CHAPTER EIGHTY SEVEN/EPILOGUE
Three months after the events of Cerulean Cave, the S.S. Aqua arrived in Vermilion City. The sun was bright and the crowds were packed full to bursting with merriment and laughter, watching and waving to the sailors on board and the captain who bade them a polite hello. The massive ship was brought into dock and the mechanical aspects secured so that passengers could begin to be received into the cabins and any heavy equipment loaded in the holds.
Daniel shielded his gaze from the harsh sunlight overhead as he joined the steady queue of passengers who held on tightly to their tickets. Children and adults, men and women, even Pokemon by their sides were desperate to witness this great vessel which had departed from Johto. In Daniel's mind, the S.S. Aqua wasn't too dissimilar to the S.S. Anne, but still he was excited, having never been on a ship of this size before. He turned to his mother.
"Mum!" Daniel stepped forward for a hug, which his mother returned triple fold in kind. "Hope you don't get too bored in Pallet - "
"Pallet is perfectly fine, thank you very much!" Mary smiled, though a bit teary-eyed. She glanced to the large seaborne vessel docked at the harbour. "Do you have all your meals included?"
Daniel had read all the documentation back to front. He held up his S.S. Aqua ticket, flashing gold in the sunlight to remind his mother of how much he had paid for it.
"You bet," Daniel added in a low voice. "First-class. It cost me all my money - "
"Daniel!" Mary was openly shocked. "You paid - "
Daniel hid the ticket in his pocket. As far as his mother had been led to believe, Daniel had spent his money on an economy ticket where he would be sharing with four others in bunk beds. He had enough money to go first-class, though he would be starting his adventure in Johto with next to no money - make that no money. But Daniel was inwardly confident he and his Pokemon would kick some serious Trainer butt and reap the rewards of prize money soon enough.
"Don't let that out of your sight," Mary indicated to Daniel's pocket, where a glimmer of gold was just visible.
Mary had only received enough money from the passing of Daniel's father to own their small home in Pallet outright, but never enough to maintain continual cash flow the likes of which allowed for surplus to be spent on luxury trips.
"I won't," Daniel promised, hugging his mother one last time. "Could you call Natalie over for me? I don't want to lose my place in the queue."
While Daniel stood between an elderly gentleman with a dark suit and briefcase and a middle-aged woman with curly hair who held her nose high in the air, Mary ran over to an ice cream vendor where Natalie was paying for two mint chocolate chip ice cream cones. Daniel watched from afar as they exchanged words with one another; Mary windswept and gesticulating while Natalie smiled, nodding as she handed one of the ice creams to Mary and ran over to Daniel.
Daniel's face lit up as Natalie ran over to him, her cheeks red from the strong breeze and enveloping him in a hug, accidentally spilling ice cream on his shirt.
Shamefaced, Natalie giggled and replied, "Oops."
Daniel wiped it off but only made it worse, as from afar his mother tutted and shook her head, as though she knew motherly methods which would've cleaned up the stain at once.
"It's OK," Daniel managed to laugh, not concerned.
"Hopefully they don't boot you out of first class," Natalie joked.
Daniel and Natalie exchanged a glance, noticing the imperious woman standing behind Daniel glancing down upon them with ill-disguised distaste. Uneasily, they tried to maintain some semblance of camaraderie despite the woman's nasal thrusts of disapproval.
"Anyway," Daniel muttered in a low voice, suddenly self-conscious which Natalie instantly alighted upon, adopting a serious gaze. "I'll miss you, you know."
"I know," Natalie smiled, with warmth in her gaze.
In the three months that had followed the Cerulean Cave incident up till now, Natalie and her mother - Mrs. C - had been hard at work cleaning their home and repairing to a standard fit for sale. Mrs. C had been initially suspicious of where Natalie had procured the funds with which they could hire handymen and plumbers, as well as a top-rated real estate agent and lawyer from Celadon City to handle the legal issues, but Natalie had been tight lipped on the matter.
Upon seeing Natalie's hard efforts, the neighbours began to pitch in and help, which forced Mrs. C to grumble and sigh and take charge to do her part, too. Before long, the house was fit for sale and as it stood now, there were several offers which Mrs. C was considering.
"Is everything going well with the house moving?" Daniel asked, moving up a pace in the queue.
"It's tiring, but I'll be glad when it's over," Natalie smiled. "Besides Diglett Tunnel and Mt. Moon, there isn't any thoroughfare to transport our things by vehicle. So we've been selling a lot of it in a garage sale, and I've asked Sabrina if she could lend me her Abra to teleport the remaining goods once we buy the house."
"You saw Sabrina?" Daniel asked, amazed. He had not forgotten the mind-reading Gym Leader of Saffron City. "That's cool."
"She told me that in return, she'll battle me again someday," Natalie smiled, turning to her four Pokemon in the distance who were valiantly assailing Mary for her mint chocolate chip ice cream. Startled, Mary was fending them off as though they were homeless Pidgey looking for breadcrumbs on the ground.
"You don't want to battle?" Daniel asked, moving up a step in the queue. Natalie shook her head determinedly. "Why not come to Johto once you're all moved in?"
For Natalie, the issue was moot. She had decided to stay in Cerulean and ensure that her mother was stable before she considered getting back on the Gym Leader circuit. Her Pokemon had fought well in the Indigo League tournament and she saw no need to subject them to another difficult journey, no matter the proceeds.
"I sat with you there, remember?" Natalie pointed to the wooden seat that her and Daniel had shared. "We decided to go on a trip somewhere. That can still happen. It'll just take time, that's all."
Daniel nodded, glad for Natalie's company. She had been a true friend to him and he would miss her. He expressed as much while remaining valiantly masculine, or at least what he had seen from boys tougher than him.
"You'll see me again," Natalie smiled, coming in close for another hug in which Daniel tried to be more tender than the indifferent, rough and tumble hug he gave to everyone without a second thought. "The Magnet Train will be finished soon. There'll be plenty of opportunity for us to see one another."
"I guess," Daniel admitted. "Natalie - "
She turned to him, smiling and expectant. He looked around worriedly as though fearing being overheard, though Natalie moved closer so she could hear him all the better.
"I've been thinking about it for a while, and I have to ask," Daniel leaned closer. "Did you get out a loan to pay for your home renovations?"
"No, no," Natalie shook her head vigorously, tugging on her ear. "I didn't - "
Unconsciously she glanced up to the front of the queue, near where Amy was third in line to be received onto the ship. Daniel followed her gaze without interest until the cogs in his brain finally fit and he jumped in alarm, startling the pampered woman who stood behind him.
"No way!" Daniel breathed, lowering his voice to a hiss not dissimilar to the affronted reaction of passengers nearby. "Are you telling me - "
"Shush!" Natalie held a finger to her lips. "You can't tell her I told you, especially since she held me to secrecy. She doesn't want it getting out and about."
"Why not?" Daniel asked, changing his perception of Amy. "She's very generous - "
"Exactly," Natalie replied primly. "She doesn't want to be seen as soft. She's the Champion of Kanto, after all!"
"I thought she'd benefit from a bit of charity, given it's probably what her mother does," Daniel watched wistfully. "After all this, she does something which benefits her family's name. She donates her winnings to a semi finalist who needs the money. She'd be revered all over!"
"It's her choice," Natalie ran a hand through her ponytail of red hair, releasing the band so she could re-tie it. "I think it's very modest and humble, just like her to keep things so secret."
Daniel laughed while Natalie looked surprised. "What is it?"
"She can't keep much secret for long," Daniel pointed to the front of the queue, where Amy remained stoic despite Beth's attempts to pull her along. "Look who she's got to travel with for the next week!"
Meanwhile, at the front of the queue, Amy remained tight-lipped while Beth darted from side to side, trying to catch a glimpse of the massive vessel that was the S.S. Aqua. She had instantly regretted her decision to take Beth along with her to Johto, though she understood the commitment she had made to Mary in keeping Beth safe.
Amy had paid for a first-class suite on the S.S. Aqua with two beds so that she could watch over Beth and ensure she came to no harm, but at this point Amy would gladly take her own cabin so she could rest in peace and quiet. She finally understood why her own mother had been so insistent that Amy become a wilted flower and follow orders. It could be tiring to keep up with the frenetic pace of exuberant children.
"Come along, Beth," Amy instructed, unconsciously imitating the stern tone of her mother to pull Beth along. "Do you still have your ticket?"
Nodding, Beth eagerly retrieved her snazzy new purple-and-white striped purse with inexpensive gold clasps. Beth had tried her best to mimic Amy's casual attire of slim jeans, sleeveless white shirt and brown hair swinging loosely down her back, but her clothes were all lurid and bright and she had not grown up with the affectations of fashion to conform to a variety of school yard cliques to know precisely what went well with her frame.
Beth's hair was short and brown, she wore a spaghetti-strap purple dress that reached her knees with striped tights underneath and buckled, sparkly purple sandals. Vulpix's Pokeball was inside her purse along with the hundred dollars in cash Mary had given her as pocket money.
"I'm so excited, Amy," Beth was oblivious of Amy's stern tone and commanding demeanour, glancing out at the glittering blue expanse of ocean which promised such adventure. "Are you excited? Are you excited, Amy?"
Amy nodded sternly to shut her up and Beth gabbed away in conversation. Meanwhile in the queue, the young man who stood in front of Amy glanced over his shoulder and smirked. Though he was undeniably handsome with his shirt slightly unbuttoned and trim frame with well-cut jeans, Amy ignored him and set her eyes forward. The guy handed his first-class ticket to the attendant and a steward rushed to escort him aboard the ship, while he shook his head at a porter and indicated his backpack which was his only luggage besides the Pokeballs on his belt.
"Cool! He's a Pokemon Trainer, Amy," Beth informed her. "You should battle him sometime!"
Doubtfully, Amy's eyes flickered up to him as he ascended the gangplank onto the ship. His gaze was full of meaningful intent to which her expression remained stoic.
"He's probably looking because he thinks you're my daughter," Amy added dryly.
Beth frowned. "No, he must think we're sisters. That's an idea! We can be sisters! Let's tell everyone - "
Amy shook her head and managed a smile for the attendant which she had been in better spirits to perform back when she first lined up in the queue, which seemed an age ago. The attendant marked her and Beth's names off a list on the clipboard he held.
"Welcome to the S.S. Aqua," he smiled. "Champion Amy and Miss. S."
Surprised, Amy smiled and handed over her golden ticket, while Beth tried to procure her ticket from the confines of her purse, her tongue poking out between her teeth in frustration.
"Nearly there!" Beth's fingers fumbled as she struggled valiantly to open the clasp. "It - won't - budge - ah!"
Beth gasped as the inexpensive purse broke apart in her hands, while the cash remained within but Vulpix's Pokeball rolled onto the ground and the golden ticket fluttered into the breeze.
"No!" Beth shouted, leaping to grab it without hesitation.
The attendant snatched it from the air, giving Amy a look that suggested that was a close call. Breathing easier, Amy relaxed somewhat while Beth moaned over the remains of her purse. Amy knelt down and reached for Vulpix's Pokeball, securing it on her belt while she collected Beth's pocket money which had begun to stir in the breeze and added it to her own stash.
"I'll hold onto it for now to keep it safe," Amy rose to her feet, aware she was causing a disturbance by holding up the queue. She turned to the attendant whose pen hesitated above his clipboard. "We're ready now."
He was all smiles as he beckoned to a pair of porters who rushed to assist Amy and Beth with their luggage. Meekly, Beth handed over her suitcase while Amy barely paid them a moment's notice, having gone through this procedure before. The porters rushed ahead with their luggage while the attendant moved aside so Amy and Beth could ascend the gangplank.
"Be careful with my suitcase!" Beth shouted.
Once she reached the top, Amy glanced out at the harbour. It had been a long time ago since she had left Vermilion City and boarded a magnificent ship quite like this one which had lead to her fateful decision to leave all her belongings and life of privilege behind. Looking back, she had no regrets.
Amy took a deep breath and walked beside Beth as they followed the steward inside the S.S. Aqua. Suddenly, Beth came to a stop.
"Oh, no! Amy, I forgot my comb!" Beth wailed as she followed Amy down the corridor. "It was my pink one, with - "
THE END
A/N: Thank you to all who have read this far. This is my largest novel writing accomplishment and I hope to write a sequel about the events which these characters face in Johto. My writing style has changed as I write more chapters and I hope to be as thorough as possible when describing people, places and events. Thanks again for your time and commitment.