As Vermilion City's shoreline gradually came into view, the people packed onto the deck of the S.S. Anne erupted into thunderous cheers.
Far too much had happened on this trip. What was supposed to be nothing more than an enjoyable outing to watch a live Pokémon Contest had turned into a Team Rocket attack, followed shortly afterward by an explosion aboard the ship. The entire journey had become fraught with danger and uncertainty. If the League rescue team had not arrived in time, there was no telling how many people might have been put in danger.
Fortunately, with the help of the League Defense personnel and a group of enthusiastic Trainers, the crisis had ultimately been resolved without anyone coming to serious harm, and everyone returned safely.
"Thank you all so much for what you did. You'll always be honored guests aboard the S.S. Anne."
At the harbor, the round captain wiped the sweat from his forehead. Behind him stood a row of grateful crew members. Ray Chu and the others had not only saved their lives, but also the S.S. Anne—the very ship they depended on for their livelihoods.
After expressing his gratitude, the captain also presented them with a generous monetary reward and a VIP card. Whoever held the card would be able to ride the S.S. Anne free of charge for life.
Of course, that wouldn't be possible anytime soon.
The S.S. Anne would be returning to the shipyard for repairs and inspection, and it could not resume operations until they were certain there were no remaining problems.
As for the reward money, wasn't it only natural to be paid for completing a job? Even Arang, that League civil servant, hadn't refused it.
"I'll remember what you've done for me for the rest of my life."
The captain waved a little handkerchief as he departed, surrounded by the crew.
Arang turned his attention back to Ray Chu and the others and saluted once more.
"Once again, thank you for your help."
Ash scratched the back of his head with his right hand and grinned foolishly, while Ray Chu said there was no need for thanks. He had only been fulfilling his responsibilities as a member of the crew.
Just then, Arang suddenly received a phone call. His expression changed at once, and he hurriedly said goodbye before rushing off.
Watching him leave in such haste, Ash couldn't help thinking that League civil servants really were busy people.
Standing beside Ray Chu was the stern, spirited-looking Sirfetch'd, drawing plenty of attention. Ash took out his Pokédex and scanned Dapple, recording her data.
"If I get the chance, I want to catch a Farfetch'd too," Ash declared.
It seemed he had taken quite a liking to an impressive Pokémon like Dapple.
Misty, meanwhile, kept sneaking glances at Lala. As the acting Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym and the fourth member of the Sensational Sisters' aquatic ballet troupe, she knew a few things that went on behind the scenes. And the more she looked at Lala now, the more convinced she became that this Jigglypuff was the Pink Diva.
Unfortunately, to avoid trouble, Ray Chu was absolutely not going to admit it.
Just then, Nurse Joy escorted a group of Team Rocket members off the ship. Jessie, James, and Meowth were among them, all looking utterly defeated as they were marched toward the police station.
What awaited them was the full severity of League law!
For reasons known only to himself, Ash suddenly ran forward and called out to the trio.
"Be good from now on!"
"Meow meow meow! I don't wanna go to jail, meow!"
With both paws cuffed, Meowth seemed to remember something terrible. Tears immediately streamed down his face.
James looked at Ash's encouraging expression and sighed, clearly moved.
"Who would've thought? We tried to steal the twerp's Pikachu, and he still cares about us this much..."
Jessie had kept her head lowered the entire time. Suddenly, she looked up, reinvigorated.
"Damn it! I'm never giving up!"
James and Meowth both turned toward her in horror.
Jessie looked at the S.S. Anne being towed away in the distance. After a moment of silence, she said,
"Next time, I'm definitely winning a Ribbon at a Pokémon Contest."
James and Meowth both let out sighs of relief.
As long as she wasn't thinking about revenge, that was fine.
They had lost their entire budget again this time. That man named Ray Chu was just like that Pikachu—an absolute demon.
All they wanted now was to stay as far away from him as possible.
Jessie, James, and Meowth looked at one another and sighed in unison.
"What an awful feeling!"
...
In true reporter fashion, the host was busy interviewing people as they disembarked at the harbor, asking for their thoughts on the disaster.
When she spotted Lt. Surge of Vermilion Gym, her eyes lit up. She hurried over and asked,
"Hello, Lt. Surge. Could you tell us your thoughts on the attack?"
"Lt. Surge" remained silent.
The host gave an awkward laugh.
"No comment on that, then? Are you satisfied with your own performance during the attack?"
"Lt. Surge" remained silent.
Several more questions followed. With a journalist's persistence, the host fired them off one after another, leaving "Lt. Surge" completely speechless.
Then his face began to distort.
Under the host's horrified gaze, his body twisted and deformed like jelly. In the end, only a set of clothes fell to the ground, while a purple, jelly-like creature crawled out from underneath them and darted toward a nearby patch of bushes.
Ray Chu, who happened to be standing behind the host, saw the entire thing. He said something to Ash and the others, then gave chase.
Several minutes later, a soft, purple, jelly-like Pokémon stood with its back pressed against a large tree, staring nervously at the trio of starter Pokémon closing in around it.
Suddenly, it squeezed its eyes shut. Its body rippled and transformed into a Pidgey.
Ivysaur lashed its vines through the air, weaving them into a net that prevented the other Pokémon from flying away. At the same time, it advised the little guy not to resist.
Resistance was useless.
The sunglasses Wartortle crossed its arms and gave a cool snort, apparently having no desire to make a move.
Only Charmander stepped forward, sparks flickering between its parted jaws.
The next second, Pidgey cried out and attacked Charmander with its sharp beak.
A burst of flame struck it head-on and sent it crashing back down. With a miserable cry, it reverted to its original form.
The three Pokémon parted to make way.
Ray Chu walked through, picked up the creature's limp, squishy body in one hand, and met its tiny eyes.
"Ditto?"
There was no mistaking it.
This was Ditto, a Pokémon that was normally very rare. Ray Chu hadn't expected to run into one here, and even more unexpectedly, it had transformed into a Gym Leader.
"Ditto..."
Caught in his hand, Ditto let out a weak little sound, apparently begging for mercy.
But the starter trio beside them could testify from personal experience: this man—their Trainer, a demon capable of switching back and forth between human and Pikachu—didn't have anything resembling sympathy.
"Little guy, can you tell me why you transformed into Lt. Surge?"
Ray Chu held Ditto up and asked gently.
Ditto blinked its large eyes, then shook its head, saying it didn't know why either.
"Oh, really?"
Ray Chu smiled.
A long shadow stretched beneath his feet. It gathered into a ghostly mass of black mist and wrapped itself around the innocent-looking Ditto.
"Looks like you need to get properly acquainted with a friend of mine..."
---
T/N: JOIN THE DISCORD SERVER :3c COBBLEMON MODPACK FIOR THIS MONTH oh and ya theres a tournament at the end with prizes
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and so on :3
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