Chapter 2: Setting Out

Misty woke up excited, knowing she wouldn't have to spend the day stuck in the gym facing challengers for the first time in months without it being for work. She would able to actually be back in the open and spend more time getting closer to her original dream of being a Water Pokemon master. Although she knew she couldn't travel too far because she wanted to be able to get back to the gym in case her sisters screwed something up. After saying a quick goodbye to her sisters and the Pokemon she wasn't taking with her she stepped out into the city. The sunlight warmed her skin and promised her a good day. She stretched her arms into the air and started walking to her first stop, the Poke Mart.

After stocking up on supplies she jumped onto the first bus to Vermilion city, she wanted to get to the water and surf to the Seafoam islands as soon as possible to make the most of her trip. The bus ride wasn't long, but she felt herself drift off more than once only to be brought to reality by a particular bump. When she arrived she was surprised to see a crowd gathered she walked over and asked the first man she saw what was going on.

"They're about to have a Pokemon competition, it's just a local town thing, but it's free to watch so people coming to see their friends," he explained.

"Can anyone register?" Misty asked her competitive side and curiosity already pushing her to go.

"Yeah you can register at the front desk, I think they still have open spaces," the man pointed towards the Nurse Joy, apparently in charge. Misty made her way through the crowd following the man's directions, easily sliding between people.

"Hi, I'd like to sign up," Misty said to the Nurse Joy who was sitting at the front desk looking down at her computer screen.

"OK, you're lucky you made it just in time. Now you need to have a trainer id, do you have one?" Nurse Joy asked pulling out the signup sheets.

"I'm actually Misty Waterflower, the Cerulean city Gym Leader," Misty explained. The Nurse Joy looked up and her eyes widened slightly in recognition.

"Oh, yes you are, all I need is your Gym id, that's good enough for you to get entrance," Nurse Joy said tapping at a few more keys on her computer.

Misty pulled out her wallet and inside was her gym leader id, "Here you go."

"Perfect," Nurse Joy scanned the card and returned it to Misty. "I have you registered. The first matches will start soon if you need to get any Pokemon you can call from over there," Nurse Joy pointed to the computers on the far side of the room. After a short call to the gym she had Daisy send her Politoad and Starmie for the competition. Daisy swore they were training with the Pokemon and Misty believed her to an extent.

Finally the preliminaries came around and Misty realized this really was a small event. She breezed through her fights not because she was a good trainer, but because it really was a local affair the trainers were all beginners. The teams were made up of unevolved and under trained Pokemon, bug Pokemon that made her skin crawl were quite popular. She felt bad when she beat some of the competitors, realizing she probably didn't belong in the competition.

It wasn't until the finals that she came upon an experienced trainer. It was a girl who was probably her age and just from the confidence she exuded when she walked Misty could tell she knew what she was doing or she was extremely arrogant, possibly both. "I'm Samantha and you're going down, "was her only introduction which immediately put Misty off.

"OK, I'm taking you down," Misty shot back ignoring any introduction, her anger bubbling to the surface quickly. She was not a fan of the girl smirking at her and tried to calm herself, not wanting her anger to get in the way of her battling. She had gotten much better at staying calm, but sometimes she still lost her cool.

To Misty's surprise Samantha was really good. Misty was confident in herself, but admitted that her opponent had a decent chance at beating her. The six vs six battle was intense and they were down to two each.

"OK time for my secret weapon, go Gyrados," Misty called out, but to her surprise Psyduck appeared. She rarely called him out, because although his psychic powers were great it could hard to harness them in battle. "No, Psyduck."

"Go Graveller," Samantha smirked at the small Psyduck across the field. "I'll give you a free shot," Samantha called laughing. Misty was forced to take a risk, but she hoped it would work.

"Fine, Psyduck go head butt that thing," Misty called out pointing at the Graveller. Psyduck looked terrified and still somewhat confused, but it still waddled over and smashed his head directly into the rock Pokemon.

Samantha and the crowd stared at Misty in shock, she had proved to be a capable trainer and at her decision to send her Pokemon to head butt a Graveller seemed insane. "Just wait," Misty said under her breath and she saw the change in Psyduck, his eyes glowing blue.

"Psyduck, use confusion," Misty yelled and Psyduck complied sending Graveller skidding across the field only coming to a stop when it hit a wall.

"What?" Once again Samantha looked shocked. "Graveller use rollout taking that little duck, out," she called out sounding mildly worried.

"Use psychic," Misty countered and once again Psyduck used his powers. This time Graveller stopped mid-roll and was lifted high into the air. Graveller was flung into the wall hard and barely managed to get back up.

"Use rock throw, keep your distance," Samantha commanded.

"Psyduck use psychic again and send the rocks back," Misty once again had Psyduck counter the other Pokemon. The rocks being flung at Psyduck froze in the air and struck Graveller finally knocking it out.

"Oh no, Graveller, alright Venemoth finish this for me," Samantha sent out her final Pokemon

"Psyduck return," Misty saw the blue light fading from his eyes and didn't expect to have the same trick work twice on a row. "This time Gyrados come out for real," Misty threw out her pokeball and sent out her chosen Pokemon. She had faith in Gyrados, it was the powerhouse of her team and by far her strongest fighter in terms of pure power. This was shown because all it took was one smash of his tail and a hydro pump to win the competition for her.

Misty knew she had gotten lucky with Psyduck if he didn't hit his head, he would have been taken out quickly, but she still believed Gyrados would have beaten Graveller and Venemoth. She walked across the field to shake Samantha's hand proud of her win and proud of her Pokémon for doing so well.

"Good job," Misty stuck her hand out for Samantha to shake, taking the high road.

"Thanks you too," Samantha came off her high horse, "but I have a question."

"Ok, what?" Misty asked hoping it would be something innocent.

"Are you Misty the gym leader of Cerulean city?" the girl was looking her up and down.

"Yes, I am," Misty smiled, but she was slightly surprised that she had been recognized.

"How many talented redheaded water trainers are running around Kanto?" Samantha explained Misty's unasked question about how she had been recognized.

"That's true," Misty conceded not imagining she had too many lookalikes, her hair wasn't particularly common nor were water specialists.

"I was actually on my way to challenge you when I stopped her, but I think I'll train for a bit longer. Plus I won't bring my Graveller because I know what your gym looks like and it's probably not the right place for it," Samantha patted the Pokeball holding her Graveller.

"The gym is going to be closed for a little while anyway so don't worry," Misty replied not actually explaining her reason.

"Next time we meet it'll be in the gym and I'll beat you for sure," Samantha switched back into her confident mode, but it held a bit less arrogance.

"I'm looking forward to it, but I'm no pushover," Misty actually was looking forward to it and if Samantha wasn't going to be a jerk, Misty imagined they could be friends.

"Clearly I know that now, but you should go get your prize," Samantha looked past Misty.

"There's a prize?" Misty had only entered for some fun and training experience, not realizing that she probably was overqualified or that there was a prize.

"I assumed that's why you entered, you get a water stone," Samantha pointed to someone behind Misty.

"Really? That's cool, thanks for letting me know," Misty walked away going to a man waving her over from the sidelines holding a small box.

"Here is your prize," he opened the box and revealed a water stone which Misty gratefully took. She wasn't sure what she wanted to use it for yet, but evolution stones were somewhat rare and having a water stone was a definite plus for a water Pokemon trainer.

After talking to a few trainers she left the small arena and went to the Pokemon center for her hurt Pokemon. She swiped her gym leader id and then handed her Pokemon over to Nurse Joy. Swiping her id sent her location back to her sisters who called her on the video phone a few minutes later.

After a decently long conversation they said goodbye and a few minutes later Misty's Pokemon were returned to her. After thanking them for a good battle she sent Politoad and Starmie back to the gym to help her sisters. Starmie was one of her most experienced and versatile Pokémon so it could handle itself well. Politoad was actually quite strong, but he developed a bit of her pacifistic nature after evolving so Misty had to be very direct in commanding him in battle. She hoped her sisters could use them effectively.

She decided to stay overnight in the Pokemon Center, at this point she had made enough money in the gym that she could afford to spend the night in a hotel, but she wanted to experience the feeling of traveling again even if only for a little while.

The next morning when she woke up on the slightly uncomfortable bed she halfway regretted her choice to stay in the Pokemon Center. She debated visiting Lieutenant Surge to say hello, but she was worried he might try to drag her into a battle like he often tried when they met at gym leader gatherings.

Misty made it to the water without incident and called out Gyrados who looked happy to be in the water, of course everyone nearby scattered in fear. "Sorry," Misty yelled to them as she climbed on top of Gyrados. "Gyrados ready to swim a bit?"

Gyrados roared in what Misty believed was agreement and they swam away from the shore quickly making it out to open sea. She let Corsola and Staryu out of their Pokeballs to enjoy the open sea, she briefly wished Seadra could get some exercise out in the ocean. She remembered how it got sick back when it was a Horsea, but the huge tanks back at the gym were enough for Seadra to stay happy and healthy.

She was interrupted from her musings when Staryu made a noise glancing over she saw a few Tentacool approaching them. Seeing they were ready for a fight she sent Corsola and Staryu to take care of them. "Staryu, use rapid spin and Corsola use tackle," Misty pointed at the tentacool who were growing closer.

After a relatively short fight the Tentacool were sent running, but before they disappeared Misty managed to throw a Pokeball at one of the closest ones catching it inside. After watching the Pokeball blinking in the water for a little while, it stopped meaning Misty had successfully caught a Tentacool. "Alright, we did it," she cheered and jumped into the water swimming over and grabbing the floating ball placing it in her bag.

The rest of the ride across wasn't too eventful eventually Psyduck came out and sat next to Misty refusing to get into the water, never having learned to swim. Staryu and Corsola fought off a few more Pokemon that came to bother them, mainly Tentacool, but Misty didn't attempt to catch any of them. When the shore came into view she returned Gyrados and Psyduck not wanting to make a scene and instead allowed Staryu to take her the rest of the way.

She missed riding on Lapras with Ash and Tracey, but spending time with her Pokemon for company was still fun.

The sandy beaches were a welcome sight and the tropical setting was exactly what she needed to distance herself from work for a while.

She made a point of dropping Tentacool off in the Pokemon Center before heading to the beach to soak up the sun.

She put on her sunglasses and laid on her beach chair letting herself get some rest, riding on Gyrados wasn't particularly relaxing.

She listened to the crashing waves and the sounds of beach goers while she closed her eyes. She couldn't tell how long it had been, but sooner than she liked she was interrupted. "Hi, do you want to hang out with me and a few of my friends," a boy about her age asked dragging her back to reality.

"Sorry, I'm just relaxing," Misty said not wanting to hurt his feelings, but she wasn't interested in spending time with some random guy.

"Oh, Ok," he stepped back without issue, but before he left his friends started yelling at him.

"Dude get her," Another random guy who she immediately disliked yelled at his friend as if she couldn't hear him.

"Sorry my friends are persistent," the first boy looked slightly embarrassed.

Misty saw the Pokeballs on his belt, "How about this if I beat you in a Pokemon battle you guys have to leave me alone."

"OK and if I win I get to take you out on a date," he smiled at her. Although Misty had a crush on Ash when they were traveling she had been on a few dates since returning home. She still had some feelings for Ash, but he wasn't around so she wasn't completely hung up on him. The boy was cute and it wouldn't kill her to go on a date so she was alright with the stakes. Of course she certainly didn't plan to lose.

"Go Staryu," she threw the Pokeball high into the air releasing Staryu who called out its standard cry 'hyah'.

"Come on out Raticate," the boy who still hadn't said his name let a Raticate out who immediately had the disadvantage on the terrain.

"Raticate use quick attack," the boy pointed at Staryu.

"Use rapid spin," Misty commanded and Staryu started spinning faster and fast before flying at the quickly approaching Raticate. They flew in different directions due to the force of the collision, but Staryu looked unhurt.

"Use hyper fang," Raticate pulled itself up and launched back at Staryu.

"Don't let it get you, push it away with water gun and follow it with swift," Staryu started shooting sprays of water at Raticate who dodged most of them, but was finally hit knocking it off balance. Raticate was then hit with the swift attack, but it pulled itself up easily.

"Use hyper fang again," Raticate sprung quickly and managed to bite onto one of the edges of Staryu who started shaking to get the Raticate off. Raticate bit hard enough to actually break off the tip of Staryu's appendage.

"Staryu get into the water and use recover," Misty was less fazed that one would be at a Pokemon losing part of a limb. She knew Staryu could regrow any damaged or missing part.

"Raticate get ready," the boy seemed slightly worried at how calm Misty was.

"Use bubblebeam," Staryu popped up suddenly shooting a wave of bubbles at the Raticate.

"Dodge it with quick attack," the boy commanded and his Pokemon did manage to get out of the way. Misty saw the Raticate was quick, but it was clearly having difficulty finding purchase on the grass.

"Use swift," Misty still was unfazed and this time Raticate couldn't get out of the way quick enough.

"Hit it with quick attack," Raticate lunged towards Staryu.

"Use rapid spin and finish it with hydro pump," Misty watched as once again the Pokemon collided. Once Raticate was off balance again it was struck with the high pressured water knocking it out. Some of the crowd that had formed cheered for Misty and some groaned for their friend.

"Wow you're really good," the boy walked over to Misty after he returned his Raticate to his Pokeball.

"Thanks, but it was hardly fair I had the ocean right here and you're Raticate was trying to run on sand," Misty replied returning her own Pokemon, but even as she spoke she got a quick rush of pride.

"So I guess we aren't going on a date," he laughed and Misty returned it with a small smile. "I'm Dillon, I guess it's a bit late, but I never introduced myself."

Before Misty could reply another person jumped over to them. "Let me take a shot at her," one of his friends yelled having watched the match. A few of his other friends started to try to challenge her and didn't listen when she asked them not to.

"Sorry," Dillon said trying to hold back one of his more eager friends.

"I think I know how to take care of this, Gyrados scare them away," she threw Gyrados' pokeball and allowed him to roar at everyone on the beach once again terrifying everyone, even those who weren't bothering her.

Misty returned Gyrados and headed back to the Pokemon Center to check on Tentacool who finished healing a few minutes before she returned. She took Tentacool to a more secluded section of the beach to introduce him to the rest of her team. Tentacool was a bit standoffish at first, but relaxed more over time and warmed up to the rest of her team.

Misty managed to train Tentacool a bit with her other Pokemon hoping to make it a good addition to the Cerulean gym.

She spent the rest of the day on the beach hanging out with her Pokemon and swimming.

Night came around far sooner than she expected and she decided to spend the night in the local Pokemon Center. Rather than hang out on the beach she planned to go and explore the next day.

When she woke up she decided to explore one of the Seafoam islands caves. Normally it would have taken her a while to actually rouse herself so early in the morning, but she hopped into one of the showers they had and pulled on some of the clothing she brought with her. Her excite providing the energy she needed to get moving.

After getting directions from a local she found the entrance to the cave, but before she reached it a Krabby ran up to her. It didn't make any move to attack her it just stood near her bubbling. It was bigger than Ash's Krabby before it evolved, but she still had to crouch down to get on its level. "Hi Krabby," she greeted it not sure what to do. It just continued bubbling so she carefully patted its head and walked into the cave.

It wasn't as dark as she was expecting, but she still carried Staryu in her arms, its gem glowing like a flashlight. The Zubat hanging at the top of the cave worried her a bit, but they didn't make any moves to bother her so she continued in further. The only sound was her footfalls, the small noises Staryu occasionally made, the splashing of water which she was approaching and a strange clicking noise.

A/N

Thank you for reading, please comment and let me know what you thought about the chapter. I managed to upload this second chapter in one day or technically less than one day since my last chapter. I can't imagine being able to keep that pace so please don't expect a chapter every day, but I'll try to move quickly for the sake of anyone who enjoys this.

So Misty made her way from the Gym over to the Seafoam Islands and she is going to be looking around the cave. For people who played the games, you may know one Articuno can be found there, but I don't plan on Misty stumbling on any legendary Pokemon, well not yet anyway. Like I said Ash and Misty most certainly will be meeting up, but I'm giving Misty some time to catch a few Pokemon and train. In a few chapters they'll be meeting up so any other PokeShippers give me a few chapters.

Comment Responses (I'm a bit shocked I got any reviews so quickly)

Jasmine- If people enjoy this story and I make it as long as I'd like to. Misty will probably be going into other regions so there is a high chance that she will be able to catch a Feebas or a Buizel maybe both. As far as a Squirtle goes I love Squirtle, so you expect to see one at some point for sure. I'm not sure if Misty will catch another Horsea, but her Horsea which is now a Seadra will play a role later in the story.

Other people- I replied in private messages because you aren't anonymous.

Trivia

-In one episode Misty stated how cute she thought Tentacool was referring to the red orb on their head as "The ruby of the sea"

-In the game canon it is said that Misty goes to Seafoam islands often to train.

-In the Orange Islands Ash, Misty, and Tracey rode on a Lapras as their main means of transportation in the water.

-It was a running gag that Psyduck couldn't swim however when Psyduck got a bad headache it would begin to use incredible psychic powers. After using its powers Psyduck would forget it had any power or that it used any abilities.

-Ash once had a Krabby who was very small in size he fought it on his own using a stick he found on the beach rather than enter in a real battle with it before capturing it. It later evolved into a Kingler who became a powerhouse on his team and helped him in the Indigo League.

Misty's Current Team

-Tentacool

-Corsola

-Psyduck

-Staryu

-Gyrados

(In the Gym)

-Starmie

-Politoad

-Seadra

-Seaking

-Caserin

-Azumarill

-Dewgong

-Various Pokemon mainly used for shows