Splashdown in Cerulean City

Splashdown in Cerulean City
ISBN:	0-439-15426-X
Published:	March 2000
Publisher:	Scholastic
Author:	Tracey West
Preceded By:	Charizard, Go!
Succeeded By:	Return of the Squirtle Squad

Splashdown in Cerulean City is the seventh book of the Pokémon Chapter Books. It was published by Scholastic and is 87 pages in length.

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Plot

It is based on the events of the Pokémon the Series episodes The Water Flowers of Cerulean City, Princess vs. Princess, and The Misty Mermaid.

The Water Flowers of Cerulean City

Ash, Misty and Brock are traveling to Ash's next Gym battle when Ash and Misty get in an argument. Brock breaks it up and Misty walks behind them sadly. She begins to think about her Pokémon and how she has raised them so carefully. She is so caught up in her thoughts that she doesn't realize that Ash and Brock are way ahead of her. She runs up and asks where they are going. Ash says they are going to Cerulean City for his next Gym Badge. Misty gets nervous and says they don't want to go there because of scary Ghost-type Pokémon. Ash, Brock and Pikachu begin to walk again then Misty runs in front and asks why they don't go to Vermilion City instead. Ash, however, is adamant about battling the Gym Leader in Cerulean City, and Brock agrees with him.

Upon arrival to Cerulean City, Misty goes to the Gym and, after a performance by her sisters for an audience, sees Ash and Pikachu walk up and request a battle. Lily, Violet, and Daisy say that they only have one Pokémon left because their others were at the Pokémon Center. As they try to give him the Cascade Badge as a gift, Misty runs down and challenges Ash to a battle, telling him that she is the fourth "Sensational Sister" and also a Gym Leader. Ash accepts her challenge, sending out Butterfree to battle Misty's Staryu. Staryu wins, and Ash sends out Pidgeotto to battle Starmie. Just as it seems that Pidgeotto will come out victorious, winning Ash his Cascade Badge, Team Rocket breaks into the Gym to steal the Water-type Pokémon living there. Ash saves the day and, even though the Gym battle was never completed, Misty's sisters gave Ash his Badge because he helped their Pokémon and he, Misty, and Brock depart.

Princess vs. Princess

After Ash earns his Cascade Badge, he and his friends arrive at the Princess Festival. Overruled by the other two, Ash grudgingly consents to staying and looking around. As Misty is shopping, the three run into Jessie, who is also at the festival accompanied by James and Meowth. The two girls argue over a beautiful shirt for sale, each claiming that they saw it first, and eventually agree to use the upcoming Princess Festival contest to settle their dispute.

When the contest is ready to start, they discover that the prize is a unique set of Pokémon Princess Dolls, with no other set existing in the world. Misty and Jessie are surprised to learn that the contest is not a beauty contest, but a test of Pokémon battling skill. Misty pleads with Ash and Brock to lend her some of their Pokémon, as she only trains Water-types. Alongside Ash's Pikachu, Ash's Bulbasaur, Brock's Vulpix, and her Starmie, Misty takes down each of her opponents in turn, earning herself a spot in the finals. Her opponent is Jessie, who also defeated all of the Trainers she faced. Pikachu makes quick work of Arbok, Weezing, and Meowth, and Jessie sends out her Lickitung. Its Lick attack defeats Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Vulpix, much to everyone's surprise. Intending to send out Starmie, Misty's Psyduck makes an unexpected appearance and, due to its special powers, manages to defeat Lickitung and send Team Rocket blasting off. After the contest, Misty decides to ship her new doll set to her sisters in Cerulean City so they will know that she is just as good a Trainer as they are.

The Misty Mermaid

Later on in their journey, Ash, Misty, and Brock decide to return to Cerulean City for a little while. Misty tells her sisters that she's coming, and, upon arrival, they are very obviously relieved to see her. They beg Misty to play the part of a mermaid in their upcoming water show because their performances aren't drawing in crowds like they used to. Misty eventually gives in, and they are soon ready to perform the show.

At first, all goes well, with Misty playing the part like she should. However, Team Rocket makes another unwelcome appearance and once again attempts to seize the Water-type Pokémon in the Gym. Ash and Brock, recognizing Team Rocket, immediately dive into the tank to stop them from carrying out their plan. The Seel in the tank evolves into Dewgong at a very opportune moment, joining with Ash and Brock's Pokémon to expel Team Rocket from the Gym, saving the day once more. The audience goes wild and the Gym's shows are soon sold out for the next six months as a result of the spectacular display. Misty's sisters ask her to stay and play the mermaid, but they respect her decision to leave and continue traveling with Ash and Brock.

Blurb

Splash-tacular
When Cerulean City Gym is in danger, Misty dives into action. Her Water Pokémon are ready to wipe out the competition.

Can she defeat Jessie, win the splashdown battle - and the respect of her own sisters? Get set for another wet and wild Pokémon adventure.

Major events

• Ash earns the Cascade Badge.
• Misty wins the Princess Contest.
• Misty leaves Starmie and Horsea at the Cerulean Gym.

Debuts

Humans

• Sensational Sisters:
  • Daisy
  • Violet
  • Lily

Pokémon debuts

• Seel
• Dewgong
• Horsea (Misty's)

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Misty
• Brock
• Jessie
• James
• Daisy
• Violet
• Lily

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Togepi (Misty's)
• Bulbasaur (Ash's)
• Goldeen (Misty's)
• Staryu (Misty's)
• Starmie (Misty's)
• Horsea (Misty's)
• Psyduck (Misty's)
• Vulpix (Brock's)
• Weezing (James's)
• Arbok (Jessie's)
• Lickitung (Jessie's)
• Dewgong (Cerulean Gym's)
• Kingler
• Rattata
• Seaking

Trivia

• Although Jessie's Lickitung plays a major role in both the animated series and the book, only the animated series episode shows Jessie catching it.

Errors

• On page 5, Staryu and Starmie's names are switched.
• On page 10, it was stated that there was a statue of a Seel on the roof in front of the Gym. However, the picture of Cerulean Gym on the same page actually shows Dewgong.

In other languages

Language		Title
Czech		Vodní zápas v Blankytném městě
Canadian French		Misty fait des vagues

Pokémon animated series novelizations Indigo League: I Choose You! • Island of the Giant Pokémon • Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon • Night in the Haunted Tower Team Rocket Blasts Off! • Charizard, Go! • Splashdown in Cerulean City • Return of the Squirtle Squad Adventures in the Orange Islands: Journey to the Orange Islands • Secret of the Pink Pokémon • The Four-Star Challenge • Scyther, Heart of a Champion Race to Danger • Talent Showdown • Psyduck Ducks Out • Thundershock in Pummelo Stadium The Johto Journeys: Go West, Young Ash • Ash Ketchum, Pokémon Detective • Prepare for Trouble • Battle for the Zephyr Badge The Chikorita Challenge • All Fired Up • Ash to the Rescue • Secrets of the GS Ball • Prize Pokémon Teaming Up With Totodile • Tough Enough • Winner Takes All Ruby and Sapphire: Haunted! • Phantom Unmasked • Team Rocket Truce • Celebi Rescue • Grovyle Trouble • Deoxys in Danger Diamond and Pearl: Pokémon Academy • The Lost Riolu • Coal Badge Battle • World of Sinnoh Movies: The Art of Pokémon The First Movie • The Art of Pokémon the Movie 2000 • The Art of Pokémon the Movie 3: Spell of the Unown Mewtwo Strikes Back • Mewtwo Returns • Pokémon the Movie 2000 • Pokémon the Movie 3 • Pokémon 4Ever Destiny Deoxys • Lucario and the Mystery of Mew • Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea • The Rise of Darkrai Pikachu's Vacation • Pikachu's Rescue Adventure • Pikachu and Pichu

This book article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise.