Hi all,
Thank you again for taking the time to read any of my stories.
Here's the latest update.
Chapter 9Humming a tune to herself, May let a soft smile play on her lips as she took the time to notice a Whismur and Tailow playing in the long grass. Glancing at the pokémon which was trailing at her feet, May couldn't help but smile slightly at her friend.
'Skitty, isn't travelling wonderful?' May asked her pokémon, who responded in a confused manner before nuzzling her trainer's leg.
'I know, I love you too,' May chuckled slightly before collecting her friend in her arms and heading into Rustboro City.
Seeing the Researcher pacing nearby, May walked up to him and smiled, 'hi, I'm back.'
'Oh! How did you go? Did you get my Devon Parts?' The man gasped before scrambling over to May, his eyes wide in fear.
With a small smile, May adjusted her hold on her pokémon before revealing the man's folder.
'You did! You got them back! You really are a great Trainer!' The man cried before dancing around in a circle.
Hearing his words, May mumbled, 'well, I'm not too sure about that, but thank you for your confidence.'
'Nonsense! I know, as my thanks, I'll give you a Great Ball!' The man grinned before fishing around in his pockets, looking thoughtfully at the young woman, who was blushing profusely.
Receiving the pokéball, May smiled, 'thank you so much, honestly, this isn't necessary.'
'Oh yes it is! Young lady, before I forget, come with me, please!' The man grinned before taking May's arm in his own and leading her quite eagerly to the pristine building she'd already visited once.
Seeing a Dragonite on the architrave above the entrance, May couldn't help but blink at the changes in the architecture. The building, whilst pristine, seemed to exude more grace and elegance than she could recall upon seeing it as a child.
'We've had a bit of a revamp in our building over the years, I'm not sure if you've ever seen our building before, but it's really changed!' The man was rambling quite eagerly as he lead May into a pristine foyer.
'Hi Sandy, I'll talk to you later,' the man cried at the receptionist, whose blonde hair was in a neat bun.
In response, the woman simply smiled and nodded, shuffling papers and returning her gaze to the entryway into the building.
Following the Researcher nervously to the elevator, May glanced at her Skitty once, only to hear her call out in response, her gaze turned in the direction they had come from.
'May! You were meant to come to the Pokémon Centre to get me before coming here! What are you doing in the elevator?' An angry voice hollered, causing May to glance back.
'Brendan!' May cried before the elevator doors shut between them, blocking out the man's slightly swollen face and limping stature.
'Well that's not good,' May grimaced as she recognised her friend's wide ruby eyes through the glass.
'Do you know him?' The Researcher frowned at May, who nodded her head numbly.
'I'll have reception buzz him up,' the man reassured May, though she didn't feel any ease in Brendan's impeding wrath.
In a soft voice, the elevator chimed, 'Level twenty-six. You have reached the top floor of the Devon Corporation, the executive offices for the chairman and the board.'
'Excellent, come with me!' The man grinned again before grabbing May's arm once more.
'I can't tell you how grateful I am for what you've done for our company! Could you wait here a moment?' The man beamed at May before practically pushing her into one of the plush sofas that decorated the office floor. Around her, the walls were decorated with paintings of humans and pokémon, with engraved doors shutting out the offices of the others who worked on the level.
Blinking up at the newly acquainted man, May saw him jog off with an eager grin. Shaking her head, she shared a bemused glance with Skitty before the elevator doors opened again, this time to reveal the furious expression of Brendan.
'May from Olivine, what do you think you are doing up here? Why didn't you come and get me?' Brendan's angry voice yelped at the woman, who almost whimpered at his angry ruby eyed glare.
'I don't know, I just helped the man twice and then he practically shoved me in that elevator! I wasn't thinking!' May hissed back at her closest friend, frantically searching for a way out of this incredibly unusual scenario.
'You helped someone?' Brendan scoffed, crossing his arms in disbelief as May hurriedly returned her Skitty to her pokéball.
'Yes, a Researcher who works here. That was the reason we were chased by those flying types in Petalburg Woods,' May grimaced, sheepishly poking her fingers together.
'Right, and I'm meant to believe that?' Brendan scoffed as he crossed his arms. Sending her a knowing smirk, the man continued, 'face it, you're here to meet Mr Stone and put in a good word for yourself so you can be with his son. I've seen the way you look at him.'
'What?' May gasped, feeling her face flush. She had no idea what he was talking about, and hoped no-one heard him.
'Oh Steven, you're so nice!' Brendan mocked, fluttering his eyelashes melodramatically in a way they both knew was nothing at all like May.
'I did not say that! Nor do I act like that!' May hissed as she took a step forward, towards her friend, wishing she wasn't in such an exquisite location so she could give him a real piece of her mind.
'Please, you're so funny, Steven!' The man continued, jumping out of the way as May's eyes narrowed further.
'Birch!' May hissed at the man as they heard footsteps come closer, though she didn't react to them.
'Our president would like to have a word with you. Please come with me,' the Researcher from before smiled before grabbing an extremely flustered May's arm and dragging her with him.
'I'll just wait here, shall I?' Brendan snapped back irritably. Being ignored must really bruise the man's ego, though May made a mental note to ignore him more.
'No, no, no! You must come too! He has been expecting both of you,' The man insisted before grabbing Brendan's arm and pulling them both away with a strength May would not have believed.
Reaching a glass room, the man smiled, 'go ahead.'
May glanced anxiously at her childhood friend before smoothing her clothing and walking into the room. Seeing a man with light, steel blue hair styled like a diamond behind his face, May couldn't help but send him a shy smile, recognising the man's trademark business attire as he sat on an imposing desk.
'Ah, May, I couldn't believe the news that I'd have another chance at meeting you! My, you have grown. And you, young man, must be Brendan Birch. My son has told me about you and did give you high praise. I am Mr Stone, the president of the Devon Corporation. I heard just now how we have quite a bit to thank you for, May. So you helped out my staff not just once, but twice today!' the man smiled before letting his eyes linger on May's flushed face.
'It was nothing, honestly!' May responded, waving her hands before her exuberantly.
'Yeah, I would totally have been there to help, but she beat me with her Mach bike! Never mind that I was severely wounded by the side effects of that assistance!' Brendan muttered sarcastically under his breath.
'Brendan,' May pouted at her childhood friend as the older man chuckled.
'There, there, Brendan, I'm sure you would have offered assistance if you were there,' the man mused, though he sent May a knowing glance.
'May, I have a favour to ask of you. I know from the past that you are a reliable Trainer, and Brendan is, I'm sure, as reliable as you. Now I want you both to know I'm a president you can trust. I'd never be so mean as to ask for a favour for nothing in return. Give me your PokéNav for a moment, May,' the man smiled before holding out his hand.
The young woman hesitated slightly before passing over the battered device.
With a light smile, the man glanced at her, 'you've dropped this a few times, I see.'
'I'm not as steady on my feet as Brendan,' May muttered sheepishly, poking her fingers together in a sheepish manner.
The older man let out a light chuckle before attaching it to his screen. He typed a few details before handing May a brand new device, smiling, 'you'll find the latest applications and data on this PokéNav Plus. One of those functions includes the BuzzNav. It is an indispensable tool for any Trainer who is travelling out in the world. Use it, and you'll be able to get the latest news from around the region and from your own friends, anytime and anyplace. Brendan, if you wish, I can update yours as well?'
'Could you?' Brendan beamed up at the man, his ruby eyes alight with an eager joy.
'Gee, don't be too eager,' May muttered at her childhood friend, who pushed her out of the way.
Flailing her arms, May let out a slight squeak before she steadied herself on the desk. Seeing a picture of Steven and his father, May frowned, 'hey, is that Steven?'
'Yes, I think that image was taken shortly after the last time I saw you,' Mr Stone smiled as he handed Brendan his device.
'He looks happy,' May smiled as she inspected the picture.
'Really? How can you tell? He always has that same smile that I've seen—that million dollar one that will get all the babes flocking to him,' Brendan frowned as he picked up the image to inspect it.
'You're both right. Steven is, like me, a professional. I wouldn't be too sure about any women, but it is hard to tell when he is truly happy. However, for quite some time after his encounter with you, Ash, Brock and Max, he was quite happy. Now let me get to the important issue of what it is I need you to do,' the man smiled as he noticed May glare at Brendan's words, rolling her eyes as he moved his eyebrows in what could only be described as a flirtatious manner.
'Yes, sir,' May said before she sent Brendan a reproachful glance.
'I need you to deliver a letter to Steven. May you clearly remember him, and that is something I am grateful for. You should find him in Dewford,' the man grimaced as he handed a letter to the younger brunette.
With a scowl, Brendan asked, 'and how do you suppose we get there?'
'You'll have to cross the sea to reach Dewford, of course. I'll ask Mr Briney to sail you there,' the man said, his eyes flickering to Brendan's alert expression.
'I'm counting on you, young lady,' Mr Stone smiled at May, who flushed and nodded her head once.
Turning to leave, May stopped when she heard the man call out, 'oh, and May?'
'Yes, sir?' She asked, turning her attention to the older man.
'I suggest you battle Roxanne before you go. As a budding Gym Leader, it is always a good idea to interact with others whilst you're in the area. And, in the pokémon world, what better way is there to interact and bond than in a pokémon battle?' The man sent her a soft smile before turning his attention to his papers.
With a grimace, May murmured, 'I will.'