"May… do you like me?" Melissa asked, as May made her way about some of the treachery that was the Jagged Pass.
"Yeah, I do. You're adorable, and you always strive to help me," May said.
"Uh… I guess… but…" Melissa started.
"Shush," May said.
"Why? I wanted to talk to you…" Melissa said.
"Here's not the place… and plus, did you hear that?" May asked. Melissa stopped talking, and was rewarded with hearing the noise May did. A soft howling… not entirely threatening, but still worth being on guard.
"It's getting closer…" May said. Melissa went into May's left side, and May reached for Grovyle's Poké Ball. She looked around for whatever it was around them.
"Up there…" Melissa said. May's eyes looked up, and spotted the Pokémon. It gave another howl, and jumped down. It strode towards the pair purposefully.
"…Stay back…" May said.
"Beautiful maidens of humankind… my name is Theresa, defender of the lands. Do not fear, for I am not your enemy…" the Pokémon said. Recognising the fear she was causing, she sat down. Melissa approached her carefully, before holding out her hand. The Pokémon approached her, and held her head forward. Melissa began stroking her under her chin, to her joy. May scanned the Pokémon, relieved it was no longer attacking, and found it to be called Lupus.
"Well, then, little Theresa… how would you like to accompany May on her travels? You look cute…" Melissa said.
"Melissa…" May said.
"Oh, come on! It'll be fine!" Melissa said.
"Sure, I'd like to accompany two maidens as fair as you," Theresa the Lupus said.
"She says she wants to," Melissa said.
"Wait… you can understand Pokémon?" May asked.
"Yeah… I think my parents didn't entirely like that, though," Melissa said.
"That's amazing… come on, Lupus," May said. She held out an empty Poké Ball, and threw it at Theresa. Theresa entered the ball, and with three shakes, May had caught her.
"That was… cool," Melissa said.
"Yeah… we can have a talk later," May said. Melissa nodded.
"Well, on to the next Badge, May-May," Melissa said. May raised an eyebrow, and Melissa started blushing furiously. May decided to drop the issue for later, and the two continued on through the Jagged Pass.
May and Melissa arrived in the quaint town of Lavaridge. There wasn't a whole lot to do, mostly just a little of this and a tiny bit of that if you were interested. Without question, May and Melissa decided to quickly heal at the Pokémon Centre, and then challenge Lavaridge's Gym first. They entered the rather steamy Gym, to find the Gym Leader, a red-haired woman with a tank top and jeans, looking over a clipboard and muttering to herself.
"Um…" May asked. The Leader looked up, shrieked, and dropped her clipboard.
"WELCOME! No, that's not it… uh… puny Trainer, you have done well to make it this far! I'm… uh… I'm Flannery, and I'm honoured to be serving as Lavaridge… no, wait… I'm Flannery, and I'm in charge here! What came next… I can never get this straight… don't underestimate me 'cause I'm new! My grandfather's skills will kick you into next week!" the Gym Leader said.
"…I'm your first?" May asked.
"…Yeah, actaully… MY FIRST WIN!" Flannery said.
Official Gym Challenge! Flannery is challenged by May August!
Flannery sent out her first Pokémon, a Darumaka. May decided to conserve Delphi until later, and started out with Lupus instead. Lupus howled, and used Confusion. Darumaka wobbled about, tucking its limbs in to become like a bobo doll and take the hit. Arctos ran about, casting a Shock Wave attack, followed by a Power Gem. Darumaka found himself reeling, and May checked her Battle Ring- Lupus seemed to know quite a bit about Special Attack.
Flannery moved on to her next Pokémon, a Litleo. May stepped back, and allowed Lupus to use her moves to her advantage. She stepped out the gate with Power Gem, and added a Grass Knot. Litleo let out a Noble Roar, cowing Lupus, before rushing in with a flurry of Headbutts. May withdrew Lupus, and switched to Buneary. Buneary giggled, and began her attack. A Jump Kick followed by a Frustration finished it.
Flannery switched in her final Pokémon, a Torkoal. Buneary lunged in with a Frustration, but the attack didn't have her whole heart, and bounced off Torkoal's shell. Torkoal Cursed, and Buneary looked back at May. May switched Buneary out for Delphi, and commanded a Water Pulse. Flannery commanded an Overheat, sending the room's temperature to itchy levels. It quickly decreased, with Delphi relatively fine and none of the humans too harmed, but Torkoal was panting in exhaustion. Delphi's Water Pulses finished the battle rather anti-climactically.
The Gym Challenge is now complete! The victor is May August!
"Well… I guess I was trying too hard… I've got to think more fluidly than that… anyway, for showing me my mistakes, take my Heat Badge!" Flannery said. May pulled out her Badge Case, and Melissa inserted it, to May's bemused acceptance.
"That Heat Badge certifies you at Rank 5, meaning you can handle level 50s of all types, and you can also push around big boulders. And the TM I'm supposed to give… this is Overheat. It's a great Fire move, but maybe don't use it in a long fight…" Flannery said.
"You did well," May said. Flannery became flushed with pride, and Melissa pulled May out of the Gym.
May and Melissa decided to stop by the hot springs before they left. May took a relaxing position, just letting the stress burn away, while Melissa stayed more to one side, eyeing May's body from the corner of her eye. Melissa was furiously blushing from the sight, and she didn't even know how she was going to hide it from May once she started paying attention again.
"Oh, there you are. Taking a break, I see?" a voice asked. Melissa looked around, and noticed Shelly. She jumped into the hot spring without a care for her outfit- though, considering Team Aqua's general attire, Melissa wasn't ultimately surprised it doubled as a bathing suit.
"What's it to you?" Melissa asked.
"Relax, Melissa... wait… are you jealous of me?" Shelly asked.
"Yes…" Melissa said.
"Don't be. I have a crush on a boy, and I don't really like girls like that," Shelly said. Melissa breathed a sigh of relief.
"Does she know?" Shelly asked.
"…I don't want to be rejected… alone… better for me to pine than to be rebuffed… she's just… I don't know if I can fill the hole she'll leave in my heart…" Melissa said.
"Sappy, but you really ought to make sure she knows sometime. You can't avoid it forever. You're glancing at her right now," Shelly said. Melissa looked down in shame.
"You know, I am surprised you're not trying to get a better view of her suit…" Shelly teased.
"I can't… can't put my hair in water. Not good for it," Melissa said.
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that, Melissa… anyway, take these. They're Go-Goggles- good for visiting the desert on Route 111. Now, if you'll excuse me… I'll leave you to May, Melissa," Shelly said, leaving the water, and walking away, barely even caring about her soaking body. May was jolted up.
"What did I miss?" May asked, looking around.
"We got some Go-Goggles… for Route 111…" Melissa said.
"I'll have a look at it. Melissa… was I hearing things? I thought I heard you talking to someone else…" May said.
"Yeah, Shelly. Why?" Melissa asked.
"No reason…" May said, getting out of the hot spring. Melissa barely took a second glance at May's body, worried. What had May heard about her crush?
May jumped down from Lavaridge to Route 111, almost right next to the desert. She slipped on the Go-Goggles, and plunged into the sandstorm. She was thinking a little about Melissa, but she was mostly worried about her surroundings. She saw little Ground and Rock types scurrying about. She looked around, but for the life of her, she couldn't figure out what she was looking for. She turned back to where she started, ready to admit defeat, when something scurried about her ankle. She looked down, and saw a Durant. May went to open her mouth, but she was scared of the sand rushing in. The Durant climbed up her leg, and it took all of May's endurance to not burst out laughing. It bumped into her bag, sending a single Poké Ball tumbling from it. May grabbed it, and looked at the Durant curiously. She pointed her Poké Ball at it, and drew it in. The Poké Ball managed to catch, and May was left wondering whether Durant intended that.
May and Melissa made their way next to Petalburg City. May remembered what her father had said. She had obtained four Gym Badges. It was time to face him. May shivered a tad, but Melissa stroked her shoulder.
"You're worried about him, aren't you?" Melissa asked. May turned to her.
"Pardon?" May asked.
"Your father. You're worried about what he'll say once he learns all about what you've done: gotten four Gym Badges, duelled against Team Magma and their cybernetic Pokémon, and found a cute girl to follow you around. All with a missing arm. You're worried he might lash out," Melissa said. May couldn't say anything. Melissa turned to her, and smiled. Her shy smile seemed to send May's heart soaring…
"I'll be there with you, May-May. You can get your badge from him, and then if things get bad, we can walk away. Walk away and live without being scared of him," Melissa said.
"You're… I'm not going to abandon my father. I'm just going to get a Gym Badge from him. There's nothing to worry about," May said.
"I'll worry anyway. I worry a lot," Melissa said. May smiled, tousled Melissa's hair, and strode forward. Melissa quickly brushed her hair back, and followed.
May and Melissa, after riding with Mr. Briney through the night, arrived at Petalburg Gym early on in the day. May went up to the door, and held up her arm, hesitating at last. How would her father react? She took in a deep breath, before entering the Gym. The rather plain, utilitarian Gym was at odds with the characters May had encountered prior.
"May…" Norman said. May held out her Badge Case and her four Badges.
"Impressive…" Norman said. He peered around May's shoulder, and spotted Melissa.
"And is this a friend of yours? How you've grown…" Norman said.
"I would like to challenge you to a Gym Battle," May said.
"…Of course. This will be fun… but I'm not holding back just because you're missing an arm!" Norman said.
"…Or because I'm your daughter, but I'll be glad for a challenge!" May said.
Official Gym Challenge! Norman is challenged by May August!
Norman started off with a Tauros, and May began with her Lupus. Lupus cast a Shock Wave, before bolting about. Tauros roared, and charged forward. Lupus jumped up and down, making herself less of an easy target. Lupus cast a Psybeam, confusing Tauros. Tauros charged into a wall, sending a massive quake about that knocked Lupus off her feet. Tauros charged forward, and Lupus fired off a quick Shock Wave before Tauros could send her flying into the wall. Norman and May looked at their respective partners: both had been taken down.
Norman and May switched, almost simultaneously, to Buneary and Lopunny. Buneary looked up at the bigger Lopunny, not particularly interested. Buneary charged with a Frustration and Lopunny a Return, striking each other at once. Buneary recovered first, and added a Jump Kick to knock Lopunny to the ground. Buneary jumped into the air, spinning around, before landing straight in the centre of Lopunny, finishing it.
Norman switched to a Herdier. Buneary, bushed, took a nap, and May decided to switch to Durant now, and worry about Buneary later. Durant charged, and Crunched down on Herdier. Herdier swung Durant aside, and stomped on his underbelly. Not quite as soft as normally depicted, Durant could flip back over, and use a Metal Claw. Herdier was staggering, and Durant used Bug Bite. Herdier was sprawled, and Durant scurried over to May, bowing as he would to a queen. May blushed, before noticing Herdier make a comeback. He had charged and used Take Down, defeating both himself and the Durant.
"I can never seem to get that right… oh well. This is the first Pokémon I ever obtained, May…" Norman said, switching to Slaking.
"Then I'll use mine," May said, switching to Grovyle. Grovyle used a Leech Seed attack to begin, before using Giga Drain. Slaking slammed down with a Retaliate, bringing Grovyle down from the brink. Grovyle used Giga Drain again to begin his recovery, as Slaking heavily panted from exhaustion. Grovyle closed his eyes, and used a DragonBreath, dealing a lot of damage and paralysing the Slaking. The Slaking performed Façade successfully- which, as Grovyle realised too late, was made more powerful in paralysis. Grovyle was really feeling the pain of Slaking's huge power, but held on by a thread.
"What? That's not possible…" Norman said.
"…I pulled through. That's what May would have wanted. And that's what I'm giving to her!" Grovyle said. He cast a Giga Drain, which, combined with Leech Seed, dealt sufficient damage to Slaking to defeat it.
The Gym Challenge is now complete! The victor is May August!
"Well done, Grovyle!" May said, her arms around her Grovyle. She suddenly felt compelled to step back, as Grovyle began growing. Green spread across his body, and his massive leaf disappeared. Instead, a tail full of fir sprouted from behind, and all kinds of foliage-inspired patterns appeared on his head, arms and legs.
"…Well done, Sceptile!" May said, grinning.
"I… wow… May, I guess I've been blind, then. How on earth did you manage that? I… wow…" Norman said.
"May can do anything with her friends by her side. Sceptile, Growlithe, Luxio, Delphi, Buneary, Lupus, Durant… and, of course, me," Melissa said.
"Stunning… then this is for May," Norman said, holding out a Balance Badge. May took it, in awe.
"That certifies you as a Rank 6 Trainer of Pokémon up to level 60, and also as licensed to use Pokémon to surf over the waves of the oceans without the need for a boat or being able to swim. Well… barring mishaps. And as for my TM… how about something suited to your attitude?" Norman said, holding out the TM for Melissa to take while May was occupied.
"That TM teaches Retaliate. If this is used right after another Pokémon faints, it becomes a fearful technique indeed. I'd imagine that Buneary might be a good revenge-striker. Well… I guess you'll need to be on your way, now. Why stop here?" Norman said.
"…You're right, dad. I will continue, and become a Rank 10 Trainer," May said.
"And I'll be there with her," Melissa said. Norman smiled.
"I guess I really did underestimate you. I look forward to hearing about your exploits," Norman said.
"See, Melissa. Nothing to worry about," May said.
"…My parents weren't..." Melissa said. May's mouth dropped open.
"I… I didn't mean to pry…" May said.
"It's fine. Just…" Melissa said. May was still looking at her with concern, and Growlithe bounded up beside her.
"Ah, hey there, Growlithe. You know… I have something I think you might like…" Melissa said. She reached into a pocket, and pulled out a Fire Stone. Growlithe looked at it in shock.
"I'll understand if you don't want to use it straight away. But I found it while May was up against that Camerupt… and I was wondering if you'd like it," Melissa said.
"…You want to give this to me? But… I'm not your Pokémon. Does May really mean that much to you?" Growlithe asked.
"…More than anything in the whole world," Melissa said.
"…As your gift…" Growlithe said. He leaned forward, and touched the stone. Time stood still, as the fur on his head and tail started growing out extensively. Growlithe was being coated in an impressive mane, and his body was becoming bigger alongside it.
"Arcanine… the Pokémon of swiftness," Melissa said.
"…Melissa…" May said, blushing. Her Buneary let itself out, and whistled.
"You got tough… all the better to pull your weight around here!" Buneary said.
"Hey! If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!" Melissa said.
"…I'll say whatever I want, girl. You're not my trainer, and I can pull my Arcanine's ears if I want," Buneary said.
"May… your Buneary's being mean to me…" Melissa said.
"Oh, sorry… wait, you understand Pokémon?" May asked. Melissa looked at May with her doe eyes.
"…As long as I can remember. My partner was at my side… she was my first friend…" Melissa said.
"Your partner? You have a Pokémon of your own? Let her out once in a while, let her play with my Pokémon once in a while," May said.
"…May… can we get going on to Fortree or wherever it is you need to go next?" Melissa asked. May gave Melissa a tentative hug, before climbing on Arcanine. Arcanine bowed, and Melissa's face lit up. She jumped up behind May, and held on tight. Arcanine reared back, and began running.
Arcanine pulled up onto Route 118, before coming to a stop. May and Melissa jumped down, each intending to have helped the other.
"So why are we stopping here?" May asked.
"…Something… I'm not certain," Arcanine said.
"Well… better make sure we know for sure, then," Melissa said. She began scanning the horizon. May turned, and noticed Steven. Her face turned pink, and she sheepishly waved.
"Oh, hey there… May, was it? We met in Granite Cave, if I am not mistaken," Steven said. Melissa turned, and faced him.
"Yes… you said I could one day face the Pokémon League Champion…" May said.
"That I did. I stand by that statement," Steven said. May blushed even further.
"Though, I must ask… what types of Pokémon do you train? Do you train many? Or do you only train one or two? Not that it's my concern, but I like knowing what Trainers tend to be thinking…" Steven said.
"I… I train the Pokémon that come to me… I don't pick and choose," May said.
"I don't pick, period. It's just me and my partner… that's all I really want, anyway, but if she wants anyone else, she'll tell me…" Melissa said. Steven turned to Melissa, and beamed.
"Hello there. My, don't you look like a Coordinator?" Steven asked. Melissa squeaked.
"Steven… don't tease her…" May said, rushing to embrace Melissa. Any objection Steven had was shot down by a sudden squeal, as a blue blur shot towards them over the ocean. A Pokémon of immense elegance appeared over the beach, looking at the three Trainers. May returned her Arcanine, and turned to Melissa.
"Who is that, and what does he or she want?" May asked.
My name is Latios. My sister is being terrorised by hooded humans, led by something… it's not human. I don't know what it is, the Latios said. Melissa didn't need to relay this, as May and Steven understood this.
"Then we'd best help her," May and Steven said in unison. May started blushing, as the three Trainers climbed aboard Latios.
Normally, I'd say you don't fit, but I'll make an exception… Latios said, before soaring forward.
May, Melissa and Steven jumped off Latios, having arrived at Southern Island.
"Hm… I don't know what it is… I feel… unsettled. It's not fear…" Steven said.
"Same," May said.
"I'm pretty sure mine's fear," Melissa said.
"Anyway, May, I've heard an old fable… there could be something on this island related to Mega Evolution," Steven said.
"Mega Evolution?" May asked.
"The transcendence of traditional power… the bond between Trainer and Pokémon tightens, and through the power of sacred stones, all new potential in a Pokémon is unlocked," Melissa said.
"Melissa?" May asked.
"She is correct, May. This is a highly sought-out ability… remain on your toes," Steven said. May led the group forward. On such a small island, it was easy to find Latias. Melissa came forward, stroking her gently.
"The beauty of a Latias… purer than that of a Sun Stone… or even a Dawn Stone…" Steven said.
*Correct.* a voice said. May and Steven turned, to notice Courtney, one of the Magma bandits, plus a pair of lackeys, approach the trio.
"Magma bandits… You seek to violate this sanctuary?" May asked.
*Identify.* Courtney said.
"Milady Courtney… the girl in the middle, with one arm… that's May, the girl who keeps hounding our every step," a Magma bandit said.
"Mistress Courtney… the boy appears… hm, strange. I feel like I should know him," the other Magma bandit said.
*Identified. Goals of Team Magma attainable… obtain Mega Stone, capture May. Odds of success… not insurmountable.* Courtney said.
"You might want to reconsider that: I consider the odds of you beating me and getting your hands on that Mega Stone less than zero," May said.
*Error, less than zero not parsed. Obstacle… deleting…* Courtney said. She held up a Poké Ball, the movements loudly mechanical in nature.
"Wait a minute… no!" May cried out.
"It's no time for that! Just focus on the battle!" Steven said. Courtney and her Magma bandits held up their Poké Balls, and sent out a Houndour, a Mawile, and a Trubbish. Melissa stepped back from Latias, and held out a Poké Ball of her own.
"You want to help?" May asked.
"This… I can't stand back… I have to help…" Melissa said. May sent out her Luxio. Steven sent out his Metang. Melissa sent out an Altaria.
"Altaria… we can do this!" May said. Steven's Metang went first, using a Zen Headbutt on the Trubbish, almost immediately taking the thing out.
"All right… Ali, if we're going to get tough, let's go with Tough!" Melissa said. Ali cooed, and used an Earthquake attack, taking out Trubbish and Houndour, and bringing Mawile and Metang down to quite low health. Luxio had dodged it.
"Warn us next time!" Steven said, losing his temper very briefly.
"Sorry… my first battle," Melissa said.
Then how does she know Earthquake? That's quite a complex move to pull off correctly… May thought to herself. She started looking around for Luxio, before noticing him on the trees surrounding the clearing. He was bounding around from tree trunk to tree trunk, completely perpendicular to the ground.
*What is the meaning of this?* Courtney asked. Luxio jumped from a trunk, and spun around in the air. An immense electrical field was created.
"Flying Electric Leap!" Luxio cried out, speeding up. Mawile turned around, and grabbed Luxio in her jaws. Luxio was pushing forward, and Mawile pushing down. The situation seemed almost at a standstill.
"Come on… think, Lissi, think…" Melissa said. She wasn't sure what to do. None of her clever moves seemed to be helpful, and she didn't see the help being cute, beautiful, or cool… wait a minute…
"Ali! Whip up a Tailwind!" Melissa commanded. Altaria complied, and Luxio felt itself going faster. Its strength pulled out against Mawile, defeating it.
"Yes! Go May!" Melissa exclaimed.
*Understandable. Knowledge of our adversaries' might attained. Endeavour: not fruitless. May: we will not underestimate you forever.* Courtney said.
"Courtney…" May said.
*Returning home.* Courtney said. A whirring sound came from her back, and she launched up into the air.
"Wait for us!" the Magma bandits said, running off.
"Should we help them?" Melissa asked.
"…Meh," May said.
"We should heal our Pokémon and attend to Latias, first and foremost," Steven said. He came up to Luxio, who had been evolving into Luxray, and Ali, and gave them a Full Restore and a Max Elixir apiece. Melissa turned to Latias.
"You performed spectacularly, girls. We could protect this Latias and her Mega Stone," Steven said. Latias looked up at May.
"I think Latias wants to accompany you…" Melissa said. May held out her hand, and Latias took it. May had another companion on her team.
"And… I guess you should take this…" Steven said, holding out a small stone. Melissa took it, and reached into her bag. She pulled out a beautiful gold chain, and attached the new stone to it. She turned to May, and draped it around her neck.
"With your new… Mega Necklace, I guess, and the Mega Stone that Latias possesses, you may now perform Mega Evolution," Steven said.
"Mega Stone… Steven…" May said, burrowing into her bag. She pulled out the plainish brown stone she received from Mr. Stone.
"Ah, another Mega Stone… this is Lopunnite," Steven said. May smiled, and put it back, keeping that in mind for when she got a Lopunny.
"Anyway… Mega Evolution is a brilliant art, known only to a select few with the Key Stones needed. I have one, you have one… Lisia has one… but we still do not know a lot about it. I hope that you will be able to understand something from using it," Steven said.
"…So do I," May said.
"Anyway, I guess it's time for us to be getting back. I will take Latios and my leave. Until next we meet… I expect you'll have grown stronger, May. And as for you, Melissa… I hope that you will continue to assist May in her endeavours. May truly deserves a companion with your spark," Steven said. May and Melissa beamed, and Steven left the clearing. May and Melissa turned to Latios, and hopped astride her. Their destination? Fortree City.