Pokemon is owned by Gamefreak and all Pokédex entries are from Bulbapedia.
"Butts"- Humans speaking
"Butts"- Pokemon speaking
'Butts'- thoughts
"Butts"-Pokedex entries/TV commentary
Of Perfumes And Prejudice
They arrived at Celadon City the next morning and returned their larger Pokemon to their balls before heading for the Pokémon Center and Gym, admiring the sights of the large, bustling city along the way, with its tall buildings, and according to Brock and Misty at least, great scents. Passing a small, stylish shop, Misty and Brock sniffed the air.
Brock: Something smells heavenly.
Misty: Perfume. Chesto Vileplume 17, if I remember right.
Ash caught a whiff as well and tried to hide a grimace as the strong scents of flowers and fruits mixed with chemicals hit his nose and made his head throb a little. He absolutely hated perfume. And he wasn't the only one as Cobalt wrinkled his nose.
Cobalt: It smells like...-ACHOO! Ugh… What- ACHOO! ACHOO! ACHOO!
The Lucario went into a volley of sneezes, nearly falling oover before Ash caught him.
Ash: Co, you okay?
Cobalt: Yeah, I'm...-Achoo! I'll live...-Achoo!- Achoo! Ugh...-Achoo!- That damn stuff's messing with my nose...
Ash: Buddy, I think you're allergic to perfume. Sorry, but I'm gonna have to put you back into your Poké Ball.
Cobalt: But-Achoo!... Okay, fine. Just let me out when we get to the gym, okay?
Ash nodded as he returned Cobalt to his ball, looking back to Green and Azula, who was still able to ride on his shoulder.
Ash: Are you guys okay?
Green: I'm good. It's a little strong, but doesn't smell that bad to me.
Azula: I don't really like the smell, but it doesn't make me sneeze or anything.
Ash: That's good… Hey, where'd Brock and Misty go?
Ash realized his two human friends had disappeared. He looked around and finally saw Brock with his face pressed up against the window of the perfume shop with his new Mankey and Bulbasaur beside him. Ash walked over and chuckled at Brock's goofy expression.
Ash: Who you makin' faces at, Brock?
Brock: My nose is telling me that this is my kind of town.
Ash looked through the window to see a group of pretty teenage girls standing around, giggling and gossiping.
Ash: Oh.
Brock: I think we should stay here a while.
Ash: *laughs* Alright, I'll meet you at the gym then… Where's Misty?
Brock pointed inside the perfume shop and Ash looked, seeing Misty go in and talk to a salesgirl. Misty looked out of the window and caught Ash's eyes, and she smiled and motioned him to come in, a salesgirl stopping him as he entered the shop.
Salesgirl: Sorry, you've got to leave your Pokémon outside or put them in their balls. Perfume is flammable and the glass bottles are fragile.
Ash nodded and led his Pokémon back out to Brock.
Ash: Brock, can you watch Green and Azula?
Brock: *not paying attention* Huh? Oh, yeah, sure.
Green: We'll be fine. We'll wait on the bench. Plus, do you really trust this guy when he's like this?
Ash: Fair point.
Ash thanked them before going inside, wincing a bit at the much stronger smell of perfume, but ignored it and walked up to Misty, seeing her being attended to by two sales girls, one with purple hair and the other one with green hair in a ponytail.
Green Haired Girl: This is one of our most popular. It's called Daffodil Dream.
The green haired girl sprayed a bit on Misty's wrist, where she took a whiff.
Misty: It smells just like a garden. Hey, Ash, what do you think?
Ash: It's… okay.
In truth, he didn't really like it, but he didn't want to tell that to Misty, especially since she liked it. She huffed a little.
Misty: Well, don't sound so enthusiastic.
Ash: Yeah, you're right. Sorry, Mist. I'm just not really a big fan of perfume.
Misty: How come?
Ash: It just… Never realy appealed to me. It smells really weird, it's kind of expensive, and it gives me a headache. Plus, it made Cobalt so sick, I had to put him back in his ball.
Misty: *surprised* Seriously? But Cobalt hates being in his ball.
Ash: I know.
One of the salesgirls glared and was about to yell at him, when a voice came from the doorway of a back room, where a beautiful black haired woman in a kimono growled as she walked up.
Woman: I resent that remark!
Salesgirl: *whispers* The manager.
Woman: Young man, are you accusing me of overcharging my customers for inferior perfume that makes people sick?!
Misty glared at the lady and was about to yell at her, but Ash spoke first.
Ash: No, Ma'am. I'm not accusing you of anything! I just don't like perfume in general.
He felt like he was digging himself into a deeper hole, but this situation was getting him confused and flustered. And this just made the manager more angry and she started to get in his face, making him back up a few steps.
Woman: P for pretty, E for elegant, R for radiant, F for fun, U for Urbane, M for Mysterious, E for energy, and that spells...
Girl: Perfume!
Misty: Hey, why don't you back off?
Woman: If you object to our products so much, maybe you should leave. Since all we sell is perfume, you must find us offensive.
Ash: I never said… You know what? I can see you don;t listen to reason, so fine, I will!
Between the perfume and being yelled at for no reason, he was getting a massive headache.
Salesgirl: Yeah, leave, you insensitive little worm!
Salesgirl 2: You should be ashamed of yourself!
The girl grabbed Ash roughly, intending to physically throw him out, only to look as Misty frowned, holding up a cellphone.
Misty: Either let him go or we see how the police like seeing a perfume store staff assaulting their customers!
Misty glared at the salesgirls and the manager, debating about giving them all a good hit with her Misty Mallet, then reluctantly deciding against as there were too many breakable and expensive perfume bottles that she didn't want to have to pay for if she broke them, plus a nearby security camera that would record it all if she did decide to take a swing. Instead, she and Ash, who the girl released, gave them a Yamious glare that had most of them looking pretty nervous before storming out of the store after Ash. Green and Azula hopped off the bench they were seated on and came over to them when they heard them come out, Green noticing their expressions.
Green: What happened in there?
Ash: *sighs* Just something stupid. Don't worry about it. You ready to go to the gym?"
Green frowned in concern, but didn't press and nodded, as did Azula.
Ash: Hey, Brock, you ready to go…
He noticed Brock flirting, well attempting to flirt with an off the clock salesgirl, only for Croagunk to Poison Jab him, causing Brock to collapse in pain and the Toxic Mouth Pokemon to drag him off.
Ash: Never mind...We'll meet you at the gym!
However, things only went downhill from there…..
—-
A half hour later, Ash, Misty, and his team (he released Cobalt when they got there) stood outside the doors of the huge, Vileplume flower ceiling-ed gym, only for them to be stopped by a blue haired girl.
Ash: What do you mean I can't come in?! I have to battle here to earn the Rainbow Badge!
Girl: I wouldn't let you in if you were the last Pokémon Trainer on Earth! This gym doesn't allow anyone who says that perfume is a stinky rip-off!
Ash: I never said that… I didn't… Why does a gym care so much about my opinion on perfume anyway?!
Gym Trainer: We manufacture that "stinky" perfume right in this gym.
Ash accidentally said out loud the thought that was on his brain right now.
Ash: Uh-oh.
Girl: So you see, young man…
The blue haired girl said with an evil grin, and before anyone could react, slammed a red inked, X shaped stamper into Ash's forehead so hard it actually knocked Ash down.
Girl: YOU'RE the stinker! And not only that, you're banned from the Celadon Gym…. *evilly smiles* For life.
Ash: *horrified* What?! But I need this badge or I can;t compete in the Indigo League!
Girl: Oh…. Well, buh-bye.
Ash: Bu-
Girl: Uh, buh-bye.
And with that, they slammed the door right in the startled boy's face, leaving Ash shocked and Misty in the middle of pulling her mallet out. Cobalt was seeing red right now and in the rage Fighting types were supposedly known for due to the insults and attack against his trainer.
Cobalt: Those fucking whores! You don't fucking do that to my Arceusdamn trainer, you scent-spilling sluts!
He then charged at the doors before either Ash or Misty could stop her. Ash and Green had been momentarily stunned (and also surprised by Cobalt's colorful language, especially Green), but being slightly ahead of him, managed to block his path, wanting to stop him before he got into trouble or hurt someone.
Ash: Cobalt, don-
He started to say, but was cut off when he, not seeing him in her rage, plowed right into him, knocking him to the hard concrete and making him bonk his head on the gym step.
Ash: Ow!
Thankfully, Ash's yelp of pain and seeing that he had accidentally hurt him snapped Cobalt out of his rage just in time, frantically helping him up and checking him over.
Cobalt: Oh my Arceus, Ash, are you okay?! I'm so sorry!
Ash: I'm fine, Cobalt. But you have to be careful. You can't just lose your temper and charge like that every time someone insults me or does something to me that you don't like. You're a lot stronger now and you could really hurt someone or you could get into a lot of trouble and get taken away from me. I don't want that to happen.
Cobalt: But they… *sighs* I know. I'm sorry.
Ash: *higs Cobalt* It's okay. I'm fine and you didn't hurt anyone. Just please, be more careful.
Cobalt: I will.
Misty: Ash, you okay?
Ash: I'm fine. Can't believe I got banned from the gym. Especially over perfume of all things… What am I supposed to do? I need that badge if I want to get into the league and I can't if they won't even let me in the gym! Can they even do that? Wow, I really screwed up...
Misty: Ash, calm down. I know gym leaders can make some of their own rules, but I'm not sure they can go so far as to kick you out of the gym just because you don't like perfume. And you didn't screw up. It's a free region, you're allowed to state your own personal opinion in a store! I really wish I could show those girls a piece of my mind.
Ash: Let's go talk to Brock. He's been a gym leader for a while and he'd probably know for sure if they can or can't kick me out. If they can...I'm not sure what I'll do. Maybe go in disguise so they can't recognize me.
Misty had a sudden mental picture of Ash attempting to get into the gym in a ridiculous disguise and trying and failing to change his voice. She let out a small laugh.
Misty: I don't think you're nearly a good enough liar for that. Let's go to Brock like you said and we'll think of something else that doesn't involve ridiculous disguises. That's Team Rocket's forte, not yours.
—-
Brock: Ash actually got banned from a gym?! Just for not liking perfume?!
The two had met Brock on the road and told him what had happened.
Brock: They can't do that. It's against League regulation. A gym leader has to accept every challenge unless the trainer is violent or they think a trainer is abusing their Pokemon.
Ash: So….. I can get my battle?
Brock: Yes, you can. Just go back and tell them to give you a battle or you'll contact the League about the problem. I'll back you up. As a former gym leader, I have contacts in the League I can get ahold of if they refuse.
Ash: Thanks, Brock.
Brock: No problem.
When the group arrived back at the gym, they could hear arguing from across the street. To Ash and the gang, the voice sounded familiar as a familiar looking spiky haired kid yelled at the doors, a spiny mammalian Pokemon right by him. As thy got closer, Ash's eyes widened at the sight.
Ash: AJ?
Indeed it was AJ, the kid who ran his own private gym to train his Pokemon for 100 consecutive wins, with Sandshrew nowhere in sight. The boy looked at Ash, hsi eyes widening in recognition.
AJ: Ash?
Misty: Hey, AJ. Been a while since we've seen you.
AJ: *smiles* Same here. Good to see you guys again. *looks at Cobalt* And I assume that's Cobalt? He looks strong.
Ash: Yep, he finally evolved into a Lucario. And you bet he's powerful.
Cobalt nodded, he and Green smiled at the boy as a greeting as they then turned to the spiny Pokemon.
Green: Sandshrew?
Sandshrew?: Hey, guys. Good seeing you. And uh, I actually go by Sandslash now.
Ash: *takes out Pokedex* Sandshrew evolved?
AJ: Yep, he managed to during my battle with Surge.
Cobalt: *chuckles* Small world.
Pokedex: Sandslash, the Mouse Pokémon and the evolved form of Sandshrew. A Ground type. When it runs at full speed, it sends up a thick cloud of sand in order to hide itself. Although they are sharp, its claws and spikes often break off, but they grow back the very next day.
AJ: Good seeing you guys again. *angered* Only thing good thing that's happened so far.
Ash: What happened?
AJ: They banned me from the gym, that's what! Can you believ this Tauros-crap?!
Ash: You got kicked out too?
AJ: Wait, you too? What made them kick you out?
Ash: I told Misty I didn't like perfume when we were in the perfume shop and they took offense to that. What about you?
AJ: I'm allergic to perfume and when we were passing by to go to the gym, one of those perfume sprayer people approached us and was about to spray us and I…. *sheepish* may have panicked and told her to not spray that smelly crap on me.
Brock: This is ridiculous.
A passing trainer overheard this, a teenager with dirty blonde hair, pale gray eyes, a black shirt over an orange hoodie, grey jeans, and black trainers. By his side was a small serpentine Pokemon with green scales and a pointed snout. He came over just as Brock was opening his mouth to tell them that they could make the leader give them a battle.
Boy: I couldn't help but overhear. It happened to another guy I knew too a few months ago. Just tell them that by League rules, they have to give you a battle. They'll let you in.
Ash: Maybe, but what about the next person this happens to? Brock was here to tell me they couldn't do that, but I didn't know that before I talked to him. If they weren't there, I would have likely panicked and done something stupid to try to get my gym battle. And If someone gets kicked out of the gym and they don't know they can make the gym leader give them a battle, they're out of luck. Maybe we should call the league.
Boy: Good luck. I submitted a complaint about this gym and they still haven't done anything about it yet. I only got my badge from being banned only because my friend won it for me.
Misty: Well, I'm the sister of the Cerulean City gym leaders and Brock is a former gym leader. I think we can use that to make them listen.
Misty walked to a video phone nearby and dialed the league. With Brock and Misty's status, they were able to personally contact a higher-up league official, who immediately agreed to send someone over after the group told them what happened.
Ash: Thanks for the warning. I'm Ash, by the way.
Boy: *nods* Pleasure. Name's Trip. *gestures to Pokemon* And this is my partner, Snivy.
The little serpent nodded, giving a smile at the boy who curiously got out his Pokedex.
Pokedex: Snivy, the Grass Snake Pokemon. A Grass type. Snivy lay their leaf-like tails in sunlight to relax and gain energy. Because of its short arms, they often use Vine Whip as not just an attack, but as a substitute for hands.
Misty: Your Pokemon is so cute. I've never seen it before.
Trip: That's mostly because we're not from here. I'm from Nuvema Town in Unova.
AJ: Unova? Well, what're you doing all the way out here for?
Trip: Thought Unova would be kinda boring for a first journey since I know the whole place, so I came here. I'm hoping to compete in the Pokemon League.
Ash: So am I.
AJ: Same here.
Trip smiled at this, possibly thinking he could have a battle with either of them. However, not long after, an official arrived in a limo accompanied by a bodyguard. The representative was a tall and attractive woman with dark red hair tied into a ponytail, scarlet eyes, glasses, and formal black attire. All of the group, except Trip, Snivy, Cobalt, Green, and Azula looked in shock at the woman as she came up to them.
Woman: I am Lorelei Celsius of the Indigo Elite 4. And head representative of the Indigo League complaints department. Are any of you the one who made the call earlier?
Misty: I…. I am. You see, my friend Ash got banned just because he said he did't like perfume.
Lorelei: Hm, I see…. Thank you for beginning this to my attention, we;ve had calls like this before I'll handle this.
Lorelei walked up to the gym doors with them and demanded to see the gym leader. A blue haired girl wearing a green dress with a white stripe came to meet them as did one of the salesgirls from the perfume store, both looking rightfully afraid at the now angered woman.
Ash: *whispered* That's the manager of the perfume store!
Lorelei: Erika, that's the sixth complaint we've had this year about your gym kicking out trainers for not liking perfume.
Erika: Many of them were very rude! And I didn't kick them out, my gym trainers did! If they asked me for a battle, I gave it to them!
Trip: Yeah, after they threatened to contact the League!
Lorelei: Look, whether people like perfume or not doesn't matter and neither you or your gym trainers have the right to kick anyone out of the gym over a personal opinion. It violates the League rules and you should know this. Now, you will give both of these trainers a battle and give young Trip a chance to rightfully earn his Rainbow Badge.
Salesgirl: Well, they're banned for life! We're not giving them a stupid badge and that's that!
Lorelei: Well then, if Erika doesn't give them a battle or if we get any more complaints about you banning trainers from your gym for no good reason, Erika's status as gym leader will be given to someone else. And not only that, your perfume store will be *emphasized* CLOSED PERMANENTLY.
Erika's eyes widened with fear at this as the salesgirl backed off in fear..
Lorelei: Tomorrow you will give both Ash, AJ, and Trip here their match, and I will be watching to make sure it happens. And once its done, your gy will be on probation for 6 months. Anymore complaints about banning trainers for no reason….
She snapped her fingers, eliciting the guard to pull out a pin slip and wave it tauntingly. Erika nodded to this, knowing she had no choice.
Erika: I will. I'll see you at ten tomorrow when the gym opens. And I...apologize for my behavior and for the behavior of my gym trainers.
Though Ash wasn't sure how sincere the apology was, he nodded, as did AJ. Trip…. Not so much.
Lorelei: Alright, I will see all of you tomorrow.
She said this while emphasizing it so that Erika would know that she wouldn't get away with anything. She walked away and the group said goodbye to each other before heading off.
—-
That evening after dinner, Ash and all his Pokémon were in the outdoor training field at the hotel they were staying at, preparing for the gym battle happening the next day. Misty was out there with them, training for the Water Tournament, while Brock was using the little kitchen in their hotel room to make some Pokémon treats for another Pokémon cooking contest he was thinking about entering, with John and Bulbasaur getting the happy job of taste testing his new creations.
Aiden: Whoa, all that happened while I was in the ball?
Cobalt: Yeah, it was stupid as all hell!
Yami: *to Ash* They actually kicked you out of the gym? You? Over something as stupid as you not liking some scents?
Psi: Mayhaps their brains are smoothing over from having to smell those fumes all day.
Cobalt growled as he nodded. It had taken three washings for him to get the remaining traces of the perfume scent out of his fur so the Lucario would quit sneezing.
Ash: Yeah, but don't worry. It's all been taken care of. Let's just focus on the battle tomorrow. It's going to be extra exciting, especially since there'll be a member of the Elite 4 watching. I want us to do really well.
Azula: We will. So who's the final choice for who's going to be in this one?
Ash: Aiden, Yami, and either Cobalt or Green.
Green: I really want to do this one! I haven't been in a gym battle for a while!
Cobalt: I haven't either.
Ash: Look, one of you will be in this one and the other will be in the next one.
Cobalt: Who's the next leader?
Ash: Koga. He's the Poison type gym leader. According to this, he normally uses a Venonat, a Golbat, and a Yamioth. I've actually seen him on TV. He's a ninja and he's really, really good.
Psi: Interesting. Mayhaps myself and Cobalt would be suited for that battle, due to I having the type advantage and Cobalt being part Steel type, thus making him immune to Poison type moves.
Cobalt: Oh hell yah, I wanna do that one! I wanna fight a ninja!
Ash: Sounds good. Green can take this one then.
As the party trained, Ash remembered Green's battle with John, where he improvised the combo move of X-Scissor and Iron Tail when he had a sudden idea. He went up to Green and told him about his plan for the battle, making his eyes light up.
Green: That's a great idea! Since I'm a Grass type, she'll never see that coming. I'll need to practice it some so I don't miss, but I think I can pull it off.
For the next few hours, Ash and Green practiced the new combo move they had worked out. The first few times, Green had trouble with it, but by the end of the training session, he was able to do it accurately. After the training session, the group headed to bed, eager for the battle the next morning.
—-
Ash, Misty, Brock, Cobalt, Green, and Azula arrived at the gym a little before ten the next morning, meeting up with AJ and Trip. Thankfully, the gym trainers stayed out of their way when they entered the gym where Erika and Lorelei were waiting, the two brothers taunting the gym trainers as they passed.
AJ had his battle first, and he won with relative ease with the help of his Beedrill and a newly caught Fearow, though Erika's spore and powder attacks did give him some trouble at one point. Once Erika had her Pokemon healed, it was Ash's turn. Taking a deep breath to ease the nervousness he got before each big gym battle, Ash stepped forward to his side of the gym as Erika took her place.
Lorelei: The battle between gym leader Erika and the challenger Ash shall now begin! Each trainer shall only use three Pokemon for the battle and furthermore, only the challenger may substitute their Pokemon! Will both sides let out their Pokemon!
Erika: All right. Tangela, go!
She released a strong looking vine creature who let out a battle cry, eliciting Ash to scan it.
Pokedex: Tangela, the Vine Pokemon. A Grass type. Blue plant vines cloak the Pokémon's identity in a tangled mass. Its vines snap off easily and painlessly if they are grabbed, allowing it to make a quick getaway.
Ash: *nods* Yami, you're up!
Ash called out, letting out his excited Gengar.
Lorelei: Let the match begin!
Erika: This should be easy. Tangela, Razor Leaf!
Ash: Use Phantom Force to dodge!
The Gengar quickly sunk into the shadows, dodging the razor sharp leaves sent at him. Yami's eyes are seen closing in onto the Tangela, where he then striked from the shadows and revealed himself, knocking the grass type back and weakening it severely.
Erika: Nice try, but we're not out yet! Tangela, Stun Spore!
Ash: Use Sludge Bomb!
Tangela sent a wave of the paralyzing yellow powder at Yami, which the Gengar couldn't dodge as he spat a Sludge Bomb at the Tangela. Both of them were under status conditions, Yami being paralyzed and Tangela being poisoned.
Ash was worried but knew he couldn't panic for Yami's sake and that it would take a minute for the Stun Spore to take full effect. And how Erika's Tangela was under effect from the Sludge Bomb, only made his plan fall further into motion.
Ash: Yami, finish with Venoshock!
Despite beginning to feel the Stun Spore's effects, Yami hit a powerful Venoshock the Tangela, knocking it out.
Erika: Tangela!
Lorelei: Tangela is unable to battle! The winner is Gengar!
Ash: Yami, you did great. Time to take a rest.
Ash returned Yami as he knew the Gengar was struggling to move with the Stun Spore. He mentally reminded himself to find a way or some moves that would help his Pokemon resist or heal status conditions and to be more careful in battle next time.
Erika: Poor Genagr. I'll give you some Paralyze Heals to help him after the battle.
Erika said this with concern but also somewhat condescendingly. Ash bit back the retort, struggling to come out and simply said thank you.
Ash: Alright Aidan, your turn.
Ash told his Charmeleon, who was out of his ball and watching nearby. Aidan grinned and came to join his trainer. Erika looked at the Charmeleon, thinking Ash had just gone with type advantage and let out an untrained or underleveled Pokémon as most starters were at least on their second evolution by the time they reached her gym.
Erika: *mocking* Well, this should be easy. Weepinbell, go!
The yellow grass type glared at Aidan, but the fire type was not intimidated.
Erika: Now use Razor Leaf!
The Weepinbell quickly shot off the leaves and they headed straight towards Aidan.
Ash: Fire Spin to incinerate them!
Aidan spun in place, surrounding himself in a vortex of fire and igniting the leaves before they could even get close to hitting him. Weepinbell gasped and dodged the burning leaves that were now falling back to the ground.
Ash: Now Flamethrower!
Aidan sent a powerful stream of fire at Weepinbell, knocking it out.
Lorelei: Weepinbell is unable to battle! The winner is Charmeleon!
Erika: Very good, but you won't beat my best Pokemon! Gloom, go!
Upon releasing her prized starter, the Gloom released a cloud of its powerful stench at Aidan from Erika's silent cue, making the fire lizard cough and gasp.
Ash: Aidan!
Ash cried out in worry as he saw Aidan coughing from the horrible stench filling the gym. Aidan may not have been hurt, but seeing him clutch his nose and struggle to catch his breath scared Ash. Not wanting to force Aidan to continue and make him seriously sick, Ash returned him to the ball.
Ash: Green, are you up for this?
Green: Against her? With pleasure. *steps onto battlefrield* I've smelled a hell of a lot worse from the tribe back home.
Erika: Your battling skills may be impressive, Ash, but there's one thing you don't have. Empathy with your Pokémon! Without it, you'll never become a great Pokemon trainer like me!
Green glared and was about to start an explosive rant about how Ash had more empathy in his little finger than Erika had in her entire body and/or get so angry he went into an assault, but Ash placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, calming his Grovyle.
Ash: Easy, Green. Let's show her exactly how wrong she is on the battlefield.
Erika: Poison Powder, now!
Gloom sent a wave of purple powder towards Green, when suddenly…
Ash: Dodge and use Iron Scissor!
Erika: Iron what?!
Green leapt out of the way of the Poison Powder easily and leapt into the air, charging up an X-Scissor as he did while his head leaf glowed with a metallic sheen.
Erika: Gloom, dodge it!
Gloom tried to dodge, but Green simply changed direction in the air, the two scythe-like blades crossing and hitting the Gloom. While the flower Pokemon was staggered, Green hit it with his head leaf, sending Gloom halfway across the gym, knocking it out.
Lorelei: Gloom is unable to battle! The winner is Grovyle! And as such, the match goes to Ash Ketchum!
Ash: We did it!
Ash cried out happily and hugged Green when he walked back to him.
Green: Was there ever any doubt?
Ash: *whispers* With you guys on my side, never. You all are the best.
Erika sadly returned her Gloom and walked over to him, abashed.
Erika: Well, Ash, it was a good battle. I guess you have more empathy with your Pokémon than I thought. Here, you earned this.
She handed him the Rainbow Badge and also a Paralyze Heal for Yami. Extremely happy because of the win, he thanked her politely, then immediately let Yami out to treat him, and checked on Aidan, who was fine now that he had gotten away from the gas.
Trip: Nice battle, Ash.
AJ: You really have gotten stronger.
Ash: Thanks. And you did awesome in yours.
Trip: Yeah, that last move especially was really cool. That X-Scissor and the Iron Tail worked well together. I'll have to remember that.
Lorelei came over and congratulated both boys on their wins, Trip stepping up for his battle. When the group filed out of the gym, the woman stopped Ash..
Lorelei: I've seen a lot of battles with very strong trainers. But rarely have I ever seen such synergy between a trainer and their Pokémon as I have with you. It's clear you have a very strong bond with your team and are completely in tune with them. There are a few things you could improve on in your battling, but that's the case with everyone. Training is a learning process. But with how close you are with your Pokémon and how well you work together, I have no doubt that you'll do great things.
Giving the boy a smile, she went back to monitor Erika's battle with Trip. Smiling, Ash left the gym rejoining his friends and Pokémon. After a while, they said goodbye to AJ and Sandslash, wishing them all luck in their journeys and then headed on their way to continue their own, heading to HopHopHop Town where new adventures and Misty's Water Pokemon Tournament awaited them.
TO BE CONTINUED…..
—-
Ash's Team
Lucario: Cobalt
Grovyle: Green
Alakazam: Psi
Gengar: Yami
Charmeleon: Aidan
Drizzile: Azula
Rotom: Sparky (at Oak's lab)
Misty's Team
Staryu
Starmie (at gym)
Gyarados: Mel (Malestrom)
Butterfree: Alex (at gym)
Squirtle: Loki
Wimpod: Harold
Goldeen: Bella (at gym)
Horsea: Jeff
Tentacool: Charles
Brock's Team
Onix
Geodude
Zubat: Nightwing
Bulbasaur
Croagunk
Mankey: John