The chapter opens with the same two men at Route 4, still locked in a heated argument over which move reigns supreme—Mega Punch or Mega Kick. Their voices echo across the trail as Dango and Maylin, now rested and ready, find themselves caught in the middle of the bickering.
Dango tries to slip away quietly, but the Mega Punch guy grabs his arm, insisting on hearing his opinion. At the same time, Rose moves to leave, only for the Mega Kick guy to pull her back, eager to get her take as well. Both trainers find themselves stuck between the stubborn rivals, their debate far from over.
Dango explains that he doesn't have time to stick around—he's got somewhere important to be and couldn't care less about their endless bickering. Still, if he had to choose, he'd go with Mega Punch. At that, the Mega Punch guy grins triumphantly and gets right in the Mega Kick guy's face.
Mega Punch Guy: "Hah! You might've managed to convince that idiot girl and her Pikachu—but not this kid."
With a proud nod, he hands Dango the TM for Mega Punch. Dango takes it with a grin, slipping it into his bag without hesitation. Nearby, Maylin folds her arms, her brows furrowed as she speaks up, deep in thought. She says that based on what she's learned from Dango, Mega Punch does seem like the smarter move—it's practical, consistent, and Cane's Geodudes proved just how effective it can be.
But deep down, Maylin hesitates. She knows Mega Kick hits harder. That kind of raw power is tempting… even if it's risky. She stands there, caught between certainty and doubt, while Dango nudges her, urging her to decide before they lose more time.
Maylin pauses, brow furrowed, weighing her options—then finally settles on Mega Kick, deciding she can always borrow Dango's Mega Punch TM if she wants to switch later. The Mega Kick guy throws his head back and laughs loudly, boasting that the score is now 90–87 in his favour. With that settled, our heroes turn and walk away, leaving the two men still tangled in their endless argument. Dango scoffs and mutters that these TMs are useless anyway, since neither his nor Maylin's Pokémon can learn those moves.
As they stroll down the path, Dango catches a variety of Pokémon along the way. Suddenly, his eyes lock onto a Pokémon he hasn't caught yet—a Mime Jr. Excited, he reaches for a Poké Ball, intending to add it to his team, but mid-throw realises he's out of Poké Balls. The Mime Jr. scampers off, clearly annoyed.
Continuing down the trail, Dango checks his Pokédex: he's caught 29 Pokémon and seen 43 so far. Maylin glances over curiously and asks why he's so intent on catching so many. Dango shrugs and explains everything—how Professor Daisy gave him the Dex, and how he and the other two Dex holders are locked in a competitive race to see who can catch the most Pokémon first.
And finally, our duo arrives at Cerulean City. Maylin decides to stock up on Poké Balls and supplies, waving goodbye as she heads into the Mart. Dango, meanwhile, strides toward the Gym's entrance.
Inside, he's greeted by a vast indoor pool dotted with floating platforms—no Misty in sight, only trainers in swimsuits warming up. Axew, convinced it's time to battle, leaps from Dango's shoulder. But Dango simply releases Elekid instead. Axew blinks in surprise, then shrugs and clambers back up.
Elekid wastes no time. With crackling electricity, he zaps each Water–type trainer in turn, sending them tumbling into the water with a burst of sparks. Axew watches in awe as Elekid tears through every match. Dango grins, praising his new partner's raw power, and sends him out again and again to defeat the remaining challengers. Throughout the battles, Elekid looks up at Axew with a confident smirk, clearly establishing himself as the new ace of Dango's team.
The lights turn on from above, shining down on the water below. On the highest platform stands Misty, with her Golduck by her side. Dango smirks and steps forward, showing his Boulder Badge and shouting that he's here to challenge Misty.
Golduck's eyes glow blue as it gathers psychic power, creating a glowing aura around itself and Misty. Slowly, they rise into the air, water swirling around their feet. They float down smoothly and land in front of Dango, ready to battle.
Meanwhile, Maylin strolls along with her Drillbur and Tyrogue, both carrying a pile of Pokémon supplies. She's caught off guard when she spots Kai and Lia—the same Team Biltz grunts from the Pokémon Heist at the Pokémon Centre—locked in a heated argument right at the entrance of Nugget Bridge.
Lia: "I can't believe we're stuck here while the others are doing the important stuff. At this rate, we won't get that promotion."
Kai: "Oh, be quiet. If it wasn't for us failing that heist, we wouldn't be in this mess."
They spot Maylin, and seeing the boy isn't with her, Dango—they decide to get back at her for ruining their mission and for killing Lia's Arbok. They throw out their Pokémon: Kai's Roselia and Lia's replacement Arbok, a Croagunk.
Maylin's Pokémon drop their supplies and instantly spring into battle, the air crackling with tension. Tyrogue charges at Croagunk with fierce determination, while Drillbur clashes with Roselia nearby. Tyrogue lands a quick Mach Punch, but Croagunk catches it just in time and counters with a sharp Poison Jab.
Croagunk follows up with Mud-Slap, but Tyrogue spins fast, hurling the mud back with perfect aim, temporarily blinding Croagunk. Seizing the moment, Tyrogue unleashes a rapid flurry of strikes, aiming for a finishing Mach Punch—only to be interrupted as Roselia, locked in battle with Drillbur, summons a glowing Magical Leaf that blasts Tyrogue away, turning the tide.
Meanwhile, in the Gym, Dango scans Misty's Golduck. Misty looks at the Pokédex and immediately guesses Dango's connection to Daisy.
Misty: "I, Misty Waterflower, youngest of the four Waterflower sisters and Gym Leader of Cerulean City, accept your challenge!"
Axew glares at Elekid, steam puffing from his mouth as he readies a Dragon Rage—but he freezes when he hears his name called. Jumping off Dango's shoulder, Axew sticks his tongue out playfully at Elekid as he passes by, eager for his turn to battle.
Dango: "You have to be tired, Elekid. Take some rest."
Elekid: "Elekid?!"
Elekid crackles with sparks, trying to protest, but Dango quickly recalls him into his Poké Ball. Misty throws out her Starmie, poised and ready to battle Dango's Axew. Axew darts forward, narrowly evading Starmie's Bubble Beam, then slashes with a powerful Dual Chop, pinning Starmie down. Gathering energy, Axew charges a point-blank Dragon Rage—Dango is confident this will finish or severely injure Starmie. Misty smirks, and with a single chilling word, she sends a wave of dread crashing over both Dango and Axew.
Misty: "Ice Beam."
Dango yells for Axew to dodge, and Axew leaps into the air—too late. The freezing beam streaks across the battlefield with deadly precision. Desperately, Dango commands Axew to unleash his charged Dragon Rage. The two attacks collide in a fierce clash of energy, but the Ice Beam slices through, striking Axew squarely.
Axew crashed down, limp and fainted. Dango quickly catches him, slipping his jacket over the trembling Pokémon and setting him safely aside. Gritting his teeth, Dango steadied himself, ready to keep fighting.
Dango, unaware that Misty's Starmie had access to Ice Beam, silently curses his own oversight. He clenches his fists, frustration creeping across his face. He had underestimated her team, and Axew had paid the price.
Now more focused than ever, Dango sends out Elekid. The moment Elekid sees Axew lying injured, sparks begin to flicker violently around him. Without a word, he activates Charge, electricity surging and dancing across his body.
Misty narrows her eyes, studying Dango's hardened expression. It stirs a memory—someone she'd battled before, long ago. That same fire, that unwavering resolve. Then it hits her: the trainer's name had been Bango Mano. She finally understands why Dango's name sounded so familiar—they're brothers.
Just as the realisation sinks in, Elekid suddenly erupts into action, launching forward like a lightning bolt. With a roar, he slams a glowing ThunderPunch—newly learned—straight into Starmie's core. The impact sends Starmie flying across the battlefield, crashing into the wall. It doesn't get back up.
Misty's eyes widen. She had been so distracted by her thoughts, she hadn't noticed how long Elekid had been charging. She grits her teeth—this battle just became a lot more difficult. She wastes no time throwing out her next Poké Ball. Dewott emerges with a splash, blades drawn and eyes sharp. Misty points dramatically toward Dango, vowing that this battle isn't over.
Just then, the Gym doors burst open. Maylin stumbles inside, tired and dirt-covered, her Drillbur and Tyrogue behind her—both barely managing to carry an armful of Dango's supplies.
Maylin shouts for Dango, rushing over. He quickly takes the supplies and begins packing them into his bag. While doing so, Maylin hurriedly explains the situation—how she ran into Team Blitz grunts Lia and Kai again, defeated them in a tense battle, and overheard their plan to attack a researcher named Bill.
Dango's eyes widen in alarm. He recognises the name instantly—Bill is Rose's father. Without hesitation, he prepares to leave. But first, he kneels beside Axew, gently using a few potions to restore him. Axew, already awake, has witnessed everything. He silently gazes at Elekid, awe and quiet frustration in his eyes.
Dango promises Misty they'll finish their battle later. To his surprise, Misty recalls her Dewott and walks over, grabbing two new Poké Balls. She tells Dango that Team Blitz made a grave mistake choosing this city—and even worse, attacking Bill, a personal friend. She'll be coming with them.
As the group departs together, the chapter closes on Axew, perched quietly on Dango's shoulder, eyes low, a hint of sadness in his expression.
To Be Continued!