<div align="center"><strong>[The Voyage of S.S. Anne]<br/>[Mark &amp; Mantine]</strong><br/>(http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/3/39/Spr_2c_226_s.gif)</div><br/>In the distance, across several miles of cerulean sea and shore, the Olivine Harbor was visible. Flocks of white and red bird Pokemon flew overhead, their loose plumage raining down on the harbor. From this distance, the specifics of the Pokemon were unidentifiable.<br/><br/>The Cianwood salt wafting in the air was more concentrated on the deck of the S.S. Anne than in the proximity of his father’s seaside shack. Mark wheeled his bike up the ramp onto the S.S. Anne and rested it against the guard railing of the ship and eagerly awaited the boat's departure from Cianwood City. Leaning against the railing, he listened to the commotion on deck as the sailors got everything in order and waved farewell to Cianwood. A voice over the boat’s intercom announced:<em>“All aboard! The S.S. Anne will be departing shortly. Please make sure you have all your belongings.”</em><br/><br/>A flash of luminescent red sparked and materialized a being of matter to the left of Mark; his Mantine had managed to fidget out of its Pokeball, releasing the not-so-reliable locking mechanism.<br/><br/><em>“Mantine! Mantine!”</em>still slightly upset at his abrupt confinement, Mantine nudged Mark.<br/><br/><em>“Smell that? That’s the smell of adventure on the horizon. Can’t blame you for not wanting to be stuck in there, Mantine.”</em>Mark welcomed the company his Mantine brought and even if such company was unwelcome, the artistic scenery painted across the horizon was a sight even Pokemon should enjoy. Mark rather enjoyed showing his Mantine obscure objects and taking him to all manner of landscapes. He believed he could teach Mantine “culture.” Mark recalled how just a few years ago, Olivine City was a quaint city. Not particularly alive. However, in recent years, the hustle and bustle of Olivine City put it on the map.<br/><br/><em>"I have no idea how the hell people years ago managed to see each other. Kanto and Johto were more or less isolated. Thank Mew for technology!"</em>But technology was a double-edged sword and it was also the destructive capability of technology that was responsible for the kidnap and ransom of countless Pokemon, including his father’s Delibird.<br/><br/>Although not prone to violence or outbursts of anger, Mark was having trouble comprehending the situation:<em>“How someone could be enough of an asshole to do something so morally bankrupt is beyond me,</em>” he told Mantine.<br/><br/><em>“Manti”</em>it nodded in agreement.<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong><em>Beep…Beep…BEEP!</em></strong></div><br/>The PokeGear device in Mark’s inner coat pocket alerted him of an incoming call and judging from the tempo of the alert tone, it wasn’t going to be good news.<br/><br/><em>"Hello, are you there? Hello...can you hear me? Ok, good. This is Prof. Elm. We have a bit of a situation at the Goldenrod City Radio Tower. I'd handle it myself, but I'm barricading the laboratory from newbie trainers who are trying to break down the door to get a new Pokemon. The supply of Pokemon plummeted and the demand rose exponentially and couldn't keep up. <br/><br/>Nobody has access to Pokemon Trainers everywhere are unable to FLY with their Pokemon. Flying Pokemon have been rendered useless. The wild bird Pokemon have become extremely aggressive and FLYing is not safe. In addition, hordes of Skarmory and Crowbat have been attacking the Radio Tower during the day. Hoothoot flocks have been defecating on the Radio Tower and flying into the glass windows and flying shrapnel is harming the radio station workers. Do you think you could check it out in my stead? I have a hunch Team Rocket might be behind this..." </em><br/><br/><em>“I’m on the S.S. Anne headed towards Olivine, but I’ll head right there Professor. There better be something in it for me though! Some trainers may be willing to do charity work, but my services require some sort of incentive,” </em>clarified Mark.<br/><em>“Yes, yes, we’ll discuss your reward later. Please make haste!”</em>Elm seemed desperate.<br/><em>“Will do, Professor,” </em>Mark pressed the small switch on his PokeGear to end the call and conserve energy.<br/><em>“This journey isn’t going quite as planned. Sorry you didn’t get to fight Chuck earlier, Mantine, but it seems you’ll get a good workout once we reach Goldenrod. I only wish we would have the chance to hang around in Olivine for a bit, but alas duty calls! I promise I’ll take you there some other time.”</em><br/><br/><em>“Mantine!” </em>Mark’s aquatic and flying pal was too busy enjoying his two favorite elements of nature – water and air – to care about Professor Elm’s urgency. The misty tide crashing into the ship lightly sprayed Mantine, which he found refreshing.<br/><em>“Your ass better be ready for a good fight, fella. It seems some bad Pokemon are causing trouble in the Radio Tower in Goldenrod.”</em>Although Mantine hadn’t had a good battle in a long time, his natural activeness and exuberance ensured Mantine was always excited about fighting. Mark’s graceful Pokemon shared his fighting spirit and bravado.<br/><br/><em>“If Team Rocket is there, we’ll take them down one battle at a time, won’t we?”</em>Mark egged his manta on.<br/><br/><em>“Manti! Manti!”</em>