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"Ah, well..." Brock shook his head with a wry smile. Unexpectedly, the first topic of conversation upon reuniting was about who looked older!
But he understood that Kai was joking it was just a way to break the ice. Spreading his hands, he replied, "Maybe it's because I have nine younger siblings to take care of. Being overworked ages you quickly."
"By the way," Ash interjected, "do you want to come to the port with us?"
Kai asked, puzzled, "What's going on at the port?"
"We were just in the city centre," Misty explained, "and someone handed us tickets for a luxury cruise ship. They said it's hosting a grand banquet for Pokémon Trainers, financed by a wealthy sponsor. Tons of people are attending, it sounds like fun, and it's all free!"
"Really? That sounds too good to be true," Kai frowned. "Are you sure it's not a scam?"
Seeing Kai's scepticism, Ash took out a ticket from his pocket.
"It's real. Look, here's the ticket. On our way here, we saw loads of people rushing toward the port."
"Even so," Kai said, eyeing the ticket suspiciously, "there's only one ticket. How are the three of you planning to get on board?"
Ash opened the ticket to reveal the word Group printed on it.
"See? It's a group ticket. We can all go together. If you're interested, join us!"
Kai examined the ticket closely. The front displayed a picture of an extravagant cruise ship, and next to it were the words S.S. Anne.
Kai suddenly remembers the storyline of S.S. Anne. Wasn't this the famous shipwreck from the Pokémon anime?
Unaware of Kai's hesitation, Ash continued enthusiastically, "It's going to be amazing! We'll meet Trainers from all over, battle new Pokémon, and share strategies. Isn't that exciting?"
"Exactly!" Brock chimed in, his mind clearly elsewhere. "Not to mention all the delicious food and the gorgeous older ladies..."
Misty's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Traveling by sea, lounging on the deck, basking in the sun it sounds so dreamy!"
While the others were lost in their imaginations, Kai was thinking about something entirely different.
If he remembered correctly, shortly after the S.S. Anne set sail, it was attacked by Team Rocket, caught in a storm, and ultimately sank to the bottom of the ocean.
A luxury cruise ship must have cost billions, yet it was destined to meet such a tragic end.
But what could he do? Even if he warned everyone, would they believe him? Team Rocket's infiltration must have been carefully planned, and alerting the crew without solid proof might just tip off Giovanni, their mastermind.
As for the storm... Kai figured such a large ship would have access to accurate weather forecasts.
It wouldn't set sail unless the conditions were deemed safe unless Team Rocket tampered with its course, or if the storm formed too suddenly to predict.
"Huh? Kai, what are you thinking?" Misty asked, noticing his prolonged silence. "So, are you coming with us?"
Kai nodded after a moment's thought. "Sure, I'll join you. I want to see it for myself."
The group made their way to the port in Vermilion City. As they approached, the sight of numerous ships lined up along the coast greeted them.
Among them, the S.S. Anne stood out as the largest and most luxurious vessel, towering more than ten stories high.
Its grandeur made it the undeniable centrepiece of the harbour.
The S.S. Anne was world-renowned, visiting Vermilion City once a year before continuing its global voyage.
Just as Ash had mentioned, the docks were bustling with Trainers and their Pokémon, all eagerly boarding the ship.
"Wow, it's enormous!" Misty exclaimed, craning her neck to take in the full height of the ship. "We're really going to sail on this?"
Before the group could board, Kai stopped them. "Wait a moment I need to grab something first."
He headed toward a nearby diving shop and browsed for a while before purchasing a pair of diving goggles and a simple respirator. The price tag made him wince.
After paying, Kai slid the items into his backpack with a heavy heart.
The purchase had significantly dented the savings he'd accumulated from part-time jobs.
"What's with the gear?" Ash asked curiously.
"I'm not the best swimmer," Kai replied nonchalantly. "These might come in handy someday."
He chose not to reveal the ship's impending fate to his friends.
After all, it hadn't happened yet, and in the original timeline, they had survived without incident. Surely they'd find a way to escape if disaster struck.
After queuing, checking tickets, and boarding, the group ascended the gangway and stepped onto the deck. They entered a magnificent hall that left them all awestruck.
The hall was vast and grand, with gleaming gold decorations and countless crystal chandeliers casting reflections across the space.
Tourists of all kinds mingled, chatting animatedly about their travels and Pokémon.
A long red-carpeted table in the centre of the room was laden with an assortment of food, inviting everyone to indulge.
Vendors lined the sides of the hall, selling everything from jewellery and figurines to life-sized Pokémon plushies.
The lively atmosphere buzzed with the sound of haggling and laughter.
In the centre of the hall, a crowd had gathered to watch a Pokémon battle. A middle-aged man in a suit and a teenager in a green shirt stood as opponents, commanding their Pokémon: a Raticate and a Starmie.
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