The Pantheon

The Florist

The following day, Ashley found herself standing outside Celadon Gym much earlier than she'd anticipated. After the tense conversation with her father about the Game Corner, her nerves had gotten the better of her. She hadn't been able to sit still at the Pokémon Center, every creak and shadow making her jumpy. The idea of wandering through the city, even with Mars by her side, felt just as unsettling. The looming weight of suspicion surrounding the Game Corner had left her feeling out of place and on edge, like a stranger in what should've been a friendly, bustling city.

So, instead of pacing the walls of her room or forcing herself to walk through crowded streets, she'd headed straight for the one place she thought she might find a sense of purpose again—the Celadon Gym.

Now, she stood outside the massive greenhouse-like structure, her heart thudding in her chest with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The gym looked nothing like the imposing buildings she'd imagined as a child. Instead, it radiated tranquility and beauty, with thick vines cascading down the walls like nature's curtains. The glass roof sparkled under the morning sunlight, refracting beams of light into rainbow patterns that danced across the ground. She could smell the fragrant aroma of blooming flowers wafting through the open doors, their scents a heady mix of sweet and earthy.

Ashley tugged on the brim of her hat, trying to steady her thoughts. "Well, here we are," she muttered to herself, glancing down at Mars. "Ready to take on the Garden of Doom?"

Mars, her Charmeleon, stood with his arms crossed, his fiery tail swishing behind him with quiet confidence. His narrowed eyes scanned the entrance of the gym, as though already anticipating the battle ahead. The steady flicker of his flame felt oddly reassuring to Ashley—a constant reminder that, no matter how much doubt she carried, Mars was always ready to face the next challenge.

"I'll take that as a yes," Ashley said with a faint grin, placing a hand on his head briefly before stepping forward. She hesitated just before the entrance, looking up at the carved sign hanging above the doors. The letters spelling out "Celadon City Gym" were surrounded by intricate floral patterns, painted in soft, pastel colors.

"It's pretty, I'll give them that," she muttered. Mars let out a low grunt that almost sounded like agreement.

Taking a deep breath, Ashley adjusted the straps of her backpack and stepped through the doors, the scent of flowers growing even stronger as she entered. Sunlight streamed in from the glass ceiling, illuminating the interior with a warm, golden glow. Rows of vibrant plants lined the walls and paths, and Pokémon like Bellsprout, Oddish, and Gloom wandered freely, their presence adding life to the already breathtaking environment.

She took another step, the sound of her sneakers muffled by the soft moss that carpeted the floor. The air was cooler inside, with a faint humidity that reminded her of the Safari Zone. It felt more like stepping into a hidden garden than a place meant for intense battles.

"Alright, Erika," Ashley murmured under her breath. "Let's see what you've got."

Mars let out a quiet growl beside her, his tail flicking upward as his claws flexed. He was ready, even if she still had a knot of nerves twisting in her stomach.

The gym's interior was truly breathtaking. The entire space was a vibrant garden, filled with every shade of green imaginable. Brightly colored flowers bloomed in neat arrangements, forming intricate patterns that seemed almost too perfect to be real. Overhead, sunlight filtered through a glass dome, casting a soft glow over everything. In the center of it all was a massive floral display shaped like a Vileplume, its wide petals forming a canopy that provided shade to the battlefield below.

Ashley was so caught up in taking it all in that she didn't notice Erika approaching until she was only a few feet away. The Celadon Gym Leader looked as serene as her gym, her long hair pinned back with delicate flowers. She wore a kimono decorated with patterns of vines and leaves, and her smile was warm as she clasped her hands in front of her.