Disclaimer- I don't own anything. I don't even own the computer I'm using right know.

Chapter 3- A trainer is born

"And if you then subtract the original function from the new equation you should see that it will cancel out."

May sat at her desk, propped up on her elbow staring blankly at the chalkboard as the math teacher was going over her lesson. May didn't really get it but it was late in the day and the hot sun shining into the room made her very tired and it didn't seem worth it to pay attention. She could always ask Brendan to explain it to her later anyways.

It had been two weeks since the Mightyena attack and school had started up again. So May had soon found herself back into the classroom, learning stuff she knew she would never need to know.

May snapped out of her daze when something hit against the side of her head. Looking down she saw a small paper ball lying on her desk. Opening it up she saw the words "Pokemon hater" scribbled there. Sighing she tossed it into the desk and tried to pay attention to what the teacher was talking about. She was used to the insults after twelve years. The other students never took kindly to her views on Pokemon and more often than not responded with slander.

"And before you leave," the teacher addressed the class, "There will be a meeting after class today for those of you who will be competing in the Pokemon League. As you already know only those students who had maintained an 85 average last year will be allowed to take the year off."

The bell rang for the end of the day and the students quickly packed up and left. May moved slower than the others, she had learned long ago that avoidance was the easiest way to coexist with other people. Packing her backpack with textbooks she left the school for the long walk home. Since Littleroot was such a small town the children had to travel to the school in Oldale everyday. When she left the school, Brendan was nowhere to be seen. 'Probably stayed for that meeting.' Noticing the stares coming from other students May decided that Brendan would catch up and left.

Ten minutes later May heard someone shouting out for her. "Hey, Bob! Wait up!" May smirked inwardly but put her best "annoyed" face on and turned around. True enough, Brendan was running to catch up with her.

"How many times have I told you to stop calling me that?" she asked when he got close enough.

"And how many times have I told you I don't care?" he said, gasping for breath.

"Thirty-seven."

"Really? Wow, I could've sworn it was only thirty-six." He grinned.

She stared out him a few moments then chuckled, "You're a loser." She turned around and continued walking.

Brendan fell in step beside her, "If I'm a loser than you're a loser by association."

"I try."

They walked in silence for a while until Brendan spoke up, "So…. uh, how's the Treecko doing?" The glare he received from May could've frozen ice, and Brendan raised his hands in a gesture of peace, "Sorry. I wouldn't ask but Dad's been bugging me."

May looked away from him, "Then lie."

"I'm no good at lying."

"You lie about being attractive all the time."

"Hey!" Brendan tried to look hurt but May just ignored him.

After a while May turned to the boy, "If it makes you happy, I haven't killed the stupid thing yet."

"I guess that'll have to do. It wouldn't kill you to try and be friends with him."

"I'd rather drink turpentine." The tone in her voice told Brendan that it would be a smart idea to leave it at that and he remained silent the rest of the way home.

When May arrived home the first thing she did was dart up the stairs to her room and take off the uniform that she was required to wear to school. "Ugh. I hate skirts." Changing into something more comfortable she headed downstairs and into the to the kitchen.

"Hey Mom. What's for dinner?"

"I haven't started it yet, dear," her mother's voice rang from the living room. "Feel free to make something for yourself."

May opened the pantry door and looked inside; she didn't feel like making anything big so she grabbed a box of KD and readied the water. "Hey Mom. I'm making Kraft Dinner, you want any?" the girl called out.

"Sure."

May began to prepare the dinner. She was used to cooking for herself, her mother had usually worked late hours back in the city and May had had to fend for herself. Now that they lived in Hoenn they got to eat together more often. 'I guess there are some good things about this place.'

The water had just started boiling when May's mother came into the kitchen, followed by May's Treecko. The little green lizard seemed to have found a new stick and it held it at its side. When it saw May, it bowed at the waist.

May glared annoyingly at her Pokemon, "Who let you out of your ball, lizard?"

May's mother frowned, "I let him out. It's not good for him to be cooped up all the time."

"Isn't it my job to decide what's good for him or not?" May asked as she poured the contents of the box into the boiling water.

"It's your job, May, to care about your Pokemon." May's mother went to the cupboard and withdrew two bowls.

"He's less likely to piss me off inside the ball, I like to think of that as keeping him safe." May poured the cheese packet into the pot and began stirring with a wooden spoon.

"Don't get smart with me."

The KD was done and May scooped the pot into the two bowls and set the empty pot in the sink. Getting two forks, she passed one to her mother and began eating her dinner. "So what were you watching on TV?"

Her mother swallowed a mouthful of food and looked at her daughter. "It was just a news story on the Pokemon League. It starts next week. I hear Brendan's hoping to participate."

May nodded, "Yeah. Hopefully some of the other kids at school will leave too, though I doubt most are smart enough."

May's mother looked at her daughter, "The other students giving you trouble, dear?"

May waved her forked dismissively and swallowed her food, "No more than ever. Don't worry about it."

"I could have a talk with the principal about it."

"No. That'd just make things worse. I'll be fine. I've done it for twelve years."

"If you say so, dear."

"I do. Why was the lizard in there with you?" May asked jerking a thumb towards the Pokemon standing like a sentinel beside her.

"He was watching TV with me. It turns out he especially likes those old fashion movies."

The older woman laughed.

May rolled her eyes, "Great, as if he wasn't bad enough about the stupid samurai thing, now you have him watching crappy martial arts movies."

"I think it's cute."

"You would."

The two ate in silence for a few minutes until Mrs. Green spoke up, "I think you should name him, May."

"Not interested."

"You can't keep calling him lizard."

"Would he like 'useless piece of crap' more?"

"May!"

May put her empty bowl in the sink, "I have homework to do." With that the girl left the kitchen.

May was passing through the living room to the stairs when she heard something.

"Hello, this is Pokemon News. Today we're continuing with our interviews on the Gym Leaders that will be participating in this years Pokemon League."

May looked over to see that her mother had left the TV on. Walking over to turn it off May stopped dead in her tracks when the scene changed, showing a large gym. May recognized the man standing in front of the gym beside the reporter immediately. He looked a little older and there were streaks of gray in his black hair but there was no mistaking Norman Green.

"On this episode we'll be talking to Norman Green. The newly instated Gym Leader for Petalburg City," the announcer continued. "This will not only be Mr. Green's first year as a Gym Leader, but this will also be his first year in Hoenn. Though he has asked for us to keep his Pokemon a secret, he wants it to be a surprise to those trainers who challenge him, we can certainly attest to Mr. Green's skill."

May felt the anger bubbling to the surface and yet she couldn't make herself turn away from the TV.

The reporter had begun her interview, "So Mr. Green, what brought you all the way here to Hoenn?"

'He was a coward, that's what."

"The region of Hoenn was always a great interest to me. The land here is beautiful and there are so many wonderful Pokemon that here that you can't find anywhere else in the world." Norman Green said with a smile. May could feel her hatred grow with every word coming from the man.

"And you came all the way here from Johto by yourself? I understand you have a family."

Norman smiled sadly, "Yes, I have a wife and daughter. I haven't seen my daughter in a long time though. If she's watching right now I'd like to say that I'm sorry and I love her."

"Liar!" May screamed at the TV.

"May? What's wrong?" her mother's voice came from the kitchen. But May didn't hear it; she was already up the stairs when her mother came into the living room to see what had set her daughter off. When she saw the TV she immediately knew what had happened. Turning off the TV, her own eyes threatening to cry, she said softly, "I'm sorry May."

The next day was a day that May would remember for the rest of her life.

Breakfast that morning was silent. May sat at the table across from her mother and never said a word. When the time came for May to leave for school she got up without a word and left her mother alone

Brendan met May at the entrance to town. He had seen the news show the previous night and although he had never asked May about her father he was smart enough to put two and two together. Noticing his friend's mood Brendan decided against questioning May for the time being. The walk to school was a silent one.

The morning passed quickly and May soon found herself sitting outside at lunch. She sat underneath a large tree and ate her lunch. Lost deep in thought she didn't notice the small lizard come up to her.

"Treecko?" the small creature placed its hand on May's arm.

Surprised by the sudden contact May jumped, banging her head of the tree. Cursing loudly she looked to see the lizard standing beside her, still holding its stick.

"What the hell are you doing here?" the girl demanded angrily.

The lizard pointed at May and then at himself, "Treecko treecko!"

May was annoyed at the creature, "Whatever. Just go home." The lizard shook its head. May felt the familiar anger begin to bubble within her, "I'm your master. Do what I say. Go away."

The Treecko shook its head again. "Tree Treecko!" It pointed at May again.

May was starting to get pissed; she just wanted to be left alone. "Listen here you stupid lizard," May made to grab the lizard but it jumped out of the way.

Growling angrily May got up and stomped off across the schoolyard. When she looked behind her she was angry to see that the lizard had followed her. She was about to yell at it but someone else spoke up first.

"Hey look! The Pokemon hater has a friend!"

May looked to see a group of teenagers standing near her. The one who had spoken looked to be their leader. May recognized him from her history class.

"I guess she's not better than the rest of us after all." One of the other teens said mockingly.

"What's the matter Green, you finally come to your senses?" The leader laughed.

May just gritted her teeth, all they wanted was a reaction. She tried to turn and leave but a crowd had grown and she couldn't escape.

"I don't think so, Green. They're all as fascinated as we are as to why you've had such a sudden change of heart."

May glared down at the small lizard beside her, "This is all your fault." The Pokemon didn't look at her; instead he stepped in front of his master and held his stick pointed towards the leader, eyes narrowed.

The group of teens seemed to be very amused by this, "Not only do you have a Pokemon but it's just as weird as you are, Green. I'm learning all kinds of new things about you today." The other's laughed at their leaders joke.

"I'm happy that I can amuse you so much Jordan, now leave me alone." May growled.

The leader narrowed his eyes, "Now, you don't think I'd let such a pretty girl get away that easily, do you?"

"I was kinda hoping for it. Yeah." May tried to appear impassive.

"I'm sorry to burst your bubble Green, but I think that a special occasion like this calls for a celebration."

"And what special occasion would that be?" May was getting annoyed; she just wanted to be left alone.

"Why the Pokemon hater changing her ways of course." Jordan grinned, "Then again, you haven't been here very long and no one really knows you all that well. Maybe the whole thing was just a desperate ploy to get attention."

May laughed at that, "If you think I'd ever try to get the attention of you and your cronies then you're stupider than you look Jordan and that's saying a lot."

Jordan narrowed his eyes, "Oh yeah? How about you put your money where your mouth is. I challenge you to a Pokemon battle!"

The crowd that had formed around them erupted with gasps of surprise and murmurs. May however looked impassive, "I'll pass." She tried to walk away again but the crowd wouldn't let her through.

"What's the matter? Scared of losing?"

May laughed bitterly, "If you think you can goad me into fighting you then you'll have to do better than that."

"You are afraid then."

"Terrified. Let me through," she ordered the crowd in front of her. The students, realizing that there wouldn't be a battle moved to let her through.

"Too bad, I was hoping that the daughter of a Gym Leader would offer a challenge."

May stopped immediately.

Jordan continued, "What? Surprised I know? Come on, your last name is Green, and you just happen to move here the same time that a new Gym Leader is assigned. They've been pretty hush-hush about his personal life and I guess I understand why now. His daughter's a freak."

May heard something deep within her laughing. Soon she also joined in. It was a mirthless dark laugh and the students near May began to back off, afraid. When she stopped the girl turned slowly to look atJordan. The look in her eyes was enough to wipe the smile off his face.

Looking down at the Treecko she nodded, "Kick his ass."

The small lizard nodded and positioned himself in an attack stance, stick pointed straight at Jordan.

Jordan was shocked by the sudden change of attitude but he quickly recovered and tossed his pokeball onto the ground. It erupted in a red flash and when the light dissipated a rock with arms was floating above the ground.

"Geodude!" the rock cried beating its arms against its body.

Brendan had stayed inside the school to talk to one of the teachers about skipping the year and was just getting out to the yard when he noticed the large crowd. Pokemon battles were commonplace in the schoolyard so he didn't pay it much thought. Glancing quickly around he noticed that May was nowhere to be seen. He knew that she wouldn't have gone over to watch a Pokemon battle so where had she gone? He looked over at the large crowd when he thought of something. Crowds didn't get that big unless a really big battle was happening. "What are the odds…?"

Running quickly over to the crowd he tried to hear what was going on, but the students were making so much noise that it was impossible to hear over them. Trying to see past them was also useless, Brendan was tall but there were too many people. 'Only one thing to do then.' he thought to himself as he began to push his way through the mass of students. What he saw when he broke through to the front shocked him. It was indeed a Pokemon that had drawn the crowd, but it was May who was standing opposite Jordan.

"Billy, what the hell's going on here?" Brendan asked to the curly haired boy standing beside him.

"Brendan? Where have you been?"

"I had to stay behind and take care of something, what's May doing?"

"Jordan goaded her into a battle. Turns out she doesn't hate Pokemon after all, that Treecko's nuts." Billy pointed to the battle.

Brendan looked to see that Billy was right. May's Treecko was almost a blur as it dashed around Jordan's Geodude slashing with its makeshift sword. Brendan could see however that the damage was minimal.

"That's not going to work. A Geodude's skin is too hard, all it has to do is wait for the Treecko to get tired." Brendan thought out loud.

"I don't think Green knows that." Billy said.

Brendan looked over at May, she looked angry but Brendan knew that she had no idea what she was doing. Her Treecko was faster and more skilled than Jordan's Pokemon, but Jordan was the far more experienced trainer, and in the end that's what would count. Jordan was one of the best trainers at the school, and he was among those who had qualified for the Pokemon League.

In the battle the Treecko dodged another punch by the Geodude and lashed out with its stick-sword. The rock Pokemon shrugged it off and tried to grab at the lizard but he was too fast and it jumped out of the way.

"Geodude! Stop attacking and wait for it to come to you!" Jordan ordered his Pokemon. The rock complied immediately and backed off from the lizard. The Treecko looked at his master for instructions.

"What are you looking at me for? Attack you stupid lizard!" The Treecko sighed inwardly, he knew this battle was not going well for him and his master was not helping. His opponent and its trainer worked in unity and that was their strength. The lizard knew that he couldn't count on his trainer's help and that made it a two vs. one battle. Complying with his master's orders the Treecko darted forward towards the rock Pokemon.

"Now Geodude!"

The rock responded to its trainer perfectly, as soon as the Treecko swiped its stick the rock moved underneath it and grabbed at the green lizard. The lizard Pokemon tried to leap out of the way but it wasn't quite fast enough, the rock Pokemon grabbed a hold of his tail.

"Geodude, toss that lizard!"

With a firm hold on the lizard's tail the Geodude began to spin on its axis swinging its opponent in a wide circle. After it had reached the speed it wanted it let go of the lizard, sending him soaring upwards. Grabbing hold off the ground the Geodude ripped a piece of concrete bigger than itself out of the ground with no effort, it then waited until the lizard began to fall back downward. As soon as the Treecko hit the ground with a thud the Geodude let the slab fly.

May saw this happening and she knew that if the lizard was hit by that rock it'd all be over. Something within her pierced through the darkness clouding her mind and she screamed out, "Get out of the way you stupid lizard!"

Hearing its master's voice the Treecko's eyes snapped open and it rolled out of the way just as the rock crashed down. His stick had long been lost so the lizard took an attack stance, holding its fists out.

Jordan was shocked that the rock had missed but he recovered, "Your lizard's been watching to many movies, Green."

May smirked, "You don't know the half of it."

Brendan thought he saw something in the way May was standing. It looked almost as if she was actually getting into the battle. Brendan smirked, 'Daughter of a Gym Leader, eh? I guess even she can't deny what's in her blood.' Brendan knew that May would win this fight, he didn't know how he knew it but he did.

Jordan however didn't seem to realize that. "Geodude! Tackle that lizard!"

The rock Pokemon lunged forward making to plow into the Treecko with all its weight. May however had different plans. Something deep in her heart was telling her what to do and not even May wanted to deny something that strong. "Dodge it, and finish it off!"

The Treecko nimbly dodged the rock Pokemon's attack and hopped on top of it. Wrapping its feet tightly around the rocky Pokemon's body the lizard clasped both hands onto the Geodude's face.

Jordan could see that something was wrong with his Pokemon, the Geodude tried to buck the lizard off but every time it seemed to be less forceful than the one before it. His Pokemon was running out of energy fast. Too late Jordan remembered that Treecko were capable of absorbing their foes energy to replenish their own.

"Geodude! Get him off of you!" Jordan cried out, but it was too late. The rock Pokemon had sunk to the ground, not having enough energy to keep itself aloft anymore. Deep cracks had appeared over its body and a low groan was the only sound it could make. Jordan quickly recalled his Pokemon, his face burning with embarrassment. The Treecko, looking significantly better, bowed deeply to him and turned to return to its trainer.

The battle over, the crowd began to disperse. Brendan ran over to May. "That was incredible!"

May looked down at the Treecko standing beside her. Looking at Brendan she made a disgusted face, "I feel so dirty."

Brendan laughed and clapped his friend on the back, "It'll be alright, Bob."

That night May lay on her bed staring at the ceiling; her mind ablaze with thoughts of the events that had happened that day. She still hated Pokemon, but there had been something within her during the battle. It had been a rush that she'd never felt before. Sighing to herself she got up off her bed and looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a pair of old sweatpants and a loose tank top that left her shoulders bare. The wounds from the Mightyena attack had mostly healed except for one that ran from just above her left breast to her shoulder on the same side. May knew that she'd have a scar there. Sighing again she tied her shoulder length hair into a loose ponytail and sat down on her floor.

When her grandfather had still been alive he had taught May how to calm her mind though meditation. It was something that May used when she wanted to organize her thoughts and think clearly. Folding her legs like she had been taught May cut off her senses and turned her mind inward.

May sat there, completely motionless for half an hour calming her mind, when she noticed something beside her. Opening one eye to see what it was she was surprised to see a familiar small green lizard sitting beside her, legs folded just like hers a new stick laid across his lap. The lizard opened one eye to look into May's. The girl grinned slightly at the creature, the first real act of kindness she'd ever shown a Pokemon and went back to her meditation. "Stupid lizard" she chuckled lightly.

After another hour of meditation May brought herself out of deep thought and pushed herself to her feet. Brushing her knees off she looked down at the Treecko, who was now looking up at her.

"I just know I'm going to regret this." She squatted down to be closer to the small Pokemon. Reluctantly she offered her hand to the lizard. The lizard stared for a second before its face broke into a smile; putting his small hand into hers he shook it, bowing deeply.

May made an annoyed face and poked a finger at the Treecko's stomach, "Don't think this means I like you. I've just agreed to respect your right to exist." The lizard grinned again, and bowed at the waist. "I guess I need to give you a name now don't I?" May thought for a minute about it and got to her feet, "Well you do like those old movies… how about Kojiro?"

The lizard thought about it for a second then nodded, "Treecko!"

May nodded, "Alright, Kojiro it is." The lizard bowed again. May smirked, "Alright, alright. That's enough for now. Go watch TV or something." The lizard bowed again before leaving the room.

'What the hell I've I gotten myself into now?'

The next few days passed quickly. Word of the battle had spread like wildfire and May found herself the subject of many wild stories.

"It's actually kind of funny. From the rumors you'd think that you had been fighting thirty trainers at once." Brendan said as they walked home one day.

"It's just a stupid Pokemon battle. You'd think these people had never seen one before." May said. She tried to hide it but Brendan could tell that she was glad that for once when people talked about her they weren't acting like she was diseased.

"It's not every battle that someone like you manages to beat one of the best trainers around."

"What do you mean, 'Someone like me'?" May glared at the blond.

"Someone beautiful and intelligent," he said flashing a toothy grin.

"Jackass."

"Malevolent ice queen."

"Bite me."

"With pleasure."

May laughed, "Why do I hang out with you again?"

Brendan smiled and put his arm behind his head, "Geographical convenience mostly."

"Right," May could see Littleroot approaching, "We're almost home."

"Yeah," Brendan said. May thought that she heard a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Something up?" May asked her friend. The two teens entered the town and headed towards their homes.

"Listen, could you meet me later this evening."

"I guess so. Why?" May looked at her friend.

"You'll find out." Brendan avoided her gaze. They reached his house, "Anyways, tonight around 7, at the beach?"

"Ok."

"Be sure you're there," Brendan called as he opened the door to his house and then he was gone.

'Wonder what that's all about?' thought May as she walked towards her own house.

Later that night May left her house and started off for the beach. It was early fall and a cool breeze blew over the town; making May glad she had worn a jacket. She put her hands in her pockets and felt the small ball that held Kojiro, she had decided to bring him along, mostly because the Mightyena attack was still fresh in her mind. Reaching the path through the thin woods she pushed through.

When she reached the beach she saw Brendan sitting on the sand staring out over the water at the golden sunset. May walked over to stand behind him and gazed out at the scene before her. The clouds painted a mosaic of reds and oranges as the golden orb descended towards the mountains on the other side of the lake. All of it reflected by the lakes calm mirror.

"It's beautiful." Brendan spoke up from his spot on the beach. May nodded her agreement. "I'm going to miss it."

This statement shocked May, "What do you mean?"

Brendan sighed, "The Pokemon League starts tomorrow and I've been accepted. I leave tomorrow." Brendan got to his feet and turned to face the girl. May could see that he had changed his clothes. Instead of his usual jeans and a T-shirt he now sported a pair of loose black pants and an orange long-sleeved shirt covered partially by a black vest.

May wanted to run away. She wanted to go cry and curse the world for taking her only friend away. Instead she just choked back the tears and smiled, "That's great. I'll be routing for you!"

"May…" Brendan tried to put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her but she brushed it aside.

"I'm fine! You go have fun! Get those badges or whatever they're called." May was dangerously close to tears now.

Brendan sighed and turned to look out over the water. The sun had just begun to disappear past the mountains and the sky blazed with fire. "I'll be coming home for holidays, you know to be with family and I've heard that some trainers can even get their Pokemon to fly them all over the world. And I'll write too."

May took a deep breath and nodded, "Yeah."

Brendan turned back to look at May, "Well, I guess this is goodbye for now."

May nodded. Brendan went up to her and patted her on the shoulder, then he walked past her leaving May on the beach. He had just reached the path when he heard May speak up, "Wait."

Brendan turned around to see May looking at him.

"If you're going to leave than I won't stop you. But before you go there's something I need to see." May breathed deeply, as if readying herself to do something painful and looked straight into Brendan's eyes.

"Brendan Birch, I challenge you to a Pokemon battle."

Author's note:Reviews are the life-blood of the writer people.I know I'm not perfect andif you haveadvice or comments for me feel free to offer them. And I apologize forany spelling or grammar mistakes.