The Cascade Badge

"Fucking love these things," said Brian through a mouthful of steak, egg, and cheese, "Whoever invented this bagel sandwich has my undying gratitude."

"How about chewing your food before you talk?" Gary said reproachfully, "You're spitting food all over the table."

Brian swallowed and asked, "Always this uptight before a big match?"

Gary shook his head, "I'm not uptight! You just lack civil table matters of any form."

"We're eating at a McDonalds," said Brian dismissively, "table manners here are unnecessary."

"I don't know where you learned table etiquette," Gary sighed, "but in a civil setting, basic manners are never unnecessary."

"Sooo," Brian retorted, "instead of asking me nicely to chew my food, you take the uncivilized route and demanded it of me. I got that about right?"

Gary sighed and said, "Could you, please, keep your fucking mouth shut when you eat?"

Brian glared at Gary and took another bite of his sandwich. He then loudly chewed his food and swallowed it forcefully, "Better?"

"Much." Gary stated as he pulled out his cell phone to check the time, "We still have ages before the Gym match."

Amy walked up to the table Brian and Gary were sitting at. Gary raised his eyebrows, "Took you a while."

"Why are you so uptight today?" Brian asked.

"Never mind that right now," Amy said, "Jet just texted me. He said he has tickets to this big event going on in Vermilion on the twenty-first."

"What kind of event?" Brian asked.

"A party to celebrate the maiden voyage of the SS Anne!"

Gary looked up and asked, "He got tickets? Seriously?"

"That's what he said," Amy grinned as she sat down, "It's like a black tie event. We're going right?"

"Damn straight we're going!" Gary said, "Do you know how many influential trainers are going to be there?"

"Where is Jet anyway?" Brian asked, "Is he still training with Bill?"

"No," said Amy, "He's supposed to meet us at the Gym. He said he was going to watch the battle."

XXX

Jet walked through the doors of the Cerulean Pokémon Gym. He was a lot more impressed with the lobby in this Gym than he was at the one in Pewter. He walked up to the receptionist and said, "Hi, my name is Jethro Brown. I called in a couple weeks ago for a Gym challenge."

The receptionist asked, "May I see your trainer's license?"

Jet handed his license over and waited as the lady filled in all of his information into a computer. "You are scheduled for the last battle of the day, which isn't for a few hours. You want to come back later?"

"No, thank you," said Jet taking back his license, "Um… is Misty here? I wanted to see her before my match."

The receptionist nodded and said, "I think she's feeding some of the Pokémon in one of the aqua tanks. I can take you there if you'd like."

Jet smiled, "That would be great."

Jet followed the receptionist down a slew of hallways until they found themselves in front of a set of double doors. "She should be in this room." Jet smiled at the receptionist and said, "Thanks, I'll probably head to the reception desk before my battle."

Beyond the doors was a large room that reminded Jet of his first day working at the research center. There was a large indoor pool with water Pokémon all over the place. At the edge of the pool was Misty feeding a bucket of dead fish to a Dewgong. Jet walked up behind her and said, "So this is where you work, huh?"

Misty yelped and turned around really quick. Jet laughed and said, "I didn't mean to scare you."

Misty, however, did not seem pleased to see Jet, "What are you doing at my job?"

Jet blushed when he realized showing up at Misty's place of work unannounced could be interpreted as creepy. "Umm, I have a Gym battle scheduled for today. I figured I might as well see you while I was waiting."

Misty seemed to relax a bit, "Oh. Sorry, you just scared me is all." She stood up.

Jet scratched the back of his head and said, "Yeah that was my bad. I thought you heard me come in."

Misty rolled her eyes and smiled, "Well, obviously if I didn't look over when the doors opened then I didn't hear you come in! But its ok, I'm glad you're here."

Jet smiled back. He then noticed that the swim suit Misty was wearing was very flattering on her body. "I used to work in a place like this," he told her, "back when I was in high school."

"You used to work at a Pokémon Gym?" Misty asked.

"Research center," Jet said as he bent down to pet the Dewgong, "in Pallet Town."

Misty's eyes widened, "That's where I heard of Pallet Town from!"

Jet raised his eyebrows, "What the research center?"

"Yeah, that!" Misty said, "That's where I bought my Horsea from! I saw this video online with this Horsea attacking this boy at th-"

"Wait, hold up!" Jet stood up, "You mean to tell me that you're the one that bought Horsea?"

Misty nodded and said, "You know the Horsea I'm talking about?"

Jet started laughing and said, "Know him? I fought him!"

Misty looked dumbstruck, "Wait a second, don't tell me-"

Jet laughed again, "Yeah."

"You are!" Misty exclaimed, "You are totally that guy!"

Jet grinned and nodded, "That I am."

"Holy fucking shit balls," mumbled Misty with a smirk, "That's just…"

"One big ass coincidence?" Jet finished her sentence, "Yeah, I hear you. I can't believe you're the one who bought Horsea! Do you still have him?"

Misty grinned and turned to Dewgong, "Go get Kingdra for me, sweetie!"

Jet's smile faded, "Kingdra?" He then grinned wider than ever, "He's a Kingdra now? That's fucking crazy!"

Misty nodded and said, "Yeah. It took a while for him to get used to me, but he never outright attacked me."

"Of course not," Jet smiled, "You're his trainer! I was just some stranger trying to give him a bath. Good times," he added fondly, "good times."

Misty giggled, "If you can take a beating like that and reflect on it fondly, you definitely have the makings of a trainer."

Jet smiled and said, "So, since you own a Kingdra, you must be a Class A trainer."

Misty nodded, "Yeah. I'm supposed to inherit this Gym."

Jet raised his eyebrows, "You're wh-?"

He didn't finish, however, because at that very moment Kingdra emerged from the water and stood before Jet. Far from the little, devious, blue water demon he was in his youth, Kingdra was now a large and formidable being. He was about as tall as Jet was now, (about five foot eleven), and was covered in gleaming blue scales. He had a wise and powerful look about him. He faced his trainer with his head held high and proud.

Misty smiled and said, "Kingdra, I want you to meet someone who you may recognize."

Kingdra faced Jet suddenly, but Jet didn't dare flinch or step back. "Do you remember me? I use to give you baths a few years back." Kingdra stared at Jet for a moment; a moment in which Jet was careful not to blink or make sudden movements. He was used to staring down his own Gyarados without fear, but this five star dragon held no allegiance to Jet whatsoever and could therefore hurt him if he made a wrong move.

Kingdra started to growl, and then he suddenly moved forward and wrapped his body around Jet. Misty yelled in shock, "No, don't hurt him!" Kingdra didn't crush Jet, however, but rather held him in a very tight hug. As Jet heard the dragon purr, he gasped through his winded breath, "It's ok! I'm ok!"

Kingdra released Jet and placed its brow against his. Jet smiled and pet Kingdra's cheek. "Nice to see you again too!"

Misty looked very surprised, "Wow. He usually doesn't like anybody but me and my sisters."

Jet asked, "What level is he at, nowadays?"

"Forty," said Misty nonchalantly, "He's one of the stronger Pokémon at this Gym. It's mostly because he used to fight all the time when he was younger. Nowadays he won't want to fight unless he has a real challenge."

"Forty, huh?" Jet asked, "You've come a long way since I last saw you. I couldn't imagine lasting a second against you anymore." Kingdra made a sound that sounded like a half laugh, half growl. "My Pokémon are a different story, though. I'd like for you to go against my Charmeleon one day."

Misty smiled and asked, "Maybe you could battle me later for the Cascade Badge."

Jet turned and asked her, "You're one of the Sensational Sisters?"

Misty laughed and shook her head, "No, those are my three older sisters. They are triplets; they've been calling themselves that for years. They like raising my dad's old Pokémon, but I'm the best at battling out of the four of us. Even they know that."

"So," Jet asked, "This Gym has four leaders?"

"Yup," said Misty as she sat down and put her feet in the water, "My dad used to run this Gym, but he retired after my older sister's became eligible to run the Gym for him. Now he just owns the Gym while they run it. They don't want to run it either, so they're trying to get me to take over."

"Why don't your sisters want to run the Gym?" Jet asked as he sat down on a nearby diving board.

Misty shrugged, "They have this gig as water ballerinas. They're supposed to go on tour with this dance company next summer. I told them I'd run the Gym for them until they got back, but then I'm going back to school."

"So you're like a Gym Leader in training?"

"Well," Misty answered, "I got the Pokémon training part down, but I'm still learning all of the administrative shit that goes along with being a Gym Leader."

"So what do you need to do to be a Gym Leader?" Jet asked, "I've always been curious."

"Umm," said Misty while looking up at the ceiling, "You need a Class A license, for starters. And you also need a league sanctioned Gym. Plus you have to have won first place in an official league battle competition. Or you have to collect three or more badges to prove your skill at battling. Or you have to come in the top four of a regional Pokémon league."

"Oh," Jet said, "That doesn't sound too hard."

Misty raised her eyebrows, "Not that hard? You must be a damn good trainer then. I wonder how long you'll last when we battle."

Jet smiled, "Not to down play you being a Gym Leader or anything! I think that's pretty damn impressive; especially for a girl so young."

Misty smiled, "Thank you."

"I just thought there was a lot more to it, is all."

"Nope!" smiled Misty, "That's it really."

Jet felt his face go red as he said, "You have a beautiful smile."

Misty giggled and said, "Thanks, sweetie! But don't think flattery is going to make me go easy on you!"

Jet grinned and said, "Wouldn't want you to. I'd rather you at your best when I spank that ass."

Misty raised her eyebrows, "Oh, I can't wait to knock you down a few notches! Speaking of which, we should discuss the terms of our battle."

XXX

Brian, Gary, and Amy were led into the main battle area by the receptionist. It was a large room with bleachers on every wall that were filled with people. In the middle of the battle area was a huge indoor pool with a narrow walk way for land based Pokémon to fight (It's like the pool in the actual game). On either side of the pool were two platforms for the opposing trainers to stand on. There was also an editor's platform on the side of the pool. Above the bleachers on one side, was a league score board that displayed the Pokémon on each team and their status.

As soon as the challengers entered, the audience applauded politely. Waiting by the pool, were the three Sensational Sisters; Daisy, Violet, and Lily. The receptionist smiled and said, "Here are the challengers!"

Daisy nodded and said, "Ok, you three. We've decided to do a sort of rotation battle. Basically each of you will battle one of us in a one on one match, and then we will move on to the next match as soon as a victor is decided."

"The reason we'll be battling individually instead of in an all-out triple battle," Lily said, "is because the league rules only permits one challenger at a time during Gym Battles."

Gary nodded and said, "I don't mind, I'm more use to single battles anyway."

Amy, however, sighed, "All that triple battle training for nothing, huh?"

Violet gave a half-hearted smile and said, "Sorry, red. You with the glasses, you're up first. I'll be your opponent!"

Brian smiled and said, "Ok, I'm ready!"

Brian was led to his platform where he would battle for the cascade badge. Meanwhile, the editor of the match took his place on his platform. He spoke to the audience through a microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen, trainers and civilians! We have a special little battle royal for you today. First, we have three different trainers from Pallet Town going against the Sensational Sisters in three one on one matches!"

The crowd cheered and the editor continued, "After that match, we have a special six on six challenge between another challenger from Pallet Town, and Cerulean's own Misty!"

The crowd cheered even louder, "Yes, that's right! Six on six! Misty is to be the new Gym Leader here, and has already proven herself to be an incredibly formidable opponent! Some have even compared her to her father, who once went five years without ever losing a match. Will Misty's winning streak run out today? For the first time, folks, Cerulean Gym is facing four challengers in one day. If they all win, that will set a new record for most badges handed out in one day. Will the Sensational Sisters be able to defend their title?"

The crowd cheered once more and the editor grinned, "I'm certainly hoping today's challengers are up to the task of putting on a good show. The cascade badge hasn't been handed out in over six months, folks! And our Misty has yet to have to send out more than two Pokémon in one battle. Hopefully this match won't be overly brief. Now, let's get started! Will both trainers please send out their Pokémon?"

Brian took a deep breath and sent his partner, "Go, Wartortle!"

Wartortle was sent out, and immediately dove under water. Violet smiled and sent her Pokémon forth, "Go, Lanturn!" Her half water half electric Pokémon went under water as well.

"Looks like our first challenger, Mr. Brian Chang, is at a type disadvantage! Let's see how this will turn out. Are both trainers ready? Ok, BEGIN!"

Violet immediately yelled, "Use Spark, Lanturn!"

"Get out the water!" Brian cried.

The pool began to glow as an electric current shot through it; but not before Wartortle shot out of the water and landed safely on the ground. Brian tried to think of his next move as Violet said, "Use Wild Charge!"

Lanturn got on deck and surrounded itself with an electric charge. It then shot at its foe at full speed. Brian said, "Jump and use Round!"

Wartortle did as he was told and jumped in the air once again. Lanturn, however, didn't wait for instructions and simply shot a Charge Beam at the airborne Wartortle. The attack hit, and Wartortle was knocked on his back. He didn't give up, however, and stood back up very quickly.

"Nice recovery! Now hit him with Round!"

"Use Spark, Lanturn!"

Wartortle's attack hit first. Lanturn was knocked back with a sound wave and Brian tried to take advantage, "Follow up with Tackle, Wartortle!"

Wartortle charged at Lanturn. Violet quickly shouted, "Use Spark again!"

"Quick, use Protect!"

Lanturn sent another electric charge in all directions. Wartortle used Protect to pull off a daring evasion, however, and came down on Lanturn with a forceful Pound. Lanturn was knocked into the water and the crowd cheered, "This Wartortle isn't giving up without a fight!" said the editor, "This kid knows what he is doing!"

Violet called to Lanturn, "Use Surf, then Spark!"

The water from the pool suddenly pulled together to form a wave. The wave knocked an unsuspecting Wartortle into the pool. The water than lit up again as Lanturn sent electricity running through it.

"Wartortle, get out of there!"

Wartortle did not answer, nor did he exit the water. Brian waited with bated breath and finally decided the match was over. He recalled his Pokémon.

"Wartortle is unable to battle," said the editor, "Lanturn is the winner! That's one challenger down, three more to go!"

Brian stepped down from his platform to find his friends waiting for him, including Jet and a red headed girl Brian didn't know.

"Tough break, Brian." Jet said, "You were doing good for a minute there."

The red head touched Jet's hand and said, "I'm going to talk to my sisters, I'll see you in a bit." Jet nodded and the girl walked away. Brian asked, "Who was that?"

Jet grinned, "Misty, the fourth Gym Leader and my opponent."

"Ohh," said Amy, "That's the girl they were talking about!"

The editor said over the microphone, "Will Amy Oak please step forward for the next battle?"

"That's my cue!" Amy grinned. She limped her way onto the challenger's platform and took in a deep breath; it was time for her first Gym match. The editor said, "Will both trainers send out their Pokémon?"

Amy sighed and said, "Here goes nothing! Let's do it, Ivysaur!"

Ivysaur landed on the ground beside the pool and let out a loud growl. The crowd applauded. They clapped louder still, when Lily sent out her Pokémon, "Go, Ducklett!"

The blue duck Pokémon was sent out and began soaring around the pool; Ivysaur was now at a disadvantage. The editor asked, "Are both trainers ready?"

Amy nodded and so did her opponent, "Alright then, BEGIN!"

"Ducklett, use Aerial Ace!"

"Dive in the water!"

Amy surprised everybody by having Ivysaur dodge his opponent's attack by going under water. Ducklett missed, but was able to pull up and time and redirect its attack by following after Ivysaur in the pool.

"This is unexpected! Both Pokémon are now battling underwater. I know Ducklett is a water type, but I'm not sure- wait, one of them is surfacing!"

Ducklett suddenly burst forth from the pool, quacking in pain as Ivysaur held onto its tail with his teeth. Lily shouted, "Fly around, Ducklett! Knock him off!"

But try as Ducklett might, he could not shake Ivysaur's death-grip. It flew and quacked and flew and quacked until both its wings and throat were sore. Finally, the Ducklett landed. Amy quickly yelled, "Now use Body slam!"

"Ducklett, use Wing Attack!"

Ducklett was unable to maneuver itself fast enough after Ivysaur let go and fell victim to the Body Slam. Amy then had Ivysaur follow up, "Now finish it with Sleep Powder!"

Ivysaur began spraying the spores before he got off of Ducklett. This way, when Ducklett went to catch its breath, it breathed in the powder.

"Ducklett is unable to battle! Ivysaur is the winner!"

The crowd cheered and Amy felt her heart beat out of her chest. She recalled her Ivysaur and made her way off the Platform. Lily came to greet her, "Here is the official league cascade badge; a symbol of your victory here today. Also, take this TM for Bubblebeam, my favorite attack! You can pick up your check with your prize money at the front desk. Congratulations! That Ivysaur of yours is really something!"

Amy took her prize and said, "Thank you! I can't believe I got my first badge!"

Lily turned to Gary and said, "You're up next, kid. You should head over to the platform now."

Gary congratulated his little sister and headed over to the challenger's platform. He gave a little smile as Daisy stood opposite to him. Finally, He thought to himself, It's my time!

"Ok, our next match is Daisy against challenger Gary Oak. Both trainers send out their Pokémon!"

Gary eagerly sent forth his Pokémon, "Go, Elekid!"

His electric Pokémon was sent forth, ready to put his training to the test. Daisy smirked and sent out her Pokémon, "Go Quagsire!"

Gary took one look at the half water, half ground type Pokémon before him and thought to himself, Just fucking perfect!

"Are both trainers ready? Ok, BEGIN!"

"Elekid, use Flash!"

"Use Scald, Quagsire!"

Before Elekid could use his Flash to blind Quagsire, he was hit with a powerful blast of scalding, hot water. He was knocked into Gary's platform and instantly KO'd. Gary felt his insides go numb as the editor announced his defeat. Gary had rarely lost before, let alone on a one hit KO. His little sister had just won a Cascade Badge, and yet he just lost. This was not right.

Behind him, his sister let out a sigh, "He is not going to be happy about this."

Brian raised his eyebrows, "I lost too, it happens. He'll be fine."

Amy sucked her teeth, "Have you met my brother before?"

Jet felt his heart pound rapidly fast. He was barely aware of what the others were saying. All he knew was that in a few short minutes, he would have to battle in front of a crowd of people. He suddenly had the urge to pee. Gary sulked as he got down from the platform, "I can't believe my Pokémon was just taken out in one hit. What are they feeding these water Pokémon? Fucking Cyndaquil?"

"It's ok Gary," Amy smiled, "I'll let you guys use my TM! All you need is a water Pokémon!"

Jet nervously headed over to the platform when he saw Misty do the same on the opposite side. His nerves were getting worst with each step. He cursed his stage fright; he really wanted to impress his opponent.

Misty winked at Jet from across the pool. The editor got back on the mic, "After that last, anticlimactic battle, let's hope this challenger has a little more showmanship! Ladies and gentleman, our last match of the evening! Jethro Brown, vs. Misty! Both trainers, please send out your first Pokémon!"

Misty gestured for Jet to go first, so he decided to send out a Pokémon and start out on the defensive, "Go Neo!"

His Abra was sent forth. It sat at the edge of the pool, looking at his surroundings with interest. Misty sent her first Pokémon out, as well, "Go, Frillish!"

The pink, jelly like Pokémon floated above the pool and received a lot of oh's and ah's from the crowd. Misty called to Jet, "You like her? She's new! I got her while I was in school in the Unova Region!"

Jet knew that Frillish was half ghost, and was not expecting one for this battle. Still, it wasn't as though he didn't have tricks of his own up his sleeve.

"Are both trainers ready? Ok, BEGIN!"

Author's Notes:

I'm not going to give you the whole team, just the ones in battle for this chapter. Only because I'm tired and lazy and it's way too late to be writing.

Brian's Wartortle – Lvl.26/Male

Amy's Ivysaur – Lvl.27/Male

Gary's Elekid – Lvl.20/Male

Violet's Lanturn - Lvl.23/Male

Lily's Ducklett – Lvl.22/Female

Daisy's Quagsire – Lvl.35/Male

You'll have to wait until next chapter for Jet and Misty's teams. The battles in this chapter were short, but the match in the next chapter is going to be nice and long! Be sure to stay tuned, and don't be afraid to share your thoughts!

P.S.

I would have had this chapter up sooner but the whole security code for my log in isn't showing up.