On the 4th day for Brooklyn resting, he blearily opened his eyes, his throat suddenly not feeling so sore as it did, and head not hurting anymore.

Looking around, Brooklyn saw with a weak smile on his beak that his own Pokémon had been sleeping around his form to keep him warm. The red gargoyle stroked Charmander's head who was snuggling on his stomach. "Hey buddy." Brooklyn greeted from his tired but non sick voice.

Charmander perked up from the sound of his master's voice, wagging his flaming tail. "Char Char!" He exclaimed in joy, jumping a little bit making Brooklyn grunt. "Easy, still recovering here!" Brooklyn said, making Charmander look down in apology.

The other Pokémon including Spearow were rather relieved that their red master had managed to pull through the night, Squirtle pointing to the door. "Squirtle Squirtle!" He said, as a sign that he wanted to get going to Celadon City.

Brooklyn nods, sitting up and ensuring he didn't get dizzy. "Yeah, I know. We're a day late in getting there on time. But you all better get back into your Pokeballs so we can make it since we're only about 2 hours of gliding away. But... thanks for taking care of me." He said with his smile.

Charmander smiles, nuzzling him before pointing to the trail, signaling that they had to get going and find a route to the Celedon City Gym.

Brooklyn sits up, nodding. "Yeah, we gotta get going bud. But we'll have to find a map first since I have no idea where we are right now." Suddenly he sniffs the air and now thanks to his clear sinuses, Brooklyn thought he could smell... the ocean?

The red male climbed up a tree, taking to the skies after storing his Pokémon into their Pokeballs, hoping if there was a beach, there could be a city too which cheered him up some. He could really use a break from all these trees and woods.

After some gliding later, Brooklyn found himself in some kind of harbor city where he could spot a couple large cruise ships, his eyes widening in awe and wonder since he usually never got to see cruise ships up close. After landing, he takes out his Thunder Badge, feeling really proud of himself for having accomplished so much since his first day.

"Maybe this is the ship that takes trainers to the next gym!" Brooklyn says to himself, unaware that another group of particular trainers were not to far away and going in the same direction.

But then Brooklyn realized his other dilemma; he didn't have any money. His ears flattened from this, face burning from embarrassment while wondering if there was a way he could get easy money, his stomach growling, wishing there was a free food stand for both him and his Pokémon.

"Boy, this really stinks for me right now." Grumbled Brooklyn while sitting on the bench, staring longingly at the boats until there was a party horn and streamers coming his way, making him jump from surprise. "What the?!"

Two women appeared in front of him, both looking excited. "Congratulations! You won the ultimate prize!" The first woman cheers with the long hair while the other with the short hair nods, Brooklyn staring dumbfounded from the idea of a gargoyle like him actually winning anything.

"You're kiddin', right? Are you guys aware that I'm not a human?" He asked in suspicion.

The long haired woman laughs while holding out a ticket. "Of course but we know that you are a big Pokémon trainer, and you've won cruise tickets for a trip just for trainers only!"

"Cool!" The second woman said in seriously fake voice in Brooklyn's eyes. He folded his arms. "Are you sure this isn't a scam?"

"Oh no! It is all authorized by the police! I'm sure you need the best food a cruise can offer someone as handsome as you!" Says the long haired woman, fluttering her eyes, which made Brooklyn's stomach flip from feeling awkward.

"Really, you didn't need to do this." Brooklyn says, unaware that the two of them were actually Team Rocket. The duo put their hands on Brooklyn's shoulders who tensed up a little. "All complimentary! No money needed either! And besides, you look a little peaky. Have you been sick?"

Brooklyn's hands clenched, the two ladies getting a little too personal. "Maybe. But please keep that private?" He asks, the two women nodding. "Oh, but of course! Here are your tickets! Enjoy your radical cruise!"

The red gargoyle raised his brow from their choice of words they used. He never really heard anybody say the word radical ever. But he cautiously took them. Was better than starvation. "Thanks, I guess." He said, eyeing the short haired woman suspiciously as the long haired one giggles. "No problem!"

"Cool!" The other woman says before the two zipped off, leaving Brooklyn in a rather dumbfounded state, staring down at his ticket, hoping the boat the St Anne would actually let him on board.

He looked about for a few minutes wondering where the boat could be until spotting the biggest one; which looked taller than the Statue of Liberty. Brooklyn's eyes widened in amazement as well as seeing so many Pokémon trainers heading for it too including spotting a young boy with a Pikachu on his head.

Brooklyn was curious at why the Pikachu wasn't in its Pokeball but shrugged it off, heading for the boat, his stomach growling, demanding for all the food that would be on board.

Meanwhile Team Rocket was hiding by a lighthouse, both of them laughing at tricking the foolish gargoyle. "We got a call from the boss!" Meowth announced in their hideout while pressing a button. It revealed a mysterious looking man on the screen.

"So you've also lured that gargoyle onto the boat as well as the team with the Pikachu?" The man asked, Jessie and James saluting. "Yes sir!"

A Persian Pokémon appeared by Giovani's side, giving off purrs which really pissed off Meowth. "Ah! What's with the Persian?! Ain't I your favorite Meowth anymore?"

Giovani glares while petting Persian. "I am totally disgusted with you always failing Meowth. When I expect total perfection! Perfection like this beautiful Persian, and that gargoyle I want you to bring me!"

Meowth looked down in sadness. "But... Meowth..."

Giovani smirks. "If you want to make me happy then you have to make sure our plan succeeds. And that gargoyle will be mine too."

That instantly cheered up Meowth right away. "You held out all the tickets to the St Anne cruise?" Giovani asks.

"Yes." Jessie says with her own smile. "All of the Pokémon Trainers especially that gargoyle were delighted to take them."

James however was skeptical. "Was it really alright to give out all those tickets for free? We could have easily just darted the gargoyle and brought him to you as well."

Giovani chuckles. "A small price to pay for what I'll get in return. And it is good to lure that pathetic demon into a false sense of security before we grab him. My men have already secretly boarded the St Anne. When I give them the signal, they will take the Pokémon from all the trainers we tricked into boarding the ship and kidnap Brooklyn as well. That gargoyle would make an excellent part of my collection." Giovani said evilly.

Meowth grins. "That's the boss for you. A real genius!"

Giovani however had one more warning. "This time, failure is out of the question!" He threatened.

The trio nods, Meowth looking eager to get it going. "We can do it!"

Giovani laughs further, imagining himself owning the red gargoyle he had seen through gym cameras as his own pet. The beast would have no chance against his control.

...

Back out by the ship, Brooklyn finally found the ramp to get on board, continuing to smell the food. He was so eager to get something in his stomach. The beaked male spotted one of the cruise butlers bowing him inside. "Welcome aboard the St Anne. This way." He said, gesturing to the right.

Brooklyn nods. "Thanks." He goes into the direction the guy pointed him in, heading inside the ship itself. His eyes rounded, unaware to find so many humans there.

"Oh boy..." Brooklyn gulps. He faced trainers and gym leaders sure, but this many people he was unprepared for. How would he interact with them all?

He decided to at least bring out Charmander since Brooklyn saw some other Pokémon out of their balls as well. Spotting the food table, Brooklyn grins, quickly walking over and grabbing some of the food for himself.

It included a lot of meat mostly as well as some other types, Brooklyn eating as much as possible, feeling rather satisfied until hearing what sounded like a Pokémon match nearby.

The trainers included a young girl with her Squirtle and a man with his Ekans. Squirtle blows a water gun at the Ekans but Ekans instnatly dodges, shooting its poison fangs at Squirtle, causing the other to go dizzy and pass out.

Everybody else in the crowd cheered, the man smiling. "Nobody can beat Ekans." He claims, Brooklyn folding his arms.

He walked right up to the man. "I bet I can beat him!" Brooklyn challenged. The man was surprised by the gargoyle but then smiled.

"Oh, really? Let's see what you've got." The man challenged.

Brooklyn pulls out one of his other Pokémon. "Sandshrew, I choose you!" Sandshrew came out of his Pokeball, ready for a fight.

The man folds his arms. "Huh, a Sandshrew. Impressive. Ekans, sting attack!"

Ekans hissed, charging forward. Sandshrew quickly moves out of the way, rolling into a ball then uncurling. "Sandshrew, Scratch attack!" Brooklyn yells, Sandshrew charging and delivering a lot of scratches on Ekans who hissed out loud.

Soon Ekans couldn't handle it all and collapses, the sign above them blinking winner for Brooklyn who folds his arms, grinning. He showed him! The man was stunned that his Ekans was defeated but then smiled at the gargoyle. "Your training skills are better than I thought. How about we treat you to a nice lunch since the boat is now leaving?"

Brooklyn's eyes widened. No human ever invited him to have any kind of meal. "Uh... sure I suppose. Sandshrew, return." Sandshrew went back into his Pokeball while Brooklyn followed the man over to a table nearby.

Meanwhile Jessie and James were serving drinks and had suddenly spotted Brooklyn. "There he is! Why don't we get him now?" James begged.

Jessie smacked his head. "Idiot! Not yet! When we come around with drinks, we'll drug Brooklyn's, then take him to the Boss. As well as all the other Pokémon here!"

James had dollar signs in his eyes from the thought, longing to be rich with Pokémon.

At one of the tables Brooklyn found himself dining on a lot of the rich looking food there, feeling better than he had in a long time while the man watched with a grin. The man's name was Alex. "How do you like the ship so far?"

Brooklyn looks up with a blush. "It's great sir. But, did you also want to talk to me about something?" He asked while wiping his beak with a napkin.

Alex nods. "Yes. You had a very fine looking Sandshrew. How about we trade? My Ekans for your Sandshrew?"

That made Brooklyn stare in surprise. "Uh, trading?"

Alex smiles. "It is a common practice among Pokémon trainers. When each sees they like the other's Pokémon, they trade. It can build many friendships. And I'm sure my Ekans can help you in future Pokémon gyms."

Brooklyn thought for a while. His Sandshrew was strong, and helped him when he was sick. But then again, he knew he needed the strongest Pokémon to fight in gyms. He soon nods. "Alright. We can trade."

Alex looks pleased. "How wonderful. Come, there's a trading station right over there." He and Brooklyn both walked over, Brooklyn hoping he made the right decision.

Alex turned on the trading machine, placing his Ekans on one of the Pokeball stands there, Brooklyn putting his Sandshrew there too. Alex pressed a button, causing the Pokeballs to levitate into the air and into the scanner.

Brooklyn watched his Sandshrew go on over to Alex's side, and Ekans come over to his. The Pokeball dropped onto the stand, Brooklyn picking it up.

"And that's that! Ekans is now your new Pokémon Brooklyn. Thank you for trading with me."

Brooklyn grins while looking over to Sandshrew. "Just take good care of Sandshrew? He helped me when I got sick along with my others."

Alex bows. "On my honor. And Ekans will serve you well in battles."

The red gargoyle nods, holding out his hand and shaking Alex's. "I hope so. Name is Brooklyn. And you?"

"Alex." The man replies while shaking Brooklyn's taloned ones. Hearing that name reminded Brooklyn of Fox's kid.

The two eventually went on their own way, Brooklyn gazing down at the Pokeball in his hand, amazed he now had an Ekans like Team Rocket did.

...

Some time later during the cruise, Giovani chuckles evilly, knowing it was almost time for the ambush. "It's time."

Persian gave a loud meow right as Giovani pushed a secret button, making every window close on the ship and every exit get sealed.

Brooklyn froze in surprise while studying his new Pokémon, wondering what was going on. Smoke filled the room, revealing a lot of what looked like Team Rocket members, Brooklyn glaring with his eyes glowing white. He should've figured the ship was a trap!

The lights went out except one as Brooklyn once again saw those devilish duos show up again. "To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

Jessie and James both went into poses. "Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket blasting off at the speed of light!" Jessie says with a smirk.

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!" James said, though his voice was rather uninterested this time., Meowth showing up in between them. Brooklyn glared when remembering that talking Pokémon "Meowth, that's right!"

What in the world is going on? Brooklyn asked himself in confusion, hearing the other trainers speaking amongst themselves until Team Rocket began using some kind of big vacuum to start sucking up all the Pokeballs. Brooklyn's eyes widened as a lot of his were sucked out, but he kept a firm grip on Ekans and Charmander's Pokeballs.

That was when he spotted a girl he never thought he'd see again for a while: Rosa. Her eyes were horrified when the Pokeballs she had were stolen except for her Zoura. "Rosa!" He yelled out, making her look up in surprise. But then a certain Meowth jumped right onto him.

"You're coming with us, Meowth!" The talking Pokémon exclaimed, Brooklyn gasping from the claws in his skin, jumping up and down on all fours, swishing his tail, trying to knock off Meowth. Rosa glared at what was happening, pointing. "Midnight, tackle!"

Midnight charged forward, pouncing onto Meowth who screeched out from the assault while the other trainers teamed up to fight the rest of Team Rocket, calling out all their Pokémon.

Brooklyn panted, grinning at Rosa. "Thanks for the save. But we gotta get our Pokémon back." He said, holding out his hand. Rosa took it.

"After this, we'll have another rematch at the next gym." She promised, Brooklyn nodding. He heard a familiar voice however.

"We gotta fight them together!" Brook's eyes widened. Was that Brock from Pewter City? How could that be?

He pointed Charmander in the direction of the rest of Team Rocket. "Flamethrower!" Charmander paired together with other Charmander around him, shooting out a flamethrower attack altogether alongside a bunch of Pikachu.

Team Rocket all yelped out from the flame and lightning attacks. Brooklyn at last saw Brock, throwing his Pokeball and summoning Geodude which teamed up with others, knocking more of Team Rocket away.

It was Pokémon chaos from all the group attacks, Brooklyn and Rosa watching in awe from the sight as a bunch of Pidgeotto did a gust attack mixed with Pikachu's Thunderbolt which finally blasted the entirety of Team Rocket away, even freeing all of the Pokeball that were trapped.

Everybody all cheered from the victory, Brooklyn managing to get his Pokeballs along with Rosa's. Rosa smiled at the red gargoyle. "That was great Brooklyn. We do make a good team even if we're rivals."

Brooklyn felt his face heat up from the compliment as he chuckled. "Suppose we do." Before they could rest however, a huge wave from the storm outside struck the ship, causing him and the crowd to stumble over. The two saw three trainers over by the window. "Hey, I know them, that's Misty and Brock. But it looks like we have a big storm hitting us!" Brooklyn exclaimed, Rosa looking scared now.

There was even more rumbling when the ship was knocked about even further, Brooklyn stumbling over. "Come on, we gotta find a way to get to the lifeboats!" Rosa shouted, taking Brooklyn's hand as the two ran for it, unaware of Ash and his friends right behind and that Jessie, James, and Meowth were still on board.

Unfortunately however the ship got knocked over even further, sending the trainers falling over who hadn't made it out, Brooklyn hitting his head against the wall, Rosa doing the same, both of them falling unconscious while the St Anne started to sink to the bottom of the ocean...

...

Will our heroes make it out alive? Find out in the next chapter!