Return to you
Announcement: I was used to reading mangas online so I forgot which side was which. Ruby's scar is actually on the right.
It was an honest mistake. Just noting down for future reference. :D
Chapter 18: Anticipation and Surprises
It was a chilly autumn morning. Though the season just started, it was like a winter was around the corner. In the main square, several booths were already being deconstructed. People and pokemon alike assisted each other in cleaning up after the festive events that occurred throughout the night. Meanwhile in the woods, leaves in vibrant brown and red shades fluttered in the breeze. The smell of dew mixed with the lingering scent of flowers.
"Is there something wrong?" Lapis questioned, noticing the sudden unusual silence of the girl before him.
Sapphire remained deep in thought as she looked at Lapis once more. "Will ya answer if I ask again about the Aromatherapy thing?"
"What do you mean?" The raven-haired boy was keeping his guard up while maintaining a sense of calmness.
"Are ya sick or somethin'?" Sapphire asked, slightly furrowing her brows.
Lapis exhaled, feeling a bit thankful for her concern. "Are you that worried?"
"I-It's just that Ruby wasn't also not himself when we met that time." The azure-eyed girl lowered her head as she recalled the sudden fever Ruby had just after they kissed. "I was thinking if both were connected in some way."
"You really have a sharp eye of observation." Lapis commented, realizing what she was really after.
"So I'm right, then." Sapphire concluded with serious demeanor.
"…Yeah. It's similar." The boy answered. Then he paused for a bit and thought things through. "I can't fully give you any details. It's too early for me to explain things."
Sapphire growled under her breath. "Just when do ya plan to tell me then? When it's all too late? Why won't ya and Ruby say anything ta me?! How long do I have ta keep calm about these things?"
"Sapph, please be patient."
It was the first time Sapphire heard him call her name, and he even used the fond nickname that Ruby calls her. The voice and the essence of it were like that of Ruby's as well. It was still confusing to completely tell them apart even after everything that happened. Because of that much like a fleeting dream, it was comforting yet knowing it wasn't the real thing made it painful.
"Ya called me Sapph?" The girl raised a brow and stared at him.
"Ah, sorry about that. Ruby always refers to you like that so I kind of picked it up." Lapis chuckled with a tinge of embarrassment. "Momo scolded me before when I referred to you that way. Don't worry. I'll keep in mind next time to use your normal name, Sapphire."
Even in that manner, nothing changed. Whether he used Sapph or Sapphire, the feelings that arise when he calls her name were the same. It was strange and unexplainable. Sapphire bit her lip and clutched her arm. "Call me whatever ya want. It doesn't matter. Just tell me something that that'll help me understand all of this."
"You know I can't." Lapis tried to reason with her, but when he noticed that she was on the verge of tearing up, he had second thoughts. "How about when we reach Cianwood City, I'll explain a thing or two?"
"…Cianwood?" Sapphire recalled that was one of the locations in Johto where she could acquire another one of her badges. "Why there?"
Lapis returned his Sawsbuck to its pokeball and began to walk back towards the inn. "There's this object that I need to pick up. It's very important… And maybe there, you can see Ruby again."
The mere mention of his name further intrigued Sapphire about what lied in the far island of Cianwood. Gradually, she pieced together all the little info she knew; A mysterious illness off some sort, an item that Lapis was after, Ruby coming to Cianwood and finally some questions to be answered. All she had to do was reach that destination. Why? What was so special in Cianwood City?
Lapis passed her, followed by Azura. Sapphire stayed behind for a bit as dozens of questions still filled flashed through her thoughts. Even now she was no closer to any real answers. The breeze was getting colder. She realized there was nothing to be gained staying out any longer. She shrugged off the doubts and anxiety and ran off to catch up with Lapis and his pokemon.
Inside, most of the dexholders were already up and preparing themselves for the day ahead. The only two who were still sleeping soundly were Diamond and Yellow, who were not exactly the morning people kind. Gold was the first one in the men's bath. He couldn't wait any longer to change out of the slip and wash away the make-up. Not wanting anyone else to see him in that time, he locked the door, making the rest of the boys wait outside. Meanwhile, the girls were more orderly in getting ready. By the time Gold was out and in his usual attire, the female dexholders were already dressed and Yellow had just woken up.
Lapis and Sapphire came in and ran into the Gold in the hallway. The raven-haired breeder was surprised to see them together and as a result, he became suspicious as to what they were up to. "Where did you two run off to?"
"Just a little fresh air, outside." Lapis answered, brushing pass with his Kirlia closely at his side.
Gold furrowed his brows and turned to Sapphire. "Well, what's your excuse?"
The Hoenn teen stopped in her tracks and looked at her senior. After a moment or two, without answering, she averted her gaze and hastened her pace away from him, leaving Gold even more puzzled.
The radiant sun was now shining high and warming up the atmosphere. Everyone was out of their yukatas and now dressed in their familiar clothes. Breakfast was served shortly and in that time, Sapphire was back already to her energetic disposition though Gold was still wondering what had happened between her and Lapis.
Midway through the meal, Red got a call from Professor Oak, saying that there was someone that they needed to meet up with. Curious to know who he was referring to, the dexholders along with Lapis headed to the meeting place which was just at the back of the inn.
It was a wide and empty yard enclosed by a fence. At the far corner was a woman with wavy green-blue hair, wearing a lab coat and red-framed glasses. She was sitting down on a picnic table while tapping on a computer with a few complicated attachments.
The group approached her, assuming she was the person Professor Oak was referring to. When they were close enough, White managed to recognize her. "Miss Sophie?"
The woman turned around and stood up. "Ah, White. Nice to see you again."
"You know her?" Blue asked her junior, feeling just as surprised as the rest.
"Yes. She was the one who updated my pokedex on Kalos pokemon." White answered as she took out her digital encyclopedia.
"Kalos?" the young trainers chorused in bewilderment.
Sophie giggled. "You must be the other dexholders that I've heard so much about. Allow me to explain. Kalos is another region, much like the others. But as you may have noticed, not all regions are the same. Each has its own set of pokemon inhabitants that are unique to that area alone. A good example is White's Sylveon."
"Wow, really? No wonder I couldn't get any data from my pokedex when I tried to look up her pokemon." Blue also took out her device and again tried to search for info regarding Sylveon, but as expected there was nothing.
"Hand them to me. I'll update the records." Sophie held out her hand and offered her services.
One by one, the dexholders gave their encyclopedic devices to her. Sapphire shot another glance at her pokedex and remembered Ruby. Her train of thought ended when she felt a nudge from her side. She shifted her head and saw Lapis extending pokedex similar to hers, only red in color. Sapphire easily recognized it as Ruby's, but why did he have it with him? Unfortunately, it wasn't the time or place to ask. She took it from him and handed it over to Sophie who attached the devices to her computer and installed the data on Kalos pokemon.
"So this is what Professor Oak wanted us to do?" Pearl asked out loud, slightly disappointed because he expected something more.
"It seems so." Platina answered. "Isn't it amazing just how many more are out there that we've never seen or heard about?'
"Shame we can't see them now. Maybe we can all go to the Kalos region, one of these days…" Blue spoke up, hopefully.
"On the contrary children…" A man with short black flowing hair appeared on the monitor, startling the group and drawing their attention.
"Everyone, this is the head of the pokemon research team in Kalos, Professor Sycamore." Sophie introduced him to the trainers and vice versa.
"Please to meet you." They all greeted back.
"The pleasure is all mine." Professor Sycamore smiled. "Now, shall we get on to business?"
The dexholders didn't know what he meant. They looked at him with completely clueless expressions, making the Kalos researcher laugh.
"Professor Oak didn't inform you, I presume." Sophie guessed. Everyone shook their heads in response.
"In that case, allow me the honor to explain. To further extend the progress of both of our research, we would like each of you to raise a pokemon from the Kalos region." Professor Sycamore explained, surprising everyone yet again. "In my lab, I have quite a number of specimens. It would be in the best interest if they were under the care of talented trainers such as yourselves."
"So these aren't wild pokemon. We won't have to go through the battle and capturing process." Silver summed up his conclusion.
"Exactly, but it will still be up to the pokemon to decide whether or not it'll take you as a trainer." Sophie added further and finished up the work needed for the pokedexes. After handing them back, the dexholders noticed the odd one out which was Ruby's.
"Hey, Sapphy. You didn't tell us that you've been carrying Ruby's pokedex with you." Blue commented.
"Ah, sorry. I just thought of holding on to it when he comes back." Sapphire replied, not saying anything about Lapis' involvement. Her friends detected a hint of sadness in her tone, telling them to keep it at that and not inquire further.
"Who wants to go first?" Professor Sycamore asked with eager anticipation.
"Looks like this is a job for the Slowking's game!" Blue presented the set of numbered straws from last night, giving Gold another bad recollection of the events that left him scarred. He tried to snatch it away from his senior, but it remained completely out of his reach. "C'mon Gold, it won't be like last night. This will only be for the sequence. You won't need to dress up again like a drag."
Gold's face darkened as his friends laughed at him again. After the humor died down, the dexholders drew a number. And although Blue and Professor Sycamore said it was okay, Lapis refused since he wasn't a dexholder like the rest. He took seat with his Kirlia and watched as the rest prepared to battle a Kalos pokemon.
Sapphire glanced his way and then shifted her attention to her fellow dexholders who were staring at their straws and wondering who would be first. It was a great opportunity and everyone was feeling very eager, excluding her. Sapphire was somewhat lost in her thoughts as she recalled what Lapis said to her. The one echoing most in her mind was the part about seeing Ruby again.
"Minccino!" Momo scampered up her trainer's shoulder to peer at her number. Sapphire snapped back to reality and realized that she was the one who was first.
"Congratulations, Sapphire." Platina leaned over and smiled radiantly.
"Uh, yeah. Thanks." The Hoenn lass was still displaying a sense of disconnection, not having mentally prepared herself for the task at hand.
"So which Kalos pokemon will you get?" Blue raised the most important question.
"I dunno know. I thought Professor Sycamore and Miss Sophie was gonna choose for us." Sapphire turned towards the lady in the lab coat and the man in the monitor.
"How about I show you my holding area for the pokemon I'm studying?" Prof. Sycamore suggested and as quickly as he did, a new window opened on the screen. It displayed a large greenhouse complete with a lake and rocky terrain for other types. The young trainers awed and stared at the new species of pokemon.
"Did you find one to your liking?" Another female researcher came into view, striking a short purple hair. Sophie introduced her as Cosette, another research assistant like herself.
Lapis was the nearest to the monitor. He was also very much interested by the appearance of the Kalos pokemon. One in particular made him drew his attention away from the rest. "Beautiful." He muttered unconsciously.
It was a powder blue dino with the prettiest azure eyes that were adored by pink and yellow sails that could be mistaken as eyelashes. It had a short stubby tail and a single crystal on each side of its body. It calmly followed behind the short-haired researcher as it smiled kindly at the pokemon around it. When the dexholders spotted it, they also couldn't help but be awestruck, the girls in specific.
Sophie giggled at their reactions. "That pokemon is called an Amaura."
The dexholders opened their devices and looked up the pokemon.
Amaura the Tundra pokemon.
This ancient Pokémon was restored from part of its body that had been frozen in ice for over 100 million years.
Based on the description, they realized that it came from a fossil. Professor Sycamore explained that it was the latest addition to his research specimens. It was particularly rare because of its gender. It was a male-dominant specie but the pokemon in the monitor was female.
"So would you like that one?" Sophie asked with a smile.
"Ah—I couldn't!" Sapphire denied her offer, knowing how difficult it must have been to obtain such a pokemon.
"Oh, don't be shy now. It's completely fine." Professor Sycamore assured her. "Besides, this pokemon is partly ice. I don't have a facility to keep it in at the moment and even if I did, it will just end up lonely."
"C'mon Sapphire! I'm sure Ruby will be jealous of you if he sees you have such a pretty pokemon." Pearl spoke out loud.
"Pearl!" Blue scolded her junior for mentioning and reminding Sapphire about Ruby.
The blonde boy cupped his mouth and quickly apologized. Sapphire said it was okay and that she didn't mind. But hearing what he said gave her an impression. If Ruby was here, he'd be completely hooked by the pokemon. He'd go on and on about its cuteness and how beautiful it is. If he was here, he'd definitely want it. With that in mind, she made her decision.
"If it's okay, then I want ta have the Amaura."
Everyone was surprised by her change in mind but glad that she made her choice. Cosette readied the Tundra pokemon and bid it goodbye before sending it to her co-worker through the computer. Sophie received it and sent it out on the field. With a bright light, the light-blue dino appeared in front of Sapphire and Momo.
The Minccino leaped down and approached the new pokemon. It was more than half the size of a human but compared to her it was huge. The Amaura calmly lowered her head and examined the little gray furball and then she turned her head to the girl before her.
The dexholders watched as the tundra pokemon came closer to Sapphire but just before it was in arm's length of reach; it turned the other way and eagerly trotted towards Lapis, bewildering many of them.
"Hey, I'm not the one who will be your trainer." The blue-eyed boy tried to gently push the pokemon back, but because of its weight and persistency, it didn't move from the spot. The Amaura stared at him with a pure and innocent smile, filling Lapis with guilt for trying to drive it away. The sail-like structure above its eyes began to turn green. According to Sophie, it was a sign that the pokemon was happy.
Sapphire wasn't surprised nor did she react in a way the others expected. She calmly came over and bent down beside it. "Ya think Ruby will like her?"
"Eh?" Lapis was taken aback by her words. "...You plan of giving this pokemon to Ruby?"
"I couldn't think of anythin' for his birthday so maybe, it ain't too late for me ta give him somethin'." Sapphire said as she stroked the back of the Tundra pokemon. It was smooth and kind of cool to the touch.
Lapis saw the desire to make Ruby happy flicker in the girl's eyes. Contradicting it, would only upset her, badly. "If you're sure…"
"I am." Sapphire declared with full resolve.
"Forgive me to ask, but who is this Ruby?" Sophie intruded.
Sapphire stood up to speak but Platina and Yellow volunteered to explain in her place. The two summarized as best as they can, giving only the vital details and making it as short as possible. Black and White also listened in, having not met that certain dexholder in person. Hearing what had happened, the Kalos researchers as well as the duo from Unova extended their hopes and prayers to Sapphire for Ruby's safe return.
"So if you're giving him the Amaura, what about you? Don't you want one?" Sophie inquired.
"It's fine. I'll be holdin' on ta the pokemon in the meantime, anyway." Sapphire replied.
"But it seems to be attached to Flower boy." Gold pointed out while eyeing the boy narrowly.
"This? Maybe it just likes the smell of my Sawsbuck's Aromatherapy." Lapis nervously tried to push back the Tundra pokemon, but similar to before, he failed miserably. The Amaura stayed close to him and even rested its head on the boy's lap. Azura giggled at her trainer's attempts and the Tundra pokemon's sweet gestures.
Sapphire didn't mind. She thought if it easily liked Lapis, there was a good chance that it would also quickly warm up to Ruby, seeing that both boys shared similar features and traits. To move things fast for the others and to make both her and the Amaura get closer, she and Lapis along with their pokemon took the Tundra pokemon over to the other side of the yard, under the cool shade of the trees.
The next one in line was Platina who drew the number two. Professor Sycamore recognized her prestigious family name both in the lines of nobility and pokemon research in the Unova region. With that in mind, he wanted to suggest a pokemon for her. "Are you familiar with the town of Floaroma?"
"I am, indeed." Platina answered, curiously figuring out the man's intention.
"In that case, may I ask you to bring this pokemon there? I just want to know how it would behave in that area. With that many flowers growing there, I wouldn't be surprised if there were actually pokemon like this living there."
"Could you tell what pokemon it is? You're kind of killing us with the suspense." Pearl was rapidly getting restless, but he let it all out in an exasperated sigh.
"Alright." Prof. Sycamore chuckled and signaled his assistant Cosette to transfer the pokemon. A pokeball came out of the computer and Sophie showed the content. A red light burst out and manifested into a really small pokemon holding on to the pistil of a flower with crimson petals.
Platina lowered her head and stared at the teensy pokemon as she got out her pokedex to check out its data.
Flabébé, the Single Bloom Pokemon.
It draws out and controls the hidden power of flowers. The flower Flabébé holds is most likely part of its body.
Seeing the pokemon now, Platina understood Prof. Sycamore's purpose. Pearl and Diamond also took a closer look at the little pokemon. It was hard to believe if they hadn't seen it up close. The blonde boy shifted his head towards Sophie and asked. "What type of pokemon is Flabébé? A grass-type?"
Platina wondered about it also. "According to the pokedex. It says it's a fairy-type, I assumed that it was the species', am I wrong?"
"Fairy-type is the same as the rest like the Fire and Water-type pokemon." Sophie answered as Cosette gathered up some pokemon sharing the same type as Flabébé. "Many of these pokemon originate from Kalos like Sylveon, but there also some living in other regions as well. It is a steadily progressing study so even now there are still many mysteries involving it. But because of everyone's efforts, we have learned a lot about its advantages and weaknesses."
"You mean to say that there are fairy-types in other regions?" Blue inquired, feeling surprised and fascinated as the rest.
Prof. Sycamore smiled and gestured to Lapis' pokemon, Azura. "That Kirlia over there is actually part fairy-type. Try looking it up in your pokedexes."
The young trainers scanned their digital encyclopedias and looked up the Kirlia as well as its evolutionary chain. Like the Kalos professor said, it did have a secondary type which was fairy. Curious to know what others were out there, they searched for more and found out pokemon like Clefairys and Jigglypuffs were also fairy-types.
"When it's my turn, I think I'll get another to add to my team." Blue looked at her pokeballs and smiled at her pokemon.
Sophie handed Platina the Flabébé's pokeball so she could return it to its pokeball. The Berlitz heiress greeted warmly her newest member before she bowed down to thank Prof. Sycamore and his two assistants. "I shall take good care of her. And when I will travel to Floaroma, I will be sure note down my findings and send them to you as soon as I can."
Prof. Sycamore found her behavior refreshing. "Take your time. There's no rush in Science."
"So far, so good. Now who is next in line?" Sophie addressed the remaining dexholders.
"I got number 3." Red presented his straw.
"So have you chosen one?" Prof. Sycamore questioned.
"I don't have a preference so any one would be fine." The dexholder leader replied in a carefree manner.
"If that's the way you want it, then I think I know just the pokemon." Cosette sent another pokeball through the computer. Neither of her co-workers knew which one she chose but either way they trusted her decision.
Sophie sent the unknown pokemon out in the open. The luminous matter formed into a small pumpkin with two round glowing eyes. Its upper body was black with a pointy collar, yellow eyes and a pair of fangs. "A Pumpkaboo. A small one too."
"How cute." Yellow chirped.
"Why that pokemon, Cosette?" Sophie asked her co-assistant.
"No real reason. It's just that the little guy's always been anxious especially when it sees trainers leaving with one of the three starters. I figured it also wants to go on an adventure as well so I wanted to give it this chance." Cosette answered with a kind smile.
Red heard its story and walked over to the Pumpkaboo. He bent down and extended his hand "You want to travel with me?" The pumpkin pokemon looked at him and then stared at his hand. It seemed hesitant but then it lit up with a fanged grin and hovered onto the boy's hand. Red's Pikachu came over and got acquainted. Soon, the boy also introduced his new addition to the rest of his team.
Yellow came over as Red stood up to show it to her. With a kind smile, she rubbed the edges of its collar, making it chirp with delight. "Are you going to give it a name?"
"It's a Pumpkaboo so maybe just Boo for short." Red answered. The blonde giggled at the cutesy name, but she thought it was a nice. Seeing her reaction, Red smiled. Then he remembered that it was her who drew the number four. "Isn't it your turn, Yellow?"
"Ah, yes! I almost forgot." Panicky, Yellow dashed in front of Sophie and apologized for the delay.
The blue-haired researcher smiled and asked for her choice. Because of the sudden realization, Yellow forgot to check her pokedex or glimpse at the other pokemon in the facility. Luckily, Blue came over and suggested one for her. Cosette sent it over and Sophie released it into the field.
A small black insectoid pokemon appeared. Blue was grinning happily at her choice while the rest of her friends were puzzled as to why she wanted that pokemon for Yellow.
Curiously, the brown-eyed blonde opened up her pokedex and examined the little bug.
Scatterbug, the Scatterdust Pokemon.
The powder that covers its body regulates its temperature, so it can live in any region or climate.
Noticing a lack of enthusiasm, Blue came over and showed Yellow an image of another pokemon on her pokedex. It was picture of a butterfly-like pokemon with wing designs similar to the yukata that Yellow wore. This drew the attention of the dexholders, particularly Sapphire who knew that Ruby was the one who made the traditional garbs.
"Has Ruby gone to Kalos?" Sapphire murmured unconsciously.
Lapis was able to hear it though. Without taking his eyes off of the Amaura, now asleep and resting its head on his lap, he spoke up in a soft voice. "Only for a short amount of time. You could say it was an unexpected pit stop."
Sapphire understood that Lapis knew a lot about Ruby and mysterious quest that he was on but hearing little details like that still left her suspicious and confused. "And how'd ya know that?"
"Fate has a funny way of drawing people together as well as bringing them to unexpected places. I've learned that throughout my journey." Lapis chuckled with a sense of reminiscence.
Sapphire couldn't understand what he was implying or if he was merely dodging the question. Either way, his persona was indeed filled with riddles that kept annoying her in a nagging way. "Could ya stop with that and get straight to the point?"
Lapis looked at her with small smile. "Ask him yourself in Cianwood."
Sapphire grumbled. Again with Cianwood? Just what's with that place?
Meanwhile, Yellow agreed with Blue's choice. She took in the Scatterbug whom she named Vivi and shortly introduced it to her pokemon. Kitty, Yellow's Butterfree had taken a special interest in the little bug, having recalled herself as once a Caterpie that was about the same size.
The next two were Blue and Crystal. Like before, the Kanto brunette already had the ideal pokemon in mind, not only for herself but also for her Johto junior. It was fortunate for them that Prof. Sycamore had a few of them living in the facility. For Blue it was a Spritzee while a Carbink was for Crystal. Both of which were fairy-types.
The perfume pokemon fluttered around her new trainer whilst emitting a sweet fragrance. Blue liked its playfulness and vibrancy as well as the smell that came from it. After it perched on her shoulder, Blue named her Spritzy which sounded no different from the pokemon name. The brunette merely laughed it off.
Meanwhile, Crystal was getting acquainted with the rather shy Carbink. Gold came over and gave a bit of his expertise. He unexpectedly pulled out the Azumarill ears that his girlfriend left behind and popped them back unto the blunette's head. Crys yelled at him, but the mischievous breeder smiled and gestured to the Carbink who was now acting very docile towards her. The little ears on its head twitched up and down as it cried out with joy. Letting Gold's antic slide, Crystal named the female Carbink, Binkee, making her boyfriend laugh at the adorable name.
With both pokemon settled down with their new trainers, Gold stepped up and showed a picture of a pokemon on his pokedex, asking if they had one like it. He figured that if they had an Amaura, there was a chance that they had the counterpart as well, a Tyrunt.
Much to his luck, there really was one. Cosette and Sophie warned him about the pokemon's behavior, but Gold was dead set on raising it. He assured them with his top-notch breeder skills and technique which many of the dexholders knew that was all in his head. Prof. Sycamore admired the boy's enthusiasm and permitted him to have the Tyrunt. Cosette kept it inside the pokeball due to its mischief and bad behavior. She took it out from the storage and sent it over to her co-worker who handed the sphere to Gold.
Though he was eager to see it for himself or plainly show it off, he decided not to because his fellow dexholders particularly Crystal was giving him warning looks, telling him that he shouldn't dare. Lapis also didn't approve of the pokemon to be sent out. He saw in the Amaura's database that the Tyrunts and Tyrantrums were its top predators. Letting one loose would only frighten the peacefully sleeping pokemon. Gold put away the pokeball of his Tyrunt whom he referred to as Runtaro.
Black was up next. He was just as excited and eager as his senior to get a Kalos pokemon. White suggested one for him, a Noibat because it matched up to his loud vocals. The purple bat yawned in the daylight before resting back inside its pokeball. The brown-haired lad was satisfied with the choice and named it Vern because of its evolution Noivern.
After him, was the other Unova dexholder. White tried to refuse the offer because she already had Sylvia, her Sylveon but Sophie really wanted to give her one. It was to thank her for her efforts in telling people about the Kalos region and its pokemon. The blue-haired lady already prepared one for her in case they met again. She said it would be a great addition to the BW Agency.
White sent it out to know what kind of pokemon it was. To her amazement, it was a Furfrou. The furry dog-like pokemon barked as it raised its head up high in a proud manner. She heard before that there were various styles that it could portray. Knowing that now, she knew why Sophie said it was perfect for the agency. She too agreed that the Furfrou would be great.
Just then, Lapis shifted the tundra pokemon's head away from himself and went over to the poodle pokemon. Sapphire was startled by his sudden interest in the pokemon, but she remained seated next to the three pokemon around her, Momo, Azura and the Amaura. She only let her eyes and ears follow the boy to know what he was about to do.
"Mind if I gave her a trim?" Lapis asked with a sincere smile as he placed a hand on the Furfrou.
"You know how?" White was surprised but eager to have the pokemon undergo a new look.
"Let's borrow some tools from the inn. I'll teach you if you want."
White accompanied Lapis and the Furfrou back inside. It was going to take some time so remaining people outside decided to continue till they get back. Silver was next. His pokemon was a Pancham, a small tough-looking panda-like pokemon. Blue was also the one who suggested it, knowing that it was similar to the pokemon that the redhead gave to his father, Giovanni.
The final two were the manzai duo. Pearl chose a Litleo which reminded him of his Luxray. It was a hyper and rambunctious lion cub but the blonde boy got him under control with Rayhiko's help. The Luxray was used to looking after the younger members of his pack. Even if the Litleo was a different species of pokemon, he treated it similarly. Pearl named him, Leohiko.
Diamond, going with Platina's suggestion, got a Skiddo. Due to the pokemon's ability to read the feelings of its rider, the Berlitz heiress thought that it would definitely suit Dia. The boy and the mount pokemon easily warmed up each other. And later the Skiddo was called Skid for short.
Without a minute longer, Lapis and White came back with a new look for the Furfrou. It had a light-blue star on its forehead and one on its tail. Its paws were accented by cottony boots that matched the color. There was no more fur at the rear. Only the front up to the head was trimmed to match the stellar design. According to Lapis, it was called a star trim. It was only one out of the nine styles that people used on the Furfou.
White graciously thanked him for giving the poodle pokemon a new look as well as showing her how to trim and style the Furfrou whom she now calls Cassidy. Lapis was happily to help. He also enjoyed grooming the pokemon. With a satisfied grin, he walked back to Sapphire. The dexholders were busy with their new pokemon and conversing with the Kalos researchers, learning more about the region and its inhabitants.
Seeing his familiarity with the Furfrou and the skill he displayed, Sapphire figured that he also went to Kalos before, but he didn't mention it during their time together. He said places like the Orange Islands, Sevii Islands and the other regionsl like Hoenn and Sinnoh, but nothing about Kalos. Weird. Did it just slip his mind?
Lapis sat down with a smile glued to his face. "Cool, right? The Furfrou, I mean."
Sapphire disregarded his question and shifted the subject. "Ya didn't tell me ya've been ta Kalos before."
Lapis flinched and chuckled a bit. "Did I? I guess I forgot to mention."
"Did ya go there with Ruby?" The Hoenn girl inquired further.
"Does it really matter if I said yes?"
Sapphire narrowed her eyes. So there was a time that they both traveled together, but why did they go their separate ways? Both of them were connected in some ways, but why is Lapis the one traveling with me? Couldn't it have been Ruby? More questions began to surface.
"Hey, don't over-think these things. You still have a gym battle today. Get your head in the game."
Sapphire jolted when she remembered that she and Morty had a gym battle later on. She stood up and quickly recalled the Amaura back to its pokeball. Then she bid her friends goodbye after she told them that she had something else to do and that she'd be back in a few hours. Lapis, along with Momo and Azura followed suit, leaving the remaining dexholders to continue bonding with the pokemon.
Along the hallway, Sapphire was trying to get her head back in sync with her 20-day mission. A lot happened that made her mind chaotic. She stopped mid-way and turned to Lapis, who was confused by the sudden halt. "I need ta warm-up for the gym." She spoke up in a serious tone.
The raven-haired boy didn't seem to like where she was going with this. "So you're asking me to battle you?"
End of Chapter 18
This is my longest chapter yet. I wanted a Kalos pokemon here but I couldn't neglect the rest of the dexholders.
Red was so far the hardest to come-up with. It was supposed to be a Honedge but Green suited that pokemon more.
I have no idea for Emerald. Then again, I didn't mention those two here anyway.
Battles are too long.
It's really hard with multiple characters around.
Thanks readers and especially my reviewers for reviewing. :D
Next chapter Lapis and Sapphire battle it out and then the gym battle.
Not one of my best chapters, in my opinion, but okay.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! :D