"What about the rules? How should we set them?" Ash asked.
"Two versus two! The challenger takes the first move!" Misty replied without hesitation, her presence filling the room.
"No problem!" Ash agreed immediately.
Brock silently retreated to the spectator stands, preparing to watch the battle.
The pool stage began to shift gradually, several floating platforms rising to serve as the battlefield.
"Misty of Cerulean City versus Ash of Pallet Town. Let the match begin!" Daisy snapped back to attention and took her place as the referee.
"Misty, show me your true strength!" Ash's gaze turned sharp. "First one up I choose you, Butterfree!"
"Butterfree? A Bug and Flying type... It looks like you're trying to counter my Water types." Misty saw through Ash's intent in an instant, but she remained undaunted. "However, Water types are afraid of more than just Electric and Grass! Staryu, you're up first!"
With a flash of light, Butterfree fluttered into the air while Staryu landed on one of the floating platforms, the gem at its center glowing brilliantly.
"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!" Ash struck first.
"Staryu, use Rapid Spin and charge in!" Misty commanded.
Staryu began to spin violently, surging upward like a high-speed top. It didn't just skillfully evade the Sleep Powder; it used its momentum to slam right into Butterfree!
"Catch it with Confusion!" Ash reacted swiftly.
A blue light flashed in Butterfree's eyes as it attempted to bind the high-speed spinning Staryu with psychic energy, but the effect was minimal.
"Now, Staryu, Water Gun!" Misty seized the opening. The close-range Water Gun hit Butterfree with pinpoint accuracy! It was super effective!
Butterfree was sent flying by the jet of water, crashing onto a floating platform. It had taken massive damage.
"Butterfree is unable to battle! Staryu wins!" Daisy announced.
"Return, Butterfree. You did your best." Ash recalled Butterfree, his spirit unbroken. "You really are strong, Misty. In that case... Pikachu, I choose you!"
"Pika!" Pikachu leaped onto a floating platform, sparks flickering from his cheeks.
"A Pikachu? Electric types are indeed a hassle." Misty's expression turned solemn, but she didn't panic. "Staryu, come back."
She decisively recalled the victorious but likely exhausted Staryu and sent out her second Pokémon. "Go, Starmie!"
An even more magnificent and imposing Starmie appeared on the field. Misty's strategy was clear: use the fresh Starmie to handle the tricky Pikachu.
"Pikachu, close in with Quick Attack!"
"Starmie, Swift!"
Pikachu transformed into a bolt of white light, darting forward, while Starmie unleashed a wide spray of countless shimmering, star-shaped rays! Pikachu struggled to dodge through the barrage with his speed.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash tried to end it quickly.
"Starmie, Light Screen!" Misty countered perfectly. A transparent wall of light appeared in front of Starmie, weakening the power of the Thunderbolt.
"Now, Starmie, Hydro Pump!" Misty launched a powerful counter-attack. A thick pillar of water roared toward Pikachu!
"Pikachu, jump to avoid it, then use Thunderbolt on the water!" Ash issued a daring command.
Pikachu leaped high into the air, dodging the Hydro Pump, and simultaneously funneled his powerful electricity into the pool! Suddenly, the entire body of water crackled with golden light!
"Oh no! Starmie!" Misty cried out. Being in the water, Starmie took a massive electric shock! The Light Screen couldn't fully defend against the conductivity of the water itself!
Starmie trembled in pain, its movements becoming sluggish.
"The final blow, Electro Ball!" Ash didn't let the chance slip away. Pikachu condensed a massive orb of electricity and hurled it at the struggling Starmie!
Boom! The Electro Ball exploded, and Starmie collapsed.
"Starmie is unable to battle!" Daisy announced. "Misty, please send out your next Pokémon!"
Misty recalled Starmie, her expression grim. She was down to her first Staryu, which was already worn out. "Staryu, I'm counting on you again!"
Staryu re-entered the fray, but facing a Pikachu that held a type advantage, extreme speed, and had just defeated Starmie, the situation was dire.
"Staryu, use Rapid Spin!" Misty tried to keep Staryu moving to avoid becoming a sitting duck.
"Pikachu, don't give it a chance! Continuous Thunder Shock!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu moved rapidly, firing bolt after bolt at the high-speed target. Although Staryu tried its best to evade, it was eventually grazed by a bolt. It was super effective! Its spinning speed slowed down instantly.
"Let's finish this, Pikachu! Quick Attack!"
A yellow blur flashed across the field, slamming into the injured Staryu. Staryu was knocked back onto the floating platform, bouncing a few times before failing to rise again.
"Staryu is unable to battle! Therefore, the winner is the challenger, Ash!" Daisy announced loudly.
Misty recalled Staryu. Though she had lost, a look of relief and exhilaration crossed her face. "I lost... Ash, you're really strong. Especially in that situation, thinking to use the pool's conductivity to attack Starmie..."
Ash walked up to her and said sincerely, "That was a great match, Misty. You showed me the true power of the Cerulean Gym." He handed the original Cascade Badge back to her. "Now, please, officially give me the badge that represents the victory of our battle."
Misty was stunned for a moment before realizing Ash's intent. She solemnly took the badge and then placed it back into Ash's hand. "Ash, this is the proof of your victory over the Cerulean Gym. The Cascade Badge belongs to you!"
Watching from the side, the three sisters showed expressions of relief, guilt, and complexity. Daisy stepped forward. "Misty, you were right. we've been too lax and failed the Gym's reputation... and we made you carry far too much."
Misty looked at her sisters and shook her head. "No, sisters, I just wanted the Cerulean Gym to be better."
Suddenly, Ash spoke up. He looked at Daisy, Violet, and Lily, his tone calm and sincere. "Miss Daisy, Miss Violet, Miss Lily... actually, I don't think you were wrong."
"Eh?" The three sisters and Misty all looked at him in surprise.
"Seeking the combination of Pokémon and art, showcasing the beauty and fluidity of Water types... that is a wonderful thing in itself," Ash said with a smile. "I saw your performance earlier; it was fantastic. Perhaps the direction of the Cerulean Gym doesn't necessarily have to be limited to traditional gym battles."
He paused, introducing a new concept. "I've read in some magazines that in other regions, there is a profession called a Pokémon Performer. They stand on magnificent stages, performing alongside their Pokémon,
winning the hearts of the audience and judges through charm, skill, and their bond with their partners to compete for the crown. I think this might be the path that truly suits you where you can push your talents to the limit."
Ash's words were like a beam of light, instantly illuminating the confused hearts of the three sisters. they had always loved performing but were shackled by the responsibilities of the Gym, leaving them conflicted. Now, Ash had pointed them toward a new direction where they could follow their passion and gain recognition!
"Pokémon... Performer?" Daisy murmured, her eyes gradually brightening.
"That sounds... wonderful!" Violet and Lily were also excited.
Ash nodded, then glanced at Misty with a knowing look. "Furthermore, if the Cerulean Gym successfully transitions to focus on the performing arts, it will naturally need a trainer who truly loves and excels at Water-type battles to inherit and protect the Gym's true fighting spirit. Opportunity always favors those who are prepared and brave enough to take it."
Though he seemed to be speaking to the three sisters, Misty's body trembled slightly. She instantly understood the subtext of Ash's words if her sisters went to pursue their dreams of performing,
the one to guard the Gym and face true challengers would naturally be her! She needed to grow stronger, faster, to truly shoulder that responsibility.
The three sisters were clever and immediately understood Ash's meaning. They looked at each other and smiled, their gazes falling on Misty with encouragement and support.
Daisy walked over to Misty and gently patted her shoulder. "Misty, Ash is right. Perhaps the future of the Cerulean Gym really can look different. Until we find our new path, we'll leave the supervision of the Gym to you, okay? You should travel with Ash and the others, train hard, and grow up quickly!"
Looking at her sisters' understanding gazes and then at Ash's smiling face, Misty felt a warm current and an unprecedented drive surge through her. She nodded vigorously. "Mhm! I will work hard!"
[Ding! The host has defeated Cerulean Gym Leader Misty and obtained the Cascade Badge. Reward: 400 World Origin Points.]
[Ding! The host prompted Misty to face her gym responsibilities, stimulated her fighting spirit, and significantly changed her mindset. Reward: 300 World Origin Points.]
[Ding! The host successfully guided the Cerulean Sisters, pointing them toward a career path and resolving internal family conflicts, gaining a high level of favorability from the three sisters. Reward: 500 World Origin Points.]
[Current World Origin Points: 4700.]
In this moment, the sisters of the Cerulean Gym had not only resolved their inner knots but had found their respective paths for the future. Ash's clever guidance had earned him immense favor from the sisters, and Misty had gained a much clearer understanding of her own road and goals.
Since Misty was going to inherit the mantle of the Cerulean Gym eventually anyway, it was better to give her three sisters something meaningful to do.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).