Chapter 2 – Brendan
As the door closed behind her, May took the opportunity to take a closer look at the town. Her eyes had been more focuses on the vibrant colours and the nature surrounding her, but now she focuses her attention on the very few buildings in the town. She walked towards the largest building, which was situated just south from her house. She read the sign that was next to the green, official looking doors, it read 'Pokémon Lab'. This must be where Professor Birch works, May thought to herself. She considered opening the door and taking a look inside, but dismissed the idea. It might be considered rude to intrude on someone's workplace without properly introducing themselves first.
May slowly and nervously walked back in the direction of her house but veered slightly to the left, towards the house that belonged to Professor Birch, her new neighbour. Though she had never met the Professor, her dad talked about him often on the few occasions he came home. They had met back when her dad was a fairly new trainer; Professor Birch had started studying the Johto Pokémon for his thesis, when he was chased by an angry horde of Mareep whilst out in the field. Luckily her father had been there to help the young researcher, and the two became fast friends.
Reaching her neighbours house, May hesitantly knocked on the door that was identical to the one on her own house.
The door opened, but instead of the Professor, May was greeted by a cheerful looking woman with curly brown hair, wearing a sundress. The woman was close to her mother's age and May assumed her to be Professor Birch's wife.
'Oh, hello. And you are?' The woman enquired with a friendly smile.
'Hi, my name is May. I just moved here with my family and came to introduce myself!' May could feel her cheeks start to flush. Now that she was here she suddenly felt awkward. Why hadn't her mom or dad mentioned that the Professor had a wife?
Realisation dawned on the woman's face. 'Oh, you're May, our new next-door neighbour! Welcome! Please come inside and make yourself at home. My name is Heather Birch, professor Birch's wife.
'Thank you.' May followed Heather into the house and noted that the structure and layout was almost identical except to her own.
'My husband is out doing his research at the moment I'm afraid, but I'm sure you'll get to meet his soon. We also have a son about the same age as you. He has been so excited about making a new friend. He should be in his room upstairs. I hope you'll go and introduce yourself!'
Heather seemed almost as persuasive as her own mother and May found her self agreeing. As she headed towards the stairs she felt the familiar panic rise as her old fears surfaced. She wasn't expecting to meet anyone her own age yet, especially a boy! What if he thought she was a freak for not having any Pokémon, like the kids back in Olivine had?
May tried to control her breathing and calm her racing heart as she walked the stairs. Upon reaching the top she found herself looking at a boy who appeared to be around 17 and just a few inches taller than her. His brown hair was covered with a white beanie hat, and she couldn't fully see his face as he was angled away from her. Even from behind, she could tell he was a trainer by the Poké Balls that hung from his belt and the backpack that he had just finished stuffing potions into, which he now swung over his shoulder.
The boy busied himself about his desk, unaware of her presence behind him. He began muttering to himself and she became unsure of how to get his attention without frightening the living daylight out of him.
'Pokémon fully restored… Items all packed, and…' The boy's words were cut off as he turned and finally noticed that she was standing behind him. May felt her blood rush to her cheeks, she should have cleared her throat or something when she first entered his room. What was she thinking just lurking behind him in his own room? Forget looking like a freak, this poor kid probably thinks he's dealing with a psychotic stalker!
'Y-you… Who are you?' The boy stammered still clearly shocked. May struggled to get her words out.
'I'm really sorry to scare you like that! My name is May, we just moved here and your mom sent me up here to introduce myself.' May spoke quickly and just hoped that he understood any of it.
The confused expression on the boy's face vanished quickly and he looked almost relieved. 'Oh, you're the new kid who just moved in next door?! Huh…' He looked May up and down, scrutinising her. She shifted from foot to foot awkwardly, he almost seemed disappointed in what he saw, and May knew she had probably blown her chances at making her only friend. 'I didn't know that you'd be a girl.' He admitted. 'Dad – I mean, Professor Birch – told me you were the kid of a Gym Leader, and I sort of hoped you would be a guy.'
May suddenly felt a rush of anger, she knew she wasn't perfect or a skilled Pokémon trainer, but it didn't mean he could act so outright rude towards her. Stifling her anger, she retorted 'I'm sorry to disappoint you. Like I said, I only came to introduce myself, and you look like you're busy with something so I'll be letting myself out.'
May spun around and made back towards the stairs when a hand grabbed her wrist stopping her. 'Wait! I'm sorry if I offended you, I guess I was just a bit surprised. My name if Brendan. Well, I guess we are still neighbours so… Let's be friends, okay?
'Sure, I'd like that' she nodded as her anger vanished. This guy Brendan seemed a bit cocky and arrogant, but she was lacking in the friends department, and there was a chance he could give her some advice how to become a trainer. As if he was reading her mind Brendan's eyes drifted towards her belt, which was empty with a lack of Poké Balls that most people carried.
'Huh? Hey, May… Don't you have any Pokémon?' He asked.
'Uh, no. My parents held me back from becoming a trainer, but I'm hoping to become one soon.' She admitted.
Brendan seemed to accept that, to her surprise. 'I don't really have that much experience as a trainer myself to be honest.' He said sadly. 'I have spent most of my life helping my dad with his research. I know how to train Pokémon and catch them and stuff… I just never really had the chance to go out and travel with them. My dad just gave me the new updated PokéNav Plus though, with a Pokédex installed in it. He wants me to travel around the Hoenn region to collect the data of loads of different Pokémon!' Brendan rambled on excitedly.
If you want I could go catch you a Pokémon, May? We could start our adventures together.' May was thrilled at his words. She wanted nothing more than to get her first Pokémon. Her hopes were soon dashed, however. 'Aw, wait, I forgot… I'm supposed to be going out to help my dad catch some wild Pokémon.' Brendan passed her and headed towards the stairs, but before continuing down them he turned back towards her, 'Some other time, okay?' he promised before rushing down.
May returned down the stairs just as Brendan hurried out the door slamming it behind him. She said goodbye to Heather who was in the kitchen, thanking her for her hospitality before letting herself out.
Deciding it was too nice a day to be cramped in her room, May proceeded to explore the town. She hadn't walked far before she heard a commotion coming from the direction of the only path leading out of town, that was known as route 101. She ran towards the sounds of the shouting and stopped at the edge of the town where a small boy stood, looking for the source of the shouting.
Becoming aware of her presence the boy looked at her. 'I think I hear someone screaming up ahead! What should I do? What should we do? Somebody has to go help…'
'Hush!' She said to the boy 'there's no reason to panic, I'll go help. Stay here!' Despite her words, May's heart began to race. But someone was in danger and she had to help them.
'H-help me!' A voice shouted from up ahead.
Pushing her fear aside she ran along the path to find a large man wearing a lab coat being chased in the long grass by a snarling, grey Pokémon. The man saw her approach and stopped running, but jumped backwards every time the Pokémon lunged. He shouted towards her.
'Halloo! You over there! Please! Help me out! In my Bag! There are some Poké Balls!'
Bag? May was puzzled, until she noticed the brown satchel that was strewn on the grass by her feet. The man must have dropped it when he was attacked. Crouching down May stuck her hand inside the back and gripped onto the first Poké Ball that her fingers touched. Standing, she turned and faced the Pokémon that was still snapping at the man.
May had never battled with a Pokémon, but growing up she had watched her dad battle countless times. Recalling his movements when he brought out his Pokémon May attempted to copy them. Bringing the arm holding the Poké Ball back over her shoulder, she swung it forward fast, pressing the button on the Ball as it was released from her hand.
Springing open, the Poké Ball flashed with a bright light as it landed a few feet away from the grey Pokémon that was attacking the man. The light subsided and revealed a small, cute orange and yellow chick Pokémon, that looked like it could be a hatchling.
Ruffling it's feathers, the little Pokémon turned and growled at her; awaiting her instructions. May didn't know what the Pokémon could do, or what would be affective against the attacking Pokémon. The wild Pokémon had abandoned its attacks on the white coated man and was focusing on the orange bird Pokémon.
May had to think quickly, the Pokémon had growled at her, if it could do that again maybe it would scare the attacking Pokémon away.
'Growl!' She shouted towards the Pokémon in a commanding voice, similar to the tone that she heard he father use when battling. The Pokémon obeyed, trusting her battle skills more than she herself did. The little bird made a loud squawking noise at the wild Pokémon; it didn't have the desired effect though. The wild Pokémon looked wary and slightly subdued, but it stood its ground, hackles raised. It let out another angry cry as it lunged at her Pokémon, going in for a tackle.
May held her breath, fearing for the little chick Pokémon. Fortunately the wild Pokémon's attack was weak, and her Pokémon had survived the tackle almost unscathed. She noticed that her Pokémon had talons at the end of its small feet; it must at least be able to scratch it's opponent.
'Scratch!' May commanded. To her relief the Pokémon understood and with a flapping movement, her Pokémon leapt into the air and dove down on the wild Pokémon, hacking it with its talons. Once it had finished its attack, the little Pokémon turned on its heel and scurried back to her quickly, in a way that made her laugh at its cuteness.
The wild Pokémon looked a little worse for wear but stayed on its feet. May continued with the scratching method, and after a few turns the wild Pokémon let out a cry and sunk to the ground in a daze. She sighed in relief, ecstatic that she had managed to win her first Pokémon fight.
The chick Pokémon ran to her feet and started hopping up and down wildly, clearly happy that it was the victor in the battle. She kneeled down and patted the Pokémon on the head, it closed its eyes and started wiggling its small tail feathers, enjoying the touch.
Still petting the Pokémon, May hadn't noticed the large man walking towards her, in fact during the heat of the battle she had totally forgotten about him. He picked up the bag that he dropped earlier and slung it over one shoulder, then he turned and collected the discarded Poké Ball that housed the Pokémon at her feet.
'Whew…' He sighed, catching his breath as he turned towards her. 'I went into the tall grass to survey wild Pokémon when I was suddenly jumped! You saved my hide. Thanks a lot!' He held out the Poké Ball towards the chick Pokémon, and with another flash it returned to the ball.
'It's no problem sir, I'm glad I could help. Excuse me for asking, but are you Professor Birch?'
'Indeed I am young lady!' The Professor said with a beaming smile. 'Oh? But you're Norman's girl, May, right?' She nodded 'I didn't even realise who you were at first. You've grown into quite the young lady. This isn't the place for a chat, though. Come along to my lab.'
With that Professor Birch gestured for her to follow him as he started walking back towards the town. May followed a few steps behind and the Professor occasionally turned to make small talk. He asked about her dad, and whether he liked his new job as gym leader, and then asked if they were settling in. May told him that they were already settled and that she had made friends with his son, Brendan. The Professor had seemed pleased with that news.
They reached the Pokémon lab that May had been standing outside of not too long ago. The Professor opened the door and gestured for her to go inside. Walking through the door, May looked around in awe at the cleanliness of the lab, and the intricate machines of what she couldn't begin to comprehend their purpose.
Leading her to the workstation at the top end of the lab, Professor Birch turned to her, ready to resume the conversation that they had started on route 101.
'So, May! I've heard so much about you from your father. But he said you don't have your Pokémon yet. If that's true, that was quite the performance back there! Looks like you really are your father's daughter!'
'Yes, I have never owned a Pokémon. But I was hoping that now I have moved here, I would start my journey as a trainer. Hoenn looks so beautiful, I want to explore every part of it.' May was still surprised by the professors praise, she had blundered her way through her first Pokémon battle by sheer trial and error. If anything she thought the battle was a disaster, but the Professors encouragement had given her the hope and confidence she needed to become a trainer.
'Oh, yes!' Professor Birch continued, 'To say thanks for rescuing me out there, how about I give you that Pokémon you used earlier?' May's heart raced at those words, could she really keep that little orange bird Pokémon.
'Oh, no Professor Birch, I couldn't possibly take your Pokémon. It's too much, and you really don't need to thank me anyway!'
'Nonsense, May! All Pokémon deserve good trainers, and I can see this one has already become very attached to you. I doubt it will be as loyal to anyone else now.' Professor Birch reached into his bag and drew out the Poké Ball she had picked earlier. 'This Pokémon is called a Torchic. I managed to hatch three rare Pokémon in my lab, this is one of them, another I have to my son, Brendan.'
May took the Poké Ball from the Professor. Torchic, she thought. It seemed like a fitting name for such a cute Pokémon.
'You know, if you work with your Pokémon, and gain experience, I think you'll make a pretty excellent trainer, May. My boy, Brendan happens to be out on route 103 right now, surveying Pokémon for me. He should be studying there for a few days. It might not be a bad idea for you to head out that way yourself. What do you think?'
'That sounds great! I can't wait to start my journey as a trainer'
'Great! I'm sure Brendan will be happy to hear that too. He can help teach you what it means to be a trainer.
'Thank you Professor Birch! For the Pokémon and for the advice. I really appreciate it!' May could hardly contain the excitement in her voice. She turned to leave, eager to get started.
'Oh! Wait, May!' She turned back to the Professor 'If you're ever lost along the way, just use the AreaNav on your PokéNav Plus! You can use it to see how you get to Route 103, where Brendan should be. And if your Pokémon get tired, get some rest back at your new house.
May thanked the Professor once more and exited the lab. Standing outside she looked at the sky in dismay, it was turning a deep orange. She had planned to set out right away and show Brendan her new Pokémon, but now she noticed it was starting to get dark. She realised how tired she felt, after all it had been a really long day! She had moved house, met Brendan, had her first Pokémon battle, and received her first Pokémon. Plus her mother would start to worry if she stayed out much later.
Yawning, May trudged back to her house. She wondered how her mom would react when she saw May's new Pokemon; or when May told her she would be leaving to start her training sooner than any of them had planned.
A/N
Hi guys, sorry if the story seems to be developing too slowly. Now that most of the introductions have been written, the storyline should be progressing at a much quicker pace. Hopefully a certain silver haired champion will be making his debut soon, too! ;)
Thanks for reading, and please feel free to leave a comment letting me know what you think! :)
I hope you enjoy the story.
~Beck
