Hey everybody, before I start, I'd like to give a shout out to two people:
- rylek196 for helping me sort out difficult details of this story multiple times.
- QUEENSPELLER67 for catching a glaring mistake two chapters ago (Meeting New Friends), where I wrote "Ash" instead of "Brendan."
Both of these two have written some great stories, so check out their profiles and read some of their works.
One more thing, I know that the rival battle in Rustboro comes after beating Team Aqua in Rusturf Tunnel, but I decided to put it on a fast forward. Enjoy.
Now, without further ado, here is the tenth chapter of Brendan's Journey
The Evolution of Battle
Brendan and May left their campsite, leaving only a burned patch where their campfire had been. This time, however, they were walking hand-in-hand as they went through the remainder of Petalburg Woods. Luckily this went without a hitch, and they got to the other side of Route 104. This part of the route was really serene in Brendan's opinion. There was a large lake, and a bridge extending across it. Closer to them was a building with a greenhouse in the back.
"Hey, it's the Pretty Petal Shop," May said.
"A florist shop?" Brendan asked.
"Yeah, and they are really good at what they do. It's run by identical triplet sisters, and they all have their specialty with floral design."
"Want to go in?"
Absolutely! Gwen said.
"Alright, let's go," Brendan said cheerfully as they walked toward the shop. They entered through the front door, and they saw three young, identical women. They were all brunettes with fair skin, and they all wore different colored aprons over khaki capris and dark green t-shirts. From left to right, they wore red, blue, and green aprons.
"Oh, hello, how may we help you today?" the woman in the red apron, whose nametag said Emily, said.
"We were just passing through and we both decided to see the shop," May said.
"Oh, is this your first time here?" said the green aproned woman, whose nametag identified her as Trinity.
"Well, I came here a few times with my mother when I was a little girl," May said. "But Brendan here has barely been anywhere in the Hoenn region yet."
"Oh yeah, I remember you, you're May Birch! So you're traveling with a boy now?" said the third, blue apron wearing woman, whose nametag read Jennifer.
And me too! Gwen said.
"Oh, you're such a cute Ralts!" Trinity said. "I think I have a flower here for you that will make you look even more adorable." She went to the display case and took out a single stargazer lily and brought the bloom to Gwen and put it in her hair, behind her ear.
"Aww, that is so pretty!" Jennifer said.
Gwen started blushing at the compliment.
"Hey, Brendan, I'm going to take a look around," May said as she walked around the shop.
"Alright, Gwen and I will be here," Brendan said. He went to the counter while May wandered the shop admiring the multitude of bouquets.
"So, Brendan was your name, right?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, that's right," Brendan said.
"That's a really nice name," Jennifer said. "Just like May's"
"Well thank you," Brendan said, leaning against the counter with his elbows casually.
"So, how long ago did you and May start dating?" Trinity asked.
"How could you tell that we are dating?" Brendan said in shock.
"You both have that look in your eyes that just screams 'We are a new couple, so be jealous!'" Trinity said with a charming smile.
"Actually, it was just this morning that we made it official," Brendan said.
"And how did you ask her?" Jennifer asked.
Actually it was mostly my doing, Gwen said.
"And it was kind of a personal story too," Brendan said. "No offense, but I'm not sure if I want to tell people who I just met a few minutes ago."
"Alright, we won't pry," Trinity said quietly. "But you should give her a tulip. They symbolize perfect love."
"Really? Well, I think I'll do that. How much is it for a single tulip?"
"For this, it's free," Jennifer said with a wink. "As is that stargazer lily."
"Wow, thank you," Brendan said. With that, he walked up to the tulip selections and picked out a fresh, beautiful red tulip. He then walked over to where May was browsing and tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned to Brendan, he held out the tulip. "For you," he said.
May took on a cute, light blush at the gesture. "Brendan, it's beautiful, thank you," she said as she kissed his cheek. "And tulips are my favorite flowers."
"You're welcome," Brendan said. He pulled May into a tight embrace.
Trinity, Jennifer, and Emily all watched the exchange, smiling the whole time. "They make a really cute couple, don't they?" Emily said.
"Absolutely," Jennifer said.
"I hope it lasts. All too often people who are perfect for each other lose sight of their love for each other and the relationship goes south," Trinity said.
"I know, I remember when Steven Stone was dating Clair from Johto. He would always come here for flowers before his big dates, and then they broke up because the stress of a long distance relationship got the better of them," Emily said.
"I remember that, the last bouquet of flowers he got for her was out of apology over the fact that they couldn't make it work," Jennifer said. "It was so sad."
Brendan and May, however, didn't hear a word of what the triplets said. They were too happy to care what others said.
Ten minutes later, Brendan and May had left the shop, May's tulip safely tucked into one of her belt loops. "Well, that was a great stop," Brendan said as they began to cross the bridge toward the massive city.
"Absolutely," May said. "Now, we need to pick a fun spot for our next date."
"Well, if Rustboro City is anything like Goldenrod, then there should be some tourist attractions there," Brendan said.
I hear that Rustboro is home to the Pokémon Trainer's school, maybe you can go check that place out, Gwen said.
"Eh maybe," Brendan said. "Maybe we will be asked to demonstrate a battle or something like that."
"That would be fun, especially since I'd definitely win," May said, a competitive look in her eyes.
Dream on May! Gwen said with just as much fire in her eyes.
"Yeah, we'd win that battle for sure," Brendan said.
"My team has more advantages over yours, so I wouldn't be so sure about that," May said.
"You want to test that when we get to Rustboro?" Brendan asked as a blaze began to burn in his eyes too.
"Well, then that won't be too long now, since we are about five minutes away from the entrance to the city," May said.
"Perfect, even though we're dating now, I'm not holding anything back," Brendan said.
"You're damn right you're not," May said.
Yeah, Brendan, you'd better not hold anything back. If you do, I'm the one who takes the heat, sometimes literally, Gwen said. As she said that, they got to the entrance to Rustboro City.
"Alright, let's do this!" May said as she moved an appropriate distance from Brendan and pulled out her first Pokéball, throwing into the air. "Graham, come on out. It's time for a battle!" The seagull appeared from his Pokéball, and although he didn't like battling, he still looked ready to fight.
"Is this going to be a three-on-three?" Brendan asked.
"Yep," May said with a smile.
"Alright, then let's go, Nikki!" Brendan said as he let out the sloth Pokémon. She looked a bit lethargic, but that was typical for her.
"HOLD ON!" came an excited woman's voice. Brendan turned and saw a girl about their age in a black dress that looked like it belonged on a teacher running toward them. "DON"T START YET!"
"Who are you, and why shouldn't we start yet?" Brendan asked.
"My name is Roxanne, the Rustboro City Gym Leader, and a teacher at the Trainer's School. I've been hoping to find some passing trainers who would be interested in giving my students a demonstration battle," the woman said.
"Wow, we were just saying that it would be interesting to battle for a class," Brendan said.
"Yeah, this is awfully convenient," May said.
Yeah, almost as if some amateur writer is making this stuff up to give easy plot devices to make his story more interesting, Gwen said.
"Gwen, don't be crazy," Brendan said quietly so only Gwen could hear. "There is no way that's true."
"Well, what do you say?" Roxanne asked.
"Sure, that works for us," Brendan said as he had Nikki return to her Pokéball. "Hey, Nikki, sorry for the early call, we'll be battling for real later today."
"Same to you Graham," May said as she had the seagull return to his Pokéball. "Alright, lead the way to the school."
"Perfect, let's go!" Roxanne said as she led the duo to a large building with a clock tower. "Now, allow me to welcome you to Hoenn Pokémon Trainer Academy. This is widely considered the most prestigious trainer school in the region, and it is among the top ten in the world."
"Wow, that's quite the accomplishment," Brendan said. "I graduated from Goldenrod City Trainer Academy."
"So, you're from Johto. That's interesting, might I ask why you came to Hoenn?" Roxanne asked.
"My dad is Norman the Gym Leader of Petalburg City," Brendan said.
"You're the son of a Gym Leader," Roxanne said. "How… interesting." They then entered an office, where Roxanne exchanged a few words with a secretary, who then handed her a PA microphone. "Attention all staff and students please make your way to the outdoor battlefields. We have a surprise for everybody," she said into the microphone. She then put it onto the desk. "Now, please follow me to the battlefield."
So, Brendan and May followed Roxanne to the backyard of the school and found an amazing battlefield which had stands surrounding it. As the two trainers got into their positions on each side of the field, the students began to fill in the stands. Once most everybody had found seats, Roxanne began to speak.
"Welcome students, today we are proud to present you with a demonstration Pokémon battle," she said. This got the students excitedly murmuring. "I want you all to pay close attention to how they battle, because a battle can teach you more about how to be a trainer than any of your professors can, provided that you pay close attention. This is a best of three battle with no time limit. They will have three rounds of one-on-one, and they will both switch Pokémon between rounds. Now, are the trainers ready?" Both Brendan and May nodded as they grabbed Nikki's and Graham's Pokéballs and threw them out.
"Alright, this is for real now, go Nikki!" Brendan said. The sloth appeared
"You're up, Graham!" May said as well.
"Alright, now begin the battle!" Roxanne said.
"Nikki, use Yawn!" Brendan said. Nikki yawned loudly, causing Graham to yawn as well.
"Graham, use Water Gun!" May said. Graham unleashed a jet of water at Nikki.
"Dodge it and use Scratch!" Brendan said. Nikki rolled around to the side on the ground, dodging the incoming water before she stood up and sprinted at Graham, her arm raised and ready to attack.
"Fly up and use Supersonic!" May called. Graham leapt into the air, dodging Nikki's attack, and cried out at an impossibly high-pitch. Nikki heard it loud and clear, and that caused her to become disoriented and confused. At the same time, Graham fell to the ground, fast asleep.
"Nikki, if you can hear me, use Scratch!" Brendan said. Nikki seemed to hear him, since she began to run toward Graham, but halfway there, she tripped and face-planted. "Nikki, come on, I know you can do it, you need to get up!" Nikki struggled to her feet and continued her attack. This time, she managed to land a strong hit, sending Graham rolling toward May.
"Graham, I need you to wake up!" May said. Unfortunately for May, Graham was unable awaken. In fact, it only got worse for her. Nikki's attack had apparently been a critical hit, because Graham was not asleep anymore. Now he was knocked out cold.
"Graham is unable to continue. Nikki and Brendan win this round," Roxanne said.
"Nikki/Graham return!" both Brendan and May said simultaneously.
"Well, Brendan, you've improved since our battle on Route 103, that's for sure," May said.
"Thanks, now, how about a battle between Clint and Miranda?" Brendan said.
"I like it," May said as she pulled out Miranda's Pokéball. "Come on out Miranda!" she called as her Torchic out.
"Come on out Clint!" Brendan called as his Treecko came out of his Pokéball.
"Alright, Treecko vs. Torchic, begin the round!" Roxanne said.
"Clint, use Bullet Seed!" Brendan said. This was a move that they had been working on during their training sessions, and it was almost perfect. Clint began to spit seeds covered with green energy at Miranda.
"Miranda, counter that with Ember!" May called out. Miranda began to spit out a stream of flames at Clint. The two attacks collided, canceling each other out.
"Clint, get close and use Pound!" Brendan called out.
"Miranda, counter with Peck!" May said.
Clint and Miranda closed the distance between each other quickly, and they began to battle fiercely. Clint swung his tail with immense strength only to take an equally strong Peck attack in response. This exchange went back and forth for nearly five minutes. They hit each other hard at the same time and they flew back a few feet. They landed, but fell to one knee from exhaustion.
"Clint, you can keep going, I know it!" Brendan asked.
"Miranda, I know you can continue!" May said. "I believe in you!"
As if they were responding to their trainers' spirits, Clint and Miranda looked at each other with incredible determination before they both began to glow white at the same time.
"No way," Brendan said in disbelief. "They're both evolving?"
"Miranda, this is awesome!" May said excitedly.
The two Pokémon grew and changed their body shapes quickly before the glow vanished, revealing the newly evolved Combusken and Grovyle. "May, this round is only just beginning!" Brendan said confidently.
"Oh I know. Miranda, use Double Kick!" May commanded. Miranda began to sprint across the field, showing that she had become much faster.
But she wasn't even close to Clint's speed. "Clint, dodge and use Quick Attack!" Clint leapt to the side just as Miranda flew by with her right foot raised. He landed about five yards from Miranda before he leapt back with a white streak of light behind him. Clint slammed into Miranda hard, but as she was flying away, her left leg whipped around in a reverse roundhouse, the talon on the back of her foot hitting Clint on the cheek. Both Pokémon slid across the ground, still standing strong.
"Alright Miranda, use Ember!" May called.
"Clint, don't let up, keep using Quick Attacks!" Brendan said. Clint kept running around the field, dodging the incoming streams of flames by doing acrobatic backflips and rolling around on the ground. He closed the distance and lowered his shoulder for the hit. May and Miranda had other plans.
"Miranda, use Peck as fast as you can!" May called out. Miranda's beak began to glow and extend as she pecked forward at Clint. Both attacks hit simultaneously, Clint getting pecked on the face and Miranda taking a body check. Both tumbled to the ground, and managed to struggle to their feet. Unfortunately, Clint had taken one too many super-effective attacks, and he collapsed shortly after.
"Clint is unable to battle, so Miranda and May win the round. This next round will break the tie!" Roxanne said.
"Clint, come back," Brendan said as he recalled his newly evolved Pokémon. "That was an amazing battle. Get some rest, because they won't win next time."
"Miranda, thank you for such a great battle, now take a good rest," May said as she recalled her Combusken.
"Now, it's time for the final round," Roxanne said.
"Gwen, you ready? It seems that you'll be facing Lily," Brendan said.
You know I'm always ready. Besides, I can't let Clint and Miranda be the highlight round of this battle, Gwen said. She then took the lily out of her hair and handed it to Brendan. Just hold this for me; I don't want it to be destroyed.
"Well, let's win this with style," Brendan said.
Sounds good, Gwen said with a smile.
"Alright, Gwen, I'm counting on you!"
As if you had any other choice, Gwen said with a giggle.
"Lily, it's time to win this battle!" May said as she let out her Beautifly.
"Alright, begin the final round!" Roxanne said.
"Gwen, start this with Confusion!" Brendan said. Gwen's horns and eyes began to glow a teal color as she extended her right hand up toward her opponent, and that glow soon covered Lily. Gwen then whipped her hand toward the ground, and Lily followed suit, slamming into the ground.
"Lily, respond to that with Gust!" May said. Lily flew back into the air and began to flap her wings rapidly, kicking up a whirlwind which pushed Gwen back several inches.
"Disarming Voice!" Brendan commanded.
You got it! Gwen said as she began to sing in a shrill voice that caused Lily to falter in her Gust attack, and she took damage from the attack.
"Now, use another Confusion!" Brendan commanded. Gwen's horns and eyes both began to glow teal as she gripped Lily and she threw her into the ground once more.
"Lily, use Poison Sting!" May said, hoping to play against Gwen's weakness to poison-types. Lily spat out a barb covered in purple slime that flew at Gwen quickly.
"Gwen, Teleport out of the way!" Brendan said. Gwen smiled and vanished quickly before reappearing behind Lily. "Now finish this with Confusion!" Gwen once again took hold of Lily with her telekinesis before throwing the Pokémon around in a vertical loop before slamming her into the ground hard. Where Lily landed was where she stayed. The battle was over.
"And that's it, Lily is unable to battle, therefore Gwen and Brendan have won the round. Brendan has won two of the three rounds so he is the winner," Roxanne said.
"Yeah, great job Gwen!" Brendan said as he ran onto the field and picked her up in a hug. "I knew you could do it!"
It was your strategic mind! Gwen said, trying to be modest.
"Yeah, but you pulled it off to perfection."
Well, if you say so.
"Lily, you fought really well. Now get some rest," May said as she had Lily return to her Pokéball. "Well, that was a great battle, but I will need to keep training to be able to beat you."
The students began to applaud the trainers for their battle and Roxanne walked to the center of the battlefield. "Thank you to both Brendan and May for that excellent battle," Roxanne announced. "Now, you may all head back to your classrooms. Then you guys can begin a class discussion over the subtleties of each round." This earned a groan of disapproval from the student body, but they left the stands and began to file back to their classrooms. When they were gone, Roxanne turned to Brendan and May. "So, Brendan, I take it that you are going to be challenging the Pokémon gyms. Am I right?" she asked.
"Yes, that's correct," Brendan said.
And then we are going to challenge and beat the Pokémon League. Gwen said loudly, raising her left hand like she was making a victory cheer. Hearing Gwen speak caused Roxanne to jump a little. Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
"No, it's not a problem, I just didn't expect to be meeting a talking Pokémon," Roxanne said. "Anyway, when do you want to challenge my gym?"
"Would tomorrow at noon work?" Brendan asked.
"Well, tomorrow is a Saturday, so that works just fine."
"Great, I look forward to our battle," Brendan said.
"As do I; and I am looking forward to seeing what you, Nikki, Clint, and Gwen can do in a gym battle. Now, I apologize but I must go and deal with some paperwork for the school," Roxanne said. With that, she left Brendan and May and re-entered the school.
"May, where do you want to go now? We could head to the Pokémon Center and get a room for the night, or we can explore the city some more," Brendan asked.
"Well, we should go to the Pokémon Center to treat our Pokémon after that battle. We can get a room and relax a little bit before enjoying the night life. What do you think?" May said as she pulled the still intact tulip from her belt loop.
"That's a great idea," Brendan said as Gwen clambered up onto his shoulder. She knew she would only fit in the spot for a little while longer, so she figured she would enjoy it while she still could.
That sounds like an awesome idea, so let's go! Gwen said. When she said that, Brendan and May both left the battlefield and began to walk toward the Pokémon Center. It was already gearing up to be a great evening, and Brendan couldn't wait to find out what the future had in store.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. As always, reviews are welcomed, so please let me know if there are places I can improve.