"It's like this, we have invitation tickets for the St. Anne!"
"It's a super, super luxurious cruise ship, and it's invited many trainers to hold a party on board. It's great fun!"
The two of them spoke to Ash and his friends, one after another. For some reason, it always felt like they were showing off.
"Do you want them?" At this moment, Jessie, disguised as a female student, handed the invitation tickets she held to the three of them. Misty was stunned.
No way? Someone actually gave out invitation tickets? She secretly glanced at Ash. She had just wanted to say that if someone gave them out, she would jump off the dock. Fortunately, she hadn't finished speaking.
"Uh... we really want them, but we don't have the money," Brock said.
Looking at the other party's appearance, they didn't seem like cruise ship staff. This meant they might be other people who received invitation tickets. He secretly thought they might even be scalpers.
"Honestly, what's with the money talk? It's so vulgar."
"Actually, to be honest, we also really want to go, but because we have a date with our boyfriends, if you like Pokémon, please take them!"
Jessie acted very disappointed, but still reluctantly handed the invitation tickets to the three of them.
"Then thank you!" Misty, seeing this, excitedly took the three invitation tickets, her face beaming with unconcealed joy.
"Then please enjoy yourselves!" Seeing the three accept the invitation tickets, the two turned and left without hesitation, disappearing from the three's sight in a blink of an eye.
"This is so lucky." After the two left, Misty still couldn't suppress the joy in her heart. She clutched the invitation tickets tightly, as if afraid of dropping them.
"You just said, if someone gave them to you, what would you do?" Ash, of course, had known all along and was deliberately teasing her.
"Oh! I'm in a good mood, don't worry about those details! Let's quickly find the St. Anne, or the ship will leave when the time comes." Misty, seeing this, quickly changed the subject and then walked ahead.
Ash and Brock exchanged glances behind her, feeling a little helpless. This was a woman, a woman whose mood changed faster than flipping a book.
Following Misty's steps, they searched the dock and soon found the St. Anne among the crowd.
To describe this ship as "huge" was an understatement. No other cruise ship at the entire dock could compare to the scale of the St. Anne. It was like a steel monster on the ocean.
Even Ash couldn't help but sigh. Team Rocket was indeed wealthy and powerful.
"It's even more luxurious than I imagined! I'd even be willing to travel the world on it." They arrived in front of the cruise ship, took out their invitation tickets, and the staff politely gestured for the three to board.
Walking along the gangway, Misty excitedly spoke. Unfortunately, this time, because it was just a trial voyage, the St. Anne's destination was another coastal city, Porta Vista.
It wasn't very far from Vermilion City. Perhaps it was due to cost considerations, after all, they were giving out so many invitation tickets.
"Welcome aboard the St. Anne! We hope you have a pleasant journey, please come in!"
They walked up the stairs, and the staff warmly welcomed them. The three entered the ship's interior, arriving at the main party hall, which was already packed with people.
And most of them were trainers, trainers of various professions. Many people had even released their Pokémon to exchange ideas with other trainers, and some were even selling souvenirs at stalls.
"There are so many people! I'm starting to look forward to this trip." Misty also became excited, looking at the surroundings.
"Yay! Go for it!"
Just then, a cheer came from not far away. The three were also drawn to it and looked over. Many people were gathered together. The three exchanged glances and also walked towards that spot.
Upon getting closer, they discovered a battle arena within the crowd. Two trainers were currently battling. One was a boy in a green T-shirt, who looked to be only about ten years old.
On the other side was a man in a suit and top hat, dressed as a gentleman, who was probably around 30 years old. The boy was using a Starmie, while the gentleman was using a Raticate.
The three squeezed to the front to watch the match. The battle had already entered its final stage.
"Raticate, give it the final blow, use Hyper Fang!"
With the gentleman's command, Raticate launched an offensive, pouncing on Starmie. It opened its teeth, and its enormous incisors suddenly flashed red. Then, it bit deeply into the gem in the center of Starmie.
Click, click, click, bang!!
A shattering sound rang out. The gem in the center of Starmie shattered. Raticate swung its head, directly throwing Starmie. Both fell to the ground simultaneously, and Starmie collapsed.
"Ah! Starmie!!"
Seeing this, the boy immediately rushed forward and hugged his Starmie, a pained expression on his face. The gentleman showed no emotion.
"It seems your Starmie isn't strong enough. You should train it harder! Alright, is there anyone else who wants to challenge my Raticate?"
The gentleman finished speaking, ignoring the boy, and looked around, triumphantly speaking to the crowd.
"My dear, you're truly amazing!" At this moment, a woman in a purple dress, elegantly dressed and mature in appearance, walked over and leaned against him, saying softly.
"Thank you for the compliment, my dear."
The woman's appearance attracted the attention of many men.
"So... so beautiful!" Brock, naturally, was one of those men.
"You really are something! Here you go again!" Misty was speechless at Brock's lovesick expression.
"Let's go!" Seeing the match end, Ash had no intention of lingering.
Meanwhile, the other trainers around seemed to have witnessed the gentleman's strength, and no one dared to challenge him again.
"Hmm?? Wait a minute, that boy with Pikachu!" Just then, the gentleman actively spoke, calling out to Ash, who was preparing to leave.
"Is something wrong?"
"You and your Pikachu seem very close. You must be a skilled trainer, then. How about we have a match?"
He seemed to want to show off in front of his female companion, but since no one was challenging him, seeing Ash with Pikachu attracted his attention, so he actively extended an invitation.
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