Beauty and the Beach

As the gang continues on to Ashlyn's fourth gym battle when they came across a lovely, tropical beach: Port Vista.

"Wow, would you look at that." Ashlyn awed at the view.

"It's the beach!" Misty squealed happily.

"It's been a while since we've seen beaches this lovely." Brock commented.

"Let's go!" Misty cheered and dashed off.

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When they arrived, Brock and Misty wasted no time in getting into bathing suits when they got to the Pokémon center. Brock wore a pair of blue swimming trunks while Misty wore a red bikini and Ashlyn wore a violet bikini.

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Ashlyn decided to train Squirtle and Rory while they were at the beach. She went over to the shore that was near a wall of rocks. Meanwhile, Brock and Misty were enjoying themselves at the beach.

Nearly two hours, the two water Pokémon were done with training and were very happy with the results. Ashlyn decided to make a quick trip to the Pokémon center and heal them. Once they were healed, she headed back to Brock and Misty.

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Ashlyn met up with Brock and Misty at Beach House Moe which was a restaurant owned by a man named Moe. Ashlyn remembered him and knew that he was in need of help, even though that Team Rocket was right next door to them and wanted to cause trouble for them, but she still wanted to help Moe.

They overheard him ranting that he was having a hard time with his restaurant and won't be able to travel on his boat because he owed a debt to a woman named Brutella who kept stealing his customers. The gang decided to help him by using their Pokémon.

Ashlyn got Tesla, Rockruff, and Squirtle to hand out the advertising fliers. Ashlyn got her other Pokémon (except Rory) to help her and the others with waitressing. Natsu and Pidgeot helped Moe by keeping the grill going. The customers seemed to like the Pokémon but they liked Ashlyn and Misty the most. The boys were gawking at Ashlyn and Misty's perfect figure while the girls fawned over Brock's gentlemen attitude.

As the gang continued to work, a sneaky little cat Pokémon came and messed everything up causing everyone to leave Moe's restaurant and go over to Brutella's making the old man sad.

Not long after, no one was here and the place was empty. Moe, Ashlyn, and her friends were sitting down at the tables and Ashlyn's Pokémon were sitting down on the floor.

"Moe, we really sorry for messing things up for ya." Misty apologized.

"You all did the best you could. At least things went good for a while until those accidents started to happen." Moe assured her.

"I have a feeling that those weren't accidents." Misty suspected.

"I agree. Someone's trying to sabotage Moe," Ashlyn agreed, "And I have a feeling we know who."

"Well, well." An old woman voice said.

"Brutella!" Moe exclaimed.

"Team Rocket!" Brock exclaimed.

The gang looked closely and couldn't help but grimaced when they saw what Brutella was wearing. To their point of view, she looked too childish.

"Don't need a reservation to get into this restaurant here anymore," Brutella looked around, "If things keep up like this, you might go out of business, Moe."

"Why would you care anyway?" Ashlyn's brow arched with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"I could care less if this dumpster went under, but you better figure out somehow to pay me back fast for all of the dough you owe me." Brutella reminded him in a non caring tone.

Moe stood up angrily and gritted his teeth, "You'll get your money."

"I want it tomorrow and if you don't pay me back every penny, I'll take that boat of yours instead." Brutella turned around and walked off.

Moe was shocked, "No please! Not my boat! Take anything you want but not that boat." Moe begged.

The gang could tell that the boat was very important to Moe.

"See-" Brutella was cut off.

"You know," Ashlyn interrupted her, "For some wrinkly, good for nothing, sad excuse for woman, you really have an annoying voice not to mention your personality is just as sickening." She glared at the old woman but she wasn't done with her just yet, "I'm surprised your actually letting yourself be seen in public like this. Having pigtails at your age, not to mention wearing a pink dress to make yourself look like a young girl. Aren't you embarrassed with yourself for dressing like this? I'm embarrassed for you."

Brock and Misty snorted while the Pokémon couldn't help but laugh at Ashlyn's statement. Brutella truly did have child like pigtails in her hair and wearing a pink dress was just sad to old people.

"I suggest you go back to whatever hovel you came from, you dried up old hag." Ashlyn's eyes narrowed at the old woman who flinched at the girl's gaze, ignoring the insults she hurled at her.

"Hmph." she huffed, walking away with Team Rocket following right behind having gotten scared of the twerp's glare.

Moe stared at the girl in shock, "...Incredible."

Ashlyn merely shrugged her shoulders, "She was getting on my nerves. I have a lot of patients, but there's a limit. Also Moe, you can't give up on your dream. You have to follow your dream no matter what. It's always been my dream to become the greatest Pokémon trainer, and even though it's not easy I'm going to do everything I can to make it come true. So you can't give up on your own dream, not even it's so close to come true."

"That was well said, Ashlyn." A woman's voice said.

Ashlyn turned to the voice and was happy to see the person who stood at the entrance: Delia Ketchum, Ashlyn's mother.

"Mom!" Ashlyn hugged the woman who returned the embrace.

"Its so nice to see you, sweetie! How's your journey been so far? Are you having fun?" Delia asked.

"Definitely." Ashlyn nodded. There was no way that she was going to mention the incident on the S.S. Anne.

Delia smiled, "I'm so glad you're having fun on your journey, honey."

"Don't forget about me." A male voice was heard this time.

"Prof. Oak." Ashlyn said.

"Hope you don't mind us being here, but we wanted to see how you were all doing." Prof. Oak smiled.

"We're fine, but what are the two of you doing here?" Ashlyn asked, out of curiosity.

"Oh, we're here for the Beach Beauty and Costume Contest." Prof. Oak handed Ashlyn a magazine.

"It's happening today." Delia said.

"Its actually about to start in a little while. I suggest you hand out the fliers to the audience, and speaking of the contest why don't you enter it, Ashlyn, Misty? Who knows you might enjoy it." Prof. Oak suggested.

"M-me?" Misty said, surprised.

Ashlyn grimaced at that, she didn't really want to enter it. She never really liked those kind of contests. She remembered this part of the episode and didn't really like because it was partly banned in the US. Not to mention that James looked absolutely ridiculous when he was dressed as a woman.

"Another good thing, the Contests draws in thousands of people each year and most of those people get hungry, so they'll be looking for a place to eat. So why not advertise this place?" Prof. Oak explained, "You'll clean up and have the money you need by tomorrow."

"I'll like to enter the contest." Misty agreed.

"There's no way in Kanto I'm entering in that contest!" Ashlyn protested with hands crossed like an 'x' in front of her.

"Come on Ashlyn, it might be fun!" Misty encouraged.

"For you, Misty." Ashlyn frowned, "Besides, you look better in a bikini than me."

"Oh Ashlyn, you're putting yourself down. You look great in the bikini you're now wearing." Misty smiled, gesturing her violet colored bikini.

"Thanks, but no." Ashlyn refused, "Besides, this isn't my style."

"Well alright. I won't force you," Misty accepted, "But can I borrow your Squirtle?"

Ashlyn blinked, "Uh, sure."

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The contest was near the restaurant, it slowly started to get full. Pidgeot and Butterfree were flying around, dropping fliers all around the beach and town. The gang watched around as people were reading the fliers and walking toward the restaurant.

Ashlyn grinned, "It's working."

She knew that Brutella was very displeased that Moe was getting more customers than her. Oh well, too bad for her.

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Ashlyn sat with Tesla, Lucario, her mother, Moe, and Professor Oak, waiting for the contest to start.

"So Mom, Prof. Oak, what are you doing here?" Ashlyn asked.

"We're here with our tour group, the Pallet Town Volunteer patrol." Delia replied, smiled.

Ashlyn smiled, "That's great, Mom. I'm sure glad you showed up."

"Your mother's been worried about you, Ashlyn," Professor Oak told her, "She said she still thinks of you as her little pumpkin."

Ashlyn blushed from embarrassment, "That just make me sound like a baby." She muttered.

"You'll always be my baby." Delia said with a smile.

Ashlyn smiled softly at that.

"I hope you're not eating a lot of junk food and getting in any trouble." Delia said.

Ashlyn and her Pokémon froze and exchanged a nervous glance as they thought about the incident on the S.S. Anne, before looking at Delia.

"Well..." Ashlyn trailed off.

"I am the one who got into trouble, Mrs. Ketchum," Moe interrupted, "Ashlyn and her friends helped me out with my restaurant when I really needed help. And more importantly, your daughter has been a great inspiration to me."

Delia smiled, "That's wonderful, what a relief."

"Thanks, Moe." Ashlyn said with a smile and the old man nodded.

"Hello, everybody, and welcome," Brock called through the speakers, "The Porta Vista Beach Beauty and Pokémon Costume Contest is about to begin. Now, here's our first contestant."

The curtains opened and Misty walked out, wearing her swimsuit. She waved as she walked to the front while everyone cheered for her.

"This is Misty, the lovely and talented water Pokémon trainer," the host called through the speakers. "Now, let's take a look of the costume she and her Pokémon have created."

Misty's Starmie was flying down from above Misty, with Ashlyn's Squirtle above it, wearing a cute helmet.

"Squirtle looks so cute." Ashlyn said.

"Raichu! (He sure does)!" Tesla agreed.

"He sure is." Delia also agreed.

"Well, this is a very imaginative costume, it's Starmie and Squirtle." Brock called.

Squirtle squirted a tiny fountain of water up in the air, causing beads of water to fall down around Misty as everyone cheered.

"Yay, Misty!" Ashlyn cheered.

"Rai, Rai!" Tesla called happily.

Suddenly Misty got pushed to the side by Jessie, who was wearing a blue bikini.

"Jessie/Rai/(Jessie)?" Brock, Ashlyn and the Pokémon asked together.

"(What is she doing up there)?" Lucario asked in annoyance.

"Trying to ruin things as always." Ashlyn muttered.

Jessie looked at Misty smugly while Ashlyn, Brock and the Pokémon glared at her.

"And next we have Jessie, her Pokémon in disguise as a legendary Pokémon." Brock called.

Ashlyn sighed, "Oh brother."

"Who is this Jessie?" Delia asked.

"She's from Team Rocket." Ashlyn replied angrily.

"Team Rocket?" Professor Oak and Delia asked together.

James' Koffing was wearing a beard and Jessie's Ekans was wrapped around it's head like a turban.

"Uh... this is a very interesting costume, I believe it supposed to be Omastar and the Pokémon are Ekans and Koffing." Brock explained.

But then Jessie and the Pokémon were soon kicked off the stage by someone.

"Gary?" Ashlyn asked, not surprised.

"And now, we have a surprise visit by Gary Oak, the up and coming Pokémon trainer, in company by his adoring fans." Brock announced.

Everyone cheered for him and his cheerleaders.

"Oh, did I forget to mention that Gary's also here?" Prof. Oak said sheepishly.

"Too late for that." Ashlyn grumbled.

"That's right, Gary Oak! Come on out, Ashlyn! I know you're there! Too chicken to come out!" Gary taunted through a microphone he got from somewhere.

Ashlyn sighed and face palmed, "Oh Arceus, why me?"

Ashlyn walked up to the stage with her Pokémon and the audience was awed by her appearance.

"Ya know, Gary, if you want to be a showoff, do it somewhere else." Ashlyn stated, bluntly, hands on her hips.

Gary turned and gasped when he saw what Ashlyn was wearing.

"If you think I'm trying to impress you...then no. You should know by now that I'm not interested in you. Besides, you're not even my type." Ashlyn deadpanned with a straight face.

Gary turned to stone at that statement. He was about to comment. Right then, in front of them, a Gyarados submarine appeared from the water, rolling up the beach, making everyone scream and ran.

"It's a Gyarados!" someone yelled.

Ashlyn grabbed the mic from Gary, "Just stay calm, everybody! That thing is not a real Gyarados, it's a fake! It's a fake Gyarados."

Everyone calm down as they looked at the submarine.

"Those are Team Rocket," Ashlyn said, "They're trying to ruin the contest, and scare everybody away. We're not gonna let them."

Suddenly, a missile shot out from the submarine's mouth, heading toward them.

"So, what now you gonna do, Ashlyn?" Gary asked teasingly, "Freak out?"

"Just watch me," Ashlyn snapped and threw two Pokéballs, "Natsu! Pidgeot!" They were released, and Pidgeot caught Natsu in her claws, flying toward the missile's path.

"Okay, Natsu, use Flamethrower!" The Lizard Pokémon used the attack, hitting the missile, making it change direction straight back to the submarine.

The submarine took off as the missile flew right after it, crashing into Brutella's restaurant, and then exploded by the missile. They watched as Team Rocket was sent up into the sky once again.

"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket shouted.

"Yes!" Misty cheered as she ran to stand next to them.

Natsu and Pidgeot landed in front of them and Ashlyn kneeled down to pat them on the heads, "You guys did a great job, too."

The she stood up and looked toward Gary as he started to walk away, "Huh? Hey, Gary." Gary stopped and turned to her. "Where you going?"

"I'm gonna head off," Gary said as he stood in front of her again and smirked. He then turned around and started to walk away as he called over his shoulder, "See ya, Ashy!"

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The day after the contest, which surprisingly Ashlyn had won 'cause she had saved the day as people said, Ashlyn had got the money and a trophy, which she given the money to Moe so he can pay back to Brutella, while keeping the other half to himself.

Ashlyn, her Pokémon, Brock, and Misty were saying goodbye to Moe as he was finally going to see the world on his boat.

"Goodbye!" Moe called as he waved while driving away.

The gang waved back to him, "Goodbye, Moe!"

"Thank you for everything! Good luck on your Pokémon journey." Moe called.

"Thanks, Moe, and good luck to you, too." Ashlyn called.

"Bye!" They all called as they watched him sailing away.

Then they turned to Delia and Professor Oak as they walked closer to see Delia was holding Ashlyn's trophy.

"We got to get going too, Mom." Ashlyn said.

Delia nodded, "I know."

"I'm gonna make you proud of me." Ashlyn told her.

Delia smiled as she had tears in her eyes. Ashlyn smiled and they all turned around and started to leave.

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The gang was heading out to Saffron City where Ashlyn's fourth gym was going to take place.

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Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Rockfuff (M), Pidgeot (F), Shiny Suicune (Azure)(F), Bulbasaur (M), Shiny Charmander (Natsu)(M), Squirtle (M), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Butterfree (M), Gengar (M), Pokémon Egg

Prof. Oak's Lab:

Boltund (M), Scyther (F), Nidoran (M), Nidoran (F), Mienfoo (F), Glaceon (F), Leafon (F), Shiny Rapidash (Comet)(M), Scorbunny (M), Fennekin (F), Krabby (M), Eevee (F), Eevee (M), Eevee (F), Shiny Sylveon (Parisa)(F), Shiny Umbreon (Mani)(M), Espeon (F), Clefable (F), Sandslash (M)