AN: Variety is the spice of life. That being said, I'm looking for a few good OCs to put into my story. They won't have a major role, and unless they prove to be popular, they may end up only show up once. If you are interested, PM the details. I'm looking for Trainers, those random people that stay in the Pokémon Center until the end of time, and some grunts for Magma and Aqua. This is a team effort people, and I have the utmost faith in us. We can do this… together.
Also, I'm going to retitle the story and rewrite the summary. If you have any ideas, let me know.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. That goes for the franchise and the fictional creatures.
Chapter 3
"Water Gun!"
"Dodge for now, Rex." They had worked on dodging already, and the Grass Pokémon was a natural, it seemed. That, and even a direct hit would fail to do much at this range. It would be best to let Mudkip tire itself out and force May to show more of Mudkip's capabilities.
"Tackle it!" The blue Pokémon rushed the Treecko.
"Jump and Pound," Brendan commanded with a few moments before impact. Just as Rex began to comply, May changed tactics.
"Use Bide, Mudkip!" Mudkip braced itself as Rex descended and slammed its tail down. The Mudkip let out a grunt, but remained standing.
"Push off and back away," Brendan said. Rex complied, and now the Pokémon stood on opposite sides of the field. "Absorb." The Treecko rushed forwards before jumping on the back of Mudkip and siphoning energy away. Mudkip began to look a little woozy, before finally unleashing the energy it had stored from enduring the two attacks. Letting out a war cry that sounded cuter than anything else, Mudkip, threw Rex off and sent him flying a few yards before he hit the ground. Immediately recovering, he found a charging Mudkip right where he didn't want one – about two inches in front of his face.
"This is going to-"
"HERE COMES THE PAIN TRAIN!"
Fortunately for Treecko, Brendan had planned for this eventuality. The Absorb, besides being a super effective attack, robbed Mudkip of some of its built up energy. Unplanned, but still beneficent, was the additional energy lost from Rex being thrown off. So instead of seriously debilitating Rex, the attack knocked the wind out of him. He recovered a few moments later.
"It seems you misjudged your strength," Rex quipped. Mudkip merely growled in response. It stomped its feet and gave another war cry before it suddenly began to grow with a bright, white light.
May practically began to dance with delight. "Mudkip, you're evolving!" May declared ecstatically, before she turned on Brendan with a decidedly evil grin. "How do you think your Treecko will fair against Marshtomp?"
Brendan called Treecko back to him as Mudkip's glowing began to change. "Alright, change in plans. Mudkip was stronger than you before, but Marshtomp will be on an entirely different level. Do not let it land a hit, it might be over if you do. Fight more evasively than before. We will just have to wait for the right moment." It was fortunate that Rex was such an exceptionally smart Pokémon, or all of Brendan's instructions would have gone over his head.
Meanwhile, Marshtomp had finally stopped evolving, and stood on its two hind legs giving Treecko a look that promised pain. Rex simply gazed back, confidence showing in his eyes.
"Let's finish this up, Marshtomp. Use Mud Shot!" Marshtomp launched its attack, which was moving faster than before, despite its increased mass. Rex still had managed to dodge, though more speed was needed to do so.
Brendan began to notice that Marshtomp was beginning to wear out. Apparently the damage from the battle, the strain of evolving, and dehydration were taking its toll. Unfortunately, May noticed too, so she retrieved a large water bottle from her pack and threw it to Marshtomp. The Pokémon never took its eyes off Rex while it began to drink the water and squirt some on its skin.
"Now, Rex!" Said Pokémon immediately launched into a quick attack, the water bottle half finished before Marshtomp had to abandon it in favor of defending itself. It swung an arm down, but the Treecko had already rolled to the other side. "Absorb!" He promptly latched onto the larger Pokémon's back and began to drain it of its energy. Due to its stubby arms, Marshtomp was unable to remove its attacker.
"Just fall over and crush it, Marshtomp," May commanded. As the Pokémon began to fall back, Rex leapt off.
"Now, jump up and pound Rex." Treecko leaped into the air, spun to gain additional force, and slammed its tail directly into the fallen Marshtomp's face. Rex bounced off and returned to Brendan's side with its arms crossed and what looked like a smirk across face. May rushed to the downed Marshtomp, who as to unable to battle.
"Marshtomp! Are you okay?" Marshtomp gave a grunt at that before attempting to stand up before May softly pushed it back down. "No, you need to rest now. You deserve it after such an incredible battle, type disadvantage and everything." May beamed at her Pokémon. "I doubt many other Marshtomps would have did as well as you did." The Pokémon smiled weakly up at her, before it was returned to its Pokéball. May then stood up to face Brendan, Rex, and Vulcan (who had watched the battle from the sidelines).
Brendan stepped forward and offered shake May's hand. "That was a great battle May. I'm not sure I would have done as well had the situations been reversed."
May scoffed before batting his hand aside. "Please, it's pretty obvious who the better trainer was today." Then, she stepped forward and embraced Brendan. "Thanks anyway though. Oh, and from now on, none of that handshake business. I'm a beautiful woman, so I deserve hugs."
Brendan laughed lightly before returning the hug. "Of course, Mrs. Beautiful Woman." He relinquished his hold on her before saying, "You really did do an excellent job out there, though; and congratulations on Marshtomp evolving."
May grinned. "Yup. We have been working together for a few months now, and it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I got him officially." May paused for a moment before asking, "Do you think I should give him a name?"
Brendan shrugged. "It's up to you and Marshtomp. I talked to Rex and Vulcan and they were okay with it. If you do though, make it something relatively short, or can be shortened. It would make battles needlessly complicated if you had to shout a 7 syllable word every time you wanted to give a command."
May giggled. "Darn, well I guess "Rumpelstiltskin" is out then." Brendan laughed with her. May grabbed his arm and began dragging him. "Come on, we need to get to the Pokémon Center. I want to make sure Marshtomp is okay."
Brendan raised an eyebrow. "You know I can walk just fine right?"
"We don't have time for your dawdling, Brendan."
"I do not dawdle, May."
"Less dawdling, more agreeing with me."
Brendan rolled his eyes before allowing May to pull him along.
'Weird. Her hands are smooth and soft, but they don't feel… delicate, I guess. Must be all the field work she does coupled with hand lotion, I suppose. It's probably fruit scented like her shampoo… I wonder what it's like to walk around smelling like a fruit salad. I better tell her that wild Pokémon would probably be attracted by that.'
"May, you know it is probably best to not use scented hair care products and stuff right? Wild Pokémon will be attracted to you."
May looked over her shoulder, "What's the matter with them thinking I'm attractive, Brendan? Afraid of a little competition?" May winked.
Brendan laughed, "Darn, you caught me. I just can't compete with those Zangoose, though. What with their claws, reflexes bordering on the preternatural, and a killer instinct born from generations of facing off against Seviper. But hey, if one shows up, I'll give you two some quality time together."
May grimaced. "Oh alright, no more scented hygienic products. Unless I'm near civilization or there's a cute guy."
"But then you'll never be without it if I'm around."
"I believe I said 'a cute guy' and not 'Brendan.'" There were a few moments of silence in which he tried and failed to deliver a comeback. "Do you need some ice for that burn?"
"That was, good, I'll give you that."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for waiting. We've restored your Pokémon to full health." The nurse gave a small bow as she handed May her Pokéball. "We hope to see you again."
May thanked her, and she and Brendan turned to leave the Pokémon Center. "So does that mean she likes it when your Pokémon are injured enough to warrant seeking professional help?"
May swatted him on the arm. "Shush, you."
"What, I'm just saying."
May laughed once. "So what are we going to do now?"
"The sun has already set, so I say we just go back to the Gym and sleep. I plan on heading out tomorrow morning for Rustboro because it takes a few days to get there and I really want to check out the Gym." Brendan looked at May and noticed that it looked like he was waiting to say something. "I think all start my Gym circuit there." She was still waiting. "I figured I'd also stop by Devon Corp. while I was there." Still waiting. "Maybe drop by that Trainer School I've heard about to." Her eyes shown with the hope that he would say whatever it was she was waiting for. "…Would you like to come with me?"
"I thought you'd never ask, Brendan." May laughed before she abruptly became serious. "No. Really. I thought you would never ask. Don't you like my company?"
Brendan away from her and raised his hands in defense. "I, uh, just assumed that you were already coming with me, you know?"
"You didn't answer my question, Brendan."
"Of course I enjoy your company. I would be avoiding you if I didn't."
"Good, because you're stuck with me until I say so. Got it, mister?"
"Mam, yes, mam," Brendan replied smarmily.
"Shush, before you say something else stupid."
"Hey!"
Their conversation came to a close, as they had reached the Gym. Norman showed May to her room and gave Brendan the couch. Brendan relayed what their plan was, and Norman gave in approval. They talked for a bit about what to expect on the route there, and what the Gym Leader was like. Roxanne was a Rock type specialist, and apparently ran the trainer school there as well.
"Goodnight, Brendan, and good luck."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Are we there yet?"
"…"
"Are we there yet?"
"…"
"Are we th-"
"No," Brendan cut her off.
"When will we be there?"
"When we get there."
"How will we know?"
"…I'm beginning to have second thoughts about me enjoying your company."
"Hey!"
Brendan and May were currently making their way towards Petalburg Woods. They hoped to make it there by noon and make it out before sunset. Spending a night in there was not something that appealed to May, as she had never been too keen of Dustox. Brendan had challenged a rich looking lady to Pokémon match with money riding on the line. Torchic roasted her single, pampered Pokémon without incident, and Brendan had more than tripled the few thousand Poké he had on hand in a single match.
May was watching her newly named Gill playing in a stream while Brendan dealt with a fisherman and his team of 6 Magikarp.
"You may laugh now, but you'll be sorry when they evolve into Gyarados. You'll all be sorry!"
"That's nice and all, but can I have my money now?"
"They mocked me when I passed up perfectly good Carvannah, but I know in my heart – nay, my soul – that these Magikarp are the pinnacle of their kind! Everything about them – perfect!"
"I will roast your fish over an open flame if you don't give me my money."
Petalburg Woods, while not as dangerous or as famous as the Viridian Forest, was still not to be taken lightly. Many a foolish trainer had met their end from the poisons of Shroomish, Wurmple, and Dustox. Packs of Poochyena had been known to attack and kill small children on occasion. Still, the woods had been pretty much tamed by the local Pokémon Rangers contingent; so long as you stuck to the main path, life expectancy remained about the same.
"Look, kid, I know that you're very proud of your Bug Pokémon. I would be too. However, I really do not want to battle your 3 Silcoons and 3 Cascoons."
"You're just saying that because you're scared," the little boy said as he stuck out his tongue.
"No, I'm saying that because I already had to go through the same thing with 4 other kids. So please just let me g- NO! So help me, if you send out that Pokémon, I am punting it!"
Fortunately, their trek through the woods was nearing an end. May had decided to take the remaining challengers after Brendan had kicked a Cascoon right at its trainer's face… and then proceeded to beat him with it. May didn't mind the battles though, as she and Gill needed to get used to his new evolution. When she faced Brendan next, she wouldn't be losing.
As they neared the edge of the woods, a commotion of some sorts could be heard up ahead. Brendan narrowed his eyes and began to pick up the pace. May looked at him curiously before catching up to him. The closer they got, the faster Brendan moved.
"Hey, what's goin-" she stopped as Brendan suddenly stopped, clapped his hand over her mouth, and pulled her behind a tree.
"Quiet," he whispered. He too k his hand of her mouth and quietly took his two Pokéballs off his belt and handed them to a confused and worried May. "I saw two guys, and one looked like he was being mugged. I'm going to sneak up them and try to help out. You're going to stay here and release the Pokémon if it looks like I need help." Unbeknownst to May, Brendan had slipped the revolver out of its holster and hid it behind his right hand. Looking down at it to ensure everything was in order, he silenced May again when she began to object. "No, I know what I'm doing. I know it sucks, but I need you here to keep the element of surprise if things go south. All right?" May reluctantly nodded, so he removed his hand once more.
"Be careful," May pleaded.
Brendan swiftly but silently moved towards the two men about 50 feet away. The apparent mugger had his back turned, and had some sort of black and red uniform on. He looked like he was taunting the unfortunate victim. As Brendan crept up behind them, he cocked the hammer back, and ensured that his Prof. Birch's old knife was easily accessible from his pocket. Taking a deep breathe, he calmed himself before putting two hands on the revolver. As he made his towards point blank range, he began to hear the conversation.
"-erstand, do you? We aren't doing this for money," the mugger said. He was a little roughed up and looked to be rather muscular. His victim lay on the ground before him with blood flowing from a cut on the right side of his head and his glasses askew on his face.
"You honestly believe in what you profess?" asked the man weakly. "That is insanity. That is madness!"
"Madness?" the mugger said as he slammed his foot onto his man's chest. "This is Mag-"
"Stop or I shoot," Brendan said with a voice that was much calmer than he felt from less than 5 feet behind the mugger. The man froze, and began to look over his shoulder. "Freeze," Brendan commanded. He didn't want the man to see the gun beginning to shake in his hands. "Hands on top of your head. Then get face down on the ground. Slowly."
"You're making a big mistake, kid, because this is none of your business. You should leave now before someone gets hurt," the man growled.
"Maybe you'd be a little less talkative with a hole in your head?"
"You don't have the guts, I bet you don't even have a gun. So why do-" The feel of metal against the back of his neck stopped any further remark.
"Maybe I won't be able to kill you." The metal slid to his shoulder. "Maiming you should be pretty easy though."
The man cursed. Brendan dug in his pocket for his PokéNav. He called the universal emergency number, and want through a few automated responses before finally reaching the Pokémon Rangers that patrolled these woods.
"Hello, my name is Brendan Maple, and I'm at the main Rustboro entrance to Petalburg Woods… No, I can't be put on hold! Look, there was a potential mugging-"
"Abduction."
Brendan jumped slightly. "What?"
The previously dazed victim had finally regained his whereabouts, though he still lay on the ground. "Abduction. I'm a scientist for Devon; he wanted to abduct me."
"Correction. There was an abduction in progress, and I managed to stop it… Yes, I'm being serious… Look, can you just send someone, anyone over here to take control of the situation… Okay… Okay… Okay, I'll hold him until you get here." With, that Brendan closed the phone. He dug into his pocket once more, and pulled out his knife. Placing it against the abductor's jugular, he removed his gun and out his h=gun back in its hidden holster.
"May," he spoke up, "you can come out now." The sound of Pokémon being released from their Pokéballs could be heard. Rex darted to his side, followed shortly by Torchic. May and Gill came running towards them. "Brendan! I could barely see you from where we were, is everything ok?"
Brendan smiled, though he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't wanted her to see his revolver or the fact that it was pressed against a human being's skull. Though it may have been… stupid to lie to May like he had, he didn't want to put her in any danger.
"Everything is ok now."
He drifted. Seemingly without end, without disturbance, without worry, without thought – he drifted. It was so easy to do. Ride the jetstreams that moved across the earth, rolling along as they caressed his scales. They too, flowed uninterrupted, and were as ageless as he. It had been a long, long time since he was needed to quell the two titans that had shaped a continent with their quarrels. He had only been bothered a few times since, sometimes by objects that fell from the great black sky above him. Recently, a strange life form had fallen with them, encroaching on HIS airspace. That quickly escalating conflict had been quickly resolved, however. It merely sought refuge, and he had granted it at the encouragement of the Original One. Now it roamed the earth, exploring the deep, the fields, the forests, the mountains, and the caves. But not HIS domain; not yet, at least.
Of late the, one kind of disturbance in particular had been occurring more and more frequently. Humans. They had managed to breach HIS domain and go even further beyond, which had earned his respect begrudgingly. A few had even made an attempt to attack him. They had been disposed of.
Nothing bested him in HIS domain, where he alone reigned supreme.
But all this was inconsequential at the moment. He had been roused from his lucid slumber, yet there seemed to be nothing of immediate concern. It seemed the Original One had news. No, not news. More like… a warning. Word had reached its ears of attempts by the humans to rouse the two titans from their slumber. They had been making more headway than usual. His intervention might be needed soon enough.
He snorted. It seemed that for all their intellect, the humans never learned. It seemed history might be doomed to repeat itself. The possibility of millions dead from the very earth swallowing them up to the seas themselves consuming them would not deter them.
They sought to upset the balance, to defile HIS domain. Rayquaza growled in his throat. They should pray to Arcerus for mercy, for he would have none.
Omake #4: NPCs
"WE MADE EYE CONTACT! NOW WE MUST BATTLE!"
"Not again."
"You should save your adventure frequently so you don't lose your progress."
"Whatever you're smoking, I don't want any."
"Just press B to run in your Running Shoes, honey."
"They got you too, Mom!"
"ZIGZAGOON! RIP THEIR ENTRAILS FROM THEIR BODIES SO THAT WE MAY FEAST UPON THEM LATER!"
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!"
Though it may not seem that way now, Magma and Aqua will both portrayed differently than in the game. It also won't fall solely on Brendan and May's shoulders to save the world. The police and the League will get involved.
The last part about Rayquaza was inspired by the Chapter 239 of Pokédex OneShots by Ysavvryl.
Your reviews… they make me stronger… give me focus… and I honestly appreciate whatever you have to say, unless it goes something like "OMGWTFBBQ is this crap? This made me want to jump in a pool of flaming, broken glass. Go to hell and take your computer with youuuuuu!" In which case, I will laugh because a well thought out, reasonable response is beyond your meager mental capabilities. So get out of here, and take your stupidity (and your virginity, which you still have despite any and all efforts) with you back to your parents basement. That is all.