Adventures in Hoenn
Chapter Fourteen: Flannery's Hot Date!
*May's p.o.v*
I woke up the next morning to meet Alex, Brendan, and Alex's dad at the Gym. I ate, got cleaned up, and dressed and opened the door only to find a light blue egg inside an incubator at my feet. ''What's this?'' I asked out loud. ''It must be a Pokémon egg! Who would leave this?'' I looked around and saw no one around. ''I must be for me!'' I said happily. ''I can practice being a mother when Brendan and I marry each other.'' I blushed and giggled at the thought as I ran out of the hotel and to the group waiting outside the Gym.
''Good morning, guys!'' I called out.
''Hey May,'' Brendan greeted. ''What have you got there?''
''It's a Pokémon egg,'' I replied. ''Someone just left it outside my door and I don't know who.''
''Wonder what it could be,'' Alex commented. ''It's blue, so maybe a Horsea?''
''A Lapras?'' Alex's dad suggested.
''I hope it's not a Gyarados,'' Brendan said nervously.
''Who knows?'' I said. ''I can't wait to see what it is! Wanna be the father Brendan?'' I purred flirtatiously.
''Uh…no thanks,'' Brendan said nervously. We then went into the Gym.
''It's so steamy in here!'' I said fanning myself with my hand.
''Welcome challengers,'' Flannery said in an attempt to sound intimidating. ''You dare to challenge my skills?'' We just stared at her awkwardly. ''Sorry,'' Flannery said while dropping sweat. ''It's my first time as a Gym Leader. My grandfather handed this Gym down to me.''
''Congratulations,'' Alex said smiling.
''Thanks,'' Flannery said looking down at the ground with a sad face. ''Anyways, who's the first challenger?''
''Do you wanna go, Brendan?'' Alex asked.
''No thanks,'' Brendan replied. ''Besides, I'm sure your dad wants to see you fight.''
''You know I do!'' Alex's dad said eagerly as his eyes lit up like lights.
''Okay,'' Alex said. Alex went to her position to face Flannery. ''You ready for me?'' Alex asked staring Flannery down.
''I am!'' Flannery said pulling out a Pokeball. ''Go, Slugma!'' she cried as a glob of magma came out of the Pokeball. Alex's dad was on the edge of his seat like a kid seeing his first 3D movie.
''Pikachu, let's go!'' Alex cried summoning the yellow mouse Pokémon. Sparks flew from Pikachu's cheeks as she stared down Slugma as its body bubbled.
''Slugma, Smog!'' Flannery cried. Slugma belched a purple gas as it drifted towards Pikachu.
''Pikachu, dodge and use Quick Attack!'' Alex commanded. Pikachu leapt over the smog and connected the attack. However, when Pikachu bounced off of Slugma, she started to wince in pain. ''Pikachu, what's wrong?'' Alex asked concerned.
''You fell into my trap,'' Flannery commented. ''My Slugma's ability is Flame Body which has a chance of burning a Pokemon who comes in contact with it.''
''That was a clever strategy,'' Alex's dad said impressed. ''Forcing Pikachu to dodge the smog and tricking Alex into having Pikachu attack Slugma head on.''
''Yeah,'' I said. ''For a first time Gym Leader, she seems to know what she's doing.''
''C'mon Alex!'' Alex's dad yelled while standing up. ''Show her what you're made of!''
''You're embarrassing me, dad,'' Alex said somewhat annoyed. ''Can you still fight, Pikachu?'' Pikachu looked at Alex and nodded. ''We'll just have to keep our distance from Slugma. Pikachu, Thunderbolt!'' Pikachu let loose an electric blast at Slugma.
''Slugma, Flamethrower!'' Flannery ordered. The Flamethrower cut through the Thunderbolt and hit Pikachu square in the face. The Thunderbolt, however, hit Slugma as well. Both girls ran to their knocked out Pokémon concerned.
''You did well, Pikachu,'' Alex said smiling. ''You deserve rest.''
''You too, Slugma,'' Flannery said as well. Both trainers called back their Pokémon and pulled out their next Pokémon.
''Let's rock, Marshtomp!'' Alex cried.
''C'mon Camerupt!'' Flannery yelled. Marshtomp was intimidated at first at the camel-like Pokémon's size as it stared him down.
''Don't be afraid, Marshtomp,'' Alex encouraged. ''You can do it!'' Marshtomp gained his confidence back and got in Camerupt's face snarling. Camerupt just snorted angrily.
''Marshtomp, Water Gun!'' Alex ordered.
''Camerupt, dodge and use Take Down!'' Flannery said. Camerupt charged at Marshtomp and knocked him down.
''Marshtomp, Mud Shot!'' Alex commanded. Marshtomp fired a stream of mud at Camerupt's face. Camerupt's volcanoes then began to smoke as its face got red. ''What's going on?'' Alex asked concerned.
''Take cover!'' Flannery yelled. Camerupt's volcanoes then began to violently erupt and charged at Marshtomp while bellowing angrily.
''Marshtomp, come back!'' Alex yelled. Marshtomp jumped into Alex's arms in fear. Camerupt came straight at Alex. Alex's dad instantly leapt into action.
''Blastoise, stop Camerupt!'' he yelled throwing his Pokeball. Blastoise got in front of Alex and held back Camerupt.
''Marshtomp, cool off Camerupt!'' Alex ordered. Marshtomp doused Camerupt in water which calmed it down and also knocked it out.
''M-maybe I shouldn't have used Camerupt,'' Flannery said nervously.
''It almost trampled my daughter!'' Alex's dad snapped.
''Dad, it's okay,'' Alex said putting her hand on his arm. ''I'm fine. I can handle myself.''
''I can't help it,'' he said. ''It's just a father's instinct to protect his children. Sorry for snapping at you, Flannery.''
''It's fine,'' Flannery said. ''It's my fault.''
''You should rest, Marshtomp,'' Alex said calling back Marshtomp to his Pokeball. Flannery called back Camerupt and pulled out her last Pokémon.
''Time for my last stand,'' Flannery said coolly. ''Go, Torkoal!'' A tortoise-like Pokemon came out while puffing smoke.
''Here's my last stand, too!'' Alex said. ''Kirlia, here's your turn!''
''Torkoal, Smokescreen!'' Flannery cried. Torkoal snorted out smoke causing Kirlia to hack on it.
''Kirlia, don't get fazed!'' Alex ordered. ''Double Team!'' Kirlia made multiple copies of itself. ''Now, Magical Leaf!'' Kirlia and its doubles fired leaves at Torkoal that found it even in the smoke.
''Torkoal, Lava Plume!'' Flannery yelled. Torkoal blasted fire outwards. Kirlia got blasted by the attack but barely hung on.
''Kirlia, you can do it!'' Alex said. ''Confusion!'' Kirlia blasted Torkoal and flipped it onto its back causing Torkoal to struggle helplessly. Alex ran to Torkoal's aid and flipped him right side up. ''You're a tough little guy,'' Alex complimented while smiling. Torkoal smiled and nuzzled Alex's arm. ''Your skin is so warm!''
''Thank you, Alex,'' Flannery said shaking her hand. ''I think Torkoal's had enough action for one day. He's really old. In fact, he's 100 years!''
''One hundred?'' Alex asked astonished. ''I've never heard of a Pokémon living that long!''
''He was my grandfather's Pokémon,'' Flannery said. ''He gave him to me before he passed away a few days ago.'' Flannery's eyes then started to water.
''I'm so sorry about that,'' Alex said sympathetically. ''I'm sure he's watching you right now. He would be proud of you. I can feel it!''
''Thanks, Alex,'' Flannery said with her voice breaking. Flannery then hugged Alex and quietly sobbed. Torkoal came over to Flannery and nuzzled her leg in order to comfort her. ''Thank you, Torkoal,'' she said petting him. ''Here's your Heat Badge!'' Flannery handed Alex her badge.
''We did it guys!'' Alex cried happily. ''We got four badges!'' Kirlia leapt up and down happily.
''You were great, sweetheart!'' Alex's dad said picking her up.
''I agree!'' Brendan added.
''Yeah,'' I said. ''You were.''
''Thanks, you guys,'' Alex said smiling.
''Could I battle you tomorrow, Flannery?'' Brendan asked.
''You bet!'' Flannery said smiling. We retired for the night for a good night's rest.