After the incident where Ash caught Primeape, Red and Ash's trio successfully arrived in Celadon City. In less than half a day of travel, they had smoothly reached the city.
Celadon City is one of the bustling cities of the Kanto Region. Not only is it home to a League Gym, but it also boasts a well-known department store and the Celadon Game Corner, making it an ideal place for travelers to have fun.
However, the residents of Celadon City felt uneasy about the Game Corner, believing that such a casino tarnished the city's image.
But only a few people knew that the "Celadon Game Corner," though seemingly just an ordinary entertainment center on the surface, was in fact secretly controlled by Team Rocket as a combat experiment base. Its underground structure even extended down four terrifying levels.
...
Underground Base — Level Three
A young man with black hair and blood-red eyes, dressed in a dark windbreaker with an R emblem on the left chest and black trousers, wearing cheap non-prescription glasses, slowly entered a password and stepped into the underground laboratory.
Damon, who had previously disappeared from Silph Co., had now been dispatched to the underground experimental base in Celadon City to assist Professor Hemlock in capturing Test Subject No. 2.
"Professor Hemlock, we've located Test Subject No. 2!" Damon reported.
"It seems the data for Test Subject No. 0 can be improved once again!"
The device placed before Damon began projecting an image. Aside from Giovanni, who had seen Professor Hemlock's true face, the rest of Team Rocket could only communicate with him through projections.
"Currently, Test Subject No. 2 is at the Celadon Gym and has been taken in by Erika, the Gym Leader. Due to the importance of our Team Rocket combat experiment base, I did not recklessly barge into the Celadon Gym!"
Damon reported the situation, but Professor Hemlock had no pleasant expression to offer him.
"I don't care what methods you use. Within two days, you must bring Test Subject No. 2 before me. If it weren't for your Team Rocket's incompetence, Test Subject No. 2 wouldn't have been missing for so long!"
"Rest assured, Professor Hemlock! Our Team Rocket will absolutely not disappoint 'you'!"
Damon bent his waist and lowered his head in apology, but killing intent flashed in his eyes, especially as he stressed the word "you." If not for the fact that this man was a Pokémon Professor recommended by Giovanni himself, Damon would have already tracked down Professor Hemlock's real body and…
"Heh, useless rage…"
Professor Hemlock sneered and cut off the projection.
...
The four arrived at the center of Celadon City. Ash and the others were stunned by the towering buildings before them, spinning in place just to admire the city's prosperous scenery.
Just as Red was about to snap them out of it so they wouldn't embarrass themselves, Pikachu was drawn toward a fragrant scent drifting from afar.
"There's such a nice smell~" Brock said dreamily.
"Yeah, you're right~" Misty agreed.
Suddenly, as if possessed, Brock walked forward on his own.
"Looks like we'll find the Celadon Gym without any trouble!" Red joked, following behind him.
"Celadon Gym? What are you talking about, brother?" Ash asked in confusion, though he still followed the group.
Moments later, Brock pressed his face against a glass window with a lecherous grin, admiring the beautiful sight inside.
"Brock, what are you doing?" Ash said speechlessly. "Aren't you embarrassed?"
"Ash, I think I've fallen in love with this city!"
Brock's eyes turned into hearts as he stared infatuated at the many shapely female shop assistants inside.
"I think I'll stay in this city for a while…"
"Hey, don't go too far, Brock!" Ash said in disgust. He turned to call Red and Misty to drag Brock away, only to discover that his brother was already inside the shop, holding an Eevee in his arms.
"Long time no see, Eevee. I didn't expect to run into you here. Looks like you've been doing well lately." Red smiled, stroking the well-behaved Eevee in his arms. Eevee rubbed against Red's cheek nostalgically, eyes narrowed in joy.
This Eevee was none other than the Test Subject No. 2 Red had once rescued in Viridian Forest — the Eevee capable of freely changing among three forms.
"I can't believe Eevee doesn't reject Mr. Red at all. We spent several days back then building trust…"
One of the shop assistants who had grown close to Eevee spoke with a hint of jealousy. The moment Red walked in, Eevee had leapt joyfully into his arms, completely ignoring her feelings.
Misty and Pikachu also walked in. The other shop assistants enthusiastically introduced various perfumes to Misty.
"This one here — this floral fragrance suits you perfectly."
As she spoke, the assistant sprayed a bit on Misty's hand for her to try.
"It's really nice… such a lovely scent…"
Smelling the faint fragrance, Misty nodded in approval and prepared to buy the floral perfume.
"I can give you a discount!"
Seeing Misty's intention to purchase, the assistant immediately offered a deal.
"Forget it, Misty!"
Ash, who had grown impatient waiting, walked in.
(Looks like Ash's classic straightforward move is about to begin…)
Red stroked Eevee and looked ahead, ready to witness the upcoming famous scene.
"Even if you put on perfume, it's totally meaningless!" Ash blurted.
"What did you say?!" Misty snapped.
"Sir, that's not right of you to say."
Erika, dressed in a blue kimono, an elegant and mature beauty, appeared and refuted Ash's blunt remark.
"To say that perfume has no meaning — that's extremely rude!"
"Isn't perfume just something women use to confuse men?!"
Startled by Erika's rebuttal, Ash nevertheless stubbornly held his ground, then grabbed Brock, whose mouth was drooling as he stared in hopeless infatuation.
"See? Brock's been bewitched by your perfume!"
(Ash, oh Ash… even as your brother, I can't save you from this one. You've completely sealed your own fate~)
Red noticed a flicker of anger in Erika's eyes and shook his head in deep "regret" for Ash. Eevee in his arms curiously looked at Ash, who resembled Red by seventy percent yet carried a completely different aura.
Erika first gave Brock a gentle smile, then angrily pointed at Ash.
"Listen carefully. Perfume can relax people, calm them down, refresh their spirits, and even heal the heart!"
"Exactly!"
"That's right!"
"Pika!"
Ash's own companions immediately switched sides, standing behind Erika in agreement.
"I don't need that kind of thing! I'm always energetic and full of spirit anyway!" Ash declared proudly.
"That's the only good thing about you~" Misty whispered venomously at his side.
"Someone like you, who can't even understand the benefits of perfume, has no right to remain here!"
Erika issued an expulsion order, instructing the shop assistants to remove Ash at once.
"Your nerves are way too thick!" one assistant complained.
"No girl would ever like someone like you!"