Cerulean City, the Water Capital of the Kanto region, the mysterious Azure City.
To obtain his second badge, Ash traveled here with Brock.
Although there was a slight hiccup at Pewter Gym, where Brock didn't allow Ash to enjoy a battle beyond the original story's level, Ash was still full of anticipation for Cerulean City.
As arguably the weakest Gym in the Kanto region in the original story, if the Three Vases Sisters could reflect deeply on their shame, it wouldn't be a bad thing for them to find courage afterward.
The Professor Oaks Laboratory banner would certainly be pleased~
So Ash had prepared thoroughly and absolutely would not do anything distracting before the challenge, Li Ke accompanying Brock to watch some Water Ballet performance... "That will be 1,500 units for three tickets."
"What did you say?" When Ash arrived at the Gym entrance, which was marked with a Dewgong sign, he was stunned by the staff member's gesture of asking for money.
"Did I not make myself clear? I'm here for a Gym challenge, not to watch some Water Ballet performance." Ash tried to explain to the staff member that he was a legitimate Trainer, not some old pervert... at least he wasn't old!
"I know you're a Trainer, but you still have to pay." The staff member explained seriously, "The Gym challenge will be scheduled after the performance. Until then, this door serves as the ticket gate, and everyone must enter with a ticket."
"Well... paying isn't the problem, but there are only two of us. Why are you charging for three people?" Ash decided to accept the loss, but not completely.
"You misunderstood. 'Three people' refers to the performers being the three beautiful sisters of Cerulean. Each sister's ticket is 500 units, so three people naturally cost 1,500."
The staff member extended his hand to the side, and Brock, who was already out of it, obediently handed over his share of the toll, making Ash's face darken.
"Excuse me, staff member, do you think there's a possibility that I only watch one person's performance?"
"I apologize, but the Water Ballet is a group performance..." The staff member clasped his hands together, giving a professional smile. "So, that will be 1,500 units~"
"Fine, I'll pay." To get the badge and challenge the Gym quickly, Ash decided to just bleed the money.
It's not Li Ke he was short on cash... *Hiss*, that hurts.
"Enjoy the show." After taking the money, the staff member ushered Ash through the door. "Also, after the performance, Trainers can receive a special surprise with their ticket stub."
"A surprise... what is that?"
"Our Gym guarantees it will be worth the value."
Hearing this, Ash couldn't help but become interested.
Great value for money... Could it be that Cerulean Gym is innovating, following the games by giving prize money to challengers?
According to the guide book, the Cerulean Gym battle is a three-on-three match. Considering the prize money levels in the game, winning should net around 3,000 or more... The ticket just cost 1,500, so mathematically, it is indeed great value for money.
Thinking this way, Ash immediately stopped feeling like he had lost too much blood (money).
Patiently taking a seat in the audience with Brock, Ash tore off a tissue and handed it to the person next to him who had a piggish expression... "Here, wipe your drool."
"Ah... yes, that water is truly white..."
Ash:...To be honest, the legs of the Cerulean Sisters... Ptooey!
What Ash meant was that the performance, from a professional and technical standpoint, was only mediocre. The reason it maintained such high attendance was mainly due to the performers boosting ticket sales... Of course, the costumes and choreography were also key.
After all... looking around, ninety-nine percent of the audience were gentlemen~
And the most gentlemanly one was the person right next to him!
Watching the entranced Brock beside him, Ash couldn't help but inwardly grumble... If he ever became an old pervert, it would definitely be because Brock led him astray~
"Pikachu, don't look either, you'll pick up bad habits." Ash held Pikachu in his arms and used his hand to cover its eyes.
But soon, Pikachu managed to pry open a gap between the fingers with its short little paws... Pikachu:
(There is an illustration here, viewable after updating the version)
Finally enduring until the end of the performance, Ash immediately rushed backstage, stopped the three sisters, and stated his request for a Gym battle.
"You're here to challenge the Gym, I see." After learning Ash's intentions, the three sisters led him to the battle arena backstage.
Just as Ash was about to step onto the challenger's spot, the eldest sister, Sakura, clapped her hands and called over a Seel, which then stuck out its tongue and delivered the badge held in its mouth!
(This is... are they really just going to give away the badge for free?!)
At this moment, another person appeared. She was instantly enraged upon realizing the three sisters were about to hand out a badge without a battle.
However, after noticing that Ash didn't immediately accept it, she chose to wait and watch again... "Excuse me, what is the meaning of this?" Ash asked, frowning.
What's going on? So the badge is just given away for free?
"We're giving you a badge. Isn't that what you want~" The second sister, Ayame, said, pointing to the badge. "Didn't the staff tell you when you came in that Trainers who challenge the Gym receive a special surprise?"
"Your so-called special surprise... refers to giving away the badge for free?" Ash continued to probe. "What about the Gym battle? Is it not required?"
Could it be, like in the original story, that they were beaten so badly they have no usable Pokémon left?
"Of course, it's not necessary. We're busy making ourselves beautiful every day; who has time for battles?" The third sister, Botan, said matter-of-factly. "Anyway, Trainers in Kanto are so strong now, always using Grass-type and Electric-type counters. Since we can't win, we might as well just give away the badge."
"So... I spent money, wasted time watching a meaningless performance, and in the end, there was no battle, I just bought a badge?"
Seeing the Cerulean Three Vases completely giving up, Ash was truly angry this time!
"Hey, what are you saying, little brother? What do you mean by meaningless performance? We are so beautiful~" Ayame retorted in a sharp, displeased voice. "Look closely, which one of us three sisters isn't fair-skinned, beautiful, and long-legged? You should be happy you got to watch the show!"
"Exactly! The three ladies are simply perfect, please allow This humble one to..."
"Brock, stop." Ash directly hit Brock's mute button.
"In short, this is the situation at Cerulean Gym. We won't be having a battle. You should just take the badge and leave quickly." Sakura advised somewhat resentfully. "I really don't know why you're being so persistent; everyone else is clearly happy with this..."
"With all due respect, you are neglecting your duties!" Ash accused unhappily. "A challenger might come to the Gym fully prepared and full of anticipation, only to gain no experience, merely buying a badge to settle the matter."
"And the three of you, instead of providing proper guidance, are allowing them to stray further down the wrong path. Your actions completely violate a Gym Leader's professional ethics!"
"Then what exactly do you want?!" Ayame said angrily.
"I'm calling the police."
"No way... calling the police again?" Brock, having snapped back to reality, looked utterly bewildered.
Don't tell me you want Jenny to arrest the Cerulean Sisters' lost relatives too?
While Brock was making random associations, Ash had already walked straight towards the video phone inside the Gym...