Chapter 4: Union

"Hic duos mundos

"emquod aulaei juncturae

"emquae/emem in ea ventura."

The time is 7:30 am on June 21st, when the sun reaches it's highest point in the sky at 12:00 PM, it will be the summer solstice. Today is the day that will alter Brendan's life in a way he couldn't have ever imagined. The morning sun is rising and filling the environment with a soft orange hue. Wingulls are squaking off in the distance and the wind is calm providing a pleasant and gentle breeze. Brendan begins to awaken and opens his eyes to take a look at his surroundings. At first his back is completely in a knot from having to sleep on the side of a tree (due to lack of funds to pay for lodging). He gets up and stretches, once he finally realizes where he's at it all finally hit him; he's by himself on his own adventure. He has no parents to be accounted by, nobody to tell him when to get up and when to go to sleep, he has complete control of his life. He looks up at the beautiful red-orange Hoenn sky and his entire body wells up with a sense of euphoria, it was finally the day where he could begin anew.

"The pokeball in his messenger bag begins to violently shake and trash around make to Brendan's surprise. The capsule suddenly opens,

""Torrrrrrr-Chiccccc!" Torchic shrieks and spews out dozens of fire balls into the air.

"AHHHH!" Brendan is completely caught off guard, he then yells, "Torchic! Torchic! TORCHIC!" Which finally caught the fire bird's attention. "You're fine Torchic! What the hell is wrong Torchic?!" He looks at Brendan for a second and then leaps into his arms. "Woahhh! What's wrong buddy?" Torchic has tears streaming from his eyes and whimpers.

"tor..."

"Did you have a nightmare or something?" Torchic simply nods and remains in his arms. "It's alright buddy, we all get those ever once in a while." He stands there with the Torchic for a few minutes and wonders what was it that freaked him out so badly. Was there something about Torchic's past that he doesn't know about? Regardless after a few minutes he leaps out of Brendan's arms and shakes himself off.

"Torrrrr-Chiccc!" He cries out with determination in his eyes.

"You ready to head out Torchic!"

"Torrrr!"

"Let's do this!" Brendan packs up his belongings and the two set out on their journey to discovery. They continue walking along Route 1 but almost immediately make their way to Oldale Town. They take a look around at the place with wonder and amazement, despite the rather 'humble' environment of the town. Quite simply they were simply amazed to have made it to a brand new location. They walk for a few steps and are greeted by an older lady wearing a blue apron.

"Hello there young man, are you a new trainer by any chance?"

"Yes ma'am I am." Brendan replied cordially.

"Well then let me show you a few things then, come along now."Brendan and Torchic agreed and followed the lady to a building with a blue roof. "This here building is what you may call a PokeMart, inside are a multitude of different items for all residents in the towns and cities here, but trainers may simply go up to the clerk and request trainer related items such as pokeballs, potions, repels, x-items, you name it and we got it. Now come along this way." They once again, agree and follow the lady to another building, this one with a red roof. "This here is what you may call a Pokemon Center, this will be very crucial in keeping your Pokemon healthy so pay attention." Brendan focused in onto what she was saying with extra acuteness. "Whenever your Pokemon is at low health or has a status condition, simply take your Pokemon to Nurse Joy and she'll heal them right up for you. Simple enough?"

"Yes maam, I feel like I have a good understanding of all of that."

"Alrighty young man, then that'll be it for my help. If ya need anything then I'm just a stone throw away in the..." She looks at Brendan for a reponse.

"Pokemart?..."

"Bingo! You catch on quickly. Bye bye now!" Brendan waves back as the sweet old lady returns inside of the PokeMart.

"Well that was nice of her to help us like that, don't ya think?"

"Torrrrr-chic." He says while agreeingly nodding his head.

"Ok, so is there anything to do here? Where do we go next?" Brendan was puzzled and confused as to what his next course of action was to be, he looked around the town seeing what there was to see, much to no avail. Oldale Town is a very calm and tranquil place, mainly reserved for people in the latter parts of their lives looking for a simple way of living. Brendan sat down at a bench wondering what to do, until his Pokegear began to ring, he picks up.

"Hello?"

"BRENDAN!"

"Holy crap dad! I'm right here! You don't have to yell all the time!"

"Sorry Brendan! How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, I just don't really know what to do? I mean I just kind of took off on a journey with nothing really in mind."

"Yeahhhh, you kinda did there pal. I'll tell you what, there is something for you to do that'll certainly be of motivation to you."

"What is it?"

"Challenging the Pokemon League."

"The Pokemon League?!"

"Yes. I truly do believe that you have that unique potential within you Brendan. If you fervently dedicate yourself to it, I believe that your bond with your Pokemon combined with work ethic will carry you all the way to the champion's chamber and eventually the hall of fame."

"You really think I can do that?"

"Of course I do son."

"Wow, the Pokemon League ehh? I'm in. What about you Torchic?"

"Torrrrrr-Chicccccc!"

"Alright, then it's settled I'll challenge the Pokemon League! Lemme at em'! How do I get there?!"

"You'll get slaughtered kid."

"You just said that you believed in me!"

"I do Brendan, just in due time. Those people have been with their Pokemon for years upon years now refining their battle strategies and strengthening their bonds with their Pokemon and have become the most powerful trainers in not only in all of Hoenn, but in the entire world. They have dedicated their entire lives to battling, whereas you literally got a Pokemon yesterday. You gotta chill out Brendan."

"Okay okay, but how do I even get to that point though? Where do I start?"

"The way to get to the Pokemon League is to take the Official Gym Challenge."

"Gym Challenge?"

"Yes, across the region in eight different places are trainers who run Pokemon Gyms. If you battle your way through the gym trainers and defeat the Gym Leader in battle you will earn a badge. If you earn all eight gym badges in the region then you will be eligible to challenge the Pokemon League which consists of the Elite Four, and then the strongest trainer in the region; The Hoenn Region Champion."

"Man, that sounds like it'll take a while."

"Yes it will, are you sure you're up for the task son? It's not for the faint of heart. Your ability in combat will be tested, but not only that, your mental fortitude, work ethic, morals, and determination will be tested. That is the path of a Pokemon Trainer, I just want to make sure you're willing to walk it."

"I'm gonna do it dad, I'm gonna take them on and become the Champion. I want to fight alongside Torchic and conquer these gyms and prove to you and Mom and Max that I'm strong."

"That's what I like to hear son, well I have to get back to field work. You said you were in Oldale Town?"

"Yeah, Oldale Town."

"Okay, from there you're just gonna head over West from there and you'll find yourself in Petalburg City. There's a gym leader there that goes by the name of Norman. Go ahead and ask him for directions to Rustboro City and that I sent ya. He's a good buddy of mine and he's been wondering about if you'd ever be a trainer so he'd love to talk to you."

"Okay Dad, but why don't I just challenge him? Isn't he a gym leader?"

"Because you'd get creamed Brendan, he's the fifth Gym Leader on the official list anyways, he's used to a higher caliber of trainers that challenge him anyways. You technically could, but it would be a waste of time and would only serve to injure your Torchic."

"Okayyyy, I'll make sure just to talk to him then."

"Haha alrighty son, I love ya. Talk to ya later!"

"Okay, bye Dad!" *Beep* With that Brendan had finally figured out what it was that he wanted to strive for. He had something to achieve and something to prove, especially to Max. He really liked the idea of returning home to his little brother as the Champion of the region. With newfound vigor he went to the Pokemart and stocked up on Pokeballs and potions with the amount of money that his parents gave him to start on his journey. After that, he took a last look at Oldale Town and began walking through Route 102.

The day still had yet to fully begin as it was only 9:30 in the morning. The thought of still having the entire rest of the day excited him, there was still so much to discover, he had just barely scratched the surface. He continued walking along the path for a good five minutes and found himself fairly deep into the woods. He kept on without interruption until he noticed a shaking in the bushes, naturally startled Torchic assumed a battle position ready to strike. Brendan held his breathe and waited for something to strike first, and he waited. Nothing, and still nothing. He was still suspicious about the bush but he went against his better judgement and crept up to the bush to see what was behind it. He got closer and closer until he was about a meter away from the bush, but he heard something, it was a bit faint but regardless he heard something. He listened closely and heard someone or something panting, as he got closer it got louder and he began to see over the brush and started to see something black, it wasn't fur but rather it was hair. He then finally looked completely looked over the fence and saw that it was actually a boy with scrape marks all over his body. He was laying there motionless except for his chest which was rising rapidly from heavy breathing. This scared Brendan so he began questioning,

"Hello!? Are you alright?! Can you hear me?!" To no response, "Please please just say something!"

"H-he-help...please..." the boy muttered.

"Okay good, he's conscious at least." He looked into his bright blue eyes and saw that they were following his, he checked his pulse and felt that it was a bit rapid. Brendan knew that he needed to get him to a hospital soon. He wasn't in critical condition, but he knew that he was definitely in pain.

"Okay, do you know how far Petalburg City is from here?"

"Ab-about f-fi-five m-mminutess."

"Okay, I'm gonna make that three. I'm gonna get you out of here safe. Just try your best to relax and stay calm." Brendan instructed the boy to remain calm meanwhile he himself was terrified as well. He had recieved some basic first aid from his father and so he was able to feel a bit more at ease during this situation. And so Brendan picked him up and began to run towards the direction of Petalburg City. But as Brendan started running he noticed a Pokeball on the ground, Brendan then instructed,

"Torchic! I need you to get that pokeball!"

"Torrrrr!" He immediately run over to the pokeball to try and take it to Petalburg. However, a problem arose; Torchic's wings are so small they might as well not be there in the first place.

"Torrrrrr,-Chicc, torrrr!" He was baffled at how he was going to move this pokeball, after thinking he finally just decided to move it with his head all the way into town. Meanwhile, Brendan was racing into town as fast as he could to try and get his wounds healed. He wondered, 'What happened to him?' 'Why did it happen?' 'Will he be okay?' but he did his best to simply focus on the task at hand and get him to a hospital.

After a few minutes of running Brendan finally made his way into Petalburg City and make's his way to the hospital. He rushes into the main entrance and shouts,

"Help! Help please! He's hurt he's hurt!" A nurse rushes up to Brendan.

"What happened to him?"

"I don't know! I was walking along Route 102 when I found him like this in the bushes by himself!"

"Okay, We'll talk care of him, I'll have a nurse take you to a patient waiting room. Thanks for your help, we'll take it from here, you just try to relax."

"Okay, please just heal him!"

"we'll do our absolute best." With that, the nurses placed the boy onto a stretcher being wheeled by a Chancey and they take him into the operating room. Brendan takes a seat in the waiting room and waits for any updates from the nurses.

After twenty minutes had gone by he sees the main doors open and a sees a pokeball roll from around the corner. He was puzzled at first, but then realized that he had completely forgotten about Torchic and the pokeball the boy left behind.

"Oh my god! Torchic are you okay!?" Torchic is completely drenched in sweat and is panting heavilly. "Thank you so much Torchic! I'm so sorry I was just so worried for that boy that I had completely forgotten about his pokeball. That was my bad." Torchic just looked at him and jumped up into the next available seat for a well deserved nap. Brendan had a little while to think about things, he thought about all of the possible reasons for what could have happened to him, why it happened to him, but the biggest question in his mind was quite simply; why does he care so much? Brendan knew that his condition wasn't deadly or critical, but he was still worried beyond belief and felt an obligation to see to his safety. This boy had had just met, he could have just as easily dropped him off at the hospital and carry on his journey. His responsibility in the matter ended a long time ago, yet here he still is. He thought about it and had a vague idea but opted to not get to wrapped up in the details and just wait for the nurses.

After 30 minutes the nurses finally walk into the waiting room with news.

"Any update?"

"Yes, you can stop worrying now because he's gonna be just fine. He was scratched up pretty good and has some pretty deep bruising, but beyond being roughed up he's gonna be just fine." Brendan gave a massive sigh of relief, he was so beyond worried that he himself started feeling sick.

"Is he conscious right now?"

"Not right now, he's taking a nap for the time being, but the time is only 10:45 so we'll still be open all day if you want to visit him when he's awake. We can let you know when he's ready to see you if you'd like?"

"Yes please I'd appreciate that very much. Can I give the hospital my pokegear number for them to just call?"

"Yes, you can speak to his lady at reception for that."

"Alrighty, thank you so much for your hard work. I appreciate it."

"Absolutely, have a great rest of your day!"

With that the nurse walked back to go tend to other patients. Brendan was unsure what to do for the time being but he just knew he wanted to be out of the hospital. So he walked out checked out the sights and explored Petalburg City for a bit. He decided to tell his father about the incident and all of the details. After talking on the phone with his father for about 45 minutes Brendan finally hung up and went for a walk with Torchic. About 20 minutes after that Brendan gets a phone call from the hopsital.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this a Mr. Brendan Birch?"

"Yes, this is he."

"Hello Mr. Birch, he just now woke up from a nap and is now feeling up for visitors would you like for us to let him know that you're coming?"

"Uh, yes please, I'll be over in a few minutes."

"Very well, bye bye now Mr. Birch." *Beep*

The time is 11:50 am, Brendan rushed over to the hospital as fast as he could, he couldn't wait to see him and figure out the whole story behind everything. For some reason he felt nervous and a tiny bit afraid. He didn't know why, but he felt something different that he couldn't really put his finger on. He makes it to the hospital and checks back in at reception and gets the room number for the myster patient. He takes the elevator up to his room and exits the elevator into the main hallway.

"Alrighty, room 432, 432...ummm, that is...there!" He find the room number and gathers his composure. He fixes his shirt and pants, fixes his hair and makes sure it isn't too ruffled where his white hat is. He knocks on the door takes a long deep breathe and is finally ready to meet the man he saved. The nurse greets him and tells Brendan to walk right on inside. He walks into the room, he hears the beep of the iv machine and sees white curtains blocking the bed. The tv was on playing the news, the windows are wide open filling the room with natural light. At that point the nurse finally went up to the curtain and pulled it back revealing to Brendan the boy he just rescued. Brendan immediately felt something different that he's never felt before. He looks at him and his jet black hair and bright blue eyes. His very soft skin glistened in the sunlight making his complexion very bright and warm. Brendan is at a complete loss for words as he is completely in awe. He has never seen felt anything quite like what he is feeling, he feels the butterflies floating about in his entire body, he feels light yet grounded, nervous yet comfortable, afraid yet at peace. Nobody has ever made him feel like that before, and Brendan doesn't know exactly how to react to it. Yet, a nervous smile comes both of their faces as they gaze in each other's eyes. Green Emerald eyes on Bright Blue eyes, it is currently 12:00 PM on June 21st; it is officially the Summer Soulstice.