SZ: *blows into nose, pausing Pokemon Ultra Sun for a moment*ah...despite being sick, I'm still happy about this…
GT: Because you get a fluffy Rockruff with Own Tempo to have Dusk Lycanroc via an egg I gave ya?
SZ: Oh most definitely…
GT: Or because of the Shiny Litten I gave ya?
SZ: That, and the fluffy Rowlet ya gave me.
GT: *Nods* So shall we get on to the disclaimer?
SZ: Of course. We don't own anything in this story aside from our OCs. Pokemon is owned by Nintendo while Blazblue is owned by Arc System Works. Now...start us off GT?
GT: Of course. And considering you're not feeling well…*grabs a rope and tugs it, dropping the curtains down* No crazy destroying the curtains this chapter.
Entry 026: Greetings everyone. Kajun Faycott reporting in once more. We arrived in Celadon City and a few of us were quite in awe. While there have been tall buildings in the Hierarchical Cities...I must admit that with how spread out the skyscrapers were instead of grouped together like the ones back home was something entirely different for me. Things were going okay, but...when my friends and I went to the Pokemon Center to go take care of Ashton's newly caught Primeape…*groans* Ashton...got himself in one major mess.
From what I've been able to gather, Ashton has a sensitive nose much like Makoto's. Considering he had to go into a perfume shop to get Misty and Pikachu, that was just the beginning of it all. Considering his age and lack of a father figure possibly being a cause, Ashton said a few things that upset the workers and manager of the shop along with Brock and Misty with even Pikachu-though this was due to a combination of exhaustion from the Primeape Incident that happened the day before we arrived and the fact that, as Professor Oak told us when we spoke with him later, Pikachu should never go into places with numerous conflicting scents such as perfume shops-shocking Ashton with a Thundershock. When he went to the Gym...is when things got worse. Apparently, two workers there had heard about what happened and, with bias, confiscated all of Ash's Pokemon he had on him at that time, took his badges, and banned him from the Gym.
It was at this point we came upon Ashton. It turns out that he inadvertently caused an article called 37-E to be invoked. But when he told us it wasn't the Gym Leader who took his Badges and Pokemon from him and that he never once saw the Gym Leader, I realized it was Article 36-B and not the dreaded 37-E. We quickly contacted Professor Oak about the situation and he gave us a form to fill out thanks to Hikari using Teleport to get to his lab as fast as possible. After filing it all out, we delivered it to the closest Officer Jenny. Once that was done and she gave us another form for the Gym Leader to fill out, we returned to the Gym to see Brock, Pikachu, and Misty already there and the two humans of the trio being livid about a plaque on the wall in the Gym warning about Ashton violating Article 37-E.
After explaining that it was Article 36-B, Brock proved to me once again why he was a Gym Leader. Once we managed to get inside and get the Gym Leader's, Erika, attention...we found out she didn't even know about the ban and confiscation. In fact, she was planning on just asking Ashton for an apology for causing a disturbance. I had Hikari bring Ashton in and, after he apologized on his own without any prompt from anyone upon immediately seeing Erika and realizing she had been the store manager, confirmed that two workers had performed the act. Oh...and speaking of two said workers, once they were brought in...let's just say Erika was livid with the two for performing the act without her knowing. I would be too, only...not as in control considering they called someone I honestly see like a little brother (Makoto, if you read this, I will personally get you back for it) a sexist.
I need to remember to give Leaf a present for providing further evidence that those two have done it multiple times in the past when she had been at the Gym. Needless to say, those two were fired and blacklisted from not just the Gym, but from all stores associated with the Celadon City Gym. Quite fitting, in my opinion. Once everything was settled and Misty was brought in to also fill the form in with Brock and Erika, Ashton finally got his Gym Match against Erika. I must say that Erika's Three Badge Team was interesting to watch from the observation room we were taken to while they battled. She even utilized combination attacks. While Pidgeotto had ended up Paralyzed in the battle, Charmander beat the Tangela Erika used...and then went into Rage when her Weepinbell laughed at Charmander when he set his blanket on fire. I am so thankful Nurse Joy gave us that pamphlet for Pokemon who go into the Berserk Rage and how to treat it. It was Erika's Starter, a Gloom, that not only snapped Charmander out of it, but the stench also knocked him out.
And…*sighs* And just when Ash was about to send out, most likely, Bulbasaur...Who do you expect not only interrupted the battle but also planned to blow up the entire Gym if they didn't get everyone's Pokemon? Yes...it was Team Rocket. I...honestly, it doesn't matter if we're enemies or not, the next time I see White Truth, I am demanding to issue a complaint on those three once more! Thank the Pokemon Gods Erika-after Hikari switched out the detonation remote-used her most powerful Pokemon in her 8 Badge run team, Lurantis, to send the trio flying using Solar Blade.
Surprisingly, Ashton agreed to not continue the battle until the arena was repaired. More than likely, it's to try to come up with a way to handle Gloom's...natural scent...which Erika admitted was more powerful than a Grimer's scent. Huh...interesting… Well, until the Gym is repaired, it seems we'll be in Celadon City for a time.
"What are we doing here?" Ash asked as the group walked around a part of the city with various parlors lined up.
"You'll see," Brock assured.
"That doesn't answer much…" Mai sweatdropped a bit.
"Hmm…" Tsubaki muttered, looking at the map of the city, "..I see. We're on Scissors Street, otherwise known as Breeders Lane."
"Scissors Street?" Ash repeated.
"Breeders Lane?" Makoto raised a brow, "Oh yeah...I see why we're coming this way now."
"Yeah. Some of the best Breeders have shops here," Brock nodded, "There's also lots of terrific makeup places and fashion salons just for Pokemon."
"Oh! That must be the latest fashion!" Misty gasped as she ran before a poster of a Koffing and an Ekans in dresses and makeup, "How cute! We gotta check out..." she leaned in on the poster, "Salon Roquet."
Berry and Cherry poked their heads out of Makoto's tail. The two looked at the poster for a few moments before they fell over, cracking up in laughter. Booster poked out and tilted her head at the poster and then the two squirrel Pokemon and then back at the poster. She gave a confused noise before hopping out of Makoto's tail and onto her shoulder.
"I don't get why they're laughing either," Makoto admitted, scratching under Booster's chin.
"...Why do I have a feeling this 'Salon Roquet' is run by a certain annoying trio…?" Tsubaki muttered with an eye twitch.
"Knowing our luck, most likely…" Kajun added with her own eye twitch.
"Um….wh-why don't we go look around someplace else?" Noel suggested, "I was hoping to have someone check up on Umi."
"Your Feebas?" Ash tilted his head, "But didn't we get our Pokemon checked on by Nurse Joy this morning?"
"No, no. I mean have her looked at by someone here," Noel corrected as she pulled out Umi's Pokeball, "I know that person that gave her to me said her Beauty is maxed out, but...I want to make sure is all."
"...Hmm…" Brock muttered a bit as he looked back at the poster, "Oh! We're in luck. The place I'm looking for is near this Salon Roquet. We can have her checked up there."
'Whhhyyyyy…?' Tsubaki and Kajun mentally sobbed.
"And...done!" Jessie declared as she and James, both disguised as beauty salon workers, finished up applying makeup and haircuts to a Raichu and a three-headed ostrich-like Pokemon.
"Madam, your Raichu and Dodrio look fabulous!" James called to the lady in the waiting.
"Oh my. How marvelous!"
"Rai?" Raichu blinked as he and Dodrio looked at their reflections, "?!"
"(What...is...this?)" the right head's eye twitched.
"(You gotta be kidding me!)" the left head snapped.
"(Oh wowee! We look goofy!)" the middle head cackled.
"(SHUT UP!)" the left and right snapped, slamming their heads against the middle head, "(We look like rejects from the circus!)"
"(Why do I look like a girl?! I'm a boy!)" the Raichu exclaimed.
"Oh~! They love them!" the lady swooned.
"(I'mma princess!)" the middle head cheered.
"(YOU'RE DEAD!)" the other two heads snapped, slamming their heads against the middle head's head.
"(I am so getting her back for this…)" Raichu muttered as they followed the lady out.
"198...199...200," Meowth counted a wad of cash, "Ha ha. I knew dis was a great idea! But you two are wastin' money on advertisin'. TV's a big waste on money!"
"Well nobody asked you, Meowth," Jessie argued, "Besides, we're making tons of money, and we're making people's Pokemon look beautiful!"
"Yes, and there's no way this will end up bad for us," James added before the door opened, "Ahh! Another customer!"
"Greetings, m-AHH! Karai!"
"Sup, bitches?" Karai smirked as she walked in, looking around a bit, "So...salon, eh? Heh...looks like you finally found your calling, fruit basket."
"Oh, well...It is rather nice," James admitted before shaking it off, "H-how'd you find us?"
"Told you guys I was coming, but no way was I gonna step any further into the perfume district," Karai snorted, "So I took the back entrance to the city and, lo and behold, I saw the poster for 'Salon Roquet'. Tch...trying to sound Kalos or somethin'?"
"...You seem moody," jessie noted before flinching at the glare Karai gave her.
"Sis let me go, but I had to leave all but one of my Pokemon at home," Karai growled a bit, "How the hell am I supposed to rock out if I don't have my full team, damn it!?"
"...I-If it makes ya feel any better...we've been making a lot of money…" Meowth nervously spoke.
"...How much?"
Meowth opened the register, "368,914P."
"...and you just opened this place up today?"
"Y-yes ma'am."
"...Huh. Color me impressed…then again, I'm not up for that girly fru-fru crap, but still good job on the money..." Karai admitted.
"...I'm sensing a but coming…" James whispered.
"But!" Karai exclaidem, startling the trio, "While I'm here, you're gonna be providing me money so I can treat myself."
"Can't you buy it y-"
"Sis revoked my credit card because I scared that Shiny Eevee she got from you guys..." Karai snorted before she moved Meowth aside with her butt, "So I'm taking 50% of your profit."
"Fifty?!"
"Want me to make it 75%?"
"...No ma'am."
"That's what I thought…"
"..." Makoto bit her lower lip, trying to resist the urge to laugh as she and the others saw the lady with the Raichu and Dodrio walk on by.
"(What happened to you?)" Cherry asked.
"(The Central Highway ish closhed…)"
"(SHUT UP!)" the two outside heads snapped, ramming their heads against the sides of the middle head.
"...That...just happened…" Mai muttered as they turned a corner, seeing a large line in front of one of the stores, "...Guess Salon Roquet is more popular than we thought."
"...I think I'm gonna get in line," Misty spoke, "It might be nice, plus m-"
"There it is!" Brock shouted, startling the group, as he pointed to a store across from Salon Roquet, "I knew it was right there! I was looking all over for that place!"
"That's the store?" Misty blinked as Brock rushed over, only to skid to a halt at the door, "?"
Brock just nervously gulped as her nervously reached for the door, his hand shaking as he stood there. For a moment, no one moved. After another moment, Makoto rolled her eyes, realizing what was wrong.
"Brock, do you have a secret girlfriend you made in Cerulean when you went out to do some 'stuff?'" Makoto teased.
"N-no!" Brock snapped, not noticing Ash and Misty walking past him "I...I just...uh…"
"Hello, can I help you?"
"GAH!" Brock freaked, seeing Ash and Misty standing inside as he rushed in.
Inside, a Chansey was humming in relaxation while being given a massage. The one doing so was a beautiful young woman with blue hair as long as Mai's when she takes her ribbon off. She was dressed in a white shirt and white pants. Her amber eyes were focused on Chansey as she continued her treatment.
"Just keep relaxing, Chansey. Release all those tensions," the woman advised, carefully rubbing her hands on Chansey, "There...now you'll have more energy."
"Chan…" Chansey spoke as she hopped up, looking at herself in the reflection, "Chansey! Chansey! Chansey!"
"So..shiny…" Noel whispered in awe.
"Did she massage Chansey or polish it?" Makoto blinked a few times in awe, seeing how smooth and shiny Chansey's body was.
"I think it was a combination of both," Mai noted as a man walked past the group, wearing a blue blouse and skirt.
"Chansey, I've come for you darling," the man spoke, earning Chansey's attention as she and the woman walked over, "Oh! Don't you look precious?!"
"Thank you for bringing Chansey to my salon," the woman nodded, "Please come again."
"Will do. See you soon, Suzy," the man waved as he and Chansey left.
"I guess that lady's a regular customer here," Ash noted.
"...Uh...Ash...th-" Makoto began.
"May I help the next customer?" Suzy asked as she looked at the group.
"Oh, we were just bro…" Ash began.
"Oh! Noel, look! A Kanto Vulpix!" Misty exclaimed.
"Eh?" Noel blinked as she looked at where Misty was pointing.
Resting on a decorated chairs red cushions was a Vulpix. However, unlike Yuki, the sleeping Vulpix had a reddish-brown fur and six red-orange curled tails and a curled up mess of red-orange hair on the top of its head.
"Oh! You're right," Noel noted, "Cute…"
"Vul?" Yuki looked up at Noel, tilting her head.
"So this is a regular Vulpix…" Ash noted as he pulled Dexter out
=Vulpix, the Fox Pokemon. Vulpix has a flame inside its body that never goes out, and is capable of manipulating fire to such precision as to create floating wisps of flame. When the temperature outside increases, it will expel flames from its mouths to prevent its body from overheating= Dexter informed.
"Aww...her fur looks so soft," Misty cooed as she reached out for Vulpix, "I wish my hair was as soft."
"?! Wait, don't…" Suzy began as Misty picked Vulpix up.
"You're just the cutest little Pokemon I've ever…!" Misty began as she held Vulpix.
"Vul~!"
*FWOOSH*
"Why...do...they...always do...that…?" Misty coughed out some smoke before collapsing, Vulpix landing on her chair.
"I tried to warn you...Vulpix doesn't like being touched or picked up by strangers," Suzy sighed.
"Wish I'd known that sooner…" Misty groaned.
"Vul…" Yuki blinked, her ears twitching a bit.
"Vul~" Vulpix yawned, curling back up to sleep.
"...Uh….S-suzy?" Brock cautiously spoke up.
"Yes?" Suzy asked as she turned.
"Gh?!" Brock tensed, a blush forming on his face, "M-my name's Brock! A-a pleasure to meet you, Suzy! I wanna to breed like y-I MEAN I WANNA BE A BREEDER LIKE YOU!"
"Smooth…" Makoto sweatdropped.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Brock," Suzy nodded, "I'm flattered you want to make me your model."
"Y-yes! I wanna model you! I-I'm flattered that your flattered! I-I mean...your Vulpix looks nice!" Brock stammered before clearing his throat, "Wh...what I'm trying to say is...Suzy, I'm begging you to accept me as your pupil!"
"Say what?" Mai blinked twice.
"I was wondering when he'd be asking this," Kajun noted, looking at a book with a symbol resembling a pair of hands cradling a Pokeball, "Breeders are often started under an apprenticeship."
"Huh?" Ash blinked at that as he looked over at Brock, "Um...are you u th-"
"Mind your own business, Ash! I know what I'm doing!" Brock hissed before bowing to Suzy, "Please Suzy! Make me your apprentice!"
"I do apologize, Brock, but I'm not able to take apprentices at this time. Breeding takes up the majority of it all," Suzy apologized.
"Please!"
"...I don't get it, Brock. What makes her so great anyway?" Ash asked.
"WHAT?! HOW DARE YOU?!" Brock snapped at Ash, startling him as he rushed behind the older girls of the group.
'It's the perfume shop all over again!' Ash thought before bowing to Suzy, "I'm sorry, Ma'am! Please don't kick me out of a Pokemon Gym!"
"Huh?"
"Article 36-B invoked by a false invoking of Article 37-E," Kajun explained, making Suzy cringe.
"Oh...Well, your friend doesn't have to worry. I'm not a Gym Leader," Suzy assured.
"Then what did I do wrong?" Ash blinked before Brock pulled out a mic.
"Simple! The Sensational Suzy of Scissor Street has been awarded the Trophy of Excellence at the World Pokemon Breeders contest for three years straight! But wait...there's more!" Brock called out as a spotlight suddenly shined down on Suzy, "In addition to that, the readers of Pokemon Magazine named her THE most popular Breeder four years running, and her own popular website runs ten thousands hits a day!"
"She's that famous?" Mai gawked.
"Where did he get the spotlight?" Makoto pondered before looking up to see Cherry flying above Suzy with Berry using Flash, "...That's my girls."
"...I wonder if Vulpix won any awards or won any Pokemon Contest?" Noel couldn't help but ponder as she looked at the sleeping firefox.
"Vulpix?" Yuki tilted her head at the other Vulpix.
"Excellent question, Miss Vermillion! Suzy's Vulpix is the…" Brock began before Tsubaki grabbed him by the ear, "Gah ha!"
"We get it, Brock…" Tsubaki sighed, "Vulpix is just as amazing…"
"Speaking of Vulpix, your's is simply adorable. I've never seen one like her before," Suzy admitted.
"Oh! Well...Yuki's a Vulpix native to Alola," Noel explained as she looked at her own Vulpix, "I've had her since she was a kit."
"Really now?"
"Uh-huh. She just grew her fifth tail a few weeks ago," Noel smiled.
"So you've had her for nearly three months then," Suzy nodded, "I hope you're ready then. When Vulpix was growing her last tail, she regressed to teething everything around her."
"Pix?!" Vulpix shot up, shaking her head rapidly, "Pix-vul-vul!"
"The shampoo incident."
"?! ...Vul…" Vulpix curled up, trying hard to hide the pink showing through her cheek fur.
"...Shampoo incident?" Misty blinked.
"Long story…" Suzy giggled.
"So you eight are all travelling on a Pokemon Journey together," Suzy surmized as they sat a table with tea as Pikachu, Cherry, Berry, Booster, and Yuki are some of Brock's Pokemon food by them.
"Pikachu~!" Suzy glanced at Pikachu as he munched on his food, "Pi~!"
"Your Pokemon all have such shiny coats," Suzy noted before looking at Brock, "Are you the one who prepares all their food, Brock?"
"Uh…." Brock droned out, his blush returning as he shot up, "Yes! I do!"
"It's Brock's own recipe too," Misty added.
"Only thing he doesn't make is the food for the Poison-Types in our group," Makoto noted.
"Really?" Suzy pondered.
"Yep. Noellie here makes 'em!" Makoto grinned, putting an arm over Noel's shoulders.
"Is that so?"
"E...eh heh...a-apparently I'm an expert at making food for Poison Types…" Noel sheepishly chuckled a bit.
"I think Needles would agree big time," Makoto grinned as Needles came out of her ball.
"Bee?" Needles tilted her head at Makoto.
"Just using you as an example of someone who likes Noel's cooking, Needles," Makoto replied as Suzy looked at the Beedrill with wide eyes.
"...How…?"
"Noel's cooking," Kajun answered, "Needles only ate her cooking ever since she joined us when she was a Weedle."
"Huh...interesting," Suzy noted before noticing Vulpix walking over to the other Pokemon "Hmm?"
Vulpix hopped onto the bench Yuki was on. Yuki tilted her head.
"Vul?" Yuki squeaked as Vulpix sniffed the food.
"Pix?" Vulpix tilted her head at Yuki.
"Vulpix!" Yuki nodded, smiling.
"Vul…" Vulpix whispered, taking a pellet from Yuki's bowl before munching down on it, "...Vulpix~!"
"Vul~!" Yuki beamed as the two began to share the bowl.
"I-incredible!" Brock gawked as they group watched, "I...I can't believe Vulpix is actually eating the food I made!"
"Brock, that's impressive," Suzy smiled, "Vulpix has never eaten any other food I haven't made myself."
"R-really?! Th-thank y-" Brock began as he bowed once more, only to end up hitting his head on the table, "OW! I'm...not….worthy…."
"Brock…" Tsubaki sighed a bit, "...Oh. Mind if I ask you something, Suzy?"
"Hmm? Oh, of course."
"Do you happen to know anything about that Salon Roquet?"
"Oh...you mean the one with the latest trend…" Suzy sighed, "Ever since that place opened up, people have been lining up outside just to make their Pokemon as flashy as possible."
"Chipa?" Berry looked up from her food.
"A Breeder always tries their best to bring out a Pokemon's inner strength and personality, but this new fad...It's all about standing out as much as possible, not what's inside," Suzy added with another sigh.
"So they care more for the outside looks than taking care of the inside?" Tsubaki guessed.
"That's right…"
"...Actually I don't think that's a problem," Misty spoke up, "I mean, Pokemon like to dress up from time to time."
"Yeah. If they're enjoying it," Makoto spoke, earning her attention, "While I was trying my best not to laugh, I noticed those two Pokemon we passed earlier didn't look particularly happy. It was like they didn't have any choice in the manner when their Trainer decided to have them look like that." she motioned to Cherry and Berry, the former polishing her sunglasses while the latter brushed the crumbs off her white dress, "Now look at Berry and Cherry. They like wearing things, but they often like either sunglasses or dresses. If they don't want to wear something, I never force it on them."
"Yeah. Besides, it's what inside that counts," Ash added.
"No. The outside is just as important, Ash…" Misty argued.
"Inside."
"Outside."
"Inside!"
"Outside!"
"INSIDE!"
"OUTSIDE!"
"(Five piece of food on Misty stomping out)," Pikachu bet.
"(No contest)," Berry shook her head.
"(Ten says next time we see her when she does stomp out, she'll look ridiculous)," Cherry challenged.
"(I'll take that bet)," Needles offered.
"Shouldn't you stop them?" Suzy sweatdropped.
"That's like trying to stop the tide," Brock shook his head.
"If you think fashion is so great, why don't you take one of your Pokemon to that Salon Croquet place?!" Ash snapped.
"...That actually sounds like a good idea!" Misty beamed, "Next time you see me and my Pokemon, we'll look so cute you won't recognize us!"
"Yeah. Because you'll probably shatter every mirror in town," Ash snarked.
*BAM!*
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT FASHION?!" Misty snapped.
"Where...did she get that mallet from…?" Suzy cautiously asked.
"I ask myself that everytime…" Mai muttered as Misty stomped out.
"I feel so sorry for Horsea," Makoto sighed.
"Yeah. Wait...Horsea?"
"She's the only one who's already adorable," Makoto shrugged.
"...Fair enough."
"...You know…" Suzy spoke up, earning the group's attention, "With how things are lately...I do wonder if outer or inner appearance is truly what matters in the end. Ever since that new salon opened...I've been thinking of changing my methods."
"?! Changing…." Brock whispered in shock, "DON'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT!"
"Huh?"
"Suzy, you have to keep following the path you believe in," Brock added.
"We have to stand up for the inside together!" Ash agreed.
"Chipa-pa!" Berry fumed.
"...No offense to you and Cherry, Berry?"
"Chi," Berry nodded.
"But...what can I do?" Suzy asked.
"...Oh! I got it!" Noel spoke up, "M-maybe we should remind the people what's really important."
"...Oh! Good idea, Noel!" Brock beamed, "If that want style over substance, then we'll give them substance with style!"
"Agreed. But...we need a Pokemon to help with the demonstration," Suzy stated.
"...I think we already have our volunteer," Tsubaki spoke as she looked over at Noel, "Noel, Your Feebas?"
"Umi?" Noel pondered as she took out Umi's Pokeball.
"I have a few tanks for Water-Types that can't move on land," Suzy noted.
"And you did say you needed someone to check Umi," Tsubaki added, "So it'll be helpful for both you and Suzy."
"..Oh! R-right!"
"...Money's starting to get lighter…" Karai frowned, resting on a large couch as she looked at a small pile, "Hey dumb, dumber, and dumbest, get in here!"
"Yes, boss ma'am?" Meowth asked once the trio were inside.
"Mind telling me why the money is getting lighter and slower?" Karai asked, holding the small pile.
"Uh...w-we don't know…" James gulped.
"We were getting tons of customers one minute, and the next they started coming in less and less," Jessie added.
"Well...maybe you three should do what you do best then…"
"That is…"
"Stalk and figure out why! I just ordered a new guitar set, and lacking a few extra hundred!"
"Ack! Right away, boss ma'am!" Meowth saluted as he ran out, holding Ariados and Weepinbell's Pokeballs.
"...Why ain't you two heading out?" Karai frowned.
"Deploying!" both ran out to wait for a status report from Meowth.
"Good…" Karai muttered as she took out her cellphone, "Hello? Yeah...it's me. Get me the usual...huh? Oh yeah...double the cheese, extra meat...oh! Make it…"
=Oh Arceus don't say it…=
"EXTRA THICC!"
=That meme has gotten old so fast…=
Ariados, Meowth on his back with Weepinbell acting as a backpack, crawled along the higher levels of the tall buildings in the area.
"Now where are all da customers?" Meowth pondered.
"Bell…" Weepinbell spoke, earning the two's attention as he used a vine to point at Suzy's salon.
"Now what's goin' on dere?" Meowth pondered as Ariados made his way over to there and opened a vent with a leg for Meowth to start crawling into, "Thanks."
Meowth crawled his way through the vents, a String Shot wrapped around his waist to be pulled out by Ariados while Weepinbell was still on his back like a backpack. Eventually, he found a grating looking into the main building. Looking through, Meowth adopted an annoyed expression.
"We still have some more room in here!" Brock called through his mic, "The lesson is beginning soon!"
"You've taken quite good care of your Feebas," Suzy noted as Noel was lightly tossing a tiny ball to her sole Water-Type in a fish tank, who returned it with a slap of its tail, "Do you take every opportunity to let it out when you can?"
"H-Hai," Noel replied.
"Good. Non-land based Water Pokemon need to be let out into water whenever they can so they don't get weak and lose their ability to swim," Suzy noted, "And from what I can tell from just looking at your Feebas, it is a beautiful Pokemon."
"...E...enough to evolve into Milotic?"
"Possibly," Suzy replied, "When it's time to begin, I can better check."
'Of course it's the twerps,' Meowth thought.
"We've reached the maximum capacity, Suzy," Tsubaki informed as she walked in.
"Thank you, Tsubaki," Suzy nodded, "Is everything all set?"
"Kajun? Makoto?"
"Recording functions are set," Kajun answered.
"People are well relaxed and are ready to listen," Makoto added.
"Wonderful," Suzy smiled as Yuki and Vulpix watched at an empty massage table by the tank, the smaller Alolan Vulpix shyly hiding behind the bigger Kantonian Vulpix from the crowd, "Let's begin, shall we? Thank you for coming, everyone."
"...H...h….hi…" Noel waved shyly, trying her best to remain calm.
"Today we'll be discussing Pokemon and massages. Now then, each Pokemon needs your special care and attention. Whenever a Pokemon has been injured in a battle, it should be given a therapeutic massage to help with healing its injuries," Suzy explained as she moved to the tank with Noel, "For example, with some Water-Type Pokemon that can't move on land like a Feebas, try small rotations with a light pressure to them on the sides just behind the gills, being careful not to touch the fins."
"Bas?" Umi pondered before Suzy began to demonstrate, "Fee~"
"Wait, but wouldn't it be easier to heal a Pokemon by giving it something like a herb or something?" a boy holding a Pidgey with hearts painted on it asked.
"Yes, but herbs are often rather bitter even to Pokemon that love the taste of bitter foods," Suzy replied, "This bitterness can often stay with the Pokemon, making them care less for you with continued use even having reports of Pokemon breaking their balls the moment they're let out and flee just to not taste them anymore." Umi let out a content sigh, a blissful look on her face as a shine started to form on her, "But as you can see, with a massage your Pokemon feel safe and comfortable around you, often wanting to stay with you and form a deeper bond. Even if it's to you but someone you hire, the Pokemon know that you may not know how to tend to them exactly in a massage and will trust in your choice of masseuse."
"Wait...but what does that mean?" a girl with an Oddish with a star painted on its cheek asked.
"I...I…" Noel tried to speak, trying her best to stay calm as she took a deep breath, "I...think she means communication between you and your Pokemon, b-building your trust and bringing out your Pokemon's personality…" she looked at Suzy, "R-right?"
"Exactly," Suzy smiled, "I can tell from the massage I'm giving to this lovely Feebas that its Trainer right beside me has taken every chance to let it out to swim about and exercise. Now do you see how the shine coming off Feebas is changing color?" the people noticed that the shine had taken a subtle blue tint with a fainted white tint, "The white tint tells me that it's been well cared for and has a strong bond. But the second tint in it can tell you about how a Pokemon's been raised. Feebas' second tint is blue, showing that it was given praise and loved deeply almost daily. If it had been a green tint, for example, it would tell me that the Pokemon is rather studious and trained a bit more in mental exercises than physical. I often find it in Psychic-types when giving them massages." she looked at Noel, "Would you care to take over for now on massaging, Noel?"
"Oh. S-sure," Noel nodded as she took over, carefully applying the techniques Suzy showed.
"That's it. Not too hard and not too soft, either," Suzy nodded, "Massages are also important to some Pokemon because of the deeper bonds made through it. Pokemon such as Eevee, Pichu, Magby, Elekid, Smoochum, and Riolu need deep bonds with their Trainers in order to evolve into Espeon or Umbreon, Pikachu, Magmar, Electabuzz, Jinx, and Lucario respectively."
"So...it all depends on the technique?" the boy asked.
"In a way," Brock spoke, "I think Suzy will agree that any technique is as good as the Breeder or Trainer that uses it."
"..." the crowd took the words in as they looked at their Pokemon, the boy and girl up front giving a sigh of embarrassment.
"Pidgey...sorry for putting you up with that place…" the boy sighed.
"Oddish...I didn't mean to have those people put makeup on you...I was just following the latest trend…" the girl sighed as well.
"Pige/Odd…"
"How're things looking online, Kajun?" Makoto whispered.
"We're already at ten thousand views...scratch that. Five hundred thousand," Kajun answered
Suzy gave a small smile as she listened to the crowd starting to apologize to their Pokemon, some even wiping the makeup from their Pokemon's faces.
"Almost done...voila!" Jessie beamed as she and James finished decorating a Squirtle's shell, "This Squirtle shell will be the perfect thing to help advertise our special brand of Poke Fashion!"
"Even if the customers are slow, we're still getting a few at l-" James began before seeing the people outside walk away, "...And there they go."
"...Where's Meowth? He was supposed to be back by now," Jessie frowned.
"We got big problems!" Meowth called as Aridaos came in through an open window, Weepinbell using its vines to hold Meowth on to the spider, "Dat store down da street's got all da customers! And da trend is fadin' fast because of da owner and da twoips!"
"The twerps?!" James and Jessie quietly exclaimed as the Squirtle's Trainer took him back and left, "Wait, no! Come back!"
"I'll...just take my money elsewhere…" the trainer said as they left.
"Wait, no please! We…" Jessie began before slumping, "Darn it…now what do we do?"
"...Sabotage?" James suggested.
"I don't think dat's a good idea," Meowth shook his head, "Da twoips probably got anti-sabotage stuff set up just in case."
"Then how…" Jessie began before noticing someone standing outside, "?! A customer…"
"Where's my money, damn it?!" Karai snapped from the backroom.
"Let them in!" Jessie and James yelped.
"Right!" Meowth yelped, donning his disguise of a happi, slacks, straw hat, and a mustache before opening the door, "Welcome!"
"Welcome to Salon Roq-GH?!" Jessie and James tensed.
"Hello, everybody," Misty greeted as she walked in, only to blink when she noticed their looks "Did...I come at a bad time?"
James shook it off, adjusting his false glasses, "Oh no! Not at all. Please, do come in. How may we help you this fine day?"
"I was wondering if you could make me and my Pokemon look cuter," Misty answered.
"..." Jessie and James looked at each other, grins growing on their faces, "Of course!"
"Cool. Then let me just get Horsea out a-Hey! What are you…?!" Misty yelped when she was suddenly pushed into the next room, "N-not me. My Pokemon!"
"Yes, but we're holding a special where the Trainer gets a makeover as well," Jessie explained.
"A new trend on the rise is matching Trainer and Pokemon styles," James explained, "And you little lady will be the first in this trend."
"I will?"
"Yes. Now please stand still."
"Stand st-WAH!" Misty yelped as the two 'salon workers' were a blur.
"And done!" Jessie and James declared as they stopped, pulling a mirror in front of Misty, "What do you think?"
"What do I thi-EEE~!" Misty squealed once she saw herself, wearing a blue short jacket over a red and orange horizontal striped shirt and a jean skirt over her jean shorts with the red straps dropped to the sides while her hair was let free and a pair of blue rectangle goggles on her head, "I love it! It really captures the real me! You two are such talented artist! Ooh~! I look so cute~!"
"We aim to please," James assured with a chuckle.
"We're pleased you like it," Jessie added.
"Ohh! Ohh! Let's try even more styles!" Misty declared, 'I'm gonna look so good, not even my own sisters will recognize me!'
"Very well! Makeover time~!" Jessie and James declared as they began applying more makeup to Misty.
Meowth facepalmed, 'They've fallen into their roles too deeply once more.' he went over to where Karai was in the building, 'Well, time to catch two Pidgey with one Pokeball.' he opened the door, "Da Pachirisu Gal is down the street."
"WHAT?!" Karai's voice exclaimed before the door was kicked down, a slice of deep dish pizza in her mouth, "I'MMA COMIN', YA SEXY PACHI GIRL YOU~!"
"Head down t' da left when ya get out da front door. She'll be in da place where dey're doing Pokemon massages," Meowth replied, "Big crowd. Can't miss it."
"Thanks, alleycat," Karai nodded as she ran out in a black blur.
"And dat takes care o' da fear in here and also deal wit' bein' a nice distraction t' wrangle up a crowd again," Meowth nodded once she was gone.
"Ari?"
"No, I don't know what she'll do when she realizes da tail's real."
"Holy...one million hits online…" Makoto gawked as she and Kajun looked at the screen, "That was fast."
"Well, can you blame them? I mean, look at how adorable Pikachu's being in the massage," Mai noted, motioning to where Ash was massaging Pikachu's cheeks after having it explained by Suzy.
"Makoto, can you run out to get some more bottles of water?" Tsubaki asked.
"On it," Makoto replied, taking the back entrance to avoid the crowd, "Holy moley, girls. Can you believe how many people are watching a video on massages?"
"Chi," Berry shrugged as she and Booster hopped onto her shoulders while Cherry flew around her.
"Yeah...Should've known you girls wouldn't be bothered by things like that," Makoto giggled, "Now come on. Let's get those waters." she said as she opened the door to the backroom, "Alrighty...where are they…?"
"Chi."
"Ahh. Thanks, Berry," Makoto smiled as headed to where Berry's tail was pointing to. Just as she was about to pick the bottles up...
"Hello~"
"Oh geez!" Makoto yelped as she turned, seeing Karai leaning against the now closed door, "?! You again?!"
"Sup, sexy~?" Karai grinned.
'And I am feeling that bad feelings in my tail and pain mixing again…' Makoto thought.
"So...part time job at a massage parlor, huh? Pretty kinky~" Karai grinned as she slowly walked over to Makoto, "Think we can get a full body massage?"
"What makes you think I'll give you one?"
"...Heh heh. Who says you'd be the one giving it~?" Karai smirked, licking her lips a bit.
'And this was probably what Serenade was trying to warn me about in terms of being alone with her!' Makoto mentally exclaimed.
"(Big Sisses, she's scary)," Booster gulped, hiding behind a box with Cherry and Berry.
The two squirrel Pokemon looked at one another.
"(She is scaring our little sister)," Berry noted.
"(Shall we electrocute her to unconsciousness, tie her up, and leave her in the alley?)"
"(We'll need a distraction)," Berry replied before looking at Booster, "(You have Dig learned, right?)"
"(Uh-huh! Big Bro Eevee taught me before the spooky floating lady hurt him and he went to the old mister on the moving box.)"
"(Then start digging, little sis! We need a tunnel under where that scary lady's gonna step.)"
"(Got it!)"
"So...not gonna resist?" Karai asked as she moved in closer to Makoto, "No...trying to play hard to get or call for help?"
"...If you read the reports, you do know I can…"
"Punch a boulder into pieces? Please...I train a freakin' fire dragon that MELTS boulders with his flames, a three-headed dragon that's chaos incarnate, a wolf that can cause rock slides, and a nightmare fuel inducing water dragon...I ain't scared…" Karai grinned.
"Nightmare f...Oh no...That freaky Gyarados that ate all those Rare Candies?!" Makoto's eyes widened.
"Bingo!" Karai laughed, "But you're lucky...she ain't on me right now…" she frowned, "Darn lousy condition on gettin' ta come here…" her smirk returned, "Now then…"
Makoto stood ready as Karai leaned in close.
"How about we have some fun? And I think we...should start with the full body massage~" Karai purred a bit, unaware of something starting to surface behind her.
'...oh...clever girls, but...need to keep her attention…' Makoto thought, '...Oh god I'm so gonna hate myself for this…' "Fine. When can we begin?"
"Eh?" Karai blinked at that.
"To tell ya the truth, I've been feeling rather stressed lately thanks to those three idiots of yours, and I REALLY need a good ol' fashion 'massage' to help relieve that stress," Makoto explained, hefting her chest up, "Add in that my back's been hurting recently thanks to the girls going up a cup…"
In Karai's mind, a cash register noise went off.
"Last I checked, they were a FF, but now...I think they…" Makoto began as she looked down at her chest, "...Yeah. An H Cup at best."
"H…..cup…." Karai began to drool, a mental image of her doing an excited happy dance flowing through her mind, 'Yes! I hit the jackpot!'
"Still...this stress from those three is annoying~"
"Heh. don't worry. They're busy with a red-haired girl down the street so I'll give 'em a smackdown later for ya," Karai replied, "But for now...Let's the massaging be…"
*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT! CRACKLE-CRAKLE! BZZZZZZZAAAP!*
"...gin…" Karai coughed out, covered in a layer of soot, before collapsing, twitching.
"Oh god, that was nerve wracking…" Makoto shuddered before looking down, seeing her Pokemon poking out of the hole that was behind Karai, "Great job, girls. I'll treat us to chestnuts and donuts later."
"Emol/Chipa/Vuii~!" the trio cheered.
Makoto released Needles and Honey, "Needles, tie her up with String Shot. Honey, go get Kajun. I think that Misty is in trouble with the idiot trio."
"Bee~!" Needles saluted before firing threads from her mouth, quickly tying Karai up.
"Bun!" Honey saluted as she hopped away.
"And now to take her out to the alley," Makoto noted, putting Karai over her shoulder and went off.
'Her tail…' Karai thought, despite her body's current paralysis, as she watched how Makoto's tail moved to let the trio of tiny Pokemon hop into it, 'Holy Miltank...it's real! Oh~She's even hotter now!'
"Bone…" Nobel sighed in relaxation as Mai was carefully massaging him.
"Like this?" Mai asked.
"Just like that. Just be careful of not grazing the bone mask," Suzy advised.
"Got it," Mai nodded.
"Now then, please pay close attention a-"
"Bun!" Honey shouted as she squeezed out from the crowd, "Buneary!"
"Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head.
"Buneary bun-bun!"
"Kachu-pi?!"
"Bun!" Buneary nodded as she turned and hopped out.
"What's up with them?" Ash pondered before Pikachu ran out, "Hey!"
"It's gonna be those three...I just know it…" Kajun sighed as she stood up.
"When isn't it those three?" Tsubaki deadpanned.
"...Good point…" Kajun sighed further.
Back over with Misty, things went from good to sour on her part. Reason...the people at Salon Roquet were actually Team Rocket thanks to Meowth more or less 'spilling the beans' when he tried to snap Jessie and James out of their fake personas. Now she was being interrogated by the trio, demanded her to tell them how to steal Pikachu and the other Pokemon. She was currently tied up to a chair while her face was covered in different colored shapes made by the makeup applications.
"For the last time, tell us how to steal the Twerp's Pikachu!" Jessie demanded.
"Along with the rest of those rare Pokemon those older Twerpette's have!" James added.
"No!"
"Tell us before we make you look like Frankenstein!"
"Uh, Jessie? Frankenstein was the scientist, not the monster," James corrected.
"Shut up!" Jessie snapped before the doors were forced open, "?!"
"Of course it would be you…" Kajun groaned, rubbing the bridge of her nose to quell the oncoming migraine.
"Guys!" Misty called out, "What took you so long?!"
"What happened to her face?" Ash blinked.
"...Pffft!" Makoto tried to hold in a laugh.
"Oi…" Misty glowered.
"Let Misty go right now!" Ash demanded.
"Sorry, but no," Jessie smirked, "We'll finished with her makeover until she looks like this~!" she added as she made a goofy face.
"Besides, we've been conducting some important beauty research!" James added.
"Somethin' of which you twoips can use!" Meowth laughed.
"Beauty research?" Suzy repeated, "Can't you understand that it's the beauty inside that counts? Every Pokemon is beautiful, we just have to help them discover it."
"What are you talking about?" Jessie raised a brow.
"She doesn't understand what a Breeder is," James scoffed, "Besides, inside doesn't count. It's what's outside that counts!"
"Wow...you two really are shallow…" Makoto sweatdropped.
"Says the freak in the cosplay," Jessie countered.
Makoto's eye twitched, "This is n…"
"WHAT DO YOU TWO NUMBSKULLS KNOW ABOUT POKEMON BREEDIN'?!" Meowth snapped, littering the two's faces with scratches, "THIS WHOLE SALON ROQUET IS SUPPOSED TA BE A SCAM, REMEMBER?!"
"A scam?" Suzy gasped.
"Dat's right! Step 1: Make up some fashion trend and make piles o' money from da Trainers dat came in!" Meowth explained, unaware of Hikari holding a camera and continuing the livestream, "Course dat went out da window since one o' da top brass visited and ordered a bunch o' stuff wit' da cash we's was gonna give t' da boss or da other member of da top brass who is better wit' keepin' da money goin' up."
"And Step 2?" Kajun asked.
"Whenever a Trainer brings in a rare Pokemon, we distract and get da Ball fer dat rare Pokemon. Den, while da Trainer's distracted still, we return da Pokemon and deliver it ta HQ with a Rocket Transporter," Meowth replied.
"Say what?!" Ash gawked.
"And if da trainer comes back and ask where dere Pokemon is, we give them back, only it ain't deir Pokemon...It's a Caterpie or Weedle!" Meowth laughed.
"And right now, our greatest masterpiece of all will be those Pokemon of yours. So how about a trade? All your Pokemon…" Jessie spoke as Ariados crawled up behind the chair Misty was on and had his mandibles aimed at Misty's neck, "For her life?"
"You…!" Ash growled.
"But if you want to battle for her life…" James began as he pulled out a decorated mic, "Salon Roquet has its own special battle platform!"
"Say what?" Mai blinked as James pressed a button on the mic, causing the entire building to shake, "?!"
"Get out of the building!" Kajun called.
The group tensed as they hurried out of the building. Said building starting to be enveloped in smoke and dust.
=And now, Salon Roquet would like to present a battle of Pokemon Fashion and Beauty!= Jessie declared over an intercom =To Protect the World from boring fashion!=
=ACK! We can't do the motto, remember?!= James freaked.
=Oh drat= Jessie grumbled =We even dressed for the occasion!=
The smoke settled, revealing an elegant battle arena based upon roses with a set of stairs leading up to the chair Misty was tied to. Before it stood Jessie and James...with Jessie wearing a blue military uniform for men and James wearing a red elegant dress with a blond wig.
"We're supposed to battle on this?" Ash groaned, massaging his head a little.
"Ugh...It smells like there's a ton of perfume here…" Makoto grumbled, massaging her head with her nose scrunched up.
"Dazzle them, Ekans!"
"Knock them dead, Koffing!"
"Ekanks/Koffing~!" the two Pokemon called as they came out...in the outfits from the posters advertising the shop.
"It's worse than the posters…" Makoto groaned.
"We don't need fancy costumes. Pikachu and Nobel are super-charged from the massages!" Ash grinned.
"Let's go, Nobel!" Mai called.
"Pika/Bone!" the two Pokemon ran out to fight.
"Nobel, let's hit 'em with a Bonemerang!"
"Bone!" Nobel shouted as he threw his bone at Ekans, who dodged the first pass before catching the bone just as it was turning, holding it as if it were a rose.
"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!" Ash called.
"PikaCHUUUUUU!" Pikachu roared as he sent a Thunderbolt at the two dressed-up Pokemon, only for the attack to be reflected by the two spinning like tops, "Pika?!"
"Koffing, dearie…" James began before tossing out some rose petals, "Sludge Makeover!"
"Koffing!" Koffing called as he spun around, firing sludge out that got in Pikachu and Nobel's faces.
"Not again…" Ash groaned.
"Now for the finale!" Jessie declared as Ekans and Koffing charged...only to end up tripping on their dresses, "Gah!"
"It's a fashion disaster!" James freaked.
"Get up, you guys!" Meowth encouraged, "We need one last hit ta win!"
"Ek/Koff!" the two shouted as they shot up and charged once more, Meowth joining them. However, just as they were closing in, Vulpix suddenly appeared before the two blinded Pokemon, causing Meowth, Ekans, and Koffing to skid to a halt.
"Vulpix?" Mai blinked before noticing Suzy stepping forward.
"Vulpix and I will handle it from here," Suzy stated, a serious expression on her face.
"Is that so?" Jessie smirked, "Well once we're done with you, we'll give your Vulpix a makeover when we get rid of its tails."
"Time to give you a lesson in Breeding," Suzy noted, "If all you worry about is your Pokemon's outer beauty, its inner strength will be lost."
"Vul," Vulpix agreed.
"Oh please. Pokemon are like fashion models. All that counts are a pretty face," Jessie countered.
"Like mine!" Meowth beamed.
"Vulpix, round them up with Fire Spin!" Suzy ordered.
"Vul…!" Vulpix growled as a fiery aura began to come off the six-tailed fox and a glowing red gem on her neck.
"That's a Fire Gem!" Brock recognized.
"Fire Gem?" Ash blinked.
"It can only be used once, but when it's used...it drastically increases the power of a Fire-Type Move," Brock explained.
"...and Fire Spin?" Mai asked.
"Think Wrap, only the opponent is trapped in a vortex of flames," Kajun explained.
"VUL~!" Vulpix roared as her eyes glowed red, opened her mouth, and...a tornado erupted from her mouth.
Meowth, Ekans, and Koffing yelped as the tornado engulfed them and started making its way towards the stairs that Jessie and James were on.
"Hey, wait a second! Don't Fire Spin me!" Misty freaked, realizing she was in the path as well.
"Kirl…" Misty looked down to see Hikari standing beside her while Ariados twitched on the floor, snoring away via Hypnosis.
"Hikari, help!" Misty pleaded.
Hikari rolled her eyes. She put a hand on Misty's chair and used Teleport. She appeared by Kajun just as the tornado ensnared the Team Rocket human members while the stairs were burned away.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGaiiiiin~!" Team Rocket's voices screamed in the distance.
"Vul…." Yuki silently awed, looking at Vulpix in admiration with wide eyes.
"Now that's an attack!" Ash awed as Tsubaki helped untie Misty.
"Such an adorable little fox holding that much firepower in it...That's kinda awesome," Makoto grinned.
"Yes, I s…" Kajun began to agree before Koko whacked Makoto upside the head with a paper fan held in her telekinesis, "Bad, Makoto. Not the time for puns."
"Owie...And I thought I hid that one well, too…" Makoto pouted.
"Did you see that?" Brock asked, turning to the crowd that had gathered, "A cute exterior hides inner strength. That's the Pokemon's true personality." as he spoke, the remaining people that had still been trying to defend the new trend, mixed in with what Meowth had spilled, began to remove the makeup and bits of fashion on their Pokemon.
"Nice work, Vulpix," Suzy smiled, petting a content Vulpix.
"Vul~!" Vulpix beamed before Suzy stood up to face the group.
"Thanks to all of you, I believe in what I'm doing again," Suzy praised, "You've helped me regain confidence in my beliefs."
"Well, it's not that hard when you're helping a person as great as you are," Ash sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"And it was really fun learning about how to take care of our Pokemon better from you," Makoto added with a smile.
Suzy nodded as she looked at Brock, "And Brock?"
"Gh?!" Brock tensed, his blush returning, "Y-yeah?"
"I was very impressed with how you handled things when you learned about your friend being in trouble. While nearly everyone else was panicking a bit, you kept calm and made your way after Pikachu and your friend's Buneary without a word," Suzy noted.
"S...Suzy…"
"Honestly, I still have a lot more to learn about breeding Pokemon. Even if I do have a championship, I'm still a student. Not a teacher," Suzy continued, "Looks like both you and I have journeys ahead of us."
"You're leaving? But what about your salon?" Tsubaki pondered.
"There are things I can only learn by leaving here," Suzy explained as she held her hand out to Brock, "I want you to continue your journey too, Brock, so from now on...we're rivals."
"Oh! U-uh...sure," Brock nodded, shaking her hand.
"Ul…" Brock looked down to see Vulpix rubbing his leg, "Vul~pix."
"Huh?" Brock raised a brow at bit.
"You know..I'd be grateful if you took care of Vulpix for me."
"?!" Yuki's ears perked up at that.
"Huh?" Brock looked at her in surprise.
"You're the first person besides me that Vulpix has been really friendly with," Suzy explained, "Right now, I believe you could do a better job of raising Vulpix then I could."
"...Mm…" Brock whimpered a bit, tears welling up in his eyes, "Thanks...I don't know what to say..." He quickly wiped the tears away as he looked down at Vulpix, "Don't worry, Vulpix. I promise I'll take good care of you."
"VUL!" Yuki beamed,hoping out of Noel's arms as she began nuzzling against Vulpix.
"Aw~Yuki looks so happy," Misty cooed before noticing the look Ash was giving her, "...What?"
"...You still have that makeup on."
"The hair's good, but…" Makoto snorted back a laugh.
"Hey! It's very fashionable!" Misty snapped.
"Yeah...on a clown!"
"On a….THAT'S IT!" Misty snapped as she pulled her mallet out, "You're dead meat!"
"Uh oh!" Ash and Makoto yelped as they ran out.
"Get back here!" Misty snapped as she chased after the two.
"I promise I'll take good care of her," Brock assured.
Suzy nodded before looking to Noel, "And after looking over your Feebas, I'm happy to tell you that she's almost ready to evolve."
"Really?!" Noel gasped, stars in her eyes.
"Yes, but...do you have a Pretty Scale?"
"Pretty...Scale?" Noel repeated.
Suzy nodded, "Yes. It was a recent discovery that Feebas have a Pretty Scale on them when they evolve into Milotic," Suzy explained.
"...So….I….need….a...Pretty….Scale?" Noel slowly asked.
"That's right."
"..." a depressing aura appeared around Noel as she stood in a corner, crying small waterfall tears.
"But I did hear that it's the prize for an event that's happening tomorrow…"
"What event?" Noel asked, quickly recovering.
"It's a Pokemon Contest."
"?!"
"A Pokemon Contest?" Misty repeated.
"Oh yes. It's rather new to the Kanto Region, so some cities are hosting events involving them and giving out prizes until there's enough support for a Kanto Region Grand Festival," Suzy explained.
"...Happening...tomorrow…" Noel whispered as she looked over at Yuki, '...I wonder…'
"Ugh...uhubba...wha….what'sh going on…?" Karai muttered as she woke up in an alleyway, "...Why am I tied up? ...I didn't get wasted again, did I? ...The hell's that screaming?"
"aaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAHHHH!" Team Rocket screamed as they crashed into her.
"Son of a…! You asses!" Karai growled.
"Ahh!" Team Rocket freaked as they shot up, "Sorry, Lady Karai!"
"...Why are ya tied up?" Meowth asked.
"Pachirisu girl's doing," Karai answered before drooling a bit, recalling what she had seen, "Which makes me fall for her even more~"
"I...I see…" Jessie blinked twice.
"There they are!"
"Get them!"
"Eek!" the trio freaked before James and Jessie picked up Karai and they ran off an away from the angry crowd.
"The hell did I miss?"
"Meowth blabbed about Salon Roquet being a steal rare Pokemon plan and cash scam!" James explained.
"...Sucks to be you three then."
"WHERE IS MY MONEY?!"
"We're also being chased by a takeout delivery guy for a big order you made," James added.
"Run faster, dammit! Those delivery men mean business! They're more vicious than Sis when she's livid!" Karai barked.
"RUNNING!" The trio freaked as they hightailed it.
"GET BACK HERE, THIEVES!"
Kajun's Pokemon Corner!
The curtains rose up once more, revealing the lab backdrop with Kajun, Hikari, and Koko in their normal places. Yuki tilted her head on the table as Vulpix looked around.
"Greetings, and welcome once more to my Pokemon corner," Kajun greeted, "As always, I am Kajun Faycott. With me as usual are my two assistants, Hikari and Koko."
"Kirlia…" Hikari curtsied.
"Esp~" Koko yawned, her tail covering her mouth.
"Today, we'll be talking about Vulpix, both Kantonian and Alolan," Kajun stated as she motioned to both Yuki and Vulpix, "Let's start with the Kantonian variant of Vulpix."
"Vul?" Vulpix tilted her head.
"When a Kantonian Vulpix is born, they have a single, pure white tail at birth," Kajun explained as the screen showed a newly hatched Kantonian Vulpix with a single white tail that just ended in a point instead of curling around, "As time goes by, the white fur will turn an orange-red and five more will start to grow, even growing warmer to the touch with each tail grown."
"Vul~" Vulpix rubbed a paw on her face.
"Inside of a Kantonian Vulpix is an organ many Fire-Types have that allow it to produce flames. When the temperature grows higher, a Kantonian Vulpix is known to expel flames from its mouth to avoid overheating," Kajun went on as the screen showed a Fire-Type Vulpix releasing flames from its mouth as a thermometer beside it rose before changing to show a simulation of Ash putting a hand on the tails before running around, the hand on fire, "A sign that a Kantonian Vulpix wants to evolve into a Ninetails is that its six tails will become hot enough to start fires upon contact with anything that touches them."
"Vul?" Vulpix and Yuki's ears twitched at that.
"The reason I said 'wants' instead of something else is because a Kantonian Vulpix requires a unique rock known as an Evolutionary Stone," Kajun explained as the screen showed a set of rocks with either a fire, a bolt of lightning, a leaf, a crescent moon, a sun, and a snowflake in them, "For a Kantonian Vulpix, they require a Fire Stone to evolve into Ninetails. For an Alolan Vulpix, they need a Cold Stone."
"Kirl…" Hikari pressed a button on her remote and the screen changed to show an Alolan Vulpix.
"Speaking of, Alolan Vulpix came into being in the Alola Region. They are not natives to the islands that make up the Alola Region, but came to them with humans. Vulpix and Ninetails would soon head for Mt. Lanakila to avoid the native Pokemon of the region, eventually transforming from Fire-Types to Ice-Types. They have far more fur on their bodies to help with keeping them warm in the cold environment and their fire organ has changed into one that produces extreme colds that allow it to perform Ice-Type moves such as Ice Beam or Blizzard." the screen changed to show an Alolan Vulpix sitting beside a thermometer that increased quickly while the Alolan Vulpix's tails shook and began to produce snow around it, "As the temperature rises, an Alolan Vulpix will produce ice and snow from its tails to help regulate its body temperature to keep it at a constant -50 degrees Celsius. As such, many Trainers who have one will keep it out with them in hot environments to keep them cool as well."
"Vul~" Yuki yawned a bit.
"As for how good Vulpix are in combat…" Kajun began as the screen changed to show statistics for both Kantonian and Alolan Vulpix, "Let's start with the original, shall we? For an Kantonian Vulpix, I would suggest you have a Timid Nature with the Hidden Ability Drought, training it in HP, Special Attack, and Speed, primarily focusing on the last one the most. I suggest you keep a Heat Rock with your Vulpix to help extend the time the sun is intense thanks to Drought. Fire Blast hits anything that doesn't resist it very hard under the sun. Energy Ball provides important coverage against Water- and Rock-types such as Tirtouga, Omanyte, Chinchou, and Slowpoke. Will-O-Wisp cripples switch-ins to Vulpix such as Munchlax and Archen. Will-O-Wisp also prevents Pawniard from revenge killing Vulpix with Sucker Punch and ensures that a SturdyJuice Tirtouga will be crippled if it tries to use Vulpix as setup bait. And finally, Quick Attack, though lacking in power, is still quite useful for breaking Focus Sash on faster Pokemon such as Abra and Diglett, allowing another teammate, such as a Chlorophyll user, to easily sweep past them later in the match. Quick Attack also has many other situational uses, such as picking off weakened Choice Scarf users and KOing weakened Fletchling before it can strike back with priority Acrobatics."
"Vulpix!" Vulpix exclaimed.
"I know, I know. While that is a good strategy, there are some other options to go with. After putting a foe to sleep, Hypnosis provides a free turn for teammates that can take advantage of the sun, such as Bellsprout, to switch in. Toxic wears down bulky Fire-types such as Ponyta. Hidden Power Rock provides coverage against Fire-type switch-ins, most notably Flash Fire Houndour, which doesn't mind most of the other attacks on the set. Hidden Power Rock also hits Archen a bit harder than any of the other attacking moves on the set. Flamethrower can be run in the third or fourth slot, as having a 100% accurate move to clean up with late-game can prove useful," Kajun went on, "Better, Vulpix?"
"Vul~pix!" Vulpix beamed.
Kajun nodded, "Now for an Alolan Vulpix. Alolan Vulpix's niche comes from its unique access to Snow Warning and Aurora Veil, which allows it to set Aurora Veil to protect its teammates without wasting a turn setting up Hail. Its decent Speed also helps it set Aurora Veil against many slower defensive threats. This makes Alolan Vulpix a terrific partner for setup sweepers, which can exploit the defensive boost Aurora Veil provides to take attacks they otherwise couldn't when setting up and sweep opposing teams. Just like out Kantonian Vulpix, start with a Timid Nature and train it in HP, Special Attack, and Speed with primary focus on Speed, then Special Attack and then HP. Give it a Light Clay to extend the time that Aurora Veil lasts or use an Icy Rock for Snow Warning Vulpix."
"Vul?" Vulpix looked at Yuki.
"Vul~!" Yuki smiled.
"Aurora Veil is the main purpose of this set, as it is an amazing support move that halves all damage taken by allies, giving Alolan Vulpix's teammates more setup opportunities. Blizzard is a strong 110-Base Power STAB move that has perfect accuracy in hail. Freeze-Dry is a STAB move that hits Water-types such as Chinchou and Staryu super effectively. Hidden Power Ground grants Alolan Vulpix perfect coverage while also dealing with troublesome Steel-types. However, Hidden Power Fighting can also be used in this slot to lure Pawniard and OHKO it," Kajun continued, "But if you don't like that, then try some of these other options. Ice Shard is a priority move that can be used to finish off weakened Pokemon, but it's very weak in general. Encore can be used to lock a foe into a status move, though Alolan Vulpix is a bit too frail to use it effectively. Hidden Power Fire is an option to hit Ferroseed harder. Hypnosis is an option to temporarily disable a foe, allowing Alolan Vulpix to set up Aurora Veil more easily. However, its shaky accuracy, coupled with Alolan Vulpix's bad bulk, makes it too much of a risk to run. Moonblast ensures that Alolan Vulpix 2HKOes Timburr and Mienfoo, though it isn't great for much else. Icy Wind can be used as a utility move to lower the foe's Speed, though there is a severe cut on power."
"Vul?" Yuki blinked at that.
"Anyway, that will be all for now," Kajun bowed a bit, "Tune in next time folks as we…"
Yuki sneezed. Hikari and Koko blinked a few times and looked around. Where was Kajun?
"Oh! There you are, Yuki!" Noel exclaimed as she ran through the snow-covered floor and scooped her up, "We need to train!"
"Vul!" Yuki's tails wagged as Noel went off.
"Vul~" Vulpix yawned as she curled up and fell asleep while Hikari and Koko walked by a mound of snow.
'S-s-s-s-s-s-so cold…' Kajun thought, stuck underneath the mound of snow.
GT: Geshuntight, Yuki!
SZ: Bless ya, you adorable little snow vixen.
Yuki:*snoozes softly as she laid down* Vul…
GT: Well, that's another chapter down. Next one's gonna be an original one if ya can't tell.
SZ: Mmm hmm, and we're finally bringing in Pokemon Contest. I always did like those from the anime.
GT: They were really interesting. And in ORAS, you could even Mega Evolve in them.
SZ: Oh yeah...wonder what kinds of strategies Noel can possibly come up with?
GT: Eh. We'll just have to wait for the next chapter. *shrugs*
SZ: Yup, so until next time guys, later.
Ash Ketchum: Pikachu [Starter], Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle(At Prof. Oak's ranch), Krabby, Eevee(At Prof. Oak's Ranch), Gengar(At Prof. Oak's Ranch), Primeape
Misty: Goldeen, Staryu, Horsea, Starmie [Starter]
Brock: Geodude, Onix [Starter], Zubat, Vulpix
Makoto Nanaya: Berry(Pachirisu) [Starter], Needles(Beedrill), Cherry(Emolga), Booster(Eevee), Honey(Buneary)
Noel Vermillion: Yuki(Alolan Vulpix) [Starter], Nymph(Eevee), Umi(Feebas)
Tsubaki Yayoi: Luka(Riolu) [Starter], Astrea(Eevee), Sorin(Rockruff), Izayoi(Honedge)
Mai Natsume: Terra(Sandshrew) [Starter], Aqua(Buizel), Celsius(Eevee), Noble(Cubone)
Kajun Faycott: Hikari(Ralts/Kirlia) [Starter], Koko(Espeon)