The Pacifidlog Dream
Brendan woke up slowly two days later, as he and May were traveling by ferry to Pacifidlog town, where May could get her fifth and final ribbon before she could compete in the grand festival. May was beside him, sound asleep and was wearing only a pair of panties and a bra, while Brendan wore only a pair of boxers. They weren't touching this time, but it was still good to be so close to each other. Gwen was over in the other bed still asleep, so Brendan decided that now was a good time to order some room service for everyone. He got out of bed and picked up the phone, dialing for the kitchen and ordering enough omelets, Pecha and Razz Berry smoothies, and home fried potatoes for himself, May, Gwen, and all the rest of their Pokémon. They deserved that type of treat after all they had been through.
When he finished placing the order, Brendan casually looked around the cabin, that Steven had booked for them as additional thanks for their help with Kyogre and Groudon. It was a massive room easily big enough to hold all their Pokémon at once. It was impressive to say the least, and the view from the balcony was typically amazing. So, to pass the time before the food arrived, he put on some shorts and a t-shirt, grabbed a bottle of water, and sat down on the Adirondack chairs outside, enjoying the ocean air. He could even see the Sky Pillar from where they were, albeit it was still far away. From that information, Brendan figured they had at least a few more hours before getting to their destination. "This is what a journey should be. No fighting to save the world, just being with the ones I love, and continuing to get stronger for no better reason than to have fun and bond with my team," he said. As he said that, he felt a pair of hands cover his eyes as his vision went black.
"Guess who!" May said, sounding cheerful and well-rested.
"Hmm…Is it Gwen?" Brendan said, clearly joking. May giggled and moved her hands to his cheeks to tilt his head toward her. She then gave Brendan a sweet kiss before sitting down next to him. "Did you sleep well?"
We both did, thank you for asking, Gwen said as she came out onto the balcony as well, sitting on the third chair as well.
"Gwen, I know what you're thinking and feeling. I always know when you sleep well," Brendan said, with a sly smile.
"Well, I slept like a rock. It's always comforting with you next to me," May said with a smile.
"I'm really glad to hear it. Seems that our lives are back to normal after all," Brendan said. He took another deep breath, enjoying the breeze in his hair, when a knock came from the door. "And that is perfect timing."
Brendan went inside the cabin briefly before coming back out with the tray provided for their meals, and set it all down before May and Gwen. "My treat."
"Wow, Brendan, you didn't have to get these for us," May said happily.
"Oh, but I wanted to get it for you," Brendan said. "Why wouldn't I treat my beautiful women to a great meal?"
May blushed. "Damn, you're so flirty for the morning."
Brendan smiled. "I plan to do even more flirty later today too."
Oh, just stop before I throw up, Gwen teased.
Brendan just laughed as he sent out his other Pokémon, May doing the same thing, so they could all have their breakfast. Brendan gave all the Pokémon their food, and they all began to enjoy their meals. All of the Pokémon were extremely pleased and they all ate quickly, thoroughly enjoying their delicious meals, just as Brendan and May did the same. May was almost giving a face Brendan had learned intimately while in Steven's personal wing of the Sootopolis Pokémon Center, and Brendan couldn't blame her. The food was exquisite, and it had superb flavor.
"Brendan, you just love to spoil us, don't you?" May said. She was blushing deeply at this point. Brendan just smiled and winked. That was when Drake and Avery began a game of tag in the air around the ship, playing cutely and causing a few passengers on the main deck below to start filming. Just from that, Brendan knew it would be a great day. Hell, it might even be smooth sailing from now on.
By about three in the afternoon, they made landfall, getting to Pacifidlog Island quickly. It was a small island with a few of the homes practically floating on the ocean to protect the reef while the city expanded. It was a beautiful location, looking like the most tropical area in the entire region, which was saying a lot for the Hoenn region, all things considered.
They got to the Pokémon Center easily enough, finding it at the center of the town next to what Brendan assumed was the contest hall for the city. It wasn't until they got inside that they saw someone that they had been missing for the past month. "Lisia!" May said as she ran forward, giving her friend and mentor a tight hug.
Lisia looked shocked at the sudden hug, but that changed quickly to a mixture of fear, worry, and happiness. "Oh, my Arceus, where have you three been? May, you missed the Sootopolis contest, and the next thing I know I see you three on the news in Sootopolis less than a week after!"
May laughed a bit awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head. "Yeah, about that…it's…kind of a long story," she said.
Lisia just pulled May along with her to a private room, followed closely by Brendan and Gwen. "Alright, it sounded like it wasn't a story just anybody should know, so spill. Tell me exactly what happened and don't skimp on the details," the eccentric coordinator said.
May nodded as she got into the story, describing it as best she could while Brendan filled in the details of what happened while May wasn't with him. All throughout the experience, Lisia looked more than intrigued, and even appeared to be slightly terrified at some points. May, however, left out the part about the engagement for the main story, wanting to save that for the last detail she told her friend.
"Wow, I…I don't know how you two are still sane after that," Lisia asked.
"Well, to be honest, I almost lost my sanity without May," Brendan said, feeling a bit ashamed of himself for how far he had almost gone multiple times. While he had acted to help the woman he loved, it had nearly been at the cost of who he was as a person.
"But you didn't…it makes me wonder if you two had something else happen that you aren't telling me," Lisia said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I didn't get a chance to get the ring from Fallarbor yet, but May and I decided to get engaged," Brendan said.
Lisia almost squealed with excitement as she hugged May. "Congratulations you two. You must be so excited!"
"That's an understatement," May said with just as much giddiness as Lisia was showing. "Honestly, I had no idea that he would do that at the time, in all honesty. But I know for sure that he's the one for me."
"That's so sweet! When's the wedding?" she asked.
"It won't be for a few more years now, since we agreed we're both still a bit young for marriage," Brendan said.
Lisia nodded in understanding. "Makes sense. You don't want to marry before you're ready, but it must be nice to know that you love somebody so much this early on," she said. She gave May one last hug before deciding to talk business. "Have you gotten any training for this contest's routine?"
"Honestly, no. Being held captive by Team Aqua kind of interfered with that," May said.
"Well, then you should know that this is a doubles contest. You'll have two Pokémon at once for both the performance and the battle," Lisia said. "Think you can handle that?"
May just smirked and held out her hand jokingly. "Hi, my name is May, it seems we haven't met." Lisia just rolled her eyes and laughed.
Brendan looked at Gwen as the two coordinators began to get lost in the strategic planning for this contest. Well, another sign of returning to normalcy, Brendan thought.
"Welcome one and all to the final contest before the Grand Festival, The Pacifidlog Town Extravaganza!" Vivian Meridian said happily. The entire crowd lost it with excitement as she began to introduce the judges, all of whom were pretty much the same as they had been in the other contests.
Brendan, Lisia, and Gwen all sat in the best seating in the massive contest hall that surrounded the stage like in a colosseum. The architecture was a lot like Juan's gym, but it was made from concrete rather than marble and there were no statues around the building. It's really nice here. I honestly really like Orre architecture. Can we please visit there some day? Gwen asked Brendan.
Sure, but that may need to wait for a few years as well. It's not going to be a cheap trip. Plus, Orre is a massive desert, there's not much really there.
"Now, please give it up for our first contestant! She missed our last contest in Sootopolis, but she's back again! It's May Birch!" Vivian said.
May walked out onto the stage, wearing a new outfit made by Lisia's personal stylist. It looked almost like Gwen's dress, but it was a pearlescent pink, and her hair had a lot of blue highlights in it, at least only for this contest. She then took out her two Pokéballs. "Come on out, Miranda and Graham." Both the Blaziken and the Pelipper appeared out of their Pokéballs and they looked enthusiastic.
"Now, Miranda, Graham, you both know what to do!" May said. The two Pokémon nodded and leapt into action, Miranda starting a Fire Spin, and Graham using Hydro Pump. Both attacks flew at each other, but rather than collide and erupt into steam, the attacks swirled together, making a cyclone of fire and water, showing a beautiful swirling of color. One could even interpret it as a metaphor for two opposites coming together to make something beautiful. At least, that was how it looked until the two Pokémon redirected their aim. It then formed a heart of water with flames in the center, making it look like an embodiment of passion. Graham then fired an Ice Beam, freezing the water on the outside of the fiery heart, making it a true combination of opposites. That was Miranda's cue as she lit the ice on fire with a weaker Flamethrower, intentionally keeping the heat lower. The attack caused the ice to melt slowly. It was clear to Brendan that May was making a metaphor meant for him. She was telling him that her love for him would keep getting stronger until the very end. The flames did their job, dissipating once the ice had melted. That was May's cue to take a bow, which Graham and Miranda both copied The judges seemed to love it as well, giving her a perfect score as the crowd thoroughly agreed with their applause.
"I think May has something on her mind with this performance," Lisia said with a smile as she looked over at Brendan. "She's really excited about marrying you, you know that, right?"
"Oh, she's shown that a few times recently," Brendan said.
Yeah, sometimes it was really physical. I even think she took him for a ride, Gwen said shamelessly.
"Arceus, Gwen," Brendan said, trying to keep his voice down as he watched the next coordinator, who used a Machamp with a Rhyperior. Lisia was blushing heavily at Gwen's comment.
"S-so, was it…ummm…good?" Lisia asked, clearly not sure what else to say in response, and that her question was just the first to come to mind.
They've done it almost every other night since they got engaged, Gwen said.
"Seriously, Gwen, cool it," Brendan said. Gwen just giggled.
What's the problem? I'm only speaking to you and Lisia. She's one of May's best friends, after all, so I doubt she wouldn't have found out soon.
Lisia seemed to look away innocently and scratched, secretly having planned to ask May about that subject later tonight. Brendan turned his attention back to the next performer to try and end that conversation. The Pokémon being used currently were a Scizor and a Milotic to great effect, but Brendan could tell that this contest was going to be a repeat of the Lilycove Contest. May was clearly the best in this pool of coordinators.
Two more performances later, and it was time for the battle rounds. Brendan sat back in his seat and watched as May, Miranda, and Graham cut through their competition like a hot knife through butter. The last battle arrived quickly, with May facing off against a girl, named Rachel who looked about seventeen, and she used a Typhlosion, named Wanda and a Gallade, named Eddard, to combat Miranda and Graham.
"Alright, Miranda, use Shadow Claw on Eddard. Graham, you use Hydro Pump on Wanda!" May called out. Miranda's talons began to glow with a black and purple light as she leapt at Eddard, while Graham fired a torrent of water at Wanda.
"Wanda, use Solar Beam to counter that Hydro Pump. Gallade, use Psycho Cut to counter the Shadow Claw!" Rachel commanded. Graham and Wanda both fired, and their attacks collided, the two Pokémon vying for dominance. Miranda and Eddard, however, began battling and dodging with apparent ease, making it look like they were in a dance as Miranda ducked and weaved before lunging and slashing at Eddard. The four Pokémon all seemed to be in their own world of battle as they dodged, dove, ducked, dipped, and dodged all the attacks sent their way.
It was actually quite a beautiful display, but there was no doubt in Brendan's mind that May would win this. That thought was just affirmed when May called off Graham's attack.
"Graham, dodge that Solar Beam and use Hurricane!" she called. Graham twirled in the air as the attack flew by. He then beat his wings and got both Gallade and Typhlosion in a tornado, making them tumble around inside, doing damage to them as he went. The buzzer sounded as Rachel's score hit zero, and Graham stopped his attack. Wanda and Eddard both landed well, but they looked disappointed in themselves for the loss. Hell, even Brendan kind of felt bad for them. They looked like they had worked hard, but they just didn't pull through in the end. May walked over to her competitor and thanked her for the great battle. The audience began to applaud loudly.
"There you have it, May Birch has earned her fifth ribbon, qualifying her for the Grand Festival, which will be in Slateport City in three weeks. That means it will be exactly one month before the Pokémon League Tournament. See you all there!" Vivian said.
"So…May," Lisia started as she and May were both getting ready to go to bed in Lisia's hotel suite, which she had offered to share with Brendan, May, and Gwen. "I was wondering about how things are going between you and Brendan."
"How do you mean?" May asked.
"You know…is he 'performing' well for you?" Lisia said, her blush very deep by now.
May whipped her head around to face her friend with a blush deeper than Lisia's. "Who told you that we…" she stopped. "Damn it, Gwen!"
Sorry, I knew she'd ask! Gwen's voice sounded in May's head.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped now," May said as she shook her head and chortled. "Yeah, he's amazing, and he seems to know exactly how to turn me on quickly. Why do you ask, though?"
Lisia looked away for a moment, blushing more than before. "I haven't gotten any action in years. Perhaps…I could join you two one of these days?" she sounded like she wasn't expecting May to agree. There was a moment of silence as May contemplated the question.
"Personally, I have no problems with it, but I'll need to ask Brendan about it first," May said.
Lisia practically leapt onto May, hugging her with as much force as when May threw herself at Brendan. "Thanks May, you have no idea how much I've needed a good ride."
"It's no problem, trust me, I know that pain all too well. I can't tell you how much I'd wanted it from him since our first time in the Lavaridge hot springs," May said. "I just hope that we can satisfy you when the time comes. How about we share him on the way to the Grand Festival?"
"Sounds like a great idea. Just make sure you give it your all once we get there. Can't have my protégé losing in the biggest contest of the year," Lisia said.
"Well, if Grace will be there, then I will have to out-perform her too," May said.
"By the way, I should tell you something about that," Lisia said. May looked at her curiously. "I'm actually going to be competing in the Grand Festival. As the top coordinator of Hoenn, I need to be there as the true test of the newcomers."
"Then we'll be facing each other in the final contest." May seemed confident as she said that, but she was nervous deep down. Lisia, not only one of her best friends but her mentor, was now set to be her opponent. She wasn't sure how to handle that information, but she knew that she would need to begin training and figuring out her routine for the final contest by tomorrow at the latest. And to really impress these judges, she would need to make the performance even better than her already high standard.
Brendan was barely tired from the day's events as he relaxed in bed. "Well, Gwen, it seems that our journey in Hoenn is almost finished. Just May's festival, then the League. And, if we're lucky, I'll go up against the Elite Four," he said. Gwen was on the other bed in the room, and she just looked at Brendan slightly.
Yeah, it's hard to believe that was only about a year ago that we just started. So much has happened since then that it feels like a lifetime ago, she said.
"And to think, it landed me the most beautiful woman in the entire region," he said. "I'm not sure I could get any luckier."
Well, you may get even luckier on our way to Slateport, Gwen said quietly.
"Wait, what was that?" Brendan asked.
Nothing you won't find out about soon enough, Gwen said as she fell asleep. Brendan shrugged slightly as he began to unknowingly fall asleep. When May came in from the bathroom, she just rested her head on Brendan's chest, wearing only a blue, Chandelures concert shirt and some ruby red panties.
"Good night, my love. Dream about me, please," she said, kissing his cheek before falling asleep herself.
Well, that's it for now. I know it was a short chapter, especially for the contests, but since Grace isn't there as May's rival and one of the few who can match her in terms of skill, the choice was either have her struggle in this one, or I could make it easy. After all, I plan to make the Grand Festival her hardest contest yet.
As for my next project, I should say that it will take place in the same universe as Brendan's Journey does, and there will be a tie-in between the two. No spoilers, though.
This next chapter will be the first half of the Grand Festival, but there will be other things happening there too.
Until next time – Jmoul18
