Chapter Twenty-one: Welcome to Celadon!
Previously, Crash and friends returned to Saffron City for his Gym battle.
He was off to an excellent start, knocking out two of her Pokémon while he still had three. Although it didn't last as his Pidgeotto, Jetstream was quickly dealt with and his Pikachu, Mark was heavily injured and his Haunter, Gasper had disappeared from his Pokéball, causing Crash to lose hope.
After reassurance from his weakened Starter and seeing it get up to fight Sabrina's Kadabra, his resolve strengthened and he resumed the battle.
Gasper saw the sight and was touched enough to assist his trainer and win the battle in a rather unorthodox way, to tbe shock of everyone.
And now, he's headed to Celadon, where he can earn his 5th Gym Badge.
/-/
"Took us a week, but we finally made it to Celadon City!" Crash said, as they reached the city.
"You can say that again." Misty agreed. She looked around. "This place might be as big as Saffron City."
"If that's the case, we'll have plenty to do and see!" Brock remarked.
Misty nodded as she spoke in a gleeful tone. "I can't wait to visit the famed Celadon Department Store and get some nice new clothes!"
"What's wrong with what you're wearing now?" Crash asked.
"I just don't wanna wear the same thing everyday." Misty replied.
"But you look good in what you're wearing now." Crash said, causing her to blush.
"Wh-what?" Misty stammered. "You mean that?"
Crash nodded. "Yeah. Besides, not like you'd find anything that makes you look nicer."
He was met with a quick chop to the face.
"Sorry to interrupt but I have somewhere I want to go too." Brock spoke up.
"You're not going with Misty to the mall?" Crash asked, rubbing his face.
"No, I'm going to the beauty salon my biggest idol owns!" Brock replied excitedly. "Her name is Suzie and she's known for being one of the best Pokémon Breeders in the region! Her salon is focusing on improving Pokémon's skills and abilities, so I want to learn everything she knows!"
"Are you sure it's just that and not something else?" Misty asked with an unamused expression.
"Well if she just so happens to be cute, that's just icing on the cake." Brock creepily chuckled. Misty and Crash only shock their heads in disgust.
"And I guess you're going to challenge the Celadon City Gym, aren't you Crash?" Brock asked.
"You know it Brock! I'll meet up with you guys after my battle!" Crash shot his friend a thumbs up before running off toward the Gym, only to be stopped by Misty.
"Crash, wait! I wanna go shopping first."
"Well, go ahead!" Crash said, brushing her off. "No one's stopping you!"
"I need someone to tell me how I look in new clothes." She replied. "That and maybe carry my stuff if I buy too much."
"Why not just have Brock do it?" Crash groaned.
"He already left." Misty said. Crash noticed that the rock type specialist was nowhere to be seen, probably already heading to that salon he was talking about.
Crash looked around. "What? Where'd he go?"
"Probably to the salon." Misty replied. She turned to Crash and wore a smile that emanated smugness. "So…"
Crash could only sigh in defeat. "Fine. But once you're done shopping, we're going to the Gym."
"Deal." Misty smiled as she skipped to the store, as Crash followed her with an annoyed frown.
/-/
Misty happily skipped inside a boutique trying out new clothes and accessories. She took a handful of clothes and stepped into a changing room
"Ok Crash. Tell me what you think!" Misty said, stepping out and posing in a white blouse and a pair of denim jeans.
Crash looked away, clearly not interested. "You look fine, Misty."
Misty put her hands on her hips, clearly not satisfied with the answer. "Really Crash? Well how about…" She turned back into the changing room with a different outfit.
This time, she wore a spaghetti strapped cream colored sundress with a red flower print on it and a straw hat with a green ribbon. "This one?"
"You look fine, Misty." Crash replied with the same energy as before.
She crossed her arms, clearly not content with the answer.
"What?" The boy raised a brow. "It's true. And you did want my opinion on how you look."
"At least smile." She pouted.
"I don't even wanna be here." Crash replied. "Besides I don't know much about fashion anyway. I'm just telling you how I think you look."
Misty took some time to reflect on the boy's words. Which wasn't long as he derailed her train of thought, pointing at the pile of the clothes she had tried on. "Are you gonna buy those, or-"
Misty gave a defeated sigh. "I might as well…"
Misty went over to pay for the clothes when a dress had caught her eye. She stepped forward and grabbed it, and realized someone else had grabbed it too.
As she looked up to see who it was, she immediately groaned with contempt as she recognized the hazel colored hair.
"Giselle?!" Misty shrieked.
"Misty?" gasped Giselle. "You're shopping here in Celadon too?"
"Of course I am!" The redhead barked back. "I came here for some new clothes!"
Giselle feigned a shocked expression. "Really now? I thought that crop-top and suspender shorts was your entire wardrobe." Giselle smiled and let go of the dress.
"Wait, you're letting me have this dress?" questioned a confused Misty.
"Of Course!" Giselle giggled. "I'm always happy to help the less fortunate. Besides, I have more than enough clothes." She gestured behind her to Joe, who was lifting multiple bags of clothes.
"Hi!" He managed to wave at her despite all of the things he was carrying.
Misty waved back before she registered what Giselle had said earlier. "Wait, less fortunate?"
She turned back to Giselle, who was now talking with Crash.
Misty clenched her fists and angrily approached the two trainers as they continued talking.
Crash then turned to Misty, realizing she was there.
"Oh hey Misty! Are you done shopping?" Crash asked in a noticeably better mood. "Giselle said that once we're done here, she'll show me the way to the Celadon City Gym."
Misty could only sigh and walk over to the cashier to pay for her clothes, not having the energy to argue with him.
Once Misty paid the cashier for her clothes, they leave the boutique and prepare to leave the department store, but a wonderful scent catches Misty's attention.
"You smell that Crash?" Misty asked, grabbing his backpack, stopping him in his tracks.
Crash turned to her confused "Misty? What's up?"
Giselle stopped and began to sniff the air as well. "Hold on, I think I smell it too."
"It smells like…" She paused as she felt herself being drawn by the scent. The two girls perked up as they both realized what it was. "Perfume!"
Crash raised a brow. "Perfume? What do you need that for?"
"To smell nice, duh!" Misty replied.
"Why not just wear deodorant then?" Crash asked. "They both smell nice."
"It doesn't have the same effect." Giselle wagged a finger.
"Whatever," He shrugged. "I'll leave you guys to that. I'll be at the Gym!"
"Really now?" Giselle giggled. "Well I wish you luck with your battle."
Crash's eye slightly twitched at the word "luck", but he recovered quickly.
"I don't need luck when I have skill on my side." He replied confidently. Misty rolled her eyes, but Giselle found it amusing.
"Then Erika won't be a problem then." She turned to Joe. "Joe, can you be a dear and drop our things at the Pokémon Center and leaf Crash to the Gym?"
Giselle wrapped an arm around Misty and led her into the store. "Me and Misty are going to see what they have to offer here."
Joe eagerly nodded. "S-sure! Just follow me Crash!" Giselle smiled sweetly back at Joe as she and Misty entered the store.
"Ok! C'mon Ma-" Crash looked to where his Pikachu normally was and saw that he was no longer perched on his shoulder.
"Wait. Where'd Mark go?"
"I think Mark likes the perfume too." Joe remarked as he pointed into the store.
Crash then saw the lightning bolt tail of his starter in the window of a store, and quickly ran inside. As he entered, he was met with the sight of his starter in Misty's lap, as they both breathed in samples of perfume that the employees offered.
"Mark!" Crash shouted as he entered the store, drawing the employees attention, and causing his Pikachu to immediately rush back to him.
"Oh, Crash!" Misty waved over to him, beckoning him to come closer. "You should smell the perfume here! It's wonderful."
"Um… no thanks I'm good." Crash said as he stepped away from the vial Misty offered him. "I just came here for Mark." Crash said, pointing to Mark, who was now perched on his shoulder. "Besides, I think perfume is overrated."
The three employees, Misty and Giselle all gasped loudly in shock. Joe and Mark could only shake their heads in embarrassment.
"Crash! How could you say that?" Said an angered Misty as she grabbed the boy by his collar.
"What? I just said what I think about perfumes", he shrugged.
"Some things are better left unsaid Crash.", Joe said sheepishly with a hand on his face.
"Young man, I take your comment as an insult to my shop!" said in a strict voice. Everyone turned to see who it was and it was a woman in a brightly designed kimono.
The employees immediately stood up straight as if they were the subordinates to a high ranking military officer.
Joe and Giselle's eyes widened with surprise.
"M-Miss Erika!" They all said in unison.
Crash raised a confused brow. "You're the store's manager?"
"Why yes I am, young man." The woman nodded. "I overheard that you seem to think that the perfume I sell here is overrated. Is that correct?"
Before Misty, Giselle or Joe could say another word, Crash spoke up.
"Yeah." Crash said, not backing down. "What about it?"
"I see your mother didn't teach you proper manners." Erika narrowed her gaze. "You should learn to watch your mouth."
"Look, I didn't come here to talk about the perfume here," Crash interrupted. "I came here to battle the Gym Leader."
"I am the Gym Leader." Erika said. "And I won't tolerate your insensitive comments about my product."
Crash immediately felt his stomach drop, sensing danger. "Uh, sorry, but I was being honest with my opinion." The boy shuffled his feet nervously. "C-Can we have a Gym battle to make up for it?"
"I won't accept your challenge!" Erika declared.
"What?! Are you serious?!" He exclaimed in disbelief. "Why not?!"
"Anyone who insults my shop and my perfumes is not worthy of challenging me!" Erika explained. "I'll inform the Gym Trainers not to give you entrance to the Gym! Girls!"
"Yes, manager!" the three employees nodded.
"Escort him out." Erika clapped.
Before Crash could register what was happening, he found himself being thrown out of the store by the three girls.
Erika took a breath to recompose herself and smiled. "I apologize for the commotion, dear customers." She approached Misty, who looked uncomfortable. "You need help looking for a type of perfume, right?"
"Yeah, but is what you said to Crash true?" Misty asked. "That he's banned from your Gym?"
Erika kept her smile. "Don't worry. His ban is only for the rest of the day, so he'll still get to challenge me."
Misty let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding in. "Good."
"Now, you need help picking a type of perfume, right?" Erika asked, picking a bottle off the shelf and presenting it to the water specialist. "Might I recommend 'Daffodil Dreams'? It's one of our more popular scents."
/-/
(Crash's PoV)
To say that I was embarrassed would be an understatement. Not only did I get thrown out of the store by the owner and Gym Leader Erika, she banned me from her Gym.
I walked over to a bench near the Celadon Gym and sighed.
"How am I supposed to get my fourth badge now?" I wondered aloud. Mark, who was sitting beside me, only shrugged.
"I can't fall behind more than I already have." I put my head in my hands. "Larry won't let me hear the end of it."
Mark tugged on my vest, getting my attention.
"What is it buddy?"
Mark shut his eyes and tilted his head back and forth as if deep in thought. He opened his eyes suddenly and jumped up, which I immediately understood as him having an idea.
"You have an idea? What is it?"
Mark did his best to get on his knees and bow.
"Worship?"
Mark shook his head.
"Pray?"
Mark shook his head again. He then put his paws together and shook them back and forth.
"Beg?" I quickly caught on. "You want me to beg Erika for forgiveness?"
Mark swiftly nodded, signaling I got it right.
"I guess that could work." I thought to myself. I got up from the bench. "Might as well. I was a little insensitive."
Mark raised a brow at my statement.
"Ok. I was really insensitive towards her." I amended. "I mean… If someone said that Pokémon battling was overrated, I'd be mad too." I turn to my Pikachu. "C'mon Mark. I got an apology to give."
Mark climbed up my leg and onto my shoulder, letting out an affirmative "Pika!"
I got ready to head back to the Department Store when I saw the Gym's open window with a ladder leading up to it.
I raised a brow. "Why's that window open?" Mark let out an inquisitive "Pika" as I walked over to the building, my curiosity getting the better of me. I headed up the ladder and into a greenhouse filled with different flowers, most I didn't recognize.
A garden? That means that Erika's a grass type user then. She must've taken a lot of time to care for them.
I then realized that this must be where she got the scent for her perfumes. I started feeling bad for calling her perfume overrated with all the work she put into caring for the plants here.
"Ugh! This Pokémon stinks! Literally!" Said a nasally voice, as if someone held their nose. I felt my heart jump as I recognized its owner.
That voice! It's Jessie from Team Rocket! But if she's here, that means-
"Jessie, just shut up and keep moving!" Hissed a second voice in an angry whisper. "You'll give us away!"
That was James I just heard!
I hid behind counters so I could eavesdrop.
"Yeah Jess, pipe down." Said another voice I recognized as Meowth. "Think of all the money we'll get once we finish writing this hostage letter!"
Hostage letter? They have a hostage?
I peeked from my hiding spot, trying to get a better look. It was a blue Pokémon with a small body and reddish-brown petals stuck in a cage.
That Pokémon? That's gotta be Erika's!
"Ok it's done!"
I immediately hid out of view as James went to send the note. He then returned a few seconds later. He climbed back inside and dusted his hands.
"There we go. Note sent." He sounded proud of himself. "And for assurance." James grabbed the ladder and pulled it inside before closing the window.
The ladder was heavier than he expected and he fell back. Jessie and Meowth had caught him before he hit the ground.
"Quieter, you dolt!" Jessie hissed as I heard her slam her fist into James's forehead. "You'll give us away!"
"All you'll give me is a bruise and a headache." James moped as he rubbed the side Jessie hit.
I hop out my hiding spot to confront them. "Stop right there Team Rocket!" Mark hopped off my shoulder and got ready to fight.
"It's the twerp!" They said in unison. "How did he get back here?"
"You left that window open." I said with a smug smile. "Took you long enough to close it."
"Well you're not gonna stop us!" Jessie said. "You're all alone now, so your Pikachu is as good as ours!" She sent out her Arbok and James sent out his Weezing.
I smiled. "That's what you think!" I reach for a Pokéball. "Gasper, I choose you!"
My Haunter materializes and laughs joyfully, leaving them shocked.
"Weezing, use Smog!"
The large purple Pokémon exhaled big cloud gas in my direction. Before I could give a command, Gasper began inhaling the gas! Once he had finished inhaling all the smoke, he gave a loud burp and licked his lips, sighing satisfiedly.
James was as shocked as I was.
"It ate my Weezing's Smog?"
Well Haunters are made of gas… wouldn't be too farfetched to assume they can somewhat eat it too.
"Use Body Slam, Arbok!
Arbok lunged at Gasper and swung its tail, only for it to go straight through and knock over some of the plants.
"Hey! Watch where you're swinging that tail!" I said angrily. "The Gym Leader worked hard on these plants!"
"Oh please." Jessie scoffed. "They're just flowers. She can replant them at any time."
I growled angrily. "Gasper! Use Lick on both Arbok and Weezing!"
Gasper happily dragged his tongue across both Pokémon's faces, causing them both to twitch uncomfortably.
The Rockets went white with fear as they realized this was a battle that they couldn't win. They immediately returned their Pokémon into their Pokéballs and took off towards the window and opened it to escape.
I quickly ran after them, but the window was too high for me to reach. I looked at Mark, knelt down and lifted him to the window.
"Ok buddy, go on through and send those three blasting off!"
Mark nodded and gave chase. While he did that, I went back to where they kept the hostage Pokémon.
"Hey, are you ok?" I asked, kneeling down to the Pokémon's level. The Pokémon nodded, seemingly not hurt.
I raised my Pokédex to the cage to scan it.
"Gloom, the Weed Pokémon. A Grass and Poison type and evolved form of Oddish. Gloom releases a foul fragrance from the pistil of its flower, and when faced with danger, the stench worsens. What appears to be drool in its mouth is actually sweet honey."
I sniffed the air, but didn't really smell anything. "Ok. Let's get you out!" I notice a lock on the cage and immediately begin looking for a key.
I find a set of and begin flipping through them all, eventually finding the right one and freeing Gloom.
The Grass type hugged me, clearly happy to be out of the cage.
"Now let's find a way outta here." I smiled. Gloom hopped happily and ran to a door nearby, urging me to open it.
"Ok! Lead the way."
(Crash's PoV ends)
/-/
As the Team Rocket trio made their escape from Crash they breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is the twerp still after us?" Jessie and James asked. Meowth looked behind him and saw Mark the Pikachu hot on their heels.
"His Pikachu sure is!" Meowth said, continuing to run.
"Darn it all!" Jessie swore. "If our Pokémon weren't paralyzed, we'd stand a chance."
"Even if we did, that twerp could be freeing that Gloom as we're on the run." James said. "Even if we get his Pikachu, who's to say with our luck that the Gym Leader doesn't just appear right in front of us?"
"Yeah! Who's to say?" Said Misty in front of them with Giselle, Joe, Erika and an astounding amount of cops.
The trio skidded to a stop.
"Well speak o' da Tauros… it's da twerpette! With da fuzz too!" Meowth gulped.
"We got you surrounded!" Said Officer Jenny through a megaphone. "I suggest you surrender, unless you think you can take us all on." The trainers whipped out a Pokéball each, causing the trio to gaps in fright.
They turn around and see Mark, ready to zap them at a moment's notice. The trio find themselves between a rock and a hard place.
"Any ideas?" James whispered.
"None at the moment." Jessie whimpered.
"I'm drawing a blank." Meowth replied. A light bulb went off in his head. "Maybe a smokescreen?"
"Ah right!" James said. He throws out his Weezing. "Weezing, Smokescreen!"
His Weezing prepared to exhale smoke, but it twitched with paralysis and fell to the ground like a stone in a lake, unable to carry out its trainer's command.
The trio blinked in disbelief. They had no way out of this predicament.
"Graveler, use Earthquake!" Said Giselle.
"Weepinbell, use Razor Leaf!" Said Joe.
"Growlithe, use Flamethrower!" Said Officer Jenny.
"Tangela, use Vine Whip!" Said Erika.
"Starmie! Bubblebeam!" Said Misty.
The attacks all connected with the trio, with Mark hitting them with a Thunderbolt to send them and Weezing flying.
"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" They screamed as they were sent off over the horizon.
Misty ran to Mark and hugged the electric mouse.
"Isn't that Crash's Pikachu?" Joe asked. Misty nodded.
"Yeah it is." Mark hopped out of her arms and led them to the Gym, waving his arms and pointing at the building.
"Let's follow him." Said Erika, opening the doors and letting them inside. When they entered the building and saw Crash with a Gloom beside him. The grass type immediately ran to Erika and hugged her leg.
"Crash? What're you doing here?" Misty asked, shocked as to how he entered.
"Misty, Giselle, Joe!" Crash greeted his friends warmly, but couldn't meet Erika's gaze. "I was here to stop Team Rocket."
"That means that you saved Gloom then?" Erika surmised. The boy nodded.
"I saw one of the Gym's windows open and checked it out." He explained. "They had kept Gloom in a cage in a greenhouse."
"But how did you get inside?" She asked.
"Team Rocket broke in through a window in the greenhouse. I was lucky that they left a ladder and the window open." Crash scratched the back of his head.
"Well, I'm grateful you saved Gloom," Erika bowes with gratitude. "Could I repay you in any way?"
"Not really." The boy shrugged. "But I do wanna apologize for earlier."
Both Erika and Misty blinked in shock.
"When I entered the greenhouse, I saw how many flowers you were taking care of. I realized that I really don't deserve to say anything about how overrated your perfume is when I don't use it." Crash gave an apologetic bow.
Erika gave a warm smile. "I accept your apology."
Crash gave a relieved sigh. "Glad that's over with." He turns to Misty. "Ok Misty, let's meet back up with Brock so we can go."
Everyone gasped.
"You're gonna leave without challenging me to a battle?" Erika gasped.
"You banned me from your Gym. Not much I can do." Crash replied. Erika giggled.
"What's so funny?" Crash asked.
"I was half-joking about the ban." She said, "It was only for a day, but after you saved my Gloom, and apologized, I think you've learned your lesson."
Crash's eyes lit up, realizing the implication. "Does that mean…"
She nodded. "Yes, I'll accept your challenge. But, I've a request for you."
"What is it?" He asked, dancing about happily much to Misty's embarrassment.
"I need to properly prepare the Gym for our battle. Would you mind waiting until tomorrow morning?" She asked in an apologetic tone.
Contrary to how she thought he'd react, he wasn't upset. "Sure! I'm just glad I get to battle you at all!"
/-/
Crash, Misty, Giselle and Joe headed back to the Pokémon Center, with Crash in obvious high spirits. When they entered, they were greeted by Brock who was tending to a Vulpix.
"Hey guys," he said, brushing its tail. "How did your battle against the Gym Leader go, Crash?"
"I'm battling her tomorrow." Said Crash. "There was a lot happening earlier. And what's with that Pokémon in your lap?"
"Oh, this is Vulpix." Brock replied, petting the six-tailed fox. "I went to Susie's Salon earlier and there were a large number of customers. I helped her out and she gave me Vulpix as a thank you gift."
"No date?" Misty teased.
Brock frowned. "Sadly no."
"Don't worry Brock. You'll find plenty of other girls that'll reject you." Crash said reassuringly. Brock let out a sigh.
"Well it's getting late," Crash yawned. "I'm gonna go to bed. Got a Gym battle tomorrow."
"And you'll need it!" Giselle remarked. "She's tough, despite using Grass Pokémon."
"Says the girl with a Graveler and Cubone." Snarked Misty.
Joe sighed. "Yeah. But Giselle isn't wrong though. Miss Erika really is tough."
Giselle giggled. "And I have other Pokémon in my possession, you know."
"You battled her already?" Crash asked.
Giselle nodded and showed the badge case, she had the Cascade, Thunder, Boulder, and two others he didn't recognize. One was green and feather-shaped, while the other was a flower looking shape with rainbow petals.
Brock perked up. "You have five badges? That's impressive, Giselle."
Joe nodded. "It is! And once Crash's battle is over, I'll challenge Erika to a rematch!"
"Speaking of rematch," Giselle turns to Crash. "Want a quick battle?"
"A quick battle?"
"Mhm. It'll be great training for your battle tomorrow." Giselle grabbed a ball and pointed it at Crash. "So… what do you say Crash? 1 on 1?"
Crash nodded and pulled out his own Pokéball and smiled. "Let's take this outside."
The group of five head to a battlefield behind the Pokémon Center.
Giselle smiled. "I'll show you a recent addition to my team! Go Slowpoke!"
The pink Pokémon gave a long yawn as it was sent out.
"A Slowpoke?" Crash raised a brow, pulling out his Pokédex.
"Slowpoke, the Dopey Pokémon. A Water and Psychic-type. It is always vacantly lost in thought and extremely slow-witted, so it takes time for it to register pain. This is oddly helpful when it fishes with its tail, which is apparently very tasty."
"Briar, I choose you!" Crash said, choosing to use his Bulbasaur to battle.
"A Bulbasaur?" Giselle gasped. "I didn't know you had such a rare Pokémon!"
"And Briar's not just rare!" Crash retorted. "Use Vine Whip!"
Briar's vines shot out at the Water type, slapping its face repeatedly, only for the Dopey Pokémon to yawn as if it wasn't struck at all, much to Crash and Briar's shock.
"I guess the Pokédex wasn't kidding." Crash frowned. "Ok Briar, try a Razor Leaf!"
"Stop it with Psychic!" Giselle countered.
Briar fired sharpened leaves on his trainer's command, only for the leaves to stop mid air.
"Uh oh." Crash gulped.
"Uh oh is right, Crash." Giselle giggled. "Send them right back Slowpoke!"
Slowpoke psychically sent the leaves back at its target, causing Briar great pain.
"Hold on Briar, use Tackle!"
Briar barreled through the torrent of leaves and slammed into its opponent, sending it back. The Dopey Pokémon let out a drawn out cry of pain as it hit the ground, like it was stuck in slow-motion.
Slowpoke took its time to get back as Crash commanded Briar to use Vine Whip.
Giselle gave a quick and concise command. "Disable!"
Her Slowpokes eyes glowed blue, as did Briar's vines. And right before the attack could be hit, the vines immediately drop to the ground. Briar attempts to return the vines into the bulb but can't, much to the Grass type's confusion.
"What?" Crash blinked in surprise. What happened?"
"Disable locks a Pokémon out of its last used move." Giselle explained. "Which means no more Vine Whip for you."
"That won't stop us! Briar, use Razor Leaf!"
Briar once again fired sharpened leaves at his foe, only for them to be stopped again with Psychic.
Giselle tutted, wagging a finger. "You don't learn, do you?"
"Use Leech Seed!" Crash commanded. Giselle gasped as Briar shot a seed from his bulb at Slowpoke's face. The seed latched on and covered Slowpoke's face and body in vines.
"Grr… Slowpoke! Send those leaves back!"
"Counter with another Razor Leaf!"
The two torrents of leaves cancel each other out.
"Briar, use Tackle!"
"Use Headbutt, Slowpoke!"
The two Pokémon slam into each other headfirst, butting heads until they fall back.
"Briar, use Tackle again!" Commanded Crash
Giselle smiled. "Slowpoke, finish this with Blizzard!"
Crash's eyes went wide with terror as he heard Giselle's command.
"Briar! Dodge it!"
Briar stopped charging and sidestepped the attack just in time, but due to Disable, his vines remained on the ground, unable to move them out the way.
The move hits the Bulbasaur's vines, causing him to wince in pain.
"Dodge this! Use Psychic, Slowpoke!"
Slowpoke lifted Briar off the ground with its telekinetic powers and sent crashing into the ground.
"Briar, no!" Crash shouted worriedly. His Bulbasaur staggered to his feet, having taken a lot of damage from the attack. Briar's vines began to twitch, with the Seed Pokémon finally regaining feeling in them.
"Use Blizzard, one more time!"
"Dodge it!"
But Briar's vines were frozen to the ground, and unable to move out the way in time as Slowpoke landed a direct hit with the Ice type move.
The attack froze the Bulbasaur solid, leaving Crash utterly surprised.
Giselle smiled with her hands on her hips. "And that's that." She cuddled her Dopey Pokémon, stroking its head lovingly. "Good job Slowpoke."
The Water-type let out a confused yawn.
Crash sighed sadly and returned his frozen Bulbasaur back into its ball. "You did great, Briar. I'll try harder next time."
"Aw. Don't feel too bad Crash." Giselle said, approaching him. "I just used the same strategy I did against Erika. I just didn't expect your Bulbasaur to have Leech Seed."
She put her hand out for a handshake. "As someone who has the Rainbow Badge, I think you're ready to battle her."
Crash looked at her, a little confused. "Really?"
Giselle smiled. "Yeah really. If I hadn't frozen your Bulbasaur's vines, you would have won."
Crash smiled and shook her hand. "Thanks for the match Giselle."
"Happy to help." She smiled back.
/-/
The next day after getting his Pokémon looked at by Nurse Joy, Crash went to the Celadon City Gym for his battle with Erika.
His friends were in the gallery, ready to cheer their friend on. As Crash entered the battlefield, feeling confident, he was greeted by Erika in a yellow and red kimono.
"Are you ready Crash?" Erika asked Ina clam tone.
"You bet I am!" Crash pumped his fist excitedly. "I'm gonna get my fifth badge!"
Erika blinked in surprise. "Fifth badge? I wasn't aware. Usually, I am the fourth Gym Leader that trainers battle."
Crash gulped. "Is that a bad thing?"
"No. It's not." Erika turned around and grabbed an extra Pokéball. "It just means that I'll have to adapt." Erika turned to the referee and nodded. The referee nodded back in understanding.
"The Gym battle between Erika of Celadon City Gym and Crash from Pallet Town. Both trainers will use four Pokémon. And the battle is over when all Pokémon on either side are unable to continue, and only the challenger can make substitutions." said the referee. "Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
"Jetstream! I choose you!"
"Tangela, go!"
The two Pokémon took to the field, ready to battle.
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The battle between Erika and Crash is starting. Who will emerge victorious? And what will happen in Crash's first 4 on 4 battle? Hang tight, as the journey continues!
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and the changes in the story so far. If you did, make sure to check out the forum for this fanfic, where you can ask questions or make suggestions for the story going forward…
Catch ya later, Pokéfans!
Crash's Owned Pokémon
Main Party
Markus "Mark" Voltsy - Pikachu
Jetstream - Pidgeotto
Briar - Bulbasaur
Agni - Charmander
Gasper - Haunter
Ekho - Zubat
Back at the Lab
Sidon - Squirtle
Kong - Primeape