Chapter 9 Serpentine Garden
Ash and Alice have finished the quests in the Pokemon Center, so they decide to go look for the Gym Leader in Serpentine Garden. But as they are there, they see some Pokemon that are bathing under the sun.
Ash: Hey, Alice. What are those Pokemon?
Alice: (Looks at the Pokemon) Well, they are Lavenseed.
Lavenseed: The Lavander Pokemon: Grass and Fairy Type. Lavenseed spends most of their day basking in sunlight for necessary nutrients. They are attracted to kind people, though large crowds may scare them away.
Ash: (Looks at the Pokedex) So it can learn a move known as Light Burst...it lowers the Special Defense...
A Lavenseed bounces towards them, she shows a great smile and the two people smile back.
Ash: I guess we are treated as kind people, huh?
Alice: You bet, and she is also a cutie as well.
Ash then picks up the Pokemon and reaches it into the air, seeing how cute it is, he wants to have this Pokemon in the team.
Ash: Lavenseed, do you want to come with us?
The Lavenseed jumps down from Ash's arms, and then she starts to dances around them and signaling that she wants to come.
Alice: That is a beautiful dance you have there, Lavenseed.
Lavenseed blushes as Ash taps her with the Pokeball, sucking her in. As they are in joy as they capture a new Pokemon, a girl approaches them and also greets them.
Girl: To think that you manage to befriend a Lavenseed already, you guys really are something.
Ash: Um...you are...
Alice recognizes the girl and she greets the girl, also saying her name as Ash realizes who she is.
Alice: Donna, it is great to see you again.
Donna: (Smiles) Same here Alice, but what are you doing here? I thought we got accepted into the Gym together.
Alice: Well, I am not that ready to become a Gym Leader yet, so I asked my mentor to let me travel the region.
Donna: I see, and who is the handsome boy behind you? Your boyfriend I assume?
Alice: (Blushes a little) He is Ash Ketchum, he is the son of Delia Ketchum. We are not at that level...(Notices Ash frowning) But we are traveling together.
Donna: Oh my, that is quite shocking news, it is not a normal day to see a prince, not to mention that you are traveling with him. (Turns to Ash) By the way, I am Donna, it is nice to meet you.
Ash: It is nice to meet you as well. (Shakes hands with Donna) But I am curious, do you know my mother?
Donna: Are you kidding me? Everyone in the Rikoto Region knows her for obvious reasons. I mean, who wouldn't know the Queen?
Ash: I guess you're right. My mother didn't tell me about this region until recently, so I am still getting used to it.
Alice: Well, since I am not at the gym because I'm traveling with Ash, but what about you? Why aren't you at the gym?
Donna: (Let's Ash and Alice look around the garden) I was just relaxing here in the gardens, it's so peaceful and beautiful here, it helps me unwind after a tough gym battle.
Ash: I can tell, just looking at those flowers make our heart calm. Don't you agree? Alice?
Alice: You bet, this is actually one of the best places I like in this Rikoto Region.
Donna: (Bends down and smells at one flower) This garden always reminds me of when I was a kid...I'd water the roses here while my dad tried to find a Bug-Type Pokemon...
Ash and Alice also smell at the flowers, they give out a great fragrance as Ash and Alice both feel relaxed and happy, it almost makes Ash forget about what happened in the past.
Ash: Donna, I am sorry to interrupt your relaxation, but Alice and I come to this place because I want to have a Gym battle. Your father did tell us that he will give us something if we manage to defeat you and get your badge.
Donna: Oh? My dad is doing that again? (Sighs) But that means you're wanting to battle. Well, I guess that would be fun. How about we go back to the gym together?
Ash: Well, since it is getting a little late. (Noticing the Sunset) How about we battle tomorrow?
Alice: That sounds like a good idea.
Donna: I guess that's fine for me.
Ash: (Looks around and finds Pikachu missing) By the way, have you two seen where Pikachu went?
Alice: What? Pikachu is gone? This is bad...considering that he isn't from the Rikoto Region, what if he gets kidnapped?
Donna: Pikachu? Do you mean the Pikachu that was originated from the Kanto Region? It is quite rare to see one here, though it is an Electric Type Pokemon.
Pikachu: (Far away) Give back those berries!
Ash: (Notices the voice) That sounds like Pikachu! Let's go!
As they decide to see what is the ruckus, and they see that Pikachu is chasing a monkey swinging in the trees.
Donna: A Moonky? I thought they wouldn't be in Serpentine Gardens considering they usually live in Mossy Forest...
Ash is surprised to see another Pokemon that is alien to him, so he takes out the Pokedex to scan the Pokemon.
Moonky: The Cheeky Pokemon: Psychic Type. Moonky can be difficult to train due to their rambunctious nature. They're said to have come from the moon ages ago.
Alice: Pikachu, what is wrong? Why are you chasing that Moonky?
Pikachu: (Still chasing after the Moonky while trying to reply to Alice at the same time) That naughty monkey stole the berries from those Lavanseeds! I'm going to help them get the berries back!
Ash: (Nods at the situation) Then let us help you as well. Follow my command Pikachu, use Agility on the trees!
Pikachu nods and then he rushes towards the tree. Moonky notices him and then shoots him with a small rock, causing him to stop.
Ash: What the...What is that move?
Donna: That was Trick Shot, a fairy move that often flinches the opponent.
Ash: If that's the case, Thunderbolt!
Pikachu shoots out the attack, it lands on Moonky's branch as Moonky is about to fall.
Alice: (Gasps) Oh no! Moonky is falling!
Ash: Don't worry. I got it covered! (Takes out a Pokeball and throws) Go! Pokeball!
The ball manages to catch the monkey and falls to the floor, and the Pokemon is captured with ease. Pikachu also uses the chance to catch all the fallen berries. Once he gathers the berries, he then gives them to the other Pokemon to share.
Alice: Well, that is quite a catch.
Donna: Yeah, and the Lavenseed are happily eating the berries... Ash Ketchum sure is a special guy just like the rumors said..."
Suddenly, Ash's Pokeball pops out as Salatad decides to join with the berry feast, much to their surprise.
Ash: (Sighs and groans) Being a different Pokemon, but the personality is the same...
The two girls are chuckling at the sight of the glutton Salatad, and then they have to help Ash pull Salatad away so they can go back to the Pokemon Center.
Once they are back in the city, Donna decides to go back to her gym first since she has to prepare for tomorrow's match, so Ash and Alice go to the Pokemon Center to check out Moonky.
Back in the center, Ash decides to fill Moonky with some berries, Moonky is hesitating at first, but seeing how sincere that the trainer is, he agrees and then eats the berries.
Alice: You know, it is a good thing that you have a Psychic Type. Since Donna's typing is going to be Poison.
Ash: Poison Types I see. I can't wait to battle her, she seems to be strong, and this will be my first step to prove those murderers wrong.
Alice sighs as she knows Ash is still angry about what happened in the past, so she decides to change the question.
Alice: So Ash, I want to know, do you have a Pokemon that you like?
Ash turns to Alice and he is confused about why Alice is asking him this.
Ash: Well, if you want to ask me that...I like every one of the Pokemon. They are all unique and they play a great role in the world, no matter strong or weak.
Alice: I see. That's good to know. Since you are going to face a Poison Type Leader, do you have experience with this type?
Ash: Of course, I have experience with the Poison Type. To me, the most memorable battle is my battle against Roxie, the Unova Poison Type Gym Leader.
Alice: I have heard of it, Roxie is the main vocalist and guitarist of the band: Koffing and the Toxics.
Ash: I know, at first I was planning to fight Drayden in the Opelucid Gym, but the gym was closed, and that's when I heard that there is a gym in Virbank City, and that is Roxie's Gym. When I got there, she wants me to use my full team against her three Pokemon.
Alice: Isn't that unfair? I mean, with how powerful your Pokemon is, you could have easily defeated her.
Ash: That's not the case, to tell you the truth. Her first Pokemon is Koffing, and trust me, I used Boldore and Unfezant on that Pokemon, yet it defeats both of them with ease.
Alice: Wow...that sounds difficult...
Ash: But I still defeated it with Leavanny, only for it to be defeated by Scolipede. And not only that, her final Pokemon Garbodor defeats Pignite and Palpitoad. Pikachu manages to beat him, but he gets Poisoned in the end.
Alice: Well, poison is really hard to get rid of. Especially it gets worse after every turn.
Ash: I know, but if you think of it, I never officially had a Psychic Type Pokemon, so this might be very new to me.
Alice: Wait, you have never captured a Psychic Type Pokemon? What about your Gardevoir and those Legendary Pokemon?
Ash: What I mean is before the betrayal. After my mother saved me and brought me to this region. I have been trying to train with Gardevoir and the other Legendary Pokemon. I had never used a Psychic Type Pokemon in a Gym battle.
Alice: Oh, I see what you mean. I'm sure you'll be fine with this. Now it's not early, we should get some rest if you want to beat Donna in her match.
During the nighttime, Ash has been thinking about his upcoming Gym Battle. He is quite nervous, as this is the first step to prove those traitors wrong. Now sleeping on the same bed as Alice, he feels her holding his chest like a teddy bear, he smiles as he knows that there are still people who believe in him and he decides to put all the worries behind him and have a good night sleep.
As for Alice, ever since she slept with Ash back in Mossy Town, all her worries are slipping away, to her, being with Ash makes her with ease. She knows that Ash might have feelings for her even though she said how two girls broke her heart. And to Alice, Ash really cares about her, and not even Rodney cares that much compared to Ash. She feels really lucky as she really wants Ash to conquer his dream.
Now Ash has captured two new team members, Ash will catch all Pokemon and train them to fight the traitors. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the next chapter will be the gym match.
New Pokemon or Evolution: Lavenseed, Moonky