Chapter 5: Cerulean Cape Battle


After leaving Mt. Moon, Ash, and his friends traveled along the rural paths of Route 4. Cerulean City was closer with each step.

"Ah, what a nice day to enjoy the sunshine," Ash stopped in the middle of the road to stretch his arms. Even after a long hike, he still felt energetic enough to barrel into Cerulean City. Sure, his rivals were way ahead of him, but this was about himself.

"We should be there in less than an hour." Brock noted as he looked at his map.

"Perfect, my second gym badge is so close I can taste it." Ash smiles, ready for this.

However, while the boys were enthusiastic about heading to a brand new city, Misty felt nothing but dread. Despite the sunny weather, chills ran through her entire body.

Ever since the trio saw the sign for Cerulean City, Misty stayed silent and walked slower than usual.

'I can't believe I'm here so soon.. even after.." Misty thought to herself as a memory in her head began to play. High-pitched giggling and cruel words, joined by insecurity.

"Hey, Misty!" Her train of thought was suddenly cut off when Ash called out to her.

"H-huh?" she asked her friend.

"I was saying what type of Pokémon do you think the gym uses?" Ash asked.

"Oh um, gee, I'm not sure myself," Misty said, with lies covered up like icing on a cake. "It could be anything."

Brock raised an eyebrow. "You've been a little out of it since we left Mt. Moon. Everything alright?" Brock asks.

"Yeah, I'm ok, you guys. Don't worry." Misty said, putting on a forced smile. "Well, what are we waiting for? We won't get to Cerulean just standing here." She said while taking the lead of the boys.

"One minute she's in a daze, and now she's like this? Am I missing something?" Ash asks, confused.

"Hmm.." Brock wondered to himself, glancing at Misty. 'Perhaps our little red friend is keeping us out of the blue of something."

Two hours passed before our heroes made it to Cerulean City. Of course, the first stop had to be the Pokemon Center. Unlike Pewter City's Pokemon Center, this facility had several floors due to Cerulean City's higher population.

Ash gave his Pokémon to Nurse Joy to heal he decided to give his mom a call.

"So mom, how's Clefable doing?" Ash asked.

"She's doing great," Delia smiled, beaming like a teenage girl at a boy band concert. "And I love her already." Clefable hopped up on her trainer's lap, twirling a feather duster in her paws.

"What's she been doing around the house?" Ash asks.

"Well, it turns out she loves the feather dust, so I have her do some dusting in the high corners of the house." Delia giggled.

Hearing this, Ash laughs. "Looks like you got a new personal maid."

"It's nice to have some company around the house." Delia admits.

"Hey, save some for yourself, Ash." Delia laughs.

"Oh, don't worry, I will. I've already got a full team." Ash smiles proudly.

"Your second badge already? Pretty quick." Delia said impressed.

"Fingers crossed. I just hope I've gotten enough training done so I can get it." Ash said.

"I know you'll be fine, honey." Delia said, trying to raise his spirits. "Just do your best, always think positive, and I know you'll go far."

"Thanks, Mom." Ash smiles hanging up.

Moving towards the waiting area, we find Misty sitting down looking into a newspaper with the headliner, "Sensational Sisters Splashes into new Show!"

The front page was rather flashy, depicting a trio of attractive women smiling and waving to the audience. The sisters wore colorful form-fitting swimsuits, each in a distinct color.

Misty sighed as she flipped through the paper, "Of course they'd get themselves on the front page.."

"Alright, your Pokémon are all set." Nurse Joy chirped as she handed another trainer her Poké Balls.

"Thank you so much!" The girl politely bowed before grabbing her Poke Balls. "We spent all day training for the Cape Battle!"

Misty perked up once she heard the friendly voice. Now, why did she sound so familiar— no way!

The girl turned around; now she was ringing a bell. She could be spotted a mile away thanks to her colorful ensemble: navy blue hair tied in a low ponytail, a sleeveless pink romper, white thigh-high socks and orange slip-on sneakers.

"Marina?" Misty gasps, getting the girl's attention as she turned to face her, and she gasped herself.

"Misty?!" Marina squealed.

The two girls ran across the waiting area, beaming in happiness as they tackled each other in a spine-crushing hug. Marina picked up Misty, spinning her around like a ballerina.

"It's so good to see you." Misty smiled as she let go of Marina.

"What are you doing here? And why didn't you call?" Marina asks.

"Well, over the past week or two, I've been, uh..busy." Misty said, rubbing her head.

"You don't say. I'm guessing you didn't come back for the Cape Battle?" Marina assumes.

"Oh, the Cape Battle is here again?" Misty asks, surprised.

"I was just heading there after my Pokémon had their checkup. This year, I plan on winning," Marina said with a grin. "And beating you this time is gonna be my priority."

"Uh, actually, I'm not sure if I'm going to this year." Misty said nervously. "Kinda just want to get things done and get out as quickly as possible."

A surprised look appeared on Marina's face. "What? But Misty, you love the Cape Battle. Why the sudden cold feet?"

"It's well..complicated." Misty said, trying her best to answer.

Reading her facial expressions, Marina had a pretty good idea of what was wrong with her. "Something happened at home, didn't it?"

"I don't want to talk about it but…let's just say I said a few things, and I am currently in a position to back up what I said." Misty said.

"If you say so.. but Mist." Marina puts a hand on her shoulder. "If you wanna talk, just can tell me. We're best friends, right? We're basically twins."

"I know." Misty smiles softly. "So, has he left town yet?"

"Oh?" A saucy grin appeared on Marina's face. "Why, you ask? Worried about missing him, already?"

"What? I-I didn't say that. I was just curious." Misty blushes.

Marina giggled. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. And no, he's still in town. He'll be at the Cape, too."

"We'll tell him I said hi." Misty said.

"So why did you come back then?" Marina asks.

"My new friends." Misty gestures to Ash and Brock, who had their backs to the girls.

"Woah, you've really been busy, alright?" Marina s said, surprised.

"My friend Ash wants to take on the gym." Misty declares.

"Wow, so does he know that…" Marina hints.

"Nope. Not yet." Misty shakes her head.

"Wow, you're really jumping through a lot of hoops. What did you say?" Marina asks.

"The usual. Misty said.

"That bad, huh? Oof, well, good luck, Misty." Marina said, patting her on the shoulder.

"Thanks," Misty said with the usual sigh.

"Hey, Misty." Brock said, walking over. "Who's your friend?"

"Oh Brock, this is Marina. We've known each other since we'll forever." Misty introduced her friends to each other. "Marina, this is Brock. He used to be used to the Pewter City Gym Leader."

"Whoa a Gym Leader? That's amazing." Marina said, surprised. "Man, I guess so if I battle you, I can't get a badge?"

"Thanks, but nope. I don't give away badges anymore." Brock chuckles.

"Well, any friend of Red here is a friend of mine." Marina said, shaking his hand.

"So Marina, my friend Ash is looking for some training. Do you know anything he and his Pokemon can do?" Brock asks.

"As a matter of fact, I was on my way to it right now. There's a small little tournament out near the edge of town." Marina explains.

"A tournament, you say?" Brock asks, interested.

"Yeah, every year, Cerulean City hosts a small tournament for trainers to come and test their skills against others just for fun." Misty explained.

"That sounds perfect for Ash." Brock said.

"Well, if this Ash guy wants to enter, he should know he'll have some competition." Marina declares.

"I think I'll go and tell'em now. Nice meeting you, Marina." Brock said, walking away to get to Ash.

"Same to you, Brock, and good luck, Misty. Hope you figure things out." Marina said, walking out the door.

"Me too." Misty mutters.

Just as Ash collected his Pokémon from the front desk, Brock informed him of the tournament.

"Seriously? Talk about perfect timing. I'll get some practice there and then go take on the gym." Ash smiles.

"A solid deal if you ask me. They're having it take place past the Nugget Bridge just north of the city." Brock informed as he pointed to the spot on the wall map. "So if you wanna attend it, better head there now."

"Thanks, guys. Wish me luck." Ash said, grabbing his Pokeballs and heading out.

"Well, he's gonna be busy for a while." Brock said, watching him off. "I think now's a good time to stock on supplies for the next hike once we're done here." He said, thinking on heading to the market.

Seeing Misty was alone once again, she decided to go take a walk to clear her head.

"Who knows how long until I have to go back?" She said to herself as she looked at a poster on a wall that had the same three girls on the cover, posing.


Meanwhile, with Brock, he was at the market gathering supplies for everyone, but when he went to the produce section, he saw it was almost empty.

"Uh, excuses me. Where's all the produce?" Brock asks.

"Oh, sorry, the morning shipment is being donated as snacks for the Breeder's contest. We'll have more in a few hours." The employee said, getting his attention.

"B-Breeder's contest?" Brock asks.

"Yeah, it's where Pokémon Breeders show how well they've taken care of their Pokemon. It's happening in the town square. If you hurry, you might be able to see the contestants." He said.

Thanking him with a nod, Brock went back to shipping as he thought to himself, 'A Breeder Contest, huh? You might as well see what it has to offer.'

With Ash, we see him on the outskirts of town by the Nugget Bridge, where several trainers were already engaged in battle.

"OK, Ratatta, use Super Fang!" A youngster said as his Ratatta's razor-sharp teeth bit onto a rock, crushing it with ease.

"Oddish, use Razor Leaf!" Another trainer's Oddish spun around as leaves flew out of its leafy head and started slashing parts of a tree.

"This is just what I need." Ash smiles when he sees the sign in table as well as Marina walking up to it.

"I'd like to sign up, please." Both said in unison.

"Oh, you must be Ash it's nice to—whoa!" Startled Marina was surprised by the scars trailing down his face. "A-a-are you OK, dude?" She gulped. "Seriously, what happened to you?"

"Yes, I know it's scary to look at, but it's something I've learned to live with." Ash rolls his eyes.

"Oh..uh, sorry about that." Marina apologized as she looked away.

"It's fine. I'm used to it." Ash sighs.

"You must be Ash." Marina realized.

"That's right, but how do you know my name?" Ash asks.

"I talked yo your friends earlier. I'm the one who told Brock about this. My name's Marina."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Marina. I take it, you're competing too?" Ash asks.

"Oh yeah, I come here every year to be the last trainer standing." Marina nodded.

"Sounds like you really want to win this." Ash smirks.

"You guessed it. There's someone that I've always wanted to beat here, but never did." Marina said.

"Who's that?" Ash asks.

"Him." Marina pointed at a boy with shaggy light brown hair and dressed head to toe in blue.

"Krabby, use X-Scissor!" He yelled, talking to a small red crab as its claws glowed green and brung them down onto a tree stump, smashing it into pieces.

"Whoa, he's pretty good." Ash said, impressed.

"He should be. we've been training for this since we got our first Pokémon." Marina points out.

"Oh, he's your friend?" Ash asks.

"His name is Georgio, and he's from here just like me." Marina nods

Watching Georgio prepare, Ash thought about doing the same. "Well, if he's getting ready for some big matches today, then so will I."

"Thinking about taking him on?" Marina assumed.

"Well, I didn't come here for an easy win." Ash smirks, making her giggle.

"You're alright, Ash." Marina smiles.

"You too. Well, I got some work to do. Best of luck, Marina." Ash said.

"See you out there." Marina said, going to prepare.

"Alright." Ash said, fixing his hat as he took out his Pokéballs. "Let's do this."

In the town square, Brock walks over to see the competition had already started.

Lined up, the judges were examining the condition and grooming of each Pokémon.

"Hmm, the spikes on your Nidorina's back look real sharp and shiny than a normal one." One judge says to an examinee.

"And this Raticate's teeth are so shiny. Very well brushed." Another judge said.

Brock watches their judging with interest. "Are they judging the Pokémon of how well their looks are?"

"First time?" Looking next to him at the seating area, another trainer was watching the events. He had black spiky hair and wore an orange jumpsuit with Pokéballs strapped to his pant legs.

"Uh yeah. Mind telling me what's going on?" Brock asks.

"The judges are examining to see how well the breeders have cared for their Pokémon. A healthy Pokémon is always a sign of a good breeder." He explains.

"I see." Brock said, watching them judge an Ivysaur. "So what happened when they're done?"

"Looks like we're about to find out." The Trainer said, turning back to the center.

"The Top Sixteen moving into part 2 will be…you." The judges said listing names and numbers, causing some breeders to cheer.

"Now that they've seen which ones look well taken care of, it's time to see how healthy they are physically." He explains.

"Physically?" Brock asks as the trainer grins.

"My favorite part. It's time for the Obstacle Race." He said.

Curious Brock sat down as the crew set up an obstacle course for trainers and Pokémon.

There were hoops on fire for those who fly and the water with nets, making them go in a certain direction rather than swimming all over the place.

"Whoa, they have challenges for all types of Pokémon." Brock said.

"The top eight times will move onto the final round so the breeders and their Pokémon need to be in good condition." He said.

"Now remember. Both trainer AND Pokémon must make it to the end together." The MC says. "On your marks...get set..."

A buzzer went off as the trainers and Pokémon took off together.

In one part, a trainer and her Nidoran were weaving through a series of cones when it was easy while a Gloom struggled to keep up.

"Come on, Gloom, pick up the pace!" It's trainer said as Gloom made a wrong turn and tripped over a cone.

Near a large net, a Machop struggled to climb it while a Spearow flew over it and past them.

"Machop!" It cringed, wishing it could fly. Unfortunately, it lost its footing and fell.

"Macho -" And right into its trainers' face as they both fell into the water.

Finally, we see a Goldeen swim and leap through hoops and landing with a perfect splash.

"Ooh!" Many of the people in the audience applauded.

"These guys are really good. You can tell how much care and time they put into their Pokémon when you see them compete like this." Brock said, amazed.

"You said it. I've seen many breeders around, but these guys want to be the greatest in the world." The Trainer nods.

"World's Greatest?" Brock said, interested.

As the Top Eight breeders lined up in a row, the final event were Pokémon battles.

"Go now, Kadabra, Psybeam!" A trainer said as Kadabra raised its spoon and released a pink and blue beam of energy towards the opponents Electabuzz.

"Electabuzz, Barrier!"

"Now they battle?" Brock said, not expecting that.

"What better way to prove who's really the best?" The trainer chuckles.

The battle wasn't just to see who wins but to see how well a Breeder and their Pokémon move around with how well they connect in battles.

"Now Weepinbell use Vine Whip!" A girl said as her Pokémon swung a vine.

"Grab it, Machop!" Grabbing the vine Machop yanks it in and headbutts Weepinbell.

"Bell!" Weepinbell fell over with swirly eyes.

"Weepinbell is unable, Machop is the winner!"

"So what does the winner of this competition get?" Brock asks.

"That." The Trainer points to a box on a stand which had a pin inside of it colored gold and blue with the letter's "BP" encased on the front. "That is the Breeder Pin."

"Breeder Pin?" Brock asks, interested.

"They're like the equivalent of Gym Badges for Breeders, but the more you have, the more serious you're taken as a Pokémon Breeder."

As the final match went down, we saw Electabuzz and Machop lock grips trying to overpower the other.

"Machop, Seismic Toss!" Spinning Electabuzz around and around Machop threw it into the air.

"Electabuzz! Use that momentum and start spinning!" Eyes narrowing, Electabuzz waited for him to start descending down to earth as he began spinning around like a ball.

"Now Thunderbolt!" As electricity shot out, Electrabuzz did what seemed like an electric powered rollout and rammed into Machop.

"Machop!" Their trainer yelled as Electabuzz's power died down, revealing Machop was in the ground with swirly eyes.

"Machop is unable to battle, Electabuzz wins! The winner of the Cerulean Breeder Competition is Takeru Valdez!" The referee shouts as the crowd bursts into cheers.

Smiling, Takeru and Electabuzz stood on a podium as they were presented with the Cerulean Breeder Pin.

"Congratulations, young man. You've definitely showed us how much care and thought you put into your Pokémon. Wear this pin in honor."

As they applauded, the boy looked to Brock. "Well, what did you think?

"It's pretty nice. I'll say that," Brock nods. "And hey, thanks for filling me in; You really seem to know your stuff," Brock said.

"Yeah, I love going to watch these things. The Breeders can even offer my Pokemon tips. The name's Corey, by the way." He introduces.

"Brock." Brock said, shaking his hand.

"Well, Brock, it was nice meeting you, and maybe I'll see you around." Corey smiles.

"Yeah, maybe." Brock said with a smile.

Looking out at Takeru being given the Breeder Pin, Brock couldn't help imagine himself standing up on that podium being awarded that pin.

'The Best Breeder in the world, huh?' He thought with an intrigued look plastered on his face.


As this competition was coming to an end, we found ourselves back at the Nugget Bridge as the Cape Battles were heating up.

We see Marina battling another girl with her Starmie, a purple starfish with multiple appendages. "Starmie! Water Gun!" She pointed.

Firing a stream of water, Starmie blasts a Poliwag knocking it against the bridge.

"Poliwag.." It groaned with swirly eyes.

"Alright!" Marina cheered as Starmie spun next to her.

"Videl, Twineedle!" Ash said as his Beedrill flew in and jabbed a Clefairy multiple times.

"Clefairy, Fire Punch!" Clefairy's fist engulfed into flames as it punched Videl back, making her cringe. "Now use Iron Tail!"

"Block it!" Ash said as Videl shielded herself her stingers as Clefairy smacked its tail into them. Videl then pushed Clefairy back. "Use Poison Sting!"

Aiming her tail at it Videl fired multiple poison needles pelting Clefairy.

"Clefairy, knock them back with Fire Punch!" Clefairy's fists were coated with flames as it pushed back the needle storm.

"You can't rely on one move to win!" Ash said as Videl flew back avoiding the attack.

From her time in the Viridian Forest, Videl was taught well from the upcoming dangers like flying Pokémon trying to eat her kind so she along with the other Beedrill of the forest were taught in the ways of dodging wihtout even breaking a sweat.

Clefairy after it!" Bouncing up Clefairy swats Videl making her fly backwards.

"Videl!" Ash yells as Videl regained balance and buzzed angrily. "Alright time to get serious, Poison Jab!"

As poison coated her stingers Videl dives down and jabs Clefairy making her scream in pain.

"Keep up the pace, Twineedle!" Ash said as Videl punched Clefairy back and forth with her singers.

"Fairy!" Plummeting to the ground Clefairy hits it with swirly eyes.

"Clefairy is unable to battle! Beedrill wins!"

As Ash moved onto the next round we see Misty was watching the tournament. More specifically Georgio's battle.

"Nidoran, use Double Kick!" A trainer's male Nidoran charged in with its hind legs at the ready

"Tentacool Wrap attack!" Georgio said as Tentacool grabbed Nidoran with his tentacles stopping it.

"Cool!" Tentacool then throws Nidoran off to the side.

"Alright Tentacool use Bubblebeam!" Firing a barrage of bubbles Nidoran was pelted multiple times.

"Nidoran, Headbutt!" Nidoran's eyes sharpened as it pushed through the bubbles and tackles Tentacool.

"Come on." Misty mumbled softly.

"Tentacool hang tough. Use Water Gun!" Shaking off the attack Tentacool fires a stream of water.

"Dodge and use Horn Attack!" Leaping over Nidoran dodges the water and charged in horn gleaming.

"Acid on the ground!" Georgio yells as Tentacool sprays a purple acid out its mouth as it melted the rock that Nidoran was supposed to jump on, making it lose balance.

"Now let'em have it!" Firing another Water Gun Tentacool blasts Nidoran like it was a fire hydrant sending the Pokémon flying backwards completely soaked.

"Nidoran!" Nidoran resurfaced with swirly eyes.

"Nidoran is unable to battle! Tentacool wins!" The ref declares.

"Yes!" Georgio cheers while picking up Tentacool. "You rocked Tentacool."

"Tentacool." It smiles.

Seeing the two of them Misty couldn't help but smile.

"You did it." Marina smiles walking over to him.

As her friends smiled and laughed Misty felt a little left out. Her insecurities were making her feel more and more like an outcast in her own hometown.

'Am I really going to keep blowing this off?' She thought to herself as she to looked to her right and saw another billboard promoting the "Sensational Sisters" again.

Pausing she remembered her talk with Marina. How even though it didn't end well she shouldn't let it scare her away.

But..would they even want me back? After all I said?

"And the winner is Ash Ketchum!" A ref said.

Looking down at Ash, Misty saw the smile on his face.

"If he can bounce back after everything that's happened to him. So can I." Misty realized.

And so she ran off in the opposite direction, unaware that two people noticed her off.

"Hey Marina was that..." Gerogio asks.

"Yep. Attagirl Misty." Marina smiles.

"Hey! Anybody else wanna battle?" They heard Ash call out.

"Well if he wants to play it like that." Marina was about to step up when Georgio moves in first.

"Sorry Mari, but I want this one." Georgio grins.

Marina then nodded, "Well good luck. He's going after 'them' later."

"Hey. How about you try your luck against me?" Georgio calls out getting Ash's attention.

"You're Georgio, right?" Ash asks.

"Yep and I gotta say Ash, your Pokémon are as tough as those scars on your face." Georgio said.

"Uh was that a compliment?" Ash asks unsure.

No one's ever said that about his scars before.

"It was." Georgio clarifies.

Ash was stunned at that. Georgio was the first person to ever say that to him. A smile was then plastered onto his face. "Wow thanks Georgio.." until that smile grew into a smirk. "..but don't think that is gonna give you an easy win!"

"Wasn't counting on it." Georgio grins.

This was going to be the last battle of the day and everyone was going to be in for a treat today.

Facing of, both boys had to make sure they picked the right Pok

"I'm going with the first Pokémon I ever caught!" Georgio said throwing the ball towards the water, revealing a Goldeen.

"The first one you caught huh?" Ash pauses remembering his first catches. "In that case." Turning to the water, Ash threw a Pokeball revealing Mystic.

"A Magikarp?" Georgio said surprised, as everyone had confused faces while Marina had an intrigued look on her.

"Not usually the kind of Pokémon one picks for a final battle." Marina said equally curious.

Seeing the mixed looks, Ash said, "You'd be surprised at what a Magikarp can do once they're trained the right way." He said as a serious look appeared on Mystic's face.

"Alright then, let's show them how we do a water battle Goldeen." Georgio grins.

"Goldeen." It nodded, ready to fight.

"And begin!" The referee shouts out.

"Horn Attack!" Georgio points. Diving underwater, Goldeen swam towards Mystic with a glowing horn.

"Tackle!" Ash said as Mystic dived under and swims swiftly at Goldeen narrowly dodging the horn.

"Meet them head on with your Tackle!" Georgio said as both fish met in the middle.

Swimming around both fish Pokemon rammed into each other again and again.

"Goldeen, Fury Attack!" Goldeen charged in with its horn thrusting and knocked knocked Mystic upwards.

"Mystic use Flail!" Diving downwards Mystic smacks Goldeen multiple times with her tail.

"Quick Attack!" Recovering, Goldeen sped upwards to hit Mystic.

"Dive, dive!" Ash said as Mystic dove down, avoiding being struck.

"You're not getting away that easy!" Georgio said as Goldeen dived after ramming into Mystic.

"Karp!" Mystic screams in pain.

"Now use Fury Attack again!" Mystic was pelted with a steam of tail slaps and horn attacks by Goldeen.

"Mystic use Bounce!" Escaping the attack Mystic flew out of the water before diving back down.

"Gotta say, he's doing pretty good lasting this long." Marina commented.

"Your Goldeen is real tough Georgio." Ash said.

"That Magikarp isn't as bad as I thought it would be." Georgio said. "You've raised it well."

"Most people think Magikarp are weak but to me there's no such thing as a weak Pokémon." Ash said.

Mystic smiled, touched by her trainer's kind words. "Karp.." Now she had to win to make him proud of her.

"I'm starting to like this guy." Marina smiles.

"Mystic Flail!" Doing an underwater backflip, Mystic smacks Goldeen away.

"Goldeen, use Peck!" Georgio said as Goldeen's horn glowed and swam towards Mystic like a torpedo.

"Evasive maneuvers!" Ash said as Mystic swam in a zigzag formation, dodging Goldeen's advances at every turn. "Now Tackle!"

"Karp!" Ducking under the horn, Mystic rams into Goldeen's underside, headfirst.

"Time to slow them down. Use Supersonic!" As Goldeen emits Sonic waves it travels through the water like sonar making Mystic confused.

"Karp.." Groaning, Mystic rammed herself into a beam of the bridge.

"Ooh that's gotta hurt." Marina said as she and all the other trainers winced.

"Mystic! Snap out of it!" Ash called out to her.

"Now Goldeen Peck!" Swimming in Goldeen nails Mystic from the side making her bang into the beam again.

As a the result the second impact helped her snap out of it.

"Mystic, Tackle!" Growling, Mystic pushed Goldeen hard as it was sent flying up to the surface. "Now Flail!"

Swimming up after her, she smacked it down back into the water.

Swimming back both fish Pokémon were panting heavily as they were on their last leg or in their case fin.

"Tackle!" Ash yelled.

"Horn Attack!" Georgio yells as both water Pokemon swam at each other at full speed.

Upon impact both water Pokemon fall back with swirly eyes.

The referee looked over and made his decision. "Goldeen, Magikarp! Both are unable to battle! This match is a draw!"

Hearing this both trainers were surprised at first. Ash had never tied before but even though he didn't win he was fine with this.

"Mystic, Return!" Ash recalled her back inside of her Pokéball. "You were great Mystic, we'll get'em next time." He said praising to the ball.

"That was one of the best battles I've ever had Ash. And a great way to end before I head out." Georgio smiles.

"Head out?" Ash asks."I wanted to wait until after today to head out on my journey. One last test to see how prepared I was." He explains."Hey, that's not a bad idea to do." Ash said, impressed. "What are you going for?""Right now, I want to catch the best and coolest Water Pokemon out there, and then I plan to take on my friends. Since we're going for the same dream." Georgio said."Sounds like you already have some competition." Ash said."Yeah, he does." Marina said, walking over."You just make sure you can try and catch up, Marina." Georgio said, playfully teasing her."Right back at ya." Marina counters."Well, guys, it's been fun, but I got a gym battle to get to tomorrow." Ash said"You're going after the gym, huh?" Marina smirks, knowing something."Then you better brace yourself. Their Water Pokemon are way stronger than mine." Georgio warns."Water Pokémon, huh?" Ash figured, seeing all of the water types around the tournament. "Thanks for the heads up. I think I can come up with a plan for them.""Good luck, Ash." Georgio said."Maybe we'll run into each other again." Marina said as they both walked away."See ya," Ash said, waving them off. What a day this has been.

Making his way back to the Pokemon Center, he sees Brock walking from the opposite path."Hey Ash. You would not believe the day I've had." Brock smiles."Oh yeah, wait til you and Misty hear everything that's happened to me today." Ash smiles before looking around. "Where is she anyway? Wasn't she with you?"Brock shook his head. "I thought she was at the tournament with you?""So if she's not with you and she's not with me, then where is she?" Ash asks.Both boys stood in place, pondering on what happened to their friend.Little did they know that in another part of town, we see Misty standing across from a colorful building with Dewgong painted on it."Time to go back home." Misty sighs, slowly walking towards it.


Party Data:

Ash: Spearow (Talon), Magikarp (Mystic), Meowth (Bastet), Ekans (Naga), and Beedrill (Videl) and Sandshrew(Quake)Sent to his mother: Pidgeotto and ClefableMisty: Staryu and GoldeenBrock: Geodude, Onix, and ZubatHope you've all enjoyed the next chapter.


I bet you're all surprised to see Georgio from Pokémon Chronicles, Marina from the Orange Islands, and Corey from Mewtwo Strikes Back.I added those two because I felt they could benefit from Misty's well-deserved background and character development she'd never gotten back in OS. And since we've only seen them once, it made me see this was a missed opportunity for them to be friendly rival's for her. So yeah, expect them to show up every now and then.As for Corey, it was Cloud4012's idea. To have him show up at a few Breeder Competitions and support Brock.As for Brock, he really needed something to make his character a lot more meaningful, in my opinion. So most stories I've read seemed to have him compete in competitions for Pokémon breeders, and that's what I'm going to do.Also time I admit something regarding Tomo.A lot of people do not like him and don't want him to travel with Ash in all of the stories I've read. Complaining and even dropping the story because of it.I find it ridiculous. Tomo coming along with Ash is beneficial for Ash's (this version of his) character development in the original story and here. And I do plan to keep him. So if you want to complain, keep it yourself. If you want to drop the story, then be my guest, I won't stop you. But I will say I don't think kindly to people who insult me because I'm not making the story the way THEY want me to make it.It's MY story, and I plan to keep him. Don't complain. Don't say anything, just leave if you don't respect my opinion.