The attack by the Frillish and Jellicent had damaged the ship's engines. While the problem was fixable and the ship could have continued to the harbor, Lillie and the captain had decided to drop anchor and wait out the night while repairs were made. The two Fluttershys had advocated for this, and had been key in changing the captain's mind on the subject though only one of them had actually spoke to him. They had argued that the humans needed a break to see that, despite the attack from the wild Pokémon, there were still far more Pokémon out there that wanted to befriend humans. They currently doubted this reasoning.
"You couldn't have known that those ghost-type Pokémon would appear out of nowhere," Lillie said, trying to calm her new friends. "Besides, not even the Wishiwashi could see a way forward. We had to stop until the fog lifted."
"You have radar, though," the human Fluttershy said. "We could have gone ahead, but we didn't. We'd almost be to shore by now if we had, but thank you for trying to make us feel better."
"The fog was clearly a trap," Mistress Ceto said, simply. "And honestly, if the Wishiwashi had trouble seeing forward then the human's radar wouldn't have cut it. Especially not if the ghost-types had decided to interfere with it. Due to our decision to stay put, they didn't see a need to."
"You were quite impressive out there, Mistress Ceto," Lillie said with a smile. "As was your colony. The passengers said you were there to help almost instantly. You saw through the attack before it happened, didn't you?"
"I did," Mistress Ceto said, returning Lillie's smile. "That's why I mobilized our colony after the party ended. We managed to clear much of the passenger's quarters with the help of your trainers before we reached the deck. The attack had only been going on about ten minutes at that point. It's nearly impossible to get a ghost-type to reveal itself before its ready, and it's nearly impossible to predict when and where they'll strike. Spirits can be rather fickle, so we waited until the attack was underway."
"Even so, stopping may not have been the wisest choice," the pony Fluttershy said. "Ten minutes is much longer in a dream. Being trapped on a ship, while being terrorized by a horde of vengeful ghosts, is about as mentally scarring an ordeal as I can think of. And there are children on board…"
"We would have encountered those ghost-types regardless," Mistress Ceto said, kindly. "Such things are common, though the presence of these types of Pokémon doesn't often result in an attack in this modern age. Stalking, yes. Attacks, not so much."
"But they shouldn't be common," the human Fluttershy said. "Why do Pokémon do this? I can understand the ghost-types sent by Korrish and Charles being out of the ordinary, but the Frillish and Jellicent are a different story. I've been reading the news, too. There are articles from several years ago reporting on ships lost out at sea to groups of Dragalge, or Sharpedo dragging unsuspecting swimmers from the shorelines of beaches never to be heard from again. The authorities look for these poor victims, but…"
"But what, child?" Mistress Ceto said, raising an eyebrow at the girl. "Those instances you cite? They are rare, as well. Four instances of a Sharpedo killing humans in the last ten years. Yet humans have fished for, captured, and killed Sharpedo for their dorsal fins almost to the point of extinction in some parts of the world. Some still hold a grudge, though killing humans outside of self-defense is normally frowned upon in our communities. Humans tend to avoid Dragalge territory because Dragalge don't care for anyone entering their homes uninvited, be they human or Pokémon. Dragalge also tend to make their homes in places where others fear to go in the first place, so avoiding their territory is rather easy if you know the sea."
Fluttershy looked down at her hands, knowing that the elder Primarina knew more than she did and arguing would get her nowhere.
"I don't know who Korrish or Charles are, or what they may have to do with these attacks on my ship. I would like to know, if someone is willing to tell me," Lillie said, taking up Fluttershy's argument as the other girl shrank a bit in her chair. She paused for a moment, hoping for a response, but received none. She sighed and continued.
"I will not defend the hunting and eating of Pokémon. What was done to the Sharpedo is horrible, though I will not endorse acts of revenge, either. The number of incidents involving the death of humans is far outweighed by the number of incidents where humans were injured. Many of those injuries were life changing. There have been thousands of close calls in the last ten years that you two brought up, and humans have made every attempt to tread carefully around the habitats of Pokémon. Our societies are predominantly environmentalist in our approach to the homes of wild Pokémon. Entire construction projects have been abandoned, moved or altered after discovering the negative effects they would have on the environment. Diglett's Tunnel is a perfect example of this. People and Pokémon maintain it together. The residents of Paniola Ranch work side-by-side everyday to raise ride-Pokémon to help people travel the land more safely and more easily."
"And what of the various criminal organizations that prey on Pokémon, both trained and wild? Our powers and abilities exceed that which humans can perform on their own. I wonder, how many people in your income bracket make use of Team Rocket's services? How many of them fund Giovanni and his cohorts?"
"Far too many. I won't deny this. I will not stand up for them, but don't try and paint all humans with that brush, mistress. Not when newly evolved Pokémon are often inclined to disobey trainers who have raised them with kindness and care if they deem those trainers not powerful enough for their tastes! Not when a lone human can't walk in tall grass without the potential threat of a wild Pokémon attack looming over their head!"
"How else are we supposed to test the mettle of you humans?" Mistress Ceto said, smiling at Lillie's outburst. She winked playfully, and Lillie blushed. "I mean no offense, dear. The reason I push you so is because your kind need a strong voice to stand up for them. Your words will influence the girls next to you, and their words will matter greatly in the future. I'll be honest, after what I found in Sinnoh I was extremely displeased with humans. I still am, and I don't think this trip will entirely change that. Yet this ship is full of all the things I still love about your kind. You don't eat meat, which means you aren't harming Pokémon for your own needs. The ship moves through the water without harming the Pokémon that live in it, and the humans all seem very optimistic in spite of what they've been through. Don't take my harsh words to heart dear, but do consider them seriously. You cannot grow without being challenged."
Lillie thanked Ceto and looked down into her cup of cocoa, trying to make sense of her words.
"I find your conversation enlightening," Twilight Sparkle said, adjusting her glasses slightly. "Your seas are vast, and Pokémon can be just as cruel as humans can be. That's what I've taken away from this exchange thus far. I'm starting to form an answer of my own, though there's still much we'd like to see before this trip is over. Right, girls?"
Her friends voiced their agreements. A ding came from the kitchen and Pinkie Pie jumped from her seat.
"My cupcakes are done!" she said, excitedly. "Hey, Maud. Wanna help me get them out?"
"Of course," Maud said, rising from the pillow she had been laying on. The two of them went into the next room as Lord Bartholomew changed the subject to the weather in Hoenn.
Pinkie Pie hadn't hesitated to hug Maud when they had met, and Maud had returned it with equal affection. Still, it was a strange situation. Pinkie Pie had recognized her sister even through her Rapidash disguise, but at the same time Pinkie Pie knew that her sister was a human that lived back home with their parents.
"So, how was that 'Gotham' place?" Pinkie Pie asked, cheerfully as they entered the kitchen. It was large and comfortable, with lush chairs, a table made of polished wood, and every cooking utensil one might need.
"It was great," Maud said in her simple, monotone voice. Pinkie could hear her feelings plain as day, though.
"That bad, huh?"
"I got shot three times while clearing buildings of enemy soldiers," Maud said, pointing to two places on her stomach and one place near her collarbone. "Two of the shots were superficial. They pierced my armor and hit my skin but didn't go much further."
She pointed at a place on her stomach, just below her rib cage.
"The third shot went through pretty far, but the unicorns we recruited for this are all required to know four basic healing spells. They did a good job of patching us up in the field before we got proper treatment in Canterlot. I kicked butt from beginning to end."
"What were the people like there? Were they the ones you were fighting?"
"Yeah, but they weren't the only ones. There were these weird demons and some aliens apparently. I only saw the demons."
"You know, I've been thinking and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to think this but… If this Arceus decides it doesn't want to let humanity live then what's stopping it from coming to my world? We're humans. If murdering one world full of us is Ok, then why not another?"
"I don't know what this god wants to do," Maud said, as she and Pinkie Pie pulled the cupcakes from the ovens. "But it's not going to come to that. We'll find a way to stop it, even if we can't give it the answer it wants. Medusa brought up that very problem to the princesses before we came. They're figuring it out as we speak."
"Hey Maud," Pinkie Pie said, her smile brightening a bit.
"What Pinkie Pie?" Maud replied.
"I'm gonna throw a party when we get to shore. Wanna come?"
"I'd love to, Pinkie Pie," Maud said with a smile.
"Good, 'cuz I got a feeling that a good party might just fix this mess. I just haven't thrown one that's good enough, yet."
Several more minutes passed as Pinkie Pie helped Maud put together the salad, chips and salsa.
"Hey Maud," Pinkie Pie said, looking down at her work as she iced the last four cupcakes.
"What, Pinkie Pie?" Maud said, as she finished placing the cheese spread on the crackers.
"I know my sister is human, and you're a pony but…"
"We're not from the same world, or even the same species," Maud interrupted. "But that doesn't matter. You're Pinkie Pie and I'm Maud. We're sisters."
"Yeah," Pinkie Pie said as she wiped a tear from her eye. "So… Do you think I'd like Gotham? I mean, I've got magic powers now and I'm not too bad with 'em. I can control them to the point where I can put on a party without blowing everything up!"
"You're counterpart wasn't too big on the city, to be honest. Though, there was a clown girl that she found interesting. They never got a good chance to talk, though."
"Clowns are always nice! Except for the ones in sewers. I always try to avoid those."
"If you'll excuse us," Joan said, bowing to Lillie and the Canterlot High girls. "I need to speak with my friends in private for a moment."
She motioned for Mistress Ceto, Lord Bartholomew and Medusa to follow her. They bowed as well and took their leave.
"Lady Joan is so elegant and beautiful," Rarity said as they left. "As are the Primarina. There are so many wondrous sights to behold here, I go to bed every night and draw dress designs for two hours before actually sleeping. I haven't been filled with such inspiration in ages!"
"I'm very happy for you, Rarity," Lillie said, with a sad sigh.
"Is something wrong, darling?"
"What… what was she talking about?" Lillie asked as she stared into her cup of cocoa and frowned. "Who are all these Pokémon that speak like people? Why are they here, traveling with two giant schools of Wishiwashi? What did Ceto mean that my words will influence you, and why? What is your group doing?"
She looked up at the girls, still frowning, searching their faces for answers.
"It's… a long story," Applejack said, uncomfortably. "I'm not sure we got the right tah tell ya'. This whole mission's gone way off track as it is."
"Mistress Ceto let enough slip for me to ask questions about it. I don't think she would have unless she wanted me to know something important."
"Still, we didn't even tell Champion Cynthia," Twilight Sparkle said, rubbing her arm uncomfortably.
"It's not that we don't want to tell you," Rainbow Dash said. "It's just that, we need to make sure it's alright first."
She stood up and stretched her arms.
"I'm gonna go hit the gym for a few minutes. I could really use a session on the punching bag to blow off some steam. Tell Pinkie Pie to save me some cupcakes. I'll be back in an hour or so."
"I think I'll tag along," Applejack said as she stood up. "The Pokémon trainin' ground is along the way. It took a while tah get Archi settled down after this mornin'. He didn't wanna leave my side for fear I might not make it without 'em."
"Poor Nara said he almost passed out when that Shuppet appeared above me with that doll. He pulled himself together and put up a good fight, though."
Rainbow Dash and Applejack waved goodbye to their friends as they left and the room fell into a contemplative silence.
"What is it you wish to say, Joan?" Mistress Ceto said as she closed the door behind her. The Pokémon took seats, though Lord Bartholomew had to take up an entire couch due to his bulk.
"I'm sorry for pulling you away from our friendly gathering," Joan said as she walked to the far side of the room. To Medusa's eyes, her friend and mentor seemed suddenly too upset to take a seat. "As you know, this plan was two fold. We would meet up with the girls from Canterlot High, make sure they were safe with our own eyes, and pursue our second goal. To confront Charles and Korrish, and catch them if possible."
"I still question the wisdom in that," Lord Bartholomew said. "What would Arceus think if we took down our ideological opponents by force? The girls are here to provide a clear opinion on our situation, and Arceus plans on discussing the matter with them personally. How might such action on our part affect their viewpoint?"
"Catching them is a necessity," Joan said, simply. "The girls might not make it to their meeting with Arceus at this rate. Charles and Korrish have attacked them twice already. Don't you think that requires some sort of response?"
"I can support a confrontation with Charles," Mistress Ceto said. "It wouldn't hurt to beat some sense into that boy, but trying to capture him? You're not thinking clearly, Joan."
"My brother has already found him, mistress," Joan said, desperately trying to get the elder to agree with her. "He and Korrish have an army in waiting in the underworld, preparing to lay siege to a Team Rocket base. Gallah is in our world, waiting at that same base with an army of his own."
"But he is scheduled to speak with Arceus, as well."
"He cannot be allowed to speak with Arceus!" Joan yelled. She put her hands to her mouth and frowned, suddenly ashamed at her outburst. "Forgive me, but Charles cannot speak to Arceus. Humanity is deeply flawed. Gotham and Metropolis made that crystal clear. This is the best answer we can give to the god but I fear it is not enough."
"Gotham was horrible, milady," Medusa said, with a shudder. She could feel the layers of rage and frustration in her friend's voice. "But it's not the only reason you're angry, is it?"
"Mistress Ceto brought Lex Luthor back with her," Joan said, angrily. "What's more, she told me on a beach and left before I had time to even process her words!"
"Lex is a monster, there can be no doubt but it isn't the end of the world."
"He tried to make a contract with a being from Apokolips the moment they met! Do you know what Apokolips is like? It is war, hate and oppression given form! I read about it in the papers, but Lois Lane said her descriptions of it don't even compare to seeing it with your own eyes."
"And we will have to go there, eventually," Mistress Ceto said, simply. "To be honest, this wasn't my thinking when I brought him to God's Breath at first. I knew he was vile, and that he had coordinated the attack on our people in Gotham. In the days that have passed since I handed him over to Sasha's prison guards, I have considered what good he might do. Apart from being a fascinating research subject, he could give us information vital to our survival. Arceus is unimaginably powerful, and we will face it one day soon. I know of Darkseid, and his war with the one named Unicron through my discussion with Princess Celestia. I know that their war rages across time and space within the world we encountered. I know that our presence and our actions have not gone unnoticed. Don't you think that Lex Luthor might be of some help to us in facing them?"
"Going to this other universe has made things rather… complicated," Lord Bartholomew said. "A bit too complicated, if you ask me. I must agree with the mistress and her daughter on these subjects, Joan. Lex Luthor will play a part. He must. And it is folly to attack Charles and Korrish. Arceus would not look kindly on it, even if they have attacked us. It might be the only leg up we have on them, considering the god's darkening mood."
"So I am wrong in everything, then?" Joan said, visibly flustered.
"You are angry, and frustrated, milady," Medusa said, gently. "Please, stay with us a while. Travel to Alola. We could all use the rest."
Joan shut her eyes tightly and contacted her brother telepathically. Medusa could tell she was upset by the fact that she was whispering her conversation.
"Gallah… agrees with you," Lady Joan said, finally taking her seat. Medusa rose from her chair and took Joan's hands in her flippers.
"Lord Gallah has always known you best, milady. Please, come with us. We would love your company."
Lord Bartholomew stood as well, and placed a hand on Medusa's shoulder. They looked Joan in the eye, pleading with her.
"I… could use a break from this mess," Joan said, finally. "That's what I was supposed to do during my visit to Canterlot, but I spent my time going over Moon Dancer's notes on our robotic prisoner. That happened after I helped catch him, of course. We searched four days in the frozen north of Equestria! It was quite unpleasant."
"You could use a rest," Mistress Ceto said, her voice soft and motherly. She took Joan by the shoulders, helped her to her feet and led her to the door. "Let us return to the other room and I'll make you some more hot cocoa."
"Alola is beautiful this time of year, too," Joan said, her mood improving the more she thought about it.
"Alola is beautiful year round."
"Why are we going?"
"To find Zhulong, Minerva, and the titans Bart and Genbu. Speaking of which, did you find Kurma before you came?"
"Of course, but Mistress Minerva…"
"Good," Mistress Ceto said, ignoring the newfound concern in Joan's voice. "Now if my sources are correct our young hostess may be able to help us get to Ultraspace."
"Why would we go there?"
"We'll need all the help we can get when the war truly starts," Mistress Ceto said, simply as they made their way down the hall.
"But we haven't been on the best of terms with the Ultra Beasts…"
"That'll have to change, right mother?" Medusa said.
"If they know what's good for them it will," Mistress Ceto said.