Here's the latest update on May, Gym Leader.
Chapter 10'So let me get this straight,' Brendan said with a mouthful of fried Magikarp. They'd gone to a small café to enjoy lunch and digest the events which had occurred since they had left Petalburg.
Wincing as a piece of meat narrowly missed her thick shake, May snacked on her own delicacy—fried balls made of Octillery meat.
'You're going to listen to Old Mr Stone and battle Roxie? Even though, and you've insisted this since you were a little tyke with me, you refuse to have anything to do with Gym battles.' The man continued, arching an eyebrow at May in disbelief. Brendan, like Max and Orlando, had always heard of May's protests at having Gym Battles of her own. She'd never been that interested in it, especially with Norman preventing them from experiencing his Gym Battles with him. It had caused many an argument in her household, not that Brendan admitted to knowing about it.
'Well, it just makes sense because she's my neighbouring Gym. I'd like to see how she does things. Y-you know that dad never let us watch any matches, and all of my experience comes from what Ash did, and that was years ago. Do you think I shouldn't?' May questioned, poking her fingers together anxiously. She didn't want to ruin the reputation her father had created for his Gym, especially in his ill state.
'No, I think it's a good idea. Contest battles and Gym battles are very different. I'm just surprised that you're actually listening to the advice of someone else for a change. Of course, I'm tagging along to support you,' Brendan chuckled as he continued to eat, ignoring May's surprised expression.
'Oh really? It wouldn't be to amaze Roxie with your Trainer's prowess again, would it?' May scowled at the man, her eyes narrowed in disgust.
'What? Roxie already knows that as well as you do. Don't give me that look, baby, please!' Brendan rebutted before snorting in entertained delight at May's disgusted expression.
Without pausing to think, May eagerly kicked the man under the table, not appreciating his flirtatious humour at her expense.
'Hey that hurt!' Brendan pouted at her, moving his hand under the table to rub his now bruised knee.
'Diddums, I'm sorry. Let's go to Roxie and see if she'll help you kiss it better,' May retorted angrily, scowling as she continued to eat, her sour mood increasing with Brendan's disbelieving laugh.
'No way! You're jealous!' Brendan chuckled as he leaned forward to watch May blush.
'What? No I'm not,' the young woman scowled back as she threw a fried chip at him. She didn't appreciate the insinuation her childhood best friend was making, especially at her expense. He knew as well as she did that her father resented her for actively denying other men for dates, especially suitable candidates. However, whilst her mother and Brendan respected her affections for Drew, Norman found it more difficult to accept, especially with Drew's notable absence from their lives. Having said that, both she and Brendan chose to ignore Norman's preference of Brendan over any other man, something which made May feel extremely uncomfortable. To her, Brendan and Orlando were extended family.
'Please, you are so jealous. You love me. Let's face it, everyone does,' Brendan chuckled as he caught the chip in his hand. He winked once before eating it, wiggling his eyebrows once again.
'Oh Arceus, I think I'm going to be sick,' May groaned, turning her attention to a group of girls nearby in the hopes of distracting herself.
'You know, you could just play along for the sake of my ego,' Brendan pouted at her, causing her to giggle back.
'Please, we both know that your ego deserves a massive bruising, especially with the amount of women who've tolerated your non-existent charms!' May teased back, poking her tongue out childishly.
'You're no fair,' the man grimaced at her, though she wiped her mouth and stood up.
'Come on, let's see your girlfriend,' May said before sauntering away.
'Hey, I'm still eating!' Brendan hollered at her as he struggled to finish his Magikarp.
'If you want to be there, you should hurry up then,' May retorted before blowing a raspberry at him, rushing out of the café as quickly as she could.
'Real mature, Olivine!' The man scowled back at her as he clambered out of his seat.
'Says you, Littleroot!' Man scoffed back before running from the man, recognising the dangerous glint in his eye.
'Right that does it!' The man roared, running after her.
'No, I'm sorry! Diaper buddy, I'm sorry!' May giggled as the man tackled her into a hug, taking the opportunity to tickle her.
'You'd better be. Now, let's get me some of that sweet Roxie,' Brendan chuckled before adjusting his clothing slightly. Without waiting for May to catch he breath, he sauntered away, suitably pleased by her flushed and flustered state.
'I bet she doesn't remember you,' May smiled, as she rushed to meet him at the familiar rocky outcrop of the Gym.
'I bet she does!' Brendan retorted back, his eyes narrowed in injured pride.
'If I win you make me food for a week,' May grinned at the man, winking at him in delight.
'Make it a month, and I'm in,' the man retorted before opening the Gym doors.
Entering the space, May let out a gasp as she saw the foyer had been turned into a museum for fossils. There were Gym's Aids inside who were cleaning the place, though May disregarded them completely.
Beside the stone statues which had the Hoenn League's symbol on it, she could see the Trainers who had successfully won against Roxanne. With ease, she spotted the name of Ash, and felt a burst of pride in her friend, though Brendan's name was undoubtedly on it somewhere as well.
Beside the statue was a mature aged man in business attire—including red suspenders and a bowtie. He was in discussion with a woman a few years older than May, wearing bright pink stockings and a grey dress, which was accentuated by a pink bowtie and white business shirt. Her taupe hair was wrapped in two buns on either side of her head, the remainder of which flowed down her back, and her red eyes was focused on the duo who'd just entered her Gym.
'Well if it isn't Brendan,' the woman mused, her eyes lingering thoughtfully on the man before flickering towards May.
Seeing a sense of hostility in the woman's eyes, May felt herself pout as her childhood friend grinned, 'how've you been, Roxie?'
'All the better for your return. Who's this, your girlfriend?' The woman smiled back, though May wasn't convinced it was a genuine smile.
'No, this is May, I believe you've met her? She was travelling with Ash Ketchum a few years back, and is the current Gym Leader of Petalburg. She's like a sister to me,' Brendan chuckled as he wrapped an arm around May, who scowled at the man, 'fine, I suppose I'll be making food again.'
'You should know not to make bets with your superiors,' Brendan winked at her, wincing as she jabbed his ribs painfully.
'Who are you calling superior, Ghastly-breath?' May muttered so only the man heard. In response, he glowered and blanched slightly, glancing apprehensively at Roxanne.
'Ah, so you must be the challenger? Steven said that we may have an unusual Trainer visiting us to explore our Gyms. I am Roxanne, the Rustboro City Pokémon Gym Leader. I became a Gym Leader so that I may apply in battle all that I've learned at the Pokémon Trainer's School,' the woman said, disregarding Brendan's presence completely as she stood before May, her mannerisms completely business-like to May, who found her own practices lacking in comparison.
'Normally, if you defeat me in a pokémon battle, I would present you with a Gym Badge as proof of your strength as a Trainer. However, as you are already a Gym Leader, I will not be giving this badge to you. In saying that, I would still recommend that you take up the challenge. I look forward to seeing you as a challenger,' the woman smiled before sending Brendan an appraising look.
'Won't you challenge her first up?' Brendan frowned at the woman, who sent him a small smile.
'As aware as ever, Brendan. No, I want to experiment with this one. To reach me, she must defeat my aids. Whether you support her in the stands or join me in waiting for her in another room is up to you,' the woman spoke before winking at Brendan.
Sending them both a simpering smile, the woman turned out of the room.
'I think I'm going to be sick,' May scowled at her friend in disbelief.
'Just go at it, you'll be fine. I'll be waiting for you with Roxie,' Brendan winked before sauntering after the woman.
'You'd better not do anything with her until after I've won!' May yelled after him, trying to ignore how her stomach was twisting in knots.
'May from Petalburg?' The man asked once Brendan had left.
'Yes, that's me,' May sighed, running a hand through her hair in exasperation.
'Listen, my friend! Would you like to become the Champion?' The man grinned at her, surprising her by pulling her into his side, waving at either of the statues near her.
'Well, not really,' May chuckled at his side, poking her fingers together slightly.
'I'm no Trainer, not me, but I can sure give you winning advice,' he continued with a winning smile.
With a slight chuckle, May began, 'ummm, I'm not really-'
'That's settled, then! We'll aim for the Pokémon Championship together! The name's Goodshow, Charles Goodshow Junior!' The man rambled, not at all perturbed by May's obvious hesitation.
'Wait, like the Pokémon League President?' May frowned at the man, though he waved her off.
'He's my father, glad you know him! Now, Gym Leaders aren't pushovers! And that's where I come in! I'm here to provide expert advice! Roxanne, the Gym Leader here, is a user of rock type pokémon. The rock type is very durable, but it can't stand water type and grass type moves. Come see me afterward if you beat the Gym Leader.' The man grinned before pushing May towards the first Gym Aid.
With a level of anxiety she hadn't felt in a while, May turned to face her first opponent, not sure if she was doing the right thing.
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