The next morning.
Ash sat in a fast-food restaurant, eating breakfast. He played with a small perfume bottle in his fingers. He had gotten this perfume from Black. It was a special item from the flower shop. Ash planned to give it back to its real owner soon. But for now, he wanted to enjoy having it. Earlier, he had sent Kaite and Summer back to the Celadon Gym to keep working on the perfume. Ash had just picked a fast-food place for a quick meal. After eating, he meant to challenge the Celadon Gym and battle its leader, Erika. As his last target in the city, Erika needed some preparation. But really... Ash just did not want to return the perfume yet.
He looked sadly at the perfume in his hand. He knew it had a special power: it could make any type of Pokémon like you a little more, making them easier to catch.
Ash finished the last of his food. He stood up, put the perfume back in his backpack and walked out. He headed for the Celadon Gym.
The Gym had been open for a while, but not many challengers were there. Next door, the Celadon Perfume Shop was much busier. From a distance, Ash saw Lila and Nora working hard. He smiled to himself and then walked into the Gym.
Inside, a few Trainers were having battles. Orla and Celine were among them. Erika stood in the middle of the gym, watching the matches.
"Excuse me. I am here to challenge the Gym," Ash announced as he walked into the main hall. The training Trainers all turned to look at him. When Orla and Celine saw it was Ash, their faces turned bright red. Ash did not look at them. He kept his eyes on Erika in the center of the room.
Erika also looked at Ash. "You wish to challenge the Gym?" she asked in her calm voice.
"Yes," Ash replied.
"Very well. The format will be three versus three. Please present your Pokémon." As she spoke, Erika took out a Poké Ball.
"Hold on a moment," Ash called out.
"What is it?" Erika paused to ask.
"Erika, this is for you." Ash dug through his backpack and pulled out the perfume. He walked over to Erika and handed it to her.
"Ah! This... this is..." Erika gasped as she took the perfume. She thought it was gone forever or worse, taken by Team Rocket for bad purposes. But here it was, back in her hands. Orla and Celine saw it too and looked just as shocked.
"How... how did you get it back?" After smelling the perfume to make sure it was real, Erika asked gratefully.
"I... snatched it from that woman," Ash replied, scratching his head.
"You did? You actually beat those Team Rocket members?" Erika said, amazed. She remembered the dark-haired girl in the Rocket uniform. That girl was as strong as she was and she had two helpers. Without her own team, Erika would have had no chance against them. But this boy had beaten them?
"Er... well, it was not just me. Actually, some other guy beat that Rocket Team. I just grabbed the perfume before they could react." Ash scratched his nose, looking a little embarrassed.
"Oh... I see," Erika said. She felt a little disappointed. For a moment, she thought this boy had really done it himself. Still, getting the perfume back was a big help to the Celadon Gym. It was much better than letting Team Rocket have it.
"Right then. Shall we carry on?" Ash asked with a grin.
"No need," Erika shook her head.
"Eh? Why?" Ash was confused.
"You have done a great favour for the Celadon Gym. There is no need for a battle. This badge is yours." With that, Erika took out a badge from her pocket and gave it to Ash.
Ash took the badge. It still had a little of her scent on it. He was surprised. So the perfume worked so well he did not even have to fight.
"If you do not mind, may I invite you to dinner? To thank you for returning the perfume. We can go to any restaurant in the city," Erika offered with a smile.
"Hmm... alright. But just you and I would prefer it in the evening," Ash said after thinking for a moment.
"No problem," Erika nodded.
'Excellent,' Ash thought to himself with an inner chuckle.
They talked a little more. Ash would pick the place and the time, set for after 8 pm. He would come to get her. Then he left to get ready for the night's fun. Ash was already looking forward to seeing Erika under him tonight.
First, Ash went to find a hotel. He looked for quite some time. Finally, he stopped in front of a three-floor building. A large sign above the door said 'Rose Night Hotel'. Ash smiled, pleased and walked inside.
"Good evening. Do you have a reservation?" the man at the front desk asked politely when he saw him.
"I want to reserve this entire building," Ash said. He took out a thick stack of cash from his bag and put it on the counter.
The receptionist stared at the pile of money. It was a lot, at least several hundred thousand Pokédollars. "Please hold on a moment. I will call the manager." He picked up the phone and dialed. The manager came quickly.
"Good evening. Are you the one who wishes to reserve the entire hotel?" The manager walked over and looked at Ash with respect.