Chapter 22
"Let's go find Tony and Kat, you three..."By "you three", Samantha meant Bobby, that Gloom, and Yian. Yian was out of her Poké Ball, was because today was her day! She had defeated Janine's Muk, and proudly sported a brand new collar around her neck. On the collar, Samantha's newly won Soulbadge.
"I have to admit Yian, that was excellent for your very first battle. We were poetry in motion, like I had known you forever..."
"Nay! Nee-Nee-Nay!" Yian smiled back at her new, but better trainer.
"Saur!" Bobby called tugging on at his trainer's pant leg.
"You like your new friend Bobby, so I guess it's my responsibility as your trainer to see that she can stay with us."
"Gloom!" Gloom shuddered at the thought of being captured.
Samantha sighed...this WAS going to be rough indeed. "Chansey!"
"Blissey!"
"The Pokémon League hearing is now in session!" announced Officer Jenny.
"Thank you Jenny" smiled Nurse Joy. "Now Samantha what seems to be your problem?"
Bobby stood in front of the Gloom as though he was protecting her from danger. Samantha gave a feign smile to her rare Bulbasaur, and took a deep breath.
"About 2 days ago, we were walking to coastal route from Vermillion City to Fuchsia City. On the way, we met this Gloom here. My Bulbasaur had been depressed, but this Gloom has been cheering him up lately. I was wondering if there was a I way I might keep it..."
"Haven't you tried to capture it?" Nurse Joy asked.
"Every time I even pick up an empty Poké Ball, it shudders and cries. I'm afraid a Pokémon that doesn't trust me would make much of a teammate. Plus my Bobby there may get pretty mad." Samantha frowned.
"Why not just trade out then Sam?" Nurse joy asked next.
"If I do that, then I am stuck pretty much with a team of 5 Pokémon. It'd be unfair in my quest to win badges."
Nurse Joy smiled. At least Samantha's intentions were noble. She then looked over at Booby so faithfully protecting his Gloom friend. Without much hesitation at all, Nurse Joy made her decision.
"Here Samantha, place this silver bracelet on Gloom's wrist." Nurse Joy said giving it to Samantha.
"Okay, but why?"
"This bracelet tells everyone that this Gloom belongs to your Bulbasaur. Such a relationship is allowed, but highly uncommon. You can now have 7 Pokémon at a time, but you can absolutely never trade out Bobby or his Gloom. Do you understand young lady?"
Samantha was still a little taken a-back by Joy's decision. 7 Pokémon? Wow!
"Y-Yes Nurse Joy, ma'am!"
"I hereby dismiss this matter. Be responsible and compassionate for them Sam, ok?"
Samantha smiled and gave a thumbs up, as she, Bobby, and "his" Gloom left the room...
"Will Tony and Kat please report to the front gate? Your time has expired..." the PA called out.
Tony extended his hand to Kat, who was on the ground crying. She had come SO close to catching that Chansey!
"It's ok Kat, we both did pretty rotten here. See?" Tony said holding up a single Safari Ball.
"Well at least you got a good one!" Kat smiled.
"Can't wait to show Sam!" Tony smiled back.
Kat stood up, and kissed Tony on the cheek. Tony smiled, took her hand, and they headed for the exit.
"Wonder where she is. She told us to meet her here" Kat asked worried.
10 minutes had gone by, when a Bulbasaur, a Gloom, and a Female Nidoran cam into sight.
"Heeeey!" Samantha happily shouted.
"Sam! Wow, look at Yian, Kat! Guess we know who won that gym battle!" Tony laughed.
"Yeah congrats Sam!" Kat chimed in.
"Well, it was all thanks to Yian!" Samantha said hoisting her Nidoran high.
Kat's happy gaze was averted to Bobby calmly sitting next to the Gloom. Kat stared at the silver bracelet on Gloom's wrist. "Hey what is that?"
"Oh that just means that Gloom belongs to Bobby, or something..."
"Sort of like a Pokémon wedding..." Tony smiled patting Blaze on the head.
"How cute..." Kat said grinning at Tony.
Samantha and Kat shared a good laugh, at the expense of Tony's obvious blushing.
