After capturing Primeape, Ash and his friends finally arrived at the city known as the "City of Flowers and Fragrance," Celadon City.
The entire city felt like a vast garden, with sweet floral scents drifting through the air everywhere.
"Wow, it smells amazing here!" Misty inhaled deeply, looking completely enchanted.
"I heard Celadon's perfume is famous. Should we check out a perfume shop first?" Brock suggested, his eyes already sparkling at the thought of beautiful shop assistants.
Ash nodded. He was also curious to see the perfume culture of this world.
The group entered one of the larger perfume boutiques in the city. The shelves were filled with elegant bottles, and the fragrances layered richly in the air. The shop manager, a refined woman, warmly introduced the various perfumes to them.
During this, Brock attempted to strike up a conversation, only to be dragged aside by his ear by Misty.
Some traditions could never be left out.
Ash closed his eyes briefly and carefully analyzed the complex floral notes in the air. Drawing upon a bit of knowledge from his past life, he pointed to a gracefully designed perfume bottle and smiled at the manager.
"Excuse me, does this 'Garden's Whisper' use sandalwood and lemongrass in the top notes? The middle notes blend rose and orchid elegantly, and the base note… seems to include a trace of a special extract refined from Gloom nectar, giving it a unique earthy undertone?"
The manager's face lit up with surprise and delight. "Oh my! Young sir, your nose is incredible! You're absolutely right! This is 'Garden's Whisper,' personally blended by Miss Erika. You truly have a connoisseur's sense!"
"Miss Erika?" Misty asked curiously.
"Miss Erika is the Leader of the Celadon Gym and also the most outstanding perfume artisan in the city," the manager explained.
Their conversation happened to be overheard by a gentle woman in a pale kimono who had just arrived at the shop. She paused at the entrance, listening.
She was Erika.
When she looked at Ash, there was clear surprise and curiosity in her eyes.
A young Trainer with such refined knowledge of perfume?
Erika stepped forward gracefully and offered a polite bow. "Greetings. I am Erika. I happened to hear your insights just now. They were most perceptive and impressive."
Ash turned and met the gaze of the elegant Gym Leader. He responded politely, "You flatter me, Miss Erika. I only know a little. It is your 'Garden's Whisper' that truly blends nature and the gifts of Pokémon so harmoniously. That is the work of a real master."
His calm, sincere, and professional praise, neither arrogant nor fawning, sparked genuine interest and goodwill in Erika.
"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Ash." Erika's tone softened further. "It seems you are not only a Trainer, but also someone who appreciates nature and art. In that case, would you be willing to visit my Gym for a Pokémon battle witnessed by flowers and fragrance?"
"Of course! That's exactly why we're here!" Ash replied confidently.
The Celadon Gym was located within a vast greenhouse garden. The battle would be three on three.
Erika's first Pokémon was Weepinbell. Ash chose Primeape.
Despite the unfavorable type matchup, Ash commanded Primeape to use its agility to evade Razor Leaf. Closing the distance, Primeape delivered a Cross Chop that defeated Weepinbell, taking the first round.
Erika's second Pokémon was Tangela.
Ash recalled Primeape and sent out Scyther.
With its superior speed, Scyther continuously struck with Fury Cutter. Though Tangela attempted to restrain it with Vine Whip, it was ultimately defeated.
Finally, Erika sent out the Pokémon she treasured deeply, Gloom.
The moment Gloom appeared, a strong odor filled the entire battlefield. Even the usually composed Scyther found it difficult to tolerate.
"Gloom, use Stun Spore!" Erika commanded.
Ash's eyes sharpened. "Scyther, take a deep breath and hold it! Use Quick Attack to dodge, then Slash!"
As the team's seasoned warrior, Scyther's battle discipline was far beyond ordinary Pokémon.
It held its breath, flashed forward in a streak of white light to avoid the spores, and brought its bladed forearms down hard on Gloom.
Gloom cried out in pain but did not fall.
"Now, Gloom, use Moonlight!" Erika sought to restore its stamina.
"I won't let you! Scyther, finish it with Fury Cutter!"
Successive slashes rained down on Gloom as it attempted to recover under the moon's glow. At last, Gloom lost the ability to battle.
"Gloom is unable to battle! The winner is the challenger, Ash!" the referee announced.
[Ding! The host has defeated Celadon Gym Leader Erika and obtained the Rainbow Badge. Reward: 500 World Points.]
[Current World Points: 12350.]
Erika gracefully handed the badge to Ash, admiration shining more brightly in her eyes. "That was a wonderful battle, Ash. The bond between you and your Pokémon is like a carefully crafted perfume, harmonious yet powerful."
She gently recalled Gloom, already planning to treat it with extra care afterward.
However, just as the atmosphere settled into warmth, a sudden commotion erupted outside the Gym, followed by the sharp smell of smoke.
"This is bad. It's a fire!" Brock reacted first.
Everyone rushed out of the battlefield. Thick smoke was billowing from the direction of the perfume storage room. Team Rocket had sneaked in to steal perfume formulas and rare ingredients, but careless handling had sparked a blaze.
"Ha ha ha! All these precious perfume ingredients are ours!" Jessie laughed.
"And Erika's exclusive formula too!" James added.
"Let's scram, meow--cough, cough!" Meowth wheezed.
Clutching their stolen goods, the trio leapt out of a window and fled in panic.
The flames spread quickly, soon reaching the nearby plant cultivation area.
"My flowers! And the Pokémon!" Erika's face turned pale. Suddenly, she remembered something. "Oh no! I just sent Gloom to the recovery device in the cultivation zone!"
Ash's Aura expanded instantly. Sure enough, he sensed Gloom's faint, frightened signal within the flames.
"Miss Erika, it's too dangerous here! Go get Officer Jenny and the fire department!" Without hesitation, Ash stuffed the badge into his pocket and threw a Poké Ball. "Squirtle, I choose you! Use Water Gun and clear a path! Everyone else, don't follow me!"
"Squirtle!" Squirtle cried out with determination, spraying powerful streams of water that temporarily suppressed the flames at the entrance.
"Ash! It's too dangerous!" Misty shouted.
But Ash had already covered his mouth and nose with a wet cloth and rushed into the thick smoke and fire under Squirtle's cover.
Inside, visibility was nearly zero. The scorching air was suffocating.
Guided precisely by his Aura, Ash navigated through fallen shelves and burning plants. At last, in a corner, he found Gloom. It had just exited the recovery device and was trembling, slowed by smoke and heat.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here to save you!" Ignoring the searing heat, Ash carefully lifted Gloom into his arms. Its body was hot, and it let out a weak whimper.
"Squirtle, keep up the Water Gun! We're heading out!"
With courage, the guidance of Aura, and Squirtle's full support, Ash carried Gloom and barely made it out of the inferno.
His face was smeared with soot. Several parts of his clothes were scorched by sparks. But Gloom was safe in his arms.
"Gloom!" Erika rushed forward, taking Gloom from him and checking it carefully. Seeing that it was only frightened and not seriously hurt, she looked up at Ash. Despite his disheveled state, his eyes were still bright.
The gratitude in her heart, along with the admiration she had already felt, flared like a blazing fire. He had not only defeated Gloom fairly in battle, but had also risked his own safety to save it.
"Ash… thank you…" Erika's voice trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes shimmering with emotion that words could not express.
The fire was eventually extinguished by the arriving firefighters. Team Rocket failed to escape and was promptly arrested by Officer Jenny. Though parts of the Gym were damaged, the most important Pokémon and core formulas were preserved.
As Erika later revealed, what Team Rocket had stolen was not a perfume formula, but concentrated extract from Gloom. The trio would not be having a pleasant experience.
That evening, in the Gym's untouched private courtyard, Erika specially invited Ash to tea alone to express her thanks.
Moonlight flowed like water. The fragrance of flowers filled the air. Erika personally poured tea for Ash, her gaze gentle yet direct.
"Ash, I truly thank you for today. You are not only a powerful Trainer and someone who understands perfume, but also a brave and kind person."
Under her intense gaze, Ash felt slightly embarrassed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I just did what I had to, Miss Erika."
Erika smiled softly and leaned closer, shortening the distance between them. Her voice was gentle, yet carried a subtle boldness.
"Please, just call me Erika… I wonder if I might have the honor of having a deeper… exchange with you? About perfume, about Pokémon, or perhaps… other things?"
Her meaning was unmistakable.
Ash looked at the elegant yet alluring woman before him, felt the faint fragrance surrounding her and the affection in her eyes. His heartbeat quickened.
To be honest, this was the first girl since he arrived in this world who had expressed her feelings so openly.
He was not clueless. The theoretical knowledge from his past life finally seemed to have practical application.
He smiled slightly. Instead of retreating, he met her gaze and answered softly, "The honor is mine, Erika."
The night passed without further words.
[Ding! The host has gained high favor and affection from Celadon Gym Leader Erika. Social network expanded.]
[System Notice: The host's actions may create branching effects on future events. The world line has undergone slight changes.]
Under the moonlit courtyard, as tea fragrance blended with floral scent, two hearts, having shared danger and mutual understanding during the day, naturally drew closer, beginning a brief yet beautiful intimacy that went beyond ordinary friendship.
As for the rest… best left unsaid.
A/N: In any case, Erika is not exactly part of the main harem. Somewhere above friends with benefits, but below full membership.