A Ghostly First Battle (Maya vs. Z) {Complete}

"That's good then," she said in some relief. "Most of the town is still ruins along the outside. In fact the only functioning part of the town is the center part which is barely even a fourth of what it appeared to have once been. I'm glad that didn't deter you. I may have to take up your offer on that. Building supplies are mostly wood and what we can salvage from the ruins." Maya didn't know much about trade routes... and Yūrei no Machi was peaceful and calm... and the temple was a kind of sanctuary for Pokemon. Would active trade routes ruin that? Be more like Pyron? Furthermore these people in the town had been isolated for years... She shook her head. That would be something to discuss with others later.

"Sorry I uh spaced out," she said, sheepishly. "Would you care for some tea in the temple? I also get you the rest of your reward. And maybe some food for your Pokemon."

If Bermuda could have made an expression it likely would have been devastated. *Fiiiiiiiiine,* he garbled, floating away going to find someone else to pester. Bo ran right up to the giant Pokemon, tilting her head back to look at him. She squinted as if that would help her remember the Haxorus. Her face broke out into a grin. *Okay!* She said proceeding to throw a handful of purple wisteria petals up at him. *Flowers for you!* She sang and threw some at Sparky as well. *And for you!*
Fable meanwhile regarded the large Pokemon for awhile before giving a squeak and hobbling away on her short legs to hide behind Dororo's legs. *Forgive her,* Dororo said to Scorpio. *She has a fear of Poison type Pokemon.*

"Wonderful. Follow me then," she said, gesturing toward the big double doors. She stepped out, and grimaced at the mess of wilting flower petals everywhere. Later. She walked over to the temple, coming up the side doors, sliding the paper screen aside. Maya slipped off her shoes and left them outside. "Also could you leave your shoes outside? It is a custom that most people here follow faithfully so I do as well."

Dororo followed after, Fable clinging to his shoulder. The blue Pokemon could tell the Togepi was scared but feeling guilty about upsetting the other Pokemon. Bo cheerfully skipped by, still throwing wrinkled flower petals all over the place. She then proceeded to cling to the Haxorus' leg as they walked, enjoying the ride. Bermuda apparated again trailing after the group. He floated over to the Metagross. *Your karate chicken is very temperamental,* he observed sagely. Aki had flown off towards the temple and settled somewhere in the upper floors.

*I'm not afraid,* Bermuda declared haughtily, poofing away.

Maya shut the screen door and stepped quickly across the wooden floor boards. She went down the long hallway light filtering through the paper screens on her left. She slid open a more solid sliding door, revealing a large room, specifically for tea. There was a simple short wooden table in the middle, a vase with a wisteria branch in it, and a few floor cushions.

She shuffled across and opened a second set of screen doors that opening into the vast inner garden. A trickling pond was there, a few Surskit and other water types splashing about. A couple Phantumps drifted about and, of course, more wisteria trees. It had been entirely dead just a few months ago.

"I'm not entirely used to the decor here..." She said, adjusting a floor cushion. "It wasn't like this in Snowpoint City. I hear there is some similarities about it in Ecruteak City, Johto... But I've never been," she smiled sheepishly and gestured to a the table. "Please sit. It might be a little crowded in here with all of our Pokemon so they are free to roam the garden if they like."

Immediately Bo leapt off of the Haxorus's leg and into the garden. Dororo approached the Haxorus. *Pardon Bo,* the Greninja said, placing Fable in the garden. *She should know better but... well she is rather daft. She means no harm.*

"I thought they might," she said to Z, and wandered over to a counter where there was a tray of set up tea cups and flat metal tea pot. She looked up as a feeling came over her.

"Are you feeling better?" She questioned aloud seemingly to no one as she poured the prepared water, that came from the well in the garden. On cue Elly drifted through the wall towards Maya. She could sense the Pokemon's disappointment at her failed attempt at trying to scare her. *Luuuuureeee,* she crooned softy, sulking.

"Good," Maya said, holding up the cast iron pot. "Do you mind then?" The Chandelure sighed and then moved one of her curled arms and held the flames of her candelabra under the pot. "Thank you Elly. You too Wallace," she said nodding to the sword and shield Pokemon that came up. Wallace bowed sharply. "Could you take Wire as well?" She said, holding out the Pokeball of the fainted Pokemon in the other hand. He took the Pokeball and vanished.

"Z," She said a little louder clearing her throat awkwardly. "I hope you don't mind this green tea... Cause its all we have actually." She popped the top off the tea canister.

Dororo nodded. *Indeed she hasn't. But I feel that out trainer would not give her up for anything despite that.* He smiled a fraction before sitting cross legged on the deck. Elly floated out into the garden, still a little sulky but her yellow eyes sparkled with mischief. Bo was attempting to climb a tree just as Bermuda reappeared and was attempting to sneak up on the meditating Alloy.

"Thats good," she nodded, scooping tea and taking the tea pot. She poured the boiling water into the cups and carried the try to the table and placed it on the table. She sat seiza style on the cushion and placed the tea cup in front of Z. She wrapped her own hands around her cup, unsure of what to talk about. She was doing okay so far but her gym leader and high priestess facade was slipping and she was back to being Maya, unable to properly communicate. "I... hope its good."

*Of course,* Dororo said seriously. *Bo and I have been with Maya for a long time... I know her better than she even knows herself sometimes.* He sighed and shut his eyes. *We protect her and she is our home.* He opens an eye. *You have a very respectable trainer.* Fable came tottering up to the deck, leapt up on her short legs and awkwardly pulling herself up on to it. She then waddled over to Z and tugged on his sleeve. *Togiiii?*

Bermuda (he is a guy) began drifting towards Alloy slowly, waving his tentacles about and started making this ghostly moan, garbled by what sounded like water. *Bewaaaaaarrrrrreeeeeeeeeee...*

Elly meanwhile had spotted Tsurara and drifted over. "Oh my hello~" She sung. "I don't think I've seen a ghost type like you before."

"Oh, Fable," Maya said looking at the little Togepi. "She is very curious but sometimes to a fault. That curiosity got her in some trouble with a Muk not too long after she hatched... Ever since she has had a fear of poison types after that." Maya frowned at the memory. "It also made her... well a scaredy cat. I suppose." Curiosity and scaredy cat... what a combo. Togepi meanwhile scrambled up into Zs lap, and then began to try and heave herself onto the table with her stubby arms.

*I'm not sure how well Maya would put up with a disobedient or rebellious Pokemon,* Dororo mused. *She can handle ghost types like Elly better lately... anything else would terrify her.*

*Ohh~* She said. *Just beyond Vile Villa then. We didn't see much of your kind there. Lucky you. Tell me then would you be interested in having a little fun~?*