256. Weepinbell

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"Weepinbell, use Razor Leaf!"

Erika, knowing that her rival wouldn't be an easy opponent, decided to take the initiative. Upon hearing her command, Weepinbell swung the blades on either side of its body, releasing countless green leaves that whistled through the air like sharp darts, heading straight for Charmander.

"Use Ember!"

Ash, calm as ever, countered Erika's Grass-type attack with a Fire-type move. Charmander opened its mouth wide and released a burst of Ember. The flaming particles spread out like a wave and collided precisely with the incoming Razor Leaf.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Ember particles struck each leaf, igniting them instantly. The burning leaves fluttered downwards, some even carried back towards Weepinbell by the force of Ember.

"Use Vine Whip to sweep the flames away!"

Realizing the Grass-type's inherent disadvantage against Fire, Erika acted swiftly. Weepinbell's vine-like rhizome extended and whipped around above its head like a helicopter's rotor. The rapid movement created a gust of wind, forming a barrier that blew away the falling embers before they could reach its body.

"Weepinbell, use Bullet Seed!"

With the flames neutralized, Erika seized the moment. Weepinbell leaped into the air, releasing a rapid spray of glowing green projectiles from its wide mouth. The Bullet Seed attack sped across the battlefield, aiming directly for Charmander.

"Use Flamethrower!"

Ash didn't hesitate, commanding Charmander to unleash its strongest move. Charmander inhaled deeply before spewing out a powerful stream of fire. The Flamethrower surged forward, meeting the Bullet Seed head-on.

Boom!

The two attacks collided, generating a powerful shockwave. The energy from both moves clashed in the air, creating a dramatic stalemate.

While Bullet Seed had impressive speed, Flamethrower had both the advantage of type and greater power. Charmander's mastery over its Flamethrower technique tipped the scales further.

Boom!

Finally, the fiery stream overwhelmed the Bullet Seed, pushing the attack back toward Weepinbell.

Boom!

The clash of energy ended with Charmander gaining the upper hand. The flames overpowered the Bullet Seed, striking Weepinbell directly. A loud explosion echoed as Weepinbell was engulfed in smoke, letting out a pained cry.

When the smoke cleared, Weepinbell's scorched body was visible as it fell to the ground, small embers still clinging to its form. Finally, it landed with a dull thud, unconscious.

"Weepinbell!"

"Weepinbell is unable to battle! Charmander is the winner!" declared the referee with certainty.

"Wow... that's incredible!"

"Yeah! Ash managed to beat Erika with just one Charmander, taking down two of her Pokémon!"

The onlookers, mostly young women gathered around the arena, were astonished. While it wasn't unusual to see challengers use Pokémon with type advantages against Erika, it was rare to see someone defeat two of her Pokémon with a single partner.

"As expected of Ash! Just one more, and the Rainbow Badge is his!" Misty exclaimed, her joy for Ash evident. Charmander still stood strong, and Ash had three Pokémon left, giving him a clear advantage.

"That's true," said one of the ladies watching, a knowing smile on her face. "But Erika's last Pokémon won't be easy to defeat."

Misty's excitement dimmed slightly at the comment. Erika was a Gym Leader, after all, and no Gym Leader would make it easy to earn their Badge.

"Ash, you've proven your strength and earned the right to challenge for the Rainbow Badge," Erika said, withdrawing Weepinbell's Poké Ball. "But as a Gym Leader, I won't give it up without testing you against my best. Let's see if you can handle this!"

She held up her final Poké Ball, her determination shining as she threw it.

"Come on, Charmander! We've got this!" Ash called, his fighting spirit undiminished.

Char!

Charmander, having already defeated two opponents, stood confidently, ready for the next challenge.

"Go! My last Pokémon! Gloom!" Erika announced as the ball opened. With a flash of light, a brightly colored Pokémon appeared.

The Pokémon stood on four limbs with a blue body and squinted eyes that made it appear half-asleep. Its purple, sausage-shaped mouth drooled slightly, and the top of its head was adorned with a flower boasting bright white spots, surrounded by wilted red leaves.

Gloom, the evolved form of Oddish, made its entrance.

As its name suggested, Gloom was infamous for releasing an overpowering stench from the pollen on its flower. According to the Pokédex, the smell was said to be a mix of year-old unwashed socks, rotten eggs, and skunk spray—a combination few could endure.

This potent smell wasn't an attack but a natural defense mechanism. It used the odor to protect itself when feeling threatened. Most Trainers avoided Gloom for its stench, dismissing it as an unpleasant Pokémon.

However, Erika's experience with Grass-types showed her that Gloom had great potential. With patience and care, she had cultivated her Gloom to its fullest, ensuring it was calm and steady to prevent unnecessary odor emissions.

Interestingly, the stinky pollen from Gloom was the primary ingredient in Celadon City's famous perfumes. And contrary to popular belief, the drool seeping from Gloom's mouth wasn't saliva. Instead, it was sweet nectar, adding to the Pokémon's unique qualities.