Laughter...maniacal, metallic laughter filled Ash's skull. The Dominion rose high into the air above Pallet Town, cackling like mad man. Ash stood on the ground, the wind billowing his clothes behind him and whipping his hair about his face. The portal began to appear behind the Dominion, and Ash gazed up into the deep blackness inside it. Thousands of glowing yellow lights appeared among the darkness, inching closer. The stormy clouds swirled around the black hole in the night sky, and thunder clapped, vibrating the ground under Ash's feet. Yellow lightning exploded out of the portal, blasting straight down to Pallet Town. Ash shouted, and braced himself for the impact, feeling the heat draw close.
The impact never came, but he heard the explosion and muffled screams come from below him. Ash removed his arms from his face, and peered out. He was floating high in the air, looking down upon Pallet. It was in flames, and the yellow lightning continued to blast into building after building. People were running amok, screaming and crying for their dead. The Dominion continued its laughter, and flew straight down into town. It landed in front of a small boy so hard it cracked the pavement. The boy shrieked in terror, and tried to run the opposite direction. The Dominion reached out with its third arm, pierced the boy through his back and out his chest. Ash tried to shout, but found his voice sounded hollow. Almost as if it was being blocked.
A flash of light appeared behind the Dominion, and it dropped the body of the boy to turn and see. A Steelix raised high above the Dominion, and bellowed at it. Behind the Steel Pokemon, Brock stood ready for a fight. The Dominion grinned wide, baring its sharp teeth. Brock pointed at the Dominion, and Steelix attacked. In the blink of an eye, the Dominion blasted a stream of yellow lightning, which pierced straight through Steelix's iron body. The Steel Pokemon made a noise of shock, and collapsed across the street. Brock tried to turn and run as the Dominion flew over the dead Steelix, but the Dominion was too fast. It pierced two of its arms through Brock's chest, and pulled apart, ripping his torso wide open, and spraying blood high into the air. Ash screamed from high up, trying desperately to get down and help. Brock isn't dead...Brock isn't dead!
It was then that Ash began to spot his other friends, running around town, helping where they could. He saw Misty first, fighting a fire that had trapped a family. Then May, running up the street towards the defeated Brock. Iris and Cilan, pulling rubble off of a crushed woman. A loud boom echoed out of the portal, and Ash tried to spin in the air to see. One massive blast of yellow lightning blasted out of the black hole, hitting Pallet Town straight in the center. The town was briefly covered in smaller arcs of electricity, frying everything and everyone on the ground, before the ground beneath Pallet erupted upwards. Blasting everything to fragments. The debris flew up at Ash, and he screamed once more.
Ash jolted forward, feeling his feet connect with something solid, and heard a woman shout in fear. Misty's voice helped his vision catch up with the rest of him, and he noticed he was standing in the middle of Misty's room with his fists raised up to shield his face. He was breathing rapidly, his chest burning with fire, and he was covered head to toe in a cold sweat. His heart was beating like a freight train, and he quickly realized he needed to slow it down. Ash was only able to take one slow deep breath before he heard another females voice.
"Is that, like, Ash"?!
Ash turned his head to the side, and spotted Misty sitting at the video phone, and Daisy's face on the other end.
"Like, what the hell little sister" Daisy spat, "I thought he was with another girl? Have you no, like, shame"?!
"Um, I'll explain later Daisy" Misty said, her eyes locked on Ash's terrified expression, "we'll be in Slateport sometime today, I'll see you then".
Misty quickly hung up the phone, and got up.
"Ash" she said softly, "are you ok"?
Ash almost told her yes on basic reaction, but his legs gave out, and he hit the floor.
"ASH"!
Misty covered the room in two strides, and dropped to her knees next to him, helping him sit up. He was still breathing way too fast.
"No Misty...I'm not" Ash told her between breaths, his voice wavering.
Misty's hand slipped on the cold sweat across his bare back, and she readjusted her grip.
"Was it one of those dreams" Misty asked him, her voice still gentle.
Ash nodded, "they're getting more vivid...and starting to change".
"What do you mean"?
"The same basic principal is the same, Pallet gets destroyed, and everyone dies...but other details change. This time I was above the town, and Iris and Cilan were there".
Misty didn't say anything, she wasn't sure what she could say. She opted to rub his back instead, moving her hand slowly. Ash closed his eyes at her touch, and tried to steady his breathing. Misty ran the dreams he had told her about through her mind, trying to find a pattern. Her brain buzzed and whirred, but she couldn't piece together even the tiniest clue. The dreams were too all over the place. Wait...
"Ash..." she said quietly.
He turned his head to her.
"You had one dream, where the Dominion came to you in your bedroom right"?
"Yes"?
"That one was different, because it didn't involve Pallet Town being destroyed".
"Right"?
"And because of that one, you don't believe that these are just dreams, correct"?
"Misty, are you going somewhere with this"?
Misty took a long breath before speaking, "what if, these dreams are being planted by the Dominion to throw you off? Because of that one dream, it seems the Dominion can somehow get into your mind...maybe it's just trying to mess with you"?
"Its told me before that it was showing me what was going to happen" Ash told her with a little sarcasm.
"I know that" Misty huffed, "what I mean is...dammit, how do I word it"?
She thought for a moment, and Ash stayed silent to let her think.
"It told you it can't foresee your future" Misty started, "because of that...I think, it's trying to find a weakness to exploit on you. It knows you would defend Pallet Town to the death, and it keeps changing up the variables, trying to find a way to beat you down".
Ash sighed, "I know it's looking for something in my mind. But a weakness? Isn't that a little...shallow, for something like that thing"?
"Maybe...but there is a pattern among all of your dreams" Misty stated.
Ash raised his eyebrows at her, waiting for her to continue.
"The dreams stop every time Pallet is destroyed, every time"!
Ash lowered his eyebrows, and shook his head, "Misty...you're not making any sense. Of course the dreams stop then, because...I die...".
"I don't think so" Misty told him, "it can't foresee your future. Therefor it doesn't know what happens after it destroys Pallet. So it keeps changing the variables to try and get a different outcome, to find out what happens after the fact".
"My head hurts" Ash commented, placing his fingertips on the bridge of his nose and squeezing lightly.
Misty sighed and decided to rest her head on Ash's shoulder. She snuggled her forehead into the curve of his neck, and said, "regardless, we'll stop the damn thing. Right"?
"Count on it" Ash muttered, resting his cheek against her hair. They sat on the floor in silence for a good while, Ash letting Misty's presence continue to relax his body. He could feel her heartbeat on his shoulder, and found the thumping oddly soothing. Misty wiggled her head a little, and Ash felt her lips press against his neck.
"Hey" Ash said lowly.
"What" Misty said slyly, softly kissing his neck again.
Ash felt himself instinctively tilting his head to the other side to allow her better access, "none of that".
"Why not"?
Misty's tone was low and lustful in his ear, and Ash immediately found himself turned on.
"I don't...have a very good reason" he admitted.
"Then shut up" Misty whispered in his ear, and kissed his neck once more.
Pikachu walked around the sleeping Lugia, his ears constantly perked up. If anything suspicious happened, the little Pokemon was ready to fight. He had spent all night up on deck, insistent on keeping an eye on Lugia. The rodent Pokemon glanced out towards the starboard side of the boat, to where Gyarados was still holding the ship afloat. The giant water Pokemon didn't look tired yet, but Pikachu could sense its energy was beginning to fade. Pikachu shot a look over to the door that led down below. Brock and Delila were asleep against the wall beside it, Delila leaned over against Brock's shoulder. Chansey was leaned against the wall, not too far from Brock, sleeping peacefully in the chilly morning air. Now that they were slowly getting closer to Hoenn the air was growing colder once again. Pikachu liked being out in the middle of the ocean if it ment warmer air.
Lugia shifted in its sleep, causing Pikachu to snap his attention back to the much bigger Pokemon. Pikachu's attention was called back over by Brock when he heard the door creak open. His cheeks sparked, ready to stop any threat. Cameron appeared on deck, and quietly closed the door behind him upon seeing the sleeping people. Just as quietly he began walking over to Lugia. Pikachu bolted, positioning himself between Cameron and the Legendary.
Cameron stopped abruptly, "hey little guy! Aren't you Ash's"?
Pikachu arced lightning between his cheeks, and remained silent. Cameron raised his hands up.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as a threat" he let out a light laugh, "guess you don't know me too well yet, here...".
Slowly he began to move his hands down to his PokeBelt, "I'm going to give you my PokeBalls ok? I promise, I'm no threat to Lugia here".
Pikachu eyed the man carefully as he unclasped his belt. Cameron placed the balls on the wood in front of him, and took multiple steps back. Pikachu slowly approached the belt, and sniffed Cameron's PokeBalls.
"See, on your side little guy" Cameron gave Pikachu a small smile, then carefully, bent down to his knees.
"I was just coming up to check on Lugia's progress" Cameron told Pikachu, "I love Pokemon, and I just wanted to make sure it was doing ok".
"Pika" the rodent protested, still keeping his eyes on Cameron.
"Alright then" Cameron said, plopping back on his rear, "guess I can view from right here".
Cameron averted his eyes from the electric Pokemon, and gazed over Lugia. Pikachu noted the man's expression was a lot like Ash's when he looked at an injured Pokemon.
"You know" Cameron started saying to Pikachu, "I've only seen one Legendary Pokemon in my journey's...Two now...why do I get the feeling you and Ash have seen multiple".
"Pikachu" the rodent said with a shrug to indicate they had.
"Thought so" Cameron continued, "Misty told me you guys saw this Lugia, and another time you saw an Entei...".
Cameron got lost in thought for a moment before continuing, "Ash gives off this aura like he has seen and done many great things. I know something is going on, it's fairly easy to see actually. If you think you can grow to trust me little guy, I'd very much like to offer my assistance".
Pikachu cocked his head to the side, unsure of what to make of Cameron's speech.
"I'm sure Ash wouldn't mind a few more helping hands" Brock said from behind Cameron, stretching his arms out carefully as to not wake Delila.
"I hope not" Cameron said, turning his head back to Brock, "this is one adventure I don't want to miss".
"Don't wan't to miss the adventure, or don't wan't to miss May" Brock asked, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Cameron turned a faint shade of red, and turned back to Lugia.
"Hey hey hey! Don't try to move so much" Gary commanded gently, placing his hand on the shoulder of a small blonde girl.
She was sporting a long cut across her chest, that ran up over his shoulder and down the middle of her back. The cut wasn't very deep, and had long since stopped bleeding.
"It hurts" she muttered, gritting her teeth tightly.
"I know" Gary said, "that's why I brought you these".
He held out two small purple pills and a bottle of water, and the girl took them uncertainly.
"They'll help" Gary told her.
"Promise" she asked pitifully.
Gary smiled warmly down at her, "I promise".
The little girl nodded silently, and placed one of the pills on her tongue. She took a swig of water, and swallowed it down. Once she had taken the second one, Gary asked, "so what's your name"?
"Emily".
"Emily? Well you look like an Emily" Gary softly teased her, "do you know where your parents are"?
"I don't have parents" she admitted sullenly, "I was with my Gampa".
"And you don't know where he is"?
Emily shook her head, her eyes watering, and looked down at the floor.
"Hey" Gary said, getting her attention back, "how old are you"?
"Nine".
"Nine huh? You're practically grown up already" Gary told her encouragingly, "that means you're tough right"?
"I don't know...".
"It does! So I'll tell you what" Gary started, "you stay right here, and continue to be tough. And I'll go find your Grandpa ok"?
"Promise"?
Gary gave her another warm smile, "I promise! I just need to know his name, and what he looks like"?
"His name is Gampa Gerard, and he's bald. With thick glasses, and a little black beard".
"Alright" Gary said, "I'll go find him Emily, you just stay right here, alright"?
Emily nodded, her blonde hair falling into her face. Gary tussled her hair, then stood back up to examine the room. The screams and cries had died down long ago, but the smell of death was beginning to linger in the air. The makeshift infirmary wasn't nearly as crowded now that people were able to migrate back to their rooms...the ones where the rooms hadn't been destroyed that is.
Instead of everyone on the boat, it was now just the injured, and the deceased in the dining room. The starboard wall had been designated as the 'morgue' area, seeing as when the ship tilted, all the dead bodies piled to that side anyway. Gary set off among the long rows of injured, stopping and helping when he was needed. Most of the seriously injured had been taken care of, and now were either on the mend...or as comfortable as they were going to get until...well...
"Master Oak"!
Gary turned to spot Everett headed his way, "yes Everett"?
"I've just been in contact with your Grandfather, the attack has made international news, and is being broadcasted around the world" Everett informed him.
"Lovely" Gary remarked sarcastically.
"Professor Oak has also informed me to have you and Ash call him upon arrival in Slateport" Everett added on, "Lance of the Elite Four wished to speak to the both of you".
"Even more lovely" Gary remarked with more sarcasm.
Everett gave Gary a small smile, and then glanced around the room.
"How's it going in here" he asked.
"Better than last night" Gary informed the older man, not catching his eye.
"Have you slept at all" Everett asked, spotting the bags under Gary's eyes.
Gary slowly shook his head, and just realized exactly how fatigued he was, "I can't go to sleep yet though, these people need me".
"I know you're one to help Gary" Everett started, with a small step towards the young man, "but you're no good to anyone exhausted, least of all to these people. You need some rest".
Gary looked around the room, searching among the older people's faces. The edges of his vision blurred as he turned his head.
"Maybe you're right...but I can't just yet" Gary told Everett, "I need to find someone first".
"I'll help you look"!
After describing Gerard to Everett, the two began pacing up and down each row, carefully keeping their eye out for the old man. After some time, Gary heard Everett call his name, and motion for him to come over.
"I believe I found Mr. Gerard" Everett said, stepping back to allow Gary to see the old man behind him. The man was bald, with thick glasses, and a small black scraggly beard.
"May I help you young sir" the old man asked in a gruff voice.
"I believe so, are you Gerard" Gary asked.
"Sir Anthony Gerard at your service" the old man introduced himself, "may I ask who you are"?
He eyed Gary warily, keeping his face hard as stone.
"Do you have a granddaughter" Gary asked him.
Gerard's expression lightened immensely upon hearing the question, and his voice became much softer, "you found Emily? Is she ok"?
"Yes sir" Gary told him, "follow me".
Gary led the two older men back along the rows of people, towards the little blonde girl sitting in the corner, clutching the water bottle tight.
"Emily" Gerard called out, and the little girl looked up.
"Gampa" she shouted in relief, and ran over to the group.
The old man crouched down on one knee to receive her tackling hug, and Gary spotted a lone tear fall from the man's eye. Gerard picked Emily up, and held her close. He turned back to Gary, and mouthed a 'thank you'. Gary nodded to the man, and started to walk away. Emily raised her head off of her Grandpa's shoulder and called out to Gary, "are you a superhero"?
Gary stopped, his heart exploded in emotion at how innocent the question was. He slowly turned back to Emily, giving her a small friendly smile.
"That's a secret, so don't tell anyone ok"?
"Ok I won't! Promise" Emily exclaimed.
Gary gave her a small nod, and waved goodbye. He then turned and walked away. Everett followed, falling into pace beside Gary.
"And now I believe it is time for the superhero to get some rest" he said to the younger man.
"I agree, actually" Gary said, "can you keep a tab on things down here"?
"Sure thing Master Oak" Everett said as they walked up to the exit.
"Thank you".
Everett nodded to Gary, and turned back to the injured as Gary opened the door and stepped out into the hall. Gary took off at an even pace, making sure to save enough energy to get him to his room. Was his room even still standing? Damn...let's hope it is. Guess he could sleep in the hall if he needed too, he's slept in worse places. He rounded the corner into the hallway where his room was, and to his relief, there was hardly any damage down the corridor. Now to see if his actual room was intact. A door opened up, two doors ahead of him. He stopped so as not to run into the girl that stepped out into the hall.
"Oh, hello Gary" May greeted him.
"Hey May" Gary said, "did you get some sleep"?
"Not enough" May told him, "couldn't get relaxed enough. How bout you? You look like death".
"Feel like it " Gary muttered, "I haven't slept since...before the bar".
May's jaw dropped wide open, "Gary! That was...64 hours ago"!
"Really? No it wasn't" Gary said unconvincingly, then he began to count the hours, using some of his fingers, "shit...it was".
"Go to bed right now" May demanded, pointing down the hall to his room.
"I'm working on it" Gary remarked, "sheesh, think a little sleep would calm a woman down".
"You'd think, now go" May demanded again, sticking her finger straight out.
"I'm going, I'm going"!
He marched away from May, and she watched him go until he let himself into his room. She then shook her head to herself, and turned to walk down the hall. Gary leaned against his door for a moment, feeling the exhaustion wash over him. He reached down to unclasp his belt with his PokeBalls, and felt one was missing. A brief moment of panic brushed away his fatigue, until he remembered...he had discarded Alakazam's PokeBall. The thought of his Psychic Pokemon made him sick, and he quickly collapsed onto his bed.
"I'm sorry Alakazam...I should found a way to save you".
No more thoughts crossed the young man's mind as he quickly fell asleep.
The sun shone through the blinds in the small window, casting rays of light across Misty's back, glistening off the beads of sweat running down her shoulder blades. She straddled Ash as he lay on his back, panting as her hands pushed into his chest for support. Ash gripped her waist and with one final push, the two moaned and trembled together. Misty collapsed onto Ash's chest, he hair falling across his face.
"Wow" Ash muttered as he let out a long breath.
"Wow" Misty mimicked, rubbing her cheek against his skin.
"You were right" Ash told her, "I needed that".
"Told you" she bragged, raising her head to look into his eyes.
"Don't let it go to your head" Ash grinned at her, "I just needed a distraction".
Misty opened her mouth in a joking, hurt, kind of way.
"Is that what I am" she played, "a distraction"?
"The best damn distraction I could ask for" Ash teased back, giving her a quick wink.
"Hmph! See how many more distractions you get now mister"!
"You can't resist my body" Ash told her.
"I don't think you can resist mine" Misty teased, and leaned up off his chest to straddle his waist and give him a full view. His breath caught in his chest, and he closed his eyes.
"That's not fair" he said, suppressing his grin.
"All's fair in love and war" Misty smirked, and softly hit his chest.
Ash took in a long deep breath, and exhaled slowly as he opened his eyes to look at Misty.
"We need to go upstairs" he said.
Misty blew some hair from her face, "already"?
"We need to go check on Lugia" Ash said, giving her small smile.
"That distraction didn't last very long".
"Sorry" Ash chuckled weakly, "but we do have things we need to do".
Misty sighed, and dropped back down to his chest, "I know...".
Ash kissed the top of her head, then said, "we'll have time for more of this later".
"We better" Misty grumbled, sliding off of Ash.
Getting off the bed, Ash gave her a toothy grin and asked, "you think I'm going to turn down sex anytime soon"?
"You'd be one weird man if you did" Misty laughed.
"We should also check in with the Captain" Ash said, deciding to move the conversation along, "see how close the rescue team is".
Misty huffed at him, and then crossed her arms, "I suppose we should".
Ash tossed her clothes to her as he moved around picking his up. After a brief moment of silence as the two got dressed, and headed out the door, Misty slipped her fingers into Ash's. With her other hand, she placed Ash's hat on her head.
"You think Lugia will be awake" Misty asked aloud as they walked.
"I hope so" Ash responded, "I'd like to know more about what Giovanni is up too with the other Legendaries".
"That thought terrifies me" Misty said quietly.
Ash gripped her hand a little tighter, "me too...".
They fell silent as they walked, their eyes examining the evidence of the fight. Bullet holes lined down almost every hallway, small rays of sunlight peering through them. Scratches and cracks ran along the walls and floors from the Pokemon, and every now and again, they would pass a streak of blood.
A little while longer, and they were stepping outside into the cooling air. Damn...Ash had actually been enjoying the nicer weather. Over by Lugia, Brock and Chansey had already began to check up on its condition, while Cameron and Delila were standing back by Pikachu. Off to their far right, Misty could see her Gyarados still chugging along. A pang of concern coursed through her. Gyarados deserved a long rest, but the ship would sink if she recalled her Pokemon. Just a little longer...
"Pikachu" Ash called, and the Pokemon turned quickly.
"Pika"!
The rodent sprinted towards Ash, leaping up into his arms, and bounding up onto his shoulder.
"Everything go ok last night" Ash asked his Pokemon.
"Pikachu" the yellow Pokemon nodded confidently.
Ash and Misty stopped next to Delila, and Ash let go of Misty's hand to go on ahead.
"How's it doing Brock" Ash asked, coming up behind his friend and looking over the Legendary Pokemon. Brock was crouched down, his head resting against Lugia's chest as he listened to its heartbeat.
"It seems to be just fine" Brock informed Ash, "just sleeping peacefully".
"Good" Ash sighed in relief, "some real good news...".
"Yea" Brock added, standing up next to Ash, "I was thinking we were overdue for some".
"Past due, I'd say".
Brock nodded in agreement, and glanced back to Delila.
"You two seem really close for it only being...how long has it been exactly" Ash asked.
"Four days" Brock chuckled, "and yea, we are. She's something different, unlike any other girl I've met".
"Don't you always say that" Ash remarked with a small grin.
"Yea, I do" Brock admitted, "but this time I mean it. We grew so close so fast, and she jumped right in to help us defend the boat, without any hesitation. I think I'm going to plan on keeping her around".
"Maybe you'll actually keep one around this time" Ash teased his friend, and Brock chuckled.
"I'll try my best"!
"I like her" Ash added on, "so far anyway. She seems like a decent person".
"Pikachu" the rodent added in his two cents.
Brock didn't say anything, he just glanced back at Delila once more, and blushed a little as she blew him a kiss.
"I'm going to go check with the Captain" Ash continued, "if that rescue team is going to arrive any minute, we need to get Lugia awake and moving".
"Agreed" Brock said, "better hurry then".
Ash nodded, and turned to walk away.
May stopped outside the dining room door, listening to the rustling on the other side. Death and pain were just on the other side, and she was beginning to question her decision to try and help. She wanted too...but she wasn't sure exactly how many were dead inside. Did she really wan't to know? She glanced around the hallway, spotting some of battle she had been involved in. Scorch marks lined the walls, and deeps scratches ran across the floor. The hole was still in the opposite wall, where Team Rocket had been blasted through it.
With a long deep breath, May reached out and opened the door. She closed it with a snap behind her, and her eyes scanned over the scene. At first, she thought there wasn't any deceased, but then she saw them, lined up on the starboard side of the wall. So many more than she had realized...there were a lot of stray bullets from those helicopters...who knows how many were dead before they even knew the ship was under attack.
"Ah Miss May, come to help out, yes"?
May turned to her left to find Everett approaching her. He looked tired, and had a streak of fresh blood running across the torso of his shirt.
"I thought I might" May told Everett, "are you ok"?
She pointed down at the blood dripping off his shirt, and Everett looked down at it.
"Oh yes, just fine. This is a...remnant, of someone who didn't quite make it".
"Another dead" May asked, less like a question, and more like a silent wonder.
"Afraid so" Everett answered her anyway, "we could use the help down here, if you're up for it".
May nodded, and Everett then led her down the rows of injured. They passed a little blonde girl, who was talking with her Grandpa about a superhero. Everett stopped in front of a young woman, about May's age, with light brown hair. She was leaned up against the wall, holding her arm tightly to her side.
"Tiffany, this is May" Everett said, kneeling down to eye level with the young woman, "she'll be helping me ok"?
Tiffany nodded, and gave May a once over. May decided to give the girl a light smile.
"Tiffany's arm is broken" Everett started to tell May, "we need to set it, and wrap it up with a splint of some kind".
"Ok" May nodded.
Everett pointed down the row to a man changing the bandages of another, "over there is the ships doctor, Howard. He'll give you some bandages, and hopefully something to work as the splint".
May nodded again, and set off down the row. Most people seemed to be on the better side of the mend, but others, May noticed, were too far gone. One man's breathing had been reduced to short quick breaths, and blood was beginning to bubble around his mouth, as a woman tried everything she could to stabilize him. May gritted her teeth, and continued on. She passed another injured man with half his head wrapped in bandages, and a woman who was in the beginning stages of a panic attack.
"Dr. Howard" May spoke as she walked up behind him.
He turned around to face May. He was much younger than she had been expecting, maybe in his early thirties, with short black hair, and thick round glasses.
"Can I help you" he asked.
"Yes, I need some bandages" May told him, "and something to act as a splint".
Howard nodded, and bent down to a large bag on the floor. He shuffled through the contents for a moment, then pulled out a small roll of fabric, and a short stout piece of wood.
"Here you are" Howard said, "these will have to do, we're starting to run dangerously low on everything".
"These will work just fine" May said as she took them, "thank you"!
Howard nodded at her, then went back to work changing the bandages of his patient. May turned and made her way back down the row to Everett. The older man looked up as May returned, and reached out his hand for the supplies.
"Ah ha! This is more than I thought we would get" Everett said, "ok Tiffany, May, you ready"?
Both girls nodded, and May crouched down to help.
"I'm going to set the arm" Everett started to tell May, "once I have it in place, you'll need to hold the splint up right here, and then be sure to wrap it tightly with the bandages to hold it in place. Not too tight though, we don't wan't to cut of her blood circulation".
May nodded in understanding, and Everett smiled at her. He then ran his fingers along Tiffany's arm to find the broken section. She winced a little, but remained silent. Everett gently closed his fingers around her forearm, and said, "you'll wan't to grit your teeth".
Tiffany did, and then Everett pulled and pushed. Tiffany let out a silent scream as Everett carefully repositioned her arm.
"Ok May, now".
May set to work. She held the splint in place, and wrapped the bandage around and around. As gently as she could, but as tightly as she dared. Tiffany would wince when May pulled the bandage for another wrap around, but otherwise, still remained silent.
"Alright" Everett began as May was almost done, "now wrap the end there underneath that part here".
Everett pointed with his pinkie, and May tucked the end of the bandage underneath the wrapped area.
"And we're done" Everett exclaimed, letting go of Tiffany's arm, "be careful with that arm, and be sure to head straight to the urgent care once we make it to Slateport".
Tiffany nodded, pulling her arm back to her, she then said, "thank you both".
Everett smiled and nodded at the young girl, "now you take it easy".
Everett stood back up, and May followed suit.
"Let's see who else needs some help" Everett said to May.
"Just another hour" the Captain said to Ash.
His adrenaline froze. Only another hour until the rescue team arrives? But Lugia still isn't awake!
"Ok...thank you" Ash said, and turned to leave, catching Misty's eye.
"Son, you better do what you need to do to get that Lugia gone" the Captain added on, "the rescue team won't hurt it, but I believe it would be best that the less people who know about it, the better".
Ash nodded at the Captain in agreement, "we're doing what we can".
And with that, Ash opened the door to outside, and let Misty walk out first. Ash closed the door behind him, and followed Misty down the stairs. Pikachu gripped onto Ash's hair to hold his balance.
"What will we do if Lugia won't wake up" Misty asked as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"I'm not sure" Ash said, "guess we'll figure it out if it comes to that".
They walked along the side of the railing, headed back towards the front of the boat. Misty shivered as a small breeze whistled by.
"It's getting cold again" she commented.
"Yea, it sucks" Ash said, "I miss summer".
"We got a ways to go before summer comes back around" Misty teased him.
"Don't remind me" Ash sulked, then added, "maybe once we're done with this whole thing, we can just hide out in the middle of the ocean forever. It will always be warm then".
Misty chuckled, "I'd like that".
Misty reached out to take his hand, but found only air. Ash had started to sprint forward. Looking ahead of him, Misty saw why. Lugia was awake! She ran after him and Pikachu, relieved that the Legendary was ok. Ash slid to a stop next to Brock, who was recalling his Chansey.
"Lugia" Ash exclaimed, "how do you feel"?
"Well" Lugia told him, "you're friend knows how to treat Pokemon".
Brock rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"I hate to rush you" Ash started, "but more people will be arriving in just an hour, so you really should go".
"I agree" Lugia said, "before I do, you have a question"?
How did it know that? Guess that doesn't matter...
"I have two" Ash said, "Giovanni, I need to know more about him catching the other Legendary Pokemon".
Lugia looked Ash over, "I am sorry Chosen One, but I know no more than what I told you last time".
Damn, guess they'll just add that to their other list of problems to solve.
"Second question" Ash continued, "you said I was Chosen again...why"?
Lugia took too long to answer for Ash's comfort, but it finally said, "something evil is stirring in the shadows in Hoenn, and Giovanni is capturing Legendary Pokemon. And here you are, thrust into the middle of it. This is no coincidence...fate seems to favor you".
Ash waited for more, but it didn't come.
"That's it" he asked unsatisfied.
"I am sorry I do not know more" Lugia told him, "I would help you if I could, but I must go".
Ash bit the inside of his cheek, and then sighed, "yea...better do that".
"Good luck Chosen One".
With a strong beat from its wings, Lugia rose into the air, and dove over the edge of the railing. Ash heard the splash, and Lugia was gone.
"Pikapi" his Pokemon commented.
Ash turned back to the others, who were all watching him intently.
"That was good timing"!
The group turned and looked above them at the shout. The Captain had come outside, and was standing at the top of the stairs outside the cockpit. He pointed out to the sea.
"They arrived much earlier than expected".
Ash followed the Captains finger, and spotted another boat sailing towards them. The rescue team! Finally, they could continue on their way to Hoenn. Ash turned his head over to Misty, but she wasn't standing with the others anymore. Looking around, he found her walking up to her Gyarados. He smiled as she put a hand on Gyarados' large scales. The giant water Pokemon was beginning to look exhausted, and Ash was sure he could see the relief spread on its face at the sight of the rescue team.
Two hours later, the rescue team had helped the majority of passengers cross to the other boat. Only a few injured remained, and they were in the final stages of moving them across as well. The rescue boat had arrived with plentiful doctors and nurses, and in no time flat, they had treated and helped the remaining injured. Even stabilizing and saving a few that had seemed weren't going to make it. A few engineers had came as well, to check on the cruise ships condition, and see if it could be saved.
They had deemed it unrepairable, and decided that it would be best to let it sink. That didn't sit too well with the Captain, but the engineers convinced him that repairing the boat was simply impossible in their situation. Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and the rest of the group had stayed aboard the cruise ship, helping out where they could. Wether it was helping other passengers across the water, or helping move the injured upstairs onto deck. Gary had woken up, and was now assisting as well. Him and Everett helped a man, with a bad bullet wound on his leg, down into the small lifeboat with other injured. Cameron and May were in the lifeboat as well, only they were the ones ferrying people across.
"Alright" Gary said, tapping the side of the small boat, "you two are all set".
Cameron nodded, and began to loosen the ropes so that the lifeboat was lowered down to the water. Gary counted how many were left, four. That ought to be enough for the rest! Gary turned back to see Misty opening the door to below deck, and a few nurses carrying half a dozen loaded stretchers outside. Ash, with Pikachu on his shoulder of course, and Brock were carrying a stretcher bearing a sleeping older man. Delila was helping a nurse with another. The Captain was standing on deck, still giving his crew members orders, who had all gathered up on deck as well.
"This is the last of them" a nurse told the Captain.
The Captain nodded, and then turned to his crew, "give the entire ship one last comb over, then report back up here. Make sure there are no stragglers".
His crew saluted him, and took off down below.
"Everett I think it's time for us to ferry people across" Gary commented.
"I believe so" Everett agreed, and climbed up into another lifeboat hanging along the edge. The old man helped carefully pull a few stretchers onto his little boat. Ash and Misty helped the nurses load the rest onto another lifeboat. They then climbed in after them, and steadied themselves as the lifeboat swayed in the air.
"Pikapi" the rodent tightened, grabbing Ash's hair for support.
Ash chuckled, and the wind picked up. Misty placed her hand on top of her head, to keep Ash's hat in place. Ash gave her a wink, and she stuck her tongue out at him. After a few moments, the crew returned and reported that the ship was indeed empty.
"Alright then" the Captain ordered, "load up"!
The crew and nurses loaded into the two remaining lifeboats. Gary jumped into Everett's boat, and positioned himself accordingly. Gyarados roared from the other side, ready to have a long break. The Captain motioned for three of the four lifeboats to begin their descent. Ash and Misty's remained up, waiting for the other three to be away. Once they touched the water, and let loose their ropes, Misty pulled out Gyarados' PokeBall.
"You did wonderful Gyarados" Misty called to her Pokemon, "thank you"!
Gyarados roared once again as the red beam of light shot from Misty's PokeBall, and engulfed the Pokemon. Gyarados disappeared, and the boat immediately began to tilt from the water rushing inside. Ash and Misty worked fast to lower their lifeboat to the water, and quickly detached their rope once they were on the ocean surface. The four lifeboats sailed over to the rescue boat, and they watched as the cruise ship sank beneath the waves.
"We owe our lives to you miss" the Captain shouted over from his lifeboat, "without your Gyarados, we wouldn't have been able to save so many".
Misty blushed, "it was nothing"!
Ash wrapped his arm around her, as he steered the boat, and pulled her close to him. Pikachu positioned himself so that he was sitting on both their shoulders.
Within the next hour, the injured had been accommodated for, and they were sailing towards Slateport City. The group sat out on deck, near the front of the boat. Each had put on a coat as the wind was growing colder. They were talking, and relaxing, enjoying what peace they had earned before they docked in Hoenn. Cameron and Delila had insisted on hearing their story about Lugia in the Orange Islands, and Misty didn't see the harm in telling them. So her and Ash spent the better part of the remainder of their journey, telling the story. Even May was intrigued, as Ash had never told her the full story either. Everett, who had only heard of the story from Professor Oak, was just as invested in listening.
"Too bad you missed out on that one Brocky" Delila commented to him once Ash and Misty had finished.
"Yea, I missed out on one of the best ones" Brock agreed, "oh well, I've had plenty of adventures with them to make up for it".
The intercom burst to life, and the Captain's voice echoed through.
"At long last we have arrived at our destination. Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to Hoenn".
The group swiveled in their seats. Out in front of them, a landline with a city spreading across it, was slowly growing closer. The mood shifted among the group. Ash and Gary tensed up, almost as if they could feel the Dominion's presence growing closer. Pikachu's cheeks sparked, and he inched closer to Ash's head. May shot a glance to Ash, her brow furrowed slightly. Cameron caught the mood shift, but said nothing. He simply took a deep breath, and glanced around at the others. Ash clenched his fist together, but felt Misty's hand rest on top of it. Her fingers gave it a squeeze, and Ash whispered, "here we go".
And finally the group arrived in Hoenn. The search for Mewtwo is beginning to draw to it's end! Especially since there are only six chapters left for part 2. Hope everyone is getting excited!