.

~~**V**~~

Triple Leaders, Team Threats

Gwen raced along the path that lead to the city. It was just a short distance away, less than a quarter mile. They finally made it to Striaton City! It had been a few more days in the forest, training Growlithe. He'd grown from the timid, underfed Pokemon when they first met. Now, he was ready for a battle and the Gym was in their sights!

"We finally made it Striaton City!" Gwen said to Pikachu on her shoulder.

"Pika pika!" he cheered.

Gwen smiled, making her way down toward the city. "I wonder who the Gym Leader will be? Or the Pokemon they'll have?" In Kanto and Johto, the first Gyms had Rock-Types and Flying-Types. Two very opposites. Though with seventeen different types and even more combinations, it was hard to tell.

Upon entering the city, Gwen first entered a market area with a few coffee shops and even a bakery specifically for bread. Gwen didn't know those were even around anymore. She always saw baked goods come out of the same store, whether they were bread, muffins, cakes, and other things. The sweet smell of bread tickled her nose as she walked down the street.

"Now, where's the Gym?" Gwen murmured, looking from building to building, peering down the alleys and streets in between.

"Yeah, where is the Gym?"

Spinning around, Gwen saw Iris right behind her. While they made camp together, Iris was often gone by the time Gwen woke up. There were times when the two of them would meet up during the day, but they usually traveled on their own. Gwen often had the annoying feeling that Iris trying to shadow her or something. It was especially annoying because she often came in with a goading or mocking comment like this one.

"I don't suppose you know where it is?" Gwen asked, curbing the sneer on her mouth and glaring at the girl over her glasses.

Iris smirked, holding out a pear. "All ready to go with no idea where you're going. What a kid."

Axew sprung from Iris's hair. "Axew! Axew!!" he sang, munching down on the pear Iris was holding.

Gwen grit her teeth. You didn't even answer the question! She was going to voice her thoughts, but another cut her off.

"Say, an Axew!"

Gwen and Iris turned to see a young man with short, light green hair and eyes approach them. He was dressed somewhat formally in dress slacks, a white collared shirt and black buttoned vest. He even had a green bow tie at his throat. He also had a canvas grocery bag over his shoulder. He approached the two of them, leaning in to take a closer look at Axew coming out from Iris's hair.

He leaned back with a knuckle to his chin and a thoughtful expression. "Soft skin as fresh as new grass, tusks like newly sprouted young shoots, and a future as bright and limitless as the sun. The perfect partner for a young lady who seems at one with nature!" he exclaimed in a soft and gentle voice.

Iris smiled. "Wow! Thanks so much!"

"Axew!" he chirped.

Gwen watched the small exchange, wondering if this guy was as intrigued by an Axew as she was. Sure, he was from Unova, but it seemed that an Axew wasn't common in this area.

Pikachu seemed confused by the exchange as well. "Pika?"

The guy's eyes turned to Gwen and Pikachu, shining in delight as they fell on Pikachu. "Huh? It's a Pikachu!" Gently, he lifted Pikachu off Gwen's shoulder and gazed at him, shifting him bit by bit to get a good look over him. "This is the first time I've seen one up close!" He looked Pikachu in the eye. "Hello, there!" he said gently.

Pikachu blushed. "Pika pika."

He gave Pikachu back to Gwen, who wrapped her arms around her partner. "You've got yourself a rare Pokemon, you know?" he said.

Gwen felt herself blush at the guy's attention. She was suddenly glad she decided to wash up before coming to the city, even wiping the mud from her boots. She felt less like a dirty traveler and more like a city girl in her yellow and black plaid shirt and black vest, dark jeans, and a black slouchy beanie, her clean hair waving out from under it. Shyly, she curled her hair behind her ear and adjusted her glasses. "Well, we're from Kanto. My name is Gwen and Pikachu is my special partner."

"Pika," Pikachu chirped.

The guy smiled. "How do you do?" He bowed slightly. What a gentleman. "My name is Cilan, a Pokemon Connoisseur."

Gwen was stumped. "A Pokemon what?" She wasn't even sure how to pronounce it. Conn-a-sewer?

"It's not surprising that you don't know what it is," Cilan stated, not at all phased by Gwen's lack of knowledge. "It's a job that isn't really known outside of the Unova region. I use my knowledge and experience to judge the compatibility between Trainers and their Pokemon. I then help them form closer relationships. That's the job of a Pokemon Connoisseur."

Gwen blinked. That seemed like an amazing job. She thought of her previous Pokemon and her relationships with them. What would Cilan think of them? Of her current Pokemon? She had such a variety. Strong Pokemon, pretty Pokemon, docile Pokemon, defiant Pokemon. Perhaps Cilan would see just how unique she was when it came to her and her pairings with Pokemon. "So, what do you think of Pikachu and me?" she asked. "I'm sure you'll say we're perfect."

Her buddy nodded. "Pikachu!" he agreed. Five years together, they knew each other very well.

Iris butted in. "Why are you wasting your time with that?" she said. "Remember why we're here?"

Gwen glared at Iris. Not only was she trying to boss Gwen around, but she basically called Cilan's job a waste of time. Though perhaps there was a better time. She turned to Cilan. "Do you know where the Striaton Gym is, Cilan? I'm here to challenge it!"

He nodded with a smile, not at all offended by Iris's comment. "I see. I'll take you there. Follow me!" He winked and Gwen felt her heart flutter.

The Gym was actually pretty close, just three blocks away. "Here we are," Cilan said, gesturing to the beige colored building. It's tall, but not quite a double story building. It had a P insignia with a Pokeball worked into the design. Must be the symbol for Pokemon Gyms in Unova. It'll make finding them easier.

Gwen giddily raced toward the doors, throwing them open. "Let's battle!" she cried. From her shoulder, Pikachu called as well.

But the inside didn't look like a Gym at all. There were several dining tables where groups of girls sat taking lunch. Two waiters stood next to tables, carrying trays of food and drinks. They were dressed similarly to Cilan actually. And they all stared at her, confused. Was she at the right place? Where did Cilan lead them to?

Iris came in next to her. "Wait, this is the Striaton Gym?" she wondered aloud, just as confused as Gwen.

The red-haired waiter stepped up to Gwen's left. "Hi! Welcome!"

The blue-haired popped up on the other side. "Welcome friends."

Still confused, Gwen didn't move. But she felt Cilan's hands at her shoulders, guiding her to an empty table. "Please, make yourselves at home," he said. He took her backpack and tote off her shoulders and hung them on the back of a chair. He pulled out the one next to it and sat Gwen down into it. Iris sat down at the chair on her other side.

The red-haired waiter returned to the table, a notepad and pen in his hands. "So, are you ready to order?"

Gwen was taken aback. "Order? I thought this was a Gym."

"Can I start you off with something to drink?" the blue-haired waiter asked from her other side.

"Uh, I'm not sure," Gwen told him. Mostly she's just confused as to why the Striaton Gym functioned like a restaurant.

"If I may," the blue-haired waiter said. "I highly recommend the soda pop."

Gwen quirked a brow and scoffed. "Oh, 'if you may'-wait, what flavors have you got?"

"Really, Gwen!" Iris cried.

"Shush!" she snapped back.

"We have cola, root beer, grape, orange, citrus, and elderberry & lime," the waiter answered.

Gwen grinned widely. "You have elderberry and lime soda!" she sighed. It was her favorite! It was a favored drink from Kanto. Unfortunately Johto didn't have it and Gwen had to travel the whole time without any. But Unova has it!

Iris face-planted into her palm. "Oh brother."

The waiters then began swarming Gwen with lunch specials. But she wasn't very hungry and while she was tempted to have the soda...it was a little overwhelming. She came here for a battle!

Pounding her fists on the table, Gwen leapt from the chair. "I JUST WANNA HAVE A STRIATON CITY GYM BATTLE!" she roared. The room fell silent, the waiters recoiled and the girls at the table stared at her incredulously. Gwen didn't even feel embarrassed about the spectacle she just caused, too frustrated with this place. "Let's go Pikachu!"

She didn't take three steps before Cilan spoke up. "Just a minute." The lights shut off, leaving heavy darkness save for a spotlight that shines on Cilan and the two waiters. "Alright then, Gwen. I'll grant your request!" A spotlight shone down on him and he winked at her again. But she was too confused and frustrated to feel any fluttering this time.

The girls in the room leap from their chairs and begin squealing and sighing like fangirls...typical.

Another spotlight fell on the red-haired waiter. "So, you're a challenger." He turned to face her. "Then you'll receive a welcome as pleasant and hot as the noonday sun." Even more sighs come from the girls.

"No," the blue-haired waiter said, the spotlight turning on him. "I think we should be cool, like a refreshing glass of water. Chilled, of course."

The girls squeal and sigh and Gwen was about to tell them to shut up. "I can't believe we get to see another battle today," she heard.

"Yeah, it's like the happiest day of my life," another one says.

"Oh, I can't wait to see it!" one sighs.

Officially confused, "What is going on here?" Gwen wondered aloud.

"Pika," her partner murmured, just as confused as she was.

Cilan smiled at her. "This is the Striaton Gym."

"And the three of us-"

"We're triplet brothers-"

"And we're the Gym Leaders!" They said this in unison.

Triplet brothers as the Gym Leaders? Gwen had never heard of that before!

"Now, it's-" Cilan continued.

"Show time!"

With their unified call, the wall shifted to reveal the battlefield. It was a rocky arena with plenty of boulders to jump on or hide behind. "Whoa," Gwen murmured, impressed. So Cilan wasn't punking her at least. This was indeed a Gym.

Cilan stepped up behind her. "Now is the time to select your battle opponent."

Knotting her brow, Gwen turned to the brothers. "Wait, I'm choosing?" They didn't conduct their battles together or something?

Cilan nodded. "That's correct! Me, or Chili-" he gestured to his red-haired brother, "-or Cress." He pointed to his blue-haired brother. "You can battle anyone of us. Our rule states that if you're victorious against the one you choose, then you will earn the Trio Badge."

Chili then grabbed his Pokeball and called out his Pokemon. "Time to meet our Pokemon partners! Heat's on!" A small, red monkey Pokemon came out.

"Here's the Pokemon I'll be using," Cress added. "Make a splash!" Another monkey Pokemon comes out, this one light blue.

Then Cilan called out his. "It's my turn! Here we go! My partner!" Yet another monkey Pokemon, this one sage-green, is revealed.

Adjusting her glasses, Gwen took in the three Pokemon with a smile. Three similar, yet differentiated Pokemon just like their Trainers. She pulled out her PokeDex and held it to the red one. Pansear, the High Temp Pokemon. Pansear lives in caves near volcanoes. The temperature on the tuft of its head can reach six hundred degrees when it's angry. Gwen moved to the next one. Pansage, the Grass Monkey Pokemon. Pansage offers leaves on its head to Pokemon that have low energy. The leaves relieve stress. And the last one. Panpour, the Spray Pokemon. Panpour lived in forests long ago, but developed a body that makes it easy to live near water. It can store water in the tuft on its head.

Gwen looked over the Pokemon again. They were different by the colors of their heads and legs, but with the same tanned torsos. Though it seemed that Pansear's had something of an orange tint, while Pansage's had some brown in there. Panpour's seemed like a slightly brighter yellow.

The brothers converged behind her. "So, Gwen," Cilan began, "will your choice be to battle with me?"

"Or me?" Chili added. "It would be a distinct honor!"

Cress spoke next. "I must confess, I wouldn't really mind if you were to battle me."

Gwen took a step away and turned to face the three of them. "Well, the truth is, I'd like to battle all of you."

The three brothers gasped, obviously having never heard such a request before. It was almost shocking for Gwen to think they'd never had a challenger who wanted to face all of them. Who wouldn't want the ultimate challenge? Though Gwen also couldn't deny the thrill that she would be the first person to do so. "This is my first Gym Battle in the Unova Region," Gwen explained. "I want to battle as many new Pokemon as I can." She clasped her hands together, interlacing her fingers and holding them at her chin, hoping - praying - they'd agree. Pikachu pleaded as well, wanting the battle as much as Gwen did.

The brothers looked uncertainly at each other. They'd never done such a thing and wondered just how they would work out such a challenge. "Well, well, well," Cilan started, "we've never met a Trainer quite like you before." It was true. Most Trainers challenged the Gym for the badge, but it seemed Gwen was just as interested in the battle as the badge. If not more so. Cilan turned to his brothers. "What should we do?"

Chili grinned. "Gwen certainly has an interesting idea. I don't have any problems with it." It didn't surprise Cilan that Chili would say something like that. His youngest brother was always ready for battle.

He turned to his other brother. Cress smiled, up for the challenge as well. "I suggest a new rule that two wins for Gwen will earn her the Striaton City Gym Badge."

Cilan turned to Gwen, holding her hands in front of her, anticipation threatening to burst. "How does that sound to you?"

Gwen grinned. "Yes!" From her shoulder, Pikachu cheered too.

The battles were set up so that she would face Chili, Cress, and then Cilan if she lost one of the first two battles. Gwen and Chili went to their respective pedestals with Cilan as the referee. Pansear raced onto the battle field.

"Attention!" Cilan announced. "For our first battle today at the Striaton Gym, it's Gwen, the challenger, versus Chili, the Gym Leader! Only one Pokemon each! And when either side is unable to battle, the match is over!"

"Alright," Chili called with a grin. "I'll be turning up the heat and showing you how to cook!"

Gwen grinned right back, pulling out Growlithe's Pokeball. "Growlithe, I choose you!" He appeared on the field with a spitfire from his mouth, more than ready for the battle. The day before when they'd been training together against Pikachu, learning Growlithe's moves and how the two of them would work together, Growlithe had gained so much more of his confidence. When he'd first lost to Pikachu, Gwen assured him that losing was part of the experience and so long as he gave his best, she would always be proud. That, and she promised to have their first Gym Battle together. This was it.

Chili smirked at her Pokemon of choice. "It takes courage to challenge a Gym Leader like me with a Fire-type Pokemon. But I'm all ready! Go!"

Gwen took the first move. "Growlithe, Flame Wheel!"

Growlithe took one bound before curling into a somersault of fire, heading straight for Pansear. It hit him right on the mark, but Pansear merely rolled back onto his feet, barely affected by the attack. Chili then countered with Fire Punch, which charged at Growlithe and managed not only to knock him off his feet, but deal out more damage. They were both Fire-Types but their Fire-Type moves dealt out different amounts of damage.

"Get up, Growlithe!" Gwen called. "You can do it!" Growlithe jumped to his feet, raring to go again.

"Don't give them a chance to counter attack!" Chili cried. "Use Flamethrower!" Gwen quickly countered with Ember but Pansear's Flamethrower easily shot through it. Flamethrower was just a stronger move and Growlithe didn't know it. Chili then ordered Dig before Gwen and Growlithe could even regain their bearings. Just as the flames and smoke dissipated around Growlithe, Pansear sprung from under him, knocking him into the air.

Slowly, Growlithe rose back to his feet. Chili called for Dig again and Gwen ordered Growlithe to run, making for a harder target. Growlithe leapt along the field, jumping off the boulders for a burst of speed. But that didn't stop Pansear from getting another hit in. Pansear leaped up twice, missing Growlithe on both accounts, Gwen then called for Growlithe to follow Pansear. Growlithe leapt into Pansear's latest Dig hole and both Pokemon emerged from another one with Growlithe hanging tight onto Pansear's tail and the other desperately trying to shake him off.

"Shake Growlithe off!" Chili cried. "Send him flying!"

Pansear slammed Growlithe onto the ground, but Grolwithe still had his tail in his jaws. His eyes snapped open.

"You know what to do, Growlithe!" Gwen called.

Growlithe jumped to his feet and began spinning Pansear around by the tail. Three turns and Growlithe flung him against a boulder.

"Now use Ember!" Gwen ordered. Still reeling from the impact, Pansear couldn't defend or counter-attack. "Take Down!" Growlithe charged and rammed right into Pansear, sending them both crashing against the wall. They both slid down the wall, Pansear visibly knocked out and Growlithe sprawled out in front of it, the discharge from impact coursing through him. A moment passed and Growlithe leapt to his feet.

"Pansear is unable to battle!" Cilan announced. "Growlithe wins. Therefore, the winner of the first match is the challenger, Gwen!"

"Yes!" Gwen called, pumping her hands in the air. One win, one to go! Growlithe raced across the field and straight to her arms. She held him at eye level, an ear-to-ear grin on her face. "I'm so proud of you!" she told her Pokemon, rubbing her nose against his. "Wanna watch our next match?" Growlithe smiled, his tail wagging. Gwen took that as a yes.

"Your Growlithe is pretty impressive," she heard Chili say.

Gwen placed Growlithe at her feet. "Thanks very much. He's persistent."

Chili stepped down from the pedestal and Cress stepped up next. If Gwen won this match, the badge would be hers. Though, taking a small glance at Cilan, she couldn't help but feel a tad disappointed at the prospect of not being able to battle him. Oh well. Panpour raced onto the field just as Pansear did.

"Time for our second battle!" Cilan called. "The battle between Gwen and Cress is about to begin!"

Gwen knelt down and placed her hand on Pikachu's head. "Two wins in a row and the badge is ours. You up for it, buddy?"

"Pikachu!" her Pokemon cheered, fists pumped before leaping onto the field.

"And begin!"

"Alright!" Gwen called, taking the first move. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu leapt forward with a burst of speed and a blinding white tail followed him at his speed. But Cress countered with Double Team and Panpour split into several copies. The one that was the original Panpour was a mere hologram as Pikachu hit it. Cress then called for Scratch and hit Pikachu before there was anytime to counter. Gwen gaped at Panpour's power. Despite being a Water-Type, Cress wasn't going to make this battle easy.

"Pikachu's an Electric-Type, of course, so there's definitely an advantage there," Cress started. "Even so, it's still no match for my Panpour! Now, use Water Gun!"

Panpour shot the Water Gun from its mouth, but Gwn gained her wits back to order a dodge. She was going to have to go full-throttle! "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Still in midair, Pikachu charged for his attack.

"Panpour, aim at Pikachu's feet!" Cress called. Panpour tilted his head down to shoot at the ground just as Pikachu landed. Just as Pikachu would have released his attack, he tripped on the water. Cress then called for a quick barrage of Water Gun and then Scratch, taking turns in close-range as well as long-range and not letting Pokemon and Trainer any chance to get in a hit. After a few hits Panpour stepped away and Pikachu struggled to rise to his feet.

"Come on, Pikachu!" Gwen called. "This battle isn't over yet! You've gotta get up!"

"Growl, Growlithe!" Growlithe added his own encouragement.

"I think you'll agree that this battle is close to the end," Cress said.

"No way!" Gwen shot back. "We've come to win and that's just what we'll do!" She turned to her star partner. "Come on, Pikachu!" Pikachu slowly rose to his feet. "Way to go! Now, Volt Tackle!"

Cress seemed mildly impressed as Pikachu charged forward in a cloud of electricity. "Volt Tackle? A move where a Pokemon causes damage ot itself. Even so, our anti-Electric-Type strategy is perfect! Alright Panpour, use Mud Sport!"

Panpour pounded at the ground, which turned into a mudslide that headed straight for Pikachu. Once it got under Pikachu's feet, he slipped and the Volt Tackle quickly dissipated. Pikachu fell to his belly, the moved failed.

"Finish this up with Water Gun!" Cress called.

Gwen could only gape as Panpour dished out his final move and Pikachu was thrown back, unconscious. They weren't able to get a single shot in! A Water-Type Pokemon beat an Electric-Type without taking a single hit. Amazing. Once the disappointment wore off, Gwen would undoubtedly be impressed by Cress's and Panpour's prowess.

"Pikachu is unable to battle," Cilan called from the sidelines. "Panpour wins! So the winner of the second battle is the Gym Leader, Cress!"

Gwen ran onto the field and knelt in front of Pikachu, taking him in her arms. His eyes fluttered open as she rose to her feet and turned back to the pedestal. There was mud on his goggles and Gwen gently brushed it off as best as she could. "You did your best," Gwen told her Pokemon. "I'm proud of you."

His face fell to a slight pout. "Pika pika..."

Gwen leaned in and kissed the tuft on his forehead. "Don't worry about it." She stepped back onto the pedestal and Pikachu jumped out of her arms. Growlithe licked his cheek in condolence. She turned to see Cilan stepping onto the pedestal. Chili took his place as the referee.

"You've truly demonstrated the deep bonds between Trainer and Pokemon," Cilan said. "We're very impressed, but we won't give up our badge that easily."

He'd given her another wink and Gwen felt her heart flutter. He certainly had a way with words. That and his cultured manner of speech. Despite her city clothes, Gwen never felt more like the country bumpkin she truly was. But for the first time, it gave her a sense of pride. She was a Pokemon Trainer and years of traveling and battling, winning and losing, got her to where she was now. Each and every one of her Pokemon were precious to her and she grew and learned along with them. That made for deep and loving friendships. And Cilan saw that.

"Well, what's the point of a badge if you don't earn it?" Gwen replied, pulling out her next Pokeball. "I'm going to give it everything I've got to earn the Trio Badge!"

Cilan smiled. "Pansage, I'd like to engage them in a refined battle with plenty of flavored depths and tastes. Sound good?"

From the field, his Pokemon nodded. "Pansage."

"This is it!" Chili announced. "The third battle with Gwen and Cilan! Begin!"

"Oshawott, I choose you!"

Oshawott appeared on the field, his hands on his hips, exuding confidence. "Osha!"

Confused gasps and murmurs spread through the Gym. Even Cilan looked at Oashawott with a knotted brow.

"Intentionally choosing a Pokemon that's at a disadvantage?" Cress said from the sidelines. "That doesn't taste right."

Gwen ignored his comment. His Water-Type Pokemon won without taking a hit. And Oshawott was a cut above the rest. He'd beat Pansage. She knew it.

Oshawott looked to his opponent before running back to Gwen. He hid behind her leg and shook his fist at Pansage, more confident there than on the field. But he wouldn't do battle from there. Gwen sighed, embarrassment and exasperation leaking from it. "Oh boy." She pushed Oshawott back onto the field, Pikachu and Growlithe following her.

"Osha, oshawott," her Pokemon bemoaned, not wanting to undertake this battle.

"Come on, Oshawott," Gwen nudged. "I need you to be strong. You're the only Pokemon who can get the job done. You're one of my strongest Pokemon. It's up to you! Don't you remember rescuing Pikachu and Axew when they were in trouble?"

"Pika!" Pikachu agreed.

Oshawott rose to his feet. "Oshawott!"

"So show me that strength now!" Gwen told him. "Let's you and me win that Gym Badge!"

"Pika pika!"

"Growlithe!"

Oshawott tapped on his scalchop. "Osha, Oshawott!" Gwen and her two other Pokemon returned to the pedestal.

Cilan smiled at the two of them. "You have the first attack, from anywhere you'd like."

Gwen took him up on his offer, shifting her glasses. "Oshawott, Tackle go!"

Oshawott raced for Pansage, but Cilan called for a dodge and all Pansage had to do was skip out of the way. Unfortunately Oshawott didn't care to look where he was going. Cilan then ordered for Bullet Seed. Oshawott turned and raced away, but not fast enough as the attack hit him right on the bum. Oshawott landed face first, lifting a hand to massage his aching bum. Gwen definitely felt for her Pokemon.

"Looks like you two could grow up a bit," Cilan called. "You know, mature."

His patronizing tone made Gwen's lips for a snarl. And the added playfulness made her want to sic Oshawott on him. Jerk! Sure Oshawott was both headstrong and foolhardy, but that was his main appeal. That was what made him a winning Pokemon. "You take that back!" she snapped at him.

"Do you want proof?" he said. "I'll show it to you. Pansage, get close to Oshawott." Pansage did just that and leered at her Pokemon. Oshawott cowered back. "Now use Bite!" Pansage then clamped his jaw on Oshawott's skull and clung on even as Oshawott tried to run him off. Oshawott kept going until he hit a boulder face first, Pansage having jumped off before getting hit.

"Come on, Oshawott!" Gwen called. "You can do it! Use Water Gun!" Oshawott shot his attack toward Pansage who simply leapt from rock to rock, effortlessly dodging each attack.

Oshawott paused, panting from the quick succession of attacks. "You've gotta aim better, Oshawott!" Gwen called from behind him. He then continued striking, missing the first two before landing the third as Pansage was airborne.

"Yes!" Gwen cheered. "That's how it's done!"

Cilan smiled from across the field. "New flavors...like a secret ingredient." His eyes closed and he gave a minute shake of his head. "But you'll never defeat me with simple tastes like that! Pansage, I think it's time to convert the power of the sun!"

Convert the power of the sun? Gwen thought, her mouth falling open. He couldn't mean...no!

But her fears were confirmed as the leafy tuft on Pansage's head began to sparkle with absorbed sun energy. Yes, it was indeed Solarbeam.

"Pansage, use Solarbeam! Go!" Cilan called.

I remember this as the episode where Iris's comments about Ash being a kid really gets annoying. When watching back-to-back episodes, I find that she gets to be borderline abusive towards Ash. I know Misty often called Ash out but Iris often did it for the stupidest reasons. Like not knowing what a Pokemon Connoisseur is. I want to slap Iris every time I watch that episode. So, I'm gonna be reigning in Iris's insults just a little bit, at least where I feel they're more unnecessary. I actually want to like her.

And adding on the thing about the soda pop. There used to be this discount grocery store in my neighborhood that sold elderberry & lime soda for 1.50$ a liter. I used to get two every week, I loved it so much. Opportunity arose and I could not say no!

Finally when it comes to Cilan and his brothers. I kinda had the idea that Cilan was the oldest, followed by Cress and then Chili. Just my opinion though.