"We offer foster care services for trainers who find it inconvenient to carry all their Pokémon. You only need to pay for food and training—no hidden insurance fees like those other places," a staff member explained to the buzzing crowd.
"Look, you can even pay to have your Pokémon taught specific moves. The price depends on the rarity of the technique. And they sell high-quality Pokéblocks too!"
"Is that an Ambipom grinding medicinal herbs? How fascinating!"
"Wait, do they not sell Pokémon? The old Celadon Foster House always had eggs for sale."
The crowd at the Celadon Foster House was alive with discussion until a sudden commotion erupted from the front.
"It's Miss Erika! Erika is here!" "Wow, she's even more beautiful in person!" "Miss Erika, I'm your biggest fan!"
The crowd parted like the Red Sea as Erika walked through. She held a traditional oil-paper umbrella, wearing a stunning kimono and wooden geta that clacked rhythmically on the pavement.
"Since Leader Feng Che is celebrating his grand opening, I, as the Leader of Celadon City, must show my support," Erika said with a graceful smile. She took a small wooden box from her assistant. "A small token of my appreciation. Please, do not refuse."
Feng Che opened the box to find a shimmering, top-tier Leaf Stone.
"Thank you, Leader Erika," Feng Che replied politely.
"By the way," Erika continued, her eyes twinkling, "since today is such a festive occasion, why don't we have a battle? It would be a wonderful treat for the visitors, don't you think?"
Without waiting for Feng Che to reply, she turned to the crowd. "What do you all say? Would you like to see a match?"
"YES! Erika is the best!" "We want to see the battle!" The crowd roared in agreement.
Using public pressure to force a fight... a classic 'open' scheme, Feng Che thought, a smirk playing on his lips. Fine. I'll play along.
"Since Leader Erika has issued the invitation, it would be rude to decline," Feng Che announced. "Everyone, please follow me to the backyard. We have a regulation battle arena there."
He opened the back gates, leading the crowd into a spacious garden. "Welcome to the private grounds. A word of warning: do not disturb the resident Pokémon. Some are still semi-wild. If anyone behaves inappropriately, my Galarian Slowking and Slowbro will be forced to 'escort' you out."
"How shall we do this, Erika?" Feng Che asked.
"A 3-vs-3 match," Erika replied. "Win or lose, each Pokémon only fights one round. I believe those are your rules, Leader?"
"Indeed. Lead the way."
"Go, Leafeon!"
Erika's Leafeon emerged, looking spirited. It had feline and vulpine features with a tan body and dark brown paws. Sprouting from its body were several leaves, and a long, blade-like leaf sat atop its head. Its tail was equally sharp, capable of cleaving a tree in two.
"Since you've chosen Leafeon, I'll go with this one. Go, Greninja!"
"A Greninja? Are you aiming for an 'Against-the-Type' victory again?" Erika giggled. "I won't make it easy. Leafeon, Leaf Blade!"
The leaf on Leafeon's forehead glowed green and elongated into a shimmering saber, slashing toward Greninja.
"Greninja, Water Blade!"
Greninja manifested twin blades of water, parrying the strike with a metallic ring. Leafeon pivoted, its tail glowing with the same energy for a follow-up Leaf Blade. Greninja used its superior jumping ability to leap high, hurling a Water Shuriken.
"Leafeon, cut it down!"
Leafeon became a green blur, its head-blade slicing the shuriken in two. A torrent of water splashed over Leafeon from the broken move.
"I expected that," Erika said. "Leafeon, Brutal Swing!"
She knew Greninja liked to follow up with ice. Leafeon spun, its sharp leaves clearing the water from its fur. Suddenly, the sky darkened, and hail began to fall.
When did he...? Erika looked up. Greninja had gathered thick clouds in a split second. The falling rain was hit by an Ice Beam, turning into pigeon-egg-sized hailstones.
"Leafeon, use Sunny Day! Clear the weather!"
Leafeon's body radiated golden light, releasing a miniature sun into the sky. But to Erika's shock, the thick black clouds didn't budge.
This Greninja's weather control is monstrous, she thought, stunned. Even Sunny Day can't override its rain-storm.
"Leafeon, Solar Beam!"
A thin golden light gathered at the tip of Leafeon's head-blade before erupting in a brilliant pillar. The heat melted the hail into rain and punched a hole through the clouds.
As Erika felt a moment of relief, she saw Greninja slam its frost-covered hands onto the ground. A wave of absolute cold traveled through the wet floor. Before Leafeon could move, it was encased in a solid block of ice.
"Leader Erika lost that fast?!" "No way, that Leafeon looked so strong!" "This just proves how powerful the Pokémon from this Foster House are. If we leave our partners here, they'll become just as strong!"
The crowd's chatter shifted from the battle to the Foster House's reputation.
[Mewtwo: Feng Che, the spectators are convinced. This battle is providing free advertising. This Erika woman is quite the philanthropist.]
She came here to give me a reality check—to show a 'rookie' the gap between us, Feng Che replied mentally. Leafeon wasn't her ace. Her next one will be.
"Return, Leafeon. Good work," Erika said, recalling her frozen partner. She then released a Bellossom.
Bellossom, with its two red flowers and grass-skirt leaves, looked like a hula dancer. Legend says the foulest Gloom evolve into the most beautiful Bellossom. Despite its small stature, its Petal Dance was legendary, capable of slicing through super-alloys.
"Return, Greninja. Go, Scizor!"
Feng Che released his indestructible Steel/Bug type. Erika smiled at the silver-armored Pokémon. "The high-defense Scizor, I see. Bellossom, let's start. Petal Dance!"
Bellossom began a graceful, rhythmic dance. With every move, dozens of pink petals erupted from its body, filling the arena with a floral rain.
Feng Che wanted to see the secret behind this dance and ordered Scizor to stay on the defensive. The petals piled up, eventually burying Scizor in a sea of pink.
"Perfect," Erika whispered. "Once the petals stick to the joints, Scizor won't be able to move an inch."