Alto Mare was an isolated island, surrounded by the vast sea. For a hundred and fifty nautical miles in every direction, there were no other islands except for one tiny, deserted one. Because the city was a maze of intersecting canals, the main form of transportation was various types of small boats, much like Venice on Earth. In fact, the city was likely created with Venice as its model.
After leaving the port, Natsui, Erika, Ash, Misty, and Brock walked through the great city. Before leaving the coast, they saw a museum and two stone pillars built to commemorate Latias and Latios. This made them realize that, just as Natsui had said, the legend might truly be real.
As soon as they got off the boat, the impatient Ash immediately dragged them to the registration for the Pokémon Water Race. Along the way, they saw shallow canals everywhere, with water so clear you could see the bottom. Speedboats passed by from time to time, and the streets were lined with colorful, antique-style European buildings decorated with beautiful carvings.
"This city is so beautiful! No wonder it calls itself the most beautiful in the world!" Misty said, looking left and right. As a Water-type trainer, she clearly loved this place.
However, Natsui had a different opinion. Everyone has their own taste. He admitted the city had its charm, but there were many other cities in the world that were just as impressive. Cities like Nimbasa in Unova, Lumiose in Kalos, and Wyndon in Galar were all breathtaking and had left a deep impression on him.
The registration for the race was at the city's arena. After asking for directions, they found it easily. There, they learned from a staff member that the water race was a traditional and essential part of the Alto Mare Summer Festival. Every year, it attracted a huge number of spectators and brought in a lot of money for the city. The winner would also receive a medal called the "Alto Mare Glass Victory."
Hearing there was a medal, Ash's eyes lit up with excitement.
After he, Natsui, and Misty had all signed up, he looked at them with a fiery gaze and laughed. "Just watch! That medal is mine!"
Misty scoffed. "Stop talking big. The winner will definitely be Natsui, and I'll be second. As for you, if you don't come in last, that'll be you performing above expectations!"
"You!" Misty's put-down made Ash's head spin. "You really don't hold back, do you..."
The race was scheduled for nine o'clock the next morning. The city had been building up excitement for it for a long time, and almost all the residents and tourists knew a grand competition was about to take place.
The group checked into the Pokémon Center. In the afternoon, they went to the riverbank to watch a magnificent parade of decorated boats. Later that evening, Natsui once again treated everyone to a big meal at a specialty restaurant. It had become a routine for them; almost every time he met up with Ash and the others, he would treat them to a feast.
During dinner, he learned that Ash had also obtained seven badges. He just needed to win the Rising Badge from the Blackthorn Gym, and he too could register for the Silver Conference.
"Good luck, young man," Natsui said with a chuckle. "The Gym Leader there is Clair. She's not an easy opponent."
As the sun was about to set, they returned to the Pokémon Center. Perhaps because he had eaten too much, Ash was eager to burn off some calories and challenged Natsui to a battle. Natsui accepted.
The two of them went to the battle field behind the Pokémon Center. This time, Natsui again sent out his Eevee, and Ash sent out his Pikachu. The two Pokémon fought for a long time. In the end, a panting Pikachu defeated Eevee with an Iron Tail.
Seeing this result, Ash was overjoyed. Even though he knew Natsui hadn't used his main Pokémon, being able to defeat one of them filled him with confidence for the future.
Maybe, just maybe, I could actually beat Natsui at the Silver Conference?
The thought made his heart pound so hard he couldn't calm down. He had never, ever given up on the idea of defeating him.
...
After a night's rest, they had breakfast the next morning and headed to the race venue. Because the competition was on the water, they all wore shorts and short-sleeved shirts to avoid getting wet and to make it easier to move.
The organizers provided each contestant with a waterboard and a set of ropes. The contestants would stand on the board and connect it to their Pokémon with the ropes, making sure they wouldn't be thrown off.
To participate in the race, Natsui had temporarily transferred his Blastoise over the day before. With a Pokémon that excelled in both stamina and explosive power, he was confident he could win.
Since Erika and Brock weren't competing, they cheered for the others and then went to stand on a nearby bridge to watch the race on a large screen.
Natsui attached the ropes to Blastoise and stood on the waterboard. He was in Alto Mare's largest canal. There were about thirty contestants in the race. Like a marathon, they were lined up in several rows, waiting for the start. The race course was full of twists and turns. It started and ended in the same place, taking them on a large loop through the city's complex waterways.
Before the race, he had heard people talking about the favorite to win: a contestant named Rossi, who had won last year. His Wailmer was known for its incredible speed, and in the last race, he had taken the lead from the start and won by a huge margin.
Natsui's position was right in the middle of the pack. The contestant named Rossi was diagonally in front of him, and Ash and Misty were by his side. Both of them looked ready and full of confidence, as if they weren't bothered by the favorite at all.
As the start time approached, the crowd grew more and more excited. Three Natu and one Xatu stood together, stacked to form a starting light. As they opened their wings one by one, and the Xatu at the bottom let out a cry, the race officially began.
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