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Pokémon Story

Brotherhood of the Bracken Sea - Part 2

By J.C. Solis

"Thar she blows!!!"

"The beast!! She be real!!! She be alive!!!"

"Ready the guns, boys! Hit it with the best ye got!"

And the arsenal was prepped with rapid pace. Black powder was loaded through the barrel of the dozen cannon on board, loaded with ammo that ranged from standard cannon balls to chains and even specialized ammo that was meant to cause as much damage as possible. One loaded, the men got their lighters and prepared to receive the order.

"Ready, captain!" shouted a sailor once all the men were ready.

And then the order was given.

"FIIIIIRREE!!!!"

Canon fire boomed along the ship's deck, and many pokemon moves were flung at the beast. The ships heavy arsenal of weapons was put to use as the cannons blasted at the beast, tearing huge amounts of flesh off as the shot and chain ripped through the beast and the monster then screamed in agony. But despite this, the monster continued on it rampage undeterred, still wiping out cannon and the men stationing them and dragging screaming pokemon over the rail.

"The beast!! The canons do nothing to her!! She be- AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

"Bloody Mercy!! She took Nigel!!!"

The Farstrider's guns gave all that they could, firing in continuous volleys, after which the men would then reload and fire again. But the firepower of one ship's weapons was not enought to match the might of one sea monster. An arm slammed along the front deck, taking out a gun while having crushed a crew member. Another punched right through the ships broadside - taking out another gun while pulling out a screaming sailor. The men tried their best to avoid the countless flailing arms and to not be dragged out to sea, but even the nimblest of sailors had difficulty maneuvering around the sea of tentacles.

Captain Maxwell tried to steer the ship as far away from the monster as he could, yet the vortex kept the ship from reaching away. The gale winds of the storm were not enough to wretch the ship from the gyre. The ship was trapped making contant circles around the enormous gyre as the monster slowly picked off his men. He grit his teeth as he turned the wheel as hard a he could.

"Come, you old wench!!" bellowed the captain. "I will not allow you to go break on me yet!!!"

Even as she groaned under the intense strain, the ship could not abide to her captain's orders. Though the ship wanted to obey, the gyre sucked the ship further toward the creature's maw.

Through the fray of flailing men and arms, Commander Davey made a run for the captain and was barely able to avoid a tentacle's grasp as he ran up to the wheel, ducking at the last second as a tentacle reached for him. He jumped onto a barrel and leaped over one with the added height, landing on a tentacle and hopping off of it before it could close. Davey then climbed up the stairs to the wheel to try and rescue the captain.

"Captain Maxwell!" panted Davey. "This beast be too strong! We will never win against her! We must abandon ship!"

"Not yet, David!!" shouted the captain. "We can save her! We can still escape! We must hold-!!"

"Max!" Davey grabbed Maxwell by the shoulders and shook him. "The Farstrider is lost! We be dead as well if we stick around any longer!"

A remembrance jolted Maxwell to his senses. "Jakey... Jimmy..."

The ship was being slowly smashed to bits. Already one of the ship's masts was ripped right off by a set of tentacles. The canons were doing little, if anything, to slow the monster. And the sailors had all but abandoned them to start fending for themselves. The flailing arms continued to mercilessly pick off the crew, and any object in their path was smashed to smithereens. A guttural groan was heard coming from the center of the maelstrom. The head of the ginormous Tentacruel appeared out of water. Angry red eyes stared right at the ship, a look of malicious fury and insatiable bloodlust.

Maxwell looked between the crew cowering amongst the rubble and the monster. Everyone on the ship was doomed unless they got off. But to do that spelled death as well, for then everyone would be utterly defenseless on the small boat against the monster's wrath. They needed to divert the monster's attention. And for that, someone had to stay on board.

"You be all dead if you go on that boat. Someone needs to distract the thing. Commander Davey," Maxwell said sternly. "Gather everyone who remains on the life raft. And when you all drop down, have the water types power the ship with their moves. A bunch of Hydropumps will blast you all away from here! I'll be staying with the ship and keep that thing away from you!"

"Captain!!!" shrieked the shocked Commander. "We cannot just leave you! You be throwing-"

"Did I make myself clear, man!?!" roared the Captain. "I will get this ship to safety by myself. The atolls be not far from here. But for now, get everyone on that raft before this old tub be nothing but splinters!!" The captain barked his last order. "And Davey. If I don't make it, tell my sons that I love them. That their captain will always be with em..."

He smiled before his best friend and crew mate, giving him a final salute.

"It has been a pleasure, Commander Davey."

The swarthy Poliwrath could only give the Captain a solemn salute in return.

"Aye! It has been a pleasure, Maxwell!" was his response before he turned to gather the crew.

Thee commander gathered all the men that he could, all while having to deal with the burden of a heavy heart. He knew that Maxwell was right and that someone needed to distract the beast, but what hit him the hardest would be the consequences of that act. The sailors who got on the lifeboat would be returnig to their families and friends on land, to see their loved ones once more. They'd get to see their parents, their wives, their children and the whole world again.

But in doing so, the captain would forgoe his own family, as his family will be of the ones that will never get to see their loved onces again.

In mere moments all those who remained gathered on the lifeboat of the ship. Davey had brought along with him some bags full of supplies and food, which they'd need both of if they were to make it back to shore alive. They slowly lowered themselves off the side of Farstrider. Captain Maxwell stared adamantly at the life boat as it started to sail away from him. Already they were doing as he told and used Hydropump to jet themselves far from the S.S. Farstrider and the monster. Once they escaped the clutches of the maelstrom did the captain turn to face his enemy.

"James... Jacob... I am sorry, lads. I'm afraid I will have to break this promise."

A tear dripped down his face before he gave the wheel a mighty spin. He hoped Commander Davey and his boys would forgive him for his lie. He had no intention of landing to safe harbor.

"Forgive me... Forgive me...."

The ship groaned as it lurched to its side from the jolt of the steering wheel being violently spun. The captain steered the ship hard to left and to face down, pointing directly at the monster. Maxwell tugged a cord that was beside the wheel, and the bronze bell tolled grandly as the ship began its assault.

"Do not cry, my lads. Do not shed tears for your fool of a father. Be strong and brave while I be gone. Take care of yourselves..."

The monster roared as the ship screamed further down the gyre, straight at the beast in this final and last attempt. The wind blew through the ship as the loose sails flapped uncontrolably. The bell tolled with greater fervor, the ship's bowsprit pointed straight at the monster as it roared at the audacity of this last ditch effort to sacrifice one life to save the many.

"Your father is always with you......"

The waves were gentle and the wind blew strong. The day was clear, not a cloud in the sky as the sun hanged at the very top of a what would've been a peaceful day of sailing.

But the sound of canon fire roared as two ship clashed with each other with great fervor. On the right was a ship with timbers black as smoke, the skull and bones jolly roger adamantly swaying over the dark pirate ship below. She was the Black Phantom, and her master was as ruthless as pirates were known as. To the left was a metal ship, made of fine stainless steel that glistened in the water and shined in the sun's rays. Despite the metal hull, this ship was like lightning on the water, dashing along the seas as it cut effortlessly through the water's edge due to its streamlined design. This was the world famous S.S. Everstrider, and its captains were mavericks in their own right.

The ships got closer together, and as soon as they were within shouting distance did the pirate ship lay out its demands.

"Give up now, ye spineless sea whelps!!" snarled the large Crawdaunt captain. "Lest we be deciding to make the sea yer grave and rip your hides to make our sails."

"You pirates are a bane to these water. Ever since that merchant ship you sank a while back you've been a pain in the arse to everyone," rebuffed an adamant Azumarill from the clipper, cloaked in a white trench coat and white captain's hat. "It's about time we've dealt with you."

This didn't sit well with the crawdaunt. "Ye dare to challenge the likes of me, Black Claw Lester, into a pokémon battle? I got enough men on to take the wee bit likes of you, and cannons that will tear that flimsy disgrace of a scrap heap ye be calling a-"

The pirate could barely finish when he had a splash of Water Gun hit his face. "You talk too much," said another Azumarill, wearing clothes the exact same clothes as his partner only in opposite colors; a black trench coat and black captain's hat. "I thought pirates were supposed to big and scary. All I see is an overcooked lobster with an attitude adjustment."

Black Claw Lester certainly didn't take the insult lightly, as he hopped around angrily and screamed profanities that were much too vulgar to mention.

"Good one, Jake," the white clad azumarill cheered.

"No problem, Jim. Just happy to oblige." said Jakey with a snicker.

"You dogs will all pay for that!!! And I'll personally get you two and make you into Sharpedo bait!!" roared Black Claw. "Men! Arms at the ready," and the pirate ship began getting ready for attack. "FIRE!!!!"

The ship boomed with the firing of canons and special moves, and soon the brothers decided to do the same. "We better start attacking now too, Jim."

"I agree, Jake," said the older brother before turning to his men. "All right, you scallywags! We're under attack and all you do is stand around like wooden posts!?! Get the guns ready, or start flinging shadow balls or whatever move you know. On the double!"

And the crew did just that. The canons were readied and special moves were being flung, as shadow balls and energy ball and hidden power moves and much more were lobbed towards each other. Once the canons were ready they too began to blast at the enemy.

Jimmy and Jakey had grown to become fine co-captains with a ruggedness that their father would've been proud of. And in the heat of the battle both captains kept cool and steady as their men proceeded with attacking. The two relished this moment of battle, almost as though this were just a usual occurrence. The Black Phantom lobbed hooks towards the Everstrider, in and attempt to pull the ships together and commence boarding the other ship. Those pirates that knew moves like Aqua Jet blasted themselves onto the other ship in an attempt to catch the other crew off guard. There was a loud bang when the ships touched each other, and Pokémon from both sides began to board the other, whether swinging cutlasses in swordplay or using moves to attack the other. And the whole scene was a mess of fighting and more fighting.

Lester was an indomitable character, with swings from his claws sending sailors flying off with almost sheer ease.

"Black Top Jacob! White Top James! Where are ye, ye scurvy dogs!"

"Right beyond ya, you ugly crustacean!" And the large crawdaunt turned around only to be hit by hard punches all over his body. Play Rough was supper effective against the dark type pokémom, staggering him and leaving him a daze after taking such a hit. "How's that for a scurvy dog!" taunted Jake.

But the taunt only served to fuel the fire, for the crawdaunt regained his composure quickly and in rapid movement swung his cutlass, barely missing Jakey's neck. To this, Jakey pulled out his own sword and began to duel with the large pokemom. The two swung and parried and dodged swings at each other, and between the two ships was a mess of pokémon beating each other senseless. But suddenly Lester made one final parry that ripped Jakey's sword right out of his hands. Weaponless, Jake could only dodge the moves and swipes by the pirate captain.

Backing away slowly Jake tripped over some random rubbish and fell down to the floor. At this, Lester let out a wicked cackle as started snapping one of his claws.

"Now you'll see why I am the terror of this part of the sea." Raising his claw up, Lester prepared the finishing move.

"Don't even count on it," said another voice before a torrent of pressurized water blasted the crawdaunt and slammed him onto one of the Everstrider's masts. The Hydro Pump came from Jimmy, just in the nick of time to save his brother's skin. And for poor Lester, the blast slammed on one of the ship's masts, and was enough to cause the sea pirate to faint.

"I oughta be thanking you for that!" said Jakey.

"Well that's why I'm here, little brother," said Jim as he picked Jake up off the floor. "It's my job to save your butt every time you get into things way overhead"

"Very funny," Jakey sneered happily. "You know, I was the one who softened him up a bit before you took him down."

"Bloody sea shells. The captain!!!" yelled one of the pirates

"He's fainted!" said another.

With Lester KO'd by Jimmy's Hydro Pump, the rest of the pirate crew surrendered at the sight of Lester out for the count. And so ended the battle between the two ships. The two captains began to lick thier wounds while the pirates were chained in shackles.

"Oy! But that was a tough one, Jim," said Jakey tiredly. "I thought for sure he was gonna get me."

"Well count your blessings to Arceus that you have an older brother to look out for you," Jim said as he ruffled Jake's head. Now came the task of radioing the sea patrol to pick up the captured pirates and their ship.

Serenity Cove never seems to change, a timelessness that emanated a homely feel through every plank and boardwalk. The water glistened as it splashed on the mighty port masts, still sturdy and never moving as they have always been since the days of Maxwell.

Black Claw Lester and his crew were now under the control of the Constable Guard, who were sure to lock away Lester and crew somewhere where he won't cause trouble anymore.

"Ho! What a big catch you two hauled in this time," admired Chief Constable Biggs the Ursaring. "Two pidgies knocked with one stone, eh? Not only did yah haul in that important shipment of spices, but to bring in an outlaw to boot! Goodness, you two boyos do got yer father's blood in you, all right."

"Nah. It was nothing. This guy wasn't all that or anything like the stories we've heard," boasted Jakey. "He was wimpy through and through!"

"A wimp? The pokémon who sank and plundered over a dozen ships this past year?" said Biggs. "And you two and your ship crew took him out like that!? Bloody mercy, Lord Arceus himself must a given you his blessing to have survived that."

"Nah, Jake just likes to flap his lips a lot," said Jim, to Jake's chagrin. "The fight was actually pretty hairy, to tell the truth. We got beaten up and bruised nasty, and Jake and I dodged a few nasty hits here and there. But in the end we came up top. Once we knocked out Lester, the rest of his crew whimpered out and lost the will to fight."

"I guess they whimper out when we knocked out their oh-so powerful captain," said Jake.

"Speaking of Captain," said Biggs.

Walking right onto deck from the patrol ship came the crawdaunt captain, battered and bruised and angry as ever. "Argh! You haven't heard the last of me, Black and White Tops!" roared Lester as he was taken away, his claws bound in chains and his legs in shackles. "Mark my words! I'll have me my revenge! And I make sure to have yer heads put on sticks to-"

Once again, the pirate was interrupted by a squirt of Water Gun to the face. "He does talk a lot," added Jakey.

Now back in port, the two brothers and their crew could finally rest at ease and relax until the next shipment was planned and needed transporting.

The once Marill and Azurill tykes had grown up to become dashing sailors, with quite a reputation already developing in their nicknames: Black Top Jacob and White Top James. Like father like sons, the two have become the spiting image of their father and his glory and fame. But now back home, the two brothers had only one place in mind to go visit. Heading off port and into the residential streets, the brothers cut by familiar shops and familiar friends - who congratulated and cheered the brothers as they passed - to the place where someone very important to them awaited.

In a small cottage in front of a children's park was the house of their mother, and Maryann herself was sweeping the steps that led to her front door.

Upon catching glimpse of movement she turned around and faced them, a smile then forming on her face as her two sons proudly walked up to her. "Back again, hmm boys?" Said the elderly Azumarill as her boys went up to hug her. "My precious darlings have returned. Safe and sound once again. I've been worrying so much for you two to return."

"Don't be worrying so much, Mother," said Jakey. "You know that me and brother here are tough enough to handle everything the seas can throw at us," he chuckled as he finished his boast.

"Mind brother's boasts, Mother. Jake still got his lips flapping worse than a loose sail," added Jim.

"That I've known for a long time, Jimmy," said Maryann with a chuckle. "But I'm glad you two are back here safe and sound. It's been over a month this last voyage. How goes the Everstrider? You two take good care of her?"

Jim removed his cap to scratch his head. "That old tub cruises like a dream. Me and Jake always make sure to keep it engines in tip top shape. She is a tempest on the water, she is."

And Jim was not just boasting around. The S.S. Everstrider is the first of its kind - a steam powered ship that also sails the winds. When the winds were slow and unreliable the Strider would lower its sails and cruise through with its steam engine. When the winds were heavy and strong, the engine would be shut off and prepped for next use.

"I see," said Maryann as she put aside her broom. "I've been hearing all the gossip talk of you two catching some pirates."

"Well believe it, Ma," said Jake. "We really did as the rumors said we did. Both pirates and spices were delivered on time and in record pace," he finished with a smile.

"But pirates, dear Jacob?" questioned the worried mother. "Did you two really have to face pirates like that? Was there no way to escape them?"

"Pirates are like Joltiks on an electric type. They cling to you and won't stop till you're hunted down," explained Jim. "We had no choice. We had to fight them."

"Well then. You can tell me all about your adventures inside. I made crumpets stuffed with pecha berry jam, and I've got a nice apple pie waiting for you just inside!"

Sounding very delicious the two brothers went inside to enjoy the medley of food that their dear mother had prepped for them. The house was dusty and rustic, not fallen disrepair but showing age and wear. But the smell of homemade cooking wafted in every corner of the house. In the dining room were exactly what Maryann had said she had made. Crumpets and assorted berries were laid on the table, and at the very center was a large pie, still steaming since it was pulled out of the oven.

"You made all this, mom?" gasped Jakey. "Why yes I did," confirmed Maryann. "I may be getting eon in age, but your dear mother has still got the strength to be making sweets and treats when it comes to cooking."

All three sat at the dining table and the brothers ate till their bellies could take no more. Like any true sailor, they began telling their mother sailor's tails about their adventure and the events that took hold. Delivering a load of Cherri berries to a far off port town, returning home with the refined Cherri berry spices, their clash with the pirates. The brothers and their mother went on through the evening recounting the events of town as well as the sea - what happened to whom, what this Pokémon did, a wedding, a funeral - a whole host of gossip and happenings at the cove. And all three sat there, enjoying each other's company and listening to each other talk.

Before they knew it, nightfall had come, and the sound of happy kricketots and kricketunes chirping in a beautiful symphony of sounds.

"Wow, it got late rather quickly," notes Jim. "Will you boys be spending the night here?" inquired Maryann. "I've kept your rooms clean and fresh till you'd arrive."

"When you say it like that, it kinda forces us to oblige, Mom," said Jake wryly. "Can you blame a mother for loving her children so much?" smiled the aging Azumarill.

"We might as well. We already left any loose over at the docks. I don't see why we can't stay," reasoned Jim. "Then I guess it's settled," agreed Jake. Maryann grinned even more.

The whole lot got up from their seats and headed off to their rooms. Jake opened a door to see his childhood bedroom right in front of him. Toys and baubles still lined the walls, as well as paintings and photos. The one that caught Jake's attention the most was that of his father, immortalized in color photo standing in front of the S.S. Farstrider. A slight tear began to trickle down Jake's face. Jakey never got used to seeing photographs of his father, the grief building up inside as he tried to look away. Even in death, Maxwell still conveyed his aura of strength and valiance.

Finally able to turn around, Jake hopped onto his bed to see if a night's rest can heal his aching body and recover his spirits.

But the night was restless for poor Jakey. He was still shaken over how Black Claw Lester came this close to almost killing him had Jim not saved him when he did. Jake took a while to ponder over how the battle came as it was. No one was killed in the fight thankfully, but a lot of the men took really big hits and are still in recovery, Jake and Jim included.

Jake wondered what his father would have done. Would he have tackled the pirates head on? Would he jump into the foray, cutlass and moves at the ready, and attack? Would he come out victorious if he did? These questions, sadly, will never get an answer. And Jake started to feel foolish over thinking these. Sleep was what he needed, and sleep he must if he wants to go back to the port and search for the next job.

He wondered if his brother was thinking the same as him. Jimmy was always more level headed than he was. Maybe he's asleep by now, snoring with a filled belly and dreaming of the sea.

For now, Black Top Jacob could only reflect on these and more. Sleep would have to come in its own time.

The storm still pour with its fury, with winds that sounded like howling banshees, and rain that pour endlessly without end. The raft was thankfully tarped overhead, so at least it staved off most of the rain from the crew. But as to morale, the crew of the Farstrider were wet, spoken, and as miserable as can be.

"Maxwell, you bloody fool," muttered Commander Davey as the raft bobbed and swayed on the water.

"The captain," said one of the sailors in the raft. "Will he be all right?"

"He said he would steer the ship to the nearby atolls," responded Davey. "But I know in my heart that he is gone," he solemnly.

"Who's to say that monster won't come after us, too!" said Cadet Seamus frantically. He was shivering from a mix of both fear and the cold.

"You think that beast might come at us, Seamus?" ask a worried sailor.

"Enough talk!" barked Davey. "That monster won't be coming at us so long as Maxwell does his part. And I want no more talk of the monster and-"

"How can you be so smug and sure about that?" challenged Seamus. "Face it, man! We be dead, too! Nothing will stop that beast from coming here and-"

The cadet was interrupted with Davey's slap to the face. "Keep it together, sailor! Right now our plan is to make the trip back home. Keep your mouth shut, lest I toss you in the water myself!" he barked.

The whole raft fell silent. And there was silence for a long while, until one sailor broke the silence.

"But commander, which way is home?" said a bewildered sailor.

To this, Davey pulled out a map and other nautical equipment out from a large bag at his side.

"Believe me, men. We'll make it back home. We'll not let the Captain's sacrifice be at vane."

And so the crew of the Fastrider could hope that they would return home in peace. Though no one was sure as to the fate of their dear captain, one thing was for sure: the Bracken Sea monster exists.

Now no one was safe in those waters...