I put up a site on my profile that's got some pretty solid books. I'd recommend a look, it's paranormal fantasy with strong female leads.
I own many things, but Pokemon is not one of them.
Episode 19
Vs. Misty
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Cerulean City was among the oldest cities in Kanto. While not as old as Pewter or Lavender, it was known to have stood for a couple thousand years. The condos and the metal ships that visited its harbor were a sign of its advancing with the time. No matter how many millennia passed the city's love for the ocean remained strong. Fishing and the trade of rare shells and stones found in the sea fed the people of Cerulean as they had for thousands of years. Ash grimaced as he passed another seafood restaurant. It could do with something to counter the smell. He groaned when he felt a tug on his arm.
"Hellfire I swear to god, if you stop to sniff one more fire hydrant I'll bind your legs and mouth, strap a steak to you, and lock you in a room with Vulpix," Ash said with a pleasant smile. The dog's ears fell as he whimpered. The trainer's smile grew and he patted the Houndour's side. "That's a good boy," the trainer crooned. Hellfire twitched when they passed another tree, but Ash redirected him with a pull on his leash.
As annoying as the dog's fascination with everything he could get smell was, Ash was thankful he was out of his Pokeball. Having a member of his team with him made the crowds of Cerulean feel less overwhelming. Hellfire butted his hip. Ash turned to him with a raised eyebrow.
The trainer's eyes widened as he saw a Slowbro and three Kadabra levitate a massive orb of water. Several pink, heart-shaped fish Pokemon leaped as one from the orb and shot thin streams of water. The Luvdisc flipped as they descended into the orb, leaving pink streams of light. Ash's eyes narrowed when he saw part of the ripple. "Sir! Please move back, your Houndour is frightening our Pokemon!" a heavyset, bald man in a bawdy purple suit demanded. The angry Seadra that floated behind him was far less humorous.
Ash rolled his eyes and directed his Pokemon to the Nugget Bridge. "You wanna know why it's called the Nugget Bridge?" he asked, breathing easier when the scent of fish lightened. The dog turned to him with his ears up. "When the city was first built it relied only on fishing. It didn't have a bike shop or a factory in it, or anything else really. Everything came from the fish. So, when a terrible Gyarados scared off all the fish they didn't have a way to support themselves!" Ash was beginning to wonder if he enjoyed being as dramatic as much as his grandfather did.
Hellfire stared into the water beneath the Nugget Bridge with wonder. The idea of relying on water for everything would have seemed incredible. "The fishermen were forced to go deeper into the sea to find food, but wooden vessels couldn't survive Pokemon attacks and trained Pokemon can't protect their trainers from everything-" the Houndour interrupted with a firm bark that made Ash's lips curve upwards. "Eventually, the families of the fishermen begged them not to go out at sea, as half the vessels that did go, did not return."
"Many whose families had lived in the great city for generations were forced to leave to find food. It seemed the city was lost. But…. just before even the staunchest citizens fled, a man found a golden nugget in the water just beneath us," Ash continued falling to a knee and gesturing at the stream. "The man was stunned beyond words. Never in all his years had he beheld such a beautiful sight. The very next day, the man brought his three sons with him at dawn and they scoured the river, which would come to be called Pearl River, until it was dawn."
"The jubilant family raced to the city square and dumped their find for all of Cerulean to see!" Hellfire was staring at him now with a gleam in his brown eyes that reminded Ash of him curling up at his mother's side as she told him this very tale. "The citizens didn't know what to make of the Pearls, Stardusts, and shed Corsola skins, and Nugget, until a traveler from Vermillion offered the man a horse and four chickens for just one Stardust!"
"Then the people of the city realized that while they may not have use for the jewels, others did. So, the man took his new horse, his trusty Seadra, and a sack of jewels and set out for the nearest town. On the dawn of the ninety-first day of his journey he returned triumphant! He brought seeds, salt, cheese, bread, and cows, and chickens. But the greatest treasure Cerulean received was their new guardian." Ash leaned against the rail of the bridge. Yeah, this spot'll do nicely.
"One of the prizes he found was the scale of a Dragonite," the trainer continued after peering into the clear water for a moment. "His Seadra instinctively knew the scale could make him stronger and longed to use its powers. But he also knew his partner would want to keep it if he knew what it meant to Seadra, so when Philip presented the scale in a market Seadra rushed to it and tapped his nose against it!" Ash cried, making Hellfire's eyes widen in anticipation.
"Seadra evolved into a majestic and mighty Kingdra! The crowd was so stunned by his evolution they offered the man three giant bags of seeds, and two cows for the scale! The next time the Gyarados showed its face Kingdra sent it running with its tail between its legs - it's an expression, buddy, I know they don't have legs - ever since then the Kingdra family have been Cerulean City's most beloved guardians," Ash finished moving away from the rail. "Look at that," he said directing the dog's head to the middle of the bridge.
There stood a statue of a tall bearded man who looked to be in his mid-thirties. He wore armor that was fashioned from the fallen scales of a Kingdra, and had a spear with a Seaking horn on it raised above his head. Next to the man, was the statue of his equally impressive partner. The ancient Kingdra's eyes were rubies, that glared ahead as though preparing to face a formidable foe.
"That's the duo from the story. Philip the Conjurer and his loyal Kingdra," Ash told the Houndour. The trainer laughed when Hellfire's eyes widened to the point they resembled eggs. "Philip was called the Conjurer because his knack for finding jewels and other valuable junk." The dog tilted his head to the side as though he just couldn't make sense of Ash's explained. Though, I think Lyra the Conqueror, Dreyfus the Just, or even Gramps' the Professor are cooler names. Agatha's got a better one too. I kinda want a name…..
"Anyway, we better hurry. If we don't feed him soon Gore might die in his ball." Hellfire yipped amusedly.
Xxxxxxxxxx
"We have some special training today!" Ash declared with a grin. He gestured to the river. "Now, you don't have to worry this is a calm part, and we have King he-" The Kingler interrupted him with a shriek and leaped into the water. Ash flinched when the water splashed him. "It's a little-" Gore squealed and charged into the water after King. The trainer's eye twitched as he was splashed. The swine trudged through the water and snorted something that made King's eyes narrow.
Hellfire whimpered and shuffled as the other males began to wrestle. "Oh, just go." The dog yipped and spun, before licking his trainer's hand and racing into the water. King they can't breathe underwater right!" King they can't breathe underwater right!" King gave him a distracted chirp before Hellfire leaped onto him. "What?" Ash demanded when he saw Vulpix's glare. She pointed at the water with a delicate paw. "Yes, it's water and yes, you will be swimming. This is training," the trainer said, his tone firm.
Willow poked his forehead with a vine. "Wait you too? I thought you liked water!" Ash groaned. The saurian charged an energy ball and shot it at a tree, then gestured between the tree and the boys. When the trainer blinked Vulpix created a tiny shield over her head. "Ah, you don't get why we're doing this?" Ash asked slowly leaning back onto his heels.
The vixen gave him an annoyed look while Willow snorted. "Well, we're doing it for a few reasons," he began easing himself onto the now wet ground. Thank you Gore. "For one, it's getting colder so it'll help you two with the whole "we don't do cold thing", lady fire and little miss jungle native, but it's really more about the boys," Ash continued twitching when he was splashed again. Vulpix narrowed her eyes at him. Willow tilted her head to the left.
"Gore's thickened up a lot, and he's a ground-type, so ya know, it's best to make sure he can still swim just in case his er- "groundness"," Willow remained attentive but Vulpix gave him a look that reminded him of Daisy explaining why he couldn't eat bugs, "Okay, bone structure, he's maturing a lot, gained like a hundred pounds or something, and I want to make sure it hasn't affected his stamina and swimming ability." Ash sighed after a burst of chilly wind hit the back of his head. "Keep it over there!" he barked pointing to the right.
"King's stamina is a problem too, I knew that when I caught him, so this gives him a way to get some of his old energy back." Vulpix gave him a look that was bordering on approval. She picked up on that too. Or Ninetales gave her some tips about water Pokemon. Willow narrowed her eyes and turned to peer at the crab Pokemon. "This deals with those problems while giving them the exercise they need, and they're having fun, so ya know, bonus," Ash finished with a shrug.
He rose. "Training isn't all about strategy or even moves, Ash," his grandfather said, as he watched Gore ram Wave's side and bounce off. "If all you do is work on their elemental capacity and their minds, a Pokemon's body will go soft." "How am I suppose to do all of that and learn new stuff?" Ash had demanded crossing his arms over his chest and pouting. "You don't," Oak responded rising. Ash shook his head. Was I ever really that naive?
In under to withstand the strain of high-level moves a Pokemon had to be in great shape, and learning a move wasn't enough. "Mastery is something that can only come from doing something the right way time after time," Ash quoted his eyes intent on the Cirrus clouds above them. "Yeah, we'll be playing, but after each meal you'll use every move you have a few times each." Willow warbled before trotting to the water.
"We'll be needing it," Ash murmured. Misty wasn't nearly as gentle as Erika or as relaxed with challengers as Sabrina. Their biggest advantage over Erika hadn't been their ice moves. No, their advantage was how she perceived them. The "Nature Loving Princess" wouldn't fight a rookie seriously, it just wasn't in her nature. According to Sabrina, the only Pokemon she would have been willing to fight was Gore. Erika had a weakness for little and cute things. Ash glanced at Willow. Sometimes getting the runt is a good thing. If she were a few years older, I wouldn't have a Rainbow badge.
The Saffron Gym was the easiest of the Eight because they didn't care much about their challengers. Sabrina told him that most of those who came to Saffron for challenging battles went to the Fighting Dojo. Instead of focusing on battle prowess or even healing, the Psychics of the Saffron Gym helped train the majority of the Psychic Pokemon the other Gyms in Kanto and Johto used. The Gym matches gave those Pokemon the chance to get experience before they, and their partners were sent back to their city.
Ash found it a bit ironic. The Gym was undoubtedly the weakest, Sabrina herself admitted the Master of the Dojo Anthony was stronger than she was( though none of his team was as strong as Glace she added), but without her efforts their cities would be far more vulnerable.
The stoic woman had smiled when he'd realized the enormity of her work. Kadabra that teleported water Pokemon to a fire, the Mr. Mime who supported storm shelters, and the Hypno that levitated debris, they were her contribution. The reverence the woman received was just as deserved as any Master's. Vulpix pushed at his leg with a paw.
Ash blinked. "Right let's get started!" he said with a smile.
Xxxxxxxx
The Cerulean Gym is just as massive as the Celadon Gym. Well, as long as we're not counting the Gym's greenhouse. The building had a massive Dewgong that appeared to be swimming through blue waves on its purple and orange striped roof. Ash raised a brow. A Dewgong? The Cerulean Gym adored the Horsea line and were fond of the Poliwag and Staryu lines. He'd never known them to be particular to the Seel line.
"Monday through Friday Gym hours 10:00 a.m. Through 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 1:30 p.m." Ash tugged on his hat. He was thirty minutes early then. The Celadon hours were longer even with what the Saffron Gym leader told him about Erika's sleeping issue. Misty doesn't seem the type to take slack off, so why? He shrugged.
It would probably be for the best to come back tomorrow anyway. The Rhydon had broken a few of Gore's ribs. A Pokemon's body could mend a broken foot, or rib, or even receiving an Acid down the throat without outside help, with enough time and stubbornness on the Pokemon's part( Gore had plenty of that). But taking time to make sure there truly weren't any lasting injuries may have been for the best. With two fire-types, the swine would be a necessity in a battle near water. Until Vulpix gets more experienced anyway.
"You got what you wanted now get the hell out!" a girl that sounded close to Daisy's age shrieked, making him wince.
"Quit being such a baby! It's our Gym too, and we can come as we please!" another older girl declared. The Gym's automatic doors opened and a girl with pink hair marched out - what the hell? - with a red-faced redhead a step behind her.
"You three lost any right to the Gym three years ago!" Misty snarled priming a Pokeball. Ash whipped his head to the pink-haired girl with such speed his neck hurt. That's her sister? The pink-haired girl flinched.
"Fine!" she snapped before stomping down the white steps. Not exactly the closest family, eh? Then again the only time I've ever been nice to my brother was when we were battling a terrorist organization… Wonder if that know-it-all is still alive. I mean, he did run away from a baby Spearow that one time. Ash shrugged. Eh, he has Janine with him now, he'll be fine. Probably.
"Ash?" the Gym Leader called blinking at him. "You were supposed to be here like two months ago! You worried your sister sick!" Misty growled crossing her arms over her chest.
"Uh ye~ah some stuff happened, and I wasn't here," Ash offered wrinkling his nose. Misty wore blue shorts and white shirt with a Horsea on it. The redhead's shoulder length hair was free of its usual ponytail and wild, to Ash it looked like she'd just woken. Her light blue eyes were red on the edges, and had bags under them, there was also a large red mark on her forehead. The girl's cheeks flushed.
"Er, sorry bout the welcome, and the breath, I've been a bit busy," Misty mumbled with an awkward chuckle. "Welcome to Cerulean Gym!" she said, extending a hand.
Is she bipolar? "Thanks," the trainer said, shaking the hand. His eyes narrowed suspiciously when the redhead smirked.
"It's an honor to have you, oh mighty hero of Lavender and Donphan, Ashy!" the Gym Leader cried, falling into a bow. She laughed when he gaped.
"How could you possibly- Daisy!" Ash growled unconsciously baring his canines as Gore did when angry.
"Yeah," Misty said, chuckling and wiping a tear from her eye. "It's not so fun when you're the little one, but I can see why my idiots were so fond of it!"
"Don't you mean sisters?"
"Isn't that what I said?" the redhead asked, tilting her head to the side. "Pretty sure it's what I said. Well, it's early, but I don't see why I can't make an exception for my friend's little brother," the Gym leader said turning and striding to the Gym's doors.
"I'm as tall as you now!" Ash snapped marching after her. He frowned. So that's why Daisy was staying in Cerulean a while back – she was with Misty. Why didn't she tell me she was friends with a big shot? His frown deepened. She's always been to herself, I guess. Ever since Uncle Garrett-
"Sure you are Ashy," Misty sang with a snicker.
"Look, can we just be professional here?" the trainer pleaded.
"Nope!"
"I figured," Ash sighed, his shoulders slumping. Misty may have been trying to annoy him with nonsense, but Ash had been Gore's trainer for over five years now. Tuning out inane babble was second nature by now. Instead, he counted the tiles as she led him to the battlefield. Thirty-one, thirty-two-
"I said, what do you think?" the Gym Leader asked loudly enough for him to flinch.
"I-I agree with you?" It came out like a question, thankfully the redhead didn't notice. She beamed.
"Even after that oil spill a week ago, that nasty old witch only thinks about money! Well, I got twenty thousand of signature at the Conjurer's festival to save those cute Tentacool and Tentacruel!" Misty chirped. Ash blinked. She thinks giant jellyfish are cute? "I'm sure the people of Porta Vista will care too, so I'm sending a few extra Gym Trainers on the next ship headed there to gather support!"
"Porta Vista?" Ash muttered. That's right, a new condo or something is being built there. Daisy had mentioned it before he'd left Rifure Village. A tycoon named Christina wanted to destroy the enormous coral reef, there to make room for her hotel and theme park. Porta Vista, unlike most of Kanto wasn't under the control of the Eight, so the League's leaders didn't have much authority over the city. It was up to the Gym of the city and the mayor to deal with the tycoon. Of course, one of them is a politician, so it's probably gonna get built.
Like many Champions when they were inaugurated, Brandon Blackthorn had been young when he created the Dragon league. Apparently, a Mayor of Pewter tried to take advantage of the young man. Brandon the Great was often called the Great Butcher, mostly in Sinnoh, for very good reason. If a man of Pewter was willing to try to cheat the legend who practically destroyed the Whirl Islands military alone, then, in Ash's mind, it was best to be cautious around politicians. There were a few who regarded him as the Conqueror's equal. Ash snorted. The ones who pushed that belief were natives of Blackthorn or from the Blackthorn family.
His grandfather told him there was only one Pokemon in the history of the League stronger than Aoife, and that there had never been a trainer as strong as Lyra. Ash smirked. The confession seemed to pain the old man. No matter how he acted, Oak was as proud of his strength as his team. A small hand with a long scar was waving in front of his face. "Yo, you spacing out?" Misty's voice cut in.
"Just thinking," Ash said with a shrug. He started when he saw a bipedal, round, blue Pokemon with a white belly that had black lines that resembled a whirlpool on it waddle past him. The armless Pokemon's long fin-like tail confirmed its species. It was a Poliwag, and it appeared to be trying to hug Misty's leg with its non-existent arms. She smiled and patted the tadpole's slimy head drawing a happy squeak from it. "Quite the field," he mumbled.
The battlefield was a pool. That's a huge disadvantage right out of the gate. The pool was at least thirty yards long and twenty yards wide. There were several white, round platforms floating in the pool. Six pinniped Pokemon with bluish white fur, a tiny horn, and a big red tongue were balancing red balls on their noses.
Ash blinked as he scoured his surroundings. The Cerulean Gym held water shows as an extra way to make money, so the battlefield having large stands shouldn't have surprised him. He shrugged, it wasn't that odd. Erika had a greenhouse and a perfume shop. Her Gym Trainers had nearly gotten their Leader in trouble after someone disrespected their perfume. I wonder what they did? A light cough drew him from his thoughts. Misty held a hand out expectantly.
"Same as Celadon?" Ash muttered, pulling out his wallet. She nodded. He'd have left the Celadon Gym without paying had one of the Gym Trainers not cut him off. He took one last look at his ten-dollar bill. Champion Yellow the Gentle's bow wearing Raichu smiled back at him. When he handed it over he marched to the end of the field. "Let's just do this!" Ash released Willow. The Bulbasaur tilted her head at the field before her.
"Can you give us the field!" Misty cried cupping her hands to her mouth. The water at the center of the swirled into a small whirlpool as Hero rose from the depths of the pool. Beads of water dripped from the golden scales of the dragon's belly, and the thin spines of his crown as he floated above the now calm water. The Kingdra's piercing red eyes turning to them made his Pokemon flinch and move behind his legs. Ash twitched. Why in the name of the Gods are you hiding behind me? Hero rumbled and the training Pokemon swam to the edge of the pool. The Kingdra glared at the water and rumbled again, this time with a note of frustration.
The water beneath the young Kingdra rippled when a blue head with a red spike on it broke the surface. The Pokemon was a Feraligatr. He was a crocodilian Pokemon that had blue scales with three large, red spikes. The spike along his back seemed even more intimidating than the spikes on his head, and tail due to the big bull's bulk. The giant crawled out of the water next to Misty with a yawn. Ash swallowed as the beast stood on his hind legs.
Even slouching the Feraligatr had to have been taller than the Nidoking he'd fought in Lavender all those months ago. Ash glanced at Hero. Partners were important for more than just teaching new trainers responsibility. Their strength was a sign of their trainer's to new team members. Why would a Pokemon obey a trainer who couldn't train their first Pokemon well? And Feraligatr surfaced when he called him.
"Crusher, go get Jim and tell Ine to go round back. I really don't think we need a repeat of yesterday," the redhead's sentence ended in a mutter. The bipedal reptile shuddered and fell onto all fours. Crusher raced to the doors with a speed that exceeded any man's. The blue beast paused only to allow the doors the chance to open.
Ash unconsciously relaxed and felt his Bulbasaur do the same when one of the apex predators departed. "This'll be a two on two match! Only you can switch out your Pokemon! I'll be releasing first," Misty shouted as she took her place in the trainer's box. The doors opened, and a balding man who looked to be in his mid-fifties strode in with Crusher on his heels. A Starmie, four feet across and four feet tall, with a massive, red jewel at the center of its purple body floated in a moment after.
The trainer felt his Pokemon stiffen again. To his surprise they were watching the Starmie warily. The Starmie's jewel flashed, then several brown starfish with small red jewels floated out of the water. Four Starmie, a few inches smaller than the first, floated out of the water as well. The water and psychic-types floated at spots around the field that had red marks. Those Starmie and Staryu must be the ones who maintain the barrier. I like the Exeggutor and Exeggute better.
"This will be a two on-" the balding man boomed.
"I already told him!" Misty shouted releasing her first Pokemon. It was entirely blue with the exception of yellow around its eyes that resembled a mask, and yellow on the bottom of its tail fin. The Pokemon had a dorsal fin with two yellow orbs, one that hung in front of the fish's face and another that hung over its back. It was a Lanturn. If he were to wager a guess, he'd say the fish was about four feet long and likely fifty pounds heavy.
"Of course you did," Jim muttered. "Challenger select your Pokemon!"
"Willow," Ash muttered narrowing his eyes at their foe. The saurian snorted and leaped onto the nearest platform. Lanturn were water and electric-type Pokemon. His grandfather told him the electrical prowess of the Chinchou line was the reason the Magikarp around Cianwood had evolved to resist electricity, and why a select few could even use Thunderbolt. They were a species that virtually every water Gym in the world prized.
Cerulean, Fuchsia, and Vermillion made a great deal of their income guarding ships. The Chinchou family were the perfect deterrents for water Pokemon. Many captains paid a hefty sum to ensure that they received a couple Lanturn. Even Gyarados and Kingdra would think twice about stealing fish from a ship protected by a few Lanturn. Ash chuckled. Many believed Gyarados were especially weak to electricity because of their water and flying typing. But flying Pokemon were only truly vulnerable to electricity in the air (a paralyzed wing had to have been a downer). The Gyms would be foolish to explain that to the ignorant though. Fear of Gyarados was extremely profitable.
It's orbs light up to lure Pokemon in, and can get bright enough to be blind temporarily. "This is the one we trained for," Ash muttered receiving a warble in return. He smirked when he noticed her focus was entirely on her opponent. She was frightened of the Starmie, that was obvious, but was trained enough to focus on the task at hand. The Starmie gave a cry in a manner that seemed approving.
"Match 1, Bulbasaur versus Lanturn begin!" Jim cried, thrusting both arms above his head.
"Dive Shot!" Misty ordered. Lanturn warbled and shot a wide spray of bubbles at its opponent. Willow squeaked before racing to the end of her platform and leaping to the one nearest her. Ash sighed when Lanturn dove beneath the water. It was a distraction after all.
"Unseen 1!" he said making Misty's eyes narrow. The Bulbasaur shut her eyes, lowered herself to the ground and extended her vines. Ash glanced at the calm water. As he had expected, Lanturn was trained well enough to turn off its light while diving. Then the water Pokemon's head broke the surface at the Bulbasaur's back. "Behind!" Ash cried. Lanturn shot a stream of concentrated water as the saurian flipped around.
Willow's eyes widened in alarm, then she slapped the ground with her vines sending her over the Water Gun. The Lanturn's eyes widened in alarm when she shot a spray of poison at it. The water-type shrieked and flailed as its hide began to melt. Gods, I love Chlorophyll! "Dive!" Misty barked.
"Grab it!" Ash countered. The Lanturn squeaked when Willow's vines wrapped around its dorsal fin.
"Flash Spark!" the Gym Leader commanded with a grin. The yellow orb on Lanturn's fin brightened abruptly making Willow shriek and Ash recoil. Willow squealed in pain as the water-type was consumed by a shroud of electricity.
"Poison Powder!" Ash snapped, blinking rapidly. He couldn't make out the saurian's attack but he heard Lanturn shriek before wiggling free. He heard a splash and his Pokemon shriek before his vision returned enough to see the battle. The Bulbasaur had a cut along her bulb that was dripping red liquid and was favoring her left side. The trainer's eyes narrowed.
Then the Lanturn peeked out of the water and fired an orb of Electricity at Willow. The saurian moved to evade only for her front left leg to give out. The Electro Ball slammed into Ash's Pokemon, making him flinch and sending the squeaking Bulbasaur sliding to the edge of the platform. Willow's vines shot to the other side of the platform to brace herself.
"Bubble Beam!" Misty called with a predatory grin. Lanturn squeaked, narrowed its eyes then rushed Willow's platform
"Return!" Ash said as he recalled his Pokemon. Lanturn gave a victorious trill and did a flip. The Seel, Poliwag, Crusher gave happy cries while Hero rumbled approvingly. The trainer blinked when the crocodile leaned back onto his hind legs and hopped from foot to foot. I-is he dancing?
"Nice work!" the redhead called giving the fish a thumbs up.
"That one was on me, you hear? Don't take it too hard," Ash mumbled tugging on the bill of his hat. The Bulbasaur's ball wiggled in response. He clenched his jaw. Her left leg was paralyzed and I didn't even catch it! The trainer took a deep breath. Grabbing it nearly cost us the match.
I should have ordered her to whip it.
"Challenger, you have thirty seconds to release a new Pokemon or else you'll forfeit!" Jim announced giving him a stern look.
"Right, go King!" Ash called throwing his friend's ball onto the nearest platform. The raven-haired caught his friend's capsule as King materialized in a flash of scarlet light. The cheering Seel and Poliwag froze when the young Kingler regarded them. Crusher stopped dancing and Hero's eyes narrowed.
"So you pulled it off," Misty observed giving the Kingler an appraising look. Lanturn keened, its eyes drooping. Ash smirked. So you got hit by the Powder eh? "You can do this Lanturn!" the redhead said smiling encouragingly at the fish.
"Match 2 Kingler versus Lanturn begin!"
"Rapid Gun!" Ash snapped. King glared and shot three Water Guns at their foe. Lanturn squeaked and dove under the water. The crab Pokemon hissed and rushed after it. "Wait, it's the electric one!" The Kingler froze before glaring at the water and moving to the center of the platform. "Harden," the trainer directed rubbing his chin.
The fish stayed submerged for several moments then leaped out of the water, making Ash's eyes widen in shock. It shot a wide spray of bubbles at King that swept the shrieking crab off the platform. "King out!" Ash barked as the Lanturn flipped back into the pool. King burst to the surface and dragged himself back onto the platform with an annoyed hiss.
"Spark!" Misty ordered. Ash's eyes widened as he saw a light approaching his Pokemon from behind.
"Behind!" he cried, making the crab flip around with narrowed eyes.
"Get back!" the Gym leader cried her eyes widening. Lanturn was already shrouded in electricity and leaping out of the water. The Kingler cocked his dominant claw back as the fish left the pool. King slammed his claw into Lanturn's side with a crack that sent the fish flying into the shield in front of Ash. The boy winced at the crack the fish crashing into the barrier made. Pink energy surround Lanturn as it fell. The fish was then consumed by the scarlet light of a Pokeball. "Not bad," Misty admitted drawing another Pokeball. "But this next one has more of a fighter's spirit!" she declared tossing her Pokeball into the water.
King's new opponent was a slightly short, but stouter than average Tentacruel. The Tentacruel was a light blue jellyfish-like Pokemon that was around five feet long. The jellyfish had two large red crystal spheres encrusted on its head that were capable of storing sunlight. Ash narrowed his eyes when he saw the small red gem on its forehead. "Its got eighty tentacles that can extend, and regenerate, and it shoots beams of sunlight out the small gem," Ash whispered. And there's a skylight too... King gave him a sharp look. "It only leaves fourteen out at a time. It's got way stronger poison than Willow too." The crab Pokemon gave an annoyed rumble. "I know, not my favorite style either."
"Tentacruel versus Kingler, begin!" Jim shouted.
"Pulse!"
"Water Pulse!" Tentacruel narrowed its eyes and King cocked his dominant arm back. Swirling orbs of water developed, then the Pokemon chirped and fired their attacks. Ash's eyes widened in alarm as the Tentacruel's Water Pulse overwhelmed King's. The attack smashed into the Kingler sending him skidding off his platform. Tentacruel shrieked a battle cry and dove after the crab Pokemon.
Ash watched with bated breath as the water rippled, and splashed, then Tentacruel shot out and landed on the second nearest platform. A second later, King burst out of the water and onto a platform. Ash grimaced when he saw the pieces of the crab's armor that had been melted off. Water could wash away powder attacks as long as the powder hadn't already set in, but it could do little to mitigate the danger of a spray of poison if it landed. Acidic attacks were just too fast acting. Tentacruel only had a small cut beneath the gem on its forehead. I can't switch Willow in yet, she can't possibly finish it, so King'll have to make due.
"Supersonic!" Misty said narrowing her eyes.
"Rapid Gun!" Ash countered his eyes widening in horror. I can't believe I forgot it can use this! Tentacruel shrieked and inhaled deeply before letting out a shriek. King fired four concentrated streams of water at the jellyfish's head before the sound waves could reach him. The Water Guns tore off patches of skin near Tentacruel's small gem, making it cry out in pain.
Then the sound waves of Supersonic hit King. The crab swayed as his eyes drooped.
"Sludge!" Misty ordered a predatory grin stretching her lips. Tentacruel's dark eyes held a similar gleam as it shot a spray of poison at his stunned crab.
"Into the water!" Ash barked. The crab pushed off against the platform with his claw sending himself sliding into the pool.
"Gotcha!" the Gym leader cried pumping a fist. Tentacruel pushed itself up onto its tentacles and gave a cry that made the young Pokemon cheer. The water under King's platform began to swirl violently until it resembled a small whirlpool. Ash swallowed when he heard his Kingler give a confused shriek. He could only make out King's dominant claw flailing in the whirlpool. "Finish him!" Tentacruel shot a spray of poison high into the air above the crab, then it leaped into the water.
"Harden!" the trainer cried clenching his fists. Using it a second time might be worthless but there's nothing else! The crab was consumed by Harden before shrieking as the poison melted more of his armor. Ash drew the crab Pokemon's Pokeball. His eyes widened as the Whirlpool began to slow. Then there was a violent ripple and King leaped onto his shaky platform with a furious chirp. Tentacles sprung from the water around the platform and grabbed the crab's creamy arms, making him narrow his eyes.
King rumbled and yanked with his right arm, sending the shrieking jellyfish flying out of the pool. He pulled him down and cocked his dominant arm back. Tentacruel shrieked and sprayed another burst of poison, but this time the crab Pokemon only twitched. King shrieked and slammed Tentacruel in his small jewel sending the Pokemon soaring. The Kingler's smaller claw clenched, severing the tentacles it held, and drawing another whine of pain.
The Jellyfish crashed on another platform five yards away. King glared at it before swaying, then his legs finally gave out. Ash cursed when Tentacruel forced itself back onto its tentacles with a groan. The jellyfish glared at the Kingler. The crystals on the top of its head glowed then it fired a crimson beam at King. Ash recalled him before it could connect. The beam exploded forcing pieces of stone into the air.
"In the match of Kingler versus Tentacruel! Victor Tentacruel!" Jim said.
The trainer eyed the sizable missing chunk of the platform carefully. She can't take more than one of those. He tossed Willow's ball. The saurian's eyes widened in horror when she saw her opponent. "Give it one good shot and it's over!"
"Keep fighting till the bitter end, Gem!" Misty shouted receiving an enthusiastic chirp from what he sincerely hoped was a female jellyfish. The Pokemon of the Gym gave cries that made Willow wilt until Hero gave them a chiding look. The Kingdra snorted respectfully and Gem puffed herself up.
"Final match! Bulbasaur versus Tentacruel begin!" Jim shouted.
"Supersonic!" the Gym Leader ordered. Gem released a shriek of such volume that the Bulbasaur flinched.
"Vines out! Into the water!" the challenger snapped. Willow turned to him as though he were insane. "Do it!" Misty grinned triumphantly when the tiny dinosaur entered the Tentacruel's domain.
"Whirlpool!" Gem shrieked and the water beneath the platform began to swirl. Ash snickered as the whirling water grew stronger.
"What's with-" Misty's inquiry ended with a gasp as vines sprung from the Whirlpool. Willow yanked on the shaking platform with such force that she was thrown back onto it. The saurian shook her head vigorously before glaring at the wide-eyed jellyfish.
"Now!" Willow chirped and raced to the end of the platform, then she slapped the shaking stone, throwing herself through the air. A tiny green orb grew in the saurian's mouth as Gem snapped out of her stupor and slapped at her with tentacles. Willow fired her Energy Ball into the jellyfish's forehead, only making it flinch and its tentacles fly above her head.
The Bulbasaur rammed Gem knocking her onto her back. Willow landed in a heap next to Gem with a squeak. Ash cursed and gnashed his teeth. If only we were outside! The Bulbasaur shrieked when three tentacles pinned her to the platform. Gem forced herself up and glared at her opponent. "Throw her away!" Misty snapped. Then green powder hit the jellyfish's eyes making her stumble away from Willow. Gem shrieked and wiped at her eyes furiously. "Into the pool!"
"Finish it!" Ash roared with a feral grin. As Gem leaped, the Bulbasaur shot a small seed at her back. The trainer covered his eyes when the Seed Bomb detonated. He uncovered himself when he heard no pained cries. Did she miss? Ash blinked then turned to Willow. The grass Pokemon was lying on her belly with all her legs extended. She turned herself enough to look at him and cooed. The trainer grinned a sense of elation making his chest warm. "Bit tired?" Willow glared at him as he recalled her.
"I owe Daisy money now, thanks," Misty said with a sigh as she marched up to him.
"Never bet against me," Ash advised with a laugh. A Cascade badge! His smile fell slightly as he came to a realization. His next battle would be with the oldest Gym in the world. A Gym whose Pokemon of choice had survived and thrived where Aerodactyl and Tyrantrum died out.
"She said that too," Misty mumbled with a pout that probably would have been cute if she didn't look like she just woke up. She stood at her full height, pulled something out of her pocket, and straightened her back. "As the Gym Leader of Cerulean, I award you with this Cascade badge," the redhead declared offering her city's symbol.
"Thanks," the victor breathed his smile returning. I can worry about that later. The badge was almost entirely blue and shaped like a raindrop. The only design on it was a glaring Kingdra with red eyes. Ash blinked when a shadow fell over him.
"We woke you up didn't we?" the Gym leader asked with a weak grin. An unamused snort nearly blew Ash's hat off. The trainer turned slowly. Floating behind him with the large Starmie over its shoulder was a Kingdra. Its blue armor were nearly as scarred as Wave's red and blue scales. His breath left his chest when the beast's rubies regarded him. The Kingdra gave Misty a sharp look. "R-right! Uh, Ash this is Hero's, great-great whatever, he's Bane and this is Star, she's a girl, they were part of my ancestor Macy's team," she said pointing to the Kingdra that made Hero look like a Horsea and the Starmie.
"Macy? Champion Macy you mean?" Ash inquired raising a brow. He didn't know much about the woman, only that she was the last decent Champion they had until his grandfather, that she was Dreyfus Blackthorn's successor, and that her death was the beginning of the conflict with Sinnoh. He narrowed his eyes. But Macy was inaugurated over a hundred years ago…. How old are they? Star gave a quiet cry that made Bane snort amusedly.
"The very same!" Misty said her chest puffing out with pride. "They've been protecting the Gym for longer than my great-grandma has been around, and believe me, that's a really long time." She paled. "Please don't tell her I said that," the redhead begged turning to the Starmie. The glow of the Stamie's red jewel lit up ominously.
"Well, have fun with that," Ash said turning and striding away from the pleading Gym Leader. She'll be fine… Probably. Maybe. Anyway, to Mt. Moon!
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A.N.
Hah, Willow wilted. You get it?
If an alligator is 4 feet it's tail is about 3.5 feet. You have an idea how big Crusher is.
Questions for my reviewers.
So what's you favorite Into the Wild fight? Mine is probably Bloom vs Tundra. Or Vs Nidoking, I know it dragged out for some, but I liked it.
What's your favorite team member?
What's you favorite Pokemon fight? You already know mine.