Chapter 55: Rainbow Badge Obtained
Inside the botanical-garden arena of Celadon Gym, Erika—dressed in kyūdō attire and looking elegant and valiant—received Ash and his companions.
"You're the challenger, right?" Erika wiped the sweat from her forehead as she examined the boy in the red cap and blue jacket.
She remembered very clearly this boy who had "made quite a scene" at Celadon University.
"Hello, I'm Ash from Pallet Town. I'd like to officially challenge the Celadon Gym!" Ash stepped forward, answering seriously.
"Then, how many badges do you have~?" Erika asked softly.
Ash didn't hesitate—he opened his jacket to show four gleaming badges.
"Already four, huh." Erika let out a small expression of surprise. "Then you're eligible for the second-tier lineup."
"Please have your two companions rest at the sidelines for a moment. I'll go change; the Gym Battle will begin shortly." She nodded politely to Verity and Sorrel before departing quietly.
Verity and Sorrel were arranged by the Gym attendants to sit at the edge of the field, complete with cushioned chairs, tea tables, fine flower tea, and fresh flower pastries.
"Aaah~ this tastes so good~" Verity bit into a pastry, her eyes lighting up instantly.
"This tea is wonderfully fragrant as well~" Sorrel praised as he took a sip. "Celadon Gym's hospitality is truly…"
"Truly realistic, that's what it is…" Ash said with resentment, swallowing a pastry in one bite.
After all, this rest area, these snacks, this direct access to the Gym Leader—none of this existed the last time!
A nearby Gym trainee giggled. "All of you are fellow lovers of perfume, and your purchases yesterday were VIP level. Naturally, our hospitality must make you feel right at home."
Ordinary challengers had to fight their way from Garden No.1 and defeat two trainees before earning the right to meet Erika.
"I see~" Sorrel nodded. "As expected of Ash, not a single cent wasted."
"It's all experience…" Ash sighed helplessly.
"Thank you for waiting~"
Soon, Erika returned—this time in a warm yellow furisode. The traditional outfit and sunflower hairpiece made her appear even more gentle and elegant.
"So this is what a Grass-type specialist feels like… fascinating." Sorrel pulled out a sketchbook.
Verity gave him a look. "What exactly are you recording~?"
The Gym's referee—a lively young woman with a sun hat—walked to the center of the field. Everything was ready.
"Then~ Ash, please come to the challenger's position," Erika said politely.
Ash nodded and stood in position with Pikachu.
Beneath their feet was soft grass; trees and vines surrounded them. Truly the perfect field for Grass-type Pokémon.
The referee raised her hands:
"Both sides ready. The official Celadon Gym battle will now begin.
Each side may use two Pokémon. When all Pokémon of one side are unable to battle, the match ends.
Only the challenger may switch Pokémon. Begin!"
"Then, go all out, Gloom!" Erika placed a hand on her chest, sincerely sending out her Pokémon with a smile. "To have such a strong challenger visit is truly delightful."
Ash's face twitched. Starting with a biochemical weapon?
"In that case~ Pikachu~" Ash turned affectionately toward Pikachu.
"Pika?" Pikachu pointed at himself, then shook his head rapidly. "Pikachu~ (No way, that flower stinks~)"
"Alright, alright…" Ash sighed. "Pidgeotto, I'm counting on you!"
Bang! The ball opened mid-air—Pidgeotto soared upward!
"Battle start!" the referee declared.
"Gloom, use your stench to affect the opponent!" Erika opened with cruelty.
"Nu-nuu~" Gloom lowered its head, releasing a thick, dirt-yellow gas that spread upward.
"What the— you're going down with us!?" The stench hit, and Ash nearly threw up.
"Cleaning vomit off the floor is 50, cleaning vomit off flowers is 200~" Erika said gently as she put on a gas mask.
"Holy crap! This lady is kinda ruthless," Verity muttered.
"This tiny bit of sadism is also a form of gap-moe…" Sorrel nodded in admiration.
Luckily, Ash was prepared:
"Pidgeotto, Tailwind!"
In the air, Pidgeotto beat its wings, and a wind swept through the field.
The airflow kept the stench from rising toward Pidgeotto.
"Gloom, Solar Beam!" Erika's expression changed—she went all-in immediately.
"Nuu—" On Gloom's flower bud, sunlight gathered rapidly, the petals glowing with blinding white light.
Ash launched a quick attack:
"Pidgeotto, Aerial Ace!"
Boosted by Tailwind, Pidgeotto moved with incredible speed—its silhouette vanished into the wind.
An instant later, a spiraling gust wrapped around Pidgeotto as it appeared behind Gloom, slicing past like a gale.
Boom! Gloom was knocked flying.
Ash followed up: "Hurricane!"
"Pidgeo!" With rapid wingbeats, Pidgeotto unleashed buzzing blades of compressed air, striking Gloom again.
BOOM! Dust filled the field—Gloom collapsed and couldn't get up.
"Awesome!" Verity pumped her fist.
"Your strength has already exceeded the level of someone with only four badges," Erika said with mild astonishment as she recalled Gloom.
She had chosen her lineup based on Ash's badge count—but Ash, the sneaky guy, fought far above his displayed level, catching her slightly off guard.
"Great job, Pidgeotto," Ash gave him a thumbs-up.
The majestic Pidgeotto waited in mid-air for the next opponent.
"Tangela, I'm counting on you next." Erika sent out her second Pokémon.
"Tang-tang～" Tangela waddled forward on its tiny feet.
"Pfft—no way that thing can even reach Pidgeotto," Verity giggled.
"Tangela, Vine Whip!"
SMACK! Dozens of vines exploded outward from Tangela like tentacles, lashing toward the sky in all directions.
"Pidgeotto, dodge!!" Ash's scalp tingled. This wasn't Tangela—this was a tentacle monster!
Pidgeotto twisted and accelerated in the air, but unbelievably, Tangela's mass of vines still closed in.
Erika smiled. "Tangela's ability is Chlorophyll. Under sunlight, its speed increases. Not only Fire-types get boosted in sunny weather—Grass-types benefit too."
SMACK! The vines wrapped around Pidgeotto—Ash didn't hesitate and immediately recalled him.
Fwoosh—Pidgeotto vanished in the red beam, and Tangela's attempted Absorb hit empty air.
"Very rational handling," Erika nodded.
Using a recall to interrupt an opponent's attack—this was a standard technique in major tournaments.
But when adrenaline ran high, many trainers forgot this. Ash's decisive action raised Erika's evaluation of him.
"Going again—Pidgeotto, Wing Attack!"
"Pid-geoo!" Two white arcs cut through the air as Pidgeotto's wings glowed, and he dove sharply.
BAM! Tangela's vines couldn't stop him—Pidgeotto blew Tangela away.
Tangela slid across the field for several meters before its head tilted—fainted.
Clap, clap, clap—Erika recalled Tangela, applauding gracefully as she approached Ash.
"This match is my defeat. Please accept this—the Rainbow Badge."
Ash accepted the badge and gave a polite bow. "Thank you for the guidance."
Erika smiled warmly.
"Though defeat leaves a bitter aftertaste, witnessing a strong trainer's rise can fill one with hope for the future.
If you have time, please visit Rainbow Gym again. I will show my true strength for a rematch."
Ash pinned the badge to his jacket and nodded seriously:
"I'll definitely come back for Round Two."
To be continued…
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