Today, our heroines are enjoying the wilderness further up the hilly road to Camphrier Town. I only hope they aren't too relaxed! Citrata and Hilda are still far from the second gym, and their Pokémon haven't gotten in much training lately…

"Absol." Akane opens a Poké Ball containing a mystifying white Pokémon.

"What's this about?" Citrata nearly jumps out of her folding chair. "Is everyone here a Pokémon trainer!?"

Akane explains that Absol rescued her several years ago, when she was lost in the mountains.

"Absol, the disaster Pokémon." Hilda has her Pokédex identify the creature. "Once believed to bring doom, it was driven away and rarely appears before people today."

"A practice battle it is then." Standing up, Citrata calls upon one of her Pokémon. "Meet Hoppip!"

"Hop?" Hoppip bounces around, glad to be outside for a bit.

"A grass Pokémon." Akane crosses her arms, as if she's planning something. "Slow it down using Icy Wind."

Most Pokémon attacks become slightly stronger when they align with their user's typing. Icy Wind is of course an ice move, it won't deal much damage used by the dark-type Absol. However, the secondary effect of lowering the foe's speed often makes up for its low power.

"Sol." A chilly gust forms around Absol, blasting toward Hoppip.

"Pip!" Hoppip recoils from the unexpected move.

"We need to regroup, U-turn!" As no particular rules for the match were specified beforehand, Citrata decides to bend etiquette.

Immediately after Hoppip slams into Absol, our heroine calls it back to its Poké Ball.

"Creative." Instead of getting upset, Akane accepts the miscalculation on her part.

"Axew!" The replacement Pokémon reveals itself to be Axew.

"Let's turn the tables with Trailblaze!" Citrata glances at her Pokédex's list of compatible moves.

"Axew?" Axew stares at its trainer, puzzled. It hasn't yet learned that attack.

Pokémon learn new attacks in a variety of ways. Most basic moves develop over time, through training and experience. While more advanced techniques may be learned from teachers called Move Tutors, or through the aid of devices such as Technical Machines.

TMs help quickly impart knowledge to a Pokémon. The rarest TMs are classified as Hidden Machines, but due to the inconvenience, few trainers today use HMs.

"Cici." Akane appears to momentarily smile at her friend's own blunder.

"I've got it!" Citrata takes advantage of the disruption. "We'll try Dragon Claw!"

This time understanding the command, Axew builds energy in its arms, lunging at Absol with a damaging swipe. A solid recovery!

"Future Sight." Instead of counter-attacking, Akane tells her partner to store up power for a stronger move.

"Now what are you doing?" The tactics surprise Citrata. "We'll stop your snooze break, Take Down!"

Axew slams into its foe with all the determination it can muster, damaging itself in the process.

Some of the more intensive moves like Take Down have recoil that may injure their own users.

"Eww…" Axew stumbles over, unable to continue battling.

Our heroine thanks her Pokémon's efforts, as she swaps it back with Hoppip.

"Not yet." Akane says.

"You've got the first move, Hoppip!" Citrata points at Absol. "Energy Ball!"

Hoppip forms a green energy orb in front of itself, then launches it at the opponent.

"Now!" Pleased by the sloppy choice of attack, Akane makes a thump-up gesture.

Oh no! Spooky psychic waves emerge from Absol, slamming Hoppip backwards.

"Hoppip!" Citrata rushes to her Pokémon's side. "Are you still with me?"

"Hop…" Hoppip sounds tired, but it's not ready to quit.

"That's the spirit." Citrata steps back into battle position. "One last time, tackle to finish it off!"

Ignoring the fatigue, Hoppip jumps up to pounce on its foe. Is our heroine victorious!? The bout looks to be nearly over...

"Pip!" Dazed by the impact, Hoppip slumps over.

"Ab…" While Absol stiffens its legs, having difficulty staying upright. "Sol…"

It's a draw! Too worn out to safely keep on battling, both Pokémon are returned to their Poké Balls.

"I think you've earned this." Citrata shakes her friend's hand, offering the spare gym badge storage case she received.

"Hm." After pausing to contemplate the future, Akane stows the badge case with her belongings.

Arriving in Camphrier Town, the trio promptly visits the Pokémon Center to heal their Pokémon. The walled town has an old-fashioned atmosphere, where many buildings are made of bricks, and berries grow plentifully.

Standing in the center of town, is the charming Shabboneau Castle. There has been debate whether it's a manor or a traditional castle. Regardless, it competes for visitor attention with the more grandiose Parfum Palace to the north.

"Hello there." A Nurse Joy at the reception desk greets our heroines.

Suddenly, a spiky-haired young man barges into the room. His narrow eyes might raise questions how well he can see, but they haven't failed him yet. This is Brock, gym leader of Kanto's Pewter City, and one of Ash's best friends.

"Nurse Joy!" The man holds up a bouquet. "How would you like to go out for lunch?"

"I'm busy helping these customers." Nurse Joy tries to ignore the unwanted offer.

"Darn…" Briefly let down, Brock lights up again upon seeing our heroines. "Huh! This is even better, three pretty ladies!"

"Hey." Hilda gives him a quizzical look.

Annoyed, Akane turns her head to the side.

"She doesn't talk much, does she?" Brock states the obvious. "I'm Brock, by the way."

Citrata and company introduce themselves.

"You're from TCG Island?" The notion startles Brock. "Well, I heard the place is having problems with Team Rocket lately."

Our heroine explains that Team GR steals people's cards, and has disrupted the local TCG scene by adding in Team Rocket cards.

"Now I remember!" Brock says. "On the phone, Ash told me he met a new trainer who once tried to join Team GR. I'm here in Kalos to visit him, but…"

"I'm sure you'll run across his bunch sooner or later." Hilda replies. "Like us, he has to pass through town to reach the next gym."

"In the meantime, why not stay a while?" Brock's expression gets more cheerful. "Where there's beautiful castles, there's surely beautiful maidens! Parfum Palace and the tough Battle Chateau are both nearby too."

"We're not exactly maidens." Citrata laughs a bit. "But what the heck."

Their Pokémon rested, our heroines accompany Brock over to Shabboneau Castle. Near the moat, a peculiar teenage girl in a witch-like black dress is playing with a ghostly Pokémon.

"Haunter, let's practice Hypnosis!" The girl points at a fish flopping around in the water.

Disturbing waves emerge from Haunter, forcing the fish into a slumber. Although Hypnosis isn't the most accurate move, it's effective at inflicting sleep status on its target.

"Even I know what Magikarp is." Citrata looks at the helpless, napping Pokémon. "But I'll check its data anyway."

"Magikarp, a fish Pokémon." Our heroine's Pokédex says. "It is virtually useless in battle. However, it's also known for its determination to survive even in polluted water."

"Eep!" The girl turns around upon hearing the Pokédex speak.

Everyone's introductions settled, Haunter returns to its Poké Ball. This unusual trainer is Helena, often described as a "Hex Maniac".

Pokémon trainers are categorized into several dozen classes, usually identified by wearing similar clothing, and building their Pokémon teams around a theme. The various trainer classes include Bug Catchers, who specialize in insect or occasionally spider Pokémon. Swimmers and Fishers favor water-types. And so forth.

"It'll be fun to battle a gym leader!" Helena grins. "But…"

"Is something wrong?" Citrata asks.

Helena motions her hand to tell everybody to look around.

"Now that you mention it…" Brock enters a thinking pose. "That large tree over there looks suspicious."

Deciding to investigate, the quintet enters the forest. They soon arrive at an extremely unnatural tree. Its texture more resembles rock than bark, and it has green orbs for hands, rather than branches with leaves.

"It's a giant Sudowoodo!" Brock is very familiar with the Pokémon, as his own team features a Sudowoodo. "Stay back, this could be one of Team Rocket's machines!"

Before Brock can decide what to do, a door on the side of the tree opens up, and a set of stairs slides out. Regina emerges joyfully, wearing her pink trenchcoat.

"Hey there, Regina!" Citrata shouts. "We mistook you for someone else."

Making a spectacle of an entrance, Regina sits on the stair railing to glide down to the ground.

"Regina, what a lovely name!" Brock resumes his usual routine around attractive women. "How would you like to join us at Shabboneau Castle?"

"Regina is here to test our latest invention." Pridefully, she ignores him, raising her hand toward the mechanized Sudowoodo to introduce it. "My darling Senna helped us build the Sudo-bot!"

Upon hearing this "princess" already has a boyfriend of sorts, Brock slumps in disappointment.

"Don't worry about her, Hilda and I are available." Citrata teases.

The funny stare Hilda gives our heroine, makes Helena giggle.

"Or maybe not." Citrata shrugs.

Excited to show off the machine, Regina waves around the black Braxien card.

"Why are you showing us Davy's card again?" Citrata asks. "He's still missing."

As a sign of trust, Regina places the card in our heroine's grip.

"So..." Citrata holds the card up, in front of her face. "Aldwin wants me to help find his brother."

Hilda lightly claps to display her support.

"Go ahead." Helena takes a sarcastic tone. "That thing isn't my color."

Donning her black coat, Citrata enters the Sudo-bot and climbs a ladder into the cockpit. Being designed to operate solo, this mech's interior is considerably smaller than the otherwise similarly-outfitted Flygon-One. Though a retractable co-pilot seat has also been installed.

"Here goes nothing." Citrata swipes the card, verifying she's authorized personnel.

"Ack!" Startled by the sight of a moving tree, Helena stumbles backwards a few steps.

"All systems ready." Regina checks the status monitors.

"Ignition!" As Citrata pulls a lever, the mech retracts its exit stairs and begins to rise upwards.

Nearby, a hot air balloon shaped like Meowth's head appears on the horizon. It's Team Rocket! Such balloons, despite being regularly destroyed by Ash and friends, are the trio's primary transportation.

"Question." James pokes his head out for a closer view.

"What is it this time?" Jessie pushes her annoying Wobbuffet away.

"Can Sudowoodo fly?" A befuddled James asks.

"Of course not, it's a tree!" Jessie complains, until she spots the Sudo-bot for herself. "Ahh!"

"Those knight twerps must be at it again." Meowth steps on James' head to observe the scene.

"Ow!" James wriggles in discomfort. "Get your paws off my face!"

Having not prepared a battle machine of their own, Team Rocket turns the balloon in another direction, in an attempt to retreat.

"What's this symbol on the display mean?" Citrata says.

"The targeting computer has spotted a bogey!" Regina pulls down a viewfinder that functions like binoculars. "A Meowth balloon!? It can only be Team Rocket!"

"They're trying to get away!" Citrata examines the mech's weapons controls. "Dang. I'm not good with machines, but this bot seems to be made for close combat."

"Then you'd better step on it!" Regina is getting too into giant-robot fights, I think.

At our heroine's command, the Sudo-bot flies forward with a superhero-like motion to punch Team Rocket's balloon.

"They've burst our bubble!" Jessie gasps.

"I hope I don't lose one of my nine lives." Meowth peers up at the hole in the balloon.

"Once more will do it!" A thrilled Regina tells the mech to perform an uppercut.

An explosive finish! Team Rocket are hurtled out of their wrecked balloon, disappearing into the sky.

"We're blasting off again!" James shouts.

"The knights mean business." Jessie's thoughts turn to the trio's next scheme. "I'll teach them Sudowoodo are weak against water, hahaaa!"

Meanwhile, Ash and company have arrived at Parfum Palace.

"Did you see that!?" The blast's noise captures Ash's attention. "Team Rocket's balloon exploded!"

"A flying Sudowoodo, fascinating!" Clemont is more interested in the technology, than the fight itself.

"Science is so amazing!" Bonnie cheers.

"I bet it's the knights again." Serena snaps a picture, the best she can at this distance anyhow. "Regina loves to brag about their machines on TV!"

Now let's turn the attention back to our victorious heroine. Her distaste for flashy heroics appears to be wavering!

"That was…" Citrata pauses. "Somehow…"

"You're getting closer." Regina pats her friend's shoulder.

"I've got the word." Citrata clinches her fist. "Fun!"

"Yeah, but it's not really a robot fight without the victory pose." Regina instructs the mech to imitate her movements. "Like this!"

The Sudo-bot orients itself upright, turns to the side, then thrusts its arm at a celebratory angle.

"Yup, it's her alright." Serena looks amused. "Who else would posture like a superhero?"

"You know." Clemont interjects. "Ash behaves that way, every time he catches a Pokémon or defeats a gym leader."

"Hey!" A little flustered, Ash blushes. "Why are you giggling, Bonnie?"

"That's our Ash!" Bonnie tries to copy the pose, but she doesn't quite get it right.

Their objective complete, Citrata and Regina return the mech to the landing pad it had launched from.

"We're back!" Citrata's confidence has grown from the encounter, even if Team Rocket didn't put up a fight.

"Good show." Brock says. "Say, did you find Ash by any chance?"

Our heroine tells him where she spotted Ash and friends.

"Thanks, Cici." Brock shakes her hand. "I'll catch up with them, after Helena and I have our battle!"

Bidding farewell to Regina, Brock, and Helena, Citrata's group retraces their steps back to Shabboneau Castle.

Team Rocket may have been defeated, yet our heroines continue to slack off from Pokémon training! Citrata and Hilda have their work cut out for them, if they hope to challenge the next gym!

As for what awaits inside the castle? Stay tuned!