Journey Through Kanto | ✅

Chapter 78: Meetings and Greetings on Mandarin Island

"Ok, razor leaf, now!" Ash ordered as his Bulbasaur took down his opponent's Butterfree.

"We won again!" The ravenette exclaimed as the guy he was battling returned his Pokemon and walked away. "I can't believe how many battles Ash has had." Tracey, a Pokemon watcher, stated. "I can't believe he won them all." Misty deadpanned.

"Nobody can defeat me!" Ash said loudly. "But I already did." Zia jumped in as Ash deflated, being reminded of their battle at the Indigo League. "Well, that doesn't count cause you're the champion." He countered. "I thought that was the point of being champion so people could try and defeat you." KC thought aloud as the younger male glared at him.

The two groups had happened to meet on Mandarin Island where Misty and Ash introduced their new traveling partner Tracey, along with Ash's new Lapras that he had saved. "You guys think I'm unstoppable and invincible, don't you?" Ash asked his Pikachu and Bulbasaur who encouraged him.

"And one more thing." He added as they all looked at him. "What's that?" Misty questioned curiously. "I'm hungry." Ash replied as they all sweatdropped.

Going to a nearby restaurant, the group ate outside together. "Slow down Ash, why are you in such a hurry?" Zia asked in concern as the male stuffed his face full with sandwiches. The girl was afraid he'd choke. "I gotta finish eating so I can beat someone else." He answered as Zia sighed.

"He may as well while his luck lasts." KC mumbled as Zia swatted him. "Don't add to his arrogance, KC. He's going to cross the line at some point." She warned him. Ash was a good friend of hers, and she'd hate to see him embarrass himself or get into a bad situation because of his over confidence.

"Hey guys, I think I figured out why everyone wants to battle today." Tracey stated as he rejoined the group, a paper in hand. "Why's that?" Misty asked. "It says, 'Attention trainers, Pokemon lecture and battle demonstration by the one and only Lorelei!'." The watcher read aloud.

Zia's head snapped up, much like Misty's. Ash, who didn't know who she was, kept eating. KC looked a little bored. He knew who she was, but didn't care too much. "Lorelei?/Lorelei's here?!" Zia and Misty asked in that order.

"Yeah, I heard she has a house on this island and trains here in the off season. Once a week she shows off her different battling techniques." Tracey explained as Misty's face flushed red. "I never dreamed I'd get the chance to see Lorelei in person." She said happily.

"Sounds like you're a really big Lorelei fan, Misty." Tracey stated. "Who wouldn't be? She's only the very best, and she uses water-type Pokemon too. Lorelei's my hero!" She fangirled. "A hero?" A new voice asked as they looked up.

There was the woman herself. She had an outfit change the last time Zia saw her, now wearing a red shirt with a blue jacket and a black short skirt. "I- uh- it- I." Misty couldn't get a single word out. "I-i-it really is you!" Tracey exclaimed, looking between the picture on the flyer and the actual person. Ash had almost choked on his food and was now staring at the woman too.

As the two introduced themselves, the woman, now seen to be Lorelei, walked past them and looked at Misty's Togepi and Zia's Dratini. "Hello, little cuties. Nice to meet you." She said to them, the last part mostly to Togepi. "It's nice to see you too, Zia." Lorelei greeted as she gazed at the girl.

"You know Lorelei?!" Misty, Tracey, and Ash shouted in disbelief as Zia looked at them funny. "Well, yeah, I had to battle her to become champion." She answered, thinking it was a dumb question.

The Elite Four member went over to the railing of the balcony, looking out into the sea. "Is everything alright?" Tracey asked her. "The sun feels like an old friend." She replied, confusing everyone. "It does?" The watcher asked again.