Thank you to all those who did review. I really hate it when people read stories and don't review (I'm guilty of that sometimes – I'm sorry to say). Anyway – please send in a review/constructive criticism/flames (flames are still ignored).

THANK YOU to all the people who sent in characters, whoa, I wasn't expecting as many I received – I will most likely use them. Mostly I'll use them as trainers who battle my characters. If I think of something I'll let the character tag along for a few cities or something. Ssometimes they might play a vital role if I get inspired. Please keep them coming – and please send then BY E-MAIL (psychotic__chaos@hotmail.com). It is VITAL so people don't get pissy if I don't use their characters.

If I don't use your character right away – don't assume that I didn't like them. All the characters I've received are really inspired – and I'm most likely waiting for the right moment to put them in. It is a long story you know.

((----------)) = Authors notes

Italics = thinking

----------- = Pokemon speech

# ---- # = sort of changing characters POV or different characters thoughts, you'll see what I mean.

Oh well – here's the FIC…

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CHAPTER 2

Reunions

Saying the ship was 'big' would have been an understatement. The SS Tidal was huge. The gigantic ship sat majestically in Slateport's Harbor. It was the picture of perfection – all white with the name 'SS Tidal' in blue on the side. It had to have about nine levels – five on top, four below deck. It must have been at least twice the size the SS Anne used to be. People passing couldn't help but gape in awe. Those who didn't have tickets shot envious looks at those who did. Jo was on the receiving end of these looks. The black haired girl walked up the ramp to the ship with Houndour by her side. A man in the traditional blue uniform of the SS Tidal crew promptly stopped them.

"Ticket?" he enquired.

Jo dug into her pocket and pulled out the slightly crumpled ticket. The man nodded and let her in with a smile and a hearty "Welcome to the SS Tidal, you can collect your cabin key from the desk – enjoy your cruise."

Jo walked into the ship – it seemed very nice. There was red wall to wall carpeting with black and blue pokéballs on it. Jo noticed the administration desk at one side on the room. Jo and Houndour approached it.

"I…" Jo began.

"Ah – here's another one. Trainer card, please" said the lady at the desk.

Jo handed her the laminated card, which she promptly slid into a small device attached to the computer. She typed a few things on the keyboard.

"Oh – you're Flannery's sister" the lady said with a smile.

Jo raised an eyebrow "Yes – she's my sister."

Houndour glanced up at Jo with a look that clearly said – 'what's the difference?'

"It says here you've warranted one of our best cabins" the lady informed her.

She rolled her chair back to a set of cardkeys that Jo just noticed. The cardkeys had a hole punched into the top right corner, which was how they could be hung on hooks attached to the back wall. Most of the cardkeys were silver and some were gold. The gold ones were for VIP's, excellent trainers and/or Gym Leader favorites (or for people with a lot of money). To Jo's surprise – she was given a gold cardkey.

"Here – you're in room 007. About four floors up."

The name's Bond – Jo bond Jo thought with a wry grin.

"Thanks" Jo said politely "C'mon, Houndour."

The dog-like pokémon followed her. Jo wandered the main corridor feeling more than a little lost. A crewmember was walking up the hall.

"Um – excuse me, which way to cabin 007?" Jo asked as soon as he was close enough.

The man chuckled, "Is your last name 'Bond' or something?"

Houndour rolled his eyes and Jo gave a weak smile.

"Bond… 007…. get it?… the movie… you know… oh well… ahem," the crew member stumbled over his words. He composed himself and straightened "Head straight down this hall, turn at the second hall to the left, go down that corridor and the stairs are the third door on your right. Go up four floors and when you exit the stairwell it should be down the hallway to your right."

"OK then – thanks" Jo smiled.

"No problem" the crewmember tipped his hat and continued in the direction he was going.

~~~

It wasn't too hard to find her cabin. She turned right at the fourth floor above deck and walked along the corridor passed the cabin doors. Jo finally found her cabin. On her door there was a picture of the head of a Houndoom with its' mouth opened wide and teeth bared. Inside it's gaping jaws was a gold disk with the number 007 engraved on it.

Clever was all Houndoom said when he saw it.

Jo shrugged at him before taking out her cardkey and slipping it through the slot with a faint zip. A click soon followed as the lock was opened. Jo pushed open the door and she and Houndour stepped inside. Jo gasped and stared around the room wide-eyed. Houndour's jaw dropped open. Neither of them heard the loud clack of the door swinging back into place.

The room was amazing – more spacious than the normal cabins. There was bar in the corner complete with a small fridge, a door leading off to a supposed bathroom, there was a large bunk bed – complete with fluffed pillows and warm quilts. Light spilled through the large glass window over the plush red carpet. There was a large full-body mirror and a desk and chair; complete with a videophone/PC computer. And there was even a radio and a television.

Pokémon and trainer looked at each other.

"SCORE" they cried, slapping each other a high five. Actually it was more of Houndour's paw to Jo's hand (which is a little hard when you think of it).

"I call top-bunk" Jo half-yelled, practically jumping the ladder and flopping onto the cushy quilt.

No fair Houndour complained.

"C'mon Houndour – it's not like you can climb up here anyway" Jo teased.

Houndour grumbled under his breath about bunk-hogging trainers and settled himself on the bottom bunk.

The dog-pokémon sighed in content "This is living."

"Oh yeah" Jo had to agree "How long will it take to get to Johto, again?"

About three days, not including today Houndour yawned.

"Three days," Jo repeated, she sighed, "It's a pity this wouldn't last longer."

Yeah – I could stay here forever Houndour said dreamily.

"Oh, no you don't."

Huh?

"Get up, you big lug," Jo smiled leaping down from the top bunk, not bothering to use the ladder "There are places to go, people to see and battles to win."

***

With a lot of protesting on her pokémon's part – Houndour finally heaved himself out of bed. Pokémon and Trainer did some searching and soon found the main recreation room. It was huge. There were a few battlefields, a cafeteria area and shops all along the sides.

Jo scanned the crowd. There were many trainers, all with pokéballs attached to their belts, clothes or in the bags. Some pokémon had already been let out of their balls and were walking alongside their trainers.

This is gonna be great Jo thought.

She didn't have time to think much more, though, as she was clobbered by a something large, red and furry. Jo looked up from the floor to see an Arcanine looming over her.

*FLASH BACK*

Ten-year-old Jo fell onto her back with only the grass to lessen the hard impact. She looked up to see the furry face of a Growlithe grinning at her. Jo reached a hand up to pet it.

"Hello, little guy, your on top of me you know" she smiled.

The Growlithe gave a knowing sort of yip.

"Growlithe" someone called "Growlithe, that's rude, get off."

A pair of hands lifted Growlithe off her and Jo looked up into the most brilliant Sapphire blue eyes she'd ever seen. The white haired, blue eyed boy held out his hand to help her up.

"Oh – I'm so sorry. He's never done that before" he said, pulling her to her feet.

"It's alright," Jo assured him, dusting herself off "I grew up with Fire pokémon – so I guessed he sensed it or something."

"All the same – sorry bout that," the boy said "I'm Spike, by the way, Spike Dalton."

"Jo Conners."

*END OF FLASHBACK*

"Arcanine," said a male voice "Arcanine, you know better than that. I'm sorry, ma'am, he doesn't usually do that."

Arcanine moved and Jo got up.

"It's OK, that's happened before."

Both Jo and the guy looked up at the same time. Staring back at her was a pair of very familiar sapphire blue eyes.

"Jo?" He said blankly

"Spike?" Jo exclaimed, wide-eyed "SPIKE!"

Jo flung herself into his bear hug.

"It's been too long," Spike said.

"Way too long" Jo agreed.

"Where've you been?"

"Well, me an…"

"Spike" someone called – the voice was female "you really should learn to control–"

"Hey, sis, look who Arcanine found" Spike interrupted.

A girl and her Espeon approached the two trainers and their pokémon. The girl squealed with delight.

"Oh my god – JO!"

"ARTEMIS" Jo exclaimed.

"Girlfriend – where you bin?" Artemis demanded.

"Home, mostly, my sister and I opened up a fire pokémon sanctuary on Mt. Chimney. You know how a lot of pokémon get abandoned or injured well that's where we got the idea. What we do is…"

#

Spike watched her mouth move but couldn't hear. He was at a loss for words. The mere sight of her took his breath away. Why was this happening? She was his best friend. He loved her in a best friend sort of way. Sure – he'd always thought she was cute, even pretty, when they'd first met – but never had his heart raced like it did now. She was beautiful. She was taller, she had curves – she'd changed her style of clothes so the low-cut top showed her belly and slim waist. Her color code hadn't really changed – though now it was more black than red. She even looked more slim and athletic – and even slightly muscled.

#

"So, Spike – how've you been?" Jo asked the white haired boy.

"Not too bad" Spike answered "Me and Artemis traveled the Orange islands."

"But Spike was the only one who collected badges and entered the Orange League tournament" Artemis put in.

"Oh yeah, how'd it go?"

"Came first" Spike grinned.

Jo smiled in response scratching Arcanine behind the ears "I see you've evolved Growlithe. Talk about a change in appearance."

"But not in personality" Spike laughed "I think him bowling you over is becoming a tradition."

#

Jo grinned in response. All the while she was inconspicuously looking Spike up and down. He'd filled out really well. His trench coat had changed from brown to black – it suited him. He'd become well built. But not so much that it made him look bulky. He wasn't as skinny as he used to be and even his dress style changed – for the better mostly. The only thing that really remained the same was his brilliant sapphire-blue eyes and white spiked hair. Jo smiled to herself, she'd always thought he was good looking. But her mouth never went dry when she'd looked at him. Her heart didn't use to skip a beat when she gazed into those amazing eyes. What was happening to her?

#

"Hey – we were just about to have lunch, want to come with?" Artemis asked – snapping Jo out of her thoughts.

"Sure" Jo smiled.

Arcanine, Houndour and Espeon chatted as much as their trainers did. Houndour and Arcanine were basically best friends and had gotten along really well when their trainers were travelling together. Both dog-pokémon were thrilled to see each other again. They were so engrossed in their conversation that neither of them noticed their Trainers strange behavior. Espeon, however, had. She was a psychic pokémon after all. She kept one ear listening to the conversation while silently reading the thoughts of Spike and Jo.

Interesting, Espeon thought to herself Maybe this won't be a dull trip after all.

The evolved Eevee glanced at her fellow pokémon who were still chatting.

Maybe I should mention it to them? She wondered – she smirked slightly Nah.

***

The three trainers and their pokémon walked near the battle arenas. They'd just finished lunch (which was pizza)

"I'm itching for a battle," Jo said.

"Glad that hasn't changed" Spike smirked. Jo punched his arm playfully.

"Hey – look over there" Artemis pointed.

There was a loud cheering erupting from a crowd – someone had obviously won a match.

"Wanna check it out?" Spike asked.

The girls agreed and the three squeezed through the crowd with Espeon, Arcanine and Houndour close behind. They emerged near at one of the ends of the arena. The battlefield was like a large swimming pool. It was basically for water pokémon battles. The side the group was closest to had a trainer wearing the white sleeveless shirt, shorts and hat of a sailor. On the other was an oddly familiar green haired boy with a Sandslash at his side.

"Who's that guy down the other end of the pool?" Spike asked.

"Dunno – it's too far, I can't really see his face" Artemis squinted.

"He looks familiar though, doesn't he?" Jo remarked.

"Yeah – now that you mention it – he does" Spike said.

The three continued to watch the battle. The Sailors' Tentacruel was battling the green haired boys' Sharpedo.

"Tentacruel, bind" the sailor ordered.

"Dodge it, Sharpedo" green-hair commanded.

Tentacruel sped at Sharpedo, tentacles extended, ready to wrap them around the shark-pokémon who skillfully swam out of the way.

"Again" the sailor yelled.

Tentacruel tried to use bind again with no avail. Sharpedo was just too fast for the jellyfish like pokémon. The sailor continued to make Tentacruel use bind. And soon all Tentacruel was doing was chasing Sharpedo all over the arena.

"HEY," the sailor yelled to Green-Hair "D'you wanna dance or d'you wanna fight?"

Green-hair shrugged nonchalantly "Have it your way – Sharpedo, crunch."

Sharpedo suddenly spun and clamped his jaws round Tentacruel's head.

"Just keep it there, Sharpedo" Green Hair ordered.

The sailor yelled in shock as Tentacruel thrashed wildly. Sharpedo just held on. Tentacruel lashed at Sharpedo with his tentacles – but no matter what he did Sharpedo always managed to evade the swipes. Tentacruel was weakening. When he stopped thrashing, Sharpedo released the jellyfish pokémon. Tentacruel sank to the bottom of the pool. The crowed cheered and clapped.

"Tentacruel, return" the sailor ordered, holding out a pokéball.

The beam of red light disappeared into the pool and Tentacruel was transported into the pokéball. Green-hair recalled Sharpedo into his lure ball before he and his Sandslash walked over to shake the sailors' hand. Spike, Artemis, Jo, Houndour and Arcanine gasped when they realized who it was. Espeon just washed a paw casually.

"You really cut me down to size kid" he laughed good heartily "Maybe I should get my own Sharpedo. Yours was very impressive."

"Thanks – maybe we'll battle again sometime."

"Hope so kid – right now I'll have to take Tentacruel to the onboard pokémon center. See ya round."

The sailor left.

"Trip" Artemis called.

The green haired boy and his Sandslash turned. The boys' eyes went wide.

"Artemis? Jo? Spike? Is that you?" he said blankly.

The three laughed and greeted their friend heartily. The crowd around the water field dispersed.

"How longs it been?" Trip asked.

"Five years" Jo answered.

"Or more, but whose counting?" Artemis joked.

"So – what've you been up to all these years?" Spike asked.

"Mostly traveling around doing odd jobs for Norman – Petalburg's gym leader" Trip answered "Man – you guys have really changed."

"Speak for yourself" Artemis grinned "Though your hair's still green as ever."

"Yeah, man, if you're not careful, wild pokémon might start living it" Spike joked.

"Oh – like your hairs changed at all. Are you seventeen or eighty six?" Trip teased.

"Hah, hah, hah" Spike said sarcastically.

Jo knelt down to greet Sandslash.

"Looks like this little guy's changed a lot though" Jo grinned.

Better believe it Sandslash grinned.

"You know, us meeting each other here is kinda freaky" Spike pointed out.

"Yeah – talk about fate" Artemis agreed.

"Not all of us are here, though" Trip said quietly.

Jo sent a sympathetic glance "So – no one's heard from Daine?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"I wonder what happened?" Trip asked.

"Yeah – we never kept in touch" Artemis shrugged.

"It just… happened" Spike added.

"It's sad though – it would have been nice to keep in touch" Jo said, before adding with a grin "Then we wouldn't be so shocked at how we all turned out."

She'd gotten the laugh she'd expected.

"Aw – enough doom talk" Artemis laughed "Let's go check out the shops."

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Well – that's it for now. Hope you liked it though I really wasn't sure about this chapter. I'm still trying to post the stupid web site. And if I use your character – I'll e-mail you when the time comes.

See that little button at the bottom of your screen? Yes – the gray one that says "GO". Click it – go on click it –CLICK IT. Send a review please – it'll encourage me to continue the story.