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 you so much as always. Yeah, not the best of introductions between Flo, Alice, and Brock but hopefully things would iron out between them soon.
Now for the ages. If I went for the second option, Charles would meet May when he's 11 ¾ (which is not bad), Dawn when he's 13 (a bit weird but not too much) and Iris when he's 14 (that's a bit too much of an age gap). Yeah, I see what you mean. I could have Dawn and Iris age up by two years and I can say the legal age for coordinator in the Sinnoh region is twelve and Iris left the Village of Dragons at twelve. How does that sound?
Anyway, thank you for your support as always.
Kunoichi69 – Thanks, I'm glad you've enjoyed it. I do have plans for the Fleur de Lis sisters for how they will evolve, and it would be great for their cheerleading dreams. Also thank you for pointing out Tangela. You see what I mean about losing track.
djinn – Thanks for the support, I agree with what you say. I read some stories on here who don't treat Pokemon like they were living creatures which I always hated. I also never liked how Ash traded the first Pokemon had have ever caught with a complete stranger. Sure, he got Butterfree back, he shouldn't have done it in the first place. Also, yes Ash needs somebody in his life and him and Serena are perfect.
TurboDriver07 – No problem and thank you for pointing out two very good exceptions to Pokemon trading.
Firstly, I had completely forgotten that Ash and Dawn traded. I guess that's alright, because (if I remember correctly) the Pokemon wanted to join the other's team. It's different then two trainers trading Pokemon just for the heck of it, because they don't take their Pokemon's feelings into account.
Secondly, evolution trades are only temporary and are for the benefit of the Pokemon, so that's alright.
Thanks again.
danielsnow – I'm so glad you've enjoyed the battle and I'll make sure to keep this trend up. I tried out your idea and if my calculations are correct (they rarely are because I'm terrible at maths) Charles would meet May at 11 ½, Dawn at 12 ¼ and Iris at 13. That's better then what I had in mind, but like I said to pokemonking0924 I might age them up since it's easier to remember. I hope that's alright.
SkullGreymonX – Thank you so much, I'm glad you've enjoyed it. A lot had happened in that chapter with the groups meeting up and the battle. I quite agree that the Mankey was much calmer for his species. I think anyone would be docile if they come up against Mystic.
I also believed that the characters should age slowly. It shows development and character building, but they still need to be children. I think Ash does show maturity and character development in the show. If you watch an episode of the original series and then an episode in the XY, they are very different. I just don't think anybody notices. Thank you for your support.
Martin - I'm not quite sure about the Tentacool and Tentracruel episode because I don't want them to get too involved with Ash's group so soon after the island of the giant Pokemon. But definitely the beach episode. I think Charles would find a much better way for raising money for a restaurant then a beauty contest.
Thanks for all the reviews and enjoy the next chapter :)
("Pokespeech")
Chapter 18: Abandon Ship!
A spotlight snapped on in the middle of the dining area illuminating two familiar people standing on a table. The two human members of Team Rocket stood proudly on the table (well Jessie was. James seemed to be depressed about something). They both wore a weird contraption on their backs that had two round nozzles that draped over their shoulders.
"Prepare for trouble," Jessie said, beginning they motto.
"And make it double," James moaned sadly.
"To protect the wo-"
"Are they seriously still following you guys?" Charles asked Ash, Misty, and Brock interrupting the motto.
"Yeah, and it is getting annoying," Ash replied with a sigh.
"Err…sorry am I missing something here," Alice sheepishly intercepted.
"Oh right," Charles said in realisation before pointing his thumb at the Jessie and James casually, "There are Team Rocket, and they steal Pokemon."
Alice nodded, "Oh…why?"
"So, they could rule the world," Flo told her.
"How?"
"…You know we really not quite sure," Charles admitted, "this is like the third time we've met them," he turned to Ash, "how many times have you encountered them?"
Ash thought for a moment before using his fingers to count their encounters.
"…the Squirtle Squad…the lighthouse…am I counting now?" Ash asked.
Charles hummed thoughtfully, "Let's say…no. Just past encounters."
"Oh, okay then ten," Ash answered.
"Did you count the time they stopped us outside the Vermillion Gym?" Brock asked.
"Oh no…then eleven times," Ash corrected himself.
"Wow! They sure are determined," Flo murmured in wonder.
"Are you done?" Jessie crossly asked the group with her hands on her hips.
Charles gave an awkward smile, "Err…sorry. Please continue."
"We will…but not because you told us to," Jessie muttered with an angry pout before she posed again, "Team Rocket blasting off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now or prepare to fight," James finally finished with a sigh.
"Meowth. That's right," the last member of Team Rocket said, jumping out of nowhere.
The rest of lights snapped on to reveal men and women in dark clothing and hats. On their shirts was a large red 'R' to symbolise their organisation's name and on each of the grunt's back was the same contraption Jessie and James is wearing.
The guests gasped in fear as the grunts approached the menacingly while Jessie and James cackled.
"Team Rocket will now take possession of your Pokémon," Jessie giggled, as they contraptions began to hum to life.
To the guest's horror, they began to suck up all their pokeballs like a giant vacuum. One grunt walked up to Charles' table and stuck his hand out to them.
"Give me your Pokemon," he demanded with a snarl.
Charles looked up at him with an innocent smile, "Okay," he simply said as he nodded at Benny.
("Got it,") Benny said as he jumped onto the grunt's arms.
The grunt was surprised for a moment before he smiled evilly.
"That was easy," he chuckled, "and it's even a shiny Pikac-" his eyes widened in realisation and fear.
"You really didn't think this one through," Charles said with a calm smile, "use Thunderbolt," he simply ordered.
Before the grunt can toss the Pokemon away, Benny electrocuted the grunt. Once the attack was done, Benny leapt back onto Charles' shoulder and the grunt fell onto the floor in pain.
Charles stood up and stood on his chair to address the guests on the ship.
"Everyone!" Charles shouted getting their attention, "Team Rocket is here to steal all you Pokemon…we not quite sure why, hopefully that would be revealed later, but the point is we will not take this without a fight. Our Pokemon are our friends, and we need to do everything we can so weirdos like them…"
"Hey!" Jessie, James and Meowth shouted.
"…do not get their grubby hands on them," Charles continued, earning determined nods from his audience.
The reaction was instantaneous. Trainers called out their Pokemon and ordered them to attack the Team Rocket grunts.
"I wasn't done with my speech yet," Charles said with a disappointed frown as he watched the trainers fight the grunts.
("You can say it to me,") Benny offered.
Charles sadly shook his head, "The moment's past."
The grunts tried to fight back the barrage of Pokemon attacks but it became obviously clear that they were losing. They were being surrounded hiding behind tables to escape harm.
"Whose idea was it to attack a ship full of trainers without Pokemon" one grunt shouted as he ducked under a Flamethrower.
The grunts turned and glared at one grunt who started to sweat nervously.
"Hey, head office wanted us to cut back on expenditures," the grunt replied, "It was either this or take down the tv from the break room."
The grunts sighed in despair.
"We really need a union," another grunt muttered.
Our heroes were battling as well as they gave orders to their Pokemon. Brock had ordered his Geodude, a round rock-like Pokemon with two arms sticking out its body, to use Takedown, Misty ordered her Starmie to use Water Pulse, Ash ordered Pikachu to use Thunder Shock, Flo ordered Alette to use Pound and Alice ordered Apollo to use Flamethrower.
Charles was also giving orders to his Pokemon, except for Mystic, with his goggles over his eyes. He pointed in a particular direction for them to attack and they would follow his orders.
"Pyro use Ember, Kani use Bubble Beam, Boa use Poison Sting, Benny use Thunder Shock, Cleo use Fury Swipes, Titania…" he trailed off when he saw the Eevee scratching a grunt's face furiously, "…keep up the good work."
Charles looked around the dining area and saw that Team Rocket were being overwhelmed. He was about to tell them to stop so they can surrender when the ship shook violently almost making Charles lose his balance.
"What was that?" Charles asked in shock as the ship shook once again.
"That doesn't sound good, does it. Must be that storm we've entered," a new voice said beside him.
Charles looked around to see a middle-aged man with a brown beard. What really caught Charles' interest was the fact that he was dressed like a sea captain.
"Wait, are you the captain of this ship?" Charles questioned.
"Indeed, I am, my boy," the captain said as he tipped his hat to him, "Captain Edward Smith at your service."
Charles blinked, "Shouldn't you be driving the ship?"
"Oh, I came down here for a bit. Staying on the bridge for too long makes me seasick," he said with a casual shrug, making Charles sweat drop.
"…But you're the captain."
Captain Smith chuckled lightly, "Aye, ironic isn't it. But there's nothing to worry about. We're heading for port now, and besides, this ship is unsinkable. There's absolutely no need for alarm."
The ship shook violently again, causing passengers to gasp and scream in fear as they were knocked of their feet. Charles looked back to the captain but was surprised to see he wasn't there.
"Now, there's no reason to panic," Charles spun around to see that the captain was now in a lifeboat being slowly lowered down off the side of the ship, "I just thought I'd test out one of the lifeboats," he said with a nervous chuckle.
"For Arceus' sake," Charles muttered with a deadpanned expression as the captain lowered himself out of sight.
The rocking and the shaking grew more violent and it became clear that get off before it sank. Once the passengers saw the captain abandoning ship, they panicked and tried to get on the lifeboats themselves. Charles took out all his pokeballs and returned his team before turning to his friends.
"We need to get off right now," he told them as Benny leaped onto his shoulder.
They all nodded in agreement made their way to the lifeboats. However, Charles stopped short as he remembered something.
Flo turned to him when she noticed he wasn't moving, "Charles, what are you doing?"
Charles looked up at her, his eyes widening in fear.
"The egg. It's still in my room," he told her before running to the passenger rooms.
"Charles no!" Flo shouted before running after him.
The others glanced at each other for a second before running after the two.
Passenger Room
Charles, with Benny on his shoulder, ran down the narrow passageways towards his room, followed closely by the others. He reached his room, swung the door open and leapt inside. As soon as he saw the egg safely in its incubator on the desk, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness," he muttered to himself as he hugged the incubator.
Benny patted his brother's cheek comfortingly, ("See it was safe. There was nothing to worry about,") he reassured calmly.
Charles continued to gaze down on the egg as the others entered his room. Flo and Alice sighed in relief while Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock stared in awe of the egg.
"Wow, a Pokemon egg," Brock uttered.
"Where did you find it?" Ash asked as he scratched his head.
Alice turned to them sternly, "A story for late. Right now we nee-"
The ship shook once again. It was much more powerful this time as the entire ship rocked onto its side. The group were hurled off their feet and they landed painfully onto the wall. Charles had managed to hug the Pokemon egg and Benny protectively before they were all knocked unconscious.
The St Anne stayed on its side for a moment before it turned over upside down. The passengers on the lifeboats watched in horror and sadness at the ship slowly sunk into the cold water.
Vermillion City Harbour
The next day a crowd had gathered around the harbour where the passengers of the St Anne were being rescued under the supervision of Office Jenny and her force.
Nearby a news crew was documenting the scene while a female news reporter with long brown hair described what was going on.
"Last night, the cruise ship, St Anne, has been reported to have been attacked and then capsized as it sailed into a violent storm. The attack was carried out by the notorious Team Rocket, an organisation known for stealing Pokemon from trainers," the news reporter said to the camera, "According to witness accounts, the attack was fortunately thwarted and Team Rocket have been arrested by Vermillion City's Officer Jenny. However, in a cruel twist of fate, the St Anne was hit by a tidal wave and capsized. Most of the ships passengers and crew had made it out safely, but according to the ships logs a few trainers have not been recovered and assumed sadly lost. It is a tragic event and many people are sadde-"
She stopped as she heard a wailing behind her and turned to see a strange sight. A blissey was being held down by several chances as she crawled herself to the sea front.
("My babies!") the blissey cried, ("I must save my babies!")
("How is she so strong?") a chansey muttered as she tried to drag her back.
("I'M POWERED BY MATERNAL LOVE!") she cried.
Another chansey wiped the sweat off her brow, ("I'm fairly sure we can't swim, Head Nurse,") she said through gritted teeth.
("I DON'T CARE! I'LL JUST FLOAT!") Blissey replied, causing the other chansey to sweat drop.
A chansey turned her fellow Pokemon, ("We need to use Sing again.")
("But we've already use Sing seven times,") Another Chansey informed.
("Just do it!")
The news reporter turned back as Charles' and Benny's mother fell asleep to the chansey's Sing attack.
"It would also seem Pokemon are saddened by this as well," she said as Blissey suddenly sat up, gave a war cry, and began dragging herself to the ocean again, much to this dismay of the chansey.
("How is she doing this!?") a chansey shouted as they tried to hold down Blissey.
"We are now joined with the captain of the St Anne, Edward Smith," the reporter said as the camera panned to captain, "Captain Smith, can you recall the events leading up to the catastrophe."
The captain sighed sadly, "Yes, yes. It was quite a shame. You see the passengers are, of course, my main priority. So when I hear that they were being attacked, I confronted Team Rocket. I demanded that they get of my ship and stop attacking my passengers. Being the experienced sailor I am with years of sailing, they saw I meant business and those rapscallions surrendered at that moment. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my passengers, I would even lay down my life for them."
The reporter hummed and gave him a sceptical look, "That's interesting, because according to witness accounts it was a trainer called Charles Roberts who confronted Team Rocket," she told him making him gulp nervously.
"Oh...really..." he stammered, "oh yes, I remember now. I believe that young man did assist me, such a keen lad. Reminded me of myself when I was that age."
"And what about the reports that say that you were the first person to get into the lifeboats as it began to sink?" the reporter pressed.
The captain was sweating now, feeling the pressure building on him. What he should of been focusing on was the blissey who overheard their interview.
"Err...well...you see," the captain stuttered before he felt somebody place their hand on his shoulder.
He slowly turned around and saw Blissey emitting a demonic aura. Her eyes were red like an inferno her face was stern and cold.
("What did she say?") Blissey growled at the captain.
The captain didn't have time to react before Blissey tackled him and attacked him.
("YOU CREEP! YOU LEFT MY BABIES ON A SINKING SHIP!") Blissey screamed as she pummelled the captain.
The news crew continued to record the fight while the chansey watched from afar. The nurse Pokemon shared a look before shrugging.
They were fine with this.
Passenger Rooms
("Charles, Charles! Wake up!")
The young Pokemon trainer felt somebody shake him, making him groggily open his eyes. The first thing Charles saw was the worried face of his brother shaking his head around.
Benny sighed in relief when he saw his brother awake, ("Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?")
Charles rubbed his head and sat up, being mindful of the egg incubator still in arm.
"I'm fine Benny. Where are the othe-"
Charles finally noticed his surroundings. He and his friends were surrounded by pieces of damaged furniture and other miscellaneous objects. Another look and Charles noticed they were laying on the ceiling while above them was the floor. It was a bit disorientating at first. The first thing that came to mind was that gravity was going to take effect and they would drop to ground, but, after a few seconds, Charles realised that the entire ship must have capsized during the storm.
"That's not good," Charles muttered as he stood to his feet and made it to a cabin window and saw some water Pokemon swim by, "really…really not good."
Charles turned to Benny, "We need to wake the others up first and then find a way out of here."
Eventually, they woke all their friends up. They were expectedly and appropriately freaked out by the situation but managed to calm down after a minute.
"What do we do?" Ash asked as he worriedly looked out the cabin window.
Flo hummed in thought, "We need to go up. I bet that water is already filling the upper…lower…the place currently underneath us. Plus, the pressure will be too much for us to take if we go any lower."
"Yeah, but how will we get out?" Alice asked, "I doubt the ship would have any exits."
Brock clicked his fingers, "We can break through the hull. If we use our fire and water type Pokemon to rapidly heat and cool the metal, it will be weak enough to make a hole."
Alice frowned when he said that, "We would need to be quick if we did that. The water would burst through, and the ship would sink even further. Charles, can we ride on Mystic through the hull?" she asked much to Misty's dismay.
"I'm sure she won't mind," Charles answered, before he gave Misty an apologetic look, "Sorry Misty."
Misty shook her head dismissively, "Mystic's fine. It's just other gyarados..." she trailed off with a sheepish expression.
Ash snicked at her, earning a slap on the head from the orange haired girl.
"I know which way to go," Misty told them, "I once built a model of the St Anne, so I know which hallways and stairways to take."
"Good, then we'll follow your lead," Charles said, "right, let's g-"
"Wait, hold on," Alice interrupted, making everybody to turn her.
"Alice, what's wrong?" Flo asked.
"Is there something wrong with the plan?" Ash followed up.
"Oh no, I was just wondering if I can just pick up some of the complementary shampoo and conditioner from my room before we leave. They smelt really ni-" she stopped short at everybody's glares, "You know what, it doesn't matter," she told them with an embarrassed smile.
Somewhere on the St Anne
The group had made their way to a stairwell that led onto the next level of the ship. They looked up and saw that there was no where they could climb up. Since everything was upside down, access to something as simple as stairs would not be possible. Water was starting to flow in just below their level signifying the lack of time.
"Damn, no way up," Flo muttered in annoyance.
Charles hummed and looked at the water, "Maybe we'll have better luck if we go through the water."
"Alright, let's go," Ash said as began walking his way to the water.
Before he could get any further, Brock grabbed his shoulder.
"We should probably let a water type Pokemon investigate first. In case there's a blockage. We wouldn't want to drown," Brock suggested, making Ash gulp and step back from the water's edge.
"Alright Goldeen, come on out," Misty said as she released her Pokemon who splashed into the water.
"Kani, why don't you join her," Charles suggested as he released the krabby.
The krabby also splashed into the water and looked up at Charles curiously.
("How you doing mate. How can this krabby help you today,") Kani asked in warm tone.
"Kani I need to go with Goldeen to see if that's a passage we can swim through," Charles explained.
The krabby nodded in understanding, ("You got it,") he told him before he and Goldeen sunk beneath the water.
The two Pokemon swam through the flooded corridors, passing bits of debris on their way.
("It's quite unusual to be swimming somewhere for humans, don't you think,") Goldeen said, trying to start a conversation.
("Not for me,") Kani told her, ("before I joined the team I was hanging around a sunken ship.")
Goldeen hummed in interest, ("Really?")
("You bet. Though I have to admit this is much better then the old place. No rotten wood, carpets, doors. You can tell they put a lot of effort into building this. Lovely craftsmanship,") he said admiring the hallway.
Goldeen stopped swimming as she saw something ahead, ("Oh dear,") she muttered as she stared at the debris blocking the hallway.
Kani noticed it to and hummed, ("Oh that's nice touch. There weren't any blocked hallways back in the old place.")
("I don't think that's intentional,") Goldeen told him with a sweat drop.
Kani noticed something behind him and turned around.
("Huh, that doesn't seem safe,") he mused thoughtfully.
Goldeen frowned in confusion as she turned to what he was seeing, ("What do you me-") she gasped when she saw the floating bodies of Team Rocket.
They were panicking, trying to find air to fill their lungs.
("They don't have any breathing equipment. That's quite dangerous,") Kani said, earning a look from Goldeen.
("Your not really surprised by anything are you?") she said to him.
The others have been waiting for a few minutes for Goldeen and Kani to return now and they were starting to get worried.
("What's taking them so long?") Pikachu asked from Ash' shoulder.
Alice saw something in the water and alerted the others. They crowded around the water's edge expecting to see the faces of two Pokemon. But instead they were met with the gaunt, pale face of James, making them all scream in terror.
"What is that thing!" they shouted in fright.
Suddenly, the face of Jessie appeared beside her partner and the two were dragged onto dry ground. Kani surfaced, dragging Jessie with one claw and Meowth with the other while Goldeen appeared underneath James revealing that she carried him.
("Hi guys,") Kani greeted friendly as he gave a cherry wave, ("found these two in the hallway. Quite irresponsible if you ask me, but I shouldn't judge. Just like how my uncle said to-")
"Kani, I would love to hear your story, but I think we need to help them," Charles interrupted.
("No problem. Happy to help, mate,") Kani said as Charles returned him to his Pokeball.
Team Rocket's eyes began to flutter open and take in their surroundings. As soon as they saw the group they gasped and jumped to their feet.
"It's the twerps," Jessie gasped as she and James reached for their pokeballs.
Ash and Brock instinctively took out their pokeballs ready to battle. But before they could release any Pokemon, Charles and Misty stood between the four.
"Stop it!" Charles demanded crossly.
"Are you really going to risk your lives over a battle?" Misty followed up, equally as annoyed.
The four looked at the two before sighing.
"The twerpette and the smart twerp are right," James admitted as he placed his pokeball away.
Ash frowned, "Hey! Why is he the smart twerp?" he asked in offence.
"Ash, you perfectly know why," Flo told him with a roll of her eyes.
Alice hummed, "I'm guessing by Goldeen's and Kani's reappearance that there is something blocking our way."
Charles looked at the Goldeen who nodded in confirmation before Misty returned her to her pokeball.
Charles sighed and looked upwards, "The only way is up, baby. Does anybody have any ideas?"
("Why did you say 'baby' at the end of that sentence?") Benny asked.
"Oh, I know," Brock said as he took a pokeball off his belt, "Come on out, Onix," he proclaimed as the large rock type Pokemon was released from it's ball, "Onix, can you be a staircase for us?" Brock asked as he pointed to the next level.
("Not at all,") Onix roared politely as it stretched his head upwards and bit onto the next level.
"Nice one, Brock," Ash said as the others congratulated him and Onix.
One by one, the group climbed on Onix to the next level.
"Thank you and sorry we have to climb you," Charles said as he petted Onix's face.
("It's quite alright. I barely felt a thing,") he said, sounding a little boastful.
After many years living on at the lab, Charles have noticed that rock types are very proud Pokemon who value the strength above all.
Once Brock returned Onix to his pokeball, the group had escaped the rising water levels and had got closer to their freedom.
"By the way, you guys wouldn't have picked up a few of those complimentary bottles of shampoo and conditioner, by any chance," Alice asked Team Rocket.
"Err...no. Why?" Meowth replied with questioning look.
"Are you still going on about that?" Misty asked with an irritated sigh.
"They smelt nice," Alice said to her defence.
...
...
...
...
"Did anybody get the name of the brand or-"
"SHUT UP!" everybody shouted at Alice who gave an annoyed pout.
Engine Room
After a few close calls, the group had made it to the engine room at the hull of the ship. It was too dark to see so Ash and Charles released Charmander and Pyro to help illuminate their way. The sound of rushing water beneath them signified that time was running out for them. They need to get out now.
"There," Misty said as she pointed up at the hull, "we should be able to break through there."
"Great job, Misty," Charles told her before releasing Mystic from her pokeball.
("Darling!") Mystic squealed as she rubbed her face against Charles.
Team Rocket screamed at the sight of Mystic and backed away from the gyarados in fright.
"What are doing releasing that monster?" Meowth shouted, earning a growl from Mystic.
"She's not a monster," Charles cooed as he rubbed her snout, "she's my beautiful girl, aren't you."
("Oh darling, your so kind to me,") she sweetly said before glaring at Team Rocket, ("you want me to send them flying?")
"Not yet," Charles told her, "Would you mind if we ride on your back to the surface, so we can escape this ship?" he asked her.
("Of course, darling. I'll do anything for you,") she told him with a wag of her tail.
("We really need to work on her attachment issues,") Benny muttered with a sweat drop.
"Right, everybody get on Mystic's back, but be careful of her scales and don't tug too hard on her fins," Charles told the group.
"Are you crazy!" Jessie screamed, "I'm not getting on that!"
"It's either that or drown," Flo told them as she climbed on to Mystic's back, "it's your call."
Jessie snorted and turned her head away, "Team Rocket does not take pity from anybody. We will use our own water Pokemon to get us out."
"But Jessie we don't-ow!" Meowth tried to say before Jessie kicked him.
The kids rolled their eyes at their antics and turned to focus on the situation. They climbed onto Mystic's back with Benny and Pikachu clinging tightly to their brother's/trainer's jacket and the egg incubator in Flo's safe hands. Pyro and Charmander were sat on their trainer's laps. Charles and Ash had told the fire type Pokemon the plan and were prepared to put them back in their pokeball so their tailed won't go out. Misty took out her Starmie and told it to wait for her orders.
"Ready?" Charles asked.
"Ready," Ash said with determination.
"Pyro/Charmander use Flamethrower," the two trainers ordered.
The two fire types spewed a jet of flames out of the mouth and onto the hull of the ship. After a few seconds, the metal started to glow red indicating it was Starmie's turn.
"Alright stop," Charles said before turning to the orange haired girl, "Misty now."
"Starmie use Water Gun," Misty instructed.
The starfish Pokemon shot out a jet of water from it's gem, cooling down the metal but also making it weaker.
"Keeping on going," Brock told them ready for the hull to break.
They continued to heat up and cool down the metal rapidly, making it weaker and weaker. Till finally, with a metallic snap, the hull broke and water shot into the ship. Charles and Ash instantly returned their fire types while Misty kept Starmie out just in case.
"Alright, hang on everybody!" Charles shouted as Mystic shot out into the hole and into the depths of the sea.
The clung tightly onto Mystic's back and held their breaths as water smashed onto them. The cold chilling their bones to the marrow and the salt sting their eyes. Luckily, Mystic was a fast swimmer and so it wasn't long until the reached the surface.
Also in the water, watching them swim to the surface, was the tentacles that has been following them. It had been worried that they had been harmed when the ship sank, but was relied to see them escaped. It's eyes trained on Alice as she rode on the red gyarados' back. After making sure they wouldn't see it, it started to follow them again.
Somewhere at Sea
Mystic broke through the surface and the group released the breath they were holding. They looked around the surroundings and saw nothing but open sea all around them. They were cold, drenched and lost, but at least they were alive.
"What do we do now?" Misty asked as she returned her starmie.
"I'm on it," Alice said, taking a compass and map out of her bag. Thank goodness she took the initiative and had the map laminated.
She inspected the compass for a moment, looked at the map, did a few calculations in her head and finally raised her arm and pointed to the right of them.
"Judging by the map, the mainland should be that way," she told them.
Mystic growled in thanks and took of in the direction she told them to. In the meantime, they all caught their breath and tried to relax. They couldn't quite believe they managed to get out. It's not everyday you have to escape from a sinking ship. The next few minuets was spent trying to dry their clothes in the midday sun or staring at the horizon, happy to be alive.
Flo turned to Alice sat behind her, "How long till we get there?"
Alice hummed and looked over her map once again, "Probably by next morning. But that's only if we not interrupted."
"Well, let's hope for smooth sailing the- wait what's that?" Brock asked as he pointed to his left.
They all looked at where he was pointing. There was something quickly getting closer and closer to them. No, there were two things approaching them. One followed by the other.
Ash was the first to identify the first thing, "That's Team Rocket," he declared.
Jessie, James and Meowth were on a makeshift raft made out of debris from the St Anne. They were using long poles to frantically row their raft towards them.
The reason for their hasty rowing was the viscous gyarados chasing after them.
"Help us!" Team Rocket as they drew nearer and nearer.
The group looked at them with deadpanned expressions.
"Really? We leave them alone for five minutes and they're already being chased by a gyarados," Misty muttered.
Team Rocket had made it to them and parked the raft alongside Mystic. The got onto their knees and started to beg to Charles.
"Smart twerp, please do something," James pleaded.
"We promise to not bother you again," Jessie added, causing Charles to roll his eyes.
Mystic turned to confront and attack the other gyarados, but Charles stopped her.
"Mystic, no. We would be in the crossfire if you attacked it," Charles told her, making Mystic back down. That didn't stop her giving the other gyarados a warning growl.
Charles looked at the gyarados who was roaring and snapping its large jaws at them. Gyarados don't tend to say a lot when they're on their rampage, so all Charles was hearing was snarls and growls. Talking to it was out of the question.
'We need to calm it down,' Charles thought before he remembered something.
Reaching for his pokeball, he brought out Cleo who looked around the area with an annoyed frown.
("Look at that. Stuck in the middle of an ocean on board a slimy fish while another slimy fish is going to kill us. Thank you, Charles for letting me live my worst nightmare,") Cleo said sarcastically with a deadpan expression, ("Surely it can't get any better than this.")
"Whoa!" Meowth said in awe as he eyes laid on Cleo.
He leapt onto to Mystic and got into her face with a lovesick expression, much to the annoyance of Cleo.
"Hey toots, I never seen a more beautiful meowth than you. Fancy a date or somthin'" he said with love hearts in his eyes.
Cleo was, understandably, unimpressed by the talking meowth, ("And it just got better. Terrific,") she muttered sarcastically, using her paw to slap Meowth back into the water.
"I'm sorry Cleo, but I need you to use Attract on that gyarados," Charles told her, earning a disgusted look from her.
("What! I'm not using that on a fish,") she cried indignantly.
"Alright, then use Fury Swipes."
Cleo looked towards the gyarados that was coming closer and closer. She looked up at Charles who gave raised his eyebrow at her.
("Fine,") she agreed with a sigh, ("so demeaning.")
She turned and winked at the rampaging gyarados, sending small pink love hearts at the gyarados. The hearts swirled around the gyarados's head, making it stop its rampage. Instead, the gyarados had love hearts in his eyes as it swayed in the sea.
"What sort of a move was that?" Ash asked curiously.
Brock turned to him, "It's called Attract. When used on a Pokemon of the opposite gender it becomes infatuated."
"Infatuated?"
"It means in love, Ash," Misty told him as she sighed at his stupidity.
"Thanks Cleo," Charles told her as he stroked her head.
Meowth climbed back onto the gyarados and got into Cleo's face once again, "You don't have to use that move on me, toots. I'm already in love with you."
("You can thank me by putting me back in my pokeball,") Cleo told Charles who returned her, much to Meowth's disappointment.
"You guys want to explain why that gyarados was chasing you," Alice asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Hey, we did nothing," Jessie said, "It was James' fault for buying that magikarp."
"He seemed like a reliable vendor," James defended himself.
"You bought a magikarp from a vendor," Charles said, "You can't trust them. They're usually ekans oil salesmen."
"Actually, the ekans oils salesman was next booth along," James told them, making everybody sweat drop.
'There was someone actually selling ekans oil,' everybody apart from James collectively thought.
"Anyway we made our way out and found this raft," Meowth continued, "we hadn't eaten in ages and so we thought we could eat the magikarp."
("Just when I thought they couldn't get any worse,") Benny muttered as Mystic growled in agreement.
Misty shook her head at their stupidity, "But magikarp are just scales and bones. You can't eat them."
Jessie turned to her crossly, "We know the now. Then James got annoyed and kicked the magikarp into the water…"
"…Which then evolved…" Meowth followed up.
"…and attacked us," James finished, "Can you really blame us for what happened?"
"You've literally made all the wrong possible decisions," Flo deadpanned.
"Whatever, nurse twerpette," Jessie huffed before she spotted the Pokemon egg in her arms.
She smiled evilly and came closer to the incubator, "You know we still haven't eaten," she said with a hungry look in her eyes.
James stood next to her and also got close to the egg, "You're right. Why don't we open that incubator and have ourselves a fried eg-"
They stopped salivating over the egg when they felt a hand grip onto their foreheads. The hands pushed their head backwards, forcing them to look up into Charles' dark eyes.
"I consider myself a patient person," Charles said in a cold dark voice, "and I have been patient with you idiots for a while now. But I have my limits. And you've just exceeded them," the two human members of Team Rocket began to shiver in fear,"so let me explain to you in words even you would understand. If you even dream of harming my unborn baby, you feel my paternal wrath. Do you understand?"
Jessie and James nodded nervously.
"Good," he said in a cheery tone, his expression lighting up instantly, "now let's get going before something else happens."
"hat was that about?" Misty asked Flo and Alice who were giving smiling at Charles with small blushes.
"That's his dad mode," Alice told her.
Flo nodded in agreement, "He gets it from his mother...indirectly."
Misty turned to look at Charles before blushing slightly, "That's kind of cute," she said under her breathe. Although, Alice and Flo heard and frowned crossly.
Charles was going to order Mystic to go again, but stopped when he saw the waters nearby began to tremor and vibrate. The rapids were enough to wake the gyarados from a Cleo's Attract and glare angrily down at them. Suddenly, more gyarados began to surface sticking their heads out of the water, snarling and growling at them.
"What's going on!?" Meowth shrieked in fear.
"We must of entered gyarados territory!" Misty shouted in panic.
Mystic looked around as more and more gyarados were emerging, outnumbering her.
("Darling, I don't think I can take them all,") she worriedly told him.
Charles frowned and gritted his teeth, "We can't talk them out of it. We need to make a run for it," Charles said before turning to Mystic, "head for land as quickly as you can," he ordered.
Mystic immediately swam away with the gyarados following her. However with passengers on her back, it wasn't easy for her to go any faster, meaning that the gyarados was gaining on them.
Suddenly the gyarados all reared back their heads and opened their mouths. Misty and Charles knew exactly what they're going to do.
"Oh no, Dragon Rage!" Misty yelped.
"Everybody hold on!" Charles shouted as everybody clung onto Mystic's scales.
The gyarados fired a powerful beam of energy out of their mouths towards Mystic, making her shoot up into the air. The spun around and around, trying desperately to stay together. However, not all succeeded to hold on.
The first to fly off were Team Rocket. Jessie and James went one way and their poke balls and Meowth went the other. Then Pikachu lost his grip on Ash and his tail collided with egg incubator in Flo's hands. Flo lost her grip of the incubator and it followed Pikachu. Flo screamed out in anguish when she felt the incubator slip out of her fingers, but there was nothing she could do.
The last to go was Benny. Charles lost his grip on him, but Benny managed to hold onto his pokeball belt. He would of alright if the belt didn't snap off Charles' waist, making him lose not only his brother, but all his Pokemon. Charles was so shocked that couldn't even let out a noise as he saw Benny fly away out of his view still clutching the belt in his paw.
Soon the pressure became to much for the survivors and for the second time in under twenty four hours, they were knocked unconscious.
A Beach
Benny woke up with a start. The first thing he noticed was the hot sand beneath him and sound of water behind him. He groggily stood up and looked around at the tropical beach his been washed up on. It looked like a normal beach you would find on a travel brochure. If things weren't so serious Benny would even think this was nice to go on holiday.
He looked down at thing in his paw and saw it was his brother's pokeball belt. It must of snapped of when-
("Oh no,") Benny uttered as recalled what happened before he took off running down the beach, ("Charles! CHARLES!")
But he was nowhere to be seen.
("Damn, What am I going to do,") Benny sighed in worry.
That's when he spotted something a few meters down the beach. He ran to it and saw it was the Pokemon egg. The incubator was cracked and broken, but the egg, after a thorough inspection, was alright. Benny picked the egg up and awkwardly carried to the shades of the palm trees. He placed some leaves down on the ground and created a small bed for it, so the egg wouldn't be damage.
Satisfied, he looked down at the pokeballs still attached to the belt in his paw.
("First of all, I need to assemble the team,") he said to himself as he began releasing his fellow Pokemon.
Kani, Titania, Cleo, Pyro and Boa looked around the deserted tropic beach in slight confusion. They turned to Benny for answers.
("Where are we?") Pyro asked worriedly.
("Wherever this is; it's lovely,") Kani said as he admired the scenery.
Cleo gave Benny a serious look, ("Benny, where's Charles?")
The pikachu sadly shook his head, ("I don't know. A pack of gyarados attacked us and sent us flying. We were separated mid-flight.")
Cleo hummed in concern, but her attention was drawn to Boa. The ekans seemed to be in distress, looking around frantically.
("This is bad. W-what happens if we can't find him and we'll be lost forever,") Boa muttered hysterically, making Pyro look down in worry.
("Really?") Titania said with a roll of her eyes, ("I can't believe you used to be wild. You're such a princess.")
Boa glared at the eevee angrily, ("I happen to like being in a team. Not all of us sad loners like you are.")
("Better a loner than a stuck up princess,") Titania retorted, earning an irritated hiss from Boa.
("Please don't argue,") Pyro quietly persuaded them. It was clear that he was starting to get distressed and their arguing was not helping.
("Hey guys, stop it!") Benny demanded, trying to get everyone's attention.
However, they just ignored him. Boa and Titania were still arguing, Pyro was trying to break up the fight and Kani was still going on about how lovely the beach was. His cheeks started to spark in anger as they kept on ignoring him. He was about to shout at them one more time before Cleo got there first.
("SHUT UP! ALL OVER YOU!") Cleo bellowed, getting the rest of the team's attention, ("Call yourself a professional team. It's only been two minutes and your already at each other's throat,") she pointed a claw at Boa, ("You stop panicking,") she pointed at Titania, ("You stop causing trouble,") she pointed at Kani, ("and you concentrate.")
To Benny's surprise, they all listened to her (although Titania was reluctant) and waited for her to continue. Cleo took a deep breath and looked at Pyro with a kind expression.
("Pyro, it's going to be alright. We're going to find Charles, but we can't do that if you don't calm down, okay?") Cleo said, ("Can you do that for me?")
Pyro nodded and gave her a small smile, much to her relief.
("Your Queen apologises,") Boa told him with a guilty look.
Titania mumbled something which Cleo reckoned was the closest thing to an apology. Cleo turned to Benny.
("What's the plan?")
Benny thought for a moment before looking back at the forest, ("Let's see if we can find any Pokemon. They'll know the area better.")
With the others agreeing to the plan, they went into the forest,
Another Beach
Charles wasn't having a great day. When he woke up, he discovered that he has lost his brother and his team and it was getting hard for him not to panic.
Luckily he wasn't alone. Washed up alongside with him were Flo, Ash, Misty, Brock and Mystic, the latter he returned to her pokeball. The only other person that was missing was Alice, who they have been trying to find for a while now.
"Do you think she washed up further along the beach," Flo suggested, searching along the sandy shore for their friend.
"Over there!" Ash shouted pointing to the ocean.
They turned and gasped when they saw Alice foot towards the shore. She was awake and well but she looked tired as approached them. They all ran towards her and was surprised to see that she wasn't floating, but riding a Pokemon. Alice slid off the tentacool and onto to the shore. She started to stroke the Pokemon, thankful that it saved her.
"Alice!" Charles and Flo cried as they ran and hugged her tightly.
"Thank goodness, your alright," Flo told her.
"We thought we lost you," Charles added.
Alice hugged them back for a few moments before pulling away, "It's all thanks to tentacool here," Alice said as she rubbed its head.
Charles bent down to the tentacool, "Your the same tentacool from the inlet, aren't you?"
The tentacool shyly nodded, ("Yes...I am. Sorry for...following you,") she timidly said, ("I...wanted...to join...her...but couldn't...work up...the courage.")
Charles translated what she said to Alice. She blinked in surprise and turned to the water Pokemon.
"Really? Why?"
The tentacool looked up at her before looking down shyly at the water.
("I'm not...confident...like other...tentacool,") she quietly said, ("you...seemed kind...and I...thought I could...learn...how to be...confident.")
Alice smiled once Charles translated what she said, "You're more then welcome to join me," Alice said as she petted the tentacool, "and I'll make sure you'll be an excellent officer," she kindly told it.
The tentacool gave an eye smile, happy that she was accepted.
("Thank...you,") she said, ("I also...have something...for you,") the tentacool said as she lifted one of her tentacles.
Alice gasped in joy as she saw two small bottles of shampoo and conditioner in the tentacle, no doubt taken from the St Anne. The others watched with deadpanned expressions as Alice jumped up and down happily, finally getting her complimentary hair products.
Charles rolled his eyes and turned towards the others standing on the sand.
"Let's get going. We need to find our Pokemon."
I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed with this chapter. I didn't do much in the way of original content and I felt I let you guys down. Ah well, hopefully the next chapter will be better.
I rewatched this episode recently and there were many concerning points. First of all, they didn't even bother searching for Ash, Misty and a Brock after the St Anne sunk. Office Jenny held a memorial and that was it. Did they even inform Ash's mum?
Secondly, they were so chill with the concept of Team Rocket drowning that when they found their floating bodies and brought them on the raft, they didn't even check for a pulse. They were totally going to push them back into the sea without a moment's hesitation. I know it's a cartoon, but that's just brutal.
If anybody would like to recommend any names for the tentacool, I would really appreciate it.
Anyway hope you enjoyed it and I see you next time :)
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
Machop
Rattata
Poliwag
Tangela