Pokemon: Radiant Ruby and Shining Sapphire

Chapter 9

A Cruise to Dewford

The kids came out of the forest to the south and once again were on route 104. They were caught way off guard by the first sight they saw. A pair of Team Skystorm grunts were waiting on the other side of the route near the beach. One of them pointed towards Sapphire and the two sprinted up to them.

"Hey it's you kids!" One of them yelled.

The second one said, "You made us look like fools in front of the boss!"

They skid to a halt in front of the children and pulled out their pokeballs and threw them out. Two massive dragons appeared before the kids. The first was a long and terrifying blue dragon that looked of chinese origin. The second was the red arc winged dragon they saw flying off earlier. The kids pulled out their pokedexs and scanned both.

Gyarados

The Atrocious Pokemon

This pokemon has structurally modified brain cells to match its naturally violent nature. It can rampage for months until its target is completely destroyed. This pokemon is well known for its unstoppable fury.

Salamence

The Dragon Pokemon

This pokemon underwent a mutation to give itself wings through pure desire. It becomes uncontrollable when enraged and ignites fields and mountains with flames.

Salamence roared and extended razor sharp claws from its feet. Gyarados flail around and dented the ground where it landed until it began to levitate in the air.

Sapphire called Mudkip down and Ruby got Combusken to be ready to fight. This will be the hardest battle they have fought yet.

"You ready Combusken?" Ruby asked.

"Let's light em up" Combusken responded.

The first move was made by Salamence without command, it rushed in and wiped Mudkip with its tail, sending it through the air. Combusken saw this and jumped to catch the fish in the air.

Ruby said to Sapphire, "If this is going to work we need to work together!"

Sapphire nodded and said, "Ok, throw Mudkip at Salamence, I want some payback."

Combusken overheard this and upon landing hurled Mudkip at the Dragon. Sapphire gave a mental command as Mudkip used the momentum to counter with a powerful tackle, knocking Salamence to the ground.

Ruby saw the opportunity and commanded, "Combusken, use Ember!"

Combusken shot a fireball from its mouth at Salamence only to be intercepted by a Water Pulse form Gyarados. The water dragon now flew towards Combusken with incredible speed and shot a ball of Purple fire at it. Combusken dodged the attack but then the grunt commanded, "Gyarados use Thrash." It flew up to Combusken and delivered three devastating blows in the air to meteor Combusken to the ground.

Ruby asked, "You ok?"

Combusken slowly got up responding, "Enough to protect Mudkip." Then sprinted towards the other fight.

Mudkip was just barely dodging all of the attacks that the Dragon was throwing at her.

Sapphire saw Combusken running up to help so she commanded, "Mudkip run to Combusken for another attack!"

Mudkip jumped in the air and propelled itself backwards with a spray of water that hit Salamence square in the eye. Combusken caught Mudkip and threw it once again at the dragon, this time knocking it on its side. This time Combusken ran up for a Slash to the stomach on the monster, which opened a bleeding wound on its belly.

Gyarados, feeling ignored rushed into the fight and just as it swung its tail Mudkip jumped in the way and caught the tail with its… Ruby thought, "Hands?"

This wasn't a Mudkip anymore, it had fin like arms and was standing on two legs. It picked up Gyarados and was slamming it into the ground as Combusken saw the opportunity. Right before the Water type hit the ground, he thrust an uppercut into the bottom mouth of Gyarados, which sent it high in the air to fall back down unconscious.

Next, the pissed and injured Salamence regained its footing and flew lighting fast at Combusken. The creature that was once Mudkip saw this and slammed its fists into the ground. The ground shattered till it was right in front of the Dragon- Flying Type then a rock jutted upwards which caused Salamence to stop completely in its tracks as it flew with enough force to break through the rock but skid on the ground until it was at Combusken's feet.

Combusken thought, "Oh hey there buddy. You don't look so good." Then he turned to Ruby, "Let's end this."

Ruby said to Sapphire, "Have Mudkip ready for a headbutt."

Sapphire informed her partner mentally as Ruby commanded, "Use Sky Uppercut and then Slam!"

Combusken grabbed Salamence by the throat and uppercutted it straight into the air and followed up by jumping at the same speed it sent the pokemon. At the peak Combusken brought both fists down to slam Salamence straight down. While still in the air, Mudkip's new form jumped in the air and intercepted the falling pokemon with a devastating head bash on its side. The dragon crashed to the ground and passed out.

Sapphire jumped in the air saying, "That was awesome Marshtomp!"

This name reminded Ruby to pull out his Pokedex to record the new pokemon.

Marshtomp

The Mud Fish Pokemon

The surface of Marshtomp's skin is covered with a thin film that allows it to live on land. It can travel through mud much faster than it can through water and can stand upon two legs because of the toughened form.

The two Skystorm grunts were in complete awe at what just happened. They returned their pokemon absolutely speechless and walked away.

Ruby yelled towards them, "Hey if you need another ass kicking, just come back ok?"

Sapphire just smiled then ran up and hugged Marshtomp who caught her and spun her around once to hug back. Then she let go and tackled Ruby to the ground and hugged him as well saying, "That was soooooo great!"

Once Ruby got back up he said, "Yeah it was fun, but now we should probably find a way to get to Dewford."

He looked around and remembered that the cabin they passed a week ago had a dock and boat. Ruby pointed towards the house and said, "We could ask whoever lives there for a passage across the ocean.

Sapphire nodded in agreement and the children with their two pokemon walked to the cabin. Ruby knocked at the door and an old voice responded, "Yes hello what do you want?"

Ruby asked, "Could we use your…"

Then from inside a large SKWAK interrupted Ruby's question.

The voice then said, "Oh hush Peeko."

Ruby thought, "Peeko? I know that name."

Then he just opened the door and said, "You're the old man I helped save the Wingull of earlier aren't you?"

The man turned around and gave a huge smile, "Yes I remember you, you saved my dear Peeko from that terrible man. Thank you so much for doing so. What can I help you with?"

Sapphire asked, "Can you give us a boat ride to Dewford City?"

The man nodded, "Anything for the people that saved my precious Peeko."

He returned the Wingull to its pokeball and went to the fridge and grabbed a bag. As he did this he said, "My name is Yen Briney by the way. What might I call you two?"

The children told him their names and he then said, "Both gems huh? That's really cute for two lovebirds."

Ruby and Sapphire just blushed. Combusken gave a sigh, "No you aren't in love, you share a relationship but you can't call it love."

Ruby took offense to this and retaliated, "Oh yeah, what do you know? You're not even human."

Combusken calmly responded, "Ruby I had parents that loved each other very much and I had the same mental connection with them as I do with you. What you feel is just affection, which yes, might grow to be love, but it's not yet ok? Trust me, I know this for a fact."

Ruby smirked and said, "You know that was actually really insightful for you, thanks but I'll try to figure this one out on my own."

"Ok then."

Briney then laughed seeing that he made the two embarrassed. He said, "The lovebirds thing was a joke I hope you know."

Sapphire responded, "Yeah I know."

Briney prepared the ship and called the children to board. The kids got on a three decked, white ship. The old man stated, "The trip is a day out so make yourself at home."

The kids went to the lower deck as the boat's horn symbolized its departure. Sapphire and Ruby threw their stuff on their beds. Ruby and Combusken decided the bunk bed was theirs since Marshtomp didn't mind her Pokeball. All four of them fell asleep almost instantly.

In the morning, Ruby decided to sit out on the front of the boat and Combusken followed. Combusken was shaking and looked almost fearful. Ruby saw this and asked, "What's wrong?"

Combusken replied, "I'm surrounded by water and pokemon I'm weak against, what did you think? That I'd be all happy and excited for this?"

All of the Sudden Sapphire came running out and said, "As your rival I want a battle!"

Ruby and Combusken looked at eachother confused because it wasn't that large of a boat, definitely not enough room for a fight. "Um Sapphire," Ruby exclaimed, "You know battles usually take more than a fishing boat for room right?"

Sapphire then shown her bright smile and said, "Fine, I win via forfeit this one."

Ruby said, "No fricken way! How about I battle you when we reach Dewford? There's bound to be plenty of room there."

Sapphire shrugged and replied, "I guess as long as I get my battle."

Then all of the sudden the boat started to rock slightly. Combusken added, "She might see a battle sooner than she thinks."

Ruby was confused, "What do you mean by that?"

"I have a feeling we are about to get attacked."

"We are on a boat, why would…"

The boat shifted and swerved cutting Ruby's thought off. All of the sudden a slimy tentacle came out of the water and caught him and threw him to the side. Briney cried out from the stern, "Get inside! It's a Tentacruel!"

Ruby regained his balance and tried sprinting to the door only to be cut off by Combusken tackling him to the ground. Another tentacle swooped over the two with incredible speed. Combusken picked Ruby up and ran with him to the doorway. Sapphire had already made it inside while Ruby was thrown.

Briney then yelled, "Peeko use Ice Beam!"

Wingull flew in the air and shot a light blue beam from its mouth which hit the water around the boat, freezing the tentacles that were above water in place.

Briney continued, "Well done Peeko! Now use Steel Wing!"

Wingull's wings suddenly started to glow white. The bird flew down and sliced off all of the tentacles above water. Blood spurt everywhere as you could hear the pain filled cry of the Tentacruel. All of the sudden a stray tentacle wrapped itself around the bird and dragged it underwater.

"Peeko!" Briney yelled out.

Ruby looked at Combusken who in turn replied, "Fine, but this is the only time."

Ruby then commanded, "Combusken, use Seismic Toss!"

Combusken jumped off the boat and landed on a shard of ice latched onto the side of the boat. He saw a tentacle coming straight for him, but instead of dodging, he dug his claws deep into the ice to give him support. As the tentacle reached him he grabbed it and prepared himself to jump. All of the sudden, he leapt with incredible speed to above the clouds dragging the Tentacruel with him. While in the air, Combusken reached Peeko who was still in the grasp of the Tentacruel and pride Peeko from its grasp. Once he did this he grabbed the nearest tentacle and started doing front flips in the air, spinning with him his opponent. Once he built up enough momentum he let go of the Pokemon and sent it plummeting to the water in free fall.

Then Combusken reached the peak of his jump and started to fall. "Son of a BITCH!" He yelled out as he fell. But as it were, Peeko came to the rescue and grabbed him. The two soared back to the ship smoothly. Peeko dropped Combusken about 3 feet from the ground back onto the ship.

Combusken looked at Ruby and thought, "Never again you psychotic child."

Ruby smiled and replied, "No promises."

Then they saw the Tentacruel's lifeless body had floated to the top of the water. Peeko flew out and grabbed it, yes the tiny Wingull picked up the huge jellyfish, and threw it on the bow of the ship.

Briney came down from his captain's deck to see the bounty. He turned and looked at Sapphire and Ruby and said jokingly, "You two hungry, got a nice Tentacruel here."

They all laughed and Peeko landed and squaked as well. Then Briney went up and scratched the underside of his bird's beak.

Ruby asked Briney, "How long have you been a Pokemon Battler?"

Briney started to laugh, "I don't battle Pokemon, Peeko is just my fishing partner. We've been together for almost 13 years now so you better learn your partner's abilities in that time."

Ruby responded, "Oh I get it, you and Peeko have been together long enough to be considered family. And who would you know better than your own family?"

Briney grinned, "Yes, precisely. You learn fast. Peeko and I have gone on many month long fishing expeditions in our time together. That is what I see Pokemon as, our families, in the sense that we all survive together in this world. Coexistence is key, man and pokemon wouldn't be anywhere near where we are today without each other's help. Neither is more important in that case."

Ruby was intrigued by this as he remembered the goals of the three terrorist groups in Hoenn. "You know the people who took Peeko a couple days ago right? The man dressed in red?"

Briney's grin faded, "You want to know about them, don't you? Team Magma and Aqua?"

Ruby replied, "I am going to explore this region no matter what it takes. I guess I might as well know what I'm up against."

The fisherman sighed and said, "I'm guessing you already know their motives by now. Magma wants to make a world where human life can expand and Aqua the same for Pokemon. They are as confused as their leaders."

Ruby shot instantly, "You know the leaders?"

Briney nodded, "Yes I actually have been along around enough to know them personally. I don't agree with either of them though. Maxie of Team Magma, he is a cunning young man. His intuition would serve to better all of humanity. His issue with the world though is that it needs to expand to accomplish what he dreams of. With all the oceans and water in surplus he believes that if he can get rid of the excess amounts he could finally achieve that expansion."

Ruby acknowledged his understanding with one question, "But if the water is removed, how could Pokemon survive on their own? They would need human interaction."

"This is true, Pokemon would become reliant on mankind and would be forced into a state of dependence. Maxie plans on using this to create his work force, a Pokemon slave network, even though he'll never admit to that."

Combusken spoke to Ruby, "There are plenty of bad people and Pokemon out there in the world. Maxie is not the only human to think of Pokemon as nothing more than mere slaves. Yet, as a Pokemon myself, I know that there are some of us who would like nothing more than to bring humanity to their knees."

Ruby responded, "It's a messed up world we live in, but I think maybe we misunderstand one another. Maxie may not just be doing this for power."

Combusken chirped, "Well if we're traveling the region, my bet is we'll eventually get to meet him. For better or for worse."

Then Ruby asked Briney, "What about Team Aqua? Why are they so bad? Don't they just want to make a world where Pokemon can thrive?"

Briney sighed, "Team Aqua's intent is not that bad, but their means of achieving their goal is seriously questionable. Terrorist attacks, assassinations of regional political members, and even contradiction of their own motives. The Pokemon that side along with humanity are also their enemies, and Archie doesn't take kindly to things getting in his way.

"Archie?" Ruby asked.

"Yes, the leader of Team Aqua's name is Archie. He is ambitious to a fault, but his intentions are true. And to top it off, he is the most powerful trainer I have ever met. He and his partner's have never lost in a full on battle. The only humans he has respect for are those who can come close to defeating him."

This shocked Ruby, "Wait does that mean even the Champion hasn't beaten him?"

The fisherman replied, "Not even the Champ has won no. But personally I believe this is because the two have never met. Archie's strong, but against the best in the region, I sincerely doubt he would win."

Ruby thought, "Damn it. Someone almost as strong as the Champion is running a terrorist organization? This could be really bad."

Then Briney nodded and said, "That's really all you need to know about the Teams."

Ruby thought for a second and then remembered, "Wait! What do you know about Team Skystorm?"

Briney's smile came back, "I thought everyone knew about the protection team." He said puzzled but willing to tell.

"Protection team?" Ruby asked.

Briney nodded in confirmation and said, "Team Skystorm is the organization trying to foil the plans of the two other teams. Their purpose is to serve the people who have lost their homes or their belongings to the terrorists."

Out of nowhere, Sapphire butted into the conversation, "There is no way in Hell that you are talking about the same Team Skystorm I have seen. They have stolen my dad's Pokemon, molested a girl, and attacked Ruby and I before we got on this boat."

Briney looked at the young girl absolutely shocked about what she said. "That doesn't make any sense, that would never happen in the Skystorm that has been protecting Hoenn for so long. Unless they were just grunts that is. In all three teams grunts have caused many issues not planned by the leaders."

Sapphire told him, "No it's not just grunts, the leader Emerald was the one who stole my father's pokemon."

Briney stuttered to get out, "Did you just say Emerald was the leader?"

Sapphire nodded as her answer.

Fear came over the fisherman's face, "Emerald was the former leader's son. Emerald Draconid, the son of Zinnia Draconid. If he's in power, then what happened to Zinnia?" He looked over his shoulder to notice land. "Well, I guess this conversation will continue next time. There she is. The wonderful paradise of Dewford."

The old man went back to the captain's chambers leaving Sapphire and Ruby on the deck with a Tentacruel's corpse right next to them.

After a few moments Sapphire broke the silence, "What if this Zinnia was killed by Emerald so he could have power?"

Ruby shook his head in disagreement, "That isn't a good enough reason for a child to kill his parent."

Sapphire nodded and said, "This just got even more intriguing. But first we have to become stronger, strong enough to stand up against Archie and Maxie. Dewford's Gym wouldn't be a bad start if you'd ask me."

As the ship approached land, the horn sounded two long horn noises. In a few minutes the kids were on the dock waving to Yen. Then Ruby turned to Sapphire, "I'll race you to the Pokemon Center!"

Without a legitimate response Sapphire took off into the town while Ruby chased her down.