Chapter 16: Greenery and Scenery

Ash and the gang now fully equipped with legends marched on to Gardenia Town. The girls were obviously enthused at the smells, except for one such girl. Heather leaned against a tree trying to catch her breath.

"Hey come on. You are too fast." Heather groaned and brought her knees up to her chest pulling at a clump of grass.

"Sorry Heather, but you really should come smell these flowers. They have an alluring aroma." May grinned bending down to a flower and sniffing it.

"Wait," A voice called sharply. "Don't smell all those flowers. Some are potent to humans."

A dark haired girl in a green skirt and dark green shirt with a flowered belt around her skirt ran up to them. Underneath her skirt was a casual pair of white shorts. She knelt by May and pointed to some flowers.

"See that one, it's not actually a flower. It's actually a Gloom." To prove her point the flower May had been about to smell sprang up, drool hanging limply on the corners of its mouth.

"Glum gloom." The Pokémon said and scampered off in fright.

"It's nice to see people who have an interest in flowers." The lady smiled. "My names Florina. It's very nice to meet you."

"I'm May." May said and shook the lady's hand as she pulled her to her feet. "These are my friends." May said calling off everyone's names and pointing to them as she called.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Are any of you taking on the Yoroshii gym challenge?" Florina eyed the group with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Yes. We are." Ash and Max said in sync.

"Oh lovely. Any of the rest of you?" She asked with a smile dormant on her pleasant features.

"No. Some of use are coordinators. Others of us are breeders." Heather said.

"I see. Can I show you around?" Florina asked curiously.

"Of course. I'd love to see the town." May squealed.

Molly skipped over to the group, a blue flower tied around her wrist. "Guys look at the flower I found. Isn't it pretty?"

"That's a dangerous flower when smelled. It's called Aromathis. It's very potent so don't put that flower to your nose if you know what's good for you." Florina pointed out.

"What will happen if I smell it?" Molly asked, her nose pointing away from the pretty flower.

"You'll instantly become paralyzed. Your body will refuse to listen to your brain." Molly's eyes widened at this and she immediately unlatched the flower and threw it into the bushes.

"Alright. So I assume you'd like to stay at a hotel rather than a Pokémon Center considering we don't have a Pokémon Center." Florina said as she pointed out random buildings.

"A hotel? Like one with real running water?" May's eyes went wide with enthusiasm.

"Yep. Since you're new to this town how about I get you guys arrangements at one of the best hotels in town. It's a four star hotel." Florina said with a wink.

"Oh you mean it. You're awesome." May said clasping hands with the dark haired girl.

"Aw thanks." Florina smiled putting her hands behind her head.

They walked for a little ways before Florina stopped in front of a building that was decorated with flower boxes. A fancy design hung appropriately around the frames of the windows. A large Bellossom statue stood proudly on the front lawn near a fountain.

Everyone's mouths hung open in complete awe.

"Th-there's no way we can pay for this." Ash said dazed.

"Don't worry. I said it's my treat." Florina smiled. "Besides, I haven't had a good battle in forever so I've got plenty of money to pay for all your stays. Also I have full membership so friends of mine are welcome."

Heather followed May and the others into the hall. Florina turned to the clerk.

"These are my new friends. They needed a place to stay and I told them it's my treat. Put them on my tab." Florina smirked.

"Of course madam Florina." The man began writing in a planner and he smiled. "Here are your room keys. Don't lose them." He handed May and the others keys to luxury rooms."

Heather walked into a room and May followed timidly behind her. Heather pulled open the doors and gazed in awe at the sight. Pillows cluttered the beds. Gold trim framed nearly everything in the room. A vase filled to the brim with various flowers sat on a beside table beside the two beds that lined the sides of the room. A door leading into a bathroom stood to the side of the bed on the left hand side.

"Oh my god." May squealed as she launched herself at the bed on the left.

She burst into laughter as she sprang into the air. She began jumping up and down casually for a few more minutes before turning to her roommate. Heather had left out Shadow who looked pure black in the room. He curled up beside Heather on a pillow his head rubbing against her thigh.

"I wonder if the boys' room is nearly as neat as ours." May questioned hugging a pillow to her chest.

"They're guys May. They'll have it messed up in a record time." Heather laughed.

"True. I'm sure Ash will solve the mess in no time." May said with a finger on her chin.

Before May could blink a pillow smacked her in the face. She turned and looked at Heather who was rolling around in the pillows laughing hard. Shadow let out a barking laugh.

"Stop thinking about Ash. Enjoy your moments of girl time." Heather smirked.

"I ... uh ... right." May smiled. She picked up a pillow while Heather had her back turned and hit Heather with it in the back of the head.

"It's on." Heather said and before long pillows were flying around the room as if a tornado was violently carrying them away.

A knock on the door interrupted their playful girl time and Heather slowly got up from her bed to answer the door. May still had some play left in her as when the door burst open a pillow violently hit the person in the chest knocking them backwards.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry." May cried when she realized who it was. Heather lent Florina a hand and pulled the older teen up.

"It's quite alright. I just wasn't expecting a pillow to greet me." Florina laughed.

May bowed her head and straitened back up.

"Pillow fights? As long as the pillows stay in one piece you can have all the fun you want with them." Florina laughed.

"I'd like to show you and your friends to the gym. Your rooms will still be here when you get back." Florina beamed.

"Oh right. Ash and Max were really curious about their battles with the Gardenia Town Gym Leader." May said rubbing her fingers against her temples.

"Our gym never sprouts legs. The gym leader does like to get her exercise occasionally."

Heather and May glanced at each other and then stared at Florina.

"Don't tell me ..." Heather started.

"You're the gym leader?" May finished with a squeak.

"Oh my gosh. I guess I didn't do very proper introductions. My name's Florina and I'm the Gardenia Town Gym Leader."

"No wonder you got us hooked up with this hotel." May said in awe.

"That's right. I try to help most people get into the best hotel in town for free. Of course it doesn't always include all excursion paid furnishings. Today though I'm giving you guys room-service and the works."

"We probably won't be staying very long." Heather said nonchalantly. "Sorry."

"No worries. It's perfectly fine if you stay for just a night if you need to." Florina smiled. "Now let me show you to the gym."

An angry voice erupted throughout the girls' ears as they made their way to the exit.

"What do you mean I can't get in?!" The voice shouted.

"I'm sorry sir. Only friends of Florina are welcome in this hotel." The manager said ringing his hands in front of him.

"This is an outrage. Do you know who I am?!" The voice rose a pitch as the girls stopped for a second to take it in.

"No sir. I don't believe I do." The manager said looking at the guy in confusion.

"My name's Drew La Rouse and I'd like to know why I, a top coordinator, cannot stay in this here hotel."

May inwardly groaned before she turned to Drew with a large smirk plastered on her face.

"Hey Drew." May smirked.

"May? How'd you manage to get yourself into this great hotel? You bribe them with your body?" Drew smirked with a casual hair flick.

May turned at least 12 shades of red. "No I didn't Drew. It just so happens that I'm friends with the gym leader, Florina."

Florina glowered down at Drew. "It's not very nice of you making fun of my friend."

"I apologize. My sincere apologies." Drew bowed. "I'm just so used to making fun of my rival." Drew pointed to May as he said this.

"Rivals don't treat each other in such a manor. Have you ever hurt this girl?" Florina frowned.

"No. Not physically. Maybe emotionally." Drew shrugged and flicked his hair.

"I advise you get out of my hotel before I get the law on you." Florina snapped. "I absolutely hate cocky kids like you."

Drew glared at May with a threatening look on his face and turned around. With a "hmph." he left the hotel to look for one that would actually allow him.

May shivered involuntarily and walked out the doors behind Heather and Florina. They were greeted by the boys and Molly when they got outside.

"Time for our gym battle." Ash said pumping his fists in excitement. Max smirked and folded his arms peacefully into his pocket folds.

Brendan leaned towards Heather and wrapped his arms around her. For some reason Heather didn't feel as comfortable with him doing this. She shrugged mildly out of his arms and turned to Ash and Max.

"Did you guys know Florina's the gym leader?" Heather asked.

Ash and Max's eyes widened drastically. "You mean it?" They asked at the same time.

"Yep." Florina smiled and smirked. "I was so enthusiastic about meeting some new friends I didn't mention that." She led the way and they stopped in front of a large brown building with flowers planted all around it.

"Welcome to my gym." Florina grinned.

"Awesome." Molly grinned as she clasped her hands. Her and May high-fived and darted inside. They ran up to the bleachers inhaling the strong scent of flowers that filled the room.

Heather and Brendan walked up to the bleachers and sat down on them. Heather made sure she was between the other girls so Brendan couldn't pull any stunts. They stared down as Ash took his place on the battlefield. Max jumped up onto the bleachers and assembled himself on the other side of May. Brendan settled for Max's other side and the battle began.

"Alright now it's a three on three battle. No time limits." Florina said. Ash nodded his head enthusiastically and the battle began.

"Let's go Florabit." Florina said with a twirl. A ball snapped open on her side of the field and an orange rabbit similar to a Buneary appeared. A white fluff hung off one of its ears and a leaf mingled on the other. A large fluffy down covered her paws, stomach, tail, and ear.

Ash turned his Pokédex on the little rabbit. Florabit the Floral Rabbit Pokémon. This Pokémon is said to have been raised among the forest floor and around blooming flowers.

"Alright let's see I choose you." He called and Skeeter appeared in a flash of light.

"Alright Ash you may have the first move." Florina gestured with her hand.

"You'll regret that. Skeeter Tunnel!" Skeeter launched itself into the ground digging a tunnel under the field.

"Florabit hang tough. When it comes up Bullet Punch." Florina nodded. The rabbit stood its place on the field scanning its surroundings with its sharp hearing from its large curved ears. It braced itself by coiling its paw.

Skeeter jumped out of the ground behind Florabit and rammed it into the ground. The orange rabbit quickly recovered and jumped at the rat with a glowing green paw. The paw sent the rat flying. It bounced back though and hid in the tunnel from the next blow.

Ash commanded Skeeter to use a Steel Fang. The mouse reeled out of the hole and clamped onto the rabbit's furry underbelly.

"Florabit hang in there girl. Try to use Bullet Seed." Cringing the rabbit turned to the rat and opened her mouth showering the rat with tiny seeds. The rat cringed and eventually let down its guard on the Pokémon in its mouth.

"Skeeter, try a Quick Attack." Ash said through clenched teeth. He wasn't going to lose after coming this far.

Skeeter glowed with a white light and charged at the unsuspecting rabbit. The rabbit flew back into the wall. It slid down with swirls in its eyes.

"Pretty clever Ash." Florina commented as she recalled her down rabbit. She picked another Pokéball off her belt. "Try this one."

A few seconds passed and the ball snapped open revealing a green fox with blue markings. It let out a cute yawn as it opened its cobalt eyes.

"What's that?" Ash asked in awe. His Pokédex chimed a response. Foxeef the leaf fox Pokémon. This Pokémon is said to release strong grass attacks from its mouth, paws, and ears.

Ash continued with Skeeter who was still raring to battle. He commanded a Quick Attack.

"Alright, counter it with Solarbeam." Florina smirked. The fox opened its mouth and shot a large beam of white light at the unsuspecting rat who was coming at him. The rat fell to the ground in defeat.

"Ugh let's go Charizard." Ash cried as he sent out the large dragon lizard.

Charizard came out doing a tumble. He roared in fury at the little fox who cowered slightly at the size difference. Charizard snorted involuntarily and on command shot a flurry of fire at the little fox. The fox cringed as it fell to the ground, barely able to get up.

"It'll take more than that Ash." Florina smirked as her fox slowly rose and charged at Charizard with a Quick Attack.

Charizard blocked the attack with his wing and sent the small Pokémon flying. The Pokémon barely had time and strength to get up. Charizard flew in for a Dragon Breath. The fox Pokémon keeled over after the attack and Florina called upon her last Pokémon.

"Go Vileplume." A plump Vileplume came out on the field. It spun its petal maliciously.

"We can take it can't we Charizard?"Ash asked. Charizard smirked and moved its claws beckoning the flower to come forward.

"You'll regret that." Florina grinned as Vileplume used a Body Slam attack to knock Charizard out of the sky.

"Rr. Char zard." Charizard roared. It opened its mouth and launched another hot stream of Flamethrower from its mouth.

It hit its mark. Vileplume staggered backwards and landed a short ways away, swirls in its eyes.

"Wow Ash, I'm impressed." Florina smiled as she handed Ash a badge in the shape of a flower with a vine popping out.

"Thanks." Ash remarked as he pocketed the Aroma badge.

He ran up into the stadium as Max jumped down. Ash showed May his badge and May was surprised when a light aroma wafted from it.

"It's awesome Ash." She smiled softly.

"Hello Max. Are you ready for your battle?" Florina asked with a smile.

"Yes I am." Max said as he took his place on the field.

"How about a two on two battle with no time limits?" Florina asked.

"Great." Max called. "It'll give me more practice."

"Alright." Florina smiled. "You can have the first move." She called out her Vileplume.

"Go Ralts." Max called.

Ralts stood on Max's side of the field, pulling its "hat" up slightly to get a view of his opponent.

"Alright Bullet Seed Vileplume." Florina called.

"This won't be easy. Let's try a Confusion." Max commanded.

Ralts' eyes glowed with a blue aura and picked up the Vileplume before it could start an attack. It sent the Pokémon flying.

Vileplume glowered at the small emotion Pokémon. It prepared a Solar Beam.

"Alright Ralts, now try Double Team." Max called. Ralts copied itself with faux copies that surrounded the now confused Vileplume. Vileplume tried to focus on the energy in its flower.

"Come on and show them what you're made of." Florina called."

"Show them who's best." Max yelled.

Vileplume launched the Solarbeam at all the copies around him.

Vileplume stood in shock as it realized the real Ralts had dodged somehow. He looked up in time to see Ralts fly at him with a Psycho Cut.

Vileplume fell dazed on Florina's side of the field.

Florina recalled her defeated plant and sent out a Bellsprout.

"Go Bellsprout. Use Vine Whip." She called. Ralts was bound by whips and thrown to the ground.

Ralts growled and sent a Psycho Cut flying across the field at the Sprout Pokémon.

Reeling Bellsprout dug into the flower-like environment.

Ralts cringed as it was pelted by more vines.

Bellsprout whipped Ralts consecutively with its whip like legs.

Ralts cringed and soon began glowing with a white light. He soon materialized into a girlie Pokémon with a skirt and green arms and legs.

Kirlia now used an Ice Punch to freeze the Bellsprout. Twirling around a blue energy hit Bellsprout head on and the Pokémon fell defeated.

Max grinned until Kirlia staggered from his previous damage. Max recalled the Pokémon and handed him to his sister. May caught a stone that Max flung at her. He mouthed a "use it" and turned back to the battle.

"I choose Jirachi." Max called as Jirachi materialized.

"I've never seen that before." Florina commented. "We'll just have to make predictions. Go Foxleef." The fox Pokémon tumbled out of its Pokéball and grinned at Jirachi.

Jirachi used a Psycho Blast attack and sent the fox reeling.

The fox picked up the tempo and used a Quick Attack.

Jirachi was knocked out of the air slightly but used it's psychic powers to stay afloat. After another Psychic attack the fox was down and out for the count.

Max cheered as he was awarded the badge. May quietly rubbed the stone against the Kirlia and gasped in shock as the Pokémon lit up. In minutes the Pokémon materialized to a Gallade.

Max ran to his new Pokémon and returned him to his ball. They wandered to their hotel, only to bump into Drew, quite literally.

"That was so awesome Max. You KO'd her Pokémon in no time." May cheered as she grinned walking backwards. She tripped and knocked over something in the process. That's right... Drew.

Drew glared at the brunette and shoved her hard.

"Get off me you fat bitch." Drew shouted.

May cried out as she was sent flying by Drew's foot, smashing into a nearby tree.

Heather ran toward the younger teen and immediately delivered a quick punch to Drew's jaw. Groaning Drew tried to get up only to be backhanded by Heather. He had apparently hit a hard nerve in Heather as every inch of her body showed hatred and pulsed with undying anger.

"If you ever touch one hand on May again in such a manor you will feel so much pain you'll not move for weeks, maybe even months on end." Heather glowered.

Drew got up and aimed a fist at Heather. She caught it and the two began fighting fist to fist, rolling around and eventually a loud groan came out of the battle. Drew lay barely moving at Heather's feet. The teen didn't appear to have taken much damage except for a few spots where Drew had dug his nails into her flesh.

Heather put a hand to her neck and kicked Drew's chest. He groaned again, blood coming slightly from his mouth. He pulled himself off the ground and put his hands up as a shield. He had taken enough damage and had no more fight left in him.

Heather glowered at him. "Now get out of here before your body doesn't connect with your soul." Heather shouted as Molly and the others ran to check on May.

Drew ran to his hotel, screaming like a sissy as Heather collapsed to the ground.

"Heather?" Molly asked trembling. She walked to the elder girl and removed her hand from her neck to gasp in shock. Drew had dug his nails into the fold of the older teens' neck. "Guys." Molly screamed.

Ash held onto his girlfriend and Brendan and Max immediately ran over.

"She's hurt badly." Molly cried motioning to Heather's neck.

"Don't worry Molly. We'll take care of her." Brendan said as he dabbed a cloth to Heather's neck. "May got kicked pretty hard so Ash's going to take her to her and Heather's combined suite room. I figured Heather'd do something this reckless. She really can't control her anger can she."

Max held Molly's hand as Brendan bandaged her sister's neck. Brendan leaned Heather on him for support and they walked back to the hotel. He placed Heather on the fluffy bed she'd claimed laying her among the pillows. Shadow got up and growled at Brendan when he saw the bandage on Heather's neck.

"I didn't hurt her boy. I promise." Brendan said stroking the dog's soft fur.

The dog growled but calmed down. He curled against Heather's body gazing curiously at the girl across from them. She was cringing in pain, obviously wounded as well. He jumped down from the bed and wandered to May. He licked her cheek softly and lay beside her.

Brendan turned off the light that hung dormant in the room and left the girls to rest. Molly walked to the room she shared with Max and sat on her bed.

"Your sister saved my sister." Max rubbed Molly's back comfortingly.

"I'm glad she did. Your sister's pretty cool." Molly smiled at Max.

"Hey, I'm glad we're all getting along. Your sister's tough so she'll hang in there." Max grinned.

"Yeah I know. Thanks for the comfort Max." Molly said. Her hand brushed against his and they both blushed.

The two hooked up a Wii in the room and challenged each other to Brawl. Max chose Lucario and Molly chose Jigglypuff. The battle raged for what seemed like hours, but was actually 25 minutes 18 seconds 10 nano-seconds.

Max was faced with an abnormal defeat. He demanded a rematch and this time took Pokémon Trainer. He was devastated when Molly whooped his ass in less time than before. (An:// she still used Jigglypuff)

With Heather and May

May stirred to find herself in the hotel surrounded by fluffy pillows and something soft that felt like fur. She stroked Shadow's fur and he perked up. He jumped onto the counter and illuminated the room by pulling the strings on the light. May stared in awe at this. He was practically human.

Heather pounded him with a pillow for waking her. Shadow just chuckled and melted into a shadow on the floor. She sat up and rubbed the tiredness from her eyes.

"Heather. You're alright." May grinned and hugged the girl tightly.

"Can't... breathe..." Heather joked. May released her and sat on the edge of her bed.

"How're you feeling?" May asked. "I heard from Ash you gave Drew a beating he'll never forget."

"I'm fine. He deserved it." Heather said nonchalantly. "More importantly, how are you? You got kicked in the stomach."

"I think I'm fine. It still hurts a bit, but it feels better. I feel safer now Drew's injured." May said.

"He won't hurt you." Heather promised.

"Yeah I know. I'm going to get into my nightgown." May said and hopped up off the bed.

"Don't be slow in the bathroom. I want to get dressed in my pajamas too." Heather said laughing lightly as May pouted.

"Fine, but I'm taking a shower first." May said.

"Knock yourself out." Heather said indifferently to May taking a shower before her.

May spent a while in the bathroom. When she came out she was dressed in a red nightgown with Torchic all over the belt at the waist. Torchic slippers covered her feet.

"My turn." Heather laughed and went to use the bathroom.

May was asleep by the time Heather got back. Heather left the girl sleep knowing tomorrow they'd be heading off to a new town again and May had been getting less sleep since their last encounter with Harley, Team Rocket, and any and all other nuisances.

Heather sat on her bed dressed in a long shirt with an Arcanine face doodled on the front and Umbreon bottoms. She tucked her hands behind her head thinking of how willing she'd become to protect the young girl she acted like a sister for. She promised herself May'd still be safe by the end of this journey.

With that Shadow turned off the light and crawled under the covers with Heather who had taken a pillow into her arms and fell asleep. Shadow groaned as Heather rolled over in her sleep drooling on the poor Pokemon's head. He prodded to the bathroom, kicked open the door and looked out the window. The moonlight shown brightly through the curtain-less windows. He allowed his silver rings to flash on in the dark and take in the light.

Everyone slept peacefully that night. Shadow eventually prodded back into the room and slept by Heather, taking on more drool in the process.