Kanto Region, Cerulean City.
This was a mid-sized city. To its north lay the estuary where a river met the sea; to its south was Saffron City, and to its west was Mt. Moon. Like Saffron, Cerulean was one of the very few Kanto cities connected by roads in all four directions.
Within Cerulean City stood a Pokémon Center, various shops, and of course the Gym — the Cerulean Gym — specializing in Water-type Pokémon. The Gym Leaders were the four beautiful sisters of Cerulean, one of whom was Misty. Any trainer who defeated them would earn the Cascade Badge.
Last night, a robbery occurred in Cerulean: Team Rocket stole a powerful engine and a large amount of giant water pipes, causing quite a scandal.
In an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Cerulean, Meowth — disguised as a scientific giant — was crazily assembling a machine.
"Meowth, if everything goes as planned, the Cerulean Gym's Pokémon will be ours. Then our strength can skyrocket! Haha!"
Meowth complained, "Hurry up and come help, I'm exhausted!"
Meanwhile, Hayato was sitting inside a little noodle shop in Cerulean City, enjoying his lunch with a relaxed expression.
"Finally I've arrived in this city. The days of sleeping in the wild have been so painful. But this bowl of noodles — it's absolutely delicious."
After finishing his meal, Hayato couldn't wait to head for the Cerulean Gym. The world was vast; Kanto was only his first stage. To gain true power, he must keep training constantly. Moreover, the special fusion tasks in the Pokémon Fusion System tempted him — combining two or three Tier-2 Legendaries into one was thrilling to contemplate. Indeed, unless one could catch a wild Tier-1 Legendary, that fusion route was the only way.
At the entrance of the Gym, a familiar figure walked out.
"I've got the Cascade Badge already! Those guys inside were really weak. I'll be heading on now."
Looking at Gary's self-satisfied face, Hayato shook his head helplessly — if Gary could win easily, then Hayato would certainly fare better.
Inside the Gym, Hayato encountered three of the Cerulean sisters — all except Misty.
"Maybe Misty is with Ash? No matter; I'll get the badge first," Hayato thought.
Daisy's expression was excited — her two younger sisters, Violet and Lily, had recently been defeated soundly by a trainer from Pallet Town. She was determined to reclaim their honor.
"You say you're from Pallet Town, right? I accept your challenge. The reputation of Cerulean Gym will be defended by me — I'll make you taste defeat!"
Hayato ignored the boast, for such words were common. True confidence must rest on strength, and only battle could prove that.
"Big sister, sorry — but I'm even stronger than them. Maybe I'll disappoint you," he said casually.
Daisy refused to be intimidated. "Enough talk — I'll explain the rules first. I'll choose the battlefield. You may use two Pokémon, and you're allowed to switch at any time."
"No problem — let's begin!"
The Cerulean Gym was built much like an indoor swimming hall. The sisters often performed water stunts, and the pool itself served as the battlefield. From under the surface, several supporting platforms quickly rose up to let non-water Pokémon stand and fight.
"Come out, Seel!"
Hayato hesitated slightly. Haunter must occupy one slot. Psyduck was unreliable. Spearow could fly, but flying held no advantage in this watery environment — at least it wouldn't fall in. Bellsprout, though naturally effective against Water, moved sluggishly and couldn't hit underwater targets, making it easy prey.
"Fine — Bellsprout, I choose you!"
Daisy seemed disdainful when she saw the Grass-type: "Bellsprout, little brother — do you think just typing advantage gives you victory? You must hit my Seel first! Now, Seel, use Water Pulse!"
"Bellsprout, use Sleep Powder!"
To win, Hayato believed it was crucial to limit Seel's mobility; otherwise it could use the water surface as cover and dive underwater as a natural shield.
Seel poked its head above water and fired a surge of Water Pulse toward the platform where Bellsprout stood. At the same time, Sleep Powder drifted down from above.
"Seel, dive into the water," Daisy instructed.
The platform was small, and Bellsprout's movement was clumsy; it had to endure the attack. Fortunately, Water-type moves only do half damage to Grass types (0.5×), so the blow wasn't devastating.
Hayato, experienced in Pokémon battles, held that anticipating the opponent's moves was the key — not just waiting dumbly.
"Bellsprout, strike the water to your right with Vine Whip!"
Daisy was stunned. "How — How did you know?"
There is such a thing as synergy or intuition in battle. If he ordered too early, it would reveal his next move. Although Daisy had silent signals with Seel that Hayato couldn't perceive, his predictive understanding let him bypass that entirely.
At the moment Seel leapt, two vines tightened and wrapped around it.
Daisy smiled mysteriously. "Very well. Then we won't be polite. Seel, use Ice Beam!"
Hayato's heart leapt — Ice moves are highly effective against Grass. If it hit, Bellsprout would be finished.
"Bellsprout — dodge!"
Bellsprout looked desperately for a safe direction, but surrounded by water and some distance from the nearest platform, it couldn't find an escape.
In an instant, the beam struck — and Bellsprout froze into an ice statue.
"Return, Bellsprout. Haunter, you're up!"
With the first battle won, the three sisters were elated.
Violet said, "If you keep that composure, victory is assured!"Lily added, "Daisy, you're really impressive!"
Daisy took the offensive again. "Seel, use Water Pulse — finish this in one fell swoop!"
Hayato shrugged. "Haunter, use Hypnosis — and then float up high!"
Clearly, Hayato was planning for attrition: Seel could dive underwater, but once poisoned it would suffer continuous damage — unless it had a healing Pokémon or could use moves like Healing Bell, but Daisy's team lacked that.
Before long, Seel couldn't hold out, which drove Daisy frantic.
"You're cheating — hiding at the top — how is that fair?!"
Hayato wiped his nose. "I don't recall any rule against it?"
As Gym Leader, Daisy had certain privileges. She decided to amend the rules: "From now on, you may not float so high — only stay within attack range. Understood?"
1 vs 1 — was Hayato afraid?
"Very well, as you wish!"
"Come out, Goldeen!"
Hayato opened his Pokédex:Goldeen, the Goldfish Pokémon. In cold weather its coloration reddens, like a scenic autumn poem.
"Base stats total 450. Good physical attack, but slow speed; decent defenses. Haunter, use Hypnosis!"
Daisy was confident. "Poison-type moves on Goldeen? Goldeen, use Disarming Voice — one move to decide winning!"
Goldeen knew many Normal moves, but those were ineffective against the Ghost type. Only psychic or Water moves could deal damage — so it lacked many viable attacks.
"Haunter, go underwater!"
Hayato was all in. If Disarming Voice hit, it would be over, but Haunter was not afraid of water.Daisy, however, was careless. After her Disarming Voice failed, she was momentarily at a loss.
"Dodged? How is that possible? Tell me — how can your Haunter dive?"
Hayato refused to miss the opportunity. "Haunter, use Lick!"
With a terrifying lick, Goldeen was paralyzed and flopped onto a platform above water.
"Hahaha — the match is decided. Haunter, go wild!"
Goldeen soon lost the battle, and the three sisters' resolve crumbled.
"All right! You from Pallet Town win again. Here is your Cascade Badge — take it!"
Though he had encountered difficulties, Hayato had obtained the Cascade Badge as he desired!
(End of Chapter)