The gang was now on their way Scissor Street at Brock's insistence.
"Scissor Street? Isn't this place also known as Breeder's Lane?" Ashlyn questioned.
Brock nodded, "That's right, it's well known for its Pokémon salon and beauty parlors."
"So that's why we're here, Brock always got to see the latest Breeder's gear." Ashlyn said.
"There sure are a lot of Pokémon beauty parlors." Misty comment.
"Yeah." Ashlyn agreed.
"Mmm." Brock hummed as he continued to look left to right.
"Is there's any place special you want to visit, Brock?" Ashlyn asked.
"Mmm." Brock continued to hum.
"I take that as a 'Yep'." Ashlyn said with a smirk.
Tesla, Lucario, Boltund, and Misty giggled.
"Where is it?" Brock muttered.
Misty suddenly ran forward, "Hey." She stopped near a poster and Brock, Ashlyn and the Pokémon (Tesla, Lucario, and Boltund), followed. The poster had an Ekans and Koffing dressed up with a number of gaudy accessories and a makeup on.
"Look! This must be the newest fashion. How cute!" Misty squealed with a smile.
"Um..." Ashlyn trailed off and glanced at her Pokémon who shook their heads.
"Come on, we got to go in." Misty said as she linked her arm with Ashlyn's and then dragged her away, with Brock and the Pokémon following behind.
Misty dragged her from a few minutes with her before they came a stop near the shop with the same poster. Brock and the Pokémon stood with them as they heard in the speakers a man's voice, that sounded pretty familiar to Ashlyn, "You won't believe how beautiful a Pokémon can be. Step in and see for yourself, let us dazzle you with the latest fashion, by the experts arts of Salon Roquet."
"Did he just say 'Salon Roquet'?" Ashlyn asked.
"Why is that name sounds so familiar?" Misty asked.
"(Why is that voice sounds so familiar?)" Lucario asked.
"Raichu." Tesla said from the top of her head.
Ashlyn already knew that Team Rocket was here, using a fake salon to get some money.
Brock looked at the poster, "Is that supposed to be a Pokémon or a Christmas tree?"
Ashlyn chuckled and when she turned to the window to look inside, the doors slid open and a woman walked out happily, with a Raichu and a Dodrio that were colored and had a lot of makeup on their fur. Ashlyn and her Pokémon looked at them in shock as they walked past. Ashlyn and her Pokémon exchanged a look.
"I think I'll get in line." Misty said with a smile.
Ashlyn and her Pokémon looked at her in shock.
Brock jumped forward with a smile as he pointed to the side, "It's there!"
They followed his finger to a shop, and he quickly ran toward it. "I found it!" Brock said as he stood in front of the door that had a picture of a Vulpix on it. "I've been looking all over for this place!" He said as they walked closer.
"This is the store you've been looking for?" Misty asked.
Brock didn't answer as he slowly reached for the handle but froze.
"What's up?" Ashlyn asked and walked past him.
Ashlyn opened the handle and stepped in with her Pokémon and Misty. A beautiful young woman was standing there, gently massaging a Chansey. She glanced at them and turned back to the Pokémon, "Hello, can I help you?"
Brock ran in and bumped into Ashlyn, making her give him a look before looking back at the woman. Ashlyn recognized the woman as Suzie, a breeder who massages Pokémon, according to Brock.
"Just relax, release all of your tension," Suzie said to Chansey. After a moment, she stood up straight, "Now, you'll have more energy."
Chansey jumped off of the table, looking in the mirror in delight.
"Beautiful." Ashlyn said with a smile.
"Rai." Tesla agreed.
"(Wow.)" Lucario commented, awed.
"Arf (So cool)." Boltund agreed as well.
A man walked in, "Chansey, I came for you, my darling." Suzie and Chansey walked closer. "Don't you look precious?!" the man asked in delight.
"Thank you for bringing Chansey to my Salon." Suzie thanked the man.
The man looked at her with a smile, "See you soon, Suzie." With that said he and Chansey turned around and left.
Suzie looked at them, "May I help the next customers?" She asked.
"Rai?" Tesla tilted her head.
"We're just sort of looking around." Ashlyn said.
"N--No!" Brock's cheeks got red.
Misty pushed past Brock with a smile, "Look! It's that Vulpix's the cutest thing?!" They looked forward at a Vulpix, sleeping on a chair. Misty, Ashlyn and the Pokémon walked closer to it. "Aw, don't you just want to hug it?" She asked.
Ashlyn asked as she pulled out her phone.
[Vulpix, a Fox Pokémon. Its six tails are extremely beautiful. As it evolves, it grows even more tails.]
"I love it's hair, wish I had a hair like that." Misty said.
"A hair like Vulpix?" Ashlyn asked in confusion.
"It's so shiny and soft." Misty reached forward and holding Vulpix up, which woke it up.
"Don't touch it!" Suzie warned.
Misty smiled at the Fox Pokémon, "You're just about the cutest little Pokémon I've ever se--"
Ashlyn pulled Misty's head to the side before Vulpix can burn her face with Flamethrower, making the attack miss. Vulpix stopped and jumped off of Misty's arms back to the chair to sleep.
"Vulpix can be very annoyed when someone disturbing their sleep." Ashlyn warned and put out a small fire on Misty's ponytail.
"Thanks for the save." Misty muttered, looking in shock at the Fox Pokémon.
Suzie walked closer, "That's one of the reasons. My Vulpix don't like to be picked up or hugged by strangers."
"Uh... S--Suzie?" Brock asked from behind them.
"Yes?" Suzie asked.
"Uh, my name is Brock, nice to meet you, Suzie," Brock greeted quickly and Ashlyn, Misty, and the Pokémon looked at him. "I--uh--I want to Breed like you, I mean I want to be a Breeder like you!" He said.
"It's very nice to meet you, Brock, I'm flattered you want to make me your model." Suzie complimented.
"Yes, I want to model you, I mean, I'm flattered that you're flattered, I mean, your Vulpix is nice." Brock rambled on. Ashlyn exchanged a look with Misty who looked kind of annoyed by his rambling.
"What I'm really trying to say is, Suzie, I'm begging you to accept me as your pupil." Brock pleaded. Ashlyn, Misty and the Pokémon looked at him in shock, while Suzie just stared at him.
"(What?!)/Rai?!/Arf?!" Lucario, Tesla and Boltund exclaimed together.
Ashlyn ran to stand next to Brock, "You can't be serious, Brock."
"Mind your own business, Ashlyn, I know what I'm doing. Please say 'yes', Suzie," Brock pleaded.
"I don't have pupils, Brock, Breeding takes out all my time." Suzie explained.
"So who is Suzie anyway?" Ashlyn asked.
Brock glared at her, "How dare you?! The sensational Suzie of Scissor Street have been award of the trophy for excellent at the World Pokémon Breeder's Contest for three years! And! The readers of Pokémon Friends magazine named her the most popular Breeder for four years running, and a hugely popular website, record over 10,000 hits for day!"
"Now that's what I call a great Breeder." Misty breathed out.
"Yeah." Ashlyn agreed.
Brock was still glaring at Ashlyn, "She is the most amazing Breeders that I got to meet, and you don't know who Suzie is?!"
Ashlyn backed away slightly, "O--Okay, Brock, I get it."
======================================
After Ashlyn, Misty and the Pokémon introduced ourselves to Suzie, they all sat at a table to drink tea and eat biscuits, while Ashlyn's Pokémon ate their Pokémon food that Ashlyn had made near them. Lucario was sitting between Misty and Ashlyn, while Suzie and Brock sat across from them.
"So, all three of you are traveling on a Pokémon journey together," Suzie said before looking at Tesla, Lucario, and Boltund. "Your Pokémon have beautiful shiny fur." She looked at Brock, "Are you the one who makes their food, Brock?"
Brock blushed, "Oh no! Ashlyn was the one who made it! See Tesla, Lucario, and Boltund will only eat her homemade Pokémon food, but the rest eat mine!"
"Really?" Suzie asked and smiled at Ashlyn, "Wow, I've never thought a ten year old can cook. That's amazing!"
Ashlyn rubbed the back of her neck, "Yeah, but that's only because my mom taught me how when I was little. The recipe I'm using is one of hers actually; I just added my own mix to it. Now Brock here makes his own Pokémon food himself."
Misty nodded, "Ashlyn's right, Brock's Pokémon food is the best!"
Suzie smiled at Brock, "That's amazing Brock."
He blushed in embarrassment.
Vulpix woke back up from its nap and smelled Ashlyn's Pokéfood and sat next Tesla.
Tesla held out a Pokéfood to Vulpix. Vulpix sniffed it and took a bite. Then swallows it.
"Vuplix (Yummy)!" Vulpix yipped happily.
"Oh well this is a surprise," Suzie stared at Vulpix with surprise, "Vulpix never eats anything unless I make it myself."
Ashlyn and Brock smiled.
"Hey Suzie, do you ever dress up your Pokémon like they do at that store?" Misty asked.
Suzie sighed sadly, "Ever since that salon opened up trainers have been taking their Pokémon there. They believe that making their Pokémon look flashier is more important than what's on the inside."
"I thought it was all tacky," Ashlyn stated, "Besides a Pokémon's true beauty is found within, like its strength."
Misty raised an eyebrow.
"Also there are different ways to show off a Pokémon. A Pokémon Contest is one and the other is the Princess Contest in Kalos." Ashlyn added.
Misty stared at Tesla and imagined it wearing a dress and a little bit of makeup.
Ashlyn snapped her out of her fantasy.
"Forget it Misty," She said, "You are not putting any makeup on my Pokémon. Have it on one of your own Pokémon."
Misty suddenly smiled, "Hey, what a great idea!" She pulled out Psyduck's Pokéball from her belt and turned around
Psyduck tilted his head in confusion.
Misty stood up, "Come on Psyduck! We're going to the salon to get you some clothes!" she said picking him up and running out the door.
"I can't believe she actually ran over there to dress Psyduck up." Ashlyn sighed.
"(I feel so bad for Psyduck.)" Lucario commented.
Suzie looked down, "I wonder if it's outside, or what's inside that really counts in the end. Ever since that new Salon opened, I've been wondering about my methods."
Brock stood up, "Don't say things like that!" Suzie looked at him and he continued, "Suzie, you've got to keep following the path you believe in."
"Yeah! I prefer your methods over some silly Salon." Ashlyn agreed.
"That's very kind, but, how can we?" Suzie asked.
"Well, if they want to put style over substance, we'll give the customers substance with style." Ashlyn said with a smile.
========================================================
Later Suzie decided to give a lecture which drew a small crowed but she followed Ashlyn and Brock's plan, so she wasn't all that worried.
Suzie massaged Lucario who was lying on the table. "Each Pokémon needs your special care and attention," Suzie explained, "Whenever a Pokémon has been injured in a battle, it should be given a therapeutic massage."
Suzie gestured Ashlyn to come with Lucario, "This volunteer and her Lucario will now demonstrate the technique we learned today's lecture." She explained,
Ashlyn nodded and started messaging her partner's back.
"How does that feel, Lucario?" Ashlyn asked.
"(Like I just went to heaven.)" Lucario sighed in delight.
The crowd watched in amazement.
"Good communication between Pokémon and their Trainers is the key. This technique build in trust and bring out a Pokémon's personality." Suzie explained.
"I think Suzie will agree with me that any technique is only as good as the Trainer or Breeder who uses it." Brock added.
Suddenly, they saw Misty's Psyduck pushing itself in the crowd and running to stand in front of Ashlyn and Brock, calling out quickly.
"Rai? (What is it, Psyduck?)" Tesla asked as she jumped to stand in front of it. Psyduck spoke very quickly worriedly before holding it's head.
"Rai?!" Tesla asked before looking at Ashlyn and the others.
"(He said that Misty is being held hostage in Salon Roquet.)" Lucario translated.
"Then we need to go help her." Brock declared.
"Right!" everyone including Suzie decided to go to Salon Roquet to save Misty and stop Team Rocket.
=========================================================
They all busted into Salon Roquet to save Misty and froze in place at what they saw.
"What took you guys so long?" Misty asked with a smile, and Ashlyn stared at her in shock. Her face was covered in ridiculous makeup, looking kind of like a clown.
"What happened to her face?" Brock and Ashlyn asked together, before Ashlyn and Brock covered their mouths to try not to laugh.
"(Not the time.)" Lucario reminded them and they stopped.
"Let Misty go right now!" Ashlyn snapped.
"Sorry, you'll have to wait for your turn, we won't be finished with her makeover until she'll look like this," Jessie tilted her head as she rolled her eyes to the side and left her mouth hanging open while her arms lay at her sides.
"We're conducting on some important beauty research." James smirked.
"Beauty research?" Suzie asked, "Can't you understand, it's the beauty inside that counts? Every Pokémon is beautiful, we just have to help the Pokémon discover it."
"What she's talking about?" Jessie asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"What does she know about Breeding Pokémon?" James asked, "Who cares about the inside? It's the outside which is important."
Meowth hit them in the face, "What are you two numbskulls know about Pokémon Breeding?! This all Salon Roquet idea is supposed to be a scam, remember?!" He turned to us, "It was a brilliant plan. Part one; Make up some stupid Pokémon fashion and take piles of money from the Trainers."
Ashlyn glanced behind her and saw the Trainers were outside, listening, and she looked back at Meowth, as he continued, "And part two; whenever a Trainer brings in a rare Pokémon, you get the Trainer distracted, and steal the Pokémon on the spot."
"What?!" Ashlyn asked.
Jessie chuckled as she leaned on the head of the chair Misty was sitting, "And our greatest masterpiece of all will be that Lucario, Boltund, and Raichu of yours. How about a trade?" She smirked, "This twerpy girl for your Raichu, Lucario, and Boltund?"
"Huh?" Misty frowned.
Ashlyn and Brock stepped forward as they glared.
"If you're trying to steal my Pokémon, we're gonna have a battle!" Ashlyn declared.
"Count me in, too! Tag team!" Brock held a Pokéball.
Tesla, Lucario, and Boltund stepped forward, ready for battle.
James simply laughed, "Salon Roquet is ready with our own fashion battle platform!" He held out a flashy over decorated microphone, "Here goes!" He pressed a button on it.
There was a rumble as the stage appeared from the salon and right in front of them appeared Misty sitting on a throne like chair on top of a set of stairs. Team Rocket was dressed up like royalty. James was dressed up like a princess and Jessie was dressed as a prince.
"And now Salon Roquet presents a fashion extravaganza and a Pokémon battle." Jessie announced. "To protect the world from boring fashion!"
"To dress all people with flash and passion!" James added.
"To give all Pokémon pretty faces!"
"To extend our art to outer spaces!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Salon Roquet! When it comes to chic, we know what's right!"
"Surrender your taste or prepare to fight!"
"Oh, please." Ashlyn rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Dazzle them, Ekans!" Jessie said.
"Knock them dead, Koffing!" James said.
Ekans and Koffing came onto the stage, dressed like in the poster.
"We don't need costumes, both Lucario is super energized from that massage." Ashlyn smirked, "Go, Tesla, Lucario, Boltund!" They ran toward Ekans and Koffing.
Brock threw the Pokéball, "Geodude, go!" Geodude was released. "Geodude, give them the Seismic Toss!"
Geodude quickly went toward Ekans, lifting it up to the ceiling before throwing it down to the floor. But Ekans grabbed it's tail, rolling itself to a ball, rolling toward Tesla. Boltund pushed Tesla to the side, getting hit by Ekans.
"Tesla, Thunder Shock!" Tesla looked over at Boltund. She looked at Ekans and Koffing, using Thunder Shock, sending the electricity at them as they spun around in place. They stopped spinning, showing they were completely fine.
"Rai?" Tesla asked in shook as Boltund and Geodude stood at her sides.
"What?" Ashlyn asked in shock.
"Koffing, cutey, Sludge makeover!" James said.
Koffing spun before quickly throwing Sludge.
"Protect!" Ashlyn called out.
Boltund got in front of Tesla and Geodude and projected a green barrier around them, protecting them from the Sludge attack.
Jessie growled, "Tackle, go!" Jessie called.
Ekans and Koffing went toward the Pokémon, but they suddenly tripped over when Ekans' dress got ripped slightly and it hit into Koffing.
"Oh, no! It's a fashion disaster!" James cried in horror.
"Let's finish this." Ashlyn said.
"Wait, Vulpix and I have something to say." Suzie and Vuplix stepped between Ashlyn and Brock and faced Team Rocket, "Time to give you a lesson in Breeding! If all you're worried about is your Pokémon outer beauty, it's inner strength will be lost!"
Vulpix nodded.
Meowth jumped forward, "Get up, you guys! We still have a battle to finish, let's go!" Koffing and Ekans got up and ran toward Vulpix.
"Vulpix, wrap this up with Fire Spin." Suzie ordered.
Vulpix began to charge up.
"Wait, what about your tied up friend? She'll get burned!" Meowth exclaimed.
"The only ones who'll get burned are you guys!" Misty shouted.
"WHAT?!" The trio turned to see Misty freed from her bounds and standing next to Lucario. They turned to where the empty chair was on the top of the stairs, "Oh no..."
Vulpix's Fire Spin created a fiery cyclone, which blasted Team Rocket away.
"TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" The trio shouted.
They disappeared into the sky and everyone looked at Vulpix.
"Now, that's an attack." Ashlyn complimented.
"Arf arf( That was amazing)." Boltund said.
Ashlyn pulled out her phone.
[Vulpix's greatest attack: Fire Spin. Using powerful flames to block its opponent from moving, it then inflicts great damage.]
They all looked at the Trainers outside, all were still there and had watched everything.
"Did you see that?" Brock asked, "A cute exterior hides inner strength, that's the Pokémon's true personality."
The crowd, taking the words to heart, started to remove all the flashy items from their Pokémon and wipe off the applied makeup.
=========================================================
Afterwards the gang and Suzie went back to Suzie's Salon, to get ready to head back on the road.
Suzie was petting Vulpix, "Nice work, Vulpix." She stood up as she looked the gang, "Thanks to all of you, I believe in what I'm doing again. You helped me regain confidence in my beliefs."
"It's not hard when the person you're helping is great as you are." Ashlyn complimented with a chuckle.
"And Brock?" Suzie asked.
"Yes?" Brock asked nervously.
Suzie placed her hands on her hips, "I was very impressed by the way you were handling your Pokémon in a crisis like that. I have a lot more to learn about Breeding Pokémon, even if I do have a championship, I'm still a student, not a teacher. Looks like both you and I have a journey a head of us."
"You're leaving, Suzie? What about the Salon?" Ashlyn asked.
"There are things I can learn if I'll leave here," She said and looked at Brock, "I want you to continue your journey too, Brock. From now on, we're rivals." She held her hand for him to shake, and he quickly did.
"Sure." he said. Vulpix walked closer, and rubbed itself against Brock's legs.
"I'll be grateful if you'll take care of Vulpix for me." Suzie requested.
"Huh?" Brock asked, shocked.
"You're the first person other than me that Vulpix has been friendly with," Suzie said, "Right now I believe that you can do a better job of raising Vulpix better than I could."
Brock looked at Suzie with tears in his eyes, "Thanks, I don't know what to say."
Misty, Ashlyn, and the Pokémon smiled with tears in the corner of their eyes.
Suzie smiled and nodded before she pulled out a Pokeball, which was Vulpix's, and handed it to Brock. Brock looked down at Vulpix, "You don't have to worry, Vulpix. I promise I'll take good care of you." He held out the Poke ball, letting Vulpix get inside, this time as Brock's Pokémon.
"All right, I got Vulpix!" Brock said with a smile.
"Congratulations, Brock!" Misty said as they all smiled.
Ashlyn looked toward Misty, who was still wearing that make up Team Rocket had put on her. Ashlyn looked away from her, laughing as Misty glared at her.
Misty put her hands on her hips, "Hey, what are you laughing for? This make up is very fashionable." she defended, but Ashlyn continued to laugh. The Pokémon joined in on the laugh.
=======================================================
After Ashlyn and her Pokémon calmed down and said goodbye to Suzie, they left the Salon. She waved for them and they waved back as they stopped.
"Bye!" She called.
"Goodbye, Suzie!" Ashlyn called.
"Bye!" Ashlyn and her friends called.
Ashlyn heard footsteps running and looked to Brock's side to see Team Rocket running away as they screamed with many angry Trainers running after them.
"Uh..." Ashlyn trailed off before shrugging.
Ashlyn and her Pokémon exchanged a look before they both chuckled.
==================================
Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Pidgeot (F), Shiny Suicune (Azure)(F), Bulbasaur (M), Shiny Charmander (Natsu)(M), Squirtle (M), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Dratini (F), Shiny Entei (Searius)(M), Primeape (M), Scyther (F), Nidoran (M), Nidoran (F), Boltund (M)
Prof. Oak's Lab:
Mienfoo (F), Glaceon (F), Leafon (F), Shiny Rapidash (Comet)(M), Jolteon (F), Flareon (M), Vaporeon (F), Shiny Sylveon (Parisa)(F), Shiny Umbreon (Mani)(M), Espeon (F), Clefable (F), Sandslash (M), Butterfree (M), Pink Butterfree (Momo)(F), Gengar (M), Rockruff (M), Raboot (M), Braixen (F), Kingler (M)