WingsOfTheYatagarasu: Thanks! I'm glad that people are interested lol this is a story I've kinda poked around doing for awhile now, and have just gotten the nerve to try it.
A Tale of Two Sisters
Season One
Episode IV: Gear Up
Seasonal Theme: 【Norowareta Night】Red Heart By Divinel on Youtube
Wally was practically beaming as they reached the entrance to Rustboro. Having run into a few other beginning trainers along the way, he decided to battle them for fun. Managing to win and lose a few times, but level up Ralts a bit as well! He wasn't quite sure they were ready for the Gym yet, but it was a start.
"Welp, we're here," Aster stretched a bit, turning to face him, "I guess we part ways from here... Good luck with your trainer stuff I suppose." She shrugged with a smile, "Try not to get into too much trouble."
"H-Hey wait!" He yelped, reaching for her but flinching and pulling his hand back before making contact, "I just... Well... You've helped me out a lot, its only fair that I repay you right?" He suggested with a nervous laugh, "I figured, maybe I could help you look for that friend of yours?"
Aster's smile faded at his offer, "Eh, I don't think that's a good idea, I wouldn't want to slow down your league challenge after all." She attempted to brush it off.
Wally frowned, "No really, its no problem, I'd be glad to help!"
"Look, Wally," Her tone suddenly becoming serious, "This is a... Personal, matter, alright? I need to handle it by myself."
The deathly calm of her voice sent a chill down his spine, "R-Right I... Sorry I asked..."
"It's whatever, have fun with your Gym battle, maybe I'll see you around town before I leave." She waved him off, walking her own way further into the city.
Wally nodded, "Good luck!" He called out after her, a little sad he wouldn't be seeing her again. But they both had things to do, and he couldn't get hung up now! It was time to get ready and go after that Gym Badge!
He started by heading to the pokemon center. Getting Ralts nice and healed up, before the two headed over to the poke mart. He hadn't really gotten a chance to stock up before leaving home, luckily his own Pokenav was linked to the account his parents had set up for him. It was money meant for him while he was in Verdanturf, but he wasn't going to be using it for that anymore, so he might as well dip into it for some supplies right?
"Hmm, so what do you think we should get?" He asked Ralts, the tiny pokemon now sitting on his shoulder as they walked up and down the aisles of the store. Ralts jumped down, and walked over to a shelf of bagged pokemon food, poking a few bags that had images of other pokemon on them. Wally cocked an eyebrow, "More food huh? I think we've got enough for now don't you?"
Ralts shook his head, hugging the bag with his tiny arms. Wally laughed aloud at him, before picking up his friend and setting him back on his shoulder.
He started off buying a bigger bag for himself. The satchel was fine, but not at all big enough for the supplies he'd need. Now with a large shoulder strap bag he could carry more than enough for their trips. After that, Wally picked up a few potions, antidotes, and 10 pokeballs. As well as a small bedroll he could tuck into the bag. Adding a bit of food for the road, the two left the mart ready for adventure!
*BANG*
Wally stumbled back, "Gah! My head!" He grumbled, rubbing his forehead. Having collided with something just a he walked out the door.
"Ow ow ow!" The voice of a girl sounded, "Yeesh that smarts! I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have been rushing!"
Wally opened his eyes, blinking as he recognized this girl. She'd been passing through Petalburg just after Brendan did. She had her own bag, wearing a red tank top. Her hair bound by a red bow, "O-Oh its no problem," He assured, "I wasn't really paying attention either." He laughed nervously, "But, I've seen you before, you were in Petalburg the other day right?"
"Oh?" She blinked, "You from there? Yeah I passed through," She smiled, "My name's May."
"Wally," He nodded in response with a smile, "I was just buying some supplies, I'm starting off as a pokemon trainer, this is Ralts." The Tiny Psychic type waving at her with a friendly smile.
May blinked, eyes fixating on the tiny pokemon, "Oh my gosh... That thing is adorable..." She muttered, before blinking, "Oh right, I'm a trainer too!" She grinned, holding up two pokeballs.
Wally blinked, "Oh okay, hey, do you have any idea where I could go to get some more training? Maybe a good place to prepare for the Gym?"
May cocked an eyebrow, "Uh, well... I guess if you came from Petalburg you already went through the forest... But, there is a Route just beyond town, I remember seeing some Trainers up there." She said with a smile, "And there's always the Trainer School." She shrugged.
"Trainer School?" Wally blinked, "That sounds perfect! Thanks for the help!" He said, waving as he started making her way up the street.
"Uh... Okay, bye!" She waved back, somewhat confused.
Wally and Ralts both had their eyes darting all around the city as they walked past the crowds of people. Having never been to such a place before, they were enthralled by the tall buildings and other structures. It was similar to Slateport, but even that place didn't compare in size. It was easy to get distracted, but after nearly an hour of wandering around, they arrived at a modest little building.
He could see a small battlefield out back, meaning this place had to be the school. He took a moment to gather himself and shake off that country boy wonder, before heading inside.
Meanwhile...
"She wasn't wearing that outfit... But I'd recognize those red eyes anywhere."
"Which way did she go?"
"Just north out of town, I think towards the beach, couldn't have been more than ten minutes ago."
"Thanks!"
"H-Hey what's the rush!?"
Aster was in a near sprint, trying to get to the north exit as fast as she could. She'd never been this close before, she had to reach her before she disappeared again. She was dressed in that stupid Team Magma getup of course, no wonder nobody had recognized the photo before! Aster was kicking herself for not expecting her to be in that disguise, of course she was still manipulating those idiots...
The cityscape disappeared behind her, as she made her way onto the road just beyond. It lead towards the mountains, Meteor Falls to be more specific. But that wasn't her target, to the left she could see a small shoreline sticking out amidst the rocks.
"THERE!" Her eyes widened, and she nearly tripped. Seeing a familiar figure on the beach. She was holding a pokeball, "No no no no NO!" Trying to run faster, but her sore legs, and tired body were already crying in protest.
A flash of light signaled the release of her big blue dragon. The girl jumping on, and taking off into the skies without ever looking back.
Aster's legs grew weary as she reached the sands, stumbling a bit before she fell to her knees in the shallow water. Panting heavily as the figure was getting further and further away. Disappearing into the clouds. Aster clenched her fists tightly, eyes still cast into the sky, the tide rolling in and splashing against her.
"Grr... ZINNIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" She screamed at the heavens, feeling a bit of heat behind her eyes but fighting the urge to let it flow.
Her eyes didn't waver, deadlocked on the clouds as if expecting some kind of response. Before she sighed, and slumped down. She was beginning to wonder if she would ever succeed in this stupid quest... But she couldn't go home, not until it was finished. Aster sighed heavily, looking back up towards the mildly warm water before her and blinking in surprise.
"Oh uh... Hey there?" She said, realizing there was a small fish pokemon before her, just watching her, "Huh... I've never seen a... Whatever it is you are, before." She blinked. The fish pokemon was a light brown color, with big eyes, pink lips and tattered blue fins, "I must have startled you and others with my yelling..." She sighed, laying on her side in the shallows, not really caring about the water occasionally splashing her.
"Sorry about that," She added, absentmindedly talking as she looked up into the sky, "Its just so frustrating, I was so close this time! Like, seconds away from... Well, I guess still don't really know what to say once I find her." Aster sighed shaking her head, she shot a sideways glance at the fish, who was still sitting there watching her with full attention, "I think I'm going crazy, I'm talking to a fish." She chuckled, sitting up in the waters, her white hair matted down wet, "But you're a good listener, here." She reached into her bag, and pulled out a berry, "Eat up!" She smiled, tossing the fish one of the fruits. It eagerly jumped up and chomped on it. Swimming a little closer in the shallows towards her, "What you want more? Alright fine." She sighed and smiled, slowly feeding the pokemon more and more berries.
After a long while, of feeding and talking to the little fish pokemon, Aster was getting a little tired of being wet. And she'd vented a lot of her frustrations, enough so that she was feeling better after another failure. She smiled lightly, petting the pokemon that was now floating beside her in the water, "You know, you're much nicer than my other pokemon..." She noted, petting it gently, "I guess my experience with Pokemon hasn't really been... The best, but you seem like an okay guy- OW!" She yelped, as the fish, bit her finger, "Girl?" She asked, rubbing her hand, the Fish seeming to smile and bounce in the water happily, "Alright, Girl, sheesh," She giggled a little, "I know we didn't really battle or anything... But, do you maybe wanna come with me?"
"Fee!" She answered excitedly, bouncing around and splashing more water, making Aster laugh and splash back playfully.
"Alright! I guess I never really intended to catch pokemon out here, but new friends is always nice." She smiled, pulling out a pokeball from her bag, "Come on in!" Tapping her on the head, the Feebas was sucked inside. Aster chuckled as she disappeared, before blinking, "Whoa..." The realization suddenly hitting her, lifting up the Pokeball as a small grin spread across her face.
"I... I just caught my first pokemon!"