The sun rose over the rocky plateau outside Mount Moon, casting long shadows across the open training grounds. Andrew stood with his team spread out before him—Pikachu, Charmeleon, and Haunter ready to work. Bulbasaur sat off to the side, still recovering from captivity but watching with growing interest.
"Alright, everyone," Andrew called out. "Today we're working on something new. Not just perfecting moves—we're creating them."
He'd spent the night thinking about what was possible. From his past life, he remembered combat techniques—ways to combine speed, precision, and strategy that most trainers didn't consider. If you understood the mechanics, you could teach a Pokémon to do almost anything.
Pikachu's Chidori
Andrew turned to Pikachu first. "I want to try something with your Elictricty . I want you to channel electricity through your body—but specifically through your arms. Focus the power into your paw like you're gathering it into a point.
Pikachu listened intently, his ears perked up.
"The idea is a concentrated, piercing attack that goes through defenses rather than around them," Andrew explained. "I'm calling it Chidori. The electricity needs to be sharp, . Can you try?"
Pikachu nodded and stepped forward. He began to charge electricity, channeling it down through his body and into his paws. Andrew watched as the mouse Pokémon brought his forearms together, spinning them, creating a tight vortex of electricity concentrated in his small hand.
The first attempt was rough—electricity crackled unevenly.
"That's okay!" Andrew encouraged. "You're understanding the concept. Try again—tighter spiral. Channel it more precisely. Think of it like creating a lance of electricity."
Pikachu focused harder, and the second attempt was noticeably cleaner. The electricity swirled tighter, more controlled. This was going to work.
Charmeleon's Dragon Claw
Across the plateau, Charmeleon stood ready. Andrew had been working on this technique for two days straight, and the fire-type was finally getting close.
"Charmeleon, remember—The engregy you use when forming dragon rage- shape that into youre claws," Andrew said. "Imagine your claws glowing with that dragon fire. You're not throwing the blast—you're striking with it. Extend your arms and let the energy form around them like weapons."
Charmeleon growled, understanding. He raised his arms and called forth Dragon Rage—but this time, instead of a projectile blast, he shaped it differently. The energy coalesced around his forearms, forming glowing, claw-like extensions of pure dragon force.
"YES! That's it!" Andrew pumped his fist. "Now swing!"
Charmeleon slashed downward, and the dragon-claws tore through the air with devastating force, leaving afterimages.
"Perfect! Dragon Claw. That's exactly what we needed."
Charmeleon roared with pride, already imagining using this in battle.
Haunter's Shadow Ball Technique
Haunter hovered above a series of rock formations, focusing intently. This was the most complex technique Andrew was attempting.
"Okay, Haunter," Andrew called up to the ghost-type. "Your Shadow Ball is strong, but single projectiles have limits. What I want you to do is fire multiple Shadow Balls—but rapid-fire. Here's the hard part: I want them to explode on command, creating a blast radius instead of impact damage. Like grenades detonating in a controlled pattern around your opponent."
Haunter swirled, understanding the goal.
"Picture your opponent surrounded," Andrew continued. "Shadow Balls everywhere. Then—boom, boom, boom—they all go off at once. It's a technique that requires serious control."
Haunter began to attempt it. The ghost-type fired a Shadow Ball—clean. Then another—good. A third—solid. But coordinating the explosions was harder. The first one detonated too early. The second didn't go off at all.
"It's okay," Andrew said patiently. "This one's going to take time. Keep practicing. Focus on the rhythm. Fire, fire, fire—then detonate. You've got this."
Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur sat beside Andrew, who'd brought food and water. The grass-type was still thin from captivity, but its eyes were brighter than they'd been at Mount Moon.
Andrew knelt down beside him. "How are you feeling today, buddy?"
Bulbasaur made a soft chirping sound and nuzzled against Andrew's leg.
"I know you're still recovering," Andrew said gently. "That's okay. We're not going to rush you into intensive training. Right now, your job is to eat, rest, and get strong again. Once you're back to full health, then we'll figure out what your specialty move is going to be."
He scratched behind Bulbasaur's ears, and the Pokémon's vine whipped out to gently wrap around Andrew's arm.
"You were in Team Rocket's hands," Andrew continued quietly. "They used you. Didn't treat you like a partner—just a tool. But that's not how this works. You're part of my team because you chose to be. And I'm going to make sure you know what that means. You'll never be used like that again."
Bulbasaur chirped contentedly, understanding.
Three Days Later - Cerulean City
Andrew arrived at Cerulean Gym as the sun dipped below the horizon. The facility was elegant and modern, with an indoor pool that served as the battlefield. Water cascaded from various levels, gleaming in the evening light.
He spent the night at the Pokémon Center, letting his team recover. In the morning, he called Gary Oak.
The professor's face appeared on the video screen, and he looked thoughtful when Andrew explained the custom techniques his team had developed.
"That's advanced training," Gary said. "Most trainers just work on perfecting standard moves."
"I figured if I can understand the mechanics, I can help my Pokémon innovate," Andrew replied. "Pikachu's working on a move called Chidori—a piercing electrical attack focused through his paws. Charmeleon is mastering Dragon Claw. And Haunter's learning a multi-projectile Shadow Ball technique that detonates on command."
Gary leaned back in his chair. "Where are you getting these ideas from?"
"Just… observations," Andrew said carefully. "Thinking about how different types of energy could be shaped differently. Most trainers don't experiment that much."
"Well, it's innovative," Gary said. "You're going to need every advantage against Misty. She's one of the best water-type specialists in Kanto. She trained with Ash Ketchum—she knows strategy inside and out."
"How are things with Team Rocket?" Andrew asked, changing the subject.
Gary's expression darkened. "Cassidy and Butch reported back. They're furious about Mount Moon. There's chatter that you're a priority target now. They're trying to figure out who you are, what your capabilities are."
"Do they know about my parents?"
"If they do, they're keeping it quiet," Gary said. "But it's only a matter of time. When they find out, the stakes are going to escalate significantly."
Andrew nodded. "Then I need to be stronger. Starting with Misty's badge today."
The Cerulean Gym Challenge
The next morning, Andrew walked into Cerulean Gym. The facility was even more impressive up close—professional, well-maintained, and designed for water-type battles.
Misty stood at the far end of the pool in her gym leader attire. She had red hair tied back, sharp eyes, and the bearing of someone who'd traveled with a legend. She watched Andrew approach with Pikachu on his shoulder, and her expression shifted—first recognition, then confusion.
"Welcome to Cerulean Gym," Misty said. "I'm Misty, the Gym Leader. You here for a badge challenge?"
"Yes, ma'am," Andrew replied. "I'm Andrew. I've got my first badge from Pewter. I'd like to challenge you for the Cascade Badge."
Misty studied him more closely, and something flickered across her face. "Andrew… there's something familiar about you. Have we met before?"
"Not directly," Andrew said, meeting her gaze steadily. "But you might have known my parents. James and Jessie."
Misty's entire body went rigid. Her eyes widened, and her hand moved instinctively toward a Pokéball—then stopped. She took a sharp breath.
"James and Jessie?" she said quietly. "Team Rocket?"
"Former Team Rocket," Andrew said calmly. "They left that life a long time ago. They're good people now. And I'm here to prove that I'm not defined by their past—I'm defined by who I choose to be."
There was a long moment of silence. Misty's jaw tightened. Then she nodded slowly.
"Alright," she said. "We'll settle this in battle. If you've got the skill to back up that confidence, then your parents' past isn't my concern. But I'm warning you—I don't go easy on anyone."
Andrew smiled slightly. "I wouldn't expect you to."
Misty gestured to the pool. "This match will be three-on-three. You, as the challenger, can switch out after I send my Pokémon. Standard rules apply. Ready?"
"Ready," Andrew confirmed.
Both trainers took their positions on opposite sides of the arena. The referee—a neutral official in formal attire—stood between them.
"Gym Leader Misty versus Challenger Andrew," the referee announced. "This is a three-on-three match. The challenger may switch Pokémon. Pokémon are unable to battle when they can no longer continue. The match ends when all three of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue. Let the battle begin!"
Misty threw her first Pokéball. "Staryu, let's start!"
A beautiful starfish Pokémon emerged, spinning gracefully in the water. Its core glowed with a warm light.
Andrew threw his first Pokéball. "Charmeleon, I choose you!"
Charmeleon burst from his ball, landing on a floating platform. The fire-type was visibly nervous—water was not his element. But Andrew could see the determination in his eyes.
"This isn't going to be easy," Andrew called out, "but we've trained for this! Charmeleon, use Dragon Claw!"
Charmeleon roared and extended his arms. The dragon energy coalesced around his forearms, forming glowing claws. He leaped forward—
The battle for the Cascade Badge had begun.