After leaving the Tortoise Pokémon Kingdom, Ash and his friends continued their journey.
However, Misty noticed that her Horsea was in poor condition, looking somewhat listless.
"Horsea hasn't been moving much lately. Is it sick?" Misty asked worriedly, stroking the Pokémon.
Brock observed it closely and said, "It doesn't look like an illness. It's more likely a lack of sufficient space to exercise. Horsea needs a vast body of water to maintain its vitality."
It is worth noting that while both Misty and Ash had caught a Horsea, Ash did not keep his with him immediately. Instead, he had transferred it back to Professor Oak's backyard. During a recent phone call, Professor Oak mentioned that Ash's Horsea was in very good spirits.
At that moment, Ash remembered that Cerulean City was nearby and suggested, "In that case, why don't we stop by Cerulean City? There's a pool large enough for Horsea to swim in, and you can visit your home while we're at it."
After several days of travel, they finally arrived in Cerulean City.
Upon entering the city, they saw posters everywhere advertising an Underwater Ballet performance at the Cerulean Gym.
"Wow, an Underwater Ballet!" Misty's sister, Daisy, greeted them from a distance. "Misty, you've come back at just the right time! We're missing a lead!"
As it turned out, the Cerulean Gym was about to host its annual Underwater Ballet festival, but the original lead actress was unable to perform due to unforeseen circumstances.
"Me? No way!" Misty waved her hands frantically. "I have to continue my journey!"
Her three sisters surrounded her, pleading and cajoling. "Just this once!" "The whole city is looking forward to this show!" "Besides, your Horsea needs to recuperate here anyway!"
With Ash and Brock adding their own persuasions, Misty finally reluctantly agreed.
When she emerged before the group dressed in an exquisite mermaid costume, Ash couldn't help but offer sincere praise. "Misty, you look really beautiful in that outfit!"
Misty's face turned beet red instantly, though her heart felt as sweet as honey. "I-idiot! Don't say such embarrassing things!"
Meanwhile, the Team Rocket trio had snuck into the audience. Jessie looked at the magnificent stage, her eyes gleaming with greed. "With so many rare water Pokémon here, catching them all would surely earn us a massive promotion!"
"That's right, meow!" Meowth rubbed his claws together. "We'll wait for the show to start and then strike, meow!"
That evening, the Cerulean Gym was packed to capacity.
Under the dreamlike lights and music, Misty danced gracefully through the water with her Pokémon.
Goldeen traced elegant arcs in the water, and Staryu spun while emitting a brilliant radiance. Misty's coordination with Seel earned thunderous applause from the crowd.
Just as the performance reached its climax, Team Rocket suddenly leaped from the audience:
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"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!" "James!" "Meowth!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light! Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"It's Team Rocket!" The audience erupted in an uproar.
Team Rocket released their Pokémon and began capturing the water Pokémon in the arena. In the chaos, Misty's Seel stepped forward to defend its trainer, standing its ground against the villains.
"Seel, use Water Gun!" Misty commanded loudly.
However, among the trio's Pokémon, while Weezing was unable to fight due to the water, Arbok handled itself with ease. Seel gradually began to fall into a disadvantage during the struggle.
Just then, the second sister, Violet, released Misty's Psyduck. To everyone's surprise, this so-called Duck God actually started drowning! This little interlude brought a strange sense of hilarity to the crisis.
At the critical moment, a brilliant Evolutionary Light suddenly burst from Seel's body!
When the light faded, an elegant Dewgong appeared before the crowd. Having evolved, its power increased immensely. With a powerful Hydro Pump, it sent Team Rocket's Pokémon tumbling.
"Great! Seel evolved!" Misty was overjoyed.
Ash immediately joined the fray. "Wartortle, I choose you! Use Water Pulse!"
The recently evolved Wartortle demonstrated impressive strength. Its precision Water Pulse, combined with Dewgong's Hydro Pump, sent Team Rocket into a total retreat.
Brock took the opportunity to release the Horsea that Ash had transferred over. "Horsea, use Ink Flush for cover!"
The black ink sprayed by Horsea caused Team Rocket to lose their bearings entirely. Under the combined counterattack of the group, Team Rocket was once again defeated.
"We're blasting off again!"
According to the original script, Ashplaying the princewas supposed to enter and rescue the "kidnapped" mermaid, Misty.
Amidst the audience's enthusiastic applause, Ash swam to Misty's side and completed the rescue scene. However, the script had been changed at the last minute, adding a scene where the two embraced.
As they held each other according to the new requirements, Misty's face was as red as a ripe apple. As for what Ash was thinking, no one could say.
The performance ended successfully to the sound of loud cheers. As they prepared to leave the Cerulean Gym, Misty made an important decision. "Horsea needs to stay here to recover, and I'll leave Starmie here to keep it company. I'll come back for them once I've grown stronger."
Daisy hugged Misty, deeply moved. "You've finally grown up."
After resting for a few days in Cerulean City, Ash's group set off once more. Ash had now collected seven Gym Badges, leaving only one final step before the Indigo Conference.
However, what they didn't know was that a trial unlike any they had faced before awaited them in Viridian City...
(Author's Note: I'll keep the romantic subplot a bit hidden for now; I'm afraid I won't be able to hold back if I let it go too far...)
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