Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 68: Canalave City, The Iron Island Ferry

"We arrived in Canalave City, by boat. Unfortunately, we weren't able to take the same boat out to Iron Island. A mysterious and sacred tribe of religious recluses who believed in something called 'Aura' inhabited it, and supposedly they didn't let too many people near their island in order to protect themselves and their power. The whispers of Team Galactic's evil on the mainland hadn't helped much. Our ferry master was the only person—or at least one of the few—allowed to go between Iron Island and the mainland, and only because he was responsible for bringing the tribe to and from the mainland, as well as bringing them any mail or supplies they might be getting from those they knew on the mainland. Supposedly he was the only one brave enough to navigate the rough waters—though some said recently his bravery had been doubled and he went out there looking for a Lunar Wing and the Mythical Pokémon Cresselia. Supposedly his son had fallen ill, and he was looking for the legendary island where Cresselia was supposed to be near Iron Island. Eventually, he found it. But that's a story for another time."

Canalave City was big and sitting right on the harbour. It was known for shipping, industry, warehouses, and fisheries. The place smelled of fish as a result—at least closer to the sea. The further south you went in the city, the better it smelled.

The entire city was divided in four areas. Two massive man-made canals flowed through the city, and out to the other sea south of Canalave. These canals contained a large amount of lift locks that raised and lowered the boats that came in and out of the canals. The canals existed so large ships could get right through Canalave to the South Sinnoh Sea, as opposed to going around the Canalave Peninsula.

The third divider was an actual river. This was smaller, with no lift locks, allowing smaller passenger and private watercraft to travel between the East and South Sinnoh Seas.

It was down this river that Sam and his friends were travelling.

They were on a small—relatively—ferry, travelling towards Iron Island.

They hadn't been here all that long, in fact as soon as they arrived and dropped off the boat, they'd made their way to the ferry to set up passage to Iron Island.

It had been a day since then. Now the ferryman was driving the medium sized boat out into the open sea.

"I ain't taken no one to Iron Island in a dog's age," grumbled the Captain, "I reckon it's been fifteen years."

He was an older, grizzled man. Long white beard, big burly build and scars all over his arms and hands—your typical sailor, missing only the eye patch.

"We appreciate you taking us over on such short notice," thanked Alyssandra, in response.

"'S'nothing," he shrugged, "I were going out that way anyway. Just a few extra passengers, nothing big; didn't even hafta pay me nuthin' if ya didn't want. I woulda dun it fer free."

Sam shrugged and stepped forward. "I wasn't about to make you drive us around for free," he replied, "I was raised right after all."

The old sailor gave a gruff laugh. "Aye, well, we won' be at Iron Island 'til tomorrow. Best be gettin' some rest, taking a breather before ya get trainin' there; you'll be needin' yer strength. If yer need food, just go below deck and let Cookie know. He's the cook, he'll whip you up somethin'."

They thanked the captain for his hospitality, and he returned to the bridge.

They had small cabins down below deck where they would retire later for a nap.

The captain used a small transport frigate that he modified with a better kitchen and mess hall than it came with, and extra cabins for guests and the crew.