The Festival
The group made it down the mountain in record time. Ash and Gary waved goodbye to their new Pokemon friends who were reluctant to leave, before going inside to get ready. Cooper left to inform his boss about everything that happened on the trip, especially the baby Numel. Ash helped Gary put on his outfit for the festival while Gary helped Ash with the belt. Ash was wearing a blue kimono with a white obi that had red petals embroidered while Gary wore a kimono with a black haori and a grey nagagi.
Gary, 'Ash looks beautiful.'
Ash, 'Gary looks handsome.'
Pikachu and Eevee ran in to the room only to stop when they saw their partners. They could not help but think the two of them really looked good together. They ran up to them to nuzzle them affectionately and to show off their own costumes for the festival that the girls had dressed them up in.
Ash rubbed Pikachu's head, "Looking good Pikachu ~"
Gary scratched Eevee's chin, "You look wonderful Eevee."
Pikachu, -Thanks Ash! You look beautiful today.-
Eevee, -You look really handsome too and together both of you look really good.-
Ash blushed at what Eevee had said getting a curious look from Gary to which Ash explained what they said. Gary's cheeks got a little pink when he understood what Eevee told him and he hugged the little canine in return.
Gary nuzzled Eevee and whispered, "Thank you Eevee."
Ash grabbed the fan that was on the table before turning to Gary with cheeks still a little pink, "We should get going."
Gary smiled and opened the door, "After you~"
Ash giggled and walked out and waited for Gary to catch up after he locked the door. The two held hands as they left their room and went to join Axel who was waiting for them at the festival grounds. As they were walking, they heard a shout coming from the lab. Gary and Ash laughed hearing it, that type of shout were becoming pretty familiar now. They heard it back home, from the Professor, their parents and siblings sometimes.
Gary stopped laughing, "So any idea how the gifts are going to help us? Do we need to hold them while using our powers or something?"
Ash giggled, "Well! We could make something to hold them like a necklace or bracelet or a ring or headband. I would say wands but I have no idea how to make that."
Gary hummed, "Wands would be cool but we would need to make a holder of sorts to keep the wand, I think the ring idea would be best. Maybe we can make earrings out of the feather and crystal."
Ash nodded, "Matching earrings? That sounds really good."
Gary's cheeks tinted a little pink when he realized what he was saying but did not change his mind, "Yeah! You can have one while I have the other."
They reached the festival grounds as they made plans on how they wanted the earrings to look like. They stopped talking and looked around for Axel, Luke and Lisa. They found the three of them waving from the food stand signaling them to come over. Ash and Gary waved back and walked over to join the three trainers. Lisa was wearing a pink kimono with a black obi that had pink petals on it. While Luke and Axel were both wearing black Yukatas with grey sash.
Lisa looked them over, "You two look really good today."
Axel snickered, "You are really lucky to have such an adorable and pretty girl beside you, Gary."
Luke, "Don't make fun of them guys, but I agree you two look really cute."
Ash and Gary both blushed at the compliments they got. Gary wondered if he should correct them but decided not to. He knew if Ash wanted, he would correct the mistake himself. The three of them were taken by surprise when their pokemon let themselves out of their pokeballs on their own. At first, they were surprised then they got exasperated, this had been happening the whole time they were visiting the two kids on Cinnabar Island.
Lisa, "Girls!!!!! Boys!!!!!! Behave!"
Axel, "Machamp, Scyther, Azumaril, Ninetales, Totodile, Forrestress. No!"
Luke, "Not again, do you kids have attract on you or something?"
Gary laughed, "Oh sweet Mew, we do not."
Ash giggled, "We would have all the Pokemon after us otherwise."
Axel shook his head, "It's still a little freaky how the Pokemon seem to want to follow you around you know."
Ash pouted, "It's not our fault."
Luke pat his head, "We know kid."
Lisa took Ash's hand, "Well, let's check this festival out, shall we?"
Everyone shouted, "Yeah!"
The Pokemon followed them as they went from stall to stall looking at the items, buying food and playing games, one by one. The Pokemon enjoyed the food and the relaxed atmosphere while the trainers showed off their skills in the different games. At the end of it all, Ash had a Lucario plushie, Gary had a Dragonite plushie, Luke had a Psyduck plushie, Axel had a Forretress plushie and Lisa ended up with a Clefairy plushie. The three trainers had not planned on getting toys for themselves but Ash and Gary had insisted on sharing. They had already picked a Squirtle and Charmander plush toys for Green and Red.
The group then went towards the Pokemon stalls that sold different types of Pokefood and items. Aside from pokefood and recipes for it there were ribbons, toys, belts, potions and many such miscellaneous items being sold. Lisa decided to go to the stall selling ribbons with Ash and get some ribbons for herself and her Pokemon and maybe get the lovely silver coloured ribbon with pink hearts on it for Ash. She giggled thinking how adorable Ash would look with it. Her Pokemon looked around the stall finding items that caught their eye.
Raichu got a clip that had lightning design on it, while Wartotle got herself a blue ribbon with bubble decorations, Wigglytuff got a ankle belt that had white studs on it, Maganium got himself a ring with a leaf design at the end, Bellossom found a bracelet with leaves and Meowth found a black belt studded with spikes that he liked. Pikachu was helping Lisa choose a ribbon for Ash, they were debating between the silver ribbon with the pink hearts and the yellow ribbon with the red hearts.
Lisa, "You just want the yellow because it's your colour."
Pikachu, -Obviously.-
Lisa swore, she understood what the yellow mouse Pokemon was saying while Ash giggled and spoke up, "How about I get both of them? I can wear them on alternate days then."
Lisa smiled, "Of course Ash~ Here! I'll buy it for you."
Ash hurried after her, "You don't have to, Lisa, I can buy them myself."
Lisa stopped Ash from taking out his money, "I want to, please."
Ash quietly, "Okay! But only this alright. If I want other stuff, I'll get it myself."
Lisa smiled brightly, "Sure~"
While Ash and Lisa were in the accessory stall Axel and Luke took Gary with them to check out the poke food and potion stalls. Gary was looking at the different potions and Pokefood recipes with wide eyes and interest. Luke's Pokemon, Golduck, Graveler, Alakazam, Pidgeot, Venomoth and Charizard were enjoying some of the Pokefood that caught their attention. Axel's Pokemon were going through some of the potions with him and helping him decide which one to take.
Luke noticed Gary's interest, "Do you want to get some potions Gary?"
Gary shook his head, "Not the potion itself. I'm curious about the recipe actually."
Axel, "Recipe? For the potion?"
Gary nodded his head, "Yeah! Ash and I learned how to make a simple recovery potion before coming here. These look really complicated and interesting to learn about."
Luke brightened, "You are learning about potions? That's really cool."
A girl with green hair tied in a bun walked out and heard their conversation, "You are into potion making as well."
Gary smiled sheepishly, "A bit and only one potion so far."
Cassandra smiled, "That's amazing though! Oh, my name is Cassandra and welcome to my shop. I sell potions and remedies made with the help of my Paras and Parasects."
Axel, "Oh yeah! I have heard that the mushrooms parasect produces are actually rich in nutrients and useful ingredients in potion making."
Cassandra nodded, "Correct Sir! Would you be interested in buying some?"
Axel hummed, "Well, we are going to challenge Koga next and from what I heard he specializes in poison."
Cassandra nodded, "I know just what you need."
She went to the back of the shop and after rummaging through the boxes came back with three bottles.
Cassandra pointed out each one, "These are anti-poison, anti-stun spore and recovery potions."
Axel nodded, "That should help. I'll take them. Can I get two recovery potions actually?"
Cassandra, "Sure!"
Gary looked curiously, "Koga is the new Poison type Master, isn't he?"
Luke ruffled his hair, "You got that right kid."
Gary yelped before he fixed his hair again. He pouted at Luke who laughed at the cute expression, he could see why his Pokemon adored the kid a little. He was just too cute and very sweet unlike most of the kids he ran into.
Cassandra smiled at Axel, "Your brother is really cute and smart."
Axel smirked at Gary's blush, "I'm really lucky."
Axel then gave one of the recovery potion to Gary getting a confused look from him. He just wanted to cuddle and protect the kid at that point.
Gary, "What's this for?"
Axel, "You said you are learning about potions right? So take it, this bottle has the ingredients written on it."
Cassandra, "I believe in being transparent in business. That way the customers trust my product more."
Gary protested, "I can buy my own bottle, you don't need to get me one. Besides you guys already paid for the food and toys."
Luke smiled softly, "Just take it kiddo. Consider it a gift, yeah!"
Axel, "Listen to big brother, Gary!" (●ˇ∀ˇ●)
Luke laughed and led the group away after getting the stuff they wanted to meet with Lisa and Ash. Lisa and Ash were finishing up getting the things they wanted as well.
Diana the shop owner asked, "Would you like to add something else to the ribbons you are buying for your sister Miss?"
Lisa grinned brightly, "A pair of those Milotic clips for her, please!"
Ash spluttered, "Lisa, I told you, I can buy my own stuff." ≧///////≦
Diana giggled at the adorable sight, "The clips have a 50% discount, so with the ribbons and ankle and collars your total is 450 Poke dollars."
Ash, "450? I'll pay for my stuff Lisa."
Lisa, "Ah! But I already gave her the money! Welp! Time to go! Thanks Diana." ο(=•ω＜=)
They met the others half way through leaving Ash and Gary pouting at the fact they were tricked. However they would not let their friends go without getting then gifts either so they made plans to make them some gifts. The group and their Pokemon went towards the field where the bonfire would be lit signaling the end of the festival. Lisa took Ash and Gary to dance with her while Axel and Luke stayed behind taking pictures of them as they danced. They enjoyed the time together till the bonfire ended before the trainers led the kids back to the research lab where they were staying.
Axel, "I still can't believe you guys are staying here. I mean you told us before but you know."
Gary laughed, "I know, the Head here is not exactly into socialisation."
Luke, "I'm more surprised Professor Oak let you stay here by yourself."
Ash spoke up, "Cooper has been watching over us, so you don't need to worry."
Lisa, "We know that, but what can I say... We care about you kids."
Ash and Gary stopped at that and looked at each other before Ash spoke up, "You got your Marsh badge already right, Axel?"
Axel, "Yup, got it today in fact~"
Lisa, "I will get mine tomorrow. I finally figured out what the riddle meant."
Luke smirked, "Got mine the day I arrived."
Gary nodded, "Meet us tomorrow evening by the beach after the battle is over. We are having barbeque together."
Luke exclaimed excited, "Barbeque! It's been a long time since I had one!"
Ash, "You three have been training hard! A break to relax and wind down will be good don't you think?"
Lisa hugged Ash, "Best little sister ever!"
Ash blushed but hugged back before the two of them said goodbye to the three trainers and entered the research lab. It was a fun way to end the day and the festival was very much enjoyable.