Ash looked at Misty, who was making fruit sticks ( or trying to) and smiled as he put his sunglasses on. " Nice day to spend at the beach, am I right?"

Misty looked up and shot him a look. " Maybe because you're not cooking. It's a hassle."

" Hey!" Ash laughed. " I'm looking after the kids!"

Misty raised a brow. " If you're looking after the kids, could you explain to me why in the world you're just sitting there and not helping them create a sandcastle?"

" Because they're capable."

Togepi, Pikachu, Totodile, Chikerita, Psyduck, Bulbasaur, Cindaquil and Squirtle were creating a sandcastle.

Or trying to.

I mean, there was sand all over them, they had created a somewhat decent hill, and now Pikachu and Squirtle were putting shells into the hill, while the others got seaweed.

" Nice Castle." Ash called

Pikachu nodded. " Chu!"

" Toge toge?"

Misty looked up. " What happened Togepi?"

" Toge toge toge toge toge Priii?"

Ash picked Togepi up. " You want to go for a walk?"

" Priiiiii!"

" I'll stay here with the Pokemon." Misty said as she flipped the fruits in the grill. " You take Togepi. And make sure to always hold it and never let it go!"

Ash rolled his eyes. " Misty, it's also my baby. I think I can handle it."

" Sure." Misty said.

Ash sighed, then looked at the egg Pokemon in his hands. " Come on, Togepi. Let's go."

Ash strolled along the shoreline, holding Togepi in his arms as the little Pokémon beamed up at him. The waves lapped at their feet, and Ash took a deep breath, enjoying the warm sea breeze. "See, Togepi? Nothing to worry about. We're just having a nice walk."

"Priii!" Togepi cheered, wiggling happily in Ash's arms.

As they walked, Togepi’s attention was caught by some sparkling seashells scattered along the sand. "Toge toge!" it cooed, pointing its tiny arms toward the shells.

Ash chuckled. "You like those, huh?" He knelt down, letting Togepi inspect the shells up close. Togepi reached out to touch one, giggling as the little shell sparkled in the sun.

Meanwhile, back at their spot on the beach, Misty checked on the fruit skewers, making sure they were grilling nicely. She looked over her shoulder at the Pokémon, who were still hard at work on their sandcastle. Bulbasaur and Chikorita were attempting to build the walls higher, while Squirtle and Pikachu decorated the mound with more shells and bits of seaweed. It was turning into quite the project.

Psyduck wandered over to Misty, holding a small, lopsided shell in its beak and looking confused. Misty sighed, taking the shell. "Yes, Psyduck, that’s a shell. Maybe take it over to the others?"

Psyduck stared blankly before slowly waddling over to the sandcastle crew, looking more dazed than helpful. Misty shook her head with a fond smile. "I guess I'm the only one who can keep this place in order."

Just then, Ash returned, still carrying a delighted Togepi in his arms. "We’re back! Look, Togepi found some seashells," he said, holding up a few shells Togepi had gathered.

"How nice," Misty said, smiling at Togepi. "Did Ash take good care of you?"

Togepi nodded enthusiastically. "Togepriiii!"

Ash grinned, a little smugly. "See, Misty? I'm not completely helpless."

Misty rolled her eyes playfully. "Alright, alright. You did well, Mr. Pokémon Babysitter. Now, why don’t you grab some of these fruit skewers? Lunch is just about ready."

The whole gang gathered around, ready for a delicious beach picnic. As they ate, they laughed and enjoyed the sunny day together, feeling like nothing could make the moment more perfect.

" Mmmm, these are really good. Right guys?" Ash asked his Pokemon. They all nodded eagerly and took large bites

Pikachu, on the other hand, was just licking ketchup.

Ash sighed. " Misty, why'd you bring ketchup?"

" Because Pikachu likes it."

" You know as well as I do he can have as many as fifty in one day. He's addicted."

" I only brought one, Ash. He'll be fine."

Ash rolled his eyes, then realized something.

" One two three four five...... Where's Psyduck?"

Misty looked up. " Oh, Psyduck? He's ri-" misty turned to the empty spot next to her. " Wait, where's Psyduck?!"

Ash was staring at the waves.

" Ash, do you know where Psyduck is?"

No reply?"

" Ash?!" Misty snapped.

" Mist, I found your Psyduck." Ash said without looking from the water.

" Great! Where i-" Misty turned to where Ash was looking and gasped.

Psyduck was hanging on for dear life onto a Gyrados.

" W... Well, Ash, you get Psyduck!" Misty said hesitantly.

" Why should I get him? You're the water Pokemon gym trainer!"

" ONE of them." Misty corrected. " And you're a pokemon master!"

" Soon to be!" Ash exclaimed.

" Pika Pika pi."

The couple looked at Pikachu.

Ash sighed. " He's right. We should.... Do it together."

Misty smiled faintly. " Let's.... Get catching."

" Why.... Am.... I.... The... Only.... One.... Rowing?!" Ash groaned.

" Pika pi!" Pikachu exclaimed from Ash's shoulder.

Misty rolled her eyes. " Because you're the man here."

Ash shot her a look.

" We could ask Totodile for help." Ash suggested as he took a Pokeball out.

Misty stooped him. " Gyrados are very brutal. Our Pokemon won't be enough to stop them."

Ash sighed as they neared the Gyrados. " So..... What are we gonna do?"

Misty looked at him. " I thought you had the plan."

" I thought YOU did!" Ash exclaimed.

They both stared at each other in panic as the Gyarados thrashed in the water, with poor Psyduck clinging to its tail, looking utterly terrified.

"Alright, alright, think!" Misty said, running her fingers through her hair. "Maybe... maybe we can distract it somehow?"

Ash frowned, watching the Gyarados's movements. "A distraction, huh? Maybe I can get its attention long enough for you to grab Psyduck?"

Misty nodded, though she didn’t look thrilled. "And how exactly do you plan on distracting a giant, angry Gyarados?"

Ash thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "I’ll have Pikachu send a small Thunder Shock in its direction. That might make it look our way for a second."

Misty hesitated. "But not too strong, okay? Psyduck’s still hanging on there, and I don’t want him getting zapped."

"Pika!" Pikachu gave a salute, ready for action.

Taking a deep breath, Ash pointed at the water. "Alright, Pikachu, Thunder Shock—just enough to get Gyarados's attention!"

Pikachu nodded and sent a controlled jolt toward the water near Gyarados. The massive Pokémon roared, turning its attention away from Psyduck and toward Ash and Misty in the boat.

“Perfect!” Misty said. She took a Pokéball from her belt. "Staryu, go!" With a flash, her trusty Staryu appeared in the water, spinning and sparkling.

"Staryu, use Swift to create a diversion!" Misty commanded.

Staryu sprang into action, spinning around Gyarados and launching sparkling stars, making it whirl in confusion.

“Now’s our chance!” Misty urged. She leaned over the side of the boat, reaching for Psyduck. "Psyduck, come on, grab my hand!"

Psyduck reached out with its stubby arms, whimpering. Just as Misty was about to pull it up, Gyarados turned back, clearly angry at the interference.

"Uh-oh, Misty!" Ash cried. "We gotta move, it’s getting mad!"

With one last desperate pull, Misty yanked Psyduck onto the boat, and they both tumbled backward. Psyduck flopped onto her lap, panting and dazed but safe.

"Thank goodness," Misty sighed in relief, holding her startled Psyduck close.

Gyarados glared at them, letting out a deep, rumbling roar that sent waves splashing their way.

"Alright, Pikachu, now’s the time to go big! Thunderbolt!"

"Pika-CHUUU!" Pikachu sent a powerful electric bolt toward Gyarados, striking it directly. With a final, furious roar, Gyarados swam off, leaving them in peace.

Ash sighed, wiping his brow. "We did it!"

Misty looked down at Psyduck, who was still quivering in her arms. She smiled softly and patted its head. "Maybe next time, stay away from the giant sea monsters, okay, Psyduck?"

"Psy... duck," it mumbled, looking up at her with wide eyes.

As they rowed back to shore, Misty turned to Ash, smirking. "See? We make a pretty good team."

Ash grinned, a little proud. "Yeah, guess we do."

"Pika pika," Pikachu chimed in, patting Ash’s shoulder.

" Misty, where are all of our Pokemon?* Ash asked panicked as he threw his sunglasses off his face

Misty dropped her magazine. " What?! W... Where'd they go?!"

" Pika .... PIKA PI!" Pikachu yelled as he jumped from the chair where he was sleeping.

" Toge?" Togepi asked from her chair.

Misty grabbed Togepi. " Oh, no! Where'd they go?!"

Pikachu hopped onto Ash's shoulder.

Ash grabbed his blue jacket and slipped it on. " We have to go."

Misty put her overalls on, while Ash quickly put his jeans, black shirt, sneakers, hat and jacket on.

The two ran off, searching for their Pokemon.

But they went the wrong way and hit a wall.

Ash rubbed his forehead, groaning. "Ouch... okay, not the best start."

Misty sighed, adjusting Togepi in her arms. "Maybe we should slow down for a second and think about where they might’ve wandered off to."

Pikachu hopped down from Ash's shoulder, sniffing around for any signs of their missing friends. "Pika... pikachu!"

Ash's eyes lit up. "Great idea, Pikachu! See if you can pick up their scent or something!"

Pikachu's ears twitched as he sniffed, then he perked up and dashed toward the beach trail. Ash and Misty quickly followed, weaving through people and dodging beach towels.

"Hey, I think Pikachu’s onto something!" Ash called out, trying to keep pace.

As they ran, they spotted a small trail of sand and... footprints. Lots of them. Leading toward the far side of the beach near some rock pools.

Misty squinted, clutching Togepi. "That’s definitely Chikorita’s footprints! And there—those look like Squirtle’s marks!"

They followed the trail up to a rocky cove where they finally saw their Pokémon—all gathered together around something, chattering excitedly.

"Guys!" Ash called, relieved. "We’ve been looking all over for you!"

The Pokémon turned around, each of them looking guilty. Psyduck held a shiny seashell, while Totodile looked up at them with a big, toothy grin. Squirtle had put on its signature sunglasses, and Chikorita waved her leaf excitedly as if to say, "Look what we found!"

Misty’s eyes narrowed. "Wait a second… are you guys having a beach party without us?"

Pikachu laughed, jumping down to join the group. "Pika-pi!"

Ash chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, guess they just wanted their own little adventure. But you could've at least told us!"

Togepi cooed, reaching out to join the fun, and Misty sighed in relief. "Alright, you rascals, come on back. We’ve got enough excitement for one day!"

As they headed back, the Pokémon carried their newfound treasures—a few seashells, a crabby-shaped rock, and a small pile of seaweed—and Ash and Misty couldn’t help but laugh. Their Pokémon might have taken off on their own, but at least they were safe, happy, and all back together.