"I get it! At worst, I'll just go to the Celadon Gym by myself first!" Ash snapped angrily, stubbornly throwing a tantrum and wanting to leave on his own. Fortunately, Red quickly stepped in to stop him.
"Ash, didn't you realize that Miss Erika is the Gym Leader of the Celadon Gym?" Red said helplessly, flicking Ash's stubborn forehead.
"What?!"
Ash's face instantly stiffened. He hadn't expected that the person he had just offended unintentionally was actually the very Gym Trainer he planned to challenge next.
"It's alright, Red-sama. I'm not 'angry' at all. I've heard about your achievements for quite some time. Your strength has even been listed on the 'blacklist' among the Gym Leaders of the Kanto Region League. I've long prepared myself to battle you!"
Erika smiled at Red, though deep down she felt a trace of grievance over Eevee's "betrayal." She had taken such good care of Eevee—feeding and tending to it attentively—yet she still couldn't compare to the warmth Red brought the moment he appeared. Perhaps that was the feeling of never forgetting one's "first love."
"As for Mr. Ash's challenge match, you'll have to 'wait' a little longer!"
Clearly, Erika still harbored some resentment over Ash's earlier remarks. Although Gym Leaders couldn't outright refuse a challenger, making things slightly difficult was still permissible. After all, Gym Leaders had their own personal time too.
"Huh? How can that be…" Ash muttered with a pout. If he had known, he wouldn't have spoken so bluntly. Even so, he stubbornly clung to his straight-forward beliefs.
After Red and Misty purchased some perfume, everyone followed Erika toward the Celadon Gym.
As for why Red bought perfume, it was simply to repay Erika for taking care of Eevee these past days. Besides, that little guy quite enjoyed sniffing the fragrance.
At first glance, the Celadon Gym was decorated in the image of a giant Gloom. Inside, it resembled a lush garden filled with natural atmosphere. A faint floral scent lingered in the air, as if one were in a forest. A deep breath brought an inexplicable sense of calm to Trainers who came to challenge the Gym.
Red and the others followed Erika to the battle arena. Red stepped forward alone, ready to begin the Gym challenge against her.
"We will now begin the official Gym match. The participants are Gym Leader Erika and Red from Pallet Town. Each side may use three Pokémon. The side whose Pokémon all lose the ability to battle will lose! Only the challenger may switch Pokémon during the match. There is no time limit. The battle begins now!"
The referee announced, waving both flags downward.
"Tangela, I'm counting on you!"
"Hitmonchan, you'll take the first round!"
Red and Erika simultaneously threw their Poké Balls. Hitmonchan and Tangela appeared on the battlefield one after the other!
"What Pokémon is that?" Ash once again took out his Pokédex. "Tangela, the Vine Pokémon. Blue vine-like plants are tangled together, hiding its true face. It entangles anything that approaches."
The moment it appeared, Hitmonchan began rapidly swinging its fists, its legs bouncing lightly. Within moments, it completed its warm-up and entered perfect fighting condition.
"Hitmonchan's awareness is incredible! Just a few simple movements and it's already fully warmed up!" Brock exclaimed in shock. As someone aspiring to become a Pokémon Breeder, the observant Brock had already noticed Hitmonchan's unusual qualities.
"Well, any Pokémon caught by Red must be extraordinary!" Misty agreed.
"Tangela, use Vine Whip!"
Upon receiving Erika's command, the blue vines covering Tangela's body became lively. Instantly, countless vines shot toward Hitmonchan!
"Fire Punch!" Red ordered.
Hitmonchan didn't dodge. Instead, it crossed its fists, igniting them in flames. The burning fists directly met Tangela's attack, scorching its vines.
Tangela's Vine Whip relied on its own vines to strike. Once burned by flames, it would suffer considerable damage itself. Tangela was visibly hurt by the sudden fire.
"Mach Punch!"
Hitmonchan's figure blurred on the spot and, in less than a second, appeared before Tangela. A fierce Mach Punch struck it squarely, knocking it to the ground.
"What terrifying boxing!" Brock marveled.
"Brother's Hitmonchan is amazing…" Ash echoed.
"Pika…pi…" Pikachu shuddered slightly, afraid it might have to face Hitmonchan one day.
"Tangela is unable to battle!" the referee declared.
"As expected of Red-sama, who gives so many Gym Leaders headaches. But I will never back down!"
Erika threw another Poké Ball, sending out her second Pokémon—Weepinbell!
"Weepinbell, use Razor Leaf!"
Weepinbell shook its body, releasing countless sharp leaves that flew toward Hitmonchan like blades.
"Hitmonchan, use Ice Punch!"
Hitmonchan's fists emitted a chilling aura. With continuous swings, it froze each incoming leaf, turning them into shattered snowflakes. Not a scratch touched it.
"The gap in strength is just too big…" Misty sighed.
"Miss Erika, you must do your best! I firmly believe you'll win!"
Brock, siding purely with beauty, immediately switched allegiance and cheered for Erika despite the unfavorable situation.
"Hey Brock, whose side are you on?" Ash complained speechlessly. They were standing right next to him!
"Since we've used fire and ice, let's finish it with Thunder Punch!"
Hitmonchan quickly closed in before Weepinbell could react and delivered a precise Thunder Punch to a vital spot. Though the damage was halved due to type resistance, the overwhelming power still forced Weepinbell to cry out in pain!
"Weepinbell, hold on! Use Sleep Powder!" Erika urged anxiously.
A faint current covered Weepinbell's body, causing it to stiffen momentarily just as it tried to release Sleep Powder.
"It seems Thunder Punch triggered paralysis. Lucky," Red said calmly. "Hitmonchan, finish it with Mega Punch!"
Hitmonchan's right fist glowed white as it struck Weepinbell hard, sending it flying.
"Weepinbell is unable to battle!"
"Hitmon!"
After two consecutive victories, Hitmonchan raised both fists excitedly, awaiting its next opponent.
"Red-sama, I admire your strength. But my love for Grass-type Pokémon will never lose to yours!" Erika declared firmly, throwing her final Poké Ball. "Gloom, I'm counting on you!"
The moment Gloom appeared, it instinctively released its foul-smelling pollen. The stench quickly drifted toward Hitmonchan.
Hitmonchan cautiously stepped back and took a slight sniff. Its entire face instantly turned dark.