After leaving HopHopHop Town, Brock unusually took the initiative to suggest their next route. "The next Gym is in Fuchsia City. Before that, I want to take you somewhere famous, the Scissor Street. There's a Pokémon Breeder I've admired for a long time!"
The group arrived at a street lined with Pokémon salons. With a clear goal in mind, Brock led them straight to a shop called "Suzie's Pokémon Salon."
The interior was warm and cozy, yet it was nearly empty, forming a sharp contrast with the lively salons outside.
Inside, a young woman with long blue hair and a gentle demeanor was carefully polishing her tools. She was the very Super Breeder Brock had spoken of, Suzie.
"Y-You're Miss Suzie, right?" Brock stammered excitedly. "I'm Brock from Pewter City! I've read all of your articles on Pokémon breeding! You've been rated an A rank Breeder by the Pokémon Breeders Association for four consecutive years. You're my idol! Please accept me as your apprentice!"
Faced with Brock's passionate admiration, Suzie's expression turned slightly bitter and downcast. "Thank you, Brock. But… I may no longer be qualified to be your teacher."
After listening to Suzie's explanation, Ash and the others understood what had happened.
Not long ago, Team Rocket had opened a shop on Scissor Street as well, called the "Team Rocket Glamour Palace." With exaggerated advertising and aggressive beauty treatments that seemed to produce immediate results but might actually harm Pokémon's health, they quickly attracted customers who chased flashy appearances.
Meanwhile, Suzie's gentle care methods, which focused on Pokémon health and natural beauty, were mocked as outdated and ineffective. As her customers dwindled, her confidence suffered a heavy blow.
"Let's go see what's so special about their shop!" Misty said curiously, tugging Ash toward Team Rocket's store.
Ash stopped her with a firm pull and shook his head.
Through his Aura, he could faintly sense discomfort coming from the Pokémon inside Team Rocket's salon. "There's no need to look. Something flashy but hollow can't stand the test of time." He turned to Suzie and spoke with conviction. "Miss Suzie, true beauty comes from within. Focusing only on appearances while ignoring a Pokémon's feelings and health is putting things backward. Your philosophy isn't wrong. The ones who are wrong are those blinded by fleeting trends."
Suzie froze slightly at his words and looked up at the clear eyed boy before her.
Brock stepped firmly to her side. "Ash is right! Miss Suzie, please let us help you! We'll prove to everyone what true Pokémon care really means!"
At that moment, Jessie and James happened to be outside attracting customers. Hearing Ash and the others, they stormed over in anger.
"Hmph! Anyone can talk big! If you've got guts, let's battle!" Jessie said with her hands on her hips.
"That's right! We'll decide whose beauty philosophy is superior with a Pokémon battle, meow!" Meowth chimed in.
"Gladly!" Ash and Brock replied in unison.
The battle began. Ash sent out Pikachu, and Brock chose Geodude. Team Rocket responded with Koffing.
Koffing immediately used Sludge, spraying thick muck toward them. Pikachu and Geodude were caught off guard, their eyes covered in grime, temporarily losing their vision and unable to fight effectively.
"Ha! See that? Even our attacks have style!" Jessie boasted smugly.
"Pikachu! Geodude!" Ash and Brock called out anxiously.
At that moment, Suzie, who had been quietly watching, regained the determination in her eyes. She stepped forward and threw a Poké Ball. "Vulpix, it's our turn! Use Fire Spin!"
The beautiful Vulpix made an elegant entrance, releasing a blazing vortex of flames from its mouth that instantly engulfed Koffing. The fire not only dispersed the polluted air but also scorched Koffing black. It was a devastatingly effective attack.
"Wow! What beautiful flames!"
"Vulpix is amazing!"
The crowd gasped in admiration. Fire Spin did more than defeat Koffing. Its combination of power and beauty was a silent declaration of true elegance.
Suzie stepped before the crowd and gently stroked Vulpix. Her voice was soft yet firm. "Do you see? A Pokémon's true beauty lies in its bond with its Trainer, in its healthy and vibrant state, in the confidence behind every move it uses. Just like Vulpix's flames, their beauty comes from its own strength and spirit, not from external decoration. Ignoring a Pokémon's inner self to pursue exaggerated appearances is disrespecting your partner."
Her words struck deeply, moving everyone present.
Many customers looked at Vulpix, bright eyed and full of energy, then glanced at the overly groomed and somewhat sluggish Pokémon in Team Rocket's shop. The answer was obvious.
Seeing the tide turn, Team Rocket tried to argue back, but a confident Vulpix blasted them away with a powerful Flamethrower.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
After this incident, Suzie completely cast aside her doubts. She decided to close her shop and set out on a journey like Ash and the others, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of Pokémon's inner beauty.
Before departing, she brought Vulpix before Brock and entrusted it to him solemnly. "Brock, you have the heart and potential to become an outstanding Breeder. I want to entrust Vulpix to you. Travel together, take good care of it, and let it witness your growth."
Brock accepted Vulpix's Poké Ball with trembling hands and vowed earnestly, "Miss Suzie, please rest assured! I will take excellent care of Vulpix and never betray your trust!"
Ash watched the scene with genuine happiness for his friend. He patted Brock on the shoulder and said quietly, "Do your best, Brock. This is a great opportunity."
Brock blushed slightly and nodded firmly.
With Suzie's trust and a new partner in Vulpix, Ash and his companions set off once more.
And for Brock, the path of a Pokémon Breeder turned a brand new page with this precious responsibility.
As for Brock's future partner, the current consideration is Pike Queen Lucy of the Battle Frontier, and then the girl from Alola. He cannot quite remember her name for now.