The misty path to Cerulean City wound gently through dew-laced fields and scattered woodlands. The morning sun filtered through the branches, casting golden shafts across the trail. Philip walked in silence, Riolu padding at his side with quiet vigilance. The rest of his Pokémon remained tucked away in their Poké Balls—each resting, conserving strength for whatever awaited next.
Philip's mind wandered back to his previous battles, the mysterious cloaked figure in Pewter City, and the feeling that his reincarnation wasn't just a random miracle. The phrase still echoed in his thoughts: "The heir has awakened." What heir? To what power?
Answers felt close—but just out of reach.
After a quick lunch near a bubbling stream, Philip initiated a training session. He needed his team sharp. With gym battles ahead, his Pokémon couldn't afford to stay stagnant.
"Riolu, use Quick Attack to close the distance, then Counter the imaginary strike."
Riolu dashed forward, striking a large stone as if it were an opponent, then sprang back, absorbing an invisible blow, and rebounded with a powerful burst of energy.
Philip nodded, satisfied. "Now practice Focus Palm. Slow and clean."
Meanwhile, Psyduck stood at the edge of the stream, staring into his own reflection. "Psy-y-y-duck?"
Philip sighed. "You wanna train or just stand there again?"
Psyduck tilted his head, as if confused why he was even being addressed.
Philip chuckled softly, but then stiffened. A voice called from the trail.
"Hey! You there—hold up!"
A girl with fiery red hair and a determined stride approached quickly. She wore a sleeveless blue vest, red suspenders, and had a confident but cautious expression. Her orange ponytail bounced with each step.
"Misty," Philip said quietly. "The Cerulean Gym Leader."
"You're heading toward Cerulean, right?" she asked, stopping beside him. "Name's Misty. And if you're planning on challenging my gym, I need to know you're not just another rookie."
Philip raised an eyebrow. "And how would I prove that?"
She motioned toward the eastern river bend. "Something's wrong near the lagoon. Water Pokémon are going berserk. Attacking people. Something is off. I was going to check it out myself, but… it might help to have backup."
Philip smiled faintly. "I'll help. Lead the way."
Together, they followed the trail until it opened into a clearing beside a wide bend of the Cerulean River. The current here was slower, the water reflecting the sky like glass.
At first, the area seemed peaceful—until a massive splash broke the surface.
A snarling Crawdaunt burst forth from the water, its crimson shell gleaming in the sunlight. It let out a guttural roar and slammed its claws into the bank, gouging out chunks of rock and mud.
"It's enraged," Misty hissed. "It's been like this for two days—driving off the other Pokémon and wrecking fishing boats."
Philip stepped forward calmly. "I'll handle this."
"You sure?"
He glanced back at her. "Positive."
Philip grabbed a Poké Ball from his belt. "Let's go, Froakie!"
The little Water-type burst onto the field, landing on all fours and growling softly.
"Start with Water Pulse!"
Froakie launched a sphere of pulsing water, but Crawdaunt charged through it with barely a flinch and retaliated with Knock Off, slamming Froakie back into a rock.
"Again! Double Team!"
Froakie's form blurred into several illusions, surrounding Crawdaunt. The wild Pokémon lashed out in every direction with Crabhammer, striking copies that vanished in bursts of mist.
From behind, the real Froakie pounced, landing a clean Water Pulse right between Crawdaunt's eyes.
Crawdaunt staggered, then roared. Its claws glowed ominously—Night Slash.
"Dodge!"
Froakie tried—but Crawdaunt was too fast.
The attack landed.
Froakie hit the ground hard.
Philip clenched his fists. "You can do this. Get up, Froakie!"
Froakie trembled—and then, its body glowed. The light intensified, engulfing it in radiant blue as water swirled around its form.
Philip took a step back, stunned. "No way…"
The light cleared, revealing Frogadier—taller, leaner, more agile. It crouched with fierce determination, energy pulsing from its hands.
Pokédex Update:
Frogadier, the Bubble Frog Pokémon. Its swiftness is unparalleled—it moves faster than the eye can follow, striking from shadows with precision.
Philip smirked. "Let's show them. Frogadier, Water Pulse—amplify with your new strength!"
A shimmering orb surged forward, colliding with Crawdaunt. The crustacean skidded back, stunned.
"Finish it with Aerial Ace!"
In a blink, Frogadier vanished, then reappeared in the air above Crawdaunt, delivering a crushing aerial strike that sent it tumbling into the river unconscious.
The water calmed. Silence fell.
Misty stared, wide-eyed. "You… evolved it mid-battle."
Philip knelt beside Frogadier, ruffling its head. "You did great."
She exhaled. "You've definitely earned your shot. Come by the Gym tomorrow—first thing."
As Misty walked ahead, Philip lingered near the water's edge, watching the ripples fade.
But deep within, he felt another ripple—one not from the battle.
The heir has awakened.
And the world… would soon respond.