Beyond the Adventure - A Pokémon Story

Chapter 5: Across the Sea pt1

                The ocean waves wash against the bank as a gentle breeze blows across the water.  Darius watches, appearing to be assessing whether it would be safe to travel.  The sky is mostly clear, with some small clouds near the horizon.  Darius nods to himself, then pulls out a map.  As he studies the map, Jaws peers over the edge, watching the Tentacool drift around in the waves.  I sit with him, holding his new Luxury Ball in my hand.  The ball is shiny and new, and very expensive.  A small part of me regrets spending all my money on it, but when I look at Jaws, playing so carefree with the floating Tentacool, I remember how he is worth it.  When I think about it, the color scheme kind of matches him too.  That makes me smile.

                “All right,” Darius says, folding up the map.  “If we head south-east from here, we can get to Goldenrod City before sundown.  Another option, if you like, is we can visit the Whirl Islands.  I hear it’s the home to a legendary Pokémon.”

                As I am looking at the ball, I noticed my reflection, and remember something Morty told me.  I reach up and gently touch the Mineral Badge emblem on my lapel.  “Actually, there’s something I’d like to do before we go,” I say to Darius.

                Darius looks back at me.  “Hmm?  What do you want to do?”

                I put the Luxury ball into my pocket.  “I’d like to head to the gym here and learn about Steel-types,” I say.  “Jaws is of the Steel-type, so if I learn more about it, I can learn how to better protect him.”

                Darius ponders this a moment, then nods.  “Okay,” he says.  “As your teacher, I approve.”

                I chuckle, then motion Jaws to follow me.  He looks at me, a Tentacool hanging out of his massive jaw.  He spits it back into the ocean and trots alongside me.  As we make our way toward the gym, I notice a figure dart behind the dock house in a blue blur.  I sprint ahead, much to the surprise of Darius and Jaws, and dash behind the dock house.  There, I see Pirate Girl from earlier, holding a black and yellow Ultra Ball.  She looks over at me, a scowl on her otherwise cute face.

                “Why are you following me?” she demands.

                “I’m sorry,” I say.  “I thought you were someone else.”

                Just then, Darius and Jaws arrive.  “What was that all… hey, it’s her,” Darius says, recognizing Pirate Girl from earlier.

                Pirate Girl glares at the two of us.  “Oh, I remember you two,” she says.  “You think I didn’t hear all your stupid pirate jokes?”  She tosses her ball on the ground.  The ball pops open and in a brilliant flash, a sweet melody envelopes us as a majestic shiny blue bird rises to the sky.  Its icy-blue feathers shimmer in the sunlight as its long tail gracefully trails behind it.  I have never seen any such Pokémon before.  It looks angelic.

                Darius stares in awe.  “No way…” he says, dumbfounded.  “I… can’t believe it!”

                The bird flaps its wings gently as it slowly lands on the ground.  Pirate Girl leaps onto its back.  “I don’t know why you are following me,” she says, “but stay out of my way.  I have a very important mission and I will not be stopped by anyone!”

                “That is… no way… how did you get one?!” Darius stammers.

                “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I apologize.  “We weren’t following you.  I thought you were someone else.”

                “Just stay out of my way,” she growls, “or our next meeting will be your last.  And you!”  She points to Darius.  “Stop gawking at me.  Men…”  With that, she takes off into the sky, flying toward the horizon.