[h2][center]Return to Hoenn:[/center][/h2][h3][center] S.S. Libra - En Route to Slateport City[/center][/h3]

The large ocean liner swayed gently on the sea. The weight of the ship, its build, and the calm of the water precluded the occurrence of motion sickness. A silver primer ball, followed by two regular pokéballs, were affixed to the waste of the young girl who sat perched restlessly on a box. It was a reasonably large wooden crate that could easily support her weight. The crate, the child, and the whole ship was bound for Slateport City. The S.S. Libra was a cargo liner, rather than a cruise ship, and so there was very little to do to keep her mind occupied. Though she originally caught the ship from Rustboro City to Gateon Port with a load of materials from the Devon Corperation. But now—having departed from Gateon Port—the cargo on-board (and her along with it) was now destined for the Slateport Marketplace. The particular box she was sitting on was labeled in big block letters of the impact font: Volcano Incense. According to the crew it smelled like the upper reaches of Mount Battle from whence it came.

[color=#318CE7]"Sorry about this, miss."[/color] one of the sailors offered, between sips from a mug, and in so doing disturbed Sarah from her thoughts [color=#318CE7]"We don't get many passengers so the amenities aren't so, uh, amenable."[/color] The sailor, and the child, were both on the deck of the ship watching the waves go by. One was sipping coffee to nurse a hangover while the other was fidgeting with cheap toys. The two had been introduced the night before at the Krabby Club by Professor Krane's assistant who helped Sarah secure passage back home.

[color=#FFC0EB]"I'm sooo booored."[/color] Sarah sighed as she flopped onto her back and kicked her legs over the side of the crate.

[color=#318CE7]"I've got a couple pokémon, miss. Ya'know for defense."[/color] the sailor said as he set his coffee down on a nearby table. [color=#318CE7]"If ya'like we could have a battle."[/color] While Razzle and Dazzle would be a tough act to follow it was the least the sailor could do to entertain the ship's only guest. Though, it was generally considered bad form to engage in a pokémon battle with a stranger with nothing to offer the winner and, while the sailor drank his salary, the child spent her winnings on memorabilia. So, this contest would have to be one for the sport of it.

While still on her back the child leaned her head 'up' looking down from the sky to the man. [color=#FFC0EB]"A double battle?"[/color] From what she was told double battles were more popular in the Orre Region than they were in Hoenn, and with her mind she wrenched the two normal balls free from her trainer's belt, while digging her Pokémon Lens free from her trousers. 

[color=#318CE7]"Sure, why not?"[/color] the sailor said as he pulled two pokéballs from his own belt. [color=#318CE7]"I picked these up on the job. They're a bit rare where I'm from,"[/color] the sailor denoted with a mark of pride as he threw his pokéballs into an open space on the deck, [color=#318CE7]"and we don't often have opportunities to train with real trainers."[/color]

Sarah grinned as her Zigzagoon and Oddish hit the deck in opposition of a Wingull and Swablu. Her lens chimed in with [color=cyan]"Sailor Matt would like to battle!"[/color] before reading out the information regarding the pokémon on the field before the battle actually began. And, it indeed began with earnest.

[hider=Lens Report]
[quote]Wingull: Water/Flying
It makes its nest on a sheer cliff at the edge of the sea. It has trouble keeping its wings flapping in flight. Instead, it soars on updrafts rising from the sea by extending its long and narrow wings to glide. This Pokémon's long beak is useful for catching prey. 

Wingull has the habit of carrying prey and valuables in its beak and hiding them in all sorts of locations. This Pokémon rides the winds and flies as if it were skating across the sky.

In the winter, it hides food around its nest.[/quote]

[quote]
Swablu: Normal/Flying
A Pokémon that has wings like cottony clouds. Swablu loves to make things clean. If it spots something dirty, it will wipe and polish it with its cottony wings. If its wings become dirty, this Pokémon finds a stream and showers itself. 

This Pokémon is not frightened of people. It lands on the heads of people and sits there like a cotton-fluff hat. After enduring winter, in which little food is available, Swablu flocks move closer to towns in the spring.[/quote]
[/hider]

The child pointed at the opponent's first pokémon and gave imitate directions to her own Oddish: [color=#FFC0EB]"Sweet-Pea! Open with Spore!"[/color] Then, to her zigzagoon she added [color=#FFC0EB]"Ziggy! Odor Sleuth the Swablu!"[/color]

[color=#318CE7]"Not so fast!"[/color] the sailor shouted back, [color=#318CE7]"Staypuff use astonish. Gulligan use wing attack."[/color]

The four pokémon collided in the make-shift ring. Both of the sailor's pokémon dove head first into Sarah's own pokémon. As the Wingull's wing lanced across the oddish's face, it's head virtually exploded in a white fog. Sailor Matt clinched his fist with excitement: [color=#318CE7]"Super Effective!"[/color] before the Wingull's flight ended in a crash landing that had the bird skidding across the deck. Meanwhile the Zigzagoon's odor sleuth failed as the impact from the Swablu left it reeling. 

The single attack from the Wingull had left the Oddish fairly messed up but with it asleep the battle shifted in Sarahs favor. It was now two against one. Well, one and a half against one. Sailor Matt grit his teeth and issued orders to his Swablu before berating his wingul [color=#318CE7]"Staypuff counter with sing! Gulligan, wake the hell up!"[/color]

Not having any of it, Sarah countered with a [color=#FFC0EB]"Not so fast!"[/color] of her own before adding [color=#FFC0EB]"Ziggy counter with quick attack. Just keep it from singing."[/color] The zigzagoon flashed across the battlefield and delivered a claw to the throat of the Swablu and forced it to retreat. [color=#FFC0EB]"Sweet-Pea, use Leach Seed,"[/color] the child ordered her Oddish which produced the seeds and fired them into the Swablu's path. 

As the seeds connected and the first bout of vitality was stolen from the Swablu, Sarah declared victory: [color=#FFC0EB]"It's over."[/color] She offered the sailor a chance of honorable surrender by explaining the situation. [color=#FFC0EB]"Even if your Wingull wakes up before we finish your Swablu, my Ziggy is just too fast. I'm not going to let you land another flying move on my Sweet-Pea."[/color] Sarah pointed to the sleeping pokémon with her left hand. [color=#FFC0EB]"If you fight offensively I'll burn you down in a two versus one match.[/color] she then pointed at her oddish to make a point [color=#FFC0EB]"If you fight defensively, I'll will whittle you down with status effects."[/color]

Sailor Matt laughed as he considered her offer. [color=#318CE7]"That's pretty good for a kid, but I think I'll take my chances. Staypuff use safeguard, and follow with growl."[/color] 

It was at this point that the battle changed direction and became an almost one on one fight. With each passing moment the zigzagoon and the oddish's attacks weakened considerably to the point that it took several more tackles and magic leaves to take down the Swablum but by this point the Wingull had woken up. [color=#318CE7]"Staypuff, I know you're tired, but use Mist."[/color] Sailor Matt ordered his swablu, and in its final exasperated sigh it did. As a result, a thick mist rose up from the ocean and swept over the field, and promptly thereafter the swablu crashed into the deck before being recalled. [color=#318CE7]"You were smart, kid. Smart, but unlucky. Gulligan use Areal Ace."[/color]

The wingull flapped its wings and a single powerful blast of air ripped through the mist. [color=#FFC0EB]"Ziggy! Intercept with quick attack![/color] Sarah shouted, and without hesitation the zigzagoon blinked into the path of the blast. Unfortunately at the moment of impact the bubble of condensed air broke into several rays of violently agitated air and streamed around the zigzagoon to connect with the oddish. 

[color=#318CE7]"Again!"[/color] Matt called to his Wingull.

[color=#FFC0EB]"Magic Leaf!"[/color]

The blade of arboreal energy slashed through the wind energy but failed to disrupt it. Weakened, and intimidated by the Swablu the Magic Leaf was no match for the Areal Ace and Sweet-Pea was K.O.'d. The remaining battle was an all out slug-fest as the two remaining pokémon blinked all over the ship, both performing consecutive quick attacks on the other, both trading blow for blow, but the damage had already been done. The swablu had effectively weakened the zigzagoon which would have otherwise been an even match for the wingull and a slow and brutal beat down preceded to be dished out to the Adamant never-say-die zigzagoon.

Minutes rolled on before the Wingull eventually returned to his trainer; victorious—if only just. It brought with it the unconscious body of the zigzagoon and dropped it on the deck at Sarah's feet before returning to Sailor Matt and perching on his shoulder.

[color=#FFC0EB]"I don't get it..."[/color] Sarah sighed dejectedly as she returned her pokémon to their balls.

[color=#318CE7]"Ya'fought good kid, but never underestimate the power of luck, and the value of personal sacrifice."[/color] Sailor Matt reached down and scooped up his swablu. [color=#318CE7]"Sometimes its enough to just be able to soften up an opponent. To be the distraction that helps someone else win. To give your all even when you know it's not enough."[/color] 

In the distance the mariner bell rang signifying that the S.S. Libra would be docking in at Slateport City momentarily.

The worldly sailor gave a last bit of wisdom before returning to his station. [color=#318CE7]"If ya'learn nothin' else let it be that there ain't no shame in defeat. Its the fighting that matters."[/color]