Chapter 9 Serpentine Garden

Ash and Alice have finished the quests in the Pokémon Center, so they decide to go look for the Gym Leader in Serpentine Garden. As they arrive, they notice some Pokémon basking under the sun.

Ash asks curiously, "Hey, Alice. What are those Pokémon?"

Alice looks at the Pokémon and responds, "Well, they are Lavenseed."

Lavenseed: The Lavander Pokemon: Grass and Fairy Type. Lavenseed spends most of their day basking in sunlight for necessary nutrients. They are attracted to kind people, though large crowds may scare them away.

Ash looks at his Pokédex, "So it can learn a move known as Light Burst... it lowers Special Defense..."

A Lavenseed bounces towards them, smiling brightly. Ash and Alice smile back.

Ash chuckles, "I guess we are treated as kind people, huh?"

Alice nods, "You bet, and she is also a cutie as well."

Ash picks up the Pokémon and holds it up in the air, admiring how cute it is. He feels a strong desire to add Lavenseed to his team.

Ash asks, "Lavenseed, do you want to come with us?"

The Lavenseed jumps down from Ash's arms and starts dancing around them, signaling that she wants to join them.

Alice smiles, "That is a beautiful dance you have there, Lavenseed."

Lavenseed blushes as Ash taps her with a Pokéball, capturing her. As they celebrate their new Pokémon, a girl approaches and greets them.

The girl says, "To think that you managed to befriend a Lavenseed already, you guys really are something."

Ash looks curious, "Um... you are..."

Alice recognizes the girl and greets her warmly, "Donna, it is great to see you again."

Donna smiles, "Same here, Alice, but what are you doing here? I thought we got accepted into the Gym together."

Alice replies, "Well, I am not quite ready to become a Gym Leader yet, so I asked my mentor to let me travel the region."

Donna raises an eyebrow, "I see, and who is the handsome boy behind you? Your boyfriend, I assume?"

Alice blushes a little, "He is Ash Ketchum, the son of Delia Ketchum. We are not at that level..." She notices Ash frowning and quickly adds, "But we are traveling together."

Donna looks surprised, "Oh my, that is quite shocking news. It's not every day you see a prince, let alone one traveling with you." She turns to Ash, "By the way, I am Donna. It's nice to meet you."

Ash smiles and shakes hands with Donna, "It's nice to meet you as well. But I am curious, do you know my mother?"

Donna looks incredulous, "Are you kidding me? Everyone in the Rikoto Region knows her for obvious reasons. I mean, who wouldn't know the Queen?"

Ash nods, "I guess you're right. My mother didn't tell me about this region until recently, so I am still getting used to it."

Alice says, "Well, since I am not at the gym because I'm traveling with Ash, but what about you? Why aren't you at the gym?"

Donna gestures around the garden, "I was just relaxing here in the gardens. It's so peaceful and beautiful here; it helps me unwind after a tough gym battle."

Ash looks around and agrees, "I can tell, just looking at those flowers makes our hearts calm. Don't you agree, Alice?"

Alice nods, "You bet, this is actually one of my favorite places in the Rikoto Region."

Donna bends down to smell a flower, "This garden always reminds me of when I was a kid... I'd water the roses here while my dad tried to find Bug-Type Pokémon..."

Ash and Alice also take a moment to smell the flowers. The fragrance is wonderful, making them feel relaxed and happy, almost allowing Ash to forget about his past troubles.

Ash then speaks up, "Donna, I am sorry to interrupt your relaxation, but Alice and I came here because I want to have a gym battle. Your father told us that he would give us something if we manage to defeat you and get your badge."

Donna sighs, "Oh? My dad is doing that again? But that means you want to battle. Well, I guess that would be fun. How about we go back to the gym together?"

Ash notices the setting sun, "Well, since it is getting a little late. How about we battle tomorrow?"

Alice nods, "That sounds like a good idea."

Donna agrees, "I guess that's fine for me."

Ash looks around and then notices something, "By the way, have you two seen where Pikachu went?"

Alice looks alarmed, "What? Pikachu is gone? This is bad... considering that he isn't from the Rikoto Region, what if he gets kidnapped?"

Donna thinks for a moment, "Pikachu? Do you mean the Pikachu that originated from the Kanto Region? It is quite rare to see one here, though it is an Electric Type Pokémon."

Suddenly, they hear a distant voice. Pikachu's voice rings out, "Give back those berries!"

Ash's eyes widen, "That sounds like Pikachu! Let's go!"

They decide to investigate the ruckus and see Pikachu chasing a monkey swinging in the trees.

Donna looks surprised, "A Moonky? I thought they wouldn't be in Serpentine Gardens considering they usually live in Mossy Forest..."

Ash, seeing an unfamiliar Pokémon, takes out his Pokédex to scan it.

Moonky: The Cheeky Pokemon: Psychic Type. Moonky can be difficult to train due to their rambunctious nature. They're said to have come from the moon ages ago.

Alice calls out, "Pikachu, what is wrong? Why are you chasing that Moonky?"

Pikachu, still chasing after the Moonky while trying to reply to Alice, shouts, "That naughty monkey stole the berries from those Lavenseeds! I'm going to help them get the berries back!"

Ash nods, "Then let us help you as well. Follow my command, Pikachu, use Agility on the trees!"

Pikachu nods and rushes towards the tree. Moonky notices him and shoots a small rock, causing Pikachu to stop.

Ash, surprised, asks, "What the... What is that move?"

Donna explains, "That was Trick Shot, a Fairy move that often flinches the opponent."

Ash, determined, commands, "If that's the case, Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu shoots out the attack, and it lands on Moonky's branch, causing Moonky to lose balance.

Alice gasps, "Oh no! Moonky is falling!"

Ash reassures her, "Don't worry. I've got it covered!" He takes out a Pokéball and throws it. "Go! Pokéball!"

The ball manages to catch the monkey and falls to the floor, capturing the Pokémon with ease. Pikachu uses the opportunity to catch all the fallen berries. Once he gathers the berries, he gives them back to the Lavenseeds to share.

Alice smiles, "Well, that is quite a catch."

Donna nods, "Yeah, and the Lavenseed are happily eating the berries... Ash Ketchum sure is a special guy, just like the rumors said."

Suddenly, Ash's Pokéball pops open as Salatad decides to join the berry feast, much to their surprise.

Ash sighs and groans, "Different Pokémon, but the same personality..."

The two girls chuckle at the sight of the gluttonous Salatad, and then they help Ash pull Salatad away so they can head back to the Pokémon Center.

Once they are back in the city, Donna decides to return to her gym first to prepare for tomorrow's match. Ash and Alice go to the Pokémon Center to check on Moonky.

Back at the center, Ash offers Moonky some berries. At first, Moonky hesitates, but seeing how sincere the trainer is, he agrees and then eats the berries.

Alice comments, "You know, it is a good thing that you have a Psychic Type. Since Donna's type is going to be Poison."

Ash nods, "Poison Types, I see. I can't wait to battle her. She seems strong, and this will be my first step to prove those murderers wrong."

Alice sighs, knowing Ash is still angry about what happened in the past. She decides to change the subject.

Alice asks, "So Ash, I want to know, do you have a Pokémon that you like?"

Ash turns to Alice, confused about why she is asking him this.

Ash replies, "Well, if you want to ask me that... I like every one of the Pokémon. They are all unique and play a great role in the world, no matter how strong or weak."

Alice nods, "I see. That's good to know. Since you are going to face a Poison Type Leader, do you have experience with this type?"

Ash smiles, "Of course, I have experience with the Poison Type. To me, the most memorable battle is my battle against Roxie, the Unova Poison Type Gym Leader."

Alice's eyes widen, "I have heard of it. Roxie is the main vocalist and guitarist of the band: Koffing and the Toxics."

Ash continues, "I know. At first, I was planning to fight Drayden in the Opelucid Gym, but the gym was closed. That's when I heard that there is a gym in Virbank City, and that is Roxie's Gym. When I got there, she wanted me to use my full team against her three Pokémon."

Alice looks surprised, "Isn't that unfair? I mean, with how powerful your Pokémon are, you could have easily defeated her."

Ash shakes his head, "That's not the case, to tell you the truth. Her first Pokémon was Koffing, and trust me, I used Boldore and Unfezant on that Pokémon, yet it defeated both of them with ease."

Alice looks impressed, "Wow... that sounds difficult..."

Ash nods, "But I still defeated it with Leavanny, only for Leavanny to be defeated by Scolipede. And not only that, her final Pokémon Garbodor defeated Pignite and Palpitoad. Pikachu managed to beat Garbodor, but he got poisoned in the end."

Alice sighs, "Well, poison is really hard to get rid of. Especially since it gets worse after every turn."

Ash agrees, "I know, but if you think about it, I never officially had a Psychic Type Pokémon, so this might be very new to me."

Alice looks surprised, "Wait, you have never captured a Psychic Type Pokémon? What about your Gardevoir and those Legendary Pokémon?"

Ash clarifies, "What I mean is before the betrayal. After my mother saved me and brought me to this region, I have been trying to train with Gardevoir and the other Legendary Pokémon. I had never used a Psychic Type Pokémon in a Gym battle."

Alice nods, "Oh, I see what you mean. I'm sure you'll be fine with this. Now it's getting late, we should get some rest if you want to beat Donna in her match."

During the nighttime, Ash lies awake thinking about his upcoming Gym Battle. He is quite nervous, as this is his first step to prove those traitors wrong. As he lies in bed with Alice, he feels her holding his chest like a teddy bear. He smiles, knowing that there are still people who believe in him, and decides to put all his worries behind him for a good night's sleep.

As for Alice, ever since she slept with Ash back in Mossy Town, all her worries have been slipping away. Being with Ash puts her at ease. She knows that Ash might have feelings for her, even though she mentioned how two girls broke her heart. To Alice, Ash really cares about her, more than even Rodney does. She feels incredibly lucky and hopes Ash can conquer his dream.

Now Ash has captured two new team members, Ash will catch all Pokemon and train them to fight the traitors. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the next chapter will be the gym match.

New Pokemon or Evolution: Lavenseed, Moonky

Route 1:

Headbutt: Elecritter:60% (LV:8~10), Budcheep:40% (LV:8~10)

Mossy Forest+Serpentine City:

Headbutt: Pixwee:35% (LV:6~8), Doveheart:35% (LV:5~7), Elecritter:20% (LV:6~8), Moonky:10% (LV:6~8)

Serpentine Garden:

Land: Hamstar:30% (LV:5~7), Budcheep:30% (LV:5~7), Lavenseed:25% (LV:4~6), Cheepip:10% (LV:4~6), Pixwee:5% (LV:4~6)

Headbutt: Pixwee:35% (LV:6~8), Doveheart:35% (LV:5~7), Elecritter:20% (LV:6~8), Moonky:10% (LV:6~8)