The long-awaited Doll Festival, a holiday for girls, finally arrived. Early in the morning, Gary Oak was bustling about, tying a scarf and bow on Eevee. As a girl from the Oak family, today Eevee was the little princess.
"Perfect~" Gary nodded in satisfaction at his bashful Eevee.
"Let's go, Gary! Accompany me to shop?" Lorelei, dressed in a purple mermaid dress with her red hair cascading over her shoulders, looked exceptionally charming today.
"Sure! Happy Doll Festival, Lorelei!" Gary smiled and nodded. The festive atmosphere was lively, with vibrant young girls everywhere and... exhausted boys.
"This must be heaven for Brock," Gary couldn't help but comment as they walked down the street.
"Ash! Brock, you both have to follow my plans today!" A spoiled voice rang out from behind them. Gary and Lorelei turned curiously to see Ash and Brock standing by the street, looking like two big fools...
Suddenly, Brock raised an eyebrow as if he had discovered something new and dashed over. Gary instinctively lifted his white sneakers...
Smack! Brock slid to his knees right in front of Gary's shoes.
"Gary?!" Ash also realized something unusual.
"Hey, Ash, what's up? Have you two become Misty's backup now?" Gary teased with a smile.
Ash scratched his head. "What are you talking about? Women are really troublesome. If I don't listen to Misty, things get complicated."
Still kneeling with his face against Gary's sneakers, Brock stretched out his hand without any shame. "Beautiful lady, would you have lunch with me?"
Lorelei smiled slightly and stepped back behind Gary, shaking her head. "Sorry, I have a partner."
"What?!" Brock stood up quickly, looking at Gary. "I didn't expect you to be so lucky! With such a beautiful, mature, and charming older sister..."
Smack! Misty kicked Brock down again, raising her fist in exasperation. "You idiot! This is the Elite Four's Lorelei! Don't flirt!"
"Eh?" It finally dawned on Brock. Aside from different hairstyles and outfits, this was indeed the real Elite Four member!
"I'm just traveling here with Lorelei, planning to check out the Doll Festival," Gary explained.
"Damn it! Gary, don't say such envious things so seriously!" Looking between Misty and Lorelei, Brock could only shed tears of envy.
"Master Lorelei, I'm your fan," Misty shyly said as she glanced at her. "I'm participating in the Doll Festival battle tournament later; will you come cheer for me?"
Lorelei smiled gently, narrowing her eyes. "Sorry, I might not be able to cheer for you because I'm participating too~"
"Nani?!?" Ash, Gary, and Brock all looked bewildered. Wow! Master Lorelei, competing in a friendly match? How exciting!
"Since you're friends of Gary, let's all go shopping together. I still need to buy a couple of dresses," Lorelei graciously invited.
"Alright... alright! Just tell us what you need; we'll carry it!" Misty said sweetly.
"Thank you so much..." both Ash and Brock sighed in relief.
So while Misty led the way with Lorelei, Ash and Brock were left to carry their bags while Gary trailed behind lazily.
"By the way, Gary, have you captured any new Pokémon recently?" While carrying items, Ash curiously asked.
"Of course! What about you? Have your little cats evolved yet?" Gary smiled back at him.
"Hehe! Although my Squirtle and Bulbasaur are still the same, my Charmander has evolved into Charizard!" Ash boasted proudly.
"Oh! I just captured a Venusaur that's very clingy and obedient. By the way, is your Charizard obedient?" Gary casually asked.
"Ugh..." Ash clutched his chest. "You're being cruel!"
"It seems it's not obedient anymore. No wonder you're always at the bottom of the class," Gary raised an eyebrow with a mischievous grin.
"Pfft! Just wait! We'll battle right now!" Although confused by what triggered it, seeing Gary's teasing face made his blood pressure rise...
"Hurry up and help carry things!" came a shout from Misty.
Sighing, he lowered his head. "Coming!"
Seeing how obedient he was made Gary curious. "Do you like girls like Misty?"
"What are you talking about? She doesn't even look like a girl," replied Ash, pouting slightly.
"Well then why are you acting so submissive?" Gary shook his head.
"Sigh~ You wouldn't understand; mainly because I owe her money..." said Ash, looking like he was about to cry.
"Let's hope so." Gary patted him on the shoulder. "As someone who has been there before, let me remind you—it's tough dealing with beautiful women~"
"What do you mean?" asked an unclear-faced Ash, looking at him confusedly.
"You'll find out when you ask your wife later," shrugged Gary, rolling his eyes; talking to this dense guy was exhausting...
"Hey! How does this dress look?" came a voice from ahead—Lorelei's voice. The changing room door opened as she stepped out in a light blue low-cut long dress. The fitted long dress accentuated her perfect figure beautifully; inspired by traditional Eastern qipao designs with slits that showcased her long white legs perfectly.
"Gulp..." Gary swallowed hard. "That's it; stunning~"
Lorelei nodded in satisfaction. "Wrap up all styles from this brand for me." The shopkeeper nearly fell to their knees. "Of course—coming right up!"
The hardworking trio of boys stood there slack-jawed—was this really the world of rich people? Wearing a dress that would turn heads 200% of the time, Lorelei smiled. "That should do; let's head to the Doll Festival venue."
Gary nodded and stepped forward to extend his right hand to assist her. The handsome duo set off first together. Meanwhile, dressed in a white trailing gown, Misty cleared her throat while glancing at Ash.
"Eh? Are you sick or something?" asked an inquisitive Ash, scratching his head curiously.
"Hmph!" With that, she lifted her gown and walked away dramatically.
Confused onlookers watched as he muttered under his breath. "What is she mad about?"
Meanwhile, standing nearby with frustration was Brock, drawing circles in disbelief at how infuriating these boys from Pallet Town were...
On the top floor of the department store, numerous girls were cheering enthusiastically alongside an even larger crowd of male fans watching eagerly. On the makeshift stage above them, an excited commentator announced: "The competition for this year's Doll Festival Goddess is about to begin! Let's keep that excitement going!"
The male lead from Kanto's popular romantic drama stepped onto the stage flamboyantly holding a microphone while dramatically sighing: "Oh~ So many beauties here; I can hardly wait!"
"Ah!! Big brother is so handsome!"
"I want him to kill me!"
"I want to have his babies!"
A wave of applause erupted from the female audience members below. The boys below rolled their eyes in unison. "Ugh!"
"All right now; without further ado—let our contestants make their appearances!" With that call from the commentator, the curtain rose revealing a group of young girls dressed in traditional outfits radiating beauty as they stepped into view before everyone watching below.
"Wow~ Oh~" The audience erupted into cheers and howls of excitement below them.
"It looks like we've gathered many beauties this year; Mr. DiCopria, which one do you like?" The commentator curiously asked him next to him.
The star actor expertly played along saying: "I think they're all adorable~"
Among all those girls shining brightly on stage was none other than Lorelei, who casually tossed her hair back while captivating everyone watching with her charm.
"I'm definitely cuter than Master Lorelei," declared another contestant named Jessie confidently showing off her figure with pride. Watching this unfold made Gary's eyebrows raise as he suddenly began to understand why James had such strong feelings...
Soon enough, prizes for the competition—the Cosmic Invincible Doll Set—were placed on display at the podium for everyone to see! Both Misty and Jessie exchanged determined glances—they both wanted those dolls badly!
Lorelei, gently covering her mouth with her hand said: "Sorry but I have my reasons for needing this prize. So I apologize~"
After completing round one of selections among twelve beauties remaining on stage,
"The next step will require each contestant to bring out their Poké Balls; fight until only one remains—the beautiful yet strong winner will receive our grand prize," announced the commentator excitedly!
With a glance toward Lorelei for reassurance,Misty's eyes filled with despair. How could she fight?
Jessie boldly declared: "Hmph! No one can stop me!"
Lorelei, stepping onto the battle stage quietly adjusted her glasses saying: "Let me show off just a bit—the Ice Queen's charm~"
Sitting in the stands watching was Gary, feeling somewhat sympathetic toward all those other contestants around him. Welcome ladies—welcome to Ice Queen's stage~
"Misty! Go for it!!" shouted an enthusiastic Ash waving flags for support; but before he knew it he was tackled down by Misty who promptly silenced him...
"So then—the match begins!"
...Five minutes later...
"The match is over; our winner is Miss Lorelei!" Standing confidently on stage with hands on her hips—Lorelei exuded an air of cold arrogance; normally gentle as water but fierce as ice during battle!
Her high-cold demeanor made even celebrity actors gasp from their seats below shouting: "Oh my gosh! I want her—I want to dance with her!"
Lorelei, rolling her eyes replied: "Get lost~"
"Oh no~" The male star felt chills run down his spine as he hurriedly retreated from view!
Meanwhile,Ash and Brock having gone over to comfort Misty who had just lost 1 vs 4 against Lorelei while Gary headed backstage prepared to help carry away prizes for Lorelei after winning!
Backstage,Lorelei's staff finished packing up dolls when she turned around smiling.
"Congratulations on being today's shining queen!" exclaimed Gary excitedly clapping for her victory!
"Thanks for your compliment~" She smiled softly while touching one box filled with dolls before pulling out her phone dialing someone saying: "You can come pick them up now."
"Huh? Aren't you taking those dolls home?" Gary asked confusedly?
Lorelei, coming closer gently ruffled Gary's brown hair saying: "Though I really like dolls... these are meant for trading Kanto Pokémon figurines instead—Happy Doll Festival Gary~"
Suddenly struck dumbfounded by realization—she went through all this trouble just to swap dolls for figurines?!
"How do you like your gift?" she asked sweetly smiling down at him warmly?
"But... but what about you...?"
Smack—a sudden hug caught him off guard as he heard sweet whispers near his ear: "Aren't you my best gift? Thank you for being here with me—it truly is my happiest Doll Festival..."