The Greatest There Was or Ever Will Be: Kanto League Journeys

by Forever United Never We Fall

What if Ash was chosen by the God Pokémon Arceus herself to be the Chosen One? The savior and champion of the world and the one true master of all Pokémon? Follow this retelling of Ash's entire journey from the very beginning. Ash will encounter and overcome great challenges to become the greatest Pokémon Master there ever was... or ever will be.

11. A Scent of Victory & Darkness: Part 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or anything affiliated with it.

P.S. Hey everybody! As you may or may not know, my story has extremely long chapter lengths. If you easily get lost in long chapters, I would recommend you download my story through "Ficsave". Downloaded stories are easier to read because they're like a book where there are page numbers, which helps you keep track of your reading progress.

Oh and by the way, a big thank you to my new Beta "Lunar Knight Archangel" for going back through and editing my old chapters to get them up to quality with my new ones.

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'The Greatest There Was or Ever Will Be'

Chapter Eleven: A Scent of Victory & Darkness: Part One

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"Well, we're here everyone!" Was the excited exclamation that a certain squinty eyed, perverted teen made as he gestured to the small village sprawling out before him all across a wide open desert plain.

The tiny little community itself appeared as though it were choked off and suffocated from the rest of the outside world by the sheer amounts of dirt and... well dirt, that stretched out on all sides of it and blew through the town like an unending light mist of hazy brown dust.

"Man it sure is a lot smaller than I imagined," The spiky haired former gym leader observed as he put his hands over his eyes and stared down at the somewhat small village that resided a short distance away from the large cliff he was standing atop.

Trekking up the cliffside with a few light pants, an orange haired girl in jean shorts and a yellow cut-off top stopped beside of the older boy and then sunk unceremoniously to the ground beneath her feet as she stared down at the town and snorted in a very unladylike fashion. "Yeah well can you blame them? This place is surrounded by nothing but dirt and more freaking dirt!"

Rubbing her sore feet through her shoes the redhead of sorts threw her head back and complained, "Why would anyone stick a town out in the middle of someplace like this anyway?!"

A chuckling sound was suddenly heard from behind her and the seated girl looked back to see a black haired boy in a tracksuit with a Pikachu on his shoulder and two other girls by his side walking towards them. "Why don't you go down and tell em' all that Misty, maybe they'll decide to move their town on your recommendation!"

The brunette by his right side giggled while the red haired older one to his left just cracked an amused smile at the young man's good natured jesting. "I mean after all, Misty's word is law in these lands!"

The clearly unamused girl gave a slight glare to him as they approached. "Oh ha-ha! You're just all happy because you get another chance to win a badge here funny guy!"

Ash shrugged and then stepped up to stand beside of Brock while he looked out over the dusty, desolate town below. "Yeah you're probably right Misty, I do love my gym badges!"

Solidad came up next to Ash and put her hands on her hips as she scanned the town for a few moments herself. Eventually, she pointed to a somewhat larger building amongst the houses and other structures in the village that stood out very clearly as a potential Pokémon Gym.

"You see that? It might be the gym you're looking for Ash," She observed idly.

The young man put his hands into the pockets on the front of his tracksuit and nodded as Giselle came up to his other side. "This place looks so cut-off and isolated from everywhere else we've been to. Almost like Shadows Hollow."

"Just not as dreary maybe," Misty surmised evenly. "But yeah, I could see this place being like a more... pleasant version of Shadows Hollow."

"Well we aren't gonna find out anything about it by just standing here," Ash stated as he looked away from the town. "Let's head down there and see what it's like."

With that said, the group of five left the cliffside and started heading down into the town itself. When they actually arrived however they found that the appearance of Triangle Village (named for the odd way in which the whole town was shaped into a triangle) was far removed from how the people actually acted.

To Ash and his friend's utter joy instead of the townspeople acting rude and unwelcoming towards them like the ones at Shadows Hollow did, everyone they passed either waved, nodded or just smiled and greeted them like they were old friends.

What was more, even though the town appeared at first glance like it would be poor and ill-maintained given the location, it really wasn't. The buildings and houses all looked well made and taken care of, the people didn't appear ratty and suffering and the fact that everyone was practically swimming in dirt didn't seem to bother them whatsoever.

One thing was for definite sure though; after a week of traveling to get where they were now, dealing with people who weren't rude, angry recluses was a gigantic plus and helped them to feel much more at ease and comfortable in the small town.

Eventually coming to stand before the biggest building in the village, which was easily recognizable as the gym given the Pokémon League symbol above the door, Ash and his friends stepped inside and found themselves standing in a large, single room.

The ceiling was incredibly high with it being made up of large panes of glass instead of solid sheets. The floor was concrete with several large steel pillars placed at different areas to keep the big building standing and the battlefield itself was made entirely of, unsurprisingly, dirt. All in all though, the entire gym appeared to be fairly well maintained.

As the new arrivals checked out the gym a door near the back of the room opened and out came a big black haired man wearing a red country-style button up shirt, faded blue jeans and brown work boots on his feet. He had a defined, angular face that was rough with stubble and black colored eyes which seemed serious but not unfriendly.

Seeing his visitors the man walked out into the gym and greeted in a deep, friendly voice, "Well it looks like we got visitors! How you kids doing? Anybody here for a gym battle?!

Ash stepped forward. "I am sir. My name is Ash and these are my friends." He gestured at Brock and the others and then up at Pikachu. "And this is my pal Pikachu."

Still smiling the man nodded. "Good to meet you all, my names Andy!" He then held his hands out and gestured at the gym around them which was brightly illuminated thanks to the open glass ceiling above. "And welcome to my gym!"

Brock looked around a little more and smiled before crossing his arms and looking back at the now named Andy. "This is a real nice place you got here Andy, well built and obviously maintained. Do you own it?"

The older man shook his head as he walked up to Ash and the others. "Nah, I just lend it from the Pokémon League. Have now for about seven years!" Clapping his hands together he then asked anxiously. "So! Where're you from Ash?"

"Pallet Town," The boy answered without waiting. "We're on our way to Celadon City and decided to stop here along the way and challenge your gym."

"Ah you did eh?" Andy observed with a grin. "Well you came the right way alright! What say you to a standard three-on-three match against my Ground-Type Pokémon?"

"This is a Ground-Type gym?" Giselle asked curiously. "We didn't know that."

Andy looked to her. "Sure is little lady! Me and my Pokémon run the best Ground-Type gym in all of Kanto!"

Ash stepped forward then and smiled with a fire for battle in his eyes. "You're on Andy, let's do it!"

The black haired man grinned widely and clapped his hands again. "Alright! Lemme just phone in my ref from town and we can get this show on the road!"

Indeed, after a quick call to his gym's designated referee the man in question appeared at the gym relatively quickly dressed in the standard referee attire for League officials and then prepared to judge Ash and Andy's battle.

As the two opposing trainers met on either side of the large dirt filled arena, Ash's friends and Solidad stood on the sidelines as eager spectators to the battle that lay ahead. None of them having yet seen a battle against an all Ground-Type gym leader and eager to do so now.

"Alright kid!" Andy announced from across the ring. "I'll let you choose first!"

Ash just thought for a few moments on the best choice he could pick for the upcoming battle and decided to use a Pokémon that he hadn't battled with yet in any official match.

Smiling as he pulled the Pokéball out Ash looked at the ball and nodded before throwing it into the air. "Let's go Weepinbell!"

As Ash's second owned Grass-Type Pokémon appeared on the sandy battlefield looking ready to fight his first battle and prove his strength with a loud call of, "Weepinbell!" Andy just grinned and thumbed his nose.

"A Weepinbell huh? Well... let's see how it can handle this!" The black haired gym leader then tossed his own selected Pokéball onto the field with a shout of, "Diglett let's show these kids how to churn up some earth!"

After the tiny mole-like Pokémon appeared from the ball and took form with it's body partially submerged in the dirt (as per usual for both it's regular and evolved species) Diglett gave a small chirp of it's name. All while Weepinbell narrowed his eyes at his opponent and prepared himself for what could very well end up being an intense battle.

On the sidelines Ash's friends were expressing their own concerns over the upcoming match.

"Do you really think Weepinbell stands a chance against a gym leader's Pokémon after never having battled before?" Giselle questioned with worry for Ash's Grass-Type.

"I don't see why not," Brock answered. "Weepinbell trains hard just like all of Ash's other Pokémon so I don't foresee it being an impossibility for him to win. If Weepinbell stays focused and he and Ash work together as a team then I see no reason why they can't beat Diglett."

Solidad crossed her arms. "It will be hard since Diglett is inherently a tough Pokémon to battle given it's nature for being underground so much. But, I believe they can do it."

"Yeah have faith Giselle," Misty reassured the older girl with a smile. "They've got this!"

The brunette just nodded and looked back to the battlefield while hoping to Arceus that her friends were right and Weepinbell wouldn't choke under the pressure of his first ever battle.

For Ash himself he was personally feeling quite glad in that moment that he had swapped all his Pokémon out, save for Pikachu obviously, days before in order to assemble his new line up. Especially for the gym battles ahead that he had planned to take.

Currently he had a team which consisted of (besides Pikachu) one of his Gyarados that used to follow James' old one, Fearow, Paras, Weepinbell and Primeape. A good, powerfully solid and well rounded team of type varying Pokémon that he was very anxious to use in three of the gym matches that he had fast approaching.

Weepinbell had that honor first now and Ash possessed nothing but full confidence in the Grass-Type that he would do just fine in the battle that was about to commence. Rather he won or lost.

When the referee finished explaining the usual set of rules and then waved his hands down on both sides for the battle to begin, Ash decided not to let Weepinbell wait another minute for a taste of what it was like to battle as he pointed and called out loudly, "Weepinbell use Razor Leaf!"

"Weep!" The Grass-Type called out as several razor sharp leaves hurled from his leafy appendages and headed straight for Diglett.

However, true to it's nature, the Ground-Type simply shot below the dirt as the leaves passed harmlessly overhead. Smirking, Andy shouted a command to his now underground Pokémon, "Diglett use Dig!"

A chorus of, "Diglett Dig! Diglett Dig! Diglett Dig!" could be heard coming from under the ground as the tiny Pokémon burrowed at speeds too fast to follow underneath of the dirt based battlefield.

Weepinbell looked around at the ground below him, anxiously awaiting whatever sign there might be that the invisible Pokémon was going to suddenly spring up out of the ground and attack him.

"Weepinbell you need to stay alert!" Ash shouted. "Diglett could come up from anywhere at any time!"

No sooner did those words leave his lips and the ground under Weepinbell exploded, the Grass-Type getting launched into the air with a pained grunt as he soared skyward from a brutal surprise headbutt courtesy of Diglett. Whom had suddenly appeared out of nowhere underground.

"Now Diglett use Mud-Shot!" Andy commanded as his Pokémon started firing multiple sandy brown blotches of condensed mud at the flying Weepinbell.

However, Ash knew the danger his Pokémon was in and countered quickly, "Weepinbell use Vine Whip on the ceiling beams and pull yourself away!"

Coming back to his senses the Grass-Type shot out two vines at the steel beams above him and used it to wrap his vines around them and then pull himself up and out of the way of the mud balls.

"Now use Razor Leaf again!" Ash yelled as Weepinbell hurled dozens of sharp leaves down at Diglett.

Unfortunately, Diglett fell back on it's old failsafe strategy and disappeared back below the earth again, allowing Weepinbell's attack to once more pass harmlessly over the dirt.

This became a trend that both Pokémon kept going for quite some time during the battle. Weepinbell would send dozens of leaves at Diglett time and time again which the Ground-Type would easily avoid by ducking under the earth.

In retrospect, Diglett would appear randomly from different points in the arena and then use either Mud Shot or Mud Bomb to try and attack Weepinbell up near the ceiling, whom was still swinging in different directions on the rafters by his vines to stay out of Diglett's range.

Ash knew that something had to bend or else the battle was going to drag on forever and due to that, his brilliant strategic mind went into overdrive on just what he could have Weepinbell do to defeat the illusive Diglett.

Finally, during one of the moments in which Andy was having Diglett use a continuous rain of Mud Shots in an attempt to hit Weepinbell, an idea came to him that Ash decided to put into action.

Just as soon as Diglett fired off the last attack at Weepinbell Ash called out, "Weepinbell use rapid fire Razor Leaf on the field and don't stop!"

Weepinbell spun himself up on his vines until he was sitting atop one of the rafters and then started firing nonstop Razor Leafs down at the field below.

Diglett disappeared underground again but that didn't stop Weepinbell as he continued to pelt the field with dozens of leaves which cut deep into the dirt and carved swaths into the loose earth as more and more of the green colored projectiles impacted the battlefield relentlessly.

Andy chuckled. "I don't know what your plan is Ash but in case you haven't already noticed, none of your Weepindbell's attacks will be able to touch my Diglett as long as it's under the ground!"

While that might have been true, with the firestorm of leaves pelting all over the battlefield it made it impossible for Diglett to shoot up out of the ground and attack Weepinbell without getting hit itself.

Andy saw the issue facing he and his Pokémon and decided to rectify the situation by giving a fast command of, "Diglett come up and quickly use Mud Shot!"

Bursting out of the ground right after a razor sharp leaf passed overhead, Diglett came up and shot forth a thick glob of mud and dirt at Weepinbell, an attack in which struck it's mark and scored a direct hit as the Grass-Type went falling to the ground below with

a cry of pain.

As soon as he landed with a heavy thud in the dirt Andy yelled again, "Diglett use Magnitude!"

Calling out it's name Diglett summoned it's power as the ground beneath the field started to tremble and shake violently. Weepinbell was caught in the midst of the wild shaking and began grunting and groaning just as Diglett disappeared back below ground and went tunneling towards the Grass-Type.

Knowing his Pokémon was in trouble Ash shouted, "Weepinbell jump into the air and then use a downward tackle on the spot you're standing on now!"

Managing to free himself from the effects of Magnitude, Weepinbell jumped up into the air just as Diglett started to emerge from the ground underneath of it. Pointing downwards, Weepinbell began dropping towards the Ground-Type that was slowly cresting above the surface of the earth.

However, right in mid-drop, Weepinbell's tackle suddenly began to change and shift until he was pointing head-up in the air instead of head down. Realizing what it was Ash cheered and called out, "Yeah Weepinbell you just learned Slam! Let em' have it!"

Just as Diglett appeared above the ground Weepinbell fell body first down on top of the tiny mole Pokémon with an incredible amount of force and power. Neither Andy nor the Ground-Type had enough time to counter the Grass Pokémon as it smashed down into the ground and sent dirt flying up and outwards in multiple directions due to the sheer force of the hit.

When the smoke cleared however it showed Weepinbell stuck in a hole in the dirt where Diglett had just been, though with no sign of the Ground-Type.

Unfortunately, that didn't last long as seconds later fast tunneling could be seen coming towards Weepinbell's trapped body while he struggled desperately to get out.

Ash knew if Diglett managed to attack his Pokémon in such a defenseless state it wouldn't be good and that was why, just before the Ground-Type could reach Weepinbell, the boy formed a sudden idea and called out, "Weepinbell point your leaves downwards into the hole and use Poison Powder!"

Struggling with all of his might Weepinbell managed to do as commanded just before Diglett could reach him. Pointing his leaves down, the Grass-Type released a large spore of purple toxic powder which rushed into the hole and coalesced around Diglett just as the little Pokémon burrowed it's way into it.

The tunneling coming to a stop almost immediately near the surface Ash took advantage of the situation and shouted, "Weepinbell jump into the air and then use Slam again! Right on top of where Diglett is under the ground!"

Jumping skyward the Grass-Type hurdled down towards the ground below while Andy shouted, "Diglett move!"

Unfortunately for the gym leader his commands were all for naught when, out of time, Weepinbell slammed into the ground below and cratered it with a loud crashing smash.

Eventually rolling to the side after recovering from his drop, Weepinbell moved away and revealed a small crater in the dirt where Diglett could be seen laying as unconscious as a drunk passed out on New Year's Eve.

Raising his hand the referee announced swiftly, "Diglett is unable to battle! Weepinbell is the winner!"

Returning his Pokémon Andy smiled and pulled out his next Pokéball. "That was pretty impressive kid, now let's see how you handle this one! Go Sandslash!"

In a burst of bright white and silver light the mouse-like sand loving Pokémon appeared on the field while slashing it's claws into the air and shouting, "Slash Slash!"

Pulling Weepinbell's Pokéball out, Ash was just about to return his Pokémon when he suddenly saw the Grass-Type turn to him and shake his head in the negative. Showing that he still wanted to battle.

Lowering the Pokéball slightly Ash looked at Weepinbell intently. "Are you sure you want to keep battling Weepinbell?" Getting a simple nod in reply with fiery determination in his Pokémon's eyes the boy smiled. "Alright, go do it Weepinbell!"

Seeing that both sides were ready to go the ref lowered both of his hands. "Begin!"

"Sandslash use Slash attack!" Andy commanded of his Pokémon without waiting, whom promptly took off like a blur of pure speed at Weepinbell with it's right clawed hand raised in the air.

Luckily enough Weepinbell managed to dodge out of the way just in time but that didn't stop Sandslash, who stayed on the Grass-Type relentlessly as he turned on a sudden whim by sticking his other claw into the ground and then launching at Weepinbell again.

The now visibly tired Grass-Type kept dodging and jumping out of the way of the ferocious Ground Pokémon's repeated Slash attacks but eventually, luck ran out for him as Sandslash managed to make contact right under Weepinbell's chin and sent the other Pokémon flying.

As Weepinbell went soaring through the air, Sandslash jumped back as Andy yelled, "Now use Sandstorm!"

The Ground-Type whipped it's arms outward and into an inward arc and churned up a large twister of sand which sped towards Weepinbell and caught him in mid-air, spinning and churning the Grass Pokémon around inside of the yellow funnel of sand as he cried out in pain and dizziness from the vicious beating he was now suffering.

After several long moments of getting thrashed and tossed around inside of the funnel the sandstorm finally died down and as it did, Weepinbell fell limply to the ground below.

As the sand cloud passed Ash's Pokémon was revealed to be unconscious after two long and hard fought back to back battles.

Raising his hand the ref pointed towards Andy and announced, "Weepinbell is unable to battle, Sandslash wins!"

Giselle appeared gobsmacked. "Ash actually lost a Pokémon?! He's never lost a Pokémon in battle before!"

Misty shook her head. "Actually, he lost one against Brock in their gym match together but I can't believe Weepinbell lost either. It's been such a long time for Ash..."

Brock crossed his arms. "Everyone loses Pokémon in their matches at some point or another. Going your entire career expecting anything less is just foolish and any trainer with sense knows it."

Solidad smiled and looked towards Ash. "He doesn't seem to be taking it very hard though does he?"

Indeed, in accordance with the redhead's statement Ash simply smiled and returned Weepinbell to his Pokéball before looking at it and smiling. "You did a great job Weepinbell and I'm very proud of you, take a good rest."

Selecting his next Pokémon immediately after Ash called out, "Paras it's your turn!"

In a flash of light the small Bug-Type appeared from his Pokéball looking fired up and ready for battle as he dug his pincers into the ground and chanted, "Paras! Paras! Paras!"

Andy wasn't about to let his and Sandslash's momentum slack off however as he pointed and yelled, "Sandslash use Metal Claw!"

The Ground-Type took off at Paras as fast as possible while Ash commanded his Pokémon quickly, "Use Growth and then dodge Paras!"

"Paras!" The Bug-Type voiced as his entire body glowed green and he jumped to the side to avoid Sandslash.

Immediately after landing Paras started using Growth again as Andy called out, "Keep using Metal Claw and don't let up Sandslash!"

The pointy spined Ground-Type started jumping at Paras again but the much smaller Pokémon easily avoided it as he kept leaping from side to side, back to front in order to evade his madly attacking opponent. All the while he kept using Growth, becoming stronger and stronger with each second that ticked by.

Becoming frustrated with Paras' evasiveness Andy shouted, "Sandslash now use Poison Sting!"

Jumping back Sandslash growled as the spikes on it's back glowed white before exploding up into the air and towards Paras. Seeing the incoming attack Ash called out, "Paras jump out of the way and dodge it!"

The Bug-Type nodded and waited until the spikes of poison energy were within a few feet of him and then jumped out of the way in just the nick of time. However, Sandslash clearly wasn't going to stop until it hit Paras and proved this fact by continuing to fire ceaseless Poison Stings.

Paras kept dodging and moving all around the field in an effort to escape the poison pins but Andy had a plan in mind to stop Ash's Pokémon's progress cold. "Sandslash use Sandstorm now!"

Flipping backwards Sandslash whipped up another howling sand twister which headed straight for Paras and, unfortunately, succeeded in scooping the small Pokémon up into it's powerful, vacuum-like funnel.

As Paras started to get tossed all around inside of the twister Andy ordered for his Pokémon to launch more Poison Stings at him. An attack which Sandslash performed without mercy and commenced to firing dozens of toxic barbs into the cloud of sand.

From within the churning twister of earth and dirt, dozens of flashes of white and the 'pinging' sounds of poisonous barbs rebounding off of each other could be heard as it went on and on with seemingly no end in sight.

When the sand cloud finally did die down sometime later Paras dropped to the ground in a manner very similar to Weepinbell but unlike the Grass-Type before him, Paras was still conscious. No matter how barely so it may have been due to the violent beating he had just endured or the many bruises and purple, poisoned welts on his skin, Paras still refused to give up.

Even as the poison coursed through his system the valiant Bug-Type struggled to get back to his feet on trembling legs while his determined eyes remained locked on Sandslash with an unwavering, steely determination.

"Come on Paras!" Ash yelled encouragingly. "You can do this! I know you can, don't give up!"

Rather it was by the intensity of the battle or the inspiration of his trainer's words Paras raised his claws to the air and vocalized loudly, "Paraaaaaas!" as his whole body started to glow a beautiful bluish silver.

In just a few very short moments the Bug-Type's form began shifting and changing in shape, becoming bigger and taller in the process as he finally evolved into the final stage of his evolutionary species.

When the light finally faded with a small outward burst the newly evolved Pokémon grunted as a way to announce his new form. "Paraaasect!"

"Wow Paras evolved!" Misty exclaimed in awe.

"That's awesome, I can't believe it!" Giselle chimed with equal excitement.

Solidad just smiled while Brock crossed his arms and nodded. "It's about time."

Ash meanwhile was feeling ecstatic as he raised his fist and cheered. "Yeah Parasect you finally evolved! That is so awesome, way to go buddy!"

"Pikachu Pi Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu himself chirped aloud in congratulations to his teammate with a raised fist in the air.

Andy, on the other hand, wasn't going to let he or his Pokémon get distracted by Paras' surprise evolution and subsequent full healing and instead quickly made a move to try and catch Ash and Parasect off guard. "Sandslash use Dig!"

"Slash!" The Ground-Type replied as it jumped up into the air and then pile-drove itself into the dirt encompassed battlefield.

Parasect stayed in one place and didn't move even as Sandslash burrowed it's way in multiple directions under the ground while speeding towards the Bug-Type with every intention of putting Parasect down for the final time.

However, by that point Ash was more than familiar with the ground burrowing tactics of Andy's Ground Pokémon and managed to develop a method in those same short few seconds that he was almost sure would put a cold stop to Sandslash's signature technique in it's tracks.

"Parasect!" He yelled. "Feel for the vibrations in the earth and focus! Just wait, remain calm and be patient!"

Parasect attempted to do as his trainer advised and closed his eyes, focusing on nothing but the slight vibrations that he was just barely able to make out underground as Sandslash tunneled around beneath the dirt.

Keeping his focus and senses sharp Parasect was able to feel at just the moment when Sandslash suddenly shot up from underneath of him towards the surface, realizing the intent of the Ground-Type was to catch him off guard and attack him by surprise.

At the last second, literally, just as the ground began splintering and cracking in preparation for Sandslash's inevitable appearance, Parasect hopped back just a short few inches.

As soon as Sandslash appeared from underneath the ground Parasect reached out with both of his pincers and locked them around the Ground-Type's throat, effectively stopping it's ascent completely. Much to the surprise of Sandslash itself and it's trainer.

Before it could get free Ash yelled, "Now use Spore!"

Slowly calling out his name as he used the move that was synonymous with a Paras' evolution, Parasect sent out a plume of thick yellow spore directly into Sandslash's face which caused the Ground-Type to freak out, at first, and begin thrashing it's arms and legs around wildly.

Andy gritted his teeth, knowing just how much of a terrible situation his Pokémon was now in but being completely unable to do anything to avert the fact.

When Parasect finally let Sandslash go the Ground-Type dropped to it's feet and wobbled around unsteadily due to the sleep-inducing paralysis now freezing it's entire body but before it could even hope to save itself, Ash shouted a command to his Pokémon. "Parasect use continuous Scratch!"

His pincers glowing white Parasect launched forward and began rapidly cutting into Sandslash over and over again while the dirt loving Pokémon grunted and groaned loudly in pain but totally incapable of defending itself.

Finally, after several seconds of the brutal treatment Ash yelled again, "Now use Slash Parasect!"

Raising a single pincer that glowed an even brighter white than when he was using Scratch, Parasect lunged at Sandslash again and raked the glowing appendage down across his opponent's entire front, Sandslash instantly getting launched off of it's feet and flung across the dirt covered battlefield where it crashed to the ground with a thud and lay still.

Seeing the swirls now in it's eyes the referee raised his hand and pointed towards Ash. "Sandslash is unable to battle, Parasect wins!"

Mutely returning his Pokémon Andy put the Pokéball away and then withdrew another one. "I need you to help me turn this around Dugtrio, go!"

Tossing the Pokéball out onto the field it snapped open and released the evolved form of Diglett which took to the battleground in a burst of light and chanted it's name, "Trio Trio Trio!"

Seeing as how Parasect still seemed to be in battle ready shape and wanting to get him some more experience, Ash decided to stick with his Bug-Type as he held his hand out and commanded, "Parasect use Spore again!"

"Sect!" The quadruped bug called out as he sent out another plume of yellow powder from under his shell which drifted quickly towards the tri-headed Ground-Type like a fast moving cloud of sparkling dust.

However, to everyone's shock and amazement, Dugtrio practically disappeared into the ground like a stone in water long before the spore cloud could come even close to reaching it.

At speeds far exceeding that of Diglett, Dugtrio sped towards Parasect under the ground like that of a torpedo rocketing across the sky. Far faster than that of even a speck of light in the dark, starry night sky.

Completely taken aback by the speed of Dugtrio neither Ash nor Parasect had time to counter as the Ground-Type erupted from

under the earth and smashed into the Bug Pokémon like a battering ram, launching the newly evolved Parasect across the field where it landed with a heavy thud and grunted in pain.

Before the Bug-Type could stand back up and attempt a counterstrike Dugtrio was already below the earth again and tunneling towards Parasect. Nothing but all possible haste and vicious intent behind it's movements.

Looking around rapidly as the Ground-Type zig-zagged this way and that like lightning, Parasect couldn't even begin to hope to follow the extremely quick movements of his opponent. Even as Ash was yelling at him to focus Parasect was simply incapable of following Dugtrio.

Finally, went it came bursting to the surface with Andy yelling, "Use Sand Tomb!" all Parasect saw was a funnel of roaring yellow sand and brown dirt hurdling up towards it before the evolved form of Paras was shot skywards in a far thicker and much denser form of Sandstorm.

Ash watched as his Pokémon was thrashed around inside of the thick upward spout of impenetrable sand for what seemed like forever but was really only a minute at the most before, with a sudden abrupt halt, the sand funnel dissipated entirely.

Like an identical image of what had happened to Weepinbell earlier Parasect fell limply to the ground and lay still with his eyes closed and body unmoving. Providing unspoken truth that the Bug-Type was now permanently out of the battle.

Smiling, Ash returned Parasect and nodded to the ball now in his hand. "You did amazing Parasect, thank you. Take a nice rest."

Stowing it away, Ash pulled out his last choice for the battle and looked emotionlessly towards the ground of the battlefield where he knew Dugtrio was currently hiding below. Also knowing that his Pokémon of choice for the last round was going to end up giving both Andy and Dugtrio more of a shock than they would ever expect, the black haired trainer tossed the ball in his hand up into the air.

"Fearow, redeem your teammates!"

As the ball snapped open and revealed the large Flying-Type Pokémon within that looked impressively healthy, muscular and quite strong from the constant training he did back at the lab with Pidgeot, Fearow raised his long neck to the air and cawed, "ROOWWWW!"

As Andy gritted his teeth at the appearance of the natural type superior to his own Pokémon, Solidad nodded approvingly and crossed her arms. "Now that's a smart type match-up."

Brock shook his head grimly and replied in a slightly ominous tone, "It's more than that Solidad. I didn't think he would actually use Fearow against a Ground-Type in this battle but I apparently underestimated just how much he hates when one of his Pokémon gets hurt or knocked out. Dugtrio may be quick from what we've seen so far but... this isn't gonna pretty."

Misty shook her head, an action mimicked by Giselle, as the redhead promptly agreed with the squinty-eyed teen with no hesitation to her voice whatsoever. "I hope Ash at least doesn't let Fearow get too out of hand or else Dugtrio might get hurt..."

Solidad looked between them all in confusion. "What are you guys taking about? Just because Fearow has the type advantage doesn't mean that Dugtrio is automatically going to lose."

Brock kept his gaze locked on Fearow above, whom was simply hovering up in the air while staring down at the dirt shrouded battlefield like he could actually see through the ground to where Dugtrio was residing below.

"You don't understand Solidad," Brock began. "That Fearow trains heavily with Ash's Pidgeot all the time using extremely heavy aerial designed weights. He's fast, powerful and a whole lot stronger than most Flying-Types are. The swim training Ash puts them both through only increases that strength ten-fold."

Solidad's eyes widened. "It can swim?!"

Giselle nodded with a smile. "Both of Ash's Flying-Types can!"

At that same moment Andy acted quickly in hopes of catching Ash and Fearow off guard by yelling, "Dugtrio use Mud Shot!"

Popping up out of the ground the tri-headed Ground-Type shot several balls of condensed mud up at Fearow but to both it and Andy's surprise, the large-winged Pokémon suddenly vanished from where he had been hovering and reappeared several feet away as the mud ball passed him by harmlessly.

Not stopping Dugtrio continued blasting several mud bombs up at Fearow but, almost as though they were nothing more than a lazy annoyance, the fast flying bird merely dodged and moved out of the way effortlessly of each filthy projectile.

Obviously, after battling against Ash for so long, Andy had learned not to lighten up on his attacks and it was this very mindset that caused him to keep yelling for Dugtrio to use a wide array of mud based attacks like Mud Shot and Mud Bomb in a far flung hope to knock Fearow out of the air.

The Flying-Type showed just how futile those efforts were though as Fearow gracefully weaved in and out of every single attack and would sometimes even go as far as to simply just raise or lower himself in the air to get out of the way.

After several minutes of this went by and upon seeing the frustration on Andy's face, Ash decided to stop toying with the gym leader as a form of recompense for his fallen Pokémon and raised his hand while calling out, "Fearow use Whirlwind!"

His eyes gleaming viciously with the aggressiveness that was so commonplace in his species, Fearow capitalized on his trainer's call for action and then began whipping his powerful wings downward in a motion that quickly churned up a powerful gust of wind which blew towards the battlefield below like a typhoon.

Dugtrio immediately took to tunneling under the ground again but to the Ground-Type's great misfortune that tactic simply wouldn't work an umpteenth time around.

The windstorm that Fearow, seemingly effortlessly, churned up blew down over the loose dirt battlefield and sent massive amounts of the soft sediment flying in all directions of the gym. In basic terms, the vicious wind was quite literally cutting a swath into the ground and carving out a large portion of the field that Dugtrio was hiding beneath.

No one really knew exactly what Ash and Fearow's mindset was until, gradually, the very top of Dugtrio's three heads started to become visible. A fact Andy saw and caused for him to grow wide eyed as he shouted out to his strongest Pokémon, "Dugtrio dig down deeper! Hurry!"

Dugtrio attempted to do it's trainer's bidding but unfortunately for it, the entire gym was sitting on a large concrete pad that had been poured for the foundation. Due to this, Dugtrio could dig no deeper before it hit the impassable mass of solid cement and had it's progress instantly halted.

At that point Fearow knew he had his quarry but instead of risking flying down for a close range attack and Dugtrio using one of it's earthen based attacks as a surprise counter, the Flying-Type was smart and instead waited for Ash's command.

A command in which the black haired boy gave a scant few seconds later as he raised his hand and shouted, "Fearow use Gust!"

Flapping his powerful wings once more, Fearow conjured up a powerful and sizable twister of wind which spun down onto the battlefield and covered the entire area in it's unstoppable cyclonic wrath.

With tons of dirt getting picked up and drawn into the funnel of air, essentially turning it a muddy brown color, Dugtrio itself was even eventually pulled up into the twister. Effectively giving everyone below a firsthand view of just what the ground loving Pokémon looked like outside of it's earthly dwelling.

Oddly enough, Dugtrio's body was really just three Diglett fused together like a Magneton with the rectangular bodies all merging at one focal point at the very end of it's small form. A fused point of origin in which resembled what a tree knot would look like grown onto the side of a tree.

For several long, tense moments, Dugtrio was spun and thrown around inside of the funnel of violently churning wind until - just when everyone thought an end would never come - the small Pokémon was suddenly spat out of the twister and hurdled to the ground below where it slammed into the badly damaged battlefield and kicked up a thick haze of smoke and dirt.

As the mini-tornado finally died down and all became still once more inside the gym, the smoke cleared and revealed Dugtrio out for the count in a tiny crater that was carved into the concrete foundation underneath the main floor.

Raising his hand the referee pointed towards Ash and announced, "Dugtrio is unable to battle! The battle and this match hereby goes to Ash Ketchum and his Fearow!"

Andy smiled a little disappointedly and returned his Pokémon with a few words of earnest consolation to it while Ash cheered Fearow's praise and congratulated his Pokémon as the Flying-Type returned to the ground below.

Walking up to the boy while he happily hugged and rubbed his Fearow's neck, Andy put a hand to the back of his head and sighed. "Well... you beat me! Great job young man, that was truly a great battle!"

Ash smiled and stood up. "Thanks, your Pokémon put up a really good fight too Andy. Weepinbell and Parasect needed some battle experience and I'm glad you helped me get them some."

Andy looked up at Fearow and chuckled. "I got nervous as soon as you pulled out this guy because even though I train my Pokémon to try and become strong against Flying-Types, anytime we battle against a visibly well trained and powerful one it never bodes well in our favor. I could tell this one was tough right away and you sure did prove it!"

Brock spoke up then from behind Ash as a way to reply to Andy's summarization, "Well to be fair to you and your Pokémon Andy, Ground and Flying-Type Pokémon just have a very distinct advantage and disadvantage against one another like Water and Fire-Types do. Put a well trained Pokémon like Ash's Fearow into the mix and it's gonna be a tough battle."

Andy nodded. "True enough." He then looked down at Ash again and smiled as he reached into his back pants pocket and withdrew a small black case which he held out to his challenger. "Ash, for defeating the Triangle Village Pokémon Gym I would like to present you with this..." He then opened the case and revealed the content inside to be his gym's own official Pokémon League Gym Badge.

The badge itself had two different colors to it and was shaped almost like a really angular pair of wings that had a needle-straight point at the end and a wider dip up at the top. One side of the 'wings' was a light, faded green and the other wing was like a tan, equally faded maroon red. All in all, it was a rather plain looking badge if not somewhat sharp and shiny in appearance, most likely due to the unique colors.

As Ash took the badge and examined it carefully, making sure Fearow and Pikachu also got a good look, Andy crossed his arms and smiled. "So I reckon you kids are probably gonna be heading to the next nearest town for another gym battle then right?"

Misty returned his smile with one of her own. "That's right sir, Ash is determined to collect all the Kanto gym badges so we're traveling everywhere we can to give him the chance."

"Is that so?" The man questioned as he rubbed his chin. "Well if that's the case then you'd probably be better off to head out to Boulder Town since that's the closest town to this one with a gym."

"Boulder Town?" Giselle questioned.

Andy nodded. "Yes ma'am. If you head west from here then you'll eventually hit it in about... oh I'd say maybe three days or so on foot. It's a nice little place and the gym there is set up in a pretty neat fashion. I won't ruin it for you but suffice to say, you'll be amazed."

Once he was done looking the badge over Ash smiled at Andy. "Thanks for a great battle and the info Andy, I appreciate it. I hope your gym does really well from here on out."

The older man shook hands with the younger black haired boy. "Thank you Ash, I wish you luck in your future challenges as well. Take care."

After saying their goodbyes to Andy, Ash and his friends made a stop by the local Pokémon Center for the night before they would then have to leave the next day in preparation for the three day journey to their next destination.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

"This is... strange," Misty surmised bluntly from beside her friends as she stared at the somewhat small town laid out before them. "I don't think I've ever seen a town that looked like... this before."

What had captured the redhead's fascination so was the sight of the very aptly named Boulder Town that she and the others had only just now arrived at with the time being right at around high noon. Three days travel having indeed been enough to reach it as Andy had evenly surmised.

The town, while small and normal in appearance when it came to the make-up of the buildings and houses themselves, was very unique when it came to another aspect. That being the way in which practically every single residence was built right into the sides of the massive, almost monolithic boulders that littered the landscape in front of the even larger cliffside that towered high above the town.

Ash kicked at the barren, sandy ground beneath his feet while looking around. "No kidding, this is pretty neat."

"I wonder where the gym is?" Solidad questioned aloud as she too glanced around the area.

Seeing someone coming out of their house and walking down the small walkway that had been carved into the rock spire it rested upon, Brock nodded towards the person. "Maybe we can ask that guy, he might have an idea."

The group of traveling trainers approached the man whom was currently checking his mail and upon seeing them, he turned around and smiled kindly. "Well hello there strangers! Ain't seen you around here before, new to town?"

Ash answered for them as they came to a stop. "Yeah we actually just got here sir and we're looking for the Pokémon Gym, can you please tell us where it is?"

Turning, the man pointed to the cliffside that stretched high above the town. "Sure thing, if you just head straight towards that cliff you'll find it. The gym's located inside of a cave so watch your step and be careful, it's visitor friendly but occasionally moisture will collect inside and make the walkway slippery."

Ash and his friends shared a glance at the mention of the gym being located in a cave but then looked back at the man and thanked him before continuing their way through the town towards the towering cliffside in the near distance.

Eventually, they found themselves standing before a large cave mouth with a sign near the entrance pointing inside that read 'Boulder Town Pokémon Gym - This Way' and had an arrow pointing towards it.

Looking at one another, the five of them took to the tunnel beneath the cliffside and found themselves walking down a rather narrow walkway that had stalactites on either side of them and a fair amount of moisture collected on the ground just beneath their feet.

The passage through the cave was, luckily enough, well lit with lanterns and when they finally came to the end of the tunnel they entered into a large cavern with very high ceilings and a somewhat cold chill to the air. What was more, all of the rock was faintly blue for some reason which only made the general appearance of the cavern seem unusually unique.

Of course, the size and appearance of the cavern absolutely paled in comparison to the most standout feature that donned the walls and even ceiling above. To Ash and his friend's amazement, the entire cave was adorned with multi-colored gems of varying sizes and shapes which were arranged all along practically every square inch of cavern space that there was.

"Oh my Arceus..." Giselle breathed in awe. "It's so beautiful!"

"Some of those gems have to be the size of my head!" Misty exclaimed in astonishment.

"Just one of those would be enough to set you up for life," Solidad observed with an equal sense of awe as she gazed all around the cave.

"No kidding. Who would have ever believed something this precious and incredible was laying just below the barren landscape outside," Brock stated. "There's gotta be hundreds of gems in here..."

"Thousands would be the more accurate statement young man," A gruff, slightly aged voice spoke up from what looked like a mineshaft to the left of them.

As they all turned to see who spoke a broad shouldered, tall, middle aged man with a bushy gray beard that came down to his upper chest came slowly walking out from the darkness of the shaft with a pickax held over his left shoulder.

The man was dressed in an all gray mining outfit with black boots and gloves on his hands and feet and a yellow hard hat on his head. He appeared to be somewhat dirty with all kinds of smudge stains on his clothes but behind the beard a smile could be seen as he approached the five young travelers and then twirled his pickax in the air.

"Most people guess on the low side but all throughout this cavern there are thousands of gems spread all around it." Lowering his ax to the floor, the man leaned on it and nodded his head. "The names Jeb, sole miner of this here mineshaft and the leader of the Boulder Town Pokémon Gym. Nice to meet you young fellas and ladies!"

Ash smiled and introduced himself. "I'm Ash, and this is Pikachu and my friends..." He then gestured to the Pokémon on his shoulder followed by the other Pokémon Trainers and Coordinator at his sides. "Brock, Misty, Solidad and Giselle."

They all greeted the man politely to which Jeb just gave a simple tip of his hard hat to in return before Brock asked curiously, "So how can you mine this whole place by yourself? Seems dangerous and like a mostly impossible feat to me, no offense."

The man waved him off. "None taken! This here cave has been in my family for generations. I come from a long line of miners that goes all the way back to my great, great granddaddy who owned this land originally and blasted his way into this cave while doing some excavation. We never sold the deed to any big mining cooperations so it stayed privately owned."

He then gestured at all of the gems around them. "These gems are mined and then sold all throughout the region for different purposes and has been for decades. My granddaddy was the first one of us to get into Pokémon and decided he wanted to become a gym leader as well as a miner. He set up the gym in here by blasting this room out and making it bigger and my daddy, followed by me after him, decided to take up the torch and follow in his footsteps."

Leaning on his digging tool again, Jeb's eyes wandered over the five of them. "So... which one of you are here to challenge my gym? Or did you come just to see the cavern?"

Ash stepped forward. "I do sir. I would like to challenge your gym."

Jeb smiled and spun his pickax again. "Well alright! Just so you know this a gym that specializes in Rock-Type Pokémon so I hope you came prepared!"

Ash smiled and nodded. "We're more than ready."

A short time later found Ash and Jeb facing off in the large gem encrusted cavern with the referee that Jeb had called in from town standing near the back of the cave as the judge and jury for the impending battle.

"Hey Brock, how many Rock-Type gyms are there here in Kanto besides yours and Jeb's?" Solidad asked curiously.

The teen shrugged. "Just us two as far I know. New gyms pop up every now and again and aren't mentioned until the following year's Kanto region guidebook so to my knowledge, there's only two right now."

After the referee finished giving the standard layout of the rules for the upcoming match, Jeb selected his Pokémon and the result was a solid looking Graveler that took to the field ready for combat.

Sizing his opponent up and then sharing a glance with Pikachu, Ash chose his own Pokémon and called out, "Weepinbell go!"

As the somewhat small Grass-Type materialized out of his ball, the ref brought his hands down and announced for the battle to begin.

Raising his hand Ash called out, "Use Razor Leaf Weepinbell!"

"Weepin... beeeeell!" The Grass Pokémon yelled as he unleashed a flurry of leaves at his rock solid opponent.

Smirking Jeb shouted, "That old trick won't work on us boy! Graveler use Rollout!"

Tucking itself in tightly, Graveler took off in a fast roll at Weepinbell while simply smashing right through all of the leaves. However, just before the Rock-Type could collide with him Weepinbell jumped out of the way and sent two of his vines at his opponent.

Coming out of his roll, Graveler surprised Weepinbell and Ash by grabbing both vines around it's forearms and then tugging them down tightly. Spinning itself in a circle, the Rock-Type picked Weepinbell up off the ground and sent the Grass-Type flying around in dizzying circular patterns.

"Weepinbell try and get free!" Ash yelled, though it was a little too late.

Using the control it now temporarily boasted over Weepinbell, Graveler started smashing the Grass Pokémon up against rocks, the floor and even the gem encrusted walls while it's opponent was defenseless.

The grunts and groans of pain from Weepinbell could very audibly be heard within the cavern due to Graveler's harsh treatment. Ash knew something had to be done and, thinking fast, he commanded Weepinbell to start releasing a cloud of Stun Spore.

Even though he was dizzy and in pain, the Grass-Type did as commanded and started shooting a cloud of paralyzing spores into the air which plumed outward and upwards. Seeing this, Graveler quickly let Weepinbell go by smashing him against the floor once more and then letting go of his vines.

When Jeb yelled out, "Graveler use Dig and escape that spore!" The Rock-Type was quick to tunnel under the ground and escape the potentially match ending passive-natured attack.

Weepinbell had slowly managed to pull himself back up with bruises and cuts now marring his body and, not seeing Graveler anywhere nearby, immediately caused him to go on high alert as he started looking all around at the ground below him. The memories of how Sandslash had defeated him from before still fresh in his mind.

"Weepinbell!" Ash yelled. "Just focus and use your concentration! Keep your eyes trained to the ground and feel the earth, don't just look at it!"

Doing as his trainer advised, Weepinbell closed his eyes and focused on any and all vibrations and sounds that he might be able pick on from underneath the earth. Jeb obviously thought he didn't stand a chance though because at that moment he yelled, "Graveler come up now!"

Almost in slow motion Weepinbell felt the ground tremble and shake below him just before it splintered to reveal Graveler emerging from underneath. Acing on his proverbial feet however, the Grass-Type quickly jumped away just before the Rock-Type could get him and capitalized on the moment by shooting forth his vines, which wrapped themselves around Graveler's body and cinched down tight even while he was still raising into the air.

With a loud grunt of effort, Weepinbell strained and used all of his strength to spin the surprised Graveler up and around before smashing it into the ground hard. Retracting his vines immediately thereafter the Grass-Type steadied himself just as Ash called out, "Great Weepinbell now use Razor Leaf! Rapid fire!"

Calling his name aloud the Grass-Type leaned his head forward and started unleashing a torrent of razor sharp leaves straight at Graveler, whom was still laying on the ground in stunned surprise even as Jeb yelled for it to move.

Too slow to move, all Graveler could do was stand there and take the attack on it's rock covered surface which was not only effective but brutally so. A fact proven to be true by the way in which the Rock-Type called out it's name in pain and constant agony under the leafy onslaught.

In-between the time in which Weepinbell used Razor Leaf and then ended it so the attack was still going Ash yelled again, "Use Vine Whip while it's distracted Weepinbell! One last time!"

"Weeeeepinbeeell!" The Grass-Type shouted and rocketed forth two incredibly fast vines which covered the distance between he and Graveler in mere seconds and then smashed into it's frontside just as Razor Leaf finally ended. The surprise attack hitting the Rock-Type like a champion boxer's right hook under the chin and launching it airborne where it eventually hit the ground loudly with a husky grunt and lay still.

Running over to see the status of Jeb's Pokémon, the referee saw Graveler to be in no fit state to continue battling and raised his hand towards Ash. "Graveler is unable to battle, Weepinbell is the winner!"

"Alright Weepinbell/Pikachu Pi Pikachu!" Ash and Pikachu both cheered along with their friends on the sidelines while Weepinbell turned and closed his eyes, smiling widely at his trainer and teammate.

Running over to his Pokémon Ash knelt down and placed a hand on Weepinbell's head while smiling. "See? You're getting better all the time Weepinbell, nice work buddy!"

"Pi Pikachu!" The Electric-Type on his shoulder agreed with a thumbs up to his partner.

Weepinbell continued to smile happily while Jeb returned his downed Pokémon and smiled at the ball. "You did great old friend, take a rest now." Putting it away, he pulled out another Pokéball and smirked. "Let's see how you handle this one kid! Golem lets show these kids how to shake things up!"

As the final evolutionary form of Geodude appeared and announced it's readiness to battle with a loud bellow of, "Gooooolem!" Ash stood up and held out Weepinbell's Pokéball. "You did great pal, take a rest."

Returning the Grass-Type Ash changed Pokéballs and quickly made his decision with a call of, "Primeape it's all you buddy!"

His swiftly tossed ball snapped open to allow the Fighting-Type inside to take to the field while proudly brandishing the black belt he still wore from their earlier victory at the Saffron City Fighting Dojo. Seeing this the referee lowered his hands and announced for the second round to immediately begin

"Golem use Rock Tomb!" Jeb shouted, deciding to start the second battle off hard and fast to prevent Ash and his Pokémon from building any momentum.

Lifting his hands up, Golem chanted it's name and caused several large boulders to appear overhead of Primeape and quickly start dropping to the ground like a rain of solid, chunky matter.

Without any prompting needed from his trainer Primeape utilized his impressive speed and agility and started jumping, dodging and running out of the way of each boulder as it fell down towards him.

Jeb obviously felt confident however that Primeape wouldn't be able to dodge a move that was so hard to entirely avoid but, to his amazement, when the last boulder fell and created an actual tomb of sorts with the others, Primeape came hurdling overtop of it while speeding towards Golem without missing a step.

Knowing he needed to keep his Pokémon at an advantage over the Fighting-Type, which was naturally strong against rock natured ones, Jeb commanded hurriedly, "Golem use Rollout and take down that Primeape!"

Tucking into a ball Golem rolled towards the charging Fighting-Type with all possible speed and haste but just before it could hit him, Primeape jumped up and then kicked off of Golem's rotating body with expertly timed precision just as it rolled underneath of him.

Launching himself skyward, Primeape tucked into a roll of his own and went careening down towards Golem with a leg extended. Just as the Rock-Type turned and came spinning back towards him again, Primeape slammed his foot down on top of his opponent with enough force that it knocked Golem out of it's roll and sent it tumbling to the side.

Following that attack up with another one immediately after Primeape ran at Golem as it tried to get up and then clobbered it in the side of the face with a powerful Mega Punch. An attack in which sent it stumbling again before one more to the underside of the jaw lifted the Rock-Type skyward through the air.

Hitting the ground with a heavy thud, Golem struggled to get back up again after enduring such a brutal combination of very effective attacks. On Jeb's command however it lifted it's hands up in the air and caused a ring of sharp looking rocks to form around it which the spherical Pokémon then shot off at Primeape like dozens of tiny, jagged projectiles.

Being that he had just started to run at Golem, Primeape took immediate evasive action and began feinting from side to side while using his fists to punch at and destroy as many of the rock pellets as he could. Occasionally, he would miss one or two and they would hit him and tear into his fur but Primeape just grunted and ignored it in favor of staying on course.

Deciding to use his ace in the hole Jeb yelled, "Golem use Earthquake!"

Narrowing it's eyes in concentration, Golem jumped up with a heavy grunt and then slammed it's full body mass into the ground with a yell of, "Goooleeeem!"

As soon as it impacted with the earth, a tremulous shaking started erupting in the cavern which was so powerful that Ash and the others nearly fell over while Primeape lost immediate control over his footing and fell to the ground on both knees.

As the Fighting-Type struggled to stand up against the fierce shaking, Golem used it's naturally low posture to the ground to keep itself rooted while Jeb smirked at the fortunate change of fate and yelled, "Now use Rock Throw! Repeatedly Golem!"

Raising it's hands again, Golem started forming big rocks above it's head which it would then toss at Primeape. The Fighting-Type still had a difficult time trying to stand after being forced to his knees from Earthquake so the only thing he could do to avoid the incoming large rocks was hold his hands up and try to knock them to the side or break them with a punch.

Unfortunately, the small boulder-like chunks of earth were too big and moving far too fast to simply break or knock away and this meant that Primeape started taking almost every single one directly to the body in some way.

Grunting in pain, the struggling Fight-Type kept getting knocked back further and further by each rock as they slammed into his stomach, legs, arms and even head. Eventually, once he was backed up against the far wall, Jeb commanded, "Now use Rock Tomb!"

Going for one last move, Golem strained with all of it's might and formed several giant boulders over Primeape's head which it quickly released and allowed to free fall down upon the Fighting-Type.

Looking skywards, all Primeape had time to do was put his hands up and root himself to the ground before the boulders fell and smashed to the cavern floor, cratering it with a powerful shaking that rocked the cave while Ash's friends all gasped at the thought of Primeape getting crushed by the tomb of rocks.

Golem relaxed it's posture, believing it's foe to be down for the count, while Jeb himself was just about to speak to the still unmoving and unreadable looking Ash and advise him to return his now surely defeated Pokémon.

However, much to everyone's surprise and even Ash's own, slightly, the boulder facing him started to shift and move ever so slightly before, amazingly, it actually began raising up into the air a little at a time.

As it did so, to the further shock and awe of everyone watching and to the undeniable pride of Ash himself, Primeape became visible underneath of the giant rock. His legs bent and his muscles trembling with a massive bulge as he breathed heavily and continued to raise the boulder higher and higher.

His body covered in scratches, mark and cuts with dirt marring his features, Primeape showed just how effective all of the intense upper body training he did was - as well as the almost unnatural strength of his species - as his muscles continued to ripple and a faint blue glow surrounded his body.

Recognizing that Primeape was using Focus Energy to help give himself an extra power and strength boost to complete the incredible task he had assigned himself to accomplish, Ash started shouting words of encouragement to his Pokémon. "Come on Primeape you can do it! Don't give it up, that rock is nothing compared to you! GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!"

With one final grunt, Primeape raised up and then bellowed his name before tossing the boulder up into the air towards Golem. All the dumbfounded and shocked Rock-Type could do was stand there staring up at the descending rock with fear evident on it's face as it's trainer yelled, "Golem use Rollout and get out of there!"

Hearing Jeb just in the knick of time, Golem tucked itself into a ball and rolled away from the sight of the soon to be impact crater just as the boulder hit the ground and shook the cavern once again.

Not letting his newfound burst of energy go to waste, Primeape took off at Golem while still under the effects of Focus Energy and stayed straight on a collision course with the rolling Rock-Type.

Just before the two came in contact with each other though, Ash's Pokémon thought fast and scooped up one of the rocks Golem had thrown earlier into his arms and then, when they were just seconds from colliding, Primeape rooted himself to the ground, spun around and tossed the rock with all the strength and power he could possibly muster.

Like a Latios streaming across the sky the heavy earthen projectile slammed straight into Golem - whom wasn't moving nearly as fast as before due to it's exhaustion from the long, hard battle - and knocked the Pokémon out of it's roll and to the side. It's momentum now entirely lost.

Taking advantage of the situation, Primeape closed with Golem in mere seconds and then started raining a brutal and ferocious combination of several different Fighting-Types down upon the Rock-Type's tough hide.

Mega Punches, Karate Chops, Dynamic Punches and even Rage were utilized by Primeape as he became more and more consumed in the heat of battle with each attack and every blow he rained down upon Golem. Whom could only make token attempts to escape as it grunted and cried out in pain every time one of Primeape's brutal punches or attacks would land upon it's rocky surface.

Finally, while he stood just a short few feet away from the now wobbly and beaten up Rock-Type, Primeape's now glowing red body charged towards his opponent one last time and then jumped straight at Golem with a leg extended and foot glowing.

Jeb knew what was going to happen as soon as the kick connected with his Pokémon but he couldn't stop it in time as the crippling attack made contact with Golem's mid-section and sent the rock covered Pokémon hurdling back across the cavern, wherein it smashed into one of the gem covered walls and then fell to the hard ground without so much as a sound.

Running over to check on Jeb's Pokémon, the referee knelt down and examined Golem only to see the Rock-Type out cold without so much as a movement or tremble of any of it's body parts.

Standing he pointed towards Ash and called out, "Golem is unable to battle, Primeape is the winner!"

Instead of celebrating Ash just looked wearily and cautiously towards Primeape, who was still under the effects of Rage. He kept himself ready at a moment's notice to jump in and return his Pokémon if it appeared as though Primeape would lose control of himself, much like he did back at the fighting dojo when he went crazy under the effects of Anger Point.

Fortunately however, Primeape seemed to have a better handle over his emotions and temper this time around as he merely stood in place for several moments and breathed slowly, in and out, before the red glow around his body gradually faded away.

As Ash saw Primeape open his eyes and revealed them to be normal once again, he breathed a sigh of relief and smiled proudly at his Pokémon with a nod while his friends behind him all visibly relaxed. Having had the same fear as Ash concerning Primeape.

Returning his Pokémon Jeb smiled and called over to Ash, "Very impressive battling young'n! But, I'm afraid you don't stand a chance in Arceus' green earth of defeating this one!"

Pulling out his last Pokéball the aged and rugged miner threw it skyward while yelling, "Alright Onix let's take'r home!"

As the ball snapped open and the Pokémon inside was released, a truly massive and very powerful looking Onix appeared from the burst of light and towered high above the cavern to a height that even Brock's own couldn't match.

Staring up at the gargantuan foe as it roared a loud, "Oniiiiiix!" Ash looked back to Primeape and asked seriously, "You fought hard Primeape, do you wanna rest now?"

However, the Fighting-Type merely looked back at his trainer and shook his head before focusing his attention towards his goliath foe again and then narrowing his eyes challengingly. His fists coming together as he prepared to give his all to the last battle of the match.

Respecting his Pokémon's decision Ash nodded and made no move to return Primeape, which the referee noticed and then shouted, "Begin!" while waving his hands downward.

Deciding to jump into the battle with both feet since he knew they'd need it to tackle such an immense opponent, Ash raised his hand and yelled, "Primeape try to get in close to Onix but watch out for it's tail!"

"Prime!" The Fighting-Type voiced in consent as he took off across the cavern towards the giant Rock-Type with a look of intensity and focus upon his face.

Without even a command from it's trainer though, Onix brought it's rocky tail around in a very impressive show of speed for it's size and sweeped it low across the ground towards Primeape.

Seeing this, Primeape quickly leaped over the tail and kept running towards Onix but the Rock-Type proved to be more agile than it looked as it immediately brought the tail back around and forced Primeape to abandon his forward motion in order to leap back and avoid getting clobbered.

This was an action that Onix repeated as it simply swung it's rocky tail back and forth and even up and down in striking motions at the Fighting-Type. Primeape, however, couldn't get a step in edgewise and was forced to continue dodging and moving in all directions to keep from eating one of the strikes head on.

Unfortunately for him though, during one of the occasions in which Onix swung it's tail at him and Primeape jumped away, the large Pokémon lunged it's head forward like it was about to headbutt him.

Rolling out of the way of the massive head, Primeape never saw the tail coming up at him from the side at the same time until it smashed into his side and began dragging the Fighting-Type across the cavern floor.

Gritting his teeth in pain and squinting his eyes, Primeape managed to dig his hands into Onix's rocky surface and used the hold to pull himself on top of the Rock-Type. Without breaking his stride Primeape then took off up the length of Onix's head with his right fist cocked back and glowing in preparation to use Mega Punch.

What neither he nor Ash expected though was Onix's unusual ability to move it's bulky body in very dexterous motions. Which, upon feeling the Pig Monkey Pokémon running up it's body, caused it to hunch inwards in one swift, fast motion. The movement actually making enough upward force in the process that it launched Primeape skyward without any warning.

With it's opponent now temporarily helpless in the air, the Rock-Type turned it's head toward Primeape just as Jeb ordered a move that shocked all present. "Onix use Dragon Breath!"

Before Ash could even hope to think of a way to get Primeape out of the dire situation he was now in, a bright whitish/silver beam of draconic energy came bursting from Onix's mouth and consumed Primeape inside of it's funnel-like tube.

Getting knocked even further skyward towards the ceiling by the surprise and entirely unexpected Dragon-Type attack, Primeape hit the cavern ceiling above and then started falling to the ground just as Onix brought it's tail around again like a blur and smashed into the falling Fighting-Type.

With a cry of pain Primeape was sent hurdling into the far wall across from Onix and slammed into it before falling to the ground and landing with a dull thud.

Struggling with all the possible willpower and resistance that he could muster Primeape tried to stand but only managed to make it back up to one knee before falling forward and landing on the ground again. His eyes closed and body limp as unconsciousness took over.

Raising his hand the ref pointed towards Jeb and announced, "Primeape is unable to battle, Onix wins!"

Raising his Pokéball Ash returned Primeape and smiled at it. "Great job Primeape, take a good rest. You deserve it."

While Ash made his choice of who he would use next Brock shook his head and looked towards Jeb's last Pokémon. "That Onix is incredibly well trained and powerful. I hate to say it but it even puts my own to shame. Ash is really gonna have to think on his feet for this one."

As if he could subliminally hear Brock, Ash finally selected his next Pokémon and looked down at the ball in his hand before speaking confidently, "I know you can do it... I have faith in you."

He then tossed the ball into the air while shouting, "Gyarados show Onix what real power is!"

As the capture device snapped open one of Ash's Gyarados that he had captured with Dragonite appeared out of a bright flash of light and rose high into the air until he too was nearly touching the ceiling. The body of the massive Water-Type Pokémon easily matching that of Onix's own, pound for pound.

His eyes showing ferocity and a thirst for battle within the primal, almost draconian orbs, Gyarados raised his head and bellowed with a roar that shook the cavern, "GYAAAAARROOOOOO!"

His eyes narrowing and face becoming serious, Jeb murmured to himself at the sight of the gigantic Pokémon that easily matched his own. "Never would have expected this kid to have a Gyarados... things are gonna get interesting."

As the ref lowered his hands and declared the battle officially back on Jeb reacted with all haste, "Onix use Dragon Breath again!"

"Ooooonnnn!" The giant Rock Pokémon bellowed as it fired another gusty wind of silverish white energy at Gyarados.

"Use Hydro Pump!" Ash yelled in retaliation as his own sizable Pokémon opened his mouth - utilizing a move all of Ash's Gyarados had just recently learned while at the lab training together with Tentacruel and Dragonite - and shot forth a massive burst of water at Onix's own attack.

The two powerful moves immediately met in the air and battled back and forth for dominance for several long moments until they finally exploded and sent droplets of water flying everywhere. The likes of which landed on several of the gems in the cave and alit the solidified and hardened minerals in a bright array of colors.

The beauty of the sparkling gems were not seen or paid any attention to by Jeb or Ash though as they both yelled at the same time, "Use Tackle!"

Roaring in unison Onix and Gyarados, two Pokémon from the complete opposite ends of the type spectrum, charged one another and then collided like two freighters on a freeway. Both large and powerful Pokémon attempting to outdo each other with pure muscle and grit as they struggled back and forth for several long moments.

Finally, Gyarados managed to get the upper hand when he implemented a little brains into the battle of brawn and brought his strong tail up and around. Onix was caught unawares as the tail of it's opponent slammed into the side of it's head and sent the Rock-Type careening laterally.

However, just as Onix went to fall to the side and crash into the wall closest to it the Rock Pokémon drug it's own lumpy, rocky tail up and around to the side and bashed itself into Gyarados' side, knocking the Water-Type back hard from the force of the hit.

As both immense Pokémon regained their bearings Jeb ordered for his Onix to use Rock Tomb. Which it did without hesitation and caused several huge boulders to form above Gyarados' head.

Ash wasn't about to let his Pokémon fall to that same trick though and that's why he called out, "Gyarados use Dragon Rage!"

Opening it's mouth and building the energy inside quickly, Gyarados unleashed an explosive beam of powerful draconic energy up at the descending rocks and easily blew them into hundreds of thousands of pieces as soon as it made contact.

As pebbles and dust rained down upon Gyarados, Onix rushed forward on another command from Jeb to use Tackle and rammed it's head into the serpent-like Pokémon's side.

However, instead of getting thrown off balance and falling to the ground Gyarados recovered from the hit and whipped his head around with his teeth glowing like they were made of ice as Ash yelled, "Bite down on Onix with Ice Fang!"

Chomping his powerful and wide jaws around the Rock-Type's neck, Gyarados held on and started wringing his head from side to side while the extremely cold temperatures now radiating from his teeth sunk into Onix's rocky skin and chilled the Pokémon down to the tail.

Struggling to get free Onix desperately tried to shake Gyarados loose but only managed to do so when Jeb yelled, "Onix use Rock Tomb and then Dig!"

Managing to focus through the painful chill permeating through it's rough surface, Onix made several more boulders appear above Gyarados' head which began falling down towards them both.

Realizing that he had to get away, Gyarados released Onix from his hold and slowly managed to lumber back and out of the way of the falling rocks while Onix itself coiled up and then plunged itself into the ground where it began tunneling deeply under the cavern floor.

Feeling confident in the integrity of his family's longstanding, structurally sound and stable mine, Jeb commanded for his Onix to use Magnitude from under the earth as a way to attack and hopefully take down Gyarados without actually fighting him head on. As much as he hated to admit it, Ash's Pokémon was stronger in an all out battle of power than his own and if Onix couldn't beat it head on, Jeb decided that they would attempt to defeat their opponent through evasive means.

As a powerful and intense trembling started to erupt from under the cavern and then spread all throughout the mine until everything was shaking and quaking intensely - proving that Onix had apparently summoned forth a high leveled Magnitude - Misty looked visibly nervous as she attempted to keep her footing.

"I don't know how smart it is to have your Pokémon use earth shaking moves under the ground! What if this whole place caves in on top of us?!"

Brock was a little more stable on his feet due to making it through Golem's earlier Earthquake so he had a chance to be more observant as he allowed his eyes to wander around the cavern. Eventually, he spoke while pointing up at the ceilings and walls, "I don't think you gotta worry about that Misty! Look up there!"

The reddish orange haired girl along with Giselle and Solidad looked up to where Brock was pointing and just managed to see what looked like several barely visible steel beams implanted into the ceiling and walls all along the cavern.

"What are those things in the rock?!" Giselle asked loudly, having to shout over the shaking.

"I think they're support beams," Brock replied back with a raised voice. "Jeb said his grandfather cut all of this out when he decided to put a gym down here so he probably filled the mine with steel beams to help keep it's structural integrity strong so it wouldn't collapse during destructive battles!"

Solidad pointed towards the battlefield as she shouted, "I'm glad we're not going to get crushed but Gyarados doesn't look very good!"

Sure enough, as they all looked back to Ash's Pokémon they saw the giant Water-Type thrashing his head back and forth while trying to clear his vision and get his mind straight after enduring the dizzying effects of Magnitude for so long.

Seeing his Pokémon suffering Ash called out to Gyarados while trying to keep his own bearings straight from the intense shaking, "Gyarados just try and block out the quaking! Onix is trying to scramble your head around and knock you out of the battle that way, don't let it win!"

Gyarados heard his trainer but hearing the advice and putting it into action was two very different things as his vision continued to swim from the intense shaking. Finding it increasingly harder and harder to actually keep his thoughts from getting overly hazy.

Ash knew he had to do something to help his Pokémon out but the nonstop trembling and shaking was making it difficult for even him to concentrate and was actually starting to cause the black haired trainer to see double.

Feeling a tap on his head, Ash looked over through squinted eyes and saw Pikachu with a similar expression upon his shoulder who was trying to get his attention as he gritted his teeth and kept his ears down. The Electric-Type was gesturing towards the battlefield with a single paw and even though Ash looked and followed his Pokémon's direction, he couldn't quite piece together what Pikachu was trying to tell him.

After several moments of looking at the battlefield and then back at Pikachu he finally asked loudly, "What is it Pikachu?!"

Obviously fighting the effects that the sensory scrambling Magnitude was having on him, Pikachu jumped off of Ash's shoulder and stumbled forward on wobbly legs while pointing to the battlefield again. More specifically, the giant hole that Onix had disappeared down into.

Seeing that he finally had his trainer's gaze focused on where he wanted it, Pikachu then began gesturing from Gyarados to the hole and then back again. Over and over, multiple times in a row.

After several long moments of trying to figure out what he was attempting to be told, Ash finally got the message as his eyes widened and realization struck like a bolt of lightning. "Of course! T-That's it!"

His voice shaky from the constant quaking, Ash ran up to join Pikachu. "T-Thanks buddy I owe you one!" He then cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted up to Gyarados. "L-Listen to me Gyarados! I know it's hard to focus right now but you have to! G-Go towards that hole Onix disappeared into!"

Turning his head to his trainer and looking down at him through similarly squinted eyes, Gyarados just gave a small nod of his head to show that he understood and then slowly, very slowly, began making his way towards the giant hole in the ground that Onix had vanished into.

After fighting to reach the hole and doing much weaving from side to side Gyarados looked down into the dark depths just as Ash took a deep breath and then yelled, "Gyarados use Hyrdo Pump in the hole!"

Barely able to perceive what Ash was saying while being so close to the source of the violent trembling, Gyarados mustered every ounce of inner strength and focus he had to carry out his trainer's wishes.

Tilting his head back, the ferocious Water-Type built up a massive pressure of water inside of his throat which traveled up to his mouth before lunging forward and expelling a truly immense blast of water like a laser beam straight into the gaping hole.

Jeb knew exactly what they were doing but before he could warn his Pokémon of the impending danger a loud, pained bellow came from below the earth as the shaking abruptly stopped. Much to everyone on the surface's relief.

Suddenly, like a rocket was getting shot up through the ground, they all heard what sounded like something making an extremely quick ascension back to the surface before Onix burst up through the cavern floor while roaring it's name in a way that sounded very much like pain.

As Ash and the others got a good look they could tell that Hydro Pump must have hit it's mark due to Onix's entire body being soaked from head to tail like someone had upended an entire water tower over it's rocky surface.

Seeing the best opportunity they might have to end the battle, Ash called out to a now much clearer headed Gyarados while Onix thrashed it's head back and forth in an attempt to shake the water off. "Gyarados it's time to end this! Use Aqua Tail!"

Feeling enraged at the trouble and pain Onix had caused him through the use of Magnitude, Gyarados hunched over and brought his tail up behind him like a trident as a swirling vortex of water quickly suffused it and started spinning violently like a cyclone.

Lunging forward while roaring loud enough to shake the cavern again, Gyarados slammed his water consumed tail straight into the side of Onix's body with so much force that a resounding 'Boom!' exploded throughout the cave like lightning.

The vortex of water covering Gyarados' tail quickly enveloped Onix within it's cyclonic funnel and absolutely drenched the Rock-Type with hundreds of gallons of water. A fate which was worse than even the most brutal torture for Onix as it bellowed in excruciating pain under the seemingly unending aquatic attack.

Finally, when the twisting funnel of water came to a halt and Gyarados' tail returned to normal, Onix was left facing upward in a ramrod straight position while it's entire body trembled from the super-effective and incredibly damaging Water-Type attack.

His eyes set into a furious and challenging glare, Gyarados stared his foe down with a gaze that clearly screamed of just how ready he was to keep fighting to whatever brutal end if need be. Essentially, it was the ferocious and aggressive nature of his species coming onto the forefront as Gyarados' battling nature took hold and gave him the mindset of either winning the match or going down swinging to the very end.

This proved to be a dedication that was unnecessary however as Onix let out a deep groan before falling to the cavern floor and landing in a massive heap which shook the ground. Eyes closed and body unmoving, it didn't take a professional to see that the Rock-Type was down for the count and that's exactly what the referee himself saw.

Raising his hand for the last time the official gestured towards Ash and announced loud enough for everyone to hear, "Onix is unable to battle! Since the gym leader has no more Pokémon to use, I hereby declare the winner of this match to be Ash Ketchum and his Gyarados!"

A loud cheer from his friends erupted at the ref's declaration while Ash whooped in triumph and ran up to Gyarados with Pikachu at his heels. Patting his Pokémon on the scales that covered his side Ash smiled brightly and called up to the Water-Type, "That was incredible Gyarados! You showed some freaking grit in that battle and we're both proud of you, right Pikachu?!"

The Electric-Type held a thumbs up to his fellow Pokémon and smiled in agreement, "Pi Pikachu Pi!"

As Gyarados took in the praise of his trainer Jeb returned Onix to it's Pokéball and then walked over to them. "Well boy it'd seem like you whipped me good!"

Smiling good naturedly he extended a hand. "This old Granbull's gotta few tricks to learn if I wanna keep up with you young pups!"

Ash laughed and took the offered hand. "Nah it was a great battle Jeb, thanks a lot. I gotta admit, I was a little worried there for awhile that the cave might collapse in on us when you had Golem and Onix use Earthquake and Magnitude!"

Giving his own hearty chuckle as Brock and the others came up to join them, he shook his head. "Are you kidding young'n?! This mine is the most sturdy and stable underground network of caves you could ever go into this side of Kanto! My granddaddy spared no expense in making it as structurally sound as he could back when he redesigned this place to hold Pokémon battles!"

Giselle smiled and stated jokingly, "That's good too because I think we're a little too young to be taking any dirt naps."

Everyone laughed at that with Jeb stroking his beard and nodding. "I'd say so, you kids got a long and bright future ahead of you that I would hate to see cut short! Which reminds me..." He then reached into a deep pocket in his overalls on the left side and pulled out a worn silver case.

Holding it out to Ash the beefy miner opened up the case and revealed a gleaming, beautiful looking gym badge lying atop a grey velvet lining on the inside.

The badge was designed like a somewhat cylindrical, lumpy, spiral-cone shaped gem and was sectioned off into six different gemstones of varying sizes, of which were all linked together as though they were actually one. The badge itself had the color pattern of a mix of bright red and a lighter shade of red that almost looked pink in the right light.

Taking the badge in hand Ash looked it over while Jeb smiled and put the case away. "That right there is the official symbol that you beat the Boulder Town Pokémon Gym: the Gem Badge. Congratulations!"

Ash showed it to Pikachu and then to his friends which had Solidad, Giselle and Misty all ogling the gem-shaped badge with obvious feminine appreciation in their eyes.

"Oooh it's so pretty!" Giselle gushed as she looked it over.

"No kidding I want one!" Misty agreed from beside of Giselle while Solidad just shook her head and smiled. "That's gotta be the prettiest gem badge I've seen yet!"

Jeb laughed. "Well little ladies, this mine is known for it's beautiful gems and some of them are actually used to make these very same badges for my gym! I don't do it obviously, my hands are too rough and unsteady, but a small shipment of the gems used to make this here badge is shipped off to the Pokémon League every now and again when I need more and they make em' for me!"

He then reached out and patted Ash's shoulder. "So you gotta little souvenir now from your time here that you can carry with you Ash, I hope you look on it and remember this gym fondly!"

Closing his hand around the badge Ash smiled as well. "Thanks Jeb, maybe we'll see each other again someday."

Twirling his pickax back onto his shoulder the rugged miner nodded. "Maybe we will! So where you kids headed to next if you don't mind me asking?"

"Celadon City," Ash answered right away. "We're heading there for the next gym that's closest to us."

Jeb raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well then you should be taking a slight detour to Sherabi Town instead before heading out to Celadon!"

"Sherabi Town?" Giselle questioned curiously. "What's there?"

The bearded man smiled and adjusted his hard hat before replying, "It's a town that's about four days travel from here on foot and is the host to a new gym that's just been recently started up here in Kanto. Over the last year as a matter of fact."

Ash and his friends looked surprised at that revelation which caused Misty to look at Brock and ask curiously, "I thought you said there were only twenty-seven gyms Brock?"

"I thought there was," The teen replied. "I had no idea another one had just been started up. It definitely wasn't in the guidebook."

Jeb looked at Brock. "Well in all fairness to yourself young man, any new gyms in the region won't be mentioned in the Kanto regional guidebook until the following year after their opening. We gym leaders are always made aware of such changes to the League gym roster and since Ash here is wanting to earn another badge, it might be worth your time to make a quick pitstop by Sherabi Town."

"Which way would we go?" Solidad asked of the miner.

"Simple!" Jeb announced boisterously as he pointed in a vague direction towards the exit of the cavern. "Just head east from this town and eventually you'll come out into a long stretch of road that goes straight through the heart of a green, mostly wide open landscape spanning on either side of you. This is the main road mind you and once you come to a fork in the path, take the lefthand direction, not the right. If you stay on that road you'll eventually come right out into a town resting in the middle of the countryside and that'll be Sherabi."

The tough miner/gym leader then looked to Ash. "As I said, the gym is relatively new and also specializes in something a little different from the normal type-specific gyms that you've probably encountered so far. This particular gym holds it's specialty in double battling so you better make sure you and your Pokémon are well prepared for that type of fight or you won't make it far."

Ash and Pikachu shared a glance before smiling at each other and then looking back at their friends. "What do you think guys?" Ash asked. "Mind taking another detour?"

All of them shaking their heads in the negative and agreeing rather readily, he looked back at Jeb and nodded. "Well I guess that settles that then. Thanks for the suggestion Jeb, I really appreciate it."

The older man just tipped his head to Ash and the others once more. "You're very welcome youngsters, please take care and safe travels!"

After sharing parting words with the kind and boisterous gym leader, Ash and his friends left the gym and headed out to the local Pokémon Center where the five of them dropped their Pokémon off for a little R&R before heading out for the next far off town.

While sitting in the somewhat small lobby of the equally as small center, Ash had just finished placing his new badge in his badge case and then put it away into his backpack again before looking over at Solidad, who was sitting across from him.

Taking a few seconds to find the best wording for what he was about to say while Brock and the others were in the cafeteria getting food for them all, Ash finally just decided to come right out and ask instead of stalling. "Hey Solidad, can I ask you a favor? Not something you have to do mind you but... just sort of like a question?"

The redhead shook her head and smiled kindly. "Of course not, please go ahead Ash."

Rubbing the back of his neck for a few moments, he finally decided to speak up on his desire after remaining silent in contemplation. "Look... you know I'm not worried about actually trying to become a Pokémon Coordinator right now Solidad. I mean, I'm barely even a Pokémon Trainer as it is and me and my Pokémon still have a ton to learn and a long way to go. It's just... well..."

He smiled sheepishly. "I believe in being prepared and well rounded. I mean the better trained you are, the more chance you'll have of coming out on top right? Anyway... I guess what I'm trying to say is... while we're traveling together would you mind maybe... helping me train like coordinators and their Pokémon do? You know, like a little extra curricular thing to do on the side."

Solidad blinked in surprise and didn't say anything for a few moments before, finally, she allowed a smile to grace her lips again. "Ash, I would be honored to teach you a few training skills and techniques we coordinators use. It won't be easy for you or your Pokémon but it'll definitely give you an extra leg up against your competition if you learn how to battle in more than one way."

The Pallet native smiled widely. "Really? Oh wow! Thank you so much Solidad this is awesome!"

"What's awesome?" Brock asked as he and the girls returned from the cafeteria carrying trays of food which they set upon the table before taking their seats.

As Giselle and Misty started to get their food ready to eat, Ash smiled from ear to ear and then gestured at Solidad. "She just agreed to teach me some coordinating training skills and methods while we're all traveling together! Watching her at that contest back in Saffron really inspired me and I'd like to learn how they do it!"

"Hey that's great!" Brock exclaimed with a smile. "I'm sure you'll love it and Soli's a great teacher!"

Solidad then looked to Misty and Giselle, whom she knew trained with Ash every morning and evening. "What about you girls, interested in joining him?"

Misty and Giselle both shared a look before the latter just smiled nervously and waved her hands. "I think it's really great you guys are gonna be doing this but I've got my hands full training with just Ash."

Misty nodded, looking relieved that Giselle broke the mold of the matter first. "Yeah I agree with Giselle. I'm newer to Ash's training style than even she is and it's tough enough on me and my Pokémon so I think we'll respectfully bow out for now."

Solidad nodded and pulled her own tray towards her. "I respect that. If you ever change your mind, feel free to let me know."

Giselle and Misty smiled at the older girl and then focused on eating. It was still relatively early in the day so the five of them knew they had plenty of time to relax and wait for their Pokémon before needing to hit the road again before the day grew too late.

Their next stop was Sherabi Town and at a distance of four days away by foot travel, they were more than content with enjoying the last taste of civilization they would be able to enjoy for quite some time.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

"Pikachu use a condensed Thunderbolt on that water spout!"

On his trainer's command a visibly tired Pikachu ran and then jumped in the air before unleashing a bolt of smaller than usual electricity with a cry of, "CHUUU!" at the blast of water that had been shot into the air by Gyarados.

As the bolt struck it's target and began arcing around the torpedo-like jet of water, the two elements seemingly merged together and became one for a short time before exploding in a pretty display of aquatic droplets that shined in the air due to the electrical current still passing through them.

Landing back to the ground and panting heavily Pikachu slapped his tail to the ground in frustration while Ash snapped his fingers and cursed, "Darn! Man so close!"

From a short distance away, Solidad spoke up as she uncrossed her arms and leaned back on the tree stump she was using as a seat. "Don't beat yourselves up Ash, it was a good first attempt. It'll take time to actually learn the correct amount of power Pikachu will need to use to keep the electricity arcing around the water without actually causing it to explode. He's a strong Pokémon so it'll be tough to control himself."

The boy in question dropped to the grassy ground below him that made up the main terrain of the large, wide open plain they were training in and allowed a sigh to escape his lips. Tired, shirtless and sweaty from training all morning, he shook his head and wiped at his forehead. "Whew, coordinating sure is a lot harder to train for than I imagined!"

"Pika..." The little Electric-Type in front of him grunted in agreement as he dropped down to his behind and drooped his ears tiredly. A state of exhaustion all of Ash's Pokémon were currently displaying from Primeape, Weepinbell and Parasect, all the way up to Fearow and Gyarados.

After getting up at the crack of dawn and doing their usual training along with Misty and Giselle and their own Pokémon, Ash and his Poké-Companions then went straight into working with Solidad on coordinating routines and tactical theory. Just as they had been doing for the past four days now.

Smiling cheerfully, the redhead stood up from her seat and walked over to Ash before looking down on him and giggling. "I told you it wasn't going to be easy when we started."

Sitting up he shook his head and smiled himself. "I knew it wasn't gonna be easy but I tell ya, this is worlds different from training Pokémon the normal way. I mean wow!"

And he meant every word. Since leaving Boulder Town for their next destination, Solidad had spent a lot of time teaching he and his Pokémon all about the ways in which Pokémon Coordinators trained and honed their skills. Explaining that when training for competitions, it wasn't about brute strength or raw power but grace, precision and finesse instead.

Before she even started working with them Solidad drilled into Ash and his team all about the proper ways in which to move and train like a coordinator and this proved to be exceedingly difficult for all of them. Mostly since they had to switch their mindsets up and get into the element of being graceful, elegant and poised instead of just explosive and powerful.

Quite literally, the aspects of Pokémon Coordinating were broken all the way down to even the way in which you moved. Both Ash and his Pokémon all had to train themselves on how to move properly while training, what sort of posture was best kept and even how to breath. In all honesty, it was very similar to an art like dancing and like any new practitioners to such things there was much, much stumbling and falling along the way.

For Pikachu, Parasect and Weepinbell they had to retrain themselves on how to move, jump, turn and even stand like it was an exact science for each of them. Synchronizing their breath with their movements and learning how to let their energy flow so their transitions and actual physical moves themselves would flow into one another gracefully instead of choppy and clubfooted. Which broke all semblance of grace and control if done in the latter fashion.

Even Fearow and Gyarados had to learn the right ways in which to fly and twist their bodies (respectfully) before moving on to any real move training or skills and techniques.

After the last three days, the six of them had finally started getting the hang of how coordinating based Pokémon were supposed to move their bodies and once Solidad was pleased with their progress for now, she then moved them onto actual move training. With each other as partners.

Actual attacks themselves proved to be much harder to learn how to do properly for coordinating than even basic movement and breathing training was but Solidad believed in a direct approach and that was why she had Ash pair up his Pokémon and start working on easy combination moves together.

In her mind, if they could learn to synchronize and correctly use their moves in coordinator style - while also in a partner scenario - then using their attacks individually while by themselves would be far easier. Essentially, it was pretty much a 'Run first, walk second' type of method she chose to go with that seemed as though Ash's Pokémon would most likely respond to rather well. Not a surprise given their love for a good challenge which she had seen plenty of from them recently.

She and Ash had his Pokémon pair off on that particular morning in teams of Weepinbell and Fearow, Primeape and Parasect and Pikachu and Gyarados. From there, they were instructed to pick one move each and then work those two moves in a contest scenario by trying to make their attacks synch-up and work together to create a dazzling effect.

This would of course teach them the correct way to use their attacks with a contest mindset since keeping the same old gym battling, all out, max power approach would never work and only result in both attacks canceling each other out.

If they could learn to put just the right amount of power into their attacks then it would allow them to actually come together and perform a contest worthy effect. Thereby, in essence, teaching Ash's Pokémon what it felt like to use their attacks and moves with a contest centered mindset instead of a regular battler's one. Once that was established, using their moves with the grace, poise and elegance of a contest Pokémon would be much easier.

For the most part, Weepinbell and Fearow were working on trying to use a combination of any spore attack and Gust to create a spinning cloud of shining wind like Solidad and Butterfree did at the Saffron Pokémon Contest.

Primeape and Parasect were working on something a little different though. Essentially, the two trainers were having them do something that not only would further drill into both Pokémon what it should feel like when competing in a contest but also enhance two physical qualities in each of them that neither were all that great in.

Basically, Parasect would run and leap at Primeape and then the Fighting-Type would start using his strength to toss the Bug-Type up in the air using modified moves like Mega Punch, Mega Kick and Seismic Toss.

While in the air, Parasect would then have to go against his species' naturally cumbersome, ungrateful nature to perform (at first) simple and easy acrobatic moves. Like twists, spins, turns and vaults. Also, while in the air, he would have to use certain attacks like Slash and his spore attacks in conjunction with acrobatics to work on his divided attention.

In turn, Primeape would have to quickly move out of the way to avoid the falling spores but still be ready to catch Parasect so he could be ready to launch the Bug-Type back up into the air for the next sequence without hitting the ground.

Essentially, what helped train Primeape specifically in these routines were a few physical aspects that his species normally had trouble with. Meaning control over his power, a level of gracefulness on his feet needed to move quickly but still be in position to catch Parasect, and also the knowledge of just how much strength he needed to put into his moves to send the Bug-Type airborne in the first place.

Pikachu and Gyarados on the other hand worked with something that was much simpler in theory but much harder to accomplish given their power levels. Basically, the giant Water-Type would have to use a low level Hydro Pump up in the air which Pikachu would then use Thunderbolt on in an effort to create an arcing ring of electricity around the blast of water before it hit the ground.

While such a thing did indeed sound easy to accomplish in theory, in reality it was exceedingly difficult for Pikachu and Gyarados. The latter was naturally a very powerful Pokémon for his species due largely in part to his size but Pikachu was just a straight up abnormality for his own. Possessing levels of raw power that so far exceeded what he should normally possess that it was almost considered freakish.

In simple terms, both Pokémon learning to control their power enough to actually perform the routine instead of colliding with ferocity and cancelling each other out was extremely challenging for both and so far, they had only partially succeeded every time.

At that moment Brock's voice broke Ash and Solidad's conversation as he called out, "Lunch is ready!"

Like a stampede, all of Ash's Pokémon barreled over to the small little campsite that had been set up near the main road in the middle of the grassy plains to join Misty, Giselle, Solidad and Brock's own. The group of Pokémon belonging to the former two looking equally as ravished and starving after training for so long themselves.

Getting up with a hand from Solidad, Ash and the redhead gradually made their way over to the others where Misty and Giselle (still dressed in their workout clothes) were already gathered.

Sitting down on the picnic blanket with a heavy grunt, Ash sighed and laid back. "I'm so starving!"

Giselle giggled. "Well you have been training for hours, it works up an appetite."

"Yeah I'm glad we decided to turn down what you guys are doing for now," Misty commented as she helped Brock ladle stew into bowls for each of them. "It looks like something that'd frustrate me more right now than help."

The black haired trainer shrugged. "Eh, it ain't so bad. And Solidad's a great teacher so it helps!"

The coordinator smiled gratefully at Ash while Brock and Misty finally walked over with five bowls of piping hot soup. "Alright guys lets eat!" The squinty eyed teen announced which Ash and Giselle both cheered to.

While they all waited for their food to cool, Ash pulled his eyes away from watching his Pokémon eat to focus on Brock and Misty. "You know guys I've been wondering something for awhile now and I just need to ask because it's driving me crazy. Every gym I've been to except the two of yours the gym leaders have all had three Pokémon to battle with. Why didn't you?"

"Well a gym leader doesn't have to have three Pokémon to battle with," Brock answered. "As long as they have more than one that's all that matters."

"Unless it's a gym with more than one leader," Misty added. "Like my sisters at ours. Each of them have one Pokémon each including me with my own. That's more than enough for a challenger to choose to battle."

Brock nodded. "Yeah it's like how trainers not registered to challenge the Pokémon League of each region aren't bound by the same six limit Pokémon rule that those that do always are. Me and Misty and even Giselle for instance could carry as many as we wanted to, unlike you Ash."

"It's the same for Pokémon Coordinators as well," Solidad spoke up as she took a sip of her soup. "We aren't limited to the number of Pokémon we can carry either."

Ash leaned back on his hands and looked up at the clear blue sky. "Huh... I wonder if all trainers involved with the Pokémon League can only carry six Pokémon. Me and Professor Oak never really went into that stuff and pretty much just focused on other things, surprisingly enough."

Brock stirred his soup with the spoon he held in his hand. "Well, this could just be a rumor but I've heard that winners of the League Conference, at least here in Kanto, are allowed to up their carry limit, but I don't know by how much. Supposedly, the Elite Four and Regional Champion have no limit whatsoever but that would only make sense."

Everyone else nodded in agreement, understanding Brock's statement in it's totality without any questions needed. Carry limits were imposed upon registered trainers to help make sure they didn't overwhelm themselves with too many Pokémon at one time, which sometimes could only lead to trouble for both them and their trainer.

Individuals as strong and highly skilled as the Elite Four and reigning Champion would have no problems whatsoever controlling large groups of Pokémon so it would only make sense that the League wouldn't limit what they could carry.

After they were done eating and then packed up their campsite, Ash and his friends returned their Pokémon and continued on the road to Sherabi Town. They were already very close to their destination and after only a mere two hours of walking they were finally able to see the sight of a small town resting in the middle of the grassy plains just a short distance away.

Stopping on the crest of a small little hill as they looked down on the town, Brock checked his map and then looked up again. "Well, there it is guys, Sherabi Town!"

Ash looked back at his friends and smiled before nodding to the town. "Come on let's go check it out!"

Traveling the short distance from where they were currently to the town, the small group of friends passed the first few buildings that

made up Sherabi a mere five minutes later and took in the sight of all the quaint, homey little residents and shops that encompassed the cozy looking town.

Seeing several people coming in and out of their homes and shops while going about their daily business and talking to one another on the street corners, Giselle smiled brightly. "Wow this place looks so lively and enjoyable!"

"It's a little bigger than I imagined but not my much," Solidad observed.

Ash looked around for several moments before putting his hands into the front of his tracksuit and nodding ahead. "Well, how about we just start walking and try to find the gym that way?"

Seeing no complaints they did just that and started traversing the small town while occasionally waving and exchanging words of greetings with the townspeople.

Eventually, the group of friends came to the end of a street where no other buildings resided except for a large house-like building with two stories that boasted the emblem for the Pokémon League above the door.

Taking in the large, rather plain but still neatly kept white building before them, Ash looked to his friends and then back at the house. "Huh... I guess this is it. Let's go."

Walking up to the dark wooden oak door, Ash knocked and upon hearing no reply stepped inside with the others right behind him. As soon as they entered however they were immediately struck by just how house-like and homey the inside of the gym really was.

The entire space stretching out before them was designed similarly to an entrance foyer with high ceilings far above that had finely grained and what looked like hand carved wooden rafters, ceiling, walls and floor.

The entrance area of the home was also split into two levels with the ground floor exhibiting expensive, slightly antique looking furniture in the center of the room and shelves at both ends that had equally as old and valuable looking items and collectibles of varying types and origins neatly placed along their surfaces.

The middle of the floor where the furniture was situated was actually set down into a dip in the ground with circular steps leading into it from all sides, while the upper level of the home could be seen just slightly by the wrap-around balcony that stretched the entire length of the entrance foyer.

The balcony itself was being held up by rounded wooden pillars of a thick girth which were evenly spaced throughout the room at precise increments. The railings and banisters appeared to be crafted of the same wood and varnished to seemingly shine under the multi-light fixture glow coming from a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging high above.

Two side built-in staircases at the far end of the room led to the balcony on two opposing sides and from what was visible, it appeared as though bookshelves dominated the upper floor above.

Shifting his gaze to the end of the room where two open archways on either side of the wall led to undisclosed parts of the obviously high-class home, Ash whistled. "Wow this place looks more like a rich person's home than it does a gym."

Giselle glanced around. "Maybe we came to the wrong place and that gym symbol outside was just a random thing that whoever owns this place got ahold of somehow?"

"I assure you young miss, this most definitely is a gym and that League symbol outside was very well earned!" A polite, proper and gentlemanly voice spoke up as a middle aged man dressed in ritzy, high end 'lounge clothes' appeared from the righthand archway at the far end of the room.

Stepping out into the light of the chandelier far above the man was revealed to be around his fifties and looked very well groomed with a closely trimmed salt n' pepper mustache upon his upper lip, fully grey combed back hair and a sharp, angular face that showed both intelligence and refinement.

Referring to his choice of 'lounge attire' the man wore blue slipper-like shoes on his feet, a lighter shade of blue slacks on his lower body, a slightly tan robe which was open at the chest to reveal a red kerchief underneath adorning his torso and a long black cane with a gold handle held firmly in his right hand.

Ash stepped forward as soon as he saw the older man and raised a hand placatingly. "I'm sorry sir, is this really the Sherabi Town Pokémon Gym? We saw the emblem outside above the door so we just walked in. I knocked and didn't hear anyone so-"

However, the boy was cut off by the man raising a hand and chuckling. "Please dear boy feel no need to explain yourself. After all, if I didn't want newcomers entering my home freely I never would have become a gym leader in the first place and allowed the League to put that symbol above my door."

Another small chuckle escaped his lips. "The way I see it, whosoever takes on the responsibility of adorning that most noble of emblems above their abode, of which signifies your allegiance to our most fair and just of governors at the Pokémon League, should only expect for traveling dreamers seeking a chance at glory to come venturing through their door at any hour!"

Ash and his friends shared a quick glance with one another at the interesting man's unique choice of finely woven speech before he suddenly appeared to become aghast and waved the hand not holding his cane into the air. "Ah, where are my manners?! Introductions!"

Quickly making his way to his guests, the man held his hand out and shook each of their own hands in kind. "My name is Jeremiah and I welcome you most warmly to my humble home!"

Stepping back then, he gestured at himself and finished in a tone that clearly held the pride he felt for his title. "I am also the Sherabi Town gym leader and specialize in full on, double style Pokémon battles!" Taking a low bow, he finished respectfully. "At your service most indubitably!"

"Ummm..." Ash scratched his head slowly as he tried to find a way to respond to the eccentric man's greeting. "Yeah, thanks! My names Ash and this is Pikachu."

"Pikachu Pi!" The cheerful Electric-Type greeted as Jeremiah reached out and gently rubbed his head. "Well hello there Pikachu, wonderful to meet you indeed!"

After Ash's friends gave their own greetings the older man stepped back and smiled. "To be honest, I am a little surprised you kids managed to find my gym or even heard about it. I just recently moved here from Sinnoh last year and became certified as a gym leader a few short months back. I haven't had many challengers yet so it is a surprise to see so many of you at once!"

Ash raised his hand. "Uhh sir, it's just me. And we didn't even know about your gym until the leader of the Boulder Town gym told us about you before we left."

Jeremiah appeared interested to hear that. "Really? Well that does sound like a good bit of luck!"

"Actually," Brock spoke up. "If your gym really was just opened this year then few people will know about it. They don't update the Kanto guidebook except for once every year and that includes information on new gyms. Yours probably won't be added and mentioned until next year, most likely to give you time to adjust and really prepare yourself. That's what the Boulder Town Gym Leader told us."

Jeremiah spun his cane and chuckled. "Well I do believe I am

as ready as I will ever be! If you are ready to battle young man then so am I!"

Ash smiled in the way he normally did before a big battle. "Alright let's do it!"

Turning around, the old man started walking back to the archway he had come from earlier. "Then follow me outside to the battlefield children!"

Doing as requested, Ash and his friends followed Jeremiah through the archway and into a long hallway that had knickknacks, souvenirs and other antiques displayed on both sides of it before stepping outside through another archway with a door and into what resembled a big garden-style courtyard.

The area of the battlefield itself was basically shaped into a large square ring made of stone with flowers, trees and other greenery of varying types set in a perimeter all around the courtyard. Also, at the very front of the stone ring was a beautiful sanctuary pond made of a different kind of stone with a small waterfall at the front falling down into the clean and mostly clear looking water below.

Stepping out onto his side of the stone courtyard Jeremiah leaned on his cane and called over to Ash as he took his own position, "Would a six-on-six double battle suit you young man? I trust you have a full team!"

Ash nodded as Pikachu jumped down to stand beside of him. "That's fine with me!"

Reaching up, the older man lightly stroked his mustache with a small nod. "I hope you don't mind but we'll have to have this battle without a referee today. Mine is out sick so if you are okay with it I was thinking we could both just be a couple of honest chaps and judge our own battle. What do you say?"

Ash shrugged. "That works for me, I won't cheat you!"

Smiling earnestly, Jeremiah nodded in agreement. "That's the spirit! Now let us see how well you handle my unique Pokémon young Ash!" The spry old man then pulled out two Pokéballs from inside of his lounge robes and held them together in one hand. "Glameow, Stunky, come fight with me my friends!"

In two identical bursts of light both Sinnoh native Pokémon appeared on the stone ground and sounded off their presence, "Glamyooow/Stunk Stunky!"

"Wow Sinnoh Pokémon!" Giselle exclaimed excitedly. "You don't see those often!"

Misty gave her own words of gushing praise at the appearance of two such unique and rare Pokémon for the Kanto region but Solidad remained silent. Her attention focused onto the battle to be had ahead as she merely hoped that Ash wouldn't get thrown off of his game by having to battle two Pokémon that he had probably never seen in person before.

It was a moot fear however as the boy simply remained calm and then chose his first team for the match. "Parasect, Weepinbell! Show them what real teamwork is!"

Paraaaasect/Weeeeeepinbell!" Both Kanto native Pokémon called out as they appeared side by side looking ready for an all-out brawl.

Given that they didn't have to wait on a referee to give the customary rundown of rules and then announce when they could begin or not, Ash took the initiative himself to do so immediately and raised his hand while commanding, "Weepinbell, Parasect! Use Vine Whip and Spore!"

Moving like they were on auto-pilot, Weepinbell and Parasect sent dozens of sharp leaves and a cloud of paralyzing spore directly at at their opponents.

However, Glameow and Stunky proved to be fast and well trained as the former quickly leaped out of the way of the incoming rain of leaves gracefully while it's partner stood it's ground up to the point where Jeremiah ordered it to use Acid Spray to counter Stun Spore.

Opening it's mouth and calling it's name, Stunky shot burst after burst of sludge at the cloud of spore which broke the haze apart until nothing remained of it but straggling flecks which gradually faded away into the wind.

Immediately thereafter the old man yelled, "Glameow use Slash and Stunky, Poison Cloud!"

Showing speed that existed outside of just evasion, the four legged cat sped forward at Weepinbell while Stunky raised it's tail and then sent a cloud of inky, toxic purple poison at it's opponents across the courtyard.

Weepinbell extended two vines and met Glameow head on and used the long grassy appendages to clash with the graceful Pokémon's extended class while Parasect, on the other hand, expelled a thick haze of yellow spores out from under his shell again. Which rose up into the air and started to mingle and mix with the cloud of poison coming towards the Bug-Type.

As Weepinbell and Parasect battled it out over claws and vines using multiple Slash and Vine Whip attacks, Stunky moved in towards Parasect as it's trainer ordered the foul odor emitting Pokémon to move in and use Fury Swipes.

Not one to stand idly by, Parasect used the ability and speed Solidad's special training had been giving him to start moving and dodging away from Stunky with every swipe the Sinnoh native sent his way. The Bug-Type showing a small level of grace in his movements that simply hadn't existed a few days prior.

Finally breaking away from their close quarters combat, Weepinbell did so first after slapping both of Glameow's paws away and then wrapped his vines around the other Pokémon's legs, tripping it up in mid-step as Glameow fell to the ground.

Hopping back while Ash yelled, "Weepinbell Razor Leaf!" The Grass-Type moved his leafy appendages back and forth quickly, launching several more sharp projectiles at Glameow who wasn't fast enough to dodge them and went tumbling back across the hard stone ground while giving a small cry of pain.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the field, Stunky, being more agile than Parasect was, weaved to the side just as the Bug-Type went to swipe at it with his own Slash attack and then spun around. Jumping at Parasect like a little purple and white blur with both claws extended and glowing black, it used them like cutting knives and raked them down the Bug-Type's front with enough force to send him skidding back.

Just as Weepinbell was about to move in however and help Parasect, Glameow shot up and as Jeremiah yelled, "Use Hypnosis!" Ash tried to get his Pokémon's attention. "Weepinbell get out of the way of Glameow's line of sight, now!"

The Normal-Type was very fast with the speed of it's attacks because no sooner did Weepinbell turn and look back at his opponent and Glameow's eyes were already glowing a hypnotic red.

Try as he might Weepinbell found himself swaying back and forth under the influence of the sleep inducing move, which only grew worse as rings started to form the stronger the attack became. The hypnotically pulsing circular formations encircling Weepinbell and slowly causing his eyes to become heavier and heavier until he finally fell back to the ground in a deep sleep.

Parasect saw the danger his teammate was in and to help save Weepinbell from such peril he overcame his pain from getting gashed by Stunky and moved forward quickly, using his greater body mass to barrel over the Pokémon that had been his opponent while charging Glameow.

Not expecting the speed burst Parasect was showing, Glameow looked away from Weepinbell just as the other Pokémon slammed into it like a bowling ball and then brought one of his pincers up while glowing white. The heavy and thick appendage slashed straight across Glameow's hide with enough force to cause the Pokémon to cry out loudly as it went flying back and tumbled along the ground.

Parasect then stood beside of the now fast asleep Weepinbell and shifted his eyes back and forth intently while Stunky and Glameow slowly got up and began moving back and forth. Preparing for the inevitable double charge they were about to make in an attempt to take out both of their targets at one time.

Seeing the dangerous, outnumbered situation his Pokémon was now in Ash called over to him, "Parasect stay focused! Don't let them intimidate you and don't let one get in behind you!"

The very next moment, Glameow and Stunky took off as one while hearing their trainer order for them to both use Slash. Parasect on the other hand didn't have any plans of letting them get that close as he chanted, "Paaarasect!" and sent another wave of Spore out in the direction both Pokémon were charging in from.

Not to be deterred however, both Sinnoh natives used the speed and maneuverability their small bodies granted them and ran out to the sides, mostly bypassing the cloud of spores as Stunky reached Parasect first and swiped at him.

Turning around Parasect brought one pincer up and blocked the extended, sharpened claws of Stunky before needing to immediately shift his attention as soon as he saw Glameow moving in to attack the sleeping Weepinbell.

Smacking Stunky's paw away with his other pincer Parasect brought the now freed appendage up and bashed the pungent Pokémon across the face, knocking it away successfully before spinning around as fast as his awkward body could carry him and facing Glameow.

Bringing both pincers up as they glowed brightly, Parasect then rushed forward like a Tauros and slammed his full body weight and both pincers into the feline Pokémon's much more lithe form. The difference in weight and power being evident as Glameow was launched back with a grunt while Ash's Pokémon himself stumbled a few paces in the opposite direction and rubbed at his face with one pincer. The Bug-Type having taken Glameow's own Slash attack almost directly to the face while trying to protect Weepinbell.

As Stunky and Glameow regrouped and recovered from Parasect's counterstrike, they both shared a look which translated a decision the two of them obviously agreed on. Facing their opponent again neither of Jeremiah's Pokémon wasted time as the old man yelled out once more, "Take Parasect out together both of you! Double Slash attack!"

Speeding forwards, Glameow and Stunky jumped at Parasect with claws extended while the Bug-Type did the same to his own pincers and held his ground, preparing to take both of them on no matter how futile the effort may have seemed.

As all three Pokémon engaged in a full two-on-one, all out brawl that utilized attacks like Slash, Fury Attack and Night Slash as the main weapons of choice, Parasect fought bravely, intensely and as powerfully as possible while blocking, parrying and striking back out against Glameow and Stunky with every ounce of willpower he possessed.

Even though he did indeed fight bravely, unfortunately the odds were vastly against him and it showed the longer the battle went on. Even though Parasect was physically stronger, Glameow and Stunky were smaller and much more agile and this showed in the rate of speed their attacks were able to move at compared to his own.

For every time Parasect would block, counter and then try to strike out at his opponents, Glameow and Stunky would simply move to the side or leap away and then lash out at him from another angle. A few times he managed to hit them but as the one sided battle drew on, the Bug-Type grew more and more tired while Jeremiah's Pokémon looked barely even winded from having taken turns alternating in and out to attack Parasect.

Finally, after one well placed Slash to Parasect's legs courtesy of Glameow who moved in quickly while Stunky distracted him, the Bug-Type grunted in pain and fell to one side as both Pokémon jumped next to each other and faced off against him.

Just as Parasect attempted to stand Jeremiah's Pokémon rushed him at one time and tackled their foe with all of their body weight, Parasect immediately tumbling and rolling back across the ground before coming to a stop.

Struggling to stand back up Parasect locked his eyes onto Glameow and Stunky while Ash yelled out to him, "Come on Parasect you can do this! Don't let them win, show those two how powerful you really are!"

With a final groan of determination Parasect forced himself up just as his body started to glow a bright, luminous, almost forest green color. Wisps of energy emitting from his body as his eyes glowed green as well and became strangely eery.

Blinking Jeremiah quickly commanded of Stunky, "Use Toxic and put an end to whatever Parasect is doing Stunky!"

"Stunk Stunk! Stunkyyyy!" The Sinnoh Pokémon called out as it shot a glob of nasty purple poison straight at Parasect.

However, it was too late because at that exact same moment the Bug-Type made his move as multiple tendrils of what was now revealed to be Giga Drain shot forth from around him and soared towards Glameow and Stunky, thrashing straight through the goopy poison and dissipating it while continuing on towards it's targets unimpeded.

Seeing the danger clearly, Glameow and Stunky attempted to run away but they weren't even close to fast enough as the energy sapping ethereal tendrils of Giga Drain wrapped themselves around both smaller Pokémon and hoisted them up in the air, all while beginning to drain their energy and feed it back to Parasect.

As Jeremiah's Pokémon cried out in pain Misty cheered, "Yeah Parasect way to go! Let em' have it!"

Several moments later the tendrils gradually disappeared and allowed Glameow and Stunky to fall to the stone ground heavily just as Weepinbell slowly started to awaken and blinked his eyes open.

Getting into an upright position, the obviously confused Grass-Type looked first at the downed Stunky and Glameow before glancing over towards the freshly healed Parasect. Said Bug-Type just shared a glance with Weepinbell and the two Pokémon took several moments of silence as they just silently seemed to communicate on everything that had happened.

Eventually, it seemed as though the memory of what happened came rushing back to Weepinbell and he looked towards their opponents again before glancing back to Parasect. Realizing that his partner had basically defended him the whole time while he was out cold, the Grass-Type dipped his head in an obvious sign of respect which Parasect accepted and caused a small smile to cross Ash's lips since he saw it as well.

However, the touching and happy moment was promptly ruined when, slowly, Stunky and Glameow stood up on wobbly legs while looking towards the ground. Just when everyone thought both Pokémon were about to fall to the ground, a turn for the absolute worse simply had to happen as Jeremiah's battling duo started to glow the exact time in a very distinctive and recognizable fashion. One in which all present noticed and seemed to deflate the current momentum that Weepinbell and Parasect had gained.

When the light finally died down a short time later, two fully recovered and much larger Pokémon stood in the place of Glameow and Stunky. Those being the powerful and much stronger evolutionary stages of the two; Purugly and Skuntank. Whom called their new names to the sky proudly and loudly, "Puuuruuuu/Skuuuun!"

"Oh come on!"'Giselle complained with a disbelieving expression that was directed towards both newly evolved Pokémon. "No fair! Give them a break already!"

Solidad crossed her arms. "Well this battle is about to get a lot more interesting."

Brock and Misty nodded mutely while Jeremiah seemed to gush over his newly evolved Pokémon. "Ohhh this is so absolutely fantastic! My beautiful Stunky and Glameow have evolved into two even more incredible and amazing Pokémon! What a wonderful change of fortune!"

Getting back to where he was in the present moment a short few seconds later though, the rich old man wasn't about to let such a valuable moment to steal the upper hand pass by and that's why he raised his hand and commanded quickly, "Purugly, Skuntank, let's show them your new power! Hypnosis and Flamethrower now!"

Fully rejuvenated and ready to go, both freshly evolved Pokémon instantly did as requested as Purugly's eyes glowed red and several even larger rings than before of hypnotizing energy flew towards Parasect and Weepinbell, all while Skuntank opened it's maw and sent a thick stream of flames right at them. Specifically Weepinbell.

Already surprised by the sudden very unexpected turn of events, Ash's Pokémon had no time for a counter nor he to command one as they both scattered and separated from each other in an attempt to avoid the two potentially very damaging attacks coming their way.

Unfortunately, that proved to be just what Purugly and Skuntank was waiting for as - utilizing a rate of speed that had only further been increased by their evolution - both Pokémon took off in a burst of speed and appeared next to Weepinbell and Parasect like the wind itself.

Catching the other two off guard both of Jeremiah's Pokémon used Slash at the same time and hit their targets with a direct score, Weepinbell and Parasect crying out in pain as they were sent flying through the air away from their attackers.

Taking off after Weepinbell, Skuntank came up on the Grass-Type in mere seconds and elongated it's claws again before beginning a brutal volley of vicious Fury Swipes that caught Weepinbell unprepared and unable to dodge as he took the full brunt of each hit.

Launching itself up into the air some ways away just as Parasect regained his bearings and turned around, Purugly fell like a heavy stone to the ground on Jeremiah's merciless command of, "Body Slam!"

Before Parasect could move away, the full mass of Purugly's weight slammed itself down upon him and flattened the Bug-Type back to the earth again with a grunt of pain.

Standing up and backing away, Purugly then charged once more and head-rammed Parasect so hard it actually lifted him off the ground and into the air where he soared for several seconds before hitting the stone ground once again with a loud thump.

Moments later, Weepinbell was also landing in a heap next to his teammate courtesy of Skuntank while both Pokémon lay there in pain after enduring such brutal hits one after the other in so short a period of time.

Ash was trying to find a way to help turn the battle around in his Pokémon's favor but, obviously, Purugly and Skuntank wasn't keen in letting him have such a luxury as they rushed their downed opponents again and started pummeling them restlessly using move after move, hit after hit, with no signs of slowing down and no need of a command from Jeremiah.

Over the sounds of multiple brutal hits, the pained noises Ash's Pokémon were making and the occasional sounds Purugly and Skuntank would make as they attacked, his friends were all but cringing.

"Ash you gotta do something or Parasect and Weepinbell or gonna get hurt!" Brock shouted to his friend.

"Yeah come on Ash you've gotten out of tougher places than this before!" Misty yelled in agreement with her hands over her mouth. "Don't just stand there!"

Ash knew everything they were saying to be true but when your Pokémon were getting constantly attacked and knocked for a vicious loop it made actually forming any kind of strategy that much tougher and, apparently, Jeremiah endeavored to end the battle before he could.

"Skuntank!" He shouted just as his Pokémon finally backed away from a battered and bruised Weepinbell and Parasect. "Use Toxic!"

Ash's eyes widened but before he could say even a word Skuntank was already firing a large stream of toxic, thick purple ooze straight at his Pokémon that was far more powerful than he was previously capable of as a Stunky.

Exhausted and battered, both Pokémon only had enough time to look up as the torrent of toxic sludge descended upon them and washed over Weepinbell and Parasect. The two of them instantly crying out in terrible pain as the poisonous effects of the debilitating attack took instant effect and began running rampant through their systems like a rebel force.

As they both lay there on the ground with a dark purple discoloration now marring their skin and sparks of similar colored energy buzzing off of their bodies, Weepinbell and Parasect cringed and writhed in pain while Skuntank prepared to end the battle with one last move.

Thinking he was about to give the finishing command Jeremiah ordered swiftly, "Use Flamethrower Skuntank!"

As a bright red/orange ball of flames coalesced in the dual Poison-Type's mouth, Skuntank reared back and then unleashed the plume of flames with a bellow of it's name.

As the swirling vortex of fire neared them both, Weepinbell opened his eyes while still struggling against the pain of the toxic poison coursing through his body and saw the jet of flames nearing the two of them.

Looking over at Parasect and seeing his teammate in no condition to run or fight back, the Grass-Type faced forward and narrowed his eyes in determination as he struggled into an upright position and then mustered every bit of strength he had remaining to throw himself completely into the line of fire. Determined to return the favor of defense Parasect had paid him when he was unwillingly asleep.

Just as the extremely effective torrent of flames made contact with Weepinbell and trapped him within the cone of burning ferocity, the scream of the Grass-Type could be heard echoing all throughout the courtyard.

Ash gritted his teeth and went to step forward but he knew there was nothing he could do except stand by and watch as his Pokémon was roasted alive inside of the fiery vortex with seemingly no end in sight. His friends themselves were even in a state of panic and shock, fearful that Weepinbell might become far more than simply injured by the element that all of his kind detested.

Parasect looked on with wide eyes of disbelief that Weepinbell would take such a potentially crippling attack head on just for his sake and if not for the poison coursing through his system and immobilizing him, the Bug-Type would have been rushing to his partner's aid without a moments hesitation. As it was though, all he could do was lay there and watch dreadfully, not knowing what would become of his teammate as the fired raged on in front of him.

Finally, the flames eventually died down and as they did, it revealed the sight of a badly charred and unmoving Weepinbell laying prone on the ground. As smoke arose from his body, all was eerily quiet and calm and this made everyone watching assume and fear for the worse. Even Jeremiah.

Brock, Misty, Giselle and Solidad could say nothing except look on in wide eyed fear for the life of their friend's Pokémon while Pikachu cried out to Weepinbell and was echoed by Parasect.

Ash himself stared almost blankly at Weepinbell's unmoving form. Several emotions coursed through his being at that time but the most prevalent was dread, fear, disbelief and even some wild hope that his refusal to end the battle and withdraw Parasect and Weepinbell didn't just result in the unthinkable death of one of his Pokémon.

Slowly, his lips moved. The words mute and silent at first before becoming slightly more coherent and audible the longer it went on. Eventually, after several seconds of almost feeling numb and unable to fully process the situation, Ash lunged forward and yelled at the top of his lungs. The world crashing back to him like a bucket of ice cold water.

"WEEPINBELL!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

All he could feel was dark. There was simply... nothing. Anywhere. His body felt light and weightless, like he was floating on a cloud, but with no conscious or clear knowledge of exactly where he was at.

When Weepinbell opened his eyes he saw nothing but darkness as far as the eye could see. A heavy, thick darkness with nothing to be felt, seen or heard. This of course left him in a state of total confusion since the last thing he remembered seeing was the bright wall of flames surrounding him. The glow of the hot fire as it burned and seemingly melted his very skin off and the grueling agony he felt before everything just went... black.

It was only in that moment of recollection did Weepinbell finally see something start to form in the blackness around him. Although, not so much in front of him as it appeared to be happening within his mind's eye. Like a screen of images playing themselves over in a sequence that he previously had seen beforehand.

As the light grew into something more he started to see shapes, objects and images form and combine together until they finally shaped themselves into what Weepinbell knew to be memories. Memories of when he was a young Bellsprout wandering the forests near Cerulean City on his own. Of when his first trainer caught him and how the insensitive, unkind and heartless young man had forced him to battle against Pokémon that were levels ahead of his own and constantly defeated and humiliated him with seemingly the greatest of ease.

He relived how, time and time again, his former trainer would berate and belittle him for losing all of their battles until, after one particularly intense battle that resulted in him evolving but still losing, his trainer became tired of having him around and then shattered his Pokéball before tossing the remnants away and then leaving him behind in the forest that they had been in. Injured, alone, scared and feeling utterly worthless that his own trainer didn't even want him anymore.

He recalled wandering the forest in pain and anguish due to the injuries from his previous battle and eventually collapsing to the ground when his exhaustion gave out. He remembered laying there in the mud believing his end to be drawing close when, suddenly, a pair of warm, soft hands picked his battered body up and cradled him closely in a gentle embrace before carrying him away.

Weepinbell recalled, clear as day, looking up at the kind face of Melanie smiling down at him and saying that everything was going to be okay before he lost all consciousness and fell into the realm of dreams in the comforting and soothing stranger's arms.

It was here that Weepinbell's memories started to take a happier turn. The time in which Melanie patiently and lovingly nursed him back to health and cared for him at her cottage. How he eventually met Bulbasaur, Oddish and all the other Pokémon she had been caring for that, like him, had been dumped off and abandoned by trainers who believed them to be worthless.

Weepinbell remembered growing to care for Melanie and the other Pokémon at the Hidden Village. Making friends with them and slowly feeling, over time, more care and compassion for them (and from them) than he had ever felt before in his life.

Then... Weepinbell remembered when Ash first arrived at the village. He recalled how different and unique the young trainer had been and how surprised he had felt at seeing Ash treat Pikachu, his other Pokémon and even he and his village friends with care, compassion, kindness and respect.

He remembered how bravely Ash fought against Team Rocket along with Pikachu and Bulbasaur to help free them and then how enthusiastically and confidently he had battled their protector and self-elected leader of sorts afterwards for the chance to capture him.

Weepinbell could recall the surprise he felt at seeing Bulbasaur - a Pokémon who had mistrusted all humans except for Melanie - growing to care for and respect Ash enough to actually want to join him. What was more, Weepinbell remembered the complete and total shock he had felt at the boy asking to take he and all the other village Pokémon along with him as well so they could become a member of his team... his family.

The happiness he had experienced that day at being so readily accepted and welcomed as one of Ash's Pokémon was without a doubt one of the most memorable moments of his life but from then on, he only recalled things getting better and better.

He remembered how nice and inviting all of Ash's other Pokémon were at the place they stayed at with the kind old human man when not with their trainer and also just what a wonderful place it truly was to live and train at. He could so vividly recall how much being a part of Ash's team was truthfully like being a member of a true family... for both he and the other village Pokémon.

While there had been some residual sadness from missing Melanie, Weepinbell remembered that none of those feelings lasted for long after Ash started making good on his promise to turn them into the strongest Pokémon they could possibly be once he began training them.

Weepinbell could clearly remember just how hard and intense (not to mention painful) the training was at first but he also didn't forget the unyielding and completely unreserved belief and support Ash showed each and every one of them. How, even when they were down and felt like they were done, he would come along and inspire them with powerful words to keep going and never give up because of how much he believed in them and knew they could succeed.

Weepinbell felt the fear and nervousness of his first battle in a very long time when Ash decided to use him in a match but unlike with his first trainer, Weepinbell knew nothing but kindness, inspiration and words of impassioned belief from Ash the entire time he battled. All the way up until, to his great surprise, he actually managed to pull out the win and defeat the Diglett that he had been battling against.

The pride and happiness he felt at having his first victory was like a rush he had never experienced before and, even when he lost the next battle to Sandslash and feared Ash's anger because of it, the young trainer blew Weepinebell's mind by not only failing to get angry but actually praising him for doing so well. Taking it a step even farther than that afterwards by telling him that he had every confidence Weepinbell would do even better next time and become stronger with more training.

After that day all question he had of Ash's care and desire for him as his Pokémon faded away entirely, along with all the remaining scars he felt at his former trainer's abuse and neglect. His life was finally whole and full of happiness for the first time that he could honestly ever remember.

It was then that Weepinbell turned his focus back to the situation at hand when he blacked out. As the memories and images faded from his sight, he started hearing a faint but urgent sounding voice just barely reaching his audible range from within the black void of nothing.

The voice and what it was saying was hard to understand but the longer it went on, the Grass-Type started actually being able to hear who was speaking and he recognized it as Ash. However, the urgency and desperation in the voice was out of place and once the tone became clear enough that he could hear what was being said, he felt utter confusion.

"Weepinbell!"

Why was Ash calling his name? That was all Weepinbell could ponder as his trainer kept calling loudly over and over again. Each time his name.

"Weepinbell!"

As the voice gradually grew louder and even more pronounced, he could detect a sense of panic and fear in his trainer's voice that stirred several emotions within him. He could tell Ash was worried for him and that made Weepinbell feel deeply touched and concerned that whatever had happened had caused his trainer to feel a great sense of fear.

In fact, the longer he heard Ash's voice call his name, Weepinbell grew tired of being where he was and wanted to actually see his trainer and be able to interact with him. To let him know he was okay and that there was nothing wrong with him.

This desire, this yearning, slowly became a burning desire and need that alit itself like a fire in his gut. As the burning and all encompassing feeling of this bright, powerful burning sensation - which was so unlike the actual fire he felt earlier before fading into blackness - grew more and more pronounced, Weepinbell felt it like a charge of electric energy coursing through his system in a way that was similar, but opposite, to the poison that had afflicted he and Parasect.

Then, almost as though it were happening behind his very eyes in the back of his head, Weepinbell experienced a bright, almost white hot shot of power that felt and even looked like a perfectly clear bolt of lightning passing through his eyes and then down into his entire body. The immense charge of energy was like a tube of lava and acid being poured into every part of his being that, instead of hurting like he expected it to, felt like the most marvelous and empowering sensation he had ever experienced before.

As the sensations grew stronger and stronger within him, the dark void around Weepinbell became warped and distorted before he suddenly felt himself being yanked from whatever state he was in currently and straight into a whole other plain of existence that he knew only too well.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

Back on the battlefield, Ash was still calling out to his Pokémon as Weepinbell's prone and inert body continued to lay motionless as it smoked and sizzled from the roasting he had endured earlier.

Turning his face away, Ash closed his eyes and clinched his fists desperately while Jeremiah stepped back several paces and appeared to be utterly astonished in a terrifying fashion. "W-What have I done?!"

Just when Ash's friends were about to assume the worst and believe Weepinbell to have passed on, Pikachu suddenly looked up towards his teammate's body with great grief visible on his face that quickly turned to one of confusion and hope as he pulled at Ash's pant leg and pointed towards Weepinbell.

"Pikachu! Pikachu Pi Pikachu!" He called out urgently and kept tugging on his trainer. "Pika Pi Pika!"

Finally looking down at his Pokémon's insistent pulling, Ash looked towards Weepinbell and found his mouth gradually dropping open in shock and total awe. His eyes widening as though what he was seeing was something that one would visualize only when hallucinating.

In a spectacle that had also captured the undivided and awed attention of Jeremiah, Brock and all the others, Weepinbell's blackened body started to glow a bright white color that was almost like a shade of thick silver and pure cream. Stars were even sparking off of the unmoving Grass-Type's body as the light suffused it until Weepinbell himself was no longer even visible.

Gradually, the Pokémon started to lift up into the air until he was several feet off the ground and then, as the light continued to glow, Weepinbell's entire form started to change and morph. He first became bigger as his body started to grow longer and wider. A long vine-like appendage then sprouted from the back of his head and dropped down behind him while, what must have been the leaves on his sides, also grew longer and more pronounced with the addition of a whole new one growing over his head.

As the light spectacle finally started to die down and Weepinbell touched back to the ground his body ceased to glow and, as it did, a sight which only served to further dumbfound everyone present could be seen clear as day standing before them.

Amazingly, Weepinbell was no longer the Pokémon they were looking at. Now, a completely healed and not so much as singed Victreebel stood in place of his former pre-evolved self looking as though he hadn't even battled yet.

As Victreebel's eyes opened they glowed a faint white/silver color before quickly returning to normal as he raised his head to the sky and called out, "Victreeeeee!"

Ash was in a stunned state of total disbelief for a moment but that only lasted seconds before the realization that his Pokémon was alright sunk in. A fact he cheered and celebrated at with his hands raised as he yelled, "Wee- I mean Victreebel! You're okay! Arceus I was so afraid something horrible happened to you! And you evolved instead! That's incredible!"

"Pika Pika Chu Pi!" Pikachu called out happily at the sight of his teammate being alright while Parasect himself appeared very relieved (if not more than a little surprised) that Weepinbell had spontaneously evolved.

Ash's friends, for their own part, looked to be a mixture of both immensely relieved and also in a condition of extreme shock and awe as to how, like Starmie before him, Weepinbell had just evolved with no use of a Leaf Stone as he should have needed.

Brock, Misty and Giselle weren't quite as shocked since they had already seen such a thing happen before with Ash's Staryu when it evolved into Starmie after an exceedingly long and grueling battling against an out of control Gyarados. However, Solidad handled it with much the same astonishment as Jeremiah apparently also felt by the look on his face.

"It evolved?! How can a Pokémon that has to evolve with an evolution stone do it without one?! That can't be possible!"

Misty looked over at the older girl and explained as best as she could, "This actually already happened before with one of Ash's other Pokémon Solidad. It was his Staryu and after it was put into a position where it was badly beaten and almost at the end of it's rope, it just evolved. Spontaneously. We still have no idea why."

"Not even Professor Oak knew why," Giselle added while continuing to look at the newly evolved Victreebel. "He said it was a total mystery that he's never heard of happening before."

"I'm just glad Victreebel's okay," Brock spoke evenly in relief. "For a second there I was starting to fear for the worst."

While Solidad was left to her own amazement, on his end of the courtyard Jeremiah was still in a state of astonishment. "I... I've never seen something so incredible... that was amazing! Absolutely fascinating!"

However, the celebration was quickly cut short by Victreebel narrowing his eyes at his and Parasect's opponents with an obvious desire to keep the battle going and give both opposing Pokémon a little payback for the pain and torture that they had given he and his partner.

Ash saw this though and, still fearing for his Pokémon's safety, shook his head. "Victreebel you don't have to keep battling. You just barely avoided something really bad happening to you and I don't want to lose you just to win a battle! Either of you!"

Victreebel just looked back at his trainer with a hard gleam in his eyes that clearly took Ash by surprise as he simply shook his own head and then looked back at Skuntank and Purugly again.

Seeing the same look on the Grass-Type's face as he had seen on many of his other Pokémon time and time again, Ash knew Victreebel wouldn't give up until the very end and was determined to see the battle through to the very end.

Eventually, he just nodded. "Okay... I'm trusting you Victreebel, I know you can do this. I have faith in you."

Hearing Ash's words that he was allowing them to continue, Parasect went to struggle up to his feet again but Victreebel just placed the back of his head vine on his partner's shell and gently pushed him to the ground again while looking back and shaking his head.

Glancing forward again and narrowing his eyes at Purugly and Skuntank, Victreebel only waited until he heard both Ash and Pikachu call out in an uplifting, supportive tone, "You got this Victreebel/Pikaaachu!" before making his first move as a fully evolved Pokémon.

Displaying speed that was far above what he had possessed before as a Weepinbell, two vines shot forth from the open space in his head and flew towards Purugly at speeds that neither opposing Pokémon could follow.

Before it could even try to move out of the way, the two thick vines wrapped themselves around Purugly's throat and cinched themselves down tight enough to make the Normal-Type gag before lifting it off of it's feet like a weightless feather and then smashing it into the stone ground hard enough to crack it.

Victreebel repeated this action two more times until Skuntank finally overcome it's surprise and made a move to charge him. Seeing this out of the corner of his eye, Victreebel flung Purugly with his vines and slammed it into Skuntank's side hard enough to knock the dual Poison-Type off balance and across the ground on it's back.

Whipping his vines upward, Victreebel tossed Purugly into the air with a grunt of effort and then bent down until his head was pointing in the air. Calling out his name, dozens of razor sharp leaves started spewing forth and swarmed the airborne Pokémon as it flailed around madly in an attempt to escape.

Unable to do so however, Purugly caught the full brunt of the storm of leaves and gave a loud cry of pain as the sharp, serrated projectiles cut and dug deeply into it's flesh like dozens of razor sharp knives.

Taking to the air immediately afterwards Victreebel angled himself towards Skuntank, who was just now trying to pick himself up off the ground, and then dropped down toward his unawares opponent with all of his body weight centered into his lower half.

Just as Skuntank finally got to his feet, Victreebel came crashing down on top of it's back in a vicious Slam attack that forced the other Pokémon to the ground again with so much force that it actually cratered the stone battlefield like a missile on impact.

"Skuuuun!" Jeremiah's Pokémon cried out in pain as it hit the ground again with Victreebel's full weight upon it, whom immediately wrapped his vines around it's throat and jerked it's head up and around to face it.

Staring up into the hard, merciless eyes of Victreebel, Skuntank tried to vocalize before the vines around it's throat tightened again and effectively cut off any further noises it could make.

Directly thereafter, Victreebel leaned his head down until the gaping hole in his body was facing Skuntank. Then, to everyone who was watching's amazement and slight disgust, the Grass-Type used his vines to quickly shove the entirety of Skuntank's body directly into the hole in his head.

As the Poison-Dark Type struggled wildly against Victreebel's vines while he shoved it into his body, Ash's Pokémon fought against Skuntank until it was fully swallowed up into his fruit-shaped body. The top leaf on his head falling back down and covering up the hole again as Victreebel turned and faced Purugly some distance away - who was currently struggling to stand back up with gashes and cuts all over it's body - the Grass-Type leaned down once more and pointed his head towards his injured opponent.

"Nasty!" Misty exclaimed with a disgusted look on her face after seeing Skuntank getting swallowed up into Victreebel's body. "He ate it! That's so disgusting!"

Brock's arms unfolded as his face took on an expression of excitement and he shook his head quickly in reply to Misty. "No he didn't Misty, Victreebel just used Stockpile!"

The redhead was clearly confused so Giselle looked at her and explained patiently. "Stockpile is a move some Pokémon use that allows them to swallow smaller Pokémon into their body and then use either Swallow, which lets them absorb their opponent's energy, or Spit Up and launch them like a projectile at anything they aim for."

Giselle's explanation was given credence seconds later as Victreebel's body seemed to expand and grow with the struggling Skuntank still inside of it before, in one fast movement, the leaf on his head lifted up again and his body made a trembling, convulsing motion.

Suddenly, like a cannon was being fired, Victreebel's body contracted once more as the hole on his head enlarged and then expelled the smaller Pokémon he had been holding inside of him across the courtyard like a pebble being flung out of a slingshot.

As though it were a blur, Skuntank flew across the field and smashed into Purugly with enough force that they both went careening across the ground like tumbleweeds before coming to a stop in big pile.

Feeling that their opponents were at the end of their rope after the unexpected but very fortunate turn around, Ash was just about to call for Victreebel to use another move when Parasect managed to struggle over next to his partner and then stood beside of him, fighting the poison coursing through his system while casting a side glance at Victreebel and nodding his head. Saying without words that he wanted to see this battle through to the very end, side by side.

Smiling at the show of camaraderie and friendship between his Pokémon Ash raised his hand and shouted, "Victreebel use Razor Leaf! Parasect use Giga Drain!"

While Parasect's body to glow in preparation to use what would most likely be his last attack of the battle before exhaustion took over, Victreebel lowered his head and got ready to deliver the payload of razor sharp leaves he had been commanded to use.

However, just as both attacks were fired, the stream of leaves that were supposed to come from Victreebel instead exploded forth like a veritable storm of green shuriken that took the form of a frontward traveling tornado.

Realizing that his Pokémon had just learned Leaf Tornado by the shape and size of the attack, Ash smiled and called out as loud as he could, "Don't hold anything back you guys! LET EM' HAVE IT!"

As both powerful Grass-Type attacks hurdled towards them, Purugly and Skuntank tried to stand up and move away but the beating they had taken under the might and power of the newly evolved Victreebel had hampered their movements too exponentially.

Because of this, all they could was become wide eyed and attempt to shield themselves as both attacks collided with them at once and covered the two Sinnoh natives in a shroud of energy sucking tendrils and a typhoon of leaves while Jeremiah watched on. Completely helpless to do anything to assist his Pokémon.

When Leaf Tornado and Giga Drain finally ended sometime later they left their victims sprawled out on the ground with all semblance of conscious thought and perception entirely vacated from their unfocused eyes.

Realizing his Pokémon were beaten, Jeremiah raised their Pokéballs and returned Purugly and Skuntank while Ash cheered his Pokémon's victory and allowed Parasect and Victreebel to rush back at him with happiness and triumph clear on their faces due to their victory.

"You guys were incredible!" Ash praised as he took turns showing attention to both exhausted Pokémon. "That was a crazy hard battle but you pulled it off and did amazing! I'm so proud of you!"

Looking to Victreebel, he moved forward and hugged his now taller Pokémon around the midsection. "You had me so worried there for a little bit buddy... I was afraid that last Flamethrower took you out..." Pulling away, he smiled genuinely up at his Pokémon and nodded. "But somehow you managed to come back from it and evolved in the process, congratulations Victreebel!"

Pikachu and Parasect both gave their own forms of praise to the now clearly embarrassed Grass-Type while Brock's face on the sidelines became one of intense seriousness. "This little victory is great but the match is still far from over so I hope Ash keeps on his toes."

The others wordlessly agreed with tense nods of their heads as Jeremiah called over to Ash, "That was a most impressive battle Ash. Most impressive indeed and I commend your Pokémon for a job well done. However..." A small smile crossed his lips. "I am far from beaten!"

Ash became serious again and then looked to his Pokémon. "Victreebel, Parasect, you guys did great but you're in no shape to battle again so I'd like you take a rest for now. Me and the others can handle it from here, I promise."

Getting two equally timed nods from his battle weary Pokémon, Ash smiled reassuringly and returned them just as Jeremiah threw two more Pokéballs out onto the field with an announcement of, "Staraptor, Gallade, avenge your brothers!"

In two identical bursts of light, two more Sinnoh native Pokémon appeared. One, a large Flying-Type with a reputation for it's speed and surprisingly adept aerial combat skills, and the second a dual Fighting-Psychic Type and secondary evolutionary form of Kirlia. A dual-type with a reputation for being just as skillful at using fighting techniques as it was it's very impressive speed and frustrating Psychic-Type abilities.

Ash took stock of his newest opponents for a few long moments before eventually making his decision. Pulling out two Pokéballs he tossed them into the air and called out, "Fearow, Primeape, let's rock!"

Matching Jeremiah's type line-up with his own Flying and Fighting-Type, both sides of Pokémon stared each other down for several long moments until their respective trainers called out at the exact same time, "Fearow/Staraptor, Quick Attack!"

As both birds shot off at each other at matching speeds while glowing like two bright stars, Gallade didn't need the command of it's trainer and instead blurred forward faster than the eye could blink with a long glowing silver leaf of some kind forming from it's arm.

While Staraptor and Fearow met high up in the air and struck at each other before redirecting their course and shooting off towards the other once more, Gallade appeared in front of Primeape and then spun around with the glowing blade (which was most likely Leaf Blade from the look of it) directed straight at the other Fighting-Type's face.

Obviously taken aback by the intense speed Gallade had demonstrated, Primeape only had enough time to raise his arms up in a cross block as the glowing blade sliced across his forearms with surprising force that was strong enough to make Primeape grunt and slide back a few feet.

Without giving him time to recover, Gallade grew another blade out of it's other arm and then lunged at Primeape once more while striking and swiping at his opponent in a graceful, complex and fast moving series of well honed and precise techniques.

It was obvious by the way he was frantically pulling his arms up in multiple directions to block Gallade's strikes, and the awkward way he was forced to move, that the Pig-Monkey Pokémon wasn't used to the almost unnatural speed and precision that his lithe and agile opponent was moving at.

In fact, as Gallade started attacking faster and faster to the point where Primape began eating a few of the hits to his arms, torso and sides, Ash called out hurriedly, "Primeape break away and use Focus Energy!"

Hearing his trainer, Primeape just barely managed to duck underneath of another swipe and then hopped back before hitting a low stance and grunting as a bluish energy started to emit from his body and his muscles began to bulge.

Knowing they needed to start getting more momentum built up instead of being kept on the move by Gallade, Ash commanded again, "Use Mega Punch!"

Charging Gallade, Primeape threw a powerful punch at his speedy opponent that the dual Fighting-Type simply slid to the side gracefully to avoid and then struck out with another Leaf Blade that grazed his side.

Flinching at the hit, Primeape lunged again and started throwing punch after heavy punch that Gallade continued to easily evade and avoid as though he were moving in slow motion. Not only that but with every punch, Primeape was helpless to stop the Leaf Blades as counterattacks that Gallade continuously lashed out at him with. Attacks in which cut into his fur covered skin as a form of retaliation for each missed punch Primeape would throw.

Seeing as how Fearow and Staraptor were still dueling it out in the air with combination attacks like Quick Attack and Wing Attack - equally matched tit for tat in speed and skill and lost to their own battle focused mindset without the need for commands from their trainers - Ash took enough focus off of them for the time being to make a risky move that he knew had to be made if Primeape was going to avoid being totally overwhelmed.

"Primeape use Rage!"

Stopping his attacks for just a moment, Primeape began building his inner focus and rage as his eyes started to glow red and a similar aura of energy enveloped his body and caused his arms and legs to bulge with veins as his strength increased exponentially.

Turning his now glowing red eyes onto Gallade, Primeape let out a bellow of fury and charged his opponent while Gallade simply stayed in one place with an impassive, stoic expression on it's face.

Just as Primeape prepared to unleash a barrage of multiple attacks at the agile Fighting-Type, Jeremiah called out, "Gallade use Teleport!"

Just before the enraged brawler could reach it Gallade's whole body shimmered for just a brief moment before vanishing in thin air, Primeape stopping in mid-step and spinning around to find the now missing dual-type only to see it currently standing several feet away.

Bellowing his name in anger Primeape charged at Gallade again but before he even got within a few feet, the evasive Pokémon disappeared and then reappeared once more quite some ways away.

This quickly became a pattern that they fell into with the Rage addled Primeape ballistically charging in at Gallade only to miss his mark each time the other Pokémon would vanish using Teleport. What was worse, Gallade occasionally took advantage of it's instantaneous ability to travel and swiped at or struck Primeape from behind or in the sides with Leaf Blade or Fury Cutter at random intervals.

This naturally only served to anger Primeape that much more and increased his anger which made him a far easier target to both avoid and attack. What was more, when Jeremiah ordered for Gallade to use Confusion during one of the many times that Primeape was charging at it, Ash's Pokémon was instantly stopped in his tracks and then lifted several feet off the ground against his will.

As Primeape struggled madly to get free of the invisible clutches binding him, Gallade took advantage of the situation and finally charged in itself for one of the first times as the gym leader called out, "Gallade use Close Combat!"

Still unable to move, Primeape was powerless to stop Gallade as it rushed in and was only finally released from the psychic hold when the quickly moving Fighting/Psychic-Type started unleashing a brutal and painful series of punches, kicks, Leaf Blade swipes and other rapid attacks on the currently defenseless bruiser.

To make matters even worse, up in the sky Staraptor finally managed to gain the upper hand after using Air Cutter to throw Fearow off balance and then ascended high up into the air as Jeremiah turned his attention upwards and commanded, "Use Brave Bird Staraptor! And don't stop at Fearow!"

His feathered body quickly taking on a bright shroud of blue energy, the Sinnon Flying-Type shot down at Fearow at top speeds and slammed full force into the previously distracted bird, Fearow cawing out in pain and falling earthbound while Staraptor kept flying straight ahead down towards Primeape.

Seeing this, Gallade skated away with a final hit to Primeape just as Staraptor slammed itself into the Fighting-Type to inflict double the damage and sent Primeape hurdling back through the air where he crashed to the ground with a hard thud. All of this happening just as Fearow landed heavily beside of him after falling from the sky like a stone due to taking such a direct hit by the other Flying-Type.

As Fearow and Primeape gradually struggled back up Ash called out to them, "Guys you need to fight like a team! Don't let them take you on separately, work as one!"

Looking at one another Primeape and Fearow shared a long, hard stare with each other and in that moment they both realized that what their trainer said was true. By themselves they might be able to beat their opponents after a long, hard struggle but together, combined as one, they would be able to overcome the challenge presented to them with far more ease.

With that decision firmly made between the two of them, Fearow and Primeape shared a nod before looking back at Staraptor and Gallade again with unshakable intent and ferocity alight in their eyes once more.

Not needing any direction from Ash and deciding to just flow together, Primeape (who had calmed down from the effects of Rage after taking the beating from Gallade earlier) took off towards the two opposing Pokémon with his fists raised up close to his face.

Being the faster of the two, Staraptor took off like a rocket and flew towards Fearow with the intent to start up their one-on-one battle again but this time with no intentions of letting up until the other Flying Type was out of commission entirely.

However, being that Fearow was traveling right behind Primeape, the Fighting-Type had an almost straight line formed between he and the Sinnoh native. In fact, just as Staraptor went to pass overhead with it's focus locked completely on Fearow, Primeape surprised the large bird by jumping straight up into the air with his right fist extended upward.

Not expecting such a rash move, Staraptor didn't even look down until the bipedal fur ball smashed his fist directly under it's beaked face with a core shaking Sky Uppercut that halted the Flying-Type's momentum immediately.

Not stopping there, Primeape came out of his uppercut and then twisted in the air before slamming a glowing Mega Kick into the dark feathered bird's stomach. The force of which caused Staraptor to curl inward on itself with wings folded as it flew back across the courtyard and smashed into the ground where it rolled several times before coming to a stop.

Gallade, as if seeking revenge for it's comrade, narrowed it's eyes at Primeape and took off like a skater on the ice with two Leaf Blades extended on either forearm. The intent on it's usually stoic face clear as crystal that it endeavored to permanently put Primeape out of commission from the fight.

However, Gallade wasn't expecting the newfound teamwork and strong tag-force Fearow and Primeape were using now as Fearow suddenly swooped out of the air with his beak elongated and spinning like a top and then smashed into the Fighting/Psychic-Type with enough force to lift it off it's feet and up into the air.

In it's dazed state, Gallade never saw Primeape about to capitalize on the advantage given to him by his partner as he met the other Fighting-Type mid-descent and lunged at him, his body becoming a a blur as he started using Revenge to deliver a brutal volley of explosive hits on the fast and agile Pokémon. The power and strength of said attack only made that much more damaging by the many hits Primeape had already taken from Gallade.

Seeing it's teammate in peril, Staraptor struggled to hover back up off the ground but Fearow had his own partner's back as well because in mere seconds Staraptor was getting tackled to the ground again by the other Flying-Type who slammed his talons into the Sinnoh native's wings and forced it back onto the stone battlefield.

Digging his talons into his opponent's back and making it caw out in pain, Fearow looked up just as Primeape ended his assault on Gallade by grabbing it's arm, spinning in mid-air and then tossing it towards Fearow and Staraptor with Vital Throw.

Flying away just before Gallade could hit it too, Fearow took to the sky as both of Jeremiah's Pokémon collided together in a tangled mess of limbs and feathers. The old man himself now at a loss as to what to do or say since, yet again, they had somehow sporadically lost the upper hand due to Ash and his Pokémon's unwavering determination and grit.

Sharing a look between them Fearow and Primeape both nodded just as Ash called out, "Fearow pick up those two in your talons and ascend to the air! Primeape get on Fearow's back!"

Doing as commanded, Fearow took off low to the ground with Primeape jumping onto his back and as soon as they reached the two struggling Pokémon, Fearow grabbed them both in each clawed foot and then started flying into the air while carrying Primeape on his back. The intense resistance, aquatic and strength training he did, routinely, giving the Flying-Type enough strength in his wings and lower body to carry so much weight at one time.

Once they were high above the battlefield Ash then shouted, "Now use Seismic Toss on both of them Primeape!"

Sensing the danger Jeremiah called out, "Gallade hurry and use Confusion!"

However, Fearow was ready for any potential counter attacks and just as Gallade looked up to use the Psychic-Type attack on either him or Primeape, Ash's Pokémon lowered his head and rapidly started to peck at Gallade's eyes. The tactic effectively doing the trick as Gallade lost all concentration again and threw it's arms up to shield it's eyes.

At the same time, Primeape jumped from Fearow's back and wrapped both Gallade and Staraptor up in his arms before the bird carrying them all immediately released their opponents from his grip, allowing Primeape and his captured targets to plummet towards the earth at a high rate of speed.

Staraptor and Gallade both struggled valiantly against Primeape's tight hold but it was all for naught as the Fighting-Type kept his grip and continued barreling to the battlefield below.

Finally, just as they were mere feet away from impact zone, Primeape added a dizzying rotation to their fall which had Staraptor and Gallade seeing double just before the savage Pokémon let both of them go and kicked off, launching himself away and back into the air where Fearow deftly caught him atop his back again.

The other two Pokémon were no better off however and slammed into the ground seconds later which caused a cloud of dust and smoke to shoot up into the air and obscure any trace or sight of Jeremiah's homeland Pokémon.

As Primeape and Fearow descended back to the ground and the Fighting-Type dismounted from his teammate, the smoke finally cleared and showed both Gallade and Staraptor out for the count with eyes firmly closed.

"Wooooo!" Giselle cheered as Jeremiah shook his head slowly and then returned his Pokémon after seeing their less than battle ready condition. "Way to go Fearow and Primeape, that was awesome!"

Simply holding a thumbs up, Ash smiled to his victorious Pokémon and nodded. "See? I told you teamwork would take you farther than battling on your own!"

Before Primeape or Fearow could respond to their trainer Jeremiah spoke up, "I must concede to your brilliant handling of Pokémon young man but this battle isn't over yet." Pulling out his last two Pokéballs, the wealthy gym leader smirked. "And I have no intention of losing!"

As he tossed both balls high into the air they snapped open and allowed two fairly gigantic Pokémon to appear from within. Those of whom were, of course, also from the Sinnoh region.

As they roared and bellowed their names to the open sky above, the identity of Jeremiah's last two Pokémon were given away forthwith. "ABOMAAAAASNOOOW/MAMMOOOOSWIIIINE!"

Misty and Giselle's faces adopted expressions of fearful shock, Brock and Solidad narrowed their eyes seriously and Ash gritted his teeth at the appearance of the final two Pokémon that Jeremiah had waiting in the wings to turn the tide of the battle for him. Even Pikachu, Fearow and Primeape looked surprised at seeing two totally unexpected and complete powerhouse Pokémon standing across from them looking strong and ready for battle.

Abomasnow and Mamoswine were two behemoth Ice-Type Pokémon that were not to be underestimated and by the looks of the two Jeremiah had just called forth for the final round of the battle, they appeared very well trained and full of power that was all but ready to burst.

Sharing a look with Primeape and Fearow, who looked back at him and nodded, Ash understood they wanted to keep battling so he focused his mind on the final battle ahead and took a deep breath before widening his stance and nodding. "Okay..." He whispered more to himself than anybody. "Let's do this."

Just as the young man was about to call out a command to his Pokémon, Jeremiah beat him to it in a fashion that showed he was serious and had every intention of winning the battle no matter what. "Abomasnow! Sheer Cold!"

Before Fearow or Primeape could even react, the large bipedal Ice-Type opened it's mouth and placed it's hands in front of it as an extremely powerful and sub-zero freezing gale force wind of icy snow and hail exploded from the Pokémon's gaping maw (and seemingly whole body itself) and washed across the field like a tidal wave of bone chilling dense white rain.

Everything the stormy mixture of snow and hail touched instantly froze over solid, leaving a thick sheet of ice left behind over the stone ground until it looked as slick and translucent as a skating rink. Even the little waterfall pond froze completely over with the falling water itself halting in mid-descent as the wall of unstoppable cold rushed towards Fearow and Primeape.

Before either Pokémon could even hope to escape the shrill, howling wall of cold it washed over them both like a powerful wave and instantly caused their bodies to go ramrod straight and eyes to widen as in seemingly mere seconds, Primeape and Fearow were gradually frozen solid in two large ice blocks.

Ash's eyes went wide and his friends all adopted faces of complete and total shock as they stared upon the now frozen Primeape and Fearow. In fact, not even seconds later Jeremiah called out, "Abomasnow use Hammer Arm!"

Grunting it's name, the large Ice-Type ran towards the two frozen ice blocks and jumped at them before bringing two glowing fists down on either one, effectively cracking and shattering the ice into pieces before Abomasnow immediately jumped back to it's partner's side.

As the ice blocks shattered apart Primeape and Fearow simply fell to the ground, their consciousness totally absent and void from their eyes. Giving proof that the one-hit K.O. move had done it's duty and succeeded in permanently removing them both from the fight.

After recovering from his surprise Ash shook his head and cursed himself, "Should have expected one of them to know a move like that!" Raising their Pokéballs he returned Primeape and Fearow and smiled at both of them afterwards. "Don't you guys feel a moment of guilt, you did great last battle and I know you would have done the same in this one too. I should have seen this coming so I take full responsibility."

Putting the two balls away he pulled out only one more this time and then looked down at Pikachu. "It's up to you and him Pikachu, Victreebel and Parasect are in no shape to battle opponents like these right now. You ready?"

Bringing his paws into fists Pikachu nodded and replied firmly, "Pika!"

The boy smiled. "Alright, let's do this for Primeape and Fearow then!"

With those words spoken Pikachu ran out onto the battlefield and took his position as Ash raised the Pokéball in his hand and yelled, "Gyarados it's all up to you and Pikachu now!"

As the Atrocious Pokémon appeared on the field and rose to his full towering height, Gyarados released a loud roar that shook the field while Pikachu sparked his cheeks. Both of them staring their opponents down with ferocity and determination in their gazes which was mirrored in Abomasnow and Mamoswine's own eyes.

Without waiting for any further prelude or discussion Jeremiah called out firmly in a loud tone, "Mamoswime use Icy Wind! Abomasnow Seed Bomb!"

Calling out their own names both Pokémon released the ordered attacks without hesitation while Ash yelled, "Pikachu, Gyarados, Thunderbolt and Hyrdo Pump!"

"PIKAA/GYAROOOO!" Were the uproarious sounds the Electric and Water-Type gave in reply as two explosive attacks; one a powerful burst of water and the other a crackling bolt of lightning, ripped across the field and collided with those of their opponent's own attacks. The two opposing forces meeting and dueling for dominance for several moments before exploding and effectively cancelling each other out.

Through the haze of the smoke now obscuring the middle of the field Ash's voice was heard again, "Pikachu Quick Attack into Iron Tail!"

Taking off like a mini-rocket, Pikachu blurred through the smoke without fear and appeared on the other side of it in a collision course with Abomasnow. Before the Ice-Type could react, the speedy electric mouse was already in the air and slammed his compact body into the larger Pokémon's sternum, following that attack up by twisting around in mid-air and wailing Abomasnow across the face with a tail now glowing a shiny, metallic silver.

Stumbling back in pain Abomasnow turned it's head to look at Pikachu just as Jeremiah commanded, "Use Focus Punch!"

Desiring revenge, the giant ice loving Pokémon hooked a glowing right fist up and around faster than even Pikachu could perceive, of which smashed said appendage down on top of it's smaller opponent. The power of the hit made Pikachu grunt in pain and hit the ground a few feet away where he skipped off of it's stony surface and bounced like a ball.

However, instead of letting the attack put him out of commission or daze him, Pikachu immediately hopped back up and jumped at Abomasnow again like a Pokémon on the edge as he began using attacks like Iron Tail and even Mega Punch to start holding a one-on-one close quarters brawl with the far larger Pokémon.

Abomasnow retaliated by fighting right back with moves like Hammer Arm and Focus Punch. The attacks lancing off of each other and causing sparks of silver light to shoot off from where the two enemies were currently engaged in their fierce battle of wills and fighting skills.

Mamoswine was just about to charge in with it's heavy mass and assist it's partner when, suddenly, the telltale roar of Gyarados could be heard as the largest currently battling Pokémon came charging through the smoke like a twisting snake with his eyes narrowed primitively and gigantic jaw suspended wide open to reveal the wickedly sharp fangs residing within.

Mamoswine turned and looked behind itself just as Ash yelled, "Gyarados use Crunch!"

Using yet another move he and his brethren had learned under the skillful training and mentoring of their former leader and Ash's first Gyarados, the titanic Pokémon lunged at Mamoswine and snapped his jaws down over the smaller Ice-Type's body.

Lifting the now struggling and wincing Mamoswime up into the air, Gyarados started shaking it back and forth madly while Pikachu and Abomasnow continued to battle it out a short distance away.

Seeing his quadruped Pokémon in trouble Jeremiah shouted up to it, "Mamoswine use Ice Shard!"

Focusing through the pain of being squeezed by Gyarados' strong teeth, the thick furred Ice-Type turned it's head around and formed a large ball of ice between it's tusks which it then shot up at Gyarados' face.

Taken by surprise as the icy ball hit him between the eyes, Gyarados staggered back and loosened his grip on Mamoswine enough for the Pokémon to get free and drop to the ground where it landed with a heavy thud that shook the ground.

Taking advantage of the fortunate change of luck they had been blessed with Jeremiah ordered, "Mamoswine use Ancient Power!"

As the giant quadruped started glowing a deep, almost thick white color, a ball of similar colored energy formed in front of it that Mamoswine prepared to deliver as a payload in return to Gyarados for chomping down on it's hide.

"Gyarados use Aqua Tail!" Ash shouted as he saw what Mamoswine had planned and endeavored to put an end to the move before it could do any damage to his Pokémon.

Just as Gyarados recovered from taking Ice Shard to the face and raised his tail up, which started to form a cyclone of water upon it, on the other side of the field Pikachu and Abomasnow's clash came to a head. A head that came when Pikachu jumped overtop of one of the larger Pokémon's punches and then slammed his own far smaller, though no less powerful, fist into the Ice-Type's slightly unnerving visage with Mega Punch.

At the same time as Abomasnow started to reel back from the surprisingly strong hit however, it had enough sense of mind and anger from being walloped in the face to swipe one of it's own appendages at Pikachu with yet another Hammer Arm just before the Ice-Type could stumble out of reach of the electric rodent.

It was a move that, this time, struck home as Pikachu, while still drawing back from throwing Mega Punch, was struck in the side of the body by the powerful blow and went soaring across the field like a spitball. Eventually hitting the now battle ravaged stone ground with a pained "Chaa!" and rolling several times before coming to a stop.

Directly after this happened Abomasnow turned it's attention towards Mamoswine and Gyarados and when Jeremiah yelled for it to use Blizzard and assist it's partner, the dual Ice-Type was only too happy to oblige.

Similar to when it had used Sheer Cold earlier, Abomasnow summoned forth a mighty gale of freezing cold wind and snow which originated from it's mouth and body as the spiky fur-like covering on it's all white body stood on end like a fortress made of spears.

Getting down onto all fours, Abomasnow released the storm with a bellow of it's name which covered the distance between it and Gyarados in very little time at all. Ash's Pokémon saw this out of the corner of his eye but it was a little too late as the blizzard struck the gargantuan Water-Type and began freezing his scale covered body, seemingly down to the very bone.

The distraction, which caused Gyarados to cancel Aqua Tail, gave Mamoswine all the time it needed to fire the ball of powerful natural energy straight at it's opponent which hit the Atrocious Pokémon head on and sent Gyarados careening backwards with a roar of pain.

Seeing his friend and teammate in trouble, Pikachu stood up with a grimace since his body was still feeling the aftershocks of getting clobbered by Abomasnow's earlier Hammer Arm. Preparing to take off and assist Gyarados in any way he could, the Electric-Type was immediately stopped in his tracks when Jeremiah saw what he was doing and yelled, "Mamoswine use Earth Power on Pikachu!"

Turning to face the incoming little powerhouse of a Pokémon Mamoswine's entire body started to glow red as well as it's eyes before, with a loud bellow of, "MAAAAMOOOOO!" it raised up and then stomped down on the ground which caused a strong tremor to get set off. A tremor that was immediately followed by blasts of what looked like fire coming out of the very earth itself below.

Using his agility and speed Pikachu dodged, weaved and ran in-between every blast of molten fire erupting from under the ground which cracked and broke chunks of earth away each time and sent pieces of stone flying in all directions. Unfortunately though, the Electric-Type wasn't prepared for one of the blasts that came from directly beneath his feet at just the wrong time and instantly sent Ash's first Pokémon flying high into the air with a screech of pain due to the immense heat and the sheer force of the eruption.

"PIKAAAA!" Pikachu vocalized in agony as he spiraled through the air at the same time as the blizzard around Gyarados finally died down and allowed the at times ill-tempered Pokémon to fall to the stone battlefield below where he hit the ground hard enough to shake the entire area.

His large body sprawled out limply on the ground with what looked like patches of ice still attached to his scales, Gyarados shivered and trembled in pain from the freezing temperatures now wracking his entire system while what felt like icy cold daggers pierced every inch of his thick skin all the way to the very muscle and bone beneath.

When Pikachu finally fell to the earth again and smacked into Gyarados' heavy side, he grunted once more and then dropped to the stony ground under him while practically being able to feel the cold radiating off of the large Water-Type's body behind him.

Even still, while Ash's friends all grimaced and feared the worst for their friend's Pokémon, Ash himself remained calm since it was very easy for him to see that regardless of the pain both of his Pokémon were currently feeling, neither one of them were ready to give up. An observation which was plain to see as Pikachu and Gyarados glared vehemently with an absolute refusal to lose at Abomasnow and Mamoswine.

Admiring the young man's Pokémon but anxious to end the long, drawn out battle, Jeremiah ordered the command for two moves in which he was certain would earn he and his team the victory. "Abomasnow, Mamoswine, use Sheer Cold and Fissure!"

As both large Pokémon prepared to use the two moves in which were always an automatic K.O. if accurate and true, Brock yelled over to his friend, "Ash you need to either think of something quick or end this battle because if those attacks work Pikachu and Gyarados are gonna be in big trouble!"

Ash didn't respond however. Instead, he simply narrowed a calculative and unshaken gaze at Jeremiah's Pokémon as they got ready to unleash their most powerful attacks. At the same time, he called out to his own, "Pikachu, Gyarados, get up and get ready! We're about to win this battle and this match!"

Believing whole heartedly in their trainer's statement and confidence, Pikachu and Gyarados struggled against the agony individually wracking each of their bodies as they got into standing positions and prepared for what was to come.

Unable to believe the will and determination he was seeing out of the young trainer and his Pokémon even in the face of certain defeat, Jeremiah felt his respect and admiration for all of them grow just as Abomasnow succeeded in building up and releasing the massive wall of inescapable absolute cold that had taken out Fearow and Primeape earlier on.

At the same time, Mamoswine rose up and then dropped his full body weight to the ground with so much force that a massive fissure opened up in the earth and started speeding towards Pikachu and Gyarados. Of whom remained like stone statues even against what appeared to be their terrible impending fate.

However, just before both ultimate attacks could make contact, Ash shouted over the incoming gale of icy oblivion, "GYARADOS USE DRAGON RAGE ON THE GROUND! PIKACHU CLIMB ON TOP OF HIM!"

Charging the draconic ball of energy faster than anyone present had ever seen thus far, Gyarados' blue scaly body took on an even brighter hue of blue as his serpentine form quite literally glowed with the powerful energy now swirling throughout his long body. Of which also had the pleasant side effect of warming the cold chill Ash's Pokémon had been feeling ever since getting hit with Blizzard.

Opening his maw, Gyarados unleashed a truly massive beam of draconian energy at the ground beneath him which exploded and erupted upwards, catapulting the water behemoth and the Electric-Type attached to his back high into the sky until his large form was outlined against the backdrop of the shining sun.

All of this happened at just the right time as the fissure Mamoswine caused reached the space where Gyarados and Pikachu had been moments before. Unfortunately, the two extremely lucky Pokémon weren't out of the proverbial woods yet as the giant moving cloud of overpowering stormy snow and hail not only extended across the battlefield, causing everyone below to shiver, but also reached up high into the air. That very fact being the one thing that made Sheer Cold a seemingly unavoidable move due to how it could reach practically any open area except for underground.

Seeing that his Pokémon were not safe yet Ash kept thinking on his feet as he yelled as loudly as possible, "Gyarados aim a Hydro Pump down into the storm!"

Doing as told immediately before he could begin descending and thereby fall back into the battle ending thick cloud of utter cold, Gyarados expelled a massive volume of water down into the seemingly alive storm which, upon making contact, instantly froze the blast of water due to the subzero temperatures.

As the spout of water began rapidly freezing all the way up the length of it's surface until it started to resemble a tower of pin straight ice, Gyarados stopped feeding water to it which kept the instantaneous freezing effect from reaching him and thereby turning himself and Pikachu into an ice block by extension.

This tactic basically succeeded in halting the freezing process until what was once a liquid jet of water was now a sturdy, towering pillar of ice. A pillar that Gyarados made good use of as he fell from the sky and eventually landed on the top of what was once his own attack now in icy form.

Given his new high vantage point, which was still a ways ahead of the quickly ascending storm of bodily freezing cold, Gyarados was now temporarily safe which gave Ash all the time he needed to finally give his other Pokémon a command. "Pikachu I want you to use Thunder and utilize every ounce of control you have over your Focused Lightning to condense it! Okay?!"

Twitching his ears from high up in the air, Pikachu's sensitive hearing picked up what was his trainer was telling him as he nodded and then looked down at the veritable storm of pure white death coming for them.

His face scrunching up into one of fierce intensity, Pikachu's entire body started to convulse and shudder as he began charging every last particle of electrical energy he held inside of himself. His fur sparking, crackling and standing up on end as the sky overhead turned cloudy and dark and his very eyes themselves seemed to glow yellow with raw Volt Power.

While thunder began rumbling, Pikachu started to slowly chant his name as he focused all of his concentration on condensing and compacting the very molecular structure of the lightning he was creating until it felt (at least to him) like a thick, heavy force instead of the loose, wildly uncontrolled electric particles he was always so used to feeling.

Finally, just before the storm cloud of freezing air could reach them, Pikachu launched himself up into the air from where he had been recently standing on Gyarados' head and yelled his name to the heaven's above as a truly awe inspiring and massive charge of electrical energy exploded forth from the clouds in the form of several lighting bolts.

However, instead of striking down into the storm cloud separately, the lighting bolts merged together as one unit until they coalesced and turned into what could only be described as a giant wall of golden, glowing electricity that surged downward like a tsunami and actually made physical contact with the wind storm that was Sheer Cold.

To the astonishment of all watching, the two opposing forces actually struggled and battled out against one another as though the wall of condensed, thick electricity was actually serving as a psychical barrier against the storm of freezing snow.

Gradually (and unbelievably) the wall of lighting started to push and beat back the supposedly unstoppable pinnacle of all Ice-Type attacks until the windstorm itself - snow and all - began to slowly vanish and disappear entirely until the battlefield in it's entirety once again eventually became visible.

Seeing the wall of lighting still traveling downwards even as it finally dissipated what remained of Sheer Cold, Ash decided to end the grand spectacle with a bang as he shouted once more, his voice now sounding a little hoarse from yelling so much. "GYARADOS! PIKACHU! USE HYDRO PUMP AND THUNDERBOLT TOGETHER!"

Determined to give the last bit of energy and strength they had to see their trainer's wishes through to whatever end, Gyarados fired one last cannon of water from where he was still perched atop the ice pillar while Pikachu mustered his remaining stamina and then jumped off of Gyarados' head and into the air again.

At the same time they both called out while giving everything they had into their final attacks, "GYAROOOOO/CHUUUU!"

As both water and electricity rocketed down towards the wall of lightning Pikachu had conjured up earlier, they actually joined together in a swirling combination of rushing H2O and crackling electricity before slamming into the wall of condensed voltage personified and exponentially increasing it's speed.

Seeing that the deadly trio of combined techniques were heading in one direction - here meaning Jeremiah's stunned, fearful and now wide eyed Pokémon - the old man knew he had been outclassed entirely for there was nothing he could do to save his Pokémon from the fate that had now finally descended upon them.

In a bright illumination caused by the wall of lighting, Abomasnow and Mamoswine were only visible for the slightest of seconds before they were overtaken by the monstrous attack combination with a hissing, crackling scream of the very electricity itself. Everything turning, even if for only a moment, into the most beautiful spectacle of uncontrolled chaos and raw power yet seen as what looked like a dome of electrical and aquatic energy grew and expanded into the air around the battlefield before exploding.

When said explosion finally occurred it was likened to the sound of a bomb going off as the ground shook violently and a dominating plume of thick black smoke rose high into the air to be seen by all in the town of Sherabi.

As the cloud of smoke bellowed throughout the battlefield behind Jeremiah's home and he, as well as Ash and his friends, were forced to cover their faces from the thick black fog, all gradually became eerily silent until debris finally stopped falling and the sound of dripping water soon ceased. The only thing still reminiscent of the destructive final attack being the faint feeling of a static charge that was left behind in the air from all the electrical energy and made the hair on everyone's arms, head and neck stand on end.

Once the smoke cloud finally cleared Gyarados dropped back down to the ground from atop the icy pillar and landed with a loud thud while Pikachu hopped down beside of him on wobbly legs. Both of them looking exhausted and drained but still determined to refuse the tempting throes of blissful unconsciousness until resistance was impossible to fight any longer.

Finally, as the last of the smoke drifted away on the other side of the courtyard, it revealed the very welcome sight (for at least Ash and the others) of Abomasnow and Mamoswine out cold in a large crater. Their bodies thrown over one another randomly with their eyes taking the pattern of swirls to indicate a lack of conscious lucidity.

Knowing he had been beaten, Jeremiah returned his Pokémon with a small smile just as Ash's friends ran out to him. "Ash that was amazing!" Giselle praised as she hugged him. "It was one of the toughest battles I've seen you take on yet!"

"A very impressive show of skill indeed Ash," Solidad smiled as she crossed her arms. "Especially in the first battle with Parasect and Primeape. I could really see some of that graceful coordination you and your Pokémon have been working on that I showed you and I believe it came out in this match. Nicely done."

Ash shook his head and smiled thankfully at both girls before turning around and walking up to Pikachu and Gyarados. Scooping the former up into his arms and letting the exhausted Electric-Type just collapse as he so rightfully deserved, the talented young trainer smiled to him and then reached out to pat Gyarados' side. "While I appreciate it, these guys did all the work. Them and the others. I just directed, that's all."

Pikachu looked up at his trainer from within his arms while the large Water-Type glanced down at him. "Every time I think I can't get anymore proud of them they turn around and do something like this today to totally prove me wrong. This battle and the whole match goes to my Pokémon guys, not me."

"Don't sell yourself short Ash," Brock advised as he stood next to Misty. "A Pokémon is only as good as their trainer."

"And vice versa," Misty agreed with a smile. "Don't you forget it!"

Before Ash could reply, Jeremiah walked over to them and twirled his cane. "Your friends speak the truth young trainer. You didn't beat me out of luck today, you did it through perseverance with the strong bond you share with your Pokémon. That was a phenomenal battle and because I was so impressed, it makes giving you this from me that much sweeter..."

Reaching into his robes, the old man then pulled out a red rectangular box which he opened and showed his gym's official badge resting inside.

The badge was square in shape and colored a faint yellow, almost mottled brown with what resembled a backwards checkmark or long hooked cane symbol covering it's center. The badge, being new just like all freshly earned ones were, had a bright shine to it which caught Ash, Pikachu and even Gyarados' eyes as a visual representation of just how much hard work it took to actually win it.

Reaching out, the Pallet trainer took the badge in hand and held it up so they could all see it as Jeremiah stepped back and smiled genuinely. "You have without a doubt earned the Shine Badge young one. May it be a reminder of what constant determination and perseverance will earn you!"

Smiling brightly, Ash lowered the badge back to eye level again and chuckled as it gleamed once more. "The Shine Badge huh? Well it definitely suits the name!"

After putting his newest badge away in his pocket for now Ash heard Jeremiah ask with some manner of interest, "So may I inquire as to your next destination my young friend?"

The boy merely put his hands behind his head and looked back at his friends. "I guess Celadon City is next so I can challenge the gym there if there aren't any others along the way. We were on our way there until the gym leader of Boulder Town told us about this one and we made a detour."

The old man stroked his mustache and nodded. "Yes well I do believe the best thing for you to do would be to take the road that leads out of town here and stay on it. The main road passes right by my house and if you stay on it then eventually you'll intersect with the route that takes you straight into Celadon. There really aren't any other gyms from here to there so you should make it in about three days. Four if you take your time."

Ash smiled gratefully to Jeremiah's helpful words of direction and advice. "Thank you Jeremiah, I appreciate it. We're probably gonna stop by the Pokémon Center I saw coming into town earlier, grab some lunch and then head out afterwards. It'd be nice to get a head start."

"Especially since it's supposed to rain tomorrow I think," Brock spoke up. "It'd be nice to be somewhere by then that we can shelter from the rain at if we need to."

Misty groaned. "Especially after the last time! I swear my shoes still haven't dried out yet!"

Giselle giggled. "Maybe that's just the nature of a Water-Type specialist Misty, you spend all your time washed out!"

"Hey!" The redhead protested as she spun around and glared at the older girl while everyone else laughed. "I didn't ask for any comments from the Wynaut gallery but when I do I'll ask!"

Solidad smiled in amusement and tilted her head to the side. "I hope you've got some good property insurance Mr. Jeremiah because when these two go at it they put any damage a Pokémon can do to shame."

Another laugh, this time by everyone (even Misty and Giselle) followed the coordinator's comedic but somewhat true statement as they enjoyed the relaxed and laid back atmosphere of the post battle moment while the sun continued to shine high and bright in the sky.

The beauty of the day served almost as a good omen for the rest of the waking hours of adventure and travel still yet to come. And who knew what truly would come to pass yet? Only time would tell with such a daring group of friends and Pokémon lovers.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

"Ugh this place is just like Saffron City!" Misty complained as she had to sidestep another person who nearly ran her out into the street.

"Yeah no kidding this place is crowded as heck!" Ash agreed while also weaving in and out of people.

"This is big city life for you," Solidad observed as she looked around at all of the immense buildings and skyscrapers around them. "Celadon City is really well known for it's commercial districts and restaurants so it stays a little busier than Saffron due to the vast amount of tourists constantly coming here nearly year round.

Ash grunted as he made an assessment that each of his friends unanimously agreed upon, "Times like this make me really thankful for how small and quaint Pallet Town is!"

After about four days of consistent travel the five friends had finally managed to arrive at Celadon City at around noon the present day. None of them had felt any reason to rush themselves and in order to give Ash and Solidad more of a chance to work together on his coordinating skills, they had simply resolved to take their time and arrive at their destination whenever they did.

However, upon arriving in the city during the mid-afternoon lunch rush the young travelers had been forced to all but fight bodily not to get trampled or pushed into the roads due to how crowded the sidewalks were constantly staying.

Currently attempting to find the Celadon Gym and see what it was like before Ash finally challenged the aforementioned establishment, it became painfully clear that finding a Feebas amongst a pond full of Magikarp would be easier than locating the gym in the madness that was the immense city.

What made matters even worse, no one would take the time to stop and tell the newcomers where to go to find the gym so they had been resorted to following the directions that Brock's guidebook on the Kanto region and each of it's gym gave. The only thing that made such a thing less than ideal however was actually finding the correct street that lead to the gym amongst the virtual maze of roads, streets, signs and turns that encompassed every square inch of the city.

Turning down one particular corner which opened up into yet another stretch of busy street, Ash and his friends looked across the road from where they were standing and saw a place that actually looked somewhat recognizable even though none of them (to Ash's knowledge) had ever been to it before or seen it in person.

Staring up at the large building that was sandwiched in-between multiple others on either side of it, the name of said establishment was given in bright, glowing neon lights that shifted between red, blue, yellow, green and just about every other color imaginable.

"Celadon Entertainment Lounge and Game Center," Giselle read aloud from the large glowing letters suspended upon a rotating digital billboard above the building. "'Fun for All Ages and Pokémon Welcome!'"

Solidad smiled. "I know about this place. It's one of the biggest attractions here in Celadon City and hosts several amenities inside for all walks of life. It's a pretty neat place but kind of expensive so I've only been there once."

Misty, Brock, Giselle and Ash knew all too well about the true nature of the infamous 'Game Center' before them though. In fact, as Ash stared up at it he only had one thought running through his mind. 'So this is the place that Team Rocket guy was telling me about back on the St. Anne... it looks harmless enough. Just like a place people would go to completely unexpectedly in order to have a good time and enjoy themselves.'

His eyes narrowed angrily while he stared at the building that kept accepting and expelling visitors as the revolving doors at the front seemingly continued to spin without end with each new person that came and went.

'But if what that grunt told me is true then the whole thing is just a big elaborate cover-up for Team Rocket's headquarters. The place where they come up with some of their worst plots and schemes and supposedly traffic Pokémon in vast numbers almost every day in total secrecy... it's totally sick.'

Shaking his head to clear it of the dark thoughts he suddenly felt swirling around up in his brain for just how much he utterly detested the criminal organization, Ash turned around and gestured with his hand. "Come on guys, let's keep trying to find the gym."

Continuing on their way, the group of friends traversed the city for a short while longer until they finally made it into a somewhat less congested area of town that, even though still very busy, at least was mostly away from the heart of the commercial district where most of the masses were congregated.

Sighing, Misty dropped her shoulders. "We might just have to stop and force someone to tell us where the gym is somehow because so far Brock's directions are getting us nowhere!"

The older teen looked up over the guidebook indignantly. "Hey I'm doing the best I can here but all this book tells about is what street the gym's located on, it doesn't give pictures or anything of the surrounding area!"

Before anyone could respond a loud booming sound suddenly rattled the street they were on followed by a cloud of smoke bursting out through the window of one of the shops directly ahead of them. Effectively shattering the glass into pieces as the door flung open and expelled an even thicker cloud of smog.

Stopping in their tracks in slight panic, Ash and his friends saw a man dressed in all black with a mask over his face run out through the door with a large bag thrown over his shoulder while a Koffing followed behind him with smoke still pouring out through the open craters on it's body.

As the man and his Pokémon started retreating the opposite way down the street, a young woman dressed in a pink and yellow outfit with long blond hair tied back in a braid by a blue bow came stumbling out through the smoke filled shop with her hand over her mouth as she coughed and tried to shout. "S-Stop! P-Please s-someone help! C-Call the p-police! R-Robbery!"

Four of the five Pokémon enthusiasts looked ahead in a temporary state of surprise that a robbery had just occurred in front of them but Ash didn't hardly waste a second. Almost as if he were on auto-pilot the boy took off after the thief while shouting back to his friends, "Stay with her and make sure to call the police!"

Without waiting for a reply he fell into a full on sprint as he chased the man down the street, whom realized he was being chased a few moments later and put on an extra burst of speed to escape the pursuing trainer.

Down the street they ran, weaving in and out around multiple pedestrians who could only stand aside or dive out of the way as both the thief and Ash tore down the sidewalk through the city as fast as possible.

Looking back and seeing the boy keeping up with him, the thief scowled and quickly cut down an alley without breaking stride. Narrowing his eyes, Ash gave chase and turned down the alley as well, continuing to follow unimpeded even as the thief knocked over trash cans, crates and other stacked up garbage littering the cramped space in an attempt to slow or stop his pursuer.

Utilizing his agility, Ash jumped over all of the objects knocked in his path, Pikachu clinging on tightly to his shoulder, and followed the man out of the alley as he headed onto another street with his Koffing following close behind.

Taking drastic measures to escape the annoying young Pokémon Trainer chasing him, the thief suddenly veered off the sidewalk and into oncoming traffic while all of the motorists were forced to take wild evasive action to avoid hitting the black clad man.

Not letting the danger presented stop him either, Ash too ran out into the line of cars while holding his hands out and jumping and sliding over hoods where necessary. All while calling out the entire time, "Sorry! Excuse me! Not trying to get hit here, just chasing down a criminal! Whoops sorry about that!"

Managing to make it safely to the other side with one final tumble across a car hood, Ash sprinted after the thief whom had managed to gain a slight lead due to him needing to slow down somewhat and move more carefully to avoid being hit by the vehicles that had come so close to crushing him flat.

Looking over his shoulder the thief became increasingly frustrated by Ash's persistence and yelled out to his Pokémon, "Koffing use Sludge and stop that annoying kid!"

Turning, the Poison-Type called out it's name and then began firing multiple bursts of toxic sludge at the raven haired trainer. Ash was quick on his feet however as he kept running without pause and started dodging, hopping and ducking out of the way as each glob of nasty sludge hit the concrete and left a large black splotch in it's wake.

Becoming desperate while all of the people on the sidewalk began fleeing at the sight of the on-the-move battle taking place, the thief yelled out again, "Use Sludge Bomb Koffing! Hurry!"

"Koffiiiing!" The cratered Pokémon grunted as it's mouth opened and a thick stream of sludge went rocketing towards Ash.

Gritting his teeth the boy called up to his own Pokémon on his shoulder, "Pikachu use Thunderbolt and counter!"

Jumping off of his trainer's shoulder but still keeping pace with him, the little electric mouse expelled a powerful bolt of electricity at the incoming stream of sludge which struck it head on and easily overpowered the other attack given Pikachu's rather obvious strength advantage over Koffing.

While the sludge sport quickly broke apart into mere droplets of black, the thief - whom was now growing tired - turned down another alley and ran as fast as he could to get away. Unfortunately however, luck wasn't on his side as the man found himself blocked off by a brick wall at the end of the alley that he couldn't just jump over.

Turning around he saw Ash and Pikachu quickly catch up to he and his Pokémon as the boy stepped forward and demanded, "Give back what you stole right now or get fried! Both of you!"

Gritting his teeth since he had seen the power of the little Electric-Type after it had so easily countered his Koffing's attack, the thief had no doubts the boy's threat would be only too easy to follow through on and would also most likely be able to rip through them like paper in mere seconds.

Ascertaining that he would rather escape today than get captured by some kid and taken to the police, the man just grunted and threw the heavy bag over his shoulder towards Ash. Whom quickly ran forward and caught it as gently as possible since he had no idea what was in it.

Looking forward at the thief again, Ash was just about to command Pikachu to stun he and Koffing with a Thunder Wave when the man ordered for a Smokescreen from his Pokémon. Before he could react, Koffing was already expelling a thick cloud of black fog into the air which obscured he and Pikachu's vision and caused them both to begin coughing.

Reaching to his side, Ash called out Fearow from his Pokéball and ordered the Flying-Type to use Gust to blow the smog away but as soon as he did so, it was with great frustration and irritation that Ash saw the thief and Koffing had managed to escape. Most likely using a large garbage bin that was near the brick wall as a stepping platform of sorts to scale the barrier and drop down to the other side for their getaway.

Silently cursing the man's escape but still glad that he had managed to recover whatever had been stolen from the young lady's shop, Ash returned Fearow and then hoisted the bag over his shoulder before making his way back to the shop with Pikachu in tow.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

Upon arriving back at the recently vandalized store a short time later, Ash saw his friends all outside with the obviously distraught looking girl who ran the shop, standing there on the middle of the sidewalk with her hands over her face.

Luckily for her Giselle, Misty and Solidad were attempting to calm the evidently crying young woman while Brock, meanwhile, was looking towards the shop itself which now had a crowd of people gathered around in the street to see what was going on.

Coming up to the crowd Ash looked towards the store and could see, through the shattered shop window, several policemen as well as Officer Jenny scouring the inside for any evidence left behind by the masked thief. Not that it would really matter though seeing as how the cowardly thug hadn't managed to make off with his loot in the first place.

Walking over to his friends who quickly spotted him, Giselle ran up and asked worriedly, "Ash are you okay?! What happened? Did you catch the thief? What about the stuff he stole?"

Holding his free hand up to calm his friends, whom all appeared equally as concerned for his wellbeing, Ash also then held the sack up and smiled. "It's okay guys, me and Pikachu managed to track the guy down and cornered him in an alley. I don't think he wanted to fight Pikachu so he gave up the bag."

"What about the thief himself?" Brock asked curiously.

Shaking his head, Ash sighed. "We tried to get him but as soon as he threw this bag to me he had his Koffing use Smokescreen and then escaped. All I cared about after that was getting the things he stole back here."

Finally looking up through tear stained eyes, the tall blond girl saw Ash standing there with the bag that she had seen the thief who robbed them put everything into. Eyes widening as she realized what that meant, the young woman ran up to them and asked in astonishment, "I-Is that the stuff he stole?! You actually got it back?!"

Smiling kindly, Ash held the bag up and nodded. "Yep. Everything is all here I assume. I chased him the whole time and I never saw him take anything out so it should all be accounted for." Handing the sack over to her, he stepped back and then shrugged. "I didn't look inside but it felt like a bunch of breakable stuff so I was really careful bringing it back."

Looking down at the bag in her hands in disbelief for several moments, the girl finally looked backed at Ash and smiled brightly in teary relief before lunging forward to hug him. "Oh thank you so, so, so much for doing something so brave and selfless! I was horrified that he had made off with all of our most valuable product and I had no idea how I was going to explain it to the others! Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Returning the hug in kind while Brock watched on in comedic envy, Ash just smiled modestly after she released him. "Hey it was no big deal. That guy was a creep and you needed help, don't think anything of it."

At that moment, Officer Jenny exited the store and walked up to the woman. "Well we did a sweep and even though we didn't find any evidence pointing to the thief's identity or where he went, I can promise you that we'll find him."

Turning to the female officer, the blond smiled brightly and held the bag up. "I appreciate that officer but there's really no need now! This young man chased the thief down and got back what he stole!"

Jenny looked surprised, to say the least, as she blinked a few times before turning at Ash. "You caught the thief?"

The boy shook his head. "Unfortunately no, he got away. We cornered him in an alley and right after he threw the bag to me he had his Koffing use Smokescreen to escape. I can't tell you where they went though, I have no idea."

The bluenette smiled and placed her hands on her hips. "That was a very brave thing you did young man and I thank you for helping our community in such a way." She then looked to Misty and the others. "And thank all of you as well for calling us as soon as you did. First response during situations like this are always important if we want to have any chance of catching the criminal."

Looking back to the long haired blond woman, Jenny gave a salute. "I promise you that we'll do all we can to catch whoever did this so you don't have to fear a repeat of today's misfortune. If anything else out of the ordinary occurs please give us a call and we'll be here as quickly as possible.

After getting a nod and thank you from the store employee, Officer Jenny called her men away from the crime scene and then left in order to head back to the station and fill out a report of the incident.

After the cops left the young woman invited Ash and his friends inside the store and almost immediately, they were all met with the varying scents of several different aromas that seemed to permeate nearly every square inch of the very neat and fancy looking boutique.

Glancing around, Ash saw cases upon cases stocked with bottles of multiple sizes and shapes that were filled with uniquely colored liquid in each one. There were also shelves and stands set up with what looked like many different kinds of beauty products, lotions, bathing soaps, hair care essentials, jewelry and many other feminine sundries placed all throughout the store. If that wasn't enough, there even existed a few benches and mirrors against the walls where patrons could most likely try on different makeup and test individual products to see what they liked.

All in all, as he walked around just a few steps and took stock of his surroundings, Ash believed it was safe to surmise that along with the somewhat overpowering but still pleasantly smelling aroma greeting his nostrils and colorful yellow wall/ceiling paint scheme of the shop, it ultimately created a rather enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere that he was quite fond of.

Speaking the mutual feelings on all their minds, Misty took a deep inhale and then clasped her hands together. "Ooooh it smells so good in here! This must be a perfume boutique!"

Placing the sack she was carrying down atop the glass see-through counter at the front of the store, which also had several bottles of perfume inside of it, the blond girl turned around and nodded. "You're right! Welcome to Celadonia Perfume & Beauty Boutique! The most famous beauty, cosmetic and perfume store in all of Celadon City!"

Giselle's eyes widened as she walked up to the older girl hurriedly. "Wait are you serious?! This is Celadonia Boutique?!" Smiling widely, she all but jumps up and down in excitement. "This is so, so exciting, my sister and I love your products! Especially your perfumes!"

Ash blinked in surprise. "That really sweet smelling perfume you wear comes from here Giselle? Wow I never would have guessed that!"

Turning around, Giselle nodded with a smile still present on her face. "Uh-huh! Sure does! My sister and I order stuff from here through their monthly catalogue and all of it is just amazing!"

Solidad crossed her arms and gave a small upturn of her lips. "I've never been here myself but I know my stepmother is a big fan of the products this boutique offers in the catalogue you just mentioned. She orders from it regularly through international shipping since they live in Sinnoh."

Brock looked around and nodded his head in admiration. "This shop is definitely very well organized and even though I can smell the many different perfumes pretty clearly, none of them are too overpowering where it gets sickening or headache inducing. I like it."

Ash took a deep inhale himself and then smiled in a somewhat far off, serene fashion. "I love the smell in here... it reminds me of my mom. She loves perfume and ever since I was little she's always wore one particular brand that I can almost..." He sniffs again, searchingly. "I can almost smell right now..."

The pink garbed young woman giggled and tilted her head to the side. "Well thank you all! I'm so glad you like our store and so many people you know love our product, it's what we strive for!"

Looking to Brock and Ash, the girl put her hands on her hips. "It's also pretty rare for us to get guys in here that actually respect what we do and don't just plug their noses and leave. For the most part we're pretty used to seeing a line of men lazing around outside while their girlfriends and wives shop to their heart's content!"

It looked as though the blond woman's words of admiration had given Brock all the reason he needed to get ready and lunge at her and start spouting off words of half-baked romantic nonsense but one look from Misty - who mysteriously had a dark aura emitting around her in that moment - was enough to put the young man in his place immediately with not so much as a peep.

Suddenly, the young lady put her hand to her cheek. "Oh my goodness I can't believe how rude I've been! Here you five have done so much to help this shop and I haven't even given you my name!" Gesturing to herself then, she smiled cheerfully. "My name is Delilah."

As Giselle and the others introduced themselves, Ash himself seemed so distracted by the smell in the air that he gave nothing more than a simple, "My... my name's Ash... nice to... to meet you..."

Giggling into her hand, the blond walked over to one of the cases nearby in the aisle closest to them and gestured to it. "Please feel free to follow your nose and see if you can find what it is you're smelling."

Doing just that, Ash began sniffing each individual bottle on the case Delilah was standing near until, eventually, he stumbled onto one small, square shaped bottle with a black lid that had what looked like red liquid inside of it.

Grinning, he stepped back and pointed. "Hey that's it! That's what my mom wears!"

Looking to the bottle Ash was pointing to, Delilah nodded approvingly and put her hands on her hips. "Your mom has great taste Ash. This is Chinara 52 and it's one of our biggest sellers. I'm sure she-"

At that moment, they heard the sound of rapid footsteps coming up to the shop outside followed by two other women dressed in a similar outfit as Delilah bursting in through the door looking panicked. One had long green hair pulled into two side ponytails with yellow ribbons tied to keep them in place, while the other young woman had somewhat long purple hair that was quite wavy and poofy at the back.

"Delilah are you okay?!" The green haired woman demanded frantically.

"Yeah we heard about the break-in!" The purple haired one said with panic written clearly across her face.

Turning to who were obviously her coworkers, Delilah just smiled placatingly and held her hands up. "Ladies everything is fine okay? Yes we were vandalized but this brave young man and his friends came to our aid and helped recover what was stolen."

Both women stopped and asked incredulously at the same time, "They did?!"

The blond woman with two long, wavy bangs coming down on either side of her face just nodded while gesturing to Ash and his friends. "Ash here actually chased down the thief on foot and got back what he stole while his friends called the police and stayed with me until they got here."

Relief was visible on their faces as the purple haired woman sighed and put a hand to her chest. "Oh thank Arceus! I can't imagine what would have happened if Erika came back to find that we had been robbed blind."

The other woman looked at Ash and his friends and smiled as she walked over. "Thank you so very much for helping us out like that, all of you. My name is Orchida and this-" She gestured to the purple haired shopkeeper behind her. "Is Chrysa."

"Short for Chrysanthemum," The aforementioned purplette clarified as she walked up to join her follow clerk. "And I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for helping to save our shop from could have been a disastrous situation."

Smiling, Ash merely shrugged and looked up to his shoulder at Pikachu. "Well actually, Pikachu here was the one who really helped get back the stolen stuff from that thief. I was just there y'know?"

While Pikachu smiled at the ladies and gave a thumbs up along with a chirpy, "Pika!" the black haired boy chuckled and introduced himself, "I'm Ash as you've already heard. Good to meet you both."

"And I'm Misty," The Water-Type enthusiast chimed in.

"My name is Giselle," The brunette happily voiced with a smile.

Giving her famous million-credit smile, Solidad gestured to herself. "And my name is Solidad. This is a very nice shop you have here."

Brock looked to be almost fidgeting in place with his desire to romantically accost one of the three beautiful young women before him but, as before, one stern glance from Misty was all the teen needed to settle himself down and give a simple greeting of, "And I'm Brock, good to meet you."

While Misty gave a pleased smile at the control the older boy had shown - which allowed for Brock to breath easily knowing he wouldn't be getting a beating, at least for the moment - Orchida turned to the blond woman. "What did the thief try and take Delilah?"

Suddenly turning serious, the slightly taller of the three women walked over to the counter where the sack was still resting, followed by her co-workers as well as a very curious Ash and friends. "That's why I'm so glad Ash chased down that horrible man and got back what he took," Delilah said with a totally straight face as she looked down at the bag. "He probably took enough to nearly cripple us if he would have gotten away."

Eyes wide, Chrysa put a hand to her mouth. "Don't tell me he... he actually stole the test viles?!"

Delilah nodded grimly. "Yes. I have no idea how he knew where they were in back, how he snuck in without me knowing or how he knew the combination to the vault but, after I found him, he had already opened it and swiped everything he could find. Afterwards he had a Koffing use Smokescreen to cover himself and then broke through the window with his Pokémon to escape."

Orchida folded her arms across her chest. "But that vault is one of the best money can buy! The keypad alone is protected by a fifteen second relay and if you don't input the correct combination by that time then the whole thing locks you out until Erika can reset it. No one could possibly figure out the combination on the spot like that in under fifteen seconds!"

Delilah looked to her friend. "Well somehow he did and I'm just as confused as you are."

Shaking her head, Chrysa sighed. "Well the important thing is that you're okay and we actually got it all back. Hopefully the police can find him before he can come again and try a repeat performance."

Now thoroughly confused, Ash stepped forward and spoke a little hesitantly, "Ummm... excuse me ladies... not that I'm trying to undervalue the worth of perfume or anything you all sell but what could he have possibly took from your vault that could bankrupt this place, except for maybe your store's funds? Not to be smart or nosy but I carried that bag all the way back here and it didn't sound like money inside of it."

The three girls shared a look before Orchida and Chrysa nodded their approval to Delilah, whom turned to Ash and pushed the bag forward. "Please, see for yourself Ash. You're the reason we got it back in the first place so you have a right to know what it is you recovered."

Walking over to the bag, Ash slowly untied it and then looked inside before his face immediately morphed into one of total confusion. "I... I really don't understand what I'm seeing here ladies..." He finally spoke with a voice that shared in his befuddlement after a few moments of silence.

Reaching into the bag he pulled out a small, clear vial that even though was absent of a label had the unique, liquid-like color and strong scent of what was clearly perfume. Holding it up then, he looked at it closely along with his friends and even Pikachu.

"Is... is the whole bag full of this stuff?" Giselle questioned curiously.

At Delilah's nod, Brock scratched his chin and scrunched his face up in a total loss for understanding. "Yeah uhh... no offense ladies but I don't get it either. That guy broke in just to steal a bunch of perfume?"

Seeing the lack of understanding on their faces, Delilah sighed before reaching into the bag and pulling out another vial. This one filled with blue liquid. "I don't blame any of you for not understanding since it does seem pretty silly for anyone to fret over a bag of stolen perfume," The blond woman admitted honestly. "But this stuff means a whole lot more than that."

Holding the vial out to the five travelers, she continued. "We make all of our specially scented perfumes in another location here in the city using a combination of floral science, exotic ingredients and the assistance of several Grass-Type Pokémon that we trained ourselves."

"The line of perfumes we sell are without a doubt our biggest and most successful seller," Chrysa chimed in. "And our patrons count on us to release new and enthralling scents on a regular basis."

"It also takes a really long time to make the perfumes we do," Orchida explained. "Sometimes as long as three or four months. All of the new vials we get we always store in the vault here in the shop and release them slowly, one at a time. We just got the newest collection of scents earlier last week and don't really have anything new in production at the moment."

Realization suddenly seemed to dawn on Brock's face as he surmised confidently, "That's why you were so upset when he robbed the place. He basically took all of the new product that your store would need as it's main source of income in the future."

Delilah nodded. "Exactly. We may sell many different types of feminine products and cosmetics but perfume is what we were originally established on and is the biggest success and claim to fame we have."

Before anyone else could say anything a soft, graceful, but clearly startled voice could be heard in all but a gasp from the shop's entrance. "Great Arceus what happened here?!"

Everyone turning to the source of the voice, Ash and his friends saw a beautiful and elegantly dressed young woman standing in the doorway of the shop with a worried expression marring her admittedly very attractive facial features.

The woman in question had long blue hair, of which was gracefully pulled back and held into place by a golden headpiece, along with two tassel clips that had flower designs etched into the metal above them resting just atop the crown of her forehead. Two strands of her wavy indigo locks draped down over either shoulder, as well as two smaller fringes of hair which were evenly spaced on each side of her forehead. As if that were not enough, the hair in the back of her head was pulled together in a tight braid which was concealed inside of a pink sleeve of some kind and had a bright red strip of coloring at the top and a white one at the bottom.

The woman's face, as a great point of interest, was clear and completely smooth like fine porcelain glass and her eyes were a deep shade of green, just as magnificent as even the most valuable and majestic of emeralds. A face of which adorned very little if any makeup whatsoever and appeared just as natural as the day she were born.

To top it all off she wore an expensive, dark blue outer kimono of a highly traditional sense with small white flowers dotted here and there on the material that went all the way down to her feet. Under that was another, form fitting kimono that was predominately orange, save for a green wrap-around waist belt that kept the outfit tightly closed. Her feet, meanwhile, were covered in traditional geta sandals and white socks.

While Misty had to struggle to hold a starry eyed Brock from jumping at the new arrival, the three young store attendants immediately made their way over to the woman. Whom looked as though she might end up having a slight panic attack at any second.

"Erika everything is okay," Delilah spoke calmly and reassuringly to the now named Erika. "Someone broke in and tried to make off with the new scents we just brought into the shop."

At the bluenette's gasp as she put her hand over her mouth, Delilah quickly continued while smiling and gesturing back to Ash and his friends. "Just as he was getting away, this brave young man and his Pikachu ran the robber down and got back everything he stole while his friends stayed behind with me and called the police since I was in no fit shape to do it."

The older girl looked between each of the three other ladies for several seconds of complete silence before finally speaking. "I don't care about what he almost stole! Are you okay Delilah? You were here all by yourself and you could have been hurt!"

Rushing forward, she hugged the blond woman and shook her head. "I knew I shouldn't have left the shop today! Delilah I am so sorry you had to go through something like that all alone!"

Pulling away from the hug after a few moments, the other woman just shook her head and then smiled. "Erika this wasn't your fault. Everyone needs to take a break during the day to at least eat and that includes you. I was fine manning the shop while you three left for awhile, no one could have known what would have happened."

Looking at Ash and his friends, Erika stepped forward and clasped her hands together in front of her chest. "I can't thank all of you enough for what you did for my shop today! You saved our business and you helped make sure Delilah wasn't hurt by the crook who did this! Thank you, thank you so much!"

Giselle gestured to Ash then. "All we did was call the police and stay with her miss, Ash and Pikachu were the ones that went and got your perfume back."

Looking at said boy and his Pokémon, Erika leaned over and embraced both of them in a tight hug. "And that was so very brave and selfless of you to do so young man," She said with a tone full of grateful sincerity as she pulled away and looked at Ash. "I don't know how I can ever repay you!"

Smiling modestly, Ash looked up at Pikachu. "Well he was the one that scared that burglar so bad he just gave us back the stuff and then left. Pikachu's the real hero ma'am."

Glancing to Pikachu, Erika smiled kindly and rubbed the Electric-Type behind the ears, which made him chirp happily. "Thank you too so much Pikachu!"

Letting her eyes drift over all five friends afterwards, she gave a slight bow. "To all of you... thank you for doing such a kind service to our shop. Truthfully."

While still restraining Brock bodily, Misty gave a small bow herself and yanked the boy's shirt collar again. "Just try not to blame yourself or feel bad for what happened today. It could have happened to anyone or anyplace."

Solidad nodded. "That's right. Your store just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Orchida stepped forward. "At least everyone's safe Erika, that's all that matters."

"Yeah so don't blame yourself please," Chrysa agreed as she walked up to her friend's side. "I felt just as bad that we weren't with Delilah to help her when it happened but it all came out fine in the end."

Nodding gratefully to the five traveling trainer's, as well her friend's, attempts to lift her spirits and take away her guilt, Erika smiled slightly and folded her hands down in front of her. "I know everyone... and thank you. I am glad no one was hurt and that we got our merchandise back but I've run this store for so long that anytime something happens I... I feel entirely responsible and like I needed to be here for it."

Looking back at Ash she then asked curiously, "Did you also catch the man who did this?"

Shaking his head sadly, he responded with a sigh. "No... unfortunately not. He escaped right after he threw the sack to me containing everything he stole. He had a Koffing that used Smokescreen and after that there was nothing we could do."

Seeing Erika's worried face that spoke clearly of her being afraid he would come back again, Delilah intervened. "But Officer Jenny said that she would write a report about this and keep all of their units on the lookout for anyone who could have been responsible for being the thief."

Appearing somewhat relieved, Erika nodded. "That's good. Hopefully they catch whatever ruffian was responsible for this!"

Regaining some of her former elegance, the blue haired woman focused her attention back to Ash and the others and then smiled kindly while gesturing to herself. "I apologize for being so rude in the wake of all of this shock. My is Erika as you have heard. This shop is actually mine and these beautiful ladies," She side waved to the women behind her. "Are just three of the wonderful women that have helped me run the store and keep it in tip-top shape for several years now. With no contest they are easily my dear friends just as much if not more than my employees."

Thumbing his chest, Ash reintroduced himself. "Well you already know who I am by now too but the name's Ash Ketchum and I'm from Pallet Town. This is Pikachu, my very first Pokémon," He finished while smiling up at the Electric-Type.

"Pika Pika Pikachu!" The cute but powerful Pokémon chirped in greeting from his trainer's shoulder.

"And my name is Misty," The fiery headed girl said politely. "I'm from Cerulean City."

"Solidad of Pewter City and Pokémon Coordinator," Solidad greeted with a smile. "Your shop is very nice and has a wide array of interesting products."

When Erika looked to her, Giselle just smiled sweetly. "You can call me Giselle, I'm from Viridian City!"

However, when it was Brock's turn to introduce himself the young man did so in common Brock fashion... by throwing himself out of Misty's hold and at Erika's feet while grasping her hands in his own as his face took on a look of attempted charm and debonair.

"Erika my sweet flower it must be only fate disguised as the tragedy that nearly befell your store today that has brought us together! But like a knight in shining armor I have come to chase away the darkness that threatens your illuminated beauty! Come with me now and together we'll ride off into the- YEOWCH MISTY THAT'S MY EAR! EAAAAAR! OWOWOWOWOW!"

All Erika and the women behind her could do was sweatdrop uncomfortably as an irritated Misty drug a struggling Brock away by his ear. "The only thing you need to be riding, Brock, is the train for a one way ticket back to sanity before you get stranded at a stop full of pain!"

Ash, Solidad and Giselle shook their heads in total exasperation before the redhead spoke up with a hand to her forehead and halfway amused smile on her face. "I knew I should have never convinced him to try and bust that rock with just his head when we were kids..."

Walking over to the shattered window of her shop, Erika sighed and crossed her arms. "We're going to have to get this fixed but I have no idea how we'll keep it concealed in the meantime."

Ash joined her seconds later and held out a Pokéball as he smiled. "Don't worry Erika, I think we can help with that a little bit."

Not waiting for a reply, Ash summoned Parasect out of his Pokéball and then pointed towards the shattered window. "Parasect use String Shot on that open space and fill it until there's no holes please."

"Paraaasect!" The Bug-Type voiced in consent as he immediately began shooting a thick, sticky webbing of white string at the open hole which gradually began closing in a little at a time until,

eventually, no daylight whatsoever was visible from the other side.

Taking in his Pokémon's handiwork after he was finished, Ash nodded and then looked back at Erika and the other girls. "What do you think? String Shot utilizes a pretty sturdy sort of webbing so it should be really hard for anyone to just tear through it and come in here."

The shop owner simply bowed to Ash respectfully and then smiled gratefully at him. "It looks perfect Ash and will suffice more than sufficiently until we can get someone to repair the window."

Letting her gaze travel over the five travelers present then as Ash thanked and returned Parasect, Erika asked curiously, "I don't suppose all of you would be interested in coming to see where we make our perfumes at would you? It seems to me that treating you to the sight of a process that no one else knows about but us would be but a small token of my appreciation for what you've done for this shop today."

Sharing a glance with his friends who seemed to hold no reservations, Ash shrugged and responded simply, "Sure that'd be great. Thanks Erika, we would appreciate it."

Turning to Delilah the bluenette asked kindly, "Would you please place the bag of perfume in the vault and seal it back up Delilah? I don't really see any reason not shut the shop down early for the day after all that's happened."

Nodding immediately to her boss and friend's request, Delilah took the bag of previously stolen perfume and walked into the backroom behind the counter where she remained for a few moments before reemerging and smiling to show that the task was complete.

Everyone leaving the shop afterwards, Erika locked the door behind her and then started leading everyone down the street in a direction that went away from the busiest sections of the city.

After traveling through the busy and maze-like streets of Celadon City for quite awhile - everyone conversing and making small talk in the meantime - they eventually rounded a street corner and came within sight of a large open plaza that housed a massive circular building in the center of it's expansive space.

The building itself had windows lined all along it's lower surface while the top of it donned what was probably the most unique and interesting feature of the entire structure. Here meaning that the roof itself was designed to resemble a Gloom's blossom head all the way down to the stems that jutted out from the sides of the building.

Looking around, it was rather easy to see that the gym was situated inside of a "cozy" little atmosphere since vibrant green grass, small bushes, and even trees lined the area all around the large plaza that housed the Gloom-shaped building.

Suddenly, however, Brock pointed at the building and made a surprising exclamation. "Hey that's the Celadon City Pokémon Gym!"

Ash turned to his friend. "Are you sure?"

He nodded immediately. "Positive. I remember seeing a picture of it in the guidebook."

It was only then that Erika decided to speak up casually. "Oh yes I'm sorry, I should have told you earlier but I am also the gym leader here in Celadon City. This is my gym."

Everyone who wasn't Chrysa, Orchida or Delilah looked at Erika in shock. "You are?!" Giselle asked incredulously.

"No offense but you don't look like a gym leader," Misty observed slightly offhandedly. "And I don't mean that to be rude."

Smiling kindly, the older girl just waved her hand. "Oh please it's alright, I know I don't look the proper fit for a gym leader but this is just my shop attire. When in the gym I look very different." She then gestured ahead. "If you'll follow me I'll show you all we have to offer."

Following Erika up to the automatic sliding glass doors of the gym, they all stepped inside and were instantly struck speechless by the sight of the lobby spread out before them.

Not only was the general commerce area of the gym quite large with high ceilings but practically every inch of the lobby was decorated with all kinds of unique and beautiful looking flowers, small bushes and plants of varying colors and shapes.

Looking towards the very front where the main desk was at they saw a young woman dressed in a tan shirt that had a red tie clipped to her chest, as well as similar colored shorts with a brown belt wrapped around her waist, standing behind the counter while typing on a computer. The woman also had long blue hair that was tied into a ponytail in the back with one mid-length fringe going right down the center of her forehead.

Walking up to the counter just as the girl looked up and spotted the new arrivals, Erika smiled and greeted her with a warm, "Hello Amary, how has everything been today so far?"

Seeing the arrival of her boss the now named Amary smiled herself and replied, "Everything is fine here Erika. No new challengers have arrived as of yet." Her face quickly adopted one of concern. "Did something happen? You usually don't come over until the store is closed for the day."

Sighing sadly, Erika shook her head. "The store was broken into and robbed today but-" Hearing the girl's gasp of fright, Erika held a hand up to calm her. "But everything is fine now." She turned and then looked at Ash and his friends. "This young man and his friends saved the day for us all and got back what was stolen."

Delilah nodded and spoke up, "I was by myself today when this man in black-"

Ash suddenly leaned over then and whispered to Brock, "Whenever I hear anybody say 'man in black' I always think of that really good folk musician guy Johny Clash!"

Brock merely smiled humorously at the joke as Delilah went on without a hitch. "-Suddenly came running out of the backroom with a sack full of our newest scents. I have no idea how he got in and managed to sneak by me but before I could catch him, he had a Koffing that was with him use Smokescreen to cover his escape."

She then gestured at Ash as well in that moment, none of them catching he and Brock's little inside joke. "Ash and his friends were walking by the shop just as the thief and his Pokémon broke through the front window to escape. This young man chased after him and got back our perfume while his friends stayed behind with me and called the police."

Sighing in relief, Amary smiled and walked out from behind the counter. "Well thank Arceus all of you are okay." She then looked to Erika. "I guess that explains why you're here early?"

The other bluenette nodded. "We decided to close early today given the circumstances and as a show of appreciation for doing what they did for us, I agreed to show Ash and his friends the process we use to make our new perfumes right here at the gym."

Amary smiled at that and turned to the newcomers. "I totally agree with Erika! I'm really thankful for what you did as well and if you're anything like us then seeing what goes into making our new perfume products will surely impress you!"

"Are Rose and Pansy here right now or out at break?" Erika suddenly asked of her fellow blue haired compatriot.

"No they're here," She replied. "I think they are in the lab at the moment. Tulia and Gerania are probably tending to the greenhouse gardens as well if you want to speak to them."

Smiling brightly, Erika clasped her hands down in front her. "Well we'll be making our way there soon so phone them if you don't mind and let them know that we'll be dropping by for a visit."

Nodding amicably to Erika's request, Amary picked up the phone near her computer and prepared to make the call while waving and smiling to Ash and his friends as the Celadon Gym Leader led them all through the lobby and towards a set of thick, murky glass doors that were situated some ways away behind the front desk. Of which she promptly opened and allowed everyone through afterwards

As soon as Ash, Giselle and the others caught their first glimpse of the expansive, lush greenhouse-like setting stretched out before them though, all of their eyes widened.

The indoor flower garden itself was nothing short of immense and most likely encompassed a good close to half, if not more, of the entire building. Everywhere one looked they would see nothing but rows upon rows of flowers, shrubbery, trees and other green life of

both a domestic and even an exotic variety. In fact, some places were so thick with vegetation that all that was visible was a veritable wall of dense shrubs.

Seeing the look of amazement on her guest's faces, Erika giggled behind her sleeve and made a grand gesture at the humid and slightly muggy greenhouse atmosphere around them. "I would like to present the main hothouse that we grow all of the ingredients for our products and otherwise! How do you like it?"

"It's... huge!" Brock exclaimed in awe.

"Mmmm and it smells amazing in here!" Giselle remarked with a sniff of the air. "Slightly similar to what normal greenhouses smell like but also with a really sweet and savory undertone."

"That would be all the flowers you're smelling," Delilah spoke up from beside Orchida and Chrysa. "We grow a wide variety of many different kinds here and that's the sweet undertone you keep getting wind of along with all the soil and moisture that's in the air."

Misty wiped at her forehead. "Whew, no kidding! I can feel the water and heat in the air. It's making me sweat!"

Solidad took that moment however to ask a question that rung true with common sense. "I am curious though Erika and if I may ask, how do you grow all of the different types of flowers that you do here in such a hot climate?"

Ash nodded. "Yeah I mean, my mom's a flower fanatic and she always said that some types of flowers don't grow well in heavy heat like this. She said it stunts their growth. Do you just not have anything here like that?"

Erika shook her head. "Actually, this particular hothouse is unique.

You see, certain rooms in the building are separated off from this greenhouse and are places where we only grow certain types of plants that can't effectively live in this kind of hot environment. We can regulate the different temperatures that these rooms stay at so our more sensitive flowers and plants can grow in their own specialized nurseries without being exposed to the heavy humidity you're feeling right now."

Ash looked around some more and then wiped some sweat from his brow along with Pikachu atop his shoulder. "Well I'll tell you Erika, this place looks nice at face value. Really. There's a nursery greenhouse near where I live that my mom gets a bunch of plants and supplies from and this place is almost as nice as it is."

"Oh you must be talking about the Xanadu Nursery right?" Orchida asked as soon as Ash finished.

"Uhh... yeah, how did you know I was talking about Xanadu?"

"We actually do quite a bit of business with them that's why," Erika answered. "We each have different types of plants that we'll occasionally send back and forth between each other and it helps keep our stock of plants and flowers fresh and updated with a new variety whenever we need it."

Ash looked a little surprised, to be sure, but kept his questions to himself as Erika started leading them all through the greenhouse while stopping to tell a little about a few of the more impressive and eye catching plants and flowers along the way.

As they were walking down one particular row of flowers and shrubs, Erika turned and pointed towards a patch of rather ordinary looking leafy plants as she explained knowledgeably, "I know these plants in particular don't look very impressive but Grass-Type Pokémon find the aroma they give off to be quite irresistible. Unfortunately however, getting too close can be rather dangerous since the spores of this plant can cause temporary but debilitating paralysis."

At that moment, a rustling in some of the nearby plants alerted everyone's attention and when they turned around to see what what was causing the sound a small, lethargic looking Pokémon walked out and gave voice to it's identity, "Glooom."

"Hey a Gloom!" Ash announced excitedly. "Now that's pretty cool!"

Smiling, Erika walked over to the Grass-Type and knelt down before reaching out to gently rub it's head. "Hello Gloom, how has your day been so far?"

"Wait is that your Gloom?" Misty asked curiously."

Erika simply nodded while continuing to stroke her Pokémon's head. "She sure is. When I was out in the forests surrounding Celadon one day, looking for flowers that might offer new scents for our perfumes, I found this little one getting cornered by a small group of Grimer. She was an Oddish then."

Brock appeared surprised. "A Grimer? Around here? I've never heard of Grimer being found anywhere near Celadon before."

Erika frowned. "They showed up years ago for some reason no one has yet been able to figure out and ever since then they've made their home in a small pond that can be found in the city's park."

Looking back down at Gloom again, Erika smiled once more. "I used one of my Pokémon to battle the Grimer away that were trying to attack Gloom and then took her with me to get treated. I stayed by her side at the Pokémon Center every day after that and when she got better she simply didn't want to go back to the forest. Instead, she decided to stay with me and we've been together ever since."

Solidad took a small sniff and then adopted an expression of curiosity on her face. "May I ask why Gloom does not emit any kind

of foul odor as is natural for their species?"

The bluenette smiled again and giggled. "Well, that actually took quite a bit of work on both our ends. Gloom usually emit the spores that smell so awful out in the wild as a defense mechanism from other Pokémon and even trainers. They are also a rather skittish breed of Grass-Type so even under the guidance of a trainer they can still release those spores whenever they become agitated or scared."

Erika looked at Gloom. "She had the same issue after evolving from an Oddish one day during a gym battle. It seemed as though every time we turned around she was releasing spores when even the slightest surprise would occur. Essentially, I just worked with Gloom on learning how to become more calm and relaxed and not as nervous and high-strung around other people and Pokémon. It took quite a bit of time but she eventually perfected the control of her own spores and now very rarely ever has an accidental release."

Orchida stepped forward and spoke up then. "Erika do you think we could go and show them the scent lab now?"

Standing again, Erika smiled to her employee. "That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Looking to Ash and his friends then she turned around and called over her shoulder. "Follow me please, now I'll show you where the true wonder at this gym takes place."

Doing as requested, Ash and his friends followed Erika as she led them back into the farthest reaches of the greenhouse and up to a set of double doors. After pushing them open and stepping through, the group found themselves standing in a long hallway which split off into two directions.

Without pause, Erika led them down the lefthand hallway which eventually turned into another one almost two minutes later. Looking around at all of the many different halls they were passing, Ash shook his head in amazement. "Man this place has a lot of different hallways!"

Erika simply smiled and replied over her shoulder, "Yes there are quite a few. The gym, aside from the lobby and greenhouse, is mostly divided into right and left wings with an interconnected hallway leading between them. The double doors we came through back there led us to where we are now, the left wing. In it is mostly our accounting offices, document rooms and the laboratory where we do our research."

She then turned down another hallway. "Technically, you can get to the right wing from here too but you have to take a long hallway and then a door closer to where we came in from. The easiest way to get there though is in the greenhouse through another set of double doors. The right wing is where our special growing rooms are located."

Eventually, they all came to the end of the hall they were in and up to a set of thick metal double doors that had a glowing red light above the top of it.

As Erika input what had to have been the passcode for entrance into the area beyond on a small dial pad next to the door, Ash and his friends watched as the light above the doors turned from red to green and then slid apart to reveal a large laboratory lying just behind them.

As she stood aside and allowed the group to pass into the lab, they were greeted to the sight of a rather unique looking research area that made up what Erika and her employees had been referring to as 'the scent lab.'

In all actuality it looked more like the greenhouse outside than a standard laboratory since the entire large, rectangular space had dozens of plants - both hanging and standing - placed all throughout. Even the lab machines and equipment had plants surrounding them which, overall, made a very stark contrast to Professor Oak's own laboratory.

Turning to face her visitors after stepping inside and closing the door behind her, Erika smiled and gestured with a hand. "Welcome to the center of research where every single product we produce in the line of scented merchandise is fashioned right here!"

"Wow it looks almost more like an indoor garden than it does a lab," Ash commented as he looked around.

At that same moment, a young woman with short reddish brown hair coming down to her shoulders walked out of a room in the far back dressed in a very similar fashion to Amary at the front desk, except for the fact that she also had on a white lab coat.

As soon as the woman caught sight of the newcomers she smiled and greeted kindly, "Erika! Hey everyone I wasn't expecting to see all of you in here today!"

Erika inclined her head to the woman. "Hello Rose, allow me to introduce to you our new friends that we just met today." She then gestured to Ash and the others in turn. "This is Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Misty, Giselle and Solidad."

Rose smiled and waved in greeting. "Hello everyone, pleased to meet you!"

"Pleased to meet who?" A voiced asked from the same back room at the far end of the lab.

Seconds later another woman appeared wearing the same attire as Rose but with long, dark, violet hair. Spotting Erika, her coworkers and the strangers that were with them, the woman put her hands in her coat pockets and walked up to join Rose.

"We don't get visitors very often! What's the occasion Erika?" She smiled humorously. "You giving tours in here now too?"

Chuckling in amusement, Erika shook her head and went through introductions again before explaining to both women the circumstances surrounding why she brought Ash and his friends to the gym.

After she finished recalling the events of the day with Orchida and the other ladies' help, Rose and the woman who turned out to be named Pansy gave a very similar reaction as Erika's other employees had to the robbery at the store. Relief being evident on their faces at the end of Erika's story that Ash and his friends had intervened and saved the day, which also quickly turned to words of gratitude and thanks for what they had so selflessly done.

When introductions and general conversation were over, Solidad asked casually, "So this is where you make all the perfumes at? Right here in this lab?"

Pansy nodded and looked at Solidad. "That's correct. Our perfumes, body lotions, you name it. We grow most of the ingredients out in the greenhouse that you just passed through and then bring the samples in here to experiment on and research with as we try to find new ways to extract and harvest the spores and nectar within the plants we use."

"So what makes your process so much more unique than other places and your perfumes stand out from your competitors?" Giselle asked curiously from beside of Ash.

"Well for one," Rose answered. "We don't use any artificial dyes, colorings or ingredients in our products. All of it is one hundred percent natural. The other thing that makes our products so special is that we enlist the help of Grass-Type Pokémon to aid in pollinating, growing and caring for our plants and flowers."

"Really?" Misty asked curiously. "But we didn't see any Pokémon in the greenhouse garden on our tour except for Erika's Gloom."

The woman in question smiled. "That's because they mainly do their work in the early mornings or afternoon and then they retreat into the denser areas of the greenhouse for rest since they're work is rather exhausting."

"What kind of Pokémon do you have here and are they yours?" Brock questioned in interest.

The shop owner and gym leader shook her head. "We don't own them. They typically are either injured Grass-Types that we found or were brought here for help and just decided to stay permanently after recovering, or sometimes even Pokémon that found their way here by being attracted to the scents coming from the greenhouse."

"So how exactly do you make the perfume from the flowers and stuff if the work they do is so hard?" Ash asked aloud to no one in particular.

Rose was the one that answered him as she stepped over to a large machine with a glass window front and several buttons on it's sides. "The answer to that question, Ash, lies with this machine you see here. Essentially, we place the flower or plant inside this machine and then draw the essence of it out using energy waves very similar to when a Pokémon uses a move like Mega-Drain, for instance."

She then pointed to a few vials resting on a holding device near a slot in the machine. "The liquid essence is then extracted into these vials, which we take and experiment on using natural scent enhancements and stabilizers with the help of the Pokémon here at the gym. Afterwards we run a few tests on it and then once we're sure we have a good, safe and appealing product, we bottle and sell it at the store."

"But how do the Pokémon actually help improve the products here in the lab?" Misty spoke questioningly.

"That's where the interesting and unique part comes into play," Pansy answered with a smile. "As you all know as Pokémon Trainers, many Grass-Type Pokémon know the move Sweet Scent. A technique in which in the wild or in battle is meant to dull the opponent, or prey's senses with pleasant aromas so they drop their guard."

Her smile became a little bigger. "However, what most people don't know is that Sweet Scent actually smells a little differently for each Pokémon that uses it, even those that are from the same species. We take advantage of this at the greenhouse by allowing the different Grass-Types that live here to use Sweet Scent in this machine that extracts the liquid essence from almost anything."

"After that," Rose picked up from her coworker. "We mix a small amount of whatever scent we're experimenting on with the Sweet Scent extract we harvest from the Pokémon. If the two combine well together and produce a fragrant, pleasant aroma then we know we have a perfume or scented lotion that stands a strong chance of selling."

"Which is why it takes so long for us to create more scents and also why that thief stealing all of our new products would have been so detrimental," Erika supplied as she chimed in. "Finding just the right Sweet Scent extract to go along with the new scents we harvest from our plants takes a lot of trial and error, not to mention time and patience. Sometimes it takes as long as two or three months, depending on how difficult the most recent extract is to pair with Sweet Scent and actually make a good match."

Rose nodded to her boss' explanation. "In a lot of ways it's similar to rolling the dice and hoping for a good number, except with us we have to document each number we role so we can actually replicate it time and time again."

"Wow... I never would have thought so much went into making perfume," Giselle stated with some amazement to her voice. "That's a lot of work."

Ash pointed at the plants scattered all throughout the lab. "And I guess all of these plants have something to do with making new perfumes and stuff?"

The three scent-experts turned and looked around the lab at all of the many different hanging and standing plants which were covering much of the lab. Turning back to Ash and smiling, Erika merely giggled and shook her head. "Actually, we just love flowers and like having them around. None of these plants have anything to do with the things we create."

Suddenly, Ash's stomach growled which caused him to put a hand on his belly and smile awkwardly while Erika smiled. "Well I see someone is hungry! Since the tour is pretty much over what say we go out and get something to eat in the city? As a treat on me for what all of you did for our livelihoods."

The young group of trainers immediately perked up at that offer and readily agreed before leaving with the gym leader and her several female employees. Upon arriving out in the lobby however, they spotted two new ladies standing near the front desk conversing with Amary.

The first woman was tall and slender like all the others with lower neck-length, bright red hair and a cute babyface. The second girl, meanwhile, had slightly short brown hair that was almost black and possessed more soft, almost delicate facial features. Both women wore the same uniforms as Amary, Rose and Pansy.

Walking up to the two women with her small group behind her, Erika got their attention and then gestured to the Pokémon Trainers behind her. "Ladies, I would like you to meet our new friends; Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Solidad, Misty and Giselle. They performed a great deed for all of us earlier and we owe them a deep form of gratitude."

The woman with the short red hair looked at the newcomers and smiled. "Amary just finished telling us about what happened. Thank you for what all of you did, my name is Tulia."

The girl beside of her followed suit. "And my name is Gerania, thank you as well. If it wasn't for your brave actions I don't know what would have happened at the shop. You're heroes!"

Ash and his friends merely smiled modestly at the praise and gave their own polite responses to both women before Erika marshaled all of them out of the gym in order to leave and go eat.

After locking the gym by inputting a security code onto a terminal pad near the sliding glass doors of the building, Erika then turned around and smiled again. "Well, that's it, let's go eat!"

Upon leaving the gym and heading farther into the city, Ash and the rather large troop with him followed Erika through the vast streets of Celadon City as the evening atmosphere gradually began settling over the massive town.

Eventually ending up in the restaurant district of the city, Erika took them to a rather fancy hotel eatery that served food to it's patrons atop the roof of the ten story building. Taking the elevator to the top of said restaurant after walking through the extravagant lobby down below, Ash, Pikachu and his friends were stunned into silence at just how elegant and fancy the rooftop dining area really was.

"Wow..." The group of trainers all echoed at once with Misty continuing for them. "This place is awesome!"

Erika laughed. "Yes that it is. I like coming here every now and again for a special occasion and I can't think of any better time than this!"

At that time a brown haired man dressed in a black tuxedo came walking up them and gave a polite bow as he spoke in a courteous and polite tone. "Ah hello Miss Erika! I see you have brought your lovely staff again and some new friends as well, lovely! The usual table I presume?"

The gym leader nodded. "Yes please Rolf, near the edge if you wouldn't mind."

The man simply smiled and gave another bow before walking over to a small podium near the elevator which served as the host's station. Grabbing a few menus he then gestured for the new arrivals to follow him as he led Erika and the others across the rooftop dining area and to a somewhat large table on the other side. A table in which resided close to the edge of the roof and offered a spectacular view of the city down below.

After everyone was seated and handed their menus, the host bowed once more before leaving with the promise of a server being along shortly. Sitting there for a few moments after getting settled, Erika started conversation first by asking curiously. "So what is it each of you are hoping to achieve on your journey? Just traveling as friends challenging gyms or is it something more?"

She and the other ladies of the Celadon Gym and Celadonia Boutique listened on interestedly after that as each Pokémon enthusiast at the table took turns telling a short tale of what they were striving for and why they were traveling together as a group. Including Solidad herself.

As Ash was the last one to go and hadn't spoken yet, Erika turned her attention to him. "And what about you Ash? Since you came here to challenge my gym I imagine you're probably aiming to enter the Pokémon League next summer, correct?"

The brown eyed boy looked down at Pikachu, whom was sitting on his lap, and then smiled as he looked to Erika again and nodded. "Yeah I sure am. Actually, I just recently started my journey about five months ago with Pikachu and we've been working and training the whole time to get as good as we can until the League starts up again. It hasn't been easy but we were lucky enough to meet Brock, Solidad, Misty and Giselle in the process and it's made everything way better than it would have been just by ourselves. I don't know what I'd do without these guys."

He then looked down at his first Pokémon and smiled again. "Ain't that right Pi?"

The little electric Pokémon chirped a cheerful response as Giselle reached out to gently pet his head, an action in which made him

"Cha!" happily and push into her hand. This of course made Erika and her employees smile at the cute scene as Orchida giggled and rested her chin on her hand. "Aww he's such a cutie! How adorable!"

Misty nodded in agreement but looked to the green haired woman as she smirked in a knowing fashion. "Yeah but looks aren't everything, trust me. That 'cute' Pikachu is one of Ash's strongest Pokémon and can be an electrifying little nightmare in battle. His demeanor completely changes and it's almost like he's not even the same Pokémon anymore."

Brock chuckled and crossed his arms. "No, Pikachu is a real powerhouse that loves to battle, that's for sure. He's like his trainer."

Erika spoke up again at Brock's comment, "That actually reminds me. If you don't mind my asking Ash, how many badges do you have right now?"

The black haired trainer looked over at the still intricately dressed woman and just shrugged before replying, "Right now I have fifteen. We just won three more on the trip here."

Every single one of the ladies' faces at the table adopted an expression of surprise at his reply, especially Erika. The blue haired woman giving voice to her shock as she spoke in confusion, "Then I'm not following. You already have far more than the required eight badges necessary for entry into the League so why the need to challenge my own gym?"

The black and red track suit wearing trainer shrugged nonchalantly again. "We just wanted to get more battle experience and see if we could get all the badges in Kanto before the Pokémon League starts next year. It's just a little extra goal we set aside for ourselves, that's all."

Rose looked over at her boss and smiled. "Wow Erika you might have a pretty good battle to look forward to after all huh?"

Said gym leader looked back at Ash and nodded while smiling herself. "It sounds like it. I hope you don't disappoint me Ash."

The raven haired Ketchum smirked and clenched his fist, which Pikachu mimicked. "We won't let you down Erika, I promise you that/Pi Pikachu Pi!"

For the rest of the evening afterwards the table of new friends merely sat and talked amongst one another about a variety of different subjects in-between making their orders once the waiter finally came around. As well as eating the admittedly delicious food once it was finally served a short time later.

For Ash, his friends, Erika and her employees however, the night soon came to a crashing halt when Delilah suddenly pointed over the side of the rooftop while shouting with a voice full of panic, "There's smoke coming from the direction of the gym!"

Everyone turned around at her words and looked down to where the blond was pointing only to see that she had indeed been correct; a huge billowing fog of smoke could be seen rising high up into the air directly above where the gym was located.

Shooting up out of her seat with not even a moments hesitation, Erika yelled, "Oh no the gym!" before promptly bolting from the table and running across the rooftop restaurant as fast as her kimono constricted body could carry her.

Seeing their boss running away in a panic and feeling an equal sense of fear welling up in their own hearts, Orchida and the rest of her coworkers also shot up from the table without a second to think and chased after their friend and gym leader.

For Ash and his friends, remaining true to form in the face of a pressing crisis, they only had to share one glance amongst one another before coming to an unspoken agreement as they themselves leapt from their chairs and chased after Erika and the others.

However, just before he could get too far away from the table, Ash suddenly backpedalled and grabbed the bill that the waiter had placed on their table just seconds before. Quickly pulling up his left sleeve to reveal his Xtransceiver, the young man pressed a button on the side to bring up the feature that scanned items for purchase so he could pay digitally using his stored credit account.

Grabbing the bill afterwards and holding the amount on the slip up to his device, he scanned it and then pressed "Yes" on the screen once it asked him for clarification of the desire to complete the transaction. As soon as it was done the Pallet native threw the bill down, yanked his sleeve back in place and then rushed after his friends again with Pikachu hanging tightly onto his shoulder.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

Arriving at the large lot that the Celadon Pokémon Gym resided in several minutes later, Ash, Erika and everyone else came upon the horrific sight of portions of the building set fiercely ablaze with a large black plume of smoke billowing high up into the sky. Ominously adding an unnaturally blacker sheen to the already dark evening atmosphere above.

Surrounding the burning gym was a group of firefighters with hoses in their hands as they drew large volumes of water from two firetrucks parked a good distance away and directed it onto the roaring flames. The likes of which were attempting to consume the entire gym in it's ravenous inferno.

Officer Jenny was even on the scene with several other policemen as she directed them to enforce a barrier around the area while, at the same time, radioing in more backup to help contain the disaster that appeared to be rapidly getting out of hand.

"Oh my Arceus no! The gym!" Erika gasped as she covered her mouth with her hands. A sentiment shared by the other women as well as Ash and his friends as they simply stared up at the blazing building in shock.

Seeing the new arrivals Officer Jenny quickly ran over to them and made a pushing gesture with her hands as she commanded in an authoritative voice, "Everyone I need you to get back right now! This fire is intense and quickly getting out of hand and we don't need anyone else here on the scene that might get hurt!"

"But officer," Erika protested in a desperate voice. "That's my gym and there are Pokémon in there!"

The blue haired female officer merely shook her head. "I know that Erika but it's still dangerous and we can't let anyone but trained professionals get any closer so I'm asking you to get back! For your own safety, we'll handle this!"

Ash stepped forward then. "Officer Jenny please there has to be something we can do to help! This is Erika and her employee's livelihoods that's at risk of getting burnt to the ground right now and even more important, several Pokémon are inside and could die if you don't do something quickly!"

The woman turned her attention to Ash and at that moment recognized him as the boy from earlier in the day who had run down the thief at Erika's shop. Even still, Jenny didn't budge as she replied back, "I'm well aware of everything you're saying young man and I appreciate what you did today but it's still too dangerous! Letting civilians assist in something like this would not only be highly irresponsible but so against protocol that I could lose my job!"

Suddenly, the officers working with Jenny came along and put up chest high crowd barriers that separated them from Ash and the others. Preparing to turn and refocus on the issue at hand, Jenny looked over her shoulder and commanded, "Now that's my final word about this! Get to safety and leave it to us or I'll have you forcibly removed!"

As the female officer ran back towards the burning building to tackle the calamity again, Amary placed a hand on Erika's shoulder and tried to reassure her. "It's okay Erika I'm sure they can handle it. We just need to listen to what they say and leave it in their hands and hope everything turns out okay. That's all we can do right now."

Several of the other ladies seemed to agree but before anyone could say anything Ash turned around and gritted his teeth. "Well I don't care what she or anyone says or tells me to do! There are Pokémon in that building right now who's lives are in danger and I'm not just gonna stand around and wait for them to burn to death!"

Sensing he was about to do something reckless Giselle stepped up and asked wearily, "Ash... what are you about to do?"

He looked at her with an intense gaze as he responded without so much as a hitch, "I'm getting in there one way or another and getting those Pokémon out!"

"Come on Ash we've done a few crazy things up till now but how are you going to get into the gym when the police have it blocked off?" Brock tried to reason with his friend. "Going in there would be suicide!"

Ash nodded as a calm look came over his face. "Yeah maybe but it would feel like dying all the same to just stand here and watch while a bunch of innocent Pokémon potentially die!"

He then took his pack off and set it on the ground while Erika and her employees stared at him in shock. "Now I'm going in there and I don't expect anyone to help but it's happening one way or the other." Pikachu took that time to nod and look down at his trainer with an equally as intense expression on his face. "Pikachu Pi!"

Knowing his first Pokémon well enough by now to realize that he wouldn't simply stay behind while he risked his own life, Ash just nodded thankfully to his friend and partner while silently thanking him for his dedication and bravery. A decision that he also knew his other Pokémon would share as well as he tightened the elastic belt holding his Pokéballs and Pokédex up and then prepared to leave.

Seeing his friend's mind was made up, Brock just sighed and finally relented. "Alright Ash... I got your back. If you're going then I'm coming in with you. This isn't something you're doing by yourself if you're so hellbent on it."

"Same goes for me Ash," Giselle agreed. "I think it's crazy and reckless but you're not doing it without me."

"Or me!" Misty all but yelled in fiery determination. "Aside from that I have Water-Type Pokémon that can help in there."

Solidad glanced between them all several times before smiling and shaking her head. "You guys really do get yourselves into crazy situations. But... Ash is right. There are Pokémon in danger and I'm not going to stand around and watch either."

Ash nodded thankfully to his loyal and trusted friends but before he could make a move Delilah stepped forward and spoke up, "Well if you guys are doing this then you won't get far without someone who knows that gym like the back of their hand. I do and that's why I'm going too as a guide."

"But Delilah!" Orchida protested as she tried to talk sense into her friend. "This is insane! I understand how desperate and terrible this is but you could die! All of you could!"

The blond woman took a hairband out of her pocket and pulled her hair back. "Yes but this is our gym in peril, our business at stake and our Pokémon's lives at risk! If it takes some self sacrifice to do what's right then I'll do it because it's just what needs to be done!"

Tulia nodded and spoke up as well in a resolute voice, "She's right! I'm going too! If we decide to split up to find all the Pokémon then we're going to need more than one person who knows that gym!"

Rose stepped forward as well. "Then count me in too. I'm not going to stand by either and watch everything we care about go up in smoke! Ash was right and now I'm going to do my part!"

The other women still seemed to be on the fence and a little uneasy at taking a more active role in the situation until a loud ripping sound suddenly echoed throughout the area and over the hiss of the flames.

Turning to the source of the sound, Ash and everyone else was surprised to see Erika now standing in front of them with the bottom part of her kimono torn away up to mid-thigh for ease of mobility. A serious and determined look on her face, the Celadon Gym Leader just narrowed her eyes.

"Ash is right. This is our gym and those are our Pokémon in there and I'm going to do all I can to save them! Gloom is in there too and if I have to risk my life to save hers then I will!"

At Erika's encouraging, brave words the remaining women whom appeared to be unsure before seemed to finally find their confidence as they slowly nodded, one after the other.

"Well... okay," Orchida replied eventually with a hesitant expression on her face. "If you really want to do this then we won't stop you. But I honestly don't know what the rest of us could do to help though."

Ash looked back at Officer Jenny, whom was too preoccupied with what was going on in front of her to pay them any mind, and then looked towards the back of the building before replying. "If the rest of you girls wanna help then get out of eyeshot so Officer Jenny doesn't look over here and see the rest of us missing. Even if you wanted to I think only we should go, the less people in there the better."

Erika nodded and then looked back at her employees that didn't want to enter the burning building. "Ash is right. Just get out of the immediate vicinity so you aren't seen and arouse suspicion. We'll be as safe as we can and hopefully see you again soon!"

Orchida and the other ladies quickly wished them luck and then left the area while Ash motioned with his hand. "Follow me and be quick!"

Together the bold group left the immediate area at a rushed, but not overly noticeable pace, and headed for the backside of the gym. Once they arrived at the rear side of the burning building Ash looked up at the wall as Brock turned to Erika and asked, "Is there a backdoor into the gym Erika?"

She just shook her head in reply and answered regretfully, "No. I'm sorry but there isn't. We wanted security as tight as possible and a backdoor was never installed for that very reason."

"It's no problem," Ash answered as he pulled out a Pokéball. "Primeape come out here and help us!"

In a burst of light the fight loving brawler of a Pokémon materialized and shouted out his name with fists raised into the air before Ash quickly captured his attention. "Primeape do you see that wall?"

The Fighting-Type looked to where his trainer was pointing and took stock of the gym wall before looking back at Ash and nodding. "Alright good! Now use Focus Energy and store up as much power as you can before rushing into it with the intent to smash a hole in it! Can you do that?"

Primeape immediately beat his fists onto his chest in affirmation and then turned around before tensing his body up and scrunching his face into an expression of concentration. Seconds later his entire body started to glow blue as the stocky Pokémon's muscles bulged and the black belt wrapped around his waist seemed to take on a glossy shine.

At the same time as the veins in his head and face began to grow visible through the corse fur on his body, Primeape's eyes glowed a bright bluish color before he bellowed loudly amongst the crackling flames of the burning building and then took off charging towards the south facing wall of the gym.

With a sound of loud crashing and an equally as loud grunt from the powerful Pokémon, a large hole was instantly smashed through the thick wall as Primeape disappeared on the other side. Seconds later he reappeared and held his fists up in triumph as Ash and the others ran over to the newly formed hole.

"Awesome job Primeape, that was some solid strength output!" Ash praised his Pokémon and then quickly returned him before he and everyone else climbed through the hole in the wall and stepped into the gym on the other side.

Upon stepping down onto the floor they looked around and found that they were in a hallway which split into left and right directions on either side. What was more, the heavy smoke they expected to run into was only light wisps of gray haze which drifted lazily through the big hallway instead of angrily billowing and swirling like it should have been.

Confused as to the light degree of smoke they encountered, Giselle asked in puzzlement while looking around. "Why isn't the smoke any thicker than it is?"

"Hmmm..." Solidad hummed in thought as she stepped in the left direction and then looked back towards the right. "It might be because the fire is mostly contained at the moment to one section of the gym and hasn't spread too far yet. That would explain why the smoke isn't really thick throughout the entire gym at the moment."

Erika immediately shared a glance with Delilah, Tulia and Rose before stating hopefully, "That might mean it hasn't reached the lab yet! I can tell by the look of the hallways that we're in the right wing of the gym right now so if the fire wasn't started here or in the greenhouse we still might have a chance to save the Pokémon!"

"And maybe some of the samples locked away in the lab too!" Rose added optimistically.

Delilah appeared to become worried though as she stated nervously, "But then that would mean it was probably started in the left wing where all of the special nurseries are at!"

Erika looked down and bit her lip, realizing what her friend said to be true, but finally just shook her head and then replied with resolve. "So be it. As long as the Pokémon are safe then I don't care what all else gets burned!"

Ash smiled at Erika's compassionate selflessness and then looked down both hallways they had the option of taking for a few moments before turning back and instructing. "Okay here's what we're gonna do everybody! Brock, Misty, Giselle and Solidad, you go with Delilah, Tulia and Rose. The greenhouse is a big area and a lot of the Pokémon could be hiding from the fire there. With a bunch of you all searching at one time you should hopefully be able to find them and having three people with you who know the greenhouse will be a big help."

He then looked back at Erika. "Me and Erika will go to the lab and try to get the samples being kept there if we can. If you manage to get all the Pokémon bring them out this way and get them away from the gym. Don't wait up for us because we'll follow after we're done."

With a game plan in mind the small group of would-be rescuers parted ways and headed in opposite directions with Ash and Erika taking the right hallway and everyone else heading down the left.

Within a mere few minutes of Brock and the others following the long hallway through the backend portion of the gym - the smoke gradually getting a little worse with each few yards covered - they came across a set of double doors which lead into the greenhouse beyond.

Kicking said doors open with his foot just in case the handles were hot, Brock stepped through to the other side and had to cover his mouth with his shirt due to the haze of smoke that almost instantly assaulted him.

Following after the former gym leader, Solidad and the other women stepped in behind Brock and also had to cover their mouths and noses due to the smoke. Glancing around at the massive inside area of the greenhouse, they could see a mixture of black hazy smoke swirling around the airspace while the orange hue of flames danced off of the far back and side walls of the greenhouse in the distance.

Fortunately enough, while there was indeed fire in the area it had not yet spread out so far and so intense that the entire greenhouse was consumed by it. In fact, it seemed that the worst of the fire - judging by the intensity of a particular swath of flames - was coming from another set of double doors to the far right of the greenhouse area that led to the right wing of the building, which Erika had not covered on her tour.

This all turned out to be a lucky stroke that the small group capitalized on by Delilah turning around and taking charge. "Okay since we know this greenhouse the best me, Tulia and Rose will lead you through it while we look for the Pokémon!"

"I'll go with whoever is heading into the area with the most fire," Misty volunteered. "I have Water Pokémon with me so that will help us in case something happens."

Solidad nodded. "I also have a Water-Type so I can help in fighting against a fire if need be."

Rose looked to Giselle and Misty. "Okay then you two can come with me, we'll head towards the right of the greenhouse where the fire seems the worst."

"And you can come with me," Delilah spoke to Solidad. "That will just leave Tulia and Brock to cover the left, we'll take the center."

"Right!" Everyone answered together before separating and heading out into different areas of the greenhouse to find the imperiled Pokémon.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

Passing through an area covered in tall, shallow-rooted bushy trees of some kind, Brock and Tulia could be seen making their way with haste to a location that the aforementioned woman knew some of the greenhouse Pokémon to reside when they weren't working.

Using their shirts to cover the fronts of their faces from the worst of the smoke, the two of them eventually reached a small little cluster of trees and bushes that, upon looking closer, they could see a small group of Oddish and Bellsprout taking refuge amongst one of the larger bushes that was directly in front of a tree. It seemed as though the Bellsprout were trying to defend the Oddish as much as possible even while their own faces looked to be just as terrified.

"There are some!" Tulia exclaimed as she ran up to them followed by Brock.

Apparently recognizing her, the Pokémon immediately started calling out in distress as the perfume specialist dropped to her knees in front of them. "Thank goodness you all are okay! Are there any more of you?"

They all shook their heads in the negative before Tulia reached down and picked up the three Bellsprout while Brock did the same for the four Oddish. Smiling down at them, Tulia spoke in a reassuring voice, "It's okay we're going to get you out of here! I promise!"

Looking to Brock, who nodded in return, they both turned around and started running back the way they came. Though, unfortunately, didn't make it far before one of the indoor trees to the left side of the path they were taking suddenly fell directly in front of them with it's top half ablaze.

Coming to an immediate halt and looking around for any other way out, Brock suddenly gestured to the right and spoke through his shirt, "That way! Around it!"

Needing to take the aforementioned direction since the one that the tree had fallen from had fire rising up around it, Brock and Tulia gave the tree a wide berth and ran through a patch of herbal grass before getting back onto the path itself and heading towards the door they had come from.

Upon arriving a short few seconds later without anymore incidents they ran through the door and into the hallway beyond with the Bellsprout and Oddish still held in their arms. All while Brock thought to himself, 'Come on guys be safe and catch up with us!'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

"Slowbro use rapid Water Pulse!"

Back in the greenhouse, Solidad and Delilah were not having the same good fortune as Brock and Tulia experienced. Since they had taken the side of the greenhouse farthest away from the fire, Brock and Tulia had not encountered much danger. However, since Solidad and Delilah were closer towards the center of the large area they were experiencing many more difficulties in the form of random patches of fire constantly getting in their way with every turn they took.

This was the primary reason for the redheaded Pokémon Coordinator's previous command as she and the blond woman had once more found themselves faced with a wall of flames that were burning through a patch of berry bushes like eggs on a skillet.

Having had put her only Water-Type Pokémon to constant use throughout the last ten minutes since the dual Water/Psychic-Type Pokémon possessed rather impressive aquatic power, Solidad only had to wait a mere few seconds before Slowbro opened it's mouth once more and launched several large spheres of water at the burning berry bushes in repeated succession.

Striking their target head on and causing a large collective splash of water to shoot up into the air, both women were relieved to see the fire itself now doused entirely with not so much as a flicker remaining.

Giving a quick word of thanks to her Pokémon, Solidad and Delilah took off once more, followed by Slowbro, as they traveled deeper into the heart of the greenhouse. However, after a few moments of running Solidad yelled over to the other woman, "We haven't seen any Pokémon yet! Where are they?!"

The blond woman swiveled her head around as she looked for any signs of the greenhouse Pokémon but eventually just shook her head. "I don't know! A bunch of them can usually be found deeper in, like where we are now, but I don't know where they are!"

After several more long seconds of running through the plant laden, smoke covered area, the two women eventually came out into a small little grassy area that had a small cluster of flower bushes and short trees joined near the center of it. What was more though was the sight of several Pokémon hunkered amongst the plants in terror as fire encroached the area on all sides.

Seeing a few Weepinbell, Oddish, a Victreebel and even a Vileplume huddled down amongst the plants while trying to escape the flames Delilah pointed and shouted, "Solidad look! There they are!"

The redhead nodded and took immediate action as she commanded the Pokémon beside of her, "Slowbro use another series of rapid Water Pulses on the flames around this area to douse the fire so we can get the other Pokémon out of here!"

"Bro! Slowbro!" The Water-Type called in affirmative as it opened it's mouth and fired several bursts of water blasts in fast succession, and in a circular fashion, all over the area surrounding the terrified Pokémon. However, due to the intensity of the fire itself the water spheres only managed to push the flames back a short distance, which called for Solidad to order her Pokémon to continue using Water Pulse on the roaring orange/red waves of heat.

While Solidad and Slowbro dealt with the fire Delilah ran over to the scared Pokémon and quickly called out to them, "Come with me and I'll get you all out of here! Come on!"

The group of Grass-Type Pokémon, just like with Tulia earlier, hurriedly ran toward her and called out in excited relief. Delilah got behind them and then began ushering the group of Grass-Types out of the area while calling over her shoulder, "I've got them Solidad let's go!"

The coordinator quickly turned around and yelled back, "Alright we're on our way!" Looking at her Pokémon, whom was valiantly fighting back the fires around them as much as it could with nonstop Water Pulse, Solidad commanded, "Slowbro that's enough! Come on!"

Together, trainer and Pokémon abandoned what appeared to be their fruitless pursuit of fighting a ceaseless fire and then ran after Delilah and the other Pokémon. However, just before reaching the door to the exit hallway Solidad heard a scream and recognized it as belonging to Giselle.

Stopping and turning on her heel the talented Pokémon Coordinator looked back towards the sound and then shouted to Delilah, "I think Giselle and the others are in trouble, I need to go help them!"

The blond nodded. "Okay! We can take it from here, you just go help the others!"

Solidad smiled and then took back off into the greenhouse with Slowbro in tow while Delilah and her group of Grass-Types left to escape the burning building.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

Solidad struggled to see through the smoke that had suddenly become much thicker in the side of the greenhouse she was currently at. With Slowbro at her side the two of them had been frantically searching for Misty and the others for nearly ten minutes until, finally, they came out into another grassy clearing like the last one, only a fair bit bigger and more sparse.

Looking ahead she saw Giselle, Misty and Rose near the center of the clearing with a large group, the largest yet, of Grass-Type Pokémon huddled protectively in the center of them. Several Oddish, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, a Tangela, two Paras, one Exeggcute, three Victreebell and a Vileplume.

What was more, all of Misty's Pokémon were also out in the grassy clearing while surrounding the three women and all of the very clearly shaken up Grass-Types. Staryu, Starmie, Seaking, Horsea and Tentacool all had determined but exhausted expressions on their faces as they continuously used all of their water attacks to fight what was clearly becoming a losing battle against a blazing ring of fire. The likes of which was desperately attempting to consume everyone in the grass covered clearing.

Seeing them in danger but unable to reach her friends due to the fire that was surrounding the area in a tight ring, she instead yelled out to them as loudly as she could, "Hey! Misty, Giselle, over here!"

Both younger girls turned their head as they heard Solidad yell and just managed to spot her behind the wall of flames to their left. "Solidad!" The two of them shouted together as Rose turned her head as well.

"Quick!" The redhead instructed. "Have your Pokémon combine their attacks in this direction! I'll help out on my end!"

Misty nodded and then pointed at the fire Solidad's way before commanding, "Everyone use your water attacks in that direction and try to douse the flames there!"

Her Pokémon immediately turned and aimed their attacks to where Misty was pointing and launched several blasts and spheres of water at the wall of flames closest to Solidad. At that same time the redheaded coordinator yelled from her side of the fire, "Slowbro use your strongest Water Gun and help out!"

Right as Slowbro opened it's mouth and ejected a powerful volume of water at the burning wall of flames in front of it, the incoming aquatic attacks on the other side of the fire collided with it simultaneously and caused a billowing cloud of steam and water droplets to ascend high up into the air.

A few seconds later, after the steam cloud dissipated, Solidad and Slowbro could be seen standing clearly on the other side of the now

temporarily broken ring of fire. Without any prompting Misty, Rose, Giselle and all of the Pokémon immediately ran for the opening in the fire while Slowbro continued to keep it open as much as possible using repeated Water Pulses.

After Rose and the other two girls managed to usher the large group of Grass-Types through the small opening, Solidad took the lead with Slowbro while Misty and her Pokémon covered the rear just in case of an unexpected incident that would require the need of a Water-Type.

After running through the burning section of greenhouse they were in for several minutes - the thick smoke now definitely starting to get to them even with their shirts pulled up over their noses and their breathing remaining as controlled as possible - Solidad and the other women had to come to a stop due to the path being blocked by another wall of flames.

Gritting her teeth since her eyes had long since begun to burn and sting due to the curtain of black smoke hanging over them all, Solidad silently cursed to herself.'Damn! I knew the fire was supposed to be bad in this part of the greenhouse but this is insane and the smoke is only getting worse!'

From behind her she heard Giselle cough before yelling, "Solidad we-" She coughed again. "Need to get out of here as fast as possible! The smoke is getting worse!"

"And-" Rose coughed as she spoke up as well. "The Pokémon are starting to become effected by the smoke too!"

Misty squinted her eyes through the smoke and looked to the far left through a burning grove of bushes and managed to catch sight of a wide open door that had a veritable inferno of roaring flames coming out of it. Pointing to it while coughing herself, the orange haired girl shouted over the sound of the burning vegetation around them, "There! Tha-" She hacked again. "-T d-door! The fire is coming from there I think!"

Solidad turned and saw what Misty was pointing to through the haze of smoke and then quickly looked down at Slowbro while pointing to the fire spewing double doorway. "Slowbro-" She coughed in a dry manner. "U-Use Psychic on that door! Shut them!"

The dual type Pokémon whom, even though it was being effected by the heavy smoke in the air but didn't show it due to it's impassive and lethargic nature, turned in the direction it's trainer was pointing and then focused on the distant doors. In a matter of mere seconds it's eyes began glowing a bright blue color which was mirrored almost immediately by the extremely hot double doors at the back wall.

Very gradually the doors themselves began moving and shifting until, like a flytrap springing closed, they slammed shut and cut off the roaring flames in the hallway beyond.

Leading up on Solidad's smart command Misty pointed at the flames in front of them and ordered her Pokémon to use their water attacks on it. An order copied and mimicked by Solidad who had her own Water-Type do the same thing until, under the combined assault of the multiple water attacks, the wall of fire was eventually doused to steam and soot.

With the way clear, Rose urged on the Grass Pokémon they were trying to save even as several of them looked to be close to the end of their rope in terms of smoke inhalation. Eventually, just as they were within eyeshot of the exit doors that they needed to reach, Rose and Giselle had to scoop up some of the smaller ones in their arms and bolt for the doors as quickly as possible.

Seeing no further need for their own Pokémon, Solidad and Misty returned all of them before grabbing the remaining small Grass-Types and then dashing towards the hallway beyond as fast as their abused lungs would allow. Luckily, the larger Pokémon still had enough stamina to continue on and managed to follow the two girls out of the burning greenhouse and down the long hallway until finally reaching the hole in the wall that Primeape had made earlier on.

On the outside of the gym Brock, Tulia, Delilah and all of the Pokémon they had rescued stood a short distance away from the burning building while staring intently at the large hole in the wall. Anxiously awaiting the return of their friends while also feeling a deep pit of fear in their guts in the event that they didn't.

However, just seconds later, elation proved to win the day as Giselle and Rose came all but hurdling through the makeshift entrance/exit of the gym with several Grass-Type Pokémon held within each of their arms. No sooner did they appear and Solidad and Misty jumped through the hole as well with another group of Pokémon in their arms, followed swiftly by a few larger Grass-Types.

As soon as Brock and the others spotted them they ran towards the women and Pokémon with concern due to the soot and ash covering them, as well as the drawn looks on their faces from the the smoke.

"Guys!" Brock yelled as he stopped and placed a supporting hand on Solidad's shoulder while letting his eyes scan over all of them worriedly. "Are you all okay?"

Solidad coughed and then knelt down while letting the Pokémon in her arms go. "Yeah... yeah we're good. Shaken up... but okay."

Delilah and Tulia immediately helped their friend and coworker, Rose, to sit down while the Pokémon in her arms stayed where they were and the larger ones who got themselves out joined them in a circle.

Placing a hand on the redhead's shoulder, Delilah looked Rose over as she watched her friend cough a few times. "Rose? Are you alright? Do you need any help?"

The woman in question just shook her head while Tulia began examining the rescued Pokémon to make sure none of them were injured or in any immediate, life threatening danger. "No... no I'm fine."

She coughed again and then smiled down at the Oddish, Bellsprout and Paras in her arms. "We're all okay." Looking up then at Giselle, Misty and Solidad, whom were now sitting on the ground panting in exhaustion, the perfume crafting specialist sighed in relief and then took a deep breath. "We managed to get all of them out. Every last one."

Delilah looked around at the gathered Pokémon and did a mental count in her head before nodding eventually. "Yeah I think that's it. I don't really see anymore that-" Suddenly, her eyes widened as she looked back towards the gym and yelled, "Erika's Gloom! She's still in there!"

Everyone's heads whipped around and eyes widened as Misty shot up. "What?! Don't tell me we missed one!"

Tulia looked all around the area and then back at the others. "I don't see her anywhere! She has to still be inside!"

"Do you think Ash and Erika might find it?" Giselle questioned aloud as she looked at the others for some kind of affirmation. "I mean we looked everywhere in the greenhouse and I never saw it!"

"That's true," Rose added with a light cough. "If she was in there we would have seen her. She might be somewhere else entirely in the gym."

Solidad stood up as well and shook her head. "Well whatever the case we can't go back in there. None of our lungs can handle something like that again without running the risk of suffocating."

Brock looked towards the gym as Misty stood to join he, Giselle and Solidad. "That means all we can do now is trust that Ash and Erika will come across Gloom somewhere inside and bring her out with them."

Giselle nodded. "Yeah we just have to trust Ash!"

Together, all of them looked at the burning gym with intense expressions of worry and concern on their faces as they silently hoped with all of their being that Ash and Erika would prevail in their task and return safely.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

"The smoke isn't nearly as bad here as I thought it'd be," Ash observed with a slight tone of confusion as he looked around the hallway he and Erika were currently running down. The same one in which he and his friends had been taken through when they went to visit the lab for the first time earlier on.

And indeed it wasn't. The smoke filling the air around them wasn't all that thick and in fact, could only be seen in the form of light wisps of gray which floated almost lazily above them like thickly scented strips of silk.

Erika nodded and replied as they turned a corner, "I just hope that really is because the fire didn't make it this far!"

Several seconds later they eventually reached the security door that led to the perfume testing and research laboratory but, upon setting their eyes upon it and seeing the metal doors swung apart with the light above them switched to green, Erika gasped in shock. "No! The door is open! That can't be!"

The two of them ran over to the open doors and after entering the lab, they found the intruder in the form of a person dressed all in black with a Koffing floating beside of them. The stranger was standing inside of the back room, at the far end of the lab, in front of a steel vault that held all of the newly crafted, unreleased scented products inside of it.

Stopping just a few feet into the lab with surprise written plainly and clearly across their faces, Ash and Erika, as well as Pikachu from atop his trainer's shoulder, looked at the mysterious intruder that had somehow managed to get into the lab. Not only that but he and the Pokémon with him wasn't alone either because standing just in front of him - in the way of the vault actually - was Gloom.

Erika's Pokémon was looking fearfully up at the black garbed person and the Koffing hovering next to them with her arms spread out in front of the vault behind her. As though the Grass-Type was trying to protect it.

"Grahhh!" The unknown intruder, who's voice sounded much like a man's, growled in frustration as he looked down at the Grass-Type. "Get out of the way you annoying little pest!"

Showing incredible bravery however, Gloom merely shook her head and replied back in a resolute tone. "Gloom! Gloom Gloom Gloom Gloo Gloom!"

The individual grunted. "Fine! Have it your way! Koffing use-" His command was unexpectedly halted mid-sentence though as Ash suddenly shouted, "It's you!"

Stopping in his tracks instantly the masked man and his Pokémon turned around and almost as soon as they spotted Ash, Erika and Pikachu, promptly froze in place. Thankfully, that was all the time the blue haired woman needed to call out, "Gloom!" as her Pokémon immediately saw her and ran towards her trainer. All the while giving a wide berth to the now distracted intruder and his Pokémon so they couldn't attack or stop her

"Glooom! Gloom Gloom Gloom!" The Grass-Type voiced happily as she reached Erika and jumped into her arms.

The blue haired woman smiled and hugged her Pokémon closely while her voice took on a relieved and joyous tone. "Gloom! I'm so happy you're okay! Were you trying to keep that person from getting into the vault?"

The pre-evolved form of Vileplume nodded and smiled up at her trainer. "Gloom! Gloom Gloo Gloo Gloom!"

"Oh Gloom thank you!" Erika gushed as she hugged her Pokémon tighter. "That was so brave of you!"

Meanwhile, Ash simply glared at the man across the lab from them, an action mimicked by Pikachu. "Hey I know you! You're the same person who robbed Erika's shop earlier today and tried to make off with all that perfume!"

Erika looked up from hugging Gloom and allowed a rare expression of anger to cross her pretty features as she stood up with her Pokémon in her arms and demanded of the wannabe burglar, "So you're the one who broke into my shop and tried to steal from us?! Did you do all of this too? Did you set my gym on fire and endanger the lives of our Pokémon you horrible, horrible person you!?"

However, to both of their surprise, instead of the intruder making an attempt to run, attack or give some kind of a pathetic lie to save their own hide, they just laughed in an oddly calm fashion before replying in a strangely smooth and silky voice. "Really Erika? Do you honestly not remember me? Hmhmhmhm... I'm hurt! Especially for someone you once claimed to love..."

Erika's eyes widened since she immediately recognized the man's voice just as he reached up to remove his black mask. After doing so the mysterious thief was finally revealed to be a young man in no later than his early twenties with sandy brown, short hair and green eyes. Admittedly so, he was a rather handsome man with an angular face and sharp cheekbones. Completely unlike Ash or Pikachu (whom were now staring in surprise at the uncovered man) expected him to look like.

"T-Thomas?!" Erika questioned in a tone that belayed just how stunned she truly was. "W-What is this?! It was you? All along?! Why!"

The man just chuckled again before shaking his head. "Really Erika I always thought you were smart! But, I guess not. Heh! I suppose I overestimated your intelligence. My mistake~" He finished in a sing-song voice.

Now thoroughly confused, Ash looked back to Erika and asked in total confusion. "Erika what the heck is going on?! Do you really know this guy?"

The bluenette nodded slowly, almost as though she couldn't believe her own eyes, before replying in a bewildered voice. "Yes... yes I do. His name is Thomas and he... he is my ex-boyfriend..."

Ash's eyes widened in shock. "He... he was what?!"

The now named Thomas merely laughed aloud again, the sound immediately becoming one that was like nails on a chalkboard. "Hahahahaha! Yes, oh yes indeed I was wasn't I Erika? Why don't you tell your little hero all about us?" He then smirked and crossed his arms. "A year ago today was when we met and got together, don't you remember Erika?"

The blue haired woman remained silent and merely glared at him as he continued on in that same infuriatingly calm voice. "I met her when I worked as a waiter at her favorite rooftop restaurant and we just hit it off like two Magnemite in a live conductor! We soon began seeing one another shortly after that day and for several months we appeared to be all but inseparable. I regaled her with tales of my time as a traveling floral enthusiast to other regions with my dream of someday opening my own flower boutique and living out my passion!"

Thomas laughed again. "Of course none of what I told her was true! I knew all about the famous Erika of Celadonia Boutique; Gym Leader of Celadon City and one of the most famous perfume designers and crafters in all of Kanto. Well... perhaps not all of it was a lie..."

The fiendish man then smirked. "There was a time in my life that I truly did have an interest in the art of perfume crafting when I lived in my hometown of Fuchsia City. Of course, no matter how hard I tried or strived to succeed no one ever gave me a chance. And why may you ask? Because this all happened around the same time that the Celadonia Boutique opened here in this city and she began making a name for herself as one of the quickly rising top perfume crafters in the entire region! My dream was ruined because of her, no one wanted to give my own scents so much as a chance when they could have the exotic and intoxicating brand of Erika of Celadon! I was furious!"

The brown haired man's face twisted into one of fury and contempt for a moment before he calmed once more and smirked again. "That was when I had the best idea! Come here to this city, pose as an adventurous and flower loving traveler with dreams that were currently being stifled by my dead end career as a waiter down on his luck, and then meet and steal the heart of Erika herself as her perfect dream guy!"

The wannabe thief then shrugged. "Of course, it wasn't hard. When Erika gained a reputation for her perfume crafting abilities and prowess as a gym leader on the side, she was interviewed in a magazine where she told all about what she was looking for in a 'sweet and loving man' that could whisk her heart away and give her the one thing she yet to attain... a loving and 'meaningful' relationship. Ha!"

Thomas laughed again, almost in humorous disbelief. "It was so easy! I kept up my charade for months, slowly gaining her trust and stealing away Erika's affections until she was eventually head over heels in love with me! It was the easiest thing I had ever done, like stealing candy from a premature infant! She even trusted me enough to tell me the secrets of how she crafted her perfume and started to train me so I could hopefully achieve my own dream of becoming the 'successful florist' I had always wanted to be!"

He just shook his head and then placed his hands on his hips. "It wasn't long until I knew everything, inside and out, about her shop and this gym. The security codes for the lock system, the codes for the vaults where they stored their perfume... everything! There wasn't a single square inch of either places I didn't know like the back of my hand! Even her air-headed employees trusted me explicitly!"

Erika's ex allowed a frown to cross his lips then. "Unfortunately... I was foolish enough to make the mistake of becoming a little too brave." Thomas held his hands up and gave a half-smile. "I've always been weak to beautiful women and the cute blond that works for her was right up my alley. I mistook her friendly interactions with me as a sign that she wanted more so... one night while she was closing up the shop on her own I made my move. Thinking that she would accept my advances and be more than willing to keep it our little secret."

Like he was merely discussing the weather, the obviously disgusting cad of a man looked away and made a 'tching' sound with his throat. "Buuut I was wrong. She may have looked and acted like a bimbo but her loyalty to Erika proved evident when she turned me down and then told her precious 'boss' the truth about the incident the next day."

Thomas put a hand to his head and sighed. "Needless to say she confronted me the next day, crying and demanding to know how I could betray her trust like that and blah, blah, blah... I tried playing the 'it was a mistake baby please!' card but it just wasn't my day. She broke up with me in an anguished wreck and with our relationship in shambles, I knew my plan had to be put on hold for the time. Soon after I quit my job at the restaurant and then left the city altogether for several months. Knowing I needed to bide my time and let the storm blow over, so to speak, before I made my move."

The black garbed man looked directly at Erika then and spoke in a smooth, almost smug tone. "But at least before she dumped me I got one thing from her that was worth my time. A very unique 'flower' as some would call it that I took great joy in picking..."

Ash looked back at Erika and saw her looking at Thomas with a red face that showed a mixture of great embarrassment and shame, but also total shock and surprise. An emotion he guessed she was feeling due to Erika just now finding out the real reasons for why Thomas had dated her. Most likely not having had an inkling of a clue as to his real intentions back when she first met him or probably even after they broke up.

Hearing the manipulative man laugh again, the young Pokémon Trainer gritted his teeth as Thomas spoke once more. "It really doesn't matter how things turned though I suppose. I came back around a month ago and merely waited and watched, observing the day to day actions of Erika and her employees just to assure nothing had changed. Once I had a full plan mapped out I decided to finally make my move!"

He held up one finger. "The first step was to break in and steal from the Celadonia Boutique. After that and while everyone was focusing on the burglary, my second phase-" He held up another finger. "Was to do the same to this gym and steal all of the freshly crafted, unreleased scents that I knew was the lifeblood of Erika's business. In the process, I was going to set a fire to this building and burn it to the ground just to put that miserable bitch and her little whore friends out of business forever!"

The green eyed man's gaze then focused on Ash specifically for the first time as he frowned again. "All of it was supposed to go over so smoothly but then you and your troublesome friends had to step in and ruin my perfectly laid out plans! After you foiled my heist at the shop I had to recollect and compose myself in order to save what was left of my scheme and that was why I watched you all here at the gym. Just waiting and hoping I would be presented with an opportunity to strike!"

The unbelievably cunning con-artist smirked chuckled. "But I was lucky enough to be presented with a little break. After I watched you leave I just waited and bided my time to make sure the gym was empty. After I was assured that it indeed was I simply walked up to the front door, input the security code I learned from Erika and waltzed right in!"

Reaching up, Thomas patted his Koffing and laughed. "All it took was a simple little glob of sludge and a lighter getting left in the chemical closet of the left wing of this building to set it ablaze before I casually made my way here and prepared to do what I had yearned for so long! Rob Erika blind of her very livelihood and then retire to Johto where I would market her unreleased scents as my own and become filthy rich!"

Like a crazed lunatic had suddenly come out on the man's face, Thomas leaned forward slightly and smirked thrice. "Sure I ran into a roadblock or two along the way to get here but none of it matters because I'm about to get what I desired for so long! That little nuisance of a Gloom may have stalled me long enough for you two to get here but it doesn't matter! I'm about to kill the both of you and then get what I came for and nothing... nothing can stop me! HAHAHAHAHA!"

The unhinged nutcase began laughing wildly in his own self-assured sense of victory while Ash merely looked down at the ground without moving or saying anything. However, a few seconds later, the black haired boy slowly turned around and looked at the laughing man with an expression of cold, eerily calm indifference on his face. His features not giving away any outward sign of emotion besides that of a slightly noticeable glint of disgust in his eyes.

Even Pikachu, a normally cheerful, determined and happy Pokémon, seemed to mimic his trainer's expression by staring at Thomas. The only difference being that his own eyes were actually narrowed into an undeniable gleam of anger at the cruel man that had caused Erika so much pain and anguish.

As he stopped laughing the smug looking player smirked and then pointed almost lazily at the three of them. "Well, I think it's about time I put an end to this so I can get what I came for." He then waved his arm to the side. "Koffing use Slu-"

However, just as the conniving thief was about to command his Pokémon to use an attack on Ash and the other two, Thomas was abruptly halted mid-sentence with a look of both shock and fear appearing on his face as the black haired boy's eyes suddenly glowed blue and was simultaneously mirrored by Pikachu's own doing the same.

Before the temporarily stunned man could say or even think of anything, Pikachu's entire body started crackling with extremely fast arcs of electricity. Unlike all the many other times Pikachu called on his electric abilities though, this time the sheer speed in which the Electric-Type's energy built up was nearly three times the rate of normal and instead of looking like normal lightning the electrical discharge was actually blue instead of yellow.

As Ash's eyes seemed to pulse Pikachu's own glowed a little brighter before he released a powerful blast of bright blue electricity that covered the distance between them and Thomas and immediately consumed the man and his Koffing in a crackling field of unyielding electrical energy.

As soon as they were hit with the burst of unnaturally blue electricity, both Thomas and the floating Pokémon beside him started to convulse and shake wildly as they were brutally electrocuted by the enhanced bolt of lightning.

Erika's eyes went wide as she watched her ex-boyfriend get electrocuted and lit up like the glowing neon sign above the Celadon Game Lounge but, within mere seconds, the bolt of blue electricity vanished. As soon as it did Thomas and his Pokémon both dropped, almost comedically so, to the ground like heavy stones. The two of them very obviously unconscious now as the cocky man's obnoxious statements and laughter were simply halted, that easily. With not so much as a struggle edgewise.

Strangely enough, even as the wannabe crook and his Pokémon dropped to the lab floor, Ash and Pikachu seemed to snap back to their senses at the same instant. Neither one of them appearing to have realized what had happened to them or what had transpired out of their temporary lapse of self control. The only thing they appeared to recognize was that Pikachu had used a Thunderbolt on Thomas without being commanded and now, he and his Koffing were taking a snooze in lala land.

Looking down at his Pokémon and nodding to Pikachu in a gesture of a job well done, Ash then turned around and looked at the guilt and shame stricken Erika. Not too sure exactly what to say in the wake of all that had happened, he simply settled for sounding as understanding and kind as possible while smiling slightly at her.

"Hey Erika? Are you... okay?" Even Pikachu seemed to be concerned as he looked at the woman with one ear tilted to the side and a worried expression upon his face.

Slowly, Erika stood up and then looked over at her now unconscious ex before turning back to Ash and finally responding as her own smile took up residence upon her face. "Yes Ash... I'm okay. Thank you for what you did. I'm just a little surprised and shaken up right now but... I'll be okay. Don't worry about me."

Her eyes then shifted towards the steel vault in the currently open back room that Thomas had been trying to break into. "Right now we just need to get those bottles in the vault out in case the fire department can't stop the fire. I'll do that if you'll keep watch over..." Her gaze then shifted back down to her ex on the floor with disgust and anger clearly evident on her pretty features.

Following Erika's line of sight and understanding what she was asking without her needing to finish her sentence, Ash simply nodded and then walked over to the unconscious thief while Erika ran over to the vault.

Once reaching the downed intruders, Ash pulled out two Pokéballs and then called forth Parasect and Primeape. As soon as they appeared he pointed at Thomas and Koffing and then instructed, "These are bad guys you two and I need your help getting them out of here and to the police. Parasect, use String Shot and bind them up and Primeape, you're the physically strongest of us so you pick them up and carry them out of here with us after he's done. Okay?"

The boy's Pokémon both nodded to their trainer's wishes and then Parasect quickly wove a tight cocoon of steel-like thread tightly around Thomas and his Poison Pokémon. By that time Erika returned with a small locked case full of several different colored vials.

Nodding to Ash to show that she was ready, the two of them hurriedly left the lab after he returned Parasect with Pikachu returning to his friend's shoulder and Primeape and Gloom following along behind them. The Fighting-Type effortlessly carrying the unconscious vandals on either shoulder like they were mere paperweights.

After traversing the smoke filled hallways away from the lab they eventually reached the hole in the wall Primeape had created earlier and then jumped through it and into the clear, smoke-free outside world beyond.

As soon as Ash and Erika appeared, everyone who had been so anxiously waiting on them cheered and ran up to meet the new arrivals.

"Ash you're okay!" Misty, Solidad and Giselle all yelled together in relief as they rushed to his sides, practically bowling poor Brock over in the process while Erika was surrounded by her own friends.

"Yeah, yeah we're good," The messy haired trainer replied with a smile to his friends, who appeared so very relieved to see he and Pikachu alright. "We had a bit of uhh... well... incident, but everything's okay now."

He looked back at Primeape as the powerful Fighting-Type threw his two unconscious passengers down onto the ground and then stepped away.

Seeing the tied up prisoners that Ash's Pokémon had unloaded himself of, Brock and the others, along with Delilah, immediately recognized them. "Hey that's the thief that broke into the shop and tried to steal all the perfume!" The aforementioned blond woman proclaimed as she pointed down at them.

Brock looked at Ash and asked in confusion as soon as Delilah made her statement, "Ash what happened in there?"

The Pallet native looked down at the unconscious trainer and Pokémon and quickly explained the events that had taken place inside to the now enraptured audience gathered around he and Erika. After he was finished, Tulia bent down to get a closer look at the thief and then gasped. "T-That's Thomas! Erika's old boyfriend!"

All the other girls took on looks of surprise while Erika merely glanced at the ground and closed her eyes in obvious shame. "Yes... it is Thomas. He used me, he usedus... all of us, the entire time we dated. All he wanted was the secrets to my perfume crafting so he could become rich and put us out of business..."

The blue haired woman appeared to have a tear start to leak out of her right eye but Orchida and Amary quickly stepped in and wrapped their arms around her in a comforting hug while the others put their hands on their upset boss and tried to offer what small amount of comfort they could for the terrible situation.

Meanwhile, Misty just stared down in disgust at the man that had used Erika so cruelly and then shook her head. "What a limp dicked, two-faced, backstabbing, pretty boy fucktard! It's a good thing you handled him Ash or I might have just smashed his stupid face in!"

Brock and the others nodded in agreement to the orange haired girl's somewhat crude assessment but Ash just turned his attention back to the still burning gym after thanking and returning Primeape. Narrowing his eyes as he shifted his gaze towards the front of the gym where he could see sprays of water still shooting up into the air from the firefighter's hoses, the bold young man shook his head and gritted his teeth.

"They're never going to be able to put that fire out at this rate until the whole gym is already burned to the ground..." He murmured to himself while thinking deeply for several long moments. 'Erika's ex said that he started the fire by setting alight a chemical cleaning closet. Chemical fires can't be put out that easy unless someone actually douses the source and none of the police or firemen know about how it was started. I guarantee Officer Jenny would just arrest us if I even said anything about it because then she'd know we went against her orders and got involved anyway! Crap...'

Aftera few moremoments of thinking and contemplating over the situation at hand, Ash finally made a decision and then quickly reached to his side and pulled out his Pokédex from it's it open afterward, he selected the automatic transfer option on the high-tech device and placed one of his Pokéballs at a time on the small teleporter padjustabovethe command keys.

After all of his Pokéballs except for Gyarados' disappeared he then input another command and closed his Pokédex while thinking to himself, 'Please be around to answer this request Professor...'

Turningback to everyone else afterwards, Ash spoke in a firm and determined voice. "I'm heading back inside to help put out this fire."

"What?!" Solidad questioned in a disbelieving voice. "Ash you're crazy! The smoke in that building, especially the greenhouse, is too much for anyone to be in there right now! We almost didn't make it out after saving the Pokémon!"

Ash looked behind their group to where all of the Grass-Types that his friends and Erika's employees had saved were now huddled together near the treeline that separated the lot Erika's gym was in from the rest of the city surrounding it.

After a few seconds he looked at the redhead again and nodded. "I know and that's why I'm doing this. That gym isn't just Erika and the other girls' livelihoods but those Pokémon live there as well and I'm not going to wait and watch it get burned to the ground."

"Well I'm going too!" Misty spoke up with a determined smile. "I've got Water-Types you'll need the help of and besides, we're tough. We can take it!"

Without saying anything Misty appeared to have spoken for Brock and Giselle as well because, in that moment, they seemed to be just as on board as her. Seeing this and knowing she was outnumbered Solidad merely sighed and took on a defeated expression. "Who am

I kidding? I knew I would end up going along at some point anyway..."

Ash smiled at the ever persistent support of his friends and then looked back at Erika. Whom appeared truly shocked by his selfless offer to save her gym, both she and her employees. "Erika, you and the others please stay here and watch for us okay? None of you have the Pokémon that would be any help in there anyway if all you have is Grass-Types."

Believing by now that Ash was the type not to change his mind once he made it and knowing that time was of the essence. (Not not to mention the fact that he was indeed correct and neither her nor any of her employees possessed anything aside from Grass Pokémon). The bluenette simply nodded and then knelt down to pick up Gloom. "Alright Ash, we will. Just be safe, all of you."

Delilah and the other girls all nodded rapidly in agreement to their boss and friend's advisory, which Ash and his friends accepted thankfully before turning and running back into the gym through the hole in the wall.

After they disappeared Erika stared after them and spoke to herself with wavering eyes, "Please be careful all of you..."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

Kicking the doors of the greenhouse open and running in, Ash and his friends were instantly struck by just how much ground the fire had managed to gain inside since Solidad and the others rescued the Pokémon from the burning greenhouse. Even with the doors leading to the hallway that the fire originated from shut tightly thanks to Slowbro's earlier efforts, the existing fire in the large area had still managed to gain quite a bit of ground.

"So what's the plan Mr. Hero?" Solidad questioned as she turned to face the younger trainer.

He looked at her for a few moments and then turned to face the multiple fires before them. "I sent all of my Pokémon back home except for Gyarados and requested for all of my others to get sent here to me. If Professor Oak got the transfer request then once he sends them over I'll use all of my Gyarados to help fight this fire!"

Misty grabbed all of her Pokéballs and held them out in front of her. "Then I guess I'm just going to have to pull the slack until then! Come on everybody!"

As the former gym leader's group of Water-Types appeared in front of her, Solidad shook her head and grabbed one of her own Pokéballs. "I still think this is crazy but alright! Slowbro let's go one more time!"

Brock then turned to Giselle as Solidad's Pokémon joined the ranks beside Misty's. "We don't have any Pokémon like that but we do have Rock and Ground-Types and maybe they can help put the fire out with their earth based moves!"

Giselle smiled and nodded at Brock's insightful statement and then grabbed her only two Pokéballs. "You're right Brock! We may not have any Water-Types but it doesn't mean we're useless!"

Brock took his own in hand and stepped back. "Then let's prove it! Onix, Graveler, go!"

"Let's help as much as we can Marowak and Graveler!" Giselle yelled with a smile as her and Brock's Rock and Ground-Types took to the line beside Solidad and Misty's Pokémon.

Smiling to himself as he watched his friend's prepare for the battle ahead, Ash spun the Pokéball he now had in his hand and then threw it forward. "Lead from the front Gyarados, show this fire who's boss!"

As the massive draconian looking Water-Type emerged from his ball and rose up into the air Gyarados let loose a powerful roar of, "GYROOOOO!" before settling himself beside the other Pokémon below.

"Alright everybody," Ash spoke over the sound of the crackling flames before them. "Let's form a loose line and start fighting back this fire as best as we can!"

Everyone else nodded and then prepared to give their Pokémon the commands needed to begin their intense fight. As soon as Ash yelled, "Go!" his friends all shouted out different orders to their Pokémon and then watched as they moved as one to carry out the commands.

Within seconds multiple blasts of water of varying sizes and intensities exploded forth from the several Water-Type Pokémon on the scene while large piles of earthen ground - courtesy of Giselle and Brock's Pokémon - hurled towards the roaring flames towering before them in a combined effort to both drown out, as well as bury, the fire trying to consume the greenhouse.

That method of attack quickly became the base strategy for fighting the wild fire burning it's way through the building as Ash and his friends stayed behind their Pokémon and continued to command them to use a variety of different water and earth-natured attacks to battle the raging flames.

The fight was arduous, long, physically extreme and after nearly twenty minutes of moving through the greenhouse using all of their strength to fight back the fire, the small coalition of Pokémon began showing signs of fatigue.

A fatigue that was more than just a little pronounced as several of the smaller Pokémon like Horsea, Marowak and Tentacool were visibly sweating and straining as they tried to keep up with the larger and stronger Pokémon like Gyarados, Onix, Graveler and Slowbro. Whom were all still going strong despite having been at for so long.

While they had managed to make some progress in dousing several of the smaller areas of fire in the greenhouse, the largest and most concentrated inferno closer towards the center and far right remained mostly untouched and unfazed by the combined assault on it's endless ravenous appetite for burning destruction.

Coughing as the smoke began getting to her - as well as most of them - again, Solidad looked over at Ash and yelled, "This isn't-" Another cough escaped her lungs. "Working Ash!"

Brock also coughed and shouted over the triumvirate sounds of fire, water and upturned flung earth, "She's right Ash! We haven't made a dent in that-" He coughed into his shirt, which was covering his face much the same way as everyone else was doing. "Big fire!"

Ash looked around with watering eyes from the smoke at all of his friends and then at the Pokémon themselves. Seeing the growing fatigue and signs of smoke exhaustion steadily growing more pronounced with all of them, even slightly on Gyarados himself, the boy gritted his teeth and looked down.

Hearing Pikachu also give a small little cough he was just about to yell for everyone to retreat when, suddenly, his Pokédex beeped on his side. Quickly reaching for it and sliding the device open, Ash smiled in relief as he saw the white light above the transporter pad blinking in the signal that a transfer was waiting to be confirmed.

Eagerly pressing a button below the transporter which accepted the transfer, the elated young man watched as a Pokéball appeared on the pad with a description on the screen side of the Pokédex of the Gyarados that was waiting inside of the ball.

Taking the spherical capturing device in hand Ash repeated the same action with three more Pokéballs that appeared, one after the other, on the teleporter pad.

After receiving all four balls (one short since with Pikachu he couldn't have all of his Gyarados at one time without special permission) Ash put his Pokédex away and then said a mental thank you to Professor Oak before calling out, "It's okay everybody! We're gonna be fine!"

The black haired boy then threw all of the Pokéballs into the air and stepped back, along with his friends and all of their Pokémon, as Ash's near entire team of Gyarados appeared beside of the first one in multiple shining bursts of light. A light in which collectively signaled a new feeling of hope in everyone present that the tides of the seemingly hopeless firefight was about to change.

As the four other gigantic water titans appeared beside of the one who had been valiantly fighting on for the last almost half hour, Gyarados turned to look at his kin and simply nodded his head. A simple gesture to be sure but one in which, from one proud Gyarados to another, was a clear indication of the relief he felt to finally have equal assistance in the battle that, until now, seemed hopeless.

While Ash's very first Gyarados took the lead and James of Team Rocket's former one took a position directly next to it, the remaining three fell in behind them as a show of recognition that they saw the two of them as their leaders.

Smiling excitedly to himself since he knew the situation was about to tilt in their favor, Ash pointed at the largest inferno in the greenhouse and yelled out, "Gyarados! All of you use Hydro Pump together! Right now!"

Almostlikefive firetrucks, each with their own vast supply of water, had entered the building, all of the gathered Gyarados aimed for the wall of flames burning before them and then released five truly massive and extremely powerful torrents of high-pressured water straight into the raging inferno.

Not wanting to be left out, Ash's friends commanded their own Pokémon to use all the remaining strength they had to assist the five water leviathans in taming and vanquishing the ferocious burning monster that, up until now, simply refused to die.

While the assistance of all the other Pokémon was helpful in a symbolic sense, it proved to truly not be needed since within a mere few short minutes of all five Gyarados joining forces to fight the fire together, the inferno was effectively doused down to nothing but black soot and ashes. Seemingly in the blink of an eye.

With the worst of the fire now finally extinguished all of the Pokémon, in tandem, shifted their focus to random areas of the gym where small little pockets of fire were still burning.

After the greenhouse was finally liberated of the blazing oppressor that had sought to subjugate it, Ash and his friends turned their attention to the still shut double doors on the far right end of the room that held what remained of the fire in the gym behind it.

Quickly regrouping all of their Pokémon to the doors in question with Ash's team of Gyarados facing them in a tight semi-circle formation, Solidad nodded to Slowbro and ordered it to open them again with Psychic.

As soon as the double doors were flung open once more with the psychic energy Solidad's Pokémon projected at them, an intense concentration of white hot fire tried to explode forth and back into the greenhouse.

However, before even so much as an ember could escape all five Gyarados used Hydro Pump again and combined their individual attacks together to create one gargantuan volume of condensed, high powered water that easily cut straight through the flames and into the hallway beyond. Effortlessly overwhelming and dousing the fire throughout the length of the entire confined space with a flood of water which rose all the way up to the ceiling and turned the hall into a tube of raging aquatic fury.

Since the chemical closet where the fire had originated from was obviously connected to the hallway and the door was still open, a portion of the unstoppable tsunami simply crashed into the room itself and extinguished the source of the gym's fire with not so much as a second's worth of effort or resistance.

From there the churning flood of what now almost resembled indoor rapids coursed throughout each adjacent and connected hallway of the left wing of the gym and did it's duty well in dousing every last remaining trace of flames from every corner of that end of the building.

The roaring tidal wave of water even poured in through the many individual rooms where the climate-controlled nurseries resided and effectively extinguished the fire that had managed to reach (and unfortunately burn straight through) all of the special plant growing areas.

After what could have only barely been a few short minutes, the flood of water eventually came to a halt when it reached the end of it's journey at a dead end hallway and then slowly lowered in volume as it gradually poured back out through the double doors and into the greenhouse, it's intended task now finished.

Looking into the formerly blazing but now soaked hallway beyond, Ash and the others all breathed a sigh of relief (already noticing a major decrease in smoke) that it was finally over while the water poured over their shoes and throughout the charred and blackened ground below them.

"Thank Arceus it's finally over..." Misty sighed tiredly as she hung her head and breathed in deeply of the no longer smoke filled air.

"You guys did a great job," Ash praised his Gyarados while smiling up at them. "We couldn't have done it without you."

"Any of you," Giselle added as she walked over to her own two Pokémon and rubbed them thankfully upon the head.

Ash then looked up to his shoulder at Pikachu and asked in concern, "You okay now buddy?"

The little Electric-Type smiled and chirped in reply, "Pikachu Pi!"

However, before Ash could say anything else Solidad beat him to it by walking forward and examining the greenhouse. "The damage is worse than I thought it would be..." She observed solemnly while allowing her bright blue eyes to survey the carnage that had been wrought upon Erika's gym.

Turning their focus to what she was talking about as well, Ash and his other friends were forced to admit that the redhead was right. The greenhouse itself was all but burned to nothing with only a few plants and shrubs remaining in the whole area.

"Man..." Ash voiced in slight disbelief as he looked around at the still smoldering piles of ashes that were once vibrant, green, beautiful vegetation. "This is almost unbelievable..."

Suddenly, and to everyone's surprise, the main doors of the greenhouse from the lobby, on the farthest end of the room, swung open as several uniformed firefighters all came charging in followed by Officer Jenny.

As soon as they caught sight of the female police officer Ash and his friends felt their stomachs drop into their feet. That fear was compounded on several seconds later when, after a stunned Officer Jenny looked around in awe at the now fire-free greenhouse while the firemen who came in with her did the same, she finally settled her gaze onto them.

Almost like a Snorlax who had just gotten it's favorite snack ripped way from it, Jenny's face contorted into one of pure anger that contained slight hints of surprise and disbelief as well in her expression. Although, the predominant emotion was definitely anger.

Pointing at them Officer Jenny shouted, "YOU!" and then promptly marched full steam ahead in their direction.

For Ash's part, he almost had a wild idea to run. Run away and never look back and maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't get caught. But, in the end, common sense won the day and told him to stay put since he knew he would only get so far before Jenny undoubtedly caught him and then, repercussions would be even worse for attempting to flee.

As the irate officer finally reached the group of young trainers she simply looked between all of them and then at the many Pokémon she could also see. Mostly, but not exclusively, that being the five huge Gyarados that were just behind Ash, his friends and their own Pokémon.

Being a smart woman - after all she wouldn't hold the position she did if she wasn't - the blue haired uniformed official crossed her arms and glared at the five very guilty looking young people in front of her.

"Are you five indeed responsible for this?!" She demanded in a tone that commanded an answer.

Hanging his head guiltily Ash just responded with a subdued, "Yes ma'am..."

Tapping her fingers on her arm, Officer Jenny nodded and narrowed her eyes. "I thought as much. Are you all insane?! Do you have any idea, any clue how dangerous what you did was?!"

All of them nodded but dared not speak as she continued, "I expressly forbade you to get involved and you went and did it anyway! You do realize you broke the law by not doing what a police official told you to do don't you?!"

Again, they all nodded but this time, Ash looked up. "Officer Jenny I know you're upset and I know we disobeyed you but we did it for the Pokémon! They were in trouble and if we wouldn't have come and saved them they would have died! We got them all out and saved a lot of lives!"

"And what about your lives huh young man?!" Jenny questioned harshly. "You could have easily died doing what you did and we wouldn't have known about it until it was too late because we had no idea what you were doing! I know Pokémon are important to trainers like yourselves but my job, first and foremost, is to assure the safety of everyone involved in a disaster like this and to also make sure that no one else needlessly puts their lives at risk! Which would only make our jobs that much harder in the long run!"

Ash nodded and looked down again while the female officer eventually just sighed and rubbed her forehead as some of her anger left her. "Look..." Her tone was a little more calm and level. "I do appreciate what you kids did. But you're just that... kids. You can't go doing things like this and getting involved in affairs that aren't your place to be in because it's simply against the law."

She placed her hands on her hips and looked at all of them again, each in turn. "Some of my sisters and cousins are a lot more lax concerning this stuff than I am but it's just because I don't want to see anybody get hurt or die. I didn't press the issue when you helped out with that burglary today because you were just being a concerned and helpful citizen but getting involved with something as dangerous as a building on fire is completely different."

Her face softened at that moment. "What all of you did was very brave, yes. And I'll admit, you performed a great service today. You're probably right too, before you stepped in we were no closer to stopping that fire than we were before you got here and I hate to say it but yes... the Pokémon may have died. You saved lives and you did our job for us by putting the fire out, and in a way we probably never would have thought of either by the looks of things. For that, I do truly thank you and commend you for doing everything you did."

"Well... we also caught the arsonist," Ash suddenly interjected before she could go on.

Hearing this, Officer Jenny's eyes widened. "The what?! You mean this wasn't an accidental fire? A person did this?!"

Giselle nodded and spoke up for the first time, "Yes ma'am. It was the same person who broke into the Celadonia Boutique today that Ash caught and got back the stuff they stole."

Jenny immediately became interested as she looked back at Ash. "Do you know where he is now? Can you take me to him?"

The boy just nodded and then replied, "Yes Officer Jenny. We left them tied up with Erika and her employees outside. I can take you there if you want?"

The female officer nodded. "Please do, if a person caused this fire then it was a criminal offense and they need to be arrested!"

Returning all of their Pokémon after Jenny made her request, Ash and his friends led her through the greenhouse that all of the firefighters were now investigating in full force and out into the hallway that the group of young friends had come from originally.

After making the short trip through the halls and to the hole in the wall that Primeape had made quite some time before, Ash and the others stepped through it with a visibly questioning Officer Jenny and into the now fully nighttime air outside.

As soon as Erika, the ladies with her and even all of the greenhouse Pokémon spotted them they immediately cheered in relief and called out to Ash and the others. Unfortunately, that relief didn't last and instead turned into full on fear and slight panic as they saw Officer Jenny appear as well.

"Uh-oh..." Gerania muttered while sliding closer to Rose and Tulia as she whispered to them. "This can't be good..."

The other two just shook their heads silently as Officer Jenny walked over to them all and then looked down at the unconscious Thomas and Koffing, whom were still laying tied up in thick webbing on the ground.

"So... these are the perpetrators?" Jenny asked as she looked at Erika, Ash and everyone else.

"Yes Officer Jenny," Erika spoke up as she tried to act as indifferently towards the bound thief as possible. "This is the man who broke into my gym, tried to burn it to the ground and also attempted to steal valuable items irreplaceable to our business' continued success."

Delilah spoke up as well while giving a disgusted look at the unconscious man. "He's also the same one who broke into our shop today and tried to steal our perfumes!"

Jenny simply nodded and then spoke into the radio on her right shoulder, "This is Jenny. I need a unit from the front to come around behind the gym and assist me. I have an incarcerated perpetrator in custody responsible for arson, breaking and entering and attempted theft-"

Ash and Erika shared a look between each other then before smiling as the blue haired gym leader interrupted, "He tried to kill Ash and myself as well when we encountered him officer."

Jenny looked back at Erika and then spoke into the radio again. "It looks like we can add attempted murder onto the list of charges as well. Please respond immediately."

After ending her communication with the police forces at the front of the gym, Jenny turned her full attention back to Ash and his friends for several long moments without speaking. Finally though, after seemingly having an internal debate with herself, the curvy policewoman sighed and placed her hands on her hips.

"Alright look... I usually don't do this but given the circumstances I think I can make an exception in this case. I'm not going to press charges against any of you as long as you get out of here now before my men arrive. If they, or Arceus forbid the press, see you and any questions get asked about how all of this went down, I would have to tell my superiors the truth of how I let you go and that alone would be breaking enough codes of conduct to see me suspended permanently."

At Ash and his friend's faces brightening up with both happiness and surprise due to her unexpected leniency, Jenny appeared stern again as her voice became serious. "And I mean it you five! Don't go breathing a word to anyone about this or we could all be in trouble, you understand? Those firemen who saw you aren't an issue but my boys and the press corps? That's a totally different matter entirely."

She then turned to Erika and the other ladies. "I'm going to need all of you to swear to secrecy as well. If anyone asks you arrived on the scene in panic when you heard your gym was on fire and found all of your Pokémon here with these two-" She gestured to the tied up vandals at her feet. "Already here like this. Got it?"

The Celadonia Boutique beauties all nodded in eager compliance with her orders just as they heard the boots of several other officers coming their way from around the front of the gym. Knowing they needed to leave, Ash quickly nodded to Jenny in thanks and then he and his friends gave a fast goodbye to Erika and the others, along with a promise to see them later, before running for the barrier of trees behind the gym.

They had no more than gotten into the concealed cover of the small strip of trees and bushes that separated the rest of the city from the Celadon Gym before Jenny's fellow officers arrived on the scene and immediately started investigating the area. As was standard protocol for all law enforcement agencies.

After watching a couple of the officers grab Thomas and Koffing off the ground at Jenny's command, Ash and his friends looked on from their hiding space as a few more uniformed men ushered Erika, her employees and all of the greenhouse Pokémon away from the area.

Following where the police officers were leading them with their eyes, the concealed group of trainers could see Erika and the others being taken to the front of the gym. A place where they could also just manage to see Nurse Joy waiting next to an ambulance behind the police line that had been created around the lot that the gym resided in. Several human EMT's were flanking her as well in the event that there had been any human victims.

Noticing the growing crowd of people, news vans and reporters gathering in the street out in front of the gym, Ash and his friends shared a look of mutual relief that Jenny had let them off the hook before the black haired boy dropped to his butt next to a tree and sighed heavily. Pikachu mimicking his trainer's actions by seemingly slumping atop his shoulder with a tired "Pika..."

"I am so glad that's over," Ash breathed as he leaned his head back against the tree. "I was afraid we were all gonna get arrested there for a second..."

"Or turn into tomorrow's front page news," Solidad offered up as she turned away from watching what was going on at the front end of the gym. "We're lucky Officer Jenny let us go, that's for sure."

Misty sniffed herself then and made a disgusted face. "Yeah I'm glad she did too but right now all I care about is getting to the nearest Pokémon Center and taking a shower. I smell like a furnace!"

"Me too..." Giselle agreed somewhat despondently as she sniffed her long brown hair with a sigh. "It'll take forever to get the smell of smoke out of my hair..."

Brock dusted his clothes off and stood up. "That's actually a good idea. We've done all we can do here so it'd be best if we just found the Pokémon Center, got cleaned up and retired for the night."

Ash stood up as well and nodded. "I agree. We can stop by Erika's shop tomorrow and see how everyone's doing then."

With their minds made up, Ash and his friends quickly left the area and stepped out onto the opposite street on the other side of the small strip of 'forest' they had been hiding in. Together, the group of exhausted but accomplished feeling friends traveled into the city, away from all the post-dramatic chaos, and gradually disappeared and blended into the hustle and bustle of the busy nighttime Celadon streets.

In fact, if not for the likes of Officer Jenny, Erika and her friends knowing the truth of what happened that night, it would almost had been as though none of them were ever involved at all.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

The next day, after having enjoyed a long and much needed night's sleep, Ash and his friends could be seen walking through the once more daytime streets of bustling Celadon City with a much more lively and rested look upon their faces than they had adorned the evening before.

Having woken up that morning at close to eight a.m. and deciding to forgo training - mostly since he believed he and his Pokémon more than deserved a day of rest after the life imperiling events they had experienced the night before - Ash simply partook in a peaceful and relaxed breakfast with his friends down in the lobby of the Pokémon Center they had found to stay at during their time in the city.

Even though none of them spoke on it Ash could tell Brock, Misty, Solidad, Giselle and even Pikachu were content with the chance to simply do nothing after all that had occurred at the Celadon Gym.

In fact, while in the midst of eating the breakfast that they had settled for just ordering from the cafe in the center, Ash and the others had seen Nurse Joy tiredly moving about behind the front counter with a cup of coffee in her hand as she yawned about ten times in what couldn't have been more than a fifteen minute span. An exhaustion that had to have been caused by the emergency at the gym the night before.

What was even more, while watching the news as they ate, the group of young Pokémon enthusiasts saw the coverage of what had occurred at the Celadon Gym playing on nearly every local news station and even some of the bigger ones from around the region. A massive amount of coverage that no doubt had been undertaken in the first place due to the gym itself not only being one of the 'Main Eight' in Kanto, but also since it was owned by Erika. A woman well known for her famous brand of perfumes region-wide.

The main story being told on the news was what Officer Jenny gave to the press that night. Basically being that a man with undisclosed personal ties to Erika went insane with a desire for revenge and attempted to ruin her life and business by burning down her gym after attempting a previously foiled robbery of her renowned shop earlier that same day.

The story went on to give vague but still mostly accepted details by the simpleminded media. Of which revolved around the brave Celadon Fire Department fighting and eventually winning a long, arduous battle against the burning gym. Afterwards, Officer Jenny and her fellow officers made the arrest of the criminal and his Pokémon that had started the fire and whom had also gotten trapped in the gym shortly after starting said blaze.

Content with the accepted truth of the incident since it made no mention of them, Ash and his friends had simply shared an amused glance with one another before silently returning their attention back to their breakfast and enjoying the rest of the morning.

And that was where the current timeline of events led up to. With the traveling group of trainers arriving at Erika's shop which, surprisingly enough, they could see was actually open for business from the way the door was open and a sign hung from the doorknob reading "Please come in!".

Walking up to the shop and stepping inside, Ash and the other four with him found a rather amazing sight of practically the entire shop being packed full of people. Even more so, they could see all of the girls, even the ones from the gym, running throughout the store helping the many different patrons. All of them were even dressed in the same pink outfit that Delilah, Orchida and Chrysa had been wearing the day before when they first met Ash and co.

"Wow, this is a huge crowd of people," Giselle observed as a man squeezed passed her and excused himself.

"No kidding," Ash agreed as he sidestepped someone else. However, a few seconds later they heard someone call out to them and then turned to see a vaguely familiar blue haired woman hurrying over to greet them.

It took a few seconds for them to figure out who she was but as the woman came closer her features finally gave away her identity. Granted, without her hair intricately done up, makeup on and a fancy kimono adorning her slim figure, it was hard to recognize her but the face and eyes indeed gave it away as soon as she got close enough.

"Erika?" Ash questioned in surprise as the young woman came to stand before them. "Wow you look different. In a good way! But still... different!"

Today the Celadon Gym Leader was dressed in a dark blue sleeved button-up shirt, a cream colored skirt that went down to mid-thigh and a pair of low-heeled white shoes on her feet. To complete her ensemble, Erika also had her surprisingly short blue locks hanging freely down to her neck with a red hairband partway up the crown of her head. The bluenette also didn't have any makeup on, though it did little to take away from her natural beauty.

"Well this is how I normally look when I don't wear my special event outfits silly!" Erika jested kindly as she crossed her hands in front of her and then asked, "How did you all sleep last night? I hope well!"

Brock laughed and gestured at himself. "Are you kidding? I slept like a log as soon as my head hit the pillow!"

Solidad smiled and put her hands on her hips. "I think we all did. I might have even heard Ash snoring from across the hall."

The boy in question rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly while everyone else got a small laugh out of the joke. However, the moment of mirth was eventually ended when Ash suddenly asked as his face morphed into one of concern, "Hey how are the Pokémon and where are they at right now Erika?"

The bluenette smiled again and shook her head. "Don't worry Ash, they're all fine. I have a nice little rooftop garden where I live here in the city and I allowed all of the greenhouse Pokémon to stay there for now."

The young trainer sighed in relief while Misty then asked curiously as she looked around. "Erika, why are there so many people here today?"

Before she could answer though, Delilah spotted them and waved before coming over and greeting cheerily, "Hi everyone! We were all hoping we'd see you sometime soon today!"

Ash and his friends gave their own greetings to the peppy woman as her voice then dropped a little lower at the same time she looked over at Erika. "Well last night things got a little rushed so me and the other girls became a little concerned when were separated so abruptly like that."

The blond's boss nodded in agreement. "Yes we were but after we got rushed away there wasn't much we could do." She then turned to look at the packed shop. "Now as for your question Misty, we were just as surprised as you when we got here this morning!"

Delilah suddenly interjected. "Yeah it was so crazy! We decided to open up the store today anyway because... you know..." Her face became a little sad then which was mirrored by Erika. "Otherwise we would have just sat around feeling sad about the gym..."

Ash and his friends looked at one another and each of them felt solemn as they recalled just how bad a shape the greenhouse was in after the fire finally got extinguished. Though, not dwelling on sad and negative thoughts, Delilah smiled again and gestured around at the shop. "But as the morning wore on we just started seeing dozens of customers showing up to shop and buy our products! We've already sold out of five different kinds of perfumes!"

"Really?" Ash asked in amazement. "Hey that's great!"

Erika smiled while Delilah nodded happily and then reached out to gently rub Pikachu under the chin. Something that made the Electric-Type coo pleasantly as he lifted his face up and allowed her to continue rubbing his short yellow fur.

"Actually," The bluenette said as she finally withdrew her hand. "I think I know why. We all do really, after spending most of the morning thinking about it."

"What is it?" Giselle asked curiously. "I know this place is popular but this is almost insane."

"Well..." Erika began. "The theory is that since pretty much everyone here probably saw the news this morning about what happened to my gym, they most likely are afraid now that we have no way to manufacture new perfumes and that what we have currently is all we will ever have again. In basic terms, they're most likely betting on this shop folding and closing down in the not too distance future."

Ash found it rather strange to hear Erika talking about such a depressing possibility with such casual cheerfulness and he voiced as much a few seconds later by asking slowly, "Sooo... I mean no offense Erika but... isn't that technically what's going to happen? We were there and we saw the greenhouse remember? There's... there's really nothing much left."

Erika just giggled and waved his concern off. "Oh Ash! While it is true that the greenhouse is in ruin we'll be able to fix it and eventually get it back to what it once was." She then covered the side of her mouth and whispered. "After all, we have all of you to thank for assuring we even still have a gym to fix up and repair back to working order again in the first place!"

Ash and his friends shared a confused look with one another before Brock scratched his head and asked in a confused manner, "Well that's great and everything but what about for right now? The gym is going to take awhile to be repaired and to regrow all you lost in the greenhouse will take double that time. Do you even have enough product to last that long?"

Erika merely shrugged. "We have more than enough perfumes in storage to last us a few months even with this kind of crowd. Like I said, the people here are just freaking out by going off of what they heard on the overly dramatic news. It doesn't mean their fears are real or founded."

She smiled again. "Besides, that rooftop garden I told you about has many of the plants we lost in the fire planted up there, and our lab at the gym is still in working order thanks to you. I can still cultivate and create new scents and even replicate old ones using the herbs and plants in my own personal garden. And with all of the Grass-Type Pokémon living up there now, they can continue to help me in the way they did back at the gym. It may not be ideal but it will get us by until everything returns to normal."

A look of surprise but also happy relief passed over the faces of Ash and his friends at Erika's revelation while Misty sighed and then smiled. "That's the best news I've heard all morning. I'm glad to hear you have something to fall back on Erika."

The others nodded in agreement and smiled as well which made Erika suddenly bow her head to them slightly. "On that note I want to take this moment to truly say just how thankful we are... all of us... for everything you did for us. We owe you a gratitude that can never be fully repaid but, if at all possible, we would like to do what we can."

She then gestured to Delilah, who nodded and then went behind the counter and into the back room, while Erika looked between each of the five trainers gathered before her. "I know this isn't much but we all agreed on it this morning and hope you will take these gifts as tokens of our appreciation."

The blond woman suddenly came back then carrying several small cases in her hands which she walked up and handed one of each to Ash, Brock, Misty, Giselle and Solidad. Afterwards, she stepped back while they examined the cases and then opened them to reveal a bottle of perfume in each one. Or, in Brock's case, some kind of cologne.

While the five of them checked out the scented gifts they had been given, Erika explained what they all were. "Brock, what we've given you is a rare scent that we crafted especially for men, one of the few, from a mix of juniper essence and Victreebell Sweet Scent."

She then looked to the three girls of the group and nodded to the vials they now held. "Those three scents are some of most popular and best selling we carry. Each one is blended with sapphire tulip extract, water lily dew and Johto cultivated natural honey. It takes a combination of Oddish and Vileplume Sweet Scent to add the final aromatic touch to it."

The blue haired woman glanced to Ash and smiled. "Now as for yours Ash, Delilah told me your mother liked a specific perfume from our catalogue and once she showed me which brand it was, we decided to give this one to you as a present for her. It's the biggest bottle we have so, hopefully, it will last her awhile."

Ash and his friends all thanked Erika sincerely for the expensive gifts but both women merely shook their heads with Delilah speaking for the two of them. "You don't need to thank us, any of you. This was the least we could do for all you did for us. So please, enjoy them."

Erika nodded. "Yes, we're just sorry we don't have anything more to offer you. But Delilah is right, please take these gifts as a token of our appreciation for all of your kindness and bravery."

Ash and his friends shared looks of happiness between them before taking turns thanking the women. Ash himself was last as he said simply, "We just did what was right Erika. And thank you, this is great. I know my mom is gonna love this."

The blue haired woman smiled cheerfully while Delilah looked around and then spoke somewhat remorsefully, "I'm sorry the other girls couldn't be present while we gave you your gifts but as you can see, it's very busy here and there's really not any time. I know they wanted to see and talk to all of you again after last night."

Ash just shook his head. "That's okay, we understand. I can see how busy you are and we should actually probably let you two get back to work now and help them."

He then looked back at his friends. "I'd like to take this perfume to the local post office and get it sent back to my mom as a present if you guys don't mind. Maybe afterwards we can come back here this evening once the crowd of people starts to thin out and then hang out with Erika and the others."

None of his traveling companions seemed to have any issues with Ash's suggestion and neither did Erika as she smiled brightly. "That sounds great! Maybe we can all order some takeout from a nice little sandwich shop I know of and just spend the evening here together."

Delilah smiled as well. "I like the sound of that Erika and I'm sure the other ladies will too!"

The five visiting Pokémon lovers just looked at one another and smiled in tandem before nodding as Misty answered for them with a small laugh, "I think we would all love that too!"

"Okay then we'll see you this evening," Erika affirmed with a tilt of her head. "Have a safe day and the postal building is only about fifteen blocks or so from here in the commerce & business district.

If you move at a steady pace through the mid-afternoon lunch rush you should be able to get there in about half an hour, give or take."

Ash nodded. "Cool Erika thanks. We'll probably just go touring the city after I mail off this perfume to burn time."

Suddenly, before he and his friends could leave, Erika held her hand out to them and spoke with a hint of nervous hesitance in her voice. "Wait Ash! Before you go... about the gym battle I know you want to have with me I... I'm sorry but I won't be able to give it to you for a little while. With everything that's happened recently we just-"

The young man turned around and smiled before shaking his head. "Don't worry Erika, I understand. I kind've figured our battle would have to be postponed for awhile and that's okay, I can wait. None of us have really had a chance to experience everything this city has to offer yet and I'm sure you ladies could probably use some help with things here and maybe at the gym while the fallout from yesterday has a chance to settle so... I don't see why we can't stick around."

He then looked to his friends. "How about you guys?"

Solidad shrugged her shoulders. "My next contest in Fuchsia City isn't for a short time yet so I don't have a problem with it."

"Neither do I," Misty said with a shake of her head. "I would like to see this city a little more too so I'm fine with staying."

"Me too," Giselle agreed. "Plus, I haven't gotten to hit the shopping districts yet! If they're anything like Saffron then I guarantee I'm going to have a great time!"

Brock smiled and crossed his arms. "I'd also like to check out the Golden Magikarp while we're here so it's fine with me."

Ash shared a look up on his shoulder with Pikachu, whom seemed to be in equal agreement, and then chuckled before glancing back to Erika again. "Well, there you have it. Looks like we're staying!"

The pretty young gym leader seemed to adopt an expression of relief at everyone's willingness to cooperate with the misfortune that had befallen her and her friends and showed it by bowing her head. "Thank you, all of you. I truly do appreciate your patience and understanding and I'm sure we'll be able to accept your help in the days ahead. Thank you again."

After Erika gave her words of gratitude to them, Ash and his friends left the shop with Delilah waving them off before she and her employer quickly returned to assisting the other girls in the shop. The help being much needed as the large crowd of patrons seemingly just kept pouring into the store in droves.

While the day definitely seemed busy with hardly any end in sight, Erika and Delilah, as well as Ash and his friends, eagerly awaited the coming evening and the time in which they would be able to simply sit around together and enjoy a peaceful period of fellowship and camaraderie. Something much needed after the stressful events that had taken place prior.

And enjoy it indeed they would.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

---

In a dark office, far below the bustling and buzzing with activity Celadon Game Lounge, a slick-styled brown haired man dressed in a black suit, emblazoned with a bright red "R" on the left breast pocket, sat silently in the chair behind his large desk. A lone Persian also sat by his side with it's head resting on the man's lap as he lazily stroked the soft, cream colored fur with his (quite expensive looking) ring adorned hand.

Standing before the seated man were two Team Rocket Grunts dressed in the standard issue attire for such a position, their postures rigid and firm as though they were made of stone. In front of them was a large TV screen lowered down from the ceiling with several different images playing in smaller, squarely divided sections within the bigger screen so the man behind the desk could observe what was being shown on the sizable monitor.

As his dark eyes cooly observed the activity that was currently taking place in the always lively Game Lounge above - from the gambling casino and slot machine room to the family friendly game corner and even some kind of stage-themed battle auditorium - the mysterious man suddenly had his attention pulled to the call box on his desk. Of which had a woman's very professional voice speaking through it's audio panel at that same moment.

"Mr. Giovanni you have an incoming call from Dr. Zager, would you like for me to connect him through?"

The suited man pressed the button on the front of the small machine and responded smoothly, yet also sternly. "Yes. Send him through."

Within seconds the TV monitor he had been watching suddenly turned blue before a spinning loading icon showed up on the screen. A few moments later a new image appeared on the monitor, which took up it's entire surface and showed the face and upper torso of a white haired older man with an identically colored mustache and glass monocle over his left eye. Even though he was wearing a partially unbuttoned white lab coat it still showed the large red "R" printed on the same side as the other man's suit.

As the now revealed Giovanni took in the appearance of the very stern looking old man, whom appeared to be in a tent of some kind if the background was any indication, he sat back in his chair again and spoke calmly. "Ah, Dr. Zager. I trust you have news of our little operation's current progress if you have seen fit to contact me."

The white haired scientist merely nodded before replying in a gruff and cold tone, "Yes Giovanni. The status of our mission is positive indeed and things are proceeding according to plan."

The brown haired man continued to lightly stroke his Persian upon the head. "From what you tell me I assume you have managed to locate the small island region of Holon then?"

Zager simply nodded once more. "Agent-M's coordinates led us straight to where we needed to go once we decoded them, a near perfect shot directly south of Kanto and far beyond Sevii. Just as her notes instructed. Upon arriving we immediately set up base camp and surveyed the land, although there wasn't much to see. Most of this large island region is covered in forest and bordered by a mountain to the north."

Giovanni appeared to become genuinely interested as he then asked in a manner which sounded more demanding than anything else. "And what of the specimen? Have you managed to collect it?"

The older doctor tilted his head. "Agent-M's notes also led us to the small, primitive city in the middle of this island just as she assured. It was a crude and simple community inhabited by an indigenous group of people whom do indeed have a strong fascination, bordering on deification, of the Mirage Pokémon."

The sour-faced doctor then grunted while narrowing his eyes. "However primitive they are, somehow these savages managed to create a surprisingly sophisticated electromagnetic tracking beacon of sorts centered within a large tower in the middle of the city. While there is no denying the crudeness of it's design or the device's over-dependence on the area's local population of Pokémon to physically power it, the tower seems to serve a quite fascinating purpose."

The Team Rocket Boss raised an eyebrow curiously. "Go on."

Zager pushed his monocle further up his eye before explaining. "This region is abundant in invisible electromagnetic waves. Due, in part I believe, to the unique electrically-charged mineral structure of the mountain on the island itself. Whatever the cause, there is no denying after checking with our equipment that the natural electrical output in this area is nearly ten times Kanto's own natural magnetic field.

Somehow, these people managed to harness this energy through the construction of their tower and have been using the sample we came for in an attempt to track Mew's movements by following it's own electromagnetic aura."

Giovanni's face showed a rare expression of surprise at that revelation. "They were actually able to find it?!"

Dr. Zager shook his head. "No. They attempted to but were never able to locate it. Supposedly, Mew only appeared to their people once long ago when they first came into possession of the specimen we now seek and out of that one meeting, they came to see it as a God. The entire civilization they have built is a tribute to Mew and their soul purpose is to meet that Pokémon again."

The old man allowed a gleam to enter his eyes then as his voice seemed to mirror the interest he felt. "This island is truly a remarkable place Giovanni. The region's unusual electromagnetic fields have even mutated the genes of the Pokémon here in ways that we have yet to see anywhere else. Interestingly enough, their highest evolutionary forms seem to always adopt a metal-type attribute to their genetics. Essentially allowing many species here to use Steel-Type moves where they otherwise should be incapable. It is fascinating and well worth our time in research."

Giovanni just gave a small, decidedly eery chuckle as he commented idly. "Now, now Dr. Zager, as much as I admire your enthusiasm let us not forget what comes first; Project Genesis. As close as we have come now we cannot allow any distractions to stand in our way. After all, this is far more important than any type-unique Pokémon. We can always focus on this particular little island later, but for now you know what comes first."

The mad doctor subdued himself and nodded. "Of course you are correct Giovanni, sir. Concerning the sample itself, as I have previously stated, it was formally in possession of the people of this island."

The sharp-faced man on the other end of the monitor allowed a knowing smirk to cross his lips as he questioned, "Was? Do tell..."

A sinister smile appeared on the twisted scientist's face then as he cackled darkly and answered, "How do you think I found out so much about the area and the secrets of why they built what they did? People can be very... 'divulging' when properly persuaded or lightly nudged. And of course, sometimes if you nudge a little too hard in the right direction they will simply sing and tell you all you wish to hear."

The Rocket Boss' smirk grew more pronounced and noticeably darker as he rhetorically asked, "Surely they simply didn't just give you what you came for now did they?"

Zager chortled evilly. "Oh I believe we both know how... 'persuasive' Rykon can be when given the right motivation. All they needed was a slight push to make them see things our way. After all... it was either that or watch all they had worked and cared for over the many long years crumble and burn before their very eyes. Now which would you choose?" He ended on an almost sickeningly pleasant note.

Giovanni chuckled again before asking in almost lazy interest as he crossed one leg over the other under the desk. "Did you leave any alive?"

The head Rocket scientist on the top-secret project they were working on gave his most vile smile yet as he answered derisively, "Well... perhaps a few. Enough to fear us and not make any attempts to interfere with our mission during the short time longer that we are here."

His eyes glinted wickedly. "We made sure they had just enough bodies to bury to keep them occupied until we leave. Of course, we are on the other side of the island so I highly doubt they could find us even if they tried to do so."

Giovanni became more serious then as he stopped rubbing Persian and crossed his fingers together in front of his chest. "How long until we can expect you back?"

The distant doctor also adopted his usual stern and cruel expression again before pushing his monocle up once more. "Within the next few days. I have to assure that the specimen is secured enough for travel with no chance of any damage befalling it during the transportation process. That should only take a day. Afterwards we will leave this region and immediately return to New Island so I can begin the next step of our project."

The younger man rested his face behind his hands as he looked at the monitor overtop of his fingers. "I trust all the preparations are already complete at the facility there then?"

Zager nodded to his boss' questioning statement. "Indeed they are. Namba and Fuji are already finishing up the final preparations with the cloning formula and have also readied Serum-X for when it will need to be administered during the very final stages of the subject's development itself. For right now though, the most important order of business is to get this specimen back to the island facility so we can officially begin the process."

Giovanni placed his hands on either of the armrests on his chair and ordered, "Very well. Hurry back as soon as you can and tell Rykon that he can return to base if you no longer have need for him."

Dr. Zager leaned away from the monitor on his end and nodded. "Very well. I will inform him of your order and send Rykon back to your location on the morrow. Until next time Giovanni."

As the screen went black after Zager ended the connection, the leader of the most notorious, mysterious and evil crime syndicate in Kanto leaned forward and laced his fingers together again. All while he stared straight ahead at the now blank TV monitor and let a smirk of the most fiendish design cross his lips.

"Hmhmhmhmhm..." Giovanni chuckled softly to himself in pure evil glee. All while his dark eyes seemed to pierce the shadows of the opposite wall like sharp daggers. "Soon... soon all I desire will be within my grasp and nothing will be able to stand in my way."

His smirk seemed to grow a little wider as the darkness of the room appeared to swallow his features while a whisper as cold as ice drifted throughout the shadowy room. "Nothing..."