City of Lights

 

Looking at what he got and at the trio of winking and sniggering idiots, Giovanni wondered what he’d done to deserve these three. Honestly, he wanted to dump the entire bag of…unneeded products onto their heads and shove them out of the room.

 

“Pikachu, Persian…get them out of here,” he said blandly and turned his back on Jessie, James and Meowth.

 

The trio yelled and ran out the door as Pikachu and Persian slowly came after them, enjoying themselves as well as apparently “teaching” Litleo the ropes and how things were done around there. Honestly. They were all just bad influences on each other.

 

Not that Giovanni had much to say on that front, considering how much of a bad influence he himself was.

 

He left his office as well and went to go look for his wife, finding her at one of the battlefields and having a line of Rocket agents to the side, while she faced off against one of them. She was obviously enjoying herself, currently using Nidoqueen to battle the Rocket grunt’s Raticate into submission.

 

“Enjoying yourself, are you?” he drawled, rolling his eyes.

 

“Completely,” she said gleefully, finally ending the battle and getting Nidoqueen to end it. “Next!”

 

Giovanni sighed, going behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist and putting his chin on her shoulder.

 

“Can you show a little mercy on our Rockets?” he asked in fond exasperation.

 

“Where’s the fun in that?” Ash grinned. “At least this way, these guys are getting a real workout and doing some real battling. Plus, I’m getting practice time and bonding time with my team. Both of them –my pokémon party and my beloved minions.”

 

“You’re going to give them nightmares,” he snorted.

 

“Aw, don’t be that way~ They’re lucky I didn’t go and use Pikachu and Persian on them. Where are those two rascals anyway? They also pestered me for Litleo for some reason,” Ash thought on that suspiciously.

 

“They are currently punishing Jessie, James, and Meowth for me,” Giovanni griped. “Litleo’s with them.”

 

“What did those three do this time?” Ash sniggered.

 

“Bought more than I asked for,” Giovanni grumbled, though he kept vague. “I can show you what I’m talking, as well as explain what I meant about telling you that thing I said I would when the three of them came back.”

 

“We can go now,” she offered, and the Rocket grunts around them waited with bated breath for Giovanni to answer her.

 

“Okay, then let’s go,” Giovanni leaned away from her, and comfortably put his arm around her shoulders and led the way back.

 

A collective sigh of relief echoed around the area from all of the grouped Rocket agents Ash had managed to corral and order to battle her.

 

Meanwhile, when Giovanni finally got Ash back into his –well, it was more their –office now, Ash saw the piles on the table.

 

“Their doing, huh.”

 

And Giovanni didn’t even have to explain himself. He nodded and Ash sighed, flipping through the boxes and choosing one.

 

“Best brand,” she mumbled. “But I’m betting you they didn’t even know and decided to just get one of each.”

 

Giovanni raised an eyebrow at her. “And how’d you know?”

 

She glanced at him with red cheeks. “I just do. Mr. XL.”

 

His perverted grin did nothing to show his shame. “And I’ll own that. It’s to your benefit, sweetheart,” Giovanni chuckled darkly, giving her a suggestive look.

 

She tossed a box of the condoms at his head. He smugly caught it.

 

“Let’s get everything ready, you bastard,” she huffed. “We got to leave soon.”

 

“I’ll get the pokémon, you get your…RV,” he twitched. Just the thought of it… “You sure you don’t want to use my car?”

 

“Comfortable bed.”

 

He shut up and left her behind. Ash grinned smugly at his retreating back.

 

In no time at all though, the two of them, with Persian by Ash’s legs and Pikachu attached to Giovanni’s shoulder, were standing in front of the RV Ash had procured. And she went all out on it of course: nice, luxurious, and pretty spacey.

 

But it was still an RV and it made Giovanni want to balk, since he was going to be driving.

 

“I’ll sit on your lap,” Ash offered in exasperation, and Giovanni began to steadfastly stride towards the RV without reservation. Rolling her eyes, Ash followed after him, looking down at Persian.

 

“Your Master’s not all there in the head, is he?” she asked rhetorically.

 

“Peerrrsian,” Persian’s tone was amusingly enough, very plainly dry.

 

 

“Thought so.”

 

The trip was, oddly enough, uneventful. Aside from the occasional smart remark from Giovanni, or the exasperated replies from Ash (and the occasional odd quip from her), the ride was actually boring.

 

So they made things interesting by having periodical stops.

 

Honestly, they probably would have made it to Lumiose City faster and when there was still some sun, had they not ended up messing around so much. Then Pikachu somehow drained the RV’s battery, only to recharge it a full minute later. Litleo at one point, while they had been stuck in place because of the drained batteries, had been left behind when they started going, and they had to rush back to get her.

 

Then they got to the city, and half of the city was practically pitch black.

 

“I can’t really see a damn thing,” Giovanni muttered, glaring at the entrance to the city.

 

“It’s still pretty.”

 

Giovanni opened his mouth to give a snarky reply, looking over at her. However, seeing that she was truly delighted at seeing the city, half-lit as it was, Giovanni didn’t say anything and just reached over to grab her hand with a quiet sigh. When his wife was looking all genuinely delighted and excited like that, leaning closer to the windshield and watching the city with bright eyes, there was no way he was going to ruin her happiness and the good mood they were in.

 

Giovanni started the car again, after having stopped it when they saw how the city was, and drove. He pointed at the darkened area.

 

“I was hoping we could stay at Hotel Richissime,” Giovanni frowned. “But it’s over where the area is dark.”

 

“Since it’s obvious there’s no power there, we can stay at the Pokémon Center for the night, and check in tomorrow when there’s daylight,” Ash suggested.

 

He reluctantly agreed, and turned a corner into the city, heading into South Boulevard. To their luck, a Pokémon Center was quick to be found, right next to a large building that they saw was the regional professor’s lab. They found an underground parking that surprisingly allowed the height and width of their RV, and parked it in there and walked back to the Pokémon Center, where they tiredly signed in and got their room. Needless to say, they fell asleep after having such a long trip.

 

The next morning, they woke up refreshed.

 

“Okay, goals for the day –first, check in at Richissime,” Giovanni said while they were having breakfast.

 

“I want a date,” Ash said suddenly.

 

He blinked at her. “What?”

 

“After we do that, and get my pokédex and get me officially registered for the Kalos League, I want to have a romantic day date with you,” she said plainly, looking at him expectantly.

 

When was the last time he’d gone on a date? Those times he treated women out didn’t really count, given they weren’t anyone special or people he was attached to. In fact, he hardly even paid attention to them at the time, and let them drone about things, especially if they started in on shopping, clothes, or Arceus forbid –‘their relationship.’

 

Too late, in his musings that he’d probably never been on an actual date, he hadn’t realized he’d been silent for too long and now Ash looked despondent.

 

“Never mind,” she mumbled, depressingly spearing one of the sausages and eating it.

 

“I was just thinking,” Giovanni said hurriedly. “We can do that. Just…let’s see what this side of city has to offer first, before we plan out anything. We can ask Nurse Joy for her recommendations. I’ll probably practically pamper you.”

 

Ecstatic and back to being excited, Ash beamed happily at him.

 

Having pleased his wife and not all that disagreeable with anything anyway, Giovanni started in on his breakfast. Having breakfast wasn’t all that bad really, and he did feel more energetic and prepared for the day after having it…

 

He wasn’t going to tell Ash she was right about it though. It was probably a definite thing she’d gloat over and hold over his head.

 

They finished up there, and then headed out of the Pokémon Center to walk over to the region’s professor’s lab, where they were both surprised to find the professor to be a relatively young man by the name of Augustine Sycamore.

 

“Please just call me Augustine though,” Sycamore grinned slightly, though he’d taken Ash’s hand and kissed the back of it.

 

She’d blushed lightly, and Giovanni immediately scowled at the gesture and her reaction.

 

“So you’re here for a pokédex and to get registered for the Kalos League, yes?” Sycamore gave them inquiring looks, though his eyes did drift over to Ash.

 

Giovanni tried not to twitch obviously.

 

“Yes, please,” Ash said brightly, excitedly rocking on the balls of her feet. “I really want to compete!”

 

Sycamore handed her a pokédex obviously made in and crafted for the Kalos region, as well as a few pokéballs. He then officially registered Ash, causing her to cheer loudly and pump a fist into the air.

 

Giovanni just wanted to get the fuck out of there.

 

“Are we done?” he asked loudly.

 

Ash blinked at him, but nodded. Sycamore looked disappointed, but Giovanni didn’t care and put his arm around Ash’s waist obviously. Sycamore led them out, still sticking close, and Giovanni refrained from grumbling aloud.

 

By the time they were out of the lab, he was contemplating making James, Jessie, and Meowth come to cause trouble for that punk professor.

 

Ash scrutinized him. “Are you…are you jealous?”

 

“So?”

 

Ash giggled and grabbed his hand, heading towards their first destination.

 

 

“Geez, let’s go have lunch.”

 

“Café Soleil is pretty nice,” Ash noted, looking around.

 

Giovanni hmmed while musing over the menu.

 

“I’ll have a panino,” she had already chosen, making a choice when she spotted the panini early on. “Probably the ham and turkey one.”

 

Giovanni flipped to that section and looked over it. Ash looked at him teasingly.

 

“Why don’t you get the Italiano?”

 

He rolled his eyes. “Haha. I’ll just have the tuna melt one.”

 

“Can I have a bite?” Ash took his menu and closed it, putting it together with hers and placing them to the side.

 

About to make a remark teasing her about her appetite, he’d glanced outside and had seen someone heading into the café.

 

“12:00,” he warned Ash, and Ash glanced over.

 

Her eyes widened and she scooted her chair closer to him. She prodded his arm. “Is that –?”

 

Giovanni nodded sharply, even as Lysandre –boss of Team Flare –reached the café’s doors, opening it to allow a pretty woman to head inside as well.

 

“Want me to act like your new hot young wife?” she whispered as she winked at him.

 

He quietly snorted. “You are my ‘hot young wife.’”

 

Sniggering under her breath, Ash draped herself over Giovanni’s arm as the waiter came over and took their order. Though Giovanni was slightly tense, Ash patted his back discreetly and he relaxed somewhat. And then she traced her foot up his leg, and he startled and glanced at her in surprise.

 

She smirked at him, laughing quietly.

 

“You’re horrible.”

 

“I know. Thank you.”

 

“Is that Giovanni Rocketto? My, my –what are you doing here? Not on business, are you?” Lysandre headed over to them, while the pretty woman followed curiously.

 

“I’m on my honeymoon, Lysandre,” Giovanni actually stated, but Ash just grinned in a pleased manner. He gestured to her, and she cuddled up to his arm more. “This is my wife Ash.”

 

Lysandre’s jaw loosened while the pretty lady stared with wide eyes. Ash waved cheerily at them.

 

“Hello,” she greeted them plainly.

 

“H-hello, young miss,” Lysandre smiled hesitantly, glancing between the two of them. “I’m Lysandre, a business associate of Giovanni’s.”

 

Ash grinned slyly, probably confusing the other. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Is that Diantha? You’re even more beautiful in person!”

 

The pretty woman, who Ash finally recognized as the Kalos Champion and a famous actress, gave her a beatific smile, though it was clear she was still caught off guard by the fact she and Giovanni were married. To be further incorrigible, Ash brushed back her hair with her left hand and purposely showing off her wedding ring. Diantha gasped and headed over.

 

“Oh, is that your ring? It’s beautiful!”

 

Giovanni gave her an amused look, turning to talk to Lysandre while she and Diantha gushed over her ring.

 

“Isn’t it? Giovanni picked it for me and I was really happy to get it!”

 

Of course Ash left out how she’d initially fought against him about it. Not that they needed to know about that.

 

Later, after Ash traded numbers with Diantha and Giovanni made a promise to meet with Lysandre later on, the other two left for their own table as Ash and Giovanni’s food came in. Giovanni ushered her in closer to him, slipping a wireless earbud into her ear. He put a finger to his mouth and then he switched something on, revealing he’d slipped something into one of the other’s clothes or something, and they could now listen in on them.

 

“This is nice, Lysandre. We haven’t hung around much, especially after I became Champion and you became busy with work. We’ll have to get Augustine to get out of his lab and join us one of these days,” Diantha spoke lightly.

 

“We should,” Lysandre agreed.

 

There was silence a moment, before…

 

“She’s quite pretty,” Diantha commented blithely. And then, “But rather young. I’m amazed those two are married.”

 

Lysandre coughed uncomfortably. “Yes, very pretty. And you are right –young for him.”

 

“Pretty enough to make you want her to stay like that forever,” she teased him. “Like you and your weird sayings about making the world unchangeable and beautiful forever, and all that strangeness you like to spout out. How old would you peg her at anyway?”

 

“Well…she does look pretty young? Maybe 18? 16 at most, because that’s the marriageable age, with parental consent,” Lysandre guessed.

 

“I would almost call her one of those girls that men like Giovanni, though Giovanni himself seems a good guy, like to pick up and marry because the girl is young and pretty and someone they could show off,” Diantha huffed. But then she brightened up. “But those two are adorable! And they seem really happy and attached to each other. Aren’t they cute?”

 

“…”

 

“Oh, don’t be like that, Lysandre! At least Augustine would laugh and play along!”

 

“Diantha, I’m not one of your girlfriends,” he grumbled. “And Augustine can be such a fool, especially when it comes to romance and pretty females.”

 

Diantha laughed at him, and Ash took a bite out of Giovanni’s panino.

 

Ash’s lips quirked up. “So Mr. Good Guy, would you let your pretty trophy wife have the rest of your food when you’re full and there’s leftover?”

 

Giovanni snorted. “Whatever you’d like, dear.” Still, he started frowning. “Am I too old for you?”

 

She smacked his arm. “I’m 16, you’re 21. That’s just 5 years.”

 

“I wasn’t always 21,” he said wryly.

 

She gave him a bland look. “So? Shut up and eat your food, so I can have it when you’re done. And I would probably have end up married to you regardless, even if you hadn’t been de-aged, you persistent idiot.”

 

 

He chomped down on his food obviously. Just for that, he was going to choke down his food and finish it, even if it made him sick.

 

If Ash squealed when Giovanni took her to Coiffure Clips, then she wasn’t going to care. She was being pampered by him alright. He’d led her straight in, and she’d gotten what she thought was definitely first class treatment, especially after Giovanni waved around his credit card.

 

She’d never seen her nails as nice and shiny as they currently were, and she adored the French manicure she got. And the pedicure that came with it felt heavenly! Having her feet and legs soak in the warm water and then massaged…

 

She eyed Giovanni and wondered if she could get him to do this for her. Or at least one of those magnificent massages of his later on.

 

She also got her hair trimmed, getting rid of the split ends she knew she had. She was on the road all the time! She didn’t usually get to go to these kinds of places, or had the money for it.

 

But she really, really liked getting pampered.

 

“Having fun?” Giovanni asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

“It’s all wonderful,” Ash said dreamily, her hair now in the process of being washed and her scalp massaged.

 

“I guess you’d already be as fixed up as you want, for when we visit PR Video Studio after this?”

 

Ash agreed, though she’d had a few ideas concerning it. “Let’s pick up Pikachu and Persian first though, okay?”

 

Though unsure to what she was up to, Giovanni decided that it was fine, and waited for Ash to finish up there. When she was finished, they trekked back to Hotel Richissime, having managed to wrangle a room at a discounted price because of the city’s problems and it being in an area that was having those problems. Getting Persian and Pikachu from their own pampered spa treatment (Ash had to think Pikachu was getting spoiled, the way he was looking too relaxed and used to this), they then headed over to PR Video Studio.

 

Entering it, they were practically ambushed by members of the studio.

 

“What kind of style video would you like? Fun, energetic, cool? What kind of music? What about backdrop?”

 

All tons of questions were thrown at them. Giovanni inwardly balked, but Ash seemed to have taken it in stride and seemed just as eager. Too soon, to his surprise, they were separated. Shrugging to himself, he decided to do a quick, small video for Ash. When he finished, it turned out pretty well and he was satisfied with it (actually he was rather proud). Waiting in the main part of the studio, he was surprised when Ash still wasn’t out yet. She’d taken both Persian and Pikachu with her, so he was left to wait by himself.

 

Of course, that was when Ash came out with the two pokémon. She was grinning widely, which made him curious as to what kind of video she did.

 

Maybe she was running around with Persian and Pikachu, and doing some kind of battle-oriented video. It seemed like her.

 

“Let’s see each other’s!” Ash suggested.

 

Being curious, Giovanni agreed to that, and he went to watch her video with Persian while she’d gone with Pikachu. He had started it and was petting Persian idly, when his eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

 

Ash, dressed up in one of Team Rocket’s new outfits, posed in front of the screen and had Pikachu on her shoulder while Persian curled around her legs. Dramatic, epic music played in the background of a thunderstorm, with lightning flashing in the background.

 

“Bow before the might of Rocket! Join or die,” Persian let out an impressive, but very showy growl. “We are the top Team and have lasted endlessly! Rocket today, Rocket tomorrow, Rocket Forever!”

 

Pikachu then leaped up into the air and did one of the most extravagant Thunder attacks he’d ever seen. When the attack dissipated, they were gone and then a large, red R was stamped onto the screen.

 

…Had Ash just made a promotional video for Team Rocket?

 

Before he could think anything else, he felt himself be tackled from behind, Ash holding onto him tightly.

 

“That was so sweet! You’re the best, Giovanni!”

 

He caught up to the present and a wide grin spread on his own lips, and he reached behind him and grabbed her, moving her so he could hold her more properly and started nuzzling her neck.

 

His wife was amazing.

 

“Aw, Gio. You know I was just doing my thang~” Ash laughed.

 

“Exactly,” he mumbled against her.

 

 

So, so amazing.

 

Ash observed herself in the mirror, humming in thought.

 

“You look pretty,” Giovanni commented.

 

She frowned, picking at the material of the blouse. “It’s pretty expensive for just some clothes.”

 

“Don’t look at me,” he gave a half-shrug. “I don’t shop for clothes, even brand clothes. Everything I wear is usually tailored, minus all this casual stuff you foisted on me.”

 

“Eh, let’s go then,” Ash shrugged back, though she did glance to the side.

 

“You like that coat though, don’t you?” Giovanni noted.

 

“And those boots,” she admitted.

 

He chuckled and collected said items, going to buy the $1500 coat and $745 boots for her. She trailed after him in embarrassment, but thoroughly pleased that he did so and happy with the purchases. They left Boutique Couture after having their stuff delivered to their hotel room, although Pikachu and Persian insisted on staying behind with the staff and “making sure it was delivered properly and at the right place.” Ash was suspicious about it and those two’s true motives, but she’d gotten busy with Giovanni’s weird looks at her and his inquiries as to how she could interpret that from the two pokémon.

 

They headed to Restaurant Le Nah, though Giovanni made it a point to declare how much he’d wanted to take her to Restaurant Le Yeah instead, which had “more stars.”

 

“At least it has one star,” Ash pointed out. “Which is still very good in the culinary world.”

 

“Restaurant Le Yeah is owned and sometimes attended to by Kalos Elite Siebold.”

 

Ash pouted. “It’s closed early because of the ‘lights out’ problem. Don’t make me pout about it.”

 

“Too late, you already are,” he smirked as he held open the door for her to the restaurant.

 

She gave a light glare as she walked passed him to go inside, meeting with the maître d’ who greeted them respectfully and handled their reservations, leading them to a nice, private area where she and Giovanni sat closely together and had a nice view of the night sky outside and of the half-lit city.

 

“It’s still pretty, half-lit like this,” Ash said wistfully, looking out of the window.

 

“Ah, but I have a better view.”

 

Ash looked at him, seeing him watching her. His lips quirked up slightly, and Ash couldn’t help smiling brightly back.

 

For her first romantic date, she’d really been surprised by him and was happy at how it had come out and was probably the best ever.

 

Not that she’d tell him.