Here's the next chapter.
I'm sorry to say that I can no longer accept any more Pokemon recommendations as I'm starting to lose track of them all and it would be unfair to those who have submitted Pokemon if I start forgetting them.
Once the 'Potential Pokemon List' is shorter I will start accepting them again. I will add on the recommendations you have put forward in the last chapter, but please don't submit anymore once this goes out. Thank you so much to those who have recommended. You have been a great help in the development of this story. Thank you for understanding.
All of Charles' Pokemon and their names can be found on my profile.
pokemonking0924 -Thank so much, I'm so glad you've enjoyed this chapter. The problem with watching the first series of Pokemon when you're older is that you start to notice some sketchy scenes that you wouldn't notice as a child. This is why I thought Lt. Surge should be taken down a peg. Of course, he's not the only one who will get in trouble.
I'm glad you liked the battle. I thought it was about time Pyro evolves since he's worked so hard.
In regard to Fleur and Lilly, I thought it would be great to have their own sperate pursuit which isn't battle based. This battle will be their start to becoming the team's cheerleaders and maybe becoming bellosomes in the future.
I remember in the original series that Nurse Joy had a Thunder Stone which she offers to Pikachu, so I thought it would make an appearance in this story. I think it just belonged to the Centre so I doubt Charles would take it with him.
Thank again.
TurboDriver07 – Thanks for reviewing. I was planning for at least most of Ash's female traveling companions to be part of the harem (I.e: May, Dawn, and Iris) except for Serena and Bonny. This is because Serena and Ash are perfect together and I don't want to ruin that and Bonny for very obvious reasons.
I thought Pyro needed to evolve since he has been training really hard. I always wondered why it took so long for Charizard to start listening to Ash, so thought I add that in.
I'm so glad you've enjoyed it.
Martin – Hmm…I haven't really planned on anyone. It's already pretty hard writing for four permanent characters (including Benny) I might start losing track if I add another one. There might be temporary traveling companion in the future but for now its just going to be Charles, Benny, Flo and Alice.
Kunoichi69 – Thank you so much. I wanted to address the problems with evolution and Benny and the raichu were a great example.
In regard to Cleo, I want her to start being the big sister of the team, looking out for them and stop them from getting into trouble. As for the Fleur des Lis sisters, I want them to become the team's mascot/cheerleaders and hopefully that would help Fleur with her anger problems.
I like your suggestions and I will add them to the list. However, after this chapter goes out, I won't be accepting any more. Thank you.
Djinn – Thanks again. Yeah, Lt Surge deserved it and it will be the same for all the men who decided to flirt with Misty in the series. It's so weird. You're also right about Brock. BTW Brock being dragged away is probably my favourite running gags, so I need to incorporate it into this story.
Guest – Charles will definitely be in the race. That was a good episode if I remember correctly. I think I may have some idea of what Pokemon he could use.
I think the reason why they were in regular pokeballs was because the safari zone episode was banned so the creators must have wanted to keep the continuity. I'll definitely fix it in this story.
Guest (2) – The cheerleading scene was inspired by Dawn's Pokemon and it will be something the Fleur de Lis sisters will pursue. I'm not quite sure if Flo and Alice would want to dress up for Charles. I mean they have other aspirations beside support him. Maybe they will one time.
danielsnow – I see you're still hooked on Mew. *Chuckles good naturedly* Remember, I said I'll think about it.
Have I thought about which eveelution to do? Yes. However, it's going to be an important plot later in the story, so I can't give away too much information. However, I think her name gives it away slightly. Also, I think the Thunder Stone is the property of the Pokemon Centre since Nurse Joy offered it to Pikachu, so Charles won't take it.
I also like your recommendation; I'll be sure to put it on the list. But like I said, after this chapter goes out, I won't be accepting anymore. Thank you.
kept123 – No problem. Thanks for reading.
Guest – Thank you so much for the recommendation, I'll add it to the list. After this chapter goes out, I won't be accepting anymore. Thank you.
BigEater – It's not just the anime that is crazy, but the manga as well. I once heard that the first drafts of the Pokemon manga were denied because they were too sketchy.
Thank you so much, I'm glad you've enjoyed it. Everybody seemed to enjoy Lt Surge being taken down a peg which I'm glad to hear. I decided to make the raichu female because I thought it would be funny for her to fall in love with Benny. Not only that I wanted to show what would be the reaction of Benny being a shiny to other non-shiny pichu, pikachu, and raichu.
I like your recommendations and I will put them on the list. However, like I've said before, I can't accept anymore after this chapter. Thank you.
BB-8 – Probably. That would be interesting to write, but it may come up later in the story.
Mark The Gamer of Grima – Nothing makes me happier then to respond to reviews, especially yours since you are my one hundredth follower. Congratulations!
I'm so glad you like it so far. I was planning a chapter where Team Rocket goes after Charles' team so be sure to look out for that.
Don't worry about recommending any Pokemon at the moment. I've got way too many at the moment, but I do like your Galar idea. However, I'm afraid that I am fairly new to Pokemon and I have only just started Sun and Moon, so any Galar region Pokemon would have to come later in the story since I don't know any Galar Pokemon at the moment. Thank you for reviewing and I hope you keep reading.
Thanks for all the reviews and enjoy the next chapter :)
("Pokespeech")
Chapter 17: All Abord!
Pokemon Centre, Vermillion City
The team were packed and were about to leave when Nurse Joy told them they were a phone call for Charles and Flo. The two, with Benny on Charles' shoulder, sat down at the video phone and were surprised to see Professor Oak on the other end.
"Hi Professor," Flo greeted.
"Hello, you two," Oak greeted back before he noticed Charles' disheveled state, "Err..Charles are you alright?"
"Just fine," Charles told him with a satisfied grin, "just some Pokemon can't take a joke."
("Don't make me electrocute you again, buttmunch,") Benny warned, earning a teasing grin from Charles.
"Anyway," Flo interrupted, "is there something we can help you with?"
"Nothing like that Flo. I just happen to obtain some tickets for a cruise on the St Anne and since you are in Vermillion City, I wanted to give them to you," Oak told them.
("The St Anne,") Benny repeated in surprise.
"No way," Flo uttered excitedly.
"And you're just giving them to us," Charles said with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm too busy at my lab, so I won't be able to go," Oak told them, "I already gave one to Gary and I'm giving the last two tickets to you. So would you like to go?"
Charles and Flo looked at each other and had a silent conversation. Nodding in agreement the two turned back to Oak.
"Sounds fun," Charles said, "we'll love to go."
"Excellent," Oak said with a smile, "I'll send the tickets to the Centre right now. Bye, have fun."
"Thanks Professor," Charles and Flo chorused as the call ended.
Charles and Flo turned to each other excitedly.
"A cruise," Flo started with a wide smile.
"On the St Anne," Charles finished.
"I can't wait!" they said together joyfully.
("Err...guys. Are you forgetting someone,") Benny deadpanned.
Charles turned to him in confusion.
"What do you mea-"
"Hey guys," Alice greeted as she walked up to them with the Pokemon egg in her arms, "what are you excited about."
...
...
...
...
Charles' and Flo's eyes widen in realisation. They looked at their third part member with blank looks before looking back at each other.
"Err..." they stuttered.
"What?" Alice asked curiously.
"Err...," they stammered again.
"Hey guys," a new voice interrupted the awkward moment.
The team turned to the doors to see Gary enter the Centre with his usual confident smirk.
"I see that yo-"
But before Gary finish his quip, Flo and Charles dragged him to the Centre's dining area.
"Gary, I have never been happier to see you," Charles told him a wide grin.
"Are you thirsty? You must be thirsty. I'll get you a drink," Flo offered with an equally wide grin.
"Err...okay," Gary stuttered as he let himself be dragged away.
Alice watched them leave with a suspicious frown before following them.
The team were sat at a table in the dining area. Charles and Flo introduced Alice to Gary who, rather predictably, started to boast about his grandfather being Professor Oak. After getting Gary to stop, they had a conversation on how their journey has gone so far.
"So, you've earned your third gym badge, huh," Gary said as he sipped his fizzy drink, "took you long enough."
Charles rolled his eyes good naturally, "It's not a race, Gary. It's supposed to be a journey. I'm guessing you've just earned your third badge."
"You got that right," Gary smirked, "I bet Ashy boy hasn't even gotten his fir-ow ow!"
"Stop antagonising each other," Charles scolded as he pulled Gary's ear painfully, "I've told you and Ash this a thousand of times."
"Ow-but he's not even here-ow!" Gary complained.
"I don't care. Just stop," Charles sharply said as he released his ear.
"I'm guessing this is an insight into your childhood," Alice said to irritated Flo.
"More or less," Flo sighed, "So Gary, Professor Oak told us he gave you a ticket for the St Anne."
Gary hummed, "Oh yeah, but I'm not going," he told them much to their surprise.
"What, why?" Alice asked.
"I'm planning on heading to Fuchsia City for my next gym battle," Gary said with a shrug, "I'm not going to waste time on a cruise."
"Well, why don't we take the ticket. I also wanted to go a cruise," Alice suggested happily.
Flo and Charles looked at each other, not believing their luck.
"Great idea, Alice," Flo said with a fake smile.
"A cruise. The thought never crossed my mind," Charles added with an nervous smile.
Benny rolled his eyes, ("You two need to get better a lying,") he muttered.
"Alright then," Gary said as he handed his ticket to Alice, "have fun or whatever. I need to get going, the cheerleaders will be here soon with the car," he told them as he stood up from his seat.
"Car? Cheerleaders?" Alice questioned.
"We don't know either," Flo shrugged.
"Bye losers," Gary said as he made his to the exit.
Gary suddenly stopped and turned back, "Oh wait, I almost forgot," he said as he turned to Charles, "I met Leaf on the way to Vermillion."
"Really? How is she?" Charles asked with a smile.
"Leaf?" Alice whispered to Flo.
"Another friend of ours," Flo whispered back.
"She's fine," Gary shrugged, "she said she's heading for the Leaf Forest near Saffron City but wants to meet up with you."
"That sounds great. Thanks Gary," Charles said happily.
"Whatever," Gary muttered as turned back to the exit.
The others watched him leave, get into his car full of cheerleaders and drove away.
Alice turned to her friends, "He's..." she trailed off as she tried to find the right words.
"Yeah, we know," Charles sighed, "he gets better once you get to know him better."
"Does he?" Alice asked.
"…No, not really," Charles admitted, "anyway we should be heading off. The St. Anne will depart in a few hours."
As Charles and Flo stood up from their chairs, Alice realised something.
"Wait a minute. Flo, how did you know Gary had a ticket for the cruise?" Alice asked.
Charles and Flo glanced at each other anxiously.
"Err…Professor Oak may have mentioned it…when we were talking to him earlier…yeah," Flo explained as she gave Alice a sheepish smile.
Alice hummed, "I see."
"Anyway, Alice why don't you stay here while Flo and I get our tickets," Charles said hurriedly as the two started to back away.
Alice frowned, "Don't you want me to come with you?" she asked.
"No, that's fine," Flo told her, "You can finish your drink."
"I'm not drinking anything," Alice deadpanned.
"Then you can finish your…sitting," she corrected herself, "bye."
But before they could leave, Nurse Joy entered the dining area.
"Oh, there you are," Nurse Joy called as she walked over to them with a smile, "Professor Oak just sent these over," she happily said as she gave two tickets to Flo, "you're so lucky. I heard that the St Anne is very luxurious. Bon voyage," she told them with a small giggle before she walked away.
Charles and Flo gulped and slowly turned to face Alice with sheepish smiles. Alice looked at them with an unimpressed look.
"So," Charles said, "funny story…"
"You guys made plans and totally forgot about me, didn't you," Alice deadpanned.
"More or less…" Flo answered as she fiddled with one of her hair ringlets.
Alice glared at them for a couple more seconds before she shrugged.
"Alright," she simply said much to their confusion.
"You're not mad?" Charles asked.
Alice giggled and stood up from her chair.
"Mad? Why would I be mad? I only joined you guys a few days ago. I didn't expect you to be used to another member yet," she answered with a shrug.
"Well, that's good to hear," Flo sighed in relief.
"We're sorry Alice. We were just excited," Charles apologised, "you're a valuable member of our team and our friend."
"Aww that's so nice of you," Alice said as she walked up to them with a smile, "I just hope how much value me is reflected in the number of things you two will buy me on the cruise," she said before walked by them.
Charles and Flo's eyes widened in shock at what Alice said. They then bowed their heads in defeat.
"We deserved that," Charles muttered.
"Yep," Flo agreed.
Benny chuckled from Charles shoulder, ("You guys were so close.")
Vermillion Docks
The team had made it onto the docks. Before they arrived, Charles decided to switch some of his Pokemon. Fleur and Lilly said they wanted to go back to practise some of their new moves at the lab's corral. Sneak also wanted to go back since he didn't like the idea of being on the water.
In their place, Charles retrieved Mystic and Boa since he hasn't seen them in a while and Kani because he had yet to introduce him to the others. Plus, he thought it would like to be out on the open sea.
Whilst they waited to be boarded the large cruise ship, Charles took the opportunity to greet Mystic much to everybody's embarrassment.
"Oh, I missed you so much, you beautiful gyarados," Charles cooed as he hugged Mystic's head on the edge of the docks.
Mystic wagged her tail happily in the water while she snuggled into her trainer's arms.
("And I missed you so much, darling. Thank you for bringing me back,") she happily cried.
Alice, Flo, and the rest of the Pokemon watch the interaction with either embarrassed or perplexed looks. Except for Kani who seemed, as always, chilled with what was going on.
"They really need to stop doing that in public," Flo muttered, conscious with all the people staring at the display.
("I would rather they stop doing this at all,") Benny mumbled as he covered his face with his paws.
"Are they going to stop any time soon," Alice sighed as she held an incubator containing the Pokemon egg, "we've got to board soon."
("Master is right,") Apollo barked, ("Public display of affections are no place for a functioning dock. Sir, needs to stop right now or else the entire docking system will come apart.")
("Docking system?") Alette questioned with a confused frown.
("Don't bother Alette,") Cleo sighed at Apollo's antics.
Boa snorted and turned her head away indignantly, ("He should be treating me like. For I am a queen after all.")
("No way, that's so cool,") Kani said in a relaxed tone, ("I never met royalty before.")
Pyro looked worriedly at the krabby, ("Please don't believe everything she says,") he told him.
("I'm surrounded by idiots,") Titania deadpanned.
The foghorn of the St Anne blew, signifying that it was time for them to board.
Charles pulled away from Mystic, "I thought you could swim alongside the ship and stretch your le- tail. You must have been cramped in Oak's corral lake."
Mystic nodded, ("It's not too bad,") she admitted, ("but I haven't swum in the sea for ages. Thank you so much, darling.")
("Darling?") the Pokemon chorused at her odd name choice.
Charles didn't seem to mind. He returned every Pokemon to their pokeballs and the team boarded the St Anne.
However, they were all unaware of the tentacool floating beside the ship. The tentacool was the same one Alice fished at the sea inlet and it was staring up at her in curiosity.
They were also unaware of a familiar trio receiving tickets from two tanned vendors.
Passenger Rooms
The tickets provided rooms for the team to stay in overnight. Charles and Benny entered their room and were awed by how ornate it was. A large bed, oak furniture, one of those tea sets you get in posh hotels which includes a little kettle and a selection of tea sachets with unusual names like 'Summer Rose', 'Midnight Dream', and 'Assam' and, of course, you need to drink them all because you think its rude to not at least try at least try them all, even if you don't really like green tea that much and would honestly prefer Yorkshire tea or a Darjeeling if you are fee-
("Charles, you have been staring at the tea set for two minutes now,") Benny said, snapping Charles from his intense stare.
"Sorry," Charles apologised, "I don't know what came over me."
The room also contained an ensuite bathroom with a shower and small bottles of complimentary shampoo. They team were really lucky to get these tickets.
("This is amazing,") Benny said as he looked around the room.
"I know," Charles agreed, "this has got to be the poshest room we've stayed at."
As Benny leaped onto the bed, Charles placed the egg incubator on the chest of drawers, making sure it's as far away from the side as possible. Charles frowned in concern as he looked around the room, trying to see any potential hazards that might knock the incubator off the chest of drawers.
A knock at the door caught his attention.
"Come in," he called out.
Flo stepped into the room and Charles' problem.
"It's fine, Charles," Flo told him kindly, "the egg is in the incubator. It's not going anywhere."
"I know," Charles sighed, "its just that this first time we left it beside itself."
"But it might get crushed if we take it to the top deck," Flo said, "we'll check on it at regular intervals, alright?"
Charles nodded, "Alright."
"Good," Flo said giving him a warm smile, "I got to say you're starting to become a great father."
Charles blushed and rubbed the back of his neck, "I don't know about that. If anybody was a good parent…well a great mother…"Flo's eyes widened in joy at what he was going to say, "it would be y-"
"Hey guys!" Alice shouted as she burst into Charles' room, "make sure you bring you wallets, because I've already spotted so may things that i wan-"
She stopped at Charles' embarrassed look and Flo's irritated glare.
"Sorry, did I interrupt something?" Alice asked sheepishly.
"No," Charles answered honestly with a kind smile.
"No," Flo lied as she gritted her teeth.
"Oh, okay," Alice uttered as she nervously backed her way out the door.
The Main Deck
The St. Anne had sailed away by the time they made it to the main deck.
The main area was an inside venue lavishly decorated and packed with assortment of people. Trainers showing off their Pokemon, vendors selling their products, there was even an area outside where trainers can have battles.
Before they entered, Charles went over to the side and waved hello to Mystic. The shiny gyarados was swimming beside the ship drawing an audience who has never seen a red gyarados before. Charles saw a few trainers throw pokeballs at Mystic which harmlessly bounced of her. Mystic gave them a mean look which scared them off.
Charles chuckled before spotting a tentacool following the ship. He briefly pondered why before he returned to the group stood outside the venue doors. They all took out the Pokemon, who looked around in curiosity.
"Alright everybody," Charles said catching their attention, "you can all explore the ship, but stay on this deck and don't get into trouble. We will meet at eating area in an hour. Is that clear."
The Pokemon replied with an excited yes, but before they could run off, Apollo stopped them.
("Sir, permission to oversee the operation,") Apollo asked Charles.
"Err…granted," Charles replied unsurely.
The growlithe turned back to the group of Pokemon, ("As overseer of the operation, I have created a schedule,") he declared as held a piece of paper with a crudely drawn table chart on it in his mouth.
("When did you-") Pyro began as he pointed at the paper.
("Questions after. We will spend a maximum of four minutes at each attraction in order to enjoy the event efficiently,") he declared proudly, earning groans from the group of Pokemon, ("now we will need to start at the left side of the venue,") he said pointing his head to the main doors, ("before moving clockwise around the-")
As soon as Apollo turned back, he gasped when he realised, they were gone. He looked around in shock, trying to find them all.
("Insubordination!") he shouted angrily, ("I haven't even covered evening activities yet.")
He took off down the side of the ship, hoping he could catch at least one of them.
("Come back you here!") he ordered before he caught a glimpse off the side of the boat.
He stared at the dark waters beneath him in fear before running back to Alice and jumping into her arms.
"Hey, it's alright," she soothed him as he began to whimper, "the sea is not going to hurt you."
("I don't like it. I don't like it,") he softly cried.
("I guess he forgets his duties when it comes to the open sea,") Benny muttered from Charles shoulder.
"Yeah, maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring him," Charles said, "but he was fine at the beach."
("I suppose there's a difference between being on water then seeing the sea on land,") Benny suggested.
They walked into the venue (with Apollo in Alice's safe arms) and began to explore. They looked at the stalls and the interesting Pokemon present. They soon came to a place where a group of people have gathered around. Interested, the team walked up to see what was happening.
"Butterfree, use Stun Spore," a familiar voice sounded from the middle of the crowd.
Charles, Flo and Benny instantly recognised the voice of their childhood friend and broke through the crowd.
Ash was in the middle of a battle with an older man in a suit, stove pipe hat and sunglasses. Ash's butterfree had just used a Stun Spore on a brown rat-like Pokemon with large teeth. Charles got out his pokedex:
Raticate: It uses its whiskers to maintain its balance. It apparently slows down if they are cut off.
The raticate groaned in pain as it was hit by the Stun Spore, but before Ash could finish the battle the man in the hat picked up his raticate.
"Well, that's enough," the man said in a heavy southern accent.
"Huh!" Ash gaped in shock, "but…"
"Why don't we just call it a draw?" the man interrupted as he began to turn away.
"Wait one moment," Charles called out angrily as he stepped into the temporary pitch.
"Charles," Ash gasped as he saw his friend approach.
"Something the matter, you man?" the man asked with a raise eyebrow.
"Yeah, there is," Charles hotly answered, "you can't just stop in the middle of battle and call it a draw just because he's beating you."
The man chuckled, "Young man, I stopped the match because I saw no reason to continue it."
"And was that reason you not wanting to look like a loser in front of everybody," Charles shot back, earning some giggles from the audience.
The man maintained his smile, but Charles saw an angry tick mark forming on his head.
Charles raised his arm toward a confused Ash, "Weird man in the hat forfeits, therefore I declare that Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town the winner," Charles proclaimed acting as the judge of the match.
Ash celebrated his win in his usual manner, while the man hummed in annoyance and carried his raticate out of the ring. Flo and Alice walked up behind Charles and gave the man a strange look.
"What's his problem?" Alice asked with a frown.
"Some people are just sore losers," Flo shrugged before she turned to Ash, "funny seeing you here."
"Flo," Ash said in surprise before he turned to Alice with a confused look, "…and Officer Jenny."
Alice giggled, "Not yet. You can just call me Alice. I'm new to the team."
"Oh, yeah," Ash said in realisation, "I thought you didn't look like the other Officer Jennys. You're way too sh-"
Charles and Flo covered Ash's mouth before he could finish his sentence as Alice glared angrily at him.
"So, Ash how have you been?" Flo asked hurridly.
"Seen any new Pokemon?" Charles asked.
But before he could answer, Misty, Pikachu and another older boy came up to them.
"Charles, Flo," Misty greeted, her cheeks slightly turning red as she looked at Charles.
"Hi Misty," Charles greeted back, "I see Ash hasn't paid you back for the bike yet."
"No, he hasn't." Misty answered through gritted teeth as she glared at Ash.
Ash rolled his eyes, "You didn't have to remind her," he mumbled.
As Benny jumped down for Charles shoulder to greet Pikachu, Charles turned to the other boy. He looked to be thirteen or fourteen and had dark spiky hair, tanned skin, and closed eyes. He wore a green vest over an orange shirt. Charles swore he recognised him and then it dawned on him.
"Oh, you must be Brock," Charles realised, "Flint's son at the Pewter City gym."
Brock flinched slightly at him mentioning his father before smiling kindly.
"Yep, that's me. You must be Charles. Ash and Misty mentioned you," he said as the two boys shook hands, "how's my dad handling the gym?"
"He's doing great," Charles answered, "as for your siblings…he's managing."
"I thought as much," Brock sighed.
"He did mention how you were traveling with some friends, but I didn't know it was Ash," Charles said before he turned to his friend with a faux concerned look, "you do realise your supposed to be collecting gym badges, not gym leaders," he told him motioning to Misty and Brock.
Ash frowned angrily, "I know that," he crossly said.
"Calm down Ash," Flo giggled, "he was only teasing."
That was when Brock noticed Flo and Alice. His eyes lit up and he smiled broadly as he walked up to them.
"Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny," he proclaimed in a love sick manner, "how could I not see-"
He stopped suddenly as he got a better look at the two irritated girls.
"Huh. No wait you two are too young," Brock said in despair, "you have not blossomed into the beautiful women I love with all my hea-"
Misty grabbed on to Brock's ear and dragged him away from Flo and Alice.
"Word of advice, Brock," Misty muttered, "never talk about how a girl hasn't 'blossomed' yet. It's creepy."
"Noted," Brock grunted in pain.
"I'm pretty sure he flirted with my mum once…and my sister," Alice said as she glared at Brock.
"He's flirted with my mum as well," Flo added crossly.
Charles watched what just happened from the side-lines. He didn't know why it bothered him when Brock tried to flirt with Flo and Alice. He shook those thoughts off and turned to Ash.
"Why don't we catch up?" he suggested.
The six kids, two pikachus and one (still scared) growlithe walked around the venue, talking, and telling them what they've experienced.
"So, you got Damian arrested," Misty said to Flo and Alice, "that's so good to hear."
"Yeah, he was such a pathetic excuse for a trainer," Flo said, making the other two girls nod in agreement.
Misty looked at the shaking growlithe in Alice's arms, "Is your growlithe alright?" she asked worriedly.
Alice looked down at Apollo with a comforting smile, "Apollo is just scared of the open sea. He should calm down in while," she said as she petted his head.
"Why don't you put him in his pokeball?" Flo asked.
"I tried, but he doesn't want to go in," Alice told them, "I think he wants to protect me from it."
"Aww, that's so cute," Misty cooed as she stroked Apollo's fur.
Ahead of the girls, Charles was walking with Ash and Brock. Benny and Pikachu were on their brother's/trainer's shoulders having a conversation of their own.
("You really can't evolve anymore,") Pikachu said in disbelief.
Benny shook his head, ("Nope, I'm a pikachu for life,") Benny shrugged nonchalantly.
("Wow, that's so brave,") Pikachu uttered in awe, ("Do you think you'll regret it?")
("Nah, I like being a pikachu. It's strangely comforting to know that I will be in the evolved form,") Benny said.
Pikachu nodded, ("I think I know what you mean. But I don't think I would use an Everstone.")
"They just gave you the tickets for the St. Anne," Charles said in confusion.
Brock shrugged, "Apparently, we won some sort of competition," he said.
"That's weird," Charles muttered suspiciously.
"Hey Brock, what's that over there," Ash said, pointing to a crowd has gathered.
"Looks like a Pokemon trade," Brock said, "trainers can trade Pokemon with each other."
"Why would they do that?" Misty asked curiously as the girls caught up with them.
"Say a trainer wants a fire type Pokemon, but only has grass types, they can trade with a trainer who has a fire type in exchange for one of their grass types," Brock explained, "there are other reasons of course, but that's the main one."
The group heard a groan and turned to a miserable looking Charles and Benny.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked Charles.
"Benny and I hate these things," Charles answered with a sigh.
"Why?" Alice asked curiously.
"Two reasons," Charles told them, "one ethical and one personal. The ethical reason is that you can't just trade Pokemon. There not video game characters or playing cards, they're living creatures with feelings, and they deserve respect. Pokemon are not just there to fight your battles. There your family and you can't trade away family."
"But what happens if they catch a Pokemon that won't work well with your team?" Brock inquired.
"Then you help it fit in with you team by being its friend or better yet, don't catch the Pokemon in the first place. Nobody says you have to gotta catch 'em all," Charles said.
"Everybody says that," Misty told him.
"What really?" Charles asked in surprise.
Everybody nodded.
"It's like a well-known phrase," Ash said.
Flo frowned, "Have you seriously not heard of it?"
Charles looked at Benny. He nodded to indicate he has heard of it.
"Oh…fair enough. But more point still stands." Charles argued.
"So, what's the personal reason?" Alice asked.
Charles and Benny sighed in irritation.
"You'll see in 5…4…3…2…1…"
"Hey, look a shiny pikachu," a random trainer said as he came up to displeased Charles, "I'll trade you my fearow for it."
"No way is a fearrow worth a shiny pikachu," another trainer said getting way to close to Charles and Benny, "I'll give you my venomoth. It's way stronger."
The others were pushed out of the way as trainers surrounded Charles, eagerly trying to get their hands on a shiny pikachu. Charles and Benny were stood in the centre, being pushed, pulled, and bombarded by offers. It was like they were an exasperate island surround by a sea of trainers who would not listen.
"Why does this always happen?" Charles mumbled rhetorically.
("Shall I?") Benny offered.
"Yeah," Charles confirmed.
The others looked at the scene in shock. It was so sudden that they didn't even realise what happened until they were pushed out of the way.
"Oh no," Misty cried in horror.
"We need to do something," Brock said, looking around for an attendant who would calm the crowd.
"Nah, don't worry about it," Ash told them calmly, earning confused looks from his travel partners.
"What do you mean don't worry!?" Misty shouted.
"Just watch," Flo told them as Alice nodded in agreement.
They all turned when a familiar cry sounded from the crowd.
"PIKA-CHUUUUUU!"
They all gasped as every trainer in the mob was electrocuted by a powerful Thunderbolt. Once the attack had finished, every single person fell over in pain, leaving an unharmed Charles with Benny still on his shoulder in the centre.
"Sorry everybody, but I'm not interested," Charles simply said as he stepped over the injured trainers towards his friends, "honestly, they never learn."
"Why didn't you get shocked?" Brock asked in confusion.
Charles smiled, "Oh I did, but after living with a pikachu for most of my life I have grown used to high voltage shocks."
"Charles, I don't think that's a good thing," Flo deadpanned.
"Well, well, well," a new scratchy voice called out.
Charles looked around at where the voice was coming from when he spotted somebody coming this way. Onlookers moved out of the way of a chubby boy with blond spiky hair. He had a round face and wore a red bandanna round his head. He smirked maliciously at Charles as another curious crowd formed around the two boys.
"Looks like we meet again," the boy said with a smug look.
Charles hummed as he met the boy's challenging gaze, "Yes, it looks like we have…"
….
….
….
….
"…Sorry, who are you?" Charles asked in confusion.
The smug boy fell over in despair.
"HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW WHO I AM!?" he screamed at Charles before calming down and posing dramatically once more, "I am the greatest Pokemon trainer ever," he proudly proclaimed.
Charles still looked confused.
"Really, you don't remember me," the boy asked with a frown.
Charles looked at Flo and Alice questioningly. They both shrugged to indicate they're not quite sure either. Charles turned back to him and shook his head.
"Sorry, no," Charles answered honestly.
The boy growled and posed once more, "Then you must remember the name: Thackery Bud," he proclaimed.
"Not ringing any bells," Charles told him much to Thackery's despair.
("Wait a minute,") Benny realised, ("Isn't he the trainer we met when we found Mystic,") Benny told him.
"Oh, now I remember," Charles said much to Thackeray's delight, "You're Fat Hairy Butt."
The crowd burst laughing as Thackery's face turned red in humiliation and anger.
"IT'S THACKERY! THACKERY! HOW COULD YOU FOGET ABOUT ME!?" he screamed at him.
"I don't know," Charles shrugged, "It was like four months and 17 days ago. A lot has happened since then."
("Strangely precise for an estimate,") Benny commented.
"Whatever! We're going to have a battle and I'm going to defeat because I'm better than you!" Thackeray lamely challenged as he pointed at Charles.
("I see he's still quite the wordsmith,") Benny joked with a sweat drop.
Outside Battle Pitch
A crowd had gathered around the pitch, waiting for the match to start. Charles's Pokemon team had found out about the battle and found Flo and Alice by the side of the pitch. Ash, Misty and Brock admired Charles' team with Ash using pokedex on the ones he didn't know.
Misty cooed at the sight of Titania and made her way to pet her.
"Aww, you're so cute," Misty said as stretched out her arm.
Titania growled at her, ("Back off human,") she warned.
Misty yelped and jumped back in fright. Titania was about to continue shouting at her when Charles picked her up and her rubbed her head.
"Sorry about that Misty," Charles apologised, "Titania is not keen on strangers."
Misty nodded in understanding while Titania glared at him.
("I'm not keen of anyone. Or people who think they touch me,") she crossly said.
"You let me touch you," Charles countered.
Titania looked away with a pout, ("Well, that's because I allow you to,") she argued.
("Are you it isn't because you like how he pets you,") Alette said with a teasing grin.
Titania growled at the clefairy, causing her to giggle.
"HEY! ARE WE GOING TO BATTLE OR WHAT!" Thackeray shouted from the pitch, causing Charles to sigh.
He put Titania gently down and made his way to his position.
Cleo curiously looked up at the growlithe who hasn't moved from his spot in Alice's arms.
("You doing alright?") she asked.
("F-f-fine,") Apollo stuttered, ("I'm just scouting out any potential threats from an elevated view.")
Cleo sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Can the battlers Present their Pokemon," the referee announced.
Thackeray smirked and took out his pokeball.
"Mankey show this loser whose the best," Thackeray called as he release his Pokemon.
Mankey was an ape-like Pokemon with a round white furred body and four long limbs and a tail. It had sharp, angry eyes and a pig-like nose.
Charles hummed and scanned the mankey with his pokedex.
Mankey: Extremely quick to anger. It could be docile one moment then thrashing away the next instant.
("So, Charles who you going to pick,") Benny asked from Charles' shoulder.
"Well, I thought Thackeray would like to see Mystic again," Charles told him.
Benny chuckled evilly.
"Mystic, can you come up here please!" Charles called out, earning a confused glare from Thackeray.
"Mystic?" he asked.
"Yes, you remember that magikarp we fought ov-" Charles stopped mid sentence when he noticed Thackeray laughing.
"A magikarp," he gasped through his laughter, "you think you can defeat me with a magikarp. I have outgrown that useless Pokemon."
Thackeray continue to laugh, not noticing the shadow that looked over him and nervous mankey.
("Err...boss,") Mankey tried to get its trainer's attention, not taking its eyes off the behemoth.
Thackeray mistook his anxious squeals for mockery.
"That's right mankey, we going to beat that pipsqueak and his useless, stupid..." he finally opened his eyes and noticed his opponent's Pokemon,"...enormous..." his eyes traveled up the serpentine body, "...monstrous..." he met Mystic's eyes filled with intense rage and gulped, "...gyarados."
Mystic towered over Thackeray and mankey whilst emitting a low threatening growl. She wrapped herself protectively around Charles who smiled at the boy's stunned look.
"T-t-that's not a magikarp," Thackeray stuttered as he pointed at Mystic.
"No, she isn't," Charles said, "she's a gyarados."
"You said you were going to use the magikarp"
"You didn't let me finish," Charles told him, "I was about to say that Mystic evolved. Isn't she beautiful," he said as he stroked Mystic's scales.
Mystic gave a purr at what Charles said before she growled at Thackeray again.
"Mystic, you remember Thackeray, don't you," Charles said.
("Yes, I do, darling,") Mystic answered with another growl.
Thackeray wasn't the only person scared of Mystic. The crowd seemed to back away from the gyarados in fright. Misty was most terrified as she shivered in fright.
"Gyarados. Why does it have to be gyarados," she muttered in terror.
"She's not so bad once you get to know her," Flo insisted, leaving out how she's very protective of Charles.
Thackeray gave a nervous laugh, "We're not going to let that overgrown fish beat us. Aren't we mankey."
Mankey looked at his trainer in disbelief.
("I appreciate the confidence in me, but this is a bit of a tall order, boss?") Mankey said as he turned back to Mystic, ("a really tall order,") he gulped.
"Are both battlers ready," the referee asked, slightly nervous of the gyarados.
Charles and Thackeray nodded.
"Let the battle commence," the referee announced.
(Battle Start)
Thackeray pointed at Mystic, "Mankey use-"
Mystic slammed her tail on the mankey without a moments hesitation. She lifted her tail up to show that mankey was buried slightly in the pitch, completely knocked out.
(Battle End)
"Err..." the referee hesitated, "mankey has fainted. The winner is gyarados."
Everybody sweat dropped at how easy that battle was while Thackeray ran over to his mankey.
"No! I can't believe I lost!" Thackeray cried.
'You thought you had a chance?' everybody collectively thought.
Thackeray returned mankey to his pokeball and pointed dramatic and at Charles.
"This isn't over! You haven't seen the last of Fat Hairy Butt-damn-I mean Thackeray Bud!" he proclaimed before running away, tripping and landing on his face, picking himself up and running away again.
("What a weirdo,") Benny muttered.
Mystic's mood instantly lightened as she wagged her tail excitedly.
("How did I do, darling? Are you pleased with me?") she happily asked.
Charles chuckled, "You were wonderful, Mystic. I'm very proud of you," he praised as hugged her face.
Onlookers looked on in astonishment as the giant gyarados, a Pokemon known for their violent rages that will last for days...was purring in delight as Charles pampered her.
"I never seen a gyarados that colour or so...loving before," Brock observed in wonder.
Flo giggled, "Mystic is a special case. She was the first Pokemon Charles caught."
Charles looked at his friends and noticed Misty was still afraid of gyarados. He walked up to her and took a hold of her hand and led her towards Mystic.
"Charles, what are you doing!?" Misty cried as she pulled back.
"I want you to meet Mystic," Charles calmly told her.
Misty shook her head frantically as glanced up at Mystic, "No please stop, I don't wan-"
"Misty," Charles interrupted, making her stop pulling away, "trust me," he simply said.
Misty looked into Charles' eyes and saw how sincere he was. She inhaled a shaky breath and let Charles lead her towards Mystic.
Once they were close enough, Charles placed his free hand onto Mystic snout.
"Misty, this is Mystic," he introduced her, "and Mystic this is Misty. You remember her from your gym battle."
Mystic nodded, making Misty flinch slightly.
Charles turned to Misty with a comforting smile, "Why don't you stroke her nose. She likes that," he prompted.
Misty took another breathe and slowly held out her hand. She hesitantly placed her hand on Mystic's snout and started petting her. Mystic began to purr and Misty relaxed slightly.
"See, not so bad," Charles said, earning a giggle from Misty.
"I suppose," Misty said as she continued to pet Mystic, "Thank you, Charles."
"No problem. We just need to solve your bug type phobia," Charles teased.
"Yeah, that's not going to happen," Misty giggled in amusement.
From afar, Flo and Alice were watching their interaction with jealous stares.
"Flo?" Alice questioned.
"I know, I know," Flo responded with a sigh.
Dining Area
The sudden rainstorm made everybody take shelter inside. Since he didn't want her caught in the storm, Charles had returned Mystic to her pokeball. They group decided to have dinner at the buffet that had just opened and Charles used this opportunity to meet all of Ash's Pokemon.
"You are so adorable," Charles cooed as scratched the head of Ash's squirtle.
("Hey, I'm not ado-") Squirtle tried to deny before he was succumbed to Charles' petting.
Squirtle was the last Pokemon he had met. The others were bulbasaur, charmander, pidgey, butterfree and of course Pikachu and there were now mingling and eating with his team.
Benny and Pikachu were sat on the table, discussing their last gym battle with Lt. Surge and raichu.
("So that's why I didn't get to fight her,"') Benny finished.
("Wow, you're lucky. She was super powerful,") Pikachu said as he remembered his battle.
Benny chuckled, ("Surely, since you've beaten her that would make you even more powerful,")
Pikachu shrugged, ("Yeah, but it took me two goes,") he said dismissively, (plus she was very scary. Did she intimidate you?")
("Well...") Benny started thinking about how she kept on flirting with him, even after the battle, ("...you could say that.")
"So, Charles," Brock said getting his attention, "Ash said you can talk to Pokemon."
Charles chuckled slightly as he placed Squirtle down on the ground, "Yeah, and before you ask. I have no idea how or why. I just do."
"But have you ever tried to find out?" Alice asked, man again to convince Apollo to eat with other Pokemon.
Charles thought for a moment, "No, not really," he answered honestly, "don't look a gift ponyta in the mouth."
The others sweat dropped at Charles' relax attitude to being able to talk to Pokemon, but then again they supposed he was used to it.
"Excuse me, young man," a voice caught their attention.
They turned to see it was the man from earlier. He was now accompanied by a beautiful woman with long brown hair. Brock instantly fell for her much to the chagrin of everybody.
"Can we help you?" Ash asked.
"I was wondering if you would be interested to have a Pokemon trade," the man told him, much to Ash's shock, "my raticate with your butterfree."
"Err...well," Ash stuttered unsurely.
He looked at Charles who had a blank expression on his face.
"Charles, should I trade?" Ash asked.
Charles sighed and smiled kindly at him, "Ash, it's not my choice to make. If you believe this is the right thing then make the trade, but don't feel like you have to," he told him calmly, "but make sure think about Butterfree," he said pointing his head to the bug Pokemon who was happily talking to Kani, "how would you feel to not have in your team anymore?."
Ash looked at Butterfree with a thoughtful look. He had been part of the team since he was a caterpie and he was also his first Pokemon he caught. He thought back on what Charles said about trading Pokemon and how you can't trade away family. He would feel sad if he had to trade away Butterfree.
With his mind made up, Ash turned back to the man.
"Thank you for the offer, but I can't take it," Ash told him, earning a small smile from Charles.
The man hummed, but nodded in understanding.
"Thank you for the consideration, young man," the man told him before he and the woman walked away.
Charles turned to Ash with a proud smile.
"I'm glad you made that decisi-"
Suddenly, the lights snapped off plunging the ship into darkness. People cried out in shock and fright.
"What's going on?" Alice cried out from her seat.
The only response to her startle cry was an evil cackling from somewhere in the darkness. Charles gritted his teeth in anger as he recognised the laughter.
"Team Rocket," he muttered in annoyance
First of all, thank you for all your recommendation again. I will open up for suggestions once the lost is short enough.
Secondly, Thackeray Bud has returned (from chapter four and five) and yes I have changed his name slightly.
Thirdly and most importantly, I want to discuss time scales. I have been thinking a lot about how Charles and the others would age in this story and I have come up with three solutions:
1) Every season would equal half a year. So after 19 seasons (that's XYZ or the last season in the Kalos region) Charles would be 19 and half. Personally, I don't really like this solution.
2) I treat every season of the show as literal seasons (of the year), meaning that four seasons (of the show) would equal to one year. So after 19 seasons Charles would be 14 and 3/4. Alternatively, since the first season was much longer then the others I could count it as two seasons (of the year) making Charles 15 years old.
3) I just keep them the same age, like in the show.
Please tell me what you think.
Thanks for reading :)
Potential Pokemon list:
Charles
Abra
Vulpix
Nidoran (Female)
Gastley
Bellsprout
Ponyta
Drowzee
Goldeen
Dratini
Tauros
Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan
Flo
Chansey
Psyduck
Nidoran (Male)
Kangaskhan
Paras
Cubone
Diglett
Alice
Venonat
Farfetch'd
Tentacool
Machop
Rattata
Poliwag
Next Time: Escape from the St Anne