A/N: I'm trying to get the right balance between realism and animé logic to retain the authentic feel of the original story. But of course, there will be some mistakes here and there, so I ask for your honest reviews if you have the time to spare. Thanks!
Chapter 12: Fiery Flower
"Good afternoon, class 3-1," greeted an elderly man with a crown of white hair and a few stubborn brown strands. The teacher stood quietly to the side, allowing the lab coat-wearing man to take the stage.
"Good afternoon, Professor Oak!" The third-year students practically glowed with excitement as they greeted their returning visitor. This world-renowned man always brought good news, and today, they hoped, would be no different.
"A couple of weeks ago, I asked all of you and the other third-years about which starter Pokémon you wanted," the professor began, his voice carrying across the room. "Since the options came from various regions, it took some time to prepare them." He paused, a sly smile spreading across his face as he enjoyed the eager anticipation in the air.
"Professor Oak! Don't tease us!" shouted a blue-haired boy, his black eyes sparking with impatience, the stylish sunglasses on his head barely containing his excitement.
"Silence, Damian!" the teacher snapped, clearly irritated by the interruption. "Show some respect!"
Professor Oak chuckled warmly. "It's alright, really," he said, his tone dismissive of the disruption. "Now, as I was saying, your chosen starter Pokémon have arrived here at your school this morning, and I'm happy to announce that you can receive them today." The teacher then produced a metallic container filled with Poké Balls, each carefully labeled with its contents. The sight of them sent waves of excitement through the class, with some students tapping out a drumroll on their desks in anticipation.
"But," Oak continued, raising a hand to silence the growing murmurs, "I must remind you that while you'll receive your starter Pokémon today, you're not yet licensed trainers. Vermilion Pokémon School still owns the Pokémon entrusted to you until your graduation, at which point you will be given your trainer's license." He gave them a moment to process before continuing, his voice becoming more serious. "This means you cannot take them beyond school grounds unless supervised by a teacher during a field activity. Each morning, you will pick up your Pokémon from the School Ranch, cared for by the Breeders Club. Each afternoon, you'll return them before leaving, so they can continue their care under the Breeders Club's watch."
A steely look crossed the professor's face, his next words firm. "You may train your Pokémon's moves or performances at the vacant battlefields, but remember—no Pokémon battles, no sparring, unless it's part of a teacher-approved activity. And it is your responsibility to ensure your Pokémon remain healthy. Don't expect the Breeders Club to do all the work for you. I do not want to hear that your Pokémon needed to be rushed to the Pokémon Center because of your neglect. Understood?"
"Yes, Professor Oak," the class chorused in unison.
The professor's expression softened once more, and he smiled. "Good. Now, line up, and your teacher will distribute your starter Pokémon."
"Finally!" exclaimed a male student with spiky green hair, his black eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Make way for the great A.J! I'll get my Pokémon first!"
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
"Hey, Chloe, where are you going? Aren't you heading home yet?" Ash quickened his pace to catch up to his maroon-haired friend.
"I'm going to my club room. It's separate from the others, so here's the direction," Chloe explained as Ash caught up, and they started walking side by side.
"So, you've finally joined a club? That's awesome! Which one is it?" Ash's face lit up, genuinely happy that his friend was branching out into something outside of their academics.
"Just yesterday. This is my second day at the Floriculture Club," Chloe replied, turning the corner of a building with Ash in tow.
"Floriculture? You're learning how to grow and market flowers and ornamental plants, right?" Ash asked, a hint of knowing in his voice.
"Yes, and also how to arrange and design with them. But how did you know about it?" Chloe asked, raising an eyebrow with curiosity. She didn't expect Ash to be familiar with such a topic.
"My mom used to grow flowers and sell them online back in Pallet," Ash said with a nostalgic smile, the memory of the vibrant garden from his childhood flashing in his mind. "She had tons of books on floriculture. I'm really happy you joined a club. I hope you enjoy it!"
"Thanks! I really like flowers," Chloe said, smiling as she explained further. "It's practical too. Who knows, maybe I'll go into business like your mom did." She shrugged a bit. Since she hadn't figured out which Pokémon career she wanted yet, she figured learning something hands-on couldn't hurt. "We also water the flowers throughout the school. We're split into two groups: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This week, my group is scheduled for the afternoon."
Before they knew it, they had reached the front of a small building, about the size of a classroom. Beside it was a greenhouse, double the size of the building.
"Wait, Ash, where are you going? The school ranch, where your club room is, isn't around here, is it?" Chloe asked, a confused look crossing her face.
"I'm headed here too! What a coincidence, huh?" Ash chuckled, scratching the back of his head before knocking on the door.
"You don't need to knock, come on in," Chloe said, smiling at his antics as she opened the door and entered first. She put her things in her locker and then glanced back at Ash. "Why are you here, though?"
Ash scratched his cheek nervously as his eyes fell on a woman with long, dark green hair tied into a segmented ponytail. She wore a light green and white long-sleeved semi-jacket with a brown undershirt and a dark green pleated skirt. Her appearance was earthy, but Ash was careful not to make assumptions. "Is she the one sitting at that table?"
Chloe, not wanting to waste Ash's time, nodded. "Yeah, that's Ms. Cheryl."
They approached her, and Ms. Cheryl greeted them with a warm smile. "Hello, Chloe. The other members are already in the greenhouse. You can join them; I'll follow you after I finish up with someone. There's just one person I'm waiting for." Her eyes shifted to Ash.
"Yes, Ms. Cheryl," Chloe nodded but didn't leave, instead gesturing to Ash beside her. "This is my classmate, Ash. He said he wanted to talk to you. Maybe he's the one you're waiting for?"
Ash smiled politely, though his nerves were evident. "Ms. Cheryl, my name's Ash Ketchum. Sir Brock from the Breeders Club asked me to come here."
Cheryl's kind smile faded into a more serious expression. "You're the student who stumbled into a flower bed and broke it?" she asked, her gaze sharp as both she and Chloe turned to look at Ash.
Ash laughed embarrassingly as it entered his mind what he and Brock had talked about regarding his punishment for sneaking into school in the middle of the night. This was the cover-up they had agreed upon so he couldn't be connected to Team Rocket's arrest but still be punished. The truth was there were some Pokemon the escaped the school ranch and destroyed a bed of flowers, and he was to take the blame for that. "It seems like that, I mean yes, I am." Ash didn't want to lie but his club advisor's order was reasonable
Cheryl's serious tone softened again as she stood. "As part of your punishment, you'll need to plant new flowers to replace the ones you damaged. You'll care for them until they grow back to their former beauty." She paused and added with a softer smile, "But for now, why don't you join us for a lesson? Afterward, I'll show you what to do."
Ash nodded, a bit relieved by her understanding. "Okay, Ms."
Cheryl led the group into the greenhouse, where eleven other members were already waiting. Ash didn't immediately notice that they were all girls; he simply followed Chloe and sat quietly next to her.
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
"This is so frustrating! Because of you, I lost to Alain!" Damian shouted, his face red with anger. The veins on his forehead bulged as he stood glaring at the orange, reptilian Pokémon in front of him. "Of all the Charmanders, why did I get stuck with the weak one? You're pathetic compared to Alain's!"
"Chaar, chaar…" The Charmander hung its head, its eyes filled with guilt and sorrow. It could sense its trainer's anger, but felt helpless in its own inability to improve.
Damian's fist clenched in frustration, and he slammed it into the ground, the harsh noise echoing through the air. "You don't even know a single fire-type move! What good is Scratch and Growl? Are you just going to draw lines on the ground and cry?!" His voice dripped with venom as he vented his anger, making the little Charmander tremble in fear.
With a dramatic sigh, Damian reached into his pocket, pulling out a cigarette. He lit it with the flame from Charmander's tail before taking a long, slow drag, his eyes narrowed. "If I could just replace you, I would've done it by now. You're nothing but a walking lighter."
"Damian, calm down," one of his friends spoke up, his tone a mix of concern and caution. "My Squirtle doesn't know any elemental moves either. It only has Tackle and Tail Whip, like most of our starters." The other two friends exchanged worried glances, already anticipating the storm that was about to come.
Damian whipped around, fury in his eyes as he pointed at the speaker. "Don't lump me in with commoners like you!" he snapped. "I'm better than all of you! I'm better than Alain! I deserve a stronger Pokémon!"
"Yeah, sorry, man," his friends muttered, knowing that Damian had a short fuse and wasn't afraid to lash out at anyone, even them. Still, they stuck by him—he was a talented student, well-liked, and had a reputation that made him someone you didn't cross.
Damian turned his back to his Charmander, still cowering under his harsh words, and scoffed. "You three—take out your Pokémon. I want you to order them to attack my Charmander, make him learn a new move."
His friends looked at each other with concern. "Damian, isn't that considered a Pokémon battle? Isn't that against the rules?" one of them asked, hesitating.
"It's only a problem if anyone finds out," Damian shot back, his voice laced with impatience. His eyes darkened as he glared at his friends. "I brought you here, behind the trees, not in a proper battlefield where anyone could see us. No cameras, no spectators. What more do you want? Just do it. I'll take you to that restaurant in town after, my treat."
One of his lackeys grinned, a smile spreading across his face as he reached for a Poké Ball. "My stomach's already on board, boss." He tossed the Poké Ball into the air, and his Pokémon materialized in a flash of light.
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
"Ash, the flowers you accidentally damaged are called Asters," Cheryl explained, her voice calm as she showed the three first-year students a plastic container filled with saplings. "Luckily, we have saplings ready to be moved outside. But before that, I'll teach you three how to plant Aster seeds so we can grow another batch in exchange." She turned her attention to one of the girls. "Sakura, please get three propagator trays."
"Yes, Ms. Cheryl!" Sakura chirped happily, her blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she made her way toward the trays. Her magenta-colored hair bounced in twin tails with each step.
"Chloe," Cheryl continued, "please grab a watering can and show Ash where the small sacks of compost are. Ash, you get one of them, okay? I'll take care of the Aster seeds." Her instructions were clear and precise, and both Ash and Chloe nodded in acknowledgment.
The trio quickly collected the materials and gathered around Cheryl, who guided them through the process of planting the Aster seeds. Other upper-year students were also busy with their plants, tending to their own sections in the greenhouse.
"Ash, now that you've learned how to plant them, take the saplings and plant them in the Aster flower bed," Cheryl instructed, her voice gentle yet firm. "Remember, they should grow and bloom just like the ones they replaced. The Floriculture Club will take care of watering them, but I'd like you to visit from time to time, okay?"
Ash felt a sense of relief—taking care of the flowers wouldn't interfere too much with his other club responsibilities. "Thank you very much, Ms. Cheryl."
He carefully picked up the plastic container with the growing saplings, and Cheryl turned to Chloe. "Chloe, go with Ash. It's not that I don't trust him, but I need to make sure the plants are planted properly. Afterward, can you also water the flowers in that area while the rest of your group tends to the others?"
"I will, Ms." Chloe replied, grabbing the watering can before following Ash out of the greenhouse.
Moments later, at the flower bed, Ash knelt down and began digging a small hole with a hand shovel. He gently placed the last Aster sapling in the hole and pressed the soil firmly around its roots. Once done, he straightened up, brushing the dirt from his pants. "There, all done! Can I borrow your watering can, Chloe? Is there any water left?"
Chloe handed him the can with a smile, looking over his work with approval. "Yes, there's enough for those," she replied. But her smile shifted into a teasing grin. "Just hope you don't trip and break them again. Are you really that heavy?"
"Watch over the flowers, then. If I trip again, you can catch me—and I'll fall for you instead."
Their gazes locked for a moment, and something shifted in the air. Chloe suddenly noticed how unique Ash's brown eyes were. She'd never thought much about them before—they were just brown, after all. But now, staring into them, she felt a warmth inside that was hard to describe.
Ash blinked, clueless, before turning to the voice that had actually spoken the cheesy line. "Sir Brock? What did you say? And why are you here?" Chloe quickly composed herself, pushing aside the unexpected feeling.
Brock chuckled, walking over with his usual smirk. "Hehe, I was just practicing my lines, Ash. Also, I came to check on you. Good job with the new plants. Just remember to be careful next time."
Ash's eyebrow twitched, an unimpressed look on his face, though he kept his tone neutral. "Uh-huh. Sure, I'll be careful, sir." He reminded himself to play-along. "By the way, sir, this is Chloe, my classmate. She's here on behalf of the Floriculture Club."
Chloe bowed her head slightly, brushing off Brock's teasing with a polite smile. "Nice to meet you, sir," she said, her voice calm and respectful.
Brock waved his hand dismissively, still grinning. "No need for formalities. Just call me Brock."
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
Charmander had done everything it could in the battle to please its owner, but in the end, it came up short. Was it just a little short? The way it felt now, with each painful attack, it seemed much more than that. The shame was unbearable, and the frustration of its failure weighed heavily on it. Left and right, it was bombarded—Squirtle's Tackle, Bulbasaur's Vine Whip, and a blue-colored Pokémon's Pound, all coming at it relentlessly.
"Chaawr…" The cry for help was weak, desperate. It looked to its owner, searching for some sign of support, but instead, it saw Damian's scowl. His disappointment was evident, his anger palpable. Whatever small bit of hope remained in Charmander's heart faded. It could see now: to survive this, to prove itself, it had to fight back. There was no other choice.
With a trembling body, Charmander forced its remaining strength into a loud, defiant cry, "Chaawr!" The flame on its tail flickered and flared, burning brighter and fiercer as the raw desperation fueled its power.
"That's… Blaze! It's Blaze!" Damian's voice rang out, filled with surprise, as he watched his Pokémon's fiery determination. He and his friends froze, watching as Charmander's flame grew brighter and fiercer. "Yes! That's it!"
"Chaawr!" Filled with a mixture of anger and desperation, Charmander let loose, launching fireballs at its attackers. The Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and the blue Pokémon scrambled to dodge, all too aware of the potential danger the blaze-fueled Ember could bring. But the fireballs missed, crashing into the dry leaves and grass nearby, quickly setting the area ablaze.
"Damian, get your Charmander back in its Pokéball! We need to leave, now!" One of the friends shouted in panic, scrambling to call back their own Pokémon, clearly worried about the growing fire.
Damian's eyes widened with excitement and awe, a grin spreading across his face as he watched his Charmander's power. The fire continued to burn hotter and brighter, and with each shot, the ground around them ignited. The Pokémon's desperation had turned into raw, uncontrolled power. Another fireball shot out, hitting a branch from a nearby tree and sending it flying.
"That's it!" Damian laughed, thrilled by the unexpected display of strength. "That's Ember! That's my boy!" He watched the chaos unfold with pride, the flames rising higher. But it was short-lived. Realizing the situation had spiraled out of control, he dropped his cigarette pack, recalling Charmander into its Pokéball before his group hurried off, leaving the fire to rage behind them.
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
Ash returned the watering can to his friend, "There, it's done. Thanks, Chloe."
The girl put down the watering can and pulled out her phone, "I'll take a picture of the plants and show it to Ms. Cheryl later." She did not say that Ash was needed in the picture, but he understood it as he should be there to show that he had really planted the plants. Chloe didn't bother correcting him and just took a photo of him standing beside the flower bed.
Ash blinked in surprise but smiled awkwardly as Chloe snapped the photo. He didn't mind being in it, but he was more concerned about the health of the plants they had just carefully planted. His thoughts were interrupted, though, when Brock pointed up, his expression suddenly serious.
"Hey, do you guys see that smoke?" Brock's voice was sharp, his gaze focused on something in the distance.
Ash squinted into the air, following the direction of Brock's stare. That's when he noticed it — thick, black smoke rising ominously behind the trees. His eyes widened in alarm, but before he could think, a fiery branch appeared, hurtling through the air toward them.
"Chloe! Watch out!" Ash yelled, his heart leaping into his throat as he calculated the trajectory of the flaming branch. Without a second thought, he darted toward her.
In one swift motion, he wrapped his arms around Chloe, pulling her toward him and away from the path of the falling branch. She gasped, caught off-guard, and her feet barely touched the ground as he carried her away, the heat of the burning branch grazing the air behind them.
It wasn't pretty, but it was effective. The branch crashed where she had been standing only moments before, splintering on impact.
Brock came running up to them, his eyes scanning them both. "Ash, Chloe, are you two alright?!" His voice was filled with concern, but his relief was evident when he saw they weren't hurt.
Ash let Chloe go, his hand still on her back for a moment, offering reassurance before he stepped back. "We're fine, sir."
Chloe stood still, her breath shaky as she tried to process the adrenaline still pumping through her. Her mind was racing, but all she could focus on was Ash. "Thank you, Ash. If it weren't for you…"
He shook his head quickly, cutting her off. "Hey, don't worry about it," Ash said, a reassuring smile on his face, though his hands trembled slightly from the aftermath. "We're friends. Of course, I'll always have your back."
"Stay here and call the fire department."Brock pulled out two pokéballs and released two bipedal Pokémon, one was mainly green with yellow and the other was blue with some orange. "My pokémon and I will check the fire scene. Let's go, Ludicolo, Marshtomp."
"Be careful, sir!" Ash yelled in concern as his advisor ran into the trees, followed by his water-type pokémons.
Chloe was still a little shaken. Now she understood the purpose of those PE excercise and activities. It was to make them physically fit and prepare them to take necessary actions when in danger, just as Ash did. She was brought out of her thoughts when he spoke, "Can you call the fire department, Chloe?"
She nodded, finally regaining her focus as she pulled out her phone, fingers tapping urgently to dial. "I'll call them now."
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
"Enjoy your meal," Johanna smiled warmly at the customers before heading back to her usual spot behind the counter.
Damian took a bite of his food, savoring the flavor, when one of his classmates suddenly spoke up, "Hey, check this out. The fire's already in the news."
Damian paused mid-bite, curious. "What's it say?"
The classmate quickly skimmed through the article on his phone, not wanting to waste data on a video. "It says the fire was quickly put out with the help of a teacher and his Pokémon. The Fire Department suspects it was started by some students who were smoking secretly. They found cigarette butts at the scene."
Damian's lips curled into a small smirk, his confidence returning. "Well, that should cover our tracks. As long as we don't smoke on school grounds, they won't be able to trace it back to us."
One of his friends chuckled nervously, "You're the only one who smokes, though…"
Damian shot him a glance. "What's that supposed to mean?"
The boy quickly fumbled, "Uh, nothing! Just saying, my food's smoking hot."
Damian narrowed his eyes but let the matter slide, focusing back on his meal with a satisfied grin.
:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:
A/N: Thank you for your continued interest!
-Areyem Meyera