Chapter 03 – Voyage Shenanigans
The sky was clear, the bright glorious sun was high, and the sea air fresh and crisp within a warm summer breeze blowing northerly winds across the land of Sinnoh. It was a perfect day in Canalave City: Sinnoh's dock to the world. Dawn and her friends were about to board a cruise liner ship called the Champion Princess: a giant extravagant ship filled with five star accommodations, facilities and venues. It was one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world fit for royals, corporate elites and Pokémon Champions alike. When Dawn won the Pokémon Championship title from Ash, a free cruise aboard the Champion Princess came as part of a packaged prize. It was deal where she could book the entire cruise for her and as many friends as she liked, free of charge, unlimited tab, and she could book it anytime she wanted.
She could even organise a route they wanted to take, which was rather lucky in their situation. They will be heading to Unova from the Champion Princess, enjoying a peaceful and relaxing cruise before they began another adventure to find Kyurem, and hope to see if this Pokémon had answers to the recent upheaval forewarned in Darkai's message from Arceus. It was a warning that weighed heavily within their minds, however they will not let that dark omen disrupt their fun… at least for a while anyway.
"OhmygodthisgonnabesofunI'msoexcited!" Barry ran up the rail dock, most excited and hyperactive for the trip ahead. "HurryupLucasthisissocool!"
"Dude, you're speaking whole sentences in one breath again!" Lucas stated, while balancing the weight of his and Barry's luggage. "Chill out before you pass out! And how can I hurry up when you've made me your baggage handler? Why do I have to carry YOUR stuff?!"
"I remember when I went on this cruise as champion," Cynthia reminisced, walking beside Dawn. "Believe me, my dear; you're in for a treat. And the bar service is fantastic."
"I hope you're not planning to spend the entire cruise by the bar…" Brock then spoke up from behind, carrying both his and Cynthia's luggage on board. "Just because it's an unlimited bar tab, doesn't mean you should run it to the ground."
"Oh, brock honey, you make it sound as if I have a problem…" she replied in a sweet condescending tone. "I can control myself you know…" Brock just remained silent… eerily silent. "Brock… honey…?"
Others were already aboard the ship, standing and looking around within awe at the extravagance surrounding them. They had only seen the lobby area and they were already gobsmacked by the sophisticated brilliance of the extraordinary decor of Victorian gothic design. If was as if they had just walked into an early Victorian mansion fit for an Earl… a queen even! They had walked into a Cinderella fairy-tale, and the ball was soon to begin.
"Remarkable!" Uxie awed. "All this on an entire ship…"
"Makes you wonder if we're really on a ship at all!" Gary added, adjusting his glasses. "It's like we've walked into a queen's palace or something!"
As they continued to look around, Azelf, Jirachi and Celebi were already playing around, chasing each other in a game of tag down the wide halls of the lobby area. The legendary children spared no time living it up and having fun. However, two of the children Beings decided to keep it cool. While the calm but moody little Mesprit continued to seek out her new surroundings, Shaymin kept to herself quietly creeping about like a shadow, shyly looking around at the sheer brilliance of this beautiful ship.
Shaymin was naturally a shy and quiet little being. She would become exceptionally quiet and reserved when in new and overwhelming surroundings. She was so shy, that all of her adventuring friends have yet to hear her speak. Eight years, and they had never heard but a peep from her. It doesn't help her situation, when her presence becomes unnoticeable over a large group of outgoing Beings and people. She was a very kind and gracious cute little girl… but she had to learn to speak up.
She stepped back to suddenly feet herself softly bump into someone's leg. With a quiet little yelp she turned back and looked up to see that she had just collided with Giratina, who just noticed and turn down to her. Her eyes were full of fear, as she began to remember what he did to her eight years ago: out of nowhere, he appeared to her like a raging demonic force, and chased her down in hopes to catch her and keep her hostage from the others. Without Shaymin, Dawn wouldn't have completed the celestial ball needed to carry out his punishment. Cresselia however, came along and save her just in time. The event left the poor little girl traumatised for quite some time. She still wasn't over it, as she stared up into his glowing piercing eyes in fear. She tried her best to hide it, but he could smell the terror emitting from her.
"Are you all right?" he simply asked her.
His words left her uptight, as her fear of him continued to overwhelm her. "Oh, umm… sorry. It was my fault. Please forgive me!" With that she ran off as far as she could, with her face red with embarrassment and her heart thumping within the adrenalin of her terror. All Giratina could do was watch, as Shaymin dashed further and further away. On the surface, he thought nothing of their little encounter just then… but deep down he knew exactly why her reactions were so sudden and frightful towards him. In all honesty… he didn't blame her for it.
The Championship Princess had been smoothly cruising along the ocean waters for a few hours now. The sun was slowly on the verge of setting with the sky painted within the hot colours of pink and gold, and the surface of the ocean glittering like diamonds under the setting sun. For Marina and Kamon, the view from the front bow couldn't have been more beautiful and perfect, as they looked out towards the sea together quietly enjoying the view, and more importantly the company of each other. It was a sight Entei was happy to see, as he watched his trainer partner smile within Marina's presence and laugh at her charm. He had certainly come a long way from that greedy and selfish boy he first saw eight years ago. Now, he was a man filled with honour, love and respect for his Pokémon… as well as no longer afraid to share his trust and love with someone as he did with Marina now.
The other side of the ship was a lot livelier, due the Olympic sized pool and the waterslide attached to it. It was a party filled with laugher, cheer and music from the surround sound system echoing from the deck bar in the corner under the bamboo awning. Most of the passengers celebrated like there was no tomorrow, sliding down the water side, swimming about in the pool and others dancing by it. For others, like Professor Rowan, he was just happy relaxing on a deck chair by the poolside, sipping a cool daiquiri with his old-time friend Professor Oak who was also invited. Rayquaza also took it easy, as he sat at a table reading a novel with the sounds of the ocean filling his ears with peace.
Groudon also sat at a table, enjoying the view… the view of the bikini-clad girls that is! The wild red-haired stubbled bohemian was still as lecherous as ever, as he continued to have a gander at what his female comrades, both human and legendary being where wearing... and more importantly what they were not. He was so deep into his perversion that he had yet to notice Kyogre glaring down at him disgusted by his shameless actions.
"Knock it off!" He looked up to see her wearing a nice little one piece number, with her long silky blue hair with red highlights soaking wet from the pool. Her gold eyes were hot within the emotion of fury. Kyogre was usually a calm and wise being, as her sharp elfish features perceived her to be… but when Groudon was concerned, she becomes hot headed and her rationale put under the test. It was always the same with Kyogre and Groudon: when they were together they would bicker like husband and wife. Everyone else saw it, but they had yet to admit this. "Really Groudon, when will you grow up?"
Groudon just gigged and lay back in his chair. "Oh, come now Kyogre, baby; don't get your bathers in a twist just because I'm admiring the other pretty ladies here, and not just you…"
Kyogre's eyebrow ticked. "What do you mean by that?"
He smirked. "I know you want me…"
Kyogre scoffed. "We went down that road once… I'm not in the habit of making the same mistake twice." With that she turned and walked away. "For obvious reasons…"
"Well, you're no fun, then!"
"YAHOOO!" With a large splash, Barry landed into the pool from the waterslide. This may have been his tenth time up the slide now, and it seemed that he didn't show any sign of growing tired, as he quickly climbed out of the pool and circled round to slide down again. Ash also enjoyed the winding waterside, along with Jimmy and Brandon. They may have been adults, but that didn't mean they couldn't enjoy childish things and be childish themselves once in a while…
As usual, Cynthia could always be found by the bar drinking some elaborate cocktail or other. Whisky was her favourite though… She wasn't alone however, for she was joined by Dawn, Misty, May and Mars having a good gossip with the bar tender under the bamboo awning. They too enjoyed a cocktail with her, slowly becoming relaxed from the added alcohol content they were consuming. Cynthia could hold her liquor better than the other girls, since she was a hardened drinker and had been drinking a few years longer than them. That didn't matter though, as long as they were having fun. Suddenly, they began to dance and burst into song, singing about pinna coladas and being caught in the rain, as it began to play in the background.
They were indeed enjoying their cruise holiday, letting their hair down dancing like idiots. It was a rather amusing site as Cynthia took Dawn by the hand and began to dance with her. Dawn played along; singing along with her, sliding her arms up and down Cynthia's, and twirling around with the tall long blonde-haired knock out. Dawn was then suddenly torn from Cynthia's partnership to be swept from her feet and twirled within the arms of Giratina. With a playful scream and a laugh, she felt herself become dizzy, as her dark and playful demon seized his opportunity to bind her within his embrace once again.
"Gira-kun, you pooper!" Cynthia playfully pouted, putting hand on her hips. "We were having fun, until you showed up!"
"Yeah!" May added, her cheeks looking a little red and a cheeky grin on her lips. She leaned on Misty for support. "Can't you keep your hands off her for just one day… your dark and evil little hands!"
"But they're sexy, dark and evil little hands!" Mars chirped, feeling a little tipsy herself. "Dark and sexy evil hands, for a dark and sexy evil man. Dawn's a lucky girl… am I right, Gira-kun…?"
"Gira-kun…!" they then said in unison, before giggling like doting high school girls. Their playful words just left Giratina highly amused, as he smirked to himself deviously.
Their behaviour however, left Dawn rather embarrassed. "Guys, stop it! You're embarrassing me!"
"Oh, it's not their fault if they cannot help themselves, my dear Dawn…" Giratina, then said to her, pulling her in closer with his head now over her shoulder, and that dark and devious smirk still upon his lips. "After all… the dark, charming and devilish types like me seem to drive woman mad with desire and ecstasy. There is something about a dark and shameful love that just fills a woman's mind with flights of lust and fantasy. And you're no acceptation to that, my dear Dawn… the difference for you is however is that you feel the real thing and you will never be burned by it. I won't allow it." He then whispered in her ear. "Give in and embrace it, my dear Dawn… embrace me."
By now Dawn's face was red as a tomato, embarrassed by his lustful words. She had fallen at his licentious mercy yet again, but this time it was in front of her friends, her friends who, heard every word and became charmed themselves. She went to speak, but was cut off when he softly bit her neck, making the girls squeal in excitement and Dawn frozen in place. Her body couldn't move, as it remained still and obedient to his every whim. She felt that she was being played, but she knew that she was truly loved. She could feel it in his touch, his embrace, and within his kiss as his lips remained pressed upon the skin of her neck. It made her mind blank and everything around her become nothing but a white noise humming within her mind.
Dialga watched all this unfold from his table on the other side of the deck. He couldn't help but feel a little disgusted by what he witnessed, as Giratina continued to bind Dawn tightly and embarrass her in front of her friends. It was like watching a vampire feeding upon the neck of his charmed victim… slowly feeding upon her making her become weak and frozen in conciseness slowly succumbing to his will. Did this feel good to her, or was it embarrassingly painful? Dialga knew how much they loved each other, but this… this just seemed like nothing but sport!
That evening, Dialga brought up the issue to Dawn's father Cyrus. He listened to Dialga's concerns while he stood front of the mirror inside his cabin adjusting his tie, getting ready for the formal dinner that was held nightly in the ship's ballroom. They both cared deeply for Dawn – Dialga who loved her like his little sister and Cyrus who obviously cherished her like his little princess, even if she was an adult. Cyrus understood DIalga's concerns, as they had always – surprisingly – been on the same page when Dawn's relationship with Giratina was concerned. They both detested it at first, but have learned to accept it. But this didn't mean that they didn't have any doubts on the matter…
"Every time I see them become publically intimate it's as if he treats her like a doll," Dialga continued, whilst sitting on a chair by the wide cabin window. This cruise was five-star indeed. "That he is just playing with her and humiliating her for his own amusement. Nothing has changed since eight years ago… the only difference now is that she has accepted it. She has chained herself to him to keep him tame and amused."
"I understand what you are saying, Dialga my friend," Cyrus replied, turning to the Being of Time with a stern look upon his face. "After all, we have always agreed about the taboo and impureness of their relationship. I see it as well and it also makes me question his true intentions. Does he really love her, or has he been just fooling her in order to have a free pass from his imprisonment? He may be planning something right under our noses and we cannot do a damn thing about it, as long Dawn seems happy…"
"Oh, will you two just give it a rest already?!" Johanna then said, exiting the bathroom ready for the formal dinner. She was dressed in a simple long blue gown with a white shoal over her shoulders to add another layer to her outfit. "You two have been blinded by your hate for Giratina for so long that you can't seem to grasp the fact that he truly loves her. What he does is just simply foreplay, however you two have seemed to forgotten what that is… especially you, Cyrus!" Her words left Cyrus speechless, as he tried to grasp onto his words to comeback on, but only left him stuttering like a buffoon. "I have seen what he is really like with Dawn, and she couldn't have found a more loving and compassionate man, who promises her time and time again to forever follow her and protect her. I know that Dawn is safe in his hands, and you both should know that too."
"I do know that, Johanna," Cyrus replied. "It's just that… well… I can't help but be creeped out by him sometimes."
Dialga laughed. "Here, here!"
Johanna just rolled her eyes. "You 'girls'!"
The ballroom was slowly filling up, as everyone made their way over to attend the formal dinner. The ballroom was just as breathtaking as the rest of the ship, but this room was even more awe-inspiring due to the large mural painting upon the ceiling. It was a mural representing the story of the beginning of creation, with Arceus' head and heaven above the world. Below them, were paintings of all the legendary Pokémon that came after him. They were all there: from the legendary birds of Kanto to the Dragons of Sinnoh. Even Giratina was there right at the bottom, in representation of being the Devil to Arceus' God and the hell that was the Distortion World.
"Wow, that's pretty cool," Zapdos awed, as she and Mars stared up to appreciate the mural. Zapdos looked well-endowed than she usually did, with her usual short spikey hair now straightened in a short straight cut. She even wore silver eye shadow to compliment her bright yellow eyes. She detested make up, but she decided to give it a try for this occasion. Her sparking yellow thin strap dress suited her. Yellow was definitely her colour.
Mars agreed. "Yeah. Whoever painted this was quite the artist…"
"Well, isn't this amusing… my scrappy sister has become a lady!" Zapdos and Mars looked behind to see Articuno look rather pompous in his blue formal suit, with a white frilly neck piece as white and fluffy than the breast of his Pokémon form. He certainly looked like a narcissist dandy. "… A failed attempt, it may be."
Zapdos growled. "What was that, Artie?! Come over here, and say that again, you blue and white dandy!"
"Are you two going to be like this at our table as well?" Moltres asked them, walking in with Saturn. "If so, then I will sit elsewhere! Be civil for one night, will you… or Lugia will tell us off again."
Zapdos pouted. "He started it…"
Everyone was slowly heading over to their assigned tables, ready to start this wonderful evening of sophistication and decadence. They were all dressed to the nines, all primped and dressed for this special occasion. The large circular tables of ten were dressed with the finest silk, with the shiniest of silver placed before each chair. There was also a special area, where trainers' Pokémon could sit and enjoy a wonderful five-star experience themselves. There were so many Pokémon big and small, wondering about the ship belonging to the on-board trainers; they were their friends who fought together and shared many experiences with. This ship was most certainly full with humans, Pokémon, and legendary Beings alike.
The seating organisation was region themed, meaning that the seating arrangements were designed in accordance to what region of the world each trainer and legendary belonged to. Seated at the Kanto table were newlyweds Ash and Misty, along with Brock, Gary, and Kanto legendries Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres. Seated at the Johto table were Jimmy, Marina, Kamon and the legendries Suicune, Raikou Entei, Celebi, Ho-oh and Lugia. Assigned to the Hoenn table were May, her partner Drew, Brandon, Max and the Hoenn legendaries Kyogre, Groudon, Jirachi and Rayquaza. And finally, seated at the Sinnoh table were Dawn, Barry, Lucas, and legendries, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Uxie, Mespirit, Shaymin and Azelf. There was also the Captain's Table, where a selected few where chosen to dine with the captain of the ship. Those who received the honour to dine with the ship's captain where Cyrus, Johanna, Cynthia, the old Regi Brothers of Hoenn (Regirock, Regice and Registeel), as well as the professors Oak and Rowan.
"Man, why did we get stuck on the table with the kids?" Barry whined.
"Because these tables are region coordinated," Uxie replied. "It's not our fault that some of us Sinnoh legendries are youthful…"
Palkia noticed a couple were missing from their group. "I wonder where Dawn and Giratina are?"
"Dawn went outside for some fresh air," Dialga replied. "I don't blame her after that demon's lustful little antics earlier this afternoon. As for the demon I'm speaking off, he has yet to show himself."
"It is nice to know where I stand with you, my brother." They looked up to see Giratina approaching his seat, his expression unamused by Dialga's words. "If you have something to say, then say it."
Dialga smirked at him. "I rather not; I rather much prefer to keep this false peace between us… for Dawn's sake and everyone else aboard this ship."
Giratina scoffed at him. "The feeling is mutual. And speaking of Dawn, where is she?"
"She's outside. Do as you will." Giratina just snarled at the Being of Time, then headed out to find Dawn.
Outside standing by the guardrail, Dawn gazed upon the dark glittering waters underneath the clear starry night sky. She thought that she was sailing within a dream, as she stood upon the deck of the Champion Princess within a white strapless flowing mermaid gown, staring out towards the moon that seem to almost rest upon the water beyond the horizon. This moment of serenity seemed magical, as the warm tropical night wind pressed against her skin, reminding her that this was no dream. When she was fourteen and just starting out on her journey, she never thought that she would be where she was today, or that she would be surrounded by so many wonderful friends, gods and trainers alike. She felt blessed. Now she was on this luxurious voyage, sailing towards another adventure. Who knows what the future will bring, but as long as she had her Pokémon, friends and Giratina, she would be ready to face it head on.
"Dawn." She was pulled from her thoughts and night-gazing by Giratina's voice. She turned back to see him approaching her. He joined her, placing his hand upon the rail beside hers. "Dialga said that you would be out here. Is anything wrong?"
Dawn smiled. "No, not at all. I just wanted to come out here for some fresh air. The night breeze is really nice tonight, don't you think…?" She then noticed his soft gaze. It was as if he seemed guilty or something… "Are you okay…?"
"Did I go too far this afternoon…?"
"Huh…? What do you mean?"
"I overheard Dialga in the ballroom. Something that he said gave the impression that my advances towards you this afternoon embarrassed you… made you uncomfortable in some way."
Dawn laughed sheepishly. "Well… foreplay in front of my friends can be a little embarrassing… even it was only just harmless flirtation. But when you flirt, you make every other girl in the room go gaga and not just me. You're 'sex-on-legs', you know that… actually, 'sin-on-legs' would be a better way of putting it…"
As regretful as he was putting her in that awkward position, he couldn't help but snicker a little at her end joke. "… Sorry…"
"But that's what I love about you the most. I love it when overwhelm me within your dark desire. I love it when you blind me within your passionate haze. I love it when you make me fall into the darkness of your loving abyss, because I know that you will always be there beside me, to guide me… to catch me softly within your arms every time I fall. I feel safe within your shadow, because each time I'm there I feel warm, safe and comfortable. It's what tells me that you truly love me." She then snickered. "With all this dark innuendo, I make it sound as if I have become corrupted by you…"
"No…" he whispered, moving closer to her and cupping her left cheek softly within his hand. "If anything, it is you that has purified me. Because of you, I no longer feel dead inside. All that hate, spite, and madness that once filled my heart for countless of centuries vanished the first I truly embraced you. I was reborn, because of you." He then smirked, giggling devilishly. "But even so, it is hard for one to lose their habits; I love embarrassing you – making you trip with this dark and sinful passion that I know I do so well. Also, I may have been purified by you, but I'm still an insane and powerful evil monster… but I'm your insane and powerful evil monster."
Dawn laughed. "And don't you ever change. But if I could make one selfish request… could we please keep the flirting and foreplay between us? I want it to be out dark little secret, okay…"
"Whatever you wish, my dear Dawn."
He was about pull her in for a kiss in symbolic representation or their newly formed promise… however the sound of distant thunder stopped him dead in this tracks. It made them both jump with a gasp, turning their gaze from each other eyes towards the distant horizon, where crackling storm clouds quickly gathered and headed their way. The way they moved seemed unnatural… the way they looked seemed unnatural! The clouds were pure as white snow with lighting crashing down within the shade of black shadow. Just what the hell was this… what the hell was causing this nightmarish phenomenon?
Giratina could feel the sense of dread pool from the pit of his stomach, as he remembered the last time he saw these storm clouds. It was just like that day: that day when that 'thing' was born. That was when the realised that he, Dawn and everyone else were in danger.
"These are no ordinary storm clouds."
"They're not?" Dawn frantically replied. "Then what are they?"
"There a black omen. He knows we're coming."
"He knows… you mean Kyurem?"
"I will handle this. You get inside and warn the others. Get them to safety!"
Deep within the dark bowls of a Giant Chasm, a soft maniacal cackle could be heard echoing upon the thick ice, making the atmosphere chilled than once before. It was the maddening voice of a long forgotten immortal relic that sat alone within the depths of darkness, revealing within its madness brought upon its long and lonely isolation. This once marvellous Being was now an unknown force of insanity filled with tremendous power, reminiscent of the glory it once possessed. The cackle was so maddening, that if a mortal's ears were to befall it, it would drive them mad themselves.
"I can feel him…" It hissed within his maniacal cackle. "I can feel him returning. Father is coming… and when he gets finally here… THE FUN CAN TRULY BEGIN! Ehehaha… hahahahaha… AHHH, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
