-Begin Week Four-

'I hate battling with academy pokemon…'

"Adrian, I'm concerned. Even though they didn't listen to you, you were still enthusiastic. Now, you seem hesitant. Not once did you give Tauros a command against my Butterfree."

"Yeah, sorry Caitlin, just… I don't want to battle."

"Well, battling isn't all there is to pokemon. Maybe you're more suited to research or care. You have been improving, everyone has noticed."

"Maybe, it's too soon to make any conclusions though."

"Yeah, but I've heard talk that if you don't improve your battle record, you might be sent somewhere else."

"You mean I won't have to battle anymore?"

"Don't be so happy, it could be something bad!"

"Well, if they send me to battle boot camp, yeah... But what if I'm sent to do field work and observe wild pokemon. That would be much more fun compared to now."

"You just want to observe them, wouldn't you be happier interacting too…"

"…"

"Look, I'll leave you to think this over. If you need some help, just call me. Bye."

Adrian sighed, 'This is hard. I can't tell her my secret. If anyone found out, the academy would suspect her as being an accomplice and she would both be expelled too.'

"Adrian, you will never become a trainer. You're just…" Adrian tuned out the taunt and left.

…..

"Finally, it's Friday." Adrian fumed. "All week, everyone talked about how lucky Jarod is to have a Pokedex and how he's going to clean up at the League Challenge. Heck, they even interview him for the newspaper, the academy and local ones. Huuuuu."

The pokemon politely watched their trainer well accustomed to such situations.

Adrian shook his head sighing.

"Thanks. Let's get going." Adrian said truly grateful to his pokemon.

As Adrian opened the door, he came face to face with Caitlin who was about to knock.

"There's no one in here… Adrian, who were you talking to?" she asked.

"I tend to talk out loud when no one is around. What's up?"

"I was wonder if you were free to hang out. We haven't hung out in a while and lately you've been disappearing every chance you get. Also, I'm still concerned about you battling ability."

'True,' Adrian contemplated, 'Pikachu, Spearow, and Bellsprout get the majority of my attention now.'

"Ok, do you have anything in mind?" Adrian asked changing his plans.

"I was thinking we could go to Mt. Moon and track Clefairy. Maybe if you experience real field work, you might know if you want to pursue it or not. Don't worry, if we get attacked, Butterfree will protect us."

…..

"Well, we're here."

"So, Adrian, where do you think the Clefairy are?"

"You're asking me?"

"You're the one interested in field work."

"Oh, I see what you're doing. Fine, I'll show a Clefairy, just wait. Come on, we have to scale the mountain walls."

"Wait, why?"

"Clefairy are nocturnal. Right now, most probably sleeping. Therefore, I believe that the safest place for them to be is in a cave, den, or burrow along the face of the mountain where most people and pokemon can't reach. So come on, we have to climb it."

"We are not climbing this mountain, that's too dangerous."

"But, the Clefairy..."

"You win, you don't have to show me any Clefairy. Let's just walk around and enjoy the mountain."

…..

"Thanks Caitlin, I enjoyed today." Adrian said at the academy gate.

"Glad to hear it. I hope you've thought about what you want to do more. Bye."

"Later." As Adrian waved his hand, he thought, 'Well, that was fun and it isn't too late yet either. We might be able to make it to Celadon before tomorrow.'

"Guys, let's grab our bags and go."

…..

"Morning already, feels like we just go to bed." Adrian yawned.

"Still, we made it." he said to his pokemon. "After breakfast, how about going straight to the Celadon gym?"

…..

"Hey, this is pretty cool. The gym looks like an old Japanese house." Adrian commented taking in the scenery. "Beyond the outside walls there is a wooden porch, sliding doors, and a garden complete with a pond, bridge, bench, and trees."

Excitedly, Adrian closed the distance to the gym and noticed a sign. I have stepped out for a bit. I apologize for any inconvenience. Erika.

"Well, that's… inconvenient. Come on out and enjoy the garden everyone." Adrian said seating himself on a bench.

"This day is so much nicer here..." Adrian commented having decided to wait for Erika to return.

Leaning back, Adrian closed his eyes and deeply inhaled. "Mmmm, this breeze... has a nice scent to it."

…..

"Pikachu, thunderbolt! Spearow, swift! Bellsprout, acid! Great job guys, we defeated Nidoqueen!" Adrian cheered.

"Urhh, what the, suddenly, I feel heavy… Anyway, let's go, I can smell something nice over here." Adrian recommended ignoring the slight discomfort.

The team continued walking Oh, wow, what an amazing field of flowers. There are so many colors."

Slowly, the world begins fading away.

'Mmm, I must have fallen asleep. But, why do I feel weighed down?'

Adrian opens his eyes to see hair. After studying the situation a bit more, he freezes. There was a girl resting him. Worse, at some point he wrapped his arm around her..

"Mmmm, oh I must have falling asleep again."

The female lifts her head up and sees Adrian.

"Oh, hello there, nice weather, wouldn't you say. I sometimes find it difficult to believe its November. I suppose these days will end soon. Say, are you alright? Your face is awfully red."

'Seriously, doesn't she realize she's laying on me?'

"Hmm, oh!"

The female's face turns bright red as she quickly backs to the other end of the bench.

'So she didn't realize it...'

"I'm so sorry about this. I must have fallen asleep again. I saw you sleeping here so I came to ask if you were well, but then a soft breeze and sweet aroma passed by. This has never happened before. I'm so very sorry." The female rapidly apologizes.

Still embarrassed, Adrian recognizes the female, "Haven't we met before?"

"Maybe, I was wondering the same thing earlier, but then…" the female trailed off.

"You're the one who helped me tame my pokemon. Ever since then, we have all been getting along great. Thank you so much."

"Oh, the perfume shop boy! That's why you seemed familiar, not many trainers would go so far for their pokemon. Now then, are you here for a gym battle?" She asks while standing and stretching her arms.

"Yeah, but it looks like she stepped out for a bit. We're just waiting for her to return." Adrian gestures to his pokemon.

"By the way, I like your outfit. Not many people dress in white gi and red hakama." Adrian continues.

"This? I was just returning from archery practice. If you wait a mo…"

The female's stomach growls stopping her from finishing her sentence. She then blushes making Adrian smile.

"Say, would you like to get some lunch?" he asks. On the inside, he's in utter panic. 'I just met this girl and I'm asking her to get something to eat. What's come over me!'

"I would love to, just let me get changed first."

With that, she walks into the gym.

'I wonder if she trains here with Erica.' Adrian wonders.

…..

"I've noticed you started carrying a violin. May I inquire the reason?"

"Well, it's because of you really. You told me that in order to connect with my pokemon, I need a way to gain their attention. Since then, I've been playing for them almost every night."

"You really love your pokemon."

"I would do anything for them. Say, I'm not as familiar with Celadon city as you are. Where do you recommend we go to for lunch?"

"Zan-Chini is one of my favorite places to eat. It's a food stand in the park which also makes meals for pokemon. If you don't mind."

"Nonsense, lead the way."

…..

"That was one of the best bowls of ramen I've ever had."

"Please, you must be exaggerating."

"No, I'm serious. The only ramen I get to eat is instant. I have had a few occasions to eat gourmet ramen, but something always feels amiss."

"It's a shame then. With winter coming, Zan-Chini will move to Vermilion city for its indoor stand."

"I see..." With that Adrian took out his violin, rose from his seat, and started to play.

…..

"Wow, you play that for your pokemon, it's really good."

"Thanks, sorry about that though. I just, at that moment, I just felt like I had to play a song. This probably sounds really weird."

"Oh, not at all. Sometimes you just feel inspired. So what are you going to do now?"

"Well, I originally came to Celadon to challenge Erika and I would like to do that, but we just ate. So for the next hour, I'm not sure. How about you?"

"I'm need to practice my flower arranging. Would you care to join me?"

"Flower arranging.. I've never actually understood how that works."

"Really, then if you come with me, I can show you."

"Great."

…..

"We're going into the gym?"

"Yes, I practice and hold lessons in the garden."

"Oh, so is Erika one of your students?"

"…"

The female stopped walking at the comment. Instead, she curiously stared at Adrian.

"Is something wrong?" he asked her.

"Have you… Do you know what Erika looks like?"

"There is one posted somewhere in an academy I go to. There are pictures of the other gym leaders too, but I've never bothered to go look at them."

"…How come?"

"I'm not sure exactly, lack of interest maybe. I mean, those are just pictures and it's not like I've ever met them before."

With that response, she silently looked at Adrian before commenting, "Your... different from most trainer's."

"What?"

"Nothing, come inside. Let's get started."

…..

"Flower arranging is a simple concept to understand. What we do is bring humans together with nature. By using the minimal amount of plant necessary, we emphasis all areas of the flower and bring forth its shape, line, and form. While practicing we are silent so that we may connect to nature without distraction. Now, please, connect and create."

'That would have made no senses to me if there weren't countless examples in this room. Ok first I'll place this long stem here in middle… Then, how about these two half sized ones with leaves to the left and right of the main stem… Finally, here in the front I'll place a small one with an open bulb on it… Done.'

Adrian look up and notice that his host had fallen asleep.

"Just how much does she sleep?"

"Did Mistress Ericka fall asleep while giving a lesson again? I'm terribly sorry."

"No, I'm not with Erika. I'm with the ikebana1 teacher."

"Child, do you mean to tell me that you do not know the name of the person whose presence you are in?"

"Actually… No, we really haven't introduced ourselves. Wait, so…"

Adrian was left speechless. It was unbelievable, the person sleeping before him was Erika.

'Then, earlier on the bench…'

Adrian's face blushed a deep red bring laughter from the maid.

"Silly child, Mistress Erika will awaken soon. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Adrian then start pacing around.

'I can't believe I didn't realize she's Erika. Wait, what if I offended her? Ok, ok…'

A few minutes later, Erika starts to stir and awaken.

"Did you have a good nap?"

"Sorry, the atmosphere here is just so peaceful that I sometimes can't help myself. I see you've finished. Is your first time attempting flower arranging."

"Yeah, is it obvious?"

"Well, you made an attempt at arranging the flowers, but you forced the outcome. In flower arrangement you become one with nature and let it flow on its own."

"O..k, you mean like this?"

"It's better."

'That means I suck…'

"By the way, I'm very sorry." Adrian apologizes.

"You found out?"

"While you were sleeping. Sorry."

"No, I enjoyed talking to someone who treated me as a person and not a gym leader. But, I am still a gym leader and therefore am compelled to accept your challenge. That is why you've come, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then please, come this way."

…..

"We will be allowed two pokemon each and battle until only one side remains. Falling out of bounds counts as disqualification. Battle start."

"As the challenger, I'll go first. As promised, come on out Bellsprout."

"Well then, I'll choose Gloom. I won't hold back, so don't you dare hold back either… I just realized I don't know your name. Looks like we've shared the same predicament."

"My name is Adrian. Don't worry, I won't disappoint you. Bellsprout, razor leaf!"

"Gloom, double team and sleep-!"

"Flash!" Adrian commanding disrupting Erika's attack.

Startled and blinded, Gloom jumped and missed her attack.

"Bellsprout, while she's down, sleep powder!"

"Protect!"

'I wonder, does the barrier extend to attacks below the surface too?' "Bellsprout, grass knot!"

"Gloom, you have to break free!"

"Now, sleep powder!"

"Nice try Gloom, return. Tangela, vine whip!"

'Tangela is a vine pokemon and is covered in vines.' Adrian reasons, 'So that would mean a vine whip barrage.'

Panicking, Adrian talks as fast as he can, "Bellsprout, razor leave, cut them before they get to you!

'This isn't good enough, he's being overwhelmed.' He realizes.

"Bellprout, cut, no toxic!" Adrian quickly changes his command.

Adrian grimaces as Bellsprout is caught.

"Now Tangela, bind!"

"Bellsprout! …Return. It's all up to you now Spearow! Watch out for those vines!"

"Tangela, bring him down with stun spore!"

"Blow it back Spearow! Now while he's off balance, aerial ace!"

"Tangela! Sorry, but Tangela can take much more than… Tangela what's wrong?"

"The poison finally took effect. I wasn't sure if the vines would absorbed it or not."

"I admit defeat for now, next time you won't win. I'll train hard for a rematch. Regardless, I present to you the Celadon gym Rainbo~w bad...ge..."

"Thank you… Hey, did you fall asleep again?"

"…"

'I didn't get my badge from her yet…'

1Flower arrangement teacher

Ta-da, Adrian get's his second badge. Let's see if he can keep his winning streak up, shall we. Yeah, he is a bit clueless when it comes to authority figures, or at least with their appearances. He may know who they are or what they do, but doesn't really care to know more than that. Now, some of you may be wondering why he challenged Erika to a battle and didn't go strait to see Mr. Fuji, but there is a reason for that next chapter.

Ja ne