Adventures in Hoenn

Chapter Seven: Surf-n-Turf and Steven

*Brendan's p.o.v*

The nest day, Alex and I were out at the beach in order to learn how to surf for the competition. We bought a surf board from the local shop. Don't know how I'm going to carry this thing around on our journey.

''Okay, Brendan,'' Alex said, ''based on what I've seen, surfing takes concentration and balance.''

''Right,'' I replied. ''I have to swim out there and wait for a big enough wave.''

''Good luck, Brendan!'' Alex called out from the shore with Marshtomp and Kirlia.

''Helloooo, Brendan!'' a voice sang from nowhere. We looked and saw May coming up to us.

''May!'' Alex and I exclaimed.

''I heard that you're taking on Brawly in a surfing competition,'' May said. ''I'm here to support you!''

''Aw gee,'' I said. ''Thanks, May.''

''You're welcome!'' May purred as she pushed Alex out of the way. ''Good luck!'' she sang as I swam out to sea on my surf board. I waited for a few minutes and, suddenly, a monstrous wave appeared.

''Holy cow!'' I said out loud. ''I didn't want one that big!'' I started to swim away from the wave and got up on my board. I tried to stay focused and maintained my balance. ''I'm doing it!'' I said. ''I'm surfing! Alex! May! I'm surfing!'' I looked and saw Alex putting sand on May's head and May counter with a Krabby down Alex's bikini. I lost focus and fell into the water. I swam over to the shore. ''Did you guys see me?'' I asked. ''I was surfing!''

''You did?!'' Alex and May asked.

''Way to go, Brendan!'' Alex said.

''Awesome!'' May said cuddling up to me. Nothing like surfing and pretty women, I thought turning red.

''Not bad,'' Brawly commented as he walked past us. ''Hopefully, you can keep up those skills until tomorrow.''

''We'll show 'im!'' Alex said. ''Don't let him faze you.''

''That's right,'' May said butting in. ''I-er-we know you can do it!''

''Thanks you guys,'' I replied smiling. ''I'm gonna keep practicing!'' Later that night, Alex, May, our Pokémon, and I were at a seafood restaurant.

''So, you feel ready to challenge Brawly?'' Alex asked.

''Yep,'' I replied swallowing food. ''I can't wait to show him who the new surfing master is.''

''We'll be right by your side all the way,'' May said supportively. All the Pokémon cried in agreement.

''I couldn't ask for better friends then you guys,'' I said smiling.

''It's good see such loyalty among friends,'' a voice said. We looked and saw a grey-haired man about our age walking up to us.

''Who're you?'' I asked.

''I'm Steven,'' the man replied.

You're Steven?'' Alex asked. ''Your dad wanted us to give you this letter.'' Alex reached into her backpack and pulled out the letter handing it to Steven.

''Thank you,'' Steven replied. ''May I have a seat?''

''Sure,'' I said. ''Pull up a chair.''

''What brings you to Dewford?'' May asked.

''I came to Dewford Town to look for precious stones,'' Steven replied. ''I found some granite in Granite Cave.'' Steven pulled out some granite from his bag.

''Cool,'' Alex commented.

''I heard that you're taking on Brawly in a surfing competition,'' Steven said.

''Yes,'' I responded. ''Never realized how fun surfing is.''

''I know Brawly seems like a jerk,'' Steven went on, ''but he's not that bad.''

''How do you know Brawly?'' May asked.

''Oh, he's just an old friend,'' Steven replied. ''Well, I hate to leave you guys, but I need to be on my way.''

''Bye!'' we called out.

''See you next time, my friends,'' Steven replied before walking out the door.

*May's p.o.v*

We were up bright and early in the morning. Brendan looked a little nervous for his first time surfing against someone like Brawly. Brawly soon joined us at the beach with a crowd of girls following us.

''Good morning, everyone,'' Brawly said happily.

''Good morning,'' we replied.

''Ready to surf, Brendan?'' Alex asked.

''About as much as I ever will be,'' Brendan replied.

''Don't be so nervous,'' Alex said. ''You can do it. I know you can.''

''Thanks, Alex,'' Brendan replied smiling. Brendan and Brawly then swam out to deeper water. A wave soon appeared on the horizon.

''GO BRENDAN!'' Alex and I cried. I just leered at Alex.

''I'll cheer on Brendan, okay?'' I asked annoyed.

''May, not now,'' Alex said.

''Don't 'not now' me!'' I said pushing her.

''Brendan needs us!'' Alex yelled. ''Quit acting like a little girl!'' I just growled when, suddenly, we heard a snap and a smack coming from out at sea. We looked and saw Brendan unconscious and afloat in the water with a broken surfboard.

''BRENDAN!'' we all yelled panicked.

''Marshtomp, save Brendan!'' Alex yelled. Marshtomp dove into the water and swam towards the unconscious Brendan. Brawly saw and got off of his board and was also swimming towards Brendan. Brawly got Brendan and swam towards us with Marshtomp following behind. Brendan had a massive lump on his forehead that was bleeding profusely.

''Oh no, Brendan!'' Alex said with tears in her eyes.

''Brendan, stay with us!'' I cried also tearing up. Brawly immediately began to do CPR. After a few rounds of the treatment, Brendan began to cough up water and woke up.

''W-what happened?'' Brendan asked before caressing his forehead in pain.

''Your board snapped in half somehow and you hit your head on a rock,'' Brawly commented. ''Let's get you to a doctor.'' We picked up Brendan and carried him to a hospital where he had his head examined.

''Well, thankfully, we were able to get your wound treated,'' Dr. Masuda said. ''Your skull and brain are all in tact. Just keep that bandage on your head for a couple weeks and you'll be fine.''

''Thanks, doctor,'' Brendan said. ''I think I remember what specifically happened. I saw a black fin come out of the water and charge right for me. I couldn't get out of the way in time and it snapped my board in half with its fin.''

''Must've been a Sharpedo,'' Dr. Masuda replied. ''They can be aggressive if you enter their territory. Be careful where you surf from now on, okay?''

''Okay,'' Brendan replied. We exited the hospital where Brawly was waiting.

''Hey, sorry about your board and your head injury, Brendan,'' Brawly said apologetically. ''I never should've been so rude towards you.''

''It's cool, Brawly,'' Brendan replied. ''Thanks for saving me. Who knows what would've happened to me if you didn't get me.''

''Sure,'' Brawly commented. '' Your skills arereally impressive. Here. Take this Knuckle Badge.''

''Thank you again!'' Brendan said happily.

''Good luck, you three!'' Brawly called out. We waved good-bye and Brendan and Alex walked off leaving me behind.

''I'm going with you two!'' I said.

''Huh?!'' Brendan asked astonished.

''Oh no,'' Alex commented.

''Oh yes!'' I retaliated. ''You guys will need my protection after all.''

''As if!'' Alex said. Alex and I just growled at each other.

''Ladies, can't you fight about this some other time?'' Brendan asked nervously.

''NO!'' Alex and I said before just leering at each other. Brendan just sighed as we walked on.