The air in Celadon City was filled with a faint floral scent.
Ash took a deep breath, and Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, happily twitched its ears.
They had been exploring the city for most of the day, and Xiao You had insisted on visiting a famous perfume shop.
"Ash, hurry up!" Xiao You urged from ahead, her golden hair sparkling in the sunlight.
"I heard the perfumes here are so popular that even nobles from the Kalos region clamor for them!"
Ash scratched his head and quickened his pace to catch up: "I know, I know.
But it was really smart of Brock to go buy ingredients; I can't stand shopping for so long."
Inside the perfume shop, crystal-clear glass bottles refracted rainbow-like light under the lamps.
Xiao You was immediately drawn to a perfume called "Morning Dew," while Ash stood at the counter, indecisive.
"Pika Pika?" Pikachu poked Ash's cheek with its paw.
"I'm wondering what to buy for Mom, Serena, and Lucia..." Ash whispered, his gaze sweeping over rows of exquisite bottles.
Finally, he selected three: "Flower Language" for his mother Delia, "Starlight Romance" for Serena, and "Tidal Song" for Lucia.
Just as he was about to pay, a light snort came from behind him.
Xiao You stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes slightly narrowed: "Oh? Only buying for those three again?"
A thin layer of sweat immediately broke out on the back of Ash's neck.
Last time, after only giving gifts to Serena and Lucia, Xiao You ignored him for two whole weeks, and it was only after Ralts used telepathy to help him apologize that they reconciled.
"Of, of course not!" Ash quickly pointed to a perfume called "Golden Years," "This one is perfect for you!"
Xiao You's expression finally softened.
Pikachu, standing by, shook its head helplessly, despairing at Ash's emotional intelligence.
Just as the two were about to leave, a shop assistant in a pink uniform suddenly called out to them: "Excuse me, are you Trainers here to challenge the Gym?"
Ash's eyes lit up: "Yes! We're on our way to the Celadon Gym!"
The shop assistant smiled: "What a coincidence, Gym Leader Erika is in the shop today checking on newly developed battle perfumes.
If you'd like, I can take you to meet her."
Ash and Xiao You exchanged surprised glances, then followed the shop assistant through a fragrant corridor to a studio filled with plants.
A woman with long green hair was arranging perfume bottles on a shelf.
She turned around, her gentle smile carrying a hint of sharpness.
"Hello, I'm Erika." She bowed gracefully.
"I hear there are challengers?"
Ash immediately stepped forward: "I'm Ash from Pallet Town, please have a Gym battle with me!"
Erika observed Ash and Pikachu on his shoulder, her gaze lingering on Pikachu's electric sacs for a moment: "I've heard of you, you've consecutively defeated Trainers from the Pewter, Cerulean, and Saffron Gyms."
She took off her work gloves.
"I happen to be free now, a 3-on-3 battle, is that alright?"
"Couldn't be better!" Ash clenched his fist, fighting spirit burning in his eyes.
An hour later, at the Celadon Gym's battle arena.
The circular battleground was surrounded by various plants, and sunlight streamed through the glass dome, adding a touch of sacredness to the impending battle.
The referee stood in the center of the arena: "The Gym battle between Celadon Gym Leader Erika and challenger Ash will now begin, with 3-on-3 rules.
Only the challenger can switch Pokémon, and the four systems are allowed!"
Erika took a Poké Ball from her waist: "Let's begin, go, Victreebel!"
The giant Venus Flytrap Pokémon appeared on the field, its jagged leaves gleaming dangerously.
Ash unhesitatingly threw his Poké Ball: "Charmeleon, I choose you!"
"Roar—!" Charmeleon let out a burst of flame upon its arrival, the fire on its tail burning even more intensely.
"Victreebel versus Charmeleon, battle begin!" The referee waved the flag.
"Victreebel, Razor Leaf!" Erika made the first move.
Countless sharp leaves spun and flew towards Charmeleon.
Ash shouted: "Dragon Dance to dodge!"
Charmeleon spun and leaped with astonishing agility, weaving between the leaves, while a red energy glow emanated from its body—Dragon Dance not only dodged the attack but also boosted its stats.
"Now, Dragon Rush!"
Charmeleon, enveloped in blue draconic energy, charged towards Victreebel like a cannonball.
Erika calmly commanded: "Ingrain then Poison Powder!"
Victreebel's roots dug deep into the ground, enduring the impact of Dragon Rush head-on, while simultaneously spewing purple powder from its calyx.
Although Charmeleon quickly retreated, it still inhaled some of the poison powder.
"Charmeleon!" Ash saw purple appearing on Charmeleon's face.
"Hang in there, use Fire Pledge!"
Charmeleon endured the discomfort, slamming its claws into the ground, and a pillar of fire erupted from beneath Victreebel's feet.
Erika frowned slightly: "Synthesis to recover!"
Victreebel spread its leaves in the flames, and the solar energy rapidly healed its injuries.
Ash knew he couldn't give his opponent a moment's rest: "Continuously use Dragon Pulse!"
Charmeleon opened its mouth, and a blue energy wave struck Victreebel directly.
This time, Erika couldn't fully defend, and Victreebel was knocked back several meters.
"Final blow, Dragon Rush!"
Charmeleon transformed into a blue giant dragon again, charging forward.
Erika suddenly showed a mysterious smile: "Now, Victreebel, use Gastro Acid!"
Victreebel spewed a stream of acid, hitting Charmeleon in mid-air.
The acid not only caused damage but also nullified Charmeleon's Dragon Dance boost.
However, Charmeleon's attack could no longer be stopped, and it crashed heavily into Victreebel.
Both Pokémon fell to the ground simultaneously.
Charmeleon struggled to stand up, while Victreebel had lost its ability to battle.
"Victreebel is unable to battle, Charmeleon wins.
Gym Leader, please send out your next Pokémon." the referee announced.
Just then, Charmeleon's body suddenly erupted in dazzling white light.
"This is... Evolution!" Ash shouted in surprise.
Within the white light, Charmeleon's form gradually grew larger, eventually transforming into a powerful Charizard.
It let out a mighty Roar, its flames almost touching the top of the arena.
Ash quickly pulled out a necklace from his pocket, adorned with a red glowing ite.
"Charizard, this is for you!" Ash tossed the necklace to Charizard, who precisely caught it with its claws and put it around its neck.
Erika recalled Victreebel, a flash of admiration in her eyes: "Excellent battle and timely Evolution.
However, the next one won't be so easy.
Go, Tangrowth!"
A massive Tangrowth Pokémon appeared on the field, its thick vines writhing like pythons.
Ash pondered for a moment, then recalled Charizard: "Take a rest for now.
Rainbow Eevee, it's your turn!"
The rainbow-colored Eevee gracefully leaped onto the field, its fur shimmering with a rainbow-like sheen in the sunlight.
Xiao You in the audience couldn't help but exclaim: "It looks so beautiful every time I see it!"
"Tangrowth, Power Whip!" Erika launched the first attack.
Dozens of vines lashed out at Eevee like whips.
Ash calmly commanded: "Sparkling Aria!"
Eevee's eyes glowed blue, and a translucent wall formed in front of it.
The vines struck the wall, their power noticeably weakened.
Erika immediately changed tactics: "Growth to strengthen!"
Tangrowth's body swelled, and its attack power significantly increased.
Ash knew he couldn't just defend passively: "Inferno Overdrive!"
Eevee's entire body ignited in flames, transforming into a fireball and charging towards Tangrowth.
Flames are super effective against Grass-types, and Tangrowth roared in pain.
"Don't give it a chance, Ingrain plus Giga Drain!" Erika commanded.
Tangrowth's roots dug deep into the ground, simultaneously draining energy from Eevee to heal itself.
Eevee was entangled in green energy, looking distressed.
"Eevee!" Ash clenched his fist.
"Use Freezing Glare!"
Eevee suddenly unleashed an icy chill, and black ice crystals spread across the field.
Tangrowth's movements immediately slowed, and its previously boosted abilities from Growth were reset to zero.
"Now, Stomping Tantrum!"
Eevee charged towards Tangrowth with all its trust and affection for Ash.
This attack precisely hit Tangrowth's vital spot, knocking it to the ground.
"Tangrowth is unable to battle, Rainbow Eevee wins.
Gym Leader, please send out your next Pokémon!" the referee announced.
But Eevee also knelt on the ground, panting, as continuously using high-power moves had consumed a lot of its stamina.
Ash recalled it with a pained heart: "You did great, Eevee."
Erika's expression turned serious: "The bond between you and your Pokémon is impressive.
However, the final battle won't be so simple.
Go, Venusaur!"
The massive Venusaur landed heavily, the flower on its back emitting a rich fragrance.
Ash took a deep breath and once again sent out Charizard.
"Charizard versus Venusaur, the final battle begins!" the referee announced loudly.
"Venusaur, Solar Beam!" Erika started with a powerful move.
The flower on Venusaur's back began to gather dazzling light.
Ash urgently shouted: "Charizard, fly into the sky to dodge!"
Charizard flapped its wings and soared high, the Solar Beam grazing its wings and leaving a scorch mark on the ground.
"Dragon Pulse!" Ash countered.
Charizard swooped down from the sky, spewing a blue energy wave from its mouth.
Erika calmly: "Venusaur, Light Screen defense!"
A Light Screen formed in front of Venusaur, weakening the power of Dragon Pulse.
Erika seized the opportunity to command: "Sludge Bomb!"
Venusaur spewed several clumps of highly poisonous sludge.
Although Charizard tried its best to dodge, it was still hit by one of them, a look of pain appearing on its face.
"Charizard!" Ash anxiously shouted.
"Use Fire Pledge!"
Charizard endured the corrosive poison, slamming its claws into the ground, and a pillar of fire erupted from beneath Venusaur's feet.
But Venusaur endured it head-on, and the flower on its back became even more vibrant due to the high temperature.
"Synthesis!" Erika seized the chance.
Solar energy rapidly healed Venusaur's injuries.
Ash realized he had to change tactics: "Charizard, use Dragon Rush!"
Charizard's entire body was once again enveloped in draconic energy as it charged towards Venusaur.
Just then, Erika suddenly took a perfume bottle from her chest, with a Key Stone embedded in it.
"Show your true power, Venusaur! Mega Evolution!"
The Key Stone resonated with the ite in the flower on Venusaur's back.
In a dazzling light, Venusaur's form changed, becoming even larger, its back flower almost covering its entire back.
Ash was not to be outdone, gripping the azure flute on his chest: "We can't give up either! Charizard, Mega Evolution!"
The azure flute emitted a brilliant light, resonating with the ite on Charizard's neck.
Charizard's form changed in the light, its body turning grey-black, and the flames it spewed from its mouth also turned blue.
"Mega Venusaur versus Mega Charizard X!" The referee's voice rose with excitement.
"Venusaur, Earthquake!" Erika launched the first attack.
Venusaur stomped heavily, and the entire arena shook violently.
Although Charizard was flying in the air, it was still affected by the shockwave.
Ash knew that Mega Venusaur's Thick Fat ability would weaken Fire-type moves: "Charizard, use Dragon Pulse!"
The blue energy wave directly hit Venusaur, causing considerable damage.
Erika countered: "Frenzy Plant!"
Countless thick plant roots burst from the ground, stabbing towards Charizard like spears.
Although Charizard tried its best to dodge, it was still struck by several, letting out a pained Roar.
"Hang in there, Charizard!" Ash shouted.
"Use Dragon Rush one more time!"
Charizard endured the pain, once again transforming into a blue giant dragon and charging towards Venusaur.
This time, it aimed for the flower on Venusaur's back.
"Venusaur, Protect!" Erika quickly commanded.
A green barrier formed in front of Venusaur, but Charizard's attack was so fierce that cracks quickly appeared in the barrier.
Eventually, the barrier shattered, and the residual power of Dragon Rush still hit Venusaur.
Both scarred Mega Pokémon stood panting, facing each other.
Ash knew the next blow would decide the outcome: "Charizard, final attack, Fire Pledge!"
Charizard used its last ounce of strength, slamming its claws into the ground.
But this time, it also spewed blue flames, and the pillar of fire was even more violent than before.
"Venusaur, full power Solar Beam!" Erika also gave her final command.
Two powerful energies collided in the air, causing a violent explosion.
After the smoke cleared, Venusaur had fallen, while Charizard was on one knee, barely supporting itself from falling.
"Venusaur is unable to battle, the winner is challenger Ash!" the referee announced loudly.
Erika recalled Venusaur and walked to the center of the arena: "A wonderful battle, Ash.
The bond between you and your Pokémon is touching."
She took a rainbow-shaped badge from her embrace: "This is the Rainbow Badge, your well-deserved reward."
Ash took the badge, smiling tiredly but contentedly: "Thank you, Erika.
That was a great battle."
In the audience, Xiao You and Brock, who had returned at some point, applauded together.
Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, affectionately rubbing his cheek.
"Pikachu, we got our fifth Badge!" Ash said happily, then suddenly remembered something and turned to Erika, "Oh, by the way, Erika, could I ask you about battle perfumes?"
Erika blinked, a mysterious smile on her face: "It seems you're finally interested in perfumes?"
Ash awkwardly scratched his head, while Xiao You couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Pikachu looked at its Trainer, once again feeling helpless at his obliviousness, but its eyes were full of pride and affection.