Cerulean City was wrapped in a gentle veil of mist. Clear rivers flowed through the city, their surfaces shimmering with light, where Magikarp and Poliwag swam leisurely. The buildings along the streets were mostly pale blue and white, their soft lines in stark contrast to the heavy stone structures of Pewter City. The air carried a cool, damp freshness— even the sunlight seemed tinged with moisture.
Holding Shuppet in his arms, Ren stood at the entrance of the Pokémon Center, stretching lightly. The journey from Pewter City, along with several real battle trainings, had left both Trainer and Pokémon slightly fatigued—but their understanding of each other had grown even stronger.
Shuppet rested in his arms, its small nose twitching as it sniffed the unfamiliar moisture in the air. There was curiosity… and a hint of caution. While Water-type environments didn't directly counter Ghost-types, the damp atmosphere still felt somewhat uncomfortable to it.
Ren lowered his gaze and gently stroked its head. Viridian Power flowed quietly, easing away that faint discomfort.
Just then, the system's prompt sounded as expected.
[Ding—Main Mission Triggered: Cerulean Gym Challenge]
[Mission Objective: Defeat the Cerulean Gym Leader and obtain the Cascade Badge]
[Mission Notice: The Cerulean Gym uses a 2v2 Double Battle format. Please prepare accordingly.]
[Mission Reward: Water-Resistance Berries ×3, Advanced Pokéblock Recipe, Special Energy Fragment ×1]
Ren's eyes paused slightly.
A Double Battle.
Since beginning his journey as a Trainer, this was the first time he had encountered such a format. Both sides would send out two Pokémon simultaneously. Moves could be coordinated—or even accidentally affect allies. It required not only strong command but also deep synergy between Pokémon.
But he currently had only one partner—
Shuppet.
To challenge the Gym, he would need another approach.
He didn't rush to the Gym. Instead, he brought Shuppet into the Pokémon Center to rest.
In the crafting area, Ren took out the Ghost-type Berries he had previously obtained and used the upgraded tools to continue refining higher-tier Pokéblocks suited for Shuppet. Selection, proportioning, compression, shaping—his movements were now smooth and practiced.
Before long, several deep-blue Pokéblocks with a crisp, cool fragrance were completed.
Shuppet immediately floated closer, nibbling at them in small bites. Its eyes narrowed in comfort, and the ghostly energy around its body became more condensed and refined.
After resting, Ren brought Shuppet to the shallow outskirts of Cerulean City. The area was rich with aquatic plants and teeming with wild Pokémon. Because of the nearby water, Bug-, Grass-, and Water-type Pokémon often appeared together—making it the perfect environment to simulate double battle conditions.
Before long, a disturbance rustled through the area.
Two wild Pokémon emerged one after the other, staring at Ren and Shuppet with wary expressions.
[Ding—Side Mission Triggered: Double Battle Simulation Training]
[Mission Objective: Command Shuppet to defeat two opponents simultaneously, simulating a double battle scenario]
[Mission Reward: Speed-Enhanced Pokéblock Recipe ×1, Random Berries ×2]
The system prompt came at just the right moment.
Ren's gaze sharpened slightly as he gently set Shuppet down.
Calmly, he directed it to take advantage of its speed—moving constantly, dodging fluidly. First, it used Astonish to disrupt both opponents, then alternated between Shadow Claw and Night Shade, maintaining a steady rhythm as it picked them off one by one.
Shuppet's movements were ghostlike—swift and elusive. Its attacks were precise and clean, never once allowing the two opponents to seize control of the battle.
In just a short time, both wild Pokémon collapsed, losing the ability to battle.
[Ding—Side Mission "Double Battle Simulation Training" Completed]
[Rewards Granted: Speed-Enhanced Pokéblock Recipe ×1, Random Berries ×2]
Ren bent down and picked Shuppet up, feeding it a Pokéblock while softly praising its performance.
Through this simulated battle, both Trainer and Pokémon had significantly improved their adaptability to double battle conditions.
It also strengthened Ren's resolve—
to challenge the Gym alone, facing two opponents with just one partner.
As the sun set, the waters of Cerulean City were dyed in shades of gold and crimson.
Holding Shuppet in his arms, Ren gazed toward the Cerulean Gym built upon the water in the distance.
His expression was calm.
Yet resolute.
The challenge of the double battle—
was now right before him.