After leaving Mt. Moon Ash and his friends were now on their way to Cerulean City with their new friend Misty when they came upon a signpost. "Yes, we're almost at Cerulean City." Said Ritchie. "Awesome! Soon I can have my next gym badge!" said Ash excitedly. "Pika! Pika!" exclaimed Pikachu. "Good luck Ash!" said Serena, happy for Ash. Ash then looked over at Mist,y who was quiet the whole time. "What's wrong, Misty?" said Ash. "You've been quiet the whole tim.e what's wrong?" Said Ritchie.
"Well, I was just thinking maybe we could not go to Cerulean City?" said Misty, nervously. "Why?" asked Ash. "It's just that I don't want to go to Cerulean City." Said Misty.
"Why not?" asked Serena. "Well, the truth is I'm from Cerulean City. My sisters are the gym leaders there." Explained Misty. "I left Cerulean City to get stronger and come back and take over the gym from my sisters. While I was training my Pokémon, I ran into Team Rocket, and they stole my Magikarp and when I finally tracked them down, it had evolved into Gyarados before I met you."
"Wo,w your sisters are the gym leaders?" asked Ash. "So, you're nervous about seeing them now?" asked Ritchie.
"Yes, the only Pokémon I caught since I left was Magikarp, and now that he evolved because ofTeam Rockett he is enraged, and I don't know how to calm him down. I still haven't gotten my Staryu enough battle experience to fight in an official battle, so I'm not confident enough to meet them yet." Explained Misty.
"If you have trouble meeting them, then you don't have to come with us to the gym. You can stay in the Pokemon center while Ash has his gym battle, and we can meet up later." Suggested Serena. "I thinkit'ss fine if you come to the gym. Your Starmie was able to fight off Team Rocket so even if all your Pokemon aren't there yet I think you can still be proud of that." Said Ritchie.
"Yeah, and I think it would be great if you were there supporting us while we battled your sisters, right, Pikachu?" said Ash to Pikachu. "Pika! Pi!" exclaimed Pikachu.
Misty looked and then smiled, "You're right. I'll come with you to the gym and show my sisters just how much I've grown." Said Mist,y filled with determination.
"Alright, let's go!" said Ash as he started heading down the road towards Cerulean city with the others following behind him.
They crossed the road and entered Cerulean city as Ash, Pikachu, Ritchie, and Serena admired the building and landscape of the town as they made their way to the Pokemon center to rest for the night. The next day, they made their way to the gym following Misty's direction.s as they were going, they saw a bunch of people gathered outside a large building with a hole in the side and glass shattered everywhere. (The same as seen from the episode.) At the front of the crowd there was a woman dressed in a purple cap with a black rim, red top and gold star, a purple collared shirt with red trim, a sky-blue chest piece, and gold shoulder pads, a black purse, a matching belt with a gold buckle, a purple skirt, black shoes, and white gloves. She had dark teal hair and fair skin. And she had a Growlithe next to her.
"What's going on there?" asked Ritchie. "Looks like someone attacked that place. Let's ask Officer Jenny." Said Misty. They started moving through the crowd towards the woman at the front, officer Jenny. She saw them approaching and called out to Misty.
"Misty? Is that you?" asked Officer Jenny. "Welcome back, I heard you left town to become a master water Pokemon trainer. I'm surprised to see you back so soon."
"It's good to see you too." Said Misty. "These are my friends, Ash, his partner Pikachu, Ritchi,e and Serena." They introduced themselves to Officer Jenny. "So, what happened he,e." asked Ritchie.
"Well, someone broke into this place earlier today and robbed the place, but, the mystery is that they didn't take any money or Pokemon they took appliances." Said Officer Jenny. "Any idea who did it?" asked misty. "We don't know who it did, but I advise that you guys be careful in case they are still around." Said Jenny. "That sounds strange." Said Ritchie. "We'll keep an eye out in case we see anything."
They then left the scene, and they made their way towards the Cerulean city gym, Misty took them in through the back entrance that she had a key to. As they made their way in, she noticed that an event was about to start.
"Looks like their show is about to start, you guys go ahead and watch I'll wait backstage and tell them about your challenge when the show is over." Said Misty, they accepted and proceeded to the audience as the show started, (They same thing they did in the anime; I'll spare repeating it.)
After the show was over the three gym leaders were standing in the hall near the battlefield while arguing with Misty as Ash and his friends were approaching, they could hear the argument. "- you can't be serious!" said Misty, looking upset with her sisters. The pink haired one, Lily said, "We told you already we aren't doing any Pokemon battles today." Then the blonde-haired Daisy said, "Our Pokemon are tired after battles from other trainers who showed up to battle." And the blue haired Violet said, "The only Pokemon we have left aren't trained for battle so we can't have a gym battle today." "If your friend really wants a gym battle, we could just give him the badge and be done with it.," continued Daisy. Lily took out the Cerulean city gym badge and offered it over to Misty.
"How can you say that?!" cried Misty. "We can't just give out gym badges to trainers who haven't earned it! If you won't do it, then let me takeover the gym battle!" "You?" asked Violet, "I thought you left to become stronger didn't you say you wouldn't come back until you were a water Pokemon master?" "She probably gave up halfway." Said Lily. "But don't feel too bad for its runt." Said Daisy and all three of them laughed.
Seeing this Ash and his friends decided to break up the scene. "Hey!" called Ash, "I accept challenge Misty of the Cerulean city gym to a gym battle." "Pikachu!" said Pikachu agreeing with Ash. "Ash…ok I misty of the Cerulean city gym accept your challenge." Said Misty determined.
"So, this is your little friend, fine if he wins against the runt, we will give him the gym badge." Said Daisy as she and the other two looked disinterested. "I can serve as the referee." They both nodded and they all began moving to the battle arena. Lily and Violet moved to the stands with Ritchie and Serena as Ash and Misty took their places. The battle ground opened and revealed a water field with lily pads for the Pokemon to stand on.
"Wow, I've never seen a battlefield like this before." Awed Serena. "Me neither but it looks like it would be tough for Ash to adapt to this type of battle." Said Ritchie, as they watched concerned on how Ash is going to do. Ash was amazed by this battlefield.
"I've never seen a battlefield like this before." Said Ash as he and Pikachu gazed at the field. "The Cerulean city gym is a water type gym, so the field is in favor of water type Pokemon. To win you need to overcome both my Pokemon and the field. So, are you ready Ash?" asked Misty as she took out a Poke ball. Ash smiled back with a challenging look.
"This gym battle between Misty of the Cerulean city gym and Ash from Pallet town will now begin. Both sides will use two Pokemon and only the challenger will be allowed substitutions. Both trainers ready?" asked Daisy, then after looking at both said, "Then Battle begin!"
"Staryu, I chose you!" said Misty sending out her Staryu. "Pikachu your up first!" said Ash as Pikachu jumped onto the field.
"Pikachu use thunder shock!" said Ash, Pikachu jumped and fired thunder shock at Staryu. "Staryu dive to doge it and use harden!" said Misty, Staryu jumped into the water to avoid the attack, and the thunder shock diffused across the surface and Staryu stayed under unaffected as its body glowed.
"What why didn't it work? Electric type moves are supposed to be super effective on water types" asked Ash confused, "Sorry Ash but there's so much water in the pool that the attack does minor damage. And with harden its defense just went up." Explained Misty
"I've never seen a battle move like that before. "Said Serena surprised. "And it gets worse for Ash if Staryu keeps going down there before it gets hit Pikachu won't be able to attack." Said Ritchie in awe at Misty's strategy.
"Now Staryu use rapid spin!" Staryu jumped out and knocked Pikachu with rapid spin. Pikachu was knocked into the air. "Pikachu! Quick use electro ball!" Pikachu spun in the air and charged the attack in his tail and launched the ball at Staryu. "Staryu use rapid spin and deflect it!" Said Misty, Staryu started spinning again and parried the electro ball away. Pikachu landed on the pad.
"Now use it again and get Pikachu!" "Use iron tail and counter!" said Ash, Pikachu sprung up and its tail changed as it prepared to strike Staryu, but Staryu moved midair, avoided the iron tail, and knocked Pikachu into the water. Pikachu flailed in the water trying to reach a pad to stand. "Now use swift!" said Misty seeing a chance to get another attack on Pikachu. "Pikachu watch out!" cried Ash and Pikachu barely got to the pad before it was blasted with the stars of the attack. "Pikachu!" as the water cleared Pikachu was on the pad hurt by the attack and struggled to get up before shaking it off and Staryu dived back into the water.
"Wow the runt is doing better than I thought." Said Lily, impressed with Misty. "Well, we got the looks, so it makes sense she got the brawn." Said Violet, as they shared a laugh, "Still she may be a better trainer than we are." Said Daisy carefully watching the battle.
"Now Staryu use Rapin Spin and finish this! "Said Misty, Staryu emerged from the water moving in to hit Pikachu. "Pikachu use Iron tail and knock it back!" said Ash, Pikachu sprinted and met Staryu as it approached and knocked it back with Iron tail and Staryu began moving to dive back into the water. "Now use thunder shock!" said Ash and before it could hit the water and the attack zapped Staryu. "Staryu!" cried Misty, it was a critical hit and Staryu was out. "Staryu is unable to battle! The winner is Pikachu!" declared Daisy. Misty returned Staryu "You did great Staryu now rest." Said Misty.
"Go Starmie!" said Misty and she sent out Starmie. "Who's that Pokémon? "Asked Ash, taking out his pokedex and scanning the new Pokémon, Starmie the mysterious Pokémon and the evolved form of Staryu, the center section is named the core. People think it is communicating when it glows in seven colors.
"Seems like you really love your jewels." Joked Ash, "but I'm still going to win!" declared Ash.
"Will see about that. Starmie use water gun!" said Misty. Starmie fired the attack at Pikachu. "Use thunder shock!" said Ash, Pikachu fired the thunder shock at Starmie and overpowered the water gun and struck Starmie knocking it off the pad and it landed in the water. "Starmie! use power gem!" said Misty, Starmie swam around the launched a glowing pink rock at Pikachu.
"Use Iron tail!" said Ash, Pikachu's tail started glowing and it was jumped to counter the gem. "Now use thunder shock!" Pikachu started charging up to fire the thunder shock at Starmie, "Use confuse ray!" said Misty, Starmie came up in front and fired a light flash at Pikachu as the attack was released and Pikachu missed the thunder shock, and the attack exploded in front of Pikachu hurting him.
"Pikachu!" cried Ash, Pikachu stumbled as it stood up on the pad and shock back and forth confused. "How do you like that Ash now Pikachu won't be able to attack properly anymore. Now Starmie Use rapid spin!" said Misty. Starmie emerged from the water spinning and moved to strike Pikachu. "Pikachu dodge it!" said Ash.
"Pika! Pi!" said Pikachu to confused to follow his words and was hit by the rapid spin. "Now Rapid spin back-to-back!" said Misty, and Starmie continued to hit Pikachu in a flurry of spinning attacks growing faster with each attack. "Pikachu! Come on use thunder wave!" said Ash desperately for Pikachu to fight back. "Pika, Pika!" said Pikachu as it fired thunder wave at Starmie knocking it out of its flurry and paralyzed it. "Alright Pikachu!" said Ash, "Looks like some attacks still land even when confused. But I'm still going to win." Said Misty.
"Starmie use power gem!" said Misty, Starmie was slowed by the paralysis, but it fired the gem at Pikachu. "Pikachu move and use electro ball!" said Ash but Pikachu didn't respond before the power gem hit him. "Pikachu!" ash cried. When the smoke cleared Pikachu was out on the pad. "Pikachu is unable to battle the winner is Starmie!" announced Daisy signaling the end of the match.
"Great work Starmie!" said Misty as she praised her Starmie. Ash moved Pikachu off the pad and placed him behind him to rest. Pikachu looked up at him weakly, "I!" "Don't worry Pikachu you battled great we'll take it from her." Said Ash, he readied another Poke ball, "Butterfree I chose you!" he sent out Butterfree. "This is the final round until my victory." Said Misty, "No way this match is mine." Said Ash.
"Starmie use confuse ray!" said Misty, Starmie was about to attack but it was immobilized by the paralysis and couldn't attack. "Butterfree use gust!" said Ash and Butterfree started blowing up a strong wind and knocked Starmie into the air. "Now use confusion." Butterfree used purple energy in its eyes and slammed Starmie into the pad.
"Use power gem Starmie!" said Misty and Starmie fired the glowing gem at Butterfree knocking it back and he lowered closer to the water from that attack. Ash: Butterfree is struggling with attacks like that I need to get him closer and land a deciding move before Butterfree gets hit again. Something like how she used the water, wait for water that's it!
"Butterfree hang in there! Use tackle and knock him back!" said Ash, Butterfree flew at Starmie. "Use power gem!" said Misty, Starmie fired the gem at Butterfree. "Now use gust and pull up!" said Ash, Butterfree started pulling up as it created a strong wing that pulled up the water with it creating a wall that cancelled out the power gem. "What was that?!" asked Misty surprised at the move Ash had just pulled. "Now use confusion!" said Ash and Butterfree caught Starmie of guard and threw it through the air into the gym ceiling before tossing it out of the battle ground and the light on his gem went out. "Starmie!" cried Misty. "Starmie is unable to battle the winner is Butterfree and the victor the challenger Ash!" declared Daisy, and Serena and Ritchie were cheering for Ash.
"Way to go Ash" cheered Serena.
"Good job!" cheered Ritchie.
"Butterfree, Pikachu great work you too." Said Ash as he held Pikachu in his arms and Butterfree perched on his head, and he patted him. "We couldn't have won without you too doing such a great job." He walked off the gym battlefield meeting up with his friends and Misty and her sisters. "Not bad Ash but I'll definitely win the next time we battle." Said Misty. "No way I'm losing a match to you." Said Ash. They started arguing about who would win their next match before Violet stopped them.
"Relax you too, you just had one battle already." Said Daisy. "Yeah, give your Pokémon sometime to recover before you throw them into another battle." Said Lily. "Now little sister isn't there something you're forgetting as the gym leader?" asked Violet, handing Misty something.
"Yeah, " said Misty, calming down and making a serious face to Ash. "For your victory here today, I present you the Cascade badge as proof of your victory." She presented him with the Cerulean City gym badge.
"Alright, I got the Cascade badge!" said Ash as he struck a pose with the badge and Pikachu and Butterfree jumped behind him crying out in joy. "Congratulations Ash," said Ritchie as he and Serena came to meet Ash, and they made their way out of the gym as the sunset.
"We'll spend the night at the Pokémon center before we prepare to leave tomorrow." Said Ash, "Feel free to stop by before you leave tomorrow." Said Misty, "I can even show you the best spots in town to battle other trainers before you leave."
"That sounds great. I would love to see more of the city, " said Serena excitedly. And I was loving to get some battle experience in, "Said Ritchie. I'd love to get more battles in. Right, Pikachu. " said Ash, and Pikachu cheered happily.
After winning his second gym badge Ash and his friends make their way to the Pokémon center for some much-needed rest and will begin exploring all the wonders of Cerulean city tomorrow.
As the journey continues….