Riding atop Lapras, sailing across the gem-like azure surface of the ocean, Ash and his friends finally arrived at Mikan Islandthe location of the first gym of the Orange Crew. The island was famous for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.
"Is this the Mikan Gym?" Misty gazed at the open-air structure built right on the shore, almost merging with the sand. It looked more like a seaside sports arena than a traditional gym.
"The challenge style of the Orange League seems quite different from the Kanto Region," Tracey remarked, already sketching the surrounding environment in his sketchbook.
"No matter the style, we're taking that first badge!" Ash said, his fighting spirit soaring as he led the way into the gym.
Inside, a lively young woman with a healthy tan and a ponytail, wearing cool athletic gear, was waiting for them. Beside her stood a spirited Seadra and a steady, imposing Blastoise.
"Hello, challengers! I am Cissy, the Mikan Gym Leader!" she introduced herself brightly. "Welcome to Mikan Gym! Our challenge rules might be a bit different from the gym battles you're used to!"
"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and I'm here to challenge the Orange League!" Ash stepped forward. "No matter the rules, I won't lose!"
"You've got confidence! As expected of an Indigo Plateau Conference champion," Cissy nodded with appreciation. "Then, let me explain the rules. The test of Mikan Gym doesn't focus solely on direct combat.
Instead, we emphasize a Pokémon's mastery over its moves, its precision, and its flexibility on the water! The match is divided into two rounds: the first is target practice, and the second is a sea race. You only need to win one of the two to earn the Coral-Eye Badge!"
"Mastery over moves?" Ash's eyes lit up. This novel way of challenging immediately piqued his interest. He thought back to the various special training sessions his Pokémon had endured, and confidence welled up within him. "Sounds interesting! We accept the challenge!"
"Excellent!" Cissy pointed to one side of the arena where several targets of different sizes were set up at varying distances. "Round one: Precision Target Practice! Both of us will send out a Pokémon to hit the targets using specific moves. We'll be judging not just the hits, but the condensation, speed, and overall effect of the move! My Pokémon will beSeadra!"
Seadra slid gracefully into the water, its long snout aiming at a distant target.
"Seadra, show the challenger our strength! Use Water Gun!"
At Cissy's command, Seadra spat a slender but incredibly condensed stream of water. The jet moved with lightning speed, accurately striking the center of the furthest small target and shattering the bullseye completely. The impact was so great the target frame shook violently, demonstrating the power contained within that Water Gun.
"Beautiful!" Tracey couldn't help but praise. "The water column stayed condensed without scattering. The speed and precision were flawless!"
"It really is impressive," Ash admitted, though he remained calm. He reached for a Poké Ball. "When it comes to move control, my partner won't lose either! Starmie, I choose you!"
This was a Pokémon he had captured back in the Safari Zone. It had been living and training in the aquatic area of Professor Oak's backyard. Before heading to the Orange Islands, Ash had specifically made sure to bring it along.
After all, his current roster was much larger than in the original timeline; he needed to ensure his substitutes remained battle-ready and gained experience.
Starmie appeared on the water's surface with a spinning flourish, the gem at its center glowing brightly.
"Starmie, let's show them our power!" Ash locked his gaze on the target. "Use Water Gun!"
The central gem flashed, and a similarly condensed stream of water shot out from the top of its body. It struck the center of another distant target with precision and force that matched Seadra's perfectly.
"Oh? Quite good!" Cissy was surprised by the control Ash's Starmie possessed. "But there's more than one way to hit a target! Seadra, show them our versatility! Use Twister!"
Seadra exerted its power again, this time creating a small but incredibly fast-spinning vortex. The wind whipped up the seawater, forming a water spout that accurately hit a group of mid-range targets, knocking them all down simultaneously.
"Using Twister for an area attack and controlling it so perfectly that it only affected the intended targets!" Tracey noted quickly.
"Our turn, Starmie!" Ash refused to be outdone. "Use Rapid Spin combined with Bubble Beam!"
Starmie began to spin at high speeds, launching itself like a frisbee. As it flew, it released a dense flurry of bubbles. These bubbles weren't sprayed randomly; under the centrifugal force of the spin, they accurately covered another set of mid-range targets as if they were alive. Every single target was evenly coated and marked by the bubbles.
"Using rotation to control the diffusion and trajectory of the bubbles... a very clever idea!" A flash of admiration crossed Cissy's eyes.
Over the next few rounds, Seadra and Starmie each showed off their prowess. Seadra demonstrated how to use Agility to bypass obstacles while maintaining the accuracy of its Water Gun, while Starmie used Psybeam to curve its shots around barriers. The back-and-forth display of incredible move mastery left Misty and Tracey in constant awe.
Finally, all the target tests were complete. Ash and Cissy were neck and neck. Whether it was single-point precision, area control, or move variation, both had reached a very high standard.
"That was a magnificent duel!" Cissy looked at the panting but bright-eyed Starmie and said sincerely, "Your Starmie's understanding and application of its moves are top-notch. It's clear your daily training is very solid. This round is a draw!"
"Your Seadra was also very strong!" Ash said as he recalled Starmie, offering a genuine compliment. He knew that if Starmie hadn't been training relentlessly in the professor's backyard, he might have been at a disadvantage.
"Then, onto the second roundthe Sea Race!" Cissy pointed toward the vast open sea where a return course marked by buoys had been set up. "This round tests absolute speed and explosive power in the water. Of course, the bond and chemistry between the Trainer and Pokémon are vital! My partner isBlastoise!"
Cissy's Blastoise walked into the sea with heavy, steady steps. The thick cannons on its back pulsed with power.
"Blastoise doesn't just have incredible defense; its propulsion in the water is world-class!" Cissy introduced her partner confidently.
"Speed and explosive power, huh?" Ash looked at the Lapras beside him and smiled. "Then my partner will be you! Lapras, get ready!"
"Laa~" Lapras sang out gently as it glided into the sea. There was a hint of nervousness in its eyes, but mostly, it was eager to try.
"Lapras?" Cissy was surprised. "Lapras is famous for its gentle nature and carrying capacity, but in terms of a straight sprint..."
"We won't know until we try, right?" Ash interrupted, his gaze firm. "I believe in Lapras!"
"Fine then, let's see what you can do!" Cissy didn't waste any more words and took her position at the starting line with Blastoise.
Ash leaped lightly onto Lapras's back and patted its neck. "Relax, Lapras. Just like we usually sail, but this time, give me everything you've got! I believe in you!"
"Laa!" Feeling Ash's trust, Lapras's eyes turned determined.
"Ready... Set... Go!"
At Tracey's signal, Blastoise and Lapras charged forward at the same time!
In the beginning, just as Cissy had predicted, Blastoise used its sheer strength and the powerful thrust from the water jets in its cannons to shoot forward like a speedboat. It quickly pulled ahead, gaining a lead of several lengths.
"See? Blastoise's explosive power is no joke!" Cissy shouted back from her partner's shell.
"Lapras, don't rush! Keep your rhythm!" Ash remained calm. He leaned low to reduce wind resistance and whispered into Lapras's ear, "Remember the feeling of breaking through the waves on our way here? You can do this! There is a great power hidden inside you!"
Listening to Ash's steady voice and watching the wake created by Blastoise, Lapras took a deep breath. It began to swing its body rhythmically, each stroke becoming more powerful. Its streamlined body cut through the surface with decreasing resistance. Its speed was climbing steadily!
"Oh? Starting to accelerate?" Cissy noticed the figure closing in from behind and was slightly surprised. "Blastoise, we'll speed up too! Use Rapid Spin!"
Blastoise tucked its head and limbs into its shell and began to spin violently, hurtling across the water like a top. The distance widened again instantly.
"Lapras, we can't lose!" Ash felt Lapras's slight anxiety and shouted, "Believe in yourself! You can go faster! Imagine you're sprinting to protect something important! Give it everything you've got!"
"LAAAA!!" Lapras let out a high-pitched cry as if those words had ignited a fire in its heart. It felt as if a shackle within its body had shattered, and a faint glow of blue energy began to shimmer around it!
Its speed surged again. The frequency and power of its strokes reached a whole new level, slicing through the waves like an arrow released from a bow!
"What?!" Cissy stared in shock as Lapras rapidly closed the gap. "That speed... it's so fast!"
The turnaround point was right ahead! Blastoise and Lapras rounded the buoy almost simultaneously!
"The final sprint! Blastoise, full propulsion! Use Hydro Pump!"
"Go, Lapras! This is our moment to strike back!"
They entered the final straight. Blastoise paddled frantically while blasting powerful streams of water from its shoulder cannons, using the recoil for a massive boost.
But Lapras was in the zone. Its speed had fully exploded, each flick of its tail pushing it to unprecedented velocities! It drew closer and closer to Blastoise, moving neck and neck...
Then, in the very last second before the finish line, Lapras surged ahead by a tiny margin and crossed first!
"We... we won?!" Misty gasped, covering her mouth in disbelief.
"Incredible! Lapras showed amazing potential and explosive power in the late stage!" Tracey recorded the scene excitedly.
Ash jumped off Lapras's back and hugged its neck tightly. "Great job, Lapras! You did it! I knew you could!"
"Laa~" Lapras nuzzled Ash affectionately, its eyes filled with joy and pride.
Cissy and Blastoise approached. She looked at the excited pair and offered a smile of relief and respect. "What an amazing turnaround... Ash, the trust and bond between you and Lapras triggered its latent power. I lost this race. You have perfectly passed the test of the Mikan Gym!"
She held out a beautifully crafted badge. It was pink, shaped like a cherry blossom, with teardrop decorations around the edges.
"This is the proof of your victorythe Coral-Eye Badge! Congratulations, Ash!"
Ash solemnly accepted his first badge of the Orange League. Under the sunlight, the Coral-Eye Badge shimmered with a moving luster.
"Thank you, Cissy!" Ash tucked the badge away carefully, his fighting spirit burning even brighter. "Orange League, here I come! Next gym, wait for me!"
(Author's Note: I'll have to think carefully about where to fit in the Orange Islands movie special... I'll have to look into it!)
🚨 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).