The road to Cerulean City wound along sparkling rivers and through lush valleys. By midday, the group crested a ridge, and the world opened into color and light.
Ash stopped dead in his tracks. "Whoa!"
Before them stretched a city unlike any they had yet seen. Canals wove through its streets, reflecting the afternoon sun in glittering waves. Ornamental fountains sprayed arcs of crystal water. Blue-tiled rooftops gleamed like polished shells, and Water-types swam freely in the waterways Poliwag chasing each other in circles, Goldeen flashing orange tails beneath the bridges, and the occasional Seel poking its whiskered head above the surface with a cheerful bark.
"It's like the whole place is alive," Brock said with a faint smile. "This is Cerulean. Home of the Water-type Gym."
Ash's eyes sparkled, almost as brightly as the water. "My second badge! Pikachu, we're going for it!"
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed, electricity sparking faintly from his cheeks.
Ren, walking near the back of the group with Ghastly hovering lazily at his side, didn't react with the same excitement. He pulled out a battered notebook, flipping to a blank page, and jotted down quickly in neat, slanted script.
Cerulean Gym. Primary environment: aquatic. Probability: amphibious combatants. Water-types telegraph motion via ripple distortion. Psychic hybrids possible. Counter-strategy: Hypnosis pressure, electric disruption, baiting currents.
He murmured as he wrote, "Predictable terrain. Predictable counters. The ripple always reveals the shadow."
Cael, stretching beside him, tilted her head with a crooked grin. "Still scribbling, bookworm? Don't tell me you're just gonna watch again."
Ren didn't look up. "Observation sharpens the blade. Ghosts are patient."
"Sure," Cael drawled. "Or maybe you're just too scared to actually battle."
Ghastly cackled softly, as though mocking the jab in its own way. Ren ignored them both.
The Gym was impossible to miss. It loomed at the heart of the city, a domed palace of glass and aquamarine tiles. When the group stepped inside, cool air enveloped them, and so did the sound of rushing water.
The battlefield wasn't stone or dirt. It was a massive swimming pool stretching across the chamber, lit by spotlights overhead. Platforms bobbed on the water's surface like floating lily pads, ready for trainers to leap across.
Ash's excitement boiled over. "This is it!"
But instead of a stern Gym Leader waiting, a trio of glamorous young women performed a synchronized swimming routine in the pool. Their sequined costumes shimmered, their moves choreographed more for beauty than combat.
Ash blinked, scratching his head. "Uh… is this really a Gym?"
The women noticed the group and waved. "Oh, another challenger? We're a bit busy with shows these days, but if you want a badge, we can just give you one."
Ash's eyes widened. "Just… like that?"
"Sure," one of them said cheerfully, already reaching for a case of Cascade Badges.
Before Ash could step forward, a voice cut the air like a whip:
"NO WAY!"
The group turned. A girl stood at the side of the pool, fists clenched. Her orange hair was tied into a high side ponytail, and her eyes burned with a stormy determination.
Ash gasped. "Misty?!"
Brock raised his brows. "You know her?"
Ren's pen paused mid-scratch. He recognized the fiery aura instantly. Ripple turns to wave.
Misty stormed forward, glaring at the women. "You can't just hand out Gym Badges like party favors! That ruins the honor of being a Gym Leader!"
"Misty, don't be so dramatic," one of the sisters sighed. "It's just one badge."
"Exactly," Misty snapped. She turned on Ash with a fiery glare. "If you want a Cascade Badge, you'll have to battle me for it!"
Ash blinked. "Wait, you're… the Gym Leader?!"
"The youngest," Misty admitted. "But don't underestimate me."
Ren finally looked up from his notebook. His tone was flat, but his eyes glittered faintly. "The plot thickens."
Cael elbowed him. "See? She has guts. Unlike you, hiding behind pages."
Ren calmly flipped to a fresh sheet. "Brains last longer than fists. And ghosts outlast both."
Cael smirked. "I'll make you prove that one day."
Misty marched to her side of the pool and hurled a Poké Ball. "Go, Staryu!"
With a splash, a star-shaped Pokémon hit the water, its central jewel glowing brightly.
Ash clenched his fists. "Alright, Pikachu, you're up!"
"Pika!" Pikachu bounded onto one of the floating platforms, cheeks sparking.
The battle began in an instant. Staryu skimmed across the water's surface with unnatural speed, shooting jets of water like cannons. Pikachu leapt from platform to platform, barely dodging. Each blast of water sent ripples cascading outward, waves slapping the platforms.
Ren's pen scratched quickly. Staryu propulsion via radial spin. Water displacement telegraphs trajectory. Speed unsustainable under hypnosis pressure.
Ash shouted, "Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Pikachu darted forward, but Staryu spun rapidly, deflecting the strike with sharp limbs.
Misty smirked. "Staryu, Recover!"
The jewel pulsed, wounds fading.
Ren muttered, "Pattern predictable. Recharge window vulnerable."
Ash clenched his fists. "Now, Pikachu, Thunder Shock!"
Electricity arced across the platform. Staryu shrieked, its jewel flickering, and fainted.
"Staryu, return!" Misty called, then tossed another Poké Ball. "Go, Starmie!"
The larger star Pokémon splashed into the water, jewel blazing brighter than its counterpart.
Ren's eyes narrowed, his pen flying. Dual-typed. Psychic + Water. Increased synergy, but psychic channel vulnerable to ghost disruption.
"Starmie, Water Gun!" Misty commanded.
The blast hammered Pikachu off his platform and into the water.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted.
Pikachu flailed, he couldn't swim. He paddled desperately, sparks fizzing uselessly around him.
"Finish it with Tackle!" Misty cried.
Starmie surged forward like a torpedo, slamming Pikachu into another platform. Pikachu barely dragged himself up, dripping wet. His breaths came in ragged pants.
Ash's voice cracked. "You can do it, buddy! Hang in there!"
Misty's expression softened just slightly. "You should withdraw before he gets hurt…"
"No!" Ash cried. His fists shook. "Pikachu never gives up! And neither do I!"
Pikachu staggered upright, cheeks sparking again.
Ash pointed dramatically. "One more Thunderbolt!"
Lightning burst from Pikachu, arcing across the pool. The electricity raced through the water, engulfing Starmie. Its jewel flickered, then dimmed. With a splash, Starmie collapsed.
The referee raised a flag. "Winner: Ash Ketchum!"
Ash swept Pikachu into his arms, tears welling. "You were amazing!"
"Pika!" Pikachu squeaked weakly but proudly.
Misty stood frozen, then slowly returned Starmie. For a moment, her eyes were unreadable. Then she managed a small, begrudging smile.
"You're reckless, Ash… but you've got heart. Fine. Here's your Cascade Badge."
Ash took it reverently, his eyes shining. "Thank you, Misty!"
Ren closed his notebook with a snap. "Water-types reveal themselves through ripples. Psychic cores collapse under shadow pressure. Notes complete."
Misty turned toward him, startled. "You… were studying the battle?"
Ren's reply was flat. "Correct."
Brock chuckled. "I told you, he's not a normal kid."
Cael snorted. "Not normal? He's hiding behind numbers."
Ren didn't look at her. "Patterns last. Brute force does not."
Cael smirked again, but there was a spark in her eyes.
As the group prepared to leave, Ash whistled happily. "Two badges down! Next is Vermilion City!"
"Hold it," Misty said sharply.
The others turned.
"I'm coming with you," she declared. "My sisters don't care about the Gym. They'd rather do shows than real battles. If I stay, the Gym's reputation is ruined. Until you understand what it means to respect Water Pokémon, I'll keep an eye on you."
Ash blinked. "Wait, you're joining us?!"
Misty smirked. "Unless you're scared."
Ash grinned. "Of course not!"
Ren sighed quietly. "Another ripple in the current."
Ghastly's mist swirled, faint laughter echoing.
That night, the group stayed at the Cerulean Pokémon Center. Ash and Brock fussed over Pikachu's recovery. Cael lounged on a bench, Machop asleep at her side. Misty scribbled her own notes angrily, muttering about her sisters.
Ren sat apart, notebook open, but his attention wasn't on the page. He watched Ghastly float above the lobby's water tank. The faint glow of the lights shimmered across the glass, throwing pale reflections.
"Battles are patterns," Ren whispered. "Every ripple has a counter. But if I follow this path… do I become only her shadow?"
Ghastly grinned in the reflection. But for a flicker of a heartbeat, another pair of glowing eyes stared back from the water faint, hidden, luminous.
Ren's breath caught. "…Marshadow."
The eyes blinked out. Only ripples remained.
Ren sat very still, pen frozen above the page.
The shadows were watching.