Chapter Six- Here There Be Monsters
The group flew over Gold Shore Marina, noticing the numerous ships docked in the port as they began to land. The area was bustling with life. Numerous shops were set up around the town, selling a wide variety of goods.
"So, where's the gym?" Airi inquired, glancing around.
"It's at the docks." An elderly woman answered. The group turned to face the familiar face. "Hello, Mailys."
"Hello, Kiki." Mailys greeted, holding her hand up to the woman. "How's the stone?"
"Hasn't formed yet." The woman answered. She looked identical to the elderly women that Airi had seen in Arachnid and Flora. However, she her robes had a blue trim and her right eye was covered by an eyepatch.
"Wait, aren't you the old lady from Arachnid?" Airi asked, recalling the woman. "And Flora now that I think about it?"
"She was in Amber as well." Draco added.
"You're forgetting New Fang." Mr. Fang sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is one of the Kiyoko sisters. They live in towns with gyms."
"Yep." Kiyoko affirmed. "All eight of 'em. It's our job to watch 'em."
"What happens if another gym is added to the league?" Draco pondered, tilting his head.
"Wouldn't you like to know." Kiyoko chuckled, a mischievous grin on her face. Draco and Airi both twisted to face Mailys.
"I have no clue." She shrugged. "My theory is that they're all clones."
"No no." Kiyoko dismissed, waving her hand. "We're all buds."
"Like, plant buds?" Draco questioned, an even more confused expression on his face.
"Don't believe anything she says unless proven otherwise." Mailys dismissed, also waving her hand. "Can you take my friend here to the gym?"
"Closed, I'm afraid." Kiyoko informed, pointing to the ocean. "Wake and his boy are busy dealing with some sea monster. I proposed we charge people to go see it, but no. That's too dangerous apparently."
"A sea monster?" Airi snidely remarked. "Oh and next we'll learn about the teachings of Dome. Or maybe we'll even see Werehound!"
"You don't believe me?" Kiyoko chuckled. "How about you go out there yourself? See if you believe me then."
"Fine!" Airi accepted, running off. Kiyoko laughed as she watched her run off. Mailys glanced around, a bewildered expression scrawled on her face, before quickly chasing after her.
"This… this is interesting!" Draco sneered, running after his companions. Mr. Fang shrugged as he followed his son.
…...
"Airi don't do something stupid! This doesn't involve us!" Mailys pleaded, holding Airi by the arm as she forced her way into docks. Numerous ships were docked from small to large, with their crews loitering about. A large group of sailors were gathered outside a warehouse. Airi swiftly forced her way into the building, shoving full sized adults away.
"She's strong…!" Mailys gawked as she maneuvered her way in between the sailors, managing to get inside. Inside, an old sailor dressed like a pirate with a white beard spoke to a young man.
"Hey, fatty!" Airi insulted, pointing to the older man. Draco appeared behind Mailys without a sound, surprising her. "We need a ship!"
"...You're a rude one, ain't ya?" The old sailor remarked, stroking his massive beard. He held a pipe with his right hand, smoking from it. "I don't just hand out ships to anyone, let alone when there's some Pokemon stirring up trouble in the waters."
"See!" Mailys nodded, gesturing to the man. Her tone was noticeably high pitched. "It's not-"
"Don't get her started…" Draco chuckled, an amused grin on his face. He leaned back, arms crossed, watching the scene closely.
"What? A few middle aged sailors can't deal with it?" Airi questioned aloud, her voice growing even more vicious. "Must we do everything!?"
"P-pardon!?" Mailys jumped back, shaking as she made a loud gulp. "You aren't suggesting-"
"Whoa! Whoa!" The younger sailor interrupted. He held his hands out as he approached the trio. He had short royal blue hair, dull maroon eyes, and a white sailor outfit. "We can't just let-"
"Oh and you were going to deal with it!?" Airi sassed with a caustic tone. Her expression grew even more annoyed. "I'll take care of whatever it is!"
"Really?" The old sailor chuckled, putting his pipe down. He gestured from the younger man to Airi. "Indigo, battle her."
"I-I…" The young man panicked, caught completely off guard.
"Oh…?" Draco sneered, snickering to himself. "This'll be hilarious!"
"Ohoho!?" Airi let out a haughty laugh, taking her usual pose. She followed it up by sending out Kirlia, causing Mailys to sigh. "Do you know who I am!? I'm Airi Tailor!" Airi repeated, pointing to her chest with her thumb. "I'm going to be the next Champion! Me and Kirlia!"
"Okay…?" The young man bemoaned, a puzzled expression on his face. He sent out a Carvanha as commanded. "Fairy vs. Dark? Great…"
"Stop it." Mr. Fang interrupted, forcing himself through the entrance. Dragonite slammed its fist into the wall, breaking it open. Outside, numerous sailors were unconscious alongside their Pokemon. "Wake! I just had to fight every single member of your crew!"
"Oh yeah, I put a bounty on ya." The old sailor chuckled, picking up his pipe and smoking from it. "I want that shiny cape."
"I'm the one who beat you at cards!" Mr. Fang snapped, pointing at the old sailor. Mailys, Draco, Airi and the young man all stepped to the side, watching the argument. "If anything, you owe me that fancy hat!"
"I never bet Ol' Watcher!" The sailor argued, slamming his pipe on a table. "You owe me twenty pounds of Dragon Scales from when we bet on that game!"
"Oh really?" Mr. Fang shouted, tossing his hands into the air. "Who bet the deed to a map to an abandoned ship again? Why did I even take that silly bet!?"
"That's on you! I was so hammered that I couldn't even tell if it was a deed, a map, or something I scrawled on my bar tab!" The sailor retorted, pointing at Mr. Fang. "How about you give me the magical amulet you promised!?"
"Huh…" Draco tilted his head, observing the argument. "I was not ready for this."
"Neither was I…" The young man mumbled with his arms crossed. He took the opportunity to face the trio. "I'm Indigo, by the way. Indigo Wake."
"Nice… to meet you." Mailys hesitantly greeted, glancing back to the argument.
"Okay!" Mr. Fang grimaced, rubbing his forehead. "Why… are we here?"
"I couldn't answer that one for ya." The old man looked through a window. "Are we here just to suffer? I can-"
"No." Mr. Fang interrupted, scratching his head. "The stupid thing in the water. Can I just blow it up already?"
"Sure. I'll get a boat ready." The sailor allowed, retrieving his pipe. He slowly marched out of the building, leaving the rest of them behind.
"I'm scared." Draco commented, completely deadpan. His father walked over to him and patted him on the back, leading him outside.
"...I think we follow them." Indigo coughed, gesturing for the girls to follow. He led them outside where the old man was preparing a large yacht. The group of sailors came to, hastily forming a group in front of the yacht.
"We're going alone!" The old man informed his crew, causing them to disperse. He turned to point at the kids and Indigo. "Yer joining us, got it?"
"Yes, sir." Indigo saluted, turning back to Airi and Mailys. "If you couldn't tell… I'm his son."
"I don't see it." Mailys remarked, still shocked.
"I'm ninety percent sure I'll up like that myself." Indigo chuckled as he untied a rope connecting to the dock. "Come on."
…...
The boat traversed the calm sea waves with utmost ease. They explored the open sea for several hours, passing by countless Wingull, Mantine, and a few Sharpedo. Indigo prepared food for the group as the sun had begun to set, before casting a fishing line out to sea. Mr. Fang tapped the side of the boat, before letting out a loud sigh.
"There's nothing here, Wake!" He growled, turning to face the sailor. Wake removed his hat to fix his hair, before placing it back on his head.
"I guess someone was just messing with us…" He groaned. Indigo celebrated as he pulled a golden Magikarp from the water, swiftly catching it. "Nice! That one'll fetch a high price!"
"You sell Magikarp?" Draco inquired, leaning against the boat's wall.
"Some weirdo likes to buy 'em from me. Probably a swindler." Wake elaborated, taking a smoke of his pipe. He glanced out to the setting sun, nonchalantly checking a pocket watch. "We should head back."
Before someone could respond, a massive shadow passed underneath the boat. Everyone jumped to the sides of the boat, peering into the water. The sky was abruptly cloaked in thick clouds. Thunder clapped as a sudden downpour sent the sea into a frenzy. Waves battered against the boat, masking the shadow.
"Anyone got a bug zapper?" Draco joked. Without warning, the entire boat shook as it was tipped over, launching everyone into the water.
Massive waves crashed into Airi, dragging her underwater. She struggled in the water, slowly plunging deeper into the abyss. Her vision grew blurry as her lungs filled with water, causing her to pass out.
…...
"Draco. Wake up." A pleasantly familiar voice spoke to Draco. He opened his eyes to find himself in his bed back in New Fang. Overhead, a kind, yet stern woman leaned over him. "Wake up, Draco. Your dad promised to catch a Pokemon for you, remember?"
Draco attempted to speak, to no avail.
"Draco, are still asleep?" The woman spoke again, shaking him. Her image began to grow blurry. "Wake up, Draco-"
"Wake up!" A booming voice bellowed as a someone planted a swift boot into his stomach. Draco coughed up water, snapping back to reality. He tried to move his limbs, finding that they were all tied up, with his hands behind his back. He glanced up to a horribly tattered looking man with yellow teeth. "You awake, yer royal highness?"
"Who… are you?" Draco interrogated, surveying the area. Several equally unsavory men and women surrounded him on what appeared to be a wooden boat. "Where's my father!? Where are my friends!?"
"Oh don't you worry yer pretty little face about that none." A woman sneered, showing off her metallic teeth.
"Hey! We fished up another one!" Another man shouted in the distance. Draco glanced over as they pulled Mailys up with a net, quickly tying her up.
"Mailys!" Draco called out, causing her to regain consciousness. Upon waking up, Mailys began to panic, squirming back and forth. The woman with the metal teeth ran up to her, planting her foot in her stomach. "Hey!"
"Oh stop yer squirming!" The woman demanded as Mailys coughed in pain. "The Cap'n don't like us hurting the merchandise!"
"Merchandise?" Draco questioned, glaring at the people around them.
"That's right!" The man who woke Draco up affirmed. "Lotsa things can fetch a nice price if you know who sell to! Jewelry, Pokemon, kids, adults. Anything can be sold."
"That's absurd!" Draco snapped. "You can't sell people!"
"Says who?" The man ignored, kicking Draco in the face. "Sorry. My foot slipped."
"Easy there." A man commanded from the side. Draco struggled to face a well dressed man in a red coat. He held a gold cane with a loose hilt at his side. He had long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. "The 'Captain' values his merchandise over his crew. Remember that."
"Sorry Cap- Mr. Blythe." The man apologized, backing away from Draco. The woman dragged Mailys by the shirt, tossing her next to him.
"Sorry about this, kiddos." The man in red affably apologized, kneeling down to face the duo. "I wouldn't let someone hurt a kid in any other situation."
"I don't believe you." Mailys snarled. "You're a monster."
"Nah." The man sighed. "I'm serious. Heck, I even got a lady back home I'm thinking about settling down with."
"If any of that's true, then why are we here?" Draco interrogated.
"Well…" The man bit his lip, scratching his head. He looked back as loud, thumping footsteps shook the wood of the boat. "That's why…"
Draco and Mailys gasped as a gigantic shadow loomed over everyone. In front of the steering wheel, what appeared to be a Feraligatr dressed in a captain's hat and a tattered long coat stood.
"Hey there... kids." The Feraligatr hissed, his voice hoarse and deep.
