Chapter 6: Cerulean's Oddyseys
Right! So this is the actual Cerulean City Gym episode! It's been put off by two chapters until now but finally it's time. As this is being written immediately after the last chapter was written and uploaded, currently I don't have much to put in this section. However I will update this part if any more 'controversies' arise. Only ones I can think of from last chapter was of course Bulbasaur's capture before the second gym, Leaf being rather deceptive and Team Rocket being allowed to win. Though for now, let's start this off.
Oh and I just realised part way through the chapter, it's Damian, not Damien. I won't go back and change it right now. Perhaps if I redo the chapters further down the road, but not now. This chapter will reflect these changes.
I also have extensive plans for Team Rocket, Mewtwo and Giovanni by the way. Of course it is safe to say that Team Rocket are the 'bad guys' but based on a theory, I will be mixing it up while using plot from the video games. There is a really interesting idea that they aren't completely evil. I will use some of that in order to portray them as something else. Which will all be in due time.
(On a note added later on, once again I am super sorry if anyone feels offended ((refer to review from chapter 6… 5?)) but I will try my best to keep satirical stuff in non-offensive but funny ways).
In a building, a ways into the wooded area, lies a hidden, secluded building. Now it is obscure and not many know about it. Even if someone did stumble across the building, they would only assume that it's nothing important. Just a small little cabin, that looks out of shape and run down. However on the inside? Oh it just appears to be an old, run down cabin. Obviously. What did you think it would be?
An illegal Pokémon genetics lab that forces evolution, modifies the genomes of them or clones them? Well sure. But that technically isn't part of the cabin. No. That's in the secret underground bunker that very same cabin, one that travels very far underground, with 17 underground levels.
On basement floor one, stands Jessie, James and Meowth as they are facing a large screen. Next to them, there are the bags of Pokéballs, containing the captures from the forest from before. The three of them are standing at attention as they await the arrival of their boss.
After maybe forty seconds, the screen 'lights' up. On the screen there is an older male with visible dark hair. His face and more so his front are darkened out. There is light in the room, only that it was behind the imposing and secretive boss of the syndicate.
On his right, is a feline. Its fur is pale tan with the exception of its black-rimmed ears. It has a short muzzle with a small, black nose, red eyes with slit pupils, rounded ears, a pair of pointed teeth in its upper jaw, and three whiskers on either side of its face. In the centre of its forehead is a red jewel. Its long tail has a distinctive curl at the end. Each of its four legs are long and have three-toed paws with retractable claws. Persian.
Meowth, while keeping a serious straight face, thinks to himself 'That Persian, sitting there all classy as if it's something special. But it can't talk like Meowth. Why doesn't the boss like me that way?' he clearly has a sense of jealousy but his sense of pride due to his past doesn't afford him the ease to admit such feelings.
The boss addresses them with a cold voice "Operatives Jessie, James and Meowth" at this they each comedically 'stomp' their left foot on the ground as they each say 'Sir!'. Ignoring them, he continues "You have impressed me in your latest efforts. You seemed to have done well in adding to the collection of Team Rocket's Pokémon, stealing them and adding to your own teams. In fact, I have plans for yous to assist in Vermillion City. I have plans involving the S.S. Anne. One of my Lieutenants will be there and I want yous there to assist in him in my plans. You cannot fail this mission. He will be coming out of hiding and once his identity is revealed… it will change the region's perception of Team Rocket once and for all. Failure is not an option"
James, asks "Permission to speak, Sir"
Momentarily glancing at the male, the boss waves his hand as he says "Permission granted, operative"
Bowing his head in a 'thank you', James says "What would you like us to do involving the strange Pokémon held by that Pallet Town girl Sir? It seemed to have immense power, Sir"
As if hearing this for the first time, the boss asks "Did you get a good look at this Pokémon?"
James responds back, "No Sir. It was in a bag held by the same girl. How would you like us to proceed, Sir?"
Considering this, the boss asks "In previous reports, you indicated that at least one of the trainers is a trainer? Is that true?"
Jessie answers this time as she steps partially forwards "Yes Sir. And to add to that, they have Brock and Misty, the Pewter City and Cerulean City gym leaders now with them, Sir"
The leader simply says "Good, I know how to get them aboard that ship. For now, keep a low profile. No need to encounter that group for a while. They cannot suspect an ulterior motive. Now go out" as the transmission ends, the screen going black.
With that the three of them are effectively dismissed.
Three grunts in the typical Team Rocket uniforms come into the room and take the bags of Pokéballs away. One would assume to a storage facility. Or perhaps that wasn't true at all.
But what was really happening in the lower floors? One of the lowest floors was lined up with cages. The Pokémon were fairly well taken care of. Enough room to exist, food, warmth, hell there were even some Rocket members who personally took care of them specifically. After all, it was imperative that they kept the Pokémon alive to be made useful for the plans that the organisation had.
Especially if they wanted any chance at not only tracking down the mistake… but also trying to defeat it. Maybe they were evil, but sometimes… they needed to be ruthless in order to make things right. Not everything they did was necessarily with bad intentions or implications.
Regardless of what they have planned, good or bad, there are people that will stop at nothing to take revenge against Team Rocket after their involvement in past atrocities. They had plenty of enemies and people who would stop at nothing to put an end to them once and for all. They had the blood of many innocents on their hands. From people and Pokémon alike.
Now with Ash and the crew.
They've now escaped the wooded area. They had a lot on their mind. Brock had already said that he had plans and stuff he needed to handle while Ash and Serena were busy at the gym. Misty of course seemed extremely hesitant to even go into Cerulean City. Lillie? She didn't have much to do herself this time.
Ash looking towards the quiet girl asks "Well, if you don't have anything else to do, what if you do just come along with Serena and I?"
She stays quiet for about twenty seconds as she considers this. Then answers "I suppose I could. It's not like I have much else to be doing. However, preferably I would like to stay away from the battle field"
Serena tells her "That will be fine Lillie" with a smile, then she remembers what happened before. Now since the events of the previous episode, it has become late afternoon, going into the evening. She takes out a Pokéball and presents it to the others.
They are taken aback by this as Brock asks "Did you manage to capture another Pokémon earlier when you were after Bulbasaur?"
This does catch everyone's attention, especially Ash.
Grinning, she says "Well I went to send out Weedle but accidentally threw an empty Pokéball. And it captured. So" as she throws the ball to the ground "come on out!"
Out comes the blue Pokémon with a swirl on its… abdomen? Face?
Serena freezes as she sees what it actually is properly for the first time. Ash looks towards Serena as he tries to get a read on her emotions.
Ash scans Poliwag with his Pokédex. Dexter says "Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon, a water type. Its slick black skins is thin and damp. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern"
After maybe fifteen seconds, she tilts her head to the side and then lets out a laugh. Ash then joins in as he realises why she is reacting that way.
Serena is instantly reminded of what happened several years prior.
(Flashback, past tense, Serena's POV)
I had been a very particularly shy girl when I was younger. Mum had insisted that I HAD to go to some dumb Pokémon Summer camp, since I hadn't been doing much else during the holidays. I had been more than fine being left to study for the next school year, reading books, and being left to myself. I HATED the idea of needing to go out with a bunch of strangers on some camping. But Mum had INSISTED, that it would be good for me, maybe I could make friends, she said.
I know I sounded like I had been a brat. Oh right, everyone thinks that I am and always have been this perfect angel, who is supposed to always be happy with doing what everyone else expected of me. And sure, I'm not a bad person, but perfect? Nope. Not really. Unrealistic expectations in relation to a child.
However it had to be noted… yeah I would do anything to help Mum out and begrudgingly sometimes did stuff I didn't want to do in order to please her. I love her after all. But sometimes she got me to do things that I didn't particularly want to do. Like that camp.
I had seen many other kids at the camp. Even if I didn't know their names at the time, I would eventually find out their names were: Gary, Damian, Green, Daniel, Eva and a few others. And of course… my best friend.
I had wondered off as I was feeling upset after something had happened with Damian. He made insensitive and rather rude comments about my father. Who had been killed years prior in some crime as he had tried to protect me. I wasn't the only one to have my father, as I would eventually find out. But he told me that I was the reason that he was dead, that my father was in hell and that my Mum was probably happy that she would never need to deal with another 'embarrassment' of a child.
That set me off of course. Of course the mere mention of my deceased father whom had at the time only just died about two or three months prior upset me and I couldn't handle the loss of him. Of course Mum had struggled as well but kept it together fairly well in comparison to myself, or I guess she did?
Always had been a bully. Even to this day, still an abusive bully. I had made it to the treeline. Then as I had continued walking through the woods, I hadn't intended to walk too far into them. No, I was still shy and while I hadn't been thinking straight, I knew that I shouldn't go off from the group, for whatever reason at the time. Safety and procedures or something.
I had been in my short, pink dress and plimsolls with my long, beautiful blonde hair. I smelt the flowers and they were amazing. Then I had the faint smell a nearby pond. Seemed similar to a rotten-egg smell. I once asked the professor about it. He said something like 'Since ponds have basically no oxygen, they can't effectively break down waste from Pokémon and plants at the bottom of them. Which means that… aerobatic bacteria is unable to go below the pond surface at the bottom? This means that these organisms can give off CO2 and hydrogen sulphide, which gives off the smell of rotten eggs' or something like that. All scientific stuff.
I went towards the smell of the pond. Near to it there was a bush. I crouched down near the pond as she looks into the pond engulfed by green stuff. I think it is called pond scum or it's literally just seaweed.
Anyways as I crouched there, I picked up a few nearby pebbles and tried and FAILED to perform a pebble bounce over the fairly 'large' pond. I attempted it about… four times. But they kept sinking. As the fourth and final one sank below the surface, something had jumped out of the water! A Poliwag.
I had been spooked by it and as I got to my feet in order to back away, something started to rustle in the aforementioned woods. Two more Poliwag appeared from those bushes. My eyes widened as I took off running, scared and desperate to escape. As I thought I was gonna get away I tripped, and landed fairly hard. There's a scar on my right knee even to this day… however as I got up to 'defend' myself, I realised that they had left me alone by that point.
They probably had just been scared by me and wanted to protect their home. I mean I guess that was karma? I disturbed their home and then I ended up getting hurt to some extent.
I started to cry as I was alone. I was lost. I was hurt. I had no friends. I was an embarrassment. I was…
Then another nearby bush from the same direction that I had come from started to rustle. I tried to stand again as I assumed that it was one or more of those Poliwags coming after me again. Though no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't move without causing more pain to myself.
When I saw a raven-haired boy exit the bushes, I was pleasantly surprised but also concerned. His shorts and vest seemed to have scratches, dirt and marks across them and across his arms, legs and face. Had those been from trying to find me perhaps? I had thought at the time.
As he saw me lying there crying, he asked "Hey what's up?" while looking down at me concern etched upon his face.
Taking a big gulp I had told him "My leg" as I pointed to my right knee "I tripped and sprained it I think.
He looked at my knee and told me, as his eyes widened "You're bleeding as well!" as he came closer and told me to stay still.
I admit, wasn't hard to not move as you know… I was hurt! He's always been sweet, kind, caring and cute… CUTE?! What are you on about Serena?
Softly he explained to me "Mum told me what to do if something like this happened!" as he took a handkerchief out? Arceus I was doomed I had thought. He wrapped it around my bleeding knee which did well enough to cover it up.
I told him "It still hurts!" as I winced in pain.
He told me he wasn't done yet. I watched as he did some odd movements with his hands as if a magician. He then said "Feel better! Feel better, right away!"
And it did ABSOLUTELY nothing.
He saw this and said "Never give up until it's over" which seemed redundant then and kinda still does now. He then offered me his hand. I hesitantly took it and as he pulled me up, I fell into his arms… wait why do things like that always happen with him and I?
As I pulled away, he smiled and I believe my cheeks reddened. He continued to hold my hand as he walked me back to the others.
Later I would learn that the blood wasn't too serious but as previously mentioned I do have a scar from the incident. But I also found out that once I had ran off crying, that boy, Ash, struck Damian hard in the jaw. Then was promptly punched back and then shoved into a decent amount of mud. Then he seemed to have decided it would have been better to try and find me. Despite the camp counsellor's protests to do so. Thankfully someone else saw it and told the counsellors what had happened. Damian was disciplined and forced to go home after that incident as it was considered extremely inappropriate and as disgusting behaviour.
We did get a photo taken later that day. It had everyone in it whom attended that camp, minus Damian. I have two copies of that photo. One framed at home and a second one in my handbag Ash and I had been next to each other along with that Green girl… which… well unfortunately she had died along with the rest of her family in Pallet Town in a freak fire. Brunette and really cute. A shame really.
(End of flashback, no POV, present day)
Serena thinks to herself 'What are the odds?' as she continues to laugh.
Misty, confused, asks "What's so funny? It's just a Poliwag?" with a raised eyebrow.
Lillie, having already been told the jist of the story, tells her "Something happened when they were both younger, at a summer camp. It involved Poliwags apparently and is the reason that they ended up meeting"
Misty then decides that this is the best time to ask a particular question which she had been wondering for a long while now "Lillie, what Pokémon is that that you have in that bag of yours?"
The girl dressed in white freezes at this. Brock looks at Misty, with his eyes narrowed as he instinctually looks towards the aforementioned bag. He takes a long hard look at it as he tries to figure out what the other teenager was talking about. It did seem spacious, especially for someone who isn't a trainer.
Thinking back, he does realise that something did seem off about the bag. But simply assumed that she had supplies and clothing in there.
Serena then returns Poliwag to its Pokéball. Ash and Serena then catch on to the conversation as their laughter dies down. They see Brock looking at Lillie's bag, Misty looking curiously at their friend and Lillie seeming extremely uncomfortable as she twiddles with her hands in front of her. Her eyes fixated on the ground in front of them.
Serena thinks to herself 'That's right, we never did tell Misty about Nebby after the incident at the Viridian City Pokémon Center. But is Lillie okay to tell them?' as her eyes flick between her three friends.
Ash begins to tell the water and rock trainers "Hey, let's just keep going, we don't need to talk about that" however is cut off. He looks towards the individual responsible for such, in surprise as he looks to her.
Lillie calmly lets out a low sigh as she then says "In this bag is my friend, Nebby, a rare Pokémon called Cosmog. While I call Nebby a 'he', it is more accurately identified as genderless. But Cosmog has shown great powers when the situation calls for it. Oddly enough it didn't seem to use its powers against that creature" as she looks towards her bag, not allowing herself to meet their gazes.
Misty considers all of this, then asks "So where did Nebby come from then?" as she raises her eyebrow as she watches Lillie as if nothing else seemed to exist nor matter around them.
Still deciding not to look up at her, Lillie answers "No one is sure where they came from, same for myself. I was just… dropped off in Pallet Town, years ago, with no memories of what happened before that" with a sense of sadness in her voice as it cracks.
Serena goes over to her friend and gives her a hug, telling her "Hey it's alright Lillie. Why don't we keep on going to Cerulean?"
Brock thinks to himself, deep in thought 'Cosmog? That's a strange Pokémon name. Of course it seems that there may be more to this story than what Lillie is saying'
As the group got to the entrance to the town, Brock announces "Right! Guys, I need to go and sort some stuff out while yous are all busy" and with that… he just walks off. For some reason that never gets explained.
The four of them and Pikachu share a look of confusion with one another.
Then Misty tells them "Um… I need to go do some stuff as well you three, I don't think I will be at the gym with yous today" as her gaze is distant and disconnected from the whole situation as she leaves too.
Ash asks them both "What was all that about?"
Shrugging, Serena jokes "Maybe they have people they want to see in private"
Ash looks at her with his eyebrows knitted as he looks at her. Then asks "What do you mean? See someone in private?" as he tilts his head to the right.
Blinking her eyes as if she was looking at the densest person ever, Serena comments "You don't get it?" with raised eyebrows. Then tells him "Don't worry, let's get to the Pokémon Center, so that we heal our Pokémon then challenge the gym afterwards" as she rolls her eyes internally.
The smaller group now start on their way towards the rather distinct building, towards the… centre… of the city… what a surprise.
As they enter the building, Ash and Serena hand over their respective Pokémon. Those being: Pikachu, Pidgeotto, Butterfree, Mankey, Bulbasaur for Ash. Bulbasaur, Nidoran, Weedle and Poliwag for Serena.
After doing so, Serena asks the Nurse "So what relation are you to the Viridian and Pewter City Nurse Joys?" as she aims to waste some time before her next battle.
Smiling, Nurse Joy tells her that she's the second sister of the Viridian City Nurse Joy. Also that her first name is Harmony. For what that's worth anyways. Serena also has the Nurse check her newly acquired egg from Mt. Moon, handed to her by the Clefairy… or was it Clefable? The nurse tells them that the egg seems healthy enough and should hatch… soon but could be a while yet.
In other words, 'It moves around inside sometimes. It must be close to hatching'
The trio run into another Officer Jenny. She's the cousin or something of the Officer from Viridian City. Something like that.
Approaching her, Ash tells her "Officer Jenny" the lady looks towards them with a look of curiosity. They then explain to her what had happened inside of Mt. Moon. She listened intently as she wrote down what she was being told. Then after some questions, she told them that she would handle it and did ask if anyone had been injured. No.
Then after all of that, and their Pokémon being healed, they head off to the gym!
Serena asks Ash "So which Pokémon do you think you'll be using?" as she glances over to him and Pikachu.
Ash thinks to himself 'Pikachu and Bulbasaur would be the best options. However I do want to make use of Pidgeotto in this gym as a way of making up for leaving him out of the last battle. Bulbasaur would be useful… except it would possibly have a body of water as it is a water gym. Bulbasaur might struggle in that environment and Pikachu would be a bit too easy'
He then tells her "Pidgeotto is a must. Then while I considered using Pikachu and Bulbasaur it would be an easy win. So maybe I use Butterfree and Mankey instead. What about you?"
She tells him "Oh right I was going to use Bulbasaur as well but maybe you have a point. Depending on how many are being used, I will use Nidoran and Bulbasaur. But maybe Poliwag would be useful as well"
(A/N: I know it may seem like I'm skimming through everything, but I will explain something at the end of the chapter. Plus in the anime, it does more or less this whole thing except Jessie, James and Meowth are involved and because of the opening scenes, we know that they are busy for now. Things will work out better after this chapter).
As they approach the building, they see water type Pokémon displays. They showed Seel, Dewgong, Psyduck, Poliwag, Poliwhirl and Squirtle across the displays. However the trio, and Pikachu, pay them no mind as they enter the building.
They first encounter Mr. Pokémon.
Ash says "Mr. Pokémon! It's good to see you again" with a hearty smile.
The older guy, smiles at him as he explains "Ah, you must have met my brother Mark from Pewter City. My name is Martin"
This causes Ash and Serena to give him a confused look on each of their faces.
He sees this and further explains "In our family, we each assist the official gym leaders in their running of their respective gyms" then he pulls out a gift for both of them, saying "here" as he hands them both a ribbon.
As they both look their gifts over, he tells them "Those are the official Cerulean City certified ribbons. To show that yous have likely either endured Mt. Moon or at least likely made a tremendous journey" and with that he is off.
As they do so, they come across three females. The first of whom has rather bright, over the top blonde hair going quite far down her back with green eyes. She has a flower-like clip in her hair above her right ear which is dark pink in the middle with six light-pink petals surrounding the centre. She has a dark red swim-suit on with frills at the hem of the suit. The second one has also got over the top dark blue hair and brown eyes. She has a green dress much in the same way as the previous one. But has a red necklace as well. Then the last one has pink hair and greyish-brown eyes and an orange version of the same dress.
They seem to have just gotten out of the pool as they were using a towel each to dry off. The girls then look over and see our trio. The blonde-haired female addressed them first "Hello, are yous here for the show later on in the day or for a gym battle?"
Ash, with a grin, says "Me and Serena" as he points to his honey-blonde friend "are both here for our gym battles"
And yes I know Ash used Now for the annoying part.
Daisy responds by saying "My name is Daisy", points to the blue-haired girl "that is Violet" and points to the pink-haired girl "and that's Lily" as they both welcome the trio.
Serena then chimes in to say "What are the odds, my friend here" as she points to the other female "is also called Lillie" but with a different spelling. Lily, the gym leader. Lillie, our main character.
This gets a chuckle out of the leaders but doesn't help with Lillie feeling nervous as attention was brought to her.
Ash, seeing this says "So which of yous are the gym leader?" as he looks between whom he could only assume to be siblings. Though they did seem to bare a resemblance to someone else as well. Not in their hairs of course… but their faces on the other hand.
Violet says "We" as she motions to herself and the other two "are all the official gym leaders"
This catches the two trainers and Lillie off guard. Ash asks "So which of you three should we face?"
"Well this gym is three vs three" Lily explains then continues "So your friend Serena, can face us each one vs one. Then you can do the same afterwards" she offers with a smile to them both.
Daisy, watching them both, looks over at the third member of their group, then thinks to herself 'She does seem to feel out of place here. I wonder what her story could be, like why doesn't he also like challenge us too?'
Ash and Serena agree to these conditions. Serena takes position on one side of the battlefield. Which by the way, with a press of a button the room changes.
As they had entered the room, there had been stands on opposite sides of the room. There was a rather clear and evident pool in the middle, with cameras and monitors throughout. Of course the leaders had mentioned a show later on. Perhaps an aquatic show? There was also a quartet of diving boards spread out across the edges of the large pool.
However as that button had been pressed, those features started to change. The stands, while still there, were pushed backwards, as the monitors raised upwards, to avoid potential damages to be incurred during a battle. Then the cameras pushed back towards their respective walls for the same reasoning. However the pool also widened as for a battlefield. Then from the ceiling four individual platforms came down to sit on top of the water. Then the retractable mechanisms which had lowered said platforms returned to their original positions.
Serena and Lily stood in position. Daisy and Violet sat on one side of the stands, as Ash and Lillie sat on the opposite side's stands.
Serena sends out her Bulbasaur first, as she looked for the early advantage. Lily sent out her Goldeen first.
Serena, having already seen Misty's own Goldeen, was somewhat familiar but had yet to see her Goldeen do anything. Then the battle begins.
Bulbasaur was told to use Razor Leaf as Goldeen sat on another platform. Bulbasaur while standing on their own, sent off a burst of leaves aimed at the water type. Immediately Lily tells Goldeen to dodge. Goldeen then plunges into the water to protect itself from the grass type attack.
Nodding her head, Serena does realise that Ash had been right. This wasn't going to be some easy battle. This is a gym battle and it would be tough. She tells Bulbasaur to use Nature Power. Now that move was a risky one, as it could help her out very much or be useless dependant on their environment. And since she hasn't tried the move before, she didn't know what move would come out of this experiment. However for now, she decided it couldn't hurt.
The Grass type tries the move out. As it does so, a burst of stars erupt as it seems to seek Goldeen out. The stars strike and has some effect. However then Lily tells Goldeen to hit a Peck. The fish-like Pokémon leaps out of the water then hits Bulbasaur. This causes the grass type to almost be shoved into the water. However Serena tells Bulbasaur to Tackle Goldeen. Before the water type was able to get away, the poison type shoves itself against Goldeen.
Then tells Bulbasaur to go for Vine Whip. Then Lily tells Goldeen to use Quick Attack into Dive. This helped to speed the water type up and then instantly dove underwater. This causes the vines to just barely miss its target.
Narrowing her eyes, Serena then decides to tell Bulbasaur to use Vine Whip on the water. Bulbasaur obeys as it extends its two vines and slashes them into the waters. This surprises everyone as the water becomes choppy. This forces Goldeen to resurface, which as soon as it does, Bulbasaur then grabs it with the vines, lifting it into the air. Lily commands a Bubble Beam. The water type sends a flurry of bubbles at Bulbasaur however a Razor Leaf stream rips through them all. Then they impact Goldeen. Bulbasaur then throws it onto its own platform and performs slam onto it, at Serena's request.
This knocks Goldeen out cold. Lily returns Goldeen with a 'thank you'. Then congratulates Serena. The next one up is Violet.
On the sidelines, Ash and Lillie are talking. Lillie says to him "Hey she did it" with a small smile on her face. While of course she didn't like battling, she was, at least, happy for her friend.
Ash grins at her as he says "That's Serena for ya. She'll win these next two as well" as they both turn their attention back to the battle at hand.
Violet approaches her position as she watches Serena return her grass type. She asks "Didn't you want to use Bulbasaur against me as well?" with a smirk.
The left side corner of Serena's lips formed a grin as she retorts "Eh, figured I'd mix things up and at least give you and Daisy a chance" as a joke.
Serena then goes to send Nidoran out, however Poliwag comes out of her Pokéball on his own. Blinking a few times, Serena shrugs as she just goes along with it. She just thought 'I wasn't planning on that… but it'll give Poliwag a chance I guess'
Then Violet sends out her Seel. Seel is a pinniped Pokémon with a thick hide covered in a bluish-white fur. It has a pale tan maw with a large red tongue and a pair of tusks on its lower jaw. It has circular eyes and a black nose. There is a small horn on its forehead. It has two flippers on its chest and two more on the end of its tail.
Ash and Serena scan Seel with their Pokédexs. Dexter says "Seel, the Sea Lion Pokémon, a water type. Seel hunts for prey in the frigid sea underneath sheets of ice. When it needs to breath, it punches a hole through the ice with the sharply protruding section on its head"
Both Seel and Poliwag go into the water to start the battle. There was underwater speakers which allowed for trainer's commands to be heard by the Pokémon while they are underwater. Also a few screens appear which are used to track the underwater Pokémon using motion trackers and cameras on the outside of the glass but below where they all are as there was an aquarium like section to the gym to allow people to see water types separate from the battles and performances.
As Serena watches her Poliwag, she tells him to use Pound. Instantly the tadpole-like Pokémon shoots forwards as it goes to slam against Seel. Violet tells Seel to dodge and go for Headbutt. Seel rolls to the side, effectively dodging, then slams its head and more specifically its horn into the right leg of Poliwag.
This causes a pang of pain to erupt in Poliwag as it seemed to move slower after that.
Serena knew that she had to be more careful. She tells Poliwag to use Defense Curl, to which the water type seems to calm and toughens up. Then Violet tells Seel to use Ice Shard. The blast of ice forms quickly and zooms at Poliwag.
Serena thinks quickly and decides to do a hail mary. She tells Poliwag to use Splash. This confuses everyone. But Serena was being hopeful. Poliwag starts to flap its tail and feet, to what you would have assumed no effect. Not quite. Poliwag manages to just barely move itself out of the way of Ice Shard as it quickly melts in the pool.
Violet, Daisy and Lily are all taken aback.
Lily says to Daisy "How did that even work? Isn't Splash supposed to be useless?"
Daisy tells her "Yes. However it seemed like she hoped that it would displace Poliwag and the momentum of the shard. It seemed to work" as she wonders how this young trainer could have so many strategies out of nowhere.
Serena tells Poliwag, 'good work'. Then tells Poliwag to go for Double Slap. The water type rushes towards Seel and slaps it with its tail, hitting three times. Seel then is told to use Horn Attack (A/N: I will address this later on as well) which leads to Seel slamming its horn into Poliwag's back hard.
Serena panics as she tells Poliwag to use Dive. But before it could, Poliwag winces in pain. Smiling, Violet tells Seel to end it with a Drill Run. Seel once more slams into Poliwag, this time its front. This knocks Poliwag out. Violet orders Seel to bring Poliwag back up to the surface. The seal-like Pokémon obeys as it positions itself with Poliwag on its back, then raises towards the water's edge near Serena.
Both Serena and Violet thank Seel for its help. Then they both return their respective Pokémon to their balls and thank their respective Pokémon too.
Violet goes over to Daisy and Lily, then Daisy steps up for the final round.
As her final Pokémon she sends out her own. It is a black pearl-like Pokémon encased within a spiky, blue-violet bivalve shell. It has two round white eyes with tiny black pupils. It has an enormous long red tongue.
Serena scans it with her Pokédex. Dexter tells her "Shellder, the Bivalve Pokémon, a water type. The hardness of its shell surpasses the hardness of a diamond. In days gone by, people used the shells to make shields. The shell can withstand any attack. However, when it is open, the tender body is exposed"
Serena then sends out her poison type, Nidoran. Shellder sits on its own platform as Nidoran does the same. Now the final round begins. Best two out of three it seems.
Serena tells Nidoran to go for Horn Attack. Quickly the poison type leaps across smaller platforms enroute to the shell Pokémon. Daisy absently tells Shellder to use Withdraw. With that the water type retreats into its shell, so that Nidoran's attack is useless, as it bounces off of the hardened shell.
Serena then tells Nidoran to use Double Kick. Quickly the poison pin creature takes turns slamming its hind legs against the shell of the… shell Pokémon. Once more, no effect. However, Daisy then tells Shellder to use Ice Shard. The shell opens as a shard of ice forms in front of it, then zips right at Nidoran, hitting him directly. Then the water type retreats inside of its shell.
She then tells Nidoran to use Supersonic at the small gap in the shell where the tongue would be able to fit through. This seems to work in disorientating the spherical Pokémon.
Daisy tells Shellder to use Water Gun. The burst of water immediately slams into Nidoran while it was still close to the entrance of the shell. This sends it back to the edge of the platform as it is soaked in water. Then Shellder is told to use Tackle. The Bivalve Pokémon rushes forwards and sends both itself and the poison rabbit into the water.
Now while one would assume that Nidoran may be at a clear disadvantage… maybe not. The poison type seems to quickly regain its composure, as it seems relatively okay in a body of water. This does seem to catch Daisy off guard as she would have assumed it wouldn't do so well in water.
Regardless, Daisy tells Shellder to lock in a Clamp. Then to use Dive. This leads to Shellder clasping Nidoran in its shell and then taking off into the water. This makes Serena panic as her Pokémon wouldn't last long without air. She tells Nidoran to use Scratch. Nidoran does so but to little effect, as it simply hits the shell.
She told him to use Double Kick. Two kicks, still nothing.
Just as it is about to give up, the poison type starts to glow. As the light dies down, on the monitors there is a new Pokémon with Shellder. It is a light-purple, quadrupedal Pokémon. It has several darker purple patches across its body. It has large, spiny ears with teal insides, narrow black eyes, and a long snout with two pointed teeth protruding from the upper jaw. It has a ridge of long presumably toxic spines on its back and a long, pointed horn on its forehead.
Shellder hadn't been expecting this to happen, so it didn't have the moderated strength to keep ahold of Nidorino. This meant that it was forced to release the poison type. Then Nidorino grabbed Shellder in its forearms… or legs and shot off towards the surface of the water.
As they both break the surface, Nidorino takes a deep breath and then slams Shellder down on one of the platforms. Then Serena tells him to finish it off with Horn Attack. However as he went to slam down with its horn, Daisy tells Shellder to use Razor Shell. This causes Shellder to spin around and have a water-like blade to counter Nidorino. As Nidorino jump back after they clashed, Shellder retracted its blade. Quickly Serena tells Nidorino to hit Body Slam, as its shell opened back up. Nidorino comes crashing down hard.
As Nidorino climbs off of the Bivalve Pokémon, it becomes clear that Shellder was knocked out. They both thank their Pokémon and return them.
Ash and Lillie jump up and started to congratulate their friend, with cheers and well dones. Daisy walks around to Serena as she says "Well done, Serena, through a tough fight with your determination you were able to beat the Cerulean City gym. I present to you, the Cascade Badge!" as she hands her a teardrop badge.
Serena thanks Daisy, as well as Violet and Lily for the battle(s) as well. With that, Ash comes over and holds his hand up to Serena, as if signalling for a high-five. She gratefully accepts it with a slap of her hand to his.
Ash then turns to address the Sensational Sisters, "Are yous ready to go against me now?" with a smile as Pikachu pumps his fist, seeming focused and prepared for a fight.
Before any of the trio can respond, the door is thrown open as a familiar female strides in. All six of the people already in the room recognises her immediately. Her orange-hair was quite the notable feature of the young teenager.
Ash is the first to speak as he says "Hey Misty! You're here just in time for my gym battle" with a grin.
Lily asks "Oh our little sister knows yous then?" with a smirk. Not to say she didn't like Misty, however there was a certain petulance and rebellious nature from the youngest sister.
Serena questions "She's your sister?" as it all starts to add up and make sense. She thinks to herself 'That's what her secret was! It all adds up now'
A water type trainer. Her hesitance to come to Cerulean City. Brock being aware of who she was, despite the fact he almost never went too far from Pewter City. And the similarities between Misty, Lily, Violet and Daisy, their similar looking facial features.
Misty doesn't pay any attention to her friends as she addresses her sisters "I want to be the one to test Ash in a gym battle" with a look of intent on her face.
Violet, with a hand to her chin, says "I thought you said you'd leave Cerulean City and not return 'until I became the best water Pokémon trainer in Kanto' or something like that"
Misty winces at this as she doesn't seem deterred. She continues to stare at them intently.
Daisy asks "So how many water type Pokémon did you manage to capture in your absence?" with a raised eyebrow.
Misty, without hesitation tells them "Three. Starmie, Staryu and Goldeen" as she gulped.
Lily, deciding to get away from the teasing, asks her "You said you wanted to face your friend there in a gym battle?" Misty nods in certainty. Lily continues "And what type of battle would you be offering to face him in?"
Misty, staring into her eyes with determination, tells her "It will be a two on two Pokémon battle. My Staryu and Starmie, vs whichever two he decides to use"
Lily tells her "I'll allow it but don't go easy on your boyfriend sis" with a wink.
This causes Misty and Ash to both blush deeply. Serena and Lillie seem uncomfortable and didn't seem to like the comment.
Misty thought to herself 'And of course, as usual, she likes to be involved in my "love life" even when there's nothing there. Literally NOTHING THERE. I don't even like Ash that way. He is a nice friend but he's just a friend. Besides it seems that Serena and Lillie may be interested in him anyway'
Ash thinks to himself 'Boyfriend? Misty's Boyfriend? No disrespect to her, but I'm definitely not into her at all. I am a bit young to be properly thinking about girls right now anyways. Though I suppose Lillie and Serena are really cute and interesting. Maybe in time?'
Lillie thought to herself 'Misty and Ash? I don't know how to think about that… they wouldn't would they?'
Then Serena thinks to herself 'Not happening… I hope. Besides they don't seem any bit interested in one another'
Misty tells her "Thanks for allowing me to battle him. But I make this clear, he" pointing to Ash "is only a friend. That's all" then walks off to the gym leader position of the field.
Shrugging his shoulders, Ash goes to his position. Serena goes over to sit down with Lillie. Then Daisy, Lily and Violet go to their own seats where they had been previously.
Also Serena decides to scan Nidorino's Pokéball with her Pokédex. Dexter told her "Nidorino, the Poison Pin Pokémon, the evolved form of Nidoran, a poison type. Nidorino has a horn that is harder than a diamond. If it senses a hostile presence, all the barbs on its back bristle up at once, and it challenges the foe with all its might"
Ash talks to Misty, across the field, "Are you ready to lose Misty?" with a grin.
Misty, narrowing her eyes, tells him "I'll make you eat those words Ash" as she throws out both of her starfish Pokémon. Staryu and Starmie.
Ash thinks to himself as he considers which two Pokémon he should use. But then chooses to throw out both his Pidgeotto and Butterfree.
Misty had both of her water type start off with a dual water gun. Both shot off individual streams of water aimed at the flying types. Ash tells them both to use Gust. This causes the water to be redirected at the water, dispersing it fairly easily.
Then Ash tells Butterfree to go for Poison Powder on Staryu and Starmie. As the butterfly-like Pokémon soars above its foes, it releases purplish-powder towards them both. Misty tells them to dodge, and they instantly dive under the water to avoid the move.
Ash tells Pidgeotto to aim a Gust at the water types. Misty, knowing what he was planning, tells them both to use Rapid Spin. This also causes the wind to be discarded too.
Ash nods his head with a grin. He then tells Butterfree to go for Confusion on Staryu. This leads to Butterfree to emit a purplish glow as it causes the water type to be lifted from the pool and then slammed into one of the platforms. Then Pidgeotto and Butterfree rushed towards it for a double Tackle attack.
However, thinking on her feet, Misty tells Starmie to once more use Rapid spin with a Water Gun combination. The psychic type obeys and leaps out of the water and spins above its ally while then creating a water barrier from the flying types.
It causes them to be thrown away from the two water types.
However Ash had a different plan. Remember how earlier Ash only had Pidgeotto use Gust? Did you look? Yep. Butterfree wasn't doing anything… apparently. Except using double team. Misty realises something was off when the Butterfree which was hit disappeared.
She realises too late what really had happened. Butterfree had been busy spreading its string across the platforms while she had been distracted. Well… the real one anyways.
She curses "Double Team"
Grinning, Ash tells Pidgeotto to use Whirlwind now on Starmie. Pidgeotto starts flapping its wings rather intensely towards the water duo. This causes strong currents to be blasted towards the still swirling water. The wind along with the spinning water, creates a whirlpool/ vortex like effect. Staryu couldn't even get out from underneath the vortex. A large circular storm was encompassing the two water types. This wasn't exactly supposed to happen.
It seemed uncontrollable and much more powerful than either trainer had expected.
Daisy, Violet and Lily ran over to Misty as to try and help her sort her Pokémon out. However the vortex swiftly was shot off towards the water type trainer. Misty was frozen in fear and unable to move. She wasn't able to do anything. Her flight vs fight had decided fright instead!
Pikachu, who had been sitting with Lillie and Serena ever since Ash chose Butterfree and Pidgeotto, rushes off towards Misty. At first he was using a Quick Attack, but almost instantly transitioned into an Agility as it desperately tried to reach her. He just threw himself at her and forced them both out of the way in time as the water slammed into the wall of the gym.
Starmie and Staryu laid on the floor, knocked out, from the hard impact into the wall. Officially Ash had won the battle, however it should be noted that the battle technically concluded once the battle started to endanger the individuals in the gym.
Everyone rushes over to Pikachu and Misty in order to check in on them. Daisy, Lily and Violet crouch down next to the girl as they ask if she's okay.
She groans as she looks up at them as Pikachu is in her arms. As she regains her senses, she says "Thanks Pikachu for saving me" however as she tried to stand up, she couldn't.
Daisy tells her "Stay still Misty" with genuine concern across her face.
Lily adds in "Yeah that was a great battle, until the ending of course"
Ash told Pikachu that he had done a great job, saving their good friend.
Lillie and Serena stood off to the side as they watched everything as they knew that they couldn't do too much.
Violet tells Misty, "Look, we were wrong to doubt your skills and to mistreat you as our sister"
Lily then says "And it looks like you should have a few days of rest"
Misty counters with "No, I am continuing on with my friends. We are on a journey" with determination in her voice.
Serena then chimes in to point out "Misty, you don't seem to be in any state to continue journeying for the time being. We could go on and then you catch up to us down the line?"
Her gaze downcast, Misty begrudgingly says "Okay I will do, for now. But that doesn't mean that yous are getting rid of me fully. I will catch up soon, when I've recovered" then she looks towards Staryu and Starmie. She thinks for a long, hard minute then turns to Serena.
She says "Serena, could you take Staryu with you for now?" this catches everyone off guard.
Looking at Misty, hesitantly, Serena asks "Why would you ask me to do that?"
Misty, smiles before continuing "I already have Starmie, plus it would be good to allow Staryu to grow on its own"
Serena, thanks her, then says "I will take good care of them. Just you focus on recovering" with a grin.
Misty then turns to Daisy and tells her "Give me one of the badges"
Daisy, confused, grabs a teardrop badge and questions "Why? What are you planning on doing?"
Taking the badge, Misty turns to talk to Ash. She says "Here Ash, I confer onto you the Cascade badge. You did end up beating both Staryu and Starmie. And I don't hold you to blame for what happened in the battle, especially after Pikachu saved my life"
He takes the badge and thanks her.
Before the group leave, Lily returns both of Misty's Pokémon to their respective balls, Serena is handed Staryu's ball and our gang, minus Misty, leave the gym. They head to the Pokémon Center, where they curiously run into Brock. Flirting stupidly with Nurse Joy, to no avail. After all, she's an adult, he's FIFTEEN!
They explain what happened with Misty, the Pokémon are all healed, and they head off to the next part of their adventure, unfortunately without the Cerulean native, however she would return soon enough.
AND that's it. I am super sorry that this was released many days later than I had originally planned. However lots has happened since Monday, the… 23rd. See, my youngest brother decided, now it is the time to force himself into moving out. Unnecessary. But that upended everything this week. Then having to change the house around because of that and then a deep clean to get rid of fleas which is its own issue that I can't be asked about right now. Anyways, I hope yous all enjoyed. And yep I did change bits of the anime. Believe me, with what happens soon… it will make a lot of sense why I wrote Misty off for now. But see yous next time, I am not sure which day but it should be before the 5th of September. Bub Bye!