Adventures in Hoenn
Chapter Seventeen: Father vs. Son
*Brendan's p.o.v*
We made it to Petalburg City. It's been so long since we've been here. I was prepared to take on my own father, Norman, the Petalburg City Gym Leader! I've been anticipating this since I began my journey. I stood in front of the Gym frozen alongside my friends. My heart was racing in anticipation.
''Nervous, Brendan?'' Alex asked looking at me.
''N-n-no, not at all!'' I replied nervously.
''You're a terrible liar, you know that?'' Alex said laughing. ''Don't be so nervous. You'll do fine. And my dad, May, and I will be there rooting for ya!''
''Thanks, Alex,'' I said gratefully. ''The truth is that I'm afraid that if I loose to my dad, he'll be disappointed in me.''
''Who'll be disappointed in you?'' a voice asked. I looked behind me startled and saw my dad standing there with a quizzical expression on his face.
''Ack! Dad!'' I said surprised.
''Hello Brendan, Alex, May, and-'' My dad noticed Alex's dad. ''Could it be?'' he asked wide-eyed.
''Is that you, Norman?'' Alex's dad asked surprised. ''It's me, Anthony.'' My dad and Alex's dad then ran to each other and gave each other a friendly hug.
''Wait, you two know each other?'' Alex asked confused.
''Yes, dear,'' Alex's dad replied. ''Norman and I knew each other since we were little.''
''We both lived in Celadon City and played on the playground practically every day!'' my dad said grinning. ''We haven't seen each other in years! There is so much to catch up on!''
''You apparently know my daughter, Alex,'' Alex's dad observed.
''Yes, and you seem to know my son, Brendan,'' my dad responded. ''I assume you two have four badges?''
''You bet!'' Alex and I said showing the badges in our cases.
''Impressive!'' my dad said smiling. ''I'd like to fight you first, Brendan.''
''S-sure, dad,'' I said with my nervousness returning.
''What's wrong?'' my dad asked concerned.
''Oh, nothing,'' I replied as we entered the Gym. ''I'd love to fight you, dad.''
''Okay,'' my dad said unsure that I was telling the truth. We got into positions and the others got to the risers.
''Just because you're my son doesn't mean that I'll go easy on you, Brendan,'' my dad said. I gulped nervously. ''Go, Linoone!'' my dad cried.
''Here's your chance Anorith!'' I said tossing my newly revived Anorith.
''A fossil Pokémon, hmm?'' my dad said to himself. ''Linoone, Belly Drum!'' Linoone started pounding on his stomach furiously and got a tired expression on his face.
''Anorith, Water Gun!'' I commanded. Anorith shot water at Linoone. Linoone sprinted out of the way.
''Don't be so predictable, Brendan!'' my dad said. ''I'd expect a challenge from you.'' I looked down at the ground in shame. ''Linoone, Headbutt!'' Linoone collided with Anorith head on and sent Anorith reeling.
''Are you okay, Anorith?'' I asked concerned. Anorith looked at me with a tired expression. I smiled reassuringly to Anorith.
''Linoone, Slash attack!'' my dad ordered.
''Anorith, Metal Claw!'' I yelled. Linoone and Anorith locked each other in a power struggle. ''C'mon Anorith, don't give up!''
''Linoone, keep going!'' my dad said. Linoone staggered Anorith and attacked with another Headbutt knocking out Anorith.
''Anorith, you did well,'' I said. ''Rest in your ball.'' I called back Anorith.
''Did you even train that Pokémon to battle?'' my dad asked with his hands on his sides.
''I-I just got it from Rustboro City,'' I replied.
''You shouldn't send out a Pokémon that has little to no experience in battle,'' my dad nagged. ''Now come on. Send out your next Pokémon!'' He's nagging me again, I thought. I was afraid of this.
''Come out, Swellow!'' I cried.
''Vigoroth, let's battle!'' my dad said in return. Vigoroth danced around excitedly as Swellow circled him from above.
''Vigoroth, Fury Swipes!'' my dad ordered. Vigoroth leaped at Swellow.
''Swellow, Aerial Ace!'' I commanded. Swellow dove at Vigoroth and kocked him down to the ground.
''Not bad,'' my dad said genuinely impressed. ''But, this isn't over! Vigoroth, Swagger!'' Vigoroth snorted a puff of smoke that sent Swellow into an angry fit.
''Oh no,'' I said worried. ''He's confused!''
''Weren't expecting that, were you?'' my dad gloated. Swellow flew around the room angrily and confused. He flew into walls and windows and hurt himself.
''Swellow, snap out of it!'' I yelled. Swellow snapped out of his confusion and regained composure. ''Swellow, Endeavor!'' Swellow dove at Vigoroth again.
''Vigoroth, Counter!'' my dad yelled. Vigoroth blocked the attack and retaliated with a powerful punch knocking out Swellow. ''Is that the best you can do?'' my dad asked. ''I expected better!'' I could never measure up to my dad! I thought doubtfully as I pulled out Grovyle's Pokeball. My hand quivered as I gripped the Pokeball.
''Brendan, what's wrong?'' Alex asked concerned. I then ran out of the building.
''Brendan?!'' my dad said surprised. I couldn't stand to stand there and get criticized by my dad. He's been like that since I was little. From school to general life, he's pushed me hard and criticized me. I had to get away at all costs! I climbed a tree and put my face in my legs. My dad reached the tree I was in. ''Brendan, what's the meaning of this?'' my dad asked.
''I can't stand your criticism!'' I snapped. ''You nag me, criticize me, and push me!''
''Brendan, I'm just trying to help you,'' my dad said.
''Help me?!'' I asked angrily. ''How is hurting my feelings helping me?!'' My dad looked at the ground in shame.
''I'm sorry, Brendan,'' he said apologetically. ''I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.'' I looked up. I got down from the tree and walked up to my dad. ''I realize that I need to go easier on you,'' he said. ''You know that I love you, right?''
''Y-yeah,'' I replied with my voice quivering. ''I forgive you.'' We then hugged each other. I opened my eyes and saw Alex and the others watching from afar and smiling.
''Thank you, Brendan,'' my dad said gratefully. ''Want to go finish our battle?''
''Yes,'' I responded. We went inside to continue our battle. ''Let's go, Grovyle!'' I cried.
''Slaking, let's fight!'' my dad said. ''Slaking, Chip Away!'' Slaking got up and furiously punched Grovyle.
''Grovyle, Bullet Seed!'' I said. Grovyle blasted Slaking with seeds as it loafed around due to Truant.
''Good shot, son!'' my dad said happily.
''Thanks, dad!'' I replied rubbing the back of my head.
''Slaking, Swagger!'' my dad ordered. Slaking puffed smoke arrogantly.
''Grovyle, don't look!'' I said. Grovyle looked away and Slaking then loafed around. ''Now, Leaf Blade!'' Grovyle lunged at Slaking and did an uppercut slash knocking the beast onto his back.
''Slaking, Rest!'' my dad ordered. Slaking went to sleep causing his wounds to heal.
''This is going to be a long battle,'' I said to myself. Grovyle looked exhausted and looked to me for the next order. ''Grovyle, Slash!'' Grovyle lunged at Slaking.
''Slaking, Sleep Talk!'' my dad ordered. Slaking dodged Grovyle's attack.
''Grovyle, Bullet Seed!'' I yelled. Grovyle pelted Slaking in seeds.
''Slaking, Chip Away!'' my dad yelled. Slaking punched Grovyle repeatedly.
''Grovyle, are you okay?'' I asked. Grovyle looked like he was ready to collapse. ''Hang in there, buddy!'' Grovyle suddenly glowed white.
''Is Grovyle…evolving?'' May asked. Grovyle got taller and his tail sprouted many leaves.
''What did you become, Grovyle?'' I asked.
''That's Sceptile!'' my dad said surprised. ''Things just got more interesting.''
''Sceptile, Leaf Blade!'' I yelled. Sceptile leapt at Slaking and slammed him and knocked down the giant sloth.
''Well done!'' my dad said laughing heartily and running up to hug me.
''Thank you, dad!'' I said happily. Sceptile and Slaking shook hands courteously.
''Here's your Balance Badge!'' my dad said handing me the badge.
''But dad, I didn't beat all your Pokémon,'' I said confused.
''I don't care,'' he replied. ''You're my son. I'm very proud of your synergy with your Pokémon. You earn it based on that alone in my book!''
''Thank you,'' I said gratefully taking the badge. I looked at the badge proudly. I'm almost there, I thought grinning a huge grin. I need three more and I'll be in the Pokémon League!
''Congratulations, Brendan!'' Alex said hugging me.
''Thank you, Alex,'' I responded.
''You were great!'' she exclaimed. Alex then suddenly kissed me on the cheek. I froze in surprise. My heart was working overtime. I was so stiff, I thought that I'd fall to the ground and shatter like glass. Everyone just laughed at my predicament.
''Please, stay for dinner everyone,'' my dad offered. ''You can spend the night here at the Gym.''
''Thank you, Norman,'' Alex's dad said gratefully.
*Alex's p.o.v*
Later that night, my mom called me on the video phone. I eagerly answered the phone. ''Hi, mom!'' I said cheerfully.
''Hello, sweetheart,'' my mom said in a somewhat nauseous tone.
''You okay, mom?'' I asked concerned.
''Yeah, just haven't been feeling well recently,'' she said. ''Been a little sick to my stomach today. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. Anyways, how're you?''
''I'm fine,'' I replied. ''Dad met his friend Norman today! He's the Gym Leader here in Petalburg City.''
''Oh good,'' she replied smiling. ''Tell him I said 'hello. Also, I wanted to ask you what you're going to be doing for Father's Day.''
''Oh, that's right!'' I exclaimed. ''I can't forget about Father's Day! Hmm, I think I'll bake dad an apple pie. He loves apple pie!''
''That sounds good,'' mom replied. Mom then started to gag.
''Mom, are you sure you're okay?'' I asked getting more worried.
''Yes, sweetie, don't worry,'' she responded. ''Well, get something else for your dad from me, too.''
''Yes, mom,'' I responded. Dad then came into the room.
''Hi, honey!'' he said happily.
''Hi, dear,'' mom said trying to smile.
''Are you okay?'' dad asked.
''Just feeling a little sick,'' mom answered. ''Don't worry, I'm going to the doctor tomorrow.''
''Take it easy, sweetie,'' dad said concerned. ''Drink some ginger ale and get plenty of rest.''
''Yes, dad,'' mom teased. ''Don't worry so much, dear. You're going to get sick from worrying so much.''
''Okay,'' dad said laughing. ''Take care, sweetheart.''
''Good night, mom!'' I said.
''Good night, my beloveds,'' mom said smiling before hanging up.
''What do you think is wrong with mom, dad?'' I asked him.
''Hmm, if memory doesn't fail me, she could be pregnant again,'' my dad responded.
''Pregnant?'' I asked. ''I might have a little brother or sister, you mean?''
''Perhaps,'' he replied. ''But, we'll see. Don't worry. Now, let's get some sleep.''
''Good night,'' I said kissing dad.
''Good night, my princess,'' dad replied kissing me back. I then laid down in my bed. I might be a big sister! I thought excitedly. I hope mom is pregnant.