Just as they had done many months ago, Ash, Dawn, Misty, Brock and their Pokemon sat together at a table, discussing their past adventures. Except this time, they were on a cruise ship. The had taken seats on white plastic chairs, and were sitting right next to the Olympic sized swimming pool. Many men and women were diving into the crystal blue water, and even some Pokemon were in there as well. The ship was preparing to leave, and they could see the entire crowd from their height.
"I didn't know that this was your cruise ship." Ash said, staring around.
"I know, it is just so glorious!" Misty said. She was wearing a sparkling blue one-piece bathing suit, but had covered up with a blue jacket. "So, I heard there was a gym in this town, did you go?"
"I went, but Team Rocket got in the way, you know how it is." Ash explained glumly. "We are coming back when they finish some reconstruction."
"Oh, ok, where are you going until then?" Misty said.
"The Grand Festival, I managed to get in." Dawn said, smiling brightly.
"Oh, really? Congrats." Misty said, smiling fakely. Pikachu and Piplup exchanged knowing looks as Dawn smirked and Misty scowled slightly.
"So Misty, have you been up to much?" Brock asked. Misty went to reply, but Ash stood up, looking very shocked.
"What is it?" Dawn asked, turning. Misty was just as puzzled, but when Brock looked, both he and Dawn joined in on Ash's expression.
Paul was walking down the deck, wearing his usual gloomy expression. Several girls that had been talking happily a second ago stopped as he passed, looking thoroughly disgusted.
"Pikachu Pika." Pikachu said. Paul froze and looked up, making direct eye contact with Ash.
"How did you get on here?" He said, smirking.
"We won some tickets." Ash replied, his voice shaky.
"I was hoping to have a break, but looks like I have to put up with you now." Paul grumbled. "Managed to control that Infernape of yours?"
"Yes, and my Grotle evolved as well." Ash said, his confidence coming back. Paul looked slightly stunned, and Dawn and Brock smiled at each other. "Looks like I'm building up a pretty decent team."
"Let's just wait until we have our next full team battle." Paul said. "Then we'll see who is superior." And with that, Paul turned on his heel and skulked off.
"What an idiot!" Misty said. "What gives him to right to act like that?"
"We have a complicated history." Ash said jokingly, and began to fill her in on his and Paul's history. None of them were aware of a girl watching them from the other side of the pool. She was wearing a sweeping white dress, a large brimmed sun hat and thick glasses over her face. The only part visible was her large lips, covered in red lipstick, and her long, dark hair. She stared over at Ash as he was talking, and then to Misty and Dawn. She thought for a moment, but then smiled widely and went back to resting. She would strike later, once the others were gone….
***
The two girls that had given the trio the tickets were also watching them from behind a corner, smiling widely with every second that passed.
"So, do you two have a plan or not?" One of the girls let out an agitated groan and turned around, pulling her blond wig off and letting her dark red hair come loose.
"Meowth, would you be patient for one minute? Jessie huffed, as she tossed the wig over the side and into the ocean. James pulled his wig off as well, and wiped his make up off before copying her.
"Well sorry, but I want to be doing something interesting!" Meowth growled.
"Can't we just relax for a little bit?" James asked, slipping out of the dress and rolling his uniform's sleeves down.
"Of course we can relax for a little bit." Jessie said. "But now that the two twerpettes are going to be back at each others throats, we can use that to our advantage."
"But last time our plan backfired." James reminded her. Jessie loomed over him and he backed away.
"Yes, I do remember that!" Jessie huffed. "But this time is different. We can use the size of this cruise ship to our advantage, it is the perfect setting."
"What about our last ingenious cruise ship idea." Meowth mumbled. Jessie gave him a nasty look before stalking off.
"I'll be sun bathing for a little bit, we'll get to them later." She called as she walked out of sight. James and Meowth exchanged looks and sighed loudly.
"Let's have some fun before she gets angry again." James said.
"Agreed." Meowth said, and they quickly scurried off in the opposite direction.