Leaving Fossil Island, which had partially submerged due to the awakening of the ancient fossils, Ash and his friends continued their journey toward their next objective in the Orange League aboard Lapras.
Wingull occasionally skimmed across the cerulean surface of the sea, lending the atmosphere a sense of peace and tranquility. They soon arrived at an island called Mandarin Island South. The island was lush with dense vegetation and a well-developed water system; the air was thick with mist, marking it as a true paradise for Water-type Pokémon.
As they walked along the shore, Togepi, nestled in Misty's arms, accidentally knocked a charm off her backpack. It tumbled away and rolled straight into the ocean.
"Ah! My charm!" Misty cried out. It was a keepsake she was very fond of, shaped like a Water Stone.
Beside her, Psyduckwho had just been let out for some fresh airlet out a vacant "Quack?" Then, with an agility that completely betrayed its usual lethargic expression, it dove into the sea without hesitation, swimming toward the sinking charm.
However, Psyduck's swimming technique wasn't quite as firm as its determination. After a few frantic paddles, it swallowed several mouthfuls of seawater and began to sink.
"Psyduck!" Misty shouted anxiously.
Just then, a vigorous figure shot into the water like a swift arrow. It quickly scooped up the drowning Psyduck along with the charm and returned to the shore with a graceful leap.
Standing before them was a young girl wearing a sleek swimsuit, her skin a healthy tan. Beside her stood another Psyduck, this one with a much sharper gaze.
"Is your Psyduck alright?" The girl handed the soggy Pokémon and the charm back to Misty, offering a bright smile. "I'm Marina, a Water-type Pokémon trainer."
"Thank you so much for saving Psyduck!" Misty thanked her quickly, taking back her dizzy, head-clutching Pokémon.
Marina looked closely at Misty's Psyduck, specifically at its tail, which was flickering with a faint blue light. "You're welcome," she said thoughtfully. "But it looks like your Psyduck is about to evolve. Look at that glow on its tailthat's a classic sign before evolution."
"Evolution?" Misty blinked, looking at the still-dopy Psyduck in her arms with disbelief. Even Ash and Tracey leaned in curiously to have a look.
Ash, however, knew perfectly well that this wasn't Psyduck preparing to evolve. But since an impressive Golduck was about to appear regardless, he kept his thoughts to himself for now.
"Exactly," Marina nodded confidently. "It seems it has accumulated quite a bit of experience and just needs a catalyst. How about it? As fellow Water-type trainers, want to have a battle? An intense fight is often the best trigger for evolution!"
Misty looked at the confident Marina and then back at her own Psyduck. Her competitive spirit as the Cerulean Gym Leader was ignited. "Alright! I accept your challenge! Let's let a battle test our strength!"
Ash and Tracey were happy to watch and acted as temporary referees.
"The rules are three-on-three," Ash announced. "The match ends when all three of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle!"
"My first Pokémon is this one! Go, Tentacruel!" Marina sent out her first choice.
"Go, Goldeen!" Misty sent out her own partner.
However, Tentacruel held the advantage in both the Water and Poison typing. Furthermore, Marina's Tentacruel was experienced and moved with lightning speed.
"Tentacruel, use Poison Sting!"
"Goldeen, use Agility to dodge!"
Goldeen nimbly avoided the needles, but Tentacruel's tentacles were already lying in wait beneath the water.
"Now, use Wrap!"
Several tentacles suddenly burst from the surface, binding Goldeen tightly! Goldeen struggled, but it couldn't break free.
"Follow up with Sludge!"
At such close range, the Sludge attack was super effective! Goldeen let out a cry and lost its ability to battle.
"Goldeen!" Misty said, heart-aching as she recalled her Pokémon. "You did well... Staryu, you're up next!"
Staryu spun onto the field, its core flashing brilliantly.
"Staryu, use Water Gun!"
"Tentacruel, use Acid!"
The water-based moves canceled each other out. Misty seized the opening. "Staryu, use Rapid Spin to get close, then use Psychic!"
Staryu accelerated sharply, dodging the Acid. Its core emitted an invisible wave of mental energy that slammed into Tentacruel! The Psychic move was super effective, and the Tentacruel swayed painfully before collapsing.
"Great job, Staryu!" Misty cheered.
"Not bad," Marina said as she recalled Tentacruel and sent out her second Pokémon. "Then see how you handle this! Go, Starmie!"
As the evolved form of Staryu, both Pokémon moved at high speeds across the field, trading blows with Water Gun and Psychic. The duel of speed and mental power was dizzying to watch. Finally, after a violent collision, both Pokémon fell at the same time, resulting in a draw.
"Both Staryu and Starmie are unable to battle!" Ash declared.
Now, both sides were down to their final Pokémon. "Misty, send out your Psyduck!" Marina encouraged. "Maybe the evolution will happen right in this match!"
"My final choice is also Psyduck!"
Marina's Psyduck looked significantly more clever than Misty's, standing tall on the field with its head held high.
Misty took a deep breath, preparing to take her Poké Ball out to release her Psyduck. However, as she pulled off her backpack, the bucklewhich had been loosened in the earlier commotionslipped. Before she could react, the entire bag flew out of her hand and fell into the sea with a loud splash!
"Ah! My backpack!" Misty screamed. Her most important belongings and her Poké Balls were all in there!
While everyone's attention was on the submerged bag, a blue blur dove into the water at incredible speed. A moment later, the figure broke the surface, balancing Misty's bag on its head. It leaped gracefully from the water and landed steadily in front of Misty.
It was a Golduck! It was tall and lean, with a confident and slightly... roguish look in its eyes? It elegantly handed the bag back to Misty and even gave her a wink.
Misty, Ash, and Tracey were stunned. Marina also looked at this sudden newcomer with shock.
"My... my Psyduck evolved?!" Misty cried out with joy and surprise. She assumed that in the moment the bag fell, her Psyduck's protective instincts had triggered its evolution!
Ash's Aura swept over the Golduck instantly. He immediately sensed that there was no deep bond between it and Misty. This was a completely wild, and clearly very clever, Golduck!
He realized it immediatelythis was the "beautiful misunderstanding" from the original story. But he didn't spoil it; instead, he found it quite amusing. And... perhaps it was an opportunity.
"That's amazing, Golduck!" Misty said excitedly to the wild Pokémon. "Your evolution came just in time! Please, help me win this battle!"
The wild Golduck seemed to understand. It looked at Misty, then at Marina's Psyduck, nodded confidently, and struck a combat pose.
Marina felt something was slightly off, but she didn't dwell on it. "Even if you evolved, we won't lose! Psyduck, use Confusion!"
"Golduck, we'll use Confusion too!"
Both Pokémon's eyes glowed blue as invisible mental forces collided in mid-air. However, the evolved Golduck's mental power was clearly superior. Its Confusion suppressed its opponent, forcing Marina's Psyduck back several steps.
"What?!" Marina gasped.
"Incredible!" Misty was thrilled. "Golduck, use Hydro Pump!"
Golduck opened its mouth, and a thick, powerful jet of water blasted out with extreme speed! Marina's Psyduck had no time to dodge. The Hydro Pump hit head-on, and being super effective, it knocked the Psyduck out instantly.
"We won! We won!" Misty jumped for joy, running to Golduck's side. "Thank you, Golduck! You're so reliable!" She pulled out an empty Poké Ball, looking at Golduck expectantly. "Return to your Poké Ball!"
But the Poké Ball flashed with red light, and Misty's original, dopy Psyduck appeared, staring blankly at the large stranger standing in front of it.
The scene went dead silent.
Misty looked at her original, silly Psyduck, and then at the wildly different wild Golduck. Finally, it clicked. "Ah! You're not my Psyduck after evolution?!"
Marina and Tracey also realized what had happened. It was all a giant mix-up!
The wild Golduck shrugged and struck a cool pose, its eyes darting between Misty and Marina. It seemed to be saying: Helping pretty girls is one thing, but being caught? I'll have to think about that.
Ash watched the scene and couldn't help but laugh. He walked up to the wild Golduck and spoke in a half-joking, half-serious tone. "Hey, Golduck, it looks like you really enjoy helping the ladies.
How about coming with me? I know a lot of beautiful trainers and female friends. Misty, Marina, then there's Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny... and who knows how many more we'll meet on our journey. If you follow me, you'll have plenty of chances to play the hero, what do you say?"
Ash leaned in and whispered in its ear, "I'm telling you, the girls I know are all top-tier. You don't want to miss this chance!"
Hearing Ash's words, the Golduck's eyes visibly brightened. It rubbed its chin as if seriously considering the proposal. It looked at Ash, then at the girls, and thought back to Ash's "promises." Finally, it flashed a "you get me" smile at Ash and nodded, proactively tapping the Poké Ball in Ash's hand.
The Poké Ball opened, pulling Golduck inside. It didn't even shake; the capture was an instant success!
Ash picked up the ball and smiled. "Welcome aboard, though your motives are a bit... unique."
He turned to a slightly dejected Misty. "Misty, don't be discouraged. I caught this Golduck for you. If you ever need a Water-type Pokémon to help out, you can call on him anytime."
For me? Ash's casual words sent a wave of unknown emotion through Misty. Despite the hiccups, winning the battle had made her happy.
And so, their experience on Mandarin Island South came to a close amidst a misunderstanding and an unexpected catch. This "amorous" Golduck had joined the team. Ash thought that having him around as a regular "NPC" wouldn't be such a bad idea! Heheh...
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