After earning his third gym badge, Ash decided that he and his Pokemon deserved some well-earned rest, only for a day and not more. So we explored the City, all six of his Pokemon outside their Pokeball and enjoying the day with him. They went to the harbour, where they spotted a luxury liner. Ash tried to get in but was barred from entering since Ash did not have the money to buy a ticket.
That was when a boy with long brown hair rushed over to Ash and congratulated him on being the thousandth entrant and winning a free ticket to the S.S. Anne. Ash didn't even question it, happy at winning a chance to get on the luxury liner. He hadn't even noticed Charmander's sudden mood change.
On board the ship Ash and his Pokemon looked around the expansive luxury liner, coming across a vendor in the process who told him how he was selling a very expensive and rare Pokemon. While Ash did not care how expensive the Pokemon was, he did care that the Pokemon was rare. So he bought it, cheaply at that, and the Pokeball was sent straight to Professor Oak before Ash could even check it out.
Deciding to check it out later, Ash and his Pokemon continued their exploration, eventually reaching the main ballroom. A battle was taking place there that drew Ash over. A familiar face battled an older gentleman.
"Raticate, Super Fang!"
"Squirtle, Bubblebeam!"
The opposing Raticate charged with glowing front teeth and the Squirtle fired a stream of glowing bubbles at it. Raticate cut through some of the bubbles before being overwhelmed and swept away by the move.
Squirtle had won the battle.
The orange-haired girl cheered for her victory, her Turtle Pokemon dancing around her.
"Misty!" Ash rushed over to the girl, who turned around and smiled at the familiar face.
"Ash!"
The two quickly caught up with each other's journeys. When the talk of badges was brought up, Misty's smile faded.
"Did you win the Cerulean City challenge?" the girl asked.
A little embarrassed Ash shook his head and explained what happened.
Misty let out a frustrated groan.
"No wonder they gave me this ticket and kicked me out as soon as they could! Those three always do this! They give the Cerulean Gym a bad name" Misty fumed.
A little shocked by the outbreak, Ash asked if Misty was alright. Misty denied it and explained why exactly she was so angry at the Cerulean City Gym Leaders.
Turns out Misty was one of them. Much to Ash's shock.
"My sisters and I ran the Gym together before I left to explore the world and become the greatest water Pokemon trainer out there. I thought those three would take the responsibility properly but it was all wishful thinking" Misty sighed.
Suddenly Misty looked as if an idea struck her.
"I know this is out of the blue and not fair to you, but would you have a one-on-one with me so I can deem whether you deserve the badge or not?"
Now that insinuation was an insult in itself. Ash was the holder of three badges, two of which he earned through strategy and hard work. But Ash always felt like he cheated with the Cascade Badge, just being given it did not settle right with him.
So he readily agreed to the challenge.
One-on-one, Ash with his Pikachu and Misty with her Squirtle.
The Squirtle was the leader of a Squirtle gang of troublemakers that Misty befriended on her journey to Vermillion City. Ash knew exactly what squad the girl meant.
The signal for the start of the battle was given, and people crowded around the two to watch the battle.
Misty began by calling for a Bubblebeam while Ash commanded Pikachu to go in for a Quick Attack. The Electric Mouse weaved through the wave of bubbles, taking minimal hits before colliding against the Turtle Pokemon. Immediately Misty commanded a follow-up with a Water Gun and Pikachu skidded back at being hit directly.
Ash called for Pikachu to use Double Team to surround Squirtle. The Electric Mouse rushed in, breaking into multiple closes of itself and circled Squirtle. Misty called for Squirtle to use Bubblebeam to rid of the clones, but the more clones Squirtle took down, the more replaced them. Ash commanded Pikachu to mix Quick Attack with the Double Team to get in close and chip away at Squirtle.
Misty called for a Withdraw and Squirtle went into its shell to protect itself. Ash changed tactics and switched to Thunderbolt, seeing as Squirtle was not in a position to dodge.
The attack hit Squirtle and knocked it out. Victory went to Ash.
"You deserve the badge" Misy chuckled, calling Squirtle back.
Misty and Ash decided to stick close as they both went to eat, the ship leaving the Vermillion harbour. The gentleman who lost to Misty came to congratulate Ash on a match well fought and offered his Raticate in trade for Ash's Pikachu.
Ash didn't give it a second thought and declined the offer.
"That was a good battle" a familiar voice sounded. Ash turned to see that it was the boy who had given him the S.S. Anne tickets. "Now hand your Pokemon over.
That was when the chaos began.
Loud bangs were heard as iron bars sealed off the doors to the ballroom. The waiters all disposed of what they were holding and in a quick action removed their disguises to reveal that it was Team Rocket. The boy too removed his disguise, to Ash's shock.
"Damien?!"
Charmander's old trainer smirked at Ash, a black cap on his blue hair and a giant 'R' painted on his black shirt.
"You're Team Rocket?!"
"After you caused me to lose my sponsorship and stole my Pokemon, I was found by a Rocket executive. He offered me a chance to get revenge and I took it."
He called out three Pokemon, all of which Ash knew.
"We went back to the Pokemon Center and… persuaded Nurse Joy to return all my Pokemon and my friends to hand over their Pokemon."
"What did you do to them" Ash glared at the boy.
"Nothing compared to what I'll do to you" Damien sneered. "Rhyhorn, Primape and Charmander, attack!"
"Starmie! Staryu! Squirtle! Water Gun!" Misty called out her three Pokemon and the combined three Water Guns pushed the Pokemon back.
Ash sent out Pokemon, his Wartortle joining Misty's water Pokemon, Pikachu joining a group of Pikachu that came from other trainers, Bulbasaur and Charmander doing the same with their own groups of similar species, while Pidgeoot and Zubat went out to assist anyone they could.
"My quarrel is not with you, girl! So stand back!" Damien roared. His Pokemon ignored Misty's Pokemon and only aimed for Ash's. But They were all stopped before they could be attacked by Ash's Wartortle and Misty's Pokemon. Damien's pigheaded tunnel aim cost him to lose the battle before he could do much, to his frustration and anger.
But before Ash could celebrate his victory or chastize Damien for doing something stupid, the ship rocked dangerously.
Team Rocket began to retreat, Damien promising that he would take care of Ash one day. The ship rocketed dangerously again and the passengers rushed to the lifeboats, Ash being pulled forward by Misty once they had called their Pokemon back.
The duo watched the ship slowly sink from the lifeboat they got on together, the wail of the ship's captain somehow being louder than the sound of the storm over them.
A rescue ship was led to them by various flying type Pokemon owned by the shipwrecked Trainers. All the survivors were taken to the closest island, a resort island known as Porta Vista. And there Ash ran into someone he did not expect, two people who were present there with a group of volunteers who were just about preparing to leave.
Nor did Deliah expect to run into her son there. And when she learned that he had been part of a shipwreck, she hardly wanted to leave him out of her sight.
Ash also had the opportunity to talk to Professor Oak, handing him Damien's Pokedex and informing the man about his association with the criminal organization Team Rocket.
Regret and disappointment flashed in Professor Oak's eyes before he thanked Ash for letting him know and returning the Pokedex, promising that he'd inform the authorities about Damien.
Ash took a ferry to the mainland from there, while Misty decided she wanted to visit the seaside towns and islands to catch some water Pokemon for her team. So the two bid farewell to each other and went their separate ways.
Ash reached the mainland through a small town that was cleaning up after some festival. He decided to move on from the town right away and onto the next city with a Pokemon Gym.