Pokémon Story
Brotherhood of The Sea - Part 1
By J.C. Solis
I am sorry, lads... I will have to break this promise...... Forgive me....... Forgive me......
A salty sea breeze wafted from the washing tide, the waves splashing along the rocky shores and the thick masts anchored into the bedrock. The mighty masts, weathered by years of constant battering, held up the piers that made up an extensive and well sized port - the largest in the entire region. Boats of all types could be seen docked for port, ranging in size from small dinghies and to massive ships such as galleons and frigates. Though the sun was not yet above the horizon, the port was alive with activity, enacting on the energy and vigor that was triggered by the start of a new day's catch.
Crusty eyed sailors and fishermen were already on their boats, preparing to sail out and once more make their fortunes. Pokémon were darting in all directions, carrying with them items like trade cargo or packed nets for fishing. Every pokémon had a duty to fulfill, from the municipal dock workers to the ship captains. Every boat had a preparations checklist to complete before setting out. Fixing the problems caused by unchecked items will be a lot more difficult out to sea.
Those who decided to do business out of water - the landlubber artisans and merchants alike - began to prepare for a catch that they too planned on making. The bakeries made sure to sell as much as they could to the hungry and still sleepy sailors. The smell of a hearty sea breakfast was descending into town, a sure sign that the days labors were about to begin.
The seaport of Serenity Cove was now awake with the hubbub of a new day.
"Hurry up, big brother!" shouted a little Azurill that hopping along the boardwalks. "The boats are leaving! Dad will be gone any minute!"
*Huff, huff* "Hold on, Jakey!" panted back a Marill, who was chasing after his energetic little bro. "You’re going so *huff* fast!"
The Marill's rotund form made it hard to keep up with his brother's skipping hops. Yet both brothers managed to arrive in front of a sleek and large ship. The S.S. Farstrider.
This slender clipper was a renowned legend in these parts. Its oaken frame appeared as flawless as cut marble, yet the streamlined design made it move with the speed of a lightning bolt and with the grace of an aquatic creature. Its captain, too, was a great maverick among pokémon - one that fearlessly sailed the world's oceans and tackled any problem head-on without question. The ship, thankfully for the lads, was still in preparations. The crew was still visible on deck as they scurried in completing the checklist.
The boarding plank was still on the pier, and the two brothers scurried over it to the ship's deck. They had been on the ship a few times already, yet the exhilaration of climbing on board made their little hearts beat with the spirit of adventure. The ship itself seemed to both embody and emanate that very feeling.
"Jakey!" The little Marill finally caught up to his brother. "We shouldn't be here! Mom will be worried sick when she finds us miss-"
"Oy! What do you two be doing here!?!" yelled a Krabby sailor wearing a cadet's hat. The burly crab pokémon was setting aside cargo before it stopped to turn his attention to the boys. "This be no place for young ones to be waddling about! Shove off here!"
"Don't get yer crab shell britches in a knot, Seamus!" said a swarthy Poliwrath sailor, who towered over both his subordinate and the boys. "They be the captain's kiddies. You don't want to be harassing the captain's lads, now do you?" The Poliwrath warned. He then turned to face the two boys. "You boyos be looking for your dad? He's at the wheel helm up there," he pointed toward the back of the ship.
Sure enough, a tall yet adamant figure stood behind the large, brass tipped wheel of the ship. The pokémon had on a captain's cap and was wearing a thick long coat.
"Dad!" the boys yelled as they ran up to the wheel.
A grizzled looking Floatzel with an eye patch over his left eye turned to face the two children, smiling gleefully as he received the two in his open arms.
"Ahoy, lads!" greeted the captain, who hugged his kids with warm heart. Though he was glad to see his kids, he was even more caught off guard by their unexpected visit. "Why're you two coming all the way here this early? You two should be home. School will be starting in a wee bit. And Mother ought tah be worried sick for not finding you rascals in bed."
"Oh Dad," replied the little Azurill. "You think we'd miss you leaving port this time? We never get to see you take off!"
Little Jakey the Azurill was alluding to how the brothers normally give farewell to their father. Usually the two would say their goodbyes the night before hand, right before they would go to bed. When they'd wake up, their father had already left port and was out to sea. This time, however, little Jakey would not settle for a before night goodbye.
"I tried to stop him, Dad," explained the Marill brother named Jim embarrassingly. "But he was just so stubborn in coming! And I couldn't talk him out of it."
The Floatzel captain chuckled heartily. These young boys have been nothing but a blessing to him. They're his waking thoughts every time he sets sail. These poor kids worry so much for their father's well-being - along with their dear mother, who probably worries even more than they do.
"No need for that, Jimmy," the Floatzel replied. "In truth, me thinks you're both a little more worried about this trip than the others, eh?"
The two brothers then looked at each other in confirmation. "Do you really have to go out there?" questioned Jakey worriedly. "Why do you gotta got to that scary sea everyone is afraid of? Can't you just go around?"
"I wish I could, Jake," sighed the captain. "But me employers need this cargo in a hurry. And I can't turn down a good contract when I see one. Then how would I be able to keep you little buggers fed?" He gave a hearty seaman's laugh. "Plus, you expect me? A great sea captain, to be afraid of some ghosts out in the Bracken Sea? There be no beast that will keep me reaching shore, you can be sure of that."
"Oh, Dad!" Jakey sobbed as he teared up. "We just want you to be safe! We just... I..." He then tugged on his father long coat even harder. "I'll miss you!!!"
The captain wrapped his arms around his son and cradled him upwards. He cooed at the little pokémon to try and put him at ease. Jakey stopped his cries and looked up at the captain, who has shed tears of his own.
"Have I let ye down so far, lad?" replied the captain. "I promise you I'll be seeing you and your brother again, Jake. There be no sea large enough that keep me from shore. There be no beast that will stop me from protecting you lads when yer in your troubles. This be a captain's pledge, I assure you."
The captain had stated his Oath.
He lowered down little Jakey and reached for the Marill boy. He ruffled Jimmy's head playfully, noting that he hadn't forgotten his eldest child. "Take care of your little brother, Jim. While I'm gone, you be the caretaker of the house. Make sure nothing happens to him and your dear Mother. Sailor's promise?"
Jimmy gave a salute. "Sailor's promise, Dad!"
"Hah hah! That's my boy." The captain was pleased with his response. "How about you two come on a trip with me when your summer vacation starts? That way you can see the life of a sailor firsthand! I sure hope that will make up for all these times that-"
"Captain Maxwell!" called one of the sailors, who happened to be the same Poliwrath from before. "We've got everything ready! We're set to take off."
"Thank you, Commander Davey," responded the Captain, uttering a little curse under his tongue "Lads. I'm afraid it is time. I need you two to go home. Remember all I has told yah."
The boys could only nod as they reluctantly turned away from their father. Once back onto the pier the plank was removed, preventing anyone from entering or exiting through it again. The grizzled captain looked at his crew down on the deck. All his men, including Commander Davey and Cadet Seamus, were in formation as they awaited his next orders.
"Alright then, ya bilge rats!" bellowed the Captain. "What're you all standing around for!? Do I pay you to be dumb wooden planks!?! Hoist the sails! Man your stations! Let us shove off from here!"
"Aye aye!!!" trooped the sailors. And before long the ship was detached from the pier moorings and the main sails of the clipper were raised and tightened. The ship then began to lurch away from the pier's edge. The mighty ship, whose timbers were as grizzled as the captain who steered it, now headed toward the seas that awaited them.
The captain looked back at the pier, and at the town that was slowly getting farther and farther away. His lads waved at him goodbye as they too began to appear smaller. Captain Maxwell lifted a hand to wave his last goodbyes as well. Now began his yearning for the gray shores of Serenity Cove and all that he was leaving behind. All that he cherished was still in his sight, so close yet still so far away.
The life of a sailor, for both family and seaman alike, is always filled with this constant dread. The treachery of the seas is always a factor, and no one can ever be certain what the deceptively cunning waters are planning. Yet there is also this constant hope. A hope of one day returning to shore, to reunite with patiently awaiting loved ones after the voyage is through. And they too will partake in this wait.
For now, Captain Maxwell faced an uncertainty out in the open waters. The stories he's heard of the Bracken Seas have only grown worse in the coming of last years. And not a single one had an end pleasing to the ear. Yet it was his sailor's pride to get his job done. He hasn't failed a contract so far, and he wouldn't let dead pokémon's tales dictate what he would do with his ship. There was no monster that would take him down without so much as a fight.
There was no sea that'd keep him from seeing the bright faces of his young lads again.
The somber waters seemed to splash in eternal repetition. The waves were never ceasing and never died, even on the laziest of days. The waves, now that Jakey remembered them, were exactly the same. They were just as tranquil as on that fateful day. The breeze was a little different, though. This one headed west while the ones that guided his father were blowing east.
These would be the winds that'd be bringing his father back, thought the worried little pokémon. The day when he'd see the face of his bombastic as ever dad was drawing near.
Jakey stood at the edge of the pier - his usual spot to look out to sea. The space that his father's ship occupied was now taken by another large wooden ship - a clipper as well. Though this one was noticeably different than that of his Dad's. The clipper, when pulling to port, had actually tricked the little lad at first glance. Though all celebrations Jakey was planning were soon up in smoke upon a closer inspection.
The ship's color was much lighter than the S.S. Farstrider, which was darker and more sullen - a testament to the treacherous waters the ship battered. On this ship, everything from the hull to the steering wheel was a bright pine coloration, as though they had barely been constructed. The wheel itself was even missing the brass knobs that its grayish brown stained spokes were adorned with.
A third detail was the absence of large bronze bell behind the ship's wheel. It was this bell that his father rang every time he pulled to port to announce the Farstrider's arrival. Jakey had been waiting patiently the past two months to hear that bell, and to see the S.S. Farstrider firsthand pull up beside him. The sun had already set well below the rocky cliffs the town was built alongside. The dimming light shaded the town and everywhere around it. A new night was rising, and a full moon stared face forward to town and at little Jakey. The eerie light of the cove lighthouse was now lit as well. The yellow beams were constantly rotating, a siren's call to any sailors out to sea who were searching for the safe haven of port.
Jakey sighed as it grew too dim for him to see out to sea. Yet he didn't want to return home empty handed again. He didn't want to give up searching. If his father was arriving, he wanted to be the first to greet him home. He wanted to jump right into his father's arms and be piggybacked all over the pier in celebration. He wanted to ask about his adventures, how exciting his travels were and so much more. The thought was just so tantalizing, so heartwarming, so-
"Jakey?" called Jimmy from behind. "It's getting late. Let's go home! It’s getting too dark .to see anything anyways, so-"
"I don't wanna go home!" Jakey defiantly rebuffed. "I know Dad is going to show up today! I know it!"
"He'll be here soon, little brother," replied Jim. "But we gotta give him time. He'll be here before you know it!"
"But I... I..." Jakey tried to rebuff. "I know he's coming! I don't want to miss him!"
"Dad would want us to wait, Jake. You know that," Jim responded a little more sternly as he gave his little bro a hug from behind. "You gotta give him time. He promised he'd come back, and Dad never goes back on his promises!" Jimmy cheered up. "Let's go home."
Jakey could only stare out into the dark in final hopes. But the water provided no answer and no comfort. His brother was right. His father would want him to be strong. He'd would want him to be patient. Dad would never break a promise he made, no matter how difficult it was to keep or complete. And he'd never let his family down.
It was pointless in trying to wait out by the pier's edge any longer. It was time to wait patiently even more.
"Okay," responded Jake as he turned around.
Jakey looked off to the rising sun on the pier's edge once again. The ever-calm waters of the cove have by no means been changed. Another morning had risen onto town - with the sun only now fully above the horizon. And as usual the port was in its usual daily hubbub. Yet this time the atmosphere was eerily different than normal. The dockworkers and sailors were even more frantic than usual, a sort of dread and anxiety cross on their faces, their movements more calculated and swift. The ships facing out were loaded with equipment in sheer haste, with the workers not pausing even for a moment from their tasks. Large torch beam lights were being loaded and installed onto the ships, as were several smaller, more mobile search boats.
"You promised..." murmured Jakey as he stared.
This search parties had finished loading the essentials needed for their mission. They would need every bit of it in order to continuously search the waters.
"You promised, Dad..."
Already one of the ships took off - a blazing clipper that sped away in quick haste.
"You said you'd come back..."
A second one, a much slower Man o' War, was setting off from the pier decks. It's iron sides was dotted with port holes, each one with a single canon facing directly outward. If what was out there still remained, then this amount off muscle power was a sure necessity.
"You promised you'd see me again..." A tear trickled down his cheek and dripped to the worn pier planking.
After these first two ships left the rest of the armada followed suit. Ships of all sizes followed suit in a group that seemed like a war party. The group was more than a dozen strong, all of them armed to the teeth and equipped with the state-of-the-art gear needed to rescue the S.S. Farstrider - or to find its grave. Jakey could only stare as the search party left port for the Bracken Sea. Their duty would not be an easy one. They were charged with not only finding the lost captain and his ship, but also with destroying the beast that was reported to have attacked it.
A few survivors had managed to escape from when the Bracken Sea Monster attacked. And every one of them was shell shocked from the horrors they had witnessed. One of them, Cadet Seamus the Krabby, had turned stark raving mad and was uttering nothing but nonsense since his rescue. The only one who had enough sense to give any good details was Commander Davey, the kindly Poliwrath. He gave a grim recollection of his last moments on the Farstrider. The group was attacked by a humongous Tentacruel, one of unbelievable size and power. The beast was way larger than the ship itself, and it swirled water around it that churned in a violent maelstrom. Canon fire from the ship's guns did little to impede its movements as it picked off sailors one after one with its massive flailing tentacles.
Captain Maxwell, in a final act of desperation, ordered his remaining crew to abandon ship in an attempt to flee. But to give them precious moments for escape, he decided to stay behind and guide the ship in order to distract the monster. If possible, he was to land the ship somewhere in the nearby atolls that surrounded the sea. That is, if the monster let him survive in one peace.
That was the last the crew saw of either ship, captain, or monster as they swam away for dear life. The battering waves prevented anyone from ever seeing how the final battle finished, though everyone had a horrid notion of what resulted.
"Hey Jakey," Jimmy said as he walked up beside his brother. "Are you alright?"
"No..." the little guy could only whisper. He then turned to face his brother, eyes red shot and with tear streaks on his cheeks. "Dad isn't coming back, is he..."
Jimmy froze solid, unable to come up with a proper response. Though as optimistic as he was, not even Jim could make light of this situation. He failed to bring comfort to himself, let alone to his younger brother.
"I don't know," was all that Jim could choke out. The two brothers hugged each other in their shared angst. Whether older or younger, both shared the harrowing pain that gripped at their hearts. The Armada pushed onward to the cursed waters they seek. The waves gave no hint as to what a vile force of nature they faced. Nor did they offer comfort to the grief that the brothers, and the town, shared in that moment.
The cloud cover completely blotted the overhead sky, making town a void space empty of comforting light. The wind was in full gusting force, a sure sign of a storm front on the way to the cove. The distant rumbling of the thunder roared from the now churning waters, waves splashing hard on the rocky shoreline and slapping against the pier masts.
The chapel bell tolled the afternoon of this dark day. The gong like tolls reverberated to the very top of the cliff faces and further back toward land. It beamed beyond the lighthouse to the open seas and the splashing waves. The tolls echoed through the now empty streets and alleys of town. They bounced along the houses and shanty shops, around the boats moored in port, and into the hearts of those present at the funeral. The bell formed a symphony with the blowing wind and the thunder's roar. The chapel was in full service and not a single person, down to the last elder and child, was absent. A gilded bronze tipped wheel was set over a table in front of the preacher's pulpit, as well as a few other artifacts that were recovered from the sea. All along the table were picture frames of the fallen - from both those who set out only for adventure to those who went searching for revenge.
And at the very center of the table was a photo of the Maverick, standing proud and adamant while giving a salute. His stern face looked straight at the camera, his former discipline and courage emanate as he stared for this last of photos. He displayed this very prowess even on his last day on shore.
Jimmy and Jakey were seated in the front row seats of the church along with their mother. Maryann was a dainty faced and kindly Azumarill, and she held her two children tightly to her as the funeral commenced. The boys each wore a bowtie while their mother wore a bonnet. They and the rest of the guests wore clothes of the same color - mournful black.
Reverend Matheus, clothed in dark robes with a white ribbon over his shoulders, began his part without further delay. He stood over his pulpit and was about to address those seated and standing around the chapel, the Honchcrow first ruffling his feathers and steadying his composure. He started his eulogy with somber words of remembrance.
"I thank you all for coming in this sad day of remembrance. I thank the townsfolk for showing their sympathies to the grieving families. I also thank the captains and sailors as well who have taken this time to give farewell... " The room then filled with muffled sobs and groans. "...to their own. "Today we say our goodbyes to more than just a great pokémon. Today we give our goodbyes to a legend, a true adventurer and bombast of the sea. We give our hearts in remembrance of a truly courageous individual, whose final act in life was to spare others from the terrible fate he..."
The following words were too hard for Jakey to bear. He turned his head away from the preacher and his painful monologue.
"Today we give our mournful sorrow as well to the many sailors who we lost due to this travesty. Those who went along with the late captain in the name adventure, as well as those pursuing vengeance against the force that took these poor souls from us."
The search party was crippled by the power of the beast. Of the fourteen ships that had went to fight the beast, only seven returned. All received extensive damage. Even the Man o' War, with its heavy armor and firepower was no match - though it was the most intact coming back. The Search Clipper, on the other hand, was not so fortunate.
Everyone knew that nothing would ever be the same again. The seas were now all the more perilous, with no one being safe once they were to set sail.
"With this, I conclude my sermon," said Reverend Matheus. "All are now welcome to come up and give their final farewells. May the Great Ones look over Captain Maxwell--and all these poor souls we mourn today--into the next world beyond our own. Amen."
With this, the large crowd formed a line to take turn in paying their respects, and the two boys and their mother were allowed first. The family stood in front of the pulpit and looked at the eyes of the captain one last time. Maxwell seemed to look directly at the boys - with his prowess and aura still gleaming, despite him now just being a glossy picture.
"Goodbye, Dad," Jake whispered. Though he felt grief just like his fellow mourners, he could only stare coldly at his father's picture frame. His empty eyes looked at his father in contempt before he gave his brother a turn. Jim walked up to his father's gaze, not forgetting the oath he made to his old man.
"I'll protect em, Dad!" stated Jim stoutly, giving a salute to his father. "I'll keep them safe. I promise." He then allowed his mother to approach the photo.
"I'll take good care of them for you, Maxie Honey." The widow's voice was so tender and fragile. "I promise. They'll grow up to such fine young lads. Just like you want them to be." Maryann was always a soft-spoken person, and her love for the captain was pure.
"My condolences, Miss Maryann," Reverend Matheus lamented as he walked up to her. "Maxwell was and always will be a great pokémon. His spirit lives on in our memories, and his words will always have a place in our hearts," he assured.
"Thank you, Matheus. I'm well aware Max would want us to move forward. He'd never wish for us to be in such dire moods. Thank you." The mother returned a sincere smile.
"You're always welcome in these halls, Maryann. Whatever you need from this church or from town, it will be done. I'll personally see to that," the Reverend assured. He then turned his attention to the young boys. "Boys. I want you two to take care of your dear mother. It is now when you must summon the courage your father has left you two. I know that he'd want you two to be fetching and brave lads. The time has now come when you must be strong and hold the family together. Can I trust you two with that?"
The two nodded. "That's what Dad told me the day he left," recalled Jim. "And... And I won't let him down!" he managed to troop.
"Same here," replied Jake, though he kept from looking directly at the preacher.
Matheus eyed Jakey with a scrutinized eye. Something didn't seem right with the boy - but at the same time, it was not his place to ask such probing questions. "Well then, take good care of yourselves."
The family turned around to make an exit, passing alongside the line of gatherers walking to the pulpit. Everyone was in a form of grief. Not even the saltiest of sailors and the most strong willed of captains could hold back their tears. Whether ally or adversary of Maxwell, all grew a respect for the captain and his memory. And all of them gave the passing family their condolences. Even the family members of the lost rescue ships gave Maxwell's brood their respects. They all shared the pain of loss, and it was only fitting that the mourning would comfort each other.
The storm front arrived at town as expected. Battering rains bombarded the town almost instantly, as did blasting winds that blew away anything in its path. Little of the sun's comforting light breached the darkened pitch clouds. And the storm spared no mercy on the town and on the mourners. The sea swayed furiously with violent fervor. The mighty masts of the pier groaned as perpetual walls of water slapped themselves onto the pier. And the air shattered as white arcs streaked across the dim lit sky.
The sea, too, mourned her loss. And her haunting wails would continue without end.
It has been three days since the storm hit town, and only on this somber morning did the storm take leave. But even with the torrents having passed, the sea still showed her grief; the rumble of distant thunder still resounded through the cove. With the seas looking more calm and promising, the sailors decided it was high time to leave port. For three wet, miserable days they remained cabined up, hoping for the weather to ease. Yet the storm lingered unusually longer, and the downpour was harder than anyone in the cove had ever witnessed. The leaky shanty houses could only hold back so much water.
The damage done to both homes and boats was great - and in some cases disturbing. Smaller boats were found having sunken or missing altogether. Some of the flimsy houses, too, have been damaged or torn apart by the gale winds - leaving behind either an unlivable home or a rubble pile of what used to be a home. The chapel and lighthouse were the only buildings completely unscathed; being of hard laid stone and mortar that made the structures indomitable.
Yet despite the monsoon hurricane storm's power, there were no fatalities. Just a bunch of folks who were either injured or wounded, or those without a home. The pier was still majorly intact, though the boardwalk received tons of damage. Dangerous holes littered the place, some large enough to swallow whole pokémon if not careful. Yet despite this, the mighty masts of the pier held strong, having easily survived the storm.
Jakey once again stood at his place on the pier's edge. Having not seen the water since the storm's coming, he came to view the now settling waves of the sea. He stared with empty eyes at the rolling waters. And only the distant rumble of thunder occasionally broke his silence.
"Hey Jakey!" called his brother. "What're you doing here? Mom has been worried- Waaaahh!!!!" Jim yelped.
Only when Jakey heard his brother splash did he break from his limbo... temporarily.
Jim bobbed up to the water's surface. Though it was a harmless fall, he realized he'd better watch his step next time. He then swam toward the lower piers, where he lifted himself out of the water. He shook his drenched fur dry, water flying right off of his water repellent fur, and rushed over to see to his melancholic brother.
*Huff* "These holes sure are everywhere!" Jim tried to catch his breath. "Why are you out here all alone, Jakey? Mom has been worried sick not after not finding you at home."
"I just want to be left alone!" Jake replied harshly.
"Come on, Jake. You've locked yourself in your room throughout all the storm! Can't we just talk this-"
"I don't wanna talk!" Jake snapped, turning to glare at his brother. "Leave me alone!"
"Jake, don't be like that!" Jim tried to calm. "There is no reason for you to-"
As Jim tried to get closer Jake squirted him with a small Water Gun. Jim was knocked back a bit after getting hit in the face, but he quickly gained his composure. "Hey! I'm only trying to help you, Jake!" he yelled back.
"Go away!" screamed Jake, tears welling up in his eyes.
He responded with more squirts of water, all of them which Jim dodged. Jim moved in quick succession to dodge the small jets, getting closer and closer to his brother. "Why are you angry, Jake!?!" Jim shouted. "Dad wouldn't like this! Dad wouldn't want us to be fighting!"
"Yeah?! Well Dad is gone!!!"
The dam of tears soon broke into sobs. He let loose the sadness that had been welling up over time. His resentment toward his father for leaving him - for not keeping the promise he had vowed to complete. All Jim could do was give him a hug. "He promised me, Jim! He promised!" Jake blubbered. "He said he'd come back! He said he'd see me again!"
"He said he'd see 'us' again, Jake," Jim stated. "He promised 'us' he'd be back."
Jakey looked up to his brother's eyes and was utterly stunned by his brother's face. Jake let go of his brother and looked over the pier at the waters reflection. Jim's face was an exact replica of his own. The creases around his face, the redness of his eyes, the tear streaks that ran down his cheeks.
Jakey felt his cheeks burn red. Shame and embarrassment gripped him at realizing how selfish he had been. "Big brother. I... I'm sorry..."
Jimmy grinned happily as he hugged Jake close to him. "I miss him too, Little Brother," he replied somberly. "I miss him too." Jim could not fault his brother for the way he acted. The pain was simply too great for one little Polka Dot Pokémon to handle.
"You know, we made a promise to him too that day," Jimmy recalled. "I promised him that I'd take good care of you and Mom. And he wanted us to take good care of each other. Dad may be gone..." Jim choked a little at that. "But... But I don't think he's left us completely. I think Dad is still watching us, from somewhere far away. And he wants us to make him proud."
Jake was eased with these sobering words. He knew well what his father would want of him, too. Yet all he had done was build hatred for his father - for a situation Jake knew that Maxwell just couldn't control.
Maxwell had gone down with the S.S. Farstrider in a last-ditch effort to save the lives of his crew. His father knew the situation was hopeless - and that everyone would meet their end by the Bracken Sea Monster. His final order was for his crew to abandon ship, to swim away for their lives while he'd stay behind and distract the beast. He gave his surviving crew the chance to see their families once more--even though he'd lose seeing his own. Maxwell knew that this may happen to him. To be of the unfortunate many to have sailed their last out to sea. This sad fact of sea life is the reason why he has been inspiring his children to grow strength of heart, so that they may become the fetching and daring young lads he had always wished them to be. So that when he can no longer accompany them, they will be ready to set sail and follow their own course.
Wherever that may be.
"I know, Big brother." A small grin grew on the little pokémon's face.
James... Jacob... Forgive me...
Do not cry, my lads... Your father is always with you...
