"Come back, Gyarados."
Misty recalled her Gyarados and glanced at Ash in disbelief. Ash was clapping excitedly with Mimikyu nearby.
"I didn't expect you to become this strong."
"Huh? Have I?" Ash was momentarily stunned. "But I still feel like I can't keep up with Red at all."
"Are you saying you're still weak?"
Misty didn't reply right away. Instead, she sighed, as if resigned to Ash's earnest but naive attitude.
"Forget it. I'm unlucky to meet a monster like you," she said with a smirk, pulling out a badge and a technical machine disk from behind her back.
"Here, Ash. These are the Cerulean Gym badge and the TM for Scald."
"TM?"
"You don't know about this?" Misty was surprised to see Ash's confused look. "Didn't you get a TM after the gym battle at Pewter Gym?"
"Uh, no."
"Weird." Misty looked toward Brock and called out, "Brock, why didn't you give Ash his TM?"
Brock slapped his forehead. "Sorry, I forgot."
"Seriously? How can you be a gym trainer if you forget something this important?" Misty teased as she handed the move learner and badge to Ash. Then she explained how to use the device.
"If your Pokémon can learn the move Scald, you can use this to teach it. I don't know which Pokémon can learn it yet, but you can try later."
"So that's how it works." Ash looked at his Froakie. "Froakie, can you learn Hot Water?"
"Quack."
The Froakie glanced casually at the move learner and barked twice confidently.
No matter the move, as long as it's a skill, he can learn it — the confidence of a genius Frog.
"Alright, I guess I have nothing else to do now." Misty said easily. Just then, someone knocked on the door of Cerulean Gym outside.
"Hello, I want to challenge Cerulean Gym!"
"Another challenger?" Misty's expression soured. It wasn't that she didn't want to battle, but she had no Pokémon left.
"I guess I have to borrow my sister's Pokémon to fight," Misty muttered and hurried backstage.
Ash's ears perked up, and though he didn't catch every word, he overheard Misty talking with her sister.
"Sis, lend me your Pokémon!"
"Huh? Where are your own Pokémon?"
"They can't fight anymore... Please, just lend me yours!"
"But none of our Pokémon can fight either?"
Misty's sister recounted how recently several Pokémon had been picked off by challengers.
"A little girl took the Goldeen, a handsome guy took the Shellder, a guy with a hat took my Lovedisc. And that same guy also took down the Seaking and Seal from our gym..."
"Didn't you beat them all again?!" Misty's voice rose. "Who is this guy? Tell me his name, I want to beat him!"
"He said his name was Red."
"Oh, that's fine," Misty relaxed a bit. She had met Red before, and Goh had also fought him. Misty always felt Red was a legendary trainer disguised as a rookie.
If it's Red, no wonder the Cerulean Gym's reputation suffered.
"What do we do now? Someone else is here to challenge us. We can't just give them the badge without a battle, right?"
"What does it matter? We always do it this way."
"You're the reason Cerulean Gym ranks last in the league every year!"
Misty's roar echoed backstage.
Ash stopped eavesdropping when he heard Misty say that Red had defeated all the Cerulean Gym Pokémon. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"How about I do it again?"
Before Ash could take action, Misty came out looking worried. Her eyes landed on the sleeping Froakie beside Ash and lit up.
"Ash, can you temporarily represent me in the gym battle?"
"Huh?" Ash was startled. "Isn't that inappropriate? I'm just a newbie."
Misty shook her head. "It's fine. You've already knocked out my Pokémon before, so you can handle these challengers easily."
"But Froakie only likes to fight strong Pokémon," Ash said, glancing at Froakie with embarrassment.
Before he could refuse, Froakie tugged at his sleeve and croaked.
"It's a good chance to get used to battling novice trainers," Ash thought. Froakie was currently holding back his strength, so this would be a good exercise.
"...Alright," Ash nodded slowly. "I'll do it."
"Wait!" Goh ran up excitedly from the crowd. "You want someone else to fight? Pick me! I have Water Pokémon too!"
"Shut up." Misty rolled her eyes. "Your Water Pokémon are just thrown in the lab. Their levels are lower than beginners! You want to use hammers in a gym battle?"
Goh was unconvinced. "Then what about Froakie? Can it fight?"
Misty was skeptical. "That's Ash's starter Pokémon. It's his ace. It's way stronger than Mimikyu and perfect for testing beginners."
Ash saw the doubtful look in Misty's eyes and honestly said, "Froakie is indeed my strongest Pokémon."
"I don't believe it!" Goh challenged. "Prove it!"
Ash looked at Froakie. "Can you show them?"
"Quack."
Froakie opened his eyes. Though he was holding back, he thought a simple display of sword skills would be enough.
He stretched out his right hand, waved it in front of everyone, and lightly flicked forward.
A splash sound filled the air, and the smooth pool of water cracked like tofu, taking time to heal.
"So amazing!" Misty stared in shock. "How did you do that?"
"Quack, quack," Froakie folded his arms with a mysterious smile.
Swordsman's business, don't be surprised.
"That strength is definitely good enough for gym battles." Misty's excitement showed. "Please Ash, let's see if Cerulean Gym can finally shake off the title of weakest gym today!"
Ash scratched his head under pressure. "I'll do my best..."
"This is nothing," Goh muttered. "My Pikachu can do it too."
"Alright, no sour grapes," Misty pushed Goh away. "Your Pikachu is Electric-type. How can it fight in a Water-type gym?"
Everything was set quickly. Ash stood where Misty had been moments before.
He was still confused why he was suddenly representing the gym. But Ash gathered his focus.
"Hello, I'm Ash. I'll be battling you today."
"My name's Pangolin, and I'll beat you for the Blue Badge!" The boy with sharp eyebrows pulled out a Pokéball.
"Come out, partner!"
A golden Pokémon rolled out.
"It's a Sandshrew."
Ash frowned. Was it really okay to use a Ground-type Pokémon in a Water-type gym?
Was the challenger planning a special tactic?
Before Ash could think more, the boy ordered, "Pre-emptive strike, Sandshrew, use Dig!"
Ash and Froakie watched dumbfounded as Sandshrew dug through the platform and fell into the water, flailing helplessly.
"Why is he panicking?" Ash thought.
The boy leaned down in panic. "Sandshrew, what's wrong? Why is there a pool here?!"
Of course, this was a Water Gym!
Ash shook his head, looking at Froakie. "Froakie, rescue Sandshrew and use Pound."
"Quack."
Froakie sighed but jumped into the pool. He grabbed the drowning Sandshrew and flung it back onto the platform.
With a crash, Sandshrew lay dizzy.
"Sandshrew can't fight anymore. Ash from Cerulean Gym wins!"
The boy recalled Sandshrew. "Why did this happen?"
"Ground-types aren't suited for Water-type arenas," Ash explained kindly. "If you want to beat Water Pokémon, try Grass or Electric types. They have the advantage."
"Oh, thanks for the tip!" The boy was grateful and left.
"Did I teach you anything?" Ash asked Froakie, who ignored the question.
The door opened again.
"Hello, I'm here to challenge Cerulean Gym!"
Ash refocused. "I'm Ash, and I'll be battling. Sending out Froakie..."
For some reason, many challengers came that day.
Ash fought dozens, battling from morning till night, until all were defeated.
"So tired..."
Ash slumped, exhausted.
"It's over," Misty came running up, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thanks so much, Ash. You saved us. Now no one will think Cerulean Gym is the weakest."
"How do you feel after a day of gym battles?"
Ash thought. "Honestly... boring."
"Why? All challengers are at this level?"
"Yeah, most are novices," Misty shrugged. "They don't know type matchups or tactics and aren't familiar with their Pokémon's moves. Trainers like you and Red are rare."
"So it's not that I'm weak — it's that you've grown stronger, right?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Also, that Pangolin trainer was a first for me," Misty laughed.
Clearly, Misty had never seen anyone foolish enough to use Ground Pokémon in a Water Gym.
"In short, this job isn't for me," Ash sighed. "I prefer passionate battles..."
Since Ash and the others helped Misty a lot, her sisters invited them to dinner. To thank Ash, they gave him a Bubble Beam TM along with the Scald TM.
Brock also gave Ash the Rock Tomb TM he had forgotten to give before.
Now Ash had three TMs and was eager to teach his Pokémon new skills.
Naturally, it was time to say goodbye.
Brock and Misty continued their trip with Goh.
To Ash's surprise, Serena decided to travel with him.
"Why Serena? Weren't you looking for Goh?"
Ash looked confused. "And you don't seem to have talked to Goh much?"
Serena recalled how Goh hadn't thought of her earlier and reflected on childhood memories.
She smiled at Ash. "Please guide me from now on, Ash."
"Oh, please take care of me," Ash replied happily.
Having Serena along meant another strong sparring partner.
Then Ash suddenly asked Serena, "By the way, Serena, are you used to eating tree fruits?"
Serena paused, surprised by the question.