"What about the rules? How are we doing this?" Ash asked.
"Two-on-two! And the challenger attacks first!" Misty answered without hesitation, her aura fully ignited.
"No problem!" Ash agreed just as decisively.
Brock quietly retreated to the spectator seats to watch the match unfold.
The water stage shifted, several floating platforms rising to form the battlefield.
"Cerulean City's Misty versus Pallet Town's Ash—battle begin!" Daisy snapped back into referee mode.
"Misty, show me your true strength!" Ash's eyes sharpened.
"My first Pokémon will be you—Butterfree!"
"Butterfree? Bug and Flying type… so you're trying to counter my Water types."
Misty instantly saw through his strategy, but she didn't back down.
"However, Water types aren't only weak to Electric and Grass! Staryu—your turn!"
Light flashed. Butterfree fluttered gracefully in the air while Staryu landed on a platform, its central gem gleaming.
"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!"
"Staryu—Rapid Spin, charge in!"
Staryu spun like a high-speed top, rushing upward. It skillfully slipped past the falling powder and slammed into Butterfree!
"Use Confusion to catch it!" Ash reacted quickly.
Butterfree's eyes flashed blue as it tried to restrain the spinning Staryu—but with little effect.
"Now! Staryu, Water Gun!" Misty seized the opportunity.
At such close range, the Water Gun hit directly—super effective!
Butterfree was blasted away, crashing onto a floating platform with heavy injuries.
"Butterfree is unable to battle. Staryu wins!" Daisy declared.
"Come back, Butterfree. You did great."
Ash recalled it, undeterred.
"Misty, you really are strong. Then next… Pikachu, I choose you!"
"Pika!" Pikachu hopped onto a platform, sparks crackling from its cheeks.
"Pikachu, huh? Electric types really are troublesome." Misty frowned but stayed calm.
"Staryu, return."
She decisively withdrew the tired Staryu and sent out her second Pokémon—
"Go, Starmie!"
A more radiant, more imposing Starmie appeared on the field. Misty's tactic was obvious: use a fresh Starmie to handle the dangerous Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack—move in!"
"Starmie, Swift!"
Pikachu blurred into a streak of lightning, while Starmie unleashed a barrage of glittering star-shaped projectiles with wide coverage. Pikachu narrowly weaved through them.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash aimed to finish this quickly.
"Starmie, Light Screen!" Misty countered.
A translucent barrier formed before Starmie, weakening the power of the Thunderbolt.
"Right now—Starmie, Hydro Pump!" Misty commanded a powerful retaliation.
A thick stream of water roared toward Pikachu!
"Pikachu, jump to dodge—then use Thunderbolt on the water's surface!" Ash issued a bold command.
Pikachu leaped high, avoiding the Hydro Pump, and unleashed a surge of electricity into the water!
Instantly, golden lightning spread across the entire pool!
"Oh no—Starmie!" Misty cried.
Completely immersed in the water, Starmie took the full force of the electric shock. Even Light Screen couldn't protect it from the conductivity of the entire pool.
Starmie shuddered violently, its movements slowing drastically.
Ash didn't let the opportunity slip away.
"Finish it—Electro Ball!"
Pikachu gathered a massive orb of electricity and hurled it at the immobilized Starmie!
BOOM!
The Electro Ball exploded, sending Starmie crashing onto a floating platform where it lay completely still.
"Starmie is unable to battle!" Daisy announced. "Misty, please send out your next Pokémon!"
Misty recalled Starmie, her expression serious. She only had one Pokémon left—Staryu, which had won earlier but had already taken some damage.
"Staryu… I'll be counting on you again!"
Staryu returned to the field, but against Pikachu—who not only had a type advantage but had already defeated Starmie—it was at a severe disadvantage.
"Staryu, Rapid Spin!" Misty commanded, trying to keep Staryu moving so it wouldn't be an easy target.
"Pikachu, don't give it any openings—Thunder Shock, repeatedly!" Ash countered.
Pikachu darted across the platforms, firing bolt after bolt of electricity.
Staryu did its best to dodge, but one Thunder Shock grazed it—super effective! Its spinning immediately slowed.
"It's over—Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
A flash of yellow streaked by, striking the weakened Staryu full force.
Staryu flew across the stage, hit a floating board, bounced twice, and went still.
"Staryu is unable to battle! The winner is—challenger Ash!" Daisy announced loudly.
Misty retrieved Staryu. Though she had lost, her expression was clear and refreshed.
"I lost… Ash, you really are strong. Especially being able to think of using the water as a conductor to attack Starmie…"
Ash walked over to her, speaking sincerely:
"That was an amazing battle, Misty. You showed me the true strength of the Cerulean Gym."
He held out the official Cascade Badge.
"Now—please hand this badge to me properly, as proof of the match we just fought."
Misty froze for a moment, then understood Ash's intention. She took the badge solemnly—and then placed it into Ash's hand herself.
"Ash, this is your proof of defeating the Cerulean Gym. The Cascade Badge belongs to you!"
Daisy, Lily, and Violet watched quietly, their faces filled with relief, guilt, and complicated emotion.
Daisy stepped forward.
"Misty, you were right. We've been too lax. We've failed the reputation of the gym, and… put too much responsibility on you."
Misty shook her head.
"No, sis. I just want the Cerulean Gym to get better."
At that moment, Ash suddenly spoke up, looking at the three sisters with a calm, sincere expression.
"Daisy, Lily, Violet… I actually don't think you've done anything wrong."
"Huh?"
All three sisters—and Misty—turned to him in surprise.
"Combining Pokémon with artistry, showcasing the beauty and grace of Water-type Pokémon… that's an amazing dream," Ash said with a gentle smile.
"The performance I just watched—it was wonderful. Cerulean Gym doesn't necessarily have to follow the traditional mold of a battle-only gym."
He paused, then offered a brand new concept:
"I read in a magazine once—other regions have something called Pokémon Performers. They perform on gorgeous stages with their Pokémon, winning applause and titles through charm, technique, and perfect coordination. I think—this might be the path that suits you all the best, letting your talents shine fully."
His words struck their hearts like a beam of light.
They loved performing but felt trapped by gym responsibilities. For the first time, someone showed them a future where they could pursue their passion and be recognized.
"Pokémon… Performers?" Daisy murmured, her eyes gradually brightening.
"That sounds… amazing!" Lily and Violet lit up with excitement.
Ash nodded, then his gaze drifted—intentionally—toward Misty.
"And if the Cerulean Gym successfully transitions into that… then it will need someone who truly loves and excels at Water-type battles to inherit and protect the spirit of the gym. Opportunities come to those who are prepared—and willing to take responsibility."
He said the words to the sisters, but they hit Misty directly.
Her body trembled slightly.
She immediately understood Ash's hidden message—
If her sisters pursued their dreams of becoming performers, then the one who would inherit the gym… would be her.
She would need to grow stronger—fast—to take on that role.
The three sisters understood instantly as well.
They exchanged a smile and all turned to Misty with warm, supportive looks.
Daisy stepped forward and gently patted Misty's shoulder.
"Misty, Ash is right. Maybe the Cerulean Gym really can have a different kind of future.
Until we find our new direction, the gym will be in your care. You should travel with Ash and the others—train hard and grow quickly!"
Misty looked at her sisters' encouraging gazes, then at Ash's reassuring smile. A warm strength welled up inside her, clearer than ever before.
She nodded firmly.
"Mm! I'll do my best!"
---
[Ding! Host defeated Cerulean Gym Leader Misty. Reward: 400 World Points]
[Ding! Host helped Misty face her gym responsibilities and ignited her fighting spirit. Reward: 300 World Points]
[Ding! Host guided the three sisters, resolved their internal conflict, and earned high affection from them. Reward: 500 World Points]
[Current World Points: 4700]
---
In that moment, the sisters of the Cerulean Gym not only resolved their inner struggles but also found the paths they wanted to walk.
Ash's gentle guidance earned deep affection from the three sisters, and Misty—more than ever—understood her duty and her goal.
And since Misty would eventually inherit the Cerulean Gym anyway, it was better to help her sisters find something new to pursue.