The small fairy Pokemon with the fancy hat dances about the room to evade the bursts of flame coming from Litleo and the pyrotechnic swirls of Litwick. This pirate ballerina lightly steps between panes of dusty glass veiled in mist as she closes distance.

My instinct is to call out one of my already exhausted Pokemon to help, but really this is Edgar and Dawn’s fight. This is part of the pokemon trainer experience.

Mawile swings the Honedge out by the sash attached to its hilt, Litleo has to dodge back from the sudden ranged attack. At the same time Mawile leans back, her black hair splitting to reveal the creepy jaw that snaps at Litwick. The glowing disney prop swiftly hops away.

The sword whips it’s sash, spinning Mawile around and tossing her towards the lion cub. Alright Dexa give me a play by play. My phone pings; “Swords Dance, Iron Head”

Litleo dodges again, Mawile let's go and flips to round house the poor kitten. Ping; “Play Rough”

Dawn yells out, “They’re separated, use tackle!”

Edgar calls, “Night Shade!”

Litleo gets in a clean hit as Mawile was recovering from the missed kick.

Litwick sends a skull of flames at the Honedge but it disappears into the mist. Ping; “Shadow Sneak.”

A cry from Litwick as it gets sent airborne by a sword piercing up from it’s shadow. Honedge slowly sinks back into the mist. Mawile is still showing off it’s best MMA moves while Litleo hops around and spits small bursts of flame to fend her off.

Edgar is on edge looking everywhere for the sword. He glances my way.

I shake my head, “No idea bud,”

A chill crawls up my spine.

Eddy yells, “Look out!”

I whip around just as a blade exits the wall behind me! Missing it’s target, it begins to reel back.

“Oh hell no!.”

I hop forward and grab the blade by the back and pull. Slowly I win the strangest game of tug o war. Once the hand guard is visible I twist the blade and grab the sword by the hilt. The strange squid like eye glares at me hatefully.

A ding rings out as I flick the blade, “Bad Pirate Sword, you’re going in timeout.”

I stab the Pokemon into the wall hard enough to bury the blade six inches. It struggles to break loose.

Making way, “That won't hold it long Eddy.”

He nods, “Wisp, Fire Spin!.”

The little blue candle creates a fountain of swirling blue flames that engulf the Honedge. Eventually the wall breaks but the sword just falls to the floor, it’s sash heavily singed and the blade charred black. Edgar tosses a freakin luxury ball!

On the opposite side of the room the Mawile is also worn out and trying to pat out the embers on her hat. Dawn also tosses a luxury ball.

Both pokeballs ping to signal success. Dawn picks up the hat and carefully crosses the room, tossing it to me on the way.

I brush the last of the soot off and plop it onto Eddy’s head, “Good fight kid, if you’re lucky Marius will let ya keep the hat.”

He rolls his eyes,”Somehow I think it’s not my style, I’ll leave the historical artifacts for the museum.”

Looking up at the rest of the sideways room, a four post bed is anchored to the wall, and on the ceiling is an old writing desk. The drawers are long gone but something is hanging from an attached candlestick.

I’m done climbing today, “Dawn, Can your snivy fetch whatever that is dangling up there?”

She gives me a scowl but complys. Snivy also gives me a dirty look.

It’s not my fault pokemon are so useful.

The vine brings the object to Dawn, she looks it over, “I think it’s a bell, made of some kind of jade.”

A gentle ringing fills the room when she gives it a flick.

… Nothing happens, not that I really expected anything to but there's still some disappointment in my adventurous soul.

Sighing, “Alright, let's get out of here and call,”

Some dude outside yells, “Who the fuck are you kids?!”

Of course. I look out the window on the floor. The dude is dismounting his submersible black jet ski while a massive Tentacruel is glaring away at the Sharpedo. Our visitor certainly looks like a modern day pirate with his blue do-rag and salt stained shirt.

He levels a net gun at Sealeo, “Doesn’t matter, I’ll just take that seal and send you to the Sharpedo. The big gal is always up for a meal.”

While I’m trying to think of a way to literally swing to the rescue with the mainsail rope I notice the water below start to spin. Ping; “Whirlpool”

Dexa is still active? Not the important point Kurt!

Below, the Tentacruel let's out a growl of warning. The whirlpool reaches it but the beast of a squid seems unfazed.

Pirate dude keeps the net aimed at Marius while looking over, “Aim an Acid Spray, force it out!”

A jet of black sludge sprays into the water but is quickly dispersed. Ping; “Dhelmise, Anchor Shot.”

A What?

Water geysers up as a massive anchor rockets into the side of Tentacruel! A chain of seaweed follows it up and begins to wrap the big squid. Ping; “Wrap.”

No shit, but here's our chance. I yell down, “Steal his ride!”

Jane doesn’t even hesitate, she grabs Marius and makes for the dive vehicle.

The pirate dipshit is caught unsure what to do, “Tentacruel Constrict that thing, and spray that bitch!.”

Oh shit!

Tentacruel tangles with the kelp and looks to spray the shoreline only to instead cry in pain. Ping; “Giga Drain.”

The two onshore reach the ride, the pirate fires his net but Sealeo sprays it away with a jet of water. Ping; “Brine”

Looking back, “Grab on, we’re taking the fast way out. Eddy put that pirate hat back on.”

Our favorite junior redhead steers close to the boat, Marius sitting behind her. I’m watching those hands mister.

Dawn elbows me, “Let's Go!”

I kick us off, first it's just the drop…, the rope snaps taught, we swing out over the open water, the rope frays apart before we even let go!

Splash!

Dawn and I pop up, Eddy is knocked out but floating beside us. The sounds of two massive Pokemon battling shake the cave, Zubat start swarming around the ceiling in fright.

Jane brings our ride over, “Kurt I don’t know how this thing dives.”

I pull myself up, there's only room for two, “Hop off Mario, grab Eddy and tie what's left of that rope to the cleat there.”

Thankfully the rich boy wakes up in time to grab the rope himself, with the three of them in tow I dive the vehicle. The tunnel out is narrow, I have to check my speed so as not to lose my tagalongs on the rocks.

Sunlight up a head, the end of the tunnel. Once clear of rocks the others let go and race to the surface, I take up Jane and I.

Everyone else is breathing heavy, “I figure we’ve got at least a five minute lead to get out of here.”

The others start swimming to shore while I check the compartments of the jetski.

Jane asks, “Should we get moving?”

Nothing is locked, the first one is empty, probably for the net gun or spare tank. I check for the box we found and see that Marius is actually trying to shove it into his bag.

“I expect to see that back at Steven’s place!.”

He seems confused, “You’re not staying here are you?”

Shaking my head, “That dude was clearly a bad guy, I’m taking this ride out around the coast to turn it in. I’ll meet you guys in a couple hours.”

I look back, Jane clutches the seat, “I’m staying with you.”

Whatever, I open the second compartment and let out a whistle. Inside are two nets filled with Pokeballs, Lure Balls, and one that’s set aside, carefully wrapped in a towel. I grab that one and leave the rest for later.

Jane peaks over, “I bet he was farming pokemon nests, that’s illegal. The net of empty balls were probably for all the Carvanha in the cave.”

She picks up one of the balls with the lit indicator and taps her phone against it. The stock dex voice, “Would you like to register this Corphish?”

Her eyes arch, then she looks to me.

I shrug, “Not like anyone will know, and you’ll need more water types later this year when we hit the east Hoenn cities. But let's get out of here first, you can do it on the way.”

The incoming tide makes navigating the narrow inlet tricky but nothing I can’t handle. Before we know it we’re zipping along the coast around the southern tip of the island.

Jane watches surfers enjoying the fantastic weather, “Hey Old Man, today...we’re on, like a real adventure ya?”

Hidden caves, pirate treasure, dangerous monsters, haunted ship, angry bad guy, daring escape.

“You bet kid, crazy aint it?!”

She laughs, “you know I spent most of last year locked up? Never saw much besides my cell and the fenced in exercise yard. The other brats talked about traveling across the country and stuff… but I never thought I’d be here. They used to push me around…”

Kiddie prison eh? “Well right now you’re on a ride along the beautiful island coast. Got your own Pokemon, got a job, got a handsome old dude looking out for ya. Forget those kids, they didn’t see you jack some pirate’s ride earlier or battle an Onix.”

A head rests against my back, “Shut up and drive Kurt.”

I laugh, “Bet miss princess would have been impressed. You can play things up for her later, I got your back.”

My joke earns me a light punch to the ribs.

Thirty minutes later and I’m talking to a coast guard ranger. He was skeptical at first but perked right up when I told him I was on contract from Mr. Stone with the Oceanographic institute. They impounded the dive jet but handed me all the unused Lure balls as a finder’s reward. Not sure what I’ll need 45 of them for, but I suppose I’ll pick up a nice fishing rod later.

Twenty or so Corphish will be returned to their seasonal nesting ground. The ranger said the pirate dude may have been a remnant of the old Team Aqua gang.

When we arrive back at Steven’s office, Marius is gushing over the jade bell we found.

“I’m telling you Mr. Stone, accounting for the carvings in that treasure room, this should be a Tidal Bell!”

I miss Taco Bell.

Steven sighs, “Something worrisome then. Welcome back Kurt, Jane.”

I give a lazy salute, Jane does a half assed, nervous bow thing. I chuckle.

Dawn chimes in, “Murry won't let us keep the hat, the bell, or the box itself but everything else is on the table.”

Figured that, “Well, way to spoil the fun, Eddy looked great in that hat.”

The boy chokes on his drink.

Mr. Stone, “As for the gold, and collectables, I welcome you to exchange them with me for their market value. Saves you the trouble of finding and dealing with an auction house or bank exchange fee.”

Jane clutches her backpack like a mother hen and her egg.

Chuckling, “This is definitely easier kiddo, and I’m sure Mr. Stone has better uses of his time than to short change a little girl.”

Reluctantly she pulls from her back the pearl the size of a coconut. Dawn falls out of her chair. What catches Steven’s eyes however, is the red gemstone I set on the desk.

He pulls a lens from his desk, “A Star Piece, ain’t seen one of these in over 10 years.”

I shrug, “Don’t tell me the price, I’m having it set in something.”

All told, I get 50k transferred to my account, Jane gets 75k. The girl padded her swimsuit with rocks...must have learned that in juvie.