Chapter 176: Celadon Gym

On their way back to the Pokémon Center, Brock held Vulpix in his arms, gently stroking its soft fur. His voice was warm as he whispered, "I'll take good care of you from now on, Vulpix."

"Vee!" Vulpix let out a soft, contented cry, nuzzling into Brock's arms. Although it still felt a little sad about being separated from Wei Wei, Brock's kindness made it feel much better.

"I didn't expect Miss Wei Wei to entrust Vulpix to Brock," Misty mused, watching the two with a smile. "That means she really recognizes Brock's skills as a Breeder!"

Ash nodded in agreement. "I always knew Brock was talented, but I didn't expect him to be this good!"

Hearing their praise, Brock clenched his fist with determination. "It's an honor to be acknowledged by Miss Wei Wei. I'll keep working hard! The next time we meet, I want to surprise her with how much I've grown!"

Meanwhile, back at her shop, Wei Wei watched Ash and his friends walk away. She then turned to look at the store she had owned for the past three years. A hint of reluctance flashed in her eyes, but after a brief moment, she took a deep breath and firmly shut the doors.

"It's time for me to see more of the world," she whispered to herself. "If I stay here forever, I won't improve."

A soft breeze swept through the street as she stepped forward, ready to embark on a new journey.

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Celadon Gym

Located in the southwest corner of Celadon City, the Celadon Gym is an official Pokémon Gym recognized by the Pokémon League. Trainers who defeat its Gym Leader receive the Rainbow Badge, a badge shaped like a flower.

Early the next morning, after finishing breakfast, Ash and his friends arrived at the Celadon Gym. Its architecture resembled a Gloom-shaped flower, giving it a distinctive look.

Aside from being a place for Pokémon battles, the gym was also open to the public. Erika, the Gym Leader, ran a botanical garden and a perfume shop within the gym. She personally crafted high-quality perfumes, which were in high demand throughout Kanto.

Who is Erika?

Erika was born and raised in Celadon City. Despite her low profile, she was widely respected. Not only was she a strong Pokémon Trainer, but she also had three additional professions:

1. Flower Arranger – Her floral designs were highly sought after by collectors and romantics alike.

2. Perfume Shop Owner – The fragrances she created were so rare that they often sold out instantly.

3. Teacher – She taught botany at a local academy, sharing her deep knowledge of plants with eager students.

Even though Erika was only sixteen, she had already proven herself by defeating all challengers in the Celadon Gym's succession challenge, earning the right to become its leader.

Her many talents and beauty made her incredibly popular, with countless admirers hoping to win her favor.

Misty couldn't help but admire Erika. "She's already so accomplished, while I'm still just trying to get stronger… She's amazing."

Brock nodded. "She's proof that you can succeed in multiple fields if you work hard enough."

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The Celadon Gym's Popularity

The Celadon Gym was famous, not just as a battle facility but also as a tourist attraction. While the number of Pokémon challengers was normal, the number of visitors coming for Erika's botanical garden and perfume shop was overwhelming.

As Ash stood in the challenger's line, he glanced at the massive queue of tourists, which stretched over a hundred people long.

"Good thing I'm here for a Gym battle and not to buy perfume," Ash muttered in relief.

Since Brock and Misty were accompanying him as supporters, they didn't have to stand in the tourist line. However, they were only allowed to enter the battle hall, not the botanical garden, which Misty found a little disappointing.

After registering for his battle, Ash waited in the challenger's waiting area. One by one, trainers were called into the battle hall. It wasn't until 10:10 AM that Ash's name was finally announced.

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Inside the Battle Hall

When Ash stepped into the battle hall, he was met with a breathtaking sight.

The gym's battlefield, measuring 100 meters long and 50 meters wide, was completely covered in lush greenery. Tall trees, thick grass, and vibrant flowers filled the space, making it look less like a battle arena and more like a natural forest.

"This place… it feels like an actual wild Pokémon habitat," Ash murmured in awe.

Pikachu twitched its ears, sniffing the fresh scent of flowers in the air.

Brock adjusted his glasses. "This environment definitely favors Grass-type Pokémon. Erika must be very skilled at using the terrain to her advantage."

Misty nodded. "Yeah, battling here won't be easy. Ash will have to think carefully about his strategy."

Taking a deep breath, Ash stepped forward. He was ready to challenge Erika and claim the Rainbow Badge.

To Be Continued…