Shamouti Island Port - 1740 hours local time - Day 170 of Ash Ketchum's journey
Maren Michiko was sick and tired of recent events. From being among the first to rediscover Ransei actually existed to assisting Kyoji Akamura in infiltrating Ferrum, she was tired of being part of making history.
She wanted to drive her new ferry (more of a Q-ship, provided by the Ranseians as payment for keeping her mouth shut and replacing the one they kinda trashed) around the Orange Islands for the tourists. Boring she could live with.
She just put on boiling water when she got a knock on the door of the wheelhouse, seeing a young man with black hair, wearing an official League...hat…
'Well, shit.' she thought to herself. Ash Ketchum, Crown Prince of Rota and Conqueror of Orre. On her boat.
…She was going to be making history again. See, THIS is why she worked in the Orange Islands! It was never exciting!
Normally, the leaders of the Gyms of the Orange Islands didn't leave their haunts. Tradition and all.
But as Drake Yuki, leader of the Orange Crew, (a rather insulting nickname, honestly, given they were all Gym Leader-grade trainers, not some pre-war biker gang) noted, something was… WRONG.
All of them were blessed by the local Lugia, allowing them to feel any imbalance in the local climate. And there was something VERY wrong. Moltres was gone.
"Who the hell would be stupid enough to capture one of the Titans?" he asked himself.
"A question I'm asking, Drake." came the voice of Rudy, who, thankfully, was not crossdressing.
His sister REALLY needed to get over that complex. Once or twice was acceptable. Years, not so much.
"Stop giving me that look." Rudy demanded. "At least we don't have to deal with the problem, do we? Arceus' Chosen is here, as prophesied, to deal with the threat."
Yes, he was. And apparently, he was a Prince of Rota and a Conference winner. And considering he dealt with Yveltal, an impressive feat to say the least, this may be easy.
"Hopefully without turning the Orange Islands into an ice cube." Drake commented. As much as they wanted to help, this was out of their hands.
One does not interfere in the affairs of God's Right Hand if they know what's good for them.
Hitokyu - near Denkijima - 1742 hours local time
Hunter J wasn't a classical scholar, but she knew well enough that her brother, when fixated on something, missed details and she knew ancient languages as much as he did.
Half the reason she turned down Team Galactic's offer to capture the Lake Trio last year. One, they didn't pay enough and two, she wasn't testing the patience of the Creation Trio.
Her brother's translation of 'thus the earth shall turn to ash' was a major one, using decades old translations and mistranslations. And while Cynthia hated her and vice versa, she picked up a few tricks and intel from her.
The word 'ash', for example, was usually thought of as volcanic ash or wood ash. But the rune wasn't the same. It was meant to say 'Ash', as in a name. Thus, she put the pieces together.
Her brother captured Moltres, upsetting the balance of power. 'Disturb not the harmony'. It was disturbed now. Lugia would have to deal with them.
And there was only one Ash she was aware of: Ash Ketchum, Crown Prince of Rota, given the title Conqueror of Orre for his actions in the Second Cipher War and recent champion of the Indigo Conference.
"…Oh, HELL." she groaned aloud. That last line wasn't about the end of the world, it was about Ketchum having to save the damn planet! And he would either succeed or die in the attempt.
Not for the first time, she was having regrets about taking a job on… but not for the usual reasons of 'this is too much damn work for not enough pay'.
Ferry boat en route to Honojima - 1745 hours local time
"I was kinda hoping never to see you again." Maren said to Kyoji, who chuckled sheepishly, Ash giving him a look.
"Explain, please?" he asked.
The Ranseian winced. "We...kinda pressganged her into taking us to Ferrum." he admitted. "You got a new boat out of it!"
"Yeah, but I didn't want to see you again! Because seeing you again is a bad-" Maren was cut off by the unfortunate sound of rocks smashing through metal and wood over the waves. "SIGN!" she attempted to turn the ship away from the shore, only to find a problem. "The rudder's damaged! I can't turn this thing!"
"Pika!" 'The more things change, the more they stay the same!' Pikachu said, clinging to his trainer's shoulder. "Pikapi!" 'And NOW I get why you left the girls back at the island, Ash!'
"Which I STILL think was stupid!" Kyoji shouted as a wave smashed into the ship. "You know they'll follow you, right?! You're not that stupid!"
"Better they get here on another boat or a Pokemon! Someone would've fallen overboard by now on this thing!" Ash retorted. Kyoji looked at the boat, which was rather… small.
Yeah, he could picture someone like Robin falling into the water and not getting out. Did she even know how to swim?
Shamouti Island - same time
"Insane maniac couldn't wait." Melody said as she ran down the docks. "Took the only crewed boat here and didn't wait for me! I need to BE there for this!"
Misty rolled her eyes. Her past self was threatened by her? She seemed like someone that wanted to just get the hell off of her island and live a life a hell of a lot more exciting than this.
'Yeah, yeah, hindsight's 20/20.' the ghost griped. 'I was jealous, alright?'
"Can we not go?" Robin asked, VERY nervously. "Or at least get the Heart of Indigo to transport us? That is a very large body of water."
Anabel smiled sadly at her. "No can do. We're going to need Ms Carol's boat for this. At least we'll catch up to Ash." she said as the rain picked up.
Misty knew damn well why Robin wanted the Heart of Indigo. She was a desert creature. They could handle sand like no one else, but not water.
Also, she was aquaphobic. Sand you could walk on. Water… you fell into and if you didn't know how to swim (and as all but one specific area of Orre's coastline, Gateon Port, were irradiated to hell and back and no grass-types were native to the region so they could clean up the mess, Robin sure as shit didn't have a damn clue swimming was even a thing) drowning was more then just possible, it was inevitable.
And that boat was what, 40 feet from stem to stern, weighing about three tons with just five feet from the deck to the waterline? A FAR cry from the Indigo's seven hundred-plus, 28000 ton stability with 30 feet from the deck to the water.
She wanted NOTHING to do with that. Well… Misty hated bugs, yet she was more than willing to get to know Ash's Butterfree and any bug that was friendly and did not mean to scare the shit out of her. So Robin would have to learn to get over the water.
'Well, there's always the fun option~' purred the voice of the libido-driven Jade. …Wait a minute, that was mental!
Claws then scratched at her scalp, reminding her of the presence of… "Natu." …well, that explained everything. The damn bird was acting as a relay from one head to another. The bird radiated smugness.
'I don't think she can take more of your 'teaching'. And what the hell did you DO to her?!' Misty snapped mentally.
'Nothing untoward, if that's what you're thinking.' Jade retorted as Serena herself scowled. 'Just ask Robin.'
Anabel barged into the conversation. 'She won't talk about it.' the lavender-haired teep said.
The girl huffed aloud 'Well, I didn't do whatever it is you're thinking. So… who's looking forward to the boat ride?' Jade asked.
'As long as we don't have to fly with the boat again.' Astral Misty quipped.
"Wait WHAT?!"
Butch did not like this idea. In fact, he was quite opposed to being off the Heart of Indigo.
"No shit. I know what's going to happen!" he yelled at the authors from under the tarp of Carol's inflatable raft.
Yet you're here.
"Reluctantly and under orders from the Boss! And because you're writing this just to make us suffer!" Cassidy snapped.
Oh, how true. We don't like you. Frankly, the only reason the writers still keep the other three idiots around is popularity. When was the last time you were featured in the anime? Hoenn? Sinnoh?
"You know the answer to that." Jessie said, scowling.
Indeed. Just as it took TWENTY YEARS for the writers to give Ash and the fans what they deserved.
"Not a fan of the official writing staff, are you." Meowth deadpanned.
When they keep FUCKING UP, like you three? Oh, yyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeessssssss. Now shut up, the royal and not-so-royal harems have arrived.
"Only confirming Kyoji's got one for the readers, huh?" Butch quipped.
Don't make me smite your ass.
Denkijima - 1829 hours local time
Kyoji groaned as he laid sprawled on the deck of the little ferry. "Remind me…" he groaned out. "To shoot whoever decided to catch Moltres…"
"Apparently his name is Lawrance." Ash said, less effected by the choppy ride over. He had sailed in worse before, had to fly multiple times in choppier weather...wow. He was used to way worse.
"I'mma kill him." Kyoji moaned. "Oh merciful Arceus, why do I feel like I want to puke?"
Meren poked her head out of the wheelhouse. "Never eat before getting on a boat in a storm!" she advised. "I'll have to repair the rudder before we can leave, but we'll have to wait out the storm!"
"Did Kyoji tell you anything when you got drafted into helping him?" Ash called back.
"I do not want to know!" Meren said. "Ignorance is bliss!"
"Pika." 'Someone had a hard time in Ferrum.' Pikachu noted. "Pikapi." 'Ash, we can use Pidgeot to get to the other islands if we don't get scooped up like that city in that sci-fi show.'
"Yeah… the later ones just got darker and darker, with less and less hope for the future." Ash said. "The creator must be rolling in his grave."
With that, Ash jumped off the ship, going into a roll to not break his legs from the fifteen foot fall as the tide went out. Crouching was never a good way to land; it would hurt. A lot.
"So, get the fire orb." he said, getting to his feet before Kyoji, still a bit seasick, followed him with help from his antsy Charizard. "And hope to any god listening this doesn't go to hell in a handbasket."
Pikachu gave him a look.
"Ok, I KNOW it's going to hell. I just want to be hopeful. For once." Ash retorted.
"Goddamn it, my stomach hurts." Kyoji groaned as he followed Ash, albeit very slowly due to his upset stomach. "What did I eat?"
"Gible." 'You ate. Before going on a boat in choppy seas.' his yellow Gible replied. "Gib." 'You should've known this was going to end with an upset stomach.'
"Yeah, yeah…" the soldier said. "Gotta admit, Ash is NEVER boring to be around. Sick or not, never boring."
A loud crash was heard, metal slamming into stone. Both soldier and land shark turned to see a massive metal sailing boat with sails used like a parachute or wings land on the stone steps.
"Oh, shit." he said as Gible ran for his life, Kyoji following suit with the multi-ton boat hot on his heels, the wind being powerful enough to push it up the steep incline.
"HOLY SHIT!" he screamed as he ran, Gible using his ramjets to fly. "TRAITOR!"
"Gible!" 'Use what you got!' the land shark said as he took flight, using the wind to soar. Kyoji was left with his legs, as he left his parachute with Sabrina.
'Your first mistake.' came the voice of his girlfriend.
'DO NOT SEND ME SEXY IMAGES! I AM IN FRONT OF THE BOAT!' Kyoji mentally screamed.
'Resolved.' the psychic said before he began to psionically float in front of the ship.
"Oh, forgot about about this." he muttered. "Thanks, sweety!"
He then floated into sight of that flute girl and Misty, both of whom were VERY confused. "What in the name of-" Melody started to say before the specops man landed on the deck with a painful thud.
'Oops.' came Sabrina's playful voice as he slid down the deck.
Robin hated this. Hated being away from the sand, from the heat. Orre might've been hell, but it was familiar.
Familiar, stable, VERY stable. The sea was always so distant with all the radioactivity at the beaches and Gateon Port… being Gateon Port.
"Flare." said her Flareon as she laid in her lap.
"Exciting, right?" asked Iris as the boat slammed on the stairs again.
"It was exciting enough in the resistance." said the desert dweller. "I… I don't do water."
"Can't swim to save your life?" Iris said. "Serena can-"
"NO! Keep her away from me." Robin pleaded. Arceus ABOVE, she remembered the last time they were alone. She didn't even remember it all and she was trying to forget the things she COULD!
"What about Misty?" Anabel asked. "She's practically an olympic swimmer. Teaching you should be easy."
She still wanted to be in the desert. Sand she could handle. Sand she could dig herself out of. Water… you don't dig out of water.
Ash saw the same shrine as last time, complete with bird statue with the Fire Orb in its' beak.
"Pika." 'You know the drill.' said his starter as he and Ash made their way over, hearing the sounds of metal crashing into the rocks.
"I expected this, but they could've just waited." he muttered as he climbed the steps, just as the boat crested the top of the stairs, crashing in the middle of the temple grounds.
"You know you're fucking insane, right?" Melody asked as the hydraulic mast was retracted, Kyoji groaning on the back deck as Neesha rubbed his back. "I could've lived a day or two without coming here; the elders are VERY understanding of the danger of storms around here. And you'll never be able to pull that orb out."
Ash huffed and walked towards the statue.
"Seriously, no one's been able to!" Melody called out. "And everyone's too scared to use explosives. Apparently, only the actual Chosen One, as in Arceus' Chosen, can pull the damn things out. Of course, Arceus isn't a god-"
Ash somehow took offense to that. So, like any challenge, he took it and grabbed the orb, tugging on it.
"Ok, I'm glad you like the-" Melody then shut up as the orb came out. Her silence was all but audible as Ash walked towards the boat.
"So… No one's done this?" he asked innocently. "It's not like they're made of glass; I thought they were taken out and put back in all the time." That seemed to be the case last time and while some things changed, others, not so much.
That snapped her out of it. "NO! I mean, HUNDREDS have tried, I've even been there for some of the idiots that did!" Melody yelled.
"Welcome to my life." Misty said exasperatingly. "He's always doing something people thinkthink is impossible. Stopping a Legendary? Done it. Taking out Cipher? In a couple months, he had them begging for mercy. Yveltal purified? He's done it!"
Melody looked at her in shock. "Yveltal? Purified?" she asked before shaking her head. "Your boyfriend is weird."
Misty simply grinned. "A few months ago, I'd say he wasn't my boyfriend, just a boy and a friend, but… I wouldn't have it any other way." she said proudly.
"Yay…" Kyoji cheered before he heard the sound of vomit hitting the deck.
Then a faint smell entered his nose. Like superheated air after Pikechu used Thunder. Ozone.
Lightning.
"GET DOWN! ZAPDOS IS COMING!" he yelled, right before the massive yellow form of the Titan of Lightning flow overhead.
"HOLY SHIT!" Melody yelled as she hit the deck. "I've never seen Zapdos up close!"
Misty shuddered. "And I hoped I never would." she whimpered. This WAS the most powerful Zapdos ever.
The bird cawed before coming to a stop and planting its' talons onto the shrine, electrical energy radiating and electrocuting the rocks.
"Moltres is gone! I claim this as my prize as witnessed by the Chosen of Arceus!" the bird declared. "All who challenge my claim will fall! Lightning will reign over fire and ice!"
Melody flinched at the telepathic declaration, before looking at Ash in terror.
She had OPENLY mocked the gods many times. Told them to smite her and get it over with. Called Arceus an oversized llama with a god complex.
She was lucky to be alive at all.
"Zapdos! Where is Moltres?!" Ash demanded of the titan of lightning, who glanced at the boy.
"Gone. Now leave! Before-"
Suddenly Zapdos' electrical discharges were directed skyward. Ash didn't even bother looking up to know who was responsible.
"Well, Lawrence, at least I get to kick your ass in PERSON." he said as everything began to go almost like last time.
The only exception being he saw Hunter J's ship trailing just behind Lawrance's. This was going to be interesting.
"Arceus, WHY do you have it in for me?" he asked his patron deity.