Thank you, Xavi, for becoming a Holy Knight on P@treon! Your support means the world to us. Shoutout to you enjoy all the exclusive perks that come with it!
Thank you, Irving14209, for becoming a Royal Knight on P@treon! Your support means the world to us. Shoutout to you enjoy all the exclusive perks that come with it!
Drop Some power stones! If you like the chapter! It helps to keep me motivated to upload more!💎💎💎
----
On the surface of the sea, Ash and Brock, who had floated up moments before Kai, had already found some wooden planks from the wreckage and pieced them together into a makeshift raft.
Seeing Kai and the others emerge from the water, Ash quickly reached out to pull them aboard.
"Finally, we're safe!"
James collapsed onto the planks, soaked to the bone. Lying on his back, he stared up at the blue sky and white clouds, feeling as though he'd narrowly escaped a brush with death.
Kai removed his diving goggles, untied the rope around Meowth, and released him. At the same time, he returned the Magikarp to its Poké Ball.
Under the warm sun, the sea was calm. Debris from the St. Anne floated everywhere, but besides their small group, there wasn't another soul in sight.
Brock squinted, scanning the horizon. "It looks like everyone who escaped in the lifeboats has already left."
"What should we do now?" Ash asked. Then he noticed Misty sitting on her knees with her back to the group, her face flushed.
"That's strange. Misty, are you okay?"
Startled, Misty quickly stood up and shook her head. "It's nothing! I just swallowed a bit of water earlier and feel a little uncomfortable."
Though she tried to act normal, her gaze kept flicking toward the respirator in Kai's hand and then to the corner of his mouth. Her cheeks turned an even deeper red.
Approaching Kai, she seemed unusually subdued, speaking in a soft voice. "Thank you so much for earlier."
Kai immediately understood what she meant. In the moment of urgency, he hadn't had time to think of anything else; his focus had been solely on saving her life.
"You don't need to dwell on that," Kai said, coughing lightly. He sensed her embarrassment and decided not to elaborate. Instead, he turned to Ash. "Ash, send out Pidgeotto. Have it scout the area for passing ships or nearby islands."
Ash nodded, releasing Pidgeotto from its Poké Ball. The bird Pokémon soared above them, circling twice before flying off into the distance.
It wasn't long before Pidgeotto returned, landing on Ash's shoulder and gesturing animatedly with its wings.
As a Pokémon capable of understanding human speech, Meowth stepped in to translate. "It says there's a port town not far ahead!"
At the mention of a "port," everyone's spirits lifted. They immediately called on their water-type Pokémon to help guide the raft toward the town.
Maiden's Peak, a small port town situated near Vermilion City, awaited them.
Though modest in size, the town was bustling with activity. Its natural harbour and location on an important trade route made it a lively hub for passing ships and travellers.
As they reached the shore, setting foot on the soft sand, Team Rocket seemed to regain their energy.
Jessie and James dramatically produced roses from who-knows-where, striking their usual flamboyant poses.
Sniffing the flower delicately, Jessie sneered, "Now that we're here, it's time for us to say goodbye."
"Exactly!" James added, a rose clenched in his teeth. "Although we're grateful you saved us, don't expect mercy the next time we meet!"
"That's right, meow!" chimed in Meowth.
"Hahhahahahahahha...."
With a burst of maniacal laughter, the trio dashed off toward a large rock by the sea, disappearing from sight.
"I can't stand those guys," Misty sighed. "But honestly, I don't have the energy to deal with them right now. I just want a hot bath and a good night's sleep."
It wasn't just Misty who was exhausted. Kai, too, felt worn out after everything they'd been through.
"Let's head to the Pokémon Center and rest," Kai suggested, adjusting his backpack as they made their way into town.
However, just as he turned, a strange feeling overcame him. Glancing toward a small pier in the distance, he spotted a woman in a flowing white dress. Her long pink and purple hair swayed in the breeze, revealing a delicate and sorrowful expression.
For reasons he couldn't explain, a faint melancholy seemed to surround her.
Brock noticed her as well, his eyes instantly turning to hearts. "What a beautiful woman!"
Hearing this, Ash and Misty looked toward the pier, but neither saw anyone.
"What are you talking about?" Misty asked. "There's nothing there."
"Huh?"Kai blinked in confusion, and in that instant, the mysterious woman vanished.
After arriving at the Pokémon Center and checking in, Nurse Joy greeted them with a cheerful smile.
"Welcome! You're just in time. Our town is hosting a summer festival! There will be parades, bonfire parties, and plenty of delicious snacks. You shouldn't miss it!"
Misty's face lit up at the mention of the festivities, and even Ash seemed excited. However, they were all too exhausted to do much at the moment.
After agreeing on a time to meet later, they retreated to their rooms to rest.
The Maiden's Peak Pokémon Center was smaller than most, reflecting the town's modest size.
The male dormitory consisted of a single clean room with two bunk beds.
Though simple, the white sheets seemed to beckon Kai, tempting him to collapse right then and there.
Still, he resisted, opting to take a quick shower and toss his clothes into the dryer before finally allowing himself to fall onto the bed. Sleep came quickly.
The afternoon sun gave way to dusk by the time he stirred awake. Stretching, Kai glanced around to find Ash and Brock still asleep.
He woke them, then knocked on Misty's door, and the group reunited before heading out into the town.
By then, the festival was in full swing.
The streets were alive with laughter, and floats paraded through the town, accompanied by well-dressed locals and tourists.
Surrounded by the joy and cheer of the celebration, even the group's fatigue seemed to fade.
---
For early access to advanced chapters and exclusive illustrations made by me, visit my P@treon:
P@treon/Iamxeno
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!
Drop Some power stones! If you like the chapter! It helps to keep me motivated to upload more!💎💎💎
----
Kai and the others joined the bustling crowd, moving forward slowly alongside the other tourists.
The street was lined with two rows of stalls, offering all kinds of delicious snacks and trinkets.
When Ash seemed interested in the treats, Kai bought a few to share with everyone.
At one point, Misty stopped in front of a jewellery booth, gazing at the display before walking away silently.
Noticing this, Kai approached the booth, carefully selected a hairpin, and gifted it to Misty.
A warm smile spread across Misty's face. Though she didn't say much, her expression made it clear she was delighted by the thoughtful gesture.
As in previous years, the festival was lively and vibrant. They walked further and came upon a woman dressed in elaborate attire, performing an exotic dance to music and the cheers of the crowd.
However, unlike Kai and the others, Brock had no interest in playing. He trailed behind with a lovesick expression, clearly still pining for the woman he met at the pier earlier.
He muttered softly under his breath, lost in thought.
"Please wait!"
A firm yet spirited voice called out from behind them.
Kai turned to see an elderly woman with white hair, standing less than a meter tall.
She leaned on a cane and wore a flowing purple robe. Her skin was dry, her mouth wide, and her sharp eyes glimmered with energy.
Brock, still daydreaming about the woman from before, turned to look and recoiled in shock. He stumbled and fell to the ground.
"W-Whoa! A... a shrivelled old kappa!"
"Who are you calling a kappa!?" the old woman snapped angrily. She glanced between Kai and Brock, her expression mysterious. "Listen closely! Beware of beautiful women, or misfortune will find you today!"
"What are you talking about!?" Misty exclaimed, stealing a quick glance at Kai. A slight blush rose to her cheeks. "How could I bring him bad luck?"
"ugly child!" the old woman retorted. "I'm not talking about brats like you!"
"What!? Did you just call me a Ugly!?" Misty's face turned red with indignation. Clearly, the comment struck a nerve.
Brock, meanwhile, seemed to take the woman's words seriously, pondering them deeply.
Only Kai, who suspected the elderly woman might be a ghost in disguise, observed her calmly, choosing not to dwell on her cryptic warning.
Misty, determined not to let the encounter ruin their rare festival outing, huffed. "What nonsense! Let's not waste our time here. Come on!"
Grabbing Kai by the back and tugging Brock by the ear, she led the group away.
The festival's path eventually led to a shrine at the edge of town.
When they arrived, an elderly priest was performing a ritual, ringing a bell and beating a drum to mark the hour.
"Everyone, quiet please!" he announced. "The Maiden Shrine's treasure will now be unveiled!"
Beside the priest stood a large scroll covered with a white cloth, obscuring the image beneath. The crowd gathered closer, murmuring in anticipation.
"This painting has been a sacred treasure of the Maiden Shrine for over 2,000 years," the priest explained. "It is displayed only once a year during the summer festival. Please, observe it with reverence."
With a flourish, he removed the cloth, revealing the scroll.
The painting depicted a full-body portrait of a woman. Her hands were clasped at her chest as if in prayer, and her sorrowful eyes gazed forward.
Despite being rendered only in black and white, the portrait radiated beauty and melancholy.
Brock gasped in astonishment. "That's... that's the woman I saw at the pier earlier!"
The priest continued, his voice solemn. "Two thousand years ago, there was a young couple deeply in love. When war broke out, the man was drafted into the army and sent overseas. Before departing, he promised to return in triumph once the war was won."
"The woman waited for years, longing for his return. But he never came back. Consumed by endless waiting, she turned into stone, standing on the cliff where she last saw him. To this day, she remains there, waiting for her beloved."
The crowd fell silent, moved by the tragic tale.
Brock, as if possessed, suddenly asked, "Where is this rock now?"
The priest looked surprised. "You mean Maiden Statue?"
Night had fallen, blanketing the land in darkness.
The group found themselves on a rugged cliff path by the sea. A solitary wooden house stood nearby, illuminated faintly by the moonlight.
Rounding the corner, they spotted the stone statue of a woman perched on a cliff overlooking the water.
The statue, worn by the passage of time, seemed fused with the surrounding rock.
The waves crashed against the reef below, and the town's festival lights twinkled in the distance.
Despite the faint echoes of celebration, the atmosphere here felt heavy and still.
Gazing at the statue, Misty whispered, "Do you think this really was a woman once?"
Kai shook his head. "Who knows? At least I don't see any signs of it being carved by human hands."
A sudden gust of wind swept through, carrying a cool chill. The moon disappeared behind thick clouds.
Sensing an ominous presence, Kai instinctively reached for two Poké Balls. In a flash of red light, his Charmander and Jolteon appeared by his side.
The flames on Charmander's tail and the sparks from Jolteon lit up their surroundings, offering both illumination and reassurance.
"There's nothing more to see here. Let's head back to town," Kai said.
But just as Misty turned to leave, the door of the wooden house creaked open.
Creeeak...
At first, she thought it was the wind. But the next moment, a glowing, blurry figure floated out of the doorway.
"A-Aah! A ghost!!" Misty screamed.
----
For early access to advanced chapters and exclusive illustrations made by me, visit my P@treon:
P@treon/Iamxeno
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!
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