While the market value of a Mystic Water couldn't compare to a Dragon Fang, it generally commanded a steep price of around two million. Most trainers capable of boarding the S.S. Anne came from well-off families, but a prize worth two million was still an almost irresistible temptation.
The sudden announcement of the tournament made the duel between Hisoka and Gentleman Ron difficult to continue.
Ron brushed off non-existent dust from his suit pocket and said haughtily, "Settling grudges through a private brawl is a disgrace to a gentleman. Since the S.S. Anne officials have announced an upcoming event, why don't we settle our score during the tournament? Let the crowd be the judge of who is right and who is wrong. After all, the words of the victor are always the truth..."
"Makes no difference to me," Hisoka shrugged. "I just hope you can actually last long enough to face me. It would be a shame if you were eliminated halfway through by someone else."
"Hmph! We shall see!" Without waiting for a response, Gentleman Ron took his female companion's hand and turned to leave.
Once Ron had departed, Ash and his friends finally breathed a sigh of relief. They would have felt terrible if their involvement had caused an irrational clash between the two trainers.
"Hehe..." Ash grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his head as he approached Hisoka. "Thanks a lot. If you hadn't reminded me, I might have really swapped my Butterfree away while I was in a daze."
Hisoka rolled his eyes at him, ignoring Ash to look at the orange-haired girl who had been stealing glances at him. He broke into a bright smile. "By the way, you're Misty, aren't you? From Cerulean City."
"That's right!" Misty nodded excitedly, thrilled that a handsome guy had spoken to her first. Then a thought struck her: how did he know her name and where she was from?
Her confusion didn't last long as Hisoka continued, "My name is Hisoka. I once served as a temporary Gym Leader at the Cerulean Gym for three days because of a mission posted by your sisters."
"I remember now!" Misty shouted, a look of realization dawning on her face. "So the excellent trainer my sisters mentioned was you! No wonder everyone at the Cerulean City Pokémon Center was saying the Gym had become super strong after the leader changed."
"Wait, so you're the one who defeated Gary Oak when he challenged the Cerulean Gym?" Ash suddenly rushed forward, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "If you can beat Gary, you must be really strong! Please, you have to battle me! I want to prove..."
Misty shoved the babbling Ash aside and stepped toward Hisoka. She asked hesitantly, "How is that Feebas my sisters gave you? Oh, don't misunderstandI'm not trying to take it back."
"Do you want to see it?" Hisoka asked softly. "After all, you're the one who pulled this little one back from the brink of death."
Seeing that Hisoka wasn't offended, Misty nodded happily. "Yes!"
"Come on out, Feebas!"
The characteristic red light of a Poké Ball flashed. Just as Feebas was about to hit the floor, Hisoka reached out and caught it in his arms.
"Wow, this Pokémon is so ugly!" Ash exclaimed exaggeratedly. "It looks a bit like a Magikarp, but I've never seen one like this before." He pulled out his Pokédex and aimed it at Feebas.
"Ash, you're so annoying!" Misty snapped.
Misty was a true lover of Pokémon, with a particular soft spot for Water types. Her dream was to become a Water Type Pokémon Master. Naturally, hearing Ash call the Feebas ugly made the young girl unhappy.
"No data available. Cannot display," a synthesized male voice droned from the Pokédex.
"Kid, come over here for a second." Hisoka beckoned to the confused Ash.
Ash didn't understand what was happening but obeyed the summons. Ash was only tall enough to reach Hisoka's chest. Hisoka held Feebas out, extending his arms until the fish was right in front of Ash's forehead.
Puff! Puff!
Feebas blew a couple of bubbles, its brow furrowing before it slammed its head hard against Ash's forehead.
Thud!
Ash clutched his head and crouched down, hissing through his teeth. "Ow! That hurts, that really hurts!"
"Giggle..." Seeing Ash's pathetic state, Misty laughed so hard she could barely breathe. "That's what you get for making fun of Feebas. You deserve it."
"Misty's right," Brock added, nodding in agreement. It was incredibly rude to loudly call someone's Pokémon ugly right in front of their trainereven if this particular fish really was quite a sight.
Misty gently stroked Feebas's smooth, clean scales and sighed with emotion. "You've really put your heart into caring for Feebas. Staying with you is probably the best outcome it could have hoped for."
Feebas clearly recognized its savior. It didn't resist Misty's touch at all; instead, it rubbed its head against her palm, expressing its gratitude.
Misty didn't ask Hisoka why he had chosen to catch Feebas. Even someone like her, who loved Water types, had to admit deep down that she wouldn't want to catch such an unattractive Pokémon. That was exactly why she had left Feebas in the care of the Gym for so long.
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