Pokemon - Odyssey

by Mkchief34

Chapter 22-Ready for the Night

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As the trainers and ponies stepped off the train from Appaloosa, they all stretched and yawned.

"It's nearly midnight." Chase said, noticing the station clock.

"And I reckon we should get some shut-eye." Applejack said. "And probably a good shower."

"I second that." Matthew said, dusting off his hands. "I've got dirt in places I never thought imaginable."

"Okay, we'll go see if we can shower at the Spa." Twilight said. "If you need to sleep, head home."

The trainers went to shower and most of the ponies went home. As they approached the spa, Twilight was surprised to see some lights on. She entered to find Lotus and Aloe going over their records.

"Ah, Princess!" Lotus said. "Need a touch-up?"

"Actually, can some friends of mine borrow your locker room showers?" Twilight said.

"Go ahead." Aloe said. "Down the hall, to the left."

Twilight thanked the two of them and soon, the trainers were in the showers, soaking themselves.

"Geez, this feels so good." Chase said, and nearly every Trainer present agreed.

"Yeah." Matthew said. "Speaking of, when's the last time you've showered?"

"Can't say." Chase replied. "I mean, personal hygiene is nice and all, but when you're on a journey, who's got time to shower?

"Figures." Nate said. "The smell was starting to drive me nuts."

Chase sniffed under his arms, and grimaced.

"Pass me the soap." He said, and everyone started laughing.

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As the trainers departed from the Spa and back to Twilight's, they headed upstairs to find all the girls asleep. The boys, quiet as could be, slipped into bed. All was quiet, all was peaceful.

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The next morning, the boys woke up to the girls cooking breakfast. Walking downstairs, Ash's eyes lit up at Serena frying some eggs.

"Morning." Serena said brightly.

"Morning." Ash replied as they sat down. After a few moments, Twilight walked in, and she looked rather disapproving of something.

"What's wrong?" Chris asked.

"It's this letter I just got from Celestia." She said. "Apparently, she wants to formally introduce you all during the Grand Galloping Gala."

"I take it you're not happy about that?" Nate asked.

"Well, every time we've gone to one, something crazy ends up happening." Twilight said. "Plus, a lot of the nobles will be there, and they're not to fond of outsiders."

"We'll be fine." Ash said.

"That's not all." Twilight said. "You'll be expected to dance with someone who goes with you."

Nearly every human blushed brightly.

"Like...a date?" Chase asked.

"Sort of." Twilight said in an exasperated tone. "And it's in two days."

This made the trainers even more nervous.

"I'll leave you to it." Twilight said. As the boys looked at the girls, eventually a few couples were formed.

Ash and Serena…

Matthew and Grace…

Nate and Abigail…

And Chris said he would call someone to see if they could make it in time.

Chase stepped outside to breathe, and then, he noticed a Dimensional Shift appearing in front of him. He walked forward, and then a human fell out and into his arms. He opened his eyes to see someone he didn't expect to see.

"Hilda?" He asked.

"Chase?" She replied, dusting herself off. "How are youu?"

"I'm fine, but what are you doing here?" He asked.

"I came to see you." She said. "Professor Juniper asked me if I could, and I said yes."

"Okay...good to know." Chase said. "Hey, this might be a bit sudden, but I need someone to go with me to a dance in two days, and…"

"Yes." Hilda said.

"...What?" Chase said. "Oh, thanks!"

"Consider it a thank-you for all those times we hung out on the Battle Subway." Hilda replied. "Anyway, got anything to eat?"

"In here." Chase said as he brought her into the dining room. Hilda was introduced, and then Chris came back in, his RotomDex bouncing with glee.

"She's coming from Kanto! She's coming from Kanto!" Rotom sang, almost jauntily.

"Shut up." Chris said.

"Who's the she Rotom's referring to?" Ash asked.

"A friend of mine." Chris said.

"I reckon she's more of a friend that you think, Chris!" Rotom jabbed again. Chris made an angry lunge for the Pokedex, but missed by a hair and landed in a jumble on the floor, while Rotom laughed hysterically. Chris pouted, grabbed Rotom, and shoved him into his backpack.

"Well, what now?" He asked Twilight, who shrugged.

"We do need some dresses and suits." She said. "I''m certain Rarity can make you all something."

"Thanks." Everyone replied.

"If the girls will come with me…" Twilight said.

"Wait, there's someone else coming." Chris said. "Can you wait until she arrives?"

"Sure." Twilight said. "Feel free to head out whenever, guys."

"Sure." Ash said as he led the men out of the castle and over to a park area. Soon, Twilight heard a dimensional shift, and she met a girl of about sixteen, with braided pale blonde hair and a kind face.

"You're Twilight, right?" She asked.

"Yep." Twilight said.

"I'm Lillie." Lillie said. "Nice to meet you all."

"You too." Serena said. "Let's go get some dresses, shall we?"

"Let's." Abigail said as they walked over to Carousel Boutique, where Rarity swept them inside.

===============

"Let's go check on the girls." Ash said. "They have to be done by now."

"True." Matthew said. "Well, shall we?"

The boys walked over to the Boutique, where Twilight was waiting for them.

"They're all set." She said. "Rarity said you'll be astounded."

"I sure hope so." Ash muttered. As they entered the showroom, every boy present dropped their jaws. Grace wore a shimmering blue ball gown, with a small shawl on her shoulders, that was so light it was almost transparent. Abigail wore a green dress, with a braided skirt and a petticoat. Hilda wore yellow, with a swept shoulder sleeve and a tight, yet still flowing skirt. Lillie wore a white dress in a rococo style, plain yet elegant. Serena wore a red dress similar to the one she danced with Ash in, but it was more ruffled, and embroidered with gold. Each wore matching gloves and a necklace of a simila-colored gemstone. The boys, suffice to say, were speechless, and so were the girls. The room was silent, until Rarity smirked.

"I'll leave you to it." She smiled, as she whisked Twilight out, leaving the trainers alone. Ash was the first to speak.

"You look...great, Serena." He said. "I just can't say more than that."

"It's alright." Serena said. "It fits perfectly, and Rarity did this so quickly!"

"I know." Grace said. "She took our measurements and boom, she was done."

"She knows her stuff, then." Matthew said. "You'll knock everyone flat, Grace."

"Oh, stop it." Grace said. "Speaking of, I think it's time you got your suits."

"What?" Ash said as Rarity swept them into another room. The girls laughed and started to walk around, getting a feel for their clothing.

"Have you ever danced, Serena?" Abigail asked.

"Once." She said. "It was with Ash at a Showcase event."

"Sounds romantic." Grace said. "Trust me, I can tell that you like him."

"Well…" Serena murmured.

"Remember that night when it wa really late, and you came in last? I woke up and I saw your faces." Grace replied. "And Serena...I'm happy for you."

"Thanks." Serena replied.

"Hey, if anything, I guess we're all pretty much set, right?" Hilda said. "I mean, from the way Matthew looked at you, Grace, I think…"

"He already told me." Grace said.

"Good to hear." Abigail said. "Nate was a little flustered when he asked me, but he got it out. He's funny, nice…"

"Packs a good punch?" Grace suggested. "I wouldn't want to get on his bad side."

"Yeah, I saw that." Serena replied. "Quite a punch."

"If anything, there's something I should tell you girls." Lillie said. "Chris and I...when we were having a celebration and we were alone...I tried to kiss him."

"What?" The others chorused in surprise.

"Yeah, but we were interrupted by the fireworks." Lillie said. "I didn't get to tell him that I like him, but I think he knows."

"That's so sweet." Hilda said. "Anyway, Chase is the one for me."

"Chase?" Grace asked. "Why's that?"

"We've had a lot of time spent together before he joined you guys." Hilda said. "He'd get me coffee, sometimes a Casteliacone if we met. Not much of a date, but it felt that way to me."

As the girls continued to converse, they had no idea the boys, who had finished getting their suits done, had heard everything through the wall. They were now all red in the face in embarrassment.

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