Cynthia had to give it to him. Steven Stone had a way with words. In less than a few seconds, Metagross let go of his psychic power, as the people slowly walked out of the Banquet Hall, towards their respective rooms. Even from inside the hall, the sounds of people still panicking were audible.

"Well, that was the best we could expect, I guess," Steven murmured, glancing at Cynthia who was standing with Garchomp. Harrison similarly, was ready with his Houndoom along with every other trainer.

"I might have won the Champion's position but I still have much to learn," Cynthia mumbled as she watched Lorelei talk to some of the naval officers about the defenses of the cruise.

"Harrison, can I expect you to fight?" Steven asked.

"You need to ask?" Harrison said with a nod

Steven activated his now-ringing Pokenav. "Lance is calling. Can I expect you guys to handle it while I make the call?"

"Sure." Cynthia nodded in agreement.

Within the next fifteen minutes, many of the trainers had been back. By the look of it, it was clear that most of them hadn't bothered with their stuff, merely put everything they got close into their trainer bags, put their belts, and raced back to the Hall. Some of them even had their pokémon out.

Cynthia took a step forward. "If you have water types or flying types at hand, get them ready. Worse comes to worst, get yourself on your pokémon and get out of here. Those who do not have water types or flying types, join groups with those who do. If it falls short, do not worry." She cleared her throat. "As I said, do not worry. We have water transport available in case it is needed. Those who wish to battle against these terrorists, please step forward, and follow my command."

Several dozen people stepped forward. Harrison could see many familiar faces in them. Meanwhile, Steven had returned to the Hall. "I just had confirmation from Champion Lance. Ace Trainers and the Champion himself are arriving any time now." He paused, looking at the front row of trainers, with their pokémon ready for battle.

"We have a teleportation deployment service going on with twenty Alakazam in action." Steven turned towards Harrison and Richie. "Can I trust the two of you to make sure that the evacuation goes on without a hitch?"

"We'll try our best." Richie croaked.

Harrison nodded again. "Don't worry."

"Very well." Steven turned towards the crowd. "The teleportation service will transport twenty people every two minutes to the nearest city. Please follow- Harrison and Richie ."

"Richie to the evacuation points. This is for those who cannot help us fight the terrorist, that is." Steven finished.

Personally, Harrison thought it to be cunning. By calling into the bravado of the trainers, Steven made the evacuation look like cowardice, and nobody wanted to look like a coward. It would help matters much, but at least, it would decrease the tension over the evacuation.

"We need a group of people on the deck with me and my group. The rest of you need to stay here with Lorelei and Glacia. The ship staff will handle the rest. Is that clear?"

The crowd answered in a cacophony of voices.

"Cynthia. We need to get the other passengers who are still in their rooms to safety. Can I trust you on that?"

Cynthia looked ready for battle, her Garchomp growling.

"Get on it," Steven commanded, as Cynthia instantly left the Hall from the other doors.

"The psychic defenses are raised on all sides already. While the ship is moving, it will be difficult for them to get on board." Lorelei observed.

Almost as if in answer to her statement, the entire ship hit a halt, the sheer inertia making everyone drop to the floor, save the occasionally floating psychic type.

"I guess the ship isn't moving anymore." Lorelei deadpanned.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Austin grimaced as he nearly lost his footing when the ship shook.

Whatever was going on around the deck was affecting the ship.

"Saur?" Bulbasaur asked looking concerned as he grabbed Austin's waist with a vine to help him regain his footing.

"I'm fine just need to find the others," Austin said the pain had long numbed showing he was adapting to it.

Footsteps made him pause before he heard an unfamiliar voice. "Arianna we haven't found that Ketchum boy yet."

Hearing that made Austin tense and duck behind a box that was in the hallway, Bulbasaur crouching next to him as some Grunts came in sight along with Arianna.

"Do I have to do everything myself?" Arianna asked with a hint of a snarl making the grunts tense and looking very nervous. "Go search the other floors, I want him brought to me alive do you understand?"

"Alive?" One of the grunts looked a bit dumbfounded. "But earlier you said for us to kill-?"

Arianna primed a Pokeball with a dark look. "If you value your life you will stop right there," She warned making the grunt pale before they rushed to get to the stairs. "Idiots."

Austin peeked over the edge of the box seeing Arianna leave only to accidentally knock a bucket that was on the box over the loud clanging noise making her turn her head as he quickly hid again.

It didn't take long for slow footsteps to make their way towards his hiding spot as Bulbasaur looked ready to defend his trainer.

"You might as well come out Ash I know you're there, we won't have long before those idiots realize they've been tricked."

Austin froze at that voice.

No way.

Slowly he stood up in time to see 'Arianna's' face melt off making him look a bit disgusted while Bulbasaur still looked wary before Green smiled while a Ditto sat near her.

"I did say I was a master of disguise," Green said although the smile fell at seeing his state. "Wow, you got messed up."

"Green what are you doing here?" Austin asked in surprise with Green crossing her arms with a look, Bulbasaur backed down on confirmation that his trainer knew this strange girl.

"Really? A pretty girl like me comes to the rescue and that's what you have to say?" Green asked in a mock hurt tone.

"You know what I mean," Austin said a bit short but he quickly shook his head. "Sorry, I'm just on edge."

"Can't blame you there, you did piss off Team Rocket somehow," Green said with a shrug. "I figured I owed you one since you didn't turn me in, now come on."

Accepting that explanation, Austin gave a nod and walked towards her with Bulbasaur close behind. "Have you found any of the others?"

"No, you were the first one I found," Green said wishing that she could use her Abra's teleport to move but without knowing where the Grunts were and being on a ship in the middle of the ocean she can't risk it.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"Wartortle use Water Pulse, Nidorino Shadow Ball!" Gary ordered his two strongest Pokemon to blast Team Rocket away.

These Grunts were practically cannon fodder for him considering he was able to plow through them, don't get him wrong they were dangerous but his Pokemon was stronger.

'Sis was worried for nothing.' Gary thought with a smirk before reminding himself about the Executives.

They were the ones he needed to worry about, especially given how they were trying to kill Ash.

"Ashy-Boy you stepped into it this time," Gary muttered right as Brock and Butterfree rounded the corner. "Brock, you alright?"

Brock gave a nod relieved to have found someone. "I'm fine, you?"

"Just peachy, I'll feel better when we find Ashy-Boy," Gary said showing some concern.

Seeing the concern gave Brock a small smile as despite how Gary acted he was showing a lot of worry for his rival. "Sorry, you got caught up with this."

"Tch you should be, this is taking too much valuable time as it is," Gary said realizing he was showing too much concern, and quickly put his arrogant facade back despite how Brock saw through it easily.