The turbulent waves finally calmed as the Wailord retreated...
But the crisis was far from over. The Sharpedo pack launched an even fiercer assault on the freshly repaired breach in the ship's hull.
Caleb frowned slightly, glancing at the Goldeen and Staryu who were still struggling to hold the line below.
He turned to the sailors nearby and said, "Recall your Pokémon into their Poké Balls, now!"
"Huh?"
The sailors hesitated, confused.
"But your Dragonite can't fight underwater. If we recall our Pokémon, no one will be left to stop these Sharpedo…"
The defensive line in the ship's lower decks was already on the verge of collapse under the Sharpedo's relentless attacks.
The dire situation was broadcast across the entire ship:
"We can't hold on much longer!"
"Agh! We've got a leak over here! Glaceon, use Ice Beam!"
*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*
Amid the chaos came the violent of sounds collisions and the unmistakable groan of buckling metal.
Caleb didn't have time to argue. Without hesitation, he commanded Dragonite: "Use Thunderbolt!"
"Wuuu!"
Dragonite let out a resonant cry.
A surge of electricity erupted from the antenna on its head and spread across the sea like a frenzied storm of lightning. The current rippled through the water, illuminating the ocean in a blinding yellow glow.
In the blink of an eye, the entire area around the ship was engulfed in crackling electricity.
Then, as quickly as it had begun, the light faded. Silence returned.
The repair crews below deck exhaled in relief.
"Sorry about that," Caleb said to the sailors.
They quickly recalled their unconscious Pokémon, waving it off, "It's fine... we'll just give 'em some Potions later. You saved us back there! Thank you so much!"
Morris and Lily approached with Psyduck, Plusle, and Minun in tow.
"Onii-chan, you were AMAZING!" Lily's eyes sparkled like stars.
Caleb chuckled, "You did great too. Weren't you scared?"
Lily shook her head firmly and replied, "Nope! And I protected Little Red and Little Blue the whole time!"
"Pla!" "Mina!"
The two Pokémon nodded cheerfully..
"Good job!" Caleb ruffled her hair.
Dragonite flew back, and Mimikyu gave it a thumbs-up from under its Disguise.
"Thank you for your hard work, Dragonite." Caleb said.
Dragonite scratched its head with a dopey grin...
However, no one noticed as a ripple spread silently beneath the waves. A swift, shadowy figure shot upward from the depths.
*Splash!*
A sharp sound erupted from below.
The Alpha Sharpedo moved like a torpedo and slammed into Dragonite near the ship's edge.
With its jaws opened wide, and fangs gleaming with icy energy, it clamped down on Dragonite's right leg, dragging it into the sea.
"DRAGONITE!"
Without thinking, Caleb vaulted over the railing, but Mimikyu was faster.
A burst of pink energy flared around Mimikyu as it plunged after Dragonite.
*Splash!*
*Splash!*
*Splash!*
Three bodies hit the water in less than 0.3 seconds, too fast for anyone on deck to react.
Caleb knew how to swim... As he surfaced, he saw Mimikyu ramming the Sharpedo away with Play Rough.
Dragonite, now freed, looked shocked and worried. Ignoring the frostbite on its leg, it swam toward Mimikyu.
A minute later, the crowd on deck watched as Dragonite flew back up tucking one Pokémon and person under each arm.
It landed with an exasperated sigh.
Caleb, now drenched alongside his Pokémon, couldn't help but let out a muffled laugh at the sight.
"Pfft~"
Mimikyu was too exhausted to react... It was busy spitting out seawater in tiny bubbles.
Dragonite sat on the deck, soaked, with its tail drooping limply as it rubbed water out of its eyes with a chubby paw.
Just then, the captain emerged with the crew.
Before he could speak, passengers who had hidden in their cabins rushed over, demanding answers.
The captain sighed and explained, "We were caught in the middle of a battle between the Sharpedo pack and that Wailord. Thankfully, a brave trainer drove them off!"
His gaze landed on Caleb who was surrounded by the crowd.
Caleb was busy inspecting Dragonite's leg, where the Sharpedo's Ice Fang had left frostbite.
Morris stepped forward, then pulled out a Poké Ball as he assured Caleb, "Don't fret. It's just frostbite, nothing serious."
Then with a flash of white light, a Vileplume materialized beside Dragonite.
Morris directed his Pokémon, "Vileplume, use Aromatherapy!"
The giant red petals on its head trembled, releasing a soothing floral fragrance.
Gradually, the frozen bluish-gray skin on Dragonite's leg returned to its normal healthy green.
The captain approached and spoke solemnly, "Brave trainer, may I have your name? On behalf of the entire crew, we owe you our deepest gratitude!"
Caleb's right eyebrow twitched slightly. Then, with utmost seriousness, he declared: "No need for thanks. This is simply what any trainer raised under the Hoenn League's support should do!"
He paused before adding: "My name is Caleb... Caleb Chase. I'm from Oldale Town, currently heading to Slateport City's Pokémon School."
The thick-browed and earnest, though unfortunately dense captain missed the hint entirely. Instead, he was moved to near-tears:
"You… you're a true hero! Trainers with your integrity are rare these days! If everyone in the League shared your ideals, Hoenn's future would shine even brighter!"
By the end, he was practically rambling in excitement: "Thank you! Thank you! Let us strive together for Hoenn's glorious future!"
Caleb: "…"
He couldn't take it anymore. Recalling Dragonite and scooping up Mimikyu, he retreated to his cabin to change...
...
Meanwhile, the captain, buzzing with inspiration, rushed to the bridge and called headquarters:
"President Stone! The situation has been resolved! No need to send the Champion!"
"Yes! A passenger handled it. He had an incredibly strong Dragonite. Wiped out the entire pack of Sharpedos in one move!"
"His name? Ah, Caleb Chase! A new student at Slateport's Pokémon Academy, I believe!"
"He's such a GOOD man!" he gushed before hanging up.
On the other end, Mr. Stone pondered for a moment before dialing Steven.
After hearing the story, Steven (already en route) let out a relieved sigh.
"Perfect timing. I'm near Slateport's waters now. Caleb Chase, huh? Pokémon Academy… Got it. I'll pay him a visit..."
...
Unaware of all this, Caleb changed into some shorts and stepped back onto the deck just as the ship's horn echoed across the harbor.
The vessel slowed, easing into the dock. Slateport City had arrived...
~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~
~~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~
Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01