Even before entering the building, Axel could guess as to the Gym's type- the building was concealed behind rows and rows of trees, to the point where Ragweed had to Cut one down to make a path. There was also lush, green grass lining the path, instead of the usual bricks that made up pretty much the rest of Celadon City. And then, as Axel entered, he did see a bunch of trees, flowers, and grass growing indoors, but also, as an old man outside so kindly informed him, the place was full of women. Axel couldn't help but grin, as a good number of these girls looked around close to his age.

However, they all seemed more interested in battling, none of them too happy about a boy being in Celadon Gym, and even less so when they witnessed their Grass-types fall to Ozone's Fly and Kraken's recently-learned Ice Beam.

Finally, Axel reached the Gym Leader... as she lay snoozing on the ground. Hurriedly, one of the Cooltrainers nearby woke her up.

"Zzz... hmm? Wha? Oh, hello," the Gym Leader said softly as she stood up. "Lovely weather, isn't it? It's so pleasant... Oh, dear, I must have dozed off," she added sheepishly. "I'm sorry."

"It's no problem," Axel replied. "My name's Axel, by the way."

"Well, welcome," the Gym Leader smiled. "My name is Erika. I am the Leader of Celadon Gym. My Pokémon are all of the Grass type, and we teach the art of flower arranging."

"Flower arranging?" repeated Axel. "But we came here for a Gym battle!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," apologized Erika. "I had no idea that you wished to challenge me. Very well... but I shall not lose!" she declared, throwing a Poké Ball into the air. "Tangela!" she called, as what appeared to be a tangled mass of blue vines materialized.

"Itchy!" Axel exclaimed, throwing a Poké Ball of his own. "Use Hyper Fang!"

"Rrrraticate!" Itchy screeched, lunching forward and sinking his fangs into Tangela.

"Tangela, Bind it!" ordered Erika.

"Hyper Fang again!" ordered Axel.

Tangela's vines started to unravel and snake their way towards Itchy, but the Raticate deftly dodged them and delivered another powerful Hyper Fang attack.

"Use Mega Drain," said Erika.

"Taaaaang!" exclaimed Tangela. Its eyes glowed green, and numerous pale-green beads of energy flew out of Raticate's body, and into Tangela's.

"Itchy! One more Hyper Fang!" commanded Axel.

"Bind!" called Erika.

Itchy managed to land the Hyper Fang, but this time, Tangela's vines coiled around the Raticate, leaving Axel helpless as he watched them squeeze his Raticate... until finally, Itchy broke free.

"Now! Hyper Fang!" called Axel.

"Rrrrraticate!" screeched Itchy as he lunged forward, and this time, Tangela slumped to the ground.

"Come back, Tangela," said Erika calmly, holding out the Poké Ball. "You're not bad, Axel," she said as she threw another ball. "Now, Weepinbell!"

"Itchy, come back!" called Axel, withdrawing his Raticate as he threw another Poké Ball of his own. "Kraken! Ice Beam!"

The Gyarados gave a shrieking roar as the icy blast erupted from his mouth. Weepinbell cried out in pain as the Ice Beam made contact, but it was still standing.

"Sleep Powder!" ordered Erika.

However, as Weepinbell tried to spray the Gyarados with a fine blue powder, Kraken fired off another Ice Beam, this one managing to finish Weepinbell.

"Come back, Weepinbell," said Erika, already throwing a third ball. "Gloom!" she exclaimed.

This time, the Pokémon that appeared was a dark shade of blue, with foul-smelling drool oozing from its mouth. Axel had fought one or two of these in the past, and didn't think this one would be any different. "Kraken, Ice Beam!" he ordered his Gyarados.

"Gloom, Petal Dance!" commanded Erika.

The Ice Beam struck first, blasting Gloom with icy energy. However, the Grass/Poison-type was still standing, and on Erika's command, started to twirl around in place. Immediately, flower petals appeared out of nowhere, spinning around Gloom like a tornado. And then, the petal tornado launched itself forward, slamming into Kraken, who shrieked in pain. Gloom, curiously, continued to twirl.

"Ice Beam once again, Kraken!" ordered Axel. In response, the Gyarados repeated its attack, and that was enough to stop Gloom from spinning. Or standing, for that matter.

"Oh! I concede defeat," sighed Erika, bowing her head as she withdrew Gloom.

"Yes!" Axel exclaimed as he hugged Kraken. The Gyarados gave a happy roar in response.

"You are remarkably strong," Erika smiled as she approached Axel. "I am happy to present you with this Rainbow Badge," she added, handing Axel a badge that looked like a flower with multicolored petals. "With this, any Pokémon of yours that knows Strength will be able to use it outside of battle. And take this as well," she added, handing a green disc to Axel. "This Technical Machine teaches Mega Drain, the move my Tangela used earlier. Half the energy drained by it is used to heal the user."

"Thanks, Erika," smiled Axel, before exiting the Gym.