Sitting at the table in dad's dining room, I attempted to shovel my breakfast into my mouth around the sulking Vulpix who occupied my lap.
My poor fire fox had found herself the victim of Lati's temper tantrum at being forced to stay the night at what in his eyes was my fathers territory. The dragonish fairy seeing Vulpix pulling her brush out of my bag and carrying it to where I sat on the bed doing my own hair, had snatched the fancy brush away snapping it in two with a savage bite. Said fairy was now held in Glimmer's clawed hands whilst Vulpix got to join me for breakfast. If it was one of my other pokemon who acted out, I would have recalled them as punishment, but sadly I was yet to find a ball that would hold my tiny villainous fairy. Though, there were rumors that the reason Silph co had been so quiet these past years was because they were working on some breakthrough poke ball technology, one rumor claimed they had a ball which could even capture a legendary.
Maybe I should pay Silph co a visit while we are in Saffron. If they have a ball to catch legendaries, then surely they have one that can catch Lati.
"You're planning to head to Saffron next right? Have you decided who you will be using in the battle. As it is your C rank promotion battle it will be a 2v2 battle." Dad said, rubbing a hand over the faint stubble he'd clearly been to lazy to shave away.
"Lati and Dreepy will be my two. Horsea won't be able to fight as the arena lacks a water element." I said, shifting my eyes down to my plate, a pang of sadness throbbing through me at the thought of my starter.
I'd chosen Horsea as my starter, yet he'd been neglected battle wise when we weren't in Cerulean. My fierce Horsea wanted to battle, to grow stronger but there were few chances for him to battle outside of training whilst we traveled. He wanted to evolve, to become a Seadra, something I'd held him back from for over a year due to my need for him to be my starter, but now, I couldn't help but feel I'd been cruel to do so.
"Dad, you told me that when Kingdra first evolved to Seadra, you let him leave to seek battles in the wild." I said hesitantly, pulling my starters pokeball from my belt and staring down at the blue ball with it's tiny painting of a sleeping Horsea inside.
"Yes I did, Seadra are driven to battle in their second evolution and I felt his growth would be affected remaining with me. I let him leave, and told him when he was ready to become a Kingdra to return to Blackthorn. He was gone for almost three years, but even if it took longer or he failed to return. I would not have complained, because it was in the end his wish." Lance said, meeting her gaze.
"Can you…Can you change Horsea's registration to the clan please? When we get back to Cerulean I will remove his everstone, and allow him to make his choice."
"I will change his registration to the clan, with a note that he is yours, when he returns and is scanned the clan member assigned to monitoring that line will inform you."
"Thank you," I whispered handing him the ball and watching as he left the room with it.
Burying my head into the soft fur of Vulpix's head, I tried to fight back the tears pressing against my eye lids. Horsea was my starter, and I didn't want to see my battle kin leave, but I knew he needed to, he needed to grow, to battle. Just as his sire still often left to do the same, as did many of the Seadra and Kingdra in our clans care. We did not force our dragons to stay in the clan lands, we gave them the freedom to come and go. I would give my Horsea, soon to be Seadra the same freedoms, as I would all my pokemon, no matter how much I wished for them to always be by my side.
I decided to have my dad drop me off at Cerulean on his way to Johto, as flying on Dragonite to the city would be much faster than on Salamence. The blue and red dragon wasn't happy with my choice, but I wanted to return to Gary and Ash as soon as possible so we could start on our trip to Saffron.
"Alright kiddo, behave and don't spend to much time in Saffron, camp outside the city like we discussed and just go in for your battle. Keep Sableye close."
"I will dad, don't worry." I told him as I slid down from Altair's back.
As my father took off again, I watched the orange form of Altair carrying him away in a fast moving blur. Releasing Vulpix, I unclipped Lati's harness from my own and offered the fairy to Vulpix who bit down on the harnesses strap, carrying Lati in her mouth as we walked away from the landing courtyard.
"Pii, Tog, Togepi Togepi."
"No, I'm not holding you, if you want to ride Vulpix you need to convince her."
I told the fairy, not even glancing down at the pouting spike ball who was crying fake tears over the indignation of being carried by Vulpix. He would never convince her to let him ride as opposed to being carried, Vulpix would not risk him dirtying her precious fur.
Ignoring the pair as Lati chittered nonstop at the fire fox trying to bribe and blackmail her into letting him go or allow him to ride on her back, I walked away from the city towards the river which ran alongside the city and led out to the sea. The area was a hotspot for catching wild water types, and it was difficult to find a quiet spot with no other trainers around. Eventually finding a spot I was happy with, and that was close to the the coast, I knelt releasing Horsea from his ball.
"Hey there Horsea," I murmured, reaching into the water to rub the small pokemon's scales lightly.
"Hor-se-a"
Bobbing up and down in the water the blue pokemon glanced around for a moment before looking back at me, the faint traces of draconic energy in the water type sending the barest whisper of confusion in my direction.
"We are still at Cerulean," I told him, and he nodded.
"It's time for me to take off your everstone, I know I've kept you waiting a long time. I am sorry." I said softly, pulling off my trainer outfit to reveal the bathing suit underneath.
Sliding off the bank of the river, I found I could only just touch the bottom in this section as I reached for my starters tail and unclasped the band which held his everstone. Almost instantaneously, Horsea gave a loud cry and was engulfed in a bright ball of battle energy.
"Seadra! Sea-Dra."
"Look at you, such a majestic Seadra." I crooned, stroking and scratching at the newly formed spikes on my now twice as large starter.
Pulling the water type towards me in the water, I held him close to my chest, whispering softly to him as tears flowed in an unending river down my cheeks. I felt like my heart was being torn from my chest as I allowed Seadra to drift away from my embrace, his dark eyes staring into mine.
"Seadra, Seaaa." The blue pokemon coo'd turning its head to look out at the river in the direction of the coast.
"I know," nodding my head I reached up to the necklace around my neck, undoing the clasp.
The necklace I wore today was my favorite, it's pendant a tiny carved Latios and Latias flying side by side. Placing the necklace around Seadra's neck, I knotted the chain to make sure the clasp didn't come loose.
"So you don't forget," I murmured, pressing a kiss to the water pokemon's snout. "Come home soon okay?"
"Sea-dra."
Moving away from him, I watched as he swam to the bank where Sableye, Vulpix and Lati stood.
"Pii, Togepiii." "Vulpix-pix"
Glimmer didn't say anything, and neither did Dreepy who swam towards me in the water curling around my now bare neck. Both were rarely vocal, but I could sense the sadness they both felt as we watched Seadra swim away and disappear beneath the water.
I stayed in the river until my skin wrinkled and I couldn't stand the chill anymore, staring out at the river. I kept hoping Seadra would turn around, that at any moment his spiky head would bob up out of the water with a cheerful cry as he greeted me with a stream of bubbles. He didn't, and I knew he was long gone, the faint traces of his draconic energy having long left my senses.
"Rosa, you have prepared the formal statement." I asked numbly as I dried myself with a towel from my bag.
Zzzt… Princess Amber's Seadra is undergoing training with the Blackthorn clan and will no longer be on her main team for the duration..We look forward to seeing Seadra again in future battles. BuZzz.. I have added several photos of you with Seadra during and after his evolution.
"Thank you." I muttered, knowing that if I didn't release a statement there would be questions as to why Seadra wasn't appearing in any videos.
Zzzt.. he will be back, miss Amber.
"I hope so," I said with a sigh, glancing at my pokemon who were all staring out at the river, with the exclusion of Lati who was trying to hit a pretty looking flower.
The sound of soft crying after Lati successfully destroyed the pretty white flower, sent Vulpix rushing over to investigate. Following behind and seeing Lati get knocked to the side by the fire fox I frowned, the cause of the pair's fight becoming clear as I saw the tiny white pokemon clutching the remnants of the broken flower. The Flabébé was no bigger then my palm, and I felt a pang of sadness as I saw its distraught face.
"Oh Flabébé, I am so sorry, Lati destroyed your flower." I said, kneeling down next to the little flower fairy.
"Fla-bébééé."
"Please, let me help? We can find you a new flower." I told the fairy, scooping it up with cupped hands only for the fairy to leap away and fling itself onto the ground where it's flower lay.
Sighing, I stood, knowing I wouldn't be able to do anything for the fairy at this point, but- maybe.
"Rosa, call Gary. Have him and Ash meet me here as soon as possible." I called to my still hovering rotom, before turning to Sableye.
"Glimmer, please watch the fairy, but keep a distance as you may frighten it." I said, then walked over to where Lati and Vulpix were wrestling.
"Enough, both of you. Lati come here."
Pulling my spike ball pokemon up by the straps of his harness, I held him at eye level glaring at him.
"I've had enough of your behavior, you are acting like a brat and we are all sick of it. Either start being nicer, and stop wrecking peoples things or I will send you back to Blackthorn to live with Dragonair and Dratini." I hissed threateningly, causing the fairy to stare at me wide eyed.
"Pii, Togi." He crooned, staring at me and I lashed him with a flick of draconic energy.
"Do not try and use charm on me mister! Now go and say sorry to that poor Flabébé." I said, dropping Lati to ground where he landed with a hard thump.
Arms crossed I watched as the sulky fairy waddled over to a sniffling Flabébé, and was rebuffed by the tiny flower pokemon who hit him with an extremely weak vine whip. The pokemon's lack of fairy flower leaving it with nearly no battle energy with which to power the attack. Sighing, I asked Rosa to search for any near by fields or gardens which contained the special flowers, in particular white ones. It wouldn't be easy replacing the fairies flower, and even more so as it seemed to be attached to white fairy flowers which were extremely rare. The more common fairy flowers were red, yellow, orange and blue.
"Pii,"
"Go try again, don't bother coming back until Flabébé forgives you."
"Togepiiii!"
Stomping away, Lati returned to the sobbing fairy who tried to lash at him again, but failed as her vine faded right after being conjured.
Zzzt… Miss Amber, the best places to find fairy flowers of high quality is Celadon city, Chrysanthemum island, Gardenia town, Xanadu Nursery and Leaf forest.
"Which has the best?"
Zzzt.. Gardenia town has a nursery which specializes in raising Flabébé for coordinators. This appears to be the best option as the fairy flowers are grown and cared for by members of the Flabébé's evolutionary line.
With a sigh, I nodded and ducking behind a bush stripped out of my still wet bathing suit to change into clean undergarments before pulling my trainer uniform back on. Hanging my bathing suit on a branch to dry out, I handed a pouting Lati a poke puff.
"No, not for you." I scolded as he went to shove it in his mouth.
Pointing to the still crying Flabébé, I set a pouting Lati back on his mission for forgiveness. Having Rosa pull up a map of the region I saw to my dismay that Gardenia town was a weeks travel from Cerulean and three days from Saffron. Though, it was only a day from Celadon, so if we traveled to Gardenia bypassing Saffron we could challenge Erika after. There was an old folk lore about the flower fairies, that if one destroyed a Flabébé's flower and did not make amends, they would be cursed. While I didn't believe in curses, I did believe Lati and by extension myself, needed to help the fairy replace her flower.
"Amber!"
Turning I saw my cousin and Ash racing towards me on our bikes, and watched as Gary came to a skidding halt next to me.
"Are you okay? What happened? Rosa said you needed help." Gary asked worriedly looking me over.
"I'm fine," I told him, giving Rosa an annoyed glance before turning to Ash who was staring in the direction of Lati and the Flabébé who was nibbling delicately on a poke puff.
"Ash, can you help me with Flabébé? Lati broke her flower being a bully," I said, explaining what had happened and how I wanted to help the fairy find a new flower.
"Gary, I know it wasn't part of our plan, but I think hitting the Celadon gym after visiting Gardenia would be the best way. Plus with Ash only having Froakie and Pikachu who can battle while he is a D rank, challenging Sabrina isn't the best choice for him right now. Once we have our third badge, and reach C rank we are no longer considered beginner trainers, which means we will have more pokemon available to use. Ash will be able to use Riolu in the battle against Sabrina if he challenges her after reaching C rank." I explained to Gary as we watched Ash sitting down and cradling the Flabébé in his hands with Riolu, Froakie and Pikachu at his side.
"Pii, Togepi."
"Fine, but only one. Glimmer, please help him get a pokepuff and keep an eye on him please." I said, nudging the sulking Lati away with the toe of my sneaker, ignoring his sniffles as he waddled away towards the backpack.
"What is wrong with him?" Gary asked raising a brow in my direction and I rolled my eyes.
"Nothing is wrong with him, he is being a brat and sulking because I made him apologize. I am thinking about letting him evolve once we challenge Erika, hopefully it will mature him a little."
"Are you going to evolve Horsea as well? Seadra are a rank C pokemon." Gary asked, and I bit my lip glancing towards the river.
"I've already taken off his ever-stone," I said softly, before tearily telling him about allowing Seadra to leave into the wild.
"Daddy did it with his Kingdra, and Clair did it with hers, same with most of the clan who train the line. I've known for awhile I would need to let him leave to mature on his own, but-."
"But, it still hurts to let him go." Gary said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me into a hug.
"Yeah," I mumbled, pulling back after a moment and patting Dreepy soothingly when he shifted about inside his jacket pocket having been slightly squished by the hug.
"Do you and Ash have everything? Or do you need to go back to Cerulean?" I asked, glancing over at the bikes with the boys bags strapped to the back.
"We are ready to leave, we were only waiting for you to get back." Gary said and I nodded, seeing Ash walking back over to us with Flabébé tucked into the chest pocket of his shirt.
"Amber, do you know where we can find another fairy flower for Flabébé?" Ash asked as he reached us.
Nodding, I explained the plans Gary and I had discussed for traveling to Gardenia then challenging Erika in place of Sabrina for our third badges.
"Is it okay if we do that?" Ash asked, tugging on his cap. "I know you wanted to challenge Sabrina."
"It's fine Ash, doing it this way works out better for us all. You would have a hard time facing Sabrina with your current team, this gives us some time to find you some more pokemon for your team." I reassured the boy as I placed my bag on the back of my bike which he would be riding.
"If you are both set, I think we should head off, its almost noon so we need to get going if we want to make it to the first inn Gary picked. We will follow our previous travel plan for the next two days, then split off the main route to head towards Gardenia as opposed to carrying on to Saffron."
The boys nodded, and after Gary released Growlithe so the canine could run with Vulpix, he recalled both Squirtle and Cubchoo only leaving his Solosis out as the psychic pokemon would be riding in the front basket. Cubchoo had gotten too big to fit in the basket, and with me deciding to sit on the back of Gary's bike for the first part of the journey there was no room for Squirtle or Cubchoo on the bike.
On Ash's side, he had Riolu sitting on the back on top of our three bags, with Pikachu sitting in the basket whilst Froakie remained in his ball. The tiny Flabébé had also migrated to the basket with Pikachu and was perched on the electric pokemon's head, clinging to one of the slender yellow and black tipped ears.
Pulling Lati onto my lap, as Glimmer disappeared into my shadow, I checked that Rosa's rotom phone form was clipped to my belt and that Dreepy was still napping in the pocket of my jacket as Gary finished checking our location and the fastest way to the main route on his own rotom phone.
Soon we were on our way, the two canine Pokemon racing in circles around the bikes, showing off their speed as we rode along the dirt path that soon joined up to the paved road leading towards Saffron and Celadon. The main route between the cities were busy, with people riding on bikes, or riding in rickshaw's pulled by a variety of different pokemon. They even passed an ornate carriage being pulled by a team of Ponyta, with brightly flaming manes. There were a few electric cars, and trucks, but they were vastly outnumbered and somewhat unpopular with most preferring to use pokemon base transports which were less damaging to the environment. The pokemon used by commercial transport companies, or used for personal transport were all registered as utility pokemon, which weren't able to be entered into official battles or contests.
It took just over the estimated week to reach Gardenia city, with us arriving on the eighth day due to being stopped frequently along the way to battle passing trainers. During that time, Froakie had shockingly evolved thanks to our forgetting to fit the pokemon with an everstone. This meant that Ash was left with only Pikachu on his team with the Frogadier out ranking him as a rank C. Luckily Pikachu was a rank D pokemon, and had some advantages when facing the grass type gym.
Though it was unlikely the electric type would be able to sweep through both of Erika's pokemon, but I had the sneaking suspicion he would soon have another pokemon to add to his team. Flabébé had become extremely attached to Ash, and while he hadn't officially caught the pokemon, I didn't think it would be long before it joined his team. Then if we could get the currently rank E pokemon to evolve into Floette, which was a rank D pokemon, it should be able to take Frogadier's place in the battle against Erika, even if it would be at a slight disadvantage.
"There's a lot of people here," Ash muttered as we rode or in my case rolled, through the main street of Gardenia.
"There was a contest two days ago, these should be coordinators or people who came to watch." I told Ash as I skated along between the two bikes with Vulpix and Growlithe trotting obediently along at my heels.
"Should we see if there are any hotel rooms available or head straight to the nursery?" Gary asked, looking around at the crowded street.
"Nursery I think, it's early so if we can find Flabébé a flower than we might even be able to get back on the road today and camp for the night." I said, and the two nodded.
It took ten minutes, and some helpful directions from a local before we found the nursery, where we were greeted by a large glass building surrounded by gardens. Taking off my skates, and helping the boys fold up the bikes we packed them away into our bags, not wanting to risk them being stolen if we left them at the gate.
"Flabébé, bé-bé."
Crooning happily the little fairy who was hitching a ride on Riolu's head fluttered towards the garden, inspecting each flower before crying out sadly and returning to the blue bipedal pokemon.
"Flabébé, those are just normal flowers, but don't worry I am sure we will find you a proper fairy flower here." Ash said, reaching down to scoop up the little fairy into his hands carrying her as they reached the door of the nursery.
Pressing the door bell, we waited for a response and I was surprised to see a pretty red Florges opening the door. Staring at us for several long moments, the Florges, stepped back gesturing for us to enter and follow her. Tightening my hold on Lati, and giving the two canines who were sniffing at the Florges a warning to behave, I followed Ash and Gary inside what appeared to be a florists shop. We were then led out into a large green house, and I stared in awe as dozens of Flabébé, and Floette flew about a large garden filled with different colored flowers. There was also another three Florges wandering about, and further into the green house an older lady stood watering a garden bed with a beautiful white Florges at her side.
"Ah, hello there." The old lady said as our group approached, smiling as she put down her watering can.
"Flabébé, Beee, bébé."
"I see you have a young Flabébé, though it seems she is missing a flower." The lady said, and Ash nodded, letting Flabébé jump out of his hands and towards the pretty white Florges.
"Flor-Florges." "Fla-Flabébé."
"Yes ma'am, Flabébé's flower was damaged so we came here hoping she might be able to find another one." Ash said, and I grimaced squeezing Lati tightly at the mention of the damaged flower.
"Oh dear, the poor little thing must have been very distraught, but I can see she is rather settled for one without a flower. You have done a fine job caring for her, as a Flabébé without a flower is normally much more timid."
"Thank you, miss?"
"You may call me granny or granny Fiona, most do lad." The older woman said, giving Ash a gentle smile.
" I am Ash Ketchum, and these are my friends Gary Oak and Amber Blackthorn."
"Well, Mr Ketchum, let us see if we can't find your Flabébé a new flower. Do you recall the color of her last one by chance, that will help us a great deal in narrowing down the options."
"Ah, Amber?" Ash said, glancing at me in question.
"Granny Fiona, Flabébé had a pretty white fairy flower with tear drop shaped petals." I said, bowing my head slightly towards the woman.
"A white fairy flower you say? A rarity indeed, but you are in luck as my Genevieve is quite fond of those herself." Granny Fiona said, gesturing to the white Florges who was bouncing the little Flabébé from hand to hand much to the smaller fairies delight.
While Ash accompanied the old lady and her Florges to help Flabébé find her flower, Gary and I walked around the garden admiring the little pokemon playing among the flowers. We'd had to recall Vulpix and Growlithe as both had been far to excited by the floating fairies and kept trying to jump up and catch them from the air.
I would have also recalled Lati if I could, but resorted to simply keeping him tightly clasped in my arms to prevent him from running amok and potentially destroying another Flabébé's flower. He'd calmed a little during the past week, and seemed to be going out of his way to be kind to everyone, but I knew better then to trust him. I was well aware my vicious little fairy was just as wicked as always, and was simply waiting until he'd won himself back into my good graces before risking acting up.
If he wasn't currently the strongest member of my team it wouldn't be some much of an issue, as if there was a stronger pokemon available then it would be able to keep Lati in line, but sadly only Sableye had any chance of doing so, and even she struggled with Lati at times. Even my Dratini who was in Blackthorn with his mother couldn't match Lati, but I did have some hope that once Dratini matured he would be able to match, if not dominate Lati in terms of strength. The only time Lati ever behaved was when I took Hydreigon hunting late at night, only the large dark dragon could bring any sense of true obedience to my fairy, and Hydreigon was shockingly tolerant of Lati's presence. Lati and Glimmer were the only pokemon Hydreigon would allow with us, even Rosa had to keep her distance often remaining in camp when I hunted with the large dragon.
"Have you decided if you are going to replace Seadra on your main team for now?" Gary asked, and I sighed shaking my head.
"Not really, I don't know how long Seadra will be gone, and I know I need a full team of six for B rank and above gym challenges, but-."
"You don't want to fill that spot incase he comes home early." Gary said and I nodded.
"Amber, both uncle Lance and Clair's Seadra were gone for over two years before returning to Blackthorn. Even as strong as Seadra is, I don't think he will be back any sooner, he needs this time to mature and grow."
"I know, but what do I even replace him with? There aren't many pokemon that suit me, I've been looking at the Pokedex for additional team members, but the few who suit I can't claim until A and Ace ranks."
"Once we reach the first Ace rank we can have up to ten pokemon, so I think you need to focus on getting a C or B ranked pokemon to fill out your team until then." Gary said, and I rolled my eyes, easier said then done.
"I wouldn't mind a trapinch, but Flygon are all so lazy." I whined, watching a group of Floette's dancing around a plot of flowers.
"What about a nice Pidgey?" Gary snickered.
"For lunch? Yea, I could go for some roasted Pidgey."
"Not what I meant, but honestly I am kind of hungry as well." My cousin muttered, looking around the garden.
"How much longer do you think it will take?" He asked, and I shrugged.
"Who knows, it might not even find one here at all. Flabébé spend their whole lives seeking the right flower. Mmm, you know what I really want, some fried Lumineon from that little restaurant in Blackthorn city." I said, closing my eyes as I pictured the dish which was my favorite when visiting the city.
"That does sound good," Gary mused, nodding his head.
"Gary, Amber there you are." Turning I saw a beaming Ash approaching with a pretty Floette sitting on his shoulder opposite Pikachu.
"Hey Ash, where is Flabébé? Did she find a flower." Gary asked, and I rolled my eyes, didn't he see the white flower the Floette was carrying and how attached it was to Ash? Clearly Flabébé had found her flower and not only that she'd evolved.
"She is right here," Ash said smiling as he gestured to the Floette who did a little twirl showing off her white flower.
"Congratulations Ash, Floette," I said, poking Lati who gave a grumbled coo in response.
"Are you going to catch her now?" Gary asked, giving the little fairy a smile. "We can let her have one of the berry pots to grow her flowers in."
"Catch her?" Ash said, eyes wide and I felt the sudden urge to bang my head on a wall.
Why were these boys so stupidly oblivious? Clearly Floette wanted to stay with Ash, otherwise she would have left to find her flower by herself, not staying with us for even a moment.
"Flo-Floette."
"See, she wants to come with you, so catch her already. I'm hungry." I groaned, staring at Ash who was gazing all teary eyed at the fairy.
Finally Ash seemed to come to his senses and pulled out a pokeball which he used to catch the pretty flower fairy before releasing her so she could sit on his shoulder again.
"Pika Pikachu." "Riolu"
Narrowing my eyes, I looked down at Lati and poked him again prompting him to add his own congratulations to that of the other pokemon.
"Toge -Pii." He mumbled grumpily and I sighed, pulling a pokepuff out of my pocket.
"Try again." I said, waving the treat in front of him.
"Togepi." He chirped, looking far more cheery then snatched the treat from my fingers and ripping off the wrapper.
"Lati, don't litter." I scolded, bending down to pick up the discarded wax paper wrapper and stuffing it into my pocket.
After saying our goodbyes to granny Fiona who gifted Ash a flower pot with soil and fairy flower seeds, we headed back towards Gardenia town's main road looking for a cafe where we could eat lunch.
"Welcome to the three flowers cafe," said a pretty blond as we entered the first cafe we came across.
"Hello, do you have room for three?" Ash asked, and I nudged him pointing to Riolu.
"Er, four, I mean four." He corrected, glancing at his aura partner.
"We have a booth that can accommodate you all that is available, or if you have more pokemon we can offer you a bench table in the garden."
"The garden sounds nice, do you have pokemon meals?" I said, and the girl nodded smiling.
"Of course, we cater to all types and their preferred tastes."
Following the girl to a table in the fenced off garden we sat at an empty table and I released Vulpix while the boys did the same for their own teams. After ordering a set of meals for ourselves and the pokemon, I set Lati down with Glimmer standing guard over him whilst I ate my own lunch. I'd recently started separating Lati from myself during meals, making him eat with the other pokemon from his own bowl as opposed to snacking from mine. It had been hard at first, with Lati throwing massive tantrums when I wouldn't let him on my lap, but Rosa told me it was best to ignore him and that if I was going to correct my fairies spoilt mannerism's I needed to stop pandering to him.
"If we leave after lunch, we should reach Celadon just after dark." Gary said, pointing at a spot on his map.
To reach Celadon we would be traveling on a side route, which unlike the main routes frequently patrolled by the Ace trainers this route would only be traveled on by trainers. The path was a little more dangerous then sticking to the main route's, but would cut the day long trip to only a six hour trip, and looked to be mostly down hill. There was always a chance of encountering aggressive wild pokemon when not traveling on a patrolled route, which was why such paths were restricted to those with battle registered pokemon, and often restricted to those of a certain rank. Luckily the path we chose was accessible for all trainers, but it was advised to be D rank or above.
After settling our travel plans, we finished our meals and gathered up our pokemon. I would once again be riding behind Gary, as the route wouldn't be suitable for my skates. So after putting our bags on the back of Ash's bike, I hopped onto the back of my cousins bike leaving a pouting Lati sitting in the front basket.
As we set off for Celadon, I admired the forest we rode through, allowing my thoughts to drift towards the issue of filling the now empty spot on my team. Lost completely in thought, I didn't see the herd of pokemon that rushed across the path in front of the bikes, so when Gary slammed on his brake and swung the bike in a skidding stop, I went flying off the back of the bike and face planted the dirt. One of the empty pokeballs clipped to my belt purely to fill spots on the pokeball holster became dislodged from the magnetic holder and rolled off straight towards one of the pokemon rushing across the path. With wide eyes I stared in shock as one of the wild ponyta hit the pokeball with its hoof and was sucked into the ball, a soft ding alerting me to the successful capture.