11

We enjoy a nice but not too expensive dinner at Seaside, a family friendly restaurant with a buffet. The food is decent, but my company is the best part! Throughout the evening, Green does most of the talking even though she keeps insisting that she's tired. How does she keep going? She manages to eat as much as Blue and I as well.

Apparently Blue was irritated more that he didn't get to see the Saffron City Gym than he was that a terrorist attack happened or forced to stay out for nearly a day. I remember Brock's words that I shouldn't be in such a hurry and miss seeing Kanto in the process. If Blue could help it, he would rush from one city to the next without looking back.

I don't understand him lately. Green said that people grieve differently. Even now Blue looks he is ready to leave, keeping an eye on the clock and the nearest door at all times. I can't help but notice that his eyes are never on Green during the meal.

When we finish, it's back to the Focus for us. Green heads down a hallway to the left where the women sleep, and Blue and I head to the right. As we strip to take showers in adjoining stalls, I ask Blue, "So how's it been with Green the past couple of days?"

"Huh? Oh nice!"

"She's a pretty girl, right?"

"Yeah, nice legs."

"Well don't tell me too much detail here!" I tease hoping for more story.

"What do you want from me, Red? She's cool all right," he says sounding very defensive.

"But don't you like her, you know, like a girlfriend?"

"Oh yeah, I mean we have been on some crazy dates! I mean it was wacky!"

"What!?" I yell as I slip in the shower and catch myself just before I fall flat on my bottom.

"Ha ha! Just messing with you man. Am I crazy or do you like her?" Blue asks.

"I would have to say both."

"Ha ha, I knew it!"

"Man, I don't even know how I feel right. Why joke about dating her with me?"

"Live a little, Red! Green won't go out with a robot unless that robot is programmed to listen to chitchat then maybe. Ha!"

"OK. I hear you…Hey, I have to tell you something."

Does this have to do with the part about you asking my sister to join us tomorrow?"

"She called you?"

"She IS my sister."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wait so long without bringing it up."

"There was no time. I don't care, but let me ask you man, why on earth did you ask my sister?" Blue asks sounding very annoyed.

"Well I mean we go way back and she's pretty cool and…"

"Oh no!"

"What!?"

"Oh man, you got to be kidding me!" Blue says sticking his head out of the shower and glaring at me.

"WHAT!?"

"Man, you like my sister?"

"Is that so bad? I mean she is pretty."

"Yeah, pretty annoying man, besides don't you think her boyfriend will be a bit jealous?"

"Boyfriend?" I think back and remember Daisy mentioning Yellow bringing her tomorrow. She has a boyfriend?

"Yellow?"

"Oh well look at you detective! Yeah, and now she is coming to annoy us to death. Thanks for nothing. How did you convince her to pay for a ticket?" Blue asks as he turns the water off and dries off with a towel.

"What!? I didn't. I have a ticket that says two for one, just like you!" I say also getting out of the shower.

"Two for one?" Blue says sounding confused. We both dig through our pockets and find the tickets for S.S. Anne only mine is blue and Blue's is red. How backwards? Anyway, I can see from here that his ticket reads "Good for One."

"Ah crap!"

"Red, tell me you didn't do what I think you did."

"Me? Blue you told me your ticket was just like mine!"

"I have a ticket for S.S. Anne! You... somebody isn't going on this trip tomorrow."

Blue looks at his phone and frowns.

"I was going to text Daisy, but she's here already!"

"Here?"

"She said that Yellow got off work early, and brought her here. They're staying at a hotel nearby. Gross!"

"Great! Now someone can't go and everyone is already here!" I groan. "You should have told me that me you didn't have the two for one ticket!"

"You should have thought before you started inviting everybody to go on an expensive cruise!"

We both march to our respective pods and get in. Each of us pokes our heads out once to yell, "You did this! I'm mad at you! Good night!"

We both slam our pods shut, and I know at least for me it takes a long time for me to fall asleep. I feel angry and disappointed and confused. I invited two girls that I like on a trip together and now someone can't go. Maybe I'll have to bow out. It would only be fair. I close my eyes eventually and fall asleep.

When I wake up the next morning, I don't feel well rested or ready to face the day. I feel sweaty and anxious. I get dressed and walk silently with Blue to the front to get breakfast. We eat quietly until Green comes out to join us.

She has the biggest smile and her black dress on. She has put on makeup and perfume like in Viridian City only this time she seems very relaxed. If I didn't know her, I'd think she and the person I saw last night were two different people. Seeing her looking her best makes me feel good at first, but then my guilt floods back in. Blue notices her but quickly gets distracted texting his sister.

"Good morning boys! How are you today?"

"It's another day!" I say uncomfortably. Blue nods in agreement.

"They're coming over here to meet us," he says with a yawn. "Wait, no, Yellow just flew off. It's just her now."

"What flew off? Who's meeting us?" Green asks.

"Daisy," I respond.

"Oh? Is she coming on the cruise with us or just seeing us off before we leave?"

"We don't know yet," Blue says as he shoots me a dirty look. Green looks back and forth between us, but no one talks.

When the Daisy finally makes it, Green jumps to her feet and greets her. Blue and I walk over quietly, dreading the inevitable. Hopefully Blue can help me figure out what to say.

"Well Red, we made it! Yellow just dropped me off. Are we all ready to go?" Daisy asks.

"Uh…well," I start.

"Well, Red, good luck sorting this out. I'll be waiting on the boat. Smell ya later!" Blue says as he grabs his bag and sneaks away.

"Blue!? Blue, get back here!" I yell.

"Why the rush with him? Red, what does he mean by sorting things out?" Green asks.

"Did I miss something?" Daisy asks.

"Well I have to apologize because I didn't plan this very well. Here was kind of a mix up. Blue and I have different tickets, but we didn't realize it until it was too late."

"Different tickets?"

"Yes, his ticket says 'good for one' and mine says 'two for one.' I thought we had tickets for four people, and we only have tickets for three."

"So you don't have a ticket for me then!" Daisy says.

"Wait, you invited me to come along then invited Daisy, too?" Green asks.

"Yes, I thought that Blue had the same ticket as me and that you would be his plus one," I say.

"Oh wow!" Daisy says making a big smile. "Are you dating my brother?"

"What!? No, we're just friends," Green insists looking very bothered.

"Oh, well good luck. Blue is a handful," Daisy continues. "Well Red, I don't have to come with even though I wanted to go. Why exactly did you invite me personally? Did you have plans for the cruise? I hope I won't ruin them by not coming!"

"What! No, I just wanted to…"

"Yeah, Red what's your big plan for Daisy and me," Green interrupts.
"I guess the idea was I go with Blue and you go with Daisy right!"

"With me?" Daisy asks. "Oh my goodness! Red, you didn't think…I mean you're more like another little brother to me. Ha ha! We couldn't go as a couple that would be awkward plus I'm dating Yellow. Oh, but I just started dating him and it's been kind of a secret from Grandfather so you wouldn't have known. I guess it's partly my fault."

"Red…" Green says looking serious. "Where exactly did you get this ticket?"

"Uhhh well I…"

"Can I see it?" she presses as she leans close to me.

"Sure, let me get it out of my pocket…" I say and dig in my jeans.
Then it happens. The awkwardness so far wasn't enough. Being left to sort it out by myself wasn't enough. No! I pull out the ticket and out pops the letter from Misty.

Time slows down for me as I watch it fall like a snowflake to the floor. It lands open, and I feel my body just freeze. Green picks it up and looks it over.

"Green…she wrote me that after giving me the Cascade Belt. She taught me…" I try to explain.

"Red," she says softly backing up. "I just remembered something. I need to go take care of it." She stares at the floor and won't make eye contact with me.

"What?"

"Yes," Green turns back to Daisy with a red face as she puts the note gently back in my hands and avoiding my gaze.

"Daisy, I have to take care of some errands, and I think that I should probably take care of them first. Yellow brought you here from Pallet Town so you should go! I don't think I would be able to enjoy this trip right now. Thanks for reminding me what I had to do Red," she says liking my way for a second. I see a look in her eyes I can't place.

"Please go with the boys and have a good time for me, OK? Maybe next time."

"Oh Green, you're so kind! Are you sure?"

"Green, please go. I can stay here. It's all my…" I start.

"Oh…ha ha. That's OK Red; you've done enough already. Thanks though!" she says looking away. "You guys have a nice week! Bye Red," she says to Daisy and turns to walk away, a hand over her mouth. I hear a noise as she leaves like sniveling, but I can't see for sure. I try to catch up with her outside, but when I get outside of the Focus she is lost in the crowd.

"Green!"

She's gone!

I turn around and see Daisy happily texting. She even says the words under breath while she texts. "Had an amazing night…yeah...got to get out of the house with you every night...sorry couldn't have you here, too…going to be babysitting. Ha! Talk to you later!"

Babysitting! Ugh!

I look again for Green and text her to come back, but after waiting for several minutes I decide that she isn't going to come back. I can't believe it. What have I done?

"Well Red, are you ready to set sail?" Daisy asks.

"Sure," I say looking over my shoulder hoping that at any moment Green will come back. Come back Green and talk to me. This will all work out somehow. But that doesn't happen.

Daisy grabs her bag, and I get mine before we walk to the pier. A man takes my ticket and waves for us to board the ship.

The S.S. Anne is as big as it is elegant. The liner seems less like the tugboat sort of thing I pictured in my head with life preservers and fish jets everywhere and more like a small city. There are restaurants, theaters, swimming pools, and fitness centers. There are gift shops, barbers, spas, and coffee shops. The lights and decor are very modern and shiny. Most stores have opaque windows and mood lighting. Music from different countries circulates in the air around us. It all seems quite marvelous, and I could enjoy it if only I could forget Green. But I can't.

A man in a bow tie and vest walks up to us and leads us back to our rooms. Oh! I didn't think about this. He walks Blue to his own private room with a big screen TV, a queen size bed with a duvet, and a minibar not to mention all the nicest of appliances and furnishings. I feel my mouth water and watch as Blue jumps on the bed and hugs the oversized pillows. "See you losers later!" he says as the attendant walks us out of the room.

We go down the hall and up to another deck to our room. Inside we find all of the same furnishings as in Blue's room except for some unexpected differences. The now king size bed has a bucket of roses and champagne on it and a trail of rose petals that lead to a Jacuzzi in the middle of the room. The room has dimmers on the lights and a pair of robes hanging by the all glass shower.

"Whoa! Now this is a room!" Daisy cries. "Red, did you…"

"No."

"I mean try to imagine…"

"No," I reply again. I can't think about it. Not anything she might say. I'm a guy and the idea of being in this couple's suite with a beautiful woman has our all sorts of images in my mind there is no denying, but for once I'm not sure I want them there. The idea that Daisy has a boyfriend that she may be sleeping with and also that she thinks of me, as a brother isn't cool.

Getting the hint, Daisy waves at the attendant as he leaves and sets her things down without talking at first. She sits on the bed and kicks her feet back and forth like a bored schoolgirl. It's almost cute but also kind of annoying.

"Red, did you pick out this room?"

"No, I got this ticket from a guy named Bill. He didn't say why he didn't want it, but I'm guessing he had planned to use this for him and someone he cared about."

"Well, Bill is just a very generous guy and quite romantic, but…we should talk about sleeping arrangements. I'll text Blue. I can take his room if he didn't ruin it yet, and you guys can take this one, which is obviously nicer and bigger. Maybe I can have the champagne?"

"Sure. And Thanks."

Several minutes later, a disgruntled Blue stomps down the hallway and knocks on the door. I let him in, and he charges in without a word and throws his things on the ground.

"You know I had that room to myself before your shenanigans started right?"

I don't say anything. Neither does Blue. We stares at each other wildly for a moment until Daisy passes between us.

"OK boys…" she says in an uneasy tone." I'll be in the other room for a little bit then be out by the pool. Text me if you want to meet up."

We don't answer but simply nod, and Daisy waves a hand and leaves without another word. Blue doesn't say anything just grabs something from his bag and walks out the door.

I'm in a fantasy suite by myself and on a cruise ship feeling miserable. Ugh! I lay face down on the bed and put a pillow over the back of my head. I don't know why, but I feel like I could fall right to sleep and take a nap.

When I wake up, I realize I've been out for an hour and check my phone. No messages. I text Green telling her I'm sorry and hope she is OK. No response. When I get up, a strange feeling comes over me. The ground feels shaky, and I have a discomfort in my throat and stomach. I think I'm feeling nauseas.

I run to the window and pull back a white curtain only to see the blue waters of Lake Kanto, the biggest body of water in Kanto. We have left town and started moving. I watch birds fly overhead not sure exactly which kind they are and feel the slightest sloshing of the boat on the water. Unlike a little boat in the sea, the cruise ship on the lake should have very little motion that you can feel, but I feel something. Is this motion sickness or seasickness or something?

I lie back down but don't feel good so I sit up. I try sitting and standing and pacing but nothing feels good. Finally I run to the bathroom, but I can't quite throw up. I just feel awful. I text Blue and have him come by the room, but he insists that I should just try to drink water and get some medicine. I just got sick so medicine seems unnecessary. A couple of hours go by so I finally agree to the take it and then get back in bed. Blue sets up a bed in the big couch across the room fearing I'll transfer my sickness to him. I don't blame him.

Blue grabs me some soups and sodas and various things that he thinks I should be able to drink then leaves. He is trying his best to take care of me, but I know he is still mad at me and wants to spend time on his own. I don't say much but thank him when I can and try to sleep.

The first day goes by then another before I start to feel better. The nausea comes on and off again and I feel mostly depressed than truly physically ill throughout the process. After hours of drinking broth and flavored waters while watching TV and rolling around in bed, I start to feel better.

I decide to go walk around the ship in search of something to do. I find a little café and ask for a Soda. Maybe that will help. The drink tastes great, but once I get up to leave I notice the same feeling in my body.

I try to do some shopping but can't focus and nothing catches my eye. I should be happy, but I'm not. When lunchtime comes, I don't eat but instead go back to the room. When I open the door, Daisy is inside talking to Blue.

"Blue, you don't have to always run off you know. You can at least pretend like you care about someone. Who knows you might even start to feel compassion for once!"

"Oh whatever. Like I really want to be like you, sneaking out of the house to sleep with your boyfriend."

Daisy rolls her eyes.

"And you sneak off and come back and play the part of Miss Sweet around Gramps."

"He doesn't care what I do, but at least I don't try to hurt his feelings out right like somebody I know!"

"I don't want to discuss this with you. It's none of your business!" Daisy yells. Blue and Daisy suddenly notice I'm in the room but instead of staying to see what they might say next, I turn around and walk back out the door.

For the next couple of days, even though I'm feeling less nauseated and getting around the ship, drama keeps me from feeling any peace. Either the drama of two siblings picking fights in the room or the one I've having for myself for not planning this trip, they're both something I want to avoid. I wish I had ripped that ticket up Bill gave me. Why did I take it anyway?

12

The fourth night I sit down in quiet in my room to eat some noodles. I have the lights off and curtains pulled and don't know where Blue is or when he is coming back. The TV is my only light which I use to find my phone and text Green.

"I want to make this up to you somehow. Is there anything I can do?" I text. I set the phone down and look away. This has been the routine since I got in this ship.
But this time a message flashes across the screen.

"What are you doing?"

"Hey! Oh, I'm sitting in bed eating dinner. Still feel kind of sick. How about you?"

"I'm still mad at you. You keep texting me. I want you to stop."

"I'm sorry about what happened the other day, and I don't mean to annoy you. I just want to talk to you."

Suddenly the phone rings. I answer and hear Green's voice.

"Green?"

"It's me. What do you want to talk about?"

"Well…"

"Did you say sick? What's wrong with you?"

"Not sure, but I think its seasickness. I have some medicine for that and put this cream behind my ears. I thought it was food poisoning as well but that is usually gone in a day or two right?"

"Oh. Sure." She is short with me, so little to respond to.

"I know I've already said this several times, but I AM SO SORRY!"

"I know you are."

"I would have let you take my place. I thought you were coming with Blue. Sure, Daisy would have been a third wheel, but you would have been with him. I didn't get a chance to offer that."

"You mean because I left. Because I realized you invited me on this trip and then invited Blue's incredibly beautiful sister without telling anyone until the last second. Because you stuck a letter in your pocket from Misty where she asked you out after you two did who knows what?"

"OK, I know it all sounds really bad. I won't lie. I always thought Daisy was very pretty, but to be honest, I would have been much happier if I had never invited her here. We have nothing in common, and all she does is fight with Blue."

"Well I'm sorry you two didn't work out!" she yells. I don't know what to say for a moment so I sit quietly holding my phone listening to silence.

"Are you still there!?"

"Yes, sorry."

"And what about being with Blue?"

"Yeah, I thought you liked Blue. What happened between you and him? You told me that you wanted to be with him, but you two don't seem very close."

"What is there to say? We left Pewter City and at night we had dinner together. It was actually nice at first, but then Blue tried to kiss me and puts his hands on me. I just…I didn't feel it. He kind of didn't get the hint to stop, and eventually I just snapped and yelled at him and punched him in the face. It was awkward after that. He took me shopping which cheers me up but that's all. I don't want to be with Blue in a relationship."

"I'm sorry! Wow! I didn't know that happened."

"Well it's embarrassing when the guy you crush on turns out to just be a guy. When that happens, you don't tell the world about it."

"No, I guess that makes sense. Well hey let me just say this and please believe me. Nothing happened with Misty. At least nothing happened for me. She spent extra time training me and told me that she would have used the name Red like me after the war but kept her name because of something her father said. We just had a heart to heart talking about our parents. To be honest, I liked it, but it was kind of awkward, and the note really threw me off. I just always leave random things in my pockets. I forgot it was even there."

"Obviously Mr. Casanova! And you know you really shouldn't talk to girls about really personal things. It gives them the message that you are closer to them than just a friend. Misty may have wanted to talk with you as a friend but as gym leader she should know better. I can't believe she said that to you. I bet she isn't a Red at all, and she just said that to get your attention."

"Well I genuinely feel lost and confused and moronic. I'm glad you decided to text me back. I know I blew it, this trip, but I had to talk to you."

"Well you're taking to me now. Maybe I wanted you to feel terrible for a few days. That was harsh of me, but I was hurt."

"I know. I wish I had done things differently the other day, and you could enjoy this cruise."

"I'm not really upset about the cruise. It will be over soon, and you two will be back. I was madder about these women you were hiding. I didn't want you to think that I was OK with someone that dates multiple people at the same time. Are you some kind of player, Red?"

"What!? No, I'm not. I…might not have fully said this to you earlier, but I have never dated anyone before. I think I got cocky when I got the all this attention at once. All I did was mess up everything."

"You didn't mess up everything. Not beyond repair."

"I promised you a trip on this cruise and left you by yourself. I'm like the worst friend ever!"

"Yes!" she laughs, "But like I said I don't care about the stupid cruise. I didn't want to go on the trip to see the water or pamper myself, and I definitely didn't want to be around Blue or Daisy. I just wanted to enjoy some more time with you."

"Oh!" I say and suddenly get to my feet. I feel the urge to pace back and forth across the bedroom. "Wait, you did?"

"Yes, dummy!"

"Oh…OK! Hold on! Now per advice earlier should I be discussing this stuff with you? You are a girl after all."

"All my life!"

"And this IS personal stuff."

"Red, what is your point? I'm just explaining something to II about sling to girls and you're being weird. You don't want to talk about personal things with just any girl."

"What if I only talk about this to the right girl?"

"Who is the RIGHT girl!?"

"This is the right girl. I'm talking to her right now."

"Oh…well are you sure?"

"I feel pretty sure. I've learned more about women taking to you in the past few minutes than I have patently learned anything in my whole life."

"That's pretty sad. Ha ha!"

"Isn't it?" I remark as I walk over to the back door and step back out on the porch. I sit down and lay back.

"Green, I'm really sorry."

"OK already! I forgive you. You have had a rough few days, but I hope the next few are much better. I don't want you to be sick. I don't want there to be any trouble between us either."

"Thanks! Me either...Hey, what are you doing right now?"

"Me? I'm sitting outside of the Focus in Lavender Town talking to you. Why?"

"Lavender Town?"

"Yeah, I needed something to do. I got the Spark Belt and traveled here by tunnel. There was some Pokémon blocking the road over so I didn't bother."

"Wow! OK. Well tell me all about it?"

For the next several minutes, Green tells me about the Gym Leader of Vermillion City, the Snorlax sleeping in the middle of the only road east, and strange happenings in Lavender Town.

"Question! Not to be random, but have you looked at the sky tonight? Can you see all these stars?" I ask as I look into heavens.

"I...yeah, wow. It really is beautiful isn't it?"

"You're beautiful."

"What?"

"Nothing!"

I need to slow down. I do think Green is beautiful. I won't lie, but I don't want say something right now and blow the moment. I don't want to overdo this or rush it. I'm just glad she's even talking to me right now.

"Do you know any of the stars or constellations?" she asks.

I listen to Green talk about the constellations which her father apparently knew all by name. Her voice calms me and for the first time on this trip, I feel like I'm actually on a cruise ship and not in a prison. We talk for a couple of hours on the phone before Blue suddenly staggers back in the room.

"What's all that racket? What are you doing?"

"Oh it's not me! Blue just got back!"

"OK! Well maybe I should go then. It is getting late."

"Me too!"

"Red?"

"Yes?"

"You spent enough time feeling bad on this trip. Can you spend the rest of your time there enjoying it, for me! Maybe take some pictures?"

Blue pops outside with me and freezes seeing me on the phone.

"Uh…yes! I can do that. I'd be happy to. I'll talk to you later! Good night!" I say on the phone.

"Good night!" Green says as the call ends. Blue gives me a confused look.

"Who was that?"

"Green."

"Nice! You seem chipper."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you've been sick and depressed looking for days. Now you're all google-eyed!"

"So!"

"Ha!" Blue grabs a seat next to me.
"I should have known. Well how much does she want in repairs? 100$? 300$?"

"Funny! No, she just wanted to talk. We finally really talked about us…I think. It was nice."

"Well I'm glad you guys are cool. Are you feeling any better?"

"Yes actually. I kind of want to get out of the room and go for a walk."

"Oh good! I've been bored out of my mind, and I'm over trying to find something to do with Daisy. All she talks about is Yellow this, Yellow that. Oh and apparently she and her friend Erica aren't talking right now."

"What happened?"

"I don't know. Erica literally stopped taking to her and won't answer any phone calls."

"Do you think something is wrong?"

"Ah maybe nothing but Daisy is convinced that Erica is blowing her off on purpose. I don't know, but that girl is kind of off. I mean nice and all but off."

"How so?"

"Well first off, and I told Daisy this: Erika with a "K" is a Gym Leader in Celadon City, and she looks and dresses just like Erica with a "C." I asked her straight up if she was the Gym Leader or not, and Erica just laughed and didn't say anything either way. She'll deflect and redirect and turn the conversation to being about you or she'll suddenly have somewhere to be. It's kind of mysterious, kind of naughty you know, but I don't actually know what her deal is."

"She probably gets that a lot if she looks just like Erika with a "K." I wonder if she is the Gym Leader and maybe she wants to downplay that so she can have friends. Maybe she isn't but has a sarcastic personality."

"That's just it! I don't think she is the Gym Leader, but I think she wants people to think she is. It's like a game or something?"

"Well I don't know what to tell you. I was just told not to talk to girls about personal stuff unless you're ready for the consequences. Sounds to me like Erica is drama. Maybe there is more to her than meets the eye, but we'll have to wait on her to share it with us. Besides if she is the Gym Leader, we will find out when we get to Celadon City."

"That's true! OK, well if it's cool with you let's go for a walk then," Blue says.

I get to my feet, and off we go.
The next several days go much smoother. My nausea is more or less gone though I still eat very lightly. Now I can get out of the room and see some shops and entertainment. Blue has been ahead of me by leveling up his Element Skills in battle, but he is behind me in physical training so we decide to try and even each other out. Blue joins me for a morning run and then some evening strength conditioning the next two days. Blue keeps promising to take me somewhere for Monster Training on the last day. Apparently there is some kind of event that he heard about through chatter from the crew. Daisy sticks to tanning and only swings by when we eat breakfast or dinner, which has been a healthy balance for everyone.

When the week is almost over, Blue takes me down to the bottom deck where trainers are planning to meet and fight. On this evening apparently, everyone that was considering doing MT on the ship decides to show up. The hallway is so crammed and loud that it's hard to figure out what's going on. A whistle blows, and a man steps forward, and everyone backs up to the wall to let him walk by. It's the captain of the ship, dressed in blue and gold with a fancy hat and white gloves on.

"Good evening gentlemen and ladies! I am Captain Hakudo. For those of you who don't know me, I was formerly in the Kanto Navy, but before I joined I was caught up in some gang violence back home in Cinnabar Island. Things were much different back then, and in order to protect myself I had to be tough so I practiced Iaido, a martial art incorporating sword use.

Now as you probably know, carrying a sword through town is no longer legal and draws lots of attention to yourself so I decided to modify this art to my own style. I came up with a style that uses hand to hand combat as well as items in the environment instead of the traditional sword. I am willing to share some of said style with a few winners tonight. Observe!"

Three men walk down the hall carrying a log and drop it on the floor in front of the captain.

Thud!

It looks heavy and tough. He pulls a hand back behind him like he might throw something then brings his arm up and down swiftly towards the log.

CUT!

The log spits in half with one strike. He somehow made his hand like a blade and chopped it! The audience gives a loud applause until the captain waves his hands, and everyone is silent once more.

"Now know this move is Normal and will do damage in battle but not much. Its main function is to chop wood or similar things in nature, and it will have little to no effect on solid rock. Also know when used in a fight it will hurt maybe even KO your enemy, but it won't cut them in half! I know those kinds of attacks, but that sort of thing isn't what I'm teaching tonight! You shouldn't need that sort of thing."

"Ah you say that, but you haven't met my mother!" a sailor teases. The crowd laughs, and I see the captain try to cover his face as he smiles.

"I hope it's not that bad. Ha ha! OK. OK. Please everyone split in half down the hallway and face someone across from you. Give each other enough room," he says and directs everyone to get in place.

"Now folks on this side stay where you are if you win and you on the other side, if you win, slide down to the right. When I whistle, you will all start fighting. When I whistle again, those who lost will exit to the left. Please no lingering. You can watch the rest of the fights in the bar on level 2. Questions? No, let me do a head count. OK, there are 35 folks. So some people may have to fight more than others, but there should be roughly five rounds before we have a winner."

We all shake our heads in agreement, and the captain pulls out a whistle. I'm standing on the side that doesn't move if I win. The guys in front of me and to both sides of him are all sailors. I can see a few guys down from me on the opposing wall is Blue.

The whistle blows, and everyone starts fighting. The guy in front of me makes a ball of energy in his hand and throws it at me. This is just like the Spark Pikachu used on me in the forest. I take the hit and though I have on the Magikarp Skill, I can tell I'm much stronger then my opponent bridge the attack barely hurts me at all. Before he can move again, I Tackle him into the wall. A few more strikes, and he falls down.

The whistle blows and everyone stops. The sailor and half of the group exit the room quietly. I look over to see Blue who is sticking his tongue out at me. I return the gesture then look back to my next opponent.

The whistle blows, and this guy makes a gun with his hand. I watch as he "blasts" water at me and see his hand kick back as if he shot a revolver. His Watergun move is cool but pretty weak and doesn't hurt me at all. I Tackle him, and he goes down easily.

This time I feel power come in my body and see my hands start to glow.
I close my eyes and see a terrible serpent like creature in my mind that stands up nearly two stories high in a raging storm. It has pointy gills and angry eyes with sharp teeth. Is this the Gyrados creature that the fisherman promised me? Cool!

My opponent looks startled but decides to attack me again by blowing Bubbles out of his mouth. These aren't spit bubbles but more like a weaker version of the Bubble Beam Misty used on me. I close the gap between us and deliver a move that just entered my mind, Bite!

I grow fangs in my mouth just as I Bite the sailor on the neck, and he squeals like a girl! Some men chuckle even as they fight. The whistle blows, and my opponent and several others walk away as before.

The next guys walks up to me, and the whistle blows as before. This sailor starts shaking his hips and arms and flames appear in the air around him before turning into a hoop around his body. I can't help but stare as he forms the disc becomes fuller and complete before flinging it towards me. The Flame Wheel burns me even while using a Water ES, but I dash forward before he can make another one and deliver my Bite. He alternates between trying to Tackle me or use Embers for the next few moves, but he is no match for me.

The whistle blows, and the sailor leaves with a few more people. There are only 4 people left including Blue and me. My next opponent is a man in a suit. The whistle sound, and He tries to Scratch me and use Embers but quickly loses. One whistle and he and the other guy or girl I should say walk off. Not it's just Blue and myself.

He walks to up to me, and we both smile. We haven't fought since before we started Monster Training. I want to see how far Training has brought us. I want to beat Blue, and I'm not going to hold back.

"Just give up Red!"

"You wish!"

The whistle goes off, and Blue brings an arm out swinging like he is playing lacrosse. His hand in a fist suddenly opens, and a Gust of wind knocks me into the wall. He repeats the barrage multiple times, and though I try to attack, I can't get off the wall.

I squat low and cover my face as I transition to the Charmeleon ES. I get ready to burn Blue to the next floor when he uses a Quick Attack. The move feels like a Tackle, but he is so fast I never see it coming. He keeps this tactic up for a few seconds before I can collect my thoughts.

I finally release my Embers, and he stops. His Pidgeotto Skill has cracked. Blue transitions to his Wartortle Skill and uses some familiar attacks on me like Bubble, Rapid Spin, and my newest move Bite.

I feel my Skill fail and decide I switch back to my new Gyrados one. He can't use Water attacks and have an advantage on me anymore. We both dive forward to go for a Bite. He gets my arm while I get his shoulder. The pain is sharp and makes me stumble back.

We fall back from each other, but Blue tries to come at me again. This time I Tackle him to the ground.

When he stands up, Blue claps his hands, and I feel a familiar pain enter my head and body. Confusion makes me feel sick and sore all over. My Gyrados Skill cracks, and I fall to my hands and knees.

I switch to my last Skill and try to catch my breath. I form Poisonstings in my hand and get to my feet. We both have bite marks and blood here and there. Blue looks tired like me. It could be anybody's fight now. The whistle blows, and we freeze.

"Good work gentlemen! I'm going to stop you there and call it a tie. Congratulations!"

Blue rolls his eyes at me. Neither of us wanted a tie, but it was a good fight. We both bow to one another then turn to face the captain.

"Come to my office," he says and leads us to a room down the hall. He has a nice room with books and medals and pictures of matches he fought in in black and white photographs on the wall. He takes us over to a log and for the next couple of hours shows us how to use Cut.

"Now you two are experts in this move. Use it help you on your journey. Feel free to share it with someone else but remember how hard you worked here today to get this Skill or you won't be able to teach it well."

I call Green about the tie with Blue and private instruction.

"Awesome! Congrats!"

"I'm looking forward to seeing you soon. I'll…"

"What was that!?"

"What?"

"AAAAAAAAHH!"

"WHAT!? What is it?"

Blue and the captain see my concern and wait for me to say something.

"It's Green. Something happened to Green."