Chapter 18 Hulbury and a Cruise Ride
When they get to the Hulbury, they see a commotion. They go to check it out and see a woman standing in front of a man with a girl.
"Our sincerest apologies! The chairman is quite busy at the moment..." The woman says. "Everyone, please disperse! Please leave now!"
"Okay, see you later, Chariman!" The crowd leaves as the Chairman yells, "No need to rush off! I can still do more autographs! I'll even give you my Pokemon League Card!"
"Papa! I know we need the support of our fans to keep doing what we're doing, but this is too much." The girl says. "But Oleana, chasing them off like that...aren't you being a bit too harsh?"
"Fans are very important, of course. That's why your father need to keep doing his work- for their sake."
"And I'll promise to do everything in my power to assist you, too, Chairman." Bede says as he walks towards them. The girl mutters, "Nobody has asked you, Mr. So called winner guy..."
"I daresay I'm impressed how far you've come since I gave you that Pokemon all those years ago, Bede." Rose says. "Will you be the one to win the Gym Challenge? Or perhaps it will be one of the trainers endorsed by the Champion."
"Or maybe it is Prince Ash of course. He is the wonder of battling." The girl says.
"I'll prove your faith in me was well placed, Chairman. I won't lose to anyone." Bede says. "Anyway, I'll be on my way now." Then he leaves.
Then as Ash and his team come closer, Rose says, "Ah, Ash. We were just talking about you and Gloria."
"Good to see you again, Chairman." Ash says.
Gloria says, "Wait, you are Elena, one of the Gym Leaders in the Gym Challenge..."
Elena says, "Yes. I am the gym leader of the Bermingsteel."
"By the way, I admit I am curious about Leon's reasons for endorsing you." Rose says to Gloria. "Ah, I just had a good idea, as I tend to do! You three are going to face gym leader Nessa soon, yes?"
"We are." Ash says.
"If you get a Gym Badge from her, I'll hold a celebration. I'd like to get to know you a little better after all."
Oleana says, "Chairman, we should really be going..."
"But..." Rose has something to say, but Elena says, "Papa, don't worry. I want to see how they fare in Nessa's Gym. I'll watch over them."
Rose sighs and he says, "Sure, Elena. Please do your best." He turns to Ash and Gloria. "For the sake of Galar's future."
Then as the two leave, Dawn asks, "So you are Chairman Rose's daughter? You must be really rich."
"Well, it is true since my papa wants to make us all happy." Elena says. "By the way, he will be heading to this town's seafood restaurant. We should go to the gym so you two can get the gym badge and join him. Dad is a little impatient."
"Sure." Gloria says.
"By the way, I am sure you need these." Elena gives them her League Card. Which has a number 892 on the card.
"Thanks." They put the card away as they go to the gym, only to see Nessa not at the gym. "If you are looking for her, she's off at the lighthouse." The staff says.
"The lighthouse is, well...if you head toward the sea from here, we shouldn't be able to miss it." Elena says.
"Okay." Ash says as they go there. Once they get to the lighthouse, they find Nessa watching the sea.
"There you are, Nessa." Elena sighs.
"Oh, Elena, what a surprise. What are you doing here?" Nessa asks in surprise.
"Coming with an errand with my dad." Elena says. "By the way, Prince Ash and the trainer endorsed by Leon is here to battle you."
"Oh." Nessa turns to the two people. "You two become something of a hot topic among the Gym Leaders."
"Thanks?" Gloria asks.
"Here you go, Mr. and Ms. Famous. I already heard about you, so you should learn about me, too." Then she gives them each a League Card with the number 049 on it.
Once they put them away, Nessa says, "I am going back to the stadium. Though I love fishing, but I love Pokemon battles even more and I'm itching to battle with you tomorrow." Then she leaves.
"Why not today?" Serena asks in confusion.
"Well, she has been busy these days as the second Gym Leader." Elena says with a sigh. "As the second Gym Leader, she is quite exhausted for a lot of trainers challenging her."
"I see." Ash says, "So how much do you know about Nessa?"
Elena says, "Well, her father is a fisherman and her mother is a market saleswoman. So she lives with the style and she is close to Water Type Pokemon. Not to mention that she is a rival with Sonia and Leon when they are younger."
"Wow. She must be very strong." Lillie says "But what should we do now?"
Ash looks at his girlfriend, who nods back and then he says, "Well, I got a letter from Mother, inside the letter are two tickets on the S.S. Rainbow. I can take one of you on the ship."
This causes the girls to get excited and frown at the same time. Ash says, "So I have been thinking who to come with me, and I made my decision with the help of Alice. Dawn, do you like to come with me?"
Dawn is surprised as she is chosen, she says, "Of course, I'd like to."
Serena and the others aren't happy as she asks, "Why her?"
Ash says, "I know you don't like my choice, but everyone has a turn, only that this time I chose Dawn."
The three girls sighs and they reluctantly agree, though Elena is confused as she asks Alice, "What's going on here?"
"Well, it's a long story. Since we have to wait until tomorrow, how about we go see what the market has to offer?" Alice asks.
"I agree." Gloria says as they go towards the market. But Alice has Drizzile out and it is going to spy on Ash and Dawn.
"Why are you choosing me to come with you?" Dawn asks Ash once they are on the ship. Ash says, "Well, it was random, you see, back in Turffield, I was with Alice this whole time, so I think that it would be better to take turns."
"I see." Dawn says as they see some posters, one with the Ludicolo playing maracas and one with Nessa and her Drednaw. "So Nessa's ace Pokemon is Drednaw?"
"Maybe...it would be cool to see how it Gigantamax." Ash says with a smile.
With Wingulls passing by, Ash and Dawn are having lunch in the restaurant on the ship as they are eating Kingler and Crawdaunt meat. Dawn says, "So you meant that Misty and May's bike were also destroyed by Pikachu, as those were the reasons that they traveled with you?"
"Yeah..." Ash frowns, "Though I should have known that they care about fame and fortune more than friendship..."
Dawn says, "They are really mean. It is not your fault. No need to worry, I am sure that with our help, you will be able to be stronger."
Ash nods as he looks around, he says, "By the way, Dawn, do you notice how this restaurant is like an aquarium?"
"You're right. I can see Woopers over there, their walking is very funny." Dawn says.
"Yeah. And those are Tympoles. You see, I have a Palpitoad when I caught in Unova." Ash says. "In fact, it was thanks to Oshawott that I caught him since Pikachu and the others were badly poisoned by Foonguss."
"Oshawott sure is strong, but I don't think Piplup will like to hear that." Dawn says as Piplup nods. Pikachu just sweat drops at the penguin.
Once they finish eating, they decide to check out the bottom part of the ship, which turns out to be transparent with glasses to see the underwater Pokemon. Ash can see Magikarp and Seaking swimming by, and an Octillery resting on top of Cloyster.
As Dawn sees the Milotic, she says, "Remember how we entered the Wallace Cup together? Ash? That was one of my most precious memories."
"I remembered that. Since I was surprised that the Hoenn Champion would invite me to his Special Contest." Ash says with a smile, he is trying too forget about May entering the same contest as well. "Though I lost to a Lanturn."
"It's fine. At least I managed to conquer my fear of Appeal Rounds back then." Dawn says as they see two more Basculins swimming past.
Just then, Dawn notices how Wishiwashi turns into School Form and then she asks, "What is that?"
"Oh, that is Wishiwashi." Ash says, "I remembered back in Alola, my classmate Lana has to battle a giant Wishiwashi for her Z Crystal."
"Wow..." Dawn says, "It sure is big."
Then they see a Pyukumuku as it gives a V pose, while the two of them does it back as they giggle. As Arrokuda swims past, Ash decides to go back to the deck so that they can relax.
On the deck, they get to see a Water Show performed by the performers there and they see how Vaporeon jumps through the rings and how Dewpider made bubbles. And then they feel the ship shaking as Ash and Dawn hold together tight, they blush a little and then they notice that a Whiscash is the one who does that, causing them to laugh a little.
Now the show ends, Ash and Dawn change their swimsuits as they sit on the beach chairs and they see how the Gastrodon swim past, but then Dawn sees a Wimpod as she tries to walk towards it, Wimpod gets scared as it quickly rushes back to its trainer, who apologizes to them. Then they see how Binacle cooperates together, which makes them think of themselves. Even though the thought isn't clear, the two of them are blushing hard.
"How about we go fishing?" Ash asks Dawn as she agrees. Then they fish out Qwilfish, Frillish and Mareanie, which are Pokemon that are very dangerous, so they quickly release them into the water while laughing as Cramorant flies past and Mantine jumps over them.
The ship almost arrives back at Hulbury as they see Wailord and Lapras swimming with the ship. Then the ship stops as Ash and Dawn get back on land.
"Ash, thank you for this wonderful experience." Dawn says while hugging him.
"No problem, now we should go find others for now." Ash says as they all find them at the market.
Lillie asks, "How is the cruise ship?"
"It is amazing." Dawn says, "We got to see a lot of Water Type Pokemon and even a show that will help me with the Contests."
"You must show me about it." Serena says.
Ash turns to Alice and Elena, "How about you guys? Did you have any fun?"
"Well, we did get to shop some more. Look Ash." Alice shows him the necklace, Ash says, "What is this?"
"This is the Fossilized Fish. If I gathered 3 more fossils on this necklace, then it will make my wish come true. Though that is just a superstition." Alice says.
"Maybe your wish would come true." Elena laughs as they decide to have some dinner.
Even though it isn't obvious to Ash, this is his second date and his date partner is Dawn in this chapter. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be the Gym Battle.
Ash's Pokemon with him: Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeot, Ivysaur, Charizard, Wartortle, Kingler, Gengar, Primeape, Muk, Tauros, Lapras, Snorlax, Heracross, Bayleef, Quilava, Croconaw, Noctowl, Donphan, Larvitar, Swellow, Sceptile, Corphish, Torkoal, Glalie, Staraptor, Torterra, Infernape, Buizel, Gliscor, Gible, Unfezant, Servine, Dewott, Pignite, Scraggy, Leavanny, Palpitoad, Boldore, Krookodile, Greninja, Talonflame, Hawlucha, Goodra, Noivern, Dartrix, Lycanroc, Incineroar, Naganadel, Melmetal, Corvisquire, Thievul, Thwackey, Arrokuda, Magikarp, Combee, Steelix, Vileplume, Vulpix, Hitmonlee, Diglett (A), Carkol, Meowth (G), Eevee x2, Milcery x2, Farfetch'd (G), Espurr, Applin, Ninjask, Toxel
Alice's Pokemon with her: Drizzile, Butterfree, Skwovet, Wooloo x30, Yamper, Vespiquen, Eldegoss, Growlithe, Sizzlipede, Diglett, Meowth, Pikachu, Eevee x2, Milcery x2, Dewpider, Toxel
Gloria's Pokemon with her: Raboot, Dottler, Chewtle, Liepard, Unfezant, Trubbish, Klink, Woobat, Drillbur, Timburr, Persian, Joltik, Ferroseed, Eevee x2, Milcery, Minccino, Applin
Dawn's Pokemon with her: Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu, Mamoswine, Quilava, Togekiss, Bellossom, Quagsire, Xatu, Stunky, Hitmontop, Cherubi, Budew, Eevee, Milcery, Wobbuffet, Drifloon
Serena's Pokemon with her: Braxien, Sylveon, Pangoro, Linoone, Lombre, Nuzleef, Diggersby, Electrike, Eevee, Milcery x2, Espurr, Shedinja
Lillie's Pokemon with her: Vulpix (A), Magearna, Grubbin, Tsareena, Cloyster, Hitmonchan, Mudbray, Machop, Persian (A), Cutiefly, Goldeen, Eevee, Milcery, Stufful, Farfetch'd
