Chapter 95. Fighting Spirit Gym
The Celadon City cold case had come to an end.
Everyone was about to leave when Officer Jenny came looking for them again.
A blue-and-white motorcycle skidded to a stop across their path.
"Arf-woof~"
A Growlithe leapt down, paws muddy, as if it had run a very long way with its handler.
"Is something else the matter, Officer Jenny?"
Ash Ketchum looked curiously at the hurried officer.
"If there's a reward to issue, you can transfer it to my account."
"I'm their legal guardian."
Natsume said this while handing over his Rotom Phone.
Officer Jenny fell silent.
She paused for a moment, then finally stated why she had come.
"Here's the situation."
"Team Rocket used Drowzee to cast Hypnosis on those children."
"Drowzee?"
Ash took out his Pokédex.
"Drowzee, the Hypnosis Pokémon."
"If you sleep next to it, it may sometimes make you dream of the dreams it has eaten before."
"Officer Jenny, did those Drowzee escape?"
Natsume guessed.
"Yes."
"Last night the mechanical Dragonite underground malfunctioned and blew itself up, destroying a lot of equipment."
"The Drowzee that Team Rocket kept penned up also escaped, and there's still one we haven't found."
"If just one got away, isn't that no big deal?"
Misty asked, puzzled.
"It's not the same."
Officer Jenny shook her head and explained.
"Those Drowzee were specially trained by Team Rocket to use Hypnosis on any child they see."
"With a Drowzee roaming the city, I'm afraid something could happen."
"You two were also on-site then, so I wanted to ask you."
"I was in the ecological zone the whole time, busy filming Mist—ow!"
Ash hadn't even finished before his ear was yanked.
"I'm asking if you deleted them or not—did you delete them or not!"
Misty roared.
"I deleted them."
"I really did!"
Ash yelped.
Seeing this, Officer Jenny turned her gaze to Natsume.
"About that…"
Natsume thought for a moment.
When he teleported out yesterday, there was a forest above the underground facility.
If Officer Jenny's people hadn't found it in Celadon City, that Drowzee had likely run into the wild.
Natsume told Officer Jenny his thoughts.
"I see."
"I'll issue a notice to inform passing Trainers."
"Thank you, Mr. Natsume."
Officer Jenny saluted Natsume.
The motorcycle's roar rose, and Officer Jenny's figure gradually disappeared.
"All right, let's keep moving and look for the next Gym!"
"The closest Gym to here is…the Fighting Spirit Gym?"
Meanwhile, outside a forest somewhere in Celadon City—
"Wah-hoh-hoh! Wah-hoh-hoh!"
A Primeape bounced circles around a Drowzee.
"Mmm?"
Drowzee peered at it, puzzled.
"Wah-hoh-hoh, wah-hoh-hoh!"
Can you use Confusion?
Primeape handed Drowzee a Berry.
A pale blue glow shimmered over the Berry, and it floated into Drowzee's mouth.
"Wah-hoh-hoh!"
I want you to be my partner!
Primeape was over the moon.
"Mmm?"
Why?
Drowzee didn't understand.
Very unexpectedly, Natsume and the group found the so-called Fighting Spirit Gym in less than half a day of walking.
By the roadside stood a small compound.
They stepped into the yard, and above the gate hung a plaque scarred with countless scratches.
"Fighting Spirit Gym?"
"What a dump."
Brock's gaze kept flicking between his map and the Gym, back and forth.
Had he caught Natsume's habit and led them astray by mistake?
"Who cares—don't judge a book by its cover."
"Maybe the Gym Leader is really strong!"
Ash rolled up his sleeves and was about to stride in.
"You hold it right there!"
Misty grabbed him, finally losing her patience.
"How many times has this happened, and you still don't learn?"
"This totally looks like something Jessie and Meowth slapped together in a hurry, doesn't it?"
Misty grumbled.
"Yeah, Ash, you need to show some growth."
Brock nodded in agreement.
"But I can see someone inside—a pretty big sister."
Ash pointed at the window.
"Hello, miss."
"We're here to challenge the Gym."
Brock hurried to the front door and started knocking.
"Creak~"
The old wooden door swung open.
A girl peeked out, a workout headband slightly damp, her knuckles white around a jump rope.
"Sorry, but the Fighting Spirit Gym closed a long time ago."
Her soft voice sounded shy, and she seemed a bit socially anxious.
"Oh, then let's go, Brock."
Ash turned to leave.
"Wait a second, Ash!"
Brock stopped him.
"What are you doing?"
Ash looked back to see Brock's face flushed bright red.
"Miss, may I ask why your Fighting Spirit Gym is closed?"
Brock scrambled for a topic.
"Uh…well…"
The girl hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.
"The Gym Leader here went into the mountains to train for the P1 Grand Prix and hasn't come home for a whole year."
As she spoke, her voice carried a trace of sadness.
"She's right."
Honora's voice came from behind.
"I looked it up."
"The League revoked this Gym's qualification six months ago."
"The P1 Grand Prix?"
"What's that!"
Ash's interest flared again.
"Um…please, come in."
The girl glanced at the people behind Ash, hesitated, then opened the Gym's main door.
They were led to the backyard, passing quite a few exercise machines inside the Gym.
It was just that most of the equipment had a layer of dust on it.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Fighting Spirit Gym specialized in Fighting-type Pokémon, right?"
Misty said.
"Yes."
"Please rest here for a bit."
"I'll bring some snacks."
Before long, the table before them was piled with small pastries, and each person had a cup of hot tea set before them.
"There isn't much prepared."
"I hope you don't mind."
The girl bowed slightly to everyone.
"Hahaha, you're too polite."
"By the way, how should we address you?"
Misty smiled.
"My name is Rebecca, and I'm the Gym Leader's daughter."
"Pika—chu—"
A stifled sound came from the table.
They turned and saw center-parted sitting before the pastry plate, clutching its throat, face flushed red.
"Pikachu."
Pikachu stepped up, deadpan, and began patting center-parted's back.
"Pi—ka—"
Center-parted coughed, and a piece of mochi fell to the floor.
That was close—nearly got one-shot by a piece of mochi.
"Hee-hee-hee."
Rebecca covered her mouth and laughed softly.
Steam curled from the tea, the pastries were sweet, and everyone rested here for quite a while.
"Miss Rebecca, is there something you wanted to ask?"
Honora looked up.
"Yes, Miss Rebecca, you don't look so well."
Brock followed up.
"Here's the thing…and it might be rude."
Rebecca blinked, then spoke again.
"I—I'd like to invite you to enter the P1 Grand Prix and defeat my father!"
Rebecca bowed to everyone, her tone utterly sincere.
"Right, I haven't asked yet—what exactly is the P1 Grand Prix?"
Ash's eyes sparkled with interest.
"The P1 Grand Prix was initiated by Elite Four Bruno and later flourished among civilians as an unofficial event."
Natsume's voice came from afar.
They turned to see a poster had somehow appeared in his hand.
On it were promotional details about the P1 Grand Prix, and in the center, most eye-catching of all, was a massive championship belt.
"Will Elite Four Bruno be there in person?!"
Ash sprang to his feet in a flash, fighting spirit blazing, and even center-parted couldn't hold him back.
Last time, he hadn't managed to battle Mr. Lance, and he still regretted it deeply.
Enjoyed the story? Support me and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at: Patr*eon*.com/Resium
Free members can read 10+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Paid member can read 150+ Chapters Ahead of Release
Stories Available
Honkai? No, This Is Daily Life
Hogwarts Pet Master
Pokémon: Who Let Him Leave Pallet Town!
Scrolling Yu-Gi-Oh! Shorts