Pokemon: A different Ash

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Pokémon: Starting with a Psyduck has been blocked repeatedly, but you can still read it on my P@treon! It's available publicly for all supporters.

After Ash and the others boarded the ship, a red-haired boy emerged from the pier on the opposite side. Just as he was about to leave, he abruptly stopped and shouted, "Come out!" 

A man with blue hair stepped out of the alley behind him. "I thought you were going to deal with him!" the man remarked as he approached. 

Without turning around, the red-haired boy's voice grew cold. "Who asked you to follow me?" 

The man gave a small cough, maintaining a respectful tone. "Don't get me wrong, young master. I was merely ordered to find that boy." 

"What do you want with him?" the red-haired boy asked, frowning slightly. 

"You know he's interfered with our plans multiple times. The boss won't let him get away with it," the man explained, his tone firm. 

"Ariana couldn't even handle him. What makes you think you can?" The red-haired boy cast a disdainful glance behind him. 

"Ariana underestimated him. Besides, we have... other methods. And it's not just me watching him," the man replied confidently. "Even strong Trainers fall when faced with the tools at our disposal." 

The red-haired boy was silent for a moment before speaking coldly. "Withdraw everyone. He's mine. Don't interfere." 

"This... might not be wise. Young master, forgive my boldness, but you're not trying to help him, are you?" The man's tone remained respectful, though suspicion gleamed in his eyes. 

"Are you questioning me?" The red-haired boy turned slightly, his voice icy. 

The tension in the air grew thick, and the man found himself breaking into a nervous sweat. *Just like his father... that same aura,* he thought, unwilling to press further. 

"Stay out of my business. That boy is mine, and if any of you interfere, you'll answer to me," the red-haired boy declared sharply before turning on his heel and walking away. 

The blue-haired man stayed rooted to the spot, watching him leave. He dared not say another word. 

---

On the deck of the ship, Misty couldn't stop laughing. 

"You've been laughing all this time. What's so funny?" Ash asked, perplexed. 

"Of course I'm laughing! I just caught the cutest Horsea! Why wouldn't I be happy?" Misty replied, practically glowing with excitement. It was her first time catching a Horsea since leaving the Cerulean Gym. 

Ash raised an eyebrow. "You said Tentacool was cute!"

"Now you're saying Horsea is the cutest?" Ash teased with a smirk. 

"Of course! What's wrong with that?" Misty shot back without missing a beat, her tone sharp and decisive. 

"Women are so fickle!" Ash muttered, rolling his eyes in exasperation. 

"Hmph! What do you know about it? Mind your own business! Hah!" Misty stuck out her tongue playfully before turning her head away. Ignoring Ash completely, she cuddled her new Horsea, showering it with affection. 

Ash and Brock exchanged a glance, shrugging slightly. They both knew the unspoken rule: never try to win an argument with Misty. 

---

**Ding!** 

"Passengers, please note: this cruise ship is about to arrive at Maiden's Peak, the destination of this journey. On behalf of the Tailwind crew, we wish everyone a pleasant journey," came the ship's announcement over the intercom. 

Hearing the announcement, the group turned toward the bow. Ahead, the ship approached a narrow pier framed by the scenic cliffs of Maiden's Peak. 

Unlike the bustling and modern harbor of Vermilion City, Maiden's Peak's pier exuded a quaint charm. Beside the cliffs stood a lighthouse, its light faintly visible even in daylight. A single stone pillar rose from the sea, its surface holding what appeared to be a statue. 

"That's Maiden Rock, the symbol of Maiden's Peak," Brock explained as they admired the view. "Legend has it that the rock was once a girl who turned to stone while waiting for her fiancé to return from war." 

"Wow, it sounds like a really touching story," Misty murmured, gazing at the statue with awe. 

"Finally, we're here!" she added excitedly, clearly relieved to be back on solid ground. After their harrowing experience aboard the S.S. Anne, Misty seemed to prefer traveling by land. 

---

The ship quickly docked at the pier, and passengers began disembarking. Ash, Misty, and Brock followed the flow of the crowd. 

Walking along the pier, Ash's attention was drawn to the imposing Maiden Rock. The story surrounding it intrigued him, but what fascinated him even more was the mysterious aura of the place. 

Ash's thoughts wandered. In a world filled with Ghost-type Pokémon, the concept of ghosts had always piqued his curiosity. Were Ghost-types truly spirits of departed Pokémon? Or did their existence stem from something else? 

He recalled Professor Oak once saying that even with all his research, the origins and nature of Ghost-types remained a mystery. And what about actual ghosts in this world? Ash knew they existed; he had encountered them himself. 

Still, many of the so-called "ghosts" he'd encountered were harmless pranksters, playful rather than malicious. Like the ghost of the Maiden's Peak legend—if it existed—it wasn't malevolent but was said to be a spirit waiting patiently for her love to return. 

---

As Ash pondered, a sudden buzzing filled his head, breaking his train of thought. He winced, instinctively covering one eye with his hand. 

Looking toward the cliff, Ash's vision shifted. The world around him blurred, and the stone statue of Maiden Rock seemed to shimmer. A hazy figure appeared above it—a woman with flowing pink-purple hair and a white dress. She was strikingly beautiful, and though her form was faint, Ash could see her clearly. 

As his gaze locked onto her, the figure abruptly turned toward him. Her ethereal eyes widened, and an expression of surprise flickered across her face.