Although the market price of a Mystic Water droplet couldn't quite compare to that of a Dragon Fang, it was still generally valued at around two million. Trainers who could board the S.S. Anne usually came from fairly well-off families, but even so, a prize worth two million was still a temptation none of them could easily resist.
The sudden announcement of the tournament made it difficult for Kael and the gentleman Ron to continue their confrontation.
Ron brushed at his suit pocket, as though dust actually existed there, and said proudly,
"Settling grudges through private duels is a disgrace to a gentleman. Since the S.S. Anne has officially announced an upcoming competition, why don't we leave our differences for the arena? Let the crowd judge who is right and who is wrong. After all—
the victor's words are always the truth."
"I don't really care," Kael shrugged. "It'd just be a shame if a certain someone got knocked out by another trainer before he ever made it to face me."
"Hmph. Then let's wait and see," Ron replied coldly.
Without bothering to hear any further response, he turned and left, holding his companion's hand.
Once Ron was gone, Ash and the others finally let out a sigh of relief. If things had escalated into a reckless fight because of them, they would've felt terrible about it.
"Hehe…"
Ash scratched the back of his head and sheepishly sidled up to Kael.
"Uh… thanks. If you hadn't stopped me, I might've really gone and traded away Butterfree without even realizing it."
Kael shot him an annoyed glance and ignored him, instead turning toward the orange-haired girl who had been secretly watching him. He smiled warmly.
"By the way—your name's Misty, right? From Cerulean City."
"Yeah! That's me!"
Being addressed first caught Misty by surprise, and she nodded eagerly-until she suddenly realized something was off.
"Wait… how do you know my name? And how do you know I'm from Cerulean City?"
Kael continued calmly,
"My name's Kael. I once worked as a temporary Gym Trainer at the Cerulean Gym for three days, after your sisters posted a request."
"Oh! I remember now!"
Misty's face lit up.
"You're the really amazing trainer my sisters mentioned! No wonder everyone at the Pokémon Center kept saying the Cerulean Gym got way stronger after switching Gym Leaders!"
"Then does that mean you were the one who beat Gary at the Cerulean Gym?"
Ash suddenly rushed forward, eyes blazing with excitement.
"If you can beat Gary, that means you're really strong! Please battle me—I want to prove—"
Before he could finish, Misty shoved him aside and walked up to Kael, hesitating slightly as she spoke.
"Um… how's the Feebas my sisters entrusted to you? Ah—and don't get the wrong idea! I'm not trying to take it back."
"Do you want to see it?" Kael asked gently.
"After all, this little one is the Pokémon you pulled back from the brink of death."
Seeing that Kael didn't seem upset at all, Misty nodded happily.
"Mm!"
"Come out, Feebas."
A flash of red light burst from the Poké Ball. Just as Feebas was about to drop to the floor, Kael quickly reached out and caught it in his arms.
"Wow! This Pokémon's really ugly!"
Ash exaggerated loudly.
"It kinda looks like Magikarp—but I've never seen one like it before!"
As he spoke, he pulled out his Pokédex and aimed it at Feebas.
"Ash, you're the worst!" Misty snapped.
Misty genuinely loved Pokémon, especially Water-types. Her dream was to become a Water-type Pokémon Master, so hearing Ash mock Feebas naturally made her angry.
"No data available. Unable to display,"
the Pokédex announced in its mechanical male voice.
"Kid, come over here for a second."
Kael beckoned Ash over.
Ash didn't understand what was happening, but he walked over anyway. He was only tall enough to reach Kael's chest. Holding Feebas, Kael extended his arms and placed it right in front of Ash's forehead.
Pff! Pff!
Feebas blew a couple of bubbles, then frowned—and slammed its head hard into Ash's forehead.
Thunk!
"Ow! Ow, that hurts!"
Ash clutched his head and crouched down, gasping in pain.
"Ahahaha—!"
Misty laughed so hard she nearly couldn't breathe.
"That's what you get for making fun of Feebas. Totally deserved!"
"Misty's right," Brock nodded in agreement.
"Calling someone else's Pokémon ugly right in front of their Trainer is extremely rude…even if this fish Pokémon has an unusual looks."
Misty gently stroked Feebas's smooth, clean scales and sighed softly.
"You really put your heart into raising it. Being with you might actually be its best possible home."
Feebas clearly recognized the girl who had once saved its life. Not only did it show no resistance, it even rubbed its head against Misty's palm, expressing its gratitude.
Misty didn't ask why Kael had chosen to catch Feebas.
After all—even someone like her, who adored Water-type Pokémon, had to admit that deep down, she probably wouldn't have had the courage to catch such an unattractive Pokémon herself.
That was why, until now, she had always left Feebas boarded at the Cerulean Gym.
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