In the evening, Ash and his group arrived in Celadon City. They first went to the Pokémon Center to restore their Pokémon's stamina, planning to challenge the Gym the next day.
Bulbasaur's Substitute–Protect–Toxic setup was finally ready. Although it wasn't as perfect as the strategy used by a Poison Heal Gliscor, it was good enough for Bulbasaur to start practicing the most basic form of this tactic.
"Ahem."
"How about we go take a look at the perfume shop?"
Ash was thinking of checking whether Erika was at the perfume shop—and maybe buying some perfume for Misty while he was there.
"Let's go." ×2
As a girl, Misty naturally loved perfume, so her excitement was perfectly normal.
As for Brock… his excitement was probably less about perfume and more about the beautiful ladies working in the shop.
Walking along the bustling street, a gentle breeze carried a refreshing fragrance through the air. There was no need to check a map—the signs of several perfume shops and their alluring scents had already turned this street into a unique attraction, drawing visitors to linger.
At the most popular shop—Erika Perfume—a long line stretched outside the entrance. Even Misty couldn't resist the lively atmosphere and curiously joined the queue.
Ash also wanted to inform Erika about tomorrow's Gym challenge in advance, just in case the Celadon Gym happened to be closed again.
After lining up for about half an hour, the three of them finally entered the perfume shop.
As Ash stepped inside, a gentle and elegant fragrance greeted him, instantly refreshing his mind. Looking around, he saw Erika busy introducing different perfumes to customers.
Ash accompanied Misty as she tried one perfume after another—Gloom perfume, floral perfumes, and more. In the end, he bought several bottles in one go, even picking out a few for his mom, Delia Ketchum.
Meanwhile, Brock looked like he never wanted to leave, enthusiastically discussing perfume with Erika.
"That's enough, you don't need to buy more." Misty looked at the bag already filled with perfume and stopped Ash, who still seemed ready to purchase more.
Ash glanced at the selection. Yeah… it was definitely enough.
"Miss Erika, will you be free tomorrow? I'd like to challenge the Gym," Ash asked.
"Anytime is fine," Erika replied. She hadn't expected someone to come all the way to the perfume shop just to issue a Gym challenge.
According to the rules, Gym Leaders cannot refuse an official challenge, though outside the Gym they technically have the right to decline.
Perhaps because Ash gave her a good first impression, Erika subconsciously assumed that Ash and his friends had already gone to the Gym, found it closed, and then came here.
"Of course, it's still early. You could even challenge the Gym tonight."
Ash thought for a moment and decided to battle tonight. Tomorrow he could visit the department store to buy some items.
Erika quickly handed over the shop's remaining duties to the staff and brought two employees with her to the Gym—they would serve as referees for the battle.
"Ash, Erika specializes in Grass-type Pokémon," Misty whispered.
Ash had Pokémon like Charmeleon and Pidgeot, which had advantages against Grass-types.
As long as he didn't stubbornly use Squirtle, victory should be easy.
Ash nodded. He already knew roughly what Pokémon Erika would use—Tangela, Weepinbell, and Gloom. Charmeleon alone could probably sweep all three.
On the way, Erika learned that Ash already had four Gym Badges, so she started planning which Pokémon she would send out.
Before long, they arrived at the Gym.
"In this Gym battle, each side will use three Pokémon. The challenger may switch Pokémon," Erika explained briefly before taking out a Poké Ball.
"Tangela, you'll lead the battle."
Tangela stood upright on two feet, its body looking like a tangled mass of vines.
Pokémon: Tangela – Lv. 28
Ash thought to himself: So we're starting with the easiest one first? I already have four badges and you're still giving me a warm-up match?
"Charmeleon."
Ash decided to let Charmeleon show its strength after evolving.
"Charmeleon, go!" Misty cheered like a cheerleader.
"Don't think that sending out a Fire-type means you've already won," the two shop assistants said calmly. Many trainers had tried the same tactic against Erika's Grass Pokémon—only to be taught a harsh lesson.
"Flamethrower!"
Charmeleon, two levels higher than Tangela, unleashed a burst of flames.
"Stun Spore!"
Erika intended to paralyze Charmeleon first, then attack while it was immobilized.
As expected, Charmeleon was paralyzed—but Tangela couldn't withstand even a single Flamethrower.
In the original storyline, Charizard had already learned Flamethrower when it was still Charmander, and its power had never been small. One Flamethrower had once instantly defeated Erika's Weepinbell.
"Ash, your Charmeleon is very well trained."
Erika recalled Tangela after it lost its ability to battle. She had underestimated Charmeleon's level—and she could tell there was something special about it.
Ash also withdrew Charmeleon. He didn't want to force a paralyzed Pokémon to keep fighting. If his luck was bad, repeated paralysis could ruin everything.
"Bulbasaur."
"Grass against Grass, then. Weepinbell, you're up."
Erika sent out Weepinbell (Lv. 32).
"Your Bulbasaur is very well trained."
As a specialist in Grass-type Pokémon, Erika could immediately sense Bulbasaur's exceptional quality.
At the same time, she couldn't help but marvel that Ash possessed such outstanding Pokémon.
"Let's get back to the battle."
Erika glanced out the window. Night had already fallen, so the battle needed to end quickly.
"Weepinbell, Razor Leaf!"
"Toxic!"
Bulbasaur faced Weepinbell head-on, enduring the Razor Leaf attack. Since it was a move of the same type, the damage was minimal.
Ash then had Bulbasaur use Toxic, followed by Leech Seed. Grass-type moves barely hurt Bulbasaur, and Leech Seed allowed it to recover HP each turn.
Weepinbell was steadily drained by both Toxic and Leech Seed, while Bulbasaur kept recovering.
In other words… Weepinbell was the only one actually taking damage.
"This challenger is a bit…"
The two shop assistants looked conflicted, unsure what to say.
"So those were the new moves Ash trained Bulbasaur to learn," Brock suddenly realized, remembering the special training Ash had given Bulbasaur after catching Primeape.
"Protect."
Ash decided to save Substitute for later. Hopefully Erika would still be able to sleep well tonight.
After several turns of being stalled, Weepinbell was completely worn down and finally lost its ability to battle.
Facing Ash's rather questionable battling style, Erika began to doubt life itself.
Why… was a Poison-type Pokémon like Weepinbell getting poisoned?
Could Bulbasaur's Ability be Corrosion?
Erika couldn't help but want to ask:
Did you win your previous four Gym Badges using tactics like this?
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