Parfum Palace
"My God, it's huge!" I exclaim. The building before us gigantic, easily dwarfing Castle Shabboneau. Though only two stories tall the Palace is five times as big as the Castle. The front lawn is also huge divided by a ten foot tall iron fence wrapping around the Palace. At the front is a big gate, closed and locked.
"Yeah, look at all the gold, it's everywhere." Shauna sees. Everything is trimmed in gold and the front door is flanked by two gold Pyroar statues. As we approach the gate an older man opens the front door and walk toward us.
"Hello and welcome to the Parfum Palace, my name is Sebastian. I am the butler to Mister Parfum. Are you here for the tour?" Sebastian is dressed very neatly in a grey suit.
"Hi, my name is Shauna and this is Mike. We were hoping to talk to Mister Parfum about something very important." Shauna says.
"I am sorry Mister Parfum is having a bit of a crisis at the moment, other than that I am not to open this gate to anyone who has not paid the $1000 entrance fee." He informs us.
"But that's $2000! We don't have that kind of money." Shauna says.
*Is there any other way you could let us in?" I say.
"Let me think... Hold on a moment, let me talk to Mister Parfum." With that he turns and walks back into the Palace.
"What do you think?" Shauna asks me.
"I have no idea, we just have to wait and see." After a few minutes Sebastian returns with a small smile.
"I have good news. Mister Parfum has agreed to let you into the Palace, free of charge." He tells us.
"What's the catch?" I ask.
"He would like your help in finding his missing Furfrou. It has been missing since this morning and Mister Parfum is rather distraught. Follow me and I will explain further." He pulls out an old fashion, solid gold, key and opens the gate. We step inside and he locks the gate again. We follow him up the path leading to the Palace and he explains the situation. "We have been looking for Mister Parfum's missing Furfrou all day. We have the entire staff searching the building; the only place we have not been able to search thoroughly is the back garden. I have been instructed to show you to the head gardener, he will help you in your search for Furfrou."
As he was talking we were walking through the Palace, amazed. The entire place was covered in gold, the floor, the walls, the ceiling; there were even columns of gold all through the house. Soon we were at a back door of the Palace. Sebastian opened the doors and ushered us through. We walked over a bridge and were in the garden. It was massive, taking up nearly as much space as the Palace. Sebastian leads us over to an older man in dirty gardening cloths, giving instructions to other dress like him.
"Hello Jim, how is the search progressing?" Sebastian asks.
"Hey there Mister Sebastian, I have just finished organizing the other gardeners, they have started the search." He says.
"Well I have some good news; I have two more young people to help you. Mike and Shauna this is Jim our head gardener; Jim is in charge of the search for Furfrou. Please put them to good use. I will continue to organize the search inside." With that he leaves us.
"Thanks for the help." Jim says.
"No problem, do you have any ideas on how to start?" I ask.
"Well, unlike every else here, I don't have a clue as to what you can do. I have the other gardeners searching their own areas of the garden, I think what you should do is search on your own, with me as your guide. I know the whole garden like the back of my hand." He says. Shauna pulls out a Pokeball.
"I have an idea, let's search from the air." With that she tosses the Pokeball into the air and Vivillon appears.
"That's a good idea. Let's go Fletchinder." I toss my own Pokeball and release Fletchinder.
"Wonderful idea kids; with air support we should find our missing Pokémon in no time." Jim tells us. With our Pokémon searching from the air and Jim, Shauna and I searching from the ground, we make our way into the massive garden. As we look I get a chance to take in the garden around us. After crossing a bridge over a mote, we were standing on one of the main lanes of the garden. As we walk Jim explains the layout of the garden. Divided into four separate areas all of them are currently being scoured by the gardening staff. Jim had planned to search the last one himself but says he is glad for our help. After turning left at a huge statue of some Pokémon we come to the area we are going to search.
"Okay kids here"s the plan." Jim says turning towards us. "I'm going to search around the edge of the garden, make sure Furfrou is not hiding on the outside of the hedge. I want you two, with your Pokémon, to search the inside of the hedges. The layout of this one is simple if you happen to find Furfrou you should be able to corner him. Send one of your fliers to find me if anything happens." With the plan laid out Jim set off around the edge of the hedge.
"Well let's get started then." I say. Shauna nods and we walk into the garden. I can just see over the hedges and can tell there are a few paths around the garden.
"I think we should split up from here. You and Vivillon go to the right side and Fletchinder and I will take the left. Like Jim said, if you need any help send Vivillon." With a nod Shauna heads off to the right.
"Alright Fletchinder, let's get started." He takes off into the air, circling around me as I walk. Just as Jim said the layout is very simple with only a couple of paths and it's only minutes before Fletchinder flies down and gives a soft chirp. He lands on my shoulder and I follow his directions to where he saw something. We are coming up on a T shaped intersection when we hear a howl. A pink streak comes barreling around the corner. It slows down for a fraction of a second, long enough for it to see Fletchling and me blocking the way, and it takes off in the other direction. Seconds later Vivillon come to a halt in the middle of the intersection, followed closely by a panting Shauna.
"Saw...gasp...Furfrou...gasp." Shauna says between breaths.
"Yeah it just went that way." I say pointing in the direction it went.
"If you can follow it Vivillon and I can go in the other direction, I think we can corner it in the back of the garden." She says.
"Alright let's go." I say. Shauna and Vivillon go back the way they came and Fletchinder and I follow the Furfrou. Soon we come up on another corner. With a silent signal Fletchinder takes to the air. After a quick look he comes back and lands again.
"Is he close?" I whisper. He nods and we turn the corner slowly. This part is short enough I can see Shauna and Vivillon at the other end and Furfrou lying in on the path, sleeping. Shauna looks up and we catch each other's eyes. We both start walking slowly towards Furfrou. When we are just feet from him, Furfrou wakes up with a yawn. Both Shauna and I lunge toward him but, in a flash, he takes off down a path to the left. Shauna and I end up in a pile on the ground, Shauna sitting on my chest. Fletchinder lands on the ground and starts chirping loudly.
"Yes we know, hurry up Shauna." I say as Shauna get off me. We hurry down the path Furfrou went and see him pacing along the border sniffing for a way out. Luckily the hedges are so thick that he can't find a gap.
"Shauna can you send Vivillon to get Jim it looks like we have Furfrou cornered."
"Yeah, Vivillon go find Jim, hurry so we don't lose him." Shauna tells her. Vivillon nods and flies off to look for Jim.
"Ok, Fletchinder and I are going to keep Furfrou busy. Can you stay here and make sure he doesn't slip past us?" I ask.
"Yeah he won't get by me." She says energetically. With Fletchinder on my shoulder I start walking toward Furfrou.
"Hey! You need to come back with me, your master misses you." I say to him. He cocks his head as he listens to me then starts growling. "Alright Fletchinder looks like you're up." With a chirp he takes to the air. Furfrou lunges at him with a Tackle. "Dodge with Agility!" Fletchinder shoots toward the sky with blinding speed.
"Now use Peck!" Fletchinder dive quickly and pecks Furfrou hard on the head causing him to back off a little. "Now keep dodging his attacks until Jim gets here." After a few minutes, in which Fletchinder dodges all of Furfrou's attacks, Vivillon appears over the hedge with Jim jogging after her.
"Good job you two, now I can return Furfrou to his Pokeball." He says taking out a gold colored Pokeball. He tosses the Pokeball toward Furfrou but he dodges it easily. The Pokeball comes back to him and he tries again with the same results.
"I hate to ask you this but do you think you could tire Furfrou out so I could recapture it." Jim says turning to me.
"Yeah I shouldn't be a problem. We already exchanged a few blows." I tell him. To Fletchinder I say, "Alright boy, time to get serious, use Ember." From the air Fletchinder shoots a small group of fireballs at Furfrou. He takes the full effect of the attack but gets up hardly injured. Furfrou lunges at Fletchinder and Tackles him to the ground. "Attack again with Quick Attack!" Staying close to the ground Fletchinder slams into Furfrou and sends him crashing into the hedge. Quickly Jim throws the gold Pokeball and this time he is successful. Before he puts away I pull out my Pokedex, "Trimming its fluffy fur not only makes it more elegant but also increases the swiftness of its movements."
"Great job Fletchinder, take a rest." I tell him and return him to his own Pokeball.
"Thanks for your help kids, now I can return Furfrou to my Master. Let's go." Jim leads us out of the garden and back to the Palace. When we arrive at the entrance of the Palace we see an old man standing in front of a huge golden statue. Talking to him is the butler Sebastian. Leaving us a little way away Jim approaches the two of them. He hands the gold Pokeball to the old man and after some talking and pointing in our direction Jim waves us over.
"Master Parfum these are Mike and Shauna, they are the ones who found and helped return Furfrou. Mike, Shauna this is the owner of The Parfum Palace. Master Parfum." Jim introduces us.
"Hello Mister Parfum, we are very glad we could help find you lost Furfrou." Shauna says very politely.
"Yes, Master Parfum is very grateful for you assistance." Sebastian says to us. "In return he is willing to grant you one favor as well as a seat to his firework show this evening."
"The whole reason we came out here is to see if we could use the Pokeflute that Mister Shabboneau sold to you. We need it to wake a sleeping Snorlax that is blocking the road." I explain.
"We would be very grateful if you would let us borrow it for a little while." Shauna adds. Sebastian leans in as Mister Parfum whispers something in his ear, then Mister Parfum walks away.
"Master Parfum has agreed to your request. You will be presented with the Pokeflute, with the condition that it will be returned within two days, after the firework show in a few hours. Until then I am to escort you to the balcony overlooking the garden, where you will be able to enjoy the display. When you are ready I would ask that you accompany me." Sebastian says.
"Alright I'm ready when you are." I tell Shauna.
"Then let's go." She says. With a quick goodbye to Jim we follow Sebastian. He leads us through the huge gold and marble filled mansion, up a flight of stairs and through a huge glass door onto a large balcony. The balcony is set up with food and drinks, for both Pokémon and people. There are three rows of couches and chairs set up facing the edge of the balcony, to provide a comfortable view of the fireworks.
"May let your Pokémon out for the evening and partake of refreshments. The show will start in an hour, at dusk, until then we ask that you and your Pokémon remain on the balcony, if you need any assistance there will be a servant waiting just inside the hallway. Please enjoy the show." With that said Sebastian disappears into the mansion.
"Well this looks nice, I hope the fireworks are good." I say.
"Me too, I'm going to let my Pokémon out." Shauna grabs her Pokeballs and tosses them into the air. Chespin, Vivillon, Litleo, and Flabébé all appear. I to the same and release Fennekin, Fletchinder, Ralts, and Honedge.
"Alright guys listen up, we are here to see a fireworks show. You all need to behave; there is food for you and you have free reign of the balcony. Until the show starts, have fun." I tell them. With that said the Pokémon scatter. Fletchinder flies up to the roof, tucks his head under his wing and falls asleep. Flabébé lands on top of Shauna's head and starts looking around. Chespin, Litleo, Fennekin, and Ralts walk over to the buffet table where a server sets bowls of Pokémon food down for them. Honedge, still new to the group, stays by me watching everything.
"Are you hungry?" I ask Shauna. She nods. "I'll go get us some food, why don't you find us a good seat." We separate. With Honedge trailing close behind me I head to the buffet tables. With a little coaxing I convince Honedge to join the other and when I leave them he is having a good time with them. At the tables I grab two plates and fill them with our favorite foods then I find Shauna. She is sitting on a small couch in the back row. I hand her her plate and we quickly clean them. Just as we are finishing the other people start of fill the other seats. Soon the sky is dark and the fireworks are starting. We are so close we can feel each explosion. I look over to Shauna and see her face light up differently with each burst of color and her eyes are sparkling. I reach over and put my arm across her shoulders. She leans down and snuggles into my side as we watch the rest of the show. The fireworks explode over head and I can't help but stare at Shauna. With each explosion her face lights up a different color, each one beautiful. As I watch her she looks up at me.
"What are you looking at?" She asks, her cheeks heating up a little.
"Just your beautiful face, your look amazing." I tell her. She blushes heavily and tries to look away. I put my hand under her chin to stop her and bring my face down. The first thought that hit me is how soft her lips are, like velvet. She reaches up and tangles her hands in my hair, pulling me down farther. The fireworks in the background are the perfect setting. After what seems like forever, we break apart gasping. We each take a handful of breaths before going back in. We are so wrapped up in each other that we miss finale and don't even notice they have ended. We only break apart when Ralts tugs on my shirt. Slowly, lingering in the softness of her kisses, I pull away. The balcony is empty and we stand. Just as we stand Sebastian appears beside us. He tell us that rooms have been prepared for all the guests, including us. He leads us to a huge, luxurious room and leaves. Without a word, Shauna heads for the bathroom. I put on my pajama pants, finishing just as she reappears. I lie in the bed and hold the covers up. She crawls under them and I wrap myself around her soft body. We both quickly fall asleep.
The next day we wake up to breakfast in bed, delivered by servants. The maid giggles a little when Shauna blushes at being caught in bed with me, making me smile. After eating, I head for the bathroom, giving Shauna a quick kiss on the lips before I do. After we both shower and dress, we head back to Camphrier Town.
Author's Note: I just found out I have a few chapters written and decided to post one. I'll post another one in a few days, then a third after that. I will probably write another few chapters at least, so yeah. Hope you liked this chapter and please, PLEASE! REVIEW!