October 27th, 2142
7:02 a.m
I looked around my apartment. A simple and small studio apartment for only one person. It may be small, but it was cozy enough to call home. I then closed the door behind me and went down the stairs. I lived above a tailor's shop. The old tailor and his wife smiled at me as I walked past. I waved to them.
When I was outside I began my walk to the nearby park where I would meet my two childhood friends, Wally Vancouver and Brendan Birch. The walk to the park was alright I guess, I passed numerous homeless communities… which had seemed to increase in the past year or so, at least when Magma took over this part of Hoenn.
It was a 10 or so minute walk to the park. I saw my two male friends excitedly chatting away while waiting for me to arrive. Wally was the first to see me. He smiled warmly and half jogged towards me. He then gave me a huge hug which I reciprocated. He then held me at arm's length.
"How are you May?" He asked me. I grinned in response.
"I'm doing alright. You?"
"Well, I've been better," he said honestly. Brendan got up from the bench behind Wally and playfully messed up my hair.
"Well then, you guys want to go get breakfast? I'm starving," he said. As he said that, My stomach began to rumble. I turned a dark shade of red. Brendan didn't even try to hide his laugh, while Wally settled for a warm smile. His eyes dancing with amusement.
"I saw this breakfast place on my way to the park. Want to go there? I've never been there but I've heard it has some really good pancakes," said Wally.
"I'm game. But can we be done by around 12, I've got a friend who is challenging the Elite Four then I don't want to miss his match on t.v," I said while looking at my watch.
Brendan looked excited. "You know someone who is challenging the Elite Four? Maybe even Steven Stone himself?"
I shook my head smiling. "He's in Kanto. He's challenging the Kanto Elite Four there."
Wally looked surprised. "How did you even get in contact with him? International communication and travel… heck, even domestic communication and travel is practically impossible. Team Magma put very strict orders on communication."
"He never told me. I actually haven't heard from him since prior to the war. The channel that broadcasts all the Pokemon League challenges shows the challengers of that month, and I saw his name on it. So I wanted to watch."
"Well, that sounds like fun. Although it is very hard to get far in the league. It is very rare to see someone get past Lorelli herself. Much less the rest of the League members. I would like to watch it with you. Ok, we'll go to my house after breakfast and turn it on. Is that fine with you guys?" Wally asked them. His two friends smiled in approval.
"Then let's get going then. I'm starving," I said.
October 27th, 2142
7:41 a.m
Our waiter was stunned as I gulped down ten sausages, and 12 bacon strips without missing a beat. My two older friends hardly looked surprised. They're used to it by now, especially since we've known each other since about before we knew how to walk properly.
Wally and Brendan were engaged in a conversation about politics which I paid no attention to. Ever since the war ended, my opinion of politicians hasn't been very nice. From that messed up Johtonian Prime Minister and Team Magma, they don't seem to care about much. Instead, I took my time to study them.
Wally wore a light grey overcoat with khaki pants. Finished off with a light gray panama hat. I thought it was a bit too classy, but who was I to criticize his fashion choice?
Brendan on the other hand wore his usual. A white beanie, black and red shirt, and black and grey shorts. A lot less fancy than Wally's attire, but good nonetheless.
I wore my usual as well. A red sports t-shirt, navy blue shorts, white skirt, gloves, red/yellow sneakers, and a red bandana. Nothing too classy… just plain old me.
"...well as I was saying… much has seemed to change over the past year or so," said Wally. He then turned to me. "What do you think May?"
I nearly choked on my hot chocolate. Wally frowned at me.
"What?" I spluttered out.
"I asked what you thought about everything that was going on here in Hoenn. The sudden changes in the past year. What do you think of it?" Wally repeated, a small smile making its way onto his face.
"Well, poverty and crime have clearly increased drastically," I said. To be honest, I don't know what else I could say.
Wally nodded at me. "I've noticed that too. People are getting away with more and more crimes than they used to. Especially people with higher status."
I nearly choked on my hot chocolate again. Brendan looked up from his pancake, even the people around us looked rather uneasy. I gave Wally a shocked stare. He just smiled at me uneasily.
It wasn't every day you heard someone insult Team Magma, speaking out like that could get you a whipping. It was the only crime taken seriously, speaking out against the government. Practically treason. I was heavily impressed. Normally it was me who would bash Magma in public or in private. Not Wally who would rather jump into acid than insult people. Due to my bashings, people tended to be careful around me, but they still seemed to love me. That's what Wally says anyways.
"You can't say stuff like that. Do you want to get whipped in public? They installed those whipping posts around here for a reason you know." Brendan seethed.
"Well someone had to say it," Wally said.
I was stunned. There seemed to be something changing with my two childhood friends. Wally who was usually shy and quiet was now speaking out against Team Magma… in public. Brendan had changed too but in more subtle ways. Sometimes I caught those changes, sometimes I didn't until later on.
I looked down at my now empty plate. I didn't say anything. I had seen firsthand what Team Magma could get away with during my time in the military… I wanted to fight against them. My insults did me more harm than good.
"How about we get to my place? It's nearly time for your friend's challenge anyway. You guys good with that?" He looked up at me and Brendan. I shrugged. Brendan looked sadly at his remaining pancake but agreed.
We quickly grabbed our things and headed out the door. I'm pretty sure the breakfast house was as glad to see us leave as we were to leave the place.
We just walked for some time. Around ten minutes I think. I don't know, I can't remember too well. But I do remember Brendan had been talking about this research topic his father was working on. He also talked about how he had to get back to Little Root tomorrow morning.
He was one of the very few people who were able to travel from town to town. For most normal people, like me and Wally, that was impossible. His father's research helped Team Magma, so they gave him and his family that little gift. We did nothing for them, so we got no travel passes.
Travel restrictions were one of the many new and corrupted rules implemented by Magma. Along with curfew, I think it was the worst. Then again, there was no one I could visit. I haven't heard from my family since the attack on Petalburg. Wally hasn't heard from his parents either.
It took us a long time, and many broken nights for us to finally accept the fact that they were dead. It has been over two years. They would have reached out by then.
Wally had a cousin, aunt, and uncle in Verdanturf he was very close with. But he couldn't visit them. I liked his cousin Wanda a lot. We used to hang out together when she was in Petalburg and giggle about stuff that made Wally frown at us in confusion.
She was one of the few people I called. Unfortunately, the number of people I could talk to was very small, since most of my friends were dead or I had simply lost contact with them during the war.
I know it wasn't Brendan's fault that we couldn't do anything in Magma Hoenn without consequences… but I was still jealous of him.
I suddenly felt a swift arm block my path. Wally looked down at me, his gray eyes suddenly filled with fear. I looked up to see two Magma grunts sneering at us. I knew what was going to happen next.
"Hey there sweeties…." said the older male. He looked like he was in his forties. He licked his lips in malice. "Whaddya got?"
They were mugging us, that was for sure. His female accomplice looked up at him, siblings I assume. They looked alike.
"We have nothing worth your time…" said Wally calmly.
"Empty your pockets," said the female one. Wally and Brendan didn't even hesitate. They threw their wallets at the duo. I wasn't going to comply though, I felt my hand land on the one pokeball on my belt. I knew that Blaziken could get us out of this situation.
Wally stared at me, his stare said everything his mouth couldn't. Don't. I looked back at him, and he began to shake his head wildly. The two Magma grunts were beginning to catch onto what he was trying to convey.
"Don't try anything girlie. We could kill you right here and no one would say a thing," the older man threatened. My eyes were flitting between the two of them. Then suddenly from behind, three more grunts appeared. I quickly assessed the trainers. The three new ones had no pokemon belt so I concluded that they had no pokemon on them.
"May please don't…." Wally began.
Of course, I didn't listen. I began to throw my pokeball, when I felt a sudden sharp pain sting across my back. I dropped my pokeball and fell to the ground to see a man hovering over me. He had a vicious smile on his face.
He licked his lips in anticipation. He lifted the stick… wait no… not a stick… It was a whip. He lifted the whip over his head, and brought it down on my shoulder and upper back. I seethed my teeth, I wasn't going to scream… because I knew he wanted me to.
I heard my two friends try to come to my aid… but they were being held back by three of the grunts. Two held Brendan while one held Wally. That was what I could make out at the least. My vision was beginning to blur. Two other grunts had joined in beating me up. They kicked me everywhere. In the ribs, face, chest.
It was agonizing. One whipped me, the other two beat me. They tooted and laughed.
Oh how much I hated them.
The torture went on for about a good five minutes. That's what Wally told me. It felt like a decade for me.
But eventually, the pain seemed to stop pulsing. That's when I knew they had left. Also when two pairs of arms hauled me to my feet.
"I told you not to anger them… oh my Arceus… you're a mess," said an anxious and panicking voice. It sounded like Wally.
"We should take her to your place. I can maybe patch her up there," said Brendan's voice. " A human hopefully isn't much different from a pokemon. Come one."
Together, they hauled me to Wally's house. I drifted in and out of consciousness until I finally passed out completely.
June 12th, 2137
1:06 p.m
I was sitting on my couch, wrestling with my younger brother. My parents didn't even try to intervene. They were recording and laughing. All of our pokemon watched in amusement as they ate their lunch. A memory dream. I remember that day. The scene itself was happy. But I was mentally unprepared to see them again.
My dream was like one of those dreams that as the dream went on, you had thoughts. Like how in real life you have thoughts about what you are seeing or experiencing at that moment. My dream was sort of like that.
But unlike in real life, I knew what was going to happen next. That in four years time… they would be buried under the ashes of my former home. Probably ashes themselves.
But that wasn't the only thing I was lamenting. Oh no. I was waiting for the letter. I watched my 15-year-old self carefully. She seemed so overjoyed and happy. With hardly a care in the world. And in only two minutes… that spirit would be shattered.
The mailman rang the doorbell. My father went and answered. I heard him ask the man "What's wrong Conner?" I never heard a reply. Conner gave my father our mail, and he left. I didn't think much of Conner's reaction at that time. He was always sullen and moody.
My father came back and distributed the letters among himself and my mother. The letters were always to either my father or my mother. Bills, taxes, advertisements, even friends. Then, I saw him stop. He stared at the final letter. My mother looked up at him and then back down at the letter.
She too froze in shock.
My father's face was cold as he handed the envelope to me. My brother and I were confused. Yes, it was rare for me to receive a letter, but why were mom and dad so… scared?
I soon realized why as soon as I saw who the letter was sent from.
Hoennic Bureau of Defense.
My own eyes widened as I opened it. And I read out the words which would change my life forever.
"Dear Ms. May Sapphire Maple. You are hereby notified that on this day, June 12th, 2137 you are legally drafted into the Hoennic military forces until you are released from your services. Since you are a registered pokemon coordinator, you are required to bring one pokemon. You may choose which pokemon it is. A draftee collector will appear at your house tomorrow June 13th to pick you up and lead you to your designated headquarters. More information will be provided at your base. If the collector comes to your house and sees you gone, you will be deemed a deserter and a disgrace to your country. You will face up to five years in federal prison without parole. Make sure to pack lightly. Sincerely, The Defense Secretary, District 608."
My family was silent. No one said anything. I remember hating it. I remember looking up at my parents… wordlessly pleading with them… what was I to do.
"Mom…. Dad?" I asked. I was shaking. My brother must have noticed… he put his hand on my shoulder. But my eyes were on my parents. I was scared. I was 15 and scared.
My father then walked towards the window sill… and screamed. And I mean screamed. He then pounded against the window sill continuously. It began to crack. He then pushed all the vases and plants off the sill and fell to the ground sobbing. My mother was screaming into her arms.
Me and my brother just stared in shock. Our pokemon didn't understand what was going on. They looked very alarmed and terrified. But they had no idea what to do. Same as me.
"What… What am I gonna do? Guys come on!" I yelled at my parents. Dad sat back on the couch… both he and my mother regained control of themselves.
"Maybe… we can have her leave the country?" My mother asked. I stared at my mother. But she was looking at my father.
"If there is one thing Hoenn is good at, it's making sure their draft evaders are found and punished. A gym leader's daughter… evading the draft. It would tarnish the reputation I spent so long trying to crea…"
"Your eldest child could die and this is the only response you have? Send her because of our reputation?" My mother yelled, tears brimming her face. My father pulled his hair.
"Well I have to watch out for something don't I?" My father yelled back. Me and my brother winced. We have never seen our parents fight like this before.
My father looked at me. Fear and sadness in his eyes. "Get your backpack. Pack very little. They won't let you take anything more than what fits in a backpack. Come on, we'll all help you."
We all walked to my room and packed only my most essential items. No one spoke except when absolutely necessary.
The dream shifted. I was crying into my pillow. I remember this scene too. I was crying so hard that my pillow was a wet mess. My pokemon, who were out of their pokeballs, looked at me. My father had explained to them what was going to happen. He also said that one of them must accompany me and that that one pokemon would be in as much danger as I would be.
All of my pokemon volunteered. That was when I lost it. I couldn't pick one over the other. I'd be signing their death sentence. My father, immediately understanding why I was crying, picked for me. He picked Blaziken. Of course, he would. Blaziken was my strongest and most loyal. The two most important qualities for a pokemon soldier.
It was Blaziken who stood by my bedside while I cried into my pillow. After a few minutes… I got up and walked to my own window. Just like how my father had done downstairs, I looked outside.
It was dark and I could hear the bug pokemon chirping. They seemed so at ease. So happy. And at that moment… I wondered if I would ever live to hear their chirps ever again. I began to punch the window. Just like how my father pounded on the window sill, I punched the glass. It began to crack, and my hand began to bleed. Eventually, I cracked it open, and glass shards fell into my front yard.
I slipped to the floor and cried. Cried so hard. Blaziken only watched me in silence. Knowing nothing he said could help me. But now that I think about it, I think he was scared too. He would never admit it, then and now, but he was terrified.
I cried myself to sleep. The scene changed to morning, my parents came up to see a broken window and me sleeping on the floor. They gently aroused me and told me the draftee collector would arrive soon. My mother bandaged my arm and helped me take a bath and get dressed… I was too terrified to do it myself.
I came sauntering downstairs in a dreading manner. I slowly ate my breakfast. Pancakes and maple syrup. My favorite. My mother probably wanted to cheer me up before I left, but knew it was a failed attempt when she saw me eat the food slowly. I didn't even finish. That's when my family knew how messed up I was. I usually ate like a grumpig.
We all sat on the couch silently, waiting. We didn't have to wait long though, the doorbell rang. And my father slowly went to answer it. A young man who looked around five years my senior stood outside.
"Hello, I am looking for a May Sapphire Maple. This is the address right?" He asked my father.
"Yes, she is here," he answered solemnly.
"I am the draftee collector. I need her to come now. It's time to leave," the young man said.
"I know," was the only thing my father had said. The young man nodded. My father looked at me. I stayed seated. Not wanting to go.
"Where is she? I don't have all day you know," the young man said gruffly. He looked at his watch. He was getting impatient.
I finally got up and walked over to him. Backpack on my back. Blaziken was in his pokeball which was on my belt. The young man's annoyed expression immediately faded. His mouth formed a little "o".
"H-How old are you sweetie?" he asked me.
"Fifteen," was all I replied with. Suddenly his expression became less tense. He smiled warmly, but his eyes held a bit of sadness in them. He would later tell me he never expected to actually run into a child draftee (as he put it) the one time he volunteered for draftee collector. He actually refused to volunteer again after having to drag me along. I teased him mercilessly for it of course.
"Come on now, we mustn't keep everyone else waiting. My name is William. It is a pleasure to meet you," he said. I nodded at him. He gently looped his arm in mine and began to drag me away. That's when I lost it.
"Daddy! Please... I don't want to go!" I tried pulling away from William. But he grabbed both my arms and pulled me to him, making sure I didn't escape. My family only had solemn expressions on their faces as they watched William drag me away. The last thing I heard was my father saying "be strong child," before he closed the door on me.
I began to say no, no, no. Not in my actual dream, but more subconsciously. I was watching myself get dragged away in third person. I was an outsider. Like I said before. It was one of those dreams where you had thoughts like how you had thoughts on something you were actually experiencing in real life. But in a dream world.
I didn't know then that that would be one of the last times I ever saw them. I wouldn't see them again until I was eighteen, because I would be moved to a faraway military base. The same man I was cursing out and screaming at would become my best friend and my only confidant when I was at my lowest. Since no one else I knew was drafted or joined.
The same person I would scream at in terror as I saw him get melted alive by that monster's plasma.
I really didn't know a lot of things back then, and I think that was what makes war truly terrifying.
October 27th, 2142
11:32 a.m
I jolted awake and began screaming in terror. I felt Wally's arms grab mine as he tried to push me back down, as he tried to calm me. Brendan watched from afar, not sure what to do.
"It's ok May, it's alright. No one is going to hurt you," Wally said calmly. I don't know what I was yelling, but I guess I must have been yelling about the war and death and people. I'm not quite sure.
It took them quite a while to calm me down. Brendan wasn't much of a help though. He's a great friend but has absolutely no idea how to calm a person when they are terrified. And my PTSD was a whole different level of fear.
"Are you alright now?" Brendan asked me after Wally made me take a couple of deep breaths. I nodded in affirmation. I doubt both of them bought it, but what else could they do?
"D-did I miss the Elite Four challenge?" I asked, trying to change the subject. Wally shook his head.
"No, your friend won't be battling the Elite Four for another thirty minutes or so. Why don't we watch some contests to cheer you up? There are no contests here in Hoenn of course, but there is one that lives in Sinnoh," said Wally.
"Yeah, that'll be great!" I said cheerfully as I jumped up. I then winced as my back began to burn.
"Don't move around too much. I put on an ointment which will make the pain go away soon, but not for another five hours or so. So please don't make your injuries worse. They are healing well," said Brendan, he may not be a great comforter, but he was a good medic.
"Alright doctor," I said mockingly. He grinned down at me as I laid back down. Wally changed the channel. It was the appeals round and all the coordinators were showing off their pokemon.
We watched only part of the contest. The Second Round matches were still underway when I changed it to watch Ash's Elite Four competition. Since neither Wally nor Brendan knew Ash personally, I was the only one cheering for him. Both of them were spellbound when he defeated the Elite Four with relative ease.
Brendan was getting a bit annoyed especially since he practically worshipped Elite Four members. (I used to mock him so much about it) Also because he and I had a bet. If Ash lost, he won. If Ash became Pokemon Champion, I won. I had to show support for Ash somehow, and this was one way.
The champion battle was a whole other thing. It went on for around two hours. We were all on the edge of our seats. Until finally, Ash beat the League Champion who had held the title for years… a near-decade. I clapped my hands in delight, wondering how Pallet Town was going to take this news.
The new Kanto League Champion was Ash Ketchum. And I couldn't have been happier for him. Brendan looked miffed as he handed me twenty bucks. Wally was laughing at him.
"Well, I am incredibly surprised he managed to beat the entire Elite Four without much of a problem. Props to him," said Wally.
"I took down many notes on how he battled. He was clearly more offensive and liked to use little tricks. That's why he won. More on deceit than actual skill. He confused his opponents well enough to beat them. I'm impressed," said Brendan, taking down notes.
I frowned at him. "You took notes?"
He frowned back at me. "Of course I did. I'm a pokemon Professor's son, taking notes is in my blood."
I just turned to Wally in exasperation. He rolled his eyes in amusement.
"You want to see if there is anything else you want to watch? Live events, movies, shows…?"
"How about a comedy movie. Heard about this really good one from this grocer. It's about a trainer and his magma trying to bond with each other. In the beginning, they truly hate one another, but soon develop a friendship. Never watched it before though. Want to see if it is good?" Asked Wally.
"Yeah, I love a good comedy movie. You May?" Brendan asked, looking at me.
"Helly yeah!" I answered enthusiastically. I jumped up, happy to find out the ointment Brendan had put on me had cleared away all my pain. But Wally still gave me a hard look.
"You sit back down now. I have no intention of dragging you all the way back to your house myself," he said as harshly as he could. I grinned down at him as I took a seat.
"Alright, put the movie on."
October 27th, 2142
10:46 p.m
The movie was horrid. I had a few laughs, but it was mostly filled with cheesy content that made the three of us cringe. We were very delighted when the movie ended.
"That was… a mess to say the least," said Brendan.
"Thank Arceus it's over," I then pointed to Wally, who looked a little panicked when he saw my hard gaze (mind you it was a mocking hard gaze). "I blame you for this."
"Well-I," he stuttered. Me and Brendan burst out laughing.. He looked more astounded than uncomfortable at that point.
"Well, it's nearly eleven. Curfew is in like fifteen minutes so I better head on home. I really don't want to run into the grunts again," I said looking at the clock on the wall.
Brendan nodded. "Smart move. They won't think nicely of you after your little act of rebellion this morning. News like that spread like wildfire. I'm staying here for the night and leaving tomorrow morning. You'll see me off right?"
I nodded. "Of course I will!" Brendan smiled at me.
"Great then, we'll see you tomorrow then!" He said to me, Wally was reading a book, without looking up, he waved at me too. I opened the front door about to leave when I stopped.
"Dammit, it's raining!" I cried in annoyance. Brendan looked as if he was trying not to laugh, and Wally looked up from his book with mild surprise. But then returned back to his book.
I groaned. There_was_no_absolute_way_I_was_getting_wet. I refused to do so. I looked around Wally's coat rack. I found the coat and hat he wore this morning at the breakfast place. It was thick enough to shield me from the cold and the rain. The hat could protect my head. An odd fashion statement, but I'll take it if it means I stayed dry.
"Hey Walls, can I borrow your coat and hat? I'll get it back to you tomorrow morning."
"Sure, I don't see why not. Take it," he answered without looking up. Brendan wasn't looking in my direction either, his Shiftry had exited its pokeball and wanted attention. He was petting it with a smile on his face.
"Thanks, Wally!" I said. I put on the hat and the coat and left the house.
The rain poured down on me, but none of the rainwater actually hit me because the coat and hat kept me dry.
I walked for a good while, around ten minutes, and was beginning to panic because I had only five minutes to get to my house. My hands were getting wet so I put them in my pocket. Only to find something in it. I frowned as I picked up an orange tennis ball.
Odd, Wally doesn't play tennis. It was much too extreme of an activity for someone with sensitive lungs like him. I was perplexed to the point where I just stopped and stood still, just staring at it.
Then another odd thing happened. A woman bumped into me and pressed something against my other hand. I reflectively grabbed it as she let go of it. She then turned around at me and smiled.
"I am so sorry, please forgive me," she then walked away, leaving me in utter confusion at what just happened.
I lifted my left hand and brought whatever she had given me to my face… It was a small slit of paper. Ok, now I was beyond confused. Why the hell would some random lady give me a slip of paper? It happened so quick that I had no other option but to go along with it.
I then opened it to see some random numbers.
18394 284 1042 02834764
Oooookkkkkkaaaayyyy…
Then it hit me, this wasn't some random set of letters… it was a code. Excited but scared to be seen, I slipped the paper into my pocket and kept walking.
The moment I reached my house, I took off the coat and hat and immediately flopped down on my couch to see what the code was about.
18394 284 1042 02834764...18394 284 1042 02834764… what the hell did it mean?
October 27th, 2142
11:21 p.m
I spent ten minutes walking around my room, trying to figure out what the code translated to. But I decided that there was no way for me to figure that out. Because I had no idea how to do so.
Then I simply decided my best course of action was why. Why did the lady give this slip of paper to me? Was I some sort of target? Did she mistake me for someone? Many people did say I gave Magma more trouble than anyone else in Oldale. Maybe that's why… trying to punish me for treason. But I don't see why they would give me a slip of paper. So option one was unlikely.
Option two had more potential. I was practically a nobody… except for the part where Team Magma hated me… but still. Not an important person. Nope, you definitely won't find an important person here. Just a nobody who happened to have been drafted in the war. And an ex-coordinator.
Even when I was coordinating (which was around five years ago, the war really messed up my entire life… then Magma really didn't help me much) I was a small coordinator. Not one of the big guys. Yes, I got pretty far in Grand Festivals… but there were people way more famous than me. So I was very sure it was number two.
I didn't have to wait much longer for my answer… but the answer was more unexpected than the options I had originally thought and discarded.
Someone pounded on my front door. Like really pounded. Whoever it was, was in a hurry, or was panicking.
I soon found out that it was both.
I put the slip of paper into my pocket and went to the door I opened the door to see Wally, soaked from head to toe and breathing heavily, fall onto the ground.
"Wally!" I said, I grabbed him by his underarms and propped him against my couch. I then ran to get a glass of water and gave it to him. He emptied it in seconds. His breathing slowly calmed down and he looked at me.
"Did someone give you something?" He asked. May was taken aback.
"What?" I said back.
"Did someone give you something.. Like out of the blue?" He asked me again.
How the hell did he know? Was he watching me? Or…
"Wait… the slip of paper was meant for YOU…" I accused.
"Slip of paper? I need it… now," he demanded.
I mentally slapped myself, I wasn't sure if telling him I had received something was a good idea. But I had already said it, and I couldn't take it back.
"May I need it...please," I looked over at him, shocked. He was begging with me. His eyes pleading and scared, his hands shaking as he grabbed mine.
"Ok, I have it here," I conceded. I grabbed the slip of paper from my pocket. I then handed it to him gently. He grabbed it hastily and opened it. He breathed a sigh of relief and put it into his own pocket. He began to get up when I grabbed the bottom of his shirt.
He looked down at me. "What?"
"Wally… What is going on?" I asked him. I wasn't going to let him get away without questioning him. I was scared for him, whatever he was doing… I had an odd feeling that it wasn't exactly safe.
He must have noticed my fear, he smiled at me. Trying to convince me that everything was alright when it clearly wasn't. "Everything is alright, Sapphire. Don't be scared, there is nothing to be scared of."
"Wally I've known you long enough to know when you are lying… tell me the truth," I gently urged him.
"Nothing is going on… why don't you believe me? Do you not trust me?" he asked, trying to guilt-trip me. But I wasn't going to buy it.
"Why would you lie to me?" I retorted back.
"May… I have to go," He said, trepidation spilling in his voice. He looked towards the opened door. I then realized he was trying to figure out a way to make a run for it.
And I wasn't going to let him do that.
"Blaziken go! Cover the door!" I threw my pokeball out. At that same moment, Wally pulled my hand off of his shirt and ran towards the door. Blaziken made it first. Blaziken shut the door and blocked it with his body. Wally swore, I winced, it was the first time I ever heard him swear.
Wally turned to me, angry and scared. "May, please remove Blaziken from the door."
"What is going on Wally, tell me that first." I folded my arms, not willing to budge. "I won't stop until you tell me what is going on, whether it takes days or weeks. How about I come with you?"
Wally's response was quick. "No, absolutely not. You're not supposed to know. Please, they'll hurt you."
That caught my attention. "Who'll hurt me?"
"The people I work with. Please May. Don't do this."
That should have been it, I should have let him go and never questioned him again. But I was stubborn. And one day, my stubbornness is gonna get me killed. But today, it would change my life.
"I'm coming with you," I grabbed his hand and dragged him out the door with an air of finality. Blaziken followed us.
"May, you are making a big mistake. Please don't do this…" Wally tried to plead with me.
"No, and don't think about bringing one of your pokemon out either. Blaziken… make sure of that… ok?" I said. Blaziken nodded. Wally gulped as the large fire pokemon stared him down. I then turned back to Wally with a grin on my face. "Now lead me wherever you are going."
October 27th, 2142
11:42 p.m
We ran across the streets of Oldale. Avoiding Magma grunts, and all the while I made sure Wally didn't runoff. He was my best bud, but that didn't mean I was going to let him off easy.
I may have challenged Team Magma on a daily basis, but I never dared to go outside after curfew. It was an entirely new thing for me.
Eventually, we ran into a very dark alleyway. No light sources in it. Just plain darkness.
"Ok, stop. We're here," said Wally's voice. It was so dark I could hardly make out his body.
"This is your final chance. Please… don't do this," he begged with me.
"I came this far, I'm not turning back around," I said. He sighed. He then bent down and removed the sewer entrance door. I was surprised when he began to climb down the ladder.
"Are you coming?" He asked. I nodded… then realized he probably couldn't see and just began to climb in after him.
I was surprised when he reached the bottom long before I did. He then went up to a sanitation worker who must have worked there. The man nodded and beckoned to his co-workers.
I was not ready for what happened next. One of his co-workers grabbed me from behind and pulled a cloth to my mouth, effectively cutting off my air supply.
"Mmmmlllly...mmmmllly!" I cried out to my friend. He just stood there, pain on his face.
I finally managed to grab the man's throat from behind me and poked my finger into his throat harshly. He gagged and released me. I took my chance and punched him in the stomach. Then in the face, then kneed his crotch. He fell over in pain.
The other co-workers tried to subdue me, but it was very clear they had no fighting experience. I managed to get my hands on a broom and took care of them with relative ease. When the five of them were on the ground, groaning, I stared at Wally in disbelief.
He was the last person I would ever think would betray me. But there he was, leading me into an ambush, and not doing anything while they tried to kill me.
He took a step back when he saw my enraged face. I lifted my broom, getting ready to bash him up too. But before I could do that, Something was injected into my neck. I fell to my knees, my vision blurring. I tried to get up, but evidently failed. I fell to the ground unconscious.
October 28th, 2142
12:03 a.m
I began to stir, there was a pain on the other side of my neck, the opposite side where they put the injection in. I looked around, I was in a dimly lit room with rock walls. Sleeping on a blanket on the ground. Two men stood over me. One I recognized as my sickly green-haired friend, and the other was a man I had never seen before. A much older man with graying/black hair.
"She's awake. I guess the serum worked," said the odd man, putting away another needle. I guess he used the serum to wake me up, injecting it in the opposite side of my neck. Hence the soreness.
"Yeah… that's good," said Wally. He looked down. He wouldn't meet my eyes. I glared right at him.
"We have quite a lot to talk about," said the strange man, taking a seat right next to me. I used my elbow to prop myself up. Wally stayed standing.
"So, you wanted answers I believe," the man asked. I nodded. I was excited, but weary at the exact same time. The man looked at me, suddenly frowning.
"What's wrong?"
"Who are you exactly Mister?" I said.
The man then threw his head back and laughed. I simply gawked at him. "Oh my bad, your friend here told me your name is May," he pointed to Wally. "You can call me Algernon."
"Ok…" I said. Getting more and more confused as the minutes rolled by.
"Well, your friend must really like you to have brought you here. Normally when someone finds out about our… ah… endeavors, we shoot them," Algernon said bluntly.
I felt my throat run dry. "What?"
"You heard me right, lass. We shoot them dead. Magma really doesn't care if someone kills you. They don't care about much as you already know. Murder rates have soared to terrifying heights after they took over. Normally, I'd have you shot here and now… but I heard quite a bit about you. From your friends and other sources, I will not name." Algernon said as he began to clean his nails.
"Heard about me? How?" I had asked.
Algernon smiled. "It's a small town, rumors and gossip spread quicker than the rate ink dries at. You're quite the talk of the town."
I simply stared at him. Wondering if he was playing a game with me. I looked at Wally, wondering if he'd give me an answer. He stared back but said nothing.
"If I am correct, you rather hate Magma don't you?" Algernon asked, finally looking back to me.
I didn't even hesitate. "Of course I do. They're tyrants, horrible people… and…" I suddenly stopped. I didn't even stop to think if this guy was a part of Magma. But something about the way he spoke of them made me think otherwise. Still, better safe than sorry.
"In that case, I'd like to offer you a job. You won't be paid of course. But you'll be doing your country a great service." He said.
That was the last thing I expected to hear. I looked at him with a new sense of… well I didn't quite know yet.
"A job?" I asked.
"You know what an insurgency is?" Algernon asked.
I froze. An insurgency? I was caught up in the middle of an insurgency of all things?
"Yeah, the-they try to bring down the government," I said.
"That is correct. That is exactly what we are trying to do. Bring down Magma and Aqua control… yes… also Aqua control," Algernon said in response to my surprised face. "We have gained many more members than any other resistance group in Hoenn history, also the most well-known. Which means we are constantly targeted. As one man or woman dies for our cause, two others take their place. So, are you gonna join us?"
I was unconvinced. "Why me? Why are you personally asking for me?"
"Well, you were in the military for four years, rose up to specialist, have somehow not gone insane after the war ended, was in the final battle and somehow came out alive, and you hate Magma as much as we do. You could be very useful to us," Algernon replied.
"What if I said no?" I experimented.
Algernon shrugged. He then pulled out a pistol and pointed it at my chest. Just as he did that, I grabbed it and twisted it out of his hand, he grunted in pain. I pulled it out and pushed him to the floor, holding the gun to his head while standing over him.
Algernon's breathing was heavy, but he was grinning like crazy. "I like you. How about I give you some time to think it over? Eh? I'll even leave the room. But I will need the gun back sweetie."
I looked down at him. And seeing no alternative, I handed him the gun and let him up. He smiled at me and left the room, leaving me and Wally all alone.
Realizing we were alone, I turned to look at him.
"Why'd you do it? Why'd you turn me in like that?" I asked him.
"I had no other choice. It was either that, or I shoot you immediately. And I knew for a fact there was no out-talking you. I know you well enough to know you wouldn't even hesitate to join the movement. I reasoned with Algernon, he nearly killed me for bringing you in though. But he was immediately hooked once I told him about your military history and your hatred for Magma."
I merely looked back at him.
"I was doing what I thought was best for you… could you at least believe that?" he asked me.
I didn't even hesitate. "Yes, that I can believe." He smiled at me.
"Well I guess the entire gang is in the movement huh?" he said smiling.
"Entire gang? Wait… you mean Brendan is in it too?" I was surprised.
"Yeah, I forgot to mention that part didn't I?" Wally said, chuckling.
Well, that explained the personality changes.
We sat in silence for a few minutes. Wally was right, I hated Magma and always wanted a chance to help take them down. He knew my answer even before I knew it.
After a while, Algernon re-entered the room.
"Well, what do you think? You'll join?" He asked me.
"Yes, I'll join. When's my first mission... sir?" I added, unsure of what to call him.
"Please, just call me Algernon," he said. "Your first mission starts now if you're willing to take it."
I blinked. "Already?"
"You're friend was awfully sure you'd say yes, so I immediately began to think of jobs to give you. He was right in the end. And I have the perfect mission for you."
"What is it?" I asked. I was excited. For the first time in months, I felt like I could actually do something to help people.
"I believe you know what espionage is right? In specific…. What a double agent is…"
Oooooooooooooo
Things are getting real spicy over here. I had a goal to make this chapter (and every other chapter in this story) have 5,000 words. This chapter had over 8,000. So... task failed successfully?
I think the first chapter turned out really well. What do you think?
And yes this is the sequel to Pokemon World War. If it wasn't already clear.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it (which was a lot)
Reviews are much appreciated.
I don't any of the characters (except for Algernon and William) and locations, those belong to the Pokemon Company. I only really own the plot.
