Daisy, "I'm impressed little sis! I believe you just caught Cloyster a while back."
Misty grinned, "Thanks Daisy and you are right, I caught him two days ago."
Jessilina, "Truly impressive, he already listens to her."
Jameson, "Indeed!"
Daisy, "Let's go Butterfree!"
Misty, "Misty calls Butterfree!"
Ash, "Alright Metapod evolved."
Pikachu, "Pi pikachu!"
Lucario, -And he is large just like your Butterfree.-
Ash nodded, 'I wonder why?'
Violet, "Let the battle begin!"
Daisy, "Bug bite!"
Misty, "Head butt!"
The two Butterfree clashed hitting each other and crying out.
Daisy, "Supersonic!"
Misty, "Dodge follow up with psybeam!"
Misty's Butterfree dodged the other Butterfree's attack before hitting her with his own move getting a cry from her.
Daisy, "You okay girl?"
Butterfree was shaking her head to get rid of the confusion.
Misty, "Now confusion!"
Daisy, "Butterfree look out!"
But it was too late Daisy's Butterfree was caught in the move and slammed hard on the podium.
Daisy, "Butterfree, try to break out of his hold, you can do it."
Misty, "Now sleep powder!"
Butterfree flew over his female opponent and used sleep powder putting her to sleep.
Daisy cursed, "Butterfree wake up!"
Misty, "Finish it with tackle!"
Butterfree tackled the sleeping Pokemon out of the field.
Violet saw the swirls in her eyes, "Daisy's Butterfree is unable to battle. Misty and Butterfree wins."
Misty, "We won! We actually won! Butterfree's, you were amazing!"
Butterfree flew towards Misty fluttering around her as she cheered before hugging him.
Daisy smiled, "You did great girl! Return! Not bad Misty. Do not think it's over yet."
Misty, "Of course not! One more battle!"
Daisy, "I choose Golduck!"
Misty, "Misty calls Poliwhirl!"
Jessilina, "Oh my! Battle between two water and psychic types!"
Jameson, "Popcorn?"
Ash, "Where did you?"
Lucario, -When?-
Pikachu, "Pika?"
Pidgeotto and Togepi looked at it curiously before taking some of the offered popcorn making Meowth grin. He knew how it felt to be rejected and he was happy they were doing well now.
Misty, "Mud shot!"
Daisy, "Water gun."
The mud shot and water gun cancelled each other leaving the water of the pool a little brown.
Misty, "Confusion!"
Daisy, "Disable, followed by water gun!"
Misty, "Look out!"
Poliwhirl was hit straight on by water gun pushing him back.
Misty, "Are you okay Poliwhirl?"
Poliwhirl shook the water off and stood up.
Misty, "Alright then water pulse!"
Daisy, "Aquajet!"
The two attacks clashed against each other.
Misty, "Once more water pulse!"
Poliwhirl nodded and pushed another water pulse which hit Golduck once the previous attack cancelled. Golduck fell into the water but soon came out shaking the effect off but anyone could see he was hurt a bit.
Daisy, "Psybeam!"
Misty, "Dodge and Hydro pump!"
Daisy, "Watch out Golduck!"
Poliwhirl dodged the psybeam before shooting a hydro pump straight at the duck Pokemon. Despite getting hit Golduck still stood up and prepared to battle.
Daisy, "Pay day liquidation!"
Misty, "Oh no! Quick bubble!"
The bubble attack took care of the pay day however Poliwhirl was affected by liquidation attack. Misty noticed Golduck was exhausted too.
Misty, "Don't give up Poliwhirl, hypnosis and pound!"
Daisy, "Dive followed by mega punch!"
Misty, "Protect!"
Golduck dodged hypnosis by diving in the water but when he came out to punch Poliwhirl he was deflected by the shield.
Misty, "Now, pound followed by ice punch."
Poliwhirl's eyes sharpened and proceeded to pound Golduck before punching him. Golduck was knocked out by the combo attack.
Violet, "Golduck is unable to battle, Poliwhirl is the winner."
Misty jumped, "We won! Poliwhirl you were amazing!"
Poliwhirl hugged her back as she thanked him. Daisy returned Golduck who had woken up after a while before turning to Misty.
Daisy, "Well done Misty, I proudly present to you the Cascade badge."
Misty smiled, "Thank you Daisy. Cloyster, Butterfree, Poliwhirl look we won and it's all thanks to you guys."
Butterfree shook his head as he pointed at all four of them then the badge.
Daisy grinned, "Butterfree is right, you all worked hard for the badge."
Jessilina hugged Misty before kissing her cheek, "Well done. That was very impressive."
Misty blushed, "Thank you Jessilina!"
Brock, "I'm a bit jealous but congratulations."
Misty deadpanned, "Really?"
Jameson, "You did really well."
Misty, "Thank you!"
Ash grinned, "You are one step closer to your dreams. Congratulations Misty."
Misty grinned brightly, "You are right and we are gonna keep on training harder."
Misty's Pokemon all gave a cheer before they went to the centre together get them healed before going to celebrate. This time the all the Waterflower siblings were present to celebrate. Meowth was talking to Pidgeotto and Togepi as the three followed them from behind, Pidgeotto had told Meowth what Ash's plan was for them. Meowth had to agree it was not a bad idea to let them know a bit of what they were getting into. Tomorrow they would make the final decision on whether or not to go with Ash.
Lucario, -When will you tell the others you can talk in human language?-
Meowth was startled, "I.... I'm not sure."
Pikachu, "Pika Pikapi pikachu pika!"
Poliwhirl, "Poli Poliwhirl!"
Zubat, "Zu zu!"
Meowth, "I know Ash and the others will accept me, they are just special that way. It's just well before Jessilina and Jameson no one wanted me."
Cloyster, "Clo cloyster Clo!"
Togepi, "Ge!"
Seviper hugged him, "Se se viper!"
Chimecho as well, "Chime!"
Lucario, -I agree, they would accept you and won't reject you. I believe I speak for the rest of the Pokemon when I say you are family now.-
The other Pokemon nodded to what Lucario said making Meowth give them a watery smile, "Thank you. I will tell them one day. Just not yet."
Lucario nodded, -Good!-
Pidgeotto and Togepi looked at each other both wondering if Meowth had gone through what they did more than once. It would explain the understanding comradeship and lack of pity in his eyes. He knew how they felt because he had gone through it before meeting Jessilina and Jameson. The two Pokemon looked at their new trainer's friends with a new light and made their decision. The group split up after the celebration, Brock went back to studying, Misty went to help her sisters out, while Meowth went with Jessie and James to work and Ash returned to training. The next day came bright and early and Ash couldn't wait to battle.
Ash, "Alright everyone! Today is our turn to shine! Are you ready to show everyone what you have got?"
The Pokemon gave a cry at his question as he continued, "Cheer on for us buddy, and Togepi, Pidgeotto, I want you to observe our battles today carefully. You will be battling the same way in the future if you decide to join our family."
The two Pokemon nodded although they had already made a decision the day before, but it doesn't hurt to observe a few battles. They went to the gym and saw the others were already there waiting for them. Togepi and Pidgeotto went with Pikachu to sit next to Misty who welcomed them warmly. Lucario joined Ash on the challengers podium standing next to him.
Violet, "This is an official match between Gym leader Daisy and trainer Ash for the Cascade badge. The first to win two battles win. Battlers choose your Pokemon."
Daisy, "Let's go Butterfree!"
Ash, "I choose you Kakuna."
Violet, "Let the battle begin."
Daisy, "Tackle Butterfree!"
Ash, "Harden attack!"
Butterfree raced to tackle the Kakuna but Kakuna countered with her a quick attack making Butterfree cry out. Hardening before attacking had increased the Kakuna's defense making her attack stronger.
Daisy, "Are you okay?"
Butterfree shook her head, "Cre!"
Daisy, "Clever combining two attacks. Psybeam Butterfree!"
Ash, "Dive then tackle!"
Daisy watched befuddled as the little bug dived into the pool dodging the attack only to come out and tackle Butterfree who luckily dodged at the last moment.
Ash, "String shot!"
Daisy "Dodge, sleep powder!"
Butterfree dodged the string shot which hit the ceiling before starting to spread the sleeping powder.
Ash, "Kakuna, dive!"
Kakuna went into the water again, Daisy half wondered if one of her parents was a water type. Kakuna came out on the opposite side.
Daisy, "Air slash!"
Ash, "String shot to the ceiling and swing yourself to dodge the attack."
Daisy watched as the little Kakuna dodged the attack again, "Butterfree psybeam again, get her!"
Ash, "Increase your speed and harden!"
Ash watched as Kakuna got closer and closer to Butterfree, "Now Kakuna!"
Kakuna let go of the string and tackled Butterfree hard knocking her against the wall making her go unconscious.
Violet, "Butterfree is unable to battle, Kakuna wins the match!"
Ash, "Great job Kakuna!"
Kakuna started to glow, grow and change into a larger Pokemon. She became a Beedrill and just like Butterfree she was pretty large. Misty froze a bit before she took a deep breath and calmed down. Beedrill flew around happily very pleased with her final evolution, she flew down and hugged Ash being careful of the sharp needles.
Ash, "Congratulations girl! You evolved into a Beedrill." ~\(≧▽≦)/~
Beedrill, "Bzzzzz!"
Pikachu, "Pikapi pikachu!"
Lucario, -Congratulations sister.-
Pidgeotto and Togepi looked at Beedrill with wonder and turned to Pikachu asking if they could be just as magnificent and powerful one day. Pikachu smiled and nodded, Ash would help them train and become stronger anyway they want. Let it be by the path of evolution or just as you are, Ash would help you in becoming the strongest Pokemon of your kind in the world. Pikachu told them that was what Ash promised all of them.
Daisy, "Congratulations Ash! You as well Beedrill. Now shall we carry on with the battles?"
Ash nodded before turning to Beedrill, "Want to stay here and watch?"
Beedrill nodded standing next to Ash, "Bzzzzz!"
Violet, "Choose your next Pokemon!"
Daisy, "Let's go Kingler!"
Ash, "Alright I choose you Milotic."
Violet, "Begin!"
Daisy, "Bubble!"
Ash, "Water pulse!"
The two attacks hit each other and water pulse flew through the bubble attack and almost hit Kingler.
Daisy, "Hyper beam!"
Ash, "Disarming voice!"
Disarming voice cancelled hyper beam attack before it could be used.
Ash, "Twister!"
Daisy, "Harden!"
Twister hit the crab Pokemon hard and despite harden was affected by the move.
Daisy, "Ancient power!"
Ash, "Hydro pump!"
The two powerful attacks hit each other causing the water to go up and come down as rain on the field.
Ash, "Aqua ring!"
Daisy, "Dodge it, into the water!"
Ash, "Go Milotic."
Milotic went after Kingler release the attack under water hitting Kingler. The crab Pokemon was surprised by the attack and came up again.
Daisy, "Water gun!"
Ash, "Milotic hydro pump!"
The hydro pump hit Kingler knocking him out of the water.
Daisy was surprised, "Kingler are you okay?"
Kingler got up slowly, "Ki!"
Ash hummed, "Milotic attract! Followed by tackle."
Milotic used the move and Kingler without a doubt fell in love with Milotic.
Daisy, "Snap out of it Kingler!"
Kingler shook his head and hardened himself when he noticed Milotic rushing up to him. The two hit each other hard making them both wince. Milotic was looking at Kingler impressed, he was the strongest opponent she had faced outside of Red's Squirtle, who was a Wartotle now.
Ash, "Dragon tail!"
Daisy, "Hammer arm!"
The two attacks collided forcing the two Pokemon apart.
Misty was at the edge of her seat, "This is intense. I knew Milotic was tough but man!"
Jessilina, "Yeah!"
Lily, "She's giving Kingler a run for his money and he is one of her strongest Pokemon."
Jameson, "But Ash is a beginner."
Lily, "It's what he chose when it came to battle choice."
Brock, "Well he's been training more seriously than other trainers, I'm not surprised he wants something harder. You chose fight her stronger Pokemon too Misty."
Misty nodded, "Yeah!"
Daisy, "Kingler, hammer arm!"
Ash, "Milotic, use aqua tail!"
The two attacks hit each other and both Pokemon managed to hit each other knocking the other out.
Violet, "Milotic and Kingler are unable to battle. Battlers choose your next Pokemon."
Daisy returned Kingler, "You did great, let's go Vaporean."
Ash returned Milotic, "Great job knocking your opponent out girl. Take a good rest. Lucario let's do this."
Lucario, -I'm ready.-
Violet, "Begin!"
Daisy, "Take down Vaporean!"
Ash, "Wait for it!"
As Vaporean came closer for take down, Ash shouted, "Now drain punch!"
Daisy, "Vaporean watch out!"
Lucario hit Vaporean with a drain punch but the water canine managed to jump back.
Daisy, "Water pulse!"
Ash, "Aura sphere! Followed by shadow!"
The Aura and water balls collided against each other but before Vaporean could recover, he was hit by a shadow ball.
Daisy, "Vaporean, are you okay?"
Vaporean stood up, "Po!"
Daisy, "Rain dance!"
Ash, "Lucario Close combat quick!
Daisy, "Be careful Vaporean! Water gun!"
Lucario engaged Vaporean in close combat before he could finish rain dance and use water gun.
Ash, "Now drain punch one more time."
Lucario hit Vaporean with another drain punch taking all his health and knocking him out.
Violet, "Vaporean is unable to battle, Lucario is the winner."
Ash jumped, "We won! We won!"
Daisy returned Vaporean, "You did great! Well done Ash, as proof of your victory I present you the Cascade badge!"
Ash, "We won guys! And it's all because of you! We won!"
Misty and the others congratulated Ash on his win before having a small celebration party for both the win and the evolution. After the celebration Ash sent Jigglypuff, Butterfree and Beedrill to the Professor before catching Pidgeotto and Togepi. He asked for Fearrow back, as he had become the unofficial leader of the group when on the road. They followed their usual routine of collecting resources and items for travel before leaving Cerulean City.