Pokemon: A different Ash

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Because Ash left, Misty could browse perfumes without hesitation, yet she didn't seem particularly interested. She moved towards the checkout counter, guided by the shop assistants.

"How much is this?" Misty asked as she reached the front desk.

"Someone has already paid for it," the front desk lady replied with a polite smile.

"Ah? Someone paid for it?" Misty was momentarily surprised, glancing over at Brock. Brock, however, only gave her a puzzled shrug.

"The boy who was with you earlier paid for it—and this!" The lady smiled knowingly and retrieved a red device from the counter.

"Ah! It's Ash's Pokédex!" Misty exclaimed as she immediately recognized the device.

The Pokédex serves not only as a Trainer's ID card but also as a bank card. It's widely accepted in commercial establishments globally, where machines dedicated to Pokédex payments are available.

"He said he didn't know which one you wanted, so he decided to pay once you'd chosen. He left the Pokédex here and asked us to return it after your purchase. My little sister, your boyfriend is so considerate!" the lady teased, smiling at Misty. She glanced at the shop assistants who had previously judged Ash unfairly, clearly enjoying proving them wrong.

Initially, the shop assistants had thought Ash was inconsiderate, but their perception shifted when they saw him hand over his Pokédex and carefully explain the situation. While perfumes might not be a subject of interest to many boys, Ash's approach showed thoughtfulness.

"No… no, you've misunderstood!" Misty stammered, blushing furiously. Despite feeling secretly delighted, she quickly grabbed Ash's Pokédex and carefully tucked it away.

"T-thank you! Let's go!" she said hastily, clutching the perfume bag. Without waiting, she spun around and walked out, momentarily forgetting Brock's presence. Although Brock seemed reluctant, he followed her out.

"Do visit us again!" the shop assistants said professionally, watching Misty flee in a fluster.

"Ugh, you knew all along and didn't tell us! Were you trying to embarrass us?" one of the shop assistants complained to the front desk lady after Misty left.

"I just wanted you to learn not to judge a book by its cover," the lady said with a sly grin.

At that moment, a figure in a kimono emerged from the back room. "This incident should remind you all to treat every customer with the same respect, no matter their appearance," the figure stated.

"Yes! Got it," the young ladies said, ceasing their bickering as they listened to the woman's words with serious expressions.

Celadon Gym

Meanwhile, after leaving the perfume shop, Ash headed towards the Celadon Gym. Fortunately, it wasn't far—just a ten-minute walk from the shop.

From a distance, Ash could already spot the gym's distinctive architecture. The massive building was shaped like a Vileplume, with a large Rafflesia flower roof featuring white accents. Below it, the indigo-blue structure completed the resemblance to the Grass-type Pokémon, Vileplume.

Vileplume, as Ash knew, is the evolution of Gloom and the final form of Oddish. The Celadon Gym, unsurprisingly, specialized in Grass-type Pokémon.

Although the anime depicted Ash arriving at Celadon Gym after his visit to Saffron City, it was widely debated whether Celadon Gym was as strong as Saffron Gym.

As Ash approached the glass doors, they opened automatically, welcoming him into the gym. Stepping inside, Ash felt like he had entered a botanical garden rather than a traditional gym. The interior was lush with vibrant flowers and trees, creating an atmosphere like a serene forest.

There were numerous young women in work attire bustling around. Upon noticing Ash standing near the entrance, several of them approached him.

"Who are you? What brings you here?" one of them asked politely.

This time, unlike in the anime, the staff didn't dismiss Ash due to his disdain for their perfume. Thus, he wasn't turned away at the door. In hindsight, Ash realized how the original Ash from the anime often lacked tact in his interactions.

"My name is Ash, and I'm here to challenge the gym," Ash explained confidently, making his intentions clear.

"Ah, I see! Then please follow me—I'll take you to Erika," one of the young women said, referring to the Gym Leader. She turned and led the way into the botanical garden.

As Ash walked deeper into the lush environment, he marveled at the unusual flowers and plants that filled the space. Their fragrances blended harmoniously, adding to the tranquil ambiance. Grass-type Pokémon roamed freely among the greenery, adding to the charm.

"The Pokémon here are so well-bred!" Ash said, clearly impressed. He knew that Grass Pokémon thrived in natural habitats, and it was evident that the environment here was perfect for their growth.

The care and effort poured into creating this ideal space for Pokémon were undeniable. Whoever maintained this garden had gone to great lengths to ensure its inhabitants thrived.

"Of course! This place is as close to nature as it gets," the young woman said proudly.

Ash nodded in agreement. He understood that the health of Pokémon was just as important as their strength. While the Pokémon here might not be the strongest, their robust health was apparent. And health, as Ash knew, was the foundation for building true strength.