SS Anne
Jet sat on his bed and laid back. The past few days have been exhausting. Spark had been taken to the Pokémon Center infirmary to recover. Although the worst of his wound was healed, the nurses told Jet Spark would need a few days rest before he'd be able to do any type of labor. It would be another two weeks before he could train again.
Jet made sure to visit Spark as often as possible, sometimes bringing the Pokémon's favorite fruits to eat while he rested. "You'll be better in no time, Spark!" Jet had informed his electric mouse, "We just have to avoid letting you battle or train for a while."
Jet hadn't found it in him to train his other Pokémon while Spark was hurt. He even deposited his Weepinbell and his Pidgeotto to make room for new possible team members for when he headed to Vermillion. While on his bed in the Pokémon Center, Jet contemplated not even going on the cruise ship. Having one of his Pokémon get shot during what he thought was a routine battle was definitely taking a toll on him. Jet didn't want to do anything; he didn't eat, didn't train, didn't go out, nothing. It took every fiber of his being just to muster the energy to go wash up. Is this what depression feels like? He asked himself.
There was a knock on the door. Jet knew who it was already; Misty had texted him to say she was coming over. He opened the door and Misty greeted him with a hug, "How have you been? You don't call me anymore."
Jet let her in and said, "Yeah, I'm sorry. I've just been- distracted."
Misty sat on Jet's bed and said, "I can see how wallowing in this room while staring at the wall of self-pity can really get to you."
Jet didn't answer. Misty held up two paper bags and said, "We never decided how we're going to divide this money up."
Jet sat down in a chair opposite of Misty and asked, "How much is in the bag?"
"About three grand," said Misty, "along with six TM's in the other bag."
"You can have them," Jet said, tiredly, "You can have it all. I don't want any of it. I just want my Pikachu to be ok."
Misty looked at Jet, concerned, "It wasn't your fault. What happened, I mean. Those guys would've attacked us whether you battled them or not."
Jet sighed and sat back, "Yeah, that's what I keep telling myself."
Misty placed her hand on Jet's knee and gave a kind smile, "You need to get out of this room. Don't you have that party in a couple of days to go to?"
Jet shook his head, "I don't feel like going."
Misty raised her eyebrows, "Why not? I'd go if I were you! Hell, I'd take your place if I wasn't so busy. Besides, you owe it to Bill for getting that doctor to heal your Pikachu."
Jet frowned, "I hadn't thought of that."
"Of course you haven't. You need to get up and get to Vermillion. Your friends are waiting for you; don't keep them waiting."
Misty got up and went to walk out. She stopped halfway to the door, however, and turned back to Jet, "I know you said you don't want these TM's, but one of them I already have." Misty handed Jet the TM for Dig, "Next time you are in Cerulean," she added, "Look me up! Maybe we'll have a real date next time." And with that, Misty kissed Jet on the cheek and left him.
XXX
Gary and Brian were in the lobby of the Pokémon Center, waiting for Amy to come downstairs. They were all about to get fitted for their tux's for the SS Anne's maiden voyage.
"So, do you know if your friend, Jet, is coming or what?"
Brian shook his head, "I honestly don't know, dude. He hasn't said anything about that, only that his Pokémon was injured. If he doesn't show, what are you going to do with the plus one on his ticket?"
Gary looked over at the reception desk and said, "Ask out that chick right over there!" He waved at the attractive girl behind the desk who smiled and waved back.
Amy limped over with her crutches, "Jet's coming guys, he said he'll be here in a minute."
Gary frowned as all hope of taking out the cute receptionist seemed to fly out the window, "Oh, how is he getting here?"
Amy sat down in a nearby chair and said, "Hell if I know. He's really cutting the clock though, the party starts tomorrow and we still didn't get our new clothes."
"His Pikachu was shot, Amy!" defended Brian, "Cut the guy some slack."
"Yeah, you're right," Amy frowned, "I always liked that Pikachu. It really was an excellent electric type."
Gary looked at the clock on his cell, "If he's not here in ten minutes, I say we have him meet us at the tailor's."
Five minutes later, Jet walked through the doors of the lobby. He walked up and said, "Hey guys, sorry I haven't been in touch much. Long week."
Brian asked, "How's Spark? Is he ok?"
"Yeah," Jet said half-heartedly, "I sent him to my mom's for a bit while he recovers. I tasked him with training my Cleffa and Igglybuff to fight; that should keep him busy."
Gary raised his eyebrows, "You have a Cleffa and an Igglybuff?"
Amy, however, asked, "How are you holding up?"
Jet smiled at her, "I'm a lot better now; thanks for asking."
The group left the Pokémon Center to head to the tailor's. In the parking lot, Brian, Amy, and Gary solved the mystery as to how Jet got to Vermillion so quickly.
"You bought a bike?" asked Brian incredulously, as he eyed Jet's black and red motorcycle.
"Cost a little less than ten grand. I'm pretty much broke now; I got only twenty-five hundred to my name." said Jet, "It's a pretty good bike though. Rides smooth, good breaks, moves quick when I need it to."
"Of course it does," said Gary, "It's a Fireblade. They're pretty good sports bikes. I was going to get one last year, but bought a Harley instead."
"The one you crashed?" asked Amy.
"I didn't crash it, my ex did!" Gary retorted, defensively. Amy giggled and Jet asked, "How about I just leave this parked and roll with you guys? I've been sitting on this thing all morning anyway."
And so, they all got into Gary's Corvette and headed off. Brian and Jet were in the back seat, where Brian was telling Jet about the local battle club called, Faust.
"Faust huh? Why do they call it that?"
"It means fist in German," said Gary, "There are mostly one on ones down there, and the prize money is one hundred per battle."
"But get this," said Brian, "It's ten to get in, fifty to sign up for a battle, and one hundred to win. By the time you win a battle there-"
"Yeah but you can do more than one battle once inside," argued Gary, "once you get in, it's easy money."
"But is it really worth the wait for the next chance to battle?" asked Brian, "You can make a lot more money in one good high stakes battle at a Gym. They usually bet more money at Gyms. And for the price of the entrance fee, you could buy a Gym membership!"
Amy said, "He's got you there, Gary. Gyms have equipment for training Pokémon and move tutors and everything."
"Yeah," said Jet, "I don't really see myself battling it out at that place while I'm down here. By the way, what's the game plan?"
Amy asked from the front seat, "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Jet continued, "where do we go after this little cruise? Do you guys want to stay in the islands? Go back to Kanto? The Johto?"
Gary said, "I was going to go back to the Kanto, but now I'm thinking of heading home with Amy. We talked about it a few days ago."
Amy said, "We haven't really decided anything, yet!"
Jet asked Brian, "How about you?"
Brian shrugged, "I'm going to the islands for a while and staying there. Catch some new Pokémon, do some training, then maybe head back to the Kanto to collect some more badges."
The SS Anne, according to Bill, was supposed to sail around the world. It was to leave from Kanto to the Sevii Islands, then to the Johto, and then places beyond. Jet, who did not wish to leave the Kanto just yet, said, "I'm thinking of going to the islands for a couple of weeks to train, and then maybe head back to Vermillion for my third badge."
Gary pulled up to the tailor's and said, "Here we are! Let's suit up."
The fitting for the tux's took longer than expected. Once they were done with that they headed back to the Pokémon center so Jet could get a room. While at the Center, Jet withdrew his Geodude from storage and decided to focus on training him and his Abra so they could catch up to Hydra and Thorn. Instead of getting his own room, Jet decided to bunk with Brian to save money.
The next day, they went to pick up their suits from the tailor's. Jet left his bike at the parking lot by the Pokémon Center and they drove down to the pier to get on SS Anne. Amy had gotten a beautiful green dress. The elegance of her attire was dimmed, somewhat, by her crutches, however.
Brian had gotten a regular black and white tux while Jet's tux was all black. Gary, in contrast, wore a white tux with a black shirt and shoes. His suit looked far more expensive than that of Brian and Jet's. All in all, Jet reflected, they looked as though they were headed to prom. Jet had never gone to his prom, as he saw it as a waste of time and money. Sitting in his uncomfortable tux with his uncomfortably tight dress shoes, Jet decided that he did not regret not going.
"These things are killing my feet!"
Amy laughed, "You think you have it bad? Try wearing a two inch heeled shoe on one foot and a cast on the other, then talk to me about uncomfortable!"
Brian asked, "How are you able to wear heels with that cast on? Doesn't it throw off your sense of proportion?"
"That's why I couldn't wear stilettos," said Amy sadly, "I can't wait to get rid of this fucking cast!"
When they finally arrived at the ship, there were dozens of people outside wearing the most flamboyant dress clothes imaginable. There were purples and reds; yellows and greens; scarves, hats and canes, all lining up to get on the ship.
Gary grinned as they got in line, "Now this is my kind of party! Check it out! That's last years' regional champion! Lance Delohov!"
Brian, Amy and Jet all turned their heads to the front of the line. So it was. Lance was the reigning League champion in their region four years running. Most of his Pokémon were either dragon type or dragon like. He was a tall man with spiky red hair. He wore a lavish black tux complete with a cape.
"Dude," said Brian, "What's up with this guy's cape?"
"Rich and famous people can dress however they want," said Amy, "Don't you ever watch the red carpet events during those award shows?"
"Nah, I'm not a chick."
Jet was beginning to feel nervous. There were a lot of big time trainers at this party, and the only Pokémon he had that could compete were his Gyarados and Charmeleon. He heard from Bill that there were going to be a lot of battles on deck, and he did not want to look like some rookie trainer who just started catching Pokémon.
The others didn't seem to share in his fears, and instead pointed out and discussed every famous trainer they saw; "Hey, check it out! That's the guy from that one show!"
"You mean George Kim from Battle Bugs?"
"Yeah, him!"
"Oh my god!" said Amy, "That's Professor Ivy! Her gown looks amazing!"
"Yeah, I'd hit!" said Gary.
They were finally at the front of the line. The usher said, "Ticket's, please?"
The group flashed their tickets. The man smiled, "Welcome to SS Anne! The party is in the ballroom. Just take the corridor to your right straight down and follow the signs!"
When they arrived in the ballroom, Jet's jaw dropped. It was huge. There were lavish decorations everywhere from ice sculptures to Greek nudes. There was a band playing on stage while some guy sung Sinatra's Summer Wind. There were people dancing, laughing, drinking; it felt as if Jet just walked into a scene from the beginning of Titanic. Amy sighed, "Damn I wish I could dance. Fucking cast."
A server walked up with a tray and asked, "Chardonnay?"
Brian, Gary, and Amy enthusiastically grabbed glasses. Jet however, declined. Brian asked, "Why not have a drink? Loosen up some!"
"Obviously you have never met Jethro, mate." Brian turned around to see Bill standing there. He smiled and took a glass as well, "Glad you lot could make it. There are some people I want to introduce you to. Follow me."
And so, they followed Bill over to a group of people. He said, "Ah, this is the young trainer I was telling you about, the one with the Gyarados. Jethro Brown, Lance Delohov. Lance, meet Jethro!"
Lance reached out and shook Jet's hand, "It's nice to meet you, I've heard great things from Bill." Jet simply nodded while slightly star struck. Lance didn't smile, but wore a serious demeanor that made him slightly intimidating, "I own a few Gyarados myself, of course, but I have never actually evolved one from a Magikarp before, truly impressive."
"I was just in discussion with Lance here about his Gyarados. Seems he has your attitude. He won't sell or trade me!" exclaimed Bill.
Lance drew himself up to full height and exclaimed proudly, "A true Pokémon Master never trades off his Pokémon like simple slaves."
"Oh Lance," said a woman to his left, "stop being so brooding all the time!"
Bill introduced the lady who spoke, "This is Shawna Guppy, the winner of last year's Goldenrod Super Contest!" Shawna held out her hand in a gesture that suggested she expected Jet to kiss it. He did so and she said, "Charmed I'm sure."
Bill continued to introduce Jet to more of these high society type trainers, and Jet introduced his friends as well. Most of them seemed very enthusiastic to meet Gary and Amy, who were both grandchildren of Professor Oak himself.
"I've met him once," said an apparently wealthy breeder of rare Pokémon, "very wise fellow. Come, let us get a table!" And so all fourteen of them sat at a large table and talked extensively on subjects relating to their own personal area of Pokémon expertise. Many of them were interested to hear how Jet was able to evolve his Magikarp.
"Your boy here is very knowledgeable, Bill. Never met a boy his age who knew so much about raising Pokémon!"
For about an hour Jet listened to them exchange stories about Pokémon they've raised, or debate the finer points of breeding. "Now see here! Your Eevee may be popular in today's market because of its evolutionary capabilities, but my Snubbull would win best in show over any one of your pups any day of the week!"
Jet was impressed with their knowledge of the ins and outs of the Pokémon breeding business, but found most of them to be pompous and snobbish. After their dinner was over, one woman insisted Jet dance with her as the band played My Girl by the Temptations. Amy had tried her hand at dancing with Brian, albeit awkwardly due to her cast.
Bill once again pulled Jet away after the song. He said, "Your friend Gary has a bit of reefer on him. Me, him, and these lovely ladies here were going to the deck for a little smoke, would you like to join us?"
Jet looked over at Brian and Amy, who were now slow dancing and didn't seem as though they would mind if he left them alone. "Yeah, I'll head out with you guys." Jet followed Bill, Gary, and four girls they just met up to the deck.
Brian grinned to himself as he danced with Amy. To him she smelled amazing, and it seemed almost unreal that they were dancing together to Nat King Cole's L.O.V.E.
His heart began to beat fast as he contemplated kissing her. The moment seemed perfect, so he figured, To hell with it! He turned his face so he was looking Amy in the eye and leaned in for a kiss. Amy, however, turned away and said, "Umm, sorry I just-"
Brian was horrified, "Oh shit, my bad! I just misread the situation and i…" He sighed, "You don't like me do you?"
Amy bit her lip and said, "Maybe you and I should sit back down and talk."
On the deck, Jet coughed as he blew out the smoke. Gary laughed and smacked him on the back; hard. "Let it out man, you feeling it yet?"
Jet shook his head, "No, I don't feel a thing."
The blonde to his left said, "You have to inhale, or else it doesn't work."
"I am inhaling!" said Jet defensively, "Maybe this is just a bad batch!"
Everyone started laughing. Bill said through glossy red eyes, "This is good, trust me. You just aren't inhaling!"
"How are you going to tell me if I'm inhaling or not? I felt my throat burn from the smoke!"
"You got to feel it in your lungs, man!" said a psychedelic Gary, "in your lungs!"
The blonde started giggling. Jet asked, "What's so funny?"
She started laughing harder and said, "I don't know!"
Jet sighed and thought to himself, What am I doing? "Oh look." One of the girls pointed at a battle that was happening elsewhere on deck and said, "This is where their holding the Pokémon Battles, later?"
Bill took a puff and said with his breath held, "I think so." And then he exhaled. A brunette girl rubbed Bill's chest and said, "I want to see you battle, sweetie!"
Bill shook his head, "In a bit, love. I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment." He then gestured in the direction of Jet and Gary and said, "How about you two? I haven't seen you battle yet."
Gary turned to Jet and said, "That's a great idea, man! We could like, totally have a Pokémon battle right now! How about it? A quick one on one?"
Jet thought about it and said, "Sure, I'll put up two grand. I could use the extra cash."
Gary nodded and said, "That's cool, you just can't use your Gyarados, deal?"
Jet nodded, "Deal."
Author's Notes:
Thanks for the all of the reviews! Over one hundred, I feel so loved! Anyway, Jet and Gary are going to have a little battle; who do you think is going to win? Do you think Amy was mean to Brian? Let me know in a review!
And stay tuned for the next chapter, which should be out before the weekend!
