Okay, time for another gym battle! Danny is going to fight Misty for the Cascade Badge! Also, someone's going to evolve again. Who will it be? Just sit back and read.
Chapter 9: Battle on Water
"Cerulean City," Danny said as he and Ann stood near the sign, Chu sitting on his shoulder. "Alright, time to get that second badge!"
"Pika!" Chu exclaimed as the duo raised their arms in the air.
A loud growl was heard and Ann stared at Danny and Chu, who was frozen by the sudden sound.
"…But first, to a restaurant!" Danny exclaimed.
"Pika!" Chu agreed, their arms still in the air.
Ann giggled before the three left to get something to eat. In the restaurant, they were having vegetable stew for lunch. Danny and Ann swore to never eat meat when they learned that meat was made of Pokémon. That, and Chu wouldn't come near them when they eat meat.
"So the Cerulean City Gym only uses Water-Type Pokémon," Danny commented as he finished his stew. "Well that's good news for you, Chu."
"Pi!" Chu said with a nod.
"Gar, Arow and Gyaro can fight too," Ann commented as she sipped her orange juice.
"Yeah," Danny said with a nod. "And Gyaro could use this experience to become stronger."
"So who are you going to use?" Ann asked as they rested, waiting for their lunch to digest.
"It might be another thee-on-three fight," Danny mused as he looked at the ceiling. "I'll go with Chu, Gyaro…and Arow since I rarely used her."
"Well then, let's go!" Danny said as he handed money to the waiter after receiving the check.
"You know, I heard that Cerulean City is famous for their water shows," Ann commented with a smile. "Let's see it after your battle."
"Sure," Danny said with a nod. "Sounds fun."
As the two made their way to the gym, they noticed a large crowd lining up in front of the gym.
"Are all of them Trainers?" Ann asked in shock as they stood at the back of the line.
"Can't be," Danny said as he rubbed his chin. He then noticed a poster nearby and it read 'CERULEAN CITY GYM: WATER FLOWER SHOW SPECIAL!' "Huh, seems like we'll be doing the water show first before the gym battle."
"You mean the gym is in charge of the water show?" Ann asked as she looked at the poster. "Wouldn't that distract them from their gym battles?"
"Who knows," Danny said with a shrug. "Maybe they have a lot of free time."
"Hm? Danny? Ann?" a voice said behind them. The two turned and saw Ash grinning at them with Pikachu beside him. "It's been awhile. How are you guys?"
"We're fine," Danny said with a grin. "Glad to see you up and running. Did you catch any Pokémon on the way here?"
"Yeah! I got two new Pokémon!" Ash said proudly before showing his vest. "I even got my first badge."
"Same here," Danny said as he showed his badge. "And I got six new Pokémon."
"What! No way!" Ash said in shock as Chu and Pikachu started playing wrestling. "You got so many already."
"Guess I'm just lucky," Danny said with a grin. "So you here for a gym battle too?"
"Yeah," Ash said with a nod. "Though I didn't expect a line. This gym must be strong."
"Actually," Ann said as she explained to Ash what was happening.
"Eh!?" Ash exclaimed comically. "A water show!? But this is a gym!"
"No use crying over it," Danny said with a shrug. "Besides, we might see what kind of Pokémon they'll use for the battle, so it'll be a good chance to study our opponent."
"…If you say so," Ash said with a disappointed look.
"Say Ash," Ann suddenly said, getting their friend's attention. "Where's that friend of yours…Misty?"
"Yeah, the girl whose bike you barbequed," Danny said as he remembered the red haired girl who was carrying a burned bike. "I thought she was gonna follow you until you pay her back."
"Actually, she just left this morning," Ash said as he crossed his arm. "It was weird. She was so angry."
"…Are you sure you didn't do anything?" Ann said with a deadpanned expression. "Knowing you, you said something you didn't mean too."
"Hey!"
After a few minutes of waiting in line and talking, the three finally went inside. The place was full with people staring at the large tank that was surrounded by smaller tanks in the center. They walked towards the front where free seats were available.
"Wonder what kind of Water Pokémon we'll see," Danny commented as they waited for the show to start.
"Maybe it'll be a super strong Pokémon, like a Gyarados!" Ash said excitedly.
Suddenly, the lights went out, causing everyone to quiet down. The lights then focus on the tank before three people on a platform appeared. Three beautiful young women appeared, wearing one piece swimsuits. The first one had long, blonde hair wearing yellow, the second one had wavy, blue hair wearing blue and the last one had short, pink hair wearing pink.
"Hello everyone!" the blonde greeted. "Welcome to our special show! My name is Daisy!"
"I'm Violet!" the blue haired exclaimed.
"And I'm Lily!" the pink hair shouted.
"It's the Waterflower Sisters!" the crowd cheered as different Water Pokemon jumped towards the big tank. As one, the three sisters dived towards the water, creating a small splash. Everyone watched as the sisters swam along the school Goldeen, Seaking and a lone Seel. It was like watching them do ballet underwater.
"Amazing," Ann said with sparkly eyes. "What do you guys think?"
"It's…okay?" Ash said reluctantly.
"…Those Pokémon are only for show," Danny said with a serious expression, getting his friends' attention. "The way they move isn't fit for battle and their bodies doesn't have any scars on it. They're not for gym battles."
"Wow," Ash said with an awed expression. "You can tell all that just by looking?"
"I'm just very observant," Danny said with a grin as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Once the show was over, there was a large applause. The three waited as the sisters started signing autographs from the large crowd.
"Man, this is gonna take forever," Ash groaned as he slumped on his chair.
"Ash!" a voice exclaimed.
The three turned and Danny's eyes widened when he saw Brock.
"Brock!?" Danny and Ann exclaimed.
"Danny? Ann?" Brock said, surprised to see them "I didn't expect to see you guys here."
"Likewise," Danny said with a grin as the two shook hands.
"You know each other?" Ash asked, looking at Brock and Danny.
"Yeah," Brock said with a nod. "He challenged me in a gym battle before you did. He did the same thing you did, Ash."
"Ash used the sprinklers?" Danny said with a surprise expression.
"Actually, that was an accident," Ash admitted.
"He forfeited the match, but it was his win, so I gave him the badge," Brock said. "He proved that he was determined to win and become stronger."
"So he didn't beat you," Danny commented as he stared at Ash, who was avoiding looking at him. "Geez, Ash. You need to catch up and fast. Those two are already ahead, and with the way you're going, you might not make it."
"You don't need to remind me," Ash said with a frown.
"So Brock, why are you traveling with Ash?" Ann asked. "What about the gym?"
"My dad decided to take over," Brock replied. "So I can finally travel and become a Pokémon Breeder."
"Good for you," Danny said.
Finally, after an hour and a half, the crowd was gone, leaving the group of four Trainers and two Pokémon. Danny and Ash went down the audience seats and walked towards the three sisters, who were resting.
"Excuse us," Danny called, getting their attention.
"Sorry, kids," Daisy said. "But autograph signing is over. Come back tomorrow, okay?"
"Actually, we're here for a gym battle," Ash said with a determined expression. "So we challenge you for the gym badge!"
He pointed at them dramatically as the girls stared at him. After a few minutes of awkward, Violet answered them.
"Sorry kid, but we can't do a gym battle," she said apologetically.
"EH!?" Ash and Danny exclaimed in shock.
"You see, we used all of our gym Pokémon this morning and they all got beaten," Lily haired explained as she pulled out a Pokéball. "Our last Pokémon is this one."
She opened it and out came a Goldeen jumping around the floor.
"It only knows Horn Attack and that's it," she said before recalling Goldeen. "The others are in the Pokémon Center."
"Oh, well that's disappointing," Ash said with a slump.
"If you want, you can have the badge," Daisy said, surprising the two Trainers. She whistled and the Seel jumped from the water and waddle towards them. It stuck its tongue out, showing a tear-shaped badge. She picked it up and handed it to the two. "Here, the Cascade Badge."
"Eh, but we can't just take it," Ash said, uncertain on what to do.
"How about we just say that you won?" Daisy said with a smile.
"Sorry," Danny said as he crossed his arms. "But I won't accept that."
"Why not?" Lily asked, curious. "You want the badge, right? So just take it."
"It's not about getting the badge," Danny said, his expression serious. "I want to earn my badges with my and my Pokémon's strength. Gym badges are the signs that we worked hard for it and if I take this badge without winning a gym battle, then I can't call myself a Pokémon Trainer."
Ash stared at Danny with wide eyes. Danny was passionate for a few things, and Pokémon battle was one of them. To hear him refusing to take the badge without fighting for it caused him to refuse as well. He was a Trainer and he'll act that way. Brock gave Danny an impressed look while Ann smiled at him. The three sisters were also looking at Danny with wide eyes, never hearing such inspirational words from a kid.
"I'll come back tomorrow," Danny said as he started walking away. "You coming, Ash?"
"Yeah,"
"Not so fast!" a voice exclaimed above them. Everyone looked up and saw Misty standing on the top bleachers.
"Misty?" Ash said as she jumped from the bleachers and in front of them. "What are you doing here?"
"It's natural for me to be here since it's my home," Misty said as she place a hand on her hips. "I'm the fourth Waterflower sister!"
"Actually, it's just three sisters and one brat," Violet said, causing Misty to glare at her.
"Anyway, since my sisters can't do the gym battle, I'll do it instead," Misty said as she pointed at Danny. "I accept your challenge, Danny Fenton!"
"Hey, what about me?" Ash said, pointing at himself.
"Well, Danny had a point when he refused the badge, so I'll battle him first," Misty explained.
"That, and I was here first," Danny added with a nod, causing Ash to slump in defeat.
"Fine," he said before grinning at Danny. "Good luck, Danny."
Danny nodded as he grinned. A minute later, Danny and Misty were facing each other, the field a giant pool with only a couple of platforms. Ann, Ash, Brock and Pikachu were sitting on the bleachers while Lily and Daisy were sitting behind Misty. On the side was a giant screen that showed Danny and Misty's faces with three blank slots below them.
"I'll be acting as your referee," Violet said as she stood near the edge of the pool. "It'll be a three-on-three gym battle and the match will be over when either Trainer has no remaining Pokémon. On the blue side is the challenger, Danny Fenton from Pallet Town and on the red side is the Gym Leader, Misty Waterflower. Only the challenger is allowed to substitute during battle."
"Well then, ladies first," Danny said with a grin.
"Alright, then I choose Goldeen!" Misty exclaimed as she threw her Pokeball. A Goldeen appeared and dive into the water. On the screen that showed Misty, Goldeen appeared on the slots.
"Arow, go battle!" Danny shouted as he threw his Pokeball into the air. Arow appeared and flew around the air, her fierce eyes showing that she's ready to fight. Back to the screen, Arow appeared.
"Let's start with of with Water Gun!" Misty ordered. Goldeen jumped from the water and fired at Arow, who easily dodged it. "Keep firing until you hit it, Goldeen!"
Goldeen kept firing as Arow flew across the air, doing barrel rolls to dodge the attacks. Danny was analyzing Goldeen's timing of jumping out the water before going back in.
"Wait for it," Danny whispered as Goldeen jumped out the water and fired. "Now Arow, Quick Attack!"
Arow dodged the Water Gun and quickly tackled Goldeen, who was defenseless in the air.
"Goldeen!" Misty exclaimed.
"That's what happens when a fish fights a bird in the air," Danny said. "Arow, keep attacking with Peck and Scratch!"
Arow screeched and started attacking Goldeen with her beak and talons. Soon, Goldeen fell back to the water, its eyes swirling.
"Goldeen can no longer battle!" Violet declared.
"Alright!" Ash cheered as Goldeen's picture on the screen darkened.
"Thank you, Goldeen," Misty said with a smile as she recalled her Pokémon. "I got to say, that was impressive."
"Thanks," Danny said with a grin. "You're not half bad yourself."
"Alright then," Misty said as she pulled out another Pokeball. "Staryu, I chose you!"
In a flash of light, a star-shaped, brown colored Pokémon with a red gem on the center appeared.
"What's that Pokémon?" Danny asked as he pulled out Dex.
"Staryu, the Starfish Pokémon," Dex said in his mechanical voice. "Staryu's center section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky."
"That's interesting," Danny commented to himself before looking at Arow. "Wanna go on, Arow?"
Arow nodded before looking at Staryu with a fierce glare.
"Then go and use Wing Attack!"
Arow flew towards Staryu, her wings glowing.
"Staryu, Harden!"
Staryu suddenly glimmered a bit before it became shinier. Arow hit it with her Wing Attack, but Staryu was barely faze by it. Surprised, Arow kept the attack going, but it did little effect.
"Use Water Gun!"
"Arow, stop and get back in the air," Danny ordered quickly. Arow flew up, but she got grazed by the attack. She flew around to dodge the Water Gun.
"Get that bird with Spin Attack!"
Staryu levitated from the ground and started spinning like a throwing star, going towards Arow. She dodged it easily, smirking a bit.
"Arow, behind you!"
Startled, Arow turned her head and got hit on the back by Staryu. She fell and landed in the water. She tried to get out, but Misty has other ideas.
"Now's your chance, use Water Gun!"
With no place to dodge, Arow received the full force of the attack. She was then floating on her back, her eyes swirling.
"Arow is unable to battle!" Violet declared as Arow's picture in the screen darkened.
"Good job, Staryu!" Misty cheered happily.
"Thank you, Arow," Danny said as he recalled Arow. "Get some rest. Alright then, Chu, go battle!"
"Pika!" Chu exclaimed as he hopped towards the platforms on all fours, ready to fight. Next to Arow's screen, Chu's face appeared.
"Oh my gosh, it's so cute!" Lily exclaimed as she spotted Chu.
"That Shiny Pikachu is so adorable!" Daisy agreed gushingly.
"Winner's that Pikachu!" Violet exclaimed with starry eyes.
"Hey, be serious!" Misty exclaimed, looking annoyed at her sisters while Chu blushed at the praise he was getting.
"You're quite the ladies magnet, huh buddy?" Danny said with a smirk.
"Pika!" Chu exclaimed embarrassedly.
"Anyway, use Water Gun!" Misty ordered once it calmed down a bit.
"Dodge it, Chu!"
Chu jumped from one platform to another to dodge the attack from Staryu. Chu spun into the air to avoid the blast of water, like he was dancing.
"Wait…that's just like how the show went!" Ann exclaimed as she noticed how similar the movements were.
"You're right," Ash said with wide eyes. "Chu's using the same moves."
"So cute and talented!" Lily exclaimed. "I want one!"
"I want to cuddle him!" Daisy gushed.
"Keep it up, Staryu!"
"Chu, Thunderbolt!"
Chu fired his Thunderbolt towards Staryu, who quickly went to the water to avoid it. Staryu then appeared behind Chu and fired, but Chu quickly dodge it. Chu fired again, but Staryu escaped back in the water.
"So you want to play it like that, huh?" Danny said. "Then Chu, use Thunderbolt on the water!
"Pi…ka…chu!" Chu exclaimed as he released a strong electric attack in the water.
"Staryu, no!" Misty exclaimed as the water exploded a little, creating a small shower. A second later, Staryu was floating on its back, a swirl on the gem.
"Staryu is unable to battle!" Violet declared.
"Alright!" Ann exclaimed from her seat.
"Danny seemed to have gotten stronger from the last time I saw him," Brock commented. "It hasn't been that long, but he improved."
Misty recalled Staryu, smiling proudly at it before pulling out her last Pokémon.
"It's all up to you now, Starmie!" she shouted as she threw her Pokeball in the air. In a flash of light, another starfish Pokémon appeared. It was bigger and it was purple. It has ten points and the gem was eight sided. Starmie appeared on Misty's last slot.
"Okay, who's that Pokémon?" Danny pointed his Pokedex at Starmie.
"Starmie, the Starfish Pokémon and the evolve form of Staryu. Starmie's center section—the core—glows brightly in seven colors. Because of its luminous nature, this Pokémon has been given the nickname 'the gem of the sea'."
"Oh, that's pretty," Danny said with a grin. "Let's fry it. Chu, Thunderbolt!"
Chu fired a powerful lighting attack at Starmie.
"Starmie, use Reflect!"
A barrier appeared in front of Starmie and the Thunderbolt hit it. The attack then went back to Chu, much to their shock. The attack hit Chu, but it barely made him flinch.
"That won't work on Chu," Danny said.
"But it'll distract him," Misty said with a smirk. "Now Starmie, while his distracted, Spin Attack!"
"Chu, watch out!" Danny exclaimed as Starmie was spinning towards him.
"Ka!" Chu exclaimed as he was hit by Starmie.
"Now Water Gun!"
Starmie shot at Chu, sending him flying.
"Chu!" Danny exclaimed.
"Finish it off with Swift!" Misty ordered. Starmie fired a lot of stars towards Chu, who couldn't dodge because of the last attack. Chu exclaimed in pain as the Swift attack hit his entire body.
The Electric Mouse Pokémon landed on a platform, his eyes swirling.
"Chu is unable to battle!"
Danny hopped towards Chu and picked him up before hopping back to his side of the field and running towards Ann.
"Rest up, buddy," Danny said. "You earn it."
He walked back to his side of the arena. He pulled out a Pokeball and threw it in the air.
"Go battle, Gyaros!" he shouted as Gyaros appeared in the water, his scales shining brightly.
On the screen, Gyaros appeared in Danny's last empty slot.
"Woah!" Ash exclaimed as he saw the golden Magikarp. "He has another Shiny?"
"He has two more, actually," Ann said with a chuckle as Ash gave her a look of disbelief.
"Wow! That Magikarp looks so pretty," the three older sisters said as they stared at Gyaros' golden scales.
"Alright then, Starmie use-!" Misty shouted when the walls suddenly exploded.
"What the spooks?" Danny exclaimed as a giant robot shaped like a vacuum appeared. On the middle of its body was a red R.
Laughter erupted from the robot as three figures emerged from the top. It as Jessie, James and Meowth.
"Prepare for trouble," Jessie started.
"And make it double," James continued.
"To protect the-."
"Oi! We're in the middle of something here!" Danny exclaimed in an annoyed voice. "Go bother someone else, you clowns!"
"My, how rude!" James exclaimed. "We were about to do our motto!"
"You're the rude ones here!" Danny exclaimed. "We were battling!"
"You should be more worried about us stealing your Pokémon!" Jessie exclaimed. "Meowth, activate the machine!"
"On it, Meowth!" Meowth exclaimed as he pulled out a controller and activated the machine. The vacuum started sucking the pool full of Water Pokémon.
"Hey! That's our Pokémon!" Daisy exclaimed.
"It's ours now," Jessie exclaimed. She then spotted Gyaros. "Well, well, well, what a pretty Magikarp. It would go well with our collection. Meowth."
"On it, meowth!"
The vacuum then turned to Gyaros and Starmie. The two tried to resist, but the vacuum's suction was too strong and they were getting suck by the machine, along with the water and platforms.
"Starmie!" Misty exclaimed as she resist the suction.
"Gyaros!" Danny exclaimed, and without thinking, let himself get carried by the vacuum.
"Danny!" Ann and Ash exclaimed as Danny used the platforms to get closer to Gyaros.
"Kachu Pi!" Chu exclaimed.
"Gotcha!" Danny exclaimed as he grabbed Gyaros and Starmie. He then noticed that they were close to the vacuum's nozzle. "Uh oh."
Before they enter the nozzle, he threw the two Pokémon to the side so he won't get caught. Gyaros' eyes widened as he saw his Trainer getting suck in the robot, taking their place.
"You miss them, Meowth," Jessie said as she spotted Gyaros. "Go and do it right!."
"No need to tell me twice!" Meowth exclaimed. "Come here, fishes!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered.
"Pika…chu!" Pikachu shouted, firing at the robot, temporarily stopping it.
"Grr…take care of the twerp and make sure to take his Pikachu!" Jessie ordered.
Before Meowth could follow the order, they noticed something glowing in the pool. Everyone turned their attention to Gyaros, who was shining brightly.
"No way," Ann said. "Gyaros is evolving!"
Everyone watched as Gyaros' body started changing; it grew bigger and more serpentine. The glow died and in place of the gold Magikarp was a platinum colored Gyarados, looking very angry.
"RAAAA!" Gyaros roared loudly, causing a small earthquake.
"Woah…" Ash said as he pulled out his PokeDex.
"Gyarados, the Water Dragon Pokémon. Once Gyarados goes on a rampage, its ferociously violent blood doesn't calm until it has burned everything down. There are records of this Pokémon's rampages lasting a whole month."
Gyaros glared at Team Rocket, who were shaking in fear. He roared and grabbed the nozzle of the robot before tearing it off, making the robot useless.
"Oh no!" James exclaimed.
"Relax," Meowth said, getting over the Intimidation effect. "We still have others. We just need to hightail out of here!"
As he said those words, the robot's behind suddenly exploded, surprising them. They looked and saw the Water Pokemon hopping out of it, followed by Danny and Char.
"Nice job, Char," Danny said before he spotted the Shiny Gyarados. "Gyaros?"
"Ra!" Gyaros said with a nod.
"You evolved? Awesome!" Danny exclaimed with a grin before turning to Team Rocket, who were now defenseless. "Let's see how strong you've become. Use Water Gun!"
With a roar, Gyaros fired a large Water Gun towards the robot. The robot was sent flying out the gym before it exploded in the air.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they exclaimed as they were flying into the sky before disappearing.
"You've gotten stronger, Gyaros," Danny said as the Gyarados nuzzled at him. "That tickles! Hahaha!"
He then turned to Misty, who was hugging her Starmie happily.
"So then, let's continue!" Danny exclaimed.
"There's no need to," Daisy said, getting their attention. She, Violet and Lily walked towards Danny before they showed him the Cascade Badge. "You earn this, Danny."
"What? But No one won yet," Danny said with a confused tone.
"It's already obvious who'll win," Misty said as she walked towards them, looking at Gyaros' hulking form. "Besides, you proved that you're a strong Trainer and saved our Pokémon. So go ahead and take it."
"Thanks," Danny said with a grin as he took the Cascade Badge from Daisy and showing it to his friends. "I got the Cascade Badge!"
"Pikachu!"
"Charmander!"
"Grah!"
"That was awesome, Danny!" Ash said with a grin. "Alright, now it's my turn!"
"Sorry Ash," Misty said as she looked at the partially destroyed gym. "But I'm afraid we'll have to postpone. We need to repair the gym."
"That's right, we have to repair it," Daisy said as she put a hand on Misty's shoulder. "Which means all of us has to help out."
"That's right, so help us out, Ash," Misty said as she grabbed Ash by the shoulder with a smile.
"Hold on, why do I have to help!?" Ash exclaimed.
"Because it'll be faster that way," Misty explained slyly. "Besides, don't you want your badge already?"
"Fine," Ash grumbled before turning to Danny. "You'll help too, right Danny?"
He saw the spot where Danny was standing empty and saw him running to the exit with Ann, Chu, Gyaros and Char following him.
"Hey! Help me out here!" Ash exclaimed as his two friends ran.
"Good luck, Ash!" Danny exclaimed as they exited the gym, grinning widely. "See ya aound!"
And so the ship has sunk! Danny got another badge and Gyaros has level up! What's next for our hero? Now time for reviews!
GirlFish- They'll evolve in the later chapters. Chu will evolve in the Johto Region. And for Togepi, that's a surprise. Cujo will be a Shiny. As for Charmander, he came from the Pokémon Breeders, where the Pokémon eggs come from. Free is a surprise. The Eevee, well, it's both yes and no. The flashback…maybe. Well, Shiny Pokemon are stronger and rarer, so they'll be targeted a lot. As I said in a previous chapter, Dani will begin when Danny's in Hoenn. Skulker? Maybe.
SPARTAN-626- The OC will appear in one of those special events and maybe in the Pokémon League. And yes, the capsule was from Dragon Balls. I mean, if they can make a device to trap animals into capsules, why not objects?
KuriMaster13- Yup, me time is needed to relax. And yes, just a few Zubats. And the cruel trainer will get beaten down!
Phantomspirit12- That does sound funny.
bloodyredrose1994- Thanks for the suggestion. I tweaked it a bit, if that's fine.
Kaybugg1- Mega thank you.
ShadowlordZane- Sure. Scyther are cool Pokemon, especially after they evolve.
And that's all folks. Next chapter, Valerie appears and a battle happens. What else could happen? See you later!