Pokemon - Tale Of The Guardian Master - CH 95
#95 of Pokemon - Tale of the Guardian Master
Chapter 95 - A Conspiracy Revealed...
"Oy oy, what are you lot up to?" the group heard a voice call out, turning to see Captain Smith hovering up and lowering between Rose and Serenity with his arms crossed. "I thought you were a close nit group? What are you doing chasing a lady up a post like that?" Smith asked, raising an eyebrow as Chris turned and laughed nervously with an embarrassed blush. "N-Nothing!! S-Sup Captain?" he asked, trying to brush off the subject. "Well, had a few things I wanted to disc...!!" Smith replied, pausing when Chris let out a lout "URK!!" causing the Captain and girls to jolt as they saw Alicia ensnaring him in her vines, his wrists tied tightly together above his head as Alicia slithered up behind him, having found an opportunity to catch him off guard. "You filthy mongrel..." she hissed, yanking him up in the air by the wrists and nodding with a "hrmph!!" before slithering up to the girls."What uh... What IS this about exactly...?" Smith asked, unsure of how to read the situation. "N-Nothing at all!!" Chris replied with a laugh, only for Alicia to smack a vine over his mouth, keeping it covered as he shout and grumbled from the stinging sensation. "This disgusting thing was picking his nose and chasing me about, THAT'S what was going on... I was having a moment due to having lost something important and he decided it best to act immature. Just when you form a shred of respect for him, he never fails to ruin it." she explained, Smith scratching his head. "Picking your nose...? My own tots never resorted to such behavior. Barely sucked their thumbs even, grew up fast they did. Then again, they were raised in a different time I suppose... Who knows how lax parents are today?" Smith shrugged as Chris faced down and flushed with an embarrassed groan. "Still, to think you behave in such a way. It does damage ones impression of you." he point out, Chris jerking his mouth away from Alicia's vine. "I only did it to help!!" he snapped, grumbling in humiliation. "I don't know lad. I wouldn't call picking your nose before a lady when in distress helping per se. Still... To each their own methods I suppose." Smith replied with a shrug, watching as Alicia slithered past. "Wh-Where are we going?" Chris asked, continuing to dangle by his wrists. "To give you a much needed bath, you grotesque thing." Alicia replied, causing him to blink at her. "Bath? You're gonna carry me like this through the ship?" he asked, only for Alicia to suddenly hold him out over the side of the ship, dangling him in the air above the frigid sea. "A-Alicia?!" he panicked, looking down wide eyed before flailing, the girls walking up. "Isn't that a little too much?" Rose asked nervously. "He gross, but not deserve that." Serenity agreed.
"You two are so weak, no wonder he acts so juvenile." Alicia scoffed before facing Chris causing him to freeze and turn pale. "C-Come on! J-Jokes over! Seriously, I was just...!!" he panicked, cut off when Alicia suddenly released him causing Chris to shout as he plummet into the frigid water, doing a belly flop on the surface causing the girls and Smith to jolt back with "oooohhh..." sounds and hissing from the loud smacking noise as if they themselves felt the sting from his impact. "Thaaaat's gonna hurt the lad." Smith muttered. "Owww..." Rose added, hiding her eyes with her ears while Serenity rubbed her stomach and winced. "That's nothing compared to being punished by me, he should consider himself lucky." Alicia replied with a chuckle before glancing down at Chris, bubbles forming around his face as he groaned and slowly sank beneath the surface before splashing back up seconds later. "C-C-COLD!!!" he shout, flailing and coughing out water while Alicia smirked and licked one of her vines. "Naughty little men deserve to suffer. You'll come back up when you're thoroughly cleansed." she replied, Serenity and Rose looking at her silently before facing one another. "What's your problem?" Alicia asked, raising an eyebrow at the two. "You acting different." Serenity point out. "Yeah, ever since you evolved you've been calling him that name and, I dunno. The way you treat him has changed too. I can't tell if it's in a good or bad way though... You seem closer, but at the same time you treat him... I dunno." Rose added, scratching her head confused causing Alicia to roll her eyes and face away. "I'm just enjoying myself is all, nothing wrong with that. I've always wanted to do such things. Now I can toy with him as I please..." she replied with a sadistic giggle before extending her vines down to Chris. "F-F-Finally!!" he shout, grabbing hold in an instant allowing Alicia to pull him back up, letting him flop over the railing before shooting up on his feet and clutching himself while his teeth chattered.
"And what have we learned?" she asked with a smirk, Chris trying to respond only to stutter and slur his words causing the snake to snicker, Chris growling at her with a scowl. "W-Well then, interesting relationship..." Smith point out. "You lot really don't act like anyone I've ever seen, and trust me, I've seen many relationships between humans and Pokemon back in my time." he added. "C-C-Consider us w-weird that way I s-suppose." Chris replied, taking off his coat and wringing it out, removing his Pokedex and holding it out as water dripped from it before setting it on a nearby table, hanging his coat over the railing before taking off his shirt and wringing it out as well, the girls blinking wide eyed and blushing while Alicia faced away and muttered with a slight blush of her own. Seeing this, Smith's eyes went wide in surprise before floating up to him. "Good lord lad. What on Earth happened to your body? You look as though you've been through a butcher shop." Smith point out, the girls expressions turning to somber ones as he blinked at Smith before looking himself over and scratching his cheek silently causing Smith to jolt and back away. "S-Sorry lad. That was terribly rude of me." he apologized, Chris laughing nervously and waving it off. "We've been through a lot sir. We've all got scars in our own ways, mine just happen to be more physical. Trust me, this whole thing revolving the ship is far from the only thing we've weathered through." Chris point out while laying his shirt over the railing before letting out a sudden sneeze and rubbing his nose. "Ugh... Anyway, what was it you wanted to talk about?" he asked, sitting on a nearby chair and noticing a towel laying on the deck nearby, letting out an "ah ha!" and quickly picking it up, rubbing himself dry before wrapping it around him with a relieved sigh.
"Something strange is afoot with this whole fiasco. One thing that concerns me is why on Earth they would send a cruise ship with zero offensive capabilities along the path of one of the greatest disasters in maritime history? Knowing the danger and mystery of the whole thing, why would they want to send another ship blindly following the same course as the Arceanic's? I was told this area has been illegal to enter since the Arceanic went down, only for the company that owns this ship, Platinum Star, to suddenly garner rights to journey here... Why would they not research the area BEFORE sending you lot here like this?" Smith asked, Chris and the girls facing one another and shrugging. "Well, they've bound to of done SOME amount of research here over the years. My guess is whoever came here to look things over just got lucky and didn't run into the Gyarados swarm, or maybe the swarm is just really selective and kept out of sight whenever other ships and stuff came here? I can't really explain it myself sir." Chris replied. "Another thing that has me curious is the fact Platinum Star is one in the same as the company that built and owned my own ship, and it was apparently bought out after the disaster and was renamed what it is today, due to bankruptcy is my guess... I wonder who bought it out?" Smith pondered. "Well, if you want I can look into it for you." Chris offered, reaching out and taking his Pokedex in hand before flipping it open. "Ah, ha ha... Soon as it dries out anyways." he laughed, shaking out more water with an embarrassed smile. "I'd certainly like a few questions answered. I'd appreciate it." Smith thanked before jumping back when Chris sneezed again. "Best you get some dry clothes on lad, lest you wind up like us." Smith jokingly warned, Chris letting out a sniffle and nodding with a groan. "See if I help you again..." he grumbled while glancing at Alicia, the snake flicking her tongue out in a "nya!" kind of way as he stood.
"Not sure how much time I've got though to look into it. No telling when those Dusknoir will be ready to take you all off." Chris reminded, Smith crossing his arms. "I wouldn't worry about it. They seem distracted by something at the moment. Or rather, I suppose concerned would be the proper term. I'd say we've got some time before they go taking us anywhere. They were pondering something when I crossed their path. Tried to question them but I was merely brushed off. Bickering among one another they were." Smith point out, Chris looking at the girls and smirking. "I didn't think they'd actually take my words so close to heart. Maybe they'll actually let a few stay after all." he chuckled, Smith blinking at Chris curiously. "Stay...? What's this now?" he asked. "Oh, just scared them a little. I admit it was kinda harsh to treat them the way I did, but all things considered they had it coming. I just gave them a little lecture basically and, with any luck, they'll let some of you stay." Chris replied with a nod. "Well now, do the surprises never cease with you?" Smith chuckled. "I just figured some deserve a choice. If some of them have a good enough reason to stay, they should be allowed to. That's all." Chris explained before suddenly sneezing again. "You get dry now. Not want sick." Serenity interrupted before pushing him along from behind. "H-Hey! Hold up!" Chris replied as Smith laughed. "You go on now lad. Don't want you sick before the big event!" the Captain revealed causing Chris to jolt. "B-Big event? What big event?" he asked, wiggling his way free from Serenity only for the Pokemon to lift him with her psychic abilities and continue along her way. "L-Let me down!" he argued, Serenity shaking her head and waving a finger. "Get dry. Not get sick. Get warm." she lectured calmly causing Chris to cross his arms with an agitated scowl.
"Aww... Poor little man." Alicia teased, poking his cheek with her vine causing him to shout. "Quit calling me that!! I'm average height!!" he argued causing the snake to laugh. Watching the three leave, Smith chuckled as they went out of sight around a corner. "An odd bunch, but it does feel refreshing being among them." he thought before jolting when he felt something poking him from behind, turning to see Rose looking up curiously. "Well now, shouldn't you be following them?" Smith asked before Rose chattered in her raspy Pokemon voice. "Ah, you don't sound too well. Your voice is..." Smith replied, only for Rose to shake her head and explain causing Smith to show a somber expression. "My apologies, I didn't mean to bring back such unpleasant memories. To think someone would treat such an adorable lass like you so maliciously." he replied, rubbing Rose on the head before hearing her out, making out her raspy speech as best he could. "Ah yes, the event. It's a touching thing, you staying behind to question on his behalf." Smith chuckled. "Well, the Captain of this ship, that Rostron fellow, wants to set up a little thank you ceremony for your master." Smith explained with a grin, Rose smiling nervously before explaining the master situation. "Ah yes, my apologies. I'm so used to referring to... Well, never you mind. I'll be sure not to do it again. Please forgive me." the Captain apologized, Rose nodding before hurrying off in the direction the others went while waving at Smith, the Captain waving back with a laugh. "Such a sweet lass." he smiled before turning and looking up at the sky. "Now to enjoy a moment of..." he muttered before jolting when several Yamask suddenly called out, floating up around him. "Ah! If it isn't my delightful band." he chuckled before they chattered nervously causing Smith to blink at them confused. "Wallace? Mr. Hartley? No... Can't say I've seen him since heading off with that Sally lass. He's not with her you say?" Smith asked before hearing them out. "Others have gone missing as well? I'm sure it's nothing to fret over. Some of our numbers have likely gone off to enjoy themselves a bit before our journey to the great beyond, explore the scenery and such. If there was anything afoot we'd know through the Dusknoir, so I'm sure all is well. This is also a massive liner, they could be just about anywhere on board. Likely just got themselves lost." Smith assured, the Yamask looking at one another warily before nodding and floating off.
"Hmm... Perhaps some are crossing over ahead of time?" he thought before looking at the sky once more. "I'm sure they're fine. Otherwise those Dusknoir would be taking action." he muttered before turning and floating towards the bow of the ship. Elsewhere on the deck, the girls continued making their way along towards the fore Grand Staircase which led down to their room, noticing Captain Smith flying by overhead and giving him a wave as he made his way along, getting a wave in return. "Can you please let me down? I don't need to be carried around like this..." Chris complained. "Sorry... Just feel nervous." Serenity replied before finally lowering him to his feet and releasing his body from her control. "Nervous about what? The swarm is gone." Chris replied. "I know. But not want you too far away. Want to keep close." Serenity replied while standing next to him. "O-Oy, seriously, everything's fine now. Trust me, we won't be separated again anytime soon." he assured. "Right Ninetails?" he asked in his mind, only to hear silence. "Ninetails?" he said aloud, looking towards his forehead curiously. "Yo, Ninetails?" he repeat, giving his head a knock. "What doing?" Serenity asked, tilting her head curiously while Alicia and Rose did the same. "Ah, just checking in with Ninetails, not getting an answer though. She must've passed out. Not surprising considering how much everything probably drained her." he laughed before showing a guilty smile. "Sorry for having to rely on ya so much... Thanks for the help though." he added while looking towards his forehead again. "You look ridiculous talking to yourself and tapping your head like that you know. If you wish to speak with that Ninetails you should keep it in your thoughts. Those around you might find you a tad... Disturbed." Alicia point out. "Well excuse me. Yes ma'am." Chris replied with a scowl.
"Oh come now, how long will you be cross over taking a little bath? If anyone should be upset it is I for being chased around in such a disgusting manner." the snake point out. "You got any idea how much that landing hurt?! Water might seem soft or whatever but when you land on it flat as a pancake that crap stings!" he replied, looking down and noticing the front of his torso having turned slightly red before giving his stomach a rub and grumbling. "And while we're at it... If you're so concerned about me, how come you didn't stop her?" Chris asked, facing Serenity with a raised eyebrow causing her to sweat and glance away nervously. "W-Well, what you do was nasty. Not want to get close after picking nose like that. You... Did need to wash hands." she explained, poking her fingers while inching away. "Uh huh. And what about you? I thought you were against that kind of treatment?" Chris asked, glancing down at Rose causing her to glance away with a nervous laugh. "I-I'm sorry. I couldn't get close either after you had your fingers up your nose so much. That kind of thing is really, well, gross... You DID need to wash your hands." the rabbit explained. "There you have it. A lady prefers when a gentleman is clean, spotless from head to toe and fresh as a field of green. No female would want to be close to someone who ran about, I believe they call it... Digging for gold?" Alicia point out, Chris looking at the three before sighing with a slump. "Th-That's not to say what she did was right or anything! You just needed to wash your hands!" Rose affirmed with a nervous laugh. "Y-Yes! Not like what she do! We just not like you doing that either! We just in bad spot!" Serenity added, Alicia looking at the two and muttering "kiss-ups" before facing away with a scowl. Looking at the three, Chris sighed and shook his head before raising a hand. "Alright then, fine. I promise never to do it again." he vowed, the girls facing one another before nodding in response.
"With that out of the way..." he paused, picking up his clothes and staff before looking around. "You girls noticed how all the Pokemon have vanished from the deck? They really got busy taking them off... Wonder how they're all doing after putting themselves through so much?" he brought up, the girls taking notice as well. "Not sure where go. Last thing I know Lucario and lots of Pokemon on front of ship with me. Then they gone when you get back. Somewhere in ship?" she suggest. "I was distracted by the battle between you and that Smith fellow and all those Gyarados to pay them any mind, so I can't say for sure where they would be now." Alicia added. "I didn't pay any attention either... But there were so many, they couldn't of taken them very far." Rose point out. "Well, lets get back to our room so I can change, then we'll see about helping out whatever Pokemon we can." he replied. "Excuse me? Help them? After all we've done to do just that up to this point?! I do believe we've earned our rest, not more chores!" Alicia complained. "W-Well, I don't mind, but I am kinda tired too." Rose laughed nervously. "They right. We tired, deserve rest of our own. Deserve time of our own. We do enough. They still alive, all that matter." Serenity agreed with a nod. "Cold as always you two..." Chris sighed, looking at Serenity and Alicia before facing Rose. "I'm surprised at you though. Especially after the praise I just tossed your way." he added causing Rose to face down in guilt. Looking at them silently, Chris reached out and rubbed Rose on the head with a worn out smile. "I guess I can understand though. What with all the chaos today, plus everything you girls did up till now. I can't blame you for wanting to take five, nor should I." he nodded. "When you think about it, Ninetails did most of the work for me. In my case it was like driving a car around. I controlled it, but really I wasn't doing much of the work myself. That's why I don't share the same fatigue I guess." he went on.
"Tell you what, we'll head back to the room and you girls can rest up while I see about lending a hand here and there. I'll see if I can order you all some treats, pop on some television, if it works... Sound good?" he asked, the three looking at one another before nodding. "You sure it's okay if we pass on the work this time?" Rose asked. "You rest too. Ninetails might do most work, but you one that went inside old ship. You do all the thinking. Might not do much work using body, but brain tired, right?" Serenity asked. "Well, I wouldn't say I didn't use my body really... I-It's hard to explain. But things were pretty crazy. I won't deny being a bit emotionally and mentally drained... Still, that's nothing compared to how all the Pokemon on the ship must feel. Probably a lot of passengers that need tending to as well, and I'm sure they'd appreciate whatever help they could get. I'll make sure you girls are taken care of first, then see what I can do for everyone else... Sound fair?" he asked, the three nodding in response before continuing on their way, Chris letting out another sneeze and grumbling as they walked towards the fore Grand Staircase entrance. Once inside however, the group was greeted by a road block of countless Pokemon littering the floor of the lobby, many unconscious with others laying unable to move due to fatigue causing Chris and the girls to pause in surprise. "It was something seeing them all over the ship, but looking at the sheer numbers up close..." he muttered while continuing towards the bottom steps. "Ah, and there he is." they heard a familiar elderly voice call out, noticing Victoria cautiously making her way along towards them. "Quite a sight, isn't it? They all fought valiantly for all of our sake's. Every lobby from here to the bottom is filled with the poor dears, both here at the fore staircase and the aft as well. A tad tricky for anyone to get past but most have managed for the most part, be it through the main entrances or the others on the ship, although the other entrances also have their share of Pokemon resting. There were so many, nobody had much time to transport them. It was a matter of getting them inside at the very least and out of the elements, somewhere quiet." she explained as they looked around.
"They look pretty rough. Most of them seem like they're on the brink..." Chris muttered. "They pushed themselves quite hard dearie, just as your Serenity there and these other two did. The younger Pokemon that took a stand at the last moment to keep the barrier up seem to have suffered the most. Their infant forms had a hard time managing the stress of having their energies drained. The poor things really weren't ready to take on such stress, but young as they are they too knew the dangers at hand and gave it their all." she point out as they made their way along through the crowded lobby, Alicia having the toughest time as she bumped into people and Pokemon alike, having to repeatedly apologize before making their way into the corridor leading towards their room. "It's difficult taking care of them without the right equipment, but all of the centers on the ship are down due to low energy. From what I know the Captain is struggling just to maintain the lights. Everything that isn't an absolute necessity is down." Victoria explained. "Well, there goes the food idea then too. If the centers are down I know the kitchens are down." Chris replied, the girls groaning behind him. "The crew are offering snacks and such, but as far as actual meals I'm afraid you're spot on. The only energy being used for sustenance is just enough to keep the freezers from going out. Lest we have a rather... Unpleasant aroma. That's about all I know regarding the power." Victoria point out. "Mmm... There's gotta be a way we can pump more juice in the ship though. The panels and solar towers are ruined but... Maybe there's a way to give it an extra charge from within?" he suggest. "How would you go about such a feat? The electric types were some of the first to collapse, and they've been unconscious ever since. They're as drained as the infants, more-so would be my wager." Victoria reminded.
"Right... Well..." Chris muttered before everyone jolt when the lights flickered. "It's not so bad with the sun still providing light, but once the power's gone at night things will be quite a hassle for many. I'd wager some amount of medical equipment IS being used despite the centers being shuttered, so any passengers and Pokemon alike who rely on medical devices for whatever reason will be in danger as well. I've yet to hear any word on aid, so it will likely be some time before we see anyone in the horizon." she went on as the group continued looking at the Pokemon lining the corridor as well, many laying sprawled out while others rest against the walls as they made their way along, whatever crew available doing their best to tend to them all alongside their trainers. "Plus there are not only infant Pokemon who suffered from the stress on their systems, there are very old Pokemon as well who many are having a hard time stabilizing. Their time for such action passed long ago, and it shows." she point out. "Nonetheless, everyone is doing their best with what they've got. I would like Sally to be alongside me in helping however we can, but I've yet to spot her since leaving her side to check on the poor dears. She was nowhere to be found when I returned to the deck above." she added before letting out a weary sigh before everyone jolt when the speakers turned on. "At-en-ion pass-ers" they heard Rostrons voice crackle through, his words slurred due to the systems unstable state. "Pow- low. Shut-ng down li-ts in fore f-st cl-s sect-on." he warned before they suddenly saw a majority of the lights turn dark, leaving them with little but the rays of the sun lighting their way along. "Oh dear, looks like I've jinxed things... Another area dimmed. I do believe this is the third section within the past hour. It's starting to affect even the highest class portions." Victoria muttered.
Looking up at the now dark lights above, Chris remained silent for a moment as they reached their door before stopping together and facing Victoria. "I got a question... Back on the deck, Captain Smith told me something about a big event. You know anything about that?" he asked, Victoria blinking at him before pondering the question. "Afraid not... I fail to see how he could host anything at the moment with so much work to be done. With the loss of power and the ship full of Pokemon in need, I just don't see any kind of festivities happening anytime soon." she replied, Rose looking up at Chris yet remaining silent. "I dunno... Guess it's nothing then. Never mind." Chris smiled before digging around in his coat pockets, taking out his card and paperwork giving them a shake. "Man, everything got soaked..." he muttered, trying to handle their papers without ruining them. "Ah, what caused you to wind up so soggy, if I may? It's no longer raining." Victoria questioned, Chris to scowl at Alicia causing the snake to face away and casually whistle. "Lets just say I fell overboard I guess... Although I had a little help in doing so." he replied, Victoria blinking at him before smiling nervously. "W-Well then, do be careful. The waters are quite cold here." she point out. "Trust me, I know." he assured, Alicia trying to avoid snickering while Serenity and Rose glanced away nervously. "Anyways, we'll see ya later. I'm gonna get the girls settled and see what I can do to help out around here myself." he said with a nod, Victoria giving them a slight bow before heading back towards the lobby. "Hard to believe how on top of the game she is, all things considered. She could barely make it on the ship alone, yet there she goes doing what she can and keeping up to date on stuff. Gotta admire that." he smirked before giving their room card another shake to rid it of whatever wetness remained before sliding it through the lock. "...Eh?" he muttered, getting no response from the door and trying again. "Agh, come on..." he grumbled, scanning the card several times. "Ah crap, these things need power too, right." he sighed, taking a step back only for Serenity to put a hand on his shoulder. "I got. No worry." she assured with a nod. "S-Say what? The things locked up tight." he reminded as Serenity stood in front of him.
Closing her eyes and holding out a hand, Chris and the girls watched before jolting back when Serenity let out a grunt causing crunching sounds to trail along within the door, followed by a click allowing her to turn the handle and gain entry. "Have to break a little." she point out as they walked in, Chris looking at the door in surprise. "Wadaya looking at?" Rose asked as Chris turned the handle himself. "Not bad..." he muttered, Serenity and Alicia turning back to face him as well with curious looks. "What mean not bad?" Serenity asked. "Not bad, control I mean. You got us in without completely smashing the thing. I expected you to blow it to pieces." he point out causing Serenity to scratch her cheek and glance away, unsure of whether to take the statement as a compliment or not. "S-Sorry. I don't mean that in a rude way. It's just, after how you've used your abilities in the past, it's surprising to see that kind of control coming from you. You can't deny you've been a loose cannon now and then." he chuckled causing Serenity to show a slight blush of embarrassment. "I not that bad. I control just fine." she grumbled. "I know, I know. I'm just trying to say it's an improvement. After the way you handled that barrier, kept your mood in check and all. Not bad Serenity, not bad at all." he nodded with a thumbs up causing the Pokemon to smile slightly. "You choose an odd thing to praise considering everything else we've done throughout this whole fiasco." Alicia point out. "W-Well, I'm doing my best here. I told Serenity I'd help her control stuff, her power and all, but with everything always going on around us, I haven't had the chance to, and seeing her working on self control throughout everything that's happened on this cruise, both physically and mentally, all on her own, well, I'm just trying to say I'm proud of her." he explained, causing Serenity to blink at him before grinning from ear to ear before giving him a tight hug, squishing his cheek against hers causing him to groan. "S-Serenity, a-air." he groaned, the Pokemon quickly releasing him allowing Chris to take a breath and sigh.
"Just opening a door might not seem like much, but when you consider everything in the past compared to how she's done things here on the ship, the difference IS pretty amazing. I remember back when she stopped that leader from blasting away the rest of the bridge... She tapped into her Shadow State in the process to save us and cancelled it out on the spot too, way easier than she'd done in the past. That kind of sudden progress is really something, almost scary! But in a good way." he smiled with a nod, Serenity poking her fingers with a shy and flattered giggle. "It nothing! Just put mind to something and can do anything!" she replied. "Ha ha, that's exactly right." he praised, rubbing Serenity on the head causing her to face down and smile from ear to ear. "I still gotta figure out what to do about you though..." he added while facing Alicia, the snake tilting her had curiously before facing away. "Oh come now, are you STILL focusing on that?" she asked, Chris scowling at the reminder before sighing and shaking his head. "No, no. I meant about you saving me and all. Gonna be hard figuring out a way to repay that. Really it's gonna be hard figuring out a way to repay all of you to be honest. I mean, not only have each of you saved me in one way or another, but you've worked together and saved a whole ship full of more people and Pokemon than I can count. It's gonna be tough figuring out a proper thanks." he explained while heading towards the balcony to hang his clothes over the railing, cautiously making his way past the toppled furniture and broken decor. "Man, place is a pigsty now..." he muttered while heading outside. "I'll have to see what I can do about getting you girls something to eat and drink. With everyone so busy at the moment I'll probably have to handle it myself. On top of making a plan on how to get power back in this thing... Maybe meet up with Rostron..." he added, his tone lowering to that of a mutter as he thought to himself before returning to the room and working with the girls to clean up.
Once they had the furniture upright and close to their former positions, Chris let Serenity and Rose relax on the couch while Alicia coiled on the bed as he cleaned up the damaged decor, collecting the strewn figures from the cake the girls worked on back at Eden Manor and returning them to the fireplace mantle. "I'm glad none of these were damaged..." he chuckled, looking them over with a grin on his face. "You know, that was the best thing anyone's ever done for me. The staff really know how to sculpt too! I'm gonna keep these things forever." he point out while straightening the figures, the girls behind him facing one another and showing embarrassed looks. "It just food. Sign we make look bad too." Serenity replied. "Admittedly the writing is... Embarrassingly amateur..." Alicia added. "It's not the gifts themselves that matter to me, rather the heart put into them. The effort and thoughts. You girls worked non-stop on that cake and it had to be hard getting the hang of writing human words in such a short time. Although I'll admit, the banner does make me feel like laughing a lot..." Chris replied, the girls facing down with embarrassed groans. "Not because the writing's bad though, it's just the memories and all. The moment you showed it to me. When I think back on that event I can't help but feel like laughing, it really lifts the spirit, ya know? That's why these things are the best gifts I've ever got. It takes something really special, something really dear to have that kind of affect on someone." he explained. "And to top it off, they came from the most important people in my life, making these figures and that banner even more of a treasure. You girls are the pride and joy of my life... I just wish I was better at showing it." he added, rubbing the back of his head with an embarrassed laugh before turning, only to find all three facing away shyly with their faces covered in a flush.
"Ah, ha ha. Did I say too much? Or was it too tacky again?" he asked. "You so embarrassing." Serenity giggled. "You've gotta quit saying that kinda stuff." Rose added quietly while rubbing one of her ears, hiding her face with a wide smile. "Sorry girls. Didn't mean to fluster ya!" he laughed, both sticking their tongues out at him in response. "I'll never understand how one so tacky and immature can get under one's skin so easily. If only you'd stop trying to be funny so frequently you might just be ideal." Alicia point out causing Chris to scowl. "I'll have you know I AM funny! I just haven't found the right person who appreciates my style yet!" he replied, crossing his arms with his nose up. "Just you wait, eventually I'll find people who find my lines irresistible!" he added with a firm nod. "Oh sure, and eventually I'll sprout wings and breathe Pokepuffs." Alicia mocked before laughing only to jolt when her stomach growled, Serenity and Rose's doing the same from the mention of food causing them to groan. "Ha! Karma!" Chris mocked, teasing Alicia by imitating her haughty laughter with the back of his hand near his mouth in a girlish tone causing Alicia to growl at him with a mark of anger on her face. "Ooohhh... Such a smug LITTLE man." she replied before laughing back, Chris twitching an eye. "Give a girl a size boost and it goes to her head..." he grumbled. "What was that?" Alicia asked with the tip of her tail near her ear. "Nothing! I'm average!" Chris shout. "I'll say!" Alicia replied before bursting out in laughter, Chris flushing out of embarrassed frustration before heading towards the drawer and rummaging for a change of clothes, grumbling from once again being toyed with over his size. "Come on. Not nice to make fun of size. That sensitive thing." Serenity spoke up. "She's right you know. I'm still kinda small too so I know the feeling. Besides, he's taller than me and Serenity." Rose point out. "Oh don't fret, he's a male, he can handle a spot of teasing." Alicia replied, waving her tail to brush off their responses. "Isn't that right?" she asked, facing Chris as he finished putting together a change of clothes. "Yeah yeah. No worries." he replied, waving a hand as he took out a new pair of socks before heading towards the bathroom with clothes in hand, letting out a sneeze along the way. "Gotta get these wet pants off." he muttered before heading into the bathroom.
"Still not think it okay to call little." Serenity affirmed once he shut the door. "Oh come now. I tease him constantly. It's a part of our relationship." Alicia replied with her nose up. "I dunno... I don't think being teased constantly makes for a very good relationship..." Rose point out. "I not want be with one who call me things and make fun of me." Serenity added. "Why must I constantly suffer a lecture from you two? Almost every word I utter is responded to with your two cents." Alicia replied, grumbling as Serenity and Rose sighed and shook their heads. "I dunno. I just don't think I'd be able to keep liking somebody who made fun of me all the time. I mean, we all kinda know what it's like to be mistreated." Rose reminded. "Oh don't go there with me. You know this is completely irrelevant to our own circumstances! Teasing is not the same as the abuse we suffered in the past." Alicia affirmed. "I not think so. I think it kind of the same. It not hurt outside, but hurt inside. Tease now and then okay, but you tease all the time. Call names, make jokes. In way, you use him to make self feel good. They have word for it... What they call it?" Serenity asked, facing Rose. "Umm... I don't know what word you're looking for. But she does have a habit of, well, kiiiiinda belittling him." the rabbit answered, Serenity snapping her fingers. "That it! That word!" she replied, nodding and thanking Rose while Alicia faced away grumbling. "I really do grow tired of you two, you know that? Always putting me down for entertaining myself." she complained in an irritated tone. "W-We know you love him too deep down! We just don't, you know, agree with how you are towards him." Rose explained, poking her fingers nervously. "How I am with him is my business, thank you. In case you've forgotten he's made it clear he's fine with who I am. I can speak however I wish with him. If I wish to lecture him, I will do so. If I wish to tease him, I will do so. That is my right, and in case you haven't noticed it's what makes us get along so well." Alicia point out, Serenity and Rose blinking at one another confused.
"Call THAT getting along?" Serenity asked. "By fussing and taunting...?" Rose added, tilting her head. "It doesn't seem like bonding to me. I mean, there's better ways to do it if that's what you're aiming for." she went on, both she and Serenity facing one another with a blush before facing away from one another with an embarrassed laugh while Alicia rolled her eyes. "You two wouldn't understand. You're just too primitive. I am who I am, it's that acceptance that makes the two of us work. That is all. One needn't resort to such barbaric behavior to close the gap between one's self and the one they... Well..." she explained, clearing her throat and glancing away with the slightest blush of her own. "He accepts me, that's it. So quit meddling. I'll speak to him however I want." she finished before coiling up more and resting her head, facing away from the two and grumbling in agitation. "I never understand that snake..." Serenity muttered while resting her head on the arm of the couch. "I don't get it either but... I guess she's right. He did tell her he liked how she was. In the end, that's why we like her too, right?" Rose asked, only for Serenity to blow a raspberry in response before closing her eyes to rest, Rose letting out a yawn while resting her head on her side of the couch and closing her eyes as well. After a moment, Alicia raised her head and faced the two, looking at them silently before sticking her tongue out in a "nyeh!" kind of way and resting her head once more with a slightly somber look. At the bathroom door, Chris had it cracked just slightly enough for a peek and a listen during the scenario, letting out a sigh and shaking his head before finishing up.
Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Chris's Lament https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEP3WziCa7g
Once he left the bathroom, he walked up to Serenity and Rose as they slept, Serenity drooling over the arm of the couch while Rose had an awkward smile on her face, murmuring in her raspy Pokemon tongue and sighing. "Well, guess you girls will be out for a while then..." Chris muttered while looking around, finding the blanket that had been on the back of the couch laying nearby and tossing it up over the two. "You and Serenity are getting along pretty good so far. Now if I could just get..." he thought while wiping off Serenity's mouth and looking towards Alicia as she lay silently coiled on the bed. Walking up to the snake, he looked over her form and smirked, walking around the bed where her face was before letting out a chuckle. "It really is hard to believe how much you've grown. How much all of you have grown really." he began. "The way I react to you calling me little, I want you to know it's not because it actually hurts my feelings or anything like that. It doesn't even make me mad. A little annoyed maybe, but rather... I guess it makes me feel behind is all." he explained while reaching out and rubbing her on the head. "You girls, each of you have grown so much. You've all changed in your own ways. You've conquered your fears, gained independence... Meanwhile far as I go, I'm still the same as I was when I started off on this trip. I still feel the same way I did the moment I took my first steps out of the village. To me, it's almost like I could look behind me and still see the seniors waving me off. But you girls... You just keep going further and further ahead." he went on. "Alicia, you changed so fast after we met. In no time at all you went from struggling to keep up in training to leaving me in the dust. It's like I blinked and you were good as new... In a way, I kinda miss taking care of you the way I did, holding you in my arms and all. It's great you recovered so fast, but at the same time, I wish it had taken a little longer... Just a little." he smiled before backing away and heading towards Serenity and Rose, sitting on the table before them while looking at the two.
"And look at Rose... She went from being so tiny and cute to being so beautiful and strong. Course, that goes for all three of you." he laughed quietly. "So weak and timid... Then all of a sudden there she was, recovering right beside me and growing stronger by the day, and next thing I knew she was jumping right into battle. Hard to believe a girl so delicate could be so incredible. Feels like my jaw still drops thinking back on that fight." he smiled, reaching out and rubbing her on the cheek. "It really is true you know. The most beautiful rose's in the world definitely have the deadliest thorns." he chuckled. "Then there's Serenity... Heck, I dunno what to make of you." he continued, looking at Serenity as she lay still. "You've always been a wild one, letting your emotions and power loose at the drop of a hat. And yet, look at how you've handled everything on this cruise. Using your Shadow State to defend us and cancelling it out like it was nothing, keeping such intense focus when you put up that barrier, despite everything going on around you... I promised to help you learn to control stuff, your Shadow State and all, yet here you are learning to do that on your own before I've even had the chance to do anything. It's beyond amazing, it really is." he praised. "Meanwhile look at me, I use too much of Ninetails power and I start to lose it myself. That's why it makes me feel uneasy, thinking about how little I actually am compared, not just to Alicia, but all three of you now. All the power I have, the things I've done, it's all thanks to Ninetails. I haven't gained any power of my own. I haven't done anything without Ninetails help, without your help. The stuff revolving the cliff, the truck, and this whole thing with the Arceanic and everything else has repeatedly reminded me of that. Throughout my life I've relied on others. If it weren't for Grandpa and the elders taking me in and teaching me so much, who knows where I could've wound up. Then when I left the village, I thought it was my chance to gain independence of my own, to grow in new ways. And yet, here I am now, no better than I was when I left the village, relying on you girls and Ninetails every step of the way." he confessed, facing down with a somber smile.
"Way back when I was really small, I had mom and dad, friends. But because I was always getting caught up in dangerous situations trying to help Pokemon, I got hurt, my friends got hurt, and eventually their parents stepped in and kept them all away from me, one by one. My parents went from perfectly happy to constantly arguing over me... Then when they left me with Grandpa, he and the elders were always at their wits end trying to keep me safe, trying to push as many lessons as they could into my head so I wouldn't be in any danger whenever I was drawn to Pokemon. They were always worrying about me, and the older I got, the riskier the scenarios I got myself into, and the more they worried as a result. From a child up to now, I've always been trouble for those I relied on, for those who wanted to be close to me. And now, the way you girls just keep progressing, keep getting further and further ahead of me, I worry about how much longer I have until you're out of reach, out of sight..." he explained. "I'm doing my best to give you the best life possible, but no matter what I do things never work out right. I just keep doing things that put you in danger and cause you stress. My own parents had to give up on me in the end... How long can the three of you hold onto me? How long can I hold onto you?" he asked, looking at Serenity and rubbing her cheek. "You girls are way beyond what I deserve, and more often than not I keep myself busy so I don't have to think about this stuff. The more things I do, the less time I have to let these kind of thoughts get me down. That's another reason I'm always on the move, always trying to focus on doing things with you. It keeps the bad thoughts away and allows me to have as much fun with you girls as possible before... Well, enough is enough... You know?" he went on.
"You girls are beyond special. There isn't a treasure in this world worth as much as you. There isn't a star in the sky that shines as brightly. And it's because of how much you mean to me that I worry so much. I've never had anyone else in my life like you girls. Grandpa and the elders, they'll always be important to me, but you're my world. It's like I said before, this journey wouldn't be the same without you. My life would feel empty, lonely... After all the trouble you've endured, the times your lives and freedom were put in danger, how could I keep asking you to stay? Do I have the right to hope you never leave, especially after all the trouble taking you on this cruise has caused on top of everything else? I could walk you right into a field of bombs at this rate, and it scares me... I lost it down there when I was fighting Smith for so many reasons. I was terrified, not just of the dangers in the moment, but because this has made me wonder, will being with me actually kill you...?" he asked before facing down. "I don't know what to do. I want you girls to be as happy as possible, and I also want you to be as safe as possible. But being with me... After everything else, after this cruise... I don't think either of those things can happen as long as you're with me. How can spending your lives facing one threat after another and always having to worry about what will happen next be any better than the lives you had before? The danger may be gone for now, but I'm still scared. I don't want you girls to keep suffering." he revealed. "Maybe you put up with everything because you feel you're indebted to me, and if that's the case, you girls need to know you don't owe me a thing. Just by being by my side you've more than made up for everything I've done for you. By keeping me company, someone who's never had anyone like you in his life, that's been more than enough, trust me." he assured with a smile.
"You've given me something I've never had before. Something I thought I'd only experience in my dreams. You're not indebted to me, it's actually the opposite. In fact it feels like I owe you so much I could never repay you, even if I spent my whole life trying..." he point out, standing and tucking Serenity and Rose in better. "I still want to ask you to stay forever, but I can't help feeling the better thing to say, the right thing to do, is to beg you to leave. There's bound to be a better, more peaceful life out there waiting for you." he point out, walking up to Alicia and holding her cheek. "I want you three to be at peace in life, not spend every waking moment worrying about what's going to happen next. That's not living at all, it's torment. For you, and for me... I'd rather go through it all myself than string you girls along into one crisis after another." he continued. "I really do love you all, that's why I worry about you more and more with every disaster we run into... How much longer before I get you killed?" he asked, rubbing Alicia's cheek before giving her a kiss on the forehead and returning to Serenity and Rose to do the same for them. "You girls are the best thing to ever happen, that will ever happen to me... Just want you to know that, no matter what." he finished before looking around and grabbing his Pokedex off the table on the balcony and heading for the door, looking back at the girls once more. "Sleep well... Sorry for haunting you with my woes when you should be resting without having to listen to me mope." he apologized with a guilty chuckle before letting out a sigh and shaking his head while leaving, quietly closing the door behind him. After this, the girls opened their eyes, slowly raising up and looking towards the door before facing one another somberly in silence.
"Alright... Enough of the depressing stuff, research to do and survivors to help. You'd better get going." he nodded with a grunt to himself, flipping open his Pokedex and starting his trek down the corridor, taking a deep breath and letting out a slow, long sigh. "First off, Smith wanted to know about Platinum Stars. Lets have a look here..." he muttered, quickly distracting himself as he went through the features in the device. "Alright, good, good! Workin' like a charm. No surprise all things considered, what with the professors brain combined with Arthur and Angela's cash!" he grinned while browsing sites before finally locating and enlarging Platinum Stars information, looking at the hologram screens before him. "Lets see... Formerly known as Alabaster Lines..." he began. "Founded in 1845, the line operated a fleet of clipper ships. Today it is most famous for the Olympic class ocean liners, including the ill-fated RMS Arceanic. In 1934, due to bankruptcy following years of turmoil revolving the Arceanic disaster, Alabaster Lines was forced into merger with Laylana Lines..." he read aloud, squinting his eyes at the various screens. "Laylana Lines huh? Okay then, lets see what we can..." he muttered, touching a link to the lines database causing another screen to pop up. Looking through the page, he suddenly froze in his tracks, looking at the screen wide eyed and pale as an image of the Carvanian appeared, the same ship that caused the disaster he witnessed in Smith's memories. "N-No way..." he thought, scanning through more of the page. "Carvanian was a steamship owned by the Laylana Line... And they bought out Alabaster?!" he muttered before continuing to read. "The S.S. Carvanian is best known for its involvement with the disappearance of the RMS Arceanic. Having suffered engine trouble, it called out for aid, one response coming from Captain Edward J Smith of the Arceanic. However, before the ill fated liner could arrive, the Carvanian sent out signals warning those answering their calls to stay away from the location, alerting oncoming aid of a severe storm in the vicinity. Having discovered the cause of the malfunctioning engine, quick repairs were made and the Carvanian had continued on its way, the liner alerting aid of said repairs." Chris read aloud, suddenly shouting "bullshit!!" before quickly covering his mouth and looking around nervously, muttering as he slowly continued along the corridor.
"While other ships heeded the warning, the Arceanic continued towards the dangerous location. Reports from Carvanian Captain, Stanley Lord, indicated a repeated attempt to coax Smith into changing course, only for the Captain of the Arceanic to brush off all warnings and continue along the Carvanian's original position, feeling it best to follow course as to avoid late arrival at their location, Arcticu Valley. A portion of Smith's response to the Carvanian reads "I'll not have this voyage tarnished by tardiness! She's the largest steamer in the world, built from the ground up to be unsinkable! Stop pestering my operators! They've more important messages to tend to!" Chris read, an eye twitching as his teeth grit, enraged by the falsified accounts before him. "After this, the Carvanian attempted to continue warning the Arceanic of the severity of the conditions they were careening towards, only for the Arceanic operator, Jack Phillips, to respond harshly with "Shut up, shut up! I am busy, I am working Cape Millennium!", after which the Carvanian ceased communications. Although the Carvanian's efforts to warn the Arceanic of the harsh conditions before them despite the Captain and operators behavior were praised, the majority of recognition went to Captain Henry Rostron of the S.S. Caterpithia, heralded the world over as..." Chris paused, clutching his device tightly and letting out a frustrated shout. "I can't believe this... How am I supposed to tell this to them all? Captain Smith and Rostron, the passengers from the Arceanic and all..." he muttered, biting his thumb while continue to read, growing more and more frustrated with the lies displayed before him. "Killing thousands, then creating a bunch of lies just so you could keep committing crimes." he thought before jolting and freezing once more.
"Hold up a sec, if Laylana bought out Alabaster Lines, and the people in charge of Laylana wound up in charge of Alabaster..." he muttered, quickly wiping out several screens and bringing up others, going through several links before bringing up records of those in charge of the company since the merger. "They're all related... Several generations." he thought aloud, those at the top of the company bearing the same last name as those before them. "It's like a crime syndicate... The only people who knew the truth about this place, about the Arceanic, were those who took over Alabaster, and they passed down the truth, along with the company, again and again... There's nothing but a bunch of criminals in charge now." he thought before digging deeper into what online records he could find, discovering numerous incidents revolving ships from Platinum Lines having methodically suffered incidents over time since the merger, each case having garnered a generous profit for the company thanks to insurance claims and the like. "Tch, to anyone else this would look like your typical company screw ups. They've done a damn good job at ripping people off without drawing much attention to themselves." he grumbled. "Now it's just a matter of figuring out how to tell the Captain's..." he added, shutting off his Pokedex before looking around, noticing the Grand Staircase lobby just ahead. "I've got some answers for the Captain, now to help out the Pokemon while I think of a way to break the news without making him break the ship... Guy's gonna go insane. And when Rostron finds out he's working for the people who caused the disaster, especially the CHIEF... Oh man. Even with his back messed up, guys gonna be doing back flips when the news hits." Chris thought before heading towards the lobby, Victoria noticing his return and walking up with a wave, only to notice his frustrated yet nervous expression and tilt her head curiously. "It's nice to see you've returned so soon, but what on Earth has you looking so distraught? You'd think we never made it back to the surface with that appearance on your face." she point out, causing Chris to quickly shake his head with a nervous laugh.
"I-It's nothing. Just some pretty, er, interesting truths in this world." he replied with a wave, Victoria blinking at him before nodding with a bewildered smile. "Ah ha, indeed. There are many of those I suppose. I wanted to ask, on your journey to and from your room, you didn't happen to notice Sally making her rounds, did you?" Victoria asked with a concerned look. "I haven't seen her for a while now. I've been busy cleaning our room up and getting the girls settled in, doing some... Disturbing research on the side. I'll help look for her in a bit if you want, but right now it doesn't look like these Pokemon have improved at all." he point out. "Yes, no matter how much the poor dears rest, it seems without proper treatment they're not going to come out of their comatose states. If anything I'd say many are getting worse. They really drained themselves to the core..." she said in somber tone as they carefully made their way along. Once at the stairs, Chris helped Victoria sit before doing the same next to her as she rubbed her hands with a sigh. "Many years ago, not only was I a renowned pianist in my own right, but I was also an impressive nurse if I do say so myself. Unfortunately its been some time since I retired from both careers, and I'll be the first to admit, it shows, and I can certainly feel it." she confessed with an embarrassed laugh. "At first everybody was thrilled to bits to be back above the surface, but gradually the situation revolving all the Pokemon is setting in, and peoples hearts are starting to plummet. Excitement has turned to concern for the poor dears that gave so much for everyone's sake." she went on, Chris rubbing the back of his head while trying to think of how to handle two problems at once and make a plan for them simultaneously.
"Okay, so we've still got the Yamask around..." he muttered, noticing them randomly floating about among everyone. "They're probably still exhausted from the workload from before, but at the same time it might be possible to spare enough energy to get the electric types back on their feet at least." he began, Victoria listening curiously. "If we can get the electric types back up and going, give them time to recharge once we've got them moving around, there could still be a way to recharge the ship. With the panels outside fried, maybe there's a more direct way to connect them to the stuff in the ship storing the electricity it gets from the sun?" he pondered. "Dunno the condition of things though, might not be a way to charge anything period. Could still look into it. Gather the Yamask, have them pump up the electric Pokemon, give em' some time to get their bearings, charge the ship again." he nodded, simplifying the idea. "Charge the ship, then the centers can be opened. Get the old Pokemon tended to..." he continued. "Yeah, should work. Plus we could get the kitchen running, get whatever food's still good to cook and feed em' all, that'd help a ton. But first it's a matter of getting all the Yamask to gather, then getting to all the electric Pokemon." he continued, standing and looking around. "Yeah... This could work. With the centers open and cooks back to work, these Pokemon could be restored in no time!" he smirked before walking to the center of the lobby and calling for the Yamask around him, causing the spirits to gather in a circle to hear him out. Watching him instruct them, Victoria chuckled and used the railing to help her stand. "Such a busy body... Just saved us all and still on the move to help." she smiled, watching as the Yamask nodded and quickly darted in different directions leaving Chris with a smirk on his face, nodding before returning to Victoria. "They're gonna gather the others together. I'm gonna head out and see if I can find a few more to help find the others too. That way I can look around for Sally at the same time." he assured.
"Do you ever rest?" Victoria giggled. "When you're a guy like me, you don't have time to. Besides, I need the distraction. Keeps my mind away from stuff I'd rather not think about." Chris replied with a nervous smile before nodding at Victoria, getting a slight bow in response before he head off towards the upper deck of the ship. "Stuff he'd rather not think about...?" Victoria muttered, tilting her head with a slightly worried look...