Chapter 9 Crystal Blue

After a couple of days of travelling they arrived at Vermillion City heading straight for the harbour to catch the first ship to the Seafoam Islands. They noticed that they still had a few minutes to spare before the ship set sail so they took this opportunity to get some much needed supplies for the voyage and given they were going to an island Misty knew this would be a good place for to catch some new water Pokemon to help her back at the gym.

"Ok guys let's go I'm already now." Said Misty as she exited from the local pokemart.

"You sure you have everything Misty?" Asked Ash

"Yeah I'm sure why do you ask?"

"Well I'm just thinking that given it'll have some strong Pokemon there I'm just thinking you'll need more than standard pokeballs." Said Ash

"Oh I'm way ahead of you Ash I bought mostly ultraballs and even made an order with Kurt in Jhoto for some Lure balls a few weeks ago." She said with a smile

"Of course you did you always were the most prepared member of the group." He said

"Ok guys let's go the ship is set to leave shortly." Said Brock

They nodded in understanding and made their way towards the port to get on board and make their way to the Seafoam Islands. The Seafoam Islands was not that far of a voyage and would only take a few minutes to reach their destination, Ash and Co took advantage of the buffet on the ship as they expected it to take up a lot of energy going through the caves to find the first crystal.

After 30 minutes of travelling the ship captain made a call out to the passengers of the ship that they are about to pull in at the Seafoam Islands and if they are looking to get off here that they should make ready to depart. As soon as the gang got off the ship and made their way to the caves Misty began to act differently, and as soon as they reached the cave entrance Misty walked straight through without stopping Ash, Brock and Pikachu looked at each other in confusion but followed none the less. After 10 minutes of following they reach a dead end not sure what to think they began to check out the area, Misty was just standing in front of the wall she stopped in front of and seemed to be off in her own little world concerned about his friend Ash walked up to her to see if she was ok and as he got close to her he noticed that she was muttering he wasn't sure what she was saying but figured it was something related to the crystal so he listened in as best he could but couldn't make out what was being said. As soon as he moved back a hole in the wall opened up from seemingly nowhere and it shocked both Ash and Brock at what was happening Misty walked through the hole in the wall and so did Ash and Brock as they passed through 10 meters through the newly created hole they came to an opening with a single light from the ceiling shinning on the blue crystal as soon as Ash stepped forward the room shoot hot water at him as a sort of self-defence security system so Ash was knocked back and gathered himself back up and moved back to the group.

"Well I guess it wasn't as easy I had hoped." He said

"Pika Pikachu Pika Pi."

"I'm ok Pikachu just a little taken by surprise that's all."

"Well you can't expect them not to be defended by something Ash." Said Brock

"Hmm I suppose you are right." Replied Ash

Misty took a step forward looking to reach the crystal as soon as she reached the walkthrough a Pokemon emerged from the water.

It was Suicune, he stood strong and majestic.

"Oh great chosen guardian of the water crystal before you can take the crystal you must battle with me and capture me if you succeed you may claim the powers of the water crystal. Fail and you will be forced to leave never able to return for a retry." Said Suicune

Both Ash and Brock looked at each other with concern how was Misty going to defeat Suicune she may have caught a couple of new Pokemon but they didn't know how she'd pull this off but hoped she'd find a way. They all knew Misty was a strong trainer and gym leader and knew it would only improve her skill level and could aid them in their journey to stopping team rocket.

"You can do this Misty I know you can." Shouted Ash in encouragement

Misty blushed in embarrassment as Ash cheered her own as their roles were usually reversed, she could help but smile now with a new sense of confidence she knew she could do this and she grabbed the pokeball holding one of her new Pokemon prepared for battle.

"Let's go" She said as she assumed the battle position.