Chapter 238: A Feast for a Few
"It seems our guess was correct... From the start, the island's owner never intended for a ferry to transport the Trainers," Brock remarked upon seeing the small pier.
A familiar figure, Miss Joy, awaited them on the pier, dressed as a nun. However, she appeared hypnotized by Mewtwo and seemed unaware of her true identity.
"Hello, please show your invitation letter," Miss Joy said in a monotone to Ash and his companions.
Ash presented the magnetic disk, which remained functional despite being wet from seawater. The advanced technology of Team Rocket was evident in its durability.
The virtual light curtain displayed on the disk confirmed Ash's invitation. Although Misty and Brock weren't included, Miss Joy didn't seem concerned. She nodded slightly, signaling them to follow.
They ascended the stairs, reaching the castle platform in a few minutes. Ash and his friends looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.
The castle felt cold and devoid of life, except for Miss Joy. There were no other servants present, and although Brock and Misty were curious, they refrained from asking questions.
Miss Joy led them to a massive metal gate, about ten meters high. It was too heavy for ordinary people or weaker Pokémon to open.
As Miss Joy stood before the gate, it opened automatically, revealing the banquet hall where the Trainers were to be entertained.
The hall was spacious, opulent, and luxurious. A pool within the hall housed various Water-type Pokémon, including a prominent Gyarados, along with Kingdra, Tentacruel, Gymuck, Vaporeon, and Nidoqueen.
In the open space nearby, more than ten Pokémon, including Pidgeot, Venusaur, Rhyhorn, Scyther, Sandslash, and Hitmonlee, formed a team.
Another team consisted of Dewgong, Wigglytuff, Blastoise, Vileplume, Ninetales, and Rapidash.
At a table in the center, three Trainers, two boys and a girl, around sixteen or seventeen years old, were seated.
"Those are the Trainers who arrived earlier," Miss Joy explained to Ash and his friends. "Trainers who couldn't pass through the hurricane and rain aren't eligible to be here."
"Indeed..." Miss Joy's words confirmed their suspicions that the hurricane and rain were artificially created by the castle's owner.
"Please release your Pokémon and take a seat," Miss Joy instructed, bowing slightly before stepping back.
Brock and Misty, without hesitation, released their Pokémon.
Ash, aware of the impending events but waiting for Mewtwo's appearance, decided to follow the rules and release his Pokémon as well.
He chose Pikachu, Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise, Pidgeot, and Beedrill, leaving Haunter at the Laboratory as it was close to mastering Aerial Ace.
"Huh?!" While Brock and Misty's Pokémon didn't attract much attention, Ash's team, except for Pikachu, were all fully evolved. Charizard, in particular, stood out with its distinctive Golden flame on its tail.
"They're so strong..." The three Trainers observed Ash's Pokémon, recognizing their power. The weakest among them was at the Silver level, suggesting Ash was a formidable Trainer.
"Hello, my name is Yusho," the boy in the flying suit introduced himself, extending his hand to Ash, acknowledging his strength.
"Hi, I'm Ash," Ash replied, shaking his hand.
"You're very powerful. I hope to battle you someday," Yusho said, gesturing towards his team of Pokémon, led by an Silver-level Pidgeot.
"There might be a chance," Ash nodded.
"Hmph..." The slightly chubby boy, unimpressed, looked at Yusho and Ash with disdain. He had considered himself the strongest until Ash's arrival, and now, feeling overshadowed, he harbored resentment towards Ash.
His team consisted of a Gyarados, also at the Silver level, followed by a Kingdra, and other Silver-level Pokémon.
Observing the pretty girl beside him gazing at Ash, his dislike intensified.
"Hello, my name is Luna," the girl greeted Ash with a gentle smile. Although beautiful, Misty, with her youthful charm, promised to be even more stunning in the future.
"Hello," Ash nodded politely, while Misty regarded the girl with a hint of hostility.
Luna's team was led by a Blastoise, also at the Silver level, accompanied by other Silver-level Pokémon.
Despite her beauty, Luna wasn't Brock's type, so he didn't display his usual infatuation.
"By the way, his name is Hiroshi," Luna pointed to the chubby boy who had dismissed Ash. She didn't know him well, but they had just introduced themselves to each other.
She could sense Hiroshi's interest in her, but she wasn't attracted to him. It wasn't about his appearance; his arrogance displeased her.
Brock and Misty also introduced themselves. Yusho and Luna responded with kind smiles, but Hiroshi remained aloof.
"How long have you been here?" Ash inquired as they sat at the banquet table. Although the spread consisted only of simple berries and drinks, they had expended a lot of energy battling the hurricane and rain, so they ate heartily.
"Not long, maybe ten minutes before you. The three of us arrived simultaneously," Luna replied, curious about Ash.
"Hmph," Hiroshi snorted, turning his head away, displeased with Luna's attentiveness towards Ash.
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