After leaving Kabuto Island, which had sunk due to the awakening of the Kabuto, Ash and his group continued riding on Lapras toward their next destination in the Orange League.
On the vast blue sea, Wingull occasionally glided overhead, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
They arrived at an island called Kinnow Island. The island was lush with vegetation, rich in water sources, and filled with moist air, clearly a paradise for Water-type Pokémon.
As they walked along the shore, the Togepi in Misty's arms accidentally knocked off a small charm hanging from her backpack, sending it rolling into the sea.
"Ah! My charm!" Misty cried out. It was a Water Stone-shaped charm that she really liked.
Her Psyduck, which she had just let out for some fresh air, blinked blankly and let out a confused "Quack?" Then, without hesitation and with a surprising agility that didn't match its usual dazed expression, it leapt into the sea with a splash and swam toward the sinking charm.
However, Psyduck's swimming skills were clearly not as reliable as its determination. After flailing a few times and swallowing some water, it began to sink instead.
"Psyduck!" Misty called out anxiously.
At that moment, a swift figure shot into the water like an arrow, quickly scooping up both the sinking Psyduck and the charm before lightly returning to shore.
It was a girl dressed in a sleek swimsuit, her skin a healthy tan. Beside her stood a sharp-eyed Psyduck.
"Is your Psyduck okay?" the girl asked with a cheerful smile, handing the soaked Psyduck and the charm back to Misty. "I'm Marina, a Water-type Pokémon trainer."
"Thank you for saving Psyduck!" Misty said quickly, taking back her still-dizzy Psyduck, which clutched its head.
Marina carefully examined Misty's Psyduck, especially its tail that was faintly flickering with a soft blue glow. Thoughtfully, she said, "No need to thank me. But your Psyduck seems like it's about to evolve. Look at its tail, that glow is a sign of impending evolution."
"Evolve?" Misty froze, staring at the still clueless Psyduck in her arms, finding it hard to believe.
Ash and Tracey also leaned in curiously.
However, Ash knew very well that this wasn't Psyduck about to evolve. Still, a rather strong Golduck might appear from this situation, which was worth considering.
"That's right," Marina nodded confidently. "It must have accumulated quite a lot of experience and is just missing the right trigger. So, as fellow Water-type trainers, how about a battle? Sometimes an intense battle is the best catalyst for evolution!"
Misty looked at the confident Marina, then at her own Psyduck. As a Cerulean Gym trainer, her competitive spirit was instantly ignited.
"Alright! I accept your challenge! Let this battle test our strength!"
Ash and Tracey were naturally happy to help, stepping in as temporary referees.
"The battle will be three-on-three. When all three Pokémon on one side lose their ability to battle, the match ends!" Ash announced.
"My first Pokémon is this, Tentacool!" Marina sent out her lead.
"Go, Goldeen!" Misty called out, sending her partner into battle.
However, Tentacool, with its Poison and Water typing, held the advantage, and Marina's Tentacool was clearly very experienced, moving swiftly and decisively.
"Tentacool, use Poison Sting!"
"Goldeen, use Agility to dodge!"
Goldeen nimbly avoided the Poison Sting, but Tentacool's tentacles had already spread silently beneath the water.
"Now, use Wrap!"
Several tentacles suddenly burst out of the water, tightly binding Goldeen! It struggled but couldn't break free.
"Follow up with Sludge Attack!"
"Goldeen!" Misty quickly recalled her Pokémon, wincing. "You did great… now it's your turn, Starmie!"
Starmie spun onto the field, its core glowing brightly.
"Starmie, use Water Gun!"
"Tentacool, use Acid!"
The Water-type moves canceled each other out. Seizing the opportunity, Misty called out, "Starmie, use Rapid Spin to close in, then use Psychic!"
Starmie suddenly accelerated, dodging the Acid. Its core released an invisible psychic force that struck Tentacool directly. The Psychic-type move was super effective! Tentacool trembled in pain before collapsing.
"Great job, Starmie!" Misty cheered.
"Not bad," Marina said, recalling Tentacool and sending out her second Pokémon. "Then take a look at this, go, Starmie!"
Both being evolutions of Staryu, the two Pokémon darted rapidly across the battlefield, exchanging Water Gun, Psychic, and other moves. The clash of speed and psychic power was dazzling.
In the end, after a fierce collision, both Pokémon fell at the same time, resulting in a draw.
"Starmie and Starmie are unable to battle!" Ash declared.
"Misty, send out your Psyduck!" Marina encouraged. "Maybe evolution will happen in this battle!"
"My last Pokémon is also Psyduck!"
Marina's Psyduck stood confidently on the field, its eyes sharp and focused, clearly far more alert than Misty's own.
Misty took a deep breath, preparing to take out a Poké Ball and send out her Psyduck. However, as she removed her backpack, the clasp, loosened during the earlier chaos, suddenly gave way. Before she could react, the entire bag slipped from her hands and fell into the nearby sea with a splash!
"Ah! My backpack!" Misty cried out. It contained all her important belongings and Poké Balls!
Just as everyone's attention was drawn to the sinking bag, a blue figure dove into the water at incredible speed. Moments later, it reemerged, gracefully leaping out of the sea with Misty's backpack balanced atop its head, landing steadily in front of her.
It was a Golduck! Its posture was upright, its gaze confident, with a hint of… charm? It elegantly handed the backpack back to Misty and even gave her a wink.
Misty, Ash, and Tracey were all stunned. Marina also stared in surprise at this suddenly appearing Golduck.
"M-My Psyduck evolved?!" Misty exclaimed in shock and delight, assuming it had happened when the backpack fell into the water.
Ash's Aura instantly swept over the Golduck, and he immediately sensed that there was no deep bond between it and Misty. This was clearly a wild Golduck, and one with a rather lively personality at that.
He immediately understood. This was the classic misunderstanding from the original story. But instead of pointing it out, he found it amusing, and perhaps even saw it as an opportunity.
"That's great, Golduck!" Misty said excitedly to the wild Golduck. "You evolved at just the right time! Please, help me win this battle!"
The wild Golduck seemed to understand. It glanced at Misty, then at Marina's Psyduck across the field, and confidently nodded, assuming a battle stance.
Although Marina found it a bit strange, she didn't think too much about it. "Even if it evolved, we won't lose! Psyduck, use Confusion!"
"Golduck, let's use Confusion too!"
Both Pokémon's eyes glowed blue as invisible psychic forces clashed in midair. However, it was clear that the evolved Golduck had superior mental power. Its psychic force overwhelmed its opponent, pushing the opposing Psyduck back several steps.
"What?!" Marina was shocked.
"So strong!" Misty cheered excitedly. "Golduck, use Hydro Pump!"
Golduck opened its mouth, firing a powerful and concentrated blast of water at incredible speed!
"We won! We won!" Misty jumped up happily and ran to Golduck's side. "Thank you, Golduck! You're amazing!" She took out an "empty" Poké Ball and looked at Golduck expectantly. "Come back into the Poké Ball!"
However, as the Poké Ball flashed red, Misty's original Psyduck appeared instead, still dazed, staring at the larger Pokémon that looked so much like itself.
The scene instantly fell silent.
Misty looked at her still clueless Psyduck, then at the completely different wild Golduck, and finally realized the truth. "Ah! You're not my Psyduck that evolved?!"
Marina and Tracey also came to the realization. It had all been a huge misunderstanding!
The wild Golduck shrugged and struck a stylish pose, its gaze shifting between Misty and Marina, as if to say, Helping pretty girls is fine, but getting caught? That requires some thought.
Watching this unfold, Ash couldn't help but laugh. He walked up to the wild Golduck and said in a half-joking, half-serious tone, "Hey, Golduck, seems like you enjoy helping girls, huh? How about coming with me? I know plenty of beautiful female trainers and friends, like Misty, Marina, and also Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny. If you travel with me, you'll have plenty of chances to play the hero and save the day. What do you think?"
"Let me tell you a secret," Ash added near its ear, "the girls I know are all top-tier. You better not miss this opportunity."
The wild Golduck's eyes visibly lit up as it listened. It stroked its chin, seeming to seriously consider the proposal.
It looked at Ash, then at Misty and Marina beside him, recalling the "bright future" Ash had painted. In the end, it gave Ash a knowing smile, nodded, and lightly touched Ash's Poké Ball.
The Poké Ball opened, drawing Golduck inside. It didn't even shake once. Capture successful!
Ash picked up the Poké Ball and smiled. "Welcome to the team. Though your motivation is a bit… unique."
He then turned to Misty, who looked slightly disappointed. "Misty, don't be discouraged. I caught this Golduck for you. If you ever need a Water-type Pokémon's help, just ask it anytime."
"For me?" Ash's casual words stirred unfamiliar emotions in Misty's heart.
Even though the day had a few unexpected twists, winning the battle still made her very happy.
Thus, their experience on Kinnow Island came to an end with a misunderstanding and an unexpected capture.
As for this somewhat flirtatious Golduck, now that it had been caught, maybe letting it stay around as a regular companion wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. Hehe…
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