Pokémar Episode VI, Search and Rescue

Interlude: Below the Waves

"ATTENTION PASSENGERS!" The Loudred's voice booms from above, interrupting Jackson's story. The gong of a large bell punctuates the statement. "WE ARE DIVING IN TWENTY MINUTES! ALL PASSENGERS GO TO YOUR CABINS AND AWAIT HEADCOUNT! I REPEAT THE WAILORD WILL DIVE IN TWENTY MINUTES! GO TO YOUR CABINS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY!"

The bell continues to sound off, making sure everyone gets the message loud and clear. Alex gets up from the table. "Well, you heard him. Let's get to our cabins. We can hear the rest of the story after everything settles down."

"Aw..." Josh whines. "But it was getting good!"

"We'll have plenty of time to continue once we're inside." Jackson says as he gets up as well.

"Alright..." Josh sighs, following suit.

Alex pulls out the tickets and reads them over before addressing everyone. "Okay. Deck 2, room A45. Let's go hunt that down." Alex leads then below deck and into the network of rooms and hallways within.

It's like being inside an actual ship, unsurprisingly. The halls are made from painted wood with lanterns lining the walls. The chatter of pokemon fills the halls as everyone goes in search of their rooms. The flow of people is directed by the crew, keeping everything from devolving into a chaotic mosh pit. Per his suggestion, Alex extends his vines for everyone to hold onto in an effort to keep them from getting separated in the river of bodies.

It took a solid ten minutes before they arrived at their cabin. They quickly pile into the room and shut the door, everyone breathing relieves sighs at having room to move again. Though not much, as the cabin isn't the most spacious living area. The beds are bunked and several storage closets take up a decent chunk of the space.

"Guess space is at a premium here." Thunder mumbles.

"That is typically the case with seafaring structures." Alex says as he peers out the window. "Check it out, I think we're diving." Everyone crams themselves in front of the window to watch. Sure enough, the water level is slowly climbing up the glass. It doesn't take long before their view is entirely submerged beneath the waves. The ringing of the bell above them stops soon after as the entire structure slips under the surface.

The sight is breathtaking. Crystal clear waters extend as far as the eye can see. Shifting beams of light peer through the surface like waves themselves. Aquatic pokemon swim alongside them to get a look, including a chipper Dewgong that waves to their group as they speed past the window.

"Just when I thought I've seen all this world has to offer." Alex says with a smirk. "Now I'm wondering if all these seafaring pokemon have their own society like on the surface."

"I've only ever heard rumors." Thunder says. "There aren't many pokemon who can travel both land and sea easily."

"Someone should try." Josh says. "There must be so many cool things down there."

"If the sights down deeper are as breathtaking as they are here near the surface, I agree." Alex says. "There's always something new to discover. Sometimes in the least expected places."

"Speaking of new discoveries, you guys want to hear the rest of the story?" Jackson asks.

"Oh! Yeah! Please do!" Josh yips.

"We're all ears, Jackson." Alex says. "I think you left off with a strange presence in a dream."

"That sounds right." Jackson agrees. "The next few days after that were fairly slow. Mostly low profile jobs. Most of my down time was spent getting a feel for Pokemon Square. I met Caterpie's friend Metapod, and spent some time with Old Man Whiscash. Good storyteller, if a bit long winded.

"Of course, the slow days couldn't last. And a little over a week later I had an unexpected visitor..."