"Okay guys, how about stopping here?" Brock suggested. "There's a small lake over there for the water Pokémon, and there's plenty of shade over here to get out of this heat."
"Sounds great Brock, let's let out all the Pokémon. Come on guys!" Ash called and instantly all his Pokémon dashed about in excitement, exploring every scent and sound as I too let out my Pokémon.
"It's play time guys!"
"Come and take a swim!" Misty cheered and all her Pokémon dived into the water. Or at least, all except Psyduck who hid behind Misty's legs. "Oh right I forgot, you can't swim." She said blankly as she looked down at him. "Oh well." I giggled as Latias rode on Pidgeot's back into the sky, watching her soar up and she waved her little paddle like hands as Pidgeot began to glide in a spiralling descent back towards me.
"You know, the Pokémon are all looking really great." Brock noted as he shone his Pineco with the help of his Golbat, who held the cloth for him as he rubbed special polishing stuff into Pineco.
"You're right Brock, they all look so happy and healthy." Ash agreed.
"Jigglypuff!" Jigglypuff beamed as she bounced over to me then jumped into her lap. "Jiggly Jigglypuff!"
"You want me to brush your hair? Is that right Jigglypuff?" I asked and she nodded her head with a satisfied look.
"Puff." I giggled then pulled out my soft bristled brush to start brushing her thick curl and her spotless pink coat, making her sigh happily as she enjoyed her star treatment.
"Poliwhirl, don't go too far out, make sure you stay where I can see you!" Misty called lightly over to Poliwhirl who splashed in the water to sit upright then gave Misty the thumb's up.
"Poliwhirl!"
"You know, with us only needing one more badge to compete in the Johto League, I think we deserve a little break." Ash said to me as he groomed Bayleef, who was laying down on the ground before him and enjoying his undivided attention as Phanphy rolled around them both, circling and circling before leaping up and flapping his little ears. "We've been working and training so hard, maybe we should spend the day here."
"Good idea Ash, and there's a town not too far away. If you like I can fly over and get some supplies to cook your favourite dinner." Instantly Ash and I beamed.
"Hamburgers!" We cheered and the Pokémon all chorused back in excitement as Brock chuckled.
"Well, I know an order when I hear one. Hey Ruby, you don't mind if I borrow Pidgeot or Charizard do you?" He asked and I shook my head.
"Not at all. You hear that guys?" I asked and both Pidgeot and Charizard landed beside me with a greeting. "Would you mind taking Brock to town to getting some supplies? It'll mean he could get back a lot faster than by just walking." I said and Charizard instantly stepped forwards with a nod of his head and a grunt. "Great! Thanks Charizard." I said and he nuzzled my hair softly before letting Brock climb onto his back.
"We won't be long, take care of my Pokémon for me whilst I'm gone!" He called as Charizard flew up into the air and I waved him off.
"We will!" Just then Vaporeon walked over to me with Latias on her back, though she was looking rather imploringly up at me and I heard her stomach rumble.
"Oh! You must be hungry, it is nearly lunch time after all." I said with a smile and reached out for her but Jigglypuff suddenly inflated her body and gave an indignant huff.
"Puff!" Instantly I pulled back, remembering she was still in my lap.
"I'm sorry Jigglypuff, I'll finish brushing you in just a minute but I've got to give Latias her bottle." I told her but she slapped at my hand then leaped out of my lap, putting her little hands on her non-existent hips.
"Jigglypuff Puff, Puff!" She then turned her head up into the air and began to march away as I massaged the wrist she had just slapped. That one stung a bit.
"Oh I'm sorry Jigglypuff, I didn't know you were busy." I said as I began to prepare Latias's feed whilst Vaporeon entertained her with her tail, wiggling it just out of reach and then used it to tickle her little belly. Jigglypuff stopped and pretended to remain uninterested, though I could tell she was listening. "But you see, I was just about to ask if you would be a super star for me and help feed Latias. It would show her just how grown up you are." I said then gave a mock sigh, shrugging my shoulders then picked up Latias.
"Puff Jigglypuff." Jigglypuff answered then marched right back over. "Jiggly?" She questioned, blinking her large, apologetic eyes up at me so I smiled then let her jump back into my lap. "Jigglypuff?" She looked up at me as I picked up Latias and held her in my arms like I were cradling a baby but then gave the bottle to Jigglypuff.
"Will you help me feed her?" I asked and Jigglypuff instantly nodded her head proudly.
"Jigglypuff." She agreed so she carefully offered the nib to Latias who instantly beamed and began to suck on the milk, making Jigglypuff gasp before she smiled brightly. "Puff!" She squealed then moved a little closer, gradually tilting the bottle as Latias drank more and more.
"Way to go Ruby, now that's how you keep the peace." Misty said to me as she sat with Psyduck in her lap. "Can I feed Latias next time? Please?" She begged and I nodded my head.
"Sure, of course you can Misty. That is if Jigglypuff will let you." I gave a little laugh as Latias finished her bottle then gave a satisfied yawn. "There you go Latias, wasn't that nice of Jigglypuff to help us out?" I cooed, shifting her in my arms then held her against my shoulder, rubbing and patting her back to make sure her stomach settled. Suddenly Latias gave a little burp then squealed happily, pointing towards my bag so I looked over but couldn't see anything.
"What is it Latias? What do you want?" I asked but Jigglypuff bounced over, dug through my bag then pulled out my flute.
"Jigglypuff!" She triumphed then quickly brought it over to me.
"Oh! You want me to play you a song?" I looked down at Latias who nodded her head then curled up in my lap.
"Poreon." Vaporeon nodded her head, the Mystic Water gleaming on her chest as she sat down beside me to listen.
"In that case, I know a perfect duet. Jigglypuff? May I have the honour of this song?" I asked and Jigglypuff gasped, her eyes glittering brightly before she leaped up and kicked her feet happily.
"Jigglypuff! Jigglypuff! Jigglypuff!" Assuming that meant yes, I smiled before beginning to play her song which she instantly joined in with. Ash and Misty gave appreciative but quiet laughs before closing their eyes and enjoying the music.
All the Pokémon crowded around to listen as well, whispering quietly among themselves before going quiet and listening as the harmony filled the air, rising up and floating away on the wind until it finished and Jigglypuff instantly beamed seeing that everyone was still awake. Well, almost everyone.
"Ah look at Latias, I guess Jigglypuff's song was just too relaxing after a nice bottle of milk." Misty said as Latias snoozed away in my lap.
"Guess so. Good job Jigglypuff." I said, rubbing her head gently. "Now, how about we finish brushing you?" I suggested and Jigglypuff instantly brightened further then bounced forwards to then sit down in front of me so I could carefully finish brushing her over.
Vaporeon enjoyed the treatment next and after that I checked Pidgeot's talons, ensuring they were in good condition then I inspected her wings and tail feathers, letting her show me by spreading them out as I didn't want to move and disturb Latias. "Good, you're all done." I said with a smile and nod of my head. "You look fabulous to me as always, Pidgeot." I told her and she chirped happily before taking a flight around the glade.
"Fabulous? Please, that old flea bag could lose at least ten pounds." A sharp, sadistic voice said from behind and instantly I whirled around and leaped to my feet, easing Latias into my arms in that moment and glared at the voice, which belonged to a girl in a pink frilled dress and wore her blonde hair in large pigtails with pink bows. Hang on a second, I know that girl! "No way, you?" She gasped as my mouth dropped open.
"I don't believe it…what are you doing here?" I demanded, instantly growing angry and Latias awoke, blinking in confusion then began to wail. "Oh! I'm sorry Latias, it's okay, it's okay, I'm sorry I woke you up." I instantly soothed but shot a look to the prim princess I had met a long time ago back in Kanto.
"I'm here to compete in the Johto League, silly, with my darling Pokémon." She answered as Ash and Misty came and stood beside me.
"Ruby, do you know that girl?" I growled.
"Yeah. That's the one I found trying to abandon Vaporeon when it was still an Eevee." I revealed and Ash instantly stared.
"What?!"
"How could you?" Misty demanded, her red hot temper rising. "You don't deserve any Pokémon if you can't appreciate them!" The girl fluffed out her hair then flipped it over her shoulder.
"Please, it's not like it's any of your business how I treat my Pokémon. If they don't do a good job like that wimpy little Eevee did then why bother keeping it?" She questioned. "I'm Sophia by the way. You are?"
"I'm Ash Ketchum, I'm in the Johto league too!" Ash instantly answered, stepping forwards and throwing out a hand. "And I'm going to beat you and show you how a real trainer works with their Pokémon!" But I muscled my way in and glared at Sophia.
"No Ash, that's my job. I'm going to defeat you Sophia, you wait and see. I'll show you how wrong you were about Vaproeon and my Pidgeot, then you'll be running away in tears back to your mommy just like the first time." Sophia's face grew hard as she glowered at me then looked down at my feet where Vaporeon was cowering.
"That little thing? I doubt if it could even defeat a Magikarp it looks so scared." She then took a step back and folded her arms. "And you're not going to defeat me. My daddy bought me the best Pokémon money can buy and my butler has trained them to perfection. Want to see?" She asked then didn't wait for an answer. "Come on out my darlings!"
Suddenly she was surrounded by Pokémon. A Ninetales with a coat gleaming in effortless gold, a Jolteon with spiked fur crackling with endless energy, a Scizor who looked just about ready to mash me into mush, a Nidoqueen and Alakazam, both of whom wore battle ready glares and finally, much to my horror, a Dragonair. Even Ash was impressed.
"So you see, with this team put together, there's no way you'll beat me. Not with that pathetic little water rat, or that fire lizard I remember you having. Did it finally run away from you like it should have long ago?" She asked and I grit my teeth, ready to reply but then I heard a familiar roar and the humming of wings so I smirked instead.
"No, in fact he's just got back." I answered, looking up at the sky where Charizard appeared, diving down from the clouds but the moment he saw Sophia, he snarled in rage and landed behind me, whipping out his tail to protectively curl it around me then clenched his fists, ready to battle.
"Hey guys I got the…uh…what's going on?" Brock asked as he noticed the standoff we were having.
"This is Sophia. She's the girl who abandoned Vaporeon when it was an Eevee back in Kanto." Misty told Brock with a dark glare at Sophia. Instantly her Pokémon moved forwards with a growl but then mine all jumped forwards too, even Vaporeon who glared at the Jolteon without fear. Pikachu stood at their sides, cheeks crackling with electricity as he jumped to my aid and I gave him a quick smile before turning back to Sophia.
Sophia cast her eye over my Pokémon before snorting. "So, you have a Dragonair too. And that little one in your arms looks cute. How about we do a trade? I'll give you my Alakazam for that one you're holding and my Scizor for your Dragonair." She said but I instantly shook my head.
"No way, I'd never trade with someone like you. You'd never be able to take care of my Pokémon the way they deserved to be treated." I said to her. "And Latias is only a baby, she needs me." Sophia rolled her eyes.
"I'll warn you now, I always get what I want." She told me, taking a menacing step forwards but I merely met her mark, glaring into her eyes with a burning fire.
"I'd like to see you try." I replied darkly, making her pause and think for a moment before she flipped her hair and gave a huff.
"Fine. I'll leave it for now. But you wait, I'll make you an offer next time you can't refuse." She informed me before returning all her Pokémon to their Pokéballs. "I must return to my camp now, my butler will start to worry if I am gone too long. Unfortunately I shall have to inform him that I found nothing of interest out here in these pitiful woods." She said as she turned around and walked away, flicking out a hand as she went to strike a sultry pose.
"Charizard, let's give her a proper send off." I growled darkly and Charizard instantly gave a huff, blowing a few flames down at Sophia and instantly she screeched, the hem of her dress catching fire and she ran off into the trees, abandoning all poise and decorum as yelled for her mommy. "Nice." I nodded my head in approval then began to rock Latias, gently calming her down. "It's okay Latias, I'll never let you go." I promised and Latias lifted her head.
"La?" She questioned and I smiled as she managed to form a proper sound, feeling tears rise to my eyes. Suddenly Latias lifted out of my arm and began to hover in the air, making her gasp before calling out happily. "La! La La!"
"You're flying Latias!" Misty gasped as the boys both laughed with bright smiles.
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu called, waving his arms as Latias circled around my head before landing back in my arms again.
"You're growing up too fast Latias, soon you'll be too big to hold like this." I said, wiping my face and my Pokémon all crowded around, nuzzling against me to try and comfort me so I smiled and relaxed into their embrace.
Well, now that I have a new rival, it seems play time is over. If we're going to stand any sort of chance against those bought Pokémon, we'll have to train really hard to even the playing field. Because as much as I hate to admit it, those Pokémon looked strong. Very strong.