Chapter 12: The Calm Before the Storm
"Alright everyone, shall we go?", asked Ash.
"Yeah", everyone said at once.
The group headed for the loading dock getting ready to board the S.S. Eclipse to begin their trip towards the Pokémon league headquarters.
"Please have you tickets and photo ID ready", said the gentleman at the loading dock.
"Yes, here you go", replied Ash.
"Ah yes Mr. Ketchum, and your Pokémon if you will please", replied the ticket man.
"Oh yes, Mr. Goodshow reminded me about this as well, let me get him out for you", replied Ash.
Ash began to take off his backpack to retrieve the Pokéball, while in the shadows nearby and figure was looming over them.
And then spoke something inaudible into his earpiece, and disappeared.
"Ah, here there you are", Ash said as he released the sleeping Pokémon for his Pokéball.
"Thank you very much and it also says here that…oh, ok, you and your group of five may come aboard; Misty of the Cerulean gym, Brock of the Pewter city gym, May of the Petalburg gym and Dawn of Twinleaf town. Welcome aboard the S.S. Eclipse, this gentleman here shall escort you to your cabins", replied the ticket man.
"Thank you very much", replied everyone at once.
The bell hop lead them to their rooms (which just so happened to be down the same hallway).
"Alright everyone gather round, I have a few things I need to tell you before we depart so listen carefully. You are free to explore the ship, just don't exit unless you run the risk of being left behind, and no battling outside the battle chamber on the lower decks, oh and dinner will be served at 6:00 sharp so don't be late!", replied the bell hop as he finished unloading everyone's bags.
"Also before I forget here on the back of your room doors is a map of the ship, and a navigation chip is located at your bed sides for your pokénav's should you want to take it with you.
The bell hop left Ash and Misty's room with May, Brock, and Dawn to direct them to their cabins.
Moments later, they arrive back in Ash and Misty's room to plan the rest of their day.
"Alright time to hit the battlefield", Ash declared.
"Ash darling may I join you, my sisters refused to let me do much of anything once they found out, not even feed the Pokémon", asked Misty.
"Of course you may, I was going to ask you the same thing", replied Ash.
Misty grabbed his arm and they walked down a couple of decks till they reached the battle arena, while May, Brock, and Dawn promptly followed behind them.
They stepped out of the elevator and to their surprise there was a miniature Pokémon center waiting for them. The gang stepped in and not to their surprise Brock had already entered his love mode and given his speech about how he loves Nurse Joy. In which seconds later Toxicroack pops out of his Pokéball and poison jabs him in the back, and tows him away to the other side of the room.
"Oh hello everyone", Nurse Joy said, "what can I do for you?"
"Well Nurse Joy we were wondering how we would get into the arena?", asked Ash.
"Well if you will hand me the Pokémon you are going to use in there and you ID I can get you set up", replied Nurse Joy.
"Now before I start the process would you like single or double battle style?", asked Nurse Joy.
Ash looked at Misty, and replied, "Double".
"Ok, just you or you and a friend?", asked Nurse Joy.
"Me and a friend", replied Ash promptly.
"Alright then I will need her Pokémon and ID", requested Nurse Joy.
"Here you are Nurse Joy", replied Misty.
"Thank you M…Misty, of the Cerulean gym?", replied the now shocked Nurse.
"Is there something wrong?", asked Misty.
"No…no… you just startled me there for a second, I just didn't think a gym leader would be going to the Pokémon league headquarters", replied Nurse Joy.
"Yes…I'm here with my husband who's going to compete", replied Misty sweetly.
"Eh…heh…heh…heh…", Ash replied rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh ok, well you two are all set, just step on through and have fun", finished Nurse Joy.
Ash and friends step into the arena…
"Well alright, who wants piece of us, we are unbeatable", Ash declared to the entire room of people.
All eyes focused on him and Misty.
"There he goes again, declaring his presence when he doesn't need to", "I just hope the kids are not like that when they get older", Misty thought.
"Alright darling I don't want to be here to long so let's take five battles and call it a day ok?", asked Misty.
"Alright whatever you want", replied Ash.
15 battles and several hours later…
"Alright Ash just one more please?", asked Misty, "it's been a while since I've had this much fun!"
"No more Misty, I'm tired the Pokémon are worn out, and you still want more even though you're pregnant I wanna know where you got all this energy from", replied Ash exhausted.
"And look at the time we have dinner in an hour and we still need to get ready, finished Ash.
"Well I guess our streak of 15-0 will be put on hold till tomorrow", said Misty.
"Yeah now let's go before you do something to injure yourself, the kids, or the Pokémon", replied Ash, and I know for sure if you want to dance tonight you are going to need your strength.
"Yes, darling, thank you", Misty said softly as she kissed him on the cheek as he carried her out bridal style
"Oh my goodness, I've never seen someone so powerful and caring at the same time I mean when they beat their opponent, they took them to the Pokémon center to make sure their Pokémon were ok, now that's sportsmanship", replied one of the trainers.
"Yeah I hope he does well in the competition", said another trainer.
Moments later Ash and Misty arrived back at their room to change and shower down.
"Ash would you…like to…take…a…shower…together?", Misty stuttered while blushing deeply.
"Of course darling, I'd love to", replied Ash.
Ash helped Misty undress, and they both leaped (not literally) into the shower.
As they began to scrub each other's backs Misty says, "Oh Ash I wonder how it will feel when they start moving around and kicking."
Ash stops scrubbing and slowly wraps his arms around her and places his hands next to hers on her stomach.
"Even though they are so small, I think I can feel them moving a little bit", Ash said sweetly.
"Really?, I'm so relived", Misty replied.
"And don't you worry when they are ready to come out we shall be waiting for them with open arms", replied Ash.
"Oh Ash", Misty replied as she kissed him tenderly.
20 minutes later…
Every trainer was in the ball room eating, having conversation, exchanging strategies, and simply enjoying the company.
"Shall I have this dance Madam?", Ash says romantically.
Misty held out her hand and Ash lifted ever gently out of her seat and onto the dance floor. At Ash's signal the romantic music began to play as they started to dance. Within moments the every trainer has found a partner and has begun to dance. Even some of the Pokémon, as their trainers let them out to join in on the party. Towards the end of the song Ash leads Misty into another romantic kiss that felt it would last a lifetime and topped it off in a romantic voice saying, "I love you, darling". After the party Ash lead her back to their room, and after getting undressed and simply laying on the bed. She went out like a light.
"See you in the mourning my love", said Ash as he kissed her goodnight and fell asleep himself.
Over the next few days there were activities, games, mini battle tournaments, training halls, and even a few battle seminars. Each night each and every trainer fell asleep exhausted, but filled with new knowledge and determination. On the final night of the cruise each of the trainers' entrances would be judged based on style power, technique, intelligence, and beauty. The goal wasn't to overwhelm the target, but to show that they know how to treat their friends as they treat family. Many trainers prospered, many failed miserably, but everyone received advice as to how they could improve on their technique, also each trainer at the conclusion would receive a unique item specifically for them that changed effect based on what Pokémon used it and what technique they specialized in.
But the odd thing was about these items was that they looked like simply ordinary run of the mill Pokéball accessories. As time passed and midnight approached Ash's turn began to draw closer and closer.
At the stroke of midnight Ash was called and as Rilou emerged it was a sight to behold. Four aura spheres had emerged and in the center of them was Rilou. He disappeared only for a second and impacted (for what looked like the same time, he was moving so fast) all four aura spheres with a force palm. When they exploded he appeared in the floor behind the target already with another aura sphere ready to go. It was thrown on the ground behind it and Rilou disappeared again, but only to reappear a short distance away in front of the target.
Still charged with an attack, Rilou all of a sudden collapsed on the floor. At first no indication of foul play or over-night training, but suddenly he was back on his feet within seconds. His eyes and body showed no forms of hypnosis and had begun to attack everyone and everything.
What has happened to Rilou, why is he attacking everyone and what has come over him. Will Ash be able to stop him and still protect everyone on the ship for his fury? Find out next time on Events Unexpected.