A while later, after the Team Rocket grunts who had been captured were taken away and their Pokémon transferred to a facility for separation, people finally started returning to the stadium.
The stadium itself had one wall broken from the giant robots, but it was still standing. People began to relax, seeing that the chaos was finally over.
Immediately, Misty's sisters were the first to run in and hug her. Even though she was soaking wet, they didn't care—they just cried ugly tears, letting their mascara run.
In the center of the half-drenched stage, Wallace stood with his Milotic coiled gracefully at his side. Beside him stood Maya, her robes soaked from being pulled into the water, her hair swept by the sea breeze. One hand was pressed to her heart, and in the other, she held the Sea Spirit staff.
"Everyone," Maya began, her voice carrying across the arena even without a microphone, "those who braved the storm… I thank you. Not just for your courage to help when you had no reason to."
"The situation was scary, I know, but thanks to everyone—and especially a few choice trainers," Maya said, sending a quick glance over to Ash, Brock, Misty, Yellow, and Nessa, "and the collaboration from all, we made it through. Everyone is unharmed. The seas are happy."
As she said that, she held up her staff, and the gem caught the sunlight again, casting another beautiful wave of blue light across the area.
Then Wallace stepped forward. "But I believe it's about time we finally finish this, don't you agree? After all, we were so rudely interrupted~"
The crowd clapped and cheered in agreement as Maya and Wallace looked at Misty and Nessa.
"So, what do you say? Care to have your battle now?"
Misty and Nessa shared a look, then smiled.
"I'm down. We may have made up, but don't think that means I'm just going to let you win," Misty said.
"Ha, alright then. But I'm the one who's going to win—just to show everyone I'm not just a pretty face," Nessa replied with a playful smile.
Misty returned the smile. "Same here. After all, if I'm going to take over my Gym from my sisters, I have to show everyone I'm not just the forgotten sister."
Nessa gave an evil smirk. "Alright, but I won't be holding back. After all," she raised her wrist to show Misty her Dynamax Band, which was still glowing faintly, "I still have a little bit of charge~"
You see, Dynamaxing works differently here than it does in the games. Instead of lasting a few turns and then ending, Dynamaxing here has a time limit. But if the transformation is canceled early, it doesn't lose all its energy. So even if Nessa only had a few seconds, she could still Dynamax.
And Misty felt it, her mouth going dry. As Nessa left to go prepare, Misty suddenly felt much more nervous.
—-
Misty left the cheering crowd behind, walking blankly to the locker room. She sat down, staring at the floor, unable to stop herself from thinking.
How was she supposed to beat that?
She clenched her fists in her lap.
"Stall it out?" she muttered. "Like that ever works unless you've got some miracle plan…"
Her mind flipped through her team.
Gyarados? No… not strong enough.
Starmie? Fast, but fragile.
Corsola? Defensive, but what good would that do if it couldn't even survive one hit?
She groaned and leaned forward, burying her face in her hands.
All the confidence she had seemed to vanish. The smile she wore earlier was gone, and she was falling back into her old ways, doubting herself.
"This is stupid. I don't belong here. I'm not Wallace. I'm not Maya. I'm not some showstopper like Nessa. I'm just… the girl with anger problems and some tragic backstory…"
The locker room door creaked open. Misty blinked and looked up.
Ash stood in the doorway, jacket off, sleeves rolled up. Pikachu peeked around his shoulder, ears twitching, while Vee stared too.
Ash didn't say anything at first.
He stepped inside, closing the door gently behind him. Misty didn't look at him. Not right away. She was afraid that if she did, he'd see the doubt in her eyes, or worse, for him to look at her with pity, and that made her stomach twist into a knot.
Ash sat beside her on the bench. Pikachu hopped up and curled against Misty's side without hesitation, letting out a soft, comforting, "Pika…"
Ash leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, "You good?" he asked.
Misty let out a humorless laugh. "Do I look good?"
"Not really," Ash said bluntly. "You look like you're about to puke."
"Wow. Thanks," she muttered, wiping her face. "That's so helpful."
She didn't get angry, though. Normally, she might've punched him for that, but not now. Not after all their talks. Not after everything that had happened.
"I don't have any special thing about me," she said quietly. "I can't match her on that."
Ash leaned back, "So don't."
She blinked. "What?"
Ash smirked. "You're fighting because this is who you are. Misty, after everything we've been through, is fighting a giant turtle really the worst thing? I mean, take your pick, the S.S. Anne, the Black Fog, the incident in Cinnabar Island, and that's just Kanto."
Pikachu squeaked softly, and Vee nuzzled Misty's leg.
She stared down at them, then at Ash. She couldn't argue with that. But that wasn't the real problem. She'd been acting confident, sure, but now that the moment was here, she could feel her pride folding in on itself.
Misty hesitated. Then finally let out a breath and stood up.
"…It's not just about the battle. It's about everything else. My sisters. The crowd. The Sapphire. Maya. Her. I don't want to just battle. I want to matter."
Ash was quiet for a long moment. Then, softly, he said, "You already do."
Misty turned toward him, and this time, she didn't look away.
Ash met her eyes, steady and calm, "You matter to a lot of people. You matter to me."
That hit harder than she expected. Her throat tightened, and she looked away, not wanting him to see the expression on her face.
She sniffed, wiped her face, then stood a little straighter, "You're still an idiot."
"Obviously," he said, standing too. "But I'm your idiot."
Her cheeks flushed red, and she quickly turned away, waving a hand, "Shut up before I cancel the battle and throw you into the ocean."
"Ha, okay, okay," Ash said, smiling. "So, you're going to do great. And if you win, you did great. And if you lose, well, who cares? I'm still cheering for you. We all are."
Ash reached out and took her hand. Misty almost jumped, but stopped herself. He gently sandwiched her hand between his.
"So good luck. And you better win. Otherwise, who else is going to kick Brock when he flirts?"
With that, Ash turned and left the locker room, Pikachu and Vee following behind him.
Misty stood there, but she felt calmer now.
As she blinked, she felt something in her hand. Slowly, she opened it and her eyes widened.
—-
The referee raised the flags. "Three Pokémon each! No substitutions unless caused by ability or move! Battle BEGIN!"
Nessa was first. "Let's do this, Golisopod!"
Misty took a breath and lightly slapped her cheeks as she looked up. "Gyarados, I choose you!"
The sea erupted as her Gyarados surged forth in a blast of foam, roaring skyward, water dripping from its fangs as it towered over Golisopod.
Nessa's eyes sparkled. "[First Impression]!"
"[Dive], now!" Misty shouted.
Gyarados plunged below the surface just in time. Golisopod lunged, its claws slicing through the air where Gyarados had been moments ago, barely scratching her tail.
"[Twister]!"
The surface churned. A spiraling cyclone of water burst from below, catching Golisopod off guard and sending it tumbling backward, with Gyarados in the center of the cyclone.
"[Pin Missile]!" Nessa countered, pointing toward the cyclone.
Golisopod dug its claws into the ground and fired a barrage of glowing pins from its forearms. The missiles pierced through the cyclone, slamming into Gyarados' sides, but she tanked the hits and glared through as the cyclone dispersed.
Nessa didn't waste a beat. "[Swords Dance], Golisopod!"
Golisopod crossed its claws and surged with energy, its bladed limbs gleaming as its attack power rose sharply.
Misty's mind moved fast. "[Dragon Dance]!"
Gyarados glowed with a spiraling aura of red and blue, coiling in place, its speed and power rising in a swirl of motion.
Nessa narrowed her eyes. "[Liquidation]!"
Golisopod surged forward like a tank, a shimmering blade of water extending from its claw, crashing into Gyarados with staggering force. Gyarados roared back, sliding but holding its ground.
"Now [Crunch]! Now!"
Gyarados surged forward, jaws glowing dark. It clamped down on Golisopod's armored shoulder with a CRACK, just as Golisopod stabbed into Gyarados's side. Emergency Exit kicked in as it glowed red and returned to Nessa's Pokéball.
Nessa clicked her tongue as she let Golisopod go back and pulled out another ball. "Tch. Knew that'd trigger. Fine, Barraskewda, let's go!"
In a flash of red light and a spray of water, Barraskewda exploded onto the field like a torpedo, circling Gyarados.
Misty braced. "Gyarados, [Aqua Tail] in a circle!"
But Barraskewda was already moving. "Swim down, then [Poison Jab]!"
Gyarados charged her tail as she spun around in the water, thrashing to try to catch Barraskewda. However, Barraskewda was faster and dove down, dodging, so the thrash just shot water into the air and sprayed the crowd.
Misty took a moment, watching Barraskewda's movements. Then she saw an opening. "[Dragon Tail]!"
Gyarados's tail shimmered with green-blue energy as it swept in a massive arc toward Barraskewda.
"Dodge and use [Crunch]!"
Barraskewda vanished in a blur of speed and reappeared under Gyarados, fangs glowing dark, and latched onto its belly. Gyarados roared in pain.
"Shake it off!" Misty called out, then smiled. "Don't let it touch the water, [Aqua Tail]!"
Gyarados flailed and spun, flipping Barraskewda into the air. Its tail whipped with churning water, catching Barraskewda mid-spin and slamming it hard, like a baseball, against a pillar of broken stadium wall. Before it could fall back into the water again—
Nessa frowned, biting her thumb, but took a breath. "[Flip Turn]!"
Barraskewda shot forward, spinning like a drill and crashing into Gyarados one more time, then bounced away and returned to Nessa's side in a glowing flash.
Nessa caught the Pokéball, narrowed her eyes, and smirked. "You know what comes next!"
The ball flew, and Golisopod returned. Nessa immediately called out, "[First Impression] again!"
Misty's eyes widened for a second, but she bit her lip and snapped out of it. "Not this time! [Protect]!"
A shimmering barrier formed around Gyarados, blocking the brutal lunge as Golisopod's claws slammed against it, sparks flying from the contact.
Nessa frowned, seeing the attack get denied. "Fine, Golisopod, [Leech Life]!"
The Bug-type lunged into the water, slicing through with glowing green claws, aiming to stab into Gyarados.
Misty didn't flinch. "Hold on… wait for it… now, [Thunder Fang]!"
Electricity surged through Gyarados' jaws, illuminating the water. With a snap, it bit down hard on Golisopod's arm. Sparks burst in every direction as Golisopod howled and stabbed back into Gyarados's side with a claw.
Misty, breathing hard, pointed forward. "Gyarados, one last [Dragon Tail]!"
"[Pin Missile], now!" Nessa countered.
Golisopod raised its claws and began firing spikes like a minigun, one after another, peppering Gyarados. But Gyarados kept charging through, tanking the hits as it closed the distance. Then, face to face, it brought down its glowing tail, slamming it with a crash that shook the water.
When the waves cleared, Golisopod floated limp in the water, spirals in its eyes.
"Golisopod is unable to battle!" Wallace announced.
The crowd erupted with cheers. Misty blinked in shock, she'd landed the first knockout. She hadn't expected that.
Nessa smirked and recalled Golisopod. "Okay, you earned that. But don't think it's over. Barraskewda, your turn again!"
Barraskewda hit the field in a burst of water, darting across the surface like a torpedo, eyes locked onto Gyarados. It bared a toothy grin.
Misty grit her teeth. Gyarados was still standing, but barely. Cuts laced its scales, and her breath came ragged, steam hissing from her nostrils. Misty clenched her fist.
Nessa thrust her arm forward. "[Psychic Fangs]!"
"[Aqua Tail]!" Misty barked.
Barraskewda spun and bit down with glowing psychic energy just as Gyarados's tail crashed down. The two clashed, Barraskewda biting hard onto Gyarados's tail as the giant dragon slammed into the water with a massive splash.
Mist and foam flew up and fell like rain. When it cleared, both Pokémon floated in the pool. Gyarados' eyes flickered… then dimmed. She let out a low growl before collapsing fully into the water with a deep splash.
"Gyarados is unable to battle!" Maya called out this time.
Misty took a breath. "You did amazing," she said, recalling her.
Then her hand drifted down to her Poké Ball belt. She hovered over it, wondering who she should call out, maybe Politoed, maybe Lapras. Corsola could be good. Starmie would be better.
She made her choice as she reached for a Poké Ball. "Okay, let's do this. I choose—"
But she was cut off, as a Poké Ball on her belt suddenly popped open on its own. Psyduck belly-flopped onto the field.
"Psy-ai!"
The crowd paused.
"…Oh no," Misty whispered, deadpan.
Nessa blinked. "Wait… is that…?"
Psyduck stood there, arms flapping at his sides, eyes wide and already rubbing his forehead.
Misty facepalmed. "Not you! I meant Star-ugh, never mind… whatever. Fine. I promised I'd never be mad at you again, so let's show them."
Psyduck clumsily stood up, trying not to slip. Nessa giggled a bit. "It's a shame, I liked Psyduck. He was the main reason we escaped the submarine. I'd hate to have to hurt him."
Misty rubbed her temple. "No, we've got this one. Let's do this. You know, like we accidentally did last time. No more comic relief!"
Psyduck tilted his head, blinking. "Psy?"
Barraskewda darted across the water, tail flicking sharply in the current, circling like a shark with a locked target. Nessa pointed. "[Drill Run]!"
Barraskewda's body spun, creating a swirling, corkscrew-shaped wave as it launched forward, straight for Psyduck.
"Move!" Misty yelled.
Psyduck screamed, panicked, and fell backward into the water with a splash. Barraskewda spun past, barely missing him.
"[Zen Headbutt]!" Nessa snapped.
Barraskewda curved around, its forehead glowing with a shimmering psychic light, darting in again.
"Psyduck, do something!" Misty yelped.
Psyduck flailed to his feet, eyes spinning, and then, just before impact, the glow in his forehead flared. Psyduck shrieked as his eyes started glowing blue—
BOOM.
The [Zen Headbutt] suddenly stopped. Barraskewda's momentum was thrown off, flopping back into the water.
Nessa blinked. "Ain't no way…"
Misty also blinked owlishly. "Didn't know you learned [Disable]… since when could you do that?"
Psyduck stood there, water dripping off his feathers, looking just as confused as everyone else. He rubbed his head again, teetering a bit on the edge of the platform.
"Psy-ai?"
Misty looked at him, stunned, then slowly grinned. "Okay… okay, I can work with this."
Nessa narrowed her eyes, but gave a playful smile. "Fine. No more holding back. Barraskewda, [Throat Chop]!"
Barraskewda surged forward again, its body slicing through the water. Then it leapt, its glowing dark fin poised to strike.
"[Confusion]!" Misty yelled.
Psyduck squealed and held his head as he started getting a headache, but thankfully, he had learned to control this much psychic energy without a problem.
Barraskewda was mid-lunge when the wave hit it, freezing it in the air as it got covered in purple light. Then it was flung into one of the pillars with a crash.
The crowd gasped.
Then, as if gravity suddenly remembered it existed, Barraskewda dropped straight into the water, dazed.
"Again!" Misty shouted, pointing.
Psyduck's eyes glowed brighter now as Barraskewda was lifted out of the water, floating in the air with nowhere to escape.
Nessa bit her lower lip in frustration. "Use [Aqua Jet] to break through it!"
Barraskewda spun in the water, gathering momentum and launching forward in a burst of speed, trailing water as it shot toward Psyduck. But Psyduck's eyes flared again, and just before impact, Barraskewda twisted midair, as if yanked off-course, and slammed into a chunk of broken pillar instead.
Psyduck released the psychic energy, breathing heavily. After all, Misty had never really used Psyduck in actual battle. Sure, he'd gotten stronger, how, she wasn't sure, but he had. Still, she'd never trained him seriously. Heck, Psyduck couldn't even shoot a [Water Gun], and yet here he was… holding his own.
And not only that, after all that, Barraskewda slowly pushed itself out of the debris. It was still up. And Nessa could see Psyduck was getting tired.
"[Aqua Jet], now!" Nessa shouted, seizing the opening.
Barraskewda rocketed from the water like a torpedo, glowing blue and spinning with power. Misty's heart raced. Psyduck blinked as the speeding blur closed in, and got slammed in the chest, knocking him back.
Psyduck hit the ground and managed to shakily push himself up with a huff. But there was one problem, he'd landed headfirst into the wall. His head was killing him.
Nessa pointed forward. "Finish this with [Liquidation]!"
Barraskewda dove back into the water, charging forward again, its body coated in crashing waves as it rushed to slam into Psyduck one more time.
But Psyduck stood up, wobbling, rubbing his head harder.
Misty saw it, and smiled. A calm, confident, slightly mischievous smile.
"Alright, Psyduck… it's time. Give them your most powerful headache!"
Psyduck's eyes flashed.
A pulse of psychic energy exploded outward in every direction. Barraskewda froze mid-charge, twitching in place as it was caught in Psyduck's [Psychic]. Then, with another glowing pulse, a jagged stone pillar was yanked from the water, hovering in the air and pointing like a spear toward the fish.
Psyduck let out one last pained scream as the pillar rocketed forward and smashed into Barraskewda, sending a towering splash into the air and making the entire stadium shake.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then, plop, Barraskewda floated to the surface, eyes swirling.
Maya raised her staff. "Barraskewda is unable to battle!"
The crowd erupted with cheers.
"Wha… what?!" Nessa gawked, frozen. "What?! That, how?!"
Misty stared down at her duck.
Psyduck stood perfectly still, head low, rubbing his forehead like he'd just suffered the worst migraine of his life. But he was still standing.
Misty blinked. "…I don't believe it."
Psyduck turned to look at her, gave a slow, blank "Psyyyy…" and promptly fell on his back, legs kicking in the air like a tipped-over plush toy.
The crowd lost it.
From the stands, Ash pumped his fist and shouted, "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!"
Yellow clapped from her seat with Chuchu on her lap, smiling brightly. "Wow, that's amazing!"
Even Misty's sisters, watching wide-eyed, sat with jaws open, utterly stunned. The same sisters who used to laugh at Psyduck now couldn't find a word to say.
Nessa recalled Barraskewda, shaking her head and chuckling softly. "Well… I can't believe that worked. But credit where it's due." She looked across the field, serious now. "Guess I've got no choice."
She held out her final Pokéball. "Drednaw, [Dragon Tail]!"
She threw the Pokéball, and in a flash of light, the massive turtle Pokémon landed on the field with a heavy splash, standing in front of the exhausted Psyduck.
For what it was worth… Drednaw looked almost apologetic. He liked the duck. But good Pokemon follow orders
With a sharp spin, Drednaw's glowing tail whipped forward, striking Psyduck with enough force to send him tumbling backward, and right back into his Pokéball, which clicked shut on Misty's belt.
Misty stared at the ball for a moment, hand hovering over it.
Nessa smiled as her bracelet gave a faint glimmer.
"Let's finish this."
----
If you want to suport me, and have 10+ chapters
patre*on/Katsu190