The Tale of the Flower Guardian

A/N: Round Three – Shaymin. You could see this as a companion piece or sequel to the my Zapdos entry… Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Seriously is there anyone out there who is disillusioned enough to think that a simple fanfictionist would own Pokemon?

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Shaymin watched the Lightening Bird take to the sky and fly off, his wings crackling and sparking. The sky was mostly clear blue with several puffy clouds that were reminiscent of Mareep drifting about. The great Zapdos did a few loops for the sole purpose to show off, then swooped down towards the ground. For a moment, worry leapt at the small white and green hedgehog's heart, for fear that her companion would hurt himself again or that he hadn't fully recovered from his last injury. But then she put her worries to rest as she remembered that this was Zapdos: The arrogant show-off. Just as Shaymin expected, the legendary bird flew up just before he hit the ground, then landed softly on his feet.

Shaymin padded over to the giant yellow bird. "You have to stop showing off like that!" She warned. "You scared me! Besides, your wound might not heal completely. Then you'd be in big trouble." The small hedgehog glared at Zapdos, attempting to be intimidating, but failing miserably.

The Thunderbird laughed. "Whatever, Shay. Thanks for healing me and everything. Guess… I'll see you around," He cawed, and then spread his wings again.

Shaymin smiled slightly. "Yeah… I guess so… Bye Big Bird! Don't get yourself hurt again, got it?" She yelled as the great bird took flight again, this time for good. Said flying-type gave a quick nod, then flew off into the distance, guided by a Pikachu (Who had, strangely, been quiet throughout the whole conversation) sitting on his back.

As the yellow and black Lightening Lord disappeared into the distance, Shaymin gave a small sigh. She was alone. Again. The Guardian of Flowers felt a pang of loneliness in her heart. She sat on a nearby rock surveying her home and hoping to find solace and comfort. But she failed of course; flowers are no match for good company.

Everything around her was bright, sunny and happy. She was literally surrounded by vibrant green grass, crimson poppies, soft lavender and saffron sunflowers that all seemed to look at her and cry, "Smile, Shaymin! Be happy! We're all happy! Join us!" But still, the blossoms that used to be her pride and joy failed to even bring a tiny smile to her face.

What's wrong with me? Shaymin wondered. I'm supposed to be innocent, and joyful, and happy-go-lucky and… And cute! Why am I so miserable? The green hedgehog's mind began to wander to the face of a certain yellow bird, but she quickly snapped herself out of it.

No! He's gone, okay? There's nothing between us, we're just friends, and I was doing the right thing by helping him! She thought to herself fiercely. I need to distract myself from thinking like this…. How about… Meanings of flowers! Alright…

The small green and white Pokemon looked to the sky as she mentally recited the meanings of giving different types of flowers to others, something she had been born knowing, and usually came naturally to her. Amaryllises mean someone's dramatic; Apple Blossoms mean promise; Baby's Breath mean festivity; Freesias mean spirit; Lilacs mean first lo- Oh! This is not helping!

The Flower Guardian looked at the sky, vexed at herself. "What is it about Zapdos that makes me so fond of him?" She asked no one in particular, pondering it. She tilted her tiny head to one side, a mannerism she had picked up from the humans.

Maybe it was his carefree demeanor, or the way he didn't treat her like a child and expect her to be this little cute innocent doll-like baby. Not at all like how Articuno treated her the first time they met….

A brilliant sky blue bird was soaring in the sky, the clouds in the air turning fluffy white and showering snow upon the frozen earth whenever it passed them. The bird noticed a small green hedgehog with two pink flowers tucked behind her ears. The bird was curious as to what this small creature was, and so, landed nearby, taking a short break from her task.

The bird would have smiled sweetly if it weren't for the fact that it is physically to smile with a beak. "Hey, I'm Articuno! Who're you? I haven't seen you around here before," She commented.

Shaymin looked up at the bird. "Oh! Hi, I'm Shaymin. I usually don't come out in the winter, since I'm the guardian of flowers, but I guess I was a bit late this year…" She laughed.

Articuno's face softened. "Oh! You're the adorable little thing that Moltres told me about! Awww…. You're so cute! You remind me so much of Mew or Celebi! Do you want to make a snow-Pokemon or something?"

Now, Shaymin had already had a bad day. She was cold, tired, and now being called 'cute' and 'adorable', two words she absolutely loathed. To say the least, Shaymin lost her temper.

"I'M NOT CUTE OR ADORABLE! I AM NOT SOME LITTLE BABY YOU CAN CUDDLE AND FONDLE, YOU GIANT MORONIC BLUE SNOW-TORCHIC!"

Shaymin cringed at the memory. Articuno had not taken that well, and it had taken months before Articuno would even talk to her again… Apparently the Ice Queen did not take kindly to being called a 'giant moronic blue snow-torchic'….

Anyhow, Shaymin decided that she wouldn't go as far as to say that she and Zapdos got along perfectly. After all, they argued about almost everything… From whether the Thunderbird was healed or not, to what was the 'awesomest type'. ("ELECTRIC!" "GRASS!" "ELECTRIC!" "GRASS!") But at least Zapdos didn't ever call her cute, unless it was with sarcastic dripping from his tone.

It was then that the grass-type legendary remembered something that a Roselia had told her before about bickering: "Cute couples almost always bicker! That's what makes them so cute! Plus, it sparks romantic tension!" The Roselia had been joking back then, but now, Shaymin was taking it seriously. There was only one explanation why she couldn't get Zapdos off her mind.

Shaymin was in love with him.

The grass-type let out a squeal of horror. "How? Why? When? Gah! This is what I get for talking to ROSES so much!" She ranted to no one in particular. She was so busy ranting to herself that she didn't notice wing beats behind her.

"Earth to Shay!"

The Flower Guardian whipped around. "What the- Zapdos?"

It was true – The Lightening Lord was standing right behind her. "Hey Shaymin."

Said hedgehog closed her mouth and opened it several times, looking like a stunned Magikarp in the process. Oh, speak of Giratina…. What's he doing here? Finally, she spat it out. "What are you doing here?"

"Thought I'd drop by, you looked kinda sad when I left. Miss me?"

"You have no ide- Wait…" The real reason he had come back dawned on her. "You scared the Pikachu off didn't you?"

"Err…. Yeah."

Shaymin laughed, and shook her head in disbelief. "You only left 15 minutes ago! I don't believe this!" But, deep inside, she believed it. This was Zapdos, after all; and it was because he was Zapdos was why she loved him.

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A/N: Okay, I hope this was okay….. R&R! ^^