17th Spell: [Video/Action for Ponies] (Forward dated to Saturday morning)

[friendyousohard]

[The gear clicks on in the middle of a room in the Pokemon Center. Someone's clearly using it, since the sheets are rumpled and the monitoring gear seems to have seen recent use, but no one's in the bed at the moment.

There's a splashing sound nearby, muffled by a door. The gear is moving very, very slowly towards that door.]

Mmmmmmffff... huh?

[Someone appears to have just woken up behind said door, as well.]

A-AJ...?

Um... h-hey there, Sugarcube. You sure had one crazy sleep, didn't ya?

I did...? Where am I? What's going on...?

[The gear is about halfway to the door at this point.]

You passed out on us right 'bout the time we got into Celadon. We were all real worried about you.

Passed out...? The comas!

[Twilight's voice suddenly gets much stronger and there's the sound of a sudden splash, as though she's just moving around in a pool of water.]

I had one! I went back home! Well... sort of. You know what I mean, right?

I... think so?

I saw so much... My brother, and Cadence, the Crystal Empire, even Discord, there's so much to... Um, AJ?

Discord? What in tarnation's he doin' back? We sealed him up for good!

I'll explain that in a moment, but first... what were you doing just before I woke up?

... Givin' you a bath.

[The gear has almost reached the door, when suddenly a large yellow foot slams down in front of it. It wobbles and falls to the ground, showing an Alakazam glaring down at a Slowpoke, which was carrying the gear.]

And what do you think you're doing?

[The gear floats up into Starswirl's hand...]

Apologies to any who saw this and wanted to speak to my trainer. She is currently occupied, but will be with you shortly.

[And clicks off.]

A few moments later...

[The gear clicks on to show a wet haired and slightly bedraggled Twilight.]

Ah, hello everyone. It seems I've encountered one of those week-long sleeps that we go into on occasion, and gotten some new memories of home. Honestly, it feels a bit strange to be back here... but I'll adjust soon enough. If anything important has happened in the past week, I'd appreciate it if somepo- someone could let me know.

... Also, if anyone has any ideas as to how to curb the tendencies of some Pokemon to abscond with peoples' gear and pull, or try to pull, obnoxious pranks on their trainers and others, I'd love to hear them.

Comments

[buckyouup]

As long as you don't pass out for another week, I'm alright with it.

[friendyousohard]

I'll keep that in mind. Well, you know the way to the gym already, right?

[buckyouup]

Of course, but we'll take it nice an' slow, alright? I wanna make sure you still remember how t'use your legs.

[She chuckles, half-joking.]

[friendyousohard]

If I fall more than three times, you can carry me.

[Some good-natured joking right back, though Twi certainly wouldn't mind a piggyback ride.]

[buckyouup]

You sure y'don't want me t'carry you now?

[friendyousohard]

Thanks for the offer, but I think I can handle myself.

[She might like the idea, but she's not going to let AJ over-exert herself. Besides, the thought of people seeing her being carried down the street on Applejack's back is no small amount of embarrassing.]

[buckyouup]

Alright, if you're sure. [Chuckle.]

Let's head on over.

[friendyousohard]

Lead the way.

[She's already up and on her feet, and looking perfectly steady, after all.]

[buckyouup]

[After a brief (albeit, at Applejack's insistence, careful) walk, the two arrive at the front entrance to the Celadon Gym. Applejack grabs the door handle, holding it open to Twilight to enter.]

After you!

[friendyousohard]

[She steps inside with a chuckle at AJ's unconscious chivalry, looking around at the gym. She has no intention of fighting Erika for quite some time, but that doesn't mean she can't marvel at the interior. The girls inside raise their heads at the newcomers, but largely turn back to their work.]

Wow. There are a lot of flowers in here.

[buckyouup]

It sure is somethin', ain't it? There's more species here than I've seen anywhere else. I reckon if there's a flower that Dozer likes, it'll be here.

[friendyousohard]

So, how exactly are we going to do this? Do we try to find flowers that look like the ones you saw, and let him out to see what he does?

[Twi wonders if the trainers of the gym might take issue with that.]

[buckyouup]

I'd rather not let Dozer out anywhere near this place until we know this'll work.

[friendyousohard]

Then... let's pick a few different flowers, get out of the city, let him out, and try it there.

[buckyouup]

Alright. But... which ones?

[friendyousohard]

Well, you saw the ones that were left after his rampage. Let's just go around the greenhouse and pick a few of whichever ones remind you of those.

[buckyouup]

Good idea. Now... they were definitely light purple, with a small bloom. D'you see anythin' like that?

[friendyousohard]

Not right now. Let's get searching.

[She heads over to the outside of the gym, intending to search in a grid system. However, they've attracted the attention of one of the ladies, who speaks up.]

Excuse me, but are you two looking for something?

[buckyouup]

[Applejack smiles at the girl.]

Well... I'm lookin' for a type of flower. Seems t'be the only thing I've found that'll calm down one a' my pokey-mon. It's a light purple flower with a small bloom, kinda like a tulip. Grows wild somewhere around Saffron? You wouldn't happen t'know what kind that is?

[friendyousohard]

Oh, you're looking for purple bulbas! They're over this way.

[The girl, her attention caught by people asking her about flowers, springs up and begins to lead the way over. Twilight shrugs at AJ and follows.]

Purple bulbas grow in the wild around Saffron and Celadon, mostly. They're a little bit poisonous to humans, but several types of Pokemon love their smell. Some consider them delicacies, as well.

[buckyouup]

[Applejack quietly turns to Twilight, whispering.]

Leave it t'Dozer to fall in love with somethin' poisonous.

[friendyousohard]

Maybe you should try getting some poison types.

[Twi giggles a little as they follow the girl along.]

Here they are! There are plenty of them, so you can let your Pokemon out to play with them, or pick a few for them, whichever you like!

Um... I don't think we'll be letting him out inside here...

[buckyouup]

Well... I do have one on me.

[She detaches a ball from her belt, releasing the young Ivysaur into the garden. She turns towards her trainer and Twilight, bowing her head respectfully.

It is a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Twilight.]

[friendyousohard]

Oh my, what a lovely Ivysaur!

[The flower girl bows her head in recognition of Blossom's politeness, and Twilight chuckles and does the same.]

Nice to see you again too, Blossom.

[buckyouup]

[Blossom smiles, politely covering her mouth with one of her vines. What a nice place, this garden is. So many sights and smells, and what are those beautiful purple flowers over there? The grass pokemon does her best to mask her excitement as she quietly wanders over to investigate.]

Looks like somepony found the bulbas.