"So between us, we paid about sixteen hundred for these safari balls," Leon says as they walk into the marshy area.
"A hefty penny, huh?" Gardenia asks smiling.
"Yeah. Only have till night and any we don't use, we have to return," Leon adds.
"Such is the safari groups," Gardenia sighs as they look around their entrance area.
"So stick together or split up?" Leon asks.
"I'm going to stick with you. Or you might get lost," Gardenia says teasingly.
"Alright," Leon says before seemingly trying to decide which way to go. "Which way?" Leon asks.
"Let's try this way lost boy," Gardenia says, pushing him in a random direction.
"I am not lost," Leon says following her.
"You have no idea where to go. I call that lost. You should have studied the map," Gardenia reminds.
"I don't know because there are so many options. You are also the one that wanted to come here," Leon reminds.
"Well, if you want to head somewhere else, just say it," Gardenia asks turning to him.
"And miss seeing a tropius, which is what you are after?" Leon asks.
"There's the trainer I know," Gardenia praises.
"Yeah and…I have never seen so many grass type pokemon in one place," Leon says as they round a tree line to see tangela everywhere.
Gardenia immediately gushes like crazy at the sight of them. "Such an amazing sight."
"Well…aren't you going to catch one?" Leon asks watching as she picks up the closest one and hugs it.
"I just did," Gardenia says excited as she nuzzles the confused tangela.
"I mean in a safari ball so we can leave with it," Leon clarifies.
Gardenia rolls her eyes and taps the ball against the tangela and sucks it in, still confused by her actions.
"There's a joke here, but I won't say for your wrath," Leon says before walking on and waving at the remaining group of tangela and they wave a tentacle back.
"Mine now," Gardenia says happily.
"Yep. Not going to make that joke," Leon agrees with himself as he walks along and Gardenia trails behind him. "You alright back there…don't you want to save those for tropius?" Leon says seeing her about to throw another ball at a tangela.
Gardenia giggles nervously. "Need a few for the gym."
"But those aren't that good and it may take all of them to catch a tropius," Leon points out.
Gardenia just smiles.
"No, I am not going to give you mine," Leon informs.
Gardenia smiles more and gets a begging motion.
"Oh look. I think I see a tropius now," Leon says.
"Where?!" Gardenia calls excited and rushes up past him to see it.
'Worked perfectly,' Leon thinks following.
Gardenia leads him to the back of the marsh to see a single tropius standing there, browsing the shrubbery.
"It's so beautiful," Gardenia whispers as Leon comes up behind her.
"How will you go after it?" Leon asks.
"It's looking for a berry. So I'm going to feed it," Gardenia says digging in a nearby bush for a berry.
"It's eating a whole bush," Leon says.
"Huh?" Gardenia asks looking up.
They look to see the tropius eating a whole berry bush at the moment.
"What does that mean?" Leon whispers to her.
"It's young…doesn't have much of a taste yet," Gardenia whispers as they keep watching.
"So how do you approach it like that?" Leon asks.
"Show some good tastes," Gardenia says having a bunch of different berries in her arms and slowly crawls out of hiding.
'Oh, this I got to see,' Leon thinks as he watches sitting down, not noticing something behind him.
Gardenia smiles as she keeps getting closer and then stops as the tropius picks its head up and notices her, dropping the bush of berries from its mouth. Tropius leans its head to the left to look at her now.
Gardenia smiles and places the berries on the ground before stepping back a few feet and sitting down. The tropius, seeing this, tilts its head to the right, really remind Leon of what some birds do.
The tropius slowly walks over before sniffing the berries and then picking one up with its mouth and then eating the oran berry.
Leon watches in curiosity, not noticing something crawling up his back.
Gardenia smiles as she watches the tropius keep eating oran berries and pushing the others away when she held out her hand and tropius notices it before sniffing it and then nuzzling it.
"Will you come with me for more oran berrieee!" Gardenia calls as she is tackled to the ground by tropius who is now nuzzling her and looking for more.
"Cute," Leon could only say as he smiles. "Need help?" Leon calls chuckling.
"I'm good!" Gardenia calls.
"I can see that," Leon laughs out.
"Oh, be quiet!" Gardenia calls and grunts when the tropius curls up on top of her it's tongue sticking out as it snores.
"Now is your chance," Leon called smirking.
Gardenia grabs one of the pokeballs before tapping it on the head with it and sucking it in, giving in as it beeps only once.
"Well done. You caught a sleeping pokemon. You know, if being a gym leader doesn't work out for you, you can always get a job as a pillow," Leon says still smirking.
Gardenia sticks her tongue out at him and fixes her hair and clothes as she gets up. "At least I got two of them."
"Now you can try and catch all the tangela you want," Leon says.
Gardenia immediately runs past him towards the last group of tangela.
Leon sighs and goes after her and watches her catch eight more with her remaining safari balls and a ninth after getting him to give her two of his.
"I will still not say why you want this many tangela for fear of a woman's wrath," Leon reiterates.
"What are you talking about?" Gardenia asks.
Leon just looks at her. "I would rather not talk about it," he voices blushing a bit and looking away. Really nervous about what his world drew her as.
"So I have had a great time. How about you?" Gardenia asks.
"A rattata heck of a time," Leon sighs as he looks around and notices the time on his pokedex.
"Sun is setting," Gardenia noticed.
Leon nods and sighs. "Let's go. The others are probably worried."
"Alright," Gardenia says leading the way.
The two made it back to the tram but were stopped by a few officials. "Sir, you can't get on the tram. You have an uncaptured pokemon on you."
"Uncaptured…I'm pretty sure I captured everyone," Leon says, checking the pokeballs.
Gardenia took a look at him and saw something when he turned around. "Leon."
"Yeah?" Leon asks, still checking.
"You have a passenger," Gardenia informs.
"Passenger, what?" Leon had to ask as he turns his head and tries to look behind himself. Looking down, he saw a small red Skorupi. "Hello, there little one…and just what you are doing?"
"Seems little red trying to break out again," someone says.
"Really?" Leon asks, trying to reach over and take off the little pokemon.
The skorupi got lower on his back and starts trying to avoid the hands.
"Yes. You see, that little guy keeps trying to escape the preserve," the ranger says, walking up to help.
"Hold on," Leon says, spinning around and avoiding the ranger. "Want to come along, little guy? Because if you wanted to get out, you should have asked and I would have captured you to do so."
Little red seemed to be thinking about it, tapping its carapace chin with a claw.
"Is little red a fighter?" Leon asks, turning back to the ranger.
"Hardly. More like a curious kid that loves to play," he says.
"Well, if you come with me little red, I will at the very least show you all of Sinnoh," Leon says looking back to the skorupi.
The skorupi looks to him before climbing up and into his arms before chittering.
"I think that is a yes. Welcome to the family little red," Leon says grabbing a leftover safari ball.
"Guess we can allow this," the ranger says as he captures the little one. "Go on."
Leon nods, entering the tram quite happy now.
"How do you attract all the good pokemon and even girls at the same time?" Gardenia had to ask.
"…what?" Leon asks, looking at her unsure how to respond to that.
"That pokemon is a female," Gardenia says simply.
"How could you tell?" Leon asks.
Gardenia just raises an eyebrow at him at that.
"I am unconvinced as you specialize in grass," Leon says.
"I had to deal with insects at times," Gardenia says. "That includes that poison type."
Leon says nothing, getting out his pokedex to check to make sure.
Gardenia smiles a little as he checks the pokeball.
"I am not renaming her little redette," Leon informs.
Gardenia smirks heavily at that. "So…going to answer the question?"
"You would know better than I would," Leon informs.
"I mean for attracting pokemon and girls," Gardenia says.
"That is what I am talking about," Leon informs.
"You have to know the answer so you can move on and maybe get better at dating," Gardenia teases before stopping. "Unless you are leading Zoey on."
"Zoey would murder me if that was the case. I am not suicidal as well," Leon says seriously.
"Okay. Good," Gardenia says nodding. "Besides, Zoey is noticing others coming onto you."
"And have I ever come onto them?" Leon asks.
"No. But you need to make things clearer instead of just going along with it," Gardenia explains.
"Alright," Leon says as Gardenia goes back to being happy with the eleven grass type pokemon she caught.
"We are back," Leon calls.
"Great. What did you get?" Zoey asks smiling as she lays in bed, reading a magazine.
"I need to introduce you to someone," Leon says.
"Who?" Zoey asks getting up.
"Come out little red," Leon says releasing the pokemon from the pokeball.
Zoey blinks surprised as the skorupi materializes on the ground before scurrying around and looking at everything. "Whoa."
"Little red here snuck onto my back and try to use me for an escape attempt," Leon says chuckling.
"Guess its a seasoned escaper…and you took him along?" Zoey had to ask.
"Her and yes. I caught nothing besides her at the marsh and Gardenia caught eleven," Leon informs.
"Eleven what?" Zoey presses.
"Ten tangela and a tropius," Leon informs.
Zoey brings a finger up before shaking her head. "Nope. Not going to question that."
"She is crazy about grass types. That is all that needs to be said," Leon says.
"And you better not," Gardenia cheers almost.
"So which one of those tangela will you keep with you while sending the rest to the gym?" Leon asks.
Gardenia hums as she looks at her pokeballs. "…give me a moment."
"Where are Wimpod and Lana gone off to?" Leon asks.
"Pool," Zoey says simply.
"How is my pokemon with nurse joy?" Leon questions, taking a seat next to her.
"Fine. Healing up well enough and ready to kick more gyms again," Zoey chuckles at.
"That won't be for a while," Leon says before leaning his head onto her.
Zoey smiles though. "So…we are somewhat free," she points out, seeing Gardenia leave to send some pokeballs to her gym.
"Well, with the exception of little red," Leon says as little red was poking at something.
"What did you find girl?" Zoey asks, watching the little pokemon.
"Wimpod, I think it is time you officially became my pokemon. What do you say?" Leon asks the next morning.
Wimpod chitters up at him happily.
"Alright, here is your pokeball," Leon offers.
Wimpod chitters and touches an antenna to the ball and get sucked in.
"And with this, I have gained another. I shall name you Rumble," Leon says.
"So what are you going to train him as? Defensive?" Lana asks nearby.
"For now, just how to fight," Leon says.
"Good. Want tips?" Lana asks.
"Yes," Leon says.
Lana grins widely. "Cool. Try some water style training. Get him comfortable and slowly move onto land."
"Well, what a coincidence. That is what a lot of the stuff we will be passing through to go to the Wallace Cup will be," Zoey says.
"Awesome. A perfect chance to train…and need to come up with some things," Leon says to himself to the side now.
"Slow down. First, we need to travel there," Zoey reminds.
Leon gave a sheepish grin and a small blush. "Sorry. You know how I get."
"And Lana," Zoey says looking to the water trainer.
"Yes…?" Lana asks nervously.
"Same," Zoey informs.
"Right," Lana agrees, blushing as well.
"So…shall we get going?" Leon asks.
"Yeah, time to head east," Zoey says smirking.
"About time we got back on the road. Was worried about losing daylight and everything," Leon notes, looking around the area as they come upon the beach route. But he also wondered if they will go swimming in the locked off cove.
"Hold your Rapidash," Zoey informs.
"What are we missing?" Leon sighs.
"We need to book passage on a ship going to the other port," Zoey informs.
"Oh. Where's that?" Leon asks, trying to see the map.
"Here. It is the route to Lake Valor," Zoey says pointing on the map.
"Ah. Then let's go. I'm sure everyone wants to enjoy the water," Leon says.
"Easier said than done. With the Wallace Cup coming up, it's hard to get a seat, let alone four right now," Zoey says.
"So…" Leon starts.
"It will take some time. Till then, hotel and the beach," Zoey says smirking.
"Alright!" Lana cheers.
"…I am going to go buy a swimsuit," Leon informs.
"That you are. Now let's go," Zoey says grabbing his hand and pulling him off.
"You think she didn't get the tickets already on purpose?" Gardenia asks Lana.
"I bet she ordered in advance," Lana sighs at.
"Just to have quality time?" Gardenia asks smirking still.
"Yep," Lana sighs again.
"I hope it is a nice room," Gardenia says.
"You just want to sleep," Lana playfully accuses.
"Can't a girl want some nice treatment?" Gardenia asks.
Lana just gives her a look.
Leon sighs as he stares up at the sky. Trying to enjoying at least laying on the beachfront on a towel as his pokemon are scattered about and playing around. Except for Crystal who has no interest in playing at the moment. Leaving the two to mostly lay down and enjoy the shade.
"The life. Huh, Crystal?" Leon asks, snuggling up a bit into the towel.
"Ra," Crystal cheers and holds up an arm.
"Yeah," Leon says smiling, putting on a pair of shades.
Crystal looks to him before floating over her own little pair of shades with her psychic and putting them on, taking the same position as him and just relaxing on the towel next to him.
"Should we be concerned?" Lana asks as the three girls had watched this all transpire.
"Nah. I'm sure it's nothing. Let them relax, enjoy the sun and water, and watch their stress wash off," Zoey says wistfully.
"Don't worry. We all look good," Gardenia says.
"I doubt he's going to stare," Lana notes.
"Before or after he falls asleep?" Zoey asks.
Lana rolls her eyes now. "As you said, let them relax,"
"Echo seems to be sleeping as well," Gardenia points out.
Echo snores as he lays under the shade of the umbrella, rolling his wings up around him and trying to sleep.
"Seems a few of his pokemon are sleepy," Zoey says.
"Yeah…who's going to tease him?" Gardenia asks smirking as a couple of Leon's pokemon are now walking back to him and laying around him, trying to rest up under the shade.
"Oh, looks like only Tsunami and little red are the only ones still playing," Lana says, seeing both Rumble and Beacon making their way there.
"Then who wants to relax with him?" Gardenia asks again before pushing Zoey in that direction.
Zoey frowns back at her as Gardenia gives some cheerful waves and makes her huff. Leaving Leon to open his eyes and push his glasses up to see her blocking his sun. "Um…is something wrong?"
"No. Just came over to see you and your four pokemon," Zoey says picking up Echo and holds him in her hand before placing him onto another towel.
"Hey there Echo. How are you? Get enough sun?" Leon asks petting the small pokemon's head.
Echo chirps happily and nuzzles his hand back.
'Hope they are having fun. Because once the sun starts going down, we start training,' Leon thinks.
Crystal seems to notice that thought and picks her head up as she raises her sunglasses up a bit to look at him with a knowing gaze.
"When we have had out fun Echo, I will send you and little red to see Omen, ok?" Leon asks.
Echo chirps and raises a wing before laying down again and relaxing.
'Good,' Leon smiles as he lays down before Rumble climbs onto him and lays on his chest.