Part IV - The Tourists and the First Mate
It was still a week before they were to set sail for the Decolore Islands. Once more, Zoey was working her padlock stand with Jim's assistance. Professor Livesey was there as well, having again brought Salva with her to spend time with Ralph learning human speech.
"Jim," a voice said.
The young teenager in question turned to find the speaker. Ralph and Salva had massive smiles on their faces.
"Success, Salva!" Ralph cried.
Salva made several happy Poké speak noises before relishing in her developing language skill. "Jim, Jimmy, Jim, Jimmy, Jim, Jim, Jimmy!"
"Now let's try Zoey's name," Ralph suggested. "It uses sounds closer to those in Scorbunny, though it also possesses more syllables than 'Jim.'"
"Aye, a daunting challenge, it must be, advancing from one syllable to two," Zoey said sarcastically.
"[It is indeed when you must learn the language raw whilst unused to speaking it,]" Salva replied with audible frustration.
"Try it," Ralph encouraged.
Salva took in a breath. "Sko-ey," she said.
"That was very near, though a rogue 'K' could be heard."
"[My apologies.]"
Jim, Zoey, and Professor Livesey left them to their lessons.
"How goes preparations for the voyage, Professor?" Jim asked.
"Very well, I think," the Professor replied with a confident smile. "I have spoken with the captain our friend Trelawney has sighted for the voyage and in his ability I have great confidence. I spoke also with his first mate; a rather professional fellow that one."
"How do you mean?" Jim asked.
"The first mate has quite the interest in testing the battle skills of those Pokémon attached to officers and valued crew members. As such, he challenged Chester. The Squire's bodyguard was victorious, though I fear only by a lucky strike of Shadow Claw."
"The first mate is a Pokémon then?" Jim asked.
"Yes, as is the Captain."
"You don't suppose he shall call upon us to test our own battling prowess, do you?"
"He might; should he deem you valued crew members," Livesey responded.
"Who would accuse us of not being valued crew members!?" Zoey yipped, sounding offended. "It was us who found the map and defended it from the pirates; no other being attached to our voyage could be of greater import!"
"Such commitment could reach the ears of our first mate. Would you truly wish to battle him who Chester defeated only through a grace of luck?" Jim questioned.
Zoey look of offence faded and she turned back to the task she was originally here for. "Padlocks!" she cried out. "Padlocks for sale!"
Unfortunately, it seemed that nobody was really in need of padlocks. Zoey sighed and slumped herself on the table she was using as a stand and resigned herself to another failure. Jim and the Professor continued talking, unaware of her plight.
"Have you laid your eyes upon the vessel commissioned for our voyage?" Jim asked.
"I have and no finer a ship could be found for us. She is quite large at the Squire's insistence, perhaps too much so; alas, he feared we shan't have enough space to hold our cargo on our return trip."
"How much treasure should we have to ferry back here?"
"'Tis Impossible to say; the smallest gemstone may be worth the greatest fortune. The treasure's worth is, I think, likely in such gemstones and perhaps precious metals; all of which stored in sea chests akin to the one owned by Billy Bones. Perhaps a few larger items of value shall be found, but it should not be much more claustrophobic on the voyage home than the voyage to it."
"Maybe enough space shall be spared for guest voyagers?" Jim joked.
Zoey's ears perked up at Jim's words while Livesey shook her head.
"There will be no such thing; if not physically on the ship itself, then certainly not within the web of secrecy regarding the true purpose of this voyage," the Professor said sternly. She shook her head and sighed. "I pray the Squire keeps his mouth on a leash until we are at sea. Every moment is one his carelessness could bring our motives into the light."
"So with one purpose we shroud another," Zoey said, causing Jim and Professor Livesey to turn to her.
"How do you mean, Zoey?" Jim asked.
"An idea based on your own words, Jim. We do invite guests with us on this voyage; guests interested in the sights of the Decolore Islands. With the cover of a sightseeing voyage, none shall suspect our true intentions!"
Jim thought about Zoey's suggestion while the Professor seemed to believe it did not warrant any.
"A suggestion truly absurd," Livesey said. "To split our attention between our search and such guests is impossible; much more so should they be kept unaware of our intentions. And need I even mention how they too must be fed and given sleeping quarters."
"I find merit in the idea!" Zoey retorted. "You say we shall have plenty of space, and, to mindless tourists, that the sea chests carry provisions for our return trip shouldn't be unbelievable!"
"No; and my answer shan't ever change," the Professor said with finality. "No tourists or guests of any kind shall, for any reason, accompany this voyage!"
"I've no recollection of such a choice being within your power. I believe it belongs to the Squire bankrolling our endeavor."
Livesey went silent at that, but it did not last. "Your suggestion would strain our provisions, our space aboard ship, and place our mission at greater risk of public knowledge. The laughter Trelawney shall give out upon hearing this plan shall be heard across all of Galar. You would not dare take it to him."
She did.
"An interesting proposition, friend Zoey," Trelawney said as he gained a ponderous look.
"Sir Squire, you cannot consider this with any seriousness," Livesey started. "I pray— no, I beg of you, do not allow for this parody of common sense to happen!"
"But its success is plausible, is it not?" the Squire questioned.
"Undoubtedly!" Zoey agreed. "None shall even suspect our true intent; of this, I'm most certain!"
Livesey blanched at the sight of the Squire gaining a confident smile. She clasped her hands together and got to her knees.
"I say again; I am begging you, Squire John Trelawney. Pray, do not let this happen!"
The Squire thought a bit more. "Perhaps a second opinion is needed," he concluded.
"Who have we to ask for one?" Zoey asked.
The three debaters looked around the living room of Squire Trelawney's manor. The only other people or Pokémon nearby were Jim, Ralph, and Salva. They had taken off to another corner to continue Salva's human language lessons; Jim had volunteered to help.
"Pray pardon, Jim and fellow friends," Trelawney called to them, getting their attention. "Might you have any thoughts about friend Zoey's proposal?"
"We exclude ourselves from this debate," Jim replied.
"Aye," Ralph agreed.
"Aye," Salva added. She earned smiles from Jim and Ralph with her seamless pronunciation.
"Never will there be more supportive and helpful siblings than you," Zoey sarcastically grossed.
"Well, then in the absence of other opinions I must follow my own," Trelawney said. "Zoey may proceed with her plan, and Livesey, you shall assist her with it."
Zoey gave out a cheer while the Professor brought her hands to her face.
"Why, Squire?" she pleaded. "For what reason could you approve this scheme?"
"Because a cover story is in need, I fear," the Squire argued. "Why, just recently I almost spoke of our true mission to the man I have hired as our sea cook. Only by the timely intervention of Jim and your assistant Silvia was our secret saved."
"Skalva!" the misnamed Scorbunny shouted from the other end of the room as Livesey groaned.
"Another rogue 'k' it seems," Ralph said.
"Original One, gift to me the strength to manage this nonsense," Livesey moaned under her breath.
"Livesey, assist Zoey with her plan," the Squire instructed again. "And from hereafter we are to claim ours is a mapping and sightseeing mission pending our return to Galar, agreed?"
"Agreed," was the chorus in return. Livesey's reply sounded decidedly defeated.
"Would that I could relinquish my post on this voyage to another," the Professor groaned as she got up from her seat. "Come then, friends. We'll conduct this business near our ship so the… guests may see it for themselves as they sign on."
Salva jumped to her master's shoulder while Zoey and Ralph did the same to Jim.
"This is merely another fast money scheme of yours, is it not?" Jim asked Zoey under his breath.
"What issue would you make if it is so?"
"We're soon setting sail for the greatest treasure horde ever collected; a responsible person's finances for two lifetimes could be secure with but a fraction of it. How can such wealth still not be enough for you?"
"What share we take from the treasure goes to rebuilding the Admiral Benbow, I cannot imagine getting anything greater. The profits I make from this venture, however, shall be mine and mine alone."
"Why should we not get much more than that?" Ralph asked. "Are we not as important to the voyage as the Professor navigating it, or the Squire financing it, or the Captain leading it? Did you not express offense at the notion of us being less important than they?"
"I would presume the latter two you named to take most of the profits before splitting the remains amongst everyone else," Zoey replied.
Jim and Ralph looked at each other. That did not sound fair at all.
"Worry not, brothers," Zoey continued cheerily. "The Squire shall have no grounds to claim the profits from my side venture, and unlike he I shall happily share as much of my profits as you desire."
While such a sentiment was appreciated, Jim and Ralph were not exactly reassured by it. Considering Zoey's last two ventures either only succeeded because she cheated a blind pirate, or made very little profit, no one would blame them.
The Professor led the small group to Hulbury's docks where ships of all shapes and sizes rested, their masts stretching into the air and providing a miniature skyline for the area. Various wild flying Pokémon roosted on the rigging and could be spotted flying overhead or resting atop various surfaces looking for dropped food to steal.
Eventually, Professor Livesey stopped in front of one ship in particular. "Here she is friends, our vessel for this voyage," she said.
While not the largest ship at the docks by any stretch, this vessel was hardly small and looked to be in pristine condition. She had three tall masts stretching skyward, though her sails were furled in at the moment. Her hull seemed large enough to house two internal decks and was painted a royal blue colour with a horizontal yellow stripe running down the length. Lids could be seen in the yellow stripe covering what must be the attack ports for the vessel. On the vessel's bow, underneath the bowsprit, was her figurehead of three draconic Pokémon; one which resembled a sauropod with a chestplate and a structure on its back, another which resembled a theropod with shoulder pad structures and wings, and another sauropod which had half-rings on the back of its neck with a crown-like structure around its head.
"Are those the creation dragons of Sinnoh legend?" Jim asked, pointing to the figurehead.
"Indeed they are," Livesey nodded. "The vessel was constructed in the Sinnoh region and the figurehead is a 'signature' of sorts for the shipbuilders. Her name is Mt. Coronet."
Jim and Ralph stared at the figurehead a little longer. There was something about their eyes that was almost entrancing, as if Dialga, Palkia and Giratina were somehow staring back through their likenesses.
Zoey jumped down from Jim's shoulder and transformed into Professor Livesey. "A very comely vessel, the shipbuilders should be proud," she said. "But we have not come to marvel at their work."
So they set to the scheme Zoey had planned. A table was set up in front of the Hispaniola and a sign stating the intentions of the voyage and the allowance of sightseers was hung down in front. Zoey turned back into herself and took her place on the table and began announcing.
"Come one and all on a voyage to the Decolore Archipelago!" she called. "Be part of a great and historic adventure to finally map these unsettled islands of many wonders and mystery! Our space is limited, so hesitate not to take your chance!"
With that call to action, Zoey and her somewhat unwilling assistants waited for the eager tourists to sign on.
And they waited…
Zoey made her call to adventure again.
And they waited some more…
Zoey made her call for the third time.
But nothing happened.
"You can't be serious!" Jim complained behind Zoey. She looked back.
Her "assistants" were playing go fish.
"How can you have no six of spades?" Jim asked Salva, who simply shrugged in response.
Zoey turned back to the front and sighed. It seemed the Professor was right, if only for the wrong reasons. This was a bad idea simply because no one would want to accompany a map-making expedition. Perhaps they would a treasure hunt, but advertising that element of the trip was never going to happen. She looked behind her at the Mt. Coronet; at the very least she could expect more than enough space to herself on the ship to wallow in her failure if there were no sightseers. She turned back to the front of her stand.
And saw a horde of yellow mice Pokémon standing in front of her and staring at her expectantly.
"Um… can I be of aid to you all?" the Zorua asked nervously.
"You say you voyage to the Decolore Islands, yes?" a Pikachu in the horde questioned. She seemed to be the leader.
"Aye, it's a brief trip but an important one."
"My colony here has sought for a voyage akin to yours; one to a tropical island of warm sunlight for relaxing and cool water for swimming!"
Zoey's earlier depressed mood evaporated completely. She turned back to her assistants with a cheeky smile. Jim, Ralph, and Salva looked surprised that this insane plan would actually work, while Professor Livesey was still clearly annoyed it was going forward at all.
"What would cause you and yours to search for such a voyage, miss…?" Zoey asked.
"You may know me as Pedal," the Pikachu replied. "Our cause is merely one of vacation away from Galar. Though we love our home, some time away is needed else we grow bored of it entirely. It shan't be going anywhere."
That little comment made Jim and Ralph seize up a little, considering the status of their home.
It bothered Zoey as well, but she hid it for the sake of professionalism in business. "Our mapping mission will take some precedence," she said. "Can you be trusted to behave well without the supervision of the sailors and officers? And to follow what instructions are given to you without any fuss?"
Pedal placed a paw over her heart and held the other up. "So I swear, we shall be responsible guests on this voyage and obey every order given by the captain, officers and others of authority," she pledged before turning back to her colony. "So swear you all?"
"So swear us all," the colony of Pikachu replied in a chorus, some of them in human speech.
"Then welcome aboard!" Zoey replied. "Come to me so you may purchase your pass. It shall cost you each five Poké, please." She then turned behind her. "Livesey, pray assist me in this endeavor by counting passes and guests."
Livesey still did not look very happy but did as she was asked. For some time Zoey and Livesey exchanged the hastily made boarding passes for five Poké with the Pikachu. Jim, Ralph, and Salva simply continued their game unimpeded. Eventually, the last of the Pikachu colony traded their piece of money for a pass and returned to their large group. Zoey turned to Livesey.
"Your estimation of the profits, Professor?" the Zorua asked.
"Five hundred, if my arithmetic has not failed me," Livesey replied. She afforded herself a comfortable and cheeky smile in spite of the enterprise she was trapped in. "And it never has."
"Did your ears hear those words, brothers?" Zoey said as she turned to look to Jim and Ralph. "A profit of five hundred was made!"
Jim smiled. "Congratulations to you, Zoey. It's easily been your most successful venture; pending, obviously, the upcoming voyage."
"[Of course, there is no difficulty in making a profit when not even a penny was spent on the investment,]" Salva added sarcastically.
Zoey turned up her nose at the jab and turned back to her customers who were eagerly chatting amongst themselves about the upcoming trip. Pedal waddled up to Zoey again.
"A hundred thanks are in order for you, Ms. Zoey," she said. "Quite literally I might add." She gestured to the rest of the Pikachu colony behind her.
"And a hundred 'you are welcomes' are returned," Zoey assured with a smile.
"What happens here?" asked another voice in a masculine human speech.
All one hundred and five pairs of eyes turn to the speaker. He was a humanoid Pokémon with a yellow skeletal body with brown sections resembling armour on its chest, shoulders, forearms, and knees. He also had a long flowing mustache on the tip of its long and pointy snout and a spoon in each hand.
Professor Livesey rose at the sight of the Alakazam before them. "Friends, I suppose now 'tis time for you to meet our voyages' first mate," she said. "Salva, Ralph, Jim, Zoey, this is Arrow."
The Alakazam in question lowered his head respectfully. "'Twill be Mr. Arrow to the lower-ranked than I. 'Tis a great pleasure to be introduced to you all; the inciters of our upcoming voyage. Now I must ask again, what happens here?"
"Why the selling of boarding passes of course," Zoey answered. "We have one hundred vacation seekers to add to our Decolore Island mapping voyage." She provided a wink to Arrow, hoping he would understand.
Arrow gave Zoey a confused look and then turned to squint at Livesey. The Professor nodded to confirm Zoey's words. Mr. Arrow's look of confusion left him.
"Of course," he said. "And a great host of such guests it is."
Zoey smiled at what she perceived to be a compliment. Livesey gave an eye roll.
"But with you in my presence, Zoey and Ralph, I would ask a question," Arrow continued.
"Ask it, don't hesitate," Zoey eagerly replied.
"How fare the two of you in battle?"
Ralph looked away in embarrassment and Zoey lost her confident smile, replaced by an awkward frown.
"We…" Zoey started before trailing off. She was not exactly eager to recall her easy defeat at the hands of Black Shuck, or how badly their previous training sessions had gone.
"I see," Mr. Arrow continued. "If you wish not to tell me, then you must show me. You shall both battle me here and now."
"Mr. Arrow, I must object," Livesey interceded. "Zoey and Ralph have little training in the ways of battle; only recently have they been given any."
"They should battle me all the more, then. With no understanding of their weaknesses or possible strengths, how are we to minimize the former and improve the latter?"
Zoey simply stared at the First Mate with a slight glare. She did not appreciate being implied to be "weak."
"I think myself quite capable of my own protection," she said.
"I believe no boast not supported by evidence of its truth," Mr. Arrow replied. "And the weak are always the first to boast of their strength. If you are so confident, then face me."
Zoey jumped from the table and lightly snarled. "Alright, I shall!"
"Consider it thusly, Zoey," Jim spoke up. "If he desires to battle you, he thinks us important crew members."
"Indubitably," the Alakazam replied. "And I shall have no important crew members lacking in battle prowess." He looked to Zoey standing roughly ten yards in front of him. The Pikachu tourists had also gathered round to watch, conveniently creating a bit of a half circle to battle inside. "En garde, Zoey! You may strike first!"
Zoey charged at Mr. Arrow before leaping into a lung. Her forepaws sharpened into points in a Fury Swipes.
Mr. Arrow's eyes glowed a light blue and a similarly coloured dome of energy surrounded him. Zoey's Fury Swipes clawed the Protect over and over to no avail, forcing her to jump back to a safe distance. As Mr. Arrow's Protect lowered, his spoons glowed a yellow color. He swept them horizontally in front of him, launching a barrage of yellow stars at Zoey. She did not move to dodge the Swift attack; it actually looked like she was going to let it hit her. She was bowled over onto her back from the power when the swarm of stars hit her.
Despite the damage she had taken, Zoey got up and charged again. This time, her body had an eerie red and orange glow covering it. Mr. Arrow did not try to avoid the attack and Zoey rammed into his chest. He winced from the impact but otherwise shrugged it off as Zoey once again leapt back to a safer distance to take stock of her opponent.
"How have you taken no damage!?" she asked, sounding almost insulted that her attack looked to have done nothing. "Payback should have you floored!"
"Your stratagem was sound and 'twas a wise choice in move, but my defense dwarfs your offense it seems," Mr. Arrow replied. "Your attack power is low, and your strategies are like the sky in their openness."
Zoey definitely looked insulted now. "You'll have your greater attack power!" she shouted. She opened her mouth and a familiar ball of purple energy began forming in front of it. Jim and Ralph watched in surprise; this time the Shadow Ball seemed bigger than normal. Usually, it was around the size of Zoey's head, but now it looked to be twice that.
And yet, when Zoey tried to fire it, it once more dissipated instead.
Zoey began screaming unprintable words and sounds in frustration. Some of the Pikachu covered their friend's ears. Unfortunately, it meant that Zoey did not see Mr. Arrow speed to her front until he was right in her face.
Mr. Arrow's right fist glowed with green energy as he punched Zoey in the gut. The empowered fist seemed to sap energy from Zoey as she went sailing into the air before landing on the floor, her eyes now swirls in unconsciousness.
"Zoey!" Jim and Ralph cried as they rushed to their sister's aid along with Salva.
"Mr. Arrow!" Professor Livesey scolded. "Such a Drain Punch was most unnecessary considering Ms. Zoey's limited battle experience!"
"A true attacker would have done her much worse," Mr. Arrow replied, showing little remorse. "Ms. Zoey is in dire need of training. The attack which would be of the most use she cannot control, and those she can use have no attack power to lend them strength."
"Professor Livesey, Zoey must be seen by Dr. Joy with all haste!" Jim cried.
"Than waste no more time in going to her," Livesey encouraged. "I shall clean up friend Zoey's enterprise."
Jim, with Ralph on his shoulders, picked up the fallen Zorua and began running into town. The horde of Pikachu politely made a path through them. Livesey cleared her throat to get the attention of Pedal as Salva jumped onto her head.
"Ms. Zoey is very grateful for your patronage, and your colony's," she said. "It would be a lie to say I approved of her action, but to see her happy is most pleasing."
"Our thanks to you as well, Professor Livesey," Pedal replied. "We hope to see Ms. Zoey in great health when our voyage begins."
With those farewells, the Pikachu colony departed the docks. Livesey took some amusement in the trouble this caused for others walking the docks before turning to direct her wrath at Mr. Arrow once again.
However, the Alakazam was not there anymore.
Livesey did not need to be a professor of multiple studies to figure out where the First Mate had gone to. And when she did, it was her turn to say something unprintable.
Salva was a bit less vulgar in her response. "Oh no."
Fortunately, Dr. Joy was not tending to any patients when Jim and Ralph arrived. Dr. Joy quickly took them back to her house where Ms. Zoroark was still confined while she recovered. She was looking decidedly better though, and she had even started moving around once more as long as it was not too strenuous. Her reaction to Zoey and Ralph's condition after the battle with Black Shuck had been restrained only by still being confined to the couch.
When she saw her unconscious daughter being rushed into the house and placed upon the living rooms centre table, there was nothing restraining her.
"WHO HAS DONE THIS!?" she screamed.
Jim and Ralph told of the encounter with Mr. Arrow, his challenge, and how Zoey rose to it after his implications of her weakness.
Then there was a knock on the door.
"Ms. Zoroark, pray answer that would you?" Dr. Joy asked as she tended to Zoey.
Ms. Zoroark briefly let go of her wrath to do as she was asked. On the other side of the door was an Alakazam that Jim and Ralph immediately recognized.
"Mr. Arrow?" Ms. Zoroark asked with faux politeness.
"I am he," the Alakazam replied.
A Flamethrower attack blasted him from the door and back into the street.
"Madam! What is the cause of such wrath!?" Mr. Arrow demanded as he got back to his feet.
"That you saw fit to battle my daughter with such unwarranted brutality!" Ms. Zoroark screamed in reply as claws turned an eerie black for a Night Slash.
"Your daughter is to accompany a potentially dangerous voyage!" Mr. Arrow replied as he put up a Protect. Ms. Zoroark's Night Slash left scratch marks on the energy shield, but it still held. "She must be battle-ready at once!"
"I shall not have it be done through such intensive training!" Ms. Zoroark replied as flames began dancing in her mouth.
Mr. Arrow's eyes glowed blue as Ms. Zoroark fired the Flamethrower. The approaching jet of fire was captured in a blue aura and suddenly swerved around the Alakazam before turning around and going back the way it came. Ms. Zoroark tried to dodge, but her still weakened body would not cooperate. The Zoroark was then blasted to the ground by her own Flamethrower.
"Ms. Zoroark!" Jim and Ralph cried before turning to glare at the Alakazam.
Ralph in particular was looking angrier than Jim could ever recall seeing him. "How dare you!" the Rattata cried. "First you defeat my sister with undue force, and now you turn your attacks to our injured and rightfully enraged mother!? How. Dare. YOU!"
The "you" Ralph shouted was punctuated with a stream of dark purple rings forming in front of his mouth and launching at Mr. Arrow. The Alakazam quickly braced himself and shrugged off the unexpected Dark Pulse.
"ENOUGH!" both a familiar human doctor and a familiar human professor yelled.
Dr. Joy hurried to Ms. Zoroark, muttering about how weeks of recovery had now been undone. Professor Livesey meanwhile marched to Mr. Arrow and looked absolutely livid. She grabbed him by the ear and forced him to look her in the eye.
"Mr. Arrow, if this parody of an officer's conduct continues I shall see you removed from this voyage with all haste and mayhaps in Constable Jenny's shackles! Am I understood!?"
"I meant no harm to Ms. Zoey, and certainly not her injured mother," Mr. Arrow replied.
"Have you considered the stage as an alternative career?" Jim asked sarcastically.
Mr. Arrow ignored him. "Quite the opposite, I followed to see too the Zorua's recovery."
"Dr, Joy will see to that," Professor Livesey replied, watching as the doctor carried the injured Zoroark back into her house. "You will leave the training of Zoey and Ralph to themselves and their family."
"If that is what they wish."
"I don't," the voice of a familiar Zorua said.
Zoey, covered with bandages, had managed to get herself into the doorway. "It's clear to me this Alakazam knows very well what he's about. As well, he possesses a better understanding of battling than I or anyone else I know."
"Despite your defeat at my hand, you would still have me train you?" Mr. Arrow asked.
"I would." Zoey stared back at Mr. Arrow with unwavering determination. "If you believe you can."
"Any Pokémon who trains shall one day be quite the force in battle." Mr. Arrow then pointed to Ralph. "Consider your Dark Pulse; have you used it before today?"
"No, never," Ralph timidly admitted, having been made the centre of attention. "Never was I even aware I could."
"As a Dark-type, it was within your ability, even before your demonstration. You simply require practice to use it effectively and repeatedly," he turned to Zoey, "as you require practice to use your Shadow Ball."
"I would strongly recommend discussing the matter with Ms. Zoroark before any training truly begins," Professor Livesey interjected.
Mr. Arrow nodded. "Indeed; as well, I should apologize for my earlier behavior. Once our business is concluded, you shall both be trained for the voyage with all haste."
"But, now wait—" Ralph started. But Mr. Arrow had already headed into Dr. Joy's house.
"What is it, Ralph?" Jim asked.
"I… have not yet decided whether I shall even attend this voyage," Ralph said.
Zoey partially walked, partially stumbled her way towards Jim with Ralph on his shoulder. She looked up to the Rattata. "Does your fear of the sea weigh on you that much?"
"It does weigh heavily. Though, my desire to see you all safe seems to weigh equal." He sighed. "There is no persuading you not to go to sea, is there not?"
"No, Ralph," Jim said. "We sail for Flint's treasure; preferably with you, but your absence shall not stop us."
"I will add, though," Zoey said. "Your fear of the sea and sailing it shall never be conquered if you continue to hide on dry land."
Ralph looked down. She did have a point.
"[Consider this, Ralph,]" Salva spoke up. "[I shall be going on this voyage, as would be expected of the Professor's assistant. If you attend with us, our lessons in human language can continue.]"
Ralph seemed caught between a rock and a hard place. He looked towards the ocean, then towards Salva, and lastly towards his siblings. He looked to the ocean once more and gained a determined look.
"Damn the sea," he finally said. "I sail with you all."
Jim and Professor Livesey smiled. Zoey, however, walked up to Salva. "[You are aware of his feelings towards you, aye?]" she asked in whispered Poké speak.
"[Of course,]" the Scorbunny replied.
"[Then know that if you manipulate his heart for your own benefit, my wrath will be scarier than that of any legend; no matter my physical status.]"
Salva nodded. "[You need not worry, friend Zoey,]" she assured. "[Were I truly bereft of any interest, why would I have worked to convince him to come with us?]" she added with a wink.
"Well, at last everything seems to be in order," Professor Livesey observed.
There was then the screaming sound of profane language from within Dr. Joy's house. It was in the voice of a certain injured mother.
"Respectfully, perhaps you, like Jim, should never presume anything, Professor," Zoey said as the profanities escalated.
Author's Note:
Due to college classes starting up for fall term the update schedule is now uncertain. I should be able to release one more chapter, the conclusion to Act II, on schedule in two weeks; however it is possible this story will go on hiatus until the Fall term is concluded.