AQ - S.S. Trousselin

[Flyg0n]

You hear a loud avian shriek and look up just in time to see a Talonflame drop an envelope. It plummets through the air and lands on your lap. As the Talonflame flies away, you pick up the envelope, curious. The envelope feels thick, and whatever is inside is weighty.

In one swift motion, you tear off the top and upend it. A strange device slides out. For the typical trainer, it almost resembles a sort of electronic tablet, except for the unusual casing. Gold and gray, with fancy gilded patterning and a single golden ring set into the back.

You begin to read the text on the display:

Dear Esteemed Trainer!

You are cordially invited to take part in the Festival of Friendship, hosted by Xavian Montorzi. This honor has been extended to Trainers and Pokemon teams displaying unusual skill or noteworthy achievements and will celebrate the special bonds we share with our Pokemon partners...

The festival will last two weeks, and will feature prizes, battles, and other events. Trainers from all across the world will be in attendance, offering a chance to hone one's skills in battle, meet new pokemon or simply learn about new places. There will also be another unprecedented opportunity - several mythical pokemon have been invited to the island, and a lucky few trainers may get to meet them! This is a chance for you an your partner to escape to a beautiful island and relax and enjoy all the best amenities.

Truly, the opportunity of a lifetime awaits!

Complementary food and board will be provided for you and your partners. All you must bring are yourselves.

If you wish to attend, please press the ‘accept’ icon below, and a chauffeur will arrive for you shortly.

{X}Yes
{ }No

After perhaps, some discussion, or immediately for others, it seems there is only one choice - yes. But what awaits? Moments after selecting yes, the tablet vanishes from your hands, as if teleporting itself away.

....

Some time later, but seemingly not long at all, there is a telltale flash of teleport, and a young lady appears in front of you. By her side stands a Hypno. She politely introduces herself as Amara. To some trainers, her Hypno introduces itself as Honzo. Strangely enough, to others, Hypno forgoes the introduction. Once introductions have been made, she reaches into her pocket to withdraw a small case, similarly gilded like the tablet from earlier. She opens it and retrieves a small golden ring.

By how she handles it, it does not seem to belong to her. She tosses it up, and her Hypno sends a wave of psychic energy into the ring. It expands until it is as large as a man and glows with whitish purple light in the center. Amara explains that the ring has been created to safely teleport you to a dock where a boat will take you to the island.

​

After, perhaps, some reassurances, you step through the ring and find yourself a large, yet empty boat dock, save for a single ship. On the horizon, the sun is just beginning to rise.

The ship draws your entire attention - sleek white hull splashed with blues and silvers, lined with glass windows and longer than several Gyarados (or perhaps several Alolan exeggutor laid end to end). Painted in large golden cursive on the side are the words "S.S. Trousselin". The ship has multiple levels, open decks and even a spacious pool in the rear. The construction seems to support both large and small pokemon.

If asked, Amara will give a list of facilities on board. It seems there's several dining areas, private rooms ro relax in, pools on the upper decks, and even battle facilities. There's also a cozy bar serving fruity drinks (both alchoholic and non-alchoholic), a karaoke area, and another restaurant for those strange strange people who like to dance. It seems no expense was spared.

​

Behind you lies a nondescript beach, and beyond that scrubby fields and forests. There doesn’t appear to be any towns nearby. Perhaps this is a private dock?

You are soon led onto the boat by Amara, and informed that it will be a day-long cruise to reach your destination, and you are free to make yourself comfortable. The other trainers are already on board or will be arriving shortly. Perhaps it will be worth trying to meet these other trainers... Or find a quiet spot and avoid everyone as much as possible.

Spoiler: OOC Notes

[[And with that, our adventure begins!

This intro is mainly to get your characters to the boat. Technically speaking, Amara has teleported to whatever world your character is native to, and upon coming through the ring you would be arriving in the world Xavier is native to. Feel free to interpret the specifics as you see fit. The main things is just that you received the invite, eventually accepted, were approached by Amara, and then entered the ring.

At this time, your characters are unaware this is a multiverse event, but as they begin talking to the other trainers and Pokemon, it may soon become evident that this invitation was sent to an extremely wide range of folks...

You are now free to RP as your character on the boat, and interact with the other players. At this time, there are no NPC’s on the boat, just the other RPers. This phase will serve as a chance for everyone to get to know each other, and will last until Monday evening, 8PM EST (give or take) at which point I will make a post about the boat docking and arriving on the island.

Also, if you have not done so already please read and review all rules, as well as the overview for RPing. https://forums.thousandroads.net/index.php?threads/rules-mechanics.1150/
Also if you haven’t done so at all, I would recommend you join the discord so you can join the #AQ festival of friendship thread. This is where all ooc discussion and important announcements will be made.

Once again, if you have questions, do not hesitate to ping me there! Have fun!]]

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade leaned against the railing as the salty breeze swept through her bangs. Another cruise ship. It was hard not to think about what’d happened the last time she’d been on one of these. But then, that trip was never going to be normal, was it? Even if the Rockets hadn’t infiltrated it.

Plus, this time I’m a real trainer so I can actually do things.

Still, even shoving aside the unpleasant memories, it was hard not to wonder why she’d been invited. She was nobody. Her ‘achievements’ were all the kind of stuff she couldn’t talk about in public. Maybe it was just some random drawing and her ‘achievement’ was only luck.

Jade shook her head. It’s fine if I enjoy this, right…?

“This seems like a waste of time,” a voice said.

Jade glanced at the Pikachu perched on the railing next to her. The fact that he’d say that was exactly the reason she’d brought him… not that she planned on telling him that.

“It’s not a crime if we take a break from the Rocket stuff. And the others can always text me if they need us,” Jade pointed out.

Nine was silent, his feathers ruffling in the breeze.

“Come on, you could at least try to let yourself enjoy things,” Jade went on. “And there’s probably gonna be a lot of battles.”

Nine’s ear flicked. He looked like he was at least considering it. Maybe he’d be able to find something other than fighting to enjoy too.

 

[Hanafuda]

A young human man ran up to the ship's main deck, opening his arms with excitement as he reached the railing.

"This will be the time of our lives!" he yelled out, letting the wind blow on his face, his jacket fluttering behind him. "A festival with Legends, Pokémon battles, exotic food... How could I not pass this up?"

Behind him, two bird Pokémon, a Pidgey and a Farfetch'd, both with humanoid bodies, flew down to the main deck with their Trainer.

"I'm glad I brought you guys for the ride," he said as he turned around and looked at the birds. "You'll get your chance to show off your skills, but for now, you can just stretch your wings and relax."

"Ya think there's gonna be chicks around here?" the Pidgey asked the Farfetch'd.

"Haven't given up on that, I see," the Farfetch'd replied, shaking his head in disbelief. "Zack, why don't you just wait until they wanna talk to you?"

"Aw, c'mon, Jack-o, my man! Ya think things get done by waitin'?" Zack puffed up his chest, wings raised behind his head. "I gotta see if anybody 'round here likes these muscles."

Jack sighed and turned away. He spent months together with his friend, and yet he still got a bit annoyed by Zack's vanity. "You'll find your lovebird sometime, buddy..."

 

[kyeugh]

"I see... So the casino is on the third floor of the atrium, between the currency exchange and the restroom. How convenient. Jason, would you mind pulling out some money while I get us some—"

The man's map is abruptly plucked from his hand with a loud crinkle. His vision, which had been filled just moments ago with a nicely-labeled outline of the ship's floorplan, is now occupied by the face of a happily-munching little goat. She looks up at him with starry eyes, shreds of the glossy map hanging from her mouth.

"So sorry," comes a voice from above her, not sounding especially sorry. The man cranes his neck to find a broad-shouldered woman towering over him. Her light hair is tied into a low bun, expression severe and arms crossed sternly in a fashion that seems to contradict her leisurely attire.

Primeveire​

"Ferrycloth, control your animal."

A lucario emerges from behind the woman, his ears pinned back and his tail low. He kneels behind the goat and wraps one arm around her neck, wresting the map out of her mouth with the other. "Did you want this?" he asks, proffering to the man a soggy wad of pulp, dye-streaked lines of spit drooping from his hand. "Uh, sorry," he says quickly. "I'll just... throw that away. Yeah. Sorry about your brochure or whatever." The goat is still gleefully chewing on nothing at all as he pulls her away and the trio make their way down the deck.

"Don't make me regret letting you bring her along," Prim scolds. "You promised you would be to keep her out of trouble."

"Yeah, well," Ferry says with a scowl, "I'm not sure God himself could keep this one out of trouble all the time, but I'm doing my best."

Prim frowns, then points ahead to an open plaza. A smattering of sun-bathing chairs surround a court where all variety of pokémon frolic and tussle with one another, their hoots and shrieks of delight echoing off the hardwood out to the open sea. "Look over there. See if you can tucker her out," she says, then pulls a pair of sunglasses over her eyes. "Damn, these things are genius. I'm going to go look for drinks. God knows I could bear to take a load off. Come get me when you're done. And Ferry?" With some effort the lucario meets her gaze. "Try not to sulk so much."

"Whatever," he grumbles, jerking on Princess's leash as she attempts to lunge for a passerby's sandwich. They part ways, and he finds each step he takes is heavier and heavier as he approaches the jungle that is the pokémon play area. He can't believe he's going to have to mingle with other pokémon owners. He begins to steel himself preemptively for an onslaught of aural overstimulation and mind-numbingly excruciating conversations with pretentious little shits about the joys of owning their obnoxious, pampered little creatures that have probably never seen a real day's work in their lives. Nothing like his hard-working Princess.

Her leash tugs on his arm, and he snaps out of his thoughts to find her hopping in a puddle that Ferry suspects might not actually be water. He wrinkles his nose. Well, at least she's enjoying herself. Man alive, he feels like a father sometimes. Who could have guessed that being responsible for another life would be so much... responsibility?

He seats himself on one of the sun-bathing chairs and loosens Princess's leash a little, giving her room to prance about with the other pokémon. He can't help but smile a little, but the anxiety edges back in as he becomes acutely aware of the human voices and auras surrounding him. They think he's one of the pokémon, don't they? Here to play? He sighs and rests his head in his hands, praying to whatever gods may be that no one, for the sake of all that's good in this world, decides to approach him.

 

[IFBench]

Coleane looked around in awe, at the giant contraption around her. Her leafy wings fluttered in the breeze.

This was like if there was a whole town on the back of a giant Lapras!

"Do you know what this is called, Gen?" the Tropius asked, framing her neck to look at the Oshawott on her back.

Gen clutched onto his reunion cape, and said, "Um, it's c-called a cruise ship. It's f-for transporting lots of people a-across water.

"Wow..." Coleane said, eyes sparkling. "Humans make such cool things!" She wondered what other kinds of things they made...

She noticed a human nearby, and decided to find out! She trotted over, and said, "Hi! Do you know what other things like this 'cruise ship' humans have made?"

 

[Hanafuda]

Seb turned around, confused for a moment. "Hm? Sorry, did someone say something?"

"Oh, we got one!" Zack exclaimed. "Showtime." He flexed his wings in different poses, trying to get the Tropius' attention.

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Things started going sideways for Gladion shortly after he accepted the RSVP. That was when teleportation got involved. Now he was on a cruise ship in another timezone. Whatever the approximate price range of this was, it was comfortably within "too rich to be trusted" territory. Worse, he only had Hazel on him. That would preclude him from using Silverbell when he wanted to remain low-key.

He was glad for having his bag on him, and everything he'd had the foresight to put inside, at the moment he accepted. Saved him some awkward trouble.

The lavishness of the whole affair concerned him. This treatment was well outside what he could afford. Whatever rich person had arranged this didn't get that wealth by wasting money, which meant a basic rule applied: Whatever billions had been spent on this would be expected to return some greater amount in returns. Given he couldn't afford that, he wasn't the customer. Which meant he was the product. The product was always a bad thing to be.

He was a bit tired, but decided not to go to bed yet. It was best to get the jet lag over with.

 

[Seren]

Despite doing her best to fight it, Amara insisted that her invitation was for her, and her alone. Alex had likewise insisted that she go anyway without him. It wasn't the first time she'd indulged in a break during their journey, although she hoped it would be the last.

For some reason she couldn't explain, though, the sight of the teleportation ring made her uneasy. It looked familiar somehow. Kimiko had asked why Amara's hypno wasn't just teleporting her; Amara replied that the ring was better suited for "teleportation of this distance". Just how far away were they going?

But she relented, and after a quick explanation where there was mention of a few attractions on the boat, she packed a few extra items.

And now here she was, assaulted by a calm ocean breeze. Amara had noted a pool on the ship; Judging by the size of it, she wasn't surprised, although she hadn't expected something this luxurious. Maybe she'd have a good time after all. After a quick check-in with a guide, set off to find the pool.

She passed a few other interesting sights along the way. There seemed to be a tropius roaming around - that was a pokemon you don't see every day, and Kimiko thought about asking for a closer look, but there didn't seem to be a trainer accompanying it... well, maybe there'd be time later to do that, if they were all going to the same place. She'd rather not wander up to strange pokemon.

She briefly caught a glimpse of a black-haired girl that again triggered her deja-vu, and for some reason an absolutely terrifying image of a tumbleweed with wings jumped to the front of her mind, but she shook her head; she must just be remembering some dream or another.

Kimiko found the pool and headed for a dressing room to slip into her swimsuit. Then she made for a vacant chair to sunbathe for a bit, finally letting her espeon out of her ball. Olivia purred gleefully in the sunlight, taking in her surroundings. At present, there didn't seem to be anyone else around this area, which was a mild surprise, but it was why Kimiko chose now to let her pokemon free. With no other people or pokemon around to harass, Olivia settled down on the deck next to her trainer's chair.

As she laid back and closed her eyes, Kimiko wondered how long this trip would take. Amara also made mention something about a karaoke bar and a dance area... maybe she'd check on one of those later in the afteroon when the sun started to set. Singing always helped her relax and take her mind off things, and she really hadn't had opportunity to do it for real in some time.

 

[IFBench]

Seb turned around, confused for a moment. "Hm? Sorry, did someone say something?"

"Oh, we got one!" Zack exclaimed. "Showtime." He flexed his wings in different poses, trying to get the Tropius' attention.

"Do you know what other things like this 'cruise ship' humans have made?" Coleane asked, not noticing the flexing bird Pokemon.

Gen began to tremble from upon Coleane's back.

 

[Hanafuda]

"Uh... I'm not hallucinating, right?" Seb rubbed his face a bit, but he still had the Tropius in front of him. "Did that Pokémon just talk?"

"Huh?" Jack overheard what his Trainer said, looking in shock at Coleane. "How...? What? A Pokémon that speaks human?"

"For realsies!?" Zack stumbled back, just as shocked as everyone else.

 

[Phoenixsong]

"About. Damn. Time."

Blue, already the perfect picture of a cruisegoer in sunglasses, swimming trunks and that Alolan shirt Gramps had got him with the gyarados-and-wave pattern twining around it, flopped down into a lounge chair several spaces away from the one girl who was already there. Close enough that she'd definitely know he was there, not so close as to invade personal space. Also, running a gym was exhausting and he wanted to have a goddamn seat, thank you very much. As far as he was concerned, when she inevitably recognized him and decided she wanted an autograph or for her espeon to have the honor of Charizard blasting it into next Tuesday, she could come to him. Actively being social or whatever could come later, after a heckin' nap.

The aforementioned Charizard, in turn, laid belly-down two chairs away from him, snout facing the pool and tail resting well away from it. He paused and craned his long neck at Blue, growled a question at him. When Blue gave him a thumbs-up with his free hand (the other currently occupied with a frozen slush drink festooned with tiny umbrellas), the dragon pulled his own pair of sunglasses out of the tote slung over his shoulder. With a snap his wings flared out to catch maximum sunlight, spanning the two chairs on either side and very nearly smacking another pool-goer who was about to set down their beach towel. Oblivious to the startled guest, Charizard let out a massive, rumbling yawn and laid his head down at last. The lounge chair complained as he shifted his great bulk into a more comfortable position, but he didn't seem to notice that, either. Warmth, and a nice chair, and a heckin' nap. That was what he needed. About damn time, indeed.

"Attaboy," said Blue, absently reaching out to stroke Charizard's wing. "Told you some real sun would be good for you after crawling up and down that godforsaken ice mountain. I'm sure training with Tank and Venusaur and the others was fun and all, but you can't spend all your time wearing yourself out chasing birds or punching Red's pokémon in the face. You worked hard, and you're fuckin' amazing, and you deserve a vacation. And recognition! It's thankless work, ain't it, all the training, and helping the rest of those clowns train..." He yawned, no longer really sure whether he was talking about Charizard or himself. "So when you get an invite that recognizes you as the best of the best and promises you some R an' R with your best friends, you take it, yeah? You get a break from fighting the same, like, five guys all the time, me n' Gyarados get a break from the wannabes who think they can take us after their precious baby flaaffy evolved or whatever—"

He cut himself off when Charizard growled, just slightly—the dragon's definition of "heckin' nap" did not appear to involve conversation. Which, you know what? Fair. Blue took one more sip of his slush drink, tucked it away under his chair, and rested his head on his hands, eyes and mouth closed.

The gym would be there later. Mt. Silver would be there later. Right now? It was about damn time they just relaxed.

(And hey, at least if anyone who'd been invited on this cruise did get starstruck and decide to bother them, he figured he and Charizard would have a lot more fun fighting them than Another Baby Flaaffy. Shame you had to go on vacation just to find some actual goddamn talent.)

 

[IFBench]

"Uh... I'm not hallucinating, right?" Seb rubbed his face a bit, but he still had the Tropius in front of him. "Did that Pokémon just talk?"

"Huh?" Jack overheard what his Trainer said, looking in shock at Coleane. "How...? What? A Pokémon that speaks human?"

"For realsies!?" Zack stumbled back, just as shocked as everyone else.

"What do you mean? Of course I'm talking!" Coleane said, fanning her wings out. The Oshawott on her back yelped. "I'm Coleane! Nice to meet you!"

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven peered up at the towering ship as Aggron clomped dejectedly along behind him. They had only been at the port for five minutes, and already the steel type was grumbling and dragging his feet.

"I know the invite didn't say anything about a boat," Steven said over his shoulder at his moping partner, "but you could have guessed since the invitation mentioned the word "island" in it. Or at least thought about it before you decided to challenge Metagross for the chance to come on this trip with me."

Aggron rumbled with annoyance again, and Steven sighed as they neared the gangplank. "I realize they probably could have transported us to the island with that ring, but the boat trip is part of the festivities. Besides, you've been on Drake's boat before and you were fine."

But even as he gently chastised his partner's grumpy attitude, a little part of Steven wondered if Aggron was worried about something else.

It had been odd, the invitation to this festival appeared from out of the blue. The League publicist was just as stumped, though she noted there was a convenient opening in his busy schedule, and he had been feeling a little run down as of late. The break would be nice, the Elites had said. He deserved some time away. Besides, it was the slow season for League challenges anyway; it was like the stars had aligned with the Festival, what luck!

Still, had been a bit hesitant to accept right away. What if his father needed him for something? Or the League? Or, gods forbid, the region? But when he'd gotten back to his Mossdeep home, Wallace was already there with Steven's suitcase packed and a grin on his face.

"It's two weeks, Steven. What could go wrong in two weeks?" Before Steven could open his mouth to give Wallace the hypothetical list, his friend continued. "If the Elites and I can't handle things while you're away, we don't deserve the title."

Wallace's words echoed in his mind as Steven boarded the ship and gave a polite bow to their hostess.

The port was empty save for the ship, and no recognizable landmarks that he could pick out. No paparazzi that he could see, no publicity or extra fanfare. And it was evening when he left Hoenn, and now it was dawn. It wasn't wholly unsettling, but enough to give him pause.

Or maybe it was just Aggron's sour mood rubbing off on him.

"What could go wrong in two weeks?"

Steven banished the thought and gave Aggron a reassuring pat on the arm. "Let's head to the upper deck. Maybe the view will make you change your mind."

Aggron huffed something that sounded agreeable enough, and the pair wound their way to the top of the ship. It was shaping up to be a beautiful morning, and they might as well make the most of it. This was a vacation, after all.

 

[Hanafuda]

"What do you mean? Of course I'm talking!" Coleane said, fanning her wings out. The Oshawott on her back yelped. "I'm Coleane! Nice to meet you!"

"Okay, calm down," Seb muttered to himself, clasping his hands together in front of his face. He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed to relax. After he opened his eyes, he spoke again. "First off, it's nice to meet you too--call me Seb, and second, Pokémon usually say their species name when they talk or do some weird sounds. You didn't go 'Tro-tro' or anything like that--you're speaking like a normal person. How?"

 

[Phoenixsong]

Wait... hold on... was that... Blue?!

View attachment 2840
"Blue! It's wonderful to see a familiar face here. I'm proud of you for being accepted into such a prestigious event. It's truly a testament to you and your Pokémon's skills. Although... I don't remember you having a Charizard. Is this a new addition to your team?"

[[aww, quote doesn't like the attachments. :(]]

Blue sighed. Charizard snorted. Right on goddamn cue. So much for heckin' naps.

"Uh, right. Not that I don't appreciate the congrats, I suppose, but do I know you? Don't really get how you think you know me but you don't recognize Charizard. What, are people already forgetting about him just because he's been training with my friend for a minute? Talk about cold, yikes." He shook his head sadly. "I mean, how many issues of Pokémon Journal were we on the cover of together?"

Charizard, still sprawled over his five pool chairs, held up one claw. Blue rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine, but it was a very prestigious issue, and— anyway, shush, you. Not the point!"

Jeez. Blue had known that he'd get recognized, but he hadn't expected that recognition to come from someone who somehow simultaneously lived under a rock. He lowered his sunglasses to get a better look at the oblivious stranger. Tall, thin, blue hair, a... beret? No one he knew personally made that kind of fashion choice, but okay, sure. Speaking of magazines, though, hadn't there been some dude who looked an awful lot like this in one of the ones Daisy subscribed to? And then wasn't that also the guy who...

"Wall...ace?" he ventured, wracking his brain for the name. "The Hoenn League gym leader— no, champ now, isn't it?" He pulled the sunglasses up to his forehead, interest actually piqued in spite of the slight. "S'pose it'd make sense that you're here, too, if that's right. Gotta admit, I prolly heard more about your contest work than not, if only 'cause Daisy won't shut up about your milotic. Told me once that her gyarados's 'Dragon Crests the Roaring Falls' appeal was inspired by something you did? Must not be half bad at that, either, if she thinks you're decent."

Really, how exactly did a fellow gym-leader-and-champion not recognize Charizard? Maybe he had his head too far up in the contest clouds to keep up with Kanto's latest and greatest. He had half a mind to show the guy exactly what he'd been missing, but Charizard looked too comfortable to bother at the moment, and Gyarados was probably still stretching his fins somewhere in the general vicinity of the ship's wake. Eh, whatever. He'd just have to correct that little gap in Wallace's knowledge later; looked like he'd wandered off to go chat up someone else, anyway. Which meant Blue still had time for that shuteye.

 

[Negrek]

[[

You begin to read the text on the display:

Thus making it even more of a mystery how Nate got involved... ]]

Of course it would be a fucking boat. Nate scowled up at the huge cruise liner. If that weird ring thing could teleport him here, it could damn well teleport him all the way to the fucking island. Instead there was supposed to be some kind of fucking party cruise to get there. Well, good for everybody who liked fucking parties, or who didn't get seasick, or who didn't have bigger shit to worry about than whether their stupid fruity drinks has enough ice, but Nate wasn't here for any of that bullshit.

At least there would be free booze. Had to be, a fancy ship like this. And on top of it being free booze, that was an excuse for keeping out of the way, and also for if he lost his lunch when the goddamn boat hit even a single wave. There certainly was no point trying to eat nothing.

Mightyena bounded ahead of him up the gangplank, wagging like mad. She turned around and waited for him at the top, tongue lolling and eyes gleaming bright. Nate smiled despite having to grab for the railing immediately after reaching the deck. Fucking lungs.

"Someone's excited, huh?" he said. "Why don't you go see what all's happening around here? I'm gonna hit the bar." Just as soon as he caught his breath, anyway.

Mightyena nosed at his hand, eyes beseeching, and he reached down to give her ear a quick ruffle. "Go on. Go make friends. I ain't going nowhere."

Mightyena stared at him a moment longer, but he shooed her off and, finally, with a last look over her shoulder, she set off into the crowd. Nate could see her tail go up again as she set out, a jaunty spring in her step. Well, at least someone was going to have a good time on this stupid fucking trip.

There were surprisingly few people at the bar--okay, maybe most people didn't go looking for the bar the very instant they got on a luxury cruise, but whatever, their loss. Or maybe the seriously ripped chick hanging around scared them all off. Nate eyed her sidelong while he tried to figure out what the had that was least likely to be the kind of thing you stuck a tiny umbrella in. Looked like she could bench a fucking tank. Rock-type trainer or something, doing some real Method shit with it? Whatever.

---​

Mightyena trotted happily through the crowd, sniffing, sniffing. There were people from all over! Mostly from places she'd never even smelled before! And everything was salty--the very air stung her nose. She'd never been on a boat this big before. There was food, and a pool, and the place was so big there was even room for full-scale battle arenas. Not just one, but three! Mightyena hopped in and out of shadows, into rooms and then back into the hallways, wanting to explore it all. Nate would probably say she was being too reckless and they needed to keep a low profile, but he worried too much. No one was going to catch her! And the fact that someone had left a sandwich abandoned on a nightstand, easily within reach for a chomp-and-run maneuver, only made her feel better about her choices.

But while exploring the ship was fun, Mightyena was soon distracted by all the other pokémon around here. There were so many kinds she hadn't even smelled before, and most of them looked super strong! She'd have to convince Nate to battle some people later. He wouldn't be able to resist that.

Aggron huffed something that sounded agreeable enough, and the pair wound their way to the top of the ship. It was shaping up to be a beautiful morning, and they might as well make the most of it. This was a vacation, after all.

Up near the top of the ship, where it was all open and the wind was strong enough to blow Mightyena's ears right over, there was some kind of big steel-type. The smell of him made her think of Steelix, and for a moment she was sad Nate hadn't brought him. Not that he could, of course; chances were good that Steelix would put a hole in the ship somehow, and then it would sink and people might die, so he had to stay home. Whatever this pokémon was, he wasn't a steelix, though. But he did smell strong.

Mightyena pranced over to the steel-type, not quite challenging, but not deferential, either. "Hello!" she said brightly. "Where are you from?"

 

[Phoenixsong]

"Come now, Blue. These kinds of practical jokes don't humor me."

"Though, your Charizard... Quite frankly, I'm not familiar with him. If memory serves me right, you chose Squirtle? Though seeing as you're Professor Oak grandson, it wouldn't be ludicrous for you to obtain a Charmander. In any case, he looks like a beautiful Charizard."

Charizard lifted his head at last, glancing between Blue and the stranger, and made a confused chuffing noise. Ordinarily he might've made note of the compliment, at least, but this was weird. Blue couldn't agree more.

Blue pulled his sunglasses off entirely and turned around, leaning over the back of his chair so he could give Wallace a proper glower. "You seem to be under the impression," he said, "that I wouldn't remember who my own starter is. It's one thing if you don't, sure, whatever, I don't know you from anybody, but it's another thing entirely to try tellin' me I've spent the last three-plus years with a squirtle. Pretty goddamn weird thing, specifically. There a reason you decided to roll up here and insist we're friends or something? Can't believe I'm saying this, but you sure you're not mistaking me for someone else? This would be marginally less utterly fucking bizarre if you thought I was someone else."

(But he'd said Professor Oak's grandson. Gramps had only had one daughter, and his daughter'd only had one son. So what the hell was up with that? He suppressed a shudder. Easier to just keep glaring at this weirdo.)

"I think you've talked about your sister before, but I didn't know she was into Contests! You simply must introduce me to her sometime, Blue!"

"Hella forward of you to to ask that of someone who's never spoken to you before. Daisy's the fan, Daisy's an adult, Daisy can figure out how to find you herself if she wants. Not gonna lie, kinda feeling like advising against that right now?"

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven leaned against the railing with crossed forearms, enjoying the cool breeze against his neck as he scanned the tree line of the shore. Still no defining features stood out that he could use to pinpoint where they were. The time change upon their arrival suggested Kalos, and he certainly knew a fair share of Kalosians who would go to the trouble of having such an ostentatious gathering of trainers, but he still wasn't sure... At least he could feel Aggron beginning to finally relax at his side.

He was so lost in his thoughts that it took Aggron nudging him more than once to direct his attention to the next lowest deck. Steven stood up straight and blinked. There was no mistaking it, even if his voice was lost on the wind. Coming up the stairs was....

Joy filled his heart and mind as he dramatically waved.

View attachment 2842
"Steven! I thought you said you would be in Unova! Was that just to cover this wonderful surprise?"

He slowly walked over to Steven. "How have you been? How are your post-Champion, global-trotting adventures been?"

"Wallace?" said Steven, unable to hide the incredulity in his voice. "What are you... I didn't think..." He fumbled for words. Wallace had told him he'd look after things back in Hoenn, and now he was here? And did he hear something about a trip to Unova? Wallace knew that was wasn't for another two months. "You know, if you were coming to this festival all along, you could have told me."

He hadn't meant to sound so annoyed. This smelled of one of Wallace's classic pranks, though he couldn't hide the twinge of having the secret kept from him under the guise of a vacation-for-one. Steven sighed, he couldn't stay mad. Although, a realization struck.

"Do the Elites at least know you're here?" A slight edge of panic crept into his voice. "You told them you were coming, right?"

----

Up near the top of the ship, where it was all open and the wind was strong enough to blow Mightyena's ears right over, there was some kind of big steel-type. The smell of him made her think of Steelix, and for a moment she was sad Nate hadn't brought him. Not that he could, of course; chances were good that Steelix would put a hole in the ship somehow, and then it would sink and people might die, so he had to stay home. Whatever this pokémon was, he wasn't a steelix, though. But he did smell strong.

Mightyena pranced over to the steel-type, not quite challenging, but not deferential, either. "Hello!" she said brightly. "Where are you from?"

Aggron watched Steven talk with the flouncy Gym Leader he always hung out with with a look of mild disinterest. His trainer had said this would be a relaxing trip, and things were never quiet when Wallace was around. Aggron rolled his eyes. Oh well, so much for time away. But Steven was always happy to see Wallace, no matter how exasperating the other man was.

The tip of Aggron's tail flicked back and forth as he stopped paying attention to their conversation. It was only then that he realized there was another visitor to the top deck. He regarded the friendly Mightyena with a tilt of his head. Why would a pokemon from the same region as him want to know where he was from? Did she not know an Aggron when she saw one?

"Hoenn," he snorted. "Like you. Or...?" He left the question hanging, suddenly unsure of where he was going with this. He wasn't used to people coming up to him to chat. His species didn't really give off the most... amicable vibes. He snorted again to himself in amusement; none of Steven's team really did. Well, Cradily, kind of. She was at least the most outgoing of the bunch. Aggron glanced back down at the Mightyena and then around the empty deck, and realized the Mightyena was here by herself.

"No trainer with you?" he asked. Odd, he was under the impression this was a partners thing, after all.

 

[ShiniGojira]

"Look at this," June said. "This masterpiece was probably crafted by the world's finest. It's sweet, it's soft, it's absolute perfection put in edible form. There's nothing on Earth that could possibly surpass such a thing." He grinned. "And you know what's even better? It's right in front of me, free of charge and all mine."

Across the table, Evie with her own plate of fresh berries, simply gave him a deadpan stare. "It's just ice-cream."

"Ice-cream crafted by the richest of the rich, mind you!" He waved his spoon at her as if scolding a child.

Evie rolled her eyes as he took a bite. Ignoring his acts, she focused on her own meal. At least the berries tasted the same.

Sighing, she scanned her surrounding. There were a bunch of people and Pokémon around and while she wouldn't brag about it, she could probably beat all of them if she wanted to, nothing here really posed that much of a threat to her.

Despite that however, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something hidden running amok. That letter was way too sketchy. There was no way Amara could've known about any of their achievements and although she meant no offense, June wasn't exactly a very skilled trainer.

She shook her head. Whatever it was, she could handle anything thrown at her. The best thing she could do right now was enjoy this peace while it last.

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

View attachment 2849
"Thank the Land, Sea, and Sky you remember me! I thought I was going insane!"

So this wasn't some sort of dream or hallucination or other mind game. It was all just a joke schemed by his friends and loved ones.

View attachment 2850
"I did tell you, Steven. In fact, you were the second person I told. Now tell me, is anyone else here? Is this cruise some sort of late birthday present? Or did you miss me too much and want to throw a sympathy party?"

"Oh come now, Steven. Of course I told them! I wouldn't leave them on a whim..." He gave Steven a playful smile. "Unlike a certain someone I know."

"Remember you? You were the one who packed my suitcase for me!" said Steven. "And no, you didn't tell me you were coming. Hence my surprise that you're here right now."

Steven looked over his friend, still not quite believing what he was hearing and seeing. This certainly was Wallace, from the hair to the clothing to his mannerisms. But it was like they were speaking about two different events. A late birthday present? Wallace's birthday was in eleven weeks (and four days if he was actually counting, which he was, he would never forget Wallace's birthday again, Wallace had made sure of that.) Steven was growing more and more baffled by the second.

"Ah, I do miss you, but we saw each other not an hour ago." Steven decided to ignore Wallace's comment about leaving on a whim. Sure, he had a habit of doing that, but not for this trip! "If I had known you were coming... We could have traveled here together."

Surely there was a reason for Wallace to be teasing him like this. Not on a vacation together. Unless... The hoop he traveled through to get here... The time change... What if it wasn't related to a time zone...?

Steven blanched.

"Wallace..." he began, carefully. "Did you say something about my post-Championship travels?"