Chapter 29 - Misty Battles

Walking down the dirt road towards Cerulean City, home of the water type gym, the City was exactly the same as when Ash and Pikachu arrived last year. Since it was early in the morning and the sun was shining brightly overhead, the group made their way straight to the black haired boy's next battleground as soon as the were in the City.

The Cerulean gym was a dome shape with a yellow and pink roof patterned like a circus tent. Upon in sat a Dewdong that appeared to ride the white waves that wrapped around the edge. There was a short winding path that brought the group of four straight to the water Pokemon gym.

Inside, crowds of people were seated around a large pool with a diving board, making it look more like a stadium than a gym. Then a strange ringing sound echoed around them as someone announced, Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the stars of our show: the Sensational Cerulean City Swimming Sisters."

Bright lights began to whirl around at the announcement before landing on the diving board. There three women stood waving at the crowd, smiling and blowing kisses. It was obvious that they were not shy when it came to standing in front of a massive audience.

"I am in love," Brock suddenly said from behind Ash.

The black haired boy had to admit that the three women were very beautiful. The first woman had shiny golden hair, slightly brighter than Louise's whose was pale blonde. Wearing a short bright red swimming dress and deep green eyes, she was a knockout and the audience made sure she knew it. The second sister had brown eyes and shiny indigo coloured haired wearing a just as short green dress. The last woman had blue eyes, pink hair and wore a yellow dress. In truth, they didn't look anything like biological sisters, unless one of their parents had a child with a different spouse every time or they were adopted. Ash was leaning more towards adoption since they looked to be roughly the same age.

The crowd, like Brock, began to cheer the three beauties on as they dived off the board, twirled and landed in the water with a splash - all in perfect securitisation. They then danced and performed in the water below.

After the performance, Ash and the group went around the back to find the supposed gym leaders. The boy wondering where on earth Misty was. When he did find them he quickly requested a battle.

"We don't want to battle," the blonde told Ash.

"Yeah, we prefer to focus on our performances and our beauty," the pink haired one said with her arms behind her hand.

Brock, upon hearing this, snapped out of his lovesick phase and glared at the girls. "I am the gym leader of Pewter City and I know that it is our responsibility to accept every challenge. Why are you refusing a trainer the right to earn a badge?"

"Like, if he wants a badge he can take it," the indigo haired woman said and the blonde pulled out a light blue raindrop badge.

"No, thank you," Ash frowned. "I would rather earn my badges."

As Ash walked away from the three sisters, not really noticing that Louise and Brock were left behind. He was fuming! These gym leaders were lazy and unwilling to deal with the responsibilities given to them when they became a league approved gym. Unbelievable!

"Wait!" Someone shouted from the darkness. "I will battle him."

It was a girl with bright orange hair and viridian green eyes. Wearing shorts and a baggy shirt with her hair tied messily to the side. It was obvious that she was a tomboy.

"Misty" Ash suddenly shouted surprising Louise and Brock who wonder how the boy knew her.

"That's right," came her quick-witted reply. "This is great. If Daisy won't battle you then I will."

Ash the girl said this, Ash recalled his conversation with her. She had been right, her sisters were more like performers than gym leaders. However, the boy found it inconceivable that any gym leader would prefer to do something else. After all, they would have to work very hard to get approved by the Pokemon League, so only people that are passionate about this line of work would have succeeded. So, convinced that the only fair battle that he will get from the Cerulean gym is from Misty, Ash nodded his head in agreement.


Cerulean gyms water battle area consisted of a giant pool and thick floating platforms. The boy and his friends had expected more from the gym which had sisters that always seemed like they want the things that look best. In order to keep up appearance. However, he did not really care, he was going to win his next badge and get far away from the orange haired girl before she decided to tag along again. After, despite getting along with her better now, Ash would not want to put up with her any longer than he has to.

"I wasn't planning on challenging anyone today, I was expecting you to come a little later, closer to the time that you arrive in Cerulean last year. However, despite how unprepared I am, it has to be done," the loud mouth girl said. "If you want that cascade badge then you are going to have to beat me."

"My pleasure," Ash muttered to himself. As he stood on one of the floating platforms with Pikachu at his side , he reached for one of his Pokeballs and said, "Pidgeotto, I choose you."

As the flying Pokemon appeared, Misty called out Staryu. This Pokemon was a golden-brown sea star with five appendages. These appendages surrounded an exterior organ that resembled a red jewel held in place by a golden ring. Ash had to admit it was a pretty cool Pokemon.

Louise was thinking the same thing, whilst she and Brock wanted in the viewer's area. However, because she could not ask Ash about the water Pokemon and was not comfortable enough to talk to Brock without her other friend with her, she pointed her Pokedex at it.

"Staryu. the star-shaped Pokemon. An enigmatic Pokemon that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle."

"Cool," Louise whispered and smiled. The other girl had a good Pokemon.

The blonde haired girl then turned her eyes back to Ash as he ordered Pidgeotto to tackle, knocking the Pokemon on its back, looking more like someone had pushed it over than actually tackled it.

"Staryu, counter attack," Misty said clenching her fists. She didn't understand why she felt like she needed to win so bad. Maybe to prove she was a better trainer to the boy that had ignored her? Or maybe to show her sisters she took her responsibility of gym leader more seriously than them.

The water type Pokemon jumped towards its opponent allowing its body to spin rapidly like a blade in a fan.

"Pidgeotto, dodge it!" Ash shouted. The flying type Pokemon followed the boy's orders, launching itself higher into the air. "Now, quick attack."

The bird Pokemon turned down into a dive ramming into the star Pokemon that was still recovering from its failed attack.

"Staryu, water gun," the orange haired girl ordered.

Her Pokemon the jumped into the water and resurface moments later spraying high pressured water at the bird Pokemon.

"Wind cutter," Ash commanded.

Pidgeotto slashed its wings downward, causing the wind to form a large 'X' as it sped towards Staryu. It sliced through the water gun and knocked the attacking Pokemon into the water.

When Staryu jumped out of the water it tackled Pidgeotto over and over again. This had to stop before each Pokemon wore themselves out.

"Use agility to get close and then wind cutter," Ash said as Staryu stopped its attack for a second to catch its breath.

A close range wind cutter was exactly what Ash needed to win this battle as it sent the water Pokemon crashing into the wall behind Misty, unable to battle anymore.

"Staryu return," the girl said, shrinking the Pokeball and pulling out another one. "Misty calls Starmie."

This Pokemon was a violet sea star with a golden front formation. It had a second set of semi-attached arms on its back and a multicoloured glowing core.

Just like last time, Louise scanned it with her Pokedex which informed her, "Starmie, the mysterious Pokemon. Its central core glows with seven colours of the rainbow. Some people value the core as a gem."

Seeing as Pidgeotto was tired, Ash called his Pokemon back and shouted, "Squirtle, I choose you."

Upon hearing this Louise gasped as her own Squirtle released itself from its Pokeball. It cheered as it ran to the edge of the Pool, only to be held back by the blonde haired girl who said, "Not you."

Behind Luise and her Squirtle, Brock laughed and said, "Relax. I bet your Squirtle just wanted to see Ash's in battle."

This caused Louise to flush red and nod her understanding, but still keep her Squirtle in her grip. Just in case.

"Squirtle, use water gun and then tackle," Ash said.

"Dive under and then up," Misty ordered trying to be smart. However, the black haired boy had trained his Pokemon to be more independent than most. So, instead of carrying his orders out immediately, Squirtle bided his time.

When Starmie emerged, Squirtle attacked. It used its water gun to block its body from sight, so the opponent never saw the second attack coming.

The star Pokemon dropped into the water like a rock and, when it resurfaced, it was clear that it would not be able to continue battling.

"You win," Misty sighed and returned her Starmie to its Pokeball.

"So, like, this actually belongs to you now," Misty's indigo haired sister said as she took the badge from the blonde and handed Ash his third gym badge.

After the battle, Louise's Squirtle had become incredibly attached to Ash's. The boy could practically see hearts in its eyes as it rubbed up against his Pokemon, who shifted uncomfortably at the females attention.


At the Pokemon centre, Ash reminded Louise to scan her Cubone with her Pokedex so that she would know what types of moves it could use. This caused the blonde haired girl to gasped as she realised that she didn't even know her Squirtle's attacks and had ordered it to use water gun on a whim. What if the water type Pokemon did not know that move? It could have been hurt.

So, she quickly took out her Pokedex and scanned both her Pokemon.

"Squirtle, the tiny turtle Pokemon. After birth, its back swells and hardens into a shell and it can powerfully spray foam from its mouth. This Squirtle is female and knows the moves tackle, water gun and tail whip.

Cubone, the lonely Pokemon. Because it never removes its skull helmet, no one had ever seen this Pokemon's face. This Cubone is male and knows the moves bone club and head butt."

After that little task was done the group booked a room to stay for the week, along with purchasing a voucher each so that they could get a nice hot dinner. Ash, Louise and Brock sat at the dining table with a steaming hot plate of curry each, whilst the Pokemon were scattered around them attacking their own food. This was one of the comforts that travelling Pokemon trainers had and they were going to make the best of it.

"Hey, Louise, how about you and me have to mock Pokemon battle. I am sure that it will help strengthen your Pokemon and give you some more experience battle as well," Ash said wanted to train some of the other Pokemon that had not been able to battle in the gym match.

Louise considered the suggestion for a moment before nodding her head, "Okay, that sound like fun."

"Great, it will be just like last time, except you have your own Pokemon now."

Louise and Ash found themselves standing at the back of the Pokemon Centre with a Pokeball in each hand. Ash had decided to use his Poliwag as Seadra's body is not meant to battle on land.

"Poliwag, I choose you," he shouted throwing his red and white ball into the battlefield.

Louise smiled and then threw her own Pokeball, "Squirtle, go!"

The two water type Pokemon faced it off, each glaring down at the other with determination. Ash felt a thrill spike through him at having a mock battle with someone other than his own Pokemon. This made the battle less predictable and more challenging because Ash did not know his opponents strengths and weaknesses.

"Poliwag, get close and use double slap," Ash ordered.

As the tadpole Pokemon jumped towards the tiny turtle Pokemon, Louise shouted, "Dodge it," causing the double slap to miss.

"Good, now use water gun," Louse continued, trying to catch Poliwag unguarded. However, without even saying an order, Ash water type shot to the side. The water gun skimming the Pokemon by millimetres. That was close.

"Bubble, Poliwag," Ash said.

Silver bubble shot from the tadpole Pokemon's mouth too fast for the Squirtle to dodge, hitting it squarely in the chest.

"Squirtle," Louise gasped in worry. "Are you okay?"

As the tiny turtle, Pokemon stumbled to its feet is exclaimed, "Squirtle, squirt," reassuring the blonde that she was okay.

"Thank God," Louise sighed in relief and then said, "Use tackle and then follow it up with a tail whip."

Although Poliwag dodged the tackle on Ash's order, it was not fast enough to dodge the tail whip which slashed against the Pokemon's chest and created a strange burning sensation.

"Poliwag, use dig and then bubble," Ash ordered knowing that at the moment this fight was looking more like a ping-pong game than a Pokemon battle. It was surprising how good Louise had become since their last battle in which she had used the boy's Pokemon.

The small tadpole Pokemon quickly dived underground causing Squirtle to become confused as it tried to figure out where the Pokemon would resurface. However, it was impossible, so when Poliwag did break from the ground and sent a spray of silver bubbles at Louise Pokemon it was done for.

Ash's attack had effectively showered her Squirtle in power-laden bubbled, hitting both the Pokemon and the earth beneath its feet, causing dust to cover the scene. So, when the cloud had finally cleared, Louise was said to see that her Pokemon now lay unconscious on the floor.

"Don't worry Louise, it was a great battle," Ash told the girl as he returned Poliwag to its Pokeball. "We should get our Pokemon to Nurse Joy though so that they can be revitalised.

The girl nodded and returned her Pokemon as well, realising that she still needed to get stronger in order to beat Ash.


It has been two months since Ash, Pikachu and Louise left Pallet town and slightly less than that for Brock who left Pewter City and his siblings. They were now walking through the forest towards Vermillion City gym when the boy recognised something familiar about where they were.

Yes, he remembered this area very clearly, this was where he captured Bulbasaur. Therefore, the meant that the Hidden Village was close by along with Melanie. If only he remembered exactly where it was.

He recalled crossing over a bridge that the group had just ridden over moments before and recollected following the river after that.

"Ha, there it is," Ash shouted to everyone, who were growing tired of following the boy mindlessly.

"Where are you taking us, Ash?" Brock asked getting more confused by the second as he was lead further into the forest surrounding them.

"Last year I came here," the black haired boy explained to his companions. "There is a village hidden at the end of the river, just over there."

As Ash and the group made their way over, he was not surprised to see the familiar woman tending to the Pokemon.

"Hey, Melanie," Ash shouted his greeting waving from the other side of the clearing.

"Melanie," Brock muttered dreamily as he laid eyes on the beauty before him.

This caused the blue haired woman to stand up in shock and call back, "Ash!"

The group then stopped right in front of the woman allowing for the boy to introduce Louise and Brock to her. Melanie smiled her greeting.

"Wow, look at all your Pokemon," Brock said. "You must be an excellent trainer to have so many. Perhaps over lunch you can-."

"They are not Melanie's Pokemon," Ash said pointedly, staring at Brock as if to dare the teenager to try and flirt with her. "This is a place where Pokemon can rest and relax, a place for abandoned or injured Pokemon to heal."

"Oh, that is amazing," Brock said passionately.

The Pokemon in the village where the same ones that Ash met last time he arrived including the Oddish. The boy watched as Louise's eyes immediately went to the Staryu, making the girls desire to catch one clear. The blonde haired girl did not know why but ever since Ash's battle with Misty, she really wanted to catch a star Pokemon of her own.

New additions such as a Weedle, Sandshrew and Mankey, who joined the village after Ash had left were weary of the group of humans. To them, they were strangers invading their peaceful home.

Throughout the day, Ash, Brock and Louise helped Melanie with the Pokemon. They fed them and treated their wounds and even helped wash them. Louise particularly enjoyed washing the Staryu in the small lake next to the wooden cabin. However, out of the entire ground of Pokemon, the shy Weedle was the most difficult to communicate with. It refused to let anyone near it, not even the Melanie who promised to protect and look after it for as look as it needed her.

However, soon Ash's visit came to an end, the boy and his friends waving goodbye to Malanie and the Pokemon. Maybe they will visit again sometime.


A reminder to all of you or what Pokemon Ash and Louise have:

Ash's Pokemon

1)*Pikachu - Male - Electric -

1)*Pikachu - Male - Electric - Growl, Thundershock, Quick attack, Tail whip, Agility, Shockwave, Iron Tail

2) *Pidgeotto - Female - Flying, Normal - Tackle, Sand attack, Cross/wind cutter, Agility, Quick attack

3) Raticate - Female - Normal - Tackle, Tail whip, Quick attack, Hyper fang, Bite

4) Mankey - Male - Fighting - Focus blast, Leer, Low kick, Scratch, Fury Swipes

5) Gloom - Male - Grass, poison - Absorb, Petal dance, Stun spore, Poison powder

6) Butterfree - Male -Bug , Flying- Poison powder, Gust, Sleep powder, Confusion

7) Rhyhorn - Female - Ground, Rock - Horn attack, Fury attack, Scary face, Stomp, Shockwave

8) Golbat - Female - Poison, Flying - Supersonic, Bite, Air Slash, Poison Fang

9) *Poliwag - Female - Water - Water gun, Dig, Double slap, Bubble

10) *Shiny Gyarados - Female - Water - Thrash, Hydro pump

11) Bulbasaur - Male - Grass, Poison - Vine whip, Growl, Tackle, Razor leaf

12) Charmeleon - Male - Fire - Scratch, Fire fang, Ember, Smokescreen

13)* Squirtle - Male - Water - Tackle, Water gun, Withdraw

14) *Seadra - Male - Water - Smokescreen, Leer, Bubble, Hydro pump

15) Bellsprout - Female - Grass, Poison - Vine whip, Wrap, Poison powder, Razor leaf

16) Gastly - Male - Ghost, Poison - Lick, Spite, Confuse ray, Sucker punch

17) Parasect - Male - Bug, Grass - Poison powder, Stun spore, Leech life, Fury cutter

18)Nidorina - Female - Poison - Poison sting, horn attack, double kick, Fury attack

19)Muk - Male - Poison - Poison gas, Mud-slap, Sludge

20) Magnemite - N/A - Electric, Steel - Thundershock, Sonic boom, Thunder wave, Magnet bomb

21) Dugtrio - Male - Ground - Dig, Sand attack, Tri attack

22) Ponyta - Female - Fire - Tackle, Flame wheel, Stomp, Fire spin

23) Espeon - Female - Psychic - Tackle, Quick attack, Swift, Confusion, Psybeam

24) Eevee - Male - Normal - Sand attack, Quick attack, Bite, Takedown

25) Umbreon - Male - Dark - Pursuit, Tackle, Confuse ray

26) Glaceon - Male - Ice - Tackle, Icy wind, Quick Attack, Ice fang

27)Eevee - Male

28) Snorlax - Male - Normal - Belch, Chip away, Body slam, Rollout

29) Jigglypuff - Female - Normal, Fairy - Sing, Double slap, Roll

30) Venomoth - Male - Poison, Bug - Supersonic, Tackle, Silver wind, Psybeam

31) Togepi - Female - Fairy

32) Spearow - Flying, Normal

33) Clefairy - Fairy - Moon blast, Disarming voice, Metronome

34) Tangela - Male - Grass - Constrict, Sleep powder

35) Dratini - Male - Dragon - Dragon pulse, Ice beam, Wrap

Louise's Pokemon

1) Squirtle - Female - Water - Tackle, Tail whip, Water gun

2) Cubone - Male - Ground - Bone club, Headbutt