Finding My Voice

The Rematch.

Daisy and I went back to the Pokémon Center and got some much-needed rest. I was relieved to once again not have any strange dreams while sleeping. Daisy and I met up in the morning and we made our way to the Cerulean City Gym.

I pushed open the doors to the building and was hit by the smell of chlorine. Misty was doing laps in the pool, while the referee was holding up a stopwatch. The referee glanced at me. "Oh, you're back! Misty just has to wrap up this set, and then we'll get to your battle!" I gave them a thumbs up and waited for Misty to conclude her rep.

The woman pulled herself out of the water and threw on a towel. "You want a rematch already?" Misty confirmed. "I like the ambition!" Misty strode over to the other end of the pool while the referee prepped the battlefield.

"Red and I were training yesterday, so he's got plenty of new strategies!" Daisy proclaimed.

Misty smiled. "I'm looking forward to it, then!"

The referee held up their flags. "The following battle will be a two-on-three between Misty and the challenger, Red. Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon, and the match will be over when all Pokémon on either side can no longer battle! Let the match... begin!"

Misty sent out her Staryu and I sent out Bulbasaur. The seed Pokémon landed on one of the platforms while Staryu submerged himself.

Misty threw her hand into the air. "Use Psybeam!" Staryu erupted from the water and launched down a pink beam. Get out of the way! Like we practiced! Bulbasaur threw himself off of the platform using his vines.

The green Pokémon ascended into the air above Staryu. Smack Staryu with Vine Whip! Bulbasaur's vines lashed out and slammed into Staryu, sending it flying down into the water.

Bulbasaur started to descend and then crashed down into the water. My Pokémon started to thrash in the pool, unsure how to keep himself afloat. Bulbasaur, calm down! I had to get through to him before a repeat of the previous battle happened.

"Use Rapid Spin!" Staryu spun through the water and rammed into Bulbasaur. "Then use Psybeam!" Bulbasaur winced as Staryu struck him, and then I noticed something. Bulbasaur was floating.

Staryu erupted from the water and fired a pink beam into my Pokémon. Bulbasaur! Hang in there! You can float! Bulbasaur endured the onslaught from Staryu. The Pokémon then stopped thrashing, realizing he floated in the water. Poison Powder! Bulbasaur unleashed a wave of purple powder from his bulb.

The powder surrounded Staryu, infesting its body. Pull yourself out of the water! Bulbasaur used his vines to grab one of the nearby islands and pull himself onto it.

Now use Vine Whip! Grab hold of Staryu! Bulbasaur extended his vines and they raced towards Staryu. The star Pokémon landed back in the pool and tried to swim away. The green vines sped through the water and wrapped around the opposing Pokémon. Staryu shuddered as the poison began to chip away at it.

"Staryu, use Rapid Spin!" Misty's Pokémon tried to rotate its body, but Bulbasaur held it in place. "Use Psybeam!"

Alter his aim! Staryu fired the pink beam as Bulbasaur turned the Pokémon to be facing the pool. The beam slammed into the water, sending pool water flying into the air. Finish this! Slam Staryu into the wall!

Bulbasaur jumped into the air and swung his body around. His vines followed close behind, carrying Staryu with them. My Pokémon let go of Staryu and sent it rocketing into the gym's south wall.

Bulbasaur landed in the water while Staryu seemed to have been defeated. "Staryu is unable to battle! The winner is Bulbasaur!"

"That was a really nice strategy. But, I'm not convinced that you can handle Starmie." Misty pitched a Poké Ball into the air and sent out Starmie. Misty's ace landed on a platform and faced down Bulbasaur. "Psychic!" Shoot! Get out of the way!