Chapter Summary: Sorry for the delay. I was having computer issues. So here's the Grass chapter that you voted on.
Shipping: Banshipper

Per-Fumed

Talk about bad luck. Ash and Pikachu were sent by Brock to pick up something in the fragrance capital of the Kanto Region: Celadon City. It's such a wonderful place but someplace Ash would like to stay away from. "I don't get why Brock wanted me to go and do this instead of him?" he grumbled. He looked at a list which was on a sheet of paper. Whatever was on that list, Ash was sure reluctant to act on. Finally, he reached a fragrance store.

("This is the place,") Pikachu squeaked. Ash remembered the place all too well. He insulted the store because of how expensive the perfumes were and how it can turn men into zombies. The reason he came to Celadon City was to earn the Rainbow Badge held by the gym leader, Erika. It was thanks to teaming up with Team Rocket and dressing like a girl that he got close to Erika for the gym battle only to be double-crossed when the Rockets set the gym ablaze…and separating Erika from her special Gloom. Ash risked his life by running into the fire and bringing out a terrified but unharmed Gloom. For his gamble to rescue something of Erika's value, she humbly gave Ash the Rainbow Badge. Finally, he walked right inside.

"Welcome to Celadon Beauty," two ladies in black latex uniforms greeted Ash. They opened their eyes and didn't seem to notice who it was but they continued to smile. This left Ash scratching his head in befuddlement. He might have been expecting some fuming ladies but…

"Yeah, hi there," he stuttered. Ash wasn't expecting a warm reception.

"Can I help you with something?" a green-haired female asked. Ash stepped up with the list in hand.

"I was asked to come here and pick up a few things." Viewing the list, the violet-haired worker knew what to pick up in the back.

"I'm pretty sure we got all that you need," she promised. "Wait one moment." Going into the back, the violet-haired woman began to gather the supplies…and left the trainer with her co-worker.

"While Luna's gathering your requested items, would you like to try out some cologne that we've been working on?" she wondered. They make cologne? Although Ash wasn't one for makeup and fragrances, maybe this wouldn't hurt to actually try something out.

"I'm not normally one for wearing fragrances," he confessed. "But I guess it couldn't hurt to try it once." Taking a seat, the green-haired woman brought a blue spray bottle.

"Arm, please." Complying, Ash extended an arm out to her. "You seem to be one full of spunk and charm so this is Toto-Go-Go, using a few natural chemicals including the secretions of a jubilant Totodile." Ash scoffed a bit, humored with the detail.

"I should know about jubilant Totodile. I have one in Prof. Oak's ranch." The green-haired sprayed some which Ash and Pikachu took a whiff. Surprisingly, Ash seemed to like it. "Oh, yeah! Definitely Totodile." Suddenly, the door opened but it wasn't Cindy with the requested items. It was Erika and her Gloom!

"Emmy, are you applying Toto-Go-Go?" she called out. Both Emmy and Ash turned to the manager/gym leader, the bottle of Toto-Go-Go in her hand. "You know that cologne hasn't been properly tested." Uh oh! Emmy began to freak a bit hearing about the possibility of risking Ash's life without knowledge. Erika tossed Ash a towel to wipe the contents from his soaked arm. Pikachu dashed over and greeted himself to Erika who seemed bewildered about this Pikachu…until Gloom knew who it was. Finally, Erika realized who it was…but it didn't help wonder why. "I thought you hated Pokémon fragrances, Ash." Ash sighed, not just because his low key was blown sky high. Erika's explanation was a bit off.

"It wasn't the smell, Erika. It was the price and effects it has on males. Besides, I came here to pick up a few things for Brock." Erika shook her head in dismay.

"I'm surprised he sent you to pick up the items on his list instead of coming himself. He's more welcome to come here than you." Ouch! That hurt Ash's feelings. Ash was rather curious about something else.

"By the way, I thought you guys only did Pokémon perfumes. When did you start doing colognes as well?"

"Since we opened the stores. We've been doing fragrances to balance the genders, both females and males. If you didn't open your tirade the first time, we would've sampled you some of our special colognes and made your experience at the gym a lot easier." That had to be painful for Ash to understand.

"Thus, I would've had that gym battle a lot sooner. I, now, feel like a complete idiot for my outburst." Erika's smile said she's forgiven him. "By the way, it looks like Gloom's just as cheerful as when I saved from Team Rocket's debacle." Gloom chuckled, humored with Ash's recognition.

"She is. I made an order for a Sun Stone about a month ago." Ash was somewhat astonished. It sounded like Erika wanted to evolve Gloom into a Bellossom. It also left him wondering why a Bellossom and not a Vileplume.

"Why do you want a Bellossom and not a Vileplume?" Doesn't the gym have a Vileplume or two?

"The pedals of a newly evolved Bellossom carry a potent pheromone that's I want to use in a new formula. We've already got Vileplume's pedals and seek to combine it with other Pokémon effects to see a new fragrance." Thus, the desire for the Sun Stone to evolve Gloom. This troubled Ash. He did not like the way it appeared to be.

"I understand that you wanna do this for your company but...I'm not one to like this." It had to be the turnout. Erika glanced over at Ash, wondering what he was talking about.

"What do you mean, Ash?" Ash knelt down and petted Gloom like the flower was a puppy.

"Have you considered Gloom's feelings about becoming a Bellossom?" Erika wasn't looking to know what Ash was saying. "I had to learn this lesson myself with Pikachu. If you evolve a Pokémon, there's no turning back. While it would make you happy that you can finish a new perfume, Gloom's, or Bellossom's might not feel the same way. A Pokémon will evolve with the power of a stone but it wouldn't be the same Pokémon that you've been friends with." Touchy words. This made Erika think. Did she really want to evolve Gloom for her desires or for Gloom's?

"I...uh..." Talk about speechless. Good work, Ash! "I do want what's best for my Gloom. I guess maybe I was a little bit overzealous about doing my work that I was forgoing my place as a gym leader." She was regretful. That's when her Gloom spoke up.

("Erika!") she whined up. Erika looked down at her prized flower. ("I want to help out! I don't care if I become a Vileplume or a Bellossom, just as long as you're happy.") It brought Erika to tears. Her Gloom was ready to move on.

"Thank you, Gloom. You don't know how happy I am to be your trainer." Finally, both embraced in a great hug. Cradling Gloom in her arms, Erika was ready to thank the one who helped glue a friendship that appeared to be tearing. "Ash, I apologize for...rushing my judgment without properly thinking. I guess work got the better of me and nearly made a decision I wasn't sure I liked." Ash knew Erika meant well. "I now know what it felt like to be Gloom when you rescued her from the fire." She knelt down and...SMOOCH! Ash was about to become putty. One solid kiss on the cheek and Ash was blushing heavily. Gloom became so happily excited...she sprayed Sleep Powder! It got all over Ash, Erika and Pikachu. They engulfed the Sleep Powder in excitement that they quickly booked a trip to dreamland. In her last bit of consciousness, she wrapped Ash in her arms and kept him close. Gloom looked to see the mistake it made...and smiled? Was the Sleep Powder a ploy? To Gloom, she purposely sprinkled the three. With Ash, Erika and Pikachu out, she nonchalantly exited stage left. Sleep tight!

END of GRASS! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
(9 down, three to go and it appears that Electric is the juiced vote. Keep those votes coming.)