Hello everyone and welcome to chapter thirty-seven of Hoenn Adventures! To the person named simply "Guest" I have read your review and, since I cannot reply to it, I shall reply to it here (this is the person who wrote the insanely long review):
First off, I love you so much.
Second, I'll do some quick answers to your ideas viewing my opinions on them:
Michael and Liza become a couple? I never thought of it but it could work and it could add a humorous scene.
Steven and Caroline? Weird but it could work and I think that Brendan will be willing to accept it since Steven has helped him out a lot so far and, apart from Birch, is the closest to a father figure Brendan has ever had.
Latias to May and Latios to Brendan? I was thinking the same thing since that is an even in ORAS and this story was started out as a retelling of the events in those games so that was a given.
Kyogre to May and Groudon to Brendan? While I do think that that would make them overpowered, I could do that but I would only do it for like a battle and not add them to their teams officially. Much like Latias and Latios, this was an event in ORAS so it probably would've happened either way.
Brendan and May marry? While it is a little weird for them to marry at age 15, maybe by the point of the league, Brendan and May would have aged slightly either being 16 or close to 17. I do like your idea of how Brendan will propose to her and it probably will happen in the story, of course, now it's spoiled for those who read your review so feel free to delete it if you wish.
Expanding the Delta Episode? Are you stalking me? I was thinking the same since the Delta Episode was a bit…lackluster and, while the last part of it was amazing, it was pretty boring IMO. I was thinking that the Delta Episode would take place a year or two after Brendan becomes the league and Brendan and May are happily married and have their own house and then the events of the Delta Episode happen.
Anyway, big thanks to user named "Guest" (feel free to pm me of an actual name you'd rather be called) and to the rest of you, feel free to post your own ideas in the reviews and I will be sure to credit them in the same fashion as this. Enjoy!
The day after the battle against Flannery, the group had gotten up later than usual probably due to the last few days finally taking their toll on them. Michael had gone by his word and gone home due to him being "sick" of how his friends were acting with each other. Wes didn't mind much since he could have some alone time with Rui who thought the same while Brendan and May didn't really have an opinion since Michael hadn't really made the effort to talk to them. Every night, they would spend an hour or so in the hot spring seeing how they wouldn't get a chance to anywhere else leaving them refreshed when they woke up.
About an hour after breakfast, Brendan and May were sat in the lobby waiting for both Wes and Rui to finish up on the phone with Wes' mother who had called immediately after Michael had come home and told her about Wes and Rui's current relationship. While Wes looked slightly scared at his mother's reaction, Rui tried to calm him saying that his mother wasn't like that and, through much persuasion, Wes finally calmed himself and answered the call. Brendan was watching the news that was displaying on a nearby TV in the lobby and something caught his eye.
"Breaking news! Former Petalburg Gym Leader Norman King was found dead nearby Fallarbour Town. Police reports say that Norman wasn't murdered, he had committed suicide by drowning himself in a nearby lake on route 114." The anchor began as the image turned to the river that Norman had drowned in and police taking out a body and into an ambulance "Rumours have spread that Norman had finally felt guilty about abusing his wife, Caroline King, and son, Brendan King, so decided to take his own life. Witnesses say that Norman had gone to his son begging for forgiveness and his son didn't forgive him and told him straight up how he felt. I can't say I blame him. What Norman did was unforgiveable and I can't imagine them being sad about his death. More on this later."
"Oh my god…" May gasped hearing the same report as Brendan, who didn't move just kept his mouth wide open "He took his own life? Maybe he really did feel guilty." May then turned to Brendan who, still, had his mouth open in shock "You OK?"
"Huh? Yeah, fine." Brendan replied breaking out of his thoughts "Just…in shock." May nodded and returned to watching the news channel "Is it bad that I don't feel an inch of sadness because of this?"
"I'm…not sure." May replied "I mean, I guess you wouldn't since you have no reason to care for Norman but…at the same time, he IS your father and all…"
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Brendan agreed "Still don't feel sad about it though. Wonder how Mom's taking it…"
"Why not call her and ask her about it?" May asked and Brendan nodded taking out his PokeNav and going onto the call function calling his house number where, after about five seconds, it was answered.
"Brendan! How are you?" Caroline exclaimed making the pair jump back in surprise.
"Just fine, Mom. I can tell that you're doing fine as well." Brendan replied jokingly making Caroline giggle slightly "I just called to ask…have you seen the news?" Caroline froze for a second before nodding.
"About Norman's death?" Caroline asked and both May and Brendan nodded in unison "Best news I've heard all week!" Caroline joked "But in all seriousness, I'm shocked but not sad."
"Bren felt the same." May added and Brendan nodded in confirmation "Shows you're related."
"I'm not surprised. Brendan's seen the same that I have so I wouldn't be surprised if there was even an inch of happiness inside him." Caroline stated and Brendan stopped for a moment before smiling.
"Kinda feels bad but, you're right." Brendan told the two and Caroline laughed slightly while May looked at the two with wide eyes.
"Did you two just become slight psychopaths?!" May asked jokingly causing the three of them to laugh now. As they were talking, Wes and Rui came out of the phone room and went up behind Brendan and May making them come onto screen.
"Oh, are these the Wes and Rui you told me about?" Caroline asked seeing the two Orrinians appear on screen. Brendan and May both looked behind them to see them and saw the smiles on both of their faces.
"Guess it went well then?" Brendan asked and they both nodded in reply.
"They've just told their parents about their relationship and it seems that she accepted it." May told Caroline who nodded in response.
"Is this your mother Brendan? She's beautiful!" Rui exclaimed and Caroline went slightly red "You wouldn't think that she had been in an abusive marriage these last fifteen years!"
"Oh, stop! You're too kind." Caroline told her giggling.
"Plus, she's taken." A voice, which was all too familiar to Brendan, added.
"S-Steven?! Why are you at my house?" Brendan asked right before Steven came on screen.
"Oh, I haven't told you, have I, Brendan?" Caroline asked and Brendan shook his head "Well…" Caroline went red again "Myself and Steven here are, and don't freak out on this, getting married!" Caroline exclaimed showing a silver ring with sapphires the same shade of blue that matched Caroline's eyes. Both Brendan and May went wide eyed while Rui awed at the two and Wes looked like he was about to burst.
"You two know the champion?! And that same champion is going to be your Dad?! You're too lucky!" Wes exclaimed a little too loud.
"I hope you don't mind, Brendan. I…kinda developed feeling for your mother ever since I began to see her to see if she was alright." Steven admitted and Brendan nodded.
"I…I'm…fine with it." Brendan said still nodding and both Caroline and Steven looked at him smiling.
"Really?!" They both, including May, exclaimed in unison.
"Well, yeah." Brendan replied "As long as you're happy with him, it's fine by me. Plus, you're fine with me and May being together." They both smiled even wider "But, Steven, I swear, you turn out like Norman, I'll do more than take your title, got it?"
"Don't worry. I won't." Steven replied "Guess we'll see each other on the battlefield then?" Steven smirked at his soon-to-be-son
"Of course." Brendan smirked back at his soon-to-be-step-father "It won't be anything like our last battle, though."
"I don't expect it to." Steven replied back. If one looked closely enough, you could see the sparks of rivalry between the two.
"When's the wedding?" May asked breaking the tension between Brendan and Steven. Both Caroline and Steven looked at each other and nodded.
"After the league." They both replied in unison.
"We decided that it would be easier for you all so you didn't have to stop during your travels." Caroline added and Steven nodded in agreement "All four of you are invited."
"Really?" Rui asked "But, you're hardly know us."
"I know, but, if you're friends of Brendan's, then I don't see why not." Caroline replied, smiling. While both Wes and Rui looked shocked at Caroline's kindness, they soon smiled back. They carried on talking with the group letting Caroline and Steven know what had happened recently in their travels. Caroline and Steven both said that they would be watching the contest that May would be entering wishing her luck. Brendan quickly noticed that Caroline looked on top of the world not only for getting Norman out of her life but also because she had found love again and Brendan couldn't be happier for her. Caroline only used to be happy when she was around Brendan so it was great to see her enjoying life like people should
The next few days consisted of May practicing her appeal for her contest. She had completed it fully two days before the contest even began but still wanted to practice it every day so nothing went wrong. The free time that they had was spent taking in the surroundings of Lavaridge Town which was a very Japanese-esque Town with many buildings and houses having a Japanese look to them. The day for the Lavaridge Town contest was soon upon them…
"Hello everyone and welcome to this year's contest circuit here in Lavaridge Town! I'm your host, Vivian Meridian!" Vivian exclaimed into the microphone getting a wave of loud cheers in the audience, even from Brendan and Wes who were sat in the audience but…someone was missing.
"Wes, where's Rui?" Brendan asked still not finding the red-headed Orrianian.
"I have no idea. She said that she had to go to the bathroom and that was ten minutes ago!" Wes replied "Do you think we should look for her?"
"Maybe she's just gotten sidetracked. I'm sure she's fine." Brendan told him and Wes nodded.
"Before we begin, let us introduce our judges!" Vivian exclaimed once again once the audience had settled. The special guest judge this time was Flannery who quickly stood up and shouted to the audience.
"I may not be the greatest Gym Leader, but I know a strong bond and an impressive attack when I see one!" Flannery exclaimed to the crowd who only roared even louder.
"Atleast she's honest." Brendan joked and Wes laughed along too "You're almost worse than her." Wes looked at him angrily "Almost."
"Now, with that, how about we get started?!" Vivian shouted getting an even louder audience reaction in response "The first coordinator, all the way from the region of Orre, is none other than Rui Ketchum!" Rui ran out of the tunnel waving at the people who were cheering for her. Her hair was down much like it was when she was in the hot spring but now she was wearing a blue, knee length dress that matched her eyes perfectly, or atleast, that's what a certain trenchcoat-wearing trainer thought (A/N Her second name's Ketchum because of the theory that Eagun is Ash and because this is fictional and non-canon).
"Wow! That's unexpected!" Brendan exclaimed seeing Rui appear onto the stage "What about you Wes?" Brendan looked over to Wes who's mouth was gaping open at the sight of Rui appearing on the stage.
"She's…..gorgeous…" Wes said in complete awe.
"That's the same reaction when I first saw May in a contest back before we weren't a couple." Brendan stated making Wes snap out of his trance and go deep red "Wait a minute, what pokemon does Rui even have?!"
"She doesn-" Wes began but his eyes soon widened "OH GOD NO!"
"XD001! Beautify!" Rui exclaimed as the same shadow Lugia that Rui had command of appeared making most of the crowd gasp in awe and shock.
"Would you look at that! Rui has called upon the power of Lugia! Though, this one does look a little different." Vivian stated giving the OK for Rui to begin.
"XD001! Aeroblast!" Rui began and XD001 flapped its wings ferociously creating a wind tornado "Hydro pump!" XD001 then shot a powerful stream of water from its mouth into the tornado making it turn blue slightly "Now calm mind into psychic!" XD001 closed its eyes and cleared its mind raising its special attack and special defence and when its eyes opened, they shone blue as the tornado began to break "Catch the water with psychic while using gust!" XD001 flapped its wings slowly creating a weak gust of wind but just enough to make the tornado end glamorously as the water became a gigantic bubble due to XD001's psychic "Pop the bubble with steel wing!" Both of XD001's wings shimmered like metal as it quickly raced over to the suspended bubble and popped it making small, water particles shower the audience signifying that the performance was done. The audience, who were still in awe and shock over the appearance of the Lugia began to clap like mad over the performance.
"Wow! I came into this job not expecting to even get a glimpse at a legendary pokemon but I was truly wrong!" Vivian exclaimed before turning to the judges "How about the judges, did you feel the same?"
"That performance showed the power of not only Lugia's flying and psychic powers, but also its water powers as well. Definitely showing off why Lugia is known as the King of the Sea!" Mr. Contesta commented.
"Remarkable!" Mr. Sukizo added not even bothering to use a dictionary. Flannery looked like she was about to shrivel up from all of the water but soon regained her posture after taking a deep breath.
"Normally, I hate seeing water types or water types moves….but that was freaking amazing! I now see the love for water types!" Flannery exclaimed right before Rui bowed and waved to the crowd running into the exiting tunnel right as the second coordinator walked out.
"When did she get the time to practice that?!" Wes exclaimed after Rui's performance was finished.
"Maybe it was when she was training with May." Brendan hypothesized "It would make sense since we were focusing on our training."
"Yeah, but, I think I would've heard a Lugia long before I needed to see it!" Wes exclaimed again and Brendan just shrugged.
"Go and ask her when all of the appeals are done." Brendan told him and Wes nodded in agreement keeping his question in mind. There were about five more coordinators before May came out wearing the same outfit as she had worn in her first and second contest. Brendan couldn't help but smile when he saw May like this and her confident attitude as the crowd roared for their favourite. Soon though, they quietened down giving May the OK to begin.
"Electrike, take the stage!" May called releasing the Lightning pokemon. Electrike came out with a flip and he covered himself in electricity making the crowd aww at him. Electrike's fur was also a lot shinier than it usually was "Let's start this off by running around and using spark!" Electrike soon got to a running start and ran around the entire field enveloped in electricity. Electrike was going so fast that only the electricity it was emitting was seen.
"Wow! That's one fast Electrike! It doesn't even look tired at all!" Vivian exclaimed.
"Thunderbolt!" May called.
"Thunderbolt?!" Brendan repeated in shock with his eyes widened.
"What's wrong with thunderbolt?" Wes asked confused by Brendan's reaction.
"Last time Electrike used thunderbolt, it fainted." Brendan answered and, Wes now had wide eyes as his vision went back to the appeal.
"Thunderbolt!" May commanded and Electrike, while still running, shot down multiple strikes of electricity in his path stopping only momentarily to charge up and then immediately fire the bolt of lightning "Flame burst!" Electrike then opened its mouth letting out a stream of flames behind it showing more of its speed "Finish this up with discharge!" Electrike stopped in the middle of the field with the bolts of lightning still surrounding it and the flames had now become a ring around the small green electric type. Electrike then suddenly emitted electricity from every point of its body as it howled signifying the end of the performance. The crowd cheered and wooed at the performance and, as soon as they stopped, Vivian raised her microphone to speak.
"Amazing once again May! Your father should be proud!" Vivian exclaimed making May go slightly red "Now, let's see what our judges have to say!"
"That performance showed that size doesn't matter when it comes to power. Electrike's speed and endurance must have been hard to get to that level but it seems it all turned out well! Great job!" Mr. Contesta complimented.
"Remarkab-SHOCKING!" Mr. Sukizo exclaimed suddenly making the audience laugh both at his reaction and his joke.
"I haven't encountered many electric types in my Gym Battles but this makes me want to see more!" Flannery exclaimed giving a thumbs up to May who bowed and ran off the stage as soon as the last and final coordinator came onto stage.
"And that's all of the appeals folks! We shall return in fifteen minutes once the judges have decided the top four who will go on to the semi-finals!" Vivian exclaimed once the finals coordinator had walked off stage "This would be the time to go and give your favourite coordinator here today encouraging words or grab a snack for the battle rounds! Stay tuned!" At that point, many left the arena and some, including Brendan and Wes, went to the coordinator room.
"Rui! What the hell?!" Wes exclaimed once they walked into the coordinator room making a few others look at the blue coated trainer.
"What? I wanted to enter the contest to surprise you!" Rui replied in a seductive voice making Wes instantly go red and Rui laugh.
"Well, you did that and left him speechless." Brendan added remembering Wes' reaction "You left his mouth wide open." Rui laughed even more picturing Wes' reaction while Brendan turned to May "You did fantastic! You got me a little worried when you told Electrike to use thunderbolt."
"You didn't have faith in me?" May playfully asked but in a sad tone.
"No, never said that." Brendan quickly replied defending himself making May now laugh as she threw herself at him for a hug. They would've stayed there longer but the announcement for the results to be posted soon broke it "Good luck you two!"
"What? No good luck kiss?" May pouted and Brendan looked at her strangely before smiling. The two leaned in for a kiss but before they could, Wes pulled Brendan back by his shirt.
"No time for that right now, we need to get seats!" Wes told him as he dragged him out the door.
"Wes you buzzkill!" Rui shouted to Wes who only smirked in response. May sighed before giggling herself to the couch to watch the results appear on screen.
"Wes! What the hell?! You interrupted yet another moment!" Brendan complained as Wes continued to drag him.
"You can kiss her better when she loses!" Wes replied smirking which made Brendan give him a stare of death.
"You really think that a beginner like Rui can beat someone like May? Please. May has a higher chance of winning this." Brendan countered now making Wes angry as he dropped Brendan to the floor.
"Oh really?! You wanna bet?!" Wes exclaimed as Brendan dusted himself off.
"Bet what?" Brendan asked and Wes thought for a moment before speaking again.
"If Rui wins, you have to follow MY command for the rest of the day with no objections." Wes told Brendan who nodded.
"And the same for you if May wins, deal?" Brendan asked and Wes nodded in agreement as they shook hands "Get ready to do some pretty embarrassing stuff Wes!" Brendan joked as they continued their walk.
"We'll see, Brendan, we'll see." Wes replied.
"Hello one and all and welcome back to this year's contest circuit! The judges have decided which lucky four get to go to the semi-finals!" Vivian exclaimed once again before she raised her hand to the screen with four cards facing away from the screen "If you would avert your eyes to the screen just above me, you're anticipation will meet its end as the four coordinators who appear on this screen are the ones who will go to the semi-finals! They are as follows…" The left most card flipped over revealing a boy around twelve years of age with brown, short hair "Jason Daruler!" A second card flipped over revealing another boy who looked younger than Jason by a year with long, blonde hair "Mark Evans!" a third card flipped over revealing "Rui Ketchum!" and then the fourth and final card flipped over, after much suspense, revealing "May Birch!" The crowd roared the most when May was announced to be in the semi-finals "Now, let's see who they will face off against!" The cards began to shuffle until they stopped revealing that May and Rui wouldn't be facing off against each other. Instead, Rui was facing Jason and May was facing Mark "There you have it folks! The matches have been decided! May the best coordinator win!"
And that's the end of that chapter! Next chapter will have the conclusion of the contest! Once again, thank you to user "Guest" who submitted his/her ideas! Stay tuned!