Chapter 12
The group left Cerulean City early that morning, as soon as they finished their breakfast. Thanks to a trusty tip from Giselle before they left Pokémon Tech, they were made aware of some underground tunnels that ran from the route just beyond Cerulean all the way to Saffron.
They managed to make it there without any issue for perhaps the first time ever in Ash's traveling history.
"It's quiet." Brock realised.
"A bit too quiet." Dawn added, she kept turning her head to look side to side, as she looked right, Piplup who was perched on her head looked left. They alternated their head movements to avoid any chance of someone sneaking up on them.
"How much do you think they practiced that?" Cameron whispered to Gary.
"I bet we can do it Axew." Iris said excitedly. She and Axew looked to imitate the co-ordinator and her Pokémon, only to fail miserably as they turned to the same side and Axew toppled off the Unova natives head.
"Let's not try that." Ash muttered to Pikachu on his shoulder as the Electric-Mouse Pokémon nodded.
They finally emerged from the long tunnel just in front of the gates of Saffron City around lunchtime. They decided to keep their stay here very brief, knowing about how time was a factor in this situation. Despite this though they knew they needed at least a little break in the Pokémon Centre to avoid exhaustion.
Plus, no matter how eager Ash is he'll never skip a meal.
The group didn't have much time to enjoy their food though as Misty and Gary kept the group on their toes making them eat as quickly as possible so they can make the boat from Vermillion.
"So, judging by my calculations we should reach Vermillion in late evening, around 8pm." Max spoke confidently.
"No way," Ash dismissed. "We'll definitely reach it before then."
"Oh yeah, like you're always so reliable when it comes to traveling time." Max rolled his eyes.
"Shut up you two, such little kids." Iris scolded.
"Still I'm not sure if we'll reach Vermillion in time for the last boat to reach Tohjo." Brock mused. "There's usually a couple that leave daily after the influx of tourism in Kanto in recent years."
"Hey Serena, can you check Vermillion boat times on your Pokéradar?" Gaz asked.
"Sure." She answered. Serena started fiddling with the device on her wrist for a couple of minutes before she found what she was looking for.
"Okay apparently the last boat to Tohjo leaves at exactly 8:00 pm." She told the group.
"So, what you're saying is we basically have to hope Ash is right." Leaf spoke dejectedly.
"Hey, that's not fair, I'm not always wrong." Ash hesitated. "Right guys?"
The disappointed silence that filled the air answered his question more than words ever could.
"Look I know I may not be right every time." Ash started ignoring the derisive snort from Gary. "But standing around here all sad and pessimistic isn't going to get us there in time so let's go."
"You're right Ash." Misty replied. "For once."
"Where the hell did Ash learn the word pessimistic from?" Dawn whispered to Gaz and Max as the three of them began to laugh quietly behind the trainer.
"I didn't even know Tohjo had a port." May spoke up. "Is it new?"
"The harbour just opened up late last year." Brock answered. "There's now an even bigger number of people taking on the league challenge than there used to be, so the committee is looking to make as many areas as possible more accessible."
"Oh, that makes sense I suppose." May nodded in understanding.
"Hey, Slowpokes, we need to get a move on if we want to make that boat." Gary called back to the group.
Everyone began to hurry along the route in a pitch to make it to Vermillion before the last boat left for the evening.
It was a very close call, but the group managed to make it to the pier and buy their tickets in time to make it onto the boat.
The group stood on the deck breathing heavily with their hands on the knees but happy they made it.
"I told you Max." Ash cheered triumphantly.
"Was it really worth all that running though?" Max wheezed, feeling light-headed after the strenuous activity.
"Just admit you were wrong and move on." Ash said happily.
"Anyone know where we can lie down on this boat?" Dawn asked, completely exhausted.
"I suppose we can ask around." Serena suggested.
"Never mind, here is good enough." Dawn replied before collapsing onto her face on the boats deck as Piplup jumped off her head in panic.
"Let's just find somewhere to relax for now and allow these lumps to catch their breath." Iris suggested, referencing the members of the group on the verge of collapse.
The traveling troupe made their way around the boat taking in their surroundings as they went. It was a very basic set up the deck was mostly empty of both furnishing and people.
"It's very quiet on this boat." Cameron noticed.
"It's a late enough journey so it makes sense that not many people would be onboard. If anyone was going to travel this way they would have done so earlier." Gary explained.
"Guess that makes sense." Cameron nodded.
"It's probably for the best anyway." Misty sighed. "I'd like a nice quiet journey while looking out on the beautiful sea trying to spot as many Pokémon as I can."
"I agree." May concurred, her eyes wandering towards Ash. "I'm looking forward to a quiet evening with just us-"
"Ash is that you?"
The group turned as one to see a young man standing behind them. He wore a blue hat with a yellow brim over shaggy brown hair. He also wore an all green tracksuit and a green jacket over it.
"Ritchie? No way." Ash exclaimed as he ran over to the boy.
"Long time no see man." Ritchie laughed.
"It really has been." Ash responded, shaking the hand of his old Kanto rival. Ash then proceeded to introduce him to the group.
"So, Ritchie, what have you been up to since we saw you in Johto? Are you still taking the league challenge?" Brock asked.
"Yep, I'm still trying to become a champion somewhere." Ritchie answered. "I'm taking a break for the minute though. I'm just traveling around gaining as much experience as I can."
"That's a good choice." Gary told him. "Experience for traveling around plays a massive role in a trainer's progress. I can see now how you beat Ash back then."
"Stop kissing ass." Ash muttered.
"Oh, so you're the person who beat Ash in his first league?" Max laughed. "How come you never really mentioned that Ash?"
"It never came up, I barely remember." Ash mumbled sheepishly, spouting excuses.
"Yeah, I'm the one Ash who beat Ash back then, and I doubt that anything has changed since." Ritchie spoke confidently.
"Oh, you sure about that?" Ash asked angrily.
"I'm very sure." Ritchie grinned. "Come on Ash, you know as well as I do that you've never beaten me."
"Where's this attitude coming from Ritchie?" Misty asked, this isn't how she remembered the young man they last saw helping a baby Lugia.
"I'm just having a bit of fun." Ritchie played it off. "Isn't that right Ash?"
"Well, if you want to make it fun then why don't we have a Pokémon battle right now." Ash suggested. "So that I can beat you after all these years."
"All right, I'd like to see that." Cameron cheered.
"I'd love to Ash, but my Pokémon are actually resting at the minute." Ritchie explained. "They even have their own room made for Pokémon to relax, it's pretty cool."
"How convenient." Ash joked.
"It'll be good to let our Pokémon rest together in a nice environment." Serena spoke.
"Yeah, you're right." Leaf agreed. "Can you show us the way Ritchie?"
"Of course." He replied. The shaggy haired trainer then led the group inside to the interior of the boat and down a set of stairs. They walked down a couple of corridors until they reached a big window.
"Well, here's where you can look into the facility if you want a look beforehand." Ritchie explained.
The group looked in to see a vast room with a couple of Pokémon scattered around the layout. There were artificial trees taking up one corner and a large pool of water in the middle to accommodate water types. In one part of the room they could see a couple of Pokémon clustered together. Many of them were blocked off from view though by a large, dark green Pokémon.
"As you can see, Cruz evolved from a Pupitar to Tyranitar." Ritchie spoke with pride.
"That's a pretty tough task." Iris acknowledged. "It must have been hard work."
"It was but it was very rewarding." He answered. "Here, let me show you the door for your Pokémon."
Ritchie led the group down another corridor until they reached large, red double doors. He opened the door and the group of trainers released their Pokémon and watched as they spread throughout the room. Pikachu, Piplup and Axew all ran in also."
"Let's let them enjoy some peace and we all go back up." Dawn suggested as the group agreed.
Once they all stepped back onto the deck, the cold sea breeze slapped across their faces. Ash breathed in deeply and smelled the stiff salty aroma of the wind. He looked out in the direction of where the wind was headed and saw the very faint outline of land. He had a feeling big was coming. He couldn't help but glance at May, who turns out was looking at him already.
"I feel it too." She whispered. "Somethings off."
Ash nodded and looked back towards the slowly approaching land, he could do nothing but wonder what awaited them there.
Dawn stood by the railing of the deck looking out onto the dark depths of the sea which usually during the bright hours matched her hair in its vibrant colours. She had taken off her white beanie so she could let the strong wind blow through her hair.
"This is the first time I've seen you without your hat." She heard someone speak.
She turned to see Gaz walk towards her. He stopped beside her and put his arms on the railing looking out at the ocean just as Dawn was doing earlier.
"It's part of my signature look, I only take it off for contests." She explained.
"Is it just me or is there a weird atmosphere around tonight." Gaz asked.
"I feel it too." Dawn admitted as she once again looked out to the sea again. "What can we expect though after everything that's happened?"
"You've got a point there." Gaz sighed. "I wonder how long until things get back to normal."
"I don't even remember what normal is." Dawn laughed. "Ever since I met Ash things have always been crazy."
"I could imagine." Gaz smirked. "He's got that effect on people."
The two continued to stare in silence as the boat slowly took them closer to the Johto region. Dawn was the first to break the quiet air, asking what she assumed was on everyone's mind.
"What's going to happen?" She asked.
"I don't think any of us knows." Gaz shrugged. "All I do know is that someone, somewhere is causing all this to happen, and that by the looks of things we might have to stop them."
"Well aren't you one for stating the obvious." Dawn joked.
"Come on, are you going to pretend as if that wasn't inspiring?" Gaz laughed.
"It really wasn't." Dawn shook her head smiling.
"There's no way Ash is walking away from this is there?" Gaz asked.
"Not a chance." Dawn spoke defiantly. "Ash is the one who thought me everything I knew about Pokémon. I might not even have as close of a bond with my Pokémon as I do now if it weren't for Ash. I know that he won't walk away because if I was in his position I wouldn't either."
"It admirable you know," Gaz started. "Seeing the bond that all of you have. All these years I've been traveling by myself. I just wanted to reach the peak of being a trainer and I felt the only way to do that was to be by myself with no distractions. It was only when I met up with Ash at the Kalos League by chance that I realised how fun it is to be with other people who are experiencing these events with you and how having supporters by your side every day can make you stronger than you even realise. I wish I could've been with you guys beforehand, been one of you."
Gaz was usually a happy guy, almost always smiling and joking along with everyone, this is the first time Dawn had seen him looking dejected. She felt sadness within him. She could also understand why. She would have hated to start her journey alone, which is why she is so grateful towards Ash and Brock. She had been traveling alone for the past few years, but she always sporadically ran into someone that she knew, or she could always call Ash, Brock or even May. To spend an entire journey alone must have been hard.
"Gaz, the most important thing is that you're here now with us." Dawn smiled at him. "You're traveling with us so that means that you are one of us.
Dawn looked as a smile spread across the Castelia trainer's face. She could see the joy glittering in his eyes which made her feel happy too.
"Thanks Dawn, you really have a knack for cheering people up." Gaz told her.
"I'm gifted in many ways." Dawn joked.
The two shared a laugh before looking back towards the traveling group. Gaz could see Ash and May stood closely together looking in the direction that the ship is going.
"How's your plan going for those two?" Gaz smirked.
Dawn followed his line of sight to see he was referencing Ash and May.
"It's not much of a plan, just trying to drop enough hints that it gets through Ash's dense head and trying to get May to go for it." Dawn sighed.
"Best of luck with that." Gaz spoke.
"I'll need it. I'm not sure if it can even be helped, especially when Brock has been the only example of romance in Ash's life."
"They'll need all the help they can get alright." Gaz laughed. "We should probably head back over anyway before Ash gets wound up even more by that Ritchie guy and tries to have another battle."
"You're right, he'll probably forget he doesn't have his Pokémon with him." Dawn agreed.
Right on cue they heard a voice say "Battle… come on… right now." Followed by the laughter of the other people surrounding Ash.
Dawn and Gaz took one more glance at the ocean. Just as they looked, they saw something pink dart quickly across the surface of the water. It was small and shaped like a heart.
"Hey, a Luvdisc." Gaz called out.
"Yeah," Dawn spoke, she took a quick glance at Gaz and then back at the Pokémon. "Hopefully it can help Ash and May."
She smiled at Gaz one more time before walking back to the greater group.
"Yeah…hopefully." Gaz said slightly dejected as he watched Dawn walk back before he followed.
Little did he know that as soon as he turned his back another small pink Pokémon quickly moved over the water outpacing the boat. Rather than being shaped like a heart though this Pokémon was more like a feline.
Gaz turned around on instinct but saw nothing behind him, the Luvdisc was even gone. He shook it off made his way back to his friends.
Hope you all enjoyed that chapter, please leave a review if you'd like. Stay safe out there!