Chapter 8 Serpentine City
Ash and Alice arrive at the Serpentine City after leaving the Mossy Forest, the buildings there are all pink and beautiful, and an aroma is filled in the air.
Ash: (Smiles) Wow, not only that this place looks beautiful, but it also has a great smell.
Alice: I know. The gym leader of this city is kinda like me, as we recently get our positions not long ago.
Rodney: Alice! Ash! Over here!
The two notice Rodney waving to them at the road, so they walk towards him and greet him.
Alice: Hello, Rodney.
Rodney: You guys made it! Did you find your friends and catch any new Pokemon? (Ash is about to say something) Wait, don't tell me! I wanna see them in a battle!
Ash: So you want to battle now?
Rodney: But first, I think we should check this place on my right out. It's the Trainer's School!
Alice frowns as she remembers the past, Ash holds her hand to make sure she is fine.
Rodney: Don't worry. This school is different from the one in Kalos, I'm sure you won't get the same treatment from there. Do you think we might learn something cool if we go in?
Ash: I think there's only one way to find out!
The three of them walk into the school, and they find that the class is having fun there, Alice sighs in relief as she knows that the people here must be friendly.
Rodney: Let's talk with the teacher! Come on!
They walk forward and find the teacher, who is a middle-aged man that is about to turn to his fifties.
Mr. Bella: Why hello there, young trainers! My name is Donovan Bella, but you can call me Mr. Bella. I'm the teacher at this Pokemon Trainer School! I teach beginner trainers things they will need to know to become the best trainer they can!
After the three of them introduce themselves, Mr. Bella also learns that Alice is a Gym Leader.
Mr. Bella: I'm passing on my experience as the former Gym Leader of this city, which my daughter has now taken over.
Rodney: Woah! Your daughter is the Gym Leader here?
Mr. Bella: Yes indeed, I taught her everything she knows about being a gym leader! She's still new to it all, but I think she's finding her feet.
Alice: So your daughter is Donna? We got the positions on the same day.
Rodney: Really? That's awesome! Ash, this will be easy.
Mr. Bella: I wouldn't be too confident about that, young one. She may be new to being a gym leader, but she is quite experienced in being a trainer. You definitely have an intense battle ahead of you. (Realizes something) Hey, you know what? Let's make a deal, kiddo. If you beat her in battle then show me the badge, I'll give you something special! I won't tell you what it is, but it's something very useful for trainers.
Ash: That doesn't sound too hard! You're on, Mr. Bella!
Rodney: Come on, Ash, Alice! Let's go to the Gym! I want that Gym badge!
Once they have arrived at the gym, they find the Gym Guide there and they ask about the gym leader.
Gym Guide: Sorry kids, Donna's not at the gym at the moment.
Alice: Did she tell you where she went?
Gym Guide: She says that she's taking a short break and is relaxing at the Serpentine Gardens.
Ash: The Serpentine Gardens? Maybe we should go find her on our own.
Alice: I agree. The Serpentine Gardens is north from here, so we should be able to get there with ease.
Rodney: (Whines) Aw man...I really wanted to battle her though!
Ash: Didn't you want to see my new friends and new Pokemon? So why not a battle between us?
Rodney: That's right. I did promise that. Come on, let's go!
They decide to battle in front of the gym, and it already gathers a lot of people to watch. Rodney goes for Budcheep while Ash has different plans.
Ash: How about I show you one of the Pokemon that only comes from Alola? Go! Freezy.
Ash sends out the Ninetales, and Rodney and Alice are amazed at its beauty.
Rodney: Wow...A Ninetales, but why is it white?
Ash: This peaceful Pokémon is known to rescue people from treacherous mountain accidents, so it is now an Ice and Fairy Type.
Alice: That is so cool, and she is also pretty. I really want to own one.
Ash: (Without thinking) Well, you are also pretty as well.
Ash and Alice realize what Ash is talking about as they turn away with a blush.
Ash: Did I just say that?
Alice: Ash, about what you said, did you really mean it?
Rodney: (Annoyed) I think it is not the time that you two are flirting with each other. We have the battle to go.
Ash nods as he has to thank him for getting out of this embarrassing situation. Freezy uses its own moves just like she is dancing, and with the Aurora Beam, it defeats Budcheep easily.
Rodney: Well, that sure is a beautiful sight, but here is my next Pokemon.
Rodney sends out his starter Pokemon, Salatad, and Ash decides to switch out his Pokemon.
Ash: Freezy, you did a good job, please take a rest. Now go, Elecritter.
Rodney: (Looks at the Electric Type Pokemon) Is that your new Pokemon?
Ash: Of course, and it is his first battle.
Thanks to Elecritter getting a critical hit while using Thunder Shock, Salatad is then defeated.
Rodney: I really enjoy the battle. (Recalls Salatad) And I see that you are going to win with ease.
Ash: You bet.
Alice is smiling at Ash for winning his battle, and Rodney notices it as he grabs Ash's hand.
Rodney: So Ash, can we have a private moment for now?
Ash: (Confused) Sure? (Turns to Pikachu) Pikachu, can you go with Alice for a while?
Pikachu nods and leaves off his shoulder, and Ash is being dragged behind the gym.
Ash: So what do you want to talk about?
Rodney: You see, I knew Alice longer than you, but you managed to make her smile like that. I don't know how you did it, but you did a good job.
Ash: (Blushes) Thanks?
Rodney: And I can clearly tell you that you have some spark with her, I want to say, a girl like her comes once in a blue moon, you should try to ask her out.
Ash: (Knows what Rodney is talking about, and he knows that Alice has some feelings for him as well) I'll try.
After walking back, Ash and Rodney find that Alice and Pikachu are waiting for them.
Alice: Ash, Rodney? Are you done? What did you guys talk about?
Rodney: Well, I was just giving Ash a Charcoal, which will be useful in the Gym battle. (Puts the Charcoal in his hand, and Ash decides to go along) And I think I need to train some more before I battle the Gym Leader.
?: Nice battle, but it could've been better.
The three of them turn around and find a red-haired boy who is watching the whole battle.
Ash: I am sorry, who are you?
Rick: The name's Rick. I'm a trainer from Rassic City, and I'm traveling through Rikoto to collect badges. I am going to beat the Pokemon League and defeat the Elite 4 and Champion so that I can be the Champion of this region.
Rodney: Oh...okay then...Wait, you're taking on the gyms? We're taking on the Gyms, too! Well, we would, but the gym leader isn't here!
Rick: (Cocky grin) That's because I defeated her, so I guess she had to take a break.
Rodney: (Sighs) Oh man...
Rick: (Notices Pikachu on Alice's hands) A Pikachu...it is quite rare in this region...Anyways, I'm gonna head to Dullfern Forest. There might be strong Pokemon there. See you later, losers!
Ash flinches as the boy is calling them losers, but he decides to ignore it, as he knows that it was some annoying rival like Paul or Trip.
Rodney: Wow, that guy is a bit full of himself...
Ash: Yeah...he kinda reminded me of my rivals, Gary, Paul, and Trip... They are also full of themselves, but I beat them in the League.
Alice: I would like to hear the story about it.
Rodney: Anyway, Ash and Alice, I'm gonna do some more training before taking on Donna. I'll see you later!
After Rodney leaves, they decide to explore the whole city first, at first, they arrive at the house, and they find a doctor inside.
Doctor: I'm the only doctor here in Serpentine City! If there are any sick Pokemon or people, I'll cure them! But I'm just not that easy to call because I misplaced my phone again and again...
Ash: We are asked by a birdkeeper named Nile, his wife is ill and he tried to call you.
Doctor: What?! Birdkeeper Nile's wife is ill?! He tried to call me?! Oh man, I have to go immediately!
Ash and Alice decide to help the doctor as they fly back to Mossy Town, while the doctor knows where the house is, he goes first, and Ash and Alice decide to go to the Pokemon Center to talk to the birdkeeper.
Nile: Hello! Have you found our family doctor!?
Ash: We did, he is at your home while we are here to tell you the news.
Nile: Yes?! I'm so grateful! I'll head back to my wife now! Here, take this for your effort!
Ash and Alice take 5 Super Potions from the man, and then he rushes back to his home. Ash and Alice decide to head back to Serpentine City as this is not their business anymore.
As they get back to Serpentine City, they decide to go to the Quest Floor to see what they can do.
Mother: Hello, I'm here because I lost my three kids, they are running through the city, but I can't find them anymore. Can you search for them for me?
Alice: Sure, we can help you.
After they go out of the Pokemon Center, they manage to find a kid there.
Kid: What did you say? My mother is searching for us? Oh. I should go to the Pokemon Center.
After finding two more kids running, around, they are now back at the Pokemon Center as the three kids are sitting at the table.
Mother: Thank you so much for finding my kids, take this as a sign of my gratitude!
Then they are given a bottle of Protein, and then they decide to help another one.
Password Pat: Hello, my name is Password Pat! I have very special gifts in my bag, but you can only get them if you tell me the correct password!
He gives them a piece of paper, and they read the riddle on it.
Alice: Let's see...Snorlax has eaten too much, now its stomach is...
Ash: The answer is full?
Password Pat: Correct answer! Here is your prize.
They get a bag of Leftovers as the prize, Ash and Alice sigh as they take them, knowing that it is an item that heals Pokemon. After that, they decide to leave and head to Serpentine Garden.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, Ash and Rodney have a rematch, and they meet a new rival named Rick. (I don't like this character very much) I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be more Pokemon capturing and meeting the Gym Leader.