Nobody in the group slept well that night. Jen, unnerved and unwilling to discuss her conversation with the redhead they'd met at the cape, couldn't stop turning in her sleep and ended up tangled in her sheets by morning. As she extricated herself, she looked down at the floor and found James' sleeping bag empty. Reasoning that he was probably nearby, she tried to close her eyes for a few minutes longer, but eventually gave up and pulled herself out of bed. She dressed quickly and checked the time. Nearly nine, which made her double-take at the clock display. If she hadn't slept well, how was it this late? Shaking her head, she darted out the door and headed towards the waiting area, where she saw a familiar blue-furred Fire-type hanging out near the door. James and Hunter stood just outside, apparently arguing again. Jen approached them as they turned back to re-enter the building.
“I'm telling you, it works. Eventually.” Hunter spotted Jen and waved. “Hey. You're finally up.”
“Looks like it.” Jen tried to smile. “So, how are we going to order things this time? Last time there were three of us, James and I were on our way out of Blackthorn before you even took on Clair.”
“I'm going to have my battle today.” Hunter answered. “James said he was going to go first, but then he decided that it was important for me to go first. Can't imagine why,” he added as an afterthought, a knowing grin crossing his face.
“You know,” Jen said, “it occurs to me that we've never actually seen you battle, unless you were up against James. We didn't get to watch your Silver Conference match.”
“And I hurried you guys along before I took on Clair, if you remember. I wanted to train more before I took on that kind of heat.” Hunter grinned sheepishly. “The truth is, I didn't want James to see my team fight that close to the Conference tournament. If we ended up facing each other, I wanted to keep him in the dark.”
“And you'd have seen him battle a few times, so you had the advantage. Makes sense.” Jen looked to where Typhlosion was sitting, and noticed that James was now standing next to him, scratching the Fire-type's ears. “How did he get...”
“Must've wanted to slip by us unnoticed.” Hunter shrugged, then looked back at Jen. “I guess James and I are going to have to watch each other battle a lot more often. You'd think we didn't have a rivalry to keep up.”
“Maybe so. I'm technically rivals with a girl I've met twice, and she's got the battle skill of a senior-citizen Magikarp.” Jen scowled as she thought of Stephanie. “Well, it'll be fun to see you take on the Cerulean Gym. Water-types can be tricky to deal with.”
“I've got a plan.” Hunter replied. “It's all a matter of carrying it out.”
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The Cerulean Gym was a domed building on the east side of town, tucked in behind a residential complex. The building was dominated by a model of a Dewgong, which sat above a façade shaped like ocean waves. Blue and white striped pillars ringed the building, and a sliding door admitted the group to a wide foyer.
As they entered the gym, three young women were walking from a small hallway off the main foyer. The hall behind them looked as if it was built as a kind of aquarium. All three had long, flowing hair in different colours, and were deep in conversation.
"We, like, need another vacation," the one with blonde hair was saying. "It's, like, so stressful having to run this place all the time."
"Totally," her blue-haired companion answered. "It's only for two weeks, what's the worst that could happen?"
"The gym could blow up?" A third girl, this one with pink hair, spoke up. "Who knows what kind of catastrophe a challenger could cause?" As the trio approached, Jen cleared her throat.
"Um, excuse me?" she said. "We're here to see the Cerulean Gym Leader." The blonde looked at her and smiled in apparent recognition.
"Black hair and and an oversized t-shirt? I think our littlest, not-so-Sensational sister told us about you.” When Jen looked confused, the blonde continued. “You're the girl she met at the cape last night, right? She was talking about you for a while." She pointed to a set of double doors. "The Gym Leader's right through there, in the pool area. That's where battles take place in this Gym." Jen thanked her, but once she and the others went through the doors, she stopped short, making James and Hunter to have to sidestep her.
"Wait, what?! That girl I was talking to last night…"
"You mean the one going on about how Hunter was your…" James started, but Jen spun around and glared at him.
"The redhead up at the cape," she said in a furious hiss. "She's the Gym Leader?"
"That's right," said a voice, and a spotlight snapped on across a huge swimming pool. Standing on a raised platform was indeed the red-haired girl Jen had been talking to the night before. She looked at ease in a blue two-piece swimsuit and matching sandals, and a long-sleeved white jacket hung loosely off of her body. “The name's Misty, and I'm the Leader of the Cerulean Gym.”
“Nice to put a name to the face,” Jen said quietly, and Misty laughed.
“I'm sorry if I annoyed you last night. It was too much fun.” She looked the group over. “So, which one of you three is the challenger?” Hunter stepped forward, and James and Jen started towards the stands.
“That would be me. I'm Hunter Scott, from Fuchsia City.” Misty's smile widened.
“Right, I met you last night too. Okay, then. Just give me a second. HEY!” she shouted over Hunter's head, towards the foyer. “Can you three come in here and do your jobs, please?” The three girls from before walked into the pool area, each one grumbling to the other.
“Like, we're here already...” groused the blonde, who moved towards a podium at the side of the pool. The blue- and pink-haired girls moved into the stands and sat on either side of the Violet pair. Typhlosion ducked out from under James' knee and moved to a row behind him so he could see better. As Hunter got into position, the blonde addressed the room. “Okay, like, this is an official Cerulean Gym match. Cascade Badge is the prize, blah, blah...” Misty rolled her eyes.
“Can you show a little enthusiasm, please, Daisy?” Daisy stuck her tongue out at her sister and continued in a singsong voice, her voice changing pitch on almost every syllable.
“Okay, sis! The terms of battle are standard Indigo Conference rules! Three Pokémon will be used on either side, and the match is over when all three of either trainer's Pokémon are defeated! Only the challenger is allowed to substitute!” Daisy looked over at Misty. “Is that enthusiastic enough for you?”
“A little too much so.” Misty said, then snapped her fingers. Small platforms, like the ones used at the Blackthorn Gym's field, floated to the surface. As the final platform settled in place, Misty turned to Hunter. “I like to use an all-out offensive approach with my Water-type Pokémon. Ready to go?” Hunter nodded.
“Let's do this.”
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Hunter Scott
A: ★★
D: ★★★
S: ★
Misty
A: ★★
D: ★
S: ★★
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“All right, then! Misty calls Staryu!” Misty's first Pokémon looked like a brown five-pointed star, with a gold frame in the middle. In the very centre of its body, a red gem shone. It let out a shout like a martial artist as it landed, even though it had no mouth. Hunter considered before he tossed out his own Pokéball.
“Forretress, let's go!” A combination Bug- and Steel-type emerged from the ball. His red body protruded from two halves of a dull metallic shell. His eyes glinted as he spotted Staryu. Across the field, Misty cringed, while Hunter was more focused on keeping his living bomb under control. “Steady, there. We're not ready for any pyrotechnics yet.” Daisy looked from Staryu to Forretress, then nodded.
“Okay, go for it!”
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“Staryu, attack with Rapid Spin!” Staryu's body began spinning like a wheel, and it sped at Forretress.
“Forretress, Iron Defense!” The Bagworm Pokémon closed his shell, and it shone briefly. Staryu slammed into the shell and bounced back.
“Keep up the attack!” Staryu began moving at lightning speed, with sparks flying on the occasional hit. The sound of the impacts rang through the gym, a reverberating clang like metal on metal.
“Use Bide!” Forretress' shell glowed red, and Misty's eyes widened.
“Break off, Staryu! Don't let it build any power!” Staryu settled on a platform just in front of Misty, and she watched Forretress sit still. “Okay, no direct attacks yet. Use Light Screen!” Staryu's body was surrounded by a shimmering golden box, which faded quickly. Hunter frowned as the red light encasing Forretress' body faded.
“Let's test that out, then. Flash Cannon!” A metallic silver light formed in two of Forretress protruding spikes, and concentrated beams of energy shot towards Staryu. The golden light re-appeared to block most of the damage from the attack, and Staryu looked fine after the light dissipated.
“Get back on the attack! Rapid Spin!” Once again, Staryu began spinning and clashing with Forretress' shell. Hunter watched the collisions for a few seconds, then acted.
“Forretress, hit back with your own Rapid Spin!” While Staryu continued its attack, Forretress began spinning in place like a top. The resulting collision caused an even louder noise, and Staryu was thrown back and into the pool. Misty grinned.
“Big mistake! Staryu, Power Gem on the platform under Forretress!”
“Forretress, use Flash Cannon to jump!” As a glowing violet stone exploded beneath Forretress, the bagworm used the silver beams to propel himself over to the next platform. Staryu emerged from under the water, and Hunter smiled. “There it is! Get it with Flash Cannon!” The next Steel-type move just missed Staryu, but the wave caused by the move threw Staryu into the air. The gem in the middle of Staryu's body began to flash, and Misty cringed again.
“Don't give up! Use Gyro Ball!” Instead of using its points as an impact point, Staryu began to spin as Forretress had done, like a top. A blue-white ring circled its body, and it dove at Forretress with its top arm pointed straight between his eyes.
“Meet it with your own Gyro Ball!” Forretress spun just as before, a similar ring of light appearing around him. The bagworm launched himself into the air and collided with Staryu, knocking it back into the pool. Moments later, Staryu floated to the surface, face-down in the water. Daisy looked at the prone Star Shape Pokémon before raising an arm.
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“Staryu is unable to battle! Forretress wins!”
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“That didn't take long,” Jen mused as she watched the match. “Forretress' defenses were pretty solid, just like Hunter trains for.”
“How did all those Steel-type moves take Staryu out, though?” James asked, staring down at the pool. “I thought Water-types resisted those kinds of attacks.”
“Staryu doesn't have a lot of endurance,” the blue-haired girl next to him answered. “It's fast, but it can't take a lot of hits. This Hunter guy's gonna be trouble for our sister.”
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Misty recalled Staryu with a sad smile.
“You toughed it out, Staryu. Have a rest.” She turned back to Hunter. “That's a tough bug you've got there. Not many Pokémon can stand up to a sustained attack like Staryu's, even a Steel-type.” She took out another Pokéball. “But it only gets tougher from here. Misty calls Seadra!” Misty's next Pokémon was a blue sea horse that looked like it was related to Clair's Kingdra. Its spiked fins swept behind its body, and its narrow eyes glared down its cannon-barrel snout. In the stands, Jen quietly took out her Pokédex to scan the creature.
“Seadra, the Sea Horse Pokémon. Seadra is able to control its swimming direction without shifting its body, and its barbed fins contain a paralyzing toxin.” Hunter grinned.
“Forretress can take hits all day. No way are you going to tire us out.” He turned to the bagworm. “Rapid Spin!” Forretress began spinning in place again, waiting for Seadra's opening attack.
“Seadra, Agility!” Seadra's eyes glowed pink, and its movements became much faster. “Excellent. Now, use SmokeScreen on the pool!” The water turned steadily darker as the concentrated smoke hit the pool's surface. After a minute, the water was as black as the choking fumes sitting on the surface. Seadra dove beneath the water, and Hunter frowned.
“Keep your eyes open, Forretress!” Misty grinned.
“That won't help you! Seadra, Hydro Pump!” A powerful jet of water shot out behind Forretress, slamming him in the back. Forretress only just managed to stay on his platform.
“Blast it with Flash Cannon!” Forretress generated more shining energy beams, but they plunged harmlessly into the black water. Hunter growled in frustration, then raised Forretress' Pokéball. “Return!” He breathed hard as he recalled the bagworm, and considered his next move. “Got to try a different approach here. Being in the water...” He tossed out another Pokéball. “Quagsire, let's go!” The blue-bodied Water Fish Pokémon tapped his tail on the platform as he landed, a vacant expression on his face. Misty giggled a bit at its appearance.
“So you like Water-types too? Quagsire's not a bad pick.” She looked at where Seadra was swimming just below the surface. “Let's test something here. Use Hydro Pump!” Water gushed from Seadra's snout as if from a fire hose, and Quagsire shrank back. “Okay, good to know. Quagsire doesn't have Water Absorb.”
“That's news to me.” Hunter answered. In the stands, Jen turned to James.
“What difference does that make?” she asked. James shrugged, but the pink-haired sister answered instead.
“Water Absorb would heal Quagsire when Water-type moves hit it. In this case, its ability is Damp, which prevents moves like Explosion from working.”
“Makes sense, given how unpredictable Forretress is,” James murmured. Back on the field, Hunter laughed to himself.
“Either way, we're not losing. Quagsire, into the water!” Quagsire fell forward into the pool, and Hunter started watching the surface. “Quagsire's hearing should help it detect Seadra, right?” Misty shook her head in amusement.
“Not likely! I've trained Seadra to be nearly silent as it swims underwater. It expends so little effort, it hardly disturbs the water around it.” She looked down at the pool. “Seadra, Whirlpool!” The dark water began swirling ominously, and Quagsire was pulled into the vortex as it intensified. “All right! Now add to it with Twister!” A roaring wind joined the gurgling black water, making it feel like there was a hurricane inside the gym. Quagsire was buffeted by small bits of debris from the Twister as he fought to hold his ground.
“Quagsire! Try to break out of the vortex with Slam!” Quagsire thrashed his tail, but couldn't escape the fierce swirlwind. Misty's smile widened.
“All right, Seadra! Finish this with Dragon Pulse!” A turquoise sphere of energy formed at the end of Seadra's snout. Holding the unstable-looking orb steady, Seadra waited until Quagsire was washed into its sight before unleashing the attack. Quagsire was struck directly in the midsection, and was pushed into the wall of spinning water behind him. Seadra used another Whirlpool to make him spin faster, and Quagsire was tossed out of the pool and against the wall across from Daisy. His battle was over
“Quagsire, like, can't battle! Seadra wins the round!”
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“I can't believe that,” James said as he watched Hunter pull Quagsire. “Seadra really used the pool to its full advantage there. Quagsire didn't stand a chance.”
“Even if you bring a Water-type into this gym, Misty will find a way to counter it,” the blue-haired sister told him. “Of course, I taught her the SmokeScreen in the water trick...”
“You did not, Violet!” the pink-haired sister interrupted. “That was me and the gym's Octillery!”
“Sh-yeah, right, Lily!” Violet countered. “You're just mad that I'm better at improvising moves than you are!” As the sisters argued, James and Jen found a way to ease around them and reconvene with Typhlosion in another row.
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Hunter watched the pool water settle after Quagsire's defeat. Seadra floated on the surface, glaring at him over its snout. Somehow, he had to take the pool out of the equation, but he couldn't think of how to do it.
“Forretress, hold the line!” The bagworm reappeared, and Seadra's eyes narrowed further. Misty pointed to the bug.
“Seadra, get back in the water and use Hydro Pump!” Intense jets of water burst from beneath Forretress, hammering into him as he spun to try and locate the seahorse.
“Get above the water and use Rapid Spin!” Forretress began spinning like a top again, and the surface beneath him began to distort a little. Misty's expression faltered.
“Time to finish this! Dragon Pulse, under the platform!” A turquoise blast of energy exploded underneath Forretress, pushing him into the air. Before either he or Hunter could react, Seadra leaped out of the water. “Alright, Focus Energy, then another Dragon Pulse!” A harsh light focused at the end of Seadra's snout, then it launched another pulsing turquoise sphere. This one hit Forretress between the eyes, and the bagworm was sent plummeting to the bottom of the pool. A few seconds later, Forretress floated to the surface.
“Forretress is unable to battle! Seadra wins!” Hunter recalled Forretress in disappointment. He was still at a loss as to how to counter Misty's advantage in the water. Thinking hard, he ran through his options. Most of them weren't usable; Venusaur was too heavy, while Donphan and Steelix were bad type matchups, and also too big to use in this kind of environment; so much for his defensive tactics. Only one of his team members was of any use now. He took out his final Pokéball and hoped it would turn the match around.
“Sneasel, you're up!” The black ice weasel landed softly on one of the platforms, giving Seadra a challenging sneer. Misty nodded as she prepared to strike.
“Seadra, same routine!” Seadra dropped beneath the surface, and Hunter grinned.
“Sneasel, Ice Beam!” A jagged, cold, blue-white beam hit the pool's surface, and it began to freeze. Misty, realizing the danger, cried out to Seadra.
“Get out, quick!” As Seadra leaped out of the pool, Sneasel turned to face it, glee all over its face.
“Slash!” Unable to maneuver in midair, Seadra couldn't avoid Sneasel's claw attack, and it landed on the edge of a platform. Sneasel was all over Seadra in moments, delivering a rapid sequence of slashing attacks. The Sharp Claw Pokémon backflipped to another platform, drawing gasps from Misty's sisters and a look of dismay from the Gym Leader.
“Seadra! Focus and use Dragon Pulse!”
“Ice Beam! Try to hit its snout!” As the draconic sphere formed, Sneasel shot another cold beam that managed to form ice on the front of Seadra's snout. The sphere, unable to expand, detonated in the barrel, the resultant shockwave launching Seadra into the air. “Now, finish this! Pursuit!” Sneasel darted back over to Seadra, and swiped at it with a red-tinged claw. Seadra crashed on its back on a platform, twitched for a moment, then lay still.
“Seadra is unable to battle! Sneasel wins!”
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“That was an unusual pick,” Jen said, watching the proceedings. “I guess he couldn't use anything else in this kind of gym. Doesn't he still have Venusaur?” James shook his head.
“Hunter had the same problem I had with Ursaring in Blackthorn. Unless he found a way to drain the pool, he was stuck with something small and quick. He's going to have to work hard to bring this one home.”
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Misty pulled Seadra and smiled a little.
“Thanks, Seadra. You were great out there.” She took out her final Pokéball and a determined look crossed her face. “Sneasel's fast, I'll grant you. And it looks like it can give a good hit.” She tossed the ball onto a platform. “But let's see if you can keep up with my last Pokémon. Misty calls Starmie!” The ball released a Pokémon similar to Staryu, but coloured violet, and boasting a second, spinning star on its back. Its core gem, unlike its pre-evolution, was faceted. James took out his Pokédex to scan it from the stands.
“Starmie, the Mysterious Pokémon, and the evolved form of Staryu. Its body acts as a propeller when in water, and its core emits strange signals during the night.”
“Looks a lot heavier than Staryu,” he said to Jen, who simply gave him a confused look. “Sneasel shouldn't have a problem out-maneuvering it.”
“Maybe,” she replied, looking from one Pokémon to the other.
Down on the field, Hunter signaled Sneasel.
“Get after it, Sneasel! Fury Swipes!” Sneasel unsheathed her claws and jumped from platform to platform, ready to strike.
“Starmie, Protect!” Sneasel's rapid claw swipes were deflected by a shimmering greenish dome that covered Starmie. Misty watched until the dome dropped, then called to the starfish. “Now, Thunderbolt!” Sneasel was blasted backward by the Electric-type move, landing on a platform several yards away. It was all she could do not to fall in the pool.
“Starmie can use Thunderbolt?” Hunter shouted, his eyes wide.
“That's right,” Misty said, her expression triumphant. “And that's not all! Starmie, Hydro Pump!” The resulting jet of water forced Sneasel down into the pool, where she fought to try and escape. “Now, Thunderbolt again!” Hunter's breath quickened as he saw Starmie surround itself with yellow electricity.
“Sneasel, get up and out of there!” Sneasel barely managed to swim up and catch hold of a platform before Starmie released the attack. The impact point of the electric blast smoked slightly afterward. “That's it. Now, close the distance and use Slash!”
“Flash Cannon!” A silvery beam like the one Forretress had used formed in front of the gem at Starmie's core. Sneasel leaped into the air and drove her body down towards Starmie, her claws ready. As Starmie released the beam, Sneasel's attack slashed directly across the central gem, knocking Starmie backward and into the pool. “No problem. Starmie's an even better swimmer than Seadra. Out of the pool and use Hydro Pump!”
“Not happening! Pursuit, Sneasel!” Sneasel's claw glowed red as she slashed at Starmie again. The move interrupted Starmie's Hydro Pump, and a small crack appeared in the gem, which started to flash slowly.
“Starmie! Be careful!” Misty watched Sneasel land and sneer at Starmie. “Okay, aim carefully and use Flash Cannon!”
“Dodge and use Slash!” Starmie released another shining silver beam, watched Sneasel's movements, then fired. Sneasel took a running leap and jumped over the attack, landing in front of Starmie. Another swipe of her claws knocked Starmie into the pool. As the Mysterious Pokémon jumped back out, its core gem flashed more rapidly.
“We're running out of time, Starmie! One good hit should finish Sneasel! Get it with Thunderbolt!” Starmie generated a cloud of electricity around its body, then fired it at Sneasel. This time, the blast hit the ice weasel hard, and she dropped to one knee in pain.
“Hang in there, Sneasel! You can handle that!” Sneasel forced herself back to a standing position, her sneer gone, replaced with a furious look. “That's the way. Get after it and use Pursuit!” Another swipe from a red-tinged claw made Starmie's core gem flash like a strobe light. “We're getting there! Slash and finish this up!”
“Starmie, Gyro Ball!” Starmie floated upward, spun on its axis, and aimed its top point at Sneasel. The attacks collided with a thud, and both Pokémon fell into the water. Everyone in the gym stared at the pool as they saw the water ripple. Sneasel struggled to the surface and pulled herself onto the nearest platform. Starmie floated face-up, its core gem no longer shining. Misty groaned, and Daisy checked Starmie's condition.
“Like, Starmie can't battle! Sneasel is the winner, and Hunter is our winner! Super awesome!” Misty glared at Daisy, who stuck her tongue out at her sister and leaped down from her own platform. The Gym Leader shook her head and recalled Starmie.
“Thanks, Starmie. You took a beating, but you never gave up.” She walked around the edge of the pool, where Hunter was congratulating Sneasel. “Well done, Hunter. You adapted well to the gym's layout, and you put on a show for your girlfriend too.” Misty winked as Hunter stared. “I'm kidding! I'm just a romantic.” She pressed a blue teardrop-shaped badge into Hunter's palm. “Here's your Cascade Badge. Congrats again.” James, Jen and Typhlosion approached Hunter, with Misty's other sisters bringing up the rear.
“Way to go, man,” James said, clapping Hunter on the shoulder. “That was some battle.”
“Sure was,” agreed Jen. Typhlosion growled his own appreciation too.
“Thanks, guys,” Hunter said, recalling Sneasel. “Of course, you didn't get to see me really go defensive, so you'll have to watch me battle again someday.”
“I guess.” James looked at Misty. “I'll battle tomorrow, Misty. I want to really put my attack style to the test.”
“I'll look forward to it. See you tomorrow.” Misty retreated to the gym's office, and the three youngsters and Typhlosion started back to the Pokémon Centre to rest and reload.