said, "You know that Ratticate is being abused. It's clearly a much higher level than that Ivysaur was and it was just forced to take those attacks. It's ridiculous."
Ed could see his friend was getting worked up. Kyle, despite his playful exterior, had a bleeding heart when it came to Pokémon. "Dude, calm down.' Ed said, 'This is an official licensed cruise line. If a Pokémon was being abused the PPA would be all over them."
"The Pokémon Protection Alliance? This is out of their jurisdiction. I have half a mind to…Wait. Why are you laughing? This is a serious issue."
Dan had joined in on Ed's laughter, but Ed was the one to explain, "We know you got a hard on for Poké-rights, but I think you might have a bigger one for that Billi girl."
Kyle punched Ed in the arm, "I do not. Screw both of you."
Ed mocked his friend in a deep pitched voice, "I have half a mind to… You only talk like a grown up when you want something."
Kyle knew he had been beaten. Unlike his friend, he could not take shame well. Tears came to his eyes and he ran off, either back to the room for food service or the bar. Either way, Ed figured they should find him before he ran up the tab too much. "Dan, check the room. I'll go look at The Mag Bar, seem like a place he'd run off to."
Dan nodded in agreement, and the two split up. The outside of The Mag Bar was decorated in red, yellow, and orange flame paint. The same color streamers acted as a doorway to enter. The music wasn't very loud yet, they likely were waiting until later in the evening. A quick glance around told Ed his friend wasn't there, but he did see someone he wanted to speak to.
A pretty, blonde girl was tending bar. He wasn't sure what he would say, but if nothing else, he felt like he should try to sow as many oats as he could while on the trip of a lifetime. He sat down on a raised stool and waited to be noticed. Either he wasn't noticeable, or she was too busy, because he sat there for ten minutes without being acknowledged.
A tall woman sat down next to him. Without waiting to be served, she reached over the counter and grabbed a beer. She looked to Ed and asked, "You been waiting long?"
"Only about forever. Service here sucks." He answered bluntly.
"Yeah, Sheila is better eye candy than a barkeep. Here, I'll help you out." The woman reached over again and grabbed a beer for Ed.
Ed was shocked yet impressed he said, "Not to sound lame, but are you worried about getting caught?"
The woman laughed, "They're not going to do anything to the best Rocket woman they've ever had."
It was only then that Ed noticed the green hair coming out from under the woman's hat. "That was quite the show you put on earlier."
Billi shrugged, "Truth be told, doing that crap for those bratty kids is not as fun as it looks."
In a serious tone, Ed asked sarcastically, "But what about the fame and fortune?" he didn't know what made this woman so much easier to talk to than others. Maybe it was the darkness of the bar or maybe the fact that she sat next to him. Either way, he was good with the conversation. But just like that it was over.
She looked down at her phone, scowled and said, "Speaking of fame. The other half says we got another show in fifteen. Damn! I was hoping I would have time to finish this. Oh well, more for you to enjoy. See you around, guy."
Ed took the drink she handed him and said, "Thanks. Go knock 'em dead." It wasn't the smoothest line he had ever used, but it was a lot better than before.