Pokemon: Gym Leader

"Yes! I'm Ash, and we're also Trainers. Of course, we have to give the Banquet a try!"

Ash's eyes lit up. Were the two people in front of him also Trainers?

"My name is Brock. May I ask… Ah! Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

"Could you tone it down, you fool! Do you not know how to speak appropriately for the occasion!?"

Brock had just started speaking when Misty swiftly and sharply pinched his ear, dragging him aside while scolding him angrily, as if frustrated by his behavior.

Brock was usually fine, except he seemed a bit too eager to find a girlfriend. Every time he saw a pretty girl, he would immediately try to strike up a conversation.

Usually, it wasn't a big deal, but they didn't know the relationship between the two people in front of them. What if they were a couple? Brock's words would be very inappropriate and could even be seen as a provocation.

"Emmm…"

Ilene gave the two of them a strange look. They seemed to have a really close relationship.

"Your companion is quite amusing."

Dylan couldn't help but smile as he spoke to Ash.

Indeed, the Misty and Brock from the anime were quite different from the ones in the games.

"Ahaha…"

Even the usually carefree Ash couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed at this moment and could only laugh awkwardly.

"I'm Dylan, and this is my friend Ilene."

"Hello."

Dylan introduced himself to the three, and Ilene nodded with a graceful and elegant smile.

"I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and this is my partner, Pikachu."

"Pikachu~"

Ash flashed a big smile, and the electric mouse on his shoulder waved its little paw in greeting to Dylan and Ilene.

"What an adorable Pikachu."

Dylan couldn't resist reaching out to pet Pikachu's little head, finding the texture quite nice.

"Pika~!" Pikachu blinked its big eyes, a human-like smile appearing on its face, looking very cute.

"I'm Misty."

"My name is Brock, nice to meet you."

Misty and Brock, who had returned to normal, also introduced themselves.

The first meeting with Ash's trio was a pleasant surprise. They had originally thought they'd have to run into them again on the ship.

After a brief chat, they all entered the S.S. Anne.

The S.S. Anne was a world-class luxury cruise ship, with an interior that was extravagantly decorated, almost like the setting for a noble's ball.

In fact, it wasn't far from the truth. Dylan took a quick look around.

Though the theme was a Trainer's Banquet, many people present were successful individuals in suits and ties or noble ladies in evening gowns.

Of course, they might have dressed up on purpose.

"Ash, Ilene and I will take our leave now. Enjoy yourselves."

Dylan smiled as he spoke to Ash and his friends. The main reason he boarded the ship was because Ilene was interested in the Feast.

And regardless of the version, the S.S. Anne was always taken over by Team Rocket, so it was a chance to witness the event firsthand.

After bidding farewell to Ash and his friends, Dylan and Ilene began to stroll around the banquet area.

Though the venue was filled with socialites and noble ladies, it was still a Trainer's Feast, so there were quite a few Trainers on the ship.

The S.S. Anne had already set sail, and the atmosphere at the Feast was growing more lively. Some Trainers had even started battling.

"What do you think?"

Watching a battle between a Raticate and a Butterfree, Ilene, holding Dylan's arm, asked with a smile.

"The level is average, not as high as the previous challengers." Dylan shook his head. He and Ilene had already watched several battles.

But the Trainers who came to the Feast were pretty average, and even Ash at his current stage could probably beat these two on the field.

"Wow~ Impressive!"

"This guy's on a seven-win streak, right? He's been dominating every match."

"This Charizard is too strong!"

"Wanna place a bet? Let's see how many matches this kid can win in a row."

Scattered exclamations reached Dylan and Ilene's ears.

"Charizard?" Dylan became a bit more interested and walked in that direction with Ilene.

Charizard was the final evolution of the Kanto starter, Charmander. If it had already evolved to its final form, its strength wouldn't be weak.

As Dylan and Ilene approached, they finally saw the situation on the field.

A robust, powerful Charizard was standing on the ground, while its opponent was a Dodrio.

Unfortunately, even though Charizard didn't use its flying advantage, the Dodrio couldn't withstand Charizard's powerful Flamethrower and quickly lost the battle.

'Beep~ Charizard, Fire, Flying-type, Flame Pokémon

Ability: Blaze

Moves: Fire Spin, Scary Face, Flamethrower, Slash, Fire Fang, Dragon Rush (Inherited), Heat Wave, Air Slash...

Description: It can breathe intense flames that can melt rocks and often causes forest fires.'

What a strong Charizard! Ilene couldn't help but be amazed as she read the information from the Pokédex. This Charizard was definitely very powerful!

"Huh?"

However, when Ilene saw Charizard's Trainer, she was taken aback.

Dylan's eyes also flickered.

The Trainer was quite young, wearing a hat with clear red eyes beneath the brim, dressed in a red jacket, with dark blue jeans. His demeanor was pure and clean.

What surprised Ilene the most was how similar this person's facial features were to Ash's, whom they had just met.

But compared to Ash, this person didn't have such an outgoing and sunny disposition. His calm, emotionless expression made him seem a bit aloof.

Or maybe not aloof, but rather someone who wasn't good at socializing.

"Red...?"

Dylan gazed at the young man, unsure of what he was feeling at the moment.

The future legendary Trainer, Red!

The world sure worked in mysterious ways. Dylan never expected to meet Red for the first time here.

Meanwhile, on the field, Red shook his head, declining another challenger. After several battles, he had realized that the level of these Trainers was rather limited.

He recalled Charizard, ready to leave, but just then…

"Red!"

A joyful voice called out to Red.

Red turned around, and there stood the boy with the Pikachu.

"Ash~"

A smile appeared on Red's delicate face as he walked towards his beloved brother.

"Red, what are you doing here? You didn't even tell me!"

"I heard the S.S. Anne was hosting a Trainer's Banquet, so I came to check it out. But..."

Red didn't finish his sentence, but the disappointment in his voice was clear.

He had come here hoping to meet strong Trainers. Red loved battles, loved intense, powerful battles, and longed to give his all in a fight.

That was his belief, his pursuit.

But after several battles, he found that the Trainers here weren't much different from the random Youngsters he encountered on the road.

"What about you? How do you feel?"

Red's clear red eyes reflected the face of his brother, his usually calm voice softening.

As an older brother, Ash was his younger brother, and Red was truly very fond of him.

"It's a lot of fun! There are so many Trainers here. I just won three matches!" Ash proudly boasted about his victories to his brother.

"Well done, Ash."

Red's lips curved into a smile, praising his brother.

Every time he saw Ash's enthusiastic and joyful expression, Red couldn't help but feel happy as well.

Red understood that while his brother Ash might not be as naturally gifted as he was, Ash's love for Pokémon and his passion for battles weren't any less than his own.

Red also believed that Ash would one day become his rival! He always firmly believed that because... it was a promise he had made with Ash!

Ash might be trailing behind him now, but he would catch up!

S.S. Anne Captain's Room.

An old man was tied up, his hands and feet bound, with a white cloth stuffed in his mouth, lying pitifully in the corner.

This was the captain of the S.S. Anne, but now he was just a helpless old man.

And in his place sat a slender young man with short green hair, dressed in a white uniform.

Beside the young man, a fierce Houndoom lay on the ground, eyes closed as if dozing.

On the left chest of the young man's uniform was a large 'R'!

"What a beautiful and harmonious sight~"

The young man's fingers rhythmically tapped the desk, a faint smile on his lips as he leisurely watched the hall's monitors, exuding elegance and composure.

His name was Archer, one of Team Rocket's Four Executives!

While the Beast Trio expanded Team Rocket's influence in Johto and the three Admins operated in the shadows, in Kanto, the Four Executives were second only to Giovanni.

And Archer was particularly favored by Giovanni, excelling in both ability and strength.

"Archer, sir, the ship has reached the designated location! The target is also on board."

A Team Rocket subordinate in a black uniform entered the room and reported to Archer.

"Very good, then it's time to prepare a surprise for our guests."

A malicious grin spread across Archer's face, his pale complexion now completely shadowed, exuding a terrifying aura.

He had been lying low for some time, but now it was time for him to act.

When Team Rocket's mission succeeded and the S.S. Anne sank, Kanto would face a huge shock!

At that moment, Giovanni's power and influence would reach a new height!

"I'm looking forward to seeing their expressions when the S.S. Anne explodes~"