A/N: Just a warning, the next three chapters are probably my laziest chapters I've written for this whole story. However I will make up for them, because I am planning to add another gym in future chapters. So they will actually have nine badges instead of the traditional eight.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything, I make no money or profit from this.
Chapter 41: Celadon City Gym Battle Erika vs Ronnie Anne
It was the next day and the 3 trainers were making their way back to the gym. Clyde and Ronnie Anne wore expressions of uncertainty, while Lynn had a calm but indifferent expression. After they booked their room at the pokecenter yesterday, they decided to explore Celadon City. They first went to eat at a restaurant. After that they went to the Celadon Mall, while avoiding Erika's perfume shop. They also visited some of the tourist spots. Clyde and Ronnie Anne wanted to check out a place called Game Corner, but Lynn put a stop to that immediately. She knew that place was a gambling den and didn't want them anywhere near that place. They eventually went back to the pokecenter and rested.
"So what are our odds of actually getting a battle?" Ronnie Anne asks both her companions out loud.
"Since we didn't see Mina again, I'm assuming that's a good thing," Lynn replied calmly.
"Will the League actually get a referee out here on such short notice?" Clyde asked the older girl.
"Who knows," she replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "We're almost there, so we'll find out soon.
They eventually made it to the gym, everything looked the same except for one thing. Standing in front of the gym's entrance were two men in black suits. Mina was also standing in between them with a smile on her face.
"Hey guys," Mina said cheerfully waving to them, as they approached. "The League is planning to temporarily close this gym for the rest of the season. It will open next season after Erika has cleaned up her act or they found a replacement. However, since you helped me with my investigation, they are allowing you to be Erika's last challengers before they close the gym."
"Really!? Awesome!" Ronnie Anne shouted with happiness.
"What's with these guys?" Clyde asked, slightly intimidated by them.
"We are here to inform any trainers about what is happening," one of the men answered.
"Well, should we go in?" Mina asked, moving to the side and gesturing. They all nodded and walked in.
Upon entering, the trainers noticed some major difference from the previous day. First thing was there were no Pokemon just wandering around. The next thing was only a few girls inside, and they were the young adult women. They were all working to clean up the gym and not lazing around.
"It's not as busy as yesterday," Lynn commented looking around.
"Yes, Erika was allowing people to come here to hangout," Mina replied with a sigh. "Not only that, she was letting her staff slack off. This gym was a mess. I already sent all the security camera footage yesterday. They will make an announcement about Celadon City Gym being closed on TV. A notice will also appear before and after every one of Erika's battles that airs."
"What was her reason for not sending the battle footage?" Ronnie Anne asked the young inspector.
"She was afraid her losses would harm her perfume store," Mina replied with a large frown. Clyde and Ronnie Anne stared at her in shock, while Lynn shook her head in disbelief.
They soon made it to the battlefield, where a tired and defeated looking Erika was already in position. The battlefield had been cut and repainted, looking as good as new. There was also a man wearing a referee uniform in position as well. "Welcome," She said in a hollow voice. "Which one of you are going first?"
"I guess I'll go first," Ronnie Anne spoke in a unsure tone. As she went to get in position and had her license scanned, her companions and Mina went to stand off to the side.
"She doesn't look good," Clyde commented in a worried tone.
"No she doesn't," Mina started saying. "She spent all yesterday cleaning up and repainting the battlefield. Then she had to come in early to help clean the gym, as well call in her staff to come in to help. She also got reprimanded by the League yesterday over the video phone. So yeah, she's not doing good."
"Will she even be able to battle all of us?" Lynn asked with raised eyebrows.
"Yes she will," the younger girl replied. "However, her Pokemon are a different story. Many of them haven't been trained in weeks, so their performance is expected to be bad. The League is only allowing these battles because they don't want to inconvenience all three of you."
"Good for us I guess," Lynn said with a frown, before looking at her male student. "I don't know what you were planning for this, but you might want to consider using Combee."
"Why?" He asked her confused.
"I don't think any of Erika's Pokemon are ready for a battle," the athlete replied. "This will give Combee some much needed experience." Clyde said nothing and thought about what she said.
The match was about to begin. "This is an official match between Erika of the Celadon City Gym and Ronnie Anne Santiago from Great Lakes City." The referee's voice was loud, clear, and echoed throughout the building. "Both trainers will be able to use four Pokemon, with only the challenger being able to switch out Pokemon. The battle is over when all of someone's Pokemon is unable to battle or one forfeits. The match begins now."
"Let's go Houndour!" Ronnie Anne shouted releasing her Pokemon.
"Go Bellsprout," Erika said in a defeated tone, releasing her Pokemon. It looked like a yellow flower walking on its roots, with its leaves acting as arms. "Start off with Razor Leaf," she ordered, her voice not changing.
"Use Incinerate!" The young challenger shouted.
Bellsprout waved its arms and started launching leaves towards its opponent. Houndour however stood her ground and released a stream of flames. The flames met the leaves and were instantly destroyed. The fire continued its path and hit Bellsprout, knocking it out instantly.
"Bellsprout is unable to battle," the referee announced. "The winner is Houndour." Ronnie Anne and her Pokemon didn't cheer, they both just had a stunned expression. Clyde had a similar expression, while Lynn and Mina shook their heads in disappointment.
"One hit?" Clyde managed to say, coming out of his stunned expression.
"I told you," Mina said with a frown. "Her Pokemon have spent the last few weeks, maybe months, not training. They just lazed around and did nothing. None of them are ready for battle."
"Then why let us battle them?" Lynn asked curiously.
"This is more of a punishment for Erika," the younger girl replied. "Her last act as a Gym Leader this season will be her watching her Pokemon lose. Showing her what happens when you neglect your responsibility as a Gym Leader." Both trainers winced at hearing this, this sounds like a horrible punishment.
Erika recalled her Pokemon, before letting out a sigh and sending out her next one. "Go Paras," she said, sending out an orange insect with mushrooms on its back. "Use Bug Bite," she ordered with a lack of energy.
"Uh, use Incinerate Houndour," Ronnie Anne said in an unsure tone. She overheard the conversation Mina and the others had, and wasn't as pumped as she was before.
Paras charged towards its opponent, unfortunately Houndour was quicker and avoided the Mushroom Pokemon. She then shot flames from her mouth at her opponent, hitting them and knocking them out instantly.
"Paras is unable to battle," the referee announced. "The winner is Houndour." Again Ronnie Anne and Houndour didn't cheer, instead they started to frown. Clyde started to look disappointed, while Mina and Lynn frowned at Erika.
"This isn't a battle," Clyde commented. "I don't know what this is, but it isn't a battle."
"I agree Clyde," Lynn responded to his comment. "This is hard to watch."
The Grass Gym Leader called her Pokemon back and sent out her next Pokemon. "Go Sunflora," She sent out a walking sunflower. "Use Razor Leaf," she called out.
"Use Flamethrower," Ronnie Anne said with a frown.
The Sun Pokemon swung its arms, firing leaves at its opponent. Houndour just opened her mouth and sent a stream of flames, destroying the Razor Leaf. The fire continued and hit the Sunflora, knocking it out.
"Sunflora is unable to battle," the referee announced. "The winner is Houndour." Ronnie Anne and Houndour were both growling in frustration, while the 3 watching were becoming more disappointed.
Erika called back her Pokemon and sent out her last Pokemon. "Go Gloom," she said, sending out a familiar Pokemon. "Use Poison Powder," she ordered.
"Avoid it and use Flamethrower," Ronnie Anne muttered, looking away with annoyed expression.
Gloom aimed its flower towards its opponent, before firing purple powder. Houndour easily dodged it and shot her Flamethrower. Just like before, it hit her opponent and it went down instantly.
"Gloom is unable to battle," the referee announced while holding their hand on Ronnie Anne's side up in the air. "Houndour is the winner and Ronnie Anne has won the match." However there was no cheering. Clyde tried clapping, but no one joined in. Lynn and Mina just shook their heads in disappointment and frustration.
"Congratulations," Erika said after recalling her Pokemon and moving to Ronnie Anne. Her voice and expression lacked any emotions. "You have earned the Rainbow Badge." She then held a rainbow badge in the shape of a flower to her.
Ronnie Anne called back Houndour and roughly swiped the badge. She didn't say anything and walked to the others.
"You go next Clyde," Lynn said to her male student. Clyde looked at her confused, but nodded and started to walk to the battlefield.