//------------------------------//
// 17. Battle of the Lovely Maidens 
// Story: Diamond's Pokémon Adventure 
// by Brian Sheil 
//------------------------------//

A new day comes to Celadon City as Diamond Tiara feeds her Pokémon. She has Ivysaur, Drowzee, Pidgeotto, both forms of Vulpix, and of course, Eevee.
"I heard that the Gym Leader here uses grass Pokémon." Babs said.
"That's why Diamond switched Geodude for Ivysaur." Silver added. "Rock types are weak against grass moves."
Later, Diamond changed into her magenta shirt and overalls with the cuffs rolled up. The girls are impressed.
"Bits of various outfits?" Silver asked.
"I do like to mix things up sometimes." Diamond replied as she rolls up the sleeves of her shirt.
Eevee got her attention. Everybody saw that the Vulpix pair were looking at Diamond's backpack.
"What do you think they want?" Babs asked.
"I think I know." Diamond replied. "Hold Eevee back."
Babs held on to Eevee as Diamond looked through her backpack. She then pulls out a crystal with fire designs on it.
"That looks like a Fire Stone." Silver said. "Must mean Vulpix is ready to evolve."
Diamond places the Fire Stone on Vulpix's head. The stone vanished and Vulpix glowed. The girls watched as Vulpix grew. When the glowing stopped, Vulpix was replaced by a Kitsune type creature with nine glorious tails.
"Vulpix is now a Ninetales." Diamond cheered as she pulls out her Pokédex.
 Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon and the evolved form of Vulpix The Pokédex said. It can control fire with psychic abilities.
Diamond looks at her Ninetales, and is in love. She looks at her Alolan Vulpix, and gets the idea. Reaching into her backpack, she pulls out a crystal with ice designs on it.
"Is that an Ice Stone?" Babs asked.
"It sure is." Diamond replied as he places this stone on her Pokémon friend.
The Ice Stone vanishes and the Alolan Vulpix glowed. Vulpix started to grow larger. When the glowing stopped, the Alolan Vulpix has became a snow white fox with fluffy tails.
"No way." Babs gasped. "An Alolan Ninetales."
Diamond's Pokédex gives her useful information.  Ninetales, Alolan Form, the Fox Pokémon and the evolved form of Alolan Vulpix. When this Pokémon gets angry, it can freeze any opponent solid.
Looking at both Ninetales, Diamond feels very proud. "My mother would love you two."
Later, the girls arrived at the Celadon City gym. Upon entering, they noticed that it looks like a forest.
"I feel relaxed in this gym." Silver said,
"Me too." Diamond added. "This is the type of environment that's proper for my outfit."
As they were enjoying the gym, a lovely girl with short black hair, and wearing a green kimono walks in. She gives the girls a gentle greeting. "Hello, my friends. Welcome to the Celadon City gym."
The girls were entranced by this woman's appearance.
"That kimono looks so beautiful." Diamond said with honor.
"Thank you." The young lady replied. "It's nice to see someone who respects others, Diamond Tiara."
Hearing her name gave Diamond a shock. "You know about me?"
"I do. I have heard that you came to Kanto to escape your mother's influence. This barefoot farm girl look is a nice change for you. My name is Erika. And, I am the leader of the Celadon City gym."
"My goodness." Silver gasped. "I guess each gym leader is very unique."
"That we are, Silver Spoon." Erika replied as she turns back to Diamond. "Now, I believe you came for a gym battle."
"Yes, I am." Diamond replied. "Do I have to change my outfit?"
"No. This outfit you're wearing is very nice for this environment."
This gave Diamond and company much relief. Later, the two ladies are facing each other in a battle field made so no fire can burn the gym.
"This shall be a three on three Pokémon battle." Erika informed.
"Okay, Erika." Diamond replied. "I'll start with Pidgeotto."
"And, I shall begin with Tangela."
Out pops Pidgeotto and a ball of vines. Diamond learns of this vine creature.
Tangela, the Vine Pokémon. The Pokédex said. Nobody knows what it looks like under all of those vines.
Pidgeotto takes to the air. Erika strikes. "Tangela, Vine Whip!"
Tangela extends it's vines and ensnares Pidgeotto. Diamond got worried. 
"Let's slow Pidgeotto down." Erika said. "Tangela, use Stun Spore."
Tangela fired a yellow cloud at Pidgeotto. Diamond got scared. But, she made her move. "Pidgeotto, fight through that paralysis and use Wing Attack!"
Even though stunned, Pidgeotto zipped down with it's wings glowed. It struck Tangela with such force, Tangela fainted.
"Tangela is unable to battle." One of the female trainers with blonde hair announced. "Pidgeotto wins."
"Nice work, Pidgeotto." Diamond cheered.
"Tangela, return." Erika said, recalling her Pokémon. "You tried your best." She then turns to her opponent. "Very impressive. Now, here's number two. Weepinbell."
Out pops a yellow flower bulb. Diamond studies this flower.  Weepinbell, the Flycatcher Pokémon. It uses it's stem to hang from a tree when it sleeps.
Seeing Pidgeotto still affected by Stun Spore, Diamond recalled her flying friend and calls for her next choice. "Let's go, Ninetales!"
The female trainers were amazed by the sight of Ninetales. Even Erika was surprised. "Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. I'm not one for fire types. But, this Pokémon is beautiful."
"There's more to Ninetales than how it looks."
"Let's test out that fact. Weepinbell, use Razor Leaf!"
Weepinbell fired leaves at Ninetales. Diamond strikes back. "Ninetales, use Confuse Ray."
Ninetales' eyes glowed. Seeing Weepinbell getting affected, Erika acted fast. "Quickly, Weepinbell! Use Poison Powder!"
Even those confused, Weepinbell fired a purple cloud at Ninetales. The fire fox soon got poisoned. Babs, Silver, and Eevee got worried. 
"Ninetales," Diamond called out, "use Flamethrower!"
Fighting through the poison, Ninetales blew fire at Weepinbell. The flowery Pokémon soon fainted.
"Weepinbell is unable to battle." The trainer announced. "Ninetales wins!"
"Weepinbell, return." Erika said. Seeing Ninetales still poisoned, she makes her next move. "Now, here's my third and final Pokémon. Go, Vileplume!"
Out pops a purple flower with large red petals on its head. Diamond pulls out her Pokédex. "That's what Zephyr's Gloom will eventually evolve into."
 Vileplume, the Flower Pokémon and the evolved form of Gloom. The Pokédex informed. The poison this Pokémon gives out is very potent.
"Can you continue, Ninetales?" Diamond asked with concern.
Ninetales nodded, despite being poisoned. Erika strikes first. "Vileplume, use Solar Beam!"
Vileplume charged up some energy. Suddenly, it fired a blast of sunlight at Ninetales. With the poison kicking in, the Fox Pokémon soon fainted.
"Oh no!" Diamond gasped.
"Ninetales is unable to battle." The trainer announced. "Vileplume wins."
"Ninetales, return." Diamond sadly said as she recalled her Pokémon. "Nice try. Now, get some rest."
"How did that Vileplume use Solar Beam so quickly?" Silver wondered.
"I'll bet it has the Chlorophyll ability." Babs figured. "Add that to the sunlight shining in this place, Solar Beam worked quicker than usual."
One of the trainers with red hair applauded Babs Seed. "You guessed correctly. I admire your Pokémon knowledge."
This made Babs blush. Eevee is worried for it's friend, Diamond. The former prissy girl makes her next choice. "Let's go, Snowflake!"
The Alolan Ninetales pops out, leaving everyone stunned.
"An Alolan Ninetales?" A black haired trainer gasped. "First time I've seen one."
"Sorry, Diamond Tiara." Erika said. "This Alolan Ninetales is going to fall as the Kantonian one did. Vileplume, Solar Beam."
Vileplume charged up. Diamond reacted quickly. "Snowflake, use Confuse Ray!"
Snowflake's eyes glowed. Vileplume suddenly stopped charging up, and is going loopy. This worries Erika as Diamond strikes back. "Okay, Snowflake. Use Aurora Beam!"
The Alolan Ninetales fired a rainbow colored beam at Vileplume. Seconds later, the Flower Pokémon fainted.
"Vileplume is unable to battle." The trainer announced. "The Alolan Ninetales wins. The winner of this battle is Diamond Tiara! Congratulations!"
Diamond cheered as she hugged her Alolan friend. After recalling Vileplume, Erika approached her opponent.
"That was an excellent battle, Miss Tiara." Erika said happily. "Even though we of this gym are not fond of fire and ice, we admit that both forms of Ninetales are beautiful."
"Thank you, Erika." Diamond replied proudly.
"And, as proof that you battled honorably, I give you the Rainbow Badge."
Diamond was given a sky blue circle with petals arranged like colors of the rainbow. This made her smile as she places her badge in her case. "That's badge number four."
The group of friends exit the gym with Snowflake walking beside them. Suddenly, Holly Prema shows up to cause more propaganda.
"I told you to give up this foolish crusade, Diamond Tiara!" Holly growled. "I'll have to teach you another lesson. Come out, Houndour! Use Bite on Diamond's legs!"
A vicious Houndour pops out. This time, Diamond quickly counters. "Snowflake, use Dazzling Gleam!"
The Alolan Ninetales gave out a bright flash. Houndour got hit hard. Seeing what happened, Holly recalled Houndour and ran in fear. "I didn't expect this!"
This left Diamond and friends relieved as they recharge themselves at the Pokémon Center.


End of Chapter 17






 DIAMOND TIARA 
Eevee
Pidgeotto
Ivysaur
Ninetales
Drowzee
Alolan Ninetales

At Oak's Lab 
Pikachu
Geodude
Diglett

BABS SEED
Charmeleon
Fearow
Abra

SILVER SPOON 
Wartortle
Venonat
Rhyhorn