Chapter 52: The Maiden's Peak Beauty Pageant

"Welcome! Pop's Sea House, with perfect showering facilities and delicious ramen!"

"Come and take a break!"

"We can also help keep your belongings safe!"

Ash and Brock were shouting outside Old Man Pop's shop, trying every possible way to attract customers. But its plain appearance failed to entice anyone. Most people went to the flashy restaurant run by Brutella next door—where their sworn enemies, the Team Rocket trio, were also working.

"It's Team Rocket!"

"Why are they working here too?!"

Ash and Brock looked incredulously at Jessie. Misty, hearing them, immediately ran out from inside the shop, ready for an attack at any moment.

"A stylish shop suits a stylish beach!" Jessie taunted. "No one will patronize your broken-down shack! You deserve it!"

Under Team Rocket's continuous taunts, Ash and his friends almost broke down, their faces turning grim.

Just then, Red appeared unhurriedly before them. Upon seeing him, the Team Rocket trio flinched and hid themselves in fear.

"Big brother…" Ash said dejectedly, not daring to tell Red that he had crashed Old Man Pop's speedboat.

"You must be Ash's older brother," Old Man Pop leaned forward and explained, trying to cover for Ash. "Don't think he's so impulsive; actually, Ash is a kind-hearted good kid. He even helps an old man like me run the shop!"

"My Ash has always been a good kid," Red said with a slight smile. He knew Ash was trying to compensate for the repair costs but didn't expose the lie.

"The shop we're running now can't compare to Team Rocket's restaurant at all!" Brock said dejectedly.

"Have you forgotten that most of the travelers here are Pokémon trainers?" Red reminded them. "Pokémon are the biggest attraction. Why don't you send out your own to help?"

"That's a great idea!" Ash agreed, throwing out all his Poké Balls. Pikachu and Squirtle helped distribute discount coupons, Pidgeotto was responsible for grilling corn, Charmander helped Old Man Pop with the fire, and Bulbasaur worked as a waiter with Misty in the shop.

Soon, Pop's Sea House, with Pokémon as its main selling point, became a huge hit. Red's frequent appearances also made him the unofficial face of the shop. Travelers hadn't forgotten the power of the Golden Pidgeot, and seeing Red there, they tacitly acknowledged the shop's charm.

Unfortunately, good times don't last. After Team Rocket's disruption, the once-popular Sea House returned to its previously deserted state. Old Man Pop, who had believed he could finally repay his debts and resume his dream of sailing, was forced to face a harsh reality.

"I'm sorry, we've ruined the shop's reputation…" Ash blamed himself.

"Don't say that. You don't need to apologize. I know you've all been working very hard," Old Man Pop said.

"But I find it very strange why accidents keep happening one after another!" Misty said angrily, believing that this was no coincidence.

A mocking voice came from nearby. It was Brutella with the Team Rocket trio. She arrived at the Sea House and said arrogantly, "Your shop is still empty. It wouldn't be surprising if it went out of business at this rate, old man!"

"What did you say?!"

Upon hearing Brutella's provocation, Ash and Old Man Pop simultaneously stood up in anger.

"It doesn't matter if it goes out of business, but you must repay the money you borrowed from me on time, old man!" Brutella said coldly, immediately suppressing their momentum. She was, after all, his creditor.

"I'll pay you back!" Old Man Pop said defiantly.

"The deadline is tomorrow. If you don't pay by then, I'll take over your boat, old man!"

After speaking, Brutella left, ignoring Old Man Pop's attempts to persuade her. The Team Rocket trio, seeing a rare opportunity to get one over on Ash and his friends, made funny faces.

"Feeling so proud~" they chorused.

"It's the shop up ahead. Ash is helping Old Man Pop run it!"

Soon after Brutella and Team Rocket left, Red arrived with Delia and Professor Oak. He found Ash and the others in low spirits, their hard-earned popularity destroyed once again by Team Rocket.

"Mom, our Ash has really grown up!" Red praised, exaggerating his brother's virtues. "To help Old Man Pop achieve his dream of sailing around the world, he didn't hesitate to give up a Pokémon battle with Gary and came here specifically to help!" Ash, standing next to him, was so embarrassed he lowered his head. The actual situation was nothing like what Red described. Red shot an amused glance at his brother, wondering if this would teach him to be less reckless in the future.

"I see!" Professor Oak hammered his right fist into his left palm, coming up with a good idea. "Look at this! It's a beauty pageant for sun-kissed beauties and cosplaying Pokémon!" He handed the poster to Ash and the others.

"Indeed, a good idea," Red noted, glancing teasingly at the Professor. "Sun-kissed beauties and cosplaying Pokémon are both very popular. I just didn't expect our Professor Oak to know about these things…"

"I just happened to pick it up by chance!" Professor Oak quickly explained.

The plan was quickly implemented. To better attract a crowd, Red sent out his Golden Pidgeot to fly overhead and distribute flyers. Seeing the magnificent Pokémon, two-thirds of the travelers on the beach were drawn to the fashion show held at Pop's Sea House.

"The Maiden's Peak Sun-Kissed Beauties and Cosplaying Pokémon Pageant is about to begin! We have prepared luxurious prizes for the champion, so please participate enthusiastically! The winner will also receive an opportunity to take a photo with the Golden Pidgeot!"

Seeing the crowd gradually growing, Ash and the others cheered. Only Brutella, hiding in the shadows, gnashed her teeth in anger.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! The Maiden's Peak Sun-Kissed Beauties and Cosplaying Pokémon Pageant officially begins! Now, let's welcome our first contestant!" Brock announced, serving as the pageant's emcee.

The red curtain was pulled open, and Misty appeared.

"I might be embarrassed, but I still want to win the champion title!"

"This is the healthy, sun-kissed beauty, Misty! It seems she has a great chance of winning! And how will her partner Pokémon be dressed up?" Brock, clearly forced into this by Misty, announced reluctantly. He was only interested in older women. "Oh! It's an alien riding a UFO! The performers are Starmie and Squirtle!"

Just as Misty was about to perform, Jessie and James, dressed dazzlingly, appeared out of nowhere, interrupting her.

"James, what are you doing? You're a man!" Misty said speechlessly.

"It's okay~ My beauty has no gender distinction~" James said coyly.

"Shut up and go cool off somewhere!" Jessie said smugly, her mature figure a stark contrast to Misty's. "Alright, I'm going to give everyone a special service~" With that, James inflated his prosthetic breasts, truly stunning Misty.

"Two mature ladies who suddenly burst into the venue! I don't dislike them, but how will the audience react?" Brock continued his commentary, completely unaware of their true identities.

"Very popular! Everyone looks happy!"

The audience cheered wildly, some even whistling at James.

"Are these people blind?" Red complained weakly. "Can't they even see the most basic disguise?" He glanced at Professor Oak and found that he and Old Man Pop were both staring intently at Jessie and James on stage, with most of their attention focused on James's chest.

Click!

Red silently pulled out his Pokédex to record this infamous scene, planning to use it as a threat later when he needed to exploit Professor Oak.

Jessie and James's team name was "The Rocket Beauties," and their partners, Ekans and Koffing, were dressed as Omastar with seaweed, though the costumes didn't match at all.

"Get out of the way!"

Gary suddenly appeared with his beautiful cheerleader squad, kicking Ekans and Koffing to the ground.

"Ash, who's cowering in a corner, I didn't mean to cause you trouble," Gary said smugly into the microphone. "I just brought my girlfriends to show everyone!"

"That Gary!"

Ash was completely triggered, angrily running onto the stage to confront him, demanding a Pokémon battle.

"Unfortunately, I only brought girls today!" Gary refused.

"You're lying! I know you just battled my big brother!" Ash wouldn't give up, continuing his challenge. "What a stubborn guy. To be honest, I'm just not interested in battling low-level people!" Gary said smugly. On one hand, it was his habitual teasing of Ash; on the other, he was still angry that he hadn't defeated a single one of Red's Pokémon and was subconsciously taking his frustration out on him.

***

(End of Chapter)

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