Chapter Four

"Boys are nothing but trouble and need to get punched in the face!"

"Really? Who says that?"

"My Daddy,"

"He sounds like quite the grump. Do you always believe everything he tells you?"

"YES! My Daddy never lies to me!"

"My, my! Getting so worked up; like a ruffled fletching! I suppose this means our friendship is no more?"

The next morning, Brendan was nursing the black eye I gave him last night. The nurse thought I was insane. On my part, I thought it was entirely appropriate of a punishment for daring such a brazen act of touching my shoulder. Surprisingly, he didn't bear any grudges or hate against me…..well there was me finding him punching a tree in the morning and averting my gaze. However, it quickly subsided as we got into the day; for I was to learn about 'the art of capturing Pokémon'.

When we got into the path for Petalburg City, he explained that I should start building a team to use in battle. He then gave me six pokeballs and dove into the thick grass to demonstrate on how it should be done. It had taken some time, but Brendan found a tan and brown raccoon-like creature that boldly approached him. He sent out his blue Pokémon (which I now identified as mudkip; though he called her Kippie) to weaken it. In addition, Brendan also whipped out his pokédex to monitor the health and attacks of his Pokémon as well as the opponent's.

Kippie shot into action as it tackled the animal and stepped back to observe the opponent retaliated by kicking up dirt in Kippie's face. It growled with irritation of getting hit by such a dirty trick, but remained firm. "Come on, Kippie! Daddy believes in you!"

The battle wore on and it looked close, but Kippie managed to weaken the wild raccoon enough without making it faint. That was Brendan's cue to grab an empty pokeball and throw it. The device hit the Pokémon and sucked it inside. It was funny that I didn't think too much of it back then, but the fact that such a small, round technological wonder could suck in anything much bigger than the said device boggled my mind. Who even thought about inventing something like that anyway?

Back to the battle, the pokeball rolled around as the animal inside fought to break free. We both watched nervously; I was sure that Brendan's face was sweating. The ball suddenly came to a stop and a clicking noise was heard.

Brendan gave out a short laugh of victory as Kippie rolled the captured Pokemon's ball towards its master. He happily retrieved it and rewarded his mudkip with a head scratch and clipped it onto his belt. "See? That easy. Now go find some Pokémon before we get to the city. There's probably trainers on the road who have Pokémon with better advantages against Chirpie and Beldum," he instructed while picking out some blades of grass from his hat before plunging back into the grass again. Still uncomfortable with his presence, I sought out my own spot and went right in.


Brendan and I came back up from the thick vegetation and emptied our shoes. The both of us were covered in dirt and grass stains. The newly added sixth Pokémon Skitty was safely clipped onto my belt. Brendan's recently captured whismur was in the trainer's clutches. We battled and captured Pokémon like it was a competition.

After Brendan captured his zigzagoon, I caught myself three more Pokémon. A Wingull that took away the occasional homesickness of my old hometown. A Poochyena that was a magical reminder of how I first started my adventure. And a spunky Wrumple that scared the hell out of Brendan when it landed on his head from an overhanging branch. While, my traveling companion was in dismay from only capturing a lotad, he made up for it in battle with his taught knowledge of type match-ups. I just barely won my matches and that frustrated me.

We got to Petalburg City and quickly discovered how not much different it was from Littleroot and Oldale. The atmosphere was also calm and homely. Sure, there were more homes and stores as well as a gym, but not enough of it stood out to be truly called a city. To add to the disappointment, my dad wasn't free to talk with me. He was currently being challenged by a trainer. I could almost swear that Brendan sighed with relief at the revelation.

We then marched onto the Petalburg woods and saved a a scientist from a stupidly dressed thug from a gang that called themselves 'Team Magma'. It was hard to believe that someone would be willing to wear a sweater onesie out in public like that. Anyway, I battled the dork and beat him with no hint of mercy; thus letting me have the honor of sucker-punching him in the stomach and taking his wallet. I suggested a very violent punishment for the thug, but Brendan's choice of just tying him to a tree won out. The scientist we saved worked for a large company in Hoenn known as 'Devon corp'. As a show of his appreciation, he gave the two of us great balls. They were supposed to work better than normal ones, but I was planning on saving them for later. He thanked us once again before going on his way.

Rustboro City could definitely be called a city in my opinion. While it wasn't crazy busy like a normal city, the uniqueness was there! The cobblestone brick floor was the colors of cream and light tan while gates and lamps decorated the streets. There was even a trainer school, Devon corp (like the scientist mentioned) and a gym!

I was about to high-tail it to challenge the leader, but Brendan quickly halted me and suggested that we catch more Pokémon first. That was many hours ago and the sun was now settling down into the horizon. Right now everything ached and I yearned for rest.

"Oh man, I'm beat,"

My gaze slowly went to my travel companion who laid flat on the ground and took off his sweaty hat. I merely grunted in agreement while my body was hunched in a lazy way. Traveling with Brendan became slightly more tolerable the more we talked and explored. He never tried touching me after I decked him, but when he walked by my side, his shoulders were loose and his manner of stride was laid-back. Hm, maybe I could allow him to be my friend.

Suddenly a loud, ringing sound interrupted the restful silence. Brendan gave out a loud groan; annoyed that the source of the sound was coming from his pokenav. He fished out the device with tired fingers and inspected it. The heavy lids blinked wearily and his brows became furrowed. "What is it?" I asked while forcing my sore body to move.

Brendan put the pokenav back in his pocket and made himself sit up. "My dad just texted me. He said that we need to get back to the lab," he replied while getting his things together. I raised my own brow in confusion. "….Right now?"

He didn't turn my way as he packed, but continued to talk. "Remember, this is my dad we're talking about. And if you were trapped with him for a few hours while he talked away about everything, then imagine what would happen if we don't get to the lab as soon as possible. My mother tried ignoring his texts and she nearly lost it. Trust me when I say: 'let's get there quick',"


The amazing colors of lavender, orange a pink streaked across the sky over Littleroot town. If I would have to say what I loved to gaze at in the sky the most, it would have to be sunrises. I would have happily enjoyed the emerging dawn if I had not been excessively worn to the bone and groggy. Not even two days into the journey and we were back where we started! Brendan was in the same shape as myself as he walked to keep in pace with me. The pokenav was constantly ringing off the hook. He didn't bother to answer it.

Also by our sides were Skitty and whismur, for they served as much needed protection. It was also because Brendan said that Professor Elm discovered that walking with Pokémon established better relationships between them and their trainers. Whismur kept shyly in pace with his master's leg while Skitty would occasionally walk ahead to get a good look around ahead before returning to me. If anything, we were protecting them.

When we reached the lab, my travel partner looked back at me as he went for the automatic door. "After we hear what he says, I am so gonna kill him,"

There was no doubt that I was thinking the same thing. In any case, the sooner was for the better. Skitty and I walked towards the duo and went in first. What was so important anyway? If this was something stupid, I was gonna plant my foot firmly up-"Hey kids! Glad you made it!"

Professor Birch's voice cut into my angry thoughts as he greeted us with a tone more chipper than what I heard from the first time I met him. Brendan barely got through the door when the professor grabbed him and planted his feet next to me. The silly man looked so excited that he might burst where he stood. His son however, didn't share his enthusiasm.

"What is it dad? We were kinda busy trying to fill YOUR pokedex," he said with obvious dark circles under his eyes. A pretty awkward question if you ask me. The professor in question though, didn't answer immediately, but pushed us towards his desk.

"I know, but the funniest thing happened! Not long after you two left, I got a call from an old colleague at the Hoenn airport and wanted to compare his research with mine!"

" That sounds exciting and all professor, but why did you call us over here when you could have just easily texted that to us?"

"It is because, my darling child, I had respectfully requested him to,"

My heart nearly jumped out of its rib cage from the surprise of hearing a new voice cutting into the conversation. It sounded…soft and warm; though thick with a foreign accent. Brendan had too had been shocked as both of our gazes left Birch and went to his desk.

The voice in question belonged to the person who sat in the professor's chair. His face was covered by a book he held up with his long, pale fingers, but I could see his tousled jet black hair messily sticking out. He used his other hand to turn the page on the current object of interest.

I lost my voice due to the mysterious man's presence, but Brendan found his. Looking back now, I could see why. "Thanks, but the two of us are kinda busy. May and I just got to Rustboro and planned on challenging the gym the day after tomorrow," he said with a irritation in his voice. The newcomer merely gave out a short laugh as he stood out and put down the book.

OH! OH MY ARCEUS! My face became hot and I could feel it turn an uncomfortable red as I struggled with trying to keep myself from freaking out in the midst of the male company. How could this man be a fucking scientist nerd person?! He wasn't overweight or old and didn't even wear any glasses! Hell, he resembled more of those prince charming guys that I used to read about in my old fairy tale book. I had taken it everywhere with me, but during a trip a loong, looooong time ago, Dad had become fed up with me possibly entertaining idea that I could whisked away by the opposite sex. He snatched it up, took a lighter he got off of a nearby stranger and burned it in front of my five-year-old eyes. Needless to say, I cried for the first few hours, hardened up for about a week, but then kinda toned down the fairy tale hate by the end of the visit. The memory was pretty foggy to say the least, but at least it showed some fortitude in my resilience to keep one thing I liked.

His ocean blue eyes glittered with amusement while they inspected Brendan and I. His dark locks framed that indescribably wonderful face of his with small beginning of beard stubs poking out of this chin. He wore a lab coat with the collar of his ultramarine blue silk shirt sticking out. I noticed that the first button of it was undone. His black slacks was without a single wrinkle and his brown Italian style shoes hadn't a single scuff on them. Despite those unique features, the one that stuck out the most to me was his smile. His smile that was so amazing and enchanting that I felt that I was going to keel over and die!

"You must forgive me, dear boy. Your father spoke highly of the both of you, that I just had to see for myself,"

He came around the desk and stood in front of us; making Brendan and I not only intimidated by his appearance, but also his height. Birch's son tried to speak up, but his proximity was too uncomfortable to find any words. As for me, I was lucky to still be standing!

Those teasing eyes of his focused on me and smiled more prominently. "I am Professor Augustine Sycamore! I have come very far from the Kalos region to study the relationship between Pokémon habits and behaviors with theories of mega evolution!"

At that moment, he gently took my hand with the grasp of his and kissed the top of it. My skin tingled and felt so numb from the touch of his lips that I thought my arm would fall off. "I sincerely hope that we can work together more often in the future…"

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my knees shook. I quickly snatched my hand away and turned my back on him with an extremely flushed face and wide eyes. I tried to think of what dad would say in this sort of situation. Some sort of parental wisdom that was useful for me to use! I racked my brain, but nothing came to mind. Professor Sycamore let out a cheerful laugh as Brendan sweated with nervousness. A nervousness that I would punch the professor. Fortunately, that had not been the case.

"Why what a shy little girl! I hope that I didn't scare your poor nerves! It is customary to greet beautiful women in such a fashion where I come from,"

Professor Birch looked uncomfortable by professor Sycamore's gesture. He tried to change the subject by clearing his throat, but all it did was make things more awkward.

At that moment, Skitty curiously walked up to the tall professor's shoes and sniffed at them. Sycamore looked down at my Pokémon with interest and smiled before kneeling down to stroke behind her ears. She purred and moved her head to make sure he got every spot that needed petting.

I had eventually given up on how to respond to such a brazen act when I turned around to see my Pokémon under instant enchantment from his touch. Skitty you traitor! How could you be swayed like that?! But then again, how could I judge her? This guy was a Pokémon expert. There was also those features he had….and his strange, bewitching grip. However, it felt taboo to just think about it.

The only thing that could be heard in the awkward silence was Skitty's purring until Brendan finally changed the subject. "So…how long are you staying? I'm only asking because my dad and I are going to Mt. Pyre for field research in a month,"

Sycamore was very engaged with giving Skitty a ball of red thread and watching her play with it to turn his head towards Brendan. It almost looked as though he was inconvenienced by the question. He gave a light sigh and replied back. "Oh, so you planned an excursion with your father? I had no idea! But one does beg the question of wondering who miss May would travel with when you are absent from her presence,"

"May's a big girl. She'll be okay without anyone for a while,"

"A while?! Such a long time for a cute, innocent maiden to be all by lonesome!"

"You both know that I'm standing right here, don't you?"

I managed to keep my eyes trained on the far end of the lab wall to prevent myself from getting caught up in his gaze. If I could just keep it together, I would be able to make it out of the lab conscious.

"But of course! How inconsiderate of us as to ignore the young lady's radiant presence! Tell me miss May, what would you have us do?"

My eyes remained locked to where they were as I searched for an answer. All those months of training beforehand already prepared me to rough it alone, but from spending some time under guidance was very helpful too. I wanted to think seriously about the decision, but my head was throbbing from lack of rest. It was then that Professor Birch stepped into the conversation, but what he suggested was definitely something that would be my last choice.

"How about…going with Professor Sycamore, May? That way, you can get help when you need it. Since Brendan will be with me during the trip, it'll be fair for the four of us. I'm sure he wouldn't want to be holed up in the lab all day anyway,"

My body violently flinched at the proposal. The thought of traveling with that guy was unappealing; even if it was temporary! There wouldn't be a way to focus on anything with him lurking behind my every step! Brendan shared my discomfort as he stared at his father in disbelief after stealing a glance at a now naively excited Sycamore and a perplexed me.

"Dad, you can't be serious. I don't think-"

"What a wonderful idea! To think that you would allow me to shadow one of your students! I am deeply grateful!"

My face started to sweat at the well dressed professor's approval of the suggestion. Before I could move, walk away or attempt to plead my opinion, Sycamore was already upon me with his hands firmly planted on my bare shoulders. The numbness caused by his heated touch rendered me helpless while I turned a cherry red. Why the hell couldn't I do anything?!

"I will be very careful as to keep this little birdie safe from harm when we start. In addition, as you have said, I shall aid miss May with my knowledge to the best of my abilities. What do you say, dear?" He asked as his head bowed down close by my face to hear a reply.

I started shake as he kept his hold on me. I was also unable to answer the question as all three of them had looked to me. Finally after a few seconds, I couldn't take it anymore and fainted right there on the lab floor.

*continued in chapter five*