"Wow! Look at that!"
Ash's exclamation echoed over Vermilion City's port. He pointed at the pure white giant ship docked at the pier, sunlight casting fragmented golden rays on its hull. Pikachu stood on his shoulder, waving its small paws excitedly.
"That's the S.S. Anne, right? I saw it in a magazine!" Ash's eyes sparkled.
Xiao You pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting a gleam of intelligence: "It's one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the Kanto region. I heard there's a Pokémon battle Tournament and a water park on board."
"A water park?" Ash's eyes widened even more. "Then we definitely have to go see it!"
The three excitedly ran to the ticket booth, but simultaneously gasped when they saw the price tag.
"This... this is too expensive!" Ash's jaw almost dropped to the ground. "Even if all three of us sold ourselves, we couldn't afford one ticket!"
Brock sighed, patting Ash's shoulder: "Luxury cruise ships are for the rich. We should just—"
"Oh my, aren't these a few lovely Trainers?"
A cloyingly sweet female voice suddenly cut in. The three turned to see two heavily made-up "ladies" in exaggerated puffy skirts walking towards them. One had exaggerated pink curly hair, the other dazzling blonde hair.
Ash narrowed his eyes: "Wait, that voice..."
Pikachu's ears twitched: "Pika Pika! (Ash, it's Jessie and James)!"
Xiao You quietly leaned into Ash's ear: "They haven't even changed their walking posture."
Brock, however, had already approached them with sparkling eyes: "Beautiful ladies, how may I be of service?"
"Oh, you're so naughty!" The "lady" with pink curly hair—who was actually Jessie—covered the lower half of her face with a fan. "I'm Mary, the party girl, and this is my sister Anna~"
The blonde "Anna"—who was actually James—performed a stiff curtsy, his wig almost falling off.
Ash suppressed a laugh: "You... uh... is there something you need?"
"Actually, it's like this," Jessie pulled out a stack of gilded cards from her exaggerated skirt, "We have a few invitation tickets to a Pokémon Trainer party being held on the S.S. Anne, and we were just wondering who to give them to."
"Free invitation tickets?" Ash pretended to be surprised as he took them. "Can you really give them to us?"
"Of course!" James said in a falsetto, his voice shrill. "There's free food and Pokémon battles at the party!"
Pikachu's tail shot up in alarm: "Pikachu! (Ash, this is definitely a trap!)"
Xiao You pushed up her glasses, a white glint flashing across the lenses: "Even if it's a trap, we can handle it, right Ash?"
"Absolutely!" Ash grinned, then turned to the two "party girls," "Then thank you very much!"
Watching the three run towards the boarding gate, Jessie and James finally couldn't help but snicker.
"Phase one of the plan is a success!" Meowth crawled out from under Jessie's skirt, rubbing his paws.
"Hehe, once they're on the ship, they won't have a choice!" Jessie laughed sinisterly, completely forgetting her disguise.
James proudly adjusted his wig: "The boss sent fifty Superior members to ambush them on the ship this time. We'll definitely catch Pikachu and other rare Pokémon!"
The interior of the S.S. Anne was even more luxurious than Ash had imagined. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, illuminating the wide corridors carpeted in red. Uniformed waiters moved through, carrying silver trays with exquisite pastries.
"This... this is amazing!" Ash spun around, trying to take everything in.
Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder: "Pika (Ash, don't get dizzy, we still need to find the party area)."
Xiao You checked the invitation: "The party is on the top deck, but before that..." Her gaze was drawn to a boutique nearby, "I want to check out the shopping area!"
Brock's eyes had already locked onto a passing blonde waitress: "Ah, beautiful lady, could you tell me the way to the restaurant?"
"Brock!" Ash and Xiao You simultaneously covered their faces.
"Alright, it looks like we'll have to split up," Xiao You shrugged. "Meet back at the party area in an hour?"
"No problem!" Ash gave a thumbs-up, then turned to Pikachu, "Let's go, Pikachu! We're going to try those desserts that look super delicious!"
The sight of the food area left Ash and Pikachu dumbfounded. A twenty-meter-long buffet table was laden with all sorts of delicacies: from Kanto oden to Sinnoh region's specialty desserts, everything imaginable.
"Is this... is this heaven?" Ash swallowed hard.
"Pikachu. (It looks much better than the food at Professor Oak's lab)" Pikachu had already jumped onto a plate, grabbing a Pokémon-shaped cookie and stuffing it into its mouth.
For the next forty minutes, Ash and Pikachu tasted almost every single food item. When they finally stopped, their stomachs were as round as balloons.
"Burp—" Ash let out a satisfied burp. "Pikachu, I think I might have eaten too much..."
"Pika (Who told you to challenge that 'Big Eater Special' package?)." Pikachu lay on the table, rubbing its round belly.
When they arrived at the party area, Xiao You was already waiting there, carrying five or six shopping bags.
"What happened to you two...?" Xiao You looked at the state of the boy and his Pokémon, and couldn't help but laugh.
"The food area was terrifying," Ash groaned. "Those desserts just jump onto your plate themselves!"
Xiao You shook her head: "Where's Brock?"
Just then, Brock walked over dejectedly: "Rejected again..."
"Alright, cheer up!" Ash clapped his hands. "The party's about to start!"
The party area was colorfully decorated, with a battle arena in the center, surrounded by buffet tables and lounge areas. The host was enthusiastically introducing the activities on stage.
"Welcome, all Trainers, to the S.S. Anne's Pokémon party! We've prepared exciting battle competitions and generous prizes!"
Ash's eyes lit up: "Battle competition! I'm joining!"
Xiao You pulled him back: "Wait, are you sure? Pikachu doesn't look like he can fight."
Pikachu nodded weakly: "Pikachu... (I can't even use Thunderbolt right now...)"
Just then, the cruise ship's horn blared, and the ship shuddered slightly.
"We're setting sail!" the host announced. "Let us sail towards the ocean of joy!"
Halfway through the party, the S.S. Anne had already sailed to the middle of the vast ocean, surrounded by endless blue water. Ash, Xiao You, and Brock were sitting in a lounge area at the edge of the deck, enjoying the sea breeze.
"This is truly amazing," Ash stretched. "Although it's a bit of a shame I couldn't participate in the battles."
"Has Pikachu recovered?" Xiao You asked.
Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder: "Pika (Much better, ready to battle anytime)."
"Looks like he has recovered," Brock said with a smile, "but the party's almost over too."
Ash looked around, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Have you noticed? There are a lot of people in black suits on the ship."
Xiao You nodded subtly: "I noticed them since we boarded, at least thirty of them."
"And they've been observing other Trainers' Pokémon," Brock added, "especially the rare species."
"Team Rockets members," Pikachu's tail shot up alertly. "They're about to make their move."
"Looks like the 'party' Jessie and James talked about is about to begin," Ash grinned. "Are we ready to welcome them?"
The three exchanged a knowing look, then quietly checked the Poké Balls at their waists.
Just then, all the lights on the ship suddenly went out, leaving only moonlight spilling onto the deck. The crowd began to stir.
"What's going on?"
"Is it a special party program?"
"Since you asked so sincerely!"
"We'll tell you with great compassion!"
Following the familiar opening lines, a spotlight suddenly hit the central arena, illuminating Jessie, James, and Meowth, who had changed back into their Team Rockets uniforms.
"Team Rockets!" Ash suddenly stood up. "They finally showed their true colors!"
"Hahahaha!" Jessie laughed loudly. "It's too late to realize now! Team Rockets' Superior members, move out!"
In an instant, dozens of Team Rockets members in black uniforms rushed out from the crowd, beginning to snatch Poké Balls from Trainers. The scene immediately descended into chaos.
"Everyone, don't panic!" Ash jumped onto a table and shouted, "Unite and fight against Team Rockets! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
A dazzling flash of electricity streaked across the night sky, and five Team Rockets members fell to the ground.
"Bulbasaur, prepare for battle!" Xiao You quickly released her Pokémon.
Brock also immediately entered battle mode: "Geodude, Onix, Zubat, come out!"
Encouraged, the other Trainers also began to fight back, and the deck instantly became a fierce battlefield.
"Charmeleon, Flamethrower!" Ash threw his Poké Ball. "Block the left passage!"
Blazing flames forced back four Team Rockets members. At the same time, Ivysaur's Vine Whip danced like a nimble snake, entangling enemies attempting to escape.
"Wartortle, use Water Gun to support that blue-haired Trainer!" Ash quickly assessed the battle situation.
Xiao You's Bulbasaur was not to be outdone: "Razor Leaf, aim for their wrists!"
Sharp leaves precisely knocked the capture devices out of the Team Rockets members' hands.
"Excellent work!" Brock commanded his Rock-type team. "Onix, use Rock Slide to block the stairs! Geodude, Rollout attack that tall guy! Zubat, use Supersonic to disorient them!"
Team Rockets had clearly not anticipated such fierce resistance. Jessie stomped her foot in frustration: "Darn brats! Meowth, activate Plan B!"
Meowth pressed a remote control in his hand, and the cruise ship suddenly vibrated violently, accompanied by a loud bang.
"What's going on?" Ash struggled to maintain his balance.
A crew member ran over in a panic: "Oh no! We've hit a reef! The hull is taking on water!"
As the ship tilted, the battle became even more chaotic. Team Rockets members began scrambling into lifeboats, completely abandoning their attempts to steal Pokémon.
"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" James shouted, rushing towards the nearest lifeboat with Jessie and Meowth.
"Trying to escape?" Ash was about to give chase but was pulled back by Xiao You.
"Ash, no time for them! The ship is sinking!"
Brock quickly assessed the situation: "All Trainers, listen up, recall your Pokémon to their Poké Balls, and prepare to evacuate!"
The Trainers followed suit, and Ash also recalled Charmeleon, Ivysaur, and Wartortle, leaving only Pikachu on his shoulder.
"Pidgeotto, Lucario, come back!" Ash put away his last two Poké Balls.
The ship tilted more and more severely, and seawater had already begun to flood the deck. Most of the lifeboats had been occupied by Team Rockets, and the remaining few could not accommodate all the passengers.
"What do we do?" Xiao You clutched her Poké Ball, her face pale.
Ash took a deep breath, closing his eyes to feel the power of the Mind Plate within him. When he opened his eyes again, a golden light flashed in them.
"Hold on to me!" Ash extended his hands. "I have a way!"
Xiao You and Brock grabbed Ash's arms without hesitation. Pikachu clung tightly to Ash's shoulder.
"Mind Plate, take us out of here!" Ash whispered.
A golden light flashed, and the four felt a dizzying sensation. When their feet touched solid ground again, they were standing at the port of an unfamiliar city.
"This... where is this?" Xiao You swayed, almost falling, but Brock caught her.
Ash gasped for breath, fine beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. Continuously using the Mind Plate's power had exhausted him.
"Pika Pika? (Ash, are you alright?)" Pikachu asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," Ash managed a smile, looking around. "It looks like we've arrived in... Porta Vista?"
A welcome sign confirmed his guess: Welcome to Porta Vista, the seaside resort!
"We really... Teleported?" Brock looked at his hands in disbelief.
Ash nodded: "The Mind Plate's power consumes me more than I expected. But I need to rest..."
"Let's find a place to rest first," Xiao You suggested, "Then we can discuss what to do next."
The three walked towards the city, the sea gradually calming behind them. Although they had experienced a thrilling adventure, their journey would continue.
"Hey, at least we successfully foiled Team Rockets' plot," Ash said with a smile, though his steps were still a bit unsteady.
"And we got a luxury cruise for free," Brock quipped.
Pikachu gave a thumbs-up: "Pika. (And we ate our fill)."
The three exchanged smiles, taking their first steps into the adventure of Porta Vista.