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"Ahem! Oh dear, we have an emergency situation!" the announcer coughed nervously.
The event organizers hadn't anticipated such chaos breaking out during their competition. The host cleared his throat uncertainly, unsure how to handle the developing crisis.
"Now's my chance!" Jessie seized the moment and sprinted toward the limited-edition doll display.
"Stop right there! That doll is mine! You can't just take it!" Misty shouted, immediately rushing forward to block Jessie's path.
"Little girl, this is all your fault! I'm getting that doll today no matter what! Arbok, use Bite!" Jessie snarled furiously.
She threw her Poké Ball, and Arbok emerged with a menacing hiss, lunging directly at Misty with its fangs bared.
Misty gasped in shock, frozen by the sudden attack. Despite the danger, she refused to step aside—she wouldn't give up the prize she had finally earned.
"Pika... chu!"
A familiar cry rang out, followed by a brilliant bolt of electricity that streaked across the arena. The Thunderbolt attack struck Arbok directly, causing the Poison-type Pokémon to convulse as electric current coursed through its body.
The electrical assault stopped Arbok's advance completely. Misty exhaled in relief and turned to see Pikachu standing protectively nearby, sparks still crackling from its red cheeks.
"Thank you, Pikachu!" Misty called out gratefully.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu responded cheerfully, pleased to have helped.
Jessie gritted her teeth in frustration before issuing another command.
"Lickitung, grab that girl!"
Though injured from Psyduck's earlier Confusion attack, Lickitung was still capable of battle. The Normal-type Pokémon extended its massive tongue toward Misty once again.
Seeing the approaching threat, Pikachu quickly released a warning cry.
"Pika!"
When Misty turned her head, she saw Lickitung's attack closing in. Her expression immediately shifted to alarm.
"Ivysaur, use Vine Whip!"
"Ivy!"
A familiar voice called out, followed by the sound of something cutting through the air. As Lickitung's tongue stretched forward, two dark green vines whipped through the smoke, striking the appendage with sharp snapping sounds.
Lickitung's expression instantly changed to one of pain. Two bright red welts appeared across its tongue, and the Pokémon reflexively pulled back, clutching its injured tongue with both hands as tears formed in its eyes.
"Ash!" Misty noticed a figure appearing beside her through the dissipating smoke. Relief washed over her face when she recognized her friend.
"You're really being reckless, risking your safety over this thing?" Ash commented with a slight frown.
He could understand putting yourself in danger for a Pokémon's sake, but this situation seemed different. The doll, while nice to look at, was ultimately just an expensive decoration that could be purchased if someone had enough money. It wasn't worth getting hurt over.
Although he understood Misty's passion for collecting, this level of risk seemed excessive.
"I'm sorry," Misty said sheepishly. "When I saw Jessie trying to steal it, I just couldn't help myself."
"Curse that little brat! You're interfering again! I won't let you get away with this! James, let's go!" Jessie's anger intensified upon seeing Ash's arrival.
Weezing, Ekans, and the injured Lickitung all advanced together. Ivysaur and Pikachu quickly positioned themselves protectively in front of Ash.
"Ivy saur!"
Ivysaur lowered its body into a battle stance. The bulb on its back began glowing with green energy as the Pokémon opened its mouth slightly. Green energy condensed and crystallized into a shimmering orb.
"Energy Ball? Perfect timing!"
"Ivysaur, use Energy Ball! Pikachu, use Electro Ball!" Ash commanded confidently.
He immediately recognized the move Ivysaur was preparing. Both Pokémon launched their attacks simultaneously, sending golden and green energy spheres hurtling toward Team Rocket.
BOOM!
The two Energy Balls collided with their targets, creating a massive explosion that filled the entire venue with thick smoke. Team Rocket and their Pokémon were blown away by the tremendous force, once again becoming shooting stars in the distance.
"We were so close this time! I can't accept this!" Jessie wailed as she flew through the air, while James and Meowth could only resign themselves to their fate.
"What a disgusting feeling!" they cried out in unison as they disappeared into the sky.
"Phew... The crisis has finally been resolved," the announcer said with obvious relief. "It seems that even princesses need their knights! The organizers have made a temporary rule change: from now on, female contestants in the Princess Festival competition may choose knights to battle on their behalf!"
The organizers had witnessed everything that transpired. Upon reflection, they realized that serious Trainer battles were far more entertaining to watch than competitions where some participants couldn't even command their Pokémon properly.
Many of the female spectators agreed with this new rule, as it meant they wouldn't need to participate directly in future battles if they preferred not to.
Ash didn't particularly care about the rule changes. He had only intervened because he wanted to keep Misty safe and couldn't stand by while she was in danger. Whatever the organizers decided to do with their competition was their business.
Regardless of the circumstances, Misty had won the competition fair and square. The organizers presented her with the promised prize, and after receiving the doll she had longed for, Misty was absolutely thrilled. She showed little interest in the photo opportunity with the celebrity guest, politely going through the motions before they could leave.
The thoughtful organizers had arranged express shipping services, recognizing that the large display case and oversized dolls would be impossible for travelers to carry. Misty had everything carefully packed into protective boxes and provided Cerulean City as the delivery address for the shipping company.
"You went through all that effort to win it, and now you're sending it back so quickly?" Brock asked curiously as he watched the packing process.
"Well, I can't exactly take it with me on our journey!" Misty laughed cheerfully. "Besides, Daisy and my other sisters are going to be so shocked when this arrives home!"
Ash and Brock exchanged knowing glances, finally understanding her true motivation. It seemed the doll itself was secondary—the main goal had been to impress and surprise her three sisters back at the Cerulean Gym.
Neither of them commented on this revelation. Brock's attention shifted to the Grass-type Pokémon standing beside Ash.
"By the way, did you stop by the Pokémon Center and switch out your team to bring Ivysaur back?" Brock asked, noticing the familiar Pokémon.
"Yeah! I want Ivysaur to participate in my next Gym battle," Ash nodded in confirmation.
"Oh, Ash! Here are Pidgeotto and Scyther's Poké Balls. Thank you so much!" Misty retrieved two Poké Balls from her bag and handed them back to their rightful trainer.
She was genuinely grateful for Ash's help—without his Pokémon, she never would have been able to win the competition.
"You're welcome. If everything's settled here, should we get going?"
"Absolutely!" Misty agreed enthusiastically, ready to continue their journey.