Swanna Song, Sung Throughout Sinnoh

Conversion Therapy

I hope I'm not making a mistake... I just have to rotate my Pokemon more, Gary thought. It's my job! If Rob and Aly can, I can; and better! I can't fall behind. I can't depend on the same six. And who I do depend on, have to be dependable. Right.

He stared at the Gym building that was, while very tall, was even wider of a structure, the moss and vines and other kinds of plant life on it giving it a worn down look.

Electivire by his side, Gary crossed the astoundingly beautiful garden to get to the twin glass doors that slid open into glass walls, and the two stared in awe at the inside.

Cement lined the ends of the floor, tall grass and flowers taking up the rest of the ground! Some small patches had more explicitly beautiful flowers planted than the other areas. There were also towering trees everywhere, along with a couple of far smaller trees. The only thing visible in the garden that wasn't a plant was a white block off to the side that had a Poke Ball design on it, the top colored in red, the bottom uncolored. The drawing looked sloppy, the red out of the lines, as if it had been done by children.

Even a cactus stood amongst the plants! Oddly, atop the cactus was some kind of old, yellow, rocky crown.

All of these plants got sunlight from the open ceiling, but today was a more dreary day that looked like it could rain.

Gary and Electivire stepped inside, the doors smoothly sliding shut after them, and were greeted by a young, short woman with very smooth-looking skin that practically glowed. Gary wasn't sure if she was Black or Hispanic, but he knew beauty when he saw it.

"Hi! I'm Bane. Are you here for a battle against Gardenia at Eterna Gym?" she asked in a peppy voice.

"Yes! I'm Gary. I've come from Pallet Town, in the Kanto region, to challenge Gardenia for her Badge!" Gary spoke enthusiastically.

Bane nodded, her eyes closing and head tilting cutely. She pointed. "Then please take your place there. Gardenia is just tending to the garden and will be with you in a moment!" She cupped her hands around her mouth as she walked away. "GARDENIAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Gary and Electivire walked along the cement ground and Gary spotted a big square area of cement that was hidden by the towering blades of grass and flowers. It looked like it was for him to go to, and he assumed Gardenia had her own place opposite him, so he and Electivire went to it.

Little creatures were hiding amongst the grass and flowers, peeking out at them.

A Chikorita, Gary recognized, and smiled at it.

The Pokemon cried out and pulled its head back down, out of sight.

Other Pokemon scurried and slid away, including a bunch of eggs Gary knew was Exeggcute.

In the trees, a Weepinbell hung next to a Victreebel, both on their vine, staring right at him.

Gary smiled a little bigger. Nature is so beautiful, he acknowledged. Staring up into the sky, he saw birds flying, Pokemon or otherwise, he wasn't sure. His vision lowered as a person was seen walking through the field, and his eyes widened.

"Hey there! You must be the Gary and Electivire I was told about!" The woman had white hair with a pale-yellow coloring underneath it. Her hair was long, reaching far down her back. She looked very basic in the face to Gary, but a little pretty. She wore a green crop top, her flat stomach revealed. Her brown sweatpants had a black stripe on each side, and her feet were bare. She stopped at a particular spot.

Is this Gardenia? She's like a hippie, Gary told himself. He stared at her stomach. A hot hippie. Or... He now stared at her face. She's just cute. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "HI!" Gary let out, realizing he hadn't responded to her. "I'm Gary!" He swallowed. She knew that already, he reminded himself.