After a week of traveling our heroes have arrived at Vermillion city. On the way our hero has been joined with two more Pokémon on his journey.

----- Ash PoV -----

"Oh, I can't wait to see the Pokémon which will hatch." Laura squealed.

"That was such nice of Melanie. I hope she is doing fine with professor Oak. She seemed happy when I asked about her helping Prof." I said.

"By the looks of the egg it may be an egg of vulpix. It'f fire type Pokémon which evolves onto ninetales by fire stone." Brock said.

"Yeah it is a vulpix egg."

"How do you know for sure ash??" Misty asked.

"I have learnt under prof. for a long time so I can identify them."

"You had a such good mentor I see."

"Yep he is the best."

"hey guys look, we finally arrived at the Vermillion Pokémon center. I can't wait to meet nurse Joy!!" with that brock made a beeline to the counter.

"oh boy here he goes. You are up misty"

With that we went in to see brock kneeling down in front of Nurse joy holding her hand and trying to convince her to go on a date. Misty ran upto brock and dragged him away by ear.

"Nurse Joy, can you please check our Pokémons."

"Sure, Chansey take them for check-up."

Chansey came and Pikachu sat on the stretcher, Honedge floated and I kept rest of the pokeballs on in box.

Just then a boy with Ratata came in running with another Chansey.

"Again" Nurse joy said angrily. "Surge needs to learn to show some mercy."

"who is Surge??" I asked with curiosity. He seemed pretty though and famous. But on the other hand, he seemed to be a kind of person who hurt Pokémon intentionally.

"He is the Vermillion city Gym leader. He has a powerful Raichu which he evolved from the Pikachu as soon as he caught him. He literally destroys anyone who challenges him."

"At last a worthy opponent. No offence brock was good but, he could have been better if he his siblings didn't hold him back."

"You seem like a challenger. You better be on your guard; he doesn't waste any chance."

Just then Chansey came with Pikachu Honedge and other Pokémons.

"I wanted to ask but how come you have more than six Pokémons??" nurse joy asked with suspicion in her tone.

"Well I am a field researcher also. That's why."

"hey guys I need to send Clafairy back to mom along with zubat and Scizor."

"Why Scizor ash?? He is one of the strongest you have."

"Scizor because he will train them. Besides I think that mom will like to have some company with Eevee and clafairy."

"So, ash who are you keeping with you??"

"I will keep Togekiss, Lucario, charmeleon, Pikachu Bulbasaur and Squirtle. I have told Scizor everything about the training. Others will be training hard for they will also get chance. You can go wander around don't stop your selves for me."

They went to roam in the city. When I was finished with transferring the Pokémons it was already afternoon. I called mom and talked a bit. I also told her about me and Laura. Told her there was more things that I wanted to talk but can't tell her on phone. I decided to train for I didn't know how strong Surge was. When I got back, I saw Laura and others.

"Hey Ash" Laura called. "Nurse Joy gave this to us."

She handed me a parcel. 'It's from Lance' she telepathically told me.

I never had a parcel from Lance before whats with this one? I thought. I opened it. Inside I saw four tickets and a note.

'dear Ash,

We have found some suspicious activity on S.S. Anne. These are tickets for you and your friends. I would like you to investigate.

How we found out doesn't matter.

Wish you luck on first mission.

Lance.'

'Looks like we have some insects to crush'. I said and grinned.

"Mom, certainly knows what we like. Hey guys my mom sent us some tickets for SS Anne. I hope you like the idea of traveling by ocean for some time."

"Really!! I always dreamed to travel on the SS Anne. I even made it's model when I was little." Misty forgot that we were in Pokémon center and cried out loud. Next thing we know that all the trainers in there were glaring at us.

"I won't mind traveling by it. I would like to meet new water Pokémon and maybe catch a few to understand their habits." Said Brock.

"Well then it settled. Tomorrow after my gym battle will go there." I announced.

"I see you want to challenge the gym." We turn around to see nurse joy coming towards us with a box. "Recently I came across this thunder stone. And you happen to have a Pikachu. You should have it if he wants to evolve."

"Thank you Nurse joy, and I'll leave it on you buddy where to evolve or not."

We decided to call it a day and went in our rooms. I told Laura that I told mother about our relationship. Laura was a bit afraid that mom won't approve it for she being a Pokémon, but when I told her that she was happy for us. Laura felt as if she in the seventh heaven.

Next day early in the morning we went for some special training. We worked on speed of Bulbasaur and Squirtle. Laura also trained to maintain her mastery over power. Lucario, me and Greninja spared for an hour. Ponyta kept running in circles to maintain his stamina. Pikachu practiced his thunder bolt on bolder finally shattering it into pieces. Beedrill learned drill run.

We were ready for my gym battle. At Pokémon center brock and misty were waiting for us in cafeteria. We quickly took shower and came for breakfast.

"So, Ash, ready for next gym battle??" Brock asked.

"I am as ready as ever."

After a delicious breakfast made by Nurse Joy we headed towards the gym.

Gym was like a big fortress with lightning bolts on Its doors. We entered the gym. The only source of light right now was the door. Our elongated shadows trailed in front.

"Anyone here. I'm here to challenge the Gym."

"Hey there boss there is one more challenger for you to crush." A large, tall man, who has yellow short spiked hair and a slight tan skin came to view. He was wearing a large dark olive green openly military button shirt which is rolled up into small cuffs, with black pants and boots. He also wearing black fingerless gloves, with some iron buttons on the edge, as well as a army token necklace around his neck.

"I am here for the thunder badge."

"I see that you have Pikachu. I were you I would have evolved it right away." He said. Arrogance was clear in his words.

"Alright baby let's get started."

"you are going to regret calling me a baby." I growled back.

"Oh, will see about it angry baby."

we made our way to the battlefield. It was just an empty battlefield not like Misty who had water in the field or Brock who had rocks.

"This will be a one-on-one battle between the Vermilion city gym leader Lt. Surge and challenger Ash from pallet town. The match will be over when either sides of Pokémon is unable to battle."

"Raichu lets show them."

My hand made way to Charmeleon's ball, but Pikachu jumped on the field.

"You want to battle buddy??"

'I want to show him his place' that's what I heard.

"Alright let's do this."

"Let the battle begin."

"Raichu use mega punch."

"quick dodge it! Now volt tackle."

Raichu's fist glowed white as he charged a punch towards Pikachu. Pikachu dodged the punch and ran towards Raichu. Electricity surrounded it's body and hit Raichu hard in his stomach.

"Your Pikachu sure has power. But you won't win keep him down with your tail."

Raichu swung his tail catching Pikachu in its gap and slammed him hard on the ground.

"now mega punch"

"counter it with focus punch."

The fist colloid causing a shock wave which vibrated the glass at the roof.

"now body slam"

"quick attack to get out of there."

Raichu used his body weight to keep Pikachu down, but Pikachu escaped just in the nick of time.

"Raichu lets finish this with thunder!!!"

Raichu gathered all the electricity he had and sent it towards Pikachu with lightning bolt. Attack caused all glasses at top to shatter and created smoke all over the field.

"This isn't over yet. Pikachu give them a THUNDER BOLT!!!!"

Through the smoke a lightning came in sight with a surprise not giving Raichu to time to move. As the bolt struck Raichu he cried in agony.

Smoke cleared and revealed a panting Pikachu while on the other Raichu laid on the field with swirling eyes.

"Raichu is unable to battle Pikachu wins! So the victor is Ash from pallet town."

"That was a nice battle young man." Said Surge while having handshake.

"So, I grew up huh?? That's funny" I said with a chuckle.

"This is thunder badge. This is the proof of your victory at Vermillion City Gym." He said while handing me the badge.

{Thunder Badge}

We went to the Pokémon center to heal Pikachu.

"We still have time till 1pm. What should we do?" Laura asked.

"I think we should go early and have a nice view of every thing."

"I agree with Misty. We can spend some nice time knowing water type Pokémons and finding someone beautiful for me." Brock said the last part with hearts in his eyes. Only to take a mallet in his head from Misty.

"Have some dignity as a Gym leader for yourself brock. And I hope you will learn to respect woman while we travel."

"Fine by me. Maybe we can have a break after all the training." I said

"Alright lets go." Laura said enthusiastically.

We reached the cruise and were out of words to describe it. Ok I have lived in palace but this was something different and huge. We roamed around after a hearty lunch as the ship lifted its anchor.

It was pleasant all over except for few people who looked suspicious. But hadn't done anything so I wasn't allowed to jump at conclusion.

On the horizon the sun was setting as a beautiful Milotic jumped out side the sea. It was a beautiful view. I was railing on the side as I felt embrace from behind. I looked over my shoulder to see Arceus.

"long time ashy"

"Well I am free but you aren't"

"So, what we can at least have nice talk at night but you just go to cuddle with Laura all night."

"Sorry honey I promise to spend nice time with you too."

We leaned in. the sun was bright orange at the other side making a romantic situation. Our lips were about to touch when there was a commotion from inside.

"Worst timing ever. I gotta go. Can't let innocent people to suffer right." I pecked on her lips and left.

---- 3 PoV ---

Arceus jus stood there while looking at ash as he ran off the deck and towards the crowd.

"I at least hope he will pay attention to us afterall this mess is over."