Jason and I had stopped for rest along the path that lead to Cerulean City. Since we had stopped, I figured that this was a good time to get some practice in.
"How about we have a battle?" I asked.
"Sure, you're on." Jason said, never one to back down.
We walked over to a grassy area.
"Spearow, go!" Jason cried, tossing the Pokeball.
"Spear. Spearow!" Spearow cried and looked at Jason.
"Pidgey, let's show 'em!" I cried, tossing the Pokeball.
"Pid! Pidgey!" Pidgey cried, flying happily in the air.
"Jason, you attack first." I said.
"Spearow, use Peck!" commanded Jason. Spearow's beak glowed white and zoomed towards Pidgey.
"Wait and use Guest when Spearow is close!" I said to Pidgey. Spearow drew closer and closer and then Pidgey launched its attack.
Spearow was blown back and was damaged but Jason kept his Pokemon in control. "Pull up!" he cried. Spearow did so. "Now Spearow, use Fury Attack!"
I was shocked. Since when did Spearow know Fury Attack? Pidgey was hit by a flurry of pecks and claws.
"Pidgey!" Pidgey cried, getting hit by the Fury Attack. That one attack had done a good amount of damage to Pidgey.
"Pidgey, use Sand Attack!"
"Flap your wings and clear the sand away!"
The sand was cleared quickly and Spearow emerged and landed Peck on Pidgey. Pidgey fell towards the ground defeated and I returned Pidgey before it hit the ground.
"You did your best." I said as I placed the Pokeball back to my belt.
"Dude, what was up with that? You weren't focused." Jason said, walking over.
"I don't know." I said, lying.
The truth was, I had a lot on my mind. Ever since yesterday, seeing Team Rocket it just made something inside of me…break, I guess. Last night, I dreamed that I saw the scene of where my dad last was, except he was lying on the ground dead and Team Rocket was there laughing. I was so freaked out by the dream, that I didn't sleep after that. I knew I needed to sleep since we were going to be in Cerulean City soon.
Anyway, we walked for a few more hours and saw the city in view.
"I think we should tell Officer Jenny that Team Rocket is back." I said as I stopped at the entrance of the city. Maybe telling Officer Jenny would clear my mind.
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea." Jason said, stopping at the entrance.
We then entered Cerulean City and headed towards the Pokemon Center to ask where Officer Jenny was.
"Hello. How may I help you?" Nurse Joy asked.
"Yes, can you tell us where Officer Jenny is?" I asked.
"She happens to be here right now. She's giving a speech to some trainers. You two should go and hear some of it."
"Where is the speech being held?"
"Down that hall, last door on the right."
"Thank you, Nurse Joy."
Nurse Joy just nodded her head and we walked down the hall.
"When did Officer Jenny start giving speeches?" Jason asked.
"No clue. Guess it's new." I said, opening the door slowly.
We stood against the wall and listened to the rest of the speech.
"Remember, if trouble happens, come to the Pokemon Center and tell Nurse Joy you wish to talk to me, Officer Jenny. She'll contact me immediately and help will be on the way." Officer Jenny said, ending her speech.
"If you need to talk to me, I'll be here for a few minutes. Thank you for taking the time to come and hear this speech." Officer Jenny said.
Many people left the room and Jason and I quickly headed to Officer Jenny.
"Officer Jenny!" Jason cried, grabbing her attention. She looked at us and waited.
"Team Rocket is back. We encountered them yesterday in Mt. Moon. They were searching for Moon Stones." I explained.
"Team Rocket? Don't be ridiculous, they disbanded a long time ago. They couldn't be back together." She said.
"It's true, though!"
"I'm sorry, but I have to go."
She walked off and Jason muttered something explicit under his breath.
"How could she not believe us?" he cried.
"Don't know. Then again, they haven't been seen in years, so it's understandable that nobody would believe us. Anyway, I'm going to challenge Misty tomorrow. I can't battle today, I need to rest." I said, walking towards the door.
Jason followed me as I walked back towards the counter to get a room.
"Hello again. How may I help you?" Nurse Joy asked.
"One room, please." I said as I handed her my trainer card. Jason handed his trainer card, too.
"Alright, you two have Room Three. Enjoy your stay." Nurse Joy said as she handed us our trainer cards back and a key.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy." I said as I walked towards the rooms.
I unlocked the door and walked over to a bed and threw my bag onto it.
"Dude, you okay?" Jason asked, and closed the door.
"Yeah. I'm fine." I replied.
"No, no you're not."
I sat down on the bed and looked at Jason.
"What do you think is wrong with me?" I asked.
"Well, for one, you're tired. Two, I know what happened last night."
"How?"
"I heard you muttering in your sleep. I woke up, and when I glanced over, I saw the tear stains on your face. Adam, your dad is out there; don't let this nightmare mess with you. He's alive and you know it."
"I know. I know he is." But I was saying that to try to convince myself of it, too.
Jason just nodded his head.
"Let's go get some lunch." He said suddenly.
I got off of the bed and followed him out of the room and towards the cafeteria.
I woke up the next morning, ready for the gym battle. I had my team picked out and I was ready. I felt much better since I had slept better and the nightmare didn't bug me…this time.
"Ready?" Jason asked suddenly.
I was so deep in thought, I didn't know that he had gotten up.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready." I replied as I pulled my bag onto my back.
We left the room and headed towards the gym. I stopped and released Bulbasaur and Pidgey, while Pikachu hopped down onto the ground.
"Alright, it's time for another gym battle. We can do it." I said, giving them another pep talk.
I returned Bulbasaur and Pidgey and attached the Pokeballs back to my belt as Pikachu went to his perch on my shoulder.
We entered the gym and the gym was just as my dad had told me. The pool was right in the middle with the platforms where the trainer, leader, and referee stood floated in place. The platforms that decorated the field moved slightly. The bleachers were still there along with the office. I saw something from the corner of the gym, but decided it was Misty's Psyduck, since it always escaped the Pokeball; according to the stories my dad told me.
"I'm here to challenge the gym leader." I said into the empty gym.
"Well, would you look here." A voice said.
Jason and I looked up to see Misty. Misty was the same age as my dad and Jason's dad. Her orange hair was to her shoulders, so it wasn't up in her usual ponytail. She wore jean shorts, a red tank top, and sneakers.
"So, who's challenging me?" she asked.
"I am, today." I answered. Jason and I had decided that I go first this time, since he went first against Brock.
"Okay, let's battle then, Adam. Hope you're ready for an all-out offense against my Water Pokemon!"
Misty walked over to her side of the field and stepped onto her platform. I walked over to my side and stepped onto the platform. When I looked back at Misty she had her hair up in her trademark side ponytail. Jason sat in the bleachers, watching me.
A girl ran over with two flags and stepped onto the referee platform. "The battle between the Gym Leader, Misty; and the challenger, Adam; will now begin!" she cried.
"Staryu, go!" Misty cried, tossing a Pokeball.
"Hya!" Staryu cried, landing on the platform in front of Misty.
"Pidgey, let's show 'em!" I cried, tossing Pidgey's Pokeball.
"Pidgey!" Pidgey cried flying in the sky.
I decided to make the first move. "Pidgey, use Gust!"
"Use Swift, Staryu!" said Misty.
Pidgey's Gust trapped the Swift into the wind and the Gust and Swift combined together to form something like a contest move, and hit Staryu.
"Use Tackle, Pidgey!"
"Jump into the water!" Staryu jumped in right before Pidgey could hit it. Hidden underwater, I had no idea where the next attack would come from.
"Water Gun!" shouted Misty. The blast of water shot up from out of the pool.
"Dodge it!" I cried, hoping Pidgey could move away in time. Luckily, Pidgey barely dodged the attack. Staryu hopped out of the water and back onto the platform after using Water Gun. "Now Quick Attack, Pidgey!"
"Staryu, dodge!" Staryu didn't dodge fast enough and got hit by Pidgey's Quick Attack.
"Now, Pidgey! Let's finish this. Use Gust!"
Pidgey launched the Gust and Staryu was lifted into the air. When the Gust vanished, Staryu had fainted, its red core was blinking.
"Staryu is unable to battle! Pidgey wins!" the girl cried, raising a flag to my side.
"You did a good job, Staryu. Now rest." Misty said as she removed another Pokeball. "I must say Adam, that first match was well played. Let's see how you do against my next Pokemon. Starmie, go!"
"Huh!" Starmie grunted, landing on the platform.
"Pidgey, use Quick Attack!"
"Starmie, Ice Beam when Pidgey gets close!"
I was in trouble. Ice attacks are super-effective on Flying Pokemon! "Pidgey, stop!" It was too late. Pidgey was going too fast and Starmie's Ice Beam hit Pidgey's left wing.
"Pid! Pidgey!" Pidgey cried, trying to stay in the air.
"Pidgey, return!" I cried before Pidgey took an unwanted swim in the pool.
"Due to a status effect, Pidgey is unable to battle. Starmie wins!" declared the girl.
"It's alright, Pidgey. You did a great job for your first gym battle." I said as I attached the Pokeball and removed another Pokeball.
"Bulbasaur, let's show 'em!" I cried, tossing the Pokeball. I had to be careful of Ice Beam, though. Ice attacks are powerful against Grass Pokemon.
"Bulba! Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur cried, nearly taking a tumble into the pool.
"Starmie, Ice Beam!" Misty cried.
"Jump to the next platform!" I cried quickly. Bulbasaur jumped to another platform and avoided the Ice Beam.
If only there was a way to freeze the pool. Then Bulbasaur could easily skate around and attack close up.
"Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf!" I cried.
"Starmie, dodge, quick!" Starmie jumped into the water and successfully dodged the Razor Leaf. "Now use Surf!"
Great. Just great. Can Razor Leaf break through the Surf to make a hole and jump through? "Only one way to find out." I muttered. "Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf to make a hole through the wave and jump through to avoid!" Bulbasaur used Razor Leaf at the wave and the Razor Leaf cut through the wave.
"Bulbasaur, forget about jumping! Keep up the Razor Leaf! Split it up in the middle!" Bulbasaur continued to use Razor Leaf and the wave was suddenly split in two and water cascaded down and Starmie plopped into the pool. We did it! We stopped the Surf!
"Rapid Spin!" commanded Misty.
"Jump to the platforms to dodge!" I said.
Starmie came out of the water spinning very fast, and started chasing after Bulbasaur, who continued jumping from platform to platform.
"Leech Seed!" I said, hoping that would stop Starmie in its tracks, or at least slow it down. Bulbasaur quickly used Leech Seed and Starmie was slowed as vines entangled its body, but it still managed to slam into Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur landed on a platform instead of the water, thankfully. Starmie fell into the water and you could see the Leech Seed draining its energy.
Now that Starmie was losing health, now seemed like my best chance to end this battle! "Bulbasaur, let's finish this with one last Razor Leaf!"
"Starmie, Swift!"
The two attacks met in mid-air and exploded, causing smoke to appear. Both Pokemon were damaged from the blast.
"Bulbasaur, use Solarbeam!" Bulbasaur started to charge the Solarbeam by gathering energy.
"Ice Beam, quick!" shouted Misty. The Ice Beam hit Bulbasaur and he struggled to stay on his feet.
"Bulbasaur, stay strong! Keep charging!" I cried. Little by little, Bulbasaur's body became covered with ice. By the time his body was completely engulfed, the Solarbeam was done charging.
"FIRE!" I screamed boldly.
"Bulb...a…SAUR!" Bulbasaur fired that Solarbeam so hard, that it shattered the ice that was surrounding him. The Solarbeam hit Starmie and it fell into the water with its red core blinking.
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur cried happily. But then, Bulbasaur collapsed. That Ice Beam attack was just too much for him to handle.
"Both Pokemon are unable to battle! It's a tie!" said the girl.
"Good job, Bulbasaur. Take a rest." I said, returning Bulbasaur.
"Good job, Starmie." Misty said, returning Starmie.
"Well Adam, I must say you've done well so far. You certainly have your father's battling talent, but I'm afraid it won't end well for you. Time for my most powerful Pokemon! Gyarados, go!" Misty cried.
Gyarados roared in rage, standing its full height in the pool.
Seeing a Gyarados this close was just...wow. I couldn't even describe it! I looked down at Pikachu who had a look of determination in his eyes. I was surprised, since Pikachu had refused to battle Misty back when my dad had battled for his badge.
"Pikachu, let's show 'em!" I cried.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried, jumping onto the platform.
I saw Misty smile at seeing Pikachu, since it had been a long time since she last saw Pikachu battle, but her smile quickly vanished.
"Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!"
"Gyarados, Protect!" Pikachu's attack was useless against a shield like that.
"Gyarados, Hydro Pump!"
"Thunderbolt!" Pikachu's Thunderbolt wrapped around the Hydro Pump and zapped Gyarados, causing him to cry out in pain. Being both a Flying and Water Pokemon, electricity was extra super-effective.
"Whirlpool!"
"Thunderbolt again!" The Thunderbolt mixed in with the Whirlpool, but it still came towards Pikachu.
"Pikachu, dodge!" Pikachu managed to leap out of the way to another platform and the Whirlpool crashed into the water, sending a few shocks to Gyarados.
"Gyarados, use Flamethrower!" Misty shouted. The sea serpent Pokemon breathed a beam of flames from its mouth towards Pikachu.
"Pikachu, dodge!" Pikachu dodged just in time. "Now, Iron Tail!" Pikachu flipped back over and slammed his tail onto Gyarados's head.
Gyarados roared in pain again.
"Gyarados, use Flamethrower again!"
"Pikachu, look out!" Pikachu wasn't able to dodge it and took the hit full power. When the attack stopped, Pikachu now matched Gyarados. Both were breathing heavy and had scratches.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried as a flame covered his body.
"Pikachu's burned...no..." I said with shock. Pikachu couldn't last long with a status ailment. I had to act fast!
"Volt Tackle!" Pikachu ran at Gyarados with the Volt Tackle building up. Pikachu jumped off of the platform and into Gyarados. Pikachu flipped and landed back on the platform. Gyarados was still standing, but looked worse than before.
"Flamethrower!"
"Spin and use Thunderbolt to counter!" Pikachu began to spin while using Thunderbolt and the Flamethrower didn't touch him. The electricity destroyed the flames and also spread out and damaged Gyarados a bit more.
"Wow! I've never seen a Thunderbolt used like that!" Misty exclaimed. "What kind of a move was that?"
"That," I said proudly, "Is what my dad would call a Counter-Shield! Now Pikachu, let's end this! Use Iron Tail one more time!"
Pikachu quickly stopped spinning and ran at Gyarados. "PIKA!" Pikachu said as he jumped and slammed his tail into Gyarados.
Gyarados fell towards the ground and I knew that he had fainted. Pikachu landed back on the platform and the burn hurt him once more.
"Gyarados is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! Which means the challenger, Adam wins!"
"Alright! We did it, Pikachu!" I cried. Pikachu just looked at me happily.
Misty returned Gyarados and was walking over towards me. "Well Adam, you won. Here is the Cascade Badge." Misty said, extending the cushion with the badge towards me.
I picked up the badge that looked like a water drop and looked at it for a second.
"Alright! I just won the Cascade Badge!" I cried, holding it up.
"Pi! Pikachu!" Pikachu cried happily.
I removed my badge case and placed the badge into its place. Jason walked down from the bleachers and over towards me.
"Way to go, Adam." He said.
"I must say Adam, you sure do have your dad's battling style. How have you been Adam, Jason?" Misty asked.
"Holding up. You almost had me." I said.
"I'm doing pretty good." Jason replied.
"Well, I guess I'll be battling you tomorrow?" Misty asked Jason.
"Yeah."
"Well Adam, you pulled off some pretty impressive moves."
"Thanks, Misty."
A silence came up and it looked like Misty wanted to ask something, but seemed scared to ask.
"You okay, Misty?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm just wondering…has there been any news of Ash?" she asked.
I knew she was concerned, she was one of dad's oldest and closest friends. But I also knew that she had feelings for my dad long ago. Feelings that he didn't return because he had fallen in love with mom. Thankfully, they didn't let it come between their friendship. I could see in Misty's eyes that those feelings had never really gone away. Some part of her still loved him.
"No, no news. Just the same news everyone else knows." I answered, shaking my head sadly. But then something came to my mind. It was a long shot that she'd believe me, but I had to try.
"Actually, Jason and I saw something in Mt. Moon." I told her. "It was Team Rocket and they were searching for the Moon Stone. We think that they may have had something to do with what happened to dad. I know it's hard to believe, since they disbanded many years ago, but we saw them and we wouldn't lie about something like this. But nobody believes us."
Misty nodded her head and said, "Well, I believe you. I've had many run-ins with Team Rocket in the past, and I know that they never give up! And whenever they're around, something bad always happens. Ash's disappearance and their reappearance at around the same time can't be a coincidence."
I felt relieved and happy that at least one person believed me.
A beeping was heard and Misty looked at her watch.
"Oh, I have a scheduled battle. I hate to cut this short." She said.
"It's fine. We'll be back tomorrow." Jason said.
I nodded my head. Misty stepped forward and hugged us both.
"Good seeing you two again."
She petted Pikachu before she let us go. We headed towards the door and left the gym.
"That was a good gym battle." Jason said.
"Yeah, it was. Badge number two for me!"
We then headed back towards the Pokemon Center so we could eat some lunch.
Author's Note: Adam's won his second badge, but the police don't believe him when he says that Team Rocket is back again. How will this affect him and Jason on their journey?
Find out how Jason performs in his battle next time on Pokemon NG!