Chapter 32: The Summer Festival at Maiden's Gorge
On the sea surface, Ash and Brock, who had just surfaced after Misty, had already found several pieces of planks from the wreckage. They pieced them together to form a makeshift resting platform.
Seeing Misty and the others emerge, they quickly reached out to pull them from the water.
“Finally saved!” James lay back on the half-sunken boat, drenched from head to toe, staring up at the blue sky and white clouds, feeling as if he had just crossed the river of the afterlife.
Misty removed her diving goggles, untied the ropes, and released Meowth, while recalling the Gyarados back into its Poké Ball.
Under the warm sun, the sea was calm all around, scattered with debris drifting from the Saint Anne. Yet, aside from them, there was not a single other soul in sight.
Brock squinted his eyes as he scanned the horizon, then sighed in disappointment: “Looks like everyone who escaped by lifeboat has already left this area.”
“So, what should we do next?” Ash asked, only to notice Misty kneeling silently with her back to everyone, her cheeks flushed with a delicate blush.
“What’s wrong, Misty?” Ash inquired.
Misty quickly stood and shook her head.
“Nothing, I just swallowed some water earlier and feel a bit unwell.”
Though she tried to steady herself, her gaze kept drifting to the respirator in Misty’s hand, then to his lips, and her face grew even redder.
Approaching Misty, Misty’s usually lively and proud demeanor softened. In a low voice, she said, “Thank you so much for earlier.”
Misty naturally understood her meaning.
But given the urgency of the situation back then, his priority had been saving lives.
“Don’t worry about it,” Misty cleared his throat, feeling a bit self-conscious, and changed the subject by turning to Ash. “Ash, send out your Pidgeotto. Let it fly around nearby to see if there are any passing ships or islands.”
Ash released Pidgeotto and gave the command. The bird circled overhead twice, seeming to find its direction, then flapped its wings and flew off into the distance.
Not long after, Pidgeotto returned. It seemed to have found something as it landed on Ash’s shoulder, flapping its wings to indicate something.
As a Pokémon capable of human speech, Meowth took on the role of interpreter.
“It says there’s a port town not far ahead!”
At the mention of a port, everyone’s spirits lifted. They guided their Water-type Pokémon toward the town and swam in that direction...
***
Maiden’s Cove, a small port town nestled between withered leaf city and golden city.
Though small, the town was bustling and vibrant, boasting a large population and a natural harbor. Situated at a key transportation hub, numerous ships passed through daily, keeping the town lively.
Upon reaching the shore, as Misty and the others set foot on the soft sand, the trio from Team Rocket suddenly perked up.
They appeared from nowhere holding two roses, standing back to back.
Sniffing the flowers lightly, Jessie snorted coldly: “Since we’ve arrived here, it’s time to say goodbye!”
“Exactly!” James, holding a rose in his mouth, said suavely, “Though we appreciate you saving us, next time we meet, there’ll be no mercy!”
“That’s right, meow~” Meowth chimed.
With a burst of raucous laughter, they turned and dashed toward a large rock by the sea, disappearing from sight.
“I can’t stand them!” Misty sighed. “But I’m too drained to care about them now. Being soaked through is miserable—I just want a hot shower and a good sleep!”
It wasn’t just Misty; after all the turmoil, Misty was utterly exhausted as well.
“Let’s head to the Pokémon Center to rest quickly,” Misty said, tightening his backpack as they set off.
Suddenly, a strange feeling washed over him. He turned his gaze toward a small pier in the distance and saw a woman standing quietly there.
She wore a white dress, and her long, pinkish-purple hair fluttered gently in the breeze. Her profile was delicate and beautiful.
Yet, for some reason, a faint sadness seemed to linger around her.
Brock, standing nearby, appeared to see her too. His eyes turned into hearts as he exclaimed, “What a beautiful woman!”
***
Hearing this, Ash and Misty looked toward where Brock was staring, but saw nothing.
“What are you looking at?” Misty asked curiously. “There’s nothing there!”
Misty blinked, and in a moment of distraction, the woman’s figure vanished.
They continued onward, eventually reaching the Pokémon Center. After checking in, Misty learned from Nurse Joy where they were exactly.
Maiden’s Cove?
The beautiful woman’s spirit and a Gastly...
Recalling parts of the animated series, Misty couldn’t help but smile. They had unwittingly arrived here.
“By the way,” Nurse Joy said with a smile, “you’ve come just in time. The town is holding its summer festival right now. There’s a grand parade, a bonfire party, and plenty of street food. Don’t miss it if you can!”
For girls like Misty and boys like Ash, such events were naturally enticing, but their energy was nearly spent. After discussing a meeting time, they each returned to their rooms to rest.
Though the Pokémon Center offered free lodging and meals, accommodations varied by region.
In Maiden’s Cove, the small town meant the Pokémon Center was modest in size. The boys’ dormitory was a clean little room with just two bunk beds.
For Misty, the crisp white sheets seemed almost magical, making him long to collapse onto the bed.
Still, he fought off sleepiness, took a quick shower, tossed his wet clothes into the dryer, and finally fell onto the bed, unable to wake.
The sun dipped low, and he slept until dusk, waking groggily.
Seeing Ash and Brock still sound asleep, he shook them awake and then knocked on Misty’s door. They gathered and left the Pokémon Center together.
The entire town was now enveloped in the festive atmosphere of the festival.
Countless people in elaborate costumes followed one flower-decorated float after another, parading through the streets.
Amid the laughter and cheer, whether townsfolk or travelers like Misty, everyone’s spirits lifted, swept up in the joy of the celebration.