The Rosebud Condition

09 | Rivals?

Floaroma Town came into view around noon time. The scent of the flowers drifted past the two trainers and their Pokemon long before they reached the entrance to the town. Many people greeted Rose as she passed by. They had known her for a long time after all. They had watched her grow up from the moment she moved to the small town. 

Rose waved at the town's folk before she approached a cheerful looking shop called The Flower Shop. A Cherrim danced outside, greeting guests. She cried gleefully when Rose approached her. It was one of her mother's Pokemon. She had healed her to health after Rose's mother found her injured at the bottom of the tree next to their house. She was so scared but her mother was kind and the Grass Type grew to love Evelyn quickly. 

The little bell, shaped like a Bronzong, chimed lightly as Rose opened the shop doors and the powerful scent of flowers embraced the two trainers and their Pokemon. 

An older looking Rose, her mother, was hard at work arranging flowers and making her customers happy as she could. 

"Mom." Rose giggled as her mother jumped from surprise. 

She glanced at Chikorita and then to Cameron and Liepard. "Already making friends?" She sounded relieved and then turned to Chikorita. "He seems to already be friendly too. I'm confident in you, my sweet Rosebud. Have fun out there."

"Thank you, mom," Rose said, getting kissed on the forehead. "I'm going to pick up my other Pokemon and be on my way."

"You mean these?" Her mother placed her Pokeballs in Rose's hands. 

Rose smiled in thanks and waved one last time to her mother as she walked out of the house and back outside. 

"Where to?" Cameron asked, watching Rose study her map.

She smiled confidently, clicking the top shut. "Alamos Town, for the opening of this season's Pokemon Coordination Contests!" 

Cameron looked off thoughtfully. "Home of the Space- Time Tower. It represents the two legendary Pokemon; Palkia and Dialga. The tower is also known to be the largest instrument in the entire world. One of the seven wonders of Sinnoh."

"You know a lot about Sinnoh!" Rose's eyes gleamed.

"I did live here for a long time," Cameron commented.

Rose nodded her head happily and the two of them headed off for the opening ceremony. 

"According to this article online, the actual Pokemon Contest Competition doesn't start until two days from now so I have time to practice and tune up my Pokemon's routine." Rose looked up from her phone while they headed back to Jubilife. 

Cameron's hands were shoved in his pockets. "Oh, so you already had a routine planned out."

"Yeah, it's good to be prepared. Though I will be honest, it's my first time." Rose laughed nervously. 

"I believe in you," Cameron said flashing Rose a soft smile.

"Thank you, Cameron," Rose said, grinning and turning to her new Pokemon. "I think it's time you met the rest of the family Chikorita."

Chikorita blinked in response as Rose threw the three Pokeballs in her hands into the air. The bright lights dazzled Chikorita as he watched three Pokemon he had never seen before appear in front of him. 

Cameron was also surprised with the Pokemon Rose had with her. "How did you manage to get those Pokemon?" 

"I moved around a lot as a kid, so it wasn't that hard to come by them," Rose mumbled. "Oricorio is my very first Pokemon."