After spending a comfortable night resting at the Pokémon Center in Porta Vista, Ash and his companions set out the next day feeling refreshed and full of energy. The seaside city was brimming with vitality—sunshine, sandy beaches, and the salty sea breeze lifted the spirits. However, as they strolled along the most scenic stretch of coastline, a subdued sound of sobbing caught their attention.
An elderly man with snow-white hair and a kindly face—now clouded with worry—sat beside a small yacht that was impeccably maintained, though clearly marked by the passage of time. He dabbed at his tears with a handkerchief.
The boat wasn't new, but its paint gleamed, the deck was spotless, and at the bow, written in elegant cursive, was the name "Saint Floralia." It was obvious the vessel had been poured full of its owner's heart and soul.
"Sir, what's wrong? Is there anything we can help with?" Brock stepped forward first, his voice gentle. As a Pokémon Breeder, caring for others came naturally to him.
The old man looked up. Seeing the concern on the faces of these young people, he sighed and began to share his troubles. "Everyone calls me Moe. This 'Saint Floralia' is my lifelong dream. When I was young, I longed to sail my own boat around the world, to see Pokémon and landscapes from every place. I saved my whole life to finally build her, and just when I was about to set off… that Brutella…"
At the mention of that name, Moe's voice filled with indignation and helplessness.
He pointed toward a nearby stretch of land that was being measured and marked. A lavishly dressed old woman stood there, a gem-studded cane in hand, barking orders arrogantly to her subordinates.
"She's set her sights on this bay, saying it's the perfect location for her so-called 'seven-star luxury seaside hotel,' and she's insisting I move! I told her my boat is my home—my dream sets sail from here. But she… she actually said my 'Saint Floralia' is too old and shabby, that it ruins the feng shui here and affects her fortune! She even threatened that if I don't dismantle it myself, she'll send people to forcibly clear it away!" Moe's eyes reddened again. "My dream… is it going to be crushed before it even begins?"
"That's completely unreasonable!" Misty stamped her foot angrily. "How can she destroy someone else's dream just for her hotel?!"
Ash clenched his fists. Through his aura, he could clearly feel the genuine sorrow and unwavering attachment to dreams in Moe's words—and an instinctive aversion to the overbearing, domineering presence of Brutella.
"We can't let her do this," Ash said firmly.
Just as they were thinking about how to help Moe, a familiar, wise voice sounded from nearby. "Oh? Isn't that Ash? And Brock and Misty too—what a coincidence. You've come to Porta Vista as well?"
They turned around in surprise to see Professor Oak smiling at them.
It turned out Professor Oak had been invited by the Porta Vista Pokémon Enthusiasts Association to give a lecture on the ecology of Water-type Pokémon in the Kanto region.
After carefully listening to Moe's story, Professor Oak adjusted his glasses. His thoughtful gaze swept over the beautiful bay and Brutella's aggressive entourage. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Brutella simply believes this place isn't 'high-end' enough to match her future luxury hotel—that Moe's boat doesn't fit the 'style' she envisions. Since what she's after is 'popularity' and 'value,' why don't we do the opposite and actively create a kind of value here that she can't ignore?"
"Create value? Professor, what do you mean?" Ash asked curiously.
"We can hold a large-scale, vibrant event here—something that draws the entire city's attention!" Professor Oak smiled. "A unique 'Seaside Beauty and Pokémon Costume Pageant'! The goal would be to showcase the deep bonds between Trainers and Pokémon, and the beauty of their harmony. Just imagine it—sunshine, beach, beautiful contestants, adorable Pokémon. Is there anything more eye-catching, more full of life and beauty than that? If the event is a success, this place will become a new focal point of Porta Vista. At that point, what grounds would Brutella have to say this place has 'bad feng shui'?"
The brilliant idea instantly ignited everyone's enthusiasm.
"That's amazing, Professor!" Misty raised her hand first. "I'm definitely entering! I'll let my Goldeen and Starmie show their most beautiful sides!"
"It sounds really interesting! Ash and I can handle the venue setup and promotion!" Brock said eagerly, rubbing his hands together.
"No problem! For Moe's dream, we'll make sure this event is a huge success!" Ash said, brimming with determination.
Watching these warm-hearted young people, Moe was moved to tears, thanking them again and again.
With that, they sprang into action at once.
Drawing on the decisiveness they'd honed through their travels, Ash and Brock began clearing the beach, setting up a simple stage and seating area, and promoting the event with eye-catching posters.
Misty made full use of her social skills as the Cerulean Gym Leader's daughter, reaching out to local Coordinators and interested girls to participate. Moe also pulled himself together, carefully decorating his Saint Floralia to serve as the pageant's most unique backdrop.
Professor Oak, with his authoritative standing, gladly agreed to act as chairman of the judging panel and invited several local dignitaries to serve as judges.
The news spread through Porta Vista as swiftly as the sea breeze.
The novel concept of a "Seaside Beauty and Pokémon Costume Pageant" immediately caused a huge stir and built immense anticipation.
On the day of the competition, the weather was perfect—clear skies, blue seas. The once-quiet beach was packed with people, the atmosphere festive and electric. Amid eager gazes from the crowd, Professor Oak announced the official start of the contest.
One contestant after another took the stage, each vying for attention.
Misty appeared in a refreshing swimsuit, working in perfect sync with her glittering Starmie. Her Water Gun traced dazzling rainbows in the sunlight, drawing round after round of applause. Her Goldeen also performed an elegant underwater ballet.
Unexpectedly, Gary's group of cheerleader girlfriends had also caught wind of the event and arrived together, forming a glamorous "Goddess Squad." Dressed in matching, eye-catching outfits, they brought their carefully groomed Pokémon—mostly cute ones like Eevee and Jigglypuff—and performed a synchronized dance. Though flashy, it somehow felt a bit soulless, overly formulaic.
And when Team Rocket's trio made their entrance, the atmosphere was pushed straight to the peak of comedy.
Jessie appeared with heavy makeup, wearing what she considered a "fashionable" gown that was in reality exaggerated and bizarre. She dragged along an Ekans that she'd wrapped up in ribbons and sequins like a colorful zongzi, its face a picture of utter despair.
Their "performance" was nothing short of a disaster. Ekans couldn't take it anymore and tried to break free, tangling itself up with Jessie onstage. The two struggled back and forth, sending the entire audience into peals of laughter.
However, the biggest surprise came as the competition neared its end. The appearance of a special guest caused the entire venue to fall silent for a split second—before erupting into even more enthusiastic applause. It was Ash's mother, Delia!
She wasn't a professional model or a Trainer, merely dressed in a simple, elegant dress, a gentle and slightly shy smile on her face.
At her side was a Chansey she had temporarily borrowed from Nurse Joy, equally mild-mannered and adorable.
There were no flashy moves, no complicated choreography. Delia simply interacted naturally with Chansey, gently stroking it and speaking softly, offering words of encouragement.
The warmth of her heartfelt, sunlike maternal love and affinity, paired with Chansey's pure, trusting response, formed a scene of beauty that defied description—one that struck straight at the heart. This sincerity and warmth transcended all outward splendor.
The result was beyond dispute. With unanimous agreement from the judges, Mrs. Delia and her Chansey—through their unparalleled affinity and naturally revealed harmony—won the championship of this "Seaside Beauty and Pokémon Costume Pageant."
As Delia accepted the exquisite champion's trophy from Professor Oak, long-lasting, heartfelt applause filled the air. Moe gazed at the lively, beautiful crowd gathered here because of his dream ship, tears streaming down his aged face.
But where there was joy, there was also resentment. In the VIP seats, Brutella watched as the bay she intended to monopolize overflowed with laughter and drew enormous attention; her face turned ashen. Her meticulously planned "high-end" image seemed shattered by this "vulgar" pageant, while Moe's boat and the event itself had instead become the bay's defining symbol. Jealousy and rage robbed her of reason.
She secretly approached Team Rocket—who had just disgraced themselves in the pageant and were sulking in a corner (she assumed they were merely greedy hoodlums). "You three," Brutella hissed, shoving a small bag of money into their hands, "go tear down that old man's junk boat and that pathetic stage! Do it, and you'll be well rewarded!"
"Hehehe, even if we lost the contest, some extra cash isn't bad, nyah!" Meowth counted the money.
"No problem! Destruction is our specialty!" Jessie and James immediately reignited their "fighting spirit."
They lifted off once more in the Meowth balloon, this time aiming at the Saint Floralia and the stage, preparing to fire their "secondhand missile."
"Behold our—"
"Invincible—"
"Secondhand Meowth Missile! Fire!"
However, Team Rocket's equipment was—as always—remarkably "reliable." After streaking out with a trail of white smoke, the missile didn't fly toward its intended target. Instead, it traced a bizarre arc in the sky and, to everyone's astonishment, came straight back toward the VIP seats—toward the secretly gloating Brutella—and… their own balloon!
"Bang!! Boom—!!"
Two thunderous explosions rang out almost simultaneously. The first hit Brutella's seat dead-on, blasting her into a sooty mess and shredding her luxurious gown.
The second, with momentum to spare, slammed directly into the basket beneath the Meowth balloon!
"AAAAAH—!!!" (Brutella's scream)
"What an awful feeling—!!!" (Team Rocket's trademark line)
Amid clouds of smoke and flying debris, Brutella and the Team Rocket trio shot off like meteors, trailing scorch marks and the stench of failure, vanishing beyond the horizon.
The dramatic scene left the entire venue silent for a second—then it erupted into even louder cheers and laughter! The troublesome villains had taken care of themselves in the most unexpected way!
With the greatest obstacle removed, the atmosphere grew even warmer and more harmonious. To everyone's blessings and applause, Moe boarded his beloved Saint Floralia, looking years younger. The engine purred pleasantly, and the white sails billowed in the sea breeze.
"Farewell! Thank you, young Trainers! Thank you, Professor! Thank you, everyone!" Moe stood at the bow, waving his hat with all his might, his face aglow with the happiness of a dream fulfilled.
The Saint Floralia slowly departed the harbor, heading for the vast, boundless ocean—setting off with unwavering resolve on the round-the-world journey it had long awaited.
The grand event concluded successfully, and the crowd gradually dispersed. Ash said his goodbyes to his mother Delia, who had come specially to support him, as well as to Professor Oak.
"Mom, I didn't expect you to come—and to win the championship!" Ash scratched his head shyly.
"Ash, you've grown up," Delia said gently, stroking his hair, her eyes filled with pride. "You know how to help others realize their dreams now. Keep it up, take good care of yourself—and take good care of Pikachu and everyone too."
"Don't worry, Aunt Delia, we'll keep an eye on him!" Misty said with a smile.
"Safe travels, Ash," Professor Oak encouraged. "You handled the situation in Porta Vista beautifully. I'm looking forward to your performance at the next Gym!"
Carrying the hopes and blessings of family and elders, Ash, Misty, and Brock—together with all their dependable Pokémon partners—set off once more on their journey of growth.
This sunlit, laughter-filled, and heartwarming interlude in Porta Vista shone brightly in their treasured travel memories, just like that champion's trophy.
[Ding! Host successfully planned and held a large-scale event, helped Moe realize his lifelong dream, spread the idea of harmony between Pokémon and humans, and indirectly punished the tyrant Brutella, earning widespread acclaim. Reward: World Points ×1000.]
[Current World Points: 9500]
The next chapter will be the Giant Tentacruel incident.