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  With my first genuine defeat having been brought against me at the hands of the Hoenn Elite Four dragon master Drake, I took every lesson he had told me to heart; not letting my knowledge of Pokémon become a reason to put myself above others, finding something to invest my time in that I can apply to my battling.   I knew I had to pursue these pieces of advice to advance myself as a trainer, but I couldn’t get myself any farther than resolution with the second. Was there a limit as to what I could do? What elements could I apply? Questions of this sort once again laid siege to my mind until the bus I was in puffed to a stop.

            Lucario, who had been sitting with me during the ride from the ferry that had carried my team, the students from Celadon University, and I from Hoenn gave me a shake on my shoulder to rouse my from the drowsy state I was staying in for the ride. Coming to my senses, I looked down to see Poochyena twitching his eyes as he was waking himself up from the nap he was taking in my arms. Charmeleon, Rosalie and Mara were all waking up in their own manner and preparing to exit the bus once everyone else had cleared off.

            When at last, we had gathered our things together and had gotten off the bus, I made a point of vacating the university campus and neglecting to see my brother off or to let him see me off. The early part of this morning was occupied in getting everyone settled back in at the Pokémon Center where we would all be spending the night.

            “Hey Ted,” Rosalie asked as we began settling in. “How come you didn’t say good bye to your brother back at the university?”

            “I honestly have no love for my brother. If there is anything you should know about my relationship with my brother, it is that my very existence seems to antagonize him.” I responded.

            “Do all human brothers and sisters fight with each other like you do?” She asked.

            “He’s the only one I have, and I wish I didn’t have him… at all.” I stated.

            It was at this time that Lucario, who had just finished settling onto one of the beds spoke up with the intention of diverting conversation elsewhere. “Right then. Ted, I saw a couple flyers for the gym around here that is also holding several gardening seminars. Is that anything you want to do before we try challenging that place?” He asked.

            “I could use some time in gym battles.” Charmeleon said with an eager nod.

            “Well… I suppose it would be interesting to see how humans go about gardening.” Rosalie said with a bit of a nod.

            With that, we departed the hotel room we were staying in and made our way across town. Poochyena was now well enough that he was insisting that he be allowed to walk beside me. Every step I took, he would take with me. As we walked along, I noticed Rosalie looking around with a face that held both approving and resentful elements. The generally clean air of Celadon was something she didn’t see when she was in Castelia, but the forest of skyscrapers that lined the streets of Celadon continued to peeve her to no end.

    At long last, I arrived at the entrance to Celadon’s gym. It was a building that was designed to look like the petals on a Vileplume. Where the body would stand was a series of glass walls that allowed light inside. “Hmm, interesting design but I find it rather repulsive that humans design buildings to make petty imitations like this.” Rosalie observed.

    “Well if you get the chance, you can tell that to the architect.” Charmeleon said before walking toward the door. The rest of the group followed behind with Rosalie rolling her eyes at Charmeleon’s remark. We climbed up the steps toward the doors, which opened automatically for us. Inside several girls stood as if trying to bar my way and the way of my team. Mara and Rosalie were by my side, allowing Poochyena to hide from view.

    “Where do you think you’re going with that?” one of the girls spat as she pointed toward Charmeleon.

    “I’m coming here with him to challenge this gym.” I said, displaying a bated distaste for how this girl was talking about my Pokémon.

    “We don’t allow fire types in this gym.” She stated with an air of almost snobbish surliness.

    “Who are you to make the rules in an official gym-“ I started, but I was cut off as one of the girls strode forward while waving her hand and signaling me to shut my mouth.

    “We run this gym mister. Fire Pokémon stink, and you mister-“ the girl said as she raised what looked like a red ink pad. She made a move as if to try and smash it into my face, but she was stopped in the next instant when a flash of blue and cream colored fur swirled between the girl and I. The ink pad was knocked from her hand and across the floor. The girl herself clutched her gut as if she had been struck in the stomach. Lucario now stood between us with his paws poised to unleash similar attacks, a low growl rumbling from him.

    “Lucario!! Stand down!!” I called out, putting my hand out to pull him back.

    “Whats going on in here?” a voice called out just as people were beginning to go into a frenzy over the scene that had just unfolded. The voice seemed to radiate a certain air of command, which caused everyone to turn their attention to one of the large doorways where another woman stood. She looked to be in her mid 20s, yet her stature seemed to say that she was a well-seasoned trainer.

    “Mary, this trainer-“ started the girl who was clutching her gut but she was waved off by the new trainer who must have been Mary.

    “I saw what that Lucario did to you Hannah.  Part of me feels like you deserved it.” Mary stated in a rather annoyed tone of voice before looking over to me. “What are you doing here?” Mary stated in a less perturbed voice.

    “I…” I started before swallowing and proceeding. “I came here to see the gardening seminar and ch-challenge this gym.”

    Mary looked my over for a moment with a quizzical, almost judging look before smiling. “Why of course. Everyone is welcome to attend, your Charmeleon included." Mary stated, giving emphasis to the last little bit as she surveyed the rest of the group. "Come right this way and we’ll get you and the rest of your team settled in.” She said, motioning for me to follow. I didn’t need to look around as I could almost feel the shame, and general regret from the other trainers that had attempted to bar my entry to the gym radiating them. The few that over took me as I followed Mary into the gym always hung their heads in such a way that I could not see their faces.

    When I had been led to the end of the hallway I was escorted through, I found myself in a sort of greenhouse of sorts that had a wide variety of both native and non-native plants to the Kanto region blooming in optimal condition. Grass, forest, and praire adapted Pokémon were all running about between the exhibits and playing with each other. I could feel Poochyena pressing up against my leg nervously, trying not to mingle too closely with the other Pokémon.

    Mary led me on until she came to another girl that was seated with a Gloom. I knew plenty about the kind of smell that Gloom made normal and I tried holding my breath to avoid taking in the smell. This attempt at defending my nose was short lived, yet the smell that was known to cause dizziness never hit my nostrils.

    “Erika, this trainer has come to challenge the gym and attend the gardening seminar.” She stated before quickly bowing herself away to go around and help other guides on the seminar.

    “Ah, welcome. Take a seat. Who might you be?” Erika asked.

    “Ted is my name.” I said, extending a hand to shake.

    Erika took my hand in hers and gave it a shake before letting go and motioning me to sit down.

    “I’m glad you’re letting your Pokémon out to play. Not many trainers remember to do that when they come around here. Did you have any trouble at the front door?” She asked.

    “Yeah. A couple girls out there tried to turn me away because of Charmeleon, but Mary thankfully helped out with that.” I stated, rubbing the back of my head, glad I could avoid talking about Lucario’s involvement in the matter.

    “They can be a little hotheaded like that when it comes to dealing with fire types, but they’re trying to make sure that people don’t bring fire types in just to cause trouble as has happened many times in the past.” Erika said with an understanding nod.

    Poochyena poked his head out nervously from behind me and peeked up at Erika, only for her to catch him doing just that. “Awww, who’s that Pokémon?” She asked, finding Poochyena to be rather cute in his current state.

    “This is Poochyena, I met him while I was traveling in Hoenn a couple days ago.” I stated.

    Erika took a Rawst berry off of one of the bushes right behind her and held it out low for Poochyena to come grab. At first Poochyena made no move to come for the berry. Eventually, his curiosity began winning over and he began slowly coming out from behind me. After a while, he began sniffing the berry, this changed to nibbling, until at last Poochyena took the berry in his mouth and ate it. Ever so gently, Erika reached a hand out to Poochyena. His initial reaction was to cower at the advance, but he eventually pressed his head into the palm of her hand. Erika began gently rubbing Poochyena’s head in the manner that anyone would who was trying to pet him.

    “He’s such a cutie.” Erika mused while petting.

    I nodded in agreement with Erika’s statement before speaking. “Hey Erika, I have a question. I’ve read that Gloom’s aroma smells absolutely horrible, but I can actually stand to be around your gloom. Why is that?” I asked.

    “Great question Ted. Gloom doesn’t smell right now because she feels safe. That aroma is a defense mechanism that Gloom uses when she feels threatened. Just be nice to her, and show her that you want to be her friend and she’ll smell just fine.” Erika answered.

    “Interesting.” I said, nodding at what she was saying.

    “So, are you ready to learn what we have to offer?” Erika asked, standing up while giving Poochyena a pat on the head.

    “Sure” I said, standing up beside her.

    Erika proceeded to lead me around to several different plantations of various plants, showing various things to look for when caring for them. Once again, I saw Rosalie looking over all the various techniques and tricks human’s used. Her once distasteful look had melted away as she studied the various dos and don'ts of gardening. On several occasions, Rosalie could be heard muttering words of approval under her breath. At long last, I was brought through the last exhibit. While I didn’t think I’d be interested in gardening and botany in the way that many people at the gym were, I felt it was interesting to learn about some of the things that Erika had to tell about.

    “Ladies, if I may have your attention please.” Boomed Mary’s voice over a sort of sound system that rang throughout the greenhouse area.   “I’d like to thank you all for your presence at the seminar and providing the support needed to facilitate it. We will now be moving over to the battle field as a challenger is in the gym.”

    “That’s my signal. You should head on over Ted. They’ll be expecting you, and good luck.” Erika said before heading off.

    Crowds of people began funneling themselves through the rows that ran between the plantations. I, followed by the rest of my team, began making my way through the rows with the hope of finding the battle field. Rosalie made her way up beside me.

    “Ted. I still don’t understand why you insist on being a part of these… battles.” She said, keeping pace with me.

    I thought for a moment, since the truth was I had never really thought of why. “Well, if you want to know Rosalie. You’re welcome to take part in a battle and find out for yourself. You don’t have to, but if you wish to know, this is the only way you would actually understand.”

    Rosalie’s brow furrowed at this response and soon devolved into deep thought. I kept my eye on her until we had arrived at a clearing. In the middle, the chalk lines of a battle field had been set. Mary was standing in one of the boxes while Erika was taking her position in the referee’s box. Bleachers were set up on either side of the field where spectators were assembling. Taking my unspoken queue, I took my spot on the opposite side of the field in what looked like a trainer’s box. My five team members gathered around behind me, waiting for me to call them forward.

    “Thank you for your patience everyone. The gym match between Gym Leader Mary and the Challenger Ted will now begin. Both trainers will use 3 Pokémon. Only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions. The match will end when all 3 of one trainer’s Pokémon are unable to continue. Trainers, release your Pokémon.” Erika called out from her box.

    Mary procured a Poké ball from her pocket and tossed it out. It opened and sent forth a shimmering light that took the shape of a Victreebel. I gave Charmeleon a nod and he stepped on to the battle field.

    Erika poised her hands in the air in a ready sign that the referee took, she then dropped her arms downward in a crossing motion. “Begin!!”

    “Victreebel, use Stun Spore!!” Mary called, pointing toward Charmeleon.

    Victreebel immediately sprang into the air and lifted the leaf from it’s mouth to let out a billowing cloud of orange spores.

    “Counter it with Flamethrower Charmeleon.” I called.

    Charmeleon opened his mouth and a jet of flame engulfed both the cloud of spores and Victreebel. Victreebel was stopped in it’s tracks and dropped to the ground with singe marks all over it’s body. Despite sustaining a direct hit and from an attack that was strong against it, Victreebel still got up.

    “Good job Victreebel, now use vine whip and close the gap.” Mary called. It was as if Mary knew exactly what was going to happen. She knew I would use a strong type. She knew I’d meet her attack head on, and she knew her Pokémon could take it. I had to find a way to throw her off rhythm in a hurry or she was going to pull out an upset.

    “Charmeleon, counter that Vine Whip with metal claw.” I called out.

    Charmeleon’s claw glowed silvery and it slashed forward to meet Victreebel’s vine.

    “I thought you might try that Ted.” Mary said with a grin.

    Victreebel’s vine wrapped around Charmeleon’s arm to begin pulling him close.

    “Charmeleon, use flamethrower!!” I called.

    Another jet of flames engulfed Victreebel and the vine that held Charmeleon lost it’s grip. When Charmeleon finally stopped his onslaught, Victreebel was curling up on the ground, now unable to move.

    “Victreebel is unable to battle! Charmeleon is the winner.” Erika called, pointing toward my side of the field.

    Mary took her Poké ball in hand and recalled Victreebel to it. “You did well Victreebel. Take a good long rest.” She said, looking the ball over before collapsing it’s size and putting it away. “Ted, I must say I’m a little disappointed. You had a type advantage and would’ve taken that first engagement by storm if you had stuck with your original strategy. I can see that you trust in your Pokémon’s ability, but with that kind of indecision, can they trust you?”

    She was trying to get a rise out of me; make me question and doubt myself in battle. I wasn’t going to let it happen. I trusted my Pokémon and Charmeleon didn’t doubt me either. This was confirmed by a nod he gave back to me. I returned the nod and waited for Mary to send her next Pokémon out.

    Mary produced another ball and tossed it forward. The ball opened up and the light that came forth took the shape of a Tangela. Once again, Erika signaled to everyone that the battle could begin. I took a moment to survey Tangela. Its body seemed to be a collection of vines, or tentacles or something of that nature. Since it was a grass type, it could probably use some sort of distance attack like Poison Powder. As much as I didn’t like to admit it, my old strategy seemed to be the best solution, but there was something about Mary that was giving me pause, like she was hiding something.

    “Tangela, use Razor Leaf!” Mary called.

    “Flamethrower Charmeleon.” I called.

    Both Tangela and Charmeleon released their attacks, letting them collide with each other midfield. The flamethrower soon consumed the oncoming razor leaf attack and struck Tangela head on. When the smoke cleared away, Tangela was laying sprawled out on the ground, badly scorched and unable to battle.

    “Tangela is unable to battle! Charmeleon is the winner!” Erika called from her box, pointing again to me.

    Was Mary’s little piece of advice that she gave just to try and unnerve me? Was it a bluff of some sort? Was she only doing it because she was inadequate as a gym leader and unable to over come a type disadvantage?

    “Ted,” came Rosalie’s voice from behind me. “I wanna battle.”

    I turned around to see Rosalie coming up to my side. “Rosalie?” I asked, just to make sure my eyes weren’t lying to me.

    Rosalie just gave me a nod to say that she was ready.

    “Charmeleon, come back.” I called out. Charmeleon was initially a little confused at this, but obeyed the command and came back.

    Rosalie made her way out onto the field. It was obvious she wasn’t quite at home with the idea of battling for sport, but she looked determined to at least give it a try, so I resolved to put her in.

    “An interesting choice Ted, but I believe you may come to regret it very soon.” Mary said as she recalled Tangela withdrew her last Poké ball.

    “Vileplume, I need your assistance!” Mary called as she tossed the ball into the air. The ball opened up to release a Vileplume onto the field. Rosalie now stood out on the field, poising herself for battle the way she knew how to. It was different from how Mara went to battle. Rosalie seemed to be preparing herself as if she was going in for the kill. Her body looked far more tense, and a spark of almost savage disdain for her opponent was twinkling in her eye.

    Once again, Erika made the commencement motion and shouted for the battle to begin. Rosalie immediately sprang toward Vileplume, her tail glowing bright green.

    “Vileplume, use Razor Leaf.” Mary called out.

    Vileplume directed the opening in her petals toward Rosalie and let out a torrent of razor sharp green leaves. Rosalie was stopped dead in her advance, and knocked out of the air by her attack.

    “Your Serperior doesn’t trust you it seems.” Mary said, once again digging at me.

    “Are you alright Rosalie?” I called out.

    Rosalie only looked back and spat contemptuously before facing Vileplume. “I’m going to do this my way Ted. Its fighting.” She said.

    Once again, Rosalie made a mad dash toward Vileplume. This time, she made her attack connect. It was a leaf blade attack that struck on Vileplume’s fore-petal, causing her to stagger a little. This however was the worst effect that the attack had and Vileplume recovered easily.

    “Use Stun Spore Vileplume.” Mary called out.

    Rosalie was in deep and had let her guard down to one of the easiest tricks a grass type could use to turn the tide of a battle. I cursed myself for having let her into the battle as I watched Vileplume send out a shower of yellowish orange pollen spores that covered Rosalie. Some of the spores got into her eyes, causing her to press her eyes shut from the stinging sensation that now assailed them.

    “Rosalie, listen to me. We can still win this, but I need you to trust me.” I called out.

    “It’s a little late for that, don’t you think?” Mary called out.

    I resisted the temptation to fire back at her and instead focused myself on Rosalie.

    “Rosalie, use that leaf blade attack, and aim lower.” I called out.

    Rosalie hesitated for a moment and made another dash.

    “Dodge it Vileplume and use Petal Dance.” Mary called out.

    Rosalie’s attack only succeeded in grazing Vileplume’s side as the dodge happened. When Vileplume came to a halt, she began spinning herself around. The pace of the spinning increased until it seemed that her entire body was a spinning top of some sort. Pink flower petals began firing up from her petals and speeding toward Rosalie.

    “Rosalie dodge to your left.” I called.

    Rosalie sprang aside with just enough time to miss the oncoming attack.

    “Dodge forward.” I called again as the attack began changing trajectory to follow her.

    I continued calling Rosalie’s moves out in this manner, never letting Rosalie get too close to the attack. At length, Vileplume stopped her attack. She began stumbling around, obviously tired from the attack and her mind now was swimming with disorientation. Perfect. She’s confused.

    Rosalie extended two vines and proceeded to use them to wipe her eyes out a bit with them.

    “You’ve got a shot Rosalie! Use Leaf Blade!” I called out.

    Rosalie immediately struck out for Vileplume like she could see. Her body seemed to be unaffected by the Stun Spore attack. I even noticed that Rosalie’s body remained relatively mobile during her dodging phase.

    “Vileplume, look out!” Mary called out, but it was too late.

    Rosalie’s attack connected right between Vileplume’s eyes and it sent her hurling back, only to come to a crashing halt right at Mary’s feet.

    “Vileplume is unable to battle. Serperior is victorious. The match goes to the Challenger Ted.” Erika called out.

    Rosalie surveyed Vileplume with a slight bit of confusion before turning around to come back to me.

    “Nice job Rosalie.” I said, with an approving nod.

    Rosalie looked at me for a moment, displaying the face she put on when she was weigh what she had been brought up to believe versus what she had just witnessed. “Thank you. I don’t believe I fully understand battling the way you do, but I think I might try myself at it again later on.” Rosalie responded.

    “Ted,” Mary said as she crossed the battle field after returning Vileplume to her Poké ball. “You’re an excellent trainer and I believe you will go far with your career. The trust you have between you and your Pokémon is truly 1st rate and it showed for the most part. It’s a shame that the battle turned out the way it did for me, but a win is a win.” Mary stated before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a rainbow colored badge and presenting it to me. “Any trainer who is victorious at this gym is to be given the Rainbow Badge. You’ve more than earned it today Ted.”

    “Thank you Mary. Today was a much-needed day for me in getting my Pokémon to trust me.” I responded, taking the badge and placing it in my badge case. “Four down and Four to go.” I thought to myself.

    “Oh, and Ted.” Erika said just as I was about to turn and leave. “If you and your friends would like to, I’d be more than happy to give them more tutoring on gardening. I might even teach your Serperior what I know of Aromatherapy.” She said.

    “Thanks Erika. If my Pokémon show interest in returning, I might help them take that opportunity.” I responded.

    After a few well wishes were exchanged. My team and I took our leave of the gym and began making our way back to the Pokémon center. Evening was beginning to set in, causing the streetlights to start turning on.

    “Hey Rosalie.” I asked as we walked along the streets. “When you got hit by that Stun Spore attack, you didn’t appear to be affected by it at all. Why is that?”

    “Oh, that’s one of the oldest tricks from where I grew up. With the right training, Grass type Pokémon can render themselves perfectly immune to powder based attacks like that.” She responded.

    “So, you didn’t need me to help you during that thing with the Petal Dance?” I asked, a little surprised at this.

    “I’ll admit that your direction, while annoying certainly helped when the powder got in my eyes.” She responded. “I’ll trust you more in battle, but only if you do me the favor of letting me use my own pace in battle. Alright?”

    “Understood.” I said.

    By that time, we arrived back at the Pokémon Center and retired to our room. Little in the way of important conversation passed between myself or any of the other members of the group. Rosalie stayed up a bit, watching the night sky outside. Many things were on her mind, and I wouldn’t know half of them until several years later.