Pokemon: Becoming A Pokemon Master

Chapter 15: Crisis On The St. Anne, Encountering An Ice Element Elite

Ash didn't care too much; he went to the Vermilion Gym confidently, determined to earn his Thunder Badge.

"Ash, listen to Brock," Misty advised. "The water in the Vermilion Gym runs deep. You're not ready yet." Alex took the chance to echo her concern, giving a cold but honest remark.

"If you won't listen to anyone else, at least listen to Alex," Misty added. Given Alex's strength as an Ice-type Elite from the Sinnoh Region, Ash had no choice but to take a step back. He reluctantly postponed the challenge, but still hoped Alex could help him train his Pokémon.

Alex nodded in agreement.

In truth, Alex's advice mirrored the reality of the original journey. In the manga, Ash's Pikachu was brutally overpowered by Lt. Surge's evolved Raichu. Pikachu's loss served as a crucial moment in Ash's growth.

Thus, that afternoon, the group trained tirelessly at the battlefield behind the Pokémon Center, skipping lunch altogether.

Later in the evening, while eating together, Misty suddenly perked up and said, "I heard the St. Anne cruise ship is hosting a huge Trainer event in Vermilion City over the next few days. Why don't we check it out?"

"That sounds like a great idea," Brock replied, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I heard there'll be participants from all over Kalos, Hoenn, Unova, and even Johto. I might be able to meet more Pokémon Breeders."

"There are tons of Pokémon I've never seen!" Ash exclaimed, visibly excited. Born and raised in the Kanto Region, Ash's exposure to foreign Pokémon species was limited so this was a chance to broaden his horizons.

"Of course people from all over are going to show up," Misty said with a scoff, rolling her eyes at Ash's naivety.

"Alex, you coming too?" Ash asked with anticipation.

"Of course," Alex replied without hesitation. "Trainers from different regions I wouldn't miss the chance to observe and learn from them."

Over the next two days, Ash and Alex could often be seen training together, refining battle tactics, perfecting techniques, and improving synergy. Meanwhile, Misty dragged Brock through the bustling streets of Vermilion. Like clockwork, she returned to the Pokémon Center every evening loaded with bags perfume, lipstick, handbags—you name it. As for Brock, his motivation was... less about shopping and more about "scouting" the beauties at makeup stores and boutiques. Naturally, this made him Misty's unintentional pack mule.

Alex occasionally questioned whether Misty could actually carry all that stuff if Brock weren't around.

Two full days of intense training passed. Now it was finally time for Ash to reattempt the Gym Challenge. Alex accompanied him as moral support, while Misty and Brock were still tangled in Vermilion's shopping district.

Inside the Gym, Lt. Surge (known as Marchis in this adaptation) was still honing Raichu's moves when Ash arrived. Upon seeing his new visitor, Marchis approached.

"Oh, it's you again," Marchis said, recognizing Alex. "Didn't expect you back so soon."

Alex gave a casual nod and patted Ash on the shoulder. "He's not here to watch. He's here to battle."

"To challenge me again, huh? Let's see what you've got!" Marchis grinned. After his last defeat by Alex's Froslass and Weavile, he had taken time to reflect and train harder.

Ash stood tall. After all, he had been training with an Elite Four-level Ice-type Trainer—there was no excuse not to be stronger now.

"Let's go, Pikachu!" Ash declared.

"Pika-pi!" Pikachu leapt off his shoulder with a spark of determination.

"Raichu, let's show them what we're made of!" Marchis called out.

The evolved Electric-type stepped forward, charged with pride and voltage. Pikachu locked eyes with Raichu—this was personal.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Raichu, respond with Thunderbolt too!" The twin electric attacks collided mid-air, crackling violently before exploding in a flash of energy.

"Now, Raichu—Thunder!" Marchis barked. The clouds above rumbled as Raichu summoned a massive lightning strike.

"Pikachu, ground it with your tail!"

Marchis's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!"

He immediately realized what had happened Ash used the trick Alex taught him. By stabbing its iron tail into the ground, Pikachu had safely dispersed the electricity into the earth.

"Now's the time, Pikachu—Electro Ball!"

This was a new technique Pikachu had been mastering under Alex's guidance. Pikachu charged an orb of electrical energy at the tip of his tail, then hurled it at high speed.

"Raichu, dodge it!"

Marchis's command came too late. Electro Ball had been sharpened over two days of Elite-level training. It flew faster than Raichu anticipated.

BOOM!

The impact sent Raichu flying, the floor trembling from the blast.

Raichu stood up with difficulty, its body trembling from the blows it had taken. Pikachu didn't hesitate his final move, Quick Attack, launched him in a sudden blur toward his evolved counterpart.

With a sharp impact, Pikachu struck Raichu squarely in the chest, sending the Electric-type Pokémon flying. Raichu landed hard on the ground, unconscious.

"Pikachu, we did it!" Ash shouted, scooping up his partner in a joyful embrace.

"Pika-Pi!" Pikachu squeaked, his cheeks sparking happily.

"What an excellent Trainer," Lt. Surge—Marchis in this version—walked over and nodded approvingly. "You're just as good as that other boy who defeated me recently."

But Ash wasn't about to get cocky. "No way, I'm still nowhere near Alex's level," he said, scratching his head awkwardly.

Alex, standing a short distance behind, simply smiled. He didn't mind the compliment being redirected. As someone who had previously faced Marchis and won, he knew the importance of staying humble even with the Ice Elite title from Sinnoh backing him.

Ash officially earned the Thunder Badge, and with that, he and Alex bid farewell to Marchis and headed back to the Pokémon Center.

Misty and Brock had returned from their day out and greeted them.

"So, how'd it go?" Misty asked, curious. "Did you win the Badge?"

"Of course!" Ash grinned, proudly showing off his Thunder Badge. "But I wouldn't have made it without Alex. If he hadn't helped train Pikachu, I'd have no chance at beating that Raichu."

Hearing this, Alex stepped forward and patted Ash on the shoulder. "You've grown a lot, Ash."

"By the way," Alex added, "the St. Anne cruise event starts tomorrow. Did you all manage to get tickets?"

"Uh…" Misty looked sheepish, lowering her head. "I kinda forgot."

Alex chuckled. "Don't worry. Let's all rest for now tomorrow, we'll head out together."

Everyone agreed, returning to their rooms for the night. Their dreams were peaceful, filled with thoughts of adventure to come.

The next morning, they set off in a hurry, catching a taxi straight to Vermilion Harbor.

When they arrived, the crowd was massive hordes of Trainers and guests had gathered to see the Number One luxury cruise ship in Kanto, the majestic St. Anne. The vessel, several hundred meters long, gleamed in the sunlight, its towering decks a symbol of elegance and wealth.

Alex gazed at the cruise ship in thought. So this is what Team Rocket used their money on... In the manga, it was well known that Team Rocket funded lavish operations through black-market sales and auction houses, and many of their higher-ups lived in luxury.

"Those Executives, always living in mansions with rare Pokémon. Maybe I should've infiltrated their ranks earlier," Alex muttered half-jokingly to himself.

Not so lucky were Jessie, James, and Meowth the trio of Team Rocket grunts stationed nearby, currently disguised and selling octopus balls at a small stand.

Suddenly, all three sneezed in unison.

"Someone's badmouthing us, meow," Meowth said suspiciously.

"It's probably that secretary with glasses again," James huffed.

"Ever since we failed that last mission, Giovanni's cut our budget," Jessie growled. With no resources and no reputation, they were left selling snacks to tourists just to survive.

Meowth snarled, remembering how Giovanni's Persian lounged smugly in the boss's lap, while they struggled on the streets.

Back at the dock, Ash and his friends finally secured four tickets—though the price tag was steep: 20,000 PokéYen each.

If it weren't for the money they'd earned during their time in the Viridian Forest, Alex might've seriously considered skipping this cruise. But he boarded with one goal in mind: to intercept and dismantle Team Rocket's hidden plan.

Once aboard the St. Anne, everyone was overwhelmed by the opulence. The interior glowed with chandeliers, agate columns, polished marble floors, and walls lined with crystal and opal inlays. Every inch screamed luxury.

A massive buffet lay across gold-trimmed tables: pastries, imported fruits, fine drinks, and gourmet dishes—all available to guests for free.

Ash, wide-eyed, immediately dove into the food. "Let's eat till we break even!" he declared between bites of cake.

The others shook their heads at his appetite and drifted off to explore the ship.

That's when Alex spotted her—a figure in a long coat and a half-mask. But the distinctive, commanding presence, icy aura, and… well, certain other features, made her unmistakable.

"Isn't that Lorelei, the Ice-type Elite of the Indigo Plateau?" Alex whispered.

He remembered her from childhood she had once visited Professor Oak's lab, and Alex had never forgotten her.

"Lorelei-san?" Alex called softly.

The woman turned, startled. "You've mistaken me for someone else, young man," she replied cautiously.

"I'm Alex," he said. "You remember me, right? I'm Professor Oak's grandson."

Her eyes narrowed as she looked closer. After a moment, they lit up with recognition.

"You're Alex…? I didn't expect to run into you here," she admitted.

"I'm on my journey now," Alex said with a smile. "I just earned my Thunder Badge in Vermilion."

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