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Confetti rained down in glittering streams as Kai raised his hand to the cheering crowd. A smile played on his face as he waved, soaking in the celebration of victory.
Behind him, Misty crouched on her surfboard, gently stroking her Corsola.
Though she smiled, her eyes flickered with regret. She and Corsola had given everything in the race, but in the end, they had still fallen short by only the smallest of margins.
It was disappointing, yes, but even so, she felt no bitterness. Losing to Kai was different. If it had been anyone else, she'd be pouting and muttering complaints. But with him, she could only feel proud.
A short distance away, Ross, the hometown favorite and defending champion, stood with a dark expression. His dream of back-to-back victories had been shattered.
To make matters worse, he had not only lost to a younger, sharper newcomer but had also been edged out by the girl with the coral Pokémon. Third place. For him, the sting was deep.
And yet, when he looked at Misty again, another thought stirred. She was striking her fiery hair, her spirit. Perhaps this defeat had brought him a different sort of chance.
"Hey," Ross called warmly, forcing cheer into his voice. "You must be from out of town, right? To celebrate your second place, how about I take you on a tour? My boat's right here I'll show you around the city myself."
His smile was disarming, the kind that made refusal difficult. Misty hesitated, then nodded. It was true they were strangers here, and a local guide could be useful.
"All right," she agreed, then added quickly, "but only if my friends come too."
"Of course!" Ross answered eagerly. "The more, the merrier. And your friends are…?"
Misty's eyes softened as she pointed toward Kai, who was still surrounded by photographers.
"Him."
Ross's smile froze for half a second. Together? So not only had this man stolen the championship, but he also had a girl like her by his side. Ross forced himself to laugh, but his thoughts churned beneath the surface.
By the time Kai finished the awards ceremony, accepting his medal, shaking hands, posing for photos, a half hour had slipped by.
When he returned to regroup with Brock, Misty, and the others, he found that Ash, who had vanished after the race, had already rejoined them.
And there was Ross, talking animatedly, trying to charm the group. Ash, ever enthusiastic, nodded along at every word, but the others showed little interest. Misty and Erika had eyes only for Kai, and Brock, as always, would only perk up for an older woman.
Ross, however, wasted no time. The moment Kai arrived, he stepped forward with a broad smile and extended hand.
"Congratulations, champion!"
Kai blinked, confused at the stranger's warmth, but shook his hand politely. Then he glanced at Erika with a look that said plainly: Who is this guy? She shook her head she had no idea either.
Ross, tanned from years under the sun, with shoulder-length brown hair parted neatly, looked every bit the seaside surfer. His grin didn't waver as Misty stepped in. "Kai, Ross offered to show us around the city."
Kai nodded. "Well, then—thank you."
Ash suddenly piped up, eyes wide with excitement. "Kai! Show us the medal! What does the winner's prize look like?"
Everyone turned as Kai held up a round glass medallion, gleaming in the sunlight. Intricate patterns shimmered within, depicting faint outlines of two Pokémon, with a single emerald gemstone embedded at its heart.
"The champion's glass prize of Alto Mare…" Misty whispered, breathless. "It's beautiful!"
Kai chuckled and handed it to Erika for a closer look. Compared to the trophies of Indigo, the Orange Islands, or Whirl Cup, this prize was exquisite delicate, almost otherworldly.
Then Kai turned to Ash, raising an eyebrow. "By the way… what happened to you during the race? You suddenly veered off course."
Ash scratched his head sheepishly. "I… don't really know. Totodile must've gotten too nervous and taken a wrong turn, I guess."
Of course, he hadn't seen Latias or Latios helping him. To him, it was nothing more than a strange mistake.
Misty folded her arms, smirking triumphantly. "See? I told you, Ash, if you didn't come last, it would already be a miracle. Turns out, you're the only one who didn't finish at all!"
Ash blushed furiously, unable to meet her gaze.
Ross cleared his throat, eager to reclaim attention. "Well then, shall we continue this conversation on my boat?"
Kai expected a sleek motorboat. Instead, when they reached the water's edge, he found a wooden gondola long, narrow, and painted in elegant black.
Ross leapt aboard first, taking up the long oar at the stern. Ash and Brock clambered in, followed by Erika and Misty with Kai helping them aboard, before stepping in himself.
The gondola rocked gently as Ross pushed off. Slowly, gracefully, they drifted along the sunlit canals of Alto Mare.
The city unfolded around them in a dazzling play of water and stone. Bridges arched overhead, flowers spilled from balconies, and sunlight shimmered across the rippling water.
Brock sighed dreamily. "The gondolas of Alto Mare… I've dreamed of this my whole life."
They sailed on, winding through half the city, until at last they drifted before two towering stone pillars. Carved upon them were the images of Latias and Latios, wings spread as though guarding the waters themselves.
Ross's voice grew reverent. "These are our guardians. Legend says they once saved the city from disaster. Even now, many believe they still dwell among us, hidden… watching over Alto Mare."
The gondola floated in silence for a moment, as if the water itself respected the weight of the tale.
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