Back in Saffron City, Paul reappeared, looking rather embarrassed.
"Paul, what's wrong?" Sabrina asked as he was teleported back to the villa next to the Saffron Gym. Paul felt so awkward he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
"Um," Paul scratched his head sheepishly, looking at Sabrina. "I remembered I needed to visit the Fighting Dojo here in Saffron City. They give away Fighting-type Pokémon."
Sabrina turned her head away, also looking slightly embarrassed. * If I knew he was coming right back, I wouldn't have said goodbye like that! * she thought.
"Hahaha, Paul, it's rare for Sabrina to have a good friend. Please stay at our house for dinner today," Sabrina's mother, a gentle woman reminiscent of someone like Delia Ketchum, offered warmly.
"This… okay." Seeing Haunter and Sabrina already interacting comfortably, Paul felt he had little choice but to agree.
"It's still early," Paul hesitated before saying to Sabrina, "Let Haunter stay and play with you first. I want to go to the Fighting Dojo, get the Pokémon, and then come back for dinner."
"Mm, good." Sabrina lowered her head and waved her hand. With a flash of psychic power, Paul found himself seated at the gate of the Saffron City Fighting Dojo. * Psychic powers really are convenient *, he mused.
He patted the dirt off his clothes. Before he could even speak, a boy in a karate uniform rushed forward.
"Hello! Are you here to learn karate?"
"Well, I heard you give away Fighting Pokémon here," Paul said apologetically, looking at the eager young man.
Given that Saffron City was Sabrina's territory, the Fighting Dojo looked noticeably empty. It was understandable why the young man would be keen to recruit apprentices.
"Oh, I see. Sorry about that. I'm Koichi. Come with me, I'll take you to see the Karate Master," the young man named Koichi said with a forced smile, leading Paul into the dojo.
Inside, wooden training posts and fighting equipment were visible. Several Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee were busy training.
"It used to be very lively here, but it's gone downhill now," Koichi explained with some regret.
"Please continue to work hard," Paul could only offer politely.
"Master, someone is here to challenge you!" Koichi announced loudly upon reaching the main room.
"Coming!" A muscular man with a full baritone voice, a thick beard, and the presence of a true Karate Master appeared. It was Kiyo.
"You want a Fighting Pokémon?" Kiyo asked.
"That's right," Paul nodded. "However, I don't want a Hitmonchan or a Hitmonlee."
"Oh? Then what do you want?" Kiyo looked Paul over.
"If I win, could you give me a well-trained Machop or Machoke?" Paul asked seriously.
"Hahaha! You certainly know how to pick them. No problem. If you beat me, I'll give you one of the Machoke from the dojo."
"Let's begin."
Five minutes later…
Paul politely left the dojo with Machoke's Poké Ball. The outcome was a swift and decisive victory for Paul. His Pidgeot had only needed two moves: Gust and Aerial Ace.
* I hope I didn't discourage that Karate Master too much *, Paul thought, shaking his head as he looked at the Poké Ball containing Machoke. This is a quasi-Gym Leader level Pokémon, excellent muscle development. Definitely has potential. The reason he specifically wanted a Machoke was influenced by his knowledge of the distant Galar region. There, a trainer named Bea demonstrated just how incredibly strong the Machamp line could be.
Pleased, Paul pocketed the Poké Ball and returned to Sabrina's home.
Although both Paul and Sabrina felt a bit awkward initially, they were friends now. Paul enjoyed a pleasant meal with Sabrina and her family.
Seeing it was still early and thinking about his next badge, Paul decided to leave again. This time, Sabrina's entire family stood at the door to bid him farewell.
Once away from Saffron City, Paul breathed a sigh of relief. * That was strangely stressful. It's not like I did anything wrong, but I felt as anxious as if I'd stolen something precious from her father *.
"Oh, life is unpredictable," he sighed, continuing towards Celadon City. Along the way, Paul used a public phone to contact Professor Oak.
It turned out Gary and the other two Pallet Town trainers were stuck at the Celadon Gym. Professor Oak asked if Paul could help them figure something out.
Paul recalled the somewhat infamous rule prohibiting men from entering the Celadon City Gym. * This is going to be difficult *, he thought. * It's run by a group of young women. Reasoning with them about fairness is likely pointless *.
Ultimately, Paul bluntly told Professor Oak to tell Gary he had two choices: find a way to metaphorically "abandon his maleness" for entry, or become a master of disguise.
Professor Oak hung up, sweating nervously. * All my grandsons are fiercely proud. They wouldn't resort to such measures just for a Gym badge… This world is complicated *.
In the end, Gary and the other two trainers left Celadon City, likely cursing. Kanto was large enough; if they couldn't beat the top-tier Gyms, there were plenty of other League-recognized Gyms available, even if less famous. * Disguise is never an option! * Gary probably fumed.
The scene cuts back to Paul, sitting on a large rock, massaging his temples. Celadon City wasn't far from Saffron City, so he wasn't in a rush.
But the main issue remained: boys weren't allowed in the Celadon Gym.
Paul ran a hand through his purple hair, feeling distressed. * What should I do? Will I, Paul, the epitome of no-nonsense training, actually look convincing dressed as a girl? *
"I think it'll be quite interesting, hehehehe," Haunter's head emerged from Paul's shadow, echoing with a smirk.
Since leaving Sinnoh, Paul hadn't paid much attention to his hair, and his long lavender locks could now be tied into a small ponytail. Combined with his clear complexion, he might even pass as somewhat pretty.
"Oh, forget it. Cross that bridge when I come to it," Paul sighed, standing up to continue his journey. * Well, here goes nothing. Might as well make the disguise spectacular *.
The rest of the journey was uneventful. He had Machoke battle a few wild Rattata to test its abilities but didn't gain much else. He encountered a troop of wild Mankey, but with Machoke now on his team, he had no interest in catching them.
As he approached Celadon City, Paul impulsively wrote a message on the city's entrance signpost: "Welcome, Ash, but you're one step too late. "
* Thinking of Ash's frustrated expression when he sees this is quite satisfying *, Paul thought happily. * I'm really terrible! *
Upon entering Celadon City, the air was thick with fragrance; it truly was the capital of perfumes.
Paul dove into a department store, emerging later exhausted after purchasing perfume, women's clothing, and other necessary items for his plan. Thinking about his afternoon's activities, Paul felt that life was indeed hard.
Collapsing onto the bed in his Pokémon Center room, Paul fell soundly asleep.
The next day…
Wearing a light green long dress, white bubble socks, and light yellow high heels, with his purple hair styled into cute twin buns, "Mako" exited the room, face flushed.
* Please don't let me run into anyone I know *, Paul prayed silently.
Arriving at the largest perfume store in Celadon City, Paul swallowed hard and mustered the courage to enter.
"My goodness!" a clerk in a pink dress exclaimed, covering her mouth.
Paul's body froze. * It's over! I've been found out! *
"How can there be such a cute girl!" the clerk continued.
Paul secretly breathed a sigh of relief. * Good, I wasn't discovered *. But then, he found himself surrounded.
Three young shop assistants in fashionable clothes squeezed in front of him, chattering excitedly about whether he or Erika was cuter. They seemed completely oblivious as they leaned in close, talking animatedly.
After purchasing two bottles of perfume with a stiff posture, Paul mentioned he was a trainer wanting to challenge the Celadon Gym. The clerks kindly offered him a ride on the staff bus, dropping him off right at the gate of the huge botanical garden housing the Gym.
Getting out of the vehicle, Paul felt chills run down his spine. * It feels like multiple people are staring at me with malicious intent! *
"This lovely lady, could you give me your phone number?" one voice called out.
"No, this lady is having dinner with me!" another argued.
As soon as he entered the Gym grounds, several men in suits suddenly appeared, looking ready to fight over Paul's attention.
Frightened, Paul quickly hid behind Erika, who was approaching.
"Gentlemen, please don't scare our guest. Could you maintain some decorum?" Erika said calmly.
"Our apologies, we were too excited," the men bowed insincerely, shot Paul a hard look, then turned and left.
"Didn't you say the Celadon Gym doesn't allow men inside?" Paul muttered under his breath in his disguised voice.
Erika turned to look at Paul, her eyes lighting up. * What a cute kid *.
"Please don't be afraid," Erika said gently. "It's not that the Celadon Gym doesn't welcome all men. As long as they have an accurate appreciation for perfume and are polite, gentlemen are permitted entry."
Paul stared blankly. * Then what was all this for?! What was the point of this ridiculous disguise?! * Thinking of his elaborate efforts, Paul could only sigh internally, forcing himself to maintain his strained, high-pitched voice as he chatted with Erika.
When they reached the lawn arena, Erika smiled gently and announced the Gym battle could begin. A teenage referee came to the center. The rule was 2v2.
"Go! My first Pokémon is Tangela!" Erika announced.
Paul took out a Poké Ball. "Bulbasaur, take the stage!" he said, trying to sound enthusiastic in his fake voice.
"A very good Bulbasaur," Erika nodded appreciatively.
Paul raised a small fist. "Let's go! Use Razor Leaf!"
Bulbasaur glanced back at Paul, looking slightly skeptical, before vigorously launching the sharp leaves.
"Tangela, Vine Whip!" Erika commanded. Her Tangela skillfully deflected the Razor Leaf attack with its powerful vines.
"Bulbasaur, don't give up! Use Energy Ball!"
After many days of training, Bulbasaur had successfully mastered the Energy Ball attack. It stood firm on all fours as emerald green energy gathered rapidly in its mouth.
"Tangela, restrain it!" Erika commanded calmly.
Tangela's vines shot out, wrapping around Bulbasaur and dragging it closer.
Unexpectedly, the corner of Paul's mouth curled up. "Perfect distance! Launch!"
Bulbasaur suddenly raised its head, firing the Energy Ball point-blank into Tangela's face!
"Bulbasaur, Petal Dance!" Breaking free from the vines, Bulbasaur adjusted the bulb on its back as Grass-type energy surged!
A bright light enveloped Bulbasaur! * Whoa! * Paul's eyes widened. * The rich Grass energy of this botanical garden must have triggered its evolution! *
"Ivysaur!!" Ivysaur cried, unleashing a swirling Petal Dance from its newly bloomed flower. Tangela was overwhelmed and lost its ability to battle.
"It evolved! It shows 'Miss Mako's' Bulbasaur and Ivysaur have been raised very well," Erika praised, nodding. "Then, my next Pokémon is Gloom!"
As Gloom appeared, a foul-smelling yellow-brown gas began to permeate the air. Paul calmly took out two nasal plugs and blocked his nostrils. * Knew it. Erika's Gloom has the Stench ability. An ordinary Pokémon would probably faint just from this smell *.
"Come back, Ivysaur." To avoid causing any negative associations for the newly evolved Pokémon, Paul recalled Ivysaur.
"Alright, Haunter, it's your turn!"
To Erika's bewilderment, Paul stomped on his own shadow on the ground.
"Haunter~!" Since an outsider was present, Haunter pretended to make a standard Pokémon cry as it rushed out from the shadow. As a Ghost-type, Haunter didn't need to breathe and was unaffected by the stench.
"Let's end this quickly! Psychic!" Paul shouted, feeling overwhelmed. The smell of Gloom was so strong it was making his eyes water, even from a distance.
"Haunter!!!" Haunter's eyes glowed blue as the immense psychic power of a thousand-year-old ghost surged forth.
"What?!" Before Erika could react, Gloom was seized by the powerful psychic energy, thrown backward, and embedded ruthlessly into the ground!
"The match is over! Gloom is unable to battle! The challenger wins!" the referee declared.
* Easy for you to say, you're wearing a gas mask! * Paul complained silently.
Finally, after carefully navigating the situation, Paul received the Rainbow Badge. He bowed and quickly left the Gym amidst the somewhat reluctant farewells of Erika and the Gym trainers.
Once out of sight of the Gym, Paul broke into a run, sprinting all the way back to the Pokémon Center, where he locked himself in his room.
While removing his makeup and disguise, Paul stared at the newly acquired Rainbow Badge. * For this badge... I, Paul, have paid far too much *.
Haunter, holding a camera, appeared out of nowhere, clicking, capturing one last photo of Paul's disguised form.
Changed back into his regular clothes, Paul heaved a massive sigh of relief. * Celadon Gym... that was truly difficult *, he thought, exhausted and embarrassed.
"I think it was pretty good, Mako," Haunter teased, sticking out its tongue with a smirk. "Jie hee hee hee hee hee!"