[Pokémon: Magikarp]
Level: LV.7
Type: Water
Nature: Gentle
Ability: Swift Swim
Potential: Red (Elite)
Moves (Copyable):
Proficient: Splash
Novice: Tackle
"This Magikarp already knows Tackle?"
After checking the Magikarp that had failed to learn Tackle, Ash couldn't help but look momentarily stunned.
The reason Magikarp were notoriously difficult to raise into Gyarados was precisely because the overwhelming majority—nearly 99.99%—could only learn Splash, with no access to other moves at all.
That made grinding levels in the wild absurdly difficult.
Every Magikarp previously sent to Ash's shop for move training had only known Splash.
After all, if a Magikarp already knew Tackle, there'd be no reason to send it to him in the first place.
"Sending me a Magikarp that already knows Tackle… is this some kind of flex?"
Ash laughed and shook his head. Of course, it was just a joke. The customer probably hadn't realized it either.
Judging from the Magikarp's level and proficiency, it clearly hadn't received any serious training.
"Most likely the same as everyone else—heard that I can help Magikarp learn Tackle, rushed to the river to fish one out, then picked the most energetic-looking, most promising Magikarp and sent it over."
With a smile, Ash recalled both Magikarp from the large bath into their Poké Balls and checked the serial number on the Poké Ball belonging to the one that already knew Tackle.
"Rotom, help me look up the customer info for Poké Ball No. 115. Send me their contact details."
"OK~ Roto!"
"…Found it. Poké Ball No. 115 belongs to a customer from Cerulean City, Kanto.
Nickname: 'Orange-Haired Little Mermaid'.
Contact number has been sent to you."
"…Cerulean Gym?"
Ash raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He was already well-known across Kanto and had dealings with major families and organizations, but since he wasn't ten yet, he couldn't officially travel.
Up until now, the only Gym he had direct contact with was Viridian Gym.
He hadn't expected to cross paths with Cerulean Gym so soon.
That said, Cerulean Gym's reputation was nothing like Viridian's.
With Giovanni at the helm, Viridian Gym was recognized as Kanto's strongest Gym.
Cerulean Gym, on the other hand, was infamous for being the weakest.
In the original timeline, before Misty truly matured as a Trainer, the Cerulean Gym had been run by her three older sisters—Daisy, Violet, and Lily.
Under their management, the Gym had practically turned into an aquarium and water ballet stage.
Challengers were either brushed off casually or handed a Badge outright. At one point, Cerulean Gym nearly had its League certification revoked.
Ash naturally had a good impression of Misty—the original journey's female lead.
But as for her three so-called "The Sensational Sisters"?
Not even a shred of goodwill.
Misty dreamed of becoming the world's greatest Water-type Pokémon Master and genuinely loved Water-types.
But when she was young, she once climbed into a Gyarados's mouth out of mischief, mistaking it for a decorative statue in a park—only to realize it was a real, sleeping Gyarados.
Although she wasn't harmed, the incident left a deep psychological scar. Among all Water-types, the one she feared most was Gyarados.
"So this Magikarp probably isn't Misty's," Ash thought.
"And it doesn't really feel like it belongs to her sisters either… unless they've suddenly decided to stop being ornamental and actually work on restoring Cerulean Gym?"
Then again—
The original anime was the anime.
Reality was reality.
Too many things had already diverged from the original storyline.
Thinking of Team Rocket's trio, Ash couldn't help but shake his head.
He picked up his phone and dialed the number Rotom had sent him.
-----
Cerulean City – Cerulean Gym
Private residence behind the Gym.
In a bedroom filled with Water-type Pokémon posters, stickers, plush toys, and aquatic décor, a young woman in a pink knitted sweater gently comforted a younger girl sitting on a chair.
The older girl had long, golden, wavy hair.
The younger one—orange-haired, her hair tied into a small ponytail—hugged a Psyduck plush tightly, her expression dejected.
"Alright, Misty, stop worrying so much."
"You were the one who climbed into Gyarados's mouth. And in the end, it didn't hurt you at all. It even apologized after setting you down—so why are you still so afraid?"
"If you ask me, you shouldn't fear Gyarados at all. You should like it even more.
That Gyarados was incredibly gentle."
"Yes, it looks scary, but we can't judge Pokémon by appearances alone. Character matters far more."
"After watching the Pokémon Summer Camp broadcast and hearing Ash's declaration, didn't it remind you of your own dream—to become the world's number one Water-type Pokémon Master?"
"If you want to achieve that, you can't fear Gyarados… much less hate it."
"And don't forget—you're going to inherit Cerulean Gym one day and restore its honor."
"I don't have the talent to be a Trainer. Neither do Violet or Lily. All we can do is perform water ballet to keep the Gym running and earn money for when you travel and raise Pokémon."
"The future of Cerulean Gym… depends on you, Misty."
The older sister gently patted the younger girl's head, her eyes full of trust.
"I'll do my best, Daisy," Misty said softly.
"I'll become the world's greatest Water-type Pokémon Master and restore Cerulean Gym's reputation…"
"…But I'm still really scared of Gyarados."
"That's okay," Daisy said with a warm smile.
"We have time. Slowly, step by step."
"The fact that you were willing to catch a Magikarp, send it to Ash's shop to learn Tackle, and work toward evolving it into Gyarados…"
"That alone means you've already taken a very brave first step."
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals