c9: Challenge Cerulean Gym — Water Ballet
Cerulean City, the stunning coastal jewel of the Kanto region, sparkled beneath the sun. Framed by clean streets and azure waters, it was a place where ocean breezes met tourist crowds.
Cerulean City's economy heavily relied on tourism, a pillar of its culture. The city's biggest draw was the famed water ballet, performed by the glamorous Sensational Sisters of the Cerulean Gym. Their aquatic displays weren't just elegant shows they served as the primary revenue source for the Gym and an iconic attraction that boosted Cerulean's reputation across Kanto.
The trio Daisy, Violet, and Lily had built an empire through their dazzling stagecraft. Despite the Gym's infamous reputation in League circles as one of the least competitive, its financial contribution to the Pokémon League through tourism tax kept it well protected. It survived League reform after reform purely due to its income stream.
After parting ways with Ash and Brock, Alex arrived in Cerulean City. The streets were plastered with promotional posters of the three sisters, all styled in glittering swimsuits and ballet poses under text boasting "The Ocean's Triple Stars Daily Shows at the Cerulean Gym!"
Ding!
"Gold-tier Mission Unlocked: Defeat the Cerulean Gym!"
Reward: 1 Gold Lottery Ticket, 1 Silver Lottery Ticket, and Investigation Mode activation.
"What's Investigation Mode?" Alex asked his system.
"Answer: Investigation Mode allows detailed scanning of Pokémon. Includes data such as species, nature, IV ranges, move potential, height, and hidden abilities."
"Interesting. That's actually useful," Alex mused with a grin.
He studied the posters again. The Cerulean Sisters' fame wasn't exaggerated. They were clearly local celebrities. Alex made his way toward the Gym, noticing the crowd growing denser. The line wrapped around the block—and strikingly, most of those waiting were older men. Alex sighed. These guys didn't come here for Pokémon battles, that's for sure. He adjusted his cap. At least I'm the only one here who doesn't look creepy.
Still, he bought a ticket. The price tag: 5,000 Alliance Coins. "No wonder the Gym's rich," Alex muttered. "Guess I'm here for the show I mean, the Gym challenge."
After a long wait, he finally stepped into the Cerulean Gym. The interior screamed performance hall, not battlefield. Water-themed decorations lined the walls. Posters of the sisters in aquatic poses were everywhere most featuring oversized beach balls, which prompted Alex to look away, cheeks red. Seriously, volleyball. Volleyball.
From the raised seating in the audience section, Alex took in the full scene. The arena stretched below a grand, transparent tank filled with marine life. Corsola swam past schools of Goldeen, glittering beneath the colored lights.
As the crowd filled in, anticipation buzzed. At last, the central lights dimmed. A spotlight cut through the darkness. Music played.
With synchronized grace, Daisy, Violet, and Lily emerged from below the stage, riding on the backs of Dewgong, Seaking, and Starmie respectively. They moved in perfect harmony, spinning and posing mid-performance, their costumes shimmering in aquatic hues.
The crowd roared. Male cheers erupted into literal howls, and one man behind Alex yelled, "Marry me, Daisy!" Alex sighed again. This has to be the strangest Gym experience I've ever had.
The eldest of the three sisters, Daisy, stepped forward first and addressed the audience with a charming smile:
"Thank you all for coming to watch our Cerulean Water Ballet. We hope it brings a splash of joy to your day!"
Next came Violet, her voice soft and poised:
"We appreciate your continued support. Thank you."
The youngest, Lily, blew a kiss to the audience, setting off an explosive cheer that reverberated throughout the gym. The cheers and applause erupted like crashing waves, reaching a fever pitch.
The water ballet began in full bloom. One by one, the sisters dove into the sparkling water. As the synchronized choreography unfolded, the audience hushed, fully entranced by the ethereal spectacle.
Below the dazzling lights, the trio moved like living poetry. Their movements were enhanced by flowing silks and well-trained Water-type Pokémon like Seel, Seaking, and Lumineon, lending the scene a surreal dream-like quality. Alex, watching from the upper bleachers, finally understood why this Gym show was so wildly popular. It wasn't just performance it was artistry, a symphony of light and water.
They glided, spun, and twirled, silhouettes framed against the aquarium's deep blue glow. They didn't just resemble mermaids they outshone the myth itself. Their coordination with their Pokémon partners made the tank seem like an enchanted world. Even Alex, calm as he usually was, had to resist the urge to leap from his seat in excitement.
After nearly three hours, the performance came to a spectacular close with a signature synchronized dive. Amidst a sparkling fountain of bubbles and a cascade of lights, the sisters struck their final pose. Applause thundered throughout the arena. As the lights brightened, they emerged and bowed gracefully.
With the performance over, Alex left the audience area and made his way behind the stage to the Gym's private corridor. The three sisters noticed him approaching his clean-cut look and determined eyes drew their attention instantly.
Daisy smiled first. "Ooh, are you here for an autograph, cutie?"
Alex shook his head, his tone firm. "No, I'm here to challenge the Cerulean Gym."
Lily tilted her head, amused. "A challenge, huh? You sure? We're stronger than we look."
Violet stepped forward. "He looks serious. Let's give him a fair match." Her gaze lingered a moment longer than expected. "What's your name?"
"Alex."
"Alex, huh? That's a good name."
The sisters led him to the Cerulean Gym's battle pool—a regulation-sized battlefield equipped with floating platforms and submerged terrain, perfect for Water-types.
"You take the first move, challenger," Lily said.
Alex nodded. "Gladly. Let's go, Dragonair!"
The shimmering blue serpent emerged, graceful and radiant. The sisters gasped. For someone around ten years old, a Dragonair a rare and near-mythical Pokémon was a shocking sight.
"You're kidding… a Dragonair?" Lily blinked.
"I'll go first! Golden, it's your turn!" Sakura sent out her Goldeen, a quick swimmer with an aggressive horn.
"Dragonair, Ice Beam!"
A stream of icy light surged from Dragonair's mouth, freezing both the water and Goldeen in an instant. The impact knocked the hornfish unconscious, encased in a light frost.
"Goldeen is unable to battle."
Next up was Lily, now slightly nervous. "Starmie, let's go!"
"Dragonair, Aqua Tail!"
Dragonair's tail shone with liquid power as it swept through the water. Starmie was slammed hard against the tank wall and dropped, limp, into the water.
"Starmie is unable to battle."
Violet narrowed her eyes. "You're really strong, Alex."
"Let's skip the 'little brother' talk and just battle."
"Fine, fine," she chuckled. "Dewgong, take the stage! Start with Ice Beam!"
"Dragonair, counter with Ice Beam!"
The two icy beams collided mid-air. Dragonair's was clearly more powerful, overwhelming Dewgong's attack. The Water/Ice-type recoiled and splashed backward, visibly injured.
"Dewgong, use Hydro Pump!"
"Dragonair, dodge and use Surf!"
The surrounding waters surged at Dragonair's command. A massive tidal wave formed, cresting over the arena and crashing down on Dewgong, sweeping it beneath the platform. When the water calmed, Dewgong floated unconscious.
"Dewgong is unable to battle. The challenger wins!"
Alex stood calmly, Dragonair returning to his side with a ripple of grace.
"You've earned this," Violet said, handing him the Cascade Badge a shimmering emblem shaped like a sapphire teardrop. "You're the real deal, Alex. I can't wait to see what you do at the Pokémon League."
"Thanks. I'll be sure to live up to it." Alex admired the badge before tucking it into his badge case. Only six left. Next stop Vermilion City.
As he turned toward the Pokémon Center, a familiar voice echoed behind him.
"Alex! Wait up!"
He turned to see Ash, Brock, and Misty sprinting toward him.
"You guys just arrived?" Alex raised an eyebrow. "Even walking from Route 4, you should've been here by now."
Ash huffed. "It's all Misty's fault! We were headed straight for Cerulean, but she insisted on taking the mountain trail. Brock and I had to go hunt her down!"
Alex blinked, then recalled something from the anime and manga: Misty's long-standing friction with her sisters. She didn't want to inherit the Gym, unlike them, who were eager to travel and perform. He looked at her kindly.
"You're not avoiding the Gym just because your sisters are the Leaders, are you?"
"Wait Misty's sisters own the Gym?" Ash and Brock exclaimed in unison.
Misty turned slightly red. "You figured it out? Yeah… They didn't tell you?"
"They didn't have to."
"Well… I don't want to run the Gym. I want to travel the world. My dream is to become a Water Pokémon Master, not a stage performer."
Alex looked her in the eyes. "Then prove you're worthy. You don't have to inherit their legacy—you can make your own."
Misty blinked, her heart moved.
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