Disclaimer on chapter one
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"Welcome aboard the S.S. Floraine, may I see your pokédex and invitation please?" One of the attendants as another Trainer stepped up to the desk at the bottom of the gangplank leading up to the cruise ship.
With the group no longer blocking the dock, Trainers were now flocking to the magnificent white boat that would soon be ferrying them across the open seas to their destination.
"Man, and I thought it looked impressive from afar" Caesar whistled admirably as he and the others waited in line to board the cruiser. "We are gonna be heading home in style"
"You guys came from Velgander too?" Zai asked.
"Yeah, got our first pokémon from Professor Medius and everything" Leonard replied.
"Come again?" Dragon asked in confusion not quite understanding what the Trainers were talking about.
"Me and Leo here hail from the archipelago- he's from Balandor and I'm from Greede" Caesar explained slinging an arm round Leonard's shoulder. "We ran into each other in Johto and participated in the region's Pokemon League. We'd not long arrived here in Unova when we got our invites"
"Interesting. I came from the Faria's Western Isle" Zai mused out loud while his Treeko suddenly pulled himself out of Zai's rucksack and handed the researcher his pokédex and invite as he reached the head of the queue.
"So let me see if I've got this right: three of you-"
"Four" Yulie interrupted Aden. "I came from Parma"
"Okay, four of you guys come from this little known island region" Aden corrected. "And you all just appear here and meet up by pure chance? Kind of a stretch for a coincidence, don't you think?"
"Not really. The Velgander Archipelago doesn't really have that much islands so we can't really have an Island League system like what the Orange Archipelago has" Leonard explained after handing over his pokédex and invite.
"This is sounding more complicated than other regions" Aden sighed.
"Tell me about it" Dragon agreed.
Eventually, the group had gotten through customs and were welcomed aboard by several more attendants as they stepped onto the deck of the ship. Instead of finding their respective rooms, the Trainers decided to instead visit the dining room and have a light meal while those from Velgander took it in turns to explain about their homeland something that Zai, being the researcher that he was, was quick to kick off.
"The Velgander Archipelago is roughly somewhere between Sinnoh and Unova and the island positions roughly form a 'U' if looking from a bird's eye view" He began. "Two of the most populated islands are Balandor, furthest to the east, and the Farian Isles, four smaller islands said to have been a single mass in the past so it's normally just called Faria"
"The largest of the islands is Van Haven. While most of the islands have a single town, this one has several small villages including Sinca where Professor Medius, the Pokémon Professor of the archipelago resides and hands out starter pokémon to all new Trainers from the surrounding isles" Yulie chipped in. "The choice out of three starters vary depending on the time of year when you visit but it's usually one of four regions: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh"
"Makes sense. I haven't been to them all yet but all four are part of one big continent" Aden reasoned hailing from Lavender town in Kanto.
"What's this whole tournament thing about anyways? Something about Balandor and Faria now at peace, was it?" Dragon spoke up.
"Yeah, there's been civil unrest between the two islands for good few years" Leonard explained quietly the topic obviously close to home since he hailed from Balandor. "It's not really known how it started either. One day we were at peace, the next thing we know, people from both isles are invading one another and causing riots"
"Lives were lost on both sides…" Zai whispered staring down at the table sadly.
It was clear to Aden and Dragon that, despite having not set foot on their respective home lands for a while, Leonard, Yulie and Zai had some troubled memories involving the current discussed topic.
Seeing as how the atmosphere around them looked to be flowing south, Caesar clapped his hands merrily making them all jump slightly.
"So, who's up for a little exploring?" He asked jovially looking around at everyone. "We're gonna be stuck on this boat for a while so may as well do the old meet and greet with our future opponents"
"You just want to check out the females on the ship" Leonard sighed unable to hold in the chuckle at his friend's thirst for cute looking girls and women.
"Naturally. Got to live a little to get a little, don't you know?" Caesar threw back good naturedly springing from his seat and setting off with Leonard soon following after him just to make sure he did not put his foot in too far and lose it.
"Shall we follow them?" Dragon asked rather not wanting to suddenly be left on his own after making some new friends.
"Do what you want. We're on a boat so it's not like we won't run into them again later on" Yulie shrugged getting up herself. "I'll see you guys later. C'mon, Jin!"
"Hey, wait up. We'll come…" Aden's voice trailed off as Yulie jogged and out of the room with her pokémon hot on her heels. "…with you"
"Some Trainers just can't stay in one place for too long. Guess it must be harder when on a boat or plane" Zai reasoned.
Nodding his head, Aden winced as the loud whistling sound coming from the boat signalled they were casting off.
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Leonard could only chuckle at the slumped, disappointed form of his friend when he found out about their destination. But really, even if the cruiser had a pool, which it did not, who in their right mind would take a dip so soon after casting off into the open ocean? He might not be much of a sailor but, most people tended to get accommodated with their dwellings and how one would get to them.
"I know you're eager to check out some girls, Caesar, but you're gonna have to wait a little while more" He consoled him. "Besides, if this is a boat full of Trainers, wouldn't the on-board battle arena be the wiser of places to scope out?"
Recovering from his disappointment Caesar merely scratched the back of his head casually.
"I suppose I should really be checking out the accommodations rather than the females right now" He chuckled.
"So, a man can rearrange his priorities if given enough time"
Blinking in confusion, the two Trainers turned as one in the direction of the voice. Immediately, Caesar's eyes fully scoped the hot blonde standing before them a pair of black shades hiding her calculating eyes from view.
"Perhaps but…one look at you can cause us to forget about them- if you know what I mean" He flirted with her.
"What I know is that you are all air" The blonde scoffed making to leave clearly not amused or impressed.
Her words had Caesar's cheerful features morph into a light frown. True, he could be flippant and carefree all he wanted but nobody, not even a cute babe like her, insulted him like that and expected to get away scot free.
"Then how about a battle? That is, if you're not afraid to take on a windbag" Caesar challenged her.
Smirking at how easily the man fell for her bait, the blonde schooled her features before turning round to look at Caesar giving the Trainer another calculating look as if to confirm his supposed skill before giving him her reply.
"There's a battle arena near the back of the main deck. Be there in fifteen minutes and don't be late" She advised him before taking her leave.
Only when the sound of her footfalls disappeared from hearing range did Caesar crack a grin of accomplishment, something that Leonard still did not understand about him in all the time he had known him.
"Don't know why you're grinning. You haven't won yet" Leonard pointed out.
"Leonard, Leonard, Leonard. One of these days you will realise that winning isn't all that matters" Caesar told him as he patted his friend on the shoulder.
Leonard took a slight offense to that. He had learned to enjoy the battles more than the positive outcome which was essential given he had only been able to reach the Top 16 and go no higher in the two Pokémon Leagues he had competed in.
"Say what you want, but that girl looks like she has some strong pokémon on hand" Leonard replied.
"That's what I'm counting on" Caesar grinned palming a pokéball. "My buddy here's been kinda bored with the lack of decent competition since we left Johto"
Shaking his head, Leonard led the way towards the back of the ship where they would soon find out if the mysterious blonde had the bite to back up her bark.
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On a cruiser carrying at least fifty Trainers among its passengers, it was fairly certain that the ship would have a pokémon battle arena for Trainers who wished to kill time keeping their pokémon in peak condition or just for the fun of it. On the S.S. Floraine, it was no different with a good portion of the aft deck covered by an arena big enough for two separate battles simultaneously or, if for official or exhibition matches, a single battle arena.
While in awe at the size of the arena's accommodations, Yulie's attention was soon directed to a familiar Trainer with blue hair in the far corner who was currently focused on treating the injuries of his pokémon after its battle on the pier.
"C'mon now, don't be a baby" Alastor scolded Serperior as she pulled her head back when he applied super potion to the injured side of her face. "You'd think, after nine years of battling, you would be used to this stuff by now"
(It still stings regardless) Serperior hissed narrowing her eyes at her best friend and Trainer.
"Don't give me that look, girl" Alastor sighed spraying super potion onto his hand and bringing it towards the bruise on Serperior's face.
Reluctantly, Serperior allowed the potion stained hand to come in contact with the injury her coils flexing instinctively at the stinging sensation that suddenly coursed through her head. Gently massaging in the potion, Alastor brought up his free hand to scratch the top of Serperior's head just behind the ears. Almost instantly, Serperior began to relax against his touch nearly giving the equivalent to a sigh of relief and enjoyment his administrations were now supplying.
"There we go. That wasn't so bad, was it?" He asked pulling away once the medicine was properly administered and massaged into the injury.
(Perhaps you should get injured yourself sometime. See how you like it) Serperior pointed out head-butting his chest lightly to enforce her point.
Despite not knowing what was being said, Alastor had a good grasp what she was telling him even without being 'attacked' by her. Serperior had been with him the longest, from all the way back in Professor Juniper's lab as a Snivy nine years ago, and it was no surprise that he had gained a strong bond with her out of all his pokémon.
He was unable to retort to her assault as, at that moment, a tug on his trouser legs beckoned him to bring his attention down near his feet where his Kirlia and Snivy were obviously trying to catch his attention before pointing at something behind him. Looking round in the direction they were pointing in, Alastor was unsurprised to see the female Trainer from earlier who had interrupted his battle approaching him.
"Hope you're not here looking for a 'thank you' from me" He told her, the ever rebellious Snivy standing beside him whereas Kirlia took refuge behind his leg.
"Why should I be thanking you for stealing away my battle?" Yulie challenged confidently stopping before the Trainer with Jin sitting proudly at her side.
"Because I honestly don't see you approaching me for anything else" Alastor replied curtly before turning his back on the girl much to her shock and irritation.
"What's your problem? Are you afraid or something?!" Yulie snapped at him suddenly smirking as an idea popped into her mind. "Don't tell me you're scared of battling a girl, are you"
(You tell him, Yulie!) Jin barked gleefully. (He's as scared as that scaredy-cat hiding behind his legs!)
(Go chase a parked car, Muttley!) Snivy snarled at Jin flexing her vines threateningly at the puppy pokémon after listening to him insult both her Trainer and her big sister. (Unless you want me to mop the floor with you!)
(What did you just call me, Smugleaf?) Jin growled angrily.
(Oh, I'm sorry. Was I talking to the wrong end?) Snivy inquired not caring if she was living up to the nickname her kind had been given by people outside of Unova.
(Um, sister, I don't think you should…) Kirlia trailed off still clinging to Alastor's leg while the Trainer coolly observed the purple haired Trainer before him.
"Should I be?" Alastor eventually inquired to the Trainer's taunting.
"Maybe you should. You haven't exactly accepted my challenge for a pokémon battle yet" Yulie replied triumphantly.
"When did you challenge me?"
Opening her mouth to answer, Yulie quickly snapped her lips shut when she realised, much to her surprise and embarrassment, she had not issued the challenge at any point during the course of their conversation.
"F-Fine! I challenge you to a pokémon battle here and now!" Yulie yelled as if believing that raising her voice would force away her embarrassment and heated cheeks.
"I decline" Alastor replied with ease as he recalled Serperior to her pokéball. "I don't like battling while travelling by boat. Draws too much attention to me"
Paying no attention to the slack jawed Yulie, Alastor headed off with his Kirlia and Snivy following after him, the latter looking round to stick her tongue out at Jin who could only gnash his teeth together in anger at seeing someone ignore his Trainer. Unfortunately, the blue haired Trainer was unable to leave the area due to the sudden appearance of another Trainer suddenly appearing in front of him a confident grin plastered firmly on his face.
"You know, it's not nice to turn down the request of a pretty lady" He advised Alastor.
"By all means, battle her on my behalf" Alastor retorted making to slip past the newcomer only to be stopped again by a Mienshao blocking his path.
"But it would be a shame for you not to stick around. Especially as you'll have to battle her afterwards if she beats me" The Trainer added a cunning gleam entering his eyes.
Before Alastor could come up with a counter argument, Yulie, who had started to chase after him, suddenly entered the conversation.
"Agreed and accepted!" She declared eagerly.
"Of course, if she loses she'll have to wear this lovely little bathing suit for the rest of the trip" The Trainer added bringing out a pink, two-piece bikini set for Yulie to see.
Against his will, Alastor snorted softly in amusement knowing full well that this idiotic Trainer's actions had just cost him a battle. He could tell from the look of horror on Yulie's face that she would rather kiss a Skuntank than wear something that only just covered the essentials. So much for their battle.
"Then I'll just have to be sure to beat you!" Yulie stated confidently glaring at the Trainer then turning her attention to Alastor. "You're gonna have to stick around now, Blue. But don't worry. This will be over before you know it"
Couldn't have said it better myself The mysterious Trainer mentally agreed taking advantage of Yulie making one-sided conversation with Alastor to scope the girl out from her sneakers and above the knee socks to up past her denim shorts to the thin zipped up hoodie that hid her body from the naked eye. It took all he had to not drool over the images appearing in his head of the girl in that swim suit she would soon be wearing.
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"The match will be a best of three with a different pokémon each round. Work for you?" The Trainer called out to Yulie from his side of the arena.
"Sure thing" Yulie agreed secretly wishing it was more of the traditional round-robin theme so that she would not be showing Alastor more of her pokémon than need be in case she had to use them in her battle against him afterwards.
From the side-lines, Alastor just wanted them to get on with it already noticing an audience was gathering for the upcoming battle. Not only that but he was sure he had seen the red haired Trainer before or at least heard of him yet he just could not pin a name to the face.
"In that case: go Tyrogue!" The Trainer called out tossing out a pokéball with an over-exaggerated throw.
At the sight of the tiny fighting-type before her, Yulie was confident that she had this battle in the bag.
"Alright then. Simisage, let's go!" Yulie yelled as she tossed out the ball containing the fully-evolved green elemental monkey.
(Dude! Are we cruisin the ocean right now?) Simisage remarked excitedly looking around instead of at his opponent. (Totally awesome, man!)
"Hey!" Yulie called out to her daydreaming pokémon. "Quit dillydallying and attack with Acrobatics!"
(Right, gotcha, sis!) Simisage acknowledged realising where he was and shook off his fantasies, for the time being at least.
Charging forward, Simisage's opponent nor its Trainer did nothing to prevent what was sure to be a harsh blow considering the type advantage Acrobatics had on it. At least, it seemed that way until Tyrogue suddenly glowed brightly.
"You tried to take the pot from the stove too soon, toots" The Trainer remarked casually as the light faded to reveal the evolved form of Tyrogue. "Hitmonlee, use Rolling Kick!"
Unable to stop in time, Simisage could only watch as the Kicking Pokemon before him charged forward and deliver a powerful roundhouse kick to the chest sending him back the way he came.
"Now use Blaze Kick!"
"Simisage, evade!" Yulie called out desperately to her stunned pokémon but it was too late.
In the time it had taken to blink, Hitmonlee had closed the distance and delivered a blazing side snap kick that caught Simisage square in the face sending him skidding across the ground to Yulie's feet.
(Duuuuuuuuuuude...) Simisage groaned before fainting.
"And that's round one to me!" Hitmonlee's Trainer gleefully whooped as he did a crazy little jig in celebration to which his Meinshao palmed its face in embarrassment.
Now I remember! Alastor mentally recalled as both Trainers recalled their respective pokémon. This guy's supposedly the self-proclaimed master of fighting-types in the Battle Club! The Mad King of the Ring, Sid Thornton!
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A nice little to be continued moment to keep you hanging.
Review if possible & until next time
Watch this space & peace out!