After leaving Vermilion Gym, Dongshu did not immediately head for the next city.
He had heard that a classic luxury cruise liner from the Pokémon world, the S.S. Anne, was docked in Vermilion City.
Dongshu remembered that in the story, when Ash and the others boarded this cruise ship, they unfortunately encountered a terrifying storm that ultimately caused the entire vessel to sink to the bottom of the sea.
"S.S. Anne... S.S. Anne..."
Dongshu murmured the name once, then spotted its location on the signposts lining the road.
They walked straight down the street and soon reached the seaside. The sea breeze, carrying a salty tang and the warmth of the sunset, rushed toward them. At the end of the road, a massive, snow-white ship, like a palace upon the sea, rested quietly at anchor—the S.S. Anne.
That was it!
"Squirtle, Squirtle!" It really looked spectacular!
"Want to go aboard and experience it?" Dongshu grinned at the Pokémon.
"Squirtle?" Squirtle's eyes lit up.
"Of course!"
They acted at once. Although tickets for the S.S. Anne were quite expensive, he still had plenty of money left—more than enough for one ticket.
After quickly buying a ticket at the booth, the group officially boarded the S.S. Anne.
The instant they stepped aboard, luxury washed over them.
The spotless deck, warm yellow lights, gentle music, and the azure sea in the distance—everything felt like an unreal dream.
None of the Pokémon had ever been somewhere like this before.
Watching the beautiful women and young wives on the deck enjoying the sea breeze, sunbathing in bikinis, and leisurely strolling with their Pokémon, Squirtle and Gastly both wore rather astonished expressions.
"Squirtle—"
"Gastly—"
This place looked so lively!
"Trainer, please come with me. I'll take you to your room." A waiter in a suit promptly