It was Saturday evening, an excellent time to go out and relax from your weekly struggles. Misty had intentionally scheduled her gym fight this way: she wanted more publicity. Whereas some gym leaders had gym battles every day, for Misty, it was about keeping an image as well as fighting. Thus, it came as no surprise that a rather long queue formed in front of the door. Fortunately, as a contestant, she was allowed to use the backroom entrance. Here, all the other trainers have been making final preparations. She saw a trainer with two Pikachus, a young tan-skinned woman with a strange owl-like Pokemon she had never seen before, and an old man with a powerful-looking Dodrio among others.

The young tan woman approached her. Clover held out her Pokedex, but Dexter only uttered: "This Pokemon is unknown."

"Alola! Another contestant? My name is Selene! Nice to meet you!" she said.

"Yes, I am, and my name is Clover! If I may ask, where are you from? I've never heard that greeting, and this Pokemon is strange."

"Ah, I suppose it's rare to see Alolan Pokemon here. I'm from Alola far to the south. There, we have Island challenges but they're not like your gyms. I have won the Island challenge and decided to travel around the world, seeing the different ways other regions approach gym challenges."

"Wow! Can I see your Pokedex?"

"Sure!"

Selene showed her various strange entries, the Pokemon she had never seen before. Her owl was called Dartrix, a second in the evolutionary line of Alolan starters. Regrettably, she was drawn to Kanto Pokemon, and her other mons have only been from this region. Clover asked questions and Selene patiently answered, before the loudspeaker called her name and she left, leaving Clover to ponder.

She curiously approached the door to watch Selene battling. According to her, Selene was a champion of her region. She could have brought all these buffed-up, powerful Pokemon and sweep through the ranks. Nonetheless, she intentionally used the bred, low-leveled starter from her region and locally caught Pokemon. The way her Dartrix fought, supported by the Goldeen was simply beautiful to watch. She had chosen a double battle, something Clover didn't even consider possible.

Misty surprisingly agreed, obviously knowledgeable about this format of battle that was rather uncommon in Kanto. Not surprisingly, Selene won. It wasn't an easy battle, but Dartrix had a type advantage, and each time the Staryu started diving, Goldeen would confuse it. Misty proudly admitted the defeat, receiving applause for her humility.

"Good luck, Clover!" Selene chirped, admiring a beautiful tear-shaped badge.

"To you too, Selene! For all one knows, we might see each other, again!"

"After the Elite Four, fighting for the title of the Champion, perhaps? So long!"

Clover's healthy leg felt heavy, but she could swear she felt the heaviness in the other one as she approached the stage. It took her a lot of courage to enter the arena after that dreadful loss. However, Misty didn't act haughty or mock Clover. Rather, she smiled a little.

"Chin-up, girl!" she said.

"I will not lose this time!"

"I'm betting on it. But I won't go easy on you!"

GYM BATTLE – CLOVER VS MISTY

Misty started with her Staryu, while Clover immediately started with Beedrill. Misty looked astonished, observing the bee Pokemon. She looked a little bit worried, maybe a slight bit disgusted but she handled herself professionally.

"I don't like Bug Pokemon, but your Beedrill looks much more different than the last time." She said.

"I've given it some special training. This time, it's ready."

"Remains to be seen! Alright, Staryu, use Harden!"

Staryu was agile, and it's red core brightened the pool as it started glowing with some inner light. Clover accepted the challenge.

"Alright, Beedrill! Use focus energy!"

"Hmmm. Interesting. Staryu, use Water Pulse!"

As before, Beedrill couldn't avoid the massive torrent of water, and it was hit head-on. It twisted and turned, but fortunately, didn't get confused. It remained steady, vigilantly eyeing the star-shaped Pokemon.

"Good! Beedrill, now, use Twineedle!"

Staryu couldn't escape under the water fast enough. The first hit from its huge needles literally shattered the crystal in its middle, and the second hit pierced through. It was a vicious attack, and it was obvious Staryu was badly poisoned. Misty bit her lip.

"Alright, Staryu, use recover!"

It did recover, but every time Beedrill would do a hefty amount of damage. She recovered but would remain with fewer health points every turn. Instead of watching her Pokemon gradually lose, Misty opted to use Water pulse instead. Clover didn't expect this change of plans. Her Beedrill hung to the little bit of health, and only fortunately she had a Super potion to mend its wounds. This gave Misty space to use her Water pulse again.

Now Clover was on the defensive. Nevertheless, she used Twineedle again. Fortunately, and with her use of Focus Energy, the next hit landed was a critical one. It hit the Staryu with full might and it couldn't move anymore.

"Misty has lost the first round!"

"I have a hard time watching my Pokemon suffer. But I won't have to do this for long. It's time to turn the tables, Starmie, go!"

"Okay, Beedrill! Return! Go, Marill!"

As soon as the Marill appeared, Misty rolled her eyes.

"Are you serious? This Pokemon is unruly! It won't obey you!"

"Even so, I wish to show him I am a good trainer, show that I trust in him!"

"Pokemon are not humans! They don't- ah, you know what? Fine! I will prove you you're wrong! Go, Starmie, use Rapid spin!"

Marill simply turned around, avoiding the hit. It didn't really want to fight. It wasn't allowing itself to be harmed, but it didn't care enough to cause harm either. This angered Misty, because it was no longer a battle between two trainers. Each time she attacked, Marill would defy the orders and somehow find itself out of harm's way.

"This was a bad idea. Marill, unless you fight her, we will not be able to win this!" Clover had said.

"Ma-rill!" it said, showing an obscene gesture with both hands.

"Why you little… Marill, come back!" she ordered, and Marill returned to the Pokeball, earning the laugh of the crowd.

"You're mocking this gym! Fight seriously!" Misty repeated her earlier sentiment.

"I was trying to… fine, Ivysaur! You're my last hope! Go!"

Ivysaur, again, appeared at the side of the pool. Misty let it slide simply because she knew it was Clover's last Pokemon. It wasn't really allowed, but it wasn't forbidden either. However, Misty didn't wait. Just as before, she made her Starmie retreat under the water. Clover bit her lip, knowing fully well what would happen.

"Starmie, go, use Swift!" Misty ordered. Clover was swiftly running out of ideas – her Ivysaur couldn't swim, and leaves couldn't really do much damage under the water. It would most definitely miss if she tried using the newly learned move. She was thinking, as her Ivysaur kept losing health and she couldn't do anything to save her.

Then the idea crossed her mind. It might not work, but it was the only thing she could do.

"Alright, Ivysaur! Use sleep powder! A hefty amount, as much as you can and dump it in the pool!"

Misty looked at her with a shocked, worried stare.

"What are you thinking?!" she asked.

"I'm desperate!" Clover admitted. However, her desperate attempt had actually proven fruitful. Even though it was still dissipated in the water, the sleep powder was potent enough to make Starmie drowsy. It floated up to the surface, losing its turn.

"Yes! Alright, Ivysaur, use the Razor leaf attack!"

And it worked like a charm. Starmie was strong, yet not strong enough to resist being pelted by a super-effective move. When the barrage of leaves passed it by, Starmie wasn't just sleeping: it fainted. Misty looked at her Pokemon in disbelief.

"How… what…" she couldn't believe.

"Looks to me I've won! Take that, Misty!"

"Yes, well… yeah. You have. A victory is a victory." she still couldn't believe this worked.

Clover returned to the locker room with her new badge, gleaming with pride. She was just ogling her newly obtained possession when Misty appeared behind her. She approached, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Clover." she said. Clover almost jumped in shock, she didn't even notice her approach.

"You've scared me!"

"I'm sorry, but we need to talk. Meet me in my room, okay?"

"Okay, certainly, right after I visit the Pokemon Center!"

Misty was already there, typing something on her laptop. Noticing Clover, she put the screen down and stood up.

"Take a seat." she said. Clover sat by the small table, still confused about Misty's sudden request. Misty stretched herself a little, then sat by her side on the bed.

"You are becoming stronger. That much is obvious. Honestly, I haven't thought I would lose, not really. Your Pokemon are objectively weaker than mine. Your Ivysaur cannot swim, and since you stubbornly refuse to train any Pokemon other than ones you own, I reckoned it would be another easy win."

"You've underestimated me. I can do a lot when my back is against the wall."

"I certainly have. I have taken this loss quite hard, and it was a big blow to my pride. However, I can't allow my personal feelings to take over the reason."

"Is this why you called me here, to confess?"

"No, of course not. Ash has called me to travel with him. I already have, but I've my duties as a gym leader and had to return for these. However, I will not have any more Gym battles. This loss proved to me I still have a lot to learn. As a gym leader, I will never become strong enough to support my Pokemon. Even more, I will remain in this city and never experience the adventure I desire. This was my last battle at this gym, and I'm glad it was with you. You, however, should go to Vermilion City. There's a Gym leader there, Lt. Surge. Ash is also going there, so we might meet."

"Misty, I'm glad we've met. You say you've learned much from this battle, but so have I. In order to truly support my Pokemon, I will have to keep becoming stronger. I cannot allow myself to become complacent."

"Thank you, Clover. About your Marrill, well… I wish it were so simple as obtaining badges. Pokemon are living creatures with emotions. I hope you will find a way to make it respect you."

"I certainly hope so. Well, it was high time I traveled! We will meet each other again, Misty!"

"Yes, of course! And don't you dare lose again, hear me?!"

"Yes!"

And so, Clover left Cerulean City. Glum darkness of the Rock Tunnel awaited.