After dealing with the Diglett, Ember and her friends continued to find the Fuchsia Gym. But finding the gym was not easy.

"Man, I didn't think that the Fuchsia gym would be so hard to find." Ember complained.

"You said it." Misty agreed.

"Just why would someone build a gym all the way out here?" Ember questioned.

"Why don't we take a break?" Brock suggested and spotted a small waterfall, "And look there's a small waterfall over there."

Ember, Misty, and the Pokémon nodded.

The gang all had their Pokémon out. The gang had spent a week in the forest, Ember was training with her Pokémon which were her Nidoran couple and Natsu. Ember's other Pokémon who were out were Tesla, Lucario, Azure, Scyther, Dratini, and Boltund. Misty let all of her water Pokémon which were Staryu, Starmie, Vaporeon, Mudkip, Lapras, Cloyster, and Dewgong, in the lake nearby along with Dratini. Except Psyduck was on shore. Brock had his Pokémon out which were Onix, Geodude, Zubat, Weepinbell, Rhyhorn, Sandslash, Vulpix, and Diglett. The gang had spent a week in the forest, Ember was training with her Pokémon which were her Nidoran couple and Natsu. At the moment, Brock was brushing Vulpix's fur with a brush.

"Hey Ember," Misty said, "have you decided which Pokémon to use?"

"Fuchsia Gym uses Poison types, so I've figured to use Natsu and my Nidoran's." Ember replied while looking at her phone, trying to the Fuchsia Gym.

"I like that idea," Brock commented, "Besides Poison vs Poison can work."

Ember glanced over at Lucario who looking at the trees. 'Lucario, what's wrong?'

'(I sense that a Pokémon is watching us.)' Lucario replied.

'A Pokémon, why?' Ember asked.

'(Don't know. But I'll keep an eye on it.)' Lucario told her.

'Okay.' Ember nodded.

After their break, they started preparing to continue search for the Gym.

"Let's head off," Ember said after getting all of their Pokémon back into their Pokéballs, except Tesla, Lucario, Boltund, and Psyduck.

"Wait a minute, let's wait for Psyduck." Misty said as they looked over at her Psyduck, who was drinking water from the lake.

"Psyduck, cold water can make headache even worse." Misty advised and Ember looked over to see Psyduck was now standing near them. It looked at Misty with a blank stare and held it's head.

"Sometimes I just look at that Psyduck's face and I get a headache." Misty complained with annoyance.

"Come on guys, we better get going." Ember said as they headed towards the gym.

"According to my phone, the Fuchsia City Gym is," Ember pointed at the mansion in front of them, "right here."

"That's odd. Why is there an old mansion in the middle of nowhere?" Misty asked.

"I don't know. This place seems kind of spooky." Brock replied and turned to Ember, "Are you sure that this is the Fuchsia Gym?"

"Well that's what the map on my phone says," Ember stated and put her phone away, "Anyways, let's be careful once we go in, there's no telling what's in there."

Brock nodded, "That's true."

The gang decided to enter the building that seems to be the Fuchsia Gym.

The gang was walking down a corridor. The weird thing about it was that no one was around.

"Why does it seem like no one lives here?" Misty stopped and leaned against the wall when... "WAH!" She fell through a wall.

"Misty!" Ember, Brock, and the Pokémon exclaimed when they noticed one person from their group was missing.

Brock banged slightly on the wall, "It's a secret door." He stated.

"Secret door?" Ember questioned.

"Yeah," Brock nodded and banged on the door lightly, "When you push the wall, it moves forward like a door."

They found Misty on the other side of the wall, pouting or frowning on the ground.

"What kind of place is this?" Misty asked.

"Well it's definitely not normal, considering that there's a secret door." Ember replied.

"Venonat (Hello)."

Everyone looked to see a purple Pokémon with red eyes and antenna's on its head.

Ember blinked, "A Venonat?" She took out her phone and scanned the Pokémon:

[Venonat, the insect Pokémon. Its eyes act as radar, enabling it to be active in darkness. It is attracted by light at night.]

Misty shuddered as Venonat was a bug Pokémon.

"What's a Venonat doing here?" Brock asked.

Ember walked up to Venonat and knelt down in front of it, "Excuse me, we're looking for the Fuchsia gym leader. I'm hoping to have a gym battle with him. Do you know where he is?"

Venonat nodded, "Veno, Venonat. (Yes, follow me please.)" It said.

Ember stood up and followed the Venonat with Brock, Misty, and the Pokémon behind her.

Ember knew that the Venonat was probably guiding them around the traps that were set up and led them to a more safer direction. They arrived at what looked like a dojo.

Ember looked around, "This is impressive."

"Yeah." Brock agreed.

"But is anyone actually here?" Misty asked.

"It would seem my Venonat decided to lead you the safe way here." A female voice spoke suddenly making them look forward to see a woman with long green hair that was in a ponytail wearing a kunoichi ninja uniform, which was pink.

Ember knew that this woman was Aya, sister to the gym leader, Koga.

Brock had hearts in his eyes, "Hello~" as if using teleportation he was in front of her taking her hand in his, "Hi my name is Brock and I was wondering if you would like to go for a stroll~" his ear was suddenly pulled, pulling him away from the girl.

"You just don't quit, do you?" Misty said as she dragged him away.

"Sorry about that. My name is Ember Ketchum and this is Tesla, Lucario, and Boltund."

All three Pokémon spoke out in greeting.

Ember turned and pointed, "The one who had his ear pulled is Brock while the girl is Misty."

Aya raised a brow, "The gym leaders of Pewter and Cerulean City Gym?"

Ember nodded, "Yeah, they're traveling with me."

"I see." Aya said, "So why are you here?"

"Well I'm hoping to battle Koga the Fuchsia Gym leader for a badge." Ember replied.

"Then so you shall, young lady." A masculine voice spoke.

The gang looked around but didn't see anyone, suddenly a man who was upside down appeared behind Misty, "Welcome." He introduced.

Misty screamed and jumped in Brock's arms, "Wh-wh-what?!"

The man set himself upright and bowed apologetically, "My apologies, it was not my intention to scare you."

The man had spiky black hair and eyes and wore a blue ninja uniform with a long red scarf wrapped around his neck.

Brock put Misty down, "Its okay, you must be the gym leader Koga."

Koga nodded, "Indeed I am," Then he turned to Ember and grinned, "I sense a real fighting spirit in you, if you defeat me you will earn the Soul Badge."

Ember smiled, "Thank you."

They were at the battle arena while Misty and Brock were sitting in the sidelines along with the Pokémon.

Aya acted as referee, "This will be a three-on-three battle between Gym leader Koga and challenger Ember Ketchum. Are both sides ready to battle?"

Koga and Ember nodded.

"Battle begin!"

"Go Venonat!" Koga called out.

"Venonat!" Venonat appeared on the field.

"Okay," Ember took out a Pokéball, "Nidoran, I choose you!" Ember's female Nidoran got her teeth ready to fight. "Nidoran, use Poison Fang."

Nidoran's fangs turned purple and she charged at Venonat to bite it.

"Dodge Venonat." Venonat dodged before Nidoran could do that.

"Venonat use Stun Spore!" Koga ordered.

"Use Dig to dodge and then Super Fang!" Ember countered.

Nidoran dug into the ground before Venonat's Stun Spore could hit her. Then Nidoran appeared behind Venonat and her teeth turned white and bit down on Venonat really hard which made it cry out in pain.

"Use Psybeam!" Koga yelled.

Venonat released a multi-colored beam from its eyes.

"Protect and use Poison Sting." Ember ordered.

Nidoran projected a green colored barrier which protected her. Then she fired purple darts, from her mouth, at Venonat. After the Poison Sting hit Venonat, it started to look sick and was going purple in the face. Then Venonat passed out.

"Venonat is unable to battle. The victory goes to Nidoran." Aya announced.

Suddenly Nidoran began to glow and then turned into a bigger version of herself.

Ember scanned her female Nidoran's new form:

[Nidorina, the poison pin Pokémon. The evolve form of Nidoran. When it senses danger, it raises all the barbs on its body. These barbs grow slower than Nidorino's.]

"Interesting." Koga said.

"Good job." Ember praised Nidorina as she gave her a petting for winning who smiled at the affection.

Koga returned his Venonat, "You've done great. Get some rest."

Ember returned her Nidorina and took out another Pokéball, "Let's go Nidoran!" She released her male Nidoran who stuck its horn in the air, ready to fight.

"Venonat." Koga released his second Pokémon.

"Another Venonat? Does the Fuchsia Gym worship Venonat's or something like that?" Ember questioned, brow arched.

Koga grinned, "Not quite."

Suddenly Venonat started to glow. It grew from a puff ball to a giant moth.

Ember looked at the phone:

[Venomoth, the poison moth Pokémon. The evolved form of Venonat. It flutters its wings to scatter dust like scales. The scales leach toxins if they contact skin.]

"Oh great." Ember muttered, frowning.

"Venomoth, use Stun Spore." Koga ordered.

Venomoth flapped its wings, releasing some golden powder towards Nidoran.

"Not again! Nidoran, use Dig to dodge and then Sludge Bomb!" Ember countered.

Nidoran dug into the floor and jumped out from another area and fired globs of brown sludge from its mouth at Venomoth. The sludge bomb hit Venomoth, causing it to fall onto the floor.

Nidoran growled at Venomoth and started to glow. His body and size began to grow bigger. The glow died down, Nidoran had turned into a bigger version of himself.

Ember looked at the phone:

[Nidorino, the poison pin Pokémon. The evolved form of Nidoran. It has a violent disposition and stabs foes with its horn, which oozes poison upon impact.]

"Interesting. Two evolutions in one battle." Koga smirked, "However let's continue our battle."

Ember nodded, "Nidorino, use-"

BOOM!

Suddenly half of the ceiling collapsed, luckily not above them and only in front of them.

"What is that?!" Ember asked when she saw a green, orange, and black striped curtain in front of them.

When the screen slid to the side, two umbrellas were opened in front of the person.

"Welcome to the show." Two familiar, yet annoying, voices said.

"Team Rocket." Ember groaned.

"Now let our ancient performance begin." Jessie announced, "Prepare for trouble."

James grunted rapidly, "Make it double."

Jessie moved her umbrella to reveal a kabuki costume and makeup, "To protect the world from devastation."

James moved his umbrella up to reveal him also wearing a kabuki costume and make up, "To unite all people's within our nation."

"To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"To extended our reaches to the stars above-"

"Tesla, Boltund, Thunder Bolt!" Ember ordered.

Tesla and Boltund launched their attack and Team Rocket was sent flying through the roof and into the sky.

"That twerp interrupted our motto again!" Jessie seethed.

"Too bad. I was so excited to do our performance." James whined.

"The curtain was drawn way too early for that." Meowth added.

The trio sighed.

"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared into the sky.

The gang sighed when they could no longer see Team Rocket.

"Their motto is so annoying." Misty said.

"Hasn't change at all." Brock added.

"Are you sure that was Team Rocket?" Koga asked.

"Yes, it was. That trio of clowns have been after my Pokémon since I first met them." Ember replied.

"I've heard that they're very ruthless." Aya commented.

"Well we haven't met those kind yet." Ember stated.

"(Ember, the battle.)" Lucario reminded everyone.

"Right. We haven't finished our match, Koga." Ember said.

Koga stood up, "Indeed."

Everyone was outside for the battle. Koga and Ember were facing each other.

Ember held out a Pokéball, "Go Natsu!"

Natsu was released and ready to fight.

Koga held a Pokéball, "Then I will choose..." He threw it up, "Golbat!"

Golbat is a large, blue bat-like Pokémon with purple wing membranes. It has small, slit pupiled eyes, tiny triangular ears with purple insides, and a massive mouth with two fangs in each jaw. It has short legs with long feet.

"Golbat?" Ember asked as she held her phone.

[Golbat. Attacking with its sharp fangs, this Pokémon can drain three hundred cubic centimeters of blood per bite.]

Golbat was flying back and forth in front of Natsu.

"Be careful with this one, Natsu." Ember warned.

"Golbat, Wing Attack." Koga ordered.

Golbat's wings glowed and drove down, ready to strike Natsu with its wings.

"Use Double Team!" Ember countered.

Natsu created copies of himself which made Golbat miss the real one.

"Now use Ember attack!" Ember ordered.

Natsu held his tail up, spinning around, letting sparks fly from his tail to keep Golbat away.

"Golbat, use your Screech attack." Koga commanded.

Golbat opened it's mouth wider and released thin yellow circles from it's mouth, causing a loud, piercing noise, making Natsu and all of them cover their ears.

"Ooh, I can't stand that noise." Misty complained.

"Ah! I'm getting goose bumps." Brock held his arms around himself in fright.

"Natsu, Flamethrower!" Ember called.

The noise stopped as Natsu used the attack, making Golbat stop and dodge the attacks as Natsu kept trying to hit it with his Flamethrower, which he finally did when Golbat's wing got hit by the flames.

"Okay, finish it off with Fire Spin!" Ember said.

Natsu opened his mouth and a spiraling flame was released, trapping and burning Golbat in a fiery tornado.

"Golbat!" Koga called before the tornado disappeared and Golbat fell to the ground, unconscious.

Ember walked closer to Natsu and knelt down next to him with a smile and hugged him, "We did it!"

Natsu smiled at Ember as Brock, Misty, and the Pokémon walked closer.

Koga returned Golbat into it's Pokéball and walked closer with a smile, "You have beaten me, Ember. And you've done it well." He unfolded the map to show the Soul Badge, "This Soul Badge rightfully belongs to you."

Ember stood up and took the badge with a smile. "Thank you," she said and looked at her new badge, "A Soul Badge, all right."

Koga looked at his sister, "We both have a lot to learn about battle. We will now train even harder, Aya."

"Yes, brother," Aya agreed with a smile and looked at Ember, "And I hope when we'll meet again, we'll have a battle."

Ember smiled, "Sounds good for me."

Brock suddenly grabbed Aya's hand, "I am more then happy to stay and help you train."

Misty grabbed his collar from behind in annoyance and dragged him away, "Cool off, will you?"

Ember and her Pokémon exchanged an amused look and chuckled.

After that, we all said goodbye to Koga, Aya, and their Pokémon before heading out. They stopped by the Pokémon center to get Ember's Pokémon checked up. Once they were all healed, Ember sent Nidorina, Nidorino, Natsu, Azure, and Scyther back to the corral for some rest after their training and battle. She also decided to bring Bulbasaur, Rory, Flareon, Vaporeon and Comet onto her team. After that, they headed towards their next stop which was the Safari Zone.

Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Dratini (F), Boltund (M), Bulbasaur (M), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Flareon (M), Vaporeon (F), Shiny Rapidash (Comet)(M)

Prof. Oak's Lab:

Mienfoo (F), Glaceon (F), Leafeon (F), Jolteon (F), Flareon (M), Vaporeon (F), Sylveon (F), Shiny Umbreon (Mani)(M), Espeon (F), Clefable (F), Sandslash (M), Rockfuff (M), Gengar (M), Butterfree (M), Pink Butterfree (Momo)(F), Primeape (M), Pidgeot (F), Raboot (M), Braixen (F), Kingler (M), Squirtle (M), Muk (M), Magnemite (Genderless), Nidorina (F), Nidorino (M), Shiny Charmander (Natsu)(M), Shiny Suicune (Azure)(F), Scyther (F)