The New Neighbor

As Caroline was preparing breakfast, she began to hear Brendan talking upstairs. It was almost like he was having a conversation with somebody, but there was nobody else responding (nor should there have been). The woman just shook her head. Brendan must have gotten a phone call to wake him up. Well, he'd be down shortly, so she'd ask about it then; and a few minutes later, she heard him coming down. She was expecting to see Brendan already showered and dressed (he was) like he always did, so she didn't turn around at first. "Hey, how'd you sleep, honey?"

He slept pretty well until I woke him up, said a voice Caroline didn't recognize at all.

"Gwen, you were supposed to wait until she turned around," Brendan said with a laugh.

Caroline turned around when Brendan said the new name, and she saw the new resident riding on Brendan's shoulder. "Oh my, aren't you a little cutie!" she said as she grabbed Gwen from Brendan's shoulder, hugging the little Pokémon. "When did you sneak in here?"

In the early hours of the morning, Gwen explained. I teleported into Brendan's room, and when he woke up, we talked for a while. I'm Gwen!

"I knew I heard you talking to somebody up there," Caroline said to Brendan with a smile. "So, I take it you and Gwen are friends now."

"Yeah," Brendan said proudly. "And we agreed that we will be working together to become the regional Champion."

It's true. We both want to be the strongest, so we decided to help each other get there, Gwen said with a lot of enthusiasm.

"Well, before either of you can do that, you'll need some breakfast," Caroline said in a motherly tone, feeling happy for her son. With that, she placed Ralts onto the table and went back into the kitchen to grab a plate of eggs and bacon for Brendan and three Oran Berries for Gwen. "Enjoy."

"Thanks, Mom!" Brendan said.

Yeah thanks! Gwen said as well, taking a bite of an Oran Berry.

"Oh, by the way, why don't you go introduce yourself to the neighbors after breakfast," Caroline said, giving Brendan a sly wink.

"I already planned on it," Brendan said cheerfully. Caroline just smiled at her son, and went back to get her own breakfast.

Within the hour, Brendan was walking to the next-door neighbor's house with Gwen on his shoulder. The house looked pretty similar to his new home, but it was a mirror image. It was a two-story Tudor style house, with some vibrant landscaping and a white picket fence.

Brendan walked up to the door, and took a deep breath before knocking loudly. Within ten seconds, the door opened, revealing a woman around Caroline's age, with dark hair and more rounded features. "Hello young man, how can I help you?" she said.

"Hi, I'm Brendan Maple. I just got to Hoenn yesterday, so I figured I would come over and introduce myself," Brendan said, sounding as confident as ever.

"You're Norman's son!" the woman said. "Please do come in!"

"Thank you, Mrs…" Brendan said, trailing off.

"Birch, Lily Birch. You can call me Lily," she said.

"Alright, thank you Lily," Brendan said as he entered her home.

Yes, thank you! Gwen said.

"And who is this?" Lily said as she noticed the Ralts on Brendan's shoulder.

"Her name is Gwen. I actually just met her this morning," he said with a chuckle.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Gwen," Lily said. "My daughter, May, should be around here somewhere. She's about your age."

"I think I saw her when we got here yesterday," Brendan said. "We waved to each other, but there wasn't a chance to talk."

"Well, she should be upstairs in her room. Go on up. It's the third door on the right. She may have earphones in, so make some noise to get her attention if you need to," Lily said.

"Thank you, Mrs. Birch," Brendan said before walking up the stairs of the Birch household. He went to the right, and surely enough, he found May's room. It had white walls, but it was covered with posters of contest stars, boy bands such as the Back Squirt Boys, and some posters for popular chick flicks. There were even a few posters featuring male gym leaders from around the world, and Brendan was shocked to come face-to-face with a picture of his own father, still labeling him as the Goldenrod Gym leader.

There was a red carpet in the center, with a blue-blanketed bed right next to it and a purple bean bag chair in the center. There was a book shelf containing some interesting titles, like Harry Delphox, and then there were crap titles, like Twilight. Beside the shelf was a computer desk, which was a bit disorganized, but similar to the layout he used.

And sitting at that desk was…nobody. The room was empty except for a single Pokéball in the center of the red carpet. Brendan was a bit curious about what was inside, so he walked over to it. Just as he got to the Pokéball, he heard a gasp at the door.

"Hi, I'm Brendan. Your mom told me I should come up and introduce my…self," Brendan said as he turned to face his new neighbor, suddenly realizing why May had gasped. She only had on a towel, and her hair was soaking wet; she must have just stepped out of the shower. At that moment, both Brendan and May turned a brighter red than radishes. "I – can wait outside," Brendan said as he averted his eyes to be polite.

"Alright…" May said through her embarrassment. She stepped into her room far enough so Brendan could leave and let her have her privacy while she got dressed.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Brendan began to mentally curse himself. That was a great first impression. Sure, I will just be randomly in your room when you come back from a shower, he thought.

Hey, don't worry about it Brendan. Gwen said in a comforting tone. There was no way you could've known that was going to happen. She could tell that you were just as embarrassed as her.

"Thanks Gwen, but it still wasn't a good first impression," Brendan said.

Are you kidding? You showed that you were polite enough to not stare at her in a towel like a perv. Gwen said with a pat to the back of Brendan's head. Besides, you've been through a really awkward situation with her. There isn't much that can compare, so I'd say you two have just made a pretty strong path toward a friendship. Brendan laughed a little bit at what Gwen said. She had a very valid point. Well, it's time to see how well she will respond to what happened.

Before Brendan could ask what Gwen meant, the door to May's bedroom opened and she came out in the same outfit from yesterday, with her hair, which was still a little damp, styled the same way. On her waist was the Pokéball that was laying on her carpet earlier. She looked directly at Brendan and flashed an apologetic smile at him.

"Hey, sorry about that," May said. "My mom has a bad habit of sending people up to my room at the least opportune times."

"Yeah, I'm sorry too. I guess I should have knocked before entering," Brendan said.

"Well, come on in and take a seat in that bean bag chair," May said, seeming to have dropped the subject and wanting to move on. Brendan did as she said, and he realized that the bean bag was probably the most comfortable he had ever sat on.

"So, let me start over. I'm Brendan Maple, and I'm your new neighbor," he said. "And this is Gwen, she just kind of appeared in my bedroom this morning."

Hello, Gwen said with a wave. I'm really glad to meet you.

May nodded. "Well I'm May Birch, and I'm really happy to meet you, Brendan," she said. "So, how do you like Hoenn?"

"I can tell you that it's a huge change from Goldenrod City in Johto," Brendan said with a laugh. May giggled with him. "But even though I've only seen Littleroot, but it's so beautiful here."

May nodded. "I'd love to travel to Johto one day and experience the culture there," she said with a slightly dreamy tone. "I've never been away from Hoenn, so I always wanted to travel the world."

Do you have any dreams? Gwen asked suddenly, catching May off-guard.

"Actually, I do," she said with a smile. "As you've probably noticed from the posters," she said, "I like performances."

"I'm guessing you want to become a coordinator," Brendan said.

"Yes, but not just an average coordinator," May said, as she seemed to have a fire burning in her eyes. "I want to become the Top Coordinator!"

Your dream is like Brendan's Gwen said.

"You want to become top coordinator?" May said with a slightly worried tone.

"Oh, no," Brendan said with a chuckle. "I actually want to become a Pokémon League Champion. It's been my dream since I was five, and since I moved before becoming a trainer there, I decided to just fulfill that dream in Hoenn."

"So, you're not a trainer yet either, huh?" May said with a sigh.

"No, Dad wanted me to finish high school first. He did it before his journey, and he wanted me to do the same," Brendan said. "I guess Professor Birch and Norman Maple have something in common."

"Yeah, they do," May said. "But you know, you're really lucky to have a Gym Leader for a parent. You probably learned so much about battling from Norman's matches."

"I never got to watch Dad's official matches. He always wanted challengers to be clear-minded and free of distractions so they could fight at their best," Brendan said. "Besides, I'd say you're even luckier to have a Pokémon professor for a father."

"You'd think, but he is constantly having me help him out with his research, either in the field or in the lab. It can be fun at times, but others can be so boring and tedious," May said.

"I guess I can sympathize," Brendan said, noticing May's eyes go wide. "What's wrong?"

"Damn it, I forgot that I was supposed to go help Dad with his research. That's why I was showering!" she said. "I'm sorry, I wish we could talk longer, but I need to get going."

"No worries," Brendan said with a smile. "But before you go, could I get your phone number?"

May flashed a dazzling smile, "Of course, I was actually about to ask the same thing," she said. She took out a pen and wrote her number on Brendan's palm before running to the door. "I'll see you around!" May said as she vanished.

Brendan was walking around Littleroot Town with Gwen on his shoulder. Gwen seemed to be ready to talk about anything, mostly random topics like food, games she liked to play, and her favorite color. Brendan talked with her to pass the time as he walked around the edge of town, and it was honestly fun talking to the little Pokémon.

Brendan was about to head home for lunch, but he stopped when he heard a loud cry coming from north of the town. He whipped around and saw that the only thing to the north was Route 101, the only road leading out of Littleroot Town. Brendan ran closer to the route, not sure whether the cry had come from a Pokémon he'd never heard of, or a person.

He got his answer when he heard a man crying out "HEEELLLP MEE!" Brendan didn't give it a second thought as he ran down the path, which opened into a large clearing. There, he saw a rather peculiar sight. There was a man, about the same age and height as his father, wearing a white lab coat over a v-neck shirt and khaki shorts. He also wore sandals, which were slightly fashionable, but nothing Brendan would be caught dead wearing. He had brown hair, the same shade as May's, with a chin-strap beard. What was really strange about the situation, though, was that this man was being chased by two little grey dog-like Pokémon with black muzzles. On the ground a short distance away from this strange scene was a yellow and orange bag, which looked like it belonged to a field researcher.

The man noticed Brendan as he was being chased. "Hey, there are some Pokémon in my bag, use one and help me out!" he called out. While Brendan was sure that those dogs were not a serious threat, looking as strong as Rattatas. Despite the slight comedic value of the scene, he decided to help the professor out. Brendan ran forward, quickly rummaging through the bag, and finding three Pokéballs. Without thinking, Brendan grabbed the one on his left and he threw it and it released a green gecko-like Pokémon.

"Treecko!" it said, and it looked directly at Brendan. Gwen also leapt from Brendan's shoulder, ready to battle.

You'll need both of us to win this! Gwen said. By the way, this is Clint, he's a Treecko, and he's a grass-type. Our opponents are Poochyena. They're dark types, Gwen said. As for me, well you know I am a Ralts, so I am both psychic and fairy types.

"Thanks Gwen. Clint, I know you don't know me, but I need your help. Will you work with me?" Brendan asked. Clint nodded and turned toward the Poochyena, who had stopped their pursuit of their original target so they could face this new challenge. "Alright, Gwen, use Disarming Voice! Clint, use Pound!" Brendan said. He had just given his first commands as a Pokémon trainer.

Gwen gave a piercing call that caused both Poochyena to stagger and lose focus. This left them both open to Treecko's attack as he hit both of them with his tail. That was all it took for the two Pokémon to run off yipping with their tails between their legs.

"Great job you two, and thank you for helping me out Clint," Brendan said.

"Treecko-tree," the wood gecko said with a polite nod as Brendan returned him to his Pokéball.

"Whew, thank you for that young man. I was caught off-guard when those two Poochyena attacked," the older man said as he approached Brendan. Gwen had already teleported herself onto Brendan's shoulder.

"It was no problem," Brendan said. "Just trying to help out."

"I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself," the man said as he extended his hand. "I am Professor Edmund Birch."

"Oh, you're May's dad!" Brendan said. "My name is Brendan Maple."

"Oh, Norman's son. You look just like him. May was talking about you before she went up to route 103," Prof. Birch said. "But, this is no place to talk, please walk with me to my lab." The professor picked up his bag, placed the two remaining Pokéballs inside, and he turned to leave.

"Wait, professor. Don't you want your Treecko back?" Brendan asked.

"Actually, I think Clint would be better off in your hands," Birch said as he began to walk away. "The way you battled made it seem like you two were meant for each other."

Brendan looked at the Pokéball and shrugged. He wasn't going to deny that he'd worked well with Clint, so he figured that training him to be even stronger would be a great idea. "By the way, Professor," Brendan said as he ran to catch up. "What Pokémon were in the other Pokéballs, if you don't mind me asking."

"The others were the fire and water starters of the Hoenn region. The fire type is Torchic. The water type is Mudkip," Birch said cheerfully.

"So Treecko is the grass-type starter," Brendan concluded.

"Exactly," Birch said. "I'd tell you more about them all, but I think that you'd prefer to figure that out on your own." Brendan looked at Professor Birch in some confusion. "Your father told me that you were about to begin your journey before you moved here," Birch said. Brendan nodded. He should have known that Norman would help him get his journey started.

Hey, Mr. Professor Birch! Gwen said, earning a chuckle from Birch.

"I'm sorry, I didn't even notice you. Who might you be, little Ralts?" the professor said with a smile.

I'm Gwen. Brendan and I are going to become the strongest trainer and Pokémon in the world! Gwen said with unbridled enthusiasm.

"Hehe, you have some lofty goals," Professor Birch said as he reached into his pocket. "You know, since you two are going to be traveling together, and Treecko's Pokéball is the only one that Brendan currently has, you will need to be officially caught before you can pursue that goal." He pulled out one Pokéball and what looked like a holster for six Pokéballs. He handed both to Brendan, who graciously accepted them. He attached the holster to his belt and held the extra Pokéball out for Gwen, who slapped the button happily, she went inside and was captured without a fight. Brendan immediately let her out, as he promised her earlier when they made their pact yesterday.

They made it to Professor Birch's laboratory shortly after the battle. When the professor got to the door he held his hand out to Brendan. "Thank you once again for your help," he said.

"No problem," Brendan said, shaking the professor's hand.

Professor Birch then seemed to get a great idea. "You know, I think you should go meet with May out on route 103, just north of here through Oldale Town. She's been helping me with research and she got her first Pokémon a few days ago. You two would make great training partners since you're the same age and are about the same in experience level."

"That sounds like a great idea," Brendan said without hesitation. He was actually hoping to see May more often. Additionally, he got the benefit of his first battle with another trainer.

"Just be ready for a tough battle. May is pretty strong considering she's had her Pokémon for only a few days," Professor Birch said.

"Thanks, see you around Professor," Brendan said as he ran to Route 101.

About half an hour later, Brendan had made it to Oldale Town, which was about the same size as Littleroot Town, but it had both a red-roofed Pokémon Center and a blue-roofed PokéMart. As he walked into town, he saw a man in an orange apron walking toward him.

"Hello sir, do you mind if I take a moment of your time?" the man said.

"I'm not too busy, so why not," Brendan said.

"I'm an employee of that PokéMart over there," he explained as he held out a spray bottle. "On behalf of the PokéMart Corporation, please take this free sample Potion, and remember to come to us for all your needs while you travel," he said, clearly using a practiced and scripted pitch.

"Thank you, I will," Brendan said placing the potion into his pocket as he ran off through town.

Hey, what's that guy doing over there? Gwen said, pointing toward a man scribbling in a notebook while he was crouched close to the ground of a path that led west. Brendan walked over to the man and noticed that he was making a sketch.

"Excuse me, are you okay?" Brendan said.

"STOP! Watch your step. I just discovered the footprints of a rare Pokémon, so I'm drawing a sketch," he said, blocking the path and ushering Brendan back into the town.

Brendan looked at the ground behind the man, noticing that the footprints had tread patterns from a boot, and the man just so happened to be wearing boots with that same pattern. "Alright. Uhh, you have fun with that," he said. Brendan and Gwen waited until they were out of ear shot before they burst out laughing.

That man's an idiot! Gwen said.

"I know. How did he not realize they're his footprints?" Brendan said through laughs. When they both stopped laughing, Brendan and Gwen continued moving north toward Route 103.

Soon, they were walking on Route 103. From where they stood, it offered a gorgeous view of a massive volcanic mountain in the distance. Closer to them was a small pond covered in greenery. In front of the pond was May, kneeling on the ground with a notebook, writing something intently.

"May!" Brendan called out, catching the girl's attention as he approached. May, however seemed oblivious. When Brendan got closer, he noticed that she had earbuds in, and she was talking to herself as she wrote.

"The Pokémon found on route 103 include…" she said. Brendan tapped her on her shoulder as she said that, causing her to jump almost a mile into the air, pulling out her earbuds and turning around to Brendan. "Arceus, don't do that to me Brendan!" she said with a slight laugh in her voice, hitting Brendan lightly on the shoulder.

"Hey, I called your name. Your music must have been too loud," Brendan said in a joking tone.

When May finally calmed down, she smiled at Gwen. "And how have you been?" she asked.

I'm great, Brendan caught me and he got a Treecko from Professor Birch!

"Did he, now?" May said with an intrigued tone. "Let me guess, Dad suggested that you come and battle with me to get us both started."

"That's right," Brendan said as he grabbed Treecko's Pokéball from his belt. "So, what do you say? Are you up for it?"

"You bet I am!" May said with enthusiasm as she grabbed a single Pokéball from her own belt.

"Go Clint!" Brendan called out, releasing his Treecko.

"Go, Miranda!" May called out. The Pokémon that came out of the ball was a short, orange chick.

"So, that's a Torchic?" Brendan asked, using logic to figure it out.

"Yep, the fire starter of the Hoenn region," May said confidently.

Hey, Brendan, I wanted to battle! Gwen said.

"Sorry Gwen, but this is going to be a battle between Pokémon we got from Professor Birch," Brendan said. While Gwen was still a bit peeved, she understood.

"Alright, let's begin!" May said.