Note: This chapter is of course, inspired by episode 26. It's fairly different but the inspiration is still pretty clear. Enjoy!
30: Team Rocket vs. Erika
As she walked along the path, getting to the outskirts of Celadon, Erika spotted the well manicured garden someone had gone through the trouble to plant and maintain. Had it been here before? She ran forward to see everything better. Going to see more of Kanto, beautiful sights like this could be spotted. Erika paused and admired the individual colors before noticing rows of different colors correlating with the paint on the paved walkway. She stepped from one color to the next. Before she knew it, she was running down the path, enjoying the feel of the shorts and pants that were typical of the traveling trainer she'd become. This wasn't her typical style of clothing, but her parents had been correct that it would be easier for her to move when constantly on the go while traveling.
Reaching the end of the garden, Erika turned back around to see the whole thing. A sign was posted, indicating this garden was to welcome others to Celadon. How nice! It was worth a second look. Erika ran back and forth several times, before spotting a boy in a hat and similar style of shorts and pants looking at the welcome sign. Could he be another traveling trainer?
The boy nodded to her. "Hello! I'm Patrick of Saffron."
"Very nice to meet you. I'm Erika, of Celadon. Welcome to our city! Though I'm just leaving. Are you a trainer as well?" Erika asked.
The boy raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. You're a girl?"
Erika grimaced before nodding. She had to look like a girl. She still had shoulder-length hair, held back by a headband with a flower, though her outfit matched the other traveling trainers. However, as a girl, she was in the minority as a traveling trainer, so apparently it was easier to assume she was a more feminine boy.
"Okay. Do you want to battle?" he asked.
"Yes!" Erika nodded, a smile on her face. This would be her first battle after a long visit back home since starting as a trainer. She was ready to get back to training her pokemon, battling with others to get stronger.
"Go, Pidgey!" Patrick sent out his first pokemon.
"Go, Ivysaur!" Erika couldn't think of any pokemon to use besides this one. Ivysaur had really grown beautifully since it had evolved from a bulbasaur, and was ready to show off its skills, as well as the blooming flower on its back.
"Pidgey, quick attack!"
"Ivysaur, sleep powder!" Erika waved her hand forward as she instructed her pokemon. Though her pokemon was clipped by the speedy flying type, its shining power easily hit the opponent when it was in close proximity. Pidgey dropped to the ground. "Have a nice rest," Erika said with a smile.
"Tch." Patrick returned his pokemon.
"Oh? You won't wake it up?" Erika asked.
"Sleeping pokemon can't battle. Go, Rattata!" Patrick threw out his next pokeball.
"Return!" Erika called her own pokemon back. "Go, Oddish!"
"You're switching?" Patrick scowled. "Never mind. Rattata, quick attack!"
"Oddish, poison powder!" Erika ordered. Patrick's same mistake repeated as his rattata was poisoned. The rodent-like pokemon curled its head down.
"Rattata!" Patrick shouted to get his pokemon to look back up. "Tackle. Now!"
"Oddish, acid!" Erika ordered.
Rattata was unable to complete its attack as Oddish spat its poisonous attack, enveloping the rodent-like pokemon with the purple discharge. "Oddish, oddish!" it called as it hopped around, remaining alert for the next attack.
"Rattata, return!" Patrick said.
"You're done?" Erika asked in honest surprise.
"You returned your pokemon too," Patrick said with a sigh. "It seemed like it could still battle."
"Ivysaur is probably just fine. I just wanted Oddish to get practice too," Erika informed.
"Well, Rattata was poisoned. I'd better get to the pokemon center."
"Wait!" Erika called as her defeated opponent ran down the path. She went in her bag and brought out the medicine. "Here," she offered the small bottle. "Since my pokemon can poison, it's my responsibility to offer an antidote to my opponents."
Patrick took the offered item with thanks. As he took care of his rattata, Erika took out her own pokemon. She brushed off any dirt, sprayed them, a bit with a potion, but also with water. She also took out some scissors to snip away at the dead plant. They both were looking fabulous!
"What are you doing?" Patrick asked.
"Just making sure they're in top shape," Erika said with a smile.
Patrick shrugged at the explanation. "Why bother having two grass types?"
"Grass type pokemon are really amazing," Erika gushed. "They resemble plants, but also their own type of creature... They're beautiful too, don't you think?"
"Do you even have any other pokemon?" Patrick asked.
"I just caught a tangela!" Erika informed, excited at the news.
"Another grass type," Patrick said, shaking his head. "No dual typing, even. Why are you training pokemon, anyway?"
"I want to win the league, of course. I'll be a beautiful pokemon queen, showing the beauty of all my pokemon," Erika informed, posing casually next to the two that were out.
Patrick laughed, which wasn't necessarily bothersome, though what he said next was. "That's not what trainers are like. You don't know how to train pokemon, do you?"
Erika fought her own frown. She'd just been in such a good mood from the garden and letting her pokemon show off their skills, and didn't want to ruin it. "Of course I know," she said. After a moment's consideration, she spoke again. "I just won, didn't I?" she commented, though she didn't really like to brag.
"Yeah. You won. But you won't last in the long run. Trainers who last train all kinds of types. They don't worry about being beautiful, just being powerful," Patrick informed, turning away and adjusting his hat. "It's fine to be a girl that's a trainer, too, but you can't keep going like this."
With that, the boy walked up. Erika trembled as she watched him. "Oddish?" her pokemon called.
Erika looked down into the concerned eyes of the little oddish and had to smile. She realized she'd been gripping one of the pokemon's leaves tightly, and let go. "Do you want to see the garden?" she invited, holding out her hand to the rainbow-colored path.
"Oddish!" Oddish jumped away first.
"Ivysaur!" Ivysaur called happily as it followed.
Erika took a breath as she sat down, walking her pokemon carefully follow the path next to the flowers, getting close and admiring them. What that boy said had been abrasive but relatively kind - of course having a balanced team was good advice. He'd even said it was fine for a girl to be a trainer - others had implied the opposite. Did she have to adjust to reach her dream? Should she catch a water type to be strong against the fire types her pokemon were vulnerable to? Then a fire type for the grass types said water type pokemon may be weak against? That might be wise.
But she didn't want any of that. Erika leaned down and smelled the flower next to her. Water type pokemon, fire type pokemon, they were all fine creatures with their own merits, but Erika was drawn to the grass types. Did that mean she couldn't win the league, or even get in the league? No, maybe with enough training it would still be possible. Was it a waste of time to make sure her pokemon were as beautiful as possible while they grew in strength? Was she a waste of a trainer, doing things her own way?
"Oddish, oddish!" Oddish bounced up and down from down the path. Erika got up and followed it. Why was she wallowing in self-doubt when she could be enjoying this previously unknown sight with her lovely pokemon? It wasn't as if Patrick were the first to tell her she was doing things wrong, even as she progressed ever further. Others said much worse as they informed her that her approach was wrong.
But what was the point of being a trainer if she just went the same way as others? While doting on the flowers with her two pokemon, Erika decided she was still going to keep following her own whims when it came to pokemon. Even if she failed, molding herself to someone else's vision wasn't what was worth all the effort she'd put in to become a trainer.
"Miss Erika!"
Erika looked up as one of her assistants entered. The woman smiled as Erika met her eyes. "Your morning challenger is here already!" she informed.
"Oh." The challenger seemed to be just slightly earlier than the regular time, so they were the ones who were running a bit late. "Let them know they're welcome to come in and join us for tea. As the assistant nodded and left, Erika turned her attention back toward her students, who were in a circle with her, sitting traditionally, seiza style, with their legs properly folded. Erika continued her conversation with one of them, talking about the progress of the girl's bellsprout over the past few weeks. It had really become healthier since she'd caught it, more confidence in its posture, moving quickly through various poses. Perhaps it would be ready for a practice battle soon.
"Buenos dias, everyone!" a girl's cheerful voice greeted.
Next to her were two boys, one older and one younger. A pikachu scurried in by their feet outside its pokeball, which Erika didn't question. Her grass types were almost always outside their pokeballs here, and she welcomed the ones of guests to be as well. Overall, they were an interesting group. Erika hadn't looked at the schedule, and wondered which one might be her challenger for that morning. She supposed it could be any one of them. These days her challengers were younger, but the oldest one seemed well within the range. Girls, though still becoming traveling trainers less often than boys, were being seen more and more often. The smallest boy didn't seem old enough, though perhaps he was.
"Welcome," Erika said with a bow. Her guests bowed back, the youngest doing so last as he perhaps realized he should, much to Sabrina's amusement. "A group has come to watch the battle? We invite you all to join us today. Our battle is running a bit late."
"The gym leader's not worried about being late?" the youngest said.
Erika smiled in response. "In this gym, we go at our own pace. That's why we limit the sign ups per day. Oh, and let me introduce myself. I'm Erika, the leader of this gym."
The visitors introduced themselves in turn. Misty from Cerulean, Ash from Pallet, and Brock from Pewter. The locations were relatively close, but it was still unusual to have a group that wasn't all, or at least mostly from the same place. Perhaps they could chat about how they'd come to travel together, Erika considered as her guests sat and joined them, the youngest having trouble with the seiza style of sitting right away. "This isn't like any kind of gym I've been to," he commented as he sat.
"Ash," Misty hissed.
"All gyms are different, you know that," Brock said. "Maybe my gym back home is just a pokemon gym for challengers to visit, but haven't the others ones you've been to had other things going on as well?" he added.
"Oh?" Erika interjected. So this one wasn't the challenger after all. "You have a gym, Brock?"
"My family's," Brock clarified. "I'm officially on hiatus as a gym leader, but I was active for a while. Misty's situation is the same."
Not just one, but two fellow gym leaders. "How interesting," Erika said, keeping her friendly decorum. When she'd gotten visits from fellow gym leaders before, they'd been quick to tell her that she was doing things wrong. The serious boy and tomboyish girl probably had plenty to say, maybe from what they'd heard already. She may as well get things out of the way. "What do you think of my humble gym here?" Erika asked.
"It's so pretty!" Misty exclaimed, looking around at all the plants and flowers situated on the side. "I'm jealous - I mean, maybe not so much, as I see how much work it takes. But I bet your pokemon love it!"
Erika nodded. "Not just mine, but everyone's. As your friend noted, this isn't just a gym. It's a greenhouse and organization to promote optimal raising of grass type pokemon. We have other community activities and lessons as well. Tea ceremonies, gardening, ikebana... Our overall mission is to promote beauty."
"It all really is beautiful," Misty gushed, hands to her face. "Everything, and everyone here is just so elegant."
"Oh, not at all. But thank you for being here to enjoy this with me today," Erika said.
"Where do you even battle?" Ash piped up.
Oh. Of course, this boy was the challenger. If the other two were both active gym leaders, they couldn't just go out challenging gyms for badges themselves. He shifted his legs, obviously uncomfortable with seiza. Being so young, he had to be at least a little impatient. "We have an open space in the greenhouse. Don't worry, we'll get to it in just a bit," Erika assured him.
"Miss Erika, I have a few questions about the specifics of your work here, if that's alright," Brock said.
The momentary happiness Erika had felt from Misty's nonjudgmental admiration disappeared as the serious boy spoke up. So, she was about to be scrutinized after all. Even not wanting to hear it, she'd still welcome it. "Yes, of course," Erika said.
"Are you all pokemon breeders?" Brock said. He looked closely at an oddish as it walked by. "I can tell the difference between the grass types here and ones I see every day. Their leaves almost seem polished, and they're more vibrant!"
Was that really all he wanted to know? "Pokemon breeding... I know that's a specific set of practices, with certifications of its own. None of us are certificated pokemon breeders, though I suppose there's a lot of overlap between what we do here and what they teach and practice," Erika explained.
"Even without the certification, I'm sure any aspiring pokemon breeder could learn a lot here!" Brock exclaimed. "In fact... I'm an aspiring pokemon breeder myself. I'd like to know more."
"Would it really help you?" Erika asked. Being from Pewter, with the name 'Brock' - "Don't you train rock type pokemon?"
"My family's gym is rock type, so are most of my pokemon, but as a pokemon breeder, I'd like to work with all types of pokemon. I see the potential of grass types here."
"Is that right?" Erika asked.
Brock nodded. "I'd love to spend some time with a lovely, talented trainer like yourself and learn more. Maybe we could have dinner together tonight, and get to know each other..." He fidgeted, smiling at her as his gaze went back and forth.
It seemed like the boy might be flirting with her, though he seemed too young for that. In any case, his interest in her practices seemed genuine, a pleasant surprise. "We're all having dinner here tonight. We'll discuss things as a group, with my students who are also learning. You're all invited," Erika said.
"Oh." Brock's pleasant expression faltered only a moment before he smiled. "Thanks, Erika. We'll be there."
The pleasant conversation continued between Erika's students and guests. Eventually, the tea ran low, the remaining being cold. "Why don't we make more?" Erika suggested.
"I'll go and-"
"What about the battle?" Ash interrupted Erika's student. "Do you just sit around and talk about pretty things all day in this gym?"
Erika looked from the empty teacup to the boy who was challenging her. There it was - that attitude she thought she might find with her fellow gym leaders seemed very present in this one. He had an idea of what pokemon training was, fueled by the current state of the gym circuit and pokemon league. Battling was all important, rushing from one place to another, seeing who 'won' before moving on. Erika's gym, which doubled as an area to teach things that weren't relevant to winning a battle, as well as just socialize and enjoy the company of pokemon along with one's fellow humans, was pointless fluff to a person with this kind of mindset.
"Ash, stop!" Misty chided, elbowing her friend.
"You're the only one on the schedule. Be patient," Brock said in a whisper.
"It's taking so long," Ash grumbled.
Though irritated, Erika reminded herself that if she wanted patience, she ought to practice being patient herself. Children such as this one were still learning. "Here, we like to take the time to enjoy each other - not just battle. The reason I limit my battles per day as much as I do is so we have the time to appreciate the day, and the company. We should take time to have gratitude for the people and pokemon we're able to meet, and our limited time together," she explained.
Ash looked up, made eye contact, and nodded. "Yeah, I get it," he said. "I've just been waiting so long... Since you don't have that many times to sign up for. I really want to battle!"
"So you've been happily anticipating a battle with me," Erika said. "I appreciate your enthusiasm. Perhaps we'll skip the second round of tea," she said.
It was still a good fifteen minutes cleaning up and making the area nice before they went into the greenhouse. Misty and Brock both made noises of delight as they left the area they'd been and went into the lush area. There was a variety of tall, exotic plants, flowers everywhere, and grassy areas for the pokemon to rest, where a great variety happened to be doing so now. The pikachu ran out to greet them, calling out and responding happily as the resident pokemon happily invited it to play.
Erika directed the guests to the center of the area, where an appropriate battle field was prepared, with dutiful precautions both for any spectators as well as the greenhouse itself. Fire types, which plenty of challenging trainers used, could go all out with their attacks without worry of damaging the plants or structure. Erika took her spot on the far side of the field, while Ash went to the challenger's area. "Let's begin," Erika said. "This will be a one on one battle. Go, Gloom!"
"Gloom, gloom," the summoned pokemon called as it came into view. Already out of its pokeball and anticipating the battle, Gloom ran onto the field.
"Go, Charizard!" Ash threw out his pokeball. The named pokemon roared as it appeared in a flash of light.
This was a typical choice. Despite the appearance of the pokemon that seemed even larger than other charizard she'd seen, Erika wasn't ready to give up. "Gloom, stun spore," she directed.
"Charizard, flamethrower!" Ash shouted directly after. Gloom hopped over to the large pokemon, ready to perform the ordered technique. As it released the powder that should paralyze its opponent, Charizard flapped its wings, blowing the attempt away. The larger pokemon then lay down, turning its head away with a snort. "Char-Charizard? What are you doing? Hurry up! Flamethrower!"
Though acting unordered, the opponent's pokemon's actions had been wise. Erika decided to shift her own strategy. "Gloom, acid attack!" she ordered. Gloom complied, spitting poisonous purple acid on Charizard's arm. The fire type roared out loudly, scowling at Gloom, but then just turned away again, spitting out a small flame from its nostrils, hardly the 'flamethrower' that Erika was so familiar to facing from her challengers. So, it had ignored its trainer's order yet again.
"Ash, I think you need to default," Brock commented from the side.
"Charizard, you won't battle again?! Why?! We're trying to win another badge here!" the boy shouted. Erika allowed the pause as her opponent ran on the field. However, Charizard simply turned its head the other direction when Ash tried to meet its eyes. "Fine!" Ash ran over to where the other pokemon lounged and played. He grabbed Pikachu.
"Pi?" the pokemon called, startled. It had just been enjoying the relaxing atmosphere with the residents.
"Come on, Pikachu! We've gotta battle," Ash said.
"Pika." Pikachu struggled to get out of Ash's grip, then hopped on the ground. "Pikachu!" it called, frowning with its back arched.
"This is serious, let's go!" Ash ordered.
Erika looked at the Charizard, which scratched itself where the previous attack had hit and grimaced, then back at the young challenger chasing around the pikachu while the resident pokemon ran to get out of the way. She shook her head. "Young man," Erika called to her opponent, speaking firmly and raising her voice so he'd be sure to hear and pay attention. "The battle is over."
"I've just gotta-" Ash began, snatching at pikachu before it jumped away.
"Stop disturbing those poor pokemon now!" Erika lost her cool as she approached the boy, stepping between him and the pokemon. "What kind of trainer are you? Can't you see your pikachu is upset? And don't you want to know why your charizard won't battle? And not to mention the pokemon that live here! Haven't you even noticed how much you've upset everyone?"
Ash glanced back at the area where Pikachu sat, scowling at him, the pokemon it had been playing with hiding behind various plants. He squinted his eyes, seeming like he might be regretful, before staring back up at Erika. "What about you?!" he demanded, shouting back at her even louder. "Why are you a gym leader or even a trainer at all? You just care about talking and making things pretty, not about battling at all."
"I assure you, had your pokemon actually battled, they would have been in for a fight," Erika said, despite knowing better than to go on the defensive when it came to these sorts of accusations.
"Maybe they didn't know to fight because this place doesn't even look like it's for battling. You didn't act like a real gym leader, so maybe they got confused."
Erika trembled as she listened to him. The statements alone were rude, but she'd heard the ideas this boy espoused from others, and it was starting to get tiring. "The battle is over." Erika kept her voice steady as she repeated the previous declaration. "You do not win my badge. You won't, as you are not welcome back to my gym. Do not sign up again, and do not return here."
Ash's mouth fell open, his eyebrows raising before he looked to the ground. Did he see his mistake? Well, it was too late for apologies. Erika decided to impart some advice in the silence. "In the future, realize that trainers have the responsibility to consider the status and feelings of their pokemon over winning. Considering the feelings of all present is just common courtesy. Now then, kindly leave."
In the pokemon center lobby, Ash sat with his head down on a table, Brock sitting nearby and reading a pamphlet while Pikachu sat at his feet, nibbling on some of Brock's hand made pokemon food. Walking in and spotting them, Misty walked up and poked Ash's shoulder playfully. "Hehe, Erika sure had a lot to say to you, huh?" she said.
"I waited here so long for the battle... And I didn't even really get to battle," Ash said, turning his head to look the other way, still flat on the table. "Why did I have to wait so long? She wasn't even doing anything."
"It's allowed," Brock informed. "You can limit appointments as much as you want as a gym leader. Most of us don't too much, since we get a small stipend per gym battle. But I guess Erika has other things going on, so she's not worried about that."
"I love her perfume... Those flower arrangements were gorgeous as well!" Misty exclaimed.
"That's not all that's gorgeous," Brock said, smiling widely.
"Hehe, you've got a crush on her, don't you?" Misty teased.
Brock just shrugged. "Who wouldn't? Not that Sabrina wasn't beautiful in her own way, but Erika's definitely my type."
"Too bad she's still too old for you," Misty said.
"She's like five... six years older maybe?" Brock said. "That's not much of an age difference. I think my dad's three years older than my mom."
"Who cares about that!" Ash shouted. "That gym just wasn't fair. I didn't even get to battle."
"You knew Charizard hadn't been listening to you," Misty said with a sing-song voice.
"I didn't think it'd let me down in a gym battle!" Ash said, burying his head in his arms before lifting it up. "Oh, she said I couldn't come back," he said as if he'd just realized it. "How am I supposed to get the badge?"
"Guess you'll have to move on. There's plenty of other gyms out there," Misty said.
"You could try and sign up. Because of her wait, I hear other trainers do so in advance and then come back," Brock said. "But with her saying not to come back... It's awkward. Though I don't think it's really enforceable. Any bans are done at the level of the trainer's license."
"I didn't know that," Misty said. "I had a few obnoxious challengers, but I never thought to have their license taken away or anything."
"Yeah. It's rare for things to go that far," Brock said.
"She's gonna say I shouldn't have a trainer license anymore?" Ash said, raising his eyebrows in worry.
"I don't think so," Brock dismissed the idea. "It's only done in extreme cases from what I've come across. Even then, it takes a lot of proof. Just being obnoxious after losing a battle isn't enough."
"I didn't even get to battle!" Ash insisted again.
"Just take some time to cool down," Brock advised, waving his hands at his irritated friend. "Anyway, you ready, Misty?"
"Yup! Let's go," she said.
"Where are you going?" Ash asked.
"To dinner at Erika's gym, of course," Brock said, his smile widening as he spoke.
"Ash, it might be safe to assume your invitation was rescinded," Misty added.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu hopped on the table, staring at Brock and Misty expectantly.
"Aw, Pikachu wants to come too!" Misty realized. "Come on then. I'm sure Erika won't mind."
"Pika!" Pikachu called as it hopped down next to Brock.
"You too, Pikachu?" Ash lamented, frowning. Pikachu didn't even pay attention as it hopped up next to Brock, accepting a final piece of food. "How can you go there with her?" Ash demanded no one in particular, raising his voice.
"Did she really do anything that bad?" Misty asked. "She's right, anyway. There's more to training than just ordering around powerful pokemon. Come on, let's go."
As they left, Ash put his head down again, but soon stood up, pacing around the lobby. Had he really gone too far? Why hadn't Charizard been listening to him? Was sitting around here before moving on really the best thing he could do? Ash sat down again and sighed as he tried to think about it more.
"Misty, Brock, you're here!" Erika greeted. She and other women sat seiza style as before, a few up and getting things ready to serve.
"Of course," Brock replied. "Thanks so much for the invitation."
Misty and Brock sat, Pikachu sitting next to them as it seemed the other pokemon had joined their trainers. The group continued their previous conversation, telling stories about various pokemon and stories from the gym, discussing strategies for growing plants as well as grass type pokemon.
"So, Brock, of the pokemon you don't have yet, which species would you most like to raise as a pokemon breeder?" Erika asked as the topic came around to raising pokemon.
"Pikachu!" Brock answered without hesitation.
"Pika?" Pikachu looked up at its friend.
"Sorry, I guess you meant which grass type," Brock said with a nervous laugh. "Pikachu just has so many great qualities, I'd definitely want to raise one," he added.
"No, it was a more general question. Pikachu really are cute," Erika said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu called happily in response.
"Aren't they? Ash's in particular showed me they can be more than just cute, too," Brock said, nodding at Pikachu.
"Oh... So it's his pokemon? Here without him?" Erika said.
"Let's just say Charizard isn't the only independent spirit on Ash's team," Misty said with a smile. "I think Pikachu really liked your gym."
"Well, you're welcome here," Erika said with a nod to the pokemon.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu exclaimed. It ran off to the side of the room as several oddish did the same.
"I really did get angry at him, didn't I," Erika said, studying the food in front of her. "It's something I need to work on."
"No, it's fine. I might have said something worse," Misty said.
"No, do let him know I apologize for lashing out," Erika said. "Though I still won't allow him back in my gym."
"Hm." Brock frowned. "Well, I understand why... But I don't think you can do that. Don't we have to accept all qualified, licensed challengers?"
"If he complains, I'm willing to accept the consequences," Erika said. "Even if he wins, I won't want to give my Rainbow Badge to a trainer who acts like that. I'd rather no longer be a gym leader than be dictated to about how my gym should be run."
Misty and Brock exchanged glances, raising their eyebrows before looking back at Erika. "Well, can you tell me more about the different grass type pokemon?" Brock asked, deciding to change the topic. "Then I might be able to choose which one to raise, should I have the chance."
Erika continued talking about the various species of grass type pokemon throughout the rest of the meal, the other women adding various anecdotes and stories. Before they knew it, dinner was over, many of the women giving their salutations.
"The meal was great, thank you," Brock began as he decided to do the same. "It'll be dark soon, so I think we'll head out."
"Can you both wait?" Erika asked seriously.
"Oh... Sure," Brock agreed. He and Misty stood and helped to clean up, it was the least they could do.
After the last of the other guests left, Erika sighed. "I'm glad you both came," she said. "I just wanted to talk to you, as a fellow gym leader. I almost didn't, but no, I think you deserve this knowledge, even if you are both fairly young, and not the only one in charge of your gyms."
"You have some advice for us?" Brock asked.
Erika shook her head. "No... Just the disturbing information that our organization of pokemon gyms is now more or less run by Team Rocket." Misty's eyes got wide, and Erika nodded as she noticed the reaction. "It's true. Perhaps you're not entirely familiar with them, but they're a criminal group that often steals pokemon."
"Of course we're familiar," Brock said.
"Right," Erika said, frowning. "I suppose they're difficult not to notice these days." Misty groaned and Erika chuckled. "Of course, most of them are unlicensed, only using stolen pokemon. But their leader managed to not only become licensed, but become a prominent gym leader. Now all our business goes through him. I tried to warn others when he applied, and then again when he became our chairman, but each time my warnings went unheeded. Or perhaps he cheated his way to that position. Either way, no one objected like I did."
"That's..." Misty clenched her fists. "That's exactly what happened to me!"
"What do you mean?" Erika asked.
"I tried to tell everyone how bad Team Rocket was... But they just told me I shouldn't be rude or something." Misty frowned, her lip shaking as she paused. "But I'm not scared like everyone else! I'm ready to fight them!"
"You can't," Erika said firmly. "I wouldn't want you to be retaliated against like I've now been."
"You what?" Brock exclaimed. "What happened?"
"Well, it was just a few weeks ago, a man came to my gym," Erika began. "He said he wanted to learn how to better raise his grass type pokemon. Since he was looking to be a student and not challenge the gym, I didn't take his license number. He got along well with his weepinbell too, so I didn't suspect anything there. He really seemed interested in what we had to say as well. But it was just a ruse to get an idea of the inside workings of my gym. Late in the evening one day, I found him, along with a woman, breaking into the pokeball cabinet to try and take all the pokemon here away. They didn't even hide their Team Rocket uniforms."
"The pokemon were all fine, right?" Brock said.
"Yes," Erika confirmed. "Since I caught them before they got the pokeballs, all the pokemon were out and ready to battle. It was easy to direct everyone to defend the gym. Since there were only two of them with a few pokemon, it was easy to overpower them. However, there was no sign of them when the police arrived."
"Two of them? And the man had a weepinbell?" Misty looked over at Brock.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure we know who they are," he said.
"I have their picture." Erika touched the newspaper in front of her, then turned it over. The headline had to do with 'Counterfeit Team Rocket', and had a picture centered underneath it. Though blurry and from an odd angle, it was definitely Jessie and James.
"That's them," Misty said, frowning.
"So you've seen them before?" Erika asked as she turned back over the newspaper. "Well, I shared this information not to bring you in on some kind of revolution, but to warn you. You ought to know what's going on. I wouldn't want to be part of the system without that knowledge."
"Thanks, Erika," Misty smiled as she stood up. "You're really kind. I'm also glad to hear someone besides me stood up to him... I really felt alone when I did."
"I'm not saying it's wise," Erika said. "I was much younger then.. Well, maybe a little older than Brock. In any case, I was more impulsive."
"It was the right thing to do, and I'm glad you did," Misty said firmly. "And now... I can't take your advice. I already want to start a revolution."
"Misty!" Erika exclaimed.
Misty sighed. "Why don't you?" She paused. "I know you tried and failed. Maybe you felt alone. I know I did. But we're not alone, not if we stand up to him together."
"The situation is complicated," Erika said.
"I know, I know," Misty continued. "Sorry to be rude, but I'm hearing that from everyone. I really do get it. I know I can't just do what I want and kick him right out, right now like he should be. But with a few allies, maybe I can do something one day. Maybe you can be one of them."
Erika took a deep breath before nodding. "Don't be reckless," she said.
"I'll be careful," Misty promised, then giggled nervously. "We won't talk about the past though."
"I'll make sure she's careful," Brock promised.
"Good." Erika put a smile on her face. "Thanks for listening to me. Maybe we should keep in contact."
"Of course!" Misty said.
"Let me give you the number for here, then," Erika said. "I won't tolerate recklessness, but I can't just stand by when something can be done. Maybe we can find out what to do together."
"Wow!" Misty exclaimed, following Erika as she went and got a paper and pen. Misty shook Brock's shoulder, grinning widely. "I love her! She's so awesome! Maybe I'm getting a crush on her too."
"Misty!" Brock's face flushed. The resident gym leader just laughed as she handed Misty and Brock each a paper with the Celadon Gym's number. "Thank you," Brock said, unable to keep eye contact after Misty had directly implied his attraction toward this woman. "We'll just... Um, Pikachu went with the other pokemon in back, right? We'll just get it and leave. Thanks."
"Go ahead, and you're welcome," Erika said before the boy ran into the greenhouse, then rushed out carrying Pikachu.
"We'll talk again!" Brock promised. He and Misty waved and left.
Jessie, James, and Meowth sat in a tree with a view of Celadon Gym's door. The sun had already set, and the daylight was starting to fade around them. "Maybe we just missed her," Jessie said. "A whole bunch of women left before."
"Did you see anyone in that traditional style of dress?" James asked.
"I didn't," Meowth said.
"I didn't either, but who says she couldn't be wearing a different outfit," Jessie snapped. "We should get ready to go in."
"Be patient, will you? Let's not repeat mistakes," Meowth said as it clawed at the bark.
"Right. I'm fairly sure none of those women were her," James said.
"You got to know them all pretty well, didn't you," Jessie said.
"I tried to be observant," James said. "Look!" he said. He put a finger to his lips as he realized he may have been too loud, then pointed toward the door.
"She's leaving! Finally!" Jessie said.
"Wait." James took out the binoculars. "Don't they look familiar?" he said as he looked. "It's them... Two of those twerps that we keep running into. And Pikachu is right there with them!" James exclaimed, momentarily raising his voice in excitement before he whispered again. "I don't see Pikachu's trainer."
"Pikachu without its trainer? It might be an easy target," Jessie said, taking the binoculars from James to get a better look.
Meowth dug its claws further into the bark, clenching its jaw. "I want to get Pikachu over to our side too, but we're not ready for that today! Our plan was for getting the pokemon from this gym, remember? And there's gonna be plenty of them. Enough to say we're a success when we get back to base."
"You're right," Jessie said, handing the binoculars back to James. "We've been waiting, so we might as well wait a moment longer for her to finally decide to go home." She stared at the door. "...Or more," Jessie added under her breath after a few minutes.
As the lighting changed to twilight, the door finally opened again. This time, it was unmistakably Erika, dressed in a kimono, locking her gym and going down the path to her home. "Hehe! There's gotta be no one left inside to get in our way this time! Let's get moving!" Meowth said. Its partners nodded, climbing down the tree and running to the planned break in location.
Outside Celadon Gym, in the middle of Erika's path back to her apartment, Ash stood. Was he there by coincidence? The fact he wasn't became obvious as she got closer and he stared up at her, frowning. "Good evening," Erika greeted, not wanting to be so rude as to ignore him.
"Yeah, hi." Ash looked downcast before he finally looked up. "Listen, today I messed up!" he began, clenching his fist and holding it up as he took a step closer to her. "I just wanted to battle. I'm a serious trainer, I just had a bad time today. Can't you give me a chance to battle again?"
"I see no need to doubt you seriously train your pokemon," Erika began. "After all, you were able to evolve a pokemon to its final stage already. But if you did, or you didn't, I don't want to give trainers who don't meet my other standards a stage in my gym."
"What's that?" Ash asked. "It's like you don't want to battle at all," he muttered, then stood up straighter as Erika glared his way.
"Young man, I assure you, I'm well experienced in battles. I ranked second during my one try in the pokemon league."
"You were in the league?" Ash said, eyebrows raised. It was neither required nor typical of gym leaders. Erika was far from his first guess about a gym leader who might have been.
"Success isn't guaranteed on a first try. I learned a lot from my attempt. I very well could have won if I kept going. But I decided I wanted to concentrate on other things. I couldn't stand a culture that only saw the winners and the next battle."
"A culture? What?" Ash said.
Erika smiled at the boy. "Perhaps it's something to reflect on. What do you value about your pokemon beyond the battle?" As the boy stood mute, she nodded at him once more. "Well then, good-" she began, stopping as Ash spoke.
"A lot of things," he said. "They're funny."
"Funny?" Erika repeated.
"Yeah, like my squirtle, it likes to play jokes on me, on everyone. It's tricky, but funny."
Erika's face broke into a smile as she thought of the described situation. "I've never had a pokemon be 'tricky' before."
"It is!" Ash insisted, grinning, getting enthusiastic about a pokemon's trait that certainly had nothing to do with battle. "My other pokemon get annoyed sometimes. But they like to play too. Even Charizard. When it was a charmander, it would get surprised a lot. It likes to battle though. I don't know why it wouldn't now."
So the topic came back to battle. "Has there been something that disturbed it recently?" Erika mused.
"No, except evolving." Ash's brow furrowed and he looked away in thought. "Misty thinks I'm not challenging it, but I don't know. Maybe it just needs to get used to being so big and how it can fly now before more real battles. I could have it train more by itself, or just play."
"So you play even outside training for battle?" Erika asked, though Ash's previous statements already implied that was the case.
"Yeah!" Ash smiled as he stomped forward with enthusiasm. "We always play games, everyone surprises me. They're just fun to be around. They're my friends. They can do a lot besides battle."
As Erika opened her mouth to reply, she heard a loud thud coming from the direction of her gym. Both her and Ash looked toward it in unison. "Is somebody else battling in there?" Ash asked.
"No," Erika said seriously. "No one should be in there, other than all the pokemon that stay the night."
"Did one of the pokemon get hurt?" Ash asked, honest concern on his face.
"I don't know. I'll go see. You should stay here." Erika stared down at the boy seriously as she thought of what might be going on inside.
"No!" Ash said, pursing his lips and pausing after his outburst. "If a pokemon needs help, or there's something else, it's better to have someone else around, right?"
Erika paused a moment before she nodded. "Alright then. Follow me, and be sure to stay close by."
They went to the front door, opening it to the lobby. Erika went down to their meeting room, and then out into the greenhouse. The inside was dark at the moment, quite the contrast from that sunny day. The light of the moon still peeked through the top, giving some illumination into the inside. Erika flipped the light switch by the door, which lit up a single dim lamppost. The greenhouse wasn't designed for nighttime use, and more than that might disturb the resting pokemon during the night.
"Nobody's here," Ash pointed out after observing what could be seen of the area. "Did the pokemon go home with their trainers?"
"No," Erika informed. "The pokemon of trainers who work with me and my students generally stay the night here. We've created the ideal environment for them here. They should be somewhere around here." As Ash went to look around the area, she called out to him. "Wait. Stay with me."
Ash followed her obediently through the greenhouse, past the battle arena. As they reached the other side, Ash shouted out at who he saw. "It's you guys!" he said as he pointed. Jessie and James stood by while Meowth's claw picked at the lock of a cabinet.
"You know them?" Erika asked.
"They're always trying to steal pokemon," Ash fumed.
"Well, I know them as well," Erika informed before looking back at the invading group. "I see you've returned to the scene of the crime."
"Even if you think us taking Team Rocket's righteous property is a crime, we didn't get to complete that crime yet," Jessie pointed out.
"Damn, it's that kid..." Meowth swore, briefly looking up from its attempted lock picking. "You two fight Pikachu, distract them, I'll get this out."
"Wait," James said. "We just saw Pikachu. Pikachu isn't with him at all." He grinned, taking out a pokeball.
"Right. Pikachu was with those other kids," Jessie realized. "And this lady won't find her pokemon. So maybe we have a chance after all." Jessie mirrored James's good mood as they both threw out their pokeballs at once, calling out their names as Ekans and Koffing appeared.
"Go, Pidgeotto! Butterfree!" Ash released two pokemon at once for the matchup. "Butterfree, sleep powder! Pidgeotto, quick attack!"
"Koffing, sludge attack!"
"Ekans, bite!"
Ash's pokemon easily dodged the attempted sludge attack. Butterfree's sleep powder hit Koffing, while Pidgeotto quickly dove and hit Ekans before the snake-like pokemon bit it. "Koffing, quick! Wake up!" James shouted. His pokemon bounced off the floor before opening its eyes. A second sludge attack hit both of Ash's pokemon, Pidgeotto faltering in its flight before perching in a plant.
"It can't take it," Ash said, returning the flying type. "Charizard could get them... But I dunno if it will listen." He frowned, quickly picking the next pokeball. "Go, Bulbasaur!"
"Oh," Erika exclaimed at the unique looking bulbasaur. It seemed a little rough around the edges, but still well cared for, almost distinguished. Also being poison type, it wouldn't be nearly as affected by the offending pokemon's attacks. Indeed, it just turned its head when hit by another sludge attack, and went forward with the razor leaf as Ash directed it.
"Koffing!" James shouted, quickly returning his pokemon as it sunk down, this time seeming worn out by the offense.
"Hurry up, James! Your next pokemon!" Jessie goaded as hers was attacked by Bulbasaur and Butterfree at once, failing to wrap either of them.
"I know!" James said.
"Oh?" Meowth grinned as the cabinet clicked open. "Enough of that. We're ready to take our stash back to home base."
"You're getting ahead of yourself! I'm winning!" Ash said.
"Na." Meowth's grin widened as it took something from a bag on the floor. "You don't wanna be stuck in here, do you? Not when the place is burning up!" The pokemon took out the fireworks, then gripped a lighter in its two paws.
"Stop!" Erika shouted, running forward before James got into her path, holding her back.
"What's-" Ash began, before getting distracted by Butterfree being caught in Ekans's wrap.
"Ha ha! This place is going up in flames! But the pokemon will be alright, we know where they are." Meowth went to light the firework.
"Stop, now!" Erika shouted, unable to get free from James's grip.
Meowth suddenly did stop, staring into space. "What is it?" Jessie asked irritably, returning Ekans and sending out Lickitung, ordering its first move. "Hurry up, Meowth! We have go to do the next part of the plan, here," she goaded.
Meowth blinked several times before looking back at its teammate. "I dunno. Something about this seems like I shouldn't be doing it."
"You're scared?" Jessie paused directing her pokemon and ran over to it, grabbing the lighter and lighting the firework before throwing it to the area they'd planned, over by the inside entrance. "There!" she said. As the firework exploded, it spread in several directions. Suddenly there wasn't just a concentrated fire like planned, but several fires, each in different areas, including right in front of the cabinet with the pokeballs.
James released Erika, staring in shock at the sight before he spoke. "We can't... We need to get out of here!" he fretted.
"Damn it, who thought of this part of the plan, anyway?" Jessie quickly returned Lickitung before they went out through the open window they'd came.
"Butterfree," Ash said, returning the pokemon as he saw it having trouble flying near the flames.
Erika grabbed his arm. "Let's go!" she said, going for the nearest window they could open. "We have to get out of here!"
"No!" Ash shouted, actively resisting Erika's grip.
"Hurry up! Smoke and fire is dangerous, you know," she chided.
"So those pokemon Team Rocket hid must be scared!" Ash shouted back.
Erika gasped as she thought of it, then covered her mouth with the kimono sleeve of her free arm.
Ash completely yanked his arm away. "I won't go without even looking for them. Will you?!" Ash took out his next pokeball. "Go, Squirtle!"
"Squirtle?!" Squirtle called out in surprise at the surroundings as it appeared.
"Quick, use water gun! We've gotta find these pokemon!" Ash directed. "And Bulbasaur, you keep ahead of me."
The water type seemed prepared, using its water gun attack on nearby flames as Ash walked forward, Bulbasaur leading the way. "Bulba!" the grass type called out. "Bulbasaur!" It ran to the side of the greenhouse. As Ash and Erika followed, they saw the grass types, netted up underneath a window. The pokemon called out in distress.
"You can all get out of here fine," Ash said. "Squirtle, keep using water gun! Bulbasaur, razor leaf! Show them how you can cut those nets."
"Bulbasaur." Bulbasaur used a muted version of razor leaf, cutting the nets while not touching the pokemon for the most part. "Bulbasaur!" it called as it finished.
A weepinbell on one side and Erika's gloom on the other repeated the attack, focusing it on the device that restrained them as Bulbasaur had exemplified. "Alright! You all did it," Ash shouted out, grinning. He ripped open what was left, Erika getting down to help.
After all the pokemon were free, Erika stood up, opening the window that was about even to her face. "I think we might be able to lift them up, but-"
Ash coughed, pointing at the now open window as he looked down at his pokemon. "Now, Bulbasaur! Use vine whip to get out!"
"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur called before it followed directions, lifting itself up before lowering itself down on the other side. "Bulbasaur!" it called, the sound dampened from the window.
"Some of you can do that, right? Get out!" Ash directed. Various pokemon used their vines to propel themselves, more and more appearing on the other side of the glass. "Now, help!" Ash said, holding up an oddish that hadn't been able to do so.
After a while, all of the grass type pokemon were out. The pokemon then helped lift Ash himself up, before assisting Erika in climbing out. Finally, a very tired-looking squirtle was lifted out by all the pokemon.
They walked away from the building. Eventually, the fire department arrived, along with Misty and Brock.
"Miss Erika!" Brock shouted as they ran over. "Are you okay- Wait, Ash?!" Brock said, noticing his friend covered in some soot.
"You were here bugging Erika?" Misty demanded.
"It's alright," Erika said. "He came inside with my permission." Erika turned to Ash and bowed. "Thank you very much for your assistance tonight."
"Uh, yeah," Ash said, caught off guard by the humble gesture. "Of course I'd help."
"Squirtle..." Squirtle called, spinning around, its shell facing toward the ground.
Misty sighed. It was easy enough to figure out what might have happened. "I guess we should get your pokemon to Nurse Joy, and you to a hospital."
"I'm fine!" Ash said. With Misty and then even Brock insisting he go, he went along, waving good-bye to Erika before he left.
A day or so later, Ash walked with his friends and Pikachu down the path to a Celadon Community Center. "Another invitation to see Erika," Misty said. "Brock must be happy," she teased.
Brock groaned as Ash turned to her and frowned. "Why would he be? She invited me, not Brock," he said.
"Who knows," Misty said.
As they arrived at the unfamiliar building, Erika greeted them outside. "I hope you're all ready for dinner!" she said.
Ash frowned but said nothing. Inside, the dinner had already been placed out, familiar women from when they'd visited Celadon Gym present, along with the various grass types, which spread around the basketball court, seeming overall happy though this wasn't as nice a place for them as the now damaged gym had been. The diners started with some conversation about the meal itself before Misty changed the topic. "How is your gym, Erika?"
"It's not ready for us to go back," Erika said. "But we built it from the ground up, so we'll just fix it and rebuild again."
"So many people have volunteered to help," another woman added.
Erika nodded with a smile. "The world is full of kind people. We'll have to thank them all... Oh." Erika suddenly raised her eyebrows. "I did get a call from Giovanni of Viridian Gym."
"You... did?" Misty said, a wry smile on her face.
"Yes. He apologized for the actions of a 'counterfeit' Team Rocket. He said he'd donate some to help the repairs, though I had to tell him we had enough help already."
"Counterfeit, huh?" Misty said with a sigh.
Erika nodded. "But you know, I think there's only one Team Rocket."
Misty nodded in return, getting the implication easily. Since they'd already discussed this the previous day, she continued with more light-hearted topics as they were brought up.
At the end of the meal, Ash groaned as he stood up, hands on his legs. "Are you getting used to it?" Erika said. "Seiza, I mean."
"I'm fine," Ash assured.
"Good," Erika said, standing up herself and approaching the boy. "It wasn't just a thank you I invited you for here today. I wanted to give you this." Erika held out her hand, revealing the Rainbow Badge.
"Huh?" Ash exclaimed as he looked at it.
"I'm happy to present this to you. You and I might be different, but I can see now that we hold similar values. We recognize the emotions of pokemon, and see them as more than tools for battle. So please, take this."
Ash did take the Rainbow Badge, staring at it without saying anything. Brock was the one who spoke. "Erika, you don't even want to battle him?"
"I already saw his potential for power, but more importantly than that, I saw that he's the kind of trainer I want to have my badge." Erika smirked. "There's some I do, and some I don't."
"Ha. You got lucky, Ash," Misty said.
Ash gripped the badge in his hand, looking up at Erika. "Wait," he said.
"Will you refuse?" Erika turned and looked sharply at the boy. "I'll take it as an insult, and not allow you in my gym again."
"B-But-" Ash began, looking at the ground with a frown. "I remember you."
"Yeah," Misty said as she helped pick up the mess after dinner. "We just saw her the other day."
"No, not like that," Ash said, shaking his head. "I remember watching you in the league!"
"You did?" Erika put a hand to her face as she smiled. "It's been a while... But not so long a child as young as you might not remember, is that right? Still, you must have been very young then."
"I, uh, yeah." Ash nodded. "It was the first league I watched, that I remember. I saw it on TV. I liked you because you were wearing those festival clothes, like you do now. I thought it was cool... But your pokemon were so powerful, too! I loved your ivysaur! I wanted you all to win. But you just got close."
Erika giggled. "That description is accurate enough," she admitted.
"Yeah, and now that I remember you... That just makes me want to battle you more! In a real battle!" Ash looked up, clenching his fist and stomping his foot forward as he spoke. "Come on, can't we just battle once?"
Erika looked to where her students and helpers had already cleaned the area, and then looked to Ash, who was curious about her answer. Erika nodded, and Ash shouted out happily. "Well, as long as it's a one on one battle. I'd like to go up against that interesting bulbasaur of yours."
"Yeah! Yeah!" Ash took Bulbasaur's pokeball in hand before grabbing Erika's arm. "Let's go, let's go!"
Erika's mouth opened in surprise as the boy led her out. "Hold on. There's no rush, I already accepted," she said, barely hiding her giggle at the child's enthusiasm. Others followed, her assistants as well as the visiting gym leaders standing at the safe distance to watch.
"Guess you've gotta give the badge back if she wins," Misty teased with a grin.
"I wouldn't accept it," Erika said as she took out a pokeball. Misty quieted, taking another step back as both trainers sent out their pokemon. "Go, Gloom!"
"Go, Bulbasaur!"
The two pokemon called out to each other as they appeared. "Gloom, stun spore!"
"Bulbasaur, razor leaf!"
Bulbasaur's barrage of leaves appeared to cut right through the powder of Gloom's technique. Erika's pokemon called out as it was hit again and again. "Gloom, acid!" Erika shouted, getting ready to be on the offensive. Even knowing Bulbasaur might not be as affected as a fellow poison type, this was a quicker technique than some others.
"Bulbasaur, vine whip!"
Bulbasaur hit Gloom over and over with the vine whip while Gloom's acid covered half of its body. Bulbasaur shook off the remnants of the attack, still glaring toward Gloom, ready for the next attack. "Gloom, solar beam!" Erika ordered, now resorting to her pokemon's most powerful attack for this resilient opponent.
"Bulbasaur, razor leaf!" Ash ordered. Bulbasaur repeated the same attack. Gloom tensed as it was surrounded by the sharp leaves, still powering up its attack. Though solar beam could cause a lot of damage, performing the technique took some time. "You've got it, Bulbasaur! Razor leaf, again!"
"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur called out seriously, performing the technique with just as much intensity as the first two times.
"Gloom!" Gloom called back as the solar beam was finally ready, a bright blast of energy traveling directly toward Bulbasaur.
Ash's pokemon was hit head on, turning its head briefly. After the energy had faded, Bulbasaur stared forward, some smoke appearing to dissipate from its bulb, though otherwise unaffected. "Oh..." Erika exclaimed in surprise, realizing the razor leaf attack hadn't just damaged her pokemon, but also dampened its normally very powerful attack. That combined with this bulbasaur's own innate toughness had put her in a tough spot. "Gloom, acid!" Erika ordered her pokemon to repeat its quicker offensive technique.
"Bulbasaur, now! Vine whip!" Upon hearing Ash's direction, Bulbasaur jumped forward, hitting its opponent again and again. Gloom cried out before tripping backward. Erika returned it to its pokeball, signaling the end of the battle.
"Thank you for being my opponent," Erika said with a bow.
"Yeah... Thanks to you, too. I really want to battle. It was a good one, I think," Ash said, now returning Bulbasaur to its pokeball as well before crossing the field and holding out his hand for a traditional handshake.
"Indeed!" Erika agreed as she shook Ash's hand. "I could sense a certain level of strength from your bulbasaur when I first saw it, and was impressed to be able to see it for myself."
Ash put Bulbasaur's pokeball away, then nodded. "Maybe we can battle again one day," he said.
"I do enjoy a good battle. Of course, I hope it would be after you take the proper time to tell me about the journeys you're about to have," Erika said.
"Okay," Ash agreed.
"I hope we'll have more to talk about later too," Misty said as she and Brock also approached.
"I imagine we will," Erika asserted.
"Yeah... We'll keep in touch," Brock added. With that, they all said their good-byes.
Next chapter: Brock vs. Kangaskhan