Chapter 145: 145. The Wave Breaker
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At five o'clock in the afternoon, Chris boarded the Wave Breaker, docked on the seashore of Slateport City, as promised.
The scenery shifted, and Chris found himself standing aboard the Wave Breaker.
"Do I really have to enter in person? This doesn't feel like just a simulation..." Chris hesitated, worried that if the ship's journey lasted two months, he might vanish from reality for that long.
After some thought, Chris disembarked briefly. He spent some time drafting a text message to Olivia, explaining that he was taking a long vacation. He scheduled the message to send the next day, figuring that if the journey lasted as expected, the text would cover his absence. If it turned out to be just a single day, the timing would work out anyway. Satisfied with his plan, Chris made sure all his Pokémon were safely returned to their Poké Balls before boarding the ship again.
Initially, Chris imagined the Wave Breaker to be a modest transport vessel. However, upon entering, he realized it was a luxurious cruise ship.
The ship boasted six expansive floors, including guest rooms, a cafeteria, and a recreation area filled with activities such as card games, sports, and fitness facilities. The top deck even featured a swimming pool and designated fishing spots.
Shortly after boarding, Chris noticed the deck bustling with guests attending a wedding. Among the crowd were elegant women enjoying the cruise, some swimming in bikinis. A few anglers, unable to resist the temptation, had already cast their fishing lines.
"This place isn't bad for relaxing and gaming," Chris mused. "One day, when I get stronger, maybe I can have a cruise ship like this in real life."
After exploring the deck, Chris headed to the cafeteria, the main venue for the wedding. It was decorated festively, with food being served as guests arrived. Waitstaff moved gracefully through the crowd, balancing trays of wine glasses. The atmosphere felt like a scene from a high-end TV drama. Finding a quiet corner, Chris began to eat and drink at his leisure.
"Chris!" A surprised voice called out.
Turning toward the voice, Chris spotted a green-haired boy—Wally. The boy was well-dressed in a white suit, looking quite formal and even a bit handsome.
"Wally? Why are you here?" Chris asked, surprised.
"I could ask you the same thing! This is my cousin's wedding," Wally replied with a laugh.
"Your cousin's name is Wanda?" Chris asked, frowning slightly as the name stirred a memory. It seemed like something he had read in the comics.
Wanda was Wally's cousin. Wally had come to Hoenn to stay in Green Town to recover his health. His father had been reluctant to let him become a Trainer because of his frail condition. However, Green Town, known for its fresh air and sheltered from the volcanic ash of nearby Mt. Chimney, was the perfect place for Wally to recuperate. Unexpectedly, this stay led to Wally embarking on his journey as a Trainer.
"What about you? Are you a friend of my brother-in-law or my sister?" Wally asked curiously.
"I'm friends with both of them," Chris replied thoughtfully.
Wally didn't press further. Instead, he enthusiastically shared stories about his recent adventures—his encounters, interesting moments along the way, and updates on his progress in challenging Gyms.
Chris, seeing no rush, sat down nearby with some food, listening to Wally while enjoying the meal. It was a unique sensation—being able to taste the food's flavor without ever feeling full. It was an indulgence that made eating guilt-free and enjoyable.
The two chatted for a while, until it was almost time for the wedding to begin. Wally's father approached, greeted Chris briefly, and then left, leaving Wally to continue keeping Chris company.
At the beginning of the wedding, the towering Riley and the petite Wanda stood together on stage, thanking everyone for attending.
Visually, the pair seemed mismatched—like something out of a "Beauty and the Beast" tale. However, the love between them was apparent, transcending their physical differences.
Chris overheard from the guests that Riley was the head of the largest construction team in the Hoenn Region, responsible for major projects like the Rusturf Tunnel. His impressive reputation seemed to complement Wanda's gentle charm.
Riley gave a heartfelt speech, and the wedding ceremony commenced. Rings were exchanged, and the couple sealed their vows with a kiss.
The wedding was simple, lacking the extravagant elements often seen in traditional ceremonies. Chris appreciated the straightforward format, which focused on the meaningful presence of family and friends rather than unnecessary pomp and flair.
After the ceremony, the couple stepped down from the stage, but the celebration was far from over. As expected in the Pokémon world, the next event was something truly fitting: a Pokémon battle.
The performance wasn't about singing or dancing but rather friendly Trainer battles. Participants were randomly selected from the audience, and each Trainer could choose one Pokémon to use. However, there were specific restrictions: moves with a wide area of effect, such as Surf, Rock Slide, and Earthquake, were prohibited to avoid damaging the ship. The rules emphasized safety and sportsmanship, given that the Wave Breaker had been previously damaged during a Pokémon battle.
"Let's join in! We've got to try this showdown!" Wally exclaimed, tugging at Chris's arm.
Chris hesitated. He wasn't particularly interested, feeling that the skill level of most Trainers here wouldn't provide a real challenge. Many of the participants seemed to have Pokémon under level 40 and lacked the tactics or planning of professional Trainers, Gym Leaders, or Elite competitors. The matches were more of a lighthearted diversion, what Chris mentally described as "rookies pecking at each other."
"It'll be fun! Besides, if we win, there's a special prize from my sister and brother-in-law!" Wally insisted, his enthusiasm unrelenting.
Chris eventually relented. With little else to do, he figured it might be a good opportunity to train his Pokémon, particularly his lower-level ones. Additionally, he saw it as a chance to teach Wally a valuable lesson and perhaps deter him from dragging him into similar events in the future.
"Alright, let's do this. But don't complain later," Chris said with a smirk.
The battlefield was bustling with energy as Trainers eagerly battled, though the matches were largely predictable and filled with beginner mistakes. Despite the mediocrity, the crowd's excitement kept the atmosphere lively.
When Chris and Wally entered the fray, however, they instantly stood out. Their confident demeanors, strong Pokémon, and sharp tactics captured everyone's attention.
By the end of the first round, Chris could already tell that the final showdown would be between him and Wally. The other Trainers, while enthusiastic, couldn't compare to their experience and skill.