The Cerulean General Hospital was a sprawling, pristine building situated at the heart of the city, its whitewashed walls gleaming under the midday sun. The glass-paneled facade reflected the clear blue sky, while rows of carefully tended flowerbeds lined the entrance, giving the stark modernity of the hospital a touch of warmth. Inside, the air was sterile but not unfriendly, with soft lighting and soothing murals of water Pokémon—Goldeen, Starmie, and Lapras—adorning the walls to calm anxious patients. The occasional"Chansey!"could be heard as the hospital's resident assistants shuffled about, carrying supplies and comforting patients with their ever-present smiles.

  Austin walked briskly through the polished halls, his footsteps echoing faintly as he was escorted by Nurse Chansey. The Pokémon, wearing a nurse's cap slightly askew, chirped a cheerful"Chansey!"as she led him to the room.

  "Thank you, Nurse Chansey."

  "Chan, Chan!"

  When Austin stepped into the room, he couldn't help but be taken aback by the sight of Bill lying in the hospital bed. The man was pale, his lanky frame looking even thinner than before. Several IV bags hung beside the bed, their contents steadily dripping into the tubes inserted into his arm. Despite his condition, Bill's face lit up with a tired but genuine smile as he spotted Austin.

  "Well, ain't this a sight for sore eyes."

  "How are you holdin' up?" Austin asked as he walked over and gently placed Pikachu near the foot of the bed. Pikachu immediately perked up and began bouncing up and down, trying to cheer Bill up.

  Bill chuckled. "Oh, I'm hangin' in there. Doctors got me hooked up to all these contraptions like I'm some sorta experiment. IVs pokin' every which way, nurses checkin' on me like I'm gonna fall apart any second."

  Austin raised an eyebrow. "You went into shock from eating solid food after starving yourself for weeks, Bill. I'd say the doctors have a point."

  "I've been through worse. But, yeah, guess I can't argue with 'em too much. Still, they could let me live a little. Only thing keepin' me sane is my coffee."

  The scientist motioned toward the corner of the room, where sitting on a small table was an elaborate, gleaming contraption that looked like it belonged in a royal palace rather than a hospital room.

  The coffee maker was a work of art. Its design was impossibly intricate, with a bronze water tank and a crystal-clear glass carafe supported by an ornate gold frame etched with delicate Kalosian patterns. A siphon system was prominently featured, connecting the water tank and the carafe with polished metal piping. Tiny gemstones adorned the knobs and levers.

  "Pretty, ain't she?" Bill said, a hint of pride in his voice. "That there's a Kalos Royal Coffee Maker. Fancier than a Rapidash at a parade, and she brews coffee so good you'll think you've been blessed by Mew itself. Cost me more than I'd like to admit, but, well, some things are worth the splurge."

  Austin and Pikachu exchanged a glance, their curiosity piqued. "That thing looks like it could power a spaceship."

  Bill chuckled. "Might as well, the way it gets me goin' in the mornin'. Now, how 'bout we whip up a cup? Call one of them nurses—they know how to work it."

  Austin waved him off. "Come on, the nurses are busy. Let me try it. How hard can it be?"

  Bill raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Alright then, kid. Be my guest. But if ya mess it up, don't come cryin' to me. And no burnin' the place down, alright?"

  Austin's excitement barely stayed contained as he moved toward the coffee maker. As he inspected the machine, Bill called out instructions from his bed.

  Austin hummed thoughtfully, nodding as Pikachu scrambled onto the table to help. The boy picked up a bag labeledLitten's Roast Coffee.

  "This must be your favorite brand," he said, pouring the ground coffee into the carafe.

  "Best there is," Bill confirmed. "Smooth as butter, but packs enough of a punch to wake a Snorlax from a nap. You'll see."

  Pikachu dutifully poured water into the bronze container, his tiny paws carefully steadying the jug. Once everything was set up, Austin glanced back at Bill, who gave him an encouraging nod.

  "Pikachu, you know what to do," Austin said with a grin.

  Pikachu let out an enthusiastic"Pika!"before sparking his cheeks and carefully lighting the flame beneath the tank.

  Bill explained as they watched the machine come to life. "Now, here's the cool part. That flame's gonna heat the water in the tank nice and steady, buildin' up pressure. Once it's hot enough, the water's gonna flow up through the siphon into the carafe, mixin' with the coffee grounds. After it brews, you take the heat away, and the coffee gets sucked back down into the tank. Fancy, huh?"

  Austin and Pikachu were entranced as the process unfolded. The steam rose in gentle curls, and the rich, earthy aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room. Pikachu's nose twitched, and Austin's mouth watered.

  "Thanks, Bill."

  "Don't mention it," Bill replied, tipping an imaginary hat. "Coffee's like good friends—it's always better when shared."

  As the coffee finished brewing, Austin carefully poured it into three delicate porcelain cups that sat on a tray beside the machine. He handed one to Pikachu, who cradled it carefully, one to Bill, and took one for himself.

  Bill took a slow sip, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Now that is what I call a cup of joe. You did good, kid."

  Austin sipped his own and nearly melted into his chair. "Wow, this really is the best coffee I've ever had."

  Bill chuckled. "Told ya. So, what brings ya by? You didn't come all the way here just to make coffee, did ya?"

  Austin hesitated, setting his coffee cup down on the small table by the bed. "Actually," he began, "I was hoping you might be able to help me with something."

  "Oh? Sounds like you're buildin' up to somethin'. Let's hear it."

  Austin took a deep breath and launched into an explanation of the Cerulean City Gym and the tournament he and Misty were trying to organize. He explained the permits they needed, the League approval required to make it legitimate, and the challenges they were facing. As he spoke, Bill sipped his coffee and listened intently, occasionally nodding but keeping his thoughts to himself.

  By the time Austin finished, the boy felt a heavy pit of doubt in his stomach. He shifted in his seat, suddenly unsure if he'd made the right call by asking for Bill's help. "I'm sorry," he said quickly, shaking his head. "I know I asked a lot from—"

  "Done," Bill interrupted, setting his cup on the tray with a decisive clink.

  "What?"

  "I said done. I'll write that letter to the League and get your tournament approved."

  Austin and Pikachu both gawked at him, their jaws practically on the floor. "You will?"

  "Sure will. Don't see why not. Y'all got a good thing goin', and it sounds like fun. Plus, I like the way you think, kid. You're sharp."

  "Thank you! Seriously, thank you, Bill!"

  Pikachu chirped happily, raising his cup like a toast. Bill chuckled at the little Pokémon's enthusiasm.

  "Don't sweat it, kid. But somethin' tells me that ain't all you're askin' for," Bill added. "Go on, out with it."

  "Well… there is one more thing."

  Bill raised a brow. "Knew it. What is it?"

  "I was also hoping you could help get the League to sponsor the Cerulean Sisters," Austin admitted, wincing slightly as he braced for Bill's reaction.

  "Now, the tournament thing? That's fine," Bill said. "League loves these kinds of events, truth be told. Gives 'em good press, gets trainers fired up. But sponsoring some people? That's a whole different kettle of Magikarp. That might not be as easy to swing."

  "I'm not asking for a definitive answer," Austin said. "I'm just asking for a chance—a shot at getting them noticed."

  "And you think I've got that kind of pull?"

  "Well… yeah," Austin said. "You're Bill. One of the core founders of Silph Co. and the guy who created the Pokémon teleportation system. You literally built the PC network the League uses every day. If anyone can make this happen, it's you."

  Bill's lips quirked into a crooked grin. "Well, ain't that somethin'. You did your homework, huh?"

  "Kinda," Austin admitted. "But would you be willing to help?"

  "Well, you did save my life, kid. I reckon I can make it happen."

  Austin frowned, sitting up straighter. "Sorry."

  "What for?"

  "I don't want this to feel like you have to help me just because I saved your life," Austin said.

  Bill's lips curled into a smile as he set his coffee cup down. "You're somethin' else, you know that? Very mature for your age. Actually, no—scratch that. I don't think even most adults would've said what you just did."

  "Uh, thanks, I guess?"

  "Look, let's just say I'm doin' this to help a friend I shared my shit coffee with."

  That brought a grin to the boy and Pikachu's face.

  "Thanks, Bill. With your letter and Professor Oak's support, I think we've got this tournament in the bag."

  At that, Bill raised a surprised brow. "Wait a second… are you tryin' to impress this Misty girl? What, you hopin' she'll be your girlfriend or somethin'?"

  "No!"

  Bill didn't look convinced in the slightest, his smirk widening. "Mhm. Sure. Whatever you say, Romeo."

  Austin gave him a look.

  "Alright, alright, I'll send the letter tonight. Now quit frettin' and drink your coffee before it gets cold."

  Austin picked up his cup and took a sip. The flavor hit him immediately—a rich, velvety brew with a complex mix of earthy and slightly fruity undertones. It was smooth but strong, with just the right amount of bitterness to balance the sweetness. The taste lingered on his tongue, warming him from the inside out.

  "This is… amazing," Austin said. "Where can I buy this?"

  Bill grinned knowingly and gestured to the bedside table, where a small brochure rested. "Take a look."

  Austin picked it up and read aloud. "Litten's Coffee,also known asFire Cat's Coffee,the most expensive coffee in the world, made on a small island in the Alola region." His voice faltered slightly, but he kept reading. "The beans are grown in rich volcanic soil and then fed to a Pokémon known as Litten. The Litten digests the beans and… defecates them. It is the combination of the beans and the Pokémon's gastric juices that givesLitten's Coffeeits unique flavor and aroma."

  Austin froze, his eyes slowly rising from the brochure to meet Bill's amused gaze. Pikachu turned an unsettling shade of green, his cheeks puffing as though he might vomit.

  "You're shitting me," Austin said flatly, hoping against hope that this was some kind of elaborate prank.

  "Nope! Cats beat me to it, kid!"

  Bill burst out laughing, clutching his stomach as tears streamed down his face.

  Austin stared at him, then at his coffee, then back at Bill. He reread the brochure three more times, willing it to say something different, but the words didn't change.

  Meanwhile, Pikachu gently pushed his cup away with a trembling paw, looking like he'd just been personally betrayed by the universe.

  Bill's laughter echoed through the room as Austin looked on the bright side. At least he had managed to get the tournament approved in this shitty situation.

  Misty stirred awake to the sound of loud voices coming from downstairs. Groggy and with her hair unkempt, she shuffled out of bed, rubbing her eyes as she descended the stairs. The sight that greeted her was unexpected: Daisy, Violet, and Lily huddled together, their hands trembling as tears of joy streamed down their faces.

  "We got it. We finally got it!" Lily cried, hugging Violet tightly.

  "What's going on?"

  Daisy, clutching a piece of official-looking paper in her hands, turned toward her, her face glowing with disbelief and excitement. "Misty, we got it! The Pokémon League approved our sponsorship request!"

  "What? Seriously?"

  Daisy cleared her throat, still shaking as she read aloud from the letter:

  Dear Waterflowers,

  We are pleased to inform you that your sponsorship request has been approved upon recommendation. Please contact the League office for further details regarding this partnership. We look forward to working with you to grow the future of Pokémon competitions in Kanto.

  For a moment, the sisters were silent as the reality sank in. Then all three erupted into cheers, laughing and hugging each other.

  "This changes everything!" Daisy said. "With League backing, we can finally hire professionals to help with the shows. No more doing everything ourselves. We can expand—bigger stages, better effects..."

  "And more Pokémon!" Violet added. "Imagine the contests we can create now!"

  "It's all finally happening," Lily said, almost whispering as she wiped tears from her cheeks. "After everything we've worked for..."

  Misty watched her sisters, a small smile forming on her face. Then a thought crossed her mind.

  "Do you know who recommended the sponsorship?"

  The question made the older girls pause. Daisy glanced down at the letter, reading it again. "It doesn't say," she murmured. "Just says it was approved with a recommendation."

  Misty's eyes flicked to the cluttered table, where more letters sat in a messy pile. "Maybe there's something in the rest of the mail."

  Without waiting for a response, she began sorting through the envelopes, pausing when her fingers brushed against another official-looking document.

  "Did you three apply for something else?" Misty said, holding up the second letter.

  Daisy, Violet, and Lily leaned in, reading over her shoulder. Their jaws practically dropped.

  It was a tournament permit. Not only was their event sanctioned by the League, but it also included glowing recommendations from Professor Samuel Oak and Bill Montgomery.

  The realization hit Misty like a thunderbolt. Without another word, she bolted upstairs, her sisters scrambling to follow. Reaching the guest room, she pounded on the door. "Austin! Open up!"

  "Wait a second, I'm coming," his voice called from inside.

  A soft click came from the lock before the door creaked open. Austin stood there, looking slightly disheveled but calm as ever. Behind him, an Umbreon lounged on the windowsill, its golden rings glowing in the morning light.

  "Oh my gosh, why didn't you tell us you had this cutie?" Violet squealed, rushing forward to pet the Umbreon, followed quickly by Lily. "You've been hiding this from us?"

  Umbreon huffed in annoyance but tolerated the attention, his red eyes narrowing slightly as the sisters showered him with compliments. The smug look on his face was unmistakable as he glanced at Pikachu, who had been basking in his morning massage from their trainer.

  "What's up?" Austin asked casually, glancing at Misty, who was holding the letter out like it was a treasure map.

  "You did this?!"

  "Well, that was quicker than I expected."

  "How?"

  "Yeah. Professor Oak's my sponsor, and Bill's a friend. I called in a favor to get things moving faster. I didn't think it'd go through this quickly, but I'm not exactly patient when it comes to this experiment."

  Misty's eyes narrowed slightly at the word experiment, but she held her tongue, reminding herself that the boy had his reasons for everything he did.

  Her sisters, however, were far less reserved.

  "You... you believe in us that much?"

  Austin smiled softly. "I think you three have what it takes to succeed. Your passion, your creativity—it's all there. Sometimes people just need a little help getting the momentum going. Consider this a push from a friend."

  Before he could say another word, Daisy lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much!"

  Not one to be outdone, Violet joined in next, practically tackling Austin from the side. "You're the best, kid! Seriously!"

  "Wait—what—hold on—" Austin stammered, his face already beginning to turn red as Lily jumped in too, completing the pile.

  "Group hug!"

  As if that wasn't enough, the kisses started. Daisy planted a quick one on his cheek, followed by Violet and Lily, each peppering his face as they giggled.

  "Guys, really—this is not necessary!"

  Misty said with a blush. "Say that after you wipe that ridiculous grin off your face."

  "I—I'm not grinning!" Austin protested, but his twitching lips betrayed him.

  Misty's cheeks flushed, and she scowled. "As if!" she shot back, though her voice cracked ever so slightly.

  Austin straightened, clearing his throat in an attempt to regain composure. "Jokes aside, you should know that this sponsorship isn't guaranteed," he said, quickly shifting to a more serious tone. "The League isn't just handing out money. They're going to send people to evaluate what you're doing. If they see potential and value, you're in for a deal. But if they don't..." He trailed off, letting the weight of his words sink in.

  The sisters' laughter quieted as they exchanged nervous glances, the reality of the situation settling in.

  "Oh my Mew! Oh my Mew!" Daisy exclaimed. "How long do we have? How do we prepare for this? What do we—"

  Austin reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder, making her jump. "Calm down, Daisy. You've got time, but only if you plan this out. Want a recommendation?"

  "Of course!" Daisy said immediately, almost pleading. It was natural—Austin had done more for their careers in a single day than anyone else had in years.

  "So, here's the thing: I originally tried to add some creative rules to the tournament to make it stand out. But that's not happening." The boy gestured toward Misty. "The League is a sports organization. They're strict about rules, especially since the wins and losses in this tournament will go on official trainer records. Changing the rules just for this event? Not happening."

  Misty nodded in agreement, her expression serious. She'd already come to terms with it.

  "So," Austin continued, "I came up with a different plan. We structure the tournament as a 1-v-1 format. Trainers can use each Pokémon for up to two battles, and we'll host 24 matches per day for the next two weeks."

  "That's a tight schedule. Won't that clash with our shows?"

  "Good question," Austin said. "But I've thought about that too. Here's the idea: between each battle, there'll be a rest period. During those breaks, the Sensational Sisters can put on a show for the audience. That way, you're keeping people entertained, showcasing your talents, and taking advantage of the media attention the tournament will bring."

  Austin's tone was confident. "Think about it. This isn't just a tournament—it's a way to show the League representatives something groundbreaking: how Pokémon battles and showcases can coexist in the same venue. You'll get the attention of trainers, coordinators, and media outlets all at once. And," he added, glancing at Misty, "it gives you time to rest between matches, so your team doesn't burn out."

  The room fell silent as everyone absorbed his words. The weight of what he was suggesting was immense, but so was the opportunity.

  "This could work," Daisy murmured. "If we pull it off, it'd be a game changer—not just for the gym, but for us."

  "What do you think, Misty?" Austin asked. "Approach this like a family. You don't have to do it alone."

  All eyes turned to Misty. She felt the pressure of their gazes, but it wasn't the usual weight of expectation. This felt… different. It felt like support.

  Normally, she would have dismissed the plan outright, insisting she didn't need rest or that the tournament and their shows should be kept separate. But Austin's words from the previous day echoed in her mind:

  Look in your heart, Misty. Ask yourself if you want your sisters to be a part of your life or not. No one can make that choice for you. It's your life.

  Misty took a deep breath, looking at her sisters—at Daisy, who had always carried the weight of their family; at Violet, who masked her care behind sarcasm; and at Lily, who dreamed big even when the odds were stacked against her. She finally saw them not as obstacles, but as partners.

  "Daisy, Violet, Lily… I can't do this alone, can I?"

  Daisy reached out and pinched Misty's cheek playfully. "Now that's the Misty I've been waiting to see. I think you're more than ready to take the path of a Gym Leader."

  Violet grinned. "We've got your back, sis."

  "Always," Lily chimed in, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

  Misty felt a warmth spread through her chest.

  Austin raised his fist toward her. "You ready for this, Mist?"

  Misty felt her heart thud in her chest, not with fear, but with determination. She raised her own fist, bumping it against his.

  "Yeah," she said. "Let's win this."

  The Team Rocket base in Cerulean City was a seemingly impenetrable fortress disguised as a gated religious community. The high, white stone walls were adorned with intricate carvings of Articuno, and banners bearing the legendary bird's icy crest hung from towering iron gates. To the locals, it appeared to be a sanctuary for devout worshipers, with its tranquil gardens, cascading fountains, and occasional soft chanting that drifted over the walls. In reality, it was one of three hidden Team Rocket bases in the city—the others were similarly cloaked as sanctuaries for Zapdos and Moltres.

  Inside the Articuno base, Jessie, James, and Meowth wandered through the maze-like courtyard, their heads swiveling as they took in the imposing architecture and the eerie stillness of the place.

  "This is creepy," Jessie muttered, glancing at a statue of Articuno that seemed to be watching them.

  "I think it's majestic," James replied. "It's so regal, so elegant..."

  "Would ya quit gawkin'?" Meowth snapped. "We ain't tourists, we're on a mission!"

  Suddenly, the sound of sharp, deliberate footsteps echoed through the courtyard. The trio froze, their hearts sinking as a tall woman in a sleek black Team Rocket uniform stepped into view. Sabrina, an executive whose piercing gaze alone was enough to make most people tremble, stopped in front of them, her psychic presence practically radiating off her.

  "Did you three bring me my latte?"

  The trio exchanged nervous glances before Meowth stepped forward, laughing nervously and rubbing the back of his head. "Uh, ya see, boss, we're kinda... uh... broke," he said. "And by kinda, I mean we're so broke, we could use a coupon just to afford tap water!"

  Jessie and James nodded furiously in agreement, both looking anywhere but directly at Sabrina.

  Sabrina's eyes narrowed, and she took a deliberate step closer. "Fine," she said icily. "Did you at least scout the underground tunnel?"

  The silence that followed was deafening.

  Sabrina's expression darkened as her psychic aura flared. In an instant, the trio was lifted off the ground by invisible energy.

  "Hey, hey, let's talk this out!" Meowth yelped, flailing helplessly.

  "Yeah, no need to get dramatic!" James added, though his voice was an octave higher than usual.

  "Wait! My hair—!" Jessie began, but before she could finish, the trio was unceremoniously hurled out of the base and into the nearby river with a splash.

  From the gates, Sabrina's voice rang out coldly. "Since you three idiots can't handle something as simple as scouting, your punishment is to stay out of my sight until the real mission is complete!"

  Jessie and James emerged from the water, drenched and shivering. Meowth floated lazily on a piece of driftwood nearby.

  "I told you, James," Jessie said, wringing out her hair angrily. "If you hadn't insisted on looking for your stupid bottle cap, we'd have done the mission by now!"

  "My stupid bottle cap?" James shot back. "I told you to go ahead without me! And need I remind you, you were planning to sell my precious bottle cap to buy yourself another dress?"

  "I was doing you a favor!" Jessie snapped. "You have too many bottle caps as it is!"

  "Too many bottle caps?" James gasped, clutching his chest like she'd insulted his family.

  "Hey, hey, knock it off!" Meowth interrupted. "What're we gonna do now, huh? Let's not forget we got bigger problems—Team Rocket's in the middle of bustin' Executive Arianna outta some big League trap, and now we're sittin' psyducks 'cause Sabrina kicked us to the curb!"

  Jessie huffed, crossing her arms. "So what? Let's rob someone! That's what we're good at!"

  "Ya can't!" Meowth shot back, waving a paw. "All Team Rocket operatives've been ordered to lay low. No schemes, no robberies, no nothin'! We're supposed to keep a low profile."

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Fine," Jessie grumbled. "But how are we supposed to find a job? It's not like opportunities are falling out of the sky!"

  As if on cue, a gust of wind swept through the riverbank, smacking Jessie in the face with a piece of paper. She grabbed it irritably, ready to tear it to shreds, but froze when she saw what it was.

  "Hey, guys..." she said slowly, holding it up for the others to see.

  It was a help-wanted poster, advertising a temporary job fair.

  Meowth blinked. "Well, whaddaya know. Guess fate's got a weird sense'a humor."

  "It's perfect," Austin declared, holding up his sketchbook.

  Misty and the Cerulean Sisters leaned over to look at the drawing. Pikachu stood proudly on the table beside Austin, flexing his tiny arms and puffing out his chest.

  The sketch in question? Pikachu's head on the ridiculously muscular body of a bodybuilder.

  Daisy and the others tried to stifle their laughter as Austin turned the sketchbook toward Pikachu, who was now poking his biceps with an air of self-importance.

  "Pika, pi!" Pikachu squeaked, giving a confident nod as if approving of his exaggerated new form.

  "What is this, Austin?" Misty asked.

  Austin grinned. "Merch. I'm designing the merchandise for the tournament."

  "You're going to sell this?" Daisy asked, pointing at the absurd sketch of Buff Pikachu.

  "Yep. People love joke designs," Austin said confidently. "Trust me, this'll sell like hotcakes."

  Pikachu thumped his puffed-out chest with pride, as if declaring that the world deserved to see his true form.

  "Your drawing is great, don't get me wrong. But... why this?"

  "Because," Austin said, smirking, "people love stuff that's weird, funny, and unexpected. A shirt with Buff Pikachu? It's so ridiculous, it's genius. And in 1997? Joke shirts are totally the kind of thing people will eat up. It's new, it's quirky, and it'll stand out. Nobody's going to forget a shirt like this."

  He closed his sketchbook with a flourish. "Here's the plan: from day one to day five of the tournament, I'll have multiple shirt designs. Whichever one gets the most sales? We lean into it hard."

  "What else are you planning to put on these shirts?" Misty asked.

  Austin smirked, flipping open a blank page in his sketchbook. "I've got a couple ideas. I can make designs for the Cerulean Sisters—like stylized versions of you three. Maybe something bold and dynamic, like a concert poster vibe…"

  Before he could finish, Lily leaned over, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and whispering in his ear, "Oh, Austin, why don't you draw me like one of your buff Pokémon?"

  Austin snorted, seeing through her attempt to fluster him. Without missing a beat, he countered, "Lily, I would love to draw you as a buff woman. Might even add a cape. You'd look great."

  Lily pouted and let go, while Daisy burst out laughing.

  "Draw me first," Misty said, almost jealous.

  "Of course, you're the star of the show, Misty."

  Misty turned away quickly, her cheeks tinting pink.

  "So," Daisy said, steering the conversation back on track, "you're just going to sell weird shirts?"

  "Oh, no," Austin replied. "I'm going full capitalist. I'll squeeze every last penny out of the audience. I'm talking overpriced food, exclusive merch, and—oh, banning outside food so everyone has to buy from the vendors."

  The Cerulean Sisters sweatdropped as Austin rubbed his hands together like a greedy villain, even mimicking Pikachu's mischievous grin.

  "How are you going to manage all this on your own?" Violet asked. "The tournament starts tomorrow, remember?"

  "Already handled," Austin said confidently. "I've talked to a shop that can make the shirts. I've got a dozen ready for trial runs. I've put up posters to recruit food vendors. The deal's simple—they sell food I provide, and I get a 40% cut of their sales."

  Just as he finished, there was a knock at the door.

  "That must be the people here for the job," Austin said, hopping up and hurrying to answer.

  He opened the door, only to freeze in place. Standing before him, in painfully obvious disguises, were Jessie, James, and Meowth.

  The trio froze as well, their fake mustaches and ill-fitting clothes doing little to hide their identities. Jessie wore a gaudy floral dress and a wide-brimmed hat, James had on a suit that was two sizes too big, and Meowth... well, Meowth was wearing a trench coat and a fedora, clearly pretending to be human.

  The silence stretched awkwardly.

  "You must be here for the job," Austin said at last, forcing a smile and pretending not to recognize them.

  Jessie and James exchanged nervous glances before James straightened his tie and stepped forward, attempting a posh accent. "Why, yes! We saw your poster and thought we'd offer our... uh, unique talents."

  "Yeah, yeah!" Meowth added. "We're hard workahs, see? Honest folk lookin' ta make an honest livin'!"

  Jessie elbowed Meowth sharply. "Don't oversell it, furball."

  Austin raised an eyebrow but kept his composure. "Well, come inside. I'd love to discuss this job opportunity with you."

  Jessie and James visibly relaxed, while Meowth wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.

  "Thanks, kid!" Meowth said, waddling in with his trench coat dragging behind him. "Yer not gonna regret this!"

  Austin stood back, watching them file inside, his mind already working. Normally, he'd steer clear of Team Rocket, but their presence here in Cerulean was suspicious. Something big had to be going down. He decided to play along for now—they might be the key to figuring out what was happening behind the scenes.

  Besides, he thought, remembering their antics from the anime, Jessie, James, and Meowth were surprisingly good at running food stalls for some reason.

  Win-win.

  Misty sat at the back of the gym, surrounded by the quiet hum of equipment, but it did nothing to calm her. She could hear the crowd outside, their excitement bleeding through the walls and making her leg bounce even faster. Her fingers twisted a Poké Ball around and around in her hands, the repetitive motion doing little to stop the knot in her chest from tightening. Her heart was racing, and her breaths grew shorter and quicker.

  Then, she heard it—soft, but enough to jolt her back to reality.

  "Pika."

  She looked up to see Pikachu trotting toward her, his ears twitching, with Austin not far behind him, sweat trickling down his forehead.

  "Is something wrong?" Misty asked, noting the way he was trying to catch his breath.

  "Misty, you should've seen it," he panted, bending over slightly as if he'd just run a marathon. "The shirts are selling like crazy. I had to run away from some family who wouldn't leave me alone—they wanted shirts for all their kids!"

  Misty let out a small chuckle despite the tension still sitting heavy in her chest. Austin always had a way of making things feel a little lighter.

  "I'm heading to the shop now to order a big batch before we run out," he said, straightening up.

  "Can you stay?" Her voice came out softer than she intended, barely above a whisper.

  Austin's expression shifted, and he sat down next to her without hesitation. "What's wrong, Misty?"

  She shook her head quickly. "No, no, it's nothing. It's just that... out there is my stage, where I'll have to battle in front of so many people, and—" Her words caught in her throat, but Austin finished them for her.

  "What if I fail? What if I'm not good enough? What if I embarrass myself?"

  She blushed, warmth spreading to her ears. "Was I that obvious?"

  "Not obvious," Austin said, smiling softly. "Just normal. It's normal to feel pressure when you're stepping onto a big stage. If you weren't nervous, you'd either be overconfident or an idiot."

  Misty giggled at that, the sound easing some of the tension in her chest.

  "So... what do I do then?"

  Austin leaned back, pretending to think. "Well, you could always do the classic thing and imagine everyone in their underwear."

  Misty gave him a look, and he grinned sheepishly.

  "Okay, fine," he said, holding up his hands. "Just block everyone out. It's you and your Pokémon—that's it. And honestly, you don't need advice from some rookie like me. You're Misty Waterflower, the future Water Master."

  She playfully punched his arm, feeling a little bit of her confidence return. "The battles are about to start. You should probably go and order those shirts."

  "Nah," Austin said. "I think I'll stick around and watch you kick some ass first."

  Misty smiled, the weight in her chest lifting just a bit. Without thinking, she leaned in and hugged him. "Thank you for everything, Austin. I'll make sure I win this."

  "I know you will," he said, his voice steady. "Now go get 'em, girl."

  She nodded and walked toward the door. Just as she reached for the handle, Daisy's voice echoed over the speakers, clear and confident.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Cerulean City Tournament! Today, you're in for a spectacular series of 1-v-1 battles featuring none other than our own Misty Waterflower! With strength, strategy, and grace, she's ready to prove herself in front of the world. Let's give her a warm welcome!"

  Misty stepped through the door and onto the main floor, the noise hitting her like a wave. The gym was transformed. Crowds of people surrounded the massive poles holding up the tarp that covered the pool. Vendors shouted over the crowd, selling snacks and drinks, and the buzz of excitement was almost overwhelming.

  She caught sight of the referee near the pool, flanked by four Alakazams stationed at each corner. The League had provided them as a safety measure, using their psychic abilities to shield the audience from stray attacks. The referee himself stood at attention, ready to ensure everything ran smoothly. His badge, marking him as a League-certified official, glinted under the lights.

  The tarp that covered the pool was massive, hiding the battlefield underneath. Misty's first opponent was already waiting—a seasoned-looking trainer, older, with the kind of confident stance that told her he'd been through the gym circuit before. The cash prize must've caught his attention.

  Not that it mattered.

  She glanced toward the stands, where Austin and Pikachu were watching. Pikachu had somehow turned a pair of shirts into makeshift pom-poms and was shaking them enthusiastically while Austin cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, "Remember the plan!"

  Misty nodded to him. Yeah. Remember the plan.

  The referee stepped forward and raised a hand. "Trainers, take your positions! Prepare your first Pokémon!"

  The tarp began to lift, revealing the battlefield beneath. Gasps rippled through the crowd—and even the referee looked momentarily stunned. The pool wasn't filled with crystal-clear water like everyone had expected. Instead, it was a muddy, murky terrain that looked more like a swamp than a traditional water battlefield.

  The crowd murmured, and Misty caught snippets of confusion.

  "What's going on?"

  "Where's the water?"

  This was Austin's idea. The terrain was designed to throw off the confidence of trainers expecting a typical water battle. Muddy terrain slowed down land-based Pokémon and made movement unpredictable.

  Her opponent quickly recovered, narrowing his eyes as he gripped his Poké Ball. He wasn't going to let the terrain shake him that easily. Fine by her.

  The referee raised his flag. "Let the match begin!"

  "Hajime!"

  Both trainers stood still, the referee's flag dropping as the match officially began. Misty's opponent, a man named Kai who looked like he had plenty of gym experience under his belt, tossed his Poké Ball into the air.

  "Go, Vileplume!"

  The red light burst open, revealing the large flower Pokémon. Misty gripped her own Poké Ball, heart pounding, but her fingers were steady.

  "Goldeen, let's do this!"

  In a flash, the familiar shape of her beautiful Goldeen appeared, her white and orange body glimmering as she flicked her tail gracefully. The crowd murmured, and Misty caught a few chuckles. Goldeen wasn't exactly an intimidating pick. She could almost hear their thoughts: Why not Starmie? Why not Cloyster? But they didn't understand. Misty didn't need overwhelming strength—she needed strategy.

  "Bold choice. Let's see how long she lasts."

  Misty ignored him, her eyes locked on the field, where Vileplume was already sinking into the thick mud covering the pool.

  "Rain Dance!" she commanded, her voice sharp.

  Goldeen twirled her body in the water, summoning clouds above them. They swirled and darkened rapidly, casting shadows over the gym. Within seconds, fat droplets of rain began to fall, splattering against the tarp-covered poles and turning the muddy pool into a swirling mess of movement.

  "Grassy Terrain!" Kai shot back, thrusting a hand forward.

  Green energy pulsed from Vileplume, and long, twisting vines emerged, weaving together beneath the flower Pokémon and forming a stable platform above the muddy water. Smart. With that platform, Vileplume wouldn't be slowed down by the mud, and the terrain would slowly heal it over time. Misty bit her lip but quickly refocused. The mud was her ally now, and Goldeen had the advantage. She just had to use it.

  "Sweet Scent!" Kai called out.

  Vileplume released a glowing pink orb that burst in front of Goldeen, showering her with a cloying, sweet aroma. The move wasn't meant to hurt—it was meant to reduce evasion.

  "Tail Whip!"

  Goldeen snapped out of it and flipped her tail, slapping Vileplume right across the face. The crowd gasped, and Kai's smirk faded slightly.

  "Giga Drain!" Kai barked, his eyes narrowing.

  Vileplume's pistil glowed a sickly green, releasing a vine-like energy beam that shot toward Goldeen. Misty's pulse quickened—if that attack hit, it would drain Goldeen's energy in an instant.

  "Swim, Goldeen!"

  Goldeen shot forward like a torpedo, cutting through the muddy water with ease. The rain falling from above activated her Swift Swim ability, doubling her speed and making her impossible to catch. Misty saw the brief flicker of surprise on Kai's face as he realized what was happening.

  He didn't see that coming.

  "Down!" she commanded.

  Without hesitation, Goldeen plunged beneath the muddy surface, vanishing into the murk below. The mud was thick, but the rain had softened it enough for her to glide effortlessly. Misty watched Kai closely, trying to predict his next move. His eyes scanned the pool, searching for any sign of Goldeen.

  "Grass Knot!"

  Misty tensed as vines from the Grassy Terrain slithered across the surface of the pool, creating a web-like trap. If Goldeen got caught, they were done for.

  Not happening.

  She cupped her hands around her mouth and whistled sharply—a signal Goldeen knew well.

  Kai grinned. "It's over. Vileplume, another Giga Drain!"

  Vileplume's pistil glowed once more as the vines tightened around what they thought was their target. But just as the energy beam shot forward, something shimmered. The vines collapsed around thin air, revealing nothing but a fading image of Goldeen.

  "Double Team," Misty whispered, smiling.

  From behind Vileplume, the real Goldeen launched herself out of the mud, her horn glowing fiercely.

  "Mega Horn, now!"

  Goldeen roared as she surged upward, her glowing horn striking Vileplume directly beneath its massive flower. The impact sent the grass-type flying through the air before it crashed outside the pool, landing right in the arms of one of the Alakazams stationed for safety.

  The crowd erupted in cheers as the referee raised his flag. "Vileplume is unable to battle! The winner of this match is Misty Waterflower!"

  A wave of relief washed over Misty as she saw Vileplume knocked out cold. She turned and spotted Austin in the stands, grinning from ear to ear. Pikachu was waving his makeshift shirt pom-poms in the air while Austin gave her a big thumbs-up.

  "Go, you idiot! Get the shirts! I'll handle things here!"

  Austin chuckled, jogging toward the exit. "Don't worry. I'm going to have you sign them and sell them for double the price."

  Misty giggled as he disappeared from view, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. One battle down. One step closer to becoming the official Cerulean City Gym Leader.

  Misty sat on the floor of the gym, her back resting against the wall as she stared at the mess around her. Empty popcorn bags, crushed cups, and crumpled flyers littered the floor—the aftermath of a day packed with battles. The lights above flickered faintly, casting long shadows across the empty stands. The cheering crowds were gone, but their echoes still lingered in her head. She stretched her legs out in front of her, barely able to lift them, and sighed.

  She had done it—24 battles, all in one day. She couldn't believe she had made it this far.

  Her arms felt like lead, her legs were jelly, and she was pretty sure Goldeen, Wooper, Kingler, Staryu, Lanturn, Qwilfish, Slowbro, Dewgong, and Poliwhirl were even more exhausted than she was. But she couldn't stop smiling.

  "Okay, so you guys are gonna clean everything up," she heard Austin say from the other side of the gym. She turned her head slightly to see him talking to three weird-looking people wearing janitor uniforms—Jessica, Jamie, and Meowtholomew, or whatever they called themselves. They were the food vendors Austin had hired, but something about them felt... familiar. She couldn't quite place it, but it nagged at the back of her mind.

  Austin, oblivious to her suspicions, handed them a broom and a mop. "Get to work," he said with a casual grin. The trio groaned but didn't argue.

  Austin collected the large stack of cash they'd earned from selling overpriced popcorn and rice crispies—his "genius plan" to make a small fortune off the tournament. As he walked over to her, his smile widened. He plopped down on the floor next to her, setting the bag of money aside.

  "So, how are you feeling?"

  "Tired," she admitted. "But I think my Pokémon are more exhausted than I am."

  He chuckled. "Yeah, you guys worked hard today. I lost count of how many water-type moves I saw."

  "All of them pulled through for me. I'm proud of them."

  Austin tilted his head curiously. "How long did it take you to catch all of those? You've got a pretty solid team."

  She thought back to her travels. "It wasn't something I planned all at once," she said. "I was on the road for a long time. I spent years traveling through Johto before coming back to Kanto. I picked them up along the way—some from rivers, some from lakes, some from the sea."

  He nodded, thinking it over. "I'm surprised you don't have a Magikarp on that list."

  She raised an eyebrow. "Because of Gyarados, right?"

  "Yeah," he said, leaning forward a bit. "Gyarados is one of the strongest water-types out there. You'd think it would be on your radar, especially for a future Water Master like you."

  She smiled softly. "It's not that I don't want one," she explained. "It's just... Magikarp are tricky. They take a lot of time and resources to raise properly. Most trainers who focus on raising a Gyarados end up neglecting the rest of their team. And the worst part is, if they don't have patience, they're too harsh on the Magikarp. That's why a lot of Gyarados end up being angry or out of control."

  Austin rubbed his chin, considering her words. "You think you could do it if you had the right help?"

  She blinked, caught off guard. "Are you saying I should get a Magikarp and raise it into a Gyarados?"

  "Yeah," he said, his eyes lighting up. "We've still got a lot of battles ahead of us, and when the news spreads about your winning streak, stronger trainers are going to start showing up. We're gonna need a powerhouse on your team. Gyarados could be that."

  She thought about it for a moment. "I get what you're saying, but it's not easy to make a Magikarp powerful. It's a lot of work."

  "Well," Austin said, leaning in slightly, "if you're willing to trust me, I'll help you. I can get you a Gyarados by the end of the week."

  She studied him, weighing her options. Austin hadn't let her down so far. Every crazy idea of his had somehow worked. And honestly, if there was anyone she could trust to pull off something as wild as raising a Magikarp quickly, it was him.

  "I've trusted you up until now," she said, giving him a small smile. "I don't see any reason to stop."

  "Awesome!" His eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let's go catch a Magikarp!"

  She couldn't help but laugh as he and Pikachu both cheered, shouting "Yay!" in unison.

  From across the gym, the trio of janitors shouted, "What about us, boss?!"

  "Oh yeah," Austin said, scratching the back of his head like he'd completely forgotten about them. "I promised to feed you guys once the cleanup was done."

  He turned toward the house and yelled, "Daisy! Feed the three stooges! Misty and I are heading out!"

  "Enjoy your date!"

  Misty froze. Her cheeks burned as Daisy's words echoed in her head. Date? This isn't a date!

  Flustered, she shot to her feet and bolted for the door. "Come on, Austin! Let's go!"

  Austin followed her, grinning like an idiot. "I think Daisy's onto something," he teased.

  "She's not," Misty muttered, still blushing as she power-walked toward the exit.

  "You three, I'll leave the good work to you."

  Behind them, James sighed. "He says that like he was actually doing any of the work."

  "Seriously," Jessie added.

  "Youse said it," Meowth agreed.

  Misty shook her head, smiling despite herself. This wasn't how she'd imagined her first day of the tournament ending, but with Austin around, nothing ever went the way she expected.

  "The art of fishing," Misty said dramatically, holding up the fishing rod like it was a sacred relic. The wooden handle was smooth, worn just enough to fit perfectly into her grip. The reel gleamed under the light, and the line shimmered as she lightly tugged on it. "It's not just a skill—it's a test of patience, heart, and intuition. The rod becomes an extension of your soul, and the sea... the sea will reward those who respect its mystery."

  Pikachu sat on a nearby crate, wide-eyed, completely enraptured by her words. His tail twitched with excitement, as if he were already imagining himself reeling in a giant water-type Pokémon.

  "When you cast that line, you're not just throwing a hook into the water. You're starting an epic battle between man—or Pokémon—and nature itself. You need focus, precision, and most importantly, you need to listen to the water."

  Austin, standing a few feet away, leaned over the counter of the fishing shop and said to the clerk, "So, how much for a Super Rod?"

  The shop, known as Fin and Feather Fishing Supplies, was cozy but cluttered, filled with racks of tackle boxes, shelves of shiny lures, and posters of famous anglers posing with their Pokémon catches. A Poliwag scurried past behind the counter, its tail wagging as it helped restock supplies.

  The clerk, a guy named Derek with scruffy brown hair and a fishing vest covered in pins, smiled. "Super Rod's going for 2,000 Pokédollars," he said. He pulled one out and placed it on the counter. The rod was sleek and polished, with a graphite body that shimmered like the ocean under the sun. The grip was wrapped in waterproof leather, and the reel was built with a high-tech mechanism designed for precision casting and smooth reeling.

  "Austin, I'm telling you, it's not about the rod or the equipment. It's about the heart of the sea. You have to feel the water, let it guide you to your perfect catch."

  Austin snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure the sea's just itching to hand me a Magikarp," he muttered before turning to Derek. "Is there a discount for first-time customers?"

  Misty huffed, crossing her arms and turning away. Pikachu gently patted her arm, as if to say, Don't let him get to you.

  "Reon!"

  Everyone turned to see Umbreon trotting toward them from one of the aisles, wearing a small fishing hat tilted jauntily to one side. The brim had a decorative feather sticking out, and the soft canvas material gave it a rugged, outdoorsy charm. Umbreon's red eyes gleamed with pride as it gave Austin a hopeful look.

  Austin licked the inside of his cheek, considering. "How much for the hat?"

  "Pika?!" Pikachu squeaked, pointing to another nearby rack with hats just like it.

  "How much for two hats?"

  Misty turned, her cheeks flushing as she stammered, "Misty!"

  Austin looked at her, confused. "Yes?"

  "No, I—uh—I thought you'd get me one too if I say my name just like these two. Since, you know, Pikachu and Umbreon are getting one, and I would love to get one." She mumbled the last part, clearly embarrassed.

  "Alright. How much for the Super Rod and three hats?"

  Derek rang them up, and a few minutes later, they were outside. Misty walked a few steps behind, her arms crossed and a frown on her face, while Austin, Pikachu, and Umbreon happily strutted down the street, each sporting their new hats.

  "I think these hats look pretty nice."

  She took the bait immediately. "Well, I think they look ugly."

  "Is that so?" Austin asked, barely containing his laughter. He reached over and plopped his hat on Misty's head.

  "You... you... you!" she sputtered, her eyes wide with disbelief as she reached up to touch the brim.

  Austin laughed and gave her a playful bow. "Oh, most beautiful master of the sea, please, please teach me the sacred ways of fishing."

  "Flattery will get you nowhere."

  "You can also keep my hat, if it helps."

  Misty rolled her eyes but adjusted the hat slightly. "Come on, students," she said, motioning for them to follow.

  "Pika, pika!"

  "Reon!"

  "No, you two aren't fishing," Austin said, pointing at them sternly.

  "No, they are," Misty said and grabbed Austin by the arm, dragging him down the stone path toward her favorite fishing spot.

  Austin chuckled, letting himself be pulled along. "Can't wait to see how much patience this 'art of fishing' is gonna require."

  "You'll need more than patience," Misty said with a smirk. "You'll need to listen to me."

  Austin glanced at her, then at Pikachu and Umbreon trailing behind. "Pretty sure that's the hard part."

  Misty just laughed.

  An hour later, Austin, Misty, and their Pokémon found themselves sitting by the side of a quiet stone road, their fishing lines cast lazily into the water. Well, Misty and Austin's fishing rods were properly set up, while Pikachu and Umbreon had wires tied to their tails, "fishing" in their own ridiculous way.

  Austin glanced around, taking in the scene. "So, this is your favorite fishing spot?" he asked, looking down the peaceful street. It was quiet, the cobblestone road winding through a sleepy neighborhood toward the edge of a giant lake. Only the occasional breeze disturbed the stillness.

  "Yeah," Misty said, her voice soft with nostalgia. "My mother used to bring me here all the time. I actually caught my starter, Staryu, right here."

  Austin smiled. "That's awesome. I got my buddy from Professor Oak." He chuckled, glancing at Pikachu. "He shocked me when we first met."

  Pikachu's ears drooped, and he gave Austin a pointed glare, as if silently pleading, Don't tell that story. It's embarrassing.

  "Well, I'm glad you two worked it out. I remember how things were at first."

  Austin grinned, reaching over to rub Pikachu's head. "Yeah, we've come a long way."

  Suddenly, the boy and his Pokémon fell silent as they gazed out at the lake. The water was so calm it looked like glass, perfectly reflecting the moon above. Its silver light bathed the surface, casting gentle ripples of light that shimmered as if the stars themselves had fallen into the water.

  "It's hard not to believe in a bit of magic when you see something like this," Austin said quietly, as if speaking too loudly might disturb the beauty of the moment.

  "If you think this is impressive, I could show you something even better."

  "I'll hold you to that," Austin replied with a nod. After a moment, he glanced back at her. "So, since this is my first time fishing, what do you think I could do better?"

  Misty brightened and launched into a detailed explanation, offering tips about how to feel for subtle tugs on the line, how to read the water, and how to stay patient.

  "Where'd you learn all this?"

  "Oh, I picked up a lot from a fisherman hermit I met during my travels in Johto," Misty said. "I actually went to the Lake of Rage planning to catch a Gyarados."

  Austin's eyes widened. "You went to the Lake of Rage? So, did you catch one?"

  Misty nodded. "Yeah, but... there's a reason it's called the Lake of Rage. Most of the Gyarados there are completely out of control. They're angry, violent, and not exactly ideal partners unless you're ready to deal with all that aggression. At the time, I wasn't."

  Austin leaned back on his elbows, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I guess this is going to be your redemption arc."

  Misty chuckled, but it was short-lived. She sighed, casting her line again and watching the ripples break the moon's reflection. "I still don't get how I'm supposed to get a Gyarados by the end of the week. Look, I trust you, but you have to understand where I'm coming from. A Magikarp normally takes months, sometimes years, of proper training, dieting, and swimming exercises to evolve. You can't just rush it."

  "We're not going to rely on time—we're going to evolve it through battles."

  Misty frowned. "That's a bad idea." She sat up straighter, recalling the old fisherman's warning. "The hermit told me about that. He said trainers who try to evolve a Magikarp through battles often end up pushing them too hard. Magikarp only knows Splash at first, and it's practically useless. When they're forced into battles, they resort to using Struggle just to survive, and it leaves them severely injured. And the worst part? A Pokémon will do anything for its trainer—even endure pain—if they think it'll make their trainer proud."

  Austin nodded as Misty continued. "But what happens when that trainer doesn't care about the pain they're causing?"

  "They rampage," Austin said softly.

  "Yeah, and that's how you end up with an angry Gyarados."

  They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them.

  Austin finally broke it. "So, can a Magikarp really only learn Splash?"

  Misty shrugged. "That's what common sense says. But then again, you're not exactly someone who follows common sense."

  Austin chuckled, leaning closer. "What if I told you that a Magikarp can learn Dragon Rage?"

  This was Austin's plan. It had to work.

  Back on Earth, there was this event-exclusive Dragon Rage Magikarp card that he'd stumbled across at a collector's fair. One of his most precious finds, and now, here he was, trying to recreate something just as special in this world. His theory had started forming the moment he learned about the differences between the Fairy-type Clefairy and the older Normal-type Clefairy here. If both versions could exist, then why not unique or event-exclusive Pokémon? He didn't see why not.

  Misty's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "I'm shocked," she said, her wide eyes still processing what he'd told her about Magikarp learning Dragon Rage.

  He nodded, trying to play it cool. "To tell you the truth," he said, half-lying through his teeth, "I'm planning to submit this as a research paper to Professor Oak."

  She blinked, and then, without a hint of doubt, said, "I know you'll succeed."

  The sincerity in her voice caught him off guard, but he smiled. "Thanks. I'm planning to buy a TM for Dragon Rage and use it on the Magikarp. Once it works, I'll get help from Professor Oak and publish my findings."

  That was a lie, but only halfway. The truth was, he just wanted to test his theory and see if he could give Pokémon event-exclusive moves. If this worked, he'd be one step closer to giving his team some crazy hidden potential. And Pikachu—well, the little guy was already a walking event in himself. Pikachu had access to so many exclusive moves, thanks to Nintendo's obsession with him. If Magikarp worked, Pikachu was next on his list.

  But now that he'd mentioned the research paper, the idea of a bonus from Professor Oak didn't sound bad either. Oh, Oak's going to give me a raise for sure… 30k stipend, here I come.

  Suddenly, Austin's fishing line jerked hard. Misty's line tugged too.

  "We've got something!" he shouted, his grip tightening on the rod.

  Misty grinned, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "I've got this!"

  He watched in awe as she expertly reeled in her line. Her hands moved smoothly, with just the right balance between pulling and letting the line slack. The reel spun rapidly, but she controlled it with ease, her movements steady and confident. The fishing rod bent under the weight of her catch, but she kept her balance like she'd done this a thousand times before.

  "Almost there…" she murmured, eyes focused on the water.

  With one final tug, a large orange fish burst through the surface, flapping wildly as water splashed everywhere.

  "Magikarp!" Misty exclaimed, a proud grin on her face. She didn't hesitate—she pulled out a Poké Ball and punted it straight at the poor Magikarp's head. It hit with a loud thunk before sucking the flailing fish inside. The ball shook once, twice, and then locked with a satisfying ding.

  "Got it!" Misty said, holding the ball up triumphantly.

  "Show-off," Austin teased, still struggling with his own line.

  "Focus, Austin! Don't let it get away," she said, moving beside him. "Keep the tension on the line, but don't pull too hard, or it'll snap!"

  He gritted his teeth as the line tugged wildly, nearly pulling him off balance. His hands were sweating as he adjusted his grip. "It's putting up a fight," he muttered.

  "That's a good thing! Keep reeling it in, slow and steady," Misty said, guiding him through the process.

  Pikachu and Umbreon were on the sidelines, bouncing excitedly and cheering him on.

  "Pika pika!" "Reon!"

  With a final heave, Austin yanked the rod back, and the catch broke through the surface of the water. The Pokémon dangled from the end of his line, glistening in the moonlight. His breath hitched as he recognized the light blue, seahorse-like creature.

  Its red eyes blinked at him, and the cream-colored ridges along its belly glimmered as it squirmed. Its fins twitched, giving it a delicate but powerful look.

  "A Horsea," Austin whispered, barely able to contain the rush of emotions hitting him.

  Horsea.

  He stared at the little seahorse, his heart pounding. Back on Earth, his first competitive Pokémon tournament had been won thanks to his Kingdra—a rain-dance sweeper that had carried him through some of the toughest matches of his life. This wasn't just any Pokémon to him; this was a piece of home, a connection to the version of himself that used to stay up all night grinding through battles, dreaming of victory.

  He could hear Misty's voice in the background, but his mind was racing.

  "Do you want to catch it?" she asked. "If not, just let go of the handle."

  Let go of the handle? No way.

  I could use a dragon on my team.

  Without another thought, he jerked the rod forward, bringing Horsea closer. He carefully removed the bait from its mouth and crouched by the water's edge. The Horsea eyed him warily, its fins twitching as if it was ready to spray him with water at any moment.

  "Hey, do you want to join my team, little dragon?"

  Horsea's eyes narrowed slightly, and it let out a tiny warning puff of water. He didn't flinch. Instead, he placed it gently back in the water. "How about I prove it to you? Let's battle. If I win, you join my team."

  Horsea paused, the tension in the air thick. Its body floated back a few feet before it swam into position, its gaze locked on him. It had accepted the challenge.

  Austin grinned and motioned for Pikachu to step forward.

  "Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head and pointed to his cheeks. Should I use my electricity or not?

  Austin raised an eyebrow. "Pikachu, we're fighting a dragon. Show it some respect. Go all out."

  Misty laughed from the side. "Austin, Horsea's a water-type, not a dragon."

  He shrugged, still smiling. "Doesn't matter. It will be a dragon one day, under my care."

  Austin locked eyes with Horsea, feeling the familiar surge of excitement that came before every battle. "Let's do this."

  "Thunder Wave!" Austin shouted.

  Pikachu's cheeks sparked before releasing a wave of crackling electricity that surged toward Horsea. The seahorse Pokémon didn't flinch—it took the hit head-on. But just as Austin was about to follow up, Horsea's red eyes glowed, and Pikachu stiffened mid-step.

  "Disable!" Misty gasped.

  Austin smiled, impressed. A cunning fighter, huh? He liked this little guy—or, girl, maybe. Either way, Horsea wasn't just quick; it was smart. This was exactly the type of Pokémon he wanted on his team.

  "Sword strike the water!" Austin called.

  Pikachu responded instantly, dashing forward with Quick Attack and spinning mid-air as his tail hardened with Iron Tail. The strike hit the water hard, sending a massive splash upward.

  The wave was beautiful—fading moonlight reflecting off the droplets as they arced high, a shimmering curtain of water cascading down toward the canal. For a moment, it was like the world had slowed down, but Austin snapped back to reality.

  "Thunder Shock!"

  Electricity crackled through the splash, heading straight for Horsea. Austin figured the disorienting splash would throw it off, but he underestimated just how crafty this Pokémon really was.

  Horsea's body spun in the water, and suddenly, a swirling vortex of water rose around it. The tornado twisted rapidly, deflecting the Thunder Shock with ease.

  "Twister," Misty murmured in awe.

  Austin couldn't help but grin. "Amazing." His excitement was practically bubbling over. I'm so going to catch this Horsea.

  "Pikachu, use Double Team and Quick Attack!"

  The twister spun toward them, churning up the water with dangerous force. But Pikachu didn't hesitate. He bolted forward in a blur of yellow light, leaving behind glowing clones as he activated Double Team. The illusions darted around the canal, confusing Horsea as the twister tore through the fake Pikachus.

  Horsea made the wrong choice.

  The real Pikachu emerged from the side, breaking through the chaos, and slammed into Horsea with a clean hit. The force sent the seahorse flying out of the canal and crashing into the stone wall with a splash. The Twister collapsed, sending water raining down on Austin, Misty, and Umbreon.

  Austin wiped his soaked bangs out of his face and rushed over. "Horsea!"

  [ A few hours later ]

  The seahorse stirred on his jacket, water dripping off its sleek blue body as it blinked up at him. Its gaze darted to Pikachu, then to Misty, and finally back to Austin. He could see the gears turning in its head, replaying the battle and analyzing where it went wrong.

  "That was amazing," Austin said, crouching next to it.

  Horsea tilted its head, giving him a look that seemed to say, Yeah, but I still lost.

  "You were holding your own against Pikachu," Austin added quickly, trying to soften the blow. "That Twister move? Brilliant. Most Pokémon would've been thrown off by the splash and panicked. But you stayed calm."

  Horsea puffed a small stream of bubbles, as if considering whether to accept the compliment.

  "I know what you're thinking," Austin said. "You're wondering if I'm worth following, aren't you?"

  Horsea narrowed its eyes. Maybe.

  "Well," Austin said, holding up a Poké Ball, "how about you give me a chance to prove myself?"

  Horsea huffed, releasing another tiny spray of bubbles. It was definitely testing him, seeing how far he'd go to convince it.

  "I'm serious," Austin said with a grin. "Join my team, and I'll make sure you evolve into a Kingdra. You'll be a dragon that no one will mess with. But you've got to trust me."

  Horsea stared at the ball, then at Austin. For a moment, he thought it might blow him off, but instead, it gave the ball a playful tap with its snout.

  "It's happening," Misty whispered from behind him, her eyes wide with excitement.

  The Poké Ball opened, and with a flash of light, Horsea disappeared inside. The ball shook once, twice, and then clicked shut with a satisfying ding.

  Austin let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

  They sat there for a moment, watching the sun peek over the horizon. This street, Misty's favorite fishing spot, had a kind of magic to it. The road was perfectly aligned so that the first rays of the morning sun poured directly down its center, bathing everything in gold. The lake sparkled like liquid fire, the reflection of the rising sun stretching across its surface.

  No cars. No noise. Just the peaceful hum of the morning and the sound of water lapping gently against the stone. It felt like the world had come to a standstill, just for them.

  It's moments like this that make life feel... amazing.

  Austin glanced down at the Poké Ball in his hand and smiled. "Welcome to this Pokémon Odyssey, little dragon."

  [ Author Note: Haha, gotcha! I know y'all thought Austin was gonna catch a Magikarp and get a Gyarados, didn't you? Some of you even threw Feebas into the mix. But nah, here's the deal: Austin's in Kanto right now, and I'm keeping each region's team specific to its local Pokémon. So, no Hoenn Pokémon in Kanto. Evolutions from later gens are fair game, though, so don't worry about that.

  Criminally underused. I figured I'd switch things up and give Austin something unique to work with.

  ! ]