Chapter 6: Ahoy Cinnabar Island!
Hello Hello all, and welcome back to Spark! This chapter's probably going to be one of the longest in advance cause I have a LOT of things to fit in.
Also sorry if my update times increase in distance. I have school going on and a bunch of other things too.
Ash impatiently stamped his foot. It was about 6 o'clock in the morning, and he was cranky.
Yes, Ash knew that the trainer's life required waking up early. Yes, he knew Jacks had specifically told him to be at the docks by dawn.
But did he really have to wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning?
To make matters worse, the captain himself was late.
Bolt was lazily lounging on his shoulders, miraculously not falling despite the limited resting area. Contrary to the Pikachu's drowsiness, Gale was having the time of her life. She merrily zipped along in the early morning sky, nothing more than a dot in the sky.
Mercifully, the avian had decided to spare him the torture of hat theft. Ash partially suspected this was because she could detect his foul mood.
Dark types primarily fed off dark matter or night, and that was what supplied them with a vast majority of their power. However, dark types also had an innate ability to detect emotions, primarily negative ones. As a result, dark types could always detect when people were upset. However, what emotions they were exactly could only be discerned by higher level dark types.
Suddenly, a figure could be seen on the horizon. Ash squinted, before smiling as Jacks' figure came into view. Along with him came a mysterious figure. As he got closer, he could clearly see his coveralls and white cotton shirt. He had an impish grin on his face and wild, dark brown hair.
"You're late." Ash said, aiming the comment at Jacks.
Jacks gave a sheepish grin before his face morphed into a devious grin.
"A sailor is never late or early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
Ash rolled his eyes before shaking his head.
"Anyway, which one's your ship?" Ash inquired. Jacks gave a wave in front of the ship in front of them.
Ash's jaw dropped. The ship was massive. It was at least half the size of the S.S Anne, which was the largest ship to ever come out of Kanto.
And that was a cruise ship. So that meant this one was probably also a cruise ship.
Jacks' smirked at the gaping boy in front of him.
"Welcome Ash, to the S.S Argo, the second largest ship in Kanto."
At this, Ash practically fainted.
"How…I thought your ship was one of the smaller ones?" Ash muttered, too flabbergasted to speak loudly.
"Yeah, I'll admit I wanted something in a smaller size, but I saved the builder's life and he wanted to repay the favor." Jacks replied as a way of explanation.
Ash raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"It's a long story." Jacks said. He evidently did not want to elaborate so Ash let the topic go.
At this point, the mysterious figure gave a small "Ahem."
Jacks jumped slightly before blushing in embarrassment.
"Oh. Ash, this is Leon, my right-hand man," Jacks said, introducing the now newly identified Leon.
"Leon, this is Ash. He'll be hitching a ride with us."
Ash nodded before holding out a hand.
"Nice to meet you Leon!" Ash said. Leon shook it before giving a devious grin.
"Did you have to battle Water Boy in order to climb aboard?" He asked inquisitively. Ash had the suspicion he already knew the answer.
"Yeah…"
Leon smirked. "Jacks here can't resist a battle for the life of him. I guess being the nephew of a gym leader does that to you."
Ash perked up at this while Jacks smacked Leon on the shoulder.
"I thought we agreed you'd tell no one that!" Jacks said, chastising Leon.
Rather than countering his accusation, Leon replied.
"You hurt me!" He said this in the most whiny tone of all.
Jacks rolled his eyes before replying with "You've dealt with worse."
Ash chose that moment to interject.
"What do you mean, nephew of a gym leader?"
Leon, rather than immediately replying, chose to ask Jacks.
"We can trust the kid, right?"
Jacks sighed before nodding.
"I guess. I highly doubt a rookie who just started would be involved in a terrorist organization."
Ash nodded in agreement.
"Have you heard of Sootopolis City? In Hoenn?" Leon asked.
Ash thought back to his studies of World History. Sootopolis was the oldest settlement in Hoenn, heavily fortified by moats and walls that even the toughest rocks couldn't break through.
"Yeah?"
"Now have you heard of Gym Leader Juan?" Ash's eyes widened at this. Juan was not only the Gym Leader of Sootopolis City, but also a former Grand Coordinator.
Coordinators were similar to competitive battlers like Ash, but instead focused more on showing
"You're related to Juan?!" Ash asked, shocked.
Bolt and Gale looked inquisitively at him before dismissing it.
Jacks nodded.
Immediately Ash connected the dots. Sailors were very common in Hoenn, even more so in Sootopolis City, which was heavily rooted in water types and the sea. It would also explain his skill with battling and his apparent mastery of the water type.
"That is so sick!" Ash exclaimed. Jacks smirked.
"Let me tell you something, kid. Being famous is one thing. Being related to a famous, whole other ballpark."
Jacks took on a more sentimental look.
"I guess that's why I started sailing."
Ash looked confusedly at him before brushing it aside. Once again, touchy subject.
"Well, who's ready to set anchors aweigh?" Leon said, dissipating the tension. Jacks and Ash shrugged before walking aboard.
…
As Ash had suspected, there had been a small battlefield below the main deck, also where the captain's corner was. Releasing Bolt and Gale (who he had put into their pokeballs before walking on board), he sat down on the floor. They had already set sail, and after spending a few minutes getting accustomed to the boat's shaky motions, Ash had decided to head down in order to train.
"Alright guys, I have a lot prepared for you. Once we get to Cinnabar Island, we have a week in order to train for the gym battle. After that, we're facing Blaine." He said to the pokemon duo, grabbing their attention.
Originally, Blaine had forced his challengers to undertake a series of riddles in order to battle him. However, after complaints from several trainers, the league openly disclosed the location of his gym. Still, he was still considered a kook by most people. However, he had refused to step down from the role, as he still had no apprentice.
"Blaine specializes in fire type pokemon. As a result, we're going to need ways in order to nullify that advantage."
His two partners nodded in assent, before looking inquisitively at him.
"The main thing I'm thinking of is a water type pokemon. However, because of the current lack of one, we've got to make do with what we have. To start off for now, Bolt," He started, indicating towards his starter. Bolt looked up with his normal smirk. He was ready to take on any challenge.
Ash smirked in kind, before continuing.
"You're going to work on mastering Brick Break, Agility and Spark. Agility is a big one, we're going to need it against Blaine." Bolt nodded. Ash then indicated towards Gale.
"Two things I need from you. First, I need to understand how good you are with your moves. Second, I have a move planned for you to learn, but that'll come in a bit."
Gale nodded. Ash smiled.
"Well, let's get started!"
…
The four hours aboard the boat passed by quickly, and before Ash knew it, Jacks' familiar voice came up on the loudspeakers.
"Attention singular passenger, if you look ahead, you'll see the biggest tourist trap ever made before: Cinnabar Island!" Jacks said. Ash could practically hear the smirk in the snark. He wasn't necessarily wrong though. Cinnabar Island was immensely popular with tourists, for no other reason than the fact that it had nice beaches.
Sure, maybe it was a nice place to live, but it was also, most likely, mind numbingly boring. He would much rather hike the wilds of Fuschia or the mountains surrounding Pewter City.
Ash turned his mind back to the results his training had yielded.
Gale had a very good understanding of the moves she had. Her Feint Attack in particular was very powerful and the same with her Wing Attack. As a result, he felt comfortable with starting her on Night Shade. It was a very interesting ghost type attack that used the users overall strength and experience in order to deal damage.
The dark type had taken to the task with gusto and had already made an impressive amount of headway. Ash simply attributed it to having incredibly prodigious pokemon for friends.
Bolt had gotten a second wind after his successful use of Agility in the battle against Jacks and the attack was all but completely mastered. He was able to successfully tap into his mind and was readily able to spring across like a blue blur. However, he had trouble maintaining it for extended durations, though that would come with practice. Brick Break was also almost mastered, with Pikachu steadily being able to break larger obstacles.
Spark was…a bit more of a challenge.
Bolt had tried. Oh, he had definitely tried to gain the power necessary for the attack. But no matter how much determination or how much electricity he summoned, Bolt could just not get the hang of it.
Ash knew that the move wouldn't be battle ready by the time of the gym battle. As a result, he had made the decision, with Bolt's input, to shelve the mood until after the gym battle.
He had more important moves he needed Bolt to learn.
Stepping onto the deck, Ash could once again smell the salty air on the sea. He was greeted by Leon with a smile and a wave and Jacks with a head nod, who was still at the helm steering.
Jacks then pointed straight ahead. Ash, turning his gaze from the sailor, saw a large island up ahead.
Cinnabar Island. And home of his first challenge.
…
"Will I see you again?" Ash asked Jacks. They were all off the S.S Argo, and it was now time for farewells. Bolt and Gale had once again been recalled to their pokeballs for the time being.
"Maybe. I might stick around for a week or so." Jacks replied. His voice was flippant, but Ash detected the uncertainty.
"I'm challenging the gym in a week's time." Ash exclaimed, hopeful.
Maybe Jacks could stick around?
Jacks smiled.
"In that case, I think it's time for me and Leon to go on vacation."
"Do you think…you could help me out in training? You're really strong, and I need to catch a water type. You probably know where." Ash asked. It wasn't a lie. At this point, he had mostly been training aimlessly. He needed structure, but wasn't sure where to start.
Jacks pursed his lips, considering the plea.
"Gee, I don't know, I'll have to check with my schedule." Jacks started, before pulling out a piece of paper. He then briefly glanced at it before chucking it away.
"Eh, I have work, but who likes doing that? Sure Ash, I'll help." Ash cheered, and then released Bolt and Gale.
"You hear that guys? Jacks and Leon are helping us out!" His Pokemon also expressed their pleasure with cries.
"Alright, when should we start?" Ash asked.
"Tomorrow morning should be good. In the meantime, we'll find a place to sleep, me and Leon."
"Sounds good."
And with the farewells, Leon and Jacks walked off into the city.
…
"Boy, you think in a place like this, there would be at least one pokemon in the sea."
Ash frowned at the Cinnabar shore. He had been fishing for the past hour or so, alongside the beach, in an attempt to find some water type, but lady luck had different plans for him. Bolt was lounging lazily by his side, while Gale was off flying who knows where.
The Cinnabar Sea was one of the richest seas. Around 60 different species lived in the coral reefs and open waters surrounding the island year round, and about 100 or more were seasonal visitors.
As a result, Ash figured he would've found something. However, the situation was anything but.
Sighing, he prepared to reel in the trusty fishing rod, when suddenly, he felt a tug.
Ash jumped to attention. Bolt looked up.
Another tug. And then more and more, and Ash was up on his feet desperately trying to hold on for dear life.
He reeled in as fast as he possibly could, but whatever was on his line was not going to let him win. The young teen tightened his grip as he continued to reel in the catch. His muscles screamed at him to let go, and he was almost ready to listen when–
SPLASH!
Out popped the string, and dangling from the end of it was a pokemon. It was primarily orange in appearance, with a small snout, and bright eyes. Ash briefly caught a glimpse of some yellow and blue, but the creature was fighting like the devil.
Continuing to reel him in, the pokemon got closer and closer, and as so, Ash caught more and more details. The blue he had spotted earlier was on the arms, in the shape of fins, or webbing. It had a distinctly mustelid appearance, with a cream underbody and orange coat that gleamed. The most notable part was the yellow sac around its neck.
And that's when Ash knew, without even scanning the Pokemon with the pokedex.
He had just reeled in one of Kanto's rarest inhabitants: Buizel, the Sea Weasel pokemon.
Ash's eyes lept to Bolt, who was standing and at the ready.
"Thunder Wave, get it paralyzed!"
Bolt gave him a deadpan look. Ash was confused. Why wasn't Bolt attacking?
Then it slammed into him. He was holding a metallic fishing rod. A metallic fishing rod which could very much conduct electricity.
"Oops." Ash said sheepishly. Bolt sighed in relief. His trainer, he had quickly determined, while capable in battle, could tend to be a little shortsighted otherwise. "Tail Whip then."
Bolt's tail took on a familiar white glow as he slammed it into the flailing mustelid. The Buizel then glowed a faint light, and went slightly limp.
Ash dropped the fishing rod, and slowly, step by step, approached the water type.
"I'm not going to hurt you buddy. I just want to ask you something."
Buizel's face was arrogant, and he stumbled to his feet. He then crossed his arms, and looked Ash dead in the eyes.
Ash couldn't help but shudder. Buizel was scary, despite being about half of Ash's size. However, Ash powered on.
"I'm Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town. I might not seem like much, but I want to be the greatest trainer there ever was. And I need fighters as my friends. You seem like someone who could put up a heck of a fight."
Ash briefly glanced at the fishing rod. Buizel had very much put up a fight. Had Ash been less cautious, or weaker, he would've most definitely lost hold on the rod.
Buizel had been silent through Ash's speech, but he was looking at the young teen a little less apprehensively.
"I was wondering if you could join me. Me, Bolt," He started, indicating towards his loyal partner, "And Gale." He said, pointing to the avian, soaring in the sky.
Buizel put his paws up to his chin (a surprisingly human-like move), as he considered Ash's offer.
He then nodded, before pointing at Ash and Bolt, then himself. He then held up two fists.
Ash's eyes widened.
"You want to battle me. So I can catch you."
Buizel nodded.
Ash smirked, before also nodding.
…
Both combatants took their stances. Bolt and Ash on one side, the Buizel on the other. Ash held up 3 fingers. Bolt and Buizel assumed battle stances.
2 fingers. Each of them tensed up, like a spring, ready to leap.
1 finger. Bolt's tail glowed white, as did Buizel's.
None. They leapt.
Bolt flipped midair, ready to strike down on Buizel with a Tail Whip. His face was confident, as Buizel looked overhead. Ash smiled at the attempt to get the upper hand.
That was until Bolt was blown away by a shockwave. Buizel stood confidently, as the Sonic Boom nailed Bolt in the gut, before roughly the mouse pokemon slammed into the ground. Ash's jaw dropped. Bolt attempted to stumble to his feet, but Buizel, taking advantage of the situation, was enshrouded in water before slamming into Ash's partner.
Ash shook his head, regaining his focus. Now was not the time to gape in awe. He had to win a battle.
"Thunder Wave, try to snipe him."
It was as though a battery had been attached to Bolt's motor, as he jumped up, firing thin lances straight at Buizel. The Sea Weasel pokemon, still enshrouded in water, nimbly dodged each and every shock aimed at him. Landing on his feet, Bolt then gave a running start, before being enshrouded in white light.
Buizel cried out as the Quick Attack slammed into him. Bolt assumed a cocky grin, as Buizel looked back apprehensively. Buizel then smirked, as he launched out another Sonic Boom.
Ash was prepared though.
"Dodge! Nail him with Thunder Shock, then Brick Break." Ash shouted. Bolt nimbly leapt above the devastating attack, before his entire body sparked, as the lightning bolt shot out. Ash smiled, as Buizel watched in shock.
And then the little scamp did the most annoying thing possible. He jumped in the water.
Ash gritted his teeth as he muttered a few obscenities under his breath. Buizel popped his head out and gave a devious grin. Ash spent a few seconds contemplating what to do as Buizel fired Water Guns at Bolt (all of which skillfully dodged). Ash then smiled.
"Dive into the water!" He called out.
Bolt gave a brief look of surprise, but that was the only hesitation he showed before diving in. His trainer may have had some crazy ideas, but they worked. At times. Buizel gave a look of surprise, before diving deeper into the water.
"Now! Shock the Water!" Ash cried. A flash and a bang sounded out, and then Bolt popped out of the water triumphantly. Bubbles covered the surface, as Buizel appeared. His body was covered with soot and scorch marks, and his chest was weakly rising.
Ash's eyes widened. His gambit had worked, but at what cost?
Rushing over, Ash gently picked up Buizel, before leaning close. Thump. Thump. He breathed a sigh of relief. Buizel was alive. He needed medical care, he knew that much. There was one issue though: the center was at least a 20 minute walk away, and he had left his backpack at the center, which had all his potions. Buizel's condition could worsen. That left one solution…
"Buizel, I need to catch you!"
Pokeballs held a pokemon in stasis, which is why they didn't need immediate medical attention after battles. Their condition would remain the exact same. And Ash knew that.
Buizel weakly opened his eyes, one after the other. A small nudge and then a little shake.
"I'm gonna take that as a yes." And with that, Buizel was sucked in.
…
"A Buizel, huh?" Jacks mused. Leon was busy scarfing his dinner down, while Ash and Jacks talked. They were at the Pokemon Center cafeteria, a rather white and spacious place, like every other room in the building, other than the trainer lodging. Ash cast an anxious look once or twice in the direction of the clinic, waiting for news on Buizel's condition.
"Yep. You think you can help me get started on training him?" Ash asked.
"I guess I know one or two things. Other than that though, I'm not much help."
Ash frowned slightly. He figured he would have to figure things out on the fly.
"Any help is help. Buizel was absolutely a demon in battle. If it weren't for Bolt taking a dive, I'm not sure I would have won."
Jacks chuckled slightly at that. Just as he was about to reply, a figure came walking through the door.
She was pretty, that much was true. She had pink hair, with two hair loopies, and wearing the standard doctor robes.
Nurse Joy. Perhaps her and Officer Jenny were the two most interesting families in the world: each had a set of identical siblings (at least 20 or so for each family) that served as heads of the Pokemon Centers and Police Stations. Thousands of theories had been created about their family, and the reason for their similarities. Eventually it was determined that it was some sort of genetic disorder.
Ash leapt out of seat, looking expectantly. Nurse Joy smiled, before speaking in a melodious voice.
"Buizel is fine now. Would you like to see him?"
"Yes Ma'am!" Ash cried.
Running into the room, he could see Buizel, looking almost as if nothing had happened. Other than when he smiled upon seeing Ash.
"Buizel, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I would like it if you would join me on my journey. You're an amazing battler, and we could seriously use you on the team!"
Buizel smiled, and gave a single nod. Ash pumped his fist.
"Alright! We start training tomorrow."
And that's a wrap! Once again, I'm so sorry this took forever to get out! But yeah, Ash's third catch is Buizel! I honestly loved Ash's Buizel in the anime, as he had so much character, and I feel having his personality would be great.
Once again, super sorry it took so long to get out. Like I said though, update lengths are going to increase dramatically: I'm a busy person!
Luv u guys!
