AN: Please enjoy the chapter.
Ch 18 Welcome to Lavaridge Town
(Insert Oldale Town/Lavaridge Town (Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire OST)
Flannery ran up the stairs with the others following her from behind. Her head turns to everyone, her face expressing her excitement. "Come on guys! Everyone in town has already set up some stalls on the streets!" She shouted.
Everyone walked up the stairs, exiting the subway from Mauville City. Helena chuckled, never seeing the red-haired girl excited like she was now. "I have seen Flannery all excited but never seen her this excited before." She smiles,
"Hahaha, Flannery is just excited to be home." Brawly walks beside the black-haired trainer. "It's been like months since she's been here. Man time flies when going on a journey!" He places his hands behind his head, chilling while walking.
Steven walks beside Helena, watching Flannery take in the surroundings of her hometown. "The last time she was like this was when Mr. Moore visited the school once." He explains to his friend.
Helena blinks unsure who this Mr. Moore was. "Who is Mr. Moore?" She asked her friends.
"Mr. Moore is Flannery's Grandfather, He's also the current Gym Leader of the Lavaridge Town's Gym," Steven informed the former Witch. "Flannery's family have been passing down the title of Gym Leader to the next in line."
"So the Gym Leader position is like hereditary?" Helena asked the group.
Brawly looks up, knowing that becoming a Gym Leader is a complicated process. "In a way, but there's a process where there's an evaluation you need to pass." The young Surfer informed his friend.
Roxanne walks forward, being the one knowledgeable about the Gyms working. "Oh, oh! I can answer that, Helena!" The brunette trainer exclaims, she cleared her throat and raised her finger.
"A Gym Leader is either chosen by either the Elite Four or the Chairwoman of the Pokemon League." The brunette informed her friend, asking about the background of the Gym. "The position can be passed down to the next successor. In this case, Flannery's going to be the next Gym Leader of the Lavaridge Town's Gym."
Helena nodded, getting the gist of how to become a Gym Leader. "So the Elite Four and the Chairwoman of the Pokemon League are the ones who choose the Gym Leaders, and most Gym Leaders pass down their position to their successor." She repeated wanting to see if she was correct.
Steven nodded, confirming that she was right. "Exactly how Roxanne said, Helena." The Steel-blue haired boy smiles.
The group reached the top where Flannery was waiting. From there, everyone was greeted by a friendly and festive Town. The buildings were all designed like those in Japan, in fact, the entire Town was giving off Asian vibes to Helena.
"Wow, everything is festive and quaint." Wallace was impressed by the Townspeople's aesthetics during the Summer Festival.
"Seems like this Festival's going to be gnarly like before." Brawly smiles, excited for the upcoming event very soon.
Helena looks at her young surfer friend, hearing him excitedly state. "You've been here before, Brawly?" She asked.
Brawly nodded, "Yeah, it was when I was a little dude that my parents took me here once." The Fighting-type user explains to the former Witch. "That was so long ago and fun! I'm sure spending time with you dudes this time will be extra gnarly!" He grins.
"I'm sure it will be, Brawly." The black-haired trainer smiles at her friend.
Flannery grins at her friends, taking the air of her hometown. "Ah, home sweet home!" She turns around to face her friends, being the one to welcome them to Lavaridge Town. "Everyone, welcome to my home! Lavaridge Town!" She motions to her hometown to her friends.
The group made their way down the dirt road, looking at the old and yet buildings. Many people and Pokemon were out, doing their part for the Festival. "Flannery, everyone is working hard on the Summer Festival. Is there anything we can help with?" Roxanne asked the red-haired trainer.
Flannery's head turns around, hearing what her brunette friend asked. "Mmm…I don't think so, the townsfolk and their Pokemon have things handled." The heir to the Lavaridge Gym stated, "I also think everyone would just say, 'You're visitors, you don't need to worry about a thing'."
"That's nice of them, but it'll be weird if we're not helping out," Steven commented, minding a little that everyone is working hard.
"I mean if they're fine with us not helping, then I guess it's fine," Wallace added, understanding why the townsfolk wouldn't want them to help. "They're putting on a Summer Festival for visitors to Lavaridge Town. I understand they don't let visitors help out."
Everyone agreed, knowing what the teal-haired Champion means. Helena was still in awe of the Town, there passed a Pokemon Center and a Shop in the Town; it was a new experience for her.
Then she realized something, Helena walks a bit further toward Flannery. "Um, Flannery where are we going? The Pokemon Center was just at the corner we passed." Helena motions to the red building behind them.
"Oh, I didn't tell you, did I?" Flannery jumps, knowing she was forgetting something. She looks at her friend. "My Grandpa said that you are welcome to stay at my family's home."
"That's nice of him to do that," Helena smiles, a bit surprised at how generous the Gym leader is. 'I should thank him for his hospitality when I meet him.' She thought, wanting to show her gratitude.
Flannery grins, prideful when it comes to her family. "Yeah, Grandpa's kindness is well known around Town, but he has a strict posterior when it comes to Gym Battles." She said proudly.
The group walked through the town until they reached a Japanese manor with red roofing and the Pokemon League symbol on yellow curtains hanging at the entrance.
"T-This is your home, Flannery!?" Brawly's mouth gaped at how large Flannery's house was. In fact, it's a manor rather than a house. "It's huge!" He exclaims.
"Didn't you say that your family also owns a Gym?" Wallace asked, as Champion of the Region he has some knowledge behind the Gyms.
Flannery smiles, placing both her hands on her hips. "Yep, my home is also the Lavaridge Town Gym!" She informed her friends standing behind her.
Everyone was in awe; they have heard that most Gym Leader's own homes have been made into their Gyms. Sure there was the Mauville City Gym that was built like the shops and the Rustboro City's Gym next to the Trainer School.
"Your home looks beautiful, Flannery. Especially the traditional home aesthetic." Helena compliments the place where she was raised.
"That's kind of you to say," An old man's voice spoke out from inside the Gym. The group looked at the entrance of the Lavaridge Gym/ Flannery's home. There stood an old man greeting the group to his home.
The old man has a grey afro with glasses, he was also wearing a purple kimono and black socks with sandals. From the Pokemon League symbol on the left side of the kimono, he must be the Gym Leader of this Town.
"Hi, Grandpa!" Flannery waves at her Grandfather, giving a bright smile at him.
Mr. Moore smiles at the sight of his Granddaughter coming home after many months away. "Flannery, welcome home. I see you've grown as a respected trainer since you left a few months ago." The elderly Gym Leader greeted his Granddaughter.
Flannery happily skips over to her Grandfather, standing beside him to introduce her friends. "Grandpa, these are my friends I made at the Trainer School." She motions to the group.
She points to each of them, telling him their names. "This is Steven, Brawly, Helena, Roxanne, and Wallace." Flannery introduced them.
Mr. Moore smiles at the group of friends her Granddaughter made while on her journey. "It's so nice to meet you all," His grey eyes shifts to Wallace, instantly recognizing him as the Champion of the Hoenn League. He also remembers him when he challenged his Gym for the Heat Badge.
Wallace smiles, seeing that the Chairwoman's word got out to the Gym Leaders in the Region. He moves past the topic and focuses on what's happening now. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Moore. Flannery was talking non-stop about how powerful you are as a Gym Leader."
"AHAHAHA! That's my Flannery!" The old Gym Leader laughs, knowing that Flannery is quite boastful when it comes to him. "A fiery passion when it comes to me in battle. An excellent trait when she becomes the next Gym Leader."
"That won't be for a long time, Grandpa. You still have a few years ahead of you." The red-haired trainer chuckles,
"AHAHAHA! Flannery, you're too kind." Mr. Moore stated, he turns around to the entrance of the Gym/house. "I'm sure you're all tired after the trek from Rustboro City, come I'll show you where you're staying." He motions the group to follow him.
Everyone obliged, following the old Gym Leader into his and Flannery's home. Once inside, they all took off their shoes and then replaced them with slippers.
Helena walks up to Mr. Moore, wanting to thank him. "Mr. Moore, I'd like to thank you for housing us. It's awfully generous of you to do so," she smiles.
"It's not a problem, young one. You're Flannery's friends, as her Grandfather, it's my job to host the friends she made in my home." The old Gym Leader stated, not minding the appreciation from the young trainer.
Mr. Moore turned his head, curious who was here for a Gym Challenge. "Now, who's here to challenge my Gym?" He asked,
Steven and Brawly raised their hands, "Us." Both boys spoke out.
"Well, I do hope you understand that I won't be able to accept your Challenges." Mr. Moore apologizes to the two Challengers in hopes of earning their next Badge. "My family is quite busy with the Summer Festival festivities." He explains to the two.
Brawly shrugs, going with the flow. "Eh, we were told that already, that's how the cookie crumbles." He smiles and is laid back as always.
Steven agreed with his Surfer friend, "To be honest, we're planning to enjoy the Summer Festival first before challenging you." The young trainer stated,
"More importantly, we heard that your family's baths are the most popular with the tourists," Wallace interjected, wanting to experience that again.
Flannery nodded, "We can head there once we drop everything off in our rooms!" She grins, raising her finger at the exciting tidbit. "And speaking about rooms, they're just right across each other! So let's get going!" She announced and pointed the way.
Soon the group made it to the rooms, the boys took the one on the left and the girls took the right.
Helena stood on the tatami mats, taking out her Pokeballs. "Come on out you two!" She released her Pokemon into the room.
Both Kirlia and Dratini were released into the room. Dratini cries cheerfully at a new place. She slithers around the room to get a better feel for the area.
"Kirlia," Kirlia was curious like Dratini, she skips around the room. She skips over to Dratini happily speaking with her fellow Pokemon Partner.
Roxanne and Flannery released their own Pokemon into the room. Roxanne's Geodude and Nosepass were now out and quickly joined Helena's Pokemon,
"Geodude! Geo!" Geodude greeted.
Nosepass waddles over to Dratini and Kirlia. "Nose…Nosepass."
Flannery's Torkoal and her two Slugmas also joined in the fray. They huddled around the others, excited to be home.
"Slugma," The first Slugma moves over to the group, greeting them.
"Slug," the second Slugma cried, wanting to show the other Pokemon around the Gym/home.
Torkoal steps behind the two, switching her head at the two. "Torkoal, Tork." She scolded the two for getting excited. The Pokemon laughs, finding the faces that both Slugmas to be amusing from their scolding.
Helena smiles that their Pokemon are getting along just fine. "I wonder what they are talking about." She watches their Pokemon talking.
Roxanne giggled, looking at their Pokemon Partners. "I do believe that they want to explore the Gym a bit." The brunette assumes that's what their Pokemon are saying.
"Alright everyone," Flannery claps her hands, gaining their Pokemon's attention. She looks over at her Pokemon, "Meg, Mag, Torkoal, be sure to watch everyone when exploring our home."
"Torkoal!" The Coal Pokemon obliges her trainer's request. She turns to Meg and Mag for their help.
"Slugma!" Both Slugma excitedly agrees with both their trainers and fellow Pokemon.
Flannery smiles, turning to her friends. "My Partners can lead everyone around the Gym while we hit the baths!" She explains to them.
Roxanne and Helena smile, having a relaxing bath sounds nice and relaxing. "What are we waiting for? Let's get going!" Roxanne grabs a towel from her bag and proceeds to the door.
Helena looks at the Pokemon in the room, curious if either of them wants to join her. "Do you guys want to join us in the baths? If not then that's alright with us," She asked them.
Everyone looked at each other before Dratini slithers forward, she cries wanting to swim around in the water.
"I see, you want to swim in the water Dratini. Well, it's been quite some time since you got a good space to swim." The former Witch stated. She can't remember the last time she was in water other than small at school.
"Is that alright with your family, Flannery?" Helena asked the red-haired girl.
Flannery waved her hand at them, "That's fine, we have guests that visit our baths with their Pokemon. It's fine," She smiles.
"Kirlia, you want to come?" The black-haired trainer asked her Partner.
The Emotion Pokemon shook her head, wanting to join the other Pokemon. "Kirlia," Kirlia refused her offer,
Helena nodded, understanding what she was saying. "Be careful, and make sure you listen to Torkoal and the others." Kirlia nodded before following the others into the halls.
She gently picked up the Dragon Pokemon in her arms and looked at the girls. "Okay, I'm ready." Helena smiles.
A few hours later, Dratini was swimming around on the women's side of the Bathhouse. She cried happily as the water was soothing and refreshing on her scales.
"This is the life," Flannery places her arms on the ledge of the bath. "I've forgotten what my family's bathhouse is like."
"Speaking of your family, I didn't see your parents around," Roxanne asked, fixing her hair from touching the water. "Are they around Lavaridge Town?"
Flannery looks at the brunette sitting next to her. "Mmm? Yeah, they're probably at the Townhall discussing the Summer Festival." She answered, assuming that's where they are.
Helena came out of the changing room, holding her towel closely. "Um…is it alright for me to wear this in the bath?" She asked the girls already sitting in the water. "I'm not used to bathing in an outdoor Bathhouse. Especially when…"
The black-haired trainer turns to the bamboo wall, hearing the boys from the other side.
"I wouldn't worry about that," Flannery ensures that everything is fine. "My Grandpa's Wingull is our watch bird. He keeps an eye for any peeping-tom from entering this side of the baths." She explains, motioning to the Seagull Pokemon on the top of the bamboo wall.
Roxanne giggles as Dratini approaches her, "Helena, there's nothing to worry about. Wingull has things covered." She ushers her to join in the bath.
Dratini sang, wanting her to join in the water.
Helena sighs, walking in the water. She sat down on the stone seat and let the water flow on her body. "This…is actually refreshing," She giggles when her green eyes shifts to her Dragon Pokemon swimming over to her.
"I see you're having fun and refreshed, Dratini." Helena pets her Partner's head as she joyfully cried.
The girls sigh in relief, relaxing their muscles and taking in the calming atmosphere of the bath.
On the other side of the Bathhouse, the boys were inside the bath also relaxing their bodies. "You know, this got to be the most relaxed stated that I've ever been." Wallace sighs, pulling his arms up for a stretch,
Steven agreed, going in deeper where the water engulfed his mouth. His eyes shift to the walking shadows of their Pokemon running along from the other side. His head rosed up from the water, hearing their cries. "It sounds like our Pokemon are having fun."
"Seems so," Brawly groans, letting the warm water take him away from his stress. "Bra, I could just sleep here tonight; the water is so warm and calming!" He stated,
"You got that right, Brawly." The steel-blue-haired boy commented. Steven then noticed the bubbling next to him, Lileep pops her head out from the water.
Steven chuckled, blocking the water that his Lileep was shaking off. "L-Lileep, stop that." He laughs, using his hands to block the splashes.
"Lileep sure loves being in the water." Brawly crosses his arms, understanding how the Sea Lily Pokemon is feeling. "I can respect that, give me some, Lileep!" He raised his hand towards the Fossil Pokemon.
Lileep turns to the sky-blue-haired boy, using her tentacles to give him a high-five. "Lileep!" The Duel-type cheered happily.
"Aha! Yeah, I knew you were just like me!" Brawly laughs, happy to have a friendship with one of his friends Pokemon.
Wallace perks up, just remembering something from a little while ago. "Steven, I forgot to mention. Just before we went into the baths, I asked Mr. Moore if there's anything we could do while we wait for the Summer Festival to begin." He informed his Rival.
Steven was intrigued, turning to the teal-haired Champion for more information. "Go on," He urges him to continue.
"Yeah, I'm interested too." Brawly sat up, curious just like Steven about what the Champion has.
"Well, Mr. Moore told me there's an area where Steel, Rock, and Ground-type Pokemon. Other Pokemon are living there, but the interesting part is that many trainers found rainbow-colored stones for them and Pokemon. Mr. Moore called it the Valley of Steel. " The teal-haired Champion continued with what Mr. Moore told him. "Something that you've been-"
Steven stood up, already filled with adventure and excitement. A rainbow-colored stone, a stone that he's been searching for the longest time. "Alright! Change of plans, we're defiantly going to check the Valley of Steel!" He smiles, ready to go to the Vally of Steel.
"Lileep!" Lileep cheered, agreeing with her trainer.
Wallace and Brawly looked at each other before staring at their steel-blue-haired friend. "Typical Stevie," Wallace sighs with a smile.
Brawly nodded, knowing his friend's interest. "Yep, anything with stones, Steven will instantly be interested." He shrugs his shoulder.
On the other side of the bamboo wall, the girls heard the boys exclaiming their voices from their side. "I wonder what's going on over there," Roxanne blinks, still hearing their cheering.
"Probably something only boys could understand," Helena commented on Roxanne's statement.
"Whatever it is, they're awfully loud." Flannery stares at the wall, then shrugs not minding them at all. "Eh, we can ask them about it later," she said, both Roxanne and Helena agreed with the red-haired girl. (End song)
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.