After leaving the Turtle Island, Ash and his companions continued their journey.
However, Misty noticed that her Horsea wasn't in good condition. It looked somewhat listless and lacked its usual energy.
"Horsea hasn't been moving much lately. Do you think it's sick?" Misty asked worriedly, gently stroking it.
Brock observed it carefully before saying, "It doesn't look like an illness. It's more like it doesn't have enough space to move around. Horsea needs a wide body of water to stay active."
(A quick note here: although both Misty and Ash had caught Horsea, Ash didn't keep his with him right away. Instead, he had sent it back to Professor Oak's ranch. During a recent phone call, Professor Oak mentioned that Ash's Horsea was doing very well and seemed full of energy.)
At that moment, Ash remembered that Cerulean City was nearby and suggested, "In that case, why don't we make a stop at Cerulean City on the way? There's a big pool there where Horsea can move freely, and you could visit home while we're at it."
After several days of travel, they finally arrived in Cerulean City.
As soon as they entered the city, they saw posters everywhere advertising the Cerulean Gym's upcoming Underwater Ballet performance.
"Wow, it's the underwater ballet show!" Misty's sister Daisy came running over from a distance. "Misty, your timing is perfect! We're short a lead performer!"
It turned out that the Cerulean Gym was about to hold its annual underwater ballet festival, but the actress who was supposed to play the lead role had suddenly become unable to perform.
"Me? No way, no way!" Misty waved her hands frantically. "I still have to continue traveling!"
Her three sisters surrounded her, persuading her relentlessly.
"Just this once!"
"The entire Cerulean City is looking forward to this performance!"
"And your Horsea also needs time to recover here!"
With both Ash and Brock encouraging her as well, Misty finally agreed, albeit reluctantly.
When she appeared before everyone wearing a beautiful mermaid costume, Ash couldn't help but sincerely praise her.
"Misty, you look really beautiful in that outfit!"
Misty's face instantly turned bright red. Yet inside, she felt as sweet as if she had just tasted honey.
"Y-You idiot! Don't say things that embarrassing!"
Meanwhile, the three members of Team Rocket had also slipped into the audience.
Jessie gazed at the magnificent stage with greedy eyes. "So many rare Water-type Pokémon. If we could capture them all, we'd definitely earn a huge reward!"
"That's right, meow!" Meowth rubbed his paws together. "Once the performance starts, we'll strike while everyone's distracted, meow!"
On the night of the performance, the Cerulean Gym was packed to capacity.
Under dreamy lights and music, Misty and her Pokémon danced gracefully through the water.
Goldeen traced elegant arcs through the pool, Staryu spun while radiating dazzling light, and Misty's coordination with Seel drew wave after wave of applause.
Just as the performance reached its climax, Team Rocket suddenly jumped out from the audience:
"If you're asking with such sincerity!"
"Then we'll kindly answer!"
"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!
Meowth, that's right!"
It was Team Rocket! The audience erupted in shock.
Team Rocket released their Pokémon and began trying to capture the Water-type Pokémon performing in the pool.
Amid the chaos, Misty's Seel stepped forward to protect its Trainer and confronted Team Rocket.
"Seel, use Water Gun!" Misty commanded loudly.
However, the Pokémon sent out by Team Rocket proved difficult to deal with. Although Weezing was unable to battle after nearly drowning in the water, Arbok handled the situation with ease. As the fight continued, Seel gradually began to fall into a disadvantage.
At that moment, Misty's second sister, Violet, released Misty's Psyduck.
The result was unexpected. Misty's so-called "Duck God" actually started drowning in the water!
This little mishap brought a burst of laughter even in the middle of the chaos.
Just as things were becoming critical, Seel suddenly burst forth with a brilliant light of evolution!
When the light faded, the elegant Dewgong appeared before everyone. After evolving, its power had increased dramatically. With a powerful Water Pulse, it blasted Team Rocket's Pokémon backward, sending them tumbling everywhere.
"That's amazing! Seel evolved!" Misty cried out in joy.
Ash immediately joined the battle.
"Wartortle, I choose you! Use Water Pulse!"
Having evolved not long ago, Wartortle displayed impressive strength. Its precise Water Pulse combined with Dewgong's Water Pulse forced Team Rocket into a steady retreat.
Brock seized the opportunity to release the Horsea Ash had sent over.
"Horsea, use Smokescreen for cover!"
Horsea sprayed thick black ink into the water, completely disorienting Team Rocket. With everyone working together, Team Rocket was defeated once again.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again—!"
According to the original script, this was supposed to be the moment when Ash, playing the role of the prince, would appear and rescue the "kidnapped" mermaid Misty.
Amid the enthusiastic applause of the audience, Ash swam over to Misty and completed the rescue scene written in the script.
However, the script had been modified at the last minute, and it unexpectedly added a scene where the two had to embrace.
When the two followed the script and hugged each other, Misty's face turned as red as a fully ripened apple.
As for what Ash himself was thinking, no one could say.
The performance concluded successfully under the audience's thunderous applause.
When they left the Cerulean Gym, Misty made an important decision.
"Horsea needs time to recover here. Starmie can stay with it as well. When I become stronger, I'll come back and pick them up."
Her sister Daisy hugged her emotionally.
"You've finally grown up."
After resting in Cerulean City for a few days, Ash and his companions set out on their journey once again.
At this point, Ash had already collected seven Gym Badges. Only one final step remained before the Indigo League.
However, what they didn't know was that in Viridian City, an unprecedented trial was waiting for them...
A/N: As for the romance side of things, it's better to keep it slightly hidden for now. Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold it back again.
*