Time rewinds to the moment of the shipwreck.
RUMBLE—!!
Another violent tremor tore through the hull. The entire ship suddenly tilted at a steep angle, the world spinning as everyone slid several meters across the deck.
CRAAASH—!!
Explosions echoed from all directions. Even the structural supports of the cruise liner seemed to be tearing apart.
"So… did the heavens really gank me?" Apollo muttered, his brow furrowing deeply.
This kind of chaotic environment was not ideal for a pleasant robbery.
Damn it. This was supposed to be a top-tier luxury cruise ship—every minute of operation cost a fortune.
How did it end up feeling like it was made of cardboard? One reef and the whole thing was about to explode?
Scanning the panicked crowd, Apollo's eyes sharpened.
Cut losses. That was the priority now.
While the power was still holding, he grabbed the microphone and shouted:
"Listen up! This cruise ship is beyond saving. The only thing that can save you now is Team Rocket's exclusive rescue boats!"
"But seats are limited. Each ticket costs 300 million!"
The moment his words landed, the crowd erupted.
Three hundred million.
Ordinary Trainers wouldn't earn that in a lifetime—and even the wealthy here would be forced to empty nearly their entire fortunes.
Worse still, they were at least three hours from shore. Without boats or powerful Water-type Pokémon, jumping into the sea was practically suicide.
"Let's just kill that green-haired pretty boy and steal the boats!"
a Trainer suddenly shouted.
"Makes sense—take down the dark forces and achieve liberation!"
"He's got a point."
"+1."
In the next instant, the Trainers united, throwing out Poké Balls and releasing their prized Pokémon—
Rattata, Caterpie, Goldeen, and the like.
On the other side, Team Rocket grunts did the same.
Dozens of Koffing, Ekans, and Zubat appeared across the floor.
Clack—clack.
The two sides faced off. The sudden increase in weight made the already-tilting S.S. Anne lurch again, shaking violently as the hull creaked on the verge of collapse.
Apollo sneered and casually pointed forward.
"Houndoom."
Houndoom took a single step. Its killing intent condensed into visible black pressure, the aura of one Pokémon alone overwhelming dozens.
"D—Don't be scared!" a Trainer forced himself to shout.
"That big black dog is Fire-type! Attribute advantage says I've got this!"
"Squirtle, use Water Gun!"
"Squirtle, squirtle!"
The Squirtle leapt forward, blasting a blue stream of water. Houndoom didn't even dodge, letting the attack strike its flank.
Hiss—!
The water instantly vaporized into steam the moment it touched Houndoom's black hide.
Nothing happened.
When the level gap is absolute, type advantage means nothing.
"Hrrm…?"
Houndoom's cold crimson eyes locked onto Squirtle, its fang-filled jaws parting slightly.
"Squirtle…!"
Squirtle stumbled backward, scratched its head awkwardly, and retreated in a flash of red light back into its Poké Ball.
So this is Fire-type power… terrifying.
"D-Don't panic!" the Trainer shouted again.
"As long as we have numbers, we won't lose!"
"Right! Squirtle, Water Gun!"
"Goldeen, Water Gun!"
"Poliwag, Bubble Beam!"
Multiple Water-type Pokémon attacked at once. The streams twisted together, forming a massive blue column capable of shattering stone.
BOOOOM—!
But just before impact, Houndoom's eyes flashed.
A strange greenish energy barrier formed in front of it, effortlessly dispersing the entire attack.
Protect.
Apollo lost patience and spoke coldly:
"Houndoom. Use Snarl."
Houndoom threw back its head and roared. The sound carried terrifying intimidation, like a demon's howl from the depths of hell.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Dozens of Pokémon were driven back at once, primal fear gripping their souls as they fled into their Poké Balls.
The entire hall fell silent.
Apollo smiled in satisfaction and gave a graceful bow.
"Now then, ladies and gentlemen—please board in an orderly fashion."
Surrounded by Team Rocket Pokémon in front and Houndoom behind, the passengers finally abandoned resistance and lined up obediently.
Those who couldn't afford tickets were herded into a corner.
Any sign of movement, and Houndoom would leap in, tearing at them viciously.
In the end, they had no choice but to abandon the lifeboats—jumping into the sea instead, hoping to piece together floating debris and swim for land.
Team Rocket didn't care whether they lived or died.
Soon, the lifeboats were launched—each packed to the brim.
Ash's group, however, was treated as honored guests of Team Rocket.
They boarded for free—on a luxury lifeboat reserved for Team Rocket elites.
Ash and the others: "???"
Apollo looked at them as if they were insiders, leaving all four completely baffled.
Do we even know this guy?
But free rides were free rides. Turning it down would be stupid.
At this point, the situation had shifted from outright robbery to price gouging under emergency conditions.
Call it extortion if you want—but the boats did belong to Team Rocket.
All things considered… it almost made sense.
"Let's not worry about it," Ash said.
The four of them settled in, sipping iced cola and casually chatting with Apollo.
"Ash-kun, what do you think of Team Rocket's team-building event?" Apollo asked with a smile.
Despite the raging sea outside, he spoke with calm confidence, like a seasoned general.
Ash waved his hand casually, putting on a big-shot air.
"It's alright. Just that some Bronze-tier members have terrible attitude—always calling people trash."
"Indeed, ideological education is a serious issue," Apollo nodded earnestly.
Smiling, he thought to himself—
Getting on good terms with a big shot like Ash…
Maybe it'll help me overthrow Boss Giovanni someday?
The lifeboats were fully deployed. Behind them, the massive S.S. Anne was listing badly, sinking fast.
Many Trainers were already fleeing into the sea, desperately swimming away.
Staying any longer would mean getting dragged down by the massive whirlpool formed when the ship fully sank.
Ash lay back on a deck chair, then suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Wait… did we forget something?"
Blue, sprawled on another chair, took a long sip of cherry cola and blinked sleepily.
"Huh? Forget something? You, me, Brock, and Misty are all here."
"True. Then it's fine."
"Hehe~"
Reassured, the two leaned back again.
Ten minutes later.
All lifeboats and stranded Trainers had left the vicinity.
Only the very top of the S.S. Anne remained above water—over 90% of the ship had already sunk.
SPLASH—!
As the massive hull descended, the ocean currents warped violently.
A gigantic whirlpool formed, dragging everything toward the abyss.
Suddenly, on the tiny remaining platform above the sea—
A spiky-haired boy staggered into view.
One hand clutching his head, the other bracing against the wall, he stumbled toward the ship's peak.
His mind was spinning, his body reeking of alcohol.
In fragmented memories, he vaguely recalled raising massive glass mugs with Ash and Blue, drinking yellow liquid—
Then blacking out.
Were we… drinking orange juice?
Weird. I hate orange juice.
SMACK!
A massive wave slammed into Gary Oak's face.
The freezing seawater and towering waves snapped him fully awake.
WHAT THE—?!
Did I transmigrate?!
He frantically looked around.
Nothing.
Just a tiny foothold beneath him—and a raging whirlpool all around.
"By Farfetch'd's leek?!"
He was dumbfounded.
I take a nap and the ship sinks?!
Did Team Rocket blow up the whole ship just to rob it?!
Damn it!
Even if he sent out his Blastoise now, it would just be suicide. Panicking, he slapped his head.
"Green! Green, help! Emergency, emergency, emergency!"
Silence.
After a long delay, a sluggish response echoed in his soul.
"S—Stupid Red… can't even drink… what kind of man is that… heh heh…"
Green clearly wasn't awake yet.
Gary: "???"
Another wave hit.
He couldn't dodge in time.
The immense force dragged him straight into the churning vortex.
Seawater swallowed him whole, icy currents flooding his mouth and lungs.
"Farfetch'd… gurgle gurgle…"
The next instant, the S.S. Anne—and Gary—vanished beneath the sea.
Silence returned.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.
complete fic (all chapters ) are already up on P@treon → patreon.com/FinalArcHero789
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