Daisy and I strolled out of Saffron City, and were immediately faced with the entrance to Celadon City. From one city to another, we traveled to our destination.

Several buildings lined the colorful city. Apartment buildings rose high into the air, and a massive orange store immediately grabbed my attention. Slate bricks lined the roads, reflecting the light from the sky back into the city. The entire city seemed to shine.

There were numerous colorful plants all along the bounds of the city, and I noticed a fountain in a central part of town where numerous trainers had gathered. There was something quaint about the city, despite its size.

I glanced down the road at the Pokémon Casino. We wouldn't be allowed in there, but I had no interest in checking it out. I wasn't sure where exactly to find the gym though.

"Wow, this place is huge!" Daisy awed, spinning around in place. "I had no idea it was such a beautiful part of Kanto!"

I watched my friend's green eyes light up and couldn't hide my smile. A warm breeze blew through the city and everything felt as though it was at peace. She seemed so happy, and I missed seeing that from her.

She glanced at me. "You alright, Red?" I nodded and signed to her that I was just thinking. Daisy started to chuckle. "You always are. Alright, where should we go first?"I suggested the Department Store, and we went into the large building.

As I stepped inside I was taken aback by how large the store was. There were half a dozen floors to check out, each filled with shelves lined with products. The store was full of shoppers getting various items, and I noticed multiple Pokémon mulling about.

I wanted to check out the TMs, so Daisy and I made our way to the second floor. I looked at some of the options, but nothing really jumped out to me. While I was browsing one of the shelves, I heard two trainers chatting. "I got the TM for Ice Beam from some girl on the roof. Just had to beat her in a weird game."

"Really? They're pretty rare," The other trainer replied. "Dunno why someone would be giving them out."

I got Daisy's attention and pulled her into the elevator. It took us up several floors, and I explained what I had heard to Daisy. "That's definitely... interesting."

The doors opened and we ran up the final staircase, getting onto the roof. There, a girl with short hair was sitting at a table. She was slouched in her seat, playing with some tinted discs. The girl noticed us and sat up. "Welcome! Welcome! Here to play? The winner gets a TM of their choosing!"

"How do we play?" Daisy asked.

A grin crossed the young girl's face. She seemed to be two years younger than us. "Excellent question. It's simple, how it works. You have to keep track of a rock here, while I shuffle it around." She gestured to a small pebble and then placed three cups on the table.

We sat down. This seemed simple enough. There had to be some sort of trick to it, so I began to narrow my eyes. "Why are you running something like this? Do you get something if you win?"

The girl rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about it, it's just for fun!"

Daisy raised an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

"Name's Ally," She replied, getting frustrated. "Let's play!" She slammed the cup over the stone and began to move. Her movements were fast, and it was hard for me to keep track of them. There seemed to be something making her movements blurry. What's going on here? The girl jolted, and then I saw the stone go flying under the middle cup.

She came to a stop, and I pointed at it. "Nice try, but-" Ally lifted the cup and her eyes widened. "What? How?"

Daisy narrowed her eyes. "Why're you so surprised?"

Ally shook her head. "Just take your TM!" I pointed to an Ice Beam TM, and added the white disc to my TM case. "Whatever, I'm out of here. You people are all no fun!" The girl gathered her belongings and shot to her feet. "If you ever end up in Lavender Town... let's play again." The girl then left the roof.

Daisy and I looked at each other, then back at the door. Then, Daisy exclaimed, "What the f-"

We walked out of the Department Store, setting our sights on the Celadon City Gym. We had decided to put the strange encounter behind us and go to take on the gym. We strolled past the Celadon Casino.

"Do you remember hearing about the Team Rocket base that was under the casino?" Daisy asked me. "I think I've heard that they've got a new base in Celadon now."

I nodded. That's right! I remember hearing about that on the news a few years back. I wonder if the rumors are true... where would they even hide though? I wondered as we walked through the city.

We stopped at the entrance to the path, which was blocked by a small tree. "I've got this," Daisy said. The girl pulled the tree out of the way, allowing herself to move around it. I followed suit, and then we let the tree swing back into its normal position.

We went down the grassy path to the Pokémon Gym. The building was surrounded by trees, and I was hit with a floral aroma as we walked inside. The gym's interior was a grassy area, with a few large trees on the sides and some small trees decorating the battlefield.

A few trainers were hanging around on the side, tending to some flowers that were blooming. A woman was having her Pokémon help her with trimming some of the tall trees, hoisting her into the air with their vines. The Pokémon set her down and she turned to look at us.

The woman had black hair, a red headband, brown eyes, and a warm smile. "Hello challengers, welcome to my gym." Her voice was soft and comforting. It was a nice change from my battle against Sabrina.

"Red's here to take you on," Daisy announced. Erika smiled and clasped her hands together. The woman was dressed in a yellow kimono with red accents, and she held up a fan.

"Well, I will gladly accept this challenge." She announced. One of the trainers taking care of the flowers picked up some flags.

The trainer took a deep breath. "This battle will be a two-on-two double battle! Once both Pokémon on either side are unable to battle, the match is over!"

It's a double battle? I have no idea how to battle with two Pokémon at once! I thought, Daisy seemed to sense my distress.

"Red, you can do this. I don't think it'll be that much worse than a regular battle, you just have to make sure your Pokémon can work together." Daisy assured me.

My brain scrambled to think of the best Pokémon I could use. Charmeleon was a guarantee, but Bulbasaur would probably be his best partner. I grabbed the Poké Balls, and Pikachu and Squirtle landed on the field.

I felt my heart drop. "A Water-Type? And an... Electric-Type?" Erika tilted her head. "Is this a mistake? I'm sorry to say, but if you wish to use different Pokémon we'll have to count this as a forfeit. Therefore, you'll need to get two more badges before you can rematch me."

No matter what, I was screwed. I decided that there was no reason not to try. Alright team, let's give it our all! I told my Pokémon. Erika seemed to take that as a sign I was going to continue, and her Pokémon ran in from the back and onto the battlefield.

A Victreebel and a Vileplume. Victreebel flexed the leaves he used for arms and snapped his circular mouth at my Pokémon. The yellow body of the creature towered over Pikachu and Squirtle.

Meanwhile, Vileplume was a Pokémon with a blue body and stubby limbs. A large pink set of petals covered its head, bobbing a bit as the Pokémon moved. I really wished I hadn't complained about Sabrina's battle seeming too easy, as I was now faced with two fully evolved Pokémon.

I glanced at Daisy, who was watching me anxiously. It was time to battle. Pikachu use Mega Punch, Squirtle use Bite! Squirtle smirked and ran forward, while Pikachu ran alongside him. The duo diverted, with Pikachu slamming a fist into Victreebel's gut. Victreebel hissed as the move struck him.

Squirtle charged at Vileplume, ready to bite down. "Sleep Power!" Erika called. Her Pokémon fired out a giant cloud of green spores around her body. Squirtle, stop! I shouted. Squirtle shook his head and charged into the cloud. My Pokémon then fell over and began to sleep.

Dang, it Squirtle! I felt all the hope drain from my body. Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!

Sparks flew from Pikachu's red cheeks and then he sent a powerful bolt into Victreebel. While the attack wasn't very effective, Victreebel seemed to be paralyzed by it.

"Oh my, Vileplume help out Victreebel with Sleep Powder! Victreebel, use Sunny Day!" Erika yelled. Vileplume sent another cloud into the air and it drifted toward Pikachu. Run for it Pikachu! Pikachu turned and dashed away from Victreebel. The large plant launched a fireball into the air.

The ball remained in the air, sending out waves of sunlight and warmth. Victreebel and Vileplume both soaked in the light, enjoying the second sun shining onto them.

Let's try Thunder Wave! Pikachu turned around and sent a wave of electricity into Vileplume. The plant staggered as electricity infested his body. Now both of them were paralyzed, at least.

"Double Giga Drain on Squirtle!" Erika yelled and Vileplume and Victreebel set their eyes on the snoozing turtle. Green tentacles erupted from their bodies and raced towards my Pokémon. For some reason, the paralysis didn't seem to be slowing them down.

Knock them away with Mega Punch! Then use Quick Attack on Vileplume! Pikachu jumped towards Squirtle and punched away the approaching attacks. Pikachu then got down onto four legs and flew through the air, ramming directly into Vileplume. Thunderbolt! Pikachu exploded with electricity, dealing further damage to Erika's Pokémon.

"Victreebel use Sludge Bomb and Vileplume use Drain Punch!" Victreebel launched a ball of poison at Pikachu. The mouse jumped out of the way, and Vileplume swung a glowing fist into Pikachu's face. The mouse went stumbling back. They were too fast, and I couldn't manage a two-on-one.

"Keep it up!" Erika called. "Solar Beam! Together!" Victreebel fired a glowing beam directly into Pikachu, slamming into him. The mouse went flying into the air as Vileplume jumped up and charged yellow power in her hands. The beam was unleashed and carried Pikachu into the ground.

The brutal double attack subsided, and Pikachu staggered to his feet. The Pokémon was being overwhelmed by the foes. I was fairly sure Solar Beams should've taken longer to activate than they did. Then, I mentally face-palmed. Sunny Day was active.

I steadied myself. I was getting flustered, and everything was spiraling out of control. We could do this. Pikachu, jump into the air and use Thunderbolt! Give it everything you've got!

Pikachu looked back at me and seemed to pause. Then, he looked into the air and jumped. Electric power surged through the mouse, and he unleashed a torrent of power across the ceiling of the gym. The sun was obliterated by the electricity, as were the lights on the ceiling.

The gym was cloaked in darkness from there. It was time to turn things around. I wished Squirtle would wake up already. "Clever trick, but Victreebel can use Sunny Day again!" A fireball grew in Victreebel's maw and the plant prepared to launch it into the air.

We had enough time to react now that he was slowed down. Send it back with Mega Punch! The ball launched into the air, and Pikachu jumped up to meet it. He slammed his fist into the fireball, flinging it down into the Pokémon. Now land and use Quick Attack! Pikachu hit the ground and immediately jumped into Victreebel's body.

The opposing Pokémon shrieked as Pikachu made contact. "Use Sludge Bomb!" What I could make out of Victreebel seemed to be unable to move, allowing Pikachu to move away. "Vileplume, use Drain Punch!" Vileplume charged at Pikachu and swung his fist down into the mouse. "Sleep Powder!"

I winced as a cloud of powder burst from Vileplume and then surrounded Pikachu. That was two of my Pokémon asleep now.

"Use Giga Drain, both of you!" Both Pokémon lashed out with their tentacles. The faint glow showed Pikachu being constricted by the attacks as they drained energy from him. Pikachu wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer under this pressure.

Squirtle you have to get up! I begged. Come on tough guy! Don't let some sleep stop you! I heard some shifting on the grass. Squirtle was up. Use Rapid Spin and help Pikachu! Squirtle spun across the grass and slammed into Vileplume, loosening the hold on Pikachu. His eyes flashed open, and he unleashed a jolt of electricity into the remaining tendrils.

The tendrils shocked Victreebel, which allowed Pikachu to escape from the hold.

"This is heating up, it seems. Vileplume use Drain Punch! Victreebel, use Sludge Bomb!" Erika ordered. Vileplume dashed at Pikachu, his fist glowing blue. Pikachu counter with Mega Punch! Pikachu's fist began to glow white and he swung it forward. The two fists collided and were locked in a clash.

Victreebel fired the globs of poison at my Squirtle. Counter with Bubble Beam! Squirtle unleashed a spray of bubbles into the projectiles, stopping them in their tracks. Now use Bite! Squirtle jumped into the air and bit down onto Victreebel's stem.

"VICTREEBEL!" Victreebel screeched in pain and swung the stem around, but Squirtle held on tight. The backup lights came on, now illuminating the battlefield in orange lighting.

Meanwhile, Pikachu was losing ground against Vileplume, his face was constricted in pain. Pikachu, just a little more! I encouraged. Pikachu had been giving this battle his all, and he seemed to swell with energy once more. Then, he staggered and was overwhelmed by Vileplume.

Pikachu was thrown into the ground, unconscious. Take a break, buddy. Pikachu had given the battle his all, and now we had a small chance to win the fight. Squirtle just had to pull through.

"Victreebel, use Solar Beam! Vileplume, use Sleep Powder!" Victreebel started to prepare a glowing ball in his mouth. Vileplume ran next to his friend and unleashed a green cloud into the air.

Squirtle couldn't fall asleep again or this fight would be over. Squirtle get out of there with Rapid Spin! Squirtle jumped off from Victreebel and got into his shell. He began to spin, protecting himself from the powder and jetting out of the way.

"Vileplume use Giga Drain! Victreebel, fire!" Vileplume prepared to move but was stuck in place due to being paralyzed. Victreebel unleashed a beam of light at Squirtle. Get out of there! Squirtle had come to a stop just as the beam fired, and it crashed into his body.

The turtle tumbled across the ground and popped out of his shell. Vileplume then began to move and sent her green tendrils at my Pokémon. They grabbed hold of him and I was unsure of what to do.

None of Squirtle's moves are strong enough to take them down! We're so close! I started to look around, my mind racing. I looked at Daisy again, and she didn't seem worried. Instead, there was a determined look on her face. Daisy didn't doubt me.

I looked at the puzzle before me, and then I focused. It was time to do this. I took out the TM from the Department Store and tossed it at Squirtle. Learn Ice Beam! Forget Tackle! The disc flew through the air and was absorbed by Squirtle.

The turtle surged with energy. Now let's try our new move, use Ice Beam! Squirtle fired a white beam from his mouth into Vileplume. The attack slammed into his captor, knocking her down and freeing him.

Erika returned her Pokémon. "Excellent work, Vileplume. Victreebel, it's time to finish this! Use Sunny Day!" Victreebel launched another fireball into the air. The ball lit up the room, filling Victreebel with energy. "Solar Beam!" Erika's final Pokémon readied yellow energy in his mouth.

Solar Beam would be fast, but we could react. Use Ice Beam on the ground! Then use Rapid Spin to get in close! Squirtle fired another ray of ice onto the battlefield and then tucked into his shell. Squirtle sped across the ice, moving with incredible speed. Victreebel fired the beam, which missed him by a mile.

Now! Squirtle continued to gain speed and then jumped while still spinning in his shell. The shell crashed into Victreebel's body, causing the opposing Pokémon to fall over. Squirtle landed on the ground and stood over the bested foe.

I felt an incredible amount of relief as the match came to an end. "Victreebel is unable to battle! Meaning the match is over, and Red is the winner!" The referee declared. I ran up to Squirtle, crouching down by his side. You're amazing! You're so awesome! We did it! Squirtle and I high-fived.

I returned the Pokémon so he could get some rest, then looked up at Erika. The woman had walked over to me, and her warm smile had returned to her face. "That was a very impressive battle, Red. Great job. Though, next time, I recommend checking which Pokémon you're sending out."

I nodded and felt a sheepish grin come onto my face. Erika then handed me a badge shaped like a flower with multicolored petals. "You've earned the Rainbow Badge, as well as this TM for Giga Drain." Erika handed me a green disc alongside the badge.

I took the TM and put the badge in my badge case.

Daisy was about to congratulate me, but we heard a loud rumbling from outside followed by screaming. "What just happened?" Daisy immediately turned and ran to the door, followed by Erika and I.

We burst outside and saw that Team Rocket had launched an attack onto Celadon City.