Sunlight streamed down on the streets of Cerulean City. Ash pulled down the brim of his cap, looking up at the blue-roofed building in the distance.
"That's the Cerulean Gym, Pikachu!" he exclaimed excitedly to the electric mouse on his shoulder.
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu perked up its ears, its tail swaying gently.
Xiao You was checking the list in her backpack. "Brock and I are going to buy necessities. Will you be okay going to the Gym by yourself?"
"Of course!" Ash patted his chest. "I'm going to be a Pokémon Master!"
Brock shook his head with a smile. "Don't be too overconfident. The Water-type Pokémon at Cerulean Gym aren't easy to deal with."
After the three went their separate ways, Ash quickly walked towards the Gym. Pushing open the large door, a cool mist of water enveloped him. In the center of the Gym was a huge pool, where three young women in blue swimsuits were dancing with their Pokémon.
"Wow..." Ash's eyes widened as he watched Sakura, Ayame, and Botan gracefully direct Goldeen and Staryu in their performance in the water. Water splashes sparkled with colorful light under the lamps, like an aquatic ballet.
After the performance, Ash couldn't wait to run backstage.
"Excuse me! I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm here to challenge the Gym!"
Sakura turned around, her wet pink hair clinging to her shoulders. She exchanged a helpless glance with her two sisters.
"Sorry, little brother," Ayame sighed, "all our Pokémon are hospitalized."
"Hospitalized?" Ash's eyes widened in surprise.
Botan nodded. "Yesterday's challenger was too rough. Our Goldeen, Starmie, and Dewgong all need to rest."
Sakura called a Seel from the edge of the pool and gently stroked its head. "We were just about to give you the Badge directly." As she spoke, she took a waterdrop-shaped blue Badge from Seel's mouth.
"Wait!" Ash stepped back, frowning. "How can I accept that? I want to win the Badge fair and square!"
Just then, the Gym door was pushed open forcefully.
"Well said!"
A familiar voice came. Ash turned and saw Xiao Xia standing there, holding two Net Balls, her orange ponytail shimmering in the sunlight.
"Xiao Xia?" Ash exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Xiao Xia didn't answer but walked directly to Sakura. "Big sister, let me be his opponent."
"Xiao Xia..." Sakura frowned, her gaze falling on the Net Balls in her sister's hand. "Those are the Pokémon Mom left behind, not suitable for battling new Trainers."
Xiao Xia shook her head firmly. "I've seen his Pokémon battle. He's not an ordinary rookie."
Ash's eyes lit up when he heard this. "Great! Xiao Xia, I accept your challenge!"
Sakura looked at the two eager challengers and raised her hands helplessly. "Alright, I'll be the referee. The rules of the battle are 2v2. The challenger can choose one of the four systems to use, and only the challenger can switch Pokémon."
In the spectator stands by the pool, citizens gradually took their seats. Ash and Xiao Xia stood on platforms at opposite ends of the pool.
"The battle begins!" Sakura waved the flag.
Xiao Xia's lips curved into a confident smile as she threw her first Net Ball. "Go, Lapras!"
A blue light flashed, and the huge Lapras plunged into the water, creating ripples. It let out a long cry, its gray shell on its back gleaming with a metallic luster in the sunlight.
"Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash shouted.
"Leave it to me!" The yellow electric mouse jumped to the edge of the platform, its cheek pouches already starting to spark with electricity.
"Lapras, use Hydro Pump!" Xiao Xia ordered first.
Lapras opened its mouth, and a high-pressure water jet shot directly at Pikachu. Ash reacted quickly, "Quick Attack!"
Pikachu's entire body was instantly enveloped in golden electricity, dodging the Hydro Pump attack at a speed difficult for the naked eye to catch, while rushing towards Lapras.
"What?" Xiao Xia's eyes widened in surprise. "This speed..."
"Pikachu, now!" Ash clenched his fist.
Pikachu spun in the air, its tail glowing silver. "Pika—chu!" A powerful Iron Tail smashed heavily onto Lapras's back.
Lapras let out a cry of pain but quickly adjusted its posture, slapping the water with its tail to create huge waves.
"Don't give it a chance to breathe!" Ash shouted. "Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu leaped into the air, its entire body erupting in dazzling golden light. The light was so intense that the entire Gym was illuminated. A thick bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, accurately hitting Lapras in the water.
"Lapras!" Xiao Xia exclaimed.
After the lightning, Lapras floated on the surface, its eyes swirling.
"Lapras is unable to battle!" Sakura announced.
A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Xiao Xia recalled Lapras, but there was no hint of disappointment on her face; instead, she looked even more excited.
"Well done, Ash." She took off the Key Stone tied in her hair. "But it won't be so easy next."
She threw her second Net Ball. "Show your power, Blastoise!"
The huge Blastoise plunged into the water with a Roar, its two water cannons on its back already poised for action. Its red eyes stared intently at Pikachu, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.
Ash thought for a moment, then recalled the panting Pikachu. "Take a rest, Pikachu." He took out another Poké Ball. "Lucario, it's your turn!"
A blue light flashed, and Lucario landed steadily on the platform, its blue fur swaying in the wind. It closed its eyes, sensing Ash's Aura.
Ash placed his hand on his chest and took a deep breath. "Aura is with me."
A pale blue light surged from his body, intertwining with Lucario's Aura energy. Brock and Xiao You in the audience exchanged glances, a knowing smile on their faces—they had already witnessed the power of this special connection.
"Aura Link?" Xiao Xia raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Blastoise, use Hydro Pump barrage!"
The two cannons on Blastoise's back fired simultaneously, high-pressure water jets shooting towards Lucario at an astonishing speed.
"Dodge it, then use Thunder Punch!" Ash shouted.
Lucario's figure flashed, gracefully dodging the first Hydro Pump, while golden electricity gathered in its fist. When the second Hydro Pump struck, it had already leaped into the air, its Thunder Punch striking Blastoise's head directly.
"Bang!" Electricity sparked, and Blastoise recoiled a few steps in pain but quickly regained its balance.
"Shell Armor!" Xiao Xia ordered.
Blastoise immediately retracted its limbs and head into its shell, its entire body becoming like an indestructible fortress.
Ash frowned. "Lucario, use Aura Sphere!"
Lucario condensed a blue Energy Ball between its hands and thrust it violently at Blastoise. The Energy Ball impacted the shell, erupting in dazzling light, but Blastoise seemed to suffer little damage.
"It's useless," Xiao Xia said confidently. "Blastoise's defense isn't so easily broken."
She suddenly raised her hand and pressed the Key Stone. "It's time! Evolution beyond evolution—Mega Evolution!"
The Key Stone erupted in colorful light, resonating with the ite that appeared on Blastoise's body. In the dazzling light, Blastoise's form began to change—the cannons on its back merged into a single giant cannon, its limbs became thicker, and its overall size increased by a full circle.
"Mega Blastoise!" the audience gasped.
Ash felt a surge of pressure, but he quickly adjusted his mindset. He gripped the azure flute hanging around his neck and also shouted, "Lucario, let's go too! Mega Evolution!"
The azure flute emitted a strange light, resonating with Lucario. In the brilliant glow, Lucario's form also changed—the antennae on its head grew longer, the fur on its chest became denser, and its entire being exuded an even more powerful Aura energy.
"This is incredible!" Sakura couldn't help but exclaim. "Mega Evolution appearing simultaneously!"
Xiao Xia's eyes gleamed with fighting spirit. "Blastoise, use Hydro Cannon!"
Mega Blastoise's giant cannon on its back began to charge, and the surrounding air twisted from the gathering energy. Ash knew the power of this attack would be extraordinary.
"Lucario, Protect, then use Drain Punch!"
A green barrier instantly unfolded in front of Lucario, almost at the same moment, a thick water jet slammed into the barrier. Cracks appeared in the barrier, but it successfully blocked most of the damage.
Seizing the brief stun after Blastoise's attack, Lucario quickly rushed forward, its fists glowing with pink light.
Drain Punch heavily struck Blastoise's abdomen, not only causing damage but also restoring some of Lucario's stamina.
"A beautiful counterattack!" Brock praised from the audience.
Xiao Xia gritted her teeth. "Don't give it a chance! Use Dragon Pulse!"
Purple energy condensed in Blastoise's mouth, and a dragon-shaped energy wave roared out. Ash reacted quickly, "Jump to avoid it, then Thunder Punch!"
Lucario leaped high, and Dragon Pulse swept past its feet. In the air, it adjusted its posture, its right fist gathering electric power again, and swooped down towards Blastoise.
"Now!" Xiao Xia suddenly shouted. "Ice Beam!"
Blastoise's cannon quickly adjusted its angle, and an ice-blue beam shot directly at Lucario in the air. Ash's pupils contracted—this was a trap!
"Protect!" he urgently shouted.
But it was too late. Lucario couldn't fully defend itself in mid-air. The Ice Beam grazed its left arm, instantly forming a layer of frost. Lucario's movements faltered, and the power of its Thunder Punch greatly diminished.
"Oh no..." Cold sweat trickled down Ash's forehead.
Xiao Xia pressed the attack. "Blastoise, full power Water Pulse!"
The giant cannon charged again. This time, Lucario was slowed by the ice, making it difficult to completely avoid. Ash's mind raced, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him.
"Lucario, use Aura Sphere on the water!"
Lucario immediately understood, disregarding the ice on its left arm, it condensed Aura energy in its hands and slammed it into the water below. The shockwave from the explosion launched it high into the air, perfectly dodging the direct attack of the Hydro Cannon.
"What?" Xiao Xia watched in shock as Lucario used the force to leap to a higher position.
"Now!" Ash seized the opportunity. "Full power Thunder Punch!"
The electric light on Lucario's right fist surged, and with the momentum of its descent, a heavy punch directly struck the cannon on Blastoise's back. The electricity conducted along the metal cannon, and Blastoise let out a painful Roar, its entire body enveloped in current.
"Last attack, Aura Sphere!" Ash shouted.
Lucario condensed Aura energy again the moment it landed, and a close-range Aura Sphere directly hit Blastoise's chest. The huge explosion created a surge of water, and when the splashes settled, Mega Blastoise had reverted to its original form, its eyes swirling as it floated on the water's surface.
"Blastoise is unable to battle!" Sakura announced loudly. "The winner is Ash!"
The entire Gym erupted in thunderous applause. Xiao Xia let out a long breath, recalling Blastoise, but a satisfied smile played on her face.
"An amazing battle, Ash." She walked up to Ash. "You're even stronger than I imagined."
Ash wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned. "Thanks to Lucario and Pikachu's hard work."
The three sisters, Sakura, Ayame, and Botan, walked over. Sakura solemnly handed the Waterdrop Badge to Ash. "This is yours, the Cerulean Gym's Waterdrop Badge."
Ash took the Badge, carefully placing it in his Badge case, next to the gray Badge. "Great! Second Badge obtained!"
As they left the Gym, the sun was already setting. Ash looked back at the Cerulean Gym, where Xiao Xia stood at the entrance, waving goodbye to him.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Ash asked.
Xiao Xia shook her head, her orange ponytail fluttering in the wind. "I still have my own things to do. But... I believe we'll meet again."
Ash nodded, then turned to catch up with Brock and Xiao You, who were waiting for him. The figures of the three people and one Pokémon stretched long in the setting sun as they headed towards their next destination.
"Where's the next stop?" Xiao You asked curiously.
Brock checked the map. "According to the route, we should be heading to Vermilion City."
"Great!" Ash clenched his fist. "I can't wait to challenge the next Gym!"
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu also excitedly jumped onto his shoulder.
Under the setting sun, the laughter of the boy and his companions echoed on the road leading into the distance. A new adventure awaited them.