Chapter 2: Not-So-Friendly Reunion.
Elsewhere, Brendan was on his way to the next town, hoping to earn his 6th badge.
"Just 3 more and I'll be on my way to the Hoenn League!" Brendan said before he spotted a Pokemon Center and decided to stop for some rest.
"I could use something to eat too." Brendan said as he walked in.
"Oh, hello, young man. Welcome to the Pokemon Center. By any chance, is your name Brendan?" Nurse Joy asked.
"Yes, Nurse Joy, but why do you ask?" Brendan asked.
"There is someone here waiting for you." Nurse Joy answered.
At that, a voice said, "That would be me.".
Brendan looked and recoiled in shock at seeing Shelly.
"Team Aqua!" Brendan said, instinctively reaching for a PokeBall.
"Wait! I'm not here to cause trouble!" Shelly said, raising and waving her hands.
Brendan kept a sharp eye on her, but slightly moved his hand from the PokeBall.
"Well, what are you waiting for me for?" Brendan asked.
"I'll tell you everything, but first, we have to talk out of earshot." Shelly said, motioning for him to follow her.
Brendan wasn't sure if this was a trap, but he followed her anyway.
"I suppose I'll start by introducing myself. I'm Shelly." Shelly said as she sat in a chair.
"Brendan." Brendan said.
"Listen, I know you have zero reason to trust me but hear me out. I'm here to ask for your help." Shelly said.
"My help? With what?" Brendan asked.
"Team Aqua's ambitions have grown too dangerous. When you battled us at the Weather Institute, I was doing research on the power of Primal Kyogre and discovered that if it's true power is awakened, it could potentially flood the entire planet." Shelly said.
Brendan looked surprised, "I've heard Legendary Pokemon are powerful, but I never thought they could be capable of that." he said.
"I tried to appeal to Archie, but he won't listen. I may not seem the type, but I have family that I care about. If the world is flooded, even if I survive, I fear what will happen to my family." Shelly said.
Brendan listened to what she said before he thought. He worried about his own family and friends if that was the case.
"Well, Shelly, tell me this. Are you telling me the absolute truth?" Brendan asked.
"Yes. Here." she said, handing him a copy of the data from the Weather Institute. Brendan looked at it and, despite not being a meteorologist or a scientist, he understood fairly well from the projection pictures.
"So, what makes you think I can help?" Brendan asked.
"I watched your battle against the grunts. You are a great Trainer. I don't know who else to ask." Shelly said.
Brendan thought for a few minutes before he said, "Fine. I'll do whatever I can to help. I can't just let Team Aqua flood the whole planet."
Shelly sighed in relief, "I was hoping you'd say that." she said.
"But, if you try anything, I won't hesitate to battle you." Brendan said.
"I understand." Shelly said.
"So, what are you gonna do now?" Brendan asked.
"Well, I'm not sure. Truth be told, I'm strongly considering defecting, but I'm afraid of what Archie might do if he discovers." Shelly said.
"I actually don't disagree. If he wants a utopia as badly as he says to the point of wiping out innocent people, even of those close to him, he doesn't sound like a pleasant person to work for." Brendan said.
"So do you think I should?" Shelly asked.
"You're better to decide that." Brendan answered before he headed to the door.
"Where are you going?" Shelly asked.
"To the next Gym. I might as well take it easy until I get another shot at Team Aqua." Brendan said.
As Brendan headed towards the door, Shelly called out, "Wait, Brendan!"
He turned back, raising an eyebrow.
Shelly hesitated for a moment before saying, "Thank you... for giving me a chance."
Brendan nodded slightly, a hint of a smile crossing his lips. "Just make sure you're making the right choice, Shelly."
With that, he left the Pokemon Center, his mind swirling with thoughts about the new ally he unexpectedly gained and the dangerous path ahead.