After her meeting with Lance, May was eager to go to the Pokémon housing and visit with Blaziken. When she arrived she found a man was already there feeding her Pokémon pokepuffs. Blaziken noticed her as she walked up and the man turned around to look at her. She instantly recognized him as a professor at the school, though she never had his class.
"I was wondering who this wonderful Pokémon belonged to." He said with a bright smile.
May instantly noticed that up close he didn't really look like a professor, but that might have been because he looked rather young. "That's me," she replied.
"I don't believe I've ever had you as a student. I'm professor Sycamore."
"I'm May."
His smile grew as soon as he heard her name. "May Maple?"
"The one and only," she replied.
"You've done a good job raising your Blaziken." He commented as he gave Blaziken a pat on the head.
"Thanks, but I think he raised me more than I raised him," she said as she pulled an apple out of her bag and handed it to her Pokémon, which he happily accepted.
Sycamore stared with interest as May watched Blaziken eat the apple and hand him another. There was a shine in her sapphire eyes when Blaziken seemed to thank her.
"There's a strong bond between the two of you that is quite special."
May turned her attention to the professor with curiosity. He pulled a chain out of his pocket with a small stone attached.
"I think you should have this. It'll be more useful to you than me." He said as he put the chain in her hand.
May looked at the stone in her hand and wondered what it could possibly be useful for. She looked back up ready to ask, but found the professor was no longer there.
"Where did he go?" She asked as she looked around. Blaziken just shrugged as he munched on another apple.
May stared at the stone that was now hanging around her neck as she left the Pokémon housing. She sat with Blaziken for a few hours thinking about it, but found nothing special about it. Perhaps professor Sycamore was just crazy. It certainly seemed like a real possibility. She let out a sigh as she tucked it behind her shirt.
As she walked, she thought back to her combat practice with Drew. Lt. Surge had a point when he said she needed practice in hand to hand combat. While it was a little unfair of him to partner her with Drew, she had to admit she didn't just lose because he was more advanced. Her own skills were lacking. She looked up to the sky and found that there was still about an hour left of day light, which was plenty of time to get in a little practice. With her mind made up, she headed toward the training room.
May was a little surprised to find when she arrived that Drew was already there. He didn't notice her walk in and was doing some practicing of his own. She watched him in awe at the way he handled his sword. It was as if it was a part of him, making his movements so smooth and graceful it almost appeared as if he were dancing. Drew finally paused to catch his breath and grabbed a bottle of water. As he was taking a drink he saw a figure in the corner of his eye. He nearly choked on his water when he saw that it was May making her way toward him.
"Wow Drew, I had no idea you were so talented." She commented.
Drew stared at her trying to decide if she was being sarcastic. He thought about replying something witty, but instead settled with a thanks.
The two stood in awkward silence unsure of what to say. Drew went back to drinking his water and noticed May repeatedly glance at him and then quickly look away.
May noticed Drew must have been training for a while as sweat gleamed on his face. To her it somehow made him more attractive. That is if she actually thought he was attractive… which she didn't… did she?
May seemed to be having some inner turmoil and Drew just watched with curiosity. "Is there a reason you came in here?" He finally asked, breaking her out of her annoying thoughts.
"To train. Why else would I be here?" She replied as her brain got back on track.
"And to think I thought it was to just stare at me. I was half expecting you to confess your undying love for me." He said with a smirk.
"In your dreams!" She retorted.
His smirk grew bigger as if he were about to reply, but May stormed away to the wall where the weapons hung.
Drew watched as she selected a pair of daggers and then paused. She turned her gaze to him as he stared at her with an amused expression. No way was she going to practice that with Drew watching. He'd laugh her out of the building. She tucked the daggers in her belt and instead reached for a bow and a quiver full of arrows.
She walked passed Drew who was now leaning on his sword watching her actions with amusement. She stopped when she felt she was a great enough distance from the target and pulled an arrow out of the quiver. She pointed the bow toward the ground as she positioned her arrow and in once swift motion she raised and drew the bow. She let out a breath as she took her aim and released, hitting right in the bulls eye.
May turned around to give Drew a smug look. He had to admit, while she needed work with hand to hand combat, May was flawless with a bow. He was ready to give a compliment when they heard a large explosion and the whole building shook. The lights flashed for a second before cutting off.
"What was that?" May asked as they looked around.
"Whatever it was, it didn't sound good." Drew replied as he gripped his sword tightly and ran toward the exit, making sure to grab his backpack on the way out.
"Wait for me!" May called after him as she followed behind, making sure to grab her own bag on the way.
As she ran outside she couldn't believe what she saw. The school's main building was covered in flames, clearly the source of the explosion. The courtyard was full of people. Figures dressed in red and black uniforms were battling it out with students and professors. Pokémon were fighting on the ground and in the sky and bodies were quickly pilling up.
May was frozen on the spot. She had never seen so many dead bodies, many of which consisted of young freshmen who didn't know how to fight well enough to really defend themselves. Her hands were shaking as her grip on her bow increased. Drew was standing next to her, in his own state of disbelief. However, he was brought back to reality when a man rushed toward them. He charged toward May who was too frozen to react, but Drew did. Just as the man brought his sword down, Drew stopped it with his own. With their swords as an x the two were in a battle of strength. Thinking quickly, Drew pushed with all his might causing the man to stumble back. He then kicked him sending him falling to the ground. Without thinking Drew brought down his sword, ending the fight.
With that he turned to May and shook her shoulders.
"Snap out of it! We don't have time for you to lose it now!" He yelled at her.
May blinked at him before coming to her senses.
"I'm sorry," she said as she eyed the now dead man on the ground. Another man came charging toward them and she readied her bow taking aim at his heart, but she couldn't bring herself to release the arrow. Knowing she had to do something she aimed her arrow up and shot him in the shoulder, sending him falling to the ground in pain.
"We have to move, but we should stick together." Drew said as he cut down another man in uniform.
May was about to agree with him when she spotted smoke to her left, right where the Pokémon housing was located.
"Blaziken!" She yelled as she ran off toward the smoke.
"Dammit May!" Drew yelled as he ran after her.
May's petite form was easily able to maneuver through the crowd and Drew quickly lost sight of her.
"That idiot is going to get herself killed." He thought to himself as he lost her in the chaos.
As May arrived on the scene of the burning building she frantically tried to find her Pokémon, though it didn't take her long. Blaziken, along with a few other fire types, was jumping in and out of the fire in an attempt to save as many Pokémon from the flames as he could. May couldn't help but smile to herself at her Pokémon's selfless actions.
May then heard a scream behind her and found a small freshman girl being cornered by a man in uniform. Without missing a beat she fired an arrow into the guy's back. He fell to the ground in pain, but May figured he'd live. The small girl looked at May with frightened eyes and ran off. May attempted to go after her, but someone grabbed her arm.
"That was a good shot, I think you'll do nicely." The creepy man purred into her ear.
"Let go," she said as she turned around and tried to hit him with her free arm, which he easily grabbed.
"You're coming with me girly." He said as he brought her face close to his.
Before the man could do anymore, a sword pierced through his stomach causing May to let out a surprised scream. The man crumbled to the floor as her savior pulled the sword out.
"What part of stick together did you not understand?" Drew asked with a sigh as he looked her over to make sure she wasn't injured.
"Drew, they're taking people." Was all she could say.
He nodded as he looked around. "It looks like they're killing the students they think are weak, and are taking those that can hold their own."
Blaziken finally noticed May and quickly ran over to her.
"We have to find Leaf," May said as soon as her Pokémon was by her side.
Drew nodded as he put his fingers to his mouth and let out a loud whistle. Within seconds his Flygon flew down to them.
"I need you to find Leaf," he told his Pokémon.
Flygon nodded his head as he took off to the sky. They followed after him as he flew back toward the large battle. Flygon soon found who he was looking for and started flying circles in one spot.
"There!" Drew told May as they ran to where Flygon was circling.
As they broke through the crowd they could see Leaf. Her Ivysaur was next to her smacking away anyone who came too close with his vines, while Leaf did her best with her sword. She kept glancing behind her with worry. May followed her friend's gaze to find a familiar Arcanine defending an unconscious Gary. Upon noticing his injured friend Drew quickened his pace. May watched in horror as a grunt managed to get through Leaf's defenses and slash at her leg causing her to crumble to the ground with a shriek of pain. Just as the man made a step toward Leaf, May shot an arrow that pierced through his neck. As the man fell to the ground May and Drew ran up.
"May! Thank goodness, I was worried they got you." Leaf said as she clutched her now bleeding leg.
"What happened?" May asked as Drew managed to calm down Arcanine and get to his friend.
"I was with Gary looking for you two when a Pokémon attacked me from behind. The idiot jumped in the way." She said as she choked back a sob. "Is he okay?" She asked as Drew walked up with Arcanine who had Gary slung over his back.
"He'll live," Drew said as he looked at the battle. It was obvious that the men in black and red were winning. There were mostly only professors still standing. There were many students, mostly upperclassmen, being carried away.
"May, Drew, Leaf!" They all turned their heads to find Lance running toward them.
"Thank goodness you're all still standing." He said as he looked them over, but frowned when he saw Gary. "You must get out of here."
"We can't just leave-" Drew started, but was cut off when Lance lifted a hand to silence him.
"This school is a lost cause now. You must flee." He told them.
They all looked a little reluctant. He reached into his cloak and pulled something out.
"Take this," he said as he held it out.
"What is it?" May asked as she eyed the instrument.
"This is the Azure Flute." He said as he handed the flute to May. "This is the only thing that can save us now."
"What? How?" Leaf asked as she leaned on Drew's shoulder in support of her injured leg.
"That's not important at the moment. You are all a part of the Defiance now. You must take this flute to Mt. Silver." He told them firmly.
"In the Johto region?" Drew questioned.
Lance nodded his head. "At the top of Mt. Silver you will find Red. You must take the flute to Red."
"Red? Like the color?" May asked skeptically.
"Red will know what to do with it. He's our only hope now." Lance said as two men in uniforms found their group and charged them. Before they could get any closer a Dragonite dropped from the sky and smacked them away with its tail.
"You must go now!" Lance ordered them as he turned to find more men approaching.
They all nodded reluctantly and started toward the forest that surrounded the school. Noticing that Leaf was slowing them down, Blaizken scooped her up in his arms. As they ran May noticed Ash out of the corner of her eye. She slowed down as she watched him fighting it out with three guys, with only Pikachu helping. Just then a man came up behind him and hit him in the back of the head, knocking him out. With that they caged Pikachu and took off with them.
"Ash!" She gasped as she started toward him. Drew quickly grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"There's nothing you can do, he's gone now!" He stated.
"No, we have to help him!" May struggled as she tried to pull her wrist free.
"You're just going to get yourself killed!" He argued.
"What do you care?" She seethed.
Drew glared at her for the remark. Sure he'd pick a fight with her now and then, but he never thought he'd come across as someone who didn't care for her. It was actually quite the opposite. Not wanting to waste any more time he looked to the sky for his Flygon. Flygon flew down next to them and Drew picked May up and threw her on the Pokémon.
"Get her out of here!" He told his Pokémon and with that Flygon flew off with a very upset May.
"Drew!" She yelled at him with anger as Flygon flew her toward the forest. With May no longer holding them back the group made their way to safety in the forest.
After walking for over an hour the group finally decided to stop and take care of Leaf's leg. Although May ditched a lot of her classes, she did manage to learn a few things about first aid. As Drew scouted the area May took care of the cut on Leaf's leg with the small first aid kit that she kept in her bag.
"It wasn't too deep, so I think you'll be okay." May said as she finished wrapping up the wound.
"Are any of us going to be okay?" Leaf asked as she stared hard at her friend.
"Of course we are," May assured her with the best smile she could muster, though both knew it was fake. She left Leaf leaning against a tree with her Ivysaur as Drew reappeared.
May was still upset at him for leaving Ash, but she chose not to bring it up. He sat down in front of the small fire that Blaziken set up and she joined him.
"What do we do now?" She asked him quietly.
He didn't seem like he was going to respond at first as he stared into the fire. "We do what Lance told us to do." He finally answered.
"How are we going to do that? Look at us." She said as she motioned to Leaf leaning against the tree and Gary laying against Arcanine a few feet away. He followed her gaze and sighed.
"For now we rest. We'll leave first thing in the morning and head to Pedalburg City. "He said as he ran his hand through his messy hair.
They sat in silence for a while as the day's events played through their minds. May couldn't help but wonder how Drew managed to remain calm through the whole thing. She couldn't even bring herself to kill someone, aside from the one who attacked Leaf, while Drew was able to kill so many effortlessly. She had thought that because she was good at Pokémon battles that she was an even rival for him, but the truth was, Drew was leagues ahead of her.
She eyed the weary teen next to her. His clothes were a mess and had a few specks of blood splattered across them, while his face looked tired and worn. She was sure that she probably didn't look any better. But if it wasn't for Drew, May realized that she probably would've died in that mess. She realized she still had her bow tightly gripped in her hand and she set it aside as she allowed herself to calm down.
"Are you okay?" He asked after noticing her shaking hands.
"I'm not so sure myself," she said with a nervous laugh as she stood up.
"I'm going to go rest," she said as she walked over to Leaf and sat down next to her. The two girls rested their heads on each other in a form of comfort as they closed their eyes.
That left Drew with the first watch, but he preferred it that way. He watched the two sleeping girls for a minute before turning back to the fire. Flygon jumped from the tree he was sharing with Blaziken and settled down next to him.
"We're in quite a mess, aren't we?" He said as he patted the Pokémon's head. Flygon let out a small cry of agreement.
After a few hours Gary finally woke up. He was surprised to see the two sleeping girls, but let out a breath when he realized who they were. He was especially relieved to see that Leaf didn't appear to be seriously injured.
He stood up and walked over to Drew while rubbing his very sore head.
"Did I miss anything?" He asked as he sat down.
Drew was startled at first by his friend's appearance, but relaxed when he sat down. He then proceeded to tell the brunette boy about the flute and what Lance sent them off to do.
"So how do we know Petalburg wasn't attacked too?" Gary questioned after Drew informed him of their plan.
"We don't, but we aren't exactly full of supplies right now. Plus, we have no way of getting to Johto." Drew stated sounding frustrated.
"Alright, then we'll head to Johto in the morning, but for now I think you should rest a little." Gary said as he saw just how worn out his friend looked.
"Will you be okay taking watch?"
"I'm fine, who do you think you're talking to?" Gary replied with a smirk.
Drew was too tired to argue and just leaned against his Flygon and shut his eyes. He was rudely awoken in the morning by a loud shrilly voice.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Leaf yelled.
Drew reluctantly opened his eyes to find May trying to hold up a fuming Leaf as she yelled at his friend.
"Why in the world would you jump in front of me like that? You could've died!"
"A normal person would say thank you." He said with a nonchalant shrug.
"You're an idiot Gary Oak! I didn't need you to do that!" She fumed.
Clearly the girl was overreacting, but Drew didn't want to get in the way of her anger. If she was anything like May when she was angry, then she'd be a force to be reckoned with.
"He just didn't want you to get hurt. I think it's kind of sweet." May reasoned with her friend.
Leaf huffed and she limped back to her tree and sat down.
"So how far is it to Petalburg City?" May asked as Drew got up.
"Probably about an hour or so," He answered as he stretched.
The group then made their way toward the city with Leaf riding on Arcanine. After an hour of walking they saw what seemed to be smoke in the distance. They quickened their pace and finally stopped on cliff that looked over the city, and found that it too had been attacked. They all froze in disbelief as fires still filled the streets.
"No way," May whispered as she watched her home town burn to the ground.
"Do you think there's anyone left?" Leaf asked as she looked wearily at her best friend.
"It looks like they're rounding up civilians." Gary commented as he watched some rather intimidating Pokémon round up a large group of scared people.
May was in disbelief. If they had taken Petalburg, did that mean the rest of Hoenn was attacked too? Was anywhere safe? She wondered about her family. Her parents were probably in that crowd of people, not that she really cared, but what about her brother? He had just joined an academy as a freshman. Was that school attacked to? Was her brother brutally cut down, unable to defend himself, just like the freshmen at her school?
Completely consumed by her thoughts, May fell to her knees as tears streamed down her face. The others just stared at her in shock. The fearless May was crying? She had seemed so composed up to that point, but of course she was just a scared kid, just like the rest of them. Leaf crouched down next to her friend and wrapped her arms around her as tears fell down her own face. The two boys watched the crying girls, but didn't move. They weren't quite sure if it was their pride, or just them trying to be strong for the sake of the two crying on the floor, but they stood staring at the city, their faces void of emotion.
So I've grown quite fond of this story. I'm still not completely sure where it's going to go, but I like it. Thanks to all those that favorited and followed this story, you make me happy. Also thanks to I'll Break Your Heart, don't worry, your review did nothing but make me smile! ;)