Everyone arrived at a massive indoor pool.
The water was roughly five to six meters deep. Trainer platforms stood on both sides, and several floating platforms drifted on the surface for Pokémon to stand on.
"This is the Cerulean Gym battle field~!"
Daisy planted her hands on her hips with authority. The aura of a seasoned Gym Leader washed over Ash, making him break into a light sweat.
I can't be careless, he thought.
"Violet, you're up!"
Daisy announced it like she was sending out her ace Pokémon.
Violet: "?"
"I'm tired," Daisy said matter-of-factly. "And my Pokémon were completely defeated by the last challenger. They're still recovering."
"But, Sis," Violet replied innocently,
"my Pokémon were also wiped out by another challenger…"
The two sisters exchanged glances, then slowly turned their heads together—
Toward the pink-haired woman.
"Lily, we'll leave it to you."
"The honor of the Cerulean Gym rests on your shoulders!"
Lily: "???"
Mine were beaten too!
The three sisters had long since devoted all their time to synchronized swimming performances, completely neglecting proper trainer practice.
The rumors spreading through the Kanto Region about Cerulean Gym being one of the weakest—
Sadly, those weren't rumors. They were facts.
This time, Ash was the one completely dumbfounded.
…So are we fighting or not?
"Well~ performing is more important anyway," the sisters concluded unanimously.
"Gym battles are just for show~"
Those careless words instantly ignited Ash's anger.
This was the Gym Challenge he had dreamed of—how could anyone treat it so lightly?!
He grabbed Brock by the shoulder and dragged him forward, clearly intending for this powerful man to teach the sisters a lesson.
"He's a trainer from the Pewter Gym! A man with rock-solid willpower—Brock! Show them your rock-solid willpower and conquer them!"
Brock frowned. Facing three beautiful women, his posture subtly leaned back, his voice weakening.
"Well, actually, I think—"
"LOUDER! Didn't you eat today?!"
Ash roared.
Brock: "…"
After struggling internally for a moment, Brock finally snapped his head up, eyes wide, voice deep and serious.
"This is wrong! You can't be half-hearted about your responsibilities!"
Ash nodded with satisfaction.
As expected of the man I acknowledge.
"And besides," Brock continued earnestly,
"Pewter City still has large undeveloped areas. If you three sisters don't mind, you could move your venue there and focus entirely on water ballet. You could even give up the Gym—surely that would be ideal."
Ash: "?"
"And since I'm officially registered as a Pewter City resident," Brock added calmly,
"if you wish to become Pewter citizens, I can simply add your names to my household registry. As for me, I don't mind at all."
The sisters: "..."
After some discussion—
The Cerulean Sisters reluctantly released a Pokémon, declaring it their final remaining combatant.
"Splash, splash."
It was a pink-and-white goldfish Pokémon with a sharp horn on its forehead and thick lips that looked like they'd been carefully made up. It flopped helplessly on the platform, repeatedly using Splash.
"Beep.Goldeen, the Goldfish Pokémon. Extremely common. Best prepared steamed."
The Pokédex seized yet another chance to assert its existence.
"…That's it?" Ash frowned deeply.
At this rate, even if Pikachu didn't fight, Goldeen would exhaust itself and faint from repeated Splashing.
This was a rare Gym Challenge. Ash had even memorized type matchups the night before and planned to send out his Electric-type Pikachu for a fair, decisive victory.
Was fate really denying him a proper type advantage?!
Unbelievable!
Daisy sighed helplessly and clapped her hands.
Immediately, a small, adorable Seel popped out of the pool.
This one was just the mascot—not a battler.
It opened its mouth, revealing a delicately crafted badge shaped like a water droplet resting on its tongue.
"I can tell your Pikachu has extraordinary potential," Daisy said seriously.
"We are clearly no match for you. Please accept proof of your victory—the Cascade Badge."
Ash: "..."
He hesitated.
Winning a Gym Badge this easily left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Honestly, if this was how he got it, he'd rather not take the Cascade Badge at all.
After all, Kanto was an old, established region—there was no shortage of Gyms.
He could just challenge another one.
Just as Ash was about to refuse, a clear voice rang out from the far end of the pool.
"Sister Daisy! Let me take your place and conduct the Gym Battle!"
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Misty was standing there.
"Didn't you eat today? Speak up! We can't hear you over here!"
Ash shouted back instinctively.
…To be fair, they really couldn't hear her.
Misty: "..."
She immediately dashed over, snatched the Cascade Badge from Daisy's hand, and raised it in front of Ash.
"The Cerulean Gym has never handed out badges without a battle. I'll take their place and complete the challenge."
"That's not true," Daisy interrupted.
"I gave one away for free just yesterday."
Misty: "..."
Whose side are you even on?!
After a brief explanation, Ash finally learned that Misty was actually the fourth sister of the Cerulean family. Because she hadn't fully matured yet, she was often… conveniently forgotten.
"Misty," Daisy asked,
"didn't you say you wouldn't return to the Gym until you became a strong trainer? It hasn't even been two weeks."
"And even if you're back," Violet added teasingly,
"we're not letting you join our water ballet~"
"You're still too green~"
"Who wants to do water ballet anyway? That's not even proper training!"
Misty's face flushed red as she shot a furious glare at her sisters.
I, Misty, would rather starve, jump off this place, than ever perform water ballet!
"Small chest, big temper," Lily added casually.
Misty: "!!!"
Just as the sisters were about to devolve into a full-blown internal meltdown, Ash and Brock hurriedly stepped in to separate them.
"I don't care," Ash declared firmly.
"As long as someone fights me!"
Everyone snapped back to reality.
Moments later, Ash and Misty stood on opposite sides of the pool.
Meanwhile, Brock continued his recruitment efforts on the sidelines.
"Really, Pewter City has great development potential. We ranked Top Ten in Kanto last year…"
"Wait," Daisy said.
"Kanto has an eleventh city now?"
Brock: "?"
At the battlefield.
"Pikachu, I choose you!"
Ash commanded confidently.
As a trainer who had studied type matchups for a full day, he was certain—today was his day.
"Pika…"
This time, however, Pikachu looked hesitant.
After a moment, it simply ran behind Ash's pant leg and curled up.
Spectator mode.
It doesn't shock its own people—
Ash excluded.
That's love-based electrotherapy.
"As expected of Pikachu!" Misty laughed proudly, hands on her hips.
"You haven't forgotten all those Rare Candies I fed you!"
She knew Ash's Pokémon inside and out.
With Pikachu refusing to fight, victory was basically guaranteed!
"Damn it!"
Ash ran a hand through his hair.
Pikachu always failed him at critical moments—but he was used to it by now.
Without hesitation, he sent out another Pokémon.
A flash of red light—
A solid green Pokémon appeared atop the floating platform, completely motionless, as steady as a mountain.
Metapod, nickname Rayquaza (as Caterpie)(as Caterpie).
Undefeated so far.
A veteran of countless clutch saves.
Indisputably powerful.
"Then I'll send this one out!"
Misty shouted.
Her Poké Ball flew, red light flashing—
Another Pokémon appeared on the platform.
A strange brown, five-pointed star with a red gem embedded at its center.
"Beep.Staryu, the Star Shape Pokémon. Genderless. Capable of reproducing independently. Could theoretically form an entire civilization alone."
Misty: "..."
Damn it!
I forgot how disgusting this Pokédex can be!
—
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