"This is proof of defeating the Cerulean Gym—
the Cascade Badge."
Ash accepted the water-drop–shaped badge, looking spirited and full of momentum.
Even Pikachu—who had been shamelessly coasting the entire time—raised its paws in a celebratory V sign, as if it were the true MVP.
After all, a true general doesn't need to fight personally—
they command from the rear.
A moment later, Daisy leaned over and asked casually:
"So, Misty, now that you're back… are you heading out again?"
"Yeah," Violet chimed in.
"You're strong enough now to handle Gym challengers easily~"
"Why not just stay and help us guard the Gym~?"
Misty shook her head decisively.
"If I don't travel, I'll never achieve my dream."
Ash and Brock exchanged a glance, both a little puzzled.
Their own dreams were crystal clear—
Ash wanted to become the greatest Pokémon Master,
Brock aimed to be a legendary Pokémon Breeder.
But… they'd never actually heard Misty talk about her dream before.
"Then tell us," Ash said eagerly.
"What's your dream?"
Misty clenched her fists and declared each word clearly:
"To become the strongest Water-type Pokémon Trainer.
In your terms—
a Water-type–exclusive Pokémon Master!"
Ash's tense expression instantly relaxed.
Then he looked genuinely surprised.
"Oh, so your dream is just to become my subordinate?"
Everyone: "?"
"Think about it," Ash continued seriously.
"You want to master Water-types, and I'm going to master all types. If you round it up, isn't that basically saying you want to work under me?"
"This is easy. Call me 'Boss' once, I'll accept you as my underling, and boom—dream achieved."
"I'm definitely going to become a Pokémon Master anyway."
"So you're not losing anything."
He explained it point by point.
Logically sound.
Disturbingly convincing.
Everyone: "..."
From a purely logical standpoint…
there were no obvious flaws.
Misty barely restrained herself from punching him. Instead, she turned sharply to her three sisters.
"In any case! The Cerulean Gym is our family's legacy. While I'm away, you absolutely cannot hand out badges so casually again!"
Though she was the youngest, her presence felt like a stern mother lecturing her kids.
Ash leaned over and quietly poked the muscular man beside him.
"Embarrassed?" he whispered.
"You've got no idea where the honor of the Pewter Gym even went."
Brock's face darkened. His eyes narrowed into slits.
He struggled for a rebuttal… and finally forced one out.
"My face is naturally dark."
Ash: "..."
On the other side—
"But we still need to prepare for synchronized swimming…"
"It's not just a hobby…"
"We still need to make a living…"
The three sisters pleaded pitifully.
Even Misty hesitated this time.
Everyone had their own aspirations.
Her sisters clearly weren't cut out for battling—she couldn't force them to give up their dreams just to be Gym Trainers.
"Ahem."
A cough interrupted them.
Brock had already walked calmly into the center of the Cerulean Sisters, wearing a gentle smile.
"I have a suggestion. I'm not sure if I should say it, but—"
"Say it from over there," Misty snapped, yanking him backward.
"Don't stand so close."
Though they hadn't known each other long, this rugged-looking man—always preaching about rock-solid willpower—
clearly had issues.
He might fool that dense kid next to her,
but she saw right through him.
A certified pervert.
"Anyway," Brock continued politely,
"since there are three sisters, why not select the strongest one to stay behind as the Cerulean Gym Leader? The others can focus on synchronized swimming."
Four pairs of eyes lit up at once.
Great idea!
As for who was the strongest—
"Lil—Misty, the Gym is yours."
"Lil—Misty, our family's Blue legacy is entrusted to you."
"If you mess this up, Grandpa might come chat with you in your dreams."
Daisy and Violet placed their hands firmly on Lily's shoulders.
Who was strongest was debatable.
Who was youngest was not.
Soft persimmons are easiest to squeeze.
Lily: "..."
At this moment, Brock stepped forward again, still smiling gently.
"Ahem, I actually have another suggestion—"
"Since the Gym and aquarium are now separate, that open land in central Pewter City would be a perfect place for synchronized swimming—AAAH!!"
Before he could finish, Misty grabbed him by the ear and dragged him out.
Wolfish ambition, she thought.
Trying to become my brother-in-law(Machamp)? I can't relax for even a second.
Ash hurried after them.
"By the way… doesn't this feel a little too smooth?" he muttered.
"Like we're missing someone?"
Elsewhere
On the road between Viridian Forest and Pewter City
Three figures lay sprawled at the edge of a massive pit, covered in dust and looking utterly miserable.
"This is all your fault, James!" Jessie complained.
"Why did you dig the hole so deep?!"
"Wasn't it your Ekans that dug it?" James shot back.
"Stop arguing, meow!" Meowth shook himself violently, dust flying everywhere.
"Good thing we had some crackers with us. Otherwise, we'd have starved down there!"
James shuddered, then patted Meowth's head in relief.
"We almost had to use our emergency rations."
Emergency rations?
Meowth blinked suspiciously.
With James' brain, he actually planned that far ahead?
"Pull yourselves together, meow!" Jessie said, changing the subject.
"You're our emergency translator Pokémon! We're already days behind that twerp—we need to hurry up and capture that freak Pikachu!"
The trio rallied and decided to rush to Pewter City first for a free meal to recover.
Beep.
A metallic communicator slipped out of James' pocket.
Due to the lack of signal in the pit, messages had only just come through.
"Attention all Team Rocket members.
On the 15th of this month, a large-scale corporate team-building event will be held aboard the S.S. Anne at Vermilion Harbor.
All available members are to participate as assigned, strengthening internal bonds and contributing to the great cause of world peace."
Location: Vermilion City, Pier No. 3
Boarding password:'Smelly fish, smelly fish—I'm rotten shrimp.'
The trio: "..."
Looks like Team Rocket was planning something big.
Checking the date, they realized they had about ten days left.
They immediately set off toward Vermilion City.
A new era—if they seized the opportunity, they too could set sail!
Cerulean City Pokémon Center
Ash placed two half-human-height barrels of Pokémon food on the floor and released Metapod and Pidgeotto.
"Eat up! Especially you, Pidgeotto—look how skinny you are!"
Before Pidgeotto could protest, Ash stuffed a massive mouthful straight into its beak.
Changing the nickname was impossible.
After all, he'd sworn to do it after becoming a Pokémon Master.
That was a promise between men!
Changing it now would make him a liar.
Nearby, the Electric Mouse tried to sneak in for food.
Ash stopped it immediately.
"Pikachu, you don't get any. You've been slacking so much you're getting chubby.
Why don't you dance a bit instead—make the meal more enjoyable for them."
He hadn't forgotten the match-fixing incident.
Pikachu: "???"
Then Ash pulled out his Pokédex.
"You too. You talk so much normally—how about you sing while Pikachu dances?"
"Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep!"
The Pokédex began emitting a string of electronic tones.
Brock & Misty: "..."
Seeing his Pokémon getting along so harmoniously, Ash felt deeply satisfied and walked aside.
He wanted to call his mom and give her an update.
"Hey, Mom! I already have two badges—
Huh? Professor Oak? Why are you at my house?"
On the screen, Ash saw Delia, with a white-haired old man behind her.
"Oh, I was just passing by for a meal," Professor Oak said cheerfully.
Ash frowned.
Isn't it a bit early for that?
Oak continued warmly:
"You already have two Gym Badges—pretty fast! Your next stop should be Vermilion City, right? There's an Electric-type Gym there."
Ash nodded, his fighting spirit reignited.
"Then it's settled—next stop, Vermilion City!"
"Since you're going there, could you do me a favor?" Oak added.
"It's not really for me, but for a junior of mine—Professor Cerise. He's opening a Cerise Laboratory in Vermilion City."
"But there've been some… strange incidents lately. Could you go check it out? I've already spoken very highly of you!"
Flattery worked instantly.
Ash agreed without hesitation.
Before hanging up, he casually asked:
"By the way… why isn't my best friend Gary going instead?"
"Ah—well," Oak coughed awkwardly.
"That kid isn't afraid of anything… except ghosts. He wouldn't dare touch something like this."
Ash's eyes sparkled brighter than ever.
"Then I really feel sorry for my dear friend," he said with a grin.
"Heehee~"
—
(PiAo)
(Fun fact: In Pokémon Origins, Green is afraid of ghosts.)
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