Jhoto

After healing the Pokemon Ash and the group decided on sticking around a bit to give the Pokemon a treat. Mahogany town was known for it's ice cream based desserts and there were many options for Pokemon, even the Fire types to choose from. Cyndaquill and Magmar enjoyed the tomato berry flavoured ice cream, a very odd flavour in Ash's opinion but it his Pokemon enjoyed it, who was he to say no. Lucario just like Ash enjoyed the strawberry and chocolate ice cream with strawberry toppings on top. Shuckle didn't seem to have any sort of favourites while Annihilape prefered the Popsicles more than the bowl ice creams.

Lapras enjoyed the milk ice cream with coconut shavings on top and Bayleef was quite obsessed with the rainbow ice cream with different berry flavors. Pikachu enjoyed the sour mango ice cream, Ash didn't even know they made ice cream from sour fruits while Eevee, Abra and Absol prefered milk ice cream with chocolate chips. Tyrantrum and Croconaw, on the other hand enjoyed the rocky road ice cream, Ash suspects he loved the crunch if his snickering is anything to go by. All in all his Pokemon were happy and enjoying the cool treat after the Gym battles, that's all that mattered to him.

Max, "Pokemon never fail to amaze me."

Casey, "Yeah, you would think that after their battles in a cold environment they would avoid cold treat."

Brock chuckled, "I know what you mean, but that's Pokemon for you. They bounce back very fast."

Gou, "Easy Grookey, not so fast. You'll end up with brain freeze. I'm just happy they are happy."

Ash's eyes softened, "Yeah, me too."

It was not just his Pokemon enjoying the cold treats, but the others too. They left Mahogany town after relaxing for a day and headed to their next destination which was Blackthorn City. Ash would get his final badge from there and then focus on the Grand Festival and Silver Conference, depending on which one is held first. From what he saw in Hotnews there was no official date confirmed for either Festivals, something about not having decided on location and security of the said location.

Gou, "I'm surprised you are not taking part in the tournament though Casey."

Casey, "That's because I'm challenge the Elite Four instead."

Ash, "Huh? They accepted your challenge? Great job, Casey. Told you, you could do it."

Casey beamed, "Thanks Ash. I have been eyeing the seat for the fourth Elite for a while now. Of course, there's gonna be other challengers too, so it won't be easy. But I'm giving it my all."

Brock, "Just remember to stay calm and keep your Pokemon's status, health and conditions in mind. You'll do fine. The Elite Four do more than watch your battle, they also observe your seriousness as a trainer."

Casey, "Yeah, but first I have to clear the written exams." TAT

Max, "That's to be exact though, right? Like not only are they in charge of security, they also have to deal with politics."

Casey grumped, "You'd think after becoming a trainer you would not have to worry about studying the stuff from school anymore."

Ash laughed, "That's only if you stick to being a lower level trainer. If you want to be a high level trainer you will need more clearance including higher education."

Casey sighed, "Guess I should get books on geo politics, civics, etc, etc."

Max, "We could get them in the next town, it's called Rose town. It's where Professor Steven works from."

Brock, "He specializes in the Oddish line and works together with Erika from Celadon City."

Ash, "I think Erika mentioned him once during one of the meetings. She suggested we should go meet him."

Gou, "Then we should definitely go."

Plans made they started to head to Rose town, known for it's large Oddish population and two evolution lines. The town was very well known for the Vileplume and Bellossom lines, the people and Pokemon living together in harmony. After traveling for two days they reached the lovely town and everywhere they looked they could see flowers blooming. On the walls, the balconies, the gardens, the parks and especially the surrounding forest East side of Rose town.

Brock, "Did you notice?"

Gou nodded, "These are local flowers, aren't they?"

Casey, "Yeah, that's to be expected, look at the Bellossoms dancing. I am so calling my Bellossom over."

Max, "Pokemon center?"

Ash smiled, "Pokemon center."

They booked two nights at the Pokemon center, as they planned on getting books that were necessary for Casey. That would take some time, from researching which ones were needed and which were relevant to the current exams. In the meantime they went to visit Professor Steven who greeted them happily welcoming them to his town. In Ash's opinion, the man was very bright and positive in nature and took good care of the Pokemon who lived near his research area.

Ash, "Erika was not joking when she said you knew your stuff."

Steven smiled, "How is she doing?"

Ash "She's doing well, though I think she would like to work with you again. Unfortunately though, her duties towards her Gym and City does not give her much free time."

Steven, "Ah, that's understandable. I would have loved to work more with her but my responsibility here."

Casey pat his back, "Don't worry Professor, I'm sure you will figure something out."

Steven laughed, "Thank you kids. Now, did you get the books you were looking for?"

Casey, "Yeah, there are more books than I had thought."

Brock pat her back, "Well, you know what they say. Despite the pain, some things are worth the effort."

Max, "True true."

Gou, "Hey where are the Gloom going?"

Steven, "It's almost time for the wind to blow and for them to evolve."

Brock, "How does that work?"

Steven, "See that mountain there. It has cavern systems rich in Leaf stones and Sun stones. When the wind comes through the caverns they carry fragments of the stones with it, depending on which direction they come from. Leaf stones are on the West side while Sun stones are on the East side."

Gou, "Really? That's amazing."

Ash, "Can we watch?"

Steven, "Of course, in fact you are very lucky to have come this week. This is when Gloom from all over the continent gather here. Well, unless said Gloom has a trainer, then it's not necessary but wild Gloom however... Look here they come."

Max, "Wao! There's so many of them."

Gou had an idea then, "One sec, I'll get my Glooms too. Professor Sakuragi, hi, it's me. We are in Rose town. Yes, that Rose town. I was wondering if, I could have my Glooms sent. Thanks Professor."

Brock, "Are those albino and shiny Gloom?"

Steven, "Yes, yes, they are. It'll be interesting to see what they evolve into."

Gou, "Alright my Pokemon are here. Come out Gloom, join your buddies."

A shiny and a normal looking Gloom appeared and looked around curiously, perking up when they saw the hoards of Gloom. The Gloom were chattering telling them about the great winds which would blow soon. The shiny Gloom joined one side and the normal one joined the other and then a gust of wind came rustling the tree. Ash looked around and Lucario nudged him to check with his aura, the breeze was rich in the aura of evolution stones. When Ash sent some aura to his eyes he couldn't help but marvel at the sight of bright green and yellow aura floating in the wind like sparkles.

Ash, "This is beautiful."

Casey, "Yeah, they look so cute and adorable."

Max was busy recording on his phone, "This is so awesome. May is gonna love this."

Brock, "Now that's a sight."

Gou bent down to hug his shiny Vileplume and Bellossom, "Congratulations you two, looking good."

Vileplume, "Vileeeeee."

Bellossom, "Bell bella."

Lucario, -And here I thought only the Venasaur line gathered in groups.-

Abra, -Does this mean certain grass types do it too?-

Kirlia, -Something to think about.-

The group stayed for the festival, the little town held to celebrate the new evolutions joining them. They left after getting the books and advice from the Professor on which topics to keep in mind. As they were traveling through a mountainous area they ran into a bit of trouble on the road. A giant Magcargo was blocking the road. Now Ash had seen his share of giant Pokemon, heck some of his own Pokemon were bigger than normal and not to forget the Tentacruel and Dragonite back from Kanto... But it was still impressive to see other largerr than normal Pokemon, especially in the wild.

Gou, "I'm gonna catch it. I don't have a Magcargo yet."

Casey, "Sure, I have a Slugma already."

Ash, "I'm good with the Pokemon I have, maybe in the future?"

Max, "Limit."

Brock, "Not interested at the moment."

Gou, "Let's go Cinderace."

Cinderace, "Ace."

"Not so fast. I saw that Magcargo first."

Casey raised an eyebrow, "And who are you?"

A dark red haired teen stood in front of them, "Who am I? I am Egan, Jhoto's next Fire type Master and Elite Four member."

Casey narrowed her eyes, "Oh, are you now?"

Egan looked at her, "Yes, I am. Are you planning on challenging the Elite Four for the seat too? Well you'll have to go through me first."

Gou looked at Cinderace who was annoyed at being interrupted, "Cinderace use flame charge."

Cinderace grinned at him and attacked Magcargo while the teen squawked at him in anger. Cinderace and Gou's decided to ignore him and focus on Magcargo who had woken up now and focused on them. Next to the large Magcargo was another one who looked just as annoyed at the interruption. Looks like they were resting, but they should really rest somewhere that's not a well used road. That's just asking to be attacked and caught by a trainer unless they were confidant in their strength.

Ash, "What do you know?"

Max, "You both get a Magcargo."

Brock, "That is if you can capture them."

Egan, "Of course I can. Let's go Flareon."

Flareon, "On."

Eevee, "Vui."

Ash smiled, "That's one of your Eeveelutions buddy. Majestic, aren't they?"

Egan hearing it puffed his chest up, "My Flareon is the best Eeveelution out there. Come on girl, let's catch us a Magcargo."

Gou, "Mud shot, Cinderace."

Magcargo hissed on being attacked by mud, she hated the feeling of wet mud on her shell, it left her feeling icky. Egan noticing the ground type attack was effective called for mud slap to be used on the Magcargo. Eevee watched the battle as both Cinderace and Flareon decided to work together to defeat the Magcargo. It took a while but half way through the battle Gou and Egan started to work together to catch the Magcargo.

Egan, "You aren't so bad."

Gou smirked, "Neither are you."

Egan, "I better get going. I will have to train a lot in order to battle, win and get my Elite Four seat."

Casey, "I won't make it easy for you."

Egan, "You're on, woman. See ya around."

Ash chuckled, "Looks like you have quite the firey rival Casey."

Casey grinned, "I am kinda excited to battle him. He's good from what I saw."

Brock, "And very quick when it comes to adjusting and compromising. He will be a powerful trainer to beat."

Max, "I think he's cool."

Breloom, "Loom."

Lucario, -Meema there's a nice opening over by that valley. Absol checked the place out while the battle was going on.-

Absol puffed up, "Sol."

Ash smiled patting Absol's head, "Good job pup. I'm very greatful."

Eevee, "Vui."

Abra pouted, -Meema let's us train in battle soon. I know, I know, Nurse Joy told us we need to grow a bit more but what about some of the easier moves?-

Ash chuckled, "Alright, alright, Brock, what do you think?"

Brock, "Mmmm... We can go through a few moves. Especially the beginner level ones, it should be fine."

Abra, -Yay.-

Eevee, "Vui."

Absol, "Sol."

Max, "Sorry Houndour but you will have to increase your stamina first, so no fire moves till then ok? Don't worry, I know you can do it."

Houndour barked, "Dourrrr!"

[A. N.: Monsoon is coming down hard here. And I saw the tornado in China on the news.

Sweet macaroons! I was not expecting that after returning from my trip.]