"So, have you ever ridden one before?" Leo asked, arms crossed as he leaned against the brick wall.
I hesitated, my thoughts racing as I tried to process what I was about to do. "Sadly… no."
Leo clicked his tongue. "Got it, alright, then. I should at least give you some tips." He reached behind him, pulling out a box and shoving it into my hands. "But first, wear these."
I raised an eyebrow. "What is this?"
"Just open it."
I did, lifting the lid to find a swimsuit and a life jacket neatly folded inside.
"You've gotta be kidding me," I muttered.
Leo grinned. "Nope. You're riding that jet ski whether you like it or not. So, hurry up and change. I don't want that fancy suit getting drenched, do you understand?"
Grumbling under my breath, I grabbed the swimsuit and started changing while Leo continued his so-called 'tips.'
(These are real tips)
"Alright, listen up. First rule—don't be afraid of falling. It's gonna happen, especially since this is your first time."
"Great,just what ı needed!" I muttered as I adjusted the straps of the life jacket.
"And if you do fall, don't try to grab onto the jet ski, okay? That's a surefire way to get yourself hurt."
"Noted," I said, rolling my shoulders.
"Now, this part is important," Leo continued, his expression turning a bit more serious. "Don't let go of the throttle when turning. A lot of beginners like you panic and ease off the gas, but jet skis rely on throttle power for steering. If you let go, you'll lose control and go straight instead of actually making the turn."
I frowned. "So, you're saying if I mess up, I could crash into a wall?"
"Pretty much."
I let out a groan. "Fantastic."
Leo chuckled. "Just keep your cool, and you'll be fine."
Taking a deep breath, I fastened the last buckle on my life jacket. "Alright. Be careful on turns. Keep control of the jet ski. Got it."
"Oh, and before I forget," Leo added, lowering his voice slightly, "you don't have to worry too much. We've got Psychic-type Pokémon stationed around the pool in case anything goes wrong… like if Misty gets a little too excited."
I shot him a look. "What do you mean by too excited'?"
Leo just smirked. "I hope you don't but,you'll see."
Deciding it was better not to ask anymore, I focused on my thoughts instead. Brock had a Geodude and Onix in his gym, just like in the games. If I go by that logic, Misty should have a Staryu and a Starmie. That means Oddy is going to have a wild day with his Dark/Grass typing.
I glanced down at Oddy's Pokéball, gripping it tightly as a smirk crept onto my lips.
"TRAINER NUMBER THREE, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE POOL!"
The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, snapping me back to reality.
Leo patted my shoulder. "Alright, kiddo. Time for you to shine."
I exhaled sharply, grabbed Aria's Pokéball as well, and stepped toward the curtain.
"Good luck!" Leo called after me.
I nodded, flashing him a grin before climbing the three steps leading to the arena.
The stage had changed. The platforms from before were gone, leaving behind an enormous, open pool—larger than before. Two jet skis were stationed at opposite ends—one sleek and black, the other bright yellow.
Just as I took a step toward the water, someone blocked my path.
It was the same man with the long mustache who had stopped me earlier when Skyla and I first tried to enter the gym.
"Hello, Trainer Number 3!" he said, holding a microphone toward me. A cameraman stood beside him, the lens focused directly on me. "Could you please tell us your name?"
"I am Alex Carter," I said, my voice calm and steady.
The interviewer nodded, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "So, Alex Carter, do you think you can beat Misty?" The red recording light on the camera blinked, capturing everything.
"Yes," I said, my confidence growing. "Yes, I think I will!"
"Then, Alex Carter, we have two questions for you."
I gestured for him to continue. "Of course, ask away."
"First question—where are you from? And what Pokémon do you have with you? The viewers are also curious… why do they look different?"
"I'm from Sinnoh," Since ı was used to lying about this I answered without hesitation. "And I have a Ralts and a Gloom with me. They look different because they're Adapted Pokémon."
As I finished speaking, the lights in the stadium began dimming, one by one, casting long shadows over the massive pool.
"Oh, looks like Misty is ready as well." The interviewer reached into his pocket, pulled out a small key, and tossed it toward me. "Here, take these. You'll need them to start the black jet ski."
I caught the key mid-air as he quickly retreated backstage, leaving me alone with the anticipation buzzing in the air.
Taking a deep breath, I walked toward my jet ski. The real challenge wasn't just riding it—it was getting on. The machine refused to stay still, bobbing with the water, making every movement feel unsteady.
Alright, Alex, just think of it like riding a motorcycle… except, you know, its on water.
The roar of the audience grew louder as I steadied myself. Cheers erupted from the other side of the pool, sending a wave of adrenaline coursing through me. My grip on the handlebars tightened, my pulse quickening in excitement.
Then, the lights returned, brighter than ever—this time all focused on her.
A trainer stood across the pool, bathed in the glow of the spotlights. Her short, orange hair just barely reached her shoulders, swaying slightly with her movements. A yellow and green crop top and matching yellow shorts made her stand out even more,but what attracted attention was her eyes—deep blue-green, shimmering under the lights—that truly commanded the cheers.
Her arms were open, almost as if she were welcoming the challenge.
"Misty of Cerulean…" I murmured under my breath.
She caught my gaze, her confident smile never faltering.
"Alex Carter!" she called out, her voice carrying over the water. "I heard you were planning to beat me." With a dramatic point in my direction, she grinned. "Then show me what you can do!"
Without breaking eye contact, she reached for two Pokéballs magnetically clipped to her skirt. As she took slow, deliberate steps toward the pool's edge, the arena lights flickered back to life—one by one—until, with her final step, the entire battlefield was fully illuminated.
From the center of the pool, another figure emerged—a bald man in a blue suit. Thin-rimmed glasses rested on his nose, the reflection of the water making them nearly opaque. His presence alone commanded authority.
"I am Will Peterson, the official Gym Guide and Judge of the Cerulean City Water-Type Gym. Is that understood?" His voice was crisp, practiced.
"Yes Baldy!" Misty answered immediately.
I frowned, something nagging at the back of my mind. Wait a second…
"Mr. Will!" I called out, making him shift his gaze toward me. "Aren't you supposed to be the Gym Guide and Judge for Pewter City?"
Will adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. "Mr. Alex, please do not mistake me for my younger brother."
I blinked. "Oh." So it's just like the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys… its makes no sense...
"Alright, then!" I shrugged, deciding not to overthink it.
Will continued, his tone unwavering. "This will be a Double Battle. Each trainer is permitted to use only two Pokémon. If either of you exceeds this limit, you will be immediately disqualified!" His sharp gaze flickered toward Misty, almost as if this wasn't the first time such a warning had been issued.
He then gestured upward, and six floating platforms descended from the ceiling, splashing onto the water's surface.
"These pads are for Pokémon who cannot battle effectively in water or whose abilities would be hindered by it!" he announced.
I let out a breath of relief. That means Aria and Oddy will have a safe zone to fight on.
Will raised a hand. "NOW, ON THE COUNT OF THREE, THE BATTLE WILL BEGIN!"
My fingers wrapped around the jet ski's key.
"TRAINERS, GET READY AND START YOUR JET SKIS!"
With a sharp twist of my wrist, the engine beneath me roared to life—its deep, mechanical growl sending vibrations through my entire body. Across the pool, Misty did the same, her jet ski's motor letting out a powerful whine.
"ONE!"
I tightened my grip on the Poké Balls, feeling the cold metal press into to my palm.
"TWO!"
My fingers wrapped around the jet ski's steering wheel, heart pounding in my chest.
"THREE! TRAINERS, START THE BATTLE!!"
The judge's voice echoed through the arena as I pressed the release buttons on Aria and Oddy's Poké Balls, hurling them forward. Misty did the same, and all four Poké Balls clashed midair before bursting open in brilliant flashes of light.
The battlefield was set.
Standing on the floating platforms, my Pokémon materialized—Aria, my unusual purple Ralts, and Oddy, my trusty Gloom. Across from them, one of Misty's Pokémon emerged—a Starmie, its gem core pulsing faintly. But where was the other one?
I barely had time to search when Misty made her first move.
"Starmie, Water Gun on the purple Ralts! Let's get rid of the weak one first!"
A jet of water shot toward Aria.
"Aria, Teleport!"
In the blink of an eye, Aria vanished, reappearing behind Starmie just as the powerful blast of water struck the empty air where she had stood.
"Oddy,use stun spore!, Oddy wasted no time. As he landed on his platform, he shook his mouths violently, releasing a shimmering cloud of golden spores.
Starmie spun rapidly in an attempt to disperse the Stun Spore, but some of the spores clung to its body, causing its movements to stiffen.
"Nice! Now, Oddy, Giga Drain!"
Green tendrils of energy shot from Oddy's hands, latching onto Starmie and siphoning its energy. The Water-type twitched, its core flickering weakly as Oddy absorbed its strength.
But then for some reason Misty smiled?
"Gyarados! Use Waterfall!"
My brain stopped for a moment.
Wait! Where was Gyarados?
The battlefield trembled as the water beneath us stirred violently. I frantically scanned the pool, but there was no sign of the massive sea serpent.
Then, I saw Misty pointing downward while grinning.
My eyes widened.
"Aria, useTeleport! Grab Oddy and get out of there!"
Aria's eyes glowed as she reached for Oddy—
It was too late.
A monstrous shape erupted from beneath the pool, a tidal wave following in its wake. The water surged with raw power as Gyarados launched itself from below, smashing into Oddy's platform with full force.
The entire pad was lifted into the air, flipping violently as Oddy was sent flying.
"Oddy!" I shouted, gripping the jet ski's handlebars as waves crashed around me. Making me lose my balance.
Oddy tumbled through the air, flailing helplessly.
"Aria,Teleport again! Catch him!"
Aria blinked away, vanishing for a second before reappearing in midair, reaching for her teammate. She barely managed to grab hold of Oddy before teleporting on a different platform, gasping for breath.
Misty grinned. "That was close! But let's see how long you can keep up!" I narrowed my eyes, heart still hammering looking for a way to defeat that Kaiju!