Pokémon: Leah's Journey {Rewrite}

Chapter 31: Mowing The Lawn With a Flamethrower

With Mildred being injured, Leah opted to help out her friend with moving her things into the room they rented. Her friend had just been discharged since there were no complications with the injury. All Mildred had to do was patiently wait for the injury to heal. Leah grabbed Mildred's backpack and made her way upstairs with her friend in tow, "I'm going to challenge Ramos today." Leah stated matter-of-factly, "I know-"

Mildred cut Leah off, "I understand that it means a lot to you if I show up and watch your battle, but I think I'm going to sit this one out."

Leah gave Mildred a thumbs up. She understood that Mildred was not taking her failed performance as well as she let on. Leah had never lost a Pokemon Showcase due to the fact that her first one was the only one she won. She had lost a few battles throughout her lifetime, but she's not sure if those are comparable to Mildred's woes. She saw Zayn, along with Gabriel and his two young daughters walk in the lobby and that was Leah's cue to get going, "I have to go fight Ramos. Hopefully you have a good day, Millie. We'll see you later."

Mildred nodded, "Have fun. Be sure to win for me."

"With my partners?" Leah smiled, "Ramos will be a walk in the park."

Mildred chuckled and watched Leah leave her side to join Zayn and her relatives. Leah was happy that her cousin decided to stop by at Coumarine City and watch her battle. She was talking so fast that neither Zayn nor Gabriel understood a word she was saying. The group left for the gym, leaving Mildred to her own devices. As they walked to the gym, Leah intertwined her hand in Zayn's hand. He smiled softly, "So who do you intend to battle with?"

"I was thinking of having Mrs. Cuddletails, Primadonna and Skalli take the lead with this one."

"Going with advantages? Smart." Gabriel chimed in.

Leah smiled sheepishly, "Yeah well I'm capable of being smart on occasions."

Zayn's expression changed rather quickly, his smile had been replaced with a frown. He absolutely hated it when Leah made self-deprecating comments like that. In his eyes, she's the smartest, prettiest girl he knows. He could make a list of how amazing she is. Leah did not notice his frown, she was looking at Gabriel's young daughters, Anne and Frederique, cheerfully running and laughing. Anne had Mrs. Cuddletails in her arms, the poor Vulpix looked visibly done with the child. Leah chuckled, "Anne, be gentle. Mrs. Cuddletails is not a toy."

"Sorry Leah!" Anne yelled cheerfully. Despite her yelling, she started playing more gently with Mrs. Cuddletails. She stuck her tongue out at Gabriel when he asked her to play more silently and to stop yelling.

Gabriel just looked at Leah helplessly, "How do you get them to listen to you?"

"I'm just that magical." Leah laughed as she twirled.

They eventually arrived at the gym. The arena was in a tree. It was literally in the part of the trunk where the branches spread out. There was also a garden and a library there that just baffled Leah. She was greeted by a rather elderly man. He seemed old enough to be her grandfather. The man caught on to her baffled expression, "So what'd yeh think, whippersnapper?"

"Oh, it's beautiful. I'm impressed that you managed to grow an entire garden inside of a tree." Leah admitted, "I did not come here to gawk at the plants however."

"No, I suppose yer not here to observe those gardens o' mine." The man stated, "I'd reckon yeh came all the way up here for a gym battle." Leah nodded and he smiled, "Yeh lookin' at the gym leader, sprout, Ramos's the name and I'll be yer opponent."

Ramos sent out his first Pokemon; Jumpluff. Leah revealed the first Pokemon she'll be using in this battle: Skalli. The elderly man observed the Growlithe curiously. He took in all of Skalli's unique features, "That's a curious lookin' Growlithe yeh got there, whippersnapper."