Summer and Weldon arrived in Slateport City after a slight detour. When they got settled, she learned of a gala for an art exhibit. Hoping to see her friend, Clara, Summer reunited with Suzy and Tomoko, and the four attended the high-end event. As the night wore on, the Hoennese learned more about Clara from both the museum curator and her art, with the latter causing her distress. Now wanting to see the artist, Summer tried to approach her, only for Tawny to block her attempts. The four then decided to regroup and figure out their next steps. The two now return to their travels by exploring the city. However, Summer feels a deep sadness from someone by the docks and decides to investigate. Who is this person, and will Summer be able to help?

P.S.- Thanks to Fancyyy, who provided me the characters, Charmaine and Wally, who first appeared in his story, Hoenn – Where the Journey Begins! :)

Don't forget to vote in my current poll about my fifth anniversary or PM me any questions you would like me to answer :D

Chapter 18- Comforting a Long-Distance Soul

After recovering from the crazy night at the art museum, Weldon, Lightning, and I strolled around the bustling streets. With all that happened recently, I was relieved to see Weldon enjoying the sights. And to be honest, I also appreciated the break.

"So, Weldon, what do you want to do before we head to Mauville City tomorrow?" I asked.

"Hm. We could do some training, but we can do that tomorrow. I can do anything, honestly."

"That's a first," I said with a snicker. "But I'm happy that you're feeling relaxed now."

He smirked. "Thanks to my guide."

My face felt warmer, but I wasn't sure if it was because of the sun. Suddenly, I felt a strong sadness coming from the ferry docks. It wasn't as painful as Weldon's extreme emotions from before, but it still hurt my heart. I moved to the side of the street to allow the pedestrians to pass and calm myself down. Weldon and Lightning, worried, did the same.

"Is everything okay, Summer?" he asked.

"Y-Yeah… It's just that...someone's suffering right now."

The Raichu frowned. "How bad?"

"I don't know… I have to see the person to understand." After regaining my composure, I declared, "I'm going to find them."

Weldon crossed his arms. "Should we join you?"

"Sure, but I don't want to draw too much attention. Maybe stay close enough?"

After they nodded, I briskly walked to the ferry building, with Weldon and Lightning following close behind. As I scanned the people entering into the city, a teenage girl and boy stood out to me.

The slightly tanned girl with bright blue eyes was about a few years older than me, her long brown hair blowing lightly in the sea breeze. She looked like an adventurous person with her white tank top, a dark grown long-sleeved shirt tied around her waist, a tan knapsack on her back, black leggings, and gray hiking shoes. The boy next to her was slightly taller but looked younger and paler than his companion. He had fluffy green hair and light blue eyes that reflected a sense of maturity. He also wore a white shirt, light green pants with the hems curled up, and white shoes. Around his right side was a brown saddlebag.

As I observed them walking around downtown, the way the girl moved reflected the sadness she was trying to hide.

Hm… She reminds me of someone…but she doesn't look like him. Still, some of the mannerisms are similar. I should gather more information.

When they stopped to sit on a bench, I pretended to not notice them as I walked past and hid behind a tree. Weldon and Lightning did the same but hid behind the mailbox behind the tree. I tried to eavesdrop, but the traffic made it difficult to hear. As they got up and headed west, we followed them at a reasonable distance. When they got to the Gym, a large clay building with several large greenhouses behind it, they turned around and saw us.

Charmaine flashed a big smile, which startled me a little. "Hi there! Are you two lost?" she asked, her voice strong yet soothing. "You've seem to have been following us for a while."

Quick, think of an excuse! Shaking my head, I gave a quick reply, "We were…just looking for the Gym! I haven't been to Slateport City in a while, so I wanted to check it out."

"Oh, well here it is! I'm Charmaine, the Gym Leader. This here's Wally, my boyfriend and the Lilycove City Gym Leader."

"It's nice to meet the both of you. I'm Summer. This is my coach, Weldon, and my partner, Lightning."

To my surprise, the female Gym Leader's eyes flickered with recognition. But she replied in a softer tone, "I'm sorry, but I'm not accepting challengers right now. Can you come back next week?"

"Oh, no! I wasn't planning to challenge your Gym yet. I just...well… I really want to…"

She cracked a grin. "Why don't you join us for some gardening? I really need to catch up since I've been gone for so long."

Ignoring Weldon's slight hesitation, I beamed. "Sure! We have some experience."

"Great! Come on in!"

She pushed her doors open, and the marvelous scent of flowers filled the light green lobby. Tropical plants grew around the display cases and paintings of flowers. I quickly glanced at the cases and saw photos of the Gym Leader with various plants or at gardening events. I thought I noticed the Celadon City Department Store in one of the backgrounds, but Charmaine ushered us towards the back of the Gym. We passed by the several large greenhouses until we reached an outdoor courtyard. In it were several raised beds holding ripe soybeans, carrots, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Some smaller beds filled with various flowers sat in between the sunny areas and shade from Lum and Sitrus Berry trees.

Charmaine picked up some woven baskets by the door and handed each of us one. "Wally, can you and Weldon pick the Berries and flowers? Summer, Lightning, and I can handle the veggies."

"Sure thing, Charmaine," he said, his voice soft like a Whismur. He picked up a ladder by the wall and they walked north to the specified plants.

The Slateport Gym Leader turned her attention back to me. "Come on, Summer. Let's start on the tomatoes and eggplants first. They're best to pick in the morning."

I nodded, and we harvested the delicious produce. Charmaine was very gentle and hands-on with her plants, taking only the ones that let go with a simple touch. She reminded me of Uncle Alberto and Auntie Mirasol.

"You're really good with plants, Charmaine," I complimented.

She giggled. "Thanks. I've always been since I was young. Though I learned so much more after moving to Hoenn."

"Oh? Where are you originally from?"

"Pallet Town, in the Kanto Region."

I knew it. Now to see if my theory is correct. "Wow, that's cool. I know several people from Pallet Town, like Weldon and Lows."

Her ears perked at the last word. "Lows? That name sounds…familiar. How did you meet him?"

Though I was a little confused by her response, I responded, "When I traveled around Johto last year, I met him several times, and we trained together during the Silver League."

"I see. What's he like?"

"Well, he's really nice and cheerful. He cares a lot about his friends, and he works really hard to become the best Trainer he can be."

She softly smiled. "I'm glad to hear that, especially from one of my brother's friends."

So I was right! "So you're his sister? He never mentioned to me he had any siblings."

"He doesn't like to be known as a Gym Leader's brother, so I have to respect that. After all, he wants to blaze his own trail as a Trainer."

Feeling her sadness grow, I took a deep breath. "Charmaine. I need to tell you the real reason I wanted to see you. I couldn't help but notice that you're sad about something. Is...everything okay?"

"So that's why you followed me. Lows did mention to me you can sense strong emotions. Guess I can't hide it from everyone." She sighed and stretched her legs. "I know we haven't met for that long, but you've known Lows for quite some time. So, I think it's fine if I tell you this." She took a deep breath. "Our dad passed away about three months ago. That was around the time...Lows came back from Johto…" She sniffled. "H-He didn't get to spend much time with Dad after coming back. A-And now…" she stuttered, holding back tears. "H-He's not the same…"

I stopped picking eggplants and grew worried. "I'm so sorry. What happened to him?"

Charmaine wiped her eyes with her elbow. "When I went back home recently to help my mom, I tried to talk to Lows. But he isolated himself in his room, and my mom doesn't know why. Everything I do to get him out makes himself shut in more. I...I don't know what to do anymore…"

I handed her a tissue from my bag. After she calmed down for a bit, I said, "Maybe you should let him figure things out for himself first. I know deep down, he appreciates your attempts. You're a great big sister, Charmaine."

"Thanks, Summer. I know it may sound like I'm grasping at straws, but do you think you can give him a call sometime? I think he needs to talk to someone else outside of my family."

"Of course! I'd be glad to. I'll try calling him later today."

"I really appreciate it." She then glanced at the boys picking Berries. "We should hurry and finish picking everything. You and Weldon are free to stay here for lunch as a reward for helping us today."

"Thanks for the offer, Charmaine."

"Sure thing. Now, let's get those cucumbers, carrots, and soybeans!"

We laughed and continued harvesting her crops.

A few hours later…

Charmaine and Wally guided us back to the Gym lobby.

"Thanks for inviting us for lunch, Charmaine," I said. "That was the best salad I've ever had!"

She giggled as she glanced at her fellow Gym Leader. "Well, I did have some help."

Wally blushed. "All I did was chop the vegetables, Charmaine. You did all the work with growing them."

"Aw…" She gave her boyfriend a peck on the cheek. "I still appreciate it, Wally."

The two looked into each other's eyes longingly. I smiled, sensing her earlier sadness melting away with each second. Weldon cleared his throat, and the pair snapped out of their gazes.

"Oh, sorry about that, you two!" she apologized. "Anyway. You're both welcome to visit any time. I know you'll be busy with your Gym challenge, Summer, but if you have time, I'd love to battle you."

"Sure! I can give you a heads up the next time we're back in Slateport."

"Great!" After we exchanged numbers, she added with a whisper. "Thanks again for listening to me, Summer. I really appreciate it."

"Of course, Charmaine. I'm glad I could help."

After we hugged, her cheerful demeanor returned. "Good luck with your journey, Summer and Weldon."

"Thanks! Hopefully we'll see either or both of you soon."

Wally nodded. "Oh, and Weldon? Think about what I told you, okay?"

"I will, Wally."

We waved goodbye and headed back to the Pokémon Center.

I was curious to ask Weldon about what he and Wally talked about, but didn't know how he'd react.

He sighed. "You want to know what I talked about with Wally, don't you?"

"H-How did-?"

"Come on, Summer. I've traveled with you long enough to know when your curiosity piques. Besides, you also get that weird look on your face."

"Weird?"

Lightning stared at me. "Now that I think about it, you do make a weird face when you're dying to know something, Summer. Just like when you sensed Charmaine's emotions."

"Seriously?" I crossed my arms, but I caught Weldon smirking.

"Though you make that face, it's actually kind of...kind of…" His face turned red and he looked away, clearing his throat.

"Are you getting sick, Weldon? We have been dealing with muggier weather lately."

Lightning groaned, but I hid a snicker.

He sensed my teasing and grinned. "Anyway. Wally told me I should challenge him when we reach Lilycove City."

"Really? But you're not doing the league."

"That's what I told him, but he insisted. Should I do it?"

"Why not? After all, there are no rules saying that Trainers who aren't participating in the year's league can't battle the Gyms for practice. So, no pressure."

"I'll think about it. So, what do you want to do now?"

"Hm… I was going to call Lows. You remember him, right?"

"Kind of. He was one of the boys you hung out with at the Silver League. Why do you need to call him?"

"Just to check up on him. I haven't heard from him in a while."

"Sure thing. I'll start doing some research on the next Gym."

"Great. I'll join you after my call. Catch you in the computer lab?"

He smiled and once we arrived at the building, he entered. Lightning and I found a quiet spot at the back, and I selected Lows' number.

It rang for what felt like an eternity until I heard. {Hi, you've reached Lows Landerson. Leave me a message, and I'll call back as soon as I can.}

After I heard the beep, I inhaled deeply and began my message. "Hi, Lows, it's Summer. I'm in Slateport City, and I met Charmaine, the Gym Leader. She told me about what's been going on with you. I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your dad, and I understand what you were going through. I felt the same thing when I lost my grandma. I regretted not spending more time with her, but I treasure the memories I had of her. Remember my necklace? Feeling it around my neck reminds me of her hugs and keeps her close to me. I hope you have something that keeps your dad close to you as well and treasure the memories associated with it. Anyway, I don't want to make this voicemail too long. Stay strong, Lows, and I hope to hear from you soon. Bye."

I ended the call and leaned against the wall, trembling. That message affected me more than I thought. I closed my eyes, reminiscing the memories I mentioned to Lows as I rubbed the stones lying on my chest. I miss you so much, Grandma Lan…

Summer's Pokémon:

Blaze (Blaziken, male): Brave Nature, Blaze Ability, moves: Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Blaze Kick, Sky Uppercut

Errol (Noctowl, male): Rash Nature, Keen Eye Ability, moves: Psychic, Confusion, Hypnosis, Air Slash

Aurora (Dewgong, female): Calm Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Water Pulse, Ice Beam, Aqua Tail, Signal Beam

Lightning (Raichu, female): Adamant Nature, Static Ability, moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Thunder Punch

Rocky (Steelix, male): Lonely Nature, Rock Head Ability, moves: Stone Edge, Crunch, Dragonbreath, Iron Tail

Olive (Treecko, female): Timid Nature, Overgrow Ability, moves: Pound, Growl, Absorb

Weldon's Pokémon:

Venusaur (male): Serious Nature, Overgrow Ability, moves: Solarbeam, Body Slam, Sludge Bomb, Vine Whip

Fearow (male): Adamant Nature, Keen Eye Ability, moves: Drill Peck, Steel Wing, Fury Attack, Aerial Ace

Golem (male): Bold Nature, Rock Head Ability, moves: Rock Slide, Earthquake, Rollout, Double Edge

Gyarados (male): Sassy Nature, Intimidate Ability, moves: Surf, Ice Fang, Payback, Waterfall

Arcanine (male): Naughty Nature, Flash Fire Ability, moves: Hyper Beam, Extremespeed, Flare Blitz, Fire Blast

Electabuzz (male): Rash Nature, Static Ability, moves: Thunder, Mega Kick, Thunder Punch, Shock Wave

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of Charmaine and Wally?

What did you think about what happened to Lows?

Will Lows return Summer's call?