Chapter 3: Humble Beginnings

The sun rose on Petalburg City and shone its radiance to the world. As it did, the town started coming to life. In houses, people were waking up and preparing themselves for another day. Women would cook breakfasts and pack lunches for their working husbands and children who had another day of school ahead of them. In short, Petalburg was waking up to a day almost like any other.

It was not a normal day for Max. Sunlight crept into the ten year-old's room and into his face, causing him to awaken. Although groggy, Max knew today was an important day. Because he was now ten years old, he was old enough to begin his Pokémon journey. His current excitement was fueled by memories of his adventures throughout the Hoenn region with his sister and her friends. Finally, he would have his own partners and his own adventures. His experiences left him unsure whether to be a trainer or a coordinator. Then again, nothing prevented him from being both, so he decided to take the Hoenn League challenge, while participating in the occasional contest.

As Max bathed and dressed, he lamented one thing: he would be alone this time around. It still pained him to think about the day he left the group to go home to the Petalburg with May. Ash left for Pallet Town (soon after heading on a new adventure to take the Sinnoh League challenge) and Brock went home to Pewter City to check on his family. And recently, May had left for the Johto region, where she planned to compete against her rivals in the contests there. There'd be no sister to pester or brothers-in-spirit to look up to.

Yet Max was also filled with hope. As a new trainer, he'd have to travel around to find new partners and win gym challenges (or contests). Perhaps one day soon, he'd see them all again.

Caroline, Max's mother, had prepared a special breakfast for her son. She was joined by her husband, Norman, who was the town's own gym leader. They sat down to a breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and berry juice.

"So, today's the big day, huh Max?" Caroline smiled at her youngest child.

"Yes, Mom. I've been waiting for this day ever since I traveled around with May and her friends."

"Well, good luck to you, son. I know you'll do great at anything you try for!" Norman beamed.

"Thanks, Dad."

After breakfast, Max packed up his necessary gear and set out for Professor Birch's lab. The lab, located in Littleroot Town, was not too far from Petalburg, and since Max, in his excitement, ran most of the way, he was at the lab an hour after heading out.

"Why, good morning, Max, it's good to see you again!" the professor greeted the newcomer.

"Good morning, Professor Birch." Max panted.

"You look like you got here as quickly as you could."

"Well, I'm just so excited to begin my journey. I couldn't wait to get here!"

"In that case, come with me. I will introduce you to three potential partners."

Professor Birch led Max into a large room. In the middle, there was a table with three pokéballs on it. Professor Birch showed Max each ball (identifiable by a red, blue, or green square beneath it). He could choose the fiery Torchic, the grassy Treecko, or the watery Mudkip.

Max though carefully, but didn't take too long to make his choice. He remembered May's Torchic and how it eventually became a Blaziken. Then he recalled the changes in Ash's starter from a Treecko into a Sceptile. Max knew Brock had a Mudkip, but unlike its partner, never reached its final form. Curious to see what the final form was like, Max made up his mind. And Mudkip became Max's first legitimate Pokémon partner. Professor Birch agreed that Max made a wise choice.

After hearing advise from the professor on training tips and care for Pokémon, as well as receiving a pokédex, Max began the trek back to Petalburg, where his journey would truly begin. He ran home and arrived in Petalburg with the same timing as his first trip. Max went to the house to show Norman and Caroline his new partner and exchange farewells and promises of maintaining contact.

As he stood at the outskirts of Petalburg City, he looked back. He wasn't sad to leave home – he'd been gone for long periods before this. What concerned him, though, was what would happen when he returned. Max knew that if his business as a Pokémon trainer brought him back here, he'd have to face off against his father in a gym battle. Max still remembered the tantrum he threw when Ash beat his dad. He had snagged the badge from his father's hands and hid in the shed, crushed by the fact his dad was no longer invincible. In the end, he conceded he was being childish and gave the badge to Ash. Since then, he accepted his father's loss to Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town. But what if Norman, the gym leader of Petalburg City, lost a battle to his own flesh and blood?

Max decided not to dwell on the thought. He'd cross that bridge when the time came. For now, it was off into the Hoenn wilderness. Off to a new start.

In the constant shadows of Ilex Forest, something stirred. It was not a Pokémon, but a human. Garbed in green, his long purple hair hung by his shoulders. His green eyes strained to see the path in the darkness. He looked up, but the canopy was so thick, it blocked out almost all of the sun's rays. Therefore, time seemed to stand still in this forsaken place.

He trudged on, wiggling his hips as he walked, stubbing his toes on an unseen root every now and then. He cursed the trees and the darkness that seemed intent on keeping him in here. But he was determined not to be trapped in here.

His Banette led the way. As a ghost-type, it could see much better in the dark than its master could. Banette would find a way out of this dense forest. That was its sole focus for the time being.

But the man had something besides the forest trek on his mind. He wanted revenge.

He came to Johto from the Hoenn region as a coordinator. Things were fine until he faced off against that brunette in Violet City. He'd lost to this particular individual on several earlier occasions, so she was a major thorn in his side. He wished to dispose of her, to keep her from participating in future contests.

Then there was the contest in Azalea Town. It was in the semi-final round when he faced off against a boy in his early teens. This coordinator, who had short green hair and matching eyes, sent his Octillery flying and his points dropping to zero. Before the end, this punk would have to be taken out of the picture, as well.

The man tripped over a particularly large root in the road, and fell flat on his face. He got up, and he snapped in his mind. This forest, no, this journey was a total nightmare. He'd had enough.

"AUGH! WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS?! HUH?! WHAT DID HARLEY DO?! ANSWER ME!!!"

As he started to move, his foot slipped on the bank of the forest's lake, and Harley tumbled into the water. Banette, who watched the fiasco, didn't know whether to laugh or pity his master.

"Oh, even this forest has got something coming to it!" Harley growled. He was down at his lowest low. His patience was frayed. He had lost two contests to mere adolescents. Now, he was stuck in a dark forest, soaking wet and bruised from the uneven road.

"When I get outta here, they'll all pay dearly for their insults!" he said through gritted teeth as he climbed out of the lake onto the path.