At least he can ensure that his journey to Asia Island is smooth and uneventful.
While Ash was thinking, Miss Joy glanced around. Although it was morning, the Pokemon Center was bustling with people, many of them residing there, and it also offered free breakfast.
Yet, among so many people, not one recognized Ash, which was quite peculiar.
"Don't they recognize you? Ash, your popularity shouldn't be that low, right?" Miss Joy couldn't contain her curiosity and asked Ash.
Being simply the Quartz Conference Champion wouldn't make him so famous, but besides that, Ash had many accolades, especially in just half a year, rivaling the Elite, which was more sensational than being the Quartz Conference Champion.
Yet, the occasional glances from the surrounding people seemed indifferent to Ash, as if he were just a passerby, while more attention was focused on her.
Miss Joy knew her beauty attracted many, but in this world, where Pokemon were supreme, trainers should be more esteemed than mere beauty.
Why don't they recognize Ash?
"Because I use a special concealment method that, except for Miss Joy, others can't see my true appearance."
"Eh~ Such an ability exists? How is that done?"
"It's a type of Superpower, only attainable by extremely powerful Psychic-type Pokemon."
"I see, that's a pity~" Miss Joy said, somewhat regretfully.
If she could conceal her appearance, perhaps she wouldn't attract so many admirers.
But in reality, if Joy truly changed her appearance, it would cause a stir because… all Joys look alike. Why would yours be different? Wouldn't that be more noticeable and attractive?
…
After chatting and gathering intelligence from Miss Joy, Ash and Misty didn't set off immediately but instead enjoyed the morning beach and ocean!
The duo strolled along the beach while the gentle sea breeze wafted, and the scorching sun bathed the entire beach, presenting a starkly different atmosphere from the previous night.
Both were barefoot, feeling the hot sand and the refreshingly cold waves occasionally washing over their ankles, creating a delightful contrast.
Their casual chat abruptly interrupted by a commotion.
"Hey, move a bit, why so useless? Are you even a rare Pokemon? Why so weak!"
"Exactly, I heard Lorelei's ace is a Lapras, why is yours so weak? Get up and fight!"
"If you don't, you'll never make it back to the sea!"
Misty and Ash exchanged a glance, then quickly followed the sound, witnessing three delinquent youths constantly prodding a sickly Lapras, whose face was twisted in agony.
Clearly, Lapras was in poor condition, unable to fight back against the few delinquents' poking, even without Pokemon, showing how weak Lapras had become.
"Hey, you..."
"Stop right there!!" Ash hadn't finished talking when a crisp voice preceded him.
They halted and looked to the side, seeing a girl quickly arriving before Lapras, glaring angrily at the three delinquents: "How you treat this Pokemon is too much, get off Lapras!"
This girl had light brown wavy mid-length hair, tied in a single ponytail at the back, wearing a pink round hat with black decorations and a bow, matched with a black sleeveless short top with a white Peter Pan collar, a red high-waisted pleated short skirt, deep gray knee-high socks, and short boots, embodying a young maiden in her prime.
Her bright light blue eyes showed a hint of anger, and her cute face was now filled with extreme fury due to those delinquents' actions.
"Ha? Who are you to meddle? Is this Lapras yours?"
"Although it's not my Pokemon, bullying it is wrong!" The girl was slightly intimidated by the delinquents' scary faces but boldly reasoned with them.
But being delinquents, of course, they didn't follow logic, ignoring her words and growing angry at her actions.
"Who do you think you are? Meddling in our delinquent group affairs. We're not ordinary delinquents but strong ones!"
"Let me show you our strength!"
"Come out, my Pokemon!"
With words, they released their Pokemon: Fearow, Beedrill, and Hitmonchan, facing the girl.
Serena was startled, stepping back, but upon seeing Lapras' painful expression, she fought her fear, stepping forward: "It doesn't matter who you delinquents are, bullying Pokemon is wrong! Go, my partner!"
Throwing her Pokeball, a flash of light revealed a small red fox Pokemon on the beach.
"What is this?"
"Never seen this Pokemon, looks weak and fluffy."
"Exactly, so small, can't be strong."
Ash, not far away, instantly recalled the fox's info upon seeing it—Fennekin, the Three Starter from the Kalos Region.
Is this girl from the Kalos Region?
"Don't underestimate my Fennekin; though I recently got her, she's tough, Fennekin, use Ember!!"
"Fennekin!" Fennekin inhaled deeply and spat a small burst of flame at the delinquents' Pokemon.
"Tch, such a tiny flame can't even light a campfire. Hitmonchan, use Mach Punch to scatter it!" The delinquent sneered at the Ember's size and commanded Hitmonchan.
Hitmonchan swung its red-gloved fist, countless shadows flickering, and the flying Ember was scattered, dissipating in the air.
"How… don't give up, Fennekin, use Tackle!"
"Missy, better train more, Beedrill, use Twineedle!"
"Bang!!" Fennekin collided with Beedrill's needles, unsurprisingly being blown away, suffering significant injury.
The level gap was far too wide, and Serena's tactics weren't effective, facing three whole Pokemon.
In just one clash, Fennekin was gravely injured, she was no match for the delinquents.
Serena's fair face broke into sweat; her small hands gripped tightly. She was traveling to catch up to that person's footsteps, but was she utterly beaten by random roadside delinquents already?
Unable to help the injured Pokemon and causing hers considerable harm, she felt so useless...
"Finish it, Fearow, use Hyper Beam!"
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
In the air, a golden flash flickered, as if unseen by the delinquent B, and the preparing Hyper Beam Fearow was knocked back, slammed into a beach rock, leaving a deep imprint!
What just happened?!