The next day we spent searching, however we were met with an unexpected surprise. A grass type fanatic appeared and when she saw Ash's Turtwig, asked for a battle, however after she revealed her own Turtwig, which was fasted than you'd believe possible, Ash didn't even stand a chance. Not even with Staravia.
Gardenia stayed with us for that night, camping again under the stars before we moved on the next morning to find this Combee wall that she said was near a bunch of pomeg flowers, which may be the first step in finding the enchanted honey.
We walked for most of the morning and Eevee travelled on my shoulder for a rest, his little legs getting tired after a while. Gardenia kept on asking Ash and I about our grass type Pokémon, so I told her all about my Ivysaur and showed her some pictures whilst Ash described his adventures with Bulbasaur, Bayleef and his Sceptile. This girl was nuts about grass types, it was kind of weird but cool at the same time.
When we reached the flowers, the air was filled with a sweet aroma that we all breathed in deeply, taking in the relaxing smell. Suddenly a Nuzleaf appeared carrying a message which it handed to Gardenia, making us all blink. "Sorry, an emergency's cropped up and I have to go right away. Good luck you guys!" She called and just like that, she was gone. Wow.
"Hey guys look! It's a Combee!" Brock pointed and we all looked to see the cute little Pokémon flying around the flowers before it buzzed away into the woods. "Let's follow it, come on!" I grabbed Eevee as I ran passed him, scooping him up onto my shoulder as he stopped sniffing flowers to smile then licked my cheek, making me giggle.
"I love you too buddy, let's go find that castle."
"Vee!" He cheered in agreement then looked ahead as we ran. We stuck close together, following both Combee and Mothim who was getting more and more excited the closer we seemed to get something until finally, we ran into a valley where huge walls of Combee were built up around the place, drifting dreamily by.
"This is amazing, just look at them all!" Dawn said, turning a full circle in wonder.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu suddenly jumped off of Ash's shoulder and ran towards the waterfall where Mothim was hanging around, calling out to us excitedly.
"Hey Pikachu, where're you going?"
"Maybe the amber castle is right behind that waterfall!" Cheryl squealed excitedly, jumping up then hurried to follow her Mothim, climbing up a path then slipped behind the waterfall with all of close behind. I held Eevee in front of me, careful not to slip on the narrow and wet path as the drizzle of rain came down on us before we were tucked safely inside.
"Who would've imagined." Ash said as we all looked around in wonder.
"A huge cave way back here?" Suddenly both Mothim and Pikachu called out to us, jumping up and down and we looked to them as Pikachu lifted his nose and sniffed the air.
"Of course! Pikachu must be able to smell the honey." Brock said as Eevee lifted his nose up then gasped.
"Vee! Eevee!" He jumped out of my arms and ran towards Pikachu and Mothim, stopping to look back at me. "Eevee!"
"Hey buddy, can you smell the honey?" I questioned and he nodded his head before the Pokémon all headed down the left tunnel where it must smell strongest. "Okay then, we'll follow you." I gigged before jogging after them.
With the cave being so dark I handed out my other two flashlights to everyone then held one for myself, shining it around as we all stuck close together, following the Pokémon who were all leading us through this labyrinth.
"There's so many ways to go." Dawn shivered slightly, drawing closer as we looked through the many tunnels and pillars of rock that rose up from the ground all the way to the ceiling. Suddenly the Pokémon called from ahead of us, drawing us running to them.
"Light!" Brock exclaimed as we all saw the bluish glow that settled against the rocks behind the three Pokémon, making it sparkle slightly.
"Could it be the amber castle?" Dawn questioned excitedly as Ash I beamed.
"Pikachu you did it!"
"You too Eevee, great job." I praised and he gave me an adorable smile. We walked to the edge to the summit to find a spiralling path that wound down into a deep cavern, all the rocks glittering as if they were full of tiny little crystals.
"Wow, it looks like it goes a long, long way down there." I went first, jumping down onto the path where Ash then followed and we all followed the Pokémon once more as we followed the spiralling path.
"It's like crystal." Ash noted as Brock trailed a hand against the rocks.
"It's beautiful, the way it all shines!" Cheryl agreed, giving her sweet smile as she looked around.
"But, which way do we go now?" Dawn worried, seeing the long drop and the various cracks in the walls, signalling there were multiple routes that could be taken.
"All we have to do is leave it up to Mothim, Eevee and Pikachu and they'll do the finding for us." Brock assured her just as we came upon all the Pokémon standing before a large gap in wall with Pikachu directing the way.
"Pikachu, you found it!" Ash laughed and Mothim gave a trill before shooting off through the gap, too eager to wait for anyone. Pikachu blinked then darted after Mothim with Eevee close in tow, calling out with an echo through the cave as they tried to bring Mothim back. "Pikachu! Pikachu come back! Pikachu!"
"I hope we don't get lost." Cheryl said with worry as we stood together with only our flashlights for guidance.
"Pikachu!" Ash tried to move forwards to chase after Pikachu but both Brock and I caught his sleeve to hold him back before he too could go running off.
"Ash wait, you can't just disappear." Brock informed him with reason as I nodded my head.
"Yeah genius. You don't even have a torch. We should all stick together at the very least." I informed before turning around and reaching out through the darkness, taking a deep breath. "They went that way, so let's go."
"Right. We'll follow you." Ash said so I began to lead the way, keeping myself on high alert for anything that may spring out at us. We seemed to be going round and round in circles, everything looking exactly the same until finally, we stopped and looked around us.
"Didn't we come this way before?" Ash questioned.
"Beats me. Everything looks the same down here. There's a rock, over there's a rock and ooh look! Another rock." I deadpanned but then my head lifted slightly, feeling Eevee and Pikachu's auras close by.
"Vee!"
"Pika Pi!" They both called out and Mothim trilled happily as Pikachu leaped into Ash's arms and I caught Eevee with a laugh of relief, hiding my face in his fur.
"I'm glad you're alright Eevee, just don't run off like that again!" I told him and he licked my cheek in apology, so I instantly forgave him.
"What? What's wrong buddy?" Ash said to Pikachu at his worried expression back over his shoulder and instantly I felt a swarm of anger that wasn't mine touch me, informing me of the hoard of Pokémon that was heading our way.
"Look!" I pointed, Eevee sitting on my shoulder and we saw an entire hive of Combee flying past us, buzzing with fury.
"Combee." Ash stared, blinking in surprise at the number of Combee that appeared in this dark cave.
"Something must be wrong."
"Then let's check it out." I said and we all ran forwards to follow the Combee. They led us deeper into the cave however when we found the root of their anger, I wasn't too surprised to find Team Rocket digging a hole in the middle of their home. No wonder they're mad.
"It's you three!" Ash said as we shone our torches on them.
"Classic twerp insight!" They all chorused together then climbed out of the hole they had made, looking up at the hoard of Combee that now surrounded them.
"What are you looking at?! Do I have food in my teeth or something?!" Jessie demanded to know haughtily as the Combee continued to simply glare at them.
"Did you…dig that hole?" Brock questioned them hesitantly, though it was pretty obvious that they were the culprits in starting this anger fest.
"Then that has to be why the Combee are so mad." Dawn mentioned and I nodded my head, glancing up to them all with their red glowing eyes. We have a serious problem.
"That, or perhaps they just don't like twerps." Jessie suggested as the three of them faced us.
"Besides I'm sure there's plenty of honey to go around." James reasoned simply before Meowth spoke up.
"For the Combee, for you and for us!"
"But we don't even know where the honey is." Cheryl said honestly but Team Rocket didn't seem like they were going to give up that easily.
"Oh give me a break. I know where Seviper is and now you do too!" She called and sent out her choice Pokémon, making the Combee hiss further and I gripped onto Eevee securely, glancing around as James brought out Cacnea, who instantly hugged James with its needled arms and made him cry out in pain. Ouch. That one had to hurt. "Those Combee critters don't fool me, I bet the amber castle is right behind their current position." Jessie reasoned as James finally detached himself from Cacnea.
"Brilliant thesis, now prove her right Cacnea with Pin Missile!"
"Seviper, Poison Sting!" Jessie called out brightly and the two Pokémon launched their attacks at the Combee as I ran forwards then threw Eevee up into the air.
"Deflect with Swift!" I ordered and Eevee instantly hit back the attacks with his Swift, protecting the Combee however they were still pretty mad at being aimed at, and they started using Psybeam at everyone and anyone. "Eevee!" I cried out as Eevee got hit whilst still in the air and I lunged forwards, grabbing him into my arms then hit the ground on my side with a grunt but with Eevee tucked up safe in my arms. "Eevee, are you okay?"
"Vee." He nodded his head, eyes focused and determined so I sighed with relief then stood, putting him on my shoulder.
"Ruby! You've got to do something!" Ash yelled over to me as he shielded Dawn from the blasts.
"Got it." I nodded my head then turned on the Combee. If they won't listen to reason, then I'll make them. Taking a deep breath I touched my knuckles together to focus my aura before sending it out in a blast, like a wave which shot around all the Combee and their eyes instantly faded back to normal, no longer angry however they weren't going to stay that way for long, or allow us to escape. "Cheryl, tell Mothim to use Supersonic!" I called over to her and she blinked before smiling.
"Oh yes, that is a wonderful idea. Mothim, use Supersonic!" She called and Mothim instantly flew up and used its confusing sound waves to bewilder the Combee, making them bump into one another in uncoordinated flight patterns.
"Now Piplup, let's get rid of Team Rocket with Whirlpool!" Dawn called as she brought out her first Pokémon and Piplup instantly set to work, creating a beautiful Whirlpool which dragged in Team Rocket as he sent it their way before finally they were washed out of here back down the cavern into the darkness.
"Okay, now let's go before the Combee come around." I said, Eevee resting on my shoulder for a while as we ran after Mothim who led the way. Once we were a safe distance from the Combee, we slowed down to a walk but had to stoop a little as the path became smaller and smaller.
"It's getting harder to walk down here, I hope we don't find another dead end." Dawn worried as she bit her lip nervously.
"Wait, look at that!" Brock said and we all looked up ahead to see Mothim fluttering about excitedly, calling for us all to hurry up. "Whatever's up ahead sure has Mothim excited. We lifted our torches only to find a strange looking wall.
"Dead end?" Dawn asked but Mothim continued to flutter close.
"Well, Mothim doesn't seem to think so." Brock mused as I lifted my torch higher and higher.
"Uh…guys? You might want to take a look at this." I said slowly, staring as we all turned and looked up. "It's…breathing." I informed them as we saw the regimented structure of the wall set out like a honeycomb. Suddenly several thousand pairs of eyes opened and we all leaped back with a gasp as Psybeam was launched down at us and I leaped out of the way with Eevee to avoid being hit.
"Okay Mothim, use Supersonic!" Cheryl said brightly and Mothim instantly blasted the wall with his confusing rings, making the entire the cave in on itself only to reveal the most beautiful structure I have ever seen, seemingly made out of solid gold or amber. Everyone gasped, instantly spellbound before I took the first step forwards, making sure the bridge was secure before leading the way inside, everyone speechless until we walked into the comb structure to find fountains of honey pooling around us.
"It's…the amber castle." Ash said in utter astonishment.
"It's just how I imagined it." Cheryl said as she looked around with a wide smile and tears in her eyes.
"Words just don't describe it." Brock murmured quietly as we all gazed around us. We all looked up to see a throne like structure with a dark figure hidden inside.
"That must be Vespiquen!" Cheryl realised and Dawn brought out her Pokédex to see what it was.
"Vespiquen, the beehive Pokémon. Its body is a hive and it raises its offspring with honey gathered by Combee." It explained and I gave a soft whistle of appreciation. Suddenly the Combee appeared, gathering around us with angry red eyes as Cheryl walked forwards.
"Cheryl be careful!" Dawn gasped, looking with worry as Cheryl stopped before Vespiquen seemingly without fear.
"Vespiquen, forgive us for forcing our way in here and startling you and all the Combee. My grandfather dedicated his entire life trying to discover whether or not you and your honey really existed. You must believe me, he and I would never think of taking your precious honey from you. That wasn't how he was, and neither am I." Cheryl informed as the queen of the hive listened to her. "Treasure hunters are a strange lot, unusual indeed, unlike any other people that I've ever met! All they want is to find great things to share with the world." Digging into her bag, Cheryl pulled out a small honey jar which she politely offered to Vespiquen. "Now, if you'll just let me have a little of your honey, grandfather's dream will finally come true."
I watched as she took another step forwards and presented the empty pot to Vespiquen. "Grandfather always used to say, even if you can only have a little of your dream, it will bring you great happiness." Well, looks like the old man really did know what he was talking about. "Oh won't you please? Just a little bit?" Vespiquen looked at Cheryl for a long time, trying to sense a ploy but eventually, she nodded her head and the Combee all moved back, their eyes no longer glowing red with anger.
Cheryl gave a smile then stooped down before one of the fountains and filled her little pot with honey, letting the golden sweetness sweep in before lifting it away. "Thank you so much Vespiquen. I promise, your secret shall always be safe with me. I won't tell anyone where we found you." She said before turning back to us. "Look! Isn't it wonderful? Have a taste." She offered and we dipped in our fingers sampling the rich sweetness that filled my entire mouth.
"Now I know what real sweetness tastes like!" Brock said, going all goofy and we all laughed.
"Why do you think Vespiquen agreed to give Cheryl the honey?" Dawn asked so I answered.
"Because Pokémon are very sensitive. They have a way of knowing what's in our hearts and Vespiquen knew that Cheryl was telling the truth. Either that or she was just very impressed that we actually managed to make it here and thought we deserved a reward." I chuckled before a Combee wall came towards us and we took this as our invitation to leave with our own escort.
The Combee showed us the fastest way out and the moment we were back in the bright sunlight we all flinched, holding up our hands to shield our eyes from the glaring sunlight until they adjusted. "Well, things turned out just fine." Brock mused as we walked back to Eterna woods. "You finally got your enchanted honey. I bet your grandfather will be proud."
"I hope so. It's always been his dream, and now, thanks to you all, it's finally come true." Cheryl smiled as we all walked together. Suddenly Brock sprung forwards, standing in front of her.
"I got it! I'll be a treasure hunter too! That way, you and I can go searching for rare treasures together, just you and I, forever!" He declared and I slapped a hand to my brow. Where's Croagunk already?
"Look! A Beedrill!" Cheryl called and moved away from Brock. "My grandfather always said, if you see a Beedrill, you should travel alone. Goodbye now, thanks so much for your help!" And with that, Cheryl was gone. I felt bad for Brock, he looked crushed.
"Goodbye…my…sweetest of sweets…" He said before collapsing to the ground.
"You know Brock, that's not a bad idea." I said, looking up at the darkening sky. "Let's make camp. I think we can all do with some rest before heading on tomorrow." I said but then Eevee lifted his head.
"Vee?"
"Huh? What's wrong Eevee?" I questioned but he jumped from my shoulder and stared to run off again. "Eevee! Come back! Where're you going?" I yelled after him, running to catch up as the others all followed.
"Wait for us Ruby!" Ash called but as Eevee disappeared through a bush, I followed after him, crawling through before I stood up.
"Eevee what's gotten…" I trailed off as I looked up and saw a small clearing, surrounded by a thick cluster of trees however in the centre, surrounded by grass and daises, was a single rock covered in moss, however there was a strange energy flow that seemed to emit from it and Eevee sat there before it, looking up curiously. "Eevee?"
"Ruby! What's…what is that?" Ash asked as the others all came rushing in but halted next to me, staring at the strange rock that just sat there in the middle of the forest. Eevee tilted his head to the side then slowly, lifted a paw up and pressed it against the rock, curious.
"Eevee?" I questioned then gasped as Eevee began to glow, shining brightly before starting to change shape. My eyes widened in shock until finally, the light disappeared and my newly evolved Eevee turned around to face me.
His ears and tail were now shaped like leaves, tinged with green from the tan of his body and the darker brown at his paws. There were little sprouts of green dotted over his body but most prominently on his brow and he looked up at me with the same chocolate brown eyes. Unable to speak, I pulled out my Pokédex to see the information on this new Pokémon.
"Leafeon, the Verdant Pokémon. Leafeon is always surrounded by fresh clean air because it uses photosynthesis just like a plant." My Eevee just evolved into Leafeon. My Eevee just evolved into Leafeon!
"That's so cool!" I suddenly squealed and ran forwards as Leafeon smiled and jumped into my arms. "You look awesome Leafeon! But how did you do that?"
"Of course, this must be a moss rock." Brock said as the others all walked over as I hugged Leafeon to me. "Some regions have a mysterious rock just like this which causes a strange reaction with certain Pokémon, which in this case made your Eevee evolve into Leafeon." He explained to me and I smiled.
"Guess we'll have to start training all over again." I said with a smirk before hugging Leafeon again.
"Leafeon." He nodded his head, signalling he was ready when I was and I giggled before kissing his face lovingly. Since Leafeon was now too big to carry on my shoulder, he happily walked at my side, graceful and elegant and the air seemed to smell fresher when near to him. I can't believe it, I have a Leafeon! I can't wait to tell Professor Oak and Vaporeon, she's going to be so proud, I know it! I wonder who would win if they were to battle. Leafeon has the type advantage, but Vaporeon knows Ice Beam, which is effective against grass types. I can't wait to find out.
