A/N: Here is the chapter as I promised. As obvious, May catches Skitty in this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
Chapter 23: Skitty and Aromatherapy
The group was on their way to Verdanturf Town, and as the place had been advertised, the air on the way was very clear and clean. The path between Verdanturf Town and Mauville City had the cleanest air in all of Hoenn, in fact. This was because the wind patterns made the ash from the volcano never fall in the area. It was also where many flowers and other plants bloomed. The temperature was even perfect. It was a very beautiful area.
Currently, the group had stopped for a small break, and May was busy practicing for her next contest. She had a Frisbee in her hand, and all of her Pokemon were out of their pokeballs. May reached back to gather momentum and threw the Frisbee in the air.
"Your turn, Dustox! Get the Frisbee!" she said.
Dustox chased after the Frisbee until it had flown in front of it. Dustox then used its Gust to catch the Frisbee. Dustox then used the Gust to make the Frisbee circle around it a few times before it and blew it back. The Frisbee flew straight towards May who reached up and caught it with one hand.
"Great job, Dustox! That was perfect!" May praised.
"Dustox!" Dustox said happily.
"Well done, May!" Serena said from the side where she, Ash, and Brock sat and watched. They had all of their Pokemon out, too, so they could play and because the air was so nice.
"Thank you, Serena," May said gratefully, "Do you think I'll have a chance with this contest?"
"I think you'll be just fine," Serena answered, "You're not starting off with something too advanced like you were last time. It's great for someone and their Pokemon who are still learning."
May nodded her head and smiled. She knew Serena had meant it as a compliment so she took it as such. Once she and her Pokemon got down something less difficult, they could move on to tasks that were a lot more difficult to pull off. May figured she would be able to get past the appeals round with a little more practice.
"Okay, Torchic. Your turn," May told it.
Torchic eagerly ran over next to May and waited for her to throw the Frisbee. May wound back her arm and tossed the Frisbee into the air, but not as high as she did for Dustox. Torchic ran after the Frisbee before it leaped up and caught the Frisbee in the center with its beak. Torchic then landed on the ground and used its beak to balance and spin the Frisbee above it. Torchic then used its beak to throw the Frisbee back to May who caught it with one hand again.
"Awesome, Torchic! Way to go!" May said and received another happy cry in response, "You're up next, Azurill. Try to balance the Frisbee with your Water Gun!"
May once again threw the Frisbee out, and Azurill hopped after it. Azurill managed to get over to where the Frisbee was and shot out the Water Gun from its mouth. However, it shot too early, and just ended up spraying the Frisbee to the ground. Azurill saw the Frisbee fall to the ground, and its eyes filled with tears before it began to cry.
"Oh! It's okay, Azurill!" May tried to console as she ran over to it and picked it up, "We just need to practice a little more! I know you'll get it!"
Everybody seemed to be distracted by Azurill's crying and May's practice. Sableye watched from the side and figured this was the perfect chance to sneak off and do some plotting, especially since that Togetic wasn't breathing down its neck right now. However, Sableye had barely made it even a few steps before a Pokemon had called out to it. Sableye grit its teeth in anger before it whirled around and discovered its second most-hated Pokemon after Togetic…Ash's Aron. Dang. Sableye had only known Aron a couple of days, but it was already more annoying than every other Pokemon put together.
Aron marched up to Sableye before it got in Sableye's face and asked it why it was falling out of line with the other Pokemon. Sableye gave the most neutral expression it could as it stared back at Aron and just shrugged its shoulders. Aron didn't find that answer acceptable and pointed to the ground and told Sableye to drop and give it ten pushups for its insubordination. Sableye responded by spitting in Aron's eyes.
Aron gasped and began to wipe its eyes clean of the nasty substance as Sableye smirked and hurried away before Aron could recover. That Aron was definitely next on Sableye's list to eliminate along with Togetic once its evil plan came into fruition. It just needed to try to figure out the perfect time and place.
Sableye made its way inside a bush where it could have some privacy. It smelled lovely inside the bush which made Sableye want to puke. Needless to say, Sableye was the only one of the group's Pokemon who detested all this scented paradise. However, it was all of what was available so Sableye knew it would just have to deal with it. Sabeley rubbed its hands evilly as it began to think out its plot more. It probably wouldn't get too much done about exploiting Serena's darkness in a place like this. Maybe around Mt Chimney, or Meteor Falls, or by a fifty foot cliff, or maybe even a dark cave.
"Nyaaah!" a voice suddenly cried.
Sableye leaped up in surprise before it turned to the side and saw a Skitty next to it and staring with an excited look on its face. It was a pink and white cat-like Pokemon with a hand-like tail. The Skitty ran up to Sableye and began circling around it like it wanted to play. Sableye watched the Skitty with absolute contempt in its eyes. It made sense that a Pokemon like Skitty would be in beautiful area like this. Sableye couldn't stand that the Skitty seemed this playful and happy. It hated everything about this Skitty. Something this happy should be eliminated from the world.
Sableye stopped the Skitty with its hands and dug its fingers into Skitty's fur. Skitty let out a cry of pain and looked up at the Sableye in confusion but, the look soon turned to fear as it saw the Mean Look Sableye was giving it so Skitty couldn't escape. Sableye began to drool as it was looking forward to absolutely breaking this Skitty's spirit with its Torment.
Skitty began to writhe in discomfort and pain as bad visions and fear began to fill its head. Skitty then began to shiver as Sableye released it. Skitty then curled into a ball and began making fearful cries while Sableye watched with sadistic glee in its jeweled eyes. Sableye figured it should torture this Skitty for a little longer before it finished it off. This felt sooooo good. It's dark pleasure was cut short by a voice calling out to it, however.
"Sableye? Where did you go?" Serena called.
Sableye halted its assault on Skitty and grit its teeth in anger. Serena had to find it just when things were starting to get fun for it? Sableye growled to itself in anger before it came out of the bushes and saw Serena and the others hurrying over to it. Sableye mentally rolled its eyes when it saw Togetic giving it a disapproving look.
"Why were you in the bushes?" Serena asked.
Sableye then put on a fake look of worry before it pulled a few branches back and pointed inside. The group went over to the clearing Sableye had made for them, and they gasped when they saw a Skitty there.
"Hey! It's a Skitty!" Brock noted.
"Wow! It's so cute! Hi, Skitty! I'm May!" May introduced and crouched down next to it.
"Let's see what Dexter says," Ash said as he, Serena, and May took out their pokedexes.
"Skitty, the Kitten Pokémon. Skitty will get completely caught up in pursuing any moving object that catches its eye," the machines said.
However, Skitty didn't really seem to be much in the mood for meeting people or chasing things at the moment. It was curled up and had a sick expression on its face from the nightmares it was having. The group frowned as they watched the Skitty. Weren't they supposed to be happy Pokemon?
"What's wrong with it?" Serena asked in worry.
"It looks sick," Ash added.
"I don't think it is. It doesn't have a fever," Brock said after placing his hand on its forehead, putting his Pokemon Doctor skills to the test. He then thought for a moment, "Hmm…I know where we can take it. Follow me."
"Where to? A Pokemon Center?" Serena asked.
"Not for this," Brock answered, "Let's go."
"I'll carry Skitty," May stated as she picked it up, and her eyes filled with sadness at how frightened and upset the Skitty seemed. It looked absolutely miserable right now, "Don't worry, Skitty. We'll get you help."
Togetic looked over from the Skitty and glared at Sableye. Togetic was positive that Sableye had something to do with this, but Sableye played ignorant and just shrugged its shoulders. Togetic continued to glare at Sableye as Sableye and the other Pokemon were returned to their pokeballs. With that, the group hurried off with Brock in the lead.
The group followed Brock's lead through a winding path in the woods. As they passed through, they saw various grass Pokemon pop up behind the bushes and smile at them. They ignored the urge to stop and greet them as they continued on. After about ten minutes of walking, they arrived at a rather large mansion-like building with many different kinds of plants, particularly flowers, around it.
"This is called the Greenhouse," Brock stated once they arrived, "It's a special type of Pokemon laboratory that specializes in fragrances and aromatherapy."
"You think Skitty can be healed by this?" May asked as she looked down to the still miserable Pokemon.
"Definitely. I think Skitty is sufferering from fatigue, or maybe a curse of some kind," Brock said as they made their way in.
"A curse?" Serena questioned as she took a quick glance at Sableye's pokeball. "No. It couldn't be. Sableye found Skitty like that and even showed us where it was."
Togetic saw where Serena's eyes had traveled and frowned. If only there was some way to prove that Sableye caused Skitty to be like this. Granted, Togetic didn't actually see Sabley do it, but still.
As they approached the building, a young woman who looked in her early twenties came out from one of the pathways. She saw the group coming towards her, and she turned to them and gave them a warm smile.
"May I help you?" she asked kindly.
"You must be Eliza, the Pokemon therapist. I must say, you're even more beautiful in person than in the pictures I've seen of you in your book," Brock said, but a quick wiggle from Kabuto's pokeball made him clear his throat, "But that's beside the point. We found this Skitty, and it appears to be under some sort of curse."
"Please help it!" May cried.
"Oh, my," the woman gasped as she came over and examined the Skitty, "I believe you're right about a curse. Please come with me. I have just the treatment for it."
The group then followed the woman into the mansion, and they were immediately greeted by a wave of pleasant smelling aromas. They hardly had time to appreciate the smells, though, as they followed the woman through the lab until they reached a room full of corked bottles and potted plants. The woman then went over to one of the shelves and took a bottle before uncorking it and taking quick sniff. She nodded her head and walked back over to the group.
"This should do the trick. Please place Skitty on the couch over there," the woman instructed before she poured some of the bottle's contents into a special type of scentilizer and turned it on, "There we go! A bit of rest and breathing in this fragrance, and Skitty should be as good as new!"
"Thank you so much!" May replied gratefully.
"So, Skitty will get better by breathing in this scent?" Ash questioned.
"Yes. You see, it seemed Skitty was affected by a curse that caused it to have frightening visions and depression. This type of aroma is made from a Weepinbell's Sweet Scent and mixed with special herbs. Its pleasant aroma should relax Skitty as well as its mind to return to normal and cancel out the effects of the curse," the woman explained.
"That's right," Brock confirmed.
"And forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. It's as he said. My name is Eliza, and I'm a Pokemon Aromatherapist," the woman introduced.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Ash!" Ash replied, "And that's Pikachu!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu greeted with a wave.
"I'm May," May added.
Serena seemed distracted, but she realized it was her turn and smiled, "I'm Serena."
"And I'm Brock! I was the one that led them here!" Brock finished.
"Nice to meet all of you, too!" Eliza responded before she turned to Brock, "I remember you mentioning that you read my book."
"I have, actually, and I enjoyed it very much!" Brock replied with a bit of pride, "I'm studying to be a Pokemon doctor and have read different books on healing Pokemon. I'm traveling around with my friends here until we reach Lilycove City where I'll attend the Pokemon Medical School."
"That's where I went!" Eliza said with a smile, "I'm sure you'll do excellent at the school! You were right about Skitty and to bring it here!"
"Hahahaha. Thanks," Brock said as he blushed from the praise, "In fact, if it's okay with you, will you take me on a tour of your laboratory while Skitty rests? I'd love to take notes. As great as your book was, I'd prefer the real thing."
"Heehee! I'd be glad to!" Eliza responded with a giggle
"I'll just stay here with Skitty, if that's okay," May said
"I guess I'll go with Brock and Eliza to at least smell the different types of scents," Ash decided before he turned to Serena, "You want to come, Serena?"
"No, thanks. I think I'll just take a walk in the garden," Serena replied, "Would you like to go with me, Togetic?"
"Toge!" Togetic replied with a nod.
"Is everything okay?" Ash asked as he suddenly got a concerned look.
"Yes. Everything's good, Ash. I just want to do a little thinking," Serena said and gave a small smile herself.
"Well, if you're sure…" Ash said as he turned to leave with Brock and Eliza.
Serena and Togetic then left the room to head outside which left May alone with Skitty. May reached out her hand and began to scratch Skitty behind the ears, and it let out a contented sigh at that which made May smile. Soon, Skitty would be feeling as good as new, and May would attempt to capture it. Then again, a brief thought made May pause. Would it really be alright to just battle Skitty as soon as it was feeling better? She certainly didn't want a Pokemon like this to get away, but she also didn't want to help it only to fight it. Hmm…what to do?
Serena walked with her hands behind her back as she went through the garden and took in the pleasing aromas coming from all the plants. She appeared to be lost in thought. Togetic was flying next to her and kept glancing at her every few seconds as if trying to decide what she was thinking. After a moment, Serena found an opening that had a water fountain with a bench next to it. It was the perfect spot to have a conversation. Serena sat down on the bench, and Togetic glided over and sat down, as well. It looked like Serena was about to say something so Togetic looked at her expectantly.
"Togetic," Serena began, and she suddenly got a troubled look on her face, "How certain are you about what Sableye is like?"
Almost immediately, Togetic glared and nodded its head furiously to show it was positive that Sableye was up to no good. It just had no idea what Sableye was really after. As long as Togetic was in the dark about that, Sableye had the upper hand, and Sableye and Togetic knew it.
"I guess I didn't even have to ask," Serena replied with a sigh, "It's just that…I want to believe Sableye is a good Pokemon. It hasn't done anything to harm me or you or any of our other Pokemon since I captured it. If anything, it's been friendly. I just don't see any other reason how Skitty could've been cursed like that. Ghost and dark-type Pokemon don't hang around this area so I don't think it could've been a wild Pokemon."
Togetic didn't respond and just let Serena talk. The more she doubted Sableye, the more likely she was to let it go. Then it couldn't do whatever it was it planned to do to Serena. It still shot another nasty glare at Sableye's pokeball, though.
"I think I should talk to it," Serena said more to herself than Togetic and got Sableye's pokeball from her belt, "Come out, Sableye."
Sableye appeared from its pokeball and looked around to find it was just the three of them. It also noticed the pleasing aromas in this garden, and it was soooo…nice. Ugh! Sableye loathed how pleasant it was here, but it swallowed its hatred and instead gave Serena a curious look while ignoring Togetic's glare.
"Sableye…" Serena began, not really sure how to complete her sentence, "Did you…cause that curse on Skitty?"
Serena felt terrible for asking her own Pokemon a question like that so bluntly. Sableye would probably get offended at the question, and it would be a sure way to damage her relationship with her new Pokemon for doubting it like this. Still, there was no point in beating around the bush about it. Serena expected Sableye to get upset, but it didn't. Instead, Sableye got a confused look on its face as if asking Serena what she meant.
"I mean…just hold still for a moment, please? I have to do this," Serena stated as she held her hands out to Sableye.
Serena really hoped she could activate her ESP to read Sableye's mind. All the other times, there had been some sort of distraction that would take her mind away from this. Out here, with no distractions or any other Pokemon besides Togetic, she might finally get a chance to do it. Hopefully, this would prove Togetic wrong.
Togetic finally gave a smile since they had been in the garden. This was the moment of truth. As soon as Serena put her hands on Sableye and read its mind, its treachery would be revealed. Togetic would then be prepared to battle with Serena and chase it away from her forever. There was no getting out of it for Sableye this time.
Sableye knew this, too. It was trying its hardest to keep a neutral expression, but its façade was beginning to crack. No! Why did she have to do it now of all times? Sableye thought it had done a great job of fitting in with the other Pokemon not named Aron or Togetic. Had it been too careless when it attacked Skitty? Now, Serena was suspicious of it and wanted answers. What could it do?
Serena placed her hands around Sableye's face and concentrated as hard as she could. She really hoped this would work. She had done this with Fearow and could do it with Sableye. Her hands then began to glow a light blue as she tried to read Sableye's mind. Okay. She managed to get it activated. Now she just had to direct it into Sableye's head. Here it goes…
It was…strange. There was a mix of emotions that Serena was sensing right now. Regret, anger, sadness. What was with all of this? Serena tried to go deeper into Sableye's mind, but it was so closed off. Was it because Sableye had trusting issues? Everything was so inconclusive about Sableye. Finding out what Sableye was really like wasn't as black and white as Serena had hoped. She tore her hands away and looked rather sad herself.
Togetic saw the look on Serena's face and figured she must've realized Sableye's true nature. It was preparing to launch an Air Slash at Sableye, and Sableye actually looked prepared to fight back. Serena held up her hand to stop them, however.
"Wait. I still don't know. That didn't work like I had hoped," Serena muttered.
At that, Togetic canceled the attack and sighed while Sableye lost its defensive stance. It then went over to pat Serena's leg as if to say it was alright. Serena reached down and picked up Sableye before she put it in her lap.
"You are definitely the strangest Pokemon I've ever owned, and I have some weird ones," Serena said and gave a small laugh, "It seems like the only thing I can do is keep you with me. I think you don't trust people very easily. Is there something in your past that you want to talk about?"
Sableye's mind lit up with an idea. Yes. That was right. It had a troubled past, or at least that's what it could make Serena think. If it played up to that role well enough, she would clear all suspicion of it and better yet, make herself more open to its plan. This was perfect.
Sableye sighed and shook its head at Serena before it looked away. Serena frowned and nodded her head at Sableye.
"Thought so. Your mind was so closed off," she replied, "You really don't want to let anyone in, but I'll change that."
At that, Serena wrapped up Sableye in a hug, and Sableye was absolutely repulsed by it. However, it couldn't let Serena know that so it carefully wrapped its arms around Serena's waist in the best effort it could as a show of affection.
Togetic, however, could still sense the evilness in Sableye and gave a squeak of protest. Serena looked up to Togetic with a stern look.
"Come on, Togetic. I know you mean well, but maybe your instincts are wrong this time. Mine have been before. Innocent until proven guilty, right?" she told it before she looked back at Sableye, "Whatever it takes, I'll make sure you receive the care you deserve to make you open up."
Sableye looked at Serena's sincere expression with intrigue. Heh. Well, she could certainly try.
Skitty began to stir before it gave a stretch and a yawn. May looked over and gave a smile once she saw Skitty stand up. She also noticed that Skitty lost its miserable expression and had replaced it with a curious one.
"Hey, there, Skitty. Are you feeling better?" May asked it.
Skitty responded by turning to look at its tail. It then gave a happy cry before it began to chase its tail back and forth. It continued to chase its tail before it became dizzy and fell over. May clasped her hands and giggled at Skitty's antics.
"Oh my gosh! You are just the cutest thing!" May gushed.
Skitty then hurried over to one of the hanging curtains in the lab and began to scratch at them but not hard enough to rip them. Skitty then noticed its tail and began to chase it around again.
"I guess this means that you're feeling a lot better," May stated.
"Nyah!" Skitty responded before it ran over to May and hopped in her lap.
May thought it was sweet and cute that Skitty wanted to sit in her lap. That was until Skitty saw one of her pigtails and began to pull at it. May winced as she tried to release Skitty's claws from her hair.
"Ow! Ow! Not that hair!" May cried as she gently pulled Skitty away and set it down next to her, "You're really playful."
"Nyah!" Skitty said.
"I think I have something for you," May said before she reached into her backpack and took out a pink pokeblock from part of her year's supply, "Try this."
Skitty pawed at that pokeblock before it smiled and ate it right out of May's hand. May gave a light giggle and scratched behind Skitty's ears which the Pokemon seemed to love.
It was then May had a decision to make. Should she try to capture Skitty now? It did just wake up, but it was clearly feeling alright. May also didn't know what the future would be like. Now that it's feeling better, Skitty may try to run off. If it got away, May would lose the opportunity to have a really good Pokemon on her team.
It was at that moment that Ash, Brock, and Eliza returned from their tour of the mansion. Brock had his notebook out and was eagerly reading his notes as they walked. He then sat next to May on the couch before he looked up from the notes and smiled once he saw Skitty.
"It seems Skitty's feeling a lot better. Leave it to good ole aromatherapy," he said.
"It sure did. Thanks for taking us here, Brock," May replied before she looked at Eliza, "And thank you for healing Skitty."
"It was my pleasure," Eliza responded.
"Pika!" Pikachu said happily as it leaped off Ash's shoulders and ran over to Skitty.
It then extended its paws as if asking Skitty for a pawshake. However, Skitty seemed more interested in Pikachu's tail. Skitty crouched down low before it gave a cry and pounced right on top of it. Pikachu gave a cry of discomfort before it yanked its tail away and massaged the ache away.
"I think that Skitty and Serena's Eevee would get along really well, but I think that Skitty is even more playful," Ash noted. Mentioning Serena made him remember about her. "So, I guess Serena isn't back yet."
"Not yet," May replied, "I guess the gardens are pretty big."
"No. There was something on Serena's mind," Ash muttered as he crossed his arms.
"Somebody say my name?" Serena asked as she entered the room with Togetic.
"Yeah. We had just noticed that you weren't back from your walk," Ash responded as he spun around to face her.
"Well, here I am," Serena chirped before she saw Skitty, "Skitty seems better!"
"Is everything okay?" Ash asked the same question from earlier.
"It sure is!" Serena said brightly, "There was just something I needed to check."
Ash had noticed that Serena had lost her troubled look and was a lot more her usual self. Whatever had bothered her earlier must've been taken care of with that walk. As long as she was okay, that was good enough for Ash so he let it go.
"So, I guess the question is what we do with Skitty now?" Ash wondered.
"Umm…" May said shyly as she fiddled with her hands, "I'd…I'd really like to capture it and take it with me, but I don't know if it would be appropriate."
"Yeah. You seemed to want it even before we realized it had a curse on it," Brock stated before he crossed his arms and looked at Eliza, "Hey, Eliza. Would it be alright if Skitty stayed the night here just to make sure everything's okay?"
"That would be just fine," Eliza replied with a smile, "In fact, I'll let all of you sleep here tonight since there aren't any Pokemon Centers around."
"That would be great! Thank you!" Ash said gratefully.
"There you go," Brock said with nod at May, "Tomorrow morning, we can ask Skitty how it feels about coming with you and if it's suited to battle."
"Thanks a lot. I appreciate it," May said with a bow and looked again as Skitty chased Pikachu around and tried to grab its tail.
It was almost ten o'clock, and most of the group was in bed for the night. Eliza had prepared guestrooms for them, one for the boys and one for the girls. May quietly exited her room to not wake Serena. Serena had turned in about thirty minutes ago but claimed she was feeling fine now so no one questioned it.
As May tiptoed down the hall, she saw a dim light coming from the study room. As she passed by it, she could hear Eliza and Brock conversing quietly with each other in the room. She didn't eavesdrop as that would be rude, but she could hear enough words to know they were talking about their career goals. May smiled to herself. She didn't know Brock like Ash or Serena did, but she could tell he was diligently doing his best to get accepted into the Pokemon Medical School. He had also found a new friend whom he could share notes with and talk about Pokemon doctoring in general.
After May passed the study, she went downstairs to where Skitty normally was. She wasn't too surprised to see Skitty still up. It was looking curiously at all the different types of aroma bottles. Once May entered the room, Skitty gave a happy cry and ran up to her.
"Hi, Skitty. I just wanted to see how you were doing," May told it.
"Nyaah!" Skitty replied and leaped up at May in an effort to get her to play with it.
"Heehee! It's late at night and you still want to play?" May said with a giggle as she caught it.
"Nyaah!" Skitty answered in the positive.
"Well, it's a little late for that, but we can always play tomorrow," May stated as she brought Skitty over to the couch before she sat down and began to pet it, "I also came down here to tell you about what I do and my journey."
"Nyaah?" Skitty questioned and looked at May.
"You see, I'm aiming to be the best Pokemon Coordinator I can be," May told it, "That's a trainer who shows off their Pokemon in cool and stylish ways with the attacks they use and how they look. I think you would be perfect for something like that."
"Ny," Skitty said with a yawn and began to relax under May's touch.
"And the best part is that since you like to play so much, you get plenty of that in Pokemon contests. They're never dull, and there are all sorts of creative ways to do them so nothing's ever the same," May continued.
By this moment, Skitty's eyes began droop, and it gave a stretch in May's lap. May smiled as she continued to pet it.
"I haven't gotten my first ribbon yet, but I really hope to change that in Verdanturf Town which is where we're heading. My Pokemon and I have been working really hard for this one," May said.
Skitty made a light noise of response but not much else. May figured it must be getting pretty tired.
"My Pokemon are really great, and I bet they will love to have a sweet Pokemon like you with us. Ash, Serena, and Brock's Pokemon are great, too. I saw you already like Pikachu's tail," May stated with a small giggle at the last part.
May then heard soft controlled breathing on her lap, and she looked down to see Skitty wasn't listening anymore. It had fallen asleep right in May's lap. For all its energy, even Pokemon like Skitty got tired late at night. May gently picked up Skitty and placed it back on the couch before she got up.
"I don't know how much of me you heard, but I really hope you decide to travel with me tomorrow," May whispered before she retreated back to her room.
The next morning, the group woke up and entered the living area after a breakfast made by Brock. He insisted on cooking for Eliza this morning because of the generosity she had shown the group so far as well as thanks for what he'd learned. Once they were in the room, Skitty perked up from its spot on the couch and ran straight for the group. It then hopped into May's arms.
"Good morning, Skitty. Did you sleep okay?" May asked it.
"Nyahh!" Skitty answered happily.
"I guess Skitty's taken a liking to you, May," Ash stated.
Skitty then began to paw at May's face in an effort to get closer to her. May smiled broadly at that and brought Skitty closer.
"Skitty, does that mean you want to travel with me?" May asked hopefully.
"Nyaah! Nyaah!" Skitty answered.
"That's awesome!" May exclaimed, "I guess you heard what I was telling you last night, after all!"
Skitty then managed to get its claws on one of May's pigtails and began ruffle it and pull at it. May hissed in discomfort and pulled Skitty away before she grimaced.
"Either that, or you just really like playing with my hair," May muttered which caused the rest of the group to laugh.
Skitty then leaped out of May's arms before it spotted Pikachu and its tail. Skitty crouched down and twitched its own tail before it leaped at Pikachu's. Pikachu cried out and instantly pulled its tail away which caused Skitty to fall face first onto the floor. That didn't deter Skitty as it began to chase Pikachu in circles to get ahold of its lighting bolt-shaped tail.
"Skitty likes you, Pikachu!" Ash joked, which caused the Pikachu to glare at him.
"Even though it seems more focused on playing, I think Skitty would do really great in your contests, May," Serena told her.
"Yeah," May replied before she quickly picked up Skitty, "Skitty, I've been wanting to have a battle with you. I know you said you'd come along, but I prefer to capture you the traditional way. Will you battle me?"
Skitty seemed to think for a moment before it smiled and nodded its head. May grinned and gave Skitty a hug.
"Thank you, Skitty!" she said.
"That's great, May! You and Skitty can battle outside in the garden," Eliza said.
"Great! Thank you, Eliza!" May replied as she left with the rest of the group behind her.
May and Skitty then lined up for battle. Skitty stood ready on one end while May stood on the other. Skitty actually looked somewhat serious for a change as it prepared. Skitty was still smiling as normal, but there was a determination the group felt that it wasn't going to take the battle lightly. That's how May wanted it, though. She unclipped a pokeball from her belt and threw it forward.
"Come on out, Torchic!" May instructed.
Torchic appeared from the pokeball and saw who its opponent would be. Upon seeing Skitty, Torchic got into a battle ready position. It had helped May capture Azurill and Dustox, and it would help her catch this one, too.
"Okay, Torchic, use Peck!" May ordered.
Torchic dove forward at Skitty as its beak glowed. Skitty jumped out of the way and gave a laugh as Torchic went sailing by it. Skitty then ran up to Torchic and leaped at it to tackle Torchic to the ground. Torchic gave a chirp of pain as it hit the ground, but it was quick to get up.
"That's okay, Torchic! Try Ember!" May shouted.
Torchic launched the bits of fire from its mouth which were a little harder for Skitty to dodge. It danced around the embers, but one ended up singing its fur. Skitty gasped and turned to look at the spot on its far which gave May and Torchic an opening.
"Use Peck again, Torchic!" May yelled.
Torchic dove forward again and struck Skitty dead on. Skitty gave a cry of pain as it went sailing backwards and hit the ground. May then took out a spare pokeball and threw it.
"Pokeball, go!" she cried.
The pokeball connected with Skitty and sucked it inside. May smiled to herself and Torchic at a job well done until the pokeball burst open and revealed Skitty again. It shook its head and smiled.
"Darn. I guess it still has enough fight in it," May muttered.
Skitty then leaped forward and began slapping Torchic across the face with its tail for a Doubleslap attack. Torchic gave a cry of pain with each successive slap. Skitty then gave an extra hard slap at the end which knocked Torchic to the ground. Skitty then went to jump on top of Torchic with another Tackle.
"Watch out, Torchic! May warned.
Torchic rolled out of the way just in time. It then went to get up but Skitty saw that and slapped Torchic back onto the ground with its tail. It then brought its tail up again and finish with another Doubleslap, and May knew she had to act quickly.
"Hurry! Use Ember!" May shouted.
Torchic then used the fastest Ember it ever had in its life. This took Skitty by surprise, and it was struck by several of the embers as it tried to shield itself with its tail, but it was to no avail. Skitty wobbled for a moment before it fell back to the ground. May then got another spare pokeball and threw it at Skitty. This time for sure.
"Go, pokeball!" May called again.
Once again, the pokeball struck Skitty and sucked it back inside. The group and Torchic watched in anticipation as the pokeball continued to shake. Finally, after a while, the pokeball let out its signature ding and stopped shaking to show Skitty had been successfully captured. May and Torchic gave a leap of joy before they ran over to the pokeball.
"Alright! I caught a Skitty!" May cheered before she showed Torchic, "Way to go, Torchic!"
"Torchic!" Torchic replied proudly.
"That was awesome, May! Good job!" Ash praised her.
"Thanks, Ash!" May replied before she looked at Skitty's pokeball, "I can't wait to start training with it! In fact…"
May then let Skitty out of the pokeball. It still appeared a little woozy from the Pokemon battle, but a quick Super Potion courtesy of Brock left it as good as new. May then knelt down to face Skitty, and Skitty looked at her expectantly.
"We're going to have a lot of fun together, but we'll also have to work hard! I know we'll get along just fine!" May told it.
Skitty gave a happy cry before it went over to Torchic and slapped its wing with its tail. Torchic stared in confusion at the gesture before Skitty bounced away from Torchic and shook its tail in a taunting manner at Torchic. Torchic glared and began to chase Skitty in circles for a game of tag. The group laughed as they watched the new Pokemon to their team.
Meanwhile, Pikachu wiped its forehead in relief as Skitty seemed to have found a new target for its playfulness. Still, for good measure, maybe it should keep an eye on where Skitty was for a while. It wouldn't want any surprise pounces on its tail…
Pikachu then gave a cry of surprise as something did indeed pounce on its tail. Pikachu spun around to see Togetic had grabbed its tail and was smirking mischievously at it. Pikachu narrowed its eyes at its little brother.
About three seconds later, Togetic was dizzy from a Thundershock.
And May has Skitty. She'll get a noncanon Pokemon soon after her next contest.
There was also a tiny glimpse at Sableye's past when Serena tried to read its mind. All will be revealed in due time, though.
The next chapter will be up in about two week this time, but still, I guess that's better than a month. If I get a lot of writing done, I may post it sooner. Shorter chapters like this really do help. Until next time, have a good one!
Chapter 24: The Grass is Greener
