Ch. 12: Lurking Shadows
Andrew and Jasmine arrived at a place where there are some tables, chairs, balloons and other items that can be seen in a birthday party. Andrew saw many pokémon who are decorating the place.
"I think this will be one grand party" Jasmine said in excitement
"Yeah" Andrew said "Shouldn't we help those pokémon decorate the place?"
"No need" Blissey said, who came out of nowhere and heard Andrew's statement
"But it'll be faster that way, right?" Andrew said
"Sorry, Arceus won't even allow you to help them" Blissey said
"And why?" Andrew asked in curiosity
"Because it was their punishment" Blissey said
"Punishment in breaking the rules?" Andrew said, recalling on what happened to him
"It was a punishment in what they did while they still live" Blissey said
"What do you mean?" Jasmine said joining their conversation
"For committing crimes that they didn't confess and made up for it while they still live before" Blissey said
"Oh" Jasmine said while Andrew kept silent but his head was looking at the ground
After a while, Roderick and the others came. Andrew noticed that Percy was not on his normal mood.
"So, have you met the Bayleef?" Roderick asked
"Not yet" Andrew said
"If you're looking for the birthday girl, she's right there" Blissey said pointing to a crowd of pokémon
"Why didn't I noticed that before" Andrew said
The gang went into the crowd of pokémon. Andrew can see the Bayleef which was surrounded by lots of pokémon who are also greeting the birthday girl.
"Looks like we must wait for a while" Roderick said
Meanwhile, two figures are watching the crowd. One of them is dark purple in color and the other one is black and it has a zipper acting as its mouth.
"I officially hate this work" the Banette said
"Who will not" the Gengar said "We're working hard here while those lazy pokémon had fun with each other"
"I hate that Arceus guy, giving us these tortures" Banette said, placin a chair in a nearby table
"The Absol is lucky" Gengar said, putting a table cloth on the table where the Banette had putted the chair "His punishment was over yesterday"
"And I can't believe we'll be doing this for the next 10 years!" Banette said "I'll be dead by then"
"You're already dead, stupid" Gengar said
"I missed the old times" Gengar said
"Me too" Banette said
"If I could only make a plan to escape this freaking torture" Gengar said
Meanwhile, the gang is close to greeting the Bayleef. After the Sableye had greeted, Jasmine stepped in and greeted her.
"Happy birthday, Lyka" Jasmine said
"Thanks, Jasmine" Lyka the Bayleef said
"The others also wanted to greet you" Jasmine said as he pointed to Andrew and the others
"Happy Bithday!" the others, except Steve, said in unison
"Thank you all" Lyka said happily.
Lyka then noticed Andrew.
"Jasmine, who is this Riolu?" Lyka said
"That's right! You've never met before" Jasmine said
Jasmine pulled Andrew and introduced him to Lyka.
"Lyka, this is Andrew" Jasmine said pointing to Andrew
"And Andrew, this is Lyka" Jasmine said pointing to the Bayleef
"Glad to meet you" Andrew said extending his hand
"Me too" Lyka said extending one of her vines and accepting Andrew's hand
"When does the party start?" Jasmine said
"Blissey said it will start after the sunset" Lyka said
Jasmine looked at the sun. It was not yet at its zenith.
"We still have lots of time" Jasmine said "What should we do then?"
"I don't know" Lyka said
"Andrew, Percy and I could play with the ball, as usual" Roderick said
"Maybe I'll read another book" Jenny said
"It's settled!" Jasmine said "We're going to hang out at the gardens, how about you Lyka?"
"Is it okay if I join you?" Lyka said
"Sure, why not?" Jasmine said
All of them headed to the gardens. After a while of walking, Percy separated from the group and headed towards the direction of the mansion. Then, everyone arrived at the gardens. Steve climbed up a tree and rested by one of its branches. Lyka, Jasmine and Jenny sat together at one of the benches. Percy came back, holding a ball and a book with its vines. He gave the book to Jenny and he tossed the ball to Roderick and they started playing.
Meanwhile, Jasmine and Lyka talked with each other.
"So, when did Andrew came?" Lyka said
"Last two weeks" Jasmine said
"How come I didn't met him then?" Lyka said
"Oh, that's because he went with Arceus in his journey somewhere" Jasmine said
"Never heard of that journey" Lyka said
"But Arceus didn't show up last week" Jasmine said "So I'm assuming they did went somewhere"
"Strange though" Lyka said "Arceus didn't have such kind of trip before"
"Andrew has an exploration team" Jasmine said
"Hmm?" Lyka said
"That could've been the reason for Arceus to mak a trip with him" Jasmine said
"Maybe" Lyka said
"You can tell Lyka on what you feel to Andrew, Jasmine" Jenny said while flipping a page of her book
"WHAT?" Jasmine said
"You heard me" Jenny said
"And what do you mean by that?" Jasmine said
"Just say it" Jenny said "Andrew won't hear you from here"
"I suppose you can also tell Roderick on what you feel" Jasmine said
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Jenny said, placing a bookmark on the page and closing the book
"And I think Roderick has the same feelings, right Roderick?" Jasmine said, looking at the Charmander
"W-what?" Roderick said, pretending that he didn't hear it
"Come on! Don't pretend that you didn't hear it" Jasmine said "You're just a few feet away!"
"That's right, Roderick" Percy said "You can tell her now"
"Percy, stop it or you'll be sorry" Roderick said
"Make me" Percy said
"One more and I'll…" Roderick said
"And what? Both you and Jenny will unleash Ember on me in such a passionate way?" Percy said
Andrew watched in amusement. He enjoyed the show as Roderick was getting angry.
"Why you…" Roderick muttered
He tossed the ball upward and he followed after it.
"Take this!" Roderick shouted
Roderick used Focus Punch at the ball. The ball gained speed and was headed for Percy. Because the ball was too fast, Percy was hit. Then, the ball bounced and headed for Andrew's direction. Andrew noticed this and he sidestepped. When the ball was just passing him, he held the back of the ball, he spun , and he stopped. He stood with the ball between his two paws.
"Hey, stop it guys" Andrew said "You can hurt someone if you continue that"
"Changing the topic, eh?" Percy said "So, what do you think of Jasmine?"
Andrew slapped his forehead.
"Just shut up" Andrew said, moving away
"Hey! Don't avoid the question!" Percy said
Andrew stopped. He looked at Percy.
"I don't want to talk about this" Andrew said
"Come on. Just one tiny answer" Percy said
"I said NO!" Andrew said
He held the ball in one paw and used Force Palm. The ball gained speed and headed toward Percy. He was hit at the head. Then, the ball stopped a few feet away from Percy.
"Ow! What was that for?" Percy said
"For asking me that stupid question" Andrew said and walked away
"Geez. It was just a joke" Percy said as he rubbed his head
"But it was annoying" Roderick said
"Fine, fine" Percy said "I'll stop it for a while"
"Today was something" Lyka said
"Yeah" Jasmine followed
A/N: End of this chapter! The next one will be updated sooner because I still had a lot of requirements and I also needed some good grades, you know. Anyway, review!