The wind howled and dark clouds hung heavy in the sky. At Old Shore Wharf, the flags whipped violently in the gale.
When Ash and his group arrived, they found the pier packed with anxious trainers, every gaze fixed upon the turbulent, surging ocean.
"Everyone, I am truly sorry!" a woman in a captain's uniform announced solemnly from an elevated platform. "Due to the abnormal weather, all flights to New Island are temporarily suspended! I am the port manager, Miranda, and I must take responsibility for the safety of every passenger and Pokémon!"
A chorus of disappointed complaints immediately erupted from the crowd.
One trainer pointed toward the sea, refusing to give up. "But this storm came out of nowhere! The weather report clearly said today would be a sunny day!"
Just then, Officer Jenny arrived at the pier on her motorcycle, her expression equally grim. "Manager Miranda is right. The Coast Guard has already issued a warning. Abnormal energy fluctuations have appeared in this area. It is far too dangerous to set sail now."
Ash's Aura Power allowed him to keenly perceive that this sudden storm was indeed far from ordinaryit was laced with a powerful psychic energy radiating from the direction of New Island.
This only made him more certain that something significant was unfolding there.
"It seems Mewtwo's power is already capable of influencing the weather..." Ash muttered under his breath.
While everyone else was at a loss, a few impatient trainers made a bold decision.
A trainer in red released a Blastoise and climbed onto its shell. "Since there are no boats, we'll let our Pokémon carry us across!"
The suggestion was met with an immediate response.
Trainers began releasing their Water-type Pokémon one after another: Kingler, Seaking, Kingdra...
For a moment, the pier was ablaze with the light of Poké Balls.
They mounted their Pokémon and resolutely charged into the raging waves.
"Wait! It's too dangerous!" Miranda shouted anxiously, but the trainers had already vanished into the billowing swells.
Misty watched the departing trainers with worry. "Will they make it safely?"
Brock shook his head. "The waves are too fierce. Even for Water-type Pokémon, a long journey in this weather will be exhausting."
As Ash was considering his next move, a battered old boat slowly approached the pier.
An old fisherman sat on the boat, his conical hat pulled low. He called out in a raspy voice, "Going to New Island? My boat can take you for a fair price."
Ash's Aura Power instantly saw through the disguisethe so-called "old fisherman" was clearly James, and he could sense the presence of Jessie and Meowth hiding in the cabin.
He sighed inwardly; Team Rocket truly was persistent.
"Thank you for the offer," Ash replied with a polite but firm rejection, "but we already have a plan."
After the small boat left in frustration, Misty asked in confusion, "Ash, why did you turn that old man down?"
"Because that wasn't an old man," Ash said with a faint smile. "That was Team Rocket in disguise. I suspect they wanted to pull something halfway there."
Brock realized the truth. "I see! So what do we do now?"
Ash looked around the pier, his eyes landing on the supplies stacked nearby. An idea flashed through his mind. "Since there isn't a boat ready for us, we'll build one ourselves!"
No sooner said than done. Ash found several empty oil barrels and wooden planks, and with Brock's help, he began the assembly.
Misty took charge of gathering ropes and other tools.
Pikachu also helped secure the structure, using its electricity for a bit of precision welding while keeping the voltage within safe limits.
"Are we building a raft?" Misty asked as she handed over the tools.
"Not quite," Ash laughed mysteriously. "What we're building is a 'Pokémon Powerboat'."
After more than an hour of frantic work, a strange watercraft was born. It featured a wooden main structure with oil barrels lashed to the sides for buoyancy, and most uniquely, three traction positions designed into the stern.
Ash released three Pokémon. "Wartortle, Starmie, DratiniI'm counting on you this time!"
He carefully attached specialized tow ropes to each Pokémon. Wartortle was responsible for providing the main power, as its Water-type skills could generate a steady thrust. Starmie used its rotating body to adjust their heading, and though Dratini had not yet evolved, its innate dragon power could provide explosive bursts of speed when needed.
"This design is incredible!" Brock praised. "It makes full use of each Pokémon's unique traits."
Miranda and Officer Jenny were drawn over by the creative invention.
Miranda couldn't help but offer a reminder. "It's very creative, but the sea is still dangerous. You must be careful!"
The three of them boarded their custom Pokémon Powerboat, and Ash stood at the bow to give commands. "Wartortle, use Water Gun for propulsion! Starmie, maintain our balance! Dratini, stand by to accelerate at any moment!"
The boat slowly left the shore. It rocked slightly at first, but it quickly stabilized. Wartortle's powerful jets of water pushed the boat forward through the waves, Starmie precisely controlled their direction, and Dratini remained on standby.
The waves were indeed massive, but with the coordination of the three Pokémon, the boat moved steadily toward New Island.
Along the way, they even overtook several trainers who were riding their Pokémonthose relying on a single Pokémon were clearly struggling against the great swells.
"Ash, your commands are so precise!" Misty said admiringly. "Every Pokémon is in the perfect position to use its strengths."
Brock nodded in agreement. "This is only possible for a trainer who truly understands his Pokémon."
After sailing for about an hour, the silhouette of New Island gradually sharpened through the mist.
It was an island shrouded in an eerie atmosphere. A castle loomed through the dark clouds, giving off an ominous premonition.
Just as they were about to reach the shore, Dratini let out a warning cry.
Ash's Aura also sensed dangersomething was approaching rapidly from beneath the water!
"Watch out!" Ash shouted a warning.
A submarine suddenly breached the surfaceit was Team Rocket's Meowth-shaped submarine! Jessie and James stood on the platform, looking down at them triumphantly.
"Hahaha! Didn't expect us, did you, twerps!" Jessie laughed. "We knew you'd find a way to get here on your own!"
James followed up, "Hand over all your Pokémon! Especially that Dratini!"
However, before Team Rocket could launch an attack, a powerful mental wave suddenly swept out from the island.
Everyone felt a surge of dizziness, and Team Rocket's submarine began to rock violently.
"What's going on, meow?!" Meowth screamed in panic inside the sub.
Ash endured the discomfort and looked toward the castle.
He could feel it. That was Mewtwo issuing a warningit did not like people fighting in its territory.
The instance has already begun. Everyone's support has been refreshing a bit slowly! sweat
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