EPISODE 9 – MAGICAL TALES OF AN ANCIENT TREE!
INTRO: Team Heroes had to attend the Pokémon Federation Scholarly Program's Seminar One; it was being held at Powderstone School in Room 101. Professor Dara Brians is in charge of teaching seminar one of the PFSP with the help of none other than Francis, Kassie, and Josh's cousin: Lourdes. Lourdes d' Brians is the Pokémon Federation's Executive Assistant; she and her Pokémon, Aetheris, organize, manage, and help all the PFSP's professors during the seminars. In order for any team to participate in the Team League, they must obtain each all of the PFSP's diplomas with a grade better than a B. Unfortunately, Team Heroes failed seminar one's exam…well, just Francis and Johnny failed; they decided to stay at Powderstone School, study at the library, and retake the exam 6 P.M. sharp. Francis was in a bad mood and his teammates were down; Josh was a bit disappointed but not surprised. They walked to the library from the cafeteria and then entered it; it was somewhat busy…
[Powderstone Town/Powderstone School/Library/Tuesday Afternoon]
"I think we should get one of those group study rooms for ourselves, so we don't have to listen to any noise at all and just focus on studying, team…" suggested Francis while looking around.
"I think that is a good idea, Francis…" replied Belen also gazing around.
"Let's go get one, mates! C'mon!" Johnny led his friends to the library's service desk, where three librarians were working: two gentlemen helping other students and a lady just finishing a phone conversation.
"Hello! My name is Galena, how can I help you with?" smiled the welcoming librarian.
-Enchanted- "DAMN! WHAT A WOMAN!" Johnny was infatuated by Galena's beauty and smile; he grabbed her right hand and gave it a delicate kiss…
-Blushing- "Oh, dear…it's been a while since someone gave me a kiss in the hand…"
"You, my darling, deserve more than a kiss in your hands! You deserve all my kisses and all my love!"
"What?" Librarian Galena got confused and a bit weirded out.
"SO! Would you wanna go out…AAHH‼"-Elbow to the stomach- "UMMP!" shrieked Johnny in pain and then dropped to his knees.
"BROTHER! Behave and show respect!" shouted Belen after elbowing her brother to stop.
"OOFF! OOFF!" -Rubbing his stomach- "I was…going to say…would you wanna go out there…and show us the study rooms…" Johnny was trying to catch his breath.
The lady librarian was flattered but perturbed, "Show us the study rooms? What…"
"Hello, Mrs. Galena! Sorry about my brother…" apologized Belen, "He can be cheeky and handsy sometimes…" bowed Belen; she grabbed her brother's head and made him bow as well.
"Aha…no worries, I'm not offended. Apology accepted though!" said the librarian, "What can I do for you, guys? Need a study room?"
"Yeah! We would like to use a group study room if one is available, please?" asked Francis.
"I can definitively help you with that…" answered the librarian and then she began looking for a room using one of the library's staff PC; "I'm searching…give me a minute, please…"
"It's cool, take your time!" replied Francis and Belen. Josh was helping Johnny get up from the floor and recover.
"OKAY! There's a study room for a group available!" confirmed the librarian.
"YEY! Let's reserve it, please!" Team Heroes got relieved.
"I need the ID of someone in your group in order to reserve the room…would any of you want to do it?" said the librarian.
Team Heroes looked at each other trying to figure out what to do, but then Francis took reign as the leader of his team, "HERE! You can scan my PokeDEX!" Francis opened the PokeDEX App and searched for his trainer ID so Galena could scan it.
-Scanning- "GOOD! I got your info…" expressed the librarian, "Mr. King, how long would you like to use the study room?"
Francis talked it out with his team and he also checked the time on his AirWatch, "Three hours is plenty! I truly believe that we can relearn and absorb all the material covered in the seminar in three hours, super?"
"SUPER!" replied Belen and Johnny.
"I can help too! Remember, I already know so much about Pokémon!" offered Josh; he was very curious about the topics learned during seminar one of the PFSP.
"OKAY! Group study room #3 has been reserved by you Mr. King for three hours…" confirmed the librarian, "Here are the room rules, the Wi-Fi password, and library's etiquette!" Galena handed each one of them a sheet of paper, "Please make sure you leave the room as you found it and also be respectful of other students doing their work in our library. THANKS!"
"Thank you!" Team Heroes were set.
"By the way, where is the study room #3, Mrs.?" wondered Francis.
"OH! Yeah, it is down that hall on the right; just passing the children's program room!" pointed Galena.
"Thanks again!" said Team Heroes and began making their way to their study room.
….
Team Heroes were walking down the hall when all of the sudden, they started hearing a voice reading some kind of story out loud; it was coming from the children's program room.
"Someone's reading loudly!" noted Belen and Johnny.
-Looking at his AirWatch- "I believe it is Storytime for preschoolers here at this library…I kind of remember seeing the library's today events poster…" declared Josh.
"Storytime?" asked Francis curiously, "I wonder what story is being read…"
The reading voice was getting louder and louder as they kept getting closer to the room; they realized that voice sounded very familiar…
"I recognize that voice!" commented Josh with certainty.
"I think I do too…" Francis and his team got to the room where a bunch of kids were sitting on the carpet surrounding the reader who was sitting in a baroque throne chair…
"BEE!" shouted Team heroes surprised.
The children and Bee paused and stared at Team Heroes; Bee recognized his friends and waved hello but signaled to them that she needed to continue reading. Bee's little brother Pierre was among the kids at Storytime, and he looked back; Pierre got excited and happy to see Team Heroes again and invited them to sit down with him. Team Heroes humbly joined Storytime and began to listen the story being read by their friend Bee…
"THE LOST RANGER WITNESSED THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE SHE HAS EVER SEEN JUST AFTER WAKING UP FROM FALLING DOWN THE CREEK BY ACCIDENT… "Very majestic!" SHE SAID TO HERSELF WHILE ADMIRING HER UNKNOWN SURROUNDINGS…" read Bee loudly and eloquently.
"Psst! What's the story about, Pierre?" murmured Josh. Team Heroes wanted to know too.
"It's about Ranger Dash and the Enchanted Secret Forest…" replied Pierre softly, "It's from one of my favorite series: The Adventures of Ranger Dash & Koko…"
"Wow…I don't think I have read that book or series yet…," commented Josh.
"It's an amazing series written by my favorite author: Fiorello Flores! Koko is Dash's Pokémon partner and Dash is a Pokémon Ranger…" expressed Pierre excitedly.
"I'd like to read the whole series sometime…," said Josh.
"It's a long series…my sister is reading book #7 or mission #7 of the whole series…there are 27 books so far…"
"RANGER DASH AND KOKO BEGAN EXPLORING THE AREA WHILE TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THEIR LITTLE ACCIDENT… "Are you feeling okay, Koko?" ASKED DASH WORRIED ABOUT HER POKEMON PARTNER SINCE KOKO IS KIND OF BIG AND WEIGHTS QUITE HEAVY "Coooco! Tropi! Tropi!" ANSWERED KOKO SMILING; KOKO WAS FINE AS IT JUST HAD SUFFERED MINOR SCRAPES…" continued Bee reading, "THE FOREST WAS QUITE DENSE, CHILLY, AND BUSY WITH POKEMON GOING AND COMING AND HIDING TOO…BUT ALL OF THAT WOULDN'T STOP DASH AND KOKO FROM EXPLORING DEEP INTO THESE MYSTERIOUS WOODS THAT THEY HAVE FALLEN TO…"
All the preschoolers were paying close attention and were entertained by the story; Team Heroes and Pierre were enjoying the story too.
"ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THERE WAS BUZZING GOING AROUND…SO MUCH BUZZING THAT MADE DASH AND KOKO FLINCH IN FEAR…THEY STARTED TO LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHERE THIS WEIRD BUZZING WAS COMING FROM…THEY LOOKED LEFT AND RIGHT YET THERE WERE ONLY WOODS AROUND; THEY LOOKED UP AND THERE IT WAS…A COLOSSAL TREE!" paused Bee and glanced at everyone paying her attention; the crowd got tensed.
"A colossal tree, she said?" wondered Francis.
"Yeah, she did…this story is a bit suspenseful…" expressed the Mezza siblings.
"This book is actually based on true events, guys…for the most part…" shared Pierre.
"It is?!" Team Heroes were a bit shocked.
"THIS GIANT AND EVERGREEN TREE WAS LIKE NO OTHER TREE! THERE IT WAS, IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MYSTERIOUS FOREST RECENTLY DISCOVERED BY RANGER DASH AND KOKO… "This is unique and amazing, Koko! I have never seen such a splendid and huge tree, have you?" ASKED DASH; "Coooocooo, nooooo" NODDED KOKO AS IT HAS NEVER SEEN A TREE LIKE THIS NEITHER; "You know something Koko, now that I really think about…I've heard an old folklore from the Entomo Townspeople about an ancient tree…" SHARED DASH WITH KOKO AND KOKO LISTENED AND BEGAN TO ADMIRE THE COLOSSAL TREE EVEN MORE. DASH WAS THINKING AND GAZING AT THE TREE FROM A DISTANCE WHERE THEY WERE, "According to their story, an ancient tree as big as a skyscraper is found in the center of a enchanted forest…the thing is that this forest is magical and can't never be traced because whoever wonders into the deep woods of Entomo Forest encounters a pixie like dust surrounded different areas if these woods…" KOKO WAS MESMERIZED AND PAYING ATTENTIO; DASH CONTINUE, "Maybe that's what we saw at the forest and because of it, I didn't realize where we were walking, we tripped, and fell into this magical forest. Anyways, the ancient tree is supposed to be the home of a legendary Pokémon…the guardian of the whole forest and…what was it that they said…I think they said it was also the guardian of all bug type Pokémon…yeah, I think that was it, BUT that's just a folklore so I'm not sure if this is it…" KOKO WONDERED ABOUT IT FOR A BIT. AS THEY BEGAN TO APPROACH THE COLOSSAL TREE TO STUDY IT MORE, THE BUZZING BEGAN AGAIN AND THEN A THICK, SWEET, AND ORANGISH SUBSTANCE DROPPED ONTO DASH AND KOKO'S HEADS… "AAAHHH! What is this?!" SCREAMED DASH ALARMED; KOKO FREAKED OUT A LITTLE…BUT AS RANGERS, THEY HAD TO REMAIN CALMED AND KEEP THEIR COMPOSTURE. THEY WERE SOMEWHAT PETRIFIED AND THEY HAD ACCIDENTALLY TASTED THE SUBSTANCE… "Uh?! This is…this is…HONEY‼" shouted Bee.
"HONEY‼" shouted the preschoolers and giggled a little.
"Honey?!" Team Heroes were intrigued and captivated by the story.
"DASH AND KOKO LOOKED UP AGAIN AND FINALLY REALIZED WHERE THE BUZZING WAS COMING FROM! HANGING FROM SOME OF THE COLOSSAL TREE'S BRANCHES WERE ABEE'S HIVES; THEY HAVE COME ACROSS THE ENCHANTED FOREST WHERE THE ABEE LIVE AND MAKE HONEY, "Goodness gracious! We finally found what we came here for, Koko!" EXPRESSED DASH THRILLED AND PROUD. "Cooocooo! TROPI! TROPIIII‼" KOKO WAS HAPPY AS WELL, BUT AS SOON AS THEY BEGAN CELEBRATING, A SWARM OF ABEE APPEARED AND NOTICED DASH AND KOKO; THE ABEE STARTED TO CHASE AFTER OUR FRIENDS!"
"AAAHHH! They are going to sting Dash and Koko‼" yelled the preschoolers anxiously.
"Abee? As in Bee's Pokémon Abee?" wondered Francis.
"Yeah! These are wild Abee though…," shared Pierre.
"DASH AND KOKO STARTED TO RUN AWAY AS FAST AS THEY COULD AROUND THE AREA LOOKING FOR SHELTER…THEIR MISSION IS TO FIND ABEE'S HIVES AND RETRIEVE SOME HONEY FOR THE SICK TOWNSPEOPLE WHO ARE DEPENDING OF IT. DASH WASN'T GOING TO GIVE UP AND GO BACK EMPTY HANDED SO SHE LOOK AT KOKO AND SIGNALED IT TO BE PREPARED TO ATTACK; KOKO UNDERSTOOD…THE ABEE WERE STILL CHASING AFTER DASH AND KOKO, SO THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO WAS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES WITHOUT HURTING THE ABEE TOO MUCH AS IT IS THEIR HOMES AND TERRITORIES…"Koko! Use Stun Spore!" KOKO LISTENED AND USED STUN SPORE! "Coocoo! TROPI‼" IT PARALYZED SOME OF THE ABEE BUT A FEW OTHERS WERE STILL COMING AFTER OUR FRIENDS, "Koko! Use Leaf Storm‼" KOKO USED LEAF STORM AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ABEE FROM HURTING THEM; THE ABEE LEFT IN DEFEAT…"
"Yey! They won‼" cheered the preschoolers, "Abee no more!"
Bee smiled and was happy that everyone in the group was listening to her read the story, "DASH AND KOKO MADE THEIR MOVE; THEY COULDN'T WASTE TIME EXPLORING AND ADMIRING THE ENCHANTED FOREST AND THE COLOSSAL TREE AS IT WAS GETTING LATE AND THEY STILL NEEDED TO COLLECT SOME HONEY… "Koko, please help me get up there close to that hive!", "Coco! Coco! Tropi!" KOKO AGREED AND WRAPPED ITS VINES AROUND DASH'S WAIST AND LIFTED HER UP CLOSE TO ONE OF THE ABEE'S HIVES THAT WAS POKEMON FREE. DASH KEPT HER GUARD UP AND ENTERED THE HIVE QUICKLY AND STEALTHILY. THERE, SHE COLLECTED AS MUCH HONEY AS SHE COULD AND FILLED A GALON BOTTLE WITH IT. SHE STORED THE HONEY IN HER BACKPACK; SHE GOT CONTENDED WITH HERSELF AND KOKO FOR ACCOMPLISHING HALF OF THEIR MISSION…AS SHE WAS EXITING THE HIVE, SHE HEARD LOUD BUZZING COMING FROM OUTSIDE…WASPEKING HAD SHOWN UP; THEY HAD BEEN WERE WARNED BY THEIR ABEE WORKERS!"
"OH-OH! TTROUBLE!" screamed the preschoolers worried about Dash and Koko.
"UGH! Waspeking! Those creatures are terrifying‼" complained Belen.
"We agree, Belen! We had to run for our lives!" recalled Johnny and Josh.
"What are you guys talking about..." pondered Francis.
"DASH STAYED IN THE HIVE FOR A MOMENT THINKING OF A WAY OUT OF THIS ONE… "I think I might have to use the capture styler on one of those Waspeking to distract the swarm and escape…" THOUGHT DASH; SHE COMMUNICATED WITH HER POKEMON VIA AIRWATCH AND ASKED KOKO TO BE READY TO CATCH HER ONCE SHE JUMPS OFF OF THE TREE, "Do you understand, Koko? As soon as they are distracted and fighting with one another, I'm going to make my getaway! I need you to help me out!" KOKO UNDERSTOOD. DASH CAME OUT OF THE HIVE DISCREETLY AND HID FOR A MOMENT WHILE SHE REACHED HER PERFECT TARGET; SHE POINTED HER CAPTURE STYLER TO THE NEAREST AND CLUELESS WASPEKING AND THEN PROCEEDED TO CAPTURE IT, "1-2-3 let's capture you!" Bing! Bing! "Yes! I did it!" DASH WAS ABLE TO BORROW A WASPEKING; SHE COMMANDED THE WASPEKING TO USE BUG BUZZ AND IT DID; THE MOVE AFFECTED SOME OF THE WASPEKING NEARBY. THEY GOT CONFUSED AND DEMANDED THEIR ALLY TO EXPLAIN ITSELF BUT IT WAS UNDER SOME KIND OF SPELL, SO THEY STARTED TO BECOME HOSTILE AGAINST THEIR ALLY AND THEN AGAINST EACH OTHER; THEY STARTED TO ARGUE AND FIGHT WITH EACH OTHER… "This is my chance!" DASH EXITED THE HIVE, RELEASED THE WASPEKING SHE BORROWED, AND JUMPED DOWN… "Koko! Here I come!" KOKO WAS READY AND AS SOON AS SHE SAW DASH FALLING, IT USED ITS VINES AND CAUGHT DASH IN TIME!" Bee stopped there. She drank some water and looked around, "Sweeties, we are going to take a five-minute break now and then we will continue the story, okay?"
"YEY! Dash escaped the mean Waspeking! Yey!" cheered the preschoolers energetically and them began chatting to each other; some left to use the restrooms and some of them got up to drink some water from the water fountains.
"This is a great story, guys!" commented Josh; he was enjoying himself.
-Checking AirWatch- "Guys, I know this is a good read, but we shouldn't stay here any longer and miss our study time!" warned Belen, "It is almost 4 PM and the test is in two hours!"
"WHAT? It's 4 PM already?!" freaked out Francis and Johnny.
"FRANCIS! Team Heroes! It's very wonderful seeing you guys again!" smiled Bee.
"Hello, Bee! Terrific read!" said Josh.
"Bee! Hi!" said Francis with a grin on his face as well, "it is also great seeing you again, Bee!"
"Hello, Bee! How have you been?" asked the Mezza siblings.
"I've been great! If I remember correctly, you had your first seminar this morning? How was it?" asked Bee curious about the details; her brother Pierre was also interested.
"Umm…it was SUPER!" claimed Francis.
"YEAH! It was very educational, and we learned a lot!" agreed the Mezza siblings.
"That's good to hear! I know you invited us to join you guys at the seminar, but Pierre had school and I had some deliveries to take care of…" explained Bee, "I also forgot that I had volunteered to read a book to the kids today here at this library…"
"I reminded her of it because I wanted to listen to this story being read again…" declared Pierre, "My dad read this book to me once as a bedtime story not too long ago, but I enjoyed it very much that I wanted to hear it again!"
"DOPE!" Team Heroes like the story so far as well.
"So, Team Heroes, did you pass the exam? The one that you had to take after the seminar was over?" Bee was really curious.
Francis got depressed; he hid behind his teammates and felt very little of himself.
"Francis? What's the matter?" Bee got worried; Pierre was also confused.
"Well…Francis and my big brother failed the exam…" explained Belen.
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Bee and Pierre very sad for their friends, "So…what happens now?"
"Although I passed the exam, the whole team must pass the exam in order for all of us to get our diplomas…" continued Belen, "But it is not the end of the world; we are allowed to retake the exam tonight before Night School begins!"
"Phew! That's really good to hear!" expressed Bee heartfully.
"We were actually on our way to our study room before we came across you two! The story and your reading are so fantastic that we couldn't stop listening!" shared Belen, "We also wanted to say hello!"
"Oh! Thank you! I try my best…" expressed Bee blushing.
"Yes, Bee…the story and your voice are great! But we must go and study, unfortunately! We really don't want to fail again…hope you understand…" explained Francis.
"No worries! We can always tell you how the story ends after your exam!" said Bee.
"Yeah, we can! After Storytime, we have to wait for our dad to be done at the museum anyways…" commented Pierre.
"That's awesome!" Francis was glad; his team was content.
"BUT, I wanna hear the rest of the story now!" complained Josh and crossed his arms.
"What, little brother?" asked Francis.
"I wanna hear the story to the end! I don't wanna go study!" stated Josh.
"OKAY-okay! You can stay here with Bee and Pierre while we do our studying! You can also stay with them while we retake the test, if you'd like!" said Francis.
"Yeah! I'd like that very much!" Josh got thrilled and got next to Pierre. Pierre smiled.
"Is that okay with you, guys?" asked Francis.
"OH! Yes, that's fine! Your little brother can stay here with us while you guys do what you have to do! No worries!" said Bee.
"DOPE! You're the best, Bee!" smiled Francis.
"Oh Francis, you're most welcomed!" smiled Bee and blushed a little.
Belen got antsy, "Okay guys! We need to get going and study! Let's GO!"
"YES!" replied Francis and Johnny, "See you guys!"
"Bye, guys! We will see each other later!" Belen waved farewell and left the Children's Program room. Francis and Johnny followed behind.
"Bye, guys! Good luck!" Bee, Pierre, and Josh waved goodbye; they returned to their activities as all the preschoolers were back and waiting for Bee.
[Powderstone Town/Powderstone School/Library/Tuesday Night - 6:00 PM]
Team Heroes studied for two hours straight; they read, reread, memorized, tested, and retested between themselves lesson one of the PFSP' seminars. When it was about time for the test, they left the library and made it to room 101 one minute before the exam.
{"Marcus is not here! That probably means one thing…he actually passed like he said he would…I mean not even my sister is around…they all passed! Not fair! Now they're probably on their way to Entomo Town before us! This is just…uncool…"} thought Francis and then entered room 101.
Team Heroes signed in, took seat, and put their things away; they were a bit nervous; they were also looking at each other for support and then wished each other good luck. Lourdes handed them the exam and gave them half an hour to finish.
"Okay darlings you may start your test! You only have thirty minutes to finish so make sure every minute counts!" explained Lourdes and then sat down at her desk.
"I know I can do this…I know all of this…" whispered Francis to himself and started to write the answer for question number one.
"Mmm…I remember this…I think it goes like this…" murmured Johnny softly to himself and began writing down the answer for question one as well.
"That's it! I know the answer!" asserted Belen to herself quietly and then wrote the answer for question number two.
Professor Brians was at her desk working on stuff with her laptop while overseeing the classroom. Lourdes got up and began walking around the room in circles, watching over Team Heroes, and wishing they all pass. Thirty minutes have passed, and it was over, "OKAY team, your time is up! Please put your writing utensils down and have your exam ready to be collected!" Lourdes grabbed the exams from Team Heroes.
"ALRIGHTY! Team Heroes, you are dismissed. You will get your scores in thirty minutes. Lourdes and I will grade them once you leave and then update your scores online so you could look them up in your PokeDEX!" explained Pr. Brians.
"It's looking good so far, guys! By looking some of your answers really quick, I can tell that you guys will pass and get your diplomas!" expressed and encouraged Lourdes.
"You're the best cousin! Thanks for believe in us!" declared Francis with joy.
"Thanks, Mrs. Lourdes!" smiled the Mezza siblings.
"BUT we still have to tell you, according to the program, that if you happen to fail, you may retake the exam on Thursday at noon sharp or at 6 PM sharp! Whichever time works for you guys…I also have to tell you, if you happen to fail on Thursday, you must attend the seminar once again on Tuesday at 9 AM in order to be able to retake the exam for the third time, unfortunately!" explained the professor very seriously.
"Don't panic, guys! Be confident and stay positive!" encouraged Lourdes, "You have to materialize your wishes, so think as if you already passed this exam and got your first diplomas, okay?"
"YES!" said Team Heroes altogether.
"DIVINE! Have a good night, Team Heroes! We will see each other again somewhere else! Probably seminar number two next month!" shared Lourdes and waved goodbye.
"SUPER!" confirmed Team Heroes.
"Good night, Team Heroes. Wish you the best and perhaps we will bump into each other soon as well!" expressed the professor kindly and waved goodbye. Team Heroes left.
"Bye-bye, both of you!" Team Heroes bowed in gratitude and left the room.
- Ring! Ring! Ring! – Ring! Ring! Ring! –
"Uh? That's my phone!" declared Francis, "That's Josh!"
"Yoshi?", "Lil Josh?" said the Mezza siblings.
Francis picked up, "Hello, Josh! What's happening, bro?"
"Hey, big bro! I hope I'm not interrupting your exam or anything…"
"Oh no, we are already done! We were actually about to go get you…"
"Perfect timing then! I wanted to let you know that Irving, you know, Bee and Pierre's dad, invited us all to dinner!"
"Dinner? He did?" Francis was surprised.
"Yeah! We are at the museum's café next to the museum's entrance…so don't go to the library cuz, you know, we are here at the café…"
"Super! I am kind of hungry…"
"Come over quick! I wanna see you guys and I wanna eat! See you later, big bro!" Josh terminated the phone call.
"New plans, guys!" exclaimed Francis excitedly.
"What's up, Francis?" wondered the Mezza siblings.
"We've been invited to dinner by Irving and they are waiting for us at the museum's café!"
"You kidding?!"
"No! Let's go, guys! I'm starving!" said Francis and then started to stroll towards the café.
"Let's go! Yey!" the Mezza siblings were happy and followed Francis.
Team Heroes raced to the museum's café charismatically; they were also thinking about how they did on their exams and seemed very hopeful. They made it to the museum's café, which is located next to the Powderstone Museum's entrance. The café was a bit busy as it was about dinner time for a lot of people, mostly students, and there were school staff having a meal as well. Team Heroes circled around the café for a minute but then noticed Josh waving at them; they joined Josh and the Beatles.
[Powderstone Town/Powderstone School/The Museum's Cafe/Tuesday Night]
"Mr. Irving! Hello!" Team Heroes were thrilled and pleased to see Bee and Pierre's dad.
"Call me Irving, kids!" Irving smiled, then corrected himself, "I meant, Team Heroes! How are you guys doing?"
"We are doing well! We just came from taking the exam, Irving!" shared Francis.
"This late? I thought your seminar was in the morning. Unless…" thought Irving and waited.
"We came from retaking the exam…we failed the first time…" disclosed Belen.
"Yeah…it was my fault…but my heart tells me we did good this time…" expressed Johnny.
"Don't sweat it! We all fail once, twice, three times, and many more a lot of times in our lives…" declared Irving with optimism, "as long as we keep trying with all of our best, that's what really counts in the end…so don't get discouraged by failure, learn from it!"
"WE WILL!" Team Heroes appreciated Irving's advice and support.
"How come you invited us to dinner, Irving?" asked Francis politely and curiously.
"Well, I came by to pick up Bee and Pierre and found out Josh have been with them; they told me about your seminar and the exam…" explained Irving, "My wife was not going to make dinner tonight since she received a big order for tomorrow, so I was going to grab carryout with the kids but then it occurred to me why not take all of us to dinner and bring something to Love…"
"Thanks for the invitation and dinner, Irving!" expressed Team Heroes and Josh.
"Besides, I like you kids and you have been helpful to my little ones and to myself! The least I could do is buy you guys dinner…and don't worry too much since I'm also a donor for the museum so I get discounts and free meals at this café!" shared Irving with laughter.
Everyone had ordered a meal and received it. Team Heroes and Josh were enjoying themselves and the great delicious food; Irving and his kids were also savoring their food and smiling at each other. A beep noise interrupted the gathering; it was Team Heroes' phones which got a notification from the PokeDEX App.
"OUR RESULTS!" shouted Team Heroes; they stopped eating and grabbed their phones hurriedly. Irving and his kids paused for a moment to hear the news. Team Heroes looked anxious but then their faces lit with delight.
"DOPE! I got a B, team!" shared Francis, "I obtained my first diploma!"
"Congrats, Francis!" said the Beatles and applauded.
"I got an A again! Wonderful!" stated Belen.
"Congrats, Belen!" said the Beatles and applauded.
"I'm a little slow, so bear with me…" murmured Johnny while using his phone.
"We know, Johnny…we know…" affirmed Belen jokingly.
"Well?" wondered Francis nervously as they know they all have to pass.
"I got…I got a B, mates!" Johnny lit up.
"YEY! We passed! We passed‼" Team Heroes stood up and hugged as a group. Josh joined.
"Congratulations, Team Heroes!" The Beatles were excited and happy for them.
"It feels great having accomplished something you really wanted to do…but it must feel even more amazing accomplishing a goal with friends as a team…" declared Bee charismatically for her friend Francis and his team, but she was also dreamy about being in a team and becoming very good friends and teammates.
"Is that how you feel, little bug?" wondered Irving and focused on his daughter and her goals or dreams.
"Well, one of the reasons I wanted to join Team Heroes on their seminar was to obtain some information about the team league papa, but I got busy and I couldn't make it…"
"Oh yeah? What was the reason you want information about the Pokémon Team League, little bug?" Irving had a hunch about his daughter's ambitions and he smiled.
"I am not sure papa, but I have been thinking…since I became a trainer and have Bebe with me, I have been thinking about traveling all of Fhranisa, catching Pokémon, making friends, and maybe…maybe have a team too, just like Francis…but I am not a hundred percent sure…"
"Why aren't you sure, Bee?" asked Irving.
"Because I also wanna stay home and keep helping my mom with the bakery and the café…I also wanna stay close to my little brother and family…and I am not confident enough to travel by myself, even thought I have Bebe by my side...that's all…"
"Is that how you feel, little bug?" asked, thought, and then smiled Irving.
"Yes, papa…but no biggies! There is a time for everything anyways, or that's what you always say!" Bee was relieved to have had opened her feelings to her dad and seemed relaxed and herself again.
"You're right sweetheart! There is a time for everything…" Irving paused there and began eating the rest of his meal; Bee and Pierre went back to eating as well.
Team Heroes, after hugging as a group for a while, sat down and celebrated. They finished their meals, toasted for success on their upcoming seminars, and relished this moment between very good friends.
"So, what's your next stop, guys?" pondered Pierre while drinking his juice box.
"Uh? Our next stop?" Team Heroes and Josh looked at each other wondering what their next move was.
"If my insight is correct, you guys should be heading for Entomo Town in order to obtain your first gym badges, right?" disclosed Irving with confidence.
"Oh yeah, that's right!" agreed Francis; his team nodded their heads.
"If that's the case, I would like you all to do me a very important favor…" stated Irving.
"Favor? What do you need, Irving?" expressed Francis with a grin.
"Any favors for you, Irving! You've been wonderful to us!" said Belen.
"Yeah! We will be thrilled to help you out with anything you need, Irving!" smiled Johnny.
Bee and Pierre were a bit confused and wondered what their dad could possibly need.
"I just remembered that I have an important parcel sitting in my car that I need to deliver to my sister Ladybird in Entomo Town…" explained Irving seeming a little suspicious and reserved, "I wish I could do it, but I have to go back to the museum tonight after dropping Pierre home...anyhow, I'm going to send Bee on a mission to deliver the parcel to her aunt BUT it will mean a lot to me if YOU ALL can go with her since you guys are heading that way anyways…"
"WHAT?! You want me to deliver a parcel to my aunt, dad?!" Bee was shocked, Pierre too.
"Huh?" Everyone but Irving was confused.
"So, what'd you say? Would you do me the favor of going along with my daughter to Entomo Town? I mean, you already protected her once so it will be terrific if you take care of her while you all go there together!" said Irving optimistically and confident in Team Heroes.
Team Heroes stared at each other and smiled; they were certain of it and couldn't deny Irving his request, "Of course Bee and Bebe can come with us to Entomo Town!"
"TERRIFIC! You really are good kids and an amazing team! I will support you fully on your way to become the Team League champions!" declared Irving heartfully.
"Dad? You really need me to deliver something to my aunt?" asked Bee a bit skeptical about her dad's request.
"Yes, little bug! I'd like you to do that for me…is that alright? Or do you have plans or something coming up?"
"Uh…I mean, I am homeschooled, so I won't be able to continue my education with mom for a while…"
"Don't worry about that, little bug; I will talk to your mom and we can work something out…"
"What about the bakery and café? Who will help mom in my absence?"
"She can call one of her friends for assistance or have the old lady neighbor help her since she has been wanting to learn how to bake…what I am saying, honey, is that we can find help, but now I'd like it if you do this favor to me so don't worry too much…I will talk to your mom…" explained Irving delicately.
Bee understood and got super excited as she will be traveling with her friends to Entomo Town like a little adventure she'd been hoping to experience.
"What about me, dad? I wanna go too!" shared Pierre a bit jealous yet happy for his sister.
"I actually would like it if you do me another super important separate favor, little critter!" declared Irving, "But I will tell you about it on our way home!"
"Okay dad! I will help you!" said Pierre enthusiastically.
"I am going to pay for our meals, kids! You can wait for me at the entrance and then we will walk to my car together and get the parcel, if that's okay with you?" said Irving.
"Yeah! No problem!" Everyone got up, thanked Irving for the meal, and walked to the entrance; Irving met with them and then all of them went to his car, which was parked in front of the Museum. There, Irving handed a small parcel to Bee, hugged her, and wished her well. Pierre said goodbye to everyone and got in the car; Irving also said farewell, got in the driver seat, looked at Bee proudly, and then drove off. Team Heroes and Bee began heading to the Pokémon Center where they have decided to spend the night.
- Next day…
[Powderstone Town/Pokémon Center/Wednesday Morning]
"NO-NO-NO! WHY?‼" shouted Francis all dramatically and upset; he was looking at his watch.
"Uh? What? Eh? What's happening?!" Everyone woke up confused and alarmed.
"What's the matter, Francis? What's wrong?!" asked Belen after getting up from her bed; she began to get ready.
"GUYS! It's already 10:30 AM! We overslept‼" Francis was getting ready quick.
"I don't remember us having somewhere to be this early…mates..." commented Johnny; he rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"What do you mean? We DO have somewhere to be, Entomo Town! Marcus is probably getting his first badge at the gym already! We have to catch up, team! We got to‼" explained Francis and he was all set; he was getting impatient with everyone else.
Josh was finishing getting dressed, "But big bro…we do have to eat something before we leave the Pokémon Center…I am hungry…" he pouted and grabbed his things.
-Looking at Belen- "Is there a reason why we must catch up to this boy, Marcus?" wondered Bee; she was ready to go.
-Whispering- "Not really…Marcus is Francis' number one rival…Francis always want to outdo Marcus in whatever he does..you know, boys' competitions…" shared Belen.
"Oh, now I get it…they must be very good friends then…" expressed Bee softly and Belen agreed with her.
"We are ready, Francis!"
"DOPE! Let's get going!"
Team Heroes and Bee went to the PC cafeteria quickly, grabbed some breakfast, ate, stocked up on their supplies, and left the Pokémon Center. They headed towards Entomo Town using Route 2 southbound.
[Route 2/Wednesday Noon]
"So, are we on the right path, Josh?" asked Francis a bit disoriented since all they have seen for a while has been trees and trees everywhere.
"Well, the map on my PokePAD says we're on it…but honestly guys, I think the PokePAD froze…" stated Josh while figuring out what was wrong.
"Froze? What do you mean?!" everyone became concerned; they all looked around.
"It must have been when we saw the road splitting in two, but we took the left path!" thought Johnny while looking at an actual paper map.
"I thought I saw a sign back then which said keep straight to Entomo Town, guys…but we kept on talking to each other and lost track!" said Belen.
"I think so too…I mean, I've biked from home to Entomo Town, and I do remember just biking all the way down after passing Powderstone Town…" declared Bee.
"Really? I don't remember seeing the sign…but then again, I was looking down to my PokePAD…" said Josh.
"So, we are lost! Great-great-great…just great!" Francis was annoyed.
"Not all is lost, Francis…we just have to retrace our steps and make it back to the fork on the road!" declared Belen while trying to appease Francis.
"I bet my Pokémon can help!" Bee threw a pokeball up in the air, "Bebe! Help us out!"
"Beeeee! Beee Abee‼" Abee was ecstatic and ready to help, but then sensed something wrong, "ABEEE! ABEEE‼"
"UH? What's wrong, Bebe?!" Bee was worried.
"ABEE! ABEE‼" Abee was pointing at a direction opposite where they needed to go as if something was approaching.
"Bebe is sensing something! It may be danger!" Bee looked worried and Bebe was panicking.
"What's going on?!" Everyone was confused but then they all heard a weird buzzing sound.
- Buzz! Buzzz! Buzz! Buzzzz! -
"HUH?! What's that noise?!" Everyone got startled and then surveyed around, "Are those…are those…Waspeking‼ AAAHHH‼"
A swarm of Waspeking appeared; they noticed Team Heroes and Bee with the intend to attack them.
"TEAM! RUN‼" yelled Francis all frightened and then everyone else began running away, but Francis dropped his smartphone; "My phone!"
Francis stopped to save his phone but when it landed on the ground, the PokeDEX App activated and began scanning, "What? How?!"
[POKEDEX:
053) Waspeking - The Yellowjacket Wasp Pokémon [BUG - DARK]
"Waspeking are all male bug-type Pokémon. When a male Abee trains or works hard and consumes enough of the potent honey, they evolve into a Waspeking. Waspeking are hard-working, responsible, caring, overprotective, territorial, and sometimes social Pokémon that always oversees and guards their hives and their family and friends. When provoked or threaten, they become aggressive and harsh; they may fight the threat alone or in swarms. Their sting is powerful enough to inflict damage to a steel-type Pokémon and may also poison it. Waspeking hold a battle royale contest every end of Winter in order to crown the strongest Waspeking the king of the hive the first day of Spring; this king Waspeking will rule the Hive with a queen Abeequeen for a whole year until a new king is crowned. Proceed with caution when spotted by a Waspeking swarm!"
POSSIBLE ATTACKS: Fell Stinger, Poison Tail, Bug Buzz, Night Daze]
After Francis retrieved his phone, Belen grabbed Francis' hand and pulled him away from the Waspeking, "Let's go, Francis! Why are they chasing us, though?!"
"Maybe we have invaded their territories! They are territorial!" commented Francis.
"This is unusual! Something must have agitated them or provoked them!" shared Belen; they both have caught up with the rest of their group and they all escaped together.
"They won't stop chasing us, guys!" shouted Johnny and Josh, "What are we going to do?!"
"They look pretty upset! Something's definitively off!" said Bee while Bebe agreed.
Francis looked back, "There are just too many of them! Maybe our Pokémon can stop them...maybe not...I am not sure what to DOOO! AAHH!" - Bump! Bump! –
Francis accidentally bumped into a girl and her Pokémon who had been running away as well, and then everyone else who was behind Francis also bumped into them to the point of all of them creating a human/Pokémon "snowball" and rolling down the forest's hill where they plunged down to the abyss...
Meanwhile…
"Mwahahaha! Exquisite! The project is going exquisitely!" -Licking her lips- "I can taste success already! The general will be pleased and I will be satisfied!" declared a tall, curvy, long-haired figure while biting and licking her lips; she was overseeing said project, which was taking place in front of a big tree…
"Yes-my-lady-commander!" affirmed a man who sounded very robotic and was wearing a long white lab coat, a cyborg-like mask, a black shirt, and black dress pants, "My gadget here is able to cut thru anything with its super-powered thin sharp saws; we will be able to enter the domain sooner than later!" - Robotic Chuckle –
"Let's shoot for sooner, doctor! I don't want to wait any longer and I surely don't want anything or anyone screwing our plans!" The lady commander seemed pleased yet impatient; she began circling the area where they were working; they were accompanied by staff and minions, "You there! Come here!"
"Yes, commander!" saluted a minion, "What can I do for you?!"
"Give me the latest report! Is everything under control? Any suspicious activities or any intrusions, sugar?"
"No, commander!"
"So, what was that ruckus I heard a moment ago while I was working with the doctor? TELL ME, NOW!"
"Yes, commander! The Pokémon who inhabit this area and that tree have been restless and attacking the troops guarding the perimeters, commander!" explained the minion.
-Licking her lips- "So the ancient tree does have a mind of its own...interesting...however, should I worry about it or are you all able to keep it all under control?" asked the lady commander with a condescending tone, "Because if I have to go out there and take care of it myself, then…then what do I really need you all for, sugar…" She gave the minion a menacing look.
The minion, all frightened said, "We have it under control, commander! No need for you to step in! We got it, I swear!"
"GOOD!" she approached the minion and touched his face delicately, but then slapped him, "GO! Do your job! Don't make me go out there and do it for all of you! YOU ARE DISMISSED!"
"YES, COMMANDER!" The scared minion left in a rush.
The lady commander walked back to where the doctor with the cyborg mask was working, "Nothing to worry about…we will be able to put our hand on the exquisite treasure hidden within this old giant tree…"
"Yes-my-lady! Success-is-in-our-hands!" said the doctor and snickered.
"Mwahahaha! The treasure will be just delicious! I can taste it!" her mouth was watering.
"Mmm…ouch…my head..." groaned Francis after waking up; he was disoriented but alive, "uh…team…Josh…is everyone…is everyone okay?"
Everyone, included the girl stranger and her Pokémon, were fine; they all woke up, got up, and shook the debris off their clothes.
"Who are you?!" wondered Francis once he noticed who he collided with early.
"UH?! Cousin!" exclaimed Bee shocked to see her cousin; she approached her.
"Bee! Bebe!" said the girl; she hugged Bee.
"Cousin?" Everyone was perplexed.
"GUYS! LOOK!" yelled Josh while pointing up; he got speechless and amused.
"OH WOW…that is a colossal tree…" Everyone looked up and found themselves close to a giant tall tree surrounded by lush evergreen.
"Where did we end up, team? Where are we…" said Francis astounded.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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