"Ekans, use Bite!"
"Koffing, use Smog!"
Koffing belched out a thick cloud of poisonous smoke, blanketing the cave and hiding Ekans' lightning-fast charge. It was the trio's signature combo—tried, tested, and almost always successful.
Jessie and James smirked. *No matter how strong that Pikachu is, it can't hit what it can't see.*
"Staryu, Rapid Spin!" Misty called, releasing her starfish Pokémon.
**BZZZZZZZT!**
Staryu spun like a high-powered propeller, whipping up powerful gusts that blasted the Smog away in seconds. The smoke cleared instantly, leaving Koffing and Ekans completely exposed.
Before they could react, Staryu rocketed forward and slammed into both of them, sending them flying.
James's jaw dropped. "Koffing's smoke… just like that?!"
"Pika… CHUUU!"
Pikachu followed up instantly. A thick, crackling bolt of electricity erupted from its body and struck both airborne Pokémon dead-on.
Twin screams of agony echoed through the cave as Koffing and Ekans crashed to the ground in a smoking heap.
"Ow ow ow!" Lyle yelped. He was covered head to toe in fresh scratches from Meowth and clearly losing the one-on-one.
Meowth smirked and leaped forward. "You still need me! Pikachu, eat this claw—meow!"
Its ferocious pounce lasted exactly half a second.
A brutal barrage of Staryu's spinning strikes and Pikachu's Thunderbolts turned Meowth into a twitching, smoking furball. He landed right beside his teammates in a perfect pile of defeated Rockets.
"Team Rocket, surrender!" Misty planted her hands on her hips, chin high, looking smug and triumphant.
Alex helped Lyle to his feet while the researcher stared in awe. "You actually tried to fight Meowth one-on-one? Bold move."
Jessie and James were panicking. "Why are these two so strong?!"
James cleared his throat, trying a desperate new angle. "Ahem… Listen, stinky brat—Alex, was it? There's no need to completely wipe us out. We can split the Moon Stones. You take the lion's share! You're a traveling Trainer collecting badges—that costs money. Sell these stones and you won't have to worry about cash for months!"
Lyle shot Alex a nervous glance, terrified he might actually consider it.
Misty glared daggers at the trio. "Ignore them. If you ever need money, just ask *me*."
Alex smiled. "Your offer sounds tempting, James… but I've got an even better idea."
Jessie and James felt a chill at his grin.
"I'll just tie you three up nice and neat and hand you over to Officer Jenny. There's a bounty on your heads, right? That way *I* get the cash."
Misty burst out laughing, covering her mouth.
"You really know how to calculate, you rotten kid…" James muttered. Jessie ground her teeth. Meowth was still twitching from the Thunderbolt.
"Pikachu," Alex said calmly.
**CRACKLE-BOOM!**
One final Thunderbolt left the entire Team Rocket trio charred and unconscious.
**Ding! Mission complete: Drive away the Team Rocket trio disrupting Mt. Moon and restore the Pokémon to their normal lives.**
**Mission Reward: Top-grade Moon Stone**
The reward was incredibly valuable. Alex tucked it away safely—he had no intention of selling something this rare.
With the trio dealt with, the Clefairy slowly returned to the cave. A few of them shyly approached and offered Alex two extra Moon Stones as thanks. He accepted with a warm smile, then pulled out three generous portions of Pokémon food from his backpack and set them down as a return gift.
"We'll head out first. Keep an eye on these three, okay?" Alex told Lyle, who nodded quickly. The Rockets were already securely tied up.
As Alex and Misty left, the trio glared at them with pure venom. "Stinky brat! We've fallen for your tricks too many times. Next time we'll show you our real power!"
Alex just waved cheerfully over his shoulder. Pikachu mimicked him with an innocent little paw wave. "Pika-pi~!"
"What a humiliation…" the Rockets groaned in unison.
Misty giggled. "Pikachu, you're picking up bad habits from Alex…"
"Hey, I'm a proper person. How am I mischievous?" Alex protested.
Misty rolled her eyes. "Pfft. You? A proper person?"
After leaving Mt. Moon, Alex's next destination was clear: Cerulean Gym in Cerulean City. But Misty suddenly became strangely reluctant.
"Why don't you challenge a different Gym instead?" she suggested. "You don't *have* to go to Cerulean City…"
Alex looked at her, already knowing the reason. "What's wrong? You seem really against me challenging the Cerulean Gym. Did the Gym Leader there do something to you?"
"N-no, it's nothing like that…" Misty stammered, unable to meet his eyes.
He already understood. Before she left home, she had boldly declared to her three older sisters that she would only return after becoming a true Water-type Pokémon Master. Returning now, without any major accomplishments, would mean endless teasing from her sisters—and Misty's pride simply wouldn't allow it.
*Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west… don't underestimate a young girl,* Alex thought with an inner chuckle. *Classic Misty.*
"If there's nothing wrong, then let's go," he said gently, spending the next several hours coaxing the reluctant girl all the way to Cerulean City.
The moment they arrived, they heard excited chatter from passersby about the "mermaid water ballet" currently showing at the Cerulean Gym. As a Trainer here to challenge the Gym, Alex headed straight there, pulling Misty along.
The gym was packed. The stands were full of fans eager for the performance. Since Alex was an official challenger, he was allowed to pick any seat. He chose the front row—center stage.
Misty's three older sisters were stunning. Their figures were mature and breathtaking—full, heavy breasts barely contained by tiny, glittering mermaid-style bikini tops, long legs and toned waists glistening with water, hips swaying hypnotically with every graceful move. In comparison, Misty still looked a little younger and less developed in certain… generous areas. She shifted uncomfortably beside him, cheeks already pink.
Alex wasn't here for the beautiful women. He was here for the battle. His eyes stayed locked on the Pokémon performing alongside the sisters: a massive, elegant Dewgong gliding through the water, and three powerful Cloyster with their shells tightly closed, ready to open at a moment's notice.
The water ballet continued, the sisters spinning and diving in perfect sync, water cascading over their slick, curvaceous bodies in ways that made the entire audience cheer. Misty's face burned hotter with every sensual splash and every admiring whistle aimed at her sisters.
Alex kept his expression neutral, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly. This was going to be an interesting Gym challenge.
(End of Chapter 17)