Chapter 2: The S.S. Polaris

Location: Seven Island Port

364 Days until Silver Conference

Caycee and I walked to the ticket office for the S.S. Polaris, the cruise ship that traveled around the world to bring people to different pokemon league regions. It had already passed through Kanto and Sinnoh, and after passing through the Seven Island port, it would head to Hoenn before heading up to Olivine City in Johto.

"Hello I'm here to pick up my ticket and I.D. for the Johto Conference," I said to the man at the front desk. "My name is Grey Leni."

"Ya just fill out this form," he said and handed me a sheet of paper on a clipboard. I headed to a seat nearby and sat down. I scanned the room and saw at least 100 trainers just from the Sevii Islands (A relatively small area). I then began filling out the form.

Name: Grey Leni

Birthday: October 19, 1990

Height: 6'0

Weight: 170 Lbs

Pokemon on hand: Sneasel, None, None, None, None, None

Etc…

After I was finished, I brought the forms and went outside to wait for the ship. "Just 30 minutes left, Caycee." I said to my Sneasel, who was holding onto me like a backpack. "Then we'll be on our way to Johto. I guess meeting new people and pokemon won't be so bad. We'll win this time for su..."

"Well now, isn't that a pretty Sneasel" is all I heard before the boy ripped Caycee from my back. "Definitely too good for you." Caycee escaped his grip and returned to my side.

"Oh ya, and who are you? What gives u the right to decide how good I am?"

"My name is James, and I seek strong trainers. If you wish to prove me wrong, then do it in a battle." The young man was about my age, maybe little younger, with red hair and brown eyes. He was dressed all in red and had some stubble on his face.

"Fine! Let's go, Caycee!" I said, as she obeyed and jumped in front of me.

James took out a pokeball and threw it "Go, Tyrogue!" A small purple human like pokemon came out; fists clenched and ready to fight. "So what do you think, a fighting type to fight your Sneasel, seems like you're already at a disadvantage. Now Tyrogue, use Mach Punch!"

"Caycee dodge and use Ice Shard!" Right on cue, Caycee jumped out of the way and threw an icicle at the purple puncher. It got back up, still ready for more.

"Crush him Tyrogue, use Focus Punch!" His pokemon began to charge up, still unaware what I had in mind.

I just had to grin as I said "Use Aerial Ace, now!" and just like that his Tyrogue went flying. But it still wasn't enough, and his Focus Punch landed dead on. When both pokemon backed away they went in for repeat attacks. "Now get some extra air, Caycee!" and not only did she dodge his attack, but she won the fight as she landed a second Aerial Ace.

"Tyrogue, return. What's your name." said James as he returned his pokemon to its pokeball.

"Grey"

"Well Grey, you better get stronger, I was holding back." With that he turned around and walked away. "Next time, I'll demolish you."

I scowled as he walked away and then went to treat Caycee. While I was spraying potion on her a girl handed me some berries. "My name's Tori," she said, "and if you are entering the Silver Conference, then your pokemon should be at its best. Goodbye." She stormed off, as if Caycee's injury was personally offensive to her. I watched the girl with long raven hair walk away and them got back up and walked with Caycee onto the ship.

A few hours later, on the S.S. Polaris

Caycee and I had just settled in our room, and were waiting for our roommate to come in (there were only enough rooms on the ship to allow there to be two to a room). I found it strange that after spending more than an hour on the ship that he hadn't arrived. After a few more minutes there was a knock on the door, and when I said come in, I heard a key in the door. I was then greeted by one of the ship's staff. "I'm sorry for the mix-up, but you roommate is from the Hoenn region and will not be here until our next stop. I hope you won't mind sleeping alone tonight," He said sarcastically. The strange thing was though he was wrong, I did want a roommate. I was so used to being alone, and I wanted to finally try connecting to people. I've lived alone for several years, and other than Caycee, I was always scared of forming real connections with anyone. I guess I was afraid that they'd all be like James.

That night I decided to go out and meet some people. The ship had a battle room so I decided to check it out first. When I arrived I saw Tori fighting against another trainer, with blue hair dark skin and red eyes (which was amazing to me). Unfortunately for him, Her Pupitar looked much too tough for his Spiritomb. "Now Pupitar use Rock Slide!" And a pile of rocks knocked out the poor defenseless ghost. The boy ran over too his pokemon, comforted it, and returned it to its pokeball in defeat. Tori walked over to the boy and said, "You're too weak, you should quit. I don't need to battle weaklings like you." She then turned away and stormed off, in the same fashion as before.

"Hey, is your pokemon okay?" I asked the guy. He looked up to me and I saw he was on the verge of tears. He wasn't young, probably just about the same age as James. "What's your name, kid?" I asked him, while helping him off the ground.

"His name is Zeji and he's my roommate," said a guy about my age. "And my name is Timber, I'm a pokemon breeder. And who are you, stranger?"

"I'm Grey and this is Caycee," I said, referring to the pokemon on my back. "So you're a breeder? That's cool. What kinda pokemon do you have?"

Timber took a pokeball out of his pocket and tossed it, and out came a small monkey with fire on its ass. "This is Chimchar, he's my assistant. We're heading to Hoenn to learn more about the pokemon there. I've been training at my home town of Celestic in Sinnoh where I met Zeji and gave him his first pokemon, that Spiritomb. The two of us have been traveling together since that day three months ago. But as you can probably tell he needs a more confidence. Do you mind battling him and going easy on him? It'd mean a lot."

I thought for a second and then asked "You up for this, Caycee? It looks like the kid could use our help."

"Snea-Sneasel," said Caycee nodding her head and jumping in front of me.

"Hey, Zeji. I'm Grey and I'm your opponent, let's see what you got.

"I don't know; I'm not very good…" Zeji said, hesitantly. "C'mon out Spiritomb" and right on cue, Spiritomb popped out of his pokeball.

"Well this is how you get better. Now Caycee, use Ice Shard!" Caycee obeyed I threw an icicle at the ghost, and it knocked the ghost back, who in turn fled into his keystone. I just stared blankly.

"No Spiritomb, don't be afraid," Timber said, as the cowardly pokemon came back out, "You can only get stronger if you battle. If you'd like, Chimchar can be your partner, but then we would have to find a teammate for Caycee as well."

"Um…I'll help out if you don't mind," said the timid teen that walked up to us. He was about 5'9 with hazel eyes and short brown hair, and trembled as he talked. "My name is Justin, and I'm heading to Johto to compete in Pokemon Contests." The boy picked a pokeball out of his belt. "Say hello, Pichu." The small mouth smiled and came over and jumped on Caycee's back. "I'm sorry; Pichu can be a bit overfriendly sometimes. So can I join you guys?"

"Sure, I'm sure Caycee would appreciate the help. Now let's begin." I said

Timber took the liberty to go first: "Chimchar use Flame Wheel on Sneasel." Sneasel ducked out of the way but Chimchar just turned while still rolling in fire. Then Pichu jumped in to stop Chimchar's attack.

"Pichu, use Thunder Wave on Chimchar." And just like that a blue bolt of electricity stopped Chimchar in its tracks. "Now use Shock Wave," and with that Chimchar was trapped in an electric vortex that knocked him out instantly. Spiritomb, who was obviously terrified, retreated back into his keystone.

"I think I see a pattern," Timber said as he walked over to Spiritomb. "He seems to be okay as long as he's got a partner around. Hey Zeji, why don't you enter the doubles league in Johto, I'm sure you can find a partner who is heading there, and I think it'd be easier on Spiritomb."

"But you and I are traveling together; I don't wanna go through Johto alone! Spiritomb and I were gonna beat the Hoenn League! Damn, I don't wanna travel alone!"

"Then come with me…." I heard pour out of my mouth. I stopped to think, but I realized it was exactly what I had been looking for. I wanted others around me for once, I needed company on this journey, not just Caycee. I was okay with this. "Zeji you can travel around Johto with me. Just ride the ship an extra stop. We'll find you a doubles partner along the way. So how's that sound to you? Are you in?" I watched his face brighten up as he came over and hugged me. For someone close to my age, he sure seemed like a kid.

"Thank you so much, I really didn't want to travel alone. If you're sure it's okay, then yes I'll go with you. Now Spiritomb, say thank you." Right then, his Spiritomb came over and jumped into my arms. While it may have been timid on the battle field, this Spiritomb was sure friendly.

"Okay, well, why don't we all go head into the cafeteria for dinner. It's all free for those who paid for the ticket so let's pig out," Timber suggested. I was hungry so we went down to the cafeteria a few levels below. When the four of us got there we found flyers around the tables for a tournament, taking place on the ship after we passed through Hoenn.

"This looks cool," I said. "It's a doubles tournament, so we can find Zeji a partner there, and then Justin and I can partner up again."

"Agreed," the two said in unison.

"Well, I wish I could join you, but I have to get off in Dewford," said Timber. "But I wish you all the best of luck in your travels. Tomorrow at noon we will port in Hoenn, and after that it will be goodbye. I'm staying with a friend down in Dewford."

"Aww, well we'll miss you Timber," said Zeji. "Don't worry, I'll be in Hoenn before you know it. I'm gonna go to bed now. G'night guys." Zeji left the three of us at the table.

"I don't want to leave you guys behind, but I need some rest too," Timber said, following Zeji to their room. That left Justin and I by ourselves at the table.

"So Justin where are you from?"

"Oh…I'm from Vermillion City, my dad worked for Lt. Surge, who gave him Pichu. I also know I look really young, but I'm actually 18." (Didn't know that, but going on). "Anyway, my father gave me Pichu 3 months ago and we started training there. Thanks for wondering, Grey, and can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Can I travel with you? You know, like Zeji is? I don't wanna travel alone either. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course you can, Justin, the more the merrier. I'll ask Zeji but I'm sure he won't mind. Welcome to the team Justin." We shook hands and he smiled bright. The two of us went back to our rooms, and then Caycee and I washed up for bed. It was a long day and I got exactly what I'd been looking for.

I had friends.