Chapter Three

The cry fest my mom and I had lasted for about ten minutes with the finale of us strangely breaking out with laughter. I never knew why that always happened when we had a moment together, but I just chalked it up to a personal connection I felt with her. After that, we started packing my bag. I was somewhat organized, but motherly help was always welcomed when it came to that department. Torchic even helped out too as it picked up things I needed and gave it to my mom so she could place them neatly in my bag. I decided to spoil my little Pokémon by giving him some potato chips.

"What a cute little bird! Have you thought about giving him a name yet?" She asked while petting its soft, feathery down. The excited Torchic let out an adorable chirping noise in appreciation.

In response to that question, I rubbed my chin in thought. A nickname, huh? What kind of name could I give to my very first battle partner? I watched as the small bird darted about my room to retrieve things with its beak; all the while it kept on with its cute chirping noises. It was then that I decided that no matter how much I could think, only one name stuck out to me.

"How about…Chirpie?"

The Torchic stopped what it was doing and looked at me. Its eyes full of confusion at the suggested nickname. I called it again.

"Come over here Chirpie!"

This time, it responded as it carefully inched its way towards me. It looked a little unsure that I was calling it. I smiled when it came near my lap and stroked its head as incentive. "That's a good boy! Chirpie it is!"


Mom and I were just outside the house with my things securely in my bag. Chirpie was inside its pokeball. The sun was an hour away from setting and I was instructed to at least spend the first night at a Pokémon center. I was more than prepared to sleep under the stars, but mom insisted since not to push it on my first night of my journey. No matter how much I trained, I'll always be horribly unprepared in her eyes. Yeesh, I wasn't like the clumsy professor; that guy didn't have a clue about surviving in the wilderness.

"I'm sorry your father couldn't be here to see you off, but you can talk with him tomorrow at gym. He's going to start getting busy now that he's a gym leader," she said while giving me another kiss on the cheek and a tightening hug. That's right, his new job as a leader was now my new obstacle; which meant that I would be facing him sooner or later.

In addition to a trainer's profession of catching and training Pokémon, they challenged eight gyms scattered throughout each respective region. After earning a badge from all of the gym's leaders, trainers would have to travel to Evergrande City and go through a series of trials known as the elite four. As for right now though, I had to focus on just the leaders. My dad was number five out of the eight.

I made a sarcastic grin spread on my face that was followed by a stupid laugh. "He better be polishing up my badge right now, because he's going down hard when I face him!"

Though I openly joked about the declaration, my nerves were rattled at the thought of facing him. There have been a few times I've seen him battle; and it every time he was scary. My dad had no mercy on his opponent and I knew he wouldn't go easy on me just because I was his daughter. His intimidation in battle made my palms clammy.


Now alone, the road I walked on was quietly pleasant with nature all around me. I wondered if all of Hoenn would be as foresty like Littleroot or the route I was on now. While I dabbled in such thoughts, my pace picked up, for the deteriorating sunlight was a cue for Pokémon hiding in the tall grass to come out and venture around. Even with Chirpie, there was no way I would risk a battle at night with the way he was now; fresh and vulnerable. Yes, he was a small bird who took down a dog with no problems, but still a small vulnerable bird who might have problems with a possibly stronger nocturnal animal.

Fortunately, the tall grass that was previously up to my waist started to shorten until it leveled out into a nice, trimmed lawn under my feet. Then I started to walk past small homes would eventually cluster together to make up Oldale town. The contented sigh of relief came from my mouth as I managed to make it into town before the night set in. I have to admit that the route I walked on looked a little creepy during the sunset.

Oldale itself looked very similar to Littleroot with the exception of a slightly larger population, a market and a Pokémon center. I wasted no time walking swiftly to the center. Inside was a counter where a nurse with candy pink hair greeted me in the most sugary coated voice on the face of the planet. The walls and floor were a nice bright mustard color that thankfully didn't kill my eyes. There were two doors that led to sleeping quarters for trainers on the go or other visitors. On the side, there were resting couches. I immediately sat down and closed my eyes.


"…Excuse me. Hello?"

I thought it was some sort of dream, so I didn't stir.

"Pardon me…Miss?"

I twitched a little but remained asleep.

"Miiiiiiiiiiss! Please wake up"

Now that the voice increased the volume, I jolted awake with my eyes trying to open against the light and color of the room. It took me a minute to focus in on what called my attention.

A woman with dark brown hair and grey eyes was in front of me. She wore a jean colored outfit and small hat. A scarf was tied securely around her neck. Overall, I would have to say that she was better suited to be a flight attendant.

"Pardon my interruption, but are you May Maple?"

"Who wants to know?"

"Well…" The flight attendant dressed woman suddenly put on a very wide smile and put both hands in her pocket for a few seconds and both of them out to release fistfuls of rainbow confetti. Some of the glittery paper landed on my head while my face didn't look the least bit amused. "Congratulations! You received a gift!"

It was then that she put a hand behind her back and held out a pokeball in front of me. I blinked at the object before reluctantly taking it from her hand. It was an all red pokeball, but wasn't very special beyond that.

"Who's it from?"

"That's the fun part! It's a mystery! It wouldn't be fun if you knew who gave it to you! Otherwise it wouldn't be called the Mystery Gift Co. now would it? Now if you'll excuse me, I need to be on my way. We hope that you want to participate in more Mystery gifting in the future! Have a good evening!"

The woman took her leave with urgency. I was now left with a strange, confused look and turned my attention to the new possession with wonder. Who on earth would just give me a gift? Why would they want to keep it a secret?

As I weighed the pokeball in my hand, I noticed that it was heavy… like something was inside it. My brows tensed as I thought about taking a look; well if anything happened, at least I would get immediate medical attention. I made up my mind. The pokeball was pointed out and I pressed the button to activate the device.

"Alright Pokémon! Come on out!"

The pokeball opened up and a rainbow colored light spilled out in midair. It took only moments to form into…into…hm, that looked really weird. My confused brain was now faced with the issue of trying to figure out what this floating piece of metal was. It's metallic skin was white with three golden, stubby spikes in the back. The creature stared back at me with a glowing red eye. In my opinion, it was shaped as if it was part of a whole.

"Oh cool! What Pokémon is that?!"

Upon hearing the new voice, my vision quickly shifted from the mysterious creature to a teenager who held a small blue animal in his hands. He wore a white strangely shaped beanie with a red and black spandex shirt. He also had on black Capri pants and walked with white and green shoes on his feet. Short chocolate bangs poked out from under his hat. I looked at his gaze and noticed that his cyan colored eyes had a certain sparkle that felt familiar to me.

Though he had a friendly demeanor, several red flags went up and waved around wildly in alarm. My muscles tensed as my anti-boy guard immediately went up. My features twisted into an unfriendly scowl.

"What do you care?! Fuck off!" I hissed with venom practically dripping from my mouth and my gaze drilling very threateningly into his. My mindset expected him to turn on his heels and walk away with much urgency. Instead, an annoyed look crossed his face and sat down on the far opposite end if the couch that I was very settled in. The couch wasn't very big either. Sirens in my brain blared as his proximity was closer than desired. My entire being was unnerved by his presence.

What an indecent thug! Boys were truly the lowest beings of humanity! Try as I might, my mind couldn't relax at his lack of regard for giving me the required space girls were supposed to have. Look at him: smiling all stupidly and talking cutely to his Pokémon. Such a bastard!

The blue Pokémon that was with him lazily chewed on its owner's shirt while receiving gentle strokes on the head. It had three thick orange whiskers on each side of its cheeks and wagged its fin tail happily as its master gave it much affection. My own face was burning with the frustration of the boy enjoying himself rather than begging forgiveness and taking his leave.

I was thinking about grabbing something and tossing it at his head when a heavy weight suddenly came upon my lap. My attention was turned to my own little metal…thing that nestled itself on me and looked up as if it expected something. Several minutes passed with nothing coming to mind of what it wanted. Finally, it became impatient and began to poke my belly while giving a frustrated, metallic cry.

The sound was like a metal version of scratching utensils against a plate; ultimately a very painful noise to the ears. Now wanting the noise to stop, I got my pack and quickly opened it up to find anything that would appease it.

"It wants to be petted,"

My head reluctantly turned to the bothersome couch mate with his happy Pokémon. He now had an amused expression plastered all over his face as if he enjoyed my frustration. "Normally seventy-five percent of the time when they look at you like that, it means that they want to be petted…but I'm sure you already knew that," the boy said as a matter-of-factly before returning his attention back to his partner.

Under regular circumstances, I would have ignored anything that came out of his mouth, but I gave in as the cries of my Pokémon got louder. Slowly and softly, my hand reached out and started stroking it's round head. If this wasn't a Pokémon, it would have felt pretty ridiculous petting a piece of metal. Sure enough, this action quelled its cries and a cooing sound could now be heard. I sighed with upmost relief, but now I had to thank the arrogant brat for helping me. Geez, as if it wasn't a chore enough already to sit next to him; now I had to speak to him!

"…..thanks,"

"Oh, what's this? The almighty mystery trainer is thanking me? Well, it's no problem at all. I have dabbled a bit with Pokémon studies on their behaviors and habitats. My dad's a professor in that field,"

My eyes suddenly widened from surprise as an image of the goofy professor flashed through my mind. I then quickly shot up with my Pokémon from the couch; the creature huffing in disappointment from my ceasing of the petting. My shocked sight couldn't help but stare at the boy with new eyes. No….NO,NO, NO! Don't tell me!

"Are you Brendan Birch?"

"Yep since the last time I checked. Why? Are you one of my ever adoring fans?"

I was very tempted to hit him at that moment.

"…No. Your dad told me to come find you," I replied as the corner of my mouth slightly turned up at remembering the shown baby photos and Birch's need to pitch how great his son was. The boy in question definitely widened his eyes at the smile and then face-palmed himself. He knew that I knew what the professor showed me.

Brendan got up and set his Pokémon on the couch as he tried to redeem himself from his father's indirect embarrassment.

"So…you must be May Maple. My dad told me you were supposed meet me on route 103, but didn't show up. I should have figured that a girl would take forever getting ready. Eh, at least we met up here,"

He put a hearty hand on my shoulder. A confident grin spread out on his face. "Finally! We can start our journey to be the very best! Train, explore and battle our way! Are you with me May Ma-"BAM!

He never got to finish his speech. That was because his ecstatic, fired up features were greeted by my furious fist that knocked him out cold on the floor.


Meanwhile in a lab far, far away…

The footsteps of a well-dressed woman echoed throughout the dark lab as she tried to reach the elevator. She felt nervous but was determined to reach her destination. Before she could advance any further, a hand roughly grabbed her shoulder and turned the person around. The young lady jumped in surprise, but the fright subsided as she could make out a woman who looked slightly older than her.

"What are you doing here?! Wait, don't answer that…its him…isn't it?" she growled with her brows furrowed with disgust. Those glaring brown eyes reflected vibrantly under her rectangle shaped glasses. Her black curly hair was restrained by a simple rubber band that was tied in a ponytail. She wore a lab coat with a simple black dress and penny loafers.

The intruder lost her nerve as she became confused and nervous. "H-he told me to meet him tonight last week,"

The woman still had her hard glare but let go. She then adjusted her glasses. "Sorry to break it to ya, but he left the region the day before yesterday for research. I think it's better that you didn't meet him anyway. My employer is a disgusting animal who has no shame," At that moment, a gleam fell over her spectacles and a confident hand was put over her heart.

"As long as I work here, it is my sovereign duty as a woman to protect the chastity of innocent maidens who are lured here by my shameless boss! You miss, have just dodged a bullet! I suggest that you go home now and NEVER return,"

This strangely enthusiastic lecture had made the younger lady just nod and swiftly leave the lab; leaving the employee on her own.

Despite the victory, she had a serious look on her face as she picked up her employer's paperwork.

"Arceus help those who I am unable to reach," she said to herself as she looked upon the student forms of Brendan Birch and May Maple.

*Continued in Chapter Three*