A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 50 - Grin to Win!

On their way to Azalea Town, Emma and her friends were walking on a path between the trees. But as they continued to walking, they found out they had run out of water. "I'm dying of thirst," Ash said as he took Togepi into his arms.

Emma pulled out her canteen from her backpack but it was empty. "There's not even a drop left for Togepi," she said. "Togy, Togey," the Egg Pokémon said tiredly. Ash looked from Togepi to Brock, who was looking at their guidebook, "How far is it to the next town, Brock?"

"Well, according to this, we're not far from a place called Bloomingvale," Brock answered. Ash sighed, "How far's not far?" Suddenly they spotted a water pipe running along the side of the path has sprung a leak. "Water!" Ash said.

"Is that real, or is it a mirage?" Misty asked. Then, a young, green haired woman stepped up to the pipe with a large wrench and started to tighten it, sealing the leak from which the water is pumping. Emma and her friends walked closer.

"Excuse me, miss," Ash said and the woman looked at them, "Is it okay if we take a drink from that pipe?"

"We're really thirsty," Emma said. The woman smiled at them, "Sure, it's okay with me." Brock stepped closer, "Oh kind miss, I can't begin to express my gratitude! But, perhaps, if I had your e-mail address or beeper number, we could arrange to meet sometime and--"

Misty cut him off by grabbing him by the ear and pulling him away, "She's not going to give you water if she thinks you're all wet!" Togepi laughed, "Togy. Togy."

The young woman started to fill the kids' canteens with water, and the Pikachu and Togepi started to drink. "Thanks a lot," Emma said, "My name's Emma, and those are my friends, Ash, Misty and Brock."

"My name's Sonrisa," the young woman said, "Nice to meet you. That should do it." Sonrisa set the pipe back into place and prepared to use the wrench to tighten it, but not before Brock intervened, "Hold it there, Sonrisa! I can't allow those dainty digits of yours to become calloused! Allow me to perform this rough, physical task for you!"

Suddenly, the pipe spring a leak and spray water in Brock's face. He blushed and chuckled, "I usually have a very dry sense of humor, but not today." Sonrisa chuckled, "You're very funny, Brock." Misty sighed and shook her head.

**

Sonrisa had took Emma and her friends to her town, Bloomingvale, and leaded them to her house. "Bloomingvale seems really nice," Ash said. "I love it," Sonrisa said, "The sun shines almost every single day. The weather's perfect for raising my favorite Pokémon."

Sonrisa stopped in front of her place, "Well, here we are." Emma and her friends looked at the house. "Pretty place you've got here," Brock complimented. Misty smiled as she pointed at the greenhouse next to the house, "And look, a greenhouse!"

They walked on the grass and Sonrisa opened a hatch, turning a faucet and got the sprinklers going. "Is that from your own water supply, Sonrisa?" Emma asked. Sonrisa nodded, "Uh huh. I built my own system of pipes that bring pure water down from the mountains." She turned to the greenhouse and called out, "Okay! Time for your daily sprinkle!"

Then, trio of walking sunflower creatures came out, but one looked more sad than the other two. "What are they?" Ash asked. "Are those Sunflora?" Brock asked, as two of the Sunflora happily dance in the sprinklers, but the third one didn't.

Sunflora is a plant Pokémon with a sunflower-like design. Its trunk and limbs are green, and its head is cream-colored. Its head is circular and has yellow petals growing along the rim. The petals become more vivid as the weather becomes warmer. Sunflora has leaves extending like arms from its round body and two toes on each foot.