c10: The Duel with Gary — The 6v6 Battle
"Well, thank you, Alex." After Alex's encouragement, Misty regained her confidence. Together with Ash and Brock, they returned once again to the Cerulean Gym.
"Sister, it's you! You're finally back. Are you going to inherit the gym now? Ah, your sisters and I can finally go on our long-awaited world tour!" Violet exclaimed happily as she rushed forward.
"Sister, I told you already, I'm not coming back to inherit the gym! I want to prove my own strength. My dream is to become a Water-type Pokémon Master, not a gym leader stuck in one place," Misty said, eyes burning with determination.
"Misty, don't be so naive," Lily said, folding her arms. "If you really want to become a master of Water-types, you shouldn't aim too high. Isn't it better to inherit the gym and work from the ground up?"
"She's right," added Daisy. "Inheriting the Cerulean Gym would give you stability and recognition. There's no need to go wandering."
Blindly forcing someone to live your dream for the sake of your own convenience—how thoughtful. Alex narrowed his eyes at the three of them and said sarcastically, "You sisters are really something else. If that's the case, then let's settle it with a battle and let the truth speak for itself."
"Well, I want to see for myself how much Misty has improved after all this time playing adventurer." Violet smirked and threw her Poké Ball. "Go, Dewgong!"
Misty didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and called out, "Let's go—Gyarados!"
The massive Water/Flying-type Pokémon burst out in a flash of light, roaring with intensity. The Cerulean Sisters gasped in shock.
"Gyarados?! When did you get such a powerful Pokémon?" Lily exclaimed.
"I didn't spend my time away just daydreaming. I've been training." Misty's voice was firm.
"Gyarados, use Ice Fang!" Two large, frost-coated fangs slammed into Dewgong with brutal force. Dewgong crumpled to the ground, unable to battle. Next, Lily's Goldeen and Daisy's Starmie were swiftly swept aside by Gyarados' Aqua Tail and Hydro Pump combo.
In just a few minutes, Misty had decisively won.
"…You've really changed, Misty," Daisy admitted. "We have nothing more to say. We'll be cheering for you. Go prove yourself."
Just like that, Misty finally gained the recognition she had sought from her sisters and resumed her journey with Ash and the others.
After bidding farewell to the Cerulean sisters, the group stopped by the Cerulean City Pokémon Center.
"Thank you, Alex. Here's your Gyarados." Misty returned the Poké Ball.
After all, Misty's current roster only included a Goldeen, a Starmie, and the perpetually confused Psyduck. Without the temporary support of the Gyarados Alex had loaned her, the battle could've gone much differently.
"Haha, don't mention it," Alex said with a smile. "I hope you make it to the top and achieve your dream of becoming a Water Pokémon Master."
"I will! I promise!" Misty nodded confidently.
At that moment, a familiar voice called out.
"Alex, long time no see."
Alex turned around and saw Gary Oak, grandson of Professor Oak and his longtime rival, approaching with a confident grin.
"Gary. Been a while," Alex greeted.
"How many badges do you have now?" Gary asked, folding his arms with casual arrogance.
"Two. The Boulder Badge and the Cascade Badge."
"Hah, I already have three badges," Gary replied with a smug tone.
Alex expected that. After all, delays in Viridian Forest, Mt. Moon, and helping Misty at the Cerulean Gym had cost him several days. Otherwise, they'd already be well on their way to Vermilion City.
"Alex, let's battle," Gary said suddenly, his eyes narrowing. "I told you last time—we'd settle things when we meet again."
Ash, ever the battle enthusiast, lit up with excitement. "A 6-on-6 battle?! This is going to be awesome!"
"Fine," Alex said, stepping forward. "Let's go all out—6v6."
"You bet," Gary replied with a grin.
The two trainers made their way to the Cerulean Pokémon Center's outdoor battlefield. It was already mid-afternoon, and curious trainers began to gather when they heard about the full battle about to commence.
"Alex, let me show you how strong I've gotten! Go—Blastoise!"
A beam of light burst from Gary's Poké Ball, revealing the fully evolved Blastoise, its twin cannons gleaming. Over the past four years, Gary's once mischievous Squirtle had grown into a powerful force.
"Blastoise, huh?" Alex smiled and threw his Poké Ball. "Then go—Charizard!"
The Fire/Flying-type Pokémon emerged with a roar, its wings spreading wide as it glared down Blastoise.
The battle between rivals was about to begin.
Seeing Charizard appear, Gary was a little surprised.
"Using Charizard to fight against me? Hmph, that's looking down on me," Gary muttered, visibly annoyed.
Even Ash famed among his companions for pulling off reverse-type victories looked doubtful for a moment. But Brock calmly observed, "Alex's Charizard has gone through elite-level training. Its aura and conditioning are impressive… I'd say at least quasi-Elite rank. Gary may not take this round."
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump—now!" Gary ordered with a snap.
Charizard soared swiftly, dodging the first blast, then the second before diving down with Dragon Claw. The glowing claws raked across Blastoise's shell with a roar.
"Blastoise, hold your ground! Use Surf!"
A towering wave surged behind Blastoise as it charged forward, riding it like a juggernaut.
"Charizard, ascend!" Alex called out.
Charizard beat its wings hard but Blastoise shot upward with surprising speed. The wave engulfed the battlefield, dousing everything—including Charizard midair.
But then, against all odds, Charizard burst from the deluge, wings blazing with defiance. It grabbed Blastoise mid-rush, spinning into the sky.
"Seismic Toss!" Alex shouted.
Charizard spiraled upward, then plummeted, slamming Blastoise into the arena floor with a shockwave that kicked up thick smoke.
"Now, Thunder Punch!"
A flash of electricity surged through Charizard's claw as it struck Blastoise head-on. Sparks flew and with a grunt, Blastoise collapsed, unable to battle.
"Blastoise!" Gary cried out, rushing to recall it. "You did great. Take a rest."
He pulled out his next Poké Ball. "Let's go—Skarmory!"
"Skarmory…" Alex murmured, analyzing the steel-plated bird. "Steel-type, huh."
"A flying steel Pokémon?" Ash asked aloud, puzzled.
"Yeah," Brock answered. "Skarmory is a Steel/Flying-type. Very rare in Kanto—native mostly to Johto and mountainous zones."
"Charizard, return!" Alex said, recalling his partner. "Metagross, I choose you."
The massive Psychic/Steel-type landed with a metallic thud.
"This is your first official battle, Metagross. Let's give it our all."
Metagross responded with a rumbling growl, its red eyes glowing with determination.
"Skarmory, Steel Wing!"
"Metagross, use Protect."
A shimmering green barrier appeared in front of Metagross. Skarmory's attack clanged off it harmlessly.
"Skarmory, Air Cutter—chain into Steel Wing again!"
Gary was trying to whittle Metagross down through attrition, but he underestimated Alex's Pokémon. Metagross, drawn from a top-tier lottery in Alex's system, was no pushover.
The continuous Air Cutters were shrugged off. "Now, Meteor Mash!"
Metagross's fist glowed with silvery light and slammed Skarmory mid-air, sending it spiraling into the ground—fainted.
Two down.
Gary gritted his teeth. "You're strong, Alex. I'll admit that."
He clenched his third Poké Ball. "Go—Arcanine!"
The majestic Fire-type landed on the battlefield with a mighty roar. It was one of Gary's core powerhouses, even in the anime trained for both speed and strength.
Alex recalled Metagross. "Return. Go, Dragonair!"
The elegant serpentine Dragon-type materialized in a swirl of blue light. The crowd watching murmured with surprise Dragonair were rare even among skilled trainers in Kanto.
"Dragonair, Hydro Pump!"
"Arcanine, Extreme Speed—evade!"
But Dragonair's attack was faster. The stream of high-pressure water struck true, soaking Arcanine and matting its fiery fur.
"Arcanine, Flamethrower!" Gary countered.
"Dragonair, Dragon Breath—now!"
The fire and the draconic breath collided midair, exploding into a whirlwind of flame and smoke. Ash and Brock shielded their eyes.
"Dragonair, Dragon Rush!"
"Arcanine, Wild Charge!"
The two Pokémon glowed—one with crackling electricity, the other with mystical blue energy and hurtled toward each other. They collided in a blinding explosion.
When the smoke cleared Arcanine had fainted, while Dragonair was battered but still standing.
Both trainers recalled their Pokémon.
Gary stared at the battlefield. He had already lost three Pokémon. His expression shifted from confident to contemplative. He was starting to understand this wouldn't be an easy win.
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