DPA: Rivals

Chapter 49: An Aquatic Solution!

Riley jumped to the left, just barely avoiding the Koffing's Explosion. He took off the Pokéball that had been hanging from a clip on his belt, sending out Gastly.

"Gastly, use Toxic Targe!" Riley ordered. Gastly obliged, using a combination of Protect and Toxic to create a powerful barrier around the two, poisonous to the touch. Gastly did this just in time, too, as another Koffing entered the floor, Exploding. Fragments smacked against Gastly's shielding, but were not able to break through.

"We need to get out of here," Riley said to himself.

"Boys, I have an idea," Ero whispered to Cameron and Daryon. He had pulled the two aside to talk, while Skye and Max continued to bike ahead.

"Tell us," Daryon replied, curious.

"I hadn't considered this before, because I didn't think we would be in Vermilion Harbor so soon. But there is a cruise ship called the S.S. Anne that runs through Vermilion every six months. If you two can finish your Gym battles quickly enough, we can catch the cruise, and get off just before it passes Lavender Town. We would be able to get there before the Spooky Cup."

"That's brilliant!" Cameron smiled. "We should tell her!"

"No, we shouldn't," Ero continued. "The S.S. Anne runs on a very tight, very strict schedule. If we don't get on exactly on time, they will, without question, leave without us. You two have no idea how long your bout at the Vermilion Gym will go. It would be best to keep this to ourselves until we are actually on the S.S. Anne."

"That makes sense," Cameron said. "We don't want to get her hopes up, just to disappoint her."

"We'll make sure we win against Surge, first try!" Daryon exclaimed.

"That's good," Ero smiled faintly, something clearly bothering him.

"What's wrong?" Daryon asked.

"If we go on this cruise, I'll miss the chance to study most of southwest Kanto. An entire corner of the region will be cut off from my travels. Which is why I will be leaving the group once you arrive in Vermilion Harbor. I will rejoin you when you return to Saffron. During the interval, you won't have access to any of my resources, or my ranch, so if you decide to do this for her, you will not be able to swap in or out any Pokémon in the meantime."

Daryon thought for a moment. "I'm willing to make that sacrifice. For Skye. She's done so much for us, she deserves this chance."

"Think hard about the team you want to have with you for the next few weeks, as you won't be able to change it," Ero said. "When we arrive at Vermilion, I will do any transfers you want me to. And then I must leave."

"Thank you," Cameron said. "You've been a good friend."

"I've enjoyed your company," Ero grinned. "Besides, we will be together again before you know it."

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