Morning sunlight streamed through the glass dome of the Cerulean Gym, casting golden streaks across the calm waters of the battlefield. Each ripple danced as if the arena itself were breathing.
Skylar stepped confidently onto the floating platform that would carry him to the center. His gaze was steady. Focused. Calm.
Across the pool, Misty stood tall in her official Gym Leader coat. The cascade-shaped badge shimmered on her chest. Her expression was different from usual—sharper, more commanding—but her eyes still held their signature fire.
From the upper balcony, her sisters—Daisy, Lily, and Violet—watched with interest. Daisy sipped sparkling lemonade. Lily jotted down notes on Skylar's stance. Violet had already started betting candy with the Gym assistants.
But far above them, hidden behind mirrored glass in a private observation room, Bryce Waterflower, Misty's father and former Elite Four member, stood with arms crossed and eyes sharp.
He wasn't here as a father today.
He was here as a judge.
The Gym's automated referee system activated, and the arena lit up.
"Official Gym battle under League protocol. Format: 3-on-3. Challenger, Skylar of Twinleaf Town, Sinnoh, may rotate Pokémon freely. Acting Gym Leader, Misty Waterflower, may not switch. The match will continue until one side is unable to battle."
Misty stepped forward.
—"Don't expect me to hold back, Skylar. I'm fighting as a Leader today."
Skylar smirked. "That's exactly what I was hoping for."
"Let the battle… begin!"
The water shifted as the floating platforms glided into position. Skylar grabbed his first Poké Ball.
—"Scyther, let's lead!"
A burst of green light shot out, and Scyther landed on a stone platform, wings buzzing and blades crossed, ready for action.
Misty pulled out her own Poké Ball.
—"Don't get too confident."
She tossed it upward.
—"Froakie, let's go!"
A puff of white foam burst over the pool as Froakie landed lightly on a low platform. He shook himself, croaked softly, and met Scyther's stare without fear.
Skylar raised a brow. "Your first Pokémon?"
Misty nodded.
—"Don't underestimate what he learned in Mt. Moon."
—"Scyther, use Double Team, then follow with X-Scissor!"
The air buzzed as Scyther split into dozens of mirrored afterimages. They swirled across the arena like illusions caught in wind.
—"Froakie, Bubble Beam! Clear the fakes!"
Froakie inhaled deeply and fired a pressurized burst of bubbles, popping the clones one by one.
But the real Scyther was already diving in from the left.
—"Now!" Skylar commanded.
Scyther's blades glowed and crossed mid-air—X-Scissor!
The blow landed squarely.
Froakie flipped backward, nearly tumbling into the water—but he twisted midair, landing in a crouch and skidding back to his feet.
—"Good recovery," Skylar murmured.
—"Froakie, Quick Attack—from under the platform!" Misty snapped.
Skylar reacted too late. Froakie shot like a bullet from beneath the stone slab, slamming into Scyther's torso with surprising force.
Scyther faltered in midair, caught off guard.
Skylar's thoughts raced. "That Froakie isn't just agile… he's learning mid-battle. He's tactical."
Up in the shadows, Bryce observed in silence.
His gaze shifted slightly toward Skylar.
—"He's reading the terrain. Adjusting. Not relying on brute force… good," Bryce muttered. "Very good."
Back on the field, Misty's voice rang out.
—"Froakie, Bubble Dance! Circle the platform!"
Froakie sprinted around the base of Scyther's perch, firing a spiraling wave of bubbles that pelted the rock from all sides. Water exploded upward in bursts, forcing Scyther to stay airborne.
Skylar raised his voice. —"Scyther, ride the wind! Air Slash, wide arc!"
Scyther spun midair and unleashed a slicing wave of air, clearing the foam and striking Froakie's tail, sending him crashing into the pool with a splash.
Misty clenched a fist. —"Recover!"
Froakie surfaced quickly, shaken but still in fighting form.
Skylar exhaled.
—"You're holding up well, Froakie…"
Scyther hovered, eyes narrowed, waiting for the next order.
Misty smiled.
—"That was just the warm-up."