"Can't believe he didn't pick up the phone at a time like this… Hold on May! Everything's going to be okay. We'll get you back to base and you'll be good as new in no time!" Britt said desperately trying to sound calm. She had managed to stop the bleeding for now but, Mays shoulder was definitely worse for ware. May slipped in and out of consciousness as she lay in Britts arms, May's face buried in her shoulder.

" Brittany…" May whimpered.

Brittany looked down at the woman she loved and saw her lips trembling as well. she gently moved her fingers across May's cheek wiping away the tears that were streaming from her eyes. "If I don't make it… I want you to know…"

"Don't talk like that! We'll be there soon, besides we've stopped the bleeding for now! It might hurt but we can deal with it when we get back to the base! Just stay awake for me babe." Britt pleaded as she sped up.

Mays world faded to black as pain overwhelmed her once more and darkness claimed her again...

May woke standing in still clear water, as she looked around she noticed the water she was staring in stretched for miles and miles. Above her there was only a never ending blue sky, clouds drifting along its surface.

"I must be dreaming, or hallucinating…" she thought to herself confused as she scanned around for a way out. she began to move forward through the water until she saw a figure in the distance.

"I am the ocean, i am the sea, my currents are eternal, and my waves will always reach the shore, I am everything and nothing, but I exist beyond your comprehension." The figure bellowed out in a booming voice which echoed throughout the watery expanse.

"I know… I know that voice.." She mumbled in disbelief as she stared at the figure.

"The ocean is the most powerful force on earth, no living creature can resist my power and none dare challenge me, for I am life and death, peace."

"Kyogre." May said softly as the figure morphed into the massive whale like Pokémon. She could feel the water rippling beneath her feet as he approached. The water grew choppy and swirled around her legs threatening to pull her down with every step she took.

"Seek me out young one, we await our fated meeting." Kyogre continued. May could feel her heart pounding wildly as she tried to make sense of what was happening. Her thoughts were cut short as visions of a vehicle passed through her mind. In quick flashes of images she could see herself riding in a car being chased by Team Aqua. She caught glimpses of could it have been… a desert? A volcano? As her vision shifted to different places, each one more distant than the last as though they were in another dimension, May felt her consciousness slipping away again.

Then it hit her, a vision of Groudon firing it's breath upon lilycovecity. Her body was engulfed by flames but it wasn't long before she blinked. And just like that she was back in Britt's arms her world of pain returning to her. Britt held her tightly reassuring her that everything would be alright. But as she lay there in Britt's embrace May couldn't stop thinking about what Kyogre said about their fated meeting.

Darkness fell over her afew more times before waking up in their base camp. She was topless, her hair matted to her face as a thin layer of dried sweat glued her to the stretcher.

Britt sat next to her stroking her hair gently trying to calm her down. May's eyes fluttered open and she saw Carmine sleeping nearby wrapped in blankets, his breathing deep and even, his body covered by a large blanket that had been provided for him.

"Welcome back." Brittany said with a weak smile on her face.

"how long have I been out?" May asked groggily

"About 2 days now." Brittany replied

May looked down at her arm, which had been splinted and wrapped in bandages. She grimaced seeing the damage her shoulder had sustained.

May closed her eyes and sighed, looking away from everyone else for just a moment.

"We ah , we've got a doctor coming in to check on ya…" Brittany explained to May.

May shook her head slowly and winced from the pain as she tried to sit up. she tried to speak but all that came out was a painful moan.

"Shh.. don't try too hard. The professor we'll be here soon." Britt said soothingly as she tried to keep a steady stream of calm words coming out of her mouth.

May's eyes shot open. "The professor…" She began to say before being cut off by a familiar voice.

"Hello May." Professor Birch, her father said as he entered the small base. He walked over to her bedside placing a gentle hand on her forehead making sure to avoid touching her injuries.

May's eyes widened as she saw her father. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks as he leaned down to give her a hug.

"I'm sorry dad… I I felt I had to…" Mays mind felt like a blur as she attempted to make sense of everything that happened.

"don't worry about that for now, you save your energy. We'll talk when you have your strength back." He comforted her gently as Mays eyes grew heavy again.

"It seems my little fighter is getting sleepy." Birch said as he helped May lay back down into her bed before walking over to where Britt was standing.

"Wish this were under better circumstances." Professor Birch commented as he extended a hand to Brittany.

Brittany took his hand and shook it gently before letting go of his hand and stepping back.

"I'm Brittany, ah I'm May's girlfriend." She introduced herself awkwardly.

"Girlfriend? Funny." Birch said scratching his chin. "When May ran away from home with Carmine I figured there was something going on there."

Brittany looked at him sharply with anger on her face but she quickly regained her composure "ah, well... I'm guessing you heard what happened then?" She asked nervously

"I did. Carmine explained over the phone. I always feared she'd get caught up in some trouble out here. But I never imagined I'd be like this." Birch said taking a seat next to Mays injured arm. He opened up his briefcase and began removing medical equipment from inside the case, placing it carefully on the nearby table.

Brittany stood next to him watching him intently as he checked the wound on Mays arm thoroughly, injecting her with some form of liquid before operating on the wound. After an hour or so of work

Birch spoke up. "This isn't good. Her shoulder's destroyed… I believe… I'll have to amputate."

Brittany looked down at May shaking her head slowly, tears forming in her eyes.

Birch placed his hand on Britt's shoulder "I'm afraid I can't do it alone. I'll need help." He added before looking down at May with concern etched across his face.

"I.. okay… I can help." Britt said as she looked down at May, seeing how bad her injury really was.

"We'll need to get the boy out of here." Birch said gesturing to Carmines sleeping form leaned against the base wall.

Brittany nodded quietly before speaking again "I'll get Carmine up… but, are you sure about this? It seems a bit extreme." She said nervously as she started to walk toward the door leading outside.

"The arms nerve endings are almost completely detached, we have to." Professor Birch replied with a hint of sadness in his voice.

Brittany nodded in response as she leaned down to wake up Carmine. She was greeted by a loud snore and grumbled as he turned to look at her, his eyelids fluttering a few times before he sat up.

"What time is it?" he asked groggily as he rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"Hey Carmine gonna need you to leave me and the Prof got to operate on her." Brittany informed him in a low whisper as she motioned to Mays injured arm.

"Alright." Carmine murmured as he looked at May's wound, seeing how bad it really was." we'll she make it?"

Brittany nodded slowly as she watched him leave the base.

As Carmine left the base the cool Fall air swept by his face as he breathed in deeply, its fridgedness Waking him up abit more.

"How's it going in there?" Maggie asked as she walked up to him with her hands behind her back

"Not sure really, professor has to operate on her but he didn't say what." Carmine replied

"I see. Carmine there's something I need to talk to you about." Maggie remarked as she stepped into the Base entrance way, closing it behind her before turning around facing Carmine with a nervous expression on her face.

"What?" He asked curiously, curious as to why she wanted to speak to him right now, especially with the operation that was going on in the room with May.

Maggie swallowed nervously "ah... well..." She paused trying to think of how best to phrase it, "I just found out ah… fuck this is so hard…" Maggie said before walking over to the wall, leaning against it with her arms folded across her chest.

Carmine waited patiently for her to finish before saying anything.

"I'm pre..preparing for the… move… do you wanna help me finish loading the chopper?" Maggie said very disingenuously. She still hadn't worked up the courage to tell Carmine about the baby. But she wanted to so badly.

Carmine paused a moment before replying with "ah… yeah sure." He seemed somewhat confused by her request. "Isn't most of that all ready to go to little root?" he asked

"Well…yeah but… okay listen… Carmine… follow me I wanna talk for abit." She spoke in a soft tone, looking at him in the eyes before she started moving towards the the near by stream.

Carmine followed her silently, watching her as she moved gracefully down the path. she took a seat near the waters edge and patted the large stone next to her gesturing for him to sit.

She spoke softly "be honest with me, what's May to you really?" She asked bluntly.

Carmine paused for a moment thinking carefully about what his answer should be but then decided to tell her the truth, after all she had no reason not to trust him. "well.. she's my friend, I" he was caught off as Maggie began to speak.

"Remember when I got in that fight with May the other night?" She asked

"Yeah," Carmine replied sheepishly.

"That started because she told me you loved her." She continued

Carmine stared at her wide eyed, "what? why would she tell you that?" He asked confused,

"I was hoping it wasn't true. But you stayed by her side ever since she got back. I know it's just been a short while since we've met but if I'm being totally honest I've been feeling kinda jealous." Maggie admitted.

"Maggie I thought she was going to die." Carmine said honestly,

"Yeah well it's not just that. It's how you look at her and talk to her. When we're training you two are practically attached at the hip. And that's not to mention the looks you give her while you two think I'm asleep , the way you act whenever she's near you." Maggie explained.

"Maggie You know that I love you." Carmine said quietly.

"But that isn't the question Carmine." Maggie said sternly as she glared at him intensely

Carmine sighed " Maggie I…" Carmine fell silent it was true. He did love her, but the same was true for Maggie in equal measure. But there was no point in saying so. He knew Maggie would never accept it, and he couldn't stand to break her heart, especially after she had finally agreed to be with him.

Maggie stood up from where she was sitting, and walked over to him, putting her arms around his neck, before pressing her lips against his passionately. She felt his arms wrap around her waist as he pulled her closer, kissing her back as she pressed herself into him.

After several seconds of kissing Maggie broke the kiss and looked into his eyes. Carmine stared back at her with a smile. "I care about May quite abit, I can't explain it. But ever since we met we've been drawn to eachother. But I love you, Maggie you've always been there for me when noone else would or could. And I don't want to lose you over this, I love you too much to let that happen." Carmine whispered into her ear before leaning down and kissing her again. After a couple minutes they broke off from the kiss, Maggie breathing raggedly from the intensity of the kiss.

Maggie smiled at him lovingly, and hugged him tightly as she buried her head in his shoulder. They sat there for a few more minutes in silence, holding each other closely before Maggie spoke again "I'm sorry." She whispered sadly into his shoulder.

"For what?" Carmine asked puzzled,

"For doubting you…"Maggie said nuzzling into his shoulder again, "I love you." She said smiling at him lovingly, "I'm your girl." She added, giving him another passionate kiss as she held him in her arms.

Maggie and Carmine spent the rest of the day together, laying in the grass watching the clouds pass overhead while cuddling under a tree, before eventually heading back to base camp for dinner together. Soon enough Professor Birch and Brittany emerged from the base door. The two of them carried used medical equipment and spent bandages over to chopper. Carmine did however take note of a particularly long object in on of the black bags. Which the professor disappeared into the first with for a short while before returning without it. Brittney being the last to emerge from the door gave them both a wave as she sat down by the fire. Her eyes staring vacant at the smoldering flames. Carmine glanced at her but then turned his attention back to Maggie, who was watching Britt curiously.

"Britt?" She called out to her. No reply

Brittany slowly lifted her head, staring right through them, not even bothering to acknowledge that they were there.

"Britt, how'd it go in there?" Maggie asked concerned looking up at her

"She ah… she'll make it… but…" Britt stammered as she carefully brought a cigarette to her lips with a shaky hand.

"We had to amputate her left arm. There was no way to save it." The professor helped Brittany finish with a bitter tone as he sat on the log next to her. Just across from Carmine.

Maggie gasped and covered her mouth in shock, As did Carmine who felt like he had been punched in the stomach. His mind reeling, realizing everything would be different for May from this moment onward. She was going to need him more then ever, but the professor broke him out of his stupor.

"Carmine. I think it's about time we had a chat." The man said sternly.

"professor I.." Carmine attempted a reply but.

"You shut your damn mouth and listen. Had you left her well enough alone none of this would have happened! You tricked my little girl into running off with you! And for what? Some adventure?! She's going to be crippled for the rest of her god damn life because of you!" The professor yelled angrily. He was seething with anger. The professor got up and grabbed him by the collar , pulling his face closer towards his own.

"Birch I wasn't there, there I…" He started to try and reason with him but he was right. Where was he when May was attacked. Instead of being there at her side he had been getting his brains fucked out by Maggie. He didn't know what to say or do anymore. The Professor slapped him in the face, sending him flying backwards. "I don't wanna hear another fucking word outta you!" He yelled at him, his face red with rage.

"Oh my god! Carmine!" Maggie screamed as she ran over to him, grabbing him and trying to stop the professor from hitting him again. "Not another hand on him!" She said standing defiantly between the two men. The professor looked at her for a second before letting out an exasperated sigh.

"That's my little girls arm buried out there in the forest." The wide man gestured his grief grabbing ahold of him. Carmine winced at the pain but held strong as the man grabbed Carmine by his collar.

"I am so fucking sick and tired of you kids acting like this is a game. I told May she couldn't leave home for a reason! We knew Aqua might come for her one day… and now look! Her whole life has just changed forever because of all your foolishness! What the hell is wrong with you guys!" He shook Carmine violently, causing him to gasp for breath before continuing.

"Don't you tell me you aren't responsible for this!" Birch screamed throwing him to the ground.

"That enough!" Maggie shouted. "No more."

The professor released him, his hands shaking with rage. Maggie rushed forward and got between Carmine and Birch.

"Don't you think you've done enough?" Maggie pleaded.

"Enough for what?!" He roared back, he turned to glare at the boy, "I should beat you to death for this."

"Stop it! Leave him alone!" Maggie insisted turning to face the professor again.

"Doc, it's enough! It won't change anything." Brittney cried as she stood up from where she had been sitting by the fire.

Birch paused a moment considering his response before nodding reluctantly and walking away.

"Fine," he sighed heavily, turning his attention back to Carmine. "I'm going to prep May for transfer, it's about time she came home."

"What you can't be serious! Team Aq-" but Carmine was caught off guard when the professor cut him off.

"You don't have a choice. She's going home end of discussion. I've already reached out to my contact in the Rangers. She'll be protected. Nothing aqua or magma has can get to her." he explained, his voice heavy with concern.

"And you believe that?" Carmine asked looking at him skeptically.

"Professor… Archie won't give up… that man… let us come with you! To help protect her!" Britt said, her words tinged with desperation and fear.

"Archie has no power without May and the prince as a guide." Birch rebutted.

"How the hell do you." Britt began to argue but the professor interrupted her quickly.

"Know that? Her mother is a descendent of the People of the Water. We knew May could run into trouble one day. That the legend could be true." He explained.

"what legend." Maggie interjected somewhat confused. The older man sighed tuning his hands thru his thinning hair.

"It goes something like this…." The man started. "Long ago, the people of this land lived in Harmony with nature and its Pokemon. But that all changed when colonizers from Galar settled in Hoenn. Slowly as time marched on the colonizers drove the people from there lands." The professor said staring into the fire for a while before continuing. " fleeing there oppresers, they were driven tho Lillycoves cliffs. There fate was all but sealed. Until the prince of the sea arrived upon the mighty Kyogre. A deal was struck between the Prince and the People, so long as they cared for the prince's descendants the sea would care for their people. And so it was." Birch finished silence hanging in the air like a thick fog.

"Is that it?" Maggie asked confused.

"Yeah, what does that have anything to do with May?" Britt asked sounding slightly confused as well.

"May and the prince are destined to find the temple of the sea. It's invisible to the naked eye, but both May and The prince know it's location." Birch explained.

"That's why Archie has been after both May and that Egg the rangers have." Britt added.

"Yes that's exactly why." Birch confirmed nodding his head slowly.

"Let us come with you." Carmine said finally speaking up. The professor stared down at him for a moment before replying.

"and why would I do that. The rangers have already arrived in littleroot, what help do you think you'll be?" He asked bluntly turning his gaze towards Carmine.

"The rangers only use available Pokémon in the area, they don't train like we do. All of us including May, have solid teams. We've been training Pokémon for weeks so we could go after team magma."

Birch scratched his chin for a moment thinking about the offer, he turned and looked at Brittany for her reaction.

"May is already part of my team like hell I'll leave her side." she said flatly before taking along drag off her cigarette.

"Alright then, if that's how it's going to be." Birch nodded at Carmine and Maggie before walking over to Britt and patting her on the shoulder before leaving toward the base.