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Chapter 10They'd been walking for a couple of days through the Vien Forest, and May was still completely stuck with the appeal she would hopefully use in her Vientown debut. Furthermore, she was missing the pokémon she'd left with her family in Hoenn, though she knew they were being taken care of. Kenny and her parents would definitely know how to ease any worries her pokémon had. That didn't dull the ache, though she tried to distract herself from it.
At the moment, they were set up near a small lake for lunch. She'd made some salad with Dawn whilst Solidad had made some sandwiches and Harley had set up the picnic blanket with the help of his trusty Cacturne. The pokémon, to its credit, had grinned at May, though she still felt slightly intimidated by his dark persona.
'Wartortle!' A deep voice called, drowning out Dawn's repeated boast about their delicious salad. After all, Iris had taught them a fair bit about the plants of the forest, and the Unova native would undoubtedly be extremely pleased with their accomplishments.
Immediately, May's head shot up as she moved to watch the blue bipedal pokémon shuffle towards them, its tail darker than May's own. Its large brown eyes flashed with a steely determination as it stared upon the intruders, appearing to dare them to come closer to it.
'Uhoh, a wild pokémon,' Dawn whispered as she placed a hand on her Piplup, who looked ready to jump in before them. The penguin-like pokémon seemed convinced he could take on the new arrival, though the Wartortle didn't seem in the least intimidated by him.
'Relax, Piplup,' May smiled down at the small blue aquatic pokémon, shuffling forward gently to offer the wild pokémon some of her sandwich. It looked at her hesitantly, apparently considering whether she could be trusted or not.
'It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you,' May offered in a soft voice, crouching down to his level. She offered it one of her small smiles, remembering not to bare her teeth at it in case it took offence.
Hesitantly, it snatched the sandwich from her hands, sniffing it slightly before taking a gulp.
Watching him munch eagerly on the meal they'd prepared, May beamed at her friends. She heard it call its name slightly in clear delight before it came closer to her, its large eyes silently requesting more food.
In a cheerful voice, May turned to face her friends. Seeing their stunned expressions, she grinned, 'see? He was just hungry.'
'Unbelievable. She could've gotten really hurt, but survived because she's a twerpette,' Harley gasped as he considered her eager expression.
'That's our May, always full of surprises,' Solidad beamed, her blue eyes filled with a pride May hadn't seen before.
'Thank you, Solidad,' May blushed before taking a seat on the blanket and nibbling on another sandwich.
The group continued to eat in silence as they saw other pokémon come closer, appearing to be curious by the sudden appearance of their group. They remained silent, hoping to deter the pokémon from rushing off by any startled noise. As a consequence, they had the privilege of enjoying the various interactions the pokémon were undergoing with each other and their environment around them.
Watching the Wartortle, Bidoof, Staraptor and Shinx play with each other, May couldn't help but smile. She'd always loved watching inter-species interactions with pokémon, it was just so refreshing. However, much time had passed, and they did need to reach Vientown as soon as possible.
'I think it's time for us to leave,' Solidad smiled softly as she began to pack up, apparently having read May's mind.
Immediately, May gave the left overs to the remaining wild pokémon as Dawn and Harley folded the blanket, Dawn still chatting away about their excellent salad. Harley glowered slightly at her, though he thankfully did not make a snide retort to demand her silence.
With a cheerful wave at the wild pokémon, the four Coordinators found themselves back on the road, enjoying the beautiful weather that Almia had to offer. None of them noticed the group of pokémon following them slightly behind them.
'So, how're you going with planning your appeal?' Harley frowned at May as Solidad and Dawn lead the way through the green shrubbery, making a remark here or there about one or another beautiful plant.
Considering how to answer the question, May walked in silence, her sapphire eyes travelling along the dirt path before them, contemplating every possible trap in the ground. After all, she was still quite the klutz, as she'd been so painfully reminded by none other than Gary Oak and Drew, though it had been far too long since the latter had even graced her with his presence.
Pushing aside those painful thoughts, May refocused on the matter at hand.
'Well, my latest fusion move is a massive flop,' May grimaced as she turned her attention briefly to the man who walked beside her. He appeared perfectly disinterested, his attention focused on his a few strands of his hair, as though unperturbed by insignificant hindrances like twigs and branches which may trip him.
'Explain,' Harley spoke, his tone unusually short as May's attention was once again focused on the ground before her.
Honestly, her aversion to meeting people's gaze in the forest was starting to irk her, but she really didn't need Harley to have any more ammunition on her than he already had. That Tentacool story was bad enough, not to mention his obvious jealousy of her past with Steven. Even now, she longed to disprove his resentment to her, even if it had diminished over time. She'd always wanted to prove her worth, and Harley had been one of her worst critics. Sure, he'd been her friend, but he'd always tested her; that was just how their relationship worked. At least he was easier to impress than her other critic, who'd probably sneer at her abysmal failed attempts at an appeal.
'It's hard for me to explain it, you know my style as well as Solidad or Drew. Anyway, I was hoping to create a unique combination, in which Munchlax's focus punch and Skitty's blizzard would join together. However, they're not really communicating all that well with each other, and I'm not sure how I can possibly have it work,' May whispered as her hands gently grazed her pokéballs. She knew it wasn't the fault of her pokémon, it was her responsibility to find a way to make them improve. However, that didn't make this any easier for her.
'Hon, you'll get it when you're ready. As much as I hate admitting this, you're a natural performer. Why don't you try another combination instead? Blaziken and Glaceon should give you a real confidence boost,' Harley offered as he walked by her side, swaying his hips in a sultry manner from side to side.
Considering the man in the Banette costume beside her, May frowned, 'But Dawn's already created the fire and ice fusion, she's also done that with ice and electricity. I can't steal her idea as my debut, even if I ask her. It doesn't feel right to just come back after years of being in hiatus with nothing new. Surely you'd understand, Harley. From all of your performances in Johto, you were going from one appeal to the other, all so creative and unique, a style that fit you perfectly.'
'Well, hon, when you're as artistic and talented as I am, it just comes naturally. Now, let's see if we can find something that fits you to a T. Which pokémon do you have with you, then?' Harley frowned as he watched Dawn walking arm in arm with Solidad. His green eyes were narrowed in sceptical curiosity, appearing to be monitoring the duo before them, who were in deep discussion about something which, quite frankly, didn't interest the male Coordinator.
'Well there's Blaziken, Munchlax, Skitty and Glaceon,' May whispered as she ticked each one of her pokémon off.
'What about Venusaur, Wartortle and Beautifly? Surely you can call one of them to you?' Harley questioned, his green eyes intent upon May's own, his lips pressed in a slight frown, though May didn't notice the concern etched on the man's face.
'Well, I didn't want to leave my mum all alone at home if anything happened to dad again. Out of all my pokémon, I knew that Beautifly would comfort her the most, but Venusaur would also offer some comfort; she has quite a good relationship with my father's pokémon. As for Wartortle, he's always been good at getting me out of my depressions, so I thought he might help my mum too,' May smiled softly as she considered her pokémon back in Petalburg. She missed them sorely and knew they would have help her with her appeal, though her plight wasn't the strongest, especially when she considered how distraught her mum had been after her father had been hospitalized.
Harley once again brought her to the present as he muttered, 'While I admire your sacrifice for your family, your options are limited, hon. That choice left you with two normal type pokémon, a fire and fighting type and an ice type. Just how are you going to make a marvellous debut out of them?'
Grimacing, May considered the words of her friend in the Banette costume, her eyes once again on the ground. She didn't notice as Dawn paused in her discussions with Solidad to inspect a group of flowers on the side of the dirt road, her eyes alight with joy.
'Hey, May!' Dawn whispered loudly, pulling her brunette's friend's attention out of her thoughts faster than a Rapidash could stop. Sapphire eyes met her friend's dark blue, the younger woman pointing her finger at the group of various coloured flowers.
Sharing a bemused glance with Harley, May rushed forward to see various different coloured flowers. There were red, yellow, orange, blue and white flowers, appearing to move gracefully in the wind. Blinking, May looked around them and then back up at friend.
Returning her gaze to the flowers, she realised that they were moving on their own, their green stems floating above the ground, though there wasn't any wing.
'Why are they moving?' May questioned, her gaze flickering to meet Solidad's knowing smile.
'There's no wind,' Harley whispered, his eyes widening as his expression paled.
'Gh-ghost?' May squeaked, feeling the blood drain from her face as she saw Harley's equally horrified expression.
'Don't be silly, it's a Flabébé,' Dawn giggled as she shared a knowing glance with Solidad, who seemed to be suppressing a chuckle.
'What's that?' May frowned before fishing out her Pokédex. Turning it to face the floating flowers, its soft voice chanted, 'Flabébé; the single bloom pokémon. When it finds a flower it likes, it dwells on that flower its whole life long. It floats in the wind's embrace with an untroubled heart.
'Wow, it sounds gorgeous!' May giggled as her eyes caught sight of the white body of the pokémon, its ears twitching horizontally as it stared up at her, its brown eyes wide. In response to her smile, it giggled in response.
'If I didn't know better, I'd catch one,' Dawn smiled as the Flabébé began to move around them, the petals floating in a seemingly invisible wind which touched only their petals.
'But would you really want to separate any of them from their friends?' Solidad smiled as May had one land in her hand.
'Of course not. Friends are meant to be together,' Dawn beamed as she watched May smile down at the red petal flower.
'As if a little twerpette like either of you two would know much about that,' Harley muttered bitterly, crossing his arms before his chest, not meeting either of their gaze.
'Harley, if I could give you anything to compensate for my absence, you know I would,' May whispered as the petal pokémon floated out of her hand and hovered before Harley's face, appearing to beg along with her.
'Get this cute little Rattata out of my face!' Harley glowered at the Flabébé, who hurriedly floated back to Dawn, its ears pulled back in fright. Clearly Harley could still intimidate opponents when he wanted to, and May was silently grateful his anger hadn't been directed at her this once.
'I wonder; when did your kind migrate to Almia? You can't be native to this region, or I would have seen you as a young child,' Dawn frowned as the main group of Flabébé floated off, moving through the shrubbery and leaving behind the red flowered one as it frowned back at Dawn in equal confusion.
'Hey! You're forgetting your friend!' May called as she moved to catch up with the others, though their pace increased rapidly.
'Flabébé!' The small fairy flower cried, though its cries were ignored as it floated after them.
Watching its depression, Dawn beamed, 'there's no need to worry, we'll help you get to your friends!'
The pokémon, in response, muttered its name in a dejected manner, its long, notched ears drooping slightly so that even Harley felt some guilt at its clear misery.
'That's not very nice, who just leaves their friends behind?' Harley glowered, appearing furious at the actions of the wild pokémon. His resentment surprised May, and reiterated her guilt for having left without a trace for not only her purple haired friend, but also the green haired object of her affections
'We'll just have to find them,' Solidad spoke, gently squeezing May's shoulder before she began to lead them down the path. The woman was as perceptive as ever and had clearly noticed May's own mood deflate with Harley's vehement anger.
'How do you propose we do that? They've gone off the path, and it'll be hard to trace their movements,' Dawn whispered as the flower pokémon floated to her shoulder, hovering there anxiously, appearing to be nervous to be alone.
'We'll have to follow them, that's how,' May grinned in response, quickening her step to follow the now unseen flowers, passing Solidad as she walked.
'But what if we lose our way?' Dawn grimaced as May stumbled ahead, climbing through the foliage. The brunette appeared completely at ease, though Dawn couldn't figure out how that was possible. After all, only Iris could possibly find her way out of this forest. May didn't have Iris' in depth instincts, and Dawn wasn't too sure if she should emphasise this point to her friend whose pride was probably shattered from being stuck in Hoenn for years.
'Hon, get back out here!' Harley's shrill voice snapped as he hurriedly and noisily rushed into the shrubbery, appearing to forget his own wellbeing in his haste to reach the renowned klutz.
'Harley, don't do anything to hurt her,' Solidad called, hesitating slightly before following them into the greenery, leaving the young woman with dark blue hair out on the now deserted dirt path.
'Hey, wait for me!' Dawn squeaked anxiously before rushing after, hesitantly holding the wild Flabébé in her hands as it peeped its name, using its ears to cover its eyes. Even the pokémon didn't seem to have any faith in the group of friends, and that did not instil any confidence in Dawn.
'Flabébé, come back here! You've forgotten your friend!' Harley hollered as he overtook May to run ahead. His gaze was so focused upon the pokémon before him, he didn't notice the slight dip in the ground just in front of his feet. Losing his footing, he tripped and stumbled forward, straight into a tree.
Stumbling to a halt, May frowned, 'Harley, are you ok?'
'Go get them, pipsqueak! I want their flowers for breakfast!' Harley growled as he hit the ground in anger, all se.
'I'll go get them then,' May offered nervously before running after them, hearing their calls fill her ears. Stumbling away from her friend, May followed the sound of the pokémon's cries, hoping to reunite the lonely Flabébé with its friends.
Watching them float across a clear, crystal lake surrounded by long grass, May frowned. The scene was perfect, but it did not leave her feeling happy. Instead, she found herself disappointed at how readily the other pokémon forgot about one of their own. Did their community mean that little to them? She'd never encountered a pokémon before that would abandon one of their kind so readily.
'Guys, you forgot one of your own!' May called as Dawn stumbled into view beside her, clutching the distressed Flabébé in her arms.
As one, the group of pokémon turned to stare down at the two young women, they did not appear at all moved by the reappearance of the Flabébé. Instead, they turned back away, calling their name in anger.
'We d-didn't mean to offend you,' Dawn whispered, clinging onto the red petalled flower in fear.
With a squeak, the other flora pokémon flitted apart, all of them disturbed by their appearance.
'Hey, wait!' Dawn squeaked as they all disappeared in different directions, leaving the trio alone.
'What about your friend?' May whispered as the two glanced down at the forlorn Flabébé, who was left staring at its friends in disappointment.
Flying out of Dawn's hands, it called out to them, its calls echoing around the lake. Chasing after them, it continued to cry, its calls increasing in desperation and fervour. Some of them paused in their movements, but ultimately it was ignored.
Shattered, Flabébé's ears drooped as it returned to Dawn's awaiting hands.
'It'll be ok, Flabébé, we're here for you,' May whispered as she, too, felt the pain the Flabébé cried with.
'If your community won't take you back, how do you feel about joining me?' Dawn whispered, her tone soft as she considered the red flowered pokémon before her.
Instantly, its eyes brightened as it nodded its head, whilst May smiled in near shock. She'd forgotten how easy it could be to gain a new partner, though she honestly could not say she held Dawn's offer against her. After all, the Flabébé's alternative was to roam the forest alone, and the brunette wouldn't even wish that on the crooks she'd faced in the past.
Watching Dawn throw the pokéball at the small fairy type, May couldn't help but smile as she saw the red and white ball shake slightly.
Once the dull sound of the pokéball's successful capture could be heard, May watched the bluenette pick up the ball. The young woman grinned, 'welcome to the team!'
With a soft smile, she whispered, 'let's find the others.'
'Definitely,' Dawn beamed at the brunette, leading the way back the way they had come.
Glancing back at the group of pokémon, May silently wondered what had enraged them so. She doubted that even Harley alone could infuriate anyone so.