Cherreads

Chapter 114 - The Sudden Appearance of Green!  

Just as Ryuuske needed someone to take the blame, the assembled dignitaries also needed a scapegoat—a definitive explanation for this disaster. While they might have been furious enough to pin the blame on Lt. Surge, Ryuuske, or Ash, reason held them back. 

Lt. Surge, as the Vermilion City Gym Leader, wielded significant influence in Kanto. Crossing him was unwise. As for Ryuuske and Ash, their terrifying combat prowess had just been on full display. These elites had no desire to provoke such powerhouses—especially after witnessing firsthand that true Pokémon battles were nothing like the choreographed exchanges of competitive arenas. 

Trainers who commanded such overwhelming strength were not to be trifled with. If pushed too far, they could easily drag their enemies down with them. The richer and more powerful a person was, the more they feared death. Self-preservation alone ensured they wouldn't recklessly assign blame. And relying on the Pokémon League? That was a joke. The League had always functioned more as a credibility-based organization than an actual governing body. 

In this regard, Trainers were the polar opposite of these elites. Trainers had strength, wealth, and influence—yet they feared death far less. Every successful Trainer had clawed their way up by staring mortality in the face. 

Team Rocket was the perfect scapegoat. And upon reflection, the passengers began to suspect that this had been Team Rocket's doing. They had recently carried out a terrorist attack in Vermilion City, causing massive casualties. Now, they had tried to sink the S.S. Anne, drowning the world's elite and—most likely—plotting to seize their assets afterward. 

The more they thought about it, the more terrified the dignitaries grew. Many resolved to "donate generously" to the Kanto League upon their return, if only to pressure them into cracking down harder on Team Rocket—even if just for show. 

With the blame settled, the ship remained in chaos. Ryuuske, having had enough, commandeered the ship's PA system from a crewmember and barked out orders: 

"All Trainers on board—deploy your Pokémon immediately! Water-types, extinguish fires! Fighting-types, clear debris! Grass and Psychic-types, use Vine Whip and psychic abilities to stabilize the hull! Fire-types, melt and fuse broken metal—even if you can't weld properly! Ice-type moves—freeze breaches in the lower decks to slow flooding!" 

"...And ignore the fires below! Wild Pokémon will handle them soon—it's in their nature!" 

The S.S. Anne fell silent for a moment—perhaps stunned by Ryuuske's commanding presence, or simply relieved to have clear direction. Regardless, both novice and veteran Trainers began mobilizing their Pokémon under his orders. In this world, where Pokémon could achieve the impossible, Ryuuske half-believed they could patch up the ship well enough to stay afloat. Even if the engines were dead, he could always have Mewtwo push the damn thing with psychic power. Twenty thousand tons? No big deal. 

With organized efforts, the situation stabilized swiftly. True to Ryuuske's prediction, wild aquatic Pokémon soon appeared, helping douse the flames—a natural instinct, much like forest-dwelling Pokémon aiding in wildfire containment or Grass-types replanting scorched earth. It was a harmony unique to this world, where Pokémon and nature coexisted seamlessly. 

As for Ryuuske? Injured and exhausted, he leaned against the wall, unmoving. Dragonair nudged Caitlin aside with its head, nestling into Ryuuske's lap. Where Dratini had once coiled around him, Dragonair's head alone was now nearly as large as his torso. 

He ran his fingers over Dragonair's smooth, azure-Green scales—unlike the rough hide of most Dragon-types, its skin felt almost liquid to the touch, though closer inspection revealed microscopic scales. 

Gabite had already been recalled, its injuries severe enough to require a Poké Ball's stasis to prevent further harm. 

Ash eventually shuffled over, having recalled Pikachu and Poliwrath—the latter in critical condition after enduring a Thunder and mustering a final Ice Punch despite exhaustion. That sheer willpower was a testament to the bond between Ash and his lifelong partner. 

Ash glanced guiltily at the frantic repairs. He couldn't help but admire Ryuuske's quick thinking. 

Back during the fight, I was too fired up to think straight… We basically blew up the S.S. Anne together. And this is the world's largest luxury liner—worth 150 billion! 

Thank god someone else took the blame. 

"Your Everstone..." 

Ash handed back the Water Stone he'd borrowed. 

"Without this, Poliwrath might've died back there… If that happened, I don't know how I'd live with myself." 

His voice was heavy with remorse. 

Such was the bond between Trainers and their Pokémon—especially those who had grown up together. Losing one due to their own mistakes could drive a Trainer to madness. 

"I should be thanking you," Ryuuske said, ruffling Dragonair's crest-like horns and wing-like ears. "If your Poliwrath hadn't blocked Electabuzz, Caitlin and I would've been done for." 

Ash opened his mouth to reply—when footsteps cut him off. Both Trainers tensed, eyes snapping toward the sound. 

A girl approached them. 

Ryuuske frowned. Her? 

It was the same girl who had bumped into him at the casino two days ago—the one Caitlin had gotten jealous over. 

Caitlin, recognizing her too, narrowed her eyes warily. 

The girl stopped before them—and suddenly tossed two objects their way. Ryuuske and Ash caught them reflexively, only to freeze in shock. 

Orange League Badges—the Thunder Badge! 

"You earned these," the girl said with a playful lilt. "Green here went through a lot of trouble stealing them from Lt. Surge's cabin!" 

Her voice was teasing, familiar to Ryuuske but utterly bewildering to Ash. 

Then, the skin on her face began to shift. A Ditto peeled away, revealing her true features as she yanked off her wig, shaking out her hair with a flourish. 

A stunning, mischievous face grinned back at them. 

"Green?!" 

Ryuuske hadn't expected to see her here. 

"Told you we'd meet again soon, handsome~" 

Green giggled, bending forward with a coy smile. Then, as if remembering something, she flicked a glance at Caitlin—before abruptly grabbing Ryuuske's chin and kissing him. 

Not a shy peck, but a deep, possessive, claiming kiss. 

Ryuuske, caught off guard, could only sit there as Green took what she wanted. 

When she finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed. She wiped her lips, grinning triumphantly.

To be continued…

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