Chapter 22: Seaport Bay! Home of the Ships!

Running and running...and more running. Footsteps one after another are all Iris can hear from her and the others, along with some few heavy breathing here and there. The Dragonite eventually makes her way to the exit, gasping in awe at the sight she's looking at. "Whoa..." She says, feeling quite stunned as the others catch up to her.

The crew gazes at the sight as well, their eyes widening in amazement. "W-Wow..." Mark says, shifting his bow behind him. Everyone sees a huge scenery ahead of them: a beach area. Multiple trees are on their right while the ocean is on the left. There are a few buildings here and there, mostly shops or houses. Many Pokemon are chatting with each other and roaming around the area as well, even some of the Water types are relaxing by the area within the aquatics.

A brown sign can be seen by the Zero Cave, with the words 'Welcome to the Seaport Bay! Where ships are made and sailed!' on it. A few dozens of seagull-like creatures with simplistic eyes, two triangular tufts on their heads, and long flat wings are sitting on the sign conversing with one another or some even sleeps on it: Wingull. There's also a huge statue everyone can see in the foreground, being far off from the bay. Cerise tilts his head curiously at it, mystery cluttering his mind with thoughts and questions.

Hmm? That...statue. I can't quite see it clearly but something about it, makes me feel...strange. He thinks, blinking at the unrecognizable statue.

Iris looks at the sign and lifts her brow in confusion. "Eh?" She says, realizing what the sign said. She then takes her eyes onto Mystery. "Say, I thought you said this was a town?" She asks, scratching the side of her head confusedly.

The Sceptile blinks for a moment as he stares at the sign himself, raising his brow in confusion. "Oh? I thought this was a town when me and the Units got here...In fact, I didn't even realize there was a sign here." He says, shrugging afterwards.

"Well I been trying to tell you this place wasn't a town ever since we got here." Ebony says, folding her arms afterwards.

Mystery looks at the Grovyle. "I see...Then again, the Seaport Bay does look somewhat similar to a town, from the looks of it. So I can understand my mistake."

Ebony sweatdrops as she squints her eyes at Mystery. Great. Another moment where the adults don't consider thanking the young for their correction... She thinks, looking ahead of her with a stern expression spreading throughout her face.

"Man, what took you guys so long? And who are they?" A female says in a sassy tone, catching everyone's attention. The group look ahead to see two creatures being by a wooden house. One of them is a cat-like weasel with narrow red eyes, yellow oval markings on her forehead and chest, and white claws: Sneasel. And the other is a mushroom-like bipedal with kangaroo features on his body, red claws on his hands and feet, and has a green mushroom-like cap: Breloom. The Sneasel is waving her arms at the group while the Breloom admires the habitat around him, adjusting his black backpack behind him.

The crew and the Units all look at the two Pokemon, Ebony rolling her eyes in response to their appearance. "We went through some trouble along the way, Fiona." The Grovyle says, staring at the Sneasel.

Fiona, the Sneasel, puts her hands by her hips. "Normally the Savior Units would've taken care of their business by now." She replies, smirking at the Grovyle.

Ebony glances at her. "Hate to break it to you but we as Pokemon suck. Get used to us messing up."

"Not with that attitude, Ebony. You're making it sound like we're bound to become failures." Gonel says, joining in the conversation.

Ebony closes her arms and grips them, sighing softly. "Nobody asked you..." The Grovyle mumbles underneath her breath, leading Fiona to giggle at her. Mystery turns his attention towards Iris and her crew.

"Everyone, meet Fiona the Sneasel and Brad the Breloom. They're also a part of the Savior Unit, too." Mystery says calmly.

"Really? Jeez, that makes up, um..." Lucas pauses for a moment to point at the Units, counting them one by one. "Six of you guys!"

"Actually, it's seven. You're forgetting about silent boy over there." Fiona says, snickering as she points at Leon. Everyone turns to the side to see Leon returning to the group from the palm trees, munching on a Mago Berry in one hand while carrying another. The Blaziken then raises his brow at the group, peculiar to why they're staring at him.

"Ah, I didn't even know he existed!" Lucas states.

"Same here..." Ashen replies, scratching the side of his head. Leon squints his eyes at the two before sighing and shaking his head. The crew then introduces themselves to Fiona and Brad afterwards, Brad nodding firmly while Fiona smiles in glee.

"A pleasure to meet you all. I'll have you know that if you were working for the Savior Units right now, you would be stacking cash." The Sneasel says, rubbing her fingers together to stimulate money in her hand.

"Oh? And why's that?" Lucas asks, curiosity sparkling in his head.

"Haha, glad that you asked." Fiona turns to the side and folds her arms, closing her eyes. "You see, I was raised in a rich and wealthy family. Meaning my family has no problem giving me things I want."

"Oooh you're so lucky, mate!"

Fiona giggles before continuing to speak. "And that's not all: My family was so rich that they were on the same level as the government in the wealth department."

"Wait, how's it possible for them to be on the same level as the government?" Anna questions.

"Yeah, I agree. I was told that it's impossible for anyone to be on the same level as them." Iris follows along, scratching the side of her head curiously. Fiona opens one eye at the two Pokemon.

"Ah yes. I was thinking the same thing. Until I found out that my parents were working for the government all along." The Sneasel waves her hand around, having the other hand by her hip as she has both of her eyes open. "And ever since I learned that fact, I always wanted to work with the government. It gives me at least something to do in life."

"That makes sense." Lucas states, nodding at the Sneasel.

"After much trial and error, I eventually got the chance to work for O.P. along with meeting the Savior Units and having Units get paid more than usual because of me." Fiona then looks at Ebony and sticks her tongue out playfully. "You're welcome, by the way."

"Don't sweat it." Ebony rolls her eyes while folding her arms.

"Huh. Maybe I should consider joining the Savior Units." Lucas says excitedly. The whole crew slowly looks at Lucas, giving him a look of discomfort because they're, well, pirates. Enemies to the government. Lucas quickly realizes that fact and sweatdrops. "I-I mean, if I were interested into such, hehe..."

Brad steps in front of the Sneasel. "It takes a lot of dedication, willingness, and hard work to join the government, especially the Savior Units." Brad explains in a calm yet serious tone. "You'll have to sacrifice multiple breaks for training in order to even be considered a member. That's how Fiona and I make it to the team."

"Y-Yikes! Sacrificing multiple breaks!? Sounds like something we experienced in the Cloyster Kingdom!" Lucas exclaims.

"Yeah..." Ashen agrees along, leading him and the rest of the crew to sweatdrop.

Cocoon sweatdrops as well, feeling embarrassed due to him knowing that he's the cause for that. Sorry...He thinks in his head, whimpering softly.

"While what you guys experienced was forced work, what we experienced was optional. We don't have to work for the government. We choose to." Mystery states. "As long as we put our best of efforts and willingness into the trainings, we'll have a higher chance at succeeding."

Fiona looks off to the side and shrugs. If only brother succeeds... Fiona thinks before taking her attention back onto the group, letting her confidence covers her actual feelings.

"Speaking of the Cloyster Kingdom," Mystery walks toward Brad, showing the Breloom the shiny shell-less Cloyster. "Mind calling one of the government's leaders to send in soldiers and give us a ride?" The Sceptile asks.

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Brad nods, setting his backpack down. "And why's that?" Brad responds.

Mystery looks down at Cocoon, noticing the unsure look on his face. "Because this man committed a crime in the Cloyster Kingdom for the longest time. The crimes include: Having one town be in poverty in favor for another and cruel/unusual punishments. Reason being the death of someone close to him."

Brad looks at Cocoon, seeing the Cloyster looking down as he unzips his backpack. "I see. Another one of those 'crimes caused by the past' criminals, it seems." The Breloom says, getting his Caller out of the backpack. "I'll call the leader right away."

"Thanks, Brad." As the Breloom proceeds to call the government on his device, Fiona walks besides the Grovyle and smirks.

"I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I personally find beauty in not evolving." The Sneasels, taking her eyes onto the crew.

Natalie raises her brow. "Really now?" She says, interested in the Sneasel's words.

Fiona looks at the Zorua and bows. "Why of course, dear." She then arch her back and puts her claw against her face, revealing a dramatic pose to the group. "I see not evolving as the true way for a Pokemon to become stronger and faster. Plus, you get to keep your adorable looks in your unevolved stage." She then looks at Ebony, grinning deviously. "Unlike some folks that want to gain unnecessary powers, sacrificing their looks and other attributes along the way."

Ebony stares down at the Sneasel, glaring menacingly at her. "Evolution is the way to get stronger and faster, for your information." The Grovyle states, folding her arms. "Besides, looks shouldn't mean anything when it comes to gaining strength."

"Ha, funny. Last I checked, you wanted to evolve so that you can become 'cooler' and 'stronger' than before."

"I was weak and pathetic. I had to train hard enough to even exceed past my unevolved stage."

"Riiight. Meanwhile, I trained as hard as you did yet I managed to remain as my unevolved self AND still joined the Savior Units afterwards."

Ebony reveals a 'what the heck' look on her face as she frowns. "That's because your rich and privileged family gave you access to the government just like that." Ebony says, snapping her fingers to prove a point. "At least be grateful that you made it to the top instead of bashing others for choosing to evolve."

Fiona's smirk immediately turns into a frown as she folds her arms. "Oh wow. Just because I was raised under a rich family, doesn't mean I don't have to work as hard as you do! Besides, of course I'm grateful for this job because the government themselves are picky, regardless of whether or not I'm rich!" Fiona yells at the Grovyle, leading to her and the Grovyle glancing at each other. Everyone sweatdrops at the two, surprised by the drama being caused from them.

"Whoa there! And I thought the argument we had with Iris a few days ago was bad!" Jimmy states, shielding the Mudkip behind him from the two Pokemon.

"Did you really have to bring that up?" Iris says to Jimmy, shrugging awkwardly. Mystery gets beside the Sneasel and Grovyle, patting them on the shoulders.

"Now now you two. There's no need for bickering over this nonsense. Okay?" The Sceptile says. Fiona and Ebony continue to glance at each other before looking away, both making a loud 'hmph' noise.

Soon, a loud male voice alerts everyone's attention. "AT LAST! A NEW SHIP IS BORN!" The voice shouts in a audio-like tone. Iris happens to be the first beaming her way direction towards the voice before the others. Everyone sees a crowd of Pokemon within the middle of the bay, surrounding a wooden board.

"Did that...announcer say ship?" Iris says.

"I believe so, Ir-" Anna pauses for a moment to notice the Dragonite already taking off running, sweatdropping before catching up to her. "Dang it, Iris! At least warn us beforehand!" She yells as the others follow her along.

On the wooden board contains two creatures: One being a cyan-colored shrimp with a large blue claw and a single black stripe on each other his body segments, the other being a cyan crustacean with two yellow antennae on top of his head and having yellow round eyes. They're known as Clawitzer and Clauncher. The Clawitzer is holding a megaphone with his big claw while the Clauncher is holding up a sign saying 'A new ship is ready to sail!'.

"EVERYONE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS SHIP, FOLKS! AS IT IS READY TO SAIL AT ANY MOMENT!" The Clawitzer shouts through the megaphone in a upbeat tone, leading the audience to cheer in joy. "THAT IS ALL FOR OUR DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY! MAY DREAMS CONTINUE TO SET SAIL!" The Clawitzer laughs with joy and pride, causing the crowd to cheer once more.

As the folks begin to go along with their business, Iris manages to stop in front of the Clawitzer, panting heavily. "H-Hey...s-sir!" She says, panting more and more. The Clawitzer and Clauncher both stare at the Dragonite confusedly.

"Huh?" The two say.

"You mentioned a new ship, right?" Iris catches her breath to talk properly. "Where is it?"

"Apologies, ma'am. But the ship isn't ready yet. The ship craftsmen are still developing it. Although, it is close to being done so it'll be available to use pretty soon." The Clawitzer says, smiling at the Dragonite.

Iris groans heavily, revealing a grumpy look on her face as she looks to the side. "Dang it!" She says, the crew and the Units catching up to her in time. Iris turns toward them, folding her arms. "Looks like we'll have to wait a little longer on this island. The new ship isn't ready, unfortunately."

"That's a bummer." Anna says, sitting down on the soft sand.

"Tell me about it." Iris sighs, shaking her head in disbelief.

Ashen walks towards the Clawitzer. "Are you perhaps the mayor of the Seaport Bay?" The Linoone asks calmly.

The floating shrimp shakes his head. "Why there's no mayor in this here bay. Only law enforcers patrol around this area to ensure everyone's safety." He says, seeing some Bisharps and Victreebels with blue hats roaming around the place. The group notice the officers as well before the Clawitzer continues speaking. "Mind telling me why you asked?"

"Oh. Well it's because we were hoping if there was a leader here to help us understand this place a little more. Apparently, that's not the case here." Ashen shrugs.

"I see." The Clawitzer salutes to the group. "The name is Draven. And this is my cousin, Udep. We're the announcers for the ships being produced on this bay. All you needed to know about the Seaport Bay is that it produces ships and there's multiple versions of them out there."

"Hello!" Udep, the Clauncher, says happily in a adorable tone, waving his claw at the group excitedly.

"Huh. You don't say?" Iris says, putting her paw against her chin.

"Indeed! My siblings are currently in other Seaport Bays as we speak!" Draven looks up at the sky with confidence, putting his smaller claw by the side of his body. "My family tasked me and Udep to become the best announcers we can be. Keeping the title of 'The Most Energetic Announcers' alive and well for many generations to come."

"Yep! Big cousin's dream is to appease everyone as excitedly as he can!" Udep exclaims, shifting from side to side. "And I wanna grow up to be just like him!"

Ebony scratches the side of her head while raising her brow. "I mean, it's just you shouting through the megaphone about ships. No need to be too excited over that." She says.

Gonel laughs next to her. "Oh silly you. Motivation is motivation regardless of what type of job it is." The Dusknoir states in a optimistic tone.

Fiona elbows the Grovyle. "Yeah, 'silly'." She follows along. Ebony rolls her eyes at the two and folds her arms, staring at the two Pokemon on the wooden board.

Draven chuckles at the group, enjoying the commotion going on. "Well anywho, me and Udep will be on our way out now. Stay tuned for our upcoming announcement. Which should happen probably tomorrow or so." He says, caressing his shrimp-like mouth as if they were moustaches. "Depends on the ship's development, really."

Lucas snaps paws. "Gotcha, mate." He says, attempting to act cool but comes off as awkward. Gonel, Mark, Natalie, and even the Mudkip chuckle at the Furret as everyone else shakes their heads at him. "What?"

Soon, Draven and Udep depart from the board and head towards a standard size house by the cliff next to the sea. There's also a seaport next to the house, containing a large building filled with Pokemon socializing with each other while ships are being built in the background. Iris and the rest of the crew soon look around the bay cluelessly. "Well then, what should we do while waiting on the new ship to be developed?" Jimmy asks. The Dragonite shrugs at him.

"Rent a home, I guess." Iris says in a unsure manner. She then sees a shop next to Draven's home. The shop contains a phone-like device as the logo, displayed big enough for her and the others to see. "Um...What shop is that?"

"Why that's the Caller Shop, Iris. It sells...well, Callers." Mystery answers. The whole crew looks at the Sceptile, their eyes widening in surprise.

"THERE'S A SHOP THAT SELLS CALLERS!?" The crew yells. The Mudkip and Grovyle yelp from the yell, Ebony being the one covering her ears.

"Yes. My brother just stated that not too long ago." She says, uncovering her ears while glaring at the crew.

"Oh boy, time for me to get myself a new Caller!" Iris says before reaching behind her back, noticing that there's nothing there. "...Oh right. My bag was taken away during the whole Cloyster Kingdom madness. Uh..." She turns to her crew. "...Please tell me you guys got it back."

"Well I ha-" Mark pauses for a moment to realize that he only has his bow. "...Nevermind..."

Iris facepalms. "Well shit. We'll be roaming around homeless, now!"

"Not quite." Gonel says before reaching inside of her stomach. Everyone looks to see the Dusknoir taking out a familiar white bag.

Anna tilts her head confusedly. "Wait, how did you get our bag?" She asks.

"Well, I noticed it lying on one of the concretes before I held Sheer captive. And it's been trapped in my void of a belly ever since then." Gonel explains, giggling to herself as she hands the bag to Iris. "You're welcome." The Dragonite becomes hesitant to take the bag, slowly reaching out towards it. "It's not wet or anything. Promised."

Iris takes the bag and feels its dry yet soft features, sighing in relief. "Okay. Thanks for finding it for us!" She says. Gonel nods before Iris turns towards the crew. "We're getting ourselves a Caller first before renting a place to live, fellas!"

"Yay!" Mark, Natalie, and Claire all say, excited to finally relax after a long while of endless madness.

Cerise looks off to see a big house besides the forest, with a Clefable holding a sign saying 'For Rent' in front of the house. "Say guys, I found us a home we could stay in afterwards." The blob says, pointing his tail at the house. The crew looks at the direction before staring back at Cerise.

"Thanks for the heads up, Cerise." Iris says, putting her bag on. Cerise nods happily as Mystery smiles at the crew, seeing how ecstatic and lively they are towards everything happening to them.

"Alright. Me and the Units will head off to our temporary home until our ride arrives. Take care, everyone." Mystery says, him being the first to head towards the wooden home from earlier before the rest of the Units do. Mark waves his paw at them.

"You take care as well!" Mark shouts in joy.

As the gang proceeds onwards to the Caller shop, Cerise stops in place to notice the statue from earlier, seeing it a bit more clearly than before. "Hmm?" He says, looking at the statue in the far distance. He sees it resembling a humanoid body in a attacking pose. Unfortunately, he couldn't see the colors from it due to the fog making it hard to see. That...statue. It just seems...so familiar to me. Cerise thinks, staring more longingly into the statue.

The blob eventually rushes off towards the others, focusing his mind on the crew for the time being.

End of Chapter 22.