Another Chapter! Please enjoy and review~
Autumn was gripping Hoenn slowly, for the first time I was seeing multicolored leaves on the trees, and my eyes honed in on the leaves falling off the trees, spiralling gracefully in the air as they descended to the grass below. There were trainers out, but nobody seemed interested in battling, preferring to enjoy the sounds of nature or hunt through the grass in search of new Pokemon.
My mind was full of everything, but could concentrate on nothing. It was like trying to catch air in your fist, as soon as you think you succeeded, you realize that it was impossible to do and your thought quickly slipped away. I sighed, cuffing the ground with the sneakers I had donned for the day. The handsome face of that mysterious Steven character kept creeping back into my mind. I knew that I had missed something and shown my naïve nature.
Sighing, I gave up, and instead glanced at the Poochyena walking at my heels. The little Pokemon had recovered from the fainting spell fairly quickly, and since then, had been very friendly. I thought the grey furred fellow- because he was a male- made quite the addition to my team.
Apparently Treeko did not.
When I introduced her to my new Pokemon, she jumped at him, landed on his shoulders and pushed him to the ground until he was prostrate and aimed 'absorb' attacks at it's skull until the Poochyena whimpered in pain. To be fair, Poochyena put up a gallant effort while I was trying to separate them, but he was just to week to properly fight Treeko off.
That's why I decided that Poochyena and I needed to focus on training a bit before I reintroduced the pair. The furry Pokemon had taken down a couple of Wingull's and was doing well, but what we really needed was a battle with another trainer.
A rich looking boy was approaching me confidently, eyes trained on my Poochyena. "Would you fancy a battle?" he asked earnestly, hand hovering over a Pokeball around his waist.
Just what I was looking for. "That would be wonderful," I said before ordering Poochyena forward.
"Zigzagoon!" the boy said, releasing his Zigzagoon before rolling up his blazer sleeves.
The battle raged on, his Zigzagoon and my Poochyena were pretty evenly matched. I thought that I had a chance at the win, until the Rich Boy pulled a cheep stunt and healed his Pokemon with a potion.
Damn, I should have thought of that.
"Zigzagoon, Finish this!"
There was nothing I could do but watch as Poochyena was hit squarely in the shoulders and bowled over. Poochyena whimpered but didn't move. Neither did I.
I had... lost.
I felt tears well up in my eyes, I didn't know why. Logically, I knew that losing battles was part of being a trainer, and was nothing to be ashamed of. On the other hand, it still hurt.
I whipped away the unreasonable tears in my arm before smiling at the boy and asking for his trainer card. He shook his head and told me that he battled for the rush of the win, and didn't need my measly monetary offering.
I didn't know if I should be offended or not.
I recalled Poochyena, made a quick detour to the Pokemon Center, and retraced my steps until reached the entrance to Petalburg Woods. I stepped forward.
Almost immediately I noticed that the spaces in between trees was lessening and the trunks were becoming thicker with each step I took towards the interior of the forest. A sense of calm engulfed me and, for the first time in a long time, I let go of all my worries. I felt safe in the forest, like nothing could touch me.
I squinted my eyes as the glare of sun filtered through the trees into my eyes. The grass directly to the right of my feet was rustling slightly, and I watched in mild amusement as a Pokemon that looked slightly like a Mushroom with legs searched through the grass with it's short tapered arms for food. Quickly flipping over my Pokedex to identify the funny creature.
A Shoormish ey?
I hesitated, debating on if I should call out my Treeko battle it, but decided against it. The Shoormish wasn't hurting anybody and was going on with his own business. My lips curled upwards as I walked forward on the path, weaving in and out of the trees.
I battled a trainer who specialized with bugs, defeating all four of his Pokemon with Poochyena. I was delighted by this outcome, feeling as if I had redeemed myself in the eyes of Poochyena from the failure and hour before.
About fifteen minutes later, I approached a man in a green blazer who was peering with intensity at the ground, eyes darting back and forth, narrowed in disappointment.
He heard the leaves crunching distinctly underfoot, and turned sharply. He relaxed as he saw me and smiled. "Hello, you haven't happened to see a Shoormish have you? I've been searching for one all day."
The memory of the Pokemon I had encountered minutes before washed over me and I nodded absently. "There was one a while back, towards the tree with the three moss covered rocks surrounding it."
"Really?" The man exclaimed, his face brightening. "That's wonderful, I-" He cut off, eyes bulging slightly and mouth opening in a wordless explanation. I froze in alarm as I felt cold metal press against the back of my neck lightly.
"Don't move and I may not hurt you darling," I heard low voice say arrogantly behind me. I took in everything at once, realizing that the tip of a blade was pressed against my neck and that the distinct growling I heard from somewhere behind me sounded very close to the menacing bark that Poochyena generally made when angered.
Oh Fuck.
Acting on fear rather than reason, I dove forward and pulled the Shoormish guy behind me and backing away quickly. If I had been practical, I would have dove behind the guy and used him as a shield. To bad by the time I figured that out, it really wasn't a viable option.
The twenty something year old man who faced us was wearing jeans torn at the knees and a striped shirt. A bandana with a distinct symbol was tied around his head, obscuring his hair. In one hand he clutched a knife and in the other, a Pokeball; his teeth were bared in a snarl, mirroring the expression his Poochyena had as it stalked forward.
"I've been waiting for that damned researcher to come out of the damned woods for two damned hours. I couldn't wait any longer, boss wants those Devon Goods, so hand them over now."
I narrowed my eyes in concentration, not letting the knife get out of my line of vision. This guy had criminal written all over his oily face, no way he was going to get anything he wanted so long as I was here. I glanced sideways to the green guy, he didn't have any Pokemon on him. He looked at me desperately gesturing to the Pokeballs on my hip. "Your a trainer, aren't you? Can't you do anything."
I grimaced and grabbed the Pokeball. I could to better than that. I would send the guy packing.
I squared my shoulders and faced the Pirate Guy, as I had started to refer to him in my mind, as he pointed a finger at me and said menacingly, "Get her."
The Poochyena charged forward, teeth snapping. I threw the Pokeball into the air and yelled. "Treeko! Lets teach this tosser a lesson!" Poochyena ran straight over towards my Pokemon and knocked him over, pressing it's paws on its stomach.
"Quick attack" I said angrily. Treeko darted quickly to the side, dashing into the Poochyena's flank. Unfortunatly he didn't get out of range quickly enough
"Bite," The Pirate Guy said, apparently unconcerned. I winced as Treeko screeched in fury as the sharp teeth of his opponent closed on his arm.
"Quick attack again!"
The Shoormish Guy saw the danger before I did. As Treeko writhed furiously, trying to get out of the Poochyena's teeth, he was getting dangerously close to the knife. "Watch out!" In a move so quick I almost didn't see it, the Pirate Guy hit Treeko in the head with the flat of the blade, causing him to reel in pain.
"Pin it down," he snarled and the Poochyena did just that, pushing Treeko's body into the ground. "Bite." he commanded, a twisted smile fixed on his face.
"Absorb!" I screamed in blind fury. Treeko executed the attack just in time, absorbing the Poocheyna's energy until it fell, defeated. The Pirate Guy looked with distaste at his fallen partner before looking at me.
"Your damned strong."
I glared at him. "And your a damned bastard. Get the HELL OUT OF HERE." Anger licked at my stomach, but I tried to control it. I could not do anything reckless. He was the one with the weapon. He stalked forward, still brandishing his knife, and spat at my face before pushing onwards, leaving the Poochyena on the ground.
"I have to go to Rustboro," he muttered darkly before sprinting away. I stared after him in shock, wiping my face in my shirt. The Shoormish Guy had stopped cowering and had approached me.
"Thank you so much-" his face turned pale. "Did he say Rustboro? I must go and warn the company, if he gets his hands on the structural plans..."
The man ran off in the direction the Pirate Guy did, and I watched, feeling completely flustered, scared, and bemused.
I immediately checked to make sure Treeko was alright- I didn't see any blood on his so I assumed he hadn't been cut. He was definitly out of sorts, not objecting as I scooped him up and craddled him in my arms.
"Treeko did good," I cooed before recalling him. It would be a lie to say I wasn't rattled by the encounter, but there really wasn't much I could do to soothe my nerves just now. After eventually deciding to continue forward towards the next city or town- to my dismay I realized I could not read the key well enough to tell the difference between the two- I set off once again down the well worn path that weaved between the tightly compacted trees that riddled the forest floor.
I had seriously debated going back to Petalburg, but common sense won out eventually. It was unlikely that I was any closer to Petalburg than I was to the next city, and it made no sense to go backwards- and I really didn't think Treeko was seriously hurt.
I pursed my lips and shoved my hands further into my pocket as I walked, wearing my cardigan had become a habit more than a necessity, the day was shaping up to be quite comfortable. After many wrong turns an eventually crumpling up my map and tossing it on the ground, I found the exit to the Petalburg Woods, finding myself with water lapping at my feet. Recoiling as my converse soaked down water, I back peddled quickly.
A sturdy looking bridge stretched across the expanse and I quickly crossed it, battling a pair of twins along the way.
Tall buildings loomed above me. Definitely a city, I thought as I trekked through the entrance. Though my dad was well traveled, I had never gone with him on any of his trips and had grown up and resided in a small town all my life, the only times I had really gone anywhere else was when I traveled to compete in contests, and even the cities that hosted said contests weren't so large.
And I had thought Petalburg was big...
The sights and sounds of the city were immensely different than I was used to. Cars were speeding through the streets, neon lights flashing in store windows, and screams of laughter from a group of children that were playing with each other. I looked up at a skyscraper at the center of the city, so obviously important and yet I had no idea what it was. I walked to the sign on the right and read : "Devon Corporation HQ, Company Boss: Mr. Stone".
There was that Devon Corp. again, I thought, drumming my fingers on my arm. Something I should probably try to learn more about if I wanted to be a trainer in Hoenn, they seemed to be the origin of many products that could be useful.
The wind picked up abruptly and my vision was obscured by my hair. Spitting, trying to remove the strands from my mouth, I turned so the wind was hitting me head on, aiding me in my endeavor of moving my hair.
As soon as I regained my vision, my eyes trained onto the tell tale red roof of the Pokemon Center. One word could describe it. Massive. And that's what is was, there had to be at least seven floors that housed travelling trainers, not including the lobby.
The sliding doors whooshed open and I walked in. The Center was bustling with activity, trainers and Pokemon everywhere. I got in the line that was forming in front of the Counter. When I got to Nurse Joy, I handed her my trainer card and she updated it for me, giving me a speculative look as she read my name.
I sighed.
Upon handing it back, she held her hand out expectantly for the Pokeballs at my waist, and I hesitated.
"Can you take a look at my Treeko?" I asked hesitantly.
"Is anything wrong dear," Nurse Joy asked sympathetically.
"Not really..." I began, wondering how to explain the possible knife wound. "He hit himself on something sharp, and I wanted to make sure there wasn't any damage I didn't catch." I decided on a half truth.
"Sure dear." I released Treeko and scooped him up in my arms, giggling as he gave me a hard stare. He must be feeling better if he had decided he no longer wanted to be held. Nurse Joy picked him up, ignoring the growl of protest from the green Pokemon and placed him on the counter. She immediately started shining a small flashlight into each of Treeko's eyes, and then proceeded to feel for any sign of damage with her skilled hands.
After her examination was complete, Nurse Joy smiled and handed Treeko back to me. "He'll be fine but-"
I got a tap on my shoulder and I jerked in reaction. A boy around my age with jet black hair that fell to his collar was peering down at me. "Are you almost done yet," he asked curiously. I stammered my reply.
"I-I think..."
He nodded absently and I turned back to Nurse Joy flustered. She motioned for me to step to the side which I did hesitantly. Unfortunately for me, Nurse Joy saw to everybody else in line, including the black haired boy before she came back to me, by which time, the lobby was quiet and the few remaining trainers lethargic.
"Now about your Treeko," Nurse Joy said to me after tending to everybody else, "as I was saying, he will heal just fine. I just want you to take it easy with the training for a day or two, don't let him over exert herself."
"Would Gym Battles fall under that category," I asked without thinking.
"Hmm," she said, deep in thought. I noticed she had a manicure. Typical. "Well, as long as you take it easy afterwards, it should be alright..."
Damn it.
"Thank you!" I said, forcing a cheerful expression.
"You'll want to watch him closely anyway, he's close to evolving."
"Really?" I exclaimed in excitement. I chose to ignore Nurse Joy's amusement.
I stared at the keys blankly as Nurse Joy pressed them into my left palm. "You look like your about to drop from exhaustion, stay here for the night and get a good rest dear." I hadn't realized how late it had gotten, and I still wasn't accustomed to the Hoenn time.
But since I had been giving the ok to partake in gym battles, I figured I might as well get it over with quickly.
It only took me a few minutes to find the gym, and even less to find the gym leader once I had entered. Roxanne, the rock type specialist, was talking to a man in stripes, a referee. I walked up to them, trying to hold my head high, and said, "I'm here to challenge the gym leader."
Roxanne didn't turn to me at once, but once she did, I could see the scepticism in her cold gaze.
"Really?" I quailed under her gaze.
Look her straight in the eye! I berated myself, trying not to let on how nervous I was. I failed. Miserably.
"Well then, Hector, we have a challenger. Let's keep this short, I was about to retire."
The referee nodded and told me, "This will be a one on one battle, no substitutions will be allowed. Go on my flag." Hector turned away from me, and I thought I saw a smirk on his face. My blood boiled, I was tired of having my skills doubted, first by Brendan and now by the gym leader. Screw it, I didn't care if I was a reluctant trainer, I was going to win.
Hector's flag dropped and immediately, Roxanne yelled, "Geodude! Make this quick!"
"Treeko!" I said, throwing my Pokeball into the air.
Treeko appeared on the field, looking at Geodude curiously, letting out a "ko," in intrest
"Rock Tomb," Roxanne said, apparently not intrigued by the proceedings. Geodude pounded his fists on the ground, sending a large pile of boulders flying towards Treeko.
"Dodge and use absorb!" I commanded, watching proudly as Treeko easily sidestepped the rocks and sent a flurry of tendrals towards the Geodude, hitting his mark. The attack did a considerable amount of damage, and raised Treeko's energy to boot.
The same attacks were shot back and forth, and it wasn't until the fourth Absorb attack that Roxanne decided to try something new. Roxanne narrowed her eyes, and yelled "Defence Curl!"
"Geo!" grumbled the rock type, curling up in a ball.
I took a chance. "Pound" Treeko rushed forward and rammed into the Gym Leader's Pokemon. I saw the look of disbelief and dismay on both the referee and Gym Leader's face when the Geodude didn't stir.
"The Challenger... wins."
I pumped my fist in delight, yelling in triumph. Oh yes. I could be a trainer. This could work.
I got my first badge!
Hector handed my the small badge before Roxanne approached me. "I lost because I underestimated you... I'll be sure to never to that again. Good luck on your journey."
"Thank you!" I said before turning and skipping out of the gym, not caring what Roxanne thought of it. I had climbed the first steps of the league. Me! After healing my Pokemon, I found the elevator fairly quickly, but opted to walk up the staircase to the fifth floor.
The doorknob of my room turned under my light touch, and I stepped into the room. I tossed my bag on the ground and kicked it underneath the twin size bed. The room was much like the one that I stayed in before, but yet, completely different.
Color paintings were splashed on the walls, red and gold spiralling in athletically pleasing patterns across the parchment. My eyes trained on the splatters of color as I stripped down and prepared for a shower.
Before opening the sliding doors and turning the silver nob that would let loose the warm water that would relax my joints, i turned to look at myself in the mirror.
The light reflected upon my skin highlighted my two long scars- I tried not to concentrate on them. I was all to aware that the Pirate Guy could have added a third today. I could see my own ignition directed at the marks on my shoulders from the heavy pack that had rested for the better part of the day. Irritably, I brushed the hair off my shoulders and looked away. I didn't like to admit it, even to myself, but I was insecure.
I stood in the shower aimlessly until all the hot water ran out, just relaxing. I walked back to the main room, a towel with the Center embalm encrusted in hitched up under my arms.
My father would be pleased, I realized, he was a gym leader in Hoenn, deeply immersed in Pokemon. Did he even know I had become a trainer? Well now he would here of it. I had defeated a gym leader after all.
I pulled a tanktop over my head and struggled into a pair of soffees before brushing my teeth and leaping onto the bed and pulling out my diary. Poochyena's capture was recorded, the strange iron bird, my new Stone Badge, even the light the sinking sun cast on the water. Even the Pirate Guy I had battled with creeped into the pages. I added sketches to the text and then turned the page, careful not to smudge any of the carefully drawn lines.
Was there anything else I had forgotten to record? Immediately the face of that Steven character whom I had met in Petalburg was at the forefront of my mind. The way lips twisted into a gorgeous smile, the way his eyes-
And I was off writing again.
I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep, that is, not until I was woken up by shouting.
I don't know how much later it was, but I heard a loud sound from outside. I scrambled to my feet, pushing away fatigue and throwing open the window to look down. It must have been around four in the morning, the moon was off center in the sky, beginning its decent.
A blurred shape had just sprinted past the Pokemon Center and was continuing on at full throttle. A slightly more pudgy outline followed at a slower pace.
"Wait, You can't have those!" The Shoormish guy, I thought with alarm. I knew that this wasn't my fight, that I didn't have to get involved. To late.
Adrenaline was pumping through my veins as I gripped Treeko's and Poochyena's Pokeballs in my hand, my knuckles white. I knew I shouldn't be battling with Treeko just yet, but an exeption seemed necasarry here
I dashed out of the Center, ignoring the "What's wrong?" from Nurse Joy who was tirelessly filling out paperwork at her desk. I ran in the direction that the other two had been heading, going a bit slower, watching where I stepped, not trusting my faulty sense of equilibrium to keep me safe in the dark.
It took my only five minutes to find the Shoormish guy, even in the dark I could see his distinguished green blazer. He was doubled over, hands on his knees and panting in exhaustion. I swear that he was sweating profusely.
He heard my approach and turn around. "It's you," he said in surprise and delight. "That grunt took the Devon Goods from my person while I was, well that's not important-" he blustered on, embarresed.
This guy obviously wasn't one of Devon Corporations most reliable workers, I realized. He seemed to be constantly in need of help. Why he was put in charge of the goods, only to have them stolen, twice, I really didn't know.
"You need to help me retrieve them, he went that way." His eyes locked with mine, looking at me expectantly.
I nodded and continued the chase down route 116, brushing through the grass and gritting my teeth as small rocks wormed there way into my sandles, making every step I took uncomfortable. A man who was crying out "My poor Peeko," pointed me in the right direction.
I was in a cave, small pink pokemon were making a cacophony running around my feet. My Pokedex informed me that they were called Whismers. Leaving the obnoxiously loud Pokemon behind, I quickly found thug that had taken the goods.
Even though the cave was dimly lit, I could tell that this was a different Pirate Guy than the one before, one with a much stout build. A wingull was flapping it's wings futily, but the grunt was cruelly hanging onto the helpless Pokemon's tailfeather, preventing escape.
I narrowed my eyes in anger but didn't get to close; I remembered that the other Pirate Man had been in possession of a knife.
"Fuck this, boss said this would be an easy job," he grumbled as he looked in dismay from me to the dead end he had encountered. I took a step to the right to block his only route of escape.
My hand flickered to the Pokeball on my waist. "Give me the goods and the Pokemon, and get out," I growled.
"I don't think so gorgeous," he said leering at me. I paled as I realized what he was hinting at; I was still only wearing a tanktop and shorts. "Move out of the way, and I may not have to hurt you." The Wingall gave out a shriek of pain as the grunt tugged on the feathers once again.
I shook my head. The grunt sneered at me and called out a Poochyena, larger than the one I had encountered before. Before I knew what was happening, The Poochyena was charging at me, its jaws wide.
I acted on instinct, pressing the button on the center of the Pokeball and calling out for my own Treeko. "Absorb!"
Green tendrels burst from Treeko's body, darting towards the other Pokemon! The grunts sallow face soured in anger as Poochyena was forced to halt it's attack and dodge around the fire. "Tackle!" he commanded.
I was unprepared for the quick response of the thug and Treeko payed the price as she was hit by the brutally strong attack. "Treeko!" I cried out.
"Tree..." he whimpered, struggling to get up. The man laughed and looked at me, eyes sparkling with malice. "Now, if you'd just get out of my way..."
He trailed off as Treeko began to glow.
His shape began to change erratically until the light faded, and in Treeko's place, was a different pokemon all together, a Grovyle my Pokedex informed me.
Treeko evolved! I thought. Couldn't have been better timing really... "GROVYLE!" My Pokemon growled.
The Grunt blanched and dropped everything he was holding, the Wingall flew towards the entrance, screaming it's anger and relief. "What the Hell," he yelped before high tailing it out of the cave, his Pokemon in pursuit.
I let him go.
Gathering the goods in my hands, I slowly walked back to find the Shoormish Guy, deep in thought and reflection. Outside the cave, the elderly man was hugging the Wingall joyfully; he nodded to me in thanks. I felt a strange warmth flow through my veins- I had never been that appreciated before.
The Shoormish Guy was shifting his weight back and forth impatiently, his hands clasped together in anticipation. I handed them back silently. "You got them! Your a wonderful trainer, thank you so much! I would have been in so much trouble if..." he cut off awkwardly. "My boss would like to see you," I know it's not yet dawn, but he really would like to meet you and thank you personally."
My interest was picked. I was already up anyway, there was no way I was going to be getting any more sleep. And with a chance to meet the President of the Devon Corp. to boot!
He led me back through the city, and to the huge Devon HQ building. It was alive with activity, men and woman, arms laden, in white lab coats everywhere, very immersed in whatever they were doing.
With the Shoormish Guy in the lead, I walked up a few flights of stairs and hovered uncertainly by a large door. I was nodded forward and opened the door.
There were cases lining the room filled with gems that I imagined glimmered beautifully in the sunlight. I wanted to go and inspect them closer, but a slight motion made me turn around completely. An older man was sitting, hands folded serenely on top of a mahogany desk. He rose and approached me.
As I might his eyes shyly, I felt myself real and I took an involuntary step back. He had grey eyes, which reminded me vaugly of someone I could not place. "My name is Mr. Stone, President of Devon Corp," he said formally.
"Samantha Shepherd." I said, shaking his hand, feeling embarrassed as I noticed they were covered with dirt. He didn't seem to mind.
"Shepherd? I thought you looked familiar. Your eyes are rather like your fathers, I met him once, briefly, when he was meeting with my son." Mr. Stone motioned for me to make myself comfortable after he sat back down onto his chair. Nervously, I followed suit.
"Now Miss Shepherd, I've heard how you've helped my company out twice today. Without your help team Aqua most certainly would have taken possession of the Devon Goods." He beamed at me and I stared back blankly. Team Aqua? The same as the Pirate Guys? Must be.
"You faced grunts, the lowest of the low," he continued. I frowned, was that his way of hinting don't get a big head? "You are lucky they weren't in possession of more powerful pokemon. Team Aqua are notorious for raising Pokemon to high levels through cruel and harsh tactics."
I nodded in understanding to what he was getting at. I was not to get involved in whatever Team Aqua was doing, I was to green, to weak. I guess I was just lucky that I had won.
"You've already helped me out two times to many today, but I have another favor to ask of you. I would like you to deliver the Devon Goods to Captain Stern in Slateport City."
I nodded, wondering where this was going. "If you are agreeable, I would also like you to deliver this letter to Dewford. It's right along the way."
I nodded once again. Mr. Stone opened his desk and started rummaging around in it; I let my eyes examine the strange objects on his desk which included a pendulum, a ring with a orange jem mounted on it, and a stack of neatly folded papers that seemed to contain the plans to a complicated electronic device.
A small white envelope was pressed into my hands and I carried I tucked it away carefully. I started to stand, but was halted as Mr. Stone handed me a small electronic device which I examined with confusion.
Mr. Stone chuckled and I felt myself grow red. "That's a Pokenav, one of my own design. Its a device that trainers can use to call each other or check their position. My gift to you in thanks for helping me out. Let me see your Pokenav for a moment."
He took the device and turned it on, punching in some keys. Once he handed it back, I looked at him my expression once again blank.
"I have given you my number so you can reach me once you deliver the goods as well as the message, or if you need anything of me at all. I would be glad to help you after what you have done for me today."
"Thank you Mr. Stone, I deliver both as quickly as possible."
He beamed at me. "Get a good night sleep Samantha, and thank you, again!"
I was lead out of the headquarters by the Shoormish Guy who took my hand in both of his and thanked me profusely for saving his job twice. With the Pokenav safely tucked away, my limbs suddenly turned to led and my sleep deprived brain slowed. I staggered back to the Pokemon Center, yawning all the way.
Once I reached my room I flopped down and closed my eyes, thanking God when darkness overtook me.
Steven's POV
Dewford, one of the only places I could travel without being harassed by trainers and fans alike. My presence had been required in the town early that morning, when an unexpected earthquake had wracked the small island community. Thank God there hadn't been extensive damage.
Brawly and I had assessed the damage, there were a few collapses in the extensive tunnel system underneath the island, but nobody had been trapped. I sighed, and flopped down in the sand, debating if I should let out Metagross. On one hand, I'm sure he would enjoy the sunlight, but there was only so much attention I could call to myself before someone would intrude on my privacy, even here in Dewford.
I was drifting off when my Pokenav rung. I picked it up and looked at the ID.
"Dad," I asked, tension apparent in my voice.
"Steven, Team Aqua made another move today." I frowned and was immediately alert. "They tried, twice, to steal the goods destined for Captain Stern."
How could he be so calm?"Were they recovered?" I spluttered before adding "What purposes were they taken for?" I could almost see my dad sitting up straighter, his think lips upturned. Obviously pleased about something, I noted.
"A wonderful young trainer helped me on that score Steven my boy, though we don't know why they wanted the parts, and before you ask," he said . I need you to stay in Dewford for the time being."
"Why?"
As my father continued, I absently twisted the rings on my fingers absently. "The trainer that helped us recover the goods, she is going to be delivering a letter to you in Dewford in the next couple of days."
Silence met his words. Did he say she? I fought back the urge to ask who she was, but knew that if I did that, my father would- "What's the trainers name?" Whim beat reason.
I could hear my father smirking on the other end of the line.
"The name Father." It was my turn to be irritated.
"Shepherd's daughter." I sucked in a quick breath of air. The new gym leader... wasn't aware that he had a daughter. "There is another reason I want you in Dewford. The press are trying to track you down."
I groaned. "Why can't they just leave me alone?" I felt a bit childless, looking for my dad to comfort me.
"Steven, you are the only person I know who wouldn't enjoy the attention. That's how I know your position hasn't gotten to your head. But they got a tip from a civilian in Petalburg about you and a girl, groundless I know, but I thought it would be good if you disappeared. I don't want you going through all that again. I have to go," he said. "Take care of yourself." Me and a girl, what the hell?
"Thanks dad," I said, and hung up. Sighing, I leaned against Skarmary's sleek neck and stared at the clouds, allowing myself to get lost in the images they created.