Shipwreck Paradise

Damon hadn't slept in three days as he trudged through the sodden tropical wilderness of northern Hoenn. Mt. Chimney was steaming above, active and deadly, as bellows of black ash bellowed high above to send clouds of dust spraying down. Working with the Thieves Guild had forced him to travel to places he had no intention of being, ever, but yet he was here searching for a former Kanto Champion. Giovanni had ordered the capture of Blue, but Damon had other plans in mind with the trail going cold once again. Every step he took, a desolate wasteland around him shivering in the heat and humidity, Damon could feel the last of his energy burning and steadily replenishing as he took deep breaths. The sun was not appearing above anywhere as it tried to force its beams of sunlight through the thick fog and dense clouds of debris, but Blue was not here, and he wouldn't appear so easily. Damon still wasn't sure why he was so important to Giovanni, he ran away from Kanto and had shown no indication of fighting back whatsoever, so why did Team Rocket want him? Damon would have rather hunted down the Elite Four or the veteran trainers to join the cause, especially with what the Thieves Guild had planned next.

Hoenn's underground network was building and growing into something larger, something dark, and with Damon leading the entire organisation, he knew what to expect. Giovanni had trust, money and power and entrusted it all into his hands, how could he go wrong now? Pushing through some of the thicker vines, swinging his shining machete through as they slashes leaves and plants swiftly, some Bug Pokemon jumping away in shock, Damon finally saw his destination in the distance ahead. Bending down and squinting through the never-ending array of dense bushland and trees, he saw a single building in an opening where the grass was greener than anywhere else around. Approaching slowly, he noticed there was no movement or sense of life apart from his own, this would be the perfect place for now. Coughing, Damon made his way across with his three Pokeballs hanging from their holsters around his waist, but nobody was moving and nothing seemed to be here.

The shack was purely made of wood and large enough to fit a couple rooms and bathroom inside, but it wasn't built long ago, and Damon knew perfectly well what it was. Trainers and explorers had used to travel here over the past decade in search for new Pokemon and to discover more about Mt. Chimney and how it had stayed active for so long. This building was created for these individuals to rest, but had been abandoned for months now due to the increase of activity from the volcano. Pokemon and trainers had fled the area the more the threats grew from above, but Damon knew it wouldn't erupt any time soon, unless somebody was stupid enough to provoke it and what lived inside in the lava and flames. Coughing again, specks of blood appearing from his throat as Damon shook his head, the amount of time spent in the ash wasn't helping his health. He reached the shack, and opened the door as a large volume of dust fell from its curved roof.

Darkness was what he saw first, his eyes adjusting to the new lighting, but Damon moved on ahead, his footsteps echoing inside. Leaving the door open, the lack of sunlight still providing a bit of illumination within, a table, kitchen and bathroom became evident to him along with a howling smell of fumes and smoke. Whoever was here last was a keen smoker, with the ash tray still full of old cigarettes and the fumes now wafting through the door. Opening the windows, allowing fresher air to enter, Damon lay his hiking bag on the ground and sat on a dusty chair. One of the legs was slightly wobbly as he regained balance quickly and stared at the wooden ground with exhaustion spilling through his body again. He had arrived at paradise in a place so dead, but his true purpose still remained a mystery.

Feeling energy relinquish in his body, Damon stood up and took a Pokeball from his holster, tossing it into the air as he coughed, "Blastoise, use Hydro Pump. Clean this place up."

The Shellfish Pokemon exploded into view, its sheer size just fitting into the small shack, as he roared loudly. Aiming its cannons towards the ground, Blastoise unleashed powerful jets of water in all directions as Damon stood there, allowing himself to get soaked. Dirt and mud trickled off his skin as it dripped to the ground with relief flooding back through him. The water easily filtered through the wood into the earth below, but most of the dust had now gone. Damon thanked his Pokemon as it lay on the ground to rest, with an Oran Berry being thrown towards it.

Damon commented, sitting back on the chair, "We'll be staying here for a few days, Blastoise. I need some time away from people."

Looking up, Blastoise understood as it's tail swung towards the Pokeball on the ground, allowing it to be encapsulated once again. Damon felt a sense of loneliness, but he was used to it, and at last he had time to think about his next move. He had traversed Hoenn many times over the past few years of being a trainer, and had seen everything from Gym Badges to Legendary Pokemon, but the lack of fulfilment still remained inside. Fighting for Team Rocket had drawn the worst out of him, but he was never bored and that was what mattered. Unbeaten in Hoenn, he became the unknown winner of the Hoenn Championship many years ago where they had unjustly disqualified him due for his merciless battling style where opponents would suffer when they lost. Damon had beaten the Elite Four and Steven Stone with ease, unbeatable but nobody knew him, and nobody wanted to. But what would he do next? Team Rocket would collapse, he knew that already even though Giovanni was assured he was invincible, but weaknesses were obvious and people had begun fighting back.

The Light had formed, strong trainers growing and ready to fight, but another threat was approaching from afar, something he had felt long ago. Setting up a small laptop on the table, and plugging in a small wifi device to the side, the machine booted instantly. Wiping blood from his mouth again, Damon dialled a number on the intercommunications software installed as it began to ring slowly and steadily before a voice answered with feedback crackling throughout. The voice spoke, rough and raw as it carried familiarity Damon had not felt for a while, "This is Professor Oak, who is this calling?"

"My name is Damon, and I have some information regarding the Red Chain that I wish to give to you."

Nightfall had fully appeared when they stopped talking, both of them growing speechless as the findings shown and what the Red Chain truly was. Damon had to continue and Professor Oak needed to know especially with the latter in Kalos. To many this was what Giovanni had obtained, but to a small minority, this meant a lot more.

…

"Eevee, use Swift!" Emma bellowed as her Evolution Pokemon dodged an oncoming Water Gun and unleashed a barrel of stars from around its brown fur and fired them forwards. A Wingull was the Pokemon to attempt to dodge as it tried to fly away only for the stars to follow it quickly to land an effective hit. Rod and Forrest applauded as they urged their friend on here, the Seagull Pokemon would not last much longer at this rate and Emma's Eevee was also extremely strong.

With Wingull retreating and Emma continuing with Swift and Shadow Ball attacks to deal further damage, the cool waves of the ocean continued to beat against the boat. However, they weren't on the S.S. Tidal for the afternoon, that boat remained out in the ocean where it had anchored for a few hours. Many tourists on the ship had decided to visit the Abandon Ship, parked a few miles away from Slateport Harbour, their next destination, but this was an interesting sight. Many years ago, this cruise ship had travelled around Hoenn, but decades later it still remained as a home for Water Type Pokemon and those from the sea needing a break from the water. A paradise for me, and tourists thoroughly enjoyed exploring the old remains and artefacts left within from a time so old. Emma had seen a Wingull and instantly wanted to catch it, with a battle instantly beginning on the upper deck with many of the tourists down below in the half submerged cabins. Nothing but blue water was seen around them with the horizon stretching further aside, and so this ship somehow still remained afloat.

Forrest called, placing his heavy hiking bag to one side, "Throw a Pokeball, Emma! Wingull is weak enough!"

Emma nodded, whipping blond hair out of her face as she took out a fresh Pokeball from her pocket and took careful aim. Wingull was now severely bruised as its white feathers had fallen to reveal a shakingly weak wing from the attacks. Losing altitude quickly, Emma threw the Pokeball as it spun several times in the air with Eevee watching it fly past it. Upon instant contact, the Pokeball opened to reveal a red light and the Seagull Pokemon was instantly absorbed into pure energy as it disappeared within only to fall to the ground. The moment all trainers dread with suspense finally came as the Pokeball shook once, and then shook again as they all waited.

Rod watched carefully, before looking at Emma who was pulling hairs out of her head nervously as she cried, "Come on, Wingull! COME ON!"

Her shrieks seemed to help as the Pokeball remained still and unleashed a slight explosion of stars in all directions to indicate the capture was complete. A split second of silence ensued before Emma jumped for joy, the ship moving slightly as she ran across towards the Pokeball with Eevee following quickly falling on top of its trainer. Rod and Forrest clapped with huge grins on their faces as seeing a new trainer catch their first Pokemon was always an inspiring sight. However, Emma's back story had saddened them, in how her father had forced her to work at Devon Corporation and not pursue her own dreams and adventures. Rod and Forrest had discussed this a lot when Emma wasn't around, and they wanted to make sure travelling was as exciting as she wanted.

As Emma looked at the Pokeball, twirling Eevee around with joy on her face, Rod looked over to Forrest and muttered, as he adjusted his headband, "Really hope she achieves everything she wants to with us."

Agreeing, Forrest smiled and replied, "Whatever she wants to do in life, we have to support her. She deserves that at least."

They both picked up their bags, placing them on their backs, Rod called across and gestured for Emma to come back, "People are heading back to the S.S. Tidal, are you ready?"

Down below one of the crew members had raised a red flag, the one indication they announced to call individuals back to the S.S. Tidal so they could resume their journey. Slateport City was where Rod would engage in a battle tournament, and with two badges in hand, he felt he could compete at a high level and hopefully win. Emma had been pushing confidence through his veins ever since he beat Brawly, and Forrest definitely felt he had a good chance. But was his Pokemon team good enough to battle against so many other trainers wanting the same thing? Only time would tell.

Slowly making their way back down, passing each deck with tourists talking and snapping last minute pictures nearby, Emma asked curiously with her newly caught Pokemon still in her hands, "What else can be done in Slateport City, I've never been there before."

As if awaiting the question, Forrest sprang to answer as his whole body looked up excitedly, "The famous maritime museum is there, along with a Pokemon Contest Arena and the Slateport Markets! Plenty to do and explore for sure!"

They both had different ideals in life, and Rod always had to remind himself of that, his friends were there for him, but they had their own dreams to accomplish. Placing an arm around both of them, as they approached the small speedboat to head back to the S.S. Tidal, he took a deep breath and spoke, "I'll compete in the Slateport Tournament, and you both can explore! It's a huge city, and you guys shouldn't miss a single thing."

They both seemed to shake their head simultaneously, chuckling at each other's movements, before Forrest responded, "There is plenty of time, but we aren't going to miss any of your battles."

"I just don't want you all missing out on anything, battles can go on for a long time."

Emma placed her finger on his lips as he quietened immediately, her blond hair shook in the seaweed smelling breeze as she spoke, "Don't worry, we'll get to everything. Just make sure you win the battles!"

The speedboat spluttered into life as it continued its way back towards the S.S. Tidal as the ship had already begun their preparations to continue onwards. They would reach Slateport City in about two hours time, and Rod would immediately be applying for the tournament to start. Tourists continued to snap away with their cameras flashing repeatedly to the sinking ship behind them, but Rod's eyes were back on the two small badges in his hands. What would this tournament bring for him, and what kind of trainers were going to be there?

He couldn't wait to find out.

…

Damon closed the laptop, his conversation with Professor Oak finally complete after several hours of spilling information. Leaning back, he felt relief in his body as deep breaths shook out of his cold mouth and skin. Darkness had fallen upon Hoenn, and the small cabin had not a single light, sending a wave of uneasiness over him. Taking a Pokeball from its holster, Damon chucked it down on the floor as it spluttered into life, sending lights in all direction with the energy being dispersed in all directions. Damon's Magcargo had appeared, the Lava Pokemon immediately sent warmth and light spilling through the room with its rocky body glowing. It's internal fire released further smoke as Damon smiled and placed an oran berry in front of it before commenting, "Good job, Magcargo. It will be a cold night...but I fear its not our last."

Mt. Chimney, high above the small wooden shack, vibrated once again with more ash smoking from its peak with Pokemon immediately fleeing the area. Damon glanced at it, as if feeling a presence deep within, but he had already knew it was there. Magcargo continued to light candles within the cabin as he opened the door and muttered to himself, his eyes not leaving the volcano, "I know you're still in there Groudon, and I will draw you out. Team Magma failed to control you, but I can, and we need your power."

Mt. Chimney coughed out more ash into the air as Damon smirked to himself and returned back to cabin to await the night and eventual waves of sleep.