Chapter 10: Gardenia's Greenery

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon

After leaving the Eterna Forest, Lucas and I noticed that it was getting late. Fortunately, we were able to get into Eterna City before night fell completely. We immediately proceeded to the Pokemon Centre, and decided to stay the night, postponing my Gym battle until tomorrow. It was just as well, since I wanted my Pokemon to be fully rested before I made the challenge. Lucas remarked that I was in as much of a need for rest as the Pokemon were.

I left my Pokemon with Nurse Joy for the night, except for Eevee, who insisted on sleeping with me. In the morning I got them back with the news that they were all well rested and in good health. With approval from Nurse Joy, I let them all out into the lobby so they could join Lucas and I for breakfast. The exception was Rotom, as I had been informed by Joy that, being a Ghost-Type, he didn't eat like other Pokemon. However, his electrical properties did require the occasional recharge. It probably wouldn't have been a good idea to let him out near all the medical equipment anyways.

Cherubi and Eevee stood on the table to eat with Lucas and I, while Kirlia took a chair for himself. Linoone and Skarmory both had their food out of bowls on the floor, although Skarmory took to staying away from the others, wanting 'territory' for herself. While we were eating, Lucas and I watched other people come and go from the Pokemon Centre, but there was one in particular who came in that caught our attention.

She was wearing baggy orange shorts that looked they had their legs torn from a longer pair of pants. Instead of a normal top, she appeared to be wearing a green poncho, tied off at the front. Her hair was the same shade of orange as her shorts and she was wearing lime green boots. Accompanying her was a Pokemon that resembled a blue orb with round hands and feet attached. It also had a large red flower on its head, which I recognized as a Gloom.

This strange girl conversed briefly with Nurse Joy and then, for some reason, turned towards Lucas and I. Immediately her face lit up with an inane smile, and she rushed towards the table we were sitting at. To my surprise though, she wasn't interested in us, instead setting her sights on Cherubi. She picked him up into a deep, and somewhat painful looking hug.

"Oh, this Cherubi is so adorable!" she exclaimed. "I could just eat it up."

At the mention of the word 'eat', Cherubi's face turned pale, after which he wriggled out of the girl's grasp. He then ran across the table and hid behind me.

Before I had a chance to say anything to her, a torrent of speech came out of the girl's mouth. "That Cherubi is yours right?"

"Um, yes but..."

"Do you want to trade for it? It's so cute and in such great health. I have a lot of other Grass-Type Pokemon I could offer you for it."

"Excuse me miss, but who are you?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I guess I got carried away again. My name is Gardenia. What's yours?"

"It's Amber. Also, Cherubi was the first Pokemon I ever caught on my own, so I'd rather not part with him."

"Aw, phooey."

"Hey Amber," cut in Lucas, "haven't we heard that name before?"

"Gardenia you mean?"

"Oh, so you've heard of me?"

"Yeah, Cheryl mentioned her yesterday. She was the one who had been scared to go investigate the Old Chateau."

Gardenia nearly fell over after hearing that comment. "You heard about that did you?" she said, a nervous smile on her face.

"Yeah, but it worked out pretty well for me. Turns out it was a Rotom causing the problems there, which I managed to catch. Wanna see?"

"Er, no thanks, I'm good."

Before our conversation could go any further, Gardenia broke away from it and looked off to my side. Curious, I turned to see what she was looking at, and saw the Gloom she had come in with rummaging around in my bag. It seemed to be looking for something, and Gardenia looked quite embarrassed.

"How many times have I told you not to go through other people's things, Gloom?" she exclaimed. "Sorry about that Amber, I think she saw that you guys were eating and wanted to join in."

Gloom did as Gardenia requested and stopped rummaging through my bag, but not before plucking something out of the side picket. I only had a moment to notice that it was my Leaf Stone before both it and Gloom were bathed in white light. What emerged from the light looked similar to Gloom, but the flower on her head was much more developed, and had also lost the shrivelled leaves underneath it. Gloom had evolved into a Vileplume.

Gardenia's expression seemed torn between horror and delight. She then turned to me with a very awkward expression. "Um... I don't what to say other than I'm sorry about that. Although, I'm kinda surprised you were carrying a Leaf Stone around like that."

"I got that at the Summer Festival in Floaroma Town. I actually kinda forgot I had it, since I didn't have any Pokemon that used it to evolve."

"Still, I feel kind of bad about Gloom, Vileplume rather, using it without permission. If you come to the Gym, I might be able to make it up to you."

"You're from the Gym? Sweet, you can take me there to challenge the Gym Leader."

"Why don't you just challenge me right here and now?"

"...You're the Gym Leader?"

Gardenia hung her head and sighed. "I guess Cheryl didn't mention that. Anyways, I accept your challenge, so let's go already."

I recalled all my Pokemon and packed up my gear before leaving the Pokemon Centre. Gardenia also recalled her Vileplume before leading me over to the Gym. Lucas came with us as well, saying that he had never seen an actual Gym battle before. When we reached the Gym, I noticed that on the outside it looked remarkably similar to the building that Roark's Gym had been.

Once we got inside though, I thought for a moment I was back in Eterna Forest. The inside of this Gym was filled with all manner of plant life, and was more or less one big garden. I noticed then that the roof was actually made of glass, making the Gym as warm as a greenhouse. There were several others in the Gym tending to the plant life, and with them were numerous Grass-Type Pokemon. They all welcomed us warmly, and got very excited when Gardenia told them her Gloom had evolved.

After the welcome, Gardenia led me to the middle of the Gym where I saw the arena marked out on the grass. Unlike the rest of the Gym, the arena itself actually had just short grass, which was a stark contrast to the rock filled arena at Roark's Gym. Gardenia and I took up positions on opposite sides of the arena, while one of the flower girls took up a place as the referee. Lucas stood close to the ref for a good view of the field.

"This will be an official Pokemon League Battle for the stakes of a Forest Badge," called the referee. "You will each use three Pokemon, and there will be no time limit."

"Good luck Amber," called Lucas.

"Thanks," I replied, although I felt luck wouldn't be necessary.

"I'll start things off with this," stated Gardenia. "Go Vileplume!"

"Then I'll go with Kirlia!"

We both tossed our Pokeballs into the arena, where our Pokemon appeared opposite each other. I was curious as to what kind of moves Gardenia would use, and had figured Kirlia's psychic defences would be the best way to find out. I was a little annoyed that she had chosen to use a Pokemon that had evolved thanks to my Leaf Stone, but didn't say anything.

"Let's get started," stated Gardenia, suddenly sounding more serious than she had seemed before. "Vileplume, let's see what she can do; use 'Absorb'!"

"Block it with 'Light Screen', Kirlia!" I called in response.

Vileplume lowered its head to reveal the top of its flower. She then fired a faint red beam from that flower straight at Kirlia. Kirlia stood ready and his eyes lit up with their usual psychic glow. The air in front of him seemed to solidify into a translucent silver plate. When the 'Absorb' beam hit the plate, it bounced off and dissipated harmlessly. After that, the 'Light Screen' faded away.

"Not bad kiddo," remarked Gardenia. "Vileplume, use 'Stun Spore' to keep it in place."

"Evade it with 'Teleport' and then use 'Confusion'."

Vileplume again lowered its flower, this time spraying a massive cloud of yellow coloured spores towards Kirlia. However, before they could make contact with him, Kirlia glowed with a soft white light and vanished, the spore cloud flowing past where he had been standing. He reappeared right behind Vileplume, immediately after which his eyes lit up with psychic energy. The same glow briefly surrounded Vileplume, who then began to wobble and spin on the spot.

"Finish it with Psybeam!"

Kirlia complied, and fired the rainbow coloured beams from her eyes at Vileplume from point blank range. The impact pushed the Grass Pokemon halfway across the arena before dissipating. Vileplume wobbled on the spot briefly before falling over backwards, its eyes spinning. Gardenia immediately recalled her as the referee declared her unable to continue battling.

"I was hoping the boost from evolving would give her an edge, but I guess its time to get serious. Go, Turtwig!"

The Pokemon that Gardenia sent out this time was a fair bit smaller than her Vileplume had been. It looked like a green tortoise with a brown shell, although there was also a small plant sprout growing out of its head. Unlike Vileplume, I was unfamiliar with this Pokemon, and had not seen it before. For that reason, I consulted my Pokedex. 'Turtwig: the Tiny Leaf Pokemon. The shell on its back is made of soil, and becomes harder when hydrated.'

'That little thing shouldn't be much of a problem,' I thought to myself. After all, turtles were slow, and even if it was protected by a shell, Kirlia's psychic powers would be enough to get around that.

"Okay Turtwig, show her your 'Tackle'."

"Kirlia, use..."

However, before I could even finish my statement, Gardenia's Turtwig had made its move. It had moved so fast that I had barely been able to see it. Kirlia was taken by surprise as much as I was, and was stuck full on by the 'Tackle'. He was thrown clear across the arena, but just before he crossed the outside boundary, he used 'Teleport', and reappeared just in front of me. Gardenia's Turtwig had yet to move again.

"Good work Kirlia," I called. "Even if he's faster, you can use 'Teleport' to keep up with him."

"That was a pretty impressive save," stated Gardenia. "However, it won't be enough to keep up with real speed. Turtwig, 'Tackle' Kirlia once more."

Turtwig charged Kirlia once again using its impressive speed. As I had told him, Kirlia teleported himself to avoid the attack. However, Turtwig turned around mid charge and sped off in another direction. Kirlia began to re-materialize further down the arena, at which point Turtwig adjusted its direction to head right towards him. Kirlia had just barely finished rematerializing when Turtwig reached him, denying him the opportunity to teleport again. Kirlia was bowled over by Turtwig's charge, and was unable to get up afterwards.

"Kirlia is unable to continue," called the referee.

I recalled Kirlia and grumbled under my breath. I heard Eevee yip into my ear, indicating that she wanted to fight. Unfortunately, I had to hold her back. "Sorry Eevee, but you're not quite fast enough to keep up with that Turtwig. However, I have something that can: Go Linoone!"

Gardenia bore a curious expression as Linoone appeared. "An interesting choice. Do you think it'll be able to match my Turtwig though?"

"Only one way to find out," I replied. "Linoone, give it all you got and use 'Quick Attack'!"

"Turtwig, use 'Withdraw' and take the hit, I wanna see what she can do."

Upon hearing my command, Linoone growled and ran straight at Turtwig. In response, the turtle Pokemon tucked its head, legs and tail into its shell, and waited directly in Linoone's path. Linoone's movements were like a streak, and were at least equal to the speed Turtwig had displayed. I was glad that Gardenia had Turtwig stay in one place, since Linoone had little control running at this speed. He collided with Turtwig, but I was dismayed to see that the shell barely even moved from the impact. Immediately afterwards, Turtwig came back out of its shell to face Linoone.

"I see," called Gardenia. "It's got speed, but not enough power to get through Turtwig's shell. That's too bad, since that speed was rather impressive. Turtwig, use 'Grass Knot'. Make sure it hits."

"Get out of the way Linoone!"

Turtwig opened its mouth wide, which caused grass from the field to fly up and form into a ball. Linoone turned away from Gardenia's Pokemon and began to run in order to avoid the attack. Turtwig simply turned its head and launched the ball of grass. Turtwig's head swivel had been to compensate for Linoone's straight line movement, and the ball of grass struck him clean in the side. After that, it seemed to bog him down, preventing him from moving.

"Finish it with 'Razor Leaf'!"

Turtwig obliged and spun the leaf on its head, hurling numerous small, sharp leaves at Linoone. Being tied down by 'Grass Knot', Linoone was unable to avoid the attack, and was struck by every single leaf. I clenched my hands tightly, unsure of what I could do. Turtwig had beaten Linoone, which was the only Pokemon I had capable of matching its speed. I recalled Linoone and reached into my jacket. I fiddled with my Pokeballs for a moment, trying to decide what to do.

"You can feel free to back down any time," called Gardenia. "Seeing as how my fastest Pokemon just beat yours, what can you do?"

"I didn't give up against Roark and I'm not gonna give up here!" Eevee cooed her agreement with me, after which I pulled a Pokeball from my jacket. "If ground speed won't work, I'll take to the air. Go Skarmory!"

Upon emerging from her Pokeball, Skarmory let out a screech. She looked down at Gardenia's Turtwig with a menacing glare. Turtwig didn't seem afraid, but Gardenia's interest was piqued. "This should be interesting. Turtwig, use 'Tackle'!"

"Into the air Skarmory!"

Turtwig attempted to ram Skarmory, but came up short as Skarmory gave a heavy flap of her wings. This action not only launched Skarmory into the air, but also pushed Turtwig back, preventing it from jumping to hit her. It also gave me an idea of how to deal with Turtwig's speed, which would prevent Skarmory from landing a hit.

"Skarmory," I called, hoping to end it quickly. "Use 'Whirlwind'!"

"Turtwig, 'Withdraw' and hold your ground!" came Gardenia's response.

Turtwig once again pulled itself inside its shell to protect itself from the oncoming attack. At the same time, Skarmory began to flap her wings fiercely, generating gusts of wind with the force of her flaps. The wind picked up when it hit the ground near Turtwig, and with each successive flap the gusts grew stronger. Not only was the attack forceful enough to lift Turtwig off the ground, but it threw it across the Gym into the opposite wall.

The shell sunk to the ground, from which Turtwig emerged. Not only had it been thrown out of the arena, but the collision with the wall had knocked it out for a loop. Gardenia groaned audibly and recalled Turtwig, while Skarmory let out a fierce shriek of victory.

"Looks like it's time to bring out my ringer," stated Gardenia. "Go, Roserade!"

Gardenia's final Pokemon emerged below Skarmory. Its body was shaped like the stem of a plant, with a large leaf forming a cape on its back. Its arms also looked like stems, except that each ended in a triad of rose flowers; red on the right, blue on the left. Its head also resembled a rose, save that the petals were white. Gardenia had claimed that this Pokemon was her 'ringer', so I would have to be careful.

"Start off with 'Poison Sting' Roserade!"

Roserade held out his rose 'bouquets', which immediately fired a series of small, glowing needles towards Skarmory. However, upon striking Skarmory's metallic down, the needles scattered and dissipated, and Skarmory didn't even seem to notice she had been attacked. I smirked, remembering now that Skarmory's armour-like feathers made her almost immune to physical attack. It was my turn to attack now.

"Go Skarmory," I called, gesturing with a finger for emphasis. "Use a diving 'Fury Attack'!"

Skarmory screeched in response and then dove towards Roserade, folding her wings in for extra speed. She struck at Roserade with her beak as she passed him before rising into the air again. She repeated this three more times, each time causing Roserade to stagger. She remained in the air after her last pass, preventing Roserade from reaching her.

"Grr..., Roserade, use 'Petal Dance'!"

Roserade regained his balance and once again aimed its bouquets at Skarmory, this time including the one on his head. From each of these came a stream of rose petals in the corresponding colour of the bouquet they emerged from. However, even the torrent of flower petals couldn't scratch Skarmory, who took the hits without even flinching.

"Good Skarmory,' I called, knowing it was almost over. "Use 'Air Slash' and finish it off!"

Skarmory screeched once more, at which time one of the feathers in each of her wings took on a shimmering glow. She flap her wings fiercely, which threw the feathers clear and caused them to spin like saw blades. The blades flew at Roserade and crossed each other the moment they struck him. After that, the continued flying in a circular pattern and recoupled with Skarmory's wings. Roserade staggered from the attack, and then fell to the ground in defeat.

"Roserade is unable to battle," called the flower girl referee. "Gardenia is out of Pokemon, and the winner of this match is Amber!"

I let out a whoop and pumped my fist into the air to celebrate my victory. I allowed Skarmory one more victory shriek before returning her to her Pokeball. Gardenia also recalled her downed Roserade and ran over to my side of the arena. She patted me on the shoulder and pulled something from her poncho. It was a pin that bore the shape of three connected diamonds, each designed to look like a tree. This was the Forest Badge.

"I can't believe you were able to turn things around on me like that," stated Gardenia, presenting the badge to me. "You earned this, so I hope you'll wear it well."

"Thank you very much," I replied, taking the badge and pinning it to my vest next to the Coal Badge.

"That was pretty amazing Amber," said Lucas, walking over to join me. Eevee showed her agreement by licking my ear, which tickled and made me snicker.

Before leaving the Gym, Gardenia also presented me with two thousand Penz in prize money, and something else she hoped would made up for using my Leaf Stone. It was another stone, this one shaped like an oval. It was a very light shade of teal, with a white part in the middle that looked like an early morning sun. She had called it a 'Dawn Stone', and said that like the Leaf Stone it made certain Pokemon evolve. I thanked her for the gift, and continued on my way with Lucas.

Author's Notes: This chapter went on a little longer due to the three on three battle. Depending on how many Pokemon are in a battle, and what type of battle it is (Double, Single, Team, etc.), all chapters containing big battles will be rather varied in length.