Pokémon: Hoenn Travels.

-The Important Stuff:-

1) I am not at all affiliated with Game Freak nor Nintendo, or any other companies that write/produce Pokémon.

2) I do not own any part of Pokémon.

-A Waiver:-

1) This is not a direct steal from anything already Pokémon-related that exists, not the show or a game or a novel/book. It is my own creation, therefore I may bend the rules a little bit to fit my needs.

2) The names of Professors, Gym Leaders, and Cities were taken from Ruby Version.


Chapter Sixteen:

Fanning the Flames

The Lavaridge Gym was a sweltering building. Even with the high ceilings, the heat settled over me and I was already sweating again. The arena was a dirt floor, with white lines painted into it that could be easily repainted when damaged. Rocky outcroppings and other natural features jutted out of the floor and were scattered around the space, acting as cover and obstacles during the course of battle.

Doug and I were already standing side-by-side in the trainer's box on one side of the gym arena, waiting on Flannery to make her entrance. We had spoken with her receptionist, who had been shocked at the request for the battle and happily took our payment for such. She ushered us into the building, promising Flannery would be around soon, and wished us luck.

I heard Doug let out a heavy sigh. "How do people willingly live here?" He asked, tugging his collar away from his throat.

"Ecruteak's snow sounds amazing right about now," I agreed.

"Yeah, you know, you might have a point. Being cold is a lot better than being this damn hot," Doug hissed.

"You can always put more clothes on, there are only so many layers you can take off," I said. "It's why I will pick the snow any day over this crap."

"Where the hell is Flannery, it's so damn stagnant in here."

"How long have we been waiting?"

Doug pulled his wrist up to his face. "About forty minutes."

"Seems unprofessional," I muttered.

"It doesn't just seem it, it is unprofessional."

"Sorry!" The doors to the gym suddenly flew open and a young woman raced toward the arena. "I didn't realize I had a battle. It's been so long since I had one that I totally ignored the call from my receptionist. I didn't even recognize her number when she called me." She came skidding to a halt across the room from us, offering us a blindingly bright smile. "So sorry. Ready?"

"We have been ready," Doug assured her, his tone deliberately annoyed.

"Let's go!" Flannery shouted, releasing two pokéballs high into the air above her head. They broke open and two Pokémon formed ahead of her. "Torkoal and Slugma, let's win this!"

"Fire Pokémon, dammit," Doug muttered.

"Lanturn!" I didn't have to think about my choice as I tossed my out the happy-go-lucky water Pokémon I had acquired in Dewford Town. He appeared out ahead of us, barking happily.

"Alright, you're gonna have to carry my sorry ass again, Rowan," Doug mumbled as he tossed out his own Pokémon. "Mightyena!"

The dark hound formed next to my Pokémon, who barked up at him. Mightyena growled in response.

"Torkoal, Smog on the Mightyena! Slugma, Harden!" Flannery was already calling out orders.

"Mightyena, Sand Attack, spray em both!" Doug was barking his own battle plans to his Pokémon.

"Lanturn! Water Gun on the Torkoal!"

Lanturn's form went rigid as he gurgled on some water and then shot out the stream ahead of him and across the field. Slugma's fluid exterior was slowly hardening as it increased its defense to prepare for attacks, and Torkoal was shaking its shell-like structure as it formed a cloud of poisonous gas. The gas slowly seeped out of the shell and crept across the field.

Between the spray of water, and the cloud of dust that Mightyena was kicking up with his back paws, the two attacks cut a swathe of clean air between the incoming attack. The rest of the gas dissipated harmlessly.

Mightyena's attacked continued past the gas cloud and sprayed both fire Pokémon. Both flinched from the attack, Torkoal crying out slightly. Immediately following the spray of sand, Lanturn's water spray slapped Torkoal in the face. Again, a cry of pain escaped the Pokémon.

"Lanturn, Water Gun, again!" I called for my Pokémon to attack the same Pokémon.

"Torkoal, Iron Defense, prepare yourself for the attack!"

"Mightyena!" Doug was calling over her. "Roar, make 'em cower!"

Mightyena planted his front paws sturdily into the dirt before throwing his head back and releasing an ear-splitting howl. Doug and I both clamped our hands over our ears. Flannery's Pokémon flinched, resulting in their retaliations being halted.

Lanturn, though wincing through the howl, managed to spout off a quick water blast. It slammed into the tortoise-like Pokémon, knocking it over and out. Flannery recalled her first Pokémon as Mightyena finally silenced his call.

"Sorry," Doug mumbled. "He gets excited."

"It was effective," I responded, before jumping back into the battle. "Lanturn, keep up the Water Gun!"

"Slugma, don't let it! Hit it with a Rock Throw!"

Slugma quickly formed a hardened boulder within its lava form and hurled it in the direction of my Pokémon, who was still prepping his attack. I knew he wouldn't be able to cancel his attack in time to dodge it and was just going to take the full brunt of it.

"Mightyena," Doug had clearly figured out the same thing, "intercede that attack."

His dog immediately darted across the field, slamming his body into the rock and knocking it out of its trajectory for Lanturn. The boulder disintegrated into smaller pieces as Mightyena dropped to the ground, shaking his head to clear it. Lanturn's attack formed and shot over the top of Mightyena, who stayed down at Doug's command. It slammed into Slugma, drenching the fire Pokémon and immediately exhausting it. The lava flows forming its body were thicker and slower, and it seemed like it was receding on itself, and now appeared smaller than it had been at the start of the battle.

"Slugma, Flamethrower on the Mightyena!"

"Sand Attack!" Doug ordered.

Mightyena, still on the ground, started hurling itself around in the ground, sending sand spraying in all directions. Lanturn ducked behind a nearby boulder, dodging the projectiles, but Slugma took the attack in full. It collapsed to the ground, its eyes closed. Flannery returned it.

"Wow," she mumbled. "First battle in a long time and I didn't stand a chance."

"That's the problem when you use one kind of Pokémon."

"Look around, Kanto Champion, there's not much for me to pick around here!" She snapped in Doug's direction.

Doug shook his head, recalled his Pokémon, and made for the exit of the building. I watched him go and when I glanced back toward Flannery, she was standing in front of me.

"Heat makes him cranky," I offered apologetically as she dropped two Heat Badges into my hand.

"I really don't care," she remarked, then left the building after him.

"It seems no one does well in heat," I muttered to myself, glancing to my Lanturn. He seemed completely content in the muggy building, blowing bubbles over his own head and letting them pop on his face. I laughed as I returned him to his pokéball and headed out of the building.


I met back up with Doug at the PokéCenter. He had changed his clothes, but his shirt was already sticking to his chest and back. After giving Lanturn to the desk to have him tended to, just in case Mightyena's Roar had done some damage, I sat down next to Doug in a large, sofa against the far wall of the building.

"You okay?"

"That gym leader annoyed me," he mumbled. His Pokédex was in his hands again and it was beeping and chirping as he fiddled with it.

I watched him for a moment, then waved to the contraption. "Any luck with that?"

"It will randomly tell me a Pokémon's information unprompted now," he said, shaking his head. "I have no control of what Pokémon though. Twice it was Johto Pokémon, once it was Kanto, and yesterday is informed me about Breloom."

"Getting there," I said with a shrug.

"It's annoying me too." He shut it down and replaced it into his backpack.

"Here you are." An employee returned Lanturn to me and I thanked her before she walked away.

"Should we stay here for the night?" I asked Doug.

"And do what? Go to the hot springs?" He asked, the question was sarcastic. "Yeah, we might as well head out."

"Whenever you're ready."

We waited a little while; the sun was low in the sky by the time he and I were ready to walk out. We assumed the walk out of Lavaridge would be a little less exhausting if the sun wasn't up. However, as we exited the PokéCenter, we were put completely off by exactly how much chillier the night air was.

"What the hell?" Doug spoke first.

"I was not prepared for this," I admitted. A breeze was flowing off the mountain and through the town. Goosebumps broke out across my arms and I hugged myself in an effort to keep warm.

"This seems just as bad to walk in," I heard him mutter. We had stopped just outside the doors of the PokéCenter and were taking in our surroundings. "Alright, what do we do?"

I chewed on my lower lip. "Hot springs don't sound so bad now."

His expression darkened. "I hope they serve food."

As it turns out, they did. We followed signs to the western edge of town, where we found a large, rustic building tucked against a high rock wall. I could see steam rising up from behind it. Inside, we were greeted by a sweet, elderly couple. They apologized, but reservations were required to partake in the hot springs. Doug gave them his name, they searched their system, and grew very excited.

It seemed that Cornelia Rowe had gotten us the top-tier package for the hot springs.

I was ushered off into the ladies changing room, as Doug was whisked off to a separate location. I was presented with a few bathing suits options, as well as several towels and a robe. After changing into a black one-piece, I was led back through the main lobby of the building and out a side, glass door.

I found myself on a natural path that circled around several, small hot springs. Each spring had multiple people, of all ages, soaking in the waters. Conversation was quiet and relaxed, it seemed many people were napping in the waters.

However, the elderly woman I was following led me away from the public springs and into a small, separate area. In fact, this spring was located within a small cavern. Entering the space, I could hear soft bubbling water and the area was lit up with wall sconces of warm light that was not overbearing.

"Here we have trays of cheeses, meats, and crackers," my tour guide was waving to several silver platters on wheeled carts as she explained. "And of course drinks as well." The tray next to the finger foods had a couple bottles of chilled champagne and numerous bottles of water. "Anything else that we can provide for you right now?"

"No," I shook my head. My stomach growled obnoxiously loud.

"Please," the woman grinned brightly and bowed. "Enjoy."

There was a cool breeze that flowed through the cavern, which caused me to tremble a little bit. I regretted leaving the robe in the locker room. However instead of getting into the warm water, I hurried over to the tray of cheese and meats. There were small, delicate plates on the tray and I picked one up, scooping every option of cheese, meat, and cracker onto the dish. I took several bites, glancing around to make sure no one was observing my piggish behavior; it had felt like days since I had eaten. After finishing several crackers topped with the delicious delicacies, I wanted a drink too. I set down my plate and initially grabbed a bottle of water. However, my fingers lingered on the plastic bottle as my eyes lingered on the champagne bottle. It was already uncorked and water droplets slid lazily, and invitingly down the side of the glass.

"It would be a waste not to have some," I murmured.

I grabbed the bottle and found a champagne flute on the tray as well. I filled it, probably a little too high, and then took a long sip. The drink was bubbly, crisp, and fruity. It went down so smoothly.

I set the bottle down and grabbed my plate, aiming to get into the water, as Doug entered the cavern too. The elderly male he was with merely waved him in and wished him a good time before disappearing back outside the private area.

Doug glanced around, his eyes immediately on the food and drink in my hand. He crossed the space over to me, clad in a pair of swimming trunks and nothing else. He tossed a towel that was thrown over his shoulder toward the far wall, where I finally noticed a pair of reclining chairs. He grabbed the champagne flute from my fingers and tossed it back, emptying the glass in one gulp.

"Well," I scoffed. "Want more?"

He grabbed my plate as well before crossing over and stepping slowly into the warm water. I heard him swear, I assumed from the initial shock from the warmth, and then a satisfied groan escaped him. I glanced over my shoulder and found him submerged up to his collar bones in the water with his head leaning back. He had set the plate of food and the empty glass on the ground beside his head.

I went about making another plate and filling another glass.

"Fill mine too," he grumbled at me.

"Please?" I offered for him.

"Please," he repeated.

"Since you asked so nicely," I said, carrying the bottle over him and once again filling it nearly to the brim. I set the bottle down on the ground, along with my food and drink, and climbed into the water as well. A small gasp escaped me, the water was warmer than I expected, but once I was completely in it, I could feel my entire body relaxing. I positioned myself across the small pool from Doug, so that we were facing each other.

Doug and I remained mostly quiet for the first half hour or so of time that we were in the water. Between the two of us, in the same amount of time, we finished the first bottle of champagne and started on the second. The elderly woman came to check on us, returning with a third bottle and a refreshed plate of snacks, setting both near us in the water, and then silently leaving.

By the time we were halfway through the second bottle of champagne, we had both been overtaken with chattiness and giggles. I also couldn't ignore the fact that I kept wanting to touch Doug, a side effect of the alcohol that seemed to be affecting him too.

We were now seated directly beside each other, reminiscing about our travels across Johto and Kanto, something we hadn't done since we had been reunited more than a week before.

"What was your friend's name, I can't remember," Doug was saying. The water splashed as he reached out in my direction. Underwater, his hand grasped at my midthigh. He squeezed tightly.

"Ashley," I reminded him, leaning into him.

"Ashley," he spat. "Man, she drove me insane."

"She thought you liked her," I giggled, pressing my face into his shoulder as I did so.

"Oh, don't worry, that part I remember."

"You," I poked him in the pectoral as I spoke, "are literally the one who put yourself in that situation, what did you expect to happen with two teenaged girls?"

"Ok, let's be fair, I was barely not a teenager myself. I was not making smart decisions that entire trip," he mumbled at me. He grabbed my hand, pushing it away from my chest, and then rubbing the place I had poked. "That hurt."

"Sorry." My hand came down on top of his, and he pulled his hand out from under mine, so that my palm was rubbing into his chest. The muscle was solid under my palm. "Also, your smart decisions, or lack thereof, were not limited just to that trip."

"What?" The word snapped out of his mouth, his tone incredulous and feigning offense.

"Team Rocket," I reminded him.

"I had a good reason at the time."

"My sister."

"Okay, that was just to annoy you." His hand came out of the water and he pointed at me, still leaning into his shoulder. My hand, still on his chest, popped against his skin hard. He laughed, quickly grabbing my hand in his. "And it still works. What else was dumb?"

"Uh, stealing a Pokémon from your father," I offered.

Doug released a chuckle. "Yeah, that was dumb," he agreed. "My dad still hates me."

"He asks me about you all the time."

Doug's head listlessly turned to the side so that he could stare at my face. "He asks you about me?" I nodded. "How often?"

"When we first got home and went our separate directions, pretty frequently," I answered. "He thought we were still in contact."

Doug's eyes were searching my face. I was still leaning heavily into his shoulder and our hands were still clasped together. "We should have been," he mumbled the words so quietly I almost missed them over the lapping of the water and the humming of the lights.

I offered him a tired smile. "We both made our choices."

"That doesn't mean they were the right ones."

My foggy thoughts couldn't determine if he meant my choice or his own. So, I shrugged in response. "I wasn't going to ask you to change your mind, just like you weren't going to ask me to change mine."

"I should have." His head dropped backwards and his eyes closed. I stared at the side of his face, assuming he meant that he had wanted me to follow him to Kanto again. He had said as much when we had separated years before. "I need more drink," he grumbled after a few seconds.

"I can help with that."

I twisted onto my knees and half pulled myself out of the water. The breeze had grown in the cavern, and now that it was later in the evening, the temperature had dropped even more. I reached behind us, grabbing the mostly empty second bottle and filling his glass and mine.

I jumped, spilling some of the liquid, when I felt Doug's fingers graze up my hip and up the side of my ribs. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"It tickled," I glanced back at him, wrinkling my nose and laughing.

He groaned, his hand flattening out across my stomach and curving around my far side. He pulled me off the bench and into his lap. I squealed as liquid splashed out of both glasses and down my hands. I lifted both as I situated my legs on either side of his hips and lowered myself back into the water, holding out his glass to him.

"Thank you," he took it from me. He threw the glass back, emptying it in one gulp.

I giggled at him as I sipped at mine. "That doesn't seem the best way to enjoy it."

He set the glass behind him, then folded his arms around my middle, pulling my chest closer to his and watching as I drank. "I don't like champagne much anyways."

"Then why drink it?" I asked between sips.

"It's all they offered," he reminded me.

I shook my head, but couldn't answer because I was mid-drink. I held up my unoccupied hand, with my index finger extended upward, signaling him to give me a moment. "Water," I said, pointing toward the tray.

"Not nearly as fun," he glanced back at the tray.

Another sip and I had emptied my glass too. I leaned forward, and further into Doug, to set the glass down behind him. As I was leaning, I reached for the plate of food as well, dragging it closer. As I was doing that, Doug's grasp grew tighter and I could feel him nestle his face into the crook of my neck. I could feel his breath on my skin and every place his skin and mine met was tingling hotly.

As I leaned back, with my own plate of food now in my hands, he leaned back as well. His eyes lazily made their way up to my face. I offered him a smile, lifting the food slightly. "You didn't eat much," I reminded him, popping a cube of cheese in my mouth as I did so.

"Wasn't very hungry." His eyes dropped again, looking down into the water between us, since we had separated ourselves, if only slightly. His hands dropped to my hips, his grasp tightened, and he pulled my hips closer against his, and he held me there.

"You're really going to regret that in the morning," I told him.

"Regret what?" His eyes were back on my face.

"The not eating."

His shoulders heaved up and then down, but the movement was heavy and lethargic. "I'll deal with that in the morning."

I laughed at him, setting the plate down behind him and then winding my hand into the back of his hair. I grabbed tightly as I brought my face closer to his. His hands left my hips and trailed up my back as his entire focus went to my lips.

"You are not going to deal with it, Douglas," I whispered to him. His chest was rising and falling heavily against mine. His chin lifted slightly, bringing his lips closer to mine. "I am going to have to deal with it."

His breath shuddered out of him. "Are you going to kiss me or not?" He growled.

I chewed on my lower lip, grinning brightly. "Or not," I murmured.

An aggravated growl made its way out of Doug's throat as he fully shifted out of his reclined position. One of his arms curved under my rear, bringing me tighter against him, as the other grabbed a handful of my hair, yanking my head back. His lips were on my throat, in a hot kiss and then an impatient bite. I couldn't help when I gasped and thrust hard against Doug's body.

His hand left my hair and went to the rim of the pool we sat in. He pushed himself out of his seat in the hot spring. On his feet, he continued to hold me against his chest, waiting to find his balance, though he continued to nibble up my neck and towards my jaw.

Everything stopped abruptly though, his hold on me loosened and I controlled my drop back into the water. He leaned into his hand that was still clinging to the edge of the hot spring. He let a long breath out and ducked his head downwards.

"Shit," I heard him moan, though this time it was more pained sounding. I grabbed onto him, sliding a hand up the side of his face. "Sorry, the room started to spin."

I couldn't help when I laughed at him. "Yeah, I think that's what happens when you shoot champagne and don't eat anything."

He slowly lowered himself back into the water, and clapped his hands over his face. "If I were sober, I would be embarrassed."

"Good thing you're not sober," I was still giggling as I lowered myself back to the seat next to him. Feeling me there, he slowly dropped his head, still covering his face, onto my shoulder. He released another pained moan.

"This is going to suck in the morning," he muttered.

"It's going to suck getting you out of this pool," I laughed. He grumbled something in response, but I couldn't make out the words.

"Now that I know what to expect, I can get myself out," he finally said, his voice muffled. He lifted his head, offering me an obnoxious grin. "More champagne would probably help too."

"No!" I booped him hard on the nose. "How about water?"

He scoffed, shaking his head. "I don't want that."

"How about a deal?" I said, whispering softly to him.

"What kind of deal?" The words slurred out of his mouth.

"You finish one bottle and I'll give you that kiss." I pointed in the direction of the tray of drinks.

He was silent, staring at me and trying to determine if I was serious. "On the lips." He finally said.

"On the lips."

"With tongue."

I giggled, pressing my fingers against my mouth as I did so. "Sure, I'm drunk enough to agree to that."

"Get me one." He waved over his shoulder and in the general direction of the tray holding the water bottles.

I slowly clamored out of the water. Though the room didn't spin, I certainly was not steady on my feet. I grabbed a bottle of water, and was making my way to get back to Doug, when the elderly lady appeared in the cavern.

"I was wondering if you were ready to be shown to your room now," she politely said as she bowed before us.

"We get a room?" Doug asked.

"It is part of the package, yes Mr. Evergreen."

He waved toward me, holding out his hand. "Help me up, let's go lay down. Bring that bottle of water."

Doug was surprisingly capable in getting himself out of the pool. We wrapped ourselves in towels and followed the woman from the cavern, leaving our mess. We traversed back around the other pools, which were now empty, and into the rustic building. She led us to a staircase hidden in the far corner of the room, tucked behind several privacy screens. Doug stumbled on the stairs a little bit, but was able to make it to the second floor.

The woman led us down a short hallway, pushed open a door, and waved us in. Doug staggered in first. I thanked the woman and followed him in, shutting the door behind us. "Ah, hell yeah, there's only one bed," I heard him cheer. The furniture then creaked, signaling he had likely collapsed onto the mattress.

I hurried around the corner to check on him. I was surprised to find him sitting upright.

"Give me that bottle of water." He was holding his hand out toward me.

I handed it off to him, spotting my clothes and belongings sitting on a sofa in the room. Doug's were beside mine. There was also a clean pair of linen shorts and a shirt, clearly meant for sleeping, laid out as well. I grabbed them up and headed for the attached bathroom, telling Doug I was going to change.

"Do it out here," he called after me.

I spun around to face him. He was standing, grinning after me. "Not a good idea, Doug," I chided him. He sauntered a few, unstable steps in my direction. One of his hands went to the waistband of his wet shorts, pulling it down slightly.

I couldn't help when my eyes dropped, but I forced my eyes back to his and closed the distance between us. I dropped the clothing I had been holding and wrapped my hands around both of his wrists. "I think we should keep clothes on, Doug."

"Why?" One of his hands came up to my chin, his thumb pushing my chin up and angling my lips more towards his.

"Because you still owe me that bottle of water," I reminded him.

"Then we lose our clothes," he said.

"Keep your clothes on." I let go of his wrists and he made a sputtering noise. I turned away from him, regathered the clothes, and hurried into the bathroom. I stripped out of the wet bathing suit and changed into the linen shorts and shirt. When I reentered the room, Doug was back in bed, blankets pulled up to his chest and his wet swimming trunks on the floor beside the bed.

"You didn't keep your clothes on," I commented.

He was laying flat on his back, the unopened bottled of water on the side table next to him. He had an arm folded over his face and his eyes were closed. "Hey, Rowan?" He mumbled.

"Yes Doug?" I walked over to the sofa and started clearing it off so that I could sleep on it. Exhaustion was beginning to settle over me.

"I told you I didn't really date."

"You did," I agreed, glancing back at him. He was in the same position, his chest rising and falling steadily as though he were falling asleep.

"It made me sound like a scumbag, didn't it?"

"Yes, it did."

Silence, I was sure he had fallen asleep. I finished clearing off the couch, released Luma and apologized for forgetting about her for the evening. She immediately picked up on my drunkenness and Doug's nakedness. I made her promise me that she would keep me out of the bed with him and she promised.

"Hey, Rowan?"

When he spoke, it startled me. "Yes Doug?"

A loud breath made its way out of him. "I didn't mean it that way."

"How did you mean it?" I spun to face him, but he was already snoring softly. I frowned. "How did you mean it?" I asked softly again, not expecting an answer this time.