Leaving the bustle of Pewter City behind, Ash and his group stepped into Mt.
Moon.
This was worth mentioning.
One year ago, he had come here with Professor Oak for a field investigation.
Back then, Mt.
Moon still echoed with the sound of pickaxes striking stone walls.
Now, those sounds had been replaced by the playful cries of Clefairy leaping between stalactites.
Mt.
Moon was famous for being rich in Moon Stones.
However, due to excessive mining, the mining company that had contracted Mt.
Moon had already announced that almost no Moon Stones remained inside the mountain.
In order to give the Clefairy and the other Pokémon living here a better environment, Ash and Professor Oak had reported the matter to the League, and Mt.
Moon had been designated as a key protected area.
Now, anyone who wanted to pass through Mt.
Moon needed permission, and there were also dedicated patrols in the area.
Because of that, the original incident where Team Rocket came here to steal Moon Stones could no longer happen.
Ash took out the pass issued by the League from his backpack and led Misty and Brock through Mt.
Moon.
Brock also happened to catch a Zubat along the way.
…
After leaving Mt.
Moon, Ash’s group soon arrived at Cerulean City.
Misty, who was walking in the middle of the group, had kept her head lowered the entire time.
Every now and then, she would look up toward the distance in a daze, unconsciously tugging at a foxtail grass she had picked from the roadside.
She bit her lip.
Images of her sisters’ beautiful appearances kept flashing through her mind, along with those harsh remarks from the past.
“Ash, have you prepared a strategy for the Cerulean Gym?” Brock asked, folding his arms as he squinted at the faint outline of the city ahead.
“Yeah.
The Cerulean Gym uses Water-type Pokémon.
The current Gym Leaders are three sisters, though I heard there should be four sisters.
It’s just that the youngest sister isn’t at the Gym right now.” Sunlight cast a shadow beneath the brim of Ash’s cap.
Misty’s steps suddenly stopped.
Her hand tightened around the foxtail grass.
She remembered the days when she had been overshadowed by her sisters’ brilliance.
She remembered them calling her the “ugly duckling.” Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably, and a trace of panic flashed through her eyes.
“People outside call them the three beautiful sisters of Cerulean and the ugly duckling,” Ash casually added, while secretly glancing at Misty from the corner of his eye.
Of course, he knew Misty was that “missing” youngest sister.
Seeing Misty’s body instantly tense and her fists clench in secret gave him a small sense of satisfaction from pulling off a prank.
Misty abruptly stopped walking, her cheeks flushing red.
It was as if an invisible flame had flared up around her.
Her hand behind her back was already clenched into a fist, ready to punch him if he dared say another word.
“But I think that since the three older sisters are all great beauties, the youngest sister definitely can’t be bad either,” Ash said immediately, switching to a smile before Misty could explode.
Only then did Misty loosen her fist.
Ash secretly let out a breath of relief.
“That was close.”
Suddenly, Misty pointed toward the crowd gathered ahead and changed the topic.
“Look, something seems to have happened up ahead.”
The noise of the crowd drifted over from afar, mixed with waves of discussion.
People loved watching drama, regardless of age or gender.
That saying really was not wrong.
Especially Ash.
In the original story, this commotion had been caused by none other than the Team Rocket trio.
Just as they squeezed to the edge of the crowd, a figure blocked their path.
Officer Jenny, wearing her police cap, stared at them sharply and asked with caution, “You’re from out of town, aren’t you?”
“We did just arrive in Cerulean City, Officer Jenny!” Ash took out his Pokédex.
“May I ask what happened here?”
The introduction from Professor Oak displayed on the Pokédex instantly dispelled Officer Jenny’s suspicion.
Just as the atmosphere eased, Brock’s eyes suddenly filled with hearts, and his face lit up with a wide smile.
“Beautiful Officer Jenny…”
“May I ask if you have time?
Before he could finish speaking, Ash had already grabbed Brock by the collar and dragged him backward.
“All right, all right.
Don’t interfere with her investigation!”
Brock flailed wildly while still shouting, “Officer Jenny!
Wait for me!
I haven’t finished yet…”
The noisy crowd gradually scattered behind them.
Ash instinctively reached to his side, only for his hand to close on empty air.
“Huh?
Where’s Misty?” Brock turned his head, searching through the crowd.
“She probably went home to take a look.
After all, she’s from Cerulean City,” Ash said, looking toward the city’s iconic fountain at the end of the street.
“I’m going to the Cerulean Gym first.”
“All right.
I need to buy some things too.” Brock adjusted his backpack.
With his signature squint-eyed smile, he turned and walked in the opposite direction, toward the Pokémon Center.
“You can just admit you want to hit on Nurse Joy…” Ash silently complained.
Then Ash headed alone toward the Gym.
…
Before long, the Cerulean Gym appeared before him.
After passing through the front doors, the unique misty scent of water from the Cerulean Gym rushed toward him.
Beneath the pale blue dome, giant aquariums refracted shimmering waves of light.
Ash had just stepped into the front hall when an announcement came from above.
“The underwater ballet is about to begin—”
When he reached the main hall, he saw three beautiful young women dancing gracefully in the pool.
Ash sat down in the audience seats.
After all, there was no need to rush the Gym challenge, and this performance was genuinely quite good.
Water droplets slid down their fair skin, glowing like pearls beneath the spotlight.
Ash felt his throat tighten slightly, and the tips of his ears grew warm.
All he could say was… this water sure was white… cough.
…
After the performance ended, the backstage area was filled with a faint mist.
Ash stepped across the wet floor and walked through the aquarium corridor.
Neon lights shone through the glass tubes, casting colorful shadows across the ground.
From somewhere ahead came waves of cheering.
“We did it!”
“Great success!”
Voices like that rang out one after another.
After turning a corner, three figures slowly walked toward him.
“Hello,” Ash greeted them first.
The pink-haired Lily noticed Ash first.
Her lashes fluttered as she smiled and said, “Oh my, are you here for an autograph?”
She shook the water droplets from the ends of her hair.
“Cutie, you shouldn’t wander backstage without permission,” Daisy said, her yellow hair swaying lightly with her movements.
Violet leaned against the glass wall and raised an eyebrow, her deep blue hair falling over her shoulder.
“Though he does look pretty handsome.”
She twirled a strand of hair around her finger and winked at Ash.
“Uh… ladies, I’m here to challenge the Cerulean Gym,” Ash said helplessly, tugging at the brim of his cap.
“Ugh, we don’t have any fighting spirit left at all,” Daisy said, lowering her head.
Her damp blonde hair swayed, and her tone was lifeless.
“Before you arrived, we were already beaten badly by three Trainers from Pallet Town,” Violet explained weakly.
“And almost all of our Pokémon are in the hospital,” Lily said while touching up her lipstick in front of a mirror.
Her pink hair swayed as she shook her head.
“Tragic, just tragic.
They beat us so badly our noses almost went crooked.”
“The only one left is…” Before Violet could finish, she casually tossed out a Poké Ball.
With a flash of red light, a Goldeen appeared beside them, flopping around.
“We’re busy making ourselves more beautiful. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
We don’t have time to spend training Pokémon,” the three sisters complained lazily, their shoulders slumped.
Although Ash had already known this would be the situation, seeing it and hearing it in person still made him unable to resist rubbing his forehead.
What kind of Gym Leaders were these?
They were clearly three useless decorative vases.
Daisy clapped twice.
“Seel!”
At her call, a round Seel poked its head out of the swimming pool with a gurgle and paddled over on its short little flippers.
In its mouth was a blue Badge shaped like a water droplet.
“The Cascade Badge.
This is what you want, right?
If you want it, take it.” Daisy took the Badge from Seel’s mouth and spoke to Ash casually.
“Forget it.
A weightless Badge like that has no meaning at all.” Ash’s face was full of disappointment and disdain.
He tightened his backpack straps and turned to leave the lazy atmosphere of the Gym’s backstage area.
Pikachu and Eevee lay on his shoulders, their tails drooping weakly, as if they also had no interest in a Badge that could be obtained so easily.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out.
“Ash, wait right there!”
Everyone turned at once.
Misty was jumping down the steps from the audience seats, taking them three at a time.
“Misty!” Ash’s eyes lit up.
The dimness in his gaze instantly brightened, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose into a surprised smile.
“Sis Daisy, I’ll fight this match for you!” Misty said once she stopped, her chest rising and falling sharply, her eyes determined.
“Misty, why are you back so soon?” Daisy frowned slightly, looking her younger sister up and down with surprise and confusion in her eyes.
Violet and Lily exchanged glances.
Their originally listless expressions suddenly gained a hint of interest, as though they were ready to watch a show.
Violet propped her chin on one hand and tilted her head with interest, a sly glint flashing through her eyes.
Lily lightly covered her mouth, the corners of her lips curving into an almost teasing smile.
“Misty, so you’re the youngest sister of the four Cerulean Gym sisters who ran away from home?” Ash knowingly asked, the corner of his mouth lifting with a teasing tone.
“That’s right.
We are the four beautiful sisters of Cerulean.” Misty lifted her chin slightly, pride and confidence in her eyes.
“No, no.
It’s the three beautiful sisters and the ugly duckling,” Lily added deliberately, the corner of her mouth curling into a mischievous smile.
A hint of teasing flashed in her eyes.
She even adjusted her carefully styled curls in front of the mirror, twirling a strand of pink hair around her finger with a rather pleased look.
Misty’s little face instantly puffed up with anger.
Her cheeks flushed bright red, like a tiny volcano that had been lit and was ready to erupt at any moment.
She turned to look at Ash, her watery eyes full of grievance and expectation, as if waiting for a fair judgment.
Ash coughed lightly and looked seriously at Lily before turning his gentle gaze toward Misty.
“Misty is very cute.
She’s just still growing.
In the future, she’ll definitely become a great beauty.”
Pikachu also cried, “Pika, Pika,” and jumped onto Misty’s shoulder, rubbing its cheek against her face.
Misty’s tense expression gradually softened.
The corners of her mouth could not help lifting slightly, though her eyes still carried a little stubbornness.
“Hmph.
You heard him, right?
I’m not an ugly duckling!”
Lily curled her lips and muttered, “This cutie’s got a pretty sweet mouth.”
Daisy shook her head helplessly, walked over, and gently patted Misty on the shoulder.
“All right, all right.
Stop messing around.
Since Misty wants to battle, then get ready properly.”
Misty took a deep breath, steadied herself, and looked firmly at Ash.
“Ash, I won’t let you take the Badge that easily.
In this battle, I’m going all out.
I’ll show you the true strength of the Cerulean Gym!”
“Then let’s do it.” Ash grinned, his gaze beneath the brim of his cap as sharp as a hawk’s.
Then he silently added in his heart:
“You never know what someone’s really made of until you put them to the test.”