"Power in Vermillion City has now been out for a record breaking ten days. Officials are working day and night to get any and all systems working again, but are still stumped as to what caused this. More on this at two. Now onto the weather." Chloe's phone said.
"Why bother." Ash said sweating. "It's hot." Having on a blue floral mini sundress.
"This is cruel and unusual punishment. What did we do to deserve this?" Serena asked. In a pair of cargo shorts and a tank top.
"Team I have news." Chrysa said, looking at a notebook.
"It's hot, we know." Goh complained. He was down to a pair of shorts, and was still dripping. "How are you dressed like that?"
Chrysa was in her normal attire, seemingly perfectly fine.
"I'm from Lavaridge in Hoenn, this heat is actually pretty tame for me." Chrysa said. "Anyways, I got in touch with an old classmate of mine, and they could use some help."
"Chrysa, no offense, but I don't think we're up for it in this heat." Chloe admitted.
"That's the great part." Ren said, walking in wearing an unbuttoned shirt, shorts, sandals, and sunglasses. "Her old classmate runs a cruise ship."
"Not that I'm saying no, but how is a cruise ship research worthy?" Serena asked.
"It's not the ship, but the locations it's going. The islands have ancient ruins, mysterious caves, dense forests, and rich historical culture." Professor Cerise said.
"One question." Ash said, not having moved his body, only raising his arm.
"Yes Ash?" Chrysa asked.
"Do they have AC?" Ash asked, his hand flopping back down.
The next day at the docks
"Ahh Chrysa, it's been too long." A larger dark skin man said, approaching the group.
"Fred, it's good to see you again." Chrysa said, approaching the man. "This is the team I was telling you about."
"Wonderful to meet you all, now did Chrysa say what I was hoping you could help with?" Fred asked.
"No, they left that out." Goh said.
"Well, take a look at our brochure." Fred said handing them out.
"All of my photos are out of focus." Chloe complained.
"Pretty sure a thumbs covering mine." Serena said.
"At least your photographers took the lense cap off." Goh said, looking at the black photos.
"Your guy's brochures have photos." Ash whined, looking at the hundreds of words on his.
"That's the problem. I was hoping some adventurous kids such as yourselves could find some new and exciting photos on the islands while you're out and about." Fred said.
"Well, if we're going to the exciting and tourist attracting locations anyways, why not." Serena said.
"That's what I like to hear! Let's get you all checked in and to your rooms." Fred said happily.
"You could've told me, we wouldn't be leaving until now." Ren said, wearing the same outfit as yesterday.
At Ash's room
"Whoa! Pikachu come and feel this bed!" Ash said, flopping down, and then bouncing slightly on the bed.
"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed, jumping on the bed next to his trainer.
"Man, last time we were on a cruise was the Delacour Islands, and now it's like a week-long vacation!" Ash said excitedly. "I can't wait to see what's out there!"
"Hold your Horseas Ash." Serena said from the door.
"Seriously, we're the first ones on the boat. Actual boarding doesn't start for another few hours." Chloe said.
"So why are you two here?" Ash asked sitting up.
"We were wondering if you knew anything about the islands, maybe what we'd be getting into." Goh said, from behind the two.
"Okay, first come into the room, and then we'll look at the brochures a bit more." Ash said, as his friends made their way in.
"I've got Masuda Island. Known for it's Temples and Shrines." Chloe said. "Apparently it's also our first stop."
"Never heard of it, and these photos are too blurry, but those definitely look familiar." Ash said pointing at some black blobs in most of the photos. "Whose is next."
"I've got stops two and four." Goh said.
"Let's just stick with two, and we'll make our way back to you for four." Ash said, setting the Masuda brochure down.
"Sugimori Island, or islands. Is actually four different island connected by undersea caverns. No photos of course." Goh said showing the brochure.
"Is it still technically separate islands if they're connected?" Chloe asked.
"Maybe that's why it's also just an island." Serena pointed out. "I've got the next one, Tajiri Village. Youngest building there is still over 400 years old. Everything from their wares to their food is done the same way as it was when the village was first founded."
"Probably not many trainers are going to be there." Goh said.
"But they probably live in harmony with the wild Pokémon." Ash replied.
"It will be interesting to see what's all there." Chloe piped in.
"Next is stop number four, Shigeki Island. Known for the dense forest, and delicious fruit. Most of the people on the island actually live just off of it on boats, or a rafted village. Leaving much of the island in its natural state." Goh said.
"Reminds me of Pacifilodge Town in Hoenn, and Poni Village in Alola." Ash said, hearing the descriptions.
"I'm fine not going into a dense unexplored jungle again." Serena said.
"I'm with you on that." Chloe agreed.
"Guess mine is up." Ash said setting his brochure down. "Shigeru Mountain. A small camp like village is set up at the base. Apparently it is considered a holy journey going up the steps of the mountain, comparable to that of Sinnoh's Mt. Coronet. With a shrine dedicated to Arceus at the top."
"This seems like a lot more of a historical research than a Pokémon research." Goh said saddened.
"The history could teach us how people and Pokémon used to live together and interact before Pokeballs were around." Serena said.
"Also, these secluded places with mystery sound like great places to find powerful Pokémon! Right Pikachu!" Ash said excitedly.
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed.
Authors Note
These are new for the story locations, not based off of anything in the games or in real life. However each islands name is a reference to something, and I'll say what after each island's visit.