After deciding to hold a swimsuit beauty pageant, Brock became incredibly enthusiastic, as if running on pure adrenaline.
He handled the entire venue layout and even provided on site commentary.
Ash sent out Pidgeotto to scatter leaflets wildly. Combined with Brock's loudspeaker announcements, the whole beach soon became lively.
When it came to beauty, the desire to win was undeniable. For the girls participating, their own appeal was something that couldn't be questioned. They were all fair skinned, beautiful, and had long legs; who would back down from the challenge?
Soon, the entrance to the Sea House was crowded with contestants signing up. What followed was an exponentially larger number of male customers. Wherever there are beauties, men will follow! From old men down to toddlers, the pursuit of beauty is eternal! As they say, people crave beauty! And the contestants in stylish swimsuits perfectly fulfilled that need!
Looking at the bustling crowd, Paul and Ash high fived each other. "It's done!"
Grandpa Moe burst into tears. "My life is worth it!"
Nearby, Brutella bit her handkerchief unwillingly, watching Moe collect so much money his hands cramped from receiving it.
Finally, after a long wait, the seaside swimsuit beauty pageant began!
On the specially set up stage, the first contestant was Misty!
Paul and Ash sat together under the stands, watching the competition with Professor Oak and Delia Ketchum.
"I participated in a community outreach trip, and I happened to be traveling with Professor Oak," Delia explained to Ash.
Ash exhaled. "Oh, so that's how it is. That scared me to death."
Paul nodded silently. * Yes, I was scared to death too. *
Professor Oak teased, "It's rare for you to see your mother, Ash, so go on and act like a baby."
Paul chuckled, covering his mouth.
Ash blushed. "How could I do that!"
Next, Delia seemed to open up the conversation floodgates, asking Ash about his travels, if he was eating well, if he was making mistakes, and so on. Ash felt overwhelmed listening to it all.
Fortunately, Brock's commentary started just in time. "Now, approaching the stage is the aquatic mermaid, the vibrant Misty!!"
As she stepped onto the stage and waved, Misty felt like her life had reached its pinnacle. "I'm sorry everyone, thank you all, but I still plan on winning the championship!"
Paul looked at Ash. "Let's just say, this kid is somewhat overconfident."
Ash nodded. "Seriously, I only just realized she's actually a girl."
Sure enough, reality hit quickly.
Jessie and James pushed Misty aside and walked onto the stage. The exaggerated curves displayed immediately drew howls and applause from the audience below.
Misty was furious. "What are you doing, James!! You're a man!!"
James, wearing inflatable chest padding, scratched his head and posed indifferently. "My charm transcends gender."
Jessie also looked at Misty proudly. "Little girl, step aside."
As she spoke, James inflated the padding on his chest further to anger Misty. Misty covered her own chest and screamed.
Brock tried his best to explain. "The mature figures who just stormed the stage are... er... registered under the name Team Rocket! Let's gauge the audience's reaction?"
There was a burst of applause; they were surprisingly well received!
Misty wanted to cry but had no tears. "Why is this happening?"
James held his two balloons and shook them triumphantly. "Little girl, you still have a long way to go."
The two Team Rocket members were still posing dramatically on stage when a proud voice sounded from behind.
"Don't get in the way!" Gary Oak, wearing a flashy tropical shirt similar to Professor Oak's style, appeared on the stage and kicked Team Rocket off.
And behind Gary, six beauties in swimsuits, each with their own unique charm, lined up attractively. They were the Pallet Town Gary Fan Club!
"Gary!!" Ash saw his old rival and immediately became furious.
Brock continued his commentary, trying to salvage the situation. "The one bringing this entourage of beauties to the stage is the famous Pokémon trainer from Pallet Town, Mr. Gary Oak! As they say, one isn't as good as two, two isn't as good as four, and four isn't as good as six! Six beautiful girls, truly wonderful, wonderful!"
Grabbing the microphone directly, Gary looked out at the auditorium. "Ash, somewhere in this venue, just admit defeat. I didn't mean to cause trouble for you; I just brought my fan club here to help support the event. Just keep your eyes open."
After speaking, Gary raised his chin and looked provocatively in Ash's direction. "Did you see that?"
Ash completely lost his cool, stood up fiercely, and yelled, "That brat!!"
Paul, sitting beside him, covered his face and advised, "I suggest you don't humiliate yourself."
Ash couldn't hear a word and rushed straight towards the catwalk.
Paul had no choice but to say goodbye to Professor Oak and Delia. "I'll go check on him."
He immediately followed.
Ash jumped onto the high platform and angrily declared war on Gary. "If you say that and I still keep silent, I don't deserve to be a trainer. Come here and battle me right now!"
Gary looked at Ash contemptuously. "I'm not interested in low level trainers."
Turning his gaze, Gary saw Paul in the audience. "Isn't this Paul?!"
"Yo. Long time no see, Gary," Paul smiled and greeted him.
Gary happily jumped off the stage and came over to Paul. "It's been so long since we left Pallet Town. What, do you want to battle again?"
Ash shouted angrily from behind. "Damn it, Gary, you have to fight me first!!"
Seeing Gary's serious expression, Paul nodded. "Okay, after the beauty pageant is over, I can battle you. But I want a full 6 on 6 match. Any problems with that?"
Gary smiled. "Of course, no problem. Just you watch."
After making the agreement, Gary left with the beauties. Ash was also stopped by Brock.
"Damn it. That guy Gary really looks down on people."
Paul patted Ash's shoulder. "This is a beauty pageant right now. You just rushed up without thinking. How could Gary accept your challenge like that?"
Ash pouted. "Okay, I'll let him go this time."
At that moment, a mechanical Gyarados suddenly rushed up from the sea and began to attack the venue.
"So that's it. It's a Team Rocket machine. Your yacht must have collided with this thing out in the sea," Paul said with a frown.
The crowd immediately descended into chaos.
Ash grabbed the microphone and calmly directed the crowd to stay put and not move, assuring them that as a trainer, he would resolve the crisis.
Professor Oak and Gary, watching Ash's confident tone, both nodded repeatedly. It seemed Ash had really grown quite a bit.
"Well now, I suppose I should grant his battle request later," Gary said to himself with a smile.
Afterwards, Ash sent out Charmander and Pidgeotto to destroy the missiles launched by Team Rocket's machine. Panicked, James and Jessie crashed the mechanical Gyarados into Brutella's beach house, causing a huge explosion.
Brutella's scheming met a swift end, and the big farce concluded.
The first Beach Swimsuit Beauty Contest ended perfectly. Paul, Gary, and Ash used the beauty pageant stage as their battling platform. Ready to start the full 6 on 6 battle between Paul and Gary, Ash watched excitedly.
Professor Oak also graciously acted as the referee.
"Alright, a full 6 on 6 battle. Are the rules clear?" Professor Oak smiled, looking at Paul and Gary.
"Understood," Paul nodded.
Immediately, Paul and Gary took positions on opposite sides of the stage, took out their Poké Balls, and prepared.
Ash watched with enthusiasm from the audience. * A full 6 on 6 battle? I wonder what kind of fight this will be. *
"Alright Paul, I'll go first! Go, Growlithe!!" Gary opened his Poké Ball, releasing the fiery form of Growlithe.
"A Growlithe, is it? Looks like you haven't been slacking, Gary," Paul smiled. "Alright then, Prinplup, prepare for battle!"
Prinplup jumped out and faced Growlithe silently.
Growlithe gritted its teeth, looking fiercely at Prinplup.
* Growlithe's ability didn't activate... must be Flash Fire, not Intimidate, * Paul noted. "Prinplup, Water Pledge!"
Prinplup smashed its wings onto the ground, and a column of water shot up into the sky.
"Growlithe, Extreme Speed!" Gary responded immediately.
Growlithe burst forward with lightning-like speed, flashing through the water column and rushing quickly towards Prinplup.
"How about that? I'm not a rookie!" Gary looked at Paul proudly.
"Not bad. But, Prinplup, Aerial Ace!" Paul waived his right hand. Prinplup spread its wings and vanished just as Growlithe reached it.
Growlithe stopped, momentarily confused.
Boom! The ferocious flying type energy directly hit Growlithe on the back! Sending Growlithe flying into the air, Prinplup folded its wings and landed back on the ground.
"Come back, Growlithe." Gary recalled Growlithe directly.
* His reaction is fast, * Paul thought with a slight headache. * This guy is much more experienced than Ash. If Gary had hesitated for even a moment, I'm sure I could have landed another hit and taken Growlithe out. *
"Go, Wartortle!" Gary threw out his second Poké Ball, revealing his original Pokémon, Wartortle.
"Wartortle, Skull Bash!!" Gary, very confident in Wartortle, immediately ordered an attack.
* Tsk tsk, reckless! * "Prinplup, Metal Claw!!" Prinplup's wings gained a metallic sheen. It held one wing defensively across its chest, the other held back.
"Now!" Paul shouted loudly. Prinplup slashed out with its metallic wings as its body spun.
Prinplup leaned back sideways fluidly, spinning to avoid Wartortle's charging Skull Bash. The first Metal Claw strike deflected Wartortle's energy burst, causing the Skull Bash to lose momentum. The second strike immediately followed, the sharp metal wing blades slamming onto Wartortle's relatively soft belly.
Boom!!! Wartortle flew backward and was taken out in seconds by this move!
"Whoa!! So strong!!" Ash's eyes lit up.
"It seems Paul has made even more progress," Professor Oak also looked at Paul with appreciation.
"Prin!!!" Prinplup, having defeated Wartortle, raised a domineering wing, its commanding aura intensifying!
Sting! The dazzling white light of evolution shone forth!
* This is it! * Paul looked in surprise at Prinplup bathed in the light of evolution. * The pressure of being surpassed by Electabuzz has been pushing Prinplup. At this moment, it finally broke through the bottleneck and moved to the next level! *
"Poleon!!!" The white light dissipated. Wearing a golden trident like crown, with a majestic physique and a solemn appearance, the Emperor Pokémon, Empoleon, appeared!
"Thank you, Gary. Battling you helped my Empoleon reach a higher level!" Paul looked at Gary seriously.
"Tch, the outcome isn't decided yet! Go, Nidoking!!"
"Poleon," Empoleon looked back at Paul. The Steel type energy was boiling within it.
"Alright, you've learned a new move. Let's try it," Paul waved his hand. "Empoleon, Flash Cannon!"
Empoleon spread its wings back, and surging Steel type energy turned into a beam cannon, fired fiercely.
"Don't give up, Nidoking! Use Hyper Beam!!" Gary also went all out!
The two energy waves met in the air and started wrestling! In the end, Empoleon's Flash Cannon overpowered Nidoking's Hyper Beam, striking Nidoking head on!
Nidoking rolled its eyes and passed out.
"Gary's Nidoking... its training was rushed," Professor Oak shook his head. "Obviously, this Nidoking's training is incomplete. I'm afraid it evolved from Nidorino using a Moon Stone too early."
"Come back, Empoleon." Paul recalled Empoleon and looked at Gary. "Do you still want to fight?"
"Yes! I still have four Pokémon!" Gary gritted his teeth and released his fourth Pokémon. "Go, Scyther!"
"Charmander, prepare for battle!" The eager Charmander from Paul's team appeared on the stage.
"Scyther, use Fury Cutter!" Gary continued his fierce offense.
"Charmander, get out of the way and use Flamethrower!" Paul ordered calmly.
Charmander stayed alert, dodging left and right to avoid Scyther's onslaught. But momentarily distracted, it was sent flying by Scyther's quick slash.
Charmander glanced worriedly at Paul. Paul gave a thumbs up, looked firmly at Charmander, and shouted: "Come on, I believe in you! Use Flamethrower!"
Little Charmander felt a surge of determination. * Is this how it feels to give your all for your trainer? *
"Char!!!" Charmander roared to the sky, and the flame on its tail burned violently.
Boom! Thick flames swept out, and Scyther couldn't avoid being fiercely blasted back.
"Don't be afraid, Scyther, use Cross Poison!" Gary seized the opportunity and rushed forward to attack. (Assuming Cross Cut is Cross Poison or X-Scissor, Cross Poison adds type variety).
Scyther's figure flashed, appearing before Charmander, its two scythes glowing with a turquoise halo, ready to slash down.
"Aim at the ground, Fire Spin!!" Paul commanded loudly. * Yes, the defensive counterattack again! *
Gary gritted his teeth. * This trick again? *
Charmander aimed at its feet, and a turbulent vortex of flames sprayed out, instantly surrounding it tightly.
Scyther couldn't dodge in time and was swept away by the Fire Spin again!
"Charmander, explode with power! Use Fire Pledge!"
"Meleon!!!" Charmander roared ferociously, its voice gradually becoming rougher.
Once again, the white halo of evolution descended!
Paul blinked. * Really now? Is everyone going to evolve during Gary's matches? It's a bit much. *
Thick, sharp claws shredded the Fire Spin. Its skin color became a deeper red, and the muscular Charmeleon burst out of the flames.
Under Gary's incredulous eyes, Charmeleon soared into the sky, smashed its fist onto the ground, and eight pillars of fire erupted, surrounding Scyther tightly.
Boom!! The pillars of fire closed in, and in the huge explosion, Scyther also fainted.
Having reached this point, the victory was basically sealed. Paul recalled Charmeleon, planning to perhaps concede a round or two.
However, Bulbasaur's Petal Dance took out the weakened Growlithe, and Squirtle's Skull Bash managed an upset against Nidorina. Finally, Gary's Golbat was sent flying dozens of meters away by Pidgeot's Wing Attack.
"I declare that the winner is Paul!!" Professor Oak announced.
Recalling their Pokémon, Gary stepped forward to shake hands with Paul, looking conflicted. "Unexpectedly, you're getting stronger and stronger. I thought I had already caught up with you."
Paul politely shook Gary's hand and gave him a brief hug. "You're too anxious, Gary. Haste makes waste. It's clear your Nidoking's foundations aren't solid. Fortunately, Nidorina hasn't evolved yet. Train them well. A Pokémon's physical strength and foundational training are crucial."
Listening to Paul's words, Gary nodded in agreement. "I will practice again. Step by step, I'll catch up with you. And surpass you!"
Paul smiled and lightly punched Gary's shoulder. "Focus on training your Pokémon first. They are all talented. Don't rush their development. You're still far from beating me."
Ash lay under the stands, looking at Gary and Paul with sparkling eyes. * Paul is so strong... even Gary's Nidoking and Scyther are super powerful. By contrast... * Ash really didn't feel confident saying he could beat either of them right now.
"Damn it, I won't admit defeat either! I must be the one who wins the League Conference!" Ash also jumped onto the stage, and the three rivals faced each other.
"Then let's decide the outcome at the League Conference," Gary looked at Paul, and then at Ash. "Well, anyway, Ash, you should work hard, although you definitely won't be able to win against me or Paul!"
Ash fumed. "Damn!! Gary, I want to pummel you! Paul, don't just stand there, watch me teach him a lesson! Let him know how powerful I am!"
Paul couldn't help but smile wryly. "Okay. Train well. Next time I'll battle you."
Ash looked at Paul sadly. "You said the same thing last time..."
Paul smirked inwardly. * Go ahead, my foolish rival. Be jealous. The more frustrated you get, the stronger you'll become. *
Professor Oak looked back at Delia Ketchum. "It's great, isn't it? The passion and bonds of youth. Ash shouldn't need you to worry."
Delia nodded. "It seems Ash has made very good friends."
Under the setting sun, the three teenagers raised their right fists and bumped them together. No matter how much time passed, they would continue to grow stronger like this, continuing to pursue the dream of becoming a Pokémon Master!