Chapter 50: Mikan Island
After gaining Lapras and welcoming their new companion, Tracey, into the group, Lyra and her friends continued their journey across the vast ocean.
Most of them traveled by riding on Lapras, enjoying the cool sea breeze and the gentle rhythm of the waves. Meanwhile, Lyra and Tomo chose a different route—riding atop Triton, with Zorua beside them and Pidgeot soaring freely in the sky above.
Their destination was Mikan Island, where Lyra would attempt to earn her very first Orange League Gym badge.
Traveling this way turned out to be far more enjoyable than taking a ferry. It was faster, less expensive, and far more exciting.
"It still feels strange," Lyra said thoughtfully. "I just finished collecting badges for the Indigo League, and now I'm already starting over with the Orange League."
Her friends smiled, knowing how quickly her journey was progressing.
Tracey, on the other hand, was still trying to process everything. Learning that Lyra had already won the Indigo League had left him stunned. Now he finally understood why she preferred to stay unnoticed.
"Hey, big sister," Tomo called out. Lyra turned toward him. "What do the Orange League badges look like?"
"I'm not sure," Lyra admitted. "But I've heard the challenges here are very different from the ones in Kanto."
Before long, Mikan Island came into view.
Once they arrived, everyone dismounted. Lyra recalled Triton, Lapras, Pidgeot, and Zorua so they could rest.
She pulled her hood up again, staying cautious in case anyone recognized her.
The group walked along a sandy path lined with palm trees.
Suddenly, Tomo spotted something.
"Hey! A coconut!" he shouted excitedly.
He rushed forward, ready to grab it—but Lyra quickly stopped him.
"Wait, Tomo," she said calmly. "That's not just a coconut."
She pointed to a thin string tied to it.
Realizing it was a trap, Lyra glanced around and noticed a bucket hanging from a tree branch. She immediately signaled Pichu and Pikachu.
The two Pokémon climbed up quietly and repositioned the bucket.
Lyra smirked slightly. "Now let's see how this plays out."
Tomo picked up the coconut.
Instantly, the trap triggered—but instead of soaking them, the bucket tipped over the person hiding behind the tree.
A boy jumped out, drenched.
"What?! That's not right!" he cried. "I set it perfectly!"
Lyra laughed lightly. "You did. We just made a small adjustment."
Misty crossed her arms. "Maybe don't set traps for strangers next time."
Before the boy could respond, another voice interrupted.
A young woman stepped forward, clearly unimpressed.
"Senta, how many times have I told you not to prank visitors?" she said firmly.
The boy groaned and walked off.
The woman turned to the group apologetically.
"I'm sorry about that."
"It's fine," Lyra replied with a smile. "Actually, I'm looking for the Gym here."
The woman's expression shifted.
"Then you've already found it. I'm Cissy—the Gym Leader of Mikan Island."
Cissy guided them to her Gym, a building that resembled a mix between a beach house and a barn.
Inside, instead of a traditional battlefield, there was a large pool.
"I've heard the Orange League works differently," Lyra said.
"That's right," Cissy replied. "We don't rely on standard battles. Instead, we test trainers through challenges."
The first challenge involved accuracy.
Cans and plates were lined up along the edge of the pool.
"The goal is simple," Cissy explained. "Knock down as many targets as possible."
She chose Seadra.
Lyra sent out Blastoise.
With precision and control, Lyra's Blastoise outperformed Seadra and secured the win.
But that was only the beginning.
"For the second challenge," Cissy continued, "we race."
They returned to the shoreline.
"This time, we ride our Pokémon across the water and back. First one to return wins."
Cissy used Blastoise again, while Lyra chose Lapras.
At first, Lyra struggled to balance—she had never surfed like this before.
The race began.
Blastoise quickly gained the lead.
But Lyra adapted.
"Lapras, use Ice Beam on the water!"
A frozen path formed instantly.
Using it, Lapras glided forward with incredible speed.
Within moments—
"Lyra wins!" Senta announced.
Lyra had earned her first Orange League badge.
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