More Than Friends

Brendan and May walked side-by-side, with Gwen standing on Brendan's shoulder as they continued through the dense forest. It was getting late in the day when they came across a man wearing a business suit and holding a nice briefcase, looking out of place. "Ah, not a one to be found," he said. He then turned to Brendan and May, and approached them with a smile. "Hello," he said in a pleasant tone.

"Good evening," Brendan said. "Can we help you with something?"

"It's nothing important, I was just wondering if either of you had seen a Shroomish. I'm really fond of that Pokémon," he said.

"Sorry, we haven't," May said.

"Ah well, I guess I won't be finding one today," he said. As soon as he said that, two people, a man and a woman, in matching outfits leapt from the trees. They both wore a black bandana with what looked like a dis-figured "A" on the front. Their shirts were horizontally striped blue and white, they wore black gloves and a black sash around their waists. The woman's shorts barely went halfway down her thighs, and they were cut in a zigzagging pattern. The man was wearing jeans with a similar cut pattern, but they went to his ankles. Lastly, both wore blue and white striped socks and black shoes with blue accents.

"Well, we were going to ambush you, but you had to dawdle around here all day," the man said. The business man seemed to jump out of his skin as he turned toward the duo.

"Wh-what do you two want?" he asked in a panic.

"For starters, we want the documents from your company," the woman scoffed, her tone making it sound as if that should be completely obvious.

May looked at Brendan and Gwen, her eyes asking "What will we do?"

We will stop them; we can't let this go on! Gwen said to Brendan and May only.

"You're right," Brendan said. "So, Gwen, do you want to lead this battle?"

Actually, I think this one should go to Nikki. She should learn how you battle as soon as possible Gwen said.

"Yeah, you're right," Brendan said as he grabbed Nikki's Pokéball.

"I'll be starting with Lily," May said.

"Alright, you ready?" Brendan said.

"Hey, you two, please help me," the business begged Brendan and May.

"You got it," May said as she and Brendan stepped between him and the two goons.

"You two are honestly going to try protecting this idiot?" the man said. When neither Brendan nor May wavered, he shook his head. "Whatever, it's your funeral. It's time for you two to experience a world of hurt, delivered by none other than Team Aqua!"

"We will see about that, won't we?" Brendan said. "Let's go Nikki!"

"Lily, come on out!" May said. Both Pokéballs opened and released the sloth and butterfly.

"Go Sal," the male Aqua said as he let out a Poochyena.

"You too Danni," the female Aqua said as she let out a Poochyena of her own.

"Alright, Nikki, let's start things off with a Scratch attack on Sal," Brendan said.

"Lily, use Gust on Danni!" May called out. Nikki stood up and ran at Sal, swinging her clawed hand across his face; at the same time, Lily began beating her wings rapidly, sending powerful winds at Danni." Both of the Poochyena stumbled backwards as they were hit by the brunt of the attacks.

"Sal, use Howl!" the man said. The Poochyena began to howl, and that howling created a crimson glow from the little dog, indicating an increase of his attacking power.

"Danni, you use Growl," the woman Aqua. The female Poochyena gave a guttural growl, this caused both Lily and Nikki to glow a dark purple for a few seconds, indicating a loss of attack power.

"Nikki, use Yawn on Sal!" Brendan said, hoping to put Sal to sleep. Nikki did as she was told, yawning just enough to make Sal yawn as well.

"Lily, you use Poison Sting on Danni!" May called out. Lily's long mouth uncurled and she spat a single barb covered in purple toxins at the little dog. The barb hit her on her side and stuck where it was. Danni took on a vibrant, violet color, and lightning of the same color coursed through her fur. It was clear that she had been dealt a poisoned status condition.

"Danni, use Tackle on that Slakoth!" the woman said. Danni ran toward Nikki at a pretty high speed.

"Nikki, use Scratch to stop that Tackle!" Brendan countered. Nikki raised her right arm slowly, or maybe quickly for her. Then, just as Brendan was sure Danni would land a hit, Nikki's claws swiped across the dog's face hard, sending it flying. When she hit the ground, her poisoning acted up again. Her entire body lit up with a violet glow and she yelped in pain shortly before going silent and passing out. The woman recalled her Poochyena with a grimace.

"That's one down, one more to go," May said. "Now, Lily, use Gust one more time!" Lily began beating her wings rapidly, sending powerful winds at Sal, who was thrown against a tree from the force of the wind, and he passed out as well.

"Shit! How could we lose?" the man said as he recalled his own Poochyena. He turned to face Brendan and May and growled at them. "Alright, you two, battle us again."

"You dumbass, we're both out of Pokémon!" the woman yelled at her partner. "Besides, we already have an operation going on in Rustboro, this is really an inconsequential job."

"Yeah, you're right," the man said as he calmed down. "You two brats better not cross Team Aqua, or you won't live to regret it." With that, the two thugs left Brendan and May with the businessman.

"Oh thank Arceus you two were here," the man said. "If they had taken my documents, then I would have lost my job for sure."

"It was no problem at all. We weren't going to watch somebody get robbed," Brendan said.

"Well, either way, take these as my thank you," he said as he pulled out two Pokéballs, but they both had a blue top with red protrusions at the top. "These are Great Balls, they have a better catch rate than normal Pokéballs, so they should be very helpful to you in your travels."

"Oh, wow, thank you sir," May said.

"It's the least I can do," he said before falling silent briefly. Then his eyes went wide. "Shit, they said that they were going after something in Rustboro. It's a crisis." With that, the businessman left in a full sprint going north.

"Oh boy, something tells me that we haven't seen the last of those Team Aqua thugs," Brendan said.

"What makes you say that?" May said.

"You know about Team Rocket, right?" Brendan asked.

"Yeah, they're a criminal organization from the Kanto and Johto regions. Weren't they just forced to disband by that new Indigo League champion, Red?"

"Yes, exactly," Brendan said. "The story is pretty famous in Johto now. Apparently, Red stopped Team Rocket in Mt. Moon as they were trying to poach Pokémon and steal fossils, and after that one time, he was practically dragged into a practical war against them until he caused them to disband."

"So, what does that story have to do with us?" May asked.

"Well, we just stopped a Team Aqua assault, the same situation might easily apply to us now," Brendan said.

"Let's hope that's not the case for us," May said. "Now come on, I want to get to Rustboro soon."

"I hate to break it to you, but it's a bit late. We may need to camp in the forest tonight," Brendan said.

"Well, I can't cook," May said. "But I can easily pitch a tent and start a fire."

Yeah, and I'm no chef either, Gwen said.

"Well, you're in luck. I learned how to cook when I was eleven, and I've only gotten better with time," Brendan said.

"Do you happen to have any cooking materials with you?"

"I brought a wok and a ladle. As for food, I have a myriad of berries and spices from the Petalburg Market."

Well, I guess a berry stew could work. Were you thinking sweet, savory, or spicy? Gwen asked.

"I was going to go for a mildly spicy combination. How about a mixture of Oran, Pecha, Cheri, and a light amount of Tamato Berry?"

"That sounds pretty good," May said. "I can get the fire started, then put up the tent while you begin prepare the meal."

"Sounds good," Brendan said as he set down his bag and took out his wok and ladle as well as a small knife and a bag of berries.

I'll get us some firewood! Gwen said. An instant later, a pile of twigs, leaves, and split logs appeared out of nowhere.

"W-where did you get all this?" Brendan asked.

We're in a forest, I just picked out what was on the ground, Gwen said with an innocent look.

"Alright, if you say so," Brendan said. "Gwen, can you stay with May while I fetch some water?"

Of course! I really could use some more girl time today, Gwen said as she leapt down from his shoulders. Hey May, need some help?

"Yes, as a matter of fact," May said as she placed rocks around a pile of logs and kindling. "Can you please set up the tent for me?"

No problem. Gwen's red horns began to glow a light blue as the nylon and poles levitated into place with little to no effort. Then the stakes were thrown into the ground, keeping the tent in place. Done!

"Thanks a lot Gwen, you're such a big help," May said with a smile as the fire lit began to blaze to life.

"Hey! Looks like you have both been busy," Brendan said as he returned with his wok partially filled with clean water.

"Oh we have, you ready to get cooking?" May asked.

He'd better be, I'm getting hungry! Gwen said.

"I'm about to start," Brendan said as he sat down to cut the berries and mix them into the wok. He cut up three Oran, Cheri, and Pecha berries each, then about half of a Tamato Berry before putting the wok over the flames and letting it simmer and cook. As the meal was cooked, Brendan mixed in spices and stirred the soup, which began to smell absolutely amazing.

Brendan, come on! I can't take the smell anymore! Gwen said. Is it ready yet?

"Just about," Brendan said as he pulled out multiple bowls and spoons from his bag. He filled the bowls with the soup and passed two of them to May and Gwen, then he let out Clint and Nikki and gave them each their own bowl. May followed suit, letting out Lily, Graham, and Miranda, and gave them some of the soup. "I hope it turned out well."

May was the first to taste Brendan's meal and she was astounded. It was the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, and there was even a hint of cinnamon. "This is really good," she said. "I can't wait to taste your other recipes."

Brendan smiled. "Thanks, it's great getting compliments on my cooking," he said.

Gwen tried it next and just shrugged. Eh, I've had better. She said with a devious look on her face.

"So you love it, and you just want to mess with me, is that about right?" Brendan asked.

Damn it, you already know me too well, Gwen said with a slight giggle. But seriously, I'm glad you're my trainer, and your cooking is about ninety percent of the reason why.

"Thanks Gwen," Brendan said as he ate his soup. They sat around the fire for a few hours, eating their fill and sharing fond memories. After their meal and the clean-up, which involved Graham using Water Gun to clean the wok and bowls, the two trainers had all their Pokémon except Gwen return to their Pokéballs and began preparing for bed.

"Alright, Brendan, do you mind changing first, so I don't have to stand in the cold after I change?"

Brendan smiled. "Sure," he said as he got into the tent, Gwen staying by the fire, almost falling asleep, but forcing herself to stay awake a bit longer. Within minutes, Brendan emerged from the tent wearing a simple t-shirt and athletic shorts, with his hat off.

"Huh, you know, I don't think I have ever actually seen you without your hat on," May said, a look of…well we'll just call it interest…on her face. She walked past and ran her fingers through his hair. "I like it." With that, she zipped up the tent and began disrobing and getting into her concert t-shirt and her short shorts.

She likes you, by the way, Gwen said.

"Thanks Gwen, but I kind of figured that out already," Brendan said quietly.

Well, ask her out!

"I'll do it before we get to Rustboro."

I'm holding you to that.

"Fine, but don't mention this to May. I want to surprise her."

"Hey Brendan, you're okay to come into the tent!" May said.

"Alright," Brendan said as he unzipped the tent flap and entered with Gwen on his shoulder. May sat on her sleeping bag with her knees pulled up to her chest, and she looked happy. Brendan laid down on his side on his sleeping bag while Gwen leapt to the space between the two trainers.

"So, May, I have a question for you," Brendan said.

"What's up?" May said.

"Are you really a fan of the Chandelures?"

"Yeah, they're my favorite band. I actually was sitting in the front row at the concert that I got this shirt at."

"Sweet, I've never had the chance to go to any of their concerts. They are actually going to be in Goldenrod in about five months, and had I not moved here, I definitely would have been there."

"I actually went to their Slateport concert three months ago. I can tell you that it was incredible."

"Wow, that's pretty cool. Maybe we can go to one of their concerts together while we're on our journey."

"Either that, or we can do it once we finish our journeys as a way to celebrate our accomplishments."

Brendan smiled. "I like your idea better," he said. "What do you think, Gwen?"

Well, I have never even heard of the Chandelures, but I'd be willing to go with you both.

"Great to hear," May said with a smile. She then crawled into her sleeping bag and laid down on her back. "Now I have a question for you, Brendan."

"Hit me," Brendan said.

"Have you ever dated anybody?"

Brendan was caught off guard by the suddenness of the question. "Well, I wasn't expecting that question so quickly after we met," he said with a slight chuckle. "No, I never dated anybody. The only girl I could even consider anything close to a girlfriend was a girl named Lyra from Cherrygrove City, and that wasn't much more than a high school crush. Besides, she had eyes for the shadiest kid in the school, his name was Silver," he said.

"I see, but how was that Silver kid shady?" May asked.

"Nobody could really prove anything, but the rumor was that his father is Giovanni, the boss of Team Rocket."

"Wow, that sucks for him."

"I don't think so; he was a complete jackass too. He always talked about how 'weak' Pokémon were worthless. On top of that, he would always pick on my younger cousin, Ethan."

"What a prick."

"Yeah, but Silver dropped out of school a while ago, and Ethan is doing really well. He just started high school, and he's already got a girlfriend named Kris."

"Well, I think Ethan will do really well for himself when he starts his journey."

"Yeah he should," Brendan said with a smile. "Anyway, what about you; have you ever dated anybody?"

"No, there hasn't been anybody I've really seen that way," she said. Until now, but I think I've been throwing you strong enough signals to make that obvious.

"So it looks like we've both been single all our lives."

"Yeah, that unfortunately seems to be the case."

"Alright, then I propose a pact. Let's both agree to be dating somebody before this journey is over," Brendan said.

Need my help with your plan, Gwen asked Brendan, excluding May from this conversation.

Sure, but nothing too weird, Brendan said back.

I hear you loud and clear.

"I think that's a great idea," May said as she extended her hand toward Brendan. "Want to shake on it?"

Brendan gave May a gentle, but firm handshake and a smile. "It's an agreement."

"Well, I am going to get some sleep, so goodnight. I will see you two in the morning," May said.

"Alright, goodnight to both of you," Brendan said.

Good night, Gwen said.

The next morning, Brendan began to stir awake, but he was stopped by the fact that his arm was wrapped around what felt like another sleeping bag. Given that there was only one other sleeping bag in the tent, he didn't need to be a genius to figure out who his arm was draped over. On top of that, he was in a spooning position with May. Gwen, what did you do?

Oh, hey you're awake. Well, I just moved your bodies together once you were both sound asleep.

Why did you put us in this particular position?

I put you two into multiple positions, and that was the one that caused both of you to be happier. Plus, it's a position that can cause increased affections between the people involved.

You'd better be right about this. Brendan said as he began to roll onto his side, but he was stopped when May's hand grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

"Where do you think you're going?" she said.

"Uh, I was, uh, just about to wake up," Brendan replied.

"Nope, that's not allowed until I say so. So stay right where you are."

Brendan was blushing wildly. "Wow, so you're okay with this?"

"Yes, I am very okay with it. You know, you weren't really good at hiding the fact that you like me as more than just a friend."

"I was that obvious?" Brendan said.

"That, and Gwen has been feeding me information," May said.

Way to rat me out, May!

"He was going to find out eventually, besides, I'd rather not lie to him," May said.

Fine, but it's still not cool.

"So, I guess this means that the feeling is mutual. So, what does this make us now?"

May rolled over so she was face-to-face with Brendan. "Maybe this will answer your question," she said as she leaned in and softly kissed Brendan on the lips.

When they broke contact, Brendan knew the answer. "So, we're dating now. Deep down, I knew that moving to Hoenn would be the greatest thing that ever happened to me."

"And it seems that our pact last night is already fulfilled," May said. "That was quick."

"So, are you ready to start the day and get to Rustboro?" Brendan asked.

"I think so, but I may need something to get me moving," May replied. The two trainers left their sleeping bags and prepared for the day.

Gwen walked out of the tent and she picked a fresh Pecha Berry from a nearby tree and sat to enjoy her breakfast. Getting two people to start down a beautiful path of love: all in a day's work for the great Gwen!