Chapter 20 Pikachu, Dance for Us. It'll Go Great with Dinner.
Author: Samsung Charmander
"This is the proof of your victory at the Cerulean Gym, the Blue Badge."
Ash took the teardrop-shaped badge, his expression spirited and his morale soaring.
Even Pikachu, who had been slacking off on the side, made a "V" sign to congratulate him, as if it were the star player.
A true general commands from the rear without needing to lift a finger.
A spiritual leader, so to speak.
The eldest sister, Daisy, suddenly leaned in and asked:
"By the way, Misty, now that you're back, are you planning to leave again?"
"Yeah, your strength is pretty good. You're more than capable of handling Gym challenges~"
"Why don't you just stay and look after the place for us~"
But Misty shook her head decisively.
"If I don't go out and travel, it's impossible for me to achieve my dream."
Hearing this, Ash and Brock exchanged a slightly puzzled glance.
Their dreams were set: one wanted to become the strongest Pokémon Master, and the other a great Breeder.
But it seemed neither of them had heard Misty talk about her dream before.
"Please, tell us your dream."
Ash asked, full of anticipation.
Misty clenched her fists and said, word by word, "To become the strongest Water-type Pokémon Trainer! In your words, a Pokémon Master who specializes exclusively in the Water type!"
Hearing this, Ash's brow relaxed, his expression turning somewhat surprised.
"So your dream is to become my subordinate?"
Everyone: "?"
"You want to be a Water-type Master, and I'm going to be an All-type Master. So, by rounding up, doesn't that mean you want to be my subordinate? What's so hard about that? Just call me 'Boss' now, I'll accept you as my underling, and your dream will be instantly realized."
"I'm definitely going to become a Pokémon Master in the future."
"Either way, you won't lose out."
He explained, point by point.
His reasoning was sound and convincing.
Everyone: "..."
Logically, there didn't seem to be any major flaws, right?
Misty fought back the urge to go over and beat him up, shouting at her three sisters:
"In any case, the Cerulean Gym is our ancestors' pride! It's your undeniable duty. While I'm away from the Cerulean Gym, you absolutely cannot just hand out the Badge so easily!"
Although she was the youngest sister, her Aura was like that of a mother.
Hearing this, Ash nudged the macho man next to him and muttered under his breath:
"Aren't you blushing? You've tossed the honor of the Pewter Gym who knows where."
Brock's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing into a slit.
He really couldn't think of a verbal comeback, and in the end, could only force out a single sentence in rebuttal.
"My face is dark."
Ash: "..."
On the other side.
"But we still have to prepare for the Water Ballet..."
"It's not just a hobby..."
"We have to eat, too..."
The three sisters explained pitifully.
Now, even Misty was conflicted.
After all, everyone has their own ambitions. Her three sisters weren't cut out for battling, and she couldn't just force them to give up their dream of slacking off to become Gym Trainers.
"Ahem..."
Just then, a cough interrupted everyone. They saw Brock had already slowly walked into the middle of the circle formed by the four Cerulean sisters.
"This humble one has a suggestion, though I'm not sure if I should say it..."
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't get so close."
Misty yanked him behind her.
Although they hadn't known each other for long, this man—who appeared simple, honest, and steadfast, looked very reliable, and often boasted of his Rock-Solid Will...
...actually had a few screws loose.
He might be able to fool that blockhead next to him, but she had seen through Brock's true nature at a glance.
A total pervert.
"Actually, my suggestion is this: since there are three older sisters here, just pick the strongest one to be the Gym Trainer and defend the Cerulean Gym. The others can focus on their Water Ballet in peace."
Hearing this, all four of their eyes lit up. It was a great idea.
As for who was the strongest...?
"Sister Lily, the Cerulean Gym is all yours."
"Sister Lily, we're entrusting our ancestors' Blue Will to you as well. If you don't do a good job, our Grandpa might just come chat with you in your dreams at night."
Daisy and Violet simultaneously placed their hands on Lily's shoulders.
They really couldn't tell who was the strongest.
But it was obvious who was the youngest.
You pick the softest persimmon to squeeze.
Lily: "..."
At that moment, Brock jumped out again and said in a gentle and refined manner:
"Ahem, this humble one has another suggestion..."
"Since the Gym and the Aquarium have separated, that empty plot of land in the center of Pewter City would be an excellent choice. In the future, for the Water Ballet... Aaaah!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Misty was already dragging him outside by his ear.
What audacious ambition! To think he wants to be my brother-in-law. I can't let my guard down for a second.
Seeing this, Ash quickly followed.
"Say, wasn't that a little too smooth? I feel like someone's missing..."
He scratched his head and muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, on the road between Viridian Forest and Pewter City.
Three figures were sprawled at the edge of a deep pit, covered head to toe in sand and dust, looking utterly wretched.
"This is all your fault, James! Why did you have to dig the hole so deep!"
Jessie complained.
"Wasn't it your Ekans that dug the hole?"
James retorted.
"No more chattering, meow!"
Meowth's tiger-like body shuddered as he shook off the smoke and dust, muttering:
"It's a good thing we brought some crackers to get by, otherwise we would have starved to death down here these past few days..."
Hearing this, James also felt a wave of lingering fear. He then patted Meowth's head and said thankfully:
"We were *this close* to using our emergency rations..."
Emergency rations?
A confused light flickered in Meowth's eyes. With a brain like James's, he actually knew to carry emergency rations?
"Pull yourself together, Meowth! You are our emergency... Pokémon translation master! We've fallen many days behind the twerp already, we have to hurry up and catch that Abnormal Variant Pikachu!"
Jessie clenched her fist encouragingly, changing the subject.
The three pulled themselves together, planning to rush to Pewter City in one go and restore their vitality with a dine-and-dash meal.
"Beep beep..."
Just then, a metal device that looked like a communicator fell out of James's pocket.
Because they had been in the deep pit, the signal couldn't even get through. The message only popped up now.
"All Team Rocket members, listen up. On the 15th of this month, we will be holding a large-scale corporate team-building event at Vermilion Port aboard the S.S. Anne. All members with free time are requested to follow the organization's arrangements, participate in the activities, improve social relations within the group, and contribute to the grand construction of world peace."
"The location is Pier 3 in Vermilion City."
"Boarding password: Stinky fish, stinky fish, I am a rotten shrimp."
The trio: "..."
It looks like Team Rocket is planning something big...
The three checked the date and, seeing there were about 10 days left, hurried towards Vermilion City.
In this new era, as long as they seized the opportunity, they could set sail!
Cerulean City Pokémon Center.
Ash set out two half-human-sized barrels of Pokémon Food, then sent out Metapod and Pidgeotto.
"Eat up, eat up. Especially you, Pidgeotto. Eat more, look how you're just skin and bones from hunger."
Before Pidgeotto could say anything, he stuffed a large mouthful of Pokémon Food into its beak.
There was no way he was changing the name.
After all, he had already made an oath that when he became a Pokémon Master, he would fulfill his promise to Pidgeotto.
It was an oath between men!
Wouldn't changing it now make him seem like he couldn't be trusted to keep his word?
The Electric Mouse beside him also wanted to sneak in for a meal, but Ash spoke up:
"Pikachu, you don't need to eat. Look, you've gotten fat from slacking off all day. It's the perfect time for you to do a dance and provide some dinner entertainment for them."
Ash still remembered that Pikachu had thrown the match.
Pikachu: "???"
Then he took out his Pokédex.
"You too, Pokedex. You're usually so talkative. How about you sing a song to accompany Pikachu's dance now."
"Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep..."
The Pokedex began to emit a series of electronic sounds.
Brock and Misty: "..."
Seeing his Pokemon in such a warm and harmonious atmosphere of brotherly love, Ash was quite moved. He got up and walked to the side.
He wanted to call his mother, Delia, to report on his recent progress.
"Hello? Mom, I already have two Badges... Huh? Professor Oak, what are you doing at my house?"
The phone's screen lit up, and seeing the white-haired old man behind Delia, Ash couldn't help but ask in confusion.
"Oh, oh, oh, I was just passing by and stopped for a meal."
Professor Oak answered with a smile.
Ash's head was spinning a little. Was it really mealtime right now?
Professor Oak continued in his gentle and refined manner:
"Speaking of which, you already have two Badges. That's very fast. Your next stop must be Vermilion City, right? There's an Electric Type Gym in Vermilion City, you know."
Ash nodded, the fire of battle igniting within him once more.
"Then it's decided. Next stop, Vermilion City."
"Since you're going to Vermilion City, could you do me a favor while you're at it... Actually, it's not for me, but for a junior of mine named Professor Cerise. He's planning to open a Cerise Laboratory in Vermilion City."
"But recently, there seems to be some strange incidents at that Research Lab. Could I trouble you to go and take a look? I've been praising you highly to Professor Cerise, you know!"
As expected, a round of flattery was all it took for Ash to agree instantly.
They chatted about a few other odds and ends, and before hanging up, Ash asked casually, pretending to be nonchalant:
"By the way, why isn't my best friend, Gary, going?"
"Ahem... That boy Gary isn't afraid of anything, except for ghosts. He wouldn't dare touch something like this."
Professor Oak replied, embarrassed.
Ash's eyes shone with an unprecedented brilliance.
"Well then, I truly feel sorry for my dear friend. Hehe..."
——
(Trivia: In Pokémon Origins, Green is afraid of ghosts.)