Disclaimer: Welcome to the wonderful world that is Pokémon. Of course everything related to Pokémon is owned and licensed by Nintendo, and I'm sure the author of this story will do his best to treat Nintendo and Pokémon with as much respect as possible. Now, the characters in this story are all original except for professor Oak, Ash, Gary, Misty, Brock, several Jenny's and Joy's and some other weirdo's that wander around in the game and/or series and of course, the Pokémon.

I

Chapter 17 – Back at the beach

I

Later that day our plane landed in Cianwood. I didn't have much time so I had to rush things a bit. I played with the notion of having Frostbite fly us over to the Whirl Islands, but I didn't want to risk him getting hurt. Fuck, an expedition this big should have some proper preparations and I hadn't even given this five minutes of thought. Well, we would need a boat. Sure, Allan could use his Dragonite to surf us there, but I didn't want to use any pokémon. Who knew what we were up against! I mean, we're talking about a very elusive pokémon here. I had a feeling we were going to need all the firepower we could muster. I really wanted Tom and David for this (with a couple of beefed pokémon by their side) and here I was with only Allan. Sure he had proven himself already against the Dark Squad, but this wasn't against some guys handling pokémon, this was against nature himself. And I had no idea how to do it.

"Now what?" Allan asked.

I looked up and sighed.

"I think it's best if we rent a boat."

"My dragonite can surf us there…"

"I know, but I've heard these waters are pretty dangerous and I don't want to get him hurt, not just yet anyway…" I blinked and realised what I just said, "uhm, I mean, we might need him later, in case of an emergency, I mean."

"So do you know where we can get a boat? And maybe we should stock up on potions and repels and stuff, so our pokémon don't get hurt right away…"

"It was a slip up, alright?" I apologised, "I didn't mean it like that."

"It's okay, we'll go to the pokémarkt first and then look for a boat… renting… shop… or whatever those things are called."

"Take only the essentials and the best pokéballs you can get," I told him as I gave him my credit card, "I'll look for a boat."

I

Fifteen minutes later, I sat under the shades in front of the Pokécentre, waiting for Allan.

"Here's a list of my purchases," he said as he sat down, "uhm, the last two things I'll pay you back."

"Normally for this price I would let you have it," I said as I examined those two things, "but I will not be accused in any way of buying Pokémaster monthly and Battle Wars. What the fuck is Battle Wars anyway?"

"It's a card game," Allan explained as he ordered a drink, "you get cards of monsters in play and try to beat your opponent in battle."

"You're fucking kidding me!" I said, "people actually do this while they can fight for real with real life Pokémon? I mean, the name Pokémon means Pocket Monsters. It's implied in the name that they are in fact monsters and they still prefer to play with cards? Must be a lot cheaper than taking care of a pokémon."

"Well, actually…"

"Forget it, I don't wanna know!" I sighed, "let's focus on some bad news, I couldn't find a boat. Most of these wankers just peddle a bit up and down the shore but to go to the Whirl Islands, that's another story. The last guy I went to did give me some advice, though. He said to find some surfers and ask them a boat."

"Too bad we don't know any surfers…"

"FUCK!" I shouted, causing several people to look up, "why didn't I think of this before, I know some surfers."

"You do?"

"Well, sorta, come on, let's go rent a bike, cause it's a hell of a hike."

I

We arrived at the beach, and were spotted by the same surfers as before. I greeted them as they approached and the ringleader stopped in front of me.

"Well, if it ain't the pokéhunter that can't surf," he grinned, "come here to catch that big dragon on Whirl Islands?"

I smiled at Karen (who looked as lovely as I remembered her) and nodded.

"If I can get a boat, that is. And I was hoping I could find one here."

"No luck, cowboy," Karen shook her head, causing her blond ponytail to shake, "we've got someone else asking for it and he's getting squat either."

"Who is asking and who's not giving?" I asked as I looked passed them.

That big figure, could it be? No! Fucking! Way! First Allan and now…

"Frankie! That you?" I shouted and laughed.

"Holy crap! Tony?" the big hiker laughed and came closer, "Man! It's been ages!"

"I know! Man, we sure kicked some serious butt at Mount Moon, didn't we?"

I shook his hand and he pulled me in for a hug. Hey, the guy was twice my size, you won't see me complaining.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Well, I wanted to take a trip to those Whirl Islands, but I can't get a boat anywhere. And then some police officer told me to come here."

"Andy, right?" I grinned.

"Yep, that's the guy! But when I got here, seems this guy won't lend me his boat."

"Well, I have to go to the Whirl Islands, so if I talk to the guy, maybe you can join us. By the way, this is Allan. Allan, meet Frankie."

"Hey, how are you doing?" Frankie gripped Allan's hand and almost squashed it.

"Hngg," Allan replied and tried to massage some life back into his hand.

"So where is this guy that won't give you his boat?" I asked.

"I'll go get him, maybe you can talk some sense into him." Frankie said and left towards a group of surfers.

"You have some strange friends," Karen said as she watched him go.

"I have normal ones," I defended myself, "well, I know people who can be defined as normal."

"So, what was that at Mount Moon you were talking about?" she asked.

"That was awesome," Allan interrupted, "he single-handedly took on the Dark Squad and helped the cops during a raid!"

"Allan, please," I tempered his enthusiasm, "you weren't there, I was, so let me do the talking, alright? Anyway, it was awesome," I told Karen, "I single-handedly took on the Dark Squad and helped the cops during a raid. No, seriously, I snuck in the rock path, because I had to get across Mount Moon, met Frankie and along the way lucked out against the Dark Squad. If the cops hadn't turned up at the last moment, we might not have been so lucky."

"So, all that was just coincidence," she said, "it's not like you have something to do with Team Rocket or stuff like that."

"Team Rocket? Me?" I tried to laugh, "nah, of course not! I have nothing to do with those guys, whatever gave you that idea?"

I

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

I looked up, surprised to hear that voice and saw Tom coming closer, followed by Frankie.

"Nothing with Team Rocket?" Karen whispered.

"Well…" I was at a loss.

I had no problem in running in with some old friends, provided they were either Tom, David, Allan or even Frankie, but please not all at the same time! I didn't want anyone to know I used to be a Rocket. Frankie even didn't like Rockets, so who knew how he would react if he found out.

"I'm, uh, I'm trying to find a boat," I tried to save the situation.

"What for?" Tom asked.

"I want to get to the Whirl Islands to catch a pokémon."

"You want to go to the Whirl Islands and catch a pokémon?" he asked as he closely observed me, "now? At this time? With all the shit that's going on back in Kanto? Didn't David contact you?"

"Ooh, a second R…"

I hushed Karen before she could finish that sentence.

"It's the last thing I have to do before I return," I explained, "I have to do this, you could say I'm honour bound."

"Honour bound," Tom nodded, not really buying it.

"Okay, I was paid to get this pokémon and I haven't delivered it. And I don't want to be known as a guy who doesn't do what he's paid for."

"But after that," he asked, "you'll go straight to Kanto?"

"Yep, you can come along if you want."

"Good, cause I'm going with you. How many are tagging along?"

"Just me, Allan and Frankie," I said, "got any pokémon yet?"

"Not yet, I'm working on it though."

"Yeah, my sweet dear brother, terror of the pokémon world, just got his pokédex. He's an official trainer now."

"Shut up," Tom winced.

"He's your brother?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yep," Karen said, "one's a cop and the other…"

"is a slacker." I finished the sentence, "when can we leave?"

"It's almost evening, so what about tomorrow?" Frankie said, "I mean, if that's okay with everyone. I know from experience it's not a good idea to go hiking in the middle of the night."

"We leave tomorrow before sunrise," Tom said, not taking his eyes of me, "that way we'll arrive at the islands at dawn. I want a word with you later."

I nodded and he turned back to his friends.

"You know that guy?" Frankie asked.

"Old friend who I recently reacquainted," I answered truthfully, "he's a good guy, don't worry about it. He might seem a little dodgy, but that's because… well, he is… but you can trust him."

"Fine," Allan shrugged, "if you say so."

"Good, we'll debrief at nine at those cabins…"

"Debrief?" Frankie laughed, "wow, talking about serious."

"It is," I nodded, "and far more serious than I have given this credit for. You know the Pokémon Collector Bill?"

"Of course," Allan said, "who doesn't?"

"It's a job for him."

I

"So you're really here for that pokémon?" Tom asked as he sat down next to me on the beach, watching the sunset.

"Yep, one last thing before I go back to Kanto," I sighed, "well, personally, I think it's just an excuse so I get killed and I don't have to go back."

"Are you the guy who would drag innocent men into their deaths?"

"In case of Allan, in a heartbeat," I replied, "but Frankie… nah, I kinda like him. He seems to be the last honest person on the face of the planet. I mean, I offered him one of those fossils in Mount Moon and he didn't want it because he thought it would be wrong."

"Wow, best not to say who I am, then."

"If only your sister would be able to keep quiet."

"You know, she likes you," Tom suddenly said.

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow, "cool! I mean, she's totally hot."

"She's my sister," Tom said, "you don't say stuff like that to me."

"Either I tell you or I tell Allan who will make inappropriate comments."

"Don't fucking say anything to anyone then."

"Fine," I grinned, "but yes, I think she's an attractive girl, and I like her too. Is she involved with anyone?"

"Not that I know of," Tom shrugged, "not that I've been around much lately, but we still have a lot of contact over the internet."

"What about the boss of that little posse?"

"Clark?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think that's his name."

"She grew up with him, just one more brother to play with, so to speak. She's a surfer, but she's not looking for a surfer."

"So you really think I stand a chance? Cool!"

"Fuck off," he spat as he got up.

I laughed loudly as he kicked me while he passed and sighed. Well, I had Karen here, and Stephanie in Goldenrod, and I was thinking about going back to Kanto. What the fuck was I thinking? I had to go back, however, I had no other choice. I got up and suddenly thought I saw a couple of glowing eyes in the bushes. I peered into the darkness and saw Clark stepping out of the bushes. He absently greeted me, but kept eye contact, and not too friendly eye contact! Maybe Karen wasn't looking for surfer, but who said a surfer wasn't looking for her? Well, that still left Stephanie. Yeah, kiddo, keep dreaming. Time to turn in. Tomorrow was going to be an early day.