CHAPTER 19: Cerulean Gym Part Two!

My birds take off.

"Belle, Bane, use Hypnosis! Alto, Sing!"

The twins flank around the Goldeen, who are near the sides of the field, and, while staying perfectly in sync, they both send a pink haze at the fish pokemon.

Alto sings a slow ballad towards the yellow duck pokemon, who clenches its head and moans.

"Duuuuuuck..."

"Psyduck, dodge!"

The Psyduck jumps into the water in the middle of the arena, swimming gracefully around underneath.

"Goldeen, Horn Attack!"

"You to, Goldeen!"

But both fish pokemon are fast asleep.

"Dream Eater, and Nightmare!"

Belle targets the nearest Goldeen, landing quickly beside it and sending harsh purple waves at the fish.

Bane flies to the opposite one, sinking his claw into the fish, and screeching loudly.

"Alto, get that duck!" Alto nods, diving forwards with incredible speed.

Alto is a little bit smaller than the opponent, but that doesnt stop him from diving right into the water, latching on with his claws, then flying back up, flinging the poor yellow pokemon into the air.

"PSSSsSsSsSYyYyYyY!" It wails, landing with a hard THUMP! and not getting back up.

"Psyduck is unable to battle, win for Serena!" The ref calls, pointing in my direction.

Violet humphs, returning the injured Psyduck and stalking off to the nearest healing machine.

"Goldeen, Ice Beam!"

I quickly turn back to the battle, to see that both Goldeen's had woken up, and Belle is thrown backwards into the water.

"Belle!"

"Goldeen, you use Ice Beam to!"

As Belle tries to lift her soaking feathers so she can take off again, she's hit dead on with another Ice Beam, sending her into the wall behind her, and knocking her out instantly.

"Noctowl One has been K.O'd, win for the Sisters!" The ref points to Lily and Dasiy, who are smiling.

"Bane, toss her! Alto, Round!"

Bane grabs the nearest Goldeen, and takes off for the roof.

He throws the fish, back into the ground, where it lands with a THUMP, and slowly floats back to her position.

As she gets back, Alto throws a round of loud noises at the fish, knocking it out and sending it flying.

"Lily's pokemon is now unable to battle, win for Challenger!"

"Goldeen, use Blizzard!" My eyes go wide as Daisy smiles.

All i can do is stand hopeless as Goldeen summons a wicked storm, throwing ice crystals every which way.

Suddenly, through the mist, i see a shape flying upwards.

I cover my face from the brightness of the snow in front of me, and make out Bane and Alto, flying up.

I also see the huge ice crystal flying towards them.

Bane sees it, and uses his last Gust to send Alto careening to the roof, as he gets pumelled by the large ice chunk.

"BANE!" I screech, as he falls like a rag doll into the water.

"Noctowl Two is now out of spirit! Win for the Sisters, making this one on one!"

The Blizzard subsides, and Alto flies to me, looking me in the eye.

"MEANIE." He growls, pointing at the Goldeen, who is floating, with a smug look on her face.

"Alto, Fury Attack!"

The bird flies like a bat out of hell, screaming as it latches onto the fish, and starts violently attacking it. Throwing it up, smashing it back down with his wings, Alto is NOT letting this poor pokemon go without a fight.

"Ice beam!"

The Goldeen suddenly fires a quick beam at Alto, and it catches him on the wing, freezing it into a huge block of ice.

He gives me a scared look, but i'm ready.

"WING ATTACK!" I screech, and he finally gets my idea.

Lifting the huge ice block up, he flips and slams it down on the fish, breaking it off and knocking her out.

"Daisy's pokemon is now unable to battle! That means victory goes to Serena Flora, from the Sinnoh region!"

The applause is deafening.

Smiling, i wave as i walk to the middle of the field, where all three sisters are waiting.

We shake hands, and they hand me a little bag of items.

"Badge, and a TM from all three of us. Ice beam." Violet smiles, hugging me.

Then, they escort me to a waiting room in the back so i can wait for the rest of the group.

I have barely sat down, when i hear the PA go off.

"CHALLENGING TODAY, A YOUNG BOY FROM KANTOS VERY OWN PALLET TOWN, ASH KETCHUM!"

Smiling, i walk over to the healing machine in the corner, and heal my team, then sitting down and watching Ash's battle.

Against the two Goldeen and the Psyduck, Pikachu has no problem doing it alone.

I lean back in my chair, as Misty walks in through a back door.

"Hey!" She hugs me tightly, Bill and Brock close behind her.

"How was I?" I ask, and they all laugh and nod.

"The look on those girls faces when Alto used the ice block? INCREDIBLE." Bill hoots.

"How are Bane and Belle?" Brock asks.

"Tired, but healed and safe. They fought well." Everyone nods, and we all sit down just in time to watch the last moments of Ash's battle.

"PIKACHU, THUDER BOLT! ARNARRA, TELEPORT!" I watch as the speedy little Abra flies out of harms way, as Pikachu sends a wicked bolt of lightning at the last standing pokemon, the Psyduck.

It hits him head on, and knocks him out.

As the ref calls the Victory, my phone starts ringing.

"Oh! I'll be right back!" I head out the back door, into a hallway, and answer.

"Hello?"

"Ser bear? THAT WAS AMAZING!" I hear a familiar voice on the other end.

"Gardenia?!" I almost shout in glee.

Being one of the children for an Elite 4 member, I spent a lot of time with the gym leaders and other delegates, and Gardenia is my age, so we became best friends quickly.

"You got it babe! Hows it going?!" She squeals on the other side.

"Good! Did you see my battle?"

"Did i see it? Of course i did! Didn't your dad tell you?" She asks confused.

"About what?" I ask, more confused.

"Me, Maylene, and Candice are in Kanto! We are training with our respected gym types, or Elite four type, in Candice and Maylenes case!"

"Oh my god! Where are you now?!" I ask, and i feel a slight tap on my shoulder.

I whip around, hugging her tightly.

"Hey! Haha!" She laughs, hugging me back.

"Gar, i am SO happy your here!" I squeal, and she holds me at arms length.

"Yep... defienitely still the pretty one." She smiles as i smack her arm.

"Shut UP you gorgeous beast." We hug again, and i lead her into the waiting room.

Ash and Hilary are both waiting inside, and Brocks on the screen.

"Wait, i thought Brock was joking? He doesnt have to challenge, he IS a gym leader?" I ask, confused, and they all laugh.

"He wanted to prove he could do it." We all laugh, and Hilary spots Gardenia.

"Garden!" She runs up, hugging the girl.

"Hey Hills! Hows it going?" They laugh. "May and Candy-Cane are in town, to!"

"May's here? Where?" Hilary gasps.

"With... Bruno, i think his name was?" Gar places her hand on her head, thinking.

"Bruno, as in... THE ELITE 4 BRUNO? Fighting type MASTER?" Ash gasps.

"Yep, thats him!" Gar smiles, ruffling his hair.

"Whoa..." He sighs in amazement.

"Wait, then why are you here? Cerulean is a Water type Gym?" Misty asks.

"I came a couple weeks ago, actually. I just finished my training, so i have to wait for the other girls to finish so we can leave together."

"And how long will that take, do you think?" I ask.

"A week, maybe more." She smiles.

"THE VICTOR IS BROCK, GYM LEADER OF PEWTER CITY!" The PA screams.

He walks into the room, a huge grin on his face.

"I did it guys!" He throws an arm into the air, laughing.

We all clap and congratulate him, when Bill has an awesome idea.

"Who's hungry?"

We all end up at his place again, as him, Brock, and even Gardenia help with the food.

"I love cooking!" She squeals, flying across the room with a hot pot of water.

We all laugh, and joke around for a bit, then i decide to go outside. I grab Beatrice's pokeball.

I get out, and see that all four of my birds are sleeping in a nearby tree, all huddled together.

Smiling, i quietly release the Combee.

"Bzzz?" It asks, looking at me.

"Hi there, Beatrice. My name is Serena, and i am your new trainer." I smile, and she giggles happily back.

Then she looks around, and starts to pout.

"Bzz?" She asks, but i cant understand her.

She wants to know where Bill is.

Arnarra appears beside me.

"Thanks hun." I rub her head, and she teleports away again.

"Bill is still here, i'm just going to train you, and make you very strong!" I flex my muscles, making the little yellow bee pokemon laugh.

I see Alto wake up, and he flutters down to my shoulder.

"Hmm..." He purrs, rubbing against my neck.

"Hey, sweetheart. This is Beatrice, our newest member." I point, and Alto makes a happy chirp at the pokemon, and she smiles warmly at him.

"FOODS READY!" I hear Gardenia's voice through the window.

"Will you watch her?" I ask Alto, and he nods, lightly hopping to the ground, and he starts talking to the baby bee pokemon.

She happily buzzes off, with Alto beside her.

Smiling, i head into Bill's house again, and smell the food.

It's baked macaroni and cheddar cheese, with tomatos and parmesan, something Gardenia used to make when we were younger.

We all dig in.

"So, Gar! Whats the plan for you?" I ask.

"Hang out around the area, maybe challenge a gym or two. Havent decided." She shrugs.

"Have you thought of... oh, i dont know... coming with us?" Hilary asks, and Gardenia's jaw drops.

"Would you guys let me?" She asks, and everyone nods.

"Oh My GOSH YOU GUYS!" She runs over to where me and Hilary are seated, hugging us both.

"Now, i have some news as well." Brock stands up.

"My family has requested i return home for a while, get caught up on my gym battles, and i am inclined to agree with them." Brock starts, but Ash stops him.

"Your leaving? When?"

"Tonight, i need to head back so im there for tomorrow night. It wont be for lon-"

"I DONT WANT YOU TO LEAVE." For some reason, Ash is in tears, sobbing and hugging the older trainer.

He leans in and hugs Ash back.

"How long will you be gone?" I ask.

"Less than a week." He says, and Ash steps back, wiping the tears from his face.

"I want to come." He declares.

"Ash, you cant. It'll be so boring, you would-"

"As a gym trainer." Ash finishes.

"What?" Is heard from around the table.

"Ash, it's a rock type gym, you-"

"I'll catch one." He stomps his foot, looking up defiantly.

"I mean, i dont see why not..."

"Me too!" Misty jumps up.

"Misty, you cant even CATCH a rock type, remember?"

"Violet has a Relicanth i could use! Rock and Water type!" She says excitedly.

"Well, i mean..."

"YAY!" Both younger kids high five, and run out of the room.

"We are going to pack!" Ash shouts as they fly out the doors.

Brockj quickly follows them.

Laughing, the rest of us sit closer together.

"That'll be great practice for them." Gardenia says, mouth full of food.

"And it gives them some time just to focus on training." I agree.

"Well, now we have a lot of free time for the next week or so, as we cant really move on without the kids or Brock." Hilary says to no one in particular.

"Well... why not hangout around here? I have four bedrooms, and only one of which is being used. I would love the company." Bill shrugs.

"That would be awesome! Thanks Bill!" Gardenia hugs him, and his face goes red.

"Oh... n-not a problem..." He shuffles off, muttering something about making the beds.

"Well isnt he just a cutie!?" She leans back in her chair.

"Hands off, Gar. Ser already claimed him." Hilary laughs, and Gardenia turns to me.

"Oh? Does she have a little... oh, i dont know... CRUSH on him?" She laughs maniacally as she darts over and tickles me.

"SHUT UP!" I squeal, then push her back and head out of the room.

I see Bill enter a room upstairs, and quickly follow him.

As i enter, i see that its a small room, but one of the wall's is two large windows, and one is open, sending a nice salty breeze throughout the room.

Bill is putting sheets on the bed, and he turns around as i enter.

"Hey." I smile.

"Hey." He smiles back.

"Sorry about Gardenia, she's very... eccentric." I laugh, grabbing the other side of the sheet and helping him put it on.

"No offence, but how does she... show that much... skin?" He asks, looking at me honestly.

Gardenia is wildly popular for her fashion sense, as her Gym Leader's outfit is quite revealing.

Black sports bra, with a small green poncho thrown on top, showing her midriff and a pair of SUPER short shorts, showing EVERYTHING else.

"She's a grass type gym leader, she needs all the sun she can get." We both laugh.

The sheet finally on, we both collapse onto the bed.

He kisses my forehead.

"Any big plans for the next little while?" He asks quietly.

"I was thinking of dedicating this time to Beatrice, getting her closer to my team in terms of strength." I say, and he kisses my forehead again.

"What a sweetheart, thank you."

I grab him suddenly, pulling him close, and kissing him.

I'm not sure how long we were there, kissing, but it felt too short, when there was a knock on the door.

Scrambling to get off the bed, i open the door.

"Hey! Me and Gardenia are going back to the Center to grab our stuff! You want me to grab yours to?" Hilary asks, and i nod.

"Take Bane and Belle, they can fly you there and back." I smile, and she laughs.

"You know, you cant be the pretty one AND the smart one." She ruffles my ponytail, then heads out.

I lay back down on the bed.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"4pm." He answers, and i sigh.

"BUT IM SOOO TIRED." I moan, covering my face with his shirt.

"Take a quick nap! I'll leave the window open and show your pokemon where it is, then you can just sleep." He kisses me gently, then runs and grabs some pillows and a blanket.

I smile as he makes the bed for me, then hug him as he heads out.

"Thank you..." I murmur, kissing him, then he leaves, shutting the door.

I roll over, tangled in the blanket, and see Alto and Beatrice, frolicking and skipping throughout the field behind Bill's house. The ocean is over in the distance.

I fall asleep to the noises of my pokemon as they happily watch the waves.