The next morning was cool, and a gentle breeze whisked through mine and Kari's hair as we cruised at a leisurely pace on Miraidon's back. It was finally time to head to Artazon, and face the first of ALL eight Gym Leaders: Brassius! "Do you see anything?" Kari asked, looking around as I kept my eyes ahead. "Not yet, but we SHOULD be upon the city any moment now. You remember what we're looking for?" "I think so. Could you remind me again to make sure?" "We're looking for the windmill at the center of the city. It's really tall, and therefore easy to spot." I replied, looking around when I saw the great blades of an old fashioned windmill, and I pointed ahead as I exclaimed, "Look! Kari! We're here!" "Woooohoooo!" Kari cheered as I had Miraidon speed ahead, like Professor Turo had quickly explained early this morning about Miraidon's sudden power up from Arven's sandwich. Once we reached the Pokémon center outside the city, I skidded to a halt, helped Kari off, and recalled Miraidon before walking into the city. We were taken aback by all the lovely, colorful gardens in the lower most plaza; a haven for grass types like Chessnaught where I'M from. "Ooooohhhhh, lookie! I wonder what's up there on the platform!" "Probably just the base of the windmill? Come, Kari! Let's explore a little before heading to the Gym." I said, taking Kari's arm and walking up the steps. Once we got to the central plaza, we were greeted with colorful bursts planted here and there, and odd statue structures behind plaques and rainbow colored tiles on the ground! We were amazed by the beauty around us; PERFECT to describe ANY Grass Type trainer or Pokémon. I let go of Kari's arm, and approached a flower statue in a pot, observing it from it's vibrant yellow petals, to the end of the stem of which the head of the bloom sat upon as I wondered what the purpose was for it's making. At some point Kari must've followed, as I heard her voice suddenly pip, "A Sunflora? But.... Why does it look so sullen? Sunflora are chipper, and happy ALL the time!" "Maybe it's remembered something sad; a close friend that's long since passed, perhaps?" I replied, tracing my finger along the face of the statue before looking up at Kari. "Wait... Did you just call this statue a "Sunflora"?" "That's what it depicts! Don't tell me you've never seen a Sunflora before." Kari replied, crossing her arms over her chest as she crossed her legs. "N-No, I haven't... Care to tell me?" I asked, and Kari sighed as she explained, "It evolves from a tiny little Grass Type Pokémon called "Sunkern". It's black with yellow stripes, beady little eyes, and notably has two little leaves on it's head! Here's my Pokédex. Feel free to give yourself a proper look at the Pokémon that live in Paldea!" I took Kari's phone in hand, and I scrolled through the impressive amount of Pokémon she had registered; some of them vaguely familiar as I cried in astonishment, "WOW! It looks like you're a smidgen way from completing the Pokédex!" "Hehe! Not quite. I'm missing a few more entries, and this little adventure ole Clavell has us is REALLY going to help! Mr. Jacq will be most pleased when I present him a completed Pokédex for his research purposes." Kari said pridefully. "Woah.... I've never been a trainer before until now, so I never HAD a Pokédex! I wish I started collecting and training back in Kalos...." I replied sulkily, looking on at the saddened Sunflora before us in thought. "Is something on your mind?" Kari asked, kneeling beside me in concern as I sighed, "Oh, it's not gonna change anything; being so low about it." "But it might help by TALKING about it." Kari countered, placing a reassuring hand upon my back gently. I sighed again, and explained, "When I was little, REAL little, my dad and mom broke off their marriage.... I didn't know it, but my father was always absent, and my mother couldn't take it anymore! I was raised in Laverre city by my mom for YEARS, but as village like and rustic as it was, a city was STILL a city; too expensive for my mother to keep up with while juggling myself." "So you moved to Paldea? My.... That's rather disheartening to hear...." Kari replied, her gaze becoming saddened. "I never really had friends there anyway.... See, my mom wasn't born in Kalos, so I was fair game for bullying....." "But you were, no? Why would they bully you for your mixed heritage?" "Because it's "MIXED"! I have the best of two worlds, and they're so narrow minded and prideful in themselves that they may as well be the only ones that exist." "But is that not patriotic? That's like going to Kanto and being half Hoennian just to feel left out because some people are proud of where they were born. Some may be TOO patriotic for their own good, but those are ones that lack wisdom and transparency! You needn't worry about that because it means you're just more, what's it called? Culturally diverse?" Kari asked, racking her brains for what to say. "Yeah... "Culturally diverse"... Let's just say that..." I replied, pulling my knees to my chest. "There's nothing to be ashamed of, Spirit. You were made to be you, which is the most perfect kind of person on this earth no matter how many absentee fathers, bullies, or moves comes your way! Your mother is quite strong herself, you know, not giving up during her worst times. Almost like a Shield-maiden herself! Valhalla has a wonderful place for her to reside when it's her time." Kari replied, attempting to reassure me. "Well I don't know if she believes in "Valhalla", but thank you." I said, smiling as she simply giggled. She helped me off the ground, and looked around once more before asking, "So, which one of your little cuties are going against Brassius?" "Well it can't be River, all his attacks will get absorbed! Hmmm...." I held up two of my small party in my hand, and held them up for Kari to choose as I explained, "Whithin these Pokéballs in my hand sits Ruby, my Fletchling, and my sweet Buttercup; a Spewpa, Which one do you think is who? Mind though, whichever your hand lands on first is who I'll throw out at the start." Observing the balls in my hand, and placing a thoughtful finger to her lip, Kari placed her right hand atop the ball in my left as she guessed, "Buttercup?" I called out my Pokémon to see if she was right, but instead of a Spewpa before us, there was a Fletchling instead: my beloved Ruby. "Ruby's a fine choice as well, and if your lucky, she might even evolve soon!" "I had better odds evolving Buttercup quicker than my others. She's bound to be a Vivillon before Ruby becomes a Fletchinder!" I laughed as Ruby leapt off the ground, and glided her way onto my arm. A rustling noise came from Kari's backpack, and it wasn't long until we spotted Hálogi crawling his way onto his Trainer's arm like a small child. "Haha! Do you wish to walk with me, my passionate fighter?" Kari asked, holding her arm out for Hálogi to balance on as he cried excitedly, "Fue! Cococo!" We both laughed at his little response, and Kari wished me good luck before setting her Fuecoco on the ground, and strolling away with a graceful glide in her steps. "Alright Ruby, let's stretch your wings, and find us Brassius's Gym!" I said, and Ruby squawked with glee before doing a couple corkscrews in the air. It wasn't relatively difficult to find the Gym, thanks to the image Nemona gave me, and I took a deep breath before walking through the double mechanical doors before me. "H-Hello? I-I'm here to battle Brassius!" I announced. "Oh! Hey, Spirit!" A familiar voice called, catching me off gaurd as I looked around the room for who called my name, and I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it was Nemona! "H-Hey! I didn't expect to see you here, Nemona!" I replied as she ran up to me ecstatically. "So you came to see the Gym after all? That could only mean.... You're looking to collect all eight badges and take on the League, aren't you!?" She asked, putting her hands together, and a wildly excited look gleaming in her amber eyes as I simply smiled, and replied, "How'd you guess?" "YESSSSS! I KNEW IT! I'm SO glad I asked you to do it!" "I'm glad to have obliged. The road thus far has been quite fun! But.... Now that I'm here, could you explain to me EXACTLY what needs to be set up before battling the Gym Leader of Artazon?" "Sure! What you need to do is-" and I sat through her explanation, keeping mental notes on how to sign up, and what exactly needs doing before going and facing Brassius for the first time. "Oh! Here, you can have these. Just a little gift for deciding to take on the Gyms and all." Nemona said, handing me three Super Potions. "A-Ah! Thank you, Nemona, I forgot to grab some from the Poké Center-Mart thingie." I replied sheepishly, tucking the medicine away into my backpack as she said, "Awww, don't sweat it. I'm SO glad you're looking to become champion too! That's, like, the best news EVER!" "I'm glad that it makes you happy, Nemona." I replied, smiling my biggest. She did a happy jig before exclaiming, "Ahhhh! I'm so excited, I can hardly stand still right now! Guess I'm off to battle every trainer I run into. Good luck, Spirit!" She ran off through the doors before I could thank her, and I turned my attention back to the lady at the front desk as I gathered enough courage to step forward. "E-Excuse me ma'am," I stammered, "I-I'm Spirit. I-I came to battle the Gym Leader of Artazon!" "Alrighty, let me just get you signed up and registered right quick." The lady staffer replied, tapping away on her keyboard. "Alright, you're all signed up! Now what you wanna do is go to the front side of the Gym and to your left where the Sunflora yard is, and the staffer there will tell what needs to be done next hon." she instructed, and I quickly thanked her before leaving through the doors; prehaps as quick as Nemona did because in my mind wrapped state I unintentionally bumped into someone! "O-Oh! My, I'm sorry!" I said to another girl as she regained her balance from the knockback. "Watch where you're going! The nerve...." she replied snarkily, dusting herself off before walking on by me with a glare, and making my shoulders hunch in embarrassment. Where was Kari when I needed her?! I slunked my way over towards a sign with a Sunflora on it, hoping it was the right place as I asked, "H-Hello? Is anyone there?" "SHHHHH!" a loud hiss came from behind, startling me as I muffled a yelp coming from my lips. It was another staffer, and she turned to check up on something before meeting me eye to eye. "The Sunflora are resting now. Let's talk where we won't disturb them!" She instructed. I nodded, and followed her to the side of the fenced area as she asked, "Here to take on the Gym Challenge, I presume?" "Y-Yes! A-Are you the staffer I came to see? Am I going to take care of your Sunflora?" I asked, looking back out at the sleeping flowers in the fenced in yard. "Oh no, they're not mine. They're our inspiration for most of the artistic designs you see in Artazon, and so we as a collective love them dearly. As for taking care of them- it's not QUITE like that!" "No?" "No, you gotta gather them up and bring 'em back to me here. We call it, "Sunflora Hide and Seek"!" "Wh-Wha?!" I gasped, not expecting to be rounding up Pokémon at my first Gym. "Fun, huh? Ten of our Sunflora are going to hide somewhere in Artazon. It's up to YOU to find all of them!" "T-TEN?!" I yelped, and the staffer quickly threw her hand over my mouth again, and shushed loudly before checking to see if I had stirred any of the sleeping Pokémon. Once she was certain they were sleeping, she turned back to me, and continued, "Take your time trying to find them all..... Good luck!" And she blew the whistle around her neck as she signaled for the Sunflora to take off! "AH! W-WAIT!" I called, running after a couple of the Sunflora I managed to keep up with as the ducked, hopped, slid, and eventually hid. "GAHHHHHHHH! THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!" I growled to myself, trying to think up of places to look. Artazon may've looked huge, but in actuality it was mostly just picturesque gardens and statues. I decided to look around the right side of the city: Through Alley ways, inside of buildings, and searched the flower beds until I found some sign of the troublesome ten. "Grrrrr! Not even a SINGLE petal?! This is outrageous." I grumbled, scouring about the ground for clues when I heard a trumpet's call in the form of a Pokémon cry. "Suuuuuunnnnnnfaaaaaaa?" I heard the creature squeak, and there it was in my peripheral.... The golden petals, and flowing jig of a Sunflora! I slowly turned my head, and held my breath; afraid that even a sigh would scare it off as I tip toed slowly toward the beauty. Once I was right behind it, I reached out my hand, and booped it on the top of it's floral head as I exclaimed, "Gotcha!" "Sunfaaa?! Floraaaahhhh!" It cried, seemingly irritated that I had found it as it kicked lightly at the ground. I giggled, and said, "Come! We've gotta find your pals so you're not lonely, okay?" I kneeled down as it tilted it's head curiously, and I pat it again which made it dance happily in response. So now it was myself and one Sunflora combing through Artazon in search of the nine that remain, and while we did, we ended up running into three more, and battling one until it decided to come with me. That made half, and it got more challenging as I looked around a kiddie structure, found another, and started to make my way towards the bridges over small ponds. "Hi, Hi!" I heard Kari say, and a rush of footsteps was heard as I turned to see her running towards me. She slowed to a stop in shock, then laughed as she teased, "Well aren't YOU popular?" "Eh?" I asked, not really getting it until I remembered that I was up to my hips with Sunflora. "OH! No, no, I'm just playing Hide and seek.... And unfortunately, I'm the seeker...." I replied, rubbing my head awkwardly as the six I found circled around Kari happily. "Awww! Aren't you all just wonderful?" She cooed, kneeling, and gentle placing her head against one of the heads of the Sunflora I had gathered before purring and clicking. "Is this all of them?" Kari asked, picking the one she kneeled for up in her arms as I sighed, "All of them that I can find. There's ten total, and right now I'm at six!" "That shouldn't be too difficult. Here! I'll help you look!" Kari offered, grinning from ear to ear. "B-But I feel like that's cheating!" I exclaimed, covering my mouth in shock. Kari shrugged, and said bluntly, "If my friend needs aid, they get it wether they ask for it or decline. Such is the way of my clan!" I sighed, knowing that there was no way I was going to change her mind, I reluctantly accepted her offer, and the two of us went to my original spot to look. "I spy TWO Sunflora with my eye. I'll get them!" Kari exclaimed, and before I could stop her, she ran with impressive speed and reflexes that I've EVER seen in a human being! She flipped over the rails gracefully, and practically glided over the wood of the bridges, capturing the off gaurd Sunflora in no time at all, leaving my mouth agape as she brought them back. "I wonder how you think a Bug Type tastes?" she teased again, and I quickly shook myself out of my awe as I asked, "How did you-?" "It's easy when you've been raised to run with Lycanroc, and climb with Beartic. It's REALLY fun!" Kari explained as she gently pushed the two towards me. "Heh! That's pretty dandy if you ask me. My mom would FREAK if she saw me doing that!" "I wouldn't recommend it either if you've never been trained. It's no cakewalk, and you're still rough around the edges; not to offend, of course!" Kari replied, closing her eyes in thought. Embarrassed, I looked down at my feet before ushering her, and the Sunflora away from the pond area to search for the remaining two. "There's one place I didn't look, and to be honest, I don't WANT to..." I said, stopping at the entrance of a hedge. Kari stopped beside me, a smile on her face and twinkle in her eye as she exclaimed, "A MAZE! Oooohhh my sisters and brothers LOVE playing in maze-like structures with me! Every afternoon we found a cave to take over; abandoned I assure, and we would go and see what treasures were within before running amok through the tunnels." "But don't you worry about getting lost?" I asked, concerned. "We have a tracking technique that allows us to find our ways back. In this case, though, I feel like Hálogi's talents will be most handy in this regard. Come, my raging flame! I must ask you your assistance." Kari commanded, and her beloved Fuecoco came out of it's ball. Hálogi was a funny creature, trying to do a cartwheel before flopping on the ground, and shaking his head before turning to his trainer. "Hálogi? Could you sniff the Sunflora here, and use their scent to find the remaining two we seek?" Kari asked, and her Fuecoco nodded happily before carrying out the deed. He sniffed.... He sneezed.... Then, he was off! "COME! BEFORE WE LOSE HIM, SPIRIT!" Kari cried, grabbing my hand, and practically dragging me as she zoomed around corners, and skidded around sharp turns to keep up with Hálogi! It was sickening, seeing the world go blurry as we passed faster and faster, and I was worried I would lose my breakfast when we finally stopped. "Wh-What? Why did we stop?" I asked, looking around dizzily. "Hálogi's found something! Keep your eyes peeled...." Kari replied, narrowing her eyes as she scanned about the area. "There! I saw movement behind the wall of this gazebo looking thing!" Kari exclaimed, and I ran through the opening to see if she was right, and right she was. It took no effort, getting back out of the maze because of Hálogi's good sense of smell, and the two of us returned the troublesome ten back to the pen near the Gym. "Hello! Did you all have fun?" The staffer asked as the Pokémon filed into the pen, tired. "Heh! I guess. I had help though, so I hope that's okay." I replied as Kari waved from behind me. "Excellent work, you two! There's no shame in asking for help if you so need it. What's more, since you found all of our lil' cuties, you are now able to battle Brassius, and best him for your Grass badge!" "YAY!" I cheered, finally glad the hard part was over. "I'll be watching you at the court. Go get finished with whatever prep needs done, okay?" Kari asked, and I nodded in response before running ahead into the Gym building. Once everything was set, I made my way to the plaza, and up onto the platform that I thought was to hold the Windmill in place; revealing it to be the actual court as well, and I trembled nervously as I observed the crowd for my friend. "Greetings!" I heard a man's voice say, and I whipped around to see who it was only to find an empty space. "Up here!" the voice said again, and I looked up to where the voice came from. To my horror, there was a man at the top of the Windmill, and he leapt off to land in front of me as I quickly snapped my eyes shut. "I'm alright, I assure." The man said, and I slowly opened my eyes back up fearfully as the man continued to stare on at me with a stern gaze. "You're lucky you land gracefully. One slip, and you'd be court mush!" I sighed in relief. "Oh, that? It's a stunt I always do when I greet challengers, so you needn't worry about my safety young challenger. In fact, it was from there that I observed you doing your challenge; truly Avant Garde!" "E-Excuse me?" I asked, confused by what he meant, but he only chuckled before turning to the Windmill. "The Windmill of our esteemed city stands tall and sturdy, like a thick stalk to a strong Grass Type. It is them that our creativity ebbs it's strongest, and like a fine brush stroke, their movements are graced by the very air that fills our lungs! I am Brassius, the verdant virtuoso, and Gym Leader of Artazon. Let our collaboration today bring great beauty as we battle our souls out!" "Y-Yes sir!" I replied, and we took our places across the court from each other. He initiated the battle, bringing out an adorable, green and white Pokémon with three tiny leaves atop it's head; Petilil, I believe. "Alright, blaze bright my Ruby, and use Ember!" I called, sending out my Fletchling. As soon as Ruby hit the court, she called a battle cry, and her whole body lit up like a tiny torch before landing a powerful, Super effective hit that knocked it out instantly! "I'm impressed! Let's see how you fare against my next Pokémon." Brassius praised, and he called out a shrimp, round, green Pokémon as he called out an attack. "RUBY! LOOK OUT!" I cried, and Ruby swooped to the side last minute to avoid getting struck. "Now use Aerial Ace!" I called, and Ruby sent a wave of wind towards his Pokémon, which ALSO knocked it out. "Stunning! Truly splendid! It seems you have me down to one Pokémon, but I shall not give in yet. GO! SUDOWOODO!" "H-Huh?!" I gasped, seeing the Rock Type emerge before me, and my nerves picking up. "I'll show you my latest piece; a lovely sculpture called, "Trueleewoodo"!" He held up a Tera Orb, and energy filled into the gem before launching it above Sudowoodo's head. A burst of gems from the ground, and the Sudowoodo's Type changed completely, dawning a crown of flowers! I relaxed a bit, and I Terastalized Ruby to become stronger in response before giving her a simple order. The Sudowoodo dodged, and the battle continued with back and forth blows which the two dodged with precision! "RUBY! I GOT AN IDEA!" I called, just as Ruby avoided the move "Rock Throw", and she flew to perch on my arm as I whispered my strategy to her. I kissed her head for good luck, and sent her soaring once again as she took my strategy into mind, quickly tiring Sudowoodo before landing a couple hits to wipe it out. "YES! GOOD GIRL, RUBY!" I cried as she came back to me, and she did a happy jig in the air before going back to her ball. Shocked, Brassius's jaw hung agape.... He stayed quiet as he recalled his Pokémon, and I was worried he was upset when he shouted again, "AVANT GARDE! That battle was absolutely FLOWING with emotion! The way you sent out your fletchling, the moves and how in sync you two were; AHHHH! Here! Your Grass badge!" He approached me quickly, and shoved a piece of metal into my hand before shaking the other. I thanked him, and asked him for a quick photo before he rushed off, which he obliged to, and I remained on the court as the other residents left when I heard Kari's voice call out, "That was a PERFECT display of coordination between chief and warrior! You guided your dear Ruby to victory, like a mother Beartic guides her Cubchoo to a fishing hole. Congratulations!" She said, running up and throwing herself onto me. "O-OH! Thank you, Kari. I didn't see you in the crowd, though..." "I know how to not draw attention to myself is all. I enjoy watching battles, but all the unnecessary noise making- I'm shocked the Pokémon don't get frightened over it!" "S-So you don't cheer?" "Does it bother you that I don't? I congratulated you, even gave you some observations on my end! I thought it'd help you other than just screaming the same things over and over, and hurting your throat." Kari replied, tilting her head in curiosity. I was stunned for a bit, but I quickly brushed it off as I replied dryly, "I-It's fine, really..... Thank you for helping, and congratulating me." "Not at all! Just want to be there for my friend is all. Come! Let's have supper, and we can make our beds for the night." "Night?! Is THAT why it's cold?!" I asked, looking at the position of the sun. Kari shook her head, and simply laughed as she grabbed my arm, and guided me off the plaza floor.