Here's the next chapter, I hope you'll enjoy it.
pokemonking0924 - That's so good to hear. There was a lot of characters to consider so I wasn't able to fit everybody in like Ash's Krabby. Yep, I'm already planning on how to write the first movie. It's hard to pinpoint when it would happen, but, judging by the anime, it should happen sometime after Ash defeats the Normal type gym. Maybe it could happen when they are training for the Indigo League. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter just as much.
djinn - Thanks so much. I did have a lot of fun, it was nice to catch up with the other Pokemon ever so often. Belle and Star may return sometime, but that's a story for another time. Thanks for reading as usual.
SkullGreymonX - You're right about that. But, as you say, more mature and responsible Pokemon will join and come to Cleo's assistance as the team continues to grow. Besides, we also got Ruth and Apollo (when he's calmed down a bit) and Alette who are there if things get out of hand. Yeah, I though I would come up with my own Team Rocket group who, like their collegues, are also named after wild western outlaws. Thanks for reading and I hope you will enjoy this chapter just as much.
Foxfire573 -Definitivamente lo sería. Te contaré un secreto sobre ella. De hecho, ha tenido una vida normal y solo se unió al Team Rocket porque tenía deudas estudiantiles que pagar. Una vez que escuchó que todos los demás miembros del Team Rocket tienen algún tipo de historia trágica, se sintió avergonzada de su vida normal. Por eso sigue mintiendo para hacerla más oscura y misteriosa de lo que realmente es. Sus pasatiempos incluyen coleccionar sellos y tomar siestas.
Gracias. Mi gato era muy mayor y tenía muchos problemas de salud, por lo que seguramente le pasaría en algún momento. Afortunadamente, puede vivir en el último capítulo como un recuerdo. Gracias por leer.
Kunoichi69 - Thank you so much. Cleo actually treats herself with a saucer of warm milk while she listens to smooth jazz on the radio every Saturday evening. Plus she likes to take plenty of naps on the roof of the corral. A Sneak and Tyche focus chapter would be utter chaos…I like it. I'm already making plans for it. This won't be the last time we see Belle and Star so maybe they'll blast off next time. Thanks for reading.
Sonic07 - She's certainly in the upper tier of authority amongst the team and one of the eldest. I like those episodes as well, it's nice to see them all living and training together. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you'll like this chapter.
Guest2- I see what you mean, haha! Belle has been probably my favourite character to write about. It's fun coming up with dramatic backstories. You're right about Cleo. It's nice to see them all protect each other like family isn't it.
Guest - I see about that. I think they have already gone past the mansion where the eevee brothers were, but I guess they can return to the area later. Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
NeoReviewer - So did I. I have to make sure to include more of these types of chapters in the future. Since Alice is not a resident of Pallet Town I assume that her Pokemon would go back to a Centre near where she lived. However, I'm sure she would set up an alternate account over at the Corral…although she would need to a lot of paperwork. Ah yes, one of my favourite Pokemon made a cameo. I need to start planning for the first Pokemon movie and see if I can add some stuff to it. Thanks for reading.
CalvinThor - Ah! I almost about that slowpoke. Don't worry about him, he managed to find some stray Pokemon who washed onto the shore and helped them recover. Now they live in a treehouse that they made and drink pineapple juice everyday on the beach. They are all very happy. Thanks for reading.
Thanks for reviewing :)
Chapter 43: Rough, Tough Igglybuff
Pokemon Centre, Central Kanto
The recent storms in the area were unexpected.
The rain was heavy and the winds howled; lightning crackled and sparked while thunder boomed overhead. It had been three days since it started and it meant that the team had to stop and hunker down in the nearest Pokecentre that they could find. The path towards Grandpa Canyon were treacherous and easy to get lost on the way; it would be dangerous and stupid of them to travel down them while the storm raged on and so they did the best they could. However, they were getting bored waiting around for it to simmer down.
Charles, Benny and Flo sighed wearily as they watched the rain through the window and reclined back on the dining chairs in the centre's little cafeteria; once in a while they would sip their hot drinks from the mugs in their hands, but, other than that, they did hardly anything else. They wasn't really anything to do for them or go. It was either the cafeteria, the waiting room or the bedrooms they are sharing. Sometimes Flo's distant relative would give them a job or chore for them to do to pass the time, but, with no visitors willing to go out in the rain to come in, there was very little work for even the Nurse Joy. And so, they waited for anything.
It was at that moment that Alice walked over whilst carrying a tray with a mug of hot chocolate, four pastries and a packet of brightly coloured sweets. She set the tray down on the table and sat down next to Flo's left and diagonally from Charles.
"Here you go," she said as she set the pastries down in front of them, "Thought you guys needed a snack. Any update?"
Charles accepted the pastry gratefully, "Thanks and not really. And, unless you count me being able to identify four types of rain just by watching it, then no."
"Four? I counted five," Flo sighed.
("I counted six,") Benny piped up.
"Do you want to compare notes?"
"Please no. That could make the boredom actually fatal," Flo told him as she too thankfully accepted a pastry. She then spotted the bag of sweets on the tray next to Alice, "What are those?"
"What these?" Alice said in excitement as she held up the sweets, "They're Sour Patch Elekids. These are the best. I use to always them when I was younger, but then they got discontinued...well, thinking about it now, I think my mom told me that they were discontinued to get me to stop eating them," she hummed thoughtfully before she shrugged, "Ah well, she's not here now."
"Yeah, I think there was a reason she told you that," Flo pointed out, "Don't eat them all at once, alright? Otherwise, we have to delay our travelling even more so you can get fillings for your cavities."
"Cavities? No way. Look, it's says on the packet that they're good for teeth."
"Alice Jenny. I can guarantee you that they are not good for your teeth. Now as your doctor, don't eat them all at once."
"Fine," Alice muttered as she put the sweets into the inside pocket of her jacket, "I don't remember asking you to be my doctor," she grumbled bitterly.
Charles gave them a pleading look, "Come on guys. Don't be like that," he told them, "I know we're all tired of all this rain, and so am I, but let's not let it ruin our mood. I read the weather forecast in the papers today and it says that it will end tomorrow morning. We just have to endure one more day. Benny and I found some board games in the storage closet and Nurse Joy allowed us to use the old TV. Why don't we spend the day playing games and then we can have a movie night. I think I saw an Almia Jones movie somewhere."
Flo's eyes lit up in excitement, "Wait, like 'Raiders of the Forgotten Ark' and 'Temple of Ruin'."
"Well...no. The only one there is 'The Dial of Fate'."
Alice and Flo cringed at that.
"What? The worst one?"
Charles chuckled, "Well, I mean there are other and better films we can watch."
"Good."
Alice suddenly perked as if she remembered something, "Ah! I almost forgot. Nurse Joy and I were talking last night about hobbies and such and she mentioned that she plays the guitar. That's so cool."
"Oh yeah, a few of my family play some sort of instrument," Flo told her with a small smile, "Some Pokemon like to be calmed with music and so it's offered as a training course at nursing school. Apparently, it works really well."
("Sounds like one of those family bands you see on TV sometimes,") Benny said as he nibbled his pastry.
"Well, I always wanted to learn how to play so she offered to teach me a little," Alice said before she frowned slightly, "However, I don't really want to distract her from her duties."
Charles gave her a bright smile, "Oh, why doesn't Flo teach you."
"Huh?" Alice uttered while Flo shot him a glare, "Flo, you play the guitar?" she asked in surprise, "You never mentioned that before."
"No, I didn't," Flo crossly grumbled before she narrowed her eyes at her friend, "And you were promised not to tell anyone, remember?"
"Oh right," Charles said, "I said, I wouldn't tell anyone or else I would pay you one thousand Pokedollars," he said before reaching into his pocket and placing a thousand Pokedollar note on the table in front of her, "Here you go. As promised."
Flo looked down at the money in front of her and sighed in defeat, "A thousand Pokedollars seemed like of money when we were six," she muttered as she took the note, "Fair enough. You played me, you jerk," she grumbled, making Charles laugh.
("You've been planning this for a while, haven't you?") Benny asked him.
"Yep."
Alice gave Flo a confused look, "Why haven't you mentioned this before. I never knew you played."
"My mom taught me some songs. I don't know how to, you know, play well," she insisted.
"Then why have you kept this a secret."
Flo hung her head in despair as small black rain cloud hung over her head, "School talent show...in first grade...don't want to talk...please, don't mention it again," she muttered while Alice sweat dropped.
Charles leaned forwards and patted her shoulder, "Oh Flo, it wasn't...that bad. How were you supposed to know where the steps where there. It was very dark."
"I fell into our teacher's lap and almost gave her a heart attack, Charles."
"...Yeah...that wasn't great. But I don't think you should let one bad experience stop you. I remember you played really good."
Alice nodded in agreement, "Yeah, please teach me a little bit, Flo. Please!" she begged, making Flo look away shyly.
"You guys," she murmured with a small blush.
"Oh, and she can sing as well," Charles told Alice.
"What? No way?"
"Charles!" Flo snapped, her red completely red in embarrassment.
He responded by reaching into his pocket, pulling out another thousand Pokedollar bill and holding out to her. She snatched from her hand, gave him a light glare as she tucked the note into her pocket. Before the conversation could continue, they heard a voice call out to them from the entrance of the cafeteria which caught their attention.
"Flo," Nurse Joy called, "You have a phone call from Professor Oak in the waiting room."
Flo's eyebrows raised in surprise, "Professor Oak?"
Waiting Room
"Ah, Flo. Good to see you," Professor Oak said from the screen within the telephone booth in front of them. Flo was sat on the seat with the receiver pressed to her ear while Charles, Benny and Alice flanked her on either side, "Sorry, it took a while to get to you. There was an incident back at the Corral that I had to deal with. No need to worry, everybody is perfectly fine," he reassured as soon as he saw Charles' concerned face, "also I had had some trouble contacting you over the phone."
"That would be because of the storm, Professor," Alice piped up, "It must be disrupting the telephone lines."
"I see. That explains it," Oak hummed, "Anyway, the reason I called was to tell you about the new updates I have made to your pokeball storage. Everything is all set up and I have made the proper arrangements onto the lab's database. However, please inform me in advance. I don't mind, but it does take a while to get everything in order."
Flo blinked blankly at him, "I'm sorry? What are you talking about?"
"Well, I need to make room for your extra pokeballs. Remember you can't have more than six captured pokeballs on your person."
"But I don't have more than six Pokemon," Flo told him, "I only have Alette, Tommy, Epione, Ruth and Dorothy, Manitari, Tyrian..."
"And your igglybuff. Yes, that's correct."
"...my what?" Flo uttered in confusion.
"You're igglybuff," Oak repeated as he began to type on his computer, "Here, allow me to show you."
The screen in front of them changed to a profile photo of a small, round bipedal Pokemon. It had short pink fur with three round tufts of fur on top of its head, a swirl pattern on its forehead, big red eyes and tiny stubs for arms. It was adorable with its large, gleaming eyes and how round its little body was. The team couldn't help, but coo in delight at the sight of it. Underneath the photo was some information on it which read:
Igglybuff: The Balloon Pokemon - It has a very soft body. If it starts to roll, it will bounce all over and be impossible to stop.
Then underneath that was a little note which read:
Captured by: Florence Joy of Pallet Town
Followed by the date that the captured happened on.
Flo's jaw dropped in shock, "What? I never caught an igglybuff!" she exclaimed as she waved her hands in front of her, "There must be some mistake. I've never encountered one before or any of it's evolutionary line."
"Wait, hold on," Alice spoke up as she rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "That's not true. Remember when we're looking for the ditto and came across that entire colony of jigglypuff."
"Yeah, but I never caught a Pokemon there. I didn't even touch my pokeballs on that..." she trailed off as she remembered something. She reached down to the belt that held her pokeballs and counted them individually, "one, two, three, four, five and-" she paused when she couldn't feel the last pokeball and gasped in shock, "No way!"
"What's wrong?" Charles asked.
"When we're looking for the ditto, one of my pokeballs fell off my belt," she explained, her eyes widened in disbelief, "I...I thought it landed on the ground...but it must have caught that igglybuff. I don't believe it!"
Oak appeared once again on the screen with a serious frown on his wrinkled face, "I see now. That is quite troubling. What would you like to do with the igglybuff, Flo. I can release it for you at the same place you caught it, if you wish."
Flo sighed and leaned back in her chair, "I don't know," she hummed, "On one hand, I don't want to force them to join my team, but I feel like I should apologise to them first," she turned to Charles sadly, "I'm sorry Charles. I know how you don't like catching Pokemon without their consent first. I honestly didn't notice."
He offered her a sympathetic smile, "It's fine. It's an honest mistake and I'm sure they will see it as well," he told her, "I think the best thing to do is to talk to them. You can even offer them a position on your team if you like that."
"Well...I guess they are cute," Flo hummed thoughtfully.
"Is that really a good reason?" Alice questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"It is in my books," Charles said with a thumbs up, "Why do you think I let this one hang around?" he said, nodding at Benny.
("What was that?") Benny growled as he cheeks sparked.
"Joke. I was joking," Charles laughed as he petted his head before he looked down at Flo, "But seriously, I think it's best to talk to them. I'll be here to translate."
Flo thought about it for a few seconds before she nodded, "Okay, I will. Professor, I'm going to send back...err...let's see...Ruth and Dorothy. Yeah, I think they need a break. I'm going to send my kangaskhan back to you in exchange for the igglybuff."
"Very well," Oak said as he got up from his chair, "I'll boot up the transporter now. See you children later," he said before he hung up the phone.
"Right," Flo said as she leapt up from her chair in newly found enthusiasm, "I'll make the exchange now. Oh, this is the first time I get to use the pokeball teleporter. How exciting," she said as she more or less skipped towards the machine.
Charles chuckled, "Well, I guess she'll be gone for a few minutes. Should we head back to the cafeteria while we wait and-"
"All done," Flo chirped as she walked back with a new pokeball in her hands, "Wow, that was so much easier than I was expecting."
"Huh?" Charles uttered in astonishment, "How did you do that so fast."
"Because she can actually use technology without breaking it," Alice deadpanned.
("You're one to talk Miss I-Burn-Every-Meal-I-Make,") Benny deadpanned at her.
Rooms
A few minutes later and they had relocated to their room for extra privacy. Flo took a deep breath as she held the igglybuff's pokeball in her hand, preparing herself for what she was going to say, while her friends watched on from the bunk bed. After a few more seconds, Flo narrowed her eyes and nodded at them.
"Right, I'm ready," she before she finally opened the pokeball.
In a beam of red light that shot out of the pokeball, a small Pokemon, no bigger than a person's ankle, appeared in the middle of the room and began to look around in curiosity. It's huge eyes blinked in intrigue as it gave a small chirp.
"Aww!" Charles cooed, "It's so cute!"
"I want one as well," Alice gushed with a small squeal.
Flo giggled at their reaction before she bent down to talk to the igglybuff, "Hi," she greeted gently, catching the pink Pokemon's attention as it turned his large eyes towards her, "My name is Flo and well…I was the one who caught you. I'm really sorry that happened, it was a complete and total accident. You must be really missing your family, huh?" she said softly, earning a thumbs up from her friends to say that she was doing well, "You poor thing must be so confused. I can't imagine how scary it must be for you-"
SLAP!
Suddenly, Flo was knocked off her feet as the tiny Pokemon leapt up and slapped her on the cheek unexpectedly. She landed on her back and skidded on the floor until she hit the far wall hard. It was so powerful that her eyes began swirl in their sockets and a small ghost that resembled her began to escape from her mouth. Her friends' jaws dropped at what just happened as Flo was almost knocked out by one punch. They looked down, their mouths still agape, as the adorable Pokemon snarled aggressively and spat on the floor like some sort of delinquent teenager.
("Huh? So you're the wise guy who thought you can get the drop on me,") the igglybuff sneered, ("Your lucky I ain't got my strength back, otherwise I give you the what for, capiche?")
"Wise guy?" Charles uttered.
("Capiche?") Benny added just as stunned.
"That igglybuff totally One Punch Pokemon Flo like it was nothing!" Alice cried out, "What was that for!?"
Flo lifted herself up and shook her head to relieve herself from her dizziness. She looked over towards the igglybuff and frowned angrily at the small, adorable and violent Pokemon.
"Ow! That hurt! What did I do wrong!?"
"Err...well," Charles began to say as the igglybuff leapt onto Flo's bed at the side and made the pillow her own personal chair, "She's still quite angry about being captured."
"Yeah, I got that!" Flo shouted as she stood up and rubbed her aching cheek, "But I apologised. She didn't have to go and attack me like that," she grumbled as she stomped towards her bed, "Excuse me. Didn't you hear what I said."
("I heard you, toots") the igglybuff sighed irritably, ("But I can't care less about it. Deal with it.")
Flo turned to Charles for a translation, making him clear his throat.
"She said, 'I heard you, toots. But I can't care less about it. Deal with it'."
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING 'TOOTS'!" she yelled at him, getting in his face furiously.
Charles gulped nervously and pointed at the Pokemon, "I-I didn't. That was a direct translation. I would never call you that."
Flo growled in anger as she looked back at the igglybuff before she took a deep breath and calmed down, "Okay, let's start this one more time. I am sorry for accidently capturing you. But if you want me to release you back to your home then that is completely fine. What do you say?"
The igglybuff, who had been napping on her pillow, opened one eye and gave her a bored look, ("Releasing me, you're kidding right? Why would I want that?")
Charles give a quick translation, making Flo frown in confusion.
"Don't you want to be with your family?"
("Ain't got any. And those jigglypuff in the field, I don't care about them. I'm living a life of luxury now, toots. I heard about you human trainers and the deal you've got with us Pokemon. I've got a roof over my head, three square meals every day and I can sleep whenever I want. And you have to look after me or else you get in trouble,") she smirked, making Charles and Benny frown in annoyance at the Pokemon, ("One bad word from me and you're done. You got that?")
As much as he didn't want to, Charles had to translate what she said. Flo's eyes widened in disbelief; how can a Pokemon be so rude; she didn't deserve this at all. She glared at the igglybuff furiously and was about to give her a peace of her mind when Charles stopped her by stepping in front of her.
"Flo, can I talk to you for a moment," he said as he ushered her over to the far side of the room, "I know this isn't great, but-"
"Not great? This is this the worst. How can she do this to me," Flo hissed angrily, "I only made one mistake and she's holding it against me."
"I don't think it has anything to do with that. Usually, when a Pokemon acts out like that it means that they are upset about something or they're under a lot of stress and I think this started way before you caught her. I think the best thing to do is learn how to be friends with each other. Find some middle ground to work on and she'll open up."
"But she's acting like a jerk."
"Yes, some Pokemon are jerks. But take Titania for example. She was the most vicious Pokemon I have ever encountered and now she's a total sweetheart...please don't tell her I said that. She won't like that at all."
("She would probably kick your butt if she found out,") Benny commented.
"She definitely would, Benny."
Flo closed her eyes and gave a weary sigh, "Fine," she muttered reluctantly, "I suppose it's a nurse's duty to tend to all Pokemon no matter who they are...even the jerky ones. I just have to patient and-"
"Aww, aren't you adorable!"
They jumped in surprise at the delighted squeal and turned around to the bunk beds. They were shocked to see Alice, kneeling by the bed, with the igglybuff snuggled in her arms. The Pokemon's attitude seemed to have turned a full 180 degrees as it chirped and giggled at Alice's petting, seemingly enjoying all the attention she was given her.
"You are just a sweetheart, aren't you," Alice said as she used her finger to scratch her head, much to the Pokemon's joy.
Flo's jaw dropped in disbelief, "W-w-wait, what's this?"
Alice looked up at her, a cheerful smile on her face, "Oh, well I was saying hello to her and she just leapt into my arms out of nowhere," she explained, "I don't know how it happened, but I think we're friends now. Aren't we?" she asked the Pokemon.
("Yeah, best friends,") the igglybuff squeaked in a cutesy voice.
("Now that is what I was expecting for her to sound like,") Benny sighed in mild curiosity.
Flo fell to her knees in defeat and gave a mournful sigh, "You're kidding me, right? She prefers Alice over me. What am I doing wrong?"
Waiting Room
First things first, Flo needed to introduce the new member to her team. She had brought all her remaining Pokemon out into the sitting area of the Centre and gathered all of them in front of her with Tommy in a bucket of soil so he could join them. Flo cleared her throat and offered her team a welcoming smile.
"Alright everyone," Flo cheerily said, "You might be wondering where Ruth and Dorothy have gone," they all nodded in response, "Well, don't worry. They are back at the Corral with Professor Oak, because we now have a new member on our team. Everyone, please welcome aboard igglybuff," she said as she stepped to side to reveal the small Pokemon behind her.
("Hi, igglybuff!") the Pokemon friendly chorused.
("Nice to meet you. Welcome to the team,") Alette said.
("Good to 'ave ya, lass,") Tommy greeted.
("I know we are going to get along very well, dear,") Manitari said happily.
("Aww! She's so cute!") Epione cooed.
("Great to meet you, but, before you ask, I already have a girlfriend,") Tyrian said with a proud smile.
("Yeah, pretty sure she wasn't goin' to ask ya that, mate,") Tommy told him with a sweat drop.
("He just wants to brag,") Alette commented with also a sweat drop.
The igglybuff, to their surprise, regarded them all with a bored look and clicked her tongue in annoyance, ("Well, all of you look like the biggest bunch of chumps I've ever seen,") she spat irritably.
("Eh!?") the other Pokemon cried out in shock before Alette got in front of them.
("Haha. Very funny,") she said anxiously, hoping that it was some sort of joke, ("If you're part of Flo's team then you must be interested in medicine and taking care of other Pokemon, right?")
("Not really,") the igglybuff sighed in annoyance, ("But you are?")
("Y-yes, that's right.")
("Really? What are you going to with those stubby arms of yours. I bet you can't put on a band aid with them. What are you going to do? Pray to the moon that you guys like so much.")
An angry tick mark appeared on Alette's forehead. She turned sharply around and marched back to the others with a forced smile on her face.
("Welcome to the team and everything,") she grumbled bitterly.
The igglybuff turned to Tommy and sighed uncaringly, ("What's your story then?")
("Err…well, ya see I met the gov'nor when me old colony were 'aving some trouble with-")
("Arceus! You're accent's annoying,") the igglybuff interrupted, surprising Tommy, ("You sound like an idiot, you know. Well, I suppose diglett aren't known for their thinking, are they?")
An angry tick also appeared in Tommy's forehead. He growled furiously and turned his back to her within the bucket, ("I guess I better stop talkin' before I say somethin' I regret,") he muttered.
("Ahem, dearie,") Manitari said as she scuttled over, ("That wasn't really nice. Tommy is quite smart you see-")
("Huh? What? I can't hear you!") the igglybuff yelled at her, startling the parasect, ("Can you turn the volume or something!")
Manitari sadly scuttled back to the group and hid behind Epione, making the chansey frown in concern.
("Excuse me,") Epione said as she leaned down to talk to her, ("Mani is very sensitive about her voice, miss…err…sorry, I forgot your name.")
("I never said I had one,") the igglybuff sighed with a roll of her eyes, ("Maybe you should try listening next time, pinky,") she snapped, making Epione look away in embarrassment.
Tyrian snorted in anger and stepped up to her, ("Alright, that's it, you little brat! Who the do you think you are. You insult my friends! You insult me!")
("Whoa! Calm down, tough guy,") the igglybuff laughed, ("Anger isn't attractive. Makes me wonder how that little girlfriend of yours puts up with you. Although, if she's as ugly as you then I guess I can take a guess,") she smirked.
("THAT'S IT!") Tyrian roared as he charged at her with his horn pointed at her.
But before he could attack, Flo grabbed him and lifted him off his feet, holding him securely in her arms.
"Okay, maybe that's enough for today," she nervously laughed as Tyrian struggled to get down to continue her attack, "Clearly, it was a bit too soon for a meet and greet, right?" she asked before she noticed the furious glares that were shooting at igglybuff. She sighed wearily and brought out their pokeballs, "Maybe we should leave it for today."
She hastily returned her team, except for igglybuff, back into the pokeballs before another incident could happen. She gave the igglybuff a weary look and crouched down beside her.
"I was really hoping all of you would get along. I mean if you're going to stay with us and everything maybe you should be…well, a little kinder. If that's possible," she requested hopefully.
The igglybuff, however, turned her back to her and turned her nose up snootily, making Flo groan and held her head in her hands.
It was at that moment that Alice, followed by Apollo at her heels, came down the stairs and into the waiting room; she gave Flo a friendly wave before looking down at the igglybuff while Apollo headed to the front door.
"Hey guys, how's it going?" she asked.
To Flo's shock, the small Pokemon chirped happily before she ran up to Alice and leapt into her arms. She caught her at the last second before she began to pat her head.
"Aww, I miss you to, sweet heart," she cooed.
'What? How does she do that?' she thought puzzlingly before she rubbed the back of her head, "Not great, really. What are you two doing?"
"Oh, I'm giving Apollo a walk. He needs to stretch his legs," she told her.
Flo cast her eyes back to the storm raging on through the glass door of the Centre where Apollo is sitting at patiently before giving Alice a strange look.
Alice leaned in close and whispered, "He likes to pretend that he's not scared of the rain. In a few seconds, he would give up on the idea and we'll around inside for a little bit," she explained, making Flo nod in understanding.
("I can do this,") Apollo muttered to himself at the door, ("I can do this. This is all part of training,") He yelped in fear as a thunder boomed overheard before he turned around and trotted back to Alice, ("Far too slippery today. It's a safety hazard.")
Alice patted Apollo on the head and gave Flo a look as if to say, 'You see what I mean."
The igglybuff in Alice's arms looked down at the growlithe thoughtfully before glancing at Alice. She then smiled, gave a giggle and leapt from her arms and landed in front of Apollo.
("Hi mister. Are you a growlithe? I never seen one before.")
Apollo blinked in surprise before he cleared his throat and puffed out his chest proudly, ("Why, yes I am, young one. I am called Apollo and the overseer of my master's team.")
("Wow, really! That's so cool!")
("Oh…well, I suppose it is…b-but it's a serious job.")
("That's so cool! You're really cool, Mister Apollo!")
The growlithe blushed in embarrassment, but tried his best to not show how flustered he was, ("Why…why thank you. Happy to serve and protect.")
Alice giggled happily at the sight of them talking, "Aww, look they're getting along so well," she said before she noticed the dark look in Flo's eyes, "Ahem…I guess she has…favourites," she nervously chuckled, causing Flo to groan and facepalm.
Medical Ward
"Thank you so much for helping Flo," Nurse Joy gratefully, but tiredly said as she and her chansey carried several cleaning supplies to the Medical Ward door, "This just came up so suddenly and…well, you can see for yourself."
Flo, with the igglybuff in arms, looked over to the trainer and his cubone partner shivering under a blanket in the corner of the ward; both were soaked to the bone and trying their best to get warm.
"It's fine. I'm happy to help," Flo said looking down at the igglybuff, "And I can show you to proper way to treat visitors and their partners," she happily told her before she looked disheartened when the igglybuff rolled her eyes.
"Be back in a minute," Nurse Joy sang as she and the chansey left the ward.
Flo watched her leave before she turned to the blond haired trainer with a curious look, "So, how did this happen?"
"L-L-Left t-t-t-the b-b-bedroom w-window op-p-pen w-w-when I-I-I w-w-w-was n-n-napping," the trainer stammered, "F-f-forgot a-about s-s-storm."
"What? How?" It's been going on for days," Flo questioned before she offered him a gentle smile, "I'm guessing all your clothes got soaked. Come with me and I'll find you some spare ones."
"T-t-thank you," the trainer stuttered as he set his cubone down on the ground and wrapped the towel around him, "S-s-stay here now, Sora. I-I-I won't be long," he promised.
("Y-y-yes, I will,") the cubone known as Sora stammered back as he shivered under the blanket.
Flo looked down at the igglybuff in her hands and weighed her options. She could either take her with her, but it could be troublesome carrying out her duties or leave her here unattended. After a few seconds of pondering, she placed the igglybuff down on a nearby desk and crouched down low to talk to her.
"I'll be gone for only a couple of minutes," she told her, "Please be good."
("No promises, toots,") the igglybuff snorted.
Flo took it that she reluctant, but understood her. She then led the trainer further into the back medical room where the storage closets were; she only glanced back at the igglybuff one least time before she left. Meanwhile, Sora, still shivering with cold, looked up at the other Pokemon with curiously in his small reptilian eyes and slowly walked up to the table.
("E-excuse me,") he called up, catching the igglybuff's attention.
("Huh? What do you want, wise guy,") she snapped irritably.
Sora took a step back in surprise of her tone, but didn't think of stopping himself.
("W-well, you're an igglybuff, right?") he asked, making her frown deeply, ("Well, can you sing for me?")
The igglybuff's eye twitched at that, ("What…was…that?") she growled darkly.
("It's just that igglybuff and jigglypuff can sing really beautifully. I thought since you were a nurse Pokemon you…could sing me to sleep,") he thought hopefully.
Something snapped inside the small Pokemon. Her eyes narrowed dangerously and her her mouth pulled back into a snarl. She cried out as she leapt down on top of the surprised cubone and began pelting him with slaps.
("YOU THINK I'M A MUSIC BOX, HUH!? YOU THINK I'LL JUST SING BECAUSE YOUR ORDER TO ME!?") she roared while Sora cried out in pain.
("OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!") he yelled with tears in his eyes.
Flo and the trainer heard a commotion from back in the ward and ran back into to see what was happening. Flo cried out in shock while Sora's trainer gawked in disbelief.
"What the!" he cried.
"No! What are you doing!?" Flo cried as she rushed over and pulled the igglybuff off the cubone.
She struggled and wiggled as fiercely as she could in her arms, but Flo made sure to hold on tight. The trainer rushed over to his cubone and comforted him and his bruised skull.
"Sora! Are you alright?" he asked in alarm.
("Waaah! Waaah! She hit me! I want my mama!") the cubone wailed as he leapt into his trainer's arms.
Meanwhile, Flo had restrained the irate igglybuff and turned to them in worry, "I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry," she apologised profusely, bowing to them rapidly, "I-I don't know what came over her. Can I offer you two a free meal at the cafeteria as an apology."
"Just some bandages would do, please," the trainer sighed as he rubbed the poor cubone's head comfortingly.
Waiting Room
"I can't believe you did that!" Flo exclaimed as she carried the smirking igglybuff out of the ward and placed her on the coffee table within the seated area, "Pokemon and their trainers come to the Centres to be treated and for rest. You can't attack them for no reason!" she snapped at her angrily.
The igglybuff paused for a second at what she said before she turned away with a roll of her eyes. Flo gasped in offence; her face turned a bright shade of scarlet and her fists clenched tightly together in rage.
"That's it! I am so done with you! How can you be so rude!" she yelled as tears starting to form in her eyes, "You slapped me, you insult my friends and you harass other Pokemon for nothing! You're the absolute worst! You know how much I'm trying to be kind and understanding, but you're just throwing it back in my face! What do I have to for you to listen to me!?"
The igglybuff responded by sticking out her tongue and pulling down her eyelid with her stubby arms mockingly. Flo flinched at that before she turned around and stomped away as tears streamed down her face.
"You know what! Look after yourself! I don't want anything to do with you!" she cried as she ran to the stairs.
At that moment, Alice came down the stairs with a bowl of popcorn in her hands and waved to her as she marched by.
"Hey, are you alright?" she asked in concern.
"No, leave me alone!" Flo snapped as she sped past her and up the stairs.
"What about the movie night?"
"Go with her since you're such good friends!" she screamed at her before she disappeared from sight, leaving behind a worried and very confused Alice.
Foyer
For two reasons, Flo couldn't sleep that night.
The first was that the igglybuff had decided to use her pillow as a bed that night and refused to give her any space, so she had to find somewhere else to sleep. But the other bunk bed was too uncomfortable for her and she didn't want to wake her friends up just so they could switch.
Her friends were the second reason why she couldn't sleep. She had stood them up over the movie night and felt really bad about it. It wasn't their fault for her anger.
Instead of sleeping, she wondered through the halls of the Centre where she could sit and think about what she was going to do about the igglybuff. She had come down the stairs and crossed the foyer area to get to the cafeteria when she noticed something leaning against the front desk which snapped out of her miserable thoughts. It was an old acoustic guitar, left all alone in the darkened foyer of the Centre. Flo frowned in confusion before she realised what it was for.
"Oh aunt Joy must have left it for Alice," she murmured out loud as she picked the instrument up by its neck, "I'll give it to her tomorrow."
She was about to leave with it when she stopped herself a second time and felt the cool, smooth wood of the guitar's body. She used one of her fingers to pluck one of the strings high up on the neck and listened to the high pitched 'twang' sound it made. She gave a small laugh and lifted the entire thing up, put the strap over her head and allowed it to sit comfortably on her shoulders. With right hand, she began to pluck at the strings and then strummed it quietly; it was in the middle of the night after all.
"It's been a long time since I done this," she sighed as she took a seat on the closest so far in the waiting area and began to play.
Rooms
The igglybuff purred happily in her sleep and enjoyed the comforts of being indoors had to offer. With a content sigh, she sunk deeper into Flo's pillow and allowed the softness sooth as the storm raged on from outside. She was glad she was here rather than out there.
However, something roused her from her slumber, causing her to mutter bitterly and roll over. But still the noise continued and so she opened up her wide eyes and rose up with an angry groan.
("What's that racket,") she grumbled, (l can't…")
She trailed off when she finally recognised it. It was music. A soft melody that drifted in the air from somewhere she couldn't see. The igglybuff sat in disbelief as she listened. It was beautiful; so beautiful that it made her little heart race in her chest and her soul gently lulled sweetly.
She had to find where it was coming from.
She leapt off the bed, scampered across the floor, opened the door (which was difficult considering her height and her stubby arms) and made her way out of the room. She followed through the dark hallways of the Centre; enjoying it more and more as it got louder. She climbed down the stairs and found herself in the main foyer. She finally saw where it was coming from.
Flo was sat on one of the sofas in the waiting areas and in her hands she was playing a soothing melody on a guitar. Not once did she miss a chord or hit the wrong pitch; she played so elegantly that it was as if she had done this forever. After a while of listening, the igglybuff was then surprise to see her open her mouth and sing.
"I took my love, I took it down~ I climbed a mountain and I turned around ~ And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills ~ 'Til the landslide brought me down~"
The igglybuff stopped and listened to her sing in slight awe before she decided to come a little closer. She crept slowly over the polished tiles floors until she was just underneath the arm of the sofa. She could see all of her if she poked her head out from under the arm; she didn't want to be caught but she couldn't help but be drawn in.
"Oh, mirror in the sky~ What is love?~ Can the child within my heart rise above?~Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?~Can I handle the seasons of my life?~"
Flo finished the last verse before something in the corner of her eye, caught her attention. She looked down and saw, to her surprise, the igglybuff looking up at her in slight awe. As soon as the igglybuff had seen that she had been caught, she squeaked and ducked under the sofa again. Flo blinked in astonishment before she looked down at the guitar in her hands. She glanced at where the igglybuff was hiding and, after a few seconds of thinking, she began to play and sing once more.
"Well, I've been afraid of changin'~ 'Cause I've built my life around you~"
As she sang, she watched as the igglybuff crept out of hiding space and stared at her playing once again.
"But time makes you bolder~ Even children get older~ And I'm getting older too"
By the time she played the last chord and ended the song, the igglybuff was completely out from under the sofa and was gazing up at her like a dazzled audience member. Flo looked towards her before she sighed and turned away.
"So…you like music, huh?" she muttered bitterly, "Good for you, I guess,"
The igglybuff snapped out of whatever daze she had been in and turned away from Flo with an annoyed squeak. The young nurse frowned irritably and that and put the guitar down to the side.
"Seriously? Again? What do I have to do?" she snapped at her, "I know you hate me so did you bother coming out right now!"
The igglybuff puffed out her cheeks in anger and remained silent.
"Come on, just admit it. You like music. Please just let be on the same page for once," Flo sighed in exasperation, "What you want me to play you another song or something!? I can play you hundred songs! For goodness sake, you can sing along if you like!"
It was subtle, but the igglybuff flinched as if what she had said struck a nerve. Flo frowned in confusion before it slowly dawned on her.
"You…you can't sing, can you?"
The igglybuff stiffened in shock before she frowned and look away, ("So, I can't. What's it to you,") she snapped, a hint of sadness in her tone.
Flo took that as a yes. She decided to get off the sofa and sit cross legged on the floor beside the Pokemon. The igglybuff glanced her way before turning away again.
"Sorry, I thought every Pokemon in your evolutionary line could sing. I should have done more research," Flo earnestly apologised, "Didn't…any of the jigglypuff teach you to sing or help you practised?"
The igglybuff stared at the floor quietly.
"No? What about your mother? She taught me how to play."
The igglybuff once again stayed silent as she looked sadly at the floor. Flo waited for a response, but it slowly dawned on her, making her frown sadly.
"Oh…I'm sorry. That must be hard for you," she softly said.
The two fell into a long silence; the only sound was the storm that was still raging on outside. Flo glanced at the saddened igglybuff before looking back at the guitar on the sofa. She sighed softly before she inched closer to the Pokemon.
"Well…I could teach you to sing…" she said.
The Pokemon eyes widened in surprise. She turned around and stared at her in disbelief as a glimmer of hope appeared in her bright wide eyes.
("You will?") she uttered in delight.
"…but I won't," she finished sternly.
("Huh!?") the igglybuff shouted in shock. She got on to her feet and angrily glared at her, ("Why would you say that!?")
Flo gave her a sharp look, "Why should I help you? After all, you have been horrible to me and my friends all day," she told her, making the igglybuff growl, "You think I would do something nice after the way you treated me. I had never met a Pokemon least deserving," she snapped at her before she took deep breath, "If you want to learn how to sing then there has to be big changes in your attitude," she said, holding up three fingers, "Firstly, you will not be rude to me or any one else. Secondly, you will listen to me and do what I say which includes me telling you to get in your pokeball and thirdly…" she offered her a sincere look, "…I will give you a name just like the other Pokemon."
The igglybuff raised an eyebrow at that, ("Huh? Why?")
Flo noticed her questioning look and offered a warm smile, "Because that way you will be one of us. A part of a family," she told her, "So, do you agree or not?"
The igglybuff glared at her and thought about her choices. She could either do what she loved and keep on annoying everybody or somebody could finally teach her to sing. She had always wanted to sing and it was unfair how all the other igglybuff were able to be taught by their parents while she had to sit on the sidelines and watched miserably. She hated it. She hated that she was the one left out.
And so, swallowing her pride, the igglybuff nodded at her.
("Fine, I'm sorry about everything. Please teach me,") she murmured.
Flo giggled and gently scratched her head, "That's great. I'm glad we can come to an agreement, Mele," she said, earning a confused look from the Pokemon, "It means music over in Alola. I've been reading up on it the region lately."
The igglybuff sighed reluctantly before she nodded, agreeing to the name.
"Good," Flo chirped happily before she reached behind her to grab her guitar and brought it onto her lap, "As a thank you, how about another song."
Mele perked up at that and she she chirped happily. Flo giggled and began to strum her guitar. As they enjoyed the rest of the evening with music and singing, they didn't notice that the rain outside began slowly die down as the storm finally ceased after so many days.
Waiting Room
The morning was a welcome sight to see. Sunlight poured in through the windows and illuminated the Pokecentre with its warm glow. There was a scent of fresh spring air after a storm seeping in and the delightful chirps of pidgey can be heard from the nearby trees as if they were celebrating the end of the rain. Flo stood at the doors of the centre and allowed the scents and sounds of the morning wash over with a small smile on her face; feeling not only happy for the change in weather, but that she was able to solve her problems. She gave a deep sigh as she enjoyed it all when she heard footsteps from behind her. She turned around in time to see Charles with Benny on his shoulder walking towards her; his rucksack on his back and his hat tilted upwards slightly so she could see his entire face.
"Hi," she greeted happily, "You ready to go?"
"Almost, Alice is still packing," he told her as he stood beside her in the doorway, "You feeling alright?"
"Never better," she replied with a small giggle.
He responded with a chuckle of his own, "I guess you and igglybuff have made up, huh?"
"She's called Mele now and, yeah, we made up. She still a little rough around the edges, but we found a connection. Hopefully, we can build on that," she said as she looked out onto the countryside and the towering mountains out in the distance, "You know, I've been thinking that I should take up music again."
Charles and Benny looked at her in some surprise.
"Huh? You will? That's great news," he told her.
("Yeah, I haven't heard you play since I was a pichu. It'll be good to hear you once again,") Benny squeaked.
"What made you decided to do it again."
Flo giggled happily, "I don't know...I guess all I needed was a new audience to play to," she said, making the brothers share a look.
("You know,") Benny whispered to Charles, ("I think you should look for a music shop in the next village we go to. I'm sure they'll have guitars to sell.")
"You read my mind, Benny," Charles said, earning a confused look from Flo.
"Why? What did Benny say?"
"Oh..." he hummed as he looked away from her curious eyes, "...Nothing really important. Just about what we're going to have for lunch today."
Flo raised an eyebrow at that, but decided to believe him, "Okay, if you say so. Speaking of eating food, where's Alice? She should have been down here ages-"
"OH ARCEUS! NO!"
They jumped as a mournful wail sounded out through the centre, scaring just about everybody within the building. They shared a look as they recognised the voice and ran back into the centre, passed the waiting room, up the stairs, down the hall and got to the room that they had stayed in for the last few nights. As expected, the yell had come from Alice who was looking down in horror at something on the floor of the bedroom. They looked closer and saw that it was her rucksack with its contents thrown haphazardly around the room; sitting inside it and chirping happily to herself was Mele eating from a packet of sweets that she had uncovered. The igglybuff used her stubby arms to reach into the bag, take out a sweet before throwing it into her mouth and devouring it in seconds, much to the Pokemon's delight.
"Are those-"
"My Sour Patch Elekids!" Alice cried out, cutting Charles, off, "I was saving them for the journey," she whimpered in despair. She knelt down next to Mele and said, in the softest voice she could muster, "Igglybuff, I know you're hungry, but those are mine. Would you be so kind and save me some if you don't mind? You know, since we're friends and everything."
Mele gave her an annoyed look before she leapt out of the bag, with the sweets, and jumped into Flo's arms, ("Too bad toots. They're mine now,") she sneered before she ate another sweet from the bag.
Alice looked at Charles for an explanation, but he gave her an apologetic look, "Sorry, but I don't think she's going to give them back to you."
"But why?" Alice uttered in dismay, "I thought we were friends. Why would she act so cold now..." she trailed off as soon as realisation struck her like a thunderbolt, "Wait a minute! Were you only acting nice just so you can get my candy!?" she cried out as tears filled her eyes, "How could you!?"
Mele only gave her a vicious smirk in reply which made her fall to her knees in despair. Flo offered her an sympathetic expression before she began to walk away.
"Err...I best get Mele back into her pokeball. Sorry Alice," she called back as she quickly left with the igglybuff in her arms.
As she left them, Charles leaned down and patted Alice's shoulder while the young Officer Jenny continued to cry, feeling absolutely betrayed by the adorable and ruthless Pokemon.
"So...you need some help repacking?" he offered.
She sniffed and nodded, "Yes, please."
That's it for now, but don't worry. The next chapter will be sooner rather than later.
Also the song I used for this chapter is called 'Landslide' by 'Fleetwood Mac', so all credit is to the talented Stevie Nicks and please don't sue me...I'm very poor. I'm not a massive fan of the band, but that song is really beautiful. So, if you ever get the time, look it up.
Thank you also for Pokemonking0924 for giving me the idea for Flo to know how to play music. It really fits her and I'm glad that they suggested it.
Thanks for reading. See you next time :)
Potential Pokemon List:
Charles
Gastley
Drowzee
Goldeen
Aerodactyl
Onix
Grimer
Hoothoot (Johto)
Octillery (Orange Islands)
Pinsir
Salamance (Hoenn)
Metagross (Hoenn)
Dewgong
Elekid (Johto)
Poochyena (Hoenn)
Chikorita (Johto)
Bisharp (Unova)
Flo
Psyduck
Cubone
Jolteon
Shellder
Weedle
Qwilfish (Orange Islands)
Exeggcute (Orange Islands)
Snubbull (Johto)
Sunkern (Johto)
Miltank (Johto)
Beautifly (Hoenn)
Slugma (Hoenn)
Mandibuzz (Unova)
Alice
Rattata
Poliwag
Spearow
Lickitung
Spinarak (Johto)
Umbreon (Johto)
Rhyhorn (Johto)
Wobbuffet (Johto)
Smeargle (Johto)
Nosepass (Hoenn)
Swinub (Sinnoh)
Vanillite (Unova)