It was a building that looked more like an aquarium, with a giant Dewgong sculpture hanging on the front. The whole place was flashy and gaudy, nothing like what you'd expect a gym to be. Before even stepping inside, Caster could already hear the faint sounds of cheering and shouting.
"Is that a water ballet performance?"
The thought sparked his interest, and he hurried into the venue.
Inside, the center featured a massive pool where numerous Water-type Pokémon were performing. Surrounding it were rows upon rows of spectator seats, packed to capacity, mostly with male audience members.
Suddenly, three pairs of long, pale legs burst out from beneath the water's surface, spinning and executing all sorts of fancy moves that instantly captured everyone's attention.
BOOM!
The venue erupted with thunderous applause and cheers.
"Talk about perfect timing!"
Caster's eyes lit up as he quickly found a seat and settled in to appreciate the art.
While the battling skills of the three Cerulean Sisters left much to be desired as trainers, their water ballet was truly something else.
Love it, absolutely love it!
"Wait, I can start streaming now to build some hype. The Cerulean Sisters' performance, this kind of high-class art... what viewer could resist this?"
Caster grinned and immediately pulled out his phone to start his livestream.
The moment the stream went live, hordes of internet users who'd been waiting to watch the drama came flooding in.
"Did the gym challenge start yet? Can't wait to see Old Fish get his butt kicked! Wait, what's this..."
"Damn! It's the Cerulean Gym Sisters' water ballet performance! So beautiful, those legs could last me a year!"
"This streamer's legit. When there's eye candy, he actually films it. Doesn't treat us like outsiders. Smashing that follow button!"
"Streamer, I admit I was talking trash before. Please don't take it to heart. Here's fifty cents as a token of my apology."
"Streamer, you've got my money!"
"Slurp Slurp... I want a taste!"
...
These viewers had come to watch Caster and his Magikarp get demolished, but when they saw those long legs and three gorgeous older sisters with different colored hair, their attitudes did a complete 180. They were practically ready to call him "godfather."
"Brothers, water ballet is good stuff! Water ballet is worth watching!"
Caster gave a thumbs up and commented, "Classy!"
Hearing this, countless viewers agreed, and the livestream screen was immediately flooded with the word "Classy!"
In this moment, the chat had zero conflict and was perfectly harmonious.
The appeal of beautiful women was terrifying. Caster had only been streaming the water ballet for a few minutes, and the viewer count had already hit 5,000, more than his actual follower count.
What's more, the number of live viewers kept climbing steadily.
Before long, the water ballet performance ended, and the audience filed out in an orderly fashion. The livestream viewers were left wanting more.
Caster seized the opportunity to head backstage, where he came face to face with three tall, swimsuit-clad older sisters, each with her own allure. He even gave them a close-up shot.
"Mmm, Miss Daisy is so gentle!"
"I say the Violet is the most beautiful! Who agrees? Who disagrees?"
"Nonsense! Lily is the best looking. She's the mermaid of my dreams."
"Who cares about faces? Point the camera at the legs, you idiot streamer!"
...
In the livestream, the previously harmonious atmosphere began to fracture as viewers started arguing about which of the Cerulean Sisters was prettier and more charming, even bickering endlessly over whether to focus on legs or faces.
As for the fact that there were actually four Cerulean Sisters, apparently no one seemed to know.
"Hey there, little guy! Are you a fan of ours?"
The three sisters noticed Caster, put their hands on their hips, stepped forward, and thrust out their chests as they scolded him, "But coming backstage without permission and secretly filming with your phone, that's not okay!"
"Sorry, I'm not secretly filming you. I'm just doing a livestream."
Caster explained his purpose: "And I'm not actually your fan. I'm a trainer here to challenge the gym."
"Huh? A gym challenge?"
Hearing this, the three sisters immediately lost interest.
They'd actually prefer it if he were here to secretly film them!
At least that would prove the sisters still had their appeal.
However, as gym trainers, they couldn't refuse a challenger, so they brought Caster to the pool battle arena.
But before the battle could begin, the three sisters started arguing among themselves.
Eldest sister Daisy: "Violet, I choose you for this battle."
Second sister Violet quickly declined: "Big sis! My Pokémon aren't in great shape. How about letting Lily take this one!"
Hearing this, youngest sister Lily protested: "What the heck? I fought the last challenger. If we're going in order, it should be big sis's turn."
The three sisters immediately devolved into chaos, each making excuses to pass the buck.
Caster broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead, wanting to interject but unable to get a word in.
After arguing for quite a while without reaching a conclusion, eldest sister Daisy smiled at Caster: "Little guy, why don't you just pick one yourself!"
"Well, obviously I'll choose the best-looking one!"
Caster flashed a grin, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.
Hearing this, Daisy sighed and stepped forward, chest out: "Alright, alright! Since you chose me, your big sister will humor you with a match."
Blue-haired Violet tossed her hair with infinite charm: "Big sis, are you confused? When this little guy said he'd pick the best-looking one, he was obviously talking about me!"
"What the heck! The little guy was clearly talking about me."
Red-haired Lily wasn't backing down either, showing off her proud figure.
Soon, the three sisters were arguing again.
Only this time, they'd shifted from passing the buck to fighting over it. They all wanted to battle Caster's Pokémon, and there were even hints they might come to blows.
At the same time, Caster's livestream exploded.
"LOL!!! One sentence and he got three gorgeous women to go from dismissive to fighting each other? This streamer is a god!"
"Streamer, I want to learn this!!!"
"Streamer, being a trainer is a dead end. I suggest you start an online relationship coaching course instead. I'll be the first to sign up."
...
Glancing at the livestream comments, then looking at the still-bickering Cerulean Sisters, Caster stepped forward helplessly and shouted, "Stop! You need to quit fighting..."
At this point, the three sisters were so worked up over competing for the title of "most beautiful" that when they saw Caster trying to intervene, they all turned to him in unison and demanded: "Little guy, you tell us yourself. Who were you trying to challenge just now?"
"Actually..."
Faced with this loaded question, Caster handled it naturally and smiled: "I wanted to challenge all three of you. I want to personally test each of you sisters' depths."
"In that case, let's stop arguing."
The three sisters exchanged glances and agreed this plan would work. Finally, Daisy made the call: "Then this gym match will be a three-on-three format. The three of us will each send out one Pokémon to fight, and we'll see who's the strongest."
"For the first match, little sis will go first!"
Red-haired Lily was the first to step forward, releasing her Pokémon into the pool. It was a brightly colored Goldeen.
"Little guy, send out your Pokémon!"
The swimsuit-clad Lily was youthful and vibrant yet mature and elegant, even throwing in a flirtatious wink, constantly radiating charm.
However, to the livestream viewers, that wink was definitely meant for them.
"I'm dead!"
"Miss Lily, I love you!"
"Streamer, in this battle, you're only allowed to lose, not win! Got it?"
"Hey upthread, have you lost your mind? Old Fish only has a Magikarp. How's he supposed to win?"
"Hahaha, if you hadn't said that, I almost forgot."
...
Although they were all Caster's fans, everyone was clearly supporting Lily.
Internet users will abandon their bros for a pretty face every time!
Caster glanced at the Goldeen in the water and smiled as he tossed out his Poké Ball: "Let's go, Magikarp!"
"Karp~"
Red light flashed, and a thick, robust Magikarp appeared.
When it dropped into the water, it kicked up a small wave.
In terms of size, Magikarp clearly had the advantage.
When they saw the Magikarp, all three Cerulean Sisters visibly froze.
The three exchanged glances, then couldn't help but shake their heads and laugh.
While they might be the disgrace of Kanto region gym trainers, coming to challenge them with a Magikarp was seriously disrespectful.
What could a Magikarp even do?
A Magikarp couldn't do anything at all!!
Lily, who was battling, was especially confident: "Even though I lose more gym matches than I win, in this battle of Goldeen versus Magikarp, the advantage is mine!"
She then giggled and said to Caster: "Little guy, you're the challenger, so you attack first."
"In that case, don't mind if I do."
Caster nodded and shouted: "Magikarp, charge forward and use Tackle!"
"Karp~"
Upon receiving the attack command, Magikarp's eyes suddenly changed from their usual vacant stare to resolute determination, glaring fiercely.
"Goldeen, counter with Horn Attack."
Lily hadn't noticed Magikarp's transformation. She was brimming with confidence and chose to go head-to-head.
Goldeen's forte was its attack power, far beyond what a weak Magikarp could match.
Plus, the Horn Attack move was more powerful than Tackle. How could Goldeen possibly lose?
It was a guaranteed win!
In the pool, both Pokémon began wagging their tails and fins to accelerate, charging straight at each other.
At the same time, the horn on Goldeen's head began glowing with blinding white light, becoming longer and sharper.
Meanwhile, Magikarp's head also glowed white, its momentum unstoppable, like a torpedo.
Master-level Tackle, activated!
"The streamer's going this aggressive? Making Magikarp fight head-on? Has he lost his mind?"
"Seriously, no tactics prepared at all? That Magikarp's guaranteed to lose!"
Viewers were shaking their heads, clearly not optimistic about Caster and Magikarp choosing such a direct confrontation strategy.
BOOM!
The two Pokémon collided, sending up huge splashes in the pool. Under the sunlight, a faint rainbow appeared.
"Karp~"
"Goooldeen~"
The two Pokémon were locked in a stalemate in the water for a moment before both took damage and retreated.
"They're evenly matched? How is that possible!"
Lily covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief.
A guaranteed win had turned into a draw?!
No one at the scene or in the livestream had anticipated this outcome.
"Magikarp, while we have the chance, Tackle again!"
While everyone was stunned, Caster launched another offensive.
"Karp~"
Magikarp glared fiercely, its tail thrashing wildly as its body became like a massive torpedo, directly striking the still-confused Goldeen's belly.
"Goooldeen~"
After crying out in pain, Goldeen was slammed straight into the pool wall, its head spinning.
Though injured, Goldeen hadn't lost its ability to fight yet.
"Karp~"
Kick 'em while they're down. Magikarp charged viciously again, giving Goldeen no chance to recover or catch its breath.
CRASH!
Spider-web-like cracks appeared on the pool wall, spreading outward in all directions.
"Goooldeen~"
As for Goldeen, it was now embedded in the pool wall, impossible to pry out, with its eyes spinning in circles.
Seeing this, both the battle arena and the livestream fell completely silent.
This was supposed to be a Magikarp?