At that very moment, while Ash, Misty, and their new companion Tracey were still riding on Lapras's back, leaving Cinnabar Island and swimming north toward Tangelo Island, where they planned to challenge the Gym—the Western Star of the Orange League's Southern Cross—one troublesome little girl had already reached her destination.
After learning about the Orange League competition from the three brats she had casually rescued, Annie decided that it might be necessary for the most, most, most, most, most, most, most, most, most, most, most, most... most, most, most powerful Pokémon Trainer to win one or two—or even more—championships to prove her strength.
After all, Annie knew that Ash, that idiot, had been bragging ever since he made it to the Top 16 in the Pokémon League's Indigo Plateau Conference. He had even thrown a huge celebration after returning to Pallet Town. And now that Queen Annie had snatched... er, caught so many powerful Pokémon, if she didn't win a couple of impressive placements, she'd be all talk and no substance.
So, after asking the three brats about a few key details, she waited for an opportunity the next day, then teleported straight to Tangelo Island. She arrived at least half a day before Ash and that older sister Misty.
Besides, Annie had always liked to get straight to the point. She did whatever came to mind, however she wanted. So the first thing she did after reaching Tangelo Island was head straight to the Gym and challenge it.
There was a Gym on Tangelo Island, and its leader was the Western Star of the Orange League's Southern Cross. If Annie wanted to enter that Orange League competition, defeating the Western Star of the Southern Cross was a prerequisite. So, no matter what, Annie had to go make trouble for