Pikachu borrowed the surfboard as a diving platform, stepped onto the waves, and ran four or five meters before increasing its speed as it rushed forward.
"Pika Pika ~~~ Pikachu!!!"
Suddenly, Pikachu let out a panic-stricken cry and fell into the sea. Seeing this, Ash quickly abandoned the surfboard and dove into the water.
*Bang!!!*
The waves roared down, but after a while, they calmed. Ash emerged from the sea, shaking the water from his hair, and at the same time, hugging Pikachu.
"Are you okay?" Ash asked, worried as he looked at Pikachu.
"Pi-ka!" Pikachu shook its head and then smiled at Ash, letting out a reassuring cry. Its fighting spirit reignited in its eyes.
"Very good!!" Although they had failed, Ash could finally see hope. He and Pikachu tried again. In the end, this method seemed possible.
After trying again, Pikachu fell into the water without running very far, and Ash dove in to save it every time. After countless attempts like this, another day passed without them realizing it.
It was still a tiring but fulfilling day. In the evening, Ash took the Pokémon to the beach after dinner, not for training this time, but to relax.
The sea was restless at night, and Ash didn't want his Pokémon to get hurt, but he had gotten into the habit of coming here each day. He sat with his Pokémon on the beach.
Charmander lit a flame, creating a warm glow as they all sat by the sea, listening to the sound of the waves gently hitting the shore. Above them, stars filled the sky, allowing Ash and his Pokémon to temporarily unwind from the intensity of their training.
"Did Ash go to the beach again?" Misty asked as she and Brock finished cleaning up. Meanwhile, Professor Bill, as usual, sat down after dinner, enjoying the hot tea Brock had made.
The past few days had been enjoyable for Professor Bill. With different delicious meals every day and the company of Ash and the others, he had found new inspiration for his research.
"Yeah! I think he's getting used to it," Brock replied while putting away the last of the dishes.
"How's Pikachu's Surf training going?" Professor Bill asked with concern.
He got up early every morning, but Ash always rose earlier. It might not seem like much if it happened just once or twice, but Ash's consistent perseverance day after day impressed even him.
Most importantly, the Pokémon never complained. Ash was always the last to rest, staying up late to take care of them, massaging them, brushing their fur, and ensuring they were comfortable before going to sleep himself. Professor Bill understood that this care was why the Pokémon gave so much back to Ash.
"Pikachu's learned to surf, but it's just a basic move. It seems they started the second stage of practice today, but there hasn't been much progress," Misty said, shaking her head slightly. A few days ago, Pikachu had mastered Surf, but it was just the standard move, not anything special. Today, she had watched Pikachu fall into the water, and Ash had jumped in to rescue it over a hundred times. She couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"This is also a required course for Trainers! I think..."
*Boom!! Boom!!!*
At that moment, a strange sound interrupted Professor Bill's voice. It sounded a bit like a ship's siren. Not only did it echo inside the lighthouse, but Ash, who was outside, heard it too.
"Huh? What's going on?" Misty and Brock, who were packing their things, were also startled.
"Yes! It's time again," Professor Bill said, listening to the sound with a look of anticipation on his face.
"At this time?" Misty asked, puzzled.
"Well! Actually, I'm not just studying here in peace. I've been waiting for a Pokémon," Professor Bill said, closing his eyes slightly, a smile spreading across his face.
"Waiting for a Pokémon? What kind of Pokémon?" Misty inquired.
"I don't know, but it happens every year around this time. It's always so far away that I can't make out exactly what it is."
"So, every year, I play a mimic of its cry, hoping to attract it." Professor Bill opened his eyes, filled with longing as the sound echoed in the distance.
"That's incredible! What kind of Pokémon could it be?" Misty and Brock were now intrigued by the mysterious creature.
"I want to reveal its identity, which is why I've been waiting. I think it's probably the largest Pokémon in the world!" Professor Bill responded, then got up and headed towards the top of the lighthouse. Misty and Brock quickly finished packing and followed him.
They climbed to the top of the lighthouse. It was a bit chilly at night, and the light from the tower swept across the dark sea, though the endless ocean remained pitch black.
The speakers continued playing the growl, echoing across the calm waters. Professor Bill looked out over the vast sea with hope, longing to see that elusive figure once again.
---
Down on the beach, Ash had realized what was happening. He too turned his gaze towards the sea, filled with anticipation. In the intensity of his recent training, he had almost forgotten about this event.
Ash knew what Pokémon Professor Bill was waiting for. Having arrived earlier than in the original timeline of the anime, he realized that today was the day the Pokémon would appear.
But Ash didn't leave the beach. He continued to watch the sea, waiting patiently. The sound from the lighthouse echoed for about an hour, yet nothing appeared on the water's surface.
"Is it not coming?" Professor Bill muttered, staring at the empty ocean with a sense of disappointment.
Though he had waited for many years, never once seeing its true form, even the brief sightings had been enough to satisfy him. But this time, not seeing it at all made him worry that perhaps it would never appear again.
*Awww!!!!*
Suddenly, a cry similar to the lighthouse's call, but distinctly different, pierced the night air. The sound reignited Professor Bill's hope.