NOVEL NEXT Chapter 49: Acapulko
Ethan stumbled through the dense jungle, the humid air clinging to his skin as Sylveon trotted at his side. He had expected another grueling trek, filled with unknown dangers and endless walking. But as fate would have it, luck had decided to cut him a break.
Emerging from the trees, Ethan blinked in disbelief. A sprawling, luxurious resort stood before him, its pristine white walls gleaming in the sunlight. Guests lounged by a sparkling pool, and the scent of delicious food wafted through the air.
"You've got to be kidding me," Ethan said, his voice filled with a mix of relief and incredulity. Sylveon's ribbons perked up as it let out an excited chirp, clearly approving of their newfound sanctuary.
Ethan approached the entrance, his lips twitching into a rare smile. "Finally, something goes right."
Inside the resort, Ethan wasted no time booking a room. The soft bed, the hot shower, and the promise of a proper meal were a dream come true. As he flopped onto the plush mattress, Sylveon curled up beside him, letting out a contented sigh.
"For once, we're not stuck in some ridiculous mess," Ethan murmured, closing his eyes. "This is the kind of journey I signed up for."
Meanwhile, far from Ethan's blissful retreat, chaos reigned supreme.
Ash, Brock, and Misty were knee-deep in trouble, as usual. After being separated from Ethan, they had continued their journey, only to stumble into an unexpected storm of legendary proportions.
"Are you serious right now?!" Misty yelled, as a giant Rhydon charged toward them. Its massive footsteps shook the ground, and the trio scrambled to avoid its path.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.
Pikachu unleashed its attack, but the Rhydon shrugged it off with ease, its armor-like skin deflecting the electric energy.
"This isn't working!" Brock shouted, pulling out a Pokéball. "Onix, help us out!"
Before Onix could act, the sky lit up with a blinding flash of lightning, followed by a deafening roar.
Zapdos swooped down from above, its wings crackling with electricity. Ash and his friends barely had time to react before another burst of fire announced the arrival of Moltres.
"Why is this happening?!" Misty wailed, ducking as a bolt of lightning narrowly missed her.
Brock's jaw dropped. "Zapdos and Moltres? Together? This is insane!"
Team Rocket, hiding nearby, was equally stunned.
"Looks like we're in for a shocking experience," James muttered, his usual flair for puns dampened by the dire situation.
"Shut up, James! We need to catch them!" Jessie snapped, pointing at the two legendary birds.
Meowth rubbed his paws together. "Yeah, imagine the boss's face when we bring him two legendaries!"
Before they could act, a massive Gyarados burst out of the nearby river, its roar echoing across the island.
"Oh no, not again!" Jessie groaned as the Gyarados unleashed a devastating Hyper Beam.
The blast sent Team Rocket flying into the sky, their cries fading into the distance.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Back on the ground, Ash and his friends weren't faring much better. Zapdos and Moltres continued their battle, their attacks wreaking havoc on the area.
"We need to get out of here!" Brock yelled, recalling Onix as they ran for cover.
Ash nodded, cradling Pikachu as they sprinted toward a nearby cave. "This is way worse than usual!"
Inside the cave, the trio caught their breath, their faces pale from the ordeal.
"Do you think Ethan's dealing with something like this?" Misty asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Brock shook his head. "Knowing Ethan, he's probably sitting somewhere peaceful, completely oblivious to all of this."
And indeed, Ethan was.
Back at the resort, Ethan lounged by the pool, sipping a refreshing drink as Sylveon napped in the shade.
"This is the life," he said, closing his eyes with a satisfied smirk.
The scorching sun bore down on Ash, Brock, and Misty as they stumbled out of the dense forest, their clothes torn, their faces smeared with dirt, and their energy utterly drained. After narrowly escaping the rampage of Zapdos, Moltres, and the massive Rhydon, the trio could barely keep moving.
"I can't believe we survived that," Misty groaned.
"Barely," Brock added, dragging his feet. "I don't think I've ever been this exhausted."
Ash, carrying Pikachu on his shoulder, wiped his brow and squinted at the horizon. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Guys… is that… a resort?"
Misty gasped. "A resort?! You're kidding!"
Brock adjusted his gaze and smiled for the first time in hours. "It really is! Finally, some good luck!"
Moments later, the trio found themselves at the grand entrance of the luxurious resort. The scent of freshly cooked food, the sound of cheerful laughter, and the sight of the sparkling pool were almost too much for their tired minds to process.
Ash grinned from ear to ear. "This is perfect! Let's get cleaned up and relax!"
The receptionist, noticing their disheveled state, offered them a sympathetic smile. "Rough day, huh? Don't worry; we'll take care of you."
Within minutes, Ash, Brock, and Misty were settled in comfortable rooms, their fatigue melting away under hot showers and soft towels.
Later, by the poolside, the group finally let their guard down. Misty reclined on a lounge chair. Brock sipped on a fruit smoothie, his usual cool demeanor restored. Ash, meanwhile, dove into the pool with Pikachu, the two splashing around and laughing.
"This is amazing!" Ash exclaimed, floating on his back.
"It's about time we caught a break," Misty agreed, a rare smile gracing her face.
Pikachu let out a cheerful, "Pika!" as it floated on a tiny inflatable ring.
Brock chuckled. "Let's enjoy this while it lasts. With our luck, who knows what's waiting for us next?"
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, the resort buzzed with activity. Guests mingled, laughter echoed, and the smell of a barbecue wafted through the air.
Ash and his friends, now fully rejuvenated, joined the festivities. For Ash, the highlight was the endless buffet. For Misty, it was the relaxing ambiance. And for Brock… well, he was already trying to charm the staff.