"FINALLY!" Maggie exclaimed "Carmine we made it! Lavaridge!" After a whole week's travel Carmine and Maggie has made their way from route 116 all the way to the beautiful black soiled hills of Lavaridge town. The town was only made up of a few dozen buildings but each one had very distinct red and black East Asian architecture. Even the Pokémon center, which normally had a red and white theme matched the surrounding buildings.

"And the weather is great out! Oh! Oh! Carmine you have not LIVED till you've soaked at the hot springs here!"

"Yes, I'm sure it's great." Carmine replied passively. Maggie turned back to him with a sadness in her eyes. Carmine was still troubled after the encounter with that damned Brunette girl. Ever since he'd grown quiet and started keeping more to himself. Maggie has tried her best to cheer him up and she was running low on ideas. She had tried everything from catching him his Nincada to well, other things; none of which he accepted. That wasn't sitting well with her, usually she found that her close male friends rarely turned down the chance to get intimate with her. But Carmine, something was different about him.

"Hey Carmine, I know it's been rough lately just, try to relax. Oh, you know what why don't we head over to my friend Flarenny's. She's big into meditation maybe she can help you out?"

"How would meditation help me?" Carmine said skeptically looking at her.

"Carmine look I know your type, you're a guy who was raised in small closed off towns right?"

"Right…"

"And you were a boy, so everyone told you how to act like a man and never show weakness right" he simply nodded.

"It'll do you some good to take some time and look at who you are. You don't like how May talked to you right? You hate how what she said stung."

"Because it was true...?" Carmine seemingly admitted.

"Not necessarily. I think you've got a lot of buildup. You need to let it out. Maybe find something out about yourself you didn't know." Maggie gently wrapped an arm around him and rested her head against his. "Now come on, let's go see Flarenny." Maggie let go as she took the lead again. There she was doing it again, ever since he began acting this way, she had been more physical with him. More hugs and light kisses, placing her hand on his when they sat together. In hindsight as much as she thought it would comfort him, she was probably only served to confuse him more. Outside of a close friend she didn't feel much more for him than any of her other partners. 'Damn I should probably knock that off or he'll end up hating me'. Before they knew it there, they were Flarrenys doorstep, she knocked. After a few moments there she was the fiery bombshell Flarreny.

"Maggie! What up girl?! It's been ages! This a booty call or are you just stopping by?" Flarreny teased as the scent of burning incense and a hint of weed wafted out from behind her. She was beautiful Carmine had decided almost instantaneously. Her fair complexion was complemented wonderfully by her Fiery red hair and matching ruby eyes. 'Wait, ruby eyes?' Carmine thought he was the only one. On top of that her outfit wasn't leaving much to the imagination. A tied off black tee barely contains her breast and short shorts that had might as well been underwear. The outfit did however give her the ability to show off her gorgeous torkoal tattoo that lined the left side of her. As well as the tattoo sleeves she had on both arms.

"Hehe, nice to see you again too! I've been sooooo busy with work. But yea I'm just stopping by to hang out if you have the time." Carmine couldn't believe his eyes Maggie actually blushing.

"So, ah… who is this guy?" Flarreny said pointing at Carmine.

"Oh yea! Flarreny this is my new squad mate Carmine." Maggie said gesturing to Carmine.

"Hey" Carmine said about nervously.

"Yo" Flarreny looked the both up and down. "why don't you guys come in and chill out for about? I've put some music on, and we can talk for about?"

"That sounds great!" Maggie said following her in. The quaint house was surprisingly cozy looking. Large abstract paintings adorned the walls and every once in a while, there where little sculptures of mightyenas. In the living room there were only a couple of old bean bag chairs and a small knee-high table. The smell of incense fused with the stench of weed to become almost overwhelming; Carmine coughed a little.

"Beers in the fridge! Have a seat anywhere you'd like I'll get on some music and be right there." Flarreny called from the kitchen. Maggie immediately kicked her shoes off and left them where the fell. After which she took of her jacket and dropped it in roughly the same area. A small meow came from somewhere in the room as a pinkish Dellcatty came from around one of the bean bags.

"Hey Zellebelle! How are you sweetie!" Maggie said reaching down to pet the cat Pokémon as it brushed against her leg.

"So, you and Flarreny go back a ways?" Carmine asked removing his shoes and placing them next to the door.

"Oh yea" Maggie answered. "best friends since we were little kids." Somewhere in the back of the house some trap house Jazz began emanating from a speaker. Flarreny had returned from the kitchen with a few bags of chips and more beer then soda. She plopped down in one of the bean bag chairs and cracked open a can of beer.

"So, you guys headed up to see my old man?" Flarreny said taking a swig. Maggie also grabbed a can and proceeded to do the same.

"Yea, Carmines brand new and Maxie always likes to meet all of us personally." Maggie replied.

"Wait, you're his daughter!" Carmine asked surprised that Maggie would be so buddy buddy with her.

"Yup that nasally dude up there in the mountains is my old man. Maggie here's luck he likes her. Not everybody gets to pal around with the boss's daughter." She said full of herself.

"Well that and a few other things" Maggie said laughing.

"Oh yea, man, if he knew about that." Flarreny dragged a finger a crossed her neck and the two of them laughed , however was remaining relatively silent. "What's eatin him?" Flannrey asked jutting a finger Carmines way. Maggie sighed after finishing what was left of her first beer.

"Well… He ah… got in a pretty bad fight with a "friend" and she said some pretty harsh things that really got to him."

"Bummer dude" Flannery just leaned back in her chair and stared at the sealing.

"And. I was thinking maybe you could show him some of your "meditation techniques" "

"Ah, I get yea. Sure it's a good thing i don't have to work tomorrow." Flannery after afew moments got up and headed over to the kitchen.

"Maggie why did you say it like that?" Carmine asked slightly alarmed.

" Carmine, Just trust me on this. Anytime im stressed out or having a bad time I come here we hang out and we "chill" " Maggie said waving her hand casually.

"Is that another euphemism for sex?" Carmine asked eyeing her. " I already told you i-"

"NO, no its not. At Least it isn't in this situation." Flannery came back to the living room with a pan covered in seran wrap.

"So Carmine, have you ever meditated before?" Flannery asked.

"No, I haven't really had a need for it. And to be entirely honest I haven't actually seen anyone do it." Flarnney waved a dismissive hand.

" There's really nothing to it. Just get comfey over there." Flannery proceeded to peel of the wrap from the pan revealing a tray of brownies. Carmine set about adjusting himself and unclenching his backpack. He was getting the feeling that this stop might be a long one.

"Here" Maggie Peeled off two brownies handing one over to carmine who sat next to her. Carmine gave it a skeptical sniff.

"Um… What's in this?"

"Oh, just brownie and herb we grow in lavaridge Town." Flarnney answered. "My Grandma runs the herbalist shop next door, if you ever need Revival Herbs or something for your Pokemon just go see her."

"Oh, Cool…" Carmine still feeling a bit skeptical took a very hesitant bite out of the brownie. It was good! Very good in fact so he scarfed it down. " Flarnney these are great! Can i have another?"

"Ah maybe we take it one at a time champ." Carmine thought that was a bit odd, it's a brownie. Maybe they only had a few so they wanted to space them out or something. Flannery and Maggie also began to eat theres. The Two crossed their legs and closed their eyes. "Alright Carmine, Just cross your legs. Take deep breaths. Inhale, Exhale. Think about everything thats bugging you. Think about what's keeping you down. And Let go. Clear your head and just. Be." Flannery said calmly. Carmine was trying, but, everything felt off. At the forefront of his mind were Mays words. "Disgusting, Possessive… Deep down he knew it was true. But, thats never how he saw himself until now.

' Did he help may out for the right reasons back in Little Root? Because she was in need and id been in a similar situation? Or was he just lonely and looking for someone to share his problems with.' These thoughts and more passed through and out of his mind for what felt like hours. But the next thing he knew someone was talking to him.

" I guess, maybe I should have told you Carmine. You probably should have eaten more slowly…" Maggie said with at least half of her brownie in front of her.

"Hmmm.. why?" Carmine didn't open his eyes at this point he was visualizing his problems and cutting them down with a lightsaber while Let's Groove played in the background. He couldn't exactly pinpoint whether the music was in his head or being played on the radio in the back of the room.

"Well, When I said Herb, I meant pot…" Flarnney said leaning more into her chair.

"What's that?" Carmine asked reaching out with the force genuinely believing that he was fully capable of it.

"You know what nevermind. Your good." Maggie just giggled herself deeper into her chair.

"So Maggie. Any new flings lately? Besides Seth, Randy, Haydenn…" Flarnney said counting on her fingers very dramatically.

"Shut up hehe! Just Carmine Kinda…" Maggie wasn't worried at all about Carmine over hearing any of this as he seemed to deflate into his chair.

"Really? Him? Isn't he alittle yo-"

" Eight-teen, Flannery he's Eight-teen."

"Weird I Could of swore.. Oh, well. Say What about Brittany? You guys still not talking?" Maggie rolled her eyes.

"No chance. She made her choice…"

"Harsh. Just cause dad fighting aqua doesn't mean tha-"

"Flare, Don't I'm over it. Sometimes it's just best to cut people out."

"Sure, i guess, but just seems like such a shame, Here i was thinking you'd finally found love." Flarnney said teasingly.

"Ha Ha very funny.'' Maggie said as she crossed her arms over her face.

"How long are you gonna be in town?"

"Who knows could be a day, a week, a month. Knowing leader Maxie its just kinda up to whatever Aqua's doing."

"Yea, thats been escalating a lot recently, did you hear about the raid on lilycove?" Maggie shot up in her chair at that.

"What! No! They went on a raid!" Maggie seemed pretty upset at this.

" Yup and they blew it aqua sent the team packing and Maxie was so pissed with them they got booted out."

"Yikes, maybe it was for the best i wasn't on that one…" Maggie sank back in her chair again as a small ding went off in the room.

"Ugh just got a text, new challenger at the gym… I've got to go deal with this." Flannery said begrudgingly.

"You guys can hang out here or whatever, ive got to go put on my serious face." Flannery slowly worked her way off of the chair and headed off to what Maggie assumed was the bathroom.

"Carmine are you alright?" Maggie said as she turned to him. He didn't answer. "Carmine?"

" Huh.. What?"

"Are you gonna make it over there?" Maggie said with some slight concern.

"Yes, Infact i'm better than ever. I Know now that in order to be who I really am i must change. I must evolve like so many others before me."

"Ah...sure…" Flarnney entered the room again this time with a substantial amount of makeup on.

" So are you guys staying here or what?" Flannery said as she mach punched the air hyping herself up.

"Actually im probley going to take him over to the hotsprings to chill." Maggie said as she began to gather up her things.

" The water is my enemy, the source of pain and misery. I must immerse myself in it to truly understand the deep of which i face." Flarrney and Maggie snort laughed at that.

"What the fuck is he talking about?" Flarrney asked opening her front door. Maggie just shrugged.

"Come on Carmine lets go." Maggie made her way over to him halling him on to his feet.

"I suppose it's the fate of all things to go isn't it." Carmine allowed himself to be pulled up leaning on Maggie's side.

"O-kay then… ill let you too at it. I got to go, have fun with. Whatever it is he's doing" as Flannery left Maggie and Carmine followed close behind. As they neared the center of town Maggie and Carmine said their goodbyes as they headed off to the famous lavaridge hot springs.

Meanwhile like a week ago or whatever (transformers transition)

"Alright listen here miss!" Britt said strolling up behind May. The two had found there way to Petalport just outside of petalburg. A muggy damp and otherwise abandoned port. "I Told ya we got to take the one in Rustboro but NO we gotta head to some schlubby place like this because you know a guy." Britt pouted crossing her arms.

"I do know a guy! His name is He's a friend of my mom's. He's got to be around here somewhere." May took a glance around the shabby streets, nothing but busted out windows and boarded up doors. ' Maybe she's right…' "Let's walk a little further ahead im sure we'll bump into him."

"May im sure Carmine and Maggie didn't go south, infact i can promise ya they didn't! Let's just go back an.." Britt was cut off by a Wingull's screaming as it ran directly into her face. "Ah Shit What the, ah my face! You Goddamn Bird i'll Strangle ya! Ya Dead Comeher!" Britt Grabbed the wingull with both hands just before the bird pokemon unleashed a watergun into her face. Britt Slammed the Wingull against the concrete Knocking it out instantly or killing it, it wasn't very clear.

"Jesus, Britt It didn't mean to run into you!"

"You saw it i was there mindin my own business I was defending myself!"

"Peecko?! Where are ya! Peecko!" a tired voice yelled from the distance.

"Ah Shit… How much you wanna bet that things Peecko." Britt said flipping the Wingull over with a stick as the old man came up from one of the docks.

"Peecko? Is that you?" The old man yelled pushing himself to get up the stairs.

"Britt! What are we gonna do! Thats someones friend! How are we gonna explain this! " May screamed at a whisper.

"Shove it in ya bag! I don't know! Oh that Barrel over there!" Britt pointed toward one of the trash cans next a dock shed. May paused looking back and forth trying to think of what to do. Running out of time May picked it up with two fingers by the wing and hastley ran to the trash can lifted the lid and threw it in. It was just then that the elder made it up the dock stairs turning toward them.

"AH! Hello you young ladies, have you seen my darling Peecko? She's a wingull could of swore I heard her." The Gentlemen rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Ah, No sir, not I. Nope." Britt said looking away from him reaching into her pocket to grab a cigarette.

"Oh what a shame… I'm sure she'll turn up eventually… My Goddness! Is that May!" Mays blood ran cold.

"Mr. Briney hello…." May cringed out.

"Why I haven't seen you since you were oh… about yay tall! How's Marget?" Briney said clearly ecstatic.

"Hehe, yea... Moms just fine…" May said tears welling

"What's wrong miss?" Mr. Briney said slowly inching over with his slightly too short cane.

"Peecko… Peecko... " May began to sob. Britt looked at May eyes wide as the freshly lit cig fell from her mouth. " Ah woman.,.. With purple hair threw Peecko in the garbage!" She sobbed. " And, And she said if we told anybody she'd find us!" May said pointing toward the barrel. Mr. Briney hobbled over to the barrel as quickly as he could. He lifted the lid reaching inside to pull out his crumpled friend.

" Miss is this true?" the elder asked Britt.

"Oh yea." Britt said almost before he could finish. " Yea. this Purple haired bimbo and this scrawny limp dick lookin ass albino guy. They had guns! And Bats! They were like AYE! You talk well find ya!
So says Team Magma! And i was like AYE! If you were gonna shoot anyone shoot me. But no they killed ya bird…...Oh my condolences" Briney lowered the bird gently on to the deck.

" Where did these monsters go!" he yelled with tears in his eyes.

" I Think i over heard them say something about slateport…"

" Do you too have pokemon?" Briney asked

"Yea" May and britt answered in unison.

"Ladies if i may ask for your help! Ill take ya across the sea if you'll help me get these bastards! Mind my language!"

"Funny ya should mention that we happen to need a ride!" Britt Exclaimed.

"Gladly do i have your word you'll help!" the kindly old man asked.

"Oh yea. Yup." Britt said noding. May was insanely uncomfortable fidgeting in place.

"Quickly then follow me to my home!" The Man turned around and hobled away as fast as his stubby cane would allow. May and Britt followed him at a distance discussing what they should do along the way.

"May your acting. Mwah brillent!"

"Britt im so scared what are we gonna do when we reach Slateport!"

" No worries, ive got an idea. I know how to pilot a boat.":

"What, what does that have anything to do wit-"

" Were here ladies!" Mr. Briney exclaimed opening his front door. It seemed like he lived in the most well kept building on this side of town. Once inside they were greeted to a cute little slightly dusty home adorned with family photos and small beachside knicknacks. " Mind the dust House hasn't been as clean since the wife passed God rest her soul.

"Oh it's no problem at all!" May exclaimed the weight of guilt piling up.

"You kids hold tight ill go get the old skiff up and runnin! Make yourselves at home!" Briney headed through the kitchen and through a door one could guess leaded to the marina. Britt instantly went over to the fridge rummaging for a beer. May simply sat down on one of the chairs with a hand knitted scarf on its back. After Britt found a bottle she headed over to May.

"Alright here's the plan you stay here. I'm gonna go over and convince the old codger ta stay here and let the two of us handle things." Britt said.

"Britt i don't know about this. I Think we should just tell him the truth."

"May, hunny, Listen. I've been in this game for a long while. I've got enough charm to make any guy listen to what i got to say." Britt smiled sardonically. She kissed May's forehead and headed into the Marina.

When Britt had entered the old sailor was busy at work getting the ship ready to launch. Currently he was checking gages on the dashboard. Britt boarded the ship taking a swig out of her beer. " Aye old man. Ship almost good?"

" Ah yes. Wasn't much i had to do just checking things over is all." Briney said not turning away from his instruments.

"Cool,cool." Britt flipped her beer bottle around and hit Mr. Briney as hard as she could. Briney slumped over in the seat. Luckily the bottle didn't shattered as no blood was seeping through his captians hat all seemed well Britt thought. Britt reached under his arms and dragged him out of the seat and pulling im off the boat. " So ah Mr. Briney mind if we take ya boat…. Oh wow that's so nice ah ya." Britt found some tarps in one of the corners and propped him up against the wall. "Oh and you want me to have your hat wow!" Alright see ya later mr." Britt draped the Unconscious or probably dead body and tucked afew boxes around it. She then dusted of the hat alittle before placing it on her head she then finished her beer and threw it into the water. Britt entered the quaint home again shouting "Aye May he gave us the go!"