GT: Okay, readers. Here's part 2 of the double update.
SZ: Eeyup...and it's gonna focus on a certain HATED Gym episode of the first season of Pokemon.
Z0: *offscreen* So much cringe!
SZ: ...Was that Z0?
GT: Crossdressing in the original episode involving Ash.
SZ: Oh...oh no...oh god no. We are NOT having that in this chapter!
Z0: *still offscreen* Thank god!
SZ: Yeah...so...l-let's just get the chapter started. GT?
GT: Yep. *puts a sign on the curtains reading 'Build has an IQ of 80 and his design is subpar to what a genius could really design.' and walks off* And now we wait for the fireworks. *leaves via secret tunnel*
SZ: 0-0….*runs for it*
Z0: What did you guys *sees what GT put up* Oh….shiiiiii…*building explodes violently*
Entry 025: Hey. It's Mai Natsume again. Yesterday was, well...crazy. We decided to take a break on our way to Celadon for a snack and, after getting a few chuckles from Honey's reaction to Brock calling his rice balls 'donuts,' Ash came up and seemed a bit depressed. Turns out he had been talking with Professor Oak on the payphone we passed and it led to him learning that Gary had 120 Pokemon now and that even he and Leaf had beaten Celadon City. We did our best to cheer Ash up before we were suddenly invaded by a Mankey. It looked okay at first…before Ash tried to catch it while it was eating a rice ball. Then we figured out just how fast of a quick-temper it had...by way of it pummeling Ash and stealing his hat.
To be honest, considering how five of us in our group are from another world, I shouldn't have been as surprised to realize that Ash's hat was an extremely rare one. Apparently, the entire Region's population old enough had entered and Ash had been the lucky winner, so yeah...He tried to get it back, but that failed. And then…*sighs* Team Rocket showed up. At least they couldn't do their motto. But James had to kick the Mankey and cause it to evolve into Primeape. ...Yep. Apparently getting angry can cause Pokemon to evolve, too. And when Kajun managed to get Ash's hat back thanks to Hikari….it made things even worse as Primeape called an entire tribe of Mankey to attack us.
I'm not sure for how long we were running, but when we were soon in a rocky area. We thought of ideas how to stop this, but the Teleport plan failed since Hikari hasn't learned to Teleport under stress yet and Gengar went to Professor Oak after a terrible poem about his species. So we had to come up with a back-up plan….have Ash catch Primeape while the rest of us-mainly Kajun and Misty- deal with the tribe of Mankey. It seemed to work once Onix blocked the Mankey off from Primeape, but...no matter what Pokemon Ash used on him, Primeape would just get angrier. We were even starting to get overwhelmed by the Mankey...before two miracles happened. One; Hikari evolved when a Mankey tried to attack Kajun, and two; Charmander defeating Primeape...in the most brutal way possible thanks to Rage. Apparently, Rage works two ways: either a Pokemon can use it repeatedly without losing control...or, from what Brock noted on a few Trainers who came with Charmanders as their Starters, go into a complete berserk state where they attack without restraint until either they're out or the opponent's down and out. ...Yeah...We really need to talk to Ash about that and getting Charmander to not use Rage anymore unless it's a last resort. Needless to say, Ash captured Primeape, and….by extension, we reached Celadon City in no time flat. But...we all agreed to wait a night because we couldn't take another step from how long we were running!
Ash gulped as he looked around, "I've never seen so many tall buildings all together like this before…"
"Celadon City is known as the great metropolis due to its tall buildings, and is known for its perfumes," Tsubaki replied, looking at a brochure of the place.
"This isn't really that much compared to thirteen cities back home," Mai admitted.
"How so?" Misty asked.
"They're on the tops of thirteen mountains," Mai explained.
"Thirteen mountains?!"
"That's right," Mai nodded before she noticed something...or rather someone missing, "...Hey. Where'd Brock go?"
"That answer your question?" Makoto deadpanned, seeing Brock right in front of a store window.
"Who ya making faces at Brock?" Ash asked as he walked over.
"Heh heh...my nose tells me that this is my kind of town…" Brock replied in a goofy, lovestruck voice.
"It's girls, ain't it?" Makoto frowned as she walked over, her nose scrunched a bit as she took a glance at the sign above the window.
"Yep," Misty replied, looking in the window as well to see three young women in uniform chatting at the counter.
"I think we should stay here for a while…" Brock sighed in bliss.
"...If you wanna waste your time…" Ash shrugged, "Let's get moving. I...huh? Misty? Pikachu?"
"They went inside," Makoto explained, "But you can count me out from going in there."
"Huh? Wh-"
"I don't do perfume...EVER," Makoto said as she walked off.
"Makoto has a bit of a sensitive nose," Kajun explained to a blinking Ash, "Perfume stores give her terrible headaches and she becomes a bit more...abrasive...when that happens."
"Oh…well, you girls head to the Pokemon Center. We'll meet up at the Gym," Ash replied as he walked inside.
"Wait a moment, Ashton. Would you mind if I take Primeape to have his injuries from Chamander's Rage Attack examined?" Kajun halted Ash.
"Hmm? Oh sure," Ash nodded, pulling out Primeape's Pokeball and handed it to her.
"Thank you. I'll give him back right to you once he's been returned from being checked on by Nurse Joy," Kajun thanked.
"We had to put his nose in a cast," Nurse Joy explained as Primeape's PokeBall was handed back to Kajun, the semi-transparent top showing the Pig Monkey poking at his cast-covered nose, "He'll need to keep that on for the rest of today for the nose to be properly fixed. Though, how did it happen?"
"A Pokemon with Rage," Kajun replied.
"The repeated use or the berserker use?"
"Berserker."
"Ooh…" Nurse Joy cringed at that before handing Kajun a flyer, "We keep these on hand in case of Trainers either having or encountering a Pokemon with Berserker Rage Syndrome. It provides tips and treatments to help Pokemon with it not fly into them."
"Ahh...this will be helpful then," Kajun noted before bowing a bit, "Thank you."
"You're quite welcome," Nurse Joy smiled.
Kajun walked over to the girls before she let herself sigh in relief, "There. I did it."
"Good job, Kajun," Tsubaki beamed as Makoto grumbled under her breath as she handed Mai a few dollars behind them.
"Y-you're starting to show restraint," Noel added with a small smile.
"Well...yes...ahem! Let's just go and meet Ashton and the others at the Gym," Kajun cleared her throat.
"Any ideas on what type of Gym it is?" Mai asked as they left the center.
"Oh, I asked about while I was trying to calm down from the little rise from the perfume I smelled earlier outside that shop," Makoto explained, "Turns out that the Gym here's a Grass-Type run by a lady called Erika. She's called the Nature-Loving Princess since her Gym doubles as a greenhouse that stocks a majority of the plants sold in town."
"I see," Mai noted.
"Hmm...Ashton should be able to pull it off with Pidgeotto and Charmander, but…" Kajun paused as she pondered for a moment, "He may need some battle strategies just in case Erica pulls any surprises."
"H-hai," Noel nodded, "Th-then maybe afterwards, we can look around the city."
"So long as we don't go near perfume shops, I'm up for that," Makoto grinned.
"We could resupply on stuff we need," Tsubaki added, "And the brochure did say Celadon City has some of the biggest stores in the entire region."
"...Guess one of the stores got shut down by the police," Mai noted, seeing them going by a pair of buildings with police lines set up all over them.
"I think that was the local casino," Tsubaki guessed before frowning, "No, Makoto."
"What? I wasn't thinking of going in there," Makoto replied, "Seriously, all you'd get in there would be tiny stuff like fruits and stuff." she pointed at the other building, "You probably got cash in there by selling the stuff in the first building."
"Actually that's where they hold the prizes you exchange the currency in."
"...Eh?"
"Though at this point, the prizes are most likely considered evidence," Tsubaki added, noticing a few cops carrying out some items and a few PokeBalls.
"...Mmm...now I really wished that place stayed open…" Makoto muttered.
"Why don't we focus on meeting up with Ashton and the others?" Kajun spoke up, "We're close to the gym any…"
"LET ME IN!"
"...W...was that Ash?" Noel blinked.
"Hoo boy, what happened now?" Makoto groaned.
"Seriously, you can't do this to me!" Ash snapped, trying to open the glass doors of a Gym themed after a plant, specifically a rafflesia flower, "Let me in already! Please...just...let me in…" he groaned as he fell to his knees, "At least give them back to me…"
"No," one of the attendants spoke as she poked her head out, "Not only did you insult something Lady Erika made, but you also disrespected two visiting Gym Leaders! As such, we have the right to not only ban you in Lady Erika's name, but confiscate your badges and Pokemon until further notice!"
"But you can't do that! I worked hard t-"
"Leave before we call Officer Jenny on you," she frowned before stamping a huge X over Ash's face, causing him to fall over, "Again, you are hereby banned from the Celadon City Gym, sexist!"
"What does that even…?!" Ash began before she slammed the door, "...Ugh...now what do I do…?"
"Ash!" Ash turned to see the girls running up with Makoto in the lead, "What happened now? Gym Leader's not psychotic, is she? ...Please tell me she's not a Poison Ivy copy."
"A Poison Ivy copy? What?"
"Ash, what's this stamp marker on your face?" Kajun frowned, bending down while pulling out a handkerchief to help wipe it off his face.
"...One of the people working at the Gym gave it to me because I've been banned from entering…" Ash sighed.
"What?" Kajun blinked, "Ashton, what happened while we were at the Pokemon Center?"
"I went in the store to get Misty and Pikachu and…well, I met the store manager, who assumed that I said that she was trying to rip off her customers with her perfume, but I said that all perfumes were a rip off because they turn men into zombies."
"..." the girls all looked at Makoto, who was trying hard not to laugh behind the fist over her mouth.
"It didn't help that my head was hurting when I went in there," Ash went on, making Makoto stop trying to laugh and go silent with a cringe, "Then one thing led to another and they all started turning on me and calling me a sexist! I don't know what that means, but Brock, Misty, and Pikachu were joining in on it!"
"Pikachu?" Noel repeated in surprise.
"You think he's still upset that Ash agreed to lowering his ketchup intake after that last visit to the Pokemon Center in Saffron?" Mai whispered to Makoto, who shrugged in response.
"...What happened after that, Ash?" Tsubaki asked.
"Well I left and headed straight to the Gym, but when I got here, they outright banned me from entering! They were saying they wouldn't let me in if I was the last Pokemon Trainer on Earth!"
Kajun nodded before noticing something lacking to Ash's attire...mainly his Pokeballs and his jacket, "Ashton, where are your Pokemon and your jacket?"
"...They confiscated them because I 'disrespected Brock and Misty' along with their Gym."
"...Ooh…" Kajun cringed, "Article 37-E in the Pokemon League guidelines."
"What's that?" Makoto asked.
"A Trainer can have a temporary confiscation of their Badges and Pokemon under suspicion of criminal activities by a Gym Leader or should the honor of three Gyms be injured by said Trainer's actions at one Gym," Kajun explained.
"WHAT?!" Ash exclaimed, "But I didn't do anything wrong! All I said was that all perfumes were a rip off! That's it!"
"..." Kajun looked through the glass at the empty desk before wincing, "Ashton, there's a plaque above behind the desk over there. Can you read what it says?"
"...Oh no…" Ash groaned as he looked inside, "...'Do not let this Trainer in. He is a sexist for disrespecting Lady Erika and visiting Gym Leaders Brock Stone and Misty Waterflower.'"
"There is that, yes. But I referring to the other plaque behind the desk," Kajun moved his head a bit, "That is a trophy for outstanding achievements in beauty products, winning for four years in a row now for their unique blends of perfumes."
"...Oh come on…!" Ash groaned as he fell over.
"Oh...Th-This is really bad," Noel gulped, "S-So the Gym Leader herself threw you out?"
"Huh? No, it was these two ladies," Ash replied, "They even threatened to call Officer Jenny on me if I didn't leave the area."
"...It wasn't the Gym Leader?" Kajun asked.
"Not the Gym Leader."
"You haven't met her in the Gym yet?"
"Nope. Just those two ladies."
"...Ashton, you are not under violations of Article 37-E then," Kajun informed.
"I'm not?" Ash blinked.
"He's not?" Mai, Noel, and Makoto blinked.
"Not at all. In fact, considering it wasn't the Gym Leader, but two random women who not only declared the ban but also confiscated your Badges and Pokemon…" Kajun's eyes narrowed dangerously as she handed Ash Primeape's ball, "This Gym is in direct violation of a few articles. Ashton, we're heading back to the Pokemon Center and we need to contact Professor Oak at once. I'll explain on the way to the center."
"...Huh?"
*ring-ring-ring! Ring-ring-ring! Phone Call~! Phone Call~!*
"Now who could it be this time?" Oak pondered as he sat down.
*PFFFFFFRRRRT!*
"...I am so glad I didn't answer before I sat down," Oak groaned as Gengar cackled nearby from the whoopie cushion under Oak's seat going off before answering, "Hello?" the screen turned on, showing Ash and Kajun, "Ah! Ash, Kajun! Is everything…?"
=Professor, the Celadon City Gym is in violation of Article 36-B=
"?!" Oak paused before adopting a stern look, "Are you sure of this, Kajun?"
=Tell him what happened, Ashton=
=I, well, said some stuff about perfume…=
"In the city where the Gym makes perfume," Oak sighed, "Ash, you need to be more careful. You nearly had Article 37-E on your head considering you travel with two children of Gyms from two towns that can also act as Gym Leaders in emergency." An awkward silence followed, "...Kajun."
=Two attendees of the Gym confiscated Ash's Badges and Pokemon and banned him from the Gym, even going as far as to call Officer Jenny on him if he didn't leave=
"...And Brock and Misty weren't with you?"
=Ashton?=
=No. They...joined in at the perfume shop when everyone called me a sexist. Pikachu even shocked me!=
"...That could explain Pikachu's attitude. You should never bring a Pokemon with a strong nose into perfume shops. Studies have shown that Pokemon with a strong sense of smell can become violent when exposed to the conflicting overpowering fragrances in those places," Oak cringed before clearing his throat, "Back to the topic at hand...was Erika there when the confiscation happened?"
=No=
"...Did you see her at all in the Gym?"
=No=
"Do you even know what she looks like?"
=No=
"..." Oak sighed in relief, "Phew. It's not Article 37-E." he then opened his eyes as he adopted a stern glare, "It's Article 36-B."
=What's Article 36-B?=
"During the fifties, there was a bit of an issue at some Gyms. The attendants, loyal to the Gym Leaders, would secretly sabotage Trainers trying to get badges from the Gyms by invoking Article 37-E. As such, Article 36-B was drafted to counter such," Oak explained, "Now then, Kajun, please send out Hikari and have her Teleport to me post haste. I need to give her something that I haven't had to hand out in the last twenty years since I started running the lab."
=Already ahead of you= Kajun replied as her Kirlia poked her head up from between her and Ash.
"I'm glad that Hikari's evolved, but that can wait. Hikari, I need you to Teleport to here immediately," Professor Oak ordered before Hikari appeared on the desk, "Ah. Excellent. Gengar, in the file cabinet behind you is a folder labeled 'Article 36-B' in the top drawer. Bring one of the papers in it here immediately. And no tricks! Ash's career is at stake!"
"Gengar?!" Gengar exclaimed before going into a shadow and coming out of another by Professor Oak, paper in hand, "Gar! Gen-gar-gar-gen!"
"Yes, that's the right paper," Oak nodded as he wrote on the paper and then handed it to Hikari, "Deliver this to Ash immediately."
"Kir," Hikari nodded, using Teleport to leave.
"Once she arrives, you are to sign that immediately, Ash. You need to put your full name on the two lines I put a star beside and then deliver that to Officer Jenny at once," Professor Oak informed.
=G-got it!=
"And I am serious, Ash. Your full name, meaning you have to write out your full first name."
=I...I understand...=
"Good."
"So we're both in agreement that we're apologizing to Ash once we see him," Brock noted as he and Misty stood outside the Gym.
"Yeah. We did go too far in the store," Misty admitted.
"Pika…" Pikachu whined, his paws covering his eyes in shame.
"Then let's head in a…" Brock began before he noticed the plaque inside with Ash's picture on it, "...Wait. Banned?!"
"We've been what?" Misty blinked before looking, "Wait...Oh no...Brock, you don't think that the Gym Leader was in that store, were they?"
"...Worse. I think the Gym Leader was the store manager…" Brock replied with a grimace, "We need to get this sorted out fast. He's not in violation of Article 37-E!"
"Correction…" the two turned to see Ash and the other girls walking up, Tsubaki and Kajun in the lead, "The Gym in question, specifically two attendees working there, invoked Article 36-B."
"Ack!" Misty squawked, "A-a-Article 36-B?!"
"I take it that's why your sisters are the only ones working at your Gym?" Mai asked.
"Took three times it was violated before the other Gym attendants realized it was a thing and left," Misty sighed, "Doesn't help they were all guys wanting to score points with my sisters."
"Honestly…" Tsubaki sighed a bit.
"Was Professor Oak contacted about the violation?" Brock asked.
"This answer your question?" Kajun asked, holding a folder in her hands.
"Thank goodness," Brock sighed in relief before looking at the plaque, "Still...I'll head inside and get the Gym Leader out here. Considering that's up there, they could try to spin things to their advantage somehow."
"But isn't the Gym Leader a girl?" Makoto asked.
"Makoto, there is a plaque in there that is using my name in there for an illegal use of Article 37-E," Makoto flinched as that glare Brock was giving her, "I am not happy over it being used on something that shouldn't have happened because of what you are implying I would do if I saw the Gym Leader."
"...Fair point…" Makoto whispered.
"Mind If I join you? I...have a few words I'd like to say to the two attendants in question," Kajun offered...a dark aura around here as she had a rather unsettling smile on her face.
"Be careful of what you say and do, Kajun," Brock warned sternly, "They could twist it around to get this dropped and Ash into deep trouble." he looked over at Ash, "Ash, we're going to get your Pokemon and Badges back. This is completely messed up and shouldn't have even happened to you."
"I know…" Ash sighed, "Still...thanks."
"Hello, and welcome to…" a worker greeted before flinching at the glare she was being given by Brock.
"Get me the Gym Leader at once," Brock Stone, Gym Leader of Pewter City, ordered.
"...L-Lady Erika?" the worker spoke into an intercom, "Y-you have a visitor...an important one."
"Kajun?" Brock motioned to the worker.
"No. Ashton's description of the two didn't match her," Kajun replied.
"U-um…"
Kajun handed her a slip of paper, "We require the two women who match the descriptions on these as well please."
"Eh?"
"Now," Gym Leader Brock ordered.
"EEE! A-at once!" she yelped as she ran off.
Minutes later, a young woman entered. Her short dark-brown/black hair ending just above her shoulders with a red band across the top of her forehead over her hair. She wore a formal outdoors kimono in the designs of a forest in the summer and wooden sandals.
"Greetings. What can I…?"
"Is this some sort of sick joke?" Brock demanded, holding up the plaque showing Ash.
"Beg pardon?"
"He's referring as to why Ashton Satoshi Ketchum was unjustifiably banned from the Gym and had his badges and Pokemon confiscated," Kajun clarified.
"?! I was unaware he had even arrived to the Gym," Erika noted as she looked at the plaque, "I never approved of this. At most, I would have asked for a simple apology from him before I would battle him, not Article 37-E."
"And yet it's been set up right at this desk for more than likely a few hours now," Brock informed.
"But...I didn't...Wait…" Erika paused before frowning, "Who set up the ban and confiscation exactly?"
"Your attendant here is grabbing the two that Ashton encountered when he entered the Gym," Kajun informed.
"Is the Trainer in question outside?" Erika asked.
"He is with the other name on this plaque," Brock informed.
"Please let him inside to help identify the two violators," Erika ordered.
"Of course. Hikari?" Kajun spoke before Hikari and Ash appeared next to her.
"Phew," Ash sighed in relief, "Um, Brock, how much longer is this gonna take? I'm worried that Misty might barge in from how mad she was about her name being on the plaque, too."
"Just as soon as you help identify the two who are involved with this falsification of Article 37-E," Erika replied.
"Ack! The store manager!" Ash yelped before bowing, "I'm really sorry! Tsubaki told me what I said in your store was bad and why I shouldn't have said that. Please forgive me."
"It's fine. In fact...I should be the one to apologize," Erika sighed a bit, "Lately my Gym...feels more like a gym for SJWs."
"SJ what?"
"Social Justice Warriors," Kajun answered, "People that get slightly offended over the littlest things and, at times, would attack the person who caused the 'offense.'"
"That explains the big stamp…" Ash mumbled, "And the fact they called me a sexist too...I don't even know what that means!"
"Think back to Brick at Saffron City's second Gym."
"...Hey wait a second! I'm not a big cheating jerk who hurts Buneary by breaking their nests!" Ash exclaimed after thinking for a moment.
"...I'll explain it to you later, Ashton," Kajun sweatdropped a bit before two workers were pushed into the room, "...Is that them?"
"...Uh-huh," Ash nodded.
"Y-you needed us, Lady…" the worker with dark blue hair began before she noticed Ash, "...oh...you again. I thought we made it clear that you were banned, sexist! Do we really need to call Officer Jenny on you and have you arrested?!"
"Be silent," the worker froze at the cold tone in Erika's voice before she showed her the plaque, "Is this your doing?"
"...Uh…."
"Yes, ma'am!" the worker with dark brown hair replied, "We did that because that boy not only offended you, but the two visiting Gym Leaders as well!"
"We were all still stressed out over an encounter with a Primeape and tribe of Mankey chasing us for nearly an entire day the day before," Brock explained sternly, "Things have calmed down and the other Gym Leader and I are hoping to apologize for our actions once things are settled with this."
"...Th-that doesn't give him the right to insult Lady Erika's perfume, the little sexist!" the blunette snapped, pointing an accusing finger at Ash.
"Seriously, do I look like I hurt Buneary or make fun of my friends because they're different?" Ash pouted under his breath.
"Kirl…" Hikari assured, patting his leg.
"No and I would have simply asked for an apology, which he gave me immediately upon seeing me just now without prompt," Erika informed, "You two on the other hand have no right to ban him from my Gym, nor confiscate both his Badges and Pokemon by invoking Article 37-E. I am the one who must do so and it must be in agreement with the two Gym Leaders that it be enacted." she glared at the two, "What you both have done has resulted in the enacting of Article 36-B on both of you!"
"Eee!" the two workers freaked, hugging each other in fright, "B-but Lady Erika…!"
"You two have lost that right…" Erika scowled, "This is the fifth time this year you've banned someone from my gym WITHOUT me knowing this year alone."
"Gh?!"
"That's right...don't think I didn't know about the other times thanks to our previous challenger, Leaf," Erika stated.
"Green…" Ash whispered.
"We've delivered the proper paperwork to Officer Jenny and she provided us with this for you to authorize," Kajun informed, handing Erika the folder, "It helps that Professor Oak personally handles Ashton's Pokemon and is a simple phone call away and that my Kirlia, Hikari, knows Teleport."
"But...we…"
"Enough. Hana, Gloria, as Gym Leader of the Celadon City Gym, you two are hereby banished from the Gym, and are fired from all stores associated with the Gym," Erika stated, "Your names are now on the blacklist of all Gyms as well for the next three years." the two groaned, "Oh, and that doesn't start with what happens now that you're confirmed to have Article 36-B put on you both." she opened the folder and pulled out a flower-themed pen from her kimono sleeve before signing the two papers in it before giving them to Brock to sign, "Since this situation involved my Gym, I require a second Gym Leader to sign these."
"What are they?" Ash asked.
"Orders to be given to these two violators," Erika scowled.
"...A...and the second Gym Leader?" the two gulped.
"Hikari?" Kajun spoke as Hikari disappeared before reappearing with a livid Misty, "...Misty. Hand me the mallet…"
"But…"
"Mysteria Kasumi Waterflower...hand. Me. The. Mallet," Kajun ordered, the unnerving smile on her face once more.
"?!" Misty squeaked, handing the mallet over to her immediately.
"Mysteria?"
"Oh, hush, Ashton," Misty pouted.
"Good. Now...please sign the papers, Ms. Waterflower," Erika spoke as Brock showed them to Misty.
"?!" Misty cringed, "So this is why those guys had to do what they did back in Cerulean…" she signed them and gave them to Erika, "Here."
"What do they have to do?" Ash asked as Erika handed the papers to the third worker.
"I require four copies with the originals staying with me, one pair for Mr. Stone, one for Ms. Waterflower, and one each for the two on the Blacklist," Erika informed.
"Oh…"
"Coast clear?" Jessie whispered to Meowth, the trio standing behind the gym
"Yeah. Don't see dose crazy broads anywhere," Meowth answered, poking through an opened window in the greenhouse.
"Good," Jessie grinned as they climbed inside.
"So we're still going to steal the perfume?" James asked.
"Oh we are...but not just that…" Jessie began before growling a bit, "We're gonna plant that special bomb to get back at the Gym for ruining my face!"
"Isn't that going overboard?" James whispered before Jessie glared at him, "I-I mean, that'll sure show them!"
"Ya sure we should use dat?" Meowth asked.
"Want me to remind you that they also threatened to tear the charm on your head and declaw you for a 'sexist' comment?"
"...Remote or Timer?" Meowth scowled at the memory.
"Char/Bulba/Koo/Pidgeo~!" Ash grunted as he was nearly tackled over by his four taken Pokemon.
"I missed you guys, too!" Ash beamed, returning the affectionate tackles with a hug to each of them.
"Phew...everything worked out in the end…" Mai sighed in relief.
"And honestly, don't feel sorry for those that got Ash into this situation," Makoto grinned a bit, "Especially since Kajun's having a little…'talk' with them right now after Erika booted them out."
"Least it's not Misty doing the 'talking'," Tsubaki sighed, "...Honestly. Where'd she even pull that mallet out from?"
"Probably the same place where you keep getting your paper folding fan from when I make a pun," Makoto deadpanned.
"What?"
"Oh uh…" Makoto paused, hoping to change the subject, "So Ash, any ideas on who you're gonna use for the battle?"
"Oh! Well...Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Pidgeotto," Ash replied.
"Any particular strategy?"
"Well...you'll have to wait and see," he grinned.
"I'm relieved everything's worked out okay," Noel sighed in relief.
"Vul/Vui…" Yuki and Nymph agreed.
"Agreed...Ash just needs to win his badge, and then we can finally relax."
"Excuse me, Mr. Ketchum?" a red-haired worker with her hair pulled into a braided ponytail asked as she approached.
"Huh? Yes?"
"The field is ready for your requested Gym Battle with Lady Erika," she informed, "I wish you the best of luck."
"Ahh...thanks," Ash nodded as he stood up, "Wish me luck, guys."
"Good luck, Ash," Tsubaki smiled.
"Knock 'em dead," Makoto gave a thumbs up.
"This is an official three on three Pokemon Battle between Gym Leader Erika of Celadon City, and the challenger Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!" a female referee called out as Ash and Erika stood between a field surrounded by different trees with Erika before a large towering tree with burning red leaves and Ash behind a tree filled with cherry blossoms, "Only the challenger may substitute Pokemon during this battle. The winner will be decided when all three Pokemon of either participant is unable to battle! No time limit, let the battle begin!"
"Tangela, come forth, "Erika called out, sending out a forest-green colored Pokeball.
The ball bounced once before opening up. From the light, a bundle of blue, tangled vines formed from it. A pair of red feet popped out before eyes appeared underneath the vines.
=Tangela, the Vine Pokemon. Tangela's vines snap off easily if they are grabbed. This happens without pain, allowing it to make a quick getaway. The lost vines are replaced by newly grown vines the very next day= Dexter informed.
"So it is a Grass-Type Gym...Then I'll fight Grass with Flying. Pidgeotto, I choose you!" Ash called, sending out his Flying-Type.
"Pidgeo~!" Pidgeotto called as she swooped around.
"Tangela, use Ingrain."
"Pidgeotto, Gust attack!"
"Pidgeo~!" Pidgeotto cried out as she began to flap her wings hard enough to create a powerful gust.
"Tangela…" Tangela whispered before the blue vines on the lower half of its body dug into the ground and started glowing, the strong Gust not doing much to the Vine Pokemon afterwords.
"Now Tangela...use Ancient Power."
"Tang~" Tangela's eyes glowed before more vines touched the ground before pulling out stones with fossils of plant life in them and began to throw them at Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto, use Iron Wing to break them!" Ash called.
"Iron Wing?" Erika repeated.
"Pidgeo~!" Pidgeotto's wings glowed with Steel Wing as a swirl of wind covered each before she flapped her wings hard, releasing a flurry of steel-colored blades of wind at the incoming fossils, shattering them with the last slash hitting Tangela in the face area, making it cry in pain.
"Steel Wing combined with Air Slash," Kajun noted from the room the others were watching the battle in on a wall-mounted television, "I'm relieved that the attack didn't dissipate into just Air Slash once it left her wings."
"Hmm...clever…" Erika noted, "But we're not done. Tangela, Stun Vine."
"Ack! She's got combination names, too!" Ash yelped, "Pidgeotto, be careful!"
Pidgeotto cried out as she began to dodge the vines aimed at her, only to flinch when a few managed to hit her, causing her body to slowly tense up as bits of a glittery gold powder were left behind from the impact.
"Perfect. Now...Ancient Power."
"Ack! Pidgeotto, return!" Ash called, returning Pidgeotto just before the fossils could hit.
"We have herbs that work as well if not better than Paralyze Heal I can give your Pidgeotto after the battle," Erika offered.
Ash nodded, "Charmander, let's go!"
"Char~!" Charmander cheered as he popped out of his ball before looking in awe at the trees around them, "Mander~!"
"Now this will be easy enough. Tangela, Stun Vine once more!" Erika called.
"Catch the vines with your blanket, Charmander!" Ash called.
"Blanket?" Erika repeated.
"Char!" Charmander jumped over the vines and whipped his blanket at them, snagging the attacking vines in the soft fabric.
"Tang?!" Tangela freaked before being suddenly dragged over, the vines dug into the ground being forced out as well.
"Now swing it into the air and give it a Flamethrower!" Ash called.
"Char...ma~n…" Charmander spun Tangela around as fast as he could before, with a flick of his wrist, the blanket released the vines and sent Tangela into the air while he released a blast of flames at the Vine Pokemon, "DER!-!-!"
*BOOM!*
"Ahh! Tangela!" Erika gasped as Tangela fell back down, swirls in his eyes as he groaned.
"Tangela is unable to battle! The winner is Charmander!" the referee called as she raised Ash's flag to him.
"You're awesome, Charmander!" Ash beamed with a thumbs up.
"Char~!" Chamander beamed, hugging his blanket and followed Ash's lead of giving a thumbs up.
"I've never seen a blanket be used for battle," Erika admitted as she returned Tangela.
"Well, Charmander found it and ended up knocking out a Houndoom with it by accident, so he's kept it with him since," Ash chuckled sheepishly, "I don't mind since he likes it and it's been really great in his fights."
"Ahh...interesting," Erika nodded as she pulled out another PokeBall, "Weepinbell, come forth."
"At least it's not James's again…" Ash mumbled as a Weepinbell formed, "Okay, Charmander, be ready for anything!"
"Char!"
"Weepinbell, use Snaring Knot."
"Charmander, get ready to do…" Ash began before a glowing green vine erupted from the ground, wrapped around Charmander and slammed him into the ground while squeezing, "Ah! Charmander!"
"It looks to be Wrap combined with another attack...Perhaps Grass Knot?" Kajun considered.
"Come on, Charmander! You can beat a Weepinbell! You've done it before!" Makoto cheered.
"You know they're on a screen and can't hear us, right?" Misty sweatdropped.
"Char...man...der…" Charmander grunted between the tightening squeezes of the vine.
"Ugh…" Ash grit his teeth, trying to think of a plan before noticing Charmander's tail was left alone, "! Charmander, use your tail to set the vines on fire!"
"Hmm?" Erika blinked at that.
"Char...CHAR!"
Charmander's tail swung around before he finally got it on the vines. Within seconds, the flames spread onto the vines. Charmander grunted as he pushed against the burning vines until he ripped out of them. He gave a cheer before seeing his blanket had caught fire.
"CHAR!? CHAAAAAAAR~!" Charmander panicked as he ran around, holding the lit end of the blanket before looking around and finally settled on putting the lit end in his mouth, extinguishing it.
"Ooh...Sorry, Charmander. Forgot about the blanket," Ash cringed.
"Char…!" Charmander growled at that.
"Bell-bell-bellbe-lll!" Weepinbell laughed before flinching as Charmander snarled as he whipped around to glare at the plant, his eyes a solid glowing red.
"Oh not again!" Misty gasped.
"Charmander's flown into Rage!" Brock gulped as the flames on Charmander's tail erupted to the size of the fire lizard's size.
"Charmander, go!" Ash called.
"CHAR~!" Charmander roared, striking the ground with his blanket like a whip.
"Bell~~!" Weepinbell whimpered before the blanket wrapped around him, "Bell?!"
"Weepinbell, use…!" Erika began before Charmander began to slam Weepinbell into the ground repeatedly.
"Chamander, let it go in the air and blast it with Flamethrower!" Ash called.
"CHAR!" Charmander roared, letting Weepinbell go in the air, but instead of using Flamethrower, he jumped up and crunched down on the bell-shaped Pokemon, his fangs erupting with flames while doing so.
"BELL~!" Weepinbell cried out as he erupted in flames from the bite as Charmander continued to increase pressure on the bite.
"Ah! Weepinbell, use Vine Whip and try to get him off!" Erika called out.
"Bell…" Weepinbell began before Charmander tossed him into the air.
"Char…" Charmander began before letting loose a powerful Flamethrower, "CHAR~!"
*FWOOOSH~BOOM!*
"Beel~" Weepinbell groaned as he fell back down, his eyes replaced with swirls while completely covered in soot.
"W...Weepinbell is unable to battle...Charmander wins the round!" the referee squeaked, holding up Ash's flag.
"...Not bad...guess I'll have to use her then…" Erika whispered as she returned Weepinbell.
"Her?" Ash repeated as Charmander hissed and snarled, still in his Rage-induced state.
"My Starter...the Pokemon who saved me as a child…" Erika replied as she pulled out another forest green Pokeball, "Gloom, come forth."
From out of the ball, a strange Pokemon emerged. It, at first, appeared to resemble an Oddish in terms of the shape of its body and its feet, however it had hands and its body was much darker. It had swollen pink lips while the top of it had three brown orbs growing out of it with orange blades of grass mixed in like hair.
"Gloom~"
=Gloom, the Weed Pokemon, and the evolved form of Oddish. Gloom releases a foul fragrance from the pistil of its flower. When faced with danger, the stench worsens. If this Pokémon is feeling calm and secure, it does not release its usual stinky aroma= Dexter informed.
"Stinky?" Ash repeated as Charmander leapt at Gloom, snarling.
"Gloom?" Erika offered.
"Gloom~" Gloom whispered, sending out a faint aroma at Charmander.
Charmander was almost upon Gloom when the aroma hit him. He tensed up before he began to freak, the stench overwhelming every part of his nostrils before it became too much for him as he fell over, swirls in his eyes.
"Ahh! Charmander!" Ash yelped.
"Yeesh...That must be foul if it knocked out Charmander like that," Makoto cringed.
"And to think you nearly caught the pre-evolved form, Mai," Kajun noted.
"I'm starting to feel relieved I didn't," Mai agreed.
"Charmander is unable to battle. The winner is Gloom!"
"Wh…?" Ash whispered in shock, returning Charmander to his Pokeball, "How…?"
"Gloom's scent is special," Erika explained, "It's powerful enough to even overwhelm a Grimer."
'If Gloom beat Charmander, what Pokemon can I use next?' Ash pondered, 'I know Pidgeotto could blow away the stink, but she's paralyzed. Kajun said that Primeape has to keep that cast on its nose for today, so that's him out. Maybe…' he pulled out a Pokeball, "Bulbasaur, I choose you!"
"Bulba!"
"Oh my~! Charmander and Bulbasaur? How did you find two of the Kanto Starters?" Erika asked in amazement.
"I caught them during my journey to Vermillion," Ash replied with a smirk, "Anyway, let's do it, Bulbasaur!"
"Bulbasaur!"
"Use…!"
"How pathetic…"
"...Don't tell me…" Ash muttered as he looked up, seeing a certain trio standing on a nearby tree.
"Your skills as a Pokemon Trainer stink as much as Gloom does," Jessie mocked.
"..." *thud* "Ow…" *thud* "Ow…"
"Kajun, stop banging your head on the wall," Makoto deadpanned.
"Let me have this!" Kajun snapped.
"What are you three doing here?!" Erika demanded.
"Well if you must know, we came to make a quick buck, so…" James paused as he held up a bottle of perfume, "We decided to help ourselves to this."
"?!"
"Oh, and to top it off-and as payback for not only tying us up, but also ruining my beautiful face…" Jessie began.
"We's gonna blow up da place!" Meowth finished as he pulled out a remote.
"Blow up the place?!" Ash gasped as Bulbasaur growled at them.
"I don't remember tying you three up!" Erika rgued.
"No, but those girls working for you did!" Jessie snapped, "They ruined my face after they knocked us out with a hammer!"
"And called me a sexist while threatenin' t' tear my charm off and declaw me!" Meowth added.
"..." Erika groaned, feeling a headache coming on, "Those two…even fired, they're still giving me trouble..."
"But...we're feeling generous~" Jessie grinned, "Meowth?"
"We won't blow da place up, but everyone here, including da twoips have t' give us all dere Pokemon, includin' da ones in storage!" Meowth stated.
"Clock is ticking~" James sang as Meowth held a paw finger over the detonator button.
"Kajun, can't you do what you did with Ash's hat and that baseball cap you had?" Misty asked.
"Hikari needs something with the same dimensions as the object to replace it," Kajun explained as Koko scribbled in a notebook while looking at the screen.
"Espeon?" Koko used Psychic to lift the notebook up to Kajun.
"Pixel measurements, of course!" Kajun exclaimed.
"Huh?" Misty blinked.
"Since we don't know the size of the box, Koko used pixel measurements," Kajun explained, "We already know how big Meowth is, so Koko used Meowth as the basis and measure him in the number of pixels he was comprised of on the screen and then compared it to the remote."
"So...we just need something exactly like the remote?"
"We'll need something roughly the same size," Kajun replied as Brock looked at the measurements Koko got for the remote's dimensions.
"Huh…" Brock pulled out a book, "Would this do?"
"Oh! A copy of the rules and regulations to being a Gym Leader?" Kajun gasped.
"Kajun, bomb!" Makoto reminded.
"Oh right! Hikari?"
"Kirlia," Hikari nodded as she took the book.
"Time's up!" Meowth declared, "Ya gonna give 'em over or not?"
"I…" Erika began before noticing something, "...refuse."
"Den boom ya go!" Meowth declared as he slapped his paw down...on the book in his paws, "...Huh?" he slapped his paw down again, "..." he looked at the book, "Where'd da remote go?!"
"Kirli…" the trio looked down to see Hikari on the ground, holding the remote before she teleported away.
"...I hate Psychic-Types," Meowth grimaced.
"You not only interrupt an important battle for a young man, but also threatened my home and the home of the Grass-Types my Trainers and I raise," Erika frowned, "Furthermore, you threaten to ruin the business of various store not only in Celadon City, but in various cities and towns in the Kanto Region." the leaves rustled in the tree behind her, "Lurantis, please deal with these foolish people."
A green blade shot out of the tree and sliced the branch the trio were on, sending them crashing into the ground. Gloom ran over to Erika before a pink blur jumped out of the tree and landed before Erika. Standing before them at 2'11" was a pink Pokemon resembling a praying mantis. The top half of its head was light pink, while the bottom half was white. It had light red eyes and two green antennae with a small green lump between them. There were four extensions to the top half of its head: two on the top with red tips that resembled ears, and one on each side with white tips that were similar to stylized hair. It had a light pink body with short extensions around the waist and a green abdomen and neck. Its thin, white arms ended in large, red scythes with white along the bottom rim and a single green claw on the tip. There were vertical, pink-and-red stripes down its legs, which had small, pointed green feet. The coloring and shape of its body and arms gave it the appearance of wearing a long-sleeved dress, while its legs were similar to pants. Four red, wing-like appendages sprouted from its back, each tipped with white.
"Lurantis," the insect-looking Pokemon growled.
"Lurantis?" Ash repeated as he pulled out Dexter.
=Lurantis, the Bloom Sickle Pokemon, and the evolved form of Fomantis. For self-protection, it pretends to be a bug Pokémon. Both of its arms bear keen-edged petals. As it slashes into its enemies, it looks like it's dancing. Its elegant appearance has led some to call it the most glamorous Grass Pokémon= Dexter informed.
"Allow me to introduce you to the strongest Pokemon for my Eight-Badge Runners," Erika introduced.
"Gh?! E...Eight badge….?!" Team Rocket freaked as they hugged each other in fear.
"Yes...but before that, Gloom? Sunny Day please."
"Gloom~!" the center of Gloom's head glowed before a light shot into the air, going off and making the area brighter.
"...What did that accomplish exactly?" Jessie raised a brow
"Simple. Lurantis...Solar Blade."
"Solar what?" Team Rocket blinked.
The light was absorbed into Lurantis' left limb before the light transformed into a large scythe blade of green light, "Lu-luran-ran-lurantis...lurantis."
"What did it say?" Jessie gulped.
"'Ask not for whom the bell tolls...it tolls for thee,'" Meowth translated.
"...What?" Jessie and James squeaked.
Lurantis swung once. The trio screamed as they were sent rocketing through the ceiling and into the distance...with the clouds above parted as if they had been cut cleanly through. They gave another scream as their clothes and fur were sliced up as well.
"Looks like Team Rocket's Blasting Off again~!" the trio cried as they flew into the distance.
"(I cut the sky again...I need more training)," Lurantis noted, looking at his limb as the Solar Blade faded.
"(You apologize for every beginner this instant!)" Gloom and Bulbasaur snapped.
"(...I'm going back to meditate…)" Lurantis whispered as he walked off before jumping back into the red tree.
"What was that?!" Ash gawked.
"Solar Blade. Much like Solar Beam, it's a powerful Grass Type move," Erika explained, "By using Sunny Day, however, it amplifies the move and lets it be used without charging up." she giggled, "You could say that the move was created by the Lurantis Pokemon as a whole."
"...Can…?"
"It is unknown if any other Grass Type can learn Solar Blade."
"Oh…" Ash slumped a bit before recovering, "Still, what about the battle?"
"Well, considering what happened with those three interrupting, are you sure you and Bulbasaur wish to continue in the field's current state?" Erika asked.
"...well…" Ash looked out at the field, "..." he shook his head, "I don't mind waiting a bit longer for a battle."
"Saur," Bulbasaur nodded.
"So we can consider this a draw for now then," Erika nodded, "If you're planning to stay at the Pokemon Center, I'll be sure to let Nurse Joy know when the Gym's arena has been repaired for your rematch."
"Thank you," Ash nodded.
"You sure that was a good idea, Ash?" Misty asked as the group left the Gym.
"Well yeah. I mean...there's that Gloom of Erika's, and its stench alone was powerful enough to knock Charmander out," Ash answered.
"You'll need to read this as well," Kajun ordered, handing Ash the pamphlet, "Charmander entered Rage almost immediately after Weepinbell laughed at him crying over his blanket."
"...Got it," Ash nodded.
"So I guess until the rematch, we can look around the city," Mai spoke.
"Great! Shopping time~!" Makoto cheered.
"Yay…!" Noel softly cheered.
"Well...that didn't go as planned…"
"And the fact that Cassidy and Butch are stationed SOMEWHERE ELSE," Jessie growled at Meowth.
"...We did get a sample of that perfume…" James said as he held up the bottle, "We just need to get this back to HQ, and we can make m-"
The communicator went off, making the trio blink as they answered, "Hello?"
=You even bring a drop of that smelly shit here, I'll put you through my boot camp with Rampage!= Karai snapped.
"Rampage?"
=The Gyarados formerly known as Queen~=
"EEK!" the trio freaked.
=Yeah. You better be afraid unless you get rid of that stuff= Karai added.
"Why'd you even bother calling us?!" Jessie snapped.
=Because I'm bored and wanted to spite you guys!= Karai laughed =But seriously, I'm bored as hell. I'd come to where you guys are, but the casino's shut down, so there's nothing worth coming there for. Plus I'm not dealin' with that perfume=
"...Da twoips are here?" Meowth nervously offered.
=...Pachirisu girl with them?=
"Eh?"
=ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION, RETARDS!=
"Yes! Da Girl wit da ears and tail is wit' dem!" Meowth yelped.
=...I'll be there shortly= Karai said =Hey sis! I'm heading to Celadon for a bit!= she shouted as the communicator went off.
"...Be honest with me. Did we do something to anger the gods?" Jessie asked with a groan.
"I hope not," James sighed.
"We're doomed~" Meowth wailed.
Kajun's Pokemon Corner!
The curtain rose on the normal set up.
"Hello, everyone. Kajun Faycott here again," Kajun greeted, "I hope you're all doing well, because today, let's look at a Pokemon that appeared in today's episode."
"Kirlia," Hikari tapped her tablet and the screen displayed Lurantis emerging from the tree.
"Lurantis, the Bloom Sickle Pokemon," Kajun smiled, "Lurantis are natives to the Alola Region, mainly gathered on Akala Island in Lush Jungle with their pre-evolved form Fomantis." the screen changed to show an image of the Grass-Type Symbol above Lurantis, "Despite its appearance, Lurantis is not a Bug/Grass-Type Pokemon, but instead a pure Grass-Type. Researchers believe this is meant to confuse its natural predators into thinking it's a Bug-Type."
"Kirila," Hikari tapped her tablet again and the screen displayed a sun.
"In order to obtain a Lurantis however, you need to evolve its pre-evolved form, Fomantis, once it reaches Level 34 and it being during the day," Kajun explained as the screen showed Lurantis dancing as a massive burst of petals attacked the hoard of Pokemon trying to attack Lurantis, "Upon evolving, Lurantis will learn the move Petal Blizzard, a violent petal-made blizzard that attacks everything around the user. Good for a single battle, but I wouldn't recommend it in a double battle unless your partner's pokemon is unaffected by Grass Type Moves, or knows the moves Protect or Detect."
"Kirli," Hikari nodded, changing the screen to show statistics of Lurantis.
"Lurantis is a well-rounded Pokemon in terms of stats. However, it's Speed has to be the lowest part of it while its HP and Attack are its highest states with Defense and Special Defense being a decent 90 base stat," Kajun noted, "I would suggest a Calm Nature that focuses on HP, Defense, and Special Defense with the Ability Contrary, which makes moves like Leer increase Lurantis' defense rather than lower it while moves such as Growth lower its stats rather than increasing it. As for a move set and an item for it to hold…Give it a Leftovers to hold to help heal your Pokemon each turn to keep it out for just a bit longer. Leaf Storm's high Base Power helps mitigate Lurantis's uninvested Special Attack stat, and it only gets stronger after using it thanks to Contrary. Defog is the most useful support move Lurantis has access to, clearing the field of all entry hazards and the opponent's Light Screen, Reflect, and Aurora Veil. Synthesis gives Lurantis the freedom to switch into common Stealth Rock setters such as Steelix, Rhydon, and Seismitoad without having to worry about its HP. As for that last slot, there are actually a few good choices. Hidden Power Ice would do well against Pokemon with a type-Advantage such as Flying-Types or on fellow Grass-Types, Aromatherapy gives Lurantis even more ability to support its teammates, and Toxic is a solid option for getting damage off on common switch-ins such as Braviary, Incineroar, and any Grass-type not named Vileplume. You could use its Signature Move, Solar Blade, as well, but not many would try to use it with this style unless you're willing to switch the Leftovers for a Power Herb to avoid waiting a turn for charging the move in a single battle or have a Pokemon that knows Sunny Day in a Double Battle."
"Espe/Kirli," her two Psychic Pokemon nodded.
"Now then, I believe that's all for now. Tune in next time as we talk about a certain kit in our group and its Kantonian counterpart," Kajun bowed...before a tree fell on the trio, "Guh!"
Erika's Lurantis poked his head into view of the camera before looking at his Solar Blade scythe with a frown, "(Was going for the leaves, not the entire tree. A bit more meditation and practice it is.)"
"Why…is it always...pain?" Kajun groaned under the tree.
GT: Sorry if people were expecting a Badge so quick, but we wanted things to be different.
SZ: Yeah...mostly because how the original episode always left a bad taste in our mouths. But hey, we won't forget the Gym Battle, people. It'll just be a few chapters before we get to it.
GT: Eeyup.
SZ: Yeah, so we hope ya enjoy this chapter regardless. Oh, and as for why Misty's name was on the plaque as well….uh….GT?
GT: She was the second of the two other Gym Leaders aside from Erika required for Article 37-E.
SZ: Ahh...I see. Well...at least the next chapter will be less stressful because it features a Pokemon we both like.
GT: Yep. So have fun reading and reviewing, everyone!
SZ: Ja ne.