"Aw man," Takeshi said, "We're never gonna find our way to Nerima." "We've got to," Satoshi insisted. "I want to be the first person to earn a Rocket Badge." "Maybe we should ask for directions." Kasumi suggested. "All right," Ryouga said. He reached out and grabbed a man walking by. "Where is the Nerima Pokémon Gym?" he demanded. The man gave him an odd look and pointed at a large sign above the door of a nearby building "Nerima Pokémon Gym, Gym Leader: Eric." Takeshi read aloud. "How'd we miss that?" "Congratulations," Ryouga said, "You made it. I've got to try to find the Tendo's house now." "Good luck, Ryouga. I hope you find it!" Kasumi called out as he ran off. "But Akane lives that way," the man Ryouga had accosted said. "Oh well," Takeshi shrugged, "I'm sure he'll find it.... eventually." "Come on!" Satoshi said, "Let's go!" They entered the gym and walked into the training area. Inside they saw a tall man with several pokémon behind him. Oddly enough they were singing. When the man saw them, he cut himself off and the pokémon stopped singing, too. "Wow!" Kasumi said, "That was beautiful. I've never heard Pokémon sing together like that, or a person sing with them." "It's called acapokélla. Its songs done acapella with support of Pokémon. Pokémon can't sing words, so I take the vocal parts, but in acapella most of the singing replaces instruments, and Pokémon can fill that area very well. Arcanine and Machoke sing base, and Haunter can handle treble notes." "I don't have time for this!" Satoshi said, "Where's Eric. I want to challenge him!" "Be careful of what you wish for, little man," the singer said, "One on one combat, choose one Pokémon and that's it." "You-you're Eric?" Satoshi asked, stunned. "Surprised? Gym Leaders do have lives you know." "Well, I'm gonna be the first trainer to get a rocket badge!" "Big words for a little man. Let's see if you can back them up. Haunter!" He called out to the Pokémon, who came forward, "Your turn." "Pikachu, I choose you!" "Pika pika!" "A pikachu, against my Haunter? If you can win, I'll be very impressed. Now, let the fight begin!" "Pikachu, quick attack!" Pikachu leapt forward, dashing straight into Haunter. Pikachu continued unchecked through Haunter's body and crashed into the wall on the other side. Haunter burst out laughing. "Regular attacks won't work on ghost Pokémon. Haunter, Lick attack!" Haunter floated down in front of the dazed Pikachu and ran his tongue over Pikachu's face. "Pikachu! Use your Thundershock!" Pikachu didn't move "Pi...pika" Haunter bust out laughing at the now paralyzed Pokémon. "Haunter, finish him off with Nightshade." Haunter inhaled, and breathed out a cloud of purple gas, envoloping Pikachu. "Come on, Pikachu, fight it!" Satoshi pleaded. "Again!" Eric told Haunter. Again Haunter breathed his poison onto Pikachu. "Pikachu!" Satoshi cried. "One more should do the trick." Once more, Haunter inhaled, and prepared to breathe the final attack. "Pika-CHU!" Pikachu exclaimed, electricity streaming from his cheeks. "All right, Pikachu!" Kasumi cheered. Pikachu's thundershock ended, and Haunter fell to the ground. "Haunter, return," Eric said, pulling the ghost back into the pokéball. "Well done, little man." "Would you stop calling me that?!" Satoshi yelled. "All right, shorty," Eric said. "I think I was better off with 'little man.'" Satoshi grumbled. "That is a very well trained Pikachu you have there. It's not easy to fight off Haunter's paralysis. You earned this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a metal pin, in the shape of a rocket. "All right! A Rocket Badge!" "Good luck, little man." Eric called out as they trio left the gym. Just then, the phone rang. "Hello, Nerima Gym, Gym Leader Eric speaking." "Hello, sir," a voice answered in Chinese, "I found a very juicy secret for you. Legend has it that there is deep within the mountains in America is the resting place of the God of Fire." "All right, I'll catch the next flight over there." "I knew you would like this secret, sir."