November 18, Michina.
A crystal-clear river flowing through Michina caught Ash and his friends' attention.
Watermelons floated down the river, quite a few of them at that.
"Those are our watermelons!"
"If you win, you can have some too!"
The moment their eyes met, the battle began!
A blue-haired brother and sister challenged Ash and Dawn to a battle.
Ash sent out Gabite, while Dawn sent out Dragonite!
The siblings' Pokémon were Heracross and Beautifly.
"Gabite, Dragon Claw!"
"Dragonite, Thunder Punch!"
The festival had brought plenty of tourists to Michina, and many stopped to watch the battle.
"Isn't that the grand festival Champion?"
Winning had certainly made Dawn a familiar face.
"The other one's famous too. That's Ash, the Super New Trainer!"
That was the title Ash had earned after participating in Olivine Town's All-Around Competition. After all, he had been ridiculously overpowered back then.
And this was movie-version Ash.
The result was predictable: a complete stomp.
Brock, acting as referee, announced the result.
"Heracross and Beautifly are unable to battle! Gabite and Dragonite win!"
"All right!"
After Gabite and Dragonite high-fived, Ash and Dawn raised their arms and did the same.
Under a tree, they shared slices of chilled watermelon.
Gabite's gluttonous nature hadn't changed. After swallowing a piece of watermelon, rind and all, Gabite set sights on the other Pokémon's slices.
Gabite didn't make a move, just stared at them, drooling...
Having shared watermelon together, Ash and his friends got to know Kenta and Yoshiko, who were residents of Michina.
Kenta and Yoshiko offered to show Ash and his friends around town.
"When you're in Michina, one place you absolutely have to visit is the Michina Ruins!"
Brock flipped through his guidebook and nodded. "That's what the guidebook says too."
Dawn's eyes lit up. "I want to go!"