Ch 53. The way on sea

(Unedited)

[A/N: As requested, Ares's Pokemon line up as of present.]

[Lucario (Shiny), Umbreon, Pidgeot, Pikachu, Clefairy (With Prof. Oak right now), Horea (With Prof. Oak), Lapras, Beldum (Shiny), Charizard, Mew)

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Sitting at the dinning table, the Oak family and Ketchum family had gathered together. As the weather was rather pleasant, it was decided to eat outdoors in the backyard, Delia and Mr. Mime having already started lighting up the barbecue. While Delia was preparing the ingredients, Mr. Mime was chopping up some vegetables to make into skewers. The whole activity being a bit odd as the vegetables and knife were seemingly being chopped on an invisible table.

The only ones absent from this little get together were Red, Blue and Daisy, as the latter was off on a trip with her friends. Blue was visiting Red, who was observing the ecology of the Pokémon in Alola. A recording of them sneaking up on a skulk of vulpix and Ninetales had been shared, as well as a picture of Red with his Entei. Seems like Red had won the bet.

Samson Oak, the cousin of Professor Oak, had requested someone to help him, as there was a major disturbance at Mt. Lanakila. A new totem pokemon was about to appear, in this case it was amongst the skulk of Ninetales inhabiting Mt. Lanakila.

Blue had been all too happy to rush after Red on this request as well, as he wanted to challenge Red again to another pokemon battle. He wanted to see how strong the newly caught Entei truly was. Especially since he had caught Raikou.

This was all shared by Leaf, who looked like she was used to it. Her face had the typical 'I wish they would grow up' look on her face. Yet she seemed glad they were doing just fine, calling them idiots as she had watched the recording over and over again.

While the two younger boys were gulping down the food, Leaf had gone off to finish packing things. Ares and Jenny were leaving tomorrow towards Cinnabar Island, giving Leaf a jumpstart as she hurried to look over the bags for a final time. In the time they were eating lunch, tasting the delicious food Delia and Mr. Mime were making, Leaf had gone up and down the stairs multiple times, adding all kinds of things to Ares's bag.

"Ares, did you pack everything? Are you sure you have everything you need? Don't forget to pack some extra undies. Bring another toothbrush as well, as you often lose it. Maybe a raincoat for when it rains.... some socks.... swimming trunks....don't forget..."

Leaf continued naming a few things, which Ares managed to zone out from. This had happened the day before he left on his journey as well. This was the fourth time she was going over the essetials list, with each time another thing was being added.

Every essential thing had been packed already. Everything his mom was saying now was only adding to his baggage. He did appreciate her attentiveness though, as it felt really nice to have someone care about you this much.

"I have everything I need, don't worry mom."

Ares reassured Leaf, who just sighed and began to make some lunch to take with them. If he had everything, he shouldn't worry about an empty stomach tomorrow. It might be a bit early, but Ares would surely forget it if she made it the next day. Luckily Delia seemed to have thought the same as she and Mr. Mime were already roasting a few things on the grill.

"Where are you going next?"

Ash said as he finished his last bite of food, rubbing his stomach which was bulging from the meal. Gary perked up as well, listening intently. He needed to know about these things as well, as he would go out on a journey in the future as well. It didn't hurt to have as many reference materials as possible.

"We're going towards route 21. Once we pass that, we should be able to arrive at Cinnabar Island. I heard the trip would take a while though, as the sea currents are strong at this time of the year."

Ares recounted, showing the map of the region on his phone.

Pictures of the area were shown, as well as the restless sea Ares and Jenny would be crossing. Ash gulped audibly, shrinking back a bit in his chair. If it was him, he would definitely take a boat, as he wasn't certain his Horsea would be up to the challenge to even carry him past a few meter. Horsea was too small to even try. Maybe if it evolved? No no, even then...

"Not to worry, I have my trusty Lapras after all. She will carry us across with ease."

Ares stated, calming Ash's nerves a little bit.

"Besides, we are going to take it a bit slow, as Jenny wants to catch a water-type pokemon for her team. There should be plenty inhabiting route 21."

Jenny nodded along, already naming a few of the pokemon that were sure to be there, such as Tentacool and Magikarp. While a lot of people didn't think much of Magikarp, it was an undeniable fact that it would later evolve into a Gyarados. Who doesn't want a strong pokemon like Gyarados?

"Send me some pictures of the Pokémon you will capture on the way. I'm sure there are a lot of strong ones out there."

Ash exclaimed, as he brought up pictures of Tentacruels and Cloyster. He seemed more attracted to the fierce evolved forms of the pokemon.

Ares laughed at Ash, not responding to him as the latter used his rotom phone to search the Pokénet for other water-type pokemon Ares might encounter.

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Early morning Ares and Jenny had departed, being driven to their current destination, arriving at the sea after a short hour by car. Lucario had dozed off, as it decided to catch up on some sleep, even if it was only for a short while. So when the car stopped, Lucario hopped out, a bit more energized than before.

"I will hear from you within a week, you hear me Ares Oak?"

Leaf all but growled, making Ares promise her.

Leaf nodded, now in a happy mood, as she drove back home.

Calling out Lapras, Ares, Lucario and Jenny climbed on her back.

Lapras happily nudged Ares's face, excited to travel with him again.

"I'm happy to see you too girl. We'll spend a lot of time together for the couple of days."

Ares gently patted her head, as Lapras thoroughly enjoyed the touch.

After a short explanation of where they were going, Lapras departed, singing happily. She was glad to be out on the sea again, as the salt water splashed on her shell.

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Evening came, as Ares and his company decided to take a small break. Lapras didn't mind, as she only enjoyed the merriness all the more as Ares and Jenny had changed their clothes and jumped in.

It was a bit uncomfortable, as Jenny kept insisting he had to go in first, as she needed to get changed.

Only thinking she was a bit weird, he just shrugged and dived in.

He had a few respirators in his bag, which came in handy now that they were out on sea. Thank you very much mom.

With Lucario following closely after him, they both dove down and swam to their hearts content, exploring the dark sea below.

Feeling the water sway behind him, Ares looked over his shoulder, seeing Jenny had jumped in as well, waving at him as she came closer.

So, where did would they go. Further down, or going up?

Ares pointed downwards, swimming further down.

The rest soon followed as their surroundings became darker and darker.

All around them pokemon were swimming about. Pokemon such as Staryu, Magikarp and Tentacool were a common sight. When a group of Tentacool passed by, Ares and the others made sure they stayed far away from them, as a group of Tentacool would mean there were more than a few Tentacruel present as well.

It is an aggressive pokemon that would ensnare its pray and inject poison in them through its tentacles, a big overlord known as the gangster of the sea.

As only Lucario was capable of fighting right now, Lapras having remained on the surface to bask in the sun, they had to stay clear from any dangerous pokemon.

Pointing towards the deeper water, they moved farther away from the Tentacruel and Tentacool colony.

With the darkness on the point of consuming them, they stayed on the edge, just where they could see their surroundings. The gaping darkness was a bit too intimidating when they didn't have the appropriate pokemon with them.

Swimming around, dots of light were bobbing up and down.

Swimming a bit closer, they recognised the group, consisting of Chinchou and Lantern. Sticking close to the Lantern, just below them but in the range of their light, were Shellders. They moved forward with their heads facing backwards, being propelled forward by the opening and closing of their shells.

Spotting the three different pokemon, Jenny's eyes were darting around in excitement. She would love to catch a Shellder or a Chinchou. There was always danger in using fire-type pokemon, as they were prone to set things ablaze.

It would be perfect for her to have a water-type on her team, should such an occasion arise.

Letting Jenny decide on her own, Ares watched on from the side, seeing her swim down towards the Shellders. Positioning herself in their blindspot, the direction they were swimming in, she held a pokeball in hand. As Shellder wasn't a pokemon prone to attack others, slamming its shell shut and retreat rather than attack, Jenny wouldn't have to battle it if she timed it well.

As the Shellder got closer, Jenny reached forward, tapping the pokeball barely on its shell, having underestimated its speed for a bit. It was fast for such a small pokemon.

While the rest of the group fled in all directions, Jenny just waited as the pokeball in her hand began to flash. Jenny was excited, but a flash of light behind her made the hairs on her back rise.

A Lanturn had turned around, poised to attack.

The rest of the Lanturn, Chinchou colony had moved on, leaving Ares and Jenny to the Lanturn that stayed behind.

Jenny looked panicked towards Ares. She didn't have a pokemon to battle the Lanturn, her life was currently in danger.

Seeing Jenny panic, Ares pointed at the pokeball Jenny had in her hand, which at some point had stopped flashing. Jenny had succesfully caught the Shellder.

Calling out Shellder, Jenny mumbled the few moves she knew Shellder had, hoping it would listen to her. New pokemon were always unaccustomed to orders from their new trainers, making it hard to coordinate in their first battles. Even more so when she had only caught the Shellder but a second ago.

"Ice Shard!"

The words were barely audible, existing more in the form of bubbles than sound, but Shellder clearly heard the command anyway.

With Shellder using its move on Lanturn, clamping its shell shut when attacks were sent its way, Ares and Lucario had moved behind the Lanturn, trying to stay out of its sight.

With every attack Shellder received, it successfully defended, though its stamina took a nosedive. With Shellder tiring out, Jenny once more began to worry on how to get out of her current predicament. She was fortunate Lanturn hadn't used any electric attacks...yet.

Then she saw Ares behind the Lanturn, Lucario having already formed a swirling ball of aura.

"Aura Sphere."

With its back to Ares and Lucario, the Lanturn was hit at the back of its head, the lightbulb on its head flickering softly.

Turning its weakened gaze towards its opponents, Lantern decided to leave, but not before it left a final 'gift' so to say.

Slapping its tail repeatedly, a whirlpool was forming around it, sucking in everything surrounding it.

Lanturn quickly fled, leaving its opponents trapped in the watery vortex as it returned to its group.