Inkaliber: Welcome back everyone! Gosh it's been a while. Sorry for taking so long but life and college haven't been the kindest. Anyway, here's hoping we can provide you guys a good story. You guys have the story ready?
Team Rocket: SIR YES SIR!
Inkaliber: Thanks! Oh, you're probably wondering what Team Rocket is doing setting up the story. I'm having an unknown trouble getting them back home, so they'll be helping out around the studio for the foreseeable future. We've kinda fallen into a rhythm, to the point where they'll sometimes pop up when I'm posting another story. Anyway, I have some more news to share.
Inkaliber: With those over on caught up, I can start answering reviews from both there and here. Answering reviews will be happening a lot more often with this development. That being said, I have to put a lot of time into college so I can't give an estimated posting schedule. That also means updates are going to be a little more spaced out whether they're new or reworked. I know it's a little frustrating but that's the way the cookie crumbles.
Meowth: I never saw the need for college when I was young. Life was crazy enough as it is being part of Team Rocket and all. Then again, I am a Pokémon so…
Inkaliber: Let's just get on with the chapter. We have a lot to go through this week already.
James: We might have some reviews to read. That might not be the best thing to leave out.
Inkaliber: *SNAPS!* Good point! Give me just a second to grab my list… Here we are! We actually have a few to go over.
Jessie: Don't keep them waiting! What are they!?
Inkaliber: I'm getting to that… while you get back to work! Anywho, let's start with the patiently awaiting Kishou.
Kishou- I'm glad you actually caught on to the Rattata incident. There'll be a whole explanation regarding the little bugger down the line, but no more details till then. As for why I used the start of the anime instead of Sun and Moon… it honestly wouldn't have worked for the story I want to write. Let me go into further detail.
I personally love Amourshipping. I'm not one of those people who hate on the other pairings, but Serena was the only member of the main cast to reveal her feelings for Ash. It just didn't feel right to have Ash with Lilo after that scene, especially since Serena is one of my favorite characters. If the main problem is Lilo seeming ultra-experienced, however, I can definitely fix that up.
Kitsunefan- Normally, with you being a member over on , I'd send you my replies through a PM there. Seeing as this is the first chapter where I have a bunch of reviewers, however, I'll give you my thanks here in the Author's notes. Also, that brat was written to be bad to the bone.
A Guest (for those on Archive yes, this is the actual guest's reviewer name)- I guess that was a bit of a misunderstanding on my part. I understand things being tough man, so no worries.
FluteQueen1998- I'm glad you like it! I hope the story continues to be enjoyable for you and all of my readers.
Inkaliber: In any case, let's get on with the chapter. I don't own Pokémon or Lilo and Stitch. I do own any OC characters, concepts, Pokémon, and objects unless stated otherwise. Let's get things started!
Route 4, Kanto
Ah, another beautiful day in the Kanto region. The cloudless sky stood high above Route 4. A flock of Spearow flew overhead as they prepared for their usual scavenging. An Ekans could be seen lazing around on a large tree branch, enjoying the sunny spot. While the scenery was peaceful, one trainer in particular was facing some inner turmoil.
Misty lagged behind as she kept her eyes on the road. She quickly took note of the others marching on ahead. She could tell that they were talking about something, but the conversation was entirely lost on her. She had too much going on in her own little world to listen in on her companions. What was the problem, one might ask?
The group had just taken a turn at a far-off fork in the road, though if she had her way, they would've went the other way. She would rather not head to the one place described on the directional sign: Cerulean City. That's not to say that she hated the small city, far from it in fact. The place meant more to her than anyone would ever know outside of… certain people. She shook her head as she ran towards the others, her mind made up.
"WAIT A MINUTE!" cried the redhead. Bolt looked back at the girl from his trainer's shoulder. He sounded off a greeting as she skidded to a stop, bringing the others' attention directly to her. "Where do you guys think you're going?" Ash tilted his head to the side in confusion.
"Weren't you listening?" questioned the boy. "We're going to Cerulean City." The girl's eyes widened; her fears realized by that one statement.
"Why on Earth would you want to go to Cerulean City?" The boy placed his hands on his hips as he looked to the tag-along.
"If you haven't quite caught on yet, Lilo and I are Pokémon Trainers. We're going Cerulean City to catch some more Pokémon. After that, I'm going to take on the Cerulean City Gym." Misty began to sweat as she looked the boy in the eye. She had to come up with something, and fast.
"Uh, Ash, you don't want Pokémon from there. Trust me." Lilo's brow perked as she looked to the redhead.
"Please tell us, oh expert of Pokémon in the area, why we wouldn't want Pokémon from the Cerulean City area," offered the Hawaiian trainer. Misty jerked back in surprise, not expecting to be called out by Lilo. "We're waiting." The redhead looked around as she got to work on an answer.
"The Pokémon there are scary ghosts that look like this!" Misty began to pull on her cheeks and eyelids as she tried to make an intimidating face. Key word being 'trying.' "Monsters!" The group remained silent as the redhead held her face in that position.
The others blinked at the story told by their companion. Stitch suddenly burst out laughing, Ash quick to join him. The redhead finally released her face as she looked to the boy in shock.
"Nice face Misty!" teased Ash. He turned away from her as he looked to the others. "Come on guys. We've got a gym to battle." Misty ran in front of the group, blocking their path with her arms spread out.
"WAIT A SECOND!" The group was taken aback by the girl's sudden act. Realizing the position, she put herself in, the redhead cleared her throat in an attempt to regain her composure. "What about Vermilion City? It's right on the water, there are a lot of neat Pokémon there, you can watch all the yachts pull into the harbor, and there's a little park way up on a hill that you can watch the sunset."
The others nodded as they listened in. It was a little interesting, but they had their route planned out at the moment. "It's much nicer than that old Cerulean City, so let's get going!" Ash nodded with a smirk.
"Alright then. Let's go…" The others looked to him with varying levels of surprise. He couldn't actually be agreeing with the redhead. Said girl looked to him with star filled eyes.
"Really?" There was a pause as the group waited for the boy to reply. Stitch suddenly smiled as he heard a rumbling within Ash.
"To Cerulean City." Misty fell flat on her face in defeat. She was quick to rise as the others walked on without her. "I'm not gonna turn back now when a gym is so close by. I have to at least try to beat it."
"That's the spirit Ash," encouraged Brock. Lilo looked back at the road as she waited for Misty to follow along. The redhead grumbled as she watched the others pull forward. She was not looking forward to tomorrow.
Cerulean City
The appliance warehouse was dark and ominous in its off hours. No customers walked the halls, no employees restocked the shelves, and guards were few and far between. After all, who would steal from a warehouse like this? Sure, they had some pricy equipment, but it wasn't anything to write home about. Unknown to anyone, this thought pattern would be exploited tonight.
A vent high up on a wall was pushed out of its slot, before being caught by the perpetrator. The metal object was gently pulled into the hole before being set behind the figure. A very familiar head of lavender hair poked its way out of the duct, scoping the area for one of the rare guards. He smirked as he looked around, finding no traces of life. His red-haired partner soon joined him as he looked down one of the aisles.
"The coast is clear," stated James. Jessie nodded as she followed her partner's line of sight.
"Nothing to fear," added the woman. Meowth popped up to her left with a smile of his own.
"Nobody here," finished the dastardly feline. "The people running this joint sure ain't the brightest." The trio leapt out of the duct, silently falling to the ground below. James quickly turned on a flashlight to light their path. They scanned over many devices as they walked down the aisle.
They soon entered the pumping section, slowing their stride just a bit. James shined the flashlight in front of the group, bringing a large tube into view. He moved up from the tube to reveal a strange machine. He smirked at the sight of the oversized appliance.
"Well, looks like we've found it," stated the man. Jessie nodded as she ran a hand through her hair.
"Just what we need to get what we want," clarified the woman. "Whoever was supposed to guard this area is going to be out of a job very soon." Meowth growled as he looked up at the humans.
"We can criticize losers later," scolded the feline. "Let's get back to the primary objective, Pokémon." The duo nodded in response as they got to work. The alarm went off as the machine was rolled out of the building. By the time the police arrived, Team Rocket were long gone.
The following morning, Ash and the others arrived in Cerulean City. The city was certainly better than what Misty was trying to play it off as. The water from the river sparkled as Goldeen splashed about in it, children could be seen playing with family Pokémon, and the ones along the way were much more manageable than what she had described. This place was a nice breath of fresh air for travelers passing through. Ash took a deep breath as he adjusted his backpack.
"So, this is Cerulean City, eh guys?" questioned the young trainer. Bolt squeaked in agreement from his trainer's shoulder, looking around at all the buildings. Brock nodded with a smile.
"Pretty nice place isn't it?" stated the former gym leader. Stitch remained close to Lilo as they crossed over a bridge, not looking to get a closer view. In spite of this, the little experiment had to agree. It was a nice place to visit. He looked back to try and tease Misty, only to find the redhead was absent.
"Lilo," called the experiment. He tugged at her shirt as he tried to catch her attention, pointing back in the direction they came. The girl looked down at him in confusion.
"What's wrong Stitch?" questioned Lilo. She followed his gaze in an attempt to recognize the answer. She didn't get much time to figure it out as the furball shook his head.
"Misty bye-bye." The Hawaiian's eyes widened as she looked around, trying to locate the missing redhead. Her efforts would be in vain, however, as there was no sign of her. She turned to the guys with a worried expression.
"Guys! Misty's gone." The boys turned around in response to her cry, a little shocked themselves. Bolt let out a sad sigh as he to tried to find his missing friend.
"Well, what do ya know?" began Ash. "She really has stopped following us." Brock's brow raised as he looked to his companions.
"She really didn't want to come to Cerulean City," stated the rock type specialist. "I wonder why?" Ash shrugged in response to the question. He didn't really care at the moment.
"Ah, we'll never figure out girls." Lilo cleared her throat as she crossed her arms. The boy suddenly jerked as he slowly turned to meet the eyes of the Hawaiian girl. Let it be known that there were only two things that could make Ash Ketchum frightened: an angry Pokémon and the frown of his upset mother. It would appear that Lilo had picked up the later from overexposure with Deliah Ketchum over their months of preparations.
The young trainer chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "N…no offense Lilo." Stitch chuckled evilly as he waited for the okay to mess with Ash. Many devious thoughts ran through his mind as he awaited his chance. Sadly, for him, the girl smiled as she shook her head.
"Let's keep going," decided the Hawaiian. "Misty's bound to turn up eventually. Come on Stitch." The experiment groaned as he let his arms drop to his sides. The group followed her down the road as they tried to locate the Pokémon Center.
They soon came across a large crowd as they stood in front of a warehouse. Their curiosity peaked; the group weaved through the crowd to get a better look. Imagine their surprise when they saw the destruction done to the front of the building. The police were keeping watch over the crowd while a few more of their ranks inspected the crime scene. Ash looked over to one of the men in the crowd, a confused look plastered on his face.
"Excuse me sir?" The man looked down at him upon being called out. "Do you know what happened here?" The civilian nodded as he looked the boy in the eye.
"Apparently some thieves broke into the warehouse and stole a machine," answered the man. "Personally, I don't see why anyone would steal from this place." Ash looked away as he rubbed his chin.
"Thieves?" He began to wonder if a certain annoying trio were behind the robbery. His musings were cut off as the sound of clicking heels caught his attention.
"What do you know of thieves?" questions a strangely familiar voice. Ash looked up to find Officer Jenny staring back at him. "You three look very suspicious to me." He was a little shocked to see the woman here, but he smiled none the less.
"Officer Jenny? Did they call you over from Viridian City?" The woman looked confused for a moment, only to smile as she straightened up.
"You must have met my sister-in-law." Ash hummed as he tilted his head. He made a note of how it was similar to Nurse Joy's family. The officer suddenly bent over once more as she gave him a serious face. "If you know my sister-in-law you probably had some dealings with the police in Viridian City."
"Well, I… Um…" Lilo shook her head as she put a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"We actually needed her help when we arrived in the city officer," explained the experiment wrangler. Officer Jenny turned her gaze to her as she waited patiently. "We were attacked by a flock of Spearow on our way to Viridian City, and Ash's Pikachu got banged up pretty bad. We flagged her down in order to get directions to the Pokémon Center, and she gave us a ride after we showed her our IDs." The woman nodded as she rubbed her chin in response to Lilo's explanation.
"That does sound like a believable story," agreed the woman. She suddenly pulled out a pair of handcuffs to the trio. "OR MAYBE YOU'RE A CRIMINAL WHO ESCAPED THE VIRIDIAN CITY JAIL AND TOOK ME FOR A FOOL!" The group sweated at the accusation thrown at them. Brock waved his hands defensively at the accusation.
"We're not criminals! We just got here and decided to see what was going on!" Officer Jenny smirked with conviction as she remained in position.
"Criminals always return to the scene of the crime." Stitch rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms. This woman was jumpier than the one back in Viridian City. Ash chuckled as he held up his Pokédex.
"Maybe this will help," offered the boy. He opened the device, allowing the screen to come to life.
"I am Dexter, a Pokédex designed by Professor Oak for Ash Ketchum." informed Dexter. Brock quickly pulled up a spare badge he carried with him; the nervous smile still plastered on his face.
"Yeah, and I was the Pewter City gym leader," added the former gym leader. Officer Jenny looked over the evidence provided for a little while, taking in the information. Finally, she sighed with a calmer smile.
"Well, that's enough evidence for me." She suddenly stood straight once more as she placed her hand on the side of her face. "I'm sorry I was so suspicious." She changed demeanor once again as she looked away from the group. "Now I'm suspicious of my sister-in-law seeing as she has weird taste in friends."
"Um… miss?" The woman turned her attention to the former gym leader upon being called out. "I was thinking, since I'm new in town, maybe we could get together tonight, and you could show me around." Officer Jenny smirked as she looked away from the rock type trainer.
"Well, I'm not off duty till past your bedtime and I may be up longer trying to catch these burglars." Brock's smile fell in disappointment at this answer. Stitch patted him on the back of the leg as he attempted to comfort him. Ash blinked a few times before looking to the policewoman.
"What did they steal anyway?" questioned the boy. "If I heard everything right, no one really would've expected people to steal from this place." Officer Jenny sighed as she looked to the group.
"That's the thing. They didn't steal money, just a massive vacuum and a giant hose." Ash tilted his head in confusion, not expecting that answer at all.
"What would anyone need those things for?" Lilo looked up as she thought about the situation. She couldn't really think of a reason anyone would want to steal a pump so huge, unless they were trying to drain a lake of its water. The girl had little time to ponder over this, however, as she soon found herself and the guys being ushered off by Officer Jenny.
"In any case, I have no time to play million questions with a bunch of kids! Move along people! Nothing to see!" The group decided to leave the officers to their work as they fulfilled her request. They backtracked a little bit in order to find a place to rest.
They quickly found a bench to sit at, Brock opting to stand as he leaned against a wall. Lilo brushed Cleffa's fur with a calm smile, the little puffball loving the attention. Bolt and Stitch were currently munching on some berries in order to pass the time. Ash sighed as he looked to his human companions, a relieved smile on his face.
"Boy am I glad Dexter acts as an ID. Imagine how embarrassing it would've been back in Viridian City if I didn't know about that." Lilo nodded as she placed the brush in the seat beside her.
"Well then it's a good thing you studied a bunch during our visits," stated the Hawaiian. "You were definitely more focused on how cool the Pokémon were than forming a strategy." The young Ketchum chuckled to himself as he rubbed the back of his head. He couldn't help but admit that she had a point, though he wasn't going to say it out loud. Brock looked to the duo with a curious smirk.
"Hey Ash?" questioned the former gym leader. "Shouldn't you be heading for the Cerulean Gym? That is the main reason you came here." The boy nodded in response, a confident smile on his face.
"Good point Brock!" cheered Ash. His face suddenly lit up as he looked to the man. "Got any inside info on the Gym Leader here?" This earned him a raised brow from his newest companion. "I'd like to know what I'm getting into before I challenge the gym."
"Well, it's obvious by the advertising that Cerulean City places a great value on water Pokémon. The gym is likely also based around all things water." Ash nodded as he rubbed his chin, planning out his strategy right then and there. "As for anything else, I'm afraid my lips are sealed." The boy looked to his friend with a sad frown.
"Why? Is there some kind of personal issues involved?" The man laughed as he shook his head.
"Nothing like that! As a former gym leader, myself I want to respect a fellow leader and keep most of his cards hidden. Anyone could learn that the Cerulean Gym focuses on Water Type Pokémon." Ash sighed as he nodded in response. He understood where Brock was coming from, but he didn't have to be rude about it.
"I guess you have a point. It'd be boring if I didn't have some kind of challenge anyway." The boy hopped up from his seat, clenching his hand in front of his face. "I'm gonna get in some last-minute training before I challenge the gym. You guys want in?"
"Honestly, Ash, I have some other stuff I'd like to take care of. Plus, I promised my siblings that I'd give them a call at the next Pokémon Center. Good luck with the gym!" Brock quickly walked off as he waved to the duo, leaving them to themselves. Lilo shook her head as she looked to her human companion.
"As much as I'd like to help you out Ash, I think me and Stitch are gonna check up on Misty," declined the Hawaiian girl. "She's been gone for a while and I'm starting to worry that something is going on." Ash sighed as he looked to his Pokémon partner.
"I guess that's fine," accepted the trainer from Pallet Town. "Just make sure you stop by the gym. I'm gonna mop the floor with the gym leader!" He ran off to prepare for his oncoming battle, Bolt quickly following behind. Lilo sat by herself for a bit as Luna continued to clap her hands together. She quickly put away the brush from earlier and scooted over a bit.
"You can come out now Misty. I know you're there." There was no response for a few seconds, Stitch looking in various directions in order to locate the aforementioned friend. She smiled as the redhead came out from behind a tree, unsure of the situation.
"How long did you know I was here?" questioned Misty. Cleffa cheered as she reached out for the girl, a smile on her face. Lilo rubbed the puffball's cheek with a soft smile.
"Luna saw your ponytail sticking out. I figured it would be better to talk without the guys here." The experiment wrangler patted the seat next to her, prompting Misty to take it. The redhead sighed as she plopped down on the bench, holding her hands in her lap. It was clearly time to come clean, and Lilo wasn't gonna take no for an answer.
"This is actually my hometown. It kinda hurt to say all that stuff about Cerulean City, but I didn't know what else to do. Things aren't as good here as they once were, especially when it comes to the city gym." The Hawaiian tilted her head in confusion, Luna mimicking it with a smile.
"What makes you say that? I'm sure it's not that bad." Misty looked away as she grabbed at the legs of her shorts.
"That's just it. Things are that bad there. The gym leaders don't really care about winning battles anymore. They'd rather do shows and look good as the 'Sensational Sisters!'" Lilo was taken aback by this news, Stitch seeming to share her sentiment.
What kind of gym leaders abandon their job like that? The Pokémon league is a very serious event in this world, rivaling the Olympics back home. It's the job of these people to ensure that trainers are actually ready for the battle ahead. She suddenly shook her head as she looked to the still frowning redhead. It was obvious that she had more to talk about.
"You… seem like you have experience with these people. Do you know them personally or…" Misty sighed as she tapped the tips of her shoes together? Might as well rip off the Band-Aid right now.
"They're my older sisters." The shocked expressions on the otherworldly duo's faces came as no surprise to her. She had never really mentioned her family before, so it was reasonable to be surprised by the sudden info dump. "They're the reason I left, to be honest. I wanted to make a name for myself that doesn't tie into them."
"So… that makes you a potential gym leader." Misty nodded in response. "Guess we're travelling with two of them now. Ash's gonna flip when he finds out the trio won't be much of a challenge." The redhead looked to her with a concerned face.
"You don't get it! They're just gonna hand the badge to him so it can be over with!" Lilo's eyes widened as she looked the Cerulean City girl in the eye. "The gym is practically a few losses away from being shut down! Everything our parents worked for is being thrown to the side!"
The others remained quiet as Misty took a few deep breaths. It was very clear that their current predicament stressed her out beyond belief. Her face slowly began to fall into one of despair as she grabbed the sides of her head. Lilo sighed as she looked away from her traveling companion.
"Your parents are… gone, aren't they?" The redhead said nothing as she remained in place. Luna, sensing the sadness, hugged her right arm. The Hawaiian rubbed her arm as she looked away. "I guess that makes two things you and I have in common."
This earned her Misty's attention, the girl looking to her with a soft frown. "My parents died in a car crash a long time ago. Things went downhill as my older sister tried to make ends meet, but… I wasn't in the best of places back then." Stitch quickly came to his partner's side as he put a paw on her leg. The redhead took a deep breath, feeling the tension the air.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." The Hawaiian nodded in response, a soft smile on her face.
"It's okay. You clearly love the gym seeing as it's such an important part of your memories. If something is that important to you, then you have to fight for it." Misty tilted her head as she thought over her companion's words. Her eyes sharpened in determination as she turned to the otherworldly duo.
"We have to get to the gym." She rose up from her seat, startling Stitch in the process. "If Ash wants a gym battle, he won't be disappointed!" Lilo smirked as she nodded her head. This was going to be interesting.
Cerulean City Gym
Ash shifted his bag on his shoulders as he approached the gym stadium. It wasn't hard to tell that Brock's hint was accurate as the stadium had a giant Dewgong mural on the front of it. The area below the creature was encircled with a wave pattern, the words "Cerulean Gym" found on the front. Confident in his team, the boy made his way towards the entrance. He was taken slightly aback by the long line of people entering the stadium.
"Are they all wanting a Pokémon battle?" questioned the boy out loud. He followed the group of people, hoping to get a glimpse of the gym leader. His eyes widened as he soon came face to face with a large auditorium, a pool resting in the center. "I knew Brock said the guy was a water type specialist but…" The speakers came alive before the boy could utter another word.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" greeted the announcer. "Cerulean City is proud to present, the stars of the show, the Sensational Synchronized Swimming Sisters!" A spotlight shone near the top of the stadium, revealing three women on a diving board. The one on the left had long, flowing blond hair; the one in the middle sported a similar hairstyle, though hers was blue in color; and the one on the right had a medium pink bob that curled as it slipped past her shoulders. Each girl wore a different variant of the same swimming shirt, colored red, green, and yellow, respectively.
"Lily!" roared most of the men in the crowd. "Violet! Daisy!" Ash watched on in confusion as the crowd cheered for the women. The trio suddenly sprang into action, diving to the water below.
They crashed into the pool, disappearing below the water. Their routine began as their legs rose from the water. The trainer tilted his head in confusion, rightly so considering the circumstances. He had heard that gym leaders had hobbies and side jobs, but they usually worked with their Pokémon in whatever they do. He shrugged as he looked to his partner.
"Maybe the gym leader let them perform here today," guessed the boy. Bolt made no response as he continued to watch the performance. Suffice to say he was just as mesmerized as the crowd around him. The women swam around like Goldeen in a lake, displaying a grace he rarely saw nowadays. The routine soon ended as the trio popped up one last time, holding out their arms in a double triangle.
The crowd went ballistic at the finish, the trio down below practically absorbing the praise. It didn't take long for Ash to separate himself from the exiting spectators, roaming the halls in search of the gym leader. He soon found himself standing before a large aquarium, dozens of fish swimming around. The boy approached the glass, surprised by the creatures found within. The sound of footsteps and voices cut off his sightseeing.
"The crowd was totally awesome," gushed a female voice. Ash turned to his left to see the divers from before walking his way, towels wrapped around their necks. The blonde haired one nodded, seeming to agree with the original speaker.
"I know right!?" questioned the swimmer. "They were so great!" The bluenette looked to her sister with a smile.
"Daisy, the dive you did back there was incredible! Definitely a head turner!" The blonde, now identified as Daisy, returned the expression.
"The practice paid off. I felt stiff for the past two days, but it was all worth it." The pinkette eye smiled at her siblings.
"Totally!" agreed the third girl. The trio giggled amongst themselves as they drew closer to Ash. The boy adjusted his pack once again as he approached the siblings.
"Excuse me?" questioned the trainer. The girls looked his way, curious expressions on their faces. The pinkette leaned forward a bit as she looked him in the eye.
"Sorry but if you want an interview, you'll have to, like call our manager. We've got a busy day ahead of us." Ash quickly shook his head in denial.
"That's not it. I was hoping you could…" The same girl interrupted him as she took a step closer.
"We don't do autographs either. We can't write signatures all the time." The boy sighed as he shook his head.
"No offense but I don't want one. I was hoping this was the Pokémon gym. I'm looking for the gym leader." Daisy smiled as she ran a hand through her hair.
"You're in luck little guy," explained the blonde. "You just happen to be looking at them. The three of us are the gym trainers." Ash blinked a few times before sounding off his surprise. The pinkette placed a hand on her chin as she turned away from the boy slightly.
"We're the Sensational Sisters," added the girl. "I'm honestly surprised you didn't, like, recognize us." The blue haired girl placed a hand on her hip as she nodded.
"We're world famous after all," informed the taller girl. "We've performed in many of the top stages across the Kanto region and beyond." Ash hummed as he looked over the group.
"I guess gym trainers really do take up jobs related to their Pokémon type preference," guessed the boy out loud. He shook his head as he regained his composure. It didn't take long for the group to relocate to a battle ground consisting of a small pool surrounded by more aquariums as the outer wall. The young trainer smirked as he took a ready stance. "Now that we're here, I officially challenge you to a gym battle!"
The sisters suddenly became hesitant as they tried not to look the boy in the eye. Ash sent them a confused look, not used to this kind of reaction. "What's going on?" Daisy put her hands behind her head as she looked the challenger's way.
"We don't really feel like battling anymore," blatantly stated the blonde. Ash's eyes widened as he looked over the trio. Did he actually hear that right? He shifted back a bit, his stance becoming awkward.
"I'm sorry but what? What do you mean by don't feel like battling?" The bluenette of the group, recently introduced to him as Violet, looked him straight in the eye as she gestured to the side with her hand.
"We just got beaten three times in a row by kids from this nowhere place called Pallet Town," explained the girl. Ash's eyebrow twinged at the comment, not amused by the slight against his hometown. "It was just one loss after another! My eyes were spinning from all the losses." Daisy rubbed her arm in embarrassment.
"We had to, like, rush all of our Pokémon to the Pokémon Center," added the blonde. "It was totes humiliating for our fans to see us like that." The pink haired girl, Lily presumably, pulled out a Pokéball and presented it to the boy.
"This is the only one left," stated the third sister. With the press of a button the ball expanded, quickly opening to release its occupant. The light took form as a Goldeen flopped around on the floor. The trainer from Pallet Town felt sweat run down his forehead as he looked between the gym trainers and the Pokémon.
"You mean all you have is a Goldeen?" questioned the boy. The horned fish Pokémon was recalled to its container as quickly as it was unleashed, the ball closing behind it. Violet nodded her head in disappointment.
"If it would evolve into Seaking we could use it. All it can do right now is use horn attack." Daisy sighed in defeat as she released her elbow from her grasp.
"So, like, there's no point in battling. Without any strong Pokémon there's really no way we can win." Lily held a hand to her cheek as she gave the boy an eye smile.
"Now, instead of having matches, we can focus on making ourselves more beautiful than ever," exclaimed the pinkette. Ash's expression went deadpanned as he looked over the trio. Daisy clapped her hands together as a smile formed on her face.
"I know what you want. ~" sang the blonde. She cuffed her hands over her mouth as she turned to the pool. "Seel!" Upon her command, a small white creature surfaced from the water. Ironically matching its name, Seel was a white seal Pokémon with a horn atop its head. Its tongue stuck out slightly as it swam towards the poolside.
The creature happily plopped up onto dry land, scooting towards the group. It stuck its tongue out more, revealing a small badge resembling a teardrop. Daisy gratefully took the item from the Pokémon before presenting it to Ash. "You want the Cascade Badge, right? You can go ahead and have it."
Silence fell as the boy's hat shadowed his eyes. Bolt suddenly felt his instincts kick in, urging him to scoot to the side. A bulging vein seemed to form on Ash's head as he gritted his teeth. Were… were they serious? The boy growled as he looked to the trio.
"Is this some kind of a joke!?" roared the young trainer. The Sensational Sisters were taken aback by this brash outcry. "You can't just give out gym badges just because you don't feel like battling anymore! You're all gym leaders, who by the way are legally required to accept any challenge from all challengers!" Lily looked to the boy in confusion.
"We just told you that our Pokémon aren't available," reiterated the girl. "Like, all of them." The boy gestured the Seel, the angry look still on his face.
"What about Seel then? Isn't he a Pokémon too?" Violet shook her head in response.
"Seel isn't a battling Pokémon," informed the bluenette. "He's the family pet. Besides, he doesn't know any attack moves." Daisy sent Ash a slight glare, doing her best to keep her composure.
"Do you want the badge or not?" questioned the blonde. "Any trainer would jump at the chance to be handed a badge. This makes you one step closer to competing in the league or whatever." The young man turned away from the trio, shocking them and his own partner.
"I don't take handouts," denied the boy. "I'm going to earn every badge by the sweat of my brow. I actually came here expecting a tough battle." The sound of an abrupt stomp cut the tension in the air.
"If that's what you want then I'll give it to you, Ash!" cried a familiar voice. The group turned to see Misty standing tall, Lilo and Stitch right behind her. The puffball was wearing a pair of sunglasses, the word "Cobra" signed on the side. The redhead of the new arrivals quickly jumped down to the poolside, easily sticking the landing. "If you won't give him a gym battle Daisy, then I will."
Ash's eyes widened as he looked between the quartet. Little by little he pieced the similarities, his eyes widening as he came to the realization. Misty smirked as she looked the boy in the eye. "That's right! I'm the fourth Sensational Sister!" Lily wagged her finger as she sent her younger sibling a deadpanned look.
"There are only three Sensational Sisters and one little runt," insulted the pinkette. The redhead used every fiber of her being not to go off on her older sibling, shaking her fist in front of her face. Daisy made a cheeky face as she looked Misty in the eye.
"So, little sister, it's a surprise to see you back so soon," observed the blonde. Violet brought a hand to her hip, frowning at her little sister.
"That little girl with a big mouth that said she wouldn't come back till she was a great Pokémon trainer," mocked the bluenette. "Wasn't that you?" Misty's grin faltered as she looked away from the trio.
"I guess I did say something like that when I left," stated the redhead. Ash frowned slightly as he looked to Lilo, the girl nodding her head in confirmation. Lily smirked as she shrugged, turning towards the challenger.
"Misty, you left here pretending you wanted to become a Pokémon trainer because you couldn't compare with us," stated the pinkette. "Who would blame you? We're obviously much more talented and beautiful than you are." Misty growled as she looked to her siblings.
"That isn't it!" roared the redhead. Lily patted her sister atop her head, seeming to hold back a giggle. Daisy hummed as she held her hand to her chin.
"Then I guess, like, you came back because you couldn't make it as a Pokémon trainer," guessed the blonde. Ash backed up a bit, starting to worry over the situation. Misty stood in front of her sister, her anger boiling even more.
"It wasn't my idea to come back here! The only reason I'm here is because him and his girlfriend wanted to come!" Ash jerked in surprise as he clenched his fists.
"She's not my girlfriend/He's not my boyfriend!" cried both Ash and Lilo at the same time. The duo looked to each other, only to turn red as tomatoes as they tried to cover their faces. Stitch unleashed an evil laugh as he rolled around on one of the seats. Ignoring the flustered duo, Misty returned her attention to her siblings.
"If I battle him, it'll prove I'm not a quitter and that I'm just as good a trainer as you three!" Daisy hummed as she rubbed her chin. She smiled as she looked to the youngest Cerulean trainer.
"Well, you are the only one of us with a Pokémon that can battle," observed the blonde. She shrugged as she turned away from the kids. "Go ahead then." Misty's anger continued to show as she pointed to Ash.
"All right, Ash. Are you ready for a rumble?" The boy smirked as he adjusted his backpack.
"Sure," accepted the boy. "I came for a gym battle and I'm gonna get one." The duo soon found themselves standing on floating platforms in the middle of the pool, several more platforms floating between them. Lilo sat on the stairs with Stitch and Luna by her side.
"Go Ash!" cried the Hawaiian. "Go Misty! Show them what Pokémon battles are really about!" The two puffballs cheered in agreement, Luna waving her arms in greeting. Misty clenched her fists as she looked her opponent in the eye.
"I wasn't planning on challenging you 'til you paid me back for my bike, but this time is as good as any!" called the redhead from the other side of the field. "If you want that Cascade badge, you'll have to beat me!" Ash smirked as he nodded, taking a little bit of time to try and balance on the makeshift stage.
"I wouldn't have it any other way!" accepted the boy. "This is the first time we've actually battled, but don't think I'll go easy on you!" Bolt seemed hesitant to agree with his trainer, a sad look on his face. "How many Pokémon are allowed?" Misty raised her fist, a serious frown on her face.
"Two against two works for me. The winner will be decided when one side's Pokémon are unable to battle!" Ash nodded in acceptance. He looked to Bolt with a small grin.
"You ready for this Bolt?" The electric mouse shook his head slightly, earning a confused look from his trainer. Ash knelt down on one knee as he placed a hand on his partner's head. "What's wrong buddy?" Bolt made a few noises as he gestured over to Misty.
It took Ash a second to realize the situation, smiling softly as he rubbed the little rodent's fur. "I get it. You don't have to battle Misty if you don't want to." The Pikachu looked up to his trainer, surprised by the answer. He smiled before quickly hopping back to the poolside.
"You're a real Pika-pal Bolt!" The rodent blushed a bit as he rubbed the back of his head. Ash rolled his eyes as he looked through his other Pokémon. He smirked as he grabbed one from the set.
"Don't count out my other Pokémon Misty! They're raring to go!" He twisted his hat backwards before reeling up his throwing arm. "Let's go Butterfree!" He launched the sphere into the air, releasing said bug Pokémon. Misty quickly grabbed one of her own Pokémon, reeling back her arm in a similar fashion.
"In that case, I'll choose Staryu!" With a flick of the wrist, the Water-type expert unleashed the familiar starfish Pokémon. Ash hummed in interest as he pulled out his Pokédex.
"Staryu: The Star Shape Pokémon," informed the device. "When the stars twinkle at night, it floats up from the sea floor and its body's center core flickers. It is capable of growing back any portion of its body that is cut off." The boy from Pallet Town quickly put the Pokédex away as he returned his attention to the battle. Misty growled as she shook her fist at the boy.
"You can scan the Pokémon later! Let's get this battle going!" Misty's sisters stood by on the poolside, curious smiles on their faces. Lily took a quick glance at her siblings before returning her attention to the battle.
"Do you think Misty will actually win?" questioned the pinkette. Daisy chuckled a bit as she shook her head.
"Like, in her dreams maybe," insulted the blonde. Ash smirked as he took a quick glance over the battlefield. He threw his arm to the side as per usual.
"Use Tackle!" cried the boy. Butterfree quickly rushed its opponent at high speed, ramming straight into it. Staryu fell on its back as the butterfly creature continued to fly forward. Misty growled as she clenched her fist.
"Counterattack with your own Rapid Spin Staryu!" commanded the redhead. The Star Shape Pokémon quickly fulfilled its trainer's order, leaping at its opponent. It began to spin at a rapid pace, seeming to glow near the end. Ash growled as he held his hands to his side.
"Dodge it Butterfree!" The Butterfly Pokémon quickly did as told, nearly avoiding the attacker. Staryu landed on the next platform, hopping as it tried to catch its footing. Butterfree soon came in for another tackle, hitting its opponent square in the back. Misty brought her hand up to her face, clenching it with a frown.
"Jump into the water Staryu. Then use Water Gun!" Hearing its trainer's guidance, Staryu quickly leapt into the pool. It resurfaced partway in order to spray out a stream of water. Butterfree took the hit head on, fluttering panicking at the attack.
Upon its success, the starfish leapt back onto the platform. It quickly began to shoot more torrents of water into the air. The large butterfly quickly dodged left and right in order to avoid the oncoming attacks. Ash hummed as he watched the ongoing scene. He nodded his head before reaching out for his companion.
"If that's how you wanna play it, then use Stun Spore!" Butterfree glided along in the air, unleashing a yellow powder behind it. Staryu had no time to react as the attack quickly took effect. The creature jittered and bent as the paralysis began to show. Seel began to clap as the battle continued to rage on, catching the attention of the sisters.
"Who are you cheering for?" questioned Violet. She received no answer as the Pokémon continued to show its support. Lilo cupped her hands around her mouth with a large smile.
"Keep going you guys!" cried the Hawaiian. "You're doing great!" Luna waved her paws around happily, excited by the match. Down on the field, Misty's face softened as she watched her Pokémon remain in place. She had to do something or else this could end badly.
'Come on Misty!' thought the redhead. 'Staryu is in a lot of pain right now! Those spores won't come off so easily.' The girl suddenly grinned as she threw her arm to the side. "Wash it off quickly!"
Staryu wasted no time as it fell into the pool. Seconds went by as the battlefield remained still. The starfish Pokémon suddenly leapt out of the water, flexing a bit in victory. "Stun Spore won't work if the target washes it off before it can really get a foothold." Ash smirked as he nodded his head.
"Not bad Misty but we're just getting started!" complimented the challenger. "Try Sleep Powder Butterfree!" Butterfree quickly took the same route, spreading a white powder this time. Staryu needed no command as it quickly fell into the pool once more. Misty threw her arm to the side quicker than the eye could see.
"Tackle it from underwater!" The starfish quickly launched itself into the air, hitting Butterfree head on. The butterfly Pokémon was barely able to dodge the next attack as it tried to right itself. They continued this dance for a while, neither gaining the advantage. The sisters' interest increased as they watched their younger sibling battle.
"Misty's actually doing pretty good out there," observed Daisy. "It's honestly kinda awesome." Lily nodded in agreement.
"We got all the looks so I guess she had to get some talent," relented the pinkette. Stitch roared and cheered for the match, his fighting type DNA screaming for action. Lilo chuckled as she watched her violent buddy enjoy the show. The moment she returned her attention to the field, Staryu knocked Butterfree into the water. Ash quickly reached for the corresponding Pokéball, a worried expression on his face.
"Return Butterfree!" called the boy. The creature was instantly returned to the orb, the wakes quickly settling. He looked down at the orb with a soft smile. "You did great Butterfree. Get some rest."
"Butterfree did great, Ash." Complemented Misty. "You took great care of him! Send out your final Pokémon." Ash hummed as he nodded his head. He smiled as he pulled out another Pokéball.
"We'll show you what we've got! Go Riptide!" The aforementioned Poliwag came flying out of the ball, landing straight in the water. The tadpole Pokémon cheered as it swam around a bit in the water. Misty's siblings sounded their awe as the little creature sprayed a small stream of water into the air.
"It's like, so cute!" cried Daisy. "I want one!" Ash sighed as he shook his head. He threw his arm to the side as Riptide looked his way.
"I need you to focus Riptide! This is a gym battle!" The Poliwag's face turned serious as it nodded its little face. It turned to Misty as the young gym leader nodded.
"A water-type against a water-type is a pretty good move Ash, but I'm prepared for that!" cried Misty. "Staryu, use Tackle attack!" Staryu burst forward in an attempt to strike Riptide, but Ash smiled in response.
"Use Pound to send it away!" The Poliwag quickly flipped around in the water, flicking its tail like a whip. It hit the incoming starfish, sending it towards one of the platforms. "Now hit it with Hypnosis before it can get back in the water!" Riptide quickly submerged as it rushed towards its opponent.
"Look out!" Staryu tried to avoid the move by jumping into the water, only for the Poliwag to appear on the other side. Riptide's belly swirled in a familiar style as it kept its focus on the starfish. The gem in said opponent's center blinked slowly, indicating slumber. Ash grinned as he clenched his fist.
"Finish this with Double Slap!" Riptide did as told, jumping out of the water. It smacked Staryu once with its tail, then sent if flying into the water with a second strike of the appendage. The starfish soon resurfaced, its gem flickering in defeat. Misty sighed as she pulled out a Pokéball.
"Return Staryu!" The Pokémon in question turned into red energy as it compressed to fit into the orb. Its trainer smiled as she looked to the ball. "You did a good job Staryu, now get some rest." Ash smiled as he watched the redhead put the ball away.
"Bet you weren't expecting a counter attack like that! I actually picked this strategy up just in case I needed to get an attack in. To be honest Pudge Jr and your team gave me the idea." Misty smiled at the notion, especially since it earned some shocked looks from her sisters. She put the ball away before pulling out her last Pokémon.
"You're doing amazing Ash! I think it's time I wrap this up! Misty calls Starmie!" She threw the orb releasing another Pokémon. This one looked similar to Staryu with extra limbs and purple skin.
"I'll have to get the Pokédex scan later. Dive underwater Riptide!" Ash's Poliwag did as told, submerging itself as it dove deeper. Misty smirked as she gestured to the pool.
"Dive in after that Poliwag and use Rapid Spin!" Starmie quickly did as its trainer commanded, spinning as it rushed straight towards the tadpole pokémon. It hit the poor thing dead center, causing it to cry out in distress. "Hit it again!" Ash growled a bit as he tried to think, only to smirk as he nodded to his submerged pokémon.
"Swim to the surface Riptide!" The tadpole was somehow able to understand the order as he began swimming towards the surface. Misty smirked cockily as she clenched her fist.
"You're not getting away that easily Ash Ketchum! Hit it again!" Starmie did as told, rushing towards Riptide. The starfish quickly began to catch up with its target, spinning at high velocity. Ash smirked as his pokémon surfaced, causing Misty to frown in confusion.
"Leap as high as you can with Double Slap!" Riptide hit its tail hard against a nearby platform, causing it to rise up. Starmie soon surfaced at blistering speed, ready to strike the opponent. "Now!" Misty realized too late, forced to watch as the tadpole used the second slap to send her pokémon crashing onto another platform.
"Starmie!" The starfish pokémon struggled to get up, its gem blinking a bit. Riptide landed on another platform, a confident look in its eyes. Misty tried to come up with a plan of attack, not wanting to lose this battle. All of a sudden the building began to shake violently.
"What's going on!" cried Lilo from the stands. Stitch quickly secured his partner as Misty's sisters cried out in panic. An armored vehicle suddenly burst through the wall of the gym, a massive vacuum resting in the middle of it. Smoke poured from a raised muffler as the device sat in waiting. Ash growled as he recognized something.
"That's the vacuum and pump that was stolen last night!" cried the young trainer. "Who are you guys!?" An annoyingly familiar laugh was his answer as Jessie and James appeared on a rising platform in the front of the vehicle. Stitch growled and Bolt's cheeks sparked in anger. Violet sounded her disgust as she looked Jessie over.
"Look at that hair." Groaned the bluenette. "Talk about tasteless." Jessie did her best to keep a straight face at the comment, though it was clear that she was annoyed. Daisy sounded her confusion at the villains' sudden appearance.
"Who invited the party crashers?" asked the blonde. "Their uniforms look kinda familiar." Team Rocket regained their composure as they began their motto.
"Sorry to crash in on you ladies." Began Jessie in a fake apology. James brought a rose up to his nose to take a whiff. He sighed as he kept his eyes closed.
"Allow us to introduce ourselves." Continued James. He opened his eyes as he and Jessie stepped a bit apart from each other. Said female rocketeer crossed her arms as she smirked.
"To protect the world from devastation…"
"To unite all peoples within our nation…"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love…"
"To extend our reach to the stars above…"
"Jessie."
"And James." One could imagine a rolling wave and a mountain in the background behind them. A massive red "R" emblazoned itself on the side of the mountain.
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight." The imagined landscape disappeared as the duo stood in silence. Meowth suddenly landed between them with a diabolical grin.
"Meowth that's right!" declared the feline. Ash growled in anger at the sight of the crooks. He shook his fist at them, Bolt letting some electricity flow from his cheeks to add a threatening vibe.
"Team Rocket!" roared the trainer from Pallet Town. "Why am I not surprised you stole that vacuum!?" Lilo kept a hand near one of her pokéballs as she narrowed her eyes.
"Do you guys have to follow us everywhere, you creepy stalkers!?" cried the experiment wrangler. "Get out of here!" Jessie harrumphed as she looked away from the island girl.
"Learn to respect your elders, twerp!" denied the villainess. "Besides, all powerful Pokémon are destined to be in the hands of the mighty Team Rocket. For example, we're here for the gym's Pokémon." Misty growled in anger while her sisters gasped. James relished the atmosphere as he looked to the pool.
"Of course the water Pokémon have the advantage at the moment." Began the blue haired crook. "Of course with this hose we'll be able to rectify that advantage." Ash quickly realized what they meant, looking to the water Pokemon in the pool.
"Riptide!" cried the boy. "Get out of the water! Misty, recall Starmie! We gotta move!" Misty quickly began to reach for Starmie's pokéball as Meowth moved towards the switch.
"Meowth will do da honors!" snickered the feline. He flipped the switch, causing the hose to drop into the water. Misty was able to recall Starmie just as Ash and his Pokémon were able to get to the side of the pool. She moved to jump across the platforms, only for the vacuum to start sucking out the water. The others watched in shock as the redhead fell into the water.
"MISTY!" everyone cried. Misty tried to swim against the current, only for the action to be fleeting. Violet growled as she looked to the crooks on the machine.
"Stop!" cried the bluenette. "Shut the water off!" Jessie shook her head in denial.
"Oh hush up." Denied the villainess. "At the worst she'll be flung out of the gym. We're Pokémon thieves, not heartless murderers." This did nothing to ease the glare of the elder sisters. Meowth grinned evilly as he placed his paw on the lever.
"If it bothas ya that much, we'll give ya yer water back!" cried the cat. He flipped the switch all the way in the opposite direction. Misty finally got a break as the water flow stopped. The trouble wasn't over yet, however, as the hose rose out of the pool. Lilo quickly realized what was going on, grabbing Stitch and Luna up in her arms. She looked back to the others as she ran up to a higher area of the stands.
"Everyone move!" warned the island girl. The group barely had any time to react as the hose launched a massive torrent of water at them. The group was pushed against the nearby wall and sent careening along either side of it. Bolt would have nearly been swept away if not for Riptide catching his tail with its mouth. Meowth chuckled as he readied the machine again.
"Alright. Back ta suckin' out da water!" He pushed the lever back to the suck function, causing the hose to drop back into the water. Seel quickly jumped in the water as it swam towards the tired Misty. She was barely able to grab onto it, allowing the seal pokémon to drag her towards the edge.
"Hurry up Seel!" cried Daisy in distress. The hose hit the water as it began to suck the liquid once more. Seel did his best to fight against the current, but he wasn't trained for such harsh conditions. Lily growled in anger as she pulled out a pokéball. She reared her arm back in waiting.
"Come out Goldeen!" cried the pinkette. "Use Horn Attack!" She threw the ball, unleashing the horned fish pokémon. Goldeen's horn glowed as it approached the villains, using the current to increase its speed. James smirked as he grabbed his own pokéball.
"Koffing, use Sludge attack!" cried the villain. He threw the device, unleashing Koffing. The toxic sphere spat a glob of toxic material at Goldeen, but it quickly dodged out of the way. This caused it to lose some momentum, making James smirk. "Fire again!"
"Use Water Gun, Riptide!" cried Ash. The Poliwag in command puffed its cheeks as it fired the watery blast. It hit Koffing straight in the mouth, causing its attack to double back in on itself. The toxic creature hacked multiple times as it tried to deal with the sudden inversing of its attack. It suddenly turned to its trainer as it finally hacked out the Sludge.
"NOT AT US!" James found himself hit with his pokémon's attack, Meowth and Jessie spared as they used him as a shield. Jessie growled as she looked to the feline of the team.
"Douse them again Meowth!" ordered the villainess. "We're almost done here!" Meowth grinned evilly.
"With pleasure!" agreed the cat. He was about to flip the switch, only to run into something. He looked down to see Luna standing in his way, looking particularly angry. "Buzz off!" Lilo looked on in shock as the little pokémon was about to be scratched.
"Move Luna!" cried the Hawaiian. Luna stood its ground, however, as it puffed up its cheeks. Meowth laughed, thinking it was an intimidation move, only for the Cleffa to blow at him. A sparkling wind caught against him, pushing him back as he cried in pain. Ash and Lilo blinked in surprise as they watched Meowth go bowling into Jessie.
"…What move was that?" asked Lilo. She didn't have time to ponder as Goldeen grew closer to the hose. James was too affected by the poison to give Koffing an order, allowing the horned fish to strike the object. It went launching out of the water, aiming right at Team Rocket. Luna looked to the lever that controlled the mode of the pump, tapping its chin.
"WAIT!" cried Team Rocket in fear. The Cleffa paid them no mind as she flipped the switch to the opposite function. The villains were suddenly hit with a massive torrent of water. The force was so powerful that the trio and Koffing were launched into the sky. Jessie growled as she tried to wring the water out of her hair.
"Washed up by a baby pokémon!" roared the villainess. "It's embarrassing!" Meowth sighed as he rubbed his coin.
"More humiliating then being beaten by a fish." Agreed the feline. He blinked as he realized what he just said. "N…not that Meowth would knows that." James shuddered as he hugged Koffing.
"Remind me to steal an Antidote after we land." Wheezed the purple haired villain. "I think I'm gonna be sick." Koffing sounded its apology as it allowed its trainer to use it as a comfort pillow. The villains reached further and further into the sky, soon shrinking to a dot in view. They took in a deep breath as they prepared for their famous line.
"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" cried Team Rocket. James could be heard coughing from the remnants of the Sludge attack. The villains disappeared in the blink of an eye, becoming a twinkle in the sky. It took a bit for Seal to get Misty back to the poolside, where she was received with a towel to help her dry off. The heroes converged as new water was being pumped into the pool.
"I'm so glad you're okay Misty!" cheered Lilo. "I would have used Pudge Jr but I didn't know if he could swim in the current." Misty nodded her head in understanding.
"It's fine Lilo." Reassured the redhead. "In the end Luna was a big help in saving the day, and I'm sure if it weren't for the water Stitch would have helped too." Stitch nodded his head eagerly.
"Yeah!" agreed the experiment. Misty rubbed him on the head, earning a happy coo. She suddenly realized something as she turned towards Ash.
"You know what? We never got to finish our battle." The boy sighed in disappointment.
"I know." Stated the trainer from Pallet Town. "I was about to win too, unless you had some crazy plan in mind." Misty sounded her confusion as she tilted her head. There was no way Ash thought he was winning that match! Violet chuckled as she shook her head.
"I guess you could say that, due to interference from outside parties, the match was postponed." Suggested the bluenette. "It's not the first time a gym match had to be rescheduled due to something like this." Misty sighed in disappointment. She had wanted to show her sisters that she was a good battler. Ash looked a little down as he smiled at Lilo.
"Guess I'll have to wait a bit to earn that Cascade Badge." Stated the trainer from Pallet Town. "Hopefully Bolt will be up for a battle or I can catch a new Pokémon soon." Daisy shook her head in denial.
"Don't be so hasty mister." Began the blonde. The heroes looked to her, only for their eyes to widen as she presented the very badge Ash came to retrieve. "I say after today you earned this badge." Misty cried out in confusion as her face twisted in shock.
"Huh!?" cried the redhead. "How come he gets the badge!? Lilo's Cleffa kept them from turning the hose on you guys again!" Daisy nodded in agreement.
"That's very much true. However, he nearly won the battle and had a good idea clogging that Koffing with its own attack. Also, if he used his Pikachu at the start, he would have won the whole thing. You deserve thee badge Ash, so take it and show the league how tough someone who beat the Cerulean City gym can be." Ash smiled gratefully at the offer.
"Gee, thanks." Accepted the boy. He received the badge from Daisy, looking at it with a smile. "It may not have been entirely because of the battle, but I'll happily accept it since we earned it." Bolt sounded his excitement as he pumped his paw.
The day soon came near a close as the group found themselves outside. Luna had received lots of affection and treats from Misty's sisters for helping save the day, eating the attention up innocently. Misty made sure to pack up some provisions specialized for water pokémon, ready to continue the journey. The two trios stood across from each other, Lilo carrying Luna in her arms. Lily smirked as she looked to Misty.
"Misty, you just go right on and try to be a pokémon trainer." Encouraged the pinkette. "You might as well have something, 'cause you'll never be stars like us." Misty puffed up her cheeks in anger.
"You keep that up and you'll be seeing stars!" cried the redhead. Lilo rolled her eyes as Luna laughed at the siblings. Violet held up her hands in defense.
"Just chill out Misty." Chuckled the bluenette. "You know we're just teasing you." Daisy nodded, a sincere smile on her face.
"Misty, be careful." Requested the blonde. "You know we love you. And you two better take good care of our little sister." The heroes nodded in response.
"Right." Said the traveling trio. Huffing was soon heard coming up the road. Brock ran over as the group turned his way.
"Ash!" cried the former gym leader. "Lilo! You guys found Misty!" Ash smiled at the oncoming companion.
"Yo, Brocko!" greeted Ash. "It's more like she found us. We can't ever get a break." Misty cried out at the jokingly mean remark as the other girls laughed. Brock came to a stop in front of the group.
"How'd it go? Did you win the badge?" Ash smirked as he displayed the Cascade Badge.
"See for yourself. It wasn't just for the battle, but we'll fill you in later." Brock smiled as he nodded his head.
"Cool. We better hurry back to the hotel or else they'll give our room away." Ash nodded as he grabbed Lilo by her free arm.
"Right! Come on Lilo, Stitch! Let's go!" Lilo blushed as she was lead along by the boy from Pallet Town. Misty growled at being left behind as she chased after the group.
"Wait!" cried the redhead. "You're not going anywhere without me!" She quickly ran up to catch up with the others. Her sisters smiled at each other as the group got further down the path. It was very clear they were going to be alright.
And so Ash has won his second gym badge. With Team Rocket defeated, our heroes are back on the road. With six more badges to go, Ash is well on his way to accomplish his dream. What awaits our heroes? As long as they stick together, nothing can slow them down.
Misty finally caught up to the others, clearly annoyed with them. "You better give me a rematch at some point Ash Ketchum! We still have to settle this!" Ash sounded his annoyance as he looked to the water type trainer.
"Misty, you're not going to be sore loser, are you? We both know I won that match." Misty growled angrily in response.
"I didn't lose! It was a draw!" Ash shook his head in denial.
"How come I'm the one with the badge then?" Lilo shook her head, knowing how long this could go on for. Misty proved her point by continuing the argument.
"HUH!? You know you lost with Butterfree!" Ash looked her in the eye with a growl.
"That was just round 1! Riptide and I made a great comeback!"
"If Team Rocket hadn't busted in, I would've destroyed you!"
"Good thing they did show up. You were about to lose!"
"Lose? I was just getting started!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Oh yeah!" Brock sighed as he shook his head. Stitch shared his sentiments as he covered his ears.
"Oh Brother." Said both the former gym leader and the experiment.
Well, except for Ash and Misty's usual bickering. This could take a while. We'll see you next time, as the journey continues.
Inkaliber: And there you have it! Chapter 10 finally completed. Hopefully an extra long chapter is at least a good start for making up the long wait. I'm honestly glad with how it turned out in the end. Everything fell right into place.
James: And I got to use Koffing in the chapter!
Jessie: Lucky! If I used Ekans we probably would have had a better time!
Meowth: I just can't believe I got beat by a baby pokémon. First a fish and now this. I need a win at some point!
Inkaliber: I'll see what I can do Meowth. I make no promises though. Writing these events takes time.
Meowth: Eh! I'm not overly worried 'bout it Chief! If I wanted ta be good at battling I would'a trained myself at this point.
Inkaliber: Anyway, what did you guys think about the chapter? Did you like the way the battle went? How about cute little Luna the Cleffa using a move Ash and Lilo couldn't recognize? Let me know in a comment/review down below and I'll respond ASAP. This is Inkaliber, signing out.