"Okay just hang tight, we'll be in Viridian in a day or so." The sailor said.
"Thanks again for the lift." Ash said.
"Not a problem, as long as you don't disturb the cargo." The sailor said with a chuckle.
"The cargo?" Cassie said in confusion.
"What do you transport to Viridian City?" Ash asked.
"Nothing of any worth, mostly garbage. It's what I transport from there that's important. Food, clothing, building supplies." The sailor said.
"You're helping them by getting what they need." Ash realized.
"We don't turn our backs on anyone, I'm part of a crisis repair team." The sailor said.
"Yeah I've heard that before." Ash said angrily, only for the boat to come to a halt.
"Look if you don't like it you can find your own way." The sailor said. "I don't know who lied to you, but I take this very seriously, people lost everything when they had to move."
"I, I'm sorry. I was lied to by Team Rocket, they tried to make me believe they were doing the right thing." Ash sighed.
"Look, I'm no expert on it, but maybe they think they are." The sailor said. "Just as I think I'm doing what's right by helping the people of New Cinnabar."
"But what you're doing is helping people!" Ash exclaimed.
"And maybe what they're doing can help people too. I'm not saying I support them, but sometimes right and wrong aren't always as clear as you may think." The sailor said. "Hold on, looks like we've got someone in need of some help."
Ash looked where the sailor was looking.
"It's Megan! I was worried when I didn't see her on Cinnabar!" Ash said excitedly.
"Ahh, a lady friend, like my August." The sailor said with a smile, humming a happy tune as he turned the boat towards where Megan was.
"Megan, I'm so glad to oof!" Ash exclaimed as he was punched in the gut.
"That's for trying to trick me again you creep!" Megan said angrily.
"What?! I haven't seen you since the incident with Articuno and Moltres." Ash said softly, still trying to catch his breath.
"If you're really Ash, tell me something only he'd know?" Megan demanded.
"You wrote me a letter saying you owed me one Pokeball, and a rescue, and you signed it with pink sparkly lipstick." Ash grunted.
"Ash!" Megan exclaimed happily.
"That boy has some serious issues." The sailor said from the cabin.
"You have no idea." Cassie responded.
"So you're saying there's an evil doppelgänger of me running around?" Ash asked as he sat back down on the boat.
"If I had to guess, he had this Parasect attack me and my Venusaur." Megan admitted.
"Sounds like Team Rocket's Xia." Ash said. "Are you hurt?"
"Nothing more than my pride." Megan said.
"You're one to talk, you punched the wind right out of me." Ash groaned, then hearing a gurgle. "Here, it's not much but I'm guessing you're hungry." Ash said, holding out half a sandwich.
"So where is this heading?" Megan asked, taking a bite of the sandwich.
"It's taking the canal to Viridian City." Ash said, "Apparently there's a new gym leader there."
"So what badge will that be for you?" Megan asked.
"This'll be my eighth badge, how about you?" Ash asked.
"I'm heading back to Brock for my eighth." Megan said holding out a case with a few different badges than what Ash had earned. "I know it's silly, but I want to prove myself to him before the Pokemon League.
"It's not silly, I think it's cool you want to finish your journey where you started." Ash said. "You know I didn't even ask Gilbert how many he has now." Ash realized.
"Who mr Fancy Pants?" Megan asked.
"He was actually fairly considerate last time we met." Ash admitted.
"Well, last I checked he has his eight already." Megan sighed. "So much for keeping up with him. You all are from Pallet Town, right?"
"Yeah, we should actually be able to see it pretty soon." Ash said. "You should come with us after the badge."
"Wait really?" Megan asked. "Are you sure that'll be okay?"
"Okay, I'm pretty sure my mom might throw a parade knowing I've made friends on my journey." Ash joked.
"Have you spoken to her since you left?" Megan asked.
"No, I couldn't do it, I knew if I did, I'd want to go back home, I promised I'd wait until I got all eight badges I needed, my dad understood and said he'd tell my mom." Ash said. "It's been hard, but it'll all be over soon."
"Hey kids, you might want to see this!" The sailor said.
Ash and Megan rushed up to the control room to see a group of Pokemon in the way, and they looked angry.
"What do we do?" Cassie asked.
"Megan, what do you have for water battling?" Ash asked.
"I've got Butterfree, and a Lapras I caught the other day but she's pretty exhausted." Megan admitted.
"Here." Ash said, grabbing healing supplies from his bag. "We'll need all hands on deck for this. Ready Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
"Seel! Dratini! Come on out!"
"Butterfree! Lapras! I choose you!"
Pikachu hopped onto Lapras's head as the five Pokémon lead the charge.
"What are we facing Ash?" Megan asked.
"Uhh, Cloyster; water and ice, Kingler; pure water, Poliwags and Poliwhirls also pure water, and that is one big Seaking." Ash said.
"We've got this. Lapras hold back and wait for the right moment, Butterfree hit them all with Sleep Powder!"
"Seel you hold back too! Dratini use Leer!" Ash commanded.
Dratini's leer distracted the water types long enough for Butterfree to get a couple of passes overhead, making the gathered Pokémon drowsy.
"Alright then, Seel!" Ash called out.
"Lapras!" Megan said.
"Use Surf!" Both trainers said in unison.
The wild water types were pushed out of the way allowing the group to continue forward with ease.
"Dratini seems a bit more in control." Megan said, as they finished recalling their Pokémon.
"I don't think so. Dratini come back out." Ash said.
Dratini popped out of his Pokeball upside down, trying to bite his own tail.
"Okay buddy, calm down." Ash said, separating the two ends of Dratini. "Show Megan your Leer attack."
Dratini stared intensly at Megan, only for both eyes to drift inwards and for him to flip to the ground, his tongue rolling out as he began to catch his breath.
"Was he not breathing when he did that?" Megan asked.
"I think so." Ash admitted, patting Dratini's head.
"It's sweet that you haven't given up on him." Megan commented.
"I have my reasons, but I also believe Dratini has incredible potential locked deep within." Ash said. "I just need to find it."
"Hey you kids might want to get inside, these waters get cold at night." The sailor said.
"Thanks for the heads up, come on let's get to some warmth." Ash said.