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"Hurry up, May!" Brendan called, stopping in his spot, to turn around. Oldale town was just in sight, but May was still running around in the grass, looking for pokemon. When she encountered them, they would only run away in fear.
"Just a minute!" May yelled, turning to him, and then back to the wild Zigzagoon. Brendan sighed deeply, and walked back over to her side, grabbing her wrist. "Oldale town is just in sight!"
May pushed him away. "Aw, c'mon!" She pouted. Brendan rolled his eyes. He was always the type to be in a hurry. He never did like waiting. Even if it came to May, his best friend.
"Tell you what, let's go to Oldale town and stock up on some poke balls and potions, first. Then, you can go crazy and catch as much pokemon as you want. Alright?" Brendan tried to reason with her. Of course, he'd want to catch some pokemon as well. It wouldn't be a bad idea to let his pokemon out of it's poke ball for a while, either. It would have to get to know it's surroundings, if it wanted to be powerful.
May loosened up. "Fine. That sounds good." She smiled gently. Brendan smiled in return, and the two made their way to Oldale town. It was a rather small town, with only a few houses, and a poke mart and poke center. A few adults were out on their front porches, watching their children play, while others were running off towards the tall grasses, with groups of friends, mothers shouting frantically for them not to get hurt, and not stay out to late. May had been to Oldale town before, but only because she would be making her way to Petalburg town, to visit her father. So, she never really took the time to admire the sights before her. And it was pretty heart warming.
Brendan glanced over to May. "Are we gunna go to the poke mart, or…?" His voice trailed off. May snapped out of her daze. "Uh… yeah, I'm coming. I was just thinking of what it'd be like to live here, instead of Twinleaf town… it seems so much more livelier, here." May laughed a little. Brendan only smiled in return, and cocked his head to the side, silently telling May to follow him. Of course, she did.
"We won't be able to buy a lot, since we're rookie trainers, but we will be able to buy a few potions and poke balls for cheap." Brendan explained, as they stepped foot into the store. It was small, but lively. A few people were shopping, with pokemon by their sides. The ching of a cash register could be heard every few moments with faint talking. There were rows and aisles of different products. May's eyes shined like this was all new to her. Of course, she'd been to a poke mart, and had seen all this stuff, but she wasn't as interested, as she was now. Brendan laughed at this. May only rolled her eyes, but a faint blush crept it's way into her cheeks.
The two parted ways, being able to go up and down aisles without running into trouble. Moments later, they rejoined at the register, with bottles of potions and poke balls. They both placed them on the counter in front of the lady. She smiled, as she scanned them. "Will that be everything for today?" She asked. Brendan nodded and flashed a smile, as he started to pack his bag. The two thanked the lady, and walked out. Bredan playfully knocked May's shoulder. "Think you'll be able to handle carrying that?" He asked. May shoved him back, just as playfully, but with a little more force, enough to make him stumble. "No, Brendan. I can't. I'm to weak. Can you carry my bag?" She asked sarcastically, leaning against his shoulder, pretending to be weak and frail. Brendan chuckled. "I think you'll be okay."
May smiled, picking herself up. "How far do you think we'll make it, before it gets dark?" She asked curiously." Brendan shrugged casually.
"Depends. How far do you want to go?"
May stopped to think for a moment. "Well… I would like to visit my dad in Petalburg, first of all." She nodded with a catty grin. Brendan would be in for a surprise. May knew that he didn't know May's dad was actually the gym leader. Brendan seemed suspicious, but interested, none the less. "Why isn't your dad living with you and your mum? Did your parents get divorced?"
May shrugged. "Something like that." Brendan took the hint, backing off. His parents didn't talk to each other a lot, since his dad was always researching pokemon habitats, and always cooped himself up in the lab, burying himself in book work, not coming home till late in the night. Brendan was glad that his dad got to take him out to study pokemon with him, though. It was really quite interesting. Atleast, that's what Brendan thought.
"Anyways, I want to show him the new pokemon I've caught while I'm there, so…" Her voice trailed off, as her eyes fell on the path leading to Petalburg, where trainers would encounter pokemon on the way. "Yeah, yeah. I gotcha." Brendan said. May grinned widely, gripping his wrist, pulling him away with her. At the moment, she was having to much fun being a trainer too even remember the jerks who had talked about her in bad ways.
"C'mon, torchic! Use scratch, once more!" May commanded, pointing at the wild zigzagoon, which was growing weak. Torchic lashed out at the pokemon, feircly scratching the pokemon with it's hind legs. Unfortunately, torchic was growing weaker, since it had been hit multiple times with tackle. So May had to finish this battle up, quickly. The brunette pulled out a poke ball, feeling the zigzagoon was weak enough, and chucked it at it. A red light flashed, and the wild pokemon disappeared. The poke ball shook a few times, before it finished, signalling it had given in, allowing itself to be captured.
Brendan clapped. He had been sitting on a large rock, watching the whole time. He himself had caught a pokemon, as well. A poochyena, much to May's dislike. He had promised not to let the Poochyena attack her, knowing that the brunette had been attacked by one in the past and was rather frightened of them now. "You're getting better at this!" He encouraged her, standing up, walking to her side. His mudkip and Poochyena followed after him.
May laughed, scratching the back of her head. At first, she had tried to capture a Seedot, but her torchic used a lot of power, when attacking, causing the pokemon to faint. She tried again with a taillow but May got to excited, causing the taillow to flee from fear. So, this was her first pokemon she had caught without fail. She had to say she was rather proud of herself. "Thanks!" May grinned.
"So, do you wanna head to Petalburg town now, or do you wanna catch some more pokemon?" The male asked, glancing up to the sky. It was getting dark, pretty fast. Time sure flies, when you're having fun!
May opened her mouth to speak, but she, too, realized just how dark it was getting. Her grin fell, and she sighed. "I geuss we could go, now." She said quietly. May was having so much fun! Grr, why did it have to get so dark so quickly? How unfair. Brendan chuckled. "We can always go on a hunting spree tomorrow. Just don't mess up again!" The male nudged her side, winking. May shoved him back, her eyes glancing away in embaressment. "Shut up, Brendan…"
The brunette started walking in the direction of Petalburg, but Brendan gripped her shoulder, stopping her. She spun around to face him, with a questioning look. "Aren't you going to heal your pokemon? Torchic looks pretty weak, and that zigzagoon sure took a rough beating." May paused. How could she not remember that?
"You're right…" May mumbled, and sent out her Zigzagoon, her torchic already out of it's poke ball, wobbling by it's side with bruises along it's body. Zigzagoon let out a cry, as it swayed back and forth, barely able to hold it's own weight. May smiled sympathetically at the pokemon, kneeling next to it, taking out two bottles of the potions, spraying them on her pokemon's wounds. "It's always important to keep your pokemon healthy. If you care for them, and love them, they'll care for you, and love you right back!" Brendan explained, nodding his head knowingly. May nodded. It was amazing how he knew so much… then again, he did pay attention in school, and his dad was the professor. May knew about pokemon, but, just not as much as Brendan…
She sent both of her pokemon back into their poke balls, feeling that they deserved some rest. Petalburg wasn't very far from where they were right now, but both of her pokemon did quite a bit of work today.
The two walked into the town, and a man wearing a brown trench coat and a fedora walked over to them, glancing at them, up and down. May stiffened, until the man opened his mouth. "You two look like a couple of rookies, am I right?" The two glanced over at each other and slowly nodded at the man. "Do you know where the gym is?" The man continued. "It's important to check out the different gyms, so you can get stronger, If you challenge the gym, leader, you can get a badge, and that will help you get into the elite four. Would you like it if I showed you the way to the gym?" May loosened herself. He wasn't looking for trouble, or so it seems.
She shook her head. "No thanks. I've been there before, so I know my way. Thanks anyways!" Brendan glanced over to May with a questioning expression, but May just giggled, guiding him to the gym, passing the man, who tipped his head in respect, allowing them to pass. "So you've been here before, huh?" Brendan questioned, as they stepped through the glass doors.
A young man, who couldn't be more than 20, wearing a green coat with brown, tossled hair, grinned upon spotting May. "Hello, May!" he greeted. "Are you here to see your d-" The man was cut off, as May slapped a hand over his mouth, silencing him. "Shh!" She hushed. Brendan raised a brow, all the more suspicious. The man pulled her hand off his mouth, and glanced over to Brendan.
"Is that your boyfriend, May?" He asked with bright eyes. May flushed. "No! He's my friend!" Oh how she wished he was, though! But he probably didn't like her like that… they were best friends. There was no way they could be anything more, right? Of course not. It was ridiculous. But out of the corner of her eyes… hey… was Brendan blushing? 'No, don't be stupid. It's obviously just your imagination.' It was probably just because of the remark!
The man chuckled, keeping his eyes on Brendan. "Hey, man. I'm Mark." He introduced himself, extending a hand. "Brendan." The male nodded, accepting Mark's extended hand.
Brendan glanced over to May, then back to Mark. "You, uh… you two know each other?" He raised a brow. "Yeah. I work for the gym leader, giving hints to the trainers that enter, so me and May have known each other for a while now. Since we were pretty young." He explained, completely calm.
"Oh." Brendan nodded, accepting it. He seemed more relaxed. "Wait a minute…" Brendan's voice trailed off. "Your dad is the gym leader?" He asked in astonishment.
May gasped, though her eyes were full of laughter. "You've figured it out? Great! Come on then, I want you to meet him!" The brunette grabbed Brendan's wrist, and pulled him along with her. She turned her head, to wave to Mark. "See ya, Mark!" She called, before opening the door…. Only for her to remember she had to go through a series of doors, before she would be able to reach her dad. Luckily, the trainers weren't there to challenge her, so the doors were unlocked. She easily passed through the doors, while Brendan was busy being dumbfound.
"Dad!" May called out, brusting through the doors, releasing Brendan, to leap at her dad, and hug him tightly. Norman chuckled, as he spun his daughter around in the air, before placing her down. "Hey, May. What are you doing here? And who's your friend?" He asked, glancing over her shoulder to Brendan, who was just standing there, rather awkwardly.
"I'm Brendan." He introduced himself, raising a hand, waving to Norman. Norman nodded. "Nice to meet you, Brendan." "Like-wise."
Norman turned back to face his daughter. "So, what are you doing here? So late, too… does your mother know your out this late?" He laughed. May rolled his eyes. "Dad, I'm 15, now. You don't need to worry… what am I doing here? Well, I'm a pokemon trainer, now! Brendan and I both are!" She said happily, running to Brendan's side, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. He was so warm…
Norman seemed shocked for a moment, but he put on a smile. "Well… that's great, May! Have you caught any pokemon?" May nodded atheistically, and glanced over to Brendan again. "Hey, Brendan, let's both show him our pokemon!" She said, practically jumping for joy. Brendan smiled. "Uh, okay." He said, fumbling around his bag for the two poke balls.
May raised a brow, as she took a hold of her own two poke balls. Was… he nervous? She'd have to ask him later. She personally didn't see the big deal, but that was probably because this gym leader just so happened to be her father. The two threw their poke balls into the air, and their pokemon appeared by their sides. Norman nodded, as he scanned over the pokemon.
"A torhic and zigzagoon… and a mudkip and Poochyena." He mumbled to himself. "Very well," He said after a moment of silence. "Your pokemon seem to have already taken a liking to you. I can see the both of you becoming very strong. Perhaps even strong enough to make it to the elite four!" He laughed. "But it will take time… you will need to further your bond, in order to become stronger. Are you two traveling together?" Norman asked.
The two nodded. "Very well. Brendan, make sure nothing bad happens to May, alright?" Brendan glanced over to May, then back to Norman. "Okay. I will." He nodded.
"Good." Norman smiled. "Do you two plan on going further, tonight? It's getting pretty dark…"
Brendan and May exchanged glances. "Do you want to…?" May whispered. Brendan shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "It's up to you. We could go further, the closest town from here is Rustboro, but it'd still take a good amount of time.."
"I'd say you stay over night at the pokemon center. You can head for Rustboro tomorrow morning." Norman interrupted the teenagers. The two continued to stare at each other, until Brendan shrugged. "That's not a problem." May smiled. "Just be careful, you two. There are suspicious people outside in the night. Some really suspicious people indeed. Infact, the other day, when me and another trainer were battling, these thugs busted in, demanding that we hand over all the pokemon, or someone will get hurt… what did they go by… Team Magma, I believe it was. I luckily beat them, and they ran off, but they were suspicious characters, alright. Be aware of them, alright, kids?"
The two seemed shocked, and didn't say anything for a few minutes, but they nodded their heads, before making their way out. "We'll be careful. We're gunna go now… bye dad!" May called.
"Don't sleep in the same bed!" Norman warned the two, as they walked out of the door, causing May to flush deeply, of course. Mark wasn't there any more at the front, so the two figured he had gone home. There was a pokemon center not to far from the gym, so they had no problem getting there. They told nurse Joy they needed a room to stay, and she showed the two the way to the last room they had to offer. By the time they were in there pyjamas, it was at least 11:30. "Time sure flies when you're having fun…" May yawned, as she stepped out of the bathroom. Brendan was putting his bag to the side.
"That's for sure." He agreed.
"Y'know, I don't know why I was so hesitant earlier… today was a lot of fun! And I really can't wait to re live it all again tomorrow." May said, as she climbed into bed, pulling the covers over her legs.
"Yeah, me neither. But, I have to wonder… why would someone threaten another, demanding they hand over their pokemon… y'know. That story your dad told earlier. It doesn't make sense. That's just messed up!"
"There are some messed up people in the world, I geuss." May sighed. She too found it rather disturbing. She bit her tongue, as her mind began to wander. "H-hey, Brendan?"
"What is it?"
"Do you think we'll ever run into these guys… team magma, was it? Do you think we will? Oh, maybe going on this adventure was a mistake…" May continued, throwing her legs over the side of the bed, her elbows touching her knees, hunching herself over, her long brown bangs covering her eyes.
"No, no, no!" Brendan tried convincing May, taking a seat next to her, on the edge of her bed, touching her shoulder in support. "And even if we do, we can beat them. We're tough, we've made it this far…"
May looked up at him, with eyes saying, 'are-you-serious'. "Brendan, Petalburg town and Twinleaf town aren't very far from each other… that's not very far."
"I'm tryna comfort you here…" Brendan grunted.
"…Yeah, I know. Thanks. We are tough, aren't we?" May smiled.
Brendan brightened up. "That's the spirit. Now, don't worry about it! Only worry if they run into us. If they do… well, we'll beat them up." Brendan grinned, as he gently shoved May, in attempts to cheer her up. May shoved him back, with a little more force.
"Okay, okay."
"Now, get to bed. We have a long day ahead of us, tomorrow." Brendan said, ruffling May's hair.
"Yeah, okay. G'night."
"Night." Brendan walked over to his own bed, throwing the blankets over him, turning off his side lamp. May smiled, watching him toss and turn, trying to get comfortable, before turning her own lamp off, burrying herself in her blankets and pillows. "Goodnight, indeed…"