Riding on Lapras across the gem-like blue ocean, feeling the slightly salty sea breeze, Ash and his group finally arrived at the first Gym of the Orange Crew, Mikan Island. The island was famous for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.
"So this is the Mikan Gym?" Misty looked at the open-air structure built right by the sea, almost blending into the beach itself, her tone filled with curiosity. Rather than a Gym, it looked more like a seaside sports arena.
"The Gym challenges in the Orange League seem quite different from those in the Kanto region," Tracey said, already sketching the surroundings in his notebook.
"No matter what the rules are, we're going to win the first badge!" Ash declared confidently as he stepped into the Gym.
Inside, a lively girl dressed in light sportswear, with sun-kissed skin and a ponytail, was already waiting for them.
Beside her stood a spirited Seadra and a steady, imposing Blastoise.
"Hello, challengers! I'm Cissy, the Gym Leader of Mikan Gym!" the girl introduced herself cheerfully. "Welcome! The rules here are a bit different from the Gym battles you're used to!"
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town, here to challenge the Orange League!" Ash stepped forward. "No matter the rules, I won't lose!"
"Confident, aren't you? Just like a champion of the Indigo League!" Cissy nodded in approval. "Alright, let me explain the rules. The Mikan Gym doesn't focus on direct battle victories. Instead, it emphasizes a Pokémon's control over its moves, precision, and agility on water! The challenge consists of two rounds. The first is precision target shooting, and the second is a sea race. Win at least one round, and you'll earn the Coral-Eye Badge!"
"Control over moves?" Ash's eyes lit up. This unique challenge instantly sparked his interest. Thinking of all the training his Pokémon had undergone, he felt a surge of confidence. "Sounds interesting! We accept the challenge!"
"Good!" Cissy pointed toward one side of the field, where several targets of varying sizes and distances were set up. "First round, precision shooting! We'll each send out a Pokémon to attack the targets using specific moves. It's not just about hitting them, but also about the move's concentration, speed, and impact. My Pokémon will be Seadra!"
Seadra gracefully leaped into the water, its long snout aimed at the distant targets.
"Seadra, show them what we can do! Use Water Gun!"
At Cissy's command, Seadra fired a thin yet highly concentrated stream of water from its mouth.
The water shot forward at incredible speed, striking the smallest and farthest target dead center. The target shook violently, demonstrating the immense force behind the attack.
"Incredible!" Tracey couldn't help but praise. "The stream is tightly condensed, with remarkable speed and precision!"
"It really is impressive," Ash admitted, though he remained calm. After a moment of thought, he took out a Poké Ball. "But when it comes to control, my partner won't lose either! Go, Starmie!"
This was a Pokémon he had caught in the Safari Zone. It had been training in the water area behind Professor Oak's lab, and before heading to the Orange Islands, Ash had specifically brought it along.
After all, his team was much larger than in the original story, so he needed to ensure his reserve Pokémon stayed strong and gained battle experience.
Starmie spun as it appeared on the water's surface, the gem at its center gleaming.
"Starmie, let's show them our power too!" Ash locked onto the target. "Use Water Gun!"
The gem at Starmie's core lit up, and a tightly compressed stream of water shot out from above its head at incredible speed. It struck another distant small target dead center, causing it to shake violently just like the previous one.
"Oh? Not bad at all!" Cissy said, slightly surprised by Starmie's precision. "But target practice isn't limited to just one method! Seadra, show them our versatility! Use Twister!"
The Twister whipped up seawater, forming a spiraling water vortex that accurately struck a group of mid-range targets, sweeping them all up and knocking them down at once.
"Using Twister for area attacks while maintaining such precise control, only affecting the intended targets…" Tracey quickly recorded the results.
"Our turn, Starmie!" Ash responded without hesitation. "Use Rapid Spin combined with Bubble Beam!"
Starmie began spinning at high speed, launching forward like a flying disc. As it moved, it released a dense stream of bubbles all around its body.
These bubbles were not scattered randomly. Driven by centrifugal force from the rapid rotation, they spread with incredible precision, covering another set of mid-range multi-targets. Each target was evenly coated and marked by the bubbles.
"Using rotational force to control the spread and trajectory of the bubbles, that's a very clever idea," Cissy said, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.
Over the next several rounds, Cissy's Seadra and Ash's Starmie both displayed their abilities to the fullest.
Seadra demonstrated how to maintain accuracy with Water Gun while maneuvering at high speed around simulated obstacles. Starmie, on the other hand, showed how to curve Psybeam to hit targets hidden behind obstacles. Back and forth, they showcased astonishing control over their moves, drawing occasional exclamations of amazement from Misty and Tracey.
In the end, all the targets were cleared. Ash and Cissy's performances were evenly matched. Whether it was single-target precision, area control, or move variation, both had reached an extremely high level.
"That was an incredible match!" Cissy said sincerely as she looked at the slightly exhausted yet still sharp-eyed Starmie. "Your Starmie has an excellent understanding and application of its moves. It's clear you've trained it well. This round is a draw!"
"Your Seadra is really strong too!" Ash recalled Starmie and praised her sincerely.
He knew that if Starmie hadn't been consistently training in the lab's backyard, this round might not have gone so well.
"Next is the second round, a sea race!" Cissy pointed toward the vast ocean, where a return course had already been set up with buoys. "This test is about a Pokémon's absolute speed and burst power in water. Of course, coordination with the trainer is also crucial! My partner will be Blastoise!"
Cissy's Blastoise walked steadily into the sea, the massive cannons on its back showcasing its immense power.
"Blastoise not only has incredible defense, but its propulsion in water is also top-tier!" Cissy introduced confidently.
"Speed and burst power, huh?" Ash looked at Lapras beside him and smiled slightly. "Then my partner will be this one! Lapras, get ready!"
"Wuu~" Lapras let out a gentle cry as it slid into the water. Its eyes showed a hint of nervousness, but also excitement.
"Lapras?" Cissy looked a little surprised. "While Lapras is known for its gentle nature and carrying ability, its straight-line sprinting speed might be…"
"You won't know unless you try," Ash interrupted firmly. "I believe in Lapras."
"Alright then, let's see how this turns out!" Cissy stopped arguing and took her position at the starting line with Blastoise.
Ash lightly leapt onto Lapras's back and patted its neck. "Relax, Lapras. Just like when we travel together, but this time, give it your fastest speed! I believe in you!"
"Wuu!" Feeling Ash's trust, Lapras's eyes became firm.
"On your marks… go!"
With Tracey acting as the temporary referee, Blastoise and Lapras shot forward at the same time!
At the start, just as Cissy expected, Blastoise used its immense strength and the powerful thrust from its cannons to propel itself forward like a speedboat, quickly taking the lead and leaving Lapras several lengths behind.
"See? Blastoise's burst power is no joke!" Cissy called out as she glanced back from atop Blastoise.
"Lapras, don't rush! Keep your rhythm!" Ash remained calm. He lowered his body to reduce wind resistance while encouraging Lapras, "Remember how we cut through the waves on our journey! You can do it! Your body holds incredible power!"
Listening to Ash's steady voice and watching the waves stirred up by Blastoise ahead, Lapras took a deep breath. It began moving its body in a steady rhythm, each stroke growing stronger. Its streamlined form cut through the water with decreasing resistance, and its speed steadily increased.
"Oh? Starting to accelerate?" Cissy noticed Lapras closing in from behind, slightly surprised. "Blastoise, let's speed up too! Use Rapid Spin!"
Blastoise pulled its limbs and head into its shell and began spinning rapidly, moving across the water like a top and widening the gap once more.
"Lapras, we can't lose!" Ash sensed its slight anxiety and shouted, "Believe in yourself! You can go faster! Imagine you're racing to protect something important! Give it everything you've got!"
"Wuuuu!!" It was as if those words ignited something deep within Lapras. It let out a loud, soaring cry, as though some internal limit had been shattered. A faint glow of Water-type energy began to shimmer around its body.
Its speed surged once more. The frequency and strength of its strokes reached a whole new level as it cut through the waves like an arrow released from a bow!
Cissy stared in shock as Lapras rapidly closed the distance.
"That speed… it's so fast!"
The turning point was right ahead. Blastoise and Lapras rounded the buoy almost at the same time!
"Final sprint! Blastoise, full power! Use Hydro Pump!"
"Go, Lapras! This is our moment to turn it around!"
They entered the final straight. Blastoise paddled with all its strength while firing powerful streams of water from its cannons, using the recoil to generate immense thrust.
But Lapras had completely entered its stride. Its speed was fully unleashed now, each swing of its tail propelling it forward at an unprecedented pace. The gap between them shrank rapidly until they were neck and neck…
And at the very last moment before the finish line, Lapras surged ahead by a narrow margin and crossed first!
"T-they won?!" Misty covered her mouth in disbelief.
"That was incredible! Lapras showed astonishing potential and explosive power in the later stages!" Tracey excitedly recorded the dramatic comeback.
Ash jumped down from Lapras's back and hugged its neck tightly. "That was amazing, Lapras! You did it! I knew you could!"
"Wuu~" Lapras nuzzled him affectionately, its eyes filled with joy and pride.
Cissy and Blastoise walked over. She looked at the excited trainer and Pokémon, a relieved and respectful smile appearing on her face.
"What an incredible comeback… Ash, the trust and bond between you and Lapras brought out its hidden potential. I lost this race. You have perfectly passed the test of Mikan Gym!"
She took out a beautifully crafted badge. It was pink, shaped like a cherry blossom, with water droplet decorations along the edges.
"This is proof of defeating Mikan Gym, the Coral-Eye Badge! Congratulations, Ash!"
Ash accepted the badge solemnly. Under the sunlight, the Coral-Eye Badge shimmered with a captivating glow.
"Thank you, Miss Cissy!" Ash carefully put the badge away, his fighting spirit rising even higher. "Orange League, here I come! Next Gym, just wait for me!"
...
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