We exited Mount Moon and hurried down the steep path that led to Cerulean City. There was a river running by the city, low to the ground. An entrance to Cerulean Cave was located by the water.

The city itself was fairly large, much bigger than Pewter City. It was clean and shiny, with tiles making up the various paths that weaved through the city. There were a few houses here and there along with the gym and Pokémon Center. To the south was the Bike Shop and the Poké Mart.

The city had a strange layout, as it was built onto a hill. Ledges were scattered all across the city. Finally, there was Nugget Bridge which was famous for its Team Rocket scandal before they were busted by the police.

"You know the routes up north have tons of trainers and is great training to prepare for the gym battle," Daisy told me.

I shrugged to her as we walked to the Pokémon Center. I had a pretty good idea of what I could do against Misty, especially given Pikachu's performance in the previous Gym Battle.

"Wait Red, do you want to take on the Pokémon Gym immediately?" Daisy asked me. I nodded and she looked shocked.

"You just took on Brock a day ago! You need to do some training with your Pokémon, Red!" Daisy scolded me. I felt it was a bit out of place for her to be telling me how I should be cautious. I had a plan, and I signed to her that I knew what I was doing.

The girl sighed. "If you say so, but you just got started and I don't think overloading yourself with confidence will go well." I could tell that it was a little more complicated, but Daisy didn't seem to want to elaborate further. "I'm going to head to the Poké Mart and get some supplies. I'll pop into your battle once I'm done.

That made enough sense to me. I went to get my Pokémon healed and thought over my strategy. After winning the last few battles, this one would likely give me very little trouble I had multiple Pokémon with advantages. Even if I used Charmander, I could probably win.

I healed my Pokémon and went into the gym. The entire gym was a large swimming pool. Diving boards decorated the sides, and a woman was chatting with someone else on the side of the pool.

She was wearing a white swimsuit and treading in the water. She had sea-green eyes and orange hair that was currently tied up. The woman seemed to be somewhere in her mid-20s. "How's my time?"

The person outside of the pool looked down at their watch. "About .3 seconds slower than last time."

The woman sighed. "Darn, figures." The woman glanced over at me. "Oh, didn't hear you come in! I take it you want a gym battle?" I nodded, and she swam up to a ladder and pulled herself out of the water.

She dried herself off with a towel and then threw on a blue jacket. "Welcome to my gym! I'm Misty, the Water-Type Gym Leader!" She told me. I hadn't anticipated the battlefield to be a full swimming pool, but it made sense in retrospect.

The other person tossed several large white circles into the water. The circles floated on the surface, providing ground for Pokémon that couldn't swim. The person then held up some checkered flags.

"This will be a two-on-three battle, only the challenger may substitute Pokémon! Furthermore, once all the Pokémon on either side are defeated the battle is over! Battle begin!" The referee announced. Misty threw a Poké Ball in the air, sending out a Staryu.

The orange star Pokémon had a red gemstone in the center of its body. It quickly dove underwater and waited at the bottom of the pool. Three on two, eh? This should be easy! I sent out Pikachu and he landed on an island.

"Alright Staryu, use Psybeam!" Misty commanded. The starfish Pokémon fired a pink beam at Pikachu. The blast was quick and slammed Pikachu directly in the face. Pikachu got up and began teetering back and forth, I recognized it as confusion. That would throw a wrench into my plans.

Pikachu return! Bulbasaur it's your turn! I recalled my Electric-Type companion and sent out the seed Pokémon.

Bulbasaur use Vine Whip! I told the grass type. Vines extended from his bulb and dove into the water, grabbing Staryu and throwing it out of the water.

Staryu landed on one of the islands and faced down my Pokémon. Now batter it with more Vine Whips! Bulbasaur's vines lashed out and slammed into Staryu's body. Again!

"Staryu use Rapid Spin!" Staryu started to spin its body, knocking away Bulbasaur's vines and ascending into the air. "Hit them with Psybeam!" A blast of psychic energy descended from above and slammed into my Pokémon.

Bulbasaur winced as the super-effective move rocked his body and the platform beneath his feet started to shake. Bulbasaur try Stun Spore! I told Bulbasaur. He launched a cloud of yellow specks into the air at Misty's Pokémon.

"Water Gun!" Staryu fired a torrent of water that drowned out the specks. "Now use Psybeam!" Bulbasaur look out! Bulbasaur scanned the area, trying to find some way to get out of the incoming attack.

Bulbasur took too long, and the blast smashed into his side and sent him sprawling into the water. I could tell he was trying his best to not panic, but he was still flailing all his limbs like a mad 'mon.

"Now Staryu, use Rapid Spin one more time!" Misty told her Pokémon. Staryu jumped into the water and started to spin, speeding through the water and ramming into Bulbasaur. The Pokémon winced and then fainted. I quickly returned him and sent out Squirtle. You can do this Squirtle!

Squirtle dove underwater and Staryu did the same. Squirtle, use Tackle! Squirtle swam towards Staryu, speeding through the water.

"Staryu, Psybeam!" Staryu blasted the beam at the water turtle but he quickly swam over it and dodged the attack. Squirtle then rammed into the gem on Staryu's body. There was a shockwave in the water, and Staryu floated to the top. One down, one to go.

"Well done Staryu, now it's your turn Starmie!" Misty threw another Pokeball into the air and a Starmie appeared. The star-shaped Pokémon's body was primarily purple, now with another star circling on the Pokémon's back.

"Starmie use Psychic!" Misty told her ace and it began glowing, picking up Squirtle and trapping him in its hold. "Now use Swift!" Yellow stars flew from its gem and smashed into Squirtle. Squirtle was locked in place and unable to react to the attacks. Hang in there Squirtle! They'll have to let you go soon!

"Now throw him back!" Misty smirked as Squirtle was thrown into the wall behind me. Squirtle winced as he slid down the wall, but seemed to be hanging on. Squirtle, use Bubble and get in close!

Squirtle charged forward and launched several bubbles into the air. A few struck Starmie's body, though the Pokémon didn't seem to be bothered. Now use Tackle! Squirtle dove into the water and swam through it, erupting out to slam his head into Starmie's gemstone.

Squirtle made contact, but Misty immediately smirked again. "Starmie, use Bubble Beam!" Misty's ace unleashed a torrent of bubbles directly into Squirtle's face. The tiny turtle was flung into the air and crashed into the pool, falling unconscious.

"Squirtle is unable to battle!" The referee declared! "This means that Starmie is the winner!"

I sighed and recalled him, sending out my last hope, Pikachu. It was time to employ my strategy.

"Starmie use Psychic again!" Pikachu use Quick Attack so it can't focus its Psychic on you! I told the electric mouse. Pikachu began running, jumping from island to island. The yellow blur evaded Starmie's attempts at grabbing ahold of him. Now ram into Starmie! Pikachu slammed directly into the opposing Pokémon.

Starmie went tumbling into the water, just like I hoped. Now use Thunder Shock! Pikachu unleashed a blast of electricity into the water, shocking the opposing Pokémon. Still, Starmie seemed to be hanging on. I was sure that would have done the trick!

"Starmie, use Rapid Spin under the water!" Misty's Pokémon began to spin its body, creating a whirlpool under the platform Pikachu was standing on. "Now use Bubble Beam!"

Bubbles erupted underneath the platform, carrying Pikachu into the air and sending the platform flying away. We were in trouble, but I had faith that Pikachu could finish things. Pikachu, use Thunder Shock one more time!

Pikachu began to charge electricity as he descended. "Grab him with Psychic!" I gasped as Pikachu was surrounded by blue energy. The mouse was dragged down by Starmie, being submerged in the water.

Pikachu was released from the hold and started frantically trying to swim. I had never seen the mouse look so stressed. Pikachu! Calm down! It'll be alright!

My words didn't seem to reach Pikachu as he panicked. "Rapid Spin! Let's wrap this up!" Starmie started to spin through the water, ramming into Pikachu multiple times. I watched as my Pokémon was smacked around by Starmie while failing to ascend.

"Finish this with Bubble Beam!" Misty told her Pokémon. Starmie drifted in front of Pikachu and unleashed a surge of bubbles. They washed over Pikachu and carried him into the wall of the pool. The mouse fell unconscious, and I returned him to his spherical home.

I looked at Pikachu's Poké Ball and questioned how everything had fallen apart so quickly. "A word of advice," Misty spoke up. "Get some sort of strategy for dealing with the water. It's a core part of my gym, and it seems like two of your three Pokémon can't swim at all. You're welcome to challenge me to a rematch whenever."

I nodded and left the building. Daisy had been right, I was out of my depth in that battle. I started to walk towards the Pokémon Center while thinking of what to do against the foes.

Then, I heard shouting from the Poké Mart. "Hey! Stop that!" Daisy's voice cried. I turned to see that the two members of Team Rocket were looming over Daisy, holding her bag in their clutches. The girl was trying to get it back, but couldn't get past the men. They began to run off towards Nugget Bridge, and Daisy chased after them without a second thought.

I immediately followed after them, grabbing Charmander's Poké Ball in my hand. I had to hope that Daisy had Venonat with her. Otherwise, things could get ugly if those grunts got annoyed enough.