Chapter 22 – Petals and Pressure: Erika's Trial
Celadon City smelled like flowers and soap.
As Kai and Misty stepped into the central plaza, a soft breeze swept past, carrying petals from every direction. Stalls lined the wide cobblestone streets—selling teas, perfumes, incense, and enough decorative plants to fill a forest. Even Blaze looked overwhelmed, sneezing every few seconds as pollen tickled his nose.
"Bless you," Kai offered, rubbing his Charmeleon's snout.
"Blame the plants," Misty grumbled. "This whole city smells like my grandma's bathroom."
Psyduck waddled beside her, already chewing on a flower garland someone had tossed over his head like a crown. Frogadier walked silently behind, stoic as ever. Gardevoir floated a step to Kai's left, keeping a protective watch over Riolu, who was quietly observing everything from atop Kai's shoulder.
They reached the entrance to the Celadon Gym—a massive greenhouse-like building with ivy crawling up its glass walls and cherry blossoms blooming on the roof.
"Smells nice," Kai murmured.
Misty groaned. "I swear, if I see a single Caterpie in there, I'm leaving."
Kai grinned. "Deal."
He pushed open the heavy glass doors.
---
Inside, the Gym was humid, lush, and beautiful. A forest stretched beneath the ceiling—a controlled biome filled with winding paths, soft moss, and sunlight filtered through stained glass panels.
Kai looked around in awe. "This place is... alive."
Then came the voice.
"You're not from around here, are you?"
Kai turned.
A girl stood on a curved wooden bridge above the garden path. She wore a long green kimono patterned with lilies, her dark hair tied back with a jade clip. Her expression was calm, almost dreamy, but her gaze was sharp.
"I'm Erika," she said gently. "Celadon City Gym Leader."
Kai gave a respectful nod. "I'm Kai. I'm here for a badge."
"And I'm the emotionally exhausted travel partner," Misty added, waving half-heartedly.
Erika descended the stairs gracefully. "You smell faintly of battle. Saffron?"
Kai nodded. "Two days ago."
"Then I hope you've had time to breathe. My Gym is not about rushing."
"Don't worry," Misty said. "He's been breathing all night. I had to drag him out of bed."
Erika smiled lightly. "Then we shall see if your aura is ready."
Kai blinked. "My... aura?"
Erika's eyes sparkled. "You carry something special. I won't ask what. But I can feel it."
Kai looked at Gardevoir, who simply gave a calm nod.
"Let's begin," Erika said.
---
The Gym's battlefield was a raised platform surrounded by vines and flowering hedges. A stream flowed gently around the edges, adding to the serene feel.
Erika stood on one side, her kimono sleeves fluttering like leaves.
"Two Pokémon each," she announced.
Kai stepped forward. "Let's do this. Blaze, you're up!"
Charmeleon roared, tail blazing.
Erika responded with a Poké Ball tossed in a gentle arc. "Victreebel."
The yellow, bell-shaped Pokémon landed with a shriek, vines lashing around it.
Kai pointed. "Flamethrower, go!"
Blaze exhaled a massive stream of fire. It roared across the field—but Victreebel ducked behind a curved vine barrier, absorbing the blast with only minor burns.
"Acid," Erika said softly.
Victreebel spat a stream of sizzling liquid. Blaze jumped back, but the ground hissed where the acid struck.
"Keep your distance," Kai called. "Use Ember to wear it down!"
Blaze flicked a series of small fireballs, forcing Victreebel to retreat into the undergrowth.
"Sleep Powder," Erika whispered.
From behind a bush, a soft green mist floated toward Blaze.
Kai narrowed his eyes. "Spin through it!"
Blaze somersaulted forward, creating a fiery wheel that cut through the mist and crashed into Victreebel head-on.
The plant screeched and toppled, smoke rising from its singed leaves.
"Victreebel is unable to battle," Erika said.
"Nice one!" Misty called. "He's really on fire today—literally."
Kai gave a breathless grin. "Alright... next?"
Erika nodded. "Then meet my heart."
She sent out a new Pokémon—a graceful, pink-green Bellossom who twirled on her feet like a dancer.
Kai swapped Blaze back. "Gardevoir, you're up."
The elegant Psychic-type floated onto the field, her eyes locked on Bellossom.
Erika gave a soft nod. "Let the rhythm begin."
Bellossom moved gracefully—pirouetting as petals flew from her leaves.
"Magical Leaf."
The petals glowed and swirled toward Gardevoir like razor-sharp blades.
Kai's eyes sharpened. "Barrier!"
A shimmering wall rose just in time, the leaves slicing against it harmlessly.
"Psychic!"
Gardevoir's eyes glowed blue. She raised her hand, and Bellossom was lifted into the air.
"Counterspin, Sunny Day!" Erika called.
Bellossom twisted mid-air, releasing a pulse of warmth that brightened the room. The sunlight intensified instantly, the flowers around the Gym perking up.
Kai flinched. "Great. She's powering up her team."
"Solar Beam," Erika whispered.
Bellossom gathered light rapidly—too rapidly, thanks to Sunny Day—and unleashed a blinding beam of golden energy.
Kai shouted, "Teleport, now!"
Gardevoir vanished just as the beam struck the spot she had been floating in.
Then she reappeared behind Bellossom.
Kai clenched his fist. "Hypnosis!"
Her eyes flashed pink.
Bellossom turned—
And dropped, snoring softly, into the flowers.
"Finish it with Psychic."
Gardevoir gently raised her again, then set her down out of bounds.
"Bellossom is unable to battle," Erika said, still calm. "You win."
---
After the battle, Erika approached with a calm smile. "You're stronger than your aura lets on."
Kai bowed slightly. "Thanks."
She handed him the Rainbow Badge, shaped like a blooming flower. "You'll go far, Kai. But beware—there are things in bloom that carry poison."
He blinked. "That's... cryptic."
She smiled. "Just a warning. The Rocket roots run deeper than most know."
That caught Misty's attention. "Wait. You mean—"
But Erika was already walking away, her kimono fluttering like falling petals.
---
That evening, the group sat beneath a weeping cherry tree just outside Celadon. Blaze roasted berries, Riolu slept curled under Gardevoir's arm, and Psyduck tried to climb Frogadier like a jungle gym.
Kai traced the outline of his new badge.
"Four badges now," Misty said. "Not bad."
Kai nodded. "Still a long way to go."
"You ever get scared?"
He blinked. "What?"
Misty looked up at the stars. "This whole thing. Being a trainer. Battling weirdos. People like Sabrina. Now this Erika hinting about Rocket... I mean, are we safe?"
Kai looked around at his team — their warmth, their bond, their trust.
"No," he admitted. "But I think we're ready for what's next."
Then, a voice interrupted from the shadows:
"Did someone say 'Rocket'?"
Kai and Misty jumped to their feet.
A familiar figure stepped out — tall, serious, with spiky hair and a no-nonsense expression.
"Ash?" Kai blinked.
Kai thinks what Ash Ketchum the one we all miss him.
> Chapter End.