Chapter Eleven

The two of us went back into his room that night. I was with him because I had left my card key there from when I slept in his room night before. Sycamore graciously opened the door for me like he usually did in that silly chivalrous notion, and I quickly went inside to make a beeline for the drawer. Meanwhile, he closed the door and headed for the bathroom to wash his face.

My grip swiftly reached for the handle and pulled it open, but I scrunched my brows in confusion as the drawer was found empty. There was no doubt that this was the Last place I remember leaving it. "Professor! I can't find my key card! Do you know where it went?!" I shouted loud enough for him to hear me over the running faucet water.

"HM? Oh! I haven't the faintest idea! House-keeping must have taken it by mistake! We will get you a new one in the morning!"

Hm, that's weird, oh well. Maybe they thought he took it by accident. An explanation I stuck with until I saw something else. That's when suddenly, a small red flag of suspicion was raised within the depths of my mind. House-keeping huh?

I closed the drawer and turned around to zero in on a white sheet that was carelessly bundled up in a ball. It was stuck between the cushions of the small sofa Sycamore slept on the times that I occupied his bed. Hell, even the bed wasn't folded properly; I should know since I was the one who folded it! I felt a little bad that house-keepers had to clean up so many people's rooms. I figured that folding my bed would give them some relief, but the times that I came back to my own room proved that they would come and fold it anyway.

Now feeling slightly uncomfortable, my hand seized the phone and held it up to my ear. With growing terror, I realized that a dead silence took the place of the usual dial tone. That was when a second red flag shot right up. Okay, time to leave. I sprinted for the door for freedom, but when I tried to pull down the lever, it wouldn't budge. Horror now gripped my being as I pieced together that I blindly walked into a trap. That horror quickly turned to anger. All those countless hours that I spent with him...the many times he flashed me those handsome smiles or took me to so many captivating places...it was all merely a well strategized plot to lower my guard! That way, I would willingly go into Sycamore's room without any forceful means on his part. I should have known something was wrong from the way he only planted soft kisses on my forehead or was just satisfied with holding onto me by the hand! He was savoring me and waited for an opportune moment! The anger being felt already started bubbling over inside me. I was going to strangle him with my bare hands!

"Birdie dear, is something the matter?"

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as the professor's soft voice was suddenly heard behind me. I reluctantly turned around and saw his calm, beautiful face with a now very alarming choice of style. His socks and shoes were off and his hair more messy than allowed if he were in public. Of course his dusky look couldn't be complete without his silken blue shirt being untucked and unbuttoned...all the way.

The second our eyes met, his lips stretched into a very mischievous grin. One look at it was all that it took for my furious bravado to melt away and resume my attempts to open the door. Curse these weak arms!

"Goodness! You look so frightened! I must recommend that you calm yourself, lest I come and soothe those worked up nerves myself," I heard him say behind me while he creeper closer and attempted to fool me into slowing down my progress. However, after hearing that bold statement, I started banging on the door. I hoped that someone(anyone!) would hear the distressed beating against the thick wood and investigate.

For the professor, my panicked reactions didn't bother him in the least. If anything, they seemed to make him amused and eager to torment me further. Upon hearing him getting closer, I quickly faced the devious Sycamore.

"Come any closer and I'll attack you without any mercy! I mean it!"

"Will you now? I hope you try your best then. It has been quite some time since I had any worthy opponents,"

So the bastard was eager for punishment, huh? Well fine! I'll give it to him!

I quickly took off my shoe and threw it as hard as I can at my pursuer...and he didn't even have to move for it to miss. Naturally, I prided myself on beating the stuffing out of the opposition with rarely any issues. This was the SECOND time that I failed to violently subdue anyone...making my fumble all the more embarrassing.

To top off my failure, the action left me wide open for Sycamore to snatch me up and hold me in his arms bridal style. This isn't supposed to happen to people like me! I shouldn't even look like I'm get married! I screwed my eyes shut to prevent myself from looking at that victorious grin that was surely now spreading across those features of his.

"So this is all that the proud, unrelenting May Maple had to throw at me? Nothing but empty threats and a shoe? I was expecting more of a ferocious beast to assault me with no remorse," he mocked with a teasing giggle as he moved over to the soft bed. "Perhaps it would be better if I offered a demonstration, yes? Otherwise, how else will my naive, little birdie be able to attack her beloved Professor more effectively?"

Without any hesitation, I was dropped onto the plush mattress. And before I could even try to flinch, he draped himself over me with his long legs encircling mine and putting weight on me from the waist down. This enabled him to use the support of his arms on the bed so he could torment me all the more easier.

Fuck it all, there was that horrible tingling, heart-fluttering sensation again! My eyes got all heavy and nearly dazzled from his hips sitting on top of mine. My face turned a very red color from struggling on how I should respond to his insistency. I tried to repel it, but it didn't take much for the Professor to notice and purposely make it worse by smoothing my bangs away so clearly see his beautiful face. I could feel the other hand slowly slipping under my shirt to peel the fabric back and trace the curve of my side.

I should despise the kind of feelings he brings out when he does it like I was taught. The only problem was that it had exclusively been for repelling boys and not evil incubus in disguise of fairy tale princes! Every touch that his fingers made on my body...his mouth that dipped down to inflict gentle kisses on my face. The pure-maiden resistance I was supposed to have was slipping into a haze of oblivion.

That's not to say that I didn't try to put up a fight. My arms were still free and I forced myself an attempt to unlatch the man off me like he was some sort of leech that sucked the life out of his prey. Unfortunately, I didn't have the strength that I usually possessed. My arms were turning to jelly from touching his hot, bare chest. Did this bastard plan to leave his shirt open on purpose?! Did he know how much I suffered from his indecent exposure?!

Sycamore ceased his attack on my face to touch his forehead against mine. Those deep, ocean blue eyes of his invaded my own to bend my will for the sake of his own nefarious purposes. It certainly didn't feel fair on how easily he controlled me, but for the first time, my heart couldn't help but want him. I still couldn't understand what that meant for the rest of me however.

"Does it ache little Birdie? Does it burn with need?"

His soft lips were now hovering so teasingly close to my own as he whispered his seductive words like it was some sort of dark secret. I had no choice but to have his undivided attention; my breathing picked up its pace in the process. "I could help you dear. Help you alleviate that bothersome pain that plagues you," he said as his other hand slipped up to my bangs and entangled his fingers between the thick strands.

"I can soothe those strange, new feelings that have been repressed for so long..."

I let out a slight moan as just his words had intensified that terrible throbbing I felt in my lower stomach. He chuckled darkly at my unconscious action as if I already agreed to his awful plot.

"All you have to do is let me in. Just allow me to have you...and I will give you an experience that you have yet to feel,"

To give me some incentive for turning myself over to his cares, Sycamore pushed his mouth to mine in a feverish kiss.

I wearily closed my eyes as I let Sycamore taste my lips. It was a little surprising for his tongue to slip into my mouth to explore every crevice he could find and caress my own timid organ. Any remaining resistance I had broke under pressure.

The enchantment casted over me numbed my brain until I thought of nothing but him. Ugh, he tasted so good and he was so amazing at kissing! It was almost like the first time, but better! Why did I push him away so much?! What kind of life was I living until now?! I-

BOOM!

Sycamore was about to move one of his hands down to my shorts when the door was suddenly blasted into splinters; certainly startling the two of us. No sooner had we experienced the interruption, I realized myself, who I was with and what I was about to agree to. Fright took over and I found the power to push the attractive-looking professor off me. Of course I clumsily fell to the floor while doing so, but forcefully picked myself up to sprint for freedom.

Getting closer to the entrance, a dizzy magnemite slowly rolled towards my feet. I tilted my head in mild surprise, but of course I should have known that they could self-destruct too. In any case, I was very thankful for its presence. I quickly scooped it up and prepared t-"AH!"

My thoughts were broken by my shoulders registering the feeling of slender fingers smoothing their way around them in an attempt to seize me back into that foggy, warm place. I didn't have to guess who they belonged to.

"Darling, where are you going?" He asked softly whilst bringing his lips close to my ear."Don't you want to stay with your dear Professor?"

He subtly tried to pull me into his chest; tried getting me to where he wanted to resume his evil deed. Tracing my ear with his lips. Unfortunately for him, I was now holding a small, injured Pokémon in my arms, and that was more than enough of an excuse to get away from him.

"...No!...NO!NO!NO!"

I wrenched myself from his hold and ran through the broken door.

There was no caring about where I was running off to as long as he wouldn't be able to find me. I ran out of the hotel complex and turned corner of a street when I collided bodies with another person who was just about along the same pace as I. The two of us fell back from the impact.

My head!

It took me a moment to collect myself while using one arm to hold the magnemite and the other to rub my forehead before identifying the person that slammed into me. It was a young boy who had black smudges all over his face. His tea green hair had a lively-WAIT A MINUTE! I've seen him before!

"I-I'm so terribly sorry! I -I didn't *cough* didn't mean to run into you! I was loo-*cough*looking for my magnemite!"

Hm?

I looked down in my hold to see the poor, banged up electric/steel-type before offering it to the boy...though not stretching out my hands too much. He was part of those shifty trouble-makers after all.

"Here, I think its yours,"

He looked at it for a moment before his winter blue eyes got excited and snatched him up in a hug. I could see that tears were beginning to well up. Was he actually going to cry?! I was dumbfounded that by this strange reaction.

"*cough cough* I-I was so worried! I won't ever make you do anything you don't wanna do again!"

The ear-grating sobbing went on full blast as watched him bawl in the middle of public. People passing by gave us a quick glance and hurried their pace. Clearly, they didn't enjoy the scene that was being stirred up. I couldn't find any blame I them either, because my own patience was already running thin.

Finally after five minutes of his cry fest, I stood up with an irritated glare and opened my mouth to say something threatening.

"Little Birdie?! Where aaaaare you my darling?! Don't you know that your beloved professor is sorely missing you?!"

The abrupt sound of his soft, French-accented voice made a look of terror suddenly cross my face. The prince charming professor from hell was already on the move and closing in fast! I had to leave now before I got caught in his web again! My gaze focused back onto the boy again who was still crying in self-pity. If I left him here, there was no doubt that he could tell on me. My grip quickly seized his arm and I started dragging him as fast as I could. Of course, his natural reaction would be trying to resist my hold on him.

"He-hey!*cough cough * A-are you kidnapping me?!"

"Shut up or I'm gonna start beating your face in!"

"Yes ma'am!"

My unwilling companion and I crossed streets, went through buildings and turned corners like our lives (specifically mine) depended on it. Although, the task might have been easier if I had my other shoe on. Maybe in hindsight throwing my shoe at the Professor was a bad idea. Ultimately, I would have to suck up the complaints until we were in the clear.


Deeper into the night of Mauville City, I finally relaxed and let go of the strange boy in front of a bike shop. It was by coincidence that the owner of the store came out to throw something away and noticed us both; or rather me and my missing shoe. He beckoned the boy and I to come inside, where I was presented with a new pair of running shoes. Apparently they were going to be a present for his niece, but she had already gotten a pair days ago. Thankfully, we both had the same foot-size.

After thanking the shop owner, we left the place to sit down on some old benches. The doe-eyed boy insisted on it because wanted to talk. I purposely kept some distance between us, but not as much as I used to. Being with Brendan and several other experiences on the road helped me understand a little bit more about them.

"I-I uh...wanted to thank you for finding my Pokémon. I just s-started being a trainer and all,"

He fidgeted while trying to form audible sentences. I also picked up on how he kept his vision trained on the ground in a great effort to not make eye contact. The atmosphere he gave off was sad and lonely. I couldn't help but want to cry if I stayed with him long enough.

"Don't worry about it; its not a big deal...really. Anybody could've done it. And I'm sorry about threatening you. I-"

I quickly halted my tongue to come to a terrifying realization. Did I just apologize to a boy?! Dam! How did that happen?! Not even to Brendan had I uttered anything that resembled remorse! My mind felt so confused. Maybe I was still adrenaline pumped or something.

The boy turned his head and it was at that moment that marked me to be forever doomed. His wintery blue colored eyes got all big and teary with a puppy dog look that made me blush with adoration. I was sure this was the universe paying me back from the time I was ten and broke mom's vase. I carried the pieces in secret to have it buried on the beach and told nobody of my crime.

The boy suddenly gripped his legs and tears started pouring out again. "It's not your fault! *cough cough*...I-I'm just too WEAK! I-I thought I could do it, but I'm a horrible trainer!" he exclaimed through his tormenting coughs and upset sputtering. His words and tone gave off the impression of a wounded person who's dreams have been crushed. Judging from how he looked right now, the boy was in constant conflict with the resolve he made. The small hopes he tried to nourish were dying from the overburdening doubts and obstacles that got in his way. It was like I was watching a movie and the spectator next to me was breaking apart from watching a tragic scene. I needed to do something before he made it into a cry fest again.

Deep within my mind, I activated my 'helpful advice' mode. Then without missing a beat, I grabbed the front of the boy's sweater and pulled him with me as I stood up. My face now burned with determination.

"Don't EVER say that again! There's already too many people in the world who are because they think Pokémon are just item accessories to show off! A trainer is someone who loves them like children, eats and sleeps with them...gives its partner a meaning to strive for! And even if you are weak...as long as you trust them...they'll trust you back and fight the battles you can't fight alone! That's what a REAL trainer is!"

A heavy silence hung in the air shortly after that as we just stared awkwardly at each other. My fired up features started to soften up and the boy stopped his crying. Eventually, I let him go and we both sat back down on the bench. I leaned back with a lazy position while he leaned forward stiffly with his arms resting on his legs.

"...M-my name's Wally,"

"I don't care,"

"What's your name?"

"Shut the hell up,"

"Can I call you Shut-the-hell-up Chan?"

"No! that's not my name! It's May!"

"Oh...can I call you May-Chan then?"

UUUUGH! I am going to murder this kid! Why was I tortured by such a stupid boy?! If he didn't have such an incredibly adorable face, then he would have had a black eye by now! Maybe if I stuffed my face then I could work up the courage to punch him. My lungs sucked in air and made me let out a rough sigh before getting up.

"Come on Wally; let's go eat something,"

"Really?! I've never eaten with anyone besides my family and my Pokémon be for, May-Chan,"

"Don't call me like that! It sounds all weird coming from you!"

Wally suddenly gasped and his pale skin turned a light pink from blushing. I shuddered a bit from his alien behaviors.

"Does this mean that...you're my sempai?"

"Yeah, sure. Now hurry up or I'm not paying for your food,"

"Yes, May-sempai!"

"AARGH!"


The Mauville City food court was a very large place when compared to any other food court that I've been to. There were so many places to choose from and the walls echoed the conversations of people who battled and ate with ferocity. While at the moment there were places to sit down, chairs were now started to be filled quickly. I gave Wally some money and told him to meet up with me when he finished ordering. He replied rather happily with a bow and skipped off to find what he wanted. Yeesh, even I don't skip like that (anymore); he needed to toughen up fast.

When I was by myself(so to speak), I mindlessly wandered to an empty table and sat there while my thoughts drifted elsewhere...namely to Professor Sycamore. The second a picture of his handsome face filled my mind, I grunted with agony and gripped my stomach as the painful throbbing returned. The skin of my face turned red and my eyes felt heavy as I dropped my head to the table. He was so awful and shameless and hot in his villainous plot to take advantage of me in his room. So bold and unrelenting as to seize and subdue my movements. His body so very warm to the touch. Those hips of his stoking a burning desire that I in a million years thought I would never feel.

Maybe I should leave the city before Sycamore finds me. I'm sure Professor Birch wouldn't mind too much that I purposely left his colleague behind to fend for himself...or, I could ditch Wally to seek out the handsome Kalosian to beg for his forgiveness while making him those cute face he seems to like as an incentive-Wait! What was I thinking?! Nobody else was supposed to know in the first place that I was capable of doing those but dad! Ugh! I knew I was desperate at the time, but I should have just stuck with the 'pretty please' tactic.

Everything in my head was swirling so much in chaos, that I didn't notice a green and white Pokémon lightly tapping on my leg until I felt it increasing in pressure. My thoughts broke, and I gazed down to see it staring back at me through its deep red eyes like it knew what I was thinking. This Pokémon stood on the tips of its toes and looked like it was wearing a tutu. I was starting to feel uncomfortable with how it was observing me when my human companion finally came back to sit across from me. The strange creature left my side and urgently went to its master. It was my turn to watch in fascination as brushed off his pants and repeatedly checked for anything out of the ordinary. Wally looked slightly distraught.

"K-kirlia! I-I'm fine! You don't have to check me all the time!"

The Pokémon let out a soft cry of objection and urged him to lower his head. With a sigh, he bent down and reluctantly allowed her to push back any stray hairs that got in the way of his face. Looking at the pair reminded me of my mother who I fought tooth and nail with at the age of seven while she tried to comb my hair or give me a bath. It was in those kinds of battles that I lost every time.

After ordering my meal and sat back down, I noticed Wally's adorably curious eyes tracing my every expression; which sorta creeped me out. It almost reminded me of-NGH! Don't think about him! Don't think about him!

Noticing my distress, the boy frowned. "May-sempai! Are you okay?! You look like you're in pain!"

The distraction of Wally's voice snapped me out of my hurtful mezmerization. I ran both of my hands through my hair with a heavy sigh. I hoped to Arceus that these weird, new flare-up of feelings would stop eventually. "I'm fine. Just stomach cramps from running too fast earlier," I lied and quickly changed the subject.

"But you know...I actually saw you before. I tripped over you near Petalburg City and my dad carried you to the Pokémon Center,"

Upon hearing this, Wally's eyes got bigger and blushed with excitement. Kirlia on the other hand was displeased with the memory of my father's hate against her shy master. And while she was never affected by his intimidation, the threatening words still reached her. "Really?! So sempai knew me from the start?! The strange thing I couldn't figure out though was why the nurse told me to stay away from him," he said with wonderment.

"She told you to stay away?"

"Yeah. I think she said something like":

"Please don't go and see him. He's a demon in human form and he'll eat you alive!"

"Ma'am please let go! I can barely breathe!"

"I think that's what she said at least. Anyway, the nurse made me promise not to go to his gym. I felt really bad that I couldn't thank him for rescuing me," he replied with a disappointed sigh. Taking in his words, I was miffed at the fact that my father was considered a monster in the perspective of the nurse. Sure he was a little uncomfortable when he got really angry, he had very solid reasons for being that way; which reminded me of a question that I wanted to ask.

"So...what happened that made you go you unconscious?"

"Oh well, I got very excited after I decided on becoming a trainer, so I went to go look for Pokémon and I accidentally cut my finger on some very sharp thorns. It was really painful to sa-"

"Hold it! You fainted because you cut your finger?"

"Well...not so much as when I cut it, just when I say blood coming out. I get really queasy just thinking about it,"

I had to take a moment to hold my face in my hands and forcefully drag them down my features. Was this kid REALLY that weak?! If he was gonna be a trainer, then cuts on the finger were the least of his problems. A friend of my dad's lost an arm over training! While this was a pathetic discovery, the good news was that he wouldn't be any danger to me; and I he tried anything funny, then it wouldn't take much to put him in his place.

Meanwhile, I let Chirpie out of his ball to get better acquainted with Kirlia. He was still all excited about getting long arms and squawked with pride while showing the esper/fairy-type. She merely let out a sigh and gestured towards Wally to indicate that she was too busy taking care of him to notice (or care about) my firebird's transformation. It didn't deter him though, he kept on moving about to get her attention in the most silliest poses or stances.

"Wally," I said as I stood up from my chair with resolution. "Seeing as how you're a weak and defenseless boy, I (May Maple) shall be gracious enough to give you some aid in the art of being a trainer,"

"Really May-sempai?! When do we start?"

"Right now because those pre-schoolers are coming over here to take our chairs from us,"

He looked bewildered by my words, but sure enough when he looked, the two children were already here In an attempt to force us out of our spots. Their pokeballs were on standby in their hands. A little girl who looked to be about four stepped out in front of us.

"Give us your seats or we won't go easy on you!"

"Not a chance, kid! We found these chairs first and we're gonna fight for em'!...right Wally?!"

"Um...I-I guess so..."


And so, the two children marked the beginning of a long string of heated battles. It was also when I found out halfway through that if we took too long with battling, our food would get cold and gross. Fortunately, that wasn't an issue in the end. Combined with Wally's kirlia, my combusken helped dominate the would-be conquerors and enjoyed our meals. Chirpie and I stuffed our faces with the long desired croquettes while Wally and kirlia politely ate their sub combos.

When we eventually finished our meals, the four of us cleaned up our area and left the battle food court and set our sights for Verdanturf town. It was where Wally's uncle lived with his family and assured me that I could take refuge there for a day or two. Coincidentally enough, it was also the town where Lisia said that Contest Spectaculars were held. I wanted to leave right away, but my new travel buddy wanted to stop by the store for a flashlight and batteries.

"I-I'll be right May-sempai! Please wait for me here!"

"M'kay,"I replied with my hands resting on my head while he scurried off. With a now bored look, I turned to Chirpie, who started to wander around. Ugh, its only been ten seconds and I'm already bored to death. Come on W-" #$&*%!"

I couldn't remember what curse word came out of my mouth that night, but what I saw nearly made my heart jump to my throat in undignified terror. Nervous, shy Wally had been fast walking with urgency when a tall, slender figure casually stepped out of the shadow of a seedy alleyway with unconfirmed, but clearly dark purposes. The smile on his face looked very forced. And while he blocked Wally's path intentionally, even though it was clear that no good would come out of this, my lower stomach started to hurt again. My face couldn't help but blush. How did he even find us?!

"Excuse me, dear boy! I could not help but notice that I have seen you somewhere before! Perhaps you could be so kind as to help me find my darling student! She gets lost quite easily!"

*Continued in Chapter Twelve*