Nicknamed the Mightyena's Den, Broadstone University's football stadium was enormous. Located at the edge of campus with the Petalburg downtown skyline visible to the bleachers facing southeast, it was able to fit more than fifty nine thousand people.
Today, the game was highly anticipated, being the Mightyena's home opener against the powerful offense of the University of Mossdeep Rockets and the people of Petalburg loved their football. Since they had no professional football team, they devotedly followed their collegiate teams. Every home game had been sold out of tickets for decades.
Although the game had been a couple days after Jewell had traded Ash her tickets, May took him to a sporting gear store to get him ready. He walked out with a T-shirt of the team's logo along with a cover for his license plate on his car, grumbling about the overpriced sporting merchandise.
They quickly parked their car in one of the parking garages and made their way over to the edge of the stadium. Everyone was dressed in the team's black and silver coloring and in relatively good spirits. Some of the more devout fans had worn more elaborate costumes and typically sat at the sideline of the visiting team's bench to distract them.
From what May had told him, the crowd at the Mightyena's Den was notoriously loud, especially during drives from the visiting team. Other traditions like the fight song could be enough to set anyone else playing against them nervous. On top of that, Broadstone was known for its suffocating defense, often showing dominant performance well throughout the season. It was not uncommon to see at least two Mightyenas selected for an All-Star game and many alumni were selected in professional football teams that were in need of powerful defenders.
The stadium was bowl shaped and Jewell's tickets were set on the second section at the front row on the end, facing west. Thankfully, they both had brought sunglasses to shield their eyes from the harmful rays that shone on that area. The game was set to go into the evening, so it would only be in their faces for part of it.
"And now, the visiting team; Mossdeep Rockets!"
A chorus of Boos and derogatory chants echoed around the stadium as the other team, the orange and white team ran into the field to take their spots at the bench.
"And now," Before the announcer from the press box could even get started, the crowd began to yell, scream, basically getting excited because they knew exactly what was coming. "Your very own Broadstone Mightyenas!"
Now everyone was on their feet, giving off the roar the reverberated through Ash's entire body. May wasn't kidding, it would already be a nightmare to play as a visiting team here and the game hadn't even started.
Speaking of her, he glanced down and saw the girl herself, yelling and cheering on her own favorite team, jumping down excitedly. He would have never guessed that this was the same introverted girl that he rescued aboard a sinking ship less than a week ago.
She was fully into it, the Broadstone's fight song coming on and fully chanting along.
"We will fight! We fight! We fight until we win! Or we lose! And we have not lost yet!"
"We growl! We prowl and we howl!" After this, everyone let out a howl similar to a Mightyena would. The action was high pitched, otherworldly sounding and was more felt than heard. It was also enough to send uncontrollable shivers down Ash's spine, despite the warm climate.
"Yeah I know!" May had to practically shout for him to hear, "That always gets other teams nervous and it chills you!"
"Sure does!"
After tossing the coin, it was Broadstone's turn to start the first drive. The kick returner got maybe thirty yards to their forty yard line before getting tackled. They played well in their drive, obtaining two first downs, but the defense was on its toes, holding them to a field goal.
When the defense came out and began to get into position, the massive screen at the stadium's south side flashed the phrase "GET LOUD!"
At this, the crowd grew into a steady yell, climbing up to where it got deafening and it still continued to get louder. Now Ash and May were joining in the thousands of others adding to the noise factor. The two of them had angry faces while they let out screams that would be heard from well outside the stadium. Ash had already screamed to where his throat was starting to get raw and he assumed that the same would happen to the remainder of fans in attendance. Boy, was he wrong. The only thing that was in the process of burning out were his eardrums!
It was clear the noise was affecting the Rockets' offense, as the first down he had handed it off to the running back, but he was stuffed by the defensive tackle. The second try was for eight yards, however he attempted to pass it to the tight end, however it went incomplete.
"From the thirty six yard line, it's,"
"THIRD DOWN!" The crowd now brought the constant yelling even louder. Upon the snap; Broadstone came with an outside linebacker defense blitz, rushing the quarterback as fast as possible. The pocket collapsed in less than a second and the linebacker with the number of fifty three known as Duncan slammed into the quarterback.
"SAAAACK!" The crowd yelled out, cheering at the loss of the other team. Ash saw the head coach on the Rocket's bench rub his temples in frustration. He probably wasn't the first person to experience an unstoppable defense firsthand. Being fourth down, Mossdeep was forced to punt it away.
This new drive had a wide opening on Broadstone's second down and the quarterback, a kid named Vito had shovel passed it to running back, who juked two players before going open.
"Go! Go, go go go!" Ash shouted as down on the field, the running back crossed the ten yard line and into the endzone a moment later.
"Touchdown!" Upon scoring the crowd howled like before, a high pitched wail that still continued to send chills up Ash's spine. That didn't stop him from joining in.
"Hey didn't your father say that your brother played quarterback for your high school?"
"Yeah, he's trying out for the season."
"Well when he has a chance," Ash said, "I'd like to meet him. I was the star quarterback at my high school and I'm sure he could use a few pointers."
"Of course!"
Ash's eardrums were going to need some rest after a game like this. However, as it continued, the noise was hardly something that garnered his attention. May, sitting beside him had come out of her shell, a rare opportunity and he enjoyed every moment here with her.
After the game, Ash and May headed out to their car and pulled out of the garage to head home. The Mightyenas had another stellar defensive performance and despite the Rockets' hard-pressing offense, Broadstone came away with the win at 30-24.
"That was really fun!" May said when Ash sped onto the highway, heading south towards their home. "You got any big plans for tomorrow?"
"Work of course. Hoenn's wanting us to start cracking down on the group that kidnapped you and we'll be going after one of Harley's lieutenants tomorrow, or at least gathering intel on his whereabouts."
"Be safe okay?"
"Of course." Ash smiled when she had put her hand on his shoulder in a caring manner.
"You busy tomorrow?"
"I go back to school yeah, but other than that, no. Why?"
Ash looked at her, "You told me you wanted to learn how to take care of yourself if you get into another life-threatening situation right?"
"Yeah."
"Well when we're both off tomorrow evening, meet me at the gym. I'll teach you a few self-defense moves."
"You'd do that?"
"Of course I would."
As Ash pulled up to May's house, the gate had been shut. She hopped out the shotgun seat and went over to the driver's side to punch in a 4 digit code. A moment later, the door to her large house opened up and a middle aged man jogged to the entrance. He was solidly built, had a full beard and a blue bandanna over his head with an odd circular symbol. He didn't look too happy to see the car.
"Hey Archie." May greeted.
"May," His hard expression softened, "Good to see you. I just remained behind in case you got home late."
"Thanks. How's your cousin Shelly doing?"
"Just fine," He hit a button on his side of the gate and punched in another code, "This the Ash man you were telling me about?"
"Yeah, he's good."
"Archie," The man shook Ash's as he rolled into the property, "I hear you head the Jets police force."
"Yes sir, served in the Federation for five years before transferring out here."
"Ah, I used to head security in the Weather Institute close to Fortree." He talked in a manner on how two professional fighters talked their resumes over a drink with one another.
"Neat."
Archie gestured to the pads behind, "You're probably going to be a frequent visitor in the future, since the security for the gate requires an Alpha clearance meaning May, Norman, Max or myself. I'll be setting you up with a guest profile as well as one opening for you to leave tonight." He looked over at May, "I'm sailing off, you two have a good night."
"Good night Archie." May waved as Ash rolled into the roundabout of their house. He saw a rather expensive fountain in the center that had been shut off. When exiting his car, he caught the scent of freshly cut grass with the lawn stretching a good portion of land in front, lined at the circle drive with gardens.
"Nice guy," Ash commented.
"He takes care of just about everything in the house and heads up security as well. Not really a sociable kind of guy but he's been a close friend of ours since he was hired a few years back."
"What's with the cousin Shelly thing?" He asked. The question seemed casual, but he couldn't help but feel that there was some hidden meaning to it.
"Code that our family does for protection reasons. Since a lot of sensitive info about my father's company can be accessed here, we have to take precautions. Archie takes care of two of his cousins and had I asked about his other one, Matt at the front; he would know that I was being held hostage and under duress."
"And you never bothered to ask me that when I came to your rescue?"
He got a light punch in the arm in response.
May took a key from her pocket and opened the door, allowing Ash inside after her.
"Where do you live?"
"Just off the south 104 highway. It's probably a quarter of the size of your place."
"You like it?" May asked. "Considering you swim a lot, you should get one by the ocean."
"I did. It's my backyard."
"I'd like to come see it sometime."
"And you will." Ash looked around the foyer, the place had a lot of Kalosian influences with richly painted walls and a beige tile floor. Some expensive paintings lined the sides that led into a room on the right, the front and to the left that split off into a second corridor towards the garage and a two leveled staircase. Even though Ash didn't like Norman already, he had to admit the man had good taste when it came to home decorating. Good taste as in expensive. One looked it could go for nine thousand.
"This way," May led him into the kitchen in the center way. To the right of the entrance was a locked double door set that closed off access to an expensive mahogany desk that had a computer and several file cabinets. Along the neat table were a couple of antique decorations that seemed to be Sinnoh in origin. "Ash, there's no need to be cautious. My dad's not here so make yourself at home."
The kitchen was a mix of dark brown marble and stainless steel with a long counter separating a large twin door fridge and a second prep counter by a six burner stove. On the opposite side of the island counter were four high raised chairs and on the left was a dining table that held a breathtaking view of the night sky of Petalburg. Since they lived atop an elevated hill along with several other large houses, several downtown skyscrapers could be seen and Ash could see the highway that led to his neighborhood.
"May, you're finally home! I was starting to think you were dead!"
"MAX!" May cried to her little brother, "Why do you have to think that? I was just at a football game!"
"I was watching it on TV! The way wide receiver Cullen had jumped over that cornerback to catch that mistimed pass to score was amazing!" Max rounded the corner and stopped at the sight of Ash. Part of him recoiled since he was significantly larger and was let in seemingly without authorization. However, part of him looked familiar.
"Hi Max," Ash guessed that the kid was either a junior or senior in high school. Despite his age, he showed no signs of any facial hair growth. His black hair ran a little long and his wire rimmed glasses had lenses that seemed a bit large. He had a pretty slim build, but Ash sawn hints that his athleticism was starting to emerge.
"Max, this is,"
"Ash Ketchum! You lead the Jets crime fighting and urban warfare task force! I saw you with May on TV!" His eyes lit up in excitement, "Thank you so much for rescuing my sister! Even though she can sometimes be a complete embarrassment when she's scared and- Ouch!" He flinched as May slapped his side, "MAY!"
Before he could retort at his sister, Ash butted in, hoping to avoid a quarrel, "So I hear that you want to play quarterback. What do you play now?"
"Yeah." Max still couldn't get over the fact that a hero was inside his house, "Um wide receiver, but Coach Baldwin has me benched as the number four."
"Your coach giving you a tryout?"
"Well our starting quarterback went down with a knee injury last game, so he's opening up the position for anyone. I'm set to tryout, but I'm nervous."
"You want to go through with it right?"
"Yeah but-"
"Don't put any buts to your goals," Ash stated, "You do that, it's just like giving up with more effort. Why would you waste the effort on something you're reluctant to even commit to anyway?"
"I don't mean-"
"This opportunity has just fallen in your lap. I suggest you take full advantage of it and prove to the coach that you don't belong on the sidelines, warming the bench."
"I've read books about how to be a successful signal caller, but I don't feel confident."
Ash nodded, "I was like that too. All the preparation and reading." When Max's eyes perked up in interest, he went on; "I was the star quarterback at my high school. My journey wasn't by preparation and when the quarterback that was supposed to start in front of me didn't show, coach turned to myself and said; "Kid, you're up. Go score us a touchdown." I had zero time making plays and went with my gut instinct. When I went on the field, the real thing was close to nothing like what I've read and simulated in practice, but I stuck with it, continuing to learn from my errors and capitalize on my successes. Now we didn't win that game, but I was still offered to continue playing. The reason was because I had potential. Now Max, I'm not saying you're going to become a star overnight, but the way you do become one is by experience. Your coach is opening the door for you to start getting that experience and if you win the starting position, you'll get plenty. But you have to impress first."
"How would I impress?"
"Grab a football and meet me in the backyard."
Ten minutes later, with the lights overlooking their backyard pool on, Ash and Max were in the middle of the grassy field with both men huddled together.
May sat on the porch, watching as both men talked amongst themselves.
"Those safeties out there are always something you need to keep an eye on. They're the last line of defense in case any of your receivers get open and sometimes they'll be instructed to-" She was interrupted from listening when her phone rang. It was Dawn.
"Hey."
"Hey lover girl." Dawn teasingly said, "How was the game?"
"Was fun! Ash loved it! If we get our hands on another pair of tickets we are definitely going!"
"See what I mean when you just be yourself and spend time with him? Has he invited you to hang out with him later?"
"Yeah, we're going to the gym and he's going to teach me some defense moves tomorrow."
"Ooh," Dawn cooed, "Better wear that sexy blue tank top you got from the mall! Then you'll have to use those moves to stop him from coming after you!"
"Stop that Dawn! That's silly!"
"No, it's not." She shot back, "May, I guess I have to remind you again that this man means something different to you than anyone else. You've probably never felt this way with Drew. If that's not a dead giveaway that he could be your soulmate, then I don't know how else. Seriously, if you're still unsure if he really likes you, wear something that will catch his attention. What bad could come out of it?"
"He could assault me!" May said.
"Ash doesn't strike me as the one to assault somebody without provocation, despite everything I said. You on the other hand, have to make the first move! Trust me!" Dawn cooed, "When you two are alone on that mat, you're going to be in close contact. So when he's talking to you, look at him in the eyes and you have to feel more comfortable with his loose clothing. Trust me, that's when you go for the tackling him into the floor and go tongue wrestling!"
Timing has other things in store for Ash and May though. He's going to be very busy.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, you give my writing purpose.