1. Ash's Story (Part 0: Prologue)

Chapter 8: The Colors

Oceablu City had no airport. Visitors reached it by ship, ferry, or trained Water Pokémon, following bright channels between the coast and the city. From the deck of the S.S. Rainbow, Ash could already see sunlight flashing across the aquarium domes along the waterfront.

He stood at the railing while wind pushed his hair back and salt spray reached his cheeks. Flags carrying the Mikuri family crest snapped above the polished deck as the ship cut through the waves.

Alice stood beside him with both hands around the rail. "This feels really different from using the teleportation device."

"It takes a lot longer," Ash said.

Alice glanced at him. "I didn't say longer was bad."

Ash laughed and looked back toward the sea. Several Wingull skimmed the water before climbing over the ship.

Reisa Mikuri came up behind them with the small case she carried almost everywhere. "At least this way you actually get to see where you're going."

East leaned against the opposite railing. "You just like being on the water."

"Of course I do," Reisa replied. "That's why I'm smarter than you."

East ignored that and looked toward the sky. "Someday I'll fly all the way to Oceablu with my own Pokémon. Then I won't need your ship."

Reisa gave him a sideways look. "You say that while standing on my family's ship."

Ash laughed before East could answer. Reisa was happiest near the sea, while East spent half his time watching anything with wings. Their arguments about water and flying happened often enough that nobody took them seriously.

The coastline grew clearer ahead. Oceablu spread along the shore in white buildings, curved bridges, and blue glass. Water ran between parts of the city in broad channels crowded with small boats and Water Pokémon carrying riders.

The largest structure stood beside the waterfront. Palmer Ketchum's Gym was built into Oceablu's aquarium, with enormous transparent walls facing the sea. Ash could already make out Mantine gliding through one tank while Lanturn moved deeper below.

Alice leaned forward against the railing. "Palmer's Gym really is inside the aquarium."

"I told you," Ash said, grinning.

"I thought you meant it was attached to one."

Reisa joined them at the rail. "Nope. Challengers battle inside. Depending on the field Palmer uses, you can see Pokémon swimming past while you're battling."

Ash kept watching the Gym as the S.S. Rainbow entered the harbor. Palmer had traveled farther than most of Ash's older siblings before taking charge of Oceablu's Gym, and seeing the aquarium from the water made Ash proud.

The ship horn sounded as sailors prepared the lines for docking. Ash grabbed his bag and finally left the railing. For once, nobody had brought them somewhere because of an emergency, examination, or training exercise.

Alice looked toward the aquarium again. "Can we go there first?"

Ash was already heading toward the stairs. "Only if you can keep up."

By evening, a concert stage had opened on a floating plaza beside the aquarium, held between two crescent-shaped docks. Lanterns hung from curved poles around the water, and visitors crowded the plaza with snacks and drinks from nearby stalls.

Ash, Alice, and Reisa found a place near the front. East stayed through the beginning of the first song before spotting a booth advertising a Flying-type demonstration.