06. Cerulean City

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"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"

From the bud on Bulbasaur's back, two vines lashed out, slicing through the air with a sharp swish, aimed straight at Eevee.

But Eevee was quick and nimble, its small, brown paws moving like a blur.

With a precise twist, it darted sideways, evading the vines just as they cracked down onto the ground, kicking up a faint puff of dust.

"Veee~"(Weak)

Then, as if taunting, Eevee looked back and gave Bulbasaur a mischievous cry, eyes sparkling with challenge.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur's face tightened with frustration, but just as it was about to charge forward, Kai's calm voice cut through the tension.

"Bulbasaur, don't get distracted by its taunts. Focus! Keep using Vine Whip!"

At Kai's command, Bulbasaur's vines shot out again, this time in a relentless, rhythmic assault.

Each swipe whistled through the air, closing in on Eevee from every angle.

"Good! Keep up that speed! We'll wear it down bit by bit!"

Eevee was keeping up, dashing and weaving through the flurry of strikes, each movement a display of its agility and spirit.

But over time, it began to tire, the strain showing in its laboured breaths and slightly slower steps.

Finally, one of Bulbasaur's vines found its mark, striking Eevee hard across the side.

The small Pokémon stumbled, letting out a pained yelp.

"Eee...vee..."

But Eevee wasn't done yet. Digging its paws into the ground, it pushed off, throwing itself into Bulbasaur with all its remaining energy.

"Oh, so you want to go head-to-head, huh?" Kai smirked. "Bulbasaur, don't back down! Use Tackle!"

With a determined look, Bulbasaur lowered its head and charged, matching Eevee's speed.

The two Pokémon collided with a powerful impact, each one thrown backwards by force, landing in the dirt.

"Eee...vaah..."

They lay there, visibly weakened, both struggling to stand.

But Bulbasaur recovered first, getting up with a grunt. It stretched its vines out again, taking advantage of Eevee's exhaustion.

This time, Eevee couldn't dodge, and with a few more well-placed strikes, it finally collapsed.

Seeing his chance, Kai reached for a Poké Ball. With a confident throw, he watched as the ball absorbed Eevee in a flash of red light. It rocked slightly before clicking shut.

A smile spread across Kai's face. He'd done it. Another Pokémon was added to his team.

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The next morning, at the Pokémon Center in Cerulean City…

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the Pokémon Center, Kai thanked Nurse Joy for the meal.

His Pokémon were well-rested and back to peak condition after their previous day's battles.

Just as he was about to step outside, he noticed a new notice pinned on the door.

Curiosity piqued, Kai walked over for a closer look and was surprised to see it was a wanted poster.

Blurry photographs showed two figures he immediately recognized Team Rocket's notorious Jessie and James.

Behind the counter, Nurse Joy noticed him looking and offered a warning. "Trainer, there've been reports of Pokémon thieves in this area. Please stay alert."

Kai nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "Thank you, Nurse Joy. I'll be careful."

With that, he headed off, following the main road toward the Cerulean Gym.

The Cerulean Gym was an impressive sight, built on a large lake that served as its foundation.

The entire structure towered above the surrounding buildings, with sleek, dark grey walls and a massive, glittering glass dome atop it a true architectural wonder that looked both elegant and powerful.

As Kai approached, he remembered what Nurse Joy had told him: the Gym Leader here wasn't Misty.

But her three older sisters, known as the "Sensational Sisters." Daisy, Lily, and Violet were famed not only for their skill but for their beauty, often referred to as the "Flowers of Cerulean."

However, instead of the usual quiet around the Gym's entrance, a lively crowd had gathered outside.

Kai overheard a few conversations and quickly pieced together that today, the three sisters were putting on one of their popular synchronized water ballets.

The buzz was palpable; it seemed everyone in town was eager to catch a glimpse of the performance.

Kai couldn't help but chuckle. "Some things never change," he thought. "Boys will always be boys but I am also a boy"

Realizing he'd need to wait until after the show to challenge the Gym, Kai decided to buy a ticket and join the crowd. Why not enjoy the show while he waited?

The performance hall was centred around an expansive pool, with seats arranged to give everyone a perfect view.

Kai found his seat just as the lights dimmed, and a voice came through the speakers, calm and theatrical.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting. The Cerulean City Water Ballet, performed by the Sensational Sisters, is about to begin!"

With those words, spotlights flared to life, all converging on the diving platform.

There stood the three sisters, each dressed in a shimmering swimsuit, waving to the audience with graceful smiles.

The crowd's cheers were deafening, and Kai couldn't help but admire them himself.

The sisters were undeniably stunning, with long, elegant legs that drew the audience's attention.

As the music swelled, they dove into the water, moving in flawless harmony.

Their routine was mesmerizing, each twist, turn, and synchronized leap a testament to their skill and practice.

The audience was completely absorbed, and before Kai knew it, nearly an hour had passed, the time slipping away like water itself.

When the show ended, the audience erupted in applause, a wave of admiration that filled the hall.

"Daisy is so beautiful and gentle a perfect lady!" someone exclaimed nearby.

"You're crazy! Lily is the most stunning! Her blue hair and red eyes are out of this world!" countered another.

"Hmph, neither of you has any taste. Violet is the cutest by far!"

Kai chuckled, amused by the lively debate.

Now that the show was over, it was finally his turn to take the stage!

He slipped out of the main seating area and made his way down a side stairwell.

Soon, he spotted the three sisters walking through the aquarium's glass-lined hallway, their conversation lively and their spirits high.

"Did you see the audience's reaction?" Daisy laughed, clearly thrilled. "Today's show was a huge success!"

"It was," agreed Lily, brushing her hair back. "All that extra training paid off."

Just as they were about to disappear around a corner, Kai quickened his pace, calling out to them.

"Excuse me, Miss Daisy! Just a moment, please!"

The three turned, looking at him with surprised expressions.

"Sir, the show's over," Daisy said, her voice polite but firm. "If you want to see it again, you'll have to come back tomorrow."

"Oh, no, that's not it…" Kai began, but before he could explain further, Lily cut in with a smile that was polite but businesslike.

"Are you a reporter? If so, interviews need to be scheduled through our agent."

"Reporter?" Kai shook his head, a bit flustered. "No, I'm not here for an interview. I'm here to…"

"Oh, I see!" Violet crossed her arms with a teasing grin. "You're here for an autograph, aren't you?"

Kai felt himself getting exasperated; these three didn't give him a chance to get a word in edgewise.

Noticing his flustered expression, Daisy looked at him more closely, a knowing smile dawning on her face. "Wait a minute… are you here to challenge the Gym?"

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