Note: The next three chapters are reminiscent of episodes of Chronicles, though the intentions are different. I've been focusing on 'side' characters the whole time, haven't I? Here's yet another Misty chapter. She deserves plenty. Enjoy!
40: Erika vs. Misty
When Misty got home, her sisters surprised her with a large meal, chatting about various events that had happened while she was gone. First thing the next morning, the festivities were over. Violet asked a half-asleep Misty just getting out of bed to again take over as the active gym leader of Cerulean Gym. "It would help out a lot! I've got my own stuff to do," Misty's sister explained.
The irritation set in only once Misty was fully awake, and asked to help clean the battle arena. Of course, she was back home and it made sense to help out in this way and others, but she recalled all the time she'd cleaned it herself at the end of the day, no help, or at least no human help. As they finished, Misty sat back in the spectator's area. "Is your win ratio that bad?" she asked Violet.
"It stays about .7," Violet informed.
That wasn't as high as Misty had managed to maintain, but certainly within the safe zone for keeping their gym status current. Violet still won more than half the time, while Daisy had gone as low as .33, which definitely put their gym in a danger zone. In addition, they didn't get many rechallengers, cutting into their revenue. Violet's was just fine, however. "Why can't you stay gym leader then?" Misty asked.
"We can trade off, right? Like, if you have something to do. I've been going for months now..." Violet sighed.
Misty had stuck with it for over a year, though the job had gotten tiring at times. She'd thought it was important, and thinking about it right then, she decided she did have some pride in her family's gym, and as a gym leader. Seeing all the fantastic gym leaders across Kanto only had her wanting to become better herself. Even with the current level of inaction, knowing she wasn't the only one that had a problem with their current chairman had her less ashamed of being a gym leader as well. "Yeah, sounds fine," Misty eventually agreed. "I'm going to go traveling with Ash and Brock again in spring... I guess I can be gym leader until then."
"That's great!" Violet exclaimed. "And also, we're creating a new routine for our shows. We have some new pokemon, so they're going to need training. Also, some new decorations need to be set up. You can help with that right?"
Misty sighed. Just as she agreed to one thing, Violet added a million other tasks. Even with Misty's dismissive body language, the list of requests continued.
"...Oh yeah! And since you're the gym leader for now, you can go to that thing in Viridian instead of me, right?"
"That thing?" Misty realized right away she was referring to Giovanni's awful gym leader conferences. She recalled the last time she'd seen the man, and he'd yelled at her after she'd almost drowned with some of his hired thieves in the middle of the ocean. "There's no way I'm going there!" Misty exclaimed.
Daisy touched Violet's shoulder, shaking her head, before turning to Misty. "It's alright, little sis. I'll just send our condolences for being unable to attend."
That response didn't seem right either, but Misty had too much else to do to dwell on the topic. She looked at the schedule book, seeing a few battles already on the roster for just that very day. Luckily, Staryu and Starmie were in great condition, from constant care and continued experience throughout Kanto, along with Brock's tips for optimal nutrition. Misty won all three battles. She tried not to be annoyed as the last kid complained they'd only won by switching out gym leaders. Afterward, Misty cleaned the battle arena to try and keep everything in shape, then made a quick lunch, for herself at first, but then her sisters as they walked in, saying how nice it was Misty treated them after they had treated her the previous evening. When lunch was over, Misty was introduced to their new pokemon.
"Psy?" A psyduck tilted its head and called out as it was released from its pokeball.
"I've heard of this species!" Misty exclaimed. "It's interesting... Actually, I got to see a few golduck when I was out traveling too. What can this psyduck do?"
"It doesn't do much of anything," Lily said with a giggle. "It can use scratch, and the tail whip technique, but I don't know how effective it is."
"Oh... I guess that's why you want me to train it," Misty said with a sigh. "Maybe it can learn some psychic techniques too, since it's part psychic type, like Starmie. That might be showy."
"I don't know if it can or not, but it's pure water type, just like golduck are," Daisy informed.
"But it's called PSYduck!" Misty protested.
"The name isn't right, huh?" Daisy commented before patting Psyduck on the head. The pokemon just called out, almost seeming in pain at the gesture.
"And there's this one," Violet said, throwing out another pokeball. As it hit the area beside the pool, a pokemon was released inside. A large fish-like pokemon swam inside.
Misty leaned down, observing the pokemon that slowly swam underneath. "It's not a magikarp... Is it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It is," Lily confirmed. "We've just been trying to get more water types. A variety. Magikarp is one we didn't have, huh?"
"There might have been a reason for that," Misty muttered. "So... what can magikarp do?"
"It doesn't know any attacks, well, any techniques at all... I think," Violet said with a grin.
"Is its little hop and splash considered a technique?" Daisy mused.
"Yeah, it knows that!" Violet said before the three older sisters laughed together.
"Thanks for training it, Misty," Lily added.
"Get serious..." Misty said with a sigh, still watching the pokemon in the pool, which swam so slowly that she was hardly sure it was moving. "I'm not saying Magikarp shouldn't be here... I mean, it is a water type pokemon and all... But it's known for being the weakest pokemon ever! People just put them in koi ponds and let them swim or something."
"It's big, even for a koi... Maybe it could be the king of koi." Lily tossed her hair and winked.
"And it's known for being the weakest pokemon by far, isn't it? What do you expect me to train it to do?" Misty asked, glancing from her sisters to the hardly moving pokemon and back again.
"It could hop into the pool with us at the start of the show with some other pokemon," Daisy suggested.
"Right," Misty said. That much seemed doable, though maybe she was just being optimistic. Then again, Magikarp was a pokemon, wasn't it? It should be able to grow, and it should like to battle. But how could it fight without knowing how to use any techniques? Would it even enjoy battling, not being as good as other pokemon? Misty got to work on caring for her and the gym's pokemon, deciding just to think about it until she actually found the time to train it between gym battles, performances, and all the upkeep the building and pokemon required.
A little bit of instruction was provided between gym battles. Since neither Psyduck nor Magikarp would be participating in those, they could swap out while Staryu and Starmie rested some, and vice-versa. Figuring they were about the same level of experience, Misty ordered them to try different techniques on each other. It soon became obvious that despite its own inexperience, Psyduck was beyond Magikarp. The duck-like pokemon's scratch attack knocked out poor Magikarp instantly, causing Misty to have to take some time to heal it. The weak pokemon then seemed happy enough to just swim in the pool before having to be sent to its pokeball to make room for the gym battle.
Prioritizing Psyduck's training seemed like a better use of time. Going against Staryu, who Misty ordered to hold back, it seemed to become stronger with its scratch attack, and then easily learned water gun by example. It even seemed to get faster, when it felt like moving instead of sitting back with a hand on its head. "I guess if you've really got a headache, you should rest," Misty commented with a smile. "Golduck doesn't seem to have that problem. Maybe you can evolve to one eventually."
"Psy yi yi," Psyduck called out, leaning against a stored battle platform.
"It's okay," Misty assured with a laugh. She then noticed Magikarp was there, beside the pool. It hadn't done much besides watch the other pokemon and flop around a bit. It should still have some energy for some training. "Alright, Magikarp!" Misty began, clenching her fists. "The pool's right there! I think you can hop right into it. Show me your splash technique!"
Though it had been given specific directions in such an energetic manner for what seemed like an easy task, Magikarp remained in place, only moving slightly. "Come on, Magikarp." Misty walked closer, leaning down. "It's right here, see?" She moved Magikarp so it might better see its destination. "You just have to hop, only a little bit!" She hoped it would be able to perform a more dramatic jump over time, but this was where they had to start. It should have been doable based on what Misty had seen from this pokemon before, but even so, its movement didn't bring it into the water at all. "Come on, Magikarp! I know you like the pool, let's go. Are you even trying?" Misty demanded.
Maybe the task needed to be even easier. Misty physically moved Magikarp again to get it closer, this time placing it right on the edge of the pool. It still didn't follow the directions. So Misty moved it again, and again, until eventually gravity brought it into the pool. "Ugh..." Misty groaned, giving an exaggerated sigh. At least Psyduck was ready to participate in their shows, but Magikarp was incredibly weak.
The next day, she brought out Starmie in the afternoon, having a clear gym schedule. The experienced pokemon would be able to control its attacks enough to avoid instantly knocking out the poor thing. Misty stood in front of the pokemon that only flopped around, calling out in a low tone. "Alright, Magikarp! I'm going to have you try a battle against Starmie. So get ready-"
Before Misty could finish her directions, Magikarp hopped dramatically away, going behind psyduck. "Hey!" Misty exclaimed in shock. Where had this energy been when she'd tried to help it move a much shorter distance? "You've just been messing around all this time!" Misty realized. "Psyduck can't train for you! Stop hiding behind other pokemon."
"Karp, karp," Magikarp called out in a louder, more intensified voice than previously.
"Are you scared? I've taken care of you, haven't I?" Misty said, frowning as she leaned down to get closer to Magikarp. It hopped away, going behind Psyduck yet again. "Stop it!" Misty shouted. "You shouldn't rely on other pokemon. You have to be able to battle yourself some too! Don't just let Psyduck keep getting more and more strong than you!"
Magikarp just flopped and continued to call out in response. Misty decided to stop its training for that day in her irritation. Later, she showed her sisters Psyduck's progress, and they were pleased enough to incorporate the pokemon into the next show, where kids in particular seemed to like the funny pokemon. Misty congratulated it, trying to concentrate on Psyduck's successes rather than Magikarp's stagnated progress. Magikarp itself almost seemed literally stagnated, hardly moving at all whenever it was in the pool. It was in the shows, but more or less just part of the scenery.
The morning after an evening performance, Misty woke up early, before her sisters who had been the human stars of the show. It almost seemed lonely in the quiet gym, but of course, but the lull provided a moment to just enjoy being by herself, such solitude having been in short supply since Misty had started traveling with Ash, and then Brock as well. When she hadn't been around them, it had been someone else in the often crowded pokemon centers. The silence could be refreshing.
The moment of peace turned into irritation as she went into the battle arena/stage and saw the mess from the previous day was untouched. There was always something to do around here, so maybe she ought to leave it. Even thinking this, Misty couldn't sit still. Any lingering items of trash should be picked up at least. As Misty cowered the stands, she caught sight of something in the pool. Walking back down, the view of Magikarp came into focus. "Hey!" Misty called as she walked down to the pool side. Hands on her hips, she looked down at the pokemon swimming at glacial speed. "You just stayed in here all night by yourself? Is this pool so fun?"
Instead of responding in any capacity, Magikarp just moved its mouth inaudibly. Misty sighed. Maybe it was hungry, though it usually showed no sign. She went and got some food, throwing two pellets in the pool to see if Magikarp would eat. It started on one, going to the other as Misty cleaned up the area more. As she came back and saw it had eaten, she threw in three more pellets. This time, it ate one before turning its back to the rest. "Come on!" Misty exclaimed. The food staying in there too long would mess up the pool. She went and picked up some pokeballs. "Go, Staryu, Starmie! You both have a morning snack."
Putting down the pokeballs of the two star-shaped pokemon, Misty picked up Magikarp's, then returned it before releasing it outside the pool. "Come on, Magikarp," she said, patting the pokemon. Patience was best. "I know you can do it. I've seen you move quickly before. Just hop into the pool. Please? Hop, hop."
"Excuse me?"
The somewhat familiar voice echoed through the stage. It seemed like an older girl, though not one of Misty's sisters. In front of the spectator entrance, Misty's fellow gym leader stood, clad in the notable kimono. "Erika!" Misty called, about to run over before Erika held up an arm.
"It's okay, I'll come down to you," Erika said, stepping graciously down the stairs. I'm following your example, and seeing what other gyms are like."
"Oh... I don't know if there's anyone scheduled this morning," Misty fretted.
"I checked the book in front, there's not until this afternoon," Erika informed.
"Yeah... I'm sorry, you won't get to see much." Misty suddenly noticed every smudge and spill around the pool stage.
"I'll still get to see your gym, and you," Erika said with a smile. "Why don't you show me around?"
"Um, yeah!" Misty said. She fumbled around as she went to get the pokeballs to return her pokemon for a rest. Afterward, she showed Erika the whole place. The visiting gym leader complemented their outside decor before marveling at the various fish in the aquariums. By the stage/battle field, Misty showed off the lighting before explaining how they'd use the space as the arena for the gym, stage for their shows, and sometimes even a pool for some exercise, or just fun.
"Perhaps I could swim here some time," Erika suggested.
"Right now if you want!" Misty suggested.
Erika giggled. "I'm afraid I didn't bring my suit this time."
"Oh, right, maybe next time." Misty glanced around awkwardly, trying to pay more attention to her guest than her task list. Her family's gym really wasn't as nice as Erika's, or at least how nice Erika's had been before it burned down. "How's your gym now?" Misty asked.
"It's still closed, unfortunately, though I have some occasional official matches outside, depending on the weather," Erika said. "But we're slowly building it back, better than ever," she assured, then glanced around the Cerulean Gym arena with a smile. "That could be one reason why I wanted to go and visit other gyms. To get some ideas."
"I guess you didn't get any from our gym," Misty said, still paying close attention to the spots that needed cleaning. A thought came to mind about how lackluster the arena itself was as well.
"Oh, but I did," Erika informed, glancing down at the pool. "I loved the outside decor... No one could miss your gym, even from afar, hm? It's inspiring! And you transform this space for multiple purposes. I saw it at another gym I visited, and it's really a good idea. Thank you for showing me it!"
Was their gym really worth the trip? Misty relaxed some as Erika spoke.
"Would you mind battling me in this very arena?" Erika asked. Misty was unable to hide her anxiety in response to the question. "Oh, don't think I meant it as anything more than friendly competition. Maybe you don't want to because of the type advantage? I apologize for my rudeness."
"N-No!" Misty insisted. "It's not rude. That's what we do, huh?" Misty tried to meet eyes with Erika, but did so only briefly before glancing away in embarrassment. "I battled some gym leaders when I was visiting them too. Talk about a type advantage, I took on Lt. Surge! I lost though..." Misty giggled awkwardly before looking back at Erika, who smiled in return. "But yeah, we can battle."
"I'm so glad you're open to the idea! So, shall we?" Erika invited.
"I'll set out the platform!" Misty hustled to do so herself. She struggled with the weight of the item, but had taken it out and put it away on her own before, so it was doable, though it might be easier with one of her sisters to help. Surprisingly, Erika began to do so in their place. "Wait, it's fine! I've got it!" Misty insisted. Erika shouldn't have to mess up her pretty kimono.
"While I'm here, I'd like to help. Especially since I requested the battle myself," Erika said. With the woman's assistance, Misty transformed the area rather quickly into a place fit for a pokemon battle. Erika stood in the challenger's area as they finished. "What a magnificent water type battle field!" the grass type gym leader commented as she observed everything in place. "I'm excited. Go, Gloom!"
"Go, Starmie!" Misty and Erika both released their pokemon at once. Gloom stood on the platform, calling out loudly, while Starmie shimmered its light and spun in the air.
"It's that pretty one," Erika exclaimed. "You use it in your shows, don't you?"
"Starmie's multi-talented," Misty informed, striking a pose by habit from her and Starmie's previous performance routine. "Now, Starmie! Bubble beam!" she ordered as she did so.
Erika pointed forward. "Gloom, stun spore!"
As Misty had expected, Erika started with a technique that may disable status. It missed, being absorbed by the bubbles in Starmie's attack before hitting Gloom. "Gloom!" the pokemon called as the bubbles popped over and over around it.
Misty grinned. They had an advantage already. "Alright, Starmie! Tackle!"
"Gloom, mega drain!" Erika ordered. Starmie hit the grass type pokemon, just in time to be hit itself by the energy which traveled from Erika's pokemon back to Misty's own.
"Uh oh," Misty exclaimed. This technique could really raise a pokemon's stamina, letting even weaker ones last a long time. Well, this was their home turf. "Starmie, go under water, then hit it with water gun!"
"Gloom, stun spore," Erika repeated the previous attempt, pointing into the water.
Gloom shouldn't be able to hit, not with Starmie underwater. "You've got-" Misty paused as her pokemon arose, realizing something was wrong. She'd meant Starmie to gain massive amounts of water for an extra powerful water gun, a strategy she used often. But Erika had apparently planned for that, and Gloom had aimed its stun spore right for where Starmie might emerge. The star shaped pokemon had been paralyzed anyway. Now in sight and unexpectedly stunned, Starmie spurt water forward in a less than impressive water gun.
"Alright, Gloom, mega drain!" Erika directed.
"Starmie, bubble beam!" Misty tried to be quick with her own order, but Starmie was already slower from the effect of stun spore. Gloom hit her best pokemon again, the grass type pokemon hopping up in glee as the technique refreshed it. Starmie, however, fell, splashing into the water.
Misty was quick to return it, sighing as she did so before walking over to Erika. "Thanks for the battle," she said.
"Oh no, thank you!" Erika said, shaking her hand after returning Gloom to its pokeball.
Misty went to take care of Starmie right away, then pressed a button for a special after-battle filter on the pool to start. Normally, she waited until the day's gym battles were done for that, but Gloom's potent stun spore, it was better to be extra cautious. She sprayed Starmie with the paralyze heal and potion, then let it hang out in the pool to recover further. Seeing Erika still waiting and watching in the stands, Misty wandered over. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure everything was ready for the afternoon," she said, leaning on the guardrail.
"I understand. It's impressive you do this all yourself. I have a lot of help, as you might remember," Erika said.
"My sisters help... But I think they're still sleeping now," Misty informed with a brief laugh.
"How nice it's a family affair. Is your living area upstairs?" Erika asked.
"Yeah," Misty confirmed. Erika had probably noticed she'd skipped past a certain stairway while showing her around the actual gym area. Now that she thought about it, her family was the only one with a setup to actually live in their gym that she'd seen on her journeys.
"And now," Erika continued, looking up at the bright spotlights. "You're done traveling? What's next? Will you stay here as a gym leader?"
Misty opened her mouth before finding herself at a loss for words. What did she want next, anyway? Her sisters hadn't asked her that, they'd only asked her to continue with various tasks and chores since she'd returned. But Misty herself hadn't considered it much either. "I mean, I'll be active gym leader for a while," Misty finally spoke. "And then I want to travel more, to see Ash getting his last gym badge and go to the league. After that..." Misty trailed off. There were some things she'd like to do, but they seemed too much to think about in the moment.
"Are you going to continue your activism as far as our organization is concerned?" Erika asked.
Her what? It took Misty a moment before she realized Erika might be referring to her trying to smoke Team Rocket out of the gym system. Or maybe that was just something she'd wished for and demanded others accomplish rather than doing anything herself. Either way, Misty had been shying away from that more and more. Nothing she said or did seemed to help, after all. At those meetings, the other gym leaders seemed like they were on Team Rocket's side. Surge and Sabrina didn't seem happy about the status quo, but had more or less rebuffed Misty's ideas that anything should be done at all. Many others - Brock, Aya, Koga, Blaine, and even Erika here - seemed to agree that things weren't great, but they didn't do anything, so maybe nothing was what to do. "I guess there's nothing else to do there," Misty said with a put on cheerfulness.
"You think so?" Erika asked.
Misty looked up, noticing her guest's poignant, questioning stare. "It's not like I don't see anything wrong!" she said.
"Yes. I think there's a lot to address," Erika said, a hint of significance in her calm decorum. She walked over, tapping Misty's hand. "I've taken your cues, but I can't do this alone. Can I count on you?"
"Yeah," Misty agreed, though her eyes glanced away. "I mean, if I can do anything, of course I want to," she added.
"Yes, of course." Erika gingerly lifted her hand from Misty's own. "You don't think you can?"
Misty's words again choked in her throat as she took in the very direct question. "As long as I can, I will!" she repeated her previous conviction.
"Many say something along those lines," Erika said. "But then there's inaction."
Erika wasn't as direct this time, but hearing the statement was even more embarrassing for some reason. Misty had said something to that extent, except perhaps wording it much more rudely, to others. Was it something she should have been telling herself?
"Sometimes it's not easy to see one's own abilities, I suppose. I keep in mind that patience is often necessary." Erika turned to the walkway. "Well, when you see Ash, please tell him hello for me, and good luck in the league. I'll cheer for him along with any trainer with my badge."
"I'll tell him. He might rank high... Maybe even win, who knows," Misty said with a laugh, relaxing some now that the subject had changed. "Oh, would you like to stay for lunch?" she asked. "Maybe my sisters will even wake up and join us."
"Maybe next time. I'm afraid I'm on a schedule. I have to get to Viridian for a meeting," Erika informed as she reached the stairs.
"You're going?!" Misty asked, her eyes widening.
"Of course. I haven't been in a while, so I need to get a lay of the land," Erika informed, turning toward the door. "I wasn't well liked when we elected our current chairman... But there was another gym leader that made quite a scene about a year and a half ago, I believe. That's overpowered any memory of my previous tacit criticism." Erika glanced back with a smile.
"Well, good luck," Misty said, though she wasn't sure what the other gym leader hoped to accomplish. Misty herself still wasn't about to attend. "Are you just going to talk and find a way to convince everybody?" she wondered aloud.
"Diplomacy is wonderful. But even with it, one must be prepared for the possibility of a fight," Erika said.
How vague, but when given the opportunity, Misty found she didn't really want to think about it. She went to open the door for her guest as Erika walked toward the spectator's exit. A lady like her seemed to demand it. "Well, thanks for visiting," Misty said. "We can have a rematch next time, maybe. Though I probably couldn't win..."
"Why couldn't you?" Erika said. The woman stared poignantly at Misty, eyebrows raised.
Again, Misty had said something silly. Of course, she'd have some difficulty against the older trainer with the type advantage that had previously won second place in the league. But why couldn't the younger trainer win in a rematch? After all, compensating for a type advantage was something all gym leaders planned for. "I'll try my best, if we do battle again," Misty assured before she opened the door to the outside. "I know you think some things are more important than power, anyway."
"Misty," Erika began before she took the step outside, again with a serious tone. "Power isn't everything. But of course, having powerful pokemon, being able to be powerful on one's own... All of that is very, very important." Erika slowly blinked, again seeming to regain a casual elegance as she stepped outside. "Well, you have your sisters, and your friends before you could rely on. Maybe I have a different perspective, as someone that's been a lone traveling trainer. Am I pushing my perspective onto you?"
"No, it's fine," Misty choked out a reply.
"Oh, good. I have others to rely on now as well. You were the one that reminded me I don't have to be alone, if you recall."
Misty's eyes widened as she remembered the conversation at Celadon Gym. She'd been much more determined then. Could she regain that?
"I just think being able to be powerful on my own is also important," Erika continued. "Perhaps you should think about what kind of trainer you want to be, if you weren't able to look to others. Well then, farewell."
Misty breathed more easily as she watched Erika make her way away along the front path to their gym. Not that the older gym leader wasn't admirable, and nice, but there was an intensity to her that Misty hadn't seen in Celadon. Maybe having her gym burned down had set a fire under Erika herself as well. Misty thought about dropping everything to join her at the meeting, but soon dismissed the idea as she went about her everyday tasks. There was too much to do to think about taking an impromptu trip.
Cleaning up after a performance, Misty noted Magikarp outside the pool. The pokemon hopped behind Psyduck yet again as Misty stepped down from the stands. "Hiding from me?" Misty scowled, folding her arms. Magikarp peeked from behind Psyduck, calling out incessantly. When Misty walked over to them, it again hopped closer to the duck-like pokemon. "You sure like Psyduck, don't you?" Misty asked.
"Karp, karp!" Magikarp called incessantly. The species didn't have very distinct facial expressions, so Misty couldn't tell its emotion from that, but she guessed the answer was affirmative both from its increased volume and how close it was to the other pokemon.
"Psyduck helps you out a lot, huh?" she asked.
"Karp, karp," Magikarp repeated.
"Psyduck!" Psyduck tilted its head before nodding sideways.
"You're sweet, Psyduck," Misty said, then turned back to Magikarp. "I wonder if Psyduck can rely on you as much, if it gets in trouble?" She stood up straight, pacing around as she turned back and forth from the pokemon. "If there's trouble here... And there's been trouble here... Psyduck and the others will make sure to protect you. But what about if they need your help?"
"Karp, karp!" the magikarp called with a harsher tone with time.
"Look, Magikarp," Misty began as she leaned down. "When I'm training you, I haven't been trying to scare you, or hurt you, or anything like that. I'm just trying to help." She stood up, turning toward the pool. "I guess I must have made assumptions about what kind of pokemon you wanted to be, huh? Pokemon really love battling, but magikarp seem really different from other pokemon. Know that you're welcome here, no matter what kind of pokemon you are. If you just want to swim around all day, stay there and I'll leave you alone. If you want to be a pokemon that battles and grows, go hop into that pool and we'll start some serious training."
Of course, it wouldn't. Misty had come to peace with Magikarp's stagnation. Did the pokemon even understand all she'd said? In any case, Misty decided the weak pokemon was a fine enough prop for their show as she went to help her sisters clean up the stands. Leaning down to get a washcloth, she heard a splash.
Turning around, Magikarp wasn't anywhere to be seen. However, it soon made itself seen by hopping out of the pool, and right before it splashed back inside. It repeated the same motion several times, clearly communicating that it really did want to be a pokemon that battled.
Misty shouted in excitement, running and splashing in the pool next to her pokemon. Magikarp came to the surface, facing upright now that it was in the water, and called out again to her. Misty laughed and patted its cheeks. "Let's get tougher together!" she said.
As the days went on, she found time to teach Magikarp to hop higher, splash more. Her sisters we happy to have it start their shows with its energetic jump, but that wasn't the end. With Misty's direction, Magikarp started to battle, taking attacks just fine before splashing back at the other pokemon. That technique only seemed to refresh its opponents, but Magikarp soon learned to tackle. It even ended up beating Psyduck. Lily witnessed the practice battle, and commented, "Isn't that enough? It's already learned what it needs to."
"Not at all enough!" Misty declared, clenching her fist. "It's just a start! I wonder what other techniques Magikarp can learn."
"None, I think," Lily said. "Good job, but it's maxed out."
"That can't be it," Misty protested. "We'll figure out-" Misty stopped her comment, seeing a glow along the wall. Turning around, she noticed the source was Magikarp. She and Lily stared as the pokemon appeared to grow, changing into an entirely different species of pokemon. The now tall, dragon-like pokemon called out in a low roar, lifting its head.
"What happened?" Lily exclaimed.
The answer was obvious. "Magikarp is Gyarados now!" Misty said. "Good job, Gyarados! This is because you've worked hard." Though she hadn't said so, Misty had honestly wanted Magikarp to evolve. The power difference was significant, from what she'd read and heard. There were many other viable techniques she could teach it. Even just looking at it, it was intimidating, though also cute in its own way. It might have been Misty's imagination, but she was sure she could see Magikarp's familiar vacant expression in Gyarados's more stern face. She giggled as she ran up to it. "Let's keep training!"
"Misty!" Daisy exclaimed as she ran in. "We can't use Magika- Gyarados in the shows now!"
"Why not?" Misty asked.
"It's way too intimidating." Lily was the one to answer.
Daisy nodded in agreement as they all gazed up at the giant pokemon. "Imagine it leaping into the pool like before."
Misty laughed as she thought of the giant, audience-soaking splash it would make. Amusing as it was, it wasn't a great idea. "Just find another role for it," she suggested. "Besides, Gyarados is coming with me," Misty declared, leaning against the newly evolved pokemon in a hug. "You'll be a powerful addition to my team. Thank you, Gyarados."
Maybe it had been scared at first as an underleveled magikarp, but Gyarados had really grown. Misty had helped it work through its admittedly understandable fears of taking on much more powerful pokemon. Now Gyarados was powerful enough to support Misty itself. It called out and swam around the pool quickly, perhaps trying to express its desire to grow even more. "Let's get started! Go, Starmie!"
Misty's other pokemon called out, waving in congratulations to its teammate before they went right into the practice battle.
Next chapter: Cassidy and Butch vs. Ritchie