Chapter IV
The Days Ahead
"Mornin'! I already made some fresh pancakes!" May said as I walked down the stairs, "Would you like some?"
"Sure. Hey, are you going to be coming over here to make breakfast every day now?" I questioned.
I could get used to this. I mean, she does make some pretty good breakfast dishes.
"I just might. If you want me to, that is. Oh! My dad wanted to see us for something. So let's head over there as soon as we finish breakfast, okay?" May said.
"Okay! I wonder what it's about. I hope it is something adventurous." I said, a slightly mischievous smile appearing on my face.
"Hey, what's up with that smile? It looks like you're planning to prank someone you are angry with" May stated, laughing at the end. Snapping out of the trance I put myself under, I said, "Oh, sorry about that. I get that smile and sort of… Well how do you put it? I guess I would say 'blank out' when I think of doing adventurous things. It's kind of weird." I said to May.
… … … … …
After finishing up breakfast we started walking down to May's house. Talking along the way, I found out that her dad seemed pretty excited to tell us about something today. "So what do you think your dad wants to tell us?" I asked May.
"I'm not sure. He's pretty unpredictable. I mean, before he started studying Pokémon he was thinking about a ton of jobs and he was trying to take on every kind of college classes available. I hope it's something good, though."
"Yeah, so do I. But now I am really curious about what he is going to tell us. The anticipation is killing me!" I said.
… … … … …
"You're back!" Professor Birch said as we entered his lab. "I have something very important to tell you two."
"What is it? We've been wondering all morning!" May said.
"I've decided that you two are knowledgeable enough to go out on your own and explore the rest of the region. After you two do that we will decide what to do next. But! I have one condition that you two must meet! You two must collect data on all the Pokémon of this region! Seems reasonable, right?" Professor Birch said.
"Yes!" I shouted. "That seems like an amazing deal! What do you think about it, May?"
"This is an amazing opportunity! I can't skip out on this!"
"Then it's been decided, you two will be heading out tomorrow morning!"
… … … … …
I wonder when May will get here… I am really looking forward to-
"That must be May! See you, mom! I'll come back to visit as soon as I can!" I said to my mom as I jogged towards the door, backpack on. I had all the proper supplies for surviving for the time being. I have a bit of money that I had been saving up for months, some food for the road until we get to Petalburg, my Poké Ball with Mudkip was attached to my backpack strap, clean clothes, and other necessary items. "Hey, May!" I said as I opened the door and walked out. "Shall we get going? I am really excited for this!"
"I can see that by the fact that you're energetic at seven in the morning. This is very surprising." May replied. "Do you have everything packed? Because I'm ready to head out if you are."
"I have everything in and on this backpack. So let's go, shall we?"
… … … … …
"We're finally in Petalburg! If I'm correct, the gym leader here is my house's old resident's father. What was his name again?" I said to May.
"I believe it was Norman. I haven't seen him in a while. Want to go talk to him for a bit? He might be in the gym."
"No, I'm fine. I've decided that I am going to fight all the gym leaders and hopefully get to the Pokémon League. That way, we can knock out two birds with one stone. I mean, we'll have to go through Victory Road, which means we'll see new Pokémon! So that means I need to start with Roxanne in Rustboro, right?"
"Yep! I hope you can beat her! She might be the lowest gym leader, but she can still put up a fight." May said.
"Well then, let's go there now!" I said enthusiastically.
… … … … …
May's POV
We walked along the path towards Petalburg Woods, which scares me a little bit.
I wonder if I'll be alright.
"Hey, May? Are you alright? You look pretty scared." Jace said.
"O-oh! Yes, I'm just fine! Don't worry about it." I replied.
I really hope I'll be all right.
When we turned the corner we saw tall pine trees covering a lot of area. Luckily, there was a clear path through it. Just some tall grass here and there. There were a lot of people with magnifying glasses and bug catching nets roaming around in the tall grass, looking at the different kinds of Pokémon lurking in their midst. Occasionally a Slakoth appeared lazing around in the trees. "Well then! Let's get going!" Jace said, running ahead.
"W-wait for me, Jace!" I said, running after him.
"We need to collect data on different Pokémon, right? Well let's get some done right here!" Jace said to me.
"That's right! Let's do this!" I said.
… … … … …
Jace's POV
After collecting data on every Pokémon in the forest and training a bit, which took a few hours, we headed towards Rustboro again, for the battle between me and the gym leader, Roxanne. "Finally! We're heading out of this forest!" May said, sounding very relieved.
"Yep! It's time for my battle! Good thing I trained, right? I mean, now Mudkip knows a new attack! And since it's water, I have the upper hand in the gym battle." I said.
"Well let's get to the Pokémon Center to rest our Pokémon before you go into battle."
"Sounds like a plan!" I said. A few minutes later and we were in Rustboro at the Pokémon Center waiting with our Pokémon who seemed very tired. "Your Pokémon will be all better in an a few minutes." Nurse Joy said to us.
"Thanks!" May and I said simultaneously.
"Well once we're out of here it's off to the gym!" I said once Nurse Joy left the room.
"Yeah, this will be a good battle. I'll be rooting for you!" May said.
"I can't wait!" I said.
