13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 9 Serpentine Garden

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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