A Different Path
Disclaimer: We do not own Pokemon.
Happy Easter, everyone! We hope you enjoy this chapter!
"Hello." : normal speech
"Hello.": Ash/Pikachu mental bond
"Hello." Pokémon Speech
"Hello." Pokédex entries
Chapter 3: "Clefairy and the Moon Stone" and "The Water Flowers of Cerulean City"
As Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock approached Mount Moon, they were talking about the mountain and about the meteor that had apparently crashed into it. Misty said it sounded romantic. They heard a scream coming from the mountain. There was a man being chased by Zubats. "Pikachu." was all Ash said.
"I'm on it." Pikachu thought back as he sent a Thunderbolt at the Zubats.
The Zubats went flying away. "Are you okay?" Ash asked the guy.
"You guys are the greatest!" the man exclaimed, jumping up and hugging Ash. "I'm talking super fantastic! Two thumbs up! Best rescue I ever had!"
Ash, as kindly as he could, pushed the man off of him and backed away. "I bet he had to get rescued a lot. This guy should get himself his own Pokémon to protect him." Pikachu thought to Ash and Ash stopped himself from laughing. While his Pokémon knew about his connection to Pikachu, he didn't tell Misty and Brock. He wasn't really sure how to tell them.
"It was nothing really." Ash said as Pikachu jumped back onto his shoulder. "I'm Ash, and this is my partner Pikachu and my friends Misty and Brock. What's your name, mister?"
"Never call me mister," the man said taking hold of Ash's arm. Ash could see Misty suddenly get her mallet out, but he held up his hand. So far this guy was harmless. "My name is Seymour! Seymour the scientist!"
"Okay," Misty said putting her mallet away from wherever she got it from. "Can you explain why the Zubat were attacking you?"
"Come follow me." Seymour said, leading them into the caves. "See, the cave is all lit up inside! Somebody has strung these lights through the whole cave. But the Pokémon in this cave need the dark! These lights are upsetting them and making them confused!"
"Which must be why the Zubat left their cave and attacked you." Brock concluded.
"The Paras are planting their mushrooms everywhere, and the lights are drying up these Sandshrew." Seymour said, pointing at the Pokémon in trouble.
"Pikachu, can you talk to them? See what's going on." Ash thought as he reached into his bag and took out a bowl and a bottle of water.
Pikachu went to talk to the pokemon as Ash filled up the bowl and put it on the ground for the Pokémon. "They say there are two humans and a cat looking for a moonstone." Pikachu told Ash as he jumped up. "Sound familiar?"
"Yeah," Ash thought back, getting up and rejoining his friends.
"That was very sweet Ash." Misty said with a smile. "Who could do something like this?"
"I can think of someone. Well two someones and a talking cat." Ash said, trying to make it sound like he was thinking it up all on this own.
"Not them again." Misty said, getting what Ash meant but leaving Brock and Seymour in the dark.
"Who?" Brock asked and was then informed of what happened at the Viridian City Pokémon Center. "Well I guess they could do it, but why?"
"I'm afraid it's for the Moon Stone." Seymour said.
"The Moon Stone?" Misty asked.
""Exactly," Seymour said. "The Moon Stone is an awesome boulder; a million years old or even older! Deep in these caves the meteor hides, though no explorer has found the place of the legendary rock from space! We've studied its fragments for many an hour and found that it increases a Pokémon's power. And that is why the attackers are here. They've come to take away the Moon Stone, I fear!"
"Brock, I thought moon stones only evolved certain Pokémon," Ash whispered to his friend.
"You're correct. That's all they do." Brock whispered back.
"Ever since I was a little boy, I've believed that Pokemon came to Earth from outer space," Seymour continued, seeming to not notice the side conversation and everyone looking at each other. "And where you, ask, is the spacecraft that brought them to Earth? It's in this cave! It's the m Moon Stone!"
"That's, um, certainly an original theory." Misty said.
"This guy is a nutcase." Pikachu thought to Ash and Ash hid a smile.
"Don't you see?" Seymour said, going to try and grab Ash, but Ash backed away. "The stone belongs to the Pokemon! We humans can't take it from them! You agree, don't you?"
"Yeah of course." Brock said.
"Let's see if we can find the generator." Ash said and the group walked down a tunnel. Suddenly a Clefairy carrying a moonstone hopped in front of them.
"That looks like a Clefairy." Brock said.
"It's so cute!" Misty cooed.
Ash took a step forward, deciding to warn the Clefairy about Team Rocket, but Seymour grabbed hold of his hand. "You can't catch it!" Seymour cried. "It belongs here!"
"I wasn't going to. I was going to warn it, and stop touching me." Ash told him and Pikachu, sensing his trainer discomfort with Seymour, powered up a Thundershock and shocked the scientist.
They ran after Clefairy and found it cornered by a Meowth. "Don't be scared of Meowth!" the cat said in an intimidating voice.
"You weren't joking about the talking Meowth." Brock muttered, causing the Meowth to turn around.
"You twerps get out of here! It's Team Rockets cave now!" Meowth growled.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Ash called and Pikachu sped off, hitting Meowth and throwing him back.
"So Team Rocket is the one causing trouble in this cave. Good guess Ash," Misty said.
"Trouble?" a female voice said and Jessie appeared holding a shovel.
"Make it double." James appeared holding a pickax.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all people within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jessie."
"And James."
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now or prepare to fight."
"Meowth, that's right!" Meowth said, jumping between them.
"Misty, did you understand a word of that this time?" Ash asked, turning to his friend.
"Nope, still a mystery to me." Misty replied, shaking her head.
"Brock?" Ash asked. "Make any sense?" Brock shook his head, confused. "What about you, Seymour, you like to rhyme. Did that make any sense at all?" Seymour just shook his head as well.
"Next time I hear that, I'm shocking them before it's over." Pikachu muttered.
"Should have done it this time." Ash thought back.
"What are you doing here? Can't you see you're hurting the Pokemon in this cave? Those lights are making them confused!" Brock yelled.
"What a shame." Jessie said with a grin.
"How will we ever forgive ourselves?" James retorted sarcastically.
"We want our hands on a Moon Stone so we can power up our Pokémon with it." Meowth said, speaking as if he wasn't a Pokémon himself.
"With the Moon Stone in our hands, nothing can stop us!" Jesse exclaimed.
"People are real idiots when it comes to this Moon Stone." Ash mumbled, not believing someone else believed it would make their Pokémon stronger. "Misty, take Seymour and Clefairy and run.' Ash whispered and Misty nodded. "Pikachu." Ash said and Pikachu knew what Ash wanted him to do right away.
Pikachu ran, following Misty as Ash took out a Poké Ball and released Scyther. Jessie released her Ekans and James his Koffing. Brock took out a Poké Ball, releasing a Zubat. "You have a Zubat?" Ash asked, confused.
"Caught it outside the cave." Brock said, and Ash shrugged, finding it weird that Brock took advantage of his attack to catch a Pokémon, but not really caring.
"Koffing, Smog Attack!' James ordered and black smoke appeared out of Koffing mouth.
"Wing Attack, blow that smoke back at them!" Brock called.
"Good idea." Ash said, wishing he had thought of it. Then Ekans appeared out at the smoke and aimed a Bite right a Scyther. "False Swipe." Ash ordered and Scyther moved his arm and hit Ekans with a False Swipe that threw her backwards.
"Zubat, Supersonic!" Brock commanded and Zubat threw the attack at the two Pokémon, causing them to get confused and attack each other.
"Oh, no! Ekans, Koffing, what's with you weaklings?" James cried.
"Vacuum Wave." Ash said and Scyther moved, hitting both pokemon at the same time with the move, sending them back into their trainers.
Seeing they were defeated, Jessie and James returned their Pokémon and ran, yelling that they would be back.
"Ash, I have the strangest feeling we're forgetting something." Brock said as Ash told Scyther good job and returned him.
"Yeah I think we are…" Ash paused. "Where's Meowth?" both asked together.
They both moved to go, but Ash stopped Brock. "Go find the generator and shut down these lights. I'll go find Misty." Ash said and Brock nodded, liking the idea.
Brock and Zubat ran one way, and Ash ran the way Misty, Pikachu, Seymour, and Clefairy had gone. The two didn't notice the eyes watching them or a Geodude coming out of the shadows. The Geodude smirked and looked both ways. He punched the air with his fist and then set out following Ash.
Clefairy had run down the hill faster then the others. "Clefairy, wait up! Stay with the group!" Misty yelled, running down.
"Meowth's got you now." Meowth said, blocking Clefairy's path, but Pikachu used a Quick Attack on Meowth as fast as he could, sending Meowth flying into the river below.
Misty took out a Poké Ball, releasing her Goldeen into the river. "Horn Attack on the Meowth in there!" Misty called and Goldeen went under. A second later, Meowth flew out of the water.
Pikachu took that moment to use a Thunderbolt and sent Meowth flying off. "Good job, everyone.' Misty said.
"Well, seems you were able to handle this without me." Ash said as he appeared over the cliff the others had just came from. Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder. "Nice job, Misty."
"It was no problem. Clefairy, are you okay?' Misty asked the pink Pokémon who seemed to nod and then Misty turned to Seymour. Before she could ask though, a Geodude appeared and Seymour screamed.
"That Geodude is a monster!" Seymour called out. "Attacks everything."
"Monster?! I'm champion of this mountain." Geodude said, and then looked at Ash and held up one hand. "I want to battle you."
Pikachu translated to Ash. Ash nodded. "Okay Geodude, let's battle, but if I win, you're joining my team as my Pokémon and friend." Ash said.
"No chance of that happening with that rat." Geodude taunted.
Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder, standing in front of him before Ash could take out Shellder's Poké Ball. "This one is mine." Pikachu told Ash, not liking the comment Geodude had said about him.
"If you want to do it buddy, lets go. Quick Attack." Ash commanded and Pikachu zoomed towards Geodude. "Iron Tail." Before Pikachu hit with the Quick Attack, he transferred to Iron Tail, using the speed from the Quick Attack to make it stronger.
Geodude held up his arm to defend himself from the attack but was still thrown. "Not bad." Geodude said, but then came at Pikachu with his arm glowing, hitting Pikachu with it.
"What move was that?" Ash asked himself since Brock's Geodude hadn't used it, but didn't pause any longer as Geodude came at Pikachu with a Rollout attack. "Dodge." Ash said and Pikachu jumped over Geodude.
It went like this for a while with Pikachu dodging Geodude's Rollout and Ash knew he needed a plan. Then Ash remembered he was near a small river. "Pikachu, over there; face the river." Ash pointed at a location and Pikachu went to it.
Geodude came at Pikachu with a Rollout. "Iron Tail!" Ash ordered and Pikachu's tail glowed, hitting Geodude right before Geodude hit him. Geodude went flying right into the water.
Geodude ran out a second later and looked tired. Ash had had a blank Poké Ball out thinking that was it, and threw it at Geodude. Geodude used Defense Curl right before the Poké Ball hit him. The Poké Ball shook once and then twice and then Geodude popped out.
Geodude's arm lit up and then went to hit Pikachu who barely dodged, getting hit a bit. "Iron tail." Ash said and Pikachu hit Geodude in the back. Geodude was down and Ash threw another Poké Ball. This time it shook three times and then Geodude was captured.
Ash ran over and held out the pokeball. "I caught a Geodude!" he cheered, getting into his signature pose with Pikachu jumping onto his shoulder.
"You caught a Geodude?" the group heard a voice say and everyone turned around to see Brock coming down.
"Yeah, it was a pretty awesome battle too. What was the move Geodude used?" Misty asked and Ash shrugged and took out his Pokédex to check Geodude's move set.
"Defensive Curl, Tackle, Mud Sport, Rollout, and the egg move of Hammer Arm which he is able to use," Ash said. "That must be the move Geodude used." Ash smiled about his new catch, putting the Poké Ball away, deciding to let Geodude rest for a while. "Hey Brock, you got a potion for Pikachu?"
"Yeah, come here." Brock replied, taking Pikachu and taking out a potion to spray on his injuries. He then took out food for everyone, including the Pokémon waiting.
"So Brock, did you shut off the lights?" Ash asked and Brock nodded.
"I made sure they couldn't be put back on too." Brock told him and everyone ate, Ash smiling to himself. Besides the run-in with the idiotic motto-saying Team Rocket, it hadn't been a bad day. He had caught a new member of his team that was very different from his other three members. He liked the way his team was shaping up so far.
That was when the Clefairy that was with them jumped up and then made a signal for them to follow her. The group looked at each other and then put their stuff away to follow the Clefairy.
Clefairy brought them to another cave and inside was a large round stone. "The Moon Stone." Seymour whispered and everyone stood in awe.
Another one came up and the two Clefairy talked. "They are going to let us watch as a thank you for saving one of their own." Pikachu told Ash as the Clefairy started dancing around the Moon Stone.
"What do you think they are doing?" Misty asked.
"I don't know." Brock said.
"They are thanking the Moon Stone and the spirits of the moon. It an evolution ceremony. Many of them want to evolve tonight by touching the Moon Stone." Pikachu said but Ash didn't say anything. "Okay fine." Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and made moves as though he was trying to translate what was going on to him.
"They are praying to it." Ash said.
"Not exactly," Pikachu said. "But close enough." Pikachu was about to jump back onto Ash's shoulder.
As Seymour began one of his rants again, Team Rocket suddenly appeared. Seymour started yelling at them and Ash took out a Poké Ball and ordered Shellder to use Water Gun. Seeing what he was doing, Misty released Staryu for Water Gun too. Pikachu took that moment to send a Thunderbolt at them, sending them flying away.
"Apparently Water Gun and Thunderbolt are a good combination to get rid of them." Ash said as he barely heard them yell "Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
.
The ceremony continued and ended with a number of the group evolving. "Ash, this Clefairy wants to talk to you." Pikachu said and pointed his tail at a Clefairy. Ash went over to her and the Celfairy pointed to a small piece of the Moon Stone. "She's giving it to you. As a thank you for all you did."
"Thank you." Ash said picking up the piece and putting it in his bag.
Seymour then expressed his desire to stay with the Clefairy and Ash asked Pikachu if the Pokémon were okay with that. Apparently they were, so the three walked away down a road.
"Well that was interesting." Misty said. "At least we got to see a cool Pokémon."
"Yeah. You know, Celfairy are Fairy-type pokemon." Brock said.
"Fairy type? I thought they were normal type." Ash asked, taking out his Pokédex to check out Clefairy's entry and finding out that Fairy was great against rock type. "Damn, having one of those on my team would have been awesome."
"You do know there is no law against catching them. Mount Moon is not a protected area." Brock said.
"And have Seymour following us around, yelling for us to return the Clefairy to where it belongs? I think I'll pass." Ash muttered and the group laughed.
"I bet he would too." Pikachu added to Ash.
The group continued walking until they reached a sign telling them that Cerulean City was ahead. Also on the sign, in tiny print, were the words, "Gary was here. Ash is a loser" . "Seriously, what a jerk!" Ash yelled as he started running in the direction the sign pointed to. Misty and Brock looked at each other, not sure who Gary was.
As Ash ran, he didn't notice a male Nidoran sitting in the middle of the road. He tripped over the pokemon and as he fell, one of his blank Poké Balls rolled off his belt and right at Nidoran. It hit the Nidoran, got bigger and then sucked the pokemon in. The Poké Ball shook once and then again and then Nidoran was captured.
Pikachu who had fallen off of Ash's shoulder as Ash ran off, was about to yell at Ash until he saw that and laughed. Misty and Brock who had caught up in enough time to see it happened also started to laugh. "It's not funny." Ash complained, but truthfully he was hiding a smile too.
"Well look at the bright side. You got a fifth member to your team." Misty told him, picking up the Poké Ball and handing it to Ash.
Ash took it and smiled. "Unusual way to capture a pokemon but it works." Ash said.
"How about you calm down and tell us who this Gary is." Brock said. "We can eat breakfast while we talk."
Ash nodded, letting out his Pokémon as Brock and Misty did the same. His two new members were introduced to Scyther and Shellder and the two were informed by the Pokémon about Pikachu's mental link with Ash.
Ash had Pikachu talk to Nidoran to see if Nidoran wanted to be releasedm but it turned out that Nidoran had wanted a trainer anyway. "So this Gary?" Misty asked and Ash told them about his rival.
"Don't worry, Ash. We can beat this jerk." Pikachu told Ash when he heard that and went to go tell Scyther who was doing more excerises a bit away about him. They had to prepare the new members' training and Scyther was good at that.
"I remember him. He came in a few days before you and battled me. Used a Squirtle to beat me." Brock said.
"So Squirtle was his starter that he was making such a big deal about." Ash muttered, rolling his eyes. "Anyway he just sort of makes me angry."
"I understand. I know people like that." Misty said.
As the humans talked, Ash's Geodude had noticed Brock's Geodude and his Onix. Punching the air Ash's Geodude decided it was time for a battle and went to go pick one. The sounds of the attack caught the humans' attention and they turned around to see a fight.
"Geodude!" Ash yelled and the fight stopped and both Geodudes turned to face Ash.
"That could be a problem.' Ash stated, realizing the problem with having two Geodudes in the group. Ash talked to his Geodude about not picking fights with any of the Pokémon since he was sure and Pikachu confirmed that Geodude started it. "Now you're going to need a nickname."
Ash sat there looking at his Pokémon. "Is it bad the only nickname I can think of is Rocky?" Ash asked. Geodude gave him a dirty look and punched the air. "Okay, not Rocky." Ash got that Geodude didn't like the name.
"How about Peter?" Misty asked. "It means "rock'."
"Do you like Peter?" Ash asked.
"Fine." The newly named Peter said and Pikachu translated for Ash.
"Peter it is," Ash said.
It wasn't long later that the group was walking again. "Wait, we're heading towards Cerulean City?" Misty asked, stopping when she realized.
"Yeah, that's where the next gym is." Ash said, turning towards his friend.
"But… but…. there's a gym in Vermilion City and it's right on the water and there are lots of neat Pokemon, and we can watch the giant yachts pulling into the harbor – and there's a little place way up on the hill where you can sit and watch the sunset that's so romantic," Misty said.
"Vermilion City Gym is the electric gym," Brock told her. "Cerulean City is the water. You should want to avoid the Vermilion City Gym. That will be hard for you."
"Misty, what's wrong? Why don't you want to Cerulean City?" Ash asked, thinking his friend's reaction was weird.
"I… I… don't want to go back there!" Misty blurted out, making the two look at her.
"Back?" Ash asked.
"I told my sisters I wouldn't be back until I was a water pokemon master and then left the gym," Misty said. "If I go back now they will make fun of me. You see Cerulean City Gym is my family gym. After my parents' death, my sisters took it over. I can't get the badge there even if I wanted to. It's against league rules for me to get it."
"Then how can you get eight badges?" Ash asked.
"There are more then eight gyms. Every region is supposed to have one gym for each type of pokemon. Kanto is missing two, a dragon gym and a ghost gym," Misty said. "We can go to a different gym to get our eight badges and avoid Cerulean City."
Ash looked at Misty. "I want the Cerulean City Gym. I know Gary went that way and there is a reputation. It's considered one of the best gyms in Kanto, but you don't have to come with me. I'll go to the gym and get the badge and meet up with you later."
"That reputation is old." Misty warned as she nodded her head, thinking about what Ash would find when he got to the gym and wondering if she should warn him more. Before she could say anything else, Ash and Brock had already continued on to Cerulean City.
-PM-
Brock and Ash entered Cerulean City. "So this is the city," Ash said as he noticed a crowd. "What's going on?"
"Burglars broke into that store last night." a man told Ash.
"Burglars?" Ash asked and suddenly an Officer Jenny was on him, questioning him and then going nuts when Ash mentioned knowing the Jenny in Viridian. Ash had to show his ID to get her to back away. They found out the burglars took a vacuum and a giant hose.
They managed to get away. "Are all Jennys like that?" Ash asked.
"You mean beautiful?" Brock asked.
"I meant crazy." Ash said causing Brock to look at him. "I'm going to head to the gym and see what Misty's sisters are like. You coming?"
"While I'm sure that would be fun, I got something to do. Good luck Ash," Brock told him, walking off in a different direction.
Ash asked someone for directions to the gym and headed in that direction to see a giant building with a picture of a Seel above the door. "There it is," Ash said walking in to see some show going on. "Huh… I thought this was a gym."
"I don't know Ash," Pikachu said. "But they're pretty good in the water." The three finished their show to a lot of cheering and a confused Ash.
Ash walked around. "I don't get it Pikachu. This looks like an aquarium. How can this be a Pokemon gym?" Ash said as he looked around.
"I don't know, but look at all the water Pokémon. I can see Misty in a place like this." Pikachu told Ash and then they heard the three girls who had been swimming before talking.
"Um, excuse me," Ash said.
"I'm sorry we don't do interviews. You'll have to, like, call our manager." Lily said.
"No it's not…." Ash started but was again interrupted.
"We don't do autographs." the same girl said.
"I don't want one." Ash said as Pikachu told Ash "These girls are idiots." Ash ignored his starter's comment but kind of agreed with him. "Is this the Pokémon Gym?"
"It is." Daisy said.
"I'm looking for the gym leader." Ash told her.
"You're looking at them." Violet said.
"So these are Misty's sisters." Ash thought to Pikachu as the three went on about how they were the sensational sisters or something.
"You know I don't see the resemblance at all," Pikachu said.
"Well I challenge you to a battle." Ash said as he followed the sisters back to the swimming pool.
"We don't feel much like battling anymore." Daisy muttered, confusing Ash.
"But you're Gym Leaders. You have to battle!" Ash protested.
"We just got beaten three times in a row by kids from this nowhere place called Pallet Town." Violet told him.
"Hey, I take offense to "nowhere place". It is where the famous Professor Oak lives," Ash said angrily making the three and Pikachu look at him.
"You realize they basically just said we're behind everyone." Pikachu said.
"Yeah, but who cares. As long as we get to the Pokémon League, it's not a race to see who finishes first." Ash thought back. He might have cared at one time, but he had made great friends on his journey so far. If he had gone faster he might have not.
"Well anyway it was one defeat after another," Violet complained. "My eyes were spinning from all the losses."
"We had to rush all our Pokémon to the Pokémon Center." Daisy informed him.
"So when do you get them back? "Ash asked. "I'll come back when you're ready."
"There's no point to matches anymore. Now we have time to make ourselves more beautiful then ever.' Lily said.
"I seriously do not see how these girls are related to Misty at all." Pikachu muttered and Ash had to stop himself from laughing.
"This is a Pokémon Gym." Ash protested.
"Don't worry; I know what you want," Daisy said. "Seel!" A Seel came swimming over and hopped out of the pool, opening up his mouth. Inside was a small blue badge. "The Cascade Badge. This is what you came for, right? You can have it."
"I thought they said they had no Pokémon left. That's a Pokémon," Pikachu pointed out. "You can not accept that badge."
"Wasn't going to." Ash thought back and then told the sisters, "I can't take a badge I didn't earn. "
Daisy rolled her eyes. "Take it. A badge is a badge."
"No, there's a difference," Ash said. "I think I'll leave now."
"Hold it right there!" Ash heard a familiar voice and turned to see Misty standing on the benches, hands on her hips.
"Misty, I didn't think you wanted to come here." Ash was confused as Pikachu cheered seeing his friend.
Misty jumped down on the benches and right in-between them. "Had to see your battle. Figured I would hide in the stands and watch until you were done, but then I see this. Giving away badges. You'll ruin this gym." Misty turned to her sisters as she said the last part.
Daisy looked at Misty, not sure why her little sister had come, and then realized what Misty said and came to her own conclusions. "Oh, I see. Well he's not someone I would pick for a boyfriend, but your no prize yourself," Daisy said making Ash and Misty look at each other.
"With your looks you couldn't do any better." Violet taunted.
'Hey, Misty is beautiful on the inside and out, which is more then I can say for you three! You were right Mist, let's head to a different gym." Ash said deciding not even to argue with Misty's sisters that they weren't dating.
"Battle me for the badge," Misty said. "I'm one of the Sensational Sisters. You can battle me for it."
'There are only three Sensational Sisters and one runt." Lily stated, making Ash glare at her, but before he could say anything, Pikachu decided to give the sisters a little shock.
"Okay," Ash said. "Let's do this."
The two got on their sides of the battling field. Ash looked at the field. It was perfect for water Pokémon. Mostly all water besides a few platforms for non-water Pokémon to stand. "Two on two battle. No items allowed and only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokémon." Ash nodded as Misty stated the rules for him.
"Misty calls Staryu." Misty said, throwing out the Starfish Pokémon.
"Pikachu I choose you!" Ash shouted, pointing his finger, but Pikachu didn't move.
"Pikachu?" Ash asked turning around to where Pikachu was sitting.
"I can't battle Misty, Ash," Pikachu thought. "She's my friend. I don't want to battle a friend. I'm sorry."
"I understand." Ash thought back.
"Pikachu, you're a real pika-pal!" Misty yelled out as Ash took out a Poké Ball.
"Scyther, I choose you." Scyther landed on one of the islands for land pokemon. He was a bit surprised to see he was battling Misty, but got ready to battle. "Quick attack!" Ash ordered and Scyther jumped across the platforms and sped off towards Staryu.
"Tackle!" Misty yelled and the two attacks met.
Scyther fell down and landed on an island. "Rapid Spin!" Misty ordered and Staryu spun towards Scyther.
"Wait for it…' Ash said. "Slash, now!" As Staryu got really close Scyther used Slash, knocking Staryu away.
"Bubble Beam." Misty said and the bubble attack came out, knocking Scyther back into the water. "In the water, Rapid Spin!" Staryu went under the water and used Rapid Spin, hitting Scyther and throwing him out of the water.
"Go Misty!" Pikachu cheered.
"You're supposed to be cheering for me!" Ash protested. " Wing Attack!" Ash called, and as Staryu got close, Scyther used the Wing Attack to knock Staryu back.
"Water Gun!" Misty called and a Water Gun came out of Staryu, hittingScyther who put his arms out to block the attack.
"Hold on, Scyther!" Ash called, not sure what to do until the Water Gun was stopped. Scyther moved his arms and a wind came up, knocking the Water Gun away and hitting Staryu. "What was that?" This time Pikachu didn't have an answer and Ash took out his Pokédex to see the move was Razor Wind. "Razor Wind again!" Ash called and Scyther used his new move again, hitting Staryu knocking it back.
"Staryu can you use Rapid Spin?" Misty asked, wondering if she had lost the first round but Staryu got up and used Rapid Spin.
"Focus Energy and then Wing Attack!" Ash called and Scyther used Focus Energy and then launched a Wing Attack. The two attacks hit and the two Pokémon fell backwards.
They stood there looking at each other. For a second it looked like Scyther was going to faint, but then he got himself up. At that moment Staryu fell over. "Staryu is unable to battle!" Daisy declared as Misty returned her Pokémon.
"That is one powerful Staryu." Scyther mumbled, taking deep breaths. Ash took out his Poké Ball.
"Take a rest," Ash said, returning Scyther. "Thank you."
"Misty calls Seel!" Misty shouted, letting out her Seel who landed in the water and looked at Ash.
Ash took out a Poké Ball. He really had no choice since Pikachu was unwilling to battle. Peter had a type disadvantage and both Peter and Nidoran were too untrained to battle anyway. "Shellder, I choose you." Ash said, releasing his water Pokémon who also landed in the water.
"This should be interesting," Misty said, looking forward to a water on water battle. "Headbutt."
"Tackle," Ash said and the two Pokémon swam at each other to deliver the attacks. The two attacks met with each other. "Razor shell." Shellder used Razor Shell, hitting Seel.
"Ice shard!" Misty ordered and Seel threw a chunk of ice at Shellder.
"Withdraw." Ash said and Shellder closed her shell to avoid damage from the ice. "Icicle Shard!" Ash ordered at the same time Misty said "Encore!"
.
Shellder threw out her first icicle by the time Seel's Encore took effect. "Aw…" Misty muttered. She had hoped the Encore would hit with the Withdraw because even with being able to use a defensive move Ash couldn't win with defense alone. "Dodge!" Misty called as the next two icicle shards came towards Seel. One hit his tail, but Seel managed to dodge the last two.
"Headbutt from under water," Misty called and Seel got under Shellder and used Headbutt, throwing Shellder up into the air. "Ice shard." Seel threw a frozen chunk of ice at Sheller while Shellder was in the air.
"Protect!" Ash called but Shellder threw out Icicle Shard. "What?"
"Misty used Encore. Shellder can only use Icicle Shard." Pikachu informed Ash as the two attacks hit. Shellder got throw into the water and then came back up.
"Shellder, get underwater. Get as close to Seel as possible and use Icicle Shard. Keep doing that." Ash told Shellder, who obeyed.
"Two can play at this game. Underwater, use Ice Shard and keep it up." Misty told Seel, who also went underwater.
It was a few minutes of the two just waiting there, looking at the water. The only indication of a battle was the moving water and parts of the pool getting frozen. Suddenly both pokemon floated up to the top, both unconscious.
"Both Shellder and Seel are unable to battle. The winner is Ash." Daisy said.
"I won?" Ash questioned, thinking it was a draw.
"Scyther," Misty said. "You can still technically call him out while both of my pokemon were knocked out." Misty informed Ash as she returned Seel and thanked him for a good battle and Ash did the same with Shellder. "It was a good battle, Ash."
"Yeah, Mist." Ash said as the two walked away and towards Misty sisters. They barely left the pool when Team Rocket came in with the stolen hose and vacuum.
As they started their motto, Pikachu powered up a Thunderbolt and shot it into the pool mixing it with the water as it hit into the machine. The machine blew up, sending Team Rocket flying away with a "We're blasting off again!"
"When will they learn?" Ash asked.
"I will not listen to that motto again." Pikachu said, jumping onto Ash's shoulder as Daisy gave him the Cascade Badge.
"Shellder and Scyther did great," Misty said with a smile. "I almost had you though."
"Oh please, Misty; if his Pikachu had battled you, you wouldn't have stood a chance with your water Pokémon." Daisy said.
Misty didn't say anything. "I'm taking on the League," Misty told them. "So I have to go again."
"You go on trying to be a Pokemon Trainer. You might as well be good at something since you will never be as talented as us." Lily said and Ash was about to say something back, but Misty held out her hand to stop him.
"You keep that up and you'll be seeing stars!" Misty growled.
"Chill out!" Violet said.
"Be careful Misty, and you know we love you," Daisy said and gave Misty a hug. "And, boyfriend. You be good to her, you hear?"
Misty and Ash's faces turned red. "He is not my boyfriend," Misty protested, but the sisters gave each other knowing looks as the two left.
"Misty, your sisters are…" Ash stopped himself not knowing what to say, but Misty just nodded her head. "I don't know how this gym has this reputation."
"You should have seen it when my father was in charge. He was amazing with water Pokémon. Even you and Pikachu would have had a hard time," Misty said. "He died in an accident along with my mom a couple years ago. I was 6 nearly 7 when it happened. My sisters they were on their journey, not training Pokémon like us. They never wanted to be trainers. They wanted to be stars. They had a movie deal in the making when it happened. The league contacted them. If they didn't come home and take over the gym and take care of me, it would have been closed down and I would have been in foster care. They gave up their dream to come here for me so they do have their good qualities. Even though they can be completely annoying."
"Well they know nothing about being gym leaders, but at least they did something right." Ash said, putting an arm around Misty.
"They were right about one thing. If Pikachu had battled, I wouldn't have stood a chance. How am I supposed to beat the Vermilion gym?" Misty asked.
"We'll figure something out. Me and Pikachu will help you," Ash said and Misty smiled.
:PM:
Brock had finally located the house he had tried to find and knocked on the door. A pretty girl with red hair answered it. "Brock?" the girl asked.
"I… I know this is out of the blue but my dad returned and I could finally start a journey so I decided to come see you,." Brock said, acting nervous. "May I come in?"
"Um… Brock… I'm sorry. I know we sort of were seeing each other for a while and we never really broke up when I moved, but I found a new boyfriend," the girl said. "And he's going to be over soon." Brock had a devastated look on his face. "I'm sorry Brock. Good luck on your journey."
The girl closed the door and Brock stood there for a minute before walking off and heading towards the gym. Once there he saw Misty and Ash walking and talking with each other and laughing.
"Hey Brocko, what's up?" Ash asked, seeing his friend.
"I don't want to talk about it. Let's leave," Brock said, turning around and heading for the way to leave Cerulean with Ash and Misty following. Brock silently vowed he would find a new girlfriend.
AN: That ends chapter three. Hope you all enjoyed.
Ash's Pokémon
Scyther (M): Vaccum Wave, Quick Attack, Leer, Focus Energy, Pursuit, False Swipe, Agility, Wing Attack, Slash, Razor Wind Egg Move: Steel Wing (Locked).
Geodude (Peter) (M): Defense Curl, Tackle, Mud Sport, and Rollout. Egg move Hammer arm (unlocked)
Pikachu (M): Thunder Shock, Thunder Wave, Quick Attack, Thunderbolt, Iron Tail. Egg Move: Volt Tackle (locked)
Shellder (F): Tackle, Withdraw, Icicle Shard, Razor Shell, Protect, Clamp, Icicle Spear. Egg Move: Water Gun (unlocked)
Nidoran (M): Leer, Peck, Focus Energy, Double Kick.
Misty's Pokémon:
Staryu: Harden, Tackle, Water Gun, Rapid Spin, Recover, Bubble Beam.
Seel (M): Headbutt, Growl, Water Sport, Icy Wind, Encore, Ice Shard. Egg Move: Signal Beam(locked)
Goldeen (F): Peck, Tail Whip, Water Sport, Supersonic, Horn Attack