"What the sea wants, the sea takes."

  A battered old fishing boat was never meant for weather like that.

  Pale city lights vanished behind a dense, cold deluge that erased the fading vistas. The battered vessel rode the waves like a stubborn mule: each time the bow heaved, it crashed down, plunging into the surf and flinging nets and tangles skyward. Rain hammered the rusty bulkheads, cruel and relentless.

  Tide surged from the murky waters, ramming the hull with the brute force of a sledgehammer. The stern lurched, the motor snarled like a wounded beast near death.

  Sheets of rain pummeled sideways under the howling wind, slipping through the torn roof and soaking up the main deck. Canvas awnings snapped, as if the wind were tearing the ship apart. Taut ropes groaned from the strain. Navigation lamps and lanterns threw an almost greenish, sickly glow across the algae-stained surfaces. But in that harsh storm, the ship kept going. All that mattered on the sea.

  The sky was black as ink. Dark thunderclouds stretched beyond the gray horizon. Short bursts of insipid lightning revealed the raging ocean in brief, terrifying clarity. It ebbed and flowed, the waters towering too high. The foam washed over the prow, cutting it straight through. Ear-piercing cracks rang far above, each one a blinding flash.

  The boat carried on, despite the wear and tear. It rode like an old beast of burden, crooked but reliable. A squat and narrow thing, more of a prodding workhorse than a ship.

  White metal peeled into salt-bleached patches, rust bleeding through the cracked varnish like dried blood. The cramped deck teemed with survival gear. Old oil cans, stiff brine-soaked ropes, battered crates stripped bare by years of use. Nothing matched. Everything was endlessly repurposed, repaired, recycled, its prime long forgotten.

  Surfing Bird. The trawler's name, half-washed away by tides and rain, stood out amidst the peeling lac. The vessel was too tight for comfort, with a narrow prow and a boxy stern that left barely enough space to walk around, forcing passengers to squeeze through the stacks of barrels and containers.

  Midship, a squatted cabin, led to a hold downstairs. A storage room retrofitted into living quarters. Two bunk beds were tucked between the empty fish tanks. All-in-one hall, forcing the tiny crew to huddle up. Decades' worth of oil stains and spillage painted the floor black. It was hard to say where the metal ended and the rust began.

  The air reeked of diesel, damp cloth, sweat, and salt. The nauseating tang of ocean muck thick with fermenting algae lingered. There was no catch, but the stench persisted, clinging to every worn tool. It never faded, no matter how relentlessly they cleaned.

  A wheelhouse stood tight and dim, barely lit by the amber glow, with analogue dials covered in old cigarette burns. Sturdy antique radio rustled with static. Each crack of thunder up above echoed through the broadcast, more noise than anything coherent.

   the sailor standing at the helm finally spoke, tapping a stub into the ashtray.

  The stench of cheap tobacco choked the cabin. The foreman sparked another cigarette. Gray ash scattered in the burnt ceramic tray as the hull trembled with mounting strain. It groaned, threatening collapse.

   Mae unzipped her sling back, pulling out a trusty old stereo, feeding it a scuffed cassette.

   The captain sank back into his chair, blankly staring at the foggy windows. Raindrops rattled on the glass, covered in smears of dried salt that never wash away.

   she cajoled, tapping on the rewind button. The device let out a quiet crinkle as it chewed on the worn recording.

  Music blasted through the speakers, mixed with the crispy sound of a battered tape. A guitar riff broke the dawning silence. Glam rock filled the unbearably foreboding void, blending with incessant growls of the strained motor.

   The blonde hopped on a console, turning the volume up as far as it could go.

   the sailor grumbled under his breath. His hand reached out for the raven dutifully sitting on his shoulder and softly tapped his head.

   Hazel clung to the metal bench beside them, trying to sit still. Each little bump across the tides sent her up into the air, then slammed back down against the cold, damp metal.

   he snapped at her, fixing his little docker's hat.

  Corvisquire deadpanned at the window, idly stretching his injured wing.

   The sailor pulled up a frustrated grimace.

   The researcher wasn't moved. Her tired brown eyes stared out of the windshield as she popped open a thermos filled with steaming tea.

   He scoffed. His raven straightened up like a toy soldier.

  A green snout peeked over the doorframe. Pink eyes blinked, whimsically staring Hazel down. Short tail flicked. Floragato didn't make a sound, patiently waiting for an invitation.

  She shot him a smile, gently tapping on a free spot on the pew. The feline replied with a needy mrow. Weary of drawing too much notice.

   Her drained face softened up a notch.

  The cat glanced at the other two, then returned his gaze again. Another meow, this one was followed by soft, capricious scratching of long claws against the peeling paint. He shifted from one foot to another.

   His owner knew him all too well.

  Jasper shared a little nod. All that was needed. She understood without words.

  The researcher climbed off the bench, her hiking boots trampling over the rusty stairs down to the main deck. Or whatever little space was called as such. Droplets of seawater welcomed them back, lashing out in sheafs as waves broke up, colliding with the hull. The tides shook the boat back and forth with such persistence that it would seem the vessel was about to flip over. The engine rattled, growling like hungry Lycanroc.

  Another wave sent Hazel tumbling onto a crate tucked under the awning. The distant shore of Hulbury vanished into the wild horizon. There were no other ships, no buoys in sight. Alone for miles, only desperation or foolishness drove people out in this weather. They counted as a bit of both.

   she muttered, inching a little closer.

  He glared toward the cramped compartment, then looked at her again, tail softly curling up and down. Green paw pointed at the hold, trying to communicate Floragato's thoughts.

  His owner's arms stretched out, stopping an inch away as if to ask for permission. A little too close to the scars for comfort. Jasper winced, but didn't shy away.

  With parental assistance, the feline hopped onto her lap. Stiff shoulders, claws halfway out. She knew the signs. It took him a little while to calm down. Too much noise. Too many smells. Too many strangers are packed up tight like they're in a can of sardines. A sharp scent of vinegar and soap still clung to the fuzzy coat bleached by half a dozen washes to get the skunk spray out.

  Hazel gently scratched behind his ear. Capricious Pokémon licked his paws to decompress, idly grooming himself.

   she whispered, unzipping her warm hood and placing it over his back to keep the wind away.

  He let out a low grumble, sharing a shrug of pure uncertainty.

   the researcher soothed.

  Another needy meow took off his lips, both drying up too quickly. Floragato turned around, staring at her. Those wide pink eyes glistened like two polished saucers. Long travels stressed him out, more so than other cats. The sense of unfamiliarity rubbed wild instincts the wrong way. Some part of him could never be domesticated.

   She let out a chuckle, sweetening the deal.

  The feline's ears fell. Jasper was a picky eater. But he was no longer a clueless, feral child who relied on food for comfort.

   Hazel muttered with a chortle.

  You don't have to get me anything. I just don't like it here, he thought. It wasn't about gifts, bribes, or rewards. All that he wanted were her words of reassurance.

   Her voice trailed off into a dreamy murmur.

  Tempting, he purred, thinking to himself.

  A sigh escaped the feline. Not quite a relief, but one of sentimental heartache. The gesture was over the top. It touched a string. And yet again, he gently shook his head.

   she confessed, pulling a scarf off her neck and wrapping it around Jasper's.

   His trainer stopped herself, realizing how little meaning that word held for Pokémon.

   This time, her suggestion made Floragato pause.

   the girl murmured, dreaming big.

   she rattled on, carried away. It was hard to tell whether she was soothing Jasper or herself. Perhaps, a bit of both.

  It does. Although I can't help but worry that the others won't like this kind of life. But we'll make do. We'll find a way to make it work, her Pokémon thought.

  Jasper closed his eyes. As if to picture it inside his head. Then shared a little nod, conceding.

  Her words didn't ease his heart. Few things were capable of it. But they left a taste of better days to linger. Some things to look forward to.

   Hazel gently tapped his back.

  Floragato slipped on the bench, setting her free. His trainer stood up, fixing the canopy and folding the hood to keep him warm.

  He softly shook his head, refusing the offer. Too cramped. Too many people.

   And just like that, she left for the cabin, leaving the cat with many thoughts to ponder.

  His claws clutched the warm fabric tighter, pink eyes gawking overboard as the roiling waves slammed across the hull.

  Hushed sounds of idle chatter rang from downstairs, escaping the cluttered hold. The rest of the crew was less inclined to contemplate and simply killed the boredom the only way they could. The sailor's Pokémon huddled up on one side of the deck while Raboot and Inteleon lounged on the other. At first, playing staring contests. But as the hours stretched, the sheer weight of dullness broke the ice that common sense could not.

  Meowth propped her chin, deadpanning into the wall. Her tongue flicked a few times to brush cream-colored fur. At that point, it wasn't about hygiene. It was about being bored out of her mind.

  She shot the restless bunny an idle glare. The latter clutched the barrel he was sitting on so tight that his dull claws poked dents in the metal.

  "Rematch?" The feline yawned, staring him up and down.

  Red eyes jerked up. But there was no usual confidence in them. "I'd uh..."

  "I'd keep my distance if I were you." He pressed his back into the bulkhead.

  Her brow creased up. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

  "No?" The coney looked absolutely mortified. His stomach let out a gut-twisting grumble. "I mean..."

  "You? Refusing a challenge?" Opal scoffed, taking the sting out of it. She knew exactly what was going on, but bit her tongue to watch him melt. "What's the matter, Ashes?"

  "I'm uh..." Garnet rocked back and forth, his snout turning green. "I think I'm gonna..."

  Meowth blinked. Once. Then twice. Before exploding into a fit of thunderous laughter.

  "First time on the ship?" A grin spread on her face.

  A skunk nestled on a metal shelf beside her turned away, stirred up by the chatter. He buried deeper into a piece of dusty yellow canvas with a grumble.

  "Kind of." He folded over, paw pressing tight into his mouth.

  "That'll do it." The feline slipped off the crate, briskly searching for something on the floor. A rusty bucket slid across the deck towards the coney.

  "What's that for?" Raboot gulped for air, struggling to breathe between the bouts of overwhelming nausea.

  "For accidents." Inteleon kicked back. "Go figure."

  Each little bump sapped color out of Garnet's face. He stared blankly at the wall, pants short and shallow. "You know... I uh..."

  "I take my words back." It hadn't been too long, and yet Raboot regretted it already. Sailing for the first time sounded appealing on paper. But now reality sank in. "It's nothing like... The TV."

  He let out a cough, bending over to hug his own knees to make it stop. The deck was rising way too fast and falling way too slow. A taste of metal filled up his mouth. Droplets of cold sweat popped out on the coney's nose and paw pads. The smell of rust and brine felt much sharper than it should, slowly turning hostile.

  "Oh, really?" Opal seeped sarcasm. "No way the TV could have lied!"

  "Relax," Meowth cackled, wiping a tear from her eye. "The wave's just saying hi."

  "Or trying to kill me..." Raboot inhaled before another bump could echo with a tide of stomach-twisting sickness.

  "Don't worry. Our ship's got a quota. Give it a day or two, and you're going to find your sea legs." The feline seemed awfully merry despite her missing tooth. But judging by the roughed-up ears and scratch scars on the pelt, she had much worse than that. Nothing a good old potion couldn't fix. "Or make peace with the handrails. One of the two."

  "A DAY?" Garnet's ears flattened in despair.

  "You didn't think that it would simply pass, did you?" the cat cajoled, leaning on the engine hatch. Damp metal radiated warmth. "Think of it like a rite of passage. It takes your dignity the first time you sail and lets you keep the rest."

  "Can you two shut the fuck up?" Stunky peeked from under the blanket, black and white fur bedraggled from turning back and forth for what felt like an eternity. "I'm trying to sleep!"

  "Sucks to be nocturnal. Try harder then," the feline responded with a sigh. "Stinker. What else are we supposed to do, count the cockroaches?"

  "Wait... There are bugs in here?" Garnet shot a glare at her, then frantically looked around. But his question didn't earn an answer.

  "Oh my fucking Arceus, Flint." The skunk threw the quilt off of him in frustration. "It's Tinker. TIN-KER! This joke is getting old."

  "Who said I'm joking?" She winked, a grin spreading wide. Her fingers twirled her whiskers.

  "Oh, HAR-HAR! Is it because of my species? Is that supposed to be the funny part?" he snapped back. The two went at it, bickering like there's no tomorrow.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "You smell. That's why." The cat batted her eyes.

  "No, I don't!" Stunky defended himself.

  "Hey, you." Meowth turned to face the bunny. "Does he stink?"

  "You aren't seriously-"

  Sea sickness made all scents far sharper than they should be. Raboot swayed in his seat, coping with a bout of nausea and sharing a hesitant remark. "He kind of does."

  "Oh, SHUT IT! No one's asking for your opinion-"

  "I just did. See? Even these guys agree." The feline stood her ground, snout proudly lifted up.

  "You know what, you two are both bigots!" He sprang off the shelf with a snarl, tail furiously flicking.

  The argument, however, quickly turned into white noise as the growl of the engine and the thunderous claps of crazed riptide drowned out all else. The bunny folded over. Small beads of sweat popped out on the insides of his ears. The boat flew through yet another bump.

  "AW!" the skunk yelped, thrown headfirst into the wall.

  If Garnet was slightly pale before, this one turned him into a living ghost. A soft poke on his shoulder turned his head.

  Lopunny, tucked into the very corner of the hold, offered a water flask. "Here. It'll help a little."

  He hesitated for a few seconds, unsure if he should accept anything from someone who tried to rob him less than a day before. But creeping nausea quickly overpowered common sense.

  The bunny's stubby fingers struggled with the cap, unable to move it anywhere. The liquid glinted within, promising salvation. He chaffed in childish annoyance, opting to bite straight through the plastic and spurt half of his drink over the seat.

  It helped. Somewhat. If not in curing dizziness, then in dulling it a notch. Just enough to catch a breather.

  "Any better?" the hare idly inquired.

  "Kinda. I can live with that," Raboot replied, clinging to the handrails too big for his paws. "Thanks."

  Lopunny went silent for a moment, then hesitantly broke the silence yet again. "So... What's the rush? I don't know much about ships, but even I can tell that sailing in the middle of the storm is a bad idea."

  Raboot shrugged, throwing himself back onto the roll of folded canvas. "If I were given a snack each time I knew what's going through human heads, I'd probably starve to death."

  "I've no idea. Mom's making calls. She's smart." He closed his eyes, feeling a semblance of relief, if only fleeting.

  "Mom?" Lopunny let out a titter.

  "What else am I supposed to call her?" A groan escaped Garnet's throat. He had this conversation way too many times. And each one of them unintentionally got under his skin.

  "An owner. That's the literal word for it." The skunk pulled a blank expression.

  "What a lovely one at that. Don't you like it to admit that you're property?" Opal chimed in, shooting a jab.

  "I've never said that! I'm here on my own volition," he retorted with a growl.

  The bunny sighed, the question looping in his mind for way too long, "How come a human kid gets to call the one adopting them a parent, while we do not?"

  "Because we aren't people. Genius," Stunky replied with a stolid bark.

  "So? She took care of me since before I knew how to walk. If that ain't Mom, I don't know who is." Garnet didn't budge an inch.

  "The one who... Brought you here?" The skunk looked at him, an idiot trying to reinvent the term.

  "I don't think bringing someone here is enough." Raboot crossed his arms. "Deal with it. I choose who to call her."

  "Whatever you say." His opponent shrugged, too apathetic to continue. "You can call Oran berries red, it won't change a thing."

  "See, he stinks even when he's speaking," Meowth chuckled, skipping the boring argument and jumping straight back into action.

  "I'm going to punch you." Stunky glared death at her.

  "You'll have to climb this crate first." The feline merrily kicked back, throwing one leg over the other. Her tail curled like a pretzel, paws sliding behind her head. "Get those stubby little paws to work, buttmunch."

  "Who do you think you're calling short?" The skunk squinted, flocks of his fur spreading out like needles. He was a fair bit smaller than his friend.

  "We're going to get along just fine." Raboot pulled a dumb grin, nudging Inteleon perched on the bunk beside him.

  "They tried to beat you senseless less than a day ago." She wasn't so quick to trust, muttering under her breath.

  "Tried..." The bunny ducked, dodging Tinker's lunge. The latter leaped over the crate, trying to get to Flint, just sitting there with a smug grin. "It was a good fight, though. I haven't had a real one in ages."

  Stunky's claws grabbed onto the ledge of an old container that his friend was lounging on. But his jump wasn't quite enough. The creature's hind legs scratched the planks, trying to scale up. But the varnish was too slippery to climb through.

  His snout was dusted red. He refused to give up, but it only served to embarrass him a little extra as his feet struggled to find anything to cling to.

  "Does someone need uppies?" The feline's eyes blinked, feigning innocence.

  "I'm gonna..." The skunk puffed up his cheeks, trying his hardest to haul himself up. He strained himself so much that his face looked like it was rigged to pop.

  "You're gonna..." she mocked him, sharing a playful smile.

  Another bump made Tinker's talons slip. He fell flat on his back with a yelp. Not one of pain, but of chagrin. "You're in trouble."

  "What was that?" Meowth merrily loafed near the engine vents, the warmest spot on the whole ship. "Sorry, chum, can't hear you from here. It's too high up."

  "That's it..." Stunky rolled over, but before he could make the second go at it, Loppuny made him pause.

  "She's just baiting you. Don't take it to heart." The hare shook her head.

  "Oh, so you're on HER side! I see how it is," he growled, showing his sharp teeth.

  "I'm on no one's side. I just don't want you two to wreck the hold," she tittered at their antics.

  "Loud, stubborn, and obnoxious." One of Inteleon's eyes popped up. "Reminds me of someone."

  "Hey." The bunny thumped his foot into the crate. "What did I do?"

  A beak tapped against metal, forcing the room to shut. No one noticed Corvisquire on the stairs, watching the scene unfold with the most deadpanned expression a bird can manage to pull up.

  "Ahem." He cleared his throat with an exasperated huff.

  The skunk froze midleap, his rump lifted as if he were about to launch.

  "Rough tides ahead," the raven muttered after a long and awkward pause. "Cut the yapping and watch out. Next time, I won't bother giving you all a heads up. What a bunch of kids."

  "Rook. Why don't you ever come to talk about anything other than bad news?" The feline let out a sigh. Her voice changed pitch, trying to mimic her friend. "How are you, Flint? How's your day been? I would TOTALLY love to spar with you and share a few laughs."

  "You heard me." Corvisquire fastidiously flapped his wings as if to brush off her words. "Someone has to keep these numbnuts on their toes."

  "And outlaw the fun..." Meowth jabbed him.

  The raven didn't take the bait and simply turned around, returning to the cabin.

  "Sourpuss. I guess no team is complete without a party pooper." Raboot returned the favor to Inteleon, pulling a nasty smirk. "But you wouldn't know anything about it, would you?"

  "Like you wouldn't know anything about good humor," she joshed.

  "I make good humor on the fly!" The bunny's nose proudly rose up. "What do you call Ursaring with no teeth?"

  "Oh Gods..." Opal closed her eyes in advance to hide from the second-hand embarrassment.

  "A gummy bear!" Raboot's paws clapped.

  "Don't joke again." The skunk looked at him with such a drained grimace that his stare alone could kill.

  If it wasn't for the cat cackling like a maniac, the hold would have been awkwardly silent. The rest just looked at the two. Meowth, losing her mind over the cheesiest of puns, and the coney, smiling from ear to ear.

  Another bump almost sent the latter tumbling down on the floor. As if his jest somehow offended the boat itself. The color green returned, dusting his snout with twice the vigor.

  "Oh... Boy..." he whispered. Another shake. It almost felt like the vessel tripped over something solid, rocking the tub back and forth.

  Garnet's paw pressed into his mouth.

  "Would you like some-"

  Raboot didn't stay to share a response. He slipped off his seat and lunged towards the stairs, scaling them like his life was on the line. The bunny flew out on the main deck, tripping over his own feet.

  Floragato, still seated under the flapping canopy, paused, tongue frozen a few inches away from his fur.

  "What's wrong?" he meowed, watching his friend cling to the handrails and throw himself halfway overboard.

  Jasper hopped off the pew, running after his friend. "Garnet? Are you okay?"

  The last bump finally did it. His stomach cramped up, forcing him to hang off the fenders and part ways with his. A cough that followed told the feline everything he had to know.

  His paw softly tapped on Raboot's back as the coney wrangled the worst of it.

  "I hate this," Garnet muttered, struggling for air. "I'll never step on the ship... Ever again."

  "Do what you must." Jasper patiently stood by his side.

  It came in bouts, the next somehow always worse. The feline looped his arm over his shoulder, trying to bring some measure of relief. Foam and salty water splashed over the bunny's face. But it mattered little. The sea bug was unbearable.

  "It's gonna be-"

  "Wait." Raboot suddenly sprang up, still panting like a train. "What in the..."

  In a fleeting moment of clearance between the roiling waves below, he caught a glimpse of something blue under the surface. Something bright enough to stand in stark contrast with pelagic green.

  "Huh..." He blinked, and it was gone again. Quicker than his mind could process.

  "What's going on?" The cat's paw trailed his back up and down to make the whole affair a little easier. But his friend's attention switched.

  "Nothing," the coney replied with a sigh. "It's probably nothing."

  "I thought I saw-"

  Another bump. Like something dense tapped on the hull, making the ship tilt to the other side.

  White fins peeked out of turbulent seawater, riding the furious tides. Jasper's fingers gripped the bunny's scruff, pulling him back onto the floor.

  A tide of foam washed over the starboard. The vessel shook, disturbed by the creature's presence. It came slowly. First, the tail. Blue and yellow scales glistened in the pale glow of signal lights. It softly dived under the surface. The ship quaked once again as if a monstrously long body slithered all the way across the keel and swam to the other side. Inspecting the strange beast made of iron.

  A serpentine head came next, emerging from the portside. Brine rained down a snake-like head. Gaunt red eyes looked over the vessel with a mix of thrill and curiosity. It matched the boat's pace with mocking ease, idly treading along.

  "What are you?" Raboot huffed out, staring at the enormous thing.

  His question drew its attention. It glanced over them both. Barbels sprung out, probing the damp salty air. The predator's gaze froze. As if evaluating two little Pokémon. And then, before anyone could respond, it dived into the murky waters, submerging in the foam.

  "W-we need to get back..." the feline stuttered, still clinging to the coney's nape. "Now."

  They rolled around, scrambling back onto their feet. The bunny opened up his mouth, but no words came out.

  Another hit. This time stronger. As if the creature were testing how sturdy the boat was. It sent the barrels flying overboard and earned a string of curses from the cabin.

   the captain swore, his voice barely audible amidst the roar of the screeching engine.

  The slam threw both friends into the wall. A heap of crates quickly followed after, crashing down on them. The bunny's paw sprang up before the pile could tumble.

  Another hit, this one's from the other side. Another nudge, a little stronger. The pile of containers and two Pokémon crashed into the opposing bulkhead, wood splitting apart as it collided with the fencing.

  The beast of iron didn't retaliate, encouraging the serpent to push it just a little further. Furniture flipped somewhere in the hold. The side lamps flickered.

  Raboot reached out for the rope tied to the handrails, hauling both of them up. The finned tail dived out of the water. The snake went for another plunge under the keel.

   someone yelled from the helm. The ship horns let out a loud scream, deafening two Pokémon above and launching the cat into the air.

  The motor rattled, speeding up. A hum turned to a roar as the boat began to gain momentum in an attempt to flee. The predator went silent for a few tense moments, weighing up its chances.

  The serpent announced its decision by catching up with mocking ease and hauling itself overboard. A long, slithering body stretched out for a few dozen feet, casting a shadow over the main deck and showering the floor with cold, salty water. It hit the canopy, tearing the awning from the rusty metal and sending bits of scaffolding raining down in a deluge of debris. The canvas flapped, ripped off by the howling wind.

  Another scream rang from the helm, followed by a fleeting moment of foreboarding lull.

  The scaled head came out, ramming into the stern. It left a dent in the handrails, throwing the boat off its course. The snake rose up, trailing its prey from behind. Red eyes looked through the deck as if expecting a reaction from the curious creature made of steel that the ship appeared to be.

  Gyarados froze like a coiled viper, patiently watching the tub. Its attention, however, didn't linger for too long, switching back to two little Pokémon trying to slip back into the hold. Wide jaws opened, revealing four sharp fangs the size of human forearms and rows of smaller teeth behind, forming a grater. It let out a howl. Steel groaned. The serpent slithered across the creaking bulkheads towards the easy catch.

  The hunter's long, serpentine body looped around the hull. Corroded metal responds with a strained screech. Bolts snapped, whining under pressure.

  It lunged, trying to scoop the feline who tried to shove the frozen bunny back into the hold. The maw snapped mere inches away, washing over the cat with a stench of fish and algae. He threw himself over Raboot, sending both rolling down the stairs.

  The prowling hunter loomed over both of them, tightening its grip. The fenders cracked, bent metal scattering across the battered deck.

  Before the gaping mouth could open yet again, a black shape flew straight into the creature's face. The raven aimed for the eyes, letting out a furious caw. Long talons raked right where it hurt.

  The snake recoiled, letting out a thunderous growl, low like stones grinding against each other.

  "Get the fuck off of our ship!" Corvisquire unleashed a flurry of attacks. Not strong enough to wound, but quick enough to keep the creature busy. His claws slashed against the serpent's scales, wings flapping frantically to blind it.

  Gyarados threw its head back. And for a fleeting moment, it seemed like the beast was about to withdraw. Until an orange glint flashed in the gaping gullet.

  The raven's left a deep gash on the foe's skin. "Eat tha-"

  A stream of fire came out of the serpent's throat with a huff. The bird vanished in a burst of scalding orange light, the roar of flames blotting out the high-pitched hiss.

  A pair of charred feathers descended from above. He disappeared, leaving nothing behind. As if there was no Corvisquire to begin with.

  The bunny's eye twitched. Things happened quicker than his mind could process. He watched the beast, his mouth wide open as the feline dragged him down the stairs. The instincts finally kicked in when the glistening red eyes returned their attention to the rest.

  Raboot twitched, bucking against the cold metal to haul himself back up. Fear turned into furious defiance.

  "Garnet..." the cat called out.

  "Cover." The bunny lunged forward before his friend could protest. There was no plan. Just blind dissent. After him, the deluge.

  "STOP!" Floragato's plea fell upon deaf ears as the bunny threw himself into the fray, teeth grinding in frustration.

  His ears flinched. White steam coming out of Garnet's nose turned into black smoke. He acted out on pure impulse to retaliate.

  The snake went for another strike, darting towards the irritating prey. The coney leaped under the pew piled up with crates and barrels, having the foe smash into them face-first, scattering split scales across the rusty floor.

  The cat's heart froze. His fingers gripped the vine. It was either both or neither. Like it has always been. He let out a short wheeze, bracing himself for a fight.

  "What's happening?" someone groaned from under the pile of broken furniture downstairs. But there was no time to explain.

  Floragato dashed before the serpent could recover. Pink paws tapped on the steps as he flew out of the hold, leaping onto the creature's spine and running up its back, claws digging deep between the blue lamellas. The cord flew over the creature's muzzle like improvised reins, tightly anchoring itself.

  He pulled, anticipating the foe to retaliate. And so it did, trying to throw the cat off with an ear-piercing roar. Garnet seized the moment of distraction, rolling from under the bench and hopping back onto his feet.

  The bunny coughed, slamming his foot into the deck. His knees bent down. "Eyes on me, you overgrown penstock."

  Another flash lit up the creature's mouth. Floragato yanked its head sideways as hard as he could, forcing it to misfire. The stream of flames hit the tides below, evaporating liquid with a deafening hiss.

  The serpent slammed into the mast. Jasper flew a couple of feet up into the air, launched by the force of impact. He almost lost his grip, sliding down the oily scales. His claws slipped free for a heartbeat, leaving deep, glistening wounds on the hunter's back. He grabbed onto the fins at the last second, barely clinging on as Gyarados bucked and thrashed.

  "NOW!" Jasper muttered through clenched teeth.

  Huffs of fire blazed from under Garnet's feet. He launched himself up from the flooded deck, bright orange tongues coiling around his legs for a spin. Turning midjump, the coney bucked with the full weight of his body. A blast of inferno clapped like thunder. The flames didn't make it through, extinguished by the slime on wet skin. It sizzled, filling the air with a dizzying reek of brine. The conflagration harmlessly washed off the beast, but the sheer force of the collision by itself sent its head back.

  Something broke inside the creature's snout with a sickening crunch of cartilage. Red strings ran down the shattered lips that parted ways for a roar. Less pain and more frustration.

  The tail lashed out like a battering ram, bashing the bunny before he could reach the ground again. A monstrous hit knocked the air out of his lungs, launching him back into the cabin. He smashed into the window, glass flying out of the other side.

  The coney slipped down on the floor, two thick red strings spurting out of his nose. His knees gave way, dark crimson drops slipping out of his snout and tapping on the metal. He didn't make a sound. Just watched the scarlet beads fall down in confusion.

  "GARNET!" the feline yelped, but his voice devolved into a yelp as the creature suddenly surged forward. The vine loosened up, sending the cat onto the heap of crates. Planks broke, shooting bits of wooden shrapnel across the battered ship.

  A metallic taste filled Jasper's mouth. His ribs screeched under the force of impact. The serpent loomed over the feline, casting a monstrous and oppressive shadow. Bloodied jaws opened up, revealing rows of chipped, jagged teeth.

  The cat tensed up, pressing himself into the rubble in anticipation of the lunge to come. But before the snake could go for it, a clap rang from downstairs. A bolt of liquid glistened in the air. A meaty thud rang through the deck, the projectile striking straight into the creature's eye.

  Gyarados recoiled, slithering back and unleashing an ear-piercing howl. The membrane closed shut, leaking crimson tears. A shriek of pain turned into one of crazed fury. The serpent glared at the hold. It wasn't about hunting anymore.

  The tail came down again, caving whatever remained of the metal awning. Inteleon dashed back on time before a rain of debris crashed where she stood seconds ago. A brown figure scaled the stairs. Lopunny leaped foot-first into the serpent's face. The kick landed with another satisfying crack, dislocating the creature's jaw and knocking out splintered fangs.

  But hits did nothing to dissuade the foe. Each one seemed to enrage it further. Instead of backing out, the beast lunged forth, returning her the favor. A reckless headbutt toppled the hare down, flinging her across the deck. The snake dashed with such abandon that its body weight almost flipped the ship upside down. A cannonade of furniture and crates tumbling downstairs rang like thunder.

  The ship's horn screamed again, a holler loud enough to make the glass quake. It didn't scare the beast. Too little. Too late.

  A single swollen eye didn't blink, locked on the little ones in maddened rancor. Blue slithering body coiled around the hull a little tighter, drawing a screech out of the pummeled tub. The beast looked over the wounded. A glint of orange flashed in its throat again.

  Garnet rose up on wobbling knees, his teeth clenched tight. He drew in the air with a wheeze, slow and deliberate. Sparks and black smoke swirled around his snout, sucked into his lungs like a drain. A vivid memory flickered in his rebellious mind. A sunny afternoon, the warmth of Hazel's hand on his back. Her reassuring smile. He stood with renewed defiance, knowing what he could not afford to lose.

  The serpent fired, unleashing pure inferno. A stream of blaze ran free, aiming for the injured.

  Raboot exhaled soon after, flames coming out of his mouth with a huff. What they lacked in size, they made up for in sheer persistence. Two jets collided with a fiery blast.

  Gyarados doubled down, annoyed by the intervention. The blaze flared up, bright orange turning almost white. Too hot. The deluge pushed the bunny back, leaving ashen skid marks on the floor. But he pressed on, holding it to buy a few precious seconds.

  Another shot rang from the hold, bolt splitting glass apart and striking the serpent's gills. The conflagration ended, relieving the overpowered bunny, breathing out the last sheaf of sparks.

  The beast growled, glaring at the cabin, then back at the wounded Garnet. The games were over.

  It lunged sideways, tilting the ship and sending crates flying overboard. Raboot tripped, sliding through the damp floor and onto the opposite side of the swaying ship. Long tail coiled around his shin.

  The foe dived back into the roiling tides, opting to pull the coney after. His claws slipped out, helplessly trying to cling to something solid.

  The feline leapt back on his feet, coat covered in scrapes and bruises. "Hold on!"

  The bunny yelled, his nails leaving trails on the deck. Tips snapped, the air whistled in his ears. And then the world went silent. A splash of freezing water muffled all sounds.

  Garnet's mouth opened up to scream, but no shriek came. A string of bubbles took off his cracked lips. Everything went black as both plunged into a cold abyss.

  Raboot bucked, trying to free himself, but the snake tied itself into a knot. The beast contracted, crushing him with the monstrous strength of its muscles.

  The feline tossed the vine in a desperate attempt to leash the foe before it disappeared in the foaming waters.

  Back on the deck, Inteleon elbowed the porthole, rolling out of the hold and throwing herself overboard. Her hand grabbed onto the flower bud mid-flight as she plunged into the swirling tides. The cord looped over the creature's neck. It jerked, throwing Floragato towards the rails. His paws barely managed to tie the other side to the fenders. Old rusty metal screeched. The thread, however, proved to be far sturdier than it appeared. But restraints or not, Gyarados didn't let go. Waters seeped into his lungs as he struggled to breathe.

  Garnet's sight turned into a fading blur of shapes dancing somewhere overhead. The foe squeezed up its grip so tight that something cracked inside his chest. His mind blacked out for a fleeting second from sharp, excruciating pain. He tried to yell. But this time, even the air could not escape.

  Opal's tail tried to slip between the two, but it was to no avail. There was only one last option left.

  She slithered onto the serpent's head, sliding her hands inside its mouth and pulling the upper jaw with all her strength to keep it open long enough.

  The cat didn't linger. A pale green flash glittered in between his fingers, turning a little sapling torn out of the apron into a bulging charge. He dashed, lobbing the seed charge inside the creature's throat before its maw could close again.

  The bloodied jaw slammed shut.

  The snake looked at him for a tense few seconds. Time seemed to stretch out. But then a dull thud cracked somewhere inside. Gyarados didn't blink or even howl. Silence swallowed the deck. The creature simply heeled over after a few seconds of stillness, its blue head slamming into the deck, its sinuous body going limp. A string of red dripped from the corner of the creature's lips. The coils loosened up, at last.

  Regret squeezed up the feline's throat with cold and slimy fingers. If only there were another way. But he didn't get time to ponder. A soft tug on the vine pulled him out of it. His shaking paws towed the rope up. Inteleon scaled the starboard, hauling the unconscious bunny after her.

  The ship fell silent. A faint growl of the engines softened down a notch. Bent metal and wooden debris choked the main deck. A smell of copper, brine, and smoke mixed into a dizzying concoction.

  Raboot unjarred his eyes for but a fleeting moment when his friends laid him on the floor. The world spun and twisted like a kaleidoscope. He opened his mouth, coughing up water colored red. The shape of his chest looked horribly uneven.

  "Garnet..." The feline kneeled down, cradling the bunny's head. Sweat popped on his cold palms.

  They looked at each other. One in mind-numbing panic, the other in half-delirium.

  The coney didn't hear the words. His mind blanked out again.

  "Please..." Jasper's voice trailed off into a whimper. "Stay with me."