A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 40 - Flower Power

Emma and her friends had finally made it out of the woods, and stopped at a railing, and look out over the horizon to spot a city. Ash smiled, "Hey! A real city!" Emma smiled, "Finally, we're out of the woods and back in civilization."

"Yep. That's Florando," Brock said. "Maybe we can relax and do some sightseeing while we're here!" Misty said in excitement. Brock placed his hands on his hips, "Misty, I can't relax in a city full of girls who need to be protected."

Misty rolled her eyes, "Protected from you." Ash ignored them and looked at Emma, "What are we waiting for? Let's see the sights!" The Pikachu smiled, "Pika-chu." Emma nodded, "Let's go!" She pulled out a Poké ball, "But before we do that... Come on out!" She threw it and released Sneasel.

"Sneasel?" Misty asked. "It's been a while since Sneasel saw a city, so I figured why not let it out to enjoy it for a bit," Emma said. "Good idea," Brock said. "What you say, Sneasel? Let's go see the city," Emma said. Sneasel nodded, "Sneasel!" The group walked down the path to the city.

**

The group had entered Florando, and were looking around. Sneasel and the Pikachu were walking together. "Wow. There's so much to see," Ash said. "Reminds me of HopHopHop Town in a way," Emma said. "What do you guys think we should do first?" Misty asked. Before anyone could say anything, a girl their age ran closer with flyers. "Check out the Pokémon Exhibition," she said and handed a flyer to Ash.

"What's a Pokémon Exhibition?" Ash asked. "A Pokémon Exhibition is a giant outdoor Pokémon entertainment festival," the girl explained, "Every year, trainers and Pokémon from around the world come here to put on Pokémon put on shows. It's what Folando's famous for."

"Hey," Misty said happily. "We heard about the Florando Pokémon Exhibition in the last issue of Pokémon Trainer Monthly," Brock said with a smile. "Thanks," Emma said and the girl walked away.

"Come on, guys, let's go see some real entertainment," Brock said as he pulled on Ash, dragging him away. "H--Hey!" Ash said in surprise. Emma and Misty exchanged a look and a shrug before following with the Pikachu and Sneasel.

The group got to the park and saw many people around. They heard cheering around a large stage as trainers have their Pokémon do tricks, such as a Flareon jumping through a ring of fire, and Oddish balancing on an Electrode, some Mankey dancing with their trainer, an Alakazam bending a large spoon, and some water Pokémon creating a fountain for the crowd to marvel at, impressing the kids, Togepi, the Pikachu and Sneasel.

"Wow. That's cool," Ash said. Emma and Ash turned their heads as they heard more cheers, this time from a pair of Bellossom leaping and dancing. "Hey, those are Bellossom," Emma said. "Want to get a closer look?" Ash asked, and Emma nodded. "Yeah," she said. "Come on then," he said and Emma took his hand, and pulled him toward the crowd, with the rest of their friends following.

They walked to the front and saw the Bellossoms' trainer, keeping the tempo as the Bellossom performed. "They're just like gymnasts," Misty said. "Yeah, that girl has done a really good job of training them, hasn't she?" Brock asked. "Yeah," Emma agreed.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, our gravity-defying grand finale!" the girl said. Both Bellossom get into position and the girl turned to them with a smile, "Now just stay relaxed and we'll get it this time." Both Bellossom nodded as they agreed. "Go!"

One Bellossom ran toward the other, and the second one gave the first one a boost. "Bell-oop-de-Loop!" the girl said. However, something went wrong as the one in the air closed its eyes and just went it about to land on the hard floor, Sneasel caught it, "Sneasel!"

"Nice catch, Sneasel," Emma said as the girl and the other Bellossom ran closer. "Thank you, Sneasel," the girl said and Sneasel held up the sad Bellossom, "Sneasel." The girl took it, "You were in the right place at the right time for us."