The Incredible Poke-Odyssey chapter 10 The Ferry Tale We Find our heroes down at the Vermilion City harbor where Cameron was telling them about his encounter with Sgt. Electra. "You mean you actually met a pretty girl when you just walked into the men's room?!" gasped Brock, "Why can't that ever happen to me?!" "Are you saying that you'd rather have a pretty girl with you than me?!" asked Stella while grabbing Brock by his shirt. "Oh no, my sweet Stella!" stuttered Brock, "I meant why can't I find the pretty you when I walk into the men's room?" "Oh okay", said Stella as she let go of Brock, "But I'm keeping an eye on your hormones!" "So Cameron", asked Misty, "Are we gonna get to see your new Electabuzz or are you just gonna leave it in your Pokeball until archaeologists find it?" "Not right now", said Cameron, "I promised Electra that I'd only release Buzz until we're far away from this city." "Well that'll be pretty soon", said Jenny, "For there's a ferry coming that will take us all the way to Celadon City." "Did you say ferry?" asked Seymour nervously. Just then a Pokeball in Seymour's labcoat popped open and out popped Clefairy asking. "Clefairy?" "No Clefairy, I didn't call you", smiled Jenny as she patted Clefairy's head, "I said a ferry, the huge boat that transports cars and vans across the water." "Clefairy", said Clefairy now understanding it. She leapt back into Seymour's pocket and got back in her ball while Seymour stood there nervously. "What's wrong Seymour?" asked Jenny, "You don't get seasick on boats do you?" "Oh no", smiled Seymour trying to look relaxed, "I really love boats! In fact I've written quite a number of poems about boats!" But what they didn't know was the poems Seymour wrote about boats were all the times he threw up whenever he was on or near them. Even when he had a toy tugboat in the bathtub when he was two. "Look, here comes the ferry now!" said Cameron as they saw a huge ferry pull into the harbor ready to let all vehicles on board. Our heroes got into Jenny's van and she drove it up the gangplank and to the sailor checking everyone in. He looked into the van and saw the Rattata sitting on the dashboard and the Sandshrew sitting in Cameron's lap. "Sorry", said the sailor, "I'm going to have to ask you to keep your rodent Pokemon in their Pokeballs during this trip." "But why?" asked Cameron. "Because the captain believes that it's bad luck to have rodents roaming around a ship", said the sailor. "But that doesn't make sense!" protested Cameron. "Would you like to tell our extremely superstitious captain that?" asked the sailor seriously. "Sorry Sandy", said Cameron as he took out Sandy's Pokeball, "I hope you understand." "Shrew", said Sandy who really didn't want to stare at all that harmful water they'd be crossing. "Come on Bill", said Jenny, "You have to get in a Pokeball too." "Isn't it a shame", said Bill smiling, "I don't have my very own little Pokeball." "You can borrow one of my empty ones", said Brock as he took one out of his backpack. "Are you serious?!" shouted Bill, "I don't deserve to be in a Pokeball! Have you forgotten that deep down I'm still a human being?!" "Sorry Bill", said Jenny, "But this ferry has rules, besides I hear that Pokeballs are very comfortable." "And from what Pokemon's mouth did you hear that from?" demanded Bill. "Well then, you can remain here in Vermilion City while we continue on our quest", said Misty, "And you may never see your DNA chamber again." "And you'll stay a Rattata forever and probably get caught in a mousetrap one day too", smiled Stella. "Oh very well", sighed Bill as he stepped into Brock's Pokeball. "But just remember, I'm nobody's Pokemon. Just my own!" * * * * * * Just as Jenny's van had boarded the ferry, another group was zooming by in their own van too. It was Team Rocket. "We want on board now!" said Jessie. "Sorry ma'am", said the sailor, "But this ferry is all filled up. You'll have to take the next one which will arrive in 90 minutes." "But we can't wait that long!" shouted Jessie, "I'm a very important queen and I demand that you let us on board!" "Yeah, and I get god like strength by eating spinach", laughed the sailor. "Have a nice royal life your majesty!" and he closed the rail while the ferry was about to sail off. "Nobody brushes off Queen Jessie and lives a normal life from it!" screamed Jessie as he clutched onto the clutch and sped in reverse almost knocking down a few citizens. "Jess, what are you doing?!" shouted Meowth. "Have you ever heard of Evel Knievel?" smiled Jessie. "Oh no, you wouldn't?!!!" cried Meowth. "You'd better believe it furball!" laughed Jessie as she pumped on the gas while Meowth nervously bit his claws while Reiko calmly filed hers with her katana. The van went at full speed right across the gangplank and flew up into the air. But unfortunately, it missed the ferry by one inch and the van went, SPLASH, right into the briny deep. "May you rest in peace your royal highness", said the sailor sarcastically as he threw a dandelion into the water. * * * * * * Our friends were now out of the van and enjoying a nice peaceful ride on the ferry. They had bought some snacks at the snack bar and were sitting in deckchairs. Cameron was plopping some corn chips down into a Pokeball that contained Sandy. "Sorry you can't come on deck Sandy", said Cameron, "But I hope these chips make up for it." "Shrew", said Sandy while making munching sounds. "It's like feeding a Cloyster", said Misty. "You okay in there Bill?" asked Brock as he cracked open Bill's Pokeball. "Am I okay?!" called out Bill, "I couldn't be better! I never knew a Pokeball could be so luxurious! It even has a big-screen TV with HBO Family on it. You can hardly find that channel on regular cable systems!" "Wow, I always wondered why most Pokemon never complain about being kept in Pokeballs", said Cameron. "Say Cameron", said Misty, "Now that we've left Vermilion City, how about showing us your Electabuzz now?" "Okay", said Cameron as he took Buzz's ball and released him. "Hi Buzz", smiled Cameron, "I'd like for you to meet all of my friends." But Buzz just frowned and turned his back on all of them. "Come on Buzz", pleaded Cameron, "We all want to be your friends. Won't you give us, especially me, a chance?" and he placed his hand on Buzz's furry shoulder. Buzz only replied by shocking Cameron again. Then Buzz walked away from his jolted master. "Wow", thought Misty, "That's exactly the way Ash's Charizard used to treat its master. I hope they've become friends now wherever they are. Or if they're even together, or if they're even still alive. Oh Ash!" "I don't understand it", said Cameron as he got back in his chair, "Electra ordered Buzz to listen to me, but no matter how nice I try to be to him. He just gives me the cold and shocking shoulder." "Maybe you're too nice to him", said Brock, "That Electabuzz is a military trained Pokemon, so he's probably used to people yelling at him." "Brock's right", said Stella, "You've gotta teach your Pokemon discipline. I've got an old circus bullwhip in my backpack and I'll lend it to you so you can whip that powered punk into shape." "Oh no, I'm not gonna treat Buzz or any of my Pokemon like that!" said Cameron, "It's cruel and inhumane! No Pokemon, or even a human being deserves that!" "Oh sure, if you want to keep around a group of unruly Pokemon that won't respect or fight for you", said Stella. "Lt. Surge said so himself that your Sandshrew was undisciplined. He's always jumping into battle whenever you order him not to. And he won't return whenever you try to call him back into his ball. And when was the last time you left him and your Oddish, now turned Gloom, together without it sucking the very life from Sandy's body? Let's face it you little softy, your Pokemon need disciplining!" "Hey, Pokemon are living things with feelings you know!" said Cameron angrily. "I remember how you mistreated your Mr. Mime, working him day and night without a break until he refused to obey you. You even tried to do the same thing to Ash!" Stella flinched when Cameron brought that up, "I know I was wrong for what I did to my Mr. Mime and to Ash as well", said Stella, "But you still need to show certain Pokemon who's boss, or else you'll have a Pokemon that'll get you in major trouble." Just then, they all heard a lady scream. Then they saw Buzz running for his life being chased by a lady who was whacking him on the head with her purse. "Hey, what you doing to my Electabuzz?" asked Cameron as he stopped the lady. "So this little wise guy belongs to you!" shouted the lady as she started whacking on Cameron now. "Your Pokemon just gave me a thunder- pinch on my bottom! You must've trained it to do that!" and she started whacking on Cameron some more. "See what I mean?" called out a smiling Stella. * * * * * * Back at the harbor, Team Rocket was floating in the water while holding onto their huge wooden box. "Now what, Miss. Queen of Road Stunts?" scowled Meowth. Reiko just bopped Meowth on the head with a passing Magikarp, "Do not ever gripe at your queen you insignificant little hairball!" shouted Reiko. "Thank you my dear", smiled Jessie. "Hey, I'm royalty too you know!" shouted Meowth, "That means I have authority to whack you with an even bigger fish!" "Try it and I'll yank out your eyeballs", shouted Reiko, "Like the funny shaped corkscrew that pries the cork of life from its poor wine bottle!" "Now, now, children", said Jessie as she leapt onto the box breaking up their fight. "As much as I'd love to see a ninja go against a Meowth, we still have to catch that ferry and capture our little rebel friends. Reiko, can you help us out?" "It's always an honor my queen", smiled Reiko as she released her Tentacruel and Kingler into the water. "I need you two to swim all of us to that ferry as fast as you can. Can you do that for me, my queen, and this mangy Meowth?" "MANGY?!!" shouted Meowth, "Why you little MMGLPH!" said Meowth for Tentacruel had grabbed him by the mouth and placed him on its head, along with Jessie and Reiko. Then Kingler picked up the box with its claws and followed Tentacruel who was rushing its passengers over to the ferry. * * * * * * Back onboard the ferry, Seymour was leaning over the rail not feeling at all well. "I gotta remember that boats are our friends", he thought, "For Jenny's sake!" and he started saying a poem to himself. "You should not be afraid of a thing called a boat. It's a safe and sturdy thing that'll keep you afloat. When you have to cross seas filled with deadly Tentacool. Just swimming across it would crown you King Fool. So give praise to a boat for it will keep you from harm. And you might not have to worry about buying the farm." "There, I feel much better now!" smiled Seymour as he started enjoying the ferry's scenery. Especially now that Jenny came into his sight. "Hi Seymour", she said, "Are you enjoying yourself?" "You'd better believe it", smiled Seymour, "Just stretching out my old sea legs!" "That's wonderful", smiled Jenny as she held a paper cup up to his face. "Would you care for some chili?" Seymour took one look at mixture and suddenly turned green. He covered his mouth, leaned over the rail, and made a loud, "BLAAAARGG!" "Oh my!" said Jenny concerned. * * * * * * Team Rocket had finally reached the edge of the ship and was about to climb aboard. "Tentacruel, help us on board!" commanded Reiko. Tentacruel stuck three of its tendrils onto the sides of the ship and was climbing up carrying Reiko, Jessie, and Meowth in three of its other tendrils while dragging Kingler and the box with its remaining ones. "Those rebels and that disrespectful swabbie are in for it now!" laughed Jessie evily. "Hey, what's that stuff coming right at us at lightning speed?" asked Meowth as he pointed to something that was falling from the top of the ship. "It smells like trouble to me", said Reiko as she sniffed it and knew what it exactly was. "Did you say trouble?!" asked Jessie nervously as she was about to go into motto mode. But couldn't for a huge pile of vomit knocked Team Rocket and their Pokemon off the side and back into the water. "We should teach one of our Pokemon that attack", said Meowth as he was about to lick himself clean but then changed his mind. * * * * * * Down in the ferry's sick room, Seymour was lying on a cot with his eyes covered with a wet cloth while Clefairy was rubbing his poor stomach. "Oh boy", he moaned, "I haven't thrown up like that since I was forced to dissect a Poliwag back in high school." "Clefairy", said Clefairy trying to comfort her master then became quiet all of a sudden. "And worst of all", he continued, "I did it in front of the most special girl I've ever met. I'll bet Jenny will now want to avoid me for the rest of this journey!" "Don't be so down Seymour, I'm sure she'll still want to give you a chance." Said a pretty voice. "Clefairy, you can talk as well?!" gasped Seymour as he removed the cloth from his eyes, put on his glasses, but found Clefairy on the other side of his cot. He turned his head around and blushed when he found Jenny crouched down next to him rubbing his stomach. "Hi Seymour", smiled Jenny, "I'm sorry you had to go through that embarrassing moment out there. I just wish you told me that you get seasick on boats, then I wouldn't have offered you that chili." "It was the only way", said Seymour, "If I didn't get on this ferry, I'd never be able to join all of you and my Clefairy, Clefable, and I would have no chance of ever seeing our missing family again." "I kind of thought you did it because you just wanted to look good in front of me", smiled Jenny while posing sexily for him while winking. "Well, I, I, I, I kind of...." Stuttered Seymour as he was trying to reach into his labcoat for his inhaler, but Jenny just grabbed Seymour by the collar and did her own mouth work with the surprised, but delighted scientist. He managed to find his inhaler, but just kept it back in his pocket. "Clefairy", sighed Clefairy as she watched the scientist and the policewoman lie down on the cot together eyeing each other happily. Clefairy slowly snuck back into her Pokeball wanting to give them their privacy. * * * * * * Back on the deck, a huge wooden box was suddenly thrown on top of it. Everyone watched curiously wondering what was inside of it. Just then, a huge wave splashed on the box revealing Team Rocket. "Uh oh", said Cameron, "It's time to prepare for trouble again!" "You got that right twerp!" smiled Jessie, "And don't forget to make it double!" "What's going on up there?" called out Jenny as she got on the deck with her hair messy and her hat crooked while Seymour followed behind her with his shirt halfway buttoned, glasses crooked, and lipstick prints all over his face. Everyone started looking funny at the two. "Hey, you're supposed to pay attention to us!" shouted Jessie. "You weren't even listening to our glorious motto!" "Sorry", said Cameron, "Say, where's James?" "And why do you all smell funny?" asked Misty while holding her nose. "You will all suffer for that!" shouted Reiko as she pulled out her sword while Meowth pulled out his crowbar and started prying open the box. "Hey, I thought I told you three to wait for the next ferry!" shouted the angry sailor. "We didn't feel like it", said Jessie as she pushed the sailor's cap over his face. "And don't get any impure thoughts about me either! I know what's always on you sailors' minds!" "As captain of this ship, I won't stand for any of this havoc and chaos!" shouted the captain as he left his control deck and approached the two ladies. "Either you stop all of this or I'll have you all thrown in the brig!" "Sorry Captain Kangaskhan", smiled Jessie, "But we really do have our little hearts set on a mutiny. Meowth, are you done yet?!" "Does this answer your question?!" smiled Meowth as he finished prying off the last piece of wood revealing a strange kind of pointed machine with an antenna on top. "Don't worry Captain", said Jenny, "I'll gladly put these troublemakers in the brig for you. Growlithe, apprehend those Rockets now!" But before Jenny and Growlithe could even approach them, they suddenly froze in their tracks. "Jenny, what's the matter?" asked Misty, "Why aren't you and your Growlithe moving? Hey, I can't move either!" "Neither can I!" shouted Brock. Cameron saw that every person on the ship was completely paralyzed. Even Cameron found out that he couldn't move as well. "What have you done to all of us?!" he shouted. "Elementary my dear brat!" smiled Jessie, "This device you see here is a thunder wave generator. It has the power to send out invisible currents of electricity completely paralyzing anyone who's even near it. HA HA HA!" "But how come you three are still moving around?" asked Misty. "It's simple like you", laughed Meowth as he held up his wrist, "These bracelets we're wearing makes us immune to our little gadget. And I'll show you!" He started curling up around the generator like it was a human's leg. "Like the Koffing that's immune to its own poison, we're also immune to our own device of terror!" laughed Reiko. "And now", smiled Jessie as she yanked the captain's hat off and placed it on her head, "As the new captain of his ship, I hear by declare it a love boat. For you're all gonna love where we'll be taking all of you. A trip to our beloved Rocketville! Shuffleboard and pool activities will begin soon. Oh, that's right! We three will be the only ones that'll be playing! HA HA HA HA!" laughed all three Rockets at once. Just then, a Pokeball that was sitting by a deckchair popped open and Bill came out of it. "Rules or no rules", he shouted, "This rodent's gonna enjoy this sea going journey!" Just as he was about to, Bill suddenly became paralyzed as well. "I think maybe I'll get back into my ball", he said while trying his hardest to move. "The Sailor Moon marathon is about to start soon." "Hey, it's the other talking Pokemon", shouted Meowth as he pounced on poor Bill and picked him up by the tail, "Let's see if talking Rattatas taste as good as they sound", said Meowth as he opened up his huge mouth while Bill shut his eyes. A paralyzed Cameron managed to move his little finger over to his Pokebelt releasing Sandy from his ball. Since Sandshrews were immune to thunder wave attacks, he ran up to Meowth, slashing his face causing him to throw Bill across the deck and right onto a deckchair's pillow. "Thank you fellow rodent", Bill called out to Sandy, "What am I saying?! I mean, thank you fellow living creature!" "Shrew!" replied Sandy giving Bill a claws' up. "Ah, my face!" cried Meowth looking at his scarred face in a hand mirror, "Did you see what that miserable mouse did to my beautiful face Jessie?!" "Now you know how it feels", smirked Jessie happy that Meowth had finally gotten a taste of his own medicine. "Arbok, make that dusty little pipsqueak join our paralyzed little family!" she shouted as her Arbok appeared also wearing a protective bracelet around its tail. Arbok quickly glared at Sandy causing him to become paralyzed as well. "Oh no", gasped Cameron, "He was our only hope left!" "Now I get to have a ball with you!" grinned Meowth as he crumpled Sandy up into a ball and started dribbling him all over the deck like a basketball. "You leave Sandy alone!" shouted Cameron, "Or I'll, I'll, I'll..." He tried his hardest to move but couldn't. "Give it up punk!" laughed Meowth, "Cause the score is Team Rocket two, Loser Boy zero!" and he tried to throw the curled up Sandy in Cameron's face. But Cameron somehow managed to catch Sandy in his hands. "Hey, I can move again!" smiled Cameron. "So can we all", said Misty as everyone on the ferry suddenly became free from the thunder wave effects. "What the?" asked Jessie as she turned around and found Electabuzz right next to their generator. He managed to yank a cord out of it and started to guzzle up all its electricity like it was a soda fountain. "Hey, get away from our generator you dumb static seat cushion!" shouted Jessie as she, Reiko, Meowth, and Arbok started to charge at Buzz. But unfortunately for them, Buzz didn't like being interrupted during his mealtime and let loose a powerful thunderbolt at the two girls and the two Pokemon causing them to fall flat on the floor. "Thanks Buzz", called out Cameron, "I guess you're really on our side after all." Buzz only replied by shooting a small thundershock at Cameron and then went on with his electric feast. "I guess the only side Buzz is on is his own", said Brock. "Shall we talk discipline now?" Stella asked a shocked Cameron. Team Rocket slowly got on their feet where they found themselves surrounded by our heroes, each with a Pokemon out. Cameron had Sandy whom he had just cured with a paralysis heal potion, Misty had her Starmie, Stella had her Tangela, Jenny had her Growlithe, Seymour had his Wartortle, and Brock released his Onix. Just then the ferry started to sink. "Brock, Onix is too heavy!" shouted Misty, "Call out something lighter quick!" "Sorry", said Brock, "Onix return!" He sucked the huge python back into its ball and released Vulpix instead. "Lickitung, I choose you!" shouted Jessie as she released her long tongued friend. "Give it up", said Jenny, "Or my Growlithe will have to go rough on your poor Lickitung." "Go ahead and send your little fleabag", laughed Jessie, "I dare you!" "Growlithe, take down now!" commanded Jenny. "Lickitung, slam attack!" commanded Jessie. Lickitung quickly shot out its tongue completely slamming Growlithe onto the deck knocking him out. "GROWLITHE!" cried Jenny as she ran over and cradled her poor pooch. "You're looking at Licky", laughed Jessie, "The fastest tongue in the west. Let's see who else might be faster." "Vulpix, use your quick attack now!" commanded Brock. But it wasn't quick enough for Vulpix also got slammed as well. "Sandy, try using your swift attack", commanded Cameron. "Shrew!" said Sandy as he started throwing his swift stars at Lickitung, but it managed to catch them all in its tongue and throw them back at Cameron and Sandy. Sandy quickly curled up while Cameron ducked down just as the stars hit the nearby wall. "Buzz, use your thunderbolt on it now!" Cameron called out to his Electabuzz who was on the other side of the ship. But Buzz was still guzzling up the generator's power ignoring Cameron's orders. Cameron sadly took out Buzz's Pokeball and sucked Buzz back in. He made an angry BUZZZZZ of hunger when he was forced to leave his meal. "Maybe I should save you for the electric wall", sighed Cameron, "If you'll actually be useful against it." "Stella, let's double team against this salivating slob", said Misty. "You got it", said Stella, "Tangela, vine whp!" "Starmie, double edge attack!" commanded Misty. Just as Tangela and Starmie were about to finish off Lickitung, it managed to knock Starmie away causing it to get tangled into the vines of Tangela. "Wow Jess, your Lickitung is really cool!" said Meowth. "Very impressive my queen", said Reiko, "I hope one day I will become a great trainer like you." "You wouldn't happen to be part vampire?" asked Meowth, "With all that sucking up you do?" "Would you like me to bare my fangs onto your hide?" grumbled Reiko. "You two can bicker later", said Jessie, "Right now it's time to give all these rebels a severe tongue lashing. Lickitung, do your stuff!" "Lickie!" shouted Lickitung as it was about to lash at our heroes. But then, a beam of ice hit Lickitung's tongue completely sticking it to the deck. "Nice ice beam Wartortle", said Seymour while patting his turtle's head. "War!" said Wartortle proudly. "That's gotta be painful", said Meowth as he watched Lickitung trying to pull its poor frozen tongue off the deck but with no luck. "Come on Licky", shouted Jessie, "Your tongue's not your only weapon. Show them all up with supersonic!" "LICKIE!" shouted Lickitung as it released sonic waves all over the ship while one of them hit the very top room where the control deck was. Just then, the ferry started to spin around very fast creating a huge whirlpool. "What's going on?!" shouted Misty while holding on to her Starmie tightly. "Those sonic waves have confused the ship's control panel!" shouted the captain, "I've gotta get up there and stop all of this!" But unfortunately, the captain got thrown back and landed face first in a very tight barrel. Our heroes quickly pulled their Pokemon back into their balls and held on tightly to the nearest thing that was nailed down. Bill had his long curly tail wrapped around the rail right next to Seymour who was also holding on to it. "I don't believe it!" said Seymour happily, "This is possibly my most wildest ride ever and I don't feel the tiniest bit sick! It's a miracle! Oh, how I love Jenny!" "I wish I could share your pleasure right now", sighed Bill who had other things on his mind like surviving. Team Rocket was holding on tight to Lickitung whose tongue was still stuck onto the deck. "That's it Licky", called out Jessie smiling, "You're gonna be the hero of his episode today!" But the force started to make the part of the deck that Lickitung was stuck to break off causing our villians to be hurled off into the horizon blasting off once again. Everyone screamed in terror as the little ferry started to sink deeper and deeper into the whirlpool. Cameron was holding onto the rail tightly with both hands and legs. He closed his eyes praying they'd all make it safe and sound. But then he felt some water touching his bottom, then his legs, his chest, his neck, and finally over his head. "Don't tell me this is a two-parter!" thought Cameron as he suddenly went unconscious. TO BE CONTINUED AUTHOR'S NOTE: Uh oh! What's gonna happen to Cameron and company now?! Will they get pulled down into Davy Jones's locker and be forced to wash his gym socks? Or will they discover the lost world of Atlantis and be displayed in an oxygen tank by the groups of fishmen? To find out, stay tuned for chapter 11! ;)