Thank-you for all of your wonderful reviews Wolfy Pup, shadow-dog18, and Whitney Lin. And I must agree about the whole age thing. I think that ten is far too young to be worrying about romance; little kids should be worried about their youth and simply enjoying life. They need to be given time to grow both mentally and physically before they start getting involved with sharing their life with another person. Also, I might not be able to update as often, because I am currently working on my .hack fanfic, and a really important Algebra test is coming up. But I'll try to update regularly. So, without further adieu…

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Pokemon franchise.

CLAIMER: However, I do own my characters.

Please enjoy, no flames, but I will accept constructive criticism.

Chapter 9: Sunk

"When I stand before God at the end of my life,

I would hope that I not have a single

Bit of talent left, and could say,

"I used everything you gave me"."

-Erma Bombeck

Three weeks flew by slowly than a Snorlax can walk. That was how it felt to me. I spent the next three weeks living in the Pokemon Center; idly waiting for the St. Anne cruise to arrive. More and more trainers were staying at the Center; it was probably because of the cruise. In fact, a majority of the passengers were pokemon trainers. I took the opportunity to train with a lot of them and make sure that my pokemon stayed in good health. Charmeleon was not as disobedient as my pokédex predicted he would be. He would only take charge of the situation when he felt that I was in danger. Growlithe was an extremely powerful pokemon; I began to wonder why he was near Vermilion in the first place. Nidorina took out enemies without breaking a sweat. She has grown so much over the past two months. Pikachu had become the fastest pokemon in my arsenal. His deadly electric attacks were force to be reckoned with. I made sure to call my mother and tell her everything that had happened; Irina and Professor Oak called me too. The Professor was not disappointed in my lack of my pokemon; instead, he was proud that I took time to bond with and strengthen the pokemon I already had. Gary had caught so many pokemon; I was beginning to think that he was neglecting them. Red had at least seven. And last was little Ash Ketchum. His starter was Pikachu, and apparently he had at least seven, like Red.

Sometimes at night, when I would be gazing up at the slowly forming moon, I would wonder where Mew and Lugia were. Would I ever see them again? Would I ever be able to thank Lugia for saving my life? Was Mew even alive? Another question was: how many legendaries were there? I wanted to see every one of them, and I planned to travel to every region possible if need be, just to see all of them. Once all three weeks had gone by, I repacked my bags and left the Pokemon Center. I crossed the entire city and to the port. It was my first time on a cruise, and I was excited about the experience. The ship was gigantic, and the colors were mostly red, black, and white; mainly white. Crowds of pokemon trainers prepared to board the ship; I followed them and flashed my ticket at the man in the red and green uniform. I entered the lavishly decorated the ship and began searching for my room. I dropped my stuff off in the room and left, with my pokemon still on my belt.

Now, what's the first thing I'm going to do? I wondered as I entered the main lobby of the ship. Tables full of home cooked meals and chairs covered the floors. There was a small arena for pokemon battles in the center of the room. I smiled at the beauty of the room and went ahead with dinner. Other trainers must have been thinking the same thing. I munched happily on some chicken and drank water, feeling quite content with the moment. Trainers made use of the arena and began showing off their skills in battle. After dinner, I went to watch as the battles unfolded and even began checking on everyone else's pokemon. I noticed that a lot of the other girls had 'cute' pokemon only. I was never interested in make up or the latest fashions, or having 'cute' pokemon only; I was always a tomboy. Besides, I was proud of the pokemon that I had. We trained so hard, and I knew that we would enter the League soon. A lot of people stopped to ask me about my pokemon egg. Even I was beginning to wonder when it would hatch.

My arm healed after Growlithe had bit it, so now I could tote the little egg around everywhere I went in my arms. During the many duels that took place, one trainer managed to shine over all others. He was probably in his thirties; he wore a black suit with a blue bow and white dress shirt underneath. His short, curly hair was dark brown, wore a top-hot, and had an odd mustache. His Raticate was extremely powerful, seeing as it defeated all of its opponents flawlessly. He appeared to own a Squirtle, too. I was surprised to see that one of the challengers happened to be none other than Ash Ketchum. I gaped when I saw the other fourteen-year-old step onto the stage.

Like Gary and I, Ash was fourteen. He had short, messy black hair, dark brown irises, and deeply tanned skin. He wore a red and white cap with the dark green symbol for the Pokemon League embedded on the front. It was hard to win that hat, and I remember Ash desperately writing thousands of letters to ensure that he was victorious in the end. And he was. He wore a dark green, short-sleeved t-shirt with a short-sleeved blue, yellow, and white jacket that was left unbuttoned. Blue, denim jeans covered his kegs, and black and white sneakers acted as his footwear. A bright yellow Pikachu stood at his side. I also noticed the Pewter City Gym Leader, Brock, nearby. He was standing next to a red-headed girl. Ash called on, not surprisingly, a Butterfree. The Gentleman used his Raticate in the fight.

"Ready Butterfree?" Ash called to his bug-type.

"Free!" the purple butterfly replied with a nod of its head.

He smirked, "Use Tackle!" The purple bug dove at Raticate, but the latter dodged the attack.

"Hyper Fang!" the Gentleman ordered in a heavy southern accent.

"Dodge it and use Gust!" the raven haired teen called. Butterfree moved at the right time and began creating a small windstorm that slammed the brown rat against the ceiling.

"Quick Attack!" Raticate began to shine ivory as it lunged at Butterfree and successfully landed a hit. Ash flinched as though the attack had wounded him, too.

I decided that some support was necessary, "C'mon Ash! Show'em what your made of!" I cupped my hands over my mouth and called out an assortment of cheers.

The boy was surprised to see me, but he got over it quickly and called out another order, "Stun Spore!" Golden powder fell from Butterfree's wings and paralyzed the Raticate. "Now Quick Attack!" Butterfree finished it off. Ash praised his pokemon and embraced it.

He's trained that Butterfree well. I thought as I approached the boy. I waved at him, "Great job, Ash."

He smiled at me, "Thanks, Bells. It's been a while, huh? How 'ya been?"

"Great. My Charmander just evolved into a Charmeleon, and I managed to get my Nidoran to become a Nidorina a few weeks ago," I replied. "And now I'm playing the role of Mommy for a baby pokemon." I held out the egg.

"Cool! What's it gonna be?" the raven haired boy asked in excitement.

I shrugged, "Not sure yet," I was surprised when something seized my hand. I turned towards the one known as Brock. I sighed and rolled my eyes, "Hi, Brock."

"So you're interested in pokemon breeding? Well so am I! We should go on a date and talk about it sometime!" he said quickly.

I smiled, "Still not interested," The red haired girl stomped up to him, captured his ear, and jerked Brock away from me. I giggled, "So who're you?"

The girl smiled at me, "I'm Misty Kasumi. I'm the Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym," She stated proudly, "I stay with an all out offense of water-type pokemon." She must have been around fifteen. Misty had medium length, bright red hair; a ponytail protruded from the side of her cranium. Bright green eyes gazed back at me. Her skin was tanned, slightly. She wore a sleeveless, bright yellow shirt that exposed her stomach, and blue denim shorts with brown straps, similar to overalls. Red and white sneakers covered her feet. Honestly, I could believe that she was related to Daisy. Red is a mutation of blonde, and they had the same color irises. That led to question of the other two. They have got to be half-sisters or something. There is no-way that all four of them are related. But that was a question for another day.

"Hey Bella," Ash began, "what kind of pokemon do you have? You said you have a Charmeleon and Nidorina."

"Yup," I nodded, "I also have a Growlithe and a Pikachu," I grinned proudly, "I've also got three badges." I opened the case the flashed the Boulder Badge, Cascade Badge, and Thunder Badge proudly.

"Same," Ash showed me his case. "I have a Pikachu, a Butterfree, a Pidgeotto, a Charmander, a Bulbasaur, and a Squirtle. I caught a Krabby a few days ago, but that's with Professor Oak."

I glanced down at my egg. I wonder what it'll be. I thought. "Aren't you guys just the happiest little couple?" a familiar voice said. Ash and I turned to it, and our faces fell immediately. Gary Oak was standing nearby, grinning at us with his cheerleaders fawning over him like he was a king or something.

"Hi, Oak." I muttered.

"Gary." Ash spat his name as if it were an obscenity.

"So your Charmander finally evolved, huh?" Gary asked in his usual, pompous voice. I nodded. He shoved past Ash and stopped in front of me. The fourteen-year-old looked me in the eye, and remained like that. I did the same.

Finally I spoke, "What're you looking at?"

"Noth'in," The brunette muttered. He shoved past me and stepped onto the arena. "Who wants to challenge me?"

The Gentleman grinned, "I will." He recalled his now healed Raticate.

Gary called on his Wartortle, "Use Rapid Spin!" The blue turtle pulled into its shell and rapidly flew at the Raticate. It slammed into the brown normal-type and knocked it across the arena. I paid close attention to the battle as it began to unfold before my very eyes. Wartortle was an excellent pokemon, no doubt about that. And I noticed how Gary moved when he commanded his pokemon. Dramatically, yet elegant. I noticed how the lights lit up his positive facial features. In fact, Gary was a good looking young teen. He would grow to become a handsome man when he reached adulthood one day. He was slim, and obviously cared about his health and weight. His hair was a beautiful shade of brown, and his eyes were different. I had never seen anyone with black irises like him; they were not like coal. Instead, they were like the deep night sky when the clouds did not cover it. The light created small glimmering stars in his eyes.

"Finish it off with Water Gun," Gary said. Wartortle did as commanded, and Raticate was defeated once again. He descended the stairs as he recalled his starter, "And that's how it's done, Ashy-boy."

Too bad he has a crappy personality. I thought with a small sigh. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Gary was staring at me. I blushed, "What're you looking at, Oak?"

"Noth'in," He repeated and quickly jerked his eyes away from. I went and sat down at one of the many tables. Brock, Misty, Ash, and Gary followed. Gary and Ash were having one of their usual arguments while Brock and Misty ate. I merely sipped some water. I did not usually eat a lot; it was a habit I picked up in sixth grade. I caught myself staring at Gary again. He was a very witty and intelligent boy; he kept his cool, and thought of insults that left Ash speechless. His famous smirk was so cute; I could not help but smile or become frustrated when I saw it. "Enjoying the view?"

I jerked myself from my thoughts and met Gary's gaze. My eyes closed and I looked away, "No! I was just thinking and happened to be looking your way."

"Right. Whatever," Gary chuckled, "We all know that you dig me."

My eyes narrowed dangerously and a hot blush crept onto my face, "What!? I do not like you that way, Oak!"

"Why so defensive?" the brunette asked with his famous smirk, "Every girl in her right mind would adore me." He was lazily leaning against the table, standing.

"You're so conceited," I hissed, "and pretty stupid, too."

"That's what you say, Bells." Gary said pointedly.

I sighed in frustration, stood, and walked away from the table. To my dismay, Gary decided to follow me, "Go away." I stated firmly.

"C'mon! Admit it! I know you got a huge crush on me!" the brunette said as he followed me through the lobby.

"No I don't." I said, determined to escape the prying annoyance.

"Yes you do."

"No I don't."

"Yes. You. Do."

"No. I. Don't."

"Admit it!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"C'mon!"

I turned to him, my face red from both embarrassment and anger, "GO AWAY!"

"Good afternoon, children!" a male voice said. Both of us turned to the owner. It was a man with short, slicked back black hair and tanned skin. He wore a baggy white shirt, black pants, and sandals. A white headband was tied around his forehead. Before him sat a large tank full of orange fish, "Might you two be interested in buying a Magikarp?"

"Uh…no, not really." I said in an irritated tone.

"Ew no!" Gary replied, "Why would I want such a useless pokemon?"

The salesman smiled, "Because, they are very special pokemon! They are very valuable, and can be sold for thousands and thousands of dollars! And they lay thousands upon thousands of eggs, so you'll be rich in no time with just one or two Magikarp!"

Both Gary and I replied simultaneously, "How stupid do you think we are?" The man remained silent.

"I'll throw in a Magikarp care set for three-hundred, although I normally charge a hundred…" he continued.

"That's bogus." I muttered.

"And a golden pokeball…" the merchant continued.

"You painted that." Gary muttered. He sighed and sat down in a chair, looking extremely let down.

I turned away from the salesmen and Gary, and tried to go to my room. That plan came to abrupt halt when the doors slammed shut. I back away from them, "Huh? What's going on?"

All of the waiters and waitresses grinned and stripped off their uniforms, revealing the dark uniforms of Team Rocket hidden beneath. Gary's eyes narrowed, "Team Rocket!"

I noticed one green-haired member in particular. I quickly pointed him out, "It's Hutch!"

The twenty-three-year-old turned and glared at me fiercely, "The name's Butch! Not Hutch!"

"Whatever, Biff." I muttered. As I if I care!

"IT'S BUTCH!!!" he yelled in his gravelly voice.

"What's going on?" Gary demanded.

One of the Team Rocket grunts jumped onto a table and grinned, "We're taking all of your pokemon! So hand 'em over!" The trainers on the ship were outraged, and began shouting obscenities that should not be repeated at the mafia group. Some of the members slipped on backpacks that would suck up all pokeballs that were close enough. Others carried bags around and demanded for the pokemon.

One member stomped up to me, "Give me 'yer pokemon, and that egg, too."

"No way!" I spat. I grabbed Charmeleon's pokeball and prepared to call on him.

Gary summoned his Wartortle, "Water Gun!" Cool liquid knocked the grunt backwards and he slammed into a nearby table.

I called out Charmeleon, who growled threateningly at all of the Team Rockets that approached. They stared at him fearfully, and backed away when Wartortle and Gary jumped into the picture. Soon, Rocket members called on their own pokemon, and a battle broke out on the ship. All trainers that owned a Squirtle or Wartortle banded together and began washing the Rockets away with powerful water attacks. All trainers who possessed a Bulbasaur or Ivysaur banded together and used Vine Whip to injure Rockets and their pokemon. I aided the trainers with a Charmander or Charmeleon in using powerful fire attacks to scare them off. I even called on Pikachu so that he could help his fellow species in electrocuting a quite a few of them. Ash called on his Pidgeotto to help the other foul in attacking. The came the Butterfree. He called on his, only it was a Raticate instead.

I looked at him, "What happened to your Butterfree?"

"I traded it." he grumbled, looking somewhat unhappy. He recalled Raticate and zoned out of the battle. Hordes of Butterfree unleashed a Stun Spore attack on the Rockets. Before long, all of them were lying unconscious on the floor in a disheveled heap. Everyone, including me, cheered victoriously. But our relief did not last for long. Suddenly, the boat began to rock back and forth unsteadily. All of the passengers began asking more and more questions.

The captain entered the room, "The ship is about to capsize! Please, head for the lifeboats!" In a panic, all of the trainers recalled their pokemon and began herding out of the door.

I noticed that one girl dropped a pokeball on the floor. "Hey!" I called. She looked at me, "You dropped a pokemon!"

She was still moving as she called back, "Who cares? I'm getting but outta here!" She ran out of the door. I glared fiercely at her as I recalled Charmeleon and Pikachu. My legs carried me towards the abandoned pokemon and reached for it, only to have the boat rock and send it rolling down a corridor. I ran after it.

"Bella!" Gary's voice called. He ran after me down the hallway, "Forget it and come on!"

"No! Not until I catch this pokemon!" I called back as I crouched down and grabbed the red and white ball. I claimed it, and rose to my feet victoriously. "Got it!"

"Good now let's go!" Gary urged. Without warning, the boat lurched to the side sharply. It sent Gary and I flying into a random room. I smacked my head against the wall and fell to the floor. The room was spinning, and things did not improve when Gary slammed into me. His weight knocked the wind out of me, and I gasped for air. Block spots tore at my vision, and all I could remember was falling to the floor with something else lying across my stomach. Then, darkness devoured my mind…

Cliffy! Yes, I realize that Gary was not trapped on the St. Anne. But I liked this episode and the ones that followed that, so I decided to have both of them get trapped on the ship with Ash and Team Rocket. Please review and the next chappie will be up soon…