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Serena coughed as the seemingly endless smoke jaded her vision and filled her lungs. The sound of crackling fire and the occasional parts of the interior building falling apart blocked out her thoughts and any noise coming from outside. At this rate, the overwhelming heat and excessive smoke seemed to be the only thing Serena could think about. Escaping, let alone finding Squirtle and the young girl, began to feel like fantasy. Every direction revealed fading evidence of a way out. Serena finally stumbled to her knees and coughed incessantly into her cloth as the black smoke surrounded her.

All I wanted was to travel with Pokemon and perform. I wanted to meet people, see new places, learn about Pokemon... But this is it. The third day of my journey is... The last day of my life. I'll never see my mom again, I'll never laugh again, or smile, or be happy.

Just as Serena prepared to give up and allow herself to pass out and slowly fall into death, a blue spot caught her eye. She fixated on the object; upon further inspection, she noticed the object was Squirtle, and it was doing its best to fight off the fire and protect the young girl.

Squirtle!

Serena stood up and paced towards Squirtle, still coughing and trying not to stumble over. She was almost certain one more stumble and she would not be able to stand up again. Squirtle vehemently used Water Gun to defuse the expanding fire. The girl held on to Squirtle's shell as she cried for help.

"I want you to get on my back! Squirtle! Try to get us through this room! I think we can make it to the stairs if you can!" Serena pleaded. The little girl came to her senses and jumped on Serena's back, tightly holding on to her shoulders and trying not to cry. Squirtle gave a nod to Serena as it attempted to make it to the stairs.

Tomorrow is never promised. The end of the day is never promised. Telling your mom or a loved one how much they mean to you one more time is never promised. The end of the next sentence you speak into existence is never promised. But if there is a fighting chance, if there is a small light in the darkness, you can't give up.

Serena glanced over her shoulder at the little girl. She imagined that girl graduating school, her first kiss, her first job. Then, she looked down at Squirtle, fighting as hard as it could to help people it didn't know live to see another day. She imagined that Squirtle evolving into a Wartortle.

I can't give up. I have to keep fighting! I have to!

Serena handed her cloth to the girl and instructed her to cover her face as the three pressed on through the burning building.

"Miss! Excuse me, miss! Are you OK?"

Serena opened her eyes to a stranger standing over her, closely examining her. She gazed around her in every direction, desperately trying to piece together what happened and where she was. To her left, she noticed the girl she had helped reuniting with her parents, who cried profusely and held her tightly.

"Abigail! We love you so much! You're never leaving our side! Never!" the mother cried as she held her daughter.

Serena, still in a daze, smiled and turned to her right; the Squirtle who had helped her and the girl though the fire greeted its friends. Officer Jenny approached Serena, "Ya know, that was a really brave thing you did. If we had waited on the fire fighters to get here, Abigale and Squirtle might not have made it," she said.

Serena stood up and dusted herself off. "It was no problem, really," she replied.

Squirtle tapped Serena on the leg. "Squuuiirrttle," the water-type attempted to speak in its own way. Officer Jenny giggled, "I think Squirtle wants to personally thank you!"

She knelt down and patted Squirtle on the head. "You're the one I should be thanking. There's no way we could have made it out without you, Squirtle!"

"Sqqqquuurrrr!"

Serena smiled at the water-type. Squirtle pointed at the pokeballs on Serena's belt, obviously trying to imply that it wanted to come with her.

"I think Squirtle wants to travel with you," Officer Jenny observed.

Serena appeared astonished. "Is that true?" she asked.

Squirtle smiled and nodded. It turned around and said goodbye to the rest of its squad, who were sad but seemed supportive of Squirtle's decision.

"Don't worry, Squirtle! I'll make sure the Squirtle Squad is taken care of!" Officer Jenny assured.

"Squirtle, I may not be the strongest. But together, we'll always find our way through the fire! I just know it!" Serena promised, holding back tears.

Squirtle jumped up in her arms and from that moment, a new friendship was born.

As his journey continues, Ash is one step closer to his dream of becoming a Pokemon Master! Last time, Ash defeated the Vermilion City Gym Leader and earned a Thunder Badge! Also, a reunion battle with his father earned him a new friend in Charmander!

Ash held the orange and red badge up and admired it. Brock and Misty both smiled, both were happy for the rookie trainer from Pallet Town. The three walked across a large bridge that led to the Vermilion City boating docks.

"It was nice of your dad to give us tickets for the SS Anne," Brock said as he read through the brochure.

"I hate I won't be able to go with you guys. The SS Anne has wonderful food and there are all kinds of different trainers who meet there." Misty added.

Arriving at the pier, Ash and Brock prepared to say goodbye to their friend, Misty, who chose to meet up with her cousin in Vermilion City so she could go compete in a tournament for water-type trainers in the Johto region.

"Brock, keep chasing your dream of being a Poke Breeder. I know you can do it." Misty said with a genuine smile.

Brock nodded, "Thanks. Good luck in the tournament." he replied.

Misty looked over at Ash. "I better see you in the Indigo League Finals..." she said teasingly.

Ash smiled, "You will. I swear!" he responded with a clinched fist.

Pikachu jumped into Misty's arms. "Aww, I'll miss you, Pikachu!" she said as Pikachu nuzzled up to her before jumping back over to Ash.

She winked and, before walking away, hugged both of them without warning. "I'll get in touch with you guys after the tournament. I want to hear about everything!" she said as she walked away and waived goodbye.

"PIIIKKAA!" Pikachu responded in its own way.

"You better!" Ash replied.

"Goodbye, Misty!" Brock yelled out while waiving.

The two trainers watched their friend until she was out of view across the bridge.

"Let's go, Brock." Ash said firmly.

Brock smiled and nodded, "Yeah. I'm ready for some beautiful women! I mean, uh - some grub!"

The two laughed as they boarded the SS Anne.

Serena, along with her newly acquired Eevee and Squirtle, made their way across the Vermilion City Bridge.

"It was really nice of Officer Jenny to give me a pass for the SS Anne for saving that girl! She said it would be a great opportunity to meet new trainers and cool Pokemon!" she enthused as her Pokemon warmly accepted the idea.

The three finally arrived to the SS Anne where Serena was immediately greeted by a chef who tried to bribe her to buy a Magicarp.

"Uh, $300 for a Magicarp? Isn't that a little much?" she asked.

The salesmen shook his head, "You see, each Magicarp lays 1000 eggs, and each of those Magicarp lay 1000 more eggs! The average price for a Magicarp is $500, but I'll sale you this one for $300!"

"Wow. That would be a good way to make some money of my own so my mom doesn't have to keep supporting me! Uh, yeah! I'll take it!" Serena said as she signed a check and exchanged it for Magicarp.

"I HAVE A MAGICARP! HOW COOL!" Serena joyfully shouted as she danced around with the golden pokeball, joined by Eevee and Squirtle.

Ash and Brock spent close to an hour looking around the SS Anne after the large ship set sail. The ballroom was full of people left and right, most of them Pokemon trainers. Merchandise stands, tables, etc. all filled the room. "

"It's like a giant Pokemon convention!" Ash noted, viewing all of the sights around him.

"Once or twice a year, the SS Anne takes trainers on a 1 day round trip cruise." Brock added as he read a pamphlet.

Suddenly, a large group of people circled around what appeared to be a Pokemon battle.

"Dragonair: finish it off with Dragon Pulse!" a voice commanded. Dragonair launched the attack and easily defeated the opposing trainer's Raticate.

Ash and Brock made their way through the crowd and quickly realized the trainer with Dragonair was Leaf.

"Oh, dear Raticate. You tried your best. She's just too strong." the trainer said as he recalled his Pokemon and bowed out.

"So, anyone else want some?" Leaf said allowed to the crowd as they all stared at her powerful dragon-type. Ash's eyes lit up as he grabbed a pokeball from his belt and pushed people out of the way. "I'll battle you!" he said sliding into the circle of people and opposing her.

"Well, well. If it isn't Ash," Leaf said condescendingly. "So how many badges do you have? she asked.

Ash opened the right side of his jacket to reveal his three badges with a smirk.

"Just three? I have five." she mocked.

Ash snarled. "You saw what my Dragonair did to that Raticate. Are you sure about this Ketchum?" she asked teasingly.

Ash held a pokeball up and clicked the center button to enlarge it, "I'm not afraid of battling you," he said with a smug. "Charmander: I choose you!" he tossed Charmander's ball out in front of him. "Chhhaaarrr," Charmander growled.

Leaf smirked. "A Charmander, huh? Let's see if I can beat you even when I have a clear disadvantage..."

Ash appeared confused by her words.

Leaf recalled her Dragonair and sent out a Scyther. "A bug-type? We'll win no problem!" Ash enthused. "Charmander: use Ember!" he commanded. Charmander launched the attack but Scyther used its wings to mitigate the damage.

"Scyther: X-Scissor!" she commanded. Scyther crossed its scythes and darted towards Charmander, attacking it without allowing a second to respond. Charmander stumbled to the ground. "Charmander: stand up and use Fire Spin!" he commanded. Charmander swung its tail, attempting to guide the swirling flames towards Scyther. The bug-type quickly became enveloped in the dancing flames. The crowd grew eager. leaf closed her eyes and grinned. "Scyther: knock the flames down and use Wing Attack!" she retaliated. Scyther effortlessly knocked down Charmander's flames and defeated the fire-type with Wing Attack.

"Charmander is unable to continue!" a SS Anne sailor declared.

"UUUUGGGGHHHHHH!" Ash shouted in fury as he recalled his Charmander.

"Giving up yet?"

"Not even close! Froakie: I choose you!" Ash exclaimed as he flipped his hat backwards and and summoned Froakie.

"Ahh. Froakie again, huh. Alright then, Scyther: X-Scissor!" she commanded.

"BOUNCE!" Ash quickly responded. Froakie narrowly escaped Scyther's blades as it leaped 20 ft. in the air and came hurling down towards Scyther, making significant impact.

Leaf snarled, "Scyther: get up and use Wing Attack!"

"Froakie: send it flying with Water Pulse!" Ash passionately responded, thrusting his arm out to the side. Froakie formed the pulsating attack and blocked Scyther with it, additionally Froakie used all of its might to send Scyther crashing into the walls in defeat with the attack.

"Scyther is no longer able to battle!"

Ash slowly cracked a smile. "WE DID IT!" he shouted as he and Pikachu celebrated with Froakie. In the middle of the celebration, Froakie began to glow. The whole room gasped and whispered as Froakie slowly but surely evolved into Frogadier!"

"Froakie evolved! That's its evolution: Frogadier!" Brock exclaimed.

"Froakie! You evolved!" Ash enthused as his newly evolved Frgadier stood firmly ready for battle. Leaf appeared to be concerned after the evolution took place. Ash grinned and clinched his fists, "Now we can really get this started. Frogadier: use Water Pulse!"

Frogadier launched the attack towards Dragonair who received significant damage. "HYPER BEAM!" Leaf shouted. Dragonair began gathering energy.

"Hyper Beam?" Ash said aloud with deep concern in his voice.

Dragonair launched the powerful beam of energy and overwhelmed Frgadier who fell to its knees, though barely still able to continue. Just as he attempted to respond, Ash also fell to his knees, panting heavily. "Wha- what is going on?" he thought to himself.

Brock watched in distress as Ash struggled to stand up, along with his Froagadier.

"Ash, are you OK?" Leaf, who usually acted with petty hostility towards him, asked with genuine concern.

"I... I don't..." after not even being able to speak, it became more and more apparent that something was wrong Ash.

"Attention, passengers: we are currently experiencing a tropical storm that was not on our radar. Please, do not panic. We are preparing the rafts. Ple-" a voice over the PA system spoke and quickly got cut off after the ship abruptly rocked back and fourth as the passengers scrambled for safety.

One of Ash's pokeballs fell from his belt and rolled down stairs into the kitchen area. "That's Bulbasaur's pokeball! I have to get it!" Ash weakly said as he stood up and ran for the ball, along with Frogadier and Pikachu.

"Ash!" Brock shouted as he lost him in the crowd. Leaf and Brock both followed him downstairs.

"Magicarp, come back!" Serena shouted as she chased the pokeball that had fallen onto the ground during the ship's shaking. She had recalled Eevee and Squirtle to ensure their safety. Everyone passed Serena going upstairs as she went further and further down.

*POP*

"Ouch," Serena said placing her hand on her forehead. Without realizing it, she had run into someone who also appeared to be looking for something. "I'm so sorry," she said as she stood up and noticed the boy she ran into was rather attractive.

"ASH! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!" a man in a green vest and orange shirt said running towards the boy she bumped into. He was accompanied by a young brunette girl.

"That girl... I know her..." Ash thought to himself as he and Serena gazed into each other's eyes.

The ship vigorously shook and threw all four of them, including Frogadier and Pikachu, against the wall. They all blacked out as the SS Anne began to sink.

As the SS Anne heads to the bottom of the sea, our heroes are unconscious and captured inside, with opportunity disappearing the further the ship sinks to the dark depths of the ocean.

Meanwhile..

"Tornadus is quite the Pokemon. You know, being able to whip up such a fierce and unforeseen storm at sea like that.." Lusamine said as she sipped a whine glass in a dark, empty room with a lap top in front of her.

"Indeed. Tornadus has done its work. The SS Anne was far enough out in sea for the chances of communication to be diminished. The boy and his Froakie will not survive." a distorted voice responded form the lap top.

Lusamine grinned. "That's what I like to hear," she responded. "The beauty in this poetry is that Mr. Ketchum did not know he was sending his son to his death when he handed them those boat tickets."

"This is unlike you. Working with nefarious people like me and taking lives."

Lusamine became visibly frustrated. "It's for a greater good."

"Either way, considering I had my team spying on him in the first place, what is my reward for getting rid of this Pokemon and trainer?"

Lusamine grew silent.

"Why does this Pokemon scare you so much?"

"It doesn't scare me. It's a thorn in my side I don't want to deal with when we move forward with our plans."

"A thorn in your side you had to take lives in order to remove?"

"Listen, you let what's yours be yours and what is mine be mine, Giovanni."

"Very well, Ms. Lusamine. I'll have my three agents continue spying on Mr. Ketchum, and we'll gather what his next move is while he still thinks he's ahead."

Thanks for reading! I know I said I'd go back to Lillie and Hau this chapter, but it ended up making more sense to wait. Tell me what you thought and what you'd like to see!