257. Gloom
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Gloom affects the perceptions of many people. If you don't believe it, consider that the flower releases a foul stench, yet its nectar is sweet.
It is said that if the nectar is collected, it can be sold at a high price. This nectar, along with its pungent pollen, serves as a primary ingredient for making elegant perfumes.
"Erika sent out Gloom!" The other girls outside the field didn't seem surprised when they saw Gloom appear, as if they had expected it.
"Is that Gloom really strong?" Misty asked, her worry apparent as she observed the scene.
"Gloom emits an unpleasant smell most of the time, which even Erika's husband couldn't handle. I didn't expect Erika's trump card to be it," Brock remarked. As a breeder, he was well aware of the potency of Gloom's ability. Its smell was intolerable for most people, causing many trainers to avoid it. The idea of Erika, a trainer known for crafting perfumes, bonding with a Gloom seemed surprising.
Neither Misty nor Brock knew that the alluring perfumes Erika created were derived from Gloom's pollen.
"You may not know this, but Erika developed a special connection with Gloom due to an incident from her childhood. Ever since, she hasn't let anyone speak poorly of Gloom," a nearby girl explained.
"What happened?" Misty asked curiously. Although she herself disliked Bug-type Pokémon, she found Erika's fondness for Gloom particularly intriguing, given its reputation.
"Erika was once attacked by a Grimer as a child. Gloom appeared just in time to save her by releasing its stench to drive the Grimer away."
"Since then, Gloom has always been by Erika's side. In truth, as long as Gloom stays calm, it won't release its unpleasant odor," the girl explained further. Her account clarified the deep bond between Erika and her Gloom for Misty and Brock.
"So that's it! A formidable rival indeed," Brock concluded.
The other girls merely smiled, choosing not to elaborate further. Erika cared deeply for Gloom, often refraining from letting it battle excessively.
While Gloom's strength might not be extraordinary, few opponents could manage to defeat it.
"Be careful, Ash! Gloom, use Acid!" Erika commanded as the match began.
"Gloo-oooom!" Gloom puffed up its mouth and launched a stream of purple liquid, targeting Charmander with a water-like column of Acid.
"Charmander, dodge!" Ash instructed. Despite having fought three consecutive battles, Charmander remained uninjured and alert. At Ash's command, Charmander leapt to the side, avoiding the Acid. The attack hit the ground with a hiss, emitting smoke.
"Now, use Ember!" Ash countered. Charmander opened its mouth, releasing a flurry of fiery embers.
"Gloom, Protect!" Erika responded quickly. Gloom raised its arms, summoning a green shield that absorbed the impact of the Ember attack.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Sporadic embers rained down, and as they struck the protective shield, they erupted in a cascade of small explosions. Erika's lips curved into a subtle smile, her confidence shining through.
As Protect's barrier dissipated, the flower atop Gloom's head emitted a sudden burst of brown powder that floated ominously in the air. The emotional tension of the battle had clearly unsettled Gloom, causing its mood to shift.
"Now, Gloom, release the stench!" Erika commanded confidently.
At once, Gloom unleashed a heavy cloud of brown pollen from its flower. The pungent odor quickly spread, not just within the arena but even beyond its boundaries.
Even without direct contact, the overwhelming stench was unbearable for most. Those who encountered it directly would find it nearly intolerable.
"Even though it's not a Pokémon move, this is still essentially pollen," Ash observed, his tone serious. He knew Charmander couldn't risk coming into contact with it—it was akin to a biochemical weapon.
However, Ash had anticipated that Erika's final Pokémon would be Gloom and had prepared accordingly.
"Charmander, use Flamethrower with full power!" Ash commanded, his voice steady.
Facing the thick cloud of pollen, Charmander's tail flame flared intensely, and the Pokémon puffed out its chest in response.
"Charrr-man-deeeer!"
With a mighty roar, a blazing stream of flames erupted from Charmander's mouth, sweeping through the pollen cloud. The intense heat evaporated the airborne particles instantly. Like dry gunpowder, the pollen ignited upon contact with the fire, dispersing in a fiery flash.
Yet Gloom, caught in its emotional state, continued to release pollen. This battle was now a test of willpower to see which side could outlast the other.
"Tsk… What an awful stench! How can something so foul exist in the capital of perfume? It's an insult to the city's name!" A voice suddenly echoed from above, dripping with disdain.
"Hmm?" Ash and the others looked up in surprise, their attention drawn to the source of the voice. On the second-floor guardrail, three figures loomed, casting shadows over the arena.
"Who are you?" the gym workers asked, their unease evident as they confronted the intruders.
"Hmph! Since you've asked so sincerely…"
"We'll tell you mercifully!" Jessie declared dramatically.
"Prepare for trouble!!" Jessie said.
"And make it double!" James chimed in.
"To protect the world from devastation!" Jessie continued.
"To unite all peoples within our nation!" James added.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" Jessie proclaimed.
"To extend our reach to the stars above!" James finished with flair.
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!" Jessie boasted.
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!" James threatened.
"Meowth, that's right!" Meowth concluded, waving a paw smugly.
"Team Rocket! Are you here to steal Pokémon again?" Misty shouted, her eyes narrowing in anger.
"Little girl, don't talk nonsense," Jessie sneered. "We're not interested in a Pokémon that reeks like that. What we're after is this." She brandished a glass bottle filled with a yellow liquid, holding it up triumphantly.
"Ah! That's it!" The gym workers gasped in horror, their faces pale as they recognized the bottle.