The mist settled slowly. The battlefield gleamed under the light and frozen patches of ice still floating across the shattered platforms.
William let out a long breath, shoulders finally relaxing. Electabuzz stood tall, chest heaving, ice still crusted across his arms.
"Nice work, Shocker."
Electabuzz gave a satisfied grunt, a flick of his tail sending a few sparks into the air before he finally sat down with a tired smirk.
Daisy recalled Dewgong gently, whispering a quiet thank-you before looking up at William.
"That was one of the most composed matches I've seen in a while," she said, her voice warm. "You didn't rely on raw power and you trusted your team and thought through every move. That's what being a true Pokémon Trainer means I think."
William smiled faintly. "Thanks. Your Dewgong… she's incredible. It felt like trying to fight the ocean itself."
Daisy chuckled softly, walking forward. "She's been with me for years. I'm glad you could show her a battle worth remembering."
From the side, Lily pouted playfully. "Ugh, now I kinda wish I hadn't gone first! My Goldeen didn't even get to show off!"
Violet smirked. "You mean didn't get any hits in."
Lily puffed her cheeks. "Details!"
Their teasing made William laugh under his breath.
Daisy reached into her case and held out a small, silver-blue badge shaped like a droplet of water.
"William of Jubilife City from Sinnoh region ," she said, smiling, "in recognition of your victory and the trust between you and your Pokémon. We present you with the Cascade Badge."
William stepped forward and accepted it, the badge glinting faintly in his palm.
"Thank you. I'll keep it proudly."
As he tucked it into his jacket, Electabuzz came up beside him, giving a small tap to his arm.
"Yeah," William chuckled. "You earned it too, partner."
Eevee's Poké Ball on his belt wiggled and she clearly wanted to pop out and celebrate too.
"Alright, alright," he said with a grin, releasing her. "You too, Eevee."
"Vee!" she barked happily, bouncing onto his shoulder.
The sisters smiled warmly.
"You're welcome back anytime," Daisy said. "Maybe next time, we'll see that Eevee evolve."
William smiled and said. "Maybe."
The three sisters exchanged a knowing look and then laughed softly, the sound echoing over the water.
As William turned to leave, sunlight filtered through the gym's skylight, scattering across the pool. It reflected off the water and shimmered on the badge in his hand.
Outside of the gym's entrance, William sees the Misty, the youngest of them. She looks like she's coming back from some places.
William smiled and asked with interest. "Are you the youngest sister of the Sensational Sisters? You are Misty,right."
"How did you know? Did my sisters tell you? No, they are not that loud mouth."
"It doesn't matter. Are you not going to travel to train your pokemon?" William asks with interest.
"I'm going in two year. Why are you asking me?"
"No reason. Bye bye. If fate gives a chance, let's meet again. The future Cerulean Gym's leader." William answers with smirk.
"Hey.What do you mean? The future what....."
William walks away from the yelling Misty. After all he has somethings to do. She's not started the journey with Ash yet. So, I have times to prepare for the battle with Team Rocket. Mewtwo and Zapdos. I need to catch some legendary Pokemon and gain their trust.
With that William walk towards the Pokemon Center to treat his pokemon. The Cerulean sun hung lazily above the horizon, casting soft ripples of gold across the water-lined streets. The sound of waves lapping against the stone channels mixed with the distant laughter of children playing near the fountains. Cerulean City lived and breathed with a rhythm of calm water, the kind of peace William rarely allowed himself to enjoy.
He stepped out of the Pokémon Center, stretching slightly as the automatic doors hissed closed behind him. His team was fully healed; Nurse Joy had smiled and reminded him that his Electabuzz "looked like he'd arm-wrestled a glacier."
William chuckled at the memory. 'Yeah, that sounds about right.'
"Vee!" Eevee yipped from his shoulder, her tail brushing against his cheek.
"Alright, alright," he laughed. "You earned this break too."
Electabuzz followed behind, arms folded, still carrying that faint smirk he wore after every hard-fought victory. He'd earned respect in Cerulean today, but more importantly, he'd earned William's quiet admiration all over again.
The air carried the smell of salt and blossoms. Vendors along the canal sold pearl-shaped candy, while street performers balanced Poké Balls on long bamboo sticks. It wasn't like Jubilife City back in Sinnoh. Cerulean had an easy charm, like the whole city was swaying with the waves.
William bought a bag of sweet Poké-Puffs from a stand and handed one to Eevee. She wagged her tail furiously before hopping down and sharing crumbs with Ralts, who peeked shyly from her Poké Ball when she sensed the calm atmosphere.
Electabuzz leaned against a lamppost, watching with amused eyes. "Buzz-el," he grunted with his way of saying he wasn't into sweets.
William smirked. "I figured you'd say that."
They walked toward the northern part of the city where the waterway opened into a small garden overlooking the bay. A cluster of Clefairy statues stood among blooming pink flowers. Eevee and Ralts ran ahead, chasing each other between the hedges, while Electabuzz found a flat stone to sit on, arms resting across his knees.
William sat beside him, pulling the Cascade Badge from his pocket. It glinted under the sun and shaped like a perfect droplet, reflecting his own faint reflection.
He stared at it quietly. "Two badges. Feels like the road's finally taking shape."
Electabuzz tilted his head, curious.
"I used to think I could just… battle my way through everything," William continued softly. "But every fight's been more than strength. It's about control, timing, reading the field."
Electabuzz hummed in agreement, a low, approving sound.
Eevee pranced back over, fur shimmering in the light. She pawed at his leg, ears twitching, eyes sparkling as if to say, We'll get even better.
William smiled. "Yeah, I know. You're not planning to evolve yet, huh?"
"Vee!" she barked proudly, standing tall on her tiny paws.
He laughed. "Fine by me. Let's see how far you can go like this."
For a while, he just sat there, watching the city's gentle rhythm. A Wingull swooped overhead. Somewhere nearby, a Fisherman's Magikarp flopped on the pier while he panicked to scoop it back into the water. Ordinary, peaceful but to William, it was rare tranquility between storms.
As the sun began to sink, painting the canal gold, William stood and stretched. "Let's take a walk to the Cerulean Cape before dark. You'll like it there."
The path north wound through quiet streets and opened to a view of the open sea. Waves shimmered with orange light. William released Jaw, his Sharpedo, into the shallows; the Pokémon growled happily, gliding along the surface with surprising gentleness.
Ralts clapped her small hands in delight, her psychic aura flickering faintly like fireflies. Even Electabuzz allowed himself a faint grin.
William crouched by the edge, trailing a hand through the cool water. "Feels good, huh? You all deserve this. But remember the road ahead's only going to get tougher."
Eevee hopped onto his knee, staring into the sunset with him. "Vee…"
He nodded slowly. "Yeah. But we'll face it together."
Behind him, Electabuzz folded his arms again, watching over the group like a silent guardian. Jaw darted in slow circles, keeping a loose watch on the horizon. The ocean breeze brushed across William's jacket, cool and carrying the faint scent of adventure.
He looked toward the west toward Mount Moon and beyond it, Saffron, Vermilion, and the regions he'd yet to conquer. But somewhere deeper, beneath that Trainer's determination, lingered the quiet weight of his past world the promise he'd made to himself to grow stronger, to return someday and confront the shadow that haunted him.
Not yet. For now, he'd rest because even the strongest storms started with calm water.
William stood, lifting Eevee to his shoulder. "Let's head back. Tomorrow, we start training again."
The team gathered with Electabuzz walking at his side, Ralts trailing softly behind, and Sharpedo cruising just offshore, loyal eyes gleaming.
Cerulean City's lights began to shimmer across the canal as they made their way home. The night was peaceful, the stars reflected like scattered badges across the water.
And for the first time in a long while, William allowed himself to smile, not as a warrior or a strategist, but simply as a Trainer traveling with his Pokémon.
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