Igglybuff and Wailord

The cool breeze smelled salty. An Igglybuff sat on the boat's rails and looked around. Water was all around them; only a green haze on horizon indicated an end to this ocean. Elsewhere, the light blue of the sky moved right into the dark blue of the still waters. "It's bigger than any big thing I've seen," she said.

"Careful there, Melody," her owner warned. She stroked the tuft of pink fur growing from the Igglybuff's head. "The water's very deep around here."

"I won't fall," she stated as she looked up at the old couple. She had been an anniversary gift for them, a Pokemon companion when their others had passed away. They were kind, lavishing her with attention. They were both silver-haired and weak-eyed, but they were still active, still traveling the world on a quest to see all of its wonders. Melody adored them, but was waiting on the right time to grow up.

One of the sailors came up to them. "Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Woodward, but you should go inside for the next few hours. There's a storm nearby. We're trying to avoid it, but we don't know where it's headed."

"Alright," the old man replied. "It does look calm, but the sea can change moods rapidly."

"I hope it's not a loud storm," Melody said before hopping into the old woman's arms.

Due to a planning mixup, they had missed the large passenger ship that was going to take them to their next destination. Instead, they were traveling on this moderately sized research ship. Due to the smaller size, the ship began rocking when the storm hit an hour later. The wind blew loud and the rain crashed into the ocean with a steady hiss.

The old couple wasn't bothered much by it, though. They played chess with a magnetic board. "I once saw a storm at sea where the waves were as tall as three story buildings," the man said. "That was an exciting voyage."

"I think I could live without that kind of excitement," Melody replied nervously. The rocking of the ship made it hard for her to stay in one place

"But you never know your true strength unless it is tested." He nodded to that. Having lived with Pokemon his whole life, he usually knew what she was saying.

The woman was the same way. "That's true, but she is just a child."

After a quick knock, the sailor from before opened their cabin door. "Have you got everything secured?"

"I think so," the woman said, glancing around to see if there was something.

That unsecured something was Melody's black and gold Luxury Ball, which was sitting on a stand by the door. A particularly strong wave crashed into the boat, causing the ball to tumble off and roll past the door. "I'll get it!" the Igglybuff called, jumping down to the floor after the ball.

"Whoa, hang on there," the sailor said, reaching down the grab the ball or the Pokemon. Both of them slipped by him and onto the deck.

The rain had made the floor slick, causing Melody to stumble and slide after her Pokeball. The ocean was the complete opposite of when they had been watching just an hour before. The rough waves reached up towards the terribly dark clouds. As a lightning bolt split the sky, Melody saw her ball hit a bump and skip straight into the air. She wasn't sure what would happen to her if it broke. Afraid that it would be something bad, she jumped up after it. Although it was quite large compared to her size, she managed to catch it.

And then kept going right over the edge of the ship.

She hit the water shrieking. The crashing of the waves soon overwhelmed her ears. Shortly after, those waves threw her into the side of the boat, overwhelming her everywhere else.

When Melody woke up, she was damp with salt water, but not overly wet. She was in a dry and cool place. The ground below her was smooth and almost rubbery, like that wetsuit she had found in the dive supply room. Curious, she opened her eyes and sat up.

A shimmering shield formed a small domed space around her. It emitted a slight luminescence. Beyond that, there was a thick watery darkness. Below her was a dark blue surface. Melody got up to check out the shield.

"Stay still, little child" a Pokemon's voice came from below. "I don't want to lose you. Are you better?"

"I think so," she replied. "Where are we?"

"Underwater. Don't worry; my power will protect you."

She looked down, but there was only the strange blue surface she was on. "Where are you?"

The other chuckled. "Right with you. The surface is still agitated, though. It would be risky to go up. We shall follow the boat until they enter calmer waters."

"But what happened to my Pokeball? It fell in with me."

There was a low clicking following her question, then the ocean Pokemon replied, "I think I have found it. Hold still."

Melody's body trembled with a strange movement. She was holding still, yet she seemed to be moving quickly. It was almost like the ship's motions, but smoother. She looked around for something to explain this, but the dark waters held no clue that she could read. Occasionally she saw hints of other ocean life: the cruising wing shape of a Mantine, the silvery glisten of a Tentacool, the yellow glow of one she could not identify, the shining sharp teeth of another stranger. But none of them gave heed to the small Igglybuff, so they couldn't be her rescuer.

Then she spotted a golden reflection, followed by a spherical shape. "Oh, that's it! But how can I get it? I can't swim."

"Be patient."

The Pokeball moved oddly, finally giving her something to compare the motions she was feeling. It drifted upward, then came towards her. When it came to be above her, it fell straight into the shielded bubble she was in. Melody grabbed hold of it when it landed by her. "Got it! Thanks."

"You're welcome. It will take some more time, but the ship will come out of the storm."

"But who are you? What are you? Can I see you?"

This amused him. "I am sure you can see me, for you are riding on my back."

Melody tapped her foot gently on the blue surface. It could be skin, she guessed. "This is you?"

"Yes. I am a Wailord. I don't have a particular name; I do not mind. Now what would you be? I'm not about to let a land creature drown in these waters, but I've never seen one like you before."

"I'm an Igglybuff! My people call me Melody, so that's my name. I have to go back to them. They're old folks and I'm the last Pokemon they have left."

"I see. It is good that you can make friends with humans."

"And with you."

"If you wish. I'll certainly remember you."

Melody giggled. "I can sing for you. I'm still learning, though, so I can't sing for long."

"I would like to hear that, thanks."

While the Wailord trailed the ship, Melody sang for him.

He surfaced alongside the research ship, immediately getting their attention. He felt the small Pokemon hop up on his back and heard her squeal for attention. "Hey, I'm back!"

It had been an odd encounter when he found the Igglybuff falling in the water. Remembering long-distant days of when he had traveled with a human and other Pokemon, he had gone to catch her, using his Dive skill to give her a safety bubble of air. She reminded him of the Clefairy that he had known back then. She had been a good singer too.

The humans on the ship noticed. "Hey sir, I think he has your Pokemon with him."

"Excuse me, Wailord," another sailor said before he climbed over the railing of the ship and jumped onto his back. He picked up Melody and brought her back on board.

An elderly human woman soon came up and took her. "Thank the heavens, you're safe. We were so worried."

"I'm sorry," she said, sniffling a bit. "But I made a new friend!"

He swam out a little ways to get a better look at those on the ship. He soon spotted little Melody, a round ball of pink fluff that fit nicely in her Trainer's arms. Turning slightly, he brought up his long fins and waved to her. "I'm afraid we split ways here. But don't be sad. Be glad that we were able to meet."

Melody waved both of her arms. "Okay! But wow, I've never seen a Pokemon as big as you before! The ocean's full of big things."

Amused by her awe, he shot a quick spout of water into the air. "I've never seen one of your kind either. Take care, Melody."

"Take care, Mr. Wailord!"

He dove back under the water. A couple minutes later, he jumped out of the water and gave Melody one last wave goodbye.

…

Igglybuff Leaf Green entry: It has a very soft body. If it starts to roll, it will bounce all over and be impossible to stop.

Emerald entry: It breathes through nostrils that it raises above the sea. By inhaling to its maximum capacity, a Wailord can dive close to 10,000 feet beneath the waves.

One of the biggest and one of the smallest Pokemon together! I like that kind of contrast.