Hello readers! Just thought I'd post this little note to say that I'll be out of town for a few weeks and won't have access to a computer during that time. Since I didn't want to just leave you hanging in the wind, I thought I'd write and post this next chapter before I leave on vacation. I would also like to thank everyone who's read so far and any suggestions are welcome! :)
Now, without further ado… Let's get on with the story!
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To say that Sootopolis was experiencing a little rain would be an understatement. Indeed, the rainfall was so heavy that most people locked themselves in their houses and prayed to Arceus that it would stop before it flooded the entire city. The only people who dared to expose themselves to such wicked weather were the current Pokémon Champion Steven, local Gym Leader Wallace, the highest-ranking members of both Team Aqua and Team Magma, and our young hero Brendan. Currently, the group was discussing the current crisis while standing outside the Cave of Origin.
"I don't understand… People and Pokémon need water to live, so why is this rain filling us with so much dread?" Steven pondered aloud to himself.
"Well, maybe if some people didn't mess around with the natural order of things, this wouldn't be happening!" Magma Admin Tabitha snapped, directing his comment at Archie, Matt, and Shelly of Team Aqua. Naturally, Matt was the first to speak up, followed by Shelly.
"You wanna go, tubby? Bring it!"
"Settle down, Matt. Fighting can't and won't solve anything at this point. There's only one thing that can…"
Before anyone could respond, Shelly handed Brendan a small device with a button on it. Once he pressed it, the device shook for a bit before slipping out of Brendan's hand and onto the ground where it transformed into what appeared to be a protective suit.
"Created by the combined forces of Devon Corporation and Team Aqua, this suit will allow you to travel to the deepest part of the Cave of Origin and put an end to this."
"But… Why me?" Brendan questioned, looking to everyone for an answer.
"Because you seem to be the least incompetent person here…" Team Magma's Courtney replied in her usual monotone voice, getting some offended looks from everyone else in the process. Even Steven had to concur, however, that she was right.
"The energy coming from the shrine appears to be far more powerful than anything we could have anticipated… Are you sure the boy can make it down there in one piece?" Archie asked his teammates, receiving an uncertain shrug from Matt while Shelly just looked down and fiddled with her hands as if to say she wasn't sure.
"Do not worry, child," Maxie cut in, "We at Team Magma have been developing a similar suit in case of an emergency and according to the tests we've ran, there's only about a thirty percent chance that you'll perish when facing the Legendary Pokémon."
"Well that's reassuring," Brendan muttered, pressing a button on the suit that made it shrink down and revert to its original shape before placing it in his bag.
Suddenly, Wallace spoke up.
"The Red Orb."
"What?"
"The Red Orb in your bag… Its ancient powers will surely protect both you and your Pokémon. It is also capable of quelling the power of the Blue Orb," Wallace finished, glancing at Archie briefly before turning to the Cave of Origin.
"Indeed… The Red Orb will help, but it alone cannot take Brendan to the core. That suit you were given… Use it."
Brendan nodded before turning to Steven, the silver-haired man only having a few words to say.
"Whatever happens, you and your Pokémon will be fine. Believe in yourself as the rest of us do."
"Brendan… Please. Save us. Save the world… and Kyorge," Archie pleaded, his voice nearly breaking as Shelly placed an arm on his shoulder and Matt looked on in uncharacteristic silence.
"Alright," Brendan said while adjusting his hat, "I'll do it."
"Excellent. In the meantime, Courtney! Tabitha! We must mobilize our members and do what we can to help those suffering from this disaster." Maxie stated, his admins nodding in response.
Suddenly, Brendan heard a familiar voice shout his name. Turning around, he could see that it was his neighbor and rival May, looking rather distressed.
"I came as soon as I heard about this and saw you on BuzzNav, Brendan. I knew I couldn't just sit by and watch as you got caught up in all the chaos, so I came here right away!" She exclaimed, catching the white-hatted hero in a strong embrace that could put an Arbok to shame.
'Seriously, how is she this strong?' Brendan thought to himself, utterly confused as to how someone of May's stature could possess so much strength.
Breaking away from the hug, May gasped when she saw Team Aqua and Team Magma standing a few feet away, looking rather confused.
"W-what are they doing here?"
"… And this is?" Maxie inquired, fixing his glasses.
"Isn't it obvious? That's clearly his girlfriend," Shelly replied, smirking once she noticed the expressions on the young trainers' faces.
"I… She's… We're not… What?"
"He… A-And I? What?"
"Oh brother," Steven muttered, burying his face in his hand. At this rate, nothing would get done.
"Anyways…" May started, clearing her throat, "I'm not even going to bother asking what they're doing here. Instead, I'm going to do what I can to help."
"A-And I'm going to keep hoping and believing that you'll be okay out there, Brendan…"
"May…"
"Because…"
May paused, considering what would happen if she used the wrong words here. If she told him how she felt about him, she could potentially lose him as a friend if he didn't feel the same way. With everyone watching them, she also didn't want to put him on the spot. However, if she used the word "friend", Brendan could get the idea that she's not into him. Plus, she didn't know if she would be able to rack up the courage to tell him later on.
'Don't put him in such a tight spot. He's already got a lot on his shoulders at the moment.'
May decided to go with a less risky approach.
"Because I really care about you."
Shelly and Wallace made an 'aww' sound as Steven and the others save Maxie looked at Brendan with knowing grins on their faces. Brendan blushed and scratched the back of his head before replying with a bashful smile.
"Thanks, May. That really means a lot to me and… I care about you too."
This received a smile from May, and she leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "Good luck, Brendan," before kissing him on the cheek, much to his surprise.
"Aww yeah! Little dude does have a girlfriend!"
"Matt, quiet! You're ruining the moment," Shelly snapped.
The neighbors both let out an awkward laugh and then turned to face the Cave of Origin, its doors now opening for the first time in Sootopolis history.
His face gaining a serious expression, Brendan began walking towards the cave with his trusty Swampert's Pokémon Ball in hand. Once he reached the entrance, he took a long look back at those who now depended on him. He gazed at May the longest, smiling once her eyes met his. Turning back to the cave, Brendan took a deep breath.
'Let's do this.'
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… So that's that! ^^; Originally, I had May say something incredibly different and I debated whether or not to do it, but I ultimately felt that it would be a bit soon. They're still quite young, after all. Also, I'm sorry if this chapter isn't quite as good as the others. This week has been rather hectic for me, what with finals running amok and I'm not even done packing yet… Aha. I know that only Shelly is present with the team leaders in Sootopolis City in Alpha Sapphire, but I wanted to do a little bit of experimenting with my writing style by having the story deviate a little bit from the game. Also, I chose the flood scenario over the drought because it just seemed more world-threatening to me for some reason. While I'm here, I'd also like to say that due to vacation I won't be back until around the 5th of January or so meaning that this is the last chapter I'll be posting until then. I hope you all liked this chapter and have a wonderful holiday!