After Summer recovered from her past trauma, she was able to save Pokémon Tower and restore its spiritual balance. In the process, Errol finally evolved into a Noctowl and mastered his first Psychic attack. While she continues her travels to Celadon City, Samir helped Weldon, Lt. Surge, and Rai at the Power Plant. After finding a unique watch, he was able to get Zapdos' trust by protecting the Legendary Bird against Team Rocket. As we return to Summer's journey, she encounters another rival whom she finds irritating. Who is it and will this person push Summer past her mental limits?

Chapter 31: The Sass of the Class

"It feels so great to continue on our journey," I happily told Lightning as we walked on Route 8.

"Why Summer?" she asked, confused. "Didn't you like helping out the spirits?"

"I do, but it felt like we've been there for such a long time."

Lightning pondered my remark. "Now that you mention it, it did feel like a long time."

We laughed, and I looked further down the road. To my surprise, I saw a line of ten kids, five girls and five boys, in front of a slightly plump woman.

The kids wore green wool sweaters with embroidered patches. The girls wore brown skirts while the boys wore brown pants. The black-haired woman, who also wore a green sweater and brown skirt, addressed her class, "All right everyone. Go ahead and explore the route. Find one Pokémon to study and we'll have our presentations tomorrow."

These kids must go to Celadon Technical University, that fancy boarding school in the Kanto Region.

After her students dispersed, the woman saw me and gasped. "Are you by any chance Summer Scorcher?"

"Y-yes," I replied. "How do you know who I am?"

"I'm originally from the Hoenn Region. My name's Pam. I've been following your progress in the Kanto Region, and I have to say, I'm quite impressed."

"Oh, thanks for the compliment," I said, slightly blushing. "I've heard of Celadon Technical University, but I never knew any details."

"Allow me to explain. Celadon Technical University, or CTU for short, is a school for selected Trainers to learn about Gym battles and strategies. They take exams and get Gym Badges for completing certain challenges and battles. This makes it more convenient for local Trainers to qualify for the Indigo League without traveling too far."

That seems a little too convenient. Then they can't explore and travel themselves.

"Thanks for the information, Pam. I should get going."

"All right, good luck!"

I walked past the students, who appeared to be creeping through the grass. As I approached the building for the Lavender Town-Celadon City Underground Path, a girl with a nasally voice called, "What an unsightly Pikachu."

Lightning's cheeks emitted small sparks. "Who said that?!"

"Lightning, calm down," I tried to reassure, but she refused.

"She must be a disobedient Pokémon because her Trainer's unqualified," the girl continued, elongating the adjectives.

I looked to my right and saw three female CTU students. Her friends had long black hair, and the condescending one had long, wavy pink hair accented with a red candy shaped barrette.

Oh no, it's that Trainer from the Kanto News segment…Candy Carter...

Candy laughed when she saw my unenthusiastic face. "I see you've heard of me, the smart and beautiful Candy!" She tossed her hair back with her right hand, and her friends applauded.

"I guess you can say that…" I said awkwardly. "My name's-"

"I don't care to know your name!" Candy interrupted. "Besides, I already know who you are, Summer from Littleroot Town."

Oh great, another person who knows me longer than I know them…

"I don't know what's so great about you," Candy ranted. "You pick the ugliest Pokémon. I can beat you any day, any time. Everyone knows ugly Pokémon are weak."

"OKAY, THAT'S IT!" Lightning furiously shouted and lunged at Candy. I immediately grabbed onto Lightning's tail to stop her attack. The Pikachu then instinctually shocked me with Thunderbolt, and I felt her Electric attack course through my body. Lightning noticed what happened and immediately stopped the attack. After discharging myself by touching the ground, Lightning became quiet.

"What's going on here?" Pam asked, running towards us.

Candy gave her teacher a syrupy smile. "Nothing Ms. Pam. I was just helping this Trainer with her unruly Pokémon."

Pam smiled back, but I knew she was suspicious of Candy's excuse. "I think this Trainer will be fine without your help, Candy. Besides, it's time for us to head back to class. I hope you have a Pokémon to write about."

Candy became a little upset Pam saw through her lie but happily said, "Of course, Ms. Pam."

"All right everyone!" Pam called. "Let's make out our way back to the school."

The kids gathered in front of the door to the building, and when Pam wasn't looking, Candy stuck her tongue at us. I could barely hide my anger as she went into the Underground Path.

I sat down and looked at my upset Pikachu. "Are you okay, Lightning?"

"Yeah…" she said, kicking a pebble with her foot. "I didn't mean to shock you, Summer."

"I know. Candy did start this, but you shouldn't let others get to you, especially about your strength."

She smiled. "You're right. Thanks Summer."

She climbed onto my shoulder and I petted her head. Suddenly, shrieks came from the Underground Path.

"Those kids may be in trouble!" Lightning shouted. Although I didn't want to deal with Candy again, I had to agree. We cautiously opened the red door and walked down the long flight of stairs.

Once we reached the bottom, a horrendous stench overpowered all smells in the dimly lit tunnel. Lightning and I stopped breathing through our noses and used our mouths instead. Although the smell became dulled, my tongue didn't agree with the taste. I focused on sweet smelling things like Berries and cookies, and the horrible smell and taste slowly disappeared. We walked through the tunnel and saw the class being blocked by two small blobs and one large blob of purple sludge. I took out my Pokédex and scanned them.

[Grimer, the Sludge Pokémon. Born from polluted sludge in the sea, Grimer's favorite food is anything filthy. They feed on wastewater pumped out from factories. Muk, the Sludge Pokémon and the evolved form of Grimer. It prefers warm and humid habitats. In the summertime, the toxic substances in its body intensify, making Muk reek like putrid kitchen garbage.]

As Pam was about to send out her Pokémon, Candy stood in front of her and shouted, "I'll handle this!"

Her classmates cheered while Pam was speechless. "Soufflé, Crème, time to show your beauty!"

A pink ball with feet, hands, and a swirl on her head and an orange fox with six tails appeared from her pink Pokéballs.

Although I was fine with the Jigglypuff, I immediately recoiled when I recognized the Vulpix. I didn't realize I slightly screamed until everyone turned around and looked at me.

Candy smiled. "What perfect timing. Now I'll show you why I'm the top of my class, Summer." She then turned to her Pokémon. "Soufflé, Sing! And Crème, use Confuse Ray!"

Soufflé opened her mouth and sang; several musical notes in different colors floated towards the Sludge Pokémon. The right Grimer shrunk close the ground, and the left Grimer's eyes flashed blue. Crème released a ball of white energy and floated it towards the Muk. Muk easily avoided the attack, and his eyes also flashed blue.

That's strange. I don't see anything wrong with Soufflé and Crème.

Candy giggled. "Just as I thought! You filthy creatures know Disable. Now I can attack using my strong and beautiful moves. Soufflé, use Hyper Voice! Crème, use Flamethrower!"

Soufflé took a deep breath and emitted a powerful burst of sound while Crème released a stream of searing fire. Although the attacks were indeed powerful, the Grimer and Muk shrunk down once more, causing the moves to miss.

Candy growled, "I hate Minimize! Girls, keep attacking! You'll hit them eventually."

Her Jigglypuff and Vulpix nodded and continued their onslaught. The Sludge Pokémon continued to use Minimize, teasing the Trainer and her tiring Pokémon.

That's strange. The Grimer and Muk aren't fighting back. Maybe there's a reason why.

"Hey Candy," I called. Everyone except Candy then stared at me, making me feel nervous.

"I got this, Summer!" She angrily retorted. "Butt out!"

"You need to listen to me! These Pokémon aren't attacking for a reason."

"That's because they're too afraid to attack!"

After she said that, the Grimer and Muk angrily shot waves of sludge onto Soufflé and Crème. Both Pokémon were covered with disgusting splotches of purple, and they were already tired from the constant attacks.

Candy became horrified and angrily took out another Pokéball. "I'LL DESTROY YOU!"

"ALL RIGHT, THAT'S ENOUGH!" I roared, tired of her prideful stubbornness, and pushed her aside.

"What are you-" she was about to argue, but I ignored the rest of her question.

The Grimer and Muk looked at me curiously. They were ready to attack, even though I never issued Lightning a command.

I calmly asked, "Grimer, Muk, why are you blocking the way in the Underground Path?"

"Is she talking to us, boss?" the left Grimer asked in a raspy Italian gangster accent.

"Appears so," Muk whispered in a deep Italian gangster accent. "Don't know why, humans can't understand us."

"Actually, I can understand you just fine," I replied.

The Poison types were surprised. "Mamma mia! Seems we got one of those understanding types, if you catch my drift," Muk said, giving a hearty laugh. "To answer your question, we're bored."

"Yeah!" the right Grimer added. "No one wants to play with slobs like us."

"What if there's a place where you guys can play with other Poison types?" I suggested.

Muk thought about this. "Guess that'll work."

"Pam, is there a place where Poison-type Pokémon can go?" I asked the teacher.

"Oh!" she said, slightly surprised that I understood them. "I know of a place in Celadon City. I can take you three there."

"Really?" the Grimer happily asked. They stopped cheering and looked at their leader.

"It's cool," he said.

"Well they're interested," I told her.

"Great." She then addressed her class, "When we get back into the city, go directly to the school while I help Summer with these Pokémon."

The students whispered amongst themselves while Candy angrily returned her Pokémon. Pam led everyone through the tunnel and into the entrance of Celadon City.

The city grounds were colored in flowers of different colors and species. The buildings were mixed with small houses with green roofs, a large apartment building, and a larger building with glass walls. Grimer, Muk, and I continued following Pam while the students headed south towards a large campus with five white buildings.

After a mile walk, Pam said, "Here we are."

She showed us a purple house with two murky ponds in front. A man came out and talked to Pam. After they finished, Pam said, "Pete says you three can stay here for a long as you want. There's plenty of Poison types living in the ponds."

The Poison Pokémon nodded thanks, and they crawled into the still ponds.

"Thanks for your help, Summer," Pam said.

"I'm glad I could help. I guess I should find the Pokémon Center now."

"It's really easy to find. It's by the east entrance of the city."

"Great, thanks Pam!" I waved goodbye and walked in that direction. After getting a room and healing my Pokémon, I went outside to explore the city.

I opened the doors and was about to head west when I heard someone behind me shout, "You!" I saw Candy angrily stomping towards me. "How dare you upstage me?!"

I was confused at her accusation. "What upstaging? I was just trying to figure out what was going on without attacking them."

"Oh, so you think you're better than me?!"

"I didn't say-"

"Quiet!" She snapped.

I didn't say a word, but that didn't seem to appease her.

"I know how we can settle this," she said with a sly smile. "How about a one on one battle?"

I sighed. "I don't know if this is going to prove anything, but fine. I accept your challenge."

"Come!" she waved. "Let's go to the school's battlefield."

"What's wrong with the battlefield at the Pokémon Center?"

She scoffed, "Nothing at all. I just want to humiliate you in front of everyone."

You mean your schoolmates…

I had no choice but to follow her to CTU. We walked through a black iron gate with the school's name and along the red cobblestone paths to the school's well-kept battlefield. A large crowd of students was already waiting and cheered for Candy when we arrived. She haughtily walked to the other end of the field while I slowly walked to mine. A referee wearing the school colors walked to the center edge of the battlefield and motioned us to send out our Pokémon.

"Soufflé, show us your beauty!" Candy shouted. Her Jigglypuff gently landed on the ground. "What're you going to use, Summer?"

"Hmmm…" I took out my Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon. [Jigglypuff, the Balloon Pokémon and the evolved form of Igglybuff. Nothing can avoid falling asleep hearing a Jigglypuff's song. The sound waves of its singing voice match the brain waves of someone in a deep sleep.]

"Let me take on that pink powder puff," Lightning said determinedly.

Soufflé angrily puffed up and waved her arms. "Powder puff?!" she squealed in a high pitched voice.

"Sorry, Lightning," I said. "I have a better Pokémon in mind."

Lightning sighed softly, but she didn't protest.

"Let's do this, Rocky!" Rocky towered over the spectators and looked curiously at his small opponent.

Candy and Soufflé were disgusted. "Your Onix is the ugliest thing I've ever seen. You don't have anyone cuter?" The crowd agreed with her comment by shouting a collective, "YEAAAAAAH!"

"Summer," Rocky said nervously. "Can you use someone else? The kids are really mean, and I don't want to be in front of all these people. I'd rather be relaxing in my Pokéball."

"Hey, don't listen to them," I reassured. "I chose you because you'll show them how beauty doesn't always matter. Focus on me and the battle, okay?" I reassured.

Rocky nodded and roared, silencing the hecklers.

Candy softly sighed. "If you insist. Soufflé, use Blizzard!"

"Blizzard?!" I shouted, shocked that a Jigglypuff could know such a powerful move.

Soufflé breathed deeply and exhaled a snowstorm from her mouth. Rocky was hit in his midsection and grunted in pain, but he withstood the super effective attack.

"Hmph, not bad," Candy said while she and Soufflé gave smug looks.

"Are you okay, Rocky?" I asked.

He nodded. "I'm good."

"This move should finish you," Candy said. "Soufflé, Blizzard once more!"

Thinking quickly, I shouted, "Rocky, block it with Iron Tail!"

Rocky nodded and lifted up his silver tail. The Blizzard hit the Iron Tail and split apart, sparing Rocky from the freezing attack.

"H-how's that possible?!" Candy gasped. She then recomposed herself. "It doesn't matter. I still have the advantage! Blizzard again!"

"Type advantages don't always win battles!" I countered. "Use Dragonbreath!"

Rocky inhaled and released a stream of green flames. The flames instantly melted the snow and hit Soufflé, knocking her back. She didn't take as much damage, but she was panting harder than Rocky.

"This is impossible!" Candy angrily complained. "I have to beat you! Soufflé, Blizzard!"

Soufflé tried to take a deep breath, but it took a while to get the right amount of air she needed.

"Rocky, now's our chance. Use Rock Throw!"

Rocky formed a boulder and threw it at Soufflé. The Balloon Pokémon was immediately flattened, and the crowd was silent. When the boulder rolled away, she was unable to move.

The referee was stunned, but recovered and declared me the winner. The other students were also stunned, but at least they didn't jeer at us.

"Great job, Rocky!" I said cheerfully, breaking the silence. He looked at me and smiled. After I returned him, Candy angrily returned Soufflé.

"This isn't over Summer Scorcher! When we meet again, I will utterly defeat you!" She stomped back to a building labeled "Dormitory". The students and referee left right afterwards and the grounds were empty.

"That was weird," I noted. I then heard someone to my left clapping.

"Brava, Summer," Pam said, walking towards me. "That was a great battle."

"Oh. Thank you, Pam. Is Candy going to be okay?"

"Oh, don't worry about her. She needs to learn how to accept a loss."

"Okay...I better get going then." I waved goodbye and headed back to the Pokémon Center. I felt the reason for her hostility was deeper than our contrasting preferences. But I couldn't think about that now. The upcoming Gym battle was more important.

Pokémon: Blaze (Combusken, male): Brave Nature, moves: Quick Attack, Double Kick, Flamethrower, Focus Energy

Errol (Noctowl, male): Rash Nature, moves: Foresight, Confusion, Hypnosis, Peck

Swirls (Poliwhirl, female): Relaxed Nature, moves: Water Pulse, Hypnosis, Water Gun, Doubleslap

Lightning (Pikachu, female): Adamant Nature, moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Sweet Kiss

Flower (Bulbasaur, female): Gentle Nature, moves: Tackle, Leech Seed, Vine Whip, Sleep Powder

Rocky (Onix, male): Lonely Nature, moves: Rock Throw, Slam, Dragonbreath, Iron Tail

Questions for the Chapter:

What do you think of Candy?

How will Summer do against the Celadon City Gym Leader?