The wheels rolled over the final stretch of asphalt on the outskirts of Celadon City, and the familiar silhouette of the city gradually became clear.
Unlike the omnipresent prosperity of Saffron City, the air in Celadon City was filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and the scent of moist earth, making one involuntarily relax. Although both were large cities in the Kanto region, the living atmosphere here was much more laid-back than in Saffron City.
Ash slowed his bike down. Pikachu swayed unsteadily as he landed on Ash's shoulder, panting slightly, but his eyes were bright. Continuously using Magnet Rise for long-distance travel was obviously quite draining, but he had persisted until the end.
"Let's go straight to the Celadon Gym," Ash said to his partners. "We need to report that we're safe to Miss Erika first, and..."
He rubbed Pikachu's head.
"My partner also needs a quiet place to rest properly."
When it came to simply providing food and accommodation... the Celadon Gym was definitely better than the Pokémon Center. Misty and Brock naturally had no objections. The three of them rode their bicycles, heading towards the Celadon Gym. As for Charmeleon, Gyarados, and Pidgeotto, they had been recalled into their Poké Balls.
Soon, the Celadon Gym appeared before their eyes. Surprisingly, standing at the entrance was Erika, dressed in an elegant kimono, as if she had long foreseen their return.
Lady Erika had a gentle smile on her lips as her gaze swept over everyone, lingering for a moment on Ash and Pikachu.
"Welcome back, Ash, Misty, Brock," Erika's voice was like a spring breeze. "It seems your trip to Saffron City was quite the experience."
"Miss Erika!" Ash parked his bike and hurriedly stepped forward. "We're back."
"Maa maa!"
Before Ash could say anything else, the Misdreavus on his head let out a cheerful cry, turning into a black shadow and lunging straight at Erika. During their previous stay, Misdreavus and Erika had gotten along very well, especially on the topic of perfume.
Erika smiled and opened her arms, catching the little one. Misdreavus rubbed affectionately against her chest, purring comfortably, and didn't forget to cast a smug glance at Ash.
Ash: "..."
Ash thought: Since when is this little guy so close to Erika?
Well, most men found it difficult to understand the topic of perfume between women. The three followed Erika, walking into the Gym. They chatted as they walked.
Erika gently stroked Misdreavus, looking up at Ash with a hint of complex emotion in her eyes.
"I did anticipate that you would cause some ripples in Saffron City, but I truly didn't expect..." She paused, her voice filled with disbelief, "That you could actually make Sabrina leave Saffron City, and even seal her ability to foresee the future."
"When the League heard this news, it caused quite a commotion internally."
The relationship between Erika and Sabrina was quite contradictory. They were rivals who didn't get along... but to some extent, they were also close friends. After all, there was no conflict of interest between them; they were neighbors, about the same age, and both were favored daughters of heaven. As for other fellow Gym Leaders? Better not to mention them; there were no common topics.
Ash scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed. "Actually... I didn't do much. I just felt that being constantly bound by a predetermined future was too lonely. Miss Sabrina, perhaps she just wanted to find some 'unknowns'."
Ash could indeed vaguely sense Sabrina's lonely heart.
"Unknowns..." Erika repeated the word softly, nodding thoughtfully. "Perhaps. To be able to break the shackles of fate is, in itself, a powerful force."
She didn't delve deeper, turning her gaze to Brock and Misty. "It seems your time in Saffron City wasn't entirely smooth sailing either."
Brock crossed his arms and nodded. "We did encounter some trouble. The Team Rocket Executive, Vicious, intercepted us at the entrance of Silph Co."
Having been a Gym Leader for several years, Brock knew of Vicious. Vicious was a thorough villain... evil, fake, and completely self-centered. He would seize everything he wanted, even if it meant hurting people and Pokémon. This personality made it impossible for him to survive in the League, so he could only go to Team Rocket.
There was a trace of regret in Brock's tone. "It's a pity it was in the city center. If my Onix had unleashed its full power, I'm afraid it would have caused a scene like the earth shaking and mountains swaying, affecting the innocent. Many high-power moves couldn't be used."
Just like in Vermilion City, if Lt. Surge had gone all out, it would have caused serious damage to the natural environment. So the battlefield had been restricted to the seaside.
Hearing this, Erika covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes filled with appreciation. "Constantly considering the surrounding environment, restraining one's own power to avoid unnecessary destruction. As expected of Brock, the [Rock-Solid Man]. This steadiness and sense of responsibility is the best interpretation of that nickname."
Unlike Misty, Brock was a proper Gym Leader. He was also a guard for the Pewter City Museum of Science. In his working state, Brock was deeply respected and admired by the people of Pewter City. He was just letting himself go a bit recently; he wasn't useless.
Brock rarely showed a hint of shyness, then waved his hand modestly. "You flatter me. Mainly, I saw that Ash could handle it, so I didn't go all out. I just provided support from the side to ensure everyone could evacuate safely."
Brock indeed only carried one Gym Leader-level main force. But he had other second-team and third-team Pokémon on him, which he brought out to train during the journey.
As soon as his words fell, two merciless complaints came from beside him.
"—?! Brock, so you were holding back back then?" Ash's eyes widened, recalling the scene where they were forced back step by step by the Dark Tyranitar.
Indeed... under the circumstances at the time, Brock's performance had been a bit too effortless.
Misty also put her hands on her hips and said grumpily, "Exactly! You watched us handle it? We were getting beaten pretty badly back then, okay! If we had known you were so reliable, we would have just hidden behind you!"
Misty remembered it now too. Although everyone was a Gym Leader, theoretically equals, in reality, compared to Misty, an Apprentice Gym Leader... Brock had truly served as a Gym Leader for several years. But because they were together all the time now, the sense of distance had vanished, and she had forgotten Brock's life experience.
Brock was made a bit awkward by the two of them and coughed dryly twice. "This... tactics, it was all required by tactics. And I believe in the potential of Ash and Pikachu."
Erika watched the three interact, her smile deepening.
She then steered the topic back to Vicious, her tone carrying obvious disdain. "Vicious is nothing but a pitiful wretch obsessed with external objects and empty inside. Relying on Dark Balls to forcibly control Pokémon and steal their power—such conduct is contemptible."
She gently stroked the Misdreavus in her arms, her gaze becoming sharp.
"Trainer and Pokémon connecting their hearts and advancing hand in hand—this is only the first step. And the next step leading to the true peak is something trash like Vicious will never understand, let alone achieve."
The world of Pokémon truly possessed supernatural powers. It was truly possible for the mind to triumph over matter. People who didn't believe in the power of the heart could never become true powerhouses.
"The next step?" Ash's attention was immediately captured. He held Pikachu and asked curiously, "Miss Erika, after connecting hearts, what is the next step?"
Erika didn't answer directly but asked back, "Do you know what is special about the Arbok belonging to Granny Agatha of the Elite Four?"
Misty tried hard to recall. "Elite Four Agatha's Arbok... it seems to have a very scary ghost face pattern on its belly?"
"Correct." Erika nodded, her expression turning serious. "But that is not a fixed pattern. Elite Four Agatha can use special commands to make the pattern on Arbok's belly change accordingly."
"Every specific pattern represents a temporarily enhanced ability. According to known intelligence, there is the 'Instant Shadow Pattern' representing extreme speed, the 'Armor-Breaking Pattern' representing berserk attacks, and the 'Antidote Pattern' that can greatly improve Poison-type resistance, and so on."
Erika began to educate the group. Well, she was educating Misty and Ash. Brock already knew.
"Changing the pattern... can grant different abilities?" Ash listened with rising curiosity.
Pikachu also pricked up his ears, the electric sacs on his cheeks crackling softly as if imagining that scene.
"Precisely," Erika affirmed. "This is a power that transcends common sense. It is a miracle born after the bond between Trainer and Pokémon deepens to the extreme, jointly imitating, or even touching upon, the authority of the gods."
"Secret Techniques, Esoteric Arts... all these terms describe the same thing—the bond between Trainer and Pokémon. Since Granny Agatha has been famous for too long, and this ability's characteristics are too obvious, many people know about it. Moreover, this ability is upright and honorable, relying on self-cultivation, so there is no need to hide it."
She looked around at the three young Trainers before her and spoke slowly:
"Top powerhouses in other regions also master similar abilities more or less. Some are widely known, such as Sinnoh Champion Cynthia's Garchomp, which is said to be able to increase its speed to the point of tearing space in a short time. Or Galar Champion Leon's Charizard—its 'G-Max Wildfire' that burns everything away has also transcended the scope of ordinary moves."
"And the abilities of some strong individuals serve as trump cards and remain unknown."
As Erika spoke, she recalled events from a few years ago. Misty listened, but a trace of confusion appeared on her face.
She lowered her head, her voice somewhat low. "...Connecting hearts... the next step... It seems I haven't even fully achieved the first step."
She looked at her Poké Ball. "My Gyarados... rather than saying it's my partner, it's better to say it's a bodyguard left to me by my parents... to protect me. I didn't capture it and raise it from the beginning like you guys did. Sometimes, I can't even feel how deep the bond is between us... I don't know when I can truly capture it in the true sense."
Sensing the Trainer's emotions, another Poké Ball at her waist shook gently—that was the Psyduck she had newly captured. Compared to the overly independent Gyarados, Psyduck and Misty were actually much more compatible.
Erika walked to Misty's side, and with her free hand, she gently patted her shoulder, her voice gentle yet firm.
"Misty, bonds do not have only one form. Inherited fate is also a precious tie. Your Gyarados is willing to protect you; this in itself is a powerful connection of hearts. As for deeper bonds, that requires time, and also weathering storms together."
"There is no need to be anxious. When you no longer view it merely as a bodyguard, but truly open your heart and treat it as a partner to whom you can entrust your back, that day will naturally come."
Erika paused, her gaze sweeping over Ash and Brock. Finally, she returned to the Misdreavus in her arms; Misdreavus was rubbing its head against her palm.
"As for the likes of Vicious," Erika's tone became cold again. "They will never understand this power. Pokémon controlled by Dark Balls have no self, let alone the possibility of resonating with a Trainer. They are merely brainless puppets; no matter how strong their power is, it has its limits."
"Vicious himself can only be considered at the bottom among the Senior Executives of Team Rocket. True strength has never been just about the Pokémon. If you want to become stronger, the power of the heart is indispensable."
Erika emphasized this to everyone again. Why did the Pokémon League insist on maintaining the tradition of traveling? Because only after a Trainer and Pokémon experience difficulty after difficulty together can the understanding between hearts reach the true peak. This is the experience the League has gained over a long time.
"Rest in the Gym for these two days~~ From Celadon City, head west to Route 16, then go south through Gringey City, and finally go east through Route 18 to reach Fuchsia City."
"Seeing you arrive here, I knew you would choose this path. Hehehe... enjoy the last two days. After all, the remaining part of the road is quite arduous."
As Erika spoke, she covered her mouth and laughed. The journey of these children before her was truly rich and colorful.
"Thanks! Miss Erika!" x3
"Pika!"
"Maa maa~~"
*
[Image Caption Reconstructed]:
"There are many types of belly patterns, you know! Arbok actually has many... Arbok... Height 3.5m... Abilities differ with different patterns. And patterns change according to the region. Anyway, this pattern [Makeup/Pattern] is to send you to the West [to your death]... Just like this, I can use this finger to freely change Arbok's abilities."
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